First the Flood, Then the Deluge

Mets Flushed Out of Shea by Bucs, 13-1




Flushing NY - the game got a late start because of a water main break a block from the stadium. Perhaps they should have postponed it.

Oliver Perez didn't get out if the 2nd inning in a game that was all Pittsburgh.

Read the boxscore if you have the stomach for it...

Here's the somber post-game show from SNY TV

Wright Bails Out Reyes, Bullpen

Jose Reyes’s three-for-three with three walks evening was nearly spoiled by his fielding blunder in the ninth inning.

Closer Billy Wagner, not having given up a run for the entire month of April, saw pinch hitter Ryan Doumit’s ground ball head towards the shortstop hole. Normally, Wags would not have to worry about this one, as Reyes typically gobbles these up and easily throws the runner out.

However, this was not the case on Tuesday evening at Shea. Reyes’s throw was low and unable to be scooped by Carlos Delgado.

Pinch runner Brian Bixler then advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a Freddy Sanchez single. Just like that, Wagner accrued his first blown save without giving up an earned run.

Wagner was able to recover and toss a scoreless tenth inning, maintaining the 4-4 tie.

After Jorge Sosa worked a scoreless 11th, Endy Chavez singled off of Pittsburgh reliever John Van Benschoten. After committing a balk and recording an out, Van Benschoten intentionally walked Reyes to put runners at the corners for Luis Castillo. Reyes took second base on defense indifference and Castillo drew a walk the old-fashioned way.

This set the stage for zero-for-four David Wright. Wright wasted no time in hitting Van Benschoten’s first offering over the head of former Met Xavier Nady in right field, driving home Chavez as the winning run.

Of course, the run that Wagner had given up in the ninth would not have mattered had Duaner Sanchez not surrendered a run in the eighth.

Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman also nearly blew the 4-2 lead starter Johan Santana had

carried into the sixth inning before being bailed out by Pedro Feliciano. Heilman put two runners on base in the seventh, and Schoeneweis’s wild pitch nearly allowed Pittsburgh to score their third run if I wasn’t for a speedy recovery and accurate throw to the plate by catcher Raul Casanova.

Santana had spotted the Pirates a 2-0 lead, giving up a lead-off homerun to the hot Nate McClouth and a fourth inning shot to Jason Bay. Those were the only two hits off of Santana who struck out seven while throwing 114 pitches in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Ryan Church answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and the Mets took the lead in the fifth thanks to RBI by Reyes and Wright.

Wednesday afternoon’s action will feature a battle of the southpaws, with Oliver Perez going for the Mets and Tom Gorzelanny going for the Pirates. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm.

Mets -Pirates Rained Out

Must've Been Because it was Jets Night at Shea....

Delgado Hits and The Mets Conquer the Braves

Slumping 1st Baseman Breaks Out in 6-3 Win at Shea

Flushing NY - Who was that guy wearing Carlos Delgado's # 21 out there today?

Was it really him? Sure was. Delgado finally had an out-free game - in fact - he finally had a multi-hit game - two home runs and two walks.

And what usually happens when the big guy hits? The Mets win, which they did today 6-3 over John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves.

Delgado, 3 for his last 34 entering today's game, smashed a homer off Smoltz in the 3rd inning and another off reliever Will Ohman in the bottom of the 7th.

The crowd gave Delgado a standing ovation, something the big guy has not had here in quite sometime. Lately, the former All-star slugger has been met with a serenade of boos from the Shea faithful.

Is he back? Who knows, but for one day we got see what the Mets could do when the middle of the order hit with some power.

Other tidbits.....

Nelson Figueroa got his second victory of the season with another strong outing.

The bullpen - especially Billy Wagner, who chalked up his 6th save - was impressive again. Perhaps things have settled down....

Raul Casanova homered and went 3-4 as did Luis Castillo.

Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran both went 1-4. Reyes' average has sunk to .237 and Beltran is hitting just .224.

Wagner Living Up to Reputation for Mets

Closer Has Been Lights Out Thus Far

Flushing NY- In a year where almost every team has lost confidence in their closers, Mets' closer Billy Wagner has regained the faith of Met fans.

Sure, the Mets' bullpen has been a mess in the middle innings, but as bad as its been from innings 6 through 8, its been lights out in the 9th thanks to Wagner.

The line on Wagner reads as follows: 9 games, 9 innings pitched, 0 runs, 9 Ks, 2 walks and 5 saves.

The loquacious lefty has always irritated Met fans by doing more talking about saving games than actually saving them.

This season has been a trying one for Met fans, so the resurgence of Wagner has been a Godsend.

Wagner preserved the Mets' 4-3 lead on Saturday giving the club a much needed lift. He got a chance at the save because the middle relief, which has been getting hammered as of late, finally was able to bridge the gap from starter to Wagner with a lead.

The Mets are now 12-11 on the season.

Mets Bottoming Out Early

It's Ineptitude, Plain and Simple.

Willie Randolph will you whatever he needs to tell you to justify staying positive. If he needs to sanitize this Mets mess by euphemizing all of the critically-ill aspects of his ballclub, then let him do so.

Its his job to lose, not mine.

I wrote in spring training that the Johan Santana deal would not really help the Mets. People from all over the Mets Universe (a population that includes mental patients and others who need to medicated daily) attacked me.

..."you're a hack..." and "pessimists like you shouldn't be Met fans..."

Oh yeah?

If you look up 'Met fan' in the dictionary you will find that it is defined " a pessimist".
The antonym - "optimistic Met fan' can be found under the word moron.

The Mets have one only one game this week: the game that Johan Santana started. So, I was wrong about Santana, kill me - so he is helping the Mets.

