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Showing posts with label Gary Carter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gary Carter. Show all posts
Friday, September 17, 2021
THE METSIAN PODCAST: "Once Upon A Time In Queens" Director, Nick Davis
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Monday, January 11, 2021
N.Y. Mets: The Cost of Painting the Town Orange
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
The best trades usually are the ones you never see coming. Congratulations to Sandy Alderson and his newly-assembled front office for their savvy and clandestine execution of one of the bigger blockbuster deals in Mets history.
Painting the Town Orange
In this instance, actions truly spoke louder than words. This acquisition has the potential of greatly impacting the Mets for many years to come. Francisco Lindor is a premiere talent entering the prime years of his career. So, if as a fan you were still somewhat skeptical before, then this should confirm beyond all lingering doubt that a new era is dawning over Flushing.
Since Steve Cohen finalized the New York Mets' purchase on November 6, 2020, Sandy Alderson has since hired general manager Jared Porter, executive Zack Scott, bench coach Dave Jauss, signed reliever Trevor May and catcher James McCann, albeit not necessarily in that order. All of which was followed by this week's news of the trade for Lindor and Carlos Carrasco and sprinkled with subtle hints that the front office is still not through.
MONEY STILL MATTERS
I am quite confident the Mets made this trade with the full intention of extending Lindor. Considering their decision to part with both Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, how can they not? In the meantime, Francisco Lindor, this upcoming season, will earn money previously earmarked for (suspended) Robinson Cano. So, not only will the Mets be negotiating a new pact with Lindor, Cano's salary returns on the books in 2022 and through the 2023 season. Jacob deGrom's contract is also ballooning this season and next to $35 million (up from $25 million). He has an opt-out clause after the 2022 season, but if he stays, deGrom will earn $32.5 million per year with a team option in 2024. Then, Michael Conforto is to consider who is eligible for free agency after the 2022 season. With several shortstops becoming available next season, the Mets could easily wait this out and let the market determine a price. But sign him they must. All these factors make me question the free-agent pursuits of George Springer and/or pitcher Trevor Bauer.
HISTORY ON METS SIDE
Mets history says they've benefited far more greatly via trades than through free agency. Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, Al Leiter, Mike Hampton, Mike Piazza, Carlos Delgado, and even Yoenis Cespedes bear that out. Even before free agency, Donn Clendenon and Rusty Staub no less prove the point. Other blockbuster acquisitions of note include those for Frank Viola and Johan Santana. Of all the Mets players transacted away in procuring said players, only Hubie Brooks dealt to the Expos in exchange for Gary Carter, which caused me to experience any emotional pain. In any event, such key trades historically have been the Mets' traditional pathway towards the playoffs.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Another METSian Podcast #5
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
ICYMI
* * * * *
A METSian PODCAST
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
SPRING TRAINING, TAKE TWO!
Rich and I taped what we thought was our regularly scheduled podcast last week,
only to find out the show didn't record. Hence, take two.
TOPICS of DISCUSSION
Injuries ~ number five starter ~ lead-off hitter
Wilmer Flores ~ firemen ~ my Travis d'Arnaud rant
Mickey Callaway ~ Noah Syndergaard ~ Matt Harvey ~ Dan Warthen
Tom Seaver ~ Jerry Grote ~ Gary Carter
old school ~ Yoenis Cespedes ~ generation lost
and much more.
Show Time: 80 Minutes
#LGM
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
N.Y. Mets: Catching Hell
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
New York Mets: Travis d'Arnaud still battling himself for the starting spot behind the plate.
We've been at this for five years now.
Travis d'Arnaud if far from being a novice.
He turned 29-years old earlier this month, but has yet to exceed 115 games or 400 at-bats in any season. In fact, after his debut in 2013 Travis has only played in 362 of a possible 648 regular season games (56%) over the last four seasons.
Injuries are squarely to blame. I hear (former Islanders goalie and present ESPN radio personality) Rick DePietro say many times an athlete's best ability is his availability. Words never rang more true.
Travis d'Arnaud's medical chart is lengthy.
Minors:
That's a lot of physical depreciation over a short span of time.
If nothing else, though, he has demonstrated offensive ability. If you blend together his 2014, 2015, and 2017 seasons, he averaged 18 doubles/13 home runs/46 RBI in just 324 at bats.
But what good is that if he can't stay on the field?
Sandy Alderson has long defied one of the most fundamental team building precepts - being strong up the middle. It has been one of my biggest gripes. Travis is arbitration eligible through the 2019 season, so I don't expect Alderson addressing this anytime soon.
If a catcher can hit .260 in the major leagues, he's worth at least a discussion. Kevin Plawecki did just that last season. Perhaps he's finally becoming comfortable in his major league skin. Now 27-years old, Kevin was 26 for 100 with five doubles, three home runs, and 13 RBI. If you play along and multiply by five, that projects to 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 65 RBI over 500 at-bats.
Like d'Arnaud, however, Plawecki only threw out runners last season at a rate of 17%. His career rate is 23% over 158 total games.
Mets Still Waiting For Their Backstop of the Future
SPRING TRAINING
New York Mets: Travis d'Arnaud still battling himself for the starting spot behind the plate.
We've been at this for five years now.
Travis d'Arnaud if far from being a novice.
He turned 29-years old earlier this month, but has yet to exceed 115 games or 400 at-bats in any season. In fact, after his debut in 2013 Travis has only played in 362 of a possible 648 regular season games (56%) over the last four seasons.
Injuries are squarely to blame. I hear (former Islanders goalie and present ESPN radio personality) Rick DePietro say many times an athlete's best ability is his availability. Words never rang more true.
