stevejrogers

="batmagadanleadoff":131szgo8]="Edgy DC":131szgo8]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:131szgo8] Why? And did George Steinbrenner face that same pressure? Or what about the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals and their new stadium? Philadelphia Phillies? Where's the Philadelphia version of the Jackie Robinson rotunda? And was Wilpon also under the same intense pressure to eliminate 10,000 seats from the new stadium and raise the prices of some tickets almost tenfold?[/quote:131szgo8] Because of Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers as a fan which made the Mets the "torch bearers" of the Dodger-Giant legacy. Well it did start with day one when the Met roster would feature ex-Dodgers and ex-Giants. It would continue on during Old Timers Day festivities during the '60s and '70s when Dodgers and Giants were trotted out and so on. Because it was at Shea where Bill Clinton and Bud Selig stood and made the pronouncement that 42 would be retired in perpetuity. Hell, because it was at Shea that they actually honored the 40th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1987, check out the 1988 yearbook for a photo of that festivity. So, where were you in 1987 decrying why were the Mets honoring Robinson? batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:51 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Mar 29 2009 05:53 PM ="SteveJRogers":37juno6t]="batmagadanleadoff":37juno6t]="Edgy DC":37juno6t]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:37juno6t] Why? And did George Steinbrenner face that same pressure? Or what about the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals and their new stadium? Philadelphia Phillies? Where's the Philadelphia version of the Jackie Robinson rotunda? And was Wilpon also under the same intense pressure to eliminate 10,000 seats from the new stadium and raise the prices of some tickets almost tenfold?[/quote:37juno6t] Because of Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers as a fan which made the Mets the "torch bearers" of the Dodger-Giant legacy. Well it did start with day one when the Met roster would feature ex-Dodgers and ex-Giants. It would continue on during Old Timers Day festivities during the '60s and '70s when Dodgers and Giants were trotted out and so on. Because it was at Shea where Bill Clinton and Bud Selig stood and made the pronouncement that 42 would be retired in perpetuity. Hell, because it was at Shea that they actually honored the 40th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1987, check out the 1988 yearbook for a photo of that festivity. So, where were you in 1987 decrying why were the Mets honoring Robinson?[/quote:37juno6t] Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers are no greater than your ties to the Mets. He's a fan. OK ... a fan who was friends with Sandy Koufax before Koufax was anybody, but still, just a fan. There's nothing wrong with on-field festivities honoring opponents. Stan Musial was honored at the Polo Grounds. Lou Brock was honored on his last visit to Shea. Willie Stargell, too. Honoring is a time-honored baseball tradition probably employed by every team. Naming a part of your stadium after a member of the opposition? I don't agree. The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:51 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":213hxw3s]I wasn't trying to change the subject. I just think that these baseball owners are powerful enough to do whatever they want to do, for the most part. Wilpon doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would cave in to public pressure over the rotunda. I believe that he created the Jackie Robinson rotunda because he wanted to, and any explanation slightly inconsistent is just spin so as to rationalize the event in a way that would appeal to the largest number of people. In other words, his explanation has more to do with political correctness than sincerity.[/quote:213hxw3s] Well, you just keep believing then. And "these baseball owners," of course, continues to change the subject. Anything that deviates from your hard-headed position is a "rationalization"? Nobody using mesh caps to broadly indict a billionnaire is positioning himself to talk about who is being rational. A rich guy runs his business to make money. And that pisses you off. Except when he doesn't. And that pisses you off. Come on. Just stop. Gwreck Mar 29 2009 05:54 PM ="batmagadanleadoff"] when he built a Mets Stadium in the image of Ebbets Field and then decided to tack on a rotunda, -- one of its most prominent features -- in honor of a Dodger. You've got things a little mixed up. The rotunda wasn't tacked on; it was deliberately planned to be the part of the stadium that is built in the image of Ebbets Field. Nowhere else in the park is reminiscent of Ebbets. Yes, Robinson was a Dodger. A perfunctory look inside the rotunda indicates that Robinson is being honored for much more than that. ]A Mets stadium is not the right place to honor a Dodger on a permanent basis -- any Dodger. Sorry, this Dodger's special. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:57 PM ="Edgy DC":2us8tl51]="batmagadanleadoff":2us8tl51]I wasn't trying to change the subject. I just think that these baseball owners are powerful enough to do whatever they want to do, for the most part. Wilpon doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would cave in to public pressure over the rotunda. I believe that he created the Jackie Robinson rotunda because he wanted to, and any explanation slightly inconsistent is just spin so as to rationalize the event in a way that would appeal to the largest number of people. In other words, his explanation has more to do with political correctness than sincerity.[/quote:2us8tl51] Well, you just keep believing then. And "these baseball owners," of course, continues to change the subject. Anything that deviates from your hard-headed position is a "rationalization"? Nobody using mesh caps to broadly indict a billionnaire is positioning himself to talk about who is being rational. A rich guy runs his business to make money. And that pisses you off. Except when he doesn't. And that pisses you off. Come on. Just stop.[/quote:2us8tl51] I doubt that getting the old-timers decent baseball caps, or uniforms that resembled the ones they actually wore during their playing days would've made much of a dent to the bottom-line. How much money did Wilpon save on that deal -- one, maybe two thousand dollars? Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:58 PM I doubt that Fred Wilpon has any idea what you're talking about or which employee of an employee of an employee of his ordered the hats. I beg you. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 06:01 PM ="Gwreck"]="batmagadanleadoff"] when he built a Mets Stadium in the image of Ebbets Field and then decided to tack on a rotunda, -- one of its most prominent features -- in honor of a Dodger. You've got things a little mixed up. The rotunda wasn't tacked on; it was deliberately planned to be the part of the stadium that is built in the image of Ebbets Field. Nowhere else in the park is reminiscent of Ebbets. Yes, Robinson was a Dodger. A perfunctory look inside the rotunda indicates that Robinson is being honored for much more than that. ]A Mets stadium is not the right place to honor a Dodger on a permanent basis -- any Dodger. Sorry, this Dodger's special. I was using the phrase "tack on" as a term of art, not literally. I understand that the rotunda wasn't a last minute afterthought but rather, a key design element of the new stadium. But my point remains the same, even if it was tacked on. Yes, Jackie Robinson was very special. I agree. But let the Dodgers erect a Jackie Robinson rotunda. We'll just have to disagree on this one. When I buy the Mets, and build my own stadium to replace Citi Field, things are gonna change. SteveJRogers Mar 29 2009 06:26 PM ="batmagadanleadoff"] The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. So, the Braves should take down the statue at The Ted honoring Georgian Ty Cobb? apmorris Mar 29 2009 06:33 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":b4so81jp] We'll just have to disagree on this one. When I buy the Mets, and build my own stadium to replace Citi Field, things are gonna change.[/quote:b4so81jp] Please name it Shea. I think CitiField looks like a Good Ol' Timey Baseball Themed Amusement Park. Maybe great for a game but it has nothing to do the Modern Post-War New York that the Worlds Fair and the Mets (and Shea) were born out of, you know - the future they promised us that never happened? The Mets are NOT the History of Baseball team and that stadium would look a lot better in the middle of a strip mall in New Jersey - between Flinger's and Chotchkie's - than in the middle of a parking lot in Flushing Meadows. It is way too backward looking and not forward looking enough. I think. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 06:35 PM ="SteveJRogers"]="batmagadanleadoff"] The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. So, the Braves should take down the statue at The Ted honoring Georgian Ty Cobb? Not if they don't want to. Plus, the Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn statues are mitigating factors. ________________________ **Photo widths edited by admin on 3/29** apmorris Mar 29 2009 07:56 PM ] the Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn statues they both have BRAVES on their jerseys (and statues) - just thought I'd point that out. soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:10 AM ="apmorris"] ="Farmer Ted"]Yup, always one douchebag that opens an umbrella the size of Rhode Island inside the stadium. That effing thing hangs over three rows. I believe that there are some stadia that do not allow people to bring umbrellas inside. Now that's a good rule. metirish Mar 30 2009 07:13 AM See , I would be embarrassed to open one that size , or if the person I was with opened one like that.Is that even an umbrella , looks like something that one would use on the beach for shade. Benjamin Grimm Mar 30 2009 07:15 AM I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan? soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:16 AM Shit like that always amazes me. You're in a stadium watching a game with people behind and next to you. You know you'll be blocking people's views. Why do some people feel so entitled to doing stuff like that? Do they just not think? Are they stupid? Selfish? All of the above? I just don't understand that kind of behavior. Pack a fucking poncho. Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 07:25 AM Douchebag neighbors. Story of Soupy's life. soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:28 AM So true. metirish Mar 30 2009 07:51 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":1v08570j]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan?[/quote:1v08570j] Good call , the sign was one of the first things that jumped out at me when they were showing highlights on the News.I am trying to remember what other stadium has a similar sign , Fenway? soupcan Mar 30 2009 08:01 AM Comerica in Detroit... SteveJRogers Mar 30 2009 08:32 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":2n7rxdgz]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan?[/quote:2n7rxdgz] An exact replica actually. Well except the recent Pepsi "dot" replaces the vintage Pepsi bottle from that iconic signage. soupcan Mar 30 2009 08:44 AM ="SteveJRogers"]="Benjamin Grimm"]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan? An exact replica actually. Well except the recent Pepsi "dot" replaces the vintage Pepsi bottle from that iconic signage. Close but not 'exact'. G-Fafif Mar 30 2009 11:01 AM Company-issued release: ]Pepsi gains branding rights to the name-entitled "Pepsi Porch," the 1,284-seat area in right field that extends over the playing field. This interactive brand showcase at the Pepsi Porch will immerse fans in a Mets and Pepsi experience with special entertainment programming broadcast to those in attendance and watching Mets games on SNY, the television home of the Mets. A 37-foot by 89-foot Pepsi sign, evocative of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign facing Manhattan from Long Island City, will sit atop the Pepsi Porch. The sign will face into the ballpark and be visible from downtown Flushing and nearby highways and mass transit lines. Benjamin Grimm Mar 30 2009 11:12 AM I don't imagine that most fans will want to be "immersed in a Mets and Pepsi experience" while at the ballgame. I know I wouldn't. I just want to watch the game, without any immersion at all. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 30 2009 11:13 AM Like the signage... mildly-- very mildly-- put off by the modern-Pepsi-dot-with-vintage-Pepsi-lettering juxtaposition of ad styles. From the woulda-coulda-shoulda department: making the outfield "bridges" a little more evocative of the Triboro/Queensboro/Whitestone trifecta (not sure I buy the supposed Hell-Gate connection) would have made for a nice little architectural curlicue. OlerudOwned Mar 30 2009 11:35 AM Wouldn't have minded immersing my eyes in Pepsi at the ends of the last two seasons. metirish Mar 30 2009 11:41 AM The language of such releases are all the same , jeez sounds like I'll have the expreince of my life if only I was sitting in the Pepsi porch. I do like Pepsi though Farmer Ted Mar 30 2009 01:13 PM The Pepsi sign is a big FUCK YOU to Atlanta and Ted Turner's phallic Coke Bottle. metirish Apr 02 2009 01:24 PM Head groundskeeper Pete Flynn marks the baselines and grooms home plate at Citi Field. (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan / March 25, 2009) Pinball machines in the Mets' new clubhouse at Citi Field. (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan / March 25, 2009) Pepsi porch I like the detail in the carpet. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 02 2009 01:31 PM Those pinball machines are too close to the wall, and one another, to be playable. However, I think can whip Jose Reyes' butt on either table. themetfairy Apr 02 2009 01:39 PM I love the pool table! DocTee Apr 02 2009 01:41 PM The pool table is coin operated? You can buy any of these items in 35 years when the Mets move to a new stadium. I call dibs on the leather recliners. soupcan Apr 02 2009 01:59 PM This carpet is god-awful. Benjamin Grimm Apr 02 2009 02:23 PM I agree. It's garish. It's nice that they're honoring Shea with the neon players, but those big grey baseballs are hideous. The first thing I'd do is replace that carpet with something with a blue-and-orange 1960's Shea Stadium shingle pattern. Edgy DC Apr 02 2009 02:27 PM I'd do a pattern based on an acne-covered back. soupcan Apr 03 2009 10:44 AM Delgado, last night. Cool, huh? Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 10:51 AM How does the warning track soil/clay stay packed like that? Fman99 Apr 03 2009 10:53 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":29ka38qg]I don't imagine that most fans will want to be "immersed in a Mets and Pepsi experience" while at the ballgame. I know I wouldn't. I just want to watch the game, without any immersion at all.[/quote:29ka38qg] Little known fact, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was originally known as the Mets and Pepsi Experience. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:04 PM ="soupcan"]Delgado, last night. Cool, huh? Beautiful picture , one for the mantle I should think. This story went with that picture in the NY Times ] Mets Get a Late-Night Sneak Preview of Citi Field By BEN SHPIGEL Published: April 3, 2009 Out from the buses they spilled, marching through a gate, down a corridor and around a corner until, finally, there it was. Home. The Mets� shiny, new clubhouse awaited. And as Carlos Delgado poked his head inside at about 10:55 p.m. Thursday, he surveyed the sheer size of it all and said, �Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the big leagues.� His teammates, arriving at Citi Field fresh off a flight from Florida that landed two and a half hours late, followed suit, each more mesmerized than the next. After locating his locker, Jos� Reyes opened a cabinet and wondered aloud how much clothes he could fit inside. Pedro Feliciano plopped into his ergonomic chair. Shaking his head, Razor Shines could manage only a �Wow.� Then he said it again. �I�m overwhelmed,� Bobby Parnell said. �The other guys, they�re used to this.� Their curiosity piqued, players wheeled their hand luggage to their lockers and started to explore. John Maine and Mike Pelfrey bounded down the steps, past the sprint track. �Mainer, you want to race?� Pelfrey said. Ascending another set of stairs, they funneled into the dugout, joining Delgado and Carlos Beltr�n. Everyone looked up, almost instinctively, and then out, to the fences, scoping out the dimensions. Ryan Church, pointing toward the 415-foot marker in right-center field, told Delgado, �I don�t think they made it deep enough.� For the occasion, the lights had been turned on � �I should have brought sunscreen,� Darren O�Day said � and the grass glistened. But with rain in the forecast for Friday, when the Mets are scheduled to play Boston in an exhibition game, a tarp lay over the infield, preventing Johan Santana and friends from climbing the mound. Undeterred, many of the pitchers walked in the grass toward right-center, toward the bullpen, as quickly as their suits and dress shoes would allow them. Every few feet, J. J. Putz stopped, pointed the camera on his cellphone and snapped. The Mets occupy the bottom level of the two-tiered bullpen � just as the Phillies do in their ballpark � and the bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello wandered in. Assessing where the plate will be, he got into a crouch for a few seconds. As �In My Life� by the Beatles played, the lights suddenly went out. All part of the plan, explained Jeff Wilpon, the team�s chief operating officer, as a montage of highlights, player introductions and construction footage played on the video screen. Luis Alicea, the first-base coach, spotted Wilpon and thanked him. �Beautiful,� Alicea told him. �Absolutely beautiful.� When it ended, Wilpon escorted everyone into a tunnel behind the plate that led to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. As workers took a break from polishing the terrazzo floors, Jerry Manuel and Sandy Alomar Sr. walked slowly, taking time to read each of Robinson�s nine values, which are inscribed in the floor. Behind them, Putz slipped his feet into Robinson�s footprints. They matched. �Size 14,� Putz said. On the way back inside, Howard Johnson took a detour to show two of his apt pupils, Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy, the video room and the batting cage. Murphy gazed through the window. The door was locked. �Tomorrow,� Murphy said. soupcan Apr 03 2009 02:28 PM Stole this from baseball-fever.com... metirish Apr 03 2009 02:30 PM That needs a lot of dents in it.....too shiny. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 02:38 PM Needs a top hat is what it needs. Strikes me that a cool reverence to the polo grounds could have been done by putting a recess in the wall out there.

