Amazin' Date 5/7/1969: Reds Gain Split; Whitewash Mets at Shea

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #27: Wednesday, May 7, 1969 - BR
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Mets Bats Go Silent; Gentry Left Out to Dry

For a second time this season, the Mets fail to extend a three game win streak.  Fresh off a double-header sweep of the Cubs at Chicago, and yesterday's series opening thumping of the Reds, the Mets on this day are whitewashed by the Cincinnati tandem of Jim Merritt and reliever Clay Carroll.

Gary Gentry pitched well, very well in fact, allowing just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out five through eight innings.  However, the Mets would muster just three hits all game off Merritt.

With two outs in the fourth, first baseman Tony Perez connected off Gentry on his sixth home run and 19th RBI of the season.  The Reds tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth off Cal Koonce pitching in relief of Gentry.  Clay Carroll retired the Mets in order in the bottom half of the frame to close out the game.

Gary Gentry falls to 2-2 on the season.  Tommie Agee returned to the starting lineup, going 1 for 3 with a strikeout.  The Mets were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

• Mets Record:  12-15
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB

N.Y. Mets: Brodie's Hopes On The Ropes

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Brodie's Narrative Already Falling on Deaf Ears

Brodie Van Wagenen's Revamped Mets Outpacing Last Year's March Toward Irrelevancy.

This whole charade of repackaging Jeff's defective product in a pretty box and branding it new and improved is unraveling before our eyes.

Right around this time last year the Mets were in the midst of getting swept by the Atalanta Braves and Colorado Rockies at Citi Field.  Those Mets would play 54 games before falling under .500 in June.

Exactly one year later Brodie Van Wagenen's new and improved Mets are swept in a series for the first time this season courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers.  In that respect, the Mets appear right on schedule.  However, Saturday's 18-inning loss at Milwaukee means this year's version lasted a mere 32 games before dipping below the .500 mark.   That's 22 games faster than last year.

Happy Cinco de Mayo to you, too!

I've consistently accused the Wilpons - be it in this blog or podcast - of failing to venture outside their comfort level.  BVW's appointment strikes me no differently as he and Jeff Wilpon share a friendship that precedes his becoming general manager.  I never once thought Van Wagenen was coming here to spend ownership's money forthwith.  Wilpon money is as Wilpon money does - which for three years running remains at a relative standstill.  Nor was he coming into office intending to blow up the operation.  He wouldn't have been hired were that the case.  Look no further than Chiam Bloom.  Brodie's transactions to date bear this out.  Instead he turned to negotiating away the organization's higher profile albeit low level prospects in order to facilitate upheaval and change.  He also set out to stock the 40-man roster with major league ready depth.  But at no time did he noticeably impact payroll.  That's why for the more skeptical pundits - professional or imagined - Brodie is nothing more than a hired charlatan tasked with detracting attention from ownership's continued meddling and self imposed limitations.

On our most recent Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich, and myself, I asked Mets beat writer Tim Healey of Newsday when does Brodie Van Wagenen's bold new narrative crash head on with ownership's impaired financial operating procedure?

His answer: "It already has."

My point precisely.

Amazin' Date 5/6/1969: Cardwell Gem Lifts Mets to Third in a Row

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #27: Tuesday, May 6, 1969 - BR
Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Shea Stadium

Don Cardwell Offers Reds No Quarter at Shea Stadium

Such is the game of baseball and its law of averages.  After several hard luck performances and an 0-4 record to start the season, it was only a matter of time before the Mets 33-year old veteran would earn his just reward for a job well done.  Making his fifth start of the season, Don Cardwell pitches a glittering gem to finally gain his first victory of the season.

After sweeping a double-header from the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday, the Mets returned home where after a day off they rolled the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Shea Stadium on Tuesday.

Leading off the bottom of the fourth Ken Boswell connected off Reds starter Jim Maloney for his second home run of the season.  However, the Mets lead did not last long.  With one out in the top of the fifth, Lee May tied the game with his fourth home run of the season.

