Well the Mets really needed a good outing from…..Raul Valdes because John Maine threw 5 pitches and had to leave the game. His injury is mechanics and velocity? Your guess is as good as mine. It was all Mets tonight and there were several heroes. Raul Valdes gets top billing for coming in for Maine and pitching 5 innings, he gave up 7 hits and allowed only one run(2 runs were charged to him for leaving the game with two men on) Valdes saved the bull pen and maybe the next 6 games by coming out of the pen and pitching the way he did tonight.  Â
David Wright obviously benefited from his day off by hitting a three run double in the first inning. The Nats would come back for a run in the  bottom of the second but wouldn’t score again until the fifth inning when Manny Acosta gave up a base hit with two men on.
David Wright would go 1-4 without striking out thus ending his strike out game streak.
The Mets offense would explode in the top of the fifth when Bay would lead off with a single, Davis would double, Wright would Sac Fly and RBI, Pagan would walk and Barajas would single. The RBI’s would come from Frenchy’s bases loaded single that would score two. Valdes would get on base with a single and Reyes would keep the inning going with a bizarre hit over Zimmerman’s head. Cora would Sac Fly and when the last out was made the Mets had scored 5 runs.
 In the top of the 6th, Rod Barajas would add two more runs from his tenth home run of the season and thank God for that because the Met Bull Pen would give up another 4 runs over the next 3 innings.
The Mets turned this laugher into a nail bitter in the bottom of the 8th when Jenrry Mejia would loaded the bases with two outs. Feliciano would come in and give up a base hit to Guzman to make the score 10-5. A walk to Zimmerman would bring the tying run to the plate with Adam Dunn who would fly out to Bay.
Some final offensive Numbers:
David Wright 1-4, 4 RBI’s
Rod Barajas 2-5 (2 run home run)
Ike Davis 3-5
Jose Reyes 2-5, 1 RBI
Jason Bay 3-5
Jeff Francoeur, 2-5, 2 RBI
The Mets will begin the Subway Series tomorrow night at Citi Field.
90 comments
metsfan4decades
5/20/2010-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
For anyone who can get a hold of the John Maine interview on Sports Night after the post game, you’ll want to listen to it. Maine was pissed off. He really thought he was done wrong tonight.
When asked why he was taken out his reply was: ‘IDK b/c they didn’t see 95MPH. Whatever’.
If he said whatever once, he said it 50 times.
Said he wasn’t hiding any injury. Said he knew he didn’t have any velocity in the BP but so what? It was the BP. To not be given a chance to pitch…whatever.
Said he wasn’t even asked how he felt. Jerry came out and his mind was made up. John said that’s what really hurts the most.
I’m waiting for Warthen’s interview, which is up next.
Nice job by Valdes and the bats. Glad they came out of hiding tonight…..
metsfan4decades
5/20/2010-11:47pm at 11:47 pm (UTC -4)
So..Warthen says there are 24 other guys wanting to win the game and when John looked the way he did tonight, you have to think about that.
‘I felt he just did not have enough to compete tonight. I saw it in the BP, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt b/c he said he felt fine. In a lot of ways, John is a habitual liar that way and I just feel for him to look the way he does tonight, something has to be wrong in that arm somewhere.’
Whoa……
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-12:34am at 12:34 am (UTC -4)
The MLB Network guys had a couple interesting things to say about this.
On the “habitual liar” statement the MLB Network guys noted that Warthen “said it with a smile, he was actually complementing Maine for having the guts and desire to want to go out and pitch no matter how he felt, but when people read that line in the paper tomorrow they’re not going to hear it the way Warthen said it and this is going to be a big big story tomorrow.”
On Maine himself, they said “here are all of his pitches. Each one is lacking violence. There is no aggression in any of these throws, he’s lobbing the ball up there. I can tell you that if I was the pitching coach and I saw that I would think he was hurt and I would take him out too.”
These are not exact quotes but me paraphrasing what I consider the gist of what Greg Amsinger, Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams were saying.
