Mets Lifer

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

This Week's Sign the Apocalypse Is Upon Us
2007-10-02 14:49:00
Kaz Matsui just made the playoffs last night. Is there nothing left that is good and right in this world?Next thing you know Rey Ordonez will bat .300 for the Braves next year.
More About: Apocalypse , Sign

Metsradamus Delivers Manifesto on Historical Meltdown
2007-10-02 02:36:00
Do yourself a favor and check out The Manifesto , from the brilliant blog, The Musings and Prophecies of Metstradamus.
More About: Historical , Deli

Magic Eight Ball Look Into 2008
2007-10-01 20:37:00
Let's give the Magic 8 Ball a shake and see what's ahead for the Mets in 2008 .Q: Will Paul Lo Duca return to the Mets?A: Outcome not favorable.As much as I love Paulie Walnuts and his flare, I don't see the Mets resigning a catcher who's entering the last years of his career. Look for the Mets to run at Posada, but have him stay with the Yankees. I salivate at the thought of Saltilimacchia, but probably won't happen.Q: Will Tom Glavine finally retire?A: Ask again laterTom, Tom, Tom. I don't care if you retire you just have to get out of New York. You, Terry Pendleton, Mike Soscia, and Yadier Molina have ruined my recent Mets hopes and aspirations.Q: Will Willie Randolph be fired?A: Not likelyAs much as I second guess Willie Randolph and absolutely abhor some of the moves he made this year, he wasn't the reason the Mets lost. Sure he needed to show some more urgency and perhaps a little more fire in his belly, but this team collapsed in spite of Randolph. Expect him to finish ...

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger (And More Angry)
2007-10-01 18:36:00
I've been talking with fellow Mets Lifers all day. We're sharing battle scars and condolences. Even non-Mets fans are expressing their concern for me, offering a shoulder to cry on or a simple hug.But then there are those who you just want to punch in the face. The annoying Yankee fan who comes in and says, "You were talking about the Mets all year and now look what happened. Mets stink." Now this is from a person who hasn't watched a full Yankees game all year except for games they went to. This is also a person who wanted them to lose earlier in the year just to spite A-Rod. This is also a person whom I hardly discuss baseball with so it's not like I've been rubbing in their face that the Mets were having a good year.Then there's the annoying Phillies' fan who emails me "Why are you disappointed? Just keep watching those Mets in October . . . ohhhhhhhhhh, wait. oh, sorry 'bout that." I can't even reply to that.I'm sure we'll all face more of this in the coming days/week...
More About: Angry , Kill , Stronger

This is Tom Glavine
2007-10-01 14:58:00
Here's a quote from Tom Glavine after yesterday's game:“I’m not devastated. I’m disappointed, but devastation is for much greater things in life. I’m disappointed, obviously, in the way I wanted to pitch. I can’t say there is much more I would have done differently.”Breakout the pitchforks, I'm gathering a hunting party and we won't stop until we find Glavine.Can you believe this? Even if this is what you think, you don't say that to the New York media after you single-handedly ruined the lives of every Mets fan on the planet.Bryan and I have talked repeatedly about how Glavine was a guy you never truly accepted as a true Met. But this year he had me fooled. I started thinking this guy was coming around. Nope.He wanted to go to Atlanta after last year, but they didn't want him. He came to the Mets for the money, but always wished he stayed with the Braves.But guess what will be more memorable for Mets fans, Glavine winning his 300th game as a Met or what he did on ...

Black Monday
2007-10-01 14:49:00
This is Black Monday . Here's why. As Mets fans we have to go into work today and deal with the Yankees fans. Sure they made the playoffs and we committed the biggest choke job in sports history, but you'd think Yankees' fans would have some decency and let us wallow in our misery. But no.Also every major sports outlet today is talking about the collapse. We'll here about what games they should have won, but didn't. Who need to go. What needs to be added. We won't be able to suffer in peace.But the worst part is if your a Mets Lifer is that postseason baseball is on, and you won't be watching because you know our beloved Mets should be playing. I have to go on a business trip where people will want to go out and watch the games after meetings, but I don't think I want anything to do with postseason baseball this year.You see I'm already thinking about 2008. It's sad, I know. But it's how I deal.One thing that makes me happy is the fact that Tom Glavine might be pitching fo...

