No Carlos Beltran in the crappy weather. Mets not taking risks. Smart.
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Luis Castillo – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Jeff Francoeur – RF
- Fernando Tatis – 1B
- Nick Evans – LF
- Omir Santos – C
- Wilson Valdez – SS
- Nelson Figueroa - RHP
9/11/09
Lineup for Game 141
Howie Rose to call Saturday’s game on FOX
According to Neil Best, WFAN’s Howie Rose will switch to television to call Saturday’s Mets / Phillies game with Tim McCarver.
I like when the Mets broadcasters get picked for these things. It shows you how lucky we are to have such talented and passionate people both on TV and the radio calling games for us night in and night out.
I’ll be watching.
Remembering 9/11: Mike Piazza’s home run
Today is a day to remember. Remember all who were lost on 9/11, their families and their friends. Never forget them.
Yesterday, a teacher asked me what my memories were of 9/11/01. I can vaguely remember the day, sitting it woodworking class and listening to an old radio play out the news of the morning.
But what I remember most about the days surrounding 9/11 is what transpired 10 days later.
On Sept. 21, 2001, baseball returned to New York.
The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets squared off at Shea Stadium. After seven and a half innings of baseball, the Mets trailed by a score of 2-1.
Steve Karsay came on to pitch the 8th for Atlanta. After inducing a Matt Lawton groundout, Karsay walked Edgardo Alfonzo. Desi Relaford came on to pinch-run for Alfonzo as Mike Piazza stepped to the plate.
Piazza already had two hits that game, both doubles.
Behind 0-1 in the count, Piazza stepped into the batters box and hit a home run that meant more to the city of New York than any home run before or since.
I vividly remember sitting on my friends porch and watching this home run through his living room window. I will never forget Piazza’s home run or the impact it had on the people of New York City.
To relive that moment, here’s a short video on the events leading up to the home run and to see that uplifting moment one more time.
Never forget 9/11.
Manuel’s Musing
-Jerry Manuel on team meetings and losses
The difference between a good team and a bad team
Florida Marlins: 13 runs on 16 hits and seven walks.
New York Mets: 4 runs on 10 hits and three walks.
9/10/09
Game Chat: FLA @ NYM [Game 140]
Sean West (6-5, 4.61 ERA) vs. Bobby Parnell (3-7, 5.25 ERA)
(Chat removed. It was quieter than Citi Field in there.)
Lineup for Game 140
Carlos Beltran gets the finale off tonight, with Angel Pagan in CF. Nick Evans gets a shot in LF.
- Angel Pagan – CF
- Luis Castillo – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Jeff Francoeur – RF
- Fernando Tatis – 1B
- Nick Evans – LF
- Omir Santos – C
- Anderson Hernandez – SS
- Bobby Parnell - RHP
Citi Field Streaker banned from ballpark for one year (with video!)
You may remember this video that I shot at the May 12 game between the Braves and the Mets…
The man with the monkey around his waist, who had been identified as Craig Coakley of Queens, N.Y., has been banned from Citi Field for one year.
Coakley will also have to serve 20 days of community service and must pay a $1,000 fine and $2,000 in civil penalties, reports the AP.
Coakley ran on the field due to a bet with his boss, who claimed he would pay him a weeks salary if he did it. I wonder if he’ll be using that money to pay his fines.
Mets all-time hit leaders
With some guy across town doing something special, I decided to take a look at the Mets all-time hit leaders. Here’s the top 20…
| # | Player | Hits |
| 1 | Ed Kranepool | 1,418 |
| 2 | Cleon Jones | 1,188 |
| 3 | Edgardo Alfonzo* | 1,136 |
| 4 | Mookie Wilson | 1,112 |
| 5 | Bud Harrelson | 1,029 |
| 6 | Mike Piazza | 1,028 |
| 7 | Darryl Strawberry | 1,025 |
| 8 | Howard Johnson | 997 |
| 9 | Jerry Grote | 994 |
| 10 | David Wright* | 963 |
| 11 | Jose Reyes* | 960 |
| 12 | Keith Hernandez | 939 |
| 13 | Lee Mazzilli | 796 |
| 14 | Kevin McReynolds | 791 |
| 15 | Felix Millan | 743 |
| 16 | Rey Ordonez | 720 |
| 17 | Rusty Staub | 709 |
| 18 | Carlos Beltran* | 703 |
| 19 | John Stearns | 695 |
| 20 | Wally Backman | 670 |
*denotes active player. And yes, Fonzi is still active.
