BFF?
New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon are scheduled to be in-studio guests on 660 AM WFAN with host Mike Francesa at 5:05pm today. A live-blog of sorts will appear below.
- 5:07pm – they are late, Mike expects them on the air within 10 minutes or so.
- Wow, can I really get 2 Twin Draft Guards AND the ceramic over-the-door hook for only 1 easy payment of $19.99?
- Jeff & Omar are “in the building” and getting set up, giving me one last chance to choose between the Twin Draft Guard or the Ab Rocket or the Air Hog.
- Bonus guest David Howard in the house.
- Jeff describes the 2009 season as “unnaceptable” and feels very confident with Omar at the helm moving forward.
- Omar says it was a “trying” year. Felt he had a “championship team” in place.
- Jeff exonerates “the medical people.” Says they had information coming to them from “other team’s doctors” and that they “didn’t get these players back to NY to visit our own medical staff quickly enough.” He blames himself for the poor communication regarding the injuries.
- Jeff regarding the Mets finances: “no pullback, no effect on the Mets as a business regarding Madoff. We’re operating the same as we did in the past…whatever Omar wants to do will be up to him and his staff…we will have one of the highest payrolls in baseball again.”
- Omar believes the minor league system “is average” and that “we have talent.” That talent is “at the lower levels.”
- Jeff says “Omar’s responsibilities will not change one bit.”
- Omar will be adding a “field coordinator” to communicate with Adam Wogan (sp?) in the context of evaluating/overseeing the minor leagues, and is looking to add someone whose primary responsibility will be to communicate with him (Omar) about the minor league system.
- Omar decided to bring back Jerry, that it was not fair to him to dismiss him considering the injuries, he felt Jerry deserved another chance. Jeff agreed.
- Why did they design Citi Field the way it came out considering the roster they had under contract? Jeff says they designed the park in consultation with the front office who stressed the team would be built on pitching, defense and speed.
- Omar believes, despite sighting the contrary example of the Philadelphia Phillies, that it is hard to win consistently in a ballpark that favors hitting. He prefers a ballpark that favors pitching/speed/defense.
- Jeff accepts blame for the lack of “Met-presence” in Citi-Field and David Howard states that they are now working on a “Met Hall of Fame Museum” in a “prominent location” at the ballpark.
- Jeff has not received any of what he considers to be “unfair criticism” regarding the team itself. The only unfair criticism he feels he’s received is regarding the ballpark. He doesn’t believe that it is too “Dodger-centric” but is nonetheless striving to alleviate that impression.
- Omar understands the criticism that he favors Latin ballplayers, but he disagrees with it and believes it is untrue. He understands it because he is the first Latin GM. His stated philosophy is to acquire “the best players” regardless of heritage.
- Jeff disagrees that in regards to player acquisition that the Mets don’t “go the extra mile.” He stated that he believes the team compares favorably in that regard to the rest of the league.
- Omar believes the players “did not quit on Jerry.” He explains the lack of fundamental soundness of the players on the fact that, unfortunately, many of the players getting playing time were players who would ordinarily be back ups but that they “got exposed.”
- Omar was pleased with the performance of Jeff Francoeur. As the season crumbled around the organization, Francoeur’s performance was “a bright spot.”
- Commercial break – chance for me to order The Windshield Wonder!
- Ticket prices – Per David Howard, every season ticket holder will have a lower invoice for 2010, average discount 10%. Discounts will be more aggressive where fewer seats were sold/filled. Howard hopes everyone understands that the team can’t be in financial trouble or they would not have lowered ticket prices.
- Wilpon – “we are a results town and we are in a results business.”  He will “give Omar the resources necessary to put a championship team on the field. Last year we started at $135 million and finished at $147 million. This year will depend on who’s available.”
- Omar – “when we left spring training we felt this team had as good a chance to get to the World Series as any of our previous teams.”
- Omar – “we still believe in Oliver Perez. Lot’s of guys have bad years, look at Verlander last year. I believe Oliver will turn it around.”
- Omar – “we see Daniel Murphy getting better, this is his first year. We anticipated his easing into everyday play with the full lineup healthy” thus relying less on him. He compares Murphy to Kevin Youkilis in terms of how Youkilis was eased into a lineup filled with viable hitters and allowed to grow.
- Mike F: “what does Murphy do well?” Omar – “he’s making a good effort, he’s learning and improving. He definitely has to improve his OBP.”
- Mike F: “aren’t you limited by having Murphy in your everyday lineup? Don’t you have to have a 40 HR hitter in LF?” Omar - “we do feel we can field a good team with him playing everyday.”
- Omar believes he is “going to have to look at the trade market as well as the free agent market” in terms of building the roster.
- Omar believes the team has “some core players that are special” but that we have to look at everyone and everything in the context of improving the team.
- Mike F: “Jeff, do you have any players that are untouchable?” Jeff: “only those that are untouchable.” Interesting answer.
- Omar: “we believe when healthy we have a solid team to build around. Remember, many people picked us to win a lot of games before the season started.”
- Jeff: “how would you do it (build the team) Mike? We’re open to suggestions.” Mike: “you need a big power hitter and a solid #2 pitcher.”
- Jeff & Omar both believe “David will go back to being David” regarding David Wright.
- Omar: “I don’t believe we need a major reconstruction.” He then added with a big laugh and smile “I don’t have time for a reconstruction.”
- Jeff: “I have to listen to my staff. My opinion is we don’t need a major reconstruction. Omar believes he has ’2 or 3 holes’ to fill. The combinations for doing so are endless.”
- Omar: “we don’t know how the free agent market is going to unfold financially. This is not a great market in terms of talent.”
- Jeff:Â In the context of the free agent market “I think the market lags so that it will be softer this year than last year.”
- Omar believes in the high quality of all his division opponents, the competition will be tough “for the next couple years.”
- Jeff: on the draft “we signed our 1st draft pick this year over slot and still took a lot of grief because we didn’t pay him even more. We felt we got a guy who slid to us, who should’ve gone higher, and we were comfortable paying him over slot. The picks after him our scouts didn’t believe they were worth more than we offered and they refused our best offers that’s why they weren’t signed.”
- Commercial break – Damn, the Ab Rocket is cheaper than the Twin Draft Guard? How can that be?
- Jeff:Â “some gates and other portions of the park will be re-named.”