Travis d'Arnaud's medical chart is lengthy.
Minors:
- 2010 - herniated disk lower back
- 2012 - torn posterior cruciate ligament left knee
- 2013 - fractured left foot
- 2014 - concussion; bone chip right elbow
- 2015 - fractured right hand; hyper-extended left elbow
- 2016 - right rotator cuff strain
- 2017 - right wrist
That's a lot of physical depreciation over a short span of time.
If nothing else, though, he has demonstrated offensive ability. If you blend together his 2014, 2015, and 2017 seasons, he averaged 18 doubles/13 home runs/46 RBI in just 324 at bats.
But what good is that if he can't stay on the field?
Even then, offense is a secondary issue for me. I'm a firm believer in having a supreme receiver behind the plate. And quite frankly, his positional skills and ability to game-manage a rotation leave much to be desired.
The Mets main strength is their starting rotation. It's a formula that has worked well for them in the past. Therefore, I need a catcher who will be to Syndergaard, Harvey, Matz, deGrom, and Wheeler, what Jerry Grote was to Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, and Jon Matlack, and what Gary Carter was to Doc Gooden, Sid Fernandez, Ron Darling, and Rick Aguilera. Whereas Grote and Carter actively helped their pitchers become better, today's clutch of Mets pitchers have gained their varying degrees of notoriety in spite of Travis d'Arnaud.
It's a badly kept secret that at least one Mets starting pitcher does not particularly like throwing to Travis. Some pitchers seemed ambivalent over the years, while others appeared kindly agreeable at best. That strikes me as problematic.
Granted, d'Arnaud has improved since leading the National League in 2014 with twelve passed balls. But his inability to neutralize base runners can not be overlooked (unless he's hitting and producing runs). Travis only threw out 17% of would be base-stealers last season - ten points behind the league average (27%) - and he only averages 22% for his career. Jerry Grote, meanwhile, averaged 38 percent for his career. At his best, he threw base runners out at a rate of 40%. Gary Carter averaged 35% caught stealing for his career, and led the National League in caught stealing percentage three times.
The Mets main strength is their starting rotation. It's a formula that has worked well for them in the past. Therefore, I need a catcher who will be to Syndergaard, Harvey, Matz, deGrom, and Wheeler, what Jerry Grote was to Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry, and Jon Matlack, and what Gary Carter was to Doc Gooden, Sid Fernandez, Ron Darling, and Rick Aguilera. Whereas Grote and Carter actively helped their pitchers become better, today's clutch of Mets pitchers have gained their varying degrees of notoriety in spite of Travis d'Arnaud.
It's a badly kept secret that at least one Mets starting pitcher does not particularly like throwing to Travis. Some pitchers seemed ambivalent over the years, while others appeared kindly agreeable at best. That strikes me as problematic.
Granted, d'Arnaud has improved since leading the National League in 2014 with twelve passed balls. But his inability to neutralize base runners can not be overlooked (unless he's hitting and producing runs). Travis only threw out 17% of would be base-stealers last season - ten points behind the league average (27%) - and he only averages 22% for his career. Jerry Grote, meanwhile, averaged 38 percent for his career. At his best, he threw base runners out at a rate of 40%. Gary Carter averaged 35% caught stealing for his career, and led the National League in caught stealing percentage three times.
Sandy Alderson has long defied one of the most fundamental team building precepts - being strong up the middle. It has been one of my biggest gripes. Travis is arbitration eligible through the 2019 season, so I don't expect Alderson addressing this anytime soon.
* * *
If a catcher can hit .260 in the major leagues, he's worth at least a discussion. Kevin Plawecki did just that last season. Perhaps he's finally becoming comfortable in his major league skin. Now 27-years old, Kevin was 26 for 100 with five doubles, three home runs, and 13 RBI. If you play along and multiply by five, that projects to 25 doubles, 15 home runs, and 65 RBI over 500 at-bats.
Like d'Arnaud, however, Plawecki only threw out runners last season at a rate of 17%. His career rate is 23% over 158 total games.
Monday, May 12, 2014
NYC Subway Series: First Stop, 161st Street and River Avenue
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Entering the opener of this year's Subway Series, the Yankees own a 19-17 record, and the Mets own a 17-19 record. Not much separates them, right?
One team spent $500 million dollars during the off season to refortify their roster, while the other team in town remains upwards of $850+ million dollars in debt.
One team will be retiring the number of a former manager, and adding three more plaques to Monument Park. However, the other team in town severed ties with the first all-star the organization ever produced, for still unexplained reasons, nor have they made a motion, or entertained the thought of retiring the number of a HOF catcher, who recently passed away as perhaps the classiest member of the Mets last championship team.
Yes, it Subwayy Series time again, only one team might be showing up to Yankee Stadium this evening in Pedi-Cabs.
As a Mets fan, yes indeed, this was all pretty deliberate. I'm in that kind of mood today. But, it is an expression nonetheless, of my frustration with the disparity between New York City's American and National League clubs, that for all intent and purpose, should not exist.
Am I am a disgruntled Mets fan? No, I am not. Rather, I am a pissed off Mets fan.
Mike.BTB
GAME ONE
NEW YORK METS
vs.
NEW YORK YANKEES
FROM
THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT
With A Parking Lot That Cost A Fortune To Build,
But Is Too Expensive To Park In, And Thus Remains Mostly Empty.
161st Street and River Avenue
BRONX
Entering the opener of this year's Subway Series, the Yankees own a 19-17 record, and the Mets own a 17-19 record. Not much separates them, right?
