The Ghosts of 1986

Letter from "Omar Minaya"

2005-10-12T14:16:00.000-04:00

I got this letter e-mailed to me from "Omar Minaya". Its a generic letter, but its pretty informative. (Its also the closest thing to Mets news I have seen in a month.) Here it is:

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Dear Craig,

Last winter, I wrote to you about our plans for the Mets. Nowthat our season is over, I want to follow up with a review ofour 2005 season, and our goals for 2006. But before we talk baseball, I want to thank you for your support of the Mets this year, including the best home attendance total since 1989. Your loyalty and commitment gives our ownership, staff and players the inspiration to strive for even more in 2006 and beyond. We are pleased with the progress the team made this year. Pleased, but not by any means satisfied. I wrote to you this winter that I would settle for nothing less than a championship, and that remains the standard for success. I believe that we have made great strides toward our goal, and have shown flashes of tremendous potential - but I am also the first to admit that there is still work to be done. Our lineup has a combination of speed and power that makes us dangerous - we were second in all of baseball with 153 stolen bases and in the top half with 175 home runs. Our starting pitchers, particularly the front of the rotation, performed well, and when Kris Benson and Steve Trachsel were both healthy,we found ourselves with an abundance of quality starters.

Our bullpen pitched well at times, but we had difficulty closing out games toward the end of the season. Overall, our pitching staff was one of our strengths, finishing third in the League and eighth in MLB with a team ERA of 3.76. However, we have said that our team will be built on pitching and defense, and the gloves did not support the arms well enough this year. As a team we made 106 errors, which permitted 49 unearned runs to score. These figures ranked us in the lower half of all clubs. We will certainly be working to correct these and other areas needing improvement in the coming months.

The Mets finished the 2005 season with our highest win total, and highest standing in the division, since the World Series year of 2000. The wins and losses alone, however, do not tell a complete story. There was a tangible change in the atmosphere at Shea Stadium, with a new sense of enthusiasm and belief that extends beyond just the fans. Our players, having briefly tasted again how sweet it is to be in playoff contention, are hungrier than ever to get to the post-season next year. Our core group of young players and new acquisitions joined our veterans to provide our fans with countless memories as we fought late into the season for a playoff spot.

Here are just a few of the reasons to look back on 2005 with pride and toward the future with optimism:

++++++++++++++++++++The "Kiddie Corps." ++++++++++++++++++++

A group of youngsters from our minor league system made a tremendous impact on the 2005 season. They gave our team energy, with an obvious love of the game and youthful bravado that had the whole city cheering them on. A few in particular stand out:- The 2005 Mets were the first team in MLB history to have both the starting 3B and SS be 22 years old or younger and play 150 games or more. You cannot say enough good things about, DavidWright. Only 22 years old and in his first full season, he finished either first or second on the team in virtually every offensive category: games (160), runs (99), hits (176), doubles (42), home runs (27), RBI (102), total bases (301),walks (72), stolen bases (17), on-base percentage (.388), slugging percentage (.523), and batting average (.306). Impressive as they are, though, those numbers, again, do not tell the whole story. He also provided the team with character, hustle, heart, and a leadership that belies his age. In addition, his no-holds-barred pursuit of foul balls gained him a cult following, and we became almost accustomed to his penchant for the spectacular (Who can ever forget his over-the-shoulder, diving, barehanded catch in San Diego?). While he made several spectacular plays, David muffed too many balls this year; he would be the first to tell you he is not happy with his error total of 24. However, with his extraordinary work ethic, we are confident that David will improve in that area next season. It will be a joy to continue to watch one of the game's top young talents continue to blossom for the Mets.

There is, perhaps, no more exciting player in baseball to watch than Jose Reyes. He attacks the game with abandon and can energize a crowd with one thrilling race around the bases. Having played a full season, he has put to rest any questions about the leg injuries of the past and showed us all how speed can truly change the game. His 60 stolen bases are the second-highest single-season total in Mets history, as are his17 triples. To get the most of his speed, however, Jose must get on base more often. His on-base percentage of .300 is too low for a premium lead-off hitter. On defense, his range, quickness and arm-strength make him one of the best young shortstops in the game.

Aaron Heilman and Jae Seo re-established themselves as promising young pitchers this season. Having heard about their prospect status for so long, we tend to forget that they are still young pitchers by MLB standards. At 26, Heilman posted the lowest ERA (0.68) in the majors among relievers with 30-or-more innings after the All-Star break. Aaron was particularly effective in front of the home crowd. He went 4-1with a 1.62 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 61.0 innings at Shea. However, Heilman's breakthrough performance actually came as astarter when he hurled the 23rd complete-game one-hitter in franchise history on April 15th vs. Florida in a 4-0 victory. Seo, 27, developed a devastating curveball and splitter this season to go along with his outstanding fastball/change-up combination. Jae won six consecutive decisions from May throughSeptember and was 8-2 overall with a miniscule 2.59 ERA. Seo's brilliance allowed the Mets to go 11-3 in his 14 starts.

When Mike Piazza broke his hand in August, 24-year-old Mike Jacobs was called up as an emergency back-up; he promptly made history. "Jake" became the first player ever to hit four homeruns in his first four games, including a pinch-hit home run in his first big league at-bat that put him on the map. And though it would have been impossible to keep up that kind of production, he continued to impress. He went on another powersurge at the end of the year to finish with 11 total home runs and a batting average of .310 in 100 at-bats. While Jacobs may have been a bit of an unknown to those outside the Mets, he has been on the organization's radar for years: this year he won his second Sterling Award as the top position player in our minorleague system.

+++++++++++++++The New Faces. +++++++++++++++

When we acquired Pedro Martinez, and then Carlos Beltran, the identity of the Mets changed overnight. Those two players made us serious contenders, not only on the field, but also in the free agent and trade markets. We will continue to see the benefits of those signings for years. - What can you say about Pedro? He is one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and he injected our team with pride and energy, both on the mound and in the clubhouse. He has the ability to light up a room with his personality, and to carry a team with his talent. Each time Pedro pitched for us, it was more than a game. It was an event. He responded to the challenge, and turned in one of his finest overall seasons in years. He gave us a chance to win in every time out. He tossed four complete games, and piled up 217 innings. Pedro finished the year with 15 wins, a 2.82 ERA (fourth lowest in all of baseball among starters), an opponents' batting average of .204 (second lowest in MLB) and 208 strikeouts (tied for fifth-most in baseball). He showed us that his brilliant Hall of Fame career is still going strong, and that we are in store for much more from him in the coming years.

Coming into this season, expectations were set perhaps unreasonably high for Carlos Beltran - in part because of his salary, and in part because he hit .435 with eight home runs in 12 postseason games last year. He was viewed as a savior to the offense, and that expectation is unfair to any player. Carlos remains a special player ... one who can change a game with speed, power or defense. In addition, at 28, he is still a young man and now has under his belt a full year on a new team in a new city. We are all tremendously proud of the effort he gave and the way he handled himself this season, and recognize that he played through pain for most of the year - first, playing with a strained quadriceps, and then with a facial fracture after the horrific collision with Mike Cameron. Even so, he finished the year with respectable numbers, hitting .266with 16 home runs, and 34 doubles, while scoring 83 times and driving in 78. As I said, I think expectations were too high for Carlos before the year, and right now, they may be too low. Next season I am confident we will all see his true abilities shine through.

+++++++++++++++++++Valuable Veterans. +++++++++++++++++++

Cliff Floyd and Tom Glavine enjoyed resurgent seasons in 2005.- The chants of "MVP" that filled Shea when Cliff stepped into the batter's box illustrated his capability when healthy for a whole year. He was a leader on this team, nurturing some of our younger players and coming up with clutch hits to help us win ball games. Cliff has heard the word "potential" used all too often, as injuries have robbed him of years of production. He has a fiery desire to win, and seems to respond best when the spotlight is on him - a trait that is invaluable on a stage like New York. Cliff's big bat slugged a career-best 34 homeruns and drove in 98, and was a consistent force in the middle of our lineup. In addition, he made more than one highlight reel with his defense in left field and led the National League with15 outfield assists. Despite being a big leaguer for more than a decade, Cliff turns just 33 this winter. When he stays on thef ield, we can count on him to produce.

Tom Glavine continued to build upon his Hall of Fame credentials. Glavine, who is closing in on 300 career wins, became the 29th major league pitcher to win 275 or more games with a brilliant, two-hit, 11-strikeout performance in an 11-0 victory over Colorado on September 29th. Tom relied more on his curveball and splitter to baffle National League hitters. The results were simply amazing. Tom posted a sparkling 2.22 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break.

I also want to acknowledge the contributions of our perennial All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Mike Piazza. It is unclear what the future will hold, but there is no question about Mike's many accomplishments in a Mets uniform. Mike's arrival in 1998 turned our team around. His big bat and on-field leadership sent us to the playoffs in 1999, and to the World Series the following year. Mike Piazza has given us many great Mets memories. It was a personal privilege to witness the warm reception by our fans during our two final homestands and the extraordinary honor of a 10-minute standing ovation during our final game this season. An ovation like that says it all.

++++++++++++++++++++Rookie of the Year. ++++++++++++++++++++

Willie Randolph did as much as anyone to change the direction of the Mets this year. He is a perennial winner who helped every member of this team believe that they had a chance to win every time they took the field. With 83 wins, Willie finished tied for the fourth highest win total in Mets' history for a first-year manager. The last two MLB rookie managers to finish with a winning record after inheriting a team that finished at least 20 games below .500 the previous year were Mike Scioscia(2000) and Davey Johnson (1984) - each went on to win the World Series two years later. Willie's poised demeanor helped our young club ride through some slumps and keep the resolve to bounce back every time. With that being said, I also know that Willie is not happy to be on the outside of the playoffs looking in, and that he will do everything in his power to change that situation by next October. Like many Mets fans, I am a dreamer. I have always tried to think big and reach for goals that may, to others, seem beyond reach. However, I am also a realist who knows that dreams often go unrealized without hard work to back them up. In baseball, that means bolstering your strengths and addressing your weaknesses. This off-season, I will continue to dream big dreams for the future of the New York Mets. I can promise you that our entire organization, with the support and resources provided by our committed owners, will be working tirelessly to ensure that we are doing all we can to turn those dreams into a reality. I thank you again for believing in the Mets, and look forward to a productive winter. I hope to see you back at Shea in a few months.

Sincerely,

Omar Minaya
Executive Vice President & General Manager
New York Mets

Extended Hiatus

2005-10-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

Due to the fact that there is NOTHING Mets related to report, I will be on extended leave until the World Series is over and the hot stove actually gets hot. Until then enjoy the playoffs.

Ghost on Hiatus

2005-09-29T09:21:00.000-04:00

I am going away for a long weekend and will not be back until Sunday. It's my 1 year anniversary and we are taking a little hiatus. A couple of quick notes before I go. I want to apologize for getting a little lazy with posts recently. It has become very difficult for me to find things to write about as I watched the season melt away right before my eyes. That said, I will be doing an end of year review of the season, and preview what this team needs to do in the offseason. As always your comments are welcome. I will also be updating the site all offseason with hot stove rumors and reports. Its always fun to speculate and debate which guys we would like to see in the blue and orange next season. All in all its been a great first season for the site and thank you all for your continued support.

Tomahawked

2005-09-28T10:37:00.000-04:00

I can't help but to laugh at the irony of a Met win in Philadelphia giving the Braves the division title. I mean, the Braves would have won it anyway, but I still think its ironic.

As much as I loathe the Braves, you have to give them credit for this rediculous run. 14 years is a long time.

When this streak started, the Braves were in the Western Division, and the Marlins didn't exist. They have since won the World Series.

Twice.

The Yankees have won four times.

The Braves have won once.

The Braves winningest pitcher during the stretch is Tom Glavine who has spent the last two years on the Mets.

I graduated high school, college, and have worked for four years at my current job.

High school ninth graders have never seen the Braves not in the playoffs in their lifetime.

When the streak started, Julio Franco was 33 years old. That year he lead the AL in batting with a .341 average.

Jose Reyes was 8.

Barry Bonds had 142 career homeruns.

There have been three Presidents of the United States.

When the streak started the Braves had a team payroll of $20,423,500.

The highest paid player in baseball was Darryl Strawberry at $3,800,000

The Braves team payroll today is $86,457,302

The Yankees team payroll in 1991 was $27,815,835

Alex Rodriguez is making $26,000,000 this year.

The Yankees team payroll today is $208,306,817

In 1991, Howard Johnson lead the NL in homers with 38. In 2005, he would be tied for 4th.

Tom Glavine won the NL CY Young, Terry Pendleton won NL MVP and Jeff Bagwell won rookie of the year.

But the amazing thing, besides all of that, is the amount of turnover this organization has had, and the way they manage to keep winning no matter who is on the field. When pitchers Mike Hampton and John Thomson went down with injuries, they were able to turn to Jorge Sosa, who had a career record of 11-26. He's 13-3 this season. When Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan stunk, the Braves turned to rookies Jeff Francoeur, Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson. When new closer Danny Kolb didn't work out, the Braves traded for Kyle Farnsworth, a move we commended them for here at Ghosts of '86. When catcher Johnny Estrada went down, Brian McCann came up from Double-A, no matter what the situation, the Braves found a way to pull through and continue to win ballgames. So again, as much as I hate to say it, hats off to Bobby Cox, Leo Mazzone, and John Schuerholtz, for a heck of a job, the Mets should only hope to follow your model.

Anybody Want Tickets?

2005-09-26T11:10:00.000-04:00

I have 2 tickets available for Sunday Oct. 2 against Colorado. I only want face value for the tickets. I can't go to the game. Email the ghost for more info.

Folded Ace

2005-09-24T12:28:00.000-04:00

According to Mets manager Willie Randolph, now that the Mets have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, 34 year old Pedro Martinez will be shut down for the year. He was originally sheduled to have two more starts, but with the team being eliminated, they have decided to save his arm for next season. Pedro is in the first year of a four-year $53 million contract. He has had an ailing back and foot all season, and the Mets would prefer him to be healthy for next year. In his last start, he was on a pitch count, and was pulled after 5 innings and only 75 pitches.

Closed for Business

2005-09-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

Alot has been made about Braden Looper and his ineffectiveness as the Mets closer in 2005, and that the Mets have been at a disadvantage compared to the teams that they were battling for the NL Wild Card. I’m going to take the closers from Washington (Chad Cordero), Houston (Brad Lidge), Philadelphia (Billy Wagner), & Florida (Todd Jones) and statistically compare them to Looper’s mess this year, showing that the Mets have been at a statistical disadvantage when it came to closing out games this season.

I will be compiling their current stats as it should give a good indication as to why the Mets weren’t in an ideal situation to win the Wild Card, based on their closer situation.
I took 3 of the most used and basic numbers to determine the success of a closer,saves, blown saves, and ERA, but I also added in FIP, or Fielding Independent Pitching. It’s a measure of all the things for which a pitcher is specifically responsible. FIP determines a pitchers ability while not including the fielders happenings. Whether a fielder makes an error that eventually turns into an unearned run, or not, this stat takes into account everything the pitcher is responsible for. Such things as hits, BB's, strikeouts, HBP's, etc. This stat shows a real legit number as to how effective or uneffective a pitcher is towards his team. The formula is (HR*13+(BB+HBP)*3-K*2)/IP, plus a league-specific factor (usually around 3.2) to round out the number to an equivalent ERA number. I like this stat because it helps you understand how well a pitcher pitched, regardless of how well his fielders fielded. FIP was invented by Tangotiger.

