A day without baseball makes the mind wander, and when it wanders ( at least my mind) some very random observations pop into the the empty warehouse of consciousness that is my brain.
Here are some random observations.
With the exception of the signings of Mike Jacobs and Frank Catalanotto, Omar looks like he knew whet he was doing this offseason.
Mike Pelfrey has evolved into the pitcher we were told he would be.
I think Garry Matthews Jr will be the George Foster of 2010 ( he will complain about playing time, call the organization racist- and be released by July)
Ike Davis looks like he’s the real deal, while Daniel Murphy is on the outside looking in.
Jerry Manuel and Grady from ” Sanford & Son” separated at birth?
I think that Mike Francesa is over analyzing the so called “rift” between Carlos Beltran and the Mets front office.
Jenrry Mejia still needs to be in AA Binghamton.
Sean Green needs to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Who would ever believe that Orel Hershiser would be the ” voice of reason ” in the ESPN booth with those two stuffed shirts ( and empty heads) John Miller and Joe Morgan?
I still miss the “Curley Shuffle”
Nikki Cox – oofta ( oops wrong column!)
It looks like you can’t wipe that smile off of Jeff Francouer’s face
and conversely it looks like you can’ wipe that look of helplessness off of David Wrights.
and lastly I don’t believe this team is playing over their heads, I think this team has started to gel and are becoming stronger and more confident with every win they secure.
I believe they will prove all the naysayers wrong – and at the very least give a good run for the post season.
                                                                         
                                                                                              ” Separated at birth?”
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Today would have been original Mets coach and baseball legend, Rogers Hornsby’s 114th birthday. (1896)
Second baseman from ’81-’83, Brian Giles is 50. (1960) I remember that even though he didn’t hit for a high average, Giles almost always came through with clutch hits.
Reliever from the ’86 team and Orange N.J. native, Rob MacDonald is 45 (1965) .
Spot starter/ long reliever from ’92-’94,Eric Hillman is 44 (1966) .
One time solid back up infielder/ outfielder who’s now riding the pine ( possibly to be waived soon) Long Island native, Frank Catalanotto is 36 (1974).
Reliever from ’03-’04, Orber Moreno is 33.(1977)
New York Mets signed free agent catcher/ outfielder and Yankee Legend, Yogi Berra on April 27, 1965.Yogi was brought in as a player/ coach. But after four games Yogi became a full time coach and would later be part of Gil Hodges’ coaching staff and succeedhim as manager after his death in ’73. Yogi is one of the most loved managers in Mets history ( except when it comes to the way he managed the ’73 World Series).
New York Mets sold shortstop, Luis Alvarado to the Detroit Tigers on April 27, 1977.
And the Mo Vaughn tidbit of the day – he likes to make passes at women who wear glasses
16 comments
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-7:02am at 7:02 am (UTC -4)
Dang – who is already claiming the Mets are playing over their heads?……
I guess until we make it back to post season, we can expect to hear this. Just makes you wonder if some actually look at the talent on this team.
These –
Jenrry Mejia still needs to be in AA Binghamton.
Sean Green needs to pitch for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
–I couldn’t agree with you more.
Orel Hershiser remains my least favorite Met of all time. Quite possibly the only one I could never quite root for…..
rustyjr
4/27/2010-7:33am at 7:33 am (UTC -4)
Point taken but you have to admit compared to Morgan & miller Orel is Edward r Murrow lol
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-7:44am at 7:44 am (UTC -4)
LOL….yes, I’ll give credit where credit is due.
trs86
4/27/2010-7:49am at 7:49 am (UTC -4)
You know I have not seen you get so animated over anyone more than Orel. It’s kind of interesting. I know what he did to the Mets but to me his professionalism, demeanor and presence on the mound was something to see. He never had dominating stuff, much like Maddux, but he studied the game and knew how to pitch. I understand how it may be hard to put the past behind with Orel but to me that guy is missing a calling and would make one hell of a pitching coach.
rustyjr
4/27/2010-7:55am at 7:55 am (UTC -4)
I agree with trs and with his lone year with the mets he was the surrogate pitching coach and elderstatesman who tge rest of the staff looked up to – he
led by example
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-8:35am at 8:35 am (UTC -4)
Oh, he knew how to pitch, especially against the Mets – in 1988. LOL….
