PODCAST: Socially Distanced Baseball and the Great American Brushback with Anna Brice

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Protest is Just as American as Baseball and Apple Pie

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

We Welcome Back 

Native New Yorker; Jersey Girl; Mets Fan in Arizona

Anna Brice

ninety-six minutes

In the immortal words of Cyndi Lauper, money changes everything.  All these years later it appears she's never been more right.  If you're familiar with the old expression that life imitates sports and sports imitates life, then you're aware baseball is no different.  If not, then pay attention kids, because this a future social studies lesson in the making.  Low and behold in major league baseball we have billionaires versus millionaires publicly arguing over, what else, money.  Of course this is only scratching the surface.  How people, fans, and athletes, really feel is now beginning to be revealed.  If a viral pandemic isn't enough to fret over, then brace yourselves because here comes social conflict and the great clash for cash to further complicate the day.  A growing number of Americans want their country re-opened immediately and are taking to the streets in protest against perceived government overreach and public and individual restraint.  And Let's Go Mets!

People can b trained, sure. But viruses r independent contractors in need of a host. It scoffs at what we perceive 2b precautions/safeguards. V's have been obliterating populations long b4 Doc Adams called for the first base-ball convention. Wrong:Easy::Right:Hard. We shall see.

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) May 16, 2020

This is capitalism. Baseball is a business, has been for near 150 years. Owners are the promoters and risk takers. Players sign contracts and collectively bargain their terms of service. Without fans there is no revenue, there is no industry. That is all ..

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) May 16, 2020

Commemorating the 1920 Brooklyn Robins: Championship or Bust for Wilbert Robinson?

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

One Month Into Season Brooklyn Robins Still Enjoying Representative Start. But Is Wilbert Robinson On The Hot Seat?

Looking back Charles Ebbets decision after the 1913 season to fire his dear friend and field manager is clearly the correct one.  The Dodgers in each of their four seasons playing for Bill Dahlen fail to finish above par.  In his final if not his best season at the helm Brooklyn posts a 65-84 record, good enough for sixth place, but clearly no longer good enough for Charlie and his brand new ball park at Sullivan Place.  It also goes without saying the subsequent decision to hire Wilbert Robinson entering the 1914 season pays off both quickly and handsomely.  Backed by an infusion of capital via Charles Ebbets new partnership with the McKeever Brothers, Robinson within three seasons transforms Brooklyn into National League champions.  Himself a former catcher and someone who previously serves under John McGraw as pitcher's coach for the New York Giants, Wilbert Robinson immediately moves to improve his battery.  Brooklyn signs pitchers Jeff Pfeffer, Sherry Smith, and catcher Otto Miller.  In 1915 they bring into the fold veteran Rube Marquard who already enjoys a rapport with Robinson since their days together with the Giants.  With the National League's best team ERA in 1916, the Brooklyn Robins reset the club's all-time attendance record en route to winning their first and to date only pennant of the 20th century.

The very next season Brooklyn plunges headlong into seventh place, eleven games under .500 and a distant 26.5 games out of first.  Never before does the National League witness such a precipitous fall from the mountain's top.  Despite efforts in January of 1918 to further solidify their pitching by trading the unrepentant Casey Stengel to Pittsburgh in exchange for pitchers Burleigh Grimes, Al Mamaux, and infielder Chuck Ward, Wilbert Robinson's club continues toiling in the second division.  Last season's 69-71 record marks the second of back to back fifth place finishes, this one ending 27-games behind the eventual World Champion Cincinnati Reds.  One must now ask if after three disappointing seasons does a fourth consecutive losing campaign place Wilbert Robinson on the same footing whence Bill Dahlen once stood.  To that effect Brooklyn returns this season save for a few patchwork acquisitions with essentially the same team.  Naturally many pundits spend spring training anticipating more of the same out of Brooklyn while regarding their cross town rival Giants ahead of the Pirates and Cubs as top senior circuit contenders for Cincinnati's crown.

