" He led the Mets resurgence of the late '90's !!"
The one thing the Mets have lacked for much of their history is a consistent power bat in their line up. There have been notable exceptions such as Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Dave Kingman, Darryl Strawberry and even David Wright. But in the summer of ’98 the Mets were a team without a potent power bat. The Mets fans cried they yelled that they needed a offensive presence in theline up. They threatened not to attend games until this one player was traded to the Mets. That player is number two on this countdown. He is possibly the bestpower hitting catcher that has ever graced a baseball diamond. He is Mike Piazza !!!
Michael Joseph Piazza born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on September 4, 1968. Mike grew up in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, the second of five children. As a child, Mike was usually made the bat boy for the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers whenever they were in town to play the Phillies, because his godfather was none other than Dodgers manager, Tommy Lasorda.
Mike graduated high school in 1986, and enrolled at the University of Miami. He would play for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team for one season, but his grades were poor so he transferred to Miami Dade Community college to play baseball. As a favor to his father, Lasorda had the Dodgers draft Mike in the 62nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. He was the 1,390th player picked overall. At the urging of his godfather, Mike abandoned his natural position as a first baseman and switched to catcher. Lasorda’srationalwas that it would improve Mike’s chances of reaching the major leagues. While in the minors,Mike blossomed as a hitter, anddeveloped as a decent catcher. Mike was a September call up for the Dodgers in 1992. He appeared in 21 games that season. In 1993, his first full season with the Dodgers, Mike was voted the National League Rookie of the Year.
By 1996, Mike was a offensive force to be reckoned with. He hit .336 while slamming 36 home runs and105 RBIs. Mike finished secondinthe National League MVP vote, behind Houston Astro, Ken Caminiti. In 1997, Mike had a batting average of .362, with 40 home runs while driving in 124 runs . Many consider it his best season ever.
In 1998, Mike had a contract dispute with the Dodgers andwas obviously unhappy. He demanded a trade from the Dodgers and in May of that year he was traded to the Florida Marlins along with third baseman, Todd Zeile for outfielders, Gary Sheffield and Bobby Bonilla, catcher,Charles Johnson, as well as Manuel Barrios, and Jim Eisenreich. Mets fans were obviously upset since their own power hitting catcher, Todd Hundley wasonthe disabled list with a arm injury. There have been many reports that said that then Mets co owner, Nelson Doubleday wanted to obtain Piazza very badly, but his partner, Fred Wilpon objected because he didn’t see the need for another power hitting catcher. Doubleday allegedly pushed hard until Fred finally relented and on May 22,Mets G.M, Steve Phillips finally pulled the trigger on a deal that sent Mets outfield prospect ( and stepson of Mets icon Mookie),Preston Wilson, along with pitching prospects, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz to the Marlins for Mike.
Mike struggled at first while trying to adjust with his new team. He was booed loudly when he would make an out. But he began to hit and the fans warmed up to him – even serenading himwith a rendition of “Happy Birthday” on his actual birthday of September 4th.Mike finished his first season with the Mets battingastellar .348 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs in just 109 games. That off season he signed one of the richest contracts ever when inked a agreement for six years/ 92 million dollars total.
In 1999, Mike batted .303 while launching 40 homers ( tying the Mets single season record by his predecessor, Todd Hundley) and driving in 124 runs. Mike carried the Mets all the way to the NLCS that year, but lost to the Braves in six games.
Mike had another career year in ’00 when he hit .324 with 38 homers and 113 RBIs. But Mike suffered the biggest scare of his career while playing the Yankees in the regular season “Subway Series”. Mike was beaned in the head by a Roger Clemens fastball which knocked him unconscious. Up to that point Mike owned Clemens, and there was no doubt in my mind that the pitch was intentional – especially since the “Rocket” had the reputation asbeing both a “hot head” as well as a “head hunter”!! They would meet again in the first game of the ’00 World Series. In the first inning Mike would shatter his bat on a fastball by Clemens. The barrel of the bat landed at Rogers feet. He picked it up and in what looked like a moment of “ Roid rage” threw the bat towards Mike. Mike jawed at Clemens and the benches cleared but no punches were exchanged. May Mets fans ( as well as many Yankee fans) were surprised that Clemens wasn’t ejected over his behavior. The Yankees dispatched the Mets in five close games to win the 2000 World Series at Shea Stadium. It was a punch to the gut for many Mets fans.