After which Cardwell bottled up the Reds for good, allowing just the one earned run on six hits and a walk, with eight strikeouts en route to complete game triumph.  After striking out Tony Perez to open the ninth, Cardwell yielded a single to Lee May.  Second baseman Tommy Helms then grounded into a game ending double play - Boswell to Harrelson to Kranepool.  Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Perez were a combined 0 for 11 with four strikeouts against Cardwell.

The Mets on the other hand scored late, and often.  Even Cardwell himself joined the slug fest hitting a three run home run off Reds reliever Wayne Granger in the eighth.  The Mets struck for eight runs overall on eleven hits with additional home runs off the bats of Ken Boswell, Wayne Garrett, and Cleon Jones.

Although officially listed as active, Tommie Agee remains out of the starting lineup.  He again served as a late inning replacement, and scored on Cardwell's home run.  Cleon Jones kept his average above .400 going 2 for 3, including his fourth home run of the season.

• Mets Record:  12-14 (.461)
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB

N.Y. Islanders: Wiped Out By Hurricane Brind'Amour

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

It's Important to Remember What This Organization is Recovering From

New York Islanders: I saw Caroline blow through the Isles like a Hurricane.  My hockey friend says they looked just like the Rangers.

There's an obvious reason why I starting referring to this season as the Barry Trotz Pajama Party.

Isles fans know what I'm talking about ...

Last six seasons under Garth Snow; with Jack Capuano/Doug Weight behind the bench; and captain John Tavares still in uniform:

• 12-13)  *Lockout season; 55-points; lost first round playoffs.
• 13-14)  79-points; did not qualify.
• 14-15)  101-points; lost first round playoffs.
• 15-16)  100-points; win first round; lost second round.
• 16-17)  94-points; did not qualify.
• 17-18)  80-points; did not qualify.

Throughout this time, the Islanders ongoing maladies were defensive pairings and goal tending.

Enter Lou Lamoriello ...

He quietly acquires a goalie who is known to play with a chip on his shoulder named Robin Lehner.  With no other transactions to speak of, Lou leaves the Islanders roster largely in tact - minus John Tavares, that is.  However, despite their season long and some times triumphant battles for first place of the Metropolitan Division, Lou is openly criticized by fans and media alike leading up to and through this season's trade deadline for remaining idle.

To that I say Lou comes with a plan.  He always has a plan.  That's what makes him successful.  If he thought it best to stand pat at the deadline then I have no doubt it was the right move.  The Islanders presently have a fine core of young players led by Mathew Barzal with more prospects on the way and more still in development.

Lou is also the same person who hired coach Barry Trotz, whom arguably has had a far greater impact on the Islanders fortunes than any potential acquisition Lou could have negotiated for at the deadline.  After all, Trotz transformed one of the shabbier defensive units of past years into this season's stingiest unit in all the NHL.

That held true through their fist six playoff games.  Overall the season was an unexpectedly fun ride albeit with a rather abrupt ending.  But in Lou you must trust.  As a Rangers fan, I envy the Lamoriello/Trotz tandem presently in place.  If anyone smooths this out, it will be Lou.  And with any luck, Trotz sticks this out as well.

But why did the Islanders lose?

Being somewhat of a nomad certainly doesn't help.  Having to change home ice locations from one series to the next could have perhaps played a disruptive role in their routine.  The Islanders also played without an injured Johnny Boychuk, and say what you will, Cal Clutterbuck was hurting throughout as well.

I have a close friend with whom I debate hockey all the time.  He participated in summer camps in Canada, played junior level, college, and beyond, before turning in his stick for real life.  He asked me why I think the Islanders got wiped out in four.  I said that I agreed with Barry Trotz insofar the Islanders were playing well, and that they were indeed creating recurring quality scoring opportunities.  Then added the Islanders strength is five on five but were getting beat at their own game.  I said the Canes appeared faster, were winning 50/50 battles against the boards, were protecting their goalie's crease with great physicality, and that their swarming defense did a great job taking away shooting angles.