Seemingly undeterred the Robins so far are off to a fairly good start, sporting a 12-9-1 record.  They presently occupy third place behind the league leading Reds, and second place Pirates.  However they have become quite taxed of late as six of their last nine games in May extend into extra innings.  On the first day of the month they play a major league record 26-innings at Boston.  The very next day they play 13 innings against Philadelphia at Ebbets Field, and the day after that play another 19 innings back at Boston.  Most recently three of their last four games are decided in extra innings.

Otherwise to Wilbert's delight the Robins are stunting opposing batters with strong pitching.  Burleigh Grimes owns a 1.32 ERA through his first 74.2 innings pitched.  The now veteran Leon Cadore drafted by the Dodgers in 1914 presently owns a 1.28 ERA through 56.1 innings pitched.  And of course there is 32-year old Jeff Pfeffer who although struggling for decisions nonetheless owns a respectable 2.18 ERA through 33.0 innings pitched.  Al Mamaux, Sherry Smith, and Clarence Mitchell, when called upon are likewise performing well.

No longer a rookie still trying to win Wilbert's confidence back in 1914, the now 31-year old Hi Myers in 1919 leads the circuit with 14 triples, 73 runs batted in, and a .436 slugging average.  The Robins center fielder this season is hitting a nifty .345 through 22 games.  Meanwhile soon to be 32-year old Zack Wheat is batting .323, and has hit safely in all but three games to start the season.

This week rumbling skies over St. Louis continued storming down upon Brooklyn's scheduled four game series against the Cardinals at Robinson Field - something Uncle Robbie seems agreeable with.


EARLY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

• 4/14/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Rout Phillies in Season Opener at Ebbets Field
• 4/24/1920 - Burleigh Grimes Hurls Robins Over Phillies 
• 4/26/1920 - Rube Marquard Turns Tables on Giants
• 5/1/1920 - Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves Play in Major League Record 26-Inning Marathon
• 5/13/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Have No Answer for Grover Cleveland Alexander
• 5/15/1920 - Brooklyn Robins Take Second Straight From Cardinals at Robison Field

* Join me this season as I commemorate the Brooklyn Robins 1920 National League championship.  I am recapping each regular season game in real time with a little touch of poetic license, of course.

100 Years Ago Today 5/15/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Second Straight From Cardinals at Robison Field

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #22: Friday, May 15, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Robison Field

Robins Take Second Straight at St. Louis; Al Mamaux After Shaky First Inning Whitewashes Cardinals Over Final Eight.

Brooklyn comes out swinging in game two at Robison Field.  Center fielder Hi Myers drives home the first run of the game as the Robins muster four hits in the opening inning against Cardinals starter Elmer Jacobs.  St. Louis promptly strikes back in the bottom half of the frame.  Robins starter Al Mamaux yields a two out walk to third baseman Milt Stock who then scores on a double by Rogers Hornsby.  First baseman Jim Fournier follows with a hit to left scoring Hornsby for a 2-1 Cardinals lead.  Brooklyn answers in the second inning with four more runs.  Shortstop Chuck Ward delivers home two runs, and another pair cross the plate when St. Louis center fielder Jack Smith mishandles Zack Wheat's liner to center.  After which Cardinals manager Branch Rickey dispatches Elmer Jacobs to the showers.  Taking his turn behind the plate catcher Otto Miller's run scoring double in the seventh off Cardinals reliever Jackie May gives Brooklyn a 6-2 lead.  Hi Myers extends the lead to five in the eighth inning with his second run batted in of the game.  Even Al Mamuax helps his own cause in the top of the ninth with a single and run batted in for an 8-2 final margin of victory.  Making his second start of the season Mamaux yields two runs on five his and six walks with five strikeouts through nine innings full.  At Chicago the Boston Braves bow to the Cubs thus Brooklyn slips back into second place behind Cincinnati.

