Photos:
Alex Cora signing autographs for the kids
Would have come in handy for 2009
A Jose Reyes Action Figure...cant get any cooler than that
Me, MRose and Jeff "Frenchy" Francoeur
Dirtysanchez:
Just got back from Port St Lucie and it was great. It has been unseasonably cold here in Florida but today was just beautiful. We got there at about mid day and walking up to the park, we saw Alex Cora (and his BMW) signing some autographs for the kids. Me and Matt didn’t have anything for Alex to sign so we just waved and he waved back. We decided to get something for the players to sign if we saw another one. At the Fanshop, it was honestly more difficult in showing restraint than anything. I could have bought half the store if I had my way (and a crap load of money), I mean who could resist a Jose Reyes action figure or a Mets Flask? After getting at least a baseball and sharpies, we went back to the parking lot and chatted it up with some other Mets fans.
The security guard was pretty good at letting us know who was coming out. We caught a glimpse of Jason Bay as he rode off, apparently he had to be somewhere fast but he was pretty apologetic as you could see him mouth “I’m sorry guys” while he made his turn up the ramp and out of the complex. Jeff was the next one up out of the complex and let me say, Jeff is a BIG guy…like TV does not do him justice. He actually was VERY cool and stopped on his way out and signed every fans ball that was there (including ours). He was smiling the whole time and didn’t mind taking a picture with whoever asked him too…Jeff was just really cool and definitely jumped up in my personal favorite Mets group. The last guy we saw was David Wright, but like Jason Bay he was in a rush to get somewhere (in a very nice Audi). Everyone there was waving to catch his attention but David just waved back and drove off. All in all it was a very nice trip and I would recommend that everyone should visit that place at least once. Even though there wasnt a game that day, you can still feel the vibe that baseball is seriously right around the corner.
MRose
I don’t have much to add from Dirty’s post, he covered most of the feeling. I will add that David Wright must have had somewhere to be, as there was a girl there that had a picture from a “night out with David Wright” she had won, and he took a look, waved and kept on goin! I have read in the past that he is typically very good about interviews, so I’ll give him a pass. I also completely agree about Frenchy climbing up my list of favorite Mets. When I said to him “Jeff, we are looking forward to what you can do for the Mets in a full year”, he responded with “Yea, me too! We have to stay healthy though!”. Also, if you notice in the picture with him, before we shot it, he looked at Dirty, then looked back at me to make sure he wasn’t blocking either of us, and that we would all be in the picture. He seemed genuinely happy to be there and be talking to fans. I know there are a lot of people hes not too popular with, but I’m 100% pulling for him now.
I did catch on pretty quickly that Jason Bay was driving a rental car. I believe it was some middle of the road small SUV, with Florida plates. Being I’ve read his offseason home is Seattle, he is originally from Canada and the only teams he has played for are the Pirates and Red Sox, that was pretty obvious. It also doesn’t help that all the other players we saw come out were driving much nicer vehicles, he must have just not shipped his down like the others.
All in all, we did not get to see a whole lot, but we got our feet wet with the Port St. Lucie area, and found it is just under 2 hours for us to get there. I will be likely making a trip down in a couple weeks to see some games, which Dirty is welcome to join for or we may go to the Wide World of Sports and see them play the Bravos at some point as well. Worst case, we did decide that this is a definite yearly trip and next year will be done with more planning and we hope that some of our readers or other authors can make a plan to join us as well!
Lets not forget Duffy’s. We went to Duffy’s for a late lunch, even though it was fairly empty it had a great atmosphere. It appears that it gets pretty packed at night, or after game days. Next time, we will plan that portion better as well. Good beer prices, great food.
Enjoy the pictures (additional small pics @nleastchatter on twitter), hopefully we will have better ones in the future and hopefully we can get a TRDMB Bandwagon in ’11 worked out.
Lets go Mets! Its almost time!
63 comments
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for sharing, guys! I am so jealous….Love these pictures and sounds like a good time was had by all.
I hope to get down to ST one day.
Last week was my birthday and a co-worker down in our VA office sent me a little gift. Just a thank you for all the assistance I gave her this year as she came back out of retirement, into the workforce.
She writes to me, ‘I saw this and thought of you. I know you’re a big NY Met fan so I hope this is one of your favorite players. Actually, I don’t know much about baseball so I hope he’s still on the team!’.
I open it up and it’s an action figure on a free floating stand of Johan in full windup. How cool is that?
Hazmet
3/7/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
That is a great shot with Frenchy.
prismo
3/7/2010-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Great job guys! I must admit to being jealous of your meeting a Mets player. The only one I’ve spoken to so far is Figueroa… I hope we can plan something in the future with more of us.
Hazmet
3/7/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Another reason why ESPN is just clueless:
Doing a spot with Tim Kirjkan on the Met’s the in studio guy turned the discussion to the Met’s prospects about how “Mejia is looking good in the infield, uhhh, with the hitting.”
