Lose-Lose

[batmagadanleadoff]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Nymr83 wrote: ...the fucking team didn't even make an offer so why is it his fault he isn't here? ... but if Jose really wanted to stay, he'd still be here.

And if the Mets really wanted Jose to stay, Jose would still be here.

[Benjamin Grimm]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: And if the Mets really wanted Jose to stay, Jose would still be here.

True. It goes both ways.

[TransMonk]

I'm really OK with not having Reyes under contract for 6 years. Thanks, Sandy.

I think a video reel for a 28 year old player who is now a member of a division rival is a bit much. I'd politely clap during his first at-bat, but that's all the love I'd give him. Like I've said before, I'm grateful for what he did while he was here, but I don't miss him.

Unlike Piazza, or even Beltran, he's still got nearly half of his career ahead of him where he'll be making memories for another team's fans (good or bad remains to be seen).

Edited April 17, 2012 by Guest

[Guest themetfairy]

I felt the way that he left the final game of last season was something of a FU to the fans. He didn't even want to give us a proper chance to cheer for him; I doubt that he wanted to stay.

[metirish]

If if if......if the Queen had balls she'd be King........

[Gwreck]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'm not sure how he'll be received. I'd give him polite applause, but I bet there are a lot of fans who feel they owe him a boo for his first-inning exit in his last game as a Met.

Those people are wrong. Jose deserves nothing less than a standing ovation each time he comes to the plate on Tuesday.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Jose, by the way, is currently hitting .238 for the Marlins after ten games. 10 hits (3 doubles, 1 triple) in 42 at bats. 4 runs scored, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, 3 stolen bases in 5 attempts. His OBP is .289 and his SLG is .357.

Well, he's no Ruben Tejada.

[G-Fafif]

A little Jose closure is a fine thing. A lot of Ruben stretching out before us appears to be a fine thing, too. I plan on cheering both shortstops a week from tonight. Jose I'll always applaud in memory. Ruben I hope to applaud right there at the plate and in the field for quite a while to come.

[Edgy MD]

It's just silly that there is so much controversy (or any at all) over this. Howie and whoever were saying last night that polling was split. I assumed they meant that polling was split over giving a Hall-of-Fame-bound rival's honor to Chipper Jones, but no, they meant that polling was split over giving a returning-hero's welcome to Jos� Reyes.

I just can't think of anything more obvious, harmless, and decent. There'll be a thing, it'll be brief, maybe memorable but probably forgettable, and then the game will go on. No harm to any animals. Can Met fans just stop being miserable crankypantses for 10 minutes? The did this for Todd Pratt. TODD PRATT!

[G-Fafif]

Area blogger endorses both tributes as the classy thing to do.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The whole issue is so dumb it doesn't even merit discussion which is why Fatcessa opened his show yesterday with a blistering, revolting rebuke of the Mets for it, encouraging the worst Met fans ever to call in and pretend to be still wounded by Reyes' final game, completely ignorant of the history of similar or worse behavior in pursuit of the batting title, and unwilling to acknowledge the Mets' role (or lack of it) in Reyes' decision to sign elsewhere.

Mike's such a fat ignorant asshole. He began not knowing himself the details of the "celebration" and even after being informed it was a short video just like dozens of others they'd done before, left that part out. After all the alternatives to discuss were a great win by the Mets or an awful game for the MFYs. Dick.

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: It's just silly that there is so much controversy (or any at all) over this. Howie and whoever were saying last night that polling was split. I assumed they meant that polling was split over giving a Hall-of-Fame-bound rival's honor to Chipper Jones, but no, they meant that polling was split over giving a returning-hero's welcome to Jos� Reyes. I just can't think of anything more obvious, harmless, and decent. There'll be a thing, it'll be brief, maybe memorable but probably forgettable, and then the game will go on. No harm to any animals. Can Met fans just stop being miserable crankypantses for 10 minutes? The did this for Todd Pratt. TODD PRATT!

and I thought NY fans were sophisticated.....


good article Greg.....

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: The whole issue is so dumb it doesn't even merit discussion which is why Fatcessa opened his show yesterday with a blistering, revolting rebuke of the Mets for it, encouraging the worst Met fans ever to call in and pretend to be still wounded by Reyes' final game, completely ignorant of the history of similar or worse behavior in pursuit of the batting title, and unwilling to acknowledge the Mets' role (or lack of it) in Reyes' decision to sign elsewhere. Mike's such a fat ignorant asshole. He began not knowing himself the details of the "celebration" and even after being informed it was a short video just like dozens of others they'd done before, left that part out. After all the alternatives to discuss were a great win by the Mets or an awful game for the MFYs. Dick.

yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I listen to the show for 25 (and 12 of that's commercials) minutes a day on my drive home because it's short enough, and it's rare that it's anything even worthy of holding my attention. It's just noise at this point. I'm pretty sure you could program a computer to spit out vaguely baseball related sentences that would be more interesting.

