The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: January 2021

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Serie del Caribe 2020-2021 Tournament Preview

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

CARIBBEAN SERIES

2020-2021

HOST

MAZATLAN, MEXICO

Jan. 31 ~ Feb. 6

@beisboldecaribe

SerieDelCaribe/YouTube

⚾

CONFEDERACION de BÉISBOL PROFESIONAL del CARIBE

est. 1949

MEMBERS

MEXICO ~ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PUERTO RICO ~ VENEZUELA

INVITATION

PANAMA ~ COLOMBIA

Liga Mexicana del Pacifíco

CHAMPION: Tomateros de Culiacan

The defending champions come all the way back from a 3-1 series deficit against the favored Naranjeros de Hermosillo to win three straight games and clinch back-to-back LMP championships. Los Tomateros de Culiacan was founded in 1965. Second, only to Hermosillo, this marks the team's 13th LMP championship. It's their second in a row, and their third title in the last four years. They are two-time Serie del Caribe champions in 1996 and 2002. Mexico is third among counties with nine Caribbean titles. They last captured the Caribbean championship in 2016 via Los Venados de Mazatlan. Coincidentally, Mazatlan will be hosting this year's Serie del Caribe. Catch last night's thrilling game seven victory recap HERE.

Liga de Béisbol Profesional República Dominicana

CHAMPION: Aguilas Cibaeñas

Los Aguilas baseball club was founded in 1933. They are tied for second-most Caribbean titles with five. In 1998, Los Aguilas went undefeated in the round-robin tournament to capture their second of back-to-back Caribe titles. The Dominican Republic leads the Confederation with twenty Serie del Caribe championships. The Dominican Republic is also the defending Caribbean champions, with Los Toros del Este capturing last year's title. Team Dominican Republic features a host of major leaguers including Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Juan Lagares, Jonathan Villar and pitcher Carlos Martinez.

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

CHAMPION: Criollos de Caguas

As a founding member of LBPRC established in 1938, Los Criollos de Caguas won their league record 19th Puerto Rican championship by defeating Los Indios de Mayagüez. It's their first title since seizing back-to-back league flags during the 2016-2018 seasons, in which they also went on to capture the Caribbean championship each time. Along with Cibaeñas of the Dominican Republic, Caguas is tied for second-most with five Caribbean championships, while Puerto Rico itself is second all-time with 16 Serie del Caribe titles. Los Criollos will feature MLB catcher Yadier Molina and this year's LBPRC MVP and New York Mets farmhand Johneshwy Fargas. Selected in the reinforcement draft from Los Indios de Mayagüez are Henry Ramos, Jack Lopez, Jeremy Rivera, and Emmanuel Rivera. Former New York Mets catcher Juan Centeno was selected from Los Atenienses de Manatí.

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional

CHAMPION: Caribes de Anzoátegui

The LVBP was established in 1945. Los Caribes were founded in 1987 but did not take the field until 1991. Anzoátegui defeated the defending champion Los Cardenales de Lara to capture their fourth-ever LVBP title. Lara was defeated by Los Toros del Este in last year's Caribbean Championship. Los Caribes have yet to win a Caribbean title; Venezuela has won seven Caribbean titles in the country's history. Venezuela last won the tournament in 2009 (Tigres de Aragua). Reinforcements from Los Aguilas de Zulia Silvino Bracho and Ali Castillo will continue forward with Los Caribes, as will pitchers Raul Rivero, Logan Darnell, Yapson Gomez and Williams Perez from Los Cardenales de Lara.

