You know while watching the Mets dominate the Orioles last night, there was a electronic ad displayed on the Camden Yards backstop. This ad made me laugh out loud and it made me wish that I could just take it literally. What is this ad that amused me? It was for some small l chain in the Mid Atlantic region called Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. It is the area’s ” Largest closeout ,surplus, and salvage merchandise. And of course the first thing that went through my mind was ” Great ! Did we keep the receipt for our Ollie? – and If not will they take him off our hands anyway?” I know I know it is a pie in the sky daydream but hey a Mets fan can wish !
I know I am putting the cart in front of the horse here, but I feel that R.A. Dickey can actually stay in this rotation. You see I love the underdog – always have , always will. I felt that way in ’85 when Ed Lynch came out of the bullpen for a few months and became an effective starter for a albeit brief period of time. Same thing with Terry Leach – the man that Frank Cashen couldn’t stand , or even Rick Reed – the most successful scab in the history of baseball.
The point is that Dickey has showed no signs of being figured out by the opposition. His Knuckleball was knuckling so well, that Rod Barajas needed a Garmin just to find the final destination of Dickey’s pitches. Dickey has shown us that he doesn’t crack under pressure , case in point the bases loaded no man out jam in which he knuckled down, struck out two and ended the inning with a pop out.
So the question that Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya face is if and when both Maine and Ollie come of of the d.l. what do we do with them? I would think Takahashi goes back into the pen where he seems less hittable. But that still leaves one of these two former mainstays of the rotation in limbo. In my opinion the spot in the rotation goes to Maine, simply because I trust him more than Perez ( which at this point is not by much) In my heart of hearts I hope that the Mets try to keep him on the d.l as long as possible because it is obvious that the Mets seem to play with alot more life when they aren’t playing behind Oliver, and it seems they like playing with the Dickey ( sorry!).
And oh yeah THE ANIMAL IS OUTTA THE CAGE !!!
                                            Â
                                                                                           
                                                                                 ” Can we please send Ollie here?!?”
                                                                                                           
                                                                                         ” Can we keep him- please !!”
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to the middle reliever from the ’66 team, Gerry Arrigo (1941)
Back up infielder, Keith Miller is 46 (1963) He would later be involved in the trade that sent Bret Saberhagen to the Mets.
Outfielder, and son of former Oriole Dob Buford, Damon Buford is 40 (1970) .
New York Mets signed free agent Tug McGraw on June 12, 1964. As we all know, Tug soon became a fan favorite – and later a Mets icon .
New York Mets traded catcher, Johnny Stephenson and pitcher, Rob Gardner to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher, Bob Hendley on June 12, 1967.
Los Angeles Dodgers signed reserve outfielder, Danny Heep of the New York Mets as a free agent on June 12, 1987.
New York Mets traded outfielder, Wayne Housie to the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever, Josias Manzanillo on June 12, 1993.
New York Yankees claimed outfielder, Darren Bragg of the New York Mets on waivers on June 12, 2001.
Oh by the way Mo Vaughn just bought Charm City Cakes and changed it’s name to Mo Vaughn’s Marvelous Mouthful of Cakes – problem is only he is allowed to eat them !
47 comments
Hazmet
6/12/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
Ollie’s Bargin Outlet, classic. To bad our Ollie’s no bargain. So, I guess your point with R.A. is that the Met’s should ride Dickey as long as they can…heyooohhhh. And I wonder why I got banned from FWICG.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
You can ride a hard dickey farther than a limp Ollie lol
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
That’s what Liberace said…
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!!!!!
prismo
6/12/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
This Baltimore road trip has a large RDM author contingent!
Yesterday/today: Mrose
Today: Moi
Tomorrow: Ceetar
rustyjr
6/12/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
If u see taryn give her my regards
prismo
6/12/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
I would rusty, but I’m not attending the “tweet-up.” On top of the fact that I won’t know anyone there, I’m going with a Yankees fan and a Phillies fan (how bout that!) to the game – don’t want to drag them to it.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Cmon – they deserve to suffer lol
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Have the Mets signed any of their draft picks yet?
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
No, at least not that they have announced. My best guess is that Harvey will sign but not until close to the deadline (I think it’s 8/15). Metro might have some insight on that he’s followed these things much longer and closer than I have.
In reading some post-draft interviews with these picks, I have read the following:
4). Cory Vaughn – says he “will definitely sign.”
10). Akeel Morris – says he will sign “but the money has to be good.” He’s playing for a touring team in FL with the hope of showing he deserves lots of money.
12). Bret Mitchell – his college coach has said that he “will miss him” so read into that what you will.
19). Jon Kountis – has said he will sign but he’s a senior, see below.
Also worth noting as far as sign-ability, many of these picks were college seniors. If they don’t sign they have few options (Independent Leagues?) to showcase themselves to other teams and will be getting kind of old.
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
I was just curious, due to the Astros, Rays, Royals and such showing they’ve signed multiple picks already.
