Long Island Ducks Hurl Shutout Over Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB

EMPIRE STATE

BATTLE of the BIRDS

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Stephen Tarpley, Ducks Bullpen Outduel Ferry Hawks in Series Opener on Staten Island

The battle of the birds resumed at Richmond County grounds on Tuesday.  

Left-hander Stephen Tarpley climbed the hill for Long Island, and seven-year independent league veteran Dakota Freese started for the host Ferry Hawks.  Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through the first four innings, each allowing just two hits, respectively.

The Ferry Hawks threatened in the fifth, but with runners on the corners and one out, catcher Bryan Gonzalez bounced into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.

Long Island finally broke through in the sixth.  Recently acquired Phil Caulfield drew a one-out walk and soon scored on Alejandro De Aza's fielder's choice to second.

Staten Island threatened again in the home sixth with three consecutive singles to load the bases.  But with one out, Stephen Tarpley struck out center fielder Ricardo Cespedes for out number two, then fanned Dilson Herrera on five pitches to end the frame.

Ferry Hawk manager Edgardo Alfonzo handed the ball over to reliever Eddy Reynoso in the seventh.  

Starter Dakota Freese allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings. 

The Ducks promptly put two runners on base on an E-5 and a hit-by-pitch.  Reynoso gathered himself and struck out Dustin Woodcock for out number two.  Shortstop Vladimir Frias popped out to Dilson Herrera in foul territory to end the threat.

Flock skipper Wally Backman summoned right-hander Nick Goody from the bullpen for the bottom of the seventh.  

Starter Stephen Tarpley allowed six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings pitched.  He faced 23 batters while throwing 90 pitches, with 57 (63.3%) going for strikes.

Alejandro De Aza was hit with a pitch in the eighth and left the game.  It was the second batter hit by Eddy Reynoso.  It gave the Ducks runners on first and second with no outs.  With Sam Travis at the plate, L.J. Mazzilli got thrown out at third on the front end of an attempted double steal.  Travis then bounced back to the pitcher.

Southpaw Tyler Webb entered the game in the bottom of the eighth in relief of Nick Goody.

Right-hander Joe Kuzia pitched a scoreless top half of the ninth for Staten Island.

Former Arizona Diamondback farmhand Kai-Wei Lin was tasked by Wally Backman with closing out the ninth, and he did not disappoint, retiring the side in order and striking out the last man looking.

Three Staten Island pitchers limited the Ducks to just three hits.  Dakota Freese took the loss.  

Stephen Tarpley improves to 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA.

The Ducks and Ferry Hawks have now played ten games this season, with Long Island winning seven and Staten Island three.  However, the teams are even at 3-3 over their last six meetings.

• BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Win First Contest Against Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

First Meeting is a Classic; Ducks Outlast Ferry Hawks in Old-Fashioned Pitcher's Duel

A rivalry is born.  Tuesday, May 17, marked the first-ever game between New York's two independents, the Long Island Ducks and the expansion Staten Island Ferry Hawks.  

Mets fans are very familiar with the respective team managers.  Both are all-time favorites.  Second baseman for the 1986 champs, Wally Backman, is entering his fourth season as skipper of the Ducks.  Representing the 2000 N.L. champions, Edgardo Alfonzo was named the first manager in Ferry Hawks history.

The two Atlantic League teams inaugurated their rivalry with an old-fashioned pitcher's duel.  

Entering his third season with the Ducks, Brooklyn native Anderson DeLeon held the Ferry Hawks scoreless on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Southpaw Brady Feigl threw a scoreless sixth inning in relief of DeLeon.  Left-hander Cody Beckman entered the game in relief of Brady Feigl and tossed a scoreless top half of the seventh.

Staten Island right-hander Matt Solten yielded no runs on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts over his first six innings.  The Ducks loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth but left all runners stranded.  Long Island threatened again in the seventh, but Matt Solden induced shortstop Devin Marrero into an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play.

Wally Backman summoned Joe Iorio to pitch the top of the eighth and was rewarded with another scoreless frame.

Edgardo Alfonzo likewise turned to his bullpen, calling upon southpaw Chris Nunn in the bottom half of the eighth.

Second baseman Vladimir Frias led off with a bloop single to shallow right field.  Center fielder 

Alejandro De Aza advanced the runner.  First baseman Sam Travis reached safely on a strikeout/wild pitch, and Frias advanced to third.  Chris Nunn then walked Deibinson Romero to load the bases.  Designated hitter Rusney Castillo struck out looking.  With two outs, L.J. Mazzilli drew a base on balls to break the scoreless tie.

Long Island left-hander Tyler Webb was tasked with pitching the ninth and did not disappoint.  Staten Island put the tying run on second base but advanced no farther.

Joe Iorio earns the win, and Chris Nunn takes the loss.  BOXSCORE

L.I. Ducks: Late Rally Gives Lexington Legends 2-1 Championship Series Lead

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

LEXINGTON LEGENDS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

GAME ONE    GAME TWO

Failure to Convert Early Inning Opportunities Comes Back to Haunt Ducks; Legends Seize 2-1 Series Lead With Eighth Inning Rally

With Lexington, Kentucky, hosting their first-ever Atlantic League championship series game, Game Three pits right-hander Scott Harkin for Long Island against J.J. Hoover pitching for the Legends.

SCORING OPPORTUNITIES LOST

The Ducks threaten early but keep coming up empty.  They load the bases in the first but leave all runners stranded.  Catcher Hector Sanchez doubles with one out in the second and advances to third but is also left stranded.  Then with two outs in the third and Vladimir Frias, the base runner at second, L.J. Mazzilli singled to left field, but Frias is thrown out at home attempting to score.

As fate would have it, Lexington opens the scoring on catcher Christian Correa's home run leading off the bottom half of the third.

DUCKS TWICE OVERCOME DEFICIT

After getting set down in the fourth, center fielder Boog Powell ties the game in the fifth with his second home run of the playoffs.

But Lexington retakes the lead with two runs in the home sixth on a walk, a fielder's choice, a wild pitch, and Juan Silverio's two-run base hit.

Scott Harkin exits on the losing side after allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts through six.  Meanwhile, J.J. Hoover leaves on the winning side, allowing one run on just four hits and two walks through six innings.

Long Island's Dylan Peiffer and Henry Owens for Lexington twirl a scoreless seventh.

