From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: What's Up Now..., Doc?
The Mets are broke in the pocket book and they are broken as players. I'm not talking about broken spirits. I mean the Mets are literally breaking apart. David Wright is most likely the next Met headed for the Disabled List with a stress fracture in his lower back.
Uh oh!
David Wright joins Ike Davis, Henrry Mejia, Chris Young, Bobby Parnell, and Angel Pagan, as ONLY THE LATEST Mets to hit the Hurt Squad. The fragility of this team over the last three years has been totally bizarre. One after another, after another, they succumbed to injuries. In some cases they were freakish injuries. Other cases turned out to be more debilitating than the club originally thought.
Oh! Abner Doubleday... Why have you forsaken us?
I'm not a Doctor and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night..., But the Mets knew something hasn't been right with Wright since they played Houston on April the who cares! It's already the sixteenth day of May!
This brings me back to the Mets' Medical Staff again. I'm not being silly. Ike, Mejia, Young, and Pagan are not their fault. Bobby Parnell is a tougher call. But he escapes my point also.
The Mets have known about David Wright's back for damn near a month now. The Mets let the Carlos Beltran knee situation linger too long. The Mets continually flip-flopped with Carlos Delgado's hip. The same Med Staff took yet another strike call without a swing when Jose Reyes blew his jets too. Johan Santana? Ditto; too much indecision.
Remember the Maine; what John Maine lied about, the Mets couldn't find anyway. His arm was a mess and they just let him keep going thinking he was......(I don't know), malingering? While we're at it, why don't we just go back to Ryan Church's concussion since I brought up the topic of malingering. BOY!...did Jerry Manuel the Mets get that one wrong.
So back to what the Mets Med Staff knew about David's back and when they knew it. David just better get his own, independent, second and third opinion pronto. Pay for it out of pocket if he has to and if the Mets don't like it - tough, because I wouldn't let them administer a Band-Aid on me. Now we know why the Carlos Beltran situation sparked up like an unexpected brush fire on a bright sunny day catching everyone off guard like it did Omar Minaya.
Today, Sandy Alderson only sounded smarter than Omar and John Ricco combined did when they went into damage control over Beltran-Gate. But, today Sandy could offer no more substance than those two could because....all he could offer is based on what the Med Staff is telling him. Read between the lines on that one and all arrows point to the Wilpons again. Maybe Sandy Alderson needs to clean the Med Staff offices out too, and hire a new staff of Quacks.
Injuries are one thing, but the way the Mets' Med Staff sits on situations sometimes is ruinous. Why did the MRI take so long?
Mike.BTB
Monday, May 16, 2011
N.Y. ISLANDERS ~ Give Nassau County Five For Fighting
New York ISLANDERS: There's "Light" For A New House After All. It's up to Nassau County to score a goal for Long Island's Hockey fans now.
Because last week was a little too hectic for me in addition to Blogger being down for a few days, I'm playing catch-up with a few items. Here's one of the topics I've been meaning to talk about.
The New York Islanders' owner, Charles Wang's Light House project never had life beyond the drawing board. Those plans are a distant memory now. As your average Brooklynite, I'm no one to say one way or another how Long Island's Nassau County should conduct their business. But at face value, here's the part of the latest developments concerning a new arena for the Islanders that for the life of me, I do not understand:
1) - Charles Wang wanted to fund a much grander plan (named The Lighthouse Project...OK, it was a Monster plan...) incorporating a new Islander's arena along with multiple attractions; residential units; and shopping outlets to make Uniondale a destination more conducive to year-round activity and to also make the Billion dollar-plu$ plan financially feasible to follow through with. All that Mr. Wang required from Nassau County was to rezone the area as he was willing to fund the entire project himself. For Nassau County, unlike in Brooklyn where the issue with Atlantic Yards centered around the usage/misuses of Eminent Domain..., Wang's plan was summarily denied by the Nassau County Counsel with a total disregard for the possibility the Islanders easily could relocate once their lease in Nassau Coliseum ends. Kansas City has a brand spanking new arena merely in search of a tenant. Quebec, Canada has been clamouring for another team also. During this past season, about 2,000 Quebec Hockey Fans travelled to Nassau Coliseum for an Islander game and chanting for the team to relocate. The County's issues had to due with over-congesting this 77-acre site. In spite of Mr. Wang's admitting the team is losing tens of millions per season, he's always maintained his want is to keep the Islanders in Uniondale and he was willing to do so by taking on full costs to get it done.
2) - With their bullied compromise (currently) allegedly in place and waiting for a vote of approval, what Nassau County is now willing to agree to is floating bonds to the tune of $400 million.... at the expense of Long Island taxpayers to fund not only a new arena, but quite possibly, a new minor league ball park to house a potential future team in the Atlantic League of Baseball. Now before I discuss that, I'm forced to ask this:
Wang's original proposal hinged on his own, private, and total private financing. What he failed to get was Municipal cooperation. So now that Nassau County is satisfactorily feeling like they are calling the shots again, it will now cost the tax-payers even more money on top of the onerous property taxes they already pay to see this project get done.
Where once Long Island could have had a vast entertainment and economic center built, which would have been fully financed by Mr. Wang, (who lacked only one critical element, County Approval to rezone for the 77-acre site) - The County will now vote on spending taxpayer money for a scaled-down and much blander version far from resembling the original (albeit extravagant) plan.
So, the big question here is ~ Who's the one who thought this was a better plan..., much less a good plan? That's gov't at work for ya.
Now, as far as that Baseball park, - The idea is not new. It has been floated around before. As a matter of fact, the embattled Fred Wilpon; owner of the Mets; was a one time interested principle in an idea to bring the Mets' AA operation to Long Island. This new plan for a team in Nassau County would create a natural and much closer rival for the Long Island Ducks team in Islip. The Atlantic League is in search for an eighth, stable franchise group to join the League. The League currently maintains an all road team for the purposes of fielding eight teams and keeping schedule integrity.
Can Nassau County draw 5,000 fans a night in an overly saturated Baseball market?
I'd go.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 15, 2011
N.Y. YANKEES ~ Posada Deserves A Free Pass
From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY
new york YANKEES: ...Because Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Jorge Posada was wrong Saturday. There's no getting around that. But I'm not about to start bashing Jorge's actions prior to game time nor for his post-game follow-up. If you have an understanding that most careers do not end on the greatest of terms, Saturday's incident would preclude you from criticizing Jorge also.
There is a constant in sports and with players; - athletes almost never go out on top. They're usually forced into retirement because a replacement arrived, or they don't heal/recover from injuries as well as they once did. Or, their skills have eroded to the point where the club is forced to take action against said player. Those are just a few of many reasons why careers end on less than positive notes and we see it all the time.
It's the rare occasion when a player retires "on-time". That in itself is an arbitrary and wholly subjective time-stamp though. But big letters on a wall are easy to read when you don't ignore they're there. Players rarely take the initiative and alleviate clubs from having to make unpopular decisions against them. Millions of modern day dollars make players even more reluctant to exercise pragmatism when their skills, stature, and role on the team all come into question. But when a team is ultimately compelled to take action, it's almost always a contentious situation. Many times the player takes it as a slight and views it as a form of disrespect. How much they decide to wear their emotions on their sleeves and share their displeasure with the Media is another matter. But this is not a posting regarding issues of comportment.
The distasteful wrangling and public debate involved in determining when a career should end sort of becomes a pseudo-arbitration hearing that takes place in the last three to four years of a player's career as opposed to the actual Arbitration process that takes place after the player's fourth year in the Bigs. The player's side makes their case for a chance at positive career advancement while the club issues a manifesto as to why said player does not deserve the player's asking price. It forces negativity upon the situation.
A player's waining years similarly place player and club into a contentious confrontation. A player sets out to justify his continued value to the team, while the club sometimes is looking for the career, or just their time together, to end.
Jorge Posada: His Pinstripes Didn't Bend.
Ladies and Gentlemen; Yankee Fans of all ages....allow me to introduce you to whom I think was your real/unofficial/un-named Yankee Captain; Jorge Posada.
That's Right! I said it.
Derek Jeter was named Captain of the Yankees because The Boss thought he exuded Yankee Class, Winning, and confident Yankee Stoicism in a hot bed like NYC. That's cool with me. I'm not going there.
But Jorge Posada was the Yankees' back-bone in a most literal sense. For all his fire, passion, and grit, he never received his full share of respect. He wasn't the best or flashiest player in Pinstripes. He had flaws.., like fans; like regular people; like us! But he provided the Yankees with something very few of his team mates over the years couldn't or wouldn't provide; - like I said - A Back-Bone, and a Response.
Jorge Posada above all Yankee regulars over his years here, has been the one player who consistently was willing to face the more dastardly aspects of Baseball head-on. I simply remind you of the playoffs versus Boston and the verbal/visual exchange Jorge and Pedro Martinez engaged in. That would probably be the most famous instance, but that protectionist spirit of his was a nightly attribute. During those Torre Years, the book was out on the Yankees. They were capable of being PUNKED-Out. If no one else, Jorge Posada was always the first to say, That Wouldn't Fly.
Back in the days of the heated Mariners/Yankees Rivalries, tempers often flared up causing both teams to empty dugouts and bullpens numerous times. When A-Rod still played in Seattle, Derek Jeter was infamously criticized many times for conveniently finding Alex Rodriguez in the crowd and therefore, cancelling each other out (even smiling and laughing along the way).
Once upon a time a left fielder named Chad Curtis dared criticize the Captain for such cowardly acts. He was disappeared to the Island of Misfit and Outspoken Yankees. Jorge Posada wouldn't have thrown Jeter under the bus like Curtis did to the Media. But Jorge's actions on the field speak loud and clear. Then after a game, he'd be the one to say what everyone was thinking; while only speaking for himself of course, but speaking loudly so as to be heard. That's Jorge.
Hip Hip...to that!
But here's something I'm not so Hip on.
I never did subscribe to the Big Brother-Little Brother cow-chip the Media always tried to throw at us in the late 1990's when discussing the relationship between Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi. That's over-rated. I remember Jorge chomping at the bit, dying to get Girardi out of the way so as to become the everyday starter. And I'm just guessing and stabbing here - but why wouldn't Jorge be somewhat puzzled as to why Girardi received so much credit for Jorge's early successes? Hmmm? How ponderous is it Girardi gets too much credit for training his understudy and now finds himself as the guy trying to take him out?
