When you look up "clutch" in the dictionary this image should be there
According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, a major league source said, Endy Chavez has “drawn interest from a number of teams that could use outfield help, including the Mets, Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros and Royals.”
Endy is coming back from right knee surgery and should be ready by April or May at the earliest. Endy would join Angel Pagan, Gary Matthews, Jr., Fernando Martinez and Jason Pridie on the Center Field Depth Chart. Considering, Beltran is already out with an injury, Pagan’s knack for getting injured, and Little Sarge’s suckitude, might as well give Endy a shot.
138 comments
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/11/2010-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
ENDY ENDY ENDY ENDY!!
If Cora is getting $2M for being the good guy, Endy should get at least $1M for the ‘Catch’.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
Endy! Endy! Endy!
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
ill take Endy over Jeremy Reed or Corey Sullivan any day of the week…
stickguy
2/11/2010-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
he really is bad offensively now, so is nothing more than a defensive replacement. And will he be able to even handle that at his age, coming off major knee surgery?
Just leave him alone, and don’t tarnish your memory of the catch.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Endy just turned 32 last week, plus no one can lay down a better drag bunt.
Endy’s game winning bunt!
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
I was at that game and had moved late from my RF box seats to seats between home and 1B, that unfolded right in front of me. One of my greatest in-person Met memories.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
Very cool.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
So Brian Costa at the Ledger makes this comment when several morons criticize the Takahashi signing:
It’s a minor-league deal. Not a lot of risk here. Nothing wrong with a move that gives the Mets more options and, just as importantly, if he doesn’t make the team, gives them more depth at Triple A. Not saying you should run out and buy season tickets because of this, but this is hardly “yet another reason why the Mets are a joke.”
saltygary
2/11/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Well thank goodness for that.
stickguy
2/11/2010-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
I think you are right. The nonsense bashing had gotten so far out of hand that even some of the media is starting to rebel.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
Costa is really something though—he actually even answers questions the sane commenters ask.
I worshiped Dan Castellano for years in the 70s and 80s when he was the Met writer at the Ledger when I was growing up (OK, I am not done yet in that area) and now the Ledger again has a really honest, serious, and responsible guy on the Mets beat.
Good for them.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
If only Endy hadn’t been hurt the bullpen might still have Paul Bunyan, I mean Brian Stokes, because GMJ would’ve been completely unnecessary.
So since the Mets didn’t have $1.4 mil to spend on an unnecessary back up catcher they’ve spent $2 mil on Jacobs, $3 mil on Takahashi and now may be spending more on Endy. Something just doesn’t add up. What could it be?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
OK, I agree I overreacted on GMJ.
I just did not want him on the team.
As for paragraph two, everything adds up, as long as Olney is ignored.
ceetar
2/11/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
hmm, maybe the Mets are writing bad checks?
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
they’re planning on bringing up Thole quicly?
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/11/2010-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not being sarcastic or anything, but just wondering. Other than Bay, what other new faces have the Mets signed for a major league deal?
ceetar
2/11/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
GMJ or Cattalanotto and Blanco will probably be on the roster that are new. Iggy probably. Escobar.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/11/2010-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
But a guaranteed major league spot is GMJ and Blanco (major league signing?)
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
No one you drop the phone and let out a “WHOO!” of exultation over if that’s what you’re getting at. Here’s everyone, including Bay:
GMJ 2 yrs/ $2 mil
Bay 4 yrs/ $66 mil
Cora 1 yr/ $2 mil
Escobar 1 yr/ $1.25 mil
Igarashi 2 yr/ $3 mil
Blanco 1 yr/ $750,000
and Coste and Everts are on the 40 man roster and get $650,000 and $400,000 respectively if they make the team, plus the other minor league/spring invite guys who aren’t on the 40 man roster so I haven’t included them since they didn’t meet the parameters I understood you to have put forth.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/11/2010-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
Isn’t Escobar a minor league signing?
