Gwreck

Dominicans and Netherlands playing to 0-0 tie when in the top of the 11th with 2 outs, Jose gets a walk. Next batter, with an 0-2 count hits a low liner to right which the Netherlands rightfielder misses while sliding forward to make the catch...and Jose is off to the races to score the go-ahead run.

Why is Hernandez projected to make the team but not Redding? I thought Redding was on a ML deal and on the 40-man.

="Frayed Knot"]]He should remind us of how fragile and enigmatic bullpens can be Like the fact that the great 2006 bullpen was anchored by Wagner, Sanchez, Heilman, and Feliciano as opposed to the lousy 2008 bullpen which was anchored by Wagner, Sanchez, Heilman, and Feliciano The bullpen collapse in '08 started after Wagner went down.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]Duaner was awful last year and he's been awful this year, and they certainly gave him all the rope he needed and more following his accident, even as he showed up in camp out-of-shape last year. That was two years ago that he showed up out of shape. Hard to believe it was so long ago that he was a dominant set-up man. Duaner earned a lot of good will from me for that amazing start to the '06 season and I still believe that had he not been hurt things might have turned out differently, if not in '06 than certainly in '07. Relive the pain of the taxi accident here.

="SteveJRogers":1rqf1ta4]Does Sherman question someone like Tom Brady who was the 199th pick in the NFL draft of anything other than having a "deal with the Devil?"[/quote:1rqf1ta4] Apples and chimpanzees. Brady didn't come from Slippery Rock; he started for the University of Michigan and was surrounded by excellent players while with New England. SteveJRogers Mar 09 2009 08:23 PM ="Gwreck":3lqsoyct]="SteveJRogers":3lqsoyct]Does Sherman question someone like Tom Brady who was the 199th pick in the NFL draft of anything other than having a "deal with the Devil?"[/quote:3lqsoyct] Apples and chimpanzees. Brady didn't come from Slippery Rock; he started for the University of Michigan and was surrounded by excellent players while with New England.[/quote:3lqsoyct] Wasn't he Drew Henson's backup? metsguyinmichigan Mar 09 2009 11:37 PM Brady was the starter during the 1999 season, at least in the games I went to. But certainly no one thought he'd become the star that he is. In fact, after the season, my son and I spoke to him for a while as he was signing free autographs at a Grand Rapids car show. Seemed like a decent enough guy. attgig Mar 10 2009 11:29 AM it seemed like piazza starting dating in 04, to getting himself married in jan 05. maybe the steroids caused the gay gene to flare up too. and once he stopped the roids, he went straight.... metsmarathon Mar 10 2009 11:56 AM is brady's post-collegiate success due to him getting stronger? i mean, if he were a running back, or a linebacker, i'd consider it a bit. but in college could he not throw the long ball, and now, as a roided up pro, he can, and that's the key to his success? i doubt it. what makes brady good is that he executes consistently, and under pressure, and does not often make mistakes. also he gets lucky at times, what with fumbles being called incomplete forward passes, and the like. who knows, maybe he's taking ritalin... but i'd hardly think that his rise to success is due to steroids. ditto kurt warner. sometimes its just about honing your craft, falling into a good system, and having he right opportunities presented to you. Edgy DC Mar 10 2009 12:05 PM It's also a stretch comparing the 199th football player taken to the 1,390th baseball player. Football, using twice as many players at the NFL level, the 199th football pick would be more comparable to a mid-to-late third round pick in baseball. Certainly not the 62nd round. metirish Mar 11 2009 09:12 AM Piazza responds to acne claim in article about his duties as hitting coach. Some good stuff in here , I never knew about him possibly becoming a deacon in the Catholic Church. ] Piazza makes impact as Italy's hitting coach Mark Herrmann March 11, 2009 TORONTO There is no telling where Mike Piazza will go next. Even he does not know. As New York knows and Italy is the latest to attest, wherever it is, the place will be better for it. The greatest-hitting catcher that these eyes ever have seen is in the "What's next?" phase of his life. At 40 he is going to be a father for the second time, an author for the first time. He might go into broadcasting, he might go into the pulpit. He's going to go to Cooperstown. What else is in the cards is not set. Just bet on it being good. Figure on him being as helpful for someone as he was for the Mets and, this week, for Italy's national baseball team. As their hitting coach, he helped the country achieve its biggest win ever in baseball, beating Canada, 6-2, on Canada's own artificial turf Monday in the World Baseball Classic. No matter how seriously you take this spring training tournament, you can't deny what a moment that was for the native Italian players who wanted to feel more like pros and the American pros who wanted to feel more Italian. There was the sheer joy of seeing Chris Cooper of Pittsburgh, who pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, make a name for himself. He recalled that when his grandfather came to Ellis Island from Italy in 1911, there was a snafu in spelling his surname, Cocchiariaro. Someone saw a nameplate of an official there and put that on the immigrant, just like in the movies. Of course, nobody involved with the team is a bigger name than Piazza. It turns out his role was much more than ceremonial. That comes from Chris Denorfia, an outfielder from Connecticut, who seized on good pregame advice in the cage from Piazza and went 4-for-4 with three doubles. "I'd watch out, guys, because he is a heck of a hitting coach," said Denorfia, who was on the Athletics' disabled list with Piazza two seasons ago. "Just having him in there as a future Hall of Famer in your ear ... . you can't help but absorb just his presence and his knowledge. "I'm sure you remember watching him play and seeing his power the other