Profound Heartache
2007-09-30 23:27:00
This is a picture of me when I was just 4 or 5 years old, back when Joe Torre used to manage the orange and blue. That would be 1976 or so. Boy, how I loved going to the games back then and yell Joe Torre’s name, “Hey…Joe Toyeee” My family used to tease me because I couldn’t pronounce it properly. I was just a simple, innocent little Mets fan at that time, didn’t care about wins and losses, I just loved the game. I look at that picture now and think; how happy I look, if I only knew the agony that lay ahead. Nearly 30 years later, I have never felt as bad as I do right now as a Mets fan. Sure I’ve experienced heartbreak many times before; I was at Game 7 last year; and Game 4 of the ’88 NLCS. Those stung real bad. That’s just part of being a baseball fan; you go in to this thing knowing you’re going to be crushed at some point or another. Even Yankees fans have felt heartache. As a Mets fan, heartbreak is an inherent extension of our being. It’s just there...
More About: Profound

Disgraceful
2007-09-30 23:25:00
You let us down, Mr. Glavine. It wasn't all your fault, but mostly it was.

The 8 Game Lead
2007-08-27 00:36:00
The Mets are a win and a Braves & Phillies loss away from the elusive 8 game lead. Earlier last week I posted about what size lead would make me comfortable with the Mets chances to win the NL East. 8 games was my magic number.But with a 7 game set with the Braves and Phillies coming up next week, I'm thinking 10 game lead would be nicer.Still it's great to see the Mets finally push past the 5 game lead wall they've hit dozens of times this year. The bats still haven't cooled. The starting pitching is holding. And the bullpen. . .well, what can you say about that.With a win tonight, the Mets have a real chance to bury the Phillies/Braves next week. We know the Mets' bats love Citizens Bank Park, but it's that Turner Field that keeps me up at night.Let's finish the Dodgers first though. One game at a time, and we'll build that lead.
More About: Game , Lead

I Can See the Light
2007-08-26 04:48:00
Mets win...Phillies and Braves lose...7 game lead.And I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For the better part of three months, I felt like I was hurling through Stanley Kubrick's (one of my favs) space travel sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey. You know that surreal, 20 minute scene where you're not exactly sure what's going on...you're slightly confused, uncertain about where this bizarre trip is going to take you? Well, finally I'm beginning to feel like this wild trip of a regular season is going to stop with a second straight NL East title. And that feels good. I can only hope this post season is not a sequel from last season.A rematch with St. Louis would be nice. Nothing like a little vengeance to erase the nightmare.
More About: Light

Why Can't Brad Penny Be on the Braves?
2007-08-25 16:15:00
Do the Mets love Brad Penny or what? Penny is always so nice to the Mets. Penny has become the new Randy Johnson, the stellar pitcher that the Mets seem to always beat. Penny has great stuff, but he gave up a few too many walks and had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with uber-stud David Wright.Wright was a man amongst boys last night. The opposite field home run he hit was pure arm strength as he flicked his bat at an outside pitch and nailed it over the right field fence. Then Wright made two spectacular plays in the field. The one where he bare-handed the ball after it bounced off Oliver Perez's glove whie moving in the opposite direction was just insane. Play of the year for the Mets so far. (kudos to Lastings' diving catch too)But I did love the fact that Willie Randolph left Oliver Perez in the game thru 7 innings. 119 pitches, 0 runs, 3 hits, 6 K's. Stellar performance. Of course the bullpen came in and gave up 2 runs and scared the pants off me that they were going to...
More About: Braves , Aves