Instead of putting the Mets over the top, as some Mets fans were sure Santana would do, he is actually keeping them from sinking to the bottom. All the way to the bottom, that is...

Johan Santana is only one man, and he only plays every fifth day. That may explain why the Mets have only won once this week. And that game was against Washington...

Don't sweat it, Met fans. Just embrace the horror. This is not only the last season at Shea Stadium, it might be the last season for a lot of things.

Right now, they are on a course to win 81 games.

That won't feed the admiral's cat, I'm afraid. And heads will roll....

I will be back with my segment on solutions for Met success tomorrow, after I consult the Army Corps of Engineers.....

Mets’ Morsels: Alou Set to Return, Schneider Out Again, and More

Adam Rubin of the Daily News is reporting that Moises Alou may be back with the New York Mets this Friday at Shea against the Atlanta Braves.

This move couldn’t be more well-timed, as the New York offense could use a jolt with the batting averages of Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Delgado taking a nose dive. Even Angel Pagan, the man Alou will be replacing in left field, has finally cooled off for the first time since February it seems.

Who Alou will replace on the roster is a different story. One person it won’t be is Brady Clark. The Mets have designated him for assignment to make room for catcher Gustavo (not related to Yadier, Jose, or Bengie) Molina.

No, the Mets’ love-affair with the .211-hitting Raul Casanova has not ended. It turns out that Brian Schneider’s bruised forearm has moved down in the injury ledger to make room for an infected left thumb that has required hospital observation in New York.

This is where the Mets really miss Ramon Castro. Castro, who has just begun rehabbing in Florida, always seemed to provide the Mets with some offensive fire power whenever he got a stretch of starts. He hit eight homeruns and drove in 41 in 99 games in 2005 backing up Mike Piazza and hit a career high 11 homers in 2007 while also earning a career high .285 batting average in 52 games backing up Paul LoDuca.

Back to Alou. If Schneider goes on the disabled list, then Alou will replace him on the roster and the Mets will be stuck with their number three and number four catchers behind the plate for a couple of weeks.

If Schneider is able to return, Molina could go right back down. Perhaps there is an outside chance, however, that Jorge Sosa could be given the axe sooner or later. He has been horrific this season, posting a 7.24 ERA while giving up four homeruns in only 13.2 innings of work. With Duaner Sanchez’s triumphant return to the bullpen, there (thankfully) has been less work for Sosa over the last couple of games.

With the emergence of Nelson Figueroa as an able pitcher at the Major League level, even after being out of the bigs since 2004, if Pedro Martinez actually comes back (the word is that his hamstring is healing ahead of schedule [sigh]) and can make it through a game, Figueroa could take a role as the long man in the bullpen and the Mets can say sayonara to Sosa.

Missing Scott Kazmir?

Nobody can ever forgive the Mets for trading Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano. Even if Kazmir’s left arm only ended up to be good enough to be the peanut guy, he still would have been more valuable than Zambrano and the tail he tucked between his legs as he trotted into the Mets’ dugout during his last start at Shea never to be seen in blue and orange again.

Anyhow, what would it be like to have a young, flame throwing lefty in the rotation?

Well, Mets’ fans don’t need to imagine.

No, this isn’t Johan Santana we’re talking about here. The man of the hour is Oliver Perez.

The 26-year old was 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA going into Thursday night’s start against the Washington Nationals. He even helped his own cause, driving in a run in the fourth inning against that Nats’ Shawn Hill.

Meanwhile, the 24-year old Kazmir has just finished a rehab start in A-ball and will likely be greeted by the Red Sox in his first start back. Kazmir, 13-9 with a 3.48 ERA in 2007 with the Rays, may help Tampa Bay get above the .500 mark in this young 2008 season.

Many Mets’ fans would have loved to have Kazmir’s arm in the rotation last season, but note that Perez went 15-10 in 2007, posting a virtually identical 3.56 ERA.

Nats' New Home a Ghost Town

Prime Seats Unsold; Press Box at Blimp Level

I've been watching the Mets' debut at the Washington Nationals' beautiful new ballpark - Nationals Park.

The Pope packed the place last week with a riveting performance, but now that the sea of Rome has receded the palatial dwelling has an eerie, quiet about it.

We all know the Nationals are not a draw in D.C. yet, like the Redskins, but I saw some unnerving elements while watching this game.

First, the seats in the lower level behind the plate went largely unoccupied. Tradtionally, these seats are the first to be sold, or are given to VIPs.

So, that being said...why are they empty?

Well, one reason could be that they cost $300 a pop. That may explain why no one is sitting there. The club is not about to comp expensive seats. But no one is buying them either.

If they are empty on a Wednesday night vs the Mets - with Johan Santana on the mound - please tell me when they will be filled...?

Another problem....the press box, with the behind the plate TV view, is at the top level of the ballpark.

What?

This is 2008. You should have camera access to everything and everyone. This is uncalled for and a result of poor planning.

But, considering most of the decisions being made in Washington these days, I guess its par for the course...The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I guess thats why the cheap seats are shoulder to shoulder and the expensive seats are empty....

Something Good, For Once

In our non-stop effort to entertain out readers..

Here's a nice amateur video I found on You Tube set to a bluesy version of 'Take Me out to the Ball Game". This guy did a nice job...this is from a recent Mets-Nats night game at cheery, old Shea Stadium....enjoy!!

Only Thing That Blows in Windy City is Mets

Hammered By Cedeno, Cubs Again

Man do the Mets suck.

The Cubs have a competitive team - I get it. But they looked like the '27 Yankees against that paltry Met bullpen and anemic lineup.

The Agazins followed last night's 7-1 walk-through by laying another egg in Chicago, an 8-1 pasting that featured light-hitting Cub shortstop Ronny Cedeno at the center.

