Dickey stymies baseball's birds
4 days after being removed from a game after 5 2/3 innings with a tender hip starter R.A. Dickey (7-4) allowed just 4 hits over 8 1/3 innings and Ike Davis hit a 3rd inning 3-run homer to lead the New York Mets to a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets added an insurance run in the 5th when Angel Pagan hit a 1-out triple then scored on a single by Carlos Beltran. Dickey tired in the 9th but closer Francisco Rodriguez retired Albert Pujols on a fly ball then struck out Matt Holliday looking with runners on 1st & 2nd for his 22nd save of the season.
44 comments
Mr North Jersey
7/29/2010-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
Ahhhh look at the little birdies…
Dickey did it again.
metsfan4decades
7/29/2010-2:50pm at 2:50 pm (UTC -4)
RA Dickey has been nothing short of amazing. Too bad he couldn’t quite pull off the complete game.
If the rest of the team had it’s act together, just imagine where we would be right now in the standings?
stickguy
7/29/2010-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
dickey is the man. start talking about that contract for next year now, before some other team steals him away!
oleosmirf
7/29/2010-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
let’s see where he is at the end of the season before we throw money at him.
stickguy
7/29/2010-3:02pm at 3:02 pm (UTC -4)
based on the mets track record, by the time they get around to it, he will have signed with some other team.
oleosmirf
7/29/2010-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
well once the season is over he doesnt become an unrestricted FA. Mets have plenty of time to bring him back. hopefully Ollie’s contract doesn’t push Dickey out the door…
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry Manuel: “Everything really has to go well for us.”
Yup.
stickguy
7/29/2010-3:03pm at 3:03 pm (UTC -4)
start with a manager with a clue, and see where that gets you.
metsfan4decades
7/29/2010-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – Understatement of the season.
rustyjr
7/29/2010-3:17pm at 3:17 pm (UTC -4)
Wow I wonder if Jerry thought that up all by himself
fongy2
7/29/2010-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
He is the thinking mans
Manager after all!
ceetar
7/29/2010-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
well uhh..if even he’s not optimistic about it, why are we keeping him again?
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
Hopefully some outlet has the full quote it was even more a cry for (personnel) help than I wrote. I was doing a spit-take and couldn’t type fast enough when he was saying it in the post game on SNY.
I’m certainly not justifying it, I can’t really, but this is hardly the 1st instance of such behavior. I don’t have quotes in front of me but I recall him saying essentially “we aren’t good enough” last season.
ceetar
7/29/2010-4:39pm at 4:39 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, i remember that last year. the players are coming out and saying things like “We’re good enough to win”, Beltran was lamenting going on the DL and commented “I expect the team to be in first when i return”. Cora shows more motivational quotes than Manuel.
I mean Dickey’s talking about turning points and Manuel’s hoping Cy Young stumbles into his bullpen from his time machine.
oleosmirf
7/29/2010-3:03pm at 3:03 pm (UTC -4)
unfortunately this last road trip + the resurgance of the Phillies pretty much ends our postseason chances. Then again crazier things have happened and it still is possible.
winning both series against ATL and PHI is a must…
rustyjr
7/29/2010-3:18pm at 3:18 pm (UTC -4)
You’re such a glass half full kinda guy lol
oleosmirf
7/29/2010-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
just being realistic thats all.
gategem
7/29/2010-8:20pm at 8:20 pm (UTC -4)
That’s not allowed.
Kingman 26
7/29/2010-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
It’s allowed; we just discourage it.
youngvalerawest
7/29/2010-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
It’s too soon to give up. But the probability of reaching this season’s post season is such that 2011 should be as much of a consideration as 2010.
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
This.
ceetar
7/29/2010-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey: “This may be a game that you can point back to at the end of the season and say ‘That was one of the turning points.’
fongy2
7/29/2010-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
Oh Yeah Baby!!!…Jerry out manages
“The Genius” Tony LaRussa 2 outta 3!
…..Or…..Something like that….
youngvalerawest
7/29/2010-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
As great — unbelievably fantastic — as Dickey has been this season, I really hope Omar is ascertaining whether he has any value in a trade right now. While it’s certainly possible that he is a realistic piece for next year’s rotation, his value may never be higher than it is now.
I wouldn’t give him away because he’s done enough to make me think he has a chance to succeed beyond this season but I sure would move him to a team willing to buy high.
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
That sort of thinking strikes me as a little too “outside the box” for our current front office.
youngvalerawest
7/29/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Unfortunately.
steveo
7/29/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
We are like 6-1/2 games out with almost 60 to go. Look alot can happen in that time. I am one of the biggest pessimist here but its still july. I can’t see giving up even with another roy boy going to philly. Injuries play a large part in this game and players become more succeptable to them in the later parts of the season let’s see what august brings and maybe omar can’t find a few small pieces to help this team.
metsfan4decades
7/29/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if we have to root for injuries, I’d say we’re in trouble.
But yeah, I hear ya. Anything can happen and anything usually does.
If this team somehow manages to make it into the post season, they’re going to have to have one incredible second half run here. All hands on deck and all healthy.
