I'm so proud of you, David. The future Mrs. Wright (maybe) is pretty cute, and that is the understatement of the century.
(Ed. note: This is post #1,000 on the new site...including a backlog of 2006, but not 2007. It's probably more near 2,000 but we will never know. Thanks for reading, everyone!)
7/16/08
The Mets are streaking on both sides of the ball
I was gearing up for a lengthy post on how the Mets have turned it around since Jerry Manuel took the helm and how well the players have been playing in July.
Unfortunately (or probably fortunately), Eric Grissom over at Phillies Flow has beaten me to it.
Here's an excerpt of the article, titles "Men on fire":
The Mets have been the team that we thought they could be, finally. Mike Pelfrey has blossomed into a wonderful pitcher, Johan Santana has plugged away at his consistently wonderful pace, and Olvier Perez has switched his mechanics and seen great results.
The bats are back too, as Carlos Delgado is getting on track (maybe), Jose Reyes is on an absolute tear after getting off to a slow start, and Damion Easley is filling in admirably at second base.
The All Star break couldn't come at a worse time for the hot Mets, but hopefully it will carry over into the second "half," down the stretch, and beyond.
Great stuff, Eric. Truly worth a read.
Unfortunately (or probably fortunately), Eric Grissom over at Phillies Flow has beaten me to it.
Here's an excerpt of the article, titles "Men on fire":
There's some great statistical breakdowns of the starters in July and the runs scored / runs against breakdown between the two months of June and July.Overall, the difference between the Manuel and non-Manuel pitching numbers is far more dramatic than the difference between the Manuel and non-Manuel hitting numbers. The Mets are scoring about 4.96 runs per game since he took over compared to about 4.80 per game before he took over, but the difference between the pitching numbers is much larger. After allowing about 4.67 runs per game before Manuel took over, the Mets have allowed about 3.81 runs per game since.
The Mets have been the team that we thought they could be, finally. Mike Pelfrey has blossomed into a wonderful pitcher, Johan Santana has plugged away at his consistently wonderful pace, and Olvier Perez has switched his mechanics and seen great results.
The bats are back too, as Carlos Delgado is getting on track (maybe), Jose Reyes is on an absolute tear after getting off to a slow start, and Damion Easley is filling in admirably at second base.
The All Star break couldn't come at a worse time for the hot Mets, but hopefully it will carry over into the second "half," down the stretch, and beyond.
Great stuff, Eric. Truly worth a read.
Was that the most interesting or the most boring All Star Game ever?
My vote goes for boring.
Of the 15 innings of tedious baseball played last night, and into this morning, maybe two or three actually caught my attention. From the tenth inning on, every time the National League failed to plate a run, I was practically begging the AL to score so this thing would be over. I would only beg if I was awake though, as this game failed to hold my attention more than a fluffy couch and blanket could.
Here's what I got as my mom flipped back and forth between the All Star Game and "House Hunters" on HGTV, in no particular order:
I must say, the best part of the entire All Star Game, from red carpet events to derbies, is the pre-game festivities. I absolutely love seeing all the great players take the field and bask in cheers from fans that probably weren't alive when they played. It's great to see their accomplisments in baseball recognized.
Of the 15 innings of tedious baseball played last night, and into this morning, maybe two or three actually caught my attention. From the tenth inning on, every time the National League failed to plate a run, I was practically begging the AL to score so this thing would be over. I would only beg if I was awake though, as this game failed to hold my attention more than a fluffy couch and blanket could.
Here's what I got as my mom flipped back and forth between the All Star Game and "House Hunters" on HGTV, in no particular order:
- Dan Uggla makes uggly errors. (Amazing find by Dan Lamothe over at Red Sox Monster.)
- Billy Wagner should never pitch in All Star Games ever again.
- Clint Hurdle and Terry Francona are luuuuuuuuuucky!
- I think my dad was more excited for the stealth plane fly over than the game. Rightly so.
- Russel Martin is a beast at blocking the plate.
