Benjamin Grimm

It looks like Lowe has been pretty solid. He may not be as flashy as Perez, but I'll take solid over flashy. Especially after the last two seasons.

He's mostly middle of the pack in terms of hits, but whenever that story about the dead cat surfaces, he gets a huge surge in hits. Unless he gets another surge, look for him to be surpassed by Tommie Agee in the upcoming year.

="Edgy DC":3k1my762]Funny how the UMDB is the last place in the world that uses the pre-two-letter-USPS-standardized abbreviations for states. It's sort of irksome on the one hand but it's stubborn anachronistic quality has to be respected, and it may be one of the top ten odd things about the UMDB --- number one being, of course, the blue hat standard. [/quote:3k1my762] I'd love to see the rest of that Top Ten list! I'd also like to see a style guide to those old-fashioned state abbreviations. I had to guess at what they should have been, and I'm sure I got a few of them wrong. Last time I looked (which was years ago) I couldn't find any such thing online. EDIT: Found it! On the website of my alma mater: http://www.nyu.edu/classes/copyXediting/STABBREV.html John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 09 2009 10:56 AM I'm an AP Style man. Frayed Knot Jan 09 2009 11:00 AM I have no memories of this Dave Roberts. The early '80s are perhaps my least baseball-knowledgeable era - both for the sport as a whole and the Mets. Edgy DC Jan 09 2009 11:01 AM Pretty cool that he was a David Arthur also. There were three David Arthurs in Major League history and all three played at the same time between 1971 and 1975. Who was the third? John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 09 2009 11:03 AM Wore No. 15. Edgy DC Jan 09 2009 11:07 AM Dude, I'm way ahead of you with the 15 thing. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 09 2009 11:12 AM Yeah but what you didn't know was that he wore 34 all through spring training that year, and switched only when the season began. seawolf17 Jan 09 2009 11:15 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2sfd2kv5]Yeah but what you didn't know was that he wore 34 all through spring training that year, and switched only when the season began.[/quote:2sfd2kv5] You should start a Web site with all that info. Edgy DC Jan 09 2009 11:30 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3j5pvsuf]Yeah but what you didn't know was that he wore 34 all through spring training that year, and switched only when the season began.[/quote:3j5pvsuf] That's what I'm looking for. G-Fafif Jan 09 2009 02:59 PM I spent an evening with Dave Roberts once[/url:3kn3tq44]. Mendoza Line Jan 09 2009 03:46 PM ]There were three David Arthurs in Major League history and all three played at the same time between 1971 and 1975. Who was the third? Dave Schneck? on edit - David Lee Schneck is not the answer. Met Hunter Jan 09 2009 04:07 PM From a card show signing in Pittsburgh, 2005. http://www.jpaulsports.com/images/photos/robert_large.jpg Met Hunter Jan 09 2009 04:11 PM The third guy was another pretty good pitcher: David Arthur McNally. Edgy DC Jan 10 2009 09:27 PM Well done, Hunter.

In what state would one find "Short Gap?"

The only way I can see "both" happening is if the Mets sign Lowe and there's really no other market for Perez. In that case Boras might be willing to have Ollie sign a one-year deal with the Mets and try the market again after the 2009 season. Not a likely scenario, I don't think, but a possible one.

Ken Rosenthal on Mets Hot Stove Report last night says that, while the Braves are now looking like competition with the Mets for Lowe, as far as he knows, nobody other than the Mets has expressed any interest in Oliver Perez. He's pretty sure that the Mets will end up with either Lowe or Perez.

I agree with Vic, including about left field, but I'd be okay with giving Murphy/Tatis a chance to shine again. But in doing that, you have to protect yourself by beefing up some of the other positions. And as yet, the Mets haven't done anything towards that end.

Maybe Murphy will do that, but I'm not counting on it.

The names "Redding" and "Wolf" together make me think of Little Red Riding Hood.