He said no to all the above while saving a particularly emphatic "hell no" because in his opinion Carolina's 35-year old back-up goalie Curtis McElhinney "sucks."

I asked what then were his reasons.  He said because they played just like the Rangers.  They get into scoring position then opt for one more pass and screw the whole thing up - not enough shots on goal for sake of putting shots on goal.  Said another way, they were trying to be too cute.

Back to the lab ...

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

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

OPENING DAY

20th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

YORK REVOLUTION

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazin' Date 5/4/1969: Mets Sweep Twin Bill at the Friendly Confines

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

There is No Joy in Cubville - the Gamely Mets Win Out

Game #24: Sunday, May 4, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field - TWIN BILL

GAME ONE: We join the action with two outs in the home second.  Facing Mets starter Tom Seaver, Cubs catcher Randy Hundley singles then scores on Al Spangler's triple to straightaway center.  Ed Kranepool, who continues wielding a hot bat entering May, answers back in the fourth inning with a home run off Cubs starter Bill Hands.

Tom Seaver helps his own cause an inning later drawing a one out walk off his counterpart, then scoring on consecutive hits from Rod Gaspar and Ken Boswell.  Ron Swoboda follows with a sac fly to left plating Gaspar from third for a 3-1 Mets lead.  Chicago manages one run in the bottom half of the frame, but Seaver would yield no more.

The Mets ace goes the distance, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.  He improves his record to 3-2 with a 2.35 ERA through seven starts.  Unlike his victorious April 26 complete game performance at Shea Stadium, Bill Hands is off to the showers after five innings, but not before surrendering three earned runs on six hits en route to his third loss of the season.  When in the batters box, both Seaver and Hands even took turns hitting one another with a pitch.

A stir crazy Manager Hodges is relieved after his team bats 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Ed Kranepool goes 2 for 4 with his third home run of the season.  He is now batting .324, with 16 RBI.

Game #25: Sunday, May 4, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field - TWIN BILL

GAME TWO: Manager Hodges tasks Tug McGraw with making his first start of the season on the back end of Sunday's twin bill.  The 24-year old southpaw and returning service veteran does not disappoint.  Making just his sixth appearance of the season, McGraw gives his manager nine complete innings, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.  He improves his record to a perfect 3-0 on the season.

Each team strikes opening blows straightaway in the first.  The Mets jumped out to 2-0 lead off Chicago starter Dick Selma with an RBI double off the bat of Rod Gaspar, and a follow up run scoring single courtesy Cleon Jones.  The Cubs claw back with two runs on three hits.

From the second through the sixth McGraw would face the minimum, allowing just a hit and a walk, and benefiting from two double-plays in the field behind him.

Dick Selma's undoing came in the seventh.  After issuing a one out walk to Ron Swoboda and a two out single to Al Weiss, Selma unleashes a wild pitch allowing Swoboda to score all the way from second.  And therein lies the Mets final margin of victory thus completing a twin bill sweep of the Cubs.

... a game the Cubs quite literally threw away to the great dismay of the more than 40,000-plus fans in attendance at sun bathed Wrigley Field.  Alas there is no joy in Cubville today.

• METS RECORD:  11-14
• N.L. EAST:  4th; 6 GB

Podcast: Talking Metsian Baseball with Tim Healey of Newsday

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

My Turn To Host

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

Featuring Special Guest

New York Mets Beat Writer 

Tim Healey of Newsday

one hour thirty minutes

 

@THE_SamMaxwell    @MetFanRich

STUFF

You name it, we dissected it like a frog in high school biology class.

All Things Mets and More..!

Amazin' Date 5/3/1969: Ron Santo Continues Siege Against Mets Pitchers

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY 

Game #23: Saturday, May 3, 1969 - BR

New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field

Look What Ron Santo Did to the Mets, Again.

The Mets either failed to protect an early two run lead, or the Cubs rallied late to win the game ... depending on your point of view.  In either event, the Mets now find themselves eight games behind the first place Cubs.

