" Bloody well right - this team ain't bollocks !!!"
Last night I saw something I haven’t seen this team do against the Phillies in a long time. The played smart, aggressive baseball. The Mets offense took it to Cole Hammels and the Phillies defense, whether it was by stealing bases, drawing walks or just tiring out their pitchers by prolonging at bats utilizing patience as well as a host of foul balls. This team just felt – different. They seem to be embracing their underdog title and like David going after the brick red tinged Goliath, they are looking to slay giants !
I know that the Mets swept the Phillies last season – and that the Mets did spend their fair share of time in first place, but there seems to be less of a cloud of impending doom following this year. There is no more worries of John Maine’s shoulder betraying him or whether Oliver Perez warranted another turn in the rotation. Yes this team has their share of question marks whether it is the health of Jason Bay or if the starting rotation can stay healthy and strong for an entire season, but so far it seems to be their mission to disprove the naysayers.
Chris Young looked nearly unhittable for the first four innings of last nights game before tiring. He utilized both his fastball as well as his change-up to illicit outs. But more impressive was his bat. he went 3-3 and even plated a run. If his shoulder can stay healthy , and if he keeps up with the kind of performance that we saw last night, well I feel he could be this years R.A Dickey.
David Wright had a clutch two run double last night, and it seems like he is working well with new hitting instructor, David Hudgens. He seems to be more focused at the plate and is swinging less at pitches out of the zone. Carlos Beltran, despite going 0-4 looked comfortable in right field, making all the plays on balls that came his way. It was good to see him run full out on the the play where that ball that was called for fan interference.
In my opinion the Phils looked tired and old last night. They seem to be sorely missing Chase Utley. Yes Jimmy Rollins tried his best to put pressure on Young in the first inning after getting on base with a bunt single and then stealing second, but the rest of the team couldn’t pick him up.
When you compare both teams the Phillies look better on paper. Better pitching, scarier line up, good bullpen, but what you don’t see is that their median age is over 30, while the Mets in around 28. The Phillies I believe will suffer their share of injuries like the Mets did in ’09. Thats not to say that the Phillies won’t be in the thick of the race this yea- they are to good not to. But I sense that this Mets team can – and will surprise many. They might even surprise themselves !!
By the way – you have to love Terry Collins !! The man is so antithesis of Jerry Manuel that it’s scary. He comes across as a strange hybrid of Bobby Valentine, Dallas Green and Gil Hodges.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today include :
Reserve third baseman from the ”64 season, Wayne Graham is 75 (1936).
Reserve outfielder from the ’08 season, Andy Phillips is 34 (1977).
The New York Mets traded shortstop, Tim Foli, outfielder, Ken Singleton and first baseman, Mike Jorgensen to the Montreal Expos for Rusty Staub on April 6, 1972. This was a win win trade for both the Mets and the Expos. The Mets got the power bat of Staub , while the Expos got three young potential stars to build around. All four men went on to have pretty decent careers – especially Singleton, as well as Staub.
The New York Mets released reserve outfielder, Rich Chiles on April 6, 1974.
New York Mets traded relief pitcher, Ed Glynn to the Cleveland Indians for Dominick Bullinger on April 6, 1981. Bullinger never played one game for the Mets.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, Mark ” Bombs Away !!” Bomback to the Toronto Blue Jays for starting pitcher, Charlie Puleo on April 6, 1981. Charlie went on to be the number two man in the rotation for the next two seasons. Too bad he was a number five type of starter at best.
The New York Mets sold reserve catcher, Butch Benton to the Chicago Cubs on April 6, 1981.
And while you hope the Mets and Mike Pelfrey are able to stymie Joe Blanton and the Phillies tonight, just remember that there are just 2 days to go until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn was at the game last night. He nearly caused a riot when he bought up all the scrapple in his section !!!!
64 comments
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
David and Goliath… I’m waiting for the flash video with little Dwright vs. Howard Goliath the Phillistine…
I like that there is enough new folks and enough young guys who either don’t remember the collapses or are too young to be scared o’ the big, bad (and shall I stress OLD?) Phils.
I’m still not predicting a WS Ring here, but the change in air is nice. Like cracking open a Perri-air in the movie Space Balls… Inhale…. Ahhhh…
rustyjr
4/6/2011-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
Are you your own best friend ?
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
Beware the Bleeps, the Creeps & the Sweeps.