• May 16 & 17: Rain postpones games three and four.

• RECORD: 12-9 (.571)
• 2nd place; 2 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/14/1920: Brooklyn Robins Take Series Opener at St. Louis

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #21: Thursday, May 14, 1920 - BR

Brooklyn Robins vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Robison Field

Burleigh Grimes Hurls a Gem; Brooks Take Opener at Robison Field

The Robins arrive in St. Louis for this season's first encounter versus the Cardinals.  Brooklyn and the Cards trade runs in the fourth inning.  In the top half Jimmy Johnston connects on a two out double to right, then scores on Zack Wheat's hit to center.  In the bottom half of the frame Cardinals right fielder Cliff Heathcote grounds to third but an errant throw by Jimmy Johnston advances Heathcote all the way to third base.  With one out, second baseman Rogers Hornsby doubles to right scoring Heathcote knotting the game at one.  After which the game remains deadlocked through the ninth.  And for a sixth time in their last nine games Brooklyn battles their opponent into extra innings.  The Robins finally break through in the 14th inning.  Four runs cross the plate but only one is earned as a result of Cardinals third baseman Milt Stock's throwing error.  Otherwise Ivy Olson, Jimmy Johnston, Hi Myers, and Ed Konetchy all hit safely.  Starter Burleigh Grimes retires St. Louis in the bottom half of the frame securing his third victory of the season against two losses.  He yields just one run on seven hits and one walk with nine strikeouts through 14 innings complete.  Cardinals part-time starter Marv Goodwin surrenders five runs, two earned, on eleven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in a representative but tough luck 14-inning effort.  Robins third baseman Jimmy Johnston lifts his average to .309 after a 4 for 6 day at the plate with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in.  Emerging St. Louis star Rogers Hornsby is 2 for 5 with a walk, double, and run batted in.

• RECORD: 11-9 (.550)
• 3rd place; 2 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/13/1920: Brooklyn Robins Have No Answer For Grover Cleveland Alexander

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #20: Thursday, May 13, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Chicago Cubs
Cubs Field

Grover Cleveland Alexander Extends Brooklyn Robins No Quarter

A week of moisture saturated skies over Chicago finally relent permitting the Robins and Cubs to at least salvage the finale of their scheduled three game series.  Brooklyn starter Jeff Pfeffer pitches well.  Making his fourth start of the season he yields two runs, one earned, on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts through eight innings - an otherwise representative performance.  However he is opposed on Thursday by the great Grover Cleveland Alexander, against whom the Robins muster little.  Actually it is Brooklyn whom opens the scoring in the fifth on Rowdy Elliott's leadoff double, an error by Cubs shortstop Charlie Hollocher, and a base hit from Jimmy Johnston scoring Elliott.  But Alexander would yield no more.  The now 33-year old war veteran allows the one unearned run on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts through nine innings full.  After losing his first two decisions to start the season Alexander earns his sixth straight victory.  Chicago likewise scores an unearned run in the bottom half of the fifth against Pfeffer.  Third baseman Charlie Deal reaches on catcher Rowdy Elliott's dropped third strike, and soon scores the tying run on catcher Bill Killefer's one out hit to right.  With one out in the seventh Pfeffer walks second baseman Zeb Terry.  Bill Killefer follows with a hit to right positioning runners on the corners.  After Pfeffer issues his counterpart a base on balls to load the bases, right fielder Max Flack's sac-fly to right scores Terry from third with the go-ahead run and Chicago's eventual margin of victory.  Ivy Olson and Ed Konetchy open the top of the ninth with back to back singles putting runners on the corners.  But after two infield pop-outs, the game ends abruptly when Ivy Olson is tagged out while attempting to steal home.

• May 11-12 @ Chicago postponed due to rain.

