“We (the Mets) are a much improved ball club, now we lose in extra innings!” Casey Stengel
Here’s what you missed on Tuesday, August 4, 2009:
- This Day In Mets Infamy With Rusty 8-4-09 by rustyjr
- Real Dirty Mets Morning Open Thread by CaseStreet
- Where Were You When…. Contest by trs86
- Draft & Follow 8-4-09 by GravediggerHebner
- Gameday Weather 8-4-09 by prismo
- Is It Time To Trade Beltran by trs86
- In-Depth Look At… Joel Pineiro. by QnsNative718
- Game Thread: Mets (50-55) vs Cardinals (58-50) by dirtysanchez
- Post Game: Violence, Drunkeness & Solicitation by GravediggerHebner
You got something to say? Say it on The Real Dirty Mets Blog!
51 comments
darknova306
8/5/2009-7:15am at 7:15 am (UTC -4)
So I’ve seen a lot of comments around forums and boards this morning about “I’ve given up, no more games for me” and other such comments. Gimme a break. If you’re not going to watch your team during a lost season, you don’t deserve to call yourself a fan. I’m not saying you have to break plans with people to get home and see the whole game everyday, but don’t give up watching them entirely just because they suck.
I became a fan of baseball in 1990 at the young age of 8, so the Mets were about to embark on some horrific years. I watch as many of those 100+ losses in 1993 as I could. Now, I have little-to-no hope for next season as we’ve got way too many holes to fill (and Omar is still our GM), but I’ll still be watching the games and talking Mets baseball with folks.
I missed last night’s game due to other plans, but it sounds like it went about how you’d expect for this season. I feel bad for Castillo, he’s done so much and worked so hard to get back to form. Hoping for a speedy recovery for him. You might hate the contract, but at least give the guy props for how he’s dealt with the media/fans and how hard he’s worked this year. Gotta love the grin he wears after the mock cheers he gets for catching a pop-up.
Oh, and I’d like to personally thank Alber Pujols for helping my fantasy team once again. I knew that you’d have a monster year after finally getting the elbow surgery. Now beat the Phils in the post-season you little b*$%h!
rustyjr
8/5/2009-7:25am at 7:25 am (UTC -4)
darknova – i’m still a fan – I will watch almost everygame I can til the season is over . just right now the only reasonable expecttion that I have for this team is to be atleast at .500 when the season ends – I think most of us fans are undeniably – and justifyably upset at the front office and ownership at the way the handled ( bungled) the winter meetings – aside from k-rod and putz and they way the delt with the mounting injuries tht has exposed a weak upper farm system and a verry strained bench .. I was wearily onboard with murph in left field even though I wanted Ibanez or dunn and I figured you at least make an offer the orlando hudson or randy wolf but this team had a budget and they didnt stray one cent over it – the excuse was they would wait until the trade deadline to spend on help if needed – we needed help – they didn’t spend !! now you can’t find Omar unless he has a p.r flunkie with him and jeff has sulked back into his cave – so to reiterate I still love my team – I just don’t like how my team has been ran this past 2 years . thqanks for letting me vent
darknova306
8/5/2009-8:11am at 8:11 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was just venting, too. Just got sick of the “my team sucks so I’m not gonna watch” comments I’ve been reading in various places recently.
I’m right there with you, Rusty. This team has been run very poorly for a long time. Any GM can throw money at FAs and pick up tons of reclamation projects, it takes a competent GM to build a solid group of complimentary players around the core, which is what happened in Philly to lead them to a championship. We’re fans of a listless organization that’s full of dumb sh#ts.
