It's an off-day. Can you tell?
Go here to listen to the one and only Steve Somers read the Dr. Suess classic "Green Eggs & Ham."
Honestly, I've never laughed so hard in my life. Amazing.
Another thing to note, is the show "Playing For Peanuts" is now available for download.
I'm sure you caught a moment or two on SNY when you were waiting for Mets games, or something to that effects. Well, the director has made all the episodes available for free download on his site. This is a must-watch. A great documentary about an awesome subject. Please, if you love baseball and Wally Backman, check it out.
Below are the instructions:
1.) Go to playingforpeanuts.com/free
2.) Enter the Access Code: 6CJS9Z6GT2
3.) Enter your email address
4.) You will see 8 files. The first 5 files are video files from the first episode of Playing for Peanuts:
Episode #1 - Part 1
Episode #1 - Part 2
Episode #1 - Part 3
Episode #1 - Part 4
Episode #1 - Entire Episode
As you can see, Episode #1 is available in four video segments. If you prefer, you can also download the entire episode (note: it is a large file and will normally take 20 minutes or more to download).
The remaining 3 files are different versions of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that you've probably never heard before.
Ballgame Music - Loud
Ballgame Music - Acoustic Guitar
Ballgame Music - Irish
Enjoy!
8/28/08
No no no no no no no no no no no no
NO.
Should the New York Mets deal for Carl Pavano?
Are you crazy? Out of your mind? Hellbent on destruction? NO!
The $40 million man, has made one (1!) start this season, and fans want to deal for him?
My goodness gracious! Please, anyone who thought this was a good idea, turn in all your blue and orange apparel, your Mets fandom, your pride, your brain and go live in Antarctica. Forever.
In the words of a great comic book salesmen: Worst. Idea. Ever.
Should the New York Mets deal for Carl Pavano?
Are you crazy? Out of your mind? Hellbent on destruction? NO!
The $40 million man, has made one (1!) start this season, and fans want to deal for him?
My goodness gracious! Please, anyone who thought this was a good idea, turn in all your blue and orange apparel, your Mets fandom, your pride, your brain and go live in Antarctica. Forever.
In the words of a great comic book salesmen: Worst. Idea. Ever.
I apologize to everyone; It was all my fault
During almost every game, one can find me wearing my plastic helmet.Yes, I admit it. I wear a plastic helmet. It's kind of close to what the first and third base coaches wear, but it's all black and all awesome and no padding.
And yes, I even wear it out to games, to the movies, and whenever I feel like having a little fun with the general public.
But recently, I've forgotten about it. I haven't been wearing it much, and I'm not sure why. But last night, I remembered. Last night I sprinted to my room, rummaged through my pile of stuff and emerged with the helmet. I placed that helmet on my head, and no sooner did I don the plastic hat, did Daniel Murphy rip a double to left field, bouncing once before hitting the fence, and watching Carlos Beltran come around to put the Mets up by one.
The helmet has powers. And I will be wearing her more often.
I'm sorry for not wearing the cap lately, but the Mets have done well in it's absence. Now, down the stretch, the Mets may need all the help they can get. And I shall do my part with the helmet.
Now I just need a nickname for it and we'll all be set.
Pick up Deglado's option on one condition: Jerry stays too
I know I wanted the Mets to wait until the season was over, to see what Carlos Delgado could do during that final month of the season, but no more. The Mets should reward him, and strengthen the team, by picking up his option for next year, as long as Jerry Manuel is the manager next year, too.
Deglado has gone on a tear, as Wallace Matthews points out, almost exactly to the date of the firing of Willie Randolph. For once, I can't fully disagree with what Matthews said, as it's is based on actual fact (somewhat). Matthews believes Delgado and Randolph were not the best of buds, so...Delgado purposely stunk it up? While that may be a bit outlandish, one cannot deny the numbers.
Since July 27, ten days after Maunel took over, Delgado has hit more home runs and driven in more RBI than anyone in the national league. Pretty scary stat.