Nolan Ryan climbed the bump in place of the injured Jerry Koosman for game two at Wrigley Field, and was opposed by Chicago's Fergie Jenkins.  Starting in place of Jerry Grote, J.C. Martin opened the scoring with a home run leading off the second.  Ron Swoboda followed suit in the third, connecting off Jenkins for his second home run of the season.  After which Jenkins would yield no more, allowing just five more scattered hits through a full seven innings pitched.

Ryan pitched masterfully surrendering just two hits and a walk through six scoreless innings, but did himself no favors in the seventh.  Ernie Banks led off the bottom half of the frame with a single, and would eventually score when Ryan misplayed a come-backer off the bat of Al Spangler.

With Cal Koonce pitching in relief of Ryan, Billy Williams singled with one out in the bottom of the eighth, and promptly scored when Ron Santo tripled to right.  Chicago would go on to load the bases.  Manager Hodges then handed the ball off to Ron Taylor, whom walked Adolfo Phillips to force in Santo from third with the go ahead run, and ultimately Chicago's final 3-2 margin of victory.

The Cubs Phil Regan earns the victory in relief following his save in game one.  Cal Koonce takes the loss.  Both Fergie Jenkins and Nolan Ryan settle for a no decision.

After returning to the line-up yesterday, Tommie Agee did not start game two, but appeared as a late defensive replacement. Jerry Koosman was placed on the two week disabled list.  Meanwhile, Cleon Jones continues right along with another 2 for 4 day, raising his average to a .422 mark.

The Mets and Cubs wrap up the series with a double-header on Sunday.

• Mets Record:  9-14 (.391)
• N.L. East:  5th; 8 GB

Sitting on the Stoop with Bedford & Sullivan Podcast

From the desk of:  A SAM MAXWELL PRODUCTION

Talking Baseball and Brooklyn, Sometimes Both at the Same Time

My guest appearance on 

Bedford & Sullivan Podcast 

with Film Maker and Screenwriter

Sam Maxwell

Thirty-Two Minutes

Amazin' Date 5/2/1969: Mets Drop Series Opener at Wrigley

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #22:  Friday, May 2, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field

Ron Santo Welcomes Mets to the Friendly Confines

The second leg of the Mets road trip brings them to Chicago for their first visit of the season to Wrigley Field.

Try as he might, Tommie Agee's return to the line-up could not lift the Mets to victory in game one on Friday.

Opposing starting pitchers, Gary Gentry for the Mets and Ken Holtzman for the Cubs, cruised through their respective first three innings of work.  In the fourth, Ron Santo continued his assault this season against Mets pitching.  With two outs, the five time all-star third baseman connected off Gentry for his sixth home run of the season.  Ernie Banks followed with a single, and Randy Hundley drew a walk.  Right fielder Al Spangler then delivered both runners with yet another home run surrendered by Gentry.

The Mets struck back for a pair in the fifth on runs batted in from Tommie Agee and Rod Gaspar.

But with Al Jackson pitching the fifth in relief of Gentry, Ron Santo doubled home Don Kessinger for an insurance run of which the Mets would not recover.  Center fielder Don Young's RBI in the sixth off Jackson gave the Cubs a 6-2 lead.  In the seventh, Tommie Agee singled and scored on Rod Gaspar's sac fly making it a 6-3 game.  Leading off the ninth, Tommie Agee took Cubs reliever Phil Regan deep to get the Mets within two.  But that's as close as the Mets would get.

Phil Regan closed out the game to earn his second save of the season.  Ken Holtzman improved his record to 3-1, with a 2.42 ERA.  Gary Gentry is charged with his first loss of the season.  He allowed four earned runs on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in just four innings of work.

Despite a .220 batting average, Ron Santo has 21 RBI through the Cubs first 24 games of the season.

Back in the lineup after a stint on the disabled list, Tommie Agee was 4 for 4 with a walk, double, home run, two RBI, and one run scored.