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
Not according to Cot’s. Guys like Jacobs, Fogg, Dessens and Catalanotto are minor league contracts. Escobar got a major league deal.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Let me be more specific, guys like Jacobs, Fogg, Dessens and Catalanotto I think technically have “split” contracts which pay them different salaries depending on whether they make the major league roster or not.
Escobar has just a major league contract, not involving a second, smaller minor league salary.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
Caught Uncle Cliff’s walk off blast in 06. Man, what a lineup:
Reyes
Cameron
Beltran
Piazza
Floyd
Wright
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
sorry, 05
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
In 2006 yes it was.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
Well then, in 2005 yes it was.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-4:21pm at 4:21 pm (UTC -4)
speaking of Uncle Floyd, stumbled over this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-hollander/the-cliff-floyd-factor-so_b_105144.html?&just_reloaded=1
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
The team needs to keep him on the payroll somehow. Bench 3rd base don’t care just get him back.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, what a great idea. Give him Razor Shines’ position.
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:39pm at 4:39 pm (UTC -4)
Yea but I would miss having someone names “Razor Shines” on the team (probably all I would miss). They should start naming some vending sections after guys like Mookie, Cookie and Razor.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, it is one of the all-time great sports names—however, after watching him closely last year, he is, in all ways, a guy who belongs in the minor leagues.
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
Imagine having Bobby V. at manager and Cliff at third. That team wouldn’t take crap from no-one. Hudson would be envious with that grit.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
HA!!
Oh man, you are creating the dream scenario IF the team starts off poorly.
Bobby V, Cliff at third, and how about Backman coaching first and Teufel as bench coach. We sure would not lose any on-field fights.
We can keep HoJo around and hmmmm….pitching coach….Ojeda?
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
I’m starting to shake, this is not healthy thinking about this.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-5:01pm at 5:01 pm (UTC -4)
HA!! You are definitely right!
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
big fan of this article.
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.metsparadise.com/?p=268
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for posting the link.
The premise makes perfect sense and has a very legitimate argument if you take the public proclamations of what the front office and ownership say they’re going to do literally. I can’t argue with it from that perspective. The Mets FO went out, opened their mouths, made their bed and now they have to sleep in it.
I can only add I hope that the Dodgers front office is receiving a similar type of criticism from it’s fanbase in that context because I sat in this same chair in November watching the Dodgers GM on TV saying his “number 1 priority” was a “front of the rotation starting pitcher” and that John Lackey was “his number 1 target” which is even more specific than saying “we’re going to build a team around pitching, speed and defense” which since those are vague concepts open to interpretation the Mets can technically (if they have huge balls) say they’ve done. I hope they’re not that stupid to come out and say such a thing but again since that’s rather non-specific they could.
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:36pm at 4:36 pm (UTC -4)
Theirs no angst in Dodger’s land their too busy warming themselves in the sun and looking at want to be actresses walking down the streets. This is a fanbase that cheered Manny’s return.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Ha ha. Excellent point on cheering Manny. I’m sure more New Yorkers noticed LA’s GM on TV than Los Angelenos did, especially since it would’ve been like 8:00am there.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
I stopped after this sentence:
“He is not a good fielder and he’s range in the outfield will only get less as he get older.”
Hmmmm, did a slow 6-year old write that?
In the NBA and NFL drafts, they debate whether to draft a player who plays a certain position, or to draft “the best player available.” The Mets signed the best player available.
Perhaps some folks are aware that Ben Sheets has not pitched since 2008, and that Rich Harden has been hurt almost every year. These are who we should invest many millions in after the injury-plagued disaster of last year? Why did they wind up with two sorry teams going nowhere? Hmmmmm…..
And at mid-season, if Pelf/Ollie/Maine are stinking the place up and Marquis/Wolf/Pineiro are putting up good stats, then it will be time to second-guess.
More absolute drivel.
stickguy
2/11/2010-5:13pm at 5:13 pm (UTC -4)
I think he graduated from the MC school of proofreading (class presented by Barone).
Beyond that, I don’t particularly agree with many of his points.
And I really laughed when he complained about the Met rotation being iffy with 4 guys coming off season ending surgery, right after he complained they didn’t go after Sheets, while implying he was some kind of value signing?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
How can anyone take this seriously?