One team spent $500 million dollars during the off season to refortify their roster, while the other team in town remains upwards of $850+ million dollars in debt.
One team will be retiring the number of a former manager, and adding three more plaques to Monument Park. However, the other team in town severed ties with the first all-star the organization ever produced, for still unexplained reasons, nor have they made a motion, or entertained the thought of retiring the number of a HOF catcher, who recently passed away as perhaps the classiest member of the Mets last championship team.
As a Mets fan, yes indeed, this was all pretty deliberate. I'm in that kind of mood today. But, it is an expression nonetheless, of my frustration with the disparity between New York City's American and National League clubs, that for all intent and purpose, should not exist.
Am I am a disgruntled Mets fan? No, I am not. Rather, I am a pissed off Mets fan.
* * * *
Like everything else this season, this will be Derek Jeter's last Subway Series. I've stated many times in this blog, that I do not want to see Derek Jeter ruin his career .300 batting average. He is presently batting .250, with 29 hits in 116 at-bats. Derek started the season with a .314 lifetime mark, but has dropped 2 points, and presently owns a career .312 average.
* * * *
My greatest Subway Series moment/game?
Carlos Delgado's Nine RBI @ Yankee Stadium
Mike.BTB
Sunday, June 03, 2012
N.Y. Mets ~ It's High Time To Upgrade Your Opinion of Josh Thole
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
b.jpg)
NEW YORK METS: Behind Almost Every Great Pitching Performance, Lies a Good Receiver. Even Though He Still Has a Ways to Go, Never the Less, It's Time To Up The Love On Josh Thole.
Something has been lost on the two most recent pitching exploits of New York Mets hurlers. And that would be the return of Josh Thole. It's time this man started receiving a bit more love from the fans, and the Media for that matter. However, that's not to say he isn't generally liked already. But many still take a tepid attitude when assessing him as a catcher.
Am I about to divert too much credit toward Josh Thole for Johan Santana's no-hitter, or R.A. Dickey's complete game win Saturday? No. But I will say, behind every no-hitter, there is a good receiver. And what we do know about The Battery, is that the pitcher-catcher relationship is a symbiotic one.
Considering Friday's game was his first since suffering a concussion in early May, I'm thinking how difficult is it for a young catcher to go from receiving high octane, and change-ups all game on one night, from one of the titans of 21st century baseball, then go to catching butterflies the following afternoon against an uber-cerebral thirty-seven year old, alternative pitch specialist? And mind you, he caught both games flawlessly.
I'm not getting into catcher ratings or anything like that. To me, delving too deeply into statistical analysis is more akin to being a ancient Mayan heart specialist/slash/star reader. Statistical analysis is not needed to recognize the vast improvement in his catching skills from last year to this season. Let's not forget he was promoted, and I think we all agree, a season, or even a season and a half too early. Perhaps this season should have been his major league debut. But like a growing number of young Metsters, he too was pressed into service early.
Since his initial call-up, I have pledged my support for Josh Thole in this blog almost religiously. So if you feel I am speaking to you through blind love, meh..., so be it. I will also admit to you then, that I am partial to catchers. Therefore, Jerry Grote, John Stearns, Todd Hundley, Mike Fitzgerald, and then Gary Carter, all exist as favorite backstops of mine. The omission of Mike Piazza was not an accident by the way. He is a horse of another stable; but an under-rated catcher for toughness behind the plate.
I did say before Opening Day, Josh Thole and Ruben Tejada, were at least going to be .290 hitters this season. After going 0 for 4 in his return game Friday, Josh Thole was 2 for 4 in Saturday's game, with a run scored. He is currently batting .281 this season, but of course this is only after eighty-nine at-bats this season.
So if that doesn't work for you, maybe this does. Since his first call-up in 2009, through yesterday's game, he has played in 232 games, and has amassed 684 at-bats during his brief major league career. Currently at ninety-one, he is yet to strikeout over 100 times as he approaches 700 at-bats. As a matter of fact, as a September call-up in 2009, he went 2 for 5 in his first MLB game.
I love his attitude, his exuberance, his humbleness and humility. But over all, I enjoy his self-awareness, which makes him work exceeding hard to prove he's a major league catcher. I have no doubt he understands his craft through listening to him in the post-games. The physical portion of his game is coming along more quickly now that last season. He will turn twenty-six years old in the Fall, and there's more maturity starting to shine through his smile. I think that was demonstrated through his composure during Johan's no-hitter.
With health, I AM expecting a fine summer from the Mets' receiver, and many more seasons to come. All he wants to do is improve every day and with a tremendous enthusiasm to get it done. There are no stats to qualify that.
If you really, really, need something to judge him by, I officially declare him Jersey Worthy. But then again, I thought that long ago. So just take that and run with it.
Let's Go Mets
*wiki pic
Mike.BTB
b.jpg)
NEW YORK METS: Behind Almost Every Great Pitching Performance, Lies a Good Receiver. Even Though He Still Has a Ways to Go, Never the Less, It's Time To Up The Love On Josh Thole.
Something has been lost on the two most recent pitching exploits of New York Mets hurlers. And that would be the return of Josh Thole. It's time this man started receiving a bit more love from the fans, and the Media for that matter. However, that's not to say he isn't generally liked already. But many still take a tepid attitude when assessing him as a catcher.
Am I about to divert too much credit toward Josh Thole for Johan Santana's no-hitter, or R.A. Dickey's complete game win Saturday? No. But I will say, behind every no-hitter, there is a good receiver. And what we do know about The Battery, is that the pitcher-catcher relationship is a symbiotic one.
