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BTB
Sunday, May 02, 2010
David Wright Might Need a Hip Replacement after..
During yesterday's Mets/Phillies contest, David Wright was up against Roy Halladay. Halladay snapped off a curve ball that had David spinning in place like the Tasmanian Devil. He damn near broke his hip turning his torso and head towards the umpire trying to "Matrix" a curve ball that dropped in for a called third strike. David Wright's mind is still hampered by the thoughts of getting beaned last year. There is no pitch recognition. He did not spot the traditional dot on a curve ball. He acted in pure self defense from an ankle breaking, hip replacing curve ball..........that dropped in for strike three.
By the way...That effort by Roy Halladay was nothing short of magnificent. His was a study in 'Closing the Deal'. Roy Halladay threw 88 strikes in 118 pitches! He found his way through the middle innings and attacked the strike zone to finish very very strongly. That's how it's done. That's how you finish what you start.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
By the way...That effort by Roy Halladay was nothing short of magnificent. His was a study in 'Closing the Deal'. Roy Halladay threw 88 strikes in 118 pitches! He found his way through the middle innings and attacked the strike zone to finish very very strongly. That's how it's done. That's how you finish what you start.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
Tonight's Rubber Game; NY Mets vs. Phillies in Philadelphia
..early afternoon:
In tonight's big rubber game between the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets have announced Ike Davis and Angel Pagan will get the night off. Gary Matthews Jr. will start in center field and Fernando Tatis will get the start at first base.
If anyone needs a day off today it's David Wright. He needs to clear his mind. Did you see that curve ball Halladay snapped off that David nearly broke his hip and his ankles getting out of the way from; the one that dropped in for strike three? Say what you will but getting beaned still presses on his mind. I've noticed it a few times this year with a good hook coming at him. He's not concentrating and recognizing the pitch. He's not picking up the signature dot on a curve ball at all.
If Ike and Pagan need a day off that's fine, but it's incumbent upon Omar to make upgrades from our current Matthews and Tatis off the bench situation. Omar needs to have that situation corrected by, if not before the trade deadline. I do not mean Beltran either. I'm talking bench upgrades here. Cora is a keeper. I know the return of Beltran puts Pagan back on the bench. But I am not counting on Beltran.
Tonight's Mets Line-Up:
CF ~ Matthews
2B ~ Castillo
SS ~ Reyes
LF ~ Bay
3B ~ Wright
1B ~ Tatis
RF ~ Francouer
C ~ Barrajas
SP ~ Santana
Game Blog:
*Top 1st inning ~ Castillo single. Bay single. David Wright hit a three run Home Run. So much for me saying he needs a day off. Tatis base hit.
*Bottom 1st inning ~ Placido Polanco hit a laser to left on an 0-2 pitch for a Home Run...a high fastball out of the strike zone. Against the Ryan Howard Shift, Ryan Howard hit an outside corner change-up to left field for another Philly solo Home Run.
After 1st inning ~ Mets 3 - Phils 2
*Top 2nd inning ~ Barrajas single. Matthews fielder's choice. Barrajas out trying to advance to 3rd.
*Bottom 2nd inning ~ a seven pitch inning for Johan Santana. Phils out in order.
After 2nd inning ~ Mets 5 hits - Phils 2 hits score = Mets 3 - Phils 2
*Top 3rd inning ~ 3B Polanco makes nice bare hand pick-up and throw out of Jason Bay. Jamie Moyer gets through Mets 3,4 and 5 hitters easily with his pitches topping out at 81 mph and averaging 78 mph. A couple of pitches have come in at 71 mph. I hate this guy!
*Bottom 3rd inning ~ Moyer slaps a ball to short and hustles up the line but is thrown out by Reyes. Moyer is on HGH!(not). He's becoming the Minnie Minoso of pitchers. Phils muster nothing this inning.
Phillies announce Joe Blanton will pitch for Philadelphia tomorrow. I'm sure that's welcome news for Philly.
*Top 4th inning ~ Tatis is punched out - caught looking at a high strike. Moyer's first K. Francouer hit by pitch. Moyer hits 82 mph...game high! Francouer steals second base. Barrajas hits one off the foul pole in left field..Home Run Barrajas, his 6th of the year. Moyer strikes out Johan. Matthews just committed his third out of the night. We only get 27 outs a game and he has mastered accumulating them as a Met. Matthews produces outs at an astonishing 86% clip.
*Bottom 4th inning ~ Utley lead-off double. Ryan hits fly to warning track in left and Utley does not/can not tag up from second base. Werth hits a dribbler.. out catcher to first, Utley to third. Ibanez singles to right. Utley scores Philly's 3rd run. Single by Castro. Ruiz walks on four pitches. Bases loaded for Jamie Moyer and two outs. Johan walks Moyer. Run scores, bases still loaded. GRAND SLAM HOME RUN by Shane Victorino on the first pitch. Single for Polanco and the Phils have batted around. Not so much as a visit by Dan Warthen or Manuel through-out this inning. AND Chase Utley just smashed another HOME RUN to right. Two more runs in. Score now Philly 10 - Mets 5. Eight runs this inning all coming with two outs. Johan Santana's best pitch came in at 91 mph tonight but with no command and control tonight, the Phils were able to sit on the fast ball. Johan is headed for an early shower. Takahashi is the new Met pitcher. Howard single. Werth doubles, Howard scores. Ibanez is out and inning finally ends.
After 4th inning ~ Phillies 11 - Mets 5
*Top 5th inning ~ Who Cares?!
Johan's line:
3.2 innings pitched
8 hits
10 runs all earned
2 walks, 1 strikeout
4 home runs allowed.
P.U.!!!
And that concludes tonight's broadcast. I suddenly no longer feel the motivation to continue this post any longer. *sigh*
I'm back...just in time to announce this game just went final at 10:54 p.m. EST.
Philadelphia Phillies 11
New York Mets 5
The Mets are now 1/2 game out of first place. It's not a bad place to be. Good night all.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
In tonight's big rubber game between the NY Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets have announced Ike Davis and Angel Pagan will get the night off. Gary Matthews Jr. will start in center field and Fernando Tatis will get the start at first base.
If anyone needs a day off today it's David Wright. He needs to clear his mind. Did you see that curve ball Halladay snapped off that David nearly broke his hip and his ankles getting out of the way from; the one that dropped in for strike three? Say what you will but getting beaned still presses on his mind. I've noticed it a few times this year with a good hook coming at him. He's not concentrating and recognizing the pitch. He's not picking up the signature dot on a curve ball at all.
If Ike and Pagan need a day off that's fine, but it's incumbent upon Omar to make upgrades from our current Matthews and Tatis off the bench situation. Omar needs to have that situation corrected by, if not before the trade deadline. I do not mean Beltran either. I'm talking bench upgrades here. Cora is a keeper. I know the return of Beltran puts Pagan back on the bench. But I am not counting on Beltran.
Tonight's Mets Line-Up:
CF ~ Matthews
2B ~ Castillo
SS ~ Reyes
LF ~ Bay
3B ~ Wright
1B ~ Tatis
RF ~ Francouer
C ~ Barrajas
SP ~ Santana
Game Blog:
*Top 1st inning ~ Castillo single. Bay single. David Wright hit a three run Home Run. So much for me saying he needs a day off. Tatis base hit.
*Bottom 1st inning ~ Placido Polanco hit a laser to left on an 0-2 pitch for a Home Run...a high fastball out of the strike zone. Against the Ryan Howard Shift, Ryan Howard hit an outside corner change-up to left field for another Philly solo Home Run.
