Mike Piazza: Hall of Famer?

Las Vegas 51s likes to post trade ideas on Facebook

Um, OK?

Hurricane Sandy (Alderson)

He’s coming for you, Winter Meetings. He’s just getting warmed up.

Mets move Triple-A to Las Vegas, inherit worst mascot ever

If you haven’t heard, the Mets will no longer be affiliated with the Buffalo Bisons, but will instead affiliate themselves with the Las Vegas 51s as their new Triple-A affiliate.

That’s all well and good – teams change their affiliation every so often (remember the Norfolk Tides?) – but the real reason for this post is to introduce you to the worst mascot in professional sports.

His name is Cosmo. And he is terrifying.

The team’s website says, “Cosmo is a survivor of a spaceship crash who spent time at "Area 51" and was a baseball phenom on his home planet of Koufaxia.”

Koufaxia. Ah, it’s no wonder the Wilpons moved here.

The more you know about this creature the better.

Cosmo loves hot dogs, Cracker Jack and popcorn. His favorite music includes Elton John's "Rocket Man," David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust," Styx's "Mr. Roboto," and the Space Jazz Trio. His favorite movies and TV shows include Men in Black (I , II & III), all episodes of the Star Wars saga, Lost in Space and Star Trek.

I’m pretty sure this thing is a long lost cousin of Jar Jar Binks, which makes it all that much worse.

The Mets have the greatest mascot in MLB with Mr. Met and the worst mascot in professional sports in Cosmo.

All of the 2013 All-Star Game logos

As we all know, Citi Field will play host to the All-Star Game next season.

We’ve all seen this logo in the news and hanging in center field:

But have you seen these alternate logos, which might be even more awesome?

So cool. Love the home run apple one and the simple top of the apple logo.

Here's the trailer for 'Knuckleball!'

Featuring our very own R.A. Dickey...

Why is Keith's 'stach gray? An investigative report

You may have noticed, as you watched some Mets games over the last few days, that Keith Hernandez's mustache has gone a little gray.

Why's that?

"I guess he ran out of Just For Men," said Gary Cohen, who was doing the pre-game from SNY's studios on  Thursday.

But Cohen's joke may not be far from the truth.

Andrew Fegyveresi, VP of Communications at SNY, said he believes that Hernandez and Just For Men have parted ways. Hernandez, according to this article by Richard Sandomir in the NY Times, has been in the ads since at least 2008, but the article hints that the commercials had been on for some time before it was written.

I have reached out to Just For Men for confirmation, but did not receive a reply by the time this was published.

Reeeeeeeee-jected!

Let's remember the good times:


Additional reporting by Lenny Neslin of Lenny's Yankees.

My favorite press release

New York Mets’ Ike Davis Set to Host Second Annual Charity Event

First baseman teams up with childhood cancer charities, Billboard #1 country artist, and teammates for an unforgettable evening

New York, NY (August 1, 2012) -  New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis will host his annual charity event, “A Night with Ike Davis,” at City Winery in New York City on September 9th at 7 PM. This special evening, which will benefit Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC) and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, will feature a concert by country music star Lee Brice and celebrity bartending with Davis and teammates.

After losing his childhood friend, Mike Lio, to Ewing’s Sarcoma at the young age of 22, Davis has devoted his philanthropic efforts to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. After generating $60,000 during last year’s inaugural event, the first baseman has teamed up with Brice, a four-time Academy of Country Music nominee, to host another special evening in his friend’s honor.

“Seeing the impact and success this night had last year truly inspired me,” said Davis. “It’s amazing what you can do when you bring everyone together for a great cause. I am extremely grateful to have my teammates and Lee Brice so involved this year. I know Mike would be really proud of what we are doing and I am looking forward to a great evening.”

In addition to the concert, the event will also feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, VIP clubhouse access and a variety of one-of-a-kind items that will be included in an auction. If you are unable to attend the event on Sept. 9th but would still like to contribute, you can tip your favorite celebrity bartender online (http://bit.ly/ANwIke ), or make a $9.99 donation by texting “IKE” to 32020. A portion of the purchase proceeds will support Davis’ efforts and benefit SKC and The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

Johan to DL

Johan Santana is going on the DL...

— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) July 21, 2012

Johan Santana to DL, officially with ankle injury.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) July 21, 2012

On Jeremy Lin and the Mets

I’m not a Knicks fan. I watch the Knicks, but I’m far from a fan.

So, the Knicks didn’t match the Houston Rockets contract for Jeremy Lin, ending Linsanity in New York. But, just for some reality, let’s draw a bit of a parallel between Lin and… let’s say… Jordany Valdespin.

Lin started all of 25 games for the Knicks. He’s played in 64 total games, a mere 1,225 minutes. Valdespin has 40 games under his belt, just 81 plate appearances.

Knicks fans, and sports writers everywhere, are foaming at the mouth as they write about how awful of a move this was, tearing into James Dolan, etc. But, at this point, would you give Valdespin a contract like Lin just signed? $25 million over three years.

Imagine if Sandy Alderson turned around and announced at the end of the season, “Oh, by the way, we just signed Valdespin to a three-year deal, worth north of $20 million. And we’ll probably get fined for going over the (non-existant) MLB salary cap in a few years.”

Sure, Jordany might have more to prove, but the point still stands. Signing a guy who hasn’t even played a full season to a $25 million deal is beyond bonkers, marketing, ticket sales and all.

There would be riots! Mets fans would storm Citi Field and loot anything that wasn’t bolted down. But Knicks fans were clamoring for the Knicks to match the contract and bring Lin back.

Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe I don’t get the full picture. Yeah, I know Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton aren’t the answer. But how can you say Lin was? 25 starts! Twenty-five!

Maybe a Knicks fan can set me straight in the comments. Please, shed some light on this!