Today is the last home opener that will ever take place at Shea Stadium. I realize that Shea is older than most other major league baseball fields. Still, it is a little sad for me as a fan, the stadium where I watched my first live baseball game will not be used for baseball after this season.
I guess it is fitting that they are playing the Phillies for the last home opener. It is fitting because last year the Phills were the ones who knocked the Mets out (Technically it was the Marlins, but the Phillies did the damage) and went on to claim first place in the NL East. It is also fitting because, while there may not have been as much of a rivalry in years gone by as there was last year, Philadelphia is the closest city to New York with a Major League, National League, baseball team. It was fairly common for Phills fans to come to Shea to watch a game and for Met fans to go to Philadelphia to watch a game.
Hopefully the Mets will be able to make the statement against the Phillies that they failed to make against the Braves.
Let’s Go Mets!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Shades Of Last Year
I know that it is early in the season and there is A LOT of baseball left to play. I know the Mets will be end their season with more than three losses. I know that it does not matter who is in first place after the first week of the season, it matters who is in first place at the end of the season. And yet, this was a frustrating weekend for Met fans.
With the exception of 2006, the Braves have owned the Mets over the past decade (if not longer). The Mets had a chance to come out of this weekend having made an early statement about themselves, their pride and their expectations for the year. Unfortunately, it was the Braves who made the statement.
I confess, I actually did not get a chance to watch much of the games but I actually am glad that occurred. It appears as though the Mets are right back where they were last season, and the bullpen, once again, is a large culprit.
Saturday, John Maine did not have his stuff. I think Maine is better than any number four pitcher out there but he was hit and hit hard. The Mets got back into the game, cutting the lead to 5-4. In terms of that, lets first give Willie Randolph some credit and praise. When it was ruled that the ball Reyes hit with the bases loaded was actually caught and then turned into a double play, Randolph came charging out of the dugout. I remember thinking to myself that he had to argue the call until he got tossed. Randolph, however, to me, appeared to be calm during the argument, calm but strong and got the umpires to reverse the call, and was not thrown out of the game. I really thought this was the turning point and the Mets would end up winning the game.
The bullpen had other ideas, ended up giving up a grand slam and ultimately lost the game 11-5. Seemingly it does not matter who you are bringing in from the bullpen, they are being hit and hit hard. Sunday we got more of the same. Johan Santana pitched a beautiful game, perhaps better than the first game of the season, giving up just one run in seven innings. Unfortunately the Mets offense went to sleep and he left the game on the short end of the stick, losing one-nothing.
The Mets did ultimately score a run but not before the bullpen allowed two more Braves runs to score. As a result, the Mets lost the game 3-1. As a result, t turned into a rain shortened two game sweep of the Braves over the Mets; not by hope heading into the weekend.
Not getting the timely hitting, the Bullpen not being able to get the job done, starting pitching in question (two of the four Met pitchers have looked good so far in their brief sample this year and two have not looked so good, one of whom is now on the Disabled List), it is reminding me too much of the end of last season. The need to turn it around!
Come on guys! Let’s Go Mets!
With the exception of 2006, the Braves have owned the Mets over the past decade (if not longer). The Mets had a chance to come out of this weekend having made an early statement about themselves, their pride and their expectations for the year. Unfortunately, it was the Braves who made the statement.
I confess, I actually did not get a chance to watch much of the games but I actually am glad that occurred. It appears as though the Mets are right back where they were last season, and the bullpen, once again, is a large culprit.
Saturday, John Maine did not have his stuff. I think Maine is better than any number four pitcher out there but he was hit and hit hard. The Mets got back into the game, cutting the lead to 5-4. In terms of that, lets first give Willie Randolph some credit and praise. When it was ruled that the ball Reyes hit with the bases loaded was actually caught and then turned into a double play, Randolph came charging out of the dugout. I remember thinking to myself that he had to argue the call until he got tossed. Randolph, however, to me, appeared to be calm during the argument, calm but strong and got the umpires to reverse the call, and was not thrown out of the game. I really thought this was the turning point and the Mets would end up winning the game.
