Jackie Robinson Exhibit at Brooklyn Historical Society

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

When Jackie Robinson emerged from the dugout at Ebbets Field and assumed his position at first base on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 15, 1947, he once and for all ended major league baseball's insidious practice of excluding African-Americans from our National Pastime.  Last year, the Brooklyn Historical Society opened the baseball season by commemorating the 70th anniversary of Robinson's first game as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers with an exhibit focusing on how his fight for racial justice extended beyond baseball.  One year later, I respectfully present this limited look inside.  But if you have yet to visit, the exhibit remains open through June.  It is certainly a must see for any and every baseball fan, particularly for those whom lived it.

BrooklynHistoricalSociety

Plaque: Montague Street at Court Street

Brooklyn Dodgers: Jackie Robinson Day

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

Murals Commissioned by RiteAid

Bedford Avenue Across Street From Ebbets Field

Jackie Robinson Playground

McKeever Street at Montgomery Street

Jackie Robinson lived on Clarendon Road 

from 1947 to 1949.

Brooklyn Historical Society Exhibit

runs through June 2018

Jackie Robinson Rotunda

Citi Field

Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson Statue

MCU Park, Coney Island

The Greatest Start in N.Y. Mets History Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

Mickey Callaway and the New York Mets are off to their best start in the organization's fifty-six year history.  They've jumped out to a 10-1 start, and are in the midst of an eight game winning streak.  After opening the season with series victories over the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets pressed forward with series sweeps over the rival Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins.

An Off-Day METSian Podcast: Is This Real?

I hosted, joined by Rich and featured guest Greg Prince from FaithAndFearInFlushing.com

This is our first podcast of the regular season, and we damn near covered everything.
Salute to Rusty Staub ~ Team's Historic Start ~ Mickey Callaway ~ Dave Eiland
Callaway vs. Terry Collins ~ Starting Pitchers ~ Bullpen ~ All Positions Players.
1 hour; 40 minutes ~ Packed Full-o-Stuff.

N.J. Devils: Bracing For The Bolts - Round One

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

2017 ~ 2018

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

Game One

New Jersey Devils

vs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

FROM

Florida Ice Cooler

New Jersey Devils: The Real Season Begins Now; Can These Young Demons Fend Off The Mighty Bolts?

They say once in the tournament throw everything out the window regarding the regular season.  But do the Bolts really want to play the Devils?  Past performance says no.  New Jersey swept all three games from Tampa this season with every game being decided by one goal.

• Oct. 7      NJD 5; TBL 4 shootout
• Feb. 17    NJD 4; TBL 3
• Mar. 24    NJD 2; TBL 1

In their first meeting of the season, Cory Schneider opposed Tampa goalie Peter Budaj.  Since then New Jersey's Keith Kinkaid and Tampa's Andrei Vasilveskiy each started the next two games of the series.  The first round should be no different, as Devils coach John Hynes elects to stick with the Keith Kinkaid despite former starter Cory Schneider returning from injury back on March 1.

With a superb 44-17-3 record, Vasilveskiy tied for the league lead in goalie wins this season.  He posted a 2.62 GAA, and a .920 save percentage through 65 regular season appearances.  Tampa managed to limit scoring attempts against him at a manageable 31.8 shots on goal per game.

As noted, coach Hynes has been riding Keith Kinkaid like a mule, and the goalie responded with a March run rivaling any in the league.  He wound up edging out Cory Schneider by one game to lead the team with 41 starts.  He posted a 26-10-3 record with a 2.77 GAA, and .913 save percentage.  However, he is flashing an elevated .937 save percentage through his last fifteen games dating back to Mar. 2.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

1st Place Metropolitan Division

1st Place Eastern Conference

54-23-5 (113-points)

Nikita Kucherov takes Tampa's triple crown with 39 goals, 61 assists, and 100 points.  Steven Stamkos was right behind him with 27 goals, 59 assists, and 86 points.  The Bolts have six players with at least 20 goals, and five players over 60 points.  Yanni Gourde led the NHL with a 34 plus/minus.

NHL RANK:

• Goals For - #1
• Goals Against - #13
• Power Play - #3
• Penalty Kill  #27

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

5th Place Metropolitan Division

8th Place Eastern Conference

44-29-9 (97 points)

Taylor Hall is New Jersey's triple crown leader with 39 goals, 54 assists, and 93 points.  However, Newark's second leading scorer is rookie center Nico Hischier, who has 20 goals and 32 assists for a distant 52 points.  Kyle Palmieri is second on the team with 24 goals in just 62 games.

