Oh, Gee!

.
"Hope Springs Eternal."

Whenever we watch or hear a spring season game, we too often hear that famous adage: "Hope is in the air." Although each team may not have a $300 million payroll, they still have hope. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Ahh, yes, WE, the Washington Nationals, have hope. WE, the Kansas City Royals, have hope. WE, the Tampa Bay Rays, have, er, an American League Banner? Yeah, that's hope at its best.

But where do we, the fans, put our hope? With whom do we channel our positive thoughts and unrealistic optimism? Our team? Perhaps, but allow me to put our hope in that which, never previously let us down, never collapsed in front our eyes, and never celebrated his 23rd birthday. Meet Dillon Kyle Gee.

Gee, (pronounced JEE), was selected by the New York Mets in the 21st round (663rd overall) in the 2007 draft and threw 2 innings of 1 hit ball in the Mets' second game of spring season yesterday. Gee spent most of the 2008 season with Class A Advanced St. Lucie and after winning five straight decisions from May 30-July 6, and pitching 15 consecutive scoreless innings over two starts from June 20-25, was promoted to play in Binghamton (AA) in August. He allowed just four runs (one in each of his starts) in 27 innings, going 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA to end last season in Binghamton. Mmm, hope.

He then went on to player winter ball in Puerto Rico and was watched closely by his pitching coach, Ricky Bones, who was also his pitching coach with the B-Mets. Bones said, "… the twenty-two-year-old continues to impress, relying on a high 80s to low 90s fastball with very good location… he’s not going to overpower you by any means but works the corners very well, mixing in a changeup and soft curve…he’ll likely begin the 2009 season with the B-Mets…". Hope is building.

In the Puerto Rican Winter League, Gee went 4-0 in 10 games with a 2.22 ERA. He pitched 48.2 innings allowing 43 hits and striking out the same amount. He gave up just 14 runs and only allowed 2 home runs. How does that compare with other pitchers in the league? Well, let's just say that he was the PWL Pitcher of the Year. Getting hopeful, eh?

But the critics say, "that's great, but we need someone who won't crumble in the post season. A pitcher who can withstand the heat." And to them I answer, "He was the PWL Post-Season All-Star."

Will we see Gee (nice rhyme) in the 2009 season sporting a Citi Field emblum on the side of his hat? Some say he will end off the season with the Buffallo Bisons (AAA) and some say even further than that. But all agree that whenever he does join the big league Mets, he will have something that we left in him back in good ol' cold February, and that is a healthy dosage of, yup, you guessed it, hope.

Move over Weatherman, there is a new Mr. Gee in New York's forecast.



A 2:43 video of Dillon Gee, in his 2007 rookie season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, striking out Oscar Tejeda of the Lowell Spinners on a slider, changeup and a 95 mph fastball. There is no sound to the clip but it can still be heard from miles away.

Ruin my World, Baseball Classic.

Question: Why is the World Baseball Classic played mere weeks before the season, featuring some of the brightest stars, competing for a worthless trophy, risking their precious limbs to pre-pre-season injuries? It's bad enough that they have to play so many games in that fruity league (pineapple? grapefruit?) that the WBC seems to only be further jeopardizing their chances in playing in games that actually matter. To us, that is.

The Mets announced that they will have 15 representatives in the three-week World Baseball Classic that begins early next month. Here are the Mets going and the countries they will represent:

Australia: Stefan Welch

Canada: Shawn Bowman.

Dominican Republic: Jose Reyes

Mexico: Elmer Dessens, Oliver Perez

Panama: Ruben Tejada

Puerto Rico: Carlos Beltran, Alex Cora, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Feliciano, Jesus Feliciano, Nelson Figueroa

United States: J.J. Putz, David Wright

Venezuela: Francisco Rodriguez

Now I wouldn't mind (actually, I'd really love) if Francisco Rodriguez or J.J. Putz blew not one save this entire season, but if it's because they are nursing an injury that they sustained while they were battling for their respective country, then that is one war wound that will never receive a medal. From us, that is.

Wendy Adair writes, on BleacherReport.com, in an article titled "Mets fans should be happy to see their players in the WBC," - "Obviously there is always concern about injury, but that can happen anytime, anywhere...On the U.S. Airways Flight that landed in Hudson River, David Wright was falsely rumored to be on that plane. If he were in fact on that plane or any other type of accident, even in his own home, he would still potentially miss part of the regular season."