Considering Friday's game was his first since suffering a concussion in early May, I'm thinking how difficult is it for a young catcher to go from receiving high octane, and change-ups all game on one night, from one of the titans of 21st century baseball, then go to catching butterflies the following afternoon against an uber-cerebral thirty-seven year old, alternative pitch specialist? And mind you, he caught both games flawlessly.
Since his initial call-up, I have pledged my support for Josh Thole in this blog almost religiously. So if you feel I am speaking to you through blind love, meh..., so be it. I will also admit to you then, that I am partial to catchers. Therefore, Jerry Grote, John Stearns, Todd Hundley, Mike Fitzgerald, and then Gary Carter, all exist as favorite backstops of mine. The omission of Mike Piazza was not an accident by the way. He is a horse of another stable; but an under-rated catcher for toughness behind the plate.
I did say before Opening Day, Josh Thole and Ruben Tejada, were at least going to be .290 hitters this season. After going 0 for 4 in his return game Friday, Josh Thole was 2 for 4 in Saturday's game, with a run scored. He is currently batting .281 this season, but of course this is only after eighty-nine at-bats this season.
So if that doesn't work for you, maybe this does. Since his first call-up in 2009, through yesterday's game, he has played in 232 games, and has amassed 684 at-bats during his brief major league career. Currently at ninety-one, he is yet to strikeout over 100 times as he approaches 700 at-bats. As a matter of fact, as a September call-up in 2009, he went 2 for 5 in his first MLB game.
I love his attitude, his exuberance, his humbleness and humility. But over all, I enjoy his self-awareness, which makes him work exceeding hard to prove he's a major league catcher. I have no doubt he understands his craft through listening to him in the post-games. The physical portion of his game is coming along more quickly now that last season. He will turn twenty-six years old in the Fall, and there's more maturity starting to shine through his smile. I think that was demonstrated through his composure during Johan's no-hitter.
With health, I AM expecting a fine summer from the Mets' receiver, and many more seasons to come. All he wants to do is improve every day and with a tremendous enthusiasm to get it done. There are no stats to qualify that.
If you really, really, need something to judge him by, I officially declare him Jersey Worthy. But then again, I thought that long ago. So just take that and run with it.
Let's Go Mets
*wiki pic
Mike.BTB
Saturday, May 05, 2012
L.I. Ducks ~ The Power Co. is Open for Business
From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE
Well..., the fans at Bethpage Ballpark last night can't complain. The weather held up; there were Opening Day festivities and new kid friendly fun features in the park; they got two games for the price of one, and came away with one really big win. After a tough series against the Bluefish, the Ducks are now back at the .500 mark and apparently happy to be back home as well.
Figuratively speaking the "first" game was a pitcher's duel between Camden's Keith Weiser, and Long Island's Bob Zimmermann. After the Ducks scored once in the bottom of the first, the game remained a tight 1-0 affair until Camden scored once off Zimmermann in the top of the sixth to tie.
Brandon Sing is coming to Long Island as advertised. The over-all independent circuit's top slugger over the past few years hit his third home run this season. It came in the first, and tied him for the early season league lead.
That's all the Ducks would score though, until the sixth inning. Bob Zimmermann took care of that problem however, by pitching five superlative innings before surrendering the tying run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Felix Lie. Through six, Zimmermann allowed only four hits and one earned run; walked none, and struck out seven.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, his team mates put him back on the winning side. And that's when the second game started. Or should I say the fireworks? In the bottom of the sixth, the Ducks exploded for eleven runs. It wasn't a new team record. But it was a hell of a way to treat the home crowd and say hello again after a long winter.
The Ducks pounded out eight hits against three different pitchers in the inning. But most of the damage came at the expense of Camden's Joey DAlessandro, who got tagged for seven of those runs. Long Island's offensive outburst was highlighted by Bryan Nelson's inning topping grand slam home run. Overall, Long Island's new third baseman was 3 for 5 on the night with 5 RBI.
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Opening Day is a Big Hit!
Before the evening's game commenced, there was a tribute to Hall of Famer; Montreal Expos and Mets great; and former Long Island Ducks' manager; Gary Carter; who passed away earlier this year. The club will be honoring Gary Carter all season.
Opening Day Final:
Camden River Sharks 2
Long Island Ducks 13
Well..., the fans at Bethpage Ballpark last night can't complain. The weather held up; there were Opening Day festivities and new kid friendly fun features in the park; they got two games for the price of one, and came away with one really big win. After a tough series against the Bluefish, the Ducks are now back at the .500 mark and apparently happy to be back home as well.
Figuratively speaking the "first" game was a pitcher's duel between Camden's Keith Weiser, and Long Island's Bob Zimmermann. After the Ducks scored once in the bottom of the first, the game remained a tight 1-0 affair until Camden scored once off Zimmermann in the top of the sixth to tie.
Brandon Sing is coming to Long Island as advertised. The over-all independent circuit's top slugger over the past few years hit his third home run this season. It came in the first, and tied him for the early season league lead.
That's all the Ducks would score though, until the sixth inning. Bob Zimmermann took care of that problem however, by pitching five superlative innings before surrendering the tying run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Felix Lie. Through six, Zimmermann allowed only four hits and one earned run; walked none, and struck out seven.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, his team mates put him back on the winning side. And that's when the second game started. Or should I say the fireworks? In the bottom of the sixth, the Ducks exploded for eleven runs. It wasn't a new team record. But it was a hell of a way to treat the home crowd and say hello again after a long winter.
