The Mets have an off day today, and for the first time in the last few weeks, it's pretty quiet around the blogpshere.
My Google Reader isn't overflowing with news of Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez and the Mets and the Braves and everything else I track in my RSS reader.
It's nice to step back and look at the team as they are, a group of men who go out almost every day for six months to preform and entertain millions. They're a small team of players, mostly barely over 25-years-old, who lead lives millions of kids everywhere dream about. We may get on them for a bad game or a slump, but we have to remember how impressive these men really are. They've made it through the ranks of baseball, something only a few percentage of people do.
Major League Baseball players are a special breed, and we need to remember how amazing they are at what they do. They keep so many people entertained and give many kids (and even some adults) people to look up to and things to look forward to every day.
A baseball game. For some people, it's an escape from daily life. For others it's a profession and a passion, be it they're playing or they're writing about it. Baseball is truly America's past time.
4/3/08
When will people stop griping about Lastings Milledge?
Last night during the Mets 13-0 lopsided win over the Florida Marlins, SNY began to take calls in the booth from viewers. Aside from the fact that this entire segment is terrible idea, a man called in asking what Gary, Keith and Ron though about the Lastings Milledge for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider trade.
Here's where I have problems with this:
1. The trade occurred all the way back in November of 2007. Over four months ago.
2. The caller brought this question up in a game where the players the Mets acquired had already combined for three RBI and two runs scored and would go on to drive in two more runs in the next inning. Church even roped a two-run home run over the right field wall off a left handed pitcher (one of his apparent weak points) in the second inning.
3. It's not like if fans keep asking about it and theorizing it was a bad trade and how amazing Milledge might be, Omar will all of a sudden try and get him back.
When the Mets traded Milledge, who might have been their starting right fielder this year, they got back a defensive minded catcher and a solid right fielder.
Schneider has something the Mets haven't been able to boast about in a while: skills behind the plate. Sure, the pitching staff is good, but adding a catcher like him, with great defensive skills and a plethora of knowledge and ability to call the game correctly brings the staff to a new level. Church, as we saw last night, knows how to track down a routine fly ball (unlike Milledge) and even has a canon for an arm, throwing out Hanley Ramirez in the first inning. The Mets were tossing around the idea of platooning him against left handers, but last night he showed he could, lining a home run over the wall.
The deal is done. They can't go back and ask for Milledge back, so just give it up. Get used to Church and Schneider as two members of the Mets starting squad and forget about Milledge. He's old news.
Here's where I have problems with this:
1. The trade occurred all the way back in November of 2007. Over four months ago.
2. The caller brought this question up in a game where the players the Mets acquired had already combined for three RBI and two runs scored and would go on to drive in two more runs in the next inning. Church even roped a two-run home run over the right field wall off a left handed pitcher (one of his apparent weak points) in the second inning.
3. It's not like if fans keep asking about it and theorizing it was a bad trade and how amazing Milledge might be, Omar will all of a sudden try and get him back.
When the Mets traded Milledge, who might have been their starting right fielder this year, they got back a defensive minded catcher and a solid right fielder.
Schneider has something the Mets haven't been able to boast about in a while: skills behind the plate. Sure, the pitching staff is good, but adding a catcher like him, with great defensive skills and a plethora of knowledge and ability to call the game correctly brings the staff to a new level. Church, as we saw last night, knows how to track down a routine fly ball (unlike Milledge) and even has a canon for an arm, throwing out Hanley Ramirez in the first inning. The Mets were tossing around the idea of platooning him against left handers, but last night he showed he could, lining a home run over the wall.
The deal is done. They can't go back and ask for Milledge back, so just give it up. Get used to Church and Schneider as two members of the Mets starting squad and forget about Milledge. He's old news.
Photo of the Day: Wright
David Wright picked up one of the Mets many doubles Wednesday night.The Mets knocked in 13 runs on 17 hits to take the series over the Florida Marlins.
(Doug Benc/Getty Images)
4/2/08
Game Recap: Mets 13 -- Marlins 0
The day after the Mets lost Pedro Martinez for a month or more, Oliver Perez came out and made us all forget about that injury with a stellar performance tonight against the Marlins, leading the Mets to a 13-0 win.