Brilliant Wendy, just brilliant. You're either
1) Not a Mets fan,
2) Rooting to see Eddie Kunz in the closing role come season time, or
3) Using journalistic-enhancement drugs incorrectly.

"No more carrot cutting for you Carlos." "David, I heard you mowed your lawn, please step into my office." "Murphy, what type of shinanigans are you trying to pull by putting your car into reverse in attempt to back out of that spot? Huh? HUH?"

Yes, the list can go on. The list of non-intelligent, apple and orange comparing, way out of left field dealing, writers who should be in a fruit league of their own.

"Injuries can happen all the time, and anywhere." So true. Sort of like when a certain blogger walks out her home and has a large tree suddenly yell silent timber from behind her? Yup. Just like that.

Enjoy your wooden trophy, Wendy. From us, that is.

That's Gold, Jerry, Gold!

Been to Port St. Lucie lately? Neither have I. But what has been down there is a new batting drill that will, hopefully, pay dividends come season time. Picture it: Man on second, bottom of the tenth, tie game, Citi Field. Can't do it? Ok, think of Shea. It works all the same. Wouldn't it be just dandy if a certain Mr. Wright came to bat and poked an opposite field single over the 2nd baseman's head to bring in the winning run? Yup. I thought so too.

Please welcome Jerry Manuel's new (and exhausting) batting drill:

Each hitter sees 80 curveballs. He must swing at every one and must try to hit the ball to the opposite field. There are no breaks, just a second or two between pitches to set your feet and steady your bat. It is designed to be completed in six minutes, but Howard Johnson, who clocked every hitter’s time on a stopwatch, said everyone in his five-player rotation finished the drill somewhere between six and a half and seven minutes.

The drill’s objective is to lay a foundation for smart situational hitting. The exercise improves hand-to-eye coordination, strengthens the hands and increases stamina, conditioning players to develop a more natural opposite-field swing while fighting through mental and physical fatigue to make contact. Toward the end, coaches, such as Razor Shines and Johnson, occasionally shout out game situations — man on third, two outs, game on the line — so hitters can envision a positive outcome. Line drives are preferred, but grounders and fly balls work, too. Contact must be made.

How great is that? I wonder what Silly Willie had the guys doing last year. Situational media talking? Opposite-field bat throwing? Did he advocate late night taxi rides to go pick up "Mexican food?" Whatever it was - the Mets listened. Let us hope that Jerry's plan works the same way Willie's did, because after all, fool's gold can be just as shiny.



And due to popular demand, for all those who want to see the clip from Seinfeld...
Here it is... Enjoy!

This is Un-Third of!

I'M APPALLED! I cannot even finish reading the article that is prominently displayed on Mets.com. The words begin "Manager wants Reyes at third." Are you kidding me? It almost makes me want Willie Randolph back! (I said almost). Who in their right mind would put Reyes at third!? He is perfectly fine right where he is! This is insanity. Ludicrous. Appalling!

First of all, it doesn't take a genius to know that Reyes is comfortable playing shortstop so the fact that he is going to have to learn a whole new position in a very short amount of time is mind boggling. Didn't the Mets choose not to have Daniel Murphy play second base because "it wasn't the position he grew up playing"? Why would this strategy not be applied to Jose Reyes? Furthermore, Reyes, in the 5 years he has been with the Mets, has been involved in turning 400 double plays. That is FOUR HUNDRED double plays. Nobody else in baseball has turned that many double plays in their first 5 years in the majors. No other player in the game can snag shots up the middle the way Jose Reyes can. A third baseman is protected by the fact that he has the foul line to his right. Reyes does NOT need that protection. You can leave him at shortstop where he is "vulnerable" on both sides (especially with Castillo on one of them) and he will still make the play. He is known to be, not only a great offensive shortstop, but one of the better defensive shortstops in the league.

There are so many more reasons that this has got to be the dumbest thing that I have ever seen contemplated by a big league manager. Thank the L-rd I did not finish that article or I would've blown another casket just reading about the absolute nonsense that Jerry Manuel spews from day to day. Who would replace Reyes at short? Alex Cora? Marlon Anderson? They don't come close to the production that the speedy Reyes produces. Will David Wright move over? Will Reyes shift to third? Wright received his second gold glove at third base last year so that just adds to the insanity. To be frank, the only time I ever want to see Reyes at third is when he is sliding head first into it as he finishes off one of his oh-so-common triples. If he is wearing any sort of glove (other than a batting glove) then he better be about 25 feet to the left of third base if the Mets don't want another short stop to their post season hopes in 2009.

