The Mets season ended just about eleven days ago, and I am going through withdrawal ! The lack of Mets related news has me searching the vast reaches of the Internet to find something – anything related to the orange and blue ! A year ago I didn’t have to go through these symptoms, because Ownership were quick to sever both General Manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel from their jobs. It made the days go by a lot smoother. After the clearing out of the front office was finished, we had our attention focused on who the new G.M would be. We were happy that Sandy Alderson accepted the challenge of turning this dysfunctional franchise around.
Most people were not happy with his first true Mets transaction – the hiring of Terry Collins. But Terry ingratiated himself to both the Media and fan base, making himself seem more human and likable than his reputation that preceded him.
Yes I do admit that I watched the last thee innings of the ALDS game 5. Yes I relished watching the Yankees get knocked out in the first round ( although I was ticked off when Twitter crashed). I was sound asleep when Ryan Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon- securing the Cardinals advancement into the NLCS. I will root for all the ex Mets such as K-Rod, Gomez, Oliver, as well as whoever else I am missing, but I just wish that my Mets were still playing.
I think we all do. I just can’t wait for the hot stove to heat up again.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Utility man from the ’98 season, Jim Tatum is 44 (1967).
One third of Generation K , pitcher Bill Pulsipher is 38 (1973). I still often wonder ” What could have been” if all three of those pitchers ( Pulse, Izzy and Paul Wilson) could have stayed healthy and pitched up to their potential.
One of the Mets first forays into signing Cuban defectors, pitcher Alay Soler is 32 (1979).I remember all the hype when the Mets signed Soler. He was supposed to be the Mets answer to Orlando Hernandez. In his sole season with the Mets (2006), Alay appeared in 8 games, and had a record of 2-3 with an E.R.A of 6.00. We would have been lucky if he pitched like Keith Hernandez.
The man who finished the season as our everyday outfielder, Jason Pridie is 28 (1983). I believe that Pridie will be back on the Mets next season as a late inning defensive replacement.
The Oakland Athletics claimed the contract of reserve outfielder, Matt Watson of the New York Mets on waivers on October 9, 2003. Watson played a total of 15 games for the Mets. During that short tenure, Matt batted .174 with 2 RBIs.
The Oakland Athletics claimed the contract of utility infielder, Marco Scutaro of the New York Mets on waivers on October 9, 2003.I really can’t fault then G.M, Steve Phillips for putting Scutaro through waivers. You had an up and coming shortstop prospect waiting in the wings named Jose Reyes.
Mo Vaughn is rooting for the Tigers to win the ALCS because he loves their Coney dogs ! He is pulling for the Cardinals to win the NLCS because he loves St. Louis BBQ ribs !!!!
13 comments
Anonymous
10/9/2011-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
Ah, nice memories–I mean Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, not the recent Mets!!
Yeah, it is going to be very interesting to say the least.
Sandy’s had his year to evaluate; let’s see what he does.
Anonymous
10/9/2011-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
I am hoping for a lot of moves, and some bold ones, to retool the team. I will be very disappointed if they make a couple of minor shuffles and basically just cut payroll with the same basic team.
Go big or go home.
I’m also tired of the Sandy haters that seem to have taken over some of the Met sites. there were some that I liked to visit that are pretty much ruined at this point by a few prolific posters (MMO primarily, about the only one I can get to from work!).
Anyway, the dominoes start with Jose. And that is why I think they are on record as needing a decision early in the off season, since they probably have 2 plans on the white board. #1, sign Jose, and don’t do much else. #2, move on from jose, and start making moves like mad, which I do think could include moving Wright (if the “right” return is offered).
MetsFan4Decades
10/9/2011-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Off season moves all hinging on whether Reyes signs with the Mets or not. From all accounts, this FO isn’t going to wait all winter to find out either.
Anonymous
10/9/2011-6:44pm at 6:44 pm (UTC -4)
Well Stick, I would not get too hopeful for big moves.
Everyone is going to bid on Reyes—while I know it is your nightmare, the Phils’ anemic offense cries for Reyes. The Red Sox’ failure cries for Reyes. The Yankees’ aging cries for Reyes. The Brewers’ Ryan Braun cries for Reyes. The Giants’ everything outside of pitching cries for Reyes.
Unless he REALLY wants to stay in Queens and is willing to take less dough, he’s gone. And if he wanted that, he could have done it months ago.
I am afraid we are going to see the same exact rotation, with Johan in for Capuano, and we are going to see one new outfielder and some new bullpen arms and not much else.
If we could get Pomeranz and Folwer and more for Wright? Have to consider it.
It’s 1981. We have Wheeler, Mejia, Familia, and Harvey. Maybe add Pomeranz or another top pitching prospect, and we could have a group that could give us a fine rotation in 2-3 years.
I say that when Jose signs with whoever, that is the bottom, and we begin climbing back at that moment.
Anonymous
10/9/2011-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. a losing Mets season is still better than no season at all.
Mike~BTB
10/9/2011-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
We were all in favor of the rebuilding, which is such a “dirty” word around here these days. Joe McIlvaine’s plan had all our support - Gen-K and young sluggers like Burnitz and Hundley etc….. Well, too bad it all fell apart like wet toilet paper. Then GM-Joe would just disappear for days and weeks at a time under the ruse of “scouting”. Fred Wilpon used to get upset his GM never answered his calls. LOL…the good ol’ days.
MetsFan4Decades
10/9/2011-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t think most Met fans were unhappy with the Collins choice. I would have put that at about 40% or so anted Wally or someone else.
I’m also in the camp of bad NY Met baseball is still better than none. However, given the fact that I’ve watched just about all of post season play so far, I haven’t gone through baseball withdrawal just yet. That will come when the WS is over. Just in time though for the Hot Stove to heat up!
Anonymous
10/9/2011-6:39pm at 6:39 pm (UTC -4)
I wanted Wally, but Collins was most definitely a close second for me. And while I do have the urge to smash the TV when he bunts sometimes, I do really like him as manager.
MetsFan4Decades
10/9/2011-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh…that bunting….
I will say this – that has to be in that invisible In Game Manager’s strategy book I’ve yet to uncover. Watching post season games, some of these managers employ the bunt worse than Terry did.
Anonymous
10/9/2011-8:28pm at 8:28 pm (UTC -4)
that has to be impossible.
Anonymous
10/10/2011-4:43am at 4:43 am (UTC -4)
Rusty the movie was brilliant and one of my all time favorites (but then again I think “Some Like It Hot” was one of the best movies I ever saw). But getting back to your withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps you’ve gotten too close to the team. Perhaps you need a hobby. Have you ever thought of music. You could take up playing Bass.
Right now watching the Giants and Jets play has a lot in common with watching the Mets play so the agita is still there.
Anonymous
10/10/2011-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
don’t get me started on the Giants. I got the Eagles game (being in their market and all) so watched that fine choke job while painting my kitchen. And right after that was over, they did a cut in to the Giants. Just in time to see the final turnover. Dang it.
SaltyGary
10/10/2011-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Yea the same cut-over happened to me in NH. All pumped on the Eagles loss and now I get to see a game winning drive, but no a crazy int.