Braden Looper, is 4-7 with a 3.94ERA, 28 saves, 8 Blown saves, and a FIP of 5.00
Chad Cordero is 2-4 with a 1.84ERA, 46 saves, 7 Blown saves, and a FIP of 3.68
Billy Wagner is 4-3 with a 1.54ERA, 34 saves, 3 Blown saves, and a FIP of 2.96
Brad Lidge is 4-3 with a 2.27ERA, 37 saves, 3 Blown saves, and a FIP of 2.16
Todd Jones is 1-4 with a 1.60ERA, 37 saves, 3 Blown saves, and a FIP of 2.42

It’s obvious by looking at all those stats; Looper has been by far the worst closer within the NL Wild Card contention. The next closest closer to Looper’s 5.00 FIP is Cordero, who’s leading the Majors in saves, and his 3.68 FIP is 1.32 less than that of Looper’s. That’s quite a distinct distance between the two. You could’ve probably already guessed this, but of all the closers mentioned above, Looper has the worst LOB% of the 5. Looper has a LOB% of 74.2, with Cordero being the next closest with 80.8%.

Another key stat, probably the most looked at stat for a closer, would have to be saves and blown saves. As shown, Looper has the most blown saves among the 5 closers listed, and the least amount of saves. That goes to show how unproductive Looper has been as the Mets closer in 2005. Looper was never a full blown closer with the Marlins, which makes it even harder to swallow that the Mets would adopt him as their everyday closer until now.

However, looking at how Wednesday night’s game played out for the bullpen; it would seem as if Looper’s tenure as the Mets closer is all but gone. Willie seems to have gotten the hint that Looper shouldn’t see the 9th inning as a New York Met anymore. Now he’s just going to blow saves in the 8th inning like he did last night. A lot has been made of how bad Looper has been for the Mets, but as you can probably guess, I just love continuing to prove exactly how bad Looper has been.

-Erik the Cheesehead

Tonight's Game: What Could Have Been

2005-09-22T11:39:00.000-04:00

Tonight's game had all the foundations set for the makings of a classic. A mid-September game between division rivals battling it out for the wild-card, with their respective aces on the mound in Pedro Martinez and Dontrelle Willis. There is only one problem.

Neither team is in it anymore.

Pedro Martinez (15-7, 2.80 ERA) is 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA in 16 career appearances, including 12 starts, against the Marlins. He is coming off a gem, tossing his 17th career shutout in a 4-0 victory over Atlanta on Friday night.

Dontrelle Willis (21-9, 2.48 ERA) is trying to become the major league's first 22 game winner. He 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mets.

All the writing is on the wall for this to be a classic, but instead of a sold out stadium, with fans going crazy and the playoffs on the line, they will be playing to see what rookies will do against two of the premiere pitchers in the game, with nothing but pride at stake.

Out of the Loop

2005-09-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

Braden Looper is finished as the Mets closer. He is now blowing saves in the eighth inning. He is at the point where he is becoming unwatchable. I have zero faith in him coming into a game and getting a job done.

Any job, not just closing.

I don't care if the Mets go after BJ Ryan, Billy Wagner, or Kyle Farnsworth, they just need to get one of them. Looper is actually making me yearn for the days of Armando Benitez. At least Benitez gave us a chance. Looper doesn't even do that. The minute he comes in the game my first thought is of how he might blow this game that was different from how he blew the last one. I think I have seen him blow games in every way imaginable, including blowing the same game twice. He stinks and he needs a one way ticket out of town.

Spoiled Rotten

2005-09-21T12:25:00.000-04:00

Over the next 2 weeks, the Mets will face division foes, Washington, Florida, and Philadelphia. Who are all still fighting for a playoff spot.

When asked about playing the part of the spoiler, Randolph had this to say:

"Spoilers are losers, I don't believe in it. Go out and win games. If you happen to be a team that gets in the way of someone in the hunt, too bad for them. I don't want anyone on my team to feel good about being a spoiler. That's a loser mentality. I'm just striving to win as many games as we can. If we get in the way, then so be it. I don't think anyone should take any satisfaction in it."

I guess I have to admit I like his attitude, as bad as he is at managing a bullpen, he is equally as good at motivating players and having a positive outlook.

Charitable Contributions Department

2005-09-21T12:19:00.000-04:00

The New York Mets Foundation, Mets players, field staff, office staff and fans have made a collective contribution of $625,000 to six charitable organizations that are directly involved in the recovery effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The six organizations are: The American Red Cross, America's Second Harvest, ASPCA Disaster Relief Fund, Texas Children's Hospital, Convoy of Hope, and New Orleans Police Relief Fund. Its good to see the Mets have done something productive this season.

Closing the Door on Next Season

2005-09-21T10:45:00.000-04:00

It’s obvious the Mets need to address their bullpen issues, especially their closer position. Looper’s time as the Mets closer has come to an end, so the Mets will need to make a real run at the two biggest free agent closers out there this off-season, Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan.

Wagner has already expressed his interest to become a New York Met, but the Mets will be one of many teams looking to add Wagner to their bullpen. Wagner is an absolute stud closer and top tier closer throughout the entire league. Wagner currently has 34 saves with a 1.58 ERA and a 9.48 K/9. Wagner’s 9.48 K/9 is his lowest since 2000 when he had a 9.11 with the Houston Astros. Wagner has 280 career saves, and it’d look quite nice to see him get #300 in a New York Mets uniform in 2006.

The other possible choice to become the Mets closer in 2006 would be B.J. Ryan. Ryan is in his first full season as a closer, and has done quite well. He has a 34 saves, to go along with a 2.33 ERA & a 13.16 K/9. Before the 2005 season, Ryan had a total of 6 career saves, so considering that statistic; I’d say he’s adjusted to the closers role quite well.
Ryan will obviously be a cheaper option than Wagner based on career and season statistics, but both would be the logical top choices to be donning the Mets uniform in 2006. Omar Minaya has already expressed the bullpen needs as a top priority for this off-season, which should already have him exploring options. Whether it’s Ryan or Wagner that becomes the Mets closer in 2006, both would be absolute no-brainers over Looper, or anyone else the Mets have in-house right now.

- Erik The Cheesehead

Pelfrey over Hanson?

2005-09-20T01:17:00.000-04:00

As you probably already know, the Mets have yet to sign their 1st round draft pick Mike Pelfrey. Up until the 2005 MLB Draft, there was talk that the Mets would possibly take a chance on St. John’s closer Craig Hansen, but felt they couldn’t give him the kind of contract that he was looking for. Hansen eventually fell to the 26th pick where he was selected by the Boston Red Sox and signed a contract worth $4 million dollars.

Hansen made his MLB debut tonight for the Red Sox against the D-Rays, pitching a perfect 5th inning, striking out 2 Devil Rays batters, both swinging. Pelfrey, on the other hand, has yet to throw a pitch in professional baseball. Both Hansen and Pelfrey are clients of the infamous agent, Scott Boras. I am guessing that Boras being Hansen’s agent had something to do with the reason why he fell to the 26th pick in the draft, but why would the Mets not take a chance on him?

He was obviously signable if the Red Sox were able to sign him. How much nicer would the Mets pen look right now with Hansen in it? The guy consistently hits 95-97 mph on his fastball, and his slider sits in the 88-90 mph zone. Granted he was shut down for a couple weeks due to “arm fatigue,” it’s obvious that he’s got major league stuff, and can contribute at this level.

Don’t get me wrong, when & if the Mets can get Pelfrey signed, they’ll have a hell of a pitcher on their hands, but looking back on the draft, Hansen would’ve been the better selection. He could’ve given the Mets a nasty right hander in the bullpen right now, and would’ve made bullpen decisions easier for Willie and company. The 2005 draft, like many drafts, is and will continue to be full of surprises. It’s just too bad that the present time shows the Mets on the
wrong end of the surprise with passing on Craig Hansen.

-Erik the Cheesehead

Stat DuJour

2005-09-19T12:12:00.000-04:00

Kris Benson is 0-4 with a 7.66 ERA over his last five starts. He is now 9-8 with a 4.16 ERA and has an underwhelming 88 strikeouts in 153.2 innings pitched. This guy started the season on fire and has now turned into a pedestal of mediocrity.

Anybody Need Tickets?

2005-09-19T11:02:00.000-04:00

I have 4 tickets for the Oct. 2 game against Colorado. It's the Last game of the season. I will be in the Bahamas with my wife so I can't go. You can have all 4 or just take 2 if you want. They are $14 each. Click on the e-mail the ghost link in the upper right hand corner of the page if you are interested, and I will give you the section and row.

Top 10 Best Ex-Mets

2005-09-19T10:29:00.000-04:00

This list was made by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Get ready to become really, really angry:

1. Jason Bay, Pirates: Speed (19-for-19 in stolen bases), power (29 HRs), durability (has played every game), but the Mets did get Steve Reed for him.

2. Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals: 213 career saves since leaving the Mets.

3. Jeff Kent, Dodgers: The usual stuff for him, surly and 100 RBIs.

4. Tony Clark, Diamondbacks: Could have been on the ex-Yankee list, as well, with a better OPS (1.021) than Vlad Guerrero (.967).

5. Melvin Mora, Orioles: Not as good as last year, but still real good.

6. A.J. Burnett, Marlins: Has struggled late in his walk year.

7. Scott Kazmir, Devil Rays: Thirteen starts of one or no earned runs. The Victor Zambrano talk will not stop.

8. David Weathers, Reds: Another ex-Yank, as well; has emerged as the Reds' closer.

9. Dan Wheeler, Astros: A key in Houston's pen: 45 H, 65.2 IP, 2.33 ERA.

10. Brady Clark, Brewers: .785 OPS. Carlos Beltran: .763.

Anderson Hernandez Called Up

2005-09-19T10:12:00.000-04:00

So just days after the Mets announced that Anderson hernandez was NOT going to be called up this year he goes 0-4 in his Mets debut.

With KKKKaz Matsui pulling his right hamstring Friday night, and Chris Woodward being unavailable with a strained right calf, the Mets decided to see what the kid can do. I guess I don't have a problem with this since the only other option right now is Miguel Cairo who is 6 for his last 60 (not that the games matter anymore at this point).

To make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, Dae-Sung Koo was designated for assignment, something that I have been waiting for all season.

Glavine in 2006: He's Earned It

2005-09-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

It’s obvious that Tom Glavine has earned his way to being a New York Met. Looking at the putrid offensive support he’s gotten in his tenure, it’s a different story whether he’d want to be or not. But looking at the possible starters in 2006 not named Pedro, it’s a good thing he will be back. Yusmeiro Petit could be a possibility, but he’ll be in trade talks all off-season, and may not be ready right away. Aaron Heilman could also be a possibility, but it looks like he could flourish as a reliever/setup type pitcher, which the Mets are most likely going to do.

Statistically, Glavine has had one of his best years with the Mets. A victim of horrible run support, Glavine has a respectable record of 11-13 and a pretty good 3.75 ERA. He’ll pass the 200 innings mark again for the 12th time in his 19 year big league career. Glavine is an innings eater, something the Mets rotation would need with an aging Pedro, a Jekyll & Hyde Kris Benson, Trachsel, Seo, & “BB” Zambrano.

Thanks to Eric Simon for the following information on Glavine’s lack of run support:

“Tom Glavine has made 94 starts as a member of the Mets and in 28 of those (29.8%) he allowed three total runs or less and did not pick up the victory. All I can say is "Wow". I figured it would be a decent number of games, but I had no idea that Glavine would either lose or get a no-decision in almost one-third of the starts he made in which he gave the Mets at least a reasonable chance of winning. Breaking it down a little more, Glavine had 22 games (23.4%) in which he allowed two runs or fewer and didn't get the win. He also had an astonishing 15 games (16%) in which he allowed zero or one runs and did not get the "W".”

He’ll do his job at eating innings, keeping the Mets in games, and providing them with consistent performances throughout the year. Glavine still has a decent shot at winning 300 games, and if it weren’t for the horrible run support that he’s received throughout his 3 year tenure with the Mets, he may be pretty damn close to 300 right now.

- Erik the Cheesehead

A New Ghost

2005-09-16T10:37:00.000-04:00

The Ghosts of 1986 would like to extend a a warm welcome to our newest ghost Erik the cheesehead. Erick is a 19 year old college student who is majoring in General Business with aspirations of becoming a Real Estate Agent someday. He resides in good ol' Wisconsin, so the geographic reasons for him becoming a Mets fan are beyond any kind of studies. He is a baseball stat and history freak. He enjoys watching the sunset, eating ice cream on a warm nights, and listening to the sounds of crickets.

He also shares in my frustrations with Braden Looper. Here is Erick's first post:

Loop Hole

Braden Looper’s inability to get lefties out should have become apparent to Willie Randolph and the coaching staff by now. It’s obvious that Willie’s incompetence in managing a Major League baseball team correctly has not only cost the Mets numerous games, but also a possible postseason appearance, which would’ve been their first since 2001. There is absolutely no reason as to why Looper should’ve and should continue to face lefties, whether it’s a save situation or not.

In Looper’s tenure with the Mets, he’s saved 57 games, but also blown 11 games. That’s a pretty alarming rate, meaning that for every 5.18 games Looper saves, he blows one game. Looper’s K/BB rate has also inflated, which now stands at 1.29 compared to 3.75 for 2004. Probably the most alarming number for Looper from a closer’s perspective is his inability to get lefties out. Lefties are currently hitting .339 off of Looper with an outrageous 1.002 OPS. It looks as if Looper’s stay as the Mets closer will come to an end by the end of the 2005 season as the Mets are going to look at signing a guy of Billy Wagner’s or B.J. Ryan’s caliber.

Looper was never really a closer to begin with. He saved games sparingly with Florida, mostly due to injury. I feel as though the Mets sort of “forced” Looper into the closer’s role, but now it’s become apparent that he’s not a closer. He walks too many guys, doesn’t strike out enough, and his splits for lefties are absurd. Even though Willie has done a horrific job at times in managing this team, Looper hasn’t made his job any easier either. Whether Looper needs to work on his “stuff,” or do something with those sideburns, it’s something he obviously needs to figure out.

Pick of the Day (14-6)

2005-09-15T16:02:00.000-04:00

After a short hiatus the POD is back to try and continue the winning ways. I have to admit, our beloved Mets have frustrated me to astronomical levels, and I have soured on the rest of the season. That being said let's get to the POD.

Tonight we will go with Bartolo Colon and the Angels against Detroit. Colon, who has won his last eight decisions, will try to become the AL's first 20-game winner, and more importantly, keep the Angels in front of Oakland in the tight division race.

Colon (19-6, 3.23 ERA) is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young award. He is 8-7 with a 4.70 ERA in 19 career starts against the Tigers. At home this year, he is 9-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 15 starts.

For the Tigers it will be Mike Maroth (12-13, 4.81 ERA). Maroth has already set a new career high for wins, but is winless in his last two outings. He is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA in six career starts against Los Angeles. On the road this year, Maroth is 7-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 13 outings.

The Pick: Angels

Finally, Some Good News

2005-09-15T10:45:00.000-04:00

Mike Jacobs was chosen as the organization's minor league player of the year. Jacobs, who also catches, hit .321 with 25 homers at Double-A Binghamton. He became the first two-time winner of the award, having also won in 2003.

The interesting thing here is that he may not actually be the Mets best minor league player. From what I have read on other sites, it seems that organizations sometimes give this award to players who they may be considering trading, to increase their value. This is something we will have to keep an eye on during the offseason.

Washed Up

2005-09-15T10:32:00.000-04:00

This team is completely finished. I'm not quite certain that I would say they have quit but I am positive that this season is over. The Brewers are now ahead of the Mets in the wild-card race.

I am not as upset as most people about Beltran getting thrown out stealing third last night. If he made it this would be a non-issue, so I am not going to make a big deal out of it. However, the look on clueless Willie's face was absolutely priceless.

The Mets have now lost 14 of 17. Exactly what you look for when you begin the month one game out of the wild-card.

Jae Seo (7-2, 1.98 ERA) takes the mound today. He has won seven of nine decisions as a starter this year. He has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of 10 starts. Seo is looking to solidify a spot in the rotation for himself next season.