way. Just his presence at the plate, you knew you couldn't get some pitches by him. He's really helping me in that aspect, just feeling strong on every pitch." Piazza knows that hitting coaches don't win games. "I just sat there [Monday]," he said. But he has been around this team enough to know how much that win meant. "It's a tremendous lift for not only the kids here now but, hopefully, for the future of the game in Italy," he said "They know that if they play games and get practice and work against top-notch competition, they're going to get better. It's a win-win all the way around. They worked so hard, and to see their work pay off is satisfying." If anybody knows that tune, it's him. His work paid off in an amazing career and a good life that leaves him with options. He will help the Italian baseball federation, but doesn't want to be away from his wife, daughter and soon-to-be born baby in Florida. Television appeals to him, but he knows he will have to put in the time to meet his own standard and he would rather be with his family. He is working on a book that is scheduled to come out next spring training. "Stories about those crazy years with the Mets," he said. Piazza is proud of videos he did to promote his faith, www.championsoffaith.com, and he is serious about possibly becoming a deacon in the Catholic Church. What he might do for a new career is up in the air. For now, he still is identified with the last career, when he was one of the finest players of his era. He knows the era, knows his name comes up when people talk steroids. "How do you answer that?" he said, alluding to one of the so-called telltale signs. "I had acne since I was 12." How about a presumption of innocence? All I know is he was on the receiving end of a rage-filled, bat-throwing episode. I never saw Josh Gibson, I saw Yogi Berra at the very end. Piazza is the best offensive catcher this peanut stand ever watched. He gets my vote for the Hall of Fame. The Hall will be enriched by having him. Centerfield Mar 11 2009 09:19 AM Piazza's been juicing since he was 12? Edgy DC Mar 11 2009 09:31 AM I like how Hermann is so set in his position going into the article that he uses the "these eyes ever have seen" cliche. Thanks, Ned Beatty. dinosaur jesus Mar 11 2009 11:37 AM I never saw the boils on Mickey Cochrane's butt cheeks, or the blackheads on Ernie Lombardi's nose. But I saw John Stearns go 3 for 3 and steal two bases with a zit on the inside of his thigh that would have crippled an ordinary man. I saw a whitehead on Jerry Grote's forehead that got so inflamed when he squeezed it, Tug McGraw asked him if he was a Hindu, and couldn't stop laughing even when Jerry punched him out. And I saw Ron Hodges catch a doubleheader with a case of shingles you could cover a house with. But these old eyes have never seen anything like the opposite field power and back acne that Mike Piazza brought to the table every night. The drugstore in Cooperstown had better stock up on Clearasil, because Mike is moving in to stay. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 11:40 AM holy shit i'm dying John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 11 2009 11:41 AM ="dinosaur jesus":3a30oq09]I never saw the boils on Mickey Cochrane's butt cheeks, or the blackheads on Ernie Lombardi's nose. But I saw John Stearns go 3 for 3 and steal two bases with a zit on the inside of his thigh that would have crippled an ordinary man. I saw a whitehead on Jerry Grote's forehead that got so inflamed when he squeezed it, Tug McGraw asked him if he was a Hindu, and couldn't stop laughing even when Jerry punched him out. And I saw Ron Hodges catch a doubleheader with a case of shingles you could cover a house with. But these old eyes have never seen anything like the opposite field power and back acne that Mike Piazza brought to the table every night. The drugstore in Cooperstown had better stock up on Clearasil, because Mike is moving in to stay.[/quote:3a30oq09] dying, i tellya metirish Mar 11 2009 11:44 AM Hilarious , your going to the next round for sure. Kong76 Mar 11 2009 07:03 PM dj: I never saw the boils on Mickey Cochrane's butt cheeks, or the blackheads on Ernie Lombardi's nose. But I saw John Stearns go 3 for 3 and steal two bases with a zit on the inside of his thigh that would have crippled an ordinary man. I saw a whitehead on Jerry Grote's forehead that got so inflamed when he squeezed it, Tug McGraw asked him if he was a Hindu, and couldn't stop laughing even when Jerry punched him out. And I saw Ron Hodges catch a doubleheader with a case of shingles you could cover a house with. But these old eyes have never seen anything like the opposite field power and back acne that Mike Piazza brought to the table every night. The drugstore in Cooperstown had better stock up on Clearasil, because Mike is moving in to stay <<< Lol ... post more, read less. bmfc1 Mar 22 2009 12:38 PM http://www.murraychass.com/ Chass goes after Mike Piazza again today. Murray: If you think he took steroids, then say so. Maybe he did. Show me proof other than zits. If you do, I might believe you. If you don't, then shut the [frig] up because you come across as a bitter, old man. seawolf17 Mar 22 2009 12:49 PM ="Murray Chass":2mgd3dj2]I don�t think it�s fair to quote unnamed people about someone�s steroids or other drug use,[/quote:2mgd3dj2] but I think it's fair just to make up wild, unproven allegations based on one sighting of a medical condition that I know nothing about. I'm an elderly white man, therefore I'm imherently qualified to make medical diagnoses. MFS62 Mar 22 2009 12:57 PM ="seawolf17"] I'm an elderly white man, therefore I'm imherently qualified to make medical diagnoses. But, did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night? Later Edgy DC Mar 22 2009 01:10 PM Well, Chass has something more than bacne there. He has a source, by way of Pearlman. Now, I haven't read the book, but if we really wants to track down this white whale, he might do well to talk to Jefferson himself and find out where he was coming from, or go to Pearlman and ask him to help get access to those un-named sources.

