Benjamin Grimm

I gave it 2.5. Fun, but vapid. Few characters in film have ever annoyed me as much as Goldblum's Ian Malcolm. He seemed more of a New Age nutjob to me than a scientist. His "life will find a way" mantra was ludicrous. You have a population of only females? Well, they'll breed anyway! Life will find a way! If that's true, then why do species go extinct?

Hey, happy anniversary! (And thanks for the shoutout!)

I agree. The date I've been looking forward to is, as of today, exactly five weeks away.

Braniel Emurph has a sizable lead in this poll.

Okay, let me add a few: UNDER: Phillies OVER: Nationals, Brewers.

I'm one of those one-sport people too. I haven't watched any sports at all since Oliver Perez went walk-happy on the final day of the regular season. But to me, pitchers and catchers is much ado about nothing. I even felt that way thirty years ago, when my interest was most rabid.

I think "pitchers and catchers" is something that the beat writers get excited about, because they get to truncate their winter in mid-February when they depart for Florida. That's why we see these "pitchers and catchers" countdowns in the newspaper. If I was going to Florida (even though I hate Florida) I'd buy into it more. But I'm not, so I don't.

I'd go with the Honey Bun Burger. But I too, would be willing to sample any one of those items.

"Other." Either upon my arrival in Florida (which I've only done twice in four decades!) or when something interesting happens. This year, I'll be more into it as we start getting answers about the pitching rotation, the second base position, and the Beltran/Pagan thing. Pitchers and catchers mean nothing to me. The games, even when televised, barely hold my interest, although it will be nice to hear Gary, Keith, and Ron again. The only thing I really like about spring training is that there's on-the-field baseball news again.

If any of these guys make the team, I'll have a good source for UMDB mug shots.

I don't think I've ever seen Major League.

T. M. I.

The latest on "Top Talent": MLB.com wrote: German talent Gronauer finding way with Mets Initially overwhelmed, catcher transforming into legitimate prospect By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Solingen Alligators play their home games on a modest diamond in western Germany, soccer country, directly adjacent to -- of course -- a soccer field. Most of Kai Gronauer's childhood friends preferred that sport; Gronauer himself limited his athletic pursuits to soccer and tennis until the age of 10. But one friend in particular suggested he try baseball, and the young man took to it. Later, Gronauer became an Alligator, overwhelming the local competition but never realizing his potential. He knew he was good for an amateur player, and he knew he was good when he joined the German national team as a teenager. He just didn't know what any of that meant. "It would be similar to being a cricket player from the United States," said fellow catcher Mike Nickeas. "It would be difficult to kind of benchmark yourself compared to other athletes." It was not until a two-week international tournament in Barcelona that Gronauer caught the eye of Major League scouts and realized he was a good baseball player, period. Contract offers began coming in from big league teams, including a two-year deal from the Mets that lured him to rookie ball in Port St. Lucie. Then, at some point shortly after arriving, Gronauer looked around and realized, "Oh God, it's different here." "It's a lot harder," he said, reflecting back on his early days in the States. "It's tougher. I didn't know if I could do this. But then, at the same time, I thought, 'Well, I'm having fun here doing my job. I would not like to be in an office in Germany right now doing paperwork.'" His office instead is an oversized catcher's locker at Digital Domain Park, five stalls down from Nickeas (who played for Great Britain in the Barcelona tournament) and four down from starting backstop Josh Thole. Unlike those two, Gronauer will not break camp with the Mets; he'll probably be among the first players cut for the second consecutive spring. But there's little shame in that. In fewer than three years, the 24-year-old has transformed himself from an international question mark to a legitimate catching prospect in big league camp. "It's baseball heaven. It's unbelievable," Gronauer said. "I have no idea how to put it in words, as happy as I am." It wasn't always that way. In his first season stateside, Gronauer broke his thumb and missed four months, appearing in only 16 games. He was lonely in Florida, not accustomed to a culture saturated by smartphones and hamburgers. "You miss your family," Gronauer said. "You miss the food and everything." Struggling again the following season in Class A ball, Gronauer returned to the South Atlantic League last spring and improved his numbers across the board. That earned him a promotion to Class A Advanced St. Lucie, where Gronauer batted .324 with two home runs in 139 at-bats. Now, the trepidation is gone, the culture shock has faded and a quick glance at Gronauer offers little hint at the man's German upbringing. His accent is noticeable only when he is searching for a particular word -- one of Gronauer's favorite foods, for example, is a type of stew he cannot translate into English. Catching Venezuelan teammate Francisco Rodriguez's bullpen session on Wednesday, Gronauer sounded like any other backstop in camp, yelling out encouragement each time Rodriguez popped his glove with a particularly well-placed fastball. His demeanor reveals nothing of his heritage. Gronauer may miss cabbage stew, but he never shows it. "That was the surprising thing," Nickeas said. "I think he's assimilated himself very well. He handles himself properly, like he's been an American." If Gronauer eventually advances to the big leagues, he will become one of about three-dozen Major Leaguers born in Germany or West Germany, a list almost completely devoid of players who were also raised in Europe. Most, like pitcher Edwin Jackson of the White Sox, were born on military bases and raised in the United States. Gronauer could become a notable exception. His ultimate hope is that success here will breed interest back home, where even Gronauer's family does not entirely understand the nuances of the game. Among European nations, Germany lags well behind Italy and the Netherlands -- which draws its talent largely from Caribbean islands Aruba and Curacao -- in terms of baseball pedigree. Gronauer aims to change that. "I want to be an ambassador for baseball, especially in Germany," Gronauer said. "It's a very interesting sport. I think German people could be interested in it."