We're what, about four or five weeks from pitchers and catchers? And there are a lot of pitchers still looking for jobs. And a few catchers, too. As I've said before, I no longer pay as much attention to opposing players as I once did, so forgive my ignorance. Should I be rooting for the Mets to sign Redding over Wolf, or vice versa?

I saw something on that too. Bush's appointment of Minaya runs through 2010. I know this happens with every president, but it seems strange for a long-term appointment to be made in the closing weeks of a presidency.

="The Boston Globe"] Lowe to meet with Braves Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff January 8, 2009 09:10 AM With the news that John Smoltz may be headed to the Red Sox, it should come as a no surprise that the Braves appear to be intensifying their pursuit of another free-agent pitcher: Derek Lowe. According to a baseball source, Lowe is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Braves this afternoon in Atlanta. The Braves have spent much of the offseason looking for another starting pitcher since since acquiring Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox and now appear focused on Lowe as that alternative. Thus far, it has been a tough offseason for the Braves, who have come up empty in pursuits of Smoltz, pitchers Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett, and shortstop Rafael Furcal, among others. Atlanta always has appeared to have some interest in Lowe, but until now, indications were that Lowe preferred to focus his sights on teams in the Northeast. At the moment, Lowe is believed to have only a three-year offer from the New York Mets worth $36 million, an average of $12 million per year. The Braves may be in a position where they have to guarantee a fourth year at a higher average annual salary in order to get a deal done with the pitcher. The Red Sox are not involved in negotiations for Lowe.

Sort of a homecoming for Smoltz. Didn't he start his career with the Braves when they were still playing in Boston?

I remember The Nose!

Both!

Then he should show up in his underwear and everyone can watch him get dressed. Me, I'd skip the ceremonial donning and just have him emerge fully uniformed from behind the silly backdrop that always seems to be there. Actually, I'd also skip the silly backdrop. He can emerge from behind a Japanese screen or something.

