Ex-Mets in Lesser Threads

[G-Fafif]

Erasmo Ramirez: right there for the taking.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I was. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that is mine.

Just because one is entitled to an opinion doesn't mean that the opinion is well thought-out, defensible or informed; nor does it follow that dropping one whenever you feel like is going to be received as appropriate or relevant for the discussion at hand. How many threads take a stupid wrong turn precisely because of this?



You see a link to an article about Brent Strom that I'm certain you didn't read with the words "Peter Gammons" in it -- and suddenly feel as though this the right time and place to take some cheap shot at Peter Gammons, then defend it by saying you're entitled to your opinion?

[MFS62]

Yes.

And weren't we supposed to be forewarned when a link was to a paywall protected site?

Later

[G-Fafif]

A taste of Gammons's story.

Tampa Bay pitching coach Kyle Snyder met Strom after Snyder was the Royals' first pick in the 1999 draft and Strom was their pitching coach. When Snyder considered a post-playing career in professional baseball, he traveled to attend clinics and lectures by Strom and Ron Wolforth of the Texas Baseball Ranch. “Brent Strom is the best pitching coach, bar none,” says Snyder, whose name is often thrown into that discussion, as well. “He paved the way for today's young pitching coaches. He embraced ideas, analytics, with a changing mind, a constantly inquiring mind, understanding how quickly the game is always changing. Tom House was an important pitching savant who changed the business. Brent is the modern savant. “He has such great respect for the game, and he has unending respect for the pitchers with whom he works. He focuses on the person, not the treatment. He is always honest. He understands all levels of strength and conditioning, and how it applies to each individual. In some ways, he's a chameleon in his own way, because the evolution of the game and the individual nature of all pitchers requires that. He also respects everyone with whom he works.” Strom was brought to Houston by Luhnow and worked with A.J. Hinch as manager; the manager and his pitching coach developed a strong relationship. Hinch left after the 2019 season and was replaced by Dusty Baker, who is a few months younger than Strom. “In terms of credibility and trust, no one brings more than Dusty Baker and Brent Strom,” says James Click, who replaced Luhnow as GM after arriving from Tampa Bay. “Given the circumstances in which Dusty came here, it has worked out really well. They're two very respectful people.”

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

=MFS62 post_id=75705 time=1630096348 user_id=60]
Yes.

And weren't we supposed to be forewarned when a link was to a paywall protected site?

Later

[MFS62]

I remember Strom coming up in the Mets minor league system.

He went 13-5 in the minors in 1971 and I had hopes he could make it in the majors, even though it was reported he didn't throw very hard.

With hard throwers Seaver, Matlack, Koosman and Gentry, I thought a pitcher like Strom could be very effective in the rotation.

I was pissed when they traded him for Phil Hennigan.

(seems like I've always been pissed off at something)



Later

[Edgy MD]

Can't get through a day without Brent Strom-related controversy.

[G-Fafif]

[G-Fafif]

A big night for Amed.

[bmfc1]

George Burns? Oh God!

[G-Fafif]

A game for the ages (and no thumb-driven apologies necessary).

[G-Fafif]

[G-Fafif]

Ex-Met — check.

Lesser threads — check.

[G-Fafif]

[G-Fafif]

[MFS62]

Andres Giminez, sent to Cleveland in the Lindor deal, homered to day against the MFYs.

But since he is a lefty batter and he hit it to right field in YS III, it is still uncertain whether this should be counted as a real major league home run.



Later

[G-Fafif]

[Edgy MD]

I think I've come to conflate AJ Ramos with Álex Torres. The former was a righty and the latter a helmeted lefty, I think.



Also, as the Angels are the team I've known the least about forever, I always forget that they have those small, mid-character flaring serifs on their numbers, kind of a subtle echo of the Mets' beautiful road chestplate.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

I one time pitched a book idea-- really just a pitch of a pitch -- that would tell a parallel history of the Mets and the Angels, which each born in the same era and occupying a similar role and character in their cities inasmuch as being in the shadow of a more successful/history-laden franchise, very few high moments of glory, similar ballparks, some of the same problems (ownership), and a few key intersections with one another (Ryan-Fregosi) and a lot of shared players, especially lately.



I think I could still make that case, and if so, could probably build similar dual-histories. One notion behind the project for publishers was the idea that it addressed the governors that single-team focused sports books had on audiences. This would sell in two markets, not one! Rejected.

[Edgy MD]

The AngelMets:

• Ryan


• K-Rod


• Both had Whitey at a crucial juncture, but neither had peak-Whitey.


• 1986 was a huge season for both, but the post-season turned out dramatically differently


• Had their secondary-team status underscored by the primary team's outstanding but annoying celebrity manager (Billy Martin/Tommy Lasorda)


• Played in a beguiling-but-dated mid-century modern ballpark from the mid-sixties

The Angels were probably the most definitive built-through-free-agency team through much of their mid period, while the Mets were among the most home-grown (and trade-built), which makes for an interesting study in contrasting philosophies. The Mets go from bad to great to bad to good, while the Angels stay pretty good but miss out on the greatness.

[seawolf17]

Plus, they've got Reggie Jackson trying to kill the Queen and we've got Bernard Gilkey getting bopped in the head by a fly ball. So there's that.



I would absolutely read a Mets/Angels book. I wonder if the better hook is "secondary-team status," and you loop the White Sox and A's in there.

[G-Fafif]

Except the Mets are No. 1.

[MFS62]

Luis Cessa (Mets farmhand traded for Cespedes) and ex MFY is lighting it up for Cincy.



https://www.audacy.com/wfan/sports/yankees/luis-cessa-has-been-lights-out-for-reds-since-yankees-trade?utm_campaign=www.audacy.com%252Fwfan&utm_content=1632414639&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=WFAN-AM&fbclid=IwAR3qNBIgvxhkx53oj_XoQQnnipFiMx3g9mxxvhvrvntjH48-hrYNIgj5PEAhttps://www.audacy.com/wfan/sports/yankees/luis-cessa-has-been-lights-out-for-reds-since-yankees-trade?utm_campaign=www.audacy.com%252Fwfan&utm_content=1632414639&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_term=WFAN-AM&fbclid=IwAR3qNBIgvxhkx53oj_XoQQnnipFiMx3g9mxxvhvrvntjH48-hrYNIgj5PEA

Since joining the Reds, Cessa has pitched to a 1.31 ERA in 20.2 innings of work, striking out 17 and allowing just one walk. Batters are hitting just .203 since the trade on July 28,

Later

[seawolf17]

=G-Fafif post_id=78518 time=1632505599 user_id=55]
Except the Mets are No. 1.

[G-Fafif]

[G-Fafif]

Hansel still gets to the point.

[G-Fafif]

Ty Kelly's extended season ended as the Ducks went down to the Lexington Legends (for whom Brandon Phillips played) in the Atlantic League championship series.

[G-Fafif]

Braves third base traffic cop Ron Washington's Mets coaching roots noted in the Times:

He became a coach in the Mets' system upon retiring in 1990. The team was hoping to move Tim Bogar, their eighth-round pick from 1987, from shortstop to second base. Washington raised his hand and said he could help. “Bogar was my first pupil,” he said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/sports/baseball/ron-washington-atlanta.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/22/sports/baseball/ron-washington-atlanta.html

[Edgy MD]

"Yeah, maybe one of the fans can play second."

[G-Fafif]