His long pause in the middle clearly showed he was lost and just said whatever to throw it back to Tim K.
Tim gave him a pass. Their in the sports business? Oh sport’s entertainment business. Much like Vince McMahon.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – wow, that’s bad.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Nah, Vince McMahon I am sure actually knew what the hell was going on!
Thanks for this Haz….I have been hammering away at this theme with some resistance forever, and I can now add Kurkjian to the list of lazy, unprepred jokers.
Hazmet
3/7/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
You’re right on Vince. Tim K just let the guy slide to not embarass him so it’s guilt by association. Finally 50 degree’s on LI, feel’s like spring. Hope it’s warming up along the Northway. Back to chores.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Oops, misread it….it is warming up up here; the 40s DO seem tropical!
darknova306
3/7/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
This is why I haven’t watched ESPN for anything in a long time. It’s MLBN or SNY for me.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Ollie getting of to a bang-bang start, huh?
Good thing it’s early yet and only ST.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
*off to a bang-bang start
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh. I was looking forward to seeing Ollie…and it lasted oh, about 2 minutes!
Will our faith in Ollie ever be rewarded again?
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
I was really hoping this was gonna be the year.
It’s early yet. I don’t see Ollie ever being a consistent starter but he’s won 15 for us before, no reason a healthy Ollie can’t do that again this season – right?
(and the rest of you don’t burst my bubble – lol)
prismo
3/7/2010-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Well Ollie’s sucking already.
I kept my mouth shut, but I’ve rolled my eyes at quite a lot of posts lately from people having high hopes for Ollie this year. His health and physical fitness level mean next to nothing…we all know that he has natural talent, but the main issue has always been in his head.
That’s why bullpen sessions and work-outs shouldn’t raise anyone’s expectations for Ollie. The only thing that matters is how he actually pitches in games, when he has to use his brain.
I’m not saying that this one bad ST game means he’ll be terrible this season…but hopefully it wakes everyone up.
darknova306
3/7/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
+1000000
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
I will tell you not to read too much into this start. If he went perfect through 3 it doesn’t mean much also.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
+100000000000
Spring training of 2008 saw Maine and EVERY bullpen pitcher have lights-out stats.
That sure meant a lot as a predictor of the regular season.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
At least Ollie is reaching 92 on the radar gun. That’s already an improvement from last year….
Baby steps. I’ll take any positives I can see with him.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I mean that is what a lot of people forget in spring training.
Everyone wants to judge positively or negatively, but for players who are 100% guaranteed a spot, their stats mean NOTHING.
They might be working on location, they might be working on new grips, they may be working on standing on the rubber in a new spot, or all of the above and more.
This is especially true for pitchers.
It is an easy trap to fall into, but Ollie getting shelled or throwing 4 perfect innings means zip.
darknova306
3/7/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
True, but with his history, it’s really hard to have faith in him. Hopefully he’ll be able to show he’s got it figured out when the real games start, but it’s hard to have positive expectations for him.
prismo
3/7/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
I’m playing devil’s advocate here, but it seems there’s a HUGE double-standard with this notion.
If a player plays poorly in ST, “it doesn’t matter at all”…
But if a player plays really well (IE Ike Davis, FMart, etc), “he should be considered for a starting role” – meaning that it DOES matter.
In fact, if ST performance doesn’t matter – why is it that most teams hold active ‘competitions’ for various starting positions on the team? Why can Pagan and GMJ or Nieve/Niese be in competition if their ST performances don’t mean a thing?
Again, playing devil’s advocate here…but it’s a good discussion topic.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
IMO, you’d assume pitchers spend more time tinkering with some pitches, location and the like.
Position players might swing a little more freely with the bat but for the most part, I think ST is all about getting the pitchers ready to go, more so than position players.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
Players who are guaranteed a spot–like Ollie–use the spring to get in shape and work on things like new pitches, new grips, throwing certain pitches in unusual spots, and more.
When it is a case of a minor leaguer trying to impress or make the team, or two vets like Matthews or Pagan fighting for a spot, it is totally different.
It is not a double standard at all, and this has always been true for spring training.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
Wright, Bay, Johan, Ollie, Pelf, KRod, etc are all 100% guaranteed their opening day spots as long as they are healthy. Hence, their stats mean nothing.
Pagan and Matthews, and possibly the guys vying for first base, are in competition. Hence, their stats mean a lot.
rustyjr
3/7/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
i agree and on the burning question before why bring up f-mart if he will only more than likely be sent down once beltran comes back – id rather see gmjr get the ax lol
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I agree.
Let FMart tear up AAA and become confident as hell.
And as Darknova suggested, maybe if Pagan plays well and only averages 1 or 2 mental errors a game, we can trade him when Beltran returns.
rustyjr
3/7/2010-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
rAther have him than gmj though
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t you think there is a difference between a pitcher and a hitter?