It would seem to me Joe Girardi has been more of a hindrance to Jorge's early and late career like a recurring bout of herpes. He doesn't know how he came across Joe. All Posada knows is that he just can't make him totally go away. And while Joe was in remission, Jorge Posada went on to total more RBI than any other catcher in Baseball during the 2000's. Ever since Joe flared back into Jorge's life a few years ago, things have been going down hill for the embattled ex-catcher ever since. Saturday night, Jorge's dilemma was clearly with his lips and it showed.
OLD CODES Need Not Apply:
In Baseball, retirement is now more often than not, an ugly, unsympathetic, character testing process. Modern Baseball has made the decision to retire or release, that much more cut-throat because of the money involved. It used to be, the last few days of a career were times we (fans and owners) knowingly looked the other way out of respect for their years of hometown play. But with that accorded respect, a return of favor was somewhat expected. A silent acknowledgement by the player often set in motion a plan to set the Date of Announcement; On-Field and on-going celebrations of appreciation, and an opportunity for the player to leave the game with dignity while in front of adoring fans and in a setting that also gave ball clubs an honest and genuine opportunity to share their own warm sentiments and regard.
Bad times are a brewing in the Bronx. I'm dying to get into this in my next post. Meanwhile, Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and Jorge Posada are three converging forces and it's not good. Only Posada runs the risk of getting subducted. Cashman is intent on being a schmuck the rest of his time in the Bronx. He's gone. He's dishing out a bad attitude any chance he gets these days knowing he's leaving. He isn't sticking around and putting up with Randy Levine anymore. Girardi still has a job to do and this will not be the last time Girardi and Posada bump heads this season. There is no love between the two. Girardi has slighted him too many times as manager for his catching. More of this is definitely on the way should Posada continue to struggle and chose not to retire.
And Jorge? Jorge Posada Day at 161st Street and River Avenue this summer would be glorious for everybody. Why risk a bad slip and fall when you can go out in the grandest of fashion?
Mike.BTB
new york YANKEES: ...Because Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.
Jorge Posada was wrong Saturday. There's no getting around that. But I'm not about to start bashing Jorge's actions prior to game time nor for his post-game follow-up. If you have an understanding that most careers do not end on the greatest of terms, Saturday's incident would preclude you from criticizing Jorge also.
There is a constant in sports and with players; - athletes almost never go out on top. They're usually forced into retirement because a replacement arrived, or they don't heal/recover from injuries as well as they once did. Or, their skills have eroded to the point where the club is forced to take action against said player. Those are just a few of many reasons why careers end on less than positive notes and we see it all the time.
It's the rare occasion when a player retires "on-time". That in itself is an arbitrary and wholly subjective time-stamp though. But big letters on a wall are easy to read when you don't ignore they're there. Players rarely take the initiative and alleviate clubs from having to make unpopular decisions against them. Millions of modern day dollars make players even more reluctant to exercise pragmatism when their skills, stature, and role on the team all come into question. But when a team is ultimately compelled to take action, it's almost always a contentious situation. Many times the player takes it as a slight and views it as a form of disrespect. How much they decide to wear their emotions on their sleeves and share their displeasure with the Media is another matter. But this is not a posting regarding issues of comportment.
The distasteful wrangling and public debate involved in determining when a career should end sort of becomes a pseudo-arbitration hearing that takes place in the last three to four years of a player's career as opposed to the actual Arbitration process that takes place after the player's fourth year in the Bigs. The player's side makes their case for a chance at positive career advancement while the club issues a manifesto as to why said player does not deserve the player's asking price. It forces negativity upon the situation.
A player's waining years similarly place player and club into a contentious confrontation. A player sets out to justify his continued value to the team, while the club sometimes is looking for the career, or just their time together, to end.
Jorge Posada: His Pinstripes Didn't Bend.
Ladies and Gentlemen; Yankee Fans of all ages....allow me to introduce you to whom I think was your real/unofficial/un-named Yankee Captain; Jorge Posada.
That's Right! I said it.
Derek Jeter was named Captain of the Yankees because The Boss thought he exuded Yankee Class, Winning, and confident Yankee Stoicism in a hot bed like NYC. That's cool with me. I'm not going there.
But Jorge Posada was the Yankees' back-bone in a most literal sense. For all his fire, passion, and grit, he never received his full share of respect. He wasn't the best or flashiest player in Pinstripes. He had flaws.., like fans; like regular people; like us! But he provided the Yankees with something very few of his team mates over the years couldn't or wouldn't provide; - like I said - A Back-Bone, and a Response.
Jorge Posada above all Yankee regulars over his years here, has been the one player who consistently was willing to face the more dastardly aspects of Baseball head-on. I simply remind you of the playoffs versus Boston and the verbal/visual exchange Jorge and Pedro Martinez engaged in. That would probably be the most famous instance, but that protectionist spirit of his was a nightly attribute. During those Torre Years, the book was out on the Yankees. They were capable of being PUNKED-Out. If no one else, Jorge Posada was always the first to say, That Wouldn't Fly.
Back in the days of the heated Mariners/Yankees Rivalries, tempers often flared up causing both teams to empty dugouts and bullpens numerous times. When A-Rod still played in Seattle, Derek Jeter was infamously criticized many times for conveniently finding Alex Rodriguez in the crowd and therefore, cancelling each other out (even smiling and laughing along the way).
Once upon a time a left fielder named Chad Curtis dared criticize the Captain for such cowardly acts. He was disappeared to the Island of Misfit and Outspoken Yankees. Jorge Posada wouldn't have thrown Jeter under the bus like Curtis did to the Media. But Jorge's actions on the field speak loud and clear. Then after a game, he'd be the one to say what everyone was thinking; while only speaking for himself of course, but speaking loudly so as to be heard. That's Jorge.
Hip Hip...to that!
But here's something I'm not so Hip on.
I never did subscribe to the Big Brother-Little Brother cow-chip the Media always tried to throw at us in the late 1990's when discussing the relationship between Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi. That's over-rated. I remember Jorge chomping at the bit, dying to get Girardi out of the way so as to become the everyday starter. And I'm just guessing and stabbing here - but why wouldn't Jorge be somewhat puzzled as to why Girardi received so much credit for Jorge's early successes? Hmmm? How ponderous is it Girardi gets too much credit for training his understudy and now finds himself as the guy trying to take him out?
It would seem to me Joe Girardi has been more of a hindrance to Jorge's early and late career like a recurring bout of herpes. He doesn't know how he came across Joe. All Posada knows is that he just can't make him totally go away. And while Joe was in remission, Jorge Posada went on to total more RBI than any other catcher in Baseball during the 2000's. Ever since Joe flared back into Jorge's life a few years ago, things have been going down hill for the embattled ex-catcher ever since. Saturday night, Jorge's dilemma was clearly with his lips and it showed.
OLD CODES Need Not Apply:
In Baseball, retirement is now more often than not, an ugly, unsympathetic, character testing process. Modern Baseball has made the decision to retire or release, that much more cut-throat because of the money involved. It used to be, the last few days of a career were times we (fans and owners) knowingly looked the other way out of respect for their years of hometown play. But with that accorded respect, a return of favor was somewhat expected. A silent acknowledgement by the player often set in motion a plan to set the Date of Announcement; On-Field and on-going celebrations of appreciation, and an opportunity for the player to leave the game with dignity while in front of adoring fans and in a setting that also gave ball clubs an honest and genuine opportunity to share their own warm sentiments and regard.
Bad times are a brewing in the Bronx. I'm dying to get into this in my next post. Meanwhile, Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and Jorge Posada are three converging forces and it's not good. Only Posada runs the risk of getting subducted. Cashman is intent on being a schmuck the rest of his time in the Bronx. He's gone. He's dishing out a bad attitude any chance he gets these days knowing he's leaving. He isn't sticking around and putting up with Randy Levine anymore. Girardi still has a job to do and this will not be the last time Girardi and Posada bump heads this season. There is no love between the two. Girardi has slighted him too many times as manager for his catching. More of this is definitely on the way should Posada continue to struggle and chose not to retire.
And Jorge? Jorge Posada Day at 161st Street and River Avenue this summer would be glorious for everybody. Why risk a bad slip and fall when you can go out in the grandest of fashion?
Mike.BTB
Thursday, May 12, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Rocky Mountain Rain-Out
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: Postponed; Foul Weather Shuts Down Mets In Colorado.
METS LITE:
A rain out today in Colorado? I'll take it. It's a good time to jump in some puddles.
For starters..., there are no more starters. Buffalo is tapped out. So, no game Wednesday means, theoretically, no one else gets hurt now that Chris Young is most likely done for the season.
Meh... Whatever we were going to get from him this season would have been gravy. Now we'll just have to eat our Metropolitan turkey dry now. Losing Young for a second and more permanent DL stint comes on the heals of losing Henrry Mejia to Tommy John surgery. Boof Bonser is done for the season too. And by the way, I don't anticipate Johan Santana being an effective pitcher for us this season and I don't believe we should hasten him back later in the season either
So where are the Mets going to get pitching from? Dillon Gee is already here. There's always the French Foreign Legion I suppose. Pat Misch? ...please.
On May 5th, the Mets purchased the contract of former MLB pitcher-Brian Sweeney who was kicking around with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. Sweeney didn't pitch too badly in his Buffalo debut. Maybe we'll be seeing him soon. Outside of that, lets just be thankful for now that Citi Field is so cavernous. What else is there?
Now for the weird. In a somewhat baffling injury, Ike Davis did something wrong on that pop-up that fell in between David Wright and Ike the other night; the excuse me pop-up no one caught when they collided into each other by the mound. It seemed harmless enough at the time. But then we learned David Wright and Ike wouldn't have started this afternoon's game as a result; as a result for needing rest or what...who knows. But Ike is headed back to N.Y. and inside the tube to see if there is any damage. This injury should turn out to be nothing. But as I watched the play unfold, I was thinking to myself, "You've got to be kidding me."
I'm not souring on my boy Josh Thole; and I could care less about him Tweeting. And by the way...about that; - Way to go to all the dumb-asses out there who continually put him on blast on his Twitter account. Way to blow that one! But what I'm really thinking is that he may need a few weeks back in Buffalo to straighten out his head, and refine his game a little bit. He's been going through a rough, if not feeble looking stretch behind the plate lately and his hitting is too sporadic. There's no doubt I want him back and behind the plate. But maybe a few weeks till June will do him good. ...Trust me, he won't be missing many happenings on the Big Club while he's gone.
