Blog redesigned

Hello readers of The ‘Ropolitans!

Just alerting you to a blog redesign that I’ve been working on for a few weeks.  It been implemented, so you might need some time to get used to it.  I hope not, but check it out, click around and let me know what you think.

I wanted something fresh and new, and I really like the final product.  I’m trying to put more “Mets” stuff in and around the site.

All critiques and comments are welcome.  Please either shoot me an e-mail or comment below.

Thanks and let’s go Mets!

-Andrew Vazzano

Game Recap: Marlins 2 – Mets 1

A pitchers duel that went down to the final out, but for the Mets it was too little, too late.

The Mini Recap

Johan Santana squared off against Josh Johnson, and both pitchers brought their A games.  The game only lasted a tad over two hours, but unfortunately for the Mets, a misplay in left field cost them the game.  Daniel Murphy flubbed a can of corn on the warning track, allowing a run to score.  Another run followed on a single.

The Mets rallied late, but fell just short.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest…

Grub Wow

The Brooklyn Cyclones have delved into the infomercial industry.  Too funny.

Via The Final Score.

Aaron Heilman has more wins than…

Aaron Heilman has pitched 3 2-3 innings for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.  He’s allowed three hits, three walks and no runs.  He has a 0.00 ERA, two holds and a win under his belt.

That means...

• That means Heilman has more wins than Oliver Perez and John Maine.
• That means Heilman has a lower ERA than Pedro Feliciano, J.J. Putz and Bobby Parnell.
• That means Heilman has more holds than Darren O’Day, Brian Stokes, Feliciano, Putz and Bobby Parnell.
• That means Heilman has surrendered less hits than O’Day and Parnell.
• That means Heilman has a lower WHIP than O’Day, Feliciano and Parnell.

Just sayin'...

The Sheffield effect

It will never be seen if this is why the corner outfielders are performing like they are, but the signing of Gary Sheffield might be the best motivator ever.

Through five games, here are how the starting corner outfielders are performing:

• Daniel Murphy: 8/23 (.348), 2 BB, .400 OBP, 2 RBIs, 7 runs
• Ryan Church: 10/19 (.526), 3 BB, 0 K, .591 OBP, 5 2B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs.

Not too shabby.  Sheffield, on the other hand, is 0-1 with a walk and a strikeout in two plate appearances.  Sheffield will not play in the field until Wednesday, when he will get the start at Citi Field with Oliver Perez on the mound.

Again, it cannot be known if these players are performing like they are because they don’t want Sheffield to creep up behind them and swipe their roster spot, but it’s entirely possibly and plausible.

Game Recap: Mets 8 – Marlins 4

Who would’ve though Livan Hernandez would be the first Mets starting pitcher to see the seventh inning?

The Mini Recap

Hernandez pitched 6 2-3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, three walks while striking out four.  Meanwhile, Jose Reyes drove in three runs, Luis Castillo scored three times and went 4-4.

For the full recap, head over to Baseball Digest…

Marlon Anderson DFA'd

The Mets have designated Marlon Anderson for assignment to make room for Livan Hernandez.

So long, Anderson. Just don't sign with the Phillies, please.

Tonight’s game not televised until 7:05 p.m.

Even though tonight’s game between the Florida Marlins and the New York Mets will begin at 6:25 p.m., it will not show up on SNY until 7:05 p.m.

Why?  Because of a Flo Rida concert.  Read my article about it over at Baseball Digest.

Remember: The game will be joined in progress on SNY at 7:05 p.m.  Stupid Marlins.

Because Ralph Kiner is a Mets broadcaster too

The Web site PitchInForAGoodCause.org has just added a new T-shirt to their collection.  It honors Hall of Famer and longtime Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner.

Check out the shirt here!  All proceeds go to the Mets broadcasters (Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling) favorite charities.

Four games, 38 left on base

The Mets are 2-2 in this young season and a major problem has already shown itself.  Leaving runners on base, a problem this team has struggled with in the past.

In the first game of the season, the Mets managed to squeak out a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds while leaving 12 runners on base.  The Mets then left 12 runners on base combined between the next two games against the Reds.  They split those two games against Cincy.

In the first game against the Marlins, the spotlight shone on this inability once more.  The Mets left 14 runners on base and eventually lost the close game in the bottom of the ninth inning.

This, as you can obviously tell, is not a good sign.

While it is nice that they are, at least, getting runners on base with 40 hits and 22 walks so far this year, they can’t seem to get enough runners to touch home plate.