GUEST
The Great Pennant Race
2022
Showing posts with label Lee Mazzilli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lee Mazzilli. Show all posts
Friday, August 12, 2022
The Metsian Podcast: Chewing Up the Dog Days of Summer with Phil Maillard
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
The Metsian Podcast: Summertime at Flushing By The Bay Begins
From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
The deeper we get into this 2022 season, the more the Mets distinguish themselves as one of baseball's top contenders. Team depth and resiliency have kept them atop the division and continue pushing this team forward; injuries be damned. Please join Sam, Rich, and me as we convene to discuss everything going right in Flushing, along with other Mets minutiae.
sixty-nine minutes
Monday, March 09, 2020
Arizona Mets Fan Anna Brice Weighs In On Another Metsian Podcast
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
You can take the girl out of the city,
but you can't the city out of the girl.
LISTEN IN
A METSIAN PODCAST
with SAM, RICH, and MIKE
GUEST:
Native New Yorker, Jersey Girl, Arizona Resident,
and Mets Fan Extraordinaire
102 minutes
Coronavirus Panic
Steven Matz ~ Dellin Betances ~ Seth Lugo ~ Michael Wacha
Robinson Cano ~ Yoenis Cespedes
Great Broadcasters in Mets History ~ Mets Who've Worn #46
Steve Cohen ~ Sale of the Mets ~ James Dolan
Arizona Pizza ~ Lee Mazzilli
and so much more!
#LFGM
Saturday, August 08, 2015
The Friday Recap: Mets win wild game in Tampa over Rays
Here's my weekly
Friday Recap for
ICYMI
This one was actually 4 days ago, after Game One against the Marlins.
Sam and I kept it simple - just me and him.
*
The newest Mets, we rejoiced after a sweep of the Nationals,
and actually gave the Wilpons some credit.
Did the Mets ever have a better week (in my lifetime) than that?
Talked about 2013, and players who've worn #13 in Mets history.
Rick Cerone, the Newark Bears, Lee Mazzilli,
Casey Stengel, Babe Herman, the 1916 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Beer!
Gary Cohen, ESPN production,
Wilmer Flores, Jeurys Familia, Michael Conforto, Ruben Tejada,
and more....
da link:
Sam and I kept it simple - just me and him.
*
The newest Mets, we rejoiced after a sweep of the Nationals,
and actually gave the Wilpons some credit.
Did the Mets ever have a better week (in my lifetime) than that?
Talked about 2013, and players who've worn #13 in Mets history.
Rick Cerone, the Newark Bears, Lee Mazzilli,
Casey Stengel, Babe Herman, the 1916 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Beer!
Gary Cohen, ESPN production,
Wilmer Flores, Jeurys Familia, Michael Conforto, Ruben Tejada,
and more....
da link:
Mike
senior staff writer/Rising Apple
Sunday, May 20, 2012
N.Y. Mets ~ My Favorite 50 Mets of All-Time
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: My All-Time FAVORITE Fifty Players in Mets' History.
Last Thursday, as part of the Mets' 50th Anniversary celebration, SNY premiered the 50 Greatest Players in Mets History. Their list is as follows:
NEW YORK METS: My All-Time FAVORITE Fifty Players in Mets' History.
Last Thursday, as part of the Mets' 50th Anniversary celebration, SNY premiered the 50 Greatest Players in Mets History. Their list is as follows:
1-Tom Seaver
2-Dwight Gooden
3-Keith Hernandez
4-Jerry Koosman
5-Darryl Strawberry
6-Mike Piazza 7-Carlos Beltran 8-David Wright 9-Jose Reyes
10-Gary Carter 11-Cleon Jones 12-Ron Darling 13-Edgardo Alfonzo
14-John Franco 15-Mookie Wilson 16-David Cone 17-Al Leiter
18-Jerry Grote 19-Howard Johnson 20-Buddy Harrelson 21-Tommy Agee
22-Rusty Staub 23-Sid Fernandez 24-Jon Matlack 25-Jesse Orosco
26-Tug McGraw 27-Lenny Dykstra 28-Johan Santana 29-John Olerud
30-Todd Hundley 31-Robin Ventura 32-Lee Mazzilli 33-Felix Millan
34-Kevin McReynolds 35-Carlos Delgado 36-Ed Kranepool 37-Bob Ojeda
38-Frank Viola 39-Dave Kingman 40-Ron Swaboda 41-John Stearns
42-Wally Backman 43-Rick Reed 44-Roger McDowell 45-Hubie Brooks
46-Ray Knight 47-Ron Hunt 48-John Milner 49-Bobby Bonilla
50-Wayne Garrett
I would omit a few names from this list and add others. I would also tinker with the order of some players too. But instead, I thought it more fun to just go with my own Favorites List. This is harder than you think, because of the level of attachment one has with favorite Mets as a child, versus the more jaded affections we might develop as fully mature adults.
