Piazza in Pinstripes?

[Elster88]

It's nice that we don't have to worry about having Piazza on our team, since we're set in the backup catcher department.

I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role.

[Frayed Knot]

]This is not how I remember it

That was specifically how I remember it -- about Russo in particular --although either of our memories could be less than accurate at this point.

And I don't really bring this up just to go M&MD bashing; more like me using the subject to point out an example about how when peeps start off w/a pre-conceived notion (Pedro hates Mike) it's easy to take the conclusion which existed in their head to begin with and declare it a fact based on scant evidence (in this case on only 3 or 4 starts).

I do remember one or both of them recanting after the "fact" turned out to be not so factual.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

It also seemed as if no amount of recantation would actually make up for the fact that Puppydog basically massaged that Pedro v. Piazza angle all winter long, without a whole lot of insight, it turned out.

[Elster88]

I still crack up when he's referred to as the Angry Puppy. It's the comedic gift that keeps on giving.

[nymr83]

]I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role.

I'll give the Mets the benefit of the doubt here as this might have been true when the deadline for offering arbitration rolled around...Piazza and his agent have probably gotten a rude awakening since then.

[Guest mlbaseballtalk]

Nymr83 wrote: ]I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role. I'll give the Mets the benefit of the doubt here as this might have been true when the deadline for offering arbitration rolled around...Piazza and his agent have probably gotten a rude awakening since then.

There were alot of speculation that Piazza had a few choices this winter, mostly AL teams that could use a catcher/DH such as Minnesota, Baltimore, Angels, even the A's

I have a feeling also it was kind of like the Al Leiter situation where the Mets gave Mike something they knew he would turn down, so they could go to the media and fans and say "Hey he didn't want to come back"

[Elster88]

]I have a feeling also it was kind of like the Al Leiter situation where the Mets gave Mike something they knew he would turn down, so they could go to the media and fans and say "Hey he didn't want to come back"

Despite the general notion that the front office makes many of their moves based on how it will play in the local tabloids (Post, Daily News, etc.), I doubt the front office worries about how it will look to the fans.

[Guest *62]

http://www.charlenelockwood.com/Images/debutpost.jpgHow do you not root for Mike?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Welcome aBordick, *62.

[Guest sharpie]

Piazza may well have said that he didn't want a reduced role when the FA period was commencing. However, interest in him as a full-time player hasn't been great and given that there are other better defensive catchers and HOF-type sluggers still out there, he may well have changed his mind.

[Guest cooby]

I'll bet somebody could write a clever song to this thread title to the tune "Forever in Blue Jeans"

[soupcan]

Put me down for 'don't care one way or the other'.

vtmet said it best - it's time to move on.

[Guest silverdsl]

I can't see Piazza ending up with the Yankees because there really isn't a lot of room for him. If there was room for him I wouldn't have minded the Yankees signing him in a part-time role for a reasonable amount of money. He is definitely not the player that he once was but he might be able to be a useful player in a limited role.

If he were a Yankee and he signed with the Mets I'd have no problem with it. Players have to make the choices that they think are best for themselves and their careers that will make them happy, not what will make the fans happy. There isn't a huge amount of demand for Piazza and he can't start excluding teams because of their rivalry with a team that he no longer has any ties to.

[Elster88]

Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with.

[metirish]

[Elster88]

That is a disgusting picture. Even worse than the streaker at the soccer game.
_______________
This post had the designation 74) Nolan Ryan

[nymr83]

i saw that picture and felt like burning my paper this morning. the Post writers should have photoshop removed from their computers if thats what they're going to do with it.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Elster88 wrote: Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with.

Sadly, there aren't all that many like Silver.

Here's my litmus test - when someone claims to be a MFY fan, ask the person to tell you what position Don Mattingly played.

You'd be shocked to discover how few can answer that question.