Oliver Perez got touched up pretty good by Australia (?) today -- 2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits including 2 homers. Mexico loses to Australia, 17-7, on the mercy rule after 8 innings. --- I figured Pool B as the weakest, but figured that Mexico would make it out along with Cuba. Looks like they could still make it but would probably have to beat Australia in a rematch.

Thought I heard the Canadians serenading Jones with a "Larrrrrrry" chant too.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":9tr4h4v3]Chase Utley to name two other roided up bastards.[/quote:9tr4h4v3] That reminds me, is he going to be out at the beginning of the year? Can't say I'd be upset if he wound up missing a few months. Benjamin Grimm Mar 05 2009 02:47 PM More proof that the Yankees doctors are a bunch of quacks, and that they secretly enjoy when players are injured. metirish Mar 05 2009 04:56 PM Rodriguez has a torn labrum in his hip but they won't do surgery , not a Doctor but it seems to me they are putting off the inevitable. MFS62 Mar 05 2009 05:12 PM If true, the Yanks will need a third baseman. How much time do you think it will be until Michael Kay suggests a trade of Robinson Cano for David Wright? Later LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 05 2009 07:21 PM ="MFS62":1zjhnmp7]If true, the Yanks will need a third baseman. How much time do you think it will be until Michael Kay suggests a trade of Robinson Cano for David Wright? Later[/quote:1zjhnmp7] There is no way that I would agree to this... unless they include Melky. Fman99 Mar 05 2009 07:35 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2xkt8d1d]="MFS62":2xkt8d1d]If true, the Yanks will need a third baseman. How much time do you think it will be until Michael Kay suggests a trade of Robinson Cano for David Wright? Later[/quote:2xkt8d1d] There is no way that I would agree to this... unless they include Melky.[/quote:2xkt8d1d] Throw in some bats and a dead minor leaguer and you've got something! (Too soon?) Edgy DC Mar 05 2009 07:38 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1tjm8164]More proof that the Yankees doctors are a bunch of quacks, and that they secretly enjoy when players are injured.[/quote:1tjm8164] Posto bono. Frayed Knot Mar 06 2009 06:23 AM ="metirish":39cnszoa]Rodriguez has a torn labrum in his hip but they won't do surgery , not a Doctor but it seems to me they are putting off the inevitable.[/quote:39cnszoa] Yeah the cyst has supposedly been drained, but the labrum is a bit more problematic. IIRC, the labrum is the soft tissue that cushions the interior of the ball-and-socket joint that forms the hip joint (also the shoulder) so the problem is that it's very invasive just to get to it. bmfc1 Mar 09 2009 06:57 AM If Jeter was as great as MFY fans and the media says he is, then he should play BOTH SS and 3B until Rodriguez gets back. metirish Mar 09 2009 07:02 AM Cashman said Rodriguez was "excited" about the surgery , he's probably excited about the prospect of getting a "Bob the builder" band aid to show his friends. Centerfield Mar 09 2009 07:34 AM How come his prognosis changed from being out 4 months, to now 6-9 weeks? John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 09 2009 07:39 AM Because all they are doing now is a scope -- poke a few small holes in there and shave some loose cartlilege out which should free-up his mobility some. Then after the season he goes in for the complicated stuff.