• The Chicago Cubs acquire Grover Cleveland Alexander and his battery mate Bill Killefer in December 1917 from the Philadelphia Phillies.  From 1911 through 1917 Alexander five times leads the major leagues in wins; six times wins twenty games or better; and from 1915 through 1917 posts three consecutive 30-win seasons.  Last year in his first full season with Chicago, Alexander posts a 16-11 record with a league best 1.72 ERA.  He has led either his league or the majors in ERA in five of the last six seasons.  Now in his tenth campaign he's resembling  his old self again.

• RECORD: 10-9 (.526)
• 4th place; 4 GB

Mother's Day and Other MLB Minutiae with MMO's Jacob Resnick on Another Metsian Podcast

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

5/10/2020

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

Jacob Resnick 

of Mets Minors and Metsmerized Online

eighty-one minutes

MLB ~ UNION ~ SAFETY ~ MONEY

..and the 1962 Mets

100 Years Ago Today 5/9/1920: Brooklyn Robins Turn Back Phillies in Tenth

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #19: Sunday, May 9, 1920 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Packed Crowd at Ebbets Field Cajole Brooklyn Robins to Victory Over Phillies

The sputtering Robins were back at Ebbets Field this afternoon hosting a one game set against the Phillies before heading west for a slate of games in the week ahead at St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.  Brooklyn enters Sunday's action having won just one game in their last eight attempts.  Yet despite the adverse fortunes in their most recent series at the Polo Grounds, the Brooks are warmly received by a near capacity crowd at their Sullivan Place home.

After three scoreless frames Brooklyn breaks through in the fourth for a trio of runs against Phillies right-hander Lee Meadows.  Base hits from Hi Myers and Ed Konetchy set the table for a Bernie Neis double scoring Myers, and Ernie Krueger's base hit scoring Konetchy.  However Meadows would also help turn the tables when Philadelphia likewise catches up with Brooklyn starter Leon Cadore in the fifth.  Wilbert Robinson watches four runs cross the plate on four hits, a walk, and an error by shortstop Ivy Olson, before summoning Sherry Smith from the bullpen.  Cadore exits on the losing side of a 4-3 game after yielding four runs, three earned, on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts in only 4.1 innings pitched.  But he is quickly taken off the hook when Hi Myers singles leading off the sixth, and comes around to score on a Bernie Neis base hit and error committed by Phillies right fielder Casey Stengel.  The game remains deadlocked through the ninth.  With both starters out of the game into extra innings they go at Ebbets.  But unlike Brooklyn's 26-inning loss against the Braves just six games ago, and unlike their 19-inning loss to the Braves just two days later, and unlike Friday's eleven inning loss at the Polo Grounds, the Robins waste little time achieving a successful end.  With one out in the tenth Brooklyn's self appointed player of the game right fielder Bernie Neis singles to right, promptly steals second, then races home to score the winning run on Ernie Krueger's hit to left.  Mr. Neis is 3 for 4, with a walk, double, a run scored, and two runs batted in.  Catcher Ernie Krueger also enjoys a fine day going 2 for 5 with three runs batted in.  Zack Wheat fails to extend his nine game hit streak.  Although Wheat draws three base on balls, he is held hitless for only the second time this season.  Phillies catcher Mack Wheat, Zack's brother and former Robins team mate, is also held hitless in three at bats.  Brooklyn's Sherry Smith earns the victory with 5.2 scoreless innings in relief of Leon Cadore.  Philadelphia's George Smith takes the loss in relief of starter Lee Meadows.

