Summers going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old friends growing older
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
The experience slips away
The experience slips away
The innocence slips away…
Time Stands Still – Rush
I guess if you haven’t guessed ( or haven’t read the comments section here recently) , today is my 38th birthday. To some people it is a joyous occasion, to same it is a day to be cursed – as if it were some kind of pox. But to me it is a time to be sentimental, a time for me to reflect on my life so far – especially since I am such a rabid Mets fan. In my 38 years on this planet I have seen my team only win one World Series – and that was when I was 16 ( damn how 22 years go so fast!)
I have seen some good times with this team, and many bad times. I have seen my share of managers come and go – from Yogi to Jerry (13 to be exact). I have seen young homegrown players shoot to stardom like a supernova ( Darryl, Doc, David,Jose & and Ike), and I have seen faded superstars flame out ( Foster, Dock Ellis – and too many others to mention).
I have lived through three dark eras of Mets history starting with the the mid ’70′s to early ’80′s and ending with the ’02 – ’04 version ( I still feel last year was a aberration)
But it is funny how much life is like baseball. When we are born we are but green rookies learning how to play the game – some play by the rules, while many others try to gain advantages by not playing by the book. As we grow up we are either superstars or utility players, and as we grow older it is hard sometimes to know when it is time to hang up the cleats. But that is part of this funny thing called life.
I know that by my choosing the Mets as my favorite team when I came out of the womb that I would associate myself with a franchise that has had more droughts than the Arizonian desert – but sometimes you have to tough it through adversity before you can finally feel comfortable in your own skin – and even though this team has won only two rings in its 48 year history – many people feel that those two championships were some of the most exciting ever.
Just remember my friends life is what you make of it and it is easy to root for the sure thing- but just remember being a Mets fan is hard work , but when the champagne is cork is popped and the bubbly starts to flow, championship title three will be just as sweet !
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Both yesterday & today are cause to celebrate !
Mets players past and present that share my birthday include:
One of the more memorable players in Mets history, third baseman Ed Charles is 77. (1933)
Reliever from the mid ’80′s,Bob McClure is 58. (1952)
“Voice of the Mets”,Gary Cohen is 52.(1958)
Middle reliever from ’84-’85, Wes Gardner is 49.(1961)
Middle reliever from the ’08 season, Tony Armas Jr, is 32. (1978)
Last years Topps ” All Rookie Team catcher” and current backup at AAA, Omir Santos is 29. (1981)
New York Mets signed free agent Endy Chavez on April 29, 1996. Ten years later he would make ” The Catch !”
And I saw Mo Vaughn at yesterdays game, he told me he brought me a cake for my birthday – but he ate it !
Oh and by the way Ike Davis looks to be the real deal !!!
55 comments
metsfan4decades
4/29/2010-7:45am at 7:45 am (UTC -4)
A Very Happy Birthday to you, Rusty. And many, many more.
As many of you know, I was a Met fan lucky enough to have experienced the ’69 season as well as the ’86. As Rusty pointed out though, too few and too far between….
ceetar
4/29/2010-8:46am at 8:46 am (UTC -4)
Here’s hoping ’10 and ’11 aren’t that far apart..
what? optimism? ego? who would’ve thought..
Phillies suck.
trs86
4/29/2010-8:49am at 8:49 am (UTC -4)
Ceetar, saw your comment on the crazy post on MB.
One thing I will say that I disagree with. Record wise you are right the Phillies do not get an advantage for the last 2 years. Record wise the Mets do not get a disadvantage for the last 2 years. However, don’t you think that confidence plays a major role? I think sometimes we forget how important the mental side of the game is. The Phillies as a team know if they are down in a game they can just come back anytime. Just like yesterday. Why? Because they have before. The Mets are more likely to think when things go bad they will get worse. Why? Because they have before. Until the Mets get over that hump and make the playoffs they will always be at a disadvantage to the Phillies in my opinion.
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:00am at 9:00 am (UTC -4)
I’ve never bought that argument. You could look at the Phillies game (and Mets fans would if it was their team) and say “wow, our pitching sucks. Wow. our pitching sucks.” Go back and look at the games for ’07. The team wasn’t “soft” or “lazy” They came back from many deficits, only to have the bullpen blow it again.
Yes, confidence is a big big factor..but that actually plays into my point. Mathematically it doesn’t matter, so the players more than the fans, don’t need to think “Oh, they’re so much better than us! Let’s look at the wild card..” they need to go out there and say “They don’t get anything from last year. We’re a good club, and we’re here to show you that.”
Why should a Wainwright pitch from ’06 make me paranoid over an awesome streak that just happened? I’m gonna go with the recent history, just like people use Maine/Perez recent history to say they’ll never be good again. (although individual players are a little different)
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:06am at 9:06 am (UTC -4)
Also, the only reason Philly and Figgy didn’t blow the save AGAIN last night was because of a Giants error in LF. A Daniel Murphyesque one I must say.
stickguy
4/29/2010-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
one of the comments I read said that the HP ump blew a strike 3 call on the phils that wold have ended it in the 9th (against Werth I think).
