Early Morning Madness: Billy Wagner should have a cramp in his shoulder more often edition

It's the bottom of the tenth inning on Sunday. The Mets are up by two, bringing in their closer Billy Wagner. Two pitches in, both Jerry Manuel and trainer Rey Ramirez begin trotting out to the mound to check on Wagner, for an injury they think he has.

Billy shrugs them off, and flashes a smile as they walk away. He proceeds to strike out the side, in order, and seal up a win for his team.

He does all this with a cramp in his pitching shoulder. More cramps, I say!

But seriously, Wagner will have an MRI on the shoulder today, just to see if everything is all right. It was ridiculously hot yesterday, so a little dehydration is my expert opinion of what went wrong. Not too worried.

Update: I wasn't worried, and now either are the Mets. The scheduled MRI has been cancelled.

** * **

Congratulations are in order for Jose Reyes, who is now the franchise leader in triples.

Reyes passed Mookie Wilson's, notching his 63rd triple in a Mets uniform yesterday at Cincy.

To many more, Reyes. Many, many more.

** * **

Mets minor league prospect Dan Murphy, a third baseman by trade, has shifted to second base in hopes of making it to the big leagues with the Mets.

Obviously, Murphy is blocked by David Wright at third, and will be for a very long time. Second base is a bit more crowded, but things are very up in the air with that position.

Luis Castillo is unfortunately signed for the next three years at that position, pulling in $6 million a year. Damion Easley has filled in amazingly well while Castillo is on the DL. And now Argenis Reyes has come up and made things look easy, contributing key pinch hits and playing well in the field to spell Easley.

Well, if Murphy has his way, you should add his name to the list.

Here's a quote, via Adam Rubin:

"My theory is just catch it and get rid of it," said Murphy, who played second base through the 11th grade, about his double-play approach. "If I get hit, I get hit. That's the way it is. I'm pretty sure my pitchers would take something for me. So if they're going to throw a double-play ball and I take a hit, that's just the way it goes."

I wonder if he's willing to take a hit...

TSTDIA: Mets 7 -- Reds 5

A tenth inning rally sparked by Robinson Cancel and helped out by some shotty play be the Reds helped the mets earn a split of the series.

The Mets move back into a tie for first with the Phillies, with the Marlins only one half game back.

TSTDIA: Reds 7 -- Mets 2

So glad I skipped out on this one.

Settle a bet: Who is faster: Brett Gardner or Jose Reyes?

Very simple. Between Yankee outfielder Brett Gardner and Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, who do you think is faster?

My Yankee friend has some delusion that Gardner is quicker. Please give me proof to blow him out of the water.

For your Saturday morning viewing pleasure

I present to you, the funniest left fielder in the major leagues, Manny Ramirez...


Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Hat tip to Ian from Sox&Dawgs for the video.

Off Topic: My friday night of seeing Billy Joel (kinda) at Shea Stadium (not at all)

OK, so I lied.

I actually saw the Billy Joel tribute band, Big Shot, and I wasn't in Shea Stadium either. I was actually in Bloomfield, New Jersey enjoying the musical stylings of Beginnings (a Chicago tribute band) and Big Shot.

I was thoroughly impressed with Big Shot. Sounded like Joel, played like Joel. It was excellent. Most of the people attending were a little too old to know some, or most, or any, of the words, so that was a bit of a letdown, but my family made up for it by knowing each and every one.

Beginnings was alright. Nothing to write home about. They played Chicago tunes, to the best of their ability and they were decent. Big Shot stole the show.

Oh, and I must say, this woman who was sitting behind us was the single most annoying screamer I've ever heard. When she got just too excited she couldn't help herself, she would let out this scream, more like a wail. It was high pitched, warbling, and just terrible. It sounded like the mating call of some exotic creature from the deepest depths of the Amazon, with helium, and after 200 cases of Red Bull.

Turrible.

Great concert last night. If Big Shot is in your area, and you don't have the ca$h to spend on the real Billy Joel, make sure you check them out.

And if you need tickets to an upcoming game, I recommend Vivid Seats for all your New York Mets ticket needs.

Mark two more up to the injured list

Trot Nixon and Angel Pagan are the latest to add their names to list of the Mets heading to Del Boca Vista.

Mr. Nixon, who saw was only around long enough for 35 at bats with the Mets, had hernia surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Mr. Pagan has a torn labrum, and needs surgery, but will seek a second opinion. That's sure going to work out in his favor.

I'm telling you, that corner outfield spots are cursed! The Mets need to bring back Benny Agbayani for one more go around in the outfield and everything will be cured.

TSTDIA: Reds 5 -- Mets 2

All good things must come to an end. I'm not going to lose any sleep over this one.

Fernando Tatis is hot

No, not like that.

Tatis is owned by four percent of Yahoo! fantasy baseball players?? Those are some enterprising people, if I do say so myself.

A little sad they don't have a photo of Fernando Tatis, at least in his Cardinals gear.

Keep it up, Tatis!

Yankee writers must always find a way to beat down the Mets

Usually, I love stuff Peter Abraham writes. It's usually well thought out and supported by facts. Usually. Here's his latest, entitled "Cashman made the right move with Santana":

There is no question, none whatsoever, that Johan Santana would have helped the Yankees this season. There is little question that Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy were probably overvalued during the winter. Maybe Phil Hughes, too.

But does anybody still think it would have been smart for the Yankees to trade the farm for Santana then give him the six-year, $137.5 million deal the Mets did?

The Mets are 11-9 in the games Santana has started and he has allowed 16 home runs in 130.2 innings. That’s 49 dingers in the last 349.2 innings if you’re keeping track at home. The guy still has brilliant moments, but he’s getting to a point where you can see a slide coming.

Much like Pedro Martinez, you have to wonder what this deal will look like in a few years. Brian Cashman, it would seem, made a smart play last winter.

Notice how he leaves out Santana's 3.10 ERA (up nearly .30 after last night's start). That's good enough for 8th in the league.

Surprised he leaves out his 116 strikeouts (only 21 off the league lead)? He's in sixth in that catergory for the NL.

What about his 1.22 WHIP, which ranks below the league average? He's statistically 11th in the league in that catergory.

How about that in his last four losses, he's surrendered only one, four, one, and three runs in the respective games, lasting six innings or longer in each?

Nope, won't find that in his article. The facts a writer provides tells the story for you, but it's really the facts that he leaves out that show the true argument.