The first inning of Johan Santana’s start last night makes for a good metaphor of the state of the Mets right now – they both have dug themselves into a hole that they couldn’t get out of ! Yes Johan only gave up four runs last night, but when your offense is batting under the Mendoza line with runners in scoring position, well we all know that it feels like trying to overcome a eight run deficit with two outs and no one on in the ninth – It’s insurmountable.
After today’s afternoon game there will be less than thirty games left to the season, and the Mets are not mathematically eliminated - yet! Lets face it , the Mets have a better shot of signing Cliff Lee after the season ends than they do at even winning the wild card – let alone the playoffs ! No it is time to face the facts that are at hand, This team – albeit better than last years botched abortion is running on empty. They look tired, they look beaten. It looks like apathy has seeped into the Mets dugout and replaced whatever kind of optimism that was there in late May and all of June. and replaced it with a heaping pile of hopelessness. Most of the prognosticators predicted a .500 team , citing a strong core that was surrounded by below average to average complimentary players. And you know something – they were right. As much as the cabal of Majordomo Fred, Komendant Jeff, Colonel Klink ( oops I meant Omar !) and General Jerry denied it and trying to sell everyone on how strong a team they assembled , and how this was a “playoff caliber ” team this was, well as we can now see , this team is in the last trough’s of it’s death knell.
I believe that it is inevitable that in the hours after the last Mets game of the ’10 season ends, Jerry will be gone. Omar – I am not so sure about. He might get a reprieve , it’s possible he is reassigned – or he might get a hearty handshake and warm goodbyes while he is be thrown out the doors of Citi Field by the security staff.
Lets face it, we can sum up the 48 year history of the Mets in one word – mediocre. Yes this team has had it’s share of amazing moments and eleventh hour heroics. This franchise has also been to the very depths of hell. But for the most part the general perception of this franchise has been that the ownership is satisfied with mediocrity – to field a team that is good enough to give the fans a reason to spend their money on tickets, concessions, and merchandise, and if they team makes it to the post season – well that’s just gravy .This franchise if 48 years old and they have only made it to the playoffs seven times in their history. There are franchises that are younger than the Mets that have already equaled the same amount of World Series championships that we have.
I just hope that the epic fail that is the 2010 season serves itself as a catalyst to the Wilpons, A wake up call if you will, and realize that they have to take a cold hard look and realize that changes need to be made.
” Truth Hurts !”
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to one time pitching prospect, Bill Latham (1960) .Latham pitched in four games for the ’85 Mets and was later sen to the Twins in exchange for second baseman, Tim Teuful.
Reserve outfielder from the ’82 season , Rusty Tillman is 50(1960) .
Johan Santana’s personal catcher, Henry Blanco is 39 (1971) .
Sadly on this date in ’01 Mets pitcher from ’65-’68, Dick Selma passed away.
It’s getting so bad at Citi Field that the Mets are offering Mo Vaughn all the food he can eat – just so they are not left with expiring food !
29 comments
stickguy
8/29/2010-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Well, I think a lot of the “heaping pile of helplessness” comes right from the top. With a manager that says and acts like the team not being any good, maybe they finally bought into it? Jerry is a negative voice and influence, and has to be polluting the atmosphere.
I really think he should have been gone by now. Like opening the windows in a stuffy house, it will bring in a breath of fresh air.
stickguy
8/29/2010-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
It also seems that activity at TRD has suffered like Met attendance is likely to in september.
Where is everyone? Taking the weekend off? Even the dugout was a skeleton crew!
stickguy
8/29/2010-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
well, for anyone that decides to waste (er., spend) a beautiful SUnday afternoon watching the mets, finally a no Frenchy, no slappy line up.
shades of 2011!
not that Carter is going to be the answer to the need for an OF thumper, nor is Luis hernandez the answer to a +WAR 2B, but hell, it is a start.
metsfan4decades
8/29/2010-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Omar must be replaced. The coaching staff is a given but in my opinion, if Omar is still here I don’t see the few years ahead as being much different than the past few years.
