Brooklyn Nets: Home Sweet Home

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Road to the Playoffs

SATURDAY

CELTICS   96

NETS       110

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Tap your Nike sneakers together three times and repeat, "There's no place like Flatbush Avenue."

Just ask the Nets who've been away from home for nearly three weeks since hosting the Detroit Pistons.  They have the NBA schedule makers to thank for deciding it would be a good idea to dispatch Brooklyn on an uncommon seven game road journey through the league's wild Western Conference.

The Hoops of Flatbush fared just 2-5 on the trip, opening with loses at OKC, Utah, and the Clippers, but responding with winning efforts over the Sacramento Kings and the LeBron Angeles Lakers.  However, Brooklyn's run ended there as they'd endure a frustrating loss at Portland, then wrap up with a stinker in their first game back east at Philadelphia.  Their most recent loss in turn lowered their record to an even 38-38 with just six games left to play.

The Brooklyn Brigade weren't the only ones treating their team to a hero's welcome, as fans packed Barclays Center to the roof for the Nets first home game since Mar. 11.  And the team did not disappoint.  The Celtics jumped out to an early lead as the Nets appeared road worn and weary throughout the first half.  Yet they somehow sleepwalked to a one-point lead by halftime.  It should be noted the Celtics were undermanned and in the midst of a back-to-back games, having hosted the Pacers on Friday, then having to travel to Brooklyn for an early 6 p.m. start on Saturday.

With Boston's Kyrie Irving unavailable and looking on from the bench, Nets all-star D'Angelo Russell scored 20 of his game high 29-points in the third quarter, as the Nets outpaced Boston in the second half by a 61-48 margin en route to a commanding 14-point victory over the present Eastern Conference five seed.  Russell also distributed a game-high ten assists. 

Caris LeVert played a pivotal roll off the bench with 15 points and four steals in 29 minutes.  Joe Harris posted his season average 13-points, and led the floor with eight rebounds (all on the defensive end).  The Celtics put themselves in early foul trouble, and Ed Davis, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert all made them pay, joining to shoot a combined 15/20 from the stripe.

With one more victory, the Nets can secure themselves a spot in the upcoming NBA playoffs.  However, next on their docket is three games against two of the league's best in the form of Milwaukee and Toronto.  In the meantime, the Nets presently occupy the Eastern Conference's seventh spot, one full game ahead of eighth place Miami, and 1.5 games ahead of ninth place Orlando.

Another Opening Day Metsian Podcast Extravaganza

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

PLAY BALL !!!!

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and Mike

Special Guest

Greg Prince of 

FaithAndFearInFlushing

134 Minutes

OPENING DAY

Opening Day Memories ~ Opening Day Recap

Robinson Cano ~ Pete Alonso

Jacob deGrom ~ The Bullpen

Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Mickey Callaway

and so much more..!

N.Y. Mets: March Money Madness

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Best part: you, the fan, get to pay for it! - HM

New York Mets: The Madoff Money Magic Mystery Tour Continues.

Make of the following what you will.

In the summer of 2015, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz refinanced roughly $700 million of debt owed by the team and SNY, stemming from the Bernie Madoff implosion and its aftermath.  At the time, Sterling Equities owned 65% of SNY and 60% of the Mets.  The new five year loans against separate entities carried lower interest rates and tied the maturity dates together, according to reports both in the New York Post and FORBES.

Then there's this Twitter exchange I recently had with writer/editor Howard Megdal:

Now it is theoretically possible that they have paid down some, hell even all, of that massive amount of debt. Intrepid reporters ought to find out, because the saddling of that annual interest, plus the stadium payments, have been a virtual MLB payroll on their books since 2009.

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) February 13, 2019

No I totally hear where you thought this was coming from. Generally if you are servicing the loans and the banks judge you have adequate capital/assets to cover the loan itself (which they do with Mets/SNY) they’ll be happy to let you keep paying interest because, why not?

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) February 13, 2019

Again, and not trying to be difficult here: the article doesn’t remotely claim that the Mets are on track to pay off the debt in five years. You are misunderstanding how this loan term works. Hope this is helpful.

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) February 13, 2019

No one is reporting they are doing either atm. But that is both what they did for years with previous loans and almost certainly how they are handling this one, though I am open to new reporting that states otherwise. The loan term definitely does NOT mean this.

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) February 13, 2019

Last point on this: hard to even see what their motivation would be to pay down the loan, since they can service it using revenue that would otherwise be spent on the baseball team, and MLB obviously isn't going to step in. Best part: you, the fan, get to pay for it!