However, being sent down, I don't believe is really an option right now. So if what is called for is a strict platoon behind the plate, then so be it.
Mike.BTB
Monday, May 09, 2011
N.Y. RANGERS ~ Who's Turn Was It To Watch Glen Sather?!
NEW YORK RANGERS: Who Let Sather Out Of Their Sights?
The Rangers made a minor trade that has me scratching my head so much I made myself bleed. And this is what I mean when I say Glen Sather scares me; (as he does us all). How long exactly have Ranger fans been clamouring for more size? The answer is decades. Our current quandary is finding a legit center-man who also possesses size.
Like I said, this is about a low level minor deal. But a kid Glen Sather went and traded yesterday was 19 years old, 6-foot 2", and 200 pounds; no Goliath by any stretch. But Ethan Werek, who played last season in Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League and scored 24 goals to go along with 28 assists for 52 points in 47 games was traded to Phoenix for another center; Oscar Lindberg, who is also 19 years old. However, this kid is only six-feet and 197 pounds. He only scored 5 goals with 9 assists for 14 points in 41 games last year in the Swedish Elite League. Werek was selected 47th overall in the 2009 draft. Lindberg was selected 57th overall in the 2010 draft.
Someone please leave a comment and make me understand this trade.
Mike.BTB
The Rangers made a minor trade that has me scratching my head so much I made myself bleed. And this is what I mean when I say Glen Sather scares me; (as he does us all). How long exactly have Ranger fans been clamouring for more size? The answer is decades. Our current quandary is finding a legit center-man who also possesses size.
Like I said, this is about a low level minor deal. But a kid Glen Sather went and traded yesterday was 19 years old, 6-foot 2", and 200 pounds; no Goliath by any stretch. But Ethan Werek, who played last season in Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League and scored 24 goals to go along with 28 assists for 52 points in 47 games was traded to Phoenix for another center; Oscar Lindberg, who is also 19 years old. However, this kid is only six-feet and 197 pounds. He only scored 5 goals with 9 assists for 14 points in 41 games last year in the Swedish Elite League. Werek was selected 47th overall in the 2009 draft. Lindberg was selected 57th overall in the 2010 draft.
Someone please leave a comment and make me understand this trade.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 08, 2011
N.Y. YANKEES ~ Derek Jeter Answers Critics In Texas
From the desk of: BLAME CARLOS MAY
new york YANKEES: The Captain Leads His Team Against Rangers. Derek Jeter WAS the Lone Star In Texas.
When he reached the 100 at-bat mark, Derek Jeter had 25 hits. Now, numbers have a way of distorting truth but can be equally revealing. In either case, they only tell a story after the fact. Jeter was only 5 hits away from a .300 average. But his hits were mostly of the singles variety. Two handfuls of those were of the infield variety. And only two went for doubles.
There has to be frustration accompanying a start like the one he's endured especially coming on the heals on signing his latest contract extension. If Derek Jeter was already a little upset over the way Brian Cashman handled the pre-season contract negotiation and writer Ian O'Connor's new book rehashing old dirt, he seemed down right terse when asked about his alleged hip situation. In response to questions, he snapped numerous times "it" was nothing. But the constant talk of his demise and his supposed faltering in the twilight of his career, are no doubt being thrown on his plate as more items he's having to contend with. And there's a slight change in his demeanor accompanying this slow transformation towards inevitably becoming a retired player from being the star player from just a few years ago.
Yea..., so how do ya like me now!? One game does not a turn-around make, but that's a hell of a statement Jeter made this afternoon. After getting pulled for a supposed tweaked hip and sitting out the following game against his will, Derek Jeter used the friendly hot-air elevation effect of middle- Texas to quiet some critics, if only for a game.
Derek Jeter is batting over .300 over his last 11 games. Today against the Texas Rangers, The Captain hit 2 home runs as part of a 4 for 6 day; with 3 RBI; two runs scored; and a stolen base. He was 1 for 2 with runners in scoring position and grounded into no double plays. That all came while batting from the lead-off position against the defending American League Champions.
Is it pure coincidence Jeter should have such a breakout game against the Yankees' ouster from last year's playoffs? Maybe; maybe not. But I hardly think he'll be going out with a mere whimper like some have suggested after watching the first three weeks of the season. But like I said, he's batting over .300 over the last 11 games he's played. I'm not sure how he'll go out. But I'm sure he'll bow out more gracefully than the fans, Media, and critics have foreseen.
You have to be close to, if not in your forties to understand the natural deterioration of a player's skills and how careers rightfully should end. I place the line of demarcation of the steroids era in the late 1980's. If you were born after 1988 or so, you have lived your entire life withing the enhancement era of Baseball. The marked improvement in what should be the ending of careers has become a reality for the younger to twenty-somes of this more modern generation.
Ken Griffey Jr. is an example of a more realistic deterioration. Closer to home, so was Bernie Williams' and Mike Piazza's careers. And now, so is Derek Jeter's.
But I'm sure Derek Jeter will play representative Baseball for himself the deeper into May we get. But my question is for how long? Because I honestly couldn't tell you whether he has four weeks or all four years left in him.
To repeat my over-all concern for Derek Jeter; - It is my sincere hope that once he achieves his 3,000th hit of his great career, that he do everything responsible to ensure his lifetime .300 batting average stay in tact. Mickey Mantle stayed around way too long and allowed his lifetime .300 batting average to dip below that status level, while also losing the prestigious claim of being a 30% hitter. Derek Jeter is well aware of his place in Yankee History, and is well aware Mickey Mantle was well spoken about his regret for allowing that to happen.
Derek Jeter is already a Hall of Famer without the 3,000 hits. But when he is all said and done with this game, and when it comes to contemplating his number of games played; runs scored; hits; doubles; AND lifetime batting average, the final word about Derek Jeter be nothing short of greatness.
We've learned in life how exploits and heroics have always grown more grand as years go by and then into Legends, and Myths; reaching Epic proportion. Imagine pondering Jeter with his 3,000 hits and a .300 average to validate it?
How great he can become as a future Old-Timer sporting such a dual achievement came place him in the TOP FOUR discussion of Yankee greats. But that's all if he recognizes when to retire.
Mike.BTB
new york YANKEES: The Captain Leads His Team Against Rangers. Derek Jeter WAS the Lone Star In Texas.
When he reached the 100 at-bat mark, Derek Jeter had 25 hits. Now, numbers have a way of distorting truth but can be equally revealing. In either case, they only tell a story after the fact. Jeter was only 5 hits away from a .300 average. But his hits were mostly of the singles variety. Two handfuls of those were of the infield variety. And only two went for doubles.
There has to be frustration accompanying a start like the one he's endured especially coming on the heals on signing his latest contract extension. If Derek Jeter was already a little upset over the way Brian Cashman handled the pre-season contract negotiation and writer Ian O'Connor's new book rehashing old dirt, he seemed down right terse when asked about his alleged hip situation. In response to questions, he snapped numerous times "it" was nothing. But the constant talk of his demise and his supposed faltering in the twilight of his career, are no doubt being thrown on his plate as more items he's having to contend with. And there's a slight change in his demeanor accompanying this slow transformation towards inevitably becoming a retired player from being the star player from just a few years ago.
Yea..., so how do ya like me now!? One game does not a turn-around make, but that's a hell of a statement Jeter made this afternoon. After getting pulled for a supposed tweaked hip and sitting out the following game against his will, Derek Jeter used the friendly hot-air elevation effect of middle- Texas to quiet some critics, if only for a game.
Derek Jeter is batting over .300 over his last 11 games. Today against the Texas Rangers, The Captain hit 2 home runs as part of a 4 for 6 day; with 3 RBI; two runs scored; and a stolen base. He was 1 for 2 with runners in scoring position and grounded into no double plays. That all came while batting from the lead-off position against the defending American League Champions.
Is it pure coincidence Jeter should have such a breakout game against the Yankees' ouster from last year's playoffs? Maybe; maybe not. But I hardly think he'll be going out with a mere whimper like some have suggested after watching the first three weeks of the season. But like I said, he's batting over .300 over the last 11 games he's played. I'm not sure how he'll go out. But I'm sure he'll bow out more gracefully than the fans, Media, and critics have foreseen.
You have to be close to, if not in your forties to understand the natural deterioration of a player's skills and how careers rightfully should end. I place the line of demarcation of the steroids era in the late 1980's. If you were born after 1988 or so, you have lived your entire life withing the enhancement era of Baseball. The marked improvement in what should be the ending of careers has become a reality for the younger to twenty-somes of this more modern generation.
Ken Griffey Jr. is an example of a more realistic deterioration. Closer to home, so was Bernie Williams' and Mike Piazza's careers. And now, so is Derek Jeter's.
But I'm sure Derek Jeter will play representative Baseball for himself the deeper into May we get. But my question is for how long? Because I honestly couldn't tell you whether he has four weeks or all four years left in him.
To repeat my over-all concern for Derek Jeter; - It is my sincere hope that once he achieves his 3,000th hit of his great career, that he do everything responsible to ensure his lifetime .300 batting average stay in tact. Mickey Mantle stayed around way too long and allowed his lifetime .300 batting average to dip below that status level, while also losing the prestigious claim of being a 30% hitter. Derek Jeter is well aware of his place in Yankee History, and is well aware Mickey Mantle was well spoken about his regret for allowing that to happen.
Derek Jeter is already a Hall of Famer without the 3,000 hits. But when he is all said and done with this game, and when it comes to contemplating his number of games played; runs scored; hits; doubles; AND lifetime batting average, the final word about Derek Jeter be nothing short of greatness.
We've learned in life how exploits and heroics have always grown more grand as years go by and then into Legends, and Myths; reaching Epic proportion. Imagine pondering Jeter with his 3,000 hits and a .300 average to validate it?
How great he can become as a future Old-Timer sporting such a dual achievement came place him in the TOP FOUR discussion of Yankee greats. But that's all if he recognizes when to retire.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, May 07, 2011
2011 SEASON ~ Vintage Base Ball Association
The Vintage Base Ball Association:
The Modern Day BROOKLYN ATLANTICS BBC and Other Member Teams Like the NEW YORK GOTHAMS and FLEMINGTON NESHANOCKS Kicked-Off Another Season of 19th Century Baseball.
