Well, the last two games of the season are, I think, apropos of the entire season for the Mets, it is an example of what the Mets have been doing to themselves, and worse yet, to their fans, all season. This is a team that is, as far as I am concerned, the best team in the NL east, and really the best team in the National League. They did not play like it, but I believe they are.
So, after falling out of first place with only two games left to play, after being in first place since mid-May, the Mets showed heart, they showed grit and determination. John Maine pitched the game of his life and looked absolutely brilliant. The Mets offense came to life and they kept hitting and scoring runs. What was the final? Was it 12-0, 13-0, maybe more? Actually it was 13-0. The Mets showed some determination and some fight, literally and figuratively as they were ready to brawl.
I had given up on them the day before when they fell out of first place, but they sucked me right back in. After seeing that game, and seeing the Phillies lose, I had hoped. The Mets were coming back. They should have had the momentum going into today’s game. They didn’t. Glavine flat out sucked. I actually decided I was not going to watch the game right from the beginning and came in half an hour late, only to be shocked that the Mets were already losing 5-0 and Glavine was out of the game. The Marlins scored two more times that inning and before the Mets came to bat they were trailing 7-0.
The Mets had their opportunities to get back in it, but they fell short and left a lot of men on base. When they needed the big hit, they did not get it. When they needed a big out, they did not get it. So Glavine, who was let down by the Mets in his first attempt to win 300 games as the bullpen blew the lead, returned the favor and let the team down today. Yesterday’s game gave us hope and got us back in it, but consistently, the Mets have been unable to seal the deal, to get the job done for good, and once again that happened today.
We laughed at Jimmy Rollins for his comment about the Phills being the team to beat, but they are there. Give the Phillies some credit as they played well to get in, but the bottom line is, the Mets did this to themselves. A team up by seven with two weeks to go does not lose out unless they themselves suffer a meltdown. They did and the Phills were there to take advantage.
As a Met fan, I guess the good news is we do not need to suffer through anymore heartache and heartbreak this (post)season. The Mets blew it and now it is time to speculate on the changes that will occur.
I would think Willie is let go. I do not see anyway Randolph can stay. I understand that the manager is not the one on the field, but he is making decisions and more importantly, he is the one who has to inspire players. Randolph didn’t and he doesn’t. As I see it, Randolph has managed three must win games, three elimination games. Game 6 of the NLCS last year against St. Louis, his team won, and avoided elimination. Still, they had to win the next day and the didn’t. Today they had to win and they didn’t. Randolph has seen his team loss two of three must win games.
Last year the Mets underachieved as they should have gone to the World Series, but they could not get past the Cardinals. This year the Mets underachieved as they could not even win the division. The could not even get to 90 wins. This, in part has to be the fault of the manager. You need to fire up your players. Randolph did not do this. He has got to go.
I do not know if I will even watch postseason play. Go ahead, call it sour grapes. Who knows, maybe it even is, but right now I have no interest or care as to who moves on (other than not wanting it to be the Yankees). All I can say is, it will be a long off season, but I hope that the off-season for the Met players is even longer and they reflect on what a disappointment they have been, nothing more than a bunch of screw-ups this year.
As I said before, it was a disappointing season.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
An Historic Collapse
The Berlin Wall … The Fall of Communism … The 2007 New York Mets. These are among the greatest collapses of recent times. For the first time all season, the Mets no longer control their own destiny, in order to get to the Post Season, we need a Philadelphia loss- actually two of them. When they were tied, the Phills needed to lose a game, but that game could have been a head-to-head one game playoff against the Mets, hence Met wins were all that were needed. Now, we NEED the Philies to lose one of their last two games, just to finish in a tie.
As we all know by now, no team has ever had a seven game lead come September 15 and failed to get into the postseason. The Mets could be the first. Having been a Met fan for so many years, you would think I suffered through enough of this to be used to it. Still, this meltdown is of epic proportions and I do not think most fans could have braced for it.
So before the season started, Jimmy Rollins said the Phills were the team to beat and we laughed, we were even disgusted with him. The season started and the Phills got off to a terrible start and we laughed even harder. Now, we come down to the end of the season and we are not laughing. Regardless of what happens, is there anyone of else that feels right now, today, that the Mets are a better team than the Phills. The Mets have been playing heartless, as if they don’t care, finding ways to lose. The Phillies on the other hand are finding ways to win.
Yesterday’s game saw the Marlins take an early lead. Then, the Mets pecked away and actually at one point the score was 4-3. I turned off the game for a bit to take care of my son and when I turned it back on, the Marlins had gotten two more runs, for a 6-3 lead. I laughed. It was a disgusted laugh, but a laugh none the less. If I weren’t a diehard Met fan, this would be funny, it would be amusing.
So, they’ve lost seven in a row at home. When the pitching comes through on that rare occasion, such as Thursday’s game against the Cardinals, the Met bats go silent. Pedro went seven inning, probably the longest start he has made in two years. He did not look great, but certainly good, and good enough to get the win. Still, the Mets managed only a handful of hits, and no runs. When the bullpen comes through (a rarity), the starting pitching falters. It does not matter what happens, they just cannot win a game.
And, then there is Willie Randolph. I realize he is not playing, the players are screwing up, largely the pitching. Still, is there anyone right now who feels comfortable with Randolph managing? Do you have confidence in him? I have lost my confidence and I think, perhaps, so have the Met players. He has winning records with the Mets, but Randolph must go, especially if we don’t make the playoffs and even if we do. I realize you cannot do this, but part of me says they should fire him right now and see if that breathes new life into this team.
Well, I said to a friend a couple of days ago that maybe the Mets needed to fall out of first place to realize this is not a done deal, that right now they suck. Then I told that friend I wanted to see the Mets, after falling out of first place, regain the position. Now, in order for that to happen, the Phills need to lose at least one game against the lowly Washington National, and really two (which is not going to happen with only two games left).
If the Phills lose only one game (and that may not happen), and the Mets win the next two (again, that may not happen), the Mets would have to face Philadelphia in a one game playoff and the Phills have won eight in a row from the Mets.
This is baseball and anything can happen, but right now, as a Met fan, I am not confident and I am feeling absolutely disgusted.
Let’s Go Mets!
As we all know by now, no team has ever had a seven game lead come September 15 and failed to get into the postseason. The Mets could be the first. Having been a Met fan for so many years, you would think I suffered through enough of this to be used to it. Still, this meltdown is of epic proportions and I do not think most fans could have braced for it.
So before the season started, Jimmy Rollins said the Phills were the team to beat and we laughed, we were even disgusted with him. The season started and the Phills got off to a terrible start and we laughed even harder. Now, we come down to the end of the season and we are not laughing. Regardless of what happens, is there anyone of else that feels right now, today, that the Mets are a better team than the Phills. The Mets have been playing heartless, as if they don’t care, finding ways to lose. The Phillies on the other hand are finding ways to win.
