Benjamin Grimm

Four great ideas. I don't mean to blaspheme either, but the last time I was at Cooperstown, the Hall and Museum was a letdown. It was magical when I first went at the age of 12 (I think) and I enjoyed it the second time, when I was 21, but on my third and final visit (in 1991) I was 28 and it all seemed kind of flat. A lot of shoes and gloves and stuff. Now, at age 44, I'm a lot more jaded than I was at 28. I don't expect to ever go back to Cooperstown unless I happen to be in the area for some other reason. (I wouldn't avoid the Hall, I just wouldn't make a special trip.)

Edgy DC wrote: Ted Giannoulas. That's the San Diego Chicken, right? I don't think he deserves an official plaque in the Hall, but I definitely think he deserves some kind of recognition in Cooperstown.

With a five-game lead, I'm not thinking wild card. If it gets down to two again, that'll be a different story.

="Mets.com"]Thank you for submitting your application. Your postseason has come. For individuals who register by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, September 10, 2007, a random drawing for the opportunity to purchase up to four (4) tickets to one (1) game of the 2007 National League Division Series ("NLDS") that may be played at Shea Stadium will be held on or about Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Each individual selected will be notified by Thursday, September 13, 2007 via the e-mail address submitted on the registration form. Individuals selected for each of the three postseason series drawings will be selected from the same pool of registrants (including, for each round after the NLDS, additional individuals who registered after the close of registration for prior rounds) and notified via email with instructions on the ticket purchase process including dates and times for these sales. Registrants (including those selected in previous drawings) will be eligible for each drawing. So you just have to register once, and you'll be in the drawing for the NLDS and any subsequent series that the Mets may play. The September 10 deadline only applies to the NLDS. If you miss that deadline, there are two later deadlines for the NLCS and the World Series, respectively. I registered last year and got three "Sorry, Loser!" e-mails. Maybe I'll have better luck this year.

An MVP for David Wright would be great, but I'd prefer to see any one of 25 guys on the Mets win the World Series MVP award this year.

I'm actually caught up on my Schaefer tallying. (Thank you, magic spreadsheet!) Because of the Labor Day holiday, the August 30 loss to the Phillies isn't due to close until tomorrow (Wednesday), so I'll hold off on that one until then: http://cranepoolforum.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=7247 Last Friday's win against Atlanta will close on Thursday, which will also close out August. Look for a Player (and Pitcher) of the Month announcement on Thursday, September 6.

I suppose I'll enter. Last year the Mets played all of their postseason home games during the week, if I remember correctly. (I think they had one Friday night game, which was a makeup of a rainout.) If I had the chance to buy tickets for a weekend game, I might be tempted to pull the trigger. And if I get the chance to buy tickets I don't intend to use, I don't think I'd have trouble getting rid of them.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 29, 2007 (11 votes) Philadelphia Phillies 3, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceOliver Perez26.002.36(L) 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 10 SO.David Wright23.712.162-3, R, HR, RBI, BB, SO.Jorge Sosa14.401.312.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Carlos Beltran9.900.902-4, R, 2B.Marlon Anderson9.100.831-1.Carlos Delgado9.150.832-4, RBI, SO.Paul Lo Duca5.590.511-3, BB, SO.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 28, 2007 (13 votes) Philadelphia Phillies 4, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceTom Glavine65.255.027.0 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Carlos Delgado24.471.882-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SO.Moises Alou14.881.142-2, R, 2 BB.Aaron Heilman1.750.130.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.Endy Chavez1.500.120-4.David Wright0.200.020-4, BB, SO, SB.Carlos Beltran0.200.020-2, BB, SO.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 27, 2007 (13 votes) Philadelphia Phillies 9, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformancePaul Lo Duca17.071.312-4, R, RBI.Carlos Beltran8.100.621-4, R, 2B, SO.Aaron Sele3.750.291.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Jorge Sosa3.200.251.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.Luis Castillo2.280.181-4.Brian Lawrence2.000.15(L) 4.2 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Shawn Green1.680.131-2, SO.

So Ottawa is folding, and Allentown is an expansion franchise?