- David: “the most positive feedback we got was on the intimacy of the ballpark. The biggest negative was some feedback we got on the sightlines. In bringing the seats lower and closer we were aware that some portions of the OF would not be visible” and that was a fair trade-off to get lower & closer. He is pleased with the overall feedback and the organization’s responses to that feedback (i.e. lowering the ribbon boards).
- Omar: “I don’t feel pressure, I feel a challenge, a challenge that we have to put a winning baseball team together. The first part of that challenge is to get everybody healthy.”
- Jeff: “the team doctors are looking at every single aspect of training. Pregame, postgame, everything. We have done a lot of work on the medical front and we need to do a lot more.”
- Omar: “the process of evaluation of who we do and don’t want to keep on the roster has already begun. I have been talking to my staff about it for months, we have already met with the coaching staff as well to discuss that. What we are already working on is what we have, what we think we need, where what we need exists and how to get it.”
- Jeff: “who has said we are out of money? Why do people feel that we have no money, we have never said that.” Mike: “a large portion of your fanbase feels that way and won’t stop feeling that way until you sign a big free agent.” Jeff: we will improve the team, it may or may not be with a big free agent.”
- Jeff: “the process of roster improvement is going to be slower this year. We have to wait for the market to set itself.”
- Mike: “if it were my team I would feel like I have to something big to excite my fanbase.” Jeff: “if Omar feels he needs to do something big and can do something big he will.”
- Mike: “you feel you will be as aggressive as you have in the past in terms of acquisitions?” Jeff: “yes.”
- Omar: “trades will be tricky, some of our players are not at their highest value. How is it all going to come together? That is the challenge, I expect we will be able to do it.”
- Omar: “we are already working hard. The ownership is committed, the front office is committed, the coaching staff and the players are committed to winning.”
- David: “we will be back, and your (the fans) loyalty will be rewarded. Met fans have tremendous character.”
- Jeff: “I want to thank the fans who came to the park and supported the team. I have faith in Omar and Jerry, otherwise they wouldn’t be back, and I am going to support them in any way I can.”
The end
144 comments
stickguy
10/5/2009-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
Kinda what I said in my ramble on the last thread, but based on what they did(n’t) do today, I have pretty much lost interest in the off season already. I have no desire to go out to the car to see if WFAN is coming in today to listen to these 2 clowns.
ALthough it might be fun to hear fatso roast their sorry arses.
fongy2
10/5/2009-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Stick!, whats the point? where are we goin’?
They feel this season was unacceptable? No friggin’ kidding!
This was a championship team that was put into place by him?…Really?
Hoping Pelf would improve and becomw a solid #2, hoping Maine would be healthy and
return to form?, hoping Ollie would be only the good Ollie?
Hoping the big four would do at least what they did last season?
Hoping that Church and Murphy would be more than what the ever were
AND NOT having suitable back-ups if any of these things didn’t happen?
AND THATs a team he’d thought would be a championship team?
And If all the above went perfectly, what was gonna improve this teams Gut, its heart
when things didnt go well as in ’07 and ’08?…Our Manager?? Based on his great
winning past and ability to get the most out of every player hes managed?
Or was it the handful of young stars being kept down on the farm by the players
in front of them, just waiting to make one Wally Pipp?
Really, these guys should take this clown show on the road, maybe they can get
Isiah Thomas to open up for them?
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-5:20pm at 5:20 pm (UTC -4)
btw i don’t know if this is posted but grave you may wanna add a line so people can see Jeff Wilpon’s interview with Chris Carlin today over at SNY here is the ink
http://web.sny.tv/media/video.jsp?content_id=7012609&topic_id=6479520
asod75
10/5/2009-5:40pm at 5:40 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t stand Fatcessa, but I honestly hoping he’s grilling these guys hard.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
Great Job Grave
trs86
10/5/2009-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
As you guys know I am gulible but I actually liked a few things they said. Not all but at least I understand most of the things they are trying to say.
And at least there is still no mention of slashing payroll.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-6:43pm at 6:43 pm (UTC -4)
If they are going to slash payroll, there is zero chance they would pick Francesspool’s show 24 hours after the end of the season to announce it.
What a bunch of PR nonsense.
And to me, the most disturbing off field thing is the deal about adding pictures of Mets to the stadium during the season, and needing to be told to put in a team Hall of Fame.
The Wilpons really are not serious Met fans.
We all have to come to terms with this, if we have not already.
Fred loved the Dodgers, who knows if Jeff even likes baseball, and they own this team to make money. That’s it.
I went to Citi for the first time Saturday, and the pictures spread around the place were the only major Met history at all—and if they added those during the season, there was none earlier.
Which means when they planned the damn place, they planned a color-neutral stadium with a massive tribute to a Dodger and basically zero Met history.
Frankly, this really angers me.
They really care less about the team and its history than my dad, my brother, and I do.
If I designed it, the Rotunda would have been a multi-media tribute to 69, 86, Casey, Hodges, Seaver, Mookie, Piazza, etc.
The combo of hearing Jeff say what he said regarding this, and keeping on the coaches (except the first base coach; after all, we led the league in steals, his primary responsibility) I am pretty sickened at this team.
3+ million ticket sales is the ONLY stat that means anything to the Wilpons.
trs86
10/5/2009-6:48pm at 6:48 pm (UTC -4)
Eh, we shall see.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
Yes we have seen, and we shall continue to.
If what they said is to be believed, with all the money coming off the payroll, we should expect Lackey and either Bay or Holliday to be offered top dollar.
trs86
10/5/2009-6:56pm at 6:56 pm (UTC -4)
I think he is right on the endless combinations. You could go Holiday, Piniero, others
Lackey, LaRoche
Lackey trade for Agonz…
Should be an interesting off-season.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:03pm at 7:03 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. IMO the “endless combinations” quote was my favorite from the whole thing.
CaseStreet
10/5/2009-6:56pm at 6:56 pm (UTC -4)
1. the banners on the outside were there from day 1, I know the ones in LF gate were.
2. i would want an ownership that are fans of the team or at least care about the fans, however there are many team owners that are fans of other teams and not of the teams they own. I mean, how many people can buy into the team that they are fans of? I’d be happy w/ them making sure the fans are taken into consideration when making decisions (maybe a certain mets blog could volunteer to be their focus group of sorts)
trs86
10/5/2009-6:59pm at 6:59 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, very true. I don’t want them acting on passion for the team. I want them to make the Mets successful for years to come. I have also seen a real owner who does not care about his team at ALL. Remember I live in Charlotte with the Bobcats. They have an owner and a GM who never show up.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:03pm at 7:03 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, but the Wilpons pretend they are fans.
