Has "Bay Watch" finally arrived ?
To be totally transparent, I only caught the first inning of last night’s late show featuring the Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Idid catch the highlights when I woke up. I am just happy that the Mets were not nipping at the NyQuil and put a 6-0 smackdown on the team that spurrned the Borough of Brooklyn over 50 years ago.
But that’s not the focus of today’s column. No – today I am here to welcome back the Jason Bay who has been missing in action for the past year or so. Bay went 2-4 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs last night. He matched his entire home run total from last year (6) and has steadily raised his batting average to a decent .252.
So far this month ( I know we are only 6 games in) in 19 at bats, Bay is hitting .368 with 2 homers and 7 RBIs. His on base percentage during this time is 1.113. I know there is still basically two months left to this season, but I think it is safe to say – barring a season ending injury, Bay will have a better season than he did last year.
I think that it is apropos that it seems that he finally broke through in the place that prematurely ended his season last year. It was frightening to see Bay almost exactly replicate the same play that resulted in that concussion . Thank goodness he had the pressence of mind to brace himself this time.
The question here is can Bay maintain this momentum ? All I can say is that he has behaved like a pro through all the name calling, booing and all the other torture he has been put through since last July. I think that it is time we rally behind him and support him.
One thing is for sure – if Beltran is dealt by the tra
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Part time second baseman from the ’92 and now unfairly maligned ex manager, Willie Randolph is 57 (1954). For all of the people that love to bash Willie all I can say is was he a great manager ? No- but he did help turn a team that was a laughing stock in ’04 into a team that should have won it all in ’06. He was partially responsible for the collapse of ’07 – but the blame does not – and should not rest solely on his shoulders.
Mets center fielder from ’96-’97, Lance Johnson is 48 (1963). Lance probably had one of the best offensive seasons in Mets history. In 1996 he played in 160 games and had a batting average of .333 with 9 homers, 69 RBIs, a on base percentage of .362. He also set a franchise record that season when he hit with 21 triples.
Mo Vaughn says that he would never be caught dead in a California Pizza Kitchen ! He feels that pineapple and sun-dried tomatoes on a pizza is sacrilege !
44 comments
rustyjr
7/6/2011-6:26am at 6:26 am (UTC -4)
Sorry guys part of the post deleted what I was saying was if Beltran is traded by the trade deadline -& David is not back at 100% then Bay may be our best power option
stickguy
7/6/2011-7:51am at 7:51 am (UTC -4)
might want to change OBP to OPS. Otherwise he is really hot, getting on base even when he isn’t batting (hmm, isn’t that against the rules?)
metsfan4decades
7/6/2011-7:57am at 7:57 am (UTC -4)
I have no idea if Bay is returning to previous form but it sure would be great if he’s turned that corner.
As you point out, if Beltran is dealt and Ike is out for the year and Wright struggles the rest of the season with that back, he probably is the only HR threat left in the lineup. Getting a couple or three runs with one swing of the bat is a lot easier than having to string together several hits, along with stolen bases to try and get one run. That’s what they’ve been doing the better part of this year but right now the only speed left in that lineup is Pagan until Reyes returns.
saltygary
7/6/2011-9:37am at 9:37 am (UTC -4)
I made it to Tron’s homer. I am shocked that Pelf pulled off a shutout. He was struggling all night. And Turner just keeps plugging away. Just looked at his splits and there were only 5 games where he didn’t have a hit in June.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
And tell TRS to correct the website’s motto!
If Bay actually starts hitting like he should be, all I can say is woo hoo! Beltran may be moved (read: should) so your only other true power hitter is Ike, and he’s 1 week or so away from finding out if microfracture surgery is in his future. This team needs Bay to bat with some semblance of power to consider trying to make a run at the WC. I don’t see them making that WC run, but stranger things have happened. I mean, Sinbad had his own show. If that can happen, the WC can certainly happen.
metsfan4decades
7/6/2011-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
Maybe I’m just being dense and don’t see it, but what’s wrong with this site’s motto?
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
double ‘for’.
A Mets blog for for the fans by the fans! Other Blogs Just Don’t Get Real Dirty.
metsfan4decades
7/6/2011-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Ah…read it three times and didn’t pick up on that.
Mr North Jersey
7/6/2011-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for mentioning it Tx. I went ahead and corrected it.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
Constructive proof reading, by the fans (of the website)!!!
kingman 26
7/6/2011-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Dude, I have given up on that.
Just be thankful he doesn’t have four more apostrophes in all of the plurals.