- Yogi Berra is still awesome.
- George Sherrill's hat is flatter than Joba Chamberlain's.
- Sox fans are so happy the MVP was J.D. Drew.
I must say, the best part of the entire All Star Game, from red carpet events to derbies, is the pre-game festivities. I absolutely love seeing all the great players take the field and bask in cheers from fans that probably weren't alive when they played. It's great to see their accomplisments in baseball recognized.
Citi Field may hold 2013 All Star Game
According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, the Mets new home, Citi Field, is in line to host the All Star Game in 2013.
Shea Stadium held the 1964 All Star Game, and saw the National League actually win a game (shocker!) by a score of 7-4. Ron Hunt was the only Mets player elected to the game that year.
According to Baseball Almanac, Shea was host to over 50,000 fans that day. Unfortunately, Citi won't hold that many, but I'm sure they'll find a way to squeeze more and more people in.
Can't wait until 2013.
Baseball has announced the sites for the 2009 and 2010 Midsummer Classics, with next year's at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, followed by Angel Stadium in Anaheim.Sounds like a plan to me. First of all, I can't explain to you how excited I am for the new digs next year. I still can't fully grasp that Shea will be gone, but I'm anticipating all the new memories that will be made in the new park, that I will actually remember.
The 2011 game is expected to be at Arizona's Chase Field, then Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City in 2012. Then it will be the Mets' turn.
Shea Stadium held the 1964 All Star Game, and saw the National League actually win a game (shocker!) by a score of 7-4. Ron Hunt was the only Mets player elected to the game that year.
According to Baseball Almanac, Shea was host to over 50,000 fans that day. Unfortunately, Citi won't hold that many, but I'm sure they'll find a way to squeeze more and more people in.
Can't wait until 2013.
7/15/08
Big Papi: The comedian
Via Peter Abraham, one of the best beat writers in the game:
Alex Rodriguez did a brief interview with the writers just now. As he was talking, David Ortiz shouted out from the adjacent locker, “No more talking about Madonna please!”Too funny. I'm sure Yankee fans will not find this the least bit humorous.A-Rod paused for a second then kept talking as though he didn’t hear Big Papi. Everybody else started snickering, as did Ortiz.
Does anyone care about the All Star Game?
I know I don't.
Personally, I prefer the Home Run Derby over the actual game. I'm a sucker for balls that travel far (that's what she said!) and I got more than my fill last night (TWSS!). The Derby is fun and exciting, the game is slow, boring, and tedious.
I've read a ton of stuff about how awful the game has become. Frankly, I agree.
First of all, how is an "All Star" selected midway through the season? Shouldn't it be based on a whole year of stats instead of, say, 40 percent of the season. I understand MLB doesn't want to lose the audience, and if the game is played after the season, no one will really care, a la the Pro Bowl.
The game would still "matter," as it will determine next years home field, but it would be determined who plays based on a whole season of play.
Secondly, there are too many people in this game. I can see why some guys only want to play an inning or two, but they are baseball players, it's what their paid to do! I want to campaign for more pitchers (they're the ones who really should be in there for an inning or two) and less bench players. Each player should play three innings or more.
Not only would it show the true cream of the crop, but it would showcase them for the fans more.
Honestly, I don't care who wins the game tonight. The fact that is counts is stupid, but I'm just going to have to live with it. It should be fun and exciting, like Pete Rose style play, but I think that's a time of the past.
Personally, I prefer the Home Run Derby over the actual game. I'm a sucker for balls that travel far (that's what she said!) and I got more than my fill last night (TWSS!). The Derby is fun and exciting, the game is slow, boring, and tedious.
I've read a ton of stuff about how awful the game has become. Frankly, I agree.
First of all, how is an "All Star" selected midway through the season? Shouldn't it be based on a whole year of stats instead of, say, 40 percent of the season. I understand MLB doesn't want to lose the audience, and if the game is played after the season, no one will really care, a la the Pro Bowl.