The Mets became a full time part of my life by the 1974-1975 seasons. And the guys from that era will always mean a little more to me than say, other Mets of different eras. For the purposes of this list, if I didn't see them play, they are omitted. So right off the bat, exclude Donn Clendenon, Tommy Agee, Nolan Ryan, Ron Hunt, and the rest of the earlier era Mets.
MY All-Time 50 Most Favorite Mets
1-Jerry Koosman
2-Tug McGraw
3-Rusty Staub
4-Tom Seaver
5-Keith Hernandez
6-John Stearns 7-Darryl Strawberry 8-Joel Youngblood 9-Felix Millan
10-Doc Gooden 11-John Milner 12-Jose Reyes 13-Lenny Dykstra
14-Lee Mazzilli 15-Skip Lockwood 16-Gary Carter 17-Todd Hundley
18-David Wright 19-Hubie Brooks 20-Jerry Grote 21-Dave Kingman
22-Bud Harrelson 23-Carlos Delgado 24-Ron Darling 25-Mike Piazza
26-Mookie Wilson 27-Cleon Jones 28-Edgardo Alfonzo 29-Carlos Beltran
30-Sid Fernandez 31-Ed Kranepool 32-John Franco 33-Jon Matlack
34-John Olerud 35-David Cone 36-Eddie Murray 37-Neil Allen
38-Jesse Orosco 39-Lance Johnson 40-Roger McDowell 41-Bobby Ojeda
42-Cliff Floyd 43-Howard Johnson 44-Robin Ventura 45-Craig Swan
46-Wally Backman 47-Willie Montanez 48-Bobby Jones 49-Ed Lynch
50-Mike Fitzgerald
My newest favorite player = Josh Thole.
Let's Go Mets!
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
Monday, February 14, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Beltran: Never Easy Saying Good-Bye
FROM: Head-Butting Mr. Met
NEW YORK METS ~ CARLOS BELTRAN;
The Divorce Papers Are Signed. But How And When Will The Good-Bye Happen?
How do we say good-bye to a player that never wanted to be here in the first place?
After-all, he did go back to the Yankees and offer his services to them for less money than the Mets did while doing so with our offer in hand. Then he wondered why he got boo'ed by fans right out of the gate and as he struggled that first year. We found out he was sensitive to the jeers and that it took him a little while to come to grips with it. An unfortunate outfield collision with Mike Cameron took away important "bonding time" between him and the fans. But he played through all that and became a player of impact for this team. However, the lasting image of Beltran will be of him getting frozen on a curveball to end the 2006 NLCS. That still leaves a bitter taste in many fan's mouths. And quite frankly, no one has ever let him forget it. And it's unfortunate as he likewise, always held the early booing against us.
What came next was a series of media stoked, locker-room finger pointing games, Latino-phobia, injuries, miscommunication with the Front Office and surgery; all while having both him and the Front Office growing wearisome of each other.
Here's the other side to that.
He's one of the few Free-Agents as they go, who came here upon signing a huge contract and lived up to or exceeded his career averages, and in fact had his career year in a Mets uniform. So I'm inclined to say we got our money's worth out of Carlos Beltran while the window of opportunity was open for us and him. He was clearly one of the best center-fielders in Baseball. The money on him is now spent and should not be considered money wasted by us; not when he still has one more year to go in the Orange and Blue and can redeem himself from the previous two seasons. For as long as Aaron Heilman and 10 other reasons exist, blame can never be fully placed on Beltran for 2006.