Apparently the Met Museum, where I'd assume the trophies and HOF busts are going is to be behind the big 42 in the Rotunda so I guess it isn't open yet.

Hmmm From Baseball-Almanac's Bud Harrelson's 1965 page ]On the road, Bud Harrelson appeared in 10 games, had 20 at-bats, drove in 0 runs, scored 3 times, had 2 hits (1 doubles / 0 triples / 0 home runs), walked 1 times (0 intentional), struck out 5 times, was hit by a pitcher 0 times, sacrificed 0 times (0 hits & 0 flies), stole 5 bases, was caught stealing 4 times, ground into 5 double plays, and finished at home with a .1 batting average, .142 on base percentage and .15 slugging average? Caught stealing in a single season?

="Edgy DC"]The answer is, obviously, appearing on the cover of the Mets' yearbook. Rusty Staub is the odd man out, because he actually appeared on the cover of a Mets yearbook in a visitor's uniform, sliding into Jerry Grote or something. ] Hint #2. Note that Tug McGraw and Cleon Jones are not included in the question. This last hint might help you to avoid wrong answers, more than anything else.

Nicely done!

="Edgy DC"]7. Fans whinging about fringe major leaguers being given a look. You know why they picked up Nieve? Fernando Tatis, that's why. And then, then they start in with "The Yankees get Sabathia ad we get fuckin' Nieve?" that's when I start shooting. You know I was just pointing out a negative of keeping score or trying to follow the game in ST and not being a whiny twat right?

6. The constant use of scrubs that aren't anywhere on anyone's actual roster sheets, usually with no names on their backs as well. There is a reason why broadcasters comment about their scorecards during long regular season games with tons of substitions look like "spring training scorecards."

="metirish"]A view of the great hall in the new Yankee Stadium. I think I'll take this Great Hall

="metsguyinmichigan":2o8gh15o]Pearlman is another guy who makes money writing bad things about the Mets. Like the Sith, there is always a master (Klapisch) and an apprentice. [/quote:2o8gh15o] His book on the 1986 team was quite good. It wasn't the hatchet job that Klapish and Harper did. Edgy DC Mar 24 2009 07:47 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 24 2009 08:09 PM I think that's a little unfairly malignant. Whle he is indeed making money doing his job, I don't think he's got his eye on anybody's colors in particular. He made his name exposing Rocker. He has since authored books investigating the case against Bonds and Clemens. This is information that has come out of the latter book. Yeah, The Bad Guys Won exposes a lot, but it's not like it wasn't a story that needed telling or that he was working a hit job from conjecture like The Worst Team Money Could Buy --- which too often intentionally confused competitive failure with moral failure. TBGW, in fact, explicity does the opposite. I just think he's sloppy here. And I think that's kind of lousy. Once upon a time, it was part of the zeitgeist to protect these guys, and, in their sloppy reporting, they did. Now the zeitgeist has changed. But, too often, the sloppiness has not. metirish Mar 24 2009 07:48 PM I've no beef with Pearlman , loved his 86 book. Fman99 Mar 24 2009 08:09 PM Until the MLB players union cleans its own house, I will continue to believe that every player has used steriods. Skinny? Injured a lot? Denied it in the press? Don't care. It's their own fault -- they don't weed out the users, I will just assume they all use. It's easier than trying to discern which scumbag washout's rumors to believe or not believe. That is all I have to say about that. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 24 2009 08:26 PM My head hurts from all the secondhand moralizin'. Would ibuprofen use disqualify me from Song Parody Contest eligibility? smg58 Mar 25 2009 08:22 AM So we all knew that Piazza has been suspected of using steroids by a bunch of people, and Pearlman's big revelation essentially boils down to Piazza being suspected of using steroids by a bunch of people. Until a reporter with a name says Piazza told him something, this doesn't really add anything. If back acne is really a common symptom of steroids use, then the reporters who keep bringing it up about Piazza should mention who else they saw with this condition. They can't pretend it was just him. I see no value in singling out the good players. If 103 players tested positive in 2003, either leak all of them or none of them. There's plenty of evidence that steroids made good players out of average ones, great players out of good ones, and in the case of Bonds and A-Rod, supermen out of players who likely would have had Hall of Fame careers regardless. There's no evidence that steroids could make a superstar out of a minor leaguer. And here we have yet another writer implying that Piazza doesn't even smell the majors without the juice. Piazza may well be guilty, but that isn't fair. dinosaur jesus Mar 25 2009 08:44 AM You know, I'm all for full disclosure and getting to the truth about the steroids era. But somehow I really don't want to know the name of every major league player with back acne. metirish Mar 25 2009 09:28 AM Back acne is one thing but before I'm convinced of anything I would like to know if he's balls were shriveled , did any of the beat writers ever notice his nuts? John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 25 2009 09:31 AM ="metirish":3c1e1pxk]Back acne is one thing but before I'm convinced of anything I would like to know if he's balls were shriveled , did any of the beat writers ever notice his nuts?[/quote:3c1e1pxk] I am begging you to submit that question to Adam Rubin's next live chat. metirish Mar 25 2009 09:38 AM I'll submit it but I think before they would accept it it needs to be polished up a bit. Edgy DC Mar 25 2009 09:42 AM I'm not volunteering for any polishing-Piazza's-balls duty. Oh there was a time when a younger me might have said yes... TheOldMole Mar 25 2009 11:41 AM A friend of mine who was a baseball writer back in the day told me that Yogi Berra was the best-hung athlete he ever saw. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 25 2009 11:42 AM ="Edgy DC":xpkhpa1f]I'm not volunteering for any polishing-Piazza's-balls duty. Oh there was a time when a younger me might have said yes...[/quote:xpkhpa1f] Hey! That would've made you quite the ball-boy! Beats being Moises Alou's towel guy! Tip your waitstaff/Try the veal piccata metirish Mar 25 2009 12:01 PM ="TheOldMole":3er9cvjw]A friend of mine who was a baseball writer back in the day told me that Yogi Berra was the best-hung athlete he ever saw.[/quote:3er9cvjw] Some great posting here today. Yogi must have had a yogism for being hung like that. dinosaur jesus Mar 25 2009 12:15 PM ="metirish":3nsi0yhk]="TheOldMole":3nsi0yhk]A friend of mine who was a baseball writer back in the day told me that Yogi Berra was the best-hung athlete he ever saw.[/quote:3nsi0yhk] Some great posting here today. Yogi must have had a yogism for being hung like that.[/quote:3nsi0yhk] As I recall, according to David Halberstam it was the late Johnny Blanchard who set the standard in the Yankee clubhouse. TransMonk Mar 25 2009 12:23 PM ="metirish":2sh23i0j]="TheOldMole":2sh23i0j]A friend of mine who was a baseball writer back in the day told me that Yogi Berra was the best-hung athlete he ever saw.[/quote:2sh23i0j] Some great posting here today. Yogi must have had a yogism for being hung like that.[/quote:2sh23i0j] "Bill Dickey is learning me his experience." G-Fafif Mar 25 2009 12:38 PM ="TheOldMole":300nag1k]A friend of mine who was a baseball writer back in the day told me that Yogi Berra was the best-hung athlete he ever saw.[/quote:300nag1k] Imagine your agent taking that stat to arbitration. MFS62 Mar 25 2009 12:46 PM I worked with a guy who was a long time friend of MArty Appell. Marty worked in the YAnkee PR office for many years. My friend told me that not all the members on those "great" Yankee teams were great. Marty told my friend that Horace Clarke had severe shortcomings. Later Benjamin Grimm Mar 25 2009 12:49 PM This should be the "Too Much Information" thread. Edgy DC Mar 25 2009 12:53 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 25 2009 09:08 PM I think it should be the "Guys I know who tell me about other guys dicks" thread. Fman99 Mar 25 2009 08:46 PM Cut. Print. Gay. MFS62 Mar 27 2009 12:53 PM Back to Piazza. IIRC he had a "personal trainer" living with him in Spring Training a few years ago. He said the guy prepared meatless meals and "protein shakes". Y'mean that was just a sham? A coverup? Horrors! Later Benjamin Grimm Mar 27 2009 01:06 PM Are you implying that the "trainer" was a "boyfriend?" Time for another press conference! MFS62 Mar 27 2009 01:31 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3uuccp5b]Are you implying that the "trainer" was a "boyfriend?" Time for another press conference![/quote:3uuccp5b] No! We're talking the stories about Mike on steroids here. Nothing else intended. Mike is married to a hottie. Those rumors about his sexuality were answered IMO. (Or should I say they have been put to bed?) Later LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 27 2009 01:51 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 27 2009 03:17 PM http://www.babychums.com/?p=741 Also... he's two times a daddy, so there goes the Playmate-as-beard rumor; he had to have shut the eyes and come into home standing up at least twice. If one of the kids grows up to have a biblical-scale case of bacne, does that help clear Pops? Benjamin Grimm Mar 27 2009 01:54 PM

From a Baseball-Fever.com poster, the Left Field Gate's mural is complete! One more banner space left around the corner, inbetween Casey and Gil.

