There has been a lot of talk, anger and outrage since it was disclosed on Tuesday that ESPN has decided to air the Mets May 26th game versus the Atlanta Braves as part of their Sunday Night Baseball telecasts. Why is there such a hubbud you may ask ? Well that Sunday has been scheduled as a afternoon game to host the second straight season of the return of Banner Day.
Under the ESPN scenario fans will be allowed to parade their home made banners around Citi Field starting at 5 p.m. with the actual game starting at 8:05 pm. I am a purist and I feel that this scenario is wrong. I know it is Memorial Day weekend but and a lot of people will not be working the next day – but Banner Day in my opinion must be hosted in the early afternoon. It has been reported that the Mets are unwilling to reschedule the game to a different day – such as May 11th like my Blogger in Arms, Shannon Shark from Mets Police has suggested.
I feel I have a good idea that will help smooth over the acrimony that this has stated – in addition to having Banner Day on May 26th followed by the ESPN game give the fans something elso to make them want to come to Citi Field. Something like lets say umm … BRINGING BACK OLD TIMERS DAY !!!
Think about it Mets brass if you happen to be reading this (and I know you are) you are killing two birds with one stone. Bringing back both of these beloved events on one day could possibly get fans in seats and increase revenue for a night game that most likely will not draw well. Even if there is no exhibition softball game between old Mets players such as Mookie, Tom Terrific and Mo Vaughn then hows about honoring the 40th anniversary of the “YA GOTTA BELIEVE” National League pennant winning team of ’73.
This is crazy enough to make everybody happy .
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Original Mets third baseman, Don ‘Popeye” Zimmer is 82 (1931).
The New York Mets selected third baseman, Roy Staiger in first round (24th pick overall) of free agent draft on January 17, 1970. Staiger was used primarily in a reserve role. In his three season with the Mets, Roy appeared in 148 games and hit .226 with 4 homers and 37 RBIs.
The New York Mets selected shortstop, Kevin Elster in second round of free agent draft on January 17, 1984.
The New York Mets signed free agent shortstop, Rafael Santana on January 17, 1984.Santana may not have been a great or even good hitting outfielder, but man was he a vacuum when he played defense.
The New York Mets traded back up catcher, Kelly Stinnett to the Milwaukee Brewers for middle reliever, Cory Lidle on January 17, 1996.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed starting pitcher, Jeff D’Amico of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 17, 2003.
The New York Mets signed free agent starting pitcher, Chris Young of the San Diego Padres on January 17, 2011. Young has been a mixed bag since his return from ACL surgery, and he might be back in a Mets uniform by the start of the ’13 season.
Mo Vaughn likes to go in through the out door !!!
64 comments
Stickguy
1/17/2013-8:40am at 8:40 am (UTC -4)
I like the idea of old timers day, but would do it on a different date. Not worth worrying about, because highly unlikely the Mets have the cash available to put that no!
and banner day on that Sunday does not bother me, since there is no school the next day anyhow.
TX
1/17/2013-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
Never was a fan of Elster.
And the PR team for the Mets just can’t get it right. Ever.
srt
1/17/2013-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
I would prefer it in the afternoon but don’t really care that it’s at 5pm. What I do care about is ESPN hosting that game. They don’t know the Mets history like Gary does. Gary will often entertain the SNY listening audience throughout the game that day with memories from previous Banner Days.
ESPN is just going to give the vanilla type reporting – if they even cover it all all. Since the parade starts at 5pm and the ESPN broadcast starts at 8pm, those of us watching aren’t going to get much on the banners. We’ll be lucky if they show a clip or two during the game.
Mets should move it to a different day, but who knows if ESPN will then claim that game as well?
Business…..
Stick
1/17/2013-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
us out of market fans appreciate the rare national game. So have pity.
wonder if DTM will be invited back as official grand marshall?
And did SNY broadcast it live? opefully they still film it and put it up on the website soon afterwards.
and yes, it is first and foremost a business.
srt
1/17/2013-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Oops…..sorry….
and to be fair, no SNY did not broadcast the parade either. They did have various clips of it during the game that followed. Don’t know if ESPN will be doing the same.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Bringing back Old Timer’s Day and celebrating the 1973 team are fantastic ideas.
I was just 3 and do not remember 1969, but the 1973 postseason was what truly hooked me for life on baseball and the Mets. I was 7 and remember it all so vividly, including how pissed my Dad was when they lost game 7 in Oakland.