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) February 13, 2019

Call me naive, because I actually believed ownership was paying down debt.  But Howard is in the business whereas I do this for fun.  He could very well be spot on in suggesting the Wilpons have indeed been doing nothing more than paying off interest.  Suddenly, we may even have a hint of circumstantial proof.  Fred Wilpon recently paid $180 million to buy back a 12% stake in the team owned by Comcast and Charter Communications in a deal Josh Kosman of the New York Post says, "values the struggling team at roughly $1.5 billion, the Post has learned."  In their 2018 annual report, FORBES valued the Mets at $2.1 billion.  Simple math puts the difference in valuation from one year to the next at $600 million.  Is this due to the six to seven hundred million of principle potentially still owed by Saul Katz and the Wilpons?

Sure would explain a lot, wouldn't it?


Last year I also broached The Case of the Missing $20 Million Dollars:

According to a a Joel Sherman article, the Mets in 2017 had an Opening Day payroll of roughly $155 million.  Fans and media were then informed during the off-season the Mets would be slashing their 2018 payroll by $20 million.  Jeff Wilpon offered no detailed explanation other than to say the club desired to spend less money more wisely.  However, the underlying truth may have been revealed by Mike Ozanian of FORBES, when he wrote in a March 2018 article how Citi Field posted revenue of $168 million and net income of $75 million in 2016, then in 2017 generated revenue of $163 million and net income of $97 million.  Although they lost $5 million in revenue, they gained $20 million in net income.  But as Mike Ozanian puts it, the $97 million net income was goosed by a $28 million credit for Requisition of PILOT O&M credits (Payment In Lieu of Taxes/Citi Field bonds).  Simply put, they overpaid and received money back.  However, it's money they would not realize again for the 2018 season.  Considering Citi Field attendance dipped slightly from 2016 to 2017, it's my opinion ownership therefore tried hedging themselves to at least keep net income steady at $75 million.

I ask you, is this all coincidence or just my Mets imagination running wild?


On Jacob deGrom's contract extension:

Jacob's contract does not necessarily raise payroll insofar that his big money years kick in when Yoenis Cespedes' contract expires.  In the meantime, Jacob agreed to defer money and pair down his upcoming 2019 salary to $7 million.  Otherwise, Mets payroll entering Opening Day remains near the $150 million range, the same it's been more or less since 2017.


UPDATE: March, 29, 2019
FORBES: Citi Field Profits Fell 44% in 2018

N.Y. Mets: Brodie Crosses Devin Mesoraco With Wild Pitch

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Hopelessly Holding Out Hope 

for Travis d'Arnaud

New York Mets: Brodie Torpedoes Devin Mesoraco's Bid For Roster Spot.

The New York Mets elected to omit Devin Mesoraco from their 25-man roster, 
according to Newsday.  Displeased with the front office's decision, Mesoraco left the team on Saturday rather report to minor league camp.  The problem stems from an upward mobility clause built into his contract.  However, Mesoraco does not have an opt-out clause.  Because he is indeed under minor league contract, the Mets must either release him, or place him on the restricted list.

It was Brodie who wooed him back, and Brodie who laid out a clear path for Devin Mesoraco's potential return to Queens.  Mets fans were certainly happy to have him back in the fold.  He had already earned the respect of Mets pitchers last season.  In fact, Jacob deGrom raves about him.  Therefore starting the upcoming regular season with a Wilson Ramos/Devin Mesoraco tandem seemed like a natural.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the ball park.  Brodie screwed him out of a job.

Now I'm being made to believe the chronically injured Travis d'Arnaud offers more upside than Devin Mesoraco.  At least that's what I'm hearing ... that they would rather carry a habitually unavailable d'Arnaud on the 25-man roster, whom by the way is still not yet fully recovered from Tommy John surgery.  Sticking with him is not exactly changing culture; it's not striving for different results; nor is it moving in a new direction.  Sticking with TDA is more like spinning wheels in the mud.  So when does enough finally become enough?

Next thing I know, Tweet happens:

🤔 https://t.co/ihZTnxzUrA

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) March 23, 2019

And just like that, Tomas Nido is suddenly the man.  Granted both he and Travis d'Arnaud are on the 40-man roster which also makes Mesoraco odd man out.  But, really, who saw this coming?  I accidentally foreshadowed this very turn of events on our most recent PODCAST.  In truth, however, we (our panel) were all very much in agreement over Mesoraco being the best option for backing up Wilson Ramos.

