Benjamin Grimm

My guess is that they're tickets redeemable for General Admission on any date; but as I said, it's just a guess. And I have no idea what HH would stand for in that scenario.

Got this e-mail from a fan. The HH thing rings a bell, but I can't place what it might mean. Can anyone tell me if the letter designation, such as HH, instead of an actual date, on Shea Stadium ticket stubs, has any significance? In other words, can it be traced to any particular game? Thank you.

Pagan 2 Davis 1.5 Dickey 2.5 Dessens 1

Or that they were. We have seen nothing that indicates they were willing to pay Joe Torre.

I agree. After six straight years with a Hispanic GM and two black managers, I think they've shown that they don't discriminate.

Edgy DC wrote: Can't see Jerry DiPoto getting the purse. Not this year, anywutz. Is he considered some kind of boy wonder or something? Did he do anything during his short time in Arizona to give him solid GM creds?

And if Bobby was willing to work as far from Connecticut as Japan is, I don't know that he'd flinch at working in Miami or Atlanta or wherever else there might be an opening.

Totals for September 21, 2010 (5 votes) Florida Marlins 5, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceMike Pelfrey19.403.887.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO.David Wright8.451.693-4, R, HR, RBI, SOLucas Duda8.201.642-4, R, HR, RBIRuben Tejada2.900.582-3, 2BPedro Feliciano2.300.460.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Ike Davis2.200.442-4Jos� Reyes1.200.241-2, 3B, 2 BB

Well, I wasn't looking for spandex. But I also wasn't expecting shlubby.

So who's hosting Mets Weekly?

I think I read somewhere that his contract is for GM duties, and if the Mets remove him from that position he's not obligated to continue working for them. I don't know if that's true or not, though. As for the Mets future, at least they seem to be going about with some kind of a plan, if what we've been reading is accurate. First they're going to hire a baseball overlord, who will determine who the GM will be. I don't know why the GM and the Baseball Overlord are two different positions, nor do I know which of the two would select the manager. But at least it seems that the Wilpons know an overhaul is necessary and that they're planning on conducting a methodical search. (Rather than just appointing Harriet Miers as the GM, for example.) Now, it's reasonable to have doubts about the wisdom of the Wilpons' ultimate choices. But for better or worse, we're stuck with Fred and Jeff. It's nice that they know they need to make a change; we can only hope that the changes are good ones. I think that they'll need to import a super genius (or get super lucky) in order for 2011 to be a contending season. But, barring any foolish moves in the next twelve months (I know, I know...) they'll have a lot of payroll flexibility going into the 2011-12 offseason, and if they have a smart team in place, 2012 could shape up to be a very good year.

Beltran 3 Davis 1

We continue to pathetically stagger towards the finish line. Only the three most faithful voters (me, G-Fafif*, and metfairy*) have voted for Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, which will close tomorrow morning. *Thanks for hanging in there guys. If not for you two, I'd feel really silly sticking with this!

That would be like using the Shroud of Turin as a bath towel.

Here's a potential reason to watch: It may be the final chance to see Carlos Beltran play as a Met. Maybe Jose Reyes too.

I guess it's possible that I'll be somehow tempted to tune in once or twice over the next eleven days, but if not, it's no baseball for me until April.

Is he referring to celery soda?

