MFS62

And somewhere, Bob Gibson is thinking, "If they pulled that s**t when I was on the mound, they'd be going down". Of course, you were in danger of going down when Gibson was on the mound, handshakes or not. Later

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]]I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Gwreck, that OF-- transitory though it was-- was the ex-girlfriend I'll never quite get over. Endy and Beltran are my 1-2 for all-time Mets defensive OFs... and Gomez was top-10 with a bullet when traded; it ruined me for all other Met defensive outfields. Ricjie Ashburn, Gus Bell and Bobby Gene Smith (don't laugh) would have made an excellent defensive outfield in their primes. Unfortunately, the Mets had them past their primes in 1962. Later

="TransMonk":34eve5h6]As always, the admins do a great job with this site.[/quote:34eve5h6] Except when they ignore my fervent plea for help. Later Kong76 Apr 08 2009 05:17 PM Trying to make my numbers add up. This was Jeff Reardon, right? ... Kong76 Apr 08 2009 05:28 PM 142 doesn't show up with my chicken scratch list either. Dick Selma? I'm just being lazy, I'll figure it out if no one chimes in. SteveJRogers Apr 12 2009 07:00 PM Whats with the Announcer Troika? Not that I'm complaining of course. Edgy DC Apr 12 2009 07:26 PM Seems self-explanatory. Met Hunter Apr 12 2009 11:34 PM ="Kong76"]Trying to make my numbers add up. This was Jeff Reardon, right? ... This one looks like Neil Allen. Met Hunter Apr 12 2009 11:34 PM ="Kong76"]142 doesn't show up with my chicken scratch list either. Dick Selma? I'm just being lazy, I'll figure it out if no one chimes in. This is Larry Bearnarth. Kong76 Apr 15 2009 06:33 PM Thanks, MH ... I've been busy and haven't been able to look at this much. SteveJRogers Apr 20 2009 06:26 PM So the player's name is going to be linked in the banner going forward, or is this just a random "hey it's Cliff, why not" sort of thing? Kong76 Apr 20 2009 07:19 PM Started with D.J. Dozier over the weekend, no one noticed. Top 200 Mets thing died with ~ 15 left ... the CPF contract with the Ramones has expired too ... everyone hates the new stadium ... David Wright can only hit when no one is on base ... if it weren't for Johan I'd just pull the plug. Random Mets from here on in until further notice. Rockin' Doc Apr 20 2009 07:39 PM Bang! Pow! Cliff Floyd is one of my all-time favorite Mets. Nice to see him making an appearance around the 'pool once again. Edgy DC Apr 20 2009 08:19 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 20 2009 10:35 PM The Crane Pool Forum has appreciated their relationship over the years with the Ramones, but after recent meetings with Marky, Tommy, and CJ, all agreed that it was best for both parties to go in seperate directions. We wish the Ramones well and hope for opportunities to work together in the future. In the meantime, the Crane Pool Forum is very excited about the new era of linking our introduction statement to our banner, to help people understand who exactly we're looking at. In an age of names which honor corporate relationships trumping names that are meaningful to the fan's and the city's relationship with the team, we feel confident in making a countercultural choice, and hope the fans will be excited to see us zag as other fora continue to zig. Frayed Knot Apr 20 2009 09:14 PM ]Started with D.J. Dozier over the weekend, no one noticed. I did. Elster88 Apr 20 2009 11:43 PM I noticed. I like it. Met Hunter Apr 21 2009 10:00 AM I like to try guessing. I recognized DJ before I saw the name. Now I will just guess without looking to the right. Edgy DC Apr 21 2009 11:34 AM That looks like the photo that produced the BANG! POW! image, but that one had him in the orange jersey. G-Fafif Apr 21 2009 12:04 PM Love the Player ID program. Great touch. The Ramones can go their own way. Or is that Fleetwood Mac? Fman99 Apr 21 2009 12:16 PM ="Elster88":wx56um7b]I noticed. I like it.[/quote:wx56um7b] Ditto. I didn't notice it with Dozier but I did today with Floyd. Even better for us younger sorts, who don't instantly recognize the 1960s-1970s era Mets just by head shots. SteveJRogers Apr 22 2009 06:09 PM Give it up for David Wright's agent! Met Hunter Apr 22 2009 06:59 PM Man, I can still remember when Keith was that thin. Elster88 Apr 28 2009 10:04 PM Looks like the banner has "click here" instead of the player's name. Is that intentional? Kong76 Apr 29 2009 04:24 PM I never know if Elster is serious. But, if you click on "click here" it will bring you to the UMDB page of the player pictured. I figured when I was putting the name some people were disappointed because they liked to guess so click here fixes that. Farmer Ted May 04 2009 03:04 PM I like it. I like it a lot. metsmarathon May 04 2009 03:22 PM ]Intelligent, lively, and provocative discussion of the Mets, Ed Kranepool, and, when we're gettin' on a roll, this guy! Kong76 May 04 2009 04:43 PM Thanks, that flows better. batmagadanleadoff May 05 2009 04:22 PM Thurman Munson? Rockin' Doc May 05 2009 06:05 PM Damn, I never knew Gorman Thomas played for the Mets. G-Fafif May 09 2009 07:05 AM Bill Denehy's all right, but I really love that view beyond the 358 sign. metirish May 11 2009 01:16 PM I liked Rick White.....was it Kiner or Healy that would always mess his name up? I remember Rick being big for us in 2000 , always seemed to be in trouble though. Fman99 May 11 2009 02:17 PM ="metirish":1aprm4tv]I liked Rick White.....was it Kiner or Healy that would always mess his name up? I remember Rick being big for us in 2000 , always seemed to be in trouble though.[/quote:1aprm4tv] I attended the game[/url:1aprm4tv] that he debuted as a Met in, in 2000, that was also Mike (A-)Bordick's debut game in which he homered. Rick picked up the win in relief of Rick Reed that day. seawolf17 May 11 2009 06:47 PM ="metirish":2d0fy8i4]I liked Rick White.....was it Kiner or Healy that would always mess his name up? I remember Rick being big for us in 2000 , always seemed to be in trouble though.