="metsguyinmichigan":wc2vhpp5]You'd think they'd wear a mock turtleneck under the jacket or something because nothing looks lamer than seeing a jersey -- especially that stupid-looking one -- with a tie and dress shirt sticking out from under it.[/quote:wc2vhpp5] I've often thought the same thing. Put the guy in full uniform! If you're going to the trouble to introduce him, do it right! Edgy DC Jan 07 2009 12:22 PM Well, he can't just show up outfitted. There's got to be a ceremonial donning. Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2009 12:32 PM Then he should show up in his underwear and everyone can watch him get dressed. Me, I'd skip the ceremonial donning and just have him emerge fully uniformed from behind the silly backdrop that always seems to be there. Actually, I'd also skip the silly backdrop. He can emerge from behind a Japanese screen or something. MFS62 Jan 07 2009 01:11 PM Lots of folks here trying to fill the void left by the passing of Mr. Blackwell. Later soupcan Jan 07 2009 01:49 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":cz0o6tyq]Then he should show up in his underwear and everyone can watch him get dressed.[/quote:cz0o6tyq] His white underwear or his wet underwear? Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2009 02:52 PM Both! Frayed Knot Jan 07 2009 03:09 PM The look is pure pinstripes And, guess what? Teixeira (say it with me people) always wanted to be a Yanqui!!! These dog & pony shows are always silly to begin with - but nobody takes them more seriously than the Yanx. My only surprise is that this reception didn't dwarf the one Barack's going to get in DC in a few weeks. Rockin' Doc Jan 07 2009 04:25 PM Hell, he hasn't simply dreamed of being a Yankee his entire life, he was "born to be a Yankee". Whatever the hell that means. I guess it's somethiung like being born under a bad sign. G-Fafif Jan 07 2009 06:00 PM Miserable little elitist jerk. I mean when he was growing up rooting for the MFYs. WTF? You're in fucking Baltimore, root for the fucking Orioles, you little bastard. God I hate them. Frayed Knot Jan 07 2009 06:46 PM The 'I wuv Mattingly' generation is now replacing the earlier hordes of Mantle wannabes in the 'why I always wanted to be a Yanqui' stories at these things. And you just know it's only a matter of time until the Jeter-worshipping generation starts to invade. metsguyinmichigan Jan 07 2009 07:11 PM ="G-Fafif":32r62lyf]Miserable little elitist jerk. I mean when he was growing up rooting for the MFYs. WTF? You're in fucking Baltimore, root for the fucking Orioles, you little bastard. God I hate them.[/quote:32r62lyf] On. The. Nose! seawolf17 Jan 07 2009 08:17 PM ="G-Fafif"]Miserable little elitist jerk. I mean when he was growing up rooting for the MFYs. WTF? You're in fucking Baltimore, root for the fucking Orioles, you little bastard. God I hate them. Yeah, but when he grew up in the mid-80s, the Orioles didn't have any big stars that a kid could really love, especially a big future first baseman-type kid. Oh, wait. Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2009 08:21 PM I remember The Nose! Rockin' Doc Jan 07 2009 09:59 PM Knot -"And you just know it's only a matter of time until the Jeter-worshipping generation starts to invade." Too late. The media and most Yankee fans already laud Capt. Intangibles as the greatest shortstop in baseball. He's only the third best shortstop in New York. G-Fafif Jan 08 2009 01:15 AM More reasons to love their new guy, from the Snooze: ]Every Friday night, Mark Teixeira and his wife, Leigh, have "date night" - dinner at their country club near their home in Texas. Two weeks before Christmas, it was more than just a chance to spend time together - it was the night Leigh Teixeira nudged her husband toward the Bronx. Throughout his free agency, Teixeira solicited his wife's opinion and she kept saying, "I just want you to be happy," Teixeira recalled. On date night, Teixeira asked, "Everything's equal, where do you want to go? She finally said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.'" Somehow the ghost of Don Mattingly wasn't whispering in his ear that particular date night. Country club...geez. Anna Benson looks on in envy. Fman99 Jan 08 2009 06:32 AM ="G-Fafif"]More reasons to love their new guy, from the Snooze: ]Every Friday night, Mark Teixeira and his wife, Leigh, have "date night" - dinner at their country club near their home in Texas. Two weeks before Christmas, it was more than just a chance to spend time together - it was the night Leigh Teixeira nudged her husband toward the Bronx. Throughout his free agency, Teixeira solicited his wife's opinion and she kept saying, "I just want you to be happy," Teixeira recalled. On date night, Teixeira asked, "Everything's equal, where do you want to go? She finally said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.'" I just threw up in my mouth. Edgy DC Jan 08 2009 07:04 AM I imagine more than a few ballplayers dine regularly in country clubs. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 08 2009 07:09 AM Accordign to A-Rod, Thursdays are Date-Rape Night at the Teixeiras. metirish Jan 08 2009 07:15 AM What a wanker , as WAG's go she's no Anna. Frayed Knot Jan 08 2009 07:22 AM ="Rockin' Doc"]Knot -"And you just know it's only a matter of time until the Jeter-worshipping generation starts to invade." Too late. The media and most Yankee fans already laud Capt. Intangibles as the greatest shortstop in baseball. He's only the third best shortstop in New York. What I meant was until the get the next generation of FAs start inking multi-million dollar deals with the pinstripers and citing their life-long NYY fandom as the reason, one which dates back to the Jeter posters they had on their walls as young kids. I think the younger Upton brother has already fessed up to being a Jeets fan growing up. We already know that MFY fans and the media have long been in the tank. Personally, I think the real players don't even show up to these 'grip-n-grins' but rather they get a Stepford-like robot to substitute. Y'ever notice how they all not only say the same thing but do it in the same programmed monotone? ... I al-ways want-ed to be a Yan-kee, ev-er since I was a lit-tle boy when my dad-dy told me stor-ies about see-ing [insert Dimag, Mantle, Muson, Mattingly - depending on age]. I wore my Yan-kee hat to school all the time even though my home-town of Bum-fuck [insert state] were all [fill in blank] fans. Fman99 Jan 08 2009 08:37 AM ="Frayed Knot"]="Rockin' Doc"]Knot -"And you just know it's only a matter of time until the Jeter-worshipping generation starts to invade." Too late. The media and most Yankee fans already laud Capt. Intangibles as the greatest shortstop in baseball. He's only the third best shortstop in New York. What I meant was until the get the next generation of FAs start inking multi-million dollar deals with the pinstripers and citing their life-long NYY fandom as the reason, one which dates back to the Jeter posters they had on their walls as young kids. I think the younger Upton brother has already fessed up to being a Jeets fan growing up. We already know that MFY fans and the media have long been in the tank. Justin Upton is a fan of Steve J. Rogers? Wild. G-Fafif Jan 08 2009 08:45 AM ="Frayed Knot"]Personally, I think the real players don't even show up to these 'grip-n-grins' but rather they get a Stepford-like robot to substitute. Y'ever notice how they all not only say the same thing but do it in the same programmed monotone? ... I al-ways want-ed to be a Yan-kee, ev-er since I was a lit-tle boy when my dad-dy told me stor-ies about see-ing [insert Dimag, Mantle, Muson, Mattingly - depending on age]. I wore my Yan-kee hat to school all the time even though my home-town of Bum-fuck [insert state] were all [fill in blank] fans. To be fair, the Yankees are very big in Bum-fuck. attgig Jan 08 2009 08:48 AM Re: N.M.E. Wifey Watch Boras told his biotch to be a MFY. themetfairy Jan 08 2009 09:56 AM The Dugout[/url:282z9jsd] had some fun with this today. metirish Jan 08 2009 10:03 AM ="themetfairy":v1vsfgux]The Dugout[/url:v1vsfgux] had some fun with this today.[/quote:v1vsfgux] Love it....one of the cons Tex came up with for playing in NY TeixMeix: My uniform'll have a four-digit number on it because every player who has hit .250 for them in the last 80 years has had their number retired Fman99 Jan 08 2009 10:10 AM ="themetfairy":fphmrqfk]The Dugout[/url:fphmrqfk] had some fun with this today.[/quote:fphmrqfk] Hysterical. holychicken Jan 08 2009 10:39 AM ]She finally said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.'" I didn't realize that Scott Boras is a women AND she is married to Teixeira. Frayed Knot Jan 08 2009 11:37 AM One thing I've only heard mentioned once so far (briefly by Gammons) is that Teixeira wasn't exactly a big ARod fan when the two were in Texas together. IIRC, he and Blalock (and maybe a couple of the other young players) got pretty sick of Alex's all-knowing older-bother routine. Being reminded constantly to get good secondary lead, to wait for your pitch, yadda, yadda, kinda grows old real quickly. He probably figures that Alex isn't the big dog in the NYY clubhouse these days and is more reluctant to pull that shit. Farmer Ted Jan 08 2009 01:07 PM I hope Cynthia Rodriguez shows up for some games and kicks Leigh Teixeira in the ****. Hey, Leigh, here's the wife of your husband's hero. Hope you're next in the cell with her. http://www.nypost.com/photos/galleries/gossip/celebp/20090108_wild_wives/photo15.jpg metsguyinmichigan Jan 08 2009 02:45 PM "TeixMeix: Yeah, I'll be despised by everyone who hates the Yankees. And the people that love the Yankees are those same monosyllabic extras that threw rocks at the Green Goblin to protect Spider-Man." Awesome!!! Edgy DC Jan 