Just another clown, who cannot write at an 8th grade level, repeating the SAME things we have heard again and again and again.
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
its just that the majority of fans dont agree with the cross your fingers and hope Maine, Pelfrey, Ollie all stay healthy and pitch at their best level, something they couldnt do the year before and in Maine’s case the last 2 seasons.
I mean all 3 of had more bad seasons than good ones so far…
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
Partly very true.
Pelf has had one good full season and one mediocre one and is a big, tough 26 year old who throws in the mid 90s.
Maine has been hurt two years in a row and is indeed a question mark health-wise.
Ollie, well is Ollie, but he remains a 28 year old lefty with great stuff who in 2004 and 2007 had very good years and in 2008 a good year. Last year, if indeed he was hurt and out of shape (not making excuses; he infuriated me last year) he may very well bounce back to win 12–15 this year.
Oleo, I simply believe that it is reasonable to give these three guys one more chance (Pelf maybe gets two more) after all of the money and time invested.
Again, I would have taken Lackey, but Oleo, please consider that Wolf, Marquis, Davis, Garland, etc are all just plain mediocre, and how could we spend money on Sheets and Harden and Bedard and Wang, who are all always hurt?
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
thats where the trade market comes in, not to mention that Bedard or Wang could be had for minimal guaranteed money and even though they wont be ready till memorial day, they would be great to throw in there instead of having to rely on Figueroa and Misch when Ollie pitches himself out of the MLB (for the 2nd time).
there was no sense of urgency from Omar to get a starter. he dipped his toes in the water a little but at least I got the idea that he was only signing someone who fell right into his lap…
I
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe Oleo, and I know we can go back and forth on this forever, but I just think that Lackey wanted to be in Boston, and Omar was right not to overpay for the rest.
Yeah, I would have loved Arroyo or Harang, but maybe they just were not available without overpaying in prospects.
I do agree that, if he is cheap, Wang is a decent option for a ST invite, but again, reports have said he has lost control of his sinker and is useless.
If you look at Bedard’s career, he really has not done that much, nothing remotely close to what Sheets or even Harden has accomplished, so I am not sure we missed much there.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
would the Mets be better off w/ Jacobs or Murphy in the lineup?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy!
saltygary
2/11/2010-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy will be a much better contact hitter and handle both sides of the plate where Jacobs can’t hit lefties. Murph still has a shot to grow where Jacobs is close to his ceiling.
Just a weird pickup because you can’t really do a platoon since thew both bat lefty and Jacobs isn’t any better than Murph against righties.
CaseStreet
2/11/2010-4:50pm at 4:50 pm (UTC -4)
then does Buffalo have a DH?
stickguy
2/11/2010-5:08pm at 5:08 pm (UTC -4)
Val Pascucci! Or that other career MiL HR guy they love so much in Buffalo.
I think Jacobs is only here for ST, to fill (on the cheap) the theoretical Delgado role, and only ends up on the team if Murphy gets hurt (or absolutely looks terrible all spring).
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/11/2010-5:13pm at 5:13 pm (UTC -4)
Where does Tatis fit in this picture?
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
IMO he fits no matter what because he’s right handed and versatile defensively. The way I see it, Tatis is going to be a Met.
As far as Jacobs and Murphy, while others disagree with me and present fair reasons why they do, I just don’t see Jacobs making the Mets as a back up.
So I think like Stick says he makes the team only if Murphy is hurt or awful in ST, and my addition to that would be Jacobs makes the team even if Murphy isn’t awful if the organization somehow decides Murphy’s future value is as that of super-utility player and sends him down to AAA to work on becoming that.
Hazmet
2/11/2010-6:56pm at 6:56 pm (UTC -4)
In a lesser role he could also play the tutor roll to Ike Davis in AAA. A guy closer in age, whose been successful in the show and debuted in NY and tore it up in his brief stint.
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-6:45pm at 6:45 pm (UTC -4)
i think it depends on whether Wright finds his power again.