[/quote:2d0fy8i4] You mean "Rick Wheat"? G-Fafif May 11 2009 09:23 PM It was Fran: "Shea will be ricking for Rock White!" I have yet to miss Fran Healy. cooby May 12 2009 06:56 PM I will miss Fran Healy until my bones are dust in the wind.... Who is that now? Rockin' Doc May 12 2009 07:11 PM Robotic Danny Heep! cooby May 12 2009 07:12 PM Izzit? I remember him... Edgy DC May 13 2009 07:34 AM Looking at Heep here, I realize I have a mostly irrational hatred of shaving down the knob at the end of the bat and wrapping one's lower hands around the shaven knob. (grumpy old man)Your hands belong above the knob.(/grumpy) (I'm also not particular to when guys have dimples hollowed out at the end of their bats. (I think Wally Backman was the first guy I noticed with such a bat, but it probably pre-dates him by at least a decade..) Benjamin Grimm May 13 2009 08:12 AM "wrapping one's hands around the shaven knob" That definitely calls for a response from Fman. metsmarathon May 13 2009 08:23 AM i would've expected the knob never to need shaving... MFS62 May 15 2009 07:51 AM I'm seeing the dreaded red x in the box instead of a picture on this morning's banner. EDIT: Never mind, the picture just found its way in there. Later metirish May 19 2009 05:31 PM Castillo looks a bit like Ortiz , yes/no? Edgy DC May 21 2009 04:20 PM Mike Cubbage and his magic leviation glasses. Swan Swan H May 21 2009 05:09 PM See the ball, hit the ball. Met Hunter May 22 2009 06:11 AM Last summer my daughter had a soccer tourney in Va Beach. The last day there, a bunch of us happened upon a Tides game in Norfolk. I noticed Cubbage sitting behind us in a Rays hat and a clipboard. He's a scout. He was so noticeable to me. Between innings we said hello and he was nice as can be. cooby Jun 04 2009 08:16 PM Is that "Sweetness" Luis Lopez? Kong76 Jun 04 2009 08:26 PM Click on the the 'this guy' link and find out each and every time the picture changes! cooby Jun 04 2009 08:28 PM Cool! I thought it still was about the Ramones Kong76 Jun 04 2009 08:34 PM She continues the friend or foe game. Benjamin Grimm Jun 05 2009 06:48 AM ="Kong76":29zavirn]Click on the the 'this guy' link and find out each and every time the picture changes![/quote:29zavirn] I love the addition of the "this guy" link. It's very helpful, since I recognize very few of the players that appeared in 1990 or after. Frayed Knot Jun 05 2009 08:13 PM It's Luis Lopez, but is it 'Super Luis Lopez Ultra'? cooby Jun 06 2009 10:30 AM ="Kong76":15bfr057]She continues the friend or foe game.[/quote:15bfr057] Now Kasey, don't take that the wrong way. It's kind of like the front door to your house. You don't notice all the squished bugs and spider webs and hand prints and stuff on it until after somebody has stopped by and suddenly you realize that you don't even really look at your front door anymore. I know you won't know what I'm talking about. Edgy DC Jun 06 2009 02:23 PM ="Frayed Knot":1q2hkxgb]It's Luis Lopez, but is it 'Super Luis Lopez Ultra'?[/quote:1q2hkxgb] I prefer Luis "Left Eye" Lopez. metirish Jun 06 2009 02:49 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":33ihq0he]="Kong76":33ihq0he]Click on the the 'this guy' link and find out each and every time the picture changes![/quote:33ihq0he] I love the addition of the "this guy" link. It's very helpful, since I recognize very few of the players that appeared in 1990 or after.[/quote:33ihq0he] Me too , never noticed it before. Kong76 Jun 06 2009 03:35 PM coo: I know you won't know what I'm talking about <<< I don't even know what I'm talking about some days. Hopefully if there are more people who didn't realize that was a link, they will read this thread and utilize it. cooby Jun 07 2009 11:12 AM What i kinda meant was you can look at your own front door over and over again and not really see it cooby Jun 14 2009 09:23 AM at last! Kong76 Jun 27 2009 07:02 AM I guess the joke's on me! I posted an invitation on the "this guy" up top (to see if anyone really clicks there) and see if I got any bites. I get one PM from the coobster that his name is Julio and eats iguannas which is where I my brain was going with it but I didn't remember he spent time in the clink for murder?? ---------- Wikipedia: Julio Machado, born Julio Segundo Machado Rond�n (December 1, 1965 in Zulia State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played for the New York Mets (1989-90) and Milwaukee Brewers (1990-91). Machado started his career with the Mets. In the 1990 season, he went to the Brewers in a four-player deal, along with pitcher Kevin Brown, in exchange for catcher Charlie O'Brien and a minor league player. Machado had a decent fastball, good control and willingness to challenge hitters. He also pitched a better-than-average curveball and a slider. Machado was certainly good enough to pitch for a few more years. However, he is a footnote in the ledger of baseball history. Spending the 1991 off-season in his homeland, Machado was arrested for murder being accused of shooting a woman following an auto accident. He was convicted and, following appeals, he was sentenced to 12 years in 1996. In a three-year career, Machado posted a 7-5 record with 151 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA in 147 innings. Machado went on to play in the Venezuelan winter league and currently coaches in that league. Machado was nicknamed "Iguanaman" for his fondness of eating the meat of iguanas. ---------- Next time our paths cross, coobs ... I owe you a beer! Edgy DC Jun 27 2009 01:08 PM I conflate Julio Machado and Jose Bautista. Benjamin Grimm Jun 27 2009 01:10 PM My newest conflation is Elmer Dessens and Casey Fossum. seawolf17 Jun 27 2009 05:39 PM I loved Julio Machado. Unquestionably in the bullpen of my All-Time Mets 25-Man Roster. Frayed Knot Jul 15 2009 05:32 PM That's either Roy McMillan or Harry Truman