When our starting players started falling apart like wet toilet paper and the Club was forced to call-up and rely on it's Minor Leagues these last two seasons, Angel Pagan also seized on an opportunity and took advantage of regular playing time and not only stayed healthy for a change, but also flourished. The end result is Carlos Beltran would eventually return to a team he was now suddenly out of place on. The fan base, in our minds, had already transitioned our minds towards a future without Beltran and invested more of our attention into our up-and-comers.
And now in this, the last year of his deal, his contract is looked upon by new management (and the fans) as an albatross (along with the contracts of Ollie Perez and Luis Castillo, although he is hardly at their level of Fan disgust).
Heading into this last season together, the wrangling over who should start in center field this season; Beltran or Pagan, has been going on for a while already. Beltran should start there (even though I am one of those who has moved on from him, but I still must be practical about it). Pagan is comfortable in the corner (RF) positions. If we get the good Beltran we can reasonably expect this far removed and recovered from knee surgery, he should be a good ball player; if not very good. That's a good thing...yes?
If he should slump, slouch, slack or just plain suck, that opens up an opportunity for Lucas Duda, because theoretically, Terry Collins doesn't have an attachment to this group of players......Yes?
There's a problem if we are in close contention of first place or a Wild Card spot as the trade deadline nears. Keep him or trade him; what do we do? I say trade him whatever our standing come July. I'd like to get something for him; whatever that may be. But, I wouldn't have a problem letting him finish out his contract in a Met uniform and getting a compensatory draft pick in return (once he declines arbitration that is) once he signs elsewhere...because we know he won't be resigning here.
His relationship with the fans was always a little contentious..(just a little), and more-so with the Media. But Beltran's conflict with the Club stemmed over a series of back and forth opinions regarding his knee. Then Beltran apparently went and had surgery on the knee without allegedly receiving clearance from the Club. That turned out to be another in a series of Media Nightmares lived out by the Front Office and signalled the signing of the divorce papers was eminent. Now, it's only a matter of time before the final separation between the N.Y. Mets, Carlos Beltran, and Us takes place.
He'll go down as one of the best players ever to wear a Met uniform, but I don't think he will leave New York with a lingering sentiment of endearment for his services. I think the ultimate good-bye will be an ambivalent one. I think the Organization, Carlos Beltran and us the Fans all share a sense of being incomplete as the 7th and our final year together officially marks the beginning of the end.
Who was he to us? Was he a Tommy Agee; Lee Mazzilli? Was he a Mookie Wilson; Lenny Dykstra type guy for us? - Lance Johnson (did you like him as much as I did?); Jay Payton; Cameron? ...Del Unser?
The fact Carlos Beltran's stats blow away any of the former Met center fielder's away and is still probably only third or fourth on many Mets' Fans Favorites Lists, speaks for itself ..(that also depends how old you are..). My All-Time Favorite is AGEE; second would be Dykstra. Beltran is clearly better than both those players.
So how exactly will this good-bye take place? Will he last the season then just walk away? If he does last the season, there inevitably will be that game at the end of the season when the home crowd will get a chance to give him a respectful good-bye. But will they? Or, will he be ushered out the same way he came in...being Booed? There's a-lot of apathy Beltran has always had to deal with and it begs the question, don't ya think?
He was an odd cat for us to try and figure out. He never did seem comfortable playing here..or maybe he just didn't do well with the Media. If he gets traded mid-season, that just may turn out to be the best way to say good-bye for everyone. He may perhaps escape having to get grilled one last time by the NY Media until they catch up with him down the way. And as for us and the fan reaction, who knows what we'd have done as he headed towards the door. We booed Beltran and Santana on the way in.
The rest is for us to think about till Opening Day and it's his turn in the line-up.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS ~ CARLOS BELTRAN;
The Divorce Papers Are Signed. But How And When Will The Good-Bye Happen?
How do we say good-bye to a player that never wanted to be here in the first place?