This is me talking now. My best guess is they are going to find “weakness” in Maine’s shoulder tomorrow (Maine did say words along the lines of “yeah there was pain but I’ve been pitching in pain for two years, I don’t care about pain”) and that by the start of the first game of the Subway Series, Maine will be on the DL. I hope I am wrong, but I will not be shocked or surprised if Maine has thrown his last pitch as a Met.
So I’m looking at Santana, Pelfrey, Dickey for now then hopefully Niese in about 2 weeks, Takahashi, and Valdes/Dickey? As one of these talking heads said tonight on TV, “the Mets better be on the phone with the agents of some of the remaining free agent starting pitchers tomorrow. Get Washburn or someone signed and in extended spring training and hopefully still be a viable team when he’s ready.”
darknova306
5/21/2010-12:42am at 12:42 am (UTC -4)
I didn’t see that segment. Interesting. Still, when you go out there to take a guy out that early, you owe him an explanation, which John says he didn’t get. Even if they did see a reason to remove him, he’s got a legitimate reason to be pissed.
trs86
5/21/2010-8:26am at 8:26 am (UTC -4)
He does not deserve an explanation at all. He was throwing 80 mph and had changed his mechanics. Either he is injured are stupid.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-7:22am at 7:22 am (UTC -4)
My feeling watching Warthen’s interview was the same as MLB’s on the ‘liar’ statement – but that was a really poor choice of words, IMO.
I agree about that shoulder. I’ve been saying it since ST ended. Watching him pitch over that period, to me there was really something wrong. It’s probably going to be one of those problems that’s really hard to diagnose or pinpoint – like some kind of nerve issue.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-7:27am at 7:27 am (UTC -4)
And BTW, I you really have to feel bad for John Maine. This is a guy that’s had nothing but one issue after another in his 20s. No matter what the problem, he appears to have done everything he possibly could to turn things around. It just is out of his control right now.
darknova306
5/21/2010-12:37am at 12:37 am (UTC -4)
Anyone who thinks these idiots have the respect of the players is fooling themselves. This team has had some seriously bad feeling mojo recently. Bets on when everything comes to a head…?
trs86
5/21/2010-8:24am at 8:24 am (UTC -4)
Because 2 reasons you weak minded fool.
1) You don’t have the control to be an 80 mph pitcher, you don’t have the control to be a 90 mph pitcher. They are not asking you to throw 95 they are asking you to at least break 85. Not only that but you came out and walked the first batter throwing pitches below 80.
2) As a coach you don’t know how frustrating it is to work with a player for 2 months on their mechanics only to have a guy change them for no reason and then blame the coach when you go out and suck because you are weak minded enough to change it.
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-1:27am at 1:27 am (UTC -4)
Interesting article in what I guess amounts to Maine’s hometown newspaper.
CaseStreet
5/21/2010-1:36am at 1:36 am (UTC -4)
Stinky MOP doesn’t bode well for the future of this season. Seems like we’ll have to hope the team can stay close till the trade deadline and hope Omar can pull a big trade for a SP. Oh fire Joker Jerry.
trs86
5/21/2010-8:27am at 8:27 am (UTC -4)
Actually I am glad we got them both out of the way early.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:06am at 9:06 am (UTC -4)
P isn’t so bad. It’s the MO.
rustyjr
5/21/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Mo Vaughn ?
udontmesswthejohan
5/21/2010-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
I think you actually have to feel bad for Jerry last night, forget Maine. I don’t understand how you question being taken out of the game when your first 5 pitches don’t break 83 mph, and then you hunch over on the mound like you are in need of an apendectomy. If he wasn’t injured, then he shouldn’t have acted like he was. I’m sorry, but this is a classic case of a guy begging out of a game, but not wanting to lose face. It was reminisct of Trachsel in the NLCS.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, i have to agree with that. Jerry is holding on, it would seem, by a piece of dental floss, and here comes Maine and does this to you? I’m surprised he didn’t whip out razor and start slashing.
udontmesswthejohan
5/21/2010-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Exactly, guy is fighting for his job and this gibroni is up there throwing BP. If he didn’t have it he should have pulled himself out of the game. Then to act all disrespected is absurd. This orginization and Jerry have stood by this guy for the last two years, paying him the type of money that most of us will never see in a lifetime and he has the nerve to act disrespected. I’m just kind of fed up with this guy. It’s one thing after another.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
If they are going to salvage the season, they are going to have to make some moves and quick. I think Oswalt or Myers is becoming a priority all the more with Maine falling off the side of the earth. That puts Ollie right back in the rotation, and Niese coming back healthy asap so importation.