My understanding pitchers are not trying to get hitters out but rather working on release points pitch location building up arm strength and working on new pitches. They will throw pitches in Spring Training that they would never throw in a real game.
You are looking more early on for control velocity and movement not results necessarily.
For batters it’s more simple can you see the ball and hit it. A batter getting off to a hot start early in the Spring is good but you have to realize the pitcher he is hitting against is working on the above items so the batter is not seeing his best stuff yet.
I tend to wait till we get down to the last 10-14 days of camp to get a better feel of how good a hitter looks against a pitcher or the other way around.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Great pics and great info guys!! Thanks for bringing those of us in tropical upstate NY to Port St Lucie!
Great job!
darknova306
3/7/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
When I was growing up my neighbor always flew down to St Lucie to watch Mets ST. He would always bring back cool Mets memorabilia for me. We could never afford to get down there, but I aim to one of these days. Thanks for the report and pictures, guys.
Man I need that Mets flask… :p
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Well, a flask is better than that gigantic jar of rolaids we all had watching that 2008 BP….
darknova306
3/7/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
Rolaids? I had a keg of homebrew…
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
A-W-E-S-O-M-E Guys! I love the pics. Frenchy seems so laid back and happy to be in Mets Camp this season.
Dirty it’s scary how accurate your avatar is.
Dirty is the guy at the end of the line.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
Very talented, Mr. Jerz.
prismo
3/7/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
How’d you post an image!? Do [image][/image] tags work in posts??
rustyjr
3/7/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
which one is me?
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
You and I have both been ignored in that lineup forever buddy!
rustyjr
3/7/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
ahh damn me for the fact that i don’t know how to add a avatar lol
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
All you gotta do Rusty is go to gravatar.com
Sign up (for free) with the same email address you used to register here. Than pick whatever avatar you want.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
I asked all authors to submit an avatar months ago so I can create the above. I never got a reply to my email from Ceetar Rusty and you Kingman. The last one to reply was CaseStreet.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
Can you email us again and let us know what to do and give us another chance?
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
King do you have my gmail email? email me if you do and I will reply because the email I have for you is a work related one I believe.
ceetar
3/7/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
*cough* I definitely didn’t get an email. Did you send to ceetar@idunnoletsjusthope.com or at gmail?
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
gmail ceetar.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2010-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
Subject line read “The Dirty Eleven Avatars”
ceetar
3/7/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
“No messages matched your search.”
And I don’t delete things.
ceetar
3/7/2010-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
found it. It’s in my nleastchatter inbox. I’ll take a look this week.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
And there’s Davey in Nats red. We could use a little of him on our bench…
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
Gotta love, Omir. He didn’t take that for granted and just kept right on running for the in the park HR.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
excuse me – GRAND SLAM in the park HR…..
rustyjr
3/7/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
ha the oddest homer ive ever seen
stickguy
3/7/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
agree with Kingman that it is too early in ST to be worrying about results. Just health and getting back in game shape.
And the guys that are competing for jobs take a different approach. The entrenched Vets are just working on getting in game shape, and should be working on their weak spots, even if that means throwing nothing but change ups that get hammered.
I would be more worried if he wasn’t able to break 85 with his FB.
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/7/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
Takahashi looks good and in control
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
3 innings pitched. 6 of the 9 outs were Ks.
Nice outing.
prismo
3/7/2010-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
I like Ike!
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
Oops – little base running mistake there though. He just came too far down the line and got caught.
DNDJohan aka kistics
3/7/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah there was some indecisiveness there
Kingman 26
3/7/2010-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
Ike and FMart for co-MVPs at Buffalo this year.
The two of them and Thole and Mejia and Holt and more getting a year of seasoning–there will REALLY be some battles in the spring next year!
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
Mets relievers, Takahashi and Misch looked good in today’s win.
CaseStreet
3/7/2010-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
Sweet. I’m definitely going next year, though more towards the end of March.
saltygary
3/7/2010-6:25pm at 6:25 pm (UTC -4)
Has anyone actually heard anything negative about Frenchy? If this guy can back it up with the bat, this will be a huge acquisition. If your bored and look at youtube there is a bunch of videos of the guy doing speaking and some random religious stuff. This guy is all about bringing a positivity and work ethic to where he is. The simple things like taking photos and autographs is hard to do day in and day out, but it seems like he is always there. Class act this guy is but he better not drop any pop-flys
metsfan4decades
3/7/2010-7:08pm at 7:08 pm (UTC -4)
If is bat comes around consistently, I’d have to say this is one of Omar’s better deals.
Despite his great attitude, difference in the clubhouse and work ethic, those who really like their stats don’t think he’s a ML OF – or at best a 4th OF.
He doesn’t need to be a star for us. But given his age, his attitude, his work ethic, his arm, if he can just give us an average bat with some power, I think he’ll be quite the asset this year in RF.