After-all, he did go back to the Yankees and offer his services to them for less money than the Mets did while doing so with our offer in hand. Then he wondered why he got boo'ed by fans right out of the gate and as he struggled that first year. We found out he was sensitive to the jeers and that it took him a little while to come to grips with it. An unfortunate outfield collision with Mike Cameron took away important "bonding time" between him and the fans. But he played through all that and became a player of impact for this team. However, the lasting image of Beltran will be of him getting frozen on a curveball to end the 2006 NLCS. That still leaves a bitter taste in many fan's mouths. And quite frankly, no one has ever let him forget it. And it's unfortunate as he likewise, always held the early booing against us.
What came next was a series of media stoked, locker-room finger pointing games, Latino-phobia, injuries, miscommunication with the Front Office and surgery; all while having both him and the Front Office growing wearisome of each other.
Here's the other side to that.
He's one of the few Free-Agents as they go, who came here upon signing a huge contract and lived up to or exceeded his career averages, and in fact had his career year in a Mets uniform. So I'm inclined to say we got our money's worth out of Carlos Beltran while the window of opportunity was open for us and him. He was clearly one of the best center-fielders in Baseball. The money on him is now spent and should not be considered money wasted by us; not when he still has one more year to go in the Orange and Blue and can redeem himself from the previous two seasons. For as long as Aaron Heilman and 10 other reasons exist, blame can never be fully placed on Beltran for 2006.
When our starting players started falling apart like wet toilet paper and the Club was forced to call-up and rely on it's Minor Leagues these last two seasons, Angel Pagan also seized on an opportunity and took advantage of regular playing time and not only stayed healthy for a change, but also flourished. The end result is Carlos Beltran would eventually return to a team he was now suddenly out of place on. The fan base, in our minds, had already transitioned our minds towards a future without Beltran and invested more of our attention into our up-and-comers.
And now in this, the last year of his deal, his contract is looked upon by new management (and the fans) as an albatross (along with the contracts of Ollie Perez and Luis Castillo, although he is hardly at their level of Fan disgust).
Heading into this last season together, the wrangling over who should start in center field this season; Beltran or Pagan, has been going on for a while already. Beltran should start there (even though I am one of those who has moved on from him, but I still must be practical about it). Pagan is comfortable in the corner (RF) positions. If we get the good Beltran we can reasonably expect this far removed and recovered from knee surgery, he should be a good ball player; if not very good. That's a good thing...yes?
If he should slump, slouch, slack or just plain suck, that opens up an opportunity for Lucas Duda, because theoretically, Terry Collins doesn't have an attachment to this group of players......Yes?
There's a problem if we are in close contention of first place or a Wild Card spot as the trade deadline nears. Keep him or trade him; what do we do? I say trade him whatever our standing come July. I'd like to get something for him; whatever that may be. But, I wouldn't have a problem letting him finish out his contract in a Met uniform and getting a compensatory draft pick in return (once he declines arbitration that is) once he signs elsewhere...because we know he won't be resigning here.
His relationship with the fans was always a little contentious..(just a little), and more-so with the Media. But Beltran's conflict with the Club stemmed over a series of back and forth opinions regarding his knee. Then Beltran apparently went and had surgery on the knee without allegedly receiving clearance from the Club. That turned out to be another in a series of Media Nightmares lived out by the Front Office and signalled the signing of the divorce papers was eminent. Now, it's only a matter of time before the final separation between the N.Y. Mets, Carlos Beltran, and Us takes place.
He'll go down as one of the best players ever to wear a Met uniform, but I don't think he will leave New York with a lingering sentiment of endearment for his services. I think the ultimate good-bye will be an ambivalent one. I think the Organization, Carlos Beltran and us the Fans all share a sense of being incomplete as the 7th and our final year together officially marks the beginning of the end.
Who was he to us? Was he a Tommy Agee; Lee Mazzilli? Was he a Mookie Wilson; Lenny Dykstra type guy for us? - Lance Johnson (did you like him as much as I did?); Jay Payton; Cameron? ...Del Unser?
The fact Carlos Beltran's stats blow away any of the former Met center fielder's away and is still probably only third or fourth on many Mets' Fans Favorites Lists, speaks for itself ..(that also depends how old you are..). My All-Time Favorite is AGEE; second would be Dykstra. Beltran is clearly better than both those players.
