3/31/12

The best worst movie ever, Troll 2, has Mets pennants on the walls

If you've never seen Troll 2 (and the documentary that chronicles it, The Best Worst Move), fire up your Netflix and watch it now.

It is an film so bad it is so good. It has a 0 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It has a 2.4 rating on IMDB and is No. 85 on the Bottom 100 films of all time.

But that's not why I'm writing this post. It is a Mets blog, after all. While I watched it, I noticed in the son's room, there were sports banners all over the walls. A Darryl Strawberry pennant hung near Joshuas's bed and a New York Mets banner over his mirror by the door.
Grandpa Seth, The Grandpa
So, why are there Mets banners on the wall? Why is there an Expos lamp next to Joshua's bed? Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A's pennants hanging above Strawberry's?

Well, the movie was filmed in Utah in the late '80s and was released in 1990. It was written and directed by an Italian couple, with an entirely Italian crew for a just hundreds of thousands of dollars - quite a small amount for a "feature" film.
Diana Waits, The Mom
So, an Italian crew, filming in Utah from 1988-1990, how exactly did all these random sports items find their way into this home and into the film?

I even tweeted to one of the film's actors to ask...

We may never know the answer to this question. We may never know how such a terrible movie was made. And we may never know why so many people - including myself - have come to love this film for just how bad it is.

But, please, go watch this movie. It's the best worst thing I've ever seen.

David Lennon leaving Mets beat

Newsday's Mets beat reporter, David Lennon, is leaving the Mets beat to become Newsday's Major League Baseball columnist.

I've always thought Lennon was one of the best reporters on the beat. He's been the reporter for Newsday for as long as I've been blogging and the only one to stay at the same outlet the whole time. Adam Rubin is the only other reporter to still be on the Mets beat since I've been writing.

Lennon is taking over for Ken Davidoff, who is moving over to the New York Post to be their baseball columnist.

Currently, the new Newsday reporter is "TBD," says Lennon.

I love media movements!

3/27/12

SI: Excerpt from R.A. Dickey's memoir

R.A. Dickey's book comes out in a few days, but Sports Illustrated has a few excerpts up now.

Dickey covers finding a syringe in the Ranger's clubhouse, being sexually abused as a child by his babysitter and contemplating suicide.

This will be a fascinating read.

3/17/12

New York Mets on Twitter

I've gone through and compiled a Twitter list of players in the New York Mets organization who are on Twitter.

You can follow the list here. There are currently 45 52 players on the list.

If there are any other players than the ones listed here, please let me know and I will add them. If players leave the organization, and I don't update it, tweet me and let me know.

The list will also live on this page on the blog, so you can always check there for updated if you're not into Twitter.

3/12/12

What will the 2012 Mets Opening Day lineup look like?

With the news that David Wright is heading back to New York for a visit to the Hospital for Special Surgery and possible cortisone shot, this had me thinking: What will the 2012 Opening Day lineup look like? (Also, go to that link and look at Jon Heyman's photo. Ha!)

Apparently, nothing like the 2011 one (or 2010, for that matter)!
Orange lines show players that appear in both.
From 2010 to 2011, only one player appeared on both lineups. That player is now a question mark for 2012. So is, obviously, Johan Santana. He's making good progress, sure, but who knows what will happen in the next month. And can Johan go every five days, for more than three innings? Time will tell.

But just look at the turnover from year to year. Rebuilding? Nope. Poor building? Yup.

Wright and Santana could make their OD starts, and that would bring the total of players from last year's lineup up to four. Still not a majority, but still not great.

2/27/12

The Mets have 'Underdog' shirts from Jeff Wilpon

Mets players were given orange t-shirts with the Underdog "U" on the front by Jeff Wilpon. Fans are, as expected, polarized on the topic.

I like it. I get the idea behind it, and the motivational tone to it. A lot of people are writing the team off this year - no real shocker there - so why not use the underdog idea as a rallying cry? Works for me.

Others, though, are probably put off by the fact that a Wilpon made this gesture. If Terry Collins, or even a player, had thought of this or made these shirts, it might have meant a little more to everyone and maybe taken a bit of the sting out of the shirt. But because Jeff Wilpon was behind it, it must be evil and mean and angry! Grr!

Look, I get the Wilpons aren't great with their money and have put the team in quite the precarious situation, but it's another thing entirely to think they want the team to lose, or don't want what's best for them. As I wrote a while ago, this is not Major League.

The Wilpons want the Mets to do as well as any fan does. In fact, probably more so. Everyone wants the Mets to win. If they have to wear pink tutus to do it, so be it. These Underdog shirts shouldn't be an issue and we shouldn't make it one, but the simple fact that I'm having to write about it shows that I'm too late for that.

Here's some fan reactions...

Here are the things you need to be able to do to be a Washington Nationals ballgirl

via MLB Team Jobs:
Baseball Knowledge:Fielding foul balls and getting out of the way of fair ones, it is important to know the difference between the two. Also knowing when to retrieve the pitchers’ jackets from the bullpen to run to the dugout. 
Fan Interaction:Interacting, motivating and energizing Nats’ fans at all designated Nationals home games through the giving of foul balls to kids and Nats fans. 
Gameday Setup and Breakdown:Arriving on time and making sure uniform is clean and neat, stool is clean and in working order and helmet is clean. 
Other:Assisting with other on-field activities as needed (Presidents Race, t-shirt toss, etc.).
Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities 
Required: (critical to successful job performance)Prior experience in softball a plus.
Must be reliable, able to arrive at Nationals Park at least 60 minutes prior to gametimes, punctual, courteous, and have good listening and multi-tasking skills.
Ball Girls must display professionalism whenever they are wearing their uniform, as they are brand ambassadors for the entire Washington Nationals organization.
Strong ability to work well with co-workers and supervisors in a team environment and professional manner.
Must have the physical ability to perform athletic activities in all weather conditions, including running around the warning track.
Must be able to lift and carry items up to 50lbs.
Must be available to work during all Nationals home games, including days, nights, weekends and holidays.