If Wright is hitting 10-15 HR next year, were gonna need Jacob’s 25-30 HR.
If Wright is back to 25-35 HR then, ill take Murphy’s contact
saltygary
2/11/2010-6:58pm at 6:58 pm (UTC -4)
Pass that spliff over here bro because Jacobs aint hitting 25-30 HR with the Mets.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-7:12pm at 7:12 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!!!
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-8:49pm at 8:49 pm (UTC -4)
well he hit 32 in 477 AB for Florida…
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-8:54pm at 8:54 pm (UTC -4)
And 56 HR for FLA/KC in 1329 AB the other 3 years….his OBP has declined every year of his career…not really what you want in a PH I would think.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
Oleo, Jacobs has topped 20 HR once. Really very doubtful he would hit 25-30 at Citi.
Signing him is a mystery to an extent, but maybe if Catalanotto can’t hack it, maybe Jacobs is the backup to Murph, 3rd catcher, and LH power off the bench?
trs86
2/11/2010-8:15pm at 8:15 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think it’s a mystery at all. Cat has not played a lot recently. The Mets have really no LH power. Jacobs provides that. Maybe Murphy keeps his spot and Jacobs is on the bench. I have no idea. I do think that Jacobs could have went somewhere that would have given him a 25 man spot so to me there is a reason he chose to come to NY.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-8:35pm at 8:35 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Jacobs declined a lot last year, does not draw walks or get on base, has had an OBP below .300 the last two years, is a mediocre fielder with zero versatility who has not played a position other than 1B since AA ball 5 years ago, and bats lefty as does Murph.
He does not really belong at AAA, and in my opinion most certainly should not take AB from Murph.
Cat can play all over the place and get on base, and is a completely different player.
The more I think about it, the more of a mystery it is to me.
What are we going to do with Jacobs? He has topped 20 HR one time, so he is not exactly even Dave Kingman. He is a bad fielder, and cannot get on base. He most certainly cannot play anywhere other than 1B.
????
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
Scooby Doo! Where are you???
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-8:48pm at 8:48 pm (UTC -4)
?
I don’t get it…..
saltygary
2/11/2010-8:58pm at 8:58 pm (UTC -4)
I get it I have a 4 year old. “a mystery”
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
Ahhh, thanks! 3 nieces, but no kids yet, and I was not a big Scooby guy as a kid in the 70s….
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:23pm at 9:23 pm (UTC -4)
Kingman saw this over at 7 train to Shea.
http://www.seventraintoshea.com/2010/02/q-with-adam-rubin-regarding-buffalo.html
Matt Pignataro did a twitter interview with Adam Rubin and Here is what Rubin had to say regarding Jacobs.
Pignataro: Would Mike Jacobs accept assignment to Triple-A if he doesn’t make the 25 man-roster?
Rubin: Jacobs is on a minor-league contract. The Mets generally don’t give outs in those, so he’d likely have to go to AAA.
Rubin: With Jacobs, though, if he’s not on the MLB roster, it’s possible he’s released or traded. Ike Davis needs to play 1B at AAA.
Rubin: NL scout thinks Jacobs could be at AAA with Ike for a month at AA. But Terry Collins made clear in Buffalo speech prospects have priority.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:31pm at 9:31 pm (UTC -4)
Thx, and I agree with this and the below.
Jacobs sucks, is a so-so, not a great, power hitter, has zero versatility, and is a TERRIBLE pinch hitting candidate.
So, as the always wise Grave says below, unless he is starting (and hitting 7th) he is useless.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-8:42pm at 8:42 pm (UTC -4)
Could it be maybe your looking at this too hard?
I mean can’t it be just that the Mets are throwing a lot of faces out there and hoping to find lightning in a bottle?
I can’t say that there is anything to suggest some ulterior motive that he chose NY or not.
I would hope the Mets are not promising spots on the 25 man to any bench players other than Pagan and Cora.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
Welllllllllll, isn’t looking at things Met-related too hard pretty much the reason this site exists?
I agree with your last sentence, but still, those guys, and Tatis and Catalanotto have versatility, and either speed or the ability to get on base. Jacobs has none of that at all.