We’re pros on knowledge and remedial at English.
stickguy
7/6/2011-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
I like to think that what you say is more important than how you spell it!
kingman 26
7/6/2011-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Stick—Doesn’t saying something have more impact if it is spelled, written, and punctuated correctly?
This milieu of the world is the ONLY place I have ever been where correct language is often even mocked and resisted.
It’s crazy.
When I go somewhere and see an incorrectly spelled word in a headline or five extra apostrophes, I assume the writer is not all that smart.
Unless, of course, I know he or she is handicapped by an old and sticky keyboard.
TRS86
7/6/2011-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Not a very fair assumption. Wouldn’t you think that there are plenty of world famous authors who struggled with grammar and punctuation? Of course authors should attempt within reason to be correct in both issues, however to what extent? Remember that one big difference in this blog and Metsblog is that MC makes a living with Metsblog, the rest of us have lives that we try to budget this blog around.
gategem
7/6/2011-7:13pm at 7:13 pm (UTC -4)
You are much too perspicacious to be taken in by such a spurious argument.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
So, we can bust his chops when he blasts FWICG.com on mistakes?
kistics
7/6/2011-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
+1
TRS86
7/6/2011-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, yeah. LOL. I deserved that one. Glad you noticed it.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
it is all good holmes. all good.
TRS86
7/6/2011-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, thanks Kingman for the support. I really appreciate it. You handled it so well.
What amazes me is that my chief editor Kingman never picked up on it or did not have the confidence to come to me to get it changed. Oh well.
Thanks NJstuckintx for noticing it. I remember when I changed it. I was in a hurry trying to fix some Google search issues and never noticed it. Thanks to Mr. NJ for just going in and taking care of my problems.
That’s what I love about this site, the authors correct each other with only one goal in mind, the reader.
kingman 26
7/6/2011-4:20pm at 4:20 pm (UTC -4)
Nah, sorry Chief. I don’t know how to fix others’ posts and gave up on asking a while ago. Tell me how, and the errors will instantly diminish.
Didn’t have the confidence? That’s a good one.
Mr North Jersey
7/6/2011-4:35pm at 4:35 pm (UTC -4)
n/p
wannybackstra
7/6/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
If I’m Sandy Alderson I consider firing Terry Collins for the difficult position he’s put me in. I do not envy Sandy for the decisions he has to make regarding Beltran and Reyes in the coming weeks.
The only sure fire decision is to trade for K-Rod and I think you do that no matter what may be the return.
The news today about shopping Izzy and Byrdak is uninspiring. Neither will return significant pieces but if they find someone they like then go for it. Both are also replaceable this year (O’Connor for Byrdak and one of Beato or Parnell for Izzy hopefully) but I wouldn’t just give them away if the team decides to keep Beltran and go for a wildcard.
kistics
7/6/2011-1:28pm at 1:28 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on all points. Well.. maybe except for firing Collins… that may come later
metsfan4decades
7/6/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t understand your first point.
Unless Sandy specifically discussed strategy with TC before the season concerning KRod, why should he be ‘mildly surprised’ with how he’s being used now? It’s not TC’s job to save the FO from having to pay that vesting option. It’s his job to win ball games. The only way Sandy could justify the mild surprise is if they had some conversation and he believed TC was on the same page as him.
He’s said over and over in post game interviews when asked about KRod that Frankie told him he needs consistent work and TC agrees he’s sharper when he gets consistent work. He has commented the balancing act of keeping him sharp w/o over using him.
Now if TC is completely ignoring Sandy’s mindset on this (and Sandy communicated that to him pre season), then there definitely is a problem.
stickguy
7/6/2011-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
I am assuming the “fire Terry” comment was tongue in cheek, since terry is leading the team to too many wins!
beyond that, the rumor was a big “so what”. Did not say they want to trade them all. At this time of year, most/many teams troll guys around to see what bites they get.
and it does not mean he wants to trade all of them. maybe just 1?
Talking is cheap. And you never know, you might get lucky.
wannybackstra
7/6/2011-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
you are correct re: Terry.
The K-Rod stuff is a non-issue to me. The mgr should use his personnel to win games. It’s not fair to punish the rest of the players and the fans by using K-Rod in a manner other than what is best for the purposes of winning games.
metsfan4decades
7/6/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Oops, my bad. Sorry.
I probably went down that road b/c I’ve read several comments (not on this blog) who are constantly complaining that TC should avoid KRod if at all possible.
I’m under the opinion that Sandy is seriously looking to deal KRod, no matter where we are in the race come the end of the month.
kingman 26
7/6/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Andy Martino of the Daily News.
Does he suggest the Mets are trying to get rid of Izzy and Byrdak because the fans now are racist against white players?