That was a team that would have been almost as beloved as the 1969 team if they had won the Series…if they had just drafted Reggie instead of Steve Chilcott in 1966! Damn they’d have at least one more trophy!
Stick
1/17/2013-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
the ’73 is kind of like the redheaded stepchild (no offense Rusty!) of the Mets few WS years.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Looks like Davey is goin’ out with a World Series team in Washington this season.
Stick
1/17/2013-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I thought that in 1988 too. didn’t quite work out.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
Ahh, the ’88 dodgers, the worst team man4man i ever saw win the get to the playoffs, let alone win the series.
But alteast it was a win-win for Freddy(RazorBladesInPockets) Wilpon ….No???
greggofboken
1/17/2013-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
The iconic image
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb6bj7wPwX1qb0ctno1_500.jpg
Mays on his knees pleading to the heavens and Augie Donatelli for either mercy or justice after Fosse gets the out call on Bud Harrelson in extra inning of game 2.
Neither was forthcoming from either source.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
I remember that vividly. Cannot believe it is 40 years.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Yo tambiem, brother. btw, I just watched highlights from the ’79 Cubs-Phils 24-22 Sky King 3 HR day on the MLB network. Man did I have a crush on him @14 y/o.
Of course, Bill James and his like would tell u Kong was a bum and his 442HRs(i think) were meaningless…..
srt
1/17/2013-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
I watched that special on that Cubs-Phils game too the other day on MLB. Kingman could hit some towering HRs, couldn’t he?
Stick
1/17/2013-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
no idea what year, but I still recall being at shea when Kong hit one of his moonshots, that carried completely over the bupplen/picnic area, and over the back wall of the stadium. Bounced on the side walk and went out into the parking lot. that was impressive.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Fong, I remember that game so well. I LOVED Kingman as a kid. 442 HR, and at one point I think he was 18th on the all-time list before the PED era. But he really did not do anything well except hit HRs.
Stick, I may have been at that game–part of why I was so into Kingman was that it seemed like he would hit a HR at every game I went to when he was a Met. Some of them incredible towering shots to the left field bullpen area.
Still is and probably always will be my 3rd favorite Met after Keith and Seaver.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
he’s in my top 5, Maz,Mex,Fonzie,Reyes&Kong….In that order…I think. And I agree and know he was a one trick pony BUT if he was a FA nowadays coming off the ’79season @30y/o how much friggin’ money would he make??…Even the parts of his game which were bad (i, know, there were many) weren’t that bad compared to some guys today. He struck out 120,130 times a season…nothing with todays players. he wasn’t good in the field…But so what nowadays. Atleast with Kong you had the option of 4 positions.
Also, as I remenber that ’79yr, its very vividly having been 13+14 years old in 8th grade. After school coming home watch Jerry Girard on channel 11 with the early evering sports report, seemed almost every day showing highlights from wrigley field and Kingman hitting another HR or two.
srt
1/17/2013-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Old Timer’s day now – with 50 years of history behind the Mets – would be so much fun. Wish they’d bring it back too.
Prismo
1/17/2013-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Honestly, I don’t give a flying fudge.
Banner day, fanfest, old timer’s day, whatever. They’re all neat ways to celebrate my team. But when it’s mid-January and my team doesn’t have any real outfielders, a 5th starter, and half a bullpen banner day doesn’t seem like our biggest issue.
Rustyjr
1/17/2013-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
You young killjoy I oughta ……. (Shakes walker) zzzzzzz
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Amen brother!
kingman 26
1/17/2013-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
Prismo, relax; seriously, Sandy is just biding his time, waiting for prices to come down, and he knows that there is PLENTY of time until spring training.
He’s executing a really mature business sense while staying firmly within the confines of “The Plan.”
We’re rebuilding and re-stocking, he remains interested in MANY of the available OFs and pitchers, he has the money to spend but will be prudent in spending it, and won’t sacrifice the bright future of this team.
OK, did I get every horsesh*t Metsblog talking point in here? What did I miss?
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…
….thanks…the was indeed lLOL
TRS86
1/17/2013-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
I guess it’s easier for me because I didn’t expect them to make any big signings this year and I am still excited about the kids and then still have hope that the money fountain still has something in it when they actually need to use it. Hopefully next off-season as I thought it would be even before Sandy was hired.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
going on season number 38….
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
errr…make that 28….just feels like 38…typed before i thought….never a good thing.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
You are entitled to your perpetual optimism TRS, but they didn’t spend Beltran, Reyes, KRod, or Ollie’s dough, and they almost certainly won’t be spending Johan or Bay’s either.
