Manuel’s Musing

“We're just not clicking offensively right now. We got a good team and we'll be fine.”

-Jerry Manuel

Found!

Guess The Met

The rules are easy: I post a Mets player photo, but only reveal a tiny part of the image.  From there, your goal is to try and guess which player the photo is of.

No prizes, but pride and honor is on the line.

Here is today’s Guess the Met… Good luck!

Answer will come later today. Leave your guesses in the comments.

Answer: JOSH THOLE!

Best game of the season? Best game of the season

Johan, Johan, Johan.

A complete-game shutout. A demand to stay in the game and finish it out in the 9th. His first career home run. Awesome.

Johan was far from dominant, striking out only five and walking three. But the offensive power that is the Reds barely had a sniff of a chance to score. He held the Reds to only three hits, one coming in the first and another coming in the 9th.

He also helped his own cause with his first career home run, clanging one off the right field foul pole in the third inning. He was pumped, saluting the crowd as he walked backed to the dugout.

It was one of the most exciting games of the season, I thought. The offense did just enough to support Johan's gem. I was worried going into the 9th, but I was glad Santana stayed on the mound - and then demanded that he stay in the game to finish it out.

All around, one of the best games of the season. Welcome to the second half.

Manuel’s Musing

“He said he wanted to finish it. I said, 'OK.'
That was that.”

-Jerry Manuel on his best managerial decision this year

Domo Arigato Vote Joey Votto [Video]

He should be in the ASG.

A letter from Zack Hample

Last week, I wrote this about Zack Hample.  He saw, read and responded.  His e-mail is below as I felt it should be shared with you.

Hey. 

Just saw your blog entry about me. Thanks for not being completely negative, but I'd still like to point out a few things you may have missed:

1) My life's work is not catching baseballs. I'm a baseball writer. My third book is being published next year.

2) I give away lots of balls to kids, and I've helped countless others snag balls for themselves. Here's some mail I've received from grateful fans.

3) For the last two seasons, I've been using my baseball collection to raise money for a children's baseball charity. Click here to learn more. Last year alone, I raised over $10,000.

4) Even if I were to catch 1,000 home runs during games, the 1,001st would still be an incredible thrill. Yeah, I've "been there before," but my reaction is one of pure joy and excitement. I don't sell these balls. I just love the sport, and I love being a part of it, if only as a spectator. I also love beating the odds. That, to me, is what it's all about, and it'll never get old.

Hope that gives you a better idea of who I am and why I do this.

Leave your thoughts in the comments...

Happy 4th

By the way, July 2 marked the 4th birthday of this website.  That means I’m entering my fifth year of blogging about the Mets. Wow.

I can’t thank you, the readers, enough for visiting, commenting and e-mailing.  You are all the best.

Why does this exist? [Image]

Postseason Ticket Reservations on MLB.com

Don't worry, they exist for every team.  Even the Orioles.

Manuel’s Musing

“If we'd have put any runs on the board, it wouldn't have mattered if he'd have pitched two more innings.”

-Jerry Manuel