No Rounders!
Those aficionados of gentlemanly competition from another era have donned their uniforms for another year of Nineteenth Century Baseball. With Spring Training and the first official games of the year played in late April, the member clubs of the Vintage Base Ball Association and the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League have already begun recreating another season of baseball as it was played during the Game's childhood days of the mid-1800's.
Baseball prior to 1900 and pre-1871 professionalism is a part of the game that has always fascinated me as an obsessive baseball history buff. The farther back in Baseball's past I researched, the more enmeshed in it I became. I came to learn of Baseball's first true dynasty; the Brooklyn Atlantic Baseball Club. Though the number of their United States Championships is among Baseball Researcher's favorite debates, one matter is not in question; - They were consistently one of the best teams of the 1860's.
But there were other teams of that era that made Brooklyn and Manhattan not just the center of the Baseball universe. They were in fact, THE Baseball Universe. Teams like the New York Gothams; New York Mutuals; Greenpoint Eckfords; Brooklyn Putnams; Elizabeth Resolutes (N.J.), Morrisania Unions (Bronx); Brooklyn Excelsiors; and a host of other teams made the NYC area the launching pad from which this game went on to become the National Pastime in the days during and the years after the Civil War ended.
But over three generations since these early days of Baseball's infancy had past until the opening, in 1936, of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Over seventy years of Baseball History precedes the opening of those doors to the Hall of Fame honoring Baseball's greats, legends, and immortals.
It is in Brooklyn back during the 1850's and 1860's where many of the men who collaborated together to take a new American Game and not just create history by founding great teams and competing, but they also chronicled the game, and started the preservation of Baseball History. In Brooklyn is where these men, who nurtured, raised, and played Baseball through it's adolescence, and set it forth to capture the hearts of a Nation, mostly wished their final resting to be and to play Baseball eternally. Before there was a Cooperstown Museum, there was Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Most notably, among those credited with codifying the rules of Baseball; "Fathers of Baseball" -Duncan Curry of the Original N.Y. Knickerbocker team and Hall of Famer; Henry Chadwick - credited with authoring the first true History of Baseball; creating the box score; maintaining statistics; and masterfully chronicling the games of Baseball themselves reside here. Jim Creighton, who is called Baseball's first super-star and played for the Excelsior BBC, also resides here, just as is the man who is responsible for building the first fully enclosed ball park in Baseball History, with bleachers, refreshments, and of course, a fee for admission. A great many club member players from the Atlantics; Mutuals; Gothams; Excelsiors; Putnams; Knickerbockers; and Eckfords; ...only to name a few, all are buried here in Brooklyn's Green Wood Cemetery.
This season, the Vintage Base Ball Association comes to the place where so many of the pioneering athletes of Baseball chose to reassemble together long after their playing days were over. Vintage Style Baseball and 1864 rules return to Brooklyn for a day of Gentlemen at play on the grounds of Green Wood where the game's forefathers will no doubt have the best seat in the house.
I'm looking forward to attending this year's games, but I'm more interested in meeting up again with new acquaintances like Wickets Garcia and Stacks Hyslop of the New York Gothams. I'm looking forward to catching up with my first two introductory handshakes into the world of Vintage Baseball- Shakespeare Van Zant and Hammy Obidienzo of the Brooklyn Atlantics Club; and the good man Brooklyn Shaw of the Flemington Neshanock Club. But to all members, including the fine gentlemen I've met in years past from the Newark Eurekas and New York Mutual Clubs as well, thank you all for your neighborliness. I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Vintage Baseball again to the place where Baseball became great; my Brooklyn home.
Play Ball!
SCHEDULED GAMES:
According to posted schedules on the Gothams and Atlantics web sites, three games are coming Brooklyn's way. I will try and gain confirmation of these dates.
Saturday July 24, 2011
The New York Gothams take on the Brooklyn Atlantics at Green Wood Cemetery.
Saturday August 13, 2011
The New York Mutuals and Brooklyn Atlantics will play at Green Wood Cemetery.
In recent trips to Brooklyn, games have been played at the modern NYC version of Washington Park; former site and home of the Brooklyn Dodgers' ball field. While the modern dimensions of the park, namely right field, provide a hindrance for the players, it's never stopped the visiting clubs from giving nothing short of a spirited effort. In all, it should be an entertaining summer as Vintage Baseball returns to Washington Park again this season as well as staging contests in Green Wood Cemetery.
Saturday September 24, 2011
The New York Mutuals take on the Flemington Neshanock at Washington Park, Brooklyn.
EVENT: ~ JULY 30-31
The 14th ANNUAL 19th CENTURY BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
at the OLD BETHPAGE RESTORATION VILLAGE in Long Island.
I have been told these dates are firm.
SELECTED TEAM LINKS:
Atlantics Base Ball Club of Brooklyn
Gothams Baseball Club of New York
Nashenock Baseball Club of Flemington
Elizabeth Resolutes BBC
Olneyville Baseball
Newtown Sandy Hook BBC
Essex Baseball Club
Providence Grays
Fairplay Baseball Club of Talbot
New London Thames
Whately Pioneers BBC
Roxbury Nine BBC
Bovina Dairymen
New York Mutuals Baseball Club
Elkton Eclipse Baseball Club
Chesapeake and Potomic Baseball Club
Diamond State BBC of Delaware
Havre de Grace Dauntless BBC
Athletic BBC of Philadelphia
Mudville Baseball Club
Excelsior BBC of Arundel
League Links:
The Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League
The Vintage Base Ball Association
Mike.BTB
The Modern Day BROOKLYN ATLANTICS BBC and Other Member Teams Like the NEW YORK GOTHAMS and FLEMINGTON NESHANOCKS Kicked-Off Another Season of 19th Century Baseball.
No Rounders!
Those aficionados of gentlemanly competition from another era have donned their uniforms for another year of Nineteenth Century Baseball. With Spring Training and the first official games of the year played in late April, the member clubs of the Vintage Base Ball Association and the Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League have already begun recreating another season of baseball as it was played during the Game's childhood days of the mid-1800's.
Baseball prior to 1900 and pre-1871 professionalism is a part of the game that has always fascinated me as an obsessive baseball history buff. The farther back in Baseball's past I researched, the more enmeshed in it I became. I came to learn of Baseball's first true dynasty; the Brooklyn Atlantic Baseball Club. Though the number of their United States Championships is among Baseball Researcher's favorite debates, one matter is not in question; - They were consistently one of the best teams of the 1860's.But there were other teams of that era that made Brooklyn and Manhattan not just the center of the Baseball universe. They were in fact, THE Baseball Universe. Teams like the New York Gothams; New York Mutuals; Greenpoint Eckfords; Brooklyn Putnams; Elizabeth Resolutes (N.J.), Morrisania Unions (Bronx); Brooklyn Excelsiors; and a host of other teams made the NYC area the launching pad from which this game went on to become the National Pastime in the days during and the years after the Civil War ended.
But over three generations since these early days of Baseball's infancy had past until the opening, in 1936, of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Over seventy years of Baseball History precedes the opening of those doors to the Hall of Fame honoring Baseball's greats, legends, and immortals.
It is in Brooklyn back during the 1850's and 1860's where many of the men who collaborated together to take a new American Game and not just create history by founding great teams and competing, but they also chronicled the game, and started the preservation of Baseball History. In Brooklyn is where these men, who nurtured, raised, and played Baseball through it's adolescence, and set it forth to capture the hearts of a Nation, mostly wished their final resting to be and to play Baseball eternally. Before there was a Cooperstown Museum, there was Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Most notably, among those credited with codifying the rules of Baseball; "Fathers of Baseball" -Duncan Curry of the Original N.Y. Knickerbocker team and Hall of Famer; Henry Chadwick - credited with authoring the first true History of Baseball; creating the box score; maintaining statistics; and masterfully chronicling the games of Baseball themselves reside here. Jim Creighton, who is called Baseball's first super-star and played for the Excelsior BBC, also resides here, just as is the man who is responsible for building the first fully enclosed ball park in Baseball History, with bleachers, refreshments, and of course, a fee for admission. A great many club member players from the Atlantics; Mutuals; Gothams; Excelsiors; Putnams; Knickerbockers; and Eckfords; ...only to name a few, all are buried here in Brooklyn's Green Wood Cemetery.
This season, the Vintage Base Ball Association comes to the place where so many of the pioneering athletes of Baseball chose to reassemble together long after their playing days were over. Vintage Style Baseball and 1864 rules return to Brooklyn for a day of Gentlemen at play on the grounds of Green Wood where the game's forefathers will no doubt have the best seat in the house.
I'm looking forward to attending this year's games, but I'm more interested in meeting up again with new acquaintances like Wickets Garcia and Stacks Hyslop of the New York Gothams. I'm looking forward to catching up with my first two introductory handshakes into the world of Vintage Baseball- Shakespeare Van Zant and Hammy Obidienzo of the Brooklyn Atlantics Club; and the good man Brooklyn Shaw of the Flemington Neshanock Club. But to all members, including the fine gentlemen I've met in years past from the Newark Eurekas and New York Mutual Clubs as well, thank you all for your neighborliness. I eagerly anticipate the arrival of Vintage Baseball again to the place where Baseball became great; my Brooklyn home.
Play Ball!
SCHEDULED GAMES:
According to posted schedules on the Gothams and Atlantics web sites, three games are coming Brooklyn's way. I will try and gain confirmation of these dates.
Saturday July 24, 2011
The New York Gothams take on the Brooklyn Atlantics at Green Wood Cemetery.
Saturday August 13, 2011
The New York Mutuals and Brooklyn Atlantics will play at Green Wood Cemetery.
In recent trips to Brooklyn, games have been played at the modern NYC version of Washington Park; former site and home of the Brooklyn Dodgers' ball field. While the modern dimensions of the park, namely right field, provide a hindrance for the players, it's never stopped the visiting clubs from giving nothing short of a spirited effort. In all, it should be an entertaining summer as Vintage Baseball returns to Washington Park again this season as well as staging contests in Green Wood Cemetery.
Saturday September 24, 2011
The New York Mutuals take on the Flemington Neshanock at Washington Park, Brooklyn.
EVENT: ~ JULY 30-31
The 14th ANNUAL 19th CENTURY BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
at the OLD BETHPAGE RESTORATION VILLAGE in Long Island.
I have been told these dates are firm.
