From The 'Ropolitans good friend, Mr. Ryan Punzalan...
I'm not sure if you noticed, but I have. Where is Giuseppe Franco? As much as that commercial is annoying, I think he's the one that has the winning magic for us. Not Jerry Manuel, not Mr. Met, not Ramon Castro.
It's Giuseppe Franco.
His "Procede" commercials clogged SNY for about 90 percent of the broadcast's commercial spot. His signature phrase, "I don't even know anything about it" was in our heads as we went along our daily routine.
Gary Busey's expression when he hugged Giuseppe and his crazy hair is still in our brains. But, the Mets were in good spirit and winning during those times, especially when it was played about every commercial break during Mets game.
Call it coincidence, but that tide has changed. A new commercial has appeared, and it's annoying as hell.
Enter, "Shave Zone."
The cheesy "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" tune in the background is really what makes me want to punch my TV. It was filmed in probably the late 90's to early 00's, but it feels like a low-budget 80's commercial.
There are two commercials, one featuring SNY's own Lee Mazzilli and some other sarcastic guy named Sean Garcia. His name is so common that when I try to Google "Sean Garcia MLB" I get something related to Freddy Garcia in a Tiger uniform.
Oh, and the line used in these commercials is something related to, "Hey tough guy, blah blah blah, you need to use Shave Zone."
They premiered this commercial probably at the end of August and slowly turned it into another Procede commercial, except it really is a bad commercial not because of it's repetition but rather because of it's quality. Now it's mid-September and I can't go without a Met game without whistling "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" or smiling while rubbing my chin.
The more times they played it, the worse the Mets looked. When they premiered it, I feel that the Mets haven't seen it enough for them to be affected by it. Now that they pretty much see it 24/7, it probably dug a permanent hole in their brains.
Sorry "Shave Zone." You're making our Mets play like a repeat of something we don't want to remember. This commercial is a cancer; it is hurting the team and it is hurting the fan base.
I thought I would never say this, but SNY, please put Giuseppe Franco and his steroidic (I made up this word) hair back on-air.
9/17/08
Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Nationals 7
Whewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Pitching Performance
The bullpen must have given the poor guy a heart attack, but Brandon Knight earned his first major league win with five innings of baseball. Knight scattered six hits, walked four, and struck out five. He labored through a few innings, but allowed only two runs.
He looked good early, but struggled as he worked into the inning. Decent stuff. The bullpen wanted to hand this away, but thankfully the Mets scored enough runs to hold on.
From here, seven relievers struggled to get through the next four innings. Ricardo Rincon allowed a run on two hits and a walk. He got out of a jam thanks to a boneheaded play on the bases by the Nats.
Thank you, Nationals. Thank you.
Brian Stokes allowed a two-run home run to Elijah Dukes in his inning of work.
That ball was crushed. Crushed. Seems like the Stokes magic has run out too.
Aaron Heilman started the eighth inning, but was unable to get an out, as he allowed two hits before being removed. Scott Schoeneweis got the first two outs of the inning, striking out one. Joe Smith entered in a jam, and allowed a long fly ball to center field, but Carlos Beltran was able to track it down and escape the inning.
Aaron stinks. Simple as that.
Smith started the ninth, but allowed the first two runners to reach base, the first after a David Wright error. Pedro Feliciano came in and retired the first two batters, thanks to a nice play by Carlos Delgado and another by himself. Luis Ayala came on to get the final out of the game and seal the deal for the Mets.
These Mets are going to give me a heart attack. I swear.
Offensive Output
The bats woke up tonight.
The theme is back, as the Mets jumped on the board early. Jose Reyes led off the game with a solo home run to right field. A few batters later, Delgado homered deep to center field.
The beginning of a homer happy night for the Mets.
In the third inning, Reyes walked to lead off the inning. With Daniel Murphy batting, Reyes swiped second. Murphy cracked a ball to deep center, off the wall, and ended up with a triple, driving in Reyes. Delgado came to the plate and singled in Murphy. Beltran came up and connected for his first home run of the night, a two-run job, to deep right.
His swing is oh so sweet. I love it.
In the fourth, Reyes drove in Brian Schneider with a single to right field. After the Nationals tacked on runs and got way too close for comfort, Beltran put some distance between the two teams with his second homer of the night, a solo shot to left field.
It's about time the Mets scored some runs and won a game. Jeeeez!
The Rest of the Story
Wright is struggling with the bat and in the field. Somebody fix him.
I love Jerry Manuel.