I wouldn’t describe what I’m seeing as apathetic at all, but hopelessness…yes. A kind of helpless resignation that Sep isn’t going to be much better than July or Aug.
I know it won’t make much difference in the standings but I’d almost like to see a new coaching staff right now. Just curious to see what this same group of guys would produce under a new manager – any manager (even though it would probably be an interim one) not named Jerry Manuel….
metsfan4decades
8/29/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Also, thank the gods for TRDMB.
Reading around the Mets blogs makes me realize how much more enjoyable it is to debate all things Mets with Met fans that might have very strong opinions one way or another but more often than not will back up said opinions with some basis in fact.
Came across this from one Met fan this morning over on MCs blog:
metsfan4life5
Beltran should be batting 5th Wright 3rd. Beltran is awful he has no heart and is selfish also no hustle. I’m sick of him.
One poster took offense and tried sarcasm to dispute the above but I’m sure it went over this poster’s head:
Sylow59
Playing with bone-on-bone in his knee was what made me realize how ungritty he was. And playing in that amount of pain when he could sit back and collect a paycheck while being home with his family (I’m guessing it’s an insult free environment) is, well, so selfish. I’ve had it too. We need more guys like Francoeur – you know who are willing to man up and swing during the pitcher’s wind-up. That just shows how aggressive he is. And agressive gritty players are what always wins games. ALWAYS!
Iow, just what exactly is your beef with Beltran?
To which he replies:
metsfan4life5
He should of got surgey in October 09 but then waits till february 2010 come on he doesn’t care no emotion is shown. He’s about the money thats just what i think.
Mr North Jersey
8/29/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Ouch 4d, metsfan4life5 somehow must of found a way to get past the screening process over at MC’s place.
kingman 26
8/29/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry Stick my friend, it ain’t all Jerry and never ever was.
It is a largely terrible crew of players.
Without Wright, Pagan, Johan, Niese, Pelf, Dickey, KRod, and a few weeks of Jose here and there, this team would be right there with the Nats.
A thorough housecleaning is desperately needed, from the manager and the coaches, to Frenchy/Slappy/Ollie/Carter/Hessman and much of the pen.
It might take 2-3 years before we can contend, but this is the only way it is happening.
The youngsters are not as good–thus far–as we all hoped, and if Mejia can be a good starter next year, then the rotation might carry us to a .500+ season.
Thole is the one who may be ready to be a very productive player. Ike and Tejada? Middling mediocrity and nothing more thus far. Niese? We shall see.
Wish my spring prediction of 83 wins and a 3rd place finish wasn’t going to probably wind up as OVERLY optimistic, but that is sure how it is looking right now.
And I have to say to the pro-Carter people—do you realize that he is basically Francoeur without Frenchy’s speed, arm, and fielding ability? Seriously, everyone needs to get over Carter. He sucks and is not a player a winning team has. Even WITH the two 3-run HRs in BAL and CLE in mid-JUNE, his production is garbage, with zero speed, arm, or fielding ability. He is a AAA DH.
TRS86
8/29/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
I am thinking 83 still sounds more than realistic still. We have been hovering around .500 for a while now and 83 wins is just about .500.
As for Ike, what did you expect from him his first full season when you can make a case that he was rushed by at least a half season? I think he has shown lots of promise myself.
kingman 26
8/29/2010-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
He has shown the ability to consistently swing at pitches which he misses by a foot or more.
He is slow, is a decent but not really good fielder, clearly will not hit for high average or have a high OBP, and better hit 30+ HR and 30+ 2B next year, or he most definitely simply is Mike Jacobs.
TRS86
8/29/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Damn you can tell all that in 3/4 of a rookie season? You have swung that mood right on over to the complete darkside again haven’t you?
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
No, I just cannot wear the rose-colored glasses despite obvious reality like you can TRS.
Ike swings at pitches even Frenchy doesn’t.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Yes my bipolar friend. It’s all about glasses. You are right Ike sucks, you can tell that after 3/4 of a season. Wow.
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
I really don’t appreciate the bi-polar, darkside drivel.
I avoid the rude critiques others heave your way for comments just like these.