With two outs in the eighth, L.J. Mazzilli singles, and Deibinson Romero ties the game with a two-run blast to left field.

BULLPEN IMPLOSION

Wally Backman turns to Frank Moscatiello, who pitched well in Game Two for the bottom of the eighth.  After retiring his first two batters, Moscatiello walks the next batter prompting another change by Backman.  But Wally's maneuverings backfire.  Southpaw Darrell Thompson yields three consecutive hits as the Legends plate three runs en route to a 6-3 lead and the final margin of victory.

Frank Moscatiello takes the loss for walking the potential go-ahead run.  Scott Harkin escapes with a no-decision.  Henry Owens earns the victory in relief of Hoover, and Austin Adams earns his second save.

• BOXSCORE

L.I. Ducks: With Game Three Win Over Southern Maryland, The Flock Advances to Championship Series

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

SOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

GAME ONE     GAME TWO

The still defending Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks set out defending their title on Monday against the Southern Mayland Blue Crabs in the first game of the North Division playoff series at the Pond.

Long Island won their fourth-ever Atlantic League championship in 2019, but then, of course, last season was canceled due to COVID.  The Ducks captured the North Division first-half flag this season with a 37-23 record, six games ahead of second-place Southern Maryland.  The second-half flag was more tightly contested and decided in the season's final weekend, with the Blue Crabs edging out the Ducks by one game.

The Ducks finished the regular season with a league-best 68-52 overall record, while Southern Maryland finished with a 63-57 record.

 

Ducks Defeat Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to Clinch North Division Flag; Long Island To Face Lexington Legends in Championship Series

Game Three at Southern Maryland features Blue Crab right-hander Daryl Thompson, who led the Atlantic League with a 16-3 record and 3.20 ERA, against Long Island native Joe Iorio who placed second in league with 13 wins against two losses with a 4.65 ERA.

The Ducks rally during the early innings.  

Center fielder Boog Powell opens the game with a base on balls.  Steve Lombardozzi follows with a single to left field, and with two outs, L.J. Mazzilli knocks in Powell.  

First baseman Chris Shaw doubles leading off the second and moves to third on Hector Sanchez's

single to left field.  Shaw then scored on Ty Kelly's sac-fly.  Afterwhich, Zach Collier's misplay in center field clears the way for Sanchez to cross home.  

Steve Lombardozzi and the ageless Lew Ford wield consecutive singles to open the third, and with runners at the corners, Mazzilli's sac-fly to center field gives Long Island a 4-0 lead.

Southern Maryland finally catches up to Joe Iorio in the fifth.  With two outs, Iorio yields two walks and two hits that result in a pair of runs.

Long Island recovers a run in the top of the sixth on Chris Shaw's second home run of the playoffs.  But the Blue Crabs snap right back with two more runs in the bottom half of the frame and knock Joe Iorio out of the box.  Right-hander Brady Dragmire finishes out the sixth.

Southpaw Darrell Thompson hurls a scoreless seventh inning.  Wally Backman then summons Rob Griswold, who twirls a scoreless eighth.  Blue Crab shortstop Jordan Howard, who ended the frame on a comebacker to Griswold, got into a shouting match with the entire Ducks dugout, causing both benches to empty without incident.

The Ducks are set down in order in the top of the ninth as Blue Crab reliever Endrys Briceno completes a second scoreless inning in relief.

Rob Griswold goes back out for the ninth.  With one out, Chris Shaw fails to handle Rubi Silva's liner to first for an error.  But the Ducks close out the game in spectacular fashion when Zach Collier grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, Vladimir Frias, to Lombardozzi, to Shaw.

Griswold earns a six-out save.  Joe Iorio earns the win, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts.  Three Long Island bullpen members join together in limiting the Blue Crabs to no runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over the final 3.1 innings.

In defeating the league's winningest pitcher, the Long Islanders win the North Division flag two games against one and advance to their fifth consecutive Atlantic League championship series.  

The Ducks will now defend their 2019 title against the awaiting Lexington Legends. 

BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Are 2019 Atlantic League Champions

From the desk of: THE WEBBED CHAMPIONS NINE

GONNA NEED A NEW SIGN

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FIVE
Ducks      8

Skeeters  4

FINAL

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004           2012           2013

2019

A dominant season comes to an appropriate end.  The Ducks sweep the Liberty Division standings this season, winning both the first and second half pennants.  They win an all-time Ducks record 86 games during the regular season.  Then go on to defeat the High Point Rockers in the first round of playoffs to capture their fourth straight Liberty Division championship.

After bowing to the Skeeters in the 2016 Atlantic League championship series, then losing again last season to the Skeeters in five games, the Long Island Ducks win their fourth ever Atlantic League championship and their first since winning back-to-back titles during the 2012-2013 seasons.

They split games one and two at Bethpage Ballpark.  Long Island then loses game three at Constellation Field.  In game four on Saturday, the Ducks win their first ever playoff game at Sugar Land.  On Sunday they gain their most glorious of all victories on Texas soil.

• BOXSCORE: Sunday, October 6, 2019 - ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Sugar Land starter Mike Hauschild pitches himself into immediate trouble.  He commits one of the cardinal sins of baseball: walking Vladimir Frias leading off the game.  Frias steals second then advances to third on Steve Lombardozzi's sacrifice bunt.  With one out Hauschild hits Lew Ford with a pitch, then walks L.J. Mazzilli to load the bases.  After a mound visit, Hauschild walks Hector Sanchez forcing in the game's first run.  But the Skeeters escape further damage when Deibinson Romero bounces into an inning ending 5-2-3 double-play.

In the bottom of the second Skeeters designated hitter Denis Phipps homers to left tying the score at one.

With two runners in scoring position and one out in the third, Deibinson Romero redeems himself with a line single to left scoring Lew Ford and L.J. Mazzilli.  In the fifth, runs batted in by Hector Sanchez and Deibinson Romero respectively widen Long Island's lead by four.

Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Skeeters right fielder Zach Borenstein singles off the leg of Ducks starter Vin Mazzaro.  Mazzaro strikes out the next batter, but manager Backman elects to remove his pitcher anyway.  Joe Iorio closes out the inning but not before Sugar Land reduces their deficit to three.  That is until David Washington manufactures his own run in the top of the eighth with a lead off base hit, a stolen base, then advancing and scoring on sacrifice flies for a 6-2 Ducks lead.