The bullpen had other ideas, ended up giving up a grand slam and ultimately lost the game 11-5. Seemingly it does not matter who you are bringing in from the bullpen, they are being hit and hit hard. Sunday we got more of the same. Johan Santana pitched a beautiful game, perhaps better than the first game of the season, giving up just one run in seven innings. Unfortunately the Mets offense went to sleep and he left the game on the short end of the stick, losing one-nothing.
The Mets did ultimately score a run but not before the bullpen allowed two more Braves runs to score. As a result, the Mets lost the game 3-1. As a result, t turned into a rain shortened two game sweep of the Braves over the Mets; not by hope heading into the weekend.
Not getting the timely hitting, the Bullpen not being able to get the job done, starting pitching in question (two of the four Met pitchers have looked good so far in their brief sample this year and two have not looked so good, one of whom is now on the Disabled List), it is reminding me too much of the end of last season. The need to turn it around!
Come on guys! Let’s Go Mets!
Friday, April 4, 2008
An Off Day
Yesterday was an off day for the Mets. I went all off-season long waiting for baseball to start and already they have a day off? I am only kidding although I do find a miss watching a Met game on off days.
Tonight things could heat up as the Mets play the Atlanta Braves. I am actually looking forward to watching them face Tom Glavine. It is not that I am looking for revenge based on his last start, I honestly think he does not have it any longer and I am curious what the Mets can do against him. No mater what, this series could set the tone for things to come.
You know that I will be following the games this weekend. We are able to follow them on the radio, on television and even on the internet. There are a number of different sites where you can check and see what is happening in a game. I check these fairly frequently at times. I have even considered getting my own domain and posting updates about the game.
I guess the main reason I do not do that has to do with not having time and it being easier to let someone else do the work. One thing which makes it easier is the price for doing this is fairly inexpensive. So, if anyone is interested in domain name registration, let me know. Maybe occasionally I will have the time to cover part of a game for your site.
Regardless of how you keep up with the Mets this season, lets hope it is a great season and the tone is set (or at least begins to be set) this weekend for a great year.
Let's Go Mets!
Tonight things could heat up as the Mets play the Atlanta Braves. I am actually looking forward to watching them face Tom Glavine. It is not that I am looking for revenge based on his last start, I honestly think he does not have it any longer and I am curious what the Mets can do against him. No mater what, this series could set the tone for things to come.
You know that I will be following the games this weekend. We are able to follow them on the radio, on television and even on the internet. There are a number of different sites where you can check and see what is happening in a game. I check these fairly frequently at times. I have even considered getting my own domain and posting updates about the game.
I guess the main reason I do not do that has to do with not having time and it being easier to let someone else do the work. One thing which makes it easier is the price for doing this is fairly inexpensive. So, if anyone is interested in domain name registration, let me know. Maybe occasionally I will have the time to cover part of a game for your site.
Regardless of how you keep up with the Mets this season, lets hope it is a great season and the tone is set (or at least begins to be set) this weekend for a great year.
Let's Go Mets!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Clicking On All Cylinders!
Yesterday was just a fun game to watch. Everything seemed to go well for the Mets who scored early and often. I liked the fact that all the Mets seemed to be hitting. David Wright looks good as dos Beltran. I was pleased to see that it was Carlos Delgado who drove in the first run for the Mets. I believe it is a lot easier to get a hit or an RBI when you are already up by a large margin. For me, driving in a run in a game when it is close, or still close, says more.
Other positive signs for me, not just yesterday but during the first series in Florida had to do with Church and Pagan. Seeing that these two are hitting and coming through is a great sign. I don’t think Schneider looks quite comfortable hitting yet, but I think that will come and if his defense stays strong, I have little concern there.
What was most impressive to me, however, was Oliver Perez. Following the injury to Pedro Martinez, Ollie seemed to turn it up a notch. He only walked two and struck out eight. He looked strong overall and gave the Mets the pitching performance they needed.
The one thing that bothers me about the game, and this is the fact that I am a throwback to another generation is, the Mets used four pitchers in the game. The scored early and often and there was no reason to use so many pitchers. Okay, maybe you take Perez out after six or seven innings to make sure he does not get injured, but to bring in three additional pitchers just seems like overkill.
Still, overall, it was a great win for the Mets and things seemed to be clicking on all cylinders yesterday.
Let’s Go Mets!