Seriously, how in the world does this make sense? Aging, cheap pitchers who have been effective. What would we ever get for them that would be worth as much as they–especially Izzy–are worth here as long as we are even remotely in the WC hunt?
What are we going to get for these guys?
Sorry Wanny, and flame away at me, but this is most likely more absolute drivel.
rustyjr
7/6/2011-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Lol & welcome back – btw I got the CDs. – awesome !
kingman 26
7/6/2011-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
Great! I really hope you enjoy them!
saltygary
7/6/2011-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Many publications/sites are reporting the same information from different sources. At some point you should not get so hung up on what people write or just stop reading it.
Izzy and Byrdak make sense because they makes nothing and maybe the team can get a level b prospect as opposed to nothing at the end of the year. KROD makes sense to get rid of no matter what. For a team like the Yankees and dealing with a ailing Mo, having KROD will keep that pen anchored and allow them to rest Mo for the post season. There are other teams that would love KROD in a setup mode as well.
– I’m being a little more snarky than normal seeing the site has been dead and it might be fun to piss someone off
kingman 26
7/6/2011-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, never a problem coming from you!
And actually, EVERY source is reporting the SAME Martino article!
See, that’s why guys like Martino make stuff up—make up something wacky enough, and it gets carried by every sheep outlet and sort of becomes news!!
wannybackstra
7/6/2011-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
Veteran relievers get traded every July. Probably the most common need among contending teams is an experienced pen arm or LOOGY.
I don’t think we’ll get much for these guys as I said above. But I sure wouldn’t call it drivel that Alderson would shop these guys just to find out their worth. They, Byrdak especially, are easily replaceable so why not see if you can’t get a younger B prospect for them?
In any event. do you remember when an aging Larry Andersen was traded for a young 1B who was thought to have no power… Jeff Bagwell?
yeah, i know that one is a wet dream but you know what i mean.
kingman 26
7/6/2011-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting thoughts…but I just looked up Andersen and his two years prior to that trade were WAY better than I remembered. His 1989 and 1990 pre-trade his stats were great.
Maybe someone wants Dickey…..Doyle Alexander for John Smoltz?
saltygary
7/6/2011-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey is one of the few players I don’t want to see traded. I love having a different look to the rotation, especially if they are a capable knuckler that can be used out of the pen at times. People can have Cap if they want him.
wannybackstra
7/6/2011-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
Cap should be high on the shopping list because you might be able to get a half way decent prospect for him, he won’t be a difference maker for the Mets this season or ever and teams sometimes go goofy for lefties.
I like Ronnie Paulino a lot but I bet there is some value out there for him too while he’s hot like this.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
There is value in a bunch. Cap, especially, as a team with 5 starters already can utilize his BP ability.
Agreed that they should take all their spare parts and see who’s buying at $1.15 on the dollar. Hell, even look to see who’d take a peek at Turner, Pelf or even (hurts me to say) Murph.
TRS86
7/6/2011-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
Guys like Turner and Murphy I would be more reluctant to trade. They are cheap and provide replacement level production. Thus even if they are not starters next year they fill the bench with a RH LH combo at minimal price. In other words, no need for the Haristons and Harris of the world thus you save money for other areas. I can’t imagine the prospect you get back would have any more value to the team than they currently do.
njstuckintx
7/6/2011-8:52pm at 8:52 pm (UTC -4)
But honestly, what is their ceiling? I love me some Murph, but including him as part of something to get a better prospect, you have to listen. I guess my bad way of saying it is almost all players are on the table. If some team looking to make a run is looking for an over .300 hitting utility bench play and is willing to move a prospect or something, you definitely don’t slam the phone down (do people still do that?).
TRS86
7/6/2011-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
I understand your point, but my thought is that at best for one of those two you get basically what they already are in return at BEST. Not sure if I can explain it better than that. Murphy is a B player and at best you get a B prospect in return that at best will mature into Murphy.
Ceetar
7/6/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Has Bay found his mojo or lost his Hojo?
kingman 26
7/6/2011-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
THAT is very funny and very good!
Hopefully both?
oleosmirf
7/6/2011-5:38pm at 5:38 pm (UTC -4)
because of how good Philly and Atlanta have been, the Mets really have no shot of making the playoffs so any “hole” that opens up in the bullpen or at any other position is meaningless.
If the Wilpons choose to keep guys around to keep fans in the ballpark, no problem but the guys who don’t have a future on this team like Capuano, Isringhausen, Byrdak, Beltran and K-Rod should be moved if we are getting something good in return.