With one out and one on in the bottom half of the eighth, Wally Backman summons Cody Mincey from the bullpen.  Two walks, two stolen bases, a fielder's choice, and one wild pitch later Sugar Land makes it a 6-4 game.  But it's too little too late.  Deibinson Romero punctuates Long Island's triumph in the top of the ninth with a two run home run to deep left/center off Skeeters reliever Matt West.  Cody Mincey adds the finishing touch in the bottom of the frame by striking out the side.

Infielders converge, outfielders come darting in, the rest of the Ducks come busting out of the dugout as the bullpen empties with haste en route to a jubilant celebration taking place just in front of the pitchers mound.

Vin Mazzaro yields two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts through 6.1 innings for his third victory of the playoffs.  The one man gang Deibinson Romero ends the night 2 for 4 with a home run and five runs batted in.  Hector Sanchez goes 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs batted in.  The ageless one Lew Ford goes 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored.

The Ducks Exact Their Revenge!

L.I. Ducks: Flock Win Wild Playoff Opener at High Point

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead Rockers; 1-0

I - LID 8; HPR 7

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game Two

Long Island Ducks

vs.

High Point Rockers

FROM

A Ballpark 600 Miles Away

NORTH CAROLINA

DUCKS OVERCOME BULLPEN IMPLOSION ON DEIBINSON ROMERO EIGHTH INNING HOME RUN.

• ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Bringing a small measure of irony to the series, John Brownell, Long Island's celebrated all-time pitching leader, makes the start for High Point in their first ever Atlantic League playoff game.  He is opposed by present Ducks ace Darin Downs.

High drama makes an early arrival at the ballpark and settles in for a lively night.  With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first Darin Downs strikes outs right fielder Jared Mitchell ending the Rockers threat.  After hitting into consecutive inning ending double plays, the Ducks break through in the top of the third with four runs on three hits and four walks, highlighted by consecutive triples from David Washington and Vladimir Frias, and a two run scoring Steve Lombardozzi double to deep center.  The Ducks tack on a run in the top of the sixth when L.J. Mazzilli draws a one out walk and eventually scores on Deibinson Romero's sac-fly to left giving Long Island a 5-0 lead.  In the bottom half of the frame Rockers designated hitter Quincy Latimore spoils Darin Downs shutout bid with a long solo home run over the center field fence.

John Brownell's night ends upon surrendering Long Island's sixth and seventh runs of the evening.  All seven runs are earned on six hits and eight walks with only two strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched.  Dusty Isaacs closes out the frame in relief of Brownell.

With a runner on first in the bottom of the seventh manager Wally Backman turns to his bullpen.  Darin Downs walks off on the winning side of a 7-1 lead.  However, relievers Joe Iorio and Myles Smith join together in yielding five earned runs on three hits and three walks as High Point ties the game at seven before the inning is through.

Undeterred, Deibinson Romero leading off the top of the eighth deposits reliever Sam Runion's fifth offering of the at-bat over the left field wall for an 8-7 Ducks lead.  Manager Wally Backman then hands off to Cody Mincey in the eighth who retires the side in order.  In the top of the ninth, the Ducks hit into their fifth game ending double-play of the game.  Cody Mincey closes out High Point in the ninth for the save.

Darin Downs faces 26 batters, while throwing 104 pitches with 67 (64%) going for strikes, but does not figure in the decision.  Rob Rogers earns the victory for his work in the seventh inning. Steve Lombardozzi, L.J. Mazzilli, and Deibinson Romero all drive in two runs apiece.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Off To Forge New Rivalry at High Point

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Welcome to North Carolina

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

HIGH POINT ROCKERS

FROM

The Tar Heel State

Long Islands Ducks: Flock Migrate to North Carolina For First Ever Series Against High Point Rockers.

They had better be careful, too.  The new age Rockers mean business.  Like the Sugar Land Skeeters of several years back, High Point enters the league straightaway prepared to compete.  A quick glance through the early standings say it all.  The expansion Rockers trail the Ducks by a mere half game in the Liberty Division standings.  Long Island meanwhile trails the Somerset Patriots by only fractions, but otherwise enter Tuesday's action tied for first place.  However, High Point enters the upcoming series at BB&T Point with a 15-8 record and riding a six game win streak while the Ducks enter with a 16-8 mark and winners of their last two.

The series presents an opportunity for Long Island manager Wally Backman and Frank Viola to get reacquainted.  Backman and Viola worked extensively both separately and together throughout all levels of the Mets minor league system.  Viola now serves as Rockers pitching coach.

High Point leads the circuit with a .286 team average and .456 slugging average.  Meanwhile the Ducks rate second to last with a .248 average, and sixth in team slugging with a .370 mark.  However, Long Island leads the league in runs scored with High Point a close second.  The Ducks also lead the circuit in strikeouts being the first team to break the 200 mark.

Pitching wise, the Rockers rank first with a 3.15 team ERA.  The Ducks are third with a 3.39 ERA, but easily lead in strikeouts and boast the league's second best WHiP.

• Atlantic League stats

L.I. Ducks: Revolution Spoil Flock's Home Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

OPENING DAY

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

YORK REVOLUTION

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

Long Island Ducks: Flock Overcome Five Run Deficit But Fall in Extra Innings.

Following a triumphant (6-1) season opening road trip through York and Lancaster, the Flock arrived at an unseasonably dank Bethpage Ballpark where they opened their 20th anniversary season against the Revolution on Friday.

York initiated the scoring against Ducks starter Darin Downs with five runs through the first three innings of play.  Coach Backman watched 15 Revolution batters levy a 64-pitch tax upon Downs, and was forced into utilizing his bullpen by the fourth.

Long Island commenced their counter in the fourth when David Washington connected on a two run home run off Revs starter Daniel Minor.  That's the way things stayed until the eighth when York reliever Jeffrey Rosa plunked both Steve Lombardozzi and Lew Ford leading off the inning.  With David Washington at the plate, Rosa unleashed a wild pitch advancing the runners, then unleashed a second errant pitch allowing Lombardozzi to score from third.

With York's Josh Judy pitching in the ninth, Daniel Fields connected on a one out home run to bring the Ducks to within one.  With two outs, Rey Fuentes singled, then promptly scored the game tying run on Steve Lombardozzi's double to left.

