" The doctor is in !"
If there is one thing that can be said about the Mets loss to the Florida Marlins, it was a valiant effort.
Through the mist, fog and a infield that was less than desirable to play on , Mike Pelfrey looked as though he was the pitcher who went on that dominant run early last season. Now if only the offense could have supplied him with some run support.
But that was not the top story regarding the Mets last night – although we might wish it was.
Yesterday we learned that our face of the franchise, David Wright will be sidelined for the minimum of two weeks and the maximum of hell only knows with a stress fracture in his lower back. This coupled with injuries of core players such as Ike Davis, Angel Pagan, Johan Santana, Bobby Parnell, Chris Young and Pedro Beato has taxed both the Mets as well as their AAA affiliate in Buffalo.
And while the Mets have lost just about a quarter of their roster to injuries, let us make no mistake that this is not 2009 all over again. First off Beato has been recalled from the D.L , and should see action tonight, and Parnell and Pagan should soon make their returns. Ike Davis was interviewd on SNY last night and he believes he should be up when his fifteen days on the D.L. are up.
The fact that the Mets are 19-22 in the light of all these injuries is a testament to both Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins. This may be strictly conjecture – or my tainted memories of the previous regime, but it seems like Alderson and Collins are on the same page whilst Omar and Jerry – along with the rest of the front office would be trying to spin the rash of injuries and try to have players try to play through it.
So far we have not seen any laid back post game interviews where the manager is laughing at the streak of unfortunate injuries like we have seen from Jerry, nor have we seen Sandy act dazed and confused when asked tough questions in regards to player injuries and roster movement.
In my opinion , in the end two weeks without Wright in the lineup is not a good thing, and if it turns out that he needs to convalesce longer it could end up being a death sentence for this seasons team. But let’s not compare this season to ’09 just yet, different regime, different attitude and hopefully it’s not the same old Mets .
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Reserve outfielder/first baseman for the Mets from ’63-’64, Dick Smith is 72 (1939) .
The New York Mets released legendary Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra on May 17, 1965. Yogi did however stay on as a coach for the Mets , and later on became the Mets manager.
The New York Mets released reserve outfielder, Raul Gonzalez on May 17, 2004
Mo Vaughn wants to Mets to give him all access to the ” Mo Zone” in right field !!! He feels there should be a big picture of him so people can remember that he was one time a “big” baseball star !!!
5 comments
stickguy
5/17/2011-8:43am at 8:43 am (UTC -4)
there is a slight difference. 2009 the injuries started a little later and piled up. this year, they seem to be happening earlier, but guys are really projected to be back sooner.
If DW really will be good after the 15 days (or close to it), the team could be at full strength by ~ 6/1, with Johan actually throwing off of a mound (not that I actually expect him back).
so maybe this is the year they scuffle along, deal with tons of injuries, then put it together for a run (instead of a fade) in th 2nd half.
metsfan4decades
5/17/2011-8:49am at 8:49 am (UTC -4)
The offense coughed it up last night with Bay being the big culprit, IMO. That game never should have went past 9.
Even on a night where JJ didn’t have his best stuff, he can be tough. So you can’t squander the opportunities when you get them. But we did.
It’s a refreshing change the way Collins rallies the troops and deals with the media. However, his in game management leaves a lot to be desired, IMO.
PH Hu for Harris? I know Harris stinks but Hu was virtually worthless at the plate.
Bunting with Bay? Uh…bunting in general with no outs. It seems to be a play in every manager’s book, even though odds indicate it’s usually a bad idea.
Going forward, Ike is out another 10 days, Wright at least 15. Just about the time we get these guys back, GMs will probably be knocking on the door for trades. With Beltran likely gone, Reyes as well – there is no one to immediately take their place. That, coupled with the SP – well I’ll consider it a good year if we finish at .500.
TRS86
5/17/2011-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
Can’t blame that one on Bay any more than anyone else. 1-4 including one AB where the manager called for him to bunt?
kingman 26
5/17/2011-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
Bay’s offense is a worsening disaster. Big deal, an infield hit and got thrown out doing the Met veteran classic contact-avoidance slide into second.
I agree with him bunting anytime someone is on base at this point. A few more good ABs for FMart and let the platoon begin.
kingman 26
5/17/2011-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
Well, while I HATE bunting, I do like the tone Collins sets. Clearly this team is light years removed from the country club garbage of 2010.
I am beginning to turn optimist again; the pitching is getting better, and once again Sandy makes moves he should make. Hu is not an MLB player, and Iggy just might never be what he looked like he might be prior to last year’s injury.
Silver lining? Let’s see if Turner and Pridie really can keep playing well; if they can, we will eventually have a dramatically improved bench.
And pssstt—Pagan ain’t no core player!
Nice pic Rusty—love the old album covers!