I say Myers, as he’s been decent this year, could be had much cheaper than Oswalt, has a reasonable option for next year and always has that BP option if necessary. Santana, Pelf, Myers, Niese, Ollie/Misch/etc. isn’t great, but it’s better that what is currently constructed. Obviously Santana, Oswalt, Pelf, Niese, Ollie/Misch/etc. would be better…
trs86
5/21/2010-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
I agree. This one is completely on Maine. I commend Jerry for NOT getting into it with him on the mound. Kid you are not breaking 82, you walked the first batter, changed your mechanics for no apparent reason AND doubled over on the mound.
Time for Maine to just go away.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
Maine was a fav of mine to. But, either to the DL or something, cause if you ain’t with us, you’re against us! as they say.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
There was no way John Maine was begging out of that game. Did you see his post game interview?
trs86
5/21/2010-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
You may be right but then again players have lied before. After all he is a habitual liar. LOL.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
LOL. Rolling my eyes…..
udontmesswthejohan
5/21/2010-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
I did not, but I’ve played on enough teams to be able to recognize that sometimes a person’s pride won’t allow them to do the right thing (i.e. take yourself out for the betterment of the team), so it manifests itself in questionable “injuries”. This way he can still look his teamates in the eye and Jerry is the bad guy.
This is not a defense of Jerry, because I don’t think he has done a good job, and may very well be shown the door pending the results of this weekend, but I have to admit that I felt bad for him here. You could see him mumbling under his breath as he walked back to the dugout.
Again, if there was nothing wrong with Maine, then why double over on the mound. It was like he was doing it as a prelude to getting knocked around the ball park. Then it can be excused away as an injury. Kudos to Jerry for not wasting the team’s and the fan’s time.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
You should try and take a look at that interview, if it’s available on line anywhere. He made it very clear that no way, no how did he want to come out. No one is that good an actor.
Maine wasn’t bent over b/c he was in pain, IMO. He was bent over b/c he was completely frustrated. I believe at that point Jerry probably had no choice but to take him out. I just don’t know why he ever started the game.
udontmesswthejohan
5/21/2010-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
I’ll try and find it.
At the end of the day though, the sad fact is that the Mets can no longer rely on this guy. He had a nice run, and helped the team out for a couple of years, but he just isn’t the same pitcher anymore, and we can’t sit around waiting for him to somehow turn back the clock. that doesn’t mean a trade, cause at this point I’m hesitant to deplete the farm, but it does mean that we may as well give someone else a shot.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I can’t argue with your assessment of Maine’s skills at this point. They’re almost non existent. There almost has to be something wrong with that arm.
trs86
5/21/2010-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
“When I start, I want to go out there and pitch. Even if it’s 82 mph, if I get my brains beaten in, that’s an excuse to take me out. I want to go out and pitch, whether it’s 95 or 75 [mph].”
John what you are not mature enough to understand is that is too late….
We don’t want to take out out after you have gotten your brains beaten in (which is not just likely but determined when you can’t break 83)we want to take you out before then.
metsgirl31
5/21/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
Yea I thought that was a pretty boneheaded comment on his part. If he didn’t have “it” and he knew he didn’t have “it” he should be man enough to admit he stunk. He would rather be taken out after giving his team zero chance to win? Gimme a break. This one isn’t on Jerry.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Maybe we can pin this one on Warthen? I will say, when you see your player pitch BP session and can’t break 85, you might want to address. I will not accept allen iverson speaches about BP Practice. BP?! We’re talking about BP!?!
metsgirl31
5/21/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Perhaps you’re right about that. By all accounts Warthen was aware of the low velocity and improper mechanics and he let him go out there. Maybe he wanted Jerry to be the bad guy for pulling him from the game.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Anything is possible in this brain trust. He should know, though, that if Jerry is the bad guy which leads to his demise, 1950′s looking uncle Warthen is going too.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Right but at that point Warthen trusted Maine and allowed him to start. Maine most likely told him I will loosen up on the mound. He did not and they pulled him. Maine is the one that made it into a big deal.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Oh, I agree. I pin this all on Maine. But, if we did need a way to extrapolate this back to management, I figured I would provide one logical deduction.