How about ranking Mets who once rocked 'staches for a brief period: Ron Hodges Ed Kranepool Bud Harrelson Eh, not going to find it right now, but Edgy, put up that pic of Buddy with a cute puppy in his glove

Mural is complete Both off of Baseball-Fever.com And it looks like Shea's ghosts have moved over already

GI Joe is a Marvel property? In the beginning it was. Well this is going to be based on the GI Joe: A Real American Hero line of toys that included a cartoon and comic book series. The product was part of the '80s trinity with Transformers and He-Man; The toy line ran from 1982-1994. The cartoon ran from roughly 1983 through 1986 and Marvel Comics produced the comic books from 1982-1994, spanning 155 issues. Interestingly the comic book adventures did not end there! Dark Horse picked it up in 1996 for a brief run, the property then went to Benchpress in 1999 but the company folded before publishing anything, then Devil's Due, with the imprint of Image Comics, picked it up in 2001, ironically putting their first issue out on 9/12/2001. Heh, if ever there was a day where real GI Joes were needed huh? Well Devil's Due had a good run that ended last year, and now IDW has picked up the mantle with a fresh start this past October. For more on the Joes' comic book history, check out this podcast by a comic book historian, Michael Bailey called "Views From The Longbox." About a month ago he had a two part podcast on the history of GI Joe comics: Part One Part Two All that said though, like The Watchmen and DC, since it doesn't fit into the proper Marvel Universe, I kind of find it hard to actually call it a Marvel Movie.

="OlerudOwned":2urk8egz]Duaner wasn't a rookie in 2006, Corey Brock. Wasn't paragraph you wrote immediately after saying so evidence enough?[/quote:2urk8egz] Not to mention the accident occured during the season, not after it. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy!

From Baseball-Fever, well, FINALLY a familiar face appears!

="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.

Vic Sage wrote: And the music cues were REALLY annoying. Why does everyone try to evoke 60s anti-war themes with the same 5 or 6 60s classics? It was so cliched and "on the nose", that it was laughable. Something symphonic, or electronic like the brief use of Glass's KOYANNISQATSI, would've been more appropriate. Eh, All Along The Watchtower kind of works in with the title, and there aren't too many songs I would pick over The Times They Are A Changing for that title sequence montage. Problem I had was that the sequence was longer than the song so they had to loop back several verses, a little too much. Maybe just overlay an instrumental version after the last verse of song and come back with a "...for the times they are a changing" as the montage ends. I agree though, they are overused. I want to say Scorsese probably helped that become the vogue thing to do with the way he uses classic hits as the soundtracks to his films.

="smg58":mx3otrw5] I'm also bugged by Sherman dwelling on Piazza's draft position. He's implying that not only wouldn't Piazza have had a HOF career without steroids, he wouldn't have had ANY career.[/quote:mx3otrw5] Good point. No doubt Sherman would dismiss accusations of Don Mattingly who is at best a player you can have an argument about being in the Hall. 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?" Gwreck Mar 09 2009 08:19 PM ="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.