Other positive signs for me, not just yesterday but during the first series in Florida had to do with Church and Pagan. Seeing that these two are hitting and coming through is a great sign. I don’t think Schneider looks quite comfortable hitting yet, but I think that will come and if his defense stays strong, I have little concern there.
What was most impressive to me, however, was Oliver Perez. Following the injury to Pedro Martinez, Ollie seemed to turn it up a notch. He only walked two and struck out eight. He looked strong overall and gave the Mets the pitching performance they needed.
The one thing that bothers me about the game, and this is the fact that I am a throwback to another generation is, the Mets used four pitchers in the game. The scored early and often and there was no reason to use so many pitchers. Okay, maybe you take Perez out after six or seven innings to make sure he does not get injured, but to bring in three additional pitchers just seems like overkill.
Still, overall, it was a great win for the Mets and things seemed to be clicking on all cylinders yesterday.
Let’s Go Mets!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Lose One For The Gipper?
Last night was a painful night all around as a Met fan, at least it was for me. First of all, I was watching Pedro pitch and he clearly was not on top of his game. There are a number of reasons this could be including that he has not fully recovered from last year, the weather may not have been what he wanted and it was only his first start of the year. Still, the bottom line is, Pedro did not look sharp.
Then, Pedro goes down early with an injury. As of the last time I checked, they had not made a decision about him but you have to figure that he is going on the DL. Fortunately they did pick up Johan during the off season but still, what everyone hoped would be a strong one-two punch, something to get them going strong out of the box was not to be. Now there are a lot of questions as to what will happen. Do they go with a four man rotation until El Duque is ready (and can you count on him?) Do they bring up a minor leaguer? Do they move Sosa into the fifth starter slot? Sosa did look good in long relief for the Mets yesterday.
Of course there was the matter of the Met lose as well. After fighting back from a four-nothing deficit to tie the game, the Mets went on to lose in extra innings. Keith Hernandez commented (I think it was Keith) how, while he was not in the dugout, the game seemed to have a feeling of ‘win one for the Gipper’ after Pedro left the game. That would have been great but alas, it was not to be. The Mets could not scratch this one out.
Also, while it is too early to hit the panic button, I am a little concerned about Matt Wise. After getting the first two batters in the tenth, he gave up a homerun on a ball that was right over the plate. After running into trouble the first game of the season, he ends up losing the second game of the season. I hope this does not shatter his confidence and that he can show himself to be a strength in the Met’s Bullpen.
So, as I said before, all around, yesterday was a tough game, a tough loss.
Then, Pedro goes down early with an injury. As of the last time I checked, they had not made a decision about him but you have to figure that he is going on the DL. Fortunately they did pick up Johan during the off season but still, what everyone hoped would be a strong one-two punch, something to get them going strong out of the box was not to be. Now there are a lot of questions as to what will happen. Do they go with a four man rotation until El Duque is ready (and can you count on him?) Do they bring up a minor leaguer? Do they move Sosa into the fifth starter slot? Sosa did look good in long relief for the Mets yesterday.
Of course there was the matter of the Met lose as well. After fighting back from a four-nothing deficit to tie the game, the Mets went on to lose in extra innings. Keith Hernandez commented (I think it was Keith) how, while he was not in the dugout, the game seemed to have a feeling of ‘win one for the Gipper’ after Pedro left the game. That would have been great but alas, it was not to be. The Mets could not scratch this one out.
Also, while it is too early to hit the panic button, I am a little concerned about Matt Wise. After getting the first two batters in the tenth, he gave up a homerun on a ball that was right over the plate. After running into trouble the first game of the season, he ends up losing the second game of the season. I hope this does not shatter his confidence and that he can show himself to be a strength in the Met’s Bullpen.
So, as I said before, all around, yesterday was a tough game, a tough loss.
Getting Paid To Blog
I confess, I find blogging about the Mets therapeutic. Having been a fan for so long, been through my ups and downs with the team, I find it helps me get through a season. Of course, it helps even more if most of the entries during the season are discussing Met victories, but either way, it helps.
I also confess I enjoy making money, hey why should I be different. So, if there is a way to combine the two items, I am interested. There are sites that actually pay you to blog, that’s right, you get get paid to blog. It is not surprising that you have to write about things these sites want discussed, but still, it is get paid for blogging.