And being a game of inches, he put a ball right about on the foul line.
trs86
4/29/2010-9:19am at 9:19 am (UTC -4)
Agreed but now the next time they play you don’t think they have more confidence in that situation? Luck or not.
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
Depends who is pitching.
It’s similar to guys not hitting for an Ace, and guys like Trachsel getting a ton of run support. They may have more confidence, but it’s all about how you look at it too. (Manager could help here)
All Manuel has to do this weekend is point to Figgy and say “he was our 13th best pitcher. We’ll shut these guys down with our bullpen.” “Wilson Valdez? He was like our 50th best hitter, even Warthen over there could get him out.”
Instill the confidence. (Manuel seems to do the opposite from what I see) But coming off a 7 game win streak the Mets should feel invincable, and feel like they can beat the crap out of the Phillies in that park.
trs86
4/29/2010-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Ceetar you can talk a good game all you want but until you perform you will not develop confidence.
As a coach I know this to be true. My pregame speeches are meaningless if they go out and lay an egg. To me until they are faced with that situation and win there will be confidence issues.
GravediggerHebner
4/29/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
I’m gonna respectfully disagree on your classification of Velez’ error as “Murphyesque.”
The play immediately prior Velez ran full speed, face first, into the left field wall to try and make a catch (on a hit off the bat of ex-Met Wilson Valdez). He made no effort to save himself any pain or agony on that previous play – literally smashed his face into the fence trying to make the catch.
Given that that happened just prior, I am willing to cut him a little slack.
trs86
4/29/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
Slacker.
trs86
4/29/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
Sure they need to say that. But Ceetar if you think that in the back of their minds the last few years effects them none then I will agree to disagree. Does not mean that they will always choke or never be able to get over it. It does mean that it will be there until they put it behind them.
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Wel, I guess it depends on how they’re looking at it. It doesn’t seem like they’re thinking about the last couple of years by the quotes and the comments.
It’s all an outlook thing. Maybe it’s in the back of their heads, and maybe it’s not. Maybe someone tells them “Hey, season ends today, You’re in over them. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
trs86
4/29/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
As I said above what someone tells them is irrelevant. Sure they have confidence right now. The much bigger test will be when they are struggling and how they respond. Do they slip right back into the waiting for the shoe to drop mentality or do they have the confidence to say, “that was just a fluke”?
That’s why in my opinion this winning streak is so important. Not because it put them in 1st place in April but because it shows that they are a talented team that can go on a run even with their backs to the wall. Hopefully this streak has built enough confidence to over-shadow much of that previous mentality.
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Well, the manager can tweak it in my opinion. They have to feel good right now, and I’m sure i do. So run with that, emphasize that.
And the same when things are glum, show them the light, point to what’s going right, and why it’ll get better.
It’s not much, but it counts. Sometimes trusting a guy helps them overcome personal doubt. (Showing confidence in Castro rather than pulling him for Santos. Tell people they’ll fail and those nagging doubts don’t go away)
trs86
4/29/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Not saying there is nothing a manager/coach can do. But ultimately the only way they will build confidence is to face adversity and overcome it.
ceetar
4/29/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
You could say that after all the berating the Mets took in the offseason and the beginning, that being in first place now, and baeting the phillies, would go a long way towards “overcoming” adversity. And the Phillies being slapped down would be a good blow to theirs.
trs86
4/29/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Already said it does go a long way. Now the real test will be how they respond when they inevitably struggle again.
trs86
4/29/2010-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
As far as Phillies confidence that will take a lot more than this week. They have started slow the last 3 years and have over come that so I am sure confidence wise they think they will again. What will break their confidence is to lose the division.
GravediggerHebner
4/29/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
As far as this whole Phillies/Mets confidence thing, I think Ian O’Connor put it best on 1050 earlier this morning (I paraphrase):
“If you gave the Phillies truth serum they’d tell you to a man that they have no respect for the Mets, and they won’t until the Mets show in September/October that they’ve earned it.”
trs86
4/29/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Agreed Grave.
metsfan4decades
4/29/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
On this whole argument – what might be in the back of their minds due to previous few seasons….
I think we’ve got enough of a turn over now with new players where this shouldn’t be as much as a factor as it would have been had the same team been here from 07 on.
trs86
4/29/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Yeah it has to have lessened it. I still think that those players who arrive have not lived in a vacuum though and know all to well about previous issues.
udontmesswthejohan
4/29/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
Why can’t you just enjoy this winning streak for what it is? Nothing more, nothing less. It’s been terrific, and the best baseball the Mets have played in the last year and half. But, why the not be cautiosly optimistic instead of blindly optimistic and burden the team with high expectations. Until the Mets take back the division by beating the Phillies, then Philly is the team to beat.
trs86
4/29/2010-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Udon’t there is most likely no one that enjoys the winning streak more than me. I am very optimistic about their chances this year and was optimistic before the season starts.