So how exactly will this good-bye take place? Will he last the season then just walk away? If he does last the season, there inevitably will be that game at the end of the season when the home crowd will get a chance to give him a respectful good-bye. But will they? Or, will he be ushered out the same way he came in...being Booed? There's a-lot of apathy Beltran has always had to deal with and it begs the question, don't ya think?
He was an odd cat for us to try and figure out. He never did seem comfortable playing here..or maybe he just didn't do well with the Media. If he gets traded mid-season, that just may turn out to be the best way to say good-bye for everyone. He may perhaps escape having to get grilled one last time by the NY Media until they catch up with him down the way. And as for us and the fan reaction, who knows what we'd have done as he headed towards the door. We booed Beltran and Santana on the way in.
The rest is for us to think about till Opening Day and it's his turn in the line-up.
Mike.BTB
Monday, November 01, 2010
NYM ~ Pondering a Manager for the Mets, Dude.
Only now that we've hired Sandy Alderson would I even consider bringing Bobby Valentine back. Without Sandy Alderson I wouldn't even have entertained the thought. It's the old "Been there; Done that" syndrome.
I have to laugh somewhat about the clamouring for Valentine's return. In 2003 Mets' fans were calling for his head on a pike. Fans were lining up their cars on Roosevelt Avenue willing to take Bobby to the airport. Mets fans (me included) complained Bobby got too....Too everything! Basically Met fans tired of his act and ego. The downward spiral we found ourselves in 2003 only threw lighter fluid on the flames.
Today we finally find ourselves on the other side of that long dark tunnel; coincidentally it's the era I've been calling Met Year 8 A.D. (After Doubleday). What started when the Mets fired Steve Phillips and Doubleday leaving ended when the Wilpons hired Alderson. Why would we want to revisit those years? Bobby hasn't changed. C'mon....He must have said or done something to tick-off the Marlins most recently. And why haven't the Brewers locked him up yet (although they seem real close, but they seem to be moving very carefully)? What makes Mets fans think this time around would be any different? It's Ponderous. Do we want our own version of "Billy" hirings minus the Angry Water?
But I will take the time out to answer that myself.
Bobby Valentine is an excellent manager and strategist. There are few better; Period. He has the perfect personality and attitude, not to mention intelligence to engage in the harangue that is the give and take with NY media. Don't you think I know all this? Of course he'd be a good manager here. Having Sandy Alderson would serve as the perfect buffer between him and the Wilpons. Wasn't that always the problem bringing him back; the Wilpons? The two parties do not like each other. We know this.
Additionally, I never thought Bobby Valentine could co-exist with Omar Minaya, John Ricco or ANYone the Mets could have brought in as General Manager. Remember among the items of contention between Valentine and Phillips was Valentine's insistence he have a say in personnel matters. Phillips denied him outright, at every request. But Phillips regardless of his libido, was a very smart cookie who was very well equipped to handle Bobby Valentine. Not Omar, or anyone the Mets could have conjured up, would have worked well here with Bobby Valentine's ego. Valentine is too smart and would have run circles around Omar, and as is Bobby's way, Omar would have grown to feel uncomfortably dominated by Jeff on one side and Bobby on the other. Valentine would have chewed-up and spit-out John Ricco. Bobby Valentine would have been hired only to get fired for many reasons three short years later. Think to yourselves fellow Met fans. You know this to be true...Under the old system that is.
Alderson changes all that now. Alderson is/was the only man available today who has the intellect, mental strength and fortitude of character to contend with Bobby Valentine. Alderson is an excellent check to Valentine's strong will. And now I would gladly welcome back Bobby Valentine into the conversation. However, I am still not inclined to lean his way. And it doesn't look like the money is a match either.
Ken Oberkfell and Bob Melvin are complete yawners. Of the two, I'd eliminate Melvin from the list altogether. He's tainted with old regime 'cooties'. He loomed over Jerry Manuel's head like a dark cloud. That's bad karma; don't need it. Kenny Oberfell would be the next to go. Met fans, I ask you sincerely, do you really envision Oberkfell as the new manager? I didn't think so.