Is Jeff even into baseball?
They have owned/co-owned the team for nearly 30 years, and drew up a new stadium from scratch, and all they chose to do to honor the team’s half-century of colorful history was to put up a few pictures?
Compare this to the Yanks or the Cowboys or the Redskins, or lots of other teams who have built brand new stadiums recently.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:13pm at 7:13 pm (UTC -4)
Does not really bother me that much as long as they fix it.
prismo
10/5/2009-7:16pm at 7:16 pm (UTC -4)
Redskins fans hate the new stadium because of its location. They wanted it in to be in the DC metro area, but it’s a pain in the ass for most fans to get to.
(I know this because I live in Maryland and listen to Redskins radio daily)
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for this point of view; appreciate it.
But I thought you had previously said you were in the Albany area?
prismo
10/5/2009-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
I feel like a broken record here, haha.
I grew up in Albany, moved to Maryland 2 years ago to work after college.
My family’s still in Albany..I’ll be there for Thanksgiving if that counts for anything.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-9:00pm at 9:00 pm (UTC -4)
LOL…gotcha, and I WILL remember!
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-6:43pm at 6:43 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Grave again Great work with the updates
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-6:44pm at 6:44 pm (UTC -4)
Amen to that!!
metsfan4decades
10/6/2009-8:10am at 8:10 am (UTC -4)
I’m late to the party but I second that. Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated.
Well, they appeared to say all the right things. Let’s see if they actually do it….
CaseStreet
10/5/2009-6:46pm at 6:46 pm (UTC -4)
Doesn’t seem like FATSO challenged them on Jerry, i.e., poor play down the stretch.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-6:53pm at 6:53 pm (UTC -4)
IMO the only thing he challenged anybody on, really, was Omar on David Murphy. Omar did NOT answer Mike’s direct question “what does Murphy do well?”
Most of Omar’s actions (or lack thereof) this season demonstrated tremendous faith in Murphy on his part. That he couldn’t find anything to say in response to that question, to me, was the low point of the entire interview.
trs86
10/5/2009-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
Well… what DOES he do well?
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-6:59pm at 6:59 pm (UTC -4)
Wii tennis?
I don’t know what the “right” answer to that question should be, I can only tell you that I was sitting here like Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter raising my hand going “ooh ooh ooh hit doubles!”
trs86
10/5/2009-7:01pm at 7:01 pm (UTC -4)
“Well the only thing Mike I can think of is he hits doubles”
Would that have went over better? LOL.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
Not phrased exactly that way, no. But he could’ve said “Daniel led the team in home runs and was 2nd on the team in doubles, 1 behind David Wright” and it would’ve sounded more like an actual answer to the question “what does he do well?” than “he’s making a good effort, he’s learning and improving” which as a listener I found to be a disappointingly general answer to a straightforward specific question.
I hope I am reading it wrong, but it implies to me that Omar doesn’t think Murphy does anything well. If that’s the case, why was so much playing time essentially set aside for him from day 1, and how do you expect him to have any trade value at all now if you don’t at least pretend to have a public answer to that question?
trs86
10/5/2009-7:11pm at 7:11 pm (UTC -4)
I see it as a no win situation. He ask what he does well, not how did he do.
I think if he had said those things there would have been some questioning those comments as well.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
There almost certainly would’ve been some questioning of it, but at least it would’ve masqueraded as a specific answer to a specific question. IMO nothing that Omar said in response to that question even achieved that lowly goal.
I understand their are certain questions asked of a GM that he simply can’t answer, such as about players on other teams as that is tampering.
But being asked what a player you drafted, signed, developed and currently have on your active roster and under contract does well and not having one solitary specific thing to say in response is not good.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, but I would have to know if this was Omar being typical Omar with the media and screwing it up or actually not knowing. I find it hard to believe he does not have a clue.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Is it that Omar thinks little of Murph, or that Omar really is as bad at thinking on his feet and expressing himself as the critical folks say?
Murph’s doubles, to me, jump right off the stat sheet, as does his obvious very hard work to become an adequate first baseman pretty quickly.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
Hits lots of doubles, stays healthy, works extremely hard, and hustles nonstop.
That’s more than a lot of other guys on the team.
And MANY good-to-great players (especially ones with good minor league stats who were rushed to the majors with less than 100 games above A ball) took 2–3 years to develop.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:03pm at 7:03 pm (UTC -4)
But the question is what does he do well right now. Not in the future, and I think a LOT of our players hustle just as hard as he does and work just as hard. And is it fair to say he stays healthy after one year? LOL.
And if ask what a player does well I am not going to say “He hustles and works hard” 1 isn’t that what he is supposed to do and 2 is that a talent? Usually I use that comment in coaching for the kid who can’t play.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:06pm at 7:06 pm (UTC -4)
The kid can hit, but every rookie goes through growing pains. We always want home-grown players, yet when one comes up and struggles a bit, we want to bury them forever as “busts.” At the very least, give Murph another shot next season while Davis gets ready. As long as they can grab a power bat for left field, I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by Mr. Murphy next season.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe we will maybe we won’t. I am not damning him for life. I just view next year as a crossroads for the core and I don’t think we can just pencil him in until we find out who we will be able to get to improve the offense. If it comes down to 1B being the only place we can improve then it will have to be at Murphy’s expense.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
I agree there, and I wouldn’t be averse to trading him in a package for Adrian Gonzalez, but if it comes to choosing between Murphy and guys like Nick Johnson and Adam LaRoche, I’d go with Murph.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
Only reason it should come to that is if we did not get a good LF. Even still, if Nick is waiting around cheap, I sign him. If LaRoche can’t get but a 2 year 12M deal, I sign him.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
I hate LaRoche. Always gets off to a slow start and seems to be the epitome of a lazy “who gives a crap” type of player. I like Nick Johnson a bit better because of his high OBP, but he actually had less power than Murph this year. I’m hoping they pass on both guys.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
I’m getting sick of the constant complaining about Murphy. Give the kid a break as he wasn’t the team’s main problem this year. This was essentially his rookie year and yes, he struggled at times. But he finished fairly strong, ended up with 38 doubles, 12 homers and a .265 average. While he may or may not become a .300 hitter, I see a kid who works hard and could easily slip into the .280-.290 range with 15-20 homers and 80-plus RBIs. I believe his OBP will improve with experience and you can live with his production at first base if a top-shelf left fielder (Holliday, Bay) is brought in. I honestly wouldn’t shell out money to bring a guy like Nick Johnson or Adam LaRoche in here. To me, they don’t offer enough of an upgrade and will cost much more than Murphy will. Stick Murphy in the No. 7 hole next year and watch him continue his improvement. If he was 28 or 29 years old, then by all means, bury him but I believe he’ll be fine.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:07pm at 7:07 pm (UTC -4)
Who the hell is complaining about it?