="metsguyinmichigan":1150e6ur]="soupcan":1150e6ur]Too big for lights, no? I was thinking statues but that middle one seems way too big for that.[/quote:1150e6ur] Fountains and plants?[/quote:1150e6ur] That is the word according to those who post on the Baseball-Fever.com Citi thread. The holes are for floral arrangements and a fountain. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 10:29 AM http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157615165829740/ Apparently, some Met history might make it into the new place, in a nifty way: silhouettes above each CitiField entrance commemorating corresponding memorable moments in Mets history-- Left Field gets Endy's catch, Right Field gets Swoboda's, etc. The bullpen gate is as yet unadorned (if not Tug or Jesse, post-'86, may I suggest a David Cone "warming up" silhouette?), although it's possible that the lonely Seaver sil (in the middle of the linked set) ends up there. A subtle and well-executed (and, sadly, all-too-rare) note of tribute, methinks. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 13 2009 10:36 AM Very nice. Wasn't that easy? Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 10:41 AM I'd have to see it in poyson, but Rocky's sihouette seems mostly obscured behind the letters. Raise it up 18 inches or so, say I. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 10:51 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 13 2009 11:09 AM Rocky diving under/in front of the sign, and Endy reeling in Rolen right in front (sign-as-wall) would have been the tits, no? But, hey, minor quibble. I like Orosco's Post-WS Daily News cover for the Bullpen Gate. soupcan Mar 13 2009 10:53 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":1391jq7m]I like Orosco's Post-WS Daily News cover for the Bullpen Gate.[/quote:1391jq7m] Oooh, good call. MFS62 Mar 13 2009 12:25 PM One guy's opinion about the new stadium. I can see how he feels about Mays and the Giants being left out. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/03/13/2009-03-13_why_did_the_mets_build_a_shrine_to_the_d.html Later Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 12:35 PM That article is pure hackery. G-Fafif Mar 13 2009 12:38 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":3qghjbcz]I like Orosco's Post-WS Daily News cover for the Bullpen Gate.[/quote:3qghjbcz] You'd have to clearly mark it as Jesse and his moment of triumph. Otherwise, the sight of a Mets reliever down on his knees conjures visions of 2008 and all the saves that were blown. G-Fafif Mar 13 2009 12:43 PM ="Edgy DC":384aoame]That article is pure hackery.[/quote:384aoame] I don't mind this narrative, to a certain extent, for my own Polo Grounds-loving reasons, but does the author (or the News' editorial page editor) think this is a startlingly new observation? Also, Mays played for the Mets in '72 and '73. Being too young to remember 1969 is no excuse for not getting that much straight. Edgy DC Mar 13 2009 12:49 PM No, his position is fine, but it's late in the day, cherry picked, and his always-has-been, always-will-be tone as if his position is so self evident is weak. I also have a dislike for columnists who ask questions out loud and then provide their own answers. You're a journalist. If you have questions, direct them at people and find some answers. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 13 2009 12:49 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 13 2009 12:59 PM ="G-Fafif"]="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]I like Orosco's Post-WS Daily News cover for the Bullpen Gate. You'd have to clearly mark it as Jesse and his moment of triumph. Otherwise, the sight of a Mets reliever down on his knees conjures visions of 2008 and all the saves that were blown. Fists raised to the heavens wouldn't mark it clearly enough? (Am not sure any of the 2008ers had the arm strength left by season's end to raise 'em above his head.) soupcan Mar 13 2009 12:58 PM Met fans would certainly recognize a silhouette of Jesse in that pose. No question. SteveJRogers Mar 15 2009 06:53 PM From Baseball-Fever, well, FINALLY a familiar face appears! Edgy DC Mar 15 2009 06:59 PM I'm guessing Johnson and the '86ers will go in next to that. seawolf17 Mar 15 2009 07:35 PM ="Edgy DC":okbu00pg]I'm guessing Johnson and the '86ers will go in next to that.[/quote:okbu00pg] Or maybe Alston and the '55ers. metirish Mar 15 2009 08:04 PM I like it , who is that.......I'm kidding , I'm kidding. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 15 2009 08:09 PM Up there until they can sell the space a la the lizard above, prolly. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 15 2009 08:14 PM Enjoy it now for free; take it home in 30 years for $690,000 as CitiField gives way to People's Republic of China presents Shamwow! Park. seawolf17 Mar 15 2009 08:38 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":h17a01f9]People's Republic of China presents Shamwow! Park.[/quote:h17a01f9] That was excellent. metsguyinmichigan Mar 15 2009 08:53 PM ="seawolf17":31zy52xl]="Edgy DC":31zy52xl]I'm guessing Johnson and the '86ers will go in next to that.[/quote:31zy52xl] Or maybe Alston and the '55ers.[/quote:31zy52xl] Badass! SteveJRogers Mar 18 2009 04:59 PM Mural is complete Both off of Baseball-Fever.com And it looks like Shea's ghosts have moved over already metsguyinmichigan Mar 21 2009 02:25 PM The skyline lives! I'm glad to see that it made the trip over to Citi Field. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 21 2009 04:02 PM Nice photos and an enthusiastically positive review here: [url:3bkz11bv]http://metsgrrl.com/index.php/site/comments/the-metsgrrl-citi-field-preview/[/url:3bkz11bv] LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 21 2009 11:22 PM Caryn's work is a friggin' public service. I feel like I did as a 5-year-old, waiting for the Millennium Falcon I'd get on Christmas. themetfairy Mar 22 2009 06:59 AM It does look lovely - I'm looking forward to seeing it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 22 2009 07:34 AM I'm having doubts as to whether I'll get there in 2009. I just pretended to be a ticket buyer for seats for a weekend game in May. No Promenade seats seem to be available. They instead redirect me to 100 level seats in left field, which seem okay, and at not-too-awful a price. But That's six weeks from now. My standard approach has been to wait until three or four days before to buy tickets. (I want to see what the weather will be.) I don't think I'll have that luxury anymore. G-Fafif Mar 22 2009 08:43 AM I can feel the psychic barrier that has kept me from embracing this new place beginning to seriously crack. Probably has something to do with this is where the Mets are going to play in their home uniforms, and that there is no other physical option in the immediate vicinity available for that activity. seawolf17 Mar 22 2009 11:14 AM ="G-Fafif":16qx2n7l]I can feel the psychic barrier that has kept me from embracing this new place beginning to seriously crack. Probably has something to do with this is where the Mets are going to play in their home uniforms, and that there is no other physical option in the immediate vicinity available for that activity.[/quote:16qx2n7l] Yep, me too. Benjamin Grimm Mar 22 2009 11:21 AM Not me. That won't happen until I actually see that I'll be able to go a couple of times per year. I don't have any bad feelings about the place, but I also don't have any connection to it either. At least, not yet. metirish Mar 24 2009 08:29 AM Some great looking shots here , I'm excited about this place. > soupcan Mar 24 2009 08:56 AM The grass looks nice. I'll now go on record as saying I approve of the new apple. Mainly because its not coming out of a ridiculous top hat. An apple is easily recognizable as a symbol of NYC. If it simply has a Mets logo on it or says 'Let's Go Mets' when it pops up, I'm very cool with that. However, if says something like 'Citi - the core of banking in the Big Apple' or some other stupid ad, I'm out baby. metsmarathon Mar 24 2009 09:07 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Mar 24 2009 09:11 AM they're just shoving the citi-branding all up in our faces with every opportunity, those bastards! i mean, look at that repeated arc in the outfield grass, and tell me you don't see the affront of yet another little red rainbow. how fitting that this arc is painted in glorious shades of green, echoing the fields of taxpayer cash funneled into citibank and, therefore, citifield, from the ground, up. it sickens me. really, it doesn't. i just wanted to be the first to mention the similitude between the arcing turf and the citi logo, whether its intentional or just a logical extension of the border between infield and out. metsguyinmichigan Mar 24 2009 09:09 AM ="soupcan":30e9w3y7]The grass looks nice. I'll now go on record as saying I approve of the new apple. Mainly because its not coming out of a ridiculous top hat. An apple is easily recognizable as a symbol of NYC. If it simply has a Mets logo on it or says 'Let's Go Mets' when it pops up, I'm very cool with that. However, if says something like 'Citi - the core of banking in the Big Apple' or some other stupid ad, I'm out baby.[/quote:30e9w3y7] Aw Soup, I never even considered they'd do something like that. Now I'm worried! G-Fafif Mar 24 2009 09:49 AM ="soupcan":303y480g]I'll now go on record as saying I approve of the new apple. Mainly because its not coming out of a ridiculous top hat.[/quote:303y480g] I think I liked the hat more than the apple a) because it brought me back to the Magic Is Back season that inspired its construction and because once they went from Mets Magic to HOME RUN, I got a continuing kick out of the incongruity of it. The relocated original apple is good to have on the premises, but I'm a touch disappointed that its new top hat is so small. More of a straw hat now. Alas, men haven't worn either since JFK decided the look wasn't for him. G-Fafif Mar 24 2009 09:50 AM ="metsmarathon":ws77e5n1]they're just shoving the citi-branding all up in our faces with every opportunity, those bastards! i mean, look at that repeated arc in the outfield grass, and tell me you don't see the affront of yet another little red rainbow. how fitting that this arc is painted in glorious shades of green, echoing the fields of taxpayer cash funneled into citibank and, therefore, citifield, from the ground, up.[/quote:ws77e5n1] And every mention of insurance runs is surely a thinly veiled bonus payment to the former AIG. metirish Mar 24 2009 09:57 AM And every Bill Webb shot of the NYC skyline from now on will be greeted by Gary with " great Citi shot". G-Fafif Mar 24 2009 10:05 AM "Good group of bench players Jerry Manuel has" will be a telltale sop to Citigroup. Pitchers who are automatic will be no more than plugs for Citi's network of ATMs. And when Delgado deposits one over the right field wall... metirish Mar 24 2009 10:27 AM Pitching changes will now be known as withdrawals - " Manuel goes to the mound to make a withdrawal , hey folks you too can make withdrawals all over Citi Field" G-Fafif Mar 24 2009 11:01 AM First reliever to get sent down for giving up a key hit will be written off as a toxic asset. SteveJRogers Mar 24 2009 07:08 PM From a Baseball-Fever.com poster, the Left Field Gate's mural is complete! One more banner space left around the corner, inbetween Casey and Gil. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 24 2009 07:45 PM ="SteveJRogers":1ddnwx4v] One more banner space left around the corner, inbetween Casey and Gil.[/quote:1ddnwx4v] Ah, yes... the Bobby Bo spot, you mean? batmagadanleadoff Mar 24 2009 08:01 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Mar 24 2009 08:14 PM ="SteveJRogers"]From a Baseball-Fever.com poster, the Left Field Gate's mural is complete! One more banner space left around the corner, inbetween Casey and Gil. The detail in the Stengel banner (your lower right) appears to be the Grote/Koosman embrace , Game 5, 1969 WS, yada yada, although it's not the iconic angle that includes Ed Charles' dance of joy. batmagadanleadoff Mar 24 2009 08:12 PM G-Fafif Mar 27 2009 06:08 AM Jeff Wilpon impresses Len Berman. soupcan Mar 27 2009 11:42 AM Hey, lookie who showed up to the party... I believe this is behind leftfield. On edit: Scooped! ="metsguyinmichigan"] The skyline lives! I'm glad to see that it made the trip over to Citi Field. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 27 2009 01:34 PM The scoreboard-topper's going to be in center; that concession-plex is the Danny Meyer street-food fantasia (mmm.... elote!). metsguyinmichigan Mar 27 2009 02:16 PM I like it! Too bad they couldn't find a wall somewhere to hang replicas of the blue and orange tiles that used to hang outside Shea, or one of the neon players -- though apparently they are incorporated into the carpet design in the clubhouse. apmorris Mar 29 2009 03:08 PM Opening day beta (from the webs) Farmer Ted Mar 29 2009 04:05 PM Yup, always one douchebag that opens an umbrella the size of Rhode Island inside the stadium. That effing thing hangs over three rows. metirish Mar 29 2009 04:13 PM saw on ABC News highlights from the game today , looks spacious , one punter complained that the area around the apple is very plain looking. The report mentioned that Bernie Madoff had season tickets in the platinum section behind home plate , valued at $40,000. The Mets say they will not go unused but didn't say how. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 04:28 PM If Wilpon followed his heart, he'd donate the seats to Hilda Chester's family. But Fred loves money even more than he loves the Dodgers. I wonder if the Mets make his top five. Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 04:50 PM Come on. We're indicting him for what you imagine he'd like to do? batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:23 PM ="Edgy DC":z4d7oe86]Come on. We're indicting him for what you imagine he'd like to do?[/quote:z4d7oe86] We? You don't have to join me, but Fred opened the door for this kind of abuse -- yes, it's a straw man, or straw woman argument-- when he built a Mets Stadium in the image of Ebbets Field and then decided to tack on a rotunda, -- one of its most prominent features -- in honor of a Dodger. I don't mind the Ebbets reference so much. But that and a Jackie Robinson Routnda? Enough's enough. It's inappropriate, in my opinion. A Mets stadium is not the right place to honor a Dodger on a permanent basis -- any Dodger. Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:28 PM He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:32 PM ="Edgy DC":3662lti7]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:3662lti7] Why? And did George Steinbrenner face that same pressure? Or what about the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals and their new stadium? Philadelphia Phillies? Where's the Philadelphia version of the Jackie Robinson rotunda? And was Wilpon also under the same intense pressure to eliminate 10,000 seats from the new stadium and raise the prices of some tickets almost tenfold? Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:34 PM In order, Why is irrelevant. The point is that he was. No. No. Nothing that I don't know of. You're changing the subject. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:36 PM ="Edgy DC":jm0mylax]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:jm0mylax] By the way, Wilpon has been sticking it to the public in his self-interest throughout his entire tenure. The evidence is everywhere, in all the details, small and large. Crappy hot dogs. Mesh trucker caps for the old-timers. A parade of car dealers pulling numbers off the outfield wall. Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:37 PM Get some rest. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:41 PM I wasn't trying to change the subject. I just think that these baseball owners are powerful enough to do whatever they want to do, for the most part. Wilpon doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would cave in to public pressure over the rotunda. I believe that he created the Jackie Robinson rotunda because he wanted to, and any explanation slightly inconsistent is just spin so as to rationalize the event in a way that would appeal to the largest number of people. In other words, his explanation has more to do with political correctness than sincerity. SteveJRogers Mar 29 2009 05:42 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":131szgo8]="Edgy DC":131szgo8]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:131szgo8] Why? And did George Steinbrenner face that same pressure? Or what about the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals and their new stadium? Philadelphia Phillies? Where's the Philadelphia version of the Jackie Robinson rotunda? And was Wilpon also under the same intense pressure to eliminate 10,000 seats from the new stadium and raise the prices of some tickets almost tenfold?[/quote:131szgo8] Because of Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers as a fan which made the Mets the "torch bearers" of the Dodger-Giant legacy. Well it did start with day one when the Met roster would feature ex-Dodgers and ex-Giants. It would continue on during Old Timers Day festivities during the '60s and '70s when Dodgers and Giants were trotted out and so on. Because it was at Shea where Bill Clinton and Bud Selig stood and made the pronouncement that 42 would be retired in perpetuity. Hell, because it was at Shea that they actually honored the 40th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1987, check out the 1988 yearbook for a photo of that festivity. So, where were you in 1987 decrying why were the Mets honoring Robinson? batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:51 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Mar 29 2009 05:53 PM ="SteveJRogers":37juno6t]="batmagadanleadoff":37juno6t]="Edgy DC":37juno6t]He was actually under intense public pressure to name the stadium after Robinson. That the rotunda --- and has anybody ever cared before what a rotunda was called --- was named after Robinson was him throwing a bone to the public, not sticking it to the public in his self-interest.