Panama Probeis LPBP

CHAMPION: Federales de Chiriquí

The Panamanian regular season was canceled due to COVID. Therefore, the 2020-2019 Astronautas de Chiriqui (Los Santos) are technically the defending champions. However, Los Federales de Chiriqui has been selected to represent Panama (again by invitation) in this Caribbean tourney. The team will more resemble an all-star squad incorporating players drafted from the circuit's three other members. Among their reinforcements, Los Federales will be adding infielder Jesus Lopez from the Nicaraguan Baseball League, from the Dominican Republic Alejandro de Aza and Eury De La Rosa, and American recruits left-handed pitcher Austin Warner and right-hander Geoff Broussard. Panama recently won the 2018-2019 Series del Caribe when Panama City stepped up at the last minute as host site due to rising political unrest in (scheduled host) Venezuela putting the tournament in jeopardy. Historically, Panama is a founding member of the original Confederation and winner of the 1950 Caribbean championship. Panama, with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Cuba, comprise the original four members. Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution caused the Confederation to suspend operations for the next ten years until it restarted again in 1970. New incoming members Mexico and the Dominican Republic (replacing Cuba and Panama) joined returning members Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

Liga Profesional de Béisbol Colombiano LPBC

CHAMPION: Caimanes de Barranquilla

Cuba, due to visa issues, did not participate in the 2019-2020 Caribbean tournament. They were replaced by Colombia (by invitation), who this year will again participate in their second straight tournament as Cuba had already notified the Confederation of their withdrawal from this year's tourney. Founded in 1984, the "Alligators" defeated Los Vaqueros de Monteria in seven games to win their eleventh LPBC championship. This marks the team's first trip to the Caribbean Series. Team Colombia features former New York Met Dilson Herrera. They'll be reinforced by league MVP Jordan Diaz from Los Vaqueros de Montería and Harold Ramirez, shortstop Brallan Perez and catcher Carlos Martínez from Los Tigres de Cartagena.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Tomateros de Culiacan Win Second Straight LMP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifíco

LMP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME SEVEN

(4-3) Tomateros de Culiacan 7

(3-4) Naranjeros de Hermosillo 6

FINAL/10 inn

BOXSCORE 1/30/21 - In the all decisive game seven, Los Naranjeros starter Cesar Vargas toes the rubber opposed by Tomateros right-hander Edgar Arredondo at Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo. Los Naranjeros small-ball their way to a 1-0 lead in the first. Left fielder Norberto Obeso leads off the game with a base hit, is sacrificed over to second, advances to third on a fielder's choice, then scores on a liner to center field by first baseman Victor Mendoza. But their lead is short-lived. Cesar Vargas yields two runs on three hits and two walks before ever recording an out in the top of the second. He exits the game leaving the bases loaded. Center fielder Yoelkis Guibert then greets Hermosillo reliever Marcelo Martinez with a two-run single to right. Los Tomateros again load the bases but leave all three runners stranded, not before taking a 4-1 lead. All runs are charged to Vargas. Hermosillo opens the bottom of the second with a lead-off walk and a double from catcher Julian Leon. Shortstop Jasson Atondo's sac-fly scores Rolando Acosta from third, making it a 4-2 game. With two outs in the top of the third, first baseman Jesse Castillo homers to right, giving Los Tomateros a 5-2 lead. Hermosillo runs into more trouble in the fifth, but this time it's behind the plate. Replacement catcher Alejandro Flores allows lead-off batter Joey Meneses to safely reach on a third strike passed ball, then permits him second base on yet another passed ball. Meneses then scores on a fielder's choice making for a 6-2 Culiacan lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Jasson Atondo scores from third on a fielder's choice bringing Los Naranjeros back within three. Hermosillo strikes again in the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second, third baseman Isaac Paredes homers into left/center bleachers off Tomateros reliever Carlos Torres tying the game at six. Two subsequent singles and a hit by pitch load the bases, but Los Tomateros escape further damage remaining deadlocked at six. That's the way the score stays, and into extra innings, they go. But Los Tomateros waste little time. With one out in the tenth, Jesse Castillo hits his second home run of the game. Hermosillo goes down quietly in the bottom of the tenth, and Culiacan's comeback is complete. The defending champions come all the way back from a 3-1 series deficit against the favored Naranjeros de Hermosillo to win three straight games and clinch back-to-back LMP championships. Second, only to Hermosillo, this marks the team's 13th LMP championship. It's their second in a row and their third title in the last four years.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Brooklyn Nets: Obligatory Backcourt Overreaction After Six Games

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

KYRIE, THE BEARD, AND THE BALL

FRIDAY

Nets 147

Thunder 125

FINAL

With Kevin Durant out for preventative maintenance, Coach Nash extends the bench. Nine different Nets score in double-digits en route to a 22-point victory over the Thunder at Oklahoma City.