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2nhr535m]Who didn't hit 3, 4 or 5 regularly until 1989.[/quote:2nhr535m] Yer right. I edited my post above. Brain fart. Later smg58 Apr 08 2009 12:16 PM Re: Game Simulations - Answering Baseball�s What-Ifs ="batmagadanleadoff":27sc5mu8]I can't figure out these results. Also, I don't know how the program was written: under what conditions were the Mets programmed to sac bunt? Technically, a team could sac bunt whenever there is at least one runner on base with less than two outs. When did the computer Mets bunt? Did the computer have Delgado, or David Wright bunt? This information would be more helpful. I'll stick to my guns though, about sac bunting with your number two guy in the first inning of a ball game. I think it's a horrible strategy, and I would hope that any skipper that has the inclination to do this would be managing any NL East team other than the Mets.[/quote:27sc5mu8] It's also misleading to compare an American League team with a National League one. The situation where the benefits of sacrificing are least ambiguous is when a particularly weak hitter (like, say, most pitchers) comes up with a runner on first. If the computer Mets let the pitcher swing away, I could see that having a negative effect. But in a lineup with a DH, situations where a bunt would clearly help more than hurt would be very few and far between. Frayed Knot Apr 09 2009 01:13 PM btw, Hanley Ramirez - maybe 2nd only to Albert in NL offensive prowess - celebrated his first AB this season as a newly minted #3 hitter by sac bunting w/a man on 2nd and no outs. seawolf17 Apr 09 2009 01:35 PM ="Frayed Knot":3f36140k]btw, Hanley Ramirez - maybe 2nd only to Albert in NL offensive prowess - celebrated his first AB this season as a newly minted #3 hitter by sac bunting w/a man on 2nd and no outs.[/quote:3f36140k] I thought Willie was bench-coaching in Milwaukee, not Florida?

Oops, I was thinking about Valentine , substituting for Mo Vaughan et al. Later

It used to drive me nuts when Davey Johnson would make multiple substitutions at one time, and leave the replacements in the same spots in the batting order as the players they replaced in the field. This led to things like light hitting defensive players batting third through fifth. Later

Doc, All I see is a big white rectangle. Later

="Kong76":3ru6ijum]I'm more hesitant to whine about it more because I posted how excited I was to be in row one. I sat in row six with a poster in the same section and those seats are fine. They weren't the best available when I got mine days before they could log on and renew their Sunday plan if theirs are better. Who's Mike Francessa, where does he post? As for high ticket prices, my tickets are much cheaper this year than last and location is fine ... if I wasn't in row one.[/quote:3ru6ijum] Well, if he had them, I'm sure Bob Uecker would exchange yours for his in the very last row. Later Rockin' Doc Apr 07 2009 07:39 PM KC, thanks for the excuse to post a classic beer commercial. MFS62, thanks for the perfect lead in. MFS62 Apr 07 2009 07:55 PM Doc, All I see is a big white rectangle. Later themetfairy Apr 07 2009 07:58 PM I see the Uecker ad, Doc. I just showed it to MK - he had never seen it before. Thanks. Rockin' Doc Apr 08 2009 05:23 AM MFS62 -"Doc, All I see is a big white rectangle." You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard that line before. Kong76 Apr 08 2009 05:38 AM Close your eyes and walk slowly towards the white rectangle.

Kong76 wrote: Would you rather them get all wet over Yankee wins? Some of the reporters do. Many of them up in New England have acted like the NL hasn't existed since the Braves left Boston. Later

The Connecticut tv sports guys are going to be practically orgasmic over the Sawks win. Ugh! Later