Please lay off the bipolar, darkside nonsense, which is every bit as inappropriate as the VERY inappropriate insults Wanny heaves your way.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
You mean the rose colored glasses comments?
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
TRS, I like and respect you and still sincerely appreciate having been invited to be a writer for this site.
I say thanks again, have a wonderful day, and I hope the team goes on a run which makes me look like a moron.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
I mean come on Kingman even you have to notice you have been as up and down as the Mets themselves. You have been up at the beginning of the year, down saying that they are doomed forever, up proclaiming the virtues of Jerry, down yet proclaiming the virtues of our young guys like Ike and Niese to now saying its a dark time in Mets history, our youth is not very good and it will take years to compete. That’s quite the season.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Ike’s Rookie comparisons
3rd in HR
4th in RBI
4th in Runs
2nd in Walks
5th in Total Bases
6th in doubles
5th in OBP (for players with 300+ AB’s)
7th in SLG (for players with 300+ AB’s)
3rd in Plate Apperances
I think that is enough to show potential.
TRS86
8/29/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
Also, giving credit to Thole but playing we shall see with Niese? A guy with a 3.63 ERA in 140 innings in his first full year? 7.4 K/9 with only 2.9 BB/9.
I think Niese has done incredible.
rustyjr
8/29/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
I agree – remember strawberry batted around .256 in his rookie year – give Ike some time he is not daniel murphy this I believe we all know and understand – Ike can be a olerud/ Hernandez with power type – he just needs to adjust imo
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
Well my friend, Darryl had about the same number of PA as Ike thus far, and some offensive stats like BA and OBP were VERY similar—however, Darryl had 26 HR to 15, and let us not forget, Darryl was very fast (Ike is not), Darryl had a great arm (Ike plays 1B and does not) and Darryl was a very good and very fast outfielder, while Ike is a so-so first baseman.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Actually Ike’s arm rated very high in the minors as they thought about placing him in RF.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Ike’s defensive ratings compared to MLB.
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
Does fangraphs have a stat for average distance from the ball Ike’s bat is when he swings and misses? I bet he leads all rookies in that stat.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Ike is 12th in the majors for 1B at % of swings outside the strike zone. He has a better percentage than Gabby Sanchez, Howard, Cantu, Cuddyer, Cabrerra, Dunn, Gonzalez, Votto, Huff, Fielder and more. No I am NOT saying he is in the same class as most of those guys. Just saying that he does not swing at an extraordinarily high amount of pitches out of the strike zone. What he does rank lower at is his contact percentage on those pitches. However, he’s not close to last.
What is also interesting is that he is 2nd to last in amount of pitches seen inside the strike zone trailing only Fielder.
That could mean 2 things. One they know he may chase or 2 he’s got crap behind him so why throw a strike?
kingman 26
8/29/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
He plays first. Arm means nearly nothing at first. Arm means a huge amount in RF.
Are you even going to dispute the indisputable reality of this?
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Obviously not. However, your comment was that Ike did not have a good arm and that is not true based on every scouting report.
As for fangraphs stats on swinging at balls outside of the strike zone, yes it does, not sure if you can compare that to other rookies but I would bet that it’s no where near the bottom. LOL.
I am guessing you are choosing to ignore what seems to be well above average defensive play. Even if you don’t trust fangraphs completely with defense, it’s hard to argue being in 1st. It has to have some merit.
GravediggerHebner
8/29/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Happy Birthday Hank White!
Rusty you sure do like that phrase “botched abortion” but I don’t dare ask why.
I know the Mets, as you note, are still mathematically alive but I’ve felt that unofficially it was almost over once the Mets came out so flat after the All-Star break and then in case I had any shred of hope left that was dashed after Jose Reyes aggravated his oblique the other day – it looked as though the Mets rolled over and played dead at that moment and that was enough for me to do the same.
TRS86
8/29/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
It was for sure over after that disastrous road trip. I still feel the Mets did the right thing after that trip to not try and make a trade. It was done.
rustyjr
8/29/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Botched abortion botched abortion botched abortion !!!! Lol hey if Matt can overuse fwicg I can over use my term so there pffftttt !!! Lol