Some quick, frustrating rants...

Carlos Delgado is finished. He's left more men stranded than the USS Indianapolis.

The Mets might want to rethink how valuable Carlos Beltran really is. Never has one man done so little for so few...

Aaron Heilman is terrible. If he still wants to start - grant him his wish - in another city...

If someone wants Jorge Sosa - grant them their wish.

Either HoJo is a bad hitting coach or he has little to work with. I think the latter is more true...

Cubs blast Mets 7-1

The MVP of Monday evening's New York Mets-Chicago Cubs game never even drove in a run.

Kosuke Fukudome's marathon at bat in the eighth inning that resulted in an opposite field single off of Mets' reliever Aaron Heilman wore the right-hander down enough to surrender a two-run single to light-hitting Ronny Cedeno to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead.

Heilman thought he had worked around the bases loaded, no out jam after getting Mark DeRosa to strikeout and Geovany Soto to pop up to second baseman Luis Castillo.

Things only got worse after Heilman was removed, as Jorge Sosa, another struggling Mets' reliever, surrendered a three-run homer to yougn Felix Pie, giving the outfielder his first Wrigley Field home run.

Fukudome produced a marathon at bat earlier in the game against Mets' starter John Maine, limiting the right-hander to six innings of work. Maine labored the entire night, but kept is team in the game with his lone mistake being the two-run homerun he surrender to Aramis Ramirez.

Fukudome leads the majors in pitches per at bat (4.58 going into Monday evening's contest). His Ichiro-like mechanics allow him to foul off outside pitches even though the left-hander's body weight shifts him towards first base.

There were few bright spots for the not-so-Amazin's other than Duaner Sanchez's scoreless seventh inning -- a positive sign for the right-hander who is attempting to regain his dominance from his last Major League campaign in 2006.

The Mets' best chance to do any damage came in the sixth inning when Endy Chavez hit a lead-off double against Cubs' ace Carlos Zambrano. Maine then followed with a sacrafic bunt attempt that was fielded by Soto and thrown too late to third, leaving runners at the corners and nobody out for Jose Reyes.

Reyes, however, grounded into a double play allowing Chavez to score, but erasing the Mets' chances for a big rally. Replays show that Reyes may have beaten the throw to first, but there was no argument from any of the Mets.

Tuesday afternoon's action features a struggling Ted Lilly going for the Cubs and a resurgent Nelson Figueroa for the Mets.

Now Is the Time for the Mets

Up until their unbeaten streak against division foes Washington and Philadelphia, the Mets were playing middling baseball in the month of April. One day the offense was functioning like a well oiled machine, and the next day they couldn’t put two hits together. One day the pitching looks unhittable, and the next nobody can record an out.

With the Philadelphia Phillies having placed MVP Jimmy Rollins and outfielder Shane Victorino on the disabled list, their primary divisional rivals are missing their two best table setters. Along with the slow start by Ryan Howard and questions about their bullpen, the Phillies look to be headed in the wrong direction.

Similarly, the Atlanta Braves have caught the injury bug, mainly affecting the pitching staff. Starters Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine have found their way to the disabled list, with relievers Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan accompanying them in the trainer’s room. With slugger Chipper Jones suffering from a bum quad, the Braves may also be headed towards the NL East basement.

Of course, it will be pretty hard to oust the 5-14 Nationals from the cellar. This team of misfits, youngsters, and lost souls seem unable to score runs and with the health of closer Chad Cordero in question, they may have trouble finishing off opponents (the few times they actually are presented with that opportunity).

That leaves the Florida Marlins. Nobody had high hopes for this team, after losing their best hitter, Miguel Cabrera, and pitcher, Dontrelle Willis, over the off-season. With little pitching to speak of, the Marlin offense has managed to carry this team to a record off 11-7.

Whether or not the Marlins can continue playing winning baseball is subject for another article, but one thing is for sure – if the Mets want to pull away from Atlanta and Philadelphia, now is the time. Coming into Sunday night’s game against the Phillies, the Mets have given up a Major League-low 57 runs in 16 games – a little more than 3.5 runs per game. David Wright and Ryan Church have been hot all month long, and with Jose Reyes back in the swing of things, the Mets offense is poised to take off.

Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan have been productive as well, with Brian Schneider also chipping in at the plate in addition to behind it. Luis Castillo seems to be responding well to hitting in the bottom of the lineup and may be able to move back up to the number two slot on a regular basis.

Carlos Delgado is struggling after hitting .300 in his first 40 at bats, but help is on the way in the person of Moises Alou. Alou went 3-for-3 in a rehab game in A-ball and should be able to provide Mr. Delgado with some protection.

Of course, Alou’s return will mean less playing time for Pagan, who has been one of the feel-good stories for the Mets (along with those of pitcher Nelson Figueroa and catcher Raul Casanova). Pagan will provide some versatility from the bench, being able to play all three outfield positions, hit from both sides of the plate, and pinch run if need be.

If the Mets want to start making their surge, they still need to take their weakened opponents seriously. The Phillies still have Cole Hamels in the rotation and guys named Utley, Burrell, and Jenkins in the lineup. The Braves still have guys named Smoltz and Hudson in the rotation, and stud first baseman Mark Teixeira – an aspiring Met-killer.

And let’s not forget what the Marlins and Nationals did to the not-so-Amazin’s at the end of 2007…

Those Classy Phillie Fans

Hey, Raider fans - you think you've cornered the market on intimidating fan behavior?

Think again.

There's a city here on the east coast, that makes your weekly Halloween parades look like a kids' party.

What is it about Philadelphia fans?

