So Johan Santana pitched today. It was a big deal. A number of fans crowded to see this spring training game. The game was carried by SNY and played back later in the evening as well. The excitement was in the air. And… Santana did not pitch well.
Santana worked two innings. He threw 30 pitches. He gave up 4 hits, three for extra bases, a homerun and three runs. A number of fans were disappointed but I say, “So what?” This was his first outing of the spring. He should not be perfect at this point and probably does not even want to be.
Santana said his goal was to throw strikes (22 of the 30 pitches were) and to get his slider and changeup over for strikes and locate his fastball. Those sound like good, reasonable goals for a pitcher this early in the spring. And, Santana did exactly what he wanted to.
Yes, the fans who came out to see him were disappointed but Santana did what he needed to do to get himself in shape and ready for opening day. That, of course, is what’s important.
Santana’s approach is “Work now, win later”. Not only does that sound reasonable to me, it sounds like it is exactly what he should be doing right now. It maybe a ‘bad’ stat line, but it was a good session.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Healthy Pitchers
Did you hear the story about the minor league pitcher a number of years ago who was on the mound and got injured so he decided to sue the team for not properly taking care of the stadium mound? Personal Injury law suit by a baseball player for an on the job injury. I don’t recall if this was a hoax, was dropped or proceeded. Honestly, I only remember a brief mention about this because I got a laugh out of the situation.
Considering some of the Met pitchers who have suffered injuries, it makes the fan wonder. Fortunately right now it appears that the pitchers who have suffered injuries are in good shape. Pedro needs to show that he can be counted on for a full year but based on what we saw upon his return last year and from what I have read about his performances this year (still very early in the spring and has not pitched in a game against another team, I know,) things look good. El Duque, while I question his ability to go a whole season injury free, seems to be fine right now. And, then there is Dauner Sanchez.
Sanchez has pitched in an interleague squad game. While he still is not in season form, it did mark the first time in a couple of years that he pitched. That is good news. It is even better news that he looked good and he seemed to be locating pitches.
So, if all goes well, the Mets will avoid any Personal Injury law suits. Yes, there certainly is a place for it and it is important that people can bring forth such law suits. Yes individuals need to be protected and they should be protected, but for Met pitchers, hopefully it will just be business as usual.
Considering some of the Met pitchers who have suffered injuries, it makes the fan wonder. Fortunately right now it appears that the pitchers who have suffered injuries are in good shape. Pedro needs to show that he can be counted on for a full year but based on what we saw upon his return last year and from what I have read about his performances this year (still very early in the spring and has not pitched in a game against another team, I know,) things look good. El Duque, while I question his ability to go a whole season injury free, seems to be fine right now. And, then there is Dauner Sanchez.
Sanchez has pitched in an interleague squad game. While he still is not in season form, it did mark the first time in a couple of years that he pitched. That is good news. It is even better news that he looked good and he seemed to be locating pitches.
So, if all goes well, the Mets will avoid any Personal Injury law suits. Yes, there certainly is a place for it and it is important that people can bring forth such law suits. Yes individuals need to be protected and they should be protected, but for Met pitchers, hopefully it will just be business as usual.
Roger's Trouble!
How the mighty have fallen. The once sure thing is no longer. Not only may Roger Clemens never get into the Hall of Fame, he may end up doing jail time.
Forget for a moment whether the whole steroids report was a witch hunt, was fair, or was done correctly. Clemens decided he was going to take on the system. He thought his arrogant demeanor which served him so well on the baseball diamond, would serve him well once again. It didn’t!
I cannot tell you if Clemens lied under oath. I cannot tell you if he took HGH or steroids. I can tell you, as a friend of mine said, Roger Clemens got some bad advice. Clemens went to Congress and thought he could come off as sounding intelligent and make the people who spoke to fell silly. It didn’t work.
Had Clemens kept his mouth shut, he would have most likely ended up in the Hall of Fame. May not in this era because people are so frustrated with steroid usage they are taking it out on everyone, but at some point, even if it were the Senior Committee, Clemens would have gotten in.