I don’t dislike Jacobs, all I am doing is wondering what the team might be thinking, as Jacobs is probably not going to be happy at AAA, and I have thought forever that they want Murph to play every day, certainly at least against RH pitching.
saltygary
2/11/2010-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
Could he be almost like a Matt Stairs type of guy at this point (only way to early in his career)? The guy cannot be counted on to be a consistent hitter but if he can get a hold of the ball, he can rip it. Trs keeps bringing up PH and I think he’s right. I just don’t see him getting any time at 1st unless Murph gets injured or totally bombs and the guy isn’t catching.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:01pm at 9:01 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I am not trying to be a Nabob here, but check out Stairs’ walks and OBP, and he also plays several positions. This is a serious stretch of a comparison.
One thing I can envision is maybe some team is calling Omar every day wanting to trade for Murph?
With our lineup, if that happened, sure, throw Jacobs in the 7 hole and hope he hits 25 HR.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:07pm at 9:07 pm (UTC -4)
Dude your scaring me.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:05pm at 9:05 pm (UTC -4)
Did you read Ted Quarters post?
http://www.tedquarters.net/2010/02/11/the-devil-you-dont/
I found this part amusing.
“We don’t know yet that Daniel Murphy is not good. We certainly don’t know that he is good, but we don’t know that he’s not good either. He has yet to fully embarrass or distinguish himself at the Major League level.
We do know that Mike Jacobs is not good. I’m sorry. I know he hits home runs. He also plays terrible defense and never gets on base. And he’s 29, so he’s probably not getting any better.”
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
Again, I totally agree.
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-9:08pm at 9:08 pm (UTC -4)
Jacobs can also hit a HR at any given moment. Tatis and Matthews have diminishing power so who knows maybe they feel Jacobs can start once or twice a week and be a pinch hitter…
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:14pm at 9:14 pm (UTC -4)
WoW, who to choose?
A. Tatis
B. Jacobs
C. None Of The Above
C is looking really good right about now.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-9:20pm at 9:20 pm (UTC -4)
I just don’t see how it’s a choice between Tatis and Jacobs or those two and GMJ. Tatis is RH and positionally versatile, Jacobs is LH and not, GMJ plays CF, neither of the former do.
Both Tatis and GMJ have major league contracts I believe they’re both making the team barring some very surprising unforeseen development.
Jacobs IMO doesn’t fit unless he starts, but if you saw Hot Stove you know Bob Ojeda disagrees with me and from reading comments it seems so do TRS and Oleo.
I’d rather have Cat on the bench but I see the merit in Jacobs power and my belief is if Jacobs makes the team as a bench player it will be at the expense of Cat, not Tatis or GMJ.
From your comment above Mr. NJ I gather you disagree but I believe there is only 1 bench spot open for competition, I think Cora, Blanco, GMJ and Tatis are on the team while Pagan starts with Beltran out.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:26pm at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
Great way to BLOW my comment up using reasoning.
What’s next you going to tell me there is no Santa Claus?
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:35pm at 9:35 pm (UTC -4)
In all seriousness Grave I was just having some fun with the idea of the type of bench the Mets are possibly assembling. Of which the chance of a Tatis and Jacobs being a part of it somehow does not excite me or GMJ for that matter. But then again I have no one better to add so let the battles begin.
I’m sure it will all work out
in the end right?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:35pm at 9:35 pm (UTC -4)
As usual, Grave is totally right.
Jacobs is useless at AAA (is he going to teach Ike to field poorly and get on base 29% of the time?) and is totally useless as a PH because he will strike out and popup all of the time.
He is a decent answer as a one-year stopgap at 1B if we trade Murph.
Again, the more I think of this, this seems to be the ONLY real sensible thing.
Who is Omar trading Murph to??
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-9:40pm at 9:40 pm (UTC -4)
I wish your name were Mr. Virginia because then I’d just say “Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus.”
I won’t say any more in case some kids are reading this, and if they are they should watch this RIGHT NOW!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFniSmTfzkc&NR=1
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
I never really watched the show much, but I was really pleasantly surprised at how funny the South Park movie was.