Yesterday’s game saw the Marlins take an early lead. Then, the Mets pecked away and actually at one point the score was 4-3. I turned off the game for a bit to take care of my son and when I turned it back on, the Marlins had gotten two more runs, for a 6-3 lead. I laughed. It was a disgusted laugh, but a laugh none the less. If I weren’t a diehard Met fan, this would be funny, it would be amusing.
So, they’ve lost seven in a row at home. When the pitching comes through on that rare occasion, such as Thursday’s game against the Cardinals, the Met bats go silent. Pedro went seven inning, probably the longest start he has made in two years. He did not look great, but certainly good, and good enough to get the win. Still, the Mets managed only a handful of hits, and no runs. When the bullpen comes through (a rarity), the starting pitching falters. It does not matter what happens, they just cannot win a game.
And, then there is Willie Randolph. I realize he is not playing, the players are screwing up, largely the pitching. Still, is there anyone right now who feels comfortable with Randolph managing? Do you have confidence in him? I have lost my confidence and I think, perhaps, so have the Met players. He has winning records with the Mets, but Randolph must go, especially if we don’t make the playoffs and even if we do. I realize you cannot do this, but part of me says they should fire him right now and see if that breathes new life into this team.
Well, I said to a friend a couple of days ago that maybe the Mets needed to fall out of first place to realize this is not a done deal, that right now they suck. Then I told that friend I wanted to see the Mets, after falling out of first place, regain the position. Now, in order for that to happen, the Phills need to lose at least one game against the lowly Washington National, and really two (which is not going to happen with only two games left).
If the Phills lose only one game (and that may not happen), and the Mets win the next two (again, that may not happen), the Mets would have to face Philadelphia in a one game playoff and the Phills have won eight in a row from the Mets.
This is baseball and anything can happen, but right now, as a Met fan, I am not confident and I am feeling absolutely disgusted.
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
NO!
NO!!!!!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
I think that about says it all!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
I think that about says it all!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
If, If, If ...
The Mets, what are we going to do with the Mets. They may well get to the post season this year but I am not sure there will be any Met fans left to enjoy it, they are going to give us all heart attacks. Yes, they did reduce their magic number to four yesterday, but that was only thanks to Atlanta. (That sounds strange, saying Thanks to Atlanta, as a Met fan, in September).
Yesterday the steady hands of Tom Glavine were supposed to right the ship. Right from the start, Glavine was in trouble. By the time the Mets came up for the first time, they were trailing four to nothing. Glavine did not have it yesterday, but then why should he be different than any other Met pitcher. The bullpen once again did not have it and they let Washington pad the lead. Washington never trailed in the game.
The Mets did try to mount a late, ninth inning comeback, but it was too little too late, not by much mind you, but not enough as they lost by one run. If Glavine pitched a little better, if the bullpen did not give up two of those runs, if the Mets had scored a couple of additional runs in an earlier inning, the outcome would have been different and the magic number would be three. If, if, if… that is the problem. The Mets need to stop playing like they think they already clinched and can take it easy. The pitching has got to come through. The bullpen has got to get itself straightened out. I hope they do.
It would be nice to see the rookie, Phil Humber, making his major league debut tonight, come through in a big way. No matter what, he cannot do any worse.
Let’s Go Mets!
Yesterday the steady hands of Tom Glavine were supposed to right the ship. Right from the start, Glavine was in trouble. By the time the Mets came up for the first time, they were trailing four to nothing. Glavine did not have it yesterday, but then why should he be different than any other Met pitcher. The bullpen once again did not have it and they let Washington pad the lead. Washington never trailed in the game.
The Mets did try to mount a late, ninth inning comeback, but it was too little too late, not by much mind you, but not enough as they lost by one run. If Glavine pitched a little better, if the bullpen did not give up two of those runs, if the Mets had scored a couple of additional runs in an earlier inning, the outcome would have been different and the magic number would be three. If, if, if… that is the problem. The Mets need to stop playing like they think they already clinched and can take it easy. The pitching has got to come through. The bullpen has got to get itself straightened out. I hope they do.
It would be nice to see the rookie, Phil Humber, making his major league debut tonight, come through in a big way. No matter what, he cannot do any worse.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Time To Turn It Around
The Mets get another crack at the Washington Nationals tonight. It is amazing that a team which the Mets had destroyed, a team that has scored the fewest amount of runs in the National League, has owned the Mets this past week and a half.
The Nationals have beaten us four straight—three in Washington DC and now one at Shea. Is it that the Nationals gear up for the Mets? Is it that Manny Acta takes pride in beating his former team? Perhaps, but I think there is one more possibility that needs to be examined. The Mets flat out suck right now. With the exception of the Marlins, the Mets have not been able to beat pennant contenders, such as the Phillies and they have not been able to beat cellar dwellers, such as the Nationals.
I really think the Mets should consider changing their name right now. Rather than be know as the New York Mets, we should just refer to them as the chokers, because right now, they are choking. Hopefully the Mets will be able to regroup. Hopefully the Mets will gear up, but as I said before, even if they make it to the playoffs, is this a team you feel comfortable with in post season? I don’t. If they get there, I see them being eliminated in the first series. I hope I am wrong, but their play of late has not exactly helped brew confidence. It would be nice if that all changes starting tonight.
Let’s Go Mets!
The Nationals have beaten us four straight—three in Washington DC and now one at Shea. Is it that the Nationals gear up for the Mets? Is it that Manny Acta takes pride in beating his former team? Perhaps, but I think there is one more possibility that needs to be examined. The Mets flat out suck right now. With the exception of the Marlins, the Mets have not been able to beat pennant contenders, such as the Phillies and they have not been able to beat cellar dwellers, such as the Nationals.
I really think the Mets should consider changing their name right now. Rather than be know as the New York Mets, we should just refer to them as the chokers, because right now, they are choking. Hopefully the Mets will be able to regroup. Hopefully the Mets will gear up, but as I said before, even if they make it to the playoffs, is this a team you feel comfortable with in post season? I don’t. If they get there, I see them being eliminated in the first series. I hope I am wrong, but their play of late has not exactly helped brew confidence. It would be nice if that all changes starting tonight.
Let’s Go Mets!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Now Pitching
Now pitching and batting ninth for the New York Mets, The Adjunct Professor. Yes, you read that right. With the way the Mets are playing right now, I could not do any worse than any other pitcher they have. My friends are willing to round out the starting rotation. As for the bullpen, I stopped by the cemetery and just listed some names off the headstones. Right now, the Mets pitching staff is made up of has-beens, never-will-bes, forgot-how-to-pitch pitchers and just flat out bums.
So, the win three games in a row. That third game, they tried to give to the Marlins, but Florida is just so pitiful, they could not take it. So the Mets left Florida with a three game winning streak and winning three of the four games.
Today it was back to the Nationals, this time in Shea. The lowly Nationals continue to show that they have the Mets number. Right now, it looks as if most people do. So if and when this team backs into Post Season, the heartless bunch, the team who is playing with no spirit and no spunk, will probably be eliminated early in the Post Season.