SELECTED TEAM LINKS:
Atlantics Base Ball Club of Brooklyn
Gothams Baseball Club of New York
Nashenock Baseball Club of Flemington
Elizabeth Resolutes BBC
Olneyville Baseball
Newtown Sandy Hook BBC
Essex Baseball Club
Providence Grays
Fairplay Baseball Club of Talbot
New London Thames
Whately Pioneers BBC
Roxbury Nine BBC
Bovina Dairymen
New York Mutuals Baseball Club
Elkton Eclipse Baseball Club
Chesapeake and Potomic Baseball Club
Diamond State BBC of Delaware
Havre de Grace Dauntless BBC
Athletic BBC of Philadelphia
Mudville Baseball Club
Excelsior BBC of Arundel
League Links:
The Mid-Atlantic Vintage Baseball League
The Vintage Base Ball Association
Mike.BTB
Friday, May 06, 2011
L.I. DUCKS ~ 12th Opening Day For Ducks
From the desk of: A Brooklyn Quack
LONG ISLAND DUCKS BASEBALL CLUB
After starting the season on the road in Bridgeport and Camden, the Ducks open up their 12th season at renamed Bethpage Park. The Ducks have taken their first two series two games to one and have won two in a row. They'll go for three tonight in front of their own fans for the first time this season, and as usual a full house of 6,000+ is expected to welcome back the Ducks.
As Of ~ Thursday, May 5, 2011
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Defeat Camden In Series Final. Head Home For Opening Day.
The Ducks took the rubber game of their series against the Camden River Sharks before heading back to Long Island for their Home Opener against Bridgeport. They have now won their first two series of the season.
Winning pitcher for the Ducks, Joselo Diaz, pitched a superb game until he unravelled a bit in the 9th inning in an attempt to secure a shutout.
8.1 ~ innings pitched
7 ~ hits; all singles
1 ~ runs/earned
1 ~ walks
4 ~ strikeouts
**Perfect game broken up in the 6th inning. Raul Pedron of Camden broke up the bid at perfection.
Bubbie Buzachero relieved Diaz to finish out Camden.
For The Ducks:
2nd Inning ~ Matt Padget started off the scoring for Long Island with a home run. 1-0; Ducks
4th Inning ~ Freddie Thon hit a solo home run. 2-0; Ducks
5th Inning ~ Kraig Binick scored on a wild pitch; Matt Padget scored on a Freddie Thon single.
4-0 Ducks.
7th Inning ~ JR House scored on a Jon Kourie double. 5-0; Ducks
FINAL
DUCKS 5
River Sharks 1
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS BASEBALL CLUB
est. 2000
OPENING DAY
12th at Bethpage Park
TONIGHT
Bridgeport Bluefish (1-3)
vs.
LONG ISLAND DUCKS (4-2)
First Place; Liberty Division
After starting the season on the road in Bridgeport and Camden, the Ducks open up their 12th season at renamed Bethpage Park. The Ducks have taken their first two series two games to one and have won two in a row. They'll go for three tonight in front of their own fans for the first time this season, and as usual a full house of 6,000+ is expected to welcome back the Ducks.
As Of ~ Thursday, May 5, 2011
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Defeat Camden In Series Final. Head Home For Opening Day.
The Ducks took the rubber game of their series against the Camden River Sharks before heading back to Long Island for their Home Opener against Bridgeport. They have now won their first two series of the season.
Winning pitcher for the Ducks, Joselo Diaz, pitched a superb game until he unravelled a bit in the 9th inning in an attempt to secure a shutout.
8.1 ~ innings pitched
7 ~ hits; all singles
1 ~ runs/earned
1 ~ walks
4 ~ strikeouts
**Perfect game broken up in the 6th inning. Raul Pedron of Camden broke up the bid at perfection.
Bubbie Buzachero relieved Diaz to finish out Camden.
For The Ducks:
2nd Inning ~ Matt Padget started off the scoring for Long Island with a home run. 1-0; Ducks
4th Inning ~ Freddie Thon hit a solo home run. 2-0; Ducks
5th Inning ~ Kraig Binick scored on a wild pitch; Matt Padget scored on a Freddie Thon single.
4-0 Ducks.
7th Inning ~ JR House scored on a Jon Kourie double. 5-0; Ducks
FINAL
DUCKS 5
River Sharks 1
Mike.BTB
Thursday, May 05, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Lose and Win; Night and Day; Jekyll and Hyde
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET
Terry Collins was flat out exasperated after last night's white-washing at the hands of Tim Lincecum and the defending Champion Giants. Coach kept on grumbling something over and over again into the microphones about getting two-out hits. Yea well, welcome to Flushing Terry.
Coach called the team out in a sense by saying these guys were Major Leaguers (too), and that they have to fight and come through sometimes as such. He said, "Stop guessing at pitches and ...Step Up!" To that I say, Good for Him! Those have been the strongest words spoken by a Met manager since Bobby Valentine. But just like the Mets' sixteen strikeouts last night, I'm afraid that line will also be just another swing and a miss if David Wright has anything to do with it. It's a shame too, because one, it's not Terry's fault the team is in last place, and two, because Chris Capuano pitched a decent game.
The manager resorted to pressing the Panic Button once in April already. Last night's loss made the Mets 12-17 and after a few more losses, Coach Collins will probably have to resort to pressing the Panic Button again at some point. But how many times will that work?
Or, will he have to at all?
This afternoon, the Jekyll and Hyde team (more Hyde) from Flushing showed it's other side again. They do that from time to time just to tease and confuse the fan base. That's bothersome for a guy like me who is just sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for the demolition to commence.
Carlos Beltran uncorked a home run over the Flushing Bay Retaining Wall in left; Jose Reyes tripled and had 2 RBI while no doubt sending the Giants out of town salivating for his services; Mike Pelfrey controlled an offensively challenged San Francisco squad over 7.2 innings; and Frankie Rodriguez was his typical self walking two and striking out two in earning his 7th save. That's a text book day in METropolis.
Last night they were lethargic with a bat in their hands. Today the Mets were 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position bringing Terry Collins' blood pressure down if only slightly. They only left four men on base today. Reyes; Hu; Beltran; and Bay accounted for 7 strikeouts this afternoon which is a far cry from the 16 times they whiffed last night (and none by Wright).
They avoided getting swept by the Giants today and so after thirty games of the 2011 season, the New York Mets are now 13-17, .433 pct.
I'm one of those who subscribes to the "You Are What Your Record Says You Are" school of thought. But if they stick with today's text book lesson plan, perhaps April showers can lead to May flowers for the Mets....instead of just making mud at Citi Field.
That concludes the optimistic portion of this post. Thank you for reading.
The Seven Year Itch Making Met Fans Scratch Their Heads.
It happens to relationships and marriages; between men and their cars; and for us Met Fans - between a team and it's players. I think we are all in agreement when I say Carlos Beltran is playing his last weeks in Flushing. That's already been well established. The divorce papers are all but signed. With Jose Reyes however, we see the writing on the wall, but so many of us are still reluctant to entertain the idea of trading him away.
Like it or not, the rumors about who wants Reyes have already begun on the heals of the mini-audition he staged for the San Francisco Giants during this last series. The Giants have admitted there have been internal discussions about Jose. Now the latest scuttlebutt to surface is the Red Sox being interested.
Intriguing...isn't it? My guess is the interest in Reyes will only grow from here on out. Let these teams get into a bidding frenzy. Two alleged teams in the mix, early in this unfortunate process, bodes well for the Mets if they are to maximize a deal for our shortstop. The old adage - "The Early Bird Gets The Worm" may very well apply here. And it might get us the best package for our beloved, home-grown star.
With Beltran however, all has been quiet. But the better he plays, the better deal the Mets can get for him. He's been quite the productive player and getting better by the game. And although the Mets have little leverage in this trade scenario, Beltran can still play himself into a reasonable offer for the Mets to consider.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: Jekyll and Hyde Team Follows Last Night's Whiff With A Win This Afternoon.
Terry Collins was flat out exasperated after last night's white-washing at the hands of Tim Lincecum and the defending Champion Giants. Coach kept on grumbling something over and over again into the microphones about getting two-out hits. Yea well, welcome to Flushing Terry.Coach called the team out in a sense by saying these guys were Major Leaguers (too), and that they have to fight and come through sometimes as such. He said, "Stop guessing at pitches and ...Step Up!" To that I say, Good for Him! Those have been the strongest words spoken by a Met manager since Bobby Valentine. But just like the Mets' sixteen strikeouts last night, I'm afraid that line will also be just another swing and a miss if David Wright has anything to do with it. It's a shame too, because one, it's not Terry's fault the team is in last place, and two, because Chris Capuano pitched a decent game.
The manager resorted to pressing the Panic Button once in April already. Last night's loss made the Mets 12-17 and after a few more losses, Coach Collins will probably have to resort to pressing the Panic Button again at some point. But how many times will that work?
Or, will he have to at all?
This afternoon, the Jekyll and Hyde team (more Hyde) from Flushing showed it's other side again. They do that from time to time just to tease and confuse the fan base. That's bothersome for a guy like me who is just sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for the demolition to commence.
Carlos Beltran uncorked a home run over the Flushing Bay Retaining Wall in left; Jose Reyes tripled and had 2 RBI while no doubt sending the Giants out of town salivating for his services; Mike Pelfrey controlled an offensively challenged San Francisco squad over 7.2 innings; and Frankie Rodriguez was his typical self walking two and striking out two in earning his 7th save. That's a text book day in METropolis.
Last night they were lethargic with a bat in their hands. Today the Mets were 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position bringing Terry Collins' blood pressure down if only slightly. They only left four men on base today. Reyes; Hu; Beltran; and Bay accounted for 7 strikeouts this afternoon which is a far cry from the 16 times they whiffed last night (and none by Wright).
They avoided getting swept by the Giants today and so after thirty games of the 2011 season, the New York Mets are now 13-17, .433 pct.
I'm one of those who subscribes to the "You Are What Your Record Says You Are" school of thought. But if they stick with today's text book lesson plan, perhaps April showers can lead to May flowers for the Mets....instead of just making mud at Citi Field.
That concludes the optimistic portion of this post. Thank you for reading.
The Seven Year Itch Making Met Fans Scratch Their Heads.