My helmet is still broken.
Game Ball: Carlos Beltran.
Pitching Performance
The bullpen must have given the poor guy a heart attack, but Brandon Knight earned his first major league win with five innings of baseball. Knight scattered six hits, walked four, and struck out five. He labored through a few innings, but allowed only two runs.
He looked good early, but struggled as he worked into the inning. Decent stuff. The bullpen wanted to hand this away, but thankfully the Mets scored enough runs to hold on.
From here, seven relievers struggled to get through the next four innings. Ricardo Rincon allowed a run on two hits and a walk. He got out of a jam thanks to a boneheaded play on the bases by the Nats.
Thank you, Nationals. Thank you.
Brian Stokes allowed a two-run home run to Elijah Dukes in his inning of work.
That ball was crushed. Crushed. Seems like the Stokes magic has run out too.
Aaron Heilman started the eighth inning, but was unable to get an out, as he allowed two hits before being removed. Scott Schoeneweis got the first two outs of the inning, striking out one. Joe Smith entered in a jam, and allowed a long fly ball to center field, but Carlos Beltran was able to track it down and escape the inning.
Aaron stinks. Simple as that.
Smith started the ninth, but allowed the first two runners to reach base, the first after a David Wright error. Pedro Feliciano came in and retired the first two batters, thanks to a nice play by Carlos Delgado and another by himself. Luis Ayala came on to get the final out of the game and seal the deal for the Mets.
These Mets are going to give me a heart attack. I swear.
Offensive Output
The bats woke up tonight.
The theme is back, as the Mets jumped on the board early. Jose Reyes led off the game with a solo home run to right field. A few batters later, Delgado homered deep to center field.
The beginning of a homer happy night for the Mets.
In the third inning, Reyes walked to lead off the inning. With Daniel Murphy batting, Reyes swiped second. Murphy cracked a ball to deep center, off the wall, and ended up with a triple, driving in Reyes. Delgado came to the plate and singled in Murphy. Beltran came up and connected for his first home run of the night, a two-run job, to deep right.
His swing is oh so sweet. I love it.
In the fourth, Reyes drove in Brian Schneider with a single to right field. After the Nationals tacked on runs and got way too close for comfort, Beltran put some distance between the two teams with his second homer of the night, a solo shot to left field.
It's about time the Mets scored some runs and won a game. Jeeeez!
The Rest of the Story
Wright is struggling with the bat and in the field. Somebody fix him.
I love Jerry Manuel.
My helmet is still broken.
Game Ball: Carlos Beltran.
The Wild Card doesn't seem like a good fit for the Mets
If the season ended today, the Mets would play the Chicago Cubs. Looking back to the beginning of the year, that wouldn't be a very good thing.
The Mets played the Cubbies twice, for one of those weird two game series on April 21 and 22nd.
Both of those games saw the Mets only score one run, losing 7-1 against Carlos Zambrano and 8-1 against Ted Lilly.
The way these two have been pitching, with Zambo throwing a no-hitter against the Astros last time out, and Lilly taking a no-hit bid into the seventh inning the next day, and the way the Mets offense has been hitting, I wouldn't be surprised if another no-hitter is in the stars.
The Mets have been making the Nationals starters look like Cy Young. John Lannan? One hit. Odalis Perez? Four hits. Shairon Martis? We'll see.
Chicago comes to Shea during the last week of the season, for a four game series September 22 - 25. It's the second to last regular season series at the old park, so hopefully the Mets can do something special.
If they can, they just might be able to get October baseball into the old park one more time.
The Mets played the Cubbies twice, for one of those weird two game series on April 21 and 22nd.
Both of those games saw the Mets only score one run, losing 7-1 against Carlos Zambrano and 8-1 against Ted Lilly.
The way these two have been pitching, with Zambo throwing a no-hitter against the Astros last time out, and Lilly taking a no-hit bid into the seventh inning the next day, and the way the Mets offense has been hitting, I wouldn't be surprised if another no-hitter is in the stars.
The Mets have been making the Nationals starters look like Cy Young. John Lannan? One hit. Odalis Perez? Four hits. Shairon Martis? We'll see.
Chicago comes to Shea during the last week of the season, for a four game series September 22 - 25. It's the second to last regular season series at the old park, so hopefully the Mets can do something special.
If they can, they just might be able to get October baseball into the old park one more time.
So long, sweet lucky helmet
All thanks to Willie Harris and his ridiculous catch in the sixth inning.Sixth inning, runners on first and second, two outs for David Wright at the plate. Crack! There goes a smoking line drive to deep left...