Into extra innings they would go ... but not for long.

Under new age rules, York's Ryan Dent would start the top of the tenth as a base runner on second base.  With one out, center fielder J.P. Sportman singled to left; Dent advanced to third, then scored on second baseman Alexi Casilla's ground ball out to second.

The Ducks went down in order in the home tenth, as York reliever Julio Perez fanned the final two batters of the game.

Long Island Ducks 2019 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

2000   20th SEASON   2019

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004    2012    2013

Congratulations to Buddy Harrelson, Michael Pfaff, and the entire Long Island Ducks organization as they embark on their 20th season of professional baseball.

The naysayers said it couldn't be done.  Carving out a niche in and around the Big Apple - much less establishing a new independent league within the tri-state area - sounds as improbable now as I remember it then.  Yet, two decades later here they are.  With the unfortunate demise of the Bridgeport Bluefish (after the 2017 season), the Somerset Patriots became the lone remaining member club of the original Atlantic League charter, thus elevating the Ducks to second most senior team in the circuit.

Michael Pfaff's Quacks are backed by a passionate fan base stretching from Bensonhurst (yours truly) to Montauk Point whom consistently pack the Pond.  The same can be said of the well entrenched Patriots and their stalwart New Jersey fan base.  Suffice it say the rivalry between the two teams goes under-spoken, but is nonetheless epic.  Somerset leads all clubs with six Atlantic League championships, but none since getting realigned out of the Freedom Division after the 2015 season and into the same division with Long Island.  In each of the last three seasons, the Ducks have gone on to pull off amazing feats of victory in the Liberty Division playoffs over Somerset.  The Ducks are three time Atlantic League champions, but not since winning back-to-back titles six and seven years ago.  Although they've qualified for the finals the last three years running, they've fallen short each time; twice to a formidable Sugar Land Skeeters team, and once against the York Revolution.

If that alone does not serve to motivate the current cast of Quacks to greater altitudes, then Wally Backman will.  The old Mets firebrand is back, and looking to ruffle Atlantic League competition.  The man I longed to have piloting the New York Mets enters his first season as manager of the Long Island Ducks.  I congratulate him, and I'm happy for him.  As a manager he's both wild and wile, and a freak for small ball and fundamentals.  Wally makes his position crystal clear.  He's tough, demanding, and expects you to study your craft.  But he's also straightforward, a good teacher, and exudes support for his guys.  Everywhere he's been, players respected him, even lauded him.  Authority figures, not so much.  But I am no man's judge.  That said I believe he possesses a brilliant baseball mind rivaling the great managers of not too long ago.  I welcome him into the Flock's fold with wings wide open.

Ed Lynch, is not only one of my favorite Met pitchers of the time, he is likewise one of the most under rated Mets of all-time ... and he's from Brooklyn!  He was a bright light through some dark years during the early 1980s at Shea Stadium.  I felt terrible for him upon learning in 1986 he had been traded mid-season to the Cubs.  He was an important pitcher during their early rise to prominence.  Lynch rejoins his former teammate Wally Backman serving as team pitching coach.

Long Island now enters what I'll call the post John Brownell era.  The organization's all-time record setting starting pitcher retired after last season.  There's also no more Francisco Rodriguez in the bullpen.  Gone too from this year's lineup are the bats of Emilio Bonifacio, Jordany Valdespin, Taylor Ard, and Travis Snider.  The popular Cody Puckett is likewise gone, as is crowd favorite and long time shortstop Dan Lyons.

LINKS:

• MLB/Atlantic League Rule Changes
• Rules Update: Mound Distance
• Long Island Ducks
• Atlantic League
• Stats Baseball Reference

PITCHING STAFF

Tim Adleman (RHP)

• The 31-year old native New Yorker from Staten Island marks his first season with the Ducks.  Tim was originally drafted in 2010 by the Orioles, then spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons pitching in the independent American Association, and CanAm League, respectively.  By 2014 he was back to playing affiliated ball with the Cincinnati Reds organization.  He has 43 games of major league experience including 33 starts over two seasons (2016-2017) with the Reds.

Tyler Badamo (RHP)

• Hailing from Mount Sinai, New York, the 26-year old was originally drafted in 2014 by the New York Mets.  He owns a 12-13 record with a 3.79 ERA during four seasons of affiliated ball in the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Back for his first full season with the Ducks, Badamo spent parts of last season pitching for New Britain and Sugar Land before landing on Long Island, where he posted a 3-3 record with a 3.38 ERA through seven starts.

Jake Fisher (LHP)

• The 27-year old independent league veteran returns for his third season, and second full season with the Ducks.  Jake last year posted an 8-7 record with a 3.92 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

Brett Marshall (RHP)

• After making three appearances last year, Marshall returns for his first full season on Long Island.  A Yankees farm product, he last played MiLB in 2016 for Tampa's double-A affiliate.  Before joining the Ducks, he pitched parts of last season for Sugar Land and Southern Maryland.  He posted a combined 6-9 record with a 4.56 ERA in 25 total starts, with 108 strikeouts in 132.1 innings pitched.

Tim Melville (RHP)

• After making nine starts in 2017 for the Ducks, Tim returns for a second campaign on Long Island.  He spent last season pitching for Baltimore's triple-A affiliate where he made 14 starts and 40 overall appearances.  The 29-year old owns a 4.67 ERA in 861.1 career minor league innings pitched. 

Jon Niese (LHP)

• The 32-year old southpaw needs no introduction.  Local fans know him very well.  He was a member of the 2015 National League champion Mets.  I suspect many Ducks/Mets fans will be flocking to Bethpage Ballpark throughout the upcoming season to watch him pitch - every pun intended.  Niese spent nine season pitching in Queens, compiling a 61-62 record and 3.99 ERA, with 838 strikeouts through 1,079.1 innings pitched.  He pitched his last MLB game in 2016 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The upcoming season marks Jon Niese's return to baseball after a two year hiatus.

LHP Jon Niese becomes the first 2019 @LIDucks to have his contract purchased by an @MLB club - @Mariners have purchased & assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate. Congrats Jon!

— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksGM) April 24, 2019

Bennett Parry (LHP)

• Now entering his second season with the Ducks, Parry spent five seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization before moving on to Lincoln of the American Association for two seasons.  An Atlantic League all-start least season, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts, with 116 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched for a 12.3 K/9 average.

