IT’S ONLY SEVEN FREAKIN’ GAMES
I’ve been gone for a little while, has anything gone on? What a tumultous first week for the pastime. We’ve already had a bench clearing incident with a suspension, the untimely passing of three baseball figures, and a slew of very interesting ballgames. Oh, by the way, the biggest city in the world just happens to be opening two new ballparks this week. Let me get my head wrapped around all of this quick:
First, my beloved Metropolitans. They’re only 3-4 and very easily could have been 5-2 or 2-5 with a couple of bounces either way. They’ve been ragged in the field and sluggish at times at the plate. Johan Santana has an ERA under 1.00 and 20 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings and is only 1-1. Outside of Santana and a good start by Livan Hernandez, the rest of the rotation has been shaky, at best. And, if you listen to NY sports talk radio and fans who attended the first game at Citi Field, it might be the worst stadium in the history of ballparks or the best. However, we’re all forgetting one pertinent fact: we’ve only played seven games. All of the situations mentioned above have time to adjust themselves or be corrected. For all of us who’ve been pounded the last two Septembers, any stumble is a red flag. But let’s get a grip and stop treating each game like game 7 of the World Series or week 16 of the NFL and realize that there are 154 games left.
I haven’t been to Citi Field as yet, but I am looking forward to going. From all accounts it is a strikingly beautiful ballpark. But to listen to NY sports radio it is filled with obstructed views, long concession lines, poor exits, not enough of a Mets presence with too much of a nod to the Dodgers. We figured all this out in 1 game. Again people it’s the FIRST game. Everything we heard or saw about Citi Field occured when the building was empty. Now that we’ll have action on a daily basis, they’ll be plenty of time to iron out the kinks. Oh yeah, by the way, the previous stadium was a DUMP. Our dump, but a dump nonetheless. Let’s take a second to stop being typical New Yorkers and give the Mets a chance to fix whatever needs to be fixed.
Condolences to the families of Nick Adenhart, Harry Kalas, and Mark Fidrich all gone far too soon.
Wow, it really shall be Livan!
So much for Freddy Garcia. Livan Hernandez seems to emphatically and effectively ended the Mets search for a 5th starter. So much so that the Mets optioned Jon Niese to Triple-A Buffalo and are contemplating releasing not ready Freddy and his 16.71 ERA. If you hold a gun to Omar Minaya’s head(not that I’m advocating that, of course) I think he might say he wanted Hernandez in that spot all along. Livan has been a known innings eater in his career, in fact last year was the first time since 2000 that he failed to pitch at least 200 innings. He doesn’t have a great fastball, usually topping out mid 80′s, and he gives up a hit for every inning pitched, but he’ll keep his team in games and spare the bullpen extra work.
Livan’s experience and influence seems to have had a positive effect on another Mets hurler. After watching Livan use his sinking fastball inside to lefties and having success with that pitch, Mike Pelfrey started using that pitch in his start against Houston on Thursday. He froze Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui for strikeouts.If you remember Rick Reed used to use that pitch to neutralize lefties. I seem to remember some journeyman named Greg Maddux having a little success with that pitch also(just kidding). Pelfrey also used his curve which Dan Warthen has taken out of mothballs, getting Lance Berkman to pop out. Pelfrey pitch economically also, just using 67 pitches in 6 innings. I’m sure the Mets would love the idea of Pelfrey establishing himself and his power sinker as the # 2 behind Mr. Santana. Also his size(6’7″ 230lbs) might negate some of the concern about the high number of innings he logged in only his 2nd full year(200 2/3). I’m looking forward to seeing him go this year. if he can command all his pitches effectively, the Mets might have a solid #2 and a future ace.
Snow Day
To all my fellow east coast dwellers, don’t you just love wintertime. Who wants to live on the West Coast with the beautiful weather and sunny days, when you have the magical mystery tour that we have. Just 5 days ago, we were calling it t-shirt weather. Not today. NYC and Philly 12 inches, Boston up to 15 inches, possibly, even down south got hit with 6 inches. Anyway it’s a perfect day to curl up with a book or watch exhibition baseball. I plan to do both.
Fortunately the news on Mr. Santana’s elbow seems to have improved after a bullpen session yesterday. Johan threw about 35 pitches described at about 85% of his usual effort. He reported no pain, and will see the Met doctors in Fla.,instead of the originally planned MRI in NYC. The inclement weather did play a role in that decision. It’s too early for any sigh of relief until he’s issued a clean bill of health and until we see him in a game, but it’s better than it was this time yesterday.