• RECORD: 10-8 (.555)
• 3rd place; 1.5 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/7/1920: Brooklyn Robins Drop Series at Polo Grounds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #18: Friday, May 7, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Brooklyn Loses Rubber Game in Extras; Giants Win Series.  Robins Fall to Fourth Place

Friday's rubber game is every bit the back and forth contest we've come to expect from these inter city rivals.  Three separate times Brooklyn takes a lead, and three times the Giants counter en route to a series victory at the Polo Grounds.  Bernie Neis in the fourth inning singles home Zack Wheat with the game's first run.  But with one out in the bottom of the fifth Giants third baseman Fred Lear connects off Rube Marquard on his first home run of the season.  In the bottom half of the sixth shortstop Art Fletcher singles home left fielder George Burns for a 2-1 Giants lead.  Burns would again touch home plate in the eighth inning on right fielder Ross Young's base hit.  Entering the ninth trailing by two  Brooklyn finally sizes up Giants starter Rube Benton for three runs on five hits.  However Brooklyn starter Rube Maraquard walks the first batter he faces in the bottom half of the ninth, then serves up a single to High Pockets Kelly putting runners on the corners.  Out from the dugout emerges manager Wilbert Robinson whom summons Clarence Mitchell from the bullpen.  With one out Mitchell walks pinch hitter Mike Gonzalez to load the bases.  George Burns mister popular this day grounds into a fielder's choice freeing up Fred Lear to score the tying run from third.  Into extra innings they go.  In the top of the eleventh inning runs batted in from Ivy Olson and Jimmy Johnston give Brooklyn a 6-4 lead.  But when Fred Lear leads off the bottom half of the frame with a triple off Clarence Mitchell, Uncle Robbie summons Burleigh Grimes from the bullpen.  High Pockets Kelly promptly greets Brooklyn's hurler with another triple to right.  Ross Young's subsequent run batted in and an untimely error by replacement first baseman Ray Schmandt are ultimately Brooklyn's undoing.  A fun time for the roughly 14,000 fans in attendance, perhaps not so much for Wilbert Robinson.  Burleigh Grimes takes the loss, his second of the season.  Starter Rube Marquard yields four earned runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts through eight-plus innings pitched.

* Saturday, May 8, 1920 - Series finale at Polo Grounds is rained out.

• RECORD: 9-8 (.529)
• 4th place; 2 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/6/1920: New York Giants Even Series With Brooklyn Robins at Polo Grounds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #17: Thursday, May 6, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Giants Take Middle Game; Starter Phil Douglas Outlasts Brooks at Polo Grounds

Ivy Olson's grounder to the right side leading off the game is mishandled by Giants second baseman Larry Doyle.  Jimmy Johnson then singles up the middle putting runners on the corners.  Next up Pete Kilduff bounces into a 6-4-3 double play while Olson crosses the plate giving the Robins a prompt 1-0 lead.  A dismayed throng at the Polo Grounds numbering upwards of 10,000 sound off disapprovingly.  But the Giants quickly reconcile the matter with three hits and two runs in the bottom half of the frame.  Potential goat Larry Doyle and center fielder Benny Kauff each drive in a run.  After which, neither team would score again.  For the next eight innings starting pitchers Al Mamaux for the Robins and Phil Douglas for New York decorate the scoreboard with goose eggs.  Making his first start of the season Al Mamaux a former 20-game winner for Pittsburgh yields two earned runs on five hits and no walks with five strikeouts through eight innings in a hard luck loss.  Acquired last year midway through the season by the Giants veteran Phil Douglas allows one unearned run on seven hits and one walk with one strikeout through nine innings for his first victory of the season.  Zack Wheat strokes two doubles in four times at-bat.  He has now hit safely in eight straight, and 16 of Brooklyn's first 17 games to start the season.  The Robins go 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

• RECORD: 9-7 (.562)
• 3rd place; 1 GB

POLO GROUNDS

100 Years Ago Today 5/5/1920: Rested Brooklyn Robins Outlast New York Giants at Polo Grounds

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #16: Wednesday, May 5, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. New York Giants
Polo Grounds

Robins Get Back in Win Column With Series Opening Victory Over Rival Giants at Polo Grounds