="Edgy DC":1xkvuyck]m.e.t.b.o.t. is powered by the stored energy of wound springs.[/quote:1xkvuyck] Sounds like he has a lot of potential. Later metsguyinmichigan Apr 07 2009 01:52 PM ="m.e.t.b.o.t.":2p3yirhp]m.e.t.b.o.t. worries about rust, hydrogen embrittlement, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the various materials which constitute m.e.t.b.o.t.[/quote:2p3yirhp] I think that's what happened to Aaron Heilmann last year. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2009 01:57 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":3h1a2dvb]="m.e.t.b.o.t.":3h1a2dvb]m.e.t.b.o.t. worries about rust, hydrogen embrittlement, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the various materials which constitute m.e.t.b.o.t.[/quote:3h1a2dvb] I think that's what happened to Aaron Heilmann last year.[/quote:3h1a2dvb] "What is this thing... humans call... 'boo'?" Edgy DC Apr 07 2009 02:00 PM Wound Springs, by the way, is the Minnesota birthplace of Wayne Graham. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2009 02:46 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] Something like outfield D is probably too subtle a thing for the former group to latch onto. I predict they'll come out firing hate guns at Oliver Perez asnd Luis Castillo and ask questions later. Fans seemed much more tolerant of "Bad Ollie" days before the 12 mil/3 yrs. Either CitiField's acoustics are far superior to Shea's, or I heard some loud booing on Saturday. (Was laughing with my Boston fan seat neighbors about it.) Edgy DC Apr 07 2009 02:50 PM It's like they need a whipping boy. Heilman is gone and and he'll suffice. It doesn't mean he's anything different than he previously had been. OlerudOwned Apr 07 2009 03:57 PM And still my favorite player on the team to watch, for better or worse. Ashie62 Apr 07 2009 05:03 PM I worry about injuries to the SP when we have an 8 game lead in September TransMonk Apr 08 2009 07:19 AM Ben Shpigel weighs in: http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/ryan-churchs-role-in-2009/ Manuel said the spacious outfield, quirky angles and limited foul territory at Citi Field would make him align his outfielders differently, bunching them toward the gaps. But he also said that he is afraid of Beltran's "weighing 145 pounds" by the end of the season from all the running he'll have to do. Surrounding him with Murphy and Sheffield could make for some, umm, interesting moments out there. smg58 Apr 08 2009 08:07 AM Why all the knocks on Murphy's outfield defense? The Fielding Bible had him at +4/+5 (meaning four saved baserunners and five saved total bases relative to the average leftfielder) last year, which is very good for an inexperienced outfielder who should only get better as he gets more familiar with the position. As for Monday, I saw Murphy make a nice catch on a sinking liner a lot of leftfielders wouldn't have gotten to, and I would not consider deferring to Beltran a little late on a flyball he'd have caught as well to be a bad omen. Defense will be an issue if Sheffield gets significant playing time over Church, but there is no good reason to believe that will happen more than occasionally with a lefty starter, and probably not often at all at Citi, and never at Citi with a flyball pitcher. Otherwise, Beltran is consistently one of the top two or three centerfielders, and Church has made the top ten at his corner position each of the past two seasons despite limited playing time. I'd consider outfield defense one of our strengths, if not our biggest one. Injuries are always a concern, but you can't worry about them until they happen. I consider you guys to be my media, so I won't worry about the last two points at all. Starting pitching? Pelfrey has as much chance of going backwards as forwards, Ollie is like a box of chocolates, Maine might not be 100% or even close, and Livan had an ERA over 6 last year. THAT is a concern. metirish Apr 08 2009 08:35 AM How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag? Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 08:35 AM The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 08 2009 08:46 AM Not to knock the Fielding Bible but I'd turn to that for guys I don't see everyday. For Murphy I first trust Eyewitness Defense, which tells me he's inexperienced and not likely to make very many good plays out there while always being capable of bad ones, but that he's also not below minimum standards for a guy who hits. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 09:42 AM ="metirish":1uv5akl1]How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag?[/quote:1uv5akl1] Admittedly, it's a bit of an extrapolation, at best... but a reasonable one. He takes odd routes to semi-routine flyballs, seems to have a little trouble tracking flies, and very often running full clip when making routine catches (a flashing red warning sign of making late/poor judgements on balls' flight path). Given his history (At his 'first position,' 3B, DM was an E-machine... and he's put significantly less time in in the outfield) and apparent predisposition (hitting interest>>fielding interest), the visual evidence tends toward damning (if not being entirely conclusive). He's young and athletic, so that'll help make up for any misjudgements... but it won't turn him into Endy. As far as the Fielding Bible numbers... wait a year or three (53 chances does not a representative sample size make). If he puts up good defensive numbers, then I'll be willing to chalk up the aesthetic ugliness as just that. (And hey... I'm just looking for him to be decent/non-embarrassing with a glove on his hand, personally.) LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 09:44 AM ="Edgy DC":3aya22fi]The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion.[/quote:3aya22fi] Mike Cameron doesn't think that sounds so swell. batmagadanleadoff Apr 08 2009 09:54 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":18pvw1zl]="metirish":18pvw1zl]How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag?[/quote:18pvw1zl] Admittedly, it's a bit of an extrapolation, at best... but a reasonable one. He takes odd routes to semi-routine flyballs, seems to have a little trouble tracking flies, and very often running full clip when making routine catches (a flashing red warning sign of making late/poor judgements on balls' flight path). Given his history (At his 'first position,' 3B, DM was an E-machine... and he's put significantly less time in in the outfield) and apparent predisposition (hitting interest>>fielding interest), the visual evidence tends toward damning (if not being entirely conclusive). He's young and athletic, so that'll help make up for any misjudgements... but it won't turn him into Endy. As far as the Fielding Bible numbers... wait a year or three (53 chances does not a representative sample size make). If he puts up good defensive numbers, then I'll be willing to chalk up the aesthetic ugliness as just that. (And hey... I'm just looking for him to be decent/non-embarrassing with a glove on his hand, personally.)[/quote:18pvw1zl] And among other things, Murph was the first one to admit that he's a struggling outfielder, defensively, developmentally behind where the team would like him to be. Also, notwithstanding in-game fielding statistics, I suppose that the team can assess Murph's OF defensive skills from observing him during practice sessions. Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 09:58 AM He definitely got better as his season progressed, though. His cahnfidence waxed. Frayed Knot Apr 08 2009 10:21 AM I remember back in '99 when Rob Neyer (citing some fielding stats) pronounced Roger Cedeno to be a "dominant defensive right-fielder" ... and therefore the Hampton swap to be a bad deal. Anyone watching Cedeno that year certainly knew differently and, yeah, Neyer took a bunch of e-mails on that one -- including one from me IIRC. Gwreck Apr 08 2009 11:16 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":21peht0h]="Edgy DC":21peht0h]The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion.[/quote:21peht0h] Mike Cameron doesn't think that sounds so swell.[/quote:21peht0h] Yabbut that was a once-in-a-million collision. I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 11:29 AM Yeah, I don't think LWFS is really arguing against playing centerfielders on the corner when you are blessed with a surfeit of them. metirish Apr 08 2009 11:38 AM I remember in those first games with those three playing the outfield there was if anything a need for Beltran to take charge as all three were capable of running down any ball. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 11:55 AM ]I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Gwreck, that OF-- transitory though it was-- was the ex-girlfriend I'll never quite get over. Endy and Beltran are my 1-2 for all-time Mets defensive OFs... and Gomez was top-10 with a bullet when traded; it ruined me for all other Met defensive outfields. smg58 Apr 08 2009 12:21 PM You could make a very serious argument that Beltran, Chavez, and Gomez are the three best outfield gloves in baseball right now. OlerudOwned Apr 08 2009 12:25 PM There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. MFS62 Apr 08 2009 12:36 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]]I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Gwreck, that OF-- transitory though it was-- was the ex-girlfriend I'll never quite get over. Endy and Beltran are my 1-2 for all-time Mets defensive OFs... and Gomez was top-10 with a bullet when traded; it ruined me for all other Met defensive outfields. Ricjie Ashburn, Gus Bell and Bobby Gene Smith (don't laugh) would have made an excellent defensive outfield in their primes. Unfortunately, the Mets had them past their primes in 1962. Later TransMonk Apr 08 2009 12:36 PM OO: There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. I saw one of the heads on the MLB network say something similar a few days ago when talking about the Mariners outlook this season. Could have been Verducci...which makes sense. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 01:09 PM ="TransMonk"]OO: There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. I saw one of the heads on the MLB network say something similar a few days ago when talking about the Mariners outlook this season. Could have been Verducci...which makes sense. It's the short-term version of the Tampa rebuild (from 2006-2007 to 2008, the most substantive difference in pushing TB to its perch was defensive efficiency-- even more so than pitching, which was already largely in place). LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2009 01:34 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 14 2009 01:53 PM At the risk of becoming the Outfield-Defense dude, I'll direct your attention this-a-way: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090413&content_id=4252146&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym Is this: A) So Wrong Oh, So Very Wrong C) Ill-Timed, Just Mildly Wrong, and Sheffield's Bat Should At Least Partially Mitigate Starting a Defensive Liability in Front of Our Flyball-iest Pitcher After Manuel's Declaring a Re-Emphasis on Defense... and Benching a Guy Who Has Been a Doubles Machine in Order to Do So [EDIT: Young Sam over at Amazin' Avenue is just as dismayed. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/4/14/834442/brace-yourself] OlerudOwned Apr 14 2009 01:52 PM Stupid to do it with a flyball pitcher on the mound. Stupid to do it against a righty. Stupid. TransMonk Apr 14 2009 01:54 PM All of the above. We've already lost as many games to outfield defense blunders than I thought we would all season. I'd leave Church in at least until there is more info on how the new field is going to play. Obviously, Sheff is going to get some starts...but it shouldn't be after an off day with Ollie on the mound. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2009 09:35 PM I'm giving Church a pass on that play. He made a bad one but we know he's capable of making it most nights and there's every reason to think the circumstances weirded the play up for him. And it was only the 6th inning. The failure to win last night was all about being unable to hit stiffs like Duaner Sanchez and other lesser-known, less-talented Mexican League reclamation projects. TransMonk Apr 27 2009 05:17 PM I was sooo wrong. Outfield defense has become a major concern for me. What a fuck-up-fest leftfield has become.

