Back as the underdogs

As a Mets fan, we’re used to the idea that we’re usually not the best.  Sure, I’ve only been alive for 21 years, but for most of that short time, the Mets have rarely been considered the best team in their division.

The Braves, before 2006, had won the division 11 straight years.  In ‘06, the Mets won the division as the favored team.

Since then, due to signings and tradings, the Mets have been projected for the last few years to contened for the NL, or last year by many Sports Illustrated writers, to win the World Series.

But now, barring signings of Matt Holliday and John Lackey, among others, the Mets will roll into 2010 as underdogs.  The experts will likely favor the defending NL champions Philadelphia Phillies, with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels leading their rotation. 

Playing second fiddle will be the Atlanta Braves, with a young, very talented pitching staff and a solid team.

After the Braves, the Marlins will probably slot in third in predictions.  If they keep Josh Johnson (as I expect they will), they must be considered a viable threat to the others in the NL East, even with their miniscule payroll.

So where does that leave the Mets?  Predictions will (hopefully) place them above the Washington Nationals, but still 4th out of 5 teams in the East.

That means the Mets will once again be underdogs.  A team that has some semblance of talent, but will take some luck, some streaks and good coaching to steer their way to being a winner.

I like the Mets as underdogs.  It tears away all the preconceived notions of winning.  It may go so far to take pressure off the players, but that can never be fully evaluated.  I like the team as loveable losers who I hope will surprise me.

Being the class of the division is fun sometimes, but I like my team to come out of nowhere, surprise everyone, while all along we fans knew they had it in them.  It’s more fun, more exciting and more entertaining.

I want them to win, and so do you, but isn’t it better when they shock everyone else in the process?  If teams want to take the Mets for granted, I hope that somehow, someway, the team responds and makes a statement.

Once again, the Mets are underdogs.  And I like it that way.

Who makes the Hall in 2010?

Here is the list of eligible players for the Hall of Fame next year, via Mark Feinsand.

(* indicates first time on ballot, italics indicated played as a Met)

Roberto Alomar*
Kevin Appier*
Harold Baines
Bert Blyleven
Ellis Burks*
Andre Dawson
Andres Galarraga*
Pat Hentgen*
Mike Jackson*
Eric Karros*
Ray Lankford*
Barry Larkin*
Edgar Martinez*
Don Mattingly
Fred McGriff*
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Dave Parker
Tim Raines
Shane Reynolds*
David Segui*
Lee Smith
Alan Trammell
Robin Ventura*
Todd Zeile*

Of the 26 players eligible, five served some time with the Mets.

• Alomar: 222
• Appier: 33 games
• Segui: 33 games
• Ventura: 444 games
• Zeile: 441 games

None of the five have any reason whatsoever to go into the HoF, if chosen, as a Met.  So you’re safe for another year, Tom Seaver.

Who do you think makes the Hall of Fame next year?

Poll Results: If you could sign just one free agent…

In my last poll, I asked my readers to pick a free agent to sign if they could have only one of them.  The options: Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey, Joel Pineiro, Orlando Hudson and Chone Figgins.

Here are the results…Holliday and Lackey were far and away the leaders in this poll, as you can see.

If you voted (or even if you didn’t), what was your reasoning for your pick?

Next Poll: Do you trust Omar Minaya?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you to everyone who has visited and read this site in the past year.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

And don’t forget to list your three former or current Mets you’d like to have at Thanksgiving dinner!

Twitter Poll: Invite three Mets to Thanksgiving

Question: What three former or current Mets would you invite to Thanksgiving dinner, and why?

Here are some responses…

CMSB said: Doc and Darryl, because they'd bring the good stuff. Butch Huskey, so I could say "pass the turkey, Butch"

DanPirozzi said: Heilman so I can punch him, Piazza because he rules, and Rey Ordonez so I can throw biscuits at him and watch him catch them

DavitudeSports said: Beltran Reyes and Perez to thank them for the wonderful 09 season

mtmcq said:  Keith Hernandez, Gary Sheffield, and Darryl Strawberry. Imagine the conversations at that table.

dtmfr said: Seaver (the franchise, duh) Keith (good topic discussions), and Wright (my sister would like that)

julierubes said: Kevin Elster & Kevin McReynolds bc I thought they were cute when I was younger& want 2 c how they r now& Mookie bc of who he is

dances_w_vowels said: Keith Hernandez, for the wit. Nolan Ryan, for the awe. Kevin McReynolds, because #3 wouldn't get a word in anyway.

dances_w_vowels continued: Oh, and number 4... Len Dykstra, because he probably hasn't had a good meal in a few months.

djeffreys said: Keith for the Keithisms, Dykstra for the financial expertise and Benny Agbayani because how cool would that be?