Maybe not Jaws or There Will Be Blood, but pretty damn funny.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
No doubt it would be more fun your way Mr. NJ. Spring training is usually more fun when there are genuine roster battles going on. I just don’t see any really, but my mind is open to a surprise. I just have a hard time guessing what that might be but I guess that’s why it’s called a surprise.
Two things they said on Hot Stove I felt were surprising, one that the Mets and AZ are apparently still talking about Chris Snyder and two that the new Takahashi is in the mix for the 5th starter job.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:52pm at 9:52 pm (UTC -4)
I saw that tonight on Hot Stove also Grave. Takahashi throws his hat in the mix for the 5th spot possibly also.
BTW I am watching Mets Yearbook 1984 and that is b4 I started watched baseball everyday but wow 84 was an exciting year.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:55pm at 9:55 pm (UTC -4)
I was 17 and 1984 was the year I had been waiting for my entire childhood. What a GREAT year!
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:58pm at 9:58 pm (UTC -4)
They just said the Mets were named the best organization in 1984 it’s 2nd in a row. Wow!
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
Do they still give that award?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
Not to the Mets.
Ouch, what the hell did I just write??
Stickguy forgive me!!!!!!
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
Your going to Hell for that one.
stickguy
2/11/2010-10:34pm at 10:34 pm (UTC -4)
good thing you ordered up the new parade float. I will give you a pass on this one.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
Whew!
The new parade float is coming along great….will have extra-sensitive Nabob radar from NASA.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-9:57pm at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
I miss Bob Murphy.
His voice is part of so many GREAT Memories.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:08pm at 10:08 pm (UTC -4)
I listened to him from when I was about 7 years old in 1973.
He was the voice of the Mets when I would listen to west coast games on the radio when my parents though I was asleep.
The “happy recap” is something I will think about until I am no more.
The Happy Recap–that would be a good name for a Mets-themed bar!
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
Yes for fans who’ve been following the team regularly as long as MF4D, Kingman, Rusty and myself 1984 was a fantastic year because it was like the sun rising after years of darkness.
Keith and Darryl’s first full year with the team and lots of new, young talented players (and manager and coaches) replacing the old guard from the year before. It was so great to know that your favorite team didn’t suck anymore. I turned 19 that fall, it was a great time to be a young man and a Met fan.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
I turned 18 that fall, and holy cow did you say a mouthful Grave.
Youth. What a season.
The Dolphins going 14-2 that year and Marino setting every record didn’t hurt.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
I feel like a noob I was 15.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:09pm at 10:09 pm (UTC -4)
You are older than I thought! Same age as my bro!
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Ahhh 1969 was a Great year to be born.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
Were you born on the moon?
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
No, on a blanket at Woodstock!
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
Who told you?
metsfan4decades
2/12/2010-8:08am at 8:08 am (UTC -4)
You’ve got that right, Sir. After watching some pretty awful teams from the mid 70s on, I was very excited in ’84. Loved ’85 even better. Competed all season, just fell a little short.
And it goes without saying that 1986 was my single most favorite Met season since I started watching in ’68. ’69 was great but I was just a kid back then. ’86 was a fantasy season.
Once we got Carter and Keith, brought up Daryl and Doc, had Darling, Sid and all the rest you just knew we had one of the best Met teams ever assembled.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-9:54pm at 9:54 pm (UTC -4)
I hear you about South Park the TV show Kong. I really enjoy it but I get that it’s not for everybody. I find it consistently very funny. I don’t watch it regularly and faithfully like I used to but when I did I was always impressed with their metaphors and their social commentary. I can’t think of a good example right now but I was stunned more than once at how less than a week after some major event in the world would happen they would put out a relevant show about it.
I have a sneaking feeling you would’ve enjoyed the episode about Obama being elected president. All his supporters go exaggeratedly wild in bacchanalian excess while his opponents gathered supplies and ran to the hills to hide in caves and ride out the end of days. This leaves only children present and sober and society crumbles in the absence of responsible adults. Of course 30 minutes later Kenny is dead and everything else is alright.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
I am sure I would like the show; I really just never watch tv “shows”…I watch movies and sports basically. I watched the Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm religiously, but those are the only shows I have watched since Seinfeld went off the air.