Why are they so negative? Why are so quick to turn to violence? Why must they spew with vitriolic rage at every twist and turn

Its sad, because there are so many great fans in Philadelphia, which in my opinion, may be the best sports town in America.

But just try to go to a game there and ENJOY it. It's impossible. The place is overrun with imbeciles fueled by alcohol. I know several Phillie fans my age and they love the new stadiums, but abhor the behavior.

It's too bad I have to paint you all with the same brush, but unfortunately it must be done. The Phillie fans with an IQ in triple digits need to step up and make an effort to help the majority of their populace down the rest of the evolutionary chart into humanity.

On Friday night, when Mets' Shortstop Jose Reyes was apparently dazed after a collision with the Phils' Chase Utley at 2B, his possible injury was met with cheers from the upscale, erudite Philadelphia audience.

What a disgrace. People cheering at an opponent getting injured. What is Ancient Rome - a gladiator fight or a chariot race? All that was missing was the emperor giving the thumbs down..

I grew up in Shea Stadium, which is not exactly filled with the same crowds that frequent Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, so I know how nasty crowd behavior can get.

But we never cheered anyone after they sustained an injury. That's not just classless, its inhumane. We would not cheer if Chase Utley or Ryan Howard or Cole Hamels were injured. We wouldn't even react that way if it was Jimmy Rollins.

The Phillie fans need to get it together. They may be in the pennant race this season, but I'm wondering when they're going to get into that other race: the human race.

Mets 6, Phillies 4 - HAHAHAHA!!!!

Wright, Santana Shine in City of Brotherly Love

by ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Johan Santana struck out 10 over seven innings, David Wright fell a homer short of the cycle and the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 on Friday night.

Santana (2-2) allowed three runs and four hits, outpitching Cole Hamels in a matchup of two of the best left-handers in the majors.

Wright finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk.

Pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs hit a three-run homer off reliever Aaron Heilman to cut the Phillies’ deficit to 5-4 in the eighth, but the Mets bullpen held on. Billy Wagner pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Facing the defending NL East champions for the first time since joining New York, Santana showed why the Mets made him the highest-paid pitcher in major league history.

The two-time AL Cy Young award winner kept a potent lineup off balance with his trademark changeup while mixing in quite a few sliders.

Citi Field Update

Younger Generation of the New York Mets is the Key to Success

Many like to identify the New York Mets by their old age. They see Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, and Moises Alou as guys who are well past their primes and crippling to any potential success for the Amazins’ in 2008.

However, many like to forget that there is plenty of young, proven talent on this 2008 team as well. Tuesday night’s 6-0 victory over division foe Washington serves as evidence that the young starts will be the ones to make the Mets shine.

24-year-old Jose Reyes got four hits in his return to the lineup from a sore hamstring.

29-year-old Ryan Church, hitting in the number two spot for the first time in 2008, also reached base twice, aiding 25-year-old David Wright in driving in five runs.

30-year-old Carlos Beltran also drove in a run.

And let’s not forget the efforts of the pitching staff. 24-year-old Mike Pelfrey threw seven shutout innings, while 29-year-old Aaron Heilman threw a scoreless eighth, and 28-year-old Duaner Sanchez threw a scoreless ninth in his first appearance since 2006.

Aside from Tuesday’s game over the struggling Nationals, the Mets have seen strong performances from some of their other young players in 2008. One of them has been from 26-year-old Angel Pagan, who is hitting .381 as of Tuesday night and has filled in admirably for Alou in left field.

26-year-old Oliver Perez didn’t give up an earned run in his first two starts this season to follow up his 15 win season from 2007. His 26-year-old, 15-game-winning counterpart, John Maine, has struggled thus far in 2008, and will have to get back into his late 2006 and early 2007 form to help guide the Mets to the playoffs.

There’s another 30-and-under player lurking in the Mets’ clubhouse that they are counting on too this year:

Johan Santana.

On Robinson Night, Home Grown Stars Excel

Pelfrey, Reyes, Wright Throttle Nats

When people talk about the Mets, they talk about how old the Mets are and how many injuries they have accumulated. What they usually miss is the fact that they still have some young players, good ones, too, and last night that shone through a bright as ever.

On a night where all players on both teams wore #42 in honor of baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, the Mets announced that the entrance of their new ballpark Citi Field will memorialize Robinson by naming the ornate rotunda located in the front entrance after the former Brooklyn star.

That stadium, which the fans have been saying is the only thing this franchise has to look forward to, will be occupied by some of baseball's most talented players.

Last night, the big righthander, Mike Pelfrey, treated Met fans to a preview of what he may become. He consistently baffled Washington hitters with his impressive sinker, prompting ground out after ground out in route to pitching seven scoreless innings.

Jose Reyes, coming off an injury to his hamstring, finally seemed ready to be Jose Reyes again going 4-for-5 with a single, 2 doubles and a triple.

Third baseman David Wright, a gold-glove All-Star at age 24, slammed a home run and drove in five runs to lead the 6-0 rout. He is batting .311 with 4 Hrs and 15 RBI so far this young year.

To finish things off, an old face, reliever Duaner Sanchez, appeared in a game for the Mets for the first time since July of 2006. He retired the side in the 9th to close out the ballgame. His healthy return to the Mets' bullpen may prove to be just what that embattled bunch needs.

So, in just 48 hours we've gone from a disastrous Sunday loss to Milwaukee to dominant win over the National that - for once - left Met fans optimistic.

The 2008 All-Former New York Mets Team

What does one do when the New York Metropolitans just got done getting slapped around by the Brew Crew and then is stuck watching a Yankees-Rays game on a Monday evening?

Go through all of the MLB rosters and search for former Mets and see where everybody is, of course…and then make a team out of it

This exercise does have its purpose.

