So long New Orleans, hello Buffalo.
The Mets and the Buffalo Bisons have agreed to a two-year player development contract, starting next season. The Mets will house their AAA team in Buffalo, marking their third organization in so many years.
The trip from Buffalo to New York City is a lot shorter, so shuttling any players will be much easier.
According to the article on MiLB.com, this isn't the first time the Mets and Bisons have hooked up. Buffalo was the minor league affiliate for the Mets during the 1963-65 seasons.
I don't think it really matters where the players are, as long as they're managed and taught correctly. The Bisons had previously been linked to the Cleveland Indians, who have a very good young crop of players, so they must be doing something right.
Now there are three minor league affiliates for the Mets in New York state. If a player plays their cards right, they could play their whole career, both minor and major, with New York as their home base.
9/22/08
Would Lou Pinella actually do this?
Knowing him, it's entirely possible.
Jeff Passan throws out a scenario that would be absolutely crazy for anyone else but Lou Pinella.
As plausible as it is, I can't see Pinella trotting out a team of young guys. Maybe a mix and match, resting some of his key players for the playoffs by giving them a day or two off, but not much more than that.
You never know, though. All the Mets need to do is win. Win, and they control their own destiny. It's a simple concept, but they still haven't been able to grasp it.
As I said last night, the Mets had an awful day yesterday, and slipped in both the NL East and Wild Card standings. Tonight, we are all Braves fans, as the Phillies kick off a three game series at home. The Brewers have today off, but tomorrow we all should be rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Go Braves. Go Pirates. Go Mets.
Jeff Passan throws out a scenario that would be absolutely crazy for anyone else but Lou Pinella.
Were Lou Piniella the scheming type – and, well, he’s been around long enough, in the game and in Chicago, to understand that a little bit of maneuvering is encouraged – he could influence the entire NL playoff scene. If the Cubs prefer playing the Phillies, Piniella could cobble together a lineup of Micah Hoffpauir, Casey McGehee, Koyie Hill, Daryle Ward and others for the four-game series against the Mets starting Monday, then end the regular season against Milwaukee with his regular lineup. Mets win the division; Phillies get the wild card; Brewers out. Or they may prefer the Mets to the Phillies.I honestly wounld not put that past old Lou. But knowing the Mets, they'd still lose to a bunch of September call-ups and really screw things up.
As plausible as it is, I can't see Pinella trotting out a team of young guys. Maybe a mix and match, resting some of his key players for the playoffs by giving them a day or two off, but not much more than that.
You never know, though. All the Mets need to do is win. Win, and they control their own destiny. It's a simple concept, but they still haven't been able to grasp it.
As I said last night, the Mets had an awful day yesterday, and slipped in both the NL East and Wild Card standings. Tonight, we are all Braves fans, as the Phillies kick off a three game series at home. The Brewers have today off, but tomorrow we all should be rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Go Braves. Go Pirates. Go Mets.
A terrible day for the Mets
Bad timing, Mets.
Mets lose 7-6.
Phillies win 5-2.
Brewers win 8-1.
That puts the Mets 1.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East and their lead shrinks to 1.5 over the Brewers in the Wild Card.
This will be the week that the Mets prove themselves, or fall into obscurity (and the answer to another bad trivia question). The Cubbies come into Shea, a team that if they do make the postseason, they may have to play in either the first or the second round, depending.
If the Mets can beat the Cubs, it will not only vault them into the postseason, it will show the players and the fans that they are capable of beating a playoff caliber team.
Big week, without a doubt. Jason Marquis, Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, and Ted Lilly. Four excellent pitchers who have combined to go 50-26 on the season. Realistically, I'd hope for a split. A sweep is simply out of the question, with the Mets unable to beat up, or even win series over lowly teams.
Should be fun, if not frustrating.
Mets lose 7-6.
Phillies win 5-2.
Brewers win 8-1.
That puts the Mets 1.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East and their lead shrinks to 1.5 over the Brewers in the Wild Card.
This will be the week that the Mets prove themselves, or fall into obscurity (and the answer to another bad trivia question). The Cubbies come into Shea, a team that if they do make the postseason, they may have to play in either the first or the second round, depending.
If the Mets can beat the Cubs, it will not only vault them into the postseason, it will show the players and the fans that they are capable of beating a playoff caliber team.
Big week, without a doubt. Jason Marquis, Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, and Ted Lilly. Four excellent pitchers who have combined to go 50-26 on the season. Realistically, I'd hope for a split. A sweep is simply out of the question, with the Mets unable to beat up, or even win series over lowly teams.
