The Great Baseball Impasse of 2020 on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

with

SAM, RICH, and MIKE

fifty-five minutes

Precious time continues wasting away.  It's already mid-June and MLB and the MLBPA are far from striking a deal on a tentative 2020 season.  Negotiations between parties remain stalemated and rife with animosity.  The Union believes talks have reached the point of futility, with players essentially throwing their hands in the air asking MLB to impose a modified schedule and a report to work date.  Should that be the case baseball now gets to unilaterally impose a shortened season and pay players at a prorated basis.  Who wins?  Who loses?  And who still cares?  Sam, Rich, and Mike, return this evening attempting to tackle these very issues.  Also on tap, Mets money matters and a trip down Metsian lane.

A Metsian Podcast, Ep. #2 - On What Jeff Wilpon Didn't Say

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

We're Back on the Air!

The Converted Mets fan, Sam Maxwell, MetFanRich, and I, 

have reunited to bring you:

A

METSIAN

PODCAST

On the heels of COO Jeff Wilpon's interview with the media, our main focus in Episode #2 centered around the state of ownership in general.  We also discussed baseball's newly elected members to the Hall of Fame; the career of Johan Santana; the 2002 season in review; and players who've worn #2 through Mets history.

ICYMI: The Inaugural Episode

Our featured guest was old friend and author 

Greg Prince from FaithAndFearInFlushing.com

We went for 2:30 hours because time flies when your having fun.  It was just nice having the band back together, but we'll be tightening that up.  Otherwise covered a lot regarding the past, present, and future, of our beloved New York Mets baseball club.

N.Y. Mets: Johan Santana's Situation Cuts Like A Knife

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

 

NEW YORK METS - The Way Johan Santana And The Mets Will Part Ways Is More Typical Than The Days Of Fishing Poles And Cadillacs.


I appreciate what Johan did for the Mets.  I really do.  He brought a sense of accountability to the team.  Were it not for Tom Glavine, every one's spin regarding Johan Santana might sound very different today.  But I moved on.  Not because I want to kick Johan while he's down.  I moved on as part of an overall rebuilding mentality.  So truth is, I wrote off Johan Santana from Mets plans last season.  I have been in purge mode ever since Sandy Alderson came on board.  My own haste as a fan was in seeing this roster transitioned.  In two seasons, I feel matters have progressed satisfactorily.  I didn't mind at all, that the general manager took the pitcher to task when Johan reported in February unprepared to pitch.  My only regret is Johan Santana is officially unmovable now.  If this all sounds a bit cold, I do not mean it to be.  Simply, my focus is, and has been on 2014 and beyond.  That was the general manager's originally stated plan.  And that's what I'm holding him to.  At present, that means  investing my attention in Matt Harvey, Jon Niese, Zach Wheeler, Dillon Gee, and now, Jeremy Hefner as well.


Looking back on Johan Santana's no-hitter, one could argue Terry Collins prophesied this very moment.  Immediately after the game, Coach expressed his concern and personal fears the game could have negatively impacted the Mets ace.  I hope Terry Collins hasn't lost sleep for leaving Johan on the mound to throw 130+ pitches that night.  Terry was unfortunately caught in a - damned if you do, damned if you don't - situation.  Instead, on several occasions, this blog expressed displeasure with the Mets decision to announce Johan Santana would open the 2012 regular season while still only in the second week of Spring Training.  I asked why?  Than asked WHY?...again.  What was the rush to get him on the mound so soon?  I'm not about to rehash recent medical staff blunders, or how Fred Wilpon's need for a decent gate may have instigated the decision to possibly push Johan; because I think it did.  I am merely saying the haste in which the Mets decided to announce Johan as the opening day starter, in my opinion, was riddled with folly from the word go.  Whether the rush to have him open the 2012 season contributed to Johan's present situation, or whether it was the no-hitter, or his misguided bullpen session earlier this spring, or when he reportedly threw a baseball in frustration over the outfield wall - while they could all be equally contributing factors, they are all still speculative.


In any event, Johan Santana's 2013 season is over before it ever began.  Sandy Alderson is right.  I guess we'll never really know how or when Johan Santana re-injured his shoulder.  There's something I still do not understand though.  Johan recently had an MRI, but the club still only suspects a tear in his shoulder. Yet, they will be operating on Santana's shoulder for the second time this coming Tuesday.  So much for certainty.


In Baseball, "the end" is usually an unpleasant affair.  This doesn't happen just to the Mets.  This happens everywhere - even the Bronx.  Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada both met unceremonious ends.  Andy Pettitte was treated rather shabbily before heading to Houston.  And most recently, Derek Jeter endured a very public and contentious contract negotiation.  Unfortunately, as in Johan Santana's case, when expectations get thwarted by injury, everyone feels the pain.  It really strikes a nerve when a team's high-end, high priced player goes under the knife.


These days, contentious divorces are more common than receiving gift cows, a fishing pole, and getting the Cadillac treatment.  Ultimately, someone always feels like they're getting cheated.  The investment into Santana was warranted back in 2008.  There is no denying that.  However, without throwing one regular season pitch, Johan Santana will be paid $31 million dollars this season.  That's a difficult pill to swallow.  It's a shame...really.  It is what it is.  But that's why fans kind of feel under under the blade as well.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets: Johan Santana and Mets at the Crossroad

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - Johan Santana Places The Team In A Classic Quandary.


.....and Johan wanted to pitch in the World Baseball Classic.  He pitched in the 2006 inaugural Classic, but has missed the last two tournaments due to injuries.  The Classic shouldn't really concern Mets fans.  Johan Santana's health should, and for numerous reasons.


As a precaution, the Mets delayed Johan's first Spring Training climb up the mound.  The club is stressing this move was not precipitated by injury.  Sandy characterized this as the club merely wanting Johan to keep improving his arm strength.  Now here goes my problem with semantics again.  Didn't the Mets shut Johan Santana down last season as a precaution, and so that he may rest, and recover strength, and enjoy the benefits of a regular off-season routine?  So the question begs asking then - how much arm strength has Johan Santana recovered since September 2012, to the present day?  Obviously, not nearly enough.  The GM even offered Johan is not as far along as the club anticipated.  Naturally, the next question is - Is Johan feeling anything other than freedom of motion; i.e.; pain, discomfort, stiffness, or unease?