Oh, Maine. You are killing us.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Problem as I see it is Maine wants to take the mound every 5th day and work on whatever his wrong with his mechanics. Thing is, this team can ill afford the game getting away early if he doesn’t have it. That’s the point I don’t think he understands. It’s his livelihood and he’s probably just a little too wrapped up with his own frustrations and not the best interest of the team in general.
I still contend that there is something wrong with his arm that has not up to this point been easy to diagnose. It may never be. From personal experience, there is just nothing more frustrating than knowing something is wrong but can’t get answers as to what and why….
What popped into my mind last night after this scene was Donnie Moore from the ’86 Angels. You know, the guy who blew the save that led to the Angels getting knocked out and Red Sox going on to play the Mets in the WS. He was never the same. And if stories of that are to be believed, they more or less accused him of getting a big pay check and then dogging it the next couple of years. He kept insisting there was something wrong with his arm but no one was taking him seriously. He wound up out of baseball in ’89, I believe and committed suicide that summer.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
You can’t go out there and throw 82 to open the game AND change your mechanics.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
Hope Maine doesn’t commit suicide….
But you are right about not taking a chance with Maine. Last night’s game was a “must win” game going into the next 6 games. So with the early lead, you cannot afford to give a chance for the Nats to catch up in the first inning.
If the Mets were in good position to maybe risk losing a game, then fine. Let him pitch through the first couple innings and see what happens. But the Mets just could not lose last night’s game. Maine should know that.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
Why would you get another batter when you are topping out at 82, walk the first batter and double over like you are dying?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
What I meant was that if the Mets could afford to risk losing a game (if the Mets did not have 1-6 road trip), then I would have given him a chance to pitch the first inning.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I still would not have. They guy was even acting injured. Walking the first batter with 82 or less mph fastballs and then doubling over like you are in pain. You are done.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
I’m in agreement with you and Trs.
Question in my mind is: Is Maine really hurt, feels something is wrong and he’s not communicated that to management? And that’s left management in the position they were put in last night? Listening to Maine’s interview, I have to wonder. He said something like he’s been telling them everything going on with him, he’s been in some pain for 2 years – but so what? He just wants to pitch anyway.
Just another situation that has been bungled, IMO.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
Actually that’s on Maine. He has most likely got either a lot of pain or pain in his mind. That pain or thought of it has caused him to either not throw hard OR change his mechanics to accommodate. Regardless, right now he has no value to the MLB team.
trs86
5/21/2010-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
I am just so frustrated with Maine because he truly does not get it. He keeps going back to the point that the Mets want 95. No John they do not want 95, they want at least close to 90 with CONTROL. You can’t go out and change your mechanics and throw 82, walk the first batter and stay in the game. Sorry.
It really is sad because either he does not get it or he knows he is done.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
I’m sensing the cover of the Atari Game “Kaboom” for the next Maine post….
saltygary
5/21/2010-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
RAD’s knuckler is faster then Maine’s fastball at this point.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
I don’t mind him being frustrated with the whole situation. And I’m sure he’ll understand why Jerry took him out. I think the way that he was taken out was not the best way, but Jerry made the right move there.
I just hope there’s nothing wrong with Maine though.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
The way he was taken out? Maine was bent over looking like he was dying. Jerry comes out and takes him out of the game. Maine wants to stay and have a confrontation and Jerry leaves the mound without him.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
I did not watch the game last night, from what Maine was saying was that Jerry and Warthen didn’t even ask for Maine’s opinion and said “you are out”. I think it could have handled in a better way and perhaps avoided the whole drama.
