I've been in this game a hundred years ...

[batmagadanleadoff]

I've been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to snark the Mets that I never knew existed before.





[fimg=444]http://www.fedcap.org/sites/default/files/new_york_daily_news_logo1.jpg[/fimg]



December 19, 2013 8:18 AM
Same old names and numbers at the Mets' clubhouse store
BY Bill Price

In case you haven't noticed, there are only 6 shopping days left til Christmas, which apparently isn't a religious holiday anymore. Anyhoo, I needed to get a few last-minute things for the Mets fans in my life, so I decided to head to the Mets clubhouse shop on 42nd and 5th Wednesday night. Now, I was prepared to not find any Curits Granderson name and number t-shirts as I had called the store the night before and even checked the MLB shop on Mets.com. Sure, you could make your own T-shirt up on the web site, but having it for Christmas was iffy at best. I don't know who is responsible for making up the name and number Ts, but this isn't just a Mets thing, as the Yankee site (I was just checking), had no Elsbury or McCann or Beltran name and number t's as well, which is really hard to understand. Still, the Mets store did have the the option of gettying CG3's name on a jersey, but no t-shirts. So I was fine with that. But when I got into the store, I saw what other players they had, and there it dawned on me: as of Dec. 18 at around 6 p.m., we still have the same, mediocre players on our team. There were plenty of Ike Davis t-shirts, and Lucas Duda t-shirts and Ruben Tejada t-shirts. Heck, they even had plenty of Justin Turner's. Sure, they have Wheeler and Harvey (it was a Mets shirt, not a rangers shirt), and Strawberry and Carter, but that was it. I did find a Andres Torres shirt, and certaily would have bought it if it had the Santonio Holmes mark down on it, but no, it was full price. This is not an indictment of the store and the people that work there - they were great ,and it was a buy one, get one 50% off, so if you want some Mets garb head over there, but it really depressed me seeing those same old names. I know I have said I don't want the Mets to trade Ike and I would be OK with Tejada a short this season, but man does this team need new blood - and plenty of it. Sure, we have Granderson and Colon, but I still want more. I know SA is trying to move Ike and I know he's trying to get a new shorstop in here, but right now, the core of the 2014 Mets is very similar to the core of the 2014 Mets. At this point, it's basically swapping Colon for Harvey, and adding Grandy and Chris Young. No minor changes, mind you, but not ones that have knocked our socks off. We all know we need a complete overhaul. Who knows, maybe I was just in a funk as I realized my collection of Ike Davis shirts (I have at least 3) will soon be obsolete or the idea of seeing another season of Ruben Tejada at short becomes closer to reality every day. But I want some new names on those T-shirts, some fresh names. Only 6 shopping days til Christmas, and by my count, about 54 or so before pitchers and catchers report. Get shopping Sandy, there's still time.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/bitterbill

[Guest d'Kong76]

Do you really find stuff like this entertaining? Getting through
that gave me a headache. I guess mileage varies.

[Edgy MD]

It's also tiresomely old to anyone who's followed the game for even a single year.

Go visit the factory where they make this stuff, Bitter Bill.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Kong76 wrote: Do you really find stuff like this entertaining? Getting through that gave me a headache. I guess mileage varies.

But it is entertaining. I never said that the piece is terrific, or even good. But entertaining? Absolutely? What do you like to read? 26 posts speculating about which team that ain't the Mets is going to land a flawed and declining free agent like Shin Soo Choo? Or threads about how the Mets can win 85 games next year if this player does that and this other player does that other that? And then the next guy jumps in and writes that this player doesn't' have to do that for the Mets to win 85 games if instead, that player does this? Please. Hit me over the head with a large ball peen hammer before I jump in and write that any team can win 85 games if this player does that and that player does this.


You want a forum? That's what you got. Otherwise, go and write a blog.