08 2009 02:50 PM I don't know. Why the hell would Yankee fans protect Spider-Man, or even hang out on the Queensboro Bridge under any circumstances? G-Fafif Jan 08 2009 02:54 PM ]LeighTeixGloves: Okay, pros for playing in New York. TeixMeix: I'd make more money, and I'd finish in third next year instead of fourth. Now that's what I call accuracy in media. SteveJRogers Jan 08 2009 03:22 PM ="Frayed Knot"]One thing I've only heard mentioned once so far (briefly by Gammons) is that Teixeira wasn't exactly a big ARod fan when the two were in Texas together. IIRC, he and Blalock (and maybe a couple of the other young players) got pretty sick of Alex's all-knowing older-bother routine. Being reminded constantly to get good secondary lead, to wait for your pitch, yadda, yadda, kinda grows old real quickly. He probably figures that Alex isn't the big dog in the NYY clubhouse these days and is more reluctant to pull that shit. Funny, this was brought up by Michael Kay when he had Teixeira on, and Teixeira flat out denied that there was any heat between the two, and gave props to Rodriguez for that sort of behavior, and even said that he (Teixeira) actually sought Rodriguez out to pick his brain about the game. Course it is the diplomatic thing to say, but there are ways of saying everything when saying nothing, i.e. "Well, clubhouse rumors are clubhouse rumors. I have real hatred of Alex Rodriguez, but I'd rather not bring up the past at this time. All I really can say is that I look forward to being in the same lineup with such a great talent." Frayed Knot Jan 11 2009 06:59 AM If Mark Teixeira grew up wanting to be Don Mattingly, then I grew up wanting to be Honus Wagner. -- Mike Vaccaro, NY Post Another funny is that 'Sons of Sam Horn' is the sponsor for the Mark Teixeira page on BB-Ref.com -- tacking on the subtitle that; "Arod + Giambi + Damon + Contreras + Igawa + Sheffield + Vazquez + Abreu + Matsui + Pavano + Brown + Johnson + Mussina = 0 Yankee World Series Rings" Benjamin Grimm Jan 11 2009 07:22 AM The Daily News published its list of five hottest Yankee wives today. I'd like to think that it will be the Mets' turn next week, but of course that won't happen. Edgy DC Jan 11 2009 11:53 AM And that's just fine. Frayed Knot Jan 11 2009 02:32 PM "And that's just fine." Yeah, that's our turf!! "I'd like to think that it will be the Mets' turn next week, but of course that won't happen." I usually try to avoid the charges of claiming a paper is "anti-Met", but the NYDN - with their long-time writers and their in-game sponsorship and manager-touting ads - is so in bed with the Yanx that it's not even worthy of discussion anymore. Sunday's paper features an article touting how the new YS is NOT a drain on taxpayers but is, in fact, a terrific public policy move which will increase the city coffers. It was written by Yanqui President Randy Levine. And it's not even in the op-ed section but rather displayed as a regular news article that just happens to be written by a guy who would be the main focus of the topic were it to be penned by a regular reporter. Bet Bernie Madoff would like that sort of treatment. There's a large difference in degrees of course, but it's always nice to be given the opportunity to frame the news in your own favor. HahnSolo Jan 11 2009 03:32 PM Speaking of the NYDN, Bill Madden today called the Phillies "big winners" in the hot stove this winter. Why? Because they signed Ibanez to replace Burrell (probably a step up but nothing to go crazy over) and they picked up Chan Ho Park. Seriously. Rockin' Doc Jan 11 2009 04:08 PM I view the Phillies adding Chan Ho Park to their rotation as a possible boost to the Mets. It's been quite a long time since Chan Ho Park has been an effective starter.

The wife is kinda cute, but woefully misguided.

It's not "obvious that he changed his mind." You're overlooking the other possibility: That you were wrong.

I like the Schaefer allusion!

Time has thrown some dust on the memory that Valentine managed the Texas Rangers before the club was bought by a group that included outgoing President George W. Bush. Is that the proper way to word that? Bush wasn't the outgoing President at the time of the purchase. Wouldn't "future president" have been more correct?

I remember a few years ago somebody in this forum posted a question about which non-Met we coveted the most. I, and at least a few others, said Andruw Jones. If that question were posed again today, I suspect I'd make a different choice!

Go kick your uncle. And punch him in the neck and... Oh, never mind.

I think the Mets should move quickly to sign Wolf. It will take some of the leverage away from Boras, and will give them a safety net if both Lowe and Perez fall through. And if they get (Lowe or Perez) AND Wolf, then they'll really be in pretty good shape.

This just in: Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year deal with the Angels.