And We’ve been Jammed! Raspberry, I think…
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
This is not your 2010 NY Mets…
I like what I see so far. Everyone is focused. Even in the opening day loss, they attempted a comeback in the late innings and put up some runs. Not going to win them all but if the effort is there to do that, we should win more games than last year.
I’m of the opinion that the Philly lineup is not ‘scarier’ than ours right now. No Werth, no Utley, hurting Polanco, leadoff hitter suspect, and their bench is not all that great.
If their pitching isn’t going to be flawless, well uh……they’re not going to win any 100 games.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
Does Cerrone just know this site as “The Real Dirty”?
rustyjr
4/6/2011-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Does it matter – is still exposure
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
Fair enough. The only bad press is no press.
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s a running thing with him. He always refused to call us The Real Dirty Mets Blog because he thought it was named after his site and usually referred to us as The Real Dirty. In reality it had nothing to do with it other than the fact that because of his closed comment section this blog was formed. The name itself had nothing to do with his site or slight. It was just named after Dirty and I. Because of that negative connotation we decided to drop the Blog and change our name to The Real Dirty Mets (TRDM). I guess Cerrone still has not gotten the memo. LOL.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
That’s kind of what I was wondering. Was it a begrudgingly mention of this site because of the great content, yet mentioning it in a way of a small slight? In the end, who the hell cares. I prefer a place where there are a limited number of people ready to jump off a bridge with every loss or trade away Wright with every perceived unclutch K…
Guess I should start working…
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
I think it was begrudgingly out of ego to start with but now he has just become comfortable with the term.
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
Shoot….somewhere along the way I failed to notice the name was changed from TRDMB to TRDM. And I’m here every day…..LOL.
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:41am at 9:41 am (UTC -4)
LOL, no biggie.
Ceetar
4/6/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I didn’t notice that. the last couple of times I linked I think i had “blog” in there.
Ceetar
4/6/2011-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
as is the link in my blogroll. I guess i could change that.
Ceetar
4/6/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Honestly, I’d put money on him putting no thought to it whatsoever and just pasting whatever links come across his screen/twitter feed for recaps.
rustyjr
4/6/2011-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
I tend to agree
TRS86
4/6/2011-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Not saying that. Saying that he originally called us The Real Dirty I think out of ego issues and then just became comfortable using it.
ajgmets
4/6/2011-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Wasting time worrying about the intonations of yet another blow hard buffoon is fruitless. Cerrone has seen his own image on TV a few times and doesn’t realize that TV makes you look bigger than you are. Enough Said!
Onto the bigger, more important business at hand.
The dynamic of the Mets coming out swinging the bats early, and an excellent if unexpected pitching and hitting performance from free agent acquisition Chris Young, last night was a nice stepping off point in what Met fans hope will be a memorable early season series against what I think will end up being the second best team in the NL East come October.
That’s really all it is…A starting point. This Mets team has no identity to speak of, other than some journeymen/utility players putting on some impressive performances as “The Replacements”. Obviously the contributions of Wright, Davis, Dickey and even the shortstop have been important. Few should be complaining about the new second baseman’s effort thus far nut…the start of our “Ace” and closure part of the bullpen was and remains a huge question mark and I still see a “limited” “tentative Carlos Beltran while we wait for the return of Jason Bay and the unknown surrounding his return to the form that earned him the $81 million contract prior to last year. (Hello Izzy?) I didn’t and still do not expect Scott Hairston, Willie Harris or even Chris Young to be over achievers for this entire marathon.
I know it sounds/reads as negativity, but quite honestly, I had hopes that the Mets would fare well during this season opening road trip and seeing the 3-1 record thus far is fantastic, but the next two days in Philly may pave the way to an uptick in the Mets future success for 2011 or just as easily may be a more realistic first brush stroke on a canvas lacking in definition or direction.
As the old adage goes, “Slow and steady wins the race”. So we Mets fans, while we love to indulge in the mockery and bashing of our NL rivals whether we win or lose, need to keep focused on the whole picture as the club strives to develop a cohesiveness that will provide glimpses of its character and potential as this new season of hope unveils it full scope.
Hoping the Mets come home to Citi Field with a small bump of momentum for the start of the 81 game party in Queens.
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
‘The early optimism regarding Jason Bay’s return from the disabled list faded Tuesday when general manager Sandy Alderson said it is “unlikely” that the leftfielder will be back by this weekend.’
