“He (Satchel Paige) threw the ball as far from the bat and as close to the plate as possible.” Casey Stengel
Here’s what you missed on Wednesday, July 8, 2009:
- This Day In Mets Infamy With Rusty 7-8-09 by rustyjr
- Morning Open Thread by CaseStreet
- Trade Rumor: D-Backs on Sale, Dunn is Not by CaseStreet
- Draft And Follow 7-8-09 by GravediggerHebner
- Breaking News: Lenny Dykstra Bankrupt by trs86
- Gameday Weather 7-8-09 by prismo
- Mets Should Go ALL In For Halladay by trs86
- What About Us Mets Fans†by rustyjr
- Mets Rumor: Reyes rehab starts tomorrow? nope, just Argenis by mrose
- Game Thread: Mets (39-43) vs Dodgers (53-30) by dirtysanchez
- Post Game: Surprise, Oliver Hardy!by GravediggerHebner
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52 comments
darknova306
7/9/2009-7:20am at 7:20 am (UTC -4)
Wow, I’m still in a daze from seeing a multi-extra-base-hit game and WIN. What an odd feeling, I forgot what it was like…
jaded1983
7/9/2009-8:48am at 8:48 am (UTC -4)
In the post game thread, Gategem had the following to say:
“Murphy finally turned on the inside pitch that has been giving him so much trouble. Has he entered a new phase where he has adjusted to how he is being pitched or is it a one time occurrence. It should be interesting to see”
That is one thing that really stood out to me, especially once Kevin B highlighted it. If this is an adjustmend that Murphy has made going forward, that is a big step in the right direction for him. This is EXACTLY why we need to be patient with out young guys, it takes time to learn and make the correct adjustments at the big league level. If he can turn on that pitch from now on he wont be so vulnerable inside, and since he is a great oppo field hitter he will certainly progress.
I think Murphy has a future with the Mets, and not just as trade bait. Evans/Sheff in LF and Murph at 1B for the rest of the year, thats what I’d like to see.
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
You mean you don’t want to see Tatis in LF/1B?
jaded1983
7/9/2009-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
haha 6-4-3 Tatis?
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
6-4-3 tatis, 4-6-3 tatis, 1-6-3 tatis, 36c tatis…oops.
wannybackstra
7/9/2009-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
Well, with Randy Wolf on the hill tonight you can be sure Jerry will sit Murphy despite the fact that he looked to be getting his swing back and despite the fact that Jerry proclaimed that Murphy would play v. lefties.
It’s been the same pattern all season. Murph starts to swing better; Murph sits.
udontmesswthejohan
7/9/2009-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
Like many of you, I was a huge supporter of Murphy, and that optimism has, for lack of a better word been tempered over the course fo the first half of the year. That said, I agree with you that there may still be something there and that we need to be patient. Eventually, I think he can come around and start to be an effective hitter again. The questions that still remain are whther or not what he gives you will be enough to carry him and where it is he will ultimately play. Right now he is still a man without a position for the most part. If his long term future with this team is at 1B, then he needs to hit more…and lets be honest, he needs to hit a lot more. Fingers crossed.
jaded1983
7/9/2009-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
I agree he needs to hit more, but I’d love to see him as the 2010 1B. Not having to sign an expensive FA for both LF AND 1B would save us money and draft picks.
Im still torn on Evans. Can he be our LF’er of the future? Or does Omar go out and sign/trade for a bat? On the one hand I’d like the youth, cheap production, and draft picks you could keep by retaining Evans. On the other hand, I’d like another bat in there. However with Beltran, and Reyes back for next year, maybe that need diminishes?
What do you guys think?
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
I think Evans deserves as much of a shot as Murphy at this point. I’d have no problem platooning them at 1B/LF(when Delgado comes back) at this point. Nick Evans has shown some punch. I’m really impressed with his swing. I don’t think either one will be perrenial All Stars, but they are both servicable.
jaded1983
7/9/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
And thats something this team needs IMO. Young guys that play the game hard to compliment beltran reyes and wright. Personally I think Murph, Evans, and Church are perfect pieces in that regard.
trs86
7/9/2009-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
While I don’t know which one I would chose, there is no way we can go into next year with Evans in LF and Murphy at 1B. That would be a travesty.
At this point the best we can do is start Church in CF and Evans and Sheff in the OF with Reed being Sheff’s caddy and playing CF when he is in.
udontmesswthejohan
7/9/2009-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
First base is obviously a problem area. I would be very hesitant to give Murphy the starting job at 1B next year. I mean after what happened this year you just couldn’t do that unless he goes on some sort of incredible hot streak for the rest of the season. Even then, I think it’s a gamble. The good news is that it looks like we will have time to see what these guys are capable of. I’ve never been a big Evans fan, but I agree with ’09 that at this point, he derserves just as much of a look as Murphy.