But I’m not trying to criticize Jerry here. He made the right move as last night’s game was crucial going into next 6 games.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Why ask for his opinion?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
Because that’s a professional way and giving respect to one of your starting pitchers. Even though you may not think that he deserves a professional treatment, he’s been in your organization for 4+ years and deserves better than “you’re out”. And I think that’s why Maine was so upset last night which I understand.
If I was treated the same way I would be upset too. Maine was doing better after the terrible couple starts.
Look, I’m not saying that Jerry should have kept him in. All I’m saying is that this drama could be avoided if Jerry and Warthen chose different words. This ball club has gone through enough drama past couple years. Do you really need one of your starting pitcher bit**ing and moaning?
Another thing I don’t get is Warthen calling Maine a “habitual liar” when it comes to his injuries and stuff. I don’t think that’s the right word to use there. The dude is already upset and you call him a “habitual liar”? I realize Warthen meant to say that Maine is a fierce competitor and don’t want to be taken out. But choose a better word.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
DND they did ask him how he felt. But why would they explain themselves to him right then? Why does he need an explanation to start with? Is he that dumb?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Is he that dumb? Maybe. But when you are in a game mode, maybe you can’t think straight.
Anyways.. I think my point was way overblown here.. I just think the whole drama could have been lessened.
But whatever.. the Mets got a win last night, so I’m happy.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Why is my comment awaiting moderation? I did not use a curse word.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Don’t know but I fixed it.
metsgirl31
5/21/2010-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
They are not in a position to ask his opinion. They needed that game last nite so they needed to get him out of there before he gave up a ton of runs in the 1st inning. They did not need to be fighting back from a hole last nite. He hasn’t done anything to warrant them giving him the same consideration they would give Johan.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I just don’t know why he started the game to start with…..
trs86
5/21/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
Agreed completely. It was most likely even discussed in the warmups. Warthen most likely told him he would be pulled if he could not pitch.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
I think a better way was to say:
Look, we’re in a tough situation here. We really need to win this game and if we give back the lead we’ve got, the moral could be shot down and we might lose this game. And we don’t want to lose this game. Let’s be conservative here and give our team the best chance to win. And we also don’t want you to over throw and get hurt.
I think if Jerry expressed it like that, it would’ve cause less drama. IMO.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
Actually if Maine had just came off the mound when Jerry his manager told him to there would have been no drama either. Again, it’s not like Maine was dumb enough not to know why he was being pulled.
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
I obviously couldn’t hear what was going on, but this is my interpretation of what I saw on the mound in the replays on SNY and MLB.
Maine walked the 1st batter. He was toeing the rubber to get the sign for the 1st pitch to the 2nd batter, and he was doing so in a very awkward way. He kept thrusting his pitching arm out and up, like I might if my elbow which sometimes bothers me by not quite straightening so I keep thrusting my arm out straight to “work it through.”
He did this a couple times and just as he was “comfortable” and looking in for the sign the Mets trainer came jogging out. At that point Maine did the whole exasperated “hands on his knees” thing, the way I saw that gesture was not as “hey look I’m hurt” but more as “Oh God why is Ray coming out here?”
So the trainer is talking with him and Warthen arrives behind the trainer, then Jerry who either left the dugout after or walked slower than the other guys arrives.
Jerry appears to hear something that either the trainer is saying to Maine or Maine is saying to the trainer, or both, and immediately Jerry raises his left hand signaling for Valdes from the bullpen.
Maine then does his “Oh man why did you just do that?” tantrum complete with wide eyed sighs and exasperated head rolls, but Jerry has already turned and gone back to the dugout. As soon as he summoned for Valdes he walked away.
From some tweets I’ve read apparently at that point on the telecast Ron Darling said “the only time a manager doesn’t walk off the mound with his injured player is if he is really pissed at that player.”
Then in the replays I’ve seen Maine and Jerry are having an animated discussion in the dugout, GMJ walks over and in my opinion it looked like he was positioning himself between Maine and Jerry in case it got ugly but Jerry turned his back and walked away, then Maine exited the dugout as Jerry began speaking with his coaching staff, presumably along the lines of “how are we going to ease the pitching staff through this game.”