After 1st inning ~ Mets 3 - Phils 2
*Top 2nd inning ~ Barrajas single. Matthews fielder's choice. Barrajas out trying to advance to 3rd.
*Bottom 2nd inning ~ a seven pitch inning for Johan Santana. Phils out in order.
After 2nd inning ~ Mets 5 hits - Phils 2 hits score = Mets 3 - Phils 2
*Top 3rd inning ~ 3B Polanco makes nice bare hand pick-up and throw out of Jason Bay. Jamie Moyer gets through Mets 3,4 and 5 hitters easily with his pitches topping out at 81 mph and averaging 78 mph. A couple of pitches have come in at 71 mph. I hate this guy!
*Bottom 3rd inning ~ Moyer slaps a ball to short and hustles up the line but is thrown out by Reyes. Moyer is on HGH!(not). He's becoming the Minnie Minoso of pitchers. Phils muster nothing this inning.
Phillies announce Joe Blanton will pitch for Philadelphia tomorrow. I'm sure that's welcome news for Philly.
*Top 4th inning ~ Tatis is punched out - caught looking at a high strike. Moyer's first K. Francouer hit by pitch. Moyer hits 82 mph...game high! Francouer steals second base. Barrajas hits one off the foul pole in left field..Home Run Barrajas, his 6th of the year. Moyer strikes out Johan. Matthews just committed his third out of the night. We only get 27 outs a game and he has mastered accumulating them as a Met. Matthews produces outs at an astonishing 86% clip.
*Bottom 4th inning ~ Utley lead-off double. Ryan hits fly to warning track in left and Utley does not/can not tag up from second base. Werth hits a dribbler.. out catcher to first, Utley to third. Ibanez singles to right. Utley scores Philly's 3rd run. Single by Castro. Ruiz walks on four pitches. Bases loaded for Jamie Moyer and two outs. Johan walks Moyer. Run scores, bases still loaded. GRAND SLAM HOME RUN by Shane Victorino on the first pitch. Single for Polanco and the Phils have batted around. Not so much as a visit by Dan Warthen or Manuel through-out this inning. AND Chase Utley just smashed another HOME RUN to right. Two more runs in. Score now Philly 10 - Mets 5. Eight runs this inning all coming with two outs. Johan Santana's best pitch came in at 91 mph tonight but with no command and control tonight, the Phils were able to sit on the fast ball. Johan is headed for an early shower. Takahashi is the new Met pitcher. Howard single. Werth doubles, Howard scores. Ibanez is out and inning finally ends.
After 4th inning ~ Phillies 11 - Mets 5
*Top 5th inning ~ Who Cares?!
3.2 innings pitched
8 hits
10 runs all earned
2 walks, 1 strikeout
4 home runs allowed.
P.U.!!!
And that concludes tonight's broadcast. I suddenly no longer feel the motivation to continue this post any longer. *sigh*
I'm back...just in time to announce this game just went final at 10:54 p.m. EST.
Philadelphia Phillies 11
New York Mets 5
The Mets are now 1/2 game out of first place. It's not a bad place to be. Good night all.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
The All-Time Greatest Yankees Lists
On April 29th, 2010 Russell Adams wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal compiling a list of the top-ten Yankee positional players of all time. He based his criteria for the list on the following:
**Statistics such as Post-Season Batting Avg., Fielding Range, OPS, Wins Above Replacement
**Economic Impact taking into consideration impact on attendance, their value to the franchise, earning potential in marketing and advertising..etc.
**Cultural Relevance
Here is that top-ten list compiled by Russell Adams.
But please read his article for the sake of keeping things in context.
1 - Babe Ruth
2 - Lou Gehrig
3 - Joe DiMaggio
4 - Derek Jeter
5- Yogi Berra
6 - Mickey Mantle
7 - Reggie Jackson
8 - Alex Rodriguez
9 - Joe Gordon
10 - Tommy Henrich
With regards only to the top five, I would make one alteration. I would switch Yogi Berra to the number two spot and drop the Iron Horse to number five.
Casey Stengel said of Yogi Berra, "I never play without my guy" He's won more World Series rings than anyone in history; TEN. In retirement, look no further than the ovation he received when after a 14 year absence from Yankee Stadium, he returned to thunderous applause. Yogi Berra has given a whole nation of baseball fans a new lexicon we put in use everyday. He also opened up the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair N.J.
Joe DiMaggio could have been number two on this list. But Yogi is more lovable than The Clipper. Joe DiMaggio was more reserved and as you know has been accused of being somewhat aloof and kinda distant (I'm trying to be delicate here. I actually do know a tid-bid about him. I have a friend who is/was "linked" through a marriage that made them "inter-related". I hope that was vague enough). Yogi was and still is a common man's hero. Joe DiMaggio had songs going for him. Of course his marriage to Marylin Monroe skyrocketed him even higher than his baseball legend already took him. But it brought him a different kind of fame that perhaps he was less comfortable with. At Old Timer's Games at the Stadium attended by Yogi and DiMaggio, Joltin' Joe always insisted on being announced last. Hey if Joe D "got it like that" - I do not begrudge him at all. He IS Joe D. But stuff like that never crossed Yogi's mind. To me, there-in lies the difference.
Lou Gehrig is no doubt a worthy number two on any list. The Iron Horse is undoubtedly a legend of Baseball. Lou is the founder and set the standard for Yankee Pride and what is known as the Yankee Way.
Until Cal Ripken broke his record, Lou Gehrig was the model of dedication and reliability. Hence, he was named the first Yankee Captain.
But based on the criteria we are working with, my list flips Yogi Berra into the two spot and the Iron Horse down to five. Everyone else I believe is in their rightful place within the top 5.
BTB's List:
1- Babe Ruth
2- Yogi Berra
3- Joltin' Joe DiMaggio
4- Derek Jeter
5- Lou Gehrig
Based on the same criteria Russell Adams said he is going to compile his list of Greatest Yankee Pitchers.
I took the liberty of getting a head start.
BTB's List of Top Ten All-Time Yankee Pitchers:
1 - Mo ~ He is the Greatest Reliever of All-Time. Period. The Yankees just don't win all those Championships in the last run-off without him.
2 - Ford ~ Whitey is second because where it can be said Mo is the best all-time in his craft, even though Whitey Ford has an incredible winning percentage and his playoff record is second to none, Whitey Ford was still never the best starting pitcher ever. Mo can lay claim to that title and that's why I place Ford second.
3 - Guidry ~ because he had one of the most singularly greatest seasons in history. He was the Ace of the Bronx Zoo teams. Amid all that chaos in the Bronx, Louisiana Lightning remained class all the way and brought a lot of sanity to a clubhouse that was pretty much insane. He single handedly pitched the Yankees to a title in 1978.
4 - Jack Chesbro ~ The original Highlander of 1903 and their first superstar. The last pitcher to win 40 games in a season. He put the Yankees on the baseball map before they were ever called the Yankees.
5 - Waite Hoyt ~ He was the Ace during the Babe Ruth era of the Roaring Twenties. He lead the League in wins for the great 1927 Yankees' Murderers Row team.
6 - Goose ~ The pitcher on this list with the least time served in the Bronx. He was no doubt the most fearsome pitcher ever to throw a baseball in the Bronx by a wide margin.
7 - Andy ~ He continues to pile onto his numbers. He is pitching renaissance seasons right now and strengthening a growing HOF debate. His playoff record is right up there with Whitey Ford's and his lifetime win percentage is equally up in elite levels.
