I won’t go as far to say that last night was some kind of call to arms by Johan Santana, but it’s good to see that has possibly threw down a challenge to the rest of this meandering Mets team, and possibly make one last big run to prove they are relevant and that they will not go quietly into the early abyss of a August where the games no longer matter. Johan pitched 5 2/3 innings of no hit baseball against our arch rival Phillies, until Ben Francisco hit a b b straight up the middle to end Johan’s shot at immortality. But Johan buckled down and lasted into the eighth inning, when Jerry Manuel actually made a bold move. With runners on first and second with one man out , Jerry sensing that he needed a win in the worst way – bypassed his middle relief core and put the game into the hands of our closer Francisco Rodriguez. Frankie was excellent, shutting down the Philths for the next five outs. But for the second time this week we owe Jeff Francouer, our much maligned first pitch swinging machine, who is either feast or famine for securing the sole run off a fastball by reliever Chad Durbin. If it wasn’t for Frenchie we probably would be 0-5 on this road-trip instead of 2-3 ! Maybe this has something to do with the call up of Fernando Martinez, but if that is the case, it is better late than never that a fire has been lit under Frenchie’s ass ! And for those of you who think that Carlos Beltran is passionless, check out his explosion of emotion durin the game. He is as frustrated as we are, and I think pretty soon there might be some balls that will get the brunt of his ire ( I hope) ! Kudos’s also go out to the recently promoted Ruben Tejada, who has replaced the recently released Alex Cora ( Alex you are a good man – I wish you all the luck in the world as a manager). Tejada didn’t wow us with his bat, but he definitely saved at least two runs from scoring yesterday.
Look I read the standings everyday and my head tells me that there is no way we will comeback from a eight game deficit. But the heart of a Mets fan is very strange. It leads you to believe that the impossible can happen. It leads you to think that Aregenis Reyes or Ruben Gotay is the solution to second base, it wills you to feel that a .500 win team can win 92 games. It is strange but I will take the stance that until the Mets are mathematically eliminated from contention that they still are in it ! Damn why am I such a fool ?!?Because I am a Mets fan !!!
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                                                                                             ” He is the man !”
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to one of the best power hitters that have ever lived , Frank Howard (1936). Frank was the hitting coach from ’82- ’83 under then manager George Bamberger. He became the Mets tenth manager when Bamberger was relived of his duties in late ’83.
Middle reliever from the ”98 team,John Hudek is 44 (1966).
New York Mets traded pitcher, Frank Lary to the Milwaukee Braves for pitcher,Dennis Ribant on August 8, 1964.
New York Mets traded minor league outfielder,Rob Katzaroff to the San Francisco Giants for washed up outfielder,Kevin Bass on August 8, 1992.
New York Mets traded outfielder,Lance Johnson, pitcher, Mark Clark and infielder, Manny Alexander to the Chicago Cubs for middle reliever,Turk Wendell, closer,Mel Rojas and outfielder, Brian McRae on August 8, 1997. It wasn’t a good trade for the Mets, but at least we got Turk Wendell- one of the looniest men to ever don a Mets uniform !
Mo Vaughn was in attendance for the Phillies game last night , and He beat the Phillie Phanatic in a Dance off !! Actually Mo sat on the Phanatic until he crushed the mucous green mascots spleen burst !
6 comments
Mr North Jersey
8/8/2010-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Nice post rusty but I don’t take anything more than just another win.
The offense was 1 solo hr and the pen was 5 2/3 of KRod.
Can they make a run? yes but I say that in the same vein as I say the Nats can make a run which means while possible I doubt it.
rustyjr
8/8/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
point taken but i can hope lol
Mr North Jersey
8/8/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Yes you can.
metsfan4decades
8/8/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Well, you’re in good company, Rusty.
I highly doubt we’re still in this but it won’t stop me from watching all Mets left for this season.
Kingman 26
8/8/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Ouch on the Argenis Reyes! You have found the man who makes Chris Carter look like a real major leaguer!
OK Rusty, you want to know what a REALLY deluded fan is?
I was watching the LeBron ego-a-thon on ESPN, waiting for him to obviously say he was joining Wade in Miami, and until he said the words “South Beach” I REALLY was able to delude myself into thinking there was a 1% chance he would say “East Rutherford New Jersey” and that he was joining Avery Johnson and Jay-Z with the Nets.
THAT’s impressive self-delusion, if I do say so my damn self!
GravediggerHebner
8/8/2010-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
“Who dat throwin’ dat baseball fast? Hu-dek Hu-dek Hu-dek!”
I think it’s so cool that the Mets have finally figured out the secret formula for Francoeur. Just tell him he’s benched, don’t play him for a game or two, then play him and he hits a home run (lather, rinse, repeat).