I feel safe in saying, if Roger Clemens goes to jail, he will never get into the Hall of Fame. Perhaps there is something to be said for taking the Mark McGuire or Sammy Sosa approach. Still, regardless of how you may feel and regardless of whether or not it is fair, Andy Petite has come out of this looking good and probably did nothing to hurt his chances of getting into the Hall. So, you can actually admit to things and look good. Unfortunately for him, Clemens did not do that.
The once feared pitcher has now become the laughing stock of many of my baseball friends.
Forget for a moment whether the whole steroids report was a witch hunt, was fair, or was done correctly. Clemens decided he was going to take on the system. He thought his arrogant demeanor which served him so well on the baseball diamond, would serve him well once again. It didn’t!
I cannot tell you if Clemens lied under oath. I cannot tell you if he took HGH or steroids. I can tell you, as a friend of mine said, Roger Clemens got some bad advice. Clemens went to Congress and thought he could come off as sounding intelligent and make the people who spoke to fell silly. It didn’t work.
Had Clemens kept his mouth shut, he would have most likely ended up in the Hall of Fame. May not in this era because people are so frustrated with steroid usage they are taking it out on everyone, but at some point, even if it were the Senior Committee, Clemens would have gotten in.
I feel safe in saying, if Roger Clemens goes to jail, he will never get into the Hall of Fame. Perhaps there is something to be said for taking the Mark McGuire or Sammy Sosa approach. Still, regardless of how you may feel and regardless of whether or not it is fair, Andy Petite has come out of this looking good and probably did nothing to hurt his chances of getting into the Hall. So, you can actually admit to things and look good. Unfortunately for him, Clemens did not do that.
The once feared pitcher has now become the laughing stock of many of my baseball friends.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Dentist
Have you ever stopped to think why baseball players make so much money. I have come to the conclusion that it has nothing to do with greed, or the need to show people that a particular ballplayer is consider to be worth more than anyone else. I have even decided it has nothing to do with the union or any other such nonsense. The reason ballplayers make so much money is because of teeth. You read that correctly, it is because they need to take care of their teeth. Well, at least it would be true in my case if I ever made it to becoming a big league ballplayer. Don’t worry, there is no chance of that happening.
I have terrible teeth. I just went to the dentist the other day to find out I need another crown, although this tooth does not need a root canal; at least not yet. I have teased my dentist that I have paid the college tuition for his kids. When his wife was pregnant a few years ago, I told him the only reason they could afford to have another kid was because I was a patient.
As a result of my teeth, it was with both amusement and concern that I read an article about patients in the UK having to take out a loan to pay to go to the dentist. Can you imagine, “Honey, I need to see about Secured Loans so I can go to the dentist.”
I realize that I don’t live in Britain and things are different here than there, still it did make me think twice. I think I will take better care of my teeth.
I have terrible teeth. I just went to the dentist the other day to find out I need another crown, although this tooth does not need a root canal; at least not yet. I have teased my dentist that I have paid the college tuition for his kids. When his wife was pregnant a few years ago, I told him the only reason they could afford to have another kid was because I was a patient.
As a result of my teeth, it was with both amusement and concern that I read an article about patients in the UK having to take out a loan to pay to go to the dentist. Can you imagine, “Honey, I need to see about Secured Loans so I can go to the dentist.”
I realize that I don’t live in Britain and things are different here than there, still it did make me think twice. I think I will take better care of my teeth.
Jose
It is exciting to hear more and more players talk about the upcoming season. I love seeing the enthusiasm everyone has as well as the determination to make up for last year. Most recently it seems like Jose Reyes has regained his focus. I hope so. A focused Jose Reyes will be crucial to the Mets success.
I enjoy watching Reyes play. He has a lot of energy and he enjoys what he does. You can see it on his face and in his eyes. He is also very good. While the numbers last year were not bad, many people saw Jose Reyes as one of the major reasons for the collapse last year.