Should be fun, if not frustrating.
9/21/08
Game Recap: Braves 7 -- Mets 6
If the Mets make the playoffs, they'll either back in or be very, very lucky.
Pitching Performance
Another good start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two, needing 106 pitches to work through the Braves.
He wasn't great, but he wasn't terrible. Wish he could have stayed in a little longer, but hindsight in 20/20.
Let the mixing and matching begin.
Brian Stokes came in, and allowed one hit in 2-3 of an inning. Ricardo Rincon finished out the seventh scoreless.
Scott Schoeneweis started the eight, and ended up giving up two runs on two hits in 1-3 of an inning. Joe Smith did not record an out, and let in a run on one hit. Pedro Feliciano was charged with a run, walking one in 1-3 of an inning. Aaron Heilman let the game get out of reach, allowing a two run double before registering the last out. The runs were charged to Smith and Feliciano.
Figures, the Mets bullpen gives up just enough to put it out of reach. Not pretty.
Offensive Output
Too little, too late.
Surprise! First inning runs for the Mets! It all started with Carlos Delgado, when he doubled to right, driving in David Wright. After the bases has a few sips of beer and got drunk, Luis Castillo worked out a walk to drive in another run.
I love that the score so much in the first.
In the second, the Mets added on, as Wright hit a two-run home run to center, plating Pelfrey.
Woo-hoo!
From there, the Mets were held off the board until the ninth inning. They had many, many chances, but they all slipped right on by. They left nine on base, and that came back to hurt them.
With the Mets down three runs in the top of the ninth, Carlos Delgado blasted a two-run home run to deep right field, driving in Wright.
Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
The Mets knocked out the Atlanta starter after only one and 2-3 innings. The Braves bullpen (six pitchers) held the Mets to only two runs.
Game Ball: David Wright.
Pitching Performance
Another good start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two, needing 106 pitches to work through the Braves.
He wasn't great, but he wasn't terrible. Wish he could have stayed in a little longer, but hindsight in 20/20.
Let the mixing and matching begin.
Brian Stokes came in, and allowed one hit in 2-3 of an inning. Ricardo Rincon finished out the seventh scoreless.
Scott Schoeneweis started the eight, and ended up giving up two runs on two hits in 1-3 of an inning. Joe Smith did not record an out, and let in a run on one hit. Pedro Feliciano was charged with a run, walking one in 1-3 of an inning. Aaron Heilman let the game get out of reach, allowing a two run double before registering the last out. The runs were charged to Smith and Feliciano.
Figures, the Mets bullpen gives up just enough to put it out of reach. Not pretty.
Offensive Output
Too little, too late.
Surprise! First inning runs for the Mets! It all started with Carlos Delgado, when he doubled to right, driving in David Wright. After the bases has a few sips of beer and got drunk, Luis Castillo worked out a walk to drive in another run.
I love that the score so much in the first.
In the second, the Mets added on, as Wright hit a two-run home run to center, plating Pelfrey.
Woo-hoo!
From there, the Mets were held off the board until the ninth inning. They had many, many chances, but they all slipped right on by. They left nine on base, and that came back to hurt them.
With the Mets down three runs in the top of the ninth, Carlos Delgado blasted a two-run home run to deep right field, driving in Wright.
Too little, too late.
The Rest of the Story
The Mets knocked out the Atlanta starter after only one and 2-3 innings. The Braves bullpen (six pitchers) held the Mets to only two runs.
Game Ball: David Wright.
Say goodbye to Yankee Stadium
I don't have many memories from Yankee Stadium, but it's a baseball landmark in New York.
Head over to Scott Proctor's Arm for a final wave goodbye to the historic venue.
I bid thee, adieu.
Head over to Scott Proctor's Arm for a final wave goodbye to the historic venue.
I bid thee, adieu.
With Pedro stinking up the joint, who can pitch in his spot? (If needed)
Simple: Jon Niese.
John Harper, in the Daily News, relays a few tidbits about Pedro Martinez and his willingness to help the team in any way he can.
Brandon Knight seems only capable of throwing three innings of good baseball, and usually scrapes through the rest. Nelson Figueroa hasn't been stretched out enough to throw more than two innings. Aaron Heilman...no comment.
Niese, though a rookie, turned in a spectacular performance against the Braves last time out. Eight innings, no runs, and only allowing six hits. He also struck out seven.
I respect Pedro a lot for coming out and saying this. He's a veteran and he's not out for himself. He just wants to see the team win, any way it can happen. Good guy.
