Last night the Mets lost to the HR Phillies for the 2nd straight night. I, like many Mets fans, thought that the Mets would have the advantage against the Phillies at home because of the dimensions of Citifield. No team had came into Citi and been able to really use the HR as a weapon, obviously including the Mets. However, what occurred this week was astounding. 7 HR in 3 games, all in critical spots. Look at this stat, the Phillies after this series account for 9/27 HR hit at Citi for 33%. To make it worse, Omar and Jerry continue to make things difficult on the Mets be not puting a competing team on the field. I know, before you go there, we have been ravaged by injuries. But tell he how in the 10th inning against your division rival in a tie game Ken Takahashi is on the mound to face Utley, Howard and Ibane?. Yes, that’s right the same Takahasi who has a line of 3.20 WHIP and .444 BA against LH. How does a team that is trying to compete with a short handed group, not have a better option?
Add to all this frustration, two more pressing issues. 1) The Mets go into Yankee stadium with potentially a Yankee team with something to prove. 2) Another frigging injury that went from nothing, to needs an extra day, to shut down DL AGAIN. What in the hell? Can the Mets NEVER handle a DL issue with out controversy? Is this there way of screwing with us. As I was listening to the report of Maine going to the DL, I was reading a headline on Sportspyder that said “Maine Pushed Back, Mets Say No Cause for Alarm”. REALLY? So in 3 hours you decided there was reason for alarm and he needed to go to the DL? MAYBE you could have decided that earlier when it first happen and MAYBE taking his spot would have been a LHP that could get LH out.
I understand that we are in a bind and you can’t just go get Oswalt, Lee, uh.. Lee, or maybe even Nick Johnson. Those things take time and we have no idea what players are being asked for. However, this I do know, to get through this tough time you have to have your manager and GM on top of their game. Right now the Mets players are clutch and Omar and Jerry are the ones choking when we need them the most.
148 comments
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:10am at 9:10 am (UTC -4)
The Yankees are going to take all their frustrations from Boston out on Livan. As Cartin said this morning “welcome to the NY mets massacre”.
udontmesswthejohan
6/12/2009-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
Oh dude stop quoting that idiot Cartin, he’s a fool who has a mic in front of him.
mrose
6/12/2009-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
seriously man, hes a funny guy and i do enjoy listening to him..but he will say that tonight and if the mets win 2 in a row, the mets are the best ever…
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
I don’t really care if he goes back and forth about the team. I agree, he is annoying but sometimes he’s funny.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
He is funny though.. especially when he messes with callers or make fun of Russo or Sterling or Waldman.
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
Oh dude stop quoting that idiot Cartin,
OK
udontmesswthejohan
6/12/2009-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
Thanks.
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
The best one is when he makes fun of Wright at the press conf. answering questions with Michael Jackson’s voice. LOL
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
haha.. you and your idol Wright….
Mr. Mets Butler
6/12/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
Carton is hysterical. More please!!
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
It’s Carton. Like milk carton.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:12am at 9:12 am (UTC -4)
Sigh……. I hate this rain…..
trs86
6/12/2009-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
2009 Season
Team League W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO GO/AO AVG
BUF INT 0 2 2.13 21 0 0 0 0 25.1 21 10 6 1 9 29 1.30 .219
trs86
6/12/2009-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
numbers for John Switzer in AAA. LHP with an ERA under 2.00 vs LH.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
He’s a reliever?
trs86
6/12/2009-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
Yes
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:23am at 9:23 am (UTC -4)
This team is slowly turning into a Buffalo…..
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
Last couple of series, we saw the same thing we saw in the beginning of the season. Offense scores early and stops scoring. We saw that in the Pittsburgh series and the Philly Phuc series.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
It’s like Mets stop playing after 5 innings and Phillies starts playing after 5 innings.