Last year at this time, many wildly speculated the club was trying to hasten Johan's return so as to have him pitch Opening Day, and thereby increase Fred Wilpon's gate; for that was the owner's condition, and the fans' emotional state.  I myself thought it very strange the Mets made an announcement so early in camp that Johan would indeed pitch Opening Day.  Why the rush I thought?  Why not let Spring Training play itself out first?  But one thing is true and verifiable in this blog.  Last year I thought the Mets were making a huge mistake rushing Johan Santana back so soon.


As it pertains to Johan Santana's 2012 season, it is debatable whether I was wrong about rushing him.  Other than being somewhat hittable, and issuing a high rate of walks and home runs, Johan demonstrated the "old Johan" wasn't that far away.  His innings and strikeouts were right where the Mets wanted them to be.  Then of course, came the no-hitter.  Terry Collins was visibly upset, and conflicted after the game for fear he over-extended Santana, by allowing him to pursue the Mets first ever no-hit game.  I believe Johan threw 134 pitches that evening.  Many point to that night as the moment Johan's season started to tail-off.  There is another faction who believe Johan's season started to tank after he rolled his ankle.  Which ever the case or cause, the official basis for shutting Johan Santana's 2012 season was fatigue, and for the sake of getting rest.  The club insisted then, the end of Johan's campaign was not brought on by a recurrence, or an additional injury to his surgically repaired shoulder.


At least this year, the Mets are taking a more cautious approach with Johan Santana.  If his workouts need to be altered, so be it.  If his season needs to be delayed, so be it.  That is a very cut and dry situation for me.  That is the attitude I wished the Mets had employed last season regarding Johan.  This is why my pessimism and skepticism are kicking in.  All of a sudden, Jon Niese represents the caliber of pitcher worthy to make the ceremonial Opening Day start.  Whereas last season, outside of Johan Santana, the Mets (the owners in my opinion) weren't overwhelmed with their other options.  In fairness, and in a different context, R.A. Dickey and Jon Niese were still a campaign away from break-through seasons.  However, I still think naming Johan the Opening Day starter so early in camp last season was a contrived display of confidence, and an attempt to dupe the fans collective perceptions.


Johan Santana's 2013 salary consumes an obscene portion of this season's payroll.  If you include Johan's buyout, he is due up to $31 million dollars this season.  Johan will clearly become an ex-Met.  The question is how soon?  There is much to keep in mind as it pertains to his 2013 regular season and future.  His injury/health is clearly an ongoing issue.  He will be thirty-four years old in March.  His 2013 salary is extremely prohibitive.  And in short time, he stands to become a free agent.  How can the Mets move a guy like that?  The answer is - easily.  Just eat the contract and pay him to play for another team.  The money is already earmarked and effectively spent.  I still believe Sandy Alderson can entice a contending team to surrender one or two prospects for a good; not great; Johan Santana.  Truth is, any return realized in a trade involving Johan Santana is a good return.  One good, respected prospect; will suffice.  Two would be great, but unlikely.  That said, Johan Santana should be viewed as a movable asset, and nothing more.  So it would behoove the club to take very good care of him, and ensure Johan gets back on the mound in working order, even if that takes Johan and the team beyond April, and into May.




Mike.BTB

New York Mets: Pitchers and Catchers 2013

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - PORT ST. LUCIE OR BUST!

 

South bound on I-95 - Loaded up and truckin'.  The Mets are gonna try and do what many say can't be done.  They got a long way to go, and a short time to get there....

 

Hey Mr. Met, ya got your ears on?  Just keep an eye out for them smokies.  Out!..

 

 

Spring Training 2013:

Mets Year Fifty Two of the Amazin' Era

 

I - Behind the Plate


The Mets appear to have rectified their catching situation via a motivated buyer in the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Jays clearly feel the A.L. East can be had, and are sparing no expense to ensure they remain in contention for a division title.  As such, bye bye Josh Thole - Hello Travis D'Arnaud.  He was the main component in the R.A. Dickey deal.  Travis may not break camp and head north with the big club.  But as they say in the business, he is a blue chipper who will arrive in Flushing shortly.  Lingering knee worries dating back to June 2012 seem safely behind him now.  With any luck, all that remains for d'Arnaud is to spend some time at Las Vegas, then fulfill his promise upon arrival in Queens.  Simple....right?
 

 

Travis d'Arnaud was a #1 selection in 2007 by the Phillies.  He immediately became the Mets #1 organizational prospect upon arrival from Toronto.  In pre-2012 rankings, Baseball America had him ranked #17 on their top prospects list.  Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com currently ranks Travis d'Arnaud the #6 prospect in baseball.  Over the last two seasons Travis has shown promises of power.  With 424 at-bats at AA-New Hampshire in 2011, he batted .311, stroked 21 home runs, and posted a .542 slugging mark.  With 279 at-bats in 2012 at AAA-Las Vegas, Travis batted .333, hit 16 home runs, and slugged at a .595 clip before having his season cut short by a knee injury.  Keep in mind however, many consider the Pacific Coast League to be a very hitting friendly circuit.
 

 

Sandy Alderson's plan however seems to be starting the season with John Buck behind the plate.  Perhaps not so much in hitting average, Buck will be an appreciable improvement over Josh Thole with a bat.  John Buck, a nine year veteran also acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade, can hit with some power and can contribute some needed production towards the bottom of the order.


Backing up John Buck will most likely be Anthony Recker.  The Mets claimed him of waivers last year from the Cubs.  He is twenty-nine years old with twenty seven major league games under his belt.  Non-roster invitees Landon Powell and Juan Centeno will be in camp competing for a back-up role as well.  Oakland selected Powell in the first round of the 2004 June draft.  Last season he was granted free agency by Houston.  Sandy Alderson signed him last month.  Juan Centeno (23 yrs old) is a six year minor league veteran of the Mets system.  In 281 at-bats at Binghamton last season, he batted for a .285 average.


II - The Starting Rotation


Farewell R.A. Dickey and Mike Pelfrey.  It's time to move on now.