Brooklyn Nets: Where Kings County Holds Sway

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Brooklyn Nets: Kings County Lays Siege ...

Sacramento - The Nets trail by 25 points to start the fourth quarter.  Brooklyn regroups, then sacks their hosts by a 45-18 margin over the game's final twelve minutes en route to a glorious last second 123-121 victory.  D'Angelo Russell usurps the local Kings with 27 points in the fourth quarter and a career high 44 points overall.  Their triumph goes down as the greatest comeback in Nets franchise history.

The Nets then advance on Los Angeles.  Joe Harris leads the siege with 26 points.  Three Brooklyn players post double-doubles.  Jarrett Allen scores 13-points with 11 rebounds.  D'Angelo Russell scores 21 points against his former team and distributes a team high 13 assists.  Off the bench, Ed Davis secures a team high 15 rebounds to go along with 14 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie proves disruptive with nine of his 19 points coming from the stripe.  In defeating the Lakers, the Nets officially eliminate them from playoff contention.  Moreover, their liege, LeBron, King James, is denied a 14th straight appearance in the NBA playoffs.

For on this day, Kings County holds sway.

Onward to Portland.  With a 45-27 record, the Trailblazers are the Western Conference four seed, just four games behind number one Denver.

With a 38-36 record, the Nets now have ten more wins than all of last season, and match their entire win total from the 2014-2015 season with eight game still to play.  They remain in seventh place of the Eastern Conference standings, a precarious 1.5 games ahead of Miami.  Orlando is presently looking in from outside the playoff picture, one game behind the Heat.

All seven of the Nets remaining opponents are in playoff contention (Portland; Philadelphia; Boston; Milwaukee [2x]; Toronto; Indiana; and Miami), with a combined 320-190 (.627) overall record.

N.Y. Mets: Ownership's Action Will Speak Louder Than Brodie's Word

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

PETE ALONSO

Only the Business of Baseball Can Delay His MLB Debut Now

New York Mets: When Fantasy and Reality Collide ...

In a blizzard of front office appointments and player transactions during his first off-season as general manager of the Mets, Brodie Van Wagenen has boldly transformed both the face and narrative of the organization.  But the change in seasons is now upon him.  As Citi Field's axis begins leaning towards the sun and Opening Day nears, his winter wonder land comes under threat of spring's thaw.

Through his ultra positive posturing Brodie may just have painted himself into a corner in a number of ways as the realities of ownership's past practice and propensity for business as usual potentially (hypothetically) come into play.

Despite his assurances regarding the team's 25 best players heading north to Queens, if ownership lets business get in the way by exercising their collectively bargained right to manipulate Pete Alonso's service time, BVW will then be thrust into the role of hypocritical team apologist - a media/PR maelstrom waiting to happen.  In the meantime, Pete Alonso continues to astound.  As of Saturday, he was slashing .375/.403/.641/1.044, with five doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, through 20 Grapefruit League games and 64 at-bats.  On Sunday he tripled off the right/center field wall in his first at-bat.  Therefore, only the business side of baseball can delay his MLB debut now.

Then there's Brodie's insistence about the Mets being committed to winning; winning now; next year; and for years to come.  Truth be told, teams throughout major league baseball are in the midst of signing and securing their young controllable talent to multi-year representative market contract extensions.  The Mets on the other hand have yet to extend a single one of their core players.  Considerations for Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Michael Conforto, and perhaps even Amed Rosario and Brandon Nimmo, at the present time appear nonexistent.  Moreover, for all his off-season transactions BVW has raised payroll only marginally, if at all.  And so the onus remains on ownership to prove fans (me) wrong.  Unfortunately for him, it's Brodie's reputation at stake; it is he who risks becoming ownership's latest fall guy.

T'was the Week Before Opening Day Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OPENING DAY

Six More Days and a Wake Up

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Guest:

Mets Fan Extraordinaire, Writer, 

and Fellow Rising Apple Blog Alum

Helen Silfin, @HESilf

Sixty-Three Minutes

STUFF

41 SEAVER WAY ~ SEAVER STATUE

Travis d'Arnaud ~ Devin Mesoraco ~ Tomas Nido

Pete Alonso ~ Dom Smith ~ Adeiny Hechavarria ~ J.D. Davis

Juan Lagares ~ Rajai Davis ~ Keon Broxton

Netflix Deal ~ Brodie's Winter Wonder Land

..and so much more!