But your last sentence says it all. In 2007 the Mets were the team to beat and Philly beat them. In 2010 the Phillies are the team to beat and hopefully we beat them.
udontmesswthejohan
4/29/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, TRS. Look, I went into the season very pessimistic which is unusual for me as a fan. I think I was more pessimistic this year than in years past when they clearly were going to be bad. The last couple of years have been tough.
But, like I said, I’ve enjoyed the hell out of this winning streak and hope they continue to prove me wrong for the rest of the season. Nothing, and sadly that’s true, could make me happier. But I still don’t see how people can blindly say that the Mets are a serious contender at this point. There are still holes galore. If this streak continues, then, hey, that’s another story.
You are right. In 07 the Mets were the team to beat cause they steamrolled the NL the year before. In 08′ it was up for grabs, and since then, the Phillies have clearly been the class of the NL East. People may not like it, but that is undeniably the case until someone knocks them off the top of the hill.
stickguy
4/29/2010-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
They can until they can’t.
Like any athlete (remember Jordan at the end?) that used to be able to take over and blow every one away, and one day they try and it doesn’t happen anymore. Except it often takes them a long time to realize or accept the fact!
So to me, what you are really saying is that the Mets will “choke” but the Phils are “clutch”, right?
trs86
4/29/2010-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
Nope, explained that in the paragraph above. The Phillies are confident currently. If they have a string of bad luck or choke that confidence will wain or disappear if it continues to happen. Same thing for the Mets, once they get over that hump of past demons I think it’s over.
I can’t seem to believe that a Mets player like David Wright does not have the transgressions of the last years on his mind any time something starts to go wrong. Sure he can say “Screw that I am not going to let this get in the way” but the thought is still there until that confidence is built up.
stickguy
4/29/2010-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
of course you had to bring up wright. The one guy that seems to feel the pressure in big spots.
Forget last year, since it was such an abomination, and the mets were very clutch until they got decimated.
THere really aren’t that many guys left from earlier years (when they usually had no problems playing the phils).
Reyes (and beltran if he ever comes back) are about it. Bay, Davis, K Rod, Frenchy, catchers have no part of it.
I really think fans have much longer memories than players do, and “teams” don’t actually have a memory, since they aren’t alive!
trs86
4/29/2010-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
I wish I could say that is true but I can’t help but believe that these players know the world around them. They did not live in a vacuum. Even the players not there knew about the Mets struggles. All I am saying is that until they get over the hump the thoughts will still be there. For the Phillies until they fall off the mountain the confidence will still be there.
ceetar
4/29/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
and who knows how much the confidence plays in.
If it’s 4-3 Mets going into the ninth on Sunday night after the Mets blew ‘em out the first two games and K-Rod comes in and makes them look silly striking out the side on 12 pitches..do the Phillies fade away?
trs86
4/29/2010-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think confidence or lack of confidence comes with one win or one loss. It is developed over a string or series of events.
Ceetar if you do not believe confidence is that important do you believe that over-confidence is important?
Like I said, as a coach I completely understand the role of confidence and how important it is.
I coached at one school that always wins. Anytime there was adversity they knew they thought they were going to win because that is what they do. Hell we played Oak Hill academy one of the best high school prep teams in the nation and we were just a middle class NC public team. We went in thinking we were going to win (I am sure me and about 12 others were the only ones thinking that in the gym). Of course we lost but that confidence made it a game and that confidence propelled us very deep in the state playoffs.
Now I coach at a school that has been perennial losers. They face adversity and do not know how to handle it because they have not won in that situation. We can simulate it in practice, tell them how good they are (and they do have a lot of talent) but until they start winning in some of those pressure spots they will continue to have that in the back of their mind.
ceetar
4/29/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
I dunno. I understand you can have a winning/losing mentality.
but I think one game (and my example was 3 games) can make a difference. That’s what they say about “breaking out”. A guy’s slumping, but has one good game goes 3/4 with 2HR, any nagging doubt that he can’t do it can be erased.
The last couple of years of watching baseball I’ve lost a lot of belief in any long term confidence. The whole “Momentum/confidence is only as good as the next day’s starting pitching.” so if K-Rod comes in and gives none of the confident Phillies hitters a chance to do anything, that’s gotta be a good boost for the Mets to feel that they’re better. or that the Phillies in the back of their head think they have to get the jump on the Mets before the 9th, or something.
trs86
4/29/2010-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
One game can snap some confidence issues for sure but until the Mets get to the playoffs 2007-2009 will be in the back of their minds.