Inability to score on Moyer and their Bullpen plus throwing Taka out to face Utley Howard and Ibanez has cost us last night’s game.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s even more indicative that we could not score on their pen.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
I had so much confidence in our pen. I’d rather have the game come down to the battle of bullpen, which it did. But our offense cannot hold up their end of the bargain. After Wright, they’re just automatic outs. Sheff, Tatis and Santos have hit a wall. FMart is not ready for the big leagues. Church is back in the doghouse. Schneider keeps on rolling over pitches. This offense needs a injection of steroids or whatever the stuff that Ibanez is taking.
saltygary
6/12/2009-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
That’s been our issue for the last 2 years. After last season ESPN ran a great article that analyzed all teams and the different records if the game ended at the 6th inning 7th, 8th…
The Mets had the best record in the NL and maybe the ML if the game ended at the 6th and it slowly went down per inning. Yes it was supposed to highlight our bullpen failures but what came out was the teams lack of offensive production in the late innings. Last season I believe the Mets also led the league in most runs in the first inning.
With the same team on the field I’m sure this trend will continue.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
But who do we add that can help us score late in the game? That’s the question and let’s not get started on the Manny issue. Right now, realistically, who can we add?
I want Omar to make a move, but for whom? Can Holliday give us more offensive production late in the game? Can Carlos Lee or Huff or Dunn? It may just be the culture of this team. Score early and get comfortable. They had stopped that trend for awhile and it seems like it’s back on. Maybe they need better role players. Schneider, Castillo, and Church doesn’t do it. Maybe they need more guys like Cora. At this point, I really don’t know how to solve this problem.
It seems like when the role players play well (like Santos or Tatis stepping up), Mets win. When they struggle, they lose (unless it’s Johan pitching). Am I wrong?
trs86
6/12/2009-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
No, its that the other team knows how carefully they can pitch the good players late. They give them nothing to hit. So we either end up with walks and our 6-8 hitters trying to win or our 1-5 hitters trying to do too much.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
So maybe the solution isn’t a big power bat. Maybe it’s getting more guys like Cora. Does this go back to the question of ‘grittiness’? I don’t question the ‘grittiness’ or Tatis or Santos. They’ve shown me that. But maybe they just don’t have that much talent.
Like you have pointed it out before. #6 spot has been a problem. Phillies have Werth or Vicky they can put in #6 spot. Feliz has hit in big spots. Coste and Ruiz can hit as well. Or am I wrong…
saltygary
6/12/2009-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s a culture thing. These guys can hit, their professional hitters. They jack up the score to get comfortable and just have this no worry attitude we’ll get through it somehow. The problem is they haven’t.
rustyjr
6/12/2009-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Spot on trs- I’m a jerry supporter but he needs to get his head out of his butt
udontmesswthejohan
6/12/2009-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
I agree that Takahashi’s numbers against lefties are poor, but I would point out two things.
One, the players he faced (Utley, Howard, and Ibanez) are either top notch (Utley/Howard) or having a career year (guess who?). Point is that it’s difficult to get through those guys unscathed.
Second, as far as Jerry’s use of Takahashi in that position, while not necessarily defending it, I would point out that not two many teams have the luxury of carrying two left handed specialists. Now if you want to argue that maybe he needs to let some guys go more than one inning, then I won’t argue with you there.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, but you don’t need to have a lefty facing Ibanez there. This, to me, is old fashioned thinking, like judging batters by BA instead of OBP or OPS, and judging pitchers by wins, instead of ERA, WHIP, etc.
Takahashi does not get lefties out. Stokes or KRod would have been better.
Sorry, but I HATE the “handedness” argument as TRS coined it, and this, to me, was the classic example of it.
