" I believe he is the right man to manage this team !!"
Last night I had the honor to participate in a bloggers only conference call with Mets manager, Terry Collins last night. Here are some of the highlights from the call.
Keeping players on the field is his biggest concern
On managing a season as opposed to a game:
It’s more important to manage for the season because you can easily burn out your bullpen
Almost all his players have impressed him – but he is most impressed with Carlos Beltran’s unselfish move to Right Field which defused what could have possibly turned into a contentious situation.
On the importance of getting off to a quick start :
Sandy feels that winning breeds confidence – it is important for the team to get off to a quick start, but in the end all games are important, whether they are played in April or October.
On keeping the team motivated :
Breeding confidence during the tough times and getting guys to step up to the situation.
His thoughts on how making sure the team is consistant both at home and on the road:
He says they have to use the negativity as a as a motivational tool, the team needs adjust accordingly whether at home or on the road .
On the use of Francisco Rodriguez:
Francisco will be used for more than one inning if needed, but not more than two.
On managing the workload of everyday players:
Beltran will play 5 out of 7 games per week and he will not be afraid to rest players, because he wants them to remain fresh in order to avoid late summer swoons .
On being considered a players manager:
He is humbled by the label – especially since that was not always the case. He feels he has learned that he must keep the players positive and he believes this is a very good team.
On the Mets offensive strategy :
He will manage the game according to the situation, he feels he has to use Citi Field to his advantage. He believes in small ball when necessary.
His approach on arguing calls with umpires :
He feels that the umpires are feeling the pressure of instant replay and have shorter fuses . He’s a emotional guy and he will defend his players.
On what he has learned this Spring training:
He has learned to put his players into positive situations, so they can succeed. He believes this is a good team
On the importance of pitch counts :
He feels that for the most part on most occasions there is no real concern about pitch counts – but he also takes into account how the opposing team is adjusting to his pitcher before deciding whether to take him out of the game.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Mets middle reliever from the ’91 season, Terry Bross is 45 (1966).
The New York Mets traded pitchers, Bill Denehy and Dean Chance to the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher, Jerry Robertson on March 30, 1971.
The New York Mets released utility infielder, Jesus Alou on March 30, 1976. He is the uncle of former Mets outfielder, Moises Alou.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Benny Ayala to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league second baseman, Doug Clarey on March 30, 1977.
The New York Mets traded minor leagues, Gene Autrey and Ken Reed to the Chicago White Sox for middle reliever, Randy Niemann on March 30, 1985.
The New York Mets traded reliever, Terry Bross to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitcher, Craig Bullock, on March 30, 1992.
The New York Mets traded hard luck starting pitcher, Anthony Young and minor league and minor league pitcher Ottis Smith to the Chicago Cubs for shortstop, Jose Vizcaino on March 30, 1994.
The New York Mets traded minor league pitcher, Steven Long to the Florida Marlins for spot starter/middle reliever, Robert Person on March 30, 1994.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Endy Chavez to the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder, Mike Curry on March 30, 2001.
The New York Mets claimed utility infielder, Wilson Valdez on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on March 30, 2005.
The New York Mets signed the Japanese free agent middle reliever, Ken Takahashi on March 30, 2009. Ken basically ended up like almost every pitcher that the Mets imported from the far east – mediocre .
And while you wait patiently for Friday night’s start to the Mets 2011 baseball season, just remember that there are just 2 Bobby Valentine games to go until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami, and only 9 more days left until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn is starting to wonder if Jason Bay is quickly becoming the second coming of, well … HIM !!!!
87 comments
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-8:11am at 8:11 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for the synopsis on this. Does Collin’s energy translate the same during these phone calls so that you’re all scrambling to take notes? LOL. I guess it’s easier just to record it and go back later to transcribe the highlights.
Well, so far Collins is saying all the right things – the types of things Met fans probably want to hear.
Now if we can just get McCarver to stop talking like he’s the authority on what’s going on with this club…..