• Mets Record:  9-13 (.409)
• N.L. East:  5th; 7 GB

N.Y. Yankees: CC Sabathia Achieves 3,000 Career Strikeouts

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

CONGRATULATIONS

CC SABATHIA

He becomes the 17th pitcher in major league history, 

and only the third left-hander ever to record 3,000 strikeouts in a career.

CC Sabathia entered Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks just three strikeouts shy of one of baseball's all-time hallowed milestones.  After retiring Arizona in order in the first, Sabathia seized the moment with three strikeouts in the second inning.

The soon to be 39-year old would unfortunately exit on the losing side of a 2-1 game after yielding just two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts through 5.1 innings pitched.  Sabathia previously topped out at five innings and 86 pitches in each of his last two starts.  Tuesday at Arizona he pitched into the sixth for the first time this season, while throwing 87 pitches with 51 (59%) going for strikes.

Sabathia has spent more than half his career pitching for the Yankees, with whom he twice led the league in wins (2009-10), and in 2009 helped lead them to a World Series championship.  He entered Tuesday's game with a career record of 130-80, and 3.73 ERA, and has now fanned 1,609 batters while donning pinstripes.

During his eight season with the Indians, Sabathia posted a 106-71 record with a 3.83 ERA.  He recorded 1,265 strikeouts while pitching for Cleveland, where he captured the 2007 American League Cy Young award.

#3000

Amazin' Date 5/1/1969: Expos Foil Mets Bid For Sweep

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY

Game #21 Thursday, May 1, 1969 - BR 
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos 
Parc Jarry

Manager Gil Hodges Called to Carpet for His Handling of Ninth Inning.

Montreal starter Bill Stoneman wasted little time creating trouble for himself in the second.  After yielding consecutive singles to Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool, Stoneman caught Ron Swoboda looking at strike three, but walked Kevin Collins to load the bases.  He then issued a second straight walk to Jerry Grote forcing in Jones from third.

Leading off the bottom of the second, Expos first baseman Donn Clendenon immediately came to the aid of his starter with a home run off Mets starter Don Cardwell.  Cleon Jones answered right back with a solo home run in the top of the third.  But left fielder Mack Jones would likewise connect off Cardwell in the fourth tying the game again at two.

Bill Stoneman pitched himself into another jam by walking the bases loaded in the seventh.  With two outs, Montreal manager Gene Mauch pulled Stoneman in favor of long time relief specialist Roy Face, whom induced Ed Kranepool in to an inning ending ground ball to second.

Into the ninth inning they would go with the game knotted at two.

With Don Cardwell set to lead-off the top half of the frame, manger Gil Hodges elected to not pinch hit for his pitcher, whom wound up grounding out to third.  Roy Face would then retire the next two batters extending his streak to seven straight Mets batters in a row.

Maury Wills leading off the home ninth singled off Don Cardwell.  After inducing Rusty Staub into a fielder's choice, Cardwell surrendered another single to Mack Jones.  Manager Hodges then ordered his battery intentionally walk Donn Clendenon thus setting up a force at any base.  However, the plan backfired when third baseman Coco Laboy lofted a fly to center field.  Ron Brand, pinch running for Staub, tagged up from third to score the winning run.

FINAL

Mets    2

Expos  3

Roy Face earned the victory with 2.1 innings of scoreless no-hit ball.  The game also marks the 101st win of Face's long 16 year career spent near exclusively as a reliever.

Don Cardwell again labors through another a hard luck loss, and is now 0-4 for the season despite his 2.89 ERA.  He allowed the Expos three runs in seven hits and two walks with one strikeout through 8.2 innings of work.

Cleon Jones was 3 for 3, with his third home run of the season.  His 15 RBI tie him for team lead with Ed Kranepool.  Cleon is batting .348 through the Mets first 21 games of the season.  Kranepool went 2 for 4, elevating his average to .323 through his 19 games played.

