2010 Spring Training

Is That a Balk?

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Check out the video of Japanese hurler Ryota Igarashi posted by Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog: OK, watch it again. One more time, please. Is it me, or is “Gimme Three Steps” by Lynyrd Skynyrd running through Igarashi’s head when he comes to the set from the stretch position? All that footwork ain’t gonna fly come … Read more

What, Me Worry?

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For most of the winter, I’ve been whining, opining, and complaining about the Mets’ inability to address the concerns of their ballclub. However, now that pitchers and catchers have reported, hope springs eternal, and all of my worries have subsided. After all, we keep hearing wonderful, reassuring quotes from everyone in Port St. Lucie. For … Read more

David Wright Batting Leadoff

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David Wright is number oneAccording to zen master Jerry Manuel, Jose Reyes will be the Mets’ #3 hitter — as long as Carlos Beltran is on the DL.

I don’t even want to go into the stupidity of Reyes in the 3-hole, nor the illogical thinking that went into the cause-and-effect relationship of Beltran’s unavailability compared to Reyes’ spot in the order. After all, unless he’s on a rare unconscious streak (such as he had at the beginning of 2009), Beltran’s ideal spot is either 4th or 5th. Further, if Reyes (or Beltran) is batting third, where does one pencil in David Wright?

Logic would dictate that Wright gets a guaranteed plate appearance in the first inning, since he has been, and remains, the Mets’ best hitter and on-base guy. That said, if Wright isn’t slated to bat third, then the next most logical spot in the order would be … first — a.k.a., “leadoff”.

Sound crazy? Not nearly as crazy as plotting Reyes in the three-hole.

Consider that Wright has

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