“It’s deplorable. I would not want to be a player on the Mets right now,” McCarver said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2011/03/29/2011-03-29_tim_mccarver_says_fred_and_jeff_wilpon_should_sell_mets_to_get_away_from_pressur.html#ixzz1I5H8aiBv
rustyjr
3/30/2011-8:33am at 8:33 am (UTC -4)
I think Ceetar will agree with me when I say that Terry came across with a relaxed intensity lol btw Bay to come back to NYC for a third examination
TRS86
3/30/2011-8:39am at 8:39 am (UTC -4)
I wonder if the Mets regret chancing Evans on waivers now with Evan’s injury? I know Duda’s the man but for lineup balance it is almost important for that bat to be RH. As Kingman will tell you I am not big on the handedness debate but looking at our lineup
You have
S, S, R, S, Davis, Duda, Thole, Emaus? I am not too comfortable placing 3 LH guys in a row that are either 2nd year players or rookies. You could drop Beltran down but if he is playing to me you hit him 4th.
njstuckintx
3/30/2011-8:43am at 8:43 am (UTC -4)
Ike’s probably going to be the best fit for cleanup, anyway, so flipping him and beltran shouldn’t matter too much.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
Since Beltran’s playing time is still questionable, I’d prefer to go with someone for cleanup who will be in the lineup just about every night.
I don’t have much of a problem though starting Beltran out in cleanup to start the season. It will be interesting to see what Collins does with that opening series lineup.
The Mets might regret Evans on waivers but I’m not sure how they could have avoided it, even with Bay looking like he’s headed to the DL.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
If i had to guess, I’d say he get’s the Sunday day game finale against the Marlins off, and the getaweay day in Philly off. (agmes 3 and 6) then plays the entire WSH series, takes Monday and Thursday off the following week against the Rockies, plays the entire Braves series, takes Thursday the 21st off against the Astros in the middle of that homestand, plays all against the Diamondbacks..
I don’t know why I’m projecting this. It’s kind of silly.
njstuckintx
3/30/2011-9:01am at 9:01 am (UTC -4)
If it is any consolidation, if you look at all the different lineup configurations for the 86′ Mets, switching around Beltran/Ike/etc. shouldn’t have too much impact. But I do tend to think in your school of thought, with have a set lineup, set cleanup hitter, etc.
TRS86
3/30/2011-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Oh I agree but to me I just think it’s better to limit a little of the pressure on Ike. Hopefully Bay will not be out long.
kistics
3/30/2011-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
I believe Emaus will bat 7th regardless of who’s batting. So you have
S,S,R,S,L,L,R,L which I don’t think is too bad. And if you really want to push the envelop like you said you can drop Beltran to 5th (which I don’t think is necessary) and you can have S,S,R,L,S,L,R,L.
njstuckintx
3/30/2011-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
The real trouble comes when Go Big Murph hits his way into the starting lineup. They you have a whole lotta lefties at the bottom of the line up.
TRS86
3/30/2011-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Will believe that one when I see it. At best Murphy will be platooned with Emaus and then you have no reason to worry about all the LH anyway as there would be a RH pitcher.
I do wonder, however, if Bay is out if they will send Murphy down to AAA and keep another OF?
Ceetar
3/30/2011-8:56am at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
Read Greg’s post on Faith and Fear for a more in depth answer to that question.
TRS86
3/30/2011-8:34am at 8:34 am (UTC -4)
Obviously I have seen and read this and I just refuse to post it. To me it’s just Met bashing at it’s finest. While another author may publish it here, that’s what is great about this site we all have editorial control in most cases, I think that it is baseless and undeserving of our attention.
njstuckintx
3/30/2011-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
Is McCarver even relevant any more? He didn’t know what the heck he was talking about back when he was a Mets announcer. I doubt Age has helped him at all.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-8:51am at 8:51 am (UTC -4)
Do you ever hear him on FOX baseball? No…age hasn’t helped any.
From the comments section of that post though he appears to have some fans who think he’s great. Then again, there are those who think Francesa is the ‘pope’ too. Something else I’ll never understand.
rustyjr
3/30/2011-8:56am at 8:56 am (UTC -4)
I always like Tim Mac when he was a Mets announcer – his unbiased – and sometimes critical analysis of the game I found refreshing – way better than Fran Healy lol
Prismo
3/30/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
How’s this for a stretch:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704559904576231303766193630.html
Gimme a break, what an absurd piece.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
OK on this one, I have to ask. Why even read this junk?
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
Because it was linked on twitter? I took a look, realized it was absurd and sent the guy a message.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
I am not sure what is more insanely mind-boggling—-that you guys would read such unbelievable nonsense, or that, due to my respect for Prismo, I actually wasted a minute of my life reading this incredibly moronic, irrelevant, meaningless blather.
