josh thole – Page 2

The Mets: Seven Reasons to Stay Tuned in 2012

January 2, 2012January 1, 2012 by Dan Capwell

Happy New Year everyone! With the holidays now in the rear view mirror and me now settling down into my new job, it’s time to take look ahead to what 2012 might hold in store for the New York Mets.

Like most of us, I have very low expectations for the team this year. Team finances aside, the starting rotation is mediocre at best, there are several defensive liabilities in the projected starting eight, the bench is horrible, there is little speed on the current roster and they play in a tough division. Still, I will watch as many Mets games as I can this year. Now that I have a steady income again, I may even make the pilgrimage from my home in Bethlehem to Citi Field to take in a game or two. I know that there is no postseason in store for the Mets in 2012, but I can think of at least seven reasons to pay attention to the team this year:

2011 Evaluation: Josh Thole

December 1, 2011 by Joe Janish

OK, here’s the post where at least half of Mets fans decide they hate me, because they think I hate Josh Thole.

Let’s get one thing straight: I like all catchers, therefore I like Josh Thole. Second, I like Josh Thole as a ballplayer because he works very hard, hustles, and gets as much out of his talent as he possibly can. Despite the fact I like Josh Thole, I can’t let that cloud my evaluation of him as a Major League catcher. That said, in 2011 Josh Thole did not make me believe that he is, or could become, a starting catcher on a championship club.

2011 Analysis: Ronny Paulino

November 27, 2011November 27, 2011 by Joe Janish

For a while, it was questionable whether Ronny Paulino would ever get going in a Mets uniform, and what kind of contribution he’d make. Visa issues kept him out of Port St. Lucie until Mid-March, and when he finally arrived, manager Terry Collins announced he’d be Josh Thole‘s backup. Not long after he arrived in spring training, Paulino was diagnosed with anemia, further setting him back — and then there was the remainder of his PEDs suspension to serve.

Despite these multiple issues that prevented Paulino from properly preparing for the 2011 season, things turned out OK.

2011 Evaluation: Mike Nickeas

November 26, 2011 by Joe Janish

It took Mike Nickeas a long time to reach MLB, but when he finally did, he proved capable if unspectacular. The Canadian-born catcher spent seven years in the minors before grabbing a cup of coffee with the Mets in September 2010. Thanks to visa problems, injuries, and the end of a drug suspension for Ronny … Read more

Mets Game 151: Win Over Braves

September 16, 2011 by Joe Janish

Mets 12 Braves 2

In four innings against the Wild Card leading Braves, the Mets score double the amount of runs they mustered in four games against the previously fourth-place Nationals. Go figure.

A nice outburst, but it doesn’t really take the sting out of that four-game fold-up in Flushing.

Mets Game 124: Loss to Brewers

August 20, 2011August 20, 2011 by Joe Janish

Brewers 6 Mets 1

This was a difficult game to watch, particularly after waiting through almost three hours of a rain delay. There was a point — after four innings — when I thought the Mets had a chance, but after the fifth, it seemed like everyone was just waiting for the game to end.

Mets Game 112: Win Over Braves

August 6, 2011 by Joe Janish

Mets 11 Braves 7

It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a win just the same.

Who Will Pitch and Catch On Sunday?

May 7, 2011 by Joe Janish

Going by the regular order of the Mets’ 5-man starting rotation, it will be knuckleballer R.A. Dickey’s turn to take the mound for Sunday’s ballgame against the Dodgers. Generally speaking, Josh Thole has been R.A.’s unofficial personal catcher — so the battery would tentatively be Dickey and Thole. However, there is some discussion that could change before tomorrow.