8 - Lefty Gomez ~ a four time 20 game winner leading the AL in wins twice. Three times he led the league in strikeouts and has a career win percentage of .649
9 - Herb Pennock ~ The other Ace in the Babe Ruth era of the Roaring Twenties.
10 - Righetti ~ because he threw a no-hitter on 4th of July vs. Red Sox. He also converted to a closer, became the Yankees all-time saves leader at the time and held the single season record for saves.
I just felt compelled to include Righetti in the top 10 at the expense of Red Ruffing. Red Ruffing should be on this list and if I had to sacrifice someone to get him on, it would have to be Goose or Righetti himself.
The other honorable mentions are Mel Stottlemyer Sr., Allie Reynolds, Eddie Lopat and Vic Raschi.
**Statistics such as Post-Season Batting Avg., Fielding Range, OPS, Wins Above Replacement
**Economic Impact taking into consideration impact on attendance, their value to the franchise, earning potential in marketing and advertising..etc.
**Cultural Relevance
Here is that top-ten list compiled by Russell Adams.
But please read his article for the sake of keeping things in context.
1 - Babe Ruth
2 - Lou Gehrig
3 - Joe DiMaggio
4 - Derek Jeter
5- Yogi Berra
6 - Mickey Mantle
7 - Reggie Jackson
8 - Alex Rodriguez
9 - Joe Gordon
10 - Tommy Henrich
With regards only to the top five, I would make one alteration. I would switch Yogi Berra to the number two spot and drop the Iron Horse to number five.
Casey Stengel said of Yogi Berra, "I never play without my guy" He's won more World Series rings than anyone in history; TEN. In retirement, look no further than the ovation he received when after a 14 year absence from Yankee Stadium, he returned to thunderous applause. Yogi Berra has given a whole nation of baseball fans a new lexicon we put in use everyday. He also opened up the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair N.J.
Joe DiMaggio could have been number two on this list. But Yogi is more lovable than The Clipper. Joe DiMaggio was more reserved and as you know has been accused of being somewhat aloof and kinda distant (I'm trying to be delicate here. I actually do know a tid-bid about him. I have a friend who is/was "linked" through a marriage that made them "inter-related". I hope that was vague enough). Yogi was and still is a common man's hero. Joe DiMaggio had songs going for him. Of course his marriage to Marylin Monroe skyrocketed him even higher than his baseball legend already took him. But it brought him a different kind of fame that perhaps he was less comfortable with. At Old Timer's Games at the Stadium attended by Yogi and DiMaggio, Joltin' Joe always insisted on being announced last. Hey if Joe D "got it like that" - I do not begrudge him at all. He IS Joe D. But stuff like that never crossed Yogi's mind. To me, there-in lies the difference.
Lou Gehrig is no doubt a worthy number two on any list. The Iron Horse is undoubtedly a legend of Baseball. Lou is the founder and set the standard for Yankee Pride and what is known as the Yankee Way.
Until Cal Ripken broke his record, Lou Gehrig was the model of dedication and reliability. Hence, he was named the first Yankee Captain.
But based on the criteria we are working with, my list flips Yogi Berra into the two spot and the Iron Horse down to five. Everyone else I believe is in their rightful place within the top 5.
BTB's List:
1- Babe Ruth
2- Yogi Berra
3- Joltin' Joe DiMaggio
4- Derek Jeter
5- Lou Gehrig
Based on the same criteria Russell Adams said he is going to compile his list of Greatest Yankee Pitchers.
I took the liberty of getting a head start.
BTB's List of Top Ten All-Time Yankee Pitchers:
1 - Mo ~ He is the Greatest Reliever of All-Time. Period. The Yankees just don't win all those Championships in the last run-off without him.
2 - Ford ~ Whitey is second because where it can be said Mo is the best all-time in his craft, even though Whitey Ford has an incredible winning percentage and his playoff record is second to none, Whitey Ford was still never the best starting pitcher ever. Mo can lay claim to that title and that's why I place Ford second.
3 - Guidry ~ because he had one of the most singularly greatest seasons in history. He was the Ace of the Bronx Zoo teams. Amid all that chaos in the Bronx, Louisiana Lightning remained class all the way and brought a lot of sanity to a clubhouse that was pretty much insane. He single handedly pitched the Yankees to a title in 1978.
4 - Jack Chesbro ~ The original Highlander of 1903 and their first superstar. The last pitcher to win 40 games in a season. He put the Yankees on the baseball map before they were ever called the Yankees.
5 - Waite Hoyt ~ He was the Ace during the Babe Ruth era of the Roaring Twenties. He lead the League in wins for the great 1927 Yankees' Murderers Row team.
6 - Goose ~ The pitcher on this list with the least time served in the Bronx. He was no doubt the most fearsome pitcher ever to throw a baseball in the Bronx by a wide margin.
7 - Andy ~ He continues to pile onto his numbers. He is pitching renaissance seasons right now and strengthening a growing HOF debate. His playoff record is right up there with Whitey Ford's and his lifetime win percentage is equally up in elite levels.
8 - Lefty Gomez ~ a four time 20 game winner leading the AL in wins twice. Three times he led the league in strikeouts and has a career win percentage of .649
9 - Herb Pennock ~ The other Ace in the Babe Ruth era of the Roaring Twenties.
10 - Righetti ~ because he threw a no-hitter on 4th of July vs. Red Sox. He also converted to a closer, became the Yankees all-time saves leader at the time and held the single season record for saves.
I just felt compelled to include Righetti in the top 10 at the expense of Red Ruffing. Red Ruffing should be on this list and if I had to sacrifice someone to get him on, it would have to be Goose or Righetti himself.
The other honorable mentions are Mel Stottlemyer Sr., Allie Reynolds, Eddie Lopat and Vic Raschi.
BTB
Atlantic League Record Setting Day
Friday April 30th, 2010 was a record setting day in the Atlantic League. The league set an all-time high for total attendance on one date. Of the four cities to host a game Friday night, Lancaster, Somerset and South Maryland drew to near capacity with attendance figures exceeding 8,000. The fourth city, Camden, N.J., drew a healthy 6,000+ also. Good for them and good for the League. I guess one of the best kept secrets of baseball isn't so well kept anymore. Congratulations guys!
The season is starting out with all teams in both divisions in a bunch. The first nine games of the season have given us no indication about who might separate themselves from the pack. The Long Island Ducks and Camden River Sharks are tied and hold the early lead in the LIBERY DIVISION while the York Revolution hold a very slim lead over the Newark Bears in the FREEDOM DIVISION. Long Island's place in the standings is expected. They are my favorites to win the first-half playoff slot. York however, while a very balanced and fundamentally sound team, would surprise me if they finish ahead the pack in the first half. My early pick to win a first-half slot in this division is Lancaster.
Standings Through Saturday May 1st, 2010
Liberty Division:
Long Island Ducks 5-3
Camden River Sharks 5-3
South Maryland Blue Crabs 4-5
Bridgeport Bluefish 3-5
Freedom Division:
York Revolution 5-4
Newark Bears 4-4
Lancaster Barnstormers 4-4
Somerset Patriots 3-5
Atlantic League Players with Major League Experience:
Ryan Freel, Robinson Cancel, Dustan Mohr, Sidney Ponson, Matt Riley, Val Majewski,
Edgardo Alfonzo, Scott Spiezio, Armando Benitez, Willie Banks, Bobby Hill, Mike Costanzo,
Jason Botts, Val Pascucci, Esteban Yan, Antonio Alfonseca, Jorge Julio, Adam Greenberg, Denny Stark, Jason Simontacchi, Dan Reichert,
The kids = Jeff Nettles is still playing. Tim Raines Jr. is an active player in the League. Pete Rose Jr. played for Lancaster last year and is currently unsigned.