Yes, Feliciano gets lefties out much more than righties. Takahashi—in addition to being a mediocre pitcher on two continents—does not.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I thought KRod wasn’t available. If he was and Jerry didn’t put him out there in that situation? Jerry is a bad manager. Also this handedness argument is stupid as well.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Why not walk Ibanez and bring in Stokes?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
That’s a very good point. If Phillies score 1 or 2 or 3, I don’t think it mattered.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
But I would rather have Stokes vs. Werth than Ibanez vs TakawhateverIdoIcan’tgetLHout.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
I wonder how they can fit that name on back of his jersey. Especially with an apostrophe.
udontmesswthejohan
6/12/2009-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
Put the go ahead run on base by intentional walk???
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Jerry’s comments after the game seemed to clearly show that he CHOSE not to use KRod.
And a rested Stokes is a better MLB pitcher than Takastinki. In ANY spot.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
I think Stokes is in Jerry’s dog house too. That what I don’t like about Jerry. He will have certain guys that he refuses to use because of whatever the reason is. Stokes and Church are prime example.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I agree…however, I am starting to agree with the Church naysayers….I think he may just be an average platoon player. Sure hope I am wrong.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
Maybe… At this point I’m not sure on anyone beyond Beltran and Wright.
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
The fact that Jerry has a dog house in the first place should be reason enough to fire him. This is crap. He’s made so many bone-headed moves this year, I can’t stand it!
trs86
6/12/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
But the guy has some of the worst numbers in the LEAGUE against LH.
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Our boys are overachiving and you really gotta hand it to them, but as Ive stated, in the long haul of a 162 game season, they wont hang for long.
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
My biggest fear is we’re all still going to be talking about this same issue a month from now b/c nothing was done to help the team and no improvements were made in the offense night after night….
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Well, if we are, we are going to be 10 games out—or more.
Then we will have a LOT more to talk about, and none of it good, except for a few players’ individual achievements….
trs86
6/12/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, but the fact that with all of this we are a.5 game back in the WC is a good thing.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Agreed as well….the whole issue is that we have NO margin for error. If Wright makes that play Weds, we very possibly take 2, and if ANYONE but that rancid, mediocre Takastinki had pitched last night, we maybe sweep; at least we maybe have a chance.
We just cannot have ANYONE thrown out going for the extra base, and maybe we need more fielding practice. And Jerry HAS to lose the mentality of not using KRod in tie games/non-save situations. He is not Wagner, and KRod seems to be willing and able to handle any situation and pitch a lot.
Jerry has a chance to really show what skills he has, by stressing fundamentals and taking more risks with his top bullpen guys in tie games.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Have you EVER seen a team get thrown out as much as us in general?
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
Not only have I not, but how many have been in the last 7–10 days or so? It must be almost ten—three times in that one game, Slappy and Emil doing their 3 Stooges routine, Wright again the other night, Shef the other night, I mean, that is a half dozen right there!
trs86
6/12/2009-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Might be a good piece for one of the authors to write about. I can’t ever remember a team that shoots itself in the foot so much. Going back to the no slides weeks ago.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Who’s to blame? Players? Certainly, but I blame it more on coaches and Jerry. Maybe Razor Shines has to go. But they’ve GOT to do better job in base running.
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
It’s embarrassing how the little things have cost the team some games ie. dropping a fly ball, poor base running, throwing errors, no slides, etc…
We were concerned about the starting pitching and so far they have given the team a chance to win.
And it’s not like it’s just the replacement players making the mistakes, some core players make them too. Not good.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
You are right. Beltran and Wright are mostly playing like MVPs, but have both had major fielding AND baserunning miscues. This must stop.
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. And I’m holding out hope – against the obvious – that we can stay in this. Maybe when Reyes gets back it will be a bit better. Maybe Jerry will play Church for a couple of weeks straight and he’ll step up to the plate.
Maybe Ollie will come back and be brilliant for a short stretch (hahahaha).
If we can hold our own until say, mid August – then go ‘balls to the wall’ for the last 6 weeks, we might be singing a different tune end of this season…
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Hey, Ollie coming back and being the savior would be PERFECT for this season and this team…and you and I would be the happiest MetsFan4, as his only two supporters!!