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
I only started following the draft last year so that’s all I really have to go on, so how relevant it is is certainly open to debate but here goes:
- Last year the picks that signed late (at or close to the deadline) were all HS players, # 2 Matz, # 9 Glenn & # 13 Dotson;
- of their 49 picks last year, if my notes are correct 14 did not sign (1 of them, 2009 # 49 Josh Easley, they drafted again this year);
- of 2009 picks # 40-50, the only two that did sign were # 41 Travis Ozga & # 47 Ryan Mollica;
- 2009 # 3, # 16, # 25 & # 34 signed roughly a month after the draft;
- 2009 # 4, # 12 & # 26 signed about 3 weeks after the draft;
- they announced the signings of 22 picks all at once, the first official signings announcements, a week after the draft.
So I guess based on last year there may be one “bulk” signing in a few days, then dribs and drabs til the deadline. I’m also hoping they’ll nab at least one of these guys.
stickguy
6/12/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t care too much about them signing Harvey early, as long as he signs.
He already threw a bunch of innings this year, so he probably would be shut down reasonably soon. So get him for some EST time later in the year and maybe winter work.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
as per macks mets
Cory Vaughn:
6-10 from: – link – Cory Vaughn has taken the first big step toward his dream. The San Diego State junior outfielder signed with the New York Mets after they selected him in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, 122 overall. When asked if he had any hesitation in signing so quickly, Vaughn laughed. “Nope, not at all,†he said. “Without a doubt, (I’m) gone.†Vaughn told The Daily Aztec last month he would leave SDSU if he was drafted and said finding out his future team was a surprising and exciting experience. “I can’t ask for much better,†he said, still energized a day after hearing the big news. “There are a lot of people that don’t get the opportunity to get picked up – I’m fortunate to get drafted by any team.â€
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that’s a start.
fongy2
6/12/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Ollie’s Rocks my friend!
I’m a member of “Ollie’s Army”….
“First Bargain Battalion”….
Being a member gets you discounts
on your bargains….I don’t think this
applies to our Ollie in any way.
Since I get MASN & MASN 2 down here
I get to see alot of The O’s,
let me tell ya, this is an awful
team with little hope for the future.
Why would Bobby V. or Buck be interested in their Mgr job???
We need to keep it going the next few days and sweep this O team and then onto the equally as bad Indians.
fongy2
6/12/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
b/t/w, Big Ups and Thanks to Danny Heep!…Lots of big Pitch Hits in
1986!
rustyjr
6/12/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Yes he was – he was davey’s secret late inning weapon
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Rusty this was even more outstanding that your usual outstandingness.
I completely agree about our li’l Dickey–the opposition has shown ZERO sign of figuring him out, and again, much as I hate to admit it, Jerry was right on the money in saying using Dickey in the first game of a series might screw up the opposition for the whole series.
And if Taka continues to falter, Maine and Ollie can fight for one spot—maybe that would give Maine the incentive to stop his frigin whining and give Ollie the incentive to get a life.
And I loved Ed Lynch, I loved Terry Leach, and as Fong says, Danny Heep was the man as a pinch hitter.
And if I am not mistaken, in the 86 WS, Danny Heep was the first DH with the initials DH.
Great work Rusty!
stickguy
6/12/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
truly amazing that dickey has much better control over throwing strikes with the knuckler than Ollie does over any of his pitches.
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, he really has been unreal.
I have never been a fan of the knuckleball, and hated when Phil Niekro pitched against us when I was a kid, and still think little of Wakefield, but Dickey might be a historically unique case.
Maybe coming late to the knuckler, after being a real pitcher, has made him something of a singular case.
He really does look as though he can keep this up. He is a real good fielder, seems absolutely unflappable, and has contributed SO much.
Imagine if this is for real and he can do this for a couple of years?
Pelf, Niese, Johan, Dickey, and then add a serious number 2 or 3 to that for 2011? Or for later this year?
I am accepting bids from various contractors for enlargements and improvements for the float….to paraphrase Chief Brody in Jaws: “You’re going to need a bigger float.”
stickguy
6/12/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
Geez Knog, when you came back on board, you came back hard!
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, I was confused, which is something I rarely am. I honestly did not know why the team was making me so literally almost physically sick the first 4–6 weeks of the year.
It really was Mike Jacobs on the team hitting cleanup, taking out the Angels’ trash in GMJ, and watching the same f****** disaster movie co-starring Ollie and Maine.
All of that being behind us, the really surprisingly very good and gaffe-free play of Pagan, the emergence of the catchers and Dickey (thanks Omar!), and perhaps most of all, the way Jerry has made changes, and NOT been bullheaded about them (i.e., moving Jose back to leadoff, being flexible with the pen, being flexible with the lineup, etc).
Bringing up the Junior Core little by little, and putting them in the position to succeed is also a huge plus. The jury is still out on Tejada, but much as I may have preferred Mejia in the minors, they brought up Mejia and Ike, who clearly are ready for this level.
There is a huge amount to like about the last 3-4 weeks, and there are basically an infinite amount of reasons to love the future of this team, whose “window” has just cracked open.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
it’s kinda in a way like ’84 when we cut stearns swan tidrow torrez etc – guys that were at one time decent players but who would not be able to help the team win
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
EXACTLY!!