It is said around baseball circles get to the good ones early before they settle into a rhythm.  After a sorely needed day off the rejuvenated Robins do just that against Giants starter Jesse Barnes in jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first on four hits and runs batted in from Zack Wheat and Ed Konetchy.  New York counters with a run in the bottom half of the frame with lead-off hitter George Burns singling against Robins starter Clarence Mitchell then scoring from third on a sac-fly off the bat of shortstop Art Fletcher.  Brooklyn adds a crucial insurance run in the third which would prove to be the difference - with two on and one out Ed Konetchy doubles home Hi Myers from second base giving Brooklyn a 4-1 lead.  But of course the Giants rally.  Art Fletcher doubles home his second run of the game in the sixth, and second baseman Larry Doyle promptly follows with a hit scoring Fletcher making it a 3-4 Giants deficit.  However the New Yorkers would score no more.  Burleigh Grimes relieves Clarence Mitchell who he pitches himself into trouble to start off the eighth.  Mitchell exits on the winning side of the contest having allowed three runs, two earned, on just five hits and two walks with two strikeouts through seven innings of work.  Grimes faces nine batters over two scoreless innings for the save.  Jesse "nubby" Barnes a 25-game winner last season for the Giants suffers his third defeat of the season against two victories.  He yields four runs, three earned, on twelve hits but no walks, nor a strikeout through eight innings pitched.  Brooklyn third baseman Jimmy Johnston is 4 for 5 with a run scored.  Zack Wheat goes 3 for 5 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in.  Wheat (.357) has now hit safely in 15 of Brooklyn's first 16 games to start the season.  Meanwhile Ed Konetchy extends his team lead with ten runs batted in.

• RECORD: 9-6
• 2nd place; 1 GB

MLB Wants To Do What?

From the desks of: 

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  &  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Mets and Yankees in the Same Division?

To play, or not to play, that is the question.  Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to pursue a modified schedule and potentially risk the health and well being of entire organizations, stadium employees, fans, et al, or continue taking precautions against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end this COVID-19 pandemic.

Extra!  Extra!  Major League Baseball is devising a tentative plan in which they will create three regional divisions of ten teams each.

I do not really care for tooting my own horn ...

Blare the trumpets, please!

I shared this very idea on my podcast back on April 12, 2020; episode #50 to be exact.  But enough about sports and scribes stealing ideas from bloggers, podcasters, and fans.  Let's get to THE PLAN.  First let me say I believe there shouldn't even be a plan.  I'm a proponent of canceling the rest of the season.  That being said, let us separate ourselves from reality.





My plan calls for a 99-game regular season beginning in July and ending first week of October.  Each team will play their division opponent eleven times.  Every other Monday is an off day.  Every Saturday is a double-header limited to seven inning games.  All other games remain nine innings long.  Teams will feature 45-man rosters.  No player will exceed five games per week (pinch hitters/runners not included).  Starting pitchers are limited to five innings.  Implement the DH (which I detest) and electronic strike zone, and any other stupidity Commissioner Manfred can conjure.  Let this season be Baseball's guinea pig or Frankenstein, if you will.

There's no need to play games in minor league facilities, nor kook them up in some contrived village in Arizona and Florida.  Disperse them to their respective regions in a location with two major league parks at their disposal.  The EAST DIVISION can be headquartered in either New York City or the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area; the CENTRAL DIVISION can be headquartered at either Chicago or Texas; and the WEST DIVISION can then be headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area, or Los Angeles/Anaheim.  Two stadiums in each locale can accommodate five games per day (early, midday, and evening) needed to facilitate a ten team daily schedule.

• EAST: Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Orioles, Nationals, Braves, Marlins, Rays, Blue Jays.
• CENTRAL: Twins, Royals, Tigers, ChiSox, Reds, Indians, Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Pirates.
• WEST: Dodgers, Angels, A's, Giants, Mariners, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Astros, Padres.

The top two teams from each division qualify for post-season play, along with two overall Wild Card entrants.  Each of the eight playoff qualifiers will then be seeded.  Best records get fourth game as home team.  Otherwise all playoff series proceed as normal.  I'm completely open to playing out the post-season at a neutral site.  However, the last two teams standing will not play in the World's Series as we know it.  They instead will play for the North American Baseball Championship and donate any and all proceeds to a COVID19 related charity or cause.