Kingman 26
4/29/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rusty!
May the Mets’ winning ways continue, may the rest of the division continue to falter, may Mo Vaughn be completely full when he passes you eating cake, and may we all be celebrating come October!
CaseStreet
4/29/2010-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
Happy Birthday Rusty!
Not to worry. 38 is still young enough to live in your mom’s basement and wear pajamas all day. Once you hit 40, though, it’s all over.
Does rusty sr send you a birthday card?
metsfan4decades
4/29/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
On this whole confidence issue….
I think there’s been enough of a turn over in players for ’06, ’07 and even to some extent ’08, not to be as much of a factor anymore.
I agree with the comments that the fans have a longer memory than the players – especially when half the players weren’t around for some of the debacles.
I believe confidence plays as a factor, but only to a certain extent. I think a handful of players still on the team from ’07 and ’08 it’s more of a memory than others – DWright would be one example. And I’m only going by what I hear and what I see. With Reyes, I’m thinking it’s not much of a factor. Niese, practically the entire BP, RF, LF, 1st, both catchers, have all been turned over. That’s half the team now.
CaseStreet
4/29/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
yup, other than MOP, the Core, Castillo and Feliciano, everyone is new.
stickguy
4/29/2010-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
and the core is just reyes and wright. And Ollie problem doesn’t even remember being here 2 years ago.
All the talk about confidence and the mental side is fine. But it still comes down to talent. When the Phils are all old, overpaid, breaking down but locked into huge contracts (say, real soon!), they can have all the confidence in the world and they still won’t win.
metsfan4decades
4/29/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Ollie…oh, that’s just bad.
I forget who it was but recently one of the current Mets made a comment about Ollie saying something that the perception is he’s not very smart when in reality that couldn’t be more false.
So you have to wonder if the English as a second language is not half the reason many think this. I only speak one language so I can only image how hard it must be with 20 microphones in your face trying to put your native tongue thoughts in your head as English speaking words coming out of your mouth, especially if you haven’t mastered English yet.
oleosmirf
4/29/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
it has nothing to do with him speaking english…he just seems to have the whole world trying to help him out and nothing seems to work.
ceetar
4/29/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
The doesn’t speak english well=stupid is a common perception unfortunately.
Perez is a guy that usually needs some guidence, but it’s not as easy as just telling him todo things, you have to work with him and get him to understand why he’s doing it and what the goal is. Just saying “don’t walk guys” or “throw inside to lefties” is not a pitching philosophy.
metsfan4decades
4/29/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
This, I agree with. Wonder if it’s as much it is what it is with Ollie – talent wise, than anything else…
CaseStreet
4/29/2010-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Mets should start a Professor Perez series at Citi
CaseStreet
4/29/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I hope Ollie remembers, 2007 was his 2nd best pitcing year.
stickguy
4/29/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
DOn’t forget, we are talking about professinal athletes here. and as a group, they tend to be very egotistical (meaning that they tend to think they are God’s gift, the best, etc.). Not many get to the top, and stay there, by being negative all the time, and thinking they will fail, can’t do the job, etc.
If anything, they are probably way overconfidant when they have no right to be!
trs86
4/29/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
True. I still think until they get over the hump the thought will still be there. Hopefully that will be this year and this discussion will die.
Mr North Jersey
4/29/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
I think the thought as you call it is there for the fan as for the players they are pro athletes and they mostly talk of the past because the media keeps reminding them of it. Players that make the Bigs and stay here have an incredible mental approach they are conditioned to believe they can compete at this level and that they can overcome any slump and beat any team.
We are not pro athletes or pro coaches so we can never understand the mind of a pro athlete except to impose our personal opinions as to what we think is in the back of their minds.
trs86
4/29/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
True enough. Thus my personal opinion is what I have expressed. Hopefully as I said they get in the playoffs and this discussion becomes moot.
Mr North Jersey
4/29/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Well that’s the point as a fan this will never become moot there will always be this talk of confidence or lack thereof. Because we don’t have the same mental approach a pro athlete does.
trs86
4/29/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
Shoot who you telling? As many comments as I have made on here I am a pro blogger and you rip my confidence all the time.
But to your point above if we win this year then I don’t think anyone will be saying that previous years were in the back of their mind anymore. They would then be talking about confidence instead right?
Mr North Jersey
4/29/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Agreed TRS, like I said there will always be this talk of confidence or lack thereof.
GravediggerHebner
4/29/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Happy Birthday Rusty Jr.! You are but a wee pup lad. You need much more alcohol and drugs to age you properly says I, so get on that.
darknova306
4/29/2010-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Happy birthday, Rusty! How often can you say the Mets are in first place on your birthday?
Enjoy it, and many pints, sir.
Hazmet
4/29/2010-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
Happy birthday RJ! And many a happy recap and nightcap to come. Cheers!