So IMO the way Jerry avoided drama on the mound was by avoiding Maine entirely. He didn’t appear to speak with or interact with Maine at all, he simply heard something in the conversation between Maine and the trainer and pulled him immediately.
trs86
5/21/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Not bad, still not sure if Maine was bending over because they came out or not. Maybe.
Either way Maine is the one that made it into an issue not Jerry. Get your butt off the field and we will discuss it later.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
sorry if i made this non-issue into a whole debate, but this is exactly what i was referring to. i just think Maine felt he was disrespected and i can understand why.
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
Kistics no apology necessary. I think it’s a healthy discussion we are having, and one thing that I think is undeniable however any of us might feel about it, is that Maine and Manuel did not have any healthy conversation on the mound.
What lead to that, whether it’s justified or not, we may never know. But you’re point that Manuel could have handled it differently is valid, he could have.
I think where we will just have to disagree is on whether handling it differently would’ve made it better or worse.
I like that it was quick and that they got back to the dugout quick, based on my assumption that the coaching staff knew something wasn’t right and were paying extra close attention. You prefer they would’ve had more of a discussion on the mound and there are plenty of valid reasons for that too.
trs86
5/21/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
But Warthen and/or Ray Ramirez did ask him how he felt. He admitted that. He said he was fine, he wanted to continue to pitch. What he was pissed about was Jerry never asked him how he felt and already had it in his mind to take him out. So John kind of contradicted himself there.
I listened to that interview 3 times. The reporters kept hounding him trying to get it clear what happened when they all came out to the mound. Maine started out saying no one asked him, but after did say ‘they’ came out, asked him, he told them he was fine, but Jerry pulled him anyway.
But then he complained ‘that’s what hurt’, Jerry didn’t even give him a chance.
I think management was put between a hard place and a rock with Maine. Some of it might be on them for giving him far too much rope to hang himself for far too long, but it’s hard to make that determination w/o knowing everything that’s been going on.
ceetar
5/21/2010-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
He’s had control for a handful of starts this year, especially post mechanics adjustment. He hit 91-92 on the radar gun late last year. So how do we get there?
And no pressure or anything, but now we’ve gone the Mets hinting that every start is do or die for Maine and Perez, to every batter. That’s an enourmous amount of pressure and there is no way it helps.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Ceetar he was throwing 82 and doubled over like he had been shot.
ceetar
5/21/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
85. and he did lean over, probably in pain..back maybe..but we didn’t really get any real definitive answer on that.
trs86
5/21/2010-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
By the way, while I am hot, Joel Sherman is a complete fool too.
“The Mets probably know now – or should know – that they cannot build their team around Reyes and Wright. And that is an extraordinary setback for now and beyond.”
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
I would say “The Mets probably know now – or should know – that they haven’t gone about building their team around Reyes and Wright in the right way. It seemed on paper like they may have gotten at least the offense right this season but for whatever reason that hasn’t worked out, and combined with the paper thin pitching staff that they chose not to address this is an extraordinary setback for now and beyond.”
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
Evan on the Benigno & Roberts show WFAN this morning is going off on a rant about Maine. Evan and Joe don’t want to see Ollie or Maine in the rotation rest of the year. Both should be in the minors and Pat Misch should be up here instead.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
I could agree that neither should be in the rotation because neither are pitchers. They both need to either be DL’d or go to the minors. If they go to the minors and perform then they can earn another shot. We were ripping Perez and he still has better stats than Maine.
ceetar
5/21/2010-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Well, while I agree that they need to figure things out (and the Mets do as well) you can’t exactly proclaim these guys done and buried 7-10 starts post-injury.
And if everyone benigno claimed he didn’t want to see anymore was off the team, we’d both be starting tonight. Misch could come up and have a crappy start on Tuesday and we’ll be wishing him away too. You don’t want the guy who’s last start was good, you want the guy you think can make his next one good. I still have more faith in Maine giving me 6ip 2runs (even if it’s 120 pitches) than Misch.
metsfan4decades
5/21/2010-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, well Benigno is always a little over the top….