Green's Swing
2007-08-25 14:35:00
Now I know he didn’t play last night, but I think I know what’s wrong with Sean Green. He needs a lighter bat. Every time I see him swing at a pitch, he looks like he’s wielding a Redwood. Either that or my boy needs to get in the weight room, down some vanilla milk shakes from Carvel (personal fav) or call Bonds*. Sean, ditch the 34oz for the 32oz. and you’ll finally catch up to those big league heaters. Who knows, you might even hit one out. Call me if you need further instruction.
More About: Swing

The Elvis of Mets Blogging Digs Our Site
2007-08-25 13:59:00
This site has made it to the Big Leagues, ladies and gentlemen! Yesterday, Matt Cerrone of Mets Blog, gave our little blog a big shout out for ... 'doing an outstanding job'...and for having 'a cool logo'. In the blog universe, this is the equivalent of being blessed by the Pope. Thanks, Matt!Check out the other cool blogs that Matt mentions as well. My Summer Family - Just checked it out...very clever, and funny.Blastings! Thrilledge - We're already fans of this one. Big Ups!The Metwork - Witty, smart, sharp and they review films, which is a past time of mine. Love a good movie.Thanks for reading everyone!
More About: Elvis , Blogging , Site

Need a Win Tonight
2007-08-24 23:36:00
I need a “W” tonight. I’m still reeling from that bitter defeat last night and need to get the bad taste out of my mouth as quickly as possible. And the fastest route to shed the carnage would be by winning tonight’s game against the Dodgers.It’s also important for the Mets to get back on track as they were on a nice streak, winning 7 out of 8, and suddenly they lose two in a row. If they make it three, that doubt, that inherent pessimism I thought I had vanquished until October will begin to creep back in and devour me.So, Mr. Oliver Perez, please go out and get that first Mets’ no-hitter.
More About: Tonight , Toni

A Place for Gotay
2007-08-24 21:52:00
It's been well documented here at Mets Lifer that I have an unhealthy obsession with Ruben Gotay. What can I say I love the guy. I like his bat, his speed, his attitude. I want the Mets to find a spot for this kid now that Luis Castillo is here (and by the way the Mets need to sign him after the season).After much pondering I've had an epiphany. Ruben Gotay is our newest addition to the Mets bullpen.Think about it. Ok so he's never pitched a day in his life, so he might give up a few hits/home runs/big innings. Is that any different than the three headed monster that is Mota/Schoeneweiss/Selee? I'm sure over time he could be just as good as Mota is when he's not on steroids.Plus you wouldn't have to pinch hit for him. He could bat for himself and provide you with some solid ABs, good hitting with runners on base, and save your bench.I think this has potential. How much worse could the bullpen be with Gotay?
More About: Place

Delgado Is Scared At the Plate
2007-08-24 19:16:00
What a difference twelve months make. Last year at this time, Delgado was approaching 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He might still do it this year, but then again the Mets bullpen might throw 42 consecutive scoreless innings.Delgado looks scared at the plate. Not his demeanor, but his embodiment shows me he's lost all confidence and is extremely timid. He reminds of that kid in Little League that when he got up you just knew he was up there to hold the bat on his shoulder and pray for a walk. Case in point, last night in the 9th inning with Wright on 3rd and Beltran on 1st I thought it would be the turning point for Delgado. He was going to get up and pound the ball over the right field fence for a walk off home run. He'd be out of his slump and back in the graces of Mets nation.I have never seen a batter so desperate, yes desperate, to draw a walk than Delgado. Delgado looked like he wanted no part of this situation and appeared frightened. I was happy that he drew a walk, but I was...
More About: Scared