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
Perez is awful. He really really sucks I’m sorry. After the long vacation he had…oh I mean injury he suffered…the very first batter of the game he walks. I mean you know thats the last thing he wanted to do and had to be concentrating to the Max especially to the first batter. He walks him?? This guy really has zero control of his pitches and cant stand watching him.
I guess ppl will say its his first game back, maybe he was wound up, maybe excited, maybe this maybe that!!!
Gary said it best…Smetimes you think Perez is a rookie…In our case a very, very expensive rookie!
Anyway a much needed win and correct me if Im wrong. At worst if we lose all our games and the Phils win all theirs the most we will be out is 9 1/2. I just hope somehow it doesnt get to more than 5 or 6 so I can do my best to muster up some excitement for the second half. Im still heavily leaning towards the season is very close to over for us after the news and my gut telling me Reyes is done for the year and Beltran will be out for at least another month.
udontmesswthejohan
7/9/2009-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
Looking at his start in a vaccum, I would agree with you 100%. It doesn’t look like much has changed, but I would argue with all that has been going on around this team recently and throughout the first half, we just need to be grateful for the wins we can get. I choose to look at it as a very mediocore performance, but not horrible, and one that he can hopefully build on.
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
Haha I love your optimism…I really do but build on his performance??
Ugh…I wish i had that kind of faith that Ollie has the ability to make changes, adapt, learn, mature, etc. I just dont believe he has gotten past 2nd grade. I hate to say it and i hope I am 100% wrong but I feel his contract is very similar to Castillo’s in that we will be saying for the next couple of years what was Omar thinking!
trs86
7/9/2009-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
What about the times that for a 1/2 season or even in 2007 and entire season that he has put it together??
udontmesswthejohan
7/9/2009-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Trust me I’m not that optimistic. Haha, just saying that after watching this team play for the last week, it was nice to get a win, even if it wasn’t pretty. There will be plently of time to discuss, berate, dissect Ollie’s performance. Today, we should just be grateful it wasn’t a complete disaster cause that would have only made things worse for everyone. At least we got back one of our starters and there is a glimmer of hope.
Plus, unlike some other guys, like it or not, Ollie has had success and he has shown that he is capable of going on a hot streak. I agree the consistency will never be there, but it’s not totally beyond the realm of possibility that he can string together a few good games.
CaseStreet
7/9/2009-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Cora has done a nice job filling in for Reyes. Beltran is hurting us, though.
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
I guess he has been ok at best. Hitting .250 isnt really that good imo. Defense has been steady which i guess is most important. On a team that wasnt missing every important player he would be fine by not blowing any games with his D unfortunately we need some offense and he isnt providing anything Reyes like in that regard nor was it expected I guess.
CaseStreet
7/9/2009-9:23am at 9:23 am (UTC -4)
One of the problems w/ Ollie is that he’s a K pitcher.
But unless hitters are swinging, he’s gonna walk alot.
He’s kind of like K-Rod in that way.
CaseStreet
7/9/2009-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
Mad props to my guy Ollie. Hope his progression continues.
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
yes. hopefully next time out he will only walk 5 batters and go 5-1/3. i like ollie and think he needs to contribute in order for us to be competitive, but last night wasn’t really progress. at least he didn’t get hit hard though, so maybe a little progress.
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
No I agree with your first part. Wasnt progress at all!! I guess the only positive was that he was ACTUALLY on the mound saving face for Omar and the organization and the contract!!
He’s a joke. 7 walks I mean what the hell changed. Hasnt that been the issue with him since day 1. His control! So i guess if you average out 9 innings he walked like 10 per 9. Awesome
I know though guys dont worry.. It was his 1st game back from his devasting almost career ending knee injury..I got it!!
CaseStreet
7/9/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
difference is Ollie looked much different than when he was last w/ the Mets. The result might have been somewhat similar, but he did really look much better than before.
jaded1983
7/9/2009-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
That slider was pretty sharp last night. I wonder if thats something he was working on in rehab?
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
Before what?? I guess if you mean this season then yes he looked better than giving up 10 runs an inning lol. Wow our expectations are so pathetically low!!
mrbill
7/9/2009-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
LOL… Perez is horrible.
wannybackstra
7/9/2009-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t see anything about him that looked different. He threw as many balls as strikes, many of the balls were wide by a mile, and his release point changed constantly. Same Ollie.
Next time out, he’ll throw a shutout.
Joe R
7/9/2009-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Yup…accept I believe the shutout isnt coming. Maybe Im negative and maybe its because I havent seen it in a while but i dont see the shutout coming at all. I dont even think we will be lucky enough to consistantly see the bad Ollie followed by the good Ollie… Once again our expectations and the fact we are becoming OK with a good then bad start says it all for me! What a year.