Are there any I am not mentioning?
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
The season is starting out with all teams in both divisions in a bunch. The first nine games of the season have given us no indication about who might separate themselves from the pack. The Long Island Ducks and Camden River Sharks are tied and hold the early lead in the LIBERY DIVISION while the York Revolution hold a very slim lead over the Newark Bears in the FREEDOM DIVISION. Long Island's place in the standings is expected. They are my favorites to win the first-half playoff slot. York however, while a very balanced and fundamentally sound team, would surprise me if they finish ahead the pack in the first half. My early pick to win a first-half slot in this division is Lancaster.
Standings Through Saturday May 1st, 2010
Liberty Division:
Long Island Ducks 5-3
Camden River Sharks 5-3
South Maryland Blue Crabs 4-5
Bridgeport Bluefish 3-5
Freedom Division:
York Revolution 5-4
Newark Bears 4-4
Lancaster Barnstormers 4-4
Somerset Patriots 3-5
Atlantic League Players with Major League Experience:
Ryan Freel, Robinson Cancel, Dustan Mohr, Sidney Ponson, Matt Riley, Val Majewski,
Edgardo Alfonzo, Scott Spiezio, Armando Benitez, Willie Banks, Bobby Hill, Mike Costanzo,
Jason Botts, Val Pascucci, Esteban Yan, Antonio Alfonseca, Jorge Julio, Adam Greenberg, Denny Stark, Jason Simontacchi, Dan Reichert,
The kids = Jeff Nettles is still playing. Tim Raines Jr. is an active player in the League. Pete Rose Jr. played for Lancaster last year and is currently unsigned.
Are there any I am not mentioning?
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Seize The Moment
The following is a running post since Wednesday night. I apologize for any repetitiveness.
Just a reminder, if I'm not posting on mlblogs, it's usually on my Blogspot first. I work from there.
...and away we go..
Wednesday's Thoughts:
Just a reminder, if I'm not posting on mlblogs, it's usually on my Blogspot first. I work from there.
...and away we go..
Wednesday's Thoughts:
After Wednesday night's completion of the series sweep, for one game;- their next,
I want the Mets to seize the moment.
Coming off a 9-1 home stand and fresh from sweeping the Dodgers,
the Mets need to seize the moment Friday by defeating the Phillies in their park.
*******************
Thursday's Thoughts, Off Day:
After sweeping a good old fashioned double-header from
the L.A. in Citi Field Tuesday and then the series Wednesday,
On the morning of April 28, 2010 when you woke up, the Mets were in first place by a half game
over the Phillies who lost in San Francisco late Wednesday night.
Hey Met fans...Who Wudda Thunk it?! See?! Ya Gotta Believe!
Amazin' !! That not only means me, but many fans METropolis over.
If that seems a little bi-polar to you, it's not. Trust me, I still have my issues.
But we just can not pooh-pooh the moment, can we?
"We'll be right back with the Happy Re-cap." ~ the Late Great Bob Murphy
In the series vs. L.A., David Wright collected his 1000th hit of his Met career and is now the clubs all-time leader in doubles passing Steady Eddie Kranepool on the list.
BTB
*******************
Friday Afternoon, April 28th:
The Mets completed a rather remarkable home stand. They recorded 9 wins versus 1 loss. They haven't had a series like this at home since 1988 and 1969 before that. Incidentally, those were two years we won 100 games in the season. Easy there everybody...easy. John Maine put forth what appears to be his best effort this season against the Dodgers. His ball danced quite a bit and he wound up striking out his season high 9 batters versus 3 walks in 6 innings.
I'm taking this home stand in stride and not getting too giddy about a turn around from a 4-8 motley crew to a 13-9 (14-9 when I finally posted this today) team.
After a day off they'll be in South Philly for what amounts to a battle for first place.
Let's Go Mets!
**********************
Friday Night Post-Game:
Every so often in the season games present themselves as statement games. They are singular in importance but the cumulative effect these types of games have is immeasurable; be it for better or worse.
The 'feel-good' we're all experiencing right now could have suffered devastating deflation causing Met Fan optimism to fall like the Hindenburg over the fields of New Jersey. Nine wins versus one loss could have shrunk in our rear-view mirrors very rapidly.
But No... Instead the Metropolitans came down the turnpike and announced their arrival in Philly with authority, but thankfully better than NUKE could. Tonight (last night) they scored early and often against the defending N.L. Champs. They hit the ball "very hard" and some hits were just "not playable" (reference? anyone?).
Jon Niese, the rookie, stymied the Phillies for 7 innings, albeit without Jimmy Rollins and Victorino shortening the line-up further by batting second to compensate Jimmy's absence.. However the happy thought of the day - We still have Pelfrey and Johan to go.
I started this post last night just as April expired and turned into May 1st, 2010. April is officially done and the Mets finished the month in first place. Some may call the month bizarre; some miraculous. Me? I call it AMAZIN' ! When you think about it, Amazin' is the best way to encapsulate the fan's angst while still keeping this hot streak in perspective.
The series can still go very wrong for this Mets team. But that's not what tonight was all about. Tonight was one game that stands on it's own. Tonight the Mets needed to keep their momentum going and stake their claim. From where this team was earlier in the month, having salvaged April and buffing a shine out of the situation, the Mets needed to seize the moment tonight against their biggest division rival Philadelphia Phillies..., and they did!
Last night the Mets did what they've often failed at over the last few years. They seized the moment. "Seize the Moment" games come along for many different reasons. Sometimes personal reasons, sometimes team reasons are the impetus to Seize the Moment. Last night was important to me. After last night's game, a loss today I dare say will be more bearable. A loss Friday last night would have been very deflating. Somehow they managed to give April a good buffing and behold...it shines.
I couldn't be happier with Jon Niese's development. He's one of many prospects in METropolis these days. This coming from the same farm system we all chided the organization about and accused it of being barren. The Mets have more first and second year players on the current roster than they've had in a considerable time. We all agree Tony Bernazard earned his release from his duties due to his behavior and recurring controversies. He's topical again because he just recently spoke about his Mets experience. He believes he did nothing wrong last year and was scape-goated by the club for their '09 failures. But Omar appointed him Tsar of Minor League Operations back in the tail end of 2004 and we are now witnessing the results of his work while he maintained his job title. With players such as Gee, Martinez, Parnell and Thole still on the way and Davis, Mejia, Nieve, Niese and Pelfrey already here, things look better health wise for this organization moving forward. It's some of the main-stays on this team that need addressing. "the Kids are Alright".
Here is Jon Niese's line from last nights game vs. the Phillies:
7.0 innings pitched
4 hits
1 run, 1 earned
1 base on balls
7 strikeouts
3.10 season .era
Jon kept the 2,3 and 4 hitters, hit-less.
Saturday's April Review:
The day? April 17th. That's the day the Mets dueled the Cardinals for 20 innings. That's when this clubhouse decided they were going to get behind their embattled manager. That's when said manager, went toe to toe with LaRussa for 20 rounds and by tapping into his inner Buster Douglas, defeated the Great LaRussa. Before that Saturday afternoon game started the Mets were 3-7. Just before Saturday afternoon was about to change over to Sunday morning, the Mets won and up-ticked to 4-7. They lost Sunday and sitting at 4-8 on April 18th wasn't making anyone happy. The Mets lost their 4th series in a row to start the season. Pitchforks and torches were in hand and the angry villagers would be descending on Citi Field Monday night April 19th.