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
What are the odds of that happening? As much as I want him to be good, I don’t trust him. Even if he is healthy.
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
I know, Kingman – we’re in a very small minority – lol.
and I agree Mrbill. I can dream though, can’t I? Since nothing is currently going as predicted maybe that will go our way b/c the obvious (Ollie being Ollie) will be different as well.
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Dream away metfan dream away
mrbill
6/12/2009-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
Your comment has a lot of maybes and a lot of ifs. Unfortunately, that is exactly what this team is right now.
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I wish I didn’t agree with you.
Sigh….
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
Hold our own until mid-August? Wow. I don’t think I even see us holding our own until the end of June.
Jerry needs to go. Omar should’ve been fired with Willie last year. Someone needs to come in and kick these bums in their butts.
Still steaming over last night. Need to relax….
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Talking about the WC is a bad mentality to have with this team. The same team who will be scrutinized by thr tabloids come Sept. Thats going to weigh heavily on the team.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Right now that’s all we got. If we want to get down because we are 4 games back from a healthy Phillies team and just quit?
QnsNative718
6/12/2009-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
Im implying for Minaya to aquire a bat. Get past Beltran and Wright and this lineup is very pedestrian. This team WILL NOT HANG ON. Cora, Tatis/Murphy, a hurt Sheffield cannot hang with the Cards, Brewers etc if we’re talking about a WC.
dirtysanchez
6/12/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
the cards and brewers arent that serious either. I think we can still make division but i think we are more than capable for the WC imo
trs86
6/12/2009-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
By the way, Falcons released Vick. Isn’t he LH or is he just underhaned?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
He might go into Jerry’s doghouse though….
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
HAHAHA!!!!
trs86
6/12/2009-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Updates on Reyes, Ollie and Wagner?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
How about Pagan? I think he maybe a better option than FMart at this point.
trs86
6/12/2009-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
Fmart is doing ok, just needs time. Pagan is not a starter but i would welcome him back.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
FMart is doing ok. But cannot help the team. He’s been very quite. At least Pagan can make some plays happen. He can run and has some power. Excellent defense too.
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
It’s quiet, like be quiet. lol
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
lol… thanks carton boy..
trs86
6/12/2009-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
Start Church in RF, Start Fmart in LF. LH, RH, whatever. Hopefully go get a 1B. Sheff gets days against tough LHP for Church or Fmart and returns to a bench threat.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
I agree with this. I think Minaya is going to panic and trade the farm for Holliday. Couldn’t blame him if that happens, but I think that would be considered overpaying.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Right now, if we got Holliday and maybe hit Wright 2nd, Holliday 3rd, and Beltran 4th or 5th, that could dramatically improve the offense.
Gotta have more at the top of the order, and if Wright is going to hit .350 and get on base half the time with few homers, maybe he should bat 2nd.
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
What would be the realistic trade for Holliday?
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
FMart and Holt.
I don’t want to do it because I think FMart will be as good, if not better than Holliday. If I recall correctly, Holliday is somewhat of a butcher out there.
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. That is a realistic trade. The question is will Omar do it? We all know how much in love he was with Murphy on the off season. He loves Fmart to death!
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
I think getting Reyes back and moving Cora into a strict platoon with Castillo will go a long way towards lengthening the lineup. Granted, today is not the day to knock Little Luis.
metsfan4decades
6/12/2009-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
And we thought we had it bad first half of last year when all we kept complaining about was our offense was dead after the first 4. Man, right now, we only have half that number we can count on.
Just when you think it can’t get any worse.
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
I’m so frustrated with this team that i can’t put it into words. The players, the coaches, the GM…”ugh” is the only way to explain it.
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
and seriously…where does raul ibanez get off having a start like this? this is unfathomable. what’s that 45 hrs and 125 rbis already? the guy was a servicable rbi guy to play a corner outfield spot, and now he’s the 2nd coming of jesus.
let’s hope he takes to the hr derby at the all-star break and dies afterwards…figuratively speaking, of course.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
lol… figuratively speaking!