="m.e.t.b.o.t.":irr9oxvw]m.e.t.b.o.t. worries about rust, hydrogen embrittlement, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the various materials which constitute m.e.t.b.o.t.[/quote:irr9oxvw] Bbbbbuttttt, if you are solar powered, thermal expansion may be a necessary evil. Later Gwreck Apr 07 2009 01:43 PM I don't see the outfield defense as a problem. There was a fielding metric I remember reading that said he led the majors last year at making putouts that were outside of the "normal" CF fielding range. Church is no slouch either. I don't think hiding Murphy or Tatis or Sheffield out there for 7 or 8 innings per game is going to be a huge problem. Maybe if we wind up playing two of them at once. Edgy DC Apr 07 2009 01:44 PM m.e.t.b.o.t. is powered by the stored energy of wound springs. MFS62 Apr 07 2009 01:51 PM ="Edgy DC":1xkvuyck]m.e.t.b.o.t. is powered by the stored energy of wound springs.[/quote:1xkvuyck] Sounds like he has a lot of potential. Later metsguyinmichigan Apr 07 2009 01:52 PM ="m.e.t.b.o.t.":2p3yirhp]m.e.t.b.o.t. worries about rust, hydrogen embrittlement, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the various materials which constitute m.e.t.b.o.t.[/quote:2p3yirhp] I think that's what happened to Aaron Heilmann last year. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2009 01:57 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":3h1a2dvb]="m.e.t.b.o.t.":3h1a2dvb]m.e.t.b.o.t. worries about rust, hydrogen embrittlement, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the various materials which constitute m.e.t.b.o.t.[/quote:3h1a2dvb] I think that's what happened to Aaron Heilmann last year.[/quote:3h1a2dvb] "What is this thing... humans call... 'boo'?" Edgy DC Apr 07 2009 02:00 PM Wound Springs, by the way, is the Minnesota birthplace of Wayne Graham. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 07 2009 02:46 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"] Something like outfield D is probably too subtle a thing for the former group to latch onto. I predict they'll come out firing hate guns at Oliver Perez asnd Luis Castillo and ask questions later. Fans seemed much more tolerant of "Bad Ollie" days before the 12 mil/3 yrs. Either CitiField's acoustics are far superior to Shea's, or I heard some loud booing on Saturday. (Was laughing with my Boston fan seat neighbors about it.) Edgy DC Apr 07 2009 02:50 PM It's like they need a whipping boy. Heilman is gone and and he'll suffice. It doesn't mean he's anything different than he previously had been. OlerudOwned Apr 07 2009 03:57 PM And still my favorite player on the team to watch, for better or worse. Ashie62 Apr 07 2009 05:03 PM I worry about injuries to the SP when we have an 8 game lead in September TransMonk Apr 08 2009 07:19 AM Ben Shpigel weighs in: http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/ryan-churchs-role-in-2009/ Manuel said the spacious outfield, quirky angles and limited foul territory at Citi Field would make him align his outfielders differently, bunching them toward the gaps. But he also said that he is afraid of Beltran's "weighing 145 pounds" by the end of the season from all the running he'll have to do. Surrounding him with Murphy and Sheffield could make for some, umm, interesting moments out there. smg58 Apr 08 2009 08:07 AM Why all the knocks on Murphy's outfield defense? The Fielding Bible had him at +4/+5 (meaning four saved baserunners and five saved total bases relative to the average leftfielder) last year, which is very good for an inexperienced outfielder who should only get better as he gets more familiar with the position. As for Monday, I saw Murphy make a nice catch on a sinking liner a lot of leftfielders wouldn't have gotten to, and I would not consider deferring to Beltran a little late on a flyball he'd have caught as well to be a bad omen. Defense will be an issue if Sheffield gets significant playing time over Church, but there is no good reason to believe that will happen more than occasionally with a lefty starter, and probably not often at all at Citi, and never at Citi with a flyball pitcher. Otherwise, Beltran is consistently one of the top two or three centerfielders, and Church has made the top ten at his corner position each of the past two seasons despite limited playing time. I'd consider outfield defense one of our strengths, if not our biggest one. Injuries are always a concern, but you can't worry about them until they happen. I consider you guys to be my media, so I won't worry about the last two points at all. Starting pitching? Pelfrey has as much chance of going backwards as forwards, Ollie is like a box of chocolates, Maine might not be 100% or even close, and Livan had an ERA over 6 last year. THAT is a concern. metirish Apr 08 2009 08:35 AM How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag? Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 08:35 AM The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 08 2009 08:46 AM Not to knock the Fielding Bible but I'd turn to that for guys I don't see everyday. For Murphy I first trust Eyewitness Defense, which tells me he's inexperienced and not likely to make very many good plays out there while always being capable of bad ones, but that he's also not below minimum standards for a guy who hits. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 09:42 AM ="metirish":1uv5akl1]How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag?[/quote:1uv5akl1] Admittedly, it's a bit of an extrapolation, at best... but a reasonable one. He takes odd routes to semi-routine flyballs, seems to have a little trouble tracking flies, and very often running full clip when making routine catches (a flashing red warning sign of making late/poor judgements on balls' flight path). Given his history (At his 'first position,' 3B, DM was an E-machine... and he's put significantly less time in in the outfield) and apparent predisposition (hitting interest>>fielding interest), the visual evidence tends toward damning (if not being entirely conclusive). He's young and athletic, so that'll help make up for any misjudgements... but it won't turn him into Endy. As far as the Fielding Bible numbers... wait a year or three (53 chances does not a representative sample size make). If he puts up good defensive numbers, then I'll be willing to chalk up the aesthetic ugliness as just that. (And hey... I'm just looking for him to be decent/non-embarrassing with a glove on his hand, personally.) LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 09:44 AM ="Edgy DC":3aya22fi]The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion.[/quote:3aya22fi] Mike Cameron doesn't think that sounds so swell. batmagadanleadoff Apr 08 2009 09:54 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":18pvw1zl]="metirish":18pvw1zl]How did it happen that Murphy got pegged as a poor or average fielder when he got called up. Who decides that? Murphy played 4 games in the Minor leagues and had a fielding % of 1.000 which itself means little but I remember when he first came up and hearing about how he'll have a tough time in LH. Seems like that then is taken as gospel in the media and fans too. Will he ever shake that tag?