Carlos Beltran, my favorite Met

As much as I swoon over David Wright and Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran has always been my favorite Met.

I’ve been a Mets fan since birth. I still have “Metty Bear,” from when I was an infant. But as my friends and family can attest, I wasn’t diehard until 2005. (Heck, I even fell asleep during the 2000 World Series, something I will never live down.)

When Beltran signed with the Mets in early January ‘05, I was thrilled. Playoff beast coming to the Mets, a month after Pedro Martinez joined the club. These Mets were destined for greatness. A revitalized lineup, a crafty GM and nowhere to go but up.

‘05 for Beltran, as we know, wasn’t much fun. But during his ‘06 campaign, where he slugged 41 home runs, OPS’d .982 and all those great things, the team made it within one game of the World Series. Unfortunately, Beltran was the man at the plate with the game on the line, and that wicked curveball froze him. The season ended and it all fell on Beltran’s shoulders.

This “scar” on Beltran’s career is still fresh in many fan’s eyes. He’s continually called soft for missing most of the last two season. (No one seems to point out he played 151, 140, 144 and 161(!) games the previous four years for the Mets.)

This season, the last in his contract with the Mets, he’s raking to the tune of .293/.389/.528/.917, 61 RBI and an NL leading 30 doubles. He’s also played 92 of their 107 games, something not expected after his previous injury-shortened seasons.

Today is likely Beltran’s last home game with the Mets. He’s expected to be dealt before the July 31 trading deadline, and the Mets don’t return to Citi Field before the calendar turns.

I’ll miss Beltran – my favorite Met. He’s been there during my entire “die hard” fan life and I’ll be sad to see him go.

In honor of the K-Rod trade [All The Photoshops]

I was in the hospital and now I’m on vacation. So here’s my K-Rod trade post… all the silly images I made in Photoshop of Francisco Rodriguez.

Here are three from before he signed…

Also, I made this when he signed…

MLB poorly Photoshopped a Mets hat on him.

So I tried to do one better.

And finally, the Mets upgraded their bespectacled ones…

Fin.

Me on Mets Weekly two years ago

This is now vintage.

Two years ago today, on my birthday, I was on Mets Weekly. Here, as will be tradition, is my interview.

Also, Julie Alexandria, we miss you.

What can I say, I’m an optimist!

Note: Optimism not typical for Mets fans.

Happy 4th of July!

Also, Happy Birthday Mom!

I believe

Call me crazy, but I believe.

No, not in comebacks. But in the playoffs.

I honestly believe – as a generally sane 22-year-old male – that these New York Mets can make the postseason.

Sure, a lot of this depends on if (but more likely when) some of the players on this team get shipped elsewhere for a package of prospects, and the next two weeks may determine if that happens sooner, later or not at all.

The Mets are 9.5 out of first place in the NL East, but at one game over .500, they’re five games out of the Wild Card. They trail four teams – Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Arizona and Atlanta. Two of those teams are likely playing well over their head. The other two are definite contenders.

Still, the Mets have a shot.

With the way Jose Reyes is playing, the way the team is stringing together hits, it seems almost anything is possible. With a invigorated offense that has scored 32 runs over the last three games, and a pitching staff that seems to be getting things together – both in the rotation and the bullpen – I believe this team has a chance.

I’m not saying that this team is destined for late fall baseball, but to borrow from Dumb & Dumber, I’m telling you there’s a chance.

For a season I had relegated to a rebuilding year, the Mets have made it interesting. They’ve happily surprised me, and many other fans so far. It’s been entertaining and I think it can continue on that track.

I believe they can take it to the next level and content for a playoff spot.

I believe.

Amazin’ Avenue asks: Would you sign Reyes to a 7yr/$140M contract?

I say…

You?

Justin Turner (and Kris Medlen) tweeting during rain delay [Uh-Oh]

I’m sure fines will be coming their way soon.

Update: And Turner keeps tweeting… He even admits he’s not sure if he should be tweeting during games.

Oh boy.

Someone stop him!

Update 2: Now he’s moved to retweeting. Strike that, he un-retweeted it.

$1 for control of the Mets?

In three years hedge fund manager David Einhorn could gain control of the New York Mets for $1.

-Mike Ozanian, Forbes

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal. Get the majority stake in the Mets for cheaper than anything you can possibly buy at Citi Field.

He should pay in pennies, if he ever decides to do this deal.

Quote from Collins: On Reyes

“How many games we got left?
I hope that's how long.”

-Terry Collins on how long Jose Reyes
can keep up his current hot streak