Raise your hand if you were actually optimistic we’d see Bay back by this weekend…..
TRS86
4/6/2011-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
He was not even doing baseball activities yet, so count me in the no.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
Me either. I had hoped that Duda would have had more playing time while the opportunity is available.
TRS86
4/6/2011-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
While Duda’s development is important, right now the Mets need to view themselves as a contender. Harris is playing very well and Hairston is what he is, a LHP masher.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
i hear you. I just don’t want them getting delusions of grandeur and start getting all ‘focus on the moment’ vs. building for the long term.
Much like the wasted ABs the Mets had last year with Frenchy & company. I know it is different, but yet for players that certainly may not be with this team next year, that’s why i’d like to see a little more Duda (or Fmart!
)
TRS86
4/6/2011-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
At this point, however, what message would that be sending to the team? No doubt that playing Hairston and Harris right NOW make them a better team. By playing Duda right now over those two you are sending the message of this year does not count. While mentally we may have all prepared ourselves for this notion, do we really want the players thinking that?
stickguy
4/6/2011-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
If duda wants to play more, he just needs to mash a few bombs when he does get a start. I am sure he will be getting some opportunities, and have no problem mixing/matching them all, especially with Beltran likely to get regular rest.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Um, the players do not live in a bubble. The players have TVs that get ESPN, SNY, etc. etc. The players read papers and the players have a far better grasp of the situation they are in than we can comprehend. I think they are not going to start packing it in if Duda of the Long Ball Clan started a couple games here or there. The whole “you guys are grown men” should be in full effect, no?
TRS86
4/6/2011-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
Not at this point no. While they know in the back of their mind that they are not the most talented team out there they want their manager giving them the best chance to win each night. At this point that best chance is Hairston and Harris. I honestly think one of the reasons for the tank last year was that the players felt betrayed by the FO because they did not make a move to get better when they believed they were still in it.
TRS86
4/6/2011-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Also, I think you would be surprised how little the players pay attention to TV and the media, especially in NY. Regardless of what the media says I think this team currently believes it can compete and that is the way I want them thinking.
Ceetar
4/6/2011-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
no greater motivator than telling someone they can’t do something right?
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
I always thought $$$ was a motivator, myself.
TRS86
4/6/2011-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Not once your salary is set and your job is safe. Otherwise, why the hell would I be on here? LOL.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Fair enough.
Prismo
4/6/2011-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
His replacements haven’t been too shabby so far, so no biggie.
kistics
4/6/2011-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Me!
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
Ha! love the optimism.
Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s another 2 weeks away, minimum.
kistics
4/6/2011-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Hey.. whatever works!
Ceetar
4/6/2011-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Early on I thought it might be okay as it was sounding minor and that it was barely bothering him. I’d expect he’ll be out the rest of April now though.
stickguy
4/6/2011-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
who is this Bay you speak of?
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Beerleaguer’s most current post:
Wednesday open thread: Mets ready for a reckoning
is running a spirited debate with most Philly fans concluding the Mets are irrelevant. Saw a response or two from Weitzel in that post or the previous one where he tries to point out to fans the fact the Mets have improved but remains to be seen how much. Of course the consensus of the posters over there are the Mets are cellar dwellers, they’ve seen no change.
Many of the comments revolve around Hamels performance last night with those defending him vs. those that don’t believe he qualifies for ‘ace’ material on the basis of one very good season (’08). I LOL though at one poster’s one sentence summary:
‘Can we just conclude with…Mets to Cole Hamels:Who’s your daddy?’
kistics
4/6/2011-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I can really see Hamels being traded for a bat this season especially if Utley shows no sign of improvements.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh, no Hamels to NY. No Wire Coat Hangers!
TRS86
4/6/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Oh I agree. They will start by trying to trade Blanton and if that does not net a hitter then will move to Hamels. I could see Hamels in a deal involving Michael Young. Of course Texas would also have to be sending some cash/prospects their way in addition to Young.
Prismo
4/6/2011-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
Really? They’re going to trade Hamels for a 34 year old aging middle infielder with a ton of money left on his contract? (even if it’s cut in half)
Talk about the end of the Phillies’ run.
TRS86
4/6/2011-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
That’s where the prospects and cash come in. Again, I think they try and trade Blanton but he does not net a hitter of any type. Young could play 2B until Utley returns and then play 3B once he returns. Also I think Hamels is only signed through this season and will be looking for a large contract, one that I am not sure the Phillies will want a part of.
kistics
4/6/2011-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
I see 50-50 chance that Hamels signs back with the Phillies.