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
He was far more than just a serviceable RBI guy….one of the most solid, consistent, and underrated players in the game the last half decade, AND a great clubhouse guy by every account. Played for rotten teams in backwater markets in pitcher’s parks his whole career.
He is a REALLY good player.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Exactly. He was pretty much a doubles machine in big ballparks.
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
Similar to Beltran a while back. He was known to almost no one due to playing in KC. It took going to a contender at the deadline for people to wake up and realize his greatness. Now he’s OURS!
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
maybe serviceable wasn’t the word to use….but simple as this.
Raul is on pace for – career high:
136 runs – 103 runs (only time he’s broken 100)
211 hits – 186 hits
43 doubles – 43 doubles (only time he’s broken 40)
6 triples – 6 triples (averages probably about 4 a year)
59 hr – 33 hr (only time he’s broken 25)
160 rbi – 123 rbi (4 years ago)
12 sb – 9 sb
.327 avg – .304 avg (injury shortened season and only time he’s hit above .294
He’s always been an RBI guy, but usually like a 85-95 per season on avg guy, not almost 160.
I understand the argument that he’s in a better lineup in a smaller ballpark, but the guy’s certainly not a god.
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
He’s not a god, but he’s certainly playing like one now. It may just be the rush of being on a serious contender. He knows he’s probably in his last contract of his career, being 37 right now, so he’s fired up. Whatever the cause, he’s now Philly’s version of a healthy Larry Jones. Ugh.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Mostly agreed, but I do seriously think that had he had anyone to drive in and had anyone to drive him in, and been surrounded by the kind of hitters he is now surrounded by, he would have had much better stats the last 5 or 6 years….
Did not mean to pick on you; everyone had their favorite targets this winter, and KRod and Ibanez were mine. I guess he did want to be in Philly, and damn, we can see why!
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
i would’ve loved for the mets to sign ibanez too…and i bet he wouldn’t have put up those numbers on this mets team at citi field. I’m just pointing out (and hoping) that ibanez will come back down to earth…if he doesn’t, i’m hiring jeff gillooly to take care of business.
Joe R
6/12/2009-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
Very depressed today. I really feel this next month or maybe the next 3 weeks will determine if we get into the playoffs. Just amazing if we win 2 close games we are tied for first place and able to buy even more time for this injured team. Instead 4 out…What a swing!!!
Jerry’s post game last night was a complete embarassement!!!
His goal he stated. Stay at .500 and we will win 15 of 20 when we get healthy. Oh really?
On Krod he wasnt going to use him unless it was a save situation. Hm..Jerry my question was this a huge game and maybe even a must win with our schedule?…I guess not.
Reason for going with your number 1 off season acquisition Ken? The Phils havent seem him much. So Jerry let me get this straight…even though lefties are hitting almost .500 against him since the Phils, who might I add have some great professional hitters, havent seen much of him they wouldnt be able to hit a 40 yr. old rookie? And finally his last explanation was there was no guarantee we would win the game in the bottom of the inning if we brought Krod in!! Jerry give us a chance. Play and make decisions in that game to get us up to hit again no matter what!
Very frustratiing!
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
there was no guarantee we would win the game in the bottom of the inning if we brought Krod in!!
Did he REALLY say this? WOW! Terrible.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/12/2009-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
How about bringing him to face Utley Howard and Ibanez? He’s our best bullpen guy and Taka is probably our worst! (maybe it’s Green)
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
In all fairness, Taka did very well against the Phils in Philly on that Saturday afternoon game.
I agree, K-Rod could have come in to face one batter. After Taka got Howard though, it was tough to fault Jerry for leaving him in. K-Rod needed a breather.