NHL RANK:

• Goals For - #15
• Goals Against - #17
• Power Play - #10
• Penalty Kill - #8

Yankees and Red Sox in Beantown Brawl

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Series tied 1-1

I- BOS 14; NYY 1

II - NYY 10; BOS 6

GAME THREE

New York Yankees

vs.

Boston Red Sox

FROM

Fenway Park

THE CENTURY OLD RIVALRY IS ALIVE AND WELL

ICYMI: Rivalry Has Two New Managers 

GAME ONE against Boston devolved into your typical blowout - nothing more; nothing less.  Both teams through the decades have taken turns being on each side of those.  No big deal, for the Yankees it was merely their turn.  It just so happened to come during this season's series opener at Fenway Park.

An otherwise great day for Boston locals, the Red Sox unleashed a 14-1 shellacking upon the invading Yankees, highlighted by a nine run barrage in the sixth inning.  They cranked out eleven hits off New York pitchers, eight against starter Luis Severino whom allowed five earned runs through five innings in a losing effort.  Sox starter Chris Sale allowed a run on eight hits and fanned eight through six innings for the win.  Although the Yankees nearly matched the Red Sox with ten hits, they came up an insurmountable thirteen runs short.  Aaron Judge accounted for the only Yankees offense of the night with a long home run to straight-away center field (his third of the season).  However, Mookie Betts was the big man on campus going 4 for 5, with a walk, home run, four RBI, and five runs scored.

GAME TWO The Yankees held on for a 10-6 victory over the Red Sox, but not before a pair of bench clearing incidents defined the night.  The first alarm occurred in the third inning when Yankees Tyler Austin came sliding into second base spikes high and clearly clipped second baseman Joe Kelly in the the right calf whom took immediate exception.  The two closed in on each other while exchanging words.  By then opposing team mates were on scene separating bodies and playing peacemakers.  The seventh inning - not so much.  Boston exacted their revenge in the seventh inning when pitcher Joe Kelly embedded a 98-mph fastball into Tyler Austin's left side.  Austin naturally charged the mound and the royal rumble ensued.  Once the punches stopped flying, manager Alex Cora appeared rather dismissive of his counterpart Aaron Boone and Yankees coach Phil Nevin in particular whom remain on the field engaged in heated exchanges with the various umpires.


GAME THREE  Boston Red Sox take rubber game for series win.

Yankees vs. Red Sox: Same Rivalry; New Managers

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

RIVALRY

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Don't look now, but the Boston Red Sox are off to an historic start.  They've jumped out in front of the American League East with an 8-1 record.  The Yankees, meanwhile, plod into Boston with a 5-5 record that actually smells worse than it looks.

In any event, the rivalry is off and running, again.

Both teams enter this season with new skippers at the helm, neither of which has any previous major league managerial experience.  However, one is undoubtedly more qualified than the other.

I would argue Boston beat Brian Cashman to the punch.  The Red Sox were the early bird and Alex Cora was their proverbial worm.  Within a day of the World Series ending New England was being introduced to their new manager.  The Yankees general manager took a much more deliberate, if not quizzical approach towards replacing Joe Girardi, waiting till early December before even interviewing Aaron Boone.

It certainly helped that Cora played for the Red Sox (2005-2008), and won a championship with them.  As it pertains to the present situation, he was also embraced by the fans.  His baseball acumen by then had been gaining widespread acclaim throughout baseball.  The same was being said of him during his brief stint with the Mets.

Upon his retirement as a player, Cora became an executive in Puerto Rico's professional baseball league.  He served as general manager of his hometown Criollos de Caguas, and in 2016 won the LBPRC championship.  He continued serving as general manager for Team Puerto Rico during the 2016-17 Serie del Caribe and captured his second championship of the winter.  Cora followed up again as general manager for Team Puerto Rico for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, in which his team came up one game short of winning a third winter championship within the span of just a few months.  Only Team USA prevented that.  He parlayed that resume into his first major league position, serving as bench coach last season with the World Series champion Houston Astros.

Aaron Boone obviously has baseball coursing through his veins.  His grandfather, father, and brother all played at the major league level.  From the cradle through the present day, the baseball life is all he knows.  In fact, the Yankees general manager was so impressed with Boone that he handed him the job on the spot despite his lack of any practical coaching/managerial experience.

He likewise owns a special place in the hearts of Yankee fans.  Aaron's extra inning home run off Red Sox knuckle ball pitcher Tim Wakefield clinched the 2003 American League pennant for the Yankees, and propelled them to a World Series match-up against the Florida Marlins.  His days as a Yankee were limited to just 54 regular season games, though, due to him busting his ankle while playing in a pick up basketball game during the off-season.  Boone missed all of 2004, then retired from playing in 2009.  After which, he has spent the last eight years with ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

The next episode in the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry begins now.