A Metsian Podcast Redux With Author Brian Wright

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

a/o April 30, 2019

A METSIAN PODCAST

with SAM, RICH, and MIKE

GUEST

Brian Wright 

author of 

New York Mets All-Time All-Stars

Bracket Challenge

Greatest Mets Moments of All-Time

#LGM

100 Years Ago Today 5/3/1920: Worn Brooklyn Robins Winless In Third Straight Extra Inning Marathon

From the desk of: THE FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #15: Monday, May 3, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston Braves
Braves Field

Brooklyn Robins Play 58 Innings in Three Days With Nary a Victory

Today's summary is not just about simple happenstance regarding the Robins third consecutive extra inning game in as many days.  Ordinarily this sudden trend can be chalked up to the predictable unpredictability of baseball.  Instead Brooklyn's travail is something far more enervating than can be satisfactorily conveyed in the daily boxscores.  This Robins odyssey commences Saturday when they square off for 26 innings against the Braves at Boston.  In doing so the teams set a record for the longest game played in major league history.  However the contest itself regrettably ends in a draw.  That same evening Brooklyn must hop a train back home so as to host the Phillies at Ebbets Field where they subsequently bow in 13 innings to Philadelphia on Sunday.  With no rest for the weary the Brooks return to Boston where today they once again fall to the Braves in 19 innings.  That makes an incredulous 58 innings played, requiring a round trip train ride between Brooklyn and Boston, all within 72 hours time.  Alas, Brooklyn's best efforts go for not as they fail to gain victory in either of the aforementioned contests.

Monday's affair pits a pair of Georgia natives: Robins southpaw Sherry Smith versus Braves starter Dana Fillingim.  Smith helps his own cause in the top half of the fifth when he singles to left and later scores on Jimmy Johnston's base hit to right.  But Smith would also harm his own cause by issuing consecutive walks to center fielder Ray Powell and second baseman Charlie Pick leading off the bottom half of the sixth.  With the bases loaded and one out first baseman Walter Holke lofts a sac-fly to center scoring Pick from third with the tying run.  After which the game remains deadlocked for the next twelve innings.  After retiring the first batter in the bottom half of the 19th inning, Sherry Smith yields consecutive hits to right fielder John Sullivan and Holke.  Third baseman Tony Boeckel promptly follows with another hit to right scoring John Sullivan from third with the winning run.  Making his first appearance of the season Sherry Smith yields just two earned runs on 13 hits and five walks with three strikeouts through 18.1 innings pitched.  Boston's Dana Fillingim allows no earned runs on 12 hits and just four walks with four strikeouts through a full 19 innings pitched for the victory.

Brooklyn is winless in their last four games.  They next open a three game series against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds on Wednesday.

• RECORD: 8-6
• 3rd place; 1 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/2/1920: Weary Brooklyn Robins Outlasted By Philadelphia Phillies

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

EBBETS FIELD TURNSTILE

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS
1920 National League Champions

Game #14: Sunday, May 2, 1920 - BR
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Brooklyn Robins
Ebbets Field

Day After Playing a 26-Inning Marathon at Boston the Taxed and Tired Robins Bow in Thirteen Innings to Phillies at Ebbets Field.

Back home for one game the Robins engage in their second straight extra inning contest in as many days this time playing 13 innings against the Phillies.  Brooklyn after dueling the Braves for a major league record 26 innings on Saturday are forced to hop an evening train from Boston back home for today's single game against Philadelphia at Ebbets Field as the city of Boston does not permit Sunday baseball.

The Philadelphia Phillies open a one run lead in the third.  In the top of the seventh left fielder Bevo LeBourveau's first home run this season extends Philly's lead to three.  The Brooks finally strike back with two runs in the bottom half of the seventh.  After which Zack Wheat's home run in the bottom of the ninth sends the game into extra innings.  However when Philadelphia plates the go ahead run in the top of the 13th inning the understandably haggard Robins fail to counter.

