It's a blowout in spring training -- nothing can be more boring -- so the trio of Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling are shooting the breeze.
"...Quinnipiac..."
My ears perked up. I just heard Quinnipiac (my school) on SNY!
Putting two and two together, they're chit-chatting about schools and Howie Rose's daughter just happens to attend this university. They had some great things to say about the school, and I would only echo what they said.
Anyway, thought that was cool.
2/26/09
Live Blog: FLA vs. NYM -- Port St. Lucie
Here is my first attempt at a live blog this year. I have class from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., but I usually get out early.
Santana bumped due to elbow discomfort
Johan Santana will not make his scheduled start on Friday against Team Italy.
According to Marty Noble, Santana was scratched with elbow discomfort, something now new to the pitcher.
No injury news is good news, especially if it forces a player out of a start. Hopefully all is well, as it seems to be.
According to Marty Noble, Santana was scratched with elbow discomfort, something now new to the pitcher.
Manager Jerry Manuel characterized the reason as "discomfort" and said the same sensations would not have prevented Santana from pitching.Just. Stay. Healthy.
---
Manuel said he heard from pitching coach Dan Warthen. "I don't have a problem with it," the manager said. "We're not in a hurry."
No injury news is good news, especially if it forces a player out of a start. Hopefully all is well, as it seems to be.
This is officially the oddest line up
Here is today's starting line up for the Mets as they take on the Florida Marlins in their second spring training game of the year. The game will be televised on SNY.
Via David Lennon...
Perez will likely only pitch two innings at the most, then be removed for a pinch hitter, which is why he's batting second -- I think. I can't wait to see him come up in the first inning.
Anyone else got a reasoning for Perez hitting second?
Via David Lennon...
Luis Castillo -- 2BDo not adjust your computer screens. Reyes is batting third. Beltran is batting sixth. Perez is batting second.
Oliver Perez -- LHP
Jose Reyes -- SS
Carlos Delgado -- 1B
David Wright -- 3B
Carlos Beltran -- CF
Ryan Church -- RF
Daniel Murphy -- LF
Brian Schneider -- C
Perez will likely only pitch two innings at the most, then be removed for a pinch hitter, which is why he's batting second -- I think. I can't wait to see him come up in the first inning.
Anyone else got a reasoning for Perez hitting second?
Sherman: Duaner on the bubble
Duaner Sanchez allowed two runs on one hit and two walks in yesterday's first spring training game. Before that game even began, Joel Sherman was reporting that Sanchez's days with the Mets might be numbered.
From Sherman:
The Mets seem to be very high on the players they selected in the rule V draft in Rocky Cherry and Darren O'Day, so one of them might be able to step into the role vacated if they move Sanchez.
I think it's something that is entirely plausible. I give it a 30 percent chance of happening.
From Sherman:
Sanchez has something at stake, as well, namely a job with the Mets. He has to make a positive impression or else the Mets will seriously consider releasing him by 2 p.m. on April 1 and owing the righty just one-quarter of his $1,687,500 contract ($421,875).Interesting thought. It's obvious he's not the same pitcher he was before the taxi accident.
The Mets seem to be very high on the players they selected in the rule V draft in Rocky Cherry and Darren O'Day, so one of them might be able to step into the role vacated if they move Sanchez.
I think it's something that is entirely plausible. I give it a 30 percent chance of happening.
2/25/09
Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Orioles 3
Today, the Mets took on the Baltimore Orioles in the first spring training game of the year. Luis Castillo and Ryan Church shone for the Mets, picking up seven RBIs between them.
On The Mound
Sean Green, who made the start for the Mets, only pitched 2-3 of an inning, as he has to leave the game with what turned out to be a cut on his middle finger nail. He expects to miss no time. Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez followed Green, with Sanchez allowing two runs on one hit and two walks.
Valerio De Los Santos and Matt DeSalvo combined for three innings. De Los Santos let in one run in his inning of duty.