Reggie Jackson once said: Fans don't boo nobodys!

Giancarlo Stanton got booed.  So what?!

Plenty of people get booed in this town.  Sometimes I condone it; sometimes not.  Most times I remain ambivalent.  Booing players is nevertheless a time honored tradition as ancient as the game itself.  Booing varies from instance to instance, but one thing boo-birds do not engage in is discrimination.  Every one from Babe Ruth to Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter, to Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana and Mike Piazza, have been booed by New York City fans.  They say Mickey Mantle got booed all the time.  I'd even venture to say we're a docile lot when compared to crowds of Babe Ruth's era.

If that's going to bother Staton - which I do not believe it will - then he's got a much bigger problem on his hands than just striking out 20 times through his first 42 at-bats of the season.  Perhaps this isn't going to be his kind of town after all.  Although the Yankees are only ten games into their season, truth be told these were the ten most important games he's ever played in - if for no other reason than he plays in the Bronx now, not Coconut Grove.

But truth be told - he's self accountable and a well spoken man.  I believe he will ultimately stand up to New York City media and fan scrutiny.

N.Y. Mets: Inside Mickey Callaway's First Week at the Helm

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH CALLAWAY

It's a long season but Mickey is already mesmerizing 

apprehensive media/fans with his early manipulation of the roster.

New York Mets:  Many times in past years I've said you can't win pennants in April, but with a poor start you sure can lose them.

Callaway's Crew is only seven games into this campaign, leaving 20 games yet to play in April.  For the moment they're getting strong pitching, ample offense, and flawless defense.  Thus the team has jumped out to a 6-1 start and presently enjoy an early view from atop the National League East standings.

That said, the 2015 season is a perfect example of just how far a good start can carry a team.  If you recall the Mets posted a 15-8 April record that season, then hit the skids.  They went 13-15 in May, then 12-15 in June.  With the trade deadline fast approaching, they played one game above .500 during the month of July.  That gave them a 53-50 (.514) record over their first four months.  But subtract their April record, and the Mets were below par with a 38-42 (.475) mark.  The Mets then went 37-22 (.627) over the final two months of the season en route to capturing a division title and the National League pennant.

This year's fast start, however, hasn't stopped Mets fans from debating and even disagreeing with some of Callaway's line-up choices.  Coach has employed seven different line-ups through seven games.  However, I'd argue one week's worth is hardly enough for identifying trends.  As long as the Mets keep winning more games than they lose, I think we fans know enough to tone down our gripes (for the time being).

On the bump, the respective performances of both the starting rotation and that of the bullpen have been commendable, yes.  But I'm not without trepidation.  The bullpen has accounted for 43% of all innings pitched.  I understand the starting pitchers are still stretching themselves out, but the bullpen is potentially facing an onerous work load which may prove unsustainable if this keeps up.

Mets starters (Syndergaard, deGrom, Harvey, Matz) have pitched a total of 35.2 innings through seven games for an average of just five innings per outing, albeit to a collective 2.81 ERA.  They've surrendered just 26 hits and twelve walks, while striking out 46 batters.  Again, it's very early in the season.  And maybe the metrics (don't get me started) indeed say get them out by such-and-such fork in the road.  At this juncture, though, it's still hard to say.

• Seth Lugo is scheduled to make his first start of the season this coming Wednesday against the Marlins at Miami.

In the meantime, the bullpen has accounted for 27 innings pitched, or nearly four innings per game, with Callaway averaging nearly four relievers per game.  But like the starting pitching, they've performed somewhat brilliantly to start the season.  The pen so far owns a 1.33 ERA after allowing just four earned runs on 15 hits and 10 walks, with 36 strikeouts.

However, if you eliminate the season's third game against the Cardinals - a bad day all around - the pitching numbers naturally reflect far more positively.

But for how much longer?

To be fair I've considered an alternative perspective.  The Mets are presently carrying twelve position players and thirteen pitchers.  Every person on the 25-man active roster has already seen game action (including Philip Evans/Michael Conforto and Swarzak/Robles).  I'm almost sure this is by design.
There seems to be more methodology to his overall madness than just abiding by Info Squad recommendations.  Within the span of one week, Mickey Callaway has rid the roster of the intrusive season opening butterflies.  And with their respective first games out of the way, he seems to have agreeably arrested every one's complete attention.