Posted by Eli @ 12:27 am

Updated @ 1:03 am: Aha. Just finished the article on Mets.com. I see. Aha.

Updated @ 1:04 am: WHAT THE HECK?!? JOSE REYES TO BAT THIRD??? What is Jerry Manuel on!? Reyes is one of the most productive lead off hitters of all time and he wants to give Luis Castillo more opportunities? No! Bat Castillo tenth! I will not have this. When Reyes does go ahead and hit that triple, will it be a mere double because some overweight lead off hitter got held up at third? Will Reyes get 50 less at bats a season because he is now in the number three hole? Apparently, not only did Wilpon lose his money, Manuel, undoubtedly, has lost his mind.

Believe it or not, Mets Underground was able to get hold of The Ugly Duckling for a first time, never seen or heard before, interview in which we found out the dirty and ugly secrets that so many of us never knew but yet, heard oh so recently.

Eli from Brooklyn: I'd like to welcome you to the set and let you know that it is a great pleasure of mine to have you on the show.

The Duck: First, bear with me I'm a little nervous or a lot nervous. Let me start by thanking the other ducks, my readers, and all those kids who gave me a chance. The fact that you are sitting with me here today means the world to me. On the one hand, it's extremely tough to admit mistakes. On the other hand, it is extremely tough to admit mistakes.

EFB: Uh, okay. But what mistakes are you referring to?

Duck: Well, as you can imagine, I wasn't born ugly. In September of 2004, I had a meeting with Dr. Seuss and during the meeting he explained to me that I had been among the ducks where people might conclude tested positive.

EFB: Tested positive for what?

Duck: For ugly, of course.

EFB: Ugly? I hear. A publicity stunt. Genius.

Duck: Well, going back to 2001, my cousin started telling me about a substance that can be purchased over the counter in the DR...

EFB: Uh, the DR?

Duck: Down the River.

EFB: Gotchya, go on...

Duck: So this substance was able to be purchased over the counter in the DR. In the woods, it's known as "Boli". Some call it "Super Boli". It was his understanding that it would give me a dramatic boost in my flights, and was otherwise harmless.

EFB: What's your cousin's name and who transferred it?

Duck: Winnie. Cousin Winnie.

EFB: As in Winnie the Pooh?

Duck: I'd rather not get into who my cousin is. He was taking instruction from me, and he felt he was doing something helpful, not harmful.

EFB: Well, why would you take it?

Duck: I was young, I was stupid, it was a loosey-goosey era...

EFB: Oh, I get it - Goosey. Nice one, Duck.

Duck: Yeah, well, I was young, I was naive, it was a loosey-goosey era.

EFB: You were 28, Mr. Duck.

Duck: I entered the swamp when I was 18. I would definitely recommend going to flight school.

EFB: You didn't answer my question. But anyway, did you notice any difference when you stopped?

Duck: I will say this, when you take any substance, it's half mental, a quarter physical, and a quarter flying V.

EFB: Care for a mint? Eh? Eh?

Duck: We weren't taking tic tacs.

EFB: When you took these substances, was it in pill form or injected?

Duck: Eggselent question. I don't recall. I was very young.

EFB: Do you think your famous book should be taken off bookstore's shelves or is it appropriate for people to explore them?

Duck: It's not for me to decide. I simply miss just being a duck.

EFB: Some people have come out saying that "Oh, the duck is a chicken. He is just afraid to say the full truth. Let him come out and say it all." What do you have to say to that?

Duck: Not a chicken. No, not at all. I'm a duck.

EFB: This next question needs no translation. ¿Cree que los patos se nace feo o son como tú y tomar drogas DUCK?

Duck: What the...?

EFB: 46 Year old Donald Duck has come out saying that you shamed the farm (system) and that you're ducking from the public eye. Any response for Old (Mc)Donald?

Duck: Well, I'm sorry Jamie, er, Donald feels that way. He certainly is entitled to his opinion so if Donald feels that way, then so be it. (In other words, shut the duck up)

EFB: Do you feel that you are going to take a financial hit because of this?