Dr Brown's Cel-Ray soda is a soft drink with a celery flavor. It is fairly easy to find in New York City and in South Florida. Outside the New York City and Miami regions, it is rather obscure but can sometimes be found at Jewish delicatessens and restaurants. In addition, it can be found at certain grocers that specialize in American food in Israel, and other specialty grocers. The flavor, derived from celery seed extract, is reminiscent of ginger ale but with a pronounced celery flavor that is more pungent or peppery than ginger ale. Dr. Brown�s Celery Tonic was, according to the company, first produced in 1868 in Brooklyn, NY. The Food and Drug Administration objected to its being called a �tonic,� and in the 1900s the name was changed to Dr. Brown�s Cel-Ray (soda). Cel-Ray was so popular in the 1930s among New York City's Jewish community, that it earned the nickname "Jewish Champagne." Dr. Brown�s briefly produced a diet Cel-Ray, but it was discontinued due to low sales. Other �celery tonics"/"celery sodas� were produced in the 1890s, but only Dr. Brown�s celery product remains today. Dr. Brown�s sodas are kosher and can be found in many delis. Dr. Brown�s Cel-Ray� soda has its admirers and detractors. Much speculation surrounds the invention of this soda, which in its infancy was a mix of sugar, carbonated water, celery seed extract, and a few other flavors. Today the drink has gone the way of most sodas by adding the inferior high fructose corn syrup instead of sugar, and caramel coloring. It�s still an admired drink by many who grew up with it, especially those who would order it in Kosher or Jewish delicatessens. In fact Cel-Ray� soda has been dubbed the Jewish champagne, since many considered it the perfect accompaniments to salty meats like pastrami. Today, Dr. Brown�s Cel-Ray� soda is made by Canada Dry�. Initially the drink was developed in the late 1860s, and may have been sold as celery tonic instead of Cel-Ray� soda. The world questions the existence of a Dr. Brown who supposedly invented the drink. There is suggestion that a true Dr. Brown may have been a doctor in Brooklyn who invented the drink and who had a friend in the bottling business. No matter who the inventor was, Cel-Ray� soda soon became popular, especially in delicatessens as a nice light drink, rather than as a health tonic. Unlike most soft drinks, Cel-Ray� soda has more bitterness, and you�ll probably want to be a fan of celery prior to trying it. Most early soft drinks were considered healthful, but this is dubious, especially today, given the high fructose corn syrup the drink contains. It�s certainly not a health tonic, but instead a light, greenish tasting accompaniment best served with savory, salty or heavily spiced foods. People praise it as a fantastic drink on hot days when serving deli sandwiches. Many suggest the drink is an acquired taste, and others assert they could never acquire a liking for it. Supporters generally are used to it and have enjoy Cel-Ray� soda since childhood. Detractors tend to try it as adults and find it absolutely wretched. Some can�t get past the overt celery smell when a bottle or can is opened. If you�re a traditionalist who likes your soda sweet, you might try a few other Dr. Brown sodas. The cream soda is considered one of the finest on the market, though it too has diverged from its original recipe by being made with high fructose corn syrup. On the other hand, if you�re out having a big pastrami sandwich, you might want to pick up a can of Cel-Ray� soda and give it a try. Many people swear by the fantastic flavor which offsets salty meats. If you�re lucky enough to be in a Jewish delicatessen, you�ll likely find the drink available. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-dr-browns-cel-ray-soda.htm

I remember seeing that celery-flavored soda on sale in stores when I was at NYU in the first half of the 80's. An older guy that I worked with was certain that I'd love it, but since I didn't like celery, I had no interest in sampling celery-flavored soda. Now, though, I think I'd give it a try.

I have to confess, there's nothing at all that's motivating me to watch. I left for Europe on August 19, and returned on September 4, and I haven't actually "watched" a game since before my departure. Since I came back, I had one weekday day game on as background noise on a day that I was working at home, but that's it. It's been well over a month since I've heard the voices of Gary or Keith or Ron. (The one game I had on was the opposing team's telecast.) I've still been paying attention, but I'm more disconnected from the Mets than I've been in many years. I hope they have some kind of inspiring offseason.

Beth Harris, Associated Press wrote: Torre said if he was looking for a job, and he�s not, he wouldn�t have gone to New York. �I think people tend to forget that I spent 12 years with the Yankees and formed too good of a relationship with their fans to move across the water and all of a sudden make them mad at me,� he said. �I�m closing the door on managing the Mets, and probably everybody else. I don�t want to mislead anybody.� What a weenie.

Totals for September 19, 2010 (4 votes) Atlanta Braves 6, New York Mets 3 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceDavid Wright8.602.151-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, SOR. A. Dickey6.001.50(L) 6.0 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO.Ike Davis2.750.692-4, RCarlos Beltran2.250.562-4, R, SOPat Misch0.700.181.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Ruben Tejada0.500.120-3, 2 SOElmer Dessens0.500.120.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Angel Pagan0.500.120-4Nick Evans0.300.081-1Pedro Feliciano0.200.050.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.

Totals for September 18, 2010 (5 votes) Atlanta Braves 4, New York Mets 2 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceDillon Gee11.502.30(L) 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO.Luis Hernandez7.951.591-2, R, HR, RBI, SOJos� Reyes7.501.502-4, R, HR, RBIAngel Pagan3.500.702-4, SO, SBPedro Feliciano2.800.561.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Lucas Duda1.000.201-2, 2BHisanori Takahashi0.950.190.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Carlos Beltran0.500.100-4Josh Thole0.300.061-3

Totals for September 17, 2010 (4 votes) Atlanta Braves 6, New York Mets 4 NameTotal PointsPoints AwardedPlayer PerformanceLucas Duda10.002.502-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SOSean Green4.501.122.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.Jos� Reyes2.500.621-4, RBI, SBJon Niese2.000.50(L) 4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO.Manny Acosta1.750.441.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO.Elmer Dessens1.750.441.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO.Pedro Feliciano1.750.441.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO.Josh Thole0.750.191-4, RNick Evans0.500.121-1, 2BIke Davis0.250.060-3, R, BB, 2 SO

Pelfrey 4.5 Duda 2 Wright 2 PFeliciano 0.5 Davis 0.5 Tejada 0.5