In 2001, with the Mets in the thick of pennant racewith the Atlanta Braves, the tragedy of 9/11 impacted the entire world . Ten days later after the tragedy, baseball returned to New York, and Mike would hit what most Mets fans would say was his most memorable home run as a Met, when he launched a two-run blast off of Braves reliever Steve Karsay, which gave the Mets a 3–2 win. That homer has been deemed one of the greatest moments in Major League Baseball history.
In ’04 there was some controversy surrounding Mike. His knees were giving in to the day to day stress of catching. The Mets manager, Art Howe, said he would split Mike’s duties between catcher and first base to ease the burden on his knees. Howe never spoke to Mike about the change, and when the media questioned him about it Mike was viable angry and confused.Mike relented and played a handful of games at first before the experiment was abandoned because Mike quite clearly was being made ( unintentionally) to look like a fool at his new position. On May 5, 2004, Mike became the all time home run leader for a catcher, when he surpassed Carlton Fisk. It was his 352nd homer as a catcher.
Mike played his final season with the Metsin 2005. He hit a career low .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBIs in 113 games. Everyone included Mike saw the writing on the wall, and that the Mets under the new regime of Omar Minaya was not going to sign him and his balky knees to another contract. In his last game as a Met he was given a standing ovation by the fans. Mike reciprocated by blowing kisses and bowed towards the capacity crowd..
Mike would sign withtheSan Diego Padres that next season. He was the starting catcher for the Padres. Mike batted .283 with 22 homers that season, and on August 8, Mike came home to Shea since leaving the Mets. Mike received numerous standing ovations – even after he cracked a couple of homers against his former team. Mike signed withthe Oakland A’s as a free agent in December of 2006. Mike made his final appearance as a player On June 23, 2007, He was unable to play due to a injury, but he brought out the A’s lineup card to a thundering ovation from the capacity crowd at Shea Stadium.
Mike would retire from baseball just before the start of the ’08 season. Mike would attend the “ Shea Goodbye” closing ceremonies in September of ’08. He and Tom Seaver had the honor of throwing and receivingthefinal pitch ever at the stadium. They walked together with the strains of ” In My Life ” by the Beatles as well as Leonard Bernstein’s ” Fanfare For The Common Man” while walking towards the center field gate, stopping periodically to wave to fans and have their pictures taken for prosperity, until the finally closed the gate – symbolically closing Shea Stadium.At the Mets home opener on April 13th 2009 Piazza received the first pitch in the history of Citi Field history from Tom Seaver to ” open the newly finished Citi Field in a game against the San Diego Padres.
In his eight years with the Mets, Mike hit 220 homers , drove in 655 RBIs while hitting .296. I think Mike will be a first ballot Hall of Famer, and when he does get the call I hope he gets in as a Met ( which from what many reports say is his preference !).
Tomorrow we conclude this series with the number one Met of all time as voted by you the fan. Who will it be you might ask ? Well you will have to come here tomorrow to find out.
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today include :
Original Mets reserve first baseman, Ed Bouchee is 78 (1933) .
Original Mets starting pitcher from ’62-’65, Galen Cisco is 75 (1936) .
Mets Middle reliever from ’93-’94, Mauro Gozzo is 45 (1966) .
Future Hall Of Famer – except not as a Met, Jeff Kent is 43 (1968) .
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed back up first baseman, Craig Brazell of the New York Mets as a free agent on March 7, 2006.
And while you keep waiting for Oliver Perez to be released, just remember that there are just 25 Danny Heep days until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami and 32 more days until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn hates Mondays ( he wants to shoot the whole day down ) !!!
90 comments
Dirtysanchez
3/7/2011-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Good choice for #2. Mike is my favorite player of all time. 1 of a kind talent for sure
rustyjr
3/7/2011-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Where was my all expenses paid business trip to port St Lucie?
Dirtysanchez
3/7/2011-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
You see…what had happened was….
kingman 26
3/7/2011-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
They have it all worked out, but the check for the deposit on the Lear Jet they rented for you bounced….