Tickets for Sale

2005-09-14T10:40:00.000-04:00

If anyone is interested, I have two upper deck tickets to the Mets vs. Rockies game on October 2nd. I only want face value for them. Its the last game of the year, and you can say you got to see the Mets play in October this season. I'd go but its my 1 year anniversary and I'll be in the Bahamas with my wife. if you are interested click the E-mail the Ghost link on the right.

More "Help" on the Way

2005-09-14T10:35:00.000-04:00

Before last night’s game, in a move that should solidify the bullpen for years to come, the Mets recalled LHP Dae-Sung Koo (translated means horrible meatballer) from Triple-A Norfolk.

Yikes. I still don't get it. Do they really think that stockpiling a bunch of crappy relievers is going to accomplish anything?

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

2005-09-13T14:04:00.000-04:00

I think I am sick. The sight of this team is starting to make me nautious. I was just offered 5 free tickets to tonight's game and turned them down. There is no news to report. The Mets stink. There are rumblings around other sites about the Mets possibly getting rid of Rick Peterson, while I can't validate the accuracy of those reports, I can tell you that he is not the one that should be going. Clueless Willie needs to go one and done. Without his countless mishaps, mismanagement of the bullpen, playing 4 middle infielders at a time, batting David Wright 7th for most of the year, and using his "gut" way too often, the Mets would be leading the wild-card race and possibly in contention for the division.

Ever since the 2nd Philadelphia game where Pedro didn't get the job done this team has been spiraling downwards going from bad to worse. It has been a freefall of epic proportions. The wheels have fallen off the bus, the train has crashed, the fat lady is in full tune, and I am running out of cliches but you get the idea here.

I have a zero confidence level for the rest of the season. I will report any interesting news that I come across but there is no more need for game analysis' when nobody cares about the games. I'll keep doing the pick of the day, and I'll keep up to date all off season with up to the minute hot stove news. *cough* Manny Ramirez. Thanks for all the support and I sympathize with all of you. Enjoy the rest of the season.

Note From the Ghost

2005-09-08T14:38:00.000-04:00

I am too angry to post today. I watched Braden Looper blow the game twice last night, and I am sick of Willie's constant mismanagement. I am going to Montreal for the weekend for a friend's bachelor party, so I will be back posting again on Monday. Have a good weekend. Let's Go Mets.

Pick of the Day (13-6)

2005-09-07T16:19:00.000-04:00

Last night the upset special came through as the Devil Rays beat the Yankees once again. I must admit, nothing makes me happier than picking against the Yankees with Randy Johnson on the mound at Yankee stadium against the last place team-and being right. Ahhh the joys of the POD. Tonight I won't be as bold as I go with Dontrelle Willis as he attempts to win his 20th game of the year at Washington.

Dontrelle Willis (19-8, 2.55 ERA) is 7-2 with a 2.59 ERA in nine career starts against the Nationals/Expos franchise. He would become the first 20-game winner in Marlins team history.

He is opposed by John Halama (0-2, 4.70 ERA). Halama is 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA in two games - one start - against the Marlins in his career.

The Pick: Marlins

Sayonara

2005-09-07T14:51:00.000-04:00

Willie Randolph said over the weekend that Anderson Hernandez would be joining the team as soon as Norfolk is finished with it's season. That could be as early as this weekend if they are swept in their playoff series.

Figures that it happens to be in the middle of Kaz Matsui's first hot streak since coming to the Mets from Japan. Either way, this is probably the beginning of the end for Kaz and we won't have to watch him embarrass himself here again next season. Let's just hope that Mr. Hernandez can show us a thing or two before the end of the season.

Finally!

2005-09-07T14:47:00.000-04:00

The Mets have announced that struggling pitcher Victor Zambrano has been removed from the starting rotation for the remainder of the season. Veteran Steve Trachsel will take his spot.

I still don't understand why this wasn't done a week ago but I guess I'll take what I can get.

Mets Try to Avoid Sweep

2005-09-07T14:34:00.000-04:00

Tom Glavine and the rest of our struggling Mets will try to avoid getting swept tonight in Atlanta, as the Braves look to crush our playoff dreams.

Glavine (10-12, 4.00 ERA), has posted an impressive 2.61 ERA in 10 starts during the second half of the season, but only has a 4-5 record to show for it as the Mets have scored just seven runs in the five losses. In 10 career starts against his former team, he is 1-8 with a 7.85 ERA.

For the Braves it will be Tim Hudson (12-7, 3.38) who will be looking to win his fifth straight start for Atlanta. He is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season.

Game Notes: Carlos Beltran is 11-for-31 (.355) career against Tim Hudson. The Mets are 50-29 in games when they hit a homer. Pedro's two strikeouts last night were his season low.

The Fat Lady is Humming

2005-09-07T14:02:00.000-04:00

For any Mets fan that has any hope left of this team making the post-season this year, I have a news flash: the wheels are falling of the bus rather quickly.

I hate to be the one to say it, but in typical Mets fashion, they never cease to disappoint. Its been the same story all year long. I don't know why I thought for a second that this time it would be different. Win a few in a row, build up hope, lose a few in a row, hopes come crahing down. It has been the recipe for disaster since April.

If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times, this is a .500 team, and this is what .500 teams do.
They actually had the wool pulled over my eyes heading into the Phillies series. They won the first game and I can't even remember the last time I felt so alive watching a Mets game. Then they lost the second game with Pedro on the mound, and ever since, watching this team has been a slow painful mess.

Going into last night I really felt the Mets would win. Pedro Martinez had gone 6-1 with 2.63 ERA in his last seven starts following a loss, but he dropped to 2-2 against Atlanta with a 2.26 ERA in four starts this year. Overall against the Braves, Martinez fell to 7-8 with a 3.30 ERA in 23 career appearances. The Mets are now 20-50 all-time at Turner Field.

It seems like every player to put on the orange and blue has it written in their genetic code to suck against the Braves. Not that I actually thought that this year would be any different or that the mets were going to win anything, but for a while at least things were competitive. Until we had to play the Phillies, Marlins, and Braves.

Pick of the Day (12-6)

2005-09-06T14:05:00.000-04:00

The POD took the weekend off so I will pick back up today with a pick all Mets fans should enjoy. Tampa Bay over the Yankees. The Devil Rays were 31-80 all-time against New York coming into this season, but they've won nine of the first 13 meetings in 2005. One win in this series will give them a winning season against the Yankees for the first time ever.

Randy Johnson (13-8, 4.04 ERA) is 9-2 with a 3.42 ERA at home this season. Tampa Bay has roughed up Johnson in three starts this year. He is 0-1 with a 7.27 ERA in those outings, allowing 14 earned runs and 19 hits over 17 1-3 innings.

Tampa will counter with Casey Fossum (8-11, 4.92 ERA). The left-hander has pitched poorly over his last two starts, allowing 13 runs and 16 hits in 11.2 innings. He is 2-6 with a 5.22 ERA on the road this season. One of those wins, however, came at Yankee Stadium on June 20 when Fossum allowed one run and three hits over seven innings.

The Pick: Devil Rays

Not So Brave

2005-09-06T11:44:00.000-04:00

Apparently Clueless Willie's neverending run of stupidity has trickled doen to affect the rest of the coaching staff. Manny Acta is the culprit this time. Yesterday, with one out and the bases loaded in the seventh inning, Carlos Beltran hit a shallow fly ball to right field. Victor Diaz, who was instructed to tag up, did so and was thrown out at home plate when Jeff Francoeur threw a perfect strike to Johnny Estrada, who tagged him out.

Francoeur, who was called up July 7, has 11 assists, tying Cliff Floyd and Florida's Miguel Cabrera for the NL lead among outfielders.

Francoeur had only played in 48 games.

"Just because he's tied for the league lead, that doesn't mean you can't run on him," Mets third-base coach Manny Acta said. "So what are you going to do? He made a good throw. You have to give credit to him."

Well, Manny, that is why it is the coaching staff's responsiblity to get the proper reports and statistics on opposing players. Yes, he made a good throw, but Cliff Floyd was standing in the on deck circle with David Wright behind him. You have to trust your own guys to get the job done. Its good to take risks, but the risks must be calculated and that was just stupid.

Kyle Farnswoth slammed the door in the Mets faces in the ninth, and after losing five of six and seven of nine after going 9-2 from Aug. 19-26. The Mets find themselves fifth in the NL wild-card standings, only three games behind first-place Houston.

Farnsworth, remember is the guy that we said was the steal of the century back at trade deadline, a guy the Mets should have gone after. He has become the Braves new closer, and not surprisingly, is better than anyone currently in the mets bullpen.

Bullpen Gasp "Help" On The Way

2005-09-05T22:46:00.000-04:00

The Mets purchased the contract of Danny Graves from Norfolk today. Graves went 0-2 with an 18.00 ERA in five games with the Tides.

Will somebody attempt to explain to me why this team feels the need to stockpile crappy relievers that can't get anybody out? Is the gaping hole at 2nd base just not gaping enough? There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that there shouldn't be a guy up here that can help at 2nd base, as well as serve as a late inning pinch-runner. The useless middle reliever situation is really starting to get old with me. The guy had an 18 ERA at Norfolk, and has already proved he stinks in the majors. If that doesn't scream call him up and give him another shot I don't know what does.

Open Thread: Clueless Willie Strikes Again

2005-09-04T00:34:00.000-04:00

Its the weekend so I'm not on here nearly as often, but after the amazing display of incompetence I thought it would be a good time to check in. We will visit this mess in detail on Tuesday, but for now let's have an open thread on Willie's lack of pretty much everything it takes to manage on the professional level, with maybe the exception of his decent ability to communicate with players. Post away.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Office

2005-09-02T12:37:00.000-04:00

I recently read two hillarious quotes by Steve trachsel and Pedro Martinez regarding the Mets six pitchers for five spots situation. Here they are:

Pedro Martinez "I'll go on vacation to the Bahamas with Terell Owens to help open up a spot."

Steve Trachsel "I think I'm 17-0 in simulated games this season. Maybe they will trade me to the simulated Red Sox."

Its good to see these guys can keep their sense of humor and wit about things when times get rough. I think that is one of the big draws to Pedro, the fact that such a great player can remain so light-hearted off the field.

Afterthoughts of Opportunity Lost

2005-09-01T23:33:00.000-04:00

Hours after the initial disappointment has worn off, I am sitting and mulling over what has just transpired, and why I feel the way I do. In my head I am angry, looking at the constant mistakes made both by players and management. In my heart I feel the hurt of being let down, but also the pride of being in a position that I was never supposed to be in the first place.

Way back in Spring training I had very little hope for this team. We had just signed Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran and I still felt we were a player short. When Carlos Delgado chose to sign with Florida, I felt we has just lost the final piece to a puzzle we have been trying to put together for years.

Despite that, there was hope. Young players were developing, new players would provide guidance, and together they would conquer the world. The question was when? As I looked up and down the roster I saw as many holes as there were positions filled. A terrible bullpen, shaky starting pitching even with Pedro, no right side of the infield, an aging and declining catcher, and a first year manager. Then there was Wright and Reyes, Pedro and Beltran, a healthy Cliff Floyd, and it looked like with a little help from lady luck, this team could make things interesting. Maybe.

This season has had more peaks and valleys than there are in the Himalayas, but as we sit here on September 1st, there is hope.

The five straight losses to open the season are long forgotten. A middle of the road backup cather is giving us hope and helping us to forget that we are playing without our leader, Mike Piazza. David Wright and Jose Reyes are showing us that the future is extremely bright, and although the road has been a bumpy one, the Mets have a chance.

A chance that nobody gave them in April. This was supposed to be a .500 team that was building for next year, but next year is now and now is the time for the stars to shine. If Carlos Beltran goes on a tear and the Mets make the playoffs, nodody will remember that he was hitting .265 on September 1st, or that he had ten homeruns and four steals at the all-star break. He will achieve something that little boys dream of and grown men envy. He will become a NY hero, somebody who brought their team back to a respectable level.

Today, in the ninth inning with a runner on first and the Mets down by two runs, Beltran had the opportunity to erase five months of scorn with one swing of the bat. Instead he was left standing alone with the weight of the entire city on his shoulders, listening to the boos and jeers, with 119 million reasons to be ashamed.

Ashamed that he is the talk of the town, and not for the reasons he once was. He is no longer the great new hope, the changing of the guard, the leader of the "new" Mets. He is an underperforming, overpaid, number three hitter, who most fans would rather see moved into the number two spot in the lineup. The problem is that the Mets are not giving him 119 million dollars to bunt Jose Reyes over to second, so somebody else can drive him home. He IS the guy that needs to drive him home, and until he does so, Mets fans will be thinking about Vladimir Guerrero's back.

Pick of the Day (11-6)

2005-09-01T16:23:00.000-04:00

Last night Pedro threw batting practice at the Phillies and the Mets took the loss. Tonight the POD looks to bounce back with Houston and Roy Oswalt at home against the Reds. Oswalt has owned the Reds during his career, going 14-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 games, including 16 starts.

Oswalt looks to bounce backafter being roughed up for five first-inning runs in an 8-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Oswalt allowed seven runs and nine hits in four innings, his shortest outing this season and the first time in 21 starts that he failed to go at least six innings.

The Reds are 1-7 in Houston this year will go with Aaron Harang (9-11, 3.68 ERA). He is 5-3 with a 2.90 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break - throwing at least seven innings in six of those outings. Harang is 2-4 with a 5.01 ERA in nine career starts against Houston.

The Pick: Astros

September (NON) Call-ups

2005-09-01T15:56:00.000-04:00

As I look over the rosters of the Mets and Phillies in today’s game, one thing jumps out at me – the quantity of hitters on the Phillies bench. With the roster expanded to 40 today, the Phillies now have nine reserve hitters. We stayed with six hitters (in spite of bringing up useless pitchers like Manny Aybar and Danny Graves), although three of them (Cairo, Gerald Williams and Jose Offerman) couldn’t hit the side of a barn if they tried. With the caveat that a player needs to be on the 40 man roster before he can join the 24 man roster, let’s take a look at who can’t be here but should, and who’s not here and probably shouldn’t be wasting a spot on the 40 man roster:

* Wayne Lydon (AA) and Angel Pagan (AAA) – These guys are the Dave Roberts of the minor leagues. Every organization surely has these types – mediocre averages, no power, poor plate discipline leading to low OBPs. They tend to be average to above average defensively, and at a minimum, can cover a wide amount of ground in the OF. Basically, they’re no worse than Gerald Williams, but have a little bit more upside, although they don’t bring that ‘Clubhouse Presence’ that Clueless Willie seems to care so much about. However, in a close game, with a guy like Ramon Castro or even Victor Diaz at 1B, here’s your pinchrunner. Think what Dave Roberts did to the Yankees last October. Both of these guys, who are not anything close to legitimate prospects, are wasting spots on the 40-man roster.
* Eric Valent – We’re currently relying heavily on Jose Offerman as a lefty hitter. It won’t be as bad when one of Mike Jacobs or Doug Mientkiewicz is available on the bench. Regardless, Valent, who I’ve argued for months should be on the roster, would represent our best source of power on the bench, and as recently as last year was a viable hitter for us.
* Anderson Hernandez – He can’t be any worse than Woodsuisonairo, that four headed middle infield monster, can he? Of course, he’s probably better defensively and has excellent speed. I’d argue he’s probably a little over his head offensively based on his AA and AAA stats, but we’re talking about a free roster spot. He’s not on the 40-man roster (as best as I can tell), so I’m thinking they should consider moving Jeff Keppinger (who I believe is done for the year) to the 60 day DL.

If we had a dominant bench and/or didn’t make a ton of pitching changes, I’d be less alarmed by the fact that we didn’t supplement our bench. To me, it shows two things – bad talent evaluation, and a bad job of picking the guys you want to go to battle with. I’ve come to expect nothing less from Clueless Willie, however, I am also disappointed in Minaya right now.