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
His windup was a little different. It’s like he’s stretching out his hamstring before he starts it. Maybe if he starts low and aims high, he’ll hit it right in the middle and not walk 10 guys, just 7?
mrbill
7/9/2009-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
he’ll hit it right in the middle and not walk 10 guys, just 7?
Per inning?
wannybackstra
7/9/2009-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
He might as well close his eyes before he throws. It’s like playing pin the tail on the donkey with him.
He really hasn’t a clue where the ball is going once it leaves his hand. He’s fortunate that his stuff is so nasty because he’s just up there chucking away.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
You didn’t see anything different?
Oh grasshopper what to do, what to do, Someone mentioned his slider was sharp but the biggest difference was his fastball if you was watching you’d notice he was throwing 91mph consistently getting it up to 93mph at times.
Earlier he was hitting 89mph topping out at 91mph at times.
Joe R
7/9/2009-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
Hm…7 walks in 5 innings regardless if he was throwing 105 mph.
mrbill
7/9/2009-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
ok, so he was throwing 93mph but outside the strike zone…. 93 mph balls.
darknova306
7/9/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Regardless of velocity, a ball is a ball. That’s all I can say regarding Ollie. Ugh.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2009-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
baby steps people, velocity then control we have velocity back now we need control.
Joe R
7/9/2009-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
92 mph isnt 97 where if you miss your location, sometimes you will get away with it.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2009-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I am not saying he pitched well, you misunderstood me if you believe I was suggesting that. I am merely pointing out where before he had control issues plus arm issues because his fastball was not where it was supposed to be and at least now the mph on his fastball are back at their normal levels but control continues to be an issue obviously.
wannybackstra
7/9/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Q: Which MLB relief pitcher has pitched 26.2 innings in 30 starts with a 2-0 record, 10 holds, a save and has allowed only 18 hits 7 BBs for .938 WHIP and 1.35 ERA while striking out 27?
A: Darren O’Day
darknova306
7/9/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
Wow. I was irked when we gave him up because I don’t like getting rid of part of a strength (the bullpen) in case we need the depth. Didn’t realize he was doing so well.
I can’t remember off the top of my head, but who did we put on the roster in his place?
wannybackstra
7/9/2009-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
I may be wrong but that might have been the move that cleared room for Livan.
Or it might have happened during one of the team’s refusals to place players on the DL.
Joe R
7/9/2009-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Anyway my only other observations was after seeing Orlando Hudson use 2 hands and firmly grasp a popup last night Furcal did the very same thing. Used 2 hands, looked in control, and he was ready in a throwing position. We have 2 players, Reyes and Castillo, that catch the ball with one hand and to make it worse they do that horrible, pathetic exaggeration where they slap their gloves to their hips after they catch the pop ups. I guess the game is just too easy for them. Also once again after we saw it happen about 3 times this year, once again Schneider like all the others, was no where in sight when Sheffield was coming home to move the bat or tell him to slide!! This I blame on Manuel..I mean CMON!!!! Its funny because once again the Dodgers had a similar play this series and the on deck guy moved the bat. Oh well…..such is life
There's Always '09
7/9/2009-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
Wright does the same thing. Catches with one hand constantly.
mrbill
7/9/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
That is if nobody else yells “I got it”
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I do not want to come off as a defender for the Mets bad play this season because I really am just as mad at their sloppy play as well but I am also honest and if you watch the game you will see that most mlb players will catch the ball with one hand also from time to time including Odog and Furcal. It is not something that just happens in Queens.
Joe R
7/9/2009-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
I hear ya…and I totally agree that the game has changed a bit from the 50′s lol but another play 2 nights ago when castillo made the throwing error he bobbled the ball and then did a suave lean back and hard flip/throw to first. Its hard for me to explain but its almost as if he’s saying Ok i juggled the ball but Im so good I can do a fancy lean back throw or something.
I guess my point is the body language is ridiculous and did i mention in case Im coming off as bias..I HATE CASTILLO..ALWAYS HAVE ALWAYS WILL.
stickguy
7/9/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
at least I am not only in feeling that way.
CaseStreet
7/9/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
is it wrong for me to compare Ollie to K-Rod? Both have nasty stuff but lack control. Ollie much more than K-Rod, but still K-Rod couldn’t throw a strike to Mariano.
Both these guys K alot and walk alot.
Joe R
7/9/2009-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Agreed except KROD has a few more devasting pitches including that insane changeup and he seems to have an idea about what he wants to do and accomplish against a particular hitter!!
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2009-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
it is wrong, yes.
saltygary
7/9/2009-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Yea Krod has a way better feel for pitch placement and almost intential trows wild at times. Ollie is in la la land.