Both Kyrie Irving and James Harden lead the floor with 25-point each. Irving is 10/16 from the floor and 4/4 from the line with seven assists and five rebounds. Harden goes 9/14 and is likewise 4/4 from the line and posts a game-high eleven assists and ten defensive rebounds.

DeAndre Jordan attempts a season-high seven shots from the floor. It's the third time Jordan has attempted as high as seven shots since the arrival of Harden, who continues facilitating him in the paint. Before Jarrett Allen's departure, Jordan's previous high in shot attempts was four (against the Knicks and Sixers).

Joe Harris was 5/9 from the arc en route to a twenty point night. It's the fifth time this season he's achieved at least twenty points and the third time since Harden's arrival.

Eh hem ...

Forget the Big Three for a second; the Dynamic Duo is still learning how to work together. With little to no practice time since Harden's arrival, everything has been on the fly. Kevin Durant and Harden had the benefit of playing together at OKC. However, two unfamiliar superstars sharing the same backcourt is an entirely different dynamic.

Friday's starting lineup listed Kyrie at the point and Harden as the shooting guard - meaningless, I know. But insofar as who's really doing what ... the numbers tell no lies.

Brooklyn is 6-2 since the James Harden trade. He and Kyrie Irving have joined forces six times for a 4-2 record, including their current winning streak of four in a row. Both were on the floor during back-to-back losses against the Cavs.

In all but one game together, Kyrie Irving has taken more shots than Harden. After averaging just 11.7 shots through his first four games, Harden finally erupted for twenty attempts versus Atlanta while Kyrie hoisted 17 shots. Kyrie has put up 119 shots for an average of 19.8 per game through their six games together, while Harden has put up 81 shots for 13.5 attempts per game. The Beard was averaging 16.8 shots through eight games played with Houston. Overall, Kyrie is averaging an even twenty shots through his first thirteen games. The last time he eclipsed twenty attempts came during the back-to-back losses against Cleveland in which he outshot Harden each time by a margin of fourteen and ten, respectively. Since then, Kyrie has played four straight games with under twenty attempts.

Cycling back, Harden looks to get DeAndre Jordan more involved. Harden is averaging 11.7 assists through his first eight games with Brooklyn, which is an uptick above his 11.1 assists for the season. Kyrie is averaging 5.5 assists since Harden's arrival and 5.8 assists for the season, representing a slight downtick.

But six games is too small a sample size ... right?

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Tomateros de Culiacan Push LMP Championship Series to Seventh Game

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME SIX

(3-3) Tomateros de Culiacan 6

(3-3) Naranjeros de Hermosilla 2

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/29/21 - The game begins as another tightly contested affair at Estadio Sonora. Culiacan first baseman Joey Meneses drives in the first run of the game with a two-out base hit in the first. Hermosillo's second baseman Luis Alfonso Cruz doubles home the tying run in the third. The game stays knotted through five, then Culiacan begins pulling away. They retake the lead in the sixth on a one-out walk to right fielder Sebastian Elizalde, a base hit by Joey Meneses, and a triple from first baseman Efrin Navarro. Afterwhich, third baseman Michael Wing doubles home Navarro for a 4-1 Tomateros lead. Hermosillo starter Juan Pablo Oramas is dispatched to the showers. Next in, designated hitter Jesse Castillo greets Naranjeros reliever Ozzie Mendez with a single through the right side, scoring Wing for a 5-1 Culiacan lead. Not yet done, the defending champs pick up another run when Efrin Navarro singles leading off the eighth, and scores on a sac-fly for a 6-1 Tomateros lead. Hermosillo scores once in the ninth, giving this game a 6-2 final in favor of Culiacan. After Los Naranjeros took a 3-1 series lead, the defending champion Tomateros have now won two straight forcing a decisive game seven.