[/quote:37juno6t] Why? And did George Steinbrenner face that same pressure? Or what about the owners of the St. Louis Cardinals and their new stadium? Philadelphia Phillies? Where's the Philadelphia version of the Jackie Robinson rotunda? And was Wilpon also under the same intense pressure to eliminate 10,000 seats from the new stadium and raise the prices of some tickets almost tenfold?[/quote:37juno6t] Because of Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers as a fan which made the Mets the "torch bearers" of the Dodger-Giant legacy. Well it did start with day one when the Met roster would feature ex-Dodgers and ex-Giants. It would continue on during Old Timers Day festivities during the '60s and '70s when Dodgers and Giants were trotted out and so on. Because it was at Shea where Bill Clinton and Bud Selig stood and made the pronouncement that 42 would be retired in perpetuity. Hell, because it was at Shea that they actually honored the 40th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1987, check out the 1988 yearbook for a photo of that festivity. So, where were you in 1987 decrying why were the Mets honoring Robinson?[/quote:37juno6t] Wilpon's ties to the Dodgers are no greater than your ties to the Mets. He's a fan. OK ... a fan who was friends with Sandy Koufax before Koufax was anybody, but still, just a fan. There's nothing wrong with on-field festivities honoring opponents. Stan Musial was honored at the Polo Grounds. Lou Brock was honored on his last visit to Shea. Willie Stargell, too. Honoring is a time-honored baseball tradition probably employed by every team. Naming a part of your stadium after a member of the opposition? I don't agree. The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:51 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":213hxw3s]I wasn't trying to change the subject. I just think that these baseball owners are powerful enough to do whatever they want to do, for the most part. Wilpon doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would cave in to public pressure over the rotunda. I believe that he created the Jackie Robinson rotunda because he wanted to, and any explanation slightly inconsistent is just spin so as to rationalize the event in a way that would appeal to the largest number of people. In other words, his explanation has more to do with political correctness than sincerity.[/quote:213hxw3s] Well, you just keep believing then. And "these baseball owners," of course, continues to change the subject. Anything that deviates from your hard-headed position is a "rationalization"? Nobody using mesh caps to broadly indict a billionnaire is positioning himself to talk about who is being rational. A rich guy runs his business to make money. And that pisses you off. Except when he doesn't. And that pisses you off. Come on. Just stop. Gwreck Mar 29 2009 05:54 PM ="batmagadanleadoff"] when he built a Mets Stadium in the image of Ebbets Field and then decided to tack on a rotunda, -- one of its most prominent features -- in honor of a Dodger. You've got things a little mixed up. The rotunda wasn't tacked on; it was deliberately planned to be the part of the stadium that is built in the image of Ebbets Field. Nowhere else in the park is reminiscent of Ebbets. Yes, Robinson was a Dodger. A perfunctory look inside the rotunda indicates that Robinson is being honored for much more than that. ]A Mets stadium is not the right place to honor a Dodger on a permanent basis -- any Dodger. Sorry, this Dodger's special. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 05:57 PM ="Edgy DC":2us8tl51]="batmagadanleadoff":2us8tl51]I wasn't trying to change the subject. I just think that these baseball owners are powerful enough to do whatever they want to do, for the most part. Wilpon doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that would cave in to public pressure over the rotunda. I believe that he created the Jackie Robinson rotunda because he wanted to, and any explanation slightly inconsistent is just spin so as to rationalize the event in a way that would appeal to the largest number of people. In other words, his explanation has more to do with political correctness than sincerity.[/quote:2us8tl51] Well, you just keep believing then. And "these baseball owners," of course, continues to change the subject. Anything that deviates from your hard-headed position is a "rationalization"? Nobody using mesh caps to broadly indict a billionnaire is positioning himself to talk about who is being rational. A rich guy runs his business to make money. And that pisses you off. Except when he doesn't. And that pisses you off. Come on. Just stop.[/quote:2us8tl51] I doubt that getting the old-timers decent baseball caps, or uniforms that resembled the ones they actually wore during their playing days would've made much of a dent to the bottom-line. How much money did Wilpon save on that deal -- one, maybe two thousand dollars? Edgy DC Mar 29 2009 05:58 PM I doubt that Fred Wilpon has any idea what you're talking about or which employee of an employee of an employee of his ordered the hats. I beg you. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 06:01 PM ="Gwreck"]="batmagadanleadoff"] when he built a Mets Stadium in the image of Ebbets Field and then decided to tack on a rotunda, -- one of its most prominent features -- in honor of a Dodger. You've got things a little mixed up. The rotunda wasn't tacked on; it was deliberately planned to be the part of the stadium that is built in the image of Ebbets Field. Nowhere else in the park is reminiscent of Ebbets. Yes, Robinson was a Dodger. A perfunctory look inside the rotunda indicates that Robinson is being honored for much more than that. ]A Mets stadium is not the right place to honor a Dodger on a permanent basis -- any Dodger. Sorry, this Dodger's special. I was using the phrase "tack on" as a term of art, not literally. I understand that the rotunda wasn't a last minute afterthought but rather, a key design element of the new stadium. But my point remains the same, even if it was tacked on. Yes, Jackie Robinson was very special. I agree. But let the Dodgers erect a Jackie Robinson rotunda. We'll just have to disagree on this one. When I buy the Mets, and build my own stadium to replace Citi Field, things are gonna change. SteveJRogers Mar 29 2009 06:26 PM ="batmagadanleadoff"] The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. So, the Braves should take down the statue at The Ted honoring Georgian Ty Cobb? apmorris Mar 29 2009 06:33 PM ="batmagadanleadoff":b4so81jp] We'll just have to disagree on this one. When I buy the Mets, and build my own stadium to replace Citi Field, things are gonna change.[/quote:b4so81jp] Please name it Shea. I think CitiField looks like a Good Ol' Timey Baseball Themed Amusement Park. Maybe great for a game but it has nothing to do the Modern Post-War New York that the Worlds Fair and the Mets (and Shea) were born out of, you know - the future they promised us that never happened? The Mets are NOT the History of Baseball team and that stadium would look a lot better in the middle of a strip mall in New Jersey - between Flinger's and Chotchkie's - than in the middle of a parking lot in Flushing Meadows. It is way too backward looking and not forward looking enough. I think. batmagadanleadoff Mar 29 2009 06:35 PM ="SteveJRogers"]="batmagadanleadoff"] The Mets aren't, and shouldn't be the torch-bearers of the Dodgiant legacy, just as, likewise, the Dodgers need not erect a statute of Californian Tom Seaver. So, the Braves should take down the statue at The Ted honoring Georgian Ty Cobb? Not if they don't want to. Plus, the Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn statues are mitigating factors. ________________________ **Photo widths edited by admin on 3/29** apmorris Mar 29 2009 07:56 PM ] the Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn statues they both have BRAVES on their jerseys (and statues) - just thought I'd point that out. soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:10 AM ="apmorris"] ="Farmer Ted"]Yup, always one douchebag that opens an umbrella the size of Rhode Island inside the stadium. That effing thing hangs over three rows. I believe that there are some stadia that do not allow people to bring umbrellas inside. Now that's a good rule. metirish Mar 30 2009 07:13 AM See , I would be embarrassed to open one that size , or if the person I was with opened one like that.Is that even an umbrella , looks like something that one would use on the beach for shade. Benjamin Grimm Mar 30 2009 07:15 AM I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan? soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:16 AM Shit like that always amazes me. You're in a stadium watching a game with people behind and next to you. You know you'll be blocking people's views. Why do some people feel so entitled to doing stuff like that? Do they just not think? Are they stupid? Selfish? All of the above? I just don't understand that kind of behavior. Pack a fucking poncho. Edgy DC Mar 30 2009 07:25 AM Douchebag neighbors. Story of Soupy's life. soupcan Mar 30 2009 07:28 AM So true. metirish Mar 30 2009 07:51 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":1v08570j]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan?[/quote:1v08570j] Good call , the sign was one of the first things that jumped out at me when they were showing highlights on the News.I am trying to remember what other stadium has a similar sign , Fenway? soupcan Mar 30 2009 08:01 AM Comerica in Detroit... SteveJRogers Mar 30 2009 08:32 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":2n7rxdgz]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan?[/quote:2n7rxdgz] An exact replica actually. Well except the recent Pepsi "dot" replaces the vintage Pepsi bottle from that iconic signage. soupcan Mar 30 2009 08:44 AM ="SteveJRogers"]="Benjamin Grimm"]I'm no fan of ads, but I kinda like that big Pepsi Cola sign. It's as much "advertising art" as it is advertising. Isn't it very similar to the vintage sign in Queens that can be seen from across the East River in Manhattan? An exact replica actually. Well except the recent Pepsi "dot" replaces the vintage Pepsi bottle from that iconic signage. Close but not 'exact'. G-Fafif Mar 30 2009 11:01 AM Company-issued release: ]Pepsi gains branding rights to the name-entitled "Pepsi Porch," the 1,284-seat area in right field that extends over the playing field. This interactive brand showcase at the Pepsi Porch will immerse fans in a Mets and Pepsi experience with special entertainment programming broadcast to those in attendance and watching Mets games on SNY, the television home of the Mets. A 37-foot by 89-foot Pepsi sign, evocative of the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign facing Manhattan from Long Island City, will sit atop the Pepsi Porch. The sign will face into the ballpark and be visible from downtown Flushing and nearby highways and mass transit lines. Benjamin Grimm Mar 30 2009 11:12 AM I don't imagine that most fans will want to be "immersed in a Mets and Pepsi experience" while at the ballgame. I know I wouldn't. I just want to watch the game, without any immersion at all. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 30 2009 11:13 AM Like the signage... mildly-- very mildly-- put off by the modern-Pepsi-dot-with-vintage-Pepsi-lettering juxtaposition of ad styles. From the woulda-coulda-shoulda department: making the outfield "bridges" a little more evocative of the Triboro/Queensboro/Whitestone trifecta (not sure I buy the supposed Hell-Gate connection) would have made for a nice little architectural curlicue. OlerudOwned Mar 30 2009 11:35 AM Wouldn't have minded immersing my eyes in Pepsi at the ends of the last two seasons. metirish Mar 30 2009 11:41 AM The language of such releases are all the same , jeez sounds like I'll have the expreince of my life if only I was sitting in the Pepsi porch. I do like Pepsi though Farmer Ted Mar 30 2009 01:13 PM The Pepsi sign is a big FUCK YOU to Atlanta and Ted Turner's phallic Coke Bottle. metirish Apr 02 2009 01:24 PM Head groundskeeper Pete Flynn marks the baselines and grooms home plate at Citi Field. (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan / March 25, 2009) Pinball machines in the Mets' new clubhouse at Citi Field. (Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan / March 25, 2009) Pepsi porch I like the detail in the carpet. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 02 2009 01:31 PM Those pinball machines are too close to the wall, and one another, to be playable. However, I think can whip Jose Reyes' butt on either table. themetfairy Apr 02 2009 01:39 PM I love the pool table! DocTee Apr 02 2009 01:41 PM The pool table is coin operated? You can buy any of these items in 35 years when the Mets move to a new stadium. I call dibs on the leather recliners. soupcan Apr 02 2009 01:59 PM This carpet is god-awful. Benjamin Grimm Apr 02 2009 02:23 PM I agree. It's garish. It's nice that they're honoring Shea with the neon players, but those big grey baseballs are hideous. The first thing I'd do is replace that carpet with something with a blue-and-orange 1960's Shea Stadium shingle pattern. Edgy DC Apr 02 2009 02:27 PM I'd do a pattern based on an acne-covered back. soupcan Apr 03 2009 10:44 AM Delgado, last night. Cool, huh? Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 10:51 AM How does the warning track soil/clay stay packed like that? Fman99 Apr 03 2009 10:53 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":29ka38qg]I don't imagine that most fans will want to be "immersed in a Mets and Pepsi experience" while at the ballgame. I know I wouldn't. I just want to watch the game, without any immersion at all.[/quote:29ka38qg] Little known fact, the Jimi Hendrix Experience was originally known as the Mets and Pepsi Experience. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:04 PM ="soupcan"]Delgado, last night. Cool, huh? Beautiful picture , one for the mantle I should think. This story went with that picture in the NY Times ] Mets Get a Late-Night Sneak Preview of Citi Field By BEN SHPIGEL Published: April 3, 2009 Out from the buses they spilled, marching through a gate, down a corridor and around a corner until, finally, there it was. Home. The Mets� shiny, new clubhouse awaited. And as Carlos Delgado poked his head inside at about 10:55 p.m. Thursday, he surveyed the sheer size of it all and said, �Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the big leagues.� His teammates, arriving at Citi Field fresh off a flight from Florida that landed two and a half hours late, followed suit, each more mesmerized than the next. After locating his locker, Jos� Reyes opened a cabinet and wondered aloud how much clothes he could fit inside. Pedro Feliciano plopped into his ergonomic chair. Shaking his head, Razor Shines could manage only a �Wow.� Then he said it again. �I�m overwhelmed,� Bobby Parnell said. �The other guys, they�re used to this.� Their curiosity piqued, players wheeled their hand luggage to their lockers and started to explore. John Maine and Mike Pelfrey bounded down the steps, past the sprint track. �Mainer, you want to race?� Pelfrey said. Ascending another set of stairs, they funneled into the dugout, joining Delgado and Carlos Beltr�n. Everyone looked up, almost instinctively, and then out, to the fences, scoping out the dimensions. Ryan Church, pointing toward the 415-foot marker in right-center field, told Delgado, �I don�t think they made it deep enough.� For the occasion, the lights had been turned on � �I should have brought sunscreen,� Darren O�Day said � and the grass glistened. But with rain in the forecast for Friday, when the Mets are scheduled to play Boston in an exhibition game, a tarp lay over the infield, preventing Johan Santana and friends from climbing the mound. Undeterred, many of the pitchers walked in the grass toward right-center, toward the bullpen, as quickly as their suits and dress shoes would allow them. Every few feet, J. J. Putz stopped, pointed the camera on his cellphone and snapped. The Mets occupy the bottom level of the two-tiered bullpen � just as the Phillies do in their ballpark � and the bullpen catcher Dave Racaniello wandered in. Assessing where the plate will be, he got into a crouch for a few seconds. As �In My Life� by the Beatles played, the lights suddenly went out. All part of the plan, explained Jeff Wilpon, the team�s chief operating officer, as a montage of highlights, player introductions and construction footage played on the video screen. Luis Alicea, the first-base coach, spotted Wilpon and thanked him. �Beautiful,� Alicea told him. �Absolutely beautiful.� When it ended, Wilpon escorted everyone into a tunnel behind the plate that led to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. As workers took a break from polishing the terrazzo floors, Jerry Manuel and Sandy Alomar Sr. walked slowly, taking time to read each of Robinson�s nine values, which are inscribed in the floor. Behind them, Putz slipped his feet into Robinson�s footprints. They matched. �Size 14,� Putz said. On the way back inside, Howard Johnson took a detour to show two of his apt pupils, Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy, the video room and the batting cage. Murphy gazed through the window. The door was locked. �Tomorrow,� Murphy said. soupcan Apr 03 2009 02:28 PM Stole this from baseball-fever.com... metirish Apr 03 2009 02:30 PM That needs a lot of dents in it.....too shiny. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 02:38 PM Needs a top hat is what it needs. Strikes me that a cool reverence to the polo grounds could have been done by putting a recess in the wall out there.