Obviously one player cannot be blamed for the problem. There were a number of issues last year. Still, a determined Jose Reyes, a focused Jose, a Jose who plays at his best is bad news for opponents and great new for the Mets and Met fans.
I enjoy watching Reyes play. He has a lot of energy and he enjoys what he does. You can see it on his face and in his eyes. He is also very good. While the numbers last year were not bad, many people saw Jose Reyes as one of the major reasons for the collapse last year.
Obviously one player cannot be blamed for the problem. There were a number of issues last year. Still, a determined Jose Reyes, a focused Jose, a Jose who plays at his best is bad news for opponents and great new for the Mets and Met fans.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Skateboarding
Teaching public speaking classes, I hear all sorts of speeches on all sorts of topics. One type of speech that students have to give is a demonstration speech, a speech where they actually take us through a process and show us how to do something.
One student did a speech about skateboards . I found this very interesting. I had always thought of this as a ‘Sport’ for show. What I learned is it can be a great form of exercise. Perhaps it is time for it to become the new way for baseball players to keep themselves in shape during the offseason, although I would guess ownership and team management would not be big on this idea.
I was fascinated to learn that people can customize and build their own skateboards. Looking at skateboard complete is very interesting. So, when the weather turns nicer and you are looking for something to do, how about skateboarding (before the Mets take the field).
One student did a speech about skateboards . I found this very interesting. I had always thought of this as a ‘Sport’ for show. What I learned is it can be a great form of exercise. Perhaps it is time for it to become the new way for baseball players to keep themselves in shape during the offseason, although I would guess ownership and team management would not be big on this idea.
I was fascinated to learn that people can customize and build their own skateboards. Looking at skateboard complete is very interesting. So, when the weather turns nicer and you are looking for something to do, how about skateboarding (before the Mets take the field).
LineUps
There was a time that the lineup you used on day one of Spring Training was the lineup you expected to use on the opening day of the season. Of course, positions could be won or lost and deals could still be made, so it was not always a sure thing. Still the bulk of the players who started that game would start opening day. Then, for a good portion of the spring, you would rotate various players in and out and see what they looked like and towards the end of spring, you would again use what you expected to be your regular starting lineup.
Them days are gone. The Mets play their first spring training game of the year tomorrow. I won’t even talk about starting spring training in February, that an entirely different article. But, the Mets starting lineup is probably going to be a far cry from what they field on opening day.
Mike Pelfrey is the starter. Pelfrey is not even guaranteed a spot on the roster and if he does make it, it may not be as a starting pitcher (but it probably would be). I feel pretty safe in saying, Mike Pelfrey is not going to be the opening day starter.
The Mets are playing the Tigers in Lakeland and they are predicting inclement weather. Considering the knee surgeries that Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo underwent, they will not be starting this game. A number of Mets regulars are not even slated to make the trip so it will be very interesting to see what the Mets put on the field.
Regardless of the ‘A’ Team or not, Regardless of February or not, considering the collapse the Mets suffered at the end of last year, it would be a lot of fun to see them take the field and get ready for the season, showing an attitude of self confidence and expected domination.
Let the games begin!
Them days are gone. The Mets play their first spring training game of the year tomorrow. I won’t even talk about starting spring training in February, that an entirely different article. But, the Mets starting lineup is probably going to be a far cry from what they field on opening day.
Mike Pelfrey is the starter. Pelfrey is not even guaranteed a spot on the roster and if he does make it, it may not be as a starting pitcher (but it probably would be). I feel pretty safe in saying, Mike Pelfrey is not going to be the opening day starter.
The Mets are playing the Tigers in Lakeland and they are predicting inclement weather. Considering the knee surgeries that Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo underwent, they will not be starting this game. A number of Mets regulars are not even slated to make the trip so it will be very interesting to see what the Mets put on the field.
Regardless of the ‘A’ Team or not, Regardless of February or not, considering the collapse the Mets suffered at the end of last year, it would be a lot of fun to see them take the field and get ready for the season, showing an attitude of self confidence and expected domination.
Let the games begin!
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