June 25: PM Mets Links and Open Thread

Posted on June 25, 2010 by loge mezzanine

ESPN – It looks like Carlos Beltran may join the Mets in Puerto Rico next week.

NY Post – It looks like Bobby Valentine MIGHT be managing the Marlins when they take on the Mets next week in Puerto Rico.

MetsToday – Wally Backman exhibiting restraint after the ejection of Brooklyn Cyclones’ centerfielder Darrell Ceciliani. Wally being Wally…

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette – Did you realize the Tigers swept the Mets? I guess that’s why you don’t write headlines for the Associated Press.

NY Post – Andy Martino reports via Twitter that Prince Harry will throw out the first pitch at tomorrow’s game at Citi Field.

And via MetsBlog, here is video of Carlos Beltran during last night’s game:

TONIGHT’S GAME

The Mets (41-31) take on the visiting Minnesota Twins (40-32) tonight. Mike Pelfrey (9-2, 2.69) will face Kevin Slowey (7-4, 4.58).

And here is tonight’s lineup:

Jose Reyes, SS
Jesus Feliciano, CF
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Josh Thole, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ruben Tejada, 2B
Mike Pelfrey, RHP

Posted in Gameday Open Thread, Link Dump | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Tonight’s Lineup

Posted on June 25, 2010 by loge mezzanine

As previously noted, Jesus Feliciano and Josh Thole will be in tonight’s starting lineup, via ESPN NY’s Adam Rubin:

Jose Reyes, SS
Jesus Feliciano, CF
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Jason Bay, LF
Josh Thole, C
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Ruben Tejada, 2B
Mike Pelfrey, RHP

Posted in Lineups | Tagged , | 1 Comment

WWWBD: Cyclones Win Again, Backman Ejected

Posted on June 25, 2010 by John Fitzgerald

Time for another installment of What Would Wally Backman Do?

The Brooklyn Cyclones routed the Hudson Valley Renegades on Thursday night, by a score of 16-5. Brooklyn improved to 5-2 on the young season, good enough for first place in the New York Penn League’s McNamara Division. The game was highlighted by Brooklyn’s 18-hit offensive barrage and Wally Backman’s first ejection of the season.

Things weren’t looking so good on the night before, when Backman’s Cyclones blew a lead in the seventh inning with shoddy defense to lose Wednesday night’s game. Brooklyn’s bats were just as bad, as the team was held to three hits on the night. It’s interesting to note that Backman actually argued with an umpire following the ejection of centerfielder Darrell Ceciliani and he wasn’t ejected. You read that right – Wally Backman confronted an umpire and wasn’t ejected. You don’t see that everyday… But you can see the video below:

According to Stephen Brown at the Brooklyn Heights Courier, the team’s uninspired play on Wednesday prompted Backman to call a team meeting. The meeting seemed to have helped jumpstart the Cyclones:

“They didn’t swing the bat well yesterday, so I called a meeting. They sure came out swinging today,” Backman said after the game. (YourNabe.com)

Backman doesn’t like losing, but he absolutely hates losing because of fundamental mistakes. His postgame speech probably sounded alot like the video below, which is from 2007:

CAUTION: Video contains adult language. Not Safe For Work!! NSFW

Fast forward back to Thursday night’s contest. With his team comfortably ahead, en route to a 16-5 victory, Backman argued a home run call and – you guessed it – he was ejected:

Backman showed his intensity — or temper, depending on your perspective — in the ninth, as he was ejected from the game after challenging a questionable two-run dinger that appeared to be foul. His team may have been up by 13 runs, but Backman ripped off his cap and got nose to nose with the umpire, much to the crowd’s delight.

“I said a word he didn’t like,” Backman said. “The ump said, ‘Don’t say that again,’ — and I let him have it. If he wants to jaw, I’ll jaw.” (YourNabe.com)

Some things never change…

Posted in Mets 2010 Games | Tagged | 11 Comments

Pagan Is Not Trade Bait (Yet)

Posted on June 25, 2010 by loge mezzanine

I know I was a little rough on Omar Minaya yesterday, but this qualifies as good news and Omar deserves some credit:

Several senior Mets officials said that because of the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Beltran’s health, the team does not have the luxury of trading Pagan, who has greatly enhanced his value with a strong season subbing for Beltran in center field. (NY Daily News)

The only caveat here is that the same team officials also say that Pagan could become expendable if Beltran plays well upon his return. But still, it’s good to know Pagan might have a future in Queens. Hopefully, that future doesn’t come at the expense of Carlos Beltran’s health.

Posted in Mets 2010 Games | Tagged | 1 Comment

June 25: Morning Mets Links

Posted on June 25, 2010 by John Fitzgerald

MetsBlog – It looks like Bobby Valentine will be the new Marlins manager and the best manager in the National League. Deal with it.