Of course, you can then switch over to ESPN where they're discussing Tebow-Sanchez with the same faux-outrage they've had discussing this 'story' virtually EVERY DAY since Peyton signed with the Broncos.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Honoring a great opponent at the end of his career is a time-honored baseball tradition. The Mets honored Musial, Brock and Stargell, and perhaps others that I can't recall right now. Willie Mays was also honored by the Mets at the Polo Grounds, although that tribute had more to do with the local hero -still in his prime- coming back home.

Chipper Jones played it fair and square. It's not like he beat up Bud Harrelson or body slammed Felix Millan onto the grass, head first.

[Centerfield]

I think it would be cool if the Mets crowd honored Chipper with a one time chant of "Chip-per, Chip-per".

I'm cool with a video tribute for Jose. He should get a standing ovation his first time back. After that, he's the enemy and it's all business. In my ideal world, Jose gets showered with love walking to the plate. He hits a blistering line drive toward short that is grabbed by a diving Ruben Tejada. In his second at-bat, he blows out his hamstring running out a ground ball. Spends the next 8 years on the DL.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

To the extent Francessa had a point it was that Reyes was not a retiring lifetime great but a "supastah in the prime of his careah" out to beat the Mets. To which I also say, ostfu. Acknowledge his contributions and move on. Not a big deal.

Chipper deserves a hand for being a great villain.

[Edgy MD]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Honoring a great opponent at the end of his career is a time-honored baseball tradition.

OF COURSE it is! Mike Schmidt. Lou Brock. Craig F. Biggio! The Mets (and many or most other teams, I'm sure) honored them all.

Icons like Dr. J. and Cal Ripken would roll into another town in their final seasons and the host team and the city would spend the whole weekend honoring him. The entire American league will roll out carpets of rose petals when Derek Jeter retires.

Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER!

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER!

This is where I get all hypocritical.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy DC wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The entire American league will roll out carpets of rose petals when Derek Jeter retires. Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER!

The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

To honor Jeter, the Mets should just hit him on the ass with a door.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The entire American league will roll out carpets of rose petals when Derek Jeter retires. Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER! The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap.

I'm hopeful that 5 years following Jeter's retirement that many of the old-guard voters will be dead (Bill Conlin hopefully leading the pack) and replaced with edgy, contrarian Internet-age assholes like us who will put Jeter on the first ballot only to be ironic.

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The entire American league will roll out carpets of rose petals when Derek Jeter retires. Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER! The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap. I'm hopeful that 5 years following Jeter's retirement that many of the old-guard voters will be dead (Bill Conlin hopefully leading the pack) and replaced with edgy, contrarian Internet-age assholes like us who will put Jeter on the first ballot only to be ironic.

Or something..ahem..controversial..will come out.

[Edgy MD]

The Baseball Writers Association of America has announced that the body this year has selected for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame Roy Halladay, Todd Helton, and "Derek Jeter." We're not sure why the Association chose to put quotey quotes around "Derek Jeter," and are still investigating.

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Mike's such a fat ignorant asshole. He began not knowing himself the details of the "celebration" and even after being informed it was a short video just like dozens of others they'd done before, left that part out. After all the alternatives to discuss were a great win by the Mets or an awful game for the MFYs. Dick.

Mike suffers from ORD - Obsessive Repulsive Disorder

Later

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap.

I've somehow used part of my life to fret over the same possibility but decided it's probably not going to happen as by then there'll be enough contrarian stat types voting who will find enough lacking in his candidacy. It was hard enough getting 98.84% to agree on something so motherlovingly obvious as Tom more than twenty years ago. Bigger pool of voters whenever TOHO is on the ballot, so we're likely safe (unless he benefits from "at last -- someone unsullied by steroid or scandal, let's get self-righteous!").

On the plus side, at least he won't be playing anymore.

[HahnSolo]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The entire American league will roll out carpets of rose petals when Derek Jeter retires. Derek Jeter... Derek Je... OH DEAR GOD THE METS ARE GOING TO HONOR DEREK JETER! The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap.

I never thought of that. You might be right. [winces and pounds fist against wall]

[Ceetar]

that self-righteous vote should be Piazza's imo.

[batmagadanleadoff]

G-Fafif wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: The overhyped one will one day break the hearts of every Mets fan. How many votes do you suppose Jeter's gonna get his first year of HOF eligibility? He'll garner a greater percentage of the vote than Tom Terrific did, even though Jeter's not worthy of carrying Tom's jockstrap. I've somehow used part of my life to fret over the same possibility but decided it's probably not going to happen as by then there'll be enough contrarian stat types voting who will find enough lacking in his candidacy. It was hard enough getting 98.84% to agree on something so motherlovingly obvious as Tom more than twenty years ago. Bigger pool of voters whenever TOHO is on the ballot, so we're likely safe (unless he benefits from "at last -- someone unsullied by steroid or scandal, let's get self-righteous!"). On the plus side, at least he won't be playing anymore.

Can you imagine the witch hunt that'll develop over that National Crisis when Bob Klapisch uses every ounce of his clout to flush out those who dared to omit TOHO from the ballot?

[MFS62]

TOHO?
S'plain please, Lucy.

Later

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

TOHO?