BULLPEN

Enrique Burgos (RHP)

• He spent ten seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before moving on in 2017 to the Atlanta Braves triple-A affiliate.  He spent last year pitching in Mexico.  He owns a 6-4 record and 4.43 ERA through 91.1 innings at triple-A.  Burgos has 73 games of MLB experience (2015-2016), all in relief for Arizona with a 5.27 ERA and 10.8 K/9 average in 68.1 innings pitched.

Jose Cuas (RHP)

• The infielder turned relief pitcher is back for his second season with the Ducks.  The 24-year old appeared in 22 games last season all in relief, posting a 2.38 ERA, with a 6.4 H/9 and 6.9 K/9 average in 22.2 innings pitched.  Jose played for Grand Street High School in Brooklyn!  The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 11th round of the 2015 draft.

Darin Downs (LHP)

• The 34-year old southpaw previously pitched on Long Island in 2015 and 2016, and now returns for his third season with the Ducks.  He spent last season pitching in Mexico for Monterrey where he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched.  He owns a 4.03 ERA through 764.1 career minor league innings pitched.  Downs is a three year MLB veteran with a 4.76 ERA and 8.3 K/9 average in 90.2 career innings pitched.

Tucker Healy (RHP)

• The soon to be 29-year old owns a career 3.24 ERA, 1.242 WHiP, with a 7.5 H/9 average and 11.3 K/9 average in 319.2 career innings mostly spent in the Oakland A's organization.  He enters his first season on Long Island after making 20 appearances last year for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  All of his 249 career appearances have come in relief.

Joe Iorio (RHP)

• The 27-year old Frontier League veteran of four seasons enters his first campaign with the Ducks.  He owns a career 3.95 ERA, 1.338 WHiP, and 10.2 K/9 average through 95.2 innings pitched.  He's coming off a breakout 2018 season, posting a 1.46 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched, while allowing just 36 hits and seven walks for a 0.872 WHiP.

Vin Mazzaro (RHP)

• The first time Duck was originally selected by the Oakland A's in the third round of the 2005 draft.  A veteran of eight (2009-2016) MLB seasons, he owns a 24-23 career record and 4.79 ERA in 383 innings pitched.  Of his 140 career appearances, 95 have been in relief.  Last season he posted ten saves with a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings pitched for the New Jersey Jackals of the CanAm League.  He surrendered just 33 hits and 10 walks for a 0.935 WHiP, with 44 strikeouts for an 8.6 K/9 average.

Alex Katz (LHP)

• Another local born in Manhasset, New York, Alex attended St. John's University in Queens.  The 24-year old owns a 3.95 ERA in 200.1 career innings pitching in the White Sox and Orioles respective  systems.  Last season he struck out 47 batters in 44.1 innings pitching for single-A Delmarva.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Ramon Cabrera (C)

• At 29-years of age, Ramon returns for a second season on Long Island.  Last year he batted .268 in 84 games and 313 at-bats, with 21 doubles, three home runs, and 31 RBI.  Over a ten year MiLB career he's a career .282 hitter, with a 24% rate of caught stealing, and .991 fielding average.  Ramon played in 74 MLB games with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector Sanchez (C)

• Now 29-years old, he spent last season playing for Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.  Over the course of seven (2011-2017) seasons, he slashed .238/.273/.367, with 59 extra base hits and 120 RBI through 347 games and 783 at-bats, and owned a .992 FA, with a 25% rate of caught stealing as a major league catcher.  In 498 career MiLB games, he is a .286/.359/.449 career slasher with 52 home runs and 309 RBI in 1,700 at-bats.

Wagner Gomez (C, RP)

• Sometimes pitcher, sometimes catcher - who knows - Gomez is another man of many, if not enigmatic talents.  He enjoyed a brief cup of coffee late last year, and returns in search of a full season on Long Island.  But in what capacity remains to be seen.  He played two games last season in which he managed four at-bats, but also pitched and finished a game with one full inning of work.  His five year minor league career with the Reds organization ended after 2014, after which he remained unlisted for three seasons until joining the Ducks.

AROUND THE HORN

David Washington (1B)

• David last season was Long Island's main sources of power.  In 113 games and 399 at-bats, he hit 16 doubles, a team high 24 home runs, with 71 RBI, and eighteen stolen bases.  For the 28-year old, his prime athletic years lay dead ahead.

Vladimir Frias (2B, SS)

• Drafted by the Giants in 2008, Frias last participated in affiliated ball in 2017 with Arizona's double-A club.  Otherwise, the now 34-year old infielder spent the previous two seasons as a standout with the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Last year he slashed .282/.350/.411, with 24 extra base hits and 39 RBI in 287 at-bats.  He also stole 16 bases and was caught only twice.

Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (SS, 2B)

• It seems as if Ivan has been playing forever.  He was 18-years old in 2005 when he broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie league squad.  He is a career .302 hitter through eight season at triple-A; and a career .300 hitter in 13 overall MiLB seasons.  De Jesus is also a Winter League stalwart, and brings with him 228 games of major league experience.  He played last season for the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.  The soon to be 32-year old enters his first season playing independent baseball.

Rando Moreno (SS, 2B)

• The soon to be 27-year old, spent last season playing for the San Rafael Pacifics of the independent Pacific Association, where he slashed .305/.356/.432, with 33 extra base hots, and 55 RBI through 80 games and 354 at-bats.  He scored 71 runs, and stole 25 bases while getting caught just once.  Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Steve Lombardozzi (3B, 2B)

• In six years of major league service, the 30-year old infielder slashed .260/.292/.333, with 43 extra base hits and 52 RBI in 291 games and 786 at-bats.  He spent last season playing for Nashville of the Pacific Coast League where he batted .243 with 19 extra base hits and 42 RBI over 120 games.  This season marks Steve's return to the Atlantic League.  He previously  played 40 games in 2016 for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs where he slashed .367/.401/.428, with nine extra base hits and 20 RBI in 166 at-bats.

Mike Olt (1B/3B)

• Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Mike attended spring training with the Minnesota Twins.  He spent the last two seasons in the Red Sox organization.  In 2017 he hit 23 doubles and 16 home runs, with 57 RBI in 392 at-bats for double-A Portland.  He has 135 games of MLB service.  While with the Cubs in 2014, he hit 12 home runs with 33 RBI in 225 at-bats.