Brooklyn Nets: D'Angelo Russell and the Comeback Kings

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

#LinksNYC

Brooklyn Nets: D'Angelo Russell Seizes the Reigns, Rallies Team to Greatest Comeback in Franchise History.

Faced with playing the NBA's toughest schedule to close out the regular season, we knew heading in the gauntlet that lay ahead.  Thus, Flatbush opens this brutally uncommon seven game road trip with a loss at Oklahoma City, where they excel through three quarters before being undone by the hands of Russell Westbrook.  Next stop was Salt Lake City where they get routed by the Utah Jazz.  After which the Nets make the first of two stops at Los Angeles, where they fall to the Clippers in heart breaking fashion on a Lou Williams last second buzzer beater from long range.

Teetering at par (36-36) with only ten games left in the season, the Nets enter Tuesday's match at Sacramento in obvious need of a win.  However they open play with great lethargy, falling behind by upwards of 16-points before closing the gap to eight by halftime - if only because Coach Atkinson flips out midway through the second quarter.  The turnaround is short lived as the Kings open the third quarter with a 20-0 run.

And then, the remarkable happens.  Down by 25-points to open the fourth quarter, and Coach Atkinson fit to be tied, the Nets go on to achieve their greatest comeback in franchise history. D'Angelo Russell leads the way with 27 of his career high 44 points coming in the fourth quarter, as Brooklyn outscores the Kings 45-18 in the final session.  The Nets all-star guard also leads all players with 12 assists.  During their final possession with only seconds left to play, rather than have Rondae Hollis-Jefferson surrender the ball, Russell audibles commanding RHJ to drive the lane.  Rondae does just that en route to the game winning layup.

Road Ahead:

• 3/22 @ L.A. Lakers
• 3/25 @ Portland
• 3/28 @ Philadelphia

Return to Flatbush:

• 3/30 - BOSTON
• 4/1 - MILWAUKEE
• 4/3 - TORONTO

Back to Back:

• 4/6 - @ Milwaukee
• 4/7 - @ Indiana

Home Finale:

• 4/10 - MIAMI

A week ago, the Nets were defeating the Pistons for control of the sixth seed.  But they've since slipped to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, a precarious 1.5 games ahead of eighth place Miami (and three games ahead of ninth place Orlando).  If they are to realize their playoff aspirations, the Nets will need to somehow manage at least a few more victories against the East's top ranked contenders before this race is through.  Easier said than done, I know. 

But Tuesday's comeback against Sacramento bears testament to this team's increasing confidence and resiliency.  And if we correctly keep the Nets within the context of a rebuilding team, then what a marvelous season it's been already.  Here we are late March talking meaningful basketball, with relevant games in April still yet to play.

The Nets remain easily the best story of the local cold weather sports scene.  The Giants, Rangers, and Knicks could all learn something from Sean Marks' business model.  Meanwhile, Kenny Atkinson seems to be extracting from D'Angelo Russell what Magic Johnson claims he could not.

See you in L.A.

N.Y. Giants: Taking The Big Blue Hand Out of the Cookie Jar

From the desk of:  DO IT FOR THE DUKE

New York Football Giants: Hopefully Odell Beckham Trade Finally Triggers a Full Rebuild Effort.

At this juncture, I believe most agree that it was John Mara's loyalty to Jerry Reese which effectively crippled the Giants.  In the seven seasons since winning Super Bowl XLVI the Giants are 47-65 (.419), with double-digit losses in four of their last five seasons.  They managed a playoff appearance in 2016, only to lose in noncompetitive fashion.  Just three victories in 2017 marked their lowest win total in nearly 35-years, which goes right along with being 8-24 (.250) over the last two seasons.  This would normally suggest a team in dire need of not just some flip renovation, but a full blown deconstruction and rebuild on par with those once initiated by former general managers George Young and Ernie Accorsi.

As if ...

I'm on record saying that if the Giants had no intention of drafting a quarterback replacement during last year's draft, I preferred them trading out of the #2 overall slot in exchange for multiple picks.  Don't get me wrong; Saquon Barkley is a supreme generational talent not born of this earth.  What's not to appreciate about an AP Rookie of the Year who gained over 2,000 total yards from scrimmage?  His accomplishment is nothing short of amazing considering the sub par talent he was forced to work with.  It's just that I have a different idea of how rebuilding should proceed.