 

Bienvenidos to Johan Santana's swan song.  It is really a shame to talk about Johan in the following regard, but with Johan's 2013 total compensation amounting to roughly $31 million bucks, and taking up a disproportionate 33% (+/-) of the payroll pie, the Mets can't wait to see him go.  I reckon in order to trade Johan and attempt to receive a respectable return, the Mets would have to pick-up at least twenty three to twenty five million dollars of his 2013 salary.  If the Mets can get another team to pick up any portion of his salary at all, they should seriously consider a move.  Hell, they should even consider eating the whole check.  Anyway you look at it, the money is already spent.  So why not try and realize a return for Johan.  Within the context of the Mets continuing rebuilding effort, an overwhelming package of prospects isn't really necessary.  Teams recognize the Mets potential motivation to trade Johan.  So if they can get some solid talent in return, the venture would be worth the effort.  Then who knows.  If Johan proves worthy prior to the trade deadline, a motivated contender just might be willing to pony up a small yet premium package for his services.


This is the man who kept the Mets playoff hopes alive as 2008 wound down to the last two crucial games of the regular season.  Under do or die circumstances, Johan pitched a three hit shutout on three days rest over the Florida Marlins.  The Mets hopes of returning to the playoffs then ended however with Tom Glavine's next start and subsequent self-implosion.  The Mets would never again contend for the remainder of Johan's contract.  Of course, Johan Santana will forever be known around Flushing as the pitcher who threw the club's first ever no-hit game.  Most Mets fans will agree with me, that we are happy someone of his stature finally got it done.


However, don't go patting yourselves on the back just yet Mets fans.  You booed him in his first ever start at Shea Stadium during a loss to Ben Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers - Ponderous in a season he won his third ERA title.  When he takes the mound for the first time this season, make sure and do the right thing.  If it's Opening Day, even better.  Let him feel your appreciation right off the bat, in what will be an uncomfortable season of saying good-bye.


Over his Mets career, Johan has been hobbled by knee problems, and sidelined with shoulder issues.  In his return last year, Johan was hittable by his standards, and maintained an un-Santana like 4.85 ERA until his season was prematurely ended by fatigue.  Additionally, Johan's walks were up considerably as well.  His strikeouts however were right on point.  He is now making a second attempt to pitch in his first full campaign since the 2010 season in which he logged 199 innings in twenty nine starts.  With any appreciable return to form, the Mets can reasonably get fourteen wins out of him.  And even if he only brings his ERA down to his career average of 3.20, that would be a major improvement over last season.


If Jon Niese continues to progress as he has, the 2013 season could turn into a breakout year for the Mets lefty.  The Amazin's would be helped immeasurably if Jon Niese can step his game up, and grab the reigns of the starting rotation.  Once Johan Santana departs the team, the Mets rotation will be largely populated by young, and relatively inexperienced pitchers.  Jon Niese seems like the perfect guy right now, to lead the likes of Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and hopefully soon, Zach Wheeler, into the 2014 season.


Dillon Gee appears to be all systems go after surgery to remove a blood clot from his pitching shoulder last year.  All is not perfect however.  He is still susceptible to numbness in his fingertips during cold weather.  Can Dillon regain his old form so soon after surgery?  He no doubt has a big test ahead of him.  He began light throwing two weeks ago.  All I can say is everyone will be monitoring Dillon Gee's Spring Training very closely, and with great anxiety.


Sandy Alderson said Matt Harvey will be entering the 2013 season with no pitch restrictions placed upon him.  He is a free range hurler now.  This kid seemingly has it all - the skill, demeanor, and fortitude of a winner.  This will be his first full major league season, and as a fan, I can't wait.  But as such, he'll be graded on a curve.  However, there's no denying after last year's arrival in Flushing, the anticipation of his potential has excited all Mets fans.  In ten starts, he averaged ten strikeouts per nine innings pitched, and limited opposing hitters to 6.4 hits per nine.  He hit three batters which is okay by me too.  In 59.1 innings pitched, he posted a 2.73 era.  If he can bring his walks down, who knows what he can achieve.


The biggest question Mets fans want answered is - When is Zach Wheeler getting here?  Patience Mets fans; patience.  Haste makes waste.  Zach spent most of his 2012 season at Binghamton, then made six appearances at Buffalo:

BINGHAMTON:
Games - 19
Record - 10-6
ERA - 3.26
Innings - 116
Hits - 92
Walks - 43
Strikeouts - 117
WHiP - 1.164
Hits/9 - 7.1
Walks/9 - 3.3
Strikeouts/9 - 9.1

BUFFALO:
Games - 6
Record - 2-2
ERA - 3.27
Innings - 33
Hits - 23
Walks - 16
Strikeouts - 31
WHiP - 1.182
Hits/9 - 6.3
Walks/9 - 4.4
Strikeouts/9 - 8.5


Zach Wheeler clearly needs to bring his bases on balls down a bit.  Otherwise he seems on the right path towards a Flushing debut.  But after starting the season at Las Vegas first.  How long that lasts seems totally up to Zach Wheeler.  The newest member of the starting rotation is Shaun Marcum.  He'll be the Mets fifth starter.  If Zach Wheeler excels at AAA and warrants a promotion, either Marcum or Dillon Gee seem the likely candidates to surrender their turns in the rotation.


By the time Frank Francisco went down with an injury and the Mets started their July swoon, three members of the Opening Day starting rotation were out of commission.  Only Dickey and Jon Niese made it till the end.  But while the rotation stayed strong over the first three months of the season, so stayed the Mets.  As was the case in 2012, health therefore seems to be the determining factor for success in 2013, or not.  The starting rotation and the infield are the team's strengths in that order.  Perhaps offensively, the line-up can provide a little more than they did last season, and give these guys some runs to work with.


Up Next  -  THE BULLPEN.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets: That Nasty Four Letter Word - Cash

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  If Cash Is King, The Mets Are Pawns.  The 2013 Payroll Is Slated To Remain The Same.

Let's deal with Adam Rubin's story regarding the Mets 2013 payroll not straying much higher from this season's $90 million dollar figure.  The old reliable, yet infamous "baseball source" informed ESPNNewYork of next season's potential parameters on spending.



If we toy with the potential $10 to $15 million dollars (max), the article suggests the Mets will have to spend on acquisitions for next season, the first question we should ask is, should the team spend it on the outfield, or the bullpen?  It is very unlikely Sandy Alderson will be able to address both.  As the Mets at least have some questionable, along with some hopeful, in-house options to temporarily fill slots in the outfield with, it is more likely Sandy will take his allowance and concentrate on the bullpen.