OUTFIELD

Matt den Dekker (L/L)

• Another familiar face, Matt has 166 major league games of experience most popularly with the Mets, along with the Nationals and Tigers.  He owns an MLB slash of .223/.305/.337, with 27 extra base hits and 30 RBI through 368 big league at-bats.  In 811 games over a nine year minor league career, he slashed .271/.335/.447 with 86 home runs and 401 RBI.  Now 31-years old, he spent last season playing for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Daniel Fields (L/R)

• Back for his second season with the Ducks, Daniel last season slashed .267/.345/.425, with 21 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 12 stolen bases through 96 games and 341 at-bats.  He spent the 2017 season playing for the now defunct Bridgeport Bluefish, for whom he slashed .297/.387/.486, with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 85 games.  Originally drafted in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers, the 28-year old played his only ever MLB game in 2015, going 1 for 3, with a double.

Rey Fuentes (L/L)

• Drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox, Rey was later shipped to the San Diego Padres in 2010 as part of Boston's transaction to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  Now 28-years old, he has exactly 100 games of MLB experience.  A perennial Winter League participant, he spent the last two seasons playing at Reno of the Pacific Coast League where last year he batted .265 in 2018 with 11 doubles, six home runs, and 39 RBI in 302 at-bats.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (L/R)

• Long Island welcomes another former Mets outfielder, the California dreamer himself.  Since debuting for the Mets back in 2012, he remained active in major league baseball through the 2017 season.  He spent last season playing for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  I caught my first glimpse of Kirk - like so many other Mets prospects - at Coney Island when he played for the Brooklyn Cyclones.  He enjoyed his best season in 2016 while with Milwaukee where he hit 18 doubles and 13 home runs, with 44 RBI in 335 at-bats.

Lew Ford (R/R) - player/coach

• The Texas born globetrotter returns to Long Island for his tenth season with the Ducks.  Before making the Pond his permanent residence, Lew played on baseball diamonds across America, as well as Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and across the Pacific in Japan.  Oh, the stories he can tell.  Now 42-years young, Ford is coming off one of his best seasons in which he slashed .293/.353/.432, with 33 doubles, ten home runs, and 73 RBI in 123 games and 468 at-bats.  The trick was staying healthy after nagging injuries compromised both his 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Ducks: Spring Training Invitees

Long Island's season kicks off on the road against the Revolution at York, Pennsylvania on Friday.  Their home opener at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for the following Friday, May 3, in a return series against the Revolution.  The Ducks also have a new member club joining the Liberty Division.  The High Point Rockers hailing out of North Carolina are now open for business.  They replace the defunct Bridgeport Bluefish.  The Sugar Land Skeeters are defending Atlantic League champions.  They've won in two of the last three years, defeating the Long Island Ducks each time.

N.Y. Mets: Adios Wally, Good Luck in Mexico

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

Wally Backman Coaching in Mexico 

After Mets Breakup

N.Y. Mets: Wally still trying to hit jackpot in Las Vegas

From the desk of HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET MEETS THE GREAT GAZOO

CASHMAN FIELD

LAS VEGAS

NEW YORK METS: Fans still hoping Wally Backman will one day manage in Flushing.

Long suspected by fans, and reinforced by Darryl Stawberry's recent appearances on SNY-TV, and most notably on ESPN's Doc and Darryl 30 for 30 episode, Fred Wilpon isn't necessarily the problem in so far as the organization's relationship with many former members of the 1986 Mets.

Fred Wilpon certainly pissed off Tom Seaver over the years, but his fondness for the '86 Mets is actually well known.  Instead, Mets' COO Jeff Wilpon is widely assumed to be the root cause for most strained relationships with their former players, particularly members of the 1986 era Mets, and all else for that matter.

That's why during Saturday night's game between the visiting Las Vegas 51s and host Iowa Cubs, Wally Backman perhaps reinforced why he'll likely never become manager of the New York Mets.

In the bottom of the 6th inning with the 51s leading 7-5, Las Vegas reliever Jeff Walters was called for a balk.  When Walters protested Wally Backman naturally raced out of the dugout to protect his pitcher (as well he should), but escalated matters by tapping back into his inner Peanuts days (not rated PG!) - directing some good old school vitriol at home plate ump Blade Felix and first base ump Thomas Newsome.

Of course, Wally Backman earned his 6th ejection of the season the old fashioned way - making sure to cover up home plate with dirt prior to exiting the field.

Despite the masses of Mets fans in Wally Backman's corner yearning for him to be named Mets manager, Jeff Wilpon will likely never allow that to happen.

What a shame too.  The man battles demons, but possesses a brilliant baseball mind, and whose desire to win is relentless ... like Pete Rose and Billy Martin once were.  As players, then as managers, all they (Rose, Martin, Backman) ever wanted to do was beat you - every inning, every game, every day, until the schedule tapped out.

That's a unique personality at work, a baseball lifer, a die hard, but quite often not so soft and cuddly, much less agreeable with anyone outside his locker room.

Sadly, in the age of replay challenges, diva umpiring, Joe Torre's medieval baseball council, runaway media sensationalism, social media contrarians, and the PC plague, I sense hiring Wally Backman to manage the Mets would go over like a fart in a spacesuit ... or not.

My passion for baseball was born in the 70s ... clearly a different era.


Travis Taijeron has left the building..

Fresh off homering in the AAA All-Star game, Las Vegas 51s outfielder/DH Travis Taijeron connected again Saturday against the Iowa Cubs, this time leaving the ball park.  That's right - Travis Taijeron's home run left Principal Park (home of the Iowa Cubs).

Travis, 27, is now slashing .305/.388/.566 through 86 games and 318 at-bats this season.  Here's how he ranks against the Pacific Coast League's offensive leaders:

• Doubles - #1
• Total Bases - #2
• RBI - #3
• OPS - #4
• Runs Scored - #5
• Home Runs - tied #6

Shooting Craps...

The devolving Rafael Montero was demoted to Binghamton last week.

After pitching in all of seven games in 2015 due to arm soreness, this season was supposed to be his big comeback - bigger, better, and stronger than ever.

That hasn't happened...