I place blame for last year's failed effort at Win Now squarely in the hands of John Mara.  After Mara/Reese/McAdoo's complete botching of Eli's ill conceived benching in favor of Geno Smith, be sure John Mara has since committed to letting Eli Manning play out the remainder of his contract - no questions asked.  It then became Dave Gettleman's job as new general manager to package it, market it, and sell it.  That would explain hasty attempts at fortifying the offensive line, signing Odell Beckham to an absurdly prohibitive contract extension, and selecting Saquon Barkley with the second over pick of last year's draft.  And that's why I'm apt to give Gettleman a pass where it concerns Eli Manning.  

Odell Beckham Jr. is a completely different story.  From day one, I felt as if the Giants controversial megastar (a veritable football Frankenstein created and enabled by Reese and Tom Coughlin) would ultimately be traded.  Despite everything Dave Gettleman has said over the last year, I never once thought  Gettleman and Coach Shurmur were down with OBJ.  And full disclosure, nor was I.  That's why signing him to a contract extension threw me for a loop.  As a rebuilding team I believe high value assets should be traded away.  However, upon further review I believe signing Odell to that contract made it easier to trade him.  Placing a franchise tag on him, or any other tactic would have been counter productive.  Instead, Odell becomes cost predictable if under contract.  Therefore a team merely need decide if they can fit him into their numbers, or not.  The emerging Cleveland Browns decided he in fact does.  And if you consider the Steelers received a #3 and a #5 for Antonio Brown, and the Giants received a #1 and a #3, plus a starting safety, I think Gettleman did well enough.  I'm particularly pleased the Giants are free of OBJ's contract, despite the upcoming season's salary cap hit.

Overall, Dave Gettleman's first 14 months on the job are a perfect example of what happens when you half-ass a rebuild.  That said, Mr. Mara appears to have taken his hand out of the proverbial  cookie jar.  Now lets see what this general manager is capable of.

His strange and confounding maneuverings as general manager to date deserve its own narrative.

Playing Stoop Ball with Gotham Baseball's Mark C. Healey on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Podcast Date: 3/14/2019

An hour and thirty-two minutes of 

Metsian Mayhem with special guest:

Mark C. Healey 

of 

GOTHAM BASEBALL.COM

MLB Rule Changes

Professional Baseball Turns 150 Years Old

Flatbush

Loads of Spring Training Stuff

Mets Rants Galore, and so much more!

#LGM

N.Y. Knicks: How Much is That Team in the Window?

From the desk of:  DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

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NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS

2000 - 2019 

Record: 618-910 (.404)

Ten Fifty-Loss Seasons; Last Five Seasons in a Row

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SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL

SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL

SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL

SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL sell SELL

Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el equipo.  Vender el euipo.  Vender el euipo.

THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE

THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE

THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE

THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE

THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE the THE

Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.  Verkauf der team.

TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM

TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM

TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM

TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM

TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM team TEAM

( ( ( ( (   S-E-L-L-T-H-E-T-E-A-M  ) ) ) ) )

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Marches Towards Their Rubicon

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

FLATBUSH

36-33 (.522)

MONDAY

Pistons  75

Nets    103

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Packed Barclays Center Give Hoops of Flatbush a Rip-Roaring Sendoff.

While the rest of the NBA sticks to its schedule, Brooklyn's playoffs are well underway.  With 13 games remaining in the regular season, Monday night's commanding 103-75 victory over the Pistons in front of a packed house at Barclays Center nudges the Nets into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standing, one-half game ahead of Detroit.

Over 17,000 strong witnessed seven Nets players score in double-digits.  Spencer Dinwiddie led all players with 19-points off the bench, and Allen Crabbe posted a double-double with 14-points and ten rebounds.  Otherwise Brooklyn's defensive effort ruled the night, and the crowd roared with appreciation throughout.  Rodions Kurucs led the team with three steals.  Detroit shot just (27/97) 27.8% from the floor, and (8/33) 23.5% from three-point range.  The Nets meanwhile were (39/79) 49.4% from the field, and (11/31) 35.3% from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn snapped Detroit's five game win streak, and thereby extended their own to four games.

With a 15-17 road record, the Nets now march towards their Rubicon: a brutal seven game road trip which includes four against the Western Conference's top eight contenders, to date.

• 3/13 - @ OKC*
• 3/16 - @ Utah*
• 3/17 - @ LAC*
• 3/19 - @ SAC
• 3/22 - @ LAL
• 3/25 - @ POR*
• 3/28 - @ Phila

If they can survive these next four games, by this time next week we'll be speaking of a truly special season.  However, upon their return there will be no rest for the weary, as the top three Eastern Conference teams (Boston, Milwaukee, and Toronto) will be awaiting their arrival back at Flatbush.