Friday, January 29, 2021

N.Y. Rangers: Mix and Match Madness

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THURSDAY

Rangers 3

Sabres 2

FINAL/OT

Nice way to score your first NHL goal ... Colin Blackwell recovers the puck in the neutral zone and handles it into Buffalo's end. He finds Alexis Lafreniere on the left wing, who wrists the puck past Buffalo goalie Linus Ullmark's stick side at the 2:47 mark of overtime. It's Lafreniere's first NHL point through his first seven games. To date, he has taken 13 shots on goal for an average of 1.8 shots per game. However, four shots came Thursday against Buffalo. It appears, then, Lafreniere is getting a little more comfortable.

Now, if only Coach Quinn can just stop shifting Lafreniere up and down the lines. That said, Coach Quinn, this season, also had Lafreniere switch sides and played him on the right wing. It just makes me wanna scream, STOP! Can we please give this kid some stability and line continuity? The loss of Filip Chytil complicates matters. Do you want Lafreniere playing with Ryan Strome or Brett Howden? If you're going to play him on the first line, keep him on the first line. If you want him playing on the third line, keep him on the third line with Colin Blackwell and Philip Di Giuseppe? At least Di Giuseppe brings some physicality to the ice. The point being, stop coaching in a panic, and let's settle the third line. Start giving the lines some routine and stability.

How about winning some more face-offs!

The Rangers' biggest problem has been in the net. But as I keep saying ... you can't be disappointed with what you do not expect. Like the forward lines, just let the young goaltenders play. Making his fourth start, Shesterkin faced 25 shots and stopped all but two (one even strength, one on the penalty kill) en route to his first win of the season.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

A Metsian Podcast Featuring Radio Voice of the New York Mets, Mr. Howie Rose

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

RADIO VOICE OF THE NEW YORK METS

HOWIE ROSE

sixty-nine minutes

as in, 1969!

A Metsian Podcast is honored and humbled to welcome to the show New York City native and radio broadcaster of the Mets, Mr. Howie Rose. Please lend an ear to Sam, Rich, and I, in what should prove to be an extraordinary conversation with a foremost authority in all things Flushing by the Bay. We hope this will be one for the books.

BASEBALL ~ HOCKEY ~ The BEATLES, too!

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Culiacan Extend LMP Championship Series to Sixth Game

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FIVE

(3-2) Naranjeros de Hermosillo 3

(2-3) Tomateros de Culiacan 4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/28/21 - Seeking to stave off elimination, the defending LMP champion Tomateros take an early 1-0 lead in the second. Third baseman Michael Wing reaches on a one-out single, steals second, advances to third on a passed ball by Naranjeros catcher Julian Leon, then scores on a fielder's choice. However, Culiacan does themselves no favors in the fourth. Two fielding errors clear the way for two unearned runs en route to a 3-1 Hermosillo lead. But Los Tomateros get one back in the home fifth on a run-scoring double from second baseman Ramiro Pena. Both starting pitchers were dispatched to the showers after six. Naranjeros starter Ryan Verdugo allowed three runs, two earned, nine hits, and one walk with three strikeouts through six innings pitched. Tomateros starter JC Ramirez yields three runs, one earned, four hits, and two walks with four strikeouts through 5.1 innings. In the home seventh, Culiacan right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singles home the tying run. Hermosillo commits a big mistake in the top of the eighth. Yadiel Hernandez is picked-off on an ill-fated attempt at stealing second base with two outs and two on base. Culiacan reliever Sasagi Sanchez escapes without yielding a run. Naranjeros reliever Wilmer Rios likewise pitches out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth. Tomateros left fielder Joey Meneses in the top of the ninth robs designated hitter Alex Robles of an extra-base hit. Right fielder Sebastian Elizalde in the bottom half of the ninth, reached on a one-out single, then steals second and third on pitches that get away from catcher Julian Leon. First baseman Efrin Navarros is intentionally walked, putting runners on the corners. Facing Naranjeros reliever Wilmer Rios, Michael Wing lines a base hit to right field, plating the game-winning run. Rios takes the loss; Sasagi Sanchez, with two scoreless innings pitched, earns the victory in relief. Los Tomateros de Culiacan extend the series to a sixth game.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Naranjeros de Hermosillo One Win Away From Clinching LMP Championship