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 26, 2007 (11 votes) Los Angeles Dodgers 6, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceDavid Wright23.782.162-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SO.Jos� Reyes11.951.092-5, R, SO, SB.Guillermo Mota11.511.052.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Lastings Milledge7.150.652-4, BB, 2 SO, SB.John Maine4.400.40(L) 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO.Scott Schoeneweis1.250.111.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Carlos Beltran0.040.000-2, 2 BB.

A slap on the wrist for SI Metman for voting for "Duque" VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 25, 2007 (12 votes) New York Mets 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 3 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceOrlando Hernandez44.423.70(W) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO.David Wright23.031.922-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB.Carlos Delgado16.371.361-4, 2 RBI.Aaron Heilman12.731.06(Sv) 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Jeff Conine10.270.861-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SO.Carlos Beltran6.750.562-4, R, SO, SB.Jos� Reyes2.350.201-4, R, SB.Sandy Alomar2.300.190-4, SO.Pedro Feliciano1.770.151.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.

Kid Carsey awarded 10.25 points for this game. His votes were prorated as follows: DiFelice 1.25 difelice 1.22 Gotay 0.75 gotay 0.73 Milledge 0.75 milledge 0.73 Perez 4.00 perez 3.9 Reyes 1.00 reyes 0.98 Wright 2.50 wright 2.44 Also, Mike DiFelice is threatening Scott Schoeneweis' title as the most frequently misspelled Met of 2007. VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 24, 2007 (12 votes) New York Mets 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceOliver Perez46.753.90(W) 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO.David Wright28.752.402-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB.Mike DiFelice10.260.863-3.Ruben Gotay9.670.812-3, 2B, RBI, SO.Lastings Milledge7.560.631-3, RBI, BB, SO.Jos� Reyes7.370.611-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, SO, SB.Pedro Feliciano6.950.580.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Carlos Beltran1.940.160-3, R, BB.Marlon Anderson0.550.050-0, RBI.Billy Wagner0.210.021.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 23, 2007 (13 votes) San Diego Padres 9, New York Mets 8 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceMarlon Anderson35.362.721-1, R, HR, 3 RBI.Luis Castillo17.201.323-6, R, SO, SB.David Wright14.921.152-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 SB.Pedro Feliciano14.481.112.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Shawn Green12.480.961-3, R, 2 RBI.Carlos Beltran11.850.911-3, R, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, SO, SB.Jos� Reyes8.810.682-6, R, SB.Scott Schoeneweis4.630.361.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Sandy Alomar3.000.231-5.Moises Alou1.770.141-4, R, RBI, BB.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 22, 2007 (13 votes) San Diego Padres 7, New York Mets 5 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceCarlos Beltran31.582.432-4, 2B, 3 RBI, BB, 2 SO.Jos� Reyes16.941.301-5, R, SO, 3 SB.David Wright14.911.150-1, 2 R, RBI, 4 BB, SB.Jeff Conine11.130.861-1, R, RBI.Marlon Anderson7.130.551-1, R, 2B.Scott Schoeneweis4.960.381.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Luis Castillo3.420.260-4, BB, SO, SB.Aaron Sele2.570.201.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Brian Lawrence0.120.01(L) 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 21, 2007 (12 votes) New York Mets 7, San Diego Padres 6 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceCarlos Beltran53.884.493-3, R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, BB.Luis Castillo20.341.701-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB.Marlon Anderson12.461.041-1, R, RBI.Jos� Reyes10.080.842-5, R, SO, SB.Lastings Milledge7.420.621-4, R.John Maine7.350.615.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO.Aaron Heilman3.630.301.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Scott Schoeneweis2.690.221.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Moises Alou0.810.072-4.Billy Wagner0.840.07(W) 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.Mike DiFelice0.500.040-3, 2 SO.

Thanks. I had no idea he was a Brave.