Perez pitched six innings, allowing five hits, walked only one, while striking out eight. Perez only threw 92 pitches, 59 for strikes. Perez got help from Ryan Church in the first inning, when he threw out Hanley Ramirez with a bullet to second base. Perez also was part of a nice double play, fielding a comebacker, waiting on Luis Castillo to move to second, and then having Castillo make a great throw to Carlos Delgado at first.
Great stuff from Perez tonight. The one walk is huge for him, and his slider was absolutely nasty and it helped him in setting down eight Marlins tonight. If he can harness this, and stop being the wild and unpredictable Perez we usually see glimpses of, this could be a huge year for him in his walk year.
Nelson Figueroa, who made it to the stadium only hours before the game started as he will be taking Pedro's spot on the roster and signed his contract on the dugout steps, made his first appearance as a Met, pitching a hitless inning and striking out Jorge Cantu. Pedro Feliciano also made his first appearance this season, allowing one hit in his one inning of work. Billy Wagner struck out one while on the bump.
I love the Figgy. Figueroa looked solid in his first start in the majors in four years. Love this guys stuff and his story. Nice to get some Feliciano into my life. Wags was excellent, as usual.
The offense absolutely came to play today. The Mets picked up 13 runs on 17 hits, six of which went for doubles.
Church, Beltran and David Wright each picked up three hits today. Beltran hit three doubles, one of which was actually a miscalled home run. The ball Beltran hit originally was called a double, then it was changed to a home run. The umpires huddled and took back the home run and made Beltran come back out to second base. Beltran drove in one RBI and scored twice. Church picked up three RBI and scored twice, roping a two-run blast to right field in the top of the second inning. Wright picked up a double and blasted a three-run home run to deep left field in the sixth inning. He also scored twice.
Absolutely huge nights from these three guys. Unbelievable. Beltran is on fire. How many people are jumping on the Church bandwagon now? That home run was off a lefty, mind you. Wright is going nuts this season. That's his second three RBI game of this very young season.
Castillo, Delgado and Angel Pagan each picked up two hits for team tonight. Pagan knocked one of the teams many doubles, driving in one run and scoring twice. Delgado also knocked in one run and scored two of his own. Castillo scored once. Brian Schneider drove in two runs and scored once. He picked up one hit and walked twice.
All the starters but Perez got a hit tonight and everyone was just stellar. Everyone contributed tonight. Good stuff. Very good stuff.
Game Ball: Perez, Wright, Beltran and my boy, Ryan Church.
Perez pitched six innings, allowing five hits, walked only one, while striking out eight. Perez only threw 92 pitches, 59 for strikes. Perez got help from Ryan Church in the first inning, when he threw out Hanley Ramirez with a bullet to second base. Perez also was part of a nice double play, fielding a comebacker, waiting on Luis Castillo to move to second, and then having Castillo make a great throw to Carlos Delgado at first.
Great stuff from Perez tonight. The one walk is huge for him, and his slider was absolutely nasty and it helped him in setting down eight Marlins tonight. If he can harness this, and stop being the wild and unpredictable Perez we usually see glimpses of, this could be a huge year for him in his walk year.
Nelson Figueroa, who made it to the stadium only hours before the game started as he will be taking Pedro's spot on the roster and signed his contract on the dugout steps, made his first appearance as a Met, pitching a hitless inning and striking out Jorge Cantu. Pedro Feliciano also made his first appearance this season, allowing one hit in his one inning of work. Billy Wagner struck out one while on the bump.
I love the Figgy. Figueroa looked solid in his first start in the majors in four years. Love this guys stuff and his story. Nice to get some Feliciano into my life. Wags was excellent, as usual.
The offense absolutely came to play today. The Mets picked up 13 runs on 17 hits, six of which went for doubles.
Church, Beltran and David Wright each picked up three hits today. Beltran hit three doubles, one of which was actually a miscalled home run. The ball Beltran hit originally was called a double, then it was changed to a home run. The umpires huddled and took back the home run and made Beltran come back out to second base. Beltran drove in one RBI and scored twice. Church picked up three RBI and scored twice, roping a two-run blast to right field in the top of the second inning. Wright picked up a double and blasted a three-run home run to deep left field in the sixth inning. He also scored twice.
Absolutely huge nights from these three guys. Unbelievable. Beltran is on fire. How many people are jumping on the Church bandwagon now? That home run was off a lefty, mind you. Wright is going nuts this season. That's his second three RBI game of this very young season.