September Call-Ups

2005-09-01T11:54:00.000-04:00

September call-ups should typically help a team get better for the stretch run. Teams out of the playoffs get to look at some young kids, the young kids get some valuable major-league experience, and teams in the playoff hunt get some extra help.

Except if you are the Mets.

According to the Star Ledger, here is a look at the players that will be joining the Mets with the rosters expanding today:

Kaz Ishii, a player that needs no introduction, was a starter before the Mets sent him to Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 6, but he pitched in relief at Norfolk and had a 2-2 record with a 1.76 ERA for the Tides. He was 3-9 with a 5.04 ERA. Unless he is coming up to get one out against a lefty late in a game, I don't want him anywhere near Shea Stadium.

Tim Hamulack, 28, has never pitched in the big leagues. He was signed by the Mets in the off-season as a six-year minor league free agent after spending last season in the Boston Red Sox organization. He split this season between Double-A Binghamton and Norfolk, where he had a 3-1 record and 1.02 ERA and six saves in 28 games. He has never pitched in the major leagues. Exactly what we need for the stretch run. A guy that has no experience in the majors, and we throw him into the pressure cooker his first time out. Brilliant.

Shingo Takatsu, who had pitched for the Chicago White Sox, was signed to a minor-league contract after the White Sox released him last month. He had 3.38 ERA in eight innings over seven games for Norfolk. Another great move. He was 1-2 for the Sox with an ERA of 5.97. He is the perfect guy to bring in when we have a seven run lead.

As for other potential call-ups, reliever Danny Graves, who was designated for assignment to make room on the 25-man roster when Steve Trachsel was activated, still has a locker in the Mets clubhouse and is expected to return. The right-hander has pitched four innings in three games at Norfolk with an 18.00 ERA. Have we not had enough of this experiment yet? Graves is finished. We already have a guy to bring in when we are up by seven, we don't need another. In case you didn't hear me I said he had an 18.00 ERA at NORFOLK!!!

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is expected to return tomorrow from his rehab assignment at Single-A St. Lucie. Mientkiewicz went 0-for-3 with three walks in a rehab game for St. Lucie last night. Perfect. He went 0-3 against Single-A pitching. Can't wait to see him against Dontrelle Willis, AJ Burnett, and Tim Hudson.

Reliever Manny Aybar, who started the season with the Mets, could return as well. He has posted a 1.20 ERA in 22 games for Norfolk. Had a 6.04 ERA in 25 innings with the Mets early in the year. Omar must think we are going to be involved in alot of blowouts down the stretch.

Phorget It and Move on

2005-09-01T11:09:00.000-04:00

The Mets fell back to 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies last night losing with Pedro on the mound. The Phillies made Pedro look like a batting practice pitcher hitting four homers, two by second baseman Chase Utley. The Mets look to take two out of three today with Tom Glavine pitching against Jon Lieber, in a game the Mets need to win before they head down to Florida.

Tom Glavine (10-11, 4.06 ERA) is just 4-4 despite a 2.61 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 of his last 12 starts, with the Mets winning only seven of those games. Glavine is 24-15 with a 3.79 ERA in 54 career starts against Philadelphia.

After he records his first out today, Glavine will have hit his 8 million dollar vesting option for next season.

Jon Lieber (12-12, 4.81 ERA), is 4-4 with a 4.54 ERA in 15 career appearances against the Mets. He has held the opposition to two runs or less in four of his last five starts. Lieber was the starter in two Phillies losses to the Mets this season, allowing six runs in 10 innings.

Somebody needs to tell Kenny Lofton that its not 1994. He homered in game one and made two Willie Mays-like catches last night on the warning track in centerfield to stop the Mets from putting a rally together.

Game Notes: Jimmy Rollins has a .395 (17-for-43) batting average with eight doubles in his career against Tom Glavine. Cliff Floyd is hitting .362 (17-for-47) in his career against Lieber. David Wright's 11 game hitting streak came to an end last night.

The Energizer Bunny

2005-09-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

Remember those old ads in which the Energizer Bunny kept going and going? Well, I think that Miguel Cairo is now the Energizer Bunny. In addition to holding down the #2 spot in the batting lineup despite a Rey Ordonezian-like line of a .295 OBP and .328 SLG, he managed to stay in the game in the third inning yesterday despite taking a pitch off his hand.

Now I don't want to sound insensitive, but I have to admit that I was hoping that he'd have broken a bone, or at least needed to leave due to some swelling or precautionary x-rays. We all know by now that Clueless Willie won't take him out of the lineup or even bat him 8th, so I was hoping that Brett Myers pitch would have ended Mets fans suffering. Alas, that wasn't to be the case. In true Energizer Bunny fashion, he shook off the pain, and trotted down to first base.

Will the Energizer Bunny keep going? Probably. Although each game he keeps going he really hurts our chances of winning. I know I've argued this before, but it's getting nauseating watching a bad utility infielder continually bat second ahead of guys like Beltran, Floyd and Wright.

Pick of the Day (11-5)

2005-08-31T14:31:00.000-04:00

Banged up Jake Peavy and the Padres came through last night, making the POD six games over .500 for the first time this year. Tonight is a no-brainer. Let's Go Mets!!! The Red-Hot Mets send Pedro Martinez (13-5, 2.77 ERA) to the mound looking to take over the wild-card lead from the Phillies. Martinez is 7-3 with a 2.59 ERA in 18 career appearances against the Phillies. He has won both of his starts this season against them posting a 2.08 ERA. Martinez will be opposed by Brett Myers (11-6, 3.55 ERA). He is 5-5 with a 6.19 ERA in 13 career starts against the Mets, 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA in two starts this season.

The Pick: Mets

Bleeding Orange and Blue

2005-08-31T12:10:00.000-04:00

This article was published in NY Newsday. It was written by my old English Professor at Hofstra University, Dana Brand. He probably wouldn't know who I was if I was standing next to him, but I remember him. Here is the article:

There is no good reason why I should care about the New York Mets.

Like all baseball teams, they are a business. I should care no more about their success than I care about the success of a movie studio or television network. Yet I choose to care, deeply and powerfully. I have cared about the Mets for 43 years and probably will for the rest of my life. I enjoy my loyalty. I enjoy the irrationality and intensity of my loyalty.

Although my allegiance is a choice, at a certain level, it is not. The Mets are part of my heritage. My parents grew up as Brooklyn Dodgers fans. Three years after I was born, they lost their team in a way that should have left them permanently disillusioned. In spite of that, they wanted baseball back and wanted me to have baseball, too. They did not, under any circumstances, want me to have the Yankees.

As my interest in baseball awakened during the summer of 1961, my parents persuaded me to ignore the excitement of the race to break Babe Ruth's home run record. They persuaded me to ignore the first World Series of which I was aware. They persuaded me to wait to begin my lifelong love affair with baseball until the summer of 1962, when there would be a new National League franchise in New York, a team that would replace the Dodgers, a team that would represent the vast remnant of the metropolitan area that refused to be represented by the team from the Bronx.

The central pleasure of my first year of fandom was rooting for a brand-new team. I loved the novelty of the blue and orange colors, and the cool, contemporary brevity of the name. I loved the logo, a baseball encompassing the skyscrapers and bridges of New York. It was the only team logo that featured a city, and it was my city. I don't remember minding that they were a very bad team, the worst in modern baseball history. I loved them wildly and intemperately. Anything they accomplished was good, and everything about them was part of me.

The Mets were bad for all of my childhood, but I never lost hope. I dreamed of them winning the World Series the way I dreamed of winning a Nobel Prize, an Academy Award or a presidential election.

Then came 1969, unforeseen and soul-filling, and neither I nor millions of others have gotten over it. The Mets remained the Mets, ordinary people competing against giants, yet they suddenly seemed to have magical powers. Everything happened as I wanted it to happen, reliably, inexorably. The young pitchers were perfect. The hitters hit when needed. Mediocre fielders made spectacular catches. The Mets won game after game and did not stop.

For months, nearly every thought I had - every sweet, pleasurable thought - was of them. It was like being in love. I was too young to perceive the absurdity, and nowhere near old enough to value my emotion in spite of its absurdity. I simply enjoyed, and I never will forget how much I enjoyed the summer of 1969.

For fans of my age, the summer of 1969 is the defining myth of the Mets.

Yankees fans have their myth: The Yankees are invincible, the team of Ruth and Gehrig, the only team for whom a season is not a success if it yields only a pennant, for whom a bad season is an anomaly. The myth is a crock, of course. The Yanks have had plenty of mediocre seasons the last 40 years.

The Mets' myth is the reverse. True Mets fans always think of the Mets as a fundamentally bad team that, every once in a while, briefly and magnificently rises up to play against type. When the Mets win, the fans feel as if they themselves have willed the team forward. We were the ones, with our slogans and signs, who took a last-place team to a pennant in 1973. We were the ones who drove Mookie Wilson's ball between Bill Buckner's legs in 1986. We were responsible for Al Leiter's perfection in the one-game playoff against the Reds in 1999. And we made Shea Stadium thunder in 2000, frightening the superior Cards and Giants into submission.

Yankees fans do not feel responsible for what the Yankees do. But Mets fans feel they create the atmosphere that allows miracles to happen.

What I want this year is another miracle. And this team will do. It is a Mets team. It is unpredictable and unbelievably frustrating. It doesn't look as if it deserves to win. But it has enough talent and spirit to allow us to dream. If things fall together the right way, the bumpy rhythm of this season could become smooth.

Making the playoffs may not be likely, but fans who live for miracles don't need the odds on their side. In our doomed but beloved temple, we can yell and scream and lift them up. We again can have astonished fun, and the mystical sense of power a Yankees fan can't know. For if we win, we will have the pleasure of the unexpected, even of the undeserved.

This is what has hooked us. This is what we long for. This is why, however much we hate them at times, we love to love this team. However good the Yankees become, they never tempt us. We are stubborn and resolute. We are millions. We are Mets fans.

Phantastic!

2005-08-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

The Mets got off to a rough start yesterday with Jae Seo needing 11 pitches to retire leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins, followed by a Kenny Lofton homer, a Bobby Abreu single and Met killer Pat Burrell's 29th career homer against the Mets, his fourth against us this year, and his 15th at Shea. He has double the amount of homeruns against the Mets than any other team. I think a cupful of Pedro Martinez may quiet him down tonight.

Fortunately, the Mets were able to hold the Phillies to one run the rest of the way.

Ramon Castro stole the show in the eighth inning with a monster three-run homerun, which set off fireworks in the dugout. Jose Reyes was jumping up and down like a 12 year old on a trampoline, and Willie Randolph even smiled. The crowd of 36,000+ went nuts, Castro came out for a curtain call, and you could tell something special was in the air. Even Carlos Beltran chipped in, going 3-3 and throwing out a runner at the plate.

"We never thought for a second we were going to lose," David Wright said. "It just seemed like something big was going to happen."

With a win tonight, the Mets take over the lead in the wild-card race. We signed Pedro Martinez in the offseason because he is a big game pitcher. Tonight is as big a game as you are going to find around here.

Minaya on WFAN

2005-08-30T23:16:00.000-04:00

Mets general manager Omar Minaya was interviewed this afternoon at Shea by Joe Benigno and Sid Rosenberg. Joe and Sid did a great job asking all the right questions, while Minaya was commendable for not backing down and giving surprisingly straight answers. In a nutshell, here is what Minaya had to say:

1. Carlos Beltran is not as big a disappointment as fans think. He is doing the little things like baserunning, hitting the cutoff man, and being a good influence on the young guys. He says he is the ultimate team guy for putting off surgery to help the team during its playoff push. He thinks that Beltran is trying too hard to justify his big contract and once he stops trying to muscle the ball, he will start to put up numbers. Minaya didn't seem overly concerned about him.

2. Trachsel vs Zambrano. Minaya said Trachsel is NOT going to be traded. He said that the reason Zambrano is starting on Friday is purely a numbers thing. Zambrano has been lights out against the Marlins and Trachsel doesn't have as good a track record. He said that the situation will be re-evaluated after the game on Friday and Trachsel will likely be starting again. He made it a point to say that this has nothing to do with the Kazmir trade and the Mets wanting to save face.

3. Ishii vs. Seo. He also said that every time the Mets wanted to send Ishii down, he pitched a good game and they thought he was coming around. The Mets also liked the idea of having two lefty starters in the rotation, so they gave Ishii as much of an opportunity as possible to prove his worth. He said that Seo was not pitching lights out in the minors, and that there is no way you can assume he would have been this good all along. He thinks being in the minors is what helped Seo get this good.

4. He said that he can potentially see Ramon Castro as an everyday catcher but that won't be evaluated until after the season. When Joe and Sid brought up Ramon Hernandez's name, Minaya laughed and said he couldn't discuss other players because of tampering rules.

Great interview. Its good to know we have a GM that isn't affraid to tell the fans what is going on behind the scenes. Now hopefully he can go get us Manny Ramirez in the offseason....

Pick of the Day (10-5)

2005-08-30T14:41:00.000-04:00

The POD looks to win three straight tonight after Cris Carpenter held the Marlins to one run last night. I'm going out west where the Diamondbacks and the Padres are getting together tonight. San Diego has ace Jake Peavy pitching against Arizona's ace Javier Vazquez.

After Receiving two stitches and a tetnus shot for cutting his left hand on a garbage pail in a freak accident on Friday, Peavy is ready to go. He is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA in four starts against Arizona this year.

His opponent, Javier Vazquez (10-13, 4.59 ERA), is 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA in two starts against San Diego this season. He is 1-4 with a 6.18 ERA over his last five outings.

The Pick: San Diego

Phinally, Games that Matter

2005-08-30T10:27:00.000-04:00

The Mets wanted to be playing meanigful games in September.

September starts for them tonight against the Phillies. The Mets begin a stretch where they play 24 of their next 28 games against division opponents. How important are these games? If the Mets win their next two games they are the wild-card leaders.

Expect the Mets to come out with all guns blazing at Shea where they are 40-25 this season. Hopefully the Phillies get a little bit intimidated knowing that they will be facing scortching hot Jae Seo, along with a pair of future hall of famers in Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine. The Phillies will also need to improve their .440 winning percentage (22-28) against their divisional rivals, the lowest percentage for any team still in the pennant chase.

Here are the pitching matchups for the series: Tonight its Jae Seo (6-1, 1.31 ERA) vs Robinson Tejeda (4-3, 3.20 ERA). Tomorrow night it's Pedro Martinez (13-5, 2.77 ERA) vs. Brett Myers (11-6, 3.55 ERA). Thursday it will be Tom Glavine (10-11, 4.06 ERA) vs. Jon Lieber (12-11, 4.91).

Since Aug. 5, a span of 21 games, the Mets' starters are 13-6 with a 2.57 ERA.

Seo will try to continue his rediculous run at Shea Stadium, where he is 4-0 with a 0.32 ERA in four starts this season. One of the starts was against the Phillies, when he allowed one hit over seven innings. He is 1-3 with a 2.29 ERA in six starts against Philadelphia. Tejeda is 3-3 with a 2.86 ERA as a starter this season, including an 0-1 mark and 2.70 ERA in two outings against the Mets.

Game Notes: The Mets are 5-2 vs. the Phillies at Shea this year. Bobby Abreu is 1-for-15 in his career against Jae Seo. Pat Burrell has hit 28 homers against the Mets, by far his most against any team. Miguel Cairo is 3-for-8 (.375) with two doubles against Phillies closer Billy Wagner (hopefully Willie will be smart enough to leave him on the bench to make a late inning pinch-hitting appearance).

Wright Named Player of the Week

2005-08-29T23:56:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to David Wright for being named NL player of the week. He led the league in hits, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, total bases, and was tied for the league lead in runs scored. His statistics for the week included a .481 batting average, 10 runs scored, 3 homeruns, 2 steals, 5 RBIs and 25 total bases. His slugging percentage was .926 and his
on-base percentage was .533, for an OPS of 1.459.