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

(3-1) Naranjeros de Hermosillo 1

(1-3) Tomateros de Culiacan 0

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/26/21 - Game four features a finely played pitcher's duel. Right-hander Jose Samayoa toes the rubber for Hermosillo and is opposed by Manny Barreda for Culiacan. The pitchers trade zeroes through the first five innings. Los Naranjeros unlock the scoreless tie in the sixth on third baseman Isaac Paredes' two-out double off the left field wall scoring Jose Cardona from third. Jose Samayoa, in the bottom of the frame, retires the side in order. Manny Barrera tosses a scoreless top half of the seventh, and Samayoa in the bottom of the frame again retires the side in order. He exits on the winning side of a 1-0 game, having allowed no runs in just two hits and no walks with six strikeouts through seven innings full. Pitching duties are handed off to right-hander Robinson Leyer. Manny Barrera pitches all nine innings, albeit in a hard-luck losing effort, allowing just one run on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts. In relief of Robinson Leyer, Hermosillo summons 35-year old Fernando Salas, who successfully closes out the bottom of the ninth to earn his third save of the series. Starter Jose Smayoa is near perfect en route to the victory. In facing 22 batters, Jose throws 89 pitches with 54 (60.6%) going for strikes. He retires ten in a row to start the game, then retires nine in a row after yielding a lead-off hit in the fifth. Hermosillo is now just one victory away from winning the series, dethroning the defending champion Tomateros and capturing their 17th ever LMP title.

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Caribes de Anzoátegui Complete Sweep of Cardenales de Lara to Capture LVBP Championship

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional

LVBP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

(0-4) Cardenales de Lara 6

(4-0) Caribes de Anzoátegui 7

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/26/21 - A wild back and forth affair unfolds at Estadio Alfonso Chico Carrasquel in Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. Caribes starter Wil Ledezma does himself no favors by walking the first two batters leading off the game. With one out, third baseman Carlos Rivero homers to left, giving Los Cardenales a prompt 3-0 lead. Anzoátegui answers back in the bottom of the frame with a two-run double off the bat of catcher Oswaldo Arcia. Los Caribes then take a 4-3 lead on runs batted in from second baseman Ali Castillo and again from Arcia. Long-time veteran and Cardenales right fielder Rene Reyes ties the score with a double in the fifth. Lara loads the bases with one out in the top of the sixth but leaves all runners stranded. Los Caribes seize the moment in the bottom of the sixth when shortstop Luis Sardiñas singles home the go-ahead run for a 5-4 lead. Undeterred, Los Cardenales posts two runs in the seventh; Caribes reliever Jean Toledo yields a lead-off hit and walks the next two batters. Jean Toledo forces in the tying run with the bases loaded with a walk to pinch hitter Yonathan Mendoza. Rene Reyes then scores the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice, making it a 6-5 game. But Anzoátegui is relentless. They load the bases in the bottom of the eighth, and third baseman Niuman Romero drives home two runs with a single to left, giving back the lead to Los Caribes. However, their advantage is brief. In the top of the ninth, Lara shortstop Lldemaro Vargas doubles, then scores on center fielder Gorkys Hernandez's single to left, tying the game at seven. Cardenales reliever Pedro Rodriguez keeps Anzoátegui scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, and into extra innings, they go. Leading off the bottom of the tenth, shortstop Luis Sardiñas hit a fly to deep left field; replacement left fielder Ezequiel Carrera makes a great catch crashing into the wall for out number one. With two outs, catcher Jesus Sucre lines a base hit to the opposite field and is replaced with a pinch-runner. Niuman Romero follows and pulls a hit down the right-field line. Speedy Cristhian Pedroza races from first base all the way home to score the winning run several steps and a slide ahead of the relay throw from the second baseman Lldemaro Vargas. Los Caribes de Anzoátegui clinch the LVBP championship in four straight games over Los Cardenales de Lara. Cardenales reliever Vicente Campos suffers the loss. Ten Caribes pitchers join forces in yielding seven earned runs on eleven hits and 14 walks with seven strikeouts. Right-hander Jake Sanchez closes out the game with 1.1 scoreless innings for the win. Los Caribes were established in 1991; this is their fourth LVBP championship.