I agree on Hudson and Wolf, but you knew Omar wasn’t going to admit his mistake and cut Castillo and he was intent on re-signing Ollie right from the start (we all knew that). I’ve wanted Omar’s head for years, but it’s just not happening. Ugh.
stickguy
8/5/2009-8:18am at 8:18 am (UTC -4)
At least castillo somewhat redeemed Omar’s faith in him this year (until the dope fell down the stairs). And the fact that he had a ridiculous contract meant they were stuck with him.
but signing Ollie instead of getting a couple of ST guys like Wolf (since that is what the market offered up) was practically criminal to the fans.
smart GMs go with what is available at a good price, and adjust to the market. Omar seems to get tunnel vision.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-8:28am at 8:28 am (UTC -4)
The thing is, Dark, if someone actually logs on to a site and posts, odds are they are a real true Met fan. The fakes that are going to go watch the Yankees now aren’t going to be registered here or to any other Mets site (unless they are, in the infamous words of Boxxy, trolling).
proudmetfan
8/5/2009-8:42am at 8:42 am (UTC -4)
You’re absolutely right darknova, there are plenty of people who say “that’s it, im finished” during the season (myself included). But the truth is we are addicted to the Mets like Rick James was addicted to coke. The Mets are a helluva drug.
trs86
8/5/2009-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Great job Nova.
saltygary
8/5/2009-7:52am at 7:52 am (UTC -4)
Man last night I see that the game was tied on ESPN.com so I run and turn on the tv and the first image is DeRosa getting hit. Sat back and figured I would watch Pujols smack it out.
stickguy
8/5/2009-8:12am at 8:12 am (UTC -4)
kind of glad I missed seeing this game (although I do miss seeing most games, other than on gameday, or if I fire up the mpl.tv feed).
typical met cursed luck though. There was a slight chance some team would have bit on Castillo when he went on waivers this month. Now, no way. Maybe Sheff can bring back something decent?
All the fickle fans (“I’ll never watch again, this team is dead to me”) are silly. So, they are having a lousy year. It happens. You watch your team anyway, when you can, and start looking forward to mext year.
I always liked the off season (hot stove) anyway. Now we get to start this one a little early, and man, it should be a fun one.
I personally think there are a ton of changes needed, and have zero confidence in Omar and this FO being the ones making them.
2 reasons: I don’t think he is good, or creative thinking, enough, and 2) Omar may be delusional enough to think the team is fine, and just needs to get the guys that missed all year to recover over the winter. That, IMO, is a pipe dream.
There's Always '09
8/5/2009-9:11am at 9:11 am (UTC -4)
Thing is, I wouldn’t trade Castillo at this point. I would hope and pray that he is the same player next year and can bat leadoff for this team. Reyes can slot down to the 3-hole if the Mets wish. Castillo has been on base at a tremendous clip this year. Perfect for a leadoff hitter. I have to admit, I was very wrong about him. He seems to be the only one who “gets it” on this team (that includes Wright). The sad thing is, now you have to think what the top of the lineup could have been, had Beltran, Delgado, and Reyes not all had basically season-ending injuries.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-8:35am at 8:35 am (UTC -4)
It will be interesting to see what happens to Mets blogs. For the first time since blogs really blew up in the sports area, the Mets are awful and are in the midst of a truly lost season. I’d love to have access to all site data to see how much (if at all) the average daily visits/clicks change.
metsfan4decades
8/5/2009-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
I’ve been a Met fan since ’68 so I’ve seen some incredibly bad teams play incredibly bad seasons, some years at a clip. I’ll be watching this one as well. It’s just not summer without NY Met baseball.
To me, this season was over when Beltran went down. He was the final nail in the coffin.
Watching the games gives you a feel for who should stay, who should go, how the rookies are progressing, etc. If you don’t watch, how can be ready for the Hot Stove? LOL.
There's Always '09
8/5/2009-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
I agree about Beltran. Once he went down, everyone in the lineup forgot how to hit. Forgot the exact stat, but I think it took Wright about two weeks to get his first RBI after Beltran’s injury. That’s not going to get it done. I can’t kill Wright for not carrying the team on his back, but he pretty much disappeared when we needed him the most. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of bounce-back season he has next year in terms of power (which wasn’t there even before everyone else got hurt).
fongy2
8/5/2009-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Wheres the friggin calvary already?
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
Reyes “most likely” shut down for the season per 1010 Wins this morning.