The Expos avoid a sweep, but the Mets win the series - their second series win over Montreal this season.  The loss, however, drops the Mets back down to fourth place, six game behind the first place Cubs, with whom they'll begin a weekend series tomorrow at Wrigley Field.

• Mets Record:  9-12 (.428)
• N.L. East:  4th; 6 GB

N.Y. Mets: Catching Hell Behind The Plate

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Travis d'Arnaud's Biggest Liability Was His Unavailability

New York Mets: Brodie Van Wagenen DFA's Once Prized Minor League Acquisition Travis d'Arnaud.

One thing the Mets can never be accused of is treating Travis d'Arnaud unfairly.  His spot behind the plate after each and every one of his ongoing injuries was always there awaiting his return.  In fact, I believe the Mets have been exceedingly patient with their once prized acquisition.  Considering they've been at this since 2013, I'll even go so far as saying the Mets went above and beyond in their efforts at placing him in a position to succeed.

But the time had ultimately come to part ways, and not just because BVW signed free agent Wilson Ramos.  Unfortunately, d'Arnaud's body continues to fail him.  Fluke injuries are one thing but his chronic string of bad luck is something more ponderous.  In the end his inability to stay on the field due to an unfortunate propensity for injury just proved too problematic for both him and the Mets - this year included.

When healthy he demonstrated much promise with a bat throughout his career.  Although going 2 for 23 in ten games this season perhaps helped seal his fate.  Travis d'Arnaud defenders will also point out his ability to frame pitches - something of which I believe is wholly inconsequential when pitchers would just rather not pitch to him.  Truth be told, he was already a defensive liability.  More so if his throwing ability hasn't been satisfactorily restored after Tommy John surgery.

Devin Mesoraco last season earned his way into the staff's graces through his receiving skills, not for an ability to influence umpires with snapshots.  Pitchers need confidence in their catchers.  They want supreme receivers - someone they can trust with a purposeful pitch in the dirt.  None of which accurately describe d'Arnaud.  His lazy backhand stabs at errant pitches absolutely infuriate me.  Moreover, all one had to do was count how many times pitchers shook him off to know he lacked sync with a majority of the starting staff.

Both media and a large pocket of fans have long lobbied for his release.  Yet, the club to their credit afforded him one last opportunity, and he failed the test - key word being, afforded.  They signed him for $3.52 million this past off-season, and fans nor the media understand why.  For a team with more money problems than the MTA, they essentially set fire to $3.52 million dollars that could have otherwise been better spent.  Their mishandling of Devin Mesoraco (IMO) only exasperates the matter.

Yeah, they blew it ...

But let's also keep things in context.  This is a low kiloton event, comparatively speaking.  After all, we're haranguing over a backup catcher.  I do not believe Travis d'Arnaud is being scapegoated like some in the media are portraying.  The Mets are merely eliminating a liability from behind the plate, and in doing so improving the Mets 25-man roster and their pitching staff's level of comfort.

I have no qualms moving forward with Tomas Nido, or even welcoming back Rene Rivera.  Both are quality receivers, something I prioritize over hitting where it concerns backstops.

Amazin' Date 4/30/1969: Mets Take Second Straight at Jarry Park

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

AMAZIN'

THE MIRACLE METS

50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Game #20: Wednesday, April 30, 1969 - BR
New York Mets @ Montreal Expos
Parc Jarry

Tom Seaver Out-Duels Expos Mike Wegener; Mets Win Second Straight at Montreal.

In game two of the Mets first ever series played north of the border, Tom Seaver dueled Montreal's Mike Wegener for nine innings at Parc Jarry on Wednesday.

Leading off the second, Cleon Jones legged out a triple then scored on Ed Kranepool's sacrifice fly to left.  The Mets held that lead until the seventh when with two outs Expos catcher John Bateman connected off Seaver for his third home run of the season.

Limited to just three hits through the first eight innings of play, the Mets rallied in the ninth.  Leading off against Mike Wegener, Rod Gaspar singled to left.  With Ken Boswell up, Manager Hodges put Gaspar in motion.  After a successful steal of second base, Boswell singled to right scoring Gaspar, but was cut down himself trying to stretch out a single.