[/quote:18pvw1zl] Admittedly, it's a bit of an extrapolation, at best... but a reasonable one. He takes odd routes to semi-routine flyballs, seems to have a little trouble tracking flies, and very often running full clip when making routine catches (a flashing red warning sign of making late/poor judgements on balls' flight path). Given his history (At his 'first position,' 3B, DM was an E-machine... and he's put significantly less time in in the outfield) and apparent predisposition (hitting interest>>fielding interest), the visual evidence tends toward damning (if not being entirely conclusive). He's young and athletic, so that'll help make up for any misjudgements... but it won't turn him into Endy. As far as the Fielding Bible numbers... wait a year or three (53 chances does not a representative sample size make). If he puts up good defensive numbers, then I'll be willing to chalk up the aesthetic ugliness as just that. (And hey... I'm just looking for him to be decent/non-embarrassing with a glove on his hand, personally.)[/quote:18pvw1zl] And among other things, Murph was the first one to admit that he's a struggling outfielder, defensively, developmentally behind where the team would like him to be. Also, notwithstanding in-game fielding statistics, I suppose that the team can assess Murph's OF defensive skills from observing him during practice sessions. Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 09:58 AM He definitely got better as his season progressed, though. His cahnfidence waxed. Frayed Knot Apr 08 2009 10:21 AM I remember back in '99 when Rob Neyer (citing some fielding stats) pronounced Roger Cedeno to be a "dominant defensive right-fielder" ... and therefore the Hampton swap to be a bad deal. Anyone watching Cedeno that year certainly knew differently and, yeah, Neyer took a bunch of e-mails on that one -- including one from me IIRC. Gwreck Apr 08 2009 11:16 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":21peht0h]="Edgy DC":21peht0h]The Mets also have a good defensive replacement in Jeremy Reed, and with him in left and Church in right, they can go with a three-centerfielder alignment on occasion.[/quote:21peht0h] Mike Cameron doesn't think that sounds so swell.[/quote:21peht0h] Yabbut that was a once-in-a-million collision. I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Edgy DC Apr 08 2009 11:29 AM Yeah, I don't think LWFS is really arguing against playing centerfielders on the corner when you are blessed with a surfeit of them. metirish Apr 08 2009 11:38 AM I remember in those first games with those three playing the outfield there was if anything a need for Beltran to take charge as all three were capable of running down any ball. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 11:55 AM ]I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Gwreck, that OF-- transitory though it was-- was the ex-girlfriend I'll never quite get over. Endy and Beltran are my 1-2 for all-time Mets defensive OFs... and Gomez was top-10 with a bullet when traded; it ruined me for all other Met defensive outfields. smg58 Apr 08 2009 12:21 PM You could make a very serious argument that Beltran, Chavez, and Gomez are the three best outfield gloves in baseball right now. OlerudOwned Apr 08 2009 12:25 PM There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. MFS62 Apr 08 2009 12:36 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]]I remember several games in '07 where we had a Gomez-Beltran-Chavez outfield that was treat to watch. Gwreck, that OF-- transitory though it was-- was the ex-girlfriend I'll never quite get over. Endy and Beltran are my 1-2 for all-time Mets defensive OFs... and Gomez was top-10 with a bullet when traded; it ruined me for all other Met defensive outfields. Ricjie Ashburn, Gus Bell and Bobby Gene Smith (don't laugh) would have made an excellent defensive outfield in their primes. Unfortunately, the Mets had them past their primes in 1962. Later TransMonk Apr 08 2009 12:36 PM OO: There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. I saw one of the heads on the MLB network say something similar a few days ago when talking about the Mariners outlook this season. Could have been Verducci...which makes sense. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 08 2009 01:09 PM ="TransMonk"]OO: There was actually a recent SI article about fielding metrics that partially focused on the concerted effort which Seattle made to rebuild quickly through improving their defense, and how Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez were very much their main targets in that 3-way trade over the winter because of their fielding prowess. I saw one of the heads on the MLB network say something similar a few days ago when talking about the Mariners outlook this season. Could have been Verducci...which makes sense. It's the short-term version of the Tampa rebuild (from 2006-2007 to 2008, the most substantive difference in pushing TB to its perch was defensive efficiency-- even more so than pitching, which was already largely in place). LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2009 01:34 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 14 2009 01:53 PM At the risk of becoming the Outfield-Defense dude, I'll direct your attention this-a-way: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090413&content_id=4252146&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym Is this: A) So Wrong Oh, So Very Wrong C) Ill-Timed, Just Mildly Wrong, and Sheffield's Bat Should At Least Partially Mitigate Starting a Defensive Liability in Front of Our Flyball-iest Pitcher After Manuel's Declaring a Re-Emphasis on Defense... and Benching a Guy Who Has Been a Doubles Machine in Order to Do So [EDIT: Young Sam over at Amazin' Avenue is just as dismayed. http://www.amazinavenue.com/2009/4/14/834442/brace-yourself] OlerudOwned Apr 14 2009 01:52 PM Stupid to do it with a flyball pitcher on the mound. Stupid to do it against a righty. Stupid. TransMonk Apr 14 2009 01:54 PM All of the above. We've already lost as many games to outfield defense blunders than I thought we would all season. I'd leave Church in at least until there is more info on how the new field is going to play. Obviously, Sheff is going to get some starts...but it shouldn't be after an off day with Ollie on the mound. John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 14 2009 09:35 PM I'm giving Church a pass on that play. He made a bad one but we know he's capable of making it most nights and there's every reason to think the circumstances weirded the play up for him. And it was only the 6th inning. The failure to win last night was all about being unable to hit stiffs like Duaner Sanchez and other lesser-known, less-talented Mexican League reclamation projects. TransMonk Apr 27 2009 05:17 PM I was sooo wrong. Outfield defense has become a major concern for me. What a fuck-up-fest leftfield has become.