Castillo, Delgado and Angel Pagan each picked up two hits for team tonight. Pagan knocked one of the teams many doubles, driving in one run and scoring twice. Delgado also knocked in one run and scored two of his own. Castillo scored once. Brian Schneider drove in two runs and scored once. He picked up one hit and walked twice.
All the starters but Perez got a hit tonight and everyone was just stellar. Everyone contributed tonight. Good stuff. Very good stuff.
Game Ball: Perez, Wright, Beltran and my boy, Ryan Church.
Live Game Thread: Mets @ Marlins -- 4/2
Check out Mets Lounge to participate in our live game discussion.
Pedro to DL
And there you have it...Pedro Martinez has been put on the 15-day DL.
Pedro is expected to be out 4-6 weeks with what the team is calling a "mild strain."
All we know is the original diagnosis of a strained hamstring. We're all still waiting on the results of his MRI.
Nelson Figueroa, who will wear #27, will take his place on the roster.
Pedro is expected to be out 4-6 weeks with what the team is calling a "mild strain."
All we know is the original diagnosis of a strained hamstring. We're all still waiting on the results of his MRI.
Nelson Figueroa, who will wear #27, will take his place on the roster.
Lineup vs. the Marlins -- 4/2
The Mets take on the Marlins for the rubber game of the series, a 7:10 p.m. start.
Oliver Perez vs. Andrew Miller
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
P Oliver Perez
Same lineup as last night. What I don't get is they switched Pagan and Church in the first game to break up the lefty / lefty in the order, but they're not doing it tonight against another left handed pitcher. Interesting.
Oliver Perez vs. Andrew Miller
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
P Oliver Perez
Same lineup as last night. What I don't get is they switched Pagan and Church in the first game to break up the lefty / lefty in the order, but they're not doing it tonight against another left handed pitcher. Interesting.
Figgy on the road
Pedro Martinez must be heading to the DL, no matter what the results of his MRI are, because his replacement, Nelson Figueroa, is almost in Miami.
Figueroa who is heading over from New Orleans, should be with the team within the hour.
Alright, Mr. Figgy, here's your chance to shine. Figueroa hasn't pitched in the majors since he appeared in 10 games for the Pirates in 2004. He posted a 5.72 ERA in 28 1-3 of an inning, allowing 32 hits, walking 11 and striking out 10.
Pedro's MRI results are due out later today.
Figueroa who is heading over from New Orleans, should be with the team within the hour.
Alright, Mr. Figgy, here's your chance to shine. Figueroa hasn't pitched in the majors since he appeared in 10 games for the Pirates in 2004. He posted a 5.72 ERA in 28 1-3 of an inning, allowing 32 hits, walking 11 and striking out 10.
Pedro's MRI results are due out later today.
Here comes Figgy
According to Adam Rubin, "Nelson Figueroa is expected to replace Pedro Martinez on the roster."
We're all still waiting on Pedro's MRI results, but even if it's just a strain, a short stint on the DL is likely. The Mets could have Jorge Sosa fill in for a short period of time, but if someone is needed for more than a couple of games, Figueroa is the perfect fit.
I've been singing Figueroa's praises all spring training, so having him come up to the big team is good news even if it means Pedro is down for the count.
Maybe Figueroa can surprise a few people and if Mike Pelfrey struggles in his 5th starter spot, Figgy can fill in there if need be.
We're all still waiting on Pedro's MRI results, but even if it's just a strain, a short stint on the DL is likely. The Mets could have Jorge Sosa fill in for a short period of time, but if someone is needed for more than a couple of games, Figueroa is the perfect fit.
I've been singing Figueroa's praises all spring training, so having him come up to the big team is good news even if it means Pedro is down for the count.
Maybe Figueroa can surprise a few people and if Mike Pelfrey struggles in his 5th starter spot, Figgy can fill in there if need be.
El Duque to pitch in minor league game
Orlando Hernandez is slated to throw in a minor league game for the Mets class A St. Lucie team in it's opener on Thursday.
El Duque has been working out with the team in Miami since they arrived.
Hopefully, when April 13th rolls around and El Duque is eligible to come off the disabled list, he can come back to the Mets and preform, especially if Pedro Martinez is out for a significant amount of time. Hopefully.
El Duque has been working out with the team in Miami since they arrived.
Hopefully, when April 13th rolls around and El Duque is eligible to come off the disabled list, he can come back to the Mets and preform, especially if Pedro Martinez is out for a significant amount of time. Hopefully.
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