Not to worry, however, because Willie tells us we will be drinking champagne. Right now, that might only be the case if we steal it from the Phillies.
A dear friend of mine told me this team reminds him of the Met teams of the late 80’s, a lot of talent but unable to do anything with it. That really seems to be the case with this team. This team has the players that should be capable of winning. The problem right now, however, is they have no pitching.
Pedro is back and looking good, but he is on a short leash. El Duque is on the shelf. Seems he did this to us last year as well. He is too old to last a season and we probably will not see him in the post season (if we get that far). Maine has been a total screw-up for the second half of the year.
As I said, right now, I could do a better job pitching for the Mets, and that is pretty pathetic, but then again, right now, the Mets are pretty pathetic.
So, the win three games in a row. That third game, they tried to give to the Marlins, but Florida is just so pitiful, they could not take it. So the Mets left Florida with a three game winning streak and winning three of the four games.
Today it was back to the Nationals, this time in Shea. The lowly Nationals continue to show that they have the Mets number. Right now, it looks as if most people do. So if and when this team backs into Post Season, the heartless bunch, the team who is playing with no spirit and no spunk, will probably be eliminated early in the Post Season.
Not to worry, however, because Willie tells us we will be drinking champagne. Right now, that might only be the case if we steal it from the Phillies.
A dear friend of mine told me this team reminds him of the Met teams of the late 80’s, a lot of talent but unable to do anything with it. That really seems to be the case with this team. This team has the players that should be capable of winning. The problem right now, however, is they have no pitching.
Pedro is back and looking good, but he is on a short leash. El Duque is on the shelf. Seems he did this to us last year as well. He is too old to last a season and we probably will not see him in the post season (if we get that far). Maine has been a total screw-up for the second half of the year.
As I said, right now, I could do a better job pitching for the Mets, and that is pretty pathetic, but then again, right now, the Mets are pretty pathetic.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Met-Less
For the first time in a long time I had a 24+ hour break from the New York Mets and it felt wonderful. Friday night and Saturday marked the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. I was in synagogue for a good portion of the time and really did not think about the Mets or follow anything about them for Friday night’s game as well as Saturday’s game. Considering all they have put me through lately, it felt good to go Metless for a day.
I did pick up the paper this morning to see if I could get a score for Friday night’s game. Due to a rain delay, the paper did not have the final. I really was fine with this. I could have asked at services today and gotten a score (I know where the Met fans sit) but I made a conscious decision not to, to focus on my prayers.
This evening, upon coming home and breaking my fast, I did check the computer and found out that the Mets won both games, Friday and Saturday. That was a nice feeling, to see that the Mets won both of the games and knocked their magic number down to seven. With eight games left, it is nice to know that the Mets still control their own destiny. They can clinch even if Philadelphia wins every game they have left.
I would prefer if it did not take that long, if the Phils helped us out and started losing some games. I really do not want to wait until the penultimate game of the season for the Mets to clinch. Still, we can do it. We control our fate.
I took a little time away and now I am reading to start following once again. Hopefully we handle the Marlins as easily tomorrow as they did today and reduce the magic number to at least six (and five if Washington wants to help us out and do to the Phillies what they did to the Mets.
Fasten your seatbelts, I have a feeling this will be a fascinating last week of the season.
Let’s Go Mets!
I did pick up the paper this morning to see if I could get a score for Friday night’s game. Due to a rain delay, the paper did not have the final. I really was fine with this. I could have asked at services today and gotten a score (I know where the Met fans sit) but I made a conscious decision not to, to focus on my prayers.
This evening, upon coming home and breaking my fast, I did check the computer and found out that the Mets won both games, Friday and Saturday. That was a nice feeling, to see that the Mets won both of the games and knocked their magic number down to seven. With eight games left, it is nice to know that the Mets still control their own destiny. They can clinch even if Philadelphia wins every game they have left.
I would prefer if it did not take that long, if the Phils helped us out and started losing some games. I really do not want to wait until the penultimate game of the season for the Mets to clinch. Still, we can do it. We control our fate.
I took a little time away and now I am reading to start following once again. Hopefully we handle the Marlins as easily tomorrow as they did today and reduce the magic number to at least six (and five if Washington wants to help us out and do to the Phillies what they did to the Mets.
Fasten your seatbelts, I have a feeling this will be a fascinating last week of the season.
Let’s Go Mets!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Do We Get To The Champagne
Pedro’s on the mound this evening. I am not sure how he will be pitching, or how far the Mets will let him go, but I hope he does well. The Mets could definitely use a boost. They still control their own destiny. In other words, with a magic number of nine and more than nine games to play (only by one), they could clinch regardless of what the Phillies do.
The problem of course is, the Mets have not been playing to win. They are finding new ways to lose. They are not getting any help from the Phillies who are finding ways to win. I do not think the Mets will go the rest of the season without winning another ballgame, nor do I think the Phillies will go the rest of the way without losing another one. Still, the Mets are making this much closer than it needs to be. They are playing like they do not want to be there. They certainly are playing like they do not deserve to be there.
Willie made a statement saying that this will all be forgotten when the Mets are sipping champagne. This is probably true. The only thing is, right now I am not convinced that they will be sipping champagne. And if they are, will they be able to do it more than once? Of course once post season starts, anything can happen, just look at the Cardinals last year, still right now one has to question if the Mets will go to the post season and if they do, how far they will get.
Hopefully they will get far.
Let’s Go Mets!
The problem of course is, the Mets have not been playing to win. They are finding new ways to lose. They are not getting any help from the Phillies who are finding ways to win. I do not think the Mets will go the rest of the season without winning another ballgame, nor do I think the Phillies will go the rest of the way without losing another one. Still, the Mets are making this much closer than it needs to be. They are playing like they do not want to be there. They certainly are playing like they do not deserve to be there.
Willie made a statement saying that this will all be forgotten when the Mets are sipping champagne. This is probably true. The only thing is, right now I am not convinced that they will be sipping champagne. And if they are, will they be able to do it more than once? Of course once post season starts, anything can happen, just look at the Cardinals last year, still right now one has to question if the Mets will go to the post season and if they do, how far they will get.
Hopefully they will get far.
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
What? Again?
What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again?
I am getting too old for this nonsense. After finally stopping a five game skid and winning a game against the lowly Washington Nationals, we let one get away from us against the last place Florida Marlins.
Twice the Mets had a three run lead and twice they let the Marlins comeback. The second time they had the three run lead was heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Was it too much to ask for, for the Mets to get three outs, three lousy, stupid outs, before allowing the Marlins to score three runs to tie? Apparently it was too much to ask for.
I do not know what is wrong with Billy Wagner and why he did not pitch the bottom of the ninth, but I really do not care. All we were asking someone to do was get three lousy outs. Wagner is not the only Met pitcher capable of doing that, although I am beginning to wonder.
Tomorrow Shawn Green is taking the game off because of the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur. I am following his lead. I am taking tomorrow night off from the Mets. They are just going to have to find a way to lose without me. Right now they seem quite capable of doing that.