YES! Let us again bow down to the way Twitter enhances our lives!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
Well, I figured “WSJ” maybe they’d have something interesting about Mets financials. Go figure, Murdoch gets us again!
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
yes, exactly, and without Twitter and blogs stuff like that would’ve gotten taken as expert opinion/fact/whatever (you all killed it, i didn’t read it)
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
LOL…I think the WSJ should stick to what they know best: finances. And stay far, far away from sports, teams, talents.
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2011-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Read the article.
It is absurd. It tried to use a lineup of 2010 All-Stars that it says 7 of the 10 are homegrown players. Of course the reason it can do this is cause many of those players most likely were pre arbitration eligible Even then whats the point? That the Mets could draft and have 7 of the 8 players that take the field be All-Stars?
It’s really an absurd piece.
It does though make one fair point that the Mets are not getting enough value for what they are investing in Payroll.
It is kind of hard to argue against that.
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
wait, you mean Tagee from MMO is writing for them now? Who knew!
Ceetar
3/30/2011-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Tagee that guy that’s taking posts at Read the Apple serious?
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2011-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
No, does he?
Isn’t Read The Apple the site that does all the funny spoofs on the Mets?
Not knowing specifics I’d have to see what exactly he took an exception to.
If I catch him later i will bring it up. I am curios to hear what he says.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
I think that was him. He’s since deleted the post on both MMO and Bleacher Report.
TRS86
3/30/2011-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
I started to and then just started laughing and never even looked at his “list”.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
From the almost never reliable yet sensational David Lennon:
DPLennon David Lennon
Izzy worked out with #Mets this morning, still in uniform, now watching Niese bullpen. I’d bet he’s staying.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Also from the fingers of Lennon. Can’t really mess this one up though:
DPLennon David Lennon
only ST of course, but after 0-for-10 start – an adjustment with Hudgens — Wright’s hitting .436 (17-39) with 5 2Bs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
“From the almost never reliable yet sensational”
I take your using this as a tremendous compliment and I thank you.
I just hope Mr N is still asleep…..
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, just having some fun and you and NJ’s expense. Besides I needed to wake you up. LOL.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Hey Chief, the way you used it was a COMPLIMENT as far as I am concerned!
Mr North Jersey
3/30/2011-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
-Sigh
TRS86
3/30/2011-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
And Co-sigh?
saltygary
3/30/2011-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
LOL
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
And this from Teddy Berg:
OGTedBerg Ted Berg
Luis Hernandez, Pat Misch and Nick Evans are all still here and in uniform, for what it’s worth. Manny Acosta left in street clothes.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
And another:
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/columns/story?columnist=rubin_adam&id=6270315
IF they are predicting a decent increase for almost every Met player then why is everyone also picking us last place?
stickguy
3/30/2011-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
If the offense puts up those numbers, and the pitching can at least hang at respectable, they will be fighting for the WC, not looking at 74 wins.
and unless he is predicting Reyes will miss extensive time, those numbers are really low. Hell, once he got back into the groove last year (late May), over the last ~93 games, he put up almost the same run production.
and based on predicting 58 steals, he expects a full healthy season!
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
No, I think they’re all predicting last and/or 74 some odd wins b/c they believe Reyes, Beltran and maybe even Wright will be gone mid season.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
And while I am at it, here comes more negative press….
AdamRubinESPN Adam Rubin
The #Mets released cancer-survivor Emmanuel Garcia on Wednesday morning: http://es.pn/dKLPEB #espnst
Not Rubin’s fault. Just saying you know it will be taken out of context by some.
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
WOW. Title of the article is “Mets release cancer survivor.” That’s unbelievable – usually I stay away from your Rubin-bashing, but this is way over the top. I want to punch him in the throat after seeing that headline.
TRS86
3/30/2011-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I wonder if he would also publish, “Mets release Hispanic Castillo?” Nah that would be Martino. Getting my beat writers confused.
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
I have a good one for Perez, but I’ll keep it to myself.
You can imagine.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
You can always send it through inter-office email…I won’t reveal your secret identity….
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
The cancer-survivor piece was his, he wants to make sure you read it.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
“Mets release cancer survivor.”
A disgusting headline from a mediocre jackass.
You two REALLY are truly scouting for the Pulitzer award-nominating committee this morning, aren’t you?
