2010 Spring Training

A Fruitful Spring

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In case you haven’t seen it yet, OnTheBlack.com has a new video every day, with each one featuring comments on the Mets’ offseason and predictions by Kerel Cooper, Dave Doyle of Mets Report, and yours truly. In related news, the eagle-eyed Dave Singer of NYSportsReport took notice of the citrus wedge in what he assumed … Read more

Josh Thole’s Catching Stance

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RED FLAG ALERT!

Take a look at the above photo, taken in Port St. Lucie from yesterday’s intrasquad game by Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog. It’s Josh Thole in his “runners on” catching stance.

Notice the flat back, weight forward on the balls of the feet (and off the heels), arms extended out in front. It’s classic, 1970s positioning, made famous by the likes of Johnny Bench.

And it’s wrong.

That’s right — Johnny Bench, the greatest catcher who ever lived — used an improper, inefficient catching stance.

If you didn’t think I was off my rocker when criticizing Sandy Koufax last week, then surely you believe I’ve gone bonkers on this one.

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Living in the Past

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According to those with access to the innards of Tradition Field, the phrase “Prevention and Recovery” is painted on the walls throughout the clubhouse in Port St. Lucie. This is an additional slogan to the “We Believe in Comebacks” spun out by the Mets’ PR department in early January. Hmm … PREVENTION … AND …. … Read more

Slow Start for Kelvim Escobar

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In a shocking turn of events, Mets reliever Kelvim Escobar has suffered a setback in his recovery from shoulder problems — to the point where he is expected to begin the season on the disabled list. It is stunning news, considering that Escobar proved he was completely capable of picking up, gripping, and softly tossing … Read more