The nice thing about most of these sites is, you can pick and choose which opportunities you want to write about. There have been times I have declined certain opportunities because I do not agree with the information or approach. And, you can always find topics that fit into your blog.
Some people may not care for it but I think this approach is great.
I also confess I enjoy making money, hey why should I be different. So, if there is a way to combine the two items, I am interested. There are sites that actually pay you to blog, that’s right, you get get paid to blog. It is not surprising that you have to write about things these sites want discussed, but still, it is get paid for blogging.
The nice thing about most of these sites is, you can pick and choose which opportunities you want to write about. There have been times I have declined certain opportunities because I do not agree with the information or approach. And, you can always find topics that fit into your blog.
Some people may not care for it but I think this approach is great.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
The Mets got off to a good start winning opening day yesterday. Certainly the bottom line is to win the game and the Mets did that, so that is a great sign (as if they keep things going at this rate, they will finish 162-0—lol). Looking at individual aspects, I still think there were a lot of good signs, although not quite everything.
The Mets won 7-2 which means the offense and the defense, the hitting and the pitching, were going well. I was a bit concerned about the bottom of the order heading into the season. When Carlos Beltran led off the fourth inning with a double and that was followed by a walk to Delgado, the Mets had runners on first and second with Pagan, Church and Schneider due up. I was wondering if they would come through or if that would be the end of the threat. I was glad they came through as Pagan and Church both got hits to drive in runs. That was a good sign.
Although it is early and the Mets got runs relatively early in the game, I was hoping to see them jump over Florida in the first or second inning to make a statement, and that did not happen. Also, after the Mets put up a six spot in the fourth inning, they did not score again until the ninth, and that was just one run. So, it was good offense but there are still some things I would like to see click to know they are running on all Cylinders.
I did not see Wise pitch, who obviously did not have it today but Sosa was able to get out of the mini-jam. The pitcher, however, t hat everyone came to see, that everyone wants to talk about is Johan Santana. He was dominant as he went seven innings, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out eight. Those certainly are good numbers and he did look dominant. Still, I confess, I was looking for something more from him (maybe I am greedy).
First of all, Santana gave up the two runs ½ an inning after the Mets scored six. I hate that. When your team gives you a lead, the starting pitcher should be able to follow that up with a 1-2-3 inning the next time he goes out. I would have also felt better if in his first outing he only gave up one runs, or pitched shutout ball. Still, his numbers were impressive as he finished the day with a 2.57 ERA.
Overall, a good day for the Mets. It is a great feeling that after having an opening day win behind them, they still have Pedro Martinez going later today, in game two.
Let’s Go Mets!
The Mets won 7-2 which means the offense and the defense, the hitting and the pitching, were going well. I was a bit concerned about the bottom of the order heading into the season. When Carlos Beltran led off the fourth inning with a double and that was followed by a walk to Delgado, the Mets had runners on first and second with Pagan, Church and Schneider due up. I was wondering if they would come through or if that would be the end of the threat. I was glad they came through as Pagan and Church both got hits to drive in runs. That was a good sign.
Although it is early and the Mets got runs relatively early in the game, I was hoping to see them jump over Florida in the first or second inning to make a statement, and that did not happen. Also, after the Mets put up a six spot in the fourth inning, they did not score again until the ninth, and that was just one run. So, it was good offense but there are still some things I would like to see click to know they are running on all Cylinders.
I did not see Wise pitch, who obviously did not have it today but Sosa was able to get out of the mini-jam. The pitcher, however, t hat everyone came to see, that everyone wants to talk about is Johan Santana. He was dominant as he went seven innings, gave up two runs, walked two and struck out eight. Those certainly are good numbers and he did look dominant. Still, I confess, I was looking for something more from him (maybe I am greedy).
First of all, Santana gave up the two runs ½ an inning after the Mets scored six. I hate that. When your team gives you a lead, the starting pitcher should be able to follow that up with a 1-2-3 inning the next time he goes out. I would have also felt better if in his first outing he only gave up one runs, or pitched shutout ball. Still, his numbers were impressive as he finished the day with a 2.57 ERA.
Overall, a good day for the Mets. It is a great feeling that after having an opening day win behind them, they still have Pedro Martinez going later today, in game two.
Let’s Go Mets!
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