Holy crap, after reading all of this, I feel like I need to be de-loused and get a cleansing by those folks who scrub people with steel brushes and hose them down after they may have been exposed to radiation.
stickguy
3/30/2011-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
well, time to dust off the “jackass of the day award”! We have today’s winner already!
kingman 26
3/30/2011-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Just give it to Rubin and retire the frigin trophy.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
Rubin also tweeted the 5 of 7 days news about Beltran from the blogger conference call last night.
stickguy
3/30/2011-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
I must be psychic. I posted the same thing a few times yesterday, before even seeing this.
makes sense though. That is 1 or 2 games off per week (depending on whether they have a scheduled day fof). So if he does not hit the DL, comes out to be about 120 games started in the field. Figure in a few extra as DH, some PH appearances on his days off, and you could easily see 135-140 games played, without pushing his knees too hard.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Well, it was a reasonable guess, but I hadn’t seen that Terry said it anywehre before alst night. Also said he hopes to play him more when it gets warmer. Build up strength in both knees early on. I’ll say 135, not including pinch hitters. (gotta assume he’d be first off bench in many cases) No reason he shouldn’t get all 9 DH spots.
stickguy
3/30/2011-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
speaking of K Rod, it did not take long for the Philly sports writers to jump on the band wagon. There was a big article in today’s paper about Lidge have a torn rotator cuff, and likely out for at least a couple of months.
and right next to it, a column where one of them suggests that they should go out to get k Rod.
actually in interesting idea. Not that I am desperate to get rid of him (and frankly, it makes the odds of the Mets competing this year even slimmer), but for what it says about the FO and their opinion of the team. If they trade the closer to the big bad team in the division, might as well print up big “we concede” towels and hand them out on opening day!
still, I wonder if the Phils would trade Blanton + a prospect fro K Rod?
also keep in mind Lidge is done after this year, so the phillies being stacked at closer for 2012 should actually be considered a plus for them.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Blanton and a prospect? uh, no. If you want a top flight closer for two years, you give us a REAL pitching prospect to start.
No way they trade him there though, that’d be disasterous from a PR standpoint in any sort of ‘we can compete’ way. If the Mets truly are 10 out in July, that’s another story, but it’s not likely.
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Actually, closers are way overrated. Even a mediocre starter like Blanton is better than the best closer in the majors.
jk jk jk
kingman 26
3/30/2011-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
OMG.
LOL!
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
hahahaha
stickguy
3/30/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I said it would be sending a we quit message. I was just speculating on what the phillies would trade, and how bad the mets want to get rid of him. Keep in mind, the Phils are supposed to be maxed out on salary too.
depending on the prospect, that is a pretty good return if they take the contract.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s operating under the assumption that the Mets are smarter than the Phillies (front office wise) but if they’re maxed out they’d probably be more apt to go cheap for the 2012 closer. Unless their closing situation is so dire that they feel they’re going to be out of it if they don’t bring someone in.
Prismo
3/30/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t do Blanton + prospect for KRod. I’m not even sure why the Mets would want Blanton with a full rotation and Santana expected back mid-season. I might do it for a few mid-upper level prospects. But regardless, no major trades are happening between the Mets and Phillies.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
I suppose by midseason we’ll know more about Santana’s prospects of actually returning. No way they take Blanton if they’re out of it. Or in it for that matter, unless someone else is hurt and they’re in the race, but then they’re probably not trading their closer, unless Parnell is throwing 101mph bullets to a .088 ERA and the Mets feel they can capitalize on panic in Philadelphia to both save some money and make their team better? (Actually, trading closers high is a moneyball/Beane thing. hah!)
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
blanton? He has the advantage (disadvantage?) of being signed for next year too.
so a team taking him now would be factoring him in to cover a spot next year too.
TRS86
3/30/2011-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
Honestly I can’t see the upside for the Phillies or the Mets. Nor are trades like that normally made in division, especially during the season.
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
you missed the part where I mentioned it, because a philly guy put it in his column.
actually, they did not mention Blanton. The piece sounded more like a Yankee fan wrote it (oh, we lost an important player? Well just to to another team, and they will give us their guy because we need him).
saltygary
3/30/2011-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
I agree. As Mets fans do we really want Blanton at 3 years 24 million right now? Blanton is very mediocre. I also doubt most teams would want that KROD extension hanging over them.