Dirtysanchez
3/7/2011-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
yea…that lol
ajgmets
3/7/2011-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, Mike Piazza was a key component in the Mets return to the fall classic in 2000, an historic figure in Mets and baseball lore justifiably based primarily on the indelible image of his game winning homer in the eighth inning of the Mets 3-2 victory over the first place Atlanta Braves on September 21, 2001, the first game played in New York City following the horrific tragic attacks of September 11. While it sounds like blaspheme to younger/newer Mets fans, Piazza is NOT a Top five All Time Mets player in my opinion let alone the second greatest.
While there is no denying that during Mike’s four year run with Mets from 1999 through 2002, he was arguably the best catcher in the National League and possibly all of Major League baseball. The final three seasons he spent with the Metropolitans were pedestrian at best. His final 2 All Star selections could easily be written off as New York volume of votes and based on reputation or lack of competition at catcher. (Paul LoDuca, Johnny Estrada). The fiasco over him playing some first base in addition to the deterioration of his knees obviously also contributed to his rather dramatic drop off in production or maybe it could have been…Not going to go there…
Sorry Mets fans, but from the day Piazza pulled on the royal blue cap with the orange NY after his weekend stay in Florida, I never really, truly acknowledged him as a Met.
I realize that this may be a narrow minded opinion but I look at the entirety of the Mets franchise history and honestly believe Mike’s body of work as a Met is not worthy of the historically impactful royalty reserved for Seaver, Koosman, Doc, Darryl, Hernandez or even the newbies like Wright and Reyes.
The fact that Piazza’s per game, per AB, per PA, OBP, OPS statistics and even his WAR numbers bear out the fact that he was a more productive player as a Dodger doesn’t preclude me from appreciating and respecting the contributions he made as a Met.
Unfortunately for me, the ever replayed bat throwing incident with Roger Clemens in Game 2 of the 2000 Subway Series conjures up thoughts of my Mets losing in the spotlight once again.
Mike Piazza, from his “It’s who you know, not how well you play” beginnings to completing a never imagined sure bet 1st ballot Hall of Fame career is one the greatest “feel good” stories in the history of Major League Baseball. I’m glad he was part of our glorious franchise for a part of that career, but I’ll always think of Mike Piazza as a Los Angeles Dodger and a player who produced magnificently in a players’ era of questionable scientific practices. No evidence, no foul. Kirk Radomski and history may or may not have something to say about that in the future. For now, thanks to Mike Piazza for being a key figure in at least 2 forever memorable moments in New York Mets history and a place in the Top Ten Mets of all time, In my humble opinion.
Interesting position in the list Ed. I was somewhat fearful that he’d end up as Number 1 based on the “younger” Mets fan base demographic that seems to dominate the readership of your series.
Very good Piazza profile, not too much in the Rah Rah area…
Looking forward to Tom Terrific, “The Undisputed Greatest Met Player Ever”
kingman 26
3/7/2011-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Well, it is a pretty rare thing in the sports blog world, but there really can be no debate over who holds spot two and who holds spot one.
Simply the greatest offensive player in Met history.
The top ten Yankees of all time? THAT would be something, that top ten.
Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle…then Whitey? Yogi? Mariano?
kistics
3/7/2011-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Jeter?
kingman 26
3/7/2011-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, maybe Bernie Williams too.
stickguy
3/7/2011-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Jeffrey Maier?
hey, he single handed put them into the WS in 1998!
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
That memory really does almost make me vomit.
Revolting play, revolting kid, revolting memory.
stickguy
3/7/2011-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
what got me incensed was afterward, once the evidence proved that he did interfere, he was still made out to be a hero for essentially helping the Yankees “cheat”. He went on Letterman, even the mayor (both big yanker fans) treated him like a star. he should have been embarrassed by then.
probably went on to a job on Wall street, working on derivatives.
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
His parents were revolting too. And probably still are.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Who will be #1 I wonder?
rustyjr
3/7/2011-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
Hint – he’s a pitcher
stickguy
3/7/2011-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Mark Bombeck?
Best nickname ever.
kistics
3/7/2011-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Benny Agbayani!!
