Author Archive
Santana Re-Tears Anterior Capsule
Johan Santana has re-injured his left anterior capsule, and may be lost for the season. After what seemed like a major success story when Santana came back after shoulder surgery to repair the torn capsule last year, the tear has recurred, putting Johan back on the shelf. “A second surgery is a strong possibility,” general [...]
Link Roundup: Getting Ready for the Season
Practice baseball is almost over, and Opening Day is coming up on April 1st (no foolin’). Several projections and previews are in, but we’ll never know what happens until the games are played, no? My favorite projection is this one by Sports Illustrated for its even-handedness. Also for this intriguing quote by a scout which [...]
Wright Named Team Captain
David Wright has been named the fourth captain in Mets history, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and John Franco. Chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said the decision was essentially made from an ownership perspective the instant Wright signed an eight-year, $138 million contract in early December. Wright, though, said he wanted the endorsement of teammates before accepting [...]
1979 and the Birth of a Mets Fan
I was reading this post over at Amazin’ Avenue about the worst Opening Day lineups in Mets history (a story prompted by the lineup we may see on April 1st this year). They arranged it by decade. When I got to their nominee for worst lineup of the 70s, I stopped – and a flood [...]
Link Roundup: Namaste
This is the phase of Spring Training where we start to wring our hands and worry about injuries and try to predict who’s going to start on Opening Day. Since I have enough to worry about in real life, I’m adopting a new philosophy – I’m not going to worry about baseball – at least [...]
Link Roundup: Captain America, Wheeler Demoted, Valdy (Tasteless Headline Here)
You’ll all be happy to know that Mets 2B Jordany Valdespin is fine after he got hit by a Justin Verlander pitch in the…well, I’ll let Jordany tell you. After he was removed from the game, he told reporters that “Everything is good, working good, normally, everything is great.” Thanks for that self-evaluation, JV. This, [...]
Book Review: Long Shot by Mike Piazza (with Lonnie Wheeler)
When you think of Mike Piazza, “Long Shot” is probably the furthest thing from your mind. After all, he was the best hitting catcher in the history of baseball, he had Tommy Lasorda to help him into pro ball, he was a superstar in Los Angeles and New York, and he dated supermodels and married a [...]
Link Roundup: Tempered Optimism
Spring Training is always the time of year when every team feels they have a chance. Fans of each team concentrate on their strengths, and say, “hey, maybe this is our year.” As a Mets fan, I begin to get those thoughts once again, and then think, “Naaah.” It would probably take a miracle that [...]
Link Roundup: Frank Frank’s Elbow and the Bourn Reaction
Michael Bourn is an Indian, the Mets still have their 11th overall pick, and Mets fans are reacting. Many are unhappy that Alderson didn’t sacrifice the pick to make a move that would have signaled New York’s return to the baseball business. Besides, the only decent player to come out of the 11th overall spot [...]
Link Roundup: The Latest on Bourn, Other Activity
According to a tweet by former GM Jim Bowden, if the Mets were able to sign Michael Bourn, it is “likely” the Mets would be able to retain their first round pick. According to a league source if the Mets were able to sign Michael Bourn it is likely through negotiations w/union pick would be protected — JIM [...]
Wright: Bourn, Can We Buy You?
David Wright joined the Mets push to acquire Michael Bourn on Monday. While the Mets engage in draft jujitsu with Major League Baseball over their eleventh round draft pick, and play a game of cat and mouse with Scott Boras, Wright contacted Bourn personally to lobby the center fielder to come to Flushing. Wright [...]
Link Roundup: Now with 20% More Deer Antler Spray
More PED news impacted Major League Baseball this week, as several players were linked to a dodgy anti-aging clinic in Miami. Among the players were OF Nelson Cruz, LHP Gio Gonzalez, 3B Alex Rodriguez, OF Melky Cabrera, and RHP Bartolo Colon. A-Rod, Cabrera, and Colon have all been linked to/suspended for using PEDs in the [...]
Link Roundup: Bourn and Marcum
Sandy Alderson and the Mets are playing a little chess to try to sign center fielder Michael Bourn. If the Mets sign Bourn, they’d have to surrender their first round pick, eleventh overall, in the upcoming draft. Giving up on the 11th best player in the amateur draft is a non-option for a rebuilding team. [...]
Link Roundup: Banner Day and Matt Harvey
As you may have heard, the game on May 26th was moved to 8 PM to accommodate ESPN’s broadcast. May 26th is Banner Day. Many fans felt passionate that Banner Day should be a day game, as is tradition. And the Mets have listened. They’re giving you, the fan, a chance to vote on what date [...]
Link Roundup: Scraping Together a Roster
Pitchers and Catchers report in less than a month, and the Mets still have holes to fill on their roster. They need a starting pitcher to help replace the 220 innings left behind by R.A. Dickey. Rumor had it they were interested in Daisuke Matsuzaka, but another rumor had it they weren’t. They also need [...]