Back back back goes Willie Harris...he leaps...throws his glove up...and smack the ball lands in the glove and Harris lands on the ground. Wright slams his helmet down in frustration.
309 miles away, I echo Wright's emotions, slamming my helmet into the closest immovable object: the wall.
Oops.
I just stared at the helmet, nearly in two pieces, in my hand. There she was, the helmet I have worn for two years, thrown around for two crazy seasons, flung across the room on countless occasions, and she just couldn't hold it up anymore.
She's hurt, but I think she's salvageable.
My roommates are refusing to give me any duct tape to fix her up, but I will continue to wear her as the team struggles, falls out of the first place, and attempts to hang on to the wild card lead.Maybe cracking it almost in half may be the best thing for the Mets. Maybe this will break some sort of curse that's been hanging over the Mets. Who knows?
9/16/08
Fernando Tatis out for the season
SNY is reporting that Fernando Tatis suffered a separated shoulder in the fifth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Nationals.
Due to the injury he will miss the remainder of the season.
He was plucked off the trash heap, and put up absolutely amazing numbers for the Mets. I would not mind seeing him back in the orange and blue next season to see is he can recreate the magic of 2008.
Thanks for this season, Fernando.
On a Mets level, are you really surprised? I mean, I keep asking what else can go wrong, and the Mets keep answering me. Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy and Endy Chavez, enjoy the remainder of the season in left field.
Due to the injury he will miss the remainder of the season.
He was plucked off the trash heap, and put up absolutely amazing numbers for the Mets. I would not mind seeing him back in the orange and blue next season to see is he can recreate the magic of 2008.
Thanks for this season, Fernando.
On a Mets level, are you really surprised? I mean, I keep asking what else can go wrong, and the Mets keep answering me. Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy and Endy Chavez, enjoy the remainder of the season in left field.
Game Recap: Nationals 1 -- Mets 0
Go Braves!
Pitching Performance
Another spectacular start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw seven brilliant innings of baseball, scattering seven hits. His control was a little off, as he walked four, but he also struck out four batters. Pelfrey allowed one earned run in the fifth inning, off a Christian Guzman ground-rule double, scoring opposing pitcher Odalis Perez.
Pelfrey was efficient, needed 111 pitches while on the mound, but was the hard luck loser tonight as the Mets couldn't do anything with the bats.
This must be so frustrating for the Mets, but especially for pitchers who go out, do almost as much as humanly possible, but have nothing to show for it. It's frustrating for the fans, I'll tell you that.
Joe Smith worked the eighth inning, striking out one.
Woo.
Offensive Output
What output? The Mets could only manage four hits off of Perez.
Odalis Freakin' Perez.
They were all singles, off the bats of David Wright, Brian Schneider, and pinch hitters Ramon Castro and Robinson Cancel.
Seems like the Mets should have played all catchers tonight. Maybe then they could have done something.
The Rest of the Story
I broke my beloved helmet tonight, out of anger and frustration.
Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran are a combined 1-23 this series.
Willie Harris made another spectacular catch. Figures.
Fernando Tatis had to leave the game, after separating his shoulder on an attempted dive in the fifth inning. He will miss the rest of the season.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey.
Pitching Performance
Another spectacular start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw seven brilliant innings of baseball, scattering seven hits. His control was a little off, as he walked four, but he also struck out four batters. Pelfrey allowed one earned run in the fifth inning, off a Christian Guzman ground-rule double, scoring opposing pitcher Odalis Perez.
Pelfrey was efficient, needed 111 pitches while on the mound, but was the hard luck loser tonight as the Mets couldn't do anything with the bats.
This must be so frustrating for the Mets, but especially for pitchers who go out, do almost as much as humanly possible, but have nothing to show for it. It's frustrating for the fans, I'll tell you that.
Joe Smith worked the eighth inning, striking out one.
Woo.
Offensive Output
What output? The Mets could only manage four hits off of Perez.
Odalis Freakin' Perez.
They were all singles, off the bats of David Wright, Brian Schneider, and pinch hitters Ramon Castro and Robinson Cancel.
Seems like the Mets should have played all catchers tonight. Maybe then they could have done something.
The Rest of the Story
I broke my beloved helmet tonight, out of anger and frustration.
Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran are a combined 1-23 this series.
Willie Harris made another spectacular catch. Figures.