For gods sake, just put him on the shelf. The season is lost just make sure he’s ready to go for 2010. It baffles me that the Mets were taking a chance with playing Reyes at “80%” when we had 7-8 teams ahead of us in the WC. Reyes at “80%” would be asking for trouble. That means he would be at a higher rate of reinjuring himself if he is already a little gimpy. That would very well likely mean Hello to another injury plagued 2010 and beyond.
Mets Thinking = FUBAR
fongy2
8/5/2009-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
Plan for off season…
Fire Omar and staff…
fire Jerry and staff…
break up “the core”…
charlie_s
8/5/2009-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
The core is essentially crap now anyway. Beltran might need microfracture knee surgery, and if so, will probably miss all of next season. He’s probably untradable now anyway with an MRI that shows a bone bruise that hasn’t improved in two months. As for Reyes, his trade value is as low as it’s been since before his rookie season.
Wright, Beltran, and Reyes will in all likelihood be back next season.
I with the rest of your plan, but you missed one big one:
Sell the Team.
udontmesswthejohan
8/5/2009-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
The best thing to come out of this season is precisley the opposite of what you advocate for (i.e breaking up the core). They haven’t been healthy all year, so that gives them at least one more chance to get it right and get it done. Those three players are winning players and I don’t care what any so called “expert” has to say about it.
trs86
8/5/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
It’s tough. I go back and forth on the idea. It is for sure not cut and dry either way.
steveo
8/5/2009-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
The calvary won’t be showin up this year my friend
fongy2
8/5/2009-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
But!….I thought….
But Omar said….
Ahh…forgetaboutit!
charlie_s
8/5/2009-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
The Mets should NOT let Beltran and Reyes come back this year (not that Reyes seems poised to try to return). The season’s over, why risk further injury. And, if Beltran’s knee is going to need surgery, please get it done now! Why waste the next two months, which of course translate into two missed months next season?
Delgado I could care less about because he’s not coming back next year anyway.
udontmesswthejohan
8/5/2009-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
“(not that Reyes seems poised to try to return)”
Uhhh, you know he’s not trying to come back because of what exactly??? Oh right, let me read between the lines here and translate, he’s another lazy latin ball player and if there is anything we have too many of on this team it’s that.
Mr North Jersey
8/5/2009-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Oh I hope your translation is wrong. I would hate to think any1 would say that on top of that someone on our blog.
trs86
8/5/2009-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
I am hoping that you can take the racial connotations out, however it could be that he has no desire to come back.
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Um, wow…
charlie_s
8/5/2009-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
Do me a favor, don’t put words in my mouth, okay?
My saying that about Reyes was to mention that while I am advocating for Reyes not to come back (so he doesn’t hurt himself any further for a dead season) he’s not actually close to returning.
I am completely floored by your need to accuse someone of bigotry, which is apparently so intense that you are perfectly content with defaming someone by “reading between the lines.”
trs86
8/5/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Charlie, I did not read it as racist at all. We are all just jumpy. Don’t worry about it.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I appreciate it TRS.
Mr North Jersey
8/5/2009-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
So its safe 2 say udontmess’s was the only one that mistook your comment. Phew im glad that’s settled I thought maybe mess and you had a past regarding his opinion of you for him to suggest you said such a thing.
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Im with you. In no way did I detect any sarcasm or inuendo when you mentioned Reyes.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Thanks, man.
udontmesswthejohan
8/5/2009-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Look dude, if I’m wrong then I apologize, but your own words seemed to indicate that you didn’t feel that he was trying to get back ont he field.
“not that Reyes seems poised to try to return”
To me, this reads that he COULD come back, but isn’t trying to do so.
Again, if I’m wrong then I apologize, but I can’t turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or read a comment section on the internet without some stupid reference/comment to “Los Mets” and how there are too many Hispanic ballplayers on the Mets.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Did you not learn anything from Omar’s terrible apologies to Adam Rubin? (And, no I’m not saying this because Omar is Latin.)
If you are going to apologize, apologize. There is no if you’re wrong. I’m telling you that you are wrong. Others here have chimed in to say they didn’t get that from my comment.
Why is it that by me saying that quote I have mean something other than he doesn’t seem to be ready to return any time soon?
