It is finally here ! No I am not talking about the first day of Spring – that is still a few weeks away. No I am talking about the mandatory check in date for Mets pitchers and catchers, and I don’t know about you but I am psyched.
This is the time of year that even the most hardened skeptics can let down their guard and secretly feel optimistic about their teams chances.
What are some of the stories that you are looking forward to see unfold ? For myself it is Johan Santana and how healthy he is ? I do feel that his health will dictate how this seasons team will fare throughout the upcoming season. Also I am looking forward to see how Lucas Duda performs in left field as well as if there will be a true competition in center field between Andres Torres, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
I am also waiting with baited breath to see if the bullpen is truly solidified and if Daniel Murphy is the answer at second base – or a injury prone liability.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Reserve catcher from the ’89 season,Phil Lombardi is 49 (1963).
Reserve outfielder from the ’04 season, Shane Spencer is 40 (1972).Spencer although he played well for the Mets that season was released by early August because he was considered a clubhouse cancer.
Starting pitcher from the ’09 season, Livan Hernandez is allegedly 37 (1975)
. I still maintain that we should add 5 years to his age !
The New York Mets signed free agent middle reliever, Don Aase on February 20, 1989. Ironically Aase would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on exactly the same day a year later.
The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher, Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 20, 1996. I remember being very apathetic about Dwight signing with the Yankees at the time. I still felt the sting of his suspension for substance abuse, but it stung even more when he threw a no-hitter for the team from the Bronx.
The New York Mets signed free agent reserve first baseman, Tony Clark on February 20, 2003. In his lone season for the Mets, Clark played in 125 games and finished with 16 homers and 43 RBIs while hitting .232.
Mo Vaughn has once again announced his annual comeback attempt ! He should announce his retirement sometime tomorrow !
11 comments
MetsFan4Decades
2/20/2012-8:31am at 8:31 am (UTC -4)
Finally….
Watching John’s progress will certainly be a top priority in ST.
Holding my breath he’s the only ‘injury’ story we’re following in PSL.
Curious to see how the BP shapes up – couple spots up for grabs yet.
Looking forward to the glimpses of the minor league invitees as well.
MetsFan4Decades
2/20/2012-8:37am at 8:37 am (UTC -4)
Reading your Infamy….saw the Mets classic the other night on Gary Carter’s first Met game and his walkoff HR. Watching Doc start that season on the mound and all I could think was what could have been. On his way that season to a HOF career that never was….
Stick
2/20/2012-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
You seem to have gotten a jump on moving Duda to LF, unless you know something we don’t?
Anyway, Johan of course is the huge sideshow. But, 2B is the other thing I am real interested in. I can’t wait to see havens after a healthy winter of getting strong and ready to go, and if Murphy looks like he can survive as a starting 2B.
How Wright looks (physically) will be interesting to see also.
watching Davis and Duda peppering whatever is behind that picnic berm in RF will be fun also!
I have to decide if it is worth paying $119 again for mlb.tv. not likely to get enough use out of it, but will probably end up doing it anyway.
I did just get a new laptop yesterday (a gateway for a whopping $315 at Target). The old one was a comeplete dog anyway, and now has a cracked screen (I think the dog stepped on it), so was almost unusable.
Man, the new one flys. what a difference.
SaltyGary
2/20/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
I just dropped the MLB package from DirecTv last week. It was $215 and I couldn’t stomach it for this season, first time without it in 9 years. BUT MLB.Tv just added the ability to stream through a XBOX or smart tv in HD and I believe I can stomach the $119. I imagine DirecTv might not be happy with this option now. Why spend $100 more for the same content? When it first came out it was around $125 and it has raised it’s price slowly every year.
Stickguy
2/20/2012-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
hmm, might have to check on that. I did get a fancy new TV that is wireless enabled, but of course have yet to figure out how to make it work!
gategem
2/20/2012-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
You really don’t even need a smart TV. If you have an old laptop you can output the video via one of the available external connections. It’s easy to set up, especially if you are using Windows 7. Windows 7 has excellent media capability.
SaltyGary
2/20/2012-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
You are correct. I build my own computers so it’s easy for me but get why others don’t want to do it. There is also a Roku Box (what TRS uses) that is only $100, and you can hook it up to the TV and network to get the same features.
Stick if your TV can stream things like Netflix or Hulu then there is a good chance it can do MLB.tv. Just Google the requirements and you will see it’s compatible with a lot of equipment.
Andre
2/20/2012-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
P’s & C’s …hmmm..EXCITING I’m looking forward to a 95 win season !!!
Mr North Jersey
2/20/2012-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
So it looks like Manny has signed with A’s officially for 1-year, $500,000. I am reading on Twitter that he isn’t eligible to play until June 2nd (if there are no rainouts).
Mr North Jersey
2/20/2012-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
By the way for those interested MLB will be streaming a Pujols press conference at 2:00pm EST.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=6261176&partnerId=aw-5764187117593399735-1033
Mr North Jersey
2/20/2012-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
William Ladson @washingnats
RHP Chien-Ming Wang has shoulder stiffness, but it’s not considered serious.
http://twitter.com/#!/washingnats/statuses/171680458638229505
Isn’t this how it always start. I fear we may be hearing similar remarks regarding Santana at some point as well.