Wishing Tom Seaver Well on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Host: Me

Sixty Minutes

FIRST HALF: GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE

Pete Alonso ~ Dom Smith

Travis d'Arnaud ~ Robinson Cano ~ Amed Rosario

Jeff McNeil > Wilmer Flores

TJ Rivera ~ Kyle Dowdy ~ Edwin Diaz

BVW ~ Al Leiter ~ Jessica Mendoza ~ John Franco

SECOND HALF: TOM SEAVER

Health Status of Tom Seaver

On Dedicating a Statue at Citi Field

Upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration of 1969 Championship

Excerpt from Skip Lockwood's book: his reflections on Tom Seaver

N.Y. Mets: The Franchise Retires From Public Life

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NYT: Ailing Tom Seaver Retires From Public Life 

New York Mets: The Franchise Diagnosed With Advanced Dementia.

Tom Seaver and family broke the news in a statement issued through the Hall of Fame on Thursday.  As a result of his condition, the man dubbed "The Franchise" will be retiring from public life.  His family says Tom will continue working from their California home and 116-acre vineyard.

*

I was born into this world a Mets fan.  However, my Pop was a Mickey Mantle cheering Yankees fan.
But he created equal time for following both teams.  Good thing, too.  I don't know if I would ever had attended a game at the House That Ruth (originally) Built otherwise.  While my memories of the 1973 season are somewhat spotty, from 1974 on they're crystal clear.  With old Yankee Stadium undergoing major renovations during 1974 and 1975, the Mets were forced into sharing Shea Stadium with their Bronx neighbors.  As a result, Pop and I quite literally spent two entire summers driving back and forth between Brooklyn and Queens.  Despite being a Yankees fan, he loved watching Seaver pitch, and so we hardly ever missed a start.  In 1975, we watched Tom Terrific dismantle National League hitters en route to his third Cy Young award.

*

Once upon another time, as a birthday present my wife thought to gift me a brick at Citi Field.  When asked about an inscription, I responded sarcastically, "1977 Still Hurts!"  But in the same breath I said that I'd think it over and get back to her.  As luck would have it, she only heard half of my reply and mailed in the form.  Thus, my brick at Citi Field located slightly left of the main rotunda entrance says exactly that.  The night of June 15, 1977 is infamously known around these parts as the Midnight Massacre.  That's when the Mets regrettably gave traded Tom Seaver away to the Cincinnati Reds.  At the time, this 11-year old watched with complete and utter devastation as sportscaster Gerry Girard delivered the news report on WPIX-TV.  All these years later, the trade still irks my soul.  He threw his one an only career no-hitter wearing a Reds uniform, and won his 300th career game at Yankee Stadium no less, wearing a White Sox uniform.  That being said, I have no regrets over owning what is sure to be the only negatively speaking brick laid into the welcoming concourse at Citi Field.

*

Clamoring for a statue is suddenly all the rage.  The sentiment is correct, although the timing is off.  Older fans like myself, those of us whom actually witnessed his greatness on the mound, have been demanding a statue for at least twenty years.  Tom Seaver was elected into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1992, and the emotional grievance was filed shortly thereafter.  While criticizing the Wilpons has become of pastime of sorts, Nelson Doubleday deserves his share of blame as well.  For he remained on as partner for another ten years beyond Seaver's enshrinement into Cooperstown.  However, the responsibility of commissioning such recognition while he's still with us presently rests solely in the hands of the Wilpons.  The upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the 1969 Miracle Mets is obviously the foremost appropriate time to reconcile this long standing, and to some extent, unforgivable oversight.

Hoops of Flatbush Strike Twice

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds: Kellogg's Kids Clear First Hurdle in Defense of NEC Title.

Led by Raiquan Clark's game-high 21-points the (#6) Blackbirds upset (#3) Sacred Heart University at the Pitt Center on Wednesday, earning them a semifinal match-up against conference top seed St. Francis University.  Jashaun Agosto added 15-points, as did Eral Penn whom also tied for game-high with nine rebounds en route to LIU's 71-62 victory over the Pioneers.

Flatbush trailed by one at the half.  The teams would then exchange leads in the second half until Eral Penn's three-pointer at 6:32 put the Blackbirds ahead for good, and ultimately on course towards a nine point first round triumph.

The Pioneers shot just (2/19) 10% from beyond the arc, and just (23/63) 36.5% from the field.  The Blackbirds were (23/53) 43.4% from the field and a difference making (11/24) 45.8% on three-point attempts.