It happens to relationships and marriages; between men and their cars; and for us Met Fans - between a team and it's players. I think we are all in agreement when I say Carlos Beltran is playing his last weeks in Flushing. That's already been well established. The divorce papers are all but signed. With Jose Reyes however, we see the writing on the wall, but so many of us are still reluctant to entertain the idea of trading him away.
Like it or not, the rumors about who wants Reyes have already begun on the heals of the mini-audition he staged for the San Francisco Giants during this last series. The Giants have admitted there have been internal discussions about Jose. Now the latest scuttlebutt to surface is the Red Sox being interested.
Intriguing...isn't it? My guess is the interest in Reyes will only grow from here on out. Let these teams get into a bidding frenzy. Two alleged teams in the mix, early in this unfortunate process, bodes well for the Mets if they are to maximize a deal for our shortstop. The old adage - "The Early Bird Gets The Worm" may very well apply here. And it might get us the best package for our beloved, home-grown star.
With Beltran however, all has been quiet. But the better he plays, the better deal the Mets can get for him. He's been quite the productive player and getting better by the game. And although the Mets have little leverage in this trade scenario, Beltran can still play himself into a reasonable offer for the Mets to consider.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
L.I. DUCKS ~ Stop Two Game Skid In Camden
From the desk of: The Brooklyn Quacker
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: The Quack Attack Erupted For Five Runs In First. Even Series Against River Sharks.
The Ducks jumped out to a five run lead in the first inning by sending ten men to the plate and the pitching made it hold up. Tonight's final score in Camden N.J. was Ducks 5; - River Sharks 2.
Mike Parisi picked up the win in his Ducks' debut; pitching six innings while giving up six hits; allowing one run; three walks and striking out three. Ehren Wasserman came on to pitch in the seventh inning. He promptly pitched himself into a second and third base situation but escaped with only one run scored. Valerio De Los Santos and Bubbie Buzachero finished things out for Long Island. For Buzachero, it was his first save in three appearances this season.
1B-Freddie Thon drove in two runs for Long Island tonight and was 2 for 4 in the game. LF-Kraig Binick was 3 for 5 (three singles) on the night. Ray Naverret had his second consecutive three-hit night (3 for 5) with a run scored. John Rodriguez, Matt Padget, and Dan Lyons had an RBI each for Long Island.
The Ducks avoided losing their third game in a row while gaining their third victory of the season. They are now 3-2 for the season. Tomorrow they'll play the rubber game of the series against the Camden River Sharks before going home for the first time this season and having their Season Opener on Friday against Bridgeport.
The Von Hayse managed Camden River Sharks are now 1-4 to start the season.
Mike.BTB
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: The Quack Attack Erupted For Five Runs In First. Even Series Against River Sharks.
The Ducks jumped out to a five run lead in the first inning by sending ten men to the plate and the pitching made it hold up. Tonight's final score in Camden N.J. was Ducks 5; - River Sharks 2.
Mike Parisi picked up the win in his Ducks' debut; pitching six innings while giving up six hits; allowing one run; three walks and striking out three. Ehren Wasserman came on to pitch in the seventh inning. He promptly pitched himself into a second and third base situation but escaped with only one run scored. Valerio De Los Santos and Bubbie Buzachero finished things out for Long Island. For Buzachero, it was his first save in three appearances this season.
1B-Freddie Thon drove in two runs for Long Island tonight and was 2 for 4 in the game. LF-Kraig Binick was 3 for 5 (three singles) on the night. Ray Naverret had his second consecutive three-hit night (3 for 5) with a run scored. John Rodriguez, Matt Padget, and Dan Lyons had an RBI each for Long Island.
The Ducks avoided losing their third game in a row while gaining their third victory of the season. They are now 3-2 for the season. Tomorrow they'll play the rubber game of the series against the Camden River Sharks before going home for the first time this season and having their Season Opener on Friday against Bridgeport.
The Von Hayse managed Camden River Sharks are now 1-4 to start the season.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ Long Island @ Camden; Final
LONG ISLAND DUCKS: GAME FINAL IN CAMDEN:
DUCKS 2
RIVER SHARKS 5
CAMDEN RIVER SHARKS WIN HOME OPENER.
The Camden River Sharks defeated the Long Island Ducks 5-2 in Camden's Home Opener at Campbell's Field Tuesday night. Camden's DH-Brian Burgamy (3 for 4) hit a two run home run in the second inning. In the fifth inning, Toby Hall connected on another two run home run after a Mike Lamb double drove in the River Sharks third run of the game.
Chris Mason picked up the win for Camden. In five innings, he gave up only two hits; he struck out two and walked two in helping the River Sharks gain their first victory of the season.
The Ducks scored two unearned runs in the 7th inning, but could muster little else, with only four hits on the night. Lenny DiNardo took the loss in his Ducks debut. The Ducks have now lost two in a row after winning their first two games against Bridgeport.
Long Island's Javier Colina came out in the 7th inning with an abdominal strain after going 1 for 3 in the game.
Mike.BTB
DUCKS 2
RIVER SHARKS 5
CAMDEN RIVER SHARKS WIN HOME OPENER.
The Camden River Sharks defeated the Long Island Ducks 5-2 in Camden's Home Opener at Campbell's Field Tuesday night. Camden's DH-Brian Burgamy (3 for 4) hit a two run home run in the second inning. In the fifth inning, Toby Hall connected on another two run home run after a Mike Lamb double drove in the River Sharks third run of the game.
Chris Mason picked up the win for Camden. In five innings, he gave up only two hits; he struck out two and walked two in helping the River Sharks gain their first victory of the season.
The Ducks scored two unearned runs in the 7th inning, but could muster little else, with only four hits on the night. Lenny DiNardo took the loss in his Ducks debut. The Ducks have now lost two in a row after winning their first two games against Bridgeport.
Long Island's Javier Colina came out in the 7th inning with an abdominal strain after going 1 for 3 in the game.
Mike.BTB
N.Y. METS ~ The Amazin's Buffalo Round-Up Herds Little
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET
NEW YORK METS: The Big Club Is Turning The Buffalo Bisons Into An Endangered Species.
Sandy Alderson is on record saying he doesn't think the Mets have any high-quality skill at the AAA and AA levels. He used the word "Mediocre" to describe the state of talent. And if you remember, Buffalo was upset at Omar Minaya because they felt the Mets lacked enough quality prospects capable of drawing fans to Bison's games, and therefore wanted to escape their contract with the parent Club.
In an unfortunate development for both the Mets and Buffalo, pitcher Henrry Mejia is headed for surgery on his elbow. In something more akin to an omen, Sandy Alderson's observations regarding the Buffalo Bisons just received some validation. After Henrry, the Mets (un)officially no longer have a pitcher they can retrieve from Buffalo to step in and provide quality innings when needed. And the Bisons will be without one of the few players who was capable of filling seats in Buffalo. For either team, SP-Chris Schwinden is still an unknown neophyte. He's off to a pretty good start. But after him, the cupboard is now dry. Pat Misch anybody? Buffalo says we or Binghampton can keep him.
With regard to the Mets' high-level prospects, two independent assessments both arrived at the same conclusion. So, there's something to that. Buffalo ownership and Sandy were right. The Buffalo Bisons are abysmally staffed. Just look at their roster.
Mejia was supposed to join Dillon Gee on the big club at some point this season. But the Mets hoped that would happen later rather than sooner in the summer. Circumstances, namely Chris Young, caused the Mets to call-up Dillon Gee from Buffalo prematurely. Now, for Henrry and the Bisons, it's see you next year. I'm already on record as saying I do not agree with Dillon Gee pitching out of the Mets' bullpen. For that I'd rather have him pitch in Buffalo. And so would the Bisons! But my point is, Dillon Gee pitched his way onto the big club based upon his merits as a starting pitcher. So, let him start! ...Or, send him down.
A few times, it actually rubbed me the wrong way when Sandy criticised the system. But then, that would be because of the bias I have towards former Brooklyn Cyclones. So it's better that he's calling the shots instead of me. Because, I'll admit to you now, former Surf Avenue Sluggers are my kryptonite.
Like Dillon Gee, Dylan Owen is one of those former Brooklyn Cyclones now pitching for Buffalo. I had and still have high hopes for this kid. But he's been somewhat slow progressing through the farm. His start this season is additionally leaving something to be desired.
Off the mound and on the field, Justin Turner has also been taken from Buffalo where he was batting an even .300 after 40 at-bats. And while Lucas Duda has been first choice this season with regards to outfield call-ups, and also being a former Brooklyn Cyclone favorite of mine, another former Cyclone outfielder; Kirk Nieuwenhuis has quietly been enjoying a good start to his season. After him, even I admit, there are really slim pickings. Then again, I too have been complaining about that for years. Lest we forget, after David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Scott Kazmir, the farm system broke down for really the first time, since 1965.
On more than one occasion I over estimated a player or two because I see many of these prospects come through Brooklyn first. And the Cyclones are a totally different frame of mind for me. So when it comes time for these players to make a leap to the big club, there's some pre-existing sentimentality on my part. However, there is no mistaking the truth. The Mets' minor league situation is dire.
J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta can only do so much in the up-coming amateur draft. And the picks they make will be years away from answering any questions or fulfilling promise. What I have learned over the last ten years attending Cyclones Baseball is that the N.Y.P.L. is not a clear indicator of the organization's over-all developmental health because after all, the Cyclones play A-Level Short Season which starts on the heals of the June draft. That's one theory.
In my other theory, I lay blame on our past AA operations. I believe they went fourteen years or so without any real playoff success to speak of. There is much to criticize about the Wilpon's adherence to a Slotting System, because it's at the AA level when spending a little extra cash on prospects starts to pay off. For too long, Double-A Binghampton continued to be a dead-end for many Mets' low-level prospects. But over the last two and three years, changes have finally come to the B-Mets structure; Tony Bernazard aside. However, there is nothing Ricciardi or DePodesta can do over the next three months that will restock the mid to high level minor league system with quality; much less quickly.
In the mean time, Buffalo is in shambles, and may very well continue insisting they be allowed out from their contract with the Mets if things don't turn around soon. That's just an opinion. But Buffalo also has a business to run and have expressed their sentiments on this matter before.
Specific to the Mets situation, the team has assets in Flushing they can trade at the deadline. Stop the cycle of stop-gap measures. The best decisions in life usually turn out to be the least popular, yet prove most prudent. Tough decisions are what contending is all about. Stop patching up the parent club and fix the entire system.