Opening Day was such a clean, efficiently played contest with a simple formula working for the Mets;
Johan pitched, David Wright hit and K-Rod closed. But we lost 2 out 3 to the Marlins. Then we lost the series to the Nationals; then the Rockies. We went limping into St. Louis and only won 1 of 3 there.
But there was that 20 inning game.
During that time of perceived futility, two things became clearly evident. The pitchers turned out to not be our biggest problem so far. As a matter of fact they rank among Baseball's best in early tallies. And secondly, the promotion of Ike Davis from AAA is paying huge dividends. The Mets are getting production from 1st base and the middle of the line-up like they haven't got since Delgado slugged in the 4 slot.
Jose Reyes came back to ignite this team. He and Jeff Francoeur are in my opinion most responsible for getting these players to rally around their manager.
Getting back to April 19th and the game that started their remarkable turn-around versus the Cubs, the Mets went on to win 9 games while dropping only 1 on the home stand. They are 11-5 at home for best in the majors and find themselves in first place as May begins with a 14-9 record, not including today's game in which Mike Pelfrey is getting hammered after 5 innings to the tune of a 6-0 Philly lead. But like I said earlier, because of last night this game is a little easier to reconcile.
What started out horribly wrong for the Mets this season has been reclaimed and restored. Having achieved positive ground kind of wipes the slate clean for now. They have this much to build upon. Whether the strive forward or take steps backwards remains to be seen, today's results withstanding.
As a motif, I believe in "seizing the moment". The Mets did that last night. The month of April's "Happy Re-Cap" is one for the books (a la Howie Rose). Stay tuned for the musings of May.
Mike BTB
Follow-up post after Saturday's game:
Philly repays the favor. They drubbed us 10-0 today. I'm OK with that. Just as Philly fans feel better about Friday's results now that they've evened the series. The rubber game is tomorrow. It's not a seize the moment game. Not this time. It's just a rubber game against a division rival as the two teams fight for first place. The rest of the season is taking shape. One month is done and 5 remain.
Happy Baseball everybody!
Follow-up post after Saturday's game:
Philly repays the favor. They drubbed us 10-0 today. I'm OK with that. Just as Philly fans feel better about Friday's results now that they've evened the series. The rubber game is tomorrow. It's not a seize the moment game. Not this time. It's just a rubber game against a division rival as the two teams fight for first place. The rest of the season is taking shape. One month is done and 5 remain.
Happy Baseball everybody!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Not what Clark Kent had in mind?
TRUTH
JUSTICE
Goldman Sachs ~ Capitalism's Finest
and the
AMERICAN
WAY..
With all respect to Jonestein over at BAPL, will someone or something
PLEASE bless this country..?
Gee I hope the Mayans are right!
BTB
AMAZIN'
After sweeping a good old fashioned double-header
from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Citi Field Tuesday,
On the morning of April 28, 2010
when you wake up, the Mets will be in first place by a half game
over the Phillies who lost in San Francisco.
hey Met fans...Who Wudda Thunk it?! See?! Ya Gotta Believe!
Amazin' !!
"We'll be right back with the Happy Re-cap."
~ the Late Great Bob Murphy
~ the Late Great Bob Murphy
David Wright collected his 1000th hit of his Met career!
BTB
A/O April 28th:
The Mets completed a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon. As a matter of fact they completed a rather remarkable home stand. They recorded 9 wins versus 1 loss. They haven't had a series like this at home since 1988 and 1969 before that. Incidentally, those were two years we won 100 games in the season. Easy there everybody...easy. John Maine put forth what appears to be his best effort this season. His ball danced quite a bit and he wound up striking out his season high 9 batters versus 3 walks in 6 innings.
I'm taking this homestand in stride and not getting too giddy about
a turn around from a 4-8 motley crew to a 13-9 team.
After a day off they'll be in South Philly for what amounts to
a battle for first place.
Let's Go Mets!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Green-Wood Cemetery III
Like I always say, all this research has been done already. I am just showing you around. So.., anyone care for another trip back to Green-Wood?
I've found myself talking out loud to the stones. I can't help but express aloud what we all feel when I've visited these sights; "Thank You Sir! Thank You for this great game of Baseball." Two pats and a rub of the stone has become my new custom when I leave them and they return to their eternal slumbers.
Before there was a Cooperstown HOF, there was Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Today we visit Duncan Curry, the first President of the Knickerbocker Baseball Club of New York.
The Knickerbockers of the early 1840's were already formed into a local athletic club participating in and promoting outdoor athletics on Manhattan's east side Murray Hill neighborhood. But in 1846, Duncan Curry said in response to a debate as to whether he or Henry Chadwick was the "Father of Baseball", - "Thomas Fiddlesticks.[Chadwick] had no more to do with the original rules (of Baseball) than you had. William Wheaton, William H. Tucker and I drew up the first set of rules and the game was developed by the people who played it and were connected with it."
The rules Duncan Curry speaks of are those so famously drafted in the east side Knickerbocker Club House 164 years ago and define our Pastime today. They are the rules that accompanied the team to Hoboken and the Elysian Fields of play. It was in Hoboken, N.J. where the first organized game of baseball was played by the first officially chartered Baseball team ever formed* under rules of "the New York Game". That's the way we understand it...right folks?
Duncan Curry served as club President in 1845 and 1846. He remained with the club as a player and later followed other baseball related endeavours as well.
Both Henry Chadwick and Duncan Curry are deserving of respect for inspiring the game and fathering Baseball. There are others however. We all have an understanding Baseball was more a creation of evolution than just one man's invention. Town Ball and Rounders were contemporaries of our game. Many people and circumstances contributed to the resilient game that won our hearts. Let us pay respects to one of those individuals. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the Fathers of Baseball, Duncan Curry.
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( View from a Green Wood hill top. Click...Empire St. Bldg is center mass of pic)
I've found myself talking out loud to the stones. I can't help but express aloud what we all feel when I've visited these sights; "Thank You Sir! Thank You for this great game of Baseball." Two pats and a rub of the stone has become my new custom when I leave them and they return to their eternal slumbers.
Before there was a Cooperstown HOF, there was Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Today we visit Duncan Curry, the first President of the Knickerbocker Baseball Club of New York.
The Knickerbockers of the early 1840's were already formed into a local athletic club participating in and promoting outdoor athletics on Manhattan's east side Murray Hill neighborhood. But in 1846, Duncan Curry said in response to a debate as to whether he or Henry Chadwick was the "Father of Baseball", - "Thomas Fiddlesticks.[Chadwick] had no more to do with the original rules (of Baseball) than you had. William Wheaton, William H. Tucker and I drew up the first set of rules and the game was developed by the people who played it and were connected with it."
The rules Duncan Curry speaks of are those so famously drafted in the east side Knickerbocker Club House 164 years ago and define our Pastime today. They are the rules that accompanied the team to Hoboken and the Elysian Fields of play. It was in Hoboken, N.J. where the first organized game of baseball was played by the first officially chartered Baseball team ever formed* under rules of "the New York Game". That's the way we understand it...right folks?
Duncan Curry served as club President in 1845 and 1846. He remained with the club as a player and later followed other baseball related endeavours as well.
Both Henry Chadwick and Duncan Curry are deserving of respect for inspiring the game and fathering Baseball. There are others however. We all have an understanding Baseball was more a creation of evolution than just one man's invention. Town Ball and Rounders were contemporaries of our game. Many people and circumstances contributed to the resilient game that won our hearts. Let us pay respects to one of those individuals. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the Fathers of Baseball, Duncan Curry.