So, I leave you with my opening words…
What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again?
I am getting too old for this nonsense. After finally stopping a five game skid and winning a game against the lowly Washington Nationals, we let one get away from us against the last place Florida Marlins.
Twice the Mets had a three run lead and twice they let the Marlins comeback. The second time they had the three run lead was heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Was it too much to ask for, for the Mets to get three outs, three lousy, stupid outs, before allowing the Marlins to score three runs to tie? Apparently it was too much to ask for.
I do not know what is wrong with Billy Wagner and why he did not pitch the bottom of the ninth, but I really do not care. All we were asking someone to do was get three lousy outs. Wagner is not the only Met pitcher capable of doing that, although I am beginning to wonder.
Tomorrow Shawn Green is taking the game off because of the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur. I am following his lead. I am taking tomorrow night off from the Mets. They are just going to have to find a way to lose without me. Right now they seem quite capable of doing that.
So, I leave you with my opening words…
What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again? What? Again?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Win, Yeah!
Did my eyes and ears deceive me or did the Mets actually win a game? Did my eyes and ears deceive me or did the Mets actually play a good ballgame. Did my eyes and ears deceive me or did the Mets actually reduce their magic number to 10?
After suffering through five almost unbearable losses, it was nice to see the Mets do things right for a change. Mike Pelfrey, while not great, was certainly effective enough and did what he had to do, When Pelfrey got into a jam (in part helped by an error by Carlos Beltran in Center), Sosa looked great in bailing him out. Sosa came in with runners on first and third and no one out. He threw four pitches, recorded three outs and did not allow anyone to score. Well done.
The offense also came to life. I actually almost heaved a sigh of relief when the Mets did not score a run in the first inning. It changed things up a little. I occasionally play poker and we have this unwritten rule, belief, superstition, call it what you will, that the person who wins the first hand usually ends up losing money for the evening. After jumping out to leads of 3-0 and 4-0 after the first half inning the previous two days, today they did not score in the first. I actually took it as a good omen. The Mets went on to win. So, now the magic number is at ten and if St. Louis helps us out, it would be doen to nine.
Let’s Go Mets!
After suffering through five almost unbearable losses, it was nice to see the Mets do things right for a change. Mike Pelfrey, while not great, was certainly effective enough and did what he had to do, When Pelfrey got into a jam (in part helped by an error by Carlos Beltran in Center), Sosa looked great in bailing him out. Sosa came in with runners on first and third and no one out. He threw four pitches, recorded three outs and did not allow anyone to score. Well done.
The offense also came to life. I actually almost heaved a sigh of relief when the Mets did not score a run in the first inning. It changed things up a little. I occasionally play poker and we have this unwritten rule, belief, superstition, call it what you will, that the person who wins the first hand usually ends up losing money for the evening. After jumping out to leads of 3-0 and 4-0 after the first half inning the previous two days, today they did not score in the first. I actually took it as a good omen. The Mets went on to win. So, now the magic number is at ten and if St. Louis helps us out, it would be doen to nine.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Mets As The Wildcard? Could Be!
Like many Met fans, I find myself totally disgusted with the way the Mets are playing right now. They cannot do anything right, or more appropriately, when they do something right, another facet of the game is so poor it more than offsets what they did well. The bats have come alive so either the defense or the pitching goes south, south enough to allow the opposition to score more runs then the Mets put on the board.
After seeing the Mets fall apart in DC following a sweep by the Phillies of the Mets, right now I have serious doubts that the Mets will finish in first place. Gary and Keith were talking on tonight’s broadcast about who would be the wildcard. Keith said he thought it would come out of the West. I am seriously beginning to wonder if the Mets will be the wildcard team.
Truth is, with the way the Mets are playing right now, not only do they not deserve to be in first place, they do not even deserve to get into the postseason as the wildcard team. All I can say is, “GUYS, WAKE UP, START PLAYING BASEBALL. THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR A COMPLETE COLAPSE!!! ARE YOU AROUND SOMEWHERE OR DO YOU JUST NOT CARE?”
What I would like to see right now is for the entire Met team to line up in a circle with each player kicking the person in front of him in the ass! Maybe, just maybe that will wake up this bunch (of course, with the way they have been playing, it probably won’t).
Right now I will still say it, but only half-heartedly,
Let’s Go Mets!
After seeing the Mets fall apart in DC following a sweep by the Phillies of the Mets, right now I have serious doubts that the Mets will finish in first place. Gary and Keith were talking on tonight’s broadcast about who would be the wildcard. Keith said he thought it would come out of the West. I am seriously beginning to wonder if the Mets will be the wildcard team.
Truth is, with the way the Mets are playing right now, not only do they not deserve to be in first place, they do not even deserve to get into the postseason as the wildcard team. All I can say is, “GUYS, WAKE UP, START PLAYING BASEBALL. THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR A COMPLETE COLAPSE!!! ARE YOU AROUND SOMEWHERE OR DO YOU JUST NOT CARE?”
What I would like to see right now is for the entire Met team to line up in a circle with each player kicking the person in front of him in the ass! Maybe, just maybe that will wake up this bunch (of course, with the way they have been playing, it probably won’t).
Right now I will still say it, but only half-heartedly,
Let’s Go Mets!
Monday, September 17, 2007
I Missed Something
What did I miss? I do not understand this. I watched the start of the Met game and saw the Mets jump out early. They took a 3-0 lead after a half an inning. They were up four to nothing against a subpar team when I stepped away to put my son to bed.
I was feeling pretty good. They were playing a weak team and they were beating up on the team. They were taking out their frustrations after losing three in a row to Philadelphia at Shea over the weekend (and for losing the last eight games they have played against them). All was right with the world.
After my son was in bed, I came back to the game and saw the Mets were losing 5-4. WHAT?!?!?!?! WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!?! It is not like the Washington Nationals are a good team. They have scored the lowest number of runs in the National League. Somehow, however, not only did the Mets let them get back in the ballgame, they actually let the Nats take a 5-4 lead.
It did not stop there. The Nationals actually scored 12 unanswered runs, 12! Washington went on to win the game 12-4.
Do the Mets look like a first place team? Do they seem like a team that could get to the World Series, let alone win it? I said it a couple of times before, but once again, someone has to light a fire under them. Someone has got to lash into them so bad that the players actually fear for their safety. Someone has to get the Mets on the right track and playing good baseball.
On top of everything else, the Phillies won again, leaving the Mets magic number at 11 and closing the gap to three behind the first place Mets. Is it really possible the Mets could not finish in first place? Stanger things have happened so these guys better wake up, and fast.
The Phils did try to help the Mets out, but failed. After jumping to an 11-0 lead, the Phillies let the cards back in it but ultimately held on to win 13-11. Hey Mets, you could learn something from those guys. They did hold on afterall.
I was feeling pretty good. They were playing a weak team and they were beating up on the team. They were taking out their frustrations after losing three in a row to Philadelphia at Shea over the weekend (and for losing the last eight games they have played against them). All was right with the world.