Thanks! I now believe I'm caught up, unless there have been any other former Mets player moves that I missed while I was away. (I did get Kane Davis as a Phillie, and it appears that Trachsel has not yet pitched for the Cubs this year.) Anyone aware of anything else? Ultimate Mets Database wrote: Chicago Cubs Cliff Floyd Cincinnati Reds Jeff Conine, Jeff Keppinger, Mike Stanton, Dave Weathers Houston Astros Dan Wheeler, Rick White, Ty Wigginton Los Angeles Dodgers Marlon Anderson, Brady Clark, Roberto Hernandez, Jeff Kent Philadelphia Phillies Kane Davis Pittsburgh Pirates Xavier Nady San Francisco Giants Armando Benitez St. Louis Cardinals Gary Bennett, Jason Isringhausen, Braden Looper, Kelly Stinnett, Preston Wilson Atlanta Braves Octavio Dotel, Julio Franco, Chris Woodward, Tyler Yates San Diego Padres Heath Bell, Mike Cameron, Royce Ring Colorado Rockies Jorge Julio, Tom Martin, Kaz Matsui Florida Marlins Armando Benitez, Mike Jacobs, Jorge Julio, Henry Owens Baltimore Orioles Chad Bradford, Alberto Castillo, Melvin Mora, Jay Payton, Steve Trachsel Detroit Tigers Timo Perez, Kenny Rogers New York Yankees Miguel Cairo, Doug Mientkiewicz Toronto Blue Jays Jason Phillips, Victor Zambrano Arizona Diamondbacks Tony Clark Tampa Bay Devil Rays Jae Seo, Dan Wheeler, Ty Wigginton Oakland Athletics Mike Piazza, Marco Scutaro Los Angeles Angels Gary Matthews, Darren Oliver Texas Rangers Bruce Chen, Victor Diaz, Desi Relaford Minnesota Twins Luis Castillo, Jason Tyner Kansas City Royals Brian Bannister, Octavio Dotel, John Thomson Cleveland Indians Paul Byrd, Roberto Hernandez Washington Nationals Mike Bacsik

It's nice that Beltran has played himself into the conversation.

I think fans in Toronto would be more interested in a winning team than a Canadian team. It's a route to failure if you start picking players based on nationality instead of ability. Having a AAA team in Canada would make sense for them, though. Ottawa seems like a natural choice for a Blue Jays affiliate.

Huh! Ottawa is being abandoned by the Phillies in favor of Allentown. So much for my prediction that the Mets would get Syracuse while the Blue Jays would take Ottawa. I knew that the introduction of Allentown would cause a AAA casualty, but I figured it would be New Orleans. I wonder, does that mean the Mets will be in the Pacific Coast League for more than just this year and next?

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 19, 2007 (14 votes) New York Mets 8, Washington Nationals 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceOrlando Hernandez45.463.25(W) 7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO.Carlos Beltran37.202.662-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB.Marlon Anderson22.131.583-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB.Shawn Green16.061.152-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 SO.David Wright10.510.752-4, 2 R, 2B, BB.Luis Castillo5.180.371-4, 2 R, BB.Jorge Sosa1.370.101.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Pedro Feliciano1.280.091.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.Sandy Alomar0.360.030-4.Jos� Reyes0.310.020-4, BB.Lastings Milledge0.140.011-4, 2 SO.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 18, 2007 (13 votes) New York Mets 7, Washington Nationals 4 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceLuis Castillo21.481.652-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI.David Wright21.451.652-5, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI.Jos� Reyes13.261.022-5, 2 R, 2B, SB.Oliver Perez12.090.93(W) 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO.Moises Alou10.870.842-5, R, 2B, RBI.Damion Easley10.750.832-2, BB.Aaron Heilman10.080.781.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.Billy Wagner9.150.70(Sv) 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Jorge Sosa7.000.540.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Mike DiFelice5.300.411-5, 2B, RBI, SO.Lastings Milledge4.850.371-5, RBI, SO.Guillermo Mota1.900.150.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.Shawn Green1.460.111-1, R, BB.Marlon Anderson0.360.031-1.

VOTING FOR THIS GAME IS NOW CLOSED Totals for August 17, 2007 (14 votes) New York Mets 6, Washington Nationals 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceTom Glavine47.023.36(W) 7.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO.Mike DiFelice22.981.641-3, 3B, 3 RBI.Damion Easley17.531.251-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB.Moises Alou12.620.901-5, R, HR, RBI, SO.Jos� Reyes12.190.870-3, R, 2 BB, 2 SB.Pedro Feliciano9.200.661.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Luis Castillo8.870.632-5.David Wright5.220.371-4, RBI, BB, SO.Carlos Beltran3.590.261-3, R, 2 BB, SO.Shawn Green0.770.051-3, R, BB, SO.Ruben Gotay0.020.000-0, BB.