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Since the Devaney book was sourced from clips collected in the half-dozen years prior to his writing it, I trust the contemporaneous element to his story versus stuff that was processed over the decades -- with the caveat that the original anecdote might very well have been cleaned up for baseball fans' consumption circa 1967. Other period books I have mention Brock's apology and that it was an "embarrassing" incident (with Brock still marveling over his youthfulness but don't speak to the resolution). It's not out of the question that Tom has contracted Old Ballplayers' Selective Recollection Disorder, telling the stories he wishes they had unfolded. It's not uncommon to the profession.

Mets-related, so here, too: Wednesday night, June 26, 7 PM, I'll be discussing The Happiest Recap at the fabulous Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, E. 11th St. between Broadway and University Place. Mets-White Sox on the relatively big screen afterwards. Hope to see some of you.

Swan Swan H wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Nobody outdouches Matt Harvey. He's the new head jock of the Mets. He may be a douche, but he's the guy I want on the mound on a summer's eve. I feel as if 52 years of Mets baseball were leading to that line.

Ironically, "THIS STUD'S FOR YOU" was the theme of the Vote Wright proposal the Mets sent Cougar Life.

(If you don't know the story, Brock saw him in the Anaheim Stadium clubhouse, mistook him for the clubhouse kid and asked him to fetch him a soda...which Tom did.) The way I've read it is that Seaver said, "Get your own Coke, I'm on the team." A few weeks later Lou Brock would mistake him for something other than a big league ballplayer. Tom had been chosen to the National League All-Star [team], a singular honor for a rookie, especially a pitcher. When he walked into the N.L. clubhouse he passed Brock, who was pulling off a shoe. Brock glanced up, saw the youthful face, and mistook an All-Star pitcher for a clubhouse boy. "Hey, kid, get me a can of soda, would you?" Seaver didn't say a word. He walked straight to a box, opened it, took out a can of soda, popped the lid, brought back the can and handed it to Brock. Someone laughed and a moment later Brock discovered his error. "Oh, hey, look, Seaver, I'm sorry." "No, that's all right," Seaver said, more embarrassed now than when he'd been asked to fetch the soda pop. (Actually, he explained later to a friendly reporter, he'd been very much awed walking into this clubhouse filled with players he'd watched from the seats atop Dodger Stadium only a year earlier.) --John Devaney, Tom Seaver: An Intimate Portrait, 1974 I do like the alternate version, however. "Stick it, Brock. You can't outrun Grote and you can suck this through a straw."

I want this to be true. The only reason I wonder about it is how did it take this long to get out? Rooks need to know their place: on the mound, blowing away hitters. They do that, they can damn well nap anywhere they please. If Jefferies, Milledge, Valdespin other "rule"-breakers had maintained torrid paces, they'd have been deemed Team Leaders ASAP. Can you imagine Seaver being treated as a "rookie" by anyone but fellow 1967 National League All-Star Lou Brock? (If you don't know the story, Brock saw him in the Anaheim Stadium clubhouse, mistook him for the clubhouse kid and asked him to fetch him a soda...which Tom did.) I read a note from someone who may or may not have been talking out his ass that he's never been in a clubhouse that's so status-conscious as the Mets'. And it's certainly paid off in victories. And eff Rauch. Never liked him much. (Though should he wander in here with a scowl and bucket of ice water, I'll be sure to tell him he's the best!)

Spent a beautiful (if aggravatingly offensively inept) afternoon at Citi Field for his debut with The Fairy, plus a walk-on from FMan. Still, it capped one of the worst series I ever saw the Mets play, dropping all four to the Rockies (thus touching off the memorable Francesa monologue in which he wanted you to know the Mets were full of it if they were telling you Harvey was anything special). I don't remember McHugh pitching particularly well at any time thereafter, which is too bad. He had a real Dollar Store Dickey quality to him, except for the pitching, which was priced to move. Months later, I slightly helped a talented kid get a very well done a profile of McHugh published on another blog. How strange that the author earned a summer internship with the same team that just traded his subject and thus has a brighter Met future than the pitcher in question.