Instead, Montero, posted a 4-6 record, with an alarming 7.20 ERA and 1.888 WHiP over 16 starts for the Las Vegas 51s.  He allowed 111 hits and 40 walks in 80 innings pitched, with 68 strikeouts.

He has now made 50 starts over parts of four seasons with Las Vegas, in which he owns a 16-14 record with a 4.60 ERA and 1.4555 WHiP, with 233 strikeouts over 256.1 innings pitched.

Montero, 25, earned a no-decision in his first start with the BMets.  He allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks through six innings pitched, with five strikeouts.

Mets Minors: Backman Leading Las Vegas 51s Trio in AAA All-Star Game

From the desk of:  MR. MET MEETS THE GREAT GAZOO

CASHMAN FIELD

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mets Minors: Travis Taijeron and J.T. Rivera Set to Wield PCL Leading Bats Against International League's Best.

The Las Vegas 51s regular season will resume on July 14 against the Iowa Cubs.

In the meantime, Vegas skipper Wally Backman will manage the Pacific Coast League's top talent when they take on the International League's best in the 29th annual AAA All-Star Game this Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is tied for second most wins in the league with a 9-3 record, and tied for second with 18 starts this season.  He has also logged the third most innings in the Pacific Coast League to date and boasts a representative 4.19 ERA.

At the plate, right fielder Travis Taijeron and infielder J.T. Rivera have been pummeling Pacific Coast league pitching since the season's first call to play ball.

After 84 games and 312 at-bats, Taijeron leads the PCL with 35 doubles, is second with 176 total bases, ranks third with 69 RBI, and is fifth with both a .564 slugging average and .953 OPS.  He's otherwise batting .306 with 13 home runs.

Shortstop and third baseman J.T. Rivera leads the Pacific Coast League with a .348 batting average.   He is additionally fourth behind Taijeron with 63 RBI, tenth right behind Taijeron with a .389 OBP, and is tied with Taijeron for sixth with 96 total hits.  With eight home runs to date, he's one away from matching his single season (2014) high.

N.Y. Mets: Trucking Six Years of Baggage Down I-95

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Loaded up and truckin' on southbound I-95

2015: Pre-Season

Pitchers/Catchers - Feb. 19

Position Players Due - Feb. 24

1st Full Squad Workout - Feb. 26

Grapefruit League Opener - Mar. 4

SEASON OPENER - APRIL 6

OPENING DAY - APRIL 13

NEW YORK METS: The past 6 years have been trying times in Flushing.  So were the 6 years following the infamous Tom Seaver trade.  I've lived through both periods.  As Yogi once said, it's been like deja-vu all over again.

The Resurrection That Was: 1984

Over the last 6 years, the Mets have averaged 75.5 victories per season.  Their worse mark came in 2009 when they posted a 70-92 record.  Last season, they tied their best mark over that span with a 79-83 record.  That's a net improvement of 9 games, or, a gain of 1.8 victories per season.

Earlier this winter, Sandy Alderson expressed his belief the Mets can improve by 10 games this upcoming season and reach 89 victories.  That's a more realistic expectation than last winter's desire to win 90 games only because several young players gained valuable experience, and hopefully other key players have sufficiently healed.

Even I will admit the upcoming 2015 season finally brings with it realistic expectations for competitiveness after a long deconstruction, and reconstruction period undertaken by Sandy Alderson.  I would argue the rebuilding is still ongoing, but most have had it with excuses, double talk, broken promises, and particularly, finances.

There's a sense the Mets are close.  Close to what is still debatable, but, fans want wins.

To that regard, there's a small measure of good news.

With just 2 more victories last season, the Mets could have reached the elusive .500 plateau for the first time since 2008.  With just slightly better play against the Nationals and/or Giants, that could have been achieved.  Or, instead of blowing 22 saves last season, they could have limited themselves to just 20 blown saves, or this, or that.  Otherwise, the Mets posted a .500 record against the rest of the National League.

The Mets finished 17 games behind the Nationals in the N.L. East last season, while the Giants and Pirates earned Wild Cards with 88 victories.

I would rather the Mets put their minds and efforts towards achieving a .500 record first, but it seems 89 victories is indeed key for a shot at post-season play.

Within Mets history, there's precedent for such a turnaround.

It took Frank Cashen 4 seasons, between 1980 through 1983, to build the Mets into a 90-win competitor in year five.  Frank Cashen benefited from players left behind by Joe McDonald, that he either utilized or traded to improve the team.

Sandy Alderson has likewise spent the last 4 seasons, between 2011 and 2014, rebuilding the Mets, and is now heading into season five.  Like Cashen, Sandy Alderson is benefiting from players left behind by Omar Minaya, by either utilizing them, or trading some in an effort to improve the team.

The Mets won 69 games in 1983, then took a major step forward in 1984 with 90 victories.  We're only asking for half of that in 2015.

Compared to the Mets present situation, the '84 team was defensively superior up the middle with Mike Fitzgerald behind the plate, Jose Oquendo and Wally Backman at middle infield, and with Mookie Wilson in center.  Keith Hernandez had no equal at first, Darryl Strawberry sported the league's best arm in right, and Hubie Brooks was a very good third baseman.  If anyone, George Foster was the lone weak link in left.

Foster more than made up for any defensive shortcomings with his bat.  The middle of the '84 line-up featured Keith Hernandez (.311, 15 HR, 94 RBI), Darryl Strawberry (26 HR, 97 RBI), Hubie Brooks (.283, 16 HR, 73 RBI), and at 34-years old, George Foster turned in 24 HR and 86 RBI.  Between Mookie Wilson and Wally Backman, that team also had effective table setters.

On the mound, 19-year old Dwight Gooden turned in an historic ROY performance with a 17-9 record, 2.60 ERA, and rookie record 276 strikeouts.  He was complimented by Ron Darling, Walt Terrell, and an emerging Sid Fernandez whom combined on a 29-27 record.

In the bullpen, Jesse Orosco was 10-6 with a 2.59 ERA and 31 saves.  Doug Sisk posted a 2.02 ERA and saved another 15 games.

Defense: Edge 1984

Offense: Edge 1984

Pitching: Edge 2015

How does all this translate with regards to the 2015 season?