All I have said from the begining is that he is not great yet and next year is not a good year to have question marks. Thus, if he is going to start we will have to upgrade in lf tremendously to make up for Delgado or upgrade LF and C.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
I wasn’t referring to you specifically but Met fans in general. I’ve read on many boards people burying Murphy. Just think it’s premature, that’s all. Very disheartened about the coaching staff moves, or lack thereof. This team will struggle again next year with the losers they have on staff, I’m afraid….
trs86
10/5/2009-7:10pm at 7:10 pm (UTC -4)
IF they go in with Muprhy and Pagan, LaRussa would struggle.
asod75
10/5/2009-7:56pm at 7:56 pm (UTC -4)
But if LaRussa had Dave Duncan with him, at least the pitching would be better….
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:15pm at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
ASod, I agree with every word of this.
I was thinking about Nick Johnson, but I totally agree with you.
Everyone wants homegrown players, but if they don’t have rookie years like Albert Pujols or Fred Lynn, let’s bury them.
Totally agree.
Sign a damn left fielder, let Murph hit 7th, and give him a year or two to develop.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:20pm at 7:20 pm (UTC -4)
And I am NOT talking about TRS or the folks on here—go to Mattsblog or the Star Ledger, and every dumbbell there says in one breath we need homegrown players, and in the next one that Murph needs to be a bench player or go back to AAA.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
Again, I have no problem with Murphy as a future player. I just also realize that to get the best team we can if we can’t upgrade LF enough we will have to upgrade the offense elsewhere. IF Murphy has to play utility man for a year, no one is exiling to a remote island.
CaseStreet
10/5/2009-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
pretty much, perception is not reality
Daniel may seem to do things well, but when asked directly, he couldn’t answer. maybe he’s never thought of it. sad.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
Or it just caught him completely off guard. Kind of like what do you do well?
trs86
10/5/2009-6:57pm at 6:57 pm (UTC -4)
I guess what I am saying is I would rather do what I always do as a Mets fan. Believe that we will have a chance the next year. If I thought things were hopeless now for 2010, hell we might as well just cancel the season and this site for a year.
dirtysanchez
10/5/2009-7:01pm at 7:01 pm (UTC -4)
EXCELLENT COVERAGE GRAVE!!
Well, they are saying the right things……but ya gotta walk the walk…
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-7:03pm at 7:03 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, I don’t get it what do you want ownership to have a tattoo of Mr Met on their arm?
All they can do is recognize their mistakes which Jeff clearly said he did and then to try and make amends to the fans. They said they will build a Met Hall Of Fame they will rename entrances to honor former Mets they will implement more imagery to honor Mets history what else you want? You want to hold a grudge cause they didn’t do it to begin with? Let it go and move on dude. Now come opening Day they don’t follow thru take them to task but hey as of now all you can do is wait and hope that they follow thru.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:12pm at 7:12 pm (UTC -4)
Give me a break.
Every damn thing that is not tied down in that place has a corporation’s name on it to further pad their damn wallets.
They could have called something Hodges Gate or The Seaver Club or Agee’s Porch, but everything is named after Acela and Caesars and Pepsi and Duncan Donuts etc etc etc.
Let it go and move on? This is the first time I have mentioned this. I just heard Jeff Wilpon confirm it minutes ago live. I went to my first game there Saturday. To the thinking fan, this CLEARLY shows a tremendous lack of care about the team–past, present and future. Am I allowed to comment on it for a day or two? Or an hour or two?
They shouldn’t need the fans to tell them that they should honor the history, colors, championships, and greats of the team they have now owned part or all of for 30 years of the team’s 47 year history.
Think about it—when they designed the park, all they thought of were corporations and Jackie Robinson and Ebbets Field. I think Jackie is an incredible hero, but my dad is representative of oh, maybe 99.9% of Brooklyn Dodger fans who stopped rooting for then when they DESERTED their fans over 50 years ago.
When they designed it, they did not think of naming things after Hodges or Seaver or Casey or Mookie or Piazza. This speaks HUGELY of what they think of the team as fans.
People like Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder and George Steinbrenner and Jerry Buss and countless others did not necessarily grow up as fans of the teams they eventually owned, but they sure as hell became fans.
I long for the day when the Wilpons do. If Jeff has kids, maybe someday they will care.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:19pm at 7:19 pm (UTC -4)
You are entitled to that opinion for sure. I see the Wilpons as a group who have went above every team in the league on their end to put in a winner every year and did lots of leg work to get a new stadium that aside from the lack of history is top of the line. Once they fix that, by gones…
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:25pm at 7:25 pm (UTC -4)
For me, and granted I am annoyed today at this coaching situation and the political drivel I just heard on WFAN, I really feel that 2010 is a gigantic year for this team, and ownership’s credibility.
If they sign Lackey and either Bay or Holliday, or sign one of them and make a serious trade to address the other of the LF and no. 2 starter holes, then I agree with you 100%.
They did get KRod and JJ last year, and I was a serious defender last year, even though they could have (and considering their eventual cost, absolutely SHOULD have) signed Dunn or Abreu.
If they fix just one major hole this year, and we are left with the same pitching rotation OR Pagan in left, then I am going to very seriously start thinking about conceding that the people who have been saying that contending and getting asses in the seats is enough for the Wilpons have been right.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
You know I think next year is a go for it all year which is why I think you need to upgrade 1B as much as LF. Pagan showed a lot of potential too but was terrible on the bases. He hustles and had an excellent year at the plate. Yes he has been around longer but never full time at the majors.
To me they are a great answer to Omar’s normal critisim. Sign players for BOTH spots and have capable backups at BOTH spots in those two. Instead of saying “We think Pagan and or Murphy will be fine.”