Are the 2008 Mets better than the 2006 and 2007 versions?

Did the trade of those fine prospects work out?

What about the prospects the Mets got back after dealing a veteran?

The criterion was that the players had to be on a 40-man roster or disabled list as of this past weekend. Free agents or players mulling retirement were not considered.

The players did not have to suit up for the Mets at any point. As long as they were Met property at some point, there are eligible.

The team is assembled for 2008 only. Guys like Carlos Gomez and Phil Humber, whose best years may be well ahead of them are not on there.

Players were kept at their position as indicated by MLB.com with the exception of the short stop position which had no former Mets listed (at least to this writer’s knowledge).

More thought was given to finding the best offensive player at each position rather than trying to construct a logical lineup or consider where offense could be sacrificed for defense.

And without further adieu, the 2008 former Mets…

The bench:

C – Johnny Estrada
IF/Util – Marco Scutaro
IF/Util – Jeff Keppinger
OF – Gary Matthews, Jr.

The starting position players:

C – Paul LoDuca
1B – Mike Jacobs
2B – Kaz Matsui
SS – Ruben Gotay (listed as 2B)
3B – Melvin Mora
LF – Jay Payton
CF – Mike Cameron
RF – Cliff Floyd/Xavier Nady (platoon)

The starting rotation:

LHP - Scott Kazmir
RHP - A.J. Burnett
LHP - Tom Glavine
LHP - Mike Hampton
RHP - Brian Bannister

The bullpen:

Setup Man – Heath Bell
Righty Specialist – Chad Bradford
Closer – Jason Isringhausen
Middle Relief – Matt Lindstrom
Middle Relief – Dan Wheeler
Long Man – Darren Oliver
Lefty Specialist – Royce Ring

There you have it folks, the 2008 former Mets.

The real 2008 Mets have a much stronger starting lineup, offensively and defensively, than the formers.

The bench is fairly comparable, possibly with the formers having the edge considering that one of Nady or Floyd would be on the bench also (of course one could be in left and one in right, with Payton on the bench).

The starting rotation for the formers features four guys who are dealing with, or probably will deal with, injuries throughout the year in Kazmir, Burnett, Glavine, and Hampton. Bannister, aside from the injury that ended his Met tenure, has been healthy and effective for Kansas City. If all five were healthy, it would be solid. Sound familiar?

The bullpen for the formers is not overwhelming, but not horrible either. Heilman at his best, Sosa at his best, and a healthy Sanchez are a better setup crew than the formers. Bradford is more reliable at this point in his career than Joe Smith, but health is always a question for Bradford. Ring is not nearly as good as Feliciano, but what should the Mets have expected in return for an ineffective, over-the-hill Robert Alomar.

Closers are closers…can’t live with ‘em, wish we could do without ‘em.

Blues, Boos and Brews at Shea

Listless Mets Give Milwaukee a Lift

I have been writing for about a month now that this Mets team is still suffering from the blues. Last year's historic collapse has left a lingering - and painful -hangover.

Thursday's game, a 4-3 win over the Phillies in which Jose Reyes was called 'safe' at home in the bottom of the 12th, was a gift. Reyes was not safe. You can argue that if you like, but prove it. You can't.

Just like this Met team has not proved anything yet this season. They stand 5-6 after dropping 2 of 3 to the Milwaukee Brewers at Shea this weekend.

On Friday, they got a boost from Brooklynite journeyman Nelson Figueroa and beat the Brewers 4-2 thanks to his masterful job on the mound. Jose Reyes left the game in the 5th inning with a tight hamstring and is still out as we speak.

The optimism of winning three straight was met Saturday by an uneven performance by Johan Santana, who surrendered 3 home runs in a 5-3 loss to Milwaukee. Gold Glover David Wright made two costly errors minutes after receiving the trophy as the NL's top third baseman.

On Sunday, the Mets gained, lost and regained leads in a see-saw battle, but hit into 5 double plays killing their chances to take advantage of the generous Brewers. Oliver Perez was hammered and chased in the 9-7 defeat.

Now the lowly Nationals come to Shea. That means nothing to this Mets team. They can lose to anyone.

New York Mets’ Updates 4/12/08

Pedro who?

Nelson Figueroa gave up two runs over six innings and struck out six as the Mets’ won their third in a row, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Friday evening.

While Figueroa’s feel-good story of the return to his native New York to pitch in front of family and friends, along with three innings of perfect relief from Joe Smith, Aaron Heilman (yes, Aaron Heilman), and Billy Wagner, and the continued hot hitting of Angel Pagan and Carlos Delgado gave Met fans plenty of highlights, there was one glaring lowlight.

Jose Reyes had to be removed from the game with tightness in his left hamstring. Apparently the “bad weather” excuse doesn’t only apply to veterans, but to 24-year olds as well.

Reyes will likely be out of the lineup on Saturday, with the good ol’ “day-to-day” label being placed on this latest Mets’ injury.

Damion Easley, who shifted from second to short when Reyes departed from Friday evening’s contest, would start in place of Reyes.

Luis Castillo should be able to return to the lineup on Saturday, after sitting out for three days with knee soreness, so the Flushing faithful do not have to cringe every time a ball is hit to Marlon Anderson at second.

Hey, did anybody order a Ruben? A Ruben Gotay? Oh, wait, Bobby Cox did. Darn.

Speaking of injuries, Orlando Hernandez will be sporting the Tom Brady boot for a couple of weeks and rest his strained foot tendons.

The Mets have signed veteran pitcher Claudio Vargas to a minor league deal as further insurance. Vargas will compete with Tony Armas, Jr. and Adam Bostick for the next call-up to the rotation.