From a PR perspective it would destroy any possible motivation for someone to get a multi-game pack. Right now there are plenty of fans that thing the Mets can at least play the spoiler role and show up motivated to win some games. Throw KROD away early and you throw those future ticket sales away.
If there is no contention in sight they could move easily move KROD and get a positive outcome.
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
I agree. it was just a comment from the RDM resident Phillies beat writer.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
You know, the Phillies have become the NL Yankees.
Story after story filled with suggestions on how they should just go out and get the likes of Cano for someone like Castillo and Valdez. I should qualify that to say comments from fans on stories….
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
I saw some line up talk earlier.
I still say it should be reyes, pagan, wright, davis, beltran, bay, thole, emaus
and with Bay out (assuming he is), plug the replacement LF in the 6 hole.
Ike is going to end up hitting clean up soon anyway (once beltran goes down or gets traded), so might as well get him used to the idea.
plus, it gives better L/R balance, and keeps the 4 guys that play every day in the same spots. Who wants to be replacing the clean up hitter a couple times per week?
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
oh, if anyone cares, from reading the tea leaves (Charlies daily comments) it looks to be a good bet that Slappy has played his way into the 2B job (oddly, I don’t think he has hit a ball out of the IF on the fly for them yet).
so I am wondering about the line up for them. It is actually possible they use him hitting leadoff! It also gives them 2 guys that combined, with 500 ABs each, are likely not going to break 10 HRs or 90 RBIs (palanco and castillo). so that is a good thing.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Honestly I hope they bat him 8th. I think his best value to them is as leadoff.
saltygary
3/30/2011-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
At this point Castillo can’t even set a table for dinner.
Prismo
3/30/2011-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Oh snap!
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
oh, good one Salty.
kingman 26
3/30/2011-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
He can, but one table leg will be shorter than the rest….
TRS86
3/30/2011-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
He’s got the plate, the Castillo’s
win. Crap he dropped the damn plate, he dropped the plate.kistics
3/30/2011-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Salty, I’m trying to add depth to my pitching staff.. so that’s why I rejected your trade.
saltygary
3/30/2011-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
That’s fine. The only pitchers I am not willing to give up are King and Lester. Anyone else is fair game.
Ceetar
3/30/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Valdez has already failed to set the kiddie table, so I’m not sure he’s a better option.
stickguy
3/30/2011-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
well, the other guy they are high on is some 5′ 9″ 28 YO that never hit in the minors either, but has a flashy glove. I think he was a rule 5 from Washington.
Frankly, other than Brown (who even the team admitted was not ready last year, and is now hurt), the Phils don’t seem to have any system depth at all. A few interesting prospects in A ball, but in terms of guys to use as a replacement right now, they go immediately to the old guy scrap pile.
not even talking about having a back log of studs waiting to take over, just organizational young guys that can come in to hold down the fort.
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
Yet somehow I read they’re 10th in order of best farm system while the Mets are somewhere at the bottom.
On an off note:
I downloaded the PDF version of 2010 AA Annual for free last year. Found it a good read so I sprung for the paid copy this year (it’s now published so no more freebies).
I just got it last night so haven’t delved into it that much yet. I’ll be interested in what their take is.
The forward was worth the price of the book though. Written by Ken Davidoff, only a couple of pages but boy, does he have the Met fan base nailed. He was actually pretty funny, admitted he still has things to learn as a baseball analyst – as in he was dead wrong in saying Perez was a good signing. So hey…not always so full of himself.
It was the best, short description of all things Mets (including it’s fan base) that I’ve read in well….forever.
‘Hey, if there weren’t angst, these wouldn’t be the Mets, right? You’re used to this. It’s why the two championship clubs, ’69 & ’86, are so revered. You had to walk through fire to get to those parades.’
So true…..
mrose
3/30/2011-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
http://nleastchatter.com/2011/03/castilllo-in-philly-experiment-over/
rustyjr
3/30/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
So does that mean that we still owe him the brute 6 mil ?
TRS86
3/30/2011-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure, it may be less the amount he was paid so far. If he signed a minor league contract we may have gotten that ten bucks.
stickguy
3/30/2011-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
he didn’t get anything but meal money from the Phils, so the mets owe him the full amount unless some other team signs him.
TRS86
3/30/2011-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
I thought he signed a minor league contract? Was it just an invite?
metsfan4decades
3/30/2011-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
I thought it was just an invite.