With that kind of money, the Mets might be able to squeeze one somewhat good reliever, and maybe a second live body for the bullpen, in moves very similar to the discount shopping Sandy went on last season by buying two arms, and trading for another.  In the outfield, if the Mets want a player who'll have a relatively high-end impact, it may cost them most of their stack, save a few bucks left over for a bench player.  If $10 to $15 million is indeed what they are realistically working with, then the Mets options are clearly limited.



If your thinking is, the Mets are still a rebuilding team, then the dollar figure shouldn't be too concerning.  The Mets are still not in a position to bring in high end free agents until they figure out which players of this current crop, will be the ones the organization ultimately decides to build around.  Pitching prospects withstanding, and maybe save two players, (i.e. Ruben Tejada, and Ike Davis) that list of players is far from certain.  What we thought of some players back in May, we may not necessarily be thinking at present.  So organizational money woes withstanding, the team has no business spending big bucks anyway.  Unwise spending is partly to blame for the team's current condition in the first place.



With spending money clearly not high on the list of things to do, it stands to reason the Mets continue to realize the contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana are impediments to any real roster  maneuvering or improvement.  As Adam Ruben's article points out, between the two players, that's $50 millions dollars right there.  And that simply will not due.  It wasn't too long ago, the Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers found themselves in similar situations involving onerous contracts and immovable players as a result.  The Colorado Rockies ate a ridiculous portion of Mike Hampton's  contract just to free themselves of him.  The Texas Rangers did likewise to rid themselves of Alex Rodriguez.  In both cases, by eating substantial amounts of money, they actually saved money, and regained exponential amounts of operational flexibility.  Within a short time of jettisoning both players and wisely utilizing their flexibility, both teams, respectively, worked their way into the World Series.



I'm not saying it would be feasible in the Mets situation to eat both contracts.  Clearly, there is still hope to recoup value out of Johan Santana.  But retiring the debt on Jason Bay should seriously be considered this off-season.



With no real money coming off next year's payroll to speak of, and the Mets alleged operating parameters staying relatively the same, I'm also compelled to read between the lines and ponder whether the Mets have any intention of extending David Wright over the winter.  As I have always maintained, the Wilpons should already know whether or not they will be committing long term to David Wright.  If all the club does is pick up next season's option, how telling will that be?



The owners are clearly still operating under dire, however stabilized, financial constraints which were well expected to bleed into the 2013 season.  Prepared or not, this news still adds to a fan base's dismay, and leaves them a little lacking in the excitement department, knowing next season is indeed set-up to play out much the same way this season has.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Amazins' Need Niese to be a Stopper Tonight

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:   Jon Niese is on His Own on This One.


After getting swept by the Braves, and in seeming free-fall after four consecutive losses, the Mets could really use a win in Game One against Washington tonight.  More importantly, the Mets need a stopper; someone to break this funk; before they spiral out of control, and fall from contention.


Once again, it is incumbent upon Jon Niese to be that pitcher.  I also believe there is no contention without consistently strong efforts by the lefty down the stretch.  There is no R.A. Dickey and Johan Santana for this series.  So, Jon Niese needs to start rising up on these occasions.  Our pitching prospects for the rest of the series against the Nationals are sketchy, and iffy at best.  That's why he has to give the Mets something to move forward with in tonight's start.


The Mets are 3-7 in their last ten games.  That covers the month of July.  Not only is this by far their worst month of the season, but they just got swept, and they are win-less in the second half.  So it is clear, the Mets need a change of fortune.  They are also trying to fight off the stigma of a recent history of mid-summer tailspins.  The Mets have been this good, this late before, only to stumble miserably for a myriad of reasons down the stretch.  Tonight might be a lot to put on Jon Niese's left arm.  But the good pitchers win these games.


If not, and the team continues to falter, Met fans may not get what they want at the trade deadline.  Then again, they may not get what they want even if Niese does win this game.  Jon Niese and the Mets can only do one thing to affect that, and influence the General Manager - Win.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Lack of Power is a Small Problem for Terry's Kids

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:   Amazins' Bats Sending Sandy Alderson a Message - We Don't Need Any Help.  Get Pitching!


Despite two consecutive losses to the Braves, the Mets' bats are making a strong case for Sandy Alderson to address other areas of the team, rather than looking for another bat to enhance the Mets' line-up, and possibly upgrade their lack of power.


For the sake of this post, let's still call this the half-way point and project the numbers forward.  After eighty-eight games played this season, and with Ike Davis and Daniel Murphy beginning to peculate, the Mets can potentially have four batters breaking the ninety RBI mark, and can possibly have three players break one-hundred RBI this season.  That may be generous of me to say.  But the chances none-the-less exist.


Daniel Murphy appeared to be coming out his malaise prior to the break.  The hope is he can pick up where he left off.  But in the first two games back, he is batting one for ten.  As the trade deadline approaches, his production will warrant monitoring.  But there's still an awful lot of upside to his bat.  With only three home runs to his credit, he remarkably has driven in forty-three runs on the strength of twenty-three doubles, and a current .289 batting average; which is up from a low of .271 not too long ago.  If his batting average climbs back up to his standard, his RBI should accumulate commensurately.


Lucas Duda's biggest problem is he doesn't have a right-handed bat protecting him in the line-up.  Otherwise, he's quite adept at stroking the ball the other way against lefties, and pulling the righties.  He is struggling with a .246 batting average because pitchers have no reason to give him anything to hit.  Lucas has still clubbed twelve home runs this season, with forty-four RBI so far.  We shouldn't get too down on Lucas.  A bat behind him would help his game immeasurably.  If Jason Bay comes back and at least represents himself, Lucas will benefit.  And lest we forget he's a first baseman playing right field.  So defensively, I cut him a little more slack.


The power switch on Ike Davis has been flicked on.  After struggling horribly below the Mario Mendoza line, and faced with potentially being sent down to Buffalo during the Spring months, Ike Davis has finally tapped into his home run swing, and is having a robust summer.  He is now the second Mets player to reach fifty RBI this season, and currently leads the team in home runs with thirteen.  His .207 average at the moment, is fast becoming a phantom stat.  Ike is on the rise.


And then there is the Mets MVP candidate; David Wright.  He batted above the .400 mark for a substantial portion of the early season.  He currently sits at .347 because he went 0 for 5 Saturday.  Otherwise, he entered the game against the Braves with a .353 average.  He is actually fourth on the team with eleven home runs.  But he is number one on the Mets with fifty-nine RBI, which also ties him for fifth in the National League.