Brooklyn starter Burleigh Grimes (2-1) endures his first defeat of the season upon yielding four runs on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts through 13 innings pitched.  But only two runs are earned as the Robins commit four errors including one by Grimes himself.  Phillies starter George Smith whom two seasons ago pitched briefly for Brooklyn limits the Robins to three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks with two strikeouts through 13 innings for the victory.

Hi Myers goes 2 for 5 with a double and run batted in, and Ed Konetchy notches his team leading eighth run batted in.  Batting cleanup for Philadelphia former Brooklyn Robin Casey Stengel goes 2 for 5 with a walk, a stolen base, and one caught stealing.

The Robins must now hop a train back to Boston where after sitting idly by on Sunday the Braves await Brooklyn's arrival to bring to a conclusion their three game series on Monday.

• RECORD: 8-5 (.571)
• 2nd place; 1 GB

100 Years Ago Today 5/1/1920: Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves Play in Record Setting Marathon

From the desk of: FINGERPRINTS OF THE BUMS

100th Anniversary

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1920 National League Champions

Game #13: Saturday, May 1, 1920 - BR
Brooklyn Robins vs. Boston Braves
Braves Field

Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves Duel 26-Innings With No Conclusion

On this dank Saturday afternoon Brooklyn and Boston set a new major league record for the longest game in baseball history.  For 26-innings and nearly four hours they battle at Braves Field until conditions permit no more play.  Regrettably all their respective efforts go for not as the contest ends in a 1-1 deadlock.  The Robins and Pittsburgh Pirates in 1917 previously set the National League record for longest game with a 22-inning contest.  The former major league record was set in 1906 when the Philadelphia A's and Boston Americans once scrapped for 24-innings.

Society for American Baseball Research: An Extreme Exercise in Futility

Upwards of 4,000 fans in attendance essentially see three games for the price of one.  They watch their home town Braves and visiting Robins battle to an otherwise typical 1-1 affair after six.  Brooklyn opens the scoring in the fifth on Ivy Olson's RBI single scoring Ernie Krueger from second base.  But their lead is short lived.  Boston knots the game on a Walton Cruise triple and Tony Boeckel's two out base hit.  Shortstop Rabbit Maranville then advances Boeckel with a double to center.  But Wally Hood who replaced center fielder Hi Myers as a pinch runner in the fourth throws out Boeckel at home while attempting to score.  In fact neither team would score again.  The Robins take 85 official at-bats with nary an extra base hit.  Only Jimmy Johnston and Zack Wheat register multiple hit games; Johnston is 2 for 10, and Wheat goes 2 for 9 with a walk.  Wheat also has now hit safely in twelve of Brooklyn's first thirteen games.  Meanwhile Boston musters five extra base hits but strand 17 runners on base and hit a mere 1 for 17 with runners in scoring position.  Braves second baseman Charlie Pick owns the distinction of going 0 for 11 with a strikeout.

Mano a mano, each starting pitcher goes the distance.  Boston's journeyman starter Joe Oeschger faces 90 batters, yielding one earned run on nine hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over a full 26 innings pitched.  During one stretch beginning in the eighth Oeschger retires 18 Robins in a row.  Further along he effectively no-hits Brooklyn over his final nine innings pitched.  For Brooklyn making his fourth start of the season and his second against Boston Leon Cadore faces 96 batters, surrendering one earned run on 15 hits and five walks with seven strikeouts likewise over a full 26 innings pitched.  Cadore pitches two separate stretches wherein he retires 15 straight batters followed by another run of 19 straight.  Alas both pitchers for all their galant efforts respectively walk away with a no decision.

• RECORD: 8-4 (.666)
• 2nd place; 1 GB

BRAVES FIELD