="Frayed Knot"]="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon.] So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan.

="metirish":dalf2wz3]Really though are the Mets any different that any other organization in regards to medical reports? I would say NHL teams are the most notorious of the "day to day" injury reports.[/quote:dalf2wz3] NFL is worse though. Because they have to list the injury list every week. Great example, every week for a couple of years the Pats listed Tom Brady on the injury list, probably at the least severe level, with an arm situation. This was done as to not "tip" off the opposition or some nonsense. I hear you though, it is just that the Mets, and other teams do seem to treat the fans and the media like idiots with the way they handle injury situations. Maybe I'm being too harsh on the medical staff here, fine, then maybe it is the PR staff, maybe it's Omar, I don't know then, but there is something rather infuriating with the way the Mets handle injury situations. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 04:36 PM SJR: But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue <<< Keep diggin Stevers, name one team in Major League Baseball that does better when it comes to reporting actual news on what's going on with high profile franchise players. Name one team that does it 20% better and provide insight into how you ac- tually know what you're talking about. Name one team that does it 10% better if you can't do that. Cloak and dagger??? Sheesh. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 04:47 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 02 2009 05:32 PM ="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon. So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. "Okay, fine I'll give you that point." You mean the point about the medical staff not wanting injuries to linger and hurt the club? -- Very big of you. " But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue." 'Cloak and Dagger'? You mean if a player gets hurt during a game it's some kind of conspiracy of silence unless they have the complete diagnosis and exact return date by the morning papers? Medicine doesn't work that way Steve-O and things like waiting for swelling to go down of seeing if a problem will heal on its own are often proper procedures not examples of malpractice. "Is player A okay to play? -- He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word." As Vince Scully says, 'Aren't we all?' (day-to-day) Again, see the point above about medical science not running on the same schedule as beat reporters or stupid fans who are too pissed off to think straight and therefore spout off on topics they know nothing about because they think it makes them sound superior. The only thing worse is listening to those idiots and the repeating what they say as if gospel. "And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC." Something which has nothing to do with the medical staff. Rockin' Doc Mar 02 2009 05:16 PM LWFS - "Relatively new here. Is it silly to ask what SJR's "deal" is, generally speaking? I have a theory that Steve may be a distant relative of King Nebuchednezzar. Of course, I could be wrong. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 05:25 PM ="Frayed Knot"]="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon.] So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan. metirish Mar 02 2009 05:31 PM Steve you are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with that jibe at FK. A thread about one of the games best pictures has turned into a SJR thread , happens far too often. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 05:38 PM Do you really think I stick up for the Wilpons irrationally or have you gotten to the point where you're simply labeling anyone who doesn't trash them incessantly as a suck-up because you think that puts you in with the in crowd? Either way, if you want to find examples where you think I did so we can debate the specific topic(s) individually, but don't make blanket statements about my opinions that you can't back up -- like the one that started this discussion for instance. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 06:09 PM Does Wilpon even serve Kool-Aid anymore? Because I'm really thirsty and I think I'm entitled to some. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 06:55 PM If said Kool-Aid is cherry- and/or mango-flavored, and it will knock me unconscious for the last two weeks of October, I will drink this Kool-Aid. Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 06:56 PM ="metirish":1tgpntg3]happens far too often.[/quote:1tgpntg3] Yep. It's tiresome. Clueless Koolaid Guzzler Mar 02 2009 07:15 PM ="SteveJRogers":1qlt4bm3] No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan.[/quote:1qlt4bm3] hey! you say that like it's a bad thing. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:28 PM ] Mets' Santana won't be ready for Opening Day BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 4:50 PM EST, March 3, 2009 The Mets finally came to terms Tuesday with the reality that Johan Santana is not going to be their Opening Day starter for April 6 in Cincinnati. Santana will have another bullpen session tomorrow morning, but the delay caused by the tightness in his left elbow is going to push him back to the fifth turn of that first week, which is Saturday, April 11, in Florida. Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Santana is not likely to get into a Grapefruit League game until March 18. That pretty much wipes out any chance of him being ready for Opening Day. Benjamin Grimm Mar 03 2009 08:28 PM April 11 is no tragedy. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 03 2009 08:37 PM May 1 is no tragedy neither. Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 08:50 PM Tomorrow's scapegoating articles can just write themselves. That's a little tragic. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 03 2009 10:57 PM How is this at 20/20 update status on the 'FAN? (He asks rhetorically... since it is.) 86-Dreamer Mar 04 2009 01:11 PM Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758 MFS62 Mar 04 2009 01:21 PM ="86-Dreamer":2c4tjkyk]Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758[/quote:2c4tjkyk] I don't like it when my emotions are toyed with. Later Frayed Knot Mar 10 2009 06:43 AM Well they're about to be toyed with again because Johan says he's feeling good and aiming for Opening Day (a phrase that should always be capitalized, btw). He used all his pitches in yesterday's throwing session and is scheduled for a Thursday start. So the thousands of trees and E-trees that were killed in order to make room for the multitude of columns and blogs detailing the dire consequences and medical malpractice in connection with Santana's left wing turned out to have given their lives in vain all over a soreness which required that miracle of modern medicine ... a 3-day break. themetfairy Mar 10 2009 06:45 AM Either that, or that liniment really works! metirish Mar 17 2009 12:18 PM Great news. ] Mets' Santana throws four innings without incident BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 1:41 PM EDT, March 17, 2009 PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - More than any one pitch, the best indication of Johan Santana's mindset as he prepares for Opening Day came during the second inning of Tuesday's minor-league game on Field 7. Santana was so sure he had Scott Grimes struck out on a changeup in the dirt that he stormed off the back of the mound to argue with the umpire behind him. That's right. Scott Grimes, who was playing for the Worcester Tornadoes last season. Santana buried a changeup, and Grimes -- not used to that kind of pitch in the Can-Am League -- clearly did not check his swing. Which is why Santana was annoyed. "Oh yeah, this is a game," Santana said. "You have to do whatever it takes to even win that game and get ready. Because that's the thing, when Opening Day comes, there's not going to be any practice. You've got to be ready. "So that's what we're trying to do now, focus on throwing all of the pitches, on controlling the strike zone and throwing changeups and sliders. I think we're pretty good. We're on the right track." The irritated Santana finished off Grimes with a fastball that he missed for strike three -- no discussion there -- and completed his four-inning stint without incident. Overall, Santana allowed six hits and two earned runs, with five strikeouts and no walks. He threw 56 pitches, 40 for strikes, and his fastball stayed in the 87-89 mph range. With three more starts to go, Santana figures to build up more arm strength and the velocity should increase as well over the next three weeks. "We're still working," Santana said. "I don't work by percentages or anything, but I think we still have some room to improve and to get better and that's what we're focused on right now."

="Frayed Knot"] OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo? Wilpon. ] If you're going to label "quacks" whenever an exact diagnosis and return date isn't nailed down within 24 hours of an injury then you're never going to be happy with any medical staff and instead are going to sound like one of those idiot fans who wonders why only his closer blows games. And I'm not even going to ask you where you came up with "lack of desire to give proper care and treatment". Okay, fine I'll give you that point. But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue. Is player A okay to play? He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word. And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC.