2014 N.L. Fielding Ranking:

Fielding Average - 12th

Stolen Base% - 13th

Passed Balls - 4th most

2014 N.L. Offensive Ranking:

R - 8th

HR - 9th

Avg. - 13th

OBP - 9th

SLG - 12th

2014 N.L. Pitching Ranking:

Avg. Against - 8th

WHiP - 10th

Walks - 3rd most

ERA - 6th

Saves - 9th

DEFENSE: Passed Balls, A Gold Glove, and Cross Your Fingers.

The Mets ranked 12th in the N.L. in overall defense.  They are particularly flawed up the middle.   While center fielder Juan Lagares won his first gold glove award, the team is debilitated in three other key positions.  

It's easier to hide one defensive liability than it is two; naturally.  Despite Daniel Murphy's overall improvement these last few seasons, he is still an inadequate second baseman.  Now the Mets intend on adding defensively challenged Wilmer Flores to the mix at shortstop.  The Mets turned the second most double-plays last season.  I learned back in the 1970's, teams that usually lead the league in DPs are generally sub .500 teams.  This combination screams trouble, which a young pitching staff such as that of the Mets could find discouraging.

However, this should be a short term problem.  The Mets are near prepared to transition away from Murphy from within.  Unless traded during the season, the Mets have made it clear they will let him walk as a free agent.  I'm sure the Mets would be willing to package Wilmer Flores in a trade as well, if it suits their needs.  Shortstop will remain a major point of contention unless Flores' bat sufficiently mutes the naysayers, or, because the Mets lack a readily available prospect to fill the position, they acquire an off-campus solution.

Behind the plate, the kid gloves are off.  As a receiver, Travis d'Arnaud frames pitches very well, and Met pitchers generally say they like working with him.  However, the Mets were 13th worst at throwing out would be base-stealers, and allowed the 4th most passed balls.  Travis d'Arnaud led the N.L. with 12 passed balls.  To his credit, he was a considerably improved player after being recalled from a demotion to Las Vegas.  This season, however, Travis d'Arnaud, 26, has too much competition behind him to risk a step backwards.  Kevin Plawecki's MLB debut is imminent.

OFFENSE: Now Bordering Insanity.

In a 12 team circuit, the 1984 Mets finished their season ranked 6th in runs, HR, Avg., and slugging.   In a 15 team circuit, the 2014 Mets finished 13th in average, 12th in slugging, 9th in HR, and 8th in runs.  Here's the twist: the '84 Mets scored 652 runs, and allowed 676, while last year's Mets scored 629, and allowed 618.

The Mets are potentially heading into the 2015 season with the same general line-up as they have the last two seasons.  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of what?

Insanity?

The only off-season enhancement Sandy Alderson has made to the offense was signing Michael Cuddyer.  We know what he's done in his 14-year MLB career.  We just do not know what he brings to the Mets.  Aren't we just banking on him being the next George Foster, Jerry Hairston, or Marlon Byrd?  His addition is an improvement over Eric Young, for sure, but he's hardly enough to make the Mets even a middle of the pack offense (as they became in 1984).

The Mets true fortunes lie with David Wright having a vintage Wright season, Curtis Granderson increasing his productivity under his old batting coach, and with Lucas Duda's, Travis d'Arnaud's, and Juan Lagares' continued improvement at the plate.  Then obviously, Daniel Murphy and Wilmer Flores will have to provide considerably better bats than gloves.

Juan Lagares is most likely going to begin the season at the top of the line-up.  In 172 plate appearances leading-off, he double slashed .276/.329, with 9 stolen bases.  For now, that's the best the Mets can do, unless, if in their attempts to improve 2B and SS they acquire someone more suitable at the top of the line-up.

PITCHING: A Call To Arms.

This is where I believe today's Mets are ahead of the 1984 Mets; in their depth of rotation.  The Mets have a growing potential to form one of the most formidable starting rotations in baseball (at least by season's end).

Between Batman and Thor, they're starting to read like Marvel heroes.

The Dark Knight of Gotham; the Real Deal; or, as this blog named him, the Time Bandit; Matt Harvey is back.  How close he'll be to the one we remember prior to surgery remains to be seen.  He's a big lift nonetheless; akin to a big off-season acquisition.  As he goes, the Mets will go.  He has the potential to make up 10 games all by himself, but he will be pitching the upcoming season with limits.  This is slowly turning into a wait and see situation.  For the moment, Matt Harvey is scheduled to pitch the home opener on April 13th.

Moving forward, the onus is now on Zack Wheeler to take another step forward, and for 2014 ROY Jacob deGrom to validate himself.

Soon joining Harvey, Wheeler, and deGrom, is a mix that will potentially include Noah Syndergaard, Rafael Montero, with Steven Matz hot on their trail.  Once the Mets get service time and Super-2 hang-ups out of the way, the door will open for any one of their arrivals.

Until then. the Mets otherwise enter the regular season well fortified with Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese, and Dillon Gee.  It would seem with all this starting pitching, the team should be able to steer clear of any prolonged losing streaks.  That said, the Mets are looking to deal some of this depth, most notably, Dillon Gee or Jon Niese (or both).

After suffering many hardships, the bullpen is now a team strength.

Final Pitch: Looking Like a Lost Cause.

Even the 1984 Mets were still 2 seasons away from a championship, which means it took Frank Cashen 7 years to get there.

Just saying...

There's also the matter of the field manager.  In 1984, Frank Cashen promoted Davey Johnson to replace George Bamberger/Frank Howard, and become the new field manager of the Mets.  Johnson was familiar, and enjoyed minor league success with many of the young players on the roster and worked well with the veterans.  With Mel Stottlemyer as pitching coach, Johnson guided the Mets five 90-win seasons before getting let go early in 1990.

Many Mets fans, including myself, have clamored long and loudly for Sandy Alderson to replace manager Terry Collins with Wally Backman (and pitching coach Frank Viola) to no avail.  The upcoming season could be distinctly similar to 1984 in this respect: Wally Backman would be the absolute right move and have the absolute right affect on these players, with whom he's enjoyed minor league success on numerous levels.

I feel the usefulness of Terry Collins has passed, and do not necessarily believe he is owed an opportunity to win with this team.

The 2015 Mets, and the future of the Mets, depends on much more bold and definitive decision making on the general manager's part, but first he needs a stronger commitment from ownership. Until those guys step up their efforts, the Mets will continue competing against themselves.

They're merely a condition.  So despite them, there's still a good feeling heading into Spring Training.




Mike