Forget Harrah's, the Mets named an entire level of the ballpark after Caesar's!

It's "double elimination" but once each pool of 4 is down to 2 teams, they both advance to the next round. But then still play each other to determine who's #1 and who's #2....so the #2 team gets to advance despite having 2 losses.

For what it's worth, I have an extra pair for Tuesday, June 9 vs. the Phillies that I can't use. Promenade Reserved Infield, Section 514, Row 14. Face is 30/each; CPF discount price of $55 for anyone who wants 'em.

Games in April and May only go on sale on Sunday, March 15.

Reed has options, I think. My money's on Marlon.

MLB Network is producing their own documentaries/features as well now: apparently there's one on the Young family (Dmitri and Delmon) and one on Josh Hamilton. Watched the Hamilton one (was ok, nothing special) except for the moment early on in the show when they're talking about Hamilton's various baseball skills and they mention his arm, and cut to a shot of him throwing out a runner at third. I mention I think we were there for the game...go quickly check the scorecard I kept, and yep, it was Hamilton throwing out Marco Scutaro, 9 to 5, top of the 6th inning on August 2nd of last year. All of this is mostly just a long way of saying that this channel is great and is my default "flip to" channel when whatever I'm watching goes to commercial, or is boring, or I can't find anything else to watch.

="Frayed Knot"]Yes, this afternoon as the USA squad plays an exibition game in George M. Steinbrenner Field, the OPPOSING SS will be none other than Mr. March-thru-November himself If the USA was serious about winning the WBC they'd be playing Rollins at short instead of Jeter.

Very similar numbers to Schneider. Schneider: .257 AVG/.339 OBP/.367 SLG, 10 2B, 9 HR, 38 RBI Rodriguez: .276 AVG/.319 OBP/.394 SLG, 20 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 35 RBI

I can't remember them ever showing that before. One of Glavine's finest pitching performances as a Met.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3g7r2yy9]I was at this game. I have to say, Easley's HR was a much bigger thrill. It was the absolute last thing I expected.[/quote:3g7r2yy9] So was I. My recollection was that Easley was down to his final strike with 2 outs as well, with Fuentes pitching. We were packing up to go home when he hit it out. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 02 2009 07:50 PM Just turned this on only to find they're showing Game 1 of the 06 NLCS instead. Gwreck Mar 02 2009 08:51 PM I can't remember them ever showing that before. One of Glavine's finest pitching performances as a Met. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 02 2009 09:34 PM Oh, sorry. I meant the Dodgers series. I think that's the one where John Maine gets his butt saved by the Dodgers' 3rd base coach. themetfairy Mar 02 2009 09:42 PM Yes - the double play at home plate was a thing of beauty. batmagadanleadoff Mar 03 2009 01:15 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":38thmw2y]Just turned this on only to find they're showing Game 1 of the 06 NL[D]S instead.[/quote:38thmw2y] It's obvious that SNY read my post and decided to get with it and show some older games.

I believe that game was won on a bunt, actually.

Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.

Best wishes for speedy recovery.

Planning a trip to see the Mets in Cincinnati...anyone who's been there have any specific thoughts/advice on things to not miss or things to avoid?

No word on when the single-game tickets go on-sale but my guess is either March 8 or March 22 (more likely). http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ticketing/seating_pricing.jsp

I'm rooting for the Dodgers here. From all accounts, they've offered fantastic offers, none of which Ramirez has accepted. I think their next public statement is to suggest that while they clearly want him on their team, he doesn't want to be there -- that they'll keep their offer open but need to prepare for the upcoming season and can't be bothered with a distraction like this.

Cascarino's. They were mentioned in the Post's article, I believe. Same pizza provider at Shea as last year, I think.