Pronunciation appears to be Bee-AH-toe. Here's an article about Pedro from today's Newark Star Ledger: Mets pitcher Pedro Beato's live arm drawing rave reviews Published: Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 10:38 PM By Andy McCullough/The Star-Ledger PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. � A live arm, that most precious commodity in baseball, allows men to dream. It causes coaches and front-office members to cram behind a backstop on a sticky Florida afternoon to watch a leisurely session of live batting practice. A live arm creates excitement. Today, a crowd of Mets officials gathered on Field 5 to see where Pedro Beato, a Rule 5 draft pick, might fit in the future plans of the organization. Beato, a 24-year-old, hard-throwing reliever from Brooklyn, has piqued the curiosity so far this spring. Inside the clubhouse at Digital Domain Park, you hear his name often. �I�ve seen an outstanding arm,� manager Terry Collins said. �He throws all of his pitches hard,� catcher Josh Thole said. Because he was a Rule 5 pick, Beato�s timetable this spring is accelerated. The Mets must offer him back to his former club, Baltimore, if he does not make the 25-man roster. When Grapefruit League games begin this weekend, Beato (2.11 ERA in Double A last season) will be tested. Conclusions cannot be drawn until then. But Beato fits within the mold of Collins� prototypical bullpen. Collins emphasizes pitchers with weapons over pitchers who fit certain roles. Again and again, he mentions his love of stuff. Into the wide-open bullpen competition strides Beato, a 6-6 righty who the Mets tried to draft in 2005. He throws four-seam and two-seam fastballs, cutters, curveballs and changeups. Collins complimented the break of his curveball. First baseman Ike Davis noted the sink of his two-seamer. Beato cautioned that he won�t hit his top velocity, 97 mph, until adrenaline floods his system during the season. He believes in his pitches. �I throw them all,� he said. �It depends on the situation.� In times like these, the dilemma is context. With Beato, the casual observer marvels at the velocity of his fastball, the snap of his breaking ball. The practiced eye sees more. Beato, as far as pitching coach Dan Warthen can tell, must work on �maintaining his delivery. He�s getting a little jumpy right now.� Warthen noted that Beato is �still inconsistent with his release points, his landing right now.� You cannot see those mistakes right now. But during a game, for example, an improper release point could cause his two-seamer to rise instead of sink, then drift back into the barrel of a bat. Warthen chalked the inconsistencies up to youth, the rustiness of spring and Beato�s excitement at rejoining his hometown team. In the summer of 2005, the Mets drafted Beato out of Xaverian High in Brooklyn. He was a 15th-round pick. A deal was not struck, so Beato spent a season at St. Petersburg College, a junior college in Florida. The year there aided him: Baltimore inked him to a $1 million bonus as a first-rounder in 2006. Groomed as a starter, Beato stumbled through the Orioles minor-league system, struggling in Maryland outposts like Delmarva and Frederick Keys. The organization moved him to the bullpen for the 2010 season. He slashed two runs from his career ERA. Still, the Orioles left him unprotected. The Mets now must decide whether Beato is worth keeping. �I�m not going to come here thinking in my head that I�ve got a spot because I got Rule 5�d,� Beato said. �Or I�m going to lay back and just let things happen. So I�m just going to work hard every day and bust my behind to win my spot.�

I went with Murphy-Emaus platoon, because I'm hoping that Emaus turns out to be something and I'd rather not see him go back to Toronto. But I'd also be quite happy with Murphy/Turner.

I voted for the Murphy-Emaus platoon.

I asked this same question back in September. Who do we want to see win the job as the 2011 Mets second baseman? 21 votes were cast last time, and the winner was Justin Turner with 6, followed by Murphy 5, Tejada 4, Somebody Else 3, Havens 2, and Castillo 1. Now that we're a few weeks away from finding out, let's try this again. Remember, this thread is for who you WANT. There's another thread in which you can voice your prediction.

Back in September, I asked us to predict who we thought would be the 2011 Mets second baseman. 21 votes were cast, and the winner was Ruben Tejada with 8, followed by Murphy 6, Castillo 6, and Turner 1. Now that we're a few weeks away from finding out, let's try this again. Remember, this thread is for who you PREDICT. I'll post another one for you to proclaim your rooting interest.

I read something today that indicates that even if Frankie finishes his 55 games, if he's on the DL during the last 30 days of the season, the contract won't vest. Obviously, the Mets won't be able to get away with stashing him on the DL with a phony injury, but it's interesting to know that the 55 won't necessarily close the deal. (I also have to wonder if, perhaps, Sandy Alderson has Tonya Harding's phone number on his speed dial.)

I have a feeling that it's good to be David Wright.

Or the actress who played Ugly Betty?

If you bet, say, $10 on the Mets to be over, what would the payout be if you won?

I think the Mets will top 78.5

I recall that, at least once, Archie Bunker referred to Patton as "General George C. Scott."

This is a movie I'd like to see again. (Only saw it once, many years ago.) It's a long movie, though. I think the next time I sit down and watch a long movie, it'll be Lawrence of Arabia.