G-Fafif

When this poll was conducted in September 1978, Kelvin Chapman received minimal support, yet there he was, starting on Opening Day 1979 at Wrigley Field. Everybody was on the Fred Andrews bandwagon then. Especially Mary Andrews.

ORLANDO, Fla. � Near the conclusion of the Mets� season-crushing 2-9 West Coast trip to open the second half, David Wright was manning his position and chatting with Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa. During the conversation, Bowa recalled yesterday, Wright bemoaned that there was �no discipline here whatsoever,� nodding toward a relatively empty bench. That was symbolic of too many players being in the clubhouse rather than in the dugout supporting their teammates. Bowa said Wright lamented that the coaches were afraid to assert authority over the players to better police such matters. In an e-mail response, Wright said he never questioned his team�s discipline, but that he was �frustrated� and said he probably did mention to Bowa that it was a �pet peeve� when guys are not on the bench. Regardless of the finer details, it serves as a metaphor for too many Mets not only lacking Wright�s passion for proper protocol, but too many expressing a sense of entitlement that has not been earned with high-caliber, professional play. Perhaps this was a reflection on Manuel's lax management style or the lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of Wright's teammates, but this makes me wonder where David's leadership was. For someone anointed unofficial captain, why isn't he getting in guys' faces? The word in earlier seasons was Carlos Delgado was present and David didn't feel comfortable stepping on a veteran star's toes. But last year? Who would have been in Wright's way? It's not necessarily David's responsibility, but if he's going to moan about it, and if he has the standing to speak up internally, I wish he had. Or would going forward. If it's not his thing, then get somebody in that clubhouse who will. Still, don't tell the coach on the other team you don't like players not stationed on the bench supporting their teammates. Tell your teammates. You're as close as we've got to The Man. Be The Man.

Yay on Mets Maulers. Not a lot of mauling, but a great idea. Another '67 I adore: I'm fond of the 1967 set since it was my first exposure of any kind to cards (my sister's, which I inherited when she remembered she didn't care about baseball) and because they were uncluttered and classy. Bud fell into my hands a few years later, and it said all that needed to be said: young shortstop, ready to grow. Note the World's Fair patch, an anachronism by 1966, but we'll allow it. Great second ten overall (Shea card's inclusion a nice touch). Loving your series and the fact that it means you're blogging a little less infrequently!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: How the living hell did Kaz Matsui get a vote? David Wright outproduced/equaled his counting-stat production in just over half the PAs the same year. Matsui homered on the very pitch he saw on Opening Night and at least one writer said, "I've seen enough," and sent in his ballot.

Ceetar wrote: no Strasburg votes? Thus making Stephen Strasburg the first player in major league history to earn presumed induction into the Hall of Fame before Rookie of the Year balloting could kick in. Speaking of Cooperstown gunjumping, Gregg Jefferies remains, as far as I can tell, the only player to win Rookie of the Year votes in two consecutive seasons, with a late, giddy surge in 1988 and a best of the rest in 1989.

metsguyinmichigan wrote: If anyone is curious about the 2011 Topps design.... http://magazine-exchange.com/product_downloads/pdf/2011ToppsBaseballSeries1SellSheet.pdf Very nice. I thought 2010 was one of the best Topps had done in ages. Loved coming up the JRR escalator and seeing the starting lineup posted cardways, including Ike Davis as No. 78 from St. Lucie.

When Jerry was on the hot seat last season, Melvin was widely considered the default interim option, with the concomitant implication being why not wait out the season so we can get someone more exciting than Bob Melvin. Then the front office is made over and getting closer, perhaps, is Bob Melvin. I don't need to have my fire stoked by shiny objects, but geez these are fucking depressing reported managerial finalists.

Seeing as how David generally opines that most things are peachy keen, this strikes me as a cry for help.

1) Willie Mays, 1973, here. 1A) Tom Seaver, 1972, here, the search for which is recalled here. There are a hundred others if left to think about, I suppose, but those two have loomed large in my consciousness for-almost-ever. Honorable Mention: Team Card, 1970, because it's the first card I remember plucking from a pack of any size. And because it's the 1969 World Champions. For sale by somebody here. Can't wait for your series to unfold!

TransMonk wrote: Hurdle. Though they all seem like used up ass-bags to me. Monk expresses my thoughts as if setting them to music.