On the brighter side of things, Duaner Sanchez worked a scoreless inning for AAA New Orleans on Friday, and if he is able to successfully complete back-to-back outings, Mr. Sanchez may find himself back at Shea for the first time since July of 2006.

Hey, Duaner, do everybody a favor and take the LIRR to the game.

Angel Pagan Answers Mets’ Prayers

It’s a game of inches. Speed kills.

These sports clichés came to life Thursday night at Shea Stadium as Angel Pagan drove in Jose Reyes in the bottom of the 12th to give the New York Mets a 4-3 victory over their division rival, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Pagan hit a single up the middle off of Philadelphia reliever Tom Gordon. With the outfield playing shallow against the speedy Reyes, who had doubled the previous at bat, center fielder Jayson Werth threw a strike to catcher Chris Coste. Coste blocked the plate and Reyes tripped over his foot, tagging home plate with his left hand just before Coste could apply the tag to Reyes’s back.

Predictably, Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel argued the call with home plate umpire Ted Barrett, but his efforts were to no avail.

Pagan’s game-winner was the third of three hits on the evening for the Mets’ left fielder. He finished the night 3-for-5 with two singles, a double, and a sacrifice bunt.

Pagan’s nine RBI lead the Mets who are struggling to get their offense to gel. Reyes’s two hit night will hopefully get him going and right fielder Ryan Church continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-5 while driving in two runs.

David Wright continues to struggle; going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and getting fooled by breaking pitches on the outer half of the plate.

Carlos Beltran struck out twice late in the game with the go-ahead run on base.

The Mets nearly wasted another good outing by a starting pitcher, as John Maine gave up just one run through six innings, only to see the lead banished in the eighth inning, which included a solo shot by Phillies’ slugger Ryan Howard off of Aaron “Home run” Heilman.

Phillies’ reserve infielder Eric Bruntlett was once again instrumental in letting his teammates down. After his multi-error game on Wednesday, Bruntlett went 0-for-6 at the plate, striking out twice and leaving seven men on base.

Bruntlett, filling in for the injured Jimmy Rollins, also failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt that would have put the go-ahead runs on second and third base with Chase Utley due up next. Instead, Bruntlett bunted the third strike foul and Utley grounded into a double play.

On Friday, the Mets welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to town, as Nelson Figueroa makes his first start for the Amazins, while lefty Manny Parra goes for the Brew Crew.

The Phillies will head back home via I-95 to host the Chicago Cubs. Brett Myers goes for the Phils, while Jason Marquis takes the mound for the Cubbies.

Memories of Shea Stadium

Willets Point Update

Ten Willets Point Landowners Sue The City
by Ruschell Boone - NY1
April 09, 2008

Willets Point landowners filed a lawsuit today seeking unspecified damages, saying the city is neglecting the area so that it will be easier to acquire and redevelop the Queens neighborhood.

The area is well known for its high concentration of auto body shops.

"This is our property," said Feinstein Ironworks Owner Dan Feinstein. "It's been in our family for generations. This is our legacy to our children and our grandchildren, and we're not going to allow this administration to steal it from us."

After years of fighting to stay in Willets Point, some of the landowners are going to court to try to stall the city's $500 million redevelopment plan for the area.

The mayor says Willets Point is a blight in the borough. Local residents say it's only because the city has been withholding services for decades.

"We're asking the city to provide streets, sewers, gutters, sidewalks, street cleaning and all the necessary things that we're entitled to," said Anthony Fodera, owner of Fodera Foods.

The men are among a group of ten landowners who claim to own about half of the 70-acre site. They say they have no choice but to sue.

"What we hope to accomplish in the lawsuit is a court order requiring the city to give Willets Point the essential city services that every other neighborhood in the city receives," said attorney Micheal Gerrard. "We are also looking for money damages because of the loss of property value, due to the city's refusal to provide those services."

In the court papers, the landowners accuse the city of willfully neglecting the area so it can use eminent domain to take the land. The city says eminent domain would be used only as a last resort, but the attorney for the landowners says they are not taking any chances.

"If the city were to provide the essential services, then we think they would be less likely to want to grab the land for redevelopment," said Gerrard.

In the stands at Shea Stadium for opening day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg insisted redevelopment the neighboring area would be a perfect complement to the new stadium being built for the Mets.

"It brings the history of New York back and it is also the future," said Bloomberg. "A modern stadium with all the conveniences and it's the linchpin for the development of all of the whole Willets Point area. So you're going to see housing and hotels and stores and businesses all growing out of that one project, and it's a wonderful thing for New York City."

The Willets Point residents filing suit say that redevelopment would not be "wonderful" for them.

Rare Opening Day Blues for Met Fans

Yesterday, I attended my 29th consecutive Mets Opening Day (and 34th overall) and that feeling I get of renewal and rebirth usually has me leaving Shea Stadium more buzzed than the 2 dozen beers I just downed. Not mention the good feeling bestowed on me from a Mets' victory.

But the buzz I felt yesterday was just from the beer. The Mets were flatter than a 1972 can of Rheingold, losing to (who else?) Jimmy Rollins and the hated Phillies.

I have the feeling I'm not the only one hungover this morning. The Mets - I believe - are still hungover from their historic collapse last season....

• The bullpen - which absolutely crashed last September - has yet to be towed from the ditch. They cannot get the job done.
  
• Jose Reyes - who ran and hid offensively in September last year - has yet to return.
• Willie Randolph seems to be more cautious in his usual optimism. That has spilled over into the stands, where the fans are still wondering if the Mets will ever emerge from this funk.
• Injuries, specifically the ones to Pedro Martinez, Moises Alou, Luis Castillo and El Duque have also tempered the optimism that was carried in with the acquisition of the superarmed Johan Santana - move that I predicted would have little effect on the overall performance of the club, and so far I'm right.
  