He beat out the likes Ken Griffey Jr. (.407, 4 home runs, 5 RBIs), Tim Hudson (2-0, 2.00 ERA, 2 complete games, 9 strikeouts), Juan Pierre (.407, 10 runs, 5 stolen bases), Dontrelle Willis (2-0, 2.19 ERA, 8 strikeouts), and Brian Giles (.524, 1 home run, 7 RBIs).

I'm sure this is just one of many awards David Wright will be winning in his career. Nice job, David.

Out of Rotation

2005-08-29T17:44:00.000-04:00

The Mets decision to keep Victor Zambrano in the rotation ahead of Steve Trachsel is a very poor one. While both pitchers were excellent in their games last week, there are several reasons why Trachsel would be the better option to remain one of our five starters:

* Recent performance – I don’t want to make too much of Trachsel’s Friday night game, as it was one start. He could have easily given up 5 runs in 6 innings and many would be singing a different tune. However, Zambrano has had an ERA of 5.22 in August, and has allowed 5 homers in 29 innings (he had only given up 5 homers through the all-star break). Since the all-star break, Zambrano’s ERA is over 5, and opponents are hitting .277 against him.
* Alternative roles – Trachsel has never really pitched out of the pen, while Zambrano has pitched in relief for Tampa for parts of his time there. Essentially, Trachsel has little value to us without starting. Zambrano could be shifted to the pen much more easily than Trachsel.
* Fresh arm – Trachsel missed all season with a back problem, not an arm or shoulder problem. So as most pitchers start tiring as we go through September, here’s a chance to start a guy who doesn’t have 150-200 innings of mileage this year.
* Effect on the bullpen – IN addition to Zambrano being a more serviceable reliever than Trachsel, we need to also consider the impact on the relievers. Zambrano is averaging just over 6 innings/start. While Trachsel is not the most economical, he’s a lot less likely to have to get removed in the 4th or 5th inning than Zambrano is, which could help conserve our bullpen arms.

According to the Daily News, Willie Randolph made this decision, possibly with Rick Peterson. I find it extremely disappointing that we have the potential to add a very solid, consistent guy to our rotation at the expense of a guy who’s been underwhelming of late, and yet we’re not doing so. Willie’s desire to stick with Ishii over Seo has been much discussed. And this decision shows that Randolph has not been able to learn from his mistakes, which really does not bode well for his future (and ours as fans to).

Pick of the Day (9-5)

2005-08-29T14:45:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I played with the big boys and won, picking the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano against Josh Beckett and the Marlins. Tonight I am going to hope history can repeat itself and pick the toughest game out there once again. This time is Cris Carpenter and the Cardinals at Florida with AJ Burnett on the mound.

Cris Carpenter (18-4, 2.34 ERA) is having the best season of his career, going 10-0 with a 1.54 ERA over his last 13 starts. He is 10-0 with a 2.07 ERA on the road this season. He is 2-2 with a 2.03 ERA in seven career starts against Florida.

AJ Burnett (12-7, 2.90 ERA) is 4-2 with a 2.50 ERA in seven career starts against St. Louis. He was 7-0 with a 1.56 ERA in his last seven starts before taking the loss against Milwaukee last Wednesday.

The Pick: St. Louis

Zambrano to Remain in the Rotation

2005-08-29T12:36:00.000-04:00

The Mets have announced that Mr. erratic, Victor Zambrano (7-10, 4.07) will start against the Florida Marlins Friday night, sending Steve Trachsel to the bullpen. Apparently Trachsel's eight shutout innings in San Fransisco weren't good enough.

"I guess I had to throw a no-hitter," Trachsel said.

Manager Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson set the rotation yesterday. Jae Seo, Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine will start against Philadelphia this week, Zambrano, Benson and Seo are scheduled to face the Marlins starting Friday night.

Zambrano is 3-1 with a 2.04 ERA in five career appearances against Florida. Trachsel was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four starts against Florida last year.

Unfortunately for Zambrano, he has become the eye of Hurricane Willie. He is pretty much in a no win situation. If he pitches well, he creates a problem with Trachsel in the bullpen and the Mets not wanting to use a six-man rotation. If he pitches poorly, if the move backfires, this will be on of the most highly second guessed decisions of Willie's young managerial career.

Giant Let Down

2005-08-28T23:47:00.000-04:00

After a record setting offensive outpouring in the desert, scoring 32 runs in two games, the Mets managed only three runs in three games against San Fransisco pitching. That's not to take anything away from the Giants. They made their pitches when they had to and kept the Mets on their heels. Apparently the Mets left their hearts in San Fransisco and their runs in Arizona.

On a night where Philadelphia, Florida, Houston, and Washington all lost, the Mets failed to capitalize. The Mets now return to Shea for a series with the wild card leader Phillies without any momentum. If you want to find positives going into the Phillies series, I found two. First, the Mets are 8-4 vs. Philadelphia this season. Second, all of the teams that they are competing with are also going into their new series without any momentum.

I also discovered a new phenomenon this weekend that I have dubbed "Beltranism." Beltranism is the sickening feeling that I get in my stomach when I realize that the Mets are losing close games, and our 119 million dollar man is hitting .263. I am not talking about the I got into an argument with my girlfriend sick. I'm talking the feeling you get after you eat too much Taco Bell sick. The funny thing about Beltranism though, is that it seems to go away when the Mets win, especially when they win by two touchdowns. Go Figure.

Pick of the Day (8-5)

2005-08-28T11:43:00.000-04:00

It took five runs in the bottom of the ninth for the Yankees to beat the Royals yesterday and stop the POD from losing two straight. Today I am going to appease my esteemed partner Grant and pick the toughest game on the board. Grant has a knack of telling me that its not that big of a challenge to go out there and pick the Mets when they are at home with Pedro on the mound against a team like Pittsburgh. He seems to lose the point of this experiment which is simply to attain a 75% winning percentage by picking one game a day. Either way, I feel like challenging myself today so I am going to pick the Florida - Cubs game.

The Cubs send Zambrano (10-5, 3.03 ERA) to the mound to stop the bleeding as the Cubs have lost three straight and six of their last eight, and are trying to avoid being swept by the Marlins. The good Zambrano is 5-1 with a 2.24 ERA at home this season.

The Marlins are going with Josh Beckett (12-7, 3.45 ERA). Beckett is coming off one of his worst starts of the season as he allowed a Kris Benson like six earned runs in 3 1-3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. Beckett is 3-5 with a 4.90 ERA on the road this year.

Although the Marlins are in the middle of a wild-card hunt, I don't see them sweeping the series in Chicago. The pick: Cubs

All Good Things Come to an End

2005-08-28T09:52:00.000-04:00

Any realistic Mets fan had to know that the ride was going to end at some point. Even with a tough 2-1 loss in San Fransisco last night, they were in the game until the last strike and kept it interesting for the fans. This team is starting to gel right in front of our eyes. A win today will send the Mets back home with a 6-1 road trip that I don't think even the most optimistic of fans would have expected.

Glavine (10-11) pitched six innings, allowing two runs and four hits while striking out three and walking none. He is now only one out away from collecting his 8 million dollar vesting option for next season.

After an offensive explosion in Arizona, the Mets have now scored only two runs in two games in San Fransisco. Fortunately one of those games was a 1-0 victory. They better pick up the pace real quick, because a run per game won't get you very far in the middle of a wild-card race.

Today, the Mets look to win the series with Kris Benson (9-5, 3.89 ERA) on the hill. Benson will look to bounce back from the shortest outing of his career giving up six earned runs and eight hits over just two-thirds of an inning in a loss to Washington last Sunday. Benson is 2-5 with a 4.10 ERA in eight career starts against the Giants.

Beson will be opposed by Noah Lowry (10-11, 3.81 ERA). Lowry is 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two career starts against the Mets. He has won his last four starts.

Game Notes: David Wright has hit safely in 21 of his last 25 games and is batting .522 with three homers, 10 runs scored and five RBI on the trip. Jose Reyes had his 14th triple of the season yesterday, leading the NL. Mike Piazza is due to come off of the DL on Thursday, but Willie Randolph thinks he will need a few extra days to rest.

Pick of the Day(7-5)

2005-08-27T12:56:00.000-04:00

I know its sac-religious to put a yankee logo up here, but my other options today were Florida and Houston, and at this point in the year, I'd rather the Yankees win than either of the other teams. Not to mention the fact that the Yankees are up against J.P. Howell (1-4, 7.68 ERA) who is 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA in five outings on the road this year. Its Saturday so I'm keeping this short and to the point.

On the Wright Trach

2005-08-27T01:23:00.000-04:00

For those of you like myself who were affraid to throw Steve Trachsel into the fire in the middle of a pennant chase, the joke is on us. The Mets (68-60), have now won five straight on the road, and Trachsel looked like he could be our ace in the hole down the stretch, allowing two hits in eight innings while striking out six. Trachsel did his best Pedro Martinez impression, taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, before Randy Winn singled with two outs. Braden Looper came on in the ninth, scaring the crap out of me as usual, giving up a lead off double to Omar Vizquel, before pitching out of it unscathed for his 27th save. The Mets only run came on a second inning homerun by David Wright. Carlos Beltran went 1-4 to drop his average to .263 (sorry, I had to find at least one negative).

Play Your Hearts Out in San Fransisco

2005-08-26T14:15:00.000-04:00

The Mets complete this seven game road trip with three in San Francisco. Trips here between 2002-2004 were largely unsuccessful – the Mets were only 3-7 over that time. However, this year, they’re riding a hot streak (winners of 4 in a row, 6 of 7 and 8 of 10), and the Giants are without their best hitter, Barry Bonds, who is sitting out the year to avoid being tested for steroids.

That said, two of the three starts are against quality NL starters. After today’s matchup between Steve Trachsel and the unproven Kevin Correia, the weekend offers Tom Glavine-Jason Schmidt on Saturday and Kris Benson-Noah Lowry on Sunday. Let’s look game by game to see what we can expect:

Friday night – Kevin Correia has struggled this year – he’s got an ERA of nearly 5, and a WHIP of 1.60. He’s a 25 year old righty, and is not one of their top prospects. Steve Trachsel is a wild-card. Chances are the Mets will monitor the pitch count, although he has gone fairly deep into games in his last minor league outings. I must admit I'm a little nervous about upsetting the proverbial apple cart. Trachsel hasn't pitched all year and is now being thrown into the fire- in the middle of the first real hot streak the mets have had all year. If it’s a close game, it will be essential to get 7 innings out of Trachsel tonight. Roberto Hernandez pitched 2 innings (35 pitches), so it would probably be best if we could get him a night off. Tonight figures to be our best chance all weekend to score early and often, so let’s hope the bats come out the way they did on Tuesday and Wednesday in Arizona.

Saturday – Jason Schmidt has clearly not been the pitcher this year that he was in recent years. He’s been solid over his last 6 outings (3.49 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 32 K in 38 IP) and his home era this year is nearly a full run lower than his road ERA. We chased him after 4 innings at Shea earlier this season, but with Schmidt being so inconsistent from game to game at that point in the year, there’s not much to take from that. Tom Glavine has pitched excellent of late, and has held San Francisco to a 2.66 ERA in 3 games between 2002-2004.

Sunday – Noah Lowry burst onto the scene with a very solid second half in 2004, and after struggling in the first half of 2005, he’s been fantastic lately. His ERA is down to 3.81, and he’s 4-1 in his last 6 games with an ERA of 1.30 and a WHIP of 0.89. Earlier this week, he shut out the Phillies over 8.2 innings. Lowry’s opposed by Kris Benson, who has been everything Mets fans could have asked this year. There’s a sour taste in our mouths after his 2/3 of an inning outing on Sunday, and we’ll need to hope that the reports that contain speculation of a shoulder injury are unfounded.
Offensively, let’s hope that Willie can get Miguel Cairo out of the lineup. He’s in a huge slump, and his OBP is under .300 now. At this point, we’re better off playing Kaz Matsui or even Marlon Anderson, especially if whoever plays 2B is going to bat second in this lineup. It’s easy to accept Reyes’ sub-par OBP atop the lineup when you consider what he brings with his speed and general excitement.

The Ghost wants your opinion

2005-08-26T13:11:00.000-04:00

Well, the site has been up for a month now and the amount of hits has been steadily increasing which is great, so I want to thank everyone for their continued support. I'd also like to know your opinions of the site. What you like? Dislike? is there something you want to see more of? Less of?. Is there a particular column you liked? Something you disagreed with? Your comments are appreciated and feel free to post annonymously. Thank you.

Pick of the Day (7-4)

2005-08-26T11:29:00.000-04:00

Last night Curt Schilling stunk and the Red Sox lost to the lowly Royals, stopping the POD winning streak at 4 games. Tonight I'm going with Seattle and 19 year old rookie phenom Felix Hernandez at home against the White Sox. Felix Hernandez (2-1, 1.24 ERA), in two home starts, is 2-0 with an 0.56 ERA. He has struck out 30 batters in 29 innings while walking only 4.

The White Sox are going with a Hernandez of their own in the form of El Duque, Orlando Hernandez (8-6, 4.75 ERA). He is 1-2 with a 4.75 ERA in nine career starts against Seattle. On the road this year, he is 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA in eight starts.

Game Notes: The White Sox lead the season series 4-2. The White Sox are trying to win three in a row for the first time this month. Ichiro Suzuki is 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in his career against Orlando Hernandez.

D'Backs Roll Snake Eyes, Mets Sweep!

2005-08-26T09:58:00.000-04:00

Last night there were no offensive fireworks. Good thing the Mets didn't need them. Behind six scoreless innings from Pedro Martinez (13-5, 2.77 ERA), the Mets swept the Diamondbacks with a 3-1 win. The Mets (67-60) outscored Arizona, 39-7, and never trailed in the four-game series. It was one of the ugliest no-hit bids I have ever seen. Pedro took a no-hitter into the sixth, before Luis Gonzalez broke it up with a single to right field. Up until that point, he had walked four and hit a batter (probably intentionally as payback for Matsui getting hit the night before), while not surrendering a hit. He ended up pitching six shutout innings before being removed because he had already thrown 100 pitches. He finally did get his 13th victory, his first win since July 23rd.

It was the Mets first four game sweep since they swept the Colorado Rockies at Shea in August of 2003. They have won eight of their last ten, and are now 1 1/2 games behind the wild-card leading Phillies, and trail the Braves by five games in the division.

Stat of the Day: David Wright (54) and Jose Reyes (52) have the most hits in the National League since the All-Star break.

Charitable Contributions Department: Mike Cameron donates $100 for every catch he makes at Shea Stadium to the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. With Cameron out for the season, Cliff Floyd has stepped in and will contribute $100 for each of his catches through the end of the season. Cameron has donated $26,000 over the last two seasons.

History Lesson

2005-08-26T09:53:00.000-04:00

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Mike Jacobs has become the first player in the history of the game to homer four times within four days of his major-league debut. Welcome to the big show, Mike.

Milking the System

2005-08-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

The Florida Marlins batboy who was suspended for six games for accepting a dare from pitcher Brad Penny, a former Marlin, to drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour without vomiting, has garnered some interest from the Milk Processor Education Program, who wants to compensate him. The group is offering the batboy $500, the original prize of the dare, along with any lost wages from the suspension as long as he promises to drink the recommended three glasses of milk a day (just not all in one sitting).

In addition, the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins' Single-A affiliate in the Florida State League, have offered him an honorary batboy position during their game Monday night against the Tampa Yankees.

"Similar to a rehab stint, we want to help this kid stay on top of his game," Miracle GM Steve Gliner said. " Instead of crying over spilt milk, we decided to offer him the honorary post."