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
Our problems are much deeper than just signing Lackey & Bay
would solve.
What will happen w/Reyes, Beltran and Wright going foward,
Will Johan be Johan?, What about Ollie?
Will Maine and Pelf get any better?
Can Jerry Mgr a cotender?
Did we get KRod a couple yrs too late?
Will the team Docs make a few more mistakes?
Is there anyone in the system who will actually be a big time
player? Can anyone in the system coach young players?
Will Omar panic if things aren’t going well and make a
few more mistakes which will set us back further?
trs86
10/5/2009-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
Sure, and if most of those go wrong, with Bay and Lackey and those guys we would still be in the running for at least the wild card for most of the season if not all of it. If only a couple of those go wrong we should be fine, pending on which ones.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
Too many questions to dare take on all of them, I’ll just have a go at the last one. “Will Omar panic if things aren’t going well and make a few more mistakes which will set us back further?”
There is no evidence to support that. Things went really badly this year, and Omar did one thing – trade Church for Francoeur. I don’t think you believe and I don’t know anyone else who believes that trading Church for Francoeur was a panic move that set the organization back.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
When was the last PANIC move that Omar made that set the team back for YEARS to come anyway?
asod75
10/5/2009-8:12pm at 8:12 pm (UTC -4)
Well, one could call the Ollie signing a panic move since they lost out on Lowe, especially since it seemed they were bidding against themselves on that one. Don’t know if I’d say it said the organization back years, but that money certainly could have been used elsewhere…..
trs86
10/5/2009-8:27pm at 8:27 pm (UTC -4)
True, but considering how many baseball guys were for that signing and how many said that he wanted Ollie all along that’s more about bad judgement or overvaluing a player instead of a panic move.
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:25pm at 7:25 pm (UTC -4)
Amen!…The diff b/t the new Yankee stadium and Citifield is that one
pays tribute to their history while providing everything a modern park
should and the other looks from like a 21st century japanese ballpark
that pays tribute to a team which abandoned its home city and fan base.
This ballpark thing has bothered me all season and added to the mess
Omars created here really has me at the point where I have a hard time
really caring.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that makes one of us. I still care and always will. If I can make it through the 90′s why would I be waivering now?
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Keep being fooled by the
same hucksters, telling you different variations of the
same story.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
Why would I eventually get there? If you had no hope, other than to bitch and whine why would you come on here? Would you not just say the hell with it?
asod75
10/5/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
Oh I’ll always care (and I’m sure fongy will too) but caring and having faith in the boneheads running the team are two different things. But stupidity isn’t exclusive to the Mets, the Marlins are considering firing Fredi Gonzalez after leading that low payroll to 84 and 87 wins, respectively, the last two seasons. The owner Loria expected the team to make the playoffs, delusional arrogant jerk that he is (also fired Girardi after a solid year in 06). Even if Bobby V goes to the Fish, I can’t see him doing that much better than what Gonzalez has done…..
trs86
10/5/2009-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on the Marlins. But there is a difference and faith and hope as well.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! Figured you might agree with me here!
Sorry to belabor it, but I just picture Fred and Jeff talking with the architects, and yeah, let’s get Acela to pony up for this, and Pepsi for that, and FoxNews for this, and Harrah’s/Caesars for those, and Duncan Donuts will shell out for this, blah blah blah, but they did not even think of naming parts of the stadium for their own team’s players.
It is sad and disappointing, and has ANY other team which built a new venue in the post Camden-days had a similar situation? Boog’s Barbecue in Balt, Greg Luzinski’s in Philly—they even managed to COMBINE commerce and revered team figures.
The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it seems that me and Fong are the only ones who care.
Again, Steinbrenner grew up in Ohio–he didn’t build a f***** shrine to Pete Rose or Jim Brown or Woody Hayes or LeBron James in the new stadium!!!
trs86
10/5/2009-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
I hope they sell the damn urinals as long as they invest that money back in the team.
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
Right on Brother!
Take a good look at Citifield driving south along the Van Wyck.
The place is a friggin, billboard.
Even during the interview, Howard talking about lowering
seating prices within the Ebbetts boxes etc..
At that point, I yelled at my Jeep’s radio
“Hey Wilpons, you own THE NEW YORK METS”.
WTF! indeed!
trs86
10/5/2009-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
I just don’t see a problem with sponsorship. I went to a Nats game and there were much more things for sponsorship than the actual team. Normal stuff. Wasn’t guys like your hero’s Stineeeee and Jones the first ones to really push team sponsorships in their sports? Were they both not in hot water over those issues?
asod75
10/5/2009-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
I hate corporate sponsorship, but have accepted it as part of sports nowadays. This isn’t exclusive to the Mets. Every team does it…
trs86
10/5/2009-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
I see no problem in it. If a company is willing to do it and it helps my team why should I care. If the Mets use that 20M from Citi to make the team better?
Or for that matter, why should the Wilpons NOT make a ton of money owning the Mets. Perks to them for turning such a profit.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:46pm at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
I hate corporate sponsorship too.
Businesses which make soft drinks and footwear should not have the insanely outsized role they have in our society.
And I LOVE capitalism and I LOVE democracy. I HATE communism and the insane philosophy which goes along with it.
Our corporations are just way too big and way too powerful and way too unaccountable.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
You are mad at them for Sponsorship you might as well be mad at all of MLB.
You mad that they took so long to address what you consider are things fans should not have to tell them? OK but what does that get you? Anger, bitterness dude look at the big picture the admission of fault and the attempt to make amends.
You can’t go back in time you can only move forward. My advice is wait and see if the Mets words ring hollow and respond accordingly when that time comes but today how about say “Hey, while I don’t trust them let’s see if they can back up all that talk”.
I don’t need ownership to be fans I need ownership to be competitive and want to win. Sure it would be cool but I can’t care less.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly, I don’t know the history of the school I teach at but the year I coached there I did everything I could to win.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:48pm at 7:48 pm (UTC -4)
I am not bitter; I don’t get bitter.
I am angry (and this will soon pass) and extremely disappointed that the Wilpons admitted today that they don’t give a crap about Met history.