Ceetar
3/7/2011-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Obviously Desi Relaford. He’s got a career 9.0 K/9 and retired EVERY SINGLE batter he ever faced.
kistics
3/7/2011-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Oh.. a pitcher.. Mr. Koo?
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Well, if it is not Anthony Young, it clearly has to be Pat Mahomes.
In 1999 he was 8-0 AND batted .313!!
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
I can’t imagine anyone not having Piazza on their list, or in their top 5. He wasn’t my #2, that was reserved for Keith. Just a little bit biased there as Keith is my all time favorite. Plus they won a WS with Keith and haven’t since. Not that it’s Mike’s fault. He truly was a great bat during that era.
kistics
3/7/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
There is a reason I stopped caring about the comment section on MC blog. These idiots are criticizing the Mets for resting Beltran today. I don’t get it. I mean who cares about how many games he plays or whether he should man up and play games in ST? What matters is him staying healthy from Apr – Sep (or Oct)!! And if that means Beltran taking a day off here and there now, sign me up any day, any time, anywhere.
Ceetar
3/7/2011-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
He’s played a lot more than Chase Utley so far. Advantage: Mets.
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Yes sir, advantage Mets—until the season begins.
stickguy
3/7/2011-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
I would not bet my money that Utley plays more games than Beltran this year. having seen this screenplay a few times with the Mets, Utley is inching closer and closer to surgery. And if that happens, who knows when or if he will be playing this year.
actually, since he is a 32 YO star 2B that is crumbling before your eyes, I am shocked that he has not made it to the mets yet. I thought they had universal rights to all such players/
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
“actually, since he is a 32 YO star 2B that is crumbling before your eyes, I am shocked that he has not made it to the Mets yet. I thought they had universal rights to all such players”
+ Infinity
Ceetar
3/7/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
speaking of the screenplay, presumably in early June Phillies fans will be killing the FO for not shutting down Utley in early March and having him have surgery then so he could be back in time.
stickguy
3/7/2011-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
well, if you see enough of the local Philly media as I do, they are pretty much looking at everything in terms of setting up for the WS, since they are acting as if it is already been decided they will have a bye right into the series.
so shut him down now, and just bring him back to tune up in September!
kistics
3/7/2011-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
kinda like the Yankees….
kistics
3/7/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Wow…
stickguy
3/7/2011-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
I read that thread, and had to go take a shower after.
Thankfully our lady met fan is a lot smarter then his “original lady met fan”. That was one pissy old grandma.
kistics
3/7/2011-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
See what apagano wrote. It’s very funny.
stickguy
3/7/2011-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
good stuff. I had to add my own $.02
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
When he opened up the comments section I was there for about 10 days or so, and it was so utterly ridiculous I stopped going there.
And when Matt spelled “Madoff” wrong in the headlines of two posts in the middle of the height of the publicity surrounding it, I realized anew what a joke that place is.
Baron’s writing that 21 HR and 75 RBI for Bay would be “more than acceptable” was one of the funnier things I have seen this offseason.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
spelling errors, wrong/incorrect lineups, RHP vs LHP…..some things never change over there.
Prismo
3/7/2011-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Haha…posted 10 minutes ago:
“Rubin: No Big 1986 Mets Celebtration”
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Ha! I don’t know about that but I’ve seen comments from original lady met fan on other posts over there. Some of them just made me roll my eyes….
Prismo
3/7/2011-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
Love me some Piazza! I have the NY Post (or it might be Daily News, I forget – would have to find it) from the day the Mets traded for him. I think the headline is “What a Catch!” (get it, because it was with the Marlins!)
kingman 26
3/7/2011-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
“What a Catch!” (get it, because it was with the Marlins!)
AND he was a catcher!
Damn, that’s good writing.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
Piazza’s post 2001 HR during that Braves games is probably one of the top 3 moments in Met history – IMO.
Prismo
3/7/2011-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
World Series moments aside, it’s my favorite Mets moment – and certainly my favorite overall moment that I witnessed live (on tv).
kistics
3/7/2011-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
lol (on tv)….
Prismo
3/7/2011-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
Shush, not all of us live in NYC! I’ve probably only been to 30-40 Mets games in my lifetime, and a number of those (10?) were in DC when I lived there recently for 3 years.