Brian Stokes and Darren O'Day, a rule V pick, each threw one shut out inning. Elmer Dessens finished out the game with a rough inning, loading the bases, before inducing a double play ball to end the game.
At The Plate
As noted above, Church and Castillo stole the show.
Castillo went 2-4 with a double, driving in two RBIs per hit. Church has two doubles, driving in three RBIs.
Angel Pagan began his spring with a bang, going 3-4 with a walk and a run scored.
Young guns Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy each has very good games as well. Evans went 3-4 and scored three runs. Murphy went 2-3 with a walk, scoring twice and also making a nice play in the field, according to reports.
In The Field
Muprhy and Pagan each had an outfield assist. Ramon Castro also picked off Luke Scott at first base.
The Mets will take on the Florida Marlins in Port St. Lucie tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game will be available on SNY.
On The Mound
Sean Green, who made the start for the Mets, only pitched 2-3 of an inning, as he has to leave the game with what turned out to be a cut on his middle finger nail. He expects to miss no time. Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez followed Green, with Sanchez allowing two runs on one hit and two walks.
Valerio De Los Santos and Matt DeSalvo combined for three innings. De Los Santos let in one run in his inning of duty.
Brian Stokes and Darren O'Day, a rule V pick, each threw one shut out inning. Elmer Dessens finished out the game with a rough inning, loading the bases, before inducing a double play ball to end the game.
At The Plate
As noted above, Church and Castillo stole the show.
Castillo went 2-4 with a double, driving in two RBIs per hit. Church has two doubles, driving in three RBIs.
Angel Pagan began his spring with a bang, going 3-4 with a walk and a run scored.
Young guns Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy each has very good games as well. Evans went 3-4 and scored three runs. Murphy went 2-3 with a walk, scoring twice and also making a nice play in the field, according to reports.
In The Field
Muprhy and Pagan each had an outfield assist. Ramon Castro also picked off Luke Scott at first base.
The Mets will take on the Florida Marlins in Port St. Lucie tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game will be available on SNY.
Want to listen to today's spring training game?
Then check here for 1057 The Fan out of Baltimore, who is broadcasting today's game between the Mets and the Orioles.
Sean Green, who started the game, left during the first inning, picking up only two outs. Seems like it's a blister or hang nail thing. Hopefully it's nothing bad.
Update from Steve Popper:
Sean Green, who started the game, left during the first inning, picking up only two outs. Seems like it's a blister or hang nail thing. Hopefully it's nothing bad.
Update from Steve Popper:
We just got the word from the clubhouse - it's a small cut on his fingernail of his middle finger - throwing hand - and he didn't get hit by the ball.
What's with all the love for Fernando Tatis?
I understand the Mets found a diamond in the rough last year with Fernando Tatis. I understand he was pretty much everything you can ask for, and much, much more for the team in 2008. But does anyone really have faith in this guy, again?
I was sour on Tatis all last season, bemoaning the signing, complaining when he was having visa troubles and downright mad when they were testing him at first base last year. When he finally got called up to the Mets on May 13, he spent the rest of the season proving me wrong.
Last night, I was lying in bed thinking about Tatis (weird, I know) and how he slumped in the second half. Boy, was I wrong.
In the second half of last year, Tatis actually hit nine points higher (.292 to .301), his OBP was 79 points higher (.323 to .402), and his slugging percentage was 90 points higher (.433 to .523).
I don't know what Tatis I was thinking about last night, but I was apparently way off.
Still, whatever Tatis did last season, I don't trust him for it again.
I think there's too much put into the stock of Fernando Tatis, exemplified in this tidbit from Ben Shpigel:
Prove me wrong, Tatis.
I was sour on Tatis all last season, bemoaning the signing, complaining when he was having visa troubles and downright mad when they were testing him at first base last year. When he finally got called up to the Mets on May 13, he spent the rest of the season proving me wrong.
Last night, I was lying in bed thinking about Tatis (weird, I know) and how he slumped in the second half. Boy, was I wrong.