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Kong76 wrote: Do you really find stuff like this entertaining? Getting through that gave me a headache. I guess mileage varies. But it is entertaining. I never said that the piece is terrific, or even good. But entertaining? Absolutely? What do you like to read? 26 posts speculating about which team that ain't the Mets is going to land a flawed and declining free agent like Shin Soo Choo? Or threads about how the Mets can win 85 games next year if this player does that and this other player does that other that? And then the next guy jumps in and writes that this player doesn't' have to do that for the Mets to win 85 games if instead, that player does this? Please. Hit me over the head with a large ball peen hammer before I jump in and write that any team can win 85 games if this player does that and that player does this. You want a forum? That's what you got. Otherwise, go and write a blog.

Sure, that stuff is much more interesting. It's nuts and bolts and actual baseball, which is why I watch the Mets. Give me reasoned analysis about why Chris Young is going to have a good year, or what Ike is working on to avoid the first half Houdinis. not for drama and silly mockery of the fringe stuff. Yeah, some of that is fun. uniform numbers, shirt designs, what not, but ultimately it's 99% about the game and the play. You could take the team to play in an empty abandoned warehouse in the dead of winter wearing rucksacks with the only concession being tepid water and weak old reheated hot dogs and I'd be thrilled to go watch.

[G-Fafif]

Larry Literal here. Bitter Bill may not be able to make it out to Queens in December (it is a little out of one's way if one doesn't already find oneself in the area), but for the record GRANDERSON 3 shirts are on sale in the Mets team store at Citi Field. No sign of Colon (or cologne). Duda's tees caught my eye since they're not usually displayed. I'd love to tell you whether or not the Ikes are still ensconsed in a place of honor or priced to move like ASG coffee mugs (two bucks!) but I was in the store not to shop but to get out of the cold/snow before the Mets would let me check in to cover their holiday party.

But that's another story.

[batmagadanleadoff]

G-Fafif wrote: But that's another story.

You also went to that card show at Shea in '78? So did I. And this is the first time in all these years that I've heard or read anybody ever recount that show. I don't remember what I bought at that show, but I remember seeing someone wearing a real Houston Astros shooting star uni top. I think that was the first time I ever saw a civilian wearing a real game used jersey.

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: G-Fafif wrote: But that's another story. You also went to that card show at Shea in '78? So did I. And this is the first time in all these years that I've heard or read anybody ever recount that show. I don't remember what I bought at that show, but I remember seeing someone wearing a real Houston Astros shooting star uni top. I think that was the first time I ever saw a civilian wearing a real game used jersey.

I suppose if you have a Houston Astros shooting star uni top in the summer of 1978, you're damn well going to wear it every chance you get. Maybe even to see the Burt Reynolds vehicle Hooper, which I saw with said sister and future brother-in-law either that night or the night before. (Someone was wearing a Texas Rangers cap in that movie, which wasn't set in Texas, and that struck me as incredibly exotic.)

Whatever Bill Price's complaint of the day is, the existence of a store that sells stuff with your team's name on it (if not exactly what we're looking for on a given trip), much like the idea of baseball cards being for sale inside a baseball stadium, is one of those things that surely blew (or Vida Blue) my mind when it first came to my attention. What a world, huh?

[Guest d'Kong76]

In case you haven't noticed, there are only 6 shopping days left til Christmas, which apparently isn't a religious holiday anymore.

I have a calendar, and it's a religious holiday to hundreds of millions of people.

Anyhoo, I needed to get a few last-minute things for the Mets fans in my life, so I decided to head to the Mets clubhouse shop on 42nd and 5th Wednesday night.

That store sucks, did you pick up any Jeter garb while there?

Now, I was prepared to not find any Curits Granderson name and number t-shirts as I had called the store the night before and even checked the MLB shop on Mets.com. Sure, you could make your own T-shirt up on the web site, but having it for Christmas was iffy at best.

I'm surprised they didn't have Yankee Granderson jerseys on clearance.

I don't know who is responsible for making up the name and number Ts, but this isn't just a Mets thing, as the Yankee site (I was just checking), had no Elsbury or McCann or Beltran name and number t's as well, which is really hard to understand.

You're a news guy! If you wanted to know who is responsible you could surely investigate and not bother us with stupid questions.

Still, the Mets store did have the the option of gettying CG3's name on a jersey, but no t-shirts.

Gonna go out and do cartwheels after I'm done posting.

So I was fine with that. But when I got into the store, I saw what other players they had, and there it dawned on me: as of Dec. 18 at around 6 p.m., we still have the same, mediocre players on our team.