If this all doesn't seem earth shattering to you, then consider this.  For all the talk of the Mets' lack of power, they still produce runs at a surprising clip.  As a matter of fact, the Mets top four run producers drive in more runs than the top four RBI men of all their division rivals.


In Washington, the top four RBI men are Adam LaRoche (53); Ian Desmond (52); Ryan Zimmerman (42); and Bryce Harper with 25 RBI.  That's a total of 172 RBI.


In Atlanta, the top four RBI men are Freddie Freeman (51); Brian McCann (46); Dan Uggla (46); and Jason Heyward with 43 RBI.  That's a total of 186 RBI.


In Miami, the top four RBI men are Giancarlo Stanton (50); Hanley Ramirez (44); Logan Morrison (36); and Omar Infante with 30 RBI.


The book is out on Philadelphia because of lengthy injuries to Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard.


Here are the Mets' numbers:

Daniel Murphy - 86 games; 23 doubles; 3 home runs; 43 rbi.
David Wright - 84 games; 28 doubles; 11 home runs; 59 rbi.
Ike Davis - 83 games; 15 doubles; 13 home runs; 50 rbi.
Lucas Duda - 85 games; 9 doubles; 12 home runs; 44 rbi.


The Mets top four RBI men have driven in 196 runs this season, for tops in the division.  Like Atlanta, they have four players above forty.  But the Mets are the only team with two players above fifty RBI.


Of the blocs of four players mentioned, the Marlins have totalled seventy-four doubles; Washington seventy-seven doubles; and Atlanta sixty doubles.  The Mets big four come in at sixty-seven doubles.  However, the Mets rank number three overall in the National League.  While the Mets still lack significant power, and only rank twelfth in the senior circuit, they are #1 in walks; #4 in total hits; #3 in OBP; and sport the National League's #7 team batting average.


These are things to consider as the trade deadline draws closer.  Perhaps when prioritizing the Mets' needs, a right-handed hitter should, or could, be lower on the list.  The Mets bats seem very capable of holding their own, all be it in their own special way.  But a right-handed bat, like I said, would benefit Lucas Duda most.


With a lack of power/slugging seemingly, and somewhat dispelled, I'd make acquiring pitching the Mets priority moving forward.  If Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, and Jon Niese, can combine to form a formidable trio over the next two weeks, then for sure, the Mets top priority should be to address the bullpen as the trade deadline approaches.  For now though, the club waits on Frank Francisco, and Jenrry Mejia for reinforcement.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ One Amazin' Win Away From Silencing Doubters

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  Pitching Continues to be Amazin!

Mets One Game Away From Proving Their Nay-Sayers Wrong

It took R.A. Dickey all of two hours and seven minutes to dispatch the Orioles.  Monday's game was his ninth straight win, and eleventh of the season, which leads the Major Leagues. Overall this season, the Mets' starter is pitching at historic levels; not just by Mets standards, but in Major League history.  Back-to-back one hitters isn't exactly Johnny Vander Meer like.  But R.A. Dickey's last two efforts are about as close as we'll get in my, or our, lifetime, to accomplishing that age old feat.


In his last two starts, he has thrown eighteen innings, allowed two hits, walked two, and struck out twenty-five batters.  Monday night, he struck out thirteen Orioles to set a new career best.  Monday marked the fourth time this season R.A. has stuck out double digit batters.  He now leads the National League with 103 K's.  R.A. also leads the National League with an even 2.00 ERA.


In his last nine starts, he failed to pitch beyond the sixth inning only twice.  And the most remarkable statistic during R.A. Dickey's stretch, would be his 42.2 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run.  Since breaking Jerry Koosman's club mark earlier this month, only one unearned run has been scored against him.


This pitching run is being spoken about in the same conversations, not only along with the previously mentioned Johnny Vander Meer, but along with the Mets' very own Dwight Gooden of 1985, Fernando Valenzuela of 1981, and Mark Fydrich's 1976 season.  I've witnessed all three of those seasons.  And so far, R.A. Dickey's run most definitely compares favorably with those.  What makes Dickey's campaign even more remarkable, is that he is a knuckle ball specialist, who throws his  specialty pitch with control, and with a certain degree of power.  In that respect, he's one of the most unique knuckle ball pitchers in history.


As far as the game itself, Monday's game was won on the strength of Dickey's arm, but more importantly, victory came off the bat of Ike Davis, who connected on the first grand slam home run of his career.


In Tuesday's affair, Lucas Duda supplied the power.  His two run home run in the sixth inning was Duda's eleventh, which came along with his forty-first, and forty-second, RBI of the season.  Jordany Valdespin had himself a nice game, going 2 for 4, with two RBI.


Johan Santana pitched six innings and earned his fifth win of the season.  He allowed four hits, walked two, while striking out five.  Of greater noting, Johan, Bobby Parnell, Miguel Batista, and Jon Rauch, combined on the Mets' eighth shut-out of the season, which leads Baseball.


More important than just the last two games, Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey have established themselves as the most lethal starting duo in the division; if not the National League.  That's not a stretch considering the Washington Nationals have let it be known, they will be shutting down Stephen Strasburg at some point this season.  In the mean time, between them, R.A. and Johan have pitched four complete game shutouts this month, while accumulating six wins.


Johan Santana and R.A. Dickey have now provided an answer to getting swept by the Reds.  The Mets are now 9-9 over this stretch against above .500 teams which started back against the Cardinals; the series in which Johan Santana authored the Club's first no-hitter in history.  Wednesday, the Mets will attempt to sweep the Birds with Dillon Gee, and improve their record to a game over .500 for the stretch.  It might just be the difference of one game, but should they pull off a victory in game three of this series, the narrative on the New York Mets' season deserves to change dramatically, for they continue to AMAZE.  If you remember, this was the stretch many in the media said the Mets would be lucky to end with a .500 record.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Subway Series; A Bronx Fail

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

YANKEES WIN SUBWAY SERIES - I

Old School Mural ~ Williamsburg

YANKEES WIN SERIES 3-0 

I  -  NYY 9; NYM 1

II  -  NYY 4; NYM 3

III  -  NYY 5; NYM 4

Mets Suffer A Bronx Beat-Down

"The Yankees draw Johan Santana tonight in his first game since tossing a no-hitter at Citi Field. Johan has now tossed two consecutive complete game victories. After tossing 134 pitches during his no-no, tonight we'll see the effects of him either over extending himself last time out, or whether giving Johan extra time off between starts was beneficial, or leaves him flat."  -  That's what I said Friday prior to Game One.