April is important.  It's better to be ahead of the game, than behind.  Tonight the Boys of Flushing attempt to sweep the rival Washington Nationals ... Let's Go Mets!

SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL

New York Mets

vs.

Washington Nationals

FROM

Dystopia of Columbia


FINAL
Mets            6
Nationals     5
12 innings

SWEEP!!

N.Y. Mets: Zack Wheeler Deals Las Vegas Winning Hand

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Zack Wheeler missed all of 2015 and 2016, then returned to make 17 starts last season for the Mets.  During the off-season, Zack reportedly was taking injections to his stomach in order to improve bone strength.

The Mets wound up optioning Zack Wheeler to Las Vegas after a brutal Grapefruit League performance, in which he surrendered 22 hits and posted an 8.10 ERA and 2.40 WHiP through just ten innings of work.  Zack otherwise struck out 14 batters while walking just two, but not before Dave Eiland offered a rather harsh critique of his overall situation.  The Mets pitching coach essentially said the time for evaluating Wheeler based on his potential is done - the time for providing major league results has come.

That said, Wheeler made his first start of the season for the Las Vegas 51's against the El Paso Chihuahuas this past Friday at Cashman Field.  Zack threw 80 pitches with 56 going for strikes (70%).  He surrendered just one earned run (home run) on three hits and a walk, and fanned six batters through five innings of work to claim his, and the 51's first victory of the season.

*          *          *

I'll be keeping a close eye on 24-year old third baseman David Thompson this season.  He's on a trajectory to replace Todd Frazier when the free agent acquisition's two year contract expires at the end of the 2019 season.  Thompson played a full season at Binghamton last year, where he slashed .263/.325/.429, with 29 doubles, 16 home runs and 68 RBI through 476 at-bats.  In 2016, he posted 96 total RBI in just 116 games and 432 at-bats during a season split between Savannah and Port St. Lucie.

N.J. Devils: Back in Playoffs After Five Year Absence

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

44-28-9 (97-points)

SATURDAY

New Jersey Devils

vs.

Washington Capitals

FROM

Government City

New Jersey Devils: Newark Back In Playoffs For First Time Since 2012.

Nine games and 17 points later, Taylor Hall's consecutive point streak was snapped Thursday evening at the Rock.  However, that makes him no less responsible for helping lead the New Jersey Devils back to the playoffs after a five year absence.  A top league MVP candidate, this will also be Taylor Hall's first ever Stanley Cup tournament appearance in his eight year career.

Not ironically, the Devils clinching victory occurred against Lou Lamoriello's Toronto Maple Leafs. Newark last qualified for the playoffs during his tenure.  The Devils this season exceeded forty victories for the first time since 2012, when they won 48 games under Lamoriello and captured the Eastern Conference title.

Last year, the Devils finished with a 28-40-14 record.  In just his third season as Devils general manager, Ray Shero has them back in the tournament.  The Devils he constructed stormed to the finish, going 11-3-1 in their last 15 games.

N.Y. Islanders: Is Signing John Tavares Long Term Right Thing To Do?

From the desks of:  

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Islanders sweep season series 4-0

I - NYI 4; NYR 3*

II - NYI 7; NYR 2

III - NYI; 3; NYR 0

IV - NYI 2; NYR 1

*shoot-out

THURSDAY

Rangers    1

Islanders   2

FINAL

New York Islanders Complete Season Sweep of Last Place New York Rangers.

The Islanders continued their dominance over the New York Rangers - the Brooklyn Islanders, that is.  Tex's Rangers have now failed to gain a regular season victory in their last six visits to Flatbush Avenue.  Not only did the Islanders clinch a season sweep of the series, since moving into the neighborhood they own a 1-9-2 record against their cross-river rivals.

Despite falling behind just 4:25 into the opening period, second period goals from Thomas Hickey and Anthony Beauvillier helped Flatbush once again overcome the Rangers, and prevent the Islanders from falling into the Metropolitan Division cellar.

The Maven ~ Brooklyn Born

STAN FISCHLER 

LAST GAME

After the game, the home crowd cheered John Tavares as if it were his last in an Islanders uniform - not just for this season, but for good.  The 27-year old becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.  

The Islanders are the only team that can offer him an eight year contact.  Therefore, he could potentially make more money here than anywhere else.  Suppose his open market price is $10 to $12 million per season?  Most teams invariably grow to regret such agreements in the later years.  An eight year deal would bring him just shy of his 36th birthday.

An argument, therefore, can be made for not hamstringing the organization with a potentially onerous contract especially when you consider their burgeoning young talent.