All kids 14 and under will receive a pint of milk upon entering the stadium. The Miracle will also have a cow at the front gates and literature will be passed out on the importance of drinking milk. Empty milk cartons will be placed around the ballpark, so fans can donate money to the out-of-work batboy. (Story as reported on ESPN.com)

Pick of the Day (7-3)

2005-08-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

Last night the Mets came through with the blowout in Arizona, and since we all know what happened, I'll move on to the pick. Because I am late putting up the pick, and there are alot of day games, the choices are few and far between. Tonight I am going with the big story. The Red Sox and Curt Schilling's return to the starting rotation. Schilling (5-5, 6.43 ERA) is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in nine career appearances, including two starts, against the Royals.

For the Royals it will be Jose Lima (4-12, 6.47 ERA), who is on a four game losing streak. During the streak, he has allowed 15 runs in 24 2-3 innings. The losses are not entirely his fault, the Royals have not scored in Lima's last 23 2-3 innings. He is 1-3 with a 7.42 ERA in nine career appearances against the Red Sox. His only win against Boston came on Sept. 27, 1995 with the Detroit Tigers

The Kings of Queens

2005-08-25T11:23:00.000-04:00

Over the last two days the Mets have had an offensive outpouring of epic proportions. In the last two games alone, Jose Reyes, David Wright, Victor Diaz, and Mike Jacobs have combined for: 22-36 (.611), 23 runs scored, 6 HR, 18 RBI's, 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 stolen bases. Oh, and lets not forget the salaries of these players. Wright makes $322,500, Reyes makes $332,000, Diaz and Jacobs do not have their salaries published anywhere that I could find, but here is the league policy: $316,000 is the major league minimum salary. The minimum minor league salary for players who play on teams with 40 person rosters in their second year or who have played a day in the major leagues is $52,600. So I would think that Jacobs and Diaz are making some sort of prorated version of $316,000. For our purposes we will call it $125,000 each. That brings the grand total to $904,500. Notice how I have not mentioned the names Beltran, Floyd, Piazza and Cameron. (They make a combined $41,476,191). Talk about bang for your buck.

Jose Reyes, age 22: Last night, Reyes hit his NL-leading 13th triple, belted a three-run homer, walked and scored three times while falling a double shy of the cycle. He leads the league in steals with 45, and is on pace to score 100 runs. He is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic players in the game.

David Wright, age 22: Every so often a guy comes around and you hear beaseball people talk about them using the term "5-tool player." I think David Wright has six tools. This guy does everything. He hits for power (20 HR this year), he hits for average (his .314 is 5th in the NL), he steals bases (14), he drives in runs (leads the team in RBI's with 82), he plays defense (making two of the best catches I have ever seen this year), and he has a warrior mentality that very few other players have (diving into the stands for balls). Let's not forget that the NY fans love him, and he obviously is having no trouble producing under the limelight. Kind of makes you wonder how many more games we might have won if clueless Willie didn't have him batting 7th for the entire first half.

Mike Jacobs, age 24: Ok, I am not annointing him as the next great Mets savior, and I certainly understand that he may just as easily be the next Benny Agbayani or Kevin Maas (sorry for the Yankee reference), but this guy is off to a start that little kids wake up in the middle of the night dreaming about. Jacobs has come out of relative obscurity to go 7-13 (.538), with four homers, a double, nine RBI's and eight runs scored in four games. Not a bad start for a guy with a career .279 average with 44 homers in 450 minor league games. Maybe he is first coming into his own at age 24 on the big stage (he turns 25 in October), maybe he will fizzle and go 2 for his next 20, either way, lets ride the wave until it crashes (if it ever does).

Victor Diaz, age 23: Acquired in 2003 as the main piece in the Jeromy Burnitz trade, Diaz has shown flashes of greatness. Currently he has a six game hitting streak, and is batting .384 over that span. The big question is where he will play. Originally a second baseman, he has played all over the diamond, ala Kevin Mitchell, spending last season in right field and even trying his hand at first base and catcher in the minor leagues. It will be interesting to see what the Mets have planned for him.

Oh yeah, Lastings Milledge and Yusmeiro Petit are on the way. The new stadium is going to be filled with lots of great moments.

Desert Storm

2005-08-25T10:28:00.000-04:00

Just when you thought things were starting to go well in Metsville, they got better. For the second straight day, the Mets destroyed Arizona, making them look more like garden snakes than Diamondbacks.

The Mets (66-60) have outscored Arizona 32-5 the past two nights, just shy of the franchise record 34 scored in back-to-back wins against the Cubs in 1990. They also set team records for extra-base hits (13) and total bases (44) in a game, moving six games over .500 for the first time this season. They also had a season highs with 18 runs and 20 hits. The Mets even did something that most people have never seen before, scoring two runs on Carlos Beltran's seemingly routine double-play ball hit to second base.

The Mets started this road trip with the third-fewest road wins in the NL, but have won three straight to open a stretch of 17 of 20 games on the road, which for all intents and purposes, is now the next 14 of 17 away from Shea.

Jae Seo (6-1, 1.30 ERA) pitched like an ace once again, giving up two runs on seven hits in seven innings. He is 4-0 with an 0.89 ERA in four starts since his return to the team.

The Mets look to complete the sweep in the desert tonight with Pedro Martinez on the mound. Hopefully there are a few runs left in the bats for Pedro. I would hate to see him leave the game in the seventh inning with a two run lead and have the well-rested bullpen blow another win for him.

Deja Vu All Over Again

2005-08-25T00:11:00.000-04:00

I feel like I just did this. Its midnight and Arizona needs two touchdowns and a field goal to take the lead. Again I can go to bed with a relatively confident feeling that even our bullpen can't blow this lead. That is if Jae Seo ever gives up a run. I am still having trouble believing that this is the same Jae Seo I have seen in the past. Its the sixth inning and the Mets have 16 runs on 16 hits. The most ironic part is that neither Beltran nor Floyd have a hit tonight.
Its the unlikely heros that are getting it done for the second consecutive night. Reyes has homered again, and is 3-4 with 3 runs and 4 RBI's. Wright is 3-3 with a titanic homerun to right-center, with 3 runs scored and an RBI. Mike Jacobs is doing it all. He hit his 3rd career homerun and is 3-3 with 4 runs scored and 3 RBI's. He even got a hit off of a lefty. Ramon Castro is quickly making fans forget that Piazza is hurt. He is also 2-2 with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI's and now has 33RBI's on the year with 35 hits. Ok, David Wright just put one into the pool in right field. Its now 17-o, and Ted Robinson and Fran Healy are really getting annoying. Robinson can't figure out that it was John Olerud in 1999 that reached base 15 consecutive plate appearances and holds the Mets record. Fran Healy won't shut up about Reyes and the fact that he only needs a double for the cycle. David Wright is now batting .314 and is 5th in the NL. I have to go to bed. More statistical analysis to come in the morning. I have a funny feeling that they are going to change the spelling of Mienkiewicz to P.I.P.P. (its much easier to say anyway).

Milked!

2005-08-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

A batboy who accepted a dare Sunday by trying to drink a gallon of milk without throwing up has been suspended by the Marlins for his actions, according to the Miami Herald.

The unidentified batboy will not be allowed to work the upcoming, six-game homestand at Dolphins Stadium against the Cardinals and Mets from Aug. 29 through Sept. 4.

The Marlins refused to comment on the suspension.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny, who offered $500 to the batboy if he could drink a gallon of milk in less than an hour before Sunday's game, was angry about the decision.

''It's kind of ridiculous that you get a 10-game suspension for steroids and a six-game suspension for milk,'' Penny said.

Penny pitched for the Marlins from 2000 until the middle of last season, when he was traded to the Dodgers.

''It's ridiculous that they worry about stuff like that,'' Penny said. ``It shows they [the Marlins organization] don't know anything about the game. That kind of stuff goes on everywhere. It didn't affect the way he worked, the way he did his job.''

According to Penny, the batboy drank the gallon of milk within the time allotment but was unable to keep it down. (From Ben Maller's website, also on Metsblog)

Pick of the Day (6-3)

2005-08-24T14:07:00.000-04:00

Last night the Pittsburgh Pirates scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back. They went on to win the game 10-0 over St. Louis. Rookie Zach Duke pitched two perfect innings, before leaving the game with a leg injury. Fortunately, the Pirate bullpen was able to hold the Cardinals scoreless (kind of makes you wonder about the Mets bullpen). Tonight I am going to go with red-hot Jae Seo and our beloved NY Mets. I think its a big stretch for this team to win three straight games on the road, but I really like the matchup. Seo is on fire, and the Mets always beat up Russ Ortiz. I'm not going to do my usual numbers analysis because all the numbers can be found in the article from earlier today: "Mets vs. Diamondbacks Game 3 Preview". Let's Go Mets.

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Game 3 Preview

2005-08-24T11:43:00.000-04:00

Jae Seo (5-1, 1.09 ERA) was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to make a spot start, and was supposed to serve as a fill-in starter until Steve Trachsel returned from the disabled list. Now the Mets have to make room for Trachsel because, well, Jae has been Seo good.

Seo, looking for his fourth consecutive victory, is 3-0, allowing just one earned run in 23.1 innings since his return to the team. He is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Russ Ortiz (4-7, 6.44 ERA), who has recently come off the DL with a stress fracture in his right rib cage, has given up 18 earned runs in 14 innings in his last three starts. He is 9-5 with a 4.45 ERA in 15 career starts against the Mets, and 1-3 with a 6.62 ERA in seven starts at home this season.

Game Notes: Cliff Floyd is 9-for-26 (.346) with three homers in his career vs. Russ Ortiz. Jose Reyes tied Florida's Juan Pierre for the league lead with his 12th triple last night.

Jacobs' Field Part II (The Morning After)

2005-08-24T09:57:00.000-04:00

Well, to my pleasant surprise, not only did the bullpen not blow the game, Heath Bell, coming in for some mop-up duty, didn't even surrender a hit, striking out two in one inning of work. The Mets actually held a lead, beating Arizona by thirteen, and winning consecutive road games for the first time since June. The margin of victory was the Mets largest of the season and the win moved them to five games over .500 (65-60) for the first time since May 18, 2002. The Mets' 17-hit onslaught fell just short of the season-high, which came Aug. 2nd against Milwaukee, when they had 18 in an 11-inning win. The season-high for runs is 16, which came in a game at Philadelphia on April 19th while hitting a franchise-record seven homeruns. The blowout even allowed starters Jose Reyes, Cliff Floyd, Carlos Beltran, and David Wright to get some rest, as Willie took them all out with a 13-run lead.

With the win, the Mets moved into a fourth-place tie with Washington in the NL East and to within two games of wild-card leader Philadelphia.

Victor Zambrano (7-10, 4.07 ERA), possibly pitching to maintain his spot in the rotation, with Steve Trachsel starting on Friday, and the Mets not wanting to go to a six-man rotation, limited Arizona to one run and six hits in eight innings.

Jacobs' Field

2005-08-23T23:55:00.000-04:00

With the Mets up by a touchdown and two field goals, I figure this is a lead even our bullpen is incapable of blowing, so I'm off to bed. Especially with the likes of KKKaz Matsui and Ice Williams coming into the game. In the sixth inning, every starter has both a hit and a run scored. Rookie Mike Jacobs is 2-3 with his second career homerun, and the more I see this guy play, the more I am almost willing to personally pay for Mienkiewicz's one-way ticket to anywhere. Ramon Castro has five RBI's and now has 31 RBI's on the year with 33 hits. The more I see him, the more I think we don't need to sign a free agent cather in the off-season. Is Ramon Hernandez really going to give us much more than we are already getting? I doubt it. David Wright has raised his average to .308, going 3-3 with four runs scored and two RBI's. More about this game tomorrow when I wakeup to find out that the Mets won 15-14 in 12 innings...

The Envelope Please....

2005-08-23T22:58:00.000-04:00

...and the winner in the "who should be kicked off Mets roster to make room for Steve Trachsel" catagory is: Danny Graves. Graves was shipped to Norfolk before tonight's game to make room for Trachsel. Randolph also announced before the game that Trachsel will start the game Friday night at San Fransisco. The only question now is does this mean the Mets are going with a six-man rotation? It appears that way.

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview

2005-08-23T12:19:00.001-04:00

The Mets will try and win two straight on the road for the first time since mid-June. Victor Zambrano (6-10, 4.24 ERA) allowed four runs and six hits over six innings in his last start, a 5-0 loss to Pittsburgh. He is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in two career appearances, including one start, against the Diamondbacks. He beat Arizona 2-1 on June 1 at Shea Stadium, giving up just one run and five hits over eight strong innings. On the road this year, Zambrano is 3-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 11 starts.

The Mets will face Claudio Vargas (7-6, 4.47 ERA). He was claimed off waivers from Washington on June 3, and is 7-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 14 appearances, including 12 starts, for Arizona. He has allowed five runs over 20 innings in winning his last three outings. This will be his first start against the Mets. At home this year, Vargas is 2-3 with a 4.97 ERA in seven starts.

Game Notes: Diamondbacks third baseman Troy Glaus is 3-for-13 (.231) with one homerun in his career against Victor Zambrano. Shawn Green is one homerun short of 300 for his career. David Wright's .303 batting average has him tied with Paul LoDuca for 10th overall in the National League.

Pick of the Day (5-3) Last night St. Louis posted a relatively painless victory over Pittsburgh. Tonight I am going the other way in that same series as I am picking Pittsburgh in an upset. My boy Zach Duke (6-0, 1.87 ERA) is looking to match the best start ever for a Pittsburgh rookie tonight. The last Pirate to do it was Don Robinson (7-0), in 1978. Cardinals starter Jason Marquis has dropped six straight starts, falling to 1-9 with a 5.57 ERA in his last 12 starts. In 10 career games against Pittsburgh, Marquis is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA. Duke is 3-0 at home this season with a 1.69 ERA.

Making Room for Trachsel

2005-08-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

With the impending return of Steve Trachsel, a roster move must be made. The nominees in the category of "Who should be kicked off Mets roster" are:

Gerald Williams – The IceMan brings little offense to the table. Although he has adequate speed and a decent glove, it’s possible that Randolph could chose to go with Marlon Anderson and/or Chris Woodward as backup outfielders. Neither is great defensively (I’d be a lot more comfortable with Diaz being replaced by Williams late in the game), but we need to remember that whoever gets sent down is likely to be back up here right around September 1.

Jose Offerman – The worst offensively and defensively of the four headed middle infield monster (Cairo, Anderson, Woodward and Offerman). To me, Offerman and Anderson are the same player, except that Anderson's better offensively and has better speed.

Mike Jacobs – When he first arrived, it was expected to be for a few days. However, Piazza’s move to the DL opened up that back-up catcher spot. While all scouting reports say he’s not strong defensively, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that catcher is his natural position. He’s a lefty (most logical to share time with Ramon Castro), and can play some 1B. There’s some upside to Jacobs’ bat (unlike Mike Difelice’s), so we should think twice about demoting a guy who could help an offense that is anemic at times.

Mike DiFelice – Better defensively than Jacobs. Basically, he’s Alberto Castillo, Kelly Stinnett, Charlie O’Brien or Tim Spehr of 2006. Brings no upside and very little offense. My biggest regret is that he took so many AAA at bats that Benito Santiago wound up not sticking around at Norfolk (do people realize that Santiago hit .274 with 6 homers in 175 AB for the Royals last year).

Danny Graves – He’s actually been unscored on in 4 of his last 5 appearances, although he was a key culprit in the meltdown on Saturday night. His ERA is down but still sits at an unsightly 6.63, and it’s obvious to someone even as clueless as Willie that Graves is not one to be trusted. Why it’s not so obvious that he doesn’t need to be on the roster wasting a space is beyond me.