That’s all.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
I still don’t read it that way.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-7:29pm at 7:29 pm (UTC -4)
A while back I expressed an opinion that “The biggest move this team will do is the 1st post 2009 season move. They have to show that there is a clear plan that they all are in agreement with to get back what has been lost these last 3 seasons.Words will not be enough also decisive action must be taken.”
Well you got today the Mets version of a unified front Jeff, Omar, and David Howard came on with what many consider (not me) is Mr Yankee in studio for close to 90 minutes and I am sure Francessa had freedom to ask whatever he wanted to tell everyone that this is not acceptable and they expect better and will do what they need to achieve this.
What more can you ask on Day 1 of the off season?
Fire Jerry! Fire Minaya! Ownership says they feel they deserve another chance but it is clear this is most likely it. Put up or Get out and Omar knows it. Francessa said it best when he said “I’d be looking to spend as much of his money as possible.”
Now we wait and watch to see if the Mets just Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk?
Clearly Minaya said what we been saying for weeks the free agent market is weak so they have to explore trade possibilities along with free agency to really have a chance to address many of the team’s needs.
You looking for immediate impact in free agency I see Lackey and Bay as it but if you really want to do something a trade or two will prob do it.
Highlights of interview:
Minaya’s response of What Murphy does well. Classic moment
Watching them be careful not to say Fielder or Gonzalez name or any player for that matter when Francessa mentioned their names in regards to bringing them in. Tampering can be a Bytch.
Dark said earlier he needs to see it b4 he believes it and many do I guess. I just hope that by the time they see it they still have time to join the ride and have fun watching them. Unlike that guy in the movie Major League that even with them at the cusp of winning the pennant was saying they are just gonna blow it you just wait and see. Poor Guy
trs86
10/5/2009-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
Well said.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
I am not a negative guy, and I have NEVER advocated firing Omar.
I do think that Jerry exhibited absolutely nothing this year to show that he deserves to return, and I am very disappointed about his return when there are many good choices out there as potential replacements.
Of course I will be extremely excited come spring, and even come the first real postseason acquisition via trade or free agency.
But today is a disappointing day to me personally, keeping the coaching staff, and Jeff W confirming that he and his Dad only care about Met history because the fans told them they should.
Every other Brooklyn Dodger fan on earth stopped caring about them over 50 years ago. Many of them actually became Met fans.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
I still think you are reading too much into it, but it is your right. So read away bud.
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
And then died.
gategem
10/6/2009-4:52am at 4:52 am (UTC -4)
LOL Hey Fongy I ain’t dead yet.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
The ballpark as built doesn’t bother me at all. Different people want and need different things from a ballpark, some people need more in-their-face evidence of an organization’s presence than others.
To me, all the angry frustrated talk about the ballpark had and still has absolutely zero to do with the product on the field. When I go to a ballpark, I know who the home team is well before I get there. I don’t need murals or plaques or busts to remind me. Other people do, which is fine, and if what was said in this afternoon’s interview is true, those people will have less and less to complain about in that context with each passing season.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:45pm at 7:45 pm (UTC -4)
Uh, I don’t need it to remind me, I know just fine who is playing there. I have been going since before the Wilpons owned the team.
Seems to me that lots of other teams who have rings of players’ names, lots of retired numbers, team Halls of Fame, pictures of team greats festooned all over the place, etc, feel that it is nice. I know for a fact that people in Balt and Philly LOVE to take their kids to meet Powell and Luzinski at their BBQ joints in the stadium, but at Citi, this might have precluded the possibility of an 89th Citibank cash machine.
I am not a moron and still would have known where I was regardless, but I loved going to eat at the Grill Room in the Diamond Club at Shea and sitting amidst huge smiling pictures of everyone from Casey to Swoboda to Cleon to Mookie to Piazza. What is wrong with that? I go to just a few games a year, and prefer the atmosphere to be Met-centric, not to be yet another overdone damn tribute to corporate America, which has basically everything in the country in its pocket nowadays.
And it DOES have something to do with the product on the field. Yes, the Mets have spent a lot the last 5 years, absolutely. But teams like the Yanks and the Cowboys and the Redskins might not win every year, but the love their owners show for their teams and their teams’ histories most certainly seems to translate into spending and doing a lot more to try and put a winning product on the field.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
So what have the Redskins done to try and put a winning product on the field that the Mets have not?
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
I never said there was anything wrong with that (to quote myself “and that’s fine”).
As you say, you prefer the atmosphere to be Mets-centric. Very well. I am simply speaking for the other point of view, the one that goes to see the game and get something to eat. Not see the game, get something to eat, and do the baseball equivalent of visiting a cemetery. Not that their is anything wrong with that. I just don’t give the buttocks of a rat about it. Those such as yourself and Fongy who do have every right to express that you do. Just know it’s not cut and dried and there are plenty of others who can and will “do baseball” without it.
These things that in your opinion are missing from the experience and detract from your experience don’t bother me in the least. That’s all I can say about it. No one on either side of the debate is a moron. Some people just have, I guess the best way I can try and put it neutrally is, some people such as yourself have a wider view of what going to a baseball game is/should be.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:56pm at 7:56 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, I see both sides but don’t view it as damning for the Mets or the Wilpons.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
Well, comparing it to a “cemetery” sure isn’t real positive. Nor is suggesting that others need reminders to let them know who they are going to see.
I think of it more as going to a Met-centric fun museum, and as a kid it was a thrill to see and learn about Met history every time I went.
And yeah, I do have a much wider view of what going to a baseball game has been for me and should be in the future.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:59pm at 7:59 pm (UTC -4)
But you have to admit that some do not. Maybe outside they can build a Mets shrine and make both sides happy?
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
Of course I can admit it. You know me as a fair, open-minded, and even handed guy, right?
I did not start this by saying that others all have to feel as I do, I was expressing how I felt about it, and Mr North and Grave are attacking that point of view.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think they are attacking it, just offering a counter opinion to your strong words as well.
As for Fongy, he woke up on the wrong side of the couch after his afternoon nap.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
Lazy Boy chair, Dude.
In my Mets/Steelers den with my dog
on my lap.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
Me? Attacking? You more than most people who are likely to ever read this comment section know that’s not my style. I’m a lover, not a fighter. I was most definitely not “attacking.” Expressing an opposing viewpoint? Yes. But at no point did I, for example, suggest that anyone who disagrees with me should “move out of mom’s basement.” That’s more of an attack in my opinion, which because I saw it as such I chose not to respond to directly (because I’m a lover
)
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry Grave, and I never made the basement comment buddy….I thought the cemetery remark was meant to be snide, but as it was from you, I should have known better.