I mean, they’ll be spending it, but the recipients will be banks and bondholders, not new players.
Big signings? Marcum and a real outfielder could have made a big difference to this team. I am not talking Hamilton or Greinke, but at this point, the outfield and the bullpen have the potential to be historically bad.
And if Johan or Gee cannot come back right away and/or effectively?
We finally could see the 100-loss season the real doomsayers have been predicting for 2-3 years now.
Prismo
1/17/2013-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Not to mention Wright and Bay’s deferrals, which were close to 10 million this offseason I believe.
I don’t see a 100-loss season, mostly because I think the Mets are pretty deep with extremely mediocre talent.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
I agree on the depth of mediocrity.
I only see 100 losses if Johan or Gee are unable to pitch, the entire OF plays poorly, and/or, most of all, if the bullpen does not pan out—it is far from certain that ANY of Mejia/Familia/Edgin/Carson are going to be very effective.
And the real problem is 54 games with the top three in our brutal division.
SaltyGary
1/17/2013-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
This could very well me a 100 loss season. They lost 88 last year, with a over-performing first half and a Cy Young pitcher. The rotation is worse, the outfield is worse and the bullpen may actually be worse if that is possible. No need what so ever was addressed except catcher, but seeing this will be his first season, lets not put too much pressure on him.
Also if you looks that the teams that had a worse record then the Mets, most made improvements to their roster or attempted to anyway. Toronto, KC, Boston, Miami, Cleveland, Minn, CO, Cubs and Houston were worse than the Mets. OUt of all of them Houston will probably still suck bad along with CO and Miami. All the rest on paper are better then the Mets. Now add more interleage games and these guys are going to get their teeth kicked in.
greggofboken
1/17/2013-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
Salty…it doesn’t seem that bleak to me. I concur regarding the rotation (though I’m expecting better overall out of Santana than we got). The outfield I believe is improved by the deduction of Bay and Torres from the mix. The shift to left should mitigate at least a little of the damage Duda will do. The pen sucked last year largely b/c of the performances of Acosta, Hefner, Batista, and Carrasco — all w/tih negative WAR and all gone. Francisco was a factor as well….though if you look at his past, his performance was way below his baseline. I would think he’d drift back to the norm.
I believe we’ll be slightly worse than last year — not drastically.
Stick
1/17/2013-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
only really 2 options.
1 is that they are so fixated on 2014, that they are not even bothering to invest anything in window dressing for 2013.
the 2nd of course, is that they are so broke (cash flow poor) that even the modest signings that can take them from bad to mediocre are out of reach.
though really, for most bad teams, that really is just window dressing.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
Fixated on 2014?
They are not thinking about ANYTHING beyond surviving the next round of debt and bond payments.
Come on.
Enough pretending.
Stick
1/17/2013-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
Knog, I will put that down as 1 vote in column #2
kingman 26
1/17/2013-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
LOL!
SaltyGary
1/17/2013-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
You may not have expected BIG signings but no fan expected the team to be turned into one of the worst teams in the league. No-one signed up for this.
Prismo
1/17/2013-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
As Gary alluded to – none of us expected any big signings. But there haven’t even been small signings (unless you count guys who are playing on the AAA squad). It’s abundantly clear this is 100% due to lack of money, and 0% due to there being no free agents who could help the big league team.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Well Prismo, as Joe Cabot said in Reservoir Dogs “Ain’t that the sad truth.”
Prismo
1/17/2013-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Joe Cabot has another relevant line in the movie: “Cough up a buck you cheap b@stard.”
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHA! That’s great!
Lawrence Tierney was absolutely hilarious in just about every scene he was in in that movie.
Know much about him? If not, read his Wikipedia page—crazy stuff.
Prismo
1/17/2013-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!! This is my favorite!
“When he guest-starred on Seinfeld (1990) in “The Jacket” episode as Elaine’s father, Alton Benes, the show’s fans were disappointed that he had not reprised the role in later episodes. Cast members later recounted that he scared them so badly that they never had him back on. He stole a butcher knife from the set and hid it under his jacket. When Jerry Seinfeld confronted him about it (much to the dismay of the entire cast), Tierney made a joking stabbing motion towards him as in reference to the movie Psycho.[13] Writer Larry David said that Tierney returned to the show’s offices about a week after shooting on the episode had wrapped, late on a Saturday night; although uncertain of his motive, David speculated that he was “looking for a sandwich or something.” From that moment forward, David later threatened cast members that if they caused problems on the set he would “bring back Lawrence Tierney.”"