🏆

2010-2011 🏆 2014-2015 🏆 2017-2018

🏆

2020-2021

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Naranjeros Grab 2-1 Lead Over Tomateros in LMP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

LMP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME THREE

(2-1) Naranjeros de Hermosillo 5

(1-2) Tomateros de Culiacan 4

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/25/21 - Facing Tomateros starter Edgar Arredondo in the top of the first, Los Naranjeros, on a clutch two-out base hit and run batted in from first baseman Victor Mendoza, promptly jump out to a 1-0 lead. Hermosillo rallies for two more in the third on a sac-fly from third baseman Isaac Paredes and another hit and run batted in from Victor Mendoza. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Culiacan string together only their second and third hits of the game, followed by a base on balls issued to Yoelkis Guibert loading the bases. Los Naranjeros stick with their starter Cesar Vargas who then walks shortstop Jose Guadalupe Chavez to push across Culiacan's first run. Center fielder Jose Cardona makes a fine play on a long fly by second baseman Ramiro Pena bringing Culiacan's threat to a close. Edgar Arredondo's outing ends at five innings. He exits on the losing side of a 2-3 game after yielding three earned runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts. Culiacan right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singles to open the bottom of the sixth. Left fielder Joey Meneses then doubles, putting two runners in scoring position. First baseman Efren Navarro follows with a double, tying the game at three. Naranjeros starter Cesar Vargas is finally dispatched to the showers. Facing reliever Raul Barron with two outs, center fielder Yoelkis Guibert singles home the go-ahead run. With a runner on base in the top of the eighth, Naranjeros catcher Julian Leon homers to left of reliever Sasagi Sanchez giving Hermosillo a 5-4 lead. Shortstop Jasson Atondo follows with a double instigating another pitching change. No other scoring takes place. Hermosillo reliever Raul Barron earns the win, and Fernando Salas the save. Los Naranjeros secures a 2-1 series lead.

GAME ONE
GAME TWO

N.Y. Rangers: Education of the Young Blueshirts Continues

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

DEFENSE

Fifteen Goals Against

3rd Least East Division

PENGUINS SHMENGUINS ... ON TO BUFFALO and #SABRESMAFIA

Two blown third-period leads, two straight losses against the Penguins, and three losses in a row. The Rangers are now 1-3-1 in a 56 game regular season.

I don't mind, because I have no expectations. Into the fire, let them play. For now, I'm content with letting these young Blue Shirts learn how to lose. By that, I mean coming to understand the fine line between playing sixty minutes and everything else. It's part of the process. If I may, the devil is in the details. This is still a rebuilding team. Therefore, I'm more interested in development, improvement, and progress.

In the meantime, my eyes are peeled on Filip Chytil. The biggest reasons are because on occasion he centers Alexis Lafreniere just as Coach Quinn has a tendency of shifting Kaapo Kakko up and down in lines. Chytil, 21-years old, through five games, has two goals and one assist while averaging just under thirteen minutes of tice time. Meanwhile, through five games Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko have posted a total of just two points. Chytil assisted on Kaapo's second period goal in their second tilt against the Islanders. Sunday's game against the Penguins was another instance wherein Kakko was lined up with Chytil and Philip Di Giuseppe who by the way has four assists in four games.