After my son was in bed, I came back to the game and saw the Mets were losing 5-4. WHAT?!?!?!?! WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!?! It is not like the Washington Nationals are a good team. They have scored the lowest number of runs in the National League. Somehow, however, not only did the Mets let them get back in the ballgame, they actually let the Nats take a 5-4 lead.
It did not stop there. The Nationals actually scored 12 unanswered runs, 12! Washington went on to win the game 12-4.
Do the Mets look like a first place team? Do they seem like a team that could get to the World Series, let alone win it? I said it a couple of times before, but once again, someone has to light a fire under them. Someone has got to lash into them so bad that the players actually fear for their safety. Someone has to get the Mets on the right track and playing good baseball.
On top of everything else, the Phillies won again, leaving the Mets magic number at 11 and closing the gap to three behind the first place Mets. Is it really possible the Mets could not finish in first place? Stanger things have happened so these guys better wake up, and fast.
The Phils did try to help the Mets out, but failed. After jumping to an 11-0 lead, the Phillies let the cards back in it but ultimately held on to win 13-11. Hey Mets, you could learn something from those guys. They did hold on afterall.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A Missed Game (Luckily)
I think it was quite serendipitous that I missed this afternoon’s Met game. I thought it was a night game. As I was getting set to put my son to bed, I flipped on the television in the bedroom so I could head in and watch the Met game after he was down for the night. I did not find the game, because, in fact, that had an afternoon game.
A check on the computer showed that once again they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, this time 10 to 6. I do not understand this. I realize the Mets are not the dominating force that they were last year. I accept the fact that the Phills are a good team and are certain capable of winning a game from the Mets. But, I truly believe the Mets are a better team. For some reason, we just can’t find a way to beat them. If I have my facts right, the Phillies have now beaten the Mets the last eight times they have played. The last eight? That’s absurd, that even more devastating than the way the Atlanta Braves have manhandled them in previous years.
We can now put the Phills behind us and focus on other teams. I will be very surprised if the Mets do not win the division. Still, I hope the Phillies are not the wildcard team. I realize that things can change when it comes to post season, but I would be so much more comfortable facing a team from the West, or what would be really nice (but won’t happen) is for the Mets to face two teams from the Central. It is time for the boys to crank it up a notch and put this thing on ice.
Let’s Go Mets.
A check on the computer showed that once again they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, this time 10 to 6. I do not understand this. I realize the Mets are not the dominating force that they were last year. I accept the fact that the Phills are a good team and are certain capable of winning a game from the Mets. But, I truly believe the Mets are a better team. For some reason, we just can’t find a way to beat them. If I have my facts right, the Phillies have now beaten the Mets the last eight times they have played. The last eight? That’s absurd, that even more devastating than the way the Atlanta Braves have manhandled them in previous years.
We can now put the Phills behind us and focus on other teams. I will be very surprised if the Mets do not win the division. Still, I hope the Phillies are not the wildcard team. I realize that things can change when it comes to post season, but I would be so much more comfortable facing a team from the West, or what would be really nice (but won’t happen) is for the Mets to face two teams from the Central. It is time for the boys to crank it up a notch and put this thing on ice.
Let’s Go Mets.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
That's Good, No That's Bad
I remember reading a book when I was in grade school called something like, That’s Good, That’s Bad. I think I was in third or fourth grade and the book focused on a boy talking to his friend. Each time the boy would say something, the friend would say, “Oh, that’s good”. Then the boy telling the story would say no it was bad and say why. Then the friend would say, “Oh, that’s bad,” but the boy telling the story would say it was good and explain why.
Picking it up from somewhere in the middle, and it has been years since I read the book, there was a part where the boy ended up jumping out of a plane.
Friend: “Oh, that’s bad.”
Boy: “No, that’s good, I had a parachute.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No that’s bad, the parachute didn’t open.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No, that’s good, there was a haystack below.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No, that’s bad, there was a pitchfork in the haystack.”
“Oh, that’s bad”
You get the idea. Well as a Met fan watching them play against the Phillies, I feel much the same way. You see, I finally got my cable hooked up at the apartment and could watch Met games.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No that’s bad, the Mets were playing the Phillies, who have owned the Mets of late.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No that’s good. Tom Glavine pitched a great game and only walked two batters.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No, that’s bad, one of those batters was walked in front of a homerun that Glavine gave up, allowing the Phillies to tie the score.”
You get the idea. I do not understand how the Phillies have become the new Atlanta Braves. Yes, we should finish in first. No, we are not fighting for a playoff spot. Still, the Mets are better than the Phills and we cannot seem to beat them.
On Saturday we had a 3-1 lead and ended up blowing it. How the sharp ground ball hit to Green at first was called on error on the fielder (Green) but the ball misjudged by Beltran that allowed the Phillies to go up 5-3 was called a hit, I don’t know. Still, what I do know is the Mets have to find a way to win the finale.
“The Mets play the Phillies again tomorrow and the Phillies have owned the Mets this season.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No, that’s good. The Mets get a chance for revenge and retribution”.
Let’s hope that is good.
Let’s Go Mets!
Picking it up from somewhere in the middle, and it has been years since I read the book, there was a part where the boy ended up jumping out of a plane.
Friend: “Oh, that’s bad.”
Boy: “No, that’s good, I had a parachute.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No that’s bad, the parachute didn’t open.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No, that’s good, there was a haystack below.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No, that’s bad, there was a pitchfork in the haystack.”
“Oh, that’s bad”
You get the idea. Well as a Met fan watching them play against the Phillies, I feel much the same way. You see, I finally got my cable hooked up at the apartment and could watch Met games.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No that’s bad, the Mets were playing the Phillies, who have owned the Mets of late.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No that’s good. Tom Glavine pitched a great game and only walked two batters.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“No, that’s bad, one of those batters was walked in front of a homerun that Glavine gave up, allowing the Phillies to tie the score.”
You get the idea. I do not understand how the Phillies have become the new Atlanta Braves. Yes, we should finish in first. No, we are not fighting for a playoff spot. Still, the Mets are better than the Phills and we cannot seem to beat them.
On Saturday we had a 3-1 lead and ended up blowing it. How the sharp ground ball hit to Green at first was called on error on the fielder (Green) but the ball misjudged by Beltran that allowed the Phillies to go up 5-3 was called a hit, I don’t know. Still, what I do know is the Mets have to find a way to win the finale.
“The Mets play the Phillies again tomorrow and the Phillies have owned the Mets this season.”
“Oh, that’s bad.”
“No, that’s good. The Mets get a chance for revenge and retribution”.
Let’s hope that is good.
Let’s Go Mets!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A Loss I Can Deal With
So the Mets lost a game yesterday. So they looked bad in the process. So the Braves beat them. You know what? I am not feeling bad about this (maybe it is helpful that I still don’t have cable to watch).
The Mets had their magic number reduced by one because the Phillies lost. The Mets still have handled the Braves down the stretch this season. The Mets at this point can actually lose today, be swept by the Phillies at Shea over the weekend and they still will be in first. That is actually a nice thought.