Thoughts on the Return of Pedro
2007-08-24 16:24:00
In an email from Jerry K., he asks what my take is on the future of Pedro .When the Mets signed Pedro Martinez after the 2004 season, I was just as shocked as anyone. I vividly remember the day they signed him. A co-worker of mine had some sources in the Mets organization and he received an email that said Pedro was getting his physical ‘as we speak’ – before anyone knew the deal was signed.At the time, rumors were rampant that Omar was hot on the enigmatic right hander, but I never thought it would happen. I actually didn’t want it to happen either. I didn’t want the Mets to grossly overpay for a guy who was clearly past his prime and was doomed for the DL. Plus, his reputation in Boston was less than stellar. He was aloof, and considered a selfish jerk. Didn’t want him, didn’t need that type of personality on the team.So when news start to trickle down that the Mets were signing Martinez, my co-worker and I scrambled out of work to listen to WFAN in the car. Sure enou...
More About: Thoughts , Return , The Return

Who Would You Choose?
2007-08-24 15:17:00
It's the bottom of the ninth and the bases are loaded with 2 outs. Vladimir Guerrero is up next. It's game 7 of the World Series. Billy Wagner has just pulled a hamstring and you have to replace him with someone from your bullpen. You look at your roster card and here's the pitchers that are available:-Scott Schoenweis-Aaron Selee-Aaron Heilman-Guillermo MotaWho do you choose? By the way death is not an option.This is my nightmare. Heaven help us if the Mets are put in a situation like that, never mind the World Series, even against the Braves or Phillies this is horrible.But really, which guy do you go with? Heilman and Mota will give up a home run. Schoenweis is good for at least a base hit. Selee is walk prone. Go ahead pick your poison.At this point, I'd have to go with Heilman and pray that he's having a good day. He's gotten out of jams like 1st and 3rd with no one out so I guess I'd have to choose Heilman.But in the back of my mind, Yadier Molina is lurking. So leave a...
More About: Choose

A Tale of Two Feelings
2007-08-24 14:30:00
In Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, he starts with an iconic line that pretty much sums up last night's game as well as the entire series against the Padres. Dickens writes:"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."Yeah, that pretty much sums it up for me. Last night's emotional roller coaster of a game saw both highs and lows. From the lows of Tom Glavine's pitching performance to the highs of Marlon Anderson's home run. From the highs of tying the game in the ninth to the lows of Heilman giving up a home run in the tenth.These comeback rallies feel like October baseball, but what makes me feel uncomfortable is that we're losing these games. And our bullpen is completely unreliable. Even Wagner has stumbled. I think Guillermo Mota has some bad pitching disease that is infectious and is spreading throughout the bullpen. The only remedy is to purge the host! Sorry, I'll calm down.I love these exciting games, but only when we WIN them. The Padres are a to...
More About: Feelings

I Was Dead Wrong About Marlon Anderson
2007-08-24 14:24:00
In July when the Mets picked up Marlon Anderson , I didn't understand the move. In fact I thoroughly trashed the guy, basically questioning his manhood and reason for living, in a post in mid-July.I'm here to tell you I was dead wrong about Marlon Anderson. Dead wrong.As Ron Darling put it last night, Marlon Anderson may very well be the best bat off the bench in the National League. Now he doesn't have the best average, or the best power, or the best all-round player, but Anderson knows how to hit in spots. On Tuesday night, he came through in the 9th with a huge hit. Last night he absolutely crushed a 3-run homer into the right field seats. I don't think Delgado has hit a ball as hard and far as Anderson did last night.The guy knows his role, which you have to appreciate. I do like the fact that he's got some speed in him too. I originally thought Willie Randolph was going to play him every day in left until Alou came back, and that's what mostly made me question his being on...
More About: Wrong

The Return of the Heart Breaker
2007-08-24 04:36:00
After David Wright's sac fly to to tie the game in the 9th, I thought for sure we were going to win. I was going to lead this post with "I love this game" because this was a regular season classic and baseball truly is the greatest game on earth. Instead, I will say that I hate this game because this, was a classic heart breaker and this stings. Why do I love this game?As baseball fans, and Mets Lifers, we are all too familiar with these defeats. It is in our DNA. You're a Mets fan, you shall suffer. Whether you endure a Game 7 NLCS loss, or an important regular season contest, we are bound to be heart broken. Which is why I prefer to lose early, rather than late; get blown out, rather than get teased.Many times I find myself trying to rationalize this game, my passion for this team. 'It's only a game, what's the big deal?'or 'They're just a bunch of overpaid athletes playing baseball, wearing blue and orange uniforms in Queens.' Never works. As much as I try to keep things...
More About: Breaker , Heart , Return , The Return , Return of the