Take a chance, Mets. Maybe you can really catch lightning in a bottle with Niese.
John Harper, in the Daily News, relays a few tidbits about Pedro Martinez and his willingness to help the team in any way he can.
"In a short series you've gotta go with the hot hand," he said. "I'll do anything to help the team. Starting or relieving, I'll do anything I can to help."If Pedro doesn't feel right, and after last night it seems that way, it might be time to turn to Niese. Even in a playoff situation, I trust him over anyone else.
---
"If I'm healthy I'll try again next year," he said. "But first I'll go home and get everything out of my mind, and then see."
Brandon Knight seems only capable of throwing three innings of good baseball, and usually scrapes through the rest. Nelson Figueroa hasn't been stretched out enough to throw more than two innings. Aaron Heilman...no comment.
Niese, though a rookie, turned in a spectacular performance against the Braves last time out. Eight innings, no runs, and only allowing six hits. He also struck out seven.
I respect Pedro a lot for coming out and saying this. He's a veteran and he's not out for himself. He just wants to see the team win, any way it can happen. Good guy.
Take a chance, Mets. Maybe you can really catch lightning in a bottle with Niese.
9/20/08
Game Recap: Braves 4 -- Mets 2
You know it's not good when Pedro Martinez drives in the only two runs for your team.
Pitching Performance
Pedro was the definition of "decent." Pedro allowed three runs in the first inning, allowing an RBI double, groundout, and single before escaping. He ended up throwing six innings, letting up nine hits. He allowed the fourth earned run in the sixth inning, an RBI single to right.
He needed 116 pitches, and even touched 90 mph a few times. He walked three and struck out seven.
Didn't think he's make it through the first, then the third, and he ended up going six. Not bad, but not great. Without his bat, the Mets would have been shut out.
Scott Schoeneweis turned in an inning and 1-3 of scoreless baseball, striking out one. Robert (Bobby? Which is it?) Parnell pitched 2-3 of an inning, striking out one.
Another stellar bullpen performance. Well done, guys.
Offensive Output
Martinez drove in both Mets runs with a double in the fifth inning, plating Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran.
Yuck.
The Rest of the Story
David Wright was the only Met to pick up two hits, a single and a double.
Schoeneweis needed only 12 pitches to retire four batters.
Game Ball: Pedro?
Pitching Performance
Pedro was the definition of "decent." Pedro allowed three runs in the first inning, allowing an RBI double, groundout, and single before escaping. He ended up throwing six innings, letting up nine hits. He allowed the fourth earned run in the sixth inning, an RBI single to right.
He needed 116 pitches, and even touched 90 mph a few times. He walked three and struck out seven.
Didn't think he's make it through the first, then the third, and he ended up going six. Not bad, but not great. Without his bat, the Mets would have been shut out.
Scott Schoeneweis turned in an inning and 1-3 of scoreless baseball, striking out one. Robert (Bobby? Which is it?) Parnell pitched 2-3 of an inning, striking out one.
Another stellar bullpen performance. Well done, guys.
Offensive Output
Martinez drove in both Mets runs with a double in the fifth inning, plating Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran.
Yuck.
The Rest of the Story
David Wright was the only Met to pick up two hits, a single and a double.
Schoeneweis needed only 12 pitches to retire four batters.
Game Ball: Pedro?
Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Braves 5
Thank you, Daniel Murphy.
Pitching Performance
Oliver Perez struggled again. He lasted six innings, when I thought he wouldn't make it through three, allowing four runs (three earned). He let up six hits, walked three, and struck out six. His control wasn't really there last night, and it showed. He needed 109 pitches to make it through the six.
Not great, but not terrible. Again, the bats came about to bail him out. He was handed a lead on a few occasions and surrendered it just as many. The defense wasn't behind him tonight, but he was able to work out of some jams.
Cue the bullpen. Nelson Figueroa entered in the seventh, and was unlucky enough to have an error committed behind him, allowing an unearned run to score. Ryan Church overran a groundball in the outfield, and it skipped by, allowing the runner to come around from first to score.
Ricardo Rincon, Aaron Heilman, and Pedro Feliciano combined to each get one out in the seventh to shut the Braves out with only one run.
Patchwork, but it worked. Feliciano earned the win as the Mets rallied for four run in the eigth inning.
Brian Stokes pitched two innings of shut out baseball, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Maybe Stokes still has some magic in the tank. Overall, a good night from the bullpen, and a "decent" night from Perez. Again, the defense was lacking tonight but the pitching was somewhat able to work around it.
Offensive Output
Cue the first inning run!
