Gary Carter and Darryl Strawberry nearly come to blows on team bus (in 1986)

Back in July, I had a post entitled "Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez nearly come to blows on team plane."

Via The Final Score, we now know that Gary "Camera" Carter and Darryl Strawberry almost tussled on the bus in St. Louis, and if it wasn't for Ray Knight standing up and calming them down, who knows what would have happened.

Knight:

"So anyway, we were sitting there, oh, it couldn’t have been more than two or three minutes waiting for Gary. Straw yells out of the bus, 'Let’s go Camera Carter. You're holding everything up! Get the blank on the bus!

"And so when Gary got on the bus he started heading to the back of the bus for Straw. They' exchanged words. I stood up between them and they calmed down. There were things like that that happened all the time. The next night if Darryl hit a big home run, or Gary did, they would be high-fiving, hugging, like it never happened."

Ah, chemistry.

This is something I wish the Mets had more of. More attitude, more brash, more character.

Will you put up with Manny's antics?

Let's assume the Mets somehow land Manny Ramirez for a respectable contract, and he is the starting left fielder in Citi Field. Will you tolerate his antics of Manny being Manny?

I will.

The guy is a character, we all know it. Yes, he's on his best behavior in Los Angeles because he's playing for a contract. But his years in Boston, he was loved until the very end. If it wasn't for Jason Bay's play, Red Sox Nation would be very angry at losing him.

If Manny can make a catch, high five a fan in Citi Field, turn, and double off a runner, I don't care if he needs a few days off with a "knee injury." Heck, I'd rather keep him happy and playing 140 games, than cranky and playing 160.

Yes, I'm getting way ahead of myself. But hypothetically if the Mets can land Manny, would you be willing to put up with the guy?

Happy Yom Kippur

Shawn Green says...
Happy Yom Kippur to all those who are of the Jewish faith.

Go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200

Ambiorix Burgos better get used to being behind bars.

Burgos will spend three months in jail, as he awaits his trial for the hit-and-run in the Dominican Republic.

The AP relays a quote:

"I am going to come out of this fine because my conscience is clear, and I'm not worried this will affect my career because I haven't done anything."

Good luck with that one.

I'm surprised the Mets haven't come out and said anything yet. Surprised he's still in the system, too.

Also, here's a photo of him being escorted away:
Seriously, buddy? No Mets hat? Maybe the Mets are better off. Sorry White Sox.

Should they stay or should they go? [Coaches]

Last week, I took a peek at the hitters and pitchers from the 2008 Mets to see who should stay and who should go.

Now, we'll take a look at the coaching staff.

Jerry Manuel - Stay. Obviously, he's coming back. He just signed a two-year deal, and hopefully he can make it through both years. Gangsta.

Sandy Alomar Sr. - Stay. He's old, he's cranky, and thankfully he did not get punched in the head this season. I'm not sure how much he truly contributes, but it seems like he's loved by all. Jose Reyes and him have a close relationship, and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that. He's capable when he took over for Manuel a few times, so I don't mind bringing him back, but the clock is ticking.

Howard Johnson - Stay. 751 RBI, 799 runs, .266 AVG, .340 OBP, .420 SLG. Mets were top five in the league in every category outside of slugging. HoJo stays. One could argue the Mets weren't "clutch" enough, but that does not fall on Johnson. He's done enough to hone the hitters to what they are, it's up to them when it comes down to it. No reason to give him the boot.

Dan Warthen - Stay. He brought back Oliver Perez. He helped Mike Pelfrey. Both good things. The bullpen was a different story. When you talk about pitching coaches, the emphasis is on the starters and rarely do you hear about the coach working with the bullpen. Yes, there is a "Bullpen Coach," but the pitching coach is his "superior." This pen is not a product of poor coaching, but rather from overuse and it's just poorly constructed. An overhaul is needed, but Warthen is not the problem.

Guy Conti - Go. If the bullpen coach is the issue, then change the bullpen coach. Rick Peterson? (Joke.)

Ken Oberkfell - Stay. How hard can a first base coaches job be? Could also take over is Manuel and Alomar are given the boot in a game. Groomed to be the next manager, or is that HoJo's spot?

Luis Aguayo - Go. Go. Go. I'm giving him the windmill to go home, fully knowing that the catcher already has the ball in his glove and is just waiting for Aguayo to apply the tag. Sound familiar? He takes way too many chances, most of which do not pay off and run the team out of big innings. Wally Backman, anyone?

Tony Bernazrd: Seattle's next GM?

According to AZCentral.com, the Mariners will begin interviewing some candidates for their vacant GM job. On the short list is the Mets vice president of player development, Tony Bernazard.

When Omar Minaya's job was in jeopardy mid-season, it was rumored that Bernazard would be the one taking over. Since Minaya is locked up at least until 2012, Bernazard may look elsewhere for the coveted GM position.