This season marks the fourth time he's exceeded 30 goals, and the third time in his nine career he will finish above 80-points.  And only now is he considered to be entering his prime years.

He's a premiere center - a franchise player.  There's no denying that.  But the Islanders were among the top scoring teams all season long.  Anders Lee leads the team with 38 goals,  Mathew Barzal leads the team with 61 assists, and is right behind Tavares with 83 points.  The Islanders have five players with 20 goals or more, and four players above 60 points (Jordan Eberle has 59 points).

However, their collective plus/minus sucks!  The Islanders problems are on defense (the blue line as well as two-way players), and in net.

Tavares has repeatedly said he wants to stay, and wants this to work itself out.

Would he give the Islanders a discount?

Do the new owners even want to sign him?  The new arena planned at Belmont will not be ready for another three years (more or less).  Tavares will be 30-years old by then.

*            *            *

Thanks to the Islanders, the Rangers enter their regular season finale against the Philadelphia Flyers in last place of the Metropolitan Division.  An Islanders victory over the Red Wings at Detroit on Saturday would ensure the Rangers finish in the cellar.  Otherwise, the Rangers must lose one last time.

Because if you're gonna tank, you might as well do it right.

The Flyers are in a must win situation.  They enter Saturday's action with a four point lead over the Florida Panthers for the final Wild Card spot.  A victory over the Rangers, and they're in the playoffs.  If they lose, the Panthers must still win both of their remaining two games.

N.J. Devils: Metropolitan Area Champs

From the desks of: 

THE BRICK CITY STYX  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

BATTLE of the HUDSON

Devils win series 3-1

I - NJD 3; NYR 2

II - NYR 5; NJD 2

III  NJD 4; NYR 3

IV - NJD 5; NYR 2

FINAL

Rangers  2

Devils      5

Travis Zajak scored within 25 seconds of the opening face-off.  By the midway point of the first period the Devils had built a 3-0 lead.

With Tuesday's victory over the Rangers, the Devils now have a five point lead over the Florida Panthers.  They have two games remaining, but the Panthers have three.

The Devils also slipped by the Philadelphia Flyers to move into seventh place in the conference, and are just one point behind the sixth place Columbus Blue Jackets.

Add four more points to Taylor Hall's consecutive points streak.  He now has 17 points in his last nine games.  Hall put the Rangers down 0-2 just 3:41 into the first period with his 38th goal (power play) of the season.  He notched his second goal of the evening unassisted at the 15:45 mark of the second period.  Taylor also assisted on each of Will Butcher's two goals giving him 54 for the season; a new career high; to go along with his career best 39 goals and 93 points.

The Devils were 3 for 4 on the power play, elevating their unit to ninth in the league.  They also killed two penalties improving their rank to seventh in the league.

They peppered Henrik Lundqvist with 20 shots in the second period, and 44 shots overall.

Newark hosts Lou Lamoriello and the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night at the Rock, then close out the regular season on Saturday at Washington.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

43-28-9 (93-points)

The Devils are this season's undisputed kings of the Metropolitan area.  They compiled a 6-2-0 record against their cross river rivals, defeating both the Rangers and Islanders each three games to one.

N.Y. Mets: Last Season in Vegas

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

CASHMAN FIELD

home of the

LAS VEGAS 51s

Triple-A Affiliate of the New York Mets

2013 - 2018

The Mets announced last year their purchase of the Syracuse Chiefs franchise, and thus have successfully consolidated three of their minor league affiliates within the state of New York.  The existing Player Development Contract in place between the Mets and Las Vegas 51s expires at the conclusion of this season.

• Mark Weiner of Syracuse.com reported at the time the New York Mets were purchasing the (AAA) Syracuse Chiefs.  According to Weiner, a tentative deal will allow the Mets to assume control of the Chiefs when the player development contract between Syracuse and the Washington Nationals expires after the 2018 season.  The timing also coincides with the expiration of the New York Mets development contract with the Las Vegas 51s.

However, I have every intention of keeping up with 51's baseball.  Being on the east coast, Las Vegas start times on most nights conveniently follow Mets games.  And with Syracuse in my time zone, I'll still be in search of Pacific Coast League or even California League action.  Therefore, nothing really changes.  Because of my now familiarity with Las Vegas 51s games I'll be sticking around for seasons to come.  I grew to enjoy immensely through the last five years Russ Langer's call and baseball banter.  I'm a creature of habit.  So truth be told, Russ Langer has effectively become my midnight lullaby.