Okay, my favorite live Mets moment is when Ty Wigginton hit his first every HR straight into my dad’s stomach, leaving a bruise, and we didn’t even get the baseball. Or maybe (especially in retrospect) seeing Ollie completely dominate the Phillies in CBP in 2007.
kistics
3/7/2011-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry didn’t mean to laugh at that. I just thought it was funny you put ( ) around tv….
You went to more Mets games than me for sure…
TRS86
3/7/2011-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
OK back to my Rubin bashing. How much can be said by saying nothing?
Looking at these 3 tweets and interpret them how you would individually.
TRS86
3/7/2011-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.metsblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Screen-shot-2011-03-07-at-9.30.38-AM-475×173.png
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Looks like they’re all in agreement that he’s sore and taking the day off and that you are more guilty of ill will toward Rubin than he is supposedly guilty of toward the Mets.
Ceetar
3/7/2011-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Rubin at least mentioned that Beltran was still working out and taking BP, not exactly shut down.
One comment doesn’t change that he likes to spin stories negatively though.
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
I still haven’t seen any proof of this spin. And considering your polar opposite approach I am in no way going to take your word for it.
Ceetar
3/7/2011-1:48pm at 1:48 pm (UTC -4)
Whether or not you see it or take my word for it, doesn’t make it any less true.
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
So, in other words, you can’t prove it.
In any event, since you claim to not read his work I’m not sure how you could know either way.
TRS86
3/7/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Only one sure fire way to get Wanny back and commenting… Insult Mr. Rubin.
Sorry if I take his comment that way Wanny. You are right, I have made up my thoughts on Rubin without any evidence and for absolutely no reason. I shall stop.
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t believe you will. And if this is the best you’ve got against him, your case is extremely weak.
I just can’t believe that you waste so much cyberspace with these whining posts about a reporter who doesn’t like your team.
kingman 26
3/7/2011-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
Are you related to Rubin?
Seriously, what’s the deal here?
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
Never met the man.
Just tired of reading the same unsubstantiated and uninteresting crap that certain posters feel the need to constantly bring up.
I read his stuff sometimes when i have the chance and find it to be no more or less unfair than anyone else’s.
If people are going to keep posting about it, should i not be allowed to comment about it?
kingman 26
3/7/2011-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
I certainly did not even suggest that you not comment on it; I just wonder why you are such a huge supporter of Adam Rubin, that’s all.
While I do not always agree with TRS and I virtually never agree with Ceetar, I do think that Rubin is biased against the Mets; nothing really wrong with that–everyone has an opinion about sports teams.
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-6:00pm at 6:00 pm (UTC -4)
I could care less if a writer is criticized for getting something wrong. But to go out of one’s way to insinuate that Rubin has a grudge in this instance is absurd. Everything he said is true.
And the ridiculous criticism of “bias” just because a columnist’s opinion is different is also absurd. Things aren’t good for the Mets right now. In fact, they’re pretty darn bad regardless of how the team plays on the field. Should the writers manufacture optimism like some (Ceetar)?
TRS86
3/7/2011-9:04pm at 9:04 pm (UTC -4)
Yet now we are taking up more uses cyberspace with this useless discussion on my useless distaste for a useless reporter. Oh whoops got carried away and insulted him again, right after I said I would stop.
My point was that 3 different tweets and how one of them could be taken a very different way. Just “happened” to be Rubin. LOL.
Why does it bother you that some of us do not like Rubin? Again, you don’t comment for days but find the need to comment as soon as some one mentions Rubin? I really value your contributions, you know I do, I just think Rubin is bias and because this is a blog with a comment section I choose to voice my opinion. You in turn have that right to voice that he is not. So be it.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-9:33pm at 9:33 pm (UTC -4)
If anyone likes Rubin or not is one thing but if you are going to tell me that a tweet saying Beltran is sore is biased then all i can do is ask why?
Over time a pattern has developed where some feel Rubin has an agenda against the Mets and for me as a Mets fan Rubin has provided more solid reporting on all things Mets than most NY writers.
So of course I have to wonder why is it that others see his writing differently?
Will Rubin say something we as Mets fans may not like? Is it agenda driven? To me based on the body of his work I dont see it.