If we are to move forward, we have to let go first.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: The Big Club Is Turning The Buffalo Bisons Into An Endangered Species.
But when it comes to current and former Brooklyn Cyclones, Back Off!
Sandy Alderson is on record saying he doesn't think the Mets have any high-quality skill at the AAA and AA levels. He used the word "Mediocre" to describe the state of talent. And if you remember, Buffalo was upset at Omar Minaya because they felt the Mets lacked enough quality prospects capable of drawing fans to Bison's games, and therefore wanted to escape their contract with the parent Club.
In an unfortunate development for both the Mets and Buffalo, pitcher Henrry Mejia is headed for surgery on his elbow. In something more akin to an omen, Sandy Alderson's observations regarding the Buffalo Bisons just received some validation. After Henrry, the Mets (un)officially no longer have a pitcher they can retrieve from Buffalo to step in and provide quality innings when needed. And the Bisons will be without one of the few players who was capable of filling seats in Buffalo. For either team, SP-Chris Schwinden is still an unknown neophyte. He's off to a pretty good start. But after him, the cupboard is now dry. Pat Misch anybody? Buffalo says we or Binghampton can keep him.
With regard to the Mets' high-level prospects, two independent assessments both arrived at the same conclusion. So, there's something to that. Buffalo ownership and Sandy were right. The Buffalo Bisons are abysmally staffed. Just look at their roster.
Mejia was supposed to join Dillon Gee on the big club at some point this season. But the Mets hoped that would happen later rather than sooner in the summer. Circumstances, namely Chris Young, caused the Mets to call-up Dillon Gee from Buffalo prematurely. Now, for Henrry and the Bisons, it's see you next year. I'm already on record as saying I do not agree with Dillon Gee pitching out of the Mets' bullpen. For that I'd rather have him pitch in Buffalo. And so would the Bisons! But my point is, Dillon Gee pitched his way onto the big club based upon his merits as a starting pitcher. So, let him start! ...Or, send him down.
A few times, it actually rubbed me the wrong way when Sandy criticised the system. But then, that would be because of the bias I have towards former Brooklyn Cyclones. So it's better that he's calling the shots instead of me. Because, I'll admit to you now, former Surf Avenue Sluggers are my kryptonite.
Like Dillon Gee, Dylan Owen is one of those former Brooklyn Cyclones now pitching for Buffalo. I had and still have high hopes for this kid. But he's been somewhat slow progressing through the farm. His start this season is additionally leaving something to be desired.
Off the mound and on the field, Justin Turner has also been taken from Buffalo where he was batting an even .300 after 40 at-bats. And while Lucas Duda has been first choice this season with regards to outfield call-ups, and also being a former Brooklyn Cyclone favorite of mine, another former Cyclone outfielder; Kirk Nieuwenhuis has quietly been enjoying a good start to his season. After him, even I admit, there are really slim pickings. Then again, I too have been complaining about that for years. Lest we forget, after David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Scott Kazmir, the farm system broke down for really the first time, since 1965.
On more than one occasion I over estimated a player or two because I see many of these prospects come through Brooklyn first. And the Cyclones are a totally different frame of mind for me. So when it comes time for these players to make a leap to the big club, there's some pre-existing sentimentality on my part. However, there is no mistaking the truth. The Mets' minor league situation is dire.
J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta can only do so much in the up-coming amateur draft. And the picks they make will be years away from answering any questions or fulfilling promise. What I have learned over the last ten years attending Cyclones Baseball is that the N.Y.P.L. is not a clear indicator of the organization's over-all developmental health because after all, the Cyclones play A-Level Short Season which starts on the heals of the June draft. That's one theory.
In my other theory, I lay blame on our past AA operations. I believe they went fourteen years or so without any real playoff success to speak of. There is much to criticize about the Wilpon's adherence to a Slotting System, because it's at the AA level when spending a little extra cash on prospects starts to pay off. For too long, Double-A Binghampton continued to be a dead-end for many Mets' low-level prospects. But over the last two and three years, changes have finally come to the B-Mets structure; Tony Bernazard aside. However, there is nothing Ricciardi or DePodesta can do over the next three months that will restock the mid to high level minor league system with quality; much less quickly.
In the mean time, Buffalo is in shambles, and may very well continue insisting they be allowed out from their contract with the Mets if things don't turn around soon. That's just an opinion. But Buffalo also has a business to run and have expressed their sentiments on this matter before.
Specific to the Mets situation, the team has assets in Flushing they can trade at the deadline. Stop the cycle of stop-gap measures. The best decisions in life usually turn out to be the least popular, yet prove most prudent. Tough decisions are what contending is all about. Stop patching up the parent club and fix the entire system.
If we are to move forward, we have to let go first.
Mike.BTB
Monday, May 02, 2011
N.Y. RANGERS ~ Coach, Not GM, Has Team On Solid Ground
NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts Extend Tortorella's Deal. But He's No Company Man.
Eliminated by the Capitals...again. So, where does the team who's never been beyond the second round of the playoffs under Glen Sather go from here? Let's try this for starters; Don't blow it! Mr. Glen Sather.., Now that you have a solid core, don't go trading them away for more fossils and Hockey's disabled vets.
Enter John Tortorella. Whether you like him or not, I feel like he's exerted much more influence on Glen Sather than Glen has on Coach. Even Stevie Wonder could have seen that the General Manager of the Rangers hitched up the same old wagon, year after year, to a revolving team of nags ready for the glue factory. If you think that's exaggerating things a bit..., ask yourself when was the last time we were better than a seventh place seed under Sather? Now ask yourself when was the first time?
If it weren't for John Tortorella, many of the kids who got promoted and played extremely well would have been gone at the trade deadline. I'm convinced of that. Glen Sather did hire the man responsible for drafting the current talent pool though. I cede him that. He replaced Don Maloney with Gordie Clark and the drafting has indeed gotten better; evidenced by this year's pool. But Sather would have surely sent them packing considering all the injuries the Rangers were sustaining as last season's trade-deadline approached. And he surely would have committed us to even more salary-cap hell.
So, when we look at the Rangers now, there's the team we started out the season with and Glen Sather's original idea of a good time. Then there is the team we finished up with; the young, spry team of Blueshirts, that kept the team afloat in the face of all those said injuries, and the one's who have Coach Tort's stamp all over them. This is a classic, Glass Half Full/Half Empty scenario.
I'm Glass Half Full, and have a vested interest in Coach Tort's vision. It's Glen Sather I don't trust. But now that Coach Torts has a new three year pact (was that ever made official?), I couldn't be happier to have someone behind the bench who can and does exert influence on Glen Sather. Tom Renney never could. He was subservient. Not Coach Torts - He's no Company Man.
Behind the scenes, I believe Torts is the one calling all the on-ice shots now. It's not because Glen Sather has all of a sudden become an imp. No, ...it's because Coach Torts is just that bullish about what he's preaching. The Ranger GM isn't just handing over day laborers to the Coaches anymore and expecting them to figure things out. Do you think Coach Torts would operate like that? He'd quit first. He now has a list of needs for Glen Sather to fill. Because there's only one plan in place at the moment; - And that's Tortorella's! I've never heard Glen Sather speak of a plan. Maybe that's because he doesn't have to. But ever since Coach Torts got here, it's all he's talked about. And for as long as Coach insists his demands on Sather be met and Sather obliges, we'll be better for it.
If Jim Dolan continues to refuse to hold Glen Sather accountable for his record, or even request that he speak with the Media...ever!... then, Coach Tortorella is the perfect coach to have in the fold, if indeed we're stuck with Sather for eternity.
Mike.BTB
Eliminated by the Capitals...again. So, where does the team who's never been beyond the second round of the playoffs under Glen Sather go from here? Let's try this for starters; Don't blow it! Mr. Glen Sather.., Now that you have a solid core, don't go trading them away for more fossils and Hockey's disabled vets.
Enter John Tortorella. Whether you like him or not, I feel like he's exerted much more influence on Glen Sather than Glen has on Coach. Even Stevie Wonder could have seen that the General Manager of the Rangers hitched up the same old wagon, year after year, to a revolving team of nags ready for the glue factory. If you think that's exaggerating things a bit..., ask yourself when was the last time we were better than a seventh place seed under Sather? Now ask yourself when was the first time?
If it weren't for John Tortorella, many of the kids who got promoted and played extremely well would have been gone at the trade deadline. I'm convinced of that. Glen Sather did hire the man responsible for drafting the current talent pool though. I cede him that. He replaced Don Maloney with Gordie Clark and the drafting has indeed gotten better; evidenced by this year's pool. But Sather would have surely sent them packing considering all the injuries the Rangers were sustaining as last season's trade-deadline approached. And he surely would have committed us to even more salary-cap hell.
So, when we look at the Rangers now, there's the team we started out the season with and Glen Sather's original idea of a good time. Then there is the team we finished up with; the young, spry team of Blueshirts, that kept the team afloat in the face of all those said injuries, and the one's who have Coach Tort's stamp all over them. This is a classic, Glass Half Full/Half Empty scenario.
I'm Glass Half Full, and have a vested interest in Coach Tort's vision. It's Glen Sather I don't trust. But now that Coach Torts has a new three year pact (was that ever made official?), I couldn't be happier to have someone behind the bench who can and does exert influence on Glen Sather. Tom Renney never could. He was subservient. Not Coach Torts - He's no Company Man.
Behind the scenes, I believe Torts is the one calling all the on-ice shots now. It's not because Glen Sather has all of a sudden become an imp. No, ...it's because Coach Torts is just that bullish about what he's preaching. The Ranger GM isn't just handing over day laborers to the Coaches anymore and expecting them to figure things out. Do you think Coach Torts would operate like that? He'd quit first. He now has a list of needs for Glen Sather to fill. Because there's only one plan in place at the moment; - And that's Tortorella's! I've never heard Glen Sather speak of a plan. Maybe that's because he doesn't have to. But ever since Coach Torts got here, it's all he's talked about. And for as long as Coach insists his demands on Sather be met and Sather obliges, we'll be better for it.
If Jim Dolan continues to refuse to hold Glen Sather accountable for his record, or even request that he speak with the Media...ever!... then, Coach Tortorella is the perfect coach to have in the fold, if indeed we're stuck with Sather for eternity.
Mike.BTB
Sunday, May 01, 2011
N.Y. METS ~ Chief Sandy Alderson's Trinket and Bead
From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET
NEW YORK METS: After a Miotic Month, MAY Might Be Even Harder To Watch.