I attribute Delgado's resurgence to his patience at the plate and the use of his diary, a crucial item that was missing for the better part of the beginning of the year. Apparently, Delgado had forgotten his diary at home on his kitchen table. When his wife finally went home again, she picked it up and brought it back to him. And the results are on the field.
As of now, I firmly believe in bringing Carlos Delgado back for another year. Otherwise, the Mets will either have to take a chance on Mike Carp, move Daniel Murphy to first (which wouldn't be such a bad idea) or break out the checkbook, or two, to try and sign Mark Teixeira.
While the Mets are working out Delgado's option, they should really be focusing on giving Manuel a contract for a few more years. He knows what to do with his players and the media, and can manage a team and a bullpen. I love him, the players seem to love him, and it makes sense for everyone involved.
Omar Minaya, get it done.
Deglado has gone on a tear, as Wallace Matthews points out, almost exactly to the date of the firing of Willie Randolph. For once, I can't fully disagree with what Matthews said, as it's is based on actual fact (somewhat). Matthews believes Delgado and Randolph were not the best of buds, so...Delgado purposely stunk it up? While that may be a bit outlandish, one cannot deny the numbers.
Since July 27, ten days after Maunel took over, Delgado has hit more home runs and driven in more RBI than anyone in the national league. Pretty scary stat.
I attribute Delgado's resurgence to his patience at the plate and the use of his diary, a crucial item that was missing for the better part of the beginning of the year. Apparently, Delgado had forgotten his diary at home on his kitchen table. When his wife finally went home again, she picked it up and brought it back to him. And the results are on the field.
As of now, I firmly believe in bringing Carlos Delgado back for another year. Otherwise, the Mets will either have to take a chance on Mike Carp, move Daniel Murphy to first (which wouldn't be such a bad idea) or break out the checkbook, or two, to try and sign Mark Teixeira.
While the Mets are working out Delgado's option, they should really be focusing on giving Manuel a contract for a few more years. He knows what to do with his players and the media, and can manage a team and a bullpen. I love him, the players seem to love him, and it makes sense for everyone involved.
Omar Minaya, get it done.
8/27/08
Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Phillies 3
We'll take that first place back, thank you very much.
Pitching Performance
I thought it was going to be a disaster night, a disaster outing for Johan Santana. I was pretty wrong, I guess. Santana got off to a rocky start, surrendering a two-run home run in the first inning to Ryan Howard. In the second, he let up a solo shot to Jayson Werth.
I honestly thought it was going downhill from there. But Santana did not falter. He ended pitching six innings, allowing only those three runs on six hits. He did struggle with his control, as he walked three batters, but still struck out six. Through his time on the bump, Santana had to throw 106 pitches, only 67 of which were strikes.
I even wrote a post about Santana after the first two innings. Good thing he recovered and pitched admirably for the next four innings. Well done, Johan. He will not be praised, but he earned his keep.
Brian Stokes pitched the seventh inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith split the 8th, working a perfect frame. Luis Ayala worked the ninth for his second save of the year.
Can you believe it?! Dance in the streets! The bullpen was handed a deficit and it turned into a lead! Where can I sign up for that?
Well done by those four. They bounced back from last night's loss and pitched like it never happened.
Offensive Output
The story of tonight was Carlos Delgado and a resurgence from the bats.
Delgado drove in the first run of the game with a single to right, chasing in Jose Reyes.
Delgado put up the second Mets run with a solo home run deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep to right field in the sixth inning.
Delgado drove in the third Mets run, himself, with another solo home run in the eighth inning. That Delgado blast tied the game for the Mets. They then got two runners on for Daniel Murphy. Murphy was 0-for his last-16, ended that stretch, lacing a double to right field that plated Beltran. Brian Schneider added a single to left, driving in two more in the Mets three-run eighth.
The Mets scored after the third inning? Seriously, WHAT?
Great job by Delgado. He loves that park, so much.
