Author Archives: Joe Janish

About Joe Janish

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.

14 DUPACR: Gil Hodges

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Joe Janish

With 14 Days Until Pitchers And Catchers Report, we honor #14 Gil Hodges. This was easy, since only three people in Mets history ever wore #14 on their back — Hodges, Ron Swoboda (for one season) and Ken Boyer (for … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring Training Countdown | Tagged | 5 Comments

Reactions To News That Mets Are For Sale

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Joe Janish

Amazin’ Avenue says the Mets / Wilpons “haven’t been totally forthright with the ticket-buying public” BarStoolSports – NYC wonders if his prayers have been answered MadoffMemoranda finds it hard to believe that Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz never found anything … Continue reading →

Posted in 10-11 Offseason, Around the Blogs | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Mets For Sale

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Joe Janish

So much for the conspiracy “theory” — as it turns out, the Madoff scandal did and does affect the Wilpons and the New York Mets in particular, despite countless denials to the contrary. From last week’s press release: As Sterling … Continue reading →

Posted in 10-11 Offseason | Tagged , | 4 Comments

15 DUPACR: Jerry Grote

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Joe Janish

Loyal readers of MetsToday know that I’m a catcher. Do you know why I’m a catcher? Because when I first became aware of baseball (thanks to WOR and WPIX), in the mid-1970s, my two favorite players were Thurman Munson and … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring Training Countdown | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

16 DUPACR: Dwight Gooden

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Joe Janish

With 16 Days Until Pitchers And Catchers Report, we honor the day with former #16 Dwight Gooden. This was a fairly easy choice, though I did for a moment consider Lee Mazzilli, who made the number famous in Flushing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring Training Countdown | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mets Make Offer To Shylock

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Joe Janish

According to various sources, Rodrigo Lopez will make a decision this weekend to accept a minor-league contract and invitation to spring training from one of several teams making such an offer — including the Mets, Braves, and Rockies. The Portugal … Continue reading →

Posted in 10-11 Offseason | Tagged , | 6 Comments

17 DUPACR: Guess Who?

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Joe Janish

There are 17 Days Until Pitchers and Catchers Report to spring training at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida. So today I honor a former player who wore New York Mets uniform number 17. But which #17 do I … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring Training Countdown | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

18 DUPACR: Darryl Strawberry

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Joe Janish

You were expecting Jeff McKnight, weren’t you? I will admit, though, there was a nanosecond where I considered honoring Joel Youngblood for the 18th Day Until Pitchers And Catchers Report. But really, there was never a question, for so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Spring Training Countdown | Tagged , | 4 Comments