Now, just because I said they CAN do that and still be in first, does not mean that I want them to do that. They BETTER not lose the next four games. It would be nice if we take two of three from the Braves and if we took at least two of three from the Phillies. Even if they go 500 with those two teams, I will be okay. I really hope that they do at least that, otherwise you will probably hear me scream loudly and you will definitely read me bitch about the performance. I am convinced, however, I will not need to do that.
Let’s Go Mets!
The Mets had their magic number reduced by one because the Phillies lost. The Mets still have handled the Braves down the stretch this season. The Mets at this point can actually lose today, be swept by the Phillies at Shea over the weekend and they still will be in first. That is actually a nice thought.
Now, just because I said they CAN do that and still be in first, does not mean that I want them to do that. They BETTER not lose the next four games. It would be nice if we take two of three from the Braves and if we took at least two of three from the Phillies. Even if they go 500 with those two teams, I will be okay. I really hope that they do at least that, otherwise you will probably hear me scream loudly and you will definitely read me bitch about the performance. I am convinced, however, I will not need to do that.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A Knock Out Blow
I am still without a computer and without cable television. I am still frustrated that I need to rely just on the newspaper to follow the Mets. I am, however, thrilled with what I am reading. The Mets have now won four in a row and nine of their last 10. While they still have a better road record (I believe they are the only first place team with a better road record), they are starting to play better at home.
What has me most excited is the way we are handling the Braves. For years the shoe was on the other foot. We would go into Atlanta with a chance to get back in the race and usually get swept, or get pushed further out of contention. A week or two later, the three game set would be at Shea and this time the Braves would deliver the knock out blow.
This time we swept the Braves in Atlanta. I am sure the Braves came to Shea with revenge on their minds. I am sure the Atlanta fans were looking forward to this three game set. It is still possible that we lose two of three to the Braves, but by winning the first game of the set, it may very well have finished any hopes that Atlanta had of getting into the post season. Still, I am greedy. I want us to at least take two of three to win the series and a sweep would be real nice.
Let’s Go Mets!
What has me most excited is the way we are handling the Braves. For years the shoe was on the other foot. We would go into Atlanta with a chance to get back in the race and usually get swept, or get pushed further out of contention. A week or two later, the three game set would be at Shea and this time the Braves would deliver the knock out blow.
This time we swept the Braves in Atlanta. I am sure the Braves came to Shea with revenge on their minds. I am sure the Atlanta fans were looking forward to this three game set. It is still possible that we lose two of three to the Braves, but by winning the first game of the set, it may very well have finished any hopes that Atlanta had of getting into the post season. Still, I am greedy. I want us to at least take two of three to win the series and a sweep would be real nice.
Let’s Go Mets!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Return To An Earlier Time
This past weekend felt like a throwback to a previous time. It had nothing to do with the score of the Met games or how they were played, however. We moved this past weekend and right now I do not have cable set up at the new place, nor do I have internet access. This made it very difficult to follow Met games.
When I woke up today, I actually had no idea what had happened to the Mets yesterday. I had to actually look at the paper to find out. Since I am no longer living in the metropolitan area, I only got a brief blurb about the game. This is the way it used to be years ago. At times, even living in the metropolitan area, I had to consult the paper. The first time I moved away and could not get full details of Met games, it was difficult. It was difficult again this weekend, although having been through it before I did adjust.
It was great to see Pedro pitched again and got the win. It was great to learn the Mets swept the Astros and I believe even picked up an additional game lead over the Phillies since they ONLY won two of there three game set this weekend.
I will still be without television and cable for a few days. That a story for another time. So, I will continue to monitor there success via the newspaper (and if I can sneak it in, occasionally my work computer).
Lets Go Mets!
When I woke up today, I actually had no idea what had happened to the Mets yesterday. I had to actually look at the paper to find out. Since I am no longer living in the metropolitan area, I only got a brief blurb about the game. This is the way it used to be years ago. At times, even living in the metropolitan area, I had to consult the paper. The first time I moved away and could not get full details of Met games, it was difficult. It was difficult again this weekend, although having been through it before I did adjust.
It was great to see Pedro pitched again and got the win. It was great to learn the Mets swept the Astros and I believe even picked up an additional game lead over the Phillies since they ONLY won two of there three game set this weekend.
I will still be without television and cable for a few days. That a story for another time. So, I will continue to monitor there success via the newspaper (and if I can sneak it in, occasionally my work computer).
Lets Go Mets!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Magic Numbers?
Today was a fun game. The pitching did not give up many runs. The Met hitters just kept hitting and scoring and doing what they are supposed to do, and the defense looked sharp as well. All around it was fun.
I thought Willie made the right move with Mike Pelfrey, in terms of when he took him out. The Mets had a 5-2 lead in the sixth and Pelfrey had one out, so it was 5 and 1/3 innings for him, enough to get the win. The Astros had the bases loaded with the one out. It would have been nice to see Pelfrey get out of it, or have the chance to do so. Still, he has been up and down all year. Although there were a couple of good games, Pelfrey had been winless until his last outing.
By taking him out when he did, Willie assured Pelfrey of not getting the loss (as he would only be responsible for the three men on base and if they all scored, it would only tie the score) and of quite possibly getting his second (straight) win. While it was likely the Astros would score, it was unlikely that all three runners would come home. As it turned out, Jorge Sosa came in and did an excellent job, in part thanks to a great play in the field by Lastings Milledge, and did not let a run score.
What I found a little surprising was after the game the Met announcers talked a little bit about the Mets magic number, I think they said it was 18. It still seems a little early to be talking magic numbers and it seems like discussing 18 as a magic number, is a high number. Usually it does not get discussed until it is in the single digits, and often five or less.
Still, as long as we are talking about the Mets magic number and not the magic number of another team, I am okay with it.
Let’s Go Mets!
I thought Willie made the right move with Mike Pelfrey, in terms of when he took him out. The Mets had a 5-2 lead in the sixth and Pelfrey had one out, so it was 5 and 1/3 innings for him, enough to get the win. The Astros had the bases loaded with the one out. It would have been nice to see Pelfrey get out of it, or have the chance to do so. Still, he has been up and down all year. Although there were a couple of good games, Pelfrey had been winless until his last outing.
By taking him out when he did, Willie assured Pelfrey of not getting the loss (as he would only be responsible for the three men on base and if they all scored, it would only tie the score) and of quite possibly getting his second (straight) win. While it was likely the Astros would score, it was unlikely that all three runners would come home. As it turned out, Jorge Sosa came in and did an excellent job, in part thanks to a great play in the field by Lastings Milledge, and did not let a run score.
What I found a little surprising was after the game the Met announcers talked a little bit about the Mets magic number, I think they said it was 18. It still seems a little early to be talking magic numbers and it seems like discussing 18 as a magic number, is a high number. Usually it does not get discussed until it is in the single digits, and often five or less.
Still, as long as we are talking about the Mets magic number and not the magic number of another team, I am okay with it.