The Rest of the Story
Stokes earned his first win as a Met.
Reyes, Delgado and Beltran each picked up three hits.
David Wright went 0-5 with 2 K's.
Game Ball: Carlos Delgado.
Pitching Performance
I thought it was going to be a disaster night, a disaster outing for Johan Santana. I was pretty wrong, I guess. Santana got off to a rocky start, surrendering a two-run home run in the first inning to Ryan Howard. In the second, he let up a solo shot to Jayson Werth.
I honestly thought it was going downhill from there. But Santana did not falter. He ended pitching six innings, allowing only those three runs on six hits. He did struggle with his control, as he walked three batters, but still struck out six. Through his time on the bump, Santana had to throw 106 pitches, only 67 of which were strikes.
I even wrote a post about Santana after the first two innings. Good thing he recovered and pitched admirably for the next four innings. Well done, Johan. He will not be praised, but he earned his keep.
Brian Stokes pitched the seventh inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith split the 8th, working a perfect frame. Luis Ayala worked the ninth for his second save of the year.
Can you believe it?! Dance in the streets! The bullpen was handed a deficit and it turned into a lead! Where can I sign up for that?
Well done by those four. They bounced back from last night's loss and pitched like it never happened.
Offensive Output
The story of tonight was Carlos Delgado and a resurgence from the bats.
Delgado drove in the first run of the game with a single to right, chasing in Jose Reyes.
Delgado put up the second Mets run with a solo home run deeeeeeeeeeeeeeep to right field in the sixth inning.
Delgado drove in the third Mets run, himself, with another solo home run in the eighth inning. That Delgado blast tied the game for the Mets. They then got two runners on for Daniel Murphy. Murphy was 0-for his last-16, ended that stretch, lacing a double to right field that plated Beltran. Brian Schneider added a single to left, driving in two more in the Mets three-run eighth.
The Mets scored after the third inning? Seriously, WHAT?
Great job by Delgado. He loves that park, so much.
The Rest of the Story
Stokes earned his first win as a Met.
Reyes, Delgado and Beltran each picked up three hits.
David Wright went 0-5 with 2 K's.
Game Ball: Carlos Delgado.
Here come the Johan bashers
It's the second inning, and the Phillies are already leading 3-1. Johan Santana has give up a two-run home run to Ryan Howard in the first and a solo shot to Jayson Werth in the second.
It's awful that Johan is having a bad start tonight, but he's pitched so well over the last month or more. He's due for a mediocre, or even bad, start. It's going to happen.
It's just too bad if this holds up, or gets worse, fans will be all over Johan for "not coming through when the team needs him." Not like he's put up some pretty baffling starts and not gotten wins from them in the past.
Hopefully it will be a reversal of fortunes tonight, but only time will tell.
It's awful that Johan is having a bad start tonight, but he's pitched so well over the last month or more. He's due for a mediocre, or even bad, start. It's going to happen.
It's just too bad if this holds up, or gets worse, fans will be all over Johan for "not coming through when the team needs him." Not like he's put up some pretty baffling starts and not gotten wins from them in the past.
Hopefully it will be a reversal of fortunes tonight, but only time will tell.
Told ya so
Nelson Figueroa is in Philly, but he may not be activated tonight. My source said otherwise.
Also, Ramon Castro has landed on the DL with a strained hamstring. Robinson Cancel has been called up in his place.
Update, 4:52: Argenis Reyes, as predicted, is heading to the minors. He will be called up after he spends time in the minors, I believe 10 days.
Also, Ramon Castro has landed on the DL with a strained hamstring. Robinson Cancel has been called up in his place.
Update, 4:52: Argenis Reyes, as predicted, is heading to the minors. He will be called up after he spends time in the minors, I believe 10 days.
Poll: Mets fans are confident
In my latest poll, I asked fans to vote on a very simple question: Will the Mets make the playoffs?
The results:
95% Yes, 5% No.