The spring rosters of all 30 teams have undergone a drastic change due to the WBC. The Mets, for example, have a large contigent going including their core of Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Delgado. For the next couple of weeks we’ll all be looking at the guys in camp who are fighting for jobs and praying for no injuries at the WBC. Interesting little twist in that for the Dominican team you could have Reyes at short and A-Ro(i)d at third and for the US Jeter at short and Mr. Wright at third. Go figure. Some sort of Met/Yankee fan dream/nightmare universe.
Usually the pitchers are a little ahead of the hitters the early part of the spring. Not this year. Some of the scores yesterday: Mets 13, ‘Stros 1; Reds 13, Yanks 11; Cards 14, Marlins 10; D-Backs 9, A’s 7;Sea 13,Tex 6. A couple of blowouts and some football scores mixed in for good measure. The ability for players to stay in good shape all winter where their counterparts from 30 & 40 yrs ago had to get winter jobs helps these guys be almost game ready from the first day of camp.
Friday Notes
There goes the undefeated season. Mets lose to Cards 9-8 in PSL today. Livan Hernandez pitched two scoreless. Freddy Garcia, not so much.Garcia gave up 4 runs, 2 earned, and did not look like he had good command at all. Valiant comeback in 9th battling back from 5 runs down sparked by a Bobby Kielty 3-run jack. However it was all in vain. Oh well have to settle for 1st no-hitter this year, hopefully. They were able to beat Italy’s WBC team 5-4 in the morning game. Mike Pelfrey pitched 2 scoreless with 4 K’s.
Originally in the 1st game of the split squad vs. the Italian WBC team, Mr. Santana was to throw. He was scratched due to elbow soreness. The word has come down in the last hour or so that Johan will be scratched from his scheduled start against the Cards this coming Tuesday. The official word is that his soreness is due to the extra bullpen sessions designed to test the knee that was operated on after the season ended. There has been no setbacks with that, however with the extra time this year due to the WBC there was no need to rush. Anytime your ace gets scratched two times in a row there’s cause for concern, however I guess it’s better to err on the side of caution. Anyway I’d much rather see him on April 6 vs, the Reds than on Tues Mar. 3 vs. the Cards.
The Mets announced the signing of Ron Villone to a minor league contract. Villone pitched for the Cards last year and compiled a 1-2 record with a 4.68 ERA. Lefties batted only .176 against him. Another example of the Mets stockpiling lefty arms and hoping that someone possibly sticks coming out of camp this year. Ron is 39 years old to go along with 38 year old Tom Martin who was signed earlier. Casey Fossum pitched two scoreless innings as another candidate to be a second lefty to go along with Pedro Feliciano.
Black History month is almost to completion. Got to see two really outstanding programs on MLB Network.”The Enduring Spirit of Roberto Clemente” and “Pride and Perseverance, The story of the Negro Leagues”. Very inspiring stories. The great Clemente who died in a plane crash leaving Puerto Rico on a humanitarian journey to earthquake ravaged Nicaragua New Year’s Eve 1972, is still revered not only in PR but all around the world. MLB did a wonderful thing last year by including Negro League stars in the draft last year and having each team “draft” a Negro League star. While nothing can erase the injustice that occured to these pioneers, the Majors continue to make strong efforts to honor these great men. I just hope that one day they get around to electing Buck O’Neill posthumously to the Hall Of Fame.
Random Thoughts
Mets beat the Marlins today 9-0. Oliver Perez pitched two scoreless with three K’s. Jose Reyes went yard twice including a grand slam and had 6 rbi. Carlos Beltran hit a two-run shot in the 6th and Jose Castillo continues showing promising signs with a hit,2 walks,a stolen base, and 2 runs scored. Couple that with the two hits and 4 rbi he got yesterday in the spring opener(9-3 Mets over Baltimore) Mr. Castillo is hitting a tidy .750 in the spring. I know, I know it’s only spring and just two games at that, but you look for promising signs, especially if the Mets are serious about the proposed lineup change of Luis batting 1st and Jose batting 3rd.