Joe R
6/12/2009-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Thats Jerry’s problem though. He goes with his gut way too much and only has the ability to see what a player has done the last couple of days!! If you are the worst player in the leauge but hit a homerun the day before, you are instantly Jerry’s favorite player and move to the top of the list. Even though a guy might have been successful day in and day out for many years that doesnt matter much to Jerry. Jerry how about sometimes just GOING with your best DAMN player! Your hunches and gut feelings and magical voodoo dont work everyday. You go with your gut once and a while. The rest of the time you play the percentages for the most part!
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Are you sure it was a hunch and not protecting the 2nd best pitcher he has?
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
I’ve wanted Jerry gone for a long time, but that feeling turned to burning rage when I heard that quote last night. This month is turning into the nightmare I was expecting. Jerry needs to be unemployed NOW!
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
There is ZERO chance Jerry is getting fired.
I would respectfully suggest that while he has indeed made many questionable decisions and the baserunning errors can be laid at his feet, he is not getting fired.
We have more than enough other things to stress about.
darknova306
6/12/2009-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
I agree with you that he’s not getting fired. That doesn’t mean I have to be silent about my dislike for him.
My opinion is that the only thing we have to stress about is playing fundamental baseball. Don’t use injuries as excuses. Winners don’t make excuses, they execute and play like champs. We haven’t played good fundamental baseball all season, even when healthy. With solid fundamentals, we would be in first place. Period. Playing good fundamental baseball rests on whose shoulders…? I would say it rests on the coaching staff’s shoulders, personally.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
I completely agree that the fielding and baserunning have been a HUGE disappointment, and when a team is this injury depleted, you have zero margin for error.
However, while we need Jerry to be closer to perfect, injuries have absolutely decimated this team, and are–without a doubt–the reason we are where we are.
Name me a team with similar injuries who has totally overcome them.
Injuries are not an excuse, they are the reason we are suffering. We need to be closer to perfect, but we will not be perfect.
With one less injury in 1987 we might have won two WS instead of one.
darknova306
6/12/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I’m not saying we need to be perfect, I’m just talking about playing good fundamental baseball. That’s something you should expect of any team at the major league level. There’s no excuse for playing sloppy baseball. Defense wins championships. Good teams take advantage of extra outs. This is infuriating.
And look at the offense. For the past two plus years, whether injured or healthy, we have a solid history of falling asleep after the 5th or 6th inning. How do we attribute blame for that? I kinda want to blame that on the coaching staff and managers, as both managers of these teams have been way too passive (in my opinion). But this is something that has absolutely killed us, and is NOT injury related.
In all honesty, I can’t name a team that’s gone through this kind of ridiculous series of injuries before. We’ve pretty much got a whole ML roster on rehab. It would comical if it wasn’t so immensely depressing and alcoholism-inducing.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Agreed….maybe you are not as old as me, but in 1987 the whole pitching staff got hurt (and Gooden was coked out for two months) and they still almost won the division, but injuries killed that season.
darknova306
6/12/2009-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
Hehe, I was 5 when the 87 season started, and didn’t start watching baseball until 1990.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! Well, I was 20 and in college that year, so I did have enough artifical stimulation and enhancements going on to lessen the horror of that season.
But as a grown up now, this sucks even more.
stickguy
6/12/2009-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Isn’t Dessens a lefty? Is he stil ldoing good?
If so, get him up and get takigama far away from the team.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Elmer Dessens is a righty. If he gets called up to start at Yankee Stadium tomorrow, I may just sell my tickets at the bat and hang out by the calliope guy.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I thought the Phillies were a little too happy after they got that win. Didn’t like the way Victorino was smiling after the Ibanez home run either.
Consider the can of worms….open.
mrbill
6/12/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
lol
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
For some reason, whenever I look at your avatar, all I can think of is Mr. Hanky.
mrbill
6/12/2009-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
Haaa, we are not related.
stickguy
6/12/2009-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
they need to make a couple of moves at least today. WHile I doubt they have a bat to call up, still might be worth considering.