Wheeler 3.5 Recker 1.5 Aardsma 1.0 Satin 1.0 Lagares 1.0 Quintanilla 1.0 Lyon 0.5 Byrd 0.5

Harvey 5.0 Parnell 1.5 Buck 1.5 Byrd 1.0 Valdespin 0.5 Quintanilla 0.5

DONNIE RAINBALL Mattingly Homecoming Doused By Boss' Heavenly Tears Braves drop pair

Gee 4.5 Duda 2.5 Murphy 1.5 Buck 0.5

And while we're puncturing the pompous, this priceless reply to the Times can't be bothered to go guy: What a shock to the system! The Mets actually won today but sadly it took way too much time for them to even get a run scored and it was during their last gasp in the 9th inning. The Mets are actually a double A team competing in the big league. Well, harumph! I like my baseball games settled by the third "inning," for "runs" tallied later are clearly made available only on remainder.

I only wish the Mets were so used to winning that they felt compelled to celebrate in a slightly more casual manner. But given how much they've been told they suck -- with good reason -- climbing out of the suckhole as suddenly as they did (even if it was Marmol) deserves a 20-second home plate Mardi Gras. Sometimes the acting like kids gets my old cringer going (for example, the way they take inordinate glee in dressing up like cowboys, hockey players and South Beachers for the team flight when Coach Terry says they can), but then I remember most of them aren't far removed from being kids -- and they all live in something of a state of perpetual adolescence. As for Costas, it's not surprising to find him on a defender-of-the-faith high horse, albeit the kind his mother has to stick a quarter in. (Cheap shot -- but, honestly, fuck him, we just scored four in the ninth.)

I didn't think a 24-39 team becoming a 25-39 team could inject me with several hours of giddiness. I stand corrected.

I had forgotten that was Junior Walker on "Urgent." That was a pretty inventive nu wave solo for an old rhythm and blues guy. Junior's version, for Desperately Seeking Susan soundtrack: Qjt1AQli-P0

Win in a Box. Nieuwenhuis 3.0 Byrd 1.5 Torres 1.5 Aardsma 1.0 Parnell 1.0 Buck 0.5 Duda 0.5 Quintanilla 0.5 Hefner 0.5

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Take that up your rectum, smug Mets dad. If my dad wete I've today he'd kick you in the vagina. Exactly! Fuck the Cubs. ALWAYS fuck the Cubs.

Marvelous Marv "he didn't touch second, either, Case" game also versus Cubs, also at home, also on Father's Day.

My friend's teenage daughter got to do the "PLAY BALL!" before today's game, so that's a win right there. Not like the Mets have listened to her instructions just yet.

Grandpa: I'm old, I'm tired, leave me alone. Dad: You sure? Grandpa: Yes. Dad: OK. Boys, let's go! Times really seems to relish the pain of the little people when it comes to Mets fans. And I'm not too keen on dad congratulating himself on rooting for other not wholly successful franchises or patting himself on the back for preventing the next generation from the "easier" choice of going with the insidious local baseball option. You're a parent. Your job is to not raise MFY fans. And Jesus H. Alou, when you have a kid who "misses" the ballpark and you have free tickets -- and parking -- get in the fucking car. Leave the ruminating over Wilponism to Mr. Megdal for one Sunday. Otherwise, go jump in your swimming pool.

Mets news on a Mets discussion board. Appreciate it being posted. And I do hope Herr Alderson ain't talking out his homburg.

Niese 1.5 Wright 0.5 Murphy 0.5 Valdespin 0.5 Nieuwenhuis 0.5 Lagares 0.5 Hawkins 0.5 Burke 0.5 Turner 0.5

So far this season, I've seen the Citi Field scoreboard assign Lucas Duda's season stats to Ike Davis (perhaps out of pity), credit Lucas Duda with two walkoff home runs hit by Ike Davis, place Tom Seaver's 100th career win, secured at Shea in 1972, in Los Angeles and, last night, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 400th home run belted by Duke "Snyder". There was also a glitch a week ago that indicated the Mets and Marlins were playing in a 20th inning.

Mets fan base is truly lactose intolerant.

Jordany Valdespin � 2B Daniel Murphy � 1B David Wright � 3B Marlon Byrd � RF Lucas Duda � LF Justin Turner � SS Anthony Recker � C Juan Lagares � CF Jonathon Niese - LHP