Last night I woke up to the sounds of SNY anchor, Chris Carlin talking about the Mets come from behind 7-4 victory over the much hated Phillies of Philadelphia. I must have fallen asleep just after emergency starter, Miguel Batista was roughed up for 4 runs in the first 2 innings.
It was easy to write off the game last night as a loss. Batista is no way near the second coming of Tom Seaver ( he’s not even the second coming of Anthony Young), yet he did settle down to put in 5 innings of work. That is where the offense took over, coming back to score 7 runs against a Phillies bullpen that on paper is considered rock solid.
But just like I have been saying, just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean it will play out that way in real life. Look at the Phillies, they are currently in last place – yet they have been predicted by many of the “intelligentsia” as being the team to beat in the N.L East. Same thing goes with the newly revamped Miami Marlins, who shopped at Nordstrom’s while the Mets were dumpster diving in the back of the local 5 Below.
The point is this Mets team as of right now is playing like a contender. No deficit is to high to overcome, and individual players are stepping up to contribute. This team has lost Mike Pelfrey for the season due to season ending surgery. Ike Davis hasn’t hit yet, and the bullpen has shown to be erratic so far. Yet this team still pereveres.
Johan Santana is looking like he did before he was sidelined for the past 2 seasons due to a shoulder injury. David Wright is on fire, and Daniel Murphy is proving to be better than adequate at second base – as well as at the plate.
Look, I admit that it is only the middle of May and there is still 4 months of baseball left, in fact – we have seen the Mets this good this early in the season for the past 5 seasons. It is most probable that this team will not be in the post season this year, but Sandy Alderson has been correct thus far when he said that this season’s team would be fun to watch.
This team has embraced up the “Why not us ?” mantra, and why should’t they have something to prove ? Well they proved it on Monday night when they were able to hang in against Roy Halliday – one of the best pitchers of the last 10 years, and coming back last night, it makes it easier to believe that this organization has turned the page and is on the road back to respectability.
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Mets utility man from the ’67/’68 seasons, Jerry Buchek is 70 (1942) .
The New York Mets traded original catcher, Hobie Landrith to the Baltimore Orioles for first baseman ( and Mets folk hero) ” Marvelous” Marv Throneberry on May 9, 1962.
The New York Mets released pitcher, Craig Swan on May 9, 1984. Swan was the Mets ace from the lean years of the late ’70′s/early ’80′s. He had suffered from numerous shoulder injuries – including a torn rotator cuff.
The New York Mets claimed middle reliever, Mark Dewey on waivers from the San Francisco Giants on May 9, 1991.
New York Mets signed free agent spot starter/middle reliever, Doug Linton on May 9, 2001.
The New York Mets signed free agent starting pitcher, Brian Lawrence on May 9, 2007.He was signed to provide depth for a starting rotation that had suffered from injuries. He didn’t impress though, going 1-2 with a 6.83 E.R.A in 6 starts.
Mo Vaughn likes to watch Phillies fans eat their fair share of humble pie !!!
10 comments
srt
5/9/2012-7:28am at 7:28 am (UTC -4)
That was a great come from behind win last night. Anytime we can beat the Phillies – and in their own house to boot – to take a series win is always good.
I too wrote off that game last night with Batista starting. Thought we were done after the 4 runs were given up as I didn’t think Batista would end there. To his credit, he only gave up 2 earned runs for the 5 + innings. Still don’t want to see him on the mound in 5 days but TC said it’s a given so….
We’re playing a starter short, without Tejada and Thole – without Ike the mess that he is at the plate – and still find a way to win. Agree with you about the last place Phils. They’ve got nothing right now outside of SP and a closer. But still…..how can you not love that game last night?
I went into the season with no expectations – was just gonna watch some Met baseball and enjoy. So far, enjoy is putting it mildly. Don’t know how long it will last but it’s certainly fun while it does.
gategem
5/9/2012-7:45am at 7:45 am (UTC -4)
You have the best, most logical and sensible attitude on the internet. Just enjoy it while it lasts (OMG another cliché). Not to take away from what the Mets have accomplished but the Orioles are 19-11, Cleveland is 17-12 and the Dodgers are 19-11. What can we conclude from all of this? It’s too darn early.
srt
5/9/2012-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
It is early and being that it’s baseball…..anything can happen and it usually does.
I’m reading Thole, who has had previous concussions – probably will not return in 7 days. He’s basically shut down right now. I hope it doesn’t cost him the season.
At some point though the injuries mounting are going to have a negative impact.
- Bay on the DL really hasn’t cost us much.
- Pelf being lost for the season is a big hit – and who would have thought that? – simply b/c of the timing and we don’t have a competent replacement starter ready.
- Sounds like Tejada will be back in 15 days so that’s a plus.
I think the difference this year as opposed to the last recent years with injuries is for the most part, this is a young team. The ‘edge’ allowing us to win just a bit more than we’ve lost just might be attributed to these young, enthusiastic and hungry kids.
For the Met fans that have been clamoring since ’09 to get rid of the over paid, over-the-hill guys, they just might have been on to something….
Stickguy
5/9/2012-7:38am at 7:38 am (UTC -4)
enjoy the ride baby.
hopefully this year there is no need for a fire sale, and they go out and find some help where it is needed in July, and stay in the race. Why not them? Not like the rest of the NL is a bunch of fabulous teams without their own problems.
Do need another real SP to step in though. batista, not the answer. And would rather not see any more of his starts. Hopefully they skip his spot in the rotation next time around (thanks to the off day tomorrow).
gategem
5/9/2012-8:16am at 8:16 am (UTC -4)
I agree with your thoughts that it would be great if they go out and find some help where it is needed in July and stay in the race. However, the Mets will probably not deviate from their master plan to build from within and will probably not go after mid-season talent if the cost is a valuable prospect that could help the Mets meet their goals of the future. And although the Wilpons financial situation and that of the Mets has stabilized and they see a way out of the morass I don’t see them taking on a mid-season salary dump. In fact, sadly, it could still go as it did last season.
gategem
5/9/2012-8:24am at 8:24 am (UTC -4)
The Mets will not get respect in their home town. New York belongs to the Yankees and the Mets are looked upon as the pesky, annoying little brother whose career high is asking people if they want to super size their combo. The resources and attention will still flow to the Yankees. The Mets will have to be satisfied with picking up the scraps.
Stick
5/9/2012-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
the mets have owned this town before (late 60s, the 80s). So it could happen again, right?
Not that I really care. As long as the mets are successful, no real reason to compare to the Yankees. Someday they should go into a down period, right? please?
gategem
5/9/2012-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
The Mets did own this town in 1969 and the mid to late 1980’s but otherwise it has been a Yankees town. After all they are a storied franchise. The Yankees are also in the playoffs year after year and don’t expect it to end sometime soon. They have an outstanding front office and have or will have young replacement players when the veterans fade away. Is it important to the Mets? Not from a on field perspective. But as a franchise operating in a home market the Yankees kill the Mets in both media attention and fan response thus siphoning off resources that the Mets could use to build a better ball club.
srt
5/9/2012-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
I hate the Yankees…..
How is it, with that rotation they have, with the problems they’ve been experiencing, they just keep on finding ways to win? Dang, it’s annoying.
Liz
5/9/2012-6:28pm at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
SWEEP! Lets get the Brooms out and make the Philthy fans heads explode! LETS GO METS!