TRS86
3/7/2011-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
To me with my biased eye, I thought that 2/3 tweets did a good job not only letting us know Beltran was out but why, where as Rubin’s tweet to me seemed sarcastic and did not explain the situation. He did explain it an hour later, to his credit.
Again, I know I am most likely biased but I thought that of the 3 tweets his seemed to imply something the others did not.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
I think your bias is definitely gettin in the way of your judgement.
TRS86
3/7/2011-9:48pm at 9:48 pm (UTC -4)
I think not. Nice that we can have differing opinions, huh?
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-9:50pm at 9:50 pm (UTC -4)
Fair enough I wasn’t trying to change your mind just stating mine.
Ceetar
3/7/2011-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
you’re right, today really should be devoted to Sherman’s bias/poor article.
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-9:21pm at 9:21 pm (UTC -4)
Am I to understand that “No Carlos Beltran today. He’s sore”
Is somehow negative?
If that’s the case then I would call that being a bit too sensitive.
Rubin gave you 2 facts.
1. No Carlos Beltran today
2. He’s sore
What else was he supposed to say?
TRS86
3/7/2011-9:48pm at 9:48 pm (UTC -4)
Again, it’s my personal opinion that is most likely biased but I found his comment to be sarcastic and insinuating that Carlos himself had taken himself out of the lineup. Where as the other two did not.
a) “Beltran told Collins he is sore in a good way” but manager decided to give him day off”
b)”No Beltran today, he is sore.”
You don’t think those 2 things could be read completely differently? Now combine that with the fact that you feel that one reporter seems to make sarcastic digs on twitter all the time at the Mets?
Mr North Jersey
3/7/2011-9:49pm at 9:49 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry man I just don’t see nothing more than a simple statement of fact.
TRS86
3/7/2011-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
That’s because you do not think already that Rubin has an axe to grind. However, being that I do, I am sure I might read it differently. Obviously the two different tweets could imply different things to different people. Great thing about print I guess.
wannybackstra
3/7/2011-1:28pm at 1:28 pm (UTC -4)
Kevin Slowey is possibly available and would be a good get for anyone who can pay a quality starter 2-3 m this season.
I’m surprised no one has picked up on the Fangraphs article that says the Phillies’ pitchers can’t hit in the same vein that they were carrying on last season that the Phillies’ bench was weak.
TRS86
3/7/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
I saw that with Slowey but not sure that the Mets would be interested with Young, Cap and Gee in camp. I know that Slowey would most likely be better but so much so that they invest another 2-3M and trade prospects? Most likely not.
stickguy
3/7/2011-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
how long is he under control for? I have no idea what his contact status is.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
I did, Wanny. Reported that on some post yesterday, I believe.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
I take that back. I read that fangraphs article a day or two ago, but the article I mentioned yesterday was the one from Start. He more or less outlined the same thing fangraphs did.
njstuckintx
3/7/2011-8:12pm at 8:12 pm (UTC -4)
What do you think it would take for him? Duda? (ducks for cover as I hear Stick busting out the 12 gauge)
stickguy
3/7/2011-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
Lutz looking like a player. At least in the field, he has the goods,.
who knows, maybe he hits in the minors and Wright gets shipped out with Reyes and Beltran at the deadline!
stickguy
3/7/2011-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
Just saw F Marts AB (a BB). He looks a lot more like a player this year it seems. Just seems older, more comfortable, looks physically fit, good approach at bat, etc.
Getting a walk after hitting a very long foul off a lefty is another good sign.
Gonna be a very interesting year for him. I suspect that he could go down to AAA and have a monster 1st half (with the usual caveat, no silly injuries).
cross fingers that he outgrew the frustration of that.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
Dang, missed most of the game so far here in the 5th.
Dickey gave up 2 runs?
And I’m tired of the Beltran saga. Bottom line is he’s on the roster, we’re paying the contract at least this first half and it’s in Carlos’ and the Mets interest to make sure he looks good this first half.
Oh, Mets score a run on a wild pitch.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
Well, game over.
I know it’s only ST, but has DWright got a hit yet in any of these games?