="Benjamin Grimm":7pulkn2q]Ryan Church's concussion seems to be the one thing that's been truly botched in recent years. But saying someone is day-to-day doesn't mean the medical staff is a bunch of boobs; it could mean that they're not too hasty to make a panicky diagnosis. I'd want to pause and make sure too before consigning somebody to surgery or the 60-day DL.[/quote:7pulkn2q] Considering this team goes from an 85-90 win team to a 75-80 win team without Santana, yeah I would understand a panicky diagnosis and getting him into an MRI. Again, better be safe than have him blow out his arm in April and losing him for more than just 2009. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 09:35 AM And naturally, if he hurts himself, it'll be directly connected to his not getting an MRI this weekend. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 09:45 AM They call medicine a "practice" for a reason. I was walking to work a month ago and got a severe headache, tightness in my throat, dizziness and loss of balance. I got rushed to the hospital and they said my symptoms indicated I had a small stroke. But after a spinal tap, CT scan and multiple MRIs they could not find anything showing any blockage...in other words, no stroke. I've now visited different doctors (pulminologist, neurologist, physical therapist, opthomologist) 2-3 times per week for the past month and they're still not sure what's wrong. The initial diagnosis was an inner-ear virus, then I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, which is a problem, but seemingly unrealated. After a month, I'm still only at about 80% with my balance and I have abnormal sensation ability on the left half of my body. I really have no idea if it will start to get better tomorrow or if I'll be this way the rest of my life. I'm well enough to perform daily activities, but I'm not running or exercising at all. I have another MRI scheduled for Wednesday (but I don't have to travel to New York). I feel like I'm guessing Church did last year. I could not even play catch with a buddy right now, but I'm not giving up hope that I couldn't at this time next week. I'd call my self day-to-day, and would not want to be put on the 60 day DL. I don't know if these or any doctors could be called quacks, it's just that the body is a very complex thing that differs greatly from person to person. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 09:47 AM Perspective. Get well, Monk. Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 09:48 AM Geez, Monk, I hope you feel better soon. Your account reads like an episode of House. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 09:56 AM Thanks guys. I've never watched House, but I've had many, many people say that. I was hoping to at least get a rare disease named after me. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 10:36 AM Speedy health, Tmonk. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 02 2009 10:38 AM Yeah, hope you're feeling better soon. Gotta be tough to be troubled by unexplainable stuff. Rockin' Doc Mar 02 2009 10:40 AM I hope you get feeling better soon. themetfairy Mar 02 2009 10:47 AM Feel better TMonk! Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 10:52 AM Kind of selfish, though, how TransMonk has hijacked Johan Santana's thread. Have some respect for the guy with the $137 million contract! Gwreck Mar 02 2009 10:53 AM Best wishes for speedy recovery. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 11:02 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":10s8n325]Kind of selfish, though, how TransMonk has hijacked Johan Santana's thread. Have some respect for the guy with the $137 million contract![/quote:10s8n325] HA! The jist was really the first and last sentences of the post. And that I recently have a little more respect for Church and his health problems last year...and for any injured athlete for that matter. My job doesn't depend on me being fully-functional physically. I can't imagine being in my condition and being a pro-athlete with money, passion and fan opinion on the line. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:05 AM Hope they find out what it is and cure it soon, Monk. And we hope its something they've seen before, not something new that they have to name after you. Later Centerfield Mar 02 2009 11:10 AM Whatever. Pop a couple of Advil and walk it off. Like you ever use your lower left-side anyway. I'm kidding. Perhaps in bad taste. Feel better soon. It is incredibly frustrating when all the doctors in the world seem unable to pinpoint a problem. Here's to hoping they figure it out (and cure it) soon. metirish Mar 02 2009 11:20 AM Rub some dirt on it for fecks sake Monk..... Seriously it made for somber reading..I thought at first you were taking the piss then I was hoping you were...get well .. themetfairy Mar 02 2009 11:23 AM D-Dad had a bad case of vertigo about five years ago. Not as debilitating or long-lasting as TMonk's, but frustrating as hell. These things can be weird - sometimes they just run their course without explanation. Hopefully this will be out of your system soon. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 02:04 PM ="SteveJRogers"]So, how much does Fredo pay you? OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo? ]No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks. If you're going to label "quacks" whenever an exact diagnosis and return date isn't nailed down within 24 hours of an injury then you're never going to be happy with any medical staff and instead are going to sound like one of those idiot fans who wonders why only his closer blows games. And I'm not even going to ask you where you came up with "lack of desire to give proper care and treatment". LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:12 PM ="Frayed Knot":dd6jvwzq]="SteveJRogers":dd6jvwzq]So, how much does Fredo pay you?[/quote:dd6jvwzq] OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo?[/quote:dd6jvwzq] Fred? Jeff? (As in, the incompetent son?) Special Medical Adviser to the New York Mets, Zombie John Cazale? Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 02:14 PM ="SteveJRogers":3ed1rmeg]="Frayed Knot":3ed1rmeg]So it's the medical staff fault that those players got hurt? If so I think we should fire the entire medical team and hire the staff from one of the teams without injuries. Remind me who those are again?[/quote:3ed1rmeg] So, how much does Fredo pay you? No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks.[/quote:3ed1rmeg] And all these guys were misdiagnoses (or "misdiagnosises")? You know that the medical staff has been turned over since Mo Vaughn's day, right? Twice, I think. Steve, are you gunning for Davidoff's job or something. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 02:16 PM SJR: No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks <<< You've out done yourself. Again. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:59 PM Relatively new here. Is it silly to ask what SJR's "deal" is, generally speaking? Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 03:02 PM No. It may be silly to expect to understand the answer, however. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 03:07 PM ="Edgy DC"]No. It may be silly to expect to understand the answer, however. All those times there was one set of footprints... SJR was carrying me? TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:08 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"] All those times there was one set of footprints... SJR was carrying me? Bullet of cool! SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 03:56 PM ="Frayed Knot"] OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo? Wilpon. ] If you're going to label "quacks" whenever an exact diagnosis and return date isn't nailed down within 24 hours of an injury then you're never going to be happy with any medical staff and instead are going to sound like one of those idiot fans who wonders why only his closer blows games. And I'm not even going to ask you where you came up with "lack of desire to give proper care and treatment". Okay, fine I'll give you that point. But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue. Is player A okay to play? He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word. And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC. metirish Mar 02 2009 04:11 PM Really though are the Mets any different that any other organization in regards to medical reports? I would say NHL teams are the most notorious of the "day to day" injury reports. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 04:30 PM ="metirish":dalf2wz3]Really though are the Mets any different that any other organization in regards to medical reports? I would say NHL teams are the most notorious of the "day to day" injury reports.[/quote:dalf2wz3] NFL is worse though. Because they have to list the injury list every week. Great example, every week for a couple of years the Pats listed Tom Brady on the injury list, probably at the least severe level, with an arm situation. This was done as to not "tip" off the opposition or some nonsense. I hear you though, it is just that the Mets, and other teams do seem to treat the fans and the media like idiots with the way they handle injury situations. Maybe I'm being too harsh on the medical staff here, fine, then maybe it is the PR staff, maybe it's Omar, I don't know then, but there is something rather infuriating with the way the Mets handle injury situations. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 04:36 PM SJR: But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue <<< Keep diggin Stevers, name one team in Major League Baseball that does better when it comes to reporting actual news on what's going on with high profile franchise players. Name one team that does it 20% better and provide insight into how you ac- tually know what you're talking about. Name one team that does it 10% better if you can't do that. Cloak and dagger??? Sheesh. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 04:47 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 02 2009 05:32 PM ="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon. So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. "Okay, fine I'll give you that point." You mean the point about the medical staff not wanting injuries to linger and hurt the club? -- Very big of you. " But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue." 'Cloak and Dagger'? You mean if a player gets hurt during a game it's some kind of conspiracy of silence unless they have the complete diagnosis and exact return date by the morning papers? Medicine doesn't work that way Steve-O and things like waiting for swelling to go down of seeing if a problem will heal on its own are often proper procedures not examples of malpractice. "Is player A okay to play? -- He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word." As Vince Scully says, 'Aren't we all?' (day-to-day) Again, see the point above about medical science not running on the same schedule as beat reporters or stupid fans who are too pissed off to think straight and therefore spout off on topics they know nothing about because they think it makes them sound superior. The only thing worse is listening to those idiots and the repeating what they say as if gospel. "And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC." Something which has nothing to do with the medical staff. Rockin' Doc Mar 02 2009 05:16 PM LWFS - "Relatively new here. Is it silly to ask what SJR's "deal" is, generally speaking? I have a theory that Steve may be a distant relative of King Nebuchednezzar. Of course, I could be wrong. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 05:25 PM ="Frayed Knot"]="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon.] So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan. metirish Mar 02 2009 05:31 PM Steve you are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with that jibe at FK. A thread about one of the games best pictures has turned into a SJR thread , happens far too often. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 05:38 PM Do you really think I stick up for the Wilpons irrationally or have you gotten to the point where you're simply labeling anyone who doesn't trash them incessantly as a suck-up because you think that puts you in with the in crowd? Either way, if you want to find examples where you think I did so we can debate the specific topic(s) individually, but don't make blanket statements about my opinions that you can't back up -- like the one that started this discussion for instance. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 06:09 PM Does Wilpon even serve Kool-Aid anymore? Because I'm really thirsty and I think I'm entitled to some. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 06:55 PM If said Kool-Aid is cherry- and/or mango-flavored, and it will knock me unconscious for the last two weeks of October, I will drink this Kool-Aid. Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 06:56 PM ="metirish":1tgpntg3]happens far too often.[/quote:1tgpntg3] Yep. It's tiresome. Clueless Koolaid Guzzler Mar 02 2009 07:15 PM ="SteveJRogers":1qlt4bm3] No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan.[/quote:1qlt4bm3] hey! you say that like it's a bad thing. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:28 PM ] Mets' Santana won't be ready for Opening Day BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 4:50 PM EST, March 3, 2009 The Mets finally came to terms Tuesday with the reality that Johan Santana is not going to be their Opening Day starter for April 6 in Cincinnati. Santana will have another bullpen session tomorrow morning, but the delay caused by the tightness in his left elbow is going to push him back to the fifth turn of that first week, which is Saturday, April 11, in Florida. Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Santana is not likely to get into a Grapefruit League game until March 18. That pretty much wipes out any chance of him being ready for Opening Day. Benjamin Grimm Mar 03 2009 08:28 PM April 11 is no tragedy. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 03 2009 08:37 PM May 1 is no tragedy neither. Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 08:50 PM Tomorrow's scapegoating articles can just write themselves. That's a little tragic. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 03 2009 10:57 PM How is this at 20/20 update status on the 'FAN? (He asks rhetorically... since it is.) 86-Dreamer Mar 04 2009 01:11 PM Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758 MFS62 Mar 04 2009 01:21 PM ="86-Dreamer":2c4tjkyk]Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758[/quote:2c4tjkyk] I don't like it when my emotions are toyed with. Later Frayed Knot Mar 10 2009 06:43 AM Well they're about to be toyed with again because Johan says he's feeling good and aiming for Opening Day (a phrase that should always be capitalized, btw). He used all his pitches in yesterday's throwing session and is scheduled for a Thursday start. So the thousands of trees and E-trees that were killed in order to make room for the multitude of columns and blogs detailing the dire consequences and medical malpractice in connection with Santana's left wing turned out to have given their lives in vain all over a soreness which required that miracle of modern medicine ... a 3-day break. themetfairy Mar 10 2009 06:45 AM Either that, or that liniment really works! metirish Mar 17 2009 12:18 PM Great news. ] Mets' Santana throws four innings without incident BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 1:41 PM EDT, March 17, 2009 PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - More than any one pitch, the best indication of Johan Santana's mindset as he prepares for Opening Day came during the second inning of Tuesday's minor-league game on Field 7. Santana was so sure he had Scott Grimes struck out on a changeup in the dirt that he stormed off the back of the mound to argue with the umpire behind him. That's right. Scott Grimes, who was playing for the Worcester Tornadoes last season. Santana buried a changeup, and Grimes -- not used to that kind of pitch in the Can-Am League -- clearly did not check his swing. Which is why Santana was annoyed. "Oh yeah, this is a game," Santana said. "You have to do whatever it takes to even win that game and get ready. Because that's the thing, when Opening Day comes, there's not going to be any practice. You've got to be ready. "So that's what we're trying to do now, focus on throwing all of the pitches, on controlling the strike zone and throwing changeups and sliders. I think we're pretty good. We're on the right track." The irritated Santana finished off Grimes with a fastball that he missed for strike three -- no discussion there -- and completed his four-inning stint without incident. Overall, Santana allowed six hits and two earned runs, with five strikeouts and no walks. He threw 56 pitches, 40 for strikes, and his fastball stayed in the 87-89 mph range. With three more starts to go, Santana figures to build up more arm strength and the velocity should increase as well over the next three weeks. "We're still working," Santana said. "I don't work by percentages or anything, but I think we still have some room to improve and to get better and that's what we're focused on right now."

