8/30/11

Did Justin Turner just let it leak that the Mets are moving in the outfield walls at Citi Field? [Update]

Updated: It was all just a silly joke.

Turner said today, “And for the record, it's still just a rumor that the fences are being moved in...I was just making a joke out of it!”

Original: It’s no news that people want the Mets to move the walls at Citi Field, or that the Mets might be moving in the walls this offseason.

But, after seeing this odd tweet to Charlie Sheen from Mets second baseman Justin Turner earlier today, did he just let it slip that the Mets have already decided to move in the walls, and that they told the team already?

Mets moving in the fences?

He might just be perpetuating the rumors that have been swirling in the past few weeks/months, or he might know something we don’t and he just let the cat out of the bag.

What do you think: Should the Mets move in the walls at Citi Field?

8/22/11

Paul DePodesta needs to update his LinkedIn page

Paul DePodesta - LinkedIn

Paul DePodesta is a little behind the times. Or, at least, his LinkedIn page is.

He still lists himself as the Executive VP for the San Diego Padres, a position he hasn’t held in 10 months.

So hey, Paul, update your LinkedIn. Billy Beane might want you to write him a recommendation or something.

H/T to Andrew Fletcher.

8/20/11

Book: ‘An Arm and a Leg’ by Emma Span

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 27:  Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets poses during Photo Day on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  (Photo by Marc Levine/MLB Photos) *** Local Caption *** Jose ReyesI just finished “An Arm and a Leg” by Emma Span, a Kindle single (not just for those with the cute little eBook).

It’s an essay about Jose Reyes: his life, his career and how he will affect the Mets if they do or do not sign him come October.

It’s a quick and wonderful read, reminding me of all the great things Jose has done during his tenure as a New York Met (most importantly make fans forget about Rey Ordonez).

It’s not just stats, though Emma gets into OPS+, WAR and VORP. (Don’t be scared.) She also gets into the man, the affable one with the smile, the jokes and the charm.

I suggest shilling out your 99 cents and reading this. (Yeah, you can read it without a Kindle.) It will make you warm and fuzzy for Jose Reyes, and then make you fear the day we ever see him in a non-Mets uniform.

7/27/11

The alternative list of facts about newest Met Zack Wheeler

Zach Wheeler came over from the San Francisco Giants for Carlos Beltran. You’ll find his ERA, pitching motion breakdown and more on other sites.

Here’s the things the other blogs won’t tell you…

1,689 tweets under his belt on his account @Wheelerpro45.

He follows Kate Upton, Jessica Simpson and Kim Kardashain.

He’s patiently awaiting the premiere of Jersey Shore.

His new glove says “Flocka” on the side.

Sometimes, all he can do is laugh.

He once battled a bat and lived to tweet about it.

He’s not a morning person.

He loves delicious food.

It seems he already knows Howie Rose will soon call his games.

He knows his history.

He knows dubstep is good warm-up music.

Needs to learn the difference between “good” and “well.”

And that’s enough of going through his Twitter stream.

Live in St. Lucie? Go see Johan Santana pitch

On Thursday, Johan Santana will take the mound in St. Lucie for a 45-pitch rehab start.

Since this is a rehab start, Santana will have 30 days to be activated onto the major league roster, barring any setbacks. Looks like mid-August debut for Johan, if any.

The St. Lucie Mets will be playing the Daytona Cubs on Thursday.

So begins the road to recovery.

7/21/11

Carlos Beltran, my favorite Met

Carlos Beltran

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.