While the envelope with the winner is being closely guarded by Mets management, I’d like to give my vote to one of DiFelice or Graves as the guy to go. I’m comfortable enough with Jacobs defensively and intrigued enough by his offense that for one week I’m willing to sacrifice an all-glove, no-hit 36-year-old back-up catcher. However, if Randolph is actually willing to trust Trachsel into some game situations (there have been some reports that Trachsel, having never pitched out of the pen, will be activated but not used initially), then Graves should clearly be the guy to get cut. He’s been terrible since we signed him, and we can’t squander any more games due to a poorly put together bullpen.

Petit Loses AAA Debut

2005-08-23T11:48:00.000-04:00

Norfolk Tides starter Yusmeiro Petit took the loss in his Triple-A debut. The 20-year-old right hander allowed three runs on eight hits in 6 innings of work, walking three and striking out six.

Bannister Named Pitcher of the Week

2005-08-23T11:30:00.000-04:00

Norfolk Tides starting pitcher Brian Bannister has been named the International League Pitcher of the Week. Bannister went 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in two starts for the Tides during the week of August 15 - August 21. The right-hander allowed just two runs on 12 hits in 11.2 innings of work, walking three and striking out 15. Bannister, who was selected in the 7th round of the 2003 draft out of USC, is 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in seven games started for the Tides ths year. He began the 2005 season at Double-A Binghamton, where he was 9-4 with a 2.56 ERA and 94 strikeouts before being promoted after the All-Star Break.

Open Forum

2005-08-23T10:07:00.000-04:00

What would you like to see Willie Randolph do with Steve Trachsel? Put him in the bullpen? Six man rotation? Take Zambrano's spot? Voice your opinion here. Post a comment!

Tommy Ballgame

2005-08-23T07:52:00.000-04:00

For everyone waiting around to see the vintage Tom Glavine that dominated for most of the 1990's, last night was your night. On the 18th anniversary of his first career win, Glavine picked up career win No. 272 as he started the Mets on the right track to begin a stretch where they will play 17 of their next 20 away from Shea. Cliff Floyd hit a two-run double in the first inning to get Glavine an early lead, and both Jose Reyes and Victor Diaz contributed solo homers, as the Mets improved to 24-35 on the road.

Glavine took a one-hit shutout into the seventh last night, as the Mets won, 4-1, to move within 2-1/2 games of the wild-card leading Astros, who moved ahead of the Phillies last night with a win at San Diego. Glavine also moved considerably closer to earning his $8-million option for next year, and stands only 6 1/3 innings away from having it automatically kick in.

Glavine improved his career numbers at Bank One Ballpark to 8-1 with a 1.37 ERA. He attributed his success there to the dirt path between the mound and home plate which he said helps him focus. "It kind of locks me in, makes me feel good about my target and where I'm trying to go and where I'm trying to step with my pitches," Glavine said. "It just kind of gives you a little sense of tunnel vision."

Road Kill

2005-08-22T14:19:00.000-04:00

Now is the time to find out what this team is made of. The Mets are 40-25 at Shea Stadium.
They now go on the road for seven, where they are 23-35. They have lost their last five road series. The last time the Mets won a series on the road was on July 4th weekend at Washington.

The Mets are three games back in the wild card. Arizona is 27-32 at the BOB. The Mets are without Mike Cameron, Mike Piazza, and Doug Mienkiewictz. They pretty much have middle infielders starting at four positions. SS, 2B (where they should be starting), 1B and RF. They are not going to score alot of runs, they need to manufacture them. Good, old fashioned, run production. Bunt singles, stolen bases, sacrifices, situational hitting, moving guys over, solid defense, and good pitching. Without any of these elements, this team can't win. They are not going to hit four homeruns in an inning, or hit three consecutive doubles. They need to think small ball. They need to do it NOW.

Pick of the Day (4-3) Last night the Braves had a late inning comeback to save me from falling below .500 and tonight I look to get two games above with Mark Mulder and the Cardinals. St. Louis is on the road against Josh Fogg and the Pirates. I don't like to pick teams on the road but Mulder is 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA over his last 10 starts and 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in four career starts against Pittsburgh. Go Cards.

Short Stop

2005-08-22T13:56:00.000-04:00

Kris Benson gave up six runs on eight hits in .2 innings last night. It was the shortest start by a Mets pitcher since Bruce Chen got only one out on Sept. 8, 2001, at Florida. The Mets rallied to win that game, 9-7. Not the case last night. The Mets were never able to recover, managing to only get back four runs, three of which came in the fifth inning on rookie Mike Jacobs first major-league homerun.

The Mets placed Mike Piazza on the 15-day DL, retroactive to 8/17, with a broken bone in his left hand. To replace him on the roster, the Mets purchased C Mike DiFelice's contract from Norfolk (I don't understand why they didn't bring up Heath Bell to help this miserable bullpen situation, and give Mike Jacobs a shot, he is already up here). Mike Jacobs by the way, homered in his first major-league at-bat, becoming the fourth Mets player to accomplish the feat. The previous Met to hit a home run in his first big league at-bat was Kaz Matsui in 2004, in Atlanta (we all know how that is working out). The others to do it were Benny Ayala in 1974 and Mike Fitzgerald in 1983.

Bring Back McRosco

2005-08-22T09:28:00.000-04:00

Not literally, of course. Rather, the notion of split-closer duty, or even closer by committee. In lamenting what went wrong Saturday night, this writer is 100% fine with removing Pedro after 6. What I’m not fine with is bringing Braden Looper in the ninth inning, much less into every save situation. I’m arguing that not only is Looper an overrated saves collector, he’s actually our fourth best option for saves, and much the way that guys like Mike Stanton and Buddy Groom survived by coming in to only face lefties, it’s possible that Looper should never face lefties.

So why the need for a closer by committee? Simple – look at four players stats vs. lefty hitters (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS):

A: .312/.385/.548/.933 with 5 homers in 93 AB
B: .221/.305/.295/.600 with 2 homers in 149 AB
C: .255/.333/.372/.705 with 2 homers in 94 AB
D: .305/.359/.373/.732 with 1 homer in 59 AB

Left handed hitters produce vs. Player A very well – as a matter of fact, the OPS against Player A is equivalent to that of Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Edmonds and Aramis Ramirez. This means that when lefty batters are facing Player A, they produce at or above all-star level.

Player A is obviously Looper. Players B and C are Aaron Heilman and Roberto Hernandez respectively. Even Player D, who happens to be in the minors at the moment (Heath Bell), is more effective vs. lefties – even with an unflattering AVG and OBP allowed, he’s managed to minimize extra base hits.

Interestingly, Looper is the most effective vs. righthanded hitters (.547 OPS allowed). This makes it so obvious that if the 8th inning has 3 righthanded hitters coming up, Looper should be brought in instead of Heilman or Hernandez, and one of those two should be saved for the 9th inning, especially if it’s likely to include one or more left handed hitters.

Simply Amazin'

2005-08-21T10:18:00.000-04:00

The Mets (63-59) moved to within two games of wild-card leader Philadelphia. They will try to move five games over .500 for the first time this season, and sweep the Nationals when Kris Benson faces Esteban Loaiza today at Shea. A win would also get the Mets out of the cellar for the first time since July 27.

Last night was a complete mess. The Mets nearly matched a record for the largest blown lead in franchise history of eight runs. When Pedro Martinez felt a mild discomfort in his lower back, and with a seemingly comfortable eight-run lead, Willie Randolph turned the game over to the bullpen to avoid any complications with Pedro's health.

The Nationals erupted for six runs in the seventh inning against Danny Graves, Dae-Sung Koo and Aaron Heilman. Washington then completed its rally from an 8-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the ninth off Braden Looper, costing Pedro his first win in a month.

Our bullpen stinks, period, and they are definitely not on performance enhancing drugs. I am so sick and tired of watching these guys blow game after game. I'd love for someone to get me a stat to show the bullpen's ERA in games Pedro starts vs. when anyone else starts. I bet its a run higher. (at least it seems that way to me)

Notes from Shea: The Mets broadcast a DiamondVision message from Mike Cameron, thanking fans for their get-well wishes. Mike Piazza's fractured hand may end up landing him on the DL, it appears it is worse than originally thought.

Today's Analysis: The Mets will go for the sweep against Esteban Loaiza (7-9, 3.64 ERA) who has won just two of his last eight starts, in part because the Nationals are averaging just 3.2 runs a game. He is 2-2 with a 5.44 ERA in 10 games in his career against the Mets. The Mets will go with Kris Benson (9-4, 3.49 ERA) who will be trying for his third straight victory, and reach 10 wins in a season for the first time since he went 19-12 in 2000 with Pittsburgh. Benson is 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA in seven career starts against the Nationals/Expos franchise.

Pick of the Day (3-3) This is starting to really get annoying. I had four games I liked yesterday and the one I pick here is the only one I lost. Oakland has now cost me twice in this column, and believe me, I won't let it happen again. Oakland gave Barry Zito no run support whatsoever, and KC finally snapped its winless streak at 19. Tonight they look to start a new streak and break their own futility record. Today's pick is going to be Atlanta at home vs. San Diego. The starters are Brian Lawrence (7-12, 4.70 ERA) for the Padres. He is 1-3 with a 5.70 ERA in four career starts against Atlanta and John Smoltz (12-6, 2.89 ERA) for the Braves. Smoltz is 12-8 with a 2.82 ERA in 30 starts all-time against the Padres.

Oh Seo Good

2005-08-20T08:46:00.000-04:00

If somebody told me that the Mets were only going to score one run against John Patterson and the Nationals last night with Jae Seo on the mound I would have bet my house that the Mets would have lost. But strange things are happening these days and Seo seems to legitimately be a different pitcher than he was a year ago.

Seo (5-1) improved to 3-0 since the Mets recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk earlier this month. He has allowed only one run and 13 hits in 23 1/3 innings since his return. Randolph says the resurgence is due to Seo developing two new pitches. Here is a quote from Ny Newsday:

"He pitched great," manager Willie Randolph said. "I think the big key for him is being able to use all of his pitches. He's not a guy who's going to just use his changeup and his fastball. He has a split-finger now, he throws a nice little cutter. He's got more to his arsenal and I think he has more confidence in all four of his pitches right now."

In other game notes, Jose Reyes tied career highs with four hits and three stolen bases, helping the Mets take the opener of the three-game series. The Mets are 17-4 in series openers at home, best in the majors.

Pick of the Day (3-2) It took five runs in the bottom of the ninth by St. Louis last night to get the POD over .500 again. Tonight I'll go with Barry Zito again as Oakland tries to give Mike Wood and Kansas City their 20th consecutive loss. Zito will try to avoid losing consecutive starts for the first time since May. Zito had a personal eight-game winning streak snapped Monday, when he allowed five runs and five hits over 6 1-3 innings in a 6-2 loss to Baltimore. Zito is 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in nine career starts against Kansas City. He is 48-19 with a 2.91 ERA in 84 career starts after the All-Star break. This is Mike Wood's first road start of the season. He went 2-4 with a 5.19 ERA in nine road starts last year.

4 Reasons Why We Got Blanked

2005-08-19T09:18:00.000-04:00

There were 4 very simple reasons why we were shut out last night:

1. Useless middle infielder at 2B (Kaz Matsui)
2. Middle infielder playing 1B (Miguel Cairo)
3. Middle infielder playing RF
4. Slumping middle infielder playing SS (Reyes is hitting .197 in August)

And it didn't help that Ramon Castro was playing Catcher.

Way to write out a lineup, Willie.

No Great Surprise

2005-08-19T06:58:00.000-04:00

Did anyone really expect to see a different outcome last night? Like I mentioned yesterday, Zach Duke fit the bill of the prototypical pitcher the Mets can't beat this year. I just didn't think it would be that bad. The Mets only got two hits off Duke and didn't get their first one until the fifth inning. It didn't even matter that Victor Zambrano reverted back to his old ways of not being able to hit the side of a barn and hitting two batters while giving up four runs in six innings. The Mets couldn't score anyway.

Pick of the Day (2-2) We'll take the Cardinals and Cris Carpenter today at home against a pathetic SF Giants team.

Sorry for the short post. Its my 30th birthday today and I'm off to play golf, and I am having a big party tomorrow. You won't hear from me again until Sunday. My distinguished partner Grant will preview the Nationals series later today. See you again on Sunday.

No "I" in Beltran

2005-08-18T11:33:00.000-04:00

Although it would be a first ballot hall of fame understatement to say that Carlos Beltran is having an underachieving season, you can't question his desire or his team first attitude. There is no doubt that this guy plays hard every day and lays it on the line every single game. Just look at his collision with Mike Cameron, the way he dives for balls and makes catches that guys like um, Gerald Williams can't make. Beltran last night helped spark the Mets to victory. He didn't do much, but he scored two runs, stole a base and his presence alone was enough to jump-start the heartbeat of this team. Now they need to keep it going. Two straight wins at home, with tough rookie Zach Duke (5-0, 2.13 ERA) pitching against them tonight. The Mets need Victor Zambrano (6-9, 4.16 ERA) to come up big tonight and keep them in the game. Zambrano has allowed at least five runs in three of his last five starts. He is 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA in two career starts against the Pirates.

This game has let down written all over it.

The Mets have lost countless games against pitchers that they should easily beat, especially rookies and pitchers that they have never seen. Just ask Ezequiel Astacio. The Mets will be without Mike Piazza for at least a few games. He has a fracture in his left hand. The Mets called up catcher Mike Jacobs from AA Binghamton to back up Ramon Castro. Jose Santiago was sent back down to make room on the roster.

Pick of the Day (2-1) Dontrelle Willis threw a complete game five-hit shutout against the Padres last night to get the POD over .500 for the first time this year. Tonight we will look for some rocket fuel as Roger Clemens takes the hill for Houston at home against Milwaukee and Tomo Ohka. Clemens is 15-9 with a 1.92 ERA in 30 career starts against Milwaukee. He is 5-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 13 starts at home this season. Ohka is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in two career starts against Houston. As much as I would like to see Houston lose for the Mets, I think they will win tonight's game.

Kris Kross

2005-08-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

Kris Benson couldn't have written a better script for last night's game if he wanted to. Benson beat his old mates from every angle, doing it with his arm as well as his bat. He gave up two runs and seven hits, while walking two and striking out three in seven innings. He also drove in the go-ahead runs with a bases loaded single in the Mets 6-2 win vs. Pittsburgh. After the game Benson admitted that he didn't have his best stuff. "I battled with my cutter and slider, I didn't have great stuff. I tried to keep them off balance with my slider and cutter and sprinkle in a fastball. It did the trick."

Carlos Beltran may return to the lineup tonight after deciding yesterday against having surgery on his fractured cheekbone. He may have to play while wearing a protective mask, ala Richard Hamilton.

In an interesting move, Steve Trachsel was sent back to AAA to make another rehab start, even though he has already been rehabilitated. The Mets, without a spot in the rotation for Trachsel, are having him pitch one more minor league game to buy themselves more time before having to cut a player to make room for him. It seems that Trachsel isn't comfortable pitching out of the bullpen, and the Mets don't want to put him there. It will be very interesting to see what happens if Seo pitches another good game this week. They could possibly go with a six-man rotation but it will be difficult because Pedro and Glavine need to remain on their regular five day turns. We'll keep a close eye on this one.

Pick of the day (1-1) Last night I got a lucky break in Tampa, winning my upset special prediction. Tonight I won't be as bold, I'm going with Florida, with Dontrelle Willis on the mound, at home vs. the Padres. Willis has allowed just two earned runs in 28 innings in his last four starts, so I think its safe to say his mini-skid is over. Woody Williams is 2-3 with a 6.64 ERA in seven starts on the road this season. I'll take the fish at home and try to get over .500 for the first time.

Theatre Of The Absurd

2005-08-17T11:00:00.000-04:00

(from the Boston Herald) Binghamton Mets coach Dave Hollins has been suspended indefinitely by the Eastern League for a bizarre incident Monday night, when he charged the bench of the Red Sox' Double-A affiliate Portland Sea Dogs and set off a melee at Hadlock Field.