Duck: Well, Aflac has said that they will not be renewing my endorsement deal. There goes my chance at catching up with that Gecko. And this whole new money mascot with the eyes has got to go. But I love that new song. Absolutely love it.

EFB: You're the duck from the Aflac commercials?

Duck: You bet. I had a weekend job as the mascot for the Anaheim Ducks. Mr. Aflac saw me and it was all up river from there. It is a funny change of events because my first television stint was with Ernie from Sesame Street. In the bath.

EFB: Heh, okaaay. Enough said.

Duck: I was Rubber Ducky. chill.

EFB: Right. Sure. Moving on, any final thoughts for the readers?

Duck: I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. Besides stealing half of my Uncle Scrooge's fortune, I've made alot of terrible mistakes. Life is bigger than the duck.

EFB: So true. Hey, you wanna buy a duck?

Duck: Not for $250 mill, but thanks.

The Mets are the Team to Meet

As you can see, the only remnants left from "the old Shea" right now is a stairwell with all the ramps visible. This is kind of appropriate for them to leave as a remembrance for all their trips to nowhere.

But we must look past Shea (literally) to a bigger (er, slightly smaller) and brighter (nope, no neon players on the outside of this stadium) park where we can create new memories and have for ourselves a fresh start when we meet the brand new sparkly Mets.

Tickets on StubHub for the first game at Citi Field range from $185 (corner of the top row in the stadium) to $99,800 (Is that for Fred Wilpon's lap?) but word has it that the price will drop as the days tick closer to Opening Day.

For all the real Met lovers who don't mind the 3 hour trek to Philly for a Phillies-Mets game, single game tickets go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, February 19th, at 7:30 a.m. EST for Philly home games. Supposedly, Old Citizens Bank Park is said to be really nice (the park that is, not the fans) so a May 3rd, 1:35 game start against the Mets, seems quite appealing. Worse comes to worse, if you can't make it to the game you can sell the tickets for double its value to some RED-neck Phillies fan who got laid off from a job that he never had in the first place.

See? I'm a Philly hater as well.

Oh, and I know it's not "OLD Citizens Bank Park," but - any team that considers the 46 year old Jamie Moyer as one of their better starting pitchers - is going to be laughed at all the way to the "bank" (excuse the poor pun).

Jamie, there are 2 signs that tell each aging ballplayer that it is HIS time to go:
1) When you've passed your prime and you know you've thrown your last pitches... &
2) When you're passing gas after each of those pitches...

If that's not enough of a reason to leave the game of baseball then let us take a look at who your friends were when you were all drafted together in 1988, when you were "just a mere 26 years old."

(And a side note: Mr. Rodriguez - you are not "young and stupid" when you're 26. Maybe when your 18. But not 26. More to come on this in a later blog but I had to get that off my chest for now).

Jamie Moyer was drafted the same year as, Rico Brogna (Lol, remember him?), Robin Ventura (grandfather of 3), Tino Martinez and Jim Abbot (who can pitch better than Moyer with one hand behind his back, or even worse). He also had Luis Gonzalez (still teamless because of his age), Turk Wendell (no comment), and Pete Rose (I'll bet you he was in this draft). Sorry Moyer, it's time to go.

The funniest though is when he heard that A-Rod was involved with steroid taking. It was almost as if he was like "What!? Really? If he wasn't juicing he'd be hitting one of my balls 450 feet. With the juice, we're talking 800 feet. You cannot be serious. I got no chance as it is, but with A-Rod on the stuff....???" This wasn't what he said out loud but if you read in between the words, you can see how he wants Alex out of the game.

"What does he have to play for now?" (Uh, how about $250 million?)
"It's such a distraction. I really wish there was some way to make it all go away." (You first JM)
"I know I'm clean. I feel like I've done it through hard work." (Yes, 34 years of it)
"What credibility does he have now?" (Keep the lines coming Moyer and you'll be the punchline in an upcoming Madonna song)
Hall of Fame? "I don't see how he has a chance" (Right, and neither do you when Cousin Vinny randomly meets you in the back of an alley)

Ease up, Jamie. Just because you played in 3 different era's of baseball (2 in which were not steroid filled) it does not give you the right to become the sage of age against all the roid-rage. What it does do - is fill you with fear knowing that maybe, and just maybe, from May 22-May 24 when the Phillies come to the Bronx, the A-Bomb might just face off against the Aged-Bomb.

