Your Vote: Niese and Carter should make team

On Friday I posted a poll for which players should fill two of the last spots left up for grabs.

Here are the results for the bench spot…

And the 5th starter…

Manuel’s Musing

“I see him definitely as a part, because he has the
ability to throw strikes.”

-Jerry Manuel on Hisanori Takahashi

Jose Reyes, Opening Day and why it doesn’t matter

“Each day as the Mets move closer to the beginning of their season, the farther Jose Reyes seems to be from playing on Opening Day.”

-Marty Noble

Frankly, I don’t care if Reyes plays on April 5 or not.  If it takes him an extra week or two to recover from his fortnight off, get his swing back and get back into baseball shape, so be it.

If Alex Cora is starting on Opening Day, I’ll be mildly disappointed, but it won’t be the end of the world.  I’d rather Reyes, and the Mets medical staff for that matter, use extreme caution in working back into baseball shape.  Yes, they have to worry about the thyroid, but I’m more worried about his hamstring.  Let him slowly come back to baseball even if it means missing Opening Day.

And yes, Mets fans, you’ll just have to deal with it.  Wouldn’t you rather 150 solid games out of Reyes instead of hurrying to get back in time for Opening Day and risking injury or ignoring his health issues?  I would.

So take your time, Jose.  Don’t worry if you’re not ready for Opening Day.  In fact, I hope you miss it just to make sure you’re all right.

Link: Home run leaders by team

Bill Chuck, in the New York Times, published a list of home run leaders by team and some other home run related stats.

Here are where the Mets rank…

All-Time Team HR Leaders

24. New York Mets — Darryl Strawberry 252

All-Time Team Single Season HR Leaders

29. Mets – Carlos Beltran/Todd Hundley 41

I was shocked to see the Mets so low on the single season list.  I mean, I know 41 is the most a Met has hit in a season, but the fact that every other team outside of the Kansas City Royals has had a player hit more home runs in a single year was surprising.

Make The Call: Finish out the Mets roster

Two clear-cut spots are left up for grabs on the Mets roster: the final bench spot and the 5th starter.

Vote below to make your call and place your vote for who should make the Mets.

Let us know who you voted for, and why, in the comments.

The 2000 Mets all over again

Jorge Says No! links us to a Newark Bears press release which is looking to bring you back 10 years to the 2000 Mets.

Via the Newark Bears…

The Newark Bears announced today the signing of pitcher Armando Benitez and infielder Edgardo Alfonzo to the 2010 roster. Benitez and Alfonzo were teammates for the 2000 New York Mets.
 
“I am excited to add to the Bears tradition. Two more established Major Leaguers, Edgardo and Armando were both key components to the Mets success in 2000,” said Manager Tim Raines. “They are both proven talents on the field and their leadership in the clubhouse is the perfect fit for our 2010 team.”

Go Mets Bears!

Boy, I’m excited now! [Image]

Is this the best they could come up with for today’s game? 
How depressing…

Manuel’s Musing

“The last time we called him up (last season), he was impressive, and we have not seen anything different from that. I kind of see that might fit better for us as we speak here today”

-Jerry Manuel on Jon Niese

New food at Citi Field

Via the Mets and edited for length… Interesting items in bold…

The Mets and award-winning ARAMARK chefs have collaborated with their world-renowned partners at Drew Nieporent's Myriad Restaurant Group, Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, and Dave Pasternack of Esca to offer expanded menus, highlighted by new items such as a Crab Cake Sandwich, Peking Duck Bun and Lasagna Bolognese.

In response to fan requests, the Mets and ARAMARK will debut a gluten-free stand, courtesy of Kozy Shack. The Kozy Shack Gluten-Free Stand on the Field Level outside the World's Fare Market will feature a full line of Kozy Shack puddings, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages and beer. For vegetarian fans, Yves Spicy Veggie Hot Dog & Harvest Veggie Burger will be available at general concession stands throughout the ballpark.
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The Caesars Club will now feature the Café Colosseum - a new, casual, first-come, first-served, sit-down dining area offering carved sandwiches and salads - in addition to its expanded grab-and-go menu. The Promenade Club will also add a sit-down option for its updated menu of pub-style food.

The Champions Club, formerly known as the Ebbets Club, will offer a rotating Chef's Table of carved meats and other ballpark fare, while also providing the comfort and convenience of in-seat food and cocktail service.

The Acela Club will serve up a savory menu with an emphasis on local purveyors and farmers. A full bounty of Asian, Latin, Greek, Italian, and other cuisines will be expanded for 2010, including Market Tables featuring artisan crafted cheeses, meats, and seafood.
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Last year's late-season additions, Tai Pan Bakery, featuring Chinese cuisine, and Café Hanover, showcasing Korean delights, will return along with local favorites Mama's of Corona and Daruma of Tokyo.

Fans will also have a wide selection of beverages, with Delta's signature cocktails added in the Delta Sky360 Club, and frozen drinks featuring the Rums of Puerto Rico available at the new Rum Bar by section 104.

Another link: Mets rank among lamest sports banners

ESPN’s Page 2 published a list of the Top (Bottom?) 10 Lamest Sports Banners and the Mets rank in at No. 9.

9. New York Mets

Location: formerly Shea Stadium; currently Citi Field

Honors: 1999 wild-card status/NLDS victory

Lameness quotient: Very high. Largely because the banner shares space with two World Series pennants, which is like placing a sixer of wine coolers in the same cellar as a 1787 Chateau Lafite.

Fun fact(s): We wanted to use the infamous "Colorado Rockies 1995 Wild Card Champions" mural that used to adorn the Coors Field outfield wall, but couldn't find photographic evidence. Well played, Rockies!

Sadly, my Quinnipiac Bobcats come in at No. 7, too.