Sep 24
Video: Remembering The 86 Mets, A Gritty, Nasty, Getting Wasted Together Team
Leave a Reply
MLBTradeRumors
- Orioles To Promote Kevin Gausman
- Quick Hits: White Sox, Reds, Red Sox, Phillies
- NL East Notes: Phillies, Lee, Nationals, Mets
- Commenting Policy
- AL East Notes: Yankees, Red Sox, Ellsbury
- Blue Jays Release Miguel Batista
- Minor Moves: Cotts, Boyer, Barton
- Draft Notes: Manaea, Outfielders
- MLBTR Chat Transcript
- Cubs Claim Eduardo Sanchez
86 comments
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
“I’m not saying it was glorious but in a way it was glorious.”
“It was like being a member of KISS and being a baseball player at the same time.”
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
LoL, you think all that Bay needed this year was to have HoJo say to him “Your a no good son of a b*tch, you suck they all think your terrible your wothless you don’t belong in this league your pathetic you have no game”?
LMFAO
stickguy
9/24/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
not with a $66,000,000 contract in his back pocket.
Different time.
TRS86
9/24/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Might have been difficult for Hojo to tell that to anyone.
stickguy
9/24/2010-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
he could look in the mirror.
“you suck as a hitting coach. the team is offensively inept. You ruined wright as a player”
He should have plenty of time on his hands in a couple weeks to get started practicing!
stickguy
9/24/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Hard to imagine the off the field stuff ever happening again. With the increase in media types, and technology (cell phone video cameras, your tube, etc.) no way they coulget away with 10% of what they used to!
that, and the huge increase in money floating around, really changes the landscape.
TRS86
9/24/2010-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
Your first part is very true. I immediately thought of the 86 Mets when the news on Krod came out.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. I think the days of “Cooters” style stuff are over. But that was a great story and when I visited Houston in 1993 Cooters was a mandatory stop just to say I’d been there.
TRS86
9/24/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Wasn’t it Bobby O that tried to warn them?
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
The same Bobby O who later was involved with drunken boat operation resulting in his unique scalp and other’s deaths? Probably.
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah that one.
saltygary
9/24/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
If you have never read it, it’s a great and quick read:
http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Guys-Won-Jeff-Pearlman/dp/0060507330
Awesome story about a plane ride (I think it was after the extra inning stros NLCS dame) and the bathrooms were packed because they were all doing blow. The players wives were puking all over the plane. Even Carter was getting wasted which was not the norm. They literally destroyed the plane and had to replace the entire interior.
TRS86
9/24/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
Great book.
saltygary
9/24/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
Actually if you hit the amazon link and look at the first couple pages it’s the plane chapter and it is after the NLCS win. The opening quote:
“It wasn’t just guys destroying a plane. It was guys destroying a plane after an emotional roller coaster.There’s a difference”
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Fantastic, amazing book that is essential reading for all Met fans who followed the team in 86.
I wish I had not already read it so I could read it again for the first time.
rustyjr
9/24/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
I haven’t read the book – I dont want my memories of Darryl & Dwight to be tarnished
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
LoL Now that is worthy of a drumroll.
rustyjr
9/24/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
In all honesty i always wanted to read it but never did I should buy it
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-2:33pm at 2:33 pm (UTC -4)
OMIGOD Yes! Excellent book. If you’re worried about your memories being tarnished I would suggest reading it from the perspective of wanting to learn what a great guy Ed Hearn was/is. IIRC he was the only redeeming character in the book, everyone else was sleazy scummy dirty grimy gritty and yet somehow they respected Hearn and he them.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Rusty—if you have not read it, read it ASAP.
You will have a huge smile on your face throughout the entire book.
Along with Golenbock’s oral history of the whole Met franchise, probably one of the very best Met books among my Met book collection.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
When he says “players sleeping with other players wives” I couldn’t help but to think of that rumored story earlier in the year involving 2 phillie players and 1 of their wives.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
Always bringing everything back to the Phillies eh Phillie lover. :-p
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
I beg your pardon sir, you must have me confused with that other Phillie lover that goes by the name Metsfan4decades.
Countdown to 4d sighting begins now.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
TRS would be very disappointed if I did not at least appear in this thread….
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
Hey wait a minute you are only to appear in threads bashing the Phillies not in comparing them to 86ers.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, but when people bash them I DO compare them to the 86ers!
TRS, this will be a tough postseason, as the Phils are really on track to at least win another pennant…
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, they have put themselves in a good position and look like the best team going in for sure.
I was hoping the Rockies could get in and play them 1st round. I think they could hold their own against them.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
I am thinking this might be the year of the Rays.