Oh, and for all the Met fans who are comforted by the fact that we still have the ramps to reminisce over - "I'm sorry, I am really sorry."



and even a better view, with reason for a good laugh at the end of the clip:



Enjoy...

The YES Network? NO!

2/17/09

Let's face it. Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling put on a great show with SNY. They talk (mostly) about things we want to hear and they have a nice group connection which makes it even more enjoyable to listen to during a long nine inning game. Gary is like a local (and mini) Joe Buck. Keith has a not so mini mouth. And Ron is in love with Sovereign Bank (See: Sovereign TV Commercial) and knows a thing or two about pitching. Out of all the play by play announcers in baseball (and I have yet to see Kansas City's so I'm going out on a limb, a very small limb) - I would take the group at SNY any day. Even their on-field reporter, Kevin Burkhardt, calls a better game than most team's regulars on the rare days that he fills in.

Obviously, when I say that the SNY announcers are "great," it's all comparative. Let's take the Yankees for example (duh). Michael Kay, you know, is not giving you his true self on TV. His real personality is on the radio (which might I add includes real improper verbal pieces). He is supposed to be the voice of the "prestigious" Yankees so telling us about his unbridled love for Jennifer Aniston on a daily basis does not make a strong case for "Yankee Prestige." His sidekick, Ken Singleton, might have been a great baseball player but it's time for him to quit his day and night job (depending on when the Yankees are playing that day). I would rather listen to an Islander's Beat Reporter (do they have any?) discussing the Islander's struggling third line than to sit through an at bat with Singleton. He is as refreshing as an empty bottle of Gatorade, that mind you, has expired a long long time ago. Singleton? More like Hit-by-pitch-ton.

Put it in the books! When it comes to radio -the Mets get the W over the Yanks (again). Albeit not by much, a victory is a victory. Howie Rose is a real deal baseball guy and he has years of experience covering the team. His knowledge and insight to the Mets' organization have regularly contributed to WFAN's radio broadcasts. Wayne Hagan, on the other hand, needs to open up a diner down south and just be gone. He is awful. And it is such a shame because the Phillies not only took the division away from us, they took Tom McCarthy, as well. Tom, as loyal Met fans remember, did the play-by-play announcing for the Mets in 2006 and 2007. Come to think of it, we should have thrown Hagan into the Phillie's deal, free of charge. Rose and McCarthy? It made not being in front of a television a whole lot easier to swallow.

Snicker. Sorry for laughing. How can I not? I'm about to discuss the solid duo that make up Yankee Radio, calling every game, every play. So who cares if Abreu didn't actually make the catch and it was, in fact, a home run? Accuracy is overrated! Right, John?

Oh, there are other instances:

1) Home plate umpire Larry Vanover once called Adrian Beltre out to end a game on a strikeout, except that there only were two strikes on Beltre at the time.

"Strike three is called on the outside corner! Ballgame over! Yankees win. Thuuuh Yankees win! . . . Adrian Beltre just stayed at home plate. Am I wrong? Is the game over? Beltre is just staying there at home plate. Now the home plate umpire Larry Vanover goes out to talk to Molina and the game apparently is not over. The Yankees were shaking hands and celebrating and patting each other on the back, and was it a strike or not? Obviously it wasn’t a strike. Music was playing. We heard ‘Yankees win’ from some fool in the booth. Don’t ask. I have no idea. I have absolutely no idea.”

Ok, John had a right to be confused in this case, but the next example has no excuses attached to it.

2) The very next day, Jose Molina hit a big double that Ichiro Suzuki misplayed in centerfield. It was Molina, wasn’t it?

“Here is Molina. Matsui at second with two out. The pitch swung on and hit in the air to right center. Ichiro going back, a way back in deep right center. It lands for a base hit! How do you like that? Matsui scores, Cano goes to second with a double. Oh, it’s a ribbie double by Robbie Cano, don’t you know, and the Yankees take the lead! A ribbie for Robbie! . . . Excuse me, that’s Molina. What am I talking about?”

Too bad Sterling has a script when he does a show for Yankeeography. "Was that Babe Ruth or Yogi Berra? It was one of them... I can't quite make it out.....Why can't they just put names on those dang jersey's?"

Oh, and don't think I have forgotten. Enter Suzyn Waldman, the only one who chokes (up) more than A-Rod.

Don't know what I mean? It's a must hear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m6CRBsWb3U

Fear not. She is a woman of many emotions. Yes, she can cry but she can also go absolutely bonkers.