[HahnSolo]

Some might actually get that right. How about asking who the Yankee manager was before Joe Torre.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

We could come up with a five or ten question quiz. Basic questions for anyone who has been a fan for more than 10 years. Those who can't answer them are, by definition, bandwagoners.

[Guest cooby]

HahnSolo wrote: Some might actually get that right. How about asking who the Yankee manager was before Joe Torre.

Who was it?

[Elster88]

Buck.

[Guest cooby]

Bidi bidi

[Willets Point]

Elster88 wrote: Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with.

I recall reading that Red Sox fans in attendance at the final game of the 2004 ALCS were suprised at how many Yankees' fans were graciously congratulating them for the Red Sox on their victory. I like to think that these were season ticket holding "real Yankee fans" whose repuation is marred by the throngs of "die-hard since 1996, don't I look cool in my Jeter jersey and red Yankee cap" bandagoners.

[Guest silverdsl]

ScarletKnight41 wrote: We could come up with a five or ten question quiz. Basic questions for anyone who has been a fan for more than 10 years. Those who can't answer them are, by definition, bandwagoners.

Trust me when I say that while I know many great Yankee fans, someone being a long-time fan doesn't guarantee that they're not an a$$hat or that they are knowledgable or if they are knowledgable that they have any kind of common sense about the game or... you get the picture. I think that's true of fans in general across all teams and sports - there are some fans that I've encountered whether it be at baseball games, hockey games, at a Nascar race, online, etc.. that just make me cringe and shake my head.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

But, conversely, those of a certain age (let's say over the age of 28) who claim to be such great fans but who can't answer simple, basic questions are, generally, asshats. Someone claiming great fandom should have a modicum of knowledge to back up his/her claim.

[metirish]

] Piazza likely will be Padre BY KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF WRITER January 26, 2006, 9:46 PM EST The Yankees are officially out of the Mike Piazza chase, a certain disappointment to the former Mets catcher. But the San Diego Padres, whose locale appeals to the 37-year-old, remain very interested. According to a major-league official, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman notified Piazza's agent Dan Lozano on Thursday that the team would pass on the future Hall of Famer. "I've got nothing to report," Cashman said. The Yankees intend to carry 12 pitchers, leaving them with 13 position players. With catcher Kelly Stinnett, infielder Miguel Cairo and outfielder Bubba Crosby already tagged as reserves, the last spot likely will go to Andy Phillips, who can spot Jason Giambi at first base. The Yankees ultimately decided that Phillips' defense would prove more useful than Piazza's offense. Piazza relished the idea of serving as the Yankees' part-time designated hitter. But with the Yankees no longer interested, he could find himself in San Diego, for about $2 million. The Padres began negotiations with Lozano about a week ago, according to Padres GM Kevin Towers. Said Towers: " basically said to DH was Mike's preference, but if that didn't work out, he'd really want to be on the West Coast." San Diego has carried on a busy offseason, acquiring Mike Cameron in a trade from the Mets and re-signing free agents Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman, both for hometown discounts. At catcher, however, the defending National League West champions are unimposing, having lost Ramon Hernandez to Baltimore through free agency. Former Red Sox backup Doug Mirabelli, David Ross and former Yankees backup Todd Greene make up the catching corps. "He still thinks he can catch 70 to 80 games," Towers said of Piazza. "We can probably carry three catchers." Piazza could DH in the Padres' nine interleague road games, Towers added, and the GM said that he could even envision Piazza playing "10 to 15 games" at first base during the season. Piazza didn't play first base at all for the 2005 Mets, after struggling greatly there in 2004. Towers said he had largely been playing "phone tag" with Lozano, but negotiations could progress quickly now that the Yankees are out. The Phillies and Toronto also have expressed interest in Piazza.

[soupcan]

He could do worse, San Diego's a nice town.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

And two million dollars can buy a lot of suntan lotion.

[Zvon]

Thats kool metirish.
We get to see the cover of the Post every day.