The game would still "matter," as it will determine next years home field, but it would be determined who plays based on a whole season of play.
Secondly, there are too many people in this game. I can see why some guys only want to play an inning or two, but they are baseball players, it's what their paid to do! I want to campaign for more pitchers (they're the ones who really should be in there for an inning or two) and less bench players. Each player should play three innings or more.
Not only would it show the true cream of the crop, but it would showcase them for the fans more.
Honestly, I don't care who wins the game tonight. The fact that is counts is stupid, but I'm just going to have to live with it. It should be fun and exciting, like Pete Rose style play, but I think that's a time of the past.
Early Morning Madness: Fix the Home Run Derby edition
Josh Hamilton did not win the Home Run Derby. Justin Morneau did.
No one seems to care.
Morneau should be given his props for working the system, and earning himself a shiny new trophy, but Hamilton should be praised for putting on the best show I can remember.
I've never seen one player, already walking into the event with a boatload of baggage, come into a foreign park and win over a crowd quite like that. His story helped. His 71 year old pitcher helped. But it was purely the talent of Hamilton that shone through last night at the hallowed Yankee Stadium.
Hamilton was the last man to bat in the first round, and blasted 28 home runs in the first round alone. All his home runs combined traveled a distance of 12,458. The average home run for Hamilton was hit 445 feet. He went on to hit four home runs in his abbreviated second round, as he was a shoe-in for the finals.
He only was able to hit three home runs in the final round, losing out to Morneau who paced himself and was able to crank five to take home the prize.
A performance like that of Hamilton, and him walking home in second place, is the reason the Derby needs to be fixed.
The current system works as follows: In the first round, the players are given 10 outs to try and hit their home runs. Their totals from the first round carry over if you're one of the top four players to advance. The player is then given another 10 outs and their totals are combined from round one and round two. The top two players move on to the finals, where the slate is wiped clean and they start anew. Whoever wins the final round, wins the event.
It seems to be a flawed system, because if you've ever watched the HR Derby past the first round, you can see how tired and exhausting it is for the players.
Here's what I propose: In Round 1, players are allotted 10 outs, just like before. It's early, so they can take more swings. In round two, the slate is wiped clean, and the players only have five outs to try and move on. The top two advance, and are given another five outs to work with, on a new tally.
Each round in important and the later rounds are shorter. This would create more a competitive environment, as they would have to perform in each round, but it would also keep the players fresh, cutting their late round hacks in half, based on outs alone.
Do you have a better plan? Let's hear it...
No one seems to care.
Morneau should be given his props for working the system, and earning himself a shiny new trophy, but Hamilton should be praised for putting on the best show I can remember.
I've never seen one player, already walking into the event with a boatload of baggage, come into a foreign park and win over a crowd quite like that. His story helped. His 71 year old pitcher helped. But it was purely the talent of Hamilton that shone through last night at the hallowed Yankee Stadium.
Hamilton was the last man to bat in the first round, and blasted 28 home runs in the first round alone. All his home runs combined traveled a distance of 12,458. The average home run for Hamilton was hit 445 feet. He went on to hit four home runs in his abbreviated second round, as he was a shoe-in for the finals.
He only was able to hit three home runs in the final round, losing out to Morneau who paced himself and was able to crank five to take home the prize.
A performance like that of Hamilton, and him walking home in second place, is the reason the Derby needs to be fixed.
The current system works as follows: In the first round, the players are given 10 outs to try and hit their home runs. Their totals from the first round carry over if you're one of the top four players to advance. The player is then given another 10 outs and their totals are combined from round one and round two. The top two players move on to the finals, where the slate is wiped clean and they start anew. Whoever wins the final round, wins the event.
It seems to be a flawed system, because if you've ever watched the HR Derby past the first round, you can see how tired and exhausting it is for the players.
Here's what I propose: In Round 1, players are allotted 10 outs, just like before. It's early, so they can take more swings. In round two, the slate is wiped clean, and the players only have five outs to try and move on. The top two advance, and are given another five outs to work with, on a new tally.