OnTheBlack – Kerel Cooper on who’s hot… and who’s not.

BrooklynMetFan – BMF talks about last night’s loss, Johan Santana’s recent off-field problems and his general sense of unease at recent events.

The Daily Stache – The best part about the “new and improved” Citi Field? The team on the field…

ESPN New York – A preview of the upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins.

Posted in Link Dump | Tagged | 1 Comment

Friday Night: Pagan Out, Thole In

Posted on June 25, 2010 by John Fitzgerald

Andrew Marchand is reporting that Angel Pagan will likely take another night off tonight as the Mets start a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. It seems the Mets are proceeding with caution and that Pagan is on board with the decision:

“I don’t think they are going to let me play,” Pagan said.

Pagan didn’t disagree with the anticipated decision.

“I just don’t want it to be a bigger deal,” Pagan said.  (ESPN New York)

In other news, Jerry Manuel doesn’t think Rod Barajas’ back injury is serious, but he expects to start Josh Thole behind the plate tonight.

Posted in Latest Mets News, Lineups | Tagged , | Comments Off on Friday Night: Pagan Out, Thole In

Mets Game 72: Loss to Tigers

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Joe Janish

Tigers 6 Mets 5

The bright side: the Mets won the series.

Also on the bright side: the Mets kept fighting through the very end of the game, despite falling behind early.

These are NOT the 2008 nor 2009 Mets.

Game Notes

Hisanori Takahashi allowed 6 runs on 8 hits and 4 walks in 4 innings. He did strike out 4, though, so there was that. A few of the Tigers seemed to be looking for and sitting on the changeup — particularly Magglio Ordonez, who redirected one over the fence.

In a terrible dose of bad luck, the Mets demoted LOOGY / long reliever Raul Valdes prior to the game to make room for Josh Thole, who was needed as a backup with Rod Barajas suffering with a back problem. If Valdes were on the club, it’s possible he would have relieved Tak before the damage was done. At the same time, I’m not convinced that Valdes would’ve made a difference — for all we know, he would’ve tossed more gas on the fire. It’s not like Valdes reminds people of Sparky Lyle out of the ‘pen.

Jesus Feliciano went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored while filling in for Angel Pagan, who is suffering from spasms in his rib cage. However, Feliciano took it easy in running from second to third on single by David Wright in the fourth, and he might’ve made it all the way home had he busted it. It’s the little things, folks …

David Wright had two hits and an RBI, which was his 20th run against the American League this year — breaking the club mark for interleague RBI in a single season (previously 19 by Mike Piazza in 1999). Wright’s 57 RBI are the most in the National League, and he also leads the NL with 23 RBI in June.

Chris Carter had an RBI single in the 7th after entering the game as part of a double switch when Takahashi was removed. Carter is now 5-for-10 with three extra-base hits and 12 RBI with RISP this year. Not too shabby, eh?

Carter drove in Ruben Tejada, who had another single and in turn extended his hitting streak to 8 games.

Next Mets Game

The Mets host the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series this weekend in Flushing. Game one begins at 7:10 PM. Mike Pelfrey faces Kevin Slowey.

Posted in Mets 2010 Games | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

June 24: Afternoon Mets Links and Open Thread

Posted on June 24, 2010 by John Fitzgerald

The first place Mets! Seriously… With the Braves loss this afternoon, the Mets are now a half game ahead of the second place Braves. Nice…

NY Post – Angel Pagan will not start tonight’s game becaue of muscle spasms on his right side. The injury does not appear to be serious and Pagan should be back in a day or two.

OnTheBlack – Kerel Cooper points out the Mets are getting alot of production for very little cost.

MetsToday – Loge Mezzanine (he’s new here, go easy) claims the Mets have lucked their way into some speed.

Brooklyn Met Fan – The return of the Boogey Met? I see where BMF is going with this, but how can the Boogey Met be back if the Mets just moved into first place?

ESPN – Jerry Manuel is making bold statements about Carlos Beltran’s return. Today, Jerry says Beltran may join the Mets for Monday’s game in Puerto Rico. On astroturf.

TONIGHT’S GAME

The first-place Mets (41-30) look for the sweep against the visiting Detroit Tigers (38-32). Hisanori Takahashi (6-2, 3.13) will be faced by Armando Galarraga (2-1, 3.32).

Discuss…

And here is a random YouTube video spoof on instructional baseball videos. Watch as Coach Ron tries to teach players how to block the plate, including the “Gary C” technique. I’m sure Joe Janish can add to this:

Posted in Gameday Open Thread, Link Dump | Tagged , | 2 Comments