I think Maine might be beyond trying to fix his mechanics up here, in game, with all this pressure. Last night was a good indication to me his emotions might be controlling common sense right now.
Get him check out. If all checks out, I think he needs some rehab starts in the minors – away from the pressure up here.
trs86
5/21/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Right now neither should be in the rotation. Let them earn their ways back in.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
MLBTR says that Castillo might be a good candidate for 2B position for the Rockies. Mets eat a lot of Luis’ salary but clears room for Murphy to play 2B.
Would it help the Mets? As much as I would like to see the Mets move Castillo, I don’t think they would get a good value in return. But who knows, Omar might pull the Church-Frenchy deal again…
oh wait……
trs86
5/21/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
I think that rumor is completely false. It was rumored it was for some 28 year old BP pitcher who was just sent down to AAA.
Now tell me why the Mets would at this point eat that much cash to trade Castillo, with no backup, for a guy that would most likely not even be on the MLB team?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
Yeah if that’s who we’re getting in return, Rockies need to eat the whole $10M or so left on his contract. And take Ollie and his contract as well.
trs86
5/21/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
Well, LOL maybe not that much. Like I said if it was July and the Mets are out of it or Murphy is able to play 2B maybe we revisit this but right now it would be quite foolish thus I think it’s bogus.
Also they are not looking at Castillo as a starter but as a replacement for Mora. Now how would that make sense at all?
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Regarding Murphy playing 2B. I feel for this guy. He basically has to learn new positions as you go. Maybe that’s what it takes to be a major leaguer, but I really would hate to see his talent/demeanor/effort getting wasted just because only certain positions are open for him.
Having said that, I would love to see Murphy playing for the Mets whether it is at 2B or utility.
fongy2
5/21/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Problem is the kid’s been a butcher everywhere BUT 1B And we know we won’t see him there again.
fongy2
5/21/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Agreed!
Think this is a bogus story.
Sounds too good.
A Queens kid w/a
live arm
for a broken-down 2B
making 6mil???
trs86
5/21/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
Kid? A 28 year old AAA BP player with not very good numbers in the majors or AAA.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
I think I found a way to cure Wright’s struggles. His hot gf needs to give him some grief at home front. Not on baseball issues, but on something else like “why aren’t you taking the garbage out all the time?” or “why don’t you ever call me when you are on the road?” type of grief.
That way Wright can take his mind off his swing and the mechanics and strikeouts. Which will definitely help him in terms of his offensive production.
I haven’t played baseball since I was a 6th grader, but from what I’ve been hearing, it’s like a golf swing. When you are pressing and thinking too much, your body will get out of rhythm. But once you don’t think much about your swing, you’ll hit balls better.
So…. does anyone have Wright’s gf’s phone number? I’ll send out some photoshopped pictures…..
GravediggerHebner
5/21/2010-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Right this minute she’s waking him up, bringing him a glass of fresh squeezed OJ in a pimp cup and ragging him for having not taken out the garbage after he arrived home at 4:30am from Washington this morning. “Now everytime I sit here doing nothing all day rolling around on your money in your bed in your condo I will think about the garbage still in that can,” she’s saying.
And tonight he’ll go 3 for 4 with a homer and a double, and 5 RBI.
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
That’s probably what is bothering him. There is no hot chick that doesn’t come with some sort of maintenance issue. There is a correlation. The hotter the GF, the higher the Maintenance. She’s prob. got him doing all sorts of odd ball things and it’s affecting his game. I’m a married man, so it won’t work for me, but I nominate Kistics to take said GF off Wright’s hands so he can refocus on baseball.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
I’m married too. But if you really need me to take one for the team, I’ll step up take David’s GF off his hand. I just need work on my irresistible charm…. It’s little rusty right now….
How about this for a pickup line?
“Hey babe… let me show you the WRIGHT way now…”
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
How’d you reel in your wife now? Tell me it wasn’t with lines like that.
DNDJohan aka kistics
5/21/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
can’t remember.. it’s been so long…
so.. my pickup line’s no good?
njstuckintx
5/21/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe you can just go dancing with her and subtly put on The (W)Right Stuff by New Kids on the Block.