If Omar would just pull the trigger on a #4 or #5 starter, put Taka back in the pen, release Ollie, bat Castillo 9th and get Bay back so we can bury Franceour on the bench then maybe…just maybe…..
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
Unrelated to anything here but interesting stat:
Brewers are 42-30 when hitting at least 1 home run; 6-25 when hitting none.
youngvalerawest
7/29/2010-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
There’s no way they can trade Prince under these circumstances!
metsfan4decades
7/29/2010-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
“I’ve got to tell you, you can say a lot of things about the 2010 New York Mets, but you don’t ever say we don’t play hard. I mean, look at Angel Pagan’s uniform and Jose Reyes after a 13–inning heartbreaker last night, coming off a 2–9 road trip. We don’t give up, and we’re not going to give up… These guys don’t give up and it’s an honor to be on the team.â€
~ RA Dickey, talking to SNY after today’s game
***********************************
If you’re fortunate enough to get the SNY post game show, every 5th day Dickey pitches, it’s the highlight of the game. He’s unlike any ball player I’ve ever listened to. His explanation of what happened last game when Jerry took him out was the most complete, well thought out, even keeled analysis I’ve ever heard from a player.
Mr North Jersey
7/29/2010-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
Nice quote 4d
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on R.A. Dickey’s interviews they’re superb.
Here is my twitter reaction to his interview this afternoon:
http://twitter.com/GDHebner/status/19848390420
metsfan4decades
7/29/2010-6:02pm at 6:02 pm (UTC -4)
Nice.
One of my favorites was his response on a previous outing on the road when he responded: ‘It’s of no consequence’.
stickguy
7/29/2010-5:00pm at 5:00 pm (UTC -4)
he might actually have a future in TV, either broadcast or an analysis show.
Oh wait, even keeled? thoughtful? intelligent? articulate?
Never mind. Comepletely unqualified for anything but the SNY booth. Certain not right for ESPN!
njstuckintx
7/29/2010-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
Manager Dickey???
gategem
7/29/2010-8:27pm at 8:27 pm (UTC -4)
And his pitching coach will be Dick Pole.
njstuckintx
7/29/2010-9:19pm at 9:19 pm (UTC -4)
Richard Trickle as 3B coach?
Kingman 26
7/29/2010-9:58pm at 9:58 pm (UTC -4)
Dick Trickle!
A name so great it almost makes NASCAR relevant.
Almost.
Kingman 26
7/29/2010-10:24pm at 10:24 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey is, on the field and off the field, going from pleasant surprise to team leader. This guy builids his legend with every start and every comment he makes.
Thanks for this guy Omar.
stickguy
7/29/2010-5:04pm at 5:04 pm (UTC -4)
trade dickey? Bite your tongues.
Although I understand perfectly the thought process. There are 2 problems with it however (well 3, if you include the Met FO being FUBAR)
1) the mets are still in that gray In or Out (and not the burgers) area, so it is not clear if they are looking for the missing piece for a playoff run, or building for next year (although I still think they should be doing both!)
2) Dickey is actually someone that could very realistically be in the mix for next year.
And since there is no replacement on hand, he stays.
Now, Frenchy? Oh yeah, trade his sorry but. Pedro F? Get a decent offer, and ship him out. I trade K rod too, but that could run afoul of criteria #1 above.
Kingman 26
7/29/2010-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was surpised to hear one of our wise men suggest trading Dickey.
He has just mastered the knuckler and could do this for years. Throw in his amazing attitude, unflappable nature, and his offense and defense and I think he is a fixture for a while.
And yes Donnie, it is near the In and Out Burger.
Those are good burgers.
stickguy
7/29/2010-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
my other random thoughts:
1) it is so much nicer to watch a game when Castillo does not appear. That alone will make Cora’s silly option year more palatable. Slappy looks totally shot, and he doesn’t even get on base much anymore, meaning he went from 1/2 tool to, well, just being a tool!
He can not, under any circumstances, be back next year. And if they had any way to unload him now, go for it!
2) Jerry gets on my nerves. the usual litany of poor strategic moves, but these comments? Unacceptable. Hell, i am still fed up with him playing Tatis last september instead of evans!
3) speaking of which, Frenchy really needs to be moved out, and if they insist on keeping him on the roster, make him the 5th OF guy. DL Bay if he can’t play, and get up someone that can. Evans would be fine, hell, give duda a shot. ANd Frenchy when he does surface whould never, ever face a RH pitcher again.
4) Next year, Jerry, Slappy, Frenchy and Ollie all need to be gone. I can pretty much live with anyone else now on the team.
GravediggerHebner
7/29/2010-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
Regarding point # 4, I don’t know how strong or realistic they have been but I have read stories over the past 12 months that indicated the Mets were trying to trade (or in the case of Jerry, fire) all of these guys.
So it seems as if parting with them has at least come up in conversation.
I bet at some level (but maybe not the highest or most important level) the front office realizes that it would be good for the roster and good with the fan base to part company with these guys. It’s just a matter of doing it in an acceptable (to them) way.
I will be pleasantly shocked if the Mets can actually trade Ollie I think to get rid of him they’ll have to release him, but Castillo & Frenchy I could see being acquired by some team for a low-grade prospect some time between now and February.