Damn, you are smart.
Rusty, I have been saying that–at the very worst, this year is like a cross between 1983 and 1984; we are definitely better than 1983, but might be 1-2 guys away from being as good as 1984.
However, I am fully confident that the next two years are going to look an awful lot like 1985 and 1986!
I have NOT forgotten about the Jaco DVD email—have been swamped, and also Monday we are getting in a brand new rare import DVD of Jaco which I just found out about, so I will email Mon/Tues to let you know what is available!
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
NO PROB my friend but the dvd will be free yes?? lol
stickguy
6/12/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
mets have just as realistic a chance at making the postseason this year as most any other team in the NL. So if the future is even brighter, then we are in hog heaven.
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
We might be able to work something out!
Will email by Tues for sure.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
i was kidding my friend
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Then hog heaven it is!
metsfan4decades
6/12/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet – too funny!
I’m so disappointed I missed the game last night. RA Dickey seems to be getting better and better with that knuckle ball. From everything I’ve read, to the fact that for a knuckle baller he’s got a good FB, to RA should be extremely durable as he goes on, not less so…..I see no reason why we would even THINK about taking him out of the starting rotation for either Maine or Ollie. Not unless Dickey shows signs of getting hit hard in more than one start. He’s 4-0, he’s can give you at least 6 if not more innings and he gets the job done. No offense Johnny and Ollie, but as close as this race will probably be, you have to go with the proven commodities. Let Ollie and Maine duke it out with Taka for the 5th rotation spot……
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
I was working and had the whole game on, and he was masterful.
He also made two very good plays in the field.
Perhaps best of all, the crappy O’s kept putting men on base and he worked out of it every time—he is calm and cool and unflappable.
Omar may have seriously found a diamond in the rough with this incredibly impressive guy.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
k-rod still gave me palpataions lol
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that’s his job!
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
You think that Oswalt would consider the Mets a contender now?
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
i don’t think new york appeals to him period! i heard smarmy steve ” Im a douche ” Phillips on with adam the bull earlier and he said if all it would take to get oswalt was to trade niese he’d do it -same with cliff lee barring you were able to sign lee
i honestly think he’s talking out of his ass because he still will have at least one spot to fill in the rotation
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t understand how any word that falls out his mouth can be viewed as rational or mean anything. The bad he acquired outweighs the good he brought in.
As per the Wiki
“In the late 1990s, Phillips assembled a Mets team made up of stars, such as Al Leiter, Mike Piazza, and Robin Ventura, and excellent role players, that played in the 2000 World Series against the New York Yankees. He is also credited with drafting David Wright, Scott Kazmir, and Lastings Milledge, and signing José Reyes. Additionally, Phillips is credited with acquiring aging and ineffective players with large contracts such as Mo Vaughn, Roberto Alomar, Pedro Astacio, Mike Bordick, Bobby Bonilla, Rickey Henderson, Kenny Rogers, and Jeromy Burnitz. He had an uneasy, if not volatile relationship with manager Bobby Valentine, and when Phillips decided to fire Valentine before the 2003 season, many expected the GM to be next. He traded future star, Jason Bay, and also attempted to trade star shortstop José Reyes to the Cleveland Indians.”
After reading that, I’m not sure I would let him supersize my fries, let alone take roster advice from him.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
well he’s already hitting on the chubby girl that works the drive through lol
njstuckintx
6/12/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
Big girls need love too.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
and steve along with Bill Clinton are just the men to provide it
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!!!
stickguy
6/12/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Neise is was too valuable a commodity to trade off for a rental.
and the mets need to add a solid guy to the rotation, not make a lateral move.
Neise is going no where.
If you want to trade a P for a P, it will likely be mejia.
rustyjr
6/12/2010-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
agree totaly stick
i’d rather go after a Carmona , Snell or evena Myers – which should only cost us minor prospects – than crapping the bed giving up top tier talent for lee – then risk not being able to sign him ala mike hampton
sign lee this off season if you can – thats what i say
stickguy
6/12/2010-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
lee is to me just as much of a risk giving him that huge LT deal after the season.
5/100 to a guy that is already 32? chancy.
stickguy
6/12/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
Also, I am fine with a nice mid-rotation dude. someone from the pool of myers, carmona, guthrie, millwood, myers, etc.
As long as they pick the right guy, and the cost in talent isn’t too high, it should be plenty to keep the mets in it, without mortgaging Knogs vision for the future.
GravediggerHebner
6/12/2010-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
I completely agree with this.
I was so concerned with getting a viable # 2 during the off season because the team didn’t have one, my only hope was Pelfrey’s growth and frankly I saw nothing to indicate that was going to happen any time soon if ever.
That it now has apparently happened allows me to lower my SP demands from the Lackey/Halladay/Lee heights I hoped for this off season to more of what you outline here. I would throw Westbrook into the mix with the names you mentioned and take whichever one comes at the most reasonable cost.
Kingman 26
6/12/2010-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)