Why Lee Mazzilli doesn't intrigue me more, I can't answer. He was THE METS once upon a time. Man! I thought he was going to play with Seaver, Koos, Millan, Milner and...(why do I do that to myself). He has coaching experience and many years sitting next to Joe Torre. He did a remarkable job under horrific circumstances in Baltimore. However I may feel about Lee Mazzilli, who comes my neighborhood, I think there are better candidates available. I don't think Mazzilli's resume fits in with what we need right now.
Clint Hurdle and Terry Collins are very average, un-impactful candidates. There's too much at stake here to hand the controls over to the milkman. The Angels' players darted Terry Collins with a vote of no confidence when he managed there. We don't need to touch that. Clint Hurdle ~ Remember how the Rockies won 1150 games out of their last 25 +/- games of the season to make the 2007 playoffs? After you remember that, forget Clint Hurdle.
Chip Hale has my attention because the players seem real responsive to him. When people have that nature and way about them; a personality that attracts, people usually listen attentively to them. I'd give him an interview.
I'm not saying this is my choice but Tim Teufel would be a logical choice. Teufel had a lot of our new young players in Brooklyn and Binghampton. No one knows these players better than he does, in much the same way Davey Johnson managed many of the prospects of the early 80's and was promoted by Frank Cashen to manage them on the Major League level. Tim Teufel is a logical choice, and you can't disregard what I just said. He's been putting in his dues with this organization for several years now. Like I said though, he's not necessarily my choice. I'd be agreeable to him though.
I'm open to Wally Backman. I like him for all the reasons you do. I wouldn't mind seeing him get the job at all. He'd be a tremendous hit! He'd get a standing ovation on Opening Day; without a doubt! The Wilpons like him and the fans like him. The question is does Sandy Alderson like him? He might.
Backman recently took the Brooklyn Cyclones to the NYPL Championship Round. That, and his experience with the Peanuts is all there is though. Is that enough? I think there's a (again...) Billy Martin motif about him; maybe even John McGraw'ish attribute Met fans are dying to identify with and apply to Wally Backman. I do think he has great instinctual baseball intellect. He knows the game. He knows what works. Little stout guys always make great managers!
And now try this name out and see how it sits with you; John Stearns ~ The Dude! - Yes! - The former fiery Met player, catcher, all*star, former Met coach? He managed last at Harrisburg in the National's system 2 years ago and I think he's currently employed as a scout for the Mariners. John Stearns...Anyone feeling The Dude? He's tough minded and he has that 'catcher gene' going for him. I know John Stearns isn't even on any-body's radar much less Sandy Alderson's. I'm on an island of one with this pick. I get that. But if you're thinking about hiring Lee Mazzilli, John Stearns should be considered also. I'd hire him ahead of many other names.
Joey Cora? Forget Milwaukee. Picture it Met Fans ~ The Little Yankee Killer (think '95); Flushing's Little General leading his troops? Think of the possibilities ~ Close your eyes and imagine it for a moment. I guarantee you he's feisty and has a tremendous Baseball acumen. In the earliest days of his coaching career, Ozzie Guillen, who is a very close friend of his, got his hands on him and made him go to Venezuela to start managing there. He came back with some experience and managed the Mets' Kingsport Team. Joey has been with Ozzie Guillen ever since serving first as his third base coach and currently as his bench coach. As a player he was an all*star selection and has playoff experience with the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. As a coach he earned a World Series ring with the ChiSox in 2005. If you're looking for the "Little Guy with a Big Bite" angle, this is your guy. He is smaller than Wally Backman but not as stout. They are both feisty.
My two honorable mentions are Larry Bowa and Tony Pena. Simply, I think they are two good, Baseball lifers. There's something to be said for those kinda guys. Heck, Jack McKeon won a championship didn't he?
Who knows what's going on with Lou Piniella and Joe Torre said he's out of the picture (don't believe it). But I don't want them either.
Don Wakamatsu? I'm lukewarm at best.
Does anyone think Dave Righetti is ready to take a manager's job? ~ Roger Craig anyone?
The fact that John Gibbons acted preemptively with regards to the Mets' available managerial position speaks loud and clear to me. He told us to beat it....And now I want him more. He's such a bitch!