Sure hope the Yanks don’t make the WS; precisely as much as you feel that about the Phils.
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:44pm at 2:44 pm (UTC -4)
the people in philly are already buying new lawn chairs and reserving their spots for the parade.
even worse (damn, the phils have had ridiculous good luck latley), right now there is a 3 way scrum for the WC.
So, quite possible the phils get the extra advantage of not only being able to rest and set up the rotation down the stretch (being as they will clinch early), but they could then get to face a team that had to play balls to the wall up to and past the end of the season!
Better hope the braves win the WC, so they can get the giants instead!
sorry. I just detest the Philles with a passion, and my entire year could turn around if they go down in flames in the first round!
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Knog, the rays do just keep hanging in there. And I can’t actually figure out why (they don’t seem to be that good).
I also think (OK, hope!) that the Yanks are the playoff team most primed to lay a giant egg in round 1 (hey, been done before), especially if they hit a team with good pitching.
although right now, they are almost guaranteed to get the Rangers, whether they take the division or just the WC>
Yes, the TB/Yankee dogfight is for nothing more than home field advantage.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
:the rays do just keep hanging in there. And I can’t actually figure out why (they don’t seem to be that good).”
Oh how I wish the Mets would seem to be notthat good also then stick.
stickguy
9/24/2010-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
OK NJ, I will assume you are being serious on this one.
But, my perspecitve is, there are some teams that seem to underperform what “on paper” it seems like what they should do. I.E, the Mets. And others that end up with more wins than you were expecting (the Rays for 1).
so, what is the reason? not approriately evaluating the no name talent vs. the big name talent? manager and coaches? FO? what?
say you swapped maddon for Jerry before the season. THink the respective records will be any different?
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
I think when you registered as an author you became contractually obligated to comment at least once for every post. Then again their is no way to enforce it.
metsfan4decades
9/24/2010-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHA – late to this party, working hard today – and not by choice…
Yes, that’s me, the resident Philly lover – NOT!!!
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
I just tweeted this but do you guys think there is any link to Stan Kasten resigning today from the Nats “Pretty simple. I fulfilled my commitment, and didn’t want to continue”. and the Mets?
Ceetar
9/24/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
Of course not. Jeff Wilpon is a tyrannical despot. No one wants to work for him. He’s always butting in and wanting his opinion heard. The Nats are the class of the NL. why would anyone ever leave?
hmm, these stories about Jeff Wilpon certainly sound a lot like George Steinbrenner.
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
Especially the one that was winning nothing but the most money spent award.
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
plus he has bad hair.
Do you think he goes to Halloween parties dressed as Moe of th e3 stooges every year? Really just has to show up, and poke people in the eyes a few times.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
Could be, and Kasten would be a truly intriguing choice to take over—and he could give Freddy and Jeffy a chance to keep Omar too—hire Kasten to oversee Omar and hire the next manager.
TRS86
9/24/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
I am just always looking for the timing of things. I know it was planned that he would leave now but he seems to be a man on a mission instead of a man taking a step back.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
He’s from NJ, closer to NYC than Philly so he’s “one of us.” He seems like more of a delegator though so I’m not sure if he’d be at the top of my GM candidate list. With the Braves he had Schuerholtz making the baseball decisions. Speaking of whom what is he up to these days?
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
I could see it.
It also fits into the “2 headed monster” concept, with Stan being the big kahuna, with a Jr. GM (ricco maybe? Or a dipoto) handling the day to day GM operational stuff.
Stan makes the plan and handles the organizational stuff, GM does all the detail (player, drafting, roster) stuff within the framework of the plan.
and it pushes Jeffy back a few steps, away from the controls.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
Talking to Joe d on twitter he showed me an interview he did with Pearlman back in Dec 2008.
If you haven’t read it here is the link. It was a good read.
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2008/12/interview-jeff-pearlman-on-198.html
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:33pm at 2:33 pm (UTC -4)
Came across this baseball joke.
Wade Boggs, Steve Garvey and Pete Rose are in a bar. A pretty woman walks by and Boggs says, “I’m going to ask her out.” Garvey replied, “You can’t do that, she’s carrying my baby.” To which Rose added, “You wanna bet?”
http://www.humorsphere.com/football/baseball.html
kingman 26
9/24/2010-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!!
That Rose line really make me LOL.
Off topic somewhat, Rose is very often in Las Vegas signing things to make money at a sports store in the Forum Shops at Caesars, and I saw him at the airport, traveling alone, no handlers/bodyguard/entourage, and he was VERY friendly and down-to-Earth with people who approached him.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
And no one out-hustled him to baggage claim.