Had a good first baseball day. I’m on vaca from work so I was able to watch Cleveland-SF at Cleveland’s lovely new spring home in Goodyear,Az and I got to watch the Sox play Minnesota. MLB Network carried both contests yesterday. No RemDog yesterday on NESN(What’s up with that, Julia?) I wonder who’s got the lead in the shortstop battle in Boston. I like the look of Jed Lowrie and I wonder what happened to Julio Lugo. I was hoping the Mets could have acquired him a couple of winters ago when he was a free agent. His speed and pop would have looked good at the top of the lineup paired with Reyes.
Nice day yesterday for Mr. Rodriguez. This was bound to be a crucial year for him even before the steroid troubles. If the Yanks after spending what they did to improve the team, fail again a lot of the blame will fall on A-Ro(i)d, fair or unfair. He will most certainly have to have one of those special playoff years like Clemente had in ’71, or Reggie had in ’77 to get the wolves off of him. Now with the steroid issue and Selena Roberts book coming out, it will be a zoo for him just about all year. The way he can answer is having days similar to yesterday, 2 walks, and a homer.
A negative by-product of all the steroid talk is when someone you respect gets caught up. Joel Sherman writes in today’s NY Post about a conversation he had with one of my all time faves, Michael Piazza. The point is how we will all view the players who had great years in the late 90′s with a jaundiced eye. Mike has had whispers about him because he was a 62nd round draft pick who was signed by the Dodgers as a favor to Tommy Lasorda, who transformed into,arguably, the greatest offensive catcher in history. Until we know who did what we’ll always suspect that some things we witnessed just did not ring true. It’s a shame if Mike has to wait a year or two before he gets into Cooperstown, because of an unconfirmed rumor or suspicious thoughts. At the same time, I don’t think anyone would be surprised if something came out that showed that Mike’s career had chemical help. If only because nothing would surprise us anymore. That’s the shame of the steroid era.
One of the best days of the Year
The first day of actual spring training games. Feels like spring. It’s only about 40 degrees in good ol’ NY, but it feels like I can go out in a t-shirt. Only about 3 regulars are going to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Orioles(Castillo, Church and Murphy), but it’s just good to have baseball back. Any sports fan will tell you that the time in February between the Super Bowl and the start of Spring Training games is almost torture, especially if you’re only a casual basketball and hockey fan(which I’m not, but the Knicks and Rangers give me agita).MLB Network is showing a couple of games on today starting at 3 and the first Mets game will appear on SNY tomorrow at 1pm.
Thanks to Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com for the cool photo.
The Great Santana
Was watching UltiMet Classics on SNY today. Replayed next to last game of last season. Maybe you heard what happened. Johan Santana three days after beating the Cubs and throwing a career high 125 pitches, throws a complete game, 3-hit shutout with 9 k’s. Oh yeah, as it turns out, he did it on one leg, as he had surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee just days after the season. Seems the pain affected him for a good part of the second half of the season. A second half where he went 8-0 with a 1.82 ERA. Joel Sherman of the NY Post puts it a whole lot better than I can in his article today.
I don’t usually make a point of thanking the Yankees for much, but thanks for passing on Santana when all it might have taken to acquire him would have been Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera. If you look at it this way, passing on him wound up costing the Yankees $243 million this off season because they had to sign the top two pitchers on the market(Sabathia & Burnett) at a prohibitive cost when they could have had the best in the sport for about $137 million last year. The Red Sox also passed on him, but the Sox have a ton of quality pitching, however they might have been able to use him when Josh Beckett came up lame late in the season and into the playoffs. The story in Flushing ended badly, but that doesn’t erase the pleasure it was to watch this craftsman perform. The good fastball and that Bugs Bunny change-up. With any bullpen support(The pen blew 7 potential Santana victories) Santana would have bested phenom Tim Lincecum in the Cy Young voting. I’m just very glad he’s on our team. Joel Sherman also describes in his HardBall Blog that Santana has taken Ollie Perez under his wing trying to improve Ollie’s sometimes questionable concentration. If he can help with that he’s worth every penny and actually might be underpaid.
Obsess Much?
Cole Hamels of the Phightin’ Phils is at it again. The Phils are showing themselves to be classy, quiet, dignified winners in the spirit of, well I can’t think of anyone right now. That’s because most world championship ballclubs don’t spend as much time thinking and talking about the second place team in the division as the Phillies talk about the Mets. Jose Reyes said it best last week before the new Hamels comment came out.
“We don’t worry about Philly. I don’t know why they worry so much about the New York Mets. They can talk about whatever they want to, because we worry about us. They are the one to win the World Series, not us, and we don’t say nothing about them. We just say congratulations to the Phillies. We focus on them when we play them, but they always seem like they’re talking something about us, and I don’t know why.