You know how there’s that one person that just rubs you the wrong way? Well, in all my years of following the Mets, he’s that one person. I can’t quote him but it was many an interview and comments from him back in the late 80s that just ALWAYS ticked me off. I’ve had no problem supporting many players over the years with far less talent than Hershiser. Just something about that ‘holy than thou’ attitude back in the day….
I just could not believe my beloved NY Mets made a deal that brought him here in 1999. And was forever thankful it was only for one year.
If they ever hired him here for pitching coach I can honestly say I wouldn’t like that either. Guess I’d have to get over that pretty quick though…
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-7:08am at 7:08 am (UTC -4)
The NY Times: ‘Citi Field Is Playing to the Mets’ Strengths So Far’
Quote from Franceour at end of this article. Ya gotta love Frenchy:
“Of course it can be frustrating,†Francoeur said. “If you hit a 450-foot double, it’s going to be frustrating. But at the end of the day, it is what it is and you deal with it. I’ll make a joke about how huge it is, but I’m not freaking out over it. Sure, if they decide to bring the fences in, I’m not going to complain. I’ll even come help them do it.â€
trs86
4/27/2010-7:52am at 7:52 am (UTC -4)
I have heard so much over the past year+ about how Citi negatively affects the Mets offense. I can’t understand that at all. Besides maybe Jason Bay, who is a HR hitter on the Mets? Shouldn’t a larger playing field actually benefit the gap hitting, speed driven Mets? Shouldn’t the Mets also benefit from the expanses because many other teams are HR driven? Shouldn’t Citi also benefit the Mets often critiqued pitching staff?
It’s time that the Mets stop complaining about the stadium that is their home and start embracing it.
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-8:38am at 8:38 am (UTC -4)
Well, if ‘defense and speed’ is suppose to be their new game – as outlined by Omar and Jerry, then yes, I agree with you. Watching this recent Braves series, I think we now have the home field advantage. It’s obvious to me some of the opposing OFs have yet to figure out how to play that outfield.
metsfan4decades
4/27/2010-7:46am at 7:46 am (UTC -4)
Rusty: you’ll appreciate this snippit over on Phillies Nation from the Phils/Halladay 5-1 loss last night to San Fran where the Phills were 0 for 11 scoring with runners on base:
‘The $125 million man himself, Howard, went 0-for-3 with a walk in a performance that the gloom-and-doom crowd will surely call the first step on his road to turning into Mo Vaughn.’
rustyjr
4/27/2010-7:49am at 7:49 am (UTC -4)
njstuckintx
4/27/2010-9:06am at 9:06 am (UTC -4)
That’s the trouble with these crazy contracts. String a few bad games and it’s personally the fault of the 25 million dollar kid. He may well live up to the value of this contract, if that’s possible. But every time there is a hiccup with the team or a day after jacking 2 hrs he puts up a golden sombrero, he’s going to take some verbal abuse.
trs86
4/27/2010-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I mentioned yesterday that he fails in comparison to guys like Arod or Pujols. Maybe not fair to compare him to those guys but with that contract he now has to be.
stickguy
4/27/2010-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
The Phillies have been in an odd comfort zone for the last few years. A combo of the new stadium, and a rare run of success (really the only other time they were a top team for an extended period like this was the late 70′s/early 80s team).
But, enough of the old timer fans are still (at their core) skeptical, and know that it will end, and probably badly.
Plus, this town always turns on the big “star” that gets a giant contract. Pretty much the kiss of death here. And if he declines as normal for a 30+ big swing power hitter (Mo, Oritz, etc.), they will turn on him like voltures as the face of a decling franchise that gets paid way too much.
Or, at least I hope so!
stickguy
4/27/2010-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
good points. Especailly re: Mejia.
Best idea? Pitch him a few innings in long relief today (assuming Olie will need it!), then send him down before tomorrows game, and activate Stoner so he can serve as Maines caddy again tomorrow. Just in case!
GravediggerHebner
4/27/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
-I’m not prepared to call Cat a bust. Jacobs had a short and largely futile career coming in, his “bustiness” was more than just his poor performance this year. Cat has a long and largely fruitful career, and if he had as many starts as Jacobs it’s reasonable to believe he’d have his swing in order and be more productive overall. I’m hoping he gets a start in one of tonight’s games, before he fully rusts over.
-Gary Matthews Jr. would have no leg to stand on if he claimed the Mets, the United Nations of MLB, to be racist.
-Grady may indeed by Jerry’s long lost brother, but have you ever seen Jerry and Dr. Hibbert in the same room?
-What is Nikki Cox up to these days?