If I didn't come right out and say it, I certainly sensed it.  Johan Santana's start was going to be a bomb.  We all know what happened FRIDAY.  I'm not saying I'm smart.  I'm just saying, that's Baseball.  That's the way pitchers go in the modern age.  There is a very fine line to walk between managing muscle recovery, and foiling muscle memory.  The Mets toyed with both, but are not to be blamed.  Throwing no-hittters are an exception to the rule of traditional in-game management.  Post game management, in this case, the decision to give Johan extra rest, was probably necessary, but it's also called biting the bullet for such occasions as Johan's 134 pitch gem.  In Game One, he only walked one, and struck out five Yankees.  So control wasn't the issue.  He was flat, and hittable, as evidenced by six hits, but four home runs allowed, in five innings.  Three of those came back, to back, to back.  As Mets fans, it is just a game we have to ignore.

What I'm not OK with, was the offensive rigamortis that set in against Hiroki Kuroda.  Thank you Omar Quintanilla for breaking up a potential no-hitter in the sixth.  Kuroda struck out seven Mets in the process.  Only Lucas Duda continued his steady hitting, finally connecting for a double in the ninth to score Quintanilla, and ruining the Yankees' shut-out.  But that's all the Mets would get; two hits and one run.

The other point of contention would be the performance of Elvin Ramirez.  All three of his appearances so far, have gone very wrong since his call-up from Buffalo.  He dazzled in eight appearances in Binghampton, and then ten more with the Bisons this season before Sandy Alderson summoned him up to the big club.  Since arriving, the twenty-four year old has fizzled miserably.



SATURDAY'S GAME was lost on two pitches.  Dillon Gee served-up a home run pitch to Mark Teixeira; a little payback for getting plunked by Gee in the first; and Bobby Parnell issued one to Curtis Grandrson.  As number four starters go, Gee and Phil Hughes actually engaged in a nice pitching duel through the first five innings.  But Hughes had a better sixth inning.  And well, there ya go.  Game Two went to the Yankees again.

The Mets actually out-hit the Yankees eight to six.  And David Wright and Omar Quintanilla both homered for the Amazins.  But when you cancel out the four combined home runs hit in this game, Alex Rodriguez' RBI single to drive in Derek Jeter was the difference.  It gave the Yankees a first inning lead that had strong enough legs to allow the Bomber's bullpen a chance at finishing off the Mets over the final 2.2 innings.

Saturday's was a decent start for Dillon Gee, and as with several of his other previous starts, he certainly could have used more help.



SUNDAY, the Mets set about trying to gain victory in the final game of this series by scoring early off Andy Pettitte.  Vinny Rottino had an RBI single, and Jordany Valdespin doubled home two more, for a three run second inning.  The Mets left the bases loaded however, as Andy struck out Jason Bay and David Wright consecutively, to end the Amazin's threat.

Jon Niese cruised through the first five innings.  In the sixth he got into trouble.  Derek Jeter led off by beating out an infield hit, and Granderson followed with a single.  Teixeira then grounded into a fielder's choice, on a nice play by Valdespin at short.  With runners now on first and third, and one out, up came Alex Rodriguez to face Jon Niese.  The Mets' starter escaped the inning when he got A-Rod to ground into an inning ending double play.

Andy Pettitte fielded a come-backer in the sixth with his bare pitching hand, but stayed in and completed the frame.  However, he did not return to the mound for the seventh.  Andy was clearly feeling discomfort in his hand, and gave way to Pinstripe neophyte, Clay Rapada.

Jon Niese came out for his half of the seventh, and immediately gave up a lead-off single to Robinson Cano.  The Mets then went around the horn on Nick Swisher's grounder to Wright, and turned their second double-play in two innings for a quick two outs.  An E-5 allowed Andrew Jones to reach first when Vinny Rottino, playing first base for Ike Davis, couldn't dig a ball out of the dirt.  So naturally, with two outs, Russell Martin lined a short Yankee-Porch home run to right to bring the Yankees within a run.

After getting the third out, Jon Niese's afternoon was through.  He pitched seven full innings, gave up seven hits and one walk.  He allowed two runs, but both were unearned.  Jon struck out six and threw exactly 100 pitches.

In came Bobby Parnell for the eighth.  His first batter was Derek Jeter, who topped a bouncer to short. Quintanilla misplayed the hop, and Derek Jeter advanced to second as the ball dribbled away.  Curtis Granderson singled to left and Jeter got held up at third.  Up came Teixeira, who singled in Jeter to tie the game at three.  And there went Jon Niese's start.

Alex Rodriguez took his turn against Parnell and popped a ball up that fell between Ike Davis (in as a defensive replacement), Jordany Valdespin from second base, and Scott Hairston coming from right.  Granderson scored.  There went the Mets' lead, and off went Bobby Parnell to the showers, without so much as retiring a batter.

Tim Byrdak was summoned, and set down the next two Yankees in order.  Then Coach Collins made another move for Jon Rauch, who struck out Raul Ibanez to end the inning.

In the Mets' ninth, they faced de-facto closer, Rafael Soriano.  Lucas Duda led off, and unleashed a laser to center and over Granderson's head for a double.  Then up came Ike Davis for the first time in the game, and promptly mashed a double to right center, delivering Duda for a tie game.  Quintanilla hit a grounder to short, that Ike Davis tried advancing to third on, and was thrown out.

Daniel Murphy batted with Quintanilla on first.  On a 3-2 pitch, Murphy pulled a pitch between first and second, putting Quintanilla on third, which spelled the end of Rafael Soriano's day.  Joe Girardi then called upon his fourth reliever of the afternoon, Boone Logan to put a stop to the Mets' rally.  He'd face Josh Thole, who was sent up as a pinch-hitter with one out, and the go ahead runner at third. In a little catcher-on-catcher crime, Josh fouled one off Russell Martin's mask, then got JOBBED on a called strike three a few pitches later!  Rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis then stepped up and grounded out to Cano for the third out.

In the bottom of the ninth, lead-off batter, Russell Martin, launched a Jon Rauch slider deep, about eight rows back into the left field seats, for his second home run of the afternoon, a walk-off win, and a Yankees' sweep of the Mets in the Bronx.