“We worry about the New York Mets, not other teams. They have to be happy because they won the World Series — why do they focus on us? What did I do to them? If we win the World Series, everybody is going to be happy and not worry about other teams.”
Jose, I couldn’t have said it better than that so I won’t even try. I will say this. The one thing you never want to do is keep poking at a sleeping bear. Even with the two collapses, the Mets only finished 1 game behind in ’07 and 3 games behind in ’08, so it’s not as if the Mets were pounded into oblivion. The Mets until they prove that they can overcome whatever adversity they face in September or just blow the doors off the Phillies will have to deal with barbs thrown their way.
Murphy’s Law and other musings
After a few days away, it’s good to back in the swing of things. Speaking of swings, Jerry Manuel took a big one yesterday, and you can say that it’s straight out of left field. It appears young Daniel Murphy won’t be platooning after all but has been anointed by the manager as the starting left fielder.
As with anything associated with these Mets, there’s potential for greatness of for peril. Daniel Murphy has played all of 49 major league games so this is quite a bit of faith that Manuel is putting in him. However Murph has the look of a gamer and a professional hitter even at this young stage. Inevitably if he starts slow and lets the pressure get to him, the Manny rants will begin again in earnest. Jerry also stated that he thinks that Murphy is a more consistent left handed hitter than Ryan Church, which could be perceived as a slap to Church. It’s obvious based on how he finished and what’s happened in his career thus far`that Ryan still has a lot to prove. I personally think he’ll do well. He handled NY better that I thought coming here for the first time after playing in much smaller markets. He was arguably the Met MVP in April and May until he collided with Yunel Escobar of the Braves trying to bust up a double play. After that and being sidelined with a concussion he wasn’t the same player upon is return. What this potential move also does is move Fernando
Tatis into more of a super sub role off the bench. A role in which he could excel. Tatis is in his mid 30′s and a reduced role could increase his effectiveness and most certainly strengthen the bench. Expect Tatis to see time spelling David Wright at third, Carlos Delgado at first, along with subbing at both corner outfield positions. This announcement seems to go hand in hand with all of Manuel’s team first mantra that’s been preached so far this spring.
Speaking of spring, every article I’ve read seems to rave about the camp that Jerry and is staff are running. There’s a looseness that wasn’t seen in the Willie Randolph-led camps. While getting their work done, the guys seem more relaxed and having more fun. Whether this translates into a few more wins in September is anyone’s guess, but I guess it couldn’t hurt.
Who really is The Team to Beat?
My best friend Andre is a great guy. Has a wonderful family, a beautiful wife, the prettiest baby girl for whom I am proud to be godfather. He is a Mets fan, but baseball is his number 2 sport. He is first and foremost a football fan and his team is the Philadelphia Eagles. He has family there and we’ve driven down there on occasion to visit them and to bring home a carload(that’s no exaggeration) of cheesesteaks. I’m a Jets fan so we really don’t have any real beef over football. The problem I have is that the Eagles play in Philly and I have developed a deep-seated, almost irrational dislike of Philadelphia. It is solely because of their baseball team. The Phillies irk me, not because they’ve beaten us the last two years. Heck, the way we played we didn’t deserve to win it anyway. It’s the way that even in victory they have a way of coming off smarmy.
From their homer media guys, to their announcers openly wishing Reyes would get drilled in the head after celebrating a huge homer the night after a bad loss, to Jimmy Rollins taking time out of his victory speech to rub the Mets noses in it again, what used to be a nothing rivalry has become our version of Yankees-Sox. Which makes comments like what K-Rod said over the weekend, almost apologetically saying that the Mets were the team to beat, both endearing and annoying. Because until we can drive a stake through them in September or just blow them out through a season like ’86 and ’06 all the talk doesn’t mean a thing. However, I like the fact that he came here committed to taking them on and his willingness to stick his neck out with really no proof (yet) that his new team has what it takes to hurdle the Phillies in September.
So for now I have to grudgingly give them the nod as the team to beat. They seemed dead in the water in ’07 and ’08 and played their best ball exactly when we didn’t. They have a room full of tough, if not entirely gracious, winners. Good for them. I look forward to every battle. I just want to have the team that brings home the trophy this year. Maybe that will make the next cheesesteak run with Dre all the more sweeter.
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