I am sure I would VERY much like the Obama episode, based on what I saw in the movie!
Just saw The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei–fantastic—Mickey R was unrecognizable at first as an aging Hulk Hogan type and was really just fabulous as an aging wrestler struggling with life–check it out if you haven’t seen it.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:00pm at 10:00 pm (UTC -4)
Great Movie.
saltygary
2/11/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
Great flick and for someone that grew up watching wrestling, it was also very depressing.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
I watch very few “shows” myself, and most of them are animated.
saltygary
2/11/2010-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the clip above, huge SP fan. Imagination!
Hazmet
2/11/2010-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
Totally different subject then the Endy / Jacobs threads. Watching Ken Burns Baseball on MLBN for the period of the 30′s and the Negro League’s. Great stuff, what footage.
As for Jacobs, another warm body. I tried the obscure tutor AAA reason but really, when Mr. Kingmans right he’s right. He’s not right for the role. As a counterpoint this from Bob Ojeda on Mets Hot Stove tonight “Mike Jacobs was the signing of the offseason”. Huh???? They then reminded him of a guy named Bay between breaks. On Set Gufaw’s ensued.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
LoL he did a Cerrone.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you sir!
Ken Burns Baseball was absolutely amazing. As was Ken Burns Jazz.
And I love Bobby O, but I definitely think he is many, many cards short of a full deck upstairs.
CaseStreet
2/12/2010-12:28am at 12:28 am (UTC -4)
Anything Ken Burns is amazing. I’m DVRing the Civil War series and loved the National Parks series.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
That was a very funny moment. When he said it initially it just fly right by me I didn’t even think about it, but when they brought it up later it was hilarious.
saltygary
2/11/2010-10:04pm at 10:04 pm (UTC -4)
He really said that? Wow, not surprised but lets not get crazy.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:22pm at 10:22 pm (UTC -4)
Arizona does not have much at 1B do they?
Hmmm, and they keep talking about Snyder.
Maybe a Met-DBacks trade is coming??
Murph and a bullpen guy for Snyder and ?????
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
They signed Adam LaRoche.
My mostly uninformed opinion of their team after a look at their MLB depth chart is their biggest question marks are the back of their starting rotation and CF where Chris Young is still very so maybe last season was just a temporary setback, but if it wasn’t they might need a Pagan.
Kingman 26
2/11/2010-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah!
Duh!
ANOTHER guy Omar missed/The Coupons couldn’t afford/Who didn’t want to be a Met/etc.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:23pm at 10:23 pm (UTC -4)
So the Mets signed Shawn Riggans.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riggash01.shtml
Since it’s our sworn duty to over analyze everything Mets, what do you guys think it means?
Just another C for spring training? Something more than that?
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets are trying to corner the market on fringe catchers for their fantasy baseball league.
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
Ahh, the infamous “all fringe catcher” strategy.
I know teams like to have lots of catchers in ST and they invited Francisco Pena to camp so with Riggans, Santos, Blanco, Thole and Coste they’ll have 6 anyway.
Speaking of spring training invites, the Australian pitcher Travis Blackley will be easy to spot with his forearm tattoos and chin piercing that matches his earrings in both ears.
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
What? We have our very own Vaughn? Does he names his best pitch something cool also?
Mr North Jersey
2/11/2010-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
Be back in 20 gotta watch my Naruto.
prismo
2/12/2010-4:11am at 4:11 am (UTC -4)
LOL did not see that coming. Skip the fillers! BOO!
stickguy
2/11/2010-10:45pm at 10:45 pm (UTC -4)
I like the riggans pick up. Can’t hurt to have some more options, and I wasn’t really sold on Coste as a viable option at this point. So, he just might be a useful guy for AAA, that could actually function as a starting catcher.