If you watched over the last month and your pupils didn't contract and/or you didn't squint your eyes over the sight of the Mets' Month-Long Malaise, it means you've pulled the plug on this season and all your hopes are already dead. The last true test will be a slap on the snout and waiting for a response in Philadelphia tonight as they face Cliff Lee. Keep a mirror by the nose just in case.
Another loss to Philadelphia mimicking those of the most recent variety, and the first month of evaluation will truly come to an end for the Mets. Welcome to the part of the calendar when GM's around the League have a better sense of what they need and what they have to do going forward. Sometime by the end of this month, there will be multiple trigger-happy GM's looking to draw conclusions about their seasons and act upon them.
Do you want to know why Sandy Alderson, so far, has never been short for answers in the face of such Mets' organizational adversity? Answer ~ Because he's usually beating the Media to the punch. He's answering questions after he does something. Omar used to fumble for answers while still formulating an ever-tardy plan after situations went awry and the Media baked him on it.
In a month in which the Mets had a six game winning streak against the lowly Astros, D-Backs, and Nationals, they still finished the month with an 11-16 record. And it's my guess Sandy Alderson will make many-a-writer hit delete on stories they've been preparing two or so weeks in advance because the Mets used to be that predictable. So, instead of snooping around and looking for dirt in the club house, which has been many a writer's want over the last few years, if for lack of a better story waiting to be written, scribes are now filling their time writing about Sandy doing this, Sandy cutting that, and what his next move will be.
Recognize the condition and know the cause. Sandy has been faced with the toughest questions I've listened a GM have to answer. And yet he gives the Media nothing until after he writes the story first. April was all about research and fact checking. Now, listen for his cracking knuckles, because Sandy is about to starting penning a new story in METropolis. And he has the Media right where he wants them, which is not running wild. He has them sitting obediently waiting for their next bone. They know they have a new Pack Leader now.
Minus Johan Santana, Sandy Alderson has seen everything he's needed to see out of his 1A team. If you didn't think he came aboard the S.S. Wilpon to steer his own ship, you are mistaken. His first month of being an in-season GM reaffirmed what he probably already felt coming in. And now it's just a matter of time before he starts issuing floatation vests. You thought the waters off Flushing Bay got choppy before? Sandy Alderson is going to pilot this thing right into a storm that will make us all puke! He's just sitting back and waiting for the phone to start ringing before he sets sail. And it will ring; like the phone at Chicken Ridiculous on a Friday night after work.
Reyes and Wright WILL get tossed-out in the regurgitation or be put in the frying pan; your choice. And Sandy won't have to do a thing. So for everyone who thinks we are going to get ripped off, think of it this way; teams will raise their offering price as more teams want them. Sandy is not desperate. Omar was. Sandy is in a position to NOT make a deal. Other GM's may not have the luxury of patience and newly invested job security as Sandy Alderson now enjoys.
Embrace the idea of trading Jose Reyes and David Wright. With them, the Mets continue to be a Baseball metaphor for bumper cars in a dark-lit China Shop. It's something I think Sandy Alderson recognizes and will eradicate.
Sandy Alderson went to Harvard. And one of the first things they teach you at the Harvard School of Business, is - There's A Sucker Born Every Day. As part of a class lecture on Trade, folklore has it, a popular teacher's aid is a depiction of the scene when then Canadian Representative Omar Minaya signed a treaty with Cleveland Indians, sending Lee Stevens; Brandon Phillips; Grady Sizemore; and tonight's starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Mets, CLIFF LEE..., away in return for Bartolo Colon; which effectively, along with the 1994 Strike, ended National League Baseball in Montreal.
See?
They also teach you to Sell High; and Buy Low.
Mike.BTB
NEW YORK METS: After a Miotic Month, MAY Might Be Even Harder To Watch.
If you watched over the last month and your pupils didn't contract and/or you didn't squint your eyes over the sight of the Mets' Month-Long Malaise, it means you've pulled the plug on this season and all your hopes are already dead. The last true test will be a slap on the snout and waiting for a response in Philadelphia tonight as they face Cliff Lee. Keep a mirror by the nose just in case.
Do you want to know why Sandy Alderson, so far, has never been short for answers in the face of such Mets' organizational adversity? Answer ~ Because he's usually beating the Media to the punch. He's answering questions after he does something. Omar used to fumble for answers while still formulating an ever-tardy plan after situations went awry and the Media baked him on it.
In a month in which the Mets had a six game winning streak against the lowly Astros, D-Backs, and Nationals, they still finished the month with an 11-16 record. And it's my guess Sandy Alderson will make many-a-writer hit delete on stories they've been preparing two or so weeks in advance because the Mets used to be that predictable. So, instead of snooping around and looking for dirt in the club house, which has been many a writer's want over the last few years, if for lack of a better story waiting to be written, scribes are now filling their time writing about Sandy doing this, Sandy cutting that, and what his next move will be.
Recognize the condition and know the cause. Sandy has been faced with the toughest questions I've listened a GM have to answer. And yet he gives the Media nothing until after he writes the story first. April was all about research and fact checking. Now, listen for his cracking knuckles, because Sandy is about to starting penning a new story in METropolis. And he has the Media right where he wants them, which is not running wild. He has them sitting obediently waiting for their next bone. They know they have a new Pack Leader now.
Minus Johan Santana, Sandy Alderson has seen everything he's needed to see out of his 1A team. If you didn't think he came aboard the S.S. Wilpon to steer his own ship, you are mistaken. His first month of being an in-season GM reaffirmed what he probably already felt coming in. And now it's just a matter of time before he starts issuing floatation vests. You thought the waters off Flushing Bay got choppy before? Sandy Alderson is going to pilot this thing right into a storm that will make us all puke! He's just sitting back and waiting for the phone to start ringing before he sets sail. And it will ring; like the phone at Chicken Ridiculous on a Friday night after work.
Reyes and Wright WILL get tossed-out in the regurgitation or be put in the frying pan; your choice. And Sandy won't have to do a thing. So for everyone who thinks we are going to get ripped off, think of it this way; teams will raise their offering price as more teams want them. Sandy is not desperate. Omar was. Sandy is in a position to NOT make a deal. Other GM's may not have the luxury of patience and newly invested job security as Sandy Alderson now enjoys.
Embrace the idea of trading Jose Reyes and David Wright. With them, the Mets continue to be a Baseball metaphor for bumper cars in a dark-lit China Shop. It's something I think Sandy Alderson recognizes and will eradicate.
Sandy Alderson went to Harvard. And one of the first things they teach you at the Harvard School of Business, is - There's A Sucker Born Every Day. As part of a class lecture on Trade, folklore has it, a popular teacher's aid is a depiction of the scene when then Canadian Representative Omar Minaya signed a treaty with Cleveland Indians, sending Lee Stevens; Brandon Phillips; Grady Sizemore; and tonight's starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Mets, CLIFF LEE..., away in return for Bartolo Colon; which effectively, along with the 1994 Strike, ended National League Baseball in Montreal.
See?
They also teach you to Sell High; and Buy Low.
Mike.BTB
NJ/BKN NETS ~ No SIGNS of Letting Up
From the desk of: The HOOPS of FLATBUSH
NJ/BKN NETS: Intensifying Their Presence in Brooklyn.
Deron Williams of the Nets characterized Barclays Center as becoming a BALLER'S PARADISE once it's completed on his Facebook account. I hope he still feels that way when it's time to extend his contract. His agent however, is saying his client speaks very positively about the team and their potential for growth with next year's move to Brooklyn looming. That's good news for the Nets who've made him the front-man in their continuing billboard campaign promoting the move into the Borough of Kings.
Although previously maintaining two billboards in the area, the Knicks currently do not have a roof-top or building-side presence. The Nets now have two prominent signs on Flatbush Avenue. The first came earlier in April (left) at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue at Eighth Avenue;
WELCOME TO BROOKLYN - Featuring Deron Williams; including a depiction of Barclays Center.
To kick-off the month of May, the Nets have secured a second location. They've placed their mark atop a corner business at Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street; one block away from JUNIOR'S CAFE. Both signs are designed to be seen by Manhattan-bound traffic. This location is closer to street level and the sign is easier to spot that the one on Eighth Avenue. Unless detected early, the Eighth Avenue sign can potentially take a driver's eye off the road. Travelling north-bound on Flatbush Avenue, this sign will sneak up on you because of the change in Flatbush Avenue's angle at Nevins Street. The sign is undetectable to south-bound traffic.
RELATED ARTICLES:
What's Next At Barclays? ~ NetsDaily.com
Deron Williams - Brooklyn Nets arena; A Baller's Paradise ~ YahooSports.com
The Billboard Wars Continue.. ~ Mike.BTB
Howard No Brooklyn Pipe Dream ~ Examiner.com
Mike.BTB
NJ/BKN NETS: Intensifying Their Presence in Brooklyn.
Deron Williams of the Nets characterized Barclays Center as becoming a BALLER'S PARADISE once it's completed on his Facebook account. I hope he still feels that way when it's time to extend his contract. His agent however, is saying his client speaks very positively about the team and their potential for growth with next year's move to Brooklyn looming. That's good news for the Nets who've made him the front-man in their continuing billboard campaign promoting the move into the Borough of Kings.
WELCOME TO BROOKLYN - Featuring Deron Williams; including a depiction of Barclays Center.
To kick-off the month of May, the Nets have secured a second location. They've placed their mark atop a corner business at Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street; one block away from JUNIOR'S CAFE. Both signs are designed to be seen by Manhattan-bound traffic. This location is closer to street level and the sign is easier to spot that the one on Eighth Avenue. Unless detected early, the Eighth Avenue sign can potentially take a driver's eye off the road. Travelling north-bound on Flatbush Avenue, this sign will sneak up on you because of the change in Flatbush Avenue's angle at Nevins Street. The sign is undetectable to south-bound traffic.
"GAME RECOGNIZES GAME"
Looking North Along Flatbush Avenue; Manhattan Bridge Bound.
RELATED ARTICLES:
What's Next At Barclays? ~ NetsDaily.com
Deron Williams - Brooklyn Nets arena; A Baller's Paradise ~ YahooSports.com
The Billboard Wars Continue.. ~ Mike.BTB
Howard No Brooklyn Pipe Dream ~ Examiner.com
Mike.BTB
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