Don't know what I mean?
(WARNING: REFRAIN FROM DRINKING ALL SORTS OF LIQUIDS DURING THIS CLIP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdtn0Z4o8cM

Ahh, good old Suzyn Waldman. The only thing weirder than her on air personality is the way she spells her first name. Thanks for the entertainment 880.

So all those Mets fans who envy the large sums of money that the Yankees throw at free agents (which, may I add, gives a whole new meaning to the word "free") in the off-season - just remember that during the season's subway series when we hear or see Carlos Delgado hitting 3 home runs in Yankee Stadium, just pity those who hear that Delgado "struck out" during those at bats, a woman crying over it, and through it - poor old Mr. Kay making believe his TRUE love is our national past time.

Sorry Jennifer but Michael will be out until Monday.

Bruce All-Fighty

2/15/09

"You never write anything pleasant about the Mets," I was accused.

Bruce from Bayside, Queens writes in:
"Don't you have anything nice to say? You're always whining. It's practically as though you will never be happy with the team so why do you even bother? There are a lot of other writers who actually write NICE things and remember the GOOD times. You? Never."

I wouldn't have taken notice to such a cruel (and slightly accurate) comment but whenever someone indirectly calls me a 'Jet fan,' I take it personally. Do I really complain that much? Do I make the Mets sound worse off than they really are? Well, if so, that accusation can be counteracted with some happy thoughts now, can't it?

Here is a list of all the positive things happening in Queens:
1) The chances of the Mets collapsing 3 years in a row are real slim. Really really slim. I think.
2) Jersey sales are expected to be higher than the previous 2 years (and that was due to recalls claiming that the jerseys were "choking hazards"). Go figure.
3) Endy Chavez did make a nice catch. Twice.
4) Aaron who?
5) We one-handedly took on the responsibility of supporting 35% of Minor League Baseball. That's commendable.
6) Yup. Heilman gets another shout out. I am really excited about that move. (On a similar note, I would say the Curse of the Cubs has now been lifted. As the story goes, The Billy Goat curse was supposedly placed on the Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game at the Cubs' home ground of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans. With the acquisition of Mr. Heilman, the Goat has regained entry. Chicago Cubs? 2009 World Series Champions.)
7) Murphy ('s law)
8) Pedro! (Paid...Now Go!)
9) Felipe Alou is NOT going to be our everyday left fielder anymore. (Not that he ever was. Good luck with the knees.)
10) Yes, I know it was Moises. It's a joke. Sheesh.
11) Mets.com reports "Hernandez is on the Mets". Livan? Keith? El Duque? Spare us! (Happy thoughts!...right...right...I'm sorry).
12) Jose Reyes might bat third. (Um, why is that a good thing?)
13) We re-signed Jose Valentin! Rumor has it that Julio Franco might rejoin the club so I think we'll be all set then.
14) Oliver Perez was quoted by The Tampa Tribune as saying, "Tell the Phillies - we are the team to beat up on." I don't know what is worse. Having him speak English or having him speak at all. Just pitch Oli, like a good boy. Shhh....Quiet....Good.

Is that good enough, Bruce? I was going to come up with more happy thoughts but I gotta go watch K-Rod in the World Baseball Classic. G-d knows he's going to pull something or other.

Long live 1986!

A-Fraud? A-Bore

02/10/09

Hands down, February has got to be the most boring month in sports. Ever wonder why it's the shortest month? Bingo. The media is just waiting for something to spill, leak, or mildly present itself. Anything.

·Bob Costas joined The MLB Network!? Wow. (Um, who cares exactly besides Bob's family?).
·He said WHAT by the Pro Bowl!? Scandalous! (Uh, the Pro Bowl WAS already?).
·The Gaytona 300 is going be very competitive this year. (Right, and I love visiting my Grandma).

Come on, Sports People, who are you fooling? "We want the good stories," I was forced to wish to the Sports Gods one night last week, "Where are the real JUICY stories? Let us have it!"

Someone up there sure has a sense of humor because "juicy" is what I got. A little too much juice.

Alexander the Great has become Alexander the Not So Great.

Now this is all fine and dandy if Sports Talk Radio did what they were supposed to do. "Talk" about the issue. But when Sports Talk Radio becomes Sports Beat-It-To-Death-Radio, it kind of makes me wonder why they don't take the month off and play music instead.
If Joe Torre's book was a breath of fresh air to the media, then A-Rod's story is a box of breath mints and a full week's stay in front of an air conditioner.