Personally, the last five years have been largely highlighted by former manager Wally Backman and pitching coach Frank Viola.  Many Mets fans hoped for several years to see them both one day working for the big club.  But that never materialized.  Instead Wally and the Mets parted ways two years ago on rather acrimonious terms, while Frank Viola transferred to Binghamton.

The 51's have a new manager again.  Tony DeFrancesco takes over for Pedro Lopez, whom took over for one season after Backman's departure.  Although he is new to the Mets organization, let's just say there are few people more familiar with, and have achieved more success in the Pacific Coast League.  Tony's resume is lengthy, and includes four PCL championships.

Taking over for Frank Viola will be Glenn Abbott, who has been serving dutifully at Binghamton for the previous six seasons.  Viola and Abbott are essentially trading places.  And the former's first order of business as new pitching coach at Las Vegas requires straightening out Hansel Robles and Zack Wheeler.  The two joined forces on an 8.91 ERA after surrendering a combined 21 earned runs on 39 hits through 21.2 total innings of Grapefruit League action.

• Hansel Robles might be getting called up due to an injury to Anthony Swarzak.

Jamie Callahan is a member of the 40-man roster.  Selected in the second round of the 2012 draft, the 24-year old right-hander is a product of the Boston Red Sox system and subsequently acquired by the Mets in the Addison Reed deal.  He appeared in nine games for the Mets last year, allowing seven hits and striking out five through 6.2 innings pitched.  He owns a career 4.71 ERA over six minor league seasons and 384 innings pitched.

Infielders Gavin Cecchini and Luis Guillorme are both also on the Mets 40-man roster.  Amed Rosario is now the starting shortstop for the Mets.  If needed, Adrubal Cabrera, Jose Reyes, and even Wilmer Flores could always fill in.  Meaning Cecchini, the 12th overall selection of the 2012 amateur draft, is potentially facing his third full season at Las Vegas, and therefore will continue transitioning to second base in a bid to win the position in 2019.  Shortstop Luis Guillorme, 23, is coming off a full season at Binghamton, where he batted .283 with a .376 OBP.

Outfielder Travis Taijeron spent the last three full season at Las Vegas.  However, the Mets outfield is log jammed.  There was simply no room for him.  As a consequence, the organization had no choice last November but to grant Travis his free agency after serving seven years in the Mets system.  He was signed with haste by the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Travis was a career .514 slugger through 2,644 minor league at-bats.  He achieved double-digit home runs six times, and twice hit 25 home runs in a season.  I'm sorry to see him go ...

Philip Evans, 25, opened the season with the big club based on his ability to play multiple positions.  However, he's likely the odd man out once Michael Conforto returns to the Mets line-up.  If the Mets were smart, though, they would let Conforto fulfill a rehab assignment first before shoehorning him back into active status.  Evans should otherwise look forward to his second full season at Las Vegas.  Like Travis Taijeron, he similarly finds himself stuck behind a logjam at Flushing, and is fast running out of time with the organization.

Same also goes for Jayce Boyd.  A familiar face among Mets minor league fans, but otherwise indistinguishable from the crowd.  As a first baseman/left fielder by trade, he simply lacks the slugging potential required of those positions.  In his first taste taste of AAA ball last season, he slugged above .500 for the first time in his six year minor league career.  But many chalk that up to playing in the desert conditions of Las Vegas.

Remember Wuilmer Becerra?  He was acquired along with Travis d'Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard as part of the R.A. Dickey trade with Toronto.  He was barely eighteen years old at the time.  Becerra is 22-years old now, and presently listed on the 51's roster.  He's been playing at Port St. Lucie the last two seasons.  He's double-slashing .282/.341 through 1,577 total minor league at-bats.

Matt den Dekker marks his return to the organization after spending the last three seasons at Washington and Detroit.

Left handed pitchers will forever be in demand.  David Roseboon returns for a second season with the 51's.  He was doing just fine until his arrival in the Pacific Coast League.  With Binghamton, he posted 14 saves and a 1.87 ERA in 2016, with a 5.3 H/9 and 8.4 K/9 averages through 57.2 innings pitched.  But in 18 games and 17.1 innings for Las Vegas last season, he posted an unsightly 8.31 ERA and 1.788 WHiP.

Southpaw Kelly Secrest, 26, is entering his first full season with the 51's.  Last year with Binghamton, he posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.658 WHiP through 38 innings.  He averaged 10.9 K/9, but his 10.7 H/9 and 10.7 W/9 averages would appear quite troublesome.

OPENING DAY

El Paso Chihuahuas

vs.