Hollins, who played 12 seasons in the major leagues, including a 1995 stint with the Sox, erupted after Portland manager Todd Claus asked for an umpire's clarification regarding whether a Corey Beam pitch hit Binghamton batter Corey Ragsdale or his bat in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Hollins took offense and exchanged words with Sea Dogs pitching coach Fernando Arroyo before charging into the home dugout from the first base coach's box.

Portland hitting coach Russ Morman intercepted Hollins, 38, before he could reach Arroyo, 53, and ended up being treated at a nearby hospital for an injured finger on his right hand. Eastern League commissioner Joe McEachern did not allow Hollins and Arroyo to dress for the second game.

What Could Have Been

2005-08-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

Now presenting your 2005 New York Mets, featuring a lineup built around Carlos Beltran in CF, David Wright at 3B, Jose Reyes at SS, and Jason Bay in RF.

Ahhhhhhhh, what could have been. Very easily could have been. But for the 2002 trading deadline acquisition of Steve Reed. We could have had four players with an average age of about 25 who could have been the cogs in a strong lineup for a period of years to come. The series vs. Pittsburgh that opens tonight serves as a reminder of just what we traded away.

And before we discuss what we traded away, let’s not underestimate what we got – a reliever to bolster the pen on a team seemingly in contention. A reliever who had a 1.98 ERA that season for the Padres, with a WHIP just north of 1. But in the end, in a farm system that’s stacked with about 150 minor leaguers, even with the untouchables like Jose Reyes and Scott Kazmir and Justin Huber and David Wright, it really takes a perfect storm, or just a strange fluke and some bad luck to surrender an all-star hitter from a system bereft of solid hitting prospects.

So who is Jason Bay, and what exactly are we missing out on? He’s a 27 year old outfielder, with a .305 AVG and a .395 OBP. He’s got 14 steals this year and has not been caught once. He’s on pace for 31 homers. He’d be the perfect hitter to bat on one side of Cliff Floyd (with David Wright on the other). He went from being traded for a middle reliever to being a key piece in the Pirates trading of Brian Giles.

Yankee fans have long suffered through the Jay Buhner for Ken Phelps and the Al Leiter for Jesse Barfield deals. Those trades were made during a much darker era in the Bronx. Well, this Bay-Reed deal will go down as our Buhner for Phelps deal. And it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow, and will probably end up as a worse deal than the Kazmir-Zambrano deal.

Open Forum

2005-08-16T16:03:00.000-04:00

What are your opinions on:

1. Bringing up Lastings Milledge this year to gain experience?

2. Steve Trachsel vs. Jae Seo as the #5 starter?

Please click on the comments button to leave your opinions. If you do not have a blogger ID feel free to create one. If you do not wish to create one you may post as anonymous. If you want your name to be attatched to your comment, you can just sign the bottom of your post.

Mets vs. Pirates By The Numbers

2005-08-16T09:44:00.000-04:00

The Pirates lead the season series 2-1.

Here are the starting pitching matchups for the series: Mark Redman (5-12, 4.75) vs. Kris Benson (8-4, 3.54), Josh Fogg (6-7, 4.94) vs. Tom Glavine (8-10, 4.41), Zach Duke (5-0, 2.13) vs. Victor Zambrano (6-9, 4.16).

The Mets have gone 15-14 since the All-Star break. In their past 12 games, they have 73 runs and a .301 batting average, and have hit 38 home runs in their past 26 games. The Pirates will face Benson for the second time since he was acquired by the Mets last year for 3B Ty Wigginton, Matt Peterson, and Justin Huber. The Pirates beat Benson, 6-1, Sept. 19 at PNC Park in their only previous meeting. The Mets lead the National League with 113 stolen bases, including 21 in the past ten games. Jose Reyes tops the league with 41, which is one shy of the Mets record for a shortstop set by Frank Taveras in 1979. Marlon Anderson's 17 pinch-hits lead all of baseball. The Pirates Jason Bay has reached base safely in 29 consecutive games. Tonight's starter Mark Redman is 0-2 with a 13.13 ERA in his last three starts. The Pirates are 25-36 on the road, the Mets are 36-23 at home.

Pick of the Day (0-1). Last night the Baltimore Orioles made a loser out of me scoring 5 runs in the seventh off of losing pitcher Barry Zito. Tonight I will go with Tampa Bay against the Yankees in Tampa. The Devil Rays have won three straight decisions against the Unit, his longest current losing streak against any team. Doug Waechter and his 5.82 ERA are on the mound for Tampa, so I see the Rays winning a high scoring game.

Pick of the Day

2005-08-15T10:58:00.000-04:00

In the initial edition of pick of the day, the pickings are kind of slim being that its Monday and several teams have the day off as a travel day. After looking over all the matchups, I decided to go out west as the Baltimore vs. Oakland game jumped off the page at me. Baltimore played yesterday at Camden Yards and the team is probably exhausted after the flight to Oakland, especially after a tough 7-6 loss to Toronto, where troubled start Rafael Palmeiro came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the tying and winning runs on base. Palmeiro, needing to come through in his first game back from his embarrassing steroids debacle, proceeded to make the final out of the game.

Tonight's starters are Barry Zito (11-8, 3.62 ERA)for Oakland, and Rodrigo Lopez (11-6, 4.77 ERA)for Baltimore. Lopez is 3-4 with a 3.46 ERA in nine career starts against Oakland. On the road this year, he is 6-3 with a 5.70 ERA in 13 outings. Zito is 5-3 with a 2.59 ERA in 11 career starts against the Orioles. He is 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 12 home starts this year. Oakland has won the past nine games Zito has started.

So the pick tonight is Oakland. For those of you that are new to the site, starting today, I am going to be picking one game a day for the remainder of the season, to see what type of success rate I can attain. The goal is a 75% winning percentage.

Mets Triage Report

2005-08-15T10:14:00.000-04:00

Here are the most recently reported injury updates on Cameron and Beltran:

All of Beltran's initial injuries seem to be ok. His head is clear from the concussion, and his shoulder is no longer bothering him. There is concern that the small fracture above his left cheekbone (which had moved 6 millimeters), might need surgery. "If that [bone] comes back to place," Beltran said, "then I don't have to do the surgery." Beltran, has not been placed on the disabled list, and still could avoid the DL even if he needs surgery, which would be done today.

Cameron, who had multiple fractures of both cheekbones, underwent surgery Friday night in California. His family has flown out to be with him. The Mets expect Cameron to be lost for at least four to six weeks, and possibly the rest of the season.

This will really open up an opportunity for Victor Diaz to show what he can do. He has looked pretty good so far, hopefully, it is a sign of great things to come. The Mets have now played 6,943 games in their 44-year history without having pitched a no-hitter.

The Agony of Defeat

2005-08-14T23:09:00.000-04:00

This one was about as hard to swallow as a spoonful of peas for a 7 year old. I can't even make myself feel better by saying something like "at least the bullpen didn't blow this one." Pedro Martinez pitched about as brilliant a game as one could ask for and this pathethic offense couldn't scrap together more than one run against Brad Penny. I was listening to the game in the car and I couldn't even fathom losing this game. Not with Pedro in command in the 8th inning. Not with a no-hitter going. Not with the bottom of the Dodgers order coming up. This game was impossible to blow wasn't it? Now instead of leaving Los Angeles with a series sweep, we blow a three run lead in one game and lose a game where we had a no-hitter in the eigth inning. This team invents new ways to lose all the time. I do have one question and maybe someone that actually saw Perez's triple could help me out on this one. If Beltran had been in centerfield would he have been able to make the play? Just some food for thought.

We do know one thing for certain though. KKKKaz Matsui is definitely not on any type of performance enhancing drugs. I can say that with the utmost of confidence. For the life of me I cannot figure out what Willie Randolph thinks he is doing over there. Why does he continue to put this human corkscrew up to bat in meaningful situations? He looks like Jason Giambi fresh off of steroids. I don't think Kaz could hit a beachball if you threw it at him. Chris Woodward and Jose Offerman, two players who have both proven to be relatively useful pinch hitters were both sitting on the bench when out trots Matsui, complete with that wow-I-wasn't-picked-last-for-kickball-this-time look in his eye. Hitting for Gerald Williams, who may be better than Kaz, in the ninth inning, with Victor Diaz on first and two outs, Matsui strikes out as usual to end the game.

Shock and Awe

2005-08-14T00:03:00.000-04:00

Looks like I'll be eating my own words since just 5 days ago I predicted that Jae Seo would give up somewhere between 4 and 6 runs in his next start. I couldn't have been more wrong. Seo pitched his second consecutive gem and he is giving Willie Randolph something to think about with Steve Trachsel returning from the DL. Seo allowed five hits and struck out six while walking just one batter over eight innings, lowering his ERA to 1.35 in five starts this season. I am probably jumping the gun here but Seo may be the answer we have been looking for as the stretch run approaches.

I have to give credit where credit is due because I didn't think for a second that the Mets had a prayer today with Seo on the mound and that skeleton crew behind him. I guess that is why the house always wins. You just never know what is going to happen in any given situation. I swore the Mets would win the night Pedro was picthing vs. Chan Ho Park in San Diego, and we all know how that went. As a matter of fact, just for fun, I am going to pick the game of the day from now until the end of the year. I will search for the one matchup that I think is the lock of the day, and then keep a record of how I do for the remainder of the season. I am pretty sure I can win at a 75% clip, so either one of two things is going to end up happening. Either I am going to win most of the selections and then get angry that I didn't bet with a sportsbook, or I'm going to be wrong most of the time and write an article about why its impossible to bet on baseball and win. I'm not going to call Pete Rose for advice and people are free to leave comments on who the pick of the day should be, but I am really curious about what the outcome of this will be. Picks will start today, 8/14.

Kudos to Gerald Williams, Ramon Castro, and Victor Diaz (for the previous night), for stepping up when this team needed it most.

One last thing. Outside of Hideous Nomo in his first two or three years, can anyone out there think of one Asian pitcher who has had a successful career as a starting pitcher in the majors? I can't think of anyone. Hasegawa is decent, and Kaz Sasaki was good for 2 years as a closer, but was there ever a successful starter? If you can think of one leave a comment. I'll be back tomorrow with the pick of the day.

One More Move Needed

2005-08-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

When Mike Cameron was healthy, he was playing RF every day. There really was no need to have a guy to share the spot with him. Now that he’s out for awhile, it makes more sense than ever to add Eric Valent and drop Gerald Williams. I’ve discussed how useless the Iceman is, and with Victor Diaz, we really don’t know what we have. When you factor in Cameron’s experience, speed and defense, there was never a situation that called for him to be pinch-hit for. However, we know Diaz is slow, not overly selective, and his defense is far from gold-glove level. I could see many situations, with a righty on the mound in the 7th or 8th inning, where swapping Valent for Diaz would make a lot of sense. Of course, as long as Valent is on the Norfolk roster, it’ll be a bit hard.

Transactions

2005-08-12T08:44:00.000-04:00

In an apparent move to stockpile crappy relievers, the Mets signed displaced pitcher Shingo Takatsu to a minor league deal. He will report to Norfolk today. He was 1-2 with a 5.97 with the White Sox this year.

Headbanger's Ball

2005-08-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

I'm going to take a backseat and not harp on the fact that Willie had three backup middle infielders and a backup cather all playing in the same game today, a game we needed to win to take the series from San Diego, to take note of something much bigger and more important.

Mike Cameron and Carlos Beltran collided face-to-face in what some of their teammates said was one of the scariest collisions they've ever seen. Cameron was left laying on the field in a daze and bleeding from the mouth. He was taken off the field on a stretcher, with his neck in a brace. He broke his nose, had multiple fractures of both cheekbones and a slight concussion. He was also placed on the disabled list.

Beltran had a sore left shoulder and a cut near his left temple. He was to have a CT scan and then possibly meet the team in Los Angeles, which opens a series against the Dodgers tomorrow night. "I don't remember anything of what happened," Beltran said. "I don't remember how it happened, I know we got hit. I feel like I got hit by a train."

After the game, the Mets recalled Victor Diaz to take Cameron's roster spot. Glavine had three hits in the game, the first time he has done so since June 19, 1991, while with the Braves.

A Little Offense Can Go A Long Way

2005-08-11T17:43:00.000-04:00

Once again, our roster construction is putting us at a huge disadvantage. We’re facing Woody Williams, and we’re making him look like Whitey Ford. Why? Because in addition to resting two guys who probably need a day off (Piazza and Reyes), we’re using Marlon Anderson, a utility infielder, at 1B, and batting him 6th to add insult to injury.

I appreciate what Anderson has done for us as much as anyone, from the inside the park homer vs. the Angels to his 17 hits and .436 AVG as a pinch hitter. But the fact of the matter is that he’s hitting .200/.235/.271 in 35 at bats since the all star break. I’ll assume that most of those have been vs. righties so we can avoid the debate of “Well, he hits righties well”. So who should play 1B? Easy answer – AAA outfielder Eric Valent. Valent, who capably played 1B and OF last year while hitting .267/.337/.482, was shipped to AAA on June 8 after hitting .186 in 43 at bats. Of course, he’s being held in AAA while Ice Williams fills that 5th OF role – and has had 9 at bats in nearly two months. I’m guessing he’s one of Willie’s boys, but that’s not an excuse. Valent is proving he doesn’t belong in AAA - .282/.415/.495 in 188 at bats.

So after 6 innings, we’ve got 1 run on 4 hits. Sure, Piazza and Reyes are not playing, but that’s not the issue – guys need their rest. The bigger issue is that our best alternative to play 1B vs. a righty is currently in AAA, while the 38 year old IceMan wastes what could be a very good roster space.

The Ghosts of 1986

Letter from "Omar Minaya"

Extended Hiatus

Ghost on Hiatus

Tomahawked

Anybody Want Tickets?

Folded Ace

Closed for Business

Tonight's Game: What Could Have Been

Out of the Loop

Spoiled Rotten

Charitable Contributions Department

Closing the Door on Next Season

Pelfrey over Hanson?

Stat DuJour

Anybody Need Tickets?

Top 10 Best Ex-Mets

Anderson Hernandez Called Up

Glavine in 2006: He's Earned It

A New Ghost

Pick of the Day (14-6)

Finally, Some Good News

Washed Up

Tickets for Sale

More "Help" on the Way

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Note From the Ghost

Pick of the Day (13-6)

Sayonara

Finally!

Mets Try to Avoid Sweep

The Fat Lady is Humming

Pick of the Day (12-6)

Not So Brave

Bullpen *Gasp* "Help" On The Way

Open Thread: Clueless Willie Strikes Again

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Office

Afterthoughts of Opportunity Lost

Pick of the Day (11-6)

September (NON) Call-ups

September Call-Ups

Phorget It and Move on

The Energizer Bunny

Pick of the Day (11-5)

Bleeding Orange and Blue

Phantastic!

Minaya on WFAN

Pick of the Day (10-5)

Phinally, Games that Matter

Wright Named Player of the Week

Out of Rotation

Pick of the Day (9-5)

Zambrano to Remain in the Rotation

Giant Let Down

Pick of the Day (8-5)

All Good Things Come to an End

Pick of the Day(7-5)

On the Wright Trach

Play Your Hearts Out in San Fransisco

The Ghost wants your opinion

Pick of the Day (7-4)

D'Backs Roll Snake Eyes, Mets Sweep!

History Lesson

Milking the System

Pick of the Day (7-3)

The Kings of Queens

Desert Storm

Deja Vu All Over Again

Milked!

Pick of the Day (6-3)

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Game 3 Preview

Jacobs' Field Part II (The Morning After)

Jacobs' Field

The Envelope Please....

Mets vs. Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview

Making Room for Trachsel

Petit Loses AAA Debut

Bannister Named Pitcher of the Week

Open Forum

Tommy Ballgame

Bullpen Gasp "Help" On The Way