Mets Game 162: Win Over Marlins
Mets 4 Marlins 2
Wait till next year!
Mets Game Notes
The Mets salvage the final game of the series to avoid a season-ending sweep. They lost 7 of their last 9 series, finishing the year with a 74-88 record — 14 games under .500. Ouch and yuck. In case you forgot, the Mets’ 2011 record was 77-85. But hey, sometimes you need to take two steps back to take one step forward.
It was an encouraging start for Pat Misch Jeremy Hefner, who pitched a strong 7 1/3 innings. I’d really, really like to say that this outing by Hefner means something, but, in reality, it doesn’t.
Similarly, it doesn’t matter that Andres Torres hit a homerun. I noticed Andres taking some very healthy cuts over the last week, and I imagine he was “airing it out.” And why not? He’s not a stupid man, and realizes he will be non-tendered. When you have nothing to lose, you may as well play that way, and swing from the heels.
Ike Davis hit his 32nd homerun of the year, an opposite-field shot. Again, what does it mean? Not much more than Bobby Parnell gaining his seventh save of the season. This was the ultimate giveaway game; two teams playing out the string and a bunch of players looking to pad their stats. Ho hum.
In non-Mets news, Miguel Cabrera won the AL Triple Crown. Wow. As in, WOW.
Another Miguel — Miguel Batista — is going to the postseason (with the Braves). Wait, what? Wonders never cease.
There’s more to say, I’m sure, but I’m spent. Sound off in the comments.
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 13. That gives Alderson and his dream team about 130 days to improve the team enough to interest fans besides those that love baseball and will watch no matter how lame the ownership is. Comments yesterday were not encouraging, more Ivy League speak that is backing off more aggressive comments made just a few weeks ago. It should be an interesting winter, but I will be referring the the GM as Sandy Wilpon until his actions prove otherwise. Thanks for the efforts and recaps which help to make even bad baseball enjoyable, I look forward to the offseason analysis.
I would like to thank you for giving it a great effort during the season. Your perspective is always enlightening.
I’d also like to thank your regular commenters for their thoughts. They helped make this blog entertaining.
We all know that Izzy has nothing good to say about Sandy A. and he might prove to be correct, but I tendto agree more with david about the ownership.
Let’s all inhale deeply (collective sigh?) and enjoy the playoffs.
It takes tremendous dedication to document season after season of mediocrity, so I salute your tenacity. There were entire weeks where I had to avert my eyes and walk away. Oftentimes I found your cynicism and invective misplaced, but given your undertaking (double-meaning), I can’t really blame you.
I had predicted 75 wins, excellence for Dickey, and a breakthrough year for Ike, and I was mostly correct (Davis did break through…rock bottom, that is, in June). I see no reason to hope for better things next year, but I hope I’m wrong.
You were spot-on, Crozier. If you predict that well all the time, I hope you’re using that skill to fatten your wallet!
Like you, there were days/weeks/months(!) when I wanted to look away, but my inbred insanity forced me to continue on. I do believe the cynicism has been a developed — and now ingrained — attitude that began back in 2007 / 2008. Watching the team so closely every single day, and seeing the execution not coincide with the messages, makes it hard to see things optimistically.
Thanks for sticking it out with us and providing your special flair. I’ve enjoyed bantering with you and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.
Again, thanks for your great work. Now that the offseason is upon us and the hotstove is just around the corner, I’ll be sure to spend more time reading and hoping for miraculous acquisitions and strategic reductions….or as Adam Rubin so callously puts it…take or trash time.
All the best,
Rob
Time to warm up the hot stove!
Many thanks for participating all year.
The season win/loss wise was about as expected overall. Some even predicted a “100 loss” season. The true loser here is the Marlins. There was some expectation that they would do well. They did worse than the Mets. “Feel good story” Pittsburgh won a handful more games. Low expectations. Didn’t dig the hole deeper. Look at the closer. Mediocre. But, look at the alternatives. See, e.g., Heath Bell.
I never thought Pat Misch was a credible major league pitcher. Now and then, Hefner looks like one. Someone to fill in a few games in on a double header. Cf. Colin McHugh (if he will be, he isn’t yet). Anyway, like Batista last year, he had a job to do yesterday, and he did it. Give them a lot of innings.
The Mets had a watchable team the first half that kept their head above the water. Totally sunk come July. Expect 75-85 wins next season too. They are going in the right direction. The turn in the road is next summer with Dickey/Wright and finding some credible short term option at CF in the winter. Getting rid of Bay would be nice too. Sorry guy, time to go.
Joe, thanks for keeping me in check and balancing out the conversation. Looking forward to arguing with you all winter!
Yes, you’ve captured — exactly — the point and essence of this blog and one of my motivations.
I’ll keep it up as long as you keep coming here and adding to the conversation. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our discussions and arguments; if such a thing existed I’d sign you to a long-term, no-trade, commenting contract.
Thanks very much.