TRS86
4/6/2011-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
I was wrong, after 2012. Will have one really expensive arbitration season left.
kistics
4/6/2011-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I don’t see it either. I know that the Phillies will never do Hamels for Young straight up, but I’m not sure how much Texas would give up (in terms of prospects or cash) for a rental.
TRS86
4/6/2011-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
I was wrong, he has another year. So they would be getting 1.5 years of Hamels and a chance to offer him arbitration. Also keep in mind that Texas has a great window right now to continue to make deep runs in the playoffs. What they are currently missing is an “ace”. Would they be willing to trade one of those top relievers that could also be closers for Hamels?
Prismo
4/6/2011-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
Dang man, Hamels had an ERA in the low 3s 3 of the last 4 seasons. I’m missing why the Phillies would be desperate to get rid of him because of one bad start against the Mets.
TRS86
4/6/2011-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
Not saying they would be desperate. Just think that the Phillies need offense and have pitching while the Rangers need pitching and have hitters. Both teams are looking to win now so it seems like a fit that they could work something out.
kistics
4/6/2011-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
Phillies signed him to Arb 3?? That’s weird…
stickguy
4/6/2011-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
for whatever reason, they bought out all but his last arb year. I assume they will decide after this season if he is going to hit the jackpot with them or not. Then, they either sign him LT, or possibly trade him instead of paying 10mill or so in arbitration before he walks.
They also have an option for 2012 on Oswalt, so it is possible to keep him instead. I really don’t see them keeping both at sucha high price.
saltygary
4/6/2011-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Hey media haters you got a nice piece by Klap. If your going to hate you need to throw out the love as well.
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/baseball/mets/040611_Klapisch_Terry_Collins_bold_message_is_rubbing_off_on_Mets.html
Prismo
4/6/2011-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Built ‘em up so you can tear ‘em down.
metsfan4decades
4/6/2011-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Ha! ‘Young’s witchcraft’….that’s what we’ve been missing: witchcraft.
“It’s what we need to do,” Collins said of Young’s smackdown. “With this lineup, we can play with anybody.”
The manager appeared to be smiling, although he certainly wasn’t kidding. Actually, Collins and his Mets are dead-cold serious. Welcome to their world.’
kistics
4/6/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Takahashi has 10.13 ERA with 3.00 WHIP.
stickguy
4/6/2011-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
yup. losing takagoomie and Feliciano are why the Mets are buried in last place!
Oh wait, never mind.
njstuckintx
4/6/2011-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm… A smart Alderson move… Hmmm….
stickguy
4/6/2011-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
I know there is no one left that misses Jerry (and even some of the Wally fans are coming around to Terry). But, you think any of the vocal (minority) of Sandy haters are starting to thaw a little bit?
Over at MMO, there were a couple guys that were totally over the top about ‘saber sandy” and hating his off season, him in general, and generally everything in life.
Ceetar
4/6/2011-3:04pm at 3:04 pm (UTC -4)
Can I get some rep for Warthen hate? no?
It’s mainly because they’re winning. everyone loves everything when they’re winning. the haters with no facts go silent waiting for ammo, and the others are just hopeless.
stickguy
4/6/2011-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
you have to admit, some of the rabid sandy haters were completely over the top. Calling him a stooge and epic failure during December, because he didn’t make 10 huge moves by then.
Warthen I don’t recall really being hated on. More it ranged from indifference, to he should have been canned along with the rest of the staff, just “because”!
I would give him more credit if he could actually get Pelf over the hump (stuff and/or approach).
kistics
4/6/2011-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
I’m sure all of you noticed this, but it looks like Parnell is throwing a lot more offspeed pitches so far. And they are actually pretty good pitches. He should be really effective if he can throw the offspeed pitches for strikes.
stickguy
4/6/2011-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
I only had it on gameday, but I noticed that for 1 batter, he got a called K on a first pitch slider, then K’d him with another. If he has that pitch working, and a little movement on the FB, he could do quite well as a late inning closer (being, basically, Brad Lidge!) Throw in a cutter of some kind for the lefties (since I have no idea if he has a change up that is functional).
kistics
4/6/2011-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. He could be a stud if he can master couple offspeed pitches.