OK, I guess I need to listen to the bourbon and prepare to watch the first Curb episode with the Seinfeld crew in 90 minutes with my bro….
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-8:22pm at 8:22 pm (UTC -4)
Yes I know you didn’t make the mom’s basement remark. I just inserted it here as an example of what, in my subjective opinion, could be more likely construed as an attacking remark.
Fongy said it. If I understood correctly, he stated that anyone who doesn’t agree with anything he’s ever said is immature and as an adult lives in their mother’s basement, and that they should all have their bowels cut out bravely run away.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I generally get along with Fongy, and I have also seen him write that “Civil men can disagree civilly.”
In all seriousness, sorry for misinterpreting your remarks.
You know that I value your presence on here very much.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-8:14pm at 8:14 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman, look I been reading your posts for a while and I know you are a Mets fan and your passionate I get it I really do. I get mad too and go off on tears and usually I’ll post here my anger and someone will come along and talk me down from the ledge and put things in perspective. All I am trying to tell you is yes I understand you are mad but dude they just finished saying they are sorry and will try and make amends what else can they do and how does it help you to carry all that anger around knowing that they just said they will attempt to rectify the issue?
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:26pm at 8:26 pm (UTC -4)
Good points, and I am already coming off the ledge.
Mr North, I appreciate your point of view and perspective, as you know.
In addition to being passionate, I am also a huge history fan and a surprisingly sentimental guy, so for me personally, I really cannot get enough of Met history, even the bad years–as my name on here might show.
I loved all of the pics all over the place at Shea, and again, my comments were not really mostly motivated by the physical actual new stadium, but by hearing Jeff basically admit that they did not think about these things.
But you and Grave are right, not everyone has to think like me.
As always, appreciate the thoughtful debate and very intelligently expressed points of view which differ with mine.
That is why I love this place.
Thanks again Mr North.
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
I thought “cemetery” was perfectly appropriate because it is a place we visit to be reverential to things (in the case of the cemetery, people) that are part of our history that we are enamored of. Is it not fair to say that you are enamored of Ron Swoboda and Craig Swan, and that you would like to be reverential to them upon visiting the home ballpark of the Mets? All I’m saying is, that’s a fine thing, but the fact that currently I can’t do it doe not (for me) detract from my “going-to-the-game” experience.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:22pm at 8:22 pm (UTC -4)
Gotcha, and again, I thought the cemetery remark was meant to be a putdown, but again, as it was from you, I should not have let my confusion on this issue confuse me even further.
Sorry Heb.
fongy2
10/5/2009-7:48pm at 7:48 pm (UTC -4)
No Heb its a combo and adds fuel to the fire and frustration.
Anyone real Met fan who isn’t bothered by it isn’t thinking as an adult or
don’t know better but might one day upon moving out of mom’s basement.
If you have almost unlimited funds to spend on a fancy new home and are able
to hire the best from all fields from the time you break ground to the last piece
of furniture is in place, one would like you’d cover EVERY detail.
The Wilpons(like with everything else) didn’t) and again show either
they don’t care ,don’t know that much , or both.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks fong, and I to that should say that anyone upset by it is acting like a irrational child. However, I would not because I actually understand both viewpoints.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
And leaving the insults aside, is it not just as important that they fix the problem?
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
Funny how the you must not be a real fan comes in when faced with a debate to explain away why someone does not agree with one’s opinion.
The Mets built what I feel is a beautiful stadium (and I have yet to even see it in person) that has flaws that can be addressed to appease the fan-base and yet some would rather harp on what is missing rather then enjoy what is there.
The Mets can build a shrine to Gil Hodges and you will find people well sure but they only did it because fans wanted it. What? so now it is no good unless you do it without being asked to?
LoL I swear you cant make this shyt up.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:14pm at 8:14 pm (UTC -4)
I never ever say anything about being a “real” fan.
You got me ticked by basically telling me that my thoughts on this were irrelevant.
It IS a beautiful stadium and I loved it.
My whole point originally was NOT about the stadium but about the mindsets of the people who were 100% responsible for designing it.
I feel that it is disappointing that honoring and displaying their team’s history did not enter their minds when designing the park.
How can anyone say that this mindset might not have some effect on other aspects of the team?
I went to Citi Saturday, had a great time, loved the place, and made really nice comments about the stadium yesterday.
My comments this evening were in regard to my disappointment at finding out that Jeff Wilpon and his Dad really did not think about these things when desinging the place.
Get it??
trs86
10/5/2009-8:16pm at 8:16 pm (UTC -4)
Get it, but don’t see a problem with it.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
And how could they not have?
Although, it does shed light onto the Madoff thing.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
What the hell does Madoff have to do with the Wilpons not thinking they needed more Mets history in Citi. It’s just a different viewpoint. Not damning one way or another.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
Shortsighted and lack of attention to detail.
Thats how its related.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
my being a “real†fan was in response to fong’s comment that is why it is nested under him.
All I said is what do you get by being so angry at them for something that they admit will be addressed?
You seem to want them to be fans I would much rather have them just want to try and win every year. We got people in here that claim to be fans hoping that the team loses to Bobby V if he goes to the Marlins. You want them to be fans that is fine I am not telling you are wrong to do so I just said I’d rather they just want to win.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, and I posted more above.
I certainly never said I would root for the Marlins, even if a life-size photo of Gil Hodges was their manager
And I never question others’ fandom either.
You are already talking me off the ledge, and I thank you and I am ready for tomorrow, which I am sure will bring more positive developments.
Maybe Razor Shines is going to the AFL to learn to coach the bases??
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t mean to be overly harsh, but I also love history and always have, and could not believe there was less of it in the new place than Shea.
You got off the elevator to the Dimanod Club at Shea, and saw in the lobby between the two restaurants the two WS trophies, busts of Met great, pics all over. What is wrong with that?
A trip to a stadium should be a wonderful place for a father to pass on and teach team history to a son or daighter, as my dad did with me during trips to Shea.
Now you get to pass on the same damn corporate ads you see 24/7 everywhere else.
trs86
10/5/2009-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
I think you are confusing the team making extra money with the team puting up shrines. They are not one in the same. They could make a trophycase and then slap a sponsorship on it and do both. To me if I were the Mets I would have sponsorships on the bottom of their damn shoes for when they steal bases if baseball would let them.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
I sure wouldn’t have sponsorships on the bottom of their shoes.