Fletch788 said: Yoshii, Shinjo and Takahashi. Because I don't like Thanksgiving and they probably don't either.

billpalka said: mo vaughn, butch huskey, and lenny harris. Pie-eating contest.

If you could invite three former or current Mets to Thanksgiving, who would you choose and why?  Hit the comments to discuss!

Santos named Topps top rookie catcher

Omir Santos, who played in 96 games with the Mets last season, was named the top rookie catcher in the game by Topps.

Santos hit .260 AVG / .296 OBP / .391 SLG with 7 home runs and 40 RBI in 306 plate appearances.

Well, this was unexpected. I would not have pegged Santos for this award. Matt Wieters (96 games, .288/.340/.412, 9 HR, 43 RBI), on the other hand...

New York Mets 2010 coaching staff & affiliates

Major League Baseball | New York Mets

• Manager: Jerry Manuel
• Bench Coach: Dave Jauss
• First Base Coach: Razor Shines
• Third Base Coach: Chip Hale
• Hitting Coach: Howard Johnson
• Pitching Coach: Dan Warthen
• Bullpen Coach: Randy Niemann

Minor Leagues

• Minor League Field Coordinator: Terry Collins

Triple-A | Buffalo Bisons

• Manager: Ken Oberkfell
• Batting Coach: Jack Voight
• Pitching Coach: Ricky Bones

Double-A | Binghamton Mets

• Manager: Tim Teufel
• Batting Coach: Luis Natera
• Pitching Coach: Hector Berrios

Advanced-A | St. Lucie Mets

• Manager: Vacant
• Batting Coach: George Greer
• Pitching Coach: Phil Regan

Single-A | Savannah Sand Gnats

• Manager: Edgar Alfonzo
• Batting Coach: Ryan Ellis
• Pitching Coach: Marc Valdes

Short-A | Brooklyn Cyclones

• Manager: Wally Backman
• Batting Coach: Vacant
• Pitching Coach: Rick Tomlin

Rookie | Kingsport Mets

• Manager: Mike DiFelice
• Batting Coach: Bobby Malek
• Pitching Coach: Jonathan Hurst

Mets new (old) uniform [Image]

Could be worse.

Mets adding ‘natural’ color uniforms

The Mets will wear a new “natural”-color pinstripe uniform at home next season.

The white uniforms will remain their home color, with the black uniforms as their other alternate.

“The Mets created the retro uniform following research and positive responses to the jerseys the 1969 World Champion Mets wore during their 40th anniversary celebration in August,” according to the press release.

Think the giant “NY” jerseys (right), but with pinstripes (and no giant “NY”).  So essentially, just think of the color.

The jerseys go on sale November 27 on Mets.com.

Clearing up the Ben Sheets stuff

Yesterday, I posted a little tidbit about the Mets and  free agent Ben Sheets.  I included some Twitter responses as well.  And Kerel Cooper even posted a video response.

Let me clear something up on my stance regarding Sheets…

Sheets, when healthy, is a premier pitcher in the game.  But he’s rarely healthy.  Even when he’s pitching, he’s usually not 100 percent.

I would support the Mets efforts in tracking and possibly signing Sheets on a incentive-heavy contract.  But in no way do I want the Mets to look at Sheets as their go-to guy that will solve their rotation woes.

Sheets should be an addendum to whomever the Mets sign/trade for.  In no way can you rely on an arm that missed all of the previous season to to injury and surgery.

The thing with Sheets is, it’s not “if” he gets hurt, but rather “when” will he get hurt.  After, as Cooper said, we just witnessed a “bizarre season” of injury, there’s reason for fans to be wary. 

If Sheets can come out and pitch in 20-25 games as “old Ben Sheets,” missing a month or two to injury, I would consider it a success.  He’d hopefully give you better quality performances than most of the rotation that is already in place for those 20-25 starts. 

Obviously, this all hinges on Sheets health coming into 2010 and if he’s even ready to pitch again. 

As commenter dances_w_vowels wrote on the post yesterday, “He had an injury, he didn't lose his stuff.”

Take a chance on him.  Bring him in, see what he can do and hope he works out.  Just as long as you’re not relying on him to shore up the rotation.