For pitching, the 1st domino of course is to figure out the Saturday starter, and call up an appropriate replacement for Maine. Figgy, Stokes or Nieve start? Not all very attractive! Just clal up my main man Holt! (I know, not happening).
I actually think Nieve is the best roll of the dice. He does have some serious stuff, if he can hit his spots. But any of these guys (and you probably have to budget 2 of them to share the game) have the potential to get lit up in that bandbox.
Better hope the mets bats, all of them, get hot.
Also, the guy that is also helping to kill them is Evans. If he hadn’t fallen apart, he would be the perfect stop gap for 1B.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
I think he is actually next in line to get hurt. They need a 1B/OF to complete the DL team.
mrbill
6/12/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
I thought the DL roster was complete when Putz went down.
stickguy
6/12/2009-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
Pagan for LF, Delgado for 1B.
stickguy
6/12/2009-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
he has started to hit again, and for power, recently.
Hey, desperate times, yo uknow what I’m saying?
darknova306
6/12/2009-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Personally, I’ve loved Figgy for a while. I think he should get the starts until Maine comes back, though I’m still not overly confident of any of our choices going into The House of Evil.
I love Holt, too, but let’s allow him some time… though I like your enthusiasm for the kid.
What happened to Evans? Is there any indication of what caused his sudden sharp descent into the abyss?
stickguy
6/12/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
OH, and while I am firmly in the camp of wanting Jerry gone, I really can’t see it happening during the season. Not now at least, with the mess of a roster. Have to see how the year plays out, and if the team can make a run if/when they get some fresh bodies.
ANd man, Omar is going to have to be really, really good this offseason. Major moves (and holes to fill) required, and if he botches it, could be the difference between a serious contendor run and becoming a non-entity for the next decade.
darknova306
6/12/2009-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
Do you see them firing Minaya if we don’t make the postseason this year? I could see him being on the hot seat. Probably not, but you never know. If we miss the playoffs, I’d personally like to see a wholesale house-cleaning of the front office, coaching staff, medical staff(!), etc.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
I think that we need an entire new medical and training staff. If Omar does not take care of this, then I support his being canned.
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
I remember a few years back, the yankees kept having injuries, and cashman/steinbrenner was forced to just fire the trainer.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
To me, there are too many injuries, and too many situations (Church, Delgado, JJ, Reyes, maybe Ollie, and let us hope Maine is not next) where they just let guys keep playing until the injury worsens.
Spring of 2008 saw just about every starter either injured or not in shape.
This must end.
udontmesswthejohan
6/12/2009-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
How could they fire this guy – he seems like he is totally on top of all the new fangled training techniques, like spitting chewing tobacco on an torn ligament.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/06/16/sports/16brown.jpg
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
is that pavano with him? even better.
Joe R
6/12/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Mets Police has a nice post if you hate Jerry lol
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
I think that was poorly written and silly….I mean, criticizing him for leaving Redding in to start the 7th, when he was 3–1 against the Phils last year, and had pitched very well and had only thrown 80-something pitches?
That is totally over-the-top hindsight nonsense.
Leaving Takastinki in (or bringing him in at all) was the error.
Joe R
6/12/2009-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Def was poorly written but some of the points were on target. Redding definitely was wrong.
Kingman 26
6/12/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, but the way he was writing, you would think that if someone twisted their ankle walking out of the stadium after the game, that he would have blamed it on Jerry….
Joe R
6/12/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Thats Jerry’s problem though.He goes with his gut way too much and only has the ability to see what a player has done the last couple of days!! If you are the worst player in the leauge but hit a homerun the day before, you are instantly Jerry’s favorite player and move to the top of the list. Even though a guy might have been successful day in and day out for many years that doesnt matter much to Jerry. Jerry how about sometimes just GOING with your best DAMN player! Your hunches and gut feelings and magical voodoo dont work everyday. You go with your gut once and a while. The rest of the time you play the percentages for the most part!