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
+ a parlay
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
After he’s placed his last bet and has died, you think he gets into the HOF? Wonder what the odds are on that…
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
It’s a crime he is not there now.
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
I agree.
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
I think he gets there before he dies. Kind of like when they parole the 80 YO mass murderers from prison when they get all old and sickly, so they can die in peace.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
They parole 80 yr old serial killers?
stickguy
9/24/2010-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
sometimes. THere was just one down in philly (might have been a local guy) that was some famous nut job fromt he 50′s that snapped and wandered around shooting people one day.
Now old and suffering from cancer, they let him out of prison to go die with his family.
Oh, there was also that lockerbie bombing guy too.
Hey, if you don’t like the analogies, make up your own!
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
Somehow the idea of using analogies involving releasing 80 yr old serial killers makes me wonder just what in the world goes through that mind of yours stick.
stickguy
9/24/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
you said serial killer. I said mass murderer.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-3:11pm at 3:11 pm (UTC -4)
“you said serial killer. I said mass murderer.”
OK for the record you said mass murderer but the point remains the same.
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
Lennon’s killer is still behind bars. I know it’s not 80 years, but still, just saying.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
I was reading an article recently about his latest (unsuccessful) appearance before the parole board. Apparently Mr. Chapman has found Jesus but this did not sway the board to release him just yet. Maybe if he finds a way to resurrect Lennon they’ll let him out.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
Kind of a corollary to George Harrison’s famous remark that as far as he was concerned, there would be no Beatles reunion “As long as John Lennon remains dead.”
Kind of funny to think of how much money they would have minted before George died, if John had not been shot and they did reunite—the Who and the Eagles and others have made money beyond belief. The Beatles–man, they would have made a billion.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
It was 34 years ago this week that Sid Bernstein offered The Beatles $230 million to reunite for a concert.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
HA!!
And that was before the era of PPV being in nearly every house, and DVD releases of everything!
kingman 26
9/24/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I firmly believe that as long as Rose did not bet against his team–which I do not believe he ever did–that he absolutely should be in the hall.
If all around sh**bags like Ty Cobb are in, Rose absolutely should be there.
And I did see Pete slide head-first into first class as soon as they started boarding….
metsfan4decades
9/24/2010-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
I agree about letting Rose in. You know damn well they’re gonna vote ARod in so no reason Rose shouldn’t be voted in as well.
Both defined as ‘cheaters’ just in a different arena….
stickguy
9/24/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
speaking of the HOF, the damn place is actually a museum. Why not put the flawed people in, with a big bronze * ? Lay out the accomplishments, and the warts. Rose, Bonds,clemens they are all a big part of the history of the game, and it seems silly to get all moral (since hell, the sport was based on “cheating” to get a competive advantage).
You should though keep out the people that are only under consideration for having a few numbers that are abrely borderline, but tainted (HRs mostly).
Have a rogues gallery wing if you want. Celebrate the wild times. More fun that way!
And no, I have not started drinking yet today.
kingman 26
9/24/2010-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
The more I think about it, the more I think Bonds should be in.
Sosa was not that great without steroids, and collapsed the minute he stopped using. McGwire was largely just a glorified Dave Kingman.
Bonds was one of countless players who used, and not one other player came even remotely close to achieving what Bonds did. Bonds had a HOF career before using drugs, and his OBP numbers during the steroid years were comical.
He was just plain incredibly good without drugs, and literally Ruthian with drugs.
Mr North Jersey
9/24/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
I haven’t really though about it too deeply but as a Mets fan the idea that Bonds can somehow get in and Hodges does’nt bothers me.
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
As long as they slap a comment on there “played in steroid era or was seen with syringe stick in their neck veins or something like that” I have no issue with it. Also, if they induct bonds, they need to do a montage of his ball caps to show the progression of the size. I’d buy that in poster form for sure!
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
When you do start drinking today may I recommend you do so with the Rogues Gallery:
http://www.kingofthebelgians.com/rogues-gallery.html
stickguy
9/24/2010-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
well, that was interesting. makes me wonder how we ever lived without the internet.
And I have been to King of Prussia. Just not that one.
njstuckintx
9/24/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
I recommend Doghead fish or dog fish head, one of those 2 and old reliable.. Fat Tire.
stickguy
9/24/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, Jerry woke up from his coma, and is at it again!
Got my man Duda in the 2 hole (and Pagan 6th). I feel so vindicated for my support against the doubters.
now I hope they beat the snot out of blanton tonight.
I hate the phillies.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
I would love it if the team would experiment with Thole batting 2nd for the rest of the season. I think his skillset could work well there, especially if not asked to bunt for no good reason. I think his eye and contact ability could do well there.