In the second half of last year, Tatis actually hit nine points higher (.292 to .301), his OBP was 79 points higher (.323 to .402), and his slugging percentage was 90 points higher (.433 to .523).
I don't know what Tatis I was thinking about last night, but I was apparently way off.
Still, whatever Tatis did last season, I don't trust him for it again.
I think there's too much put into the stock of Fernando Tatis, exemplified in this tidbit from Ben Shpigel:
Manager Jerry Manuel plans to use Tatis in an expanded role this season, spreading him among the corner infield and outfield positions, as he ponders various and sometimes bold ways to slot Tatis’s potent right-handed bat into the order.Is it just me? Probably. Am I hoping that doubting him through spring training will somehow make him play like 2008? A little.
Prove me wrong, Tatis.
First spring training game today
The Mets, well...some of them, are jumping on the bus to Fort Lauderdale Stadium to take on the Baltimore Orioles.
Adam Rubin relays the starting line up:
Yes, Green is a reliever. He's just "starting" the game, and won't be pitching much more than two innings, if that.
The game begins at 1 p.m., but will not be available on radio or television. (Tomorrow's home game against the Marlins will be the first televised game -- I'll be live blogging, but I have class at 2 p.m.)
Real, meaningful baseball is tantalizingly close.
Adam Rubin relays the starting line up:
Luis Castillo -- 2BThe Castillo lead off experiment continues. I like Murphy in the two-hole. Let's see what he can do.
Daniel Murphy -- LF
Angel Pagan -- CF
Ryan Church -- rf
Ramon Castro -- C
Alex Cora -- SS
Nick Evans -- 1B
Jose Valentin -- 3B
Fernando Martinez -- DH
Sean Green -- RHP
Yes, Green is a reliever. He's just "starting" the game, and won't be pitching much more than two innings, if that.
The game begins at 1 p.m., but will not be available on radio or television. (Tomorrow's home game against the Marlins will be the first televised game -- I'll be live blogging, but I have class at 2 p.m.)
Real, meaningful baseball is tantalizingly close.
2/24/09
Why Carlos Delgado will make the Hall of Fame
I've made the case for him before, but Tom Verducci (one of my favorite writers) really drives the point home with his article "Appreciating Carlos Delgado, the lost slugger of the Steroid Era."Delgado, who leads the majors in home runs by a player from Puerto Rico, was in danger of getting run out of New York only 9 months ago. Due to his historic second half, he was embraced by the team and fans, also getting his option picked up by the Mets.
Verducci writes:
That's just on the field. In 2000, he was award the Major League Player of the Year award and the Hank Aaron Award. He also won the Roberto Clemente Award, in 2006, given to the player who best exemplifies humanitarianism and sportsmanship.Delgado has maintained a very reasoned position on what happened in the best years of his career. He doesn't want a do-over on the MVP award he didn't win. He is a happy man, content with his family, his decisions and his career. If he retired today, he would rank among the top 30 hitters all time in home runs, slugging, at-bats per home run and intentional walks. But he has plenty of baseball left in him. Last year, while turning 36, he played in 159 games, smashed 38 homers and racked up 310 total bases, his most since 2003. How much longer will he play?
"For sure, this year and another year," he said. "Then after that, I'll see where I am at. Then figure out what you want to do and take it from there."
He would like 1,700 RBIs, which would move him into the top 25. Already, he stands 50th on the RBI list. Already, he has Hall of Fame numbers.
He's a two-time All Star, and now famously came in second place in the MVP voting to Alex Rodriguez in 2003.
According to Baseball-Reference, Delgado is similar to a few big bats, two of which are already in the Hall. Here's the list...
1. Willie Stargell *As it stands now, Delgado might not be Cooperstown bound, but with a few more strong years of baseball, I have no doubt he's heading that way.
2. Jose Canseco
3. Jim Thome
4. Jeff Bagwell
5. Jason Giambi
6. Fred McGriff
7. Andres Galarraga
8. Willie McCovey *
9. Juan Gonzalez
10. Jim Edmonds
* denotes HoF
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