I can’t remember what injury he had, but if he is recovered, can he really be worse than Omir? he has much better MiL offense numbers, but is he good behind the dish?
What I really like (if it is really what is happening)is that there is competition for spots being set up for ST. I have to figure that Jacobs has to be at least considered for the job, and the last rotation spot and pen are open. ideally all the catchers on hand are given a real shot to earn one of the jobs. Last bench spot should be a free for all too.
Now, if they would just sign Lopez and open up competition for 2B, it could really be fun!
GravediggerHebner
2/11/2010-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
I think Riggans had shoulder tendinitis.
Fantasy baseball people consider him a “good back up catcher with pop” and that sounds like a potentially useful thing although I can’t see a scenario (other than injury – jinx) in which Blanco is not on the team given his “relationship” with Santana. I suppose Riggans could be the starter if he exhibits to the team that he’s good at the things they feel Santos is bad at.
oleosmirf
2/11/2010-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
i still wish we had Robinson Cancel
CaseStreet
2/12/2010-12:30am at 12:30 am (UTC -4)
or at least Ramon Castro.
CaseStreet
2/12/2010-12:30am at 12:30 am (UTC -4)
Jose Molina is still available.
stickguy
2/12/2010-7:41am at 7:41 am (UTC -4)
Any Molina in a storm, right?
stickguy
2/12/2010-7:48am at 7:48 am (UTC -4)
My new fascination is this guy Riggans. I have been trying tofigure out who would be this years breakout guy form out of nowhere (Valentin, Tatis, etc.).
What the heck, last year Santos was pretty much unknown, and the few people that were familiar with him probably never expected him to be in the majors, playing regularly. If Riggs shoulder is recovered, why not give him a chance to win the job? an he really be worse than Omir?
trs86
2/12/2010-8:00am at 8:00 am (UTC -4)
Don’t know about worse than Santos but I don’t see why they would not give him a chance. I am honestly assuming that Santos, Coste, Thole and Riggins will compete for the other catcher spot.
His minor league numbers do show promise: .289 .350 .447 .797
However, as you know he has not done much since 2007.
stickguy
2/12/2010-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
Perfect for the Mets. A talented guy that got derailed by injuries over the last couple of years.
From the little bit I read, up through 2007 he had pretty good numbers, and I think has a decent reputation with the glove.
Who knows, maybe he got all recovered in the off season, and is ready for a break out spring? It would be nice for the Mets to be on the good end of the Karma gods for a change.
ANd if they can get someone for minimum wage to put up better than Barajas numbers with a good glove, can’t complain about that.
stickguy
2/12/2010-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
saw this over at MB. How do I get a job writing for a major paper? Seems all you have to do is make snide comments, flat out lie, report vague unsubstantiated rumors, and in this case, state something so obvious an 10 YO that ever watched a BB game would say “Duh”
” In a post to his blog for the Star-Ledger, beat writer Brian Costa takes a closer look at the Mets starting rotation, saying, “In all likelihood, the Mets’ season will be largely dictated by what they get out of Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and John Maine.â€
So let me get this right, a teams success will have a lot to do with well the 2/3/4 SPs perform? I neve would have guessd there was a correlation.
njstuckintx
2/12/2010-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Yes, and my kitchen table is made of wood. Film at 11…
I like Costa, but it does amaze that that they have to put a certain number of words out every day/week. Can’t they get their thesaurus on and drop in an adverb here or there to elaborate on some poignant conversation.
trs86
2/12/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
I also wonder if Cerrone understands how projection systems like CHONE works? It has Pelfrey, Maine and Perez winning 22 games. I wonder why? If healthy or even remotely healthy that win total will easily be surpassed.
stickguy
2/12/2010-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
2/3 of them were not remotely healthy, and they still won what, 20?
So obviously those tools (Bill James had them at 26) are assuming they miss significant time again. Always possible of course, but if they even average ~27 or so, they have to win an easy 30+ (since that is only 10 per man, which should be conservative).
Of course, he also missed the obvious tie in. If M&O miss a lot of starts again, other pitchers will start in their places, and quite possibly, might even win some games!