Fernando Tatis had to leave the game, after separating his shoulder on an attempted dive in the fifth inning. He will miss the rest of the season.
Game Ball: Mike Pelfrey.
I never thought I'd say this...
But...GO BRAVES!
The Phillies and the Braves begin a three game series tonight in Atlanta, with the Phillies only a 1/2 game behind the Mets with two weeks to go.
Seriously, go Braves!
It'd be great to see Atlanta take two of three here, and maybe the Mets can figure out how to beat the Nationals in September, which seems to be the toughest thing to do for this franchise of late.
The Mets can't worry about anyone else but themselves. If they win, then everything else doesn't matter. So Mets, just win, and don't scoreboard watch. Learn to tack on runs to a lead, hit in clutch situations, and above all else, if someone who enjoys striking out opposing batters would please raise their hand, that would be really helpful.
GO BRAVES!
I need a shower now. I feel dirty.
Such a fitting song
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
The angry boy,
A bit too insane,
Icing over a secret pain,
You know you don't belong,
You're the first to fight,
You're way too loud,
You're the flash of light,
On a burial shroud,
I know something's wrong,
Well everyone I know has got a reason,
To say,
Put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
Well he's on the table,
And he's gone to code,
And I do not think anyone knows,
What they are doing here,
And your friends have left,
You've been dismissed,
I never thought it would come to this,
And I, I want you to know,
Everyone's got to face down the demons,
Maybe today,
We can put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you've been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
I would understand...
Can you put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
I would understand...
Mr. Met found entering DeLorean outside of Shea Stadium
I just don't know how he's going to fit his head past the gull-wing doors.I thought lightning couldn't strike twice
And this isn't good lightning. The way the Mets are playing, it looks like they'll be fried by weeks end.
I, like every other member of the Shea Faithful, is thinking the exact same thing: Here we go again. And how can we not. Look at this team, look at the situation, and can you honestly tell me this isn't 2007?!?
Sure, there a few different cogs in the machine, but it's still playing the same tune. Everyone brings up Johan Santana as the main difference, that he's not Tom Glavine, he's a true ace, and a winner. I'm not blaming Santana here, but the Mets seem scared of winning games he pitches.
The bullpen has handed away seven possible wins for Santana and the Mets, so unless he plans on pitching complete games everyday from here on out, there is reason to worry and no need to bring him up in the "this is a different team" argument.
The other popular arguing point is that Jerry Manuel is not Willie Randolph. While I love Manuel, there is only so much a manager can do. If the players he puts out on the field can't perform, that's not his fault. He's been playing the hot hand, and it doesn't seem to be working.
If, one day, Manuel plays Fernando Tatis because he had a good game last time out, Tatis will end up going 0-4. If instead, he chooses Nick Evans, Evans will go 1-4, or something sad like that. His moves just don't seem to be working, even if they are the logical choice.
And the bullpen is a whole other story.
Who can he trust out there? Who can he put into the game, in a tight situation? No one. And where does that leave Manuel? Between a rock and a hard place.
Don't look to Manuel to be the savior, because his role is limited. Look to the players, especially the pitchers.
2007, here we go again.
I, like every other member of the Shea Faithful, is thinking the exact same thing: Here we go again. And how can we not. Look at this team, look at the situation, and can you honestly tell me this isn't 2007?!?
Sure, there a few different cogs in the machine, but it's still playing the same tune. Everyone brings up Johan Santana as the main difference, that he's not Tom Glavine, he's a true ace, and a winner. I'm not blaming Santana here, but the Mets seem scared of winning games he pitches.
The bullpen has handed away seven possible wins for Santana and the Mets, so unless he plans on pitching complete games everyday from here on out, there is reason to worry and no need to bring him up in the "this is a different team" argument.
The other popular arguing point is that Jerry Manuel is not Willie Randolph. While I love Manuel, there is only so much a manager can do. If the players he puts out on the field can't perform, that's not his fault. He's been playing the hot hand, and it doesn't seem to be working.
If, one day, Manuel plays Fernando Tatis because he had a good game last time out, Tatis will end up going 0-4. If instead, he chooses Nick Evans, Evans will go 1-4, or something sad like that. His moves just don't seem to be working, even if they are the logical choice.
And the bullpen is a whole other story.
Who can he trust out there? Who can he put into the game, in a tight situation? No one. And where does that leave Manuel? Between a rock and a hard place.
Don't look to Manuel to be the savior, because his role is limited. Look to the players, especially the pitchers.
2007, here we go again.
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