It's a long season. As my father - a 70-year veteran of the NY baseball scene -says "You can take that anyway you want", meaning that it just might be a long season....

Observations

With CitiField looming large behind me (I was sitting in the picnic area) I lost my bearings. It sits like a eyesore amongst the junkyards, Shea and the rotting overpass of the 7 train. Ha!

Why would anyone wear a Yankees hat and jersey to a Mets-Phillies game? I don't know, maybe they have nothing else to wear. There is also the possibility that these people are complete morons.

Delgado Giveth, Delgado Taketh Away

Carlos Delgado looked to be the hero of Tuesday afternoon’s New York Mets’ home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Delgado made a moon shot of Jamie Moyer’s hanging slider in the second inning and also turned an unassisted double play in the early going, helping Oliver Perez achieve 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball against the Phils.

However, Delgado’s botched double play throw in the seventh inning ended up being the Mets’ undoing en route to their 5-2 loss.

The Mets and reliever Scott Schoeneweis, hoping to trade two outs for a run, instead traded no outs for two runs, as Delgado’s throw down to second base hit Chase Utley in the back and allowed two runs to score.

Delgado’s miscue in the field made his two-hit day quite underwhelming.

Even Perez’s shutout performance managed to be underwhelming, giving up three hits, three walks, and hit Chase Utley twice. Joe Smith had to come out and rescue Perez in the seventh, giving up a walk himself before getting the Mets out of the inning.

The Mets’ offensive woes can be attributed to the poor job being done by the one and two hitters in the lineup. Jose Reyes and the combination of Luis Castillo and Damion Easley (Castillo was removed during the game due to knee soreness) were a combined 1 for 8 with one walk.

In contrast, the three through eight hitters are all hitting above .300 for the season.

The bullpen has also yet to assert itself. Jorge Sosa let in an inherited runner and Aaron Heilman once again managed to turn a one run deficit to a multi-run deficit.

With Matt Wise recently being added to the disabled list, Duaner Sanchez not ready, and Orlando Hernandez being sidetracked with more foot soreness, Willie Randolph will have to continue to rely on Schoeneweis, Heilman, and Sosa until help manages to emerge from an outside source.

There may not be any rest for this already weary bullpen bunch, as Mike Pelfrey makes his first start of the season Wednesday evening against Phillies’ sophomore Kyle Kendrick.

Injuries Beginning to Plague New York Mets

The New York Mets’ regular season disabled list is already starting to measure up to the Spring Training version.

Spring Training saw injuries slow down all starting position players (save David Wright and Jose Reyes), in addition to backups Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley, Endy Chavez, Ramon Castro, and the recently departed Ruben Gotay.

The pitching staff saw slow downs to both Orlando Hernandez and Duaner Sanchez, both of whom have landed on the disabled list and will have to prove their effectiveness once they make it back to the show.

Five games into the regular season, the disabled list captured starter Pedro Martinez with a hamstring strain and reliever Matt Wise with a bruised right forearm.

AAA closer Carlos Muniz has been summonsed to replace Wise, while Nelson Figueroa is seemingly poised to replace Martinez in the rotation until Hernandez is able to return.

Pedro Feliciano, not on the disabled list, has been MIA, only making one appearance in the opening series against the Marlins. Perhaps something could be ailing Pedro número dos.

And just when the Flushing faithful may have thought it was safe to root for the remaining position players (Moises Alou and Ramon Castro have yet to head north), they saw Luis Castillo removed from the Mets’ home opener on Tuesday with knee soreness.

Damion Easley replaced Castillo in Tuesday’s contest.

If Castillo has to go on the disabled list, the options to replace him on the roster include light-hitting Anderson Hernandez, or making room for veteran Fernando Tatis.

Tatis is the better hitter, but is more likely to only be able to backup the corner spots, while Hernandez is a slick fielder who could easily handle second or short.

Hey what about Ruben Gotay? Oh yeah, the Braves got him…

Mets Swept Away In Atlanta

Santana solid in 3-1 loss to Braves;
"Home-Run Heilman" Strikes Again; Bats Silent

By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer


ATLANTA (AP)—Johan Santana was sharp. The New York Mets just couldn’t do much against John Smoltz and the Braves bullpen.

Smoltz pitched five scoreless innings in his season debut and Atlanta beat New York 3-1 on Sunday to complete a two-game sweep of the rain-shortened series.

Santana (0-1) gave up only one run in seven innings, but Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer off Mets reliever Aaron Heilman in the eighth. Teixeira’s shot just over the wall in right field drove in Chipper Jones, who walked with two outs.

Yunel Escobar doubled in Mark Kotsay in the third inning for the Braves’ first run.

Ryan Church’s single off Rafael Soriano drove in David Wright with two outs in the ninth to end the Braves’ bid for a shutout. With runners on first and second, Teixeira made a diving stop of a sharp grounder by Brian Schneider to end the game.

Smoltz (1-0) allowed only two hits and two walks. Blaine Boyer, Will Ohman and Peter Moylan each pitched one scoreless inning and Soriano earned his first save.

It Happened in Flushing

The Beatles in 1965...

Mets' 8th Inning Song List

What sing-a-long should the Mets play in the 8th inning?

The Mets Visit to the Civil Rights Museum

Perez, Bats Lead Mets in Blowout over Marlins

Luis Castillo ruined quite an impressive box score.

Every Mets’ starting position player had at least one hit, one RBI, and one run scored except for Castillo who wasn’t able to manage the RBI in the 13-0 rout.

Additionally, all of the starting position players except for Jose Reyes (who was relieved later on in the game by Damion Easley) and Brian Schneider had multiple hits.