The Ducks pounded out eight hits against three different pitchers in the inning. But most of the damage came at the expense of Camden's Joey DAlessandro, who got tagged for seven of those runs. Long Island's offensive outburst was highlighted by Bryan Nelson's inning topping grand slam home run. Overall, Long Island's new third baseman was 3 for 5 on the night with 5 RBI.
TONIGHT
Camden River Sharks
SP - Humberto Sanchez
vs.
LONG ISLAND DUCKS
SP - Randy Keisler
From
Bethpage Ballpark
LONG ISLAND, NY
Mike.BTB
Thursday, February 16, 2012
N.Y. Mets ~ Gary Carter; The Kid
GARY CARTER
1954 - 2012
The Kid is forever now. Gary Carter has passed. Another great Met has departed us. His battles with brain cancer are lost. And an even finer person is gone.
My condolences go out to his family; relatives; closest friends; loved ones; and those he found favor with. I trust he is better now, pain free, and smiling again. He will certainly be missed by all; to include us fans.
Each of his Met team mates brought something different to the table. But Gary Carter is, and appears likely to remain, the only Hall of Famer of that 1986 team. He was so much more disciplined than many of his team mates of that time. Surrounded by brashness, major egos, and supremely confident personalities, he stood out in a raucous era as the Professional. In the face of all the Mets' cockiness and a League wide disdain the opposition held towards them, Gary Carter was always emblematic of that aspect of the Mets you always had to respect. For Gary Carter was their legitimacy and class.
He came to Flushing with perhaps the grandest body of work that anyone in the clubhouse could swing a bat at; save maybe Keith Hernandez who won an MVP and a championship with the Cards prior to joining the Mets. But make no mistake, Gary Carter came to the Mets when he was the dominant catcher in Baseball. He was a most significant leader of that team; literally taking a young pitching staff and guiding them towards glory. He was the Mets' bedrock behind the plate. And in that bedrock was built the foundation on which a Met team rose up like the New York City skyline.
For me personally, the defining moment(s) of his Met years came during the World Series in Boston when he jacked two home runs over the Green Monster. But his greatness was evident every day. Add to that the many players who mistook his smile and temperament as a weakness when rounding third and heading home. They paid steep prices for their missteps. For Gary Carter defended the plate with defiance and toughness. And what you took away from a collision with Gary Carter was a lesson learned. Don't try that again.
Gary Carter was tough. Real tough. And he didn't have a problem letting you know it. Maybe that's why he was so perfect for that team. And if you were a strike out victim against the Mets back then, Gary Carter was a Grade-A jerk; especially if you struck out to end the inning. And that part of his game always endeared the Hall of Fame catcher with Met fans. Nothing screamed TAKE THAT! more than Gary Carter's handling of strike three. That particular kind of Met Magic hadn't happened in Flushing since the days Tom Seaver and Jerry Grote pissed off batters at Shea an era prior. And unfortunately, not since.
This is how I will remember Gary Carter the Met. I met the person at a Long Island Ducks game when he managed them. And for that, I am thankful.
Rest well my friend.
My condolences go out to his family; relatives; closest friends; loved ones; and those he found favor with. I trust he is better now, pain free, and smiling again. He will certainly be missed by all; to include us fans.
Each of his Met team mates brought something different to the table. But Gary Carter is, and appears likely to remain, the only Hall of Famer of that 1986 team. He was so much more disciplined than many of his team mates of that time. Surrounded by brashness, major egos, and supremely confident personalities, he stood out in a raucous era as the Professional. In the face of all the Mets' cockiness and a League wide disdain the opposition held towards them, Gary Carter was always emblematic of that aspect of the Mets you always had to respect. For Gary Carter was their legitimacy and class.
He came to Flushing with perhaps the grandest body of work that anyone in the clubhouse could swing a bat at; save maybe Keith Hernandez who won an MVP and a championship with the Cards prior to joining the Mets. But make no mistake, Gary Carter came to the Mets when he was the dominant catcher in Baseball. He was a most significant leader of that team; literally taking a young pitching staff and guiding them towards glory. He was the Mets' bedrock behind the plate. And in that bedrock was built the foundation on which a Met team rose up like the New York City skyline.
For me personally, the defining moment(s) of his Met years came during the World Series in Boston when he jacked two home runs over the Green Monster. But his greatness was evident every day. Add to that the many players who mistook his smile and temperament as a weakness when rounding third and heading home. They paid steep prices for their missteps. For Gary Carter defended the plate with defiance and toughness. And what you took away from a collision with Gary Carter was a lesson learned. Don't try that again.
Gary Carter was tough. Real tough. And he didn't have a problem letting you know it. Maybe that's why he was so perfect for that team. And if you were a strike out victim against the Mets back then, Gary Carter was a Grade-A jerk; especially if you struck out to end the inning. And that part of his game always endeared the Hall of Fame catcher with Met fans. Nothing screamed TAKE THAT! more than Gary Carter's handling of strike three. That particular kind of Met Magic hadn't happened in Flushing since the days Tom Seaver and Jerry Grote pissed off batters at Shea an era prior. And unfortunately, not since.
This is how I will remember Gary Carter the Met. I met the person at a Long Island Ducks game when he managed them. And for that, I am thankful.
Rest well my friend.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, January 29, 2012
N.Y. Mets ~ Johnny Franco "Did Us Proud"
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Neighborhood Guy Elected to Mets' Hall of Fame.
He did the neighborhood proud. It's no secret John Franco is from Brooklyn; more specifically Bensonhurst; which happens to be my neighborhood. Lee Mazzilli's too. He graduated from nearby Lafayette High School, as did the Mets' embattled owner Fred Wilpon and Dodger great Sandy Koufax - among others. This week, John Franco was the fifteenth player elected into the Mets Hall of Fame. We're always so proud when another local kid did us good.