On that note, I prefer Coach roll out four lines more consistently. What coach on occasion wouldn't want to add Artemi Panarin next to Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. But I ask discipline of my coach. I also want to see Brendan Lemieux more, and if that means next to Brett Howden and Julien Gauthier or Di Giuseppe on an acceptable rotational basis, so be it.

CENTERS of ATTENTION

Mika Zibanejad - 5 games; one goal; one assist; (-2); leads team w/ 16 SOG; 19:57 minutes.
Ryan Strome - 5 games; one goal; no assists; (-1); second on team w/ 14 SOG; 20:11 minutes.
Filip Chytil - 5 games; two goals; one assist; (+3); 12 SOG; 12:56 minutes.

As we know, the defense was a big problem last season. So far, they've allowed the third least goals within the eight team East Division. Only the Devils and Islanders have yielded less. Adam Fox is fast becoming a star, and for the moment, Ryan Lindgren is winning the day. Along with Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller, the four are settling the blue line. Lest we forget the Rangers potentially still have more talent on the way. Therefore, this is still a work in progress. In the meantime, I can do without Jack Johnson's experience. He is wasting roster space and stealing minutes away from, say, Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith. I imagine Tony DeAngelo is still trying to regain a comfortable space within the locker room, but his play, coming off a 53-point season in 68 games, speaks for itself. Brendan Smith is still capable on a third pair for as long he's not opposing top line forwards. But I'd still rather see Smith with DeAngelo in a somewhat regular rotation than having Jack Johnson on the ice.

UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2021, 1:26 p.m.

NYP - FILIP CHYTIL OUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS

N.Y. Mets: Sandy Alderson Still Acting Like Smartest One in the Room

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Things That Make Go You Go Hmmm ...

The Washington Nationals recently signed Brad Hand to a one-year $10.5 million contract. We know the Mets certainly could have used him. Toronto also recently won the George Springer sweepstakes as the Mets refused to up their bid by another $25 million or so. Then if you rewind back to December, the Mets acted (hastily?) quickly in signing free-agent catcher James McCann to a bargain rate $40 million over four years rather than pursue J.T Realmuto (who remains unsigned) at a higher premium.

HOT TAKE ALERT: This all wreaks of Sandy Alderson's sensibilities while under the Wilpons.

But, Mike, they traded for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco.

Indeed, but they still need to secure Lindor long-term, and Carlos Carrasco figures to be a fourth starter at best. I'd love to be wrong about the latter, but I'm just calling it as I see it.

An interesting dichotomy in the making ... the owner says go spend, yet they settle on McCann over Realmuto and do not up their ante for Springer. 🤔 I do not make Bauer a Met at his asking price.
— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) January 23, 2021

Here's more food for thought: Jacob deGrom's salary spikes to $35 million this year and next, and he holds an opt-out clause after the 2022 season. The aforementioned Lindor and Michael Conforto are both in need of contract extensions, and the presently suspended Robinson Cano also returns to the checkbook after the 2021 season.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining ... this is a transient mico matter, or so we hope.

It's just that the narrative since Nov. 6, 2020, coming from ownership, and the follow-up being pursued by Sandy Alderson is somewhat and strangely incongruent.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Bedford & Sullivan Podcast: On the History of Brighton Beach with Ron Schweiger

From the desk: A SAM MAXWELL PRODUCTION

BROOKLYN TROLLEY BLOGGER

MEETS

BEDFORD & SULLIVAN PODCAST

with

SAM MAXWELL

GUEST
BROOKLYN HISTORIAN

RON SCHWEIGER

sixty-two minutes

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Los Criollos de Caguas Win LBPRC Championship In Four