Jose Reyes got the Mets on the board as early as possible, cracking a leadoff home run to left field.
I like it. The beginning of a big night for Reyes. He's starting to spark.
David Wright got off the schneid, ripping a double down the first base line in the third, driving in Reyes to start a three run inning for the Mets. Carlos Betlran then ripped a double of his own, driving in Wright. Carlos Delgado followed that up with a single, plating Beltran.
3-4-5 is getting hot. Last series they were pretty miserable, this series may be a whole new story.
In the top of the fourth, Nick Evans hit his second home run of the season, and his career, a solo home run over the center field wall.
The rookies are contributing in big, big ways.
In the eighth, with the score tied at five, Daniel Murphy came to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Seconds lated, he ripped a double to deep left, allowing Delgado and Argenis Reyes to score. Reyes added to his RBI total with a single, brining in Murphy. Wright capped it off with a RBI single of his own, driving in Reyes.
Excellent. Mets were in a tough spot and the bats came out and took the game into their own hands. That's what I like to see.
The Rest of the Story
Reyes: 3-4, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Wright: 2-5, 2 RBI
Six extra base hits for the Mets, out of 12 total. Four doubles and two home runs.
Three errors for the Mets. (Reyes, Wright, Church.)
Game Ball: Jose Reyes.
Pitching Performance
Oliver Perez struggled again. He lasted six innings, when I thought he wouldn't make it through three, allowing four runs (three earned). He let up six hits, walked three, and struck out six. His control wasn't really there last night, and it showed. He needed 109 pitches to make it through the six.
Not great, but not terrible. Again, the bats came about to bail him out. He was handed a lead on a few occasions and surrendered it just as many. The defense wasn't behind him tonight, but he was able to work out of some jams.
Cue the bullpen. Nelson Figueroa entered in the seventh, and was unlucky enough to have an error committed behind him, allowing an unearned run to score. Ryan Church overran a groundball in the outfield, and it skipped by, allowing the runner to come around from first to score.
Ricardo Rincon, Aaron Heilman, and Pedro Feliciano combined to each get one out in the seventh to shut the Braves out with only one run.
Patchwork, but it worked. Feliciano earned the win as the Mets rallied for four run in the eigth inning.
Brian Stokes pitched two innings of shut out baseball, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Maybe Stokes still has some magic in the tank. Overall, a good night from the bullpen, and a "decent" night from Perez. Again, the defense was lacking tonight but the pitching was somewhat able to work around it.
Offensive Output
Cue the first inning run!
Jose Reyes got the Mets on the board as early as possible, cracking a leadoff home run to left field.
I like it. The beginning of a big night for Reyes. He's starting to spark.
David Wright got off the schneid, ripping a double down the first base line in the third, driving in Reyes to start a three run inning for the Mets. Carlos Betlran then ripped a double of his own, driving in Wright. Carlos Delgado followed that up with a single, plating Beltran.
3-4-5 is getting hot. Last series they were pretty miserable, this series may be a whole new story.
In the top of the fourth, Nick Evans hit his second home run of the season, and his career, a solo home run over the center field wall.
The rookies are contributing in big, big ways.
In the eighth, with the score tied at five, Daniel Murphy came to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Seconds lated, he ripped a double to deep left, allowing Delgado and Argenis Reyes to score. Reyes added to his RBI total with a single, brining in Murphy. Wright capped it off with a RBI single of his own, driving in Reyes.
Excellent. Mets were in a tough spot and the bats came out and took the game into their own hands. That's what I like to see.
The Rest of the Story
Reyes: 3-4, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Wright: 2-5, 2 RBI
Six extra base hits for the Mets, out of 12 total. Four doubles and two home runs.
Three errors for the Mets. (Reyes, Wright, Church.)
Game Ball: Jose Reyes.
9/19/08
Mets walk-up songs
One of the most searched items that land on my blog involve "Mets" and "songs."
Here's a link to some of the Mets walk-up songs, via MLB.com.
My favorite:
Here's a link to some of the Mets walk-up songs, via MLB.com.
My favorite:
How about the theme for Mighty Mouse?Fernando Tatis, LF
Song: "Theme from 'Superman'" composed and conducted by John Williams
Tatis: "I don't care. I don't even know what it sounds like. Somebody was joking with me. I have no idea. They just put it on and play it."
Critic commentary: "Brag much? Although given the way he's saved the Mets time and again this season, the comparisons to a certain caped crusader are not entirely inappropriate." --Saul Austerlitz, freelance critic for Boston Globe and other publications
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)