Should Reyes & Wright Get a Day Off?
2007-08-24 02:47:00
I keep hearing Gary Cohen and the guys on SNY talk about how Reyes & Wright will need a day off going into the home stretch of the season. Reyes & Wright have played virtually every game this season and are rarely subbed for so they have logged some serious innings.But does that really matter? These are two young guys under the age of 25. And has everybody forgotten about guys like Cal Ripken, Miguel Tejada or Tony Gwyn who never had off days and were still able to produce.I understand that a long season can wear you down, but has anybody asked them if the need an off day? I'm not sure they want to be out of the lineup, especially with the Mets harldy having the NL East in the bag. And with the bullpen and starting pitching being the way it is we definitely need those two consistent bats in the lineup.Reyes and Wright can have all of November and December off, except for that ticker tape parade we'll have in early November.

What Size Lead Makes You Comfortable?
2007-08-23 20:30:00
The Mets are currently tied with the Red Sox for the largest game lead in the majors at 5. The Mets have never had a lead larger than 5 games for the entire season. Which begs the question how many games do the Mets need to lead by to make you feel comfortable they'll win the division?Last year, a 5 game lead would have made me plenty comfortable. Our bullpen was rock solid. The offensive production was there. I felt confident that every game we took the field we had a shot to win it.I've gotten that feeling back over the past week, but it's not completely there yet. Right now in my humble estimation it would take an 8 game lead to make me feel comfortable that this team is going to clinch the pennant. This year an 8 game lead is almost insurmountable. During September the Mets, Braves & Phils all play each other for almost two weeks straight. The way these teams beat up on each other it will be difficult for any one team to really overtake an 8 game lead unless they went on ...
More About: Size , Lead , Comfort

Milledge in the Postseason
2007-08-23 17:10:00
Let's not get ahead of ourselves yet. The Mets have by no means locked up a spot in the postseason, but last night's game against the Padres and Jake Peavy had me considering Milledge 's roll in the postseason lineup.Lastings Milledge has been a great asset to this team in the second half. He's hitting for average, but also getting big hits with men on base and clutch hits as was evident on Tuesday night. He should absolutely start in front of Shawn Green for the rest of the year.Last night I thought would be a good test for Milledge facing a stellar starter in Jake Peavy. Peavy is the type of pitcher that Milledge would face in the playoffs on a regular basis. Milledge struggled mightily last night going 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts. There wasn't a single at bat where Milledge looked comfortable at the plate.I can see Milledge struggling come playoff time. There are very few young players who perform well in their first postseason appearance, so we need to keep getting Green some ...
More About: Postseason , Seas

Jose Reyes: Mets Stolen Base King
2007-08-23 15:27:00
Jose Reyes passed Roger Cedeno last night for the Mets ' single season record for stolen bases with his 67th stolen base.My hat's off to you Jose, but I do expect seasons of 90 and possibly 100 stolen bases before his career is over. I also love the fact that when he gets thrown out it doesn't stop him from stealing the next time he's on base.I'd love to see Reyes grab 85 bases before this year is out. Larceny attitude, my fellow Mets Lifers, gotta love it.
More About: Stolen , King , Jose Reyes

10 Things Guillermo Mota Needs to Do Right Now
2007-08-23 14:29:00
I'm done with Guillermo Mota. I think he's done too, but he's "Willie's guy" so he's sticking around for now. So I thought it would be a good idea to give Mota some ideas on places where he should be so he can tell Willie Randolph that he's got things to do.Mota, here are some suggestions:Go find the rock that Alay Soler is hiding under and join himTo be a real asset to the Mets, join the Braves starting pitching staffTake a lesson from Rick Ankiel and go try and be a hitterBecome the Mets version of Trent Tucker and start fights with the other team's superstarGo to therapyTell Willie Randolph you've been given a message from Al Gore and you're the only one who can stop global warming in Peru.Join the YankeesBecome part of Balco's marketing efforts to show what happens when you stop using steroidsLose your changeup in the men's bathroom at Penn StationVisit the home of Anthony Young so you can feel better about your career
More About: Things , To Do , Needs , Right Now