I remember watching ST last year thinking most of the hits and runs were coming from those not expected to make the team – such as Ike. I’m seeing a pattern again this year so far. I know the ‘regulars’ either don’t play in some away games or only play the first few innings but hits seem to be few and far between for Wright, Pagan, Reyes…..
Ceetar
3/7/2011-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
I remember Wright hitting the ball hard in a couple of AB, i seem to remember a double as well. doesn’t really matter though.
Prismo
3/7/2011-5:38pm at 5:38 pm (UTC -4)
He’s 0-9. Justin Turner’s getting a lot of his playing time at 3B.
Could we have a new starting 3B? :p
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
I found this article over on AA:
Mets Prospect Promotion During the Omar Minaya Era
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2011/3/7/2025070/mets-prospect-promotion-omar-minaya#storyjump
Fascinating. If this data is accurate you can clearly see where Minaya failed during his tenure, mainly with the mid season drafts. Of course, giving away picks and/or signing older veterans thereby losing picks certainly didn’t help.
Ceetar
3/7/2011-4:38pm at 4:38 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, it’s interesting. I think it ends up exaggerating the effect, mainly because it picks up roughly right after Wright and Reyes stormed through, and isn’t overly fair about the 2009 injury plague that basically got guys up here too fast.
And a lot of that is also why the farm system seems thin at the top right now. The crop of talent that could be pushing through now is the guys that pushed through last year or the year before.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-4:49pm at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
All fair points and I agree.
It’s just an interesting picture, put all together like that.
Rushing prospects, non quality June draft signings, not going over slot, etc.
But there was absolutely no excuse for Mejia making the club opening day out of the BP. It’s not like his BP arm was going to make or break a run towards post season. I didn’t commit all to memory but it looks like the Mets did a sweep across their minor league system, scouting, etc. to try and reverse and/or improve the farm system. Here’s hoping they’re on the right track.
Fred
3/7/2011-6:45pm at 6:45 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, Aaron Copeland wrote Fanfare for the Common Man, not Leonard Bernstein (who conducted one of
the most famous performances of it).
It is fitting that Piazza is #2 to some dude name George, since Piazza was the greatest everday player the Mets
ever had (and the dude named George the best pitcher). I wonder where David Wright would have ranked if
you included current players? Probably #3 in my count, which isn’t too shabby.
And talking about shabby, why no mention of the lousy job Shawn Estes did retaliating against Rocket when he
had a chance? If Piazza had played on the ’86 Mets, Knight, Teufel, Straw, Mitchell and Backman would have
been fighting in the dougout over who got to run out to the mound to kick Clemens’ butt. Well, at least there is
some justice in this world. While PIazza is a definite first ballot Hall of Famer, Clemens has been exposed as a
cheater who used roids and lied about it to Federal prosecutors, making him more likely to end up in Leavenworth
than in Cooperstown.
rustyjr
3/7/2011-6:48pm at 6:48 pm (UTC -4)
sorry my bad – Copeland is right
hazmet
3/7/2011-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
Wright was #7 in the top 50.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
While some have commented on here about Met fan posting on other blogs, I don’t think it comes close to some of the Phillies fans discussing today’s game:
**********************************************************
speaking of Oswalt, i wouldn’t be shocked if it were he, and not Blanton, that was moved at (or before) the deadline. caveat: only if the phils have a need.
while i love the 4 aces for the regular season, it’s a bit overkill for the postseason.
who’s with me?
***********************************************************
I guess I’m used to Yankee fans and their feelings of entitlement. To me, those Yank fans don’t even come close to this. Discussing post season rosters in ST? Oh, if ever there is a karma……
Prismo
3/7/2011-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
Well he’s not totally off-base!
But certainly it’s too soon to think of such a thing.
However, if Utley ends up needing surgery and it out for an extended period of time, I could see it being viable to trade Oswalt for a viable starting 2B.
metsfan4decades
3/7/2011-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
Wonder if the Mets release Castillo if they would pick him up on the interim? It would mostly be on the Mets dime anyway, right?
stickguy
3/7/2011-9:57pm at 9:57 pm (UTC -4)
they could have Castillo for $400K, with the mets paying the rest.
and the last few years, for some reason, they have picked up a lot of Met cast offs.