="Frayed Knot":o41s9oyl]So it's the medical staff fault that those players got hurt? If so I think we should fire the entire medical team and hire the staff from one of the teams without injuries. Remind me who those are again?[/quote:o41s9oyl] So, how much does Fredo pay you? No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 09:30 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":7pulkn2q]Ryan Church's concussion seems to be the one thing that's been truly botched in recent years. But saying someone is day-to-day doesn't mean the medical staff is a bunch of boobs; it could mean that they're not too hasty to make a panicky diagnosis. I'd want to pause and make sure too before consigning somebody to surgery or the 60-day DL.[/quote:7pulkn2q] Considering this team goes from an 85-90 win team to a 75-80 win team without Santana, yeah I would understand a panicky diagnosis and getting him into an MRI. Again, better be safe than have him blow out his arm in April and losing him for more than just 2009. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 09:35 AM And naturally, if he hurts himself, it'll be directly connected to his not getting an MRI this weekend. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 09:45 AM They call medicine a "practice" for a reason. I was walking to work a month ago and got a severe headache, tightness in my throat, dizziness and loss of balance. I got rushed to the hospital and they said my symptoms indicated I had a small stroke. But after a spinal tap, CT scan and multiple MRIs they could not find anything showing any blockage...in other words, no stroke. I've now visited different doctors (pulminologist, neurologist, physical therapist, opthomologist) 2-3 times per week for the past month and they're still not sure what's wrong. The initial diagnosis was an inner-ear virus, then I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, which is a problem, but seemingly unrealated. After a month, I'm still only at about 80% with my balance and I have abnormal sensation ability on the left half of my body. I really have no idea if it will start to get better tomorrow or if I'll be this way the rest of my life. I'm well enough to perform daily activities, but I'm not running or exercising at all. I have another MRI scheduled for Wednesday (but I don't have to travel to New York). I feel like I'm guessing Church did last year. I could not even play catch with a buddy right now, but I'm not giving up hope that I couldn't at this time next week. I'd call my self day-to-day, and would not want to be put on the 60 day DL. I don't know if these or any doctors could be called quacks, it's just that the body is a very complex thing that differs greatly from person to person. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 09:47 AM Perspective. Get well, Monk. Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 09:48 AM Geez, Monk, I hope you feel better soon. Your account reads like an episode of House. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 09:56 AM Thanks guys. I've never watched House, but I've had many, many people say that. I was hoping to at least get a rare disease named after me. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 10:36 AM Speedy health, Tmonk. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 02 2009 10:38 AM Yeah, hope you're feeling better soon. Gotta be tough to be troubled by unexplainable stuff. Rockin' Doc Mar 02 2009 10:40 AM I hope you get feeling better soon. themetfairy Mar 02 2009 10:47 AM Feel better TMonk! Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 10:52 AM Kind of selfish, though, how TransMonk has hijacked Johan Santana's thread. Have some respect for the guy with the $137 million contract! Gwreck Mar 02 2009 10:53 AM Best wishes for speedy recovery. TransMonk Mar 02 2009 11:02 AM ="Benjamin Grimm":10s8n325]Kind of selfish, though, how TransMonk has hijacked Johan Santana's thread. Have some respect for the guy with the $137 million contract![/quote:10s8n325] HA! The jist was really the first and last sentences of the post. And that I recently have a little more respect for Church and his health problems last year...and for any injured athlete for that matter. My job doesn't depend on me being fully-functional physically. I can't imagine being in my condition and being a pro-athlete with money, passion and fan opinion on the line. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:05 AM Hope they find out what it is and cure it soon, Monk. And we hope its something they've seen before, not something new that they have to name after you. Later Centerfield Mar 02 2009 11:10 AM Whatever. Pop a couple of Advil and walk it off. Like you ever use your lower left-side anyway. I'm kidding. Perhaps in bad taste. Feel better soon. It is incredibly frustrating when all the doctors in the world seem unable to pinpoint a problem. Here's to hoping they figure it out (and cure it) soon. metirish Mar 02 2009 11:20 AM Rub some dirt on it for fecks sake Monk..... Seriously it made for somber reading..I thought at first you were taking the piss then I was hoping you were...get well .. themetfairy Mar 02 2009 11:23 AM D-Dad had a bad case of vertigo about five years ago. Not as debilitating or long-lasting as TMonk's, but frustrating as hell. These things can be weird - sometimes they just run their course without explanation. Hopefully this will be out of your system soon. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 02:04 PM ="SteveJRogers"]So, how much does Fredo pay you? OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo? ]No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks. If you're going to label "quacks" whenever an exact diagnosis and return date isn't nailed down within 24 hours of an injury then you're never going to be happy with any medical staff and instead are going to sound like one of those idiot fans who wonders why only his closer blows games. And I'm not even going to ask you where you came up with "lack of desire to give proper care and treatment". LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:12 PM ="Frayed Knot":dd6jvwzq]="SteveJRogers":dd6jvwzq]So, how much does Fredo pay you?[/quote:dd6jvwzq] OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo?[/quote:dd6jvwzq] Fred? Jeff? (As in, the incompetent son?) Special Medical Adviser to the New York Mets, Zombie John Cazale? Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 02:14 PM ="SteveJRogers":3ed1rmeg]="Frayed Knot":3ed1rmeg]So it's the medical staff fault that those players got hurt? If so I think we should fire the entire medical team and hire the staff from one of the teams without injuries. Remind me who those are again?[/quote:3ed1rmeg] So, how much does Fredo pay you? No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks.[/quote:3ed1rmeg] And all these guys were misdiagnoses (or "misdiagnosises")? You know that the medical staff has been turned over since Mo Vaughn's day, right? Twice, I think. Steve, are you gunning for Davidoff's job or something. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 02:16 PM SJR: No, it is not the Mets training and medical staff's fault that injuries happen, it is the staff's fault for the misdiagnosises, the lack of desire to give proper care and treatment just to get the players back on the field and the general sense that they really are a bunch of quacks <<< You've out done yourself. Again. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 02:59 PM Relatively new here. Is it silly to ask what SJR's "deal" is, generally speaking? Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 03:02 PM No. It may be silly to expect to understand the answer, however. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 03:07 PM ="Edgy DC"]No. It may be silly to expect to understand the answer, however. All those times there was one set of footprints... SJR was carrying me? TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:08 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"] All those times there was one set of footprints... SJR was carrying me? Bullet of cool! SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 03:56 PM ="Frayed Knot"] OK, I give up. Who the hell is Fredo? Wilpon. ] If you're going to label "quacks" whenever an exact diagnosis and return date isn't nailed down within 24 hours of an injury then you're never going to be happy with any medical staff and instead are going to sound like one of those idiot fans who wonders why only his closer blows games. And I'm not even going to ask you where you came up with "lack of desire to give proper care and treatment". Okay, fine I'll give you that point. But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue. Is player A okay to play? He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word. And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC. metirish Mar 02 2009 04:11 PM Really though are the Mets any different that any other organization in regards to medical reports? I would say NHL teams are the most notorious of the "day to day" injury reports. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 04:30 PM ="metirish":dalf2wz3]Really though are the Mets any different that any other organization in regards to medical reports? I would say NHL teams are the most notorious of the "day to day" injury reports.[/quote:dalf2wz3] NFL is worse though. Because they have to list the injury list every week. Great example, every week for a couple of years the Pats listed Tom Brady on the injury list, probably at the least severe level, with an arm situation. This was done as to not "tip" off the opposition or some nonsense. I hear you though, it is just that the Mets, and other teams do seem to treat the fans and the media like idiots with the way they handle injury situations. Maybe I'm being too harsh on the medical staff here, fine, then maybe it is the PR staff, maybe it's Omar, I don't know then, but there is something rather infuriating with the way the Mets handle injury situations. Kong76 Mar 02 2009 04:36 PM SJR: But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue <<< Keep diggin Stevers, name one team in Major League Baseball that does better when it comes to reporting actual news on what's going on with high profile franchise players. Name one team that does it 20% better and provide insight into how you ac- tually know what you're talking about. Name one team that does it 10% better if you can't do that. Cloak and dagger??? Sheesh. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 04:47 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Mar 02 2009 05:32 PM ="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon. So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. "Okay, fine I'll give you that point." You mean the point about the medical staff not wanting injuries to linger and hurt the club? -- Very big of you. " But at the end of the day, this staff is still very cloak and dagger on just about every single medical issue." 'Cloak and Dagger'? You mean if a player gets hurt during a game it's some kind of conspiracy of silence unless they have the complete diagnosis and exact return date by the morning papers? Medicine doesn't work that way Steve-O and things like waiting for swelling to go down of seeing if a problem will heal on its own are often proper procedures not examples of malpractice. "Is player A okay to play? -- He's day-to-day. Okay, but he's been out for a week, shouldn't someone look at him? Nah, he is day-to-day, we are going with his word." As Vince Scully says, 'Aren't we all?' (day-to-day) Again, see the point above about medical science not running on the same schedule as beat reporters or stupid fans who are too pissed off to think straight and therefore spout off on topics they know nothing about because they think it makes them sound superior. The only thing worse is listening to those idiots and the repeating what they say as if gospel. "And it especially looks worse right now when Dan Warthen apparently was under the impression that Santana WAS gearing up for the WBC, when it was decided about a month ago that Santana was NOT going to be pitching in the WBC." Something which has nothing to do with the medical staff. Rockin' Doc Mar 02 2009 05:16 PM LWFS - "Relatively new here. Is it silly to ask what SJR's "deal" is, generally speaking? I have a theory that Steve may be a distant relative of King Nebuchednezzar. Of course, I could be wrong. SteveJRogers Mar 02 2009 05:25 PM ="Frayed Knot"]="SteveJRogers"]Wilpon.] So if I don't trash the medical staff I must be some kind of Wilpon suck-up? I think you want to re-think that one. No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan. metirish Mar 02 2009 05:31 PM Steve you are really scraping the bottom of the barrel with that jibe at FK. A thread about one of the games best pictures has turned into a SJR thread , happens far too often. Frayed Knot Mar 02 2009 05:38 PM Do you really think I stick up for the Wilpons irrationally or have you gotten to the point where you're simply labeling anyone who doesn't trash them incessantly as a suck-up because you think that puts you in with the in crowd? Either way, if you want to find examples where you think I did so we can debate the specific topic(s) individually, but don't make blanket statements about my opinions that you can't back up -- like the one that started this discussion for instance. Edgy DC Mar 02 2009 06:09 PM Does Wilpon even serve Kool-Aid anymore? Because I'm really thirsty and I think I'm entitled to some. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 02 2009 06:55 PM If said Kool-Aid is cherry- and/or mango-flavored, and it will knock me unconscious for the last two weeks of October, I will drink this Kool-Aid. Benjamin Grimm Mar 02 2009 06:56 PM ="metirish":1tgpntg3]happens far too often.[/quote:1tgpntg3] Yep. It's tiresome. Clueless Koolaid Guzzler Mar 02 2009 07:15 PM ="SteveJRogers":1qlt4bm3] No, you seem to stick up for the Met organization and players quite often, to the point where yeah, you do sound like a Kool Aid drinking Met fan.[/quote:1qlt4bm3] hey! you say that like it's a bad thing. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:28 PM ] Mets' Santana won't be ready for Opening Day BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 4:50 PM EST, March 3, 2009 The Mets finally came to terms Tuesday with the reality that Johan Santana is not going to be their Opening Day starter for April 6 in Cincinnati. Santana will have another bullpen session tomorrow morning, but the delay caused by the tightness in his left elbow is going to push him back to the fifth turn of that first week, which is Saturday, April 11, in Florida. Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Santana is not likely to get into a Grapefruit League game until March 18. That pretty much wipes out any chance of him being ready for Opening Day. Benjamin Grimm Mar 03 2009 08:28 PM April 11 is no tragedy. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 03 2009 08:37 PM May 1 is no tragedy neither. Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 08:50 PM Tomorrow's scapegoating articles can just write themselves. That's a little tragic. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 03 2009 10:57 PM How is this at 20/20 update status on the 'FAN? (He asks rhetorically... since it is.) 86-Dreamer Mar 04 2009 01:11 PM Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758 MFS62 Mar 04 2009 01:21 PM ="86-Dreamer":2c4tjkyk]Johan had a strong bullpen today and now says he is still shooting for Opening Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3950758[/quote:2c4tjkyk] I don't like it when my emotions are toyed with. Later Frayed Knot Mar 10 2009 06:43 AM Well they're about to be toyed with again because Johan says he's feeling good and aiming for Opening Day (a phrase that should always be capitalized, btw). He used all his pitches in yesterday's throwing session and is scheduled for a Thursday start. So the thousands of trees and E-trees that were killed in order to make room for the multitude of columns and blogs detailing the dire consequences and medical malpractice in connection with Santana's left wing turned out to have given their lives in vain all over a soreness which required that miracle of modern medicine ... a 3-day break. themetfairy Mar 10 2009 06:45 AM Either that, or that liniment really works! metirish Mar 17 2009 12:18 PM Great news. ] Mets' Santana throws four innings without incident BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com 1:41 PM EDT, March 17, 2009 PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - More than any one pitch, the best indication of Johan Santana's mindset as he prepares for Opening Day came during the second inning of Tuesday's minor-league game on Field 7. Santana was so sure he had Scott Grimes struck out on a changeup in the dirt that he stormed off the back of the mound to argue with the umpire behind him. That's right. Scott Grimes, who was playing for the Worcester Tornadoes last season. Santana buried a changeup, and Grimes -- not used to that kind of pitch in the Can-Am League -- clearly did not check his swing. Which is why Santana was annoyed. "Oh yeah, this is a game," Santana said. "You have to do whatever it takes to even win that game and get ready. Because that's the thing, when Opening Day comes, there's not going to be any practice. You've got to be ready. "So that's what we're trying to do now, focus on throwing all of the pitches, on controlling the strike zone and throwing changeups and sliders. I think we're pretty good. We're on the right track." The irritated Santana finished off Grimes with a fastball that he missed for strike three -- no discussion there -- and completed his four-inning stint without incident. Overall, Santana allowed six hits and two earned runs, with five strikeouts and no walks. He threw 56 pitches, 40 for strikes, and his fastball stayed in the 87-89 mph range. With three more starts to go, Santana figures to build up more arm strength and the velocity should increase as well over the next three weeks. "We're still working," Santana said. "I don't work by percentages or anything, but I think we still have some room to improve and to get better and that's what we're focused on right now."

Mo Vaughn, Ryan Church, Billy Wagner, John Maine, etc. This crack staff would give someone a day-to-day diagnosis for a brain tumor!