I was fortunate to come across Johnny three times in the normal course of my life. The first time came in the Staten Island Mall while simply doing some toy shopping. Then two more times I just happened to run into him here on 86th Street in Brooklyn. That's one thing about John Franco - he always stayed home in the city and was always very cool to the public. Stories about his affability abound, whether through encounters like mine when ever he pops back into the 'hood, or catching him at a Cyclones' game, or from his fellow Staten Islanders. He always remained a NYC guy.
Is he a legit candidate for Baseball's Hall of Fame? I doubt it. Although, there are arguments to be made on his behalf. Being fourth All-Time in Saves and second All-Time when he retired should count for something I guess. He's additionally the All-Time Saves Leader for Lefties. My one knock on him would be that he doesn't have over 1,000 strikeouts (975) for over 1,200 innings pitched.
Were the Mets wrong to trade Randy Myers for John Franco? After all, Randy Myers went on to lead the League in Saves three times after the trade. In his career, John Franco led the League three times as well, but only twice for the Mets. Franco wasn't as dominant as Myers turned out to be. Then again he was never a power pitcher. He was a lot cooler though with a slick slider. Both pitchers' relative effectiveness came to an end at basically the same time; somewhere around the 1998 season or so. But were the Mets wrong in hindsight? Nah. Johnny Franco was a great Met and an equally good leader on the team. Captains have never played much of a role in Flushing. That's something I can easily do without and so I don't get caught up with it. However, that doesn't take away from the fact John Franco was a fine one none the less.
But is John Franco a New York Met Hall of Famer? Yeah! Absolutely. It was great watching him celebrate the Mets 2000 National League Championship. And back in 1990, he and Darryl Strawberry almost willed us to another division title under Buddy Harrelson. Yes, Franco is deserving. He was emblematic of a decade of Met Baseball.
NEW YORK METS: Neighborhood Guy Elected to Mets' Hall of Fame.
He did the neighborhood proud. It's no secret John Franco is from Brooklyn; more specifically Bensonhurst; which happens to be my neighborhood. Lee Mazzilli's too. He graduated from nearby Lafayette High School, as did the Mets' embattled owner Fred Wilpon and Dodger great Sandy Koufax - among others. This week, John Franco was the fifteenth player elected into the Mets Hall of Fame. We're always so proud when another local kid did us good.
I was fortunate to come across Johnny three times in the normal course of my life. The first time came in the Staten Island Mall while simply doing some toy shopping. Then two more times I just happened to run into him here on 86th Street in Brooklyn. That's one thing about John Franco - he always stayed home in the city and was always very cool to the public. Stories about his affability abound, whether through encounters like mine when ever he pops back into the 'hood, or catching him at a Cyclones' game, or from his fellow Staten Islanders. He always remained a NYC guy.
Is he a legit candidate for Baseball's Hall of Fame? I doubt it. Although, there are arguments to be made on his behalf. Being fourth All-Time in Saves and second All-Time when he retired should count for something I guess. He's additionally the All-Time Saves Leader for Lefties. My one knock on him would be that he doesn't have over 1,000 strikeouts (975) for over 1,200 innings pitched.
Were the Mets wrong to trade Randy Myers for John Franco? After all, Randy Myers went on to lead the League in Saves three times after the trade. In his career, John Franco led the League three times as well, but only twice for the Mets. Franco wasn't as dominant as Myers turned out to be. Then again he was never a power pitcher. He was a lot cooler though with a slick slider. Both pitchers' relative effectiveness came to an end at basically the same time; somewhere around the 1998 season or so. But were the Mets wrong in hindsight? Nah. Johnny Franco was a great Met and an equally good leader on the team. Captains have never played much of a role in Flushing. That's something I can easily do without and so I don't get caught up with it. However, that doesn't take away from the fact John Franco was a fine one none the less.
But is John Franco a New York Met Hall of Famer? Yeah! Absolutely. It was great watching him celebrate the Mets 2000 National League Championship. And back in 1990, he and Darryl Strawberry almost willed us to another division title under Buddy Harrelson. Yes, Franco is deserving. He was emblematic of a decade of Met Baseball.
* * * *
This always starts the "Who Belongs To Be In" debate. If John Franco is in, then shouldn't Jesse Orosco get elected as well? His work between 1983 and 1985 goes largely under spoken. What most remember is 1986 and his glove being flung up in the air in triumph. Back in 1983, he started receiving League wide recognition winning Pitcher of the Week honors as the Mets began turning things around.
Are there any more candidates for the Mets' Hall of Fame? Certainly. But no one stands out as an absolute no-doubter. There are however, very very strong arguments for several players. Ron Darling, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Lee Mazzilli, strike me as three strong candidates for future consideration.
Mike Piazza is a given and just a matter of time. His number will probably be the next to be retired by the Mets as well. But no talk of retiring numbers however should take place without mentioning Jerry Koosman. What the Mets are waiting for is beyond most fans. Retiring any player's number before retiring #36 is an insult to this Franchise's history.
In light of the sad and latest turn in Gary Carter's health, there will be growing sentiment to retire his number too. And personally, in a similar sentiment since his passing away, I'd like to see Tug McGraw's #45 retired. I know I'm on an island with that one.
* * * *
While we're at it, this is a great time for a light Honorable Mention List:
CATCHER: "The Dude" John Stearns! - Todd Hundley - I thought Mike Fitzgerald was a fine receiver.