Ceetar
9/24/2010-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
My issue with that (and the last thing I really want to do is haev a long lineup debate about next year) is that Pagan might not be best 6th?
Unless we do Pagan-Thole-Reyes-Wright-Beltran-Bay-Ike-R. Alomar
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
Doesn’t Roberto Alomar have AIDS?
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
Simple – trade Reyes.
But seriously I know you said you didn’t want to do this but…
Reyes-Thole-Pagan-Ike-Wright-Beltran-Bay-Tejada
Because Alomar will AID Tejada with his hitting.
Keeps Beltran down in order where diminished speed won’t hurt, allows the team’s purest “power hitter” to bat cleanup, keeps pressure off a post-concussion Bay.
I’m certainly not sold on or trying to sell this lineup just kind of thinking out loud. Also I think it’s too late on a Friday to spawn too much of a “no, try this lineup” thread so I wouldn’t worry (but I’ve been wrong before).
metsfan4decades
9/24/2010-6:01pm at 6:01 pm (UTC -4)
I believe Stick and I are neck and neck in who hates the Phillies – and their fans more….
No offense to Fongy’s wife – who I know is a card carrying Philly fan.
Then again, so is one each of my nieces and nephews. I’ll exempt them too. -)
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
here’s a problem relevant to the Mets’ philosophy. the following is from ESPN — couldn’t the Mets find time to send someone to watch a free agent’s workout, a 1st round draft talent?
Right-hander Barret Loux threw a second bullpen session for scouts for a number of clubs Thursday, including the Houston Astros, reports MLB.com.
“Loux was a first-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks this past June, but failed his physical due to an arm concern and became a free agent on September 1 thanks to a ruling set down by commissioner Bud Selig.
Also in attendance were representatives for the Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins.”
Ceetar
9/24/2010-4:21pm at 4:21 pm (UTC -4)
I’m fine with them not pursuing guys that may be risky given arm concerns..
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
How do they know how risky he is without investigating?
How do they know how much the investment is?
Who said pursue? Investigate. Watch. Learn. Maybe find out the guy’s healthy and can perform well.
Ceetar
9/24/2010-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe they scouted him before the diamondbacks. Maybe they heard the specifics from them. Maybe they did research in the background.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
My God I hope it’s not “maybe they heard the specifics from (the DBacks).” That’s how the whole 2009 Jose Reyes debacle unfolded, taking the word of another team’s doctors.
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-5:01pm at 5:01 pm (UTC -4)
So they know the extent of his injury — currently no less — moreso than the team that drafted him?
And even if they did, would that justify not spending almost nothing to watch a talented pitcher throw? One who might be a high risk and be willing to come for a low reward considering his current predicament.
I don’t see it. And your “maybes” are hardly justification.
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-5:03pm at 5:03 pm (UTC -4)
i mean one who might a high reward and willing to accept a low risk contract given his predicament.
GravediggerHebner
9/24/2010-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
Yes didn’t the Mets attend Ben Sheets’ workouts last winter/spring? Why the inconsistency?
The Mets should be exploring every available avenue to improve the club not discriminating by visiting injured professionals but skipping injured amateurs.
I can’t prove it and it’s probably not true but this is yet another thing that opens them up to criticism that they can’t multi-task, criticism that they are more concerned with public perception than properly running their organization, and criticism that they’re cheap.
“We’d love to attend your workout Mr. Loux but we’re reevaluating our front office and field staff and we just can’t fit it in” they might as well be saying at a press conference.
“We’d like to check out Mr. Loux but we think some of our fan base will criticize us for checking into an injured player so we’ll pass” they might as well be saying at a press conference.
“We’d like to send someone to Mr. Loux’ workout but have you seen the cost of a coach ticket to (insert city where he’s working out)?” they might as well be saying at a press conference.
wannybackstra
9/24/2010-5:02pm at 5:02 pm (UTC -4)
“We achieved our goal of spending mere pennies on our draft and don’t want to jeopardize our success by possibly becoming intrigued enough to sign a high end talent.”
Ceetar
9/24/2010-5:38pm at 5:38 pm (UTC -4)
They’re not the only ones that didn’t attend. I’m not going to get up in arms because ESPN reported one guy throwing that the Mets weren’t all over. (Also, this is one reason they should’ve decided on the GM weeks ago) It’s not like this guy is going to sign before November either, and if he’s actually good, there will be more viewings.
Plus this probably takes it beyond ‘over slot’. He’s still a guy that’s going to spend some time in the minors, but you have to ‘pay him’ as a free agent.