What really intrigues me here are Reyes and Wright. Both seemingly have very long careers ahead of them, hopefully with the Mets. It would (will?) be kind of cool to watch as they climb the chart and possibly battle for the top spot, maybe game in and game out.
Also, would have never picked Rey Ordonez or John Stearns to be in the top 20 spots. Sorry, guys.
Strange names abound for the Mets and their affiliates [Updated]
This morning, Joe Budd over at Amazin’ Avenue (one of my favorite Mets sites), wrote this “Where did Kirk Nieuwenhuis come from? If I thought it was hard to learn how to spell Francoeur, it's going to be a nightmare season if Nieuwenhuis becomes something.”
Which got me thinking about weird names. And off the top of my head, I could think of a few strangely named Mets players (at the major and minor league level). Here’s a rough list…
Mets
Jeff Francoeur – OF - I know his family is French, but I’m just not used to the combination of “c-o-e-u-r” and don’t think I ever will be. I always think I spell his name wrong.
Omir Santos – C - “Omar” would be one thing. “Omir” is something different. Only 208 people pop up with the name Omir on Facebook.
Tobi Stoner – P - I mean…come on!
Bisons
Ricky Bones – Coach – This guy?
Derrick Ellison – P – There are too many letters in the “Derek.”
Chip Ambres – OF – Anyone (nick)named “Chip” must have been mocked in middle school.
B-Mets
Mako Oliveras – Manager – What is he, a shark?
Emary Frederick – P – Um…Emary? I don’t even know where that comes from. Heck, he’s from Florida!
John Madden – P – BOOM! FOOTBALL!
German Marte – P – Have you met his brother, Polish? They used to not get along, but now they’re OK.
Jenrry Mejia – P – But hey, he’s good.
Elvys Quezada – P – Was he named for The King?
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – OF – Is that “new-when-house” or…um…something?
St. Lucie
Tim Teufel – Manager – I always found this name funny. Like he’s a character on a children’s show or something.
Reese Havens – IF – Yum.
Brahiam Maldonado – OF – I will name my first child Brahiam. Just don’t tell my future wife.
Sand Gnats
Jimmy Johnson – P – Nice hair.
Jean Luc Blaquiere – C – Oui oui!
Imbewer Alvarez – IF – I’ve got nothing here. I’ve never seen this name before. Ever.
Cyclones
Dock Doyle – C – Awesome name.
Jordany Valdespin – IF – I’m going to go by “Andrewy” from now on. Just add a “y” to your name and you can be equally cool.
Kingsport
Yohan Almonte – P – If he ends up half as good as Johan, I’ll be happy.
Guillaume Leduc – P – Another name I can’t pronounce. Is that “Gee-yam-me”?
GCL
ZeErika Hall – OF – I knew he existed, but I just couldn’t find him on any of the rosters. He was drafted this year. And he may have the greatest name of them all. (H/T to Ted Berg, a.k.a. OGTedBerg) – Update: Further investigations finds him on the roster of the Gulf Coast League affiliate.
Jeurys Familia – P – Sounds like a really bad television show on Univision. And let me tell you, there is some quality programming on that channel.
Lachlan Hodge – P – Lachlan spends his free time hunting kangaroos in the brush down under.
Jimber Mueses – P – My goodness. This GCL team might beat out the B-Mets for greatest names.
Nelfi Zapata – C – Anyone named Nelfi is OK in my book.
Aderlin Rodriguez – IF – Aderlin! Aderlin! Aderlin!
Wilfredo Tovar – IF – By far my favorite name.
Ray Van Gurp – IF – No, this is my favorite.
Marinus Vernooij – IF – Actually, it’s this one.
There were a few others along the way that I snickered at, but didn’t think belonged on the list. Did I miss anyone? How about some historic silly Mets names? Let’s hear them in the comments.
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