FIRST BASE: John "The Hammer" Milner! - John Olerud - Donn Clendenon - Eddie Murray, a personal favorite player of mine - insert Dave Kingman here.
SECOND BASE: Ron Hunt, of course - Wally Backman - Felix Millan! - Gold Glover Doug Flynn - Fonzie - Do we have to put Jeff Kent on this list?
SHORTSTOP: Yes, Jose can be on the list. - Rafael Santana was slick and had 65 RBI from the 8th spot! - Frank Tavares.
THIRD BASE: Hubie Brooks! - Wayne Garrett - Lenny Randall anyone? - Hojo - Robin Ventura - Ray Knight.
LEFT FIELD: Cliff Floydd - Bernard Gilkey - Joel Youngblood, Man I liked him!
CENTER FIELD: Lance Johnson now moves ahead of Lenny Dykstra because Lenny is proving to be such a mess. Yes, Carlos Beltran makes the cut too.
RIGHT FIELD: Doesn't anyone stand out? Or is it just too early in the morning for me to think of someone. Xavier Nady; we hardly knew ya.
STARTING PITCHERS: I know there's a great divide to include Nolan Ryan into these lists. - Gary Gentry - Sid Fernandez - Craig Swan - David Cone - How can we not include Ed Lynch?
RELIEF PITCHERS: Skip Lockwood was my guy! - Niel Allen - Roger McDowell.
MANAGER: Frank Howard deserves a good mention - Bobby Valentine too - Yogi Berra.
COACHES: Rube Walker - Joe Pignatano - Bob Gibson - Frank Robinson.
COACH/EXECUTIVES WHO GOT AWAY: Jerry Hunsicker - Whitey Herzog.
OWNERS: Nelson Doubleday - Buy us back...! Please?
Let's Go Mets
Mike.BTB
Thursday, August 11, 2011
N.Y. Mets ~ The Long Lost Mets Codex
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: They Have Embarked On Three Official Rebuilding Processes in Their History. But Since the 1990's, It Seems to Have Become a Dirty Word In Flushing. And As a Result, They've Lost Their Way.
After the Mets finished toying with other teams' legacies; finishing last every season; and setting records in embarrassing fashion over their first few years of existence, Joe McDonald; Whitey Herzog; Bing Devine; Johnny Murphy; and a host of respected scouts set about on a concerted effort to procure and develop skilled prospects. Adherence to their plan of minor league development garnered names like Jerry Koosman; Tug McGraw; Bud Harrelson; Cleon Jones; Nolan Ryan; Gary Gentry; and others. With a little bit of luck landing Tom Seaver and some key acquisitions along the way, the Mets parlayed their efforts into a Championship.
Retooled with some new young players and savvy pick-ups like Felix Millan; Rusty Staub; John Milner; and Jon Matlack; the Mets almost pulled off another World Series victory in 1973; falling short by one game against the A's.
But by 1975-76, the Mets recognized age was creeping up on them. Newer, younger players, like John Stearns; Lee Mazzilli; Craig Swan; and Mike Vail were starting a transition toward youth. Then in 1977, Tom Seaver demanded a trade out of New York because he found his bosses insufferable. This triggered the full blown jettisoning of the last remnants of the Miracle Mets between 1977-1979 and initiated the second rebuilding of the Mets with a total commitment to the farm system.
However, the decision to totally rebuild the Mets through the farm system for a second time was thwarted by ownership's decision to finally sell the team. By 1979, the mandate to freeze all expenditures was put in place and Joe McDonald's hands were tied regarding bringing free agents to N.Y. or making trades that would raise payroll.
Before Joe McDonald's work here in Flushing was finished; upon the purchase of the team by the Doubleday/Wilpon group heading into 1980; he drafted and developed a good many number of key components to the 1986 Championship team. As mentioned, Lee Mazzilli enabled us to get Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Terrell in turn got us Howard Johnson. He drafted Niel Allen who in return brought Kieth Hernandez to Flushing. He drafted Hubie Brooks who helped land the Mets Gary Carter. He selected Calvin Schiraldi in 1980 who later was traded for Bobby Ojeda. He drafted Wally Backman; Mookie Wilson; and Jesse Orosco. Among those that got away were guys like Mike Scott who was traded for Danny Heep and Jeff Reardon who was traded for Ellis Valentine.
Then, Frank Cashen made his mark with a continued minor league investment and drafted Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. And of course, give Frank Cashen credit for utilizing what Joe McDonald left behind. So in retrospect, the two men, through vigorous minor league development, chipped in and built another Championship team for the Mets.
The third time the Mets officially committed to a minor league focused rebuilding effort came in the mid-1990's when Joe McIlvaine was General Manager. METroplis was in total agreement with the movement. It was supposed to have been built with Generation-K as it's foundation. But the movement failed miserably as we know with few people to blame. But during that time, players were drafted that inevitably landed us Mike Piazza and some components of the 2000 team.
Since then, Rebuilding has become a dirty word in Flushing. It's become a like a lost codex burned by Spanish Conquistadors. So what I described winds up being the complete history of the Mets' rebuilding process over the years in the Homeric oral tradition only.
No time in between the Steve Phillips years to the present has been classified as a clear cut rebuilding process. Additionally, after David Wright; Jose Reyes; and Scott Kazmir; the well went dry until the current crop of minor leaguers drafted by Omar Minaya started to be called up to the majors over the last two seasons.
I know what Omar Minaya was trying to do. He was trying to align a transition of the old to new in the years between 2010 through 2012. He just didn't get to stick around long enough to realize his plan. Don't forget, we're still watching his blueprints in action. Aside of jettisoning some parts of Minaya's team, Sandy Alderson is still babysitting Omar's team and grand scheme. All Omar's contracts were designed to expire within a year or two of each other as his minor league draftees became ready for the majors. And that is more or less, where we are now.