Let’s Go Mets!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
MVP Thoughts
A friend of mine, who reads this blog but usually does not comment was nice enough to give me credit for the Mets five game winning streak. The logic was, I said that somebody had to go on a tear, had to go Billy Martin on these guys. After I said that, they started playing better and rattled off five wins in a row. My buddy said it was my blog entry that served as the rant the Met players needed to hear. (Thanks for the credit. I’ll take it, even if it is undeserved).
Today I got an e-mail asking for an entry about how I see the MVP shaking out in the NL this year, from the same friend. Since this individual was so nice as to credit me with the winning streak, I will return the favor and enter and entry on this.
Okay, I do not see the NL MVP coming from the Mets. Moreover, I do not personally feel a Met is deserving of the award. Now, this is not to suggest that the Mets do not have any good players, they do. Still, no one has consistently been there for the Mets.
Starting with the pitchers, I do not see anyone who has been so dominant that he should even be considered. (I do feel if there is so dominant a pitcher, it is fair to vote him as the MVP). Up until the All-Star break, maybe I would have said Wagner should be considered, but he has lost his touch down the stretch, and that is when it is most important.
Jose Reyes is a great ballplayer and a lot of fun to watch. He clearly is the catalyst that gets this team going as their winning percentage is dramatically better when he gets a hit than when he does not. Still, he has been streaking, his power numbers are down from last year and if he is not getting the homeruns, he hits entirely too many balls in the air.
David Wright is the other young stud on this team and is the future of the Mets. Still, Wright has been very streaky this year. There are times he is on a tear and other times he just can’t seem to put the bat on the ball. Last year, he was a great two strike hitter. This year, he strikes out too much.
Delgado has had a terrible year and just as he is picking it up, he gets injured. Still the numbers are not there. Beltran is another one who does not have the number. He started out on a tear and that got very cold, and now, like so many other Mets, is a streaky hitter.
Perhaps the Met who deserve some consideration is Moises Alou, as he is just money this year. Still, there is no way he has played enough (due to injuries) to even be considered (nor should he).
I do not see a Met winning the award this year. I do not think one is deserving. Still, if they continue to win, if they get into post season and then go on to win the World Series, I do not need to see a Met win.
By the way, I see the NL MVP either coming from the Brewers since they were in first for a decent amount of the year when no one expected it (Prince Fielder the likely candidate) or from the Phillies, since they did an excellent job of turning it around (Chase Utley or—and it hurts me to say this—Jimmy Rollins).
So, those are my MVP thoughts.
Today I got an e-mail asking for an entry about how I see the MVP shaking out in the NL this year, from the same friend. Since this individual was so nice as to credit me with the winning streak, I will return the favor and enter and entry on this.
Okay, I do not see the NL MVP coming from the Mets. Moreover, I do not personally feel a Met is deserving of the award. Now, this is not to suggest that the Mets do not have any good players, they do. Still, no one has consistently been there for the Mets.
Starting with the pitchers, I do not see anyone who has been so dominant that he should even be considered. (I do feel if there is so dominant a pitcher, it is fair to vote him as the MVP). Up until the All-Star break, maybe I would have said Wagner should be considered, but he has lost his touch down the stretch, and that is when it is most important.
Jose Reyes is a great ballplayer and a lot of fun to watch. He clearly is the catalyst that gets this team going as their winning percentage is dramatically better when he gets a hit than when he does not. Still, he has been streaking, his power numbers are down from last year and if he is not getting the homeruns, he hits entirely too many balls in the air.
David Wright is the other young stud on this team and is the future of the Mets. Still, Wright has been very streaky this year. There are times he is on a tear and other times he just can’t seem to put the bat on the ball. Last year, he was a great two strike hitter. This year, he strikes out too much.
Delgado has had a terrible year and just as he is picking it up, he gets injured. Still the numbers are not there. Beltran is another one who does not have the number. He started out on a tear and that got very cold, and now, like so many other Mets, is a streaky hitter.
Perhaps the Met who deserve some consideration is Moises Alou, as he is just money this year. Still, there is no way he has played enough (due to injuries) to even be considered (nor should he).
I do not see a Met winning the award this year. I do not think one is deserving. Still, if they continue to win, if they get into post season and then go on to win the World Series, I do not need to see a Met win.
By the way, I see the NL MVP either coming from the Brewers since they were in first for a decent amount of the year when no one expected it (Prince Fielder the likely candidate) or from the Phillies, since they did an excellent job of turning it around (Chase Utley or—and it hurts me to say this—Jimmy Rollins).
So, those are my MVP thoughts.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Lets Go For Five
It is great to see the Mets on a four game winning streak. Do you know, however, what is better than a four game winning streak? The answer to that question is easy… … A five game winning streak. It is hard to believe the Mets have not won more than four in a row this year. It would be great to see them do it tonight. Still, this is getting a little ahead of ourselves.
Pedro looked good yesterday. He was not spectacular, but than again, I do not think he needed to me and it would have been unfair to expect him to be. He was kept on a short leash, which he should have been. Still, with only throwing 76 pitches (one more than anticipated), the Mets were able to get him a win.
There were times where Pedro could have looked stronger, but it was only his first start of the season after almost a year on the Disabled List. And, when Pedro needed to bear down, he was able to do so. Hopefully having him back will give the Mets a spark and they can continue to roll.
It is amazing how they went to be so awful in Philadelphia to just looking much stronger, and like a much more capable team in Atlanta. How would have thought Atlanta would have helped right their ship.
Whatever they needed to do, they did. Now, lets just hope that the Mets keep winning.
Pedro looked good yesterday. He was not spectacular, but than again, I do not think he needed to me and it would have been unfair to expect him to be. He was kept on a short leash, which he should have been. Still, with only throwing 76 pitches (one more than anticipated), the Mets were able to get him a win.
There were times where Pedro could have looked stronger, but it was only his first start of the season after almost a year on the Disabled List. And, when Pedro needed to bear down, he was able to do so. Hopefully having him back will give the Mets a spark and they can continue to roll.
It is amazing how they went to be so awful in Philadelphia to just looking much stronger, and like a much more capable team in Atlanta. How would have thought Atlanta would have helped right their ship.
Whatever they needed to do, they did. Now, lets just hope that the Mets keep winning.
Monday, September 3, 2007
A Measure Of Revenge
It looks like the Mets have righted their ship with a sweep over the Atlanta Braves. Of course, with this team, there is no guarantee they will not turn back around and lose three or four in a row right now. Still, it was great to see the Mets get a measure of revenge.
September and Turner Field have not been a good mix. Met fans probably still have nightmares about what it has meant over the past decade. This weekend, however, the Mets just put a serious damper on any hopes the Braves have of making it to postseason (although still not impossible).
Glavine was finally able to beat John Smoltz. Glavine has pitched well in the games where he has faced his friend and former teammate this year, but had not yet one. Yesterday (in what seems like a rare Sunday Day game), that changed.