Thuugh Mets lose.  Thuu-uugh, Mets Lose.  Why you ask?  An E-5 and an E-6 will go down as the Mets' ruin in Game Three.



The Mets lost this series in a near no-hitter/slash/blow-out, two ill-fated pitches in Game Two, and two killer errors.  Everything else is academic. All except the prodigious number of home runs the Yankees hit, compared to the Mets, that is.  For every home run the Mets hit this series, the Yankees hit four.  More about that..., later.

Drive safely.  Pay attention to the signs on your way home.

*Grand St. Graffiti - Old School Mural - W'burg, B'klyn
Mike.BTB

SUBWAY SERIES ~ Battle In The Bronx - I

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

2012

New York City

SUBWAY SERIES

BATTLE IN THE BRONX

GAME ONE

NEW YORK METS

32-26  .552

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

31-25  .554

From

THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT

161st Street and River Avenue

BRONX

Bronx Bombers:  Derek Jeter Continues Along a Very Straight Line.

After fifty-five games this season, Derek Jeter is tied for the American League lead in hits with seventy-five.  That makes a total of 3,163 for his career and still climbing.  Twenty-one more will tie him with Cal Ripken for 13th all-time.

Derek Jeter is currently batting .319 this season.  That has neither enhanced nor decreased from the .313 career batting average he came into the 2012 season with.  However, he ended 2010 with a .314 batting average.

Derek Jeter started this season so unlike the manner in which he started last season, when so many wanted to write him off.  But Jeter gathered himself, and finished the 2011 season strong.  I just want him to protect his career .300 batting average.  He has two years left on his deal after this season.  I just hope he doesn't ruin it.  I wrote about this before in, Derek Jeter's Rectangular Cardboard Player Summary

Andy Pettitte:  The Swan Song.

Based on the way he is pitching this season, if Andy hadn't taken last season off, we might be having a very, very different conversation regarding Andy Pettitte's Hall of Fame credentials; very different indeed from the conversations that have already circulated over the last two season's of his career.

He now stands at three wins, with a week shy of four months left in the 2012 season.  Since his rookie season in 1995, Andy Pettitte has failed to achieve double-digit wins only once over his entire career.  In 2004 with Houston, Andy only managed to win six games while battling an injury.  He has double digit wins in every one of his seasons as a Yankee starting pitcher.  On the other side of his ledger, Andy has suffered two losses so far this season.  He has incurred double-digit losses over his career a mere five times.  Only two of those seasons came during his five prior campaigns.

NEW YORK METS:  Lucas Duda Is Cranking Up The Power.

The Dude is heating up.  Over the last week, Lucas Duda has wracked up nine RBI, and three home runs, while batting .299 over his last seven games.  He has five home runs in his last ten games. His ten home runs and thirty-five RBI lead the team.  As a matter of fact, half his RBI this season have come within the last ten days.  His six game hitting streak was stopped by Washington on Wednesday evening.  But he came back to go 2 for 4 in Thursday's game.

DH Jason Bay = Don't Hit; Not At Kirk Nieuwenhuis' Expense!

With the return of Jason Bay to active duty (maybe...), the Subway Series only offers the Mets a temporary solution to their suddenly crowded outfield situation.  Playing in Yankee Stadium gives the Mets an opportunity to utilize Bay as the DH, and ease him back into action.  But many, if not most fans, are against taking playing time away from Kirk Nieuwenhuis in order to fit Jason Bay in again. 

Demoting Ike Davis to AAA-Buffalo, and thereby creating room for Bay that way, is not exactly the ideal scenario either.  Plain and simple, we need Ike, and we need him soon.  But Jason Bay clearly represents a far costlier dilemma for this team.  And I'm hoping, like with many matters so far regarding Sandy Alderson's handling's, I hope the Mets do not base Jason Bay's playing time according to his salary.  If he warrants sitting, so be it.  If his play warrants more innings, again, so be it then.  But at this point, there is no reasonable justification to stifle Kirk Neiwenhuis' season now - not the way Kirk continues to play since being called up.

The Yankees draw Johan Santana tonight in his first game since tossing a no-hitter at Citi Field.  Johan has now tossed two consecutive complete game victories.  After tossing 134 pitches during his no-no, tonight we'll see the effects of him either over extending himself last time out, or whether giving Johan extra time off between starts was beneficial, or leaves him flat.

LET'S GO METS!

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ It's High Time To Upgrade Your Opinion of Josh Thole

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

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

N.Y. Mets ~ Johan Santana Pitches Mets First Ever No-Hitter

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:   FINALLY!

JOHAN SANTANA

TOSSES METS FIRST EVER
NO-HITTER!

It came, finally, in the Mets' 50th Anniversary season.  It happened 8,019 games after they played their first ever game, in their first ever season at the old Polo Grounds.  It happened roughly 7,700 games after they played their first game at Shea Stadium.  For me personally, it came somewhere around my 6,200th game as an astute Mets fan.  But come it did, finally, in the Mets fourth season on the grounds of Citi Field; their newest home.


The Roosevelt Avenue Nine, and Johan Santana, together achieved what no pitcher in Met history has ever accomplished before - throwing a no hitter.  The latter portion of the game was ripping at Terry Collin's sensibilities as a responsible manager.  Johan's pitch count was creeping up on his career high levels.  He already walked five batters heading into those late innings.  The obvious problem looming like an 800 pound gorilla in the dugout was this was Johan's first season back from major shoulder surgery, and more specifically, this was only his eleventh start since the 2010 season.  Heading into the eighth inning, he was already over 100 pitches.  At one point, Coach Terry ran out to the mound to speak with his starter after Johan released a pitch high and away.  Coach then promptly ran back into the dugout, apparently reassured by his "hero", as Johan Santana later revealed was the way Coach Terry referred to him during the game.


This was Johan Santana's second consecutive complete game shut-out victory.  But obviously this win was a vastly more majestic effort authored by one of the true pitching titans of 21st Century baseball.

Johan Santana's Line ~ June 1, 2012

9 Innings - 0 Hits - 0 Runs - 5 Walks - 8 Strikeouts - 134 Pitches*

* Career High

There have been six no-hitters thrown against the Mets.  And an astonishing thirteen former Mets have pitched no-hitters elsewhere. For the Mets' part, they've thrown thirty-five one-hitters in their history.  Now, finally Flushing, we have our first.  A representative crowd of twenty-seven thousand and sixty-nine people trekked out to Citi Field this Friday night and were treated to history.  And to think, I contemplated being a walk up for the game tonight.  But you'll get no tears over spilt milk from me; only tears of joy and champagne in my eyes.  I watched on TV, and what a great night it was.