Joe R
6/12/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Carp..We should be tied for 1st right now! I cant even get excited for tonights game or the Subway Series..very depressing last couple of days. The only way I will get pumped again right away is if Mets win tonight and Phils lose. That will be the only scenario that gets this taste out of my damn mouth.
darknova306
6/12/2009-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’m actually heading to my friend’s place tonigh to watch hockey instead of crying into my beer while Livan gets lit up at The House of Evil.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Carp is not the answer at first base!!! He was a one year wonder.
Joe R
6/12/2009-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
What I meant crap lol
billydeewilliams
6/12/2009-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
if the mets played washington 162 games a year, i think they’d be the best team in the league.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
who would be? Washington?
Mr North Jersey
6/12/2009-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Good Morning All, After a night’s sleep I am ready for another episode of “As The Mets Turn” followed by “General Metropolitan Hospital”.
I kept asking last night I needed something to hang my hat on to give me hope and it looks like the only real hope is the return of injured players a.s.a.p. Reyes, Delgado, Ollie, Maine, Putz, and Wagner.
I have to hope if we get these guys back with what we currently have we can win a W.S. in 2009.That’s right, I said World Series. 2009 is all about finally winning a W.S. nothing less than that.
I hear whispers of maybe we are still good enough to make the wild card and I understand you have to be in it to win it but just remember the focus should be “Are we good enough to win a World Series”. Injuries or no injuries anything less will not do.
Eyes On The Prize People!
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
Getting the injured guys back (likely in August for most of them) won’t mean anything when we’re 10-12 games out.
Joe R
6/12/2009-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Not true Jerry said last night we will win 15 of 20 when we get healthy…not a problem Dark!! Jerry has a plan!!
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Hahahaha! Yeah, that quote from him makes me laugh and cry simultaneously.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the problem. We have too many guys that are out for extended periods, but not the full season. Wagner could provide a big boost though.
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
I disagree about the problem being injuries. If we’d been playing good fundamental baseball this year, we’d be in first place regardless. Healthy and unhealthy, this team has played very poor baseball, in the field and on the basepaths, all season. Injuries are just a scapegoat for a team that can’t play sound baseball.
There's Always '09
6/12/2009-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that we’ve had the opportunity to win more games than we have. That being said, injuries have played a major role in games we lost. How many games did Putz blow? How many tie games did he give up runs in? He was pitching injured.
We don’t have the firepower to come back in games right now either. I’m not blaming it all on injuries, but it’s tougher to go to war without your cleanup hitter and leadoff hitter, than it is to go with them.
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
But how many losses can we directly attribute to our defense? How about directly to our managerial decisions?
The lack of offense was a problem when we were healthy, too. We weren’t much of a comeback threat last year, for the most part. We’ve fallen asleep offensively after the 6th for years. That’s not injury related. I think it’s all due to a certain mentality on this team. I don’t know what’s going in their heads, but when you only show up to play 2/3 of a baseball game every day, there needs to be harsh consequences.
Joe R
6/12/2009-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
True to an extent. Def would be prob be at least tied or a game out with some better play.
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
We’d be better than tied. Look at the plethora of losses caused by sloppy play. Murphy drops a ball: loss. Church drops a ball: loss. Reed throwing error (plus offense in a coma late): loss. Beltran and Wright errors/miscues: loss. I know there are more, these are just off the top of my head.
Joe R
6/12/2009-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
I agree but other teams like even the Phils fans Im sure point to games they should have won tooIm sure.
darknova306
6/12/2009-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
Of course, but our list is woefully long. You don’t win a division or WC with a Nationals-like defense.
Joe R
6/12/2009-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Thats true our errors are killing us too. You know what…after trying to figure this out my only conclusion is…we just dont make the big play when it counts…we stop scoring after the 4th…no one steps up…and once the 6th inning hits the managing goes down the tubes as well.