Glavine looked good, and so did Smoltz as he only allowed three runs and if the Jose Reyes popup is caught, perhaps only two, or maybe even one (as he pitches Wright differently with no one on base). Still, the Mets scored the runs and the Bullpen was able to hold it.
The bullpen looked good yesterday, with the exception of Billy Wagner. Wagner, only needing three outs, once again let a team back into the game and he really tried to hand it away. As I have said before, this is the Wagner of last year, the guy who USUALLY got the save but did not do it easily.
This year, for quite some time, Wagner was lights out. Now, as we are in the stretch, he seems to have forgotten how to slam the door and is back to closing gently and some days not closing it at all. I do not know what Wagner has to do to “get right”, but whatever it is, he better figure it out and do it fast.
Still, it was a three game sweep in Atlanta. Still, the Mets doubled their margin on first place as the Phillies now trail by four games. Still, the Mets did slam the door on the Braves and lowered any hopes they have of making it to postseason (two years in a row with no Atlanta in postseason sounds very appealing). Still, the Mets rebounded nicely and Today it is Pedro on the mound.
Let’s Go Mets!
September and Turner Field have not been a good mix. Met fans probably still have nightmares about what it has meant over the past decade. This weekend, however, the Mets just put a serious damper on any hopes the Braves have of making it to postseason (although still not impossible).
Glavine was finally able to beat John Smoltz. Glavine has pitched well in the games where he has faced his friend and former teammate this year, but had not yet one. Yesterday (in what seems like a rare Sunday Day game), that changed.
Glavine looked good, and so did Smoltz as he only allowed three runs and if the Jose Reyes popup is caught, perhaps only two, or maybe even one (as he pitches Wright differently with no one on base). Still, the Mets scored the runs and the Bullpen was able to hold it.
The bullpen looked good yesterday, with the exception of Billy Wagner. Wagner, only needing three outs, once again let a team back into the game and he really tried to hand it away. As I have said before, this is the Wagner of last year, the guy who USUALLY got the save but did not do it easily.
This year, for quite some time, Wagner was lights out. Now, as we are in the stretch, he seems to have forgotten how to slam the door and is back to closing gently and some days not closing it at all. I do not know what Wagner has to do to “get right”, but whatever it is, he better figure it out and do it fast.
Still, it was a three game sweep in Atlanta. Still, the Mets doubled their margin on first place as the Phillies now trail by four games. Still, the Mets did slam the door on the Braves and lowered any hopes they have of making it to postseason (two years in a row with no Atlanta in postseason sounds very appealing). Still, the Mets rebounded nicely and Today it is Pedro on the mound.
Let’s Go Mets!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
A Win For Pelfrey And A Met Fan Feeling Better
Mike Pelfrey got his first win and he looked good getting it. The Mets were able to hold off the Atlanta Braves and win two straight. The life of a baseball fan is crazy and the life of a Met fan is even crazier. The Mets were handled very well by the Philadelphia Phillies, who took four in a row. The Phills are a team the Mets should have been able to handle.
Following the four game sweep, the Mets had the misfortune of going to Atlanta. Atlanta, the team that with the exception of last year, has owned the Mets. Atlanta, the team that has taken two out of three games from every set the two teams had played so far this year. Atlanta, the team that would be facing Mike Pelfrey, a pitcher who had yet to get a win this year. Atlanta, the name that strikes fear into the hearts of Mets fans, even when we have a better team.
After winning the first game of the series on Friday night, I expected the Braves to win the next two. But, that did not happen. Maybe the Mets were truly embarrassed and knew they had to perform. Maybe the Braves are playing so poorly right now they cannot even beat the team they have owned. Maybe, it is a little bit of both. Maybe it is neither. Still, what did happen was the Mets won yesterday and that gives them the chance to sweep the series today.
I am not sure how I will feel if the Mets lose today. Hopefully it will not happen. Still regardless of what happens, the Mets will leave Atlanta still in sole possession of first place (something I had serious doubts Thursday night and Friday during the day). It would be great to see the Mets sweep the Braves in Atlanta during the month of September.
Let’s Go Mets!
Following the four game sweep, the Mets had the misfortune of going to Atlanta. Atlanta, the team that with the exception of last year, has owned the Mets. Atlanta, the team that has taken two out of three games from every set the two teams had played so far this year. Atlanta, the team that would be facing Mike Pelfrey, a pitcher who had yet to get a win this year. Atlanta, the name that strikes fear into the hearts of Mets fans, even when we have a better team.
After winning the first game of the series on Friday night, I expected the Braves to win the next two. But, that did not happen. Maybe the Mets were truly embarrassed and knew they had to perform. Maybe the Braves are playing so poorly right now they cannot even beat the team they have owned. Maybe, it is a little bit of both. Maybe it is neither. Still, what did happen was the Mets won yesterday and that gives them the chance to sweep the series today.
I am not sure how I will feel if the Mets lose today. Hopefully it will not happen. Still regardless of what happens, the Mets will leave Atlanta still in sole possession of first place (something I had serious doubts Thursday night and Friday during the day). It would be great to see the Mets sweep the Braves in Atlanta during the month of September.
Let’s Go Mets!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
SO WHAT!
So the Mets won a game yesterday, they beat the Atlanta Braves. Excuse me but BFD. So what? This does not change anything. They looked pitiful in Philadelphia and instead of putting distance between them and the rest of the NL East, instead of slamming the doors, they allowed the race to be re-opened.
Yes, it is true that in order to start a roll, you have to begin somewhere. Yes the Mets did beat the Braves. Still, it is only one game. Still, the Mets MO this season has been to take the first of a three game set against the Braves and drop the next two.
I am just so disgusting with the Mets play, it will take more than a one game win against the Braves, even if it was a good win, to fix my mood. The Mets need to open some distance, increase the ground they have over the Phills and the Braves. Hopefully they will be able to do that but I still have my doubts.
I still route for this team. My heart is still with this team. Still, a large portion of me hopes that when the Mets get back to Shea, the fans come out just to boo them and show their disappointment. This team is so much better than the way they have been playing all season, but they have never really woken up.
Maybe Pedro will be able to start on Monday and it will give them that lift, that drive and determination that they have seemed to lack all year. Let’s hope!
Let’s Go Mets!
Yes, it is true that in order to start a roll, you have to begin somewhere. Yes the Mets did beat the Braves. Still, it is only one game. Still, the Mets MO this season has been to take the first of a three game set against the Braves and drop the next two.
I am just so disgusting with the Mets play, it will take more than a one game win against the Braves, even if it was a good win, to fix my mood. The Mets need to open some distance, increase the ground they have over the Phills and the Braves. Hopefully they will be able to do that but I still have my doubts.
I still route for this team. My heart is still with this team. Still, a large portion of me hopes that when the Mets get back to Shea, the fans come out just to boo them and show their disappointment. This team is so much better than the way they have been playing all season, but they have never really woken up.
Maybe Pedro will be able to start on Monday and it will give them that lift, that drive and determination that they have seemed to lack all year. Let’s hope!
Let’s Go Mets!
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