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

LBPRC CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FOUR

(4-0) Criollos de Caguas 7

(0-4) Indios de Mayaguez 6

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/24/21 - Facing Mayagüez starter Nick Travieso, Caguas center fielder Jarren Duran leads off the game with a home run over the right field wall. In the third, Nick Travieso pitches himself into more trouble by issuing a lead-off walk to Jarren Duran, yielding a double to left fielder Jay Gonzalez, and hitting Yadier Molina with a pitch to load the bases. Travieso then walks first baseman Victor Caratini to force in a run. Los Indios get one back in the bottom of the third on a run batted in from center fielder Jack Lopez. Jay Gonzalez singles to lead off the fifth and promptly steals second. Afterwhich, Yadier Molina is again hit with a pitch. Third baseman Jose Miranda follows with a home run to left off Nick Travieso, giving Caguas a 5-1 lead. Indios catcher Xavier Fernandez drives in a run on a sac-fly in the bottom half of the frame, scoring Christian Colon from third. Caguas starter Giovanni Soto exits at this point after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 4.2 innings pitched. However, Nick Travieso is taken off the hook when Mayagüez takes the lead in the seventh with a four-run outburst featuring a double and a run batted in from Xavier Fernandez, a two-run base hit from right fielder Henry Ramos, and the go-ahead run-scoring sac-fly from Jack Lopez. In the top of the ninth, Yadier Molina is hit by a pitch for the third time. In fact, it's the second hit by pitch of the inning by right-hander Yacksel Rios. Jose Miranda fanned swinging for the second out. Still, with two runners on base, first baseman Víctor Caratini hit a comebacker off Yacksel Rios and reached safely; on the play, Jarren Duran scores from third base with the tying run. Second baseman Vimael Machin then drives in the go-ahead run with a line-drive single to center. Los Criollos call upon right-hander Fernando Cruz to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Cruz answers the call retiring the side in order, striking out Henry Ramos to end the game. Five Criollos relievers join to yield three earned runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts over the final 4.1 innings pitched. New York Mets farmhand Joshua Torres earns the victory in relief. Fernando Cruz earns his second save of the series. The visiting Criollos clinch game four at Estadio Isidoro Cholo Garcia and sweep Los Indios de Mayagüez in four straight. Established in 1938 as a founding member of LBPRC, Los Criollos de Caguas win their record 19th Puerto Rican championship and first since seizing back-to-back league titles during the 2016-2018 seasons. Now it's onward to the Caribbean Series.

REST IN PEACE

Henry Aaron

🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

🏆 🏆 🏆

2020 🏆 2021

Winter Leagues Playoffs 2020-2021: Caribes de Anzoátegui Seize 3-0 Lead in LVBP Championship Series

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

2020-2021

Liga Venezolana Béisbol Profesional

LVBP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME THREE

(0-3) Cardenales de Lara 6

(3-0) Caribes de Anzoátegui 9

FINAL

BOXSCORE 1/24/21 - Leading off the bottom of the second inning, Caribes designated hitter Oswaldo Arcia homers off Lara starter Henry Centeno. Anzoátegui rallies again in the fifth; third baseman Niuman Romero pushes home a run with a sac-fly; center fielder Rafael Ortega and second baseman Ali Castillo each hit doubles and drive in a run apiece; and a single and run batted in from Willians Astudillo gives Los Caribes a 5-0 lead. Lara strikes back in the top of the sixth on runs batted in from Carlos Rivero, Jecksson Flores, and Josmar Cordero, making it a new 5-3 game. But Anzoátegui retaliates with another four-run outburst in the home sixth. Rafael Ortega tripled with the bases loaded and then scores on a base hit from Ali Castillo, giving Los Caribes a commanding 9-3 lead. Lara makes a go of it with a run in the seventh, driven in by second baseman Cesar Hernandez, and two more runs in the ninth, but nothing more. Runs batted in by Cesar Hernandez and pinch hitter Jose Tabata round out the score. Andres E. Perez earns the victory in relief of Guillermo Moscoso, who yields no runs on just one hit and two walks with two strikeouts through a brief three-inning start. Los Caribes bat 5 for 10 with runners in scoring position; Rafael Ortega and Ali Castillo join together at the plate on 6 for 10 with three extra-base hits and six runs batted in. With Sunday's victory in game three at Estadio Alfonso Carrasquel, Los Caribes de Anzoátegui seize a commanding three games to none series lead.