You'd have to examine all the third base coaches and bench coaches around MLB to keep yourself from dealing in retreads. None need apply. The Mets have embarked on a whole new dynamic in their history. Let's continue forward. The old thinking is done.
Right?
Mike.BTB
I have to laugh somewhat about the clamouring for Valentine's return. In 2003 Mets' fans were calling for his head on a pike. Fans were lining up their cars on Roosevelt Avenue willing to take Bobby to the airport. Mets fans (me included) complained Bobby got too....Too everything! Basically Met fans tired of his act and ego. The downward spiral we found ourselves in 2003 only threw lighter fluid on the flames.
Today we finally find ourselves on the other side of that long dark tunnel; coincidentally it's the era I've been calling Met Year 8 A.D. (After Doubleday). What started when the Mets fired Steve Phillips and Doubleday leaving ended when the Wilpons hired Alderson. Why would we want to revisit those years? Bobby hasn't changed. C'mon....He must have said or done something to tick-off the Marlins most recently. And why haven't the Brewers locked him up yet (although they seem real close, but they seem to be moving very carefully)? What makes Mets fans think this time around would be any different? It's Ponderous. Do we want our own version of "Billy" hirings minus the Angry Water?
But I will take the time out to answer that myself.
Bobby Valentine is an excellent manager and strategist. There are few better; Period. He has the perfect personality and attitude, not to mention intelligence to engage in the harangue that is the give and take with NY media. Don't you think I know all this? Of course he'd be a good manager here. Having Sandy Alderson would serve as the perfect buffer between him and the Wilpons. Wasn't that always the problem bringing him back; the Wilpons? The two parties do not like each other. We know this.
Additionally, I never thought Bobby Valentine could co-exist with Omar Minaya, John Ricco or ANYone the Mets could have brought in as General Manager. Remember among the items of contention between Valentine and Phillips was Valentine's insistence he have a say in personnel matters. Phillips denied him outright, at every request. But Phillips regardless of his libido, was a very smart cookie who was very well equipped to handle Bobby Valentine. Not Omar, or anyone the Mets could have conjured up, would have worked well here with Bobby Valentine's ego. Valentine is too smart and would have run circles around Omar, and as is Bobby's way, Omar would have grown to feel uncomfortably dominated by Jeff on one side and Bobby on the other. Valentine would have chewed-up and spit-out John Ricco. Bobby Valentine would have been hired only to get fired for many reasons three short years later. Think to yourselves fellow Met fans. You know this to be true...Under the old system that is.
Alderson changes all that now. Alderson is/was the only man available today who has the intellect, mental strength and fortitude of character to contend with Bobby Valentine. Alderson is an excellent check to Valentine's strong will. And now I would gladly welcome back Bobby Valentine into the conversation. However, I am still not inclined to lean his way. And it doesn't look like the money is a match either.
Ken Oberkfell and Bob Melvin are complete yawners. Of the two, I'd eliminate Melvin from the list altogether. He's tainted with old regime 'cooties'. He loomed over Jerry Manuel's head like a dark cloud. That's bad karma; don't need it. Kenny Oberfell would be the next to go. Met fans, I ask you sincerely, do you really envision Oberkfell as the new manager? I didn't think so.
Why Lee Mazzilli doesn't intrigue me more, I can't answer. He was THE METS once upon a time. Man! I thought he was going to play with Seaver, Koos, Millan, Milner and...(why do I do that to myself). He has coaching experience and many years sitting next to Joe Torre. He did a remarkable job under horrific circumstances in Baltimore. However I may feel about Lee Mazzilli, who comes my neighborhood, I think there are better candidates available. I don't think Mazzilli's resume fits in with what we need right now.
Clint Hurdle and Terry Collins are very average, un-impactful candidates. There's too much at stake here to hand the controls over to the milkman. The Angels' players darted Terry Collins with a vote of no confidence when he managed there. We don't need to touch that. Clint Hurdle ~ Remember how the Rockies won 1150 games out of their last 25 +/- games of the season to make the 2007 playoffs? After you remember that, forget Clint Hurdle.
Chip Hale has my attention because the players seem real responsive to him. When people have that nature and way about them; a personality that attracts, people usually listen attentively to them. I'd give him an interview.