But that is the problem. A discussion on steroids for another two weeks (minimum)? I don't know if I can handle that! Mr. Mitchell wore us out last year with the whole HGH/Steroid issue and ever since; I squirm every time someone mentions the word "juice". "Apple juice?, Sir," "Um, no thanks, I'll pass."

Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike the discussion of performance enhancing drugs for the reason that my heroes are turned to zeros with just one sneaky reporter's information leakage, but rather because I fear another boring, tail-chasing, lie-making, steroid-spanking discussion about things we've been hearing about non-stop for possibly one too many February's.

In other words, bring on baseball already!

Luke-Warm Stove Edition

02/07/09

Miracle on the Hudson? It will be a miracle if the Mets get Hudson. Sometimes I think that we are treading deeper water then the 155 people aboard Flight 1549. (If only Captain Sully would be in Omar’s shoes navigating us to the Promised Land, now wouldn’t that be something special?). Why are we all frantic about what is stationed at second base? Rumor has it that Luis Castillo is in the best shape he has been in in the past 5 years! Let’s hope that “shape” isn’t round. All joking aside and no offense to Mr. Castillo, anyone who went to high school with El Duque is not my ideal choice as a second baseman.

Continuing in our frustration, we’ve all come to live with the fact that the Mets are not interested in one of the Top 10 sluggers of all time. Manny Ramirez is asking for too much money? He is a clubhouse risk? Okay, if you say so. But does it make a difference that 95% of the Mets fan base wants the homerun slugging, hall of faming, in cash I’m bathing, all-star? Apparently not.

When it comes down to it, we can’t really complain because it is not us fans who are spending the money….or is it?

Leaving aside the argument that the fans are the ones paying the entrance fee in order to watch the game, it seems that their wallets are affected in other areas, as well. For example, the folks from Citigroup, while accepting my tax money and your tax money, are shoveling $400 million to the Mets over the next 20 years for naming rights to their new ballpark. So our money will indirectly help pay the exorbitant contract of second baseman Luis Castillo and other disasters.

So let me get this straight. The fans are indirectly paying (literally) for the contractual blunders of the Met’s management and still, they have no say in the matter? No wonder the baseball gods have been mean to the Mets in the past few years. Unless, you have a better way to explain the odd happenings that have taken place the last 3 seasons. Collapses and heartbreak 101.

Swing, Beltran, Swing.

Happy Flushing!

The Mets and Madoff

02/07/09


I can't believe my eyes. Sometimes I really can't believe my eyes.

Ben Shpigel, of the New York Times writes, “The Mets have not been acting like a team in financial distress. Before Madoff’s arrest in December, the team signed reliever Francisco Rodríguez to a three-year, $37 million The Mets also added the $5.3 million salary of reliever J. J. Putz in a trade. The Mets had baseball’s second-highest payroll last year at $137.8 million, and it will be slightly higher this season, their first at Citi Field…‘Their signings in the off-season and their moving forward, as they were going to, with the new ballpark is further evidence that their situation is good,’ said Bob DuPuy, the president and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball.”

Excuse me if I am wrong but did the Mets not sign these players "before Madoff's arrest"? How can one bring proof that the Mets are not acting like a team in financial distress from the fact that they made these illustrious signings, if this was all done BEFORE they even knew that they might have been in monetary deep water? "...And their moving forward...with the new ballpark is further evidence that their situation is good" - Um, what did you expect them to do? Tear the park down? Rent a baseball field from a local Queens high school to play their games in while the brand new Citi Field sits there to collect dust? Wow, they're actually going to play in the park that they built! They must have ZERO financial troubles. And I thought a proof was actually supposed to prove something. Silly me.

The article continues, "'Nothing we’ve been told tells us there will be any impact on the franchise,' said Dupuy". Right, because if I am Fred Wilpon, the first thing I am going to do is to let the public know that I've been scammed out of $500 million. That wouldn't make me look like a complete idiot, now would it? Mr. Dupuy, does the acquisition of 10 minor leaguers not "tell" you that there might be some sort of financial setback? Unless, the Mets are putting all their money into their scouting department and have come up with the knowledge that these players are rising stars. Wow, I actually got a tad excited there for the upcoming season. Uh, that feeling has since passed.