Each round in important and the later rounds are shorter. This would create more a competitive environment, as they would have to perform in each round, but it would also keep the players fresh, cutting their late round hacks in half, based on outs alone.
Do you have a better plan? Let's hear it...
7/14/08
Sign Guy: One of the three most infuriating men at Shea
If you watched more than 15 seconds of last night's first half finale of the Colorado Rockies and the New York Mets, I'm sure you were "treated" to the sight of the man I will refer to as "Sign Guy."
In fact, Sign Guy was so prominent he was featured on the SportsCenter highlights almost as much as the Mets. (Watch video here.)
I'll give him credit for one thing: the term "Pelfreyized." Nice work, Sign Guy.
Other than that, this man is annoying and ESPN couldn't get enough. This is not an official tally, but it seemed that ESPN showed Sign Guy at least 23,436,732 times during last night's broadcast. They went on to show him another three times on the highlight reel.
Why? This isn't even the good Sign Guy. The better man sits out in right field, in the corner seat of the loge or mezzanine (memory escapes me) in fair territory. Every game I go to, he's there with his boonie hat and bevy of correctly spelled signs. Good Sign Guy doesn't use the word "ITZ" (without an apostrophe, mind you), Bad Sign Guy does. Good Sign Guy has old, weathered signs that probably have seen as many bad games as good, as this guy is a warrior of Shea. Bad Sign Guy has bright, shiny new signs that look like he's just hopped on the bandwagon.
So boo to you, Bad Sign Guy. There must be more love for Good Sign Guy, manning his seat out in right field, as always. You're the true hero here.
Oh, and if you're wondering the other two infuriating people on my list: Those two bald guys that walk around in bright orange suits and blue ties that think they're so awesome. No one likes you two, just go away.
In fact, Sign Guy was so prominent he was featured on the SportsCenter highlights almost as much as the Mets. (Watch video here.)
I'll give him credit for one thing: the term "Pelfreyized." Nice work, Sign Guy.
Other than that, this man is annoying and ESPN couldn't get enough. This is not an official tally, but it seemed that ESPN showed Sign Guy at least 23,436,732 times during last night's broadcast. They went on to show him another three times on the highlight reel.
Why? This isn't even the good Sign Guy. The better man sits out in right field, in the corner seat of the loge or mezzanine (memory escapes me) in fair territory. Every game I go to, he's there with his boonie hat and bevy of correctly spelled signs. Good Sign Guy doesn't use the word "ITZ" (without an apostrophe, mind you), Bad Sign Guy does. Good Sign Guy has old, weathered signs that probably have seen as many bad games as good, as this guy is a warrior of Shea. Bad Sign Guy has bright, shiny new signs that look like he's just hopped on the bandwagon.
So boo to you, Bad Sign Guy. There must be more love for Good Sign Guy, manning his seat out in right field, as always. You're the true hero here.
Oh, and if you're wondering the other two infuriating people on my list: Those two bald guys that walk around in bright orange suits and blue ties that think they're so awesome. No one likes you two, just go away.
Guest Post: Beard power!
This post comes from Ramble7321.com. Check it out for articles on the Mets and other assorted topics.
Go beards! Go Mets!
The new look New York Mets have just rattled off nine wins in a row and look poised to make a push for a playoff spot this year.
After the release of manager Willie Randolph the New York Mets have an extra spring in their step. The change is noticeable enough on the field as the Mets have climbed within a half game of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East with a nine game win streak. But a closer look reveals even more.
New manager Jerry Manuel has the team playing loose and easy with his new style. By contrast, former manager Randolph was very strict. His style was born from his many seasons with the business-like New York Yankees. The old style of clean shaven faces, no music in the club house and business-like attitudes has changed to a loud club house with a bevy of music blaring loudly, players joking and having fun and of course lots of facial hair.
This team transition brings to mind another team in recent years that was more the proud of the unkempt look of the players. Yes, the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Please take time to compare:
Go beards! Go Mets!
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