Finally, I’ll say this once and for all: I like my team to have good, hustling players, be they white, brown, red, or yellow (or any other color).
Let this be the end of it as it relates to me.
wannybackstra
8/5/2009-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
Charlie: I didn’t read that as having anything to do with Jose’s desire. It sounded to me like you were operating udner the assumption that he is physically prevented from returning.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks, Wanny.
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
Nova, I hear where youre coming from and Ill admit that when our boys are getting creamed I WILL turn the channel and I wont be as eager to buy a ticket for a game and I am as hardcore as they come. The reason simply is I dont want to see the team I love suffer so miserably. It actually hurts and I would rather do something more productive with my life than feel glum and miserable. Life is tough as it is.
sabermetrician
8/5/2009-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
I’m with you Qns. I still toon in, but when they start to get crushed I have to look away…for a while at least.
Mr North Jersey
8/5/2009-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
it is gut-wrenching to say the least isn’t it?
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
“For a while atleast” indeed. You wanna know why traffic builds up after a car accident. Because people just need to slow down and SEE whats happening.
Mr North Jersey
8/5/2009-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
Funny, I was going to use the car wreck analogy but decided it didn’t fit because we are not watching but turning away by switching the channel.
QnsNative718
8/5/2009-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Well, I was referring to AFTER I turn the channel. I still have the urge to check my phone for updates and turn on the “picture-in-picture” on my TV to see whats going on. Like ProudMetsFan said above, we’re addicted to this team. Its like pure Harlem Blue Magic… not that I would know anything about that.
charlie_s
8/5/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Toon in versus tune in? That’s funny and right on point. It is like watching a cartoon sometimes!
darknova306
8/5/2009-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
I understand exactly what you mean. Thing is, you’re still watching, even if it’s only parts of the games. And you’re not declaring that you’re done watching them for the season. I turn away during particularly ugly games, too, but I can’t stay away even if I want to.
My response when I see our boys getting destroyed is usually to go grab a stronger beer.
trs86
8/5/2009-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Beer hell, my wife is going to be so upset to see all of here tequila gone.
steveo
8/5/2009-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
I’m sorry but more than anything the move I want most for next season is the removal of Omar. I don’t care about a single player move if this bufoon is gone I’m good. I don’t want to hear about the injuries I know they hurt the team, but this idiots lack of a single move other than the church trade shows his incapicity for being a quality gm. Even if he was cut off from the spending there were plenty of low level moves that would of helped. The triple a roster started off like a list of celebrity has beens on a reality show with just 3 prospects on the opening day line up if that alone wasn’t a recipe for disaster I don’t know what is. So all of you omar fans that are going to defend his great moves like bringing in Beltran Pedro Santana Krod Putz And delgado remember these were mostly money moves in fact they all were I give him thanks for those guys but like everthing Omar your time has come. The wilpons will give him his 3 mill to walk just like they gave willie his money gms Come cheap and hopfully the next one they won’t giv e an extension to until its due in an offseason.
There's Always '10
8/5/2009-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Lost in the shuffle is Prince Wright. Is he kidding me with shaving his beard? Call it nitpicking, but he was in full beard mode when the team was winning 5 in a row, but now it’s gone? Does that mean he has given up on the season? Fans are allowed to because we pay the money to see them play. If we don’t want ot show up, you can’t really blame us, based on the product. But him shaving his beard is absolute nonsense. Cora still has his.
I’m very down on DW right now.
trs86
8/5/2009-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, he stinks. LOL.
There's Always '10
8/5/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
LOL, I’m not saying he stinks as a ballplayer. I’m just saying if you say you’re going to do something as a show of team unity, then follow through with it, especially if you want to be a leader. If you weren’t serious about it, then don’t grow scruff in the first place. To me, it means he has given up.
trs86
8/5/2009-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
We have no idea what the agreement was in the clubhouse.
There's Always '10
8/5/2009-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Yea, in all likelihood, Cora suggested it and Wright was behind it. Then he didn’t get laid for two straight days and he decided he better lose the beard.