For my fellow Mets fans who date back to the pre-Tom Seaver trade, congratulations to you, and to us all.  And to the rest of my fellow Mets fans, congratulations to you, and us, just the same.  At this point, the last five years in Flushing are an era that binds no matter how old we are.

Coming off pitching a complete game shutout against the Padres in his last start, I still do not think anyone saw this coming.  If anything, any recent speculation as to who could and might pitch the first Mets' no-no leaned towards R.A. Dickey.  If you weren't aware, while pitching for Buffalo before Dickey's promotion to Queens, there was a game in which he allowed the lead-off man to get on, then proceeded to retire the next twenty-seven batters he faced; perfectly I might add.

As Johan's game gets recorded in the annals of baseball, the Mets' first no-hitter was ultimately thrown by a pitcher with stature.  It wasn't Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Doc Gooden, David Cone, et al.  But Met History wasn't created Friday night by a transient pitcher either.  Johan Santana turned in this gem.  And Johan Santana's is as formidable a name as you'd want associated with the Mets, and with regards to all-time performances.

The Mets' 3,840th win in their history came in historic fashion.  But it did not come without a price.  Mike Baxter rammed his shoulder into the left field wall retrieving a fly that threatened Johan's no hit effort.  Baxter made a fine, yet difficult play, but was forced to leave the game, just adding to the growing list of Mets' casualties.

However, unlike so many other of Johan's starting efforts, this game came with plenty of offensive support.  The Mets put Johan ahead by two in the fourth.  Then up by five runs after six.  And up by eight runs after seven.

Lucas Duda is now wielding a hot bat.  He hit his third home run in the last two games, and resumes the team lead.  He also had four RBI on the night.  Daniel Murphy was 2 for 4, with three RBI.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis was 2 for 3, with three runs scored, and has his batting average back over .300 again.  And then, get this - the unteenth sub to fill in at shortstop this season, Omar Quintanilla; was 2 for 4, and is off to batting at a .417 clip.

This Friday night affair came against Adam Wainwright; the man who threw the curve ball which ended the Mets' 2006 dream.  This game came against Carlos Beltran, who is now leading the Cardinals, and is among National League leaders in a few offensive categories, and who incidentally was the beleaguered former all-star Mets center fielder, who in 2006, was the one at bat and watched Adam Wainwright's curve ball drop in for strike three.  This game also comes after a scheduled day off on Thursday, before the team embarks on a twenty game stretch against above .500 teams.

Unlike the Mets' effort against the Phillies, Johan Santana showed his team how to seize the moment.  On a team filled with so many young players; home grown players; that can tend to dominate fan affections; Johan Santana came from places elsewhere which makes it a little harder to win those same fan affections.  Justask Carlos Beltran.  Till this day, I am still embarrassed FOR my fellow Mets fan, regarding those who booed Johan Santana during his first ever start at Shea Stadium against Ben Sheets, and the Brewers.  I said it then, and I'll say it again now - Shame on you!  Shame on all of you who booed him that day.  The simple fact that game was his first day pitching in front his new home crowd, and that we greeted him that way, astonished me!  But then again, as a New Yorker, I wasn't surprised.  Just embarrassed!

On June 1, 2012, Johan just etched his name onto the stone Doric column permanently listing the Mets of Forever.

Met fans, we have our No-Hitter!

Mike.BTB

N.Y.Mets ~ Amazins Taking Care of Other Philly Team

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:   Bats Pop "Clutch" in Ninth Inning.  Win Second Straight Over Phillies.


No, these aren't the Phillies we're used to seeing.  But beating anyone in a Phillies uniform is always good.  Especially the way the Mets have taken care of the Phils over the first two games of this series.  Filling in for injured Ruben Tejada Monday, Jordany Valdespin's first ever MLB hit was a game deciding home run off Jon Papelbon.  With the way Tuesday's game transpired replete with fielding misplays and errant throws on Philly's part, it looked more like the sort of game we would have lost two years ago.

Miguel Batista..., I know.  But what a job turned in by the much maligned bullpen - 4.2 innings, no runs, and only two hits allowed.  This bullpen lives a precarious existence, but when you look at them, when they've been needed to come through most (sigh), they have. Tuesday marked the second straight night they put the Phillies to bed in convincing fashion.

If you remember, the starting rotation's third time around the loop was a complete fail.  So when you weed out the extraneous stuff, the bullpen is doin' OK, and the Mets are now four games over the .500 mark.  The starting pitching has been consistent, even though they will be pressed with out Pelfry.  And the bullpen is....the bullpen.  Both units haven't really synced up yet.  But when they both hit it off well on the same night, the Mets look really sharp.

Lucas Duda was 2 for 4 Tuesday.  Every time I see him hit one up the middle or go the other way, I want to do cartwheels.  By June, this kid is going to be just fine.  In the absence of Jason Bay, I guess there's room in the outfield for Andres Torres and Kirk Neiuwenhuis after all.  And together, they killed at the top of the line-up, going 4 for 8 and four runs scored.  As a matter of fact, the Mets first four hitters in the line-up all had multiple hits.  The next hitter, Daniel Murphy, would have usually been a lock to make five.

And then..., there's Ike Davis.  He took the collar Tuesday going 0 for 4 on the night.  I still have no doubt he'll turn things around by summer time.  And when he does, if the pitching holds up? - how can you not envision competitive divisional play?

With the way Johan, Dickey, and Niese have been pitching?  They can grow into an in-season big three rivaling those of the National League.  Of course, a only healthy Johan Santana makes that possible.  And Dillon Gee still gives us more depth at the four than most of our competitors have.

Just remember what I always say - You can't win pennants in April, but you can lose them in April.  And the Mets did well to make April a pretty good month when compared to last season.  A good April start guarantees nothing.  But it just keeps your possibilities in tact moving forward.

Tomorrow the Metropolitans will go for the series sweep against the Phillies.  Broad Street is already wounded after losing to the New Jersey Devils and being eliminated from the NHL playoffs.  What do you say we throw some salt in that open cheese steak wound?


Let's Go Mets!




Mike.BTB