Samuels has packed for his last road trip -- his own. Statement from the Mets: THE TERMINATION OF CHARLIE SAMUELS� EMPLOYMENT FLUSHING, N.Y., November 12, 2010 � The New York Mets announced today that they have terminated Charlie Samuels� employment with the Mets for conduct in violation of club policies. This decision is the result of a thorough internal investigation over the course of several months. The Mets will have no further comment on this matter.

Nice reflection from Rob Neyer.

Also, I have never not once thought Scott Downs wasn't Kelly Downs, which would make him highly experienced.

IMFM makes my day and often my late night given the time difference (he's based in L.A.). FYI, that roundtable has already taken place and MG wrote it up ASAP -- and posted since then.

Selling the drama of Roberto Alomar, on espn.com.

Encountered a little glitchiness listening to the broadcast, but enjoyed a great deal of it. Thanks Spitter. I encourage one and all to sample the above link to April 11, 1962, if just to retroactively see what we were getting ourselves into.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Joker? Smoker? Championship-fire stoker? �I believe that New York, a lot of people say it's the same baseball. It's not the same. New York is different. When you play in New York, you feel more the responsibility of going out and performing well and trying to do the right thing all the time. Sometimes you're going to fail. The difference is that in other cities, probably fans let go of things a little bit faster. In New York, they are so passionate about it, they are going to let you know when you're not doing well. That's not bad. It forces you to concentrate more, to come to the ballpark and prepare yourself better every day. It really has made me become a better player. I feel like I'm a better ballplayer now by playing in New York than what I was when I played in other cities." What a bad fit this guy's been. No respect for the game or the fans. People who speak ill of this guy's toughness, or preparation, or clubhouse presence... they're like the spiritual heirs of the "let Strawberry walk" crowd, only worse. Other than in terms of production, I don't think I've ever equated Darryl and Carlos, certainly not as personalities. Interesting connection in terms of lightning rod status. The thread, now that you've got me thinking about it, is money (Carlos makes "too much" and Darryl wanted "too much") and never quite being able to fulfill everybody's fervent hopes and dreams for them in a Mets uniform. Darryl was conceivably peaking coming off of 1990 while Carlos has almost certainly peaked and will never again be the Carlos of 2006. Mets let Darryl walk and it hurt them, but after one good year with L.A., it's not like the Dodgers reaped any great benefits from having him. Extenuating circumstances, of course. Who the hell knows what would have happened had he stayed here. A fading Cashen and a clueless Harazin weren't the right front office to move on from Darryl. We supposedly have the right guys with their hands on the wheel this time. We shall see. "We shall see" is a registered trademark of BetHedging, Inc., a leader in not being too sure of anything for nearly half a century.

On the high school/baseball academy to open in August 2011: "It's going to be a high school -- 10th, 11th and 12th." On entering the final year of a seven-year deal: "To me, it really has flied." Why do I get the feeling they will teach more baseball than English at this school? /cheap shot

Gil Hodges just hit the first home in Met history, passing Joe DiMaggio on the all-time round-tripper list. Eff you, Yankee Clipper.

Ralph Kiner just called Stan Musial's third-inning, run-scoring double (and then the run he scored to tie Mel Ott's all-time National League record). I'm not sure what's more awe-inspiring: than Stan Musial played against the Mets or that Ralph Kiner still announces Mets games. Musial versus the Mets: .405/.515/.684 in 101 plate appearances, with 6 homers, 21 ribbies and 14 runs scored across 30 games. But he didn't do spit against the Colt .45s.

"Long, slow and costly" -- Rheingold's brewing process, according to Murph, but it could also apply to Oliver Perez's contract.

Craig Swan lifetime at Dodger Stadium: 1-3, 4.99 ERA in 7 games (5 starts). Looks like he and Sandy Koufax reached their L.A. peak in the same year.

St. Louis hoping Larry Jackson can be the bell cow of the pitching staff. God, I love Bob Murphy.

16,147 Cardinals fans sure murmur loudly and continuously.

The Second Spitter wrote: Here's a link of the audio broadcast of the first Mets game. Curiously it's 62MB. Have a Rheingold and a Viceroy... Gold, Jerry, gold! Tall, rangy right-hander Roger Craig is in trouble, and it's only the bottom of the first. We're gonna need a lot of Rheingold and a carton of Viceroys. If the Mets don't win this, they will never be above .500 as a franchise.