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, is that guy’s life story bizarre or what!
And I REALLY wish he had been in more episodes of Seinfeld–he was hilarious.
ColoradoMetsFan
1/17/2013-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Started to wonder if you had gone Sybil on us. I feel much better now…:)
kingman 26
1/17/2013-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
Hahaha! No, I am still just insane in my own special, unique ways!
Stick
1/17/2013-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
you forgot the daily update on the state of the Diamondback’s OF.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
whats mike bourn’s status?… I never thought i’d say it even a month or 2 ago BUT with a reasonable contract he’d be a real good fit…No?…CF + leadoff spot taken care, allows the kids competing in the OF to focus on the corners only, stretch the lineup, buys time for a couple yrs until we can figure out what we have (or dont) in the OF. I know the guy has weaknesses(obp, his agent) but it looks like hes also got very limited options on wheres hes gonna play(and get paid).
instead of wasting time with the likes of Hairston who I like BUT is he gonna repeat last season?..Really?..and if he did, or comes close, hes still a platoon player…So..whats the point exactly.
Stick
1/17/2013-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly how I feel about Hairston, and why I am not worried about not getting him back.
Bourne, I still don’t seem them spending 8 figures for next year on him (and frankly, I am not that high on him in general), while also forfeiting the #11 pick in the draft. Not that they won’t screw it up, but they still aren’t giving it up.
there are also a few of the young OFs in the mix that IMO have to be able to handle CF defensively, or they have no chance at surviving in the corners with their bats.
TX
1/17/2013-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
Unfortunately, you have the combination of a higher contract value for Bourne this year, the loss of the 11th pick as well as loss of the total draft $$$ pool for that slot that could have been spread over the other picks as needed.
Does Bourne make this team better this year? Yes, but how long can he be the Bourne of 2012 and will it counter act the loss of the first round pick and the money for that slot?
Stick
1/17/2013-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
bourne though would fit right in with the Mets. he had a piss-poor 2nd half.
as a rule of thumb, when the braves dump a guy, there is a good reason for it.
fongulalou
1/17/2013-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
But that was funny Rustoleum.
SaltyGary
1/17/2013-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
FYI
@Mets
#Mets GM Sandy Alderson will be on @WFAN660 with Mike Francesa at 4 p.m.
TX
1/17/2013-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Put on that Teflon undies, Sandy. You’ll need them.
SaltyGary
1/17/2013-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
All I want is Mike to ask him “On our last conversation you stated there would be significant changes to the outfield and c, that was accomplished on C why hasn’t the rest been addressed”. I know I wont get the answer I want I just want the questioned asked.
kingman 26
1/17/2013-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
How can you listen to that?
He won’t say one meaningful thing, and if he does, it will be a total Wilpon-inspired lie.
I’d rather listen to the sound of paint drying or snow melting.
SaltyGary
1/17/2013-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
Because I want to keep myself pissed off.
But I missed it anyway I got pulled in a meeting.
Stick
1/17/2013-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
well. someone certainly needs to post some kind of recap/transcript. I am sure some site will have one up.
srt
1/17/2013-6:30pm at 6:30 pm (UTC -4)
AA usually puts up an interview like this.
MMO will probably put some portion of it up.
I missed it on purpose. I should have tuned in but I just can’t stand listening to Francesa.
TX
1/17/2013-6:35pm at 6:35 pm (UTC -4)
I’m curious to see the AA side of this, as MMO is going to be a blood/salty-bath.
Prismo
1/17/2013-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
I’m sure his meeting wasn’t THAT interesting, stick.
Stick
1/17/2013-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
mine never are.
Slackapuss
1/17/2013-7:01pm at 7:01 pm (UTC -4)
This just makes me sick! I just want to sue ESPN for interfering our time on the field holding our banners. I was already done creating my banner and ready to show it to the judges. I hate ESPN! They’re up to no damn good things.
TRS86
1/17/2013-7:15pm at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
WELCOME Slackpuss!
Stick
1/17/2013-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
you still get to go on. Just have to wait until 5:00.
give everyone plenty of tailgate prep time. that should liven the parade up.
Joe Wenzel
1/17/2013-8:33pm at 8:33 pm (UTC -4)
Just wish they would hold Banner Day LATER in the season like late-July or early August- by that time we’ll know how players are performing or we might have new favorites or rookies called up after the All-Star game.
Plus later in the summer other than a stray thunderstorm the weather will be much better than late May.
IMO, this will be the second year in a row the Mets will have blown the scheduling for this event.