.curry.e.jpg)
.profile.ee.jpg)
+inscription.e.jpg)
.stone.e.jpg)
+ground+stone.e.jpg)
.wide+view.curry+site.e.jpg)
I simply call this: The Book
Be First or be The Best
BTB
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Current Homestand METrospections
a/o April 23
Reyes is saying the right things and displaying the right attitude with regards to batting third...Now. He's let his feelings about batting 3rd be known in the past. This is not a criticism. But Reyes does seem to be back and if I didn't know any better, I dare say he is stepping up as a leader and elder statesman of this team in attitude and deeds. There's a sense this team is rallying around their manager because of the grumblings in METropolis this early in April. A 26 yr old Reyes is behaving a little differently that the 23 or 24 year old Reyes did. Maturity? Injury's way of reminding one of their mortality? Whatever it is, this Reyes will be better for it.
a/o April 24
You can't win pennants in April, but you can loose them. You can blame '07 on a September choke. I blame it on a poor first half. Getting to .500 showed some gumption by this team. And I dare say they are rallying around their manager. It's nice to see and who are we to be kill-joys right now. With 6 days left in the month, the Mets can actually polish this month to a shine. Let's Go Mets.?!
a/o April 25
And the Mets not only gained the elusive .500 mark, they're a game above it now. Just as things seemed to be getting mighty ugly awfully early around here, it seems the Mets are riding the other side of extreme right now. That's right. I'm not going to get crazy because this is what inconsistent teams do. But I'm not going to be a kill-joy today. So here are some thoughts at face value.
Jose Reyes ~ Re-capping what I said the other day....His demeanor is different since he's back. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's growing into himself now and he's recognizing he needs to take his rightful place as a Mets elder statesman now. He's 26 this year. I have noticed a different Reyes so far. It may be simply because Reyes is not the 22 or 23 year old we sometimes chided for too many theatrics. The reason could be he realized his mortality after loosing two almost complete seasons to leg injuries which book-end his career. Maturity and injury have a way of shaping a players perspective. It looks like Jose will be better off for it. He is saying all the right things with regard to batting third and it seems as if he has taken the lead in rallying around Jerry Manuel. Other players like Jeff Francueor and Pagan are echoing sentiments about their manager. Reyes is clearly having a quick effect on the Mets.
Jerry Manuel ~ No one is screaming for his job today. I stress today. I've already expressed my position on the manager of the Mets. I'll say this much about him; he's pro-active. If he's going down, he's going down managing. He's making logistical decisions about his players and taking chances. These decisions and chances might be born from desperation, but again, I am not pooh-poohing the day today. Manuel was never a consideration long term for me. He was a good and logical choice to replace Randolph. I thought we'd have moved on over the winter. Having said that, I am in no hasty rush to replace him with Valentine. I think you all know my concerns weigh heavier when speaking of the GM and my front office.
David Wright? Howard Johnson?
WTF?
This is the third stance in three years for David Wright. Each one has resulted in worsening results. His strikeouts the last 3 years are through the roof and climbing like a bean-stalk. In his earlier years he was striking out to the tune of 115 per 600+/- at-bats. The last three years he's averaging about 50 less at-bats and striking out at a 150 per clip. He's gone 12 consecutive games with at least one strike out. He's not just striking out. He's going 0-2, 1-2 in the count regularly! His legs are like boiled spaghetti at the sight of a curve ball. He's missing fastballs right down the middle by huge margins. He's swinging at worm killers and guessing wrong on almost every pitch. He is completely out of his mind right now. He's got IT real bad.
For this one particular player, Howard Johnson the Met's hitting coach, has to be working against what is right for David Wright. These two guys need to clean the slate and start over with a new plan. Trying to scape-goat Hojo is foolish but obviously what he and David are doing is clearly not even close to being effective. And maybe, just maybe, getting beaned in the head is still fresh in David Wright's memory. Something like that can haunt a player. If you watch him jelly-leg the curve balls, it's fair to think.
THE WEATHER BOYZ!!!
The WeatherBoyz? I hear-by release every and all Mets starters from their weather related nooses I kept around their necks. ALL EXCEPT, Mr. RAIN. Yep. He's taking the term "April Showers" to new heights. John Maine and his Rain Act are enough to make Noah and the animals say "Oi Vey!" Jon Neise and Big Mike Pelfrey have been doing well and Better. Pelfrey has been nothing short of great so far. Niese has been a hard luck starter been has been very very effective. Johan is always the battler and needs little words on my part.
Snow, Sleet and YES HAIL TOO!! You are hereby released from your cumulonimbus bearing duties. Oliver Perez's efforts, like Niese's could reflect better in the win/loss totals. But his 3.50 (rounded) era is OK with me and it's good enough to warrant some respect.
There!....A post about my Mets with almost a complete lack of negativity. See? It's possible.
But now the truth...I have not wavered from the way I feel about the changes I want from this organization. I still, as I always will, stand by my criticisms of this organization.
After taking the series from the Cubs, and finishing off the Braves yesterday, tonight's opening game of the Dodgers series was rained out. Tomorrow will be a truely classic Twi-Night DoubleHeader at Citi Field.
There will be no day/night nonsense. Tomorrow is strictly two for the price of one starting at 4:30pm. Good Job Mr.Wilpon!! Good job indeed.
This concludes my METroSpections for the home stand thus far.
BTB a/o April 26
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
Reyes is saying the right things and displaying the right attitude with regards to batting third...Now. He's let his feelings about batting 3rd be known in the past. This is not a criticism. But Reyes does seem to be back and if I didn't know any better, I dare say he is stepping up as a leader and elder statesman of this team in attitude and deeds. There's a sense this team is rallying around their manager because of the grumblings in METropolis this early in April. A 26 yr old Reyes is behaving a little differently that the 23 or 24 year old Reyes did. Maturity? Injury's way of reminding one of their mortality? Whatever it is, this Reyes will be better for it.
a/o April 24
You can't win pennants in April, but you can loose them. You can blame '07 on a September choke. I blame it on a poor first half. Getting to .500 showed some gumption by this team. And I dare say they are rallying around their manager. It's nice to see and who are we to be kill-joys right now. With 6 days left in the month, the Mets can actually polish this month to a shine. Let's Go Mets.?!
a/o April 25
And the Mets not only gained the elusive .500 mark, they're a game above it now. Just as things seemed to be getting mighty ugly awfully early around here, it seems the Mets are riding the other side of extreme right now. That's right. I'm not going to get crazy because this is what inconsistent teams do. But I'm not going to be a kill-joy today. So here are some thoughts at face value.
Jose Reyes ~ Re-capping what I said the other day....His demeanor is different since he's back. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's growing into himself now and he's recognizing he needs to take his rightful place as a Mets elder statesman now. He's 26 this year. I have noticed a different Reyes so far. It may be simply because Reyes is not the 22 or 23 year old we sometimes chided for too many theatrics. The reason could be he realized his mortality after loosing two almost complete seasons to leg injuries which book-end his career. Maturity and injury have a way of shaping a players perspective. It looks like Jose will be better off for it. He is saying all the right things with regard to batting third and it seems as if he has taken the lead in rallying around Jerry Manuel. Other players like Jeff Francueor and Pagan are echoing sentiments about their manager. Reyes is clearly having a quick effect on the Mets.