And The Acela and Caesars Clubs could have been named the Seaver and Hodges Clubs for two men who did so very much–AND earned so very much MONEY–for the franchise.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:03pm at 8:03 pm (UTC -4)
Earned and earn. What is the problem with the Wilpons wanting to make as much money as possible. The only thing I don’t want corperate sponsorships for are the White House and my Church. After that, if Citi will donate more money to my school I will wear their damn dominoes patch on my arm everyday and not complain.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
What would have been erong w/”The Acela Tom Seaver club”?
Etc., That/this ain’t that complicated if they were
thinking about it. They obviously were not.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe Seaver did not WANT his name in it?
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:15pm at 8:15 pm (UTC -4)
Hodges?, That would have made the fans
AND the Wilpons happy.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
So you know for sure that they could have made the same amount of money AND had an agreement from Hodges family?
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
TRS, we differ politically, and I greatly respect your right to have different views. I personally think that corporations have WAY too much power and presence, and while I completely agree that they should be out of the White House and Church, I feel they should be the hell out of schools too.
Kids should not be taught to eat fruit loops and donuts and drink coke while learning to read and write, in my opinion.
We need less corporate presence, not more. Our taxes should go to give you and your school more money, and if that is where my tax money goes, I will gladly pay more if it goes to raising your salary and improving your school’s facilities.
Now what the hell does that have to do with the Mets?
trs86
10/5/2009-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
Well, the more money these groups pay in advertising the more money that will be generated and the more tax that will be paid. So it’s a win win for democrats and republicans. Rich get richer and government gets more money.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
And when the old man Wilpon dies, the family should bury him
under a big fancy headstone dedicated to an old neighbor they
really loved, noting mostly THAT guys achievements on the marker.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
Because what they have done is so wrong? Or not what you want?
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
Its not a matter of what I want or don’t.
Its a matter of care and concern.
To me and many Met fans, it always seem
like we have more of both then the Wilpons do.
trs86
10/5/2009-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But not puting the things you want in the stadium does not indite them one way or another. In fact you have been around long enough to know that very rarely what seems true is the complete truth.
Considering the Wilpons have vastly improved the worth of the Mets, if they did not want to see them do well and just cared about money why would they not have sold the team already?
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:27pm at 8:27 pm (UTC -4)
So the Wilpons alone improved the value?
As if evry other sports franchise arent
worth more than they were 15 yrs ago?
And b/t/w, I’m not anti-Wilpon And HAVE
defended him over the yrs BUT this whole
handing off to lil jeffy is turning into
a disaster. AND disasters aren’t easily
repaired.
Mr North Jersey
10/5/2009-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
You do yourself a disservice when you speak like that Fongy.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
What I say?
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:33pm at 8:33 pm (UTC -4)
“Civil men can disagree civilly.”–Fongy2
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:35pm at 8:35 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry, if I’ve been uncivil!
Its just Manny,Moe and Jack..err..
Freddy,Jeff and Omar make me Loco!
GravediggerHebner
10/5/2009-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
Not to change the subject but…
Are you ready for some football?
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:33pm at 8:33 pm (UTC -4)
Vikings were a SuperBowl contender w/o Favre BUT while I’m no Giant fan, the NFC
Championship will go through Jresey.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:34pm at 8:34 pm (UTC -4)
How bout them Dolphins??
After we kick us some Gangrene butt next Monday night, we are right back in the race….maybe….
Giants look fantastic…good thing they are my 2nd favorite team.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
Well, us Steeler fans are very nervous right now!
And Sorry, Brock but like I said a few weeks ago,before Pennington went
down, the Fish will be a very competetive 7-9/8-8 team.
BUT unlike our Mets, their future is bright.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:43pm at 8:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I know…but if we can win next Monday night, how sweet it would be…but alas, our offense is a TAD weaker than the Saints with Brees.
But yes, with a real QB and another skill player on offense who can catch the damn ball, and with the Pats being another year older, we will be awful good next year.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:46pm at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
One of these friggin’ yrs the Pats magic will be done, although
if they keep protecting Brady by calling penalties for even
having bad thoughts about the guy, they’ll con’t to be good for a while. I would worry about those Jets though. B/T the New Coach
and QB, they might finally be building something.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
That penalty against the Ravens for roughing Brady was ridiculous.
And yes, my dad is a Jet fan, and that is our only real rivalry, and tough as it is to admit it, they are finally on the rise for real.
The Saints are just real good and might have a great year.
I am not betting on the Fish next week!
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:54pm at 8:54 pm (UTC -4)
Monster offense, will win 11/12 games and
make the playoffs but can’t stop anyone on
defense,although the NFC really is pretty
weak.Still think that the Giants, Eagles,
Vikings and Cards could beat the Saints
in a playoff game, even in New Orleans.
fongy2
10/5/2009-8:43pm at 8:43 pm (UTC -4)
Not only losing Chad hurts(obviously) BUT this unexpected 4-0 Broncos start
REALLY hurts the Fish. The Pats,Ravens and Steelers are gonna get 3 of the
playoff spots, add the West team and The Colts, There will be one spot up
for grabs. It won’t be easy for the Dolfinas BUT again w/the Tuna and
that coaching staff in place, they have a good chance for several yrs
to come.
Kingman 26
10/5/2009-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
And if Marvin Lewis has really taught the Bengals to play D, that is another nail in our playoff coffin. Their start is really impressive, especially considering that without that unlucky play against the Broncos, they’d be 4-0.
I am realistic and know this year was already going to be tough WITH Pennington, and after the Jets next week, we have the Saints, Jets again and Pats–yikes!
fongy2
10/5/2009-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t trust the Bengals my friend. Real good QB(when healthy)
And that Defense isn’t terrible BUT I don’t think they’re
even a .500 type team. But who knows, it could be one of those
crazy yrs. I looked at my Steelers schedule months ago and then
with a healthy group coming out of exhibition season,
I couldn’t see how they COULDN’T win 12/13 games BUT the
O-line looks like its regressed, Polamalu gets hurt and
its starting to look like last yrs draft will be one of the
worst in our history AND suddenly we struggle to 2-2 and
no lead looks safe. So much for Steel Curtain 2!