Sandy Alderson has had one Winter Meeting; An Amateur Draft; and a Trade Deadline thus far. And we are still wondering what his plan might be. Does he consider rebuilding a dirty word also? Does he have something else in store us? Or will he return to the ancient but proven Met Scriptures like a true renaissance man and REBUILD the Mets? Can we finally lift the Dark Age stigma imposed on the word Rebuilding?
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: They Have Embarked On Three Official Rebuilding Processes in Their History. But Since the 1990's, It Seems to Have Become a Dirty Word In Flushing. And As a Result, They've Lost Their Way.
After the Mets finished toying with other teams' legacies; finishing last every season; and setting records in embarrassing fashion over their first few years of existence, Joe McDonald; Whitey Herzog; Bing Devine; Johnny Murphy; and a host of respected scouts set about on a concerted effort to procure and develop skilled prospects. Adherence to their plan of minor league development garnered names like Jerry Koosman; Tug McGraw; Bud Harrelson; Cleon Jones; Nolan Ryan; Gary Gentry; and others. With a little bit of luck landing Tom Seaver and some key acquisitions along the way, the Mets parlayed their efforts into a Championship.
Retooled with some new young players and savvy pick-ups like Felix Millan; Rusty Staub; John Milner; and Jon Matlack; the Mets almost pulled off another World Series victory in 1973; falling short by one game against the A's.
But by 1975-76, the Mets recognized age was creeping up on them. Newer, younger players, like John Stearns; Lee Mazzilli; Craig Swan; and Mike Vail were starting a transition toward youth. Then in 1977, Tom Seaver demanded a trade out of New York because he found his bosses insufferable. This triggered the full blown jettisoning of the last remnants of the Miracle Mets between 1977-1979 and initiated the second rebuilding of the Mets with a total commitment to the farm system.
However, the decision to totally rebuild the Mets through the farm system for a second time was thwarted by ownership's decision to finally sell the team. By 1979, the mandate to freeze all expenditures was put in place and Joe McDonald's hands were tied regarding bringing free agents to N.Y. or making trades that would raise payroll.
Before Joe McDonald's work here in Flushing was finished; upon the purchase of the team by the Doubleday/Wilpon group heading into 1980; he drafted and developed a good many number of key components to the 1986 Championship team. As mentioned, Lee Mazzilli enabled us to get Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Terrell in turn got us Howard Johnson. He drafted Niel Allen who in return brought Kieth Hernandez to Flushing. He drafted Hubie Brooks who helped land the Mets Gary Carter. He selected Calvin Schiraldi in 1980 who later was traded for Bobby Ojeda. He drafted Wally Backman; Mookie Wilson; and Jesse Orosco. Among those that got away were guys like Mike Scott who was traded for Danny Heep and Jeff Reardon who was traded for Ellis Valentine.
Then, Frank Cashen made his mark with a continued minor league investment and drafted Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. And of course, give Frank Cashen credit for utilizing what Joe McDonald left behind. So in retrospect, the two men, through vigorous minor league development, chipped in and built another Championship team for the Mets.
The third time the Mets officially committed to a minor league focused rebuilding effort came in the mid-1990's when Joe McIlvaine was General Manager. METroplis was in total agreement with the movement. It was supposed to have been built with Generation-K as it's foundation. But the movement failed miserably as we know with few people to blame. But during that time, players were drafted that inevitably landed us Mike Piazza and some components of the 2000 team.
Since then, Rebuilding has become a dirty word in Flushing. It's become a like a lost codex burned by Spanish Conquistadors. So what I described winds up being the complete history of the Mets' rebuilding process over the years in the Homeric oral tradition only.
No time in between the Steve Phillips years to the present has been classified as a clear cut rebuilding process. Additionally, after David Wright; Jose Reyes; and Scott Kazmir; the well went dry until the current crop of minor leaguers drafted by Omar Minaya started to be called up to the majors over the last two seasons.
I know what Omar Minaya was trying to do. He was trying to align a transition of the old to new in the years between 2010 through 2012. He just didn't get to stick around long enough to realize his plan. Don't forget, we're still watching his blueprints in action. Aside of jettisoning some parts of Minaya's team, Sandy Alderson is still babysitting Omar's team and grand scheme. All Omar's contracts were designed to expire within a year or two of each other as his minor league draftees became ready for the majors. And that is more or less, where we are now.
Sandy Alderson has had one Winter Meeting; An Amateur Draft; and a Trade Deadline thus far. And we are still wondering what his plan might be. Does he consider rebuilding a dirty word also? Does he have something else in store us? Or will he return to the ancient but proven Met Scriptures like a true renaissance man and REBUILD the Mets? Can we finally lift the Dark Age stigma imposed on the word Rebuilding?
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 22, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Bad News Won't Keep THE KID From Smiling
GARY CARTER: THE KID is facing his biggest opponent.
To Gary Carter, his Wife and Children, and to all his family members, loved ones and closest friends, I wish them strength and promising news in the days to come. I think I speak for all Met Fans, New Yorkers, and those who know or ever met him, that our thoughts and hopes for good health are with him.
Get well soon.
Mike.BTB
To Gary Carter, his Wife and Children, and to all his family members, loved ones and closest friends, I wish them strength and promising news in the days to come. I think I speak for all Met Fans, New Yorkers, and those who know or ever met him, that our thoughts and hopes for good health are with him.
Get well soon.
Mike.BTB
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