The Mets Big Tease
2007-08-23 14:23:00
After Guillermo Mota entered the game last night, I switched the channel. I knew it was over. I watched a Criminal Minds rerun, but kept the Mets game in picture-in-picture. Come 10 p.m. I figured I would watch the Mets bat in the bottom of the ninth.Then it happened. I saw walk, then Conine knocks in a run. And then I started to get excited. Could we actually have a rally here? I turned to my wife and said, "They're just teasing with us." Then the Padres second basemen dropped a Texas league pop-up off the bat of David Wright allowing Conine to score.My wife started to get excited too. I again turned to her and said, "This is what the Mets do. They get you all hyped up and then let you down." But then Beltran's ball dropped into center field and honestly thought Carlos Delgado was going to come up and redeem himself from the awful night he had.But I forgot my own prophecy, and Delgado looked utterly foolish against Trevor Hoffman. I was right. The Mets were just teasing us.But I ...
More About: Teas

Mets Fan Matt Murphy To Auction Bond's Record Home Run Ball
2007-08-22 20:59:00
Mets' fan, Matt Murphy, has announced he will auction off Bonds record breaking home run ball that he caught in San Francisco earlier this month.Murphy made all Mets Lifers proud as he was wearing his authentic Mets away jersey while at that Giants' game. According to Yahoo, Murphy says he will auction off the ball using Sotheby's as the auction house. Experts expect the ball to earn Murphy at least $500,000.Good for you Matt. I hope you use some of that cash to get season tickets at Citi Field.To bid on the ball, go to www.scpauctions.com on August 28th when the bidding opens. Good luck on that by the way.
More About: Auction , Home , Mets , Record

Weird Game Last Night
2007-08-22 19:22:00
After some pondering I came to the realization that last night's game was really weird. There were a bunch of incidences that strike me as odd. Here's what I observed:The Mets scored 4 runs in the early innings off of Chris Young, baseball's ERA leader.Chris Young balked by dropping the ball while in the middle of his delivery to the plate.Mike DiFelice was asked to drop down a sac bunt.Aaron Heilman was able to get out of an inning that started off with runners on the corners and no one out, while Billy Wagner gave up a go ahead run in the 9th.Carlos Beltran got a clutch RBI.The Padres scored 6 runs while being one of the lowest scoring teams in the National League.The Mets came back to win in the 9th off of the greatest closer in baseball history with Milledge, DiFelice and Marlon Anderson leading off the inning.David Wright, who has been so good, looked lost at the plate.On 3 separate occasions, Mets' pitchers had an 0-2 count only to give up a hit on the next pitch.But a win...
More About: Weird , Night , Game

Walks Kill John Maine
2007-08-22 15:26:00
Where's John Maine and what have you done with him?The ace of the staff in the first half of the season has disappeared. Instead John Maine has turned into a young Al Leiter struggling to keep his pitch count down in the early innings. Last night, Maine went to a 3-2 count with the first 3 batters of the game. Tough way to start.Maine has also been plagued with home runs in his last couple of starts. This usually happens when his fastball doesn't tail up and ends up being a meatball right down the middle of the plate.It's weird because against some batters he looks stellar or gets to an 0-2 count and then the batter gets a hit. I'm not sure if it's confidence that Maine is lacking or if it's mechanical, but I hope he figures it out. (quickly, please)Maine's line last night wasn't horrible (5.2 innings, 3 runs, 6 hits) but it's far from stellar. And with the bullpen being the way it is we need John Maine to go deep into games in September.
More About: Kill , Walks