Fitting that the poll closed right about the 7th inning of last night's game. I wonder how much different it would be if everyone voted today.
I guess the fans are a confident bunch. I also think the Mets will be playing baseball in the postseason. Last night notwithstanding, the Mets have still put together a spectacular second half, bullpen troubles and all.
One half game back with 29 to play? They have a shot.
New poll: Who is the Mets MVP in 2008?
The results:
95% Yes, 5% No.
Fitting that the poll closed right about the 7th inning of last night's game. I wonder how much different it would be if everyone voted today.
I guess the fans are a confident bunch. I also think the Mets will be playing baseball in the postseason. Last night notwithstanding, the Mets have still put together a spectacular second half, bullpen troubles and all.
One half game back with 29 to play? They have a shot.
New poll: Who is the Mets MVP in 2008?
Red Sox to help open Citi Field
This one just strikes me as odd.
According to The Providence Journal, the Mets will welcome the Red Sox for a two-game exhibition series at the new Citi Field during the last week of spring training.
The article states that the series would probably take place on April 3-4, as the Mets will open the season on the road before returning to their new digs for the April 14 home opener against the Padres.
This is weird. Very weird. It's their new stadium, new home, a huge step forward for the organization, and they're going to open it with an exhibition game?
Is this a move to get the players somewhat accustomed to how the field and stadium plays? Maybe. It just doesn't make sense. Wouldn't you want your first game, a meaningful game, to be played in the new stadium to open it up. The crowd paid to see the first game of the '09 season, but what they're really coming to see is the new park, all of our's home away from home.
But no, it will all start with two meaningless games against the Red Sox. Odd, if you ask me.
Thanks to Ian from Sox & Dawgs for the link.
According to The Providence Journal, the Mets will welcome the Red Sox for a two-game exhibition series at the new Citi Field during the last week of spring training.
The article states that the series would probably take place on April 3-4, as the Mets will open the season on the road before returning to their new digs for the April 14 home opener against the Padres.
This is weird. Very weird. It's their new stadium, new home, a huge step forward for the organization, and they're going to open it with an exhibition game?
Is this a move to get the players somewhat accustomed to how the field and stadium plays? Maybe. It just doesn't make sense. Wouldn't you want your first game, a meaningful game, to be played in the new stadium to open it up. The crowd paid to see the first game of the '09 season, but what they're really coming to see is the new park, all of our's home away from home.
But no, it will all start with two meaningless games against the Red Sox. Odd, if you ask me.
Thanks to Ian from Sox & Dawgs for the link.
Nelson Figueroa has been called up
This is from my only true "inside source."
Nelson Figueroa was phoned late last night and boarded a plane for Philadelphia, which means he will be activated before the Sept. 1 roster expansion. According to my "source," Figueroa will be in the bullpen for tonight's finale against the Phillies.
Figueroa will likely be the long man, if needed. Aaron Heilman threw 60 pitches last night in his spectacular three innings, so look for him to be unavailable tonight.
Ramon Castro might be going to the DL with a hamstring strain, so Figueroa might be taking his spot on the roster. Robinson Cancel was rumored to be coming up if Castro has to go on the DL, which makes sense because otherwise the Mets would have only one catcher.
I think Argenis Reyes will be demoted for a few days to make room for the extra arm of Figueroa.
Nelson Figueroa was phoned late last night and boarded a plane for Philadelphia, which means he will be activated before the Sept. 1 roster expansion. According to my "source," Figueroa will be in the bullpen for tonight's finale against the Phillies.
Figueroa will likely be the long man, if needed. Aaron Heilman threw 60 pitches last night in his spectacular three innings, so look for him to be unavailable tonight.
Ramon Castro might be going to the DL with a hamstring strain, so Figueroa might be taking his spot on the roster. Robinson Cancel was rumored to be coming up if Castro has to go on the DL, which makes sense because otherwise the Mets would have only one catcher.
I think Argenis Reyes will be demoted for a few days to make room for the extra arm of Figueroa.
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