Meanwhile, St. Francis University dispatched the (#8) Bryant University Bulldogs by a 69-66 margin to set up Saturday's upcoming showdown against LIU at Degol Arena.

The two teams split their regular season series, with neither team defending home court:

• 1/10/2019 - SFU 74 @ LIU 67
• 2/23/2019 - LIU 69 @ SFU 66

Fairleigh Dickinson University squares off against Robert Morris in the other semifinal game.

Brooooklyn!

34-33 (.507)

#7 - Eastern Conference

Brooklyn Nets: Surviving the Approaching Ides of March.

Flatbush elevated their record back over .500 with Wednesday's 113-107 victory over Cleveland.  But with a mere 15 games left in the regular season, the Nets difficult  schedule ahead stands poised to test their staying power.  While they've managed to outlast and even outplay numerous injuries compromising the starting lineup, Kenny Atkinson for the first time in many moons features a full compliment of players again.  Just in time too ... as the Nets find themselves embroiled in a playoff chase.  That said, if we're keeping this conversation within the context of a rebuilding season, then Flatbush indeed has already exceeded expectations.  And for better or worse, what stands before them will prove an invaluable experience.

Starting with Saturday's upcoming game at Atlanta, eight of Brooklyn's next nine games are on the road, where the Nets boast a sub-par 14-17 mark.

THE IDES of MARCH

• 3/11- DETROIT
• 3/13 - @ Oklahoma City
• 3/16 - @ Utah
• 3/17 - @ LAC

They'll continue their western swing against Sacramento, LAL, and Portland, before returning east to play the Sixers at Philadelphia.  After which, the Nets wind down their regular season having to face each of the the Eastern Conference powers presently positioned ahead of them in the standings.

Nothing is ever easy in Brooklyn.

#GoHard

LIU Blackbirds: Defending NEC Champs Open Conference Tournament Versus Sacred Heart

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

QUARTERFINALS

WEDNESDAY

LIU/BROOKLYN #6

BLACKBIRDS

vs.

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY #3

PIONEERS

It's been a rough and tumble season for the defending NEC champions.  But as they say: what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.  The resilient Blackbirds ended their regular season winners of three in a row, and four of their last five.  In so doing, they climbed back up to par, finishing the season with a 15-15 record, and 9-9 within the conference.  Last Saturday's commanding 81-65 victory in the season finale over Bryant University also improved the Blackbirds record to 8-5 at the Wellness Center, but more importantly earned them the sixth seed in the upcoming Northeast Conference tournament.

However, the Blackbirds must now take their 6-9 road record to Fairfield, Connecticut, where they'll take on #3-seed Sacred Heart University in the NEC quarterfinals this coming Wednesday.  

The teams split their season series, which each taking care of home court.

• 1/3/2019 - LIU 75 @ SHU 79
• 2/16/2019 - SHU 84 @ LIU 92

LIU's first round opponent finished a mere game behind the conference leaders, with a 13-7 conference record, and 15-16 record overall.  But like the Blackbirds, the Pioneers enter Wednesday's match-up winners of three straight, and own an impressive 10-2 record at the Pitt Center.

Fairleigh Dickinson topped the conference this season with a 12-6 conference record, and 17-13 mark overall.  St. Francis (PA) placed a tight second, matching FDU's conference record, and finishing with a 16-13 record overall.

Last season LIU finished 18-17, with a 10-8 conference record, and a 12-4 mark at home.  They went on to defeat St. Francis (BK), and Fairleigh Dickinson through two rounds of tourney play, then defeated favored Wagner to capture the 2017-2018 NEC championship - their first since capturing three straight NEC titles from 2011 through 2013, and the sixth in Blackbirds history. 

• LIU/Brooklyn Blackbirds 
• SHU Pioneers
• Northeast Conference

Another Metsian Winter Storm Podcast With Guest Greg Prince

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

SPRING TRAINING SPECIAL

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Featured Guest

Greg Prince

Author, and Proprietor of

Faith and Fear in Flushing.com 

Host: Rich

Time: 80-minutes

 

STUFF

Bryce Harper Wants to Bring a Championship to D.C.