Jerry Manuel ~ No one is screaming for his job today. I stress today. I've already expressed my position on the manager of the Mets. I'll say this much about him; he's pro-active. If he's going down, he's going down managing. He's making logistical decisions about his players and taking chances. These decisions and chances might be born from desperation, but again, I am not pooh-poohing the day today. Manuel was never a consideration long term for me. He was a good and logical choice to replace Randolph. I thought we'd have moved on over the winter. Having said that, I am in no hasty rush to replace him with Valentine. I think you all know my concerns weigh heavier when speaking of the GM and my front office.
David Wright? Howard Johnson?
WTF?
This is the third stance in three years for David Wright. Each one has resulted in worsening results. His strikeouts the last 3 years are through the roof and climbing like a bean-stalk. In his earlier years he was striking out to the tune of 115 per 600+/- at-bats. The last three years he's averaging about 50 less at-bats and striking out at a 150 per clip. He's gone 12 consecutive games with at least one strike out. He's not just striking out. He's going 0-2, 1-2 in the count regularly! His legs are like boiled spaghetti at the sight of a curve ball. He's missing fastballs right down the middle by huge margins. He's swinging at worm killers and guessing wrong on almost every pitch. He is completely out of his mind right now. He's got IT real bad.
For this one particular player, Howard Johnson the Met's hitting coach, has to be working against what is right for David Wright. These two guys need to clean the slate and start over with a new plan. Trying to scape-goat Hojo is foolish but obviously what he and David are doing is clearly not even close to being effective. And maybe, just maybe, getting beaned in the head is still fresh in David Wright's memory. Something like that can haunt a player. If you watch him jelly-leg the curve balls, it's fair to think.
THE WEATHER BOYZ!!!
The WeatherBoyz? I hear-by release every and all Mets starters from their weather related nooses I kept around their necks. ALL EXCEPT, Mr. RAIN. Yep. He's taking the term "April Showers" to new heights. John Maine and his Rain Act are enough to make Noah and the animals say "Oi Vey!" Jon Neise and Big Mike Pelfrey have been doing well and Better. Pelfrey has been nothing short of great so far. Niese has been a hard luck starter been has been very very effective. Johan is always the battler and needs little words on my part.
Snow, Sleet and YES HAIL TOO!! You are hereby released from your cumulonimbus bearing duties. Oliver Perez's efforts, like Niese's could reflect better in the win/loss totals. But his 3.50 (rounded) era is OK with me and it's good enough to warrant some respect.
There!....A post about my Mets with almost a complete lack of negativity. See? It's possible.
But now the truth...I have not wavered from the way I feel about the changes I want from this organization. I still, as I always will, stand by my criticisms of this organization.
After taking the series from the Cubs, and finishing off the Braves yesterday, tonight's opening game of the Dodgers series was rained out. Tomorrow will be a truely classic Twi-Night DoubleHeader at Citi Field.
There will be no day/night nonsense. Tomorrow is strictly two for the price of one starting at 4:30pm. Good Job Mr.Wilpon!! Good job indeed.
This concludes my METroSpections for the home stand thus far.
BTB a/o April 26
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Mayor Daley, Please clean after your Cubs
Not only have the WeatherBoyz been pitching better than most expected and to my surprise, in spite of untimely hitting by the bats, I finally had my first real Feel Good Moment of the year.
I can't help but feel better about my team's situation whenever I gaze into the visitors dugout this series and see the biggest collection of paycheck pirates and cheddar bandits this side of the Great Lakes disgrace a baseball uniform the way these Field of Green Jihadists do every time they kill innocent blades of grass with every depraved step they take. This country fought a revolution over a 6% tax on tea....
: O
...If Cub fans had any gumption in their spineless-jelly fish existence, Chicago's North Side would be burning. But because Steve Bartman made a better attempt at a fly ball than Alfonso Soriano will ever make, I feel so much more GOODER about my own MET tribulations. If I lived on WaveLess Avenue I would have "friggin" German Shepherds "with Friggin lasers in their heads" chasing all you off my property. When the world's biggest social disease clinic lets out after another day time Cub Dropping, my dogs will make you rue the day you ever thought of P'ing on my lawn. Snausaages!!
The CUBS. Easer of my pain. My laxative for METstapation.
Mayor Richard Daley needs to get out here with his little baggie or pooper scooper, or his budget ledger, and clean up all the droppings his wandering four-legged flea hostels are leaving all over Citi Field.
Cubs Suck....Hey Hey!!
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
I can't help but feel better about my team's situation whenever I gaze into the visitors dugout this series and see the biggest collection of paycheck pirates and cheddar bandits this side of the Great Lakes disgrace a baseball uniform the way these Field of Green Jihadists do every time they kill innocent blades of grass with every depraved step they take. This country fought a revolution over a 6% tax on tea....
: O
...If Cub fans had any gumption in their spineless-jelly fish existence, Chicago's North Side would be burning. But because Steve Bartman made a better attempt at a fly ball than Alfonso Soriano will ever make, I feel so much more GOODER about my own MET tribulations. If I lived on WaveLess Avenue I would have "friggin" German Shepherds "with Friggin lasers in their heads" chasing all you off my property. When the world's biggest social disease clinic lets out after another day time Cub Dropping, my dogs will make you rue the day you ever thought of P'ing on my lawn. Snausaages!!
The CUBS. Easer of my pain. My laxative for METstapation.
Mayor Richard Daley needs to get out here with his little baggie or pooper scooper, or his budget ledger, and clean up all the droppings his wandering four-legged flea hostels are leaving all over Citi Field.
Cubs Suck....Hey Hey!!
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
Flyers Give DEVIL's Their Due: NHL Playoffs
NJ was be-Deviled by a Flyer team that was never able to play at full strength this series. This Flyer team came strong since the first drop of the puck in game one and pushed the Devs around. The Devils were completely man-handled and dismantled this series.
I've been watching the Bruins/Sabres series and the winner of that series will fall in the next round. Boucher is hot enough to get Phila into the semi's. PITT and/or WASH will skate cirlcles around Phila though.
The Devils are eliminated from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year with having only played a couple of token games before April expires. The Eastern Conf. Number Two Seed is done in 2010.
A very inconsistent Flyers team for most of this season was predicted to win the Eastern Conference this year. Tonight and through-out this series, they played up to that expectation.
I still say if these modern day Broad Street Bullies can't intimidate, hit and jar Sid the Kid or Alex the Great, they won't get by either one.
Devils? Marty? Too Old? He's going to be 38 yrs old. Too many games? Maybe...but then that's always been the complaint. He played well this series. Devils needed to score way more.
Devils? WTF happened to the defense? No Daneyko? No Stevens? No Cup! The Trap was ineffective because the Devils were just pushed out of the way.
They were punchless and floundering for goals this season. They went out and got Ilya K...But he did not "point" the Devils through a series win.
I didn't see any of the NJD neutral zone dominance, and thus , no turn-overs to capitalize on. The Devils were exposed. The Flyers didn't beat themselves. The Devils couldn't score and the Flyers stayed disciplined. That is be-Deviling!
Coach Jacque may not even survive this. Big Lou has some needs that need to be addressed post haste.
If this post seemed all over the place straying from thought to thought like NJ's play?
....the Devils made me do it.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
I've been watching the Bruins/Sabres series and the winner of that series will fall in the next round. Boucher is hot enough to get Phila into the semi's. PITT and/or WASH will skate cirlcles around Phila though.
The Devils are eliminated from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year with having only played a couple of token games before April expires. The Eastern Conf. Number Two Seed is done in 2010.
A very inconsistent Flyers team for most of this season was predicted to win the Eastern Conference this year. Tonight and through-out this series, they played up to that expectation.