Las Vegas 51's

THURSDAY

N.Y. Mets: Harvey Day Postponed by Snow

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Monday, April 2, 2018

Phillies vs. Mets

SNOWED OUT

New York Mets: Matt Harvey's Snowy Swan Song ...

Sometimes it snows in April ... therefore Monday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies was postponed.  Matt Harvey was supposed to have made his much anticipated first start of the season.  Instead he'll climb the bump on Tuesday.

After undergoing two surgeries in four years and missing all of 2014, Matt Harvey is literally trying to salvage what's left of his Mets career.  As a Scott Boris client, Matt will surely test free agency once he becomes eligible at the end of this season.  And it's not likely the Mets will meet his price.

In order to establish that price Harvey must first pitch effectively, but moreover prove he can endure the grind of a full season.  After all he's been through physically, it's hard discerning what we can reasonably expect from him.

Last season, he posted a 5-7 record with unsightly 6.70 ERA and 1.694 WHiP.  He allowed 110 hits, walked 47 batters, and fanned 67 through 92.2 innings pitched.  He only averaged 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and allowed 10.7 hits per nine innings pitched - not a good combination.

Harvey did say, though, he enjoyed his first normal off-season in while.  That may be so, but his spring training statistics were only slightly improved over last year's performance.  In five Grapefruit League starts, Matt posted a 4.50 ERA and a 1.35 WHiP, while the opposition batted .280 against him.  He allowed 21 hits, walked six, and fanned 18 batters through 20 innings pitched.

A victory against the Phillies on Tuesday would get him back to .500, with a 35-35 career record.  It's hard believing that's all there is considering he was a rookie back in 2012.  Now 29-years old, he has a long way to go before restoring the Dark Knight's good name.

For now, a healthy pitcher with recovered velocity will do.

N.J. Devils: Taylor Hall Continues Hell of a Season

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

Taylor Hall Picks Perfect Time For First Career Short-Handed Goal

New Jersey Devils: Like a man possessed ... Taylor Hall smells the playoffs and is zeroing in for the kill.

He's never been to the playoffs.  But you can tell he senses it.

Whether on the power play, at even strength, or shorthanded, Taylor Hall will not be denied.  He scored both on the power play and at even strength Saturday against the Islanders, then scored what proved to be the game winning goal while shorthanded against the Canadiens the very next night at Montreal.

In his second season with the Devils, Hall has established career highs with 37 goals and 89 points, and is just one favor away from tying his career high of 53 assists.  In the meantime, Taylor continues solidifying his candidacy for league MVP with plus-eleven play, and by extending his point streak to eight straight games in which he's now recorded thirteen points.

With Sunday's Newark win, and Florida's loss, the Devils have opened up a seven point lead over the ninth place Panthers.  Newark has just three games left to play against the Rangers and Maple Leafs at home, then against the Capitals at Washington in the regular season finale.  Florida has five games remaining against the Hurricanes, Predators, Bruins and Sabres all at home, then close out the season at Boston.

Keith Kinkaid started his sixth straight game, and both games on back-to-back nights.  After turning away 27 of 30 shots against the Islanders, Kinkaid stopped 25 of 26 Canadiens shots on goal for his 23rd victory of the season.

N.Y. Mets: Callaway Era Successfully Clears Launching Pad

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets lead series 2-0

I - NYM 9; STL 4

II - NYM 6; STL 2

Series Finale

St. Louis Cardinals

vs.

New York Mets

FROM

Roosevelt Avenue Grounds

QUEENS

New York Mets: Up, Up, And Callaway We Go...!

So far, so good ...

A pair of victories over the St. Louis Cardinals with a chance to sweep on Easter Sunday is a fine start to any regular season - much less Mickey Callaway's first as manager of the New York Mets.  If this keeps up, Mets fans should have little problem giving off-season changes their final stamp of approval.

Two games, though, is far from trend setting.  Yet, Coach Callaway has already made things quite discussion worthy nonetheless.  Although he was mainly hired to harness this team's pitching potential, his choice of line-ups thus far have made the greatest impressions, and impact.

Game One

• Nimmo; Cespedes; Bruce; Cabrera; Frazier; Gonzalez; Plawecki; Syndergaard; Rosario.

Game Two

• Cabrera; Cespedes; Bruce; Frazier; d'Arnaud; Gonzalez; Lagares; deGrom; Rosario.

Lead-off Hitter:

Once Michael Conforto returns, both the center field and lead-off hitter situations will obviously change.  In the meantime, we knew Brandon Nimmo and Juan Lagares would be platooning.  Therefore, I'm not fielding any gripes about both receiving a start each despite facing two right-handed starting pitchers.  Again ... two games does not a trend make.

