There are only a handful of things that we can be certain of during our lifetime – Death , taxes and the fact that Josh Thole will be our starting catcher next season. In the past two months since his call up (and the departure of Rod Barajas), Thole has proven that he belongs in the big leagues. He call a good game, and he has the respect of both veterans ( Santana, Dickey) as well as the rookies ( Niese, Gee) alike. Thole reminds in my opinion is a hybrid of former Mets backstops Mike Fitzgerald and John Stearns. He does not have a lot of power in his bat, but he hit for average, and it always seems like he always comes through when there is a rub scoring opportunity to be had. The other thing that has impressed me about Thole is his comments regarding not wanting the Phillies to clinch against them , in effect saying that they will do their best not to have that dubious distinction. That goes against what General Jerry said Friday night when he stupidly said that he thinks it’s a good thing for the young players to see the Phillies clinch and celebrate on the field in front of them – yeah great motivating words Jerry , it’s no wonder that you are now known as “Dead Manuelwalking” !! Thole has the tools to be a above average , and so far he has acquitted himself quite nicely. Hopefully he is our starting backstop for the foreseeable future.
" The future on the field leader ?"
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Happy Birthday Doug ” Hairbreath Harry” Sisk (1957) !!! Sisk pitched with the Mets from ’82-87, then again in ’90. He attempted to make a comeback as a scab replacement during the strike of ’94-’95, but proved his already limited abilities had left him completely. Sisk was like Scott Schoeneweis in the fact that he almost always seemed to blow important games for the Mets. he certainly isn’t beloved by Mets fans by any stretch of the imagination.
New York Mets purchased Doc Medich from the Seattle Mariners on September 26, 1977. He would only pitch in one game for the Mets . It was a loss ( of course).
Mo Vaughn said last night that if Chase Utley ever tried to take out one of his team mates, he would run through Utley like there was a free buffet stand right behind him.
And don’t forget. after today’s game – there will be only a weeks worth of games left until Jerry Manuel will be the ex manager of the New York Mets !!!
6 comments
stickguy
9/26/2010-9:59am at 9:59 am (UTC -4)
I like Thole. Especially the way he has (seemingly) been just fine behind the dish, thereby sticking a giant middle finger into all the “experts” (including the self-proclaimed ones found only in comment sections of 2nd rate blogs) that “knew” his defense sucked, he could not make it in the majors, he just generally sucked, etc.
ANd while he may not ever lead the league in HRs, he is not totally powerless when he turns on a ball. ANd if the get a .360 OBP out of him with a bunch of doubles, and he does an OK job behind the plate, all for minimum wage on a team with other holes to fill, then Go Thole!
Mr North Jersey
9/26/2010-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Considering the choices we have out there I don’t have a problem with letting Thole compete for the job in 2011.
I think it is in the Mets best interests to make these kids feel that their will be open competition for jobs.
Even Ike Davis who has had a solid yr as a rookie should not expect to be a starting 1b in 2011.
GravediggerHebner
9/26/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Stearns & Fitzgerald is an interesting hybrid comp for Thole. If he’s more Fitzgerald maybe he’ll later be traded for Mauer. If he’s more Stearns I will be surprised by his plentiful stolen bases. Anyone who comes through whenever there is a rub scoring opportunity is alright in my book.
That whole thing with Jerry saying it might be good for the young players to see someone clinch against them is way up close to the top of my list of the stupidest things Jerry has said/done during his Mets tenure.
Related to Mr. NJ’s thought in a sinister and manipulative kind of way I would like the Mets to “guarantee” all these young players such as Tejada, Thole, Davis, Niese and others jobs next season. It would be an interesting experiment to see which of them came in to camp in good shape ready to go and which ones came in fat and comfortable. Might help in terms of learning which guys can be cogs to build around and which should be dismissed.
metsfan4decades
9/26/2010-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
‘That whole thing with Jerry saying it might be good for the young players to see someone clinch against them is way up close to the top of my list of the stupidest things Jerry has said/done during his Mets tenure.’
Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way. I see you and Rusty feel the same way. What was he thinking?
Mr North Jersey
9/26/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
lol “rub scoring”
rustyjr
9/26/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Lol let’s see you guys accurately proofread at 5 a.m.