There Used to Be a Met Guy Right Here 2019

[G-Fafif]

Free agency has arrived for Luis Avilan, Brad Brach, Rajai Davis, Todd Frazier, Rene Rivera and Zack Wheeler. Monday is the deadline for a QO for Wheeler (we'll see) and whether the Mets will pick up their option on Juan Lagares ($9.5 million, so probably not).

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I may have told this story before but I met Hondo in like, 1989 or 90 when he was working for Jim Beam, making appearances at liquor stores to sell stuff and I was a clueless local news reporter. I was trying to interview him and he was like a Matt Harvey talking about Qualcomm, only he was good-natured about it.



JL: What was it like managing a Young Darryl Strawberry?

FH: I was fortunate to be with a lot of good young guys. Now, this here product is great....



JL: What do you make of the Orioles?

FH: The difference between a good team and a bad team is only couple of good players. This Jim Beam is aged 7 years...

[MFS62]

I remember him for ruining Mookie Wilson's throwing arm in Spring Training by extending him before he was fully recovered from an injury and for a home run he hit against the Mets at the Polo Grounds that went over the light tower above the left field stands at the Polo Grounds.



Later

[Guest 41Forever]

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: I may have told this story before but I met Hondo in like, 1989 or 90 when he was working for Jim Beam, making appearances at liquor stores to sell stuff and I was a clueless local news reporter. I was trying to interview him and he was like a Matt Harvey talking about Qualcomm, only he was good-natured about it. JL: What was it like managing a Young Darryl Strawberry? FH: I was fortunate to be with a lot of good young guys. Now, this here product is great.... JL: What do you make of the Orioles? FH: The difference between a good team and a bad team is only couple of good players. This Jim Beam is aged 7 years...

The local minor league team is affiliated with the Tigers, and has "Tiger Fridays" where a former player is there to sign autographs and take photos. Usually there is a bobble head.



Frank Howard was the guest one day, and I brought my Mets history book that I ask players to sign. It kind of stood out because everyone else was asking him to sign Tigers stuff, or the bobblehead, which was difficult to sign. I asked Frank if he enjoyed his time with the Mets. "Best years of my life," he said.



He looked frail, but was still huge. Very nice guy! The bobblehead is pretty cool, too, with glasses.

[G-Fafif]

Mets decline option on Lagares. The longest consecutively tenured Met becomes a free agent — as do Joe Panik and Donnie Hart, who declined assignments to Syracuse.



Also, Carlos Beltran is managing the Mets.

[G-Fafif]

Sandy Alderson comes out against stupidity in one of the stupider states going.



https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/11/07/amid-trump-nyt-controversy-everyone-has-a-thought-for-citrus-county/https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/11/07/amid-trump-nyt-controversy-everyone-has-a-thought-for-citrus-county/

[G-Fafif]

The Braves have signed Travis d'Arnaud to a two-year deal. (Boo.)

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

geez.

[G-Fafif]

Dig out your orange wristbands...

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I could see it.



Shinjo, how do you say this, looks like a woman now

[seawolf17]

Get Wally Backman on the phone. The Ducks need Shinjo.

[G-Fafif]

The Indians have non-tendered Kevin Plawecki.

[Edgy MD]

So, the Mets get Walker Lockett and Sam Haggerty, and the guy they gave up for them is just there for the taking.

[Lefty Specialist]

Plawecki can't be any worse than Nido, can he?

[G-Fafif]

The Giants have hired Brian Bannister, presumably to serve in a pitching development role like the one he held with the Red Sox.

[bmfc1]

https://twitter.com/danconnolly2016/status/1202635717429604360https://twitter.com/danconnolly2016/status/1202635717429604360

[G-Fafif]

Damion Easley is the new Padres hitting coach.

[G-Fafif]

[G-Fafif]

Joe Smith re-signs with the Astros for two years.

[G-Fafif]

The Twins have signed Tyler Clippard, presumably to pitch.

[G-Fafif]

Neil Ramirez has signed a minor league deal with the Angels for reasons unfathomable to bystanders.

[G-Fafif]

Glenn Sherlock is joining Derek Shelton's staff in Pittsburgh to coach catchers and so on and so forth and what have you.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I was a Sherlock fan; I found myself in favor of most moves that I identified as Alderson initiatives, but seemed like the Omar Takeover marginalized him, busting him down before letting him go.