The starting eight all reached base multiple times, with Reyes walking once and Schneider twice.

David Wright and Ryan Church both homered and had three-RBI nights, while Carlos Beltran had a three-double night.

Beltran had a home run taken away from him when it appeared that his bomb to right field hit off of the top of the wall. Replays on SNY clearly showed that the ball cleared the fence and had deflected off of a guard rail to keep fans from leaning over the fence.

While the bats were most impressive, even more impressive was the pitching of Oliver Perez, who struck out eight over six shutout innings.

No Marlin was able to record an extra base hit off of Mets’ pitching, which saw newcomer Nelson Figueroa and lefties Pedro Feliciano and Billy Wagner get their first action of the season.

Tonight’s performance was a nice distraction from the news that Pedro Martinez will be out for at least four to six weeks with a strained left hamstring.

Pedro gone for 4-6 weeks

SNY and Marty Noble of MLB.com are reporting that Pedro Martinez will be out four to six weeks due to a "mild strain of the left hamstring."

Nelson Figueroa has been called up and is already with the team.

Figueroa is a former Met farmhand who looked impressive in Spring Training.
Since the Mets do not need a fifth starter until April 12, Figueroa will help out in the bullpen for now.

Many speculate that Jorge Sosa will replace Martinez in the rotation, however Sosa seems to be an important cog in the bullpen machine, which is currently without Duaner Sanchez and relying on young Joe Smith who had a shaky spring and newcomer Matt Wise who has already logged two shaky outings against the Florida Marlins.

Figueroa has experience as a starter and had an outside shot to win the fifth starter's role in Spring Training.

It looks like Figueroa will have the chance to claim that spot if Willie Randolph is indeed reluctant to move Sosa from the bullpen.

Martinez could resume pitching activities in about four weeks. He may need to make a couple of minor league starts before potentially joining the Mets in mid to late May.

Nothing's Changed

After Johan Debut, Mets Resort to Old Ways

Like I said in earlier articles, the addition of Johan Santana will not help the Mets.

Sure it will, but only on the days he pitches. That's about 35 total games (if we're lucky).

The Mets still have to play 127 other games. And it appears they will be begin doing that without Pedro Martinez - at least until late May - early June.

Strike One.

These Mets are still reeling from last year's collapse. They made some changes, but not the right ones. They still have not solved their bullpen woes - as evidenced in last night's 5-4 10th inning loss to Florida when some stick figure named Matt Wise gave up a game-winning HR to some high-school sophomore named Robert Andino.

Strike Two.

Jose Reyes continues to hit the ball in the air. You are wasting everyone's time. You are the fastest man in the universe, Jose, why are you doing this? Hit line drives or ground balls - otherwise you're just another Rey Ordonez.
The Mets' offense, after tying the game in the 6th, went into a shell and stopped scoring. By game's end they had left 23 men on base against a team that has the lowest payroll in MLB ($21 million).

Strike Three.

Say It Ain’t So, Pedro: Mets’ Deuce Leaves Early in 10-inning Loss Against Florida Marlins

As pleased as Met-land was after Johan Santana effortlessly cruised through seven innings en route to the Mets’ Opening Day victory, is as disappointed as they are after seeing Pedro Martinez limp into the clubhouse Tuesday night against the Marlins after giving up four runs in just three and one-third innings.

After the game, it was reported that Pedro said that he felt a pop in the area of his left hamstring. The Mets are calling it a strain and Pedro will have to undergo an MRI for a more specific diagnosis.

Jorge Sosa came in and relieved for Martinez, who gave up homeruns to Dan Uggla and Luis Gonzales, as well as an RBI triple to Hanley Ramirez before being escorted off the pitcher’s mound.

Joe Smith, Scott Schoeneweis, and Aaron Heilman followed Sosa in throwing scoreless frames on behalf of the Mets’ bullpen, extending the game to extra innings.

Marlin starter Rick VandenHurk was pulled early as well, due to a high pitch count, but the bullpen was strong, giving up one run over seven innings.

Angel Pagan drove in runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while Brian Schneider added three hits and an RBI to help the Mets tie up the game.

Reliever Matt Wise gave up a solo homerun to light-hitting reserve infielder Robert Andino in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Marlins a 5-4 victory.

The SNY announcing trio of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez speculated that Pedro Martinez would be headed to the disabled list.

Towards the end of Spring Training General Manager Omar Minaya hinted that Jorge Sosa was a possibility to fill a starter’s role if needed. While that time may have already arrived, moving Sosa to the rotation would seemingly weaken the bullpen which has seen two shaky outings from newcomer Matt Wise and is relying on young Joe Smith after an up-and-down Spring Training and a bumpy second half of 2007.

The Mets can buy a little time since they have a couple of off days in the coming week and Mike Pelfrey slated to pitch this weekend against the Braves.

With Orlando Hernandez on the disabled list, veterans Nelson Figueroa and Tony Armas Jr. could be summonsed from the minor leagues to fill the starter’s role or help out in the bullpen.

Wednesday night’s contest will feature lefties Oliver Perez for the Mets and Justin Miller for the Marlins.

Pedro Leaves Game With Injury

Martinez exits early with strained left hamstring

MIAMI -- Mets starter Pedro Martinez left New York's game with the Florida Marlins after 57 pitches Tuesday night with what the team said was a strained left hamstring.

He retired Marlins catcher Matt Treanor on a groundout for the first out of the fourth inning, then immediately began grabbing his back and midsection, clearly in distress.

Jorge Sosa came in to relieve Martinez, who limped a bit as he walked off the field. Martinez -- who has battled foot, hip, calf and shoulder injuries over the past two seasons -- allowed home runs in each of the first two innings, the first time in his major league career that happened, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service