Nimmo started Opening Day and went 2 for 3, with a walk, and two runs scored.  On Saturday, Juan Lagares did not lead-off, but went 2 for 4 with a run scored nonetheless.  Asdrubal Cabrera went from hitting clean-up on Opening Day to the lead-off spot on Saturday, and went 3 for 5 with a double, RBI, and a run scored.  Through two games, the Mets lead-off hitters are 5 for 8 (.625) with a walk, RBI, and three runs scored.

Batting Second:

I understand why Mickey Callaway is doing it.  This is about manipulating the bottom of the order in anticipation of, and getting his most lethal hitter more at-bats and better pitches to hit, then providing maximum protection throughout the middle of the order behind him.  Coach isn't exactly breaking with conventional wisdom here.  It's been done before.  It's also an attempt at minimizing the pitcher's potential dead-spot in the line-up.  I'm just not a proponent of batting Yoenis Cespedes second.  Regardless what I think, Coach Callaway's decision is paying off.  Yoenis is 3 for 7 with three walks, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Questionable Three Strategy:

It's always been the unwritten rule that a team's best hitter bat third.  Coach Callaway has twice penciled in Jay Bruce, whom so far is 1 for 8 with two walks, an RBI, and a run scored.  In the spirit of Callaway's new ways, I would consider batting Asdrubal Cabrera third, and have Bruce clean-up.

Clean-Up Hitter:

Coach got every one's attention when he charged Asdrubal Cabrera with hitting clean-up on Opening Day.  In Cabrera's defense, he is a professional hitter, and provides more pop than Mets fans originally anticipated.  He's also been one of the Mets more clutch hitters since his arrival.  Alas he went hit-less in four at-bats.  Todd Frazier took his turn cleaning-up on Saturday, and went 1 for 3 with three RBI.

Batting Sixth:

What, me worry?  In the span of two games, Adrian Gonzalez is turning a worrisome spring training into a distant memory.  Hampered last season by a bad back while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gonzalez went 12 for 58 (.207) in Grapefruit play, with just three extra base hits and three RBI.  So far, he is 3 for 7 with two walks, a double, a run scored, and an RBI, through two games against the Cardinals.

Catcher:

We knew there would also be a platoon behind the plate this season, but thank Mickey Callaway for giving this a new spin.  It was very interesting seeing Travis d'Arnaud bat fifth.  He went 1 for 3 on Saturday, with a walk and home run.  Syndergaard prefers throwing to Kevin Plawecki.  That's no secret.  And so Plawecki started Opening Day and batted seventh, going 2 for 3 with two walks, two runs scored, and an RBI.  So far, the platooning backstops are 3 for 6, with three walks, a home run, three runs scored, and two RBI.

Batting Eighth/Ninth:

Coach Callaway has elected to bat the pitcher eighth in each of the first two games.  Let's see how long this continues.  Otherwise, the free swinging Amed Rosario is being positioned to precede the lead-off hitter and Yoenis Cespedes by batting ninth.  Until Rosario learns to be more selective at the plate, this may prove an effective ploy ... for now.  Amed went 2 for 4 in his first ever major league Opening Day, with two RBI and two runs scored.

Terrors on the Base Paths:

Mickey Callaway and third base coach Glenn Sherlock have made one thing perfectly clear.  They intend on being aggressive.  They'll attempt taking an extra base at every turn, challenge outfield arms and their opponent's ability to execute plays.

First Pitch:

The Mets top two starting pitchers seemingly launched their 2018 campaigns without a hitch.  If you look back, the most successful teams throughout history usually feature a terrible twosome that opponents dread facing.  Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom must be that for the Mets more so now than ever.  Noah started on Opening Day, allowing four earned runs on six hits, but walked none and fanned ten batters over six innings pitched for his first victory of the season.  Jacob deGrom lasted 5.2 innings in his first start, limiting the Cardinals to just one earned run on four hits and a walk, while fanning seven for his first victory.

The Firemen:

The Mets opened up on Thursday, were off on Friday, then resumed play on Saturday.  Despite a day off Callaway's utilization of the bullpen was no less curious.  The same trio which appeared on Thursday were the same three which appeared in Saturday's contest.  Coach's plan for Sunday's series finale will prove quite revealing.  Robert Gsellman seems to be embracing his new bullpen role, allowing just one hit and fanning four in 1.2 innings.  Anthony Swarzak pitched the eighth in each game, while Jeurys Familia closed out both, and earned his first save (of the four out variety).