I know I've read around the blog-o-sphere about how much Bernazard may be harming this team, so it seems Mets fans won't be sad to see him go.

Either way, I don't think I would take the Seattle job for any amount of money. That team needs serious help.

Ambiorix Burgos surrenders

The Domincan Republic's Most Wanted.

After supposedly killing two people in a hit-and-run accident in the DR, Ambiorix Burgos has surrendered to authorities.

From the AP:

Ambiorix Burgos turned himself in on Tuesday, a week after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two women.

Authorities were interviewing him, prosecutor Raul Quiroz told The Associated Press.

The news comes after the mother of one of the two victims accused Burgos of intentionally running her daughter over because she refused to go out with him.

That is an awful way to get someone to go out with you. Not that I would know from experience.

Cut him, Omar.

Gamble

One of each, please. Thanks!

Omar Minaya is going to have a few pricey free agents to choose from this offseason, and the Mets will probably make a run at at least one of them.

As I've chronicled many times, I'm a big fan of Manny Ramirez, and so is Minaya. The latest numbers have Manny asking for a five-year deal, worth $85 million. That seems a little steep to me, but maybe the Mets can snag the "New York" guy (born in Dominican Republic, grew up in NYC) on the cheap.

It looks like Mark Teixeira won't be an option, as they're hinting at bringing back Carlos Delgado. But there's always the chance they trade Delgado and move for Tex. He shined with the bat and the glove all season, and made a run to the World Series with the Angels before it was cut short by the Red Sox. Doubt it will happen though.

Francisco Rodriguez will be very, very expensive. Can't see the Mets shelling out that kind of cash for a one-inning pitcher. I think they'll get Brian Fuentes to close, or promote from within.

CC Sabathia presents an interesting issue: Can the Mets afford two "aces" on the same staff? I don't think so, but Minaya needs to make a big, bold move this offseason as the Mets head into Citi Field. Sure, he landed the biggest fish in the barrel with Johan Santana last off-season, but Santana & CC together? I'm salivating.

Orlando Hudson would be welcomed with open arms. Luis Castillo will be shopped to every team for every price. Won't be surprised when (not if) Minaya dumps him elsewhere, eats most of the contract, and watches him prosper into an injury-free, slap hitter extrodinare. Hudson needs to shake the injury bug, but when he's good to go, he's a great player. I'd like to see that Reyes-Hudson-Delgado (Teixeira?) double play.

Will Omar land one of these guys? Maybe two? We'll have to wait and find out, but don't be shocked to see a landmark move by the GM.

My updated playoff predictions

Here is an updated version of my playoff predictions, complete with the results from my first round of picks. Leave yours if so inclined.

MIL vs. PHI
I had: Philly in three.
What really happened: Philly in four.
Close, but no cigar.

LAD vs. CHC
I had: Cubs in five.
What really happened: Dodgers in three.
I don't think I could have been more wrong. Perfect case of a team getting hot at the right time.

BOS vs. LAA
I had: Angels in four.
What really happened: Red Sox in four.
And with that, my world series prediction is out the window. (I had the Angels beating the Cubs.)

CHW vs. TB
I had: Tampa in four.
What really happened: Tampa in four.
I nailed it!

NLCS: PHI vs. LAD
ALCS: BOS vs. TB

PHI vs. LAD
I'm going to take the Dodgers in six.
Yes, the Phillies starting pitching is good, but their bullpen will soon falter. I'm waiting for Brad Lidge to implode. Dodgers just look too good right now, and with everyone hitting in that offense, it's truly a force to be reckoned with.

BOS vs. TB
Sorry, Tampa. Red Sox in five.
I love the Rays, but they lack the "experience." The Red Sox are a postseason team, they simply find ways to win when it matters most. A better start from Josh Beckett this time around will help considerably. Still, Tampa Bay will put up a fight.

My World Series: LAD vs. BOS, a Yankee fan's worst nightmare.

Daniel Murphy should play first base

And it looks like the Arizona Fall League roster feels the same way.

Click to see full size.

Daniel Murphy will be participating in the Arizona Fall League, and rumor has it he will be taking reps at second base. Seems like the Mets are trying to make fans forget about Luis Castillo.

I still can't imagine Murphy at second. He's a big guy (6' 3", 210 lbs.) and he doesn't really fit the second baseman mold. To me, he strikes he as a perfect first baseman.

Again, he's tall, big, with a great reach. He's got the bat to back him up too. He hits for average, but can also hit for power. He was touted as the best hitter in the Mets minor leagues, and showed his prowess at the plate in his first major league season. (Unfortunately for Murphy, he passed the "rookie" at-bat limit by one, so he is no longer a "rookie" and cannot be up for ROY next season.)

Still, I'd like to see Murphy at first after this season, or maybe even before this season if they can move Carlos Delgado.