Was it like an epiphany for you? Everyone bothering to read this dribble knows the roster. Hell, cranepoolforum.net has a pictured listing with arrows and info and stuff.

There were plenty of Ike Davis t-shirts, and Lucas Duda t-shirts and Ruben Tejada t-shirts. Heck, they even had plenty of Justin Turner's. Sure, they have Wheeler and Harvey (it was a Mets shirt, not a rangers shirt), and Strawberry and Carter, but that was it. I did find a Andres Torres shirt, and certaily would have bought it if it had the Santonio Holmes mark down on it, but no, it was full price.

Thanks for the inventory update. Rangers, Holmes ... you're a funny guy! Not.

This is not an indictment of the store and the people that work there - they were great ,and it was a buy one, get one 50% off, so if you want some Mets garb head over there, but it really depressed me seeing those same old names.

Very magnanimous of you. I'm sure their chests swelled with pride when they saw Bitter Bill wasn't indicting them.

I know I have said I don't want the Mets to trade Ike and I would be OK with Tejada a short this season, but man does this team need new blood - and plenty of it.

We salute you, Captain Obvious!!

Sure, we have Granderson and Colon, but I still want more. I know SA is trying to move Ike and I know he's trying to get a new shorstop in here, but right now, the core of the 2014 Mets is very similar to the core of the 2014 Mets. At this point, it's basically swapping Colon for Harvey, and adding Grandy and Chris Young. No minor changes, mind you, but not ones that have knocked our socks off. We all know we need a complete overhaul.

Yeah, we know ... WE KNOW!! I can't believe a major newspaper pays you to remind us.

Who knows, maybe I was just in a funk as I realized my collection of Ike Davis shirts (I have at least 3) will soon be obsolete or the idea of seeing another season of Ruben Tejada at short becomes closer to reality every day.

Anyone who has three Ike shirts probably has issues. If you made that up you have other issues. You should change your name to Insane Issac.

But I want some new names on those T-shirts, some fresh names. Only 6 shopping days til Christmas, and by my count, about 54 or so before pitchers and catchers report. Get shopping Sandy, there's still time.

Get one made with Bitter Bill on it and we'll look for you at Citi.

[Edgy MD]

If a guy is advocating for a "complete overhaul," and yet he's OK with the Mets standing pat at what currently appear to be their two most needing positions, then I think he needs to reconcile some things within himself before spilling any more electronic ink.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Exactly. What kind of an overhaul would overlook the team's greatest weaknesses?

[metirish]

Fair fucks to Kase, never seem him go all out like that(usually Edgy does that), now that was entertaining.

[Lefty Specialist]

but right now, the core of the 2014 Mets is very similar to the core of the 2014 Mets.

Well, yes. That's a tautology. I guess they're not big on copy-editing at the Snooze.

[Edgy MD]

Or they're big on tautologies.

Kase homered on the Ike Davis tee-shirt thing. The Mets aren't giving you enough crap to throw your money after? Really? Go hang out with the 7-Line Army.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Kong76 wrote: Do you really find stuff like this entertaining? Getting through that gave me a headache. I guess mileage varies.

Brother, this sort of thing couldn't tire me out more if I read it on a treadmill in a gym with a gas leak, while sucking down Real-Turkey workout-food-goo.

Also, I've seen Granderson shirseys in, like, three Modell's this week, almost by accident. So, um, Stupid Fucking Counterpoint.

[Ceetar]

I'm surprised the idiot didn't just buy a Yankees Granderson and be done with it.

crap..we're gonna see a fair amount of those at Citi aren't we?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Kong76 wrote: In case you haven't noticed, there are only 6 shopping days left til Christmas, which apparently isn't a religious holiday anymore. I have a calendar, and it's a religious holiday to hundreds of millions of people.

Now you're talkin'! You can't stop the snark: you can only hope to contain it. Might as well go with the flow and embrace it.

Embrace the snark.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I never knew until now that snark and snarky aren't real words.
Learn something new every day.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I've had it with snark. I was snarky back when it wasn't cool to be snarky and now that it is, it most assuredly is not.

Down with snark.