I'm not saying this is my choice but Tim Teufel would be a logical choice. Teufel had a lot of our new young players in Brooklyn and Binghampton. No one knows these players better than he does, in much the same way Davey Johnson managed many of the prospects of the early 80's and was promoted by Frank Cashen to manage them on the Major League level. Tim Teufel is a logical choice, and you can't disregard what I just said. He's been putting in his dues with this organization for several years now. Like I said though, he's not necessarily my choice. I'd be agreeable to him though.
I'm open to Wally Backman. I like him for all the reasons you do. I wouldn't mind seeing him get the job at all. He'd be a tremendous hit! He'd get a standing ovation on Opening Day; without a doubt! The Wilpons like him and the fans like him. The question is does Sandy Alderson like him? He might.
Backman recently took the Brooklyn Cyclones to the NYPL Championship Round. That, and his experience with the Peanuts is all there is though. Is that enough? I think there's a (again...) Billy Martin motif about him; maybe even John McGraw'ish attribute Met fans are dying to identify with and apply to Wally Backman. I do think he has great instinctual baseball intellect. He knows the game. He knows what works. Little stout guys always make great managers!
And now try this name out and see how it sits with you; John Stearns ~ The Dude! - Yes! - The former fiery Met player, catcher, all*star, former Met coach? He managed last at Harrisburg in the National's system 2 years ago and I think he's currently employed as a scout for the Mariners. John Stearns...Anyone feeling The Dude? He's tough minded and he has that 'catcher gene' going for him. I know John Stearns isn't even on any-body's radar much less Sandy Alderson's. I'm on an island of one with this pick. I get that. But if you're thinking about hiring Lee Mazzilli, John Stearns should be considered also. I'd hire him ahead of many other names.
Joey Cora? Forget Milwaukee. Picture it Met Fans ~ The Little Yankee Killer (think '95); Flushing's Little General leading his troops? Think of the possibilities ~ Close your eyes and imagine it for a moment. I guarantee you he's feisty and has a tremendous Baseball acumen. In the earliest days of his coaching career, Ozzie Guillen, who is a very close friend of his, got his hands on him and made him go to Venezuela to start managing there. He came back with some experience and managed the Mets' Kingsport Team. Joey has been with Ozzie Guillen ever since serving first as his third base coach and currently as his bench coach. As a player he was an all*star selection and has playoff experience with the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners. As a coach he earned a World Series ring with the ChiSox in 2005. If you're looking for the "Little Guy with a Big Bite" angle, this is your guy. He is smaller than Wally Backman but not as stout. They are both feisty.
My two honorable mentions are Larry Bowa and Tony Pena. Simply, I think they are two good, Baseball lifers. There's something to be said for those kinda guys. Heck, Jack McKeon won a championship didn't he?
Who knows what's going on with Lou Piniella and Joe Torre said he's out of the picture (don't believe it). But I don't want them either.
Don Wakamatsu? I'm lukewarm at best.
Does anyone think Dave Righetti is ready to take a manager's job? ~ Roger Craig anyone?
The fact that John Gibbons acted preemptively with regards to the Mets' available managerial position speaks loud and clear to me. He told us to beat it....And now I want him more. He's such a bitch!
You'd have to examine all the third base coaches and bench coaches around MLB to keep yourself from dealing in retreads. None need apply. The Mets have embarked on a whole new dynamic in their history. Let's continue forward. The old thinking is done.
Right?
Mike.BTB
Friday, August 13, 2010
More Brooklyn Bobbles
Brooklyn Bridge Bobble
NYC Landmark, Cyclone Roller Coaster; Coney Island
Newly re-named MCU Park; Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, Coney Island
Home Plate Stone
Cyclones Cap Stone
Cyclone Alumni who played for Mets
2001 Cyclones Pitching Coach, Bob Ojeda
"Brooklyn Legends Collection"
Brooklyn born, Met Favorite, LEE MAZZILLI
Brownsville ~ Tilden High School's ~ WILLIE RANDOLPH
Brooklyn Dodger ~ Carl Erskine
"OISK"
One of Brooklyn's Mascots ~ PEE WEE
Mike.BTBobble
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)