In the bottom of the ninth Tom Seaver retired the Expos in order, striking out first baseman Donn Clendenon and third baseman Coco Laboy to end the game.  Despite unleashing three wild pitches, Tom was terrific in earning the complete game victory, allowing just the one run on five hits and three walks, with six strikeouts.  He evened his record at 2-2 and lowered his ERA to a 2.35 mark.

Hard luck loser Mike Wegener was equally effective, allowing just two runs on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts through nine complete innings of work.

The Mets are winners of three in a row for the first time this season.  They finish the month of April with a 9-11 record.  Manager Hodges says he wants improvement from his club in games decided by one run.  So far they've won two and lost four in such games.

Ed Kranepool now leads the team with 15 RBI.  Cleon Jones is second with 14 RBI through the Mets first twenty games of the season.

Tommie Agee appeared as a ninth inning defensive replacement for Ron Swoboda.  Wednesday marked Agee's tenth straight game absent from the starting lineup.  He is expected to resume full time duty during the Mets upcoming series at Chicago.

• Mets Record:  9-11 (.450)
• N.L. East:  3rd; 5.5 GB

N.Y. Islanders: Playing Against The Unseen Hand

From the desk of:  THE BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

Hurricanes lead series 2-0

I - CAR 1; NYI 0*

II - CAR 2; NYI 1

*overtime

New York Islanders: Barry Trotz Patiently Waiting For Goal Scorers to Emerge.

So much for home ice advantage ... After a rather unceremonious return to Brooklyn, the question begs to be asked: did the Islanders ever have it in the first place?

Previous to game one they hadn't played at Barclays Center since February.  The Islanders split this season's home schedule between Brooklyn and Uniondale, but finished out the season playing their final twelve home games and first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Long Island.  Of course the counter is they achieved 103 regular season points partly playing at Brooklyn.

On to the next excuse ...

After a ten game layoff, brushing off game one's overtime loss was the easy thing to do.  Now down two games going away Islanders fans are being led to believe they've secured another moral victory.  As Coach puts it, this is nothing more than the "unseen hand" at work, and that if they continue playing the way they've been, the Islanders will be fine.

With twenty minutes left in game two, the Islanders stood poised to knot the series.  They were leading 1-0 and now facing Carolina's backup goalie.  They had finally scored their first goal of the series back in the first period off starter Petr Mzerak, whom exited the game due to injury early in the second period.  At that point one could only imagine what opportunities potentially awaited the Islanders against Curtis McElhinney.

But Carolina had other ideas.  Warren Foegele's blast from the right wing just 0:17 into the third period tied the game at one.  Robin Lehner had a clean look, but the unseen hand just blew it by him.  Forty-eight seconds later, Nino Niederreiter scored on a deflection.  This time there was nothing Robin Lehner could do to prevent the unseen hand from seizing a 2-1 lead.

Curtis McElhinney took care of the rest, facing 17 shots on goal - all but one at even strength - and stopped them all since taking over early in the second period.

Despite repeated quality opportunities - as Coach points out - the Islanders offensive production was stifled yet again.  It's worth noting Mathew Barzal's first period goal was the result of a Hurricane self deflection.  Therefore truth be told the Islanders are yet to score a clean goal against either Carolina net minder in over 120 minutes of hockey.

Carolina outscored the Washington Capitals by a slim 21-20 margin through seven games.  They averaged three goals per game against the Caps.  But the Islanders defense has so far limited Carolina to half as many through six plus periods of hockey.  Yet they themselves can't seem to find the back of the net after averaging 3.5 goals per game during their sweep of Pittsburgh.

• Useless Stat Alert: the Hurricanes finished the regular season with a +22 point differential while the Islanders registered a +32 mark for the season.

• Cal Clutterbuck is hurt again; details pending.  It's also worth mentioning the Isles are still playing without Johnny Boychuk.