I'm a worrier by nature. How about a choice of "all of the above", including Irish's hitting with RISP? Later

="metirish"]MFY have a bad start and Rodriguez wanting to prove his MFYankeeness rushes back and does damage and will need the complete surgery now , done until next season, see you Joe. Well, since it is just about the time for the yearly showing of The Ten Commandmants, So let it be written. So let it be done. Later

Schadenfreude. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: 4 in the 8th off Bruney and Marte-- Yay MFY bullpen! Final score 10-5. Some NY writers will probably write about how Jeter valiantly tried to lead them back with his 3 hits. Later

Santana 3.5 Murphy 3 Green 1 Putz 1 Rodriguez 1 Church .5 Edited after I read about Church's catch. I had originally voted based on the box score. Later

="metsmarathon":2sg3228r]do we have any naming concerns this year?[/quote:2sg3228r] Yes. Naming Benjamin Grimm as our "spokesmodel". Later A Boy Named Seo Apr 06 2009 10:07 AM I love this thing, but I've been too lazy to participate since the first year. I'm gonna try again this year. Great work on it as always, Grimm. Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2009 11:21 AM Thank you. That's how I managed to be named spokesmodel. Kong76 Apr 06 2009 12:11 PM Must See TV: Rockin' Doc Apr 06 2009 03:43 PM I love Schaefer's slogan, "Schaefer the beer to have when you're having more than one". That would never fly into today's ("Please drink responsibly") age of marketing.* *Please do not misinterpret this post as advocating reckless and irresponsible drinking. I fully endorse moderation and the use of designated drivers by those that choose to consume alcoholic beverages. This post was merely made to point out how dramatically advertising slogans have changed in this age of litigation and political correctness. SteveJRogers Apr 06 2009 07:08 PM ="Rockin' Doc"]I love Schaefer's slogan, "Schaefer the beer to have when you're having more than one". That would never fly into today's ("Please drink responsibly") age of marketing.* *Please do not misinterpret this post as advocating reckless and irresponsible drinking. I fully endorse moderation and the use of designated drivers by those that choose to consume alcoholic beverages. This post was merely made to point out how dramatically advertising slogans have changed in this age of litigation and political correctness. Hell, they're slogan WAS changed during the last few years of existence. From the day I started listening to the Mets in 1986, to the last time they air radio ads the line was "Schaefer the beer to have when you're out to have some fun!"