Insanity ~ Scott Boras ~ Market Maker

Balance of Power in N.L. East ~ Quality vs. Quantity

Ty Kelly ~ Carlos Gomez ~ Dom Smith ~ Jeff McNeil

Where's the Money ~ Shaking Brodie's Pom Poms

Sam's Rant ~ My Rant 

Todd Frazier ~ Injuries ~ Jed Lowrie

Roster Depth ~ Veterans vs. Ifs

Starting Rotation's Last Hurrah ~ Zack Wheeler's Walk Year

Jason Vargas ~ Center Field ~ and so much more..!

N.Y. Mets Starting Rotation Pitching Front Office High and Tight

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE FOUR HURLERS OF THE METROPOLIS

deGROM  ~  SYNDERGAARD  ~  WHEELER  ~  MATZ

New York Mets: Starting rotation putting the squeeze on team finances.

Mincing no words and leaving little open for discussion, three of the Mets top starting pitchers have made their positions clear.

In very certain terms, Jacob deGrom wants an extension done before Opening Day, or have the matter revisited no earlier than season's end.  He made a huge mistake along the way, I believe, when intimating about the potential of withhold innings pitched through the course of the upcoming season.  Whether he meant it or not; or if it was just him allowing his agent to control the narrative; that was something better left unsaid.  I'm also somewhat surprised there wasn't a greater backlash from media and fans.  I presume that's because he's overwhelmingly perceived as the good guy.  Despite the club having two more years of control over deGrom, the onus nonetheless appears on the club to secure their fine upstanding, Cy Young award winning ace.

Be sure Noah Syndergaard, and Zack Wheeler in particular, are paying very close attention to deGrom's negotiations (or lack thereof).  Some of their Spring Training comments already seem to be complicating matters for the Mets.  Syndergaard - although under team control through the 2021 season - says he would very confidently shop his talents on the free agent market if put in that position.  Next year he becomes arbitration eligible, which means the countdown of his skyrocketing cost to the Mets begins now.  Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler most recently made it known any forthcoming deal would need come at his price, be it from the Mets or any other club, and that it's non-negotiable.

How Brodie Van Wagenen handles these forthcoming negotiations should prove quite illuminating insofar as ownership's financially competitive viability.  Always in question ... money continues being an issue because they continue making it an issue.  A scenario was recently brought to my attention (by @HowardMegdal on Twitter in response to a post I wrote last February regarding ownership's outstanding debt) in which it's possible the Wilpons are not necessarily paying down their debt, but instead are merely paying the interest, which may be deemed permissible if a judge decides they posses requisite assets capable of covering said outstanding debt - which they indeed do in form of the Mets and SNY.  But unless some reporter/writer or media outlet actually reports that, this is strictly hearsay and scuttlebutt.  In the mean time, I stand by my post which contains nothing more than what has already been reported by news sources (all linked).  In any event, something is going on and we fans are on to it.

Wheeler is entering his contract year.  He becomes eligible for free agency at year's end.  Brodie and the Mets have already stated they require more than last year's second half performance with which to base a contract offer.  They want Wheeler demonstrating consistent effectiveness over the course of a full season.  It's a fair position to take considering Wheeler's injury history.  But if last year's second half performance is any indication, the strategy can easily backfire in the Mets face.  At that point, why wouldn't Wheeler opt for free agency?  At the very least the Mets can rule out any preferential treatment, I'm sure.

NO PARKING III

NO PARKING  I

NO PARKING II

Don't Mistake The Message

Between having to scan for cavernous potholes; drivers ed students; ear-plug wearing pedestrians with their faces buried in phone; entitled cyclists; idiots swinging open car doors; bouncing balls followed by the kid undoubtedly chasing it; the confusing menagerie of traffic signs; and just plain old random acts of recklessness; negotiating a vehicle through the streets of Brooklyn requires the visual sense of a spider.

For the most part, people do a fairly decent job of processing the overwhelming stimuli offered by our streets ... some not so much.  I'd rather not bother with those who move out to New Jersey and Pennsylvania that upon returning to Brooklyn forget how to slow down and break-out in a rash at every stop sign and red light.

In any event, all road trips must come to an end.  That's when the next adventure begins.  Parking spaces are akin to urban gold, and sometimes prospecting poses great potential danger.  The battle for space is fierce, and sometimes boundaries aren't so clearly defined.  But make no mistake: borderlines surely exist and will be defended in Civil War-like manner.  It matters not from what corner of the planet you come, or what language you speak.  Throughout Brooklyn, the message is very clear.  Albeit, some convey it better than others.

The Power of Three ...

And when three signs aren't enough ...

WHAT!?!?

A Few Years Shy of a Century ... A Veritable Landmark

There's yet hope for humanity ...

NO MEANS NO!