I still say if these modern day Broad Street Bullies can't intimidate, hit and jar Sid the Kid or Alex the Great, they won't get by either one.
Devils? Marty? Too Old? He's going to be 38 yrs old. Too many games? Maybe...but then that's always been the complaint. He played well this series. Devils needed to score way more.
Devils? WTF happened to the defense? No Daneyko? No Stevens? No Cup! The Trap was ineffective because the Devils were just pushed out of the way.
They were punchless and floundering for goals this season. They went out and got Ilya K...But he did not "point" the Devils through a series win.
I didn't see any of the NJD neutral zone dominance, and thus , no turn-overs to capitalize on. The Devils were exposed. The Flyers didn't beat themselves. The Devils couldn't score and the Flyers stayed disciplined. That is be-Deviling!
Coach Jacque may not even survive this. Big Lou has some needs that need to be addressed post haste.
If this post seemed all over the place straying from thought to thought like NJ's play?
....the Devils made me do it.
BTB
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Opening Day.....Again? the Atlantic League
That's right. It's Opening Day....Again!
Kinda.
The ATLANTIC LEAGUE
of Professional Baseball
Independent
(rated comparative to AAA ball)
Independent
(rated comparative to AAA ball)
These guys are entering the League's 14th year.
The Atlantic League was established in 1996 here in the NorthEast bringing baseball to areas under-served by Major and Minor League Baseball. One of the main of many forces behind it's establishment was former Met Bud Harrelson. Buddy has been with one of the league's most successful franchises, the Long Island Ducks, who play roughly 50 miles outside the city limits.
The Atlantic League was established in 1996 here in the NorthEast bringing baseball to areas under-served by Major and Minor League Baseball. One of the main of many forces behind it's establishment was former Met Bud Harrelson. Buddy has been with one of the league's most successful franchises, the Long Island Ducks, who play roughly 50 miles outside the city limits.
It's an eight team league:
Newark (N.J.) Bears
Long Island (N.Y.) Ducks
Somerset (N.J.) Patriots
Camden (N.J.) RiverSharks
Bridgeport (Conn.) BlueFish
South Maryland BlueCrabs
York (Penn.) Revolution
Lancaster (Penn.) Barnstormers
Opening Day is Thursday April 22.
This league is a great opportunity to see former major leaguers manage and coach. Sparky Lyle is the manager of Somerset. Von Hayse was the manager of Lancaster when I visited last year. HOF'r Gary Carter managed the Long Island Ducks last year. Tommy John was managing Bridgeport. HOF'r Ricky Henderson was probably the biggest name to come through the league lately. He managed the Newark Bears a couple of years ago.
Many players who find themselves out of MLB for various reasons come here to work on their game or to gain some exposure in front of scouts for last chances to sign on with a big club. Some sign on for just pure love of the game. Carl Everette and Edgardo Alfonzo both former Mets spent time playing
for Long Island recently. If you remember pitcher John Halama, he just signed with Southern Maryland's Blue Crabs. Sidney Ponson? He's here too. That are a many more players with MLB experience here.
for Long Island recently. If you remember pitcher John Halama, he just signed with Southern Maryland's Blue Crabs. Sidney Ponson? He's here too. That are a many more players with MLB experience here.
Then there are the kids.
Pete Rose Jr., Charlie Hustle's son, was a perennial batting champ
playing most of his career in the A.L. with Long Island.
The son of Craig Nettles plays as a big fan favorite in Somerset for the Patriots.
I root for the Newark Bears.
They do a great job of keeping the old Newark Eagles Negro League team's memory alive.
The Somerset Patriots are the consummate winners of the league winning five titles. In 2009 they captured their second consecutive championship.
I've driven to see all the teams and their parks with the exception of York and South Maryland. I plan on tacking on those stops to a couple of road trips I have planned for this season.
I average about ten A.L. games a year not including the playoffs.. Between going to see the Mets, going to Coney Island and seeing my Cyclones (A), Yankee games, road trippin' and my own softball season, I like to fill in the gaps in my season with Atlantic League games. Newark and Somerset are too easy for me to get to. It's just that much more baseball I have to keep me occupied all summer long. The price, intimacy, relative closeness and over all relaxation I get at these games is worth every cent. The every-so-often Big Name comes through and the opportunity to just be real and talk to these guys is one of the biggest unknown secrets of this league. If you just take things at face value and keep sensible expectations; and if you like getting a litter closer to the game on a humanistic level, this is a very cool way to do it.
This league's rosters are manned by players with minimum 6 years major and/or minor league experience. They operate in full compliance with the National Agreement and are mandated to provide fields of no less than AAA requirements.
Here's a list of prior Champions:
2009 Somerset
2008 Somerset
2007 Newark
2006 Lancaster
2005 Somerset
2004 Long Island
2003 Somerset
2002 Newark
2001 Somerset
1998 Atlantic City Surf (switched to Can/Am league, then folded)
I went downstairs to "the Vault" (my basement)! I pulled down a redFile marked Atlantic League and the date on the front was 2007. So here goes folks; a couple of things I have from the 2007 season
and some other stuff.
I root for the Newark Bears.
They do a great job of keeping the old Newark Eagles Negro League team's memory alive.
The Somerset Patriots are the consummate winners of the league winning five titles. In 2009 they captured their second consecutive championship.
I've driven to see all the teams and their parks with the exception of York and South Maryland. I plan on tacking on those stops to a couple of road trips I have planned for this season.
I average about ten A.L. games a year not including the playoffs.. Between going to see the Mets, going to Coney Island and seeing my Cyclones (A), Yankee games, road trippin' and my own softball season, I like to fill in the gaps in my season with Atlantic League games. Newark and Somerset are too easy for me to get to. It's just that much more baseball I have to keep me occupied all summer long. The price, intimacy, relative closeness and over all relaxation I get at these games is worth every cent. The every-so-often Big Name comes through and the opportunity to just be real and talk to these guys is one of the biggest unknown secrets of this league. If you just take things at face value and keep sensible expectations; and if you like getting a litter closer to the game on a humanistic level, this is a very cool way to do it.
This league's rosters are manned by players with minimum 6 years major and/or minor league experience. They operate in full compliance with the National Agreement and are mandated to provide fields of no less than AAA requirements.
Here's a list of prior Champions:
2009 Somerset
2008 Somerset
2007 Newark
2006 Lancaster
2005 Somerset
2004 Long Island
2003 Somerset
2002 Newark
2001 Somerset
2000 Nashua Pride (currently play in Can/Am League)
1999 Bridgeport1998 Atlantic City Surf (switched to Can/Am league, then folded)
I went downstairs to "the Vault" (my basement)! I pulled down a redFile marked Atlantic League and the date on the front was 2007. So here goes folks; a couple of things I have from the 2007 season
and some other stuff.
The above trophy is what they play for.
The parks are very nice also.
I happen to think Camden's park is pretty darn nice indeed.
It sits right at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge. During night games Philadelphia's skyline lights reflect off the river over the left field fence and the Bridge dominates the center to left field view.
When I figure out what box those pictures are in I'll be sure to post them.
I have more shoe boxes than FootLocker with pictures in them and each box is numbered. Now that I want some pics I can't find the notebook I use to keep note of the contents there-in.
...hate when that happens.
While I dig those out, these pics of the Newark Bears' digs were in with the programs above.
Newark, N.J. folks.
After the game with zero traffic, I'm home in 25 minutes.
That's Manhattan in the background.
Newark's Baseball History
And that's all she wrote.
Consider yourself updated on the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball...(for now).
BTB
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