Cranky Old Man here. Maybe there should be a thread that is baseball-related) Why is this game being played tonight? They are going against over 100 years of tradition. The baseball opener every year is supposed to be in Cincinnati. I guess they aren't a national tv draw. sigh End of crank. Later

Memo to staff: When the Yanks come to play the Mets this year, protect those garbage cans from Paul O'Neill. He'd probably try to kick them, thinking they're a water cooler. Later

Looks like Binghamton will again be the place where the best prospects go to develop. Later

="cooby":15d810r7]For the first time in a good 10 or 12 years (since Rey-O) the Mets have a player I am totally hot for. [/quote:15d810r7] Cooby, I guess there is no greater compliment you can give to a player. Later Benjamin Grimm Apr 05 2009 04:02 PM Wait... what about Todd Zeile? Don't I remember you calling him TILF? OlerudOwned Apr 05 2009 04:06 PM Weird to think we'll have a guy who came up wearing powder blue ball-in-glove era Brewers pullovers. Weird to think of Sheff as a shortstop, too. Rickie Weeks could really be his reincarnation, right down to the active hands in their batting stances. cooby Apr 05 2009 05:07 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]Wait... what about Todd Zeile? Don't I remember you calling him TILF? No, not so much zeal for Zeile for TILF. Rey or Carlos, remember!? ]Cooby, I guess there is no greater compliment you can give to a player. Yep, I pity you poor males, only watching for their playing abilities.... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 05:32 PM Really, Cooby... REALLY? cooby Apr 05 2009 07:04 PM Well maybe not his 18 year old greasy self (though he did have lucious lips, no?) I don't think I spelled that right. Doc sure looks mean as hell there doesn't he? Edgy DC Apr 05 2009 07:52 PM Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop? Fman99 Apr 05 2009 07:59 PM ="Edgy DC":2pwmw3xs]Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop?[/quote:2pwmw3xs] Just let your Soul-Glo! LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 08:12 PM ="Edgy DC":w001b2um]Is that their court appearance for beating up the cop?[/quote:w001b2um] I do believe t'is so. Off-topic: I love mid-80s pictures of stylish sports dudes. Between feathered hair and the Jheri-Curl, even tough guys have their edges softened (and sprayed wet/teased). A Boy Named Seo Apr 05 2009 08:13 PM You down wit' OPP? Yeah, you know me! metsguyinmichigan Apr 05 2009 11:37 PM Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 05 2009 11:40 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":11zmbped]Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing.[/quote:11zmbped] For now, yes. In a week, Marlon's likely gone, too (to make room for Livan). John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 06 2009 04:43 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2tp9i25a] If Detroit's economy doesn't do a sudden, magical 180 this summer, it won't matter if the Tigers perform this year.[/quote:2tp9i25a] I don't think Detroit's economy is ever going to recover. How could it? duan Apr 06 2009 09:18 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":2dql048w]="metsguyinmichigan":2dql048w]Looks like Nick Evans, and not Marlon, is the casualty of the Sheffield signing.[/quote:2dql048w] For now, yes. In a week, Marlon's likely gone, too (to make room for Livan).[/quote:2dql048w] and therein's the point - that's all that he's taking a roster space from and I'd be very, very, very, surprised if he's not quite a bit more productive. Benjamin Grimm Apr 06 2009 09:50 AM I've been reading that it's Darren O'Day who's in jeopardy, not Anderson. And I'm less pleased about that, since if O'Day gets sent down the organization could lose him. And if he was good enough to make the team, I'd hate to see him casually discarded. gerrard00 Apr 06 2009 10:07 AM I voted "don't like it", because I don't want anything to prevent Church from getting a fair shot to shine. At least Willie isn't the one divvying out playing time or Sheff would wind up the every day right fielder. duan Apr 06 2009 10:18 AM i'm game for only having 11 pitchers. totally game. TransMonk Apr 06 2009 10:38 AM I like it. Cheap, proven and seems to know his role (for now). I was gone for the weekend and saw the signing on a TV crawl yesterday. I originally groaned, but with him getting the league minimum, why not? As far as dividing the playing time, I say the more options the better. Jerry seems to know how to play the hot hand. SteveJRogers Apr 17 2009 08:21 PM ="SteveJRogers":2xbk0gxs]While it means jack squat, it would be kind of nice to see someone trotting around the bases in a Met uni when montages of 500th homers is shown. [/quote:2xbk0gxs] But did it HAVE to be in the black uni? UGH! willpie Apr 18 2009 08:59 AM Didn't think I was going to like Sheff that quickly. #500 was pretty clutch, though, and a cooler moment than I was expecting. Ashie62 Apr 18 2009 02:54 PM Sheff seems to have mellowed..Seems like he can add a certain fear factor to opponents that was missing in 07-08 Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:38 AM ="SteveJRogers":hu4dho3l]="SteveJRogers":hu4dho3l]While it means jack squat, it would be kind of nice to see someone trotting around the bases in a Met uni when montages of 500th homers is shown. [/quote:hu4dho3l] But did it HAVE to be in the black uni? UGH![/quote:hu4dho3l] Stop pandering. Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:38 AM ="willpie":1i8rx6oj]Didn't think I was going to like Sheff that quickly. #500 was pretty clutch, though, and a cooler moment than I was expecting.[/quote:1i8rx6oj] Agree! Elster88 Apr 19 2009 10:39 AM ="Ashie62":16p1k8iu]Sheff seems to have mellowed..Seems like he can add a certain fear factor to opponents that was missing in 07-08[/quote:16p1k8iu] Agree on both counts. I just don't think I want him starting over Church when Church is OPSing over a thousand. That's on Jerry. Gwreck Apr 20 2009 11:59 AM ="Elster88":35zbx1nh]Stop pandering.[/quote:35zbx1nh] It's not pandering. The Mets desperately need to get rid of those uniforms.

As Steve picked up on, if Wally is going to grouse about the TARP, you know he has an agenda. Good rebuttals, Steve. Later

I think this shirt says it all. http://www.metsrant.com/shirts.html Later

Good job. You set the bar high for those who will follow. Later