MFS62

Congrats to all of you. After the initial few posts, the discussion in this thread has centered on Willie's abilities as a manager. And that's the point. None of the discussion has been based on his race. And that seems to support the view that Willie was wrong in saying what he did. Later

Lastings might some day be thought about as our Roberto Kelley. Later

batmagadanleadoff wrote: ="AG/DC"]Many of the studies I've seen concluding that bunting is a bad strategy have failed to factor in staying-out-of-the-double-play. Maybe McCovey and Stargell and Piazza should have sac bunted more often. Mantle often bunted for base hits. Later

More Little League Bullshit: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/16278448/detail.html Later

KC wrote: John Starks leaps to mind as a famous NY sports guy that worked on improving his oratory skills. Great. Then one day, when a reporter asks him the question, he can provide a well spoken explanation about why he cheap-shotted Kenny Anderson under the basket and broke Kenny's wrist. Later

My kid had been starting to heat up after a slow start at AA. http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/?pl_id=83967 But he has had a hammy pull, and has been put on the DL. Not expected back for another two weeks. He has had each of his seasons interrupted by injuries. Time to look for a new Pediatrician. Later

How about Billy Wagner? Whatever it was that he did seems to have worked (at least for one game). SC= off the chart Later

SteveJRogers wrote: Wagner with Ed Coleman says that it was simply about positioning. Yeah. Wagner was making sure Carlos would have his ass positioned in front of his locker after the game, so he could talk to the press. Later

Wagner sure gives the fans a thrill, eh? Later

Fucking Jeter. The way they've been playing, two runs in an insurmountable hole for the Mets to climb out of. Later

SteveJRogers wrote: I know he's not popular around here, but Chris Russo is doing some entertaining radio. Goofing on the Yankees taking their sweet time telling the fans that last night's game was called (he believes it was more to get the players, and then the media out before the multitudes as opposed to the capitialistic capitalistic reasons) Russo is acting as if the game is slated for an 11:05 start! Call me easily amused all you want, the guy can entertain. Lineups to follow. He also took a hit at the Mets for their handling of the Cincy rain game. But he was funny about the start time. He joked that he saw Santana and Pettit starting to warm up in the bullpen. Later

DocTee wrote: at least you got the size right...nothin worse than seeing a size XL thong. Some of us just need the extra coverage. Later

Nice job, Aaron. I've seen better performances by Tori Spelling. Later

Jeff Keppinger broke his kneecap with a foul ball last night. Looks like his career with them has been interrupted for a while. Later

Attendance in both Florida franchises seems to be inversely proportional to team performance. The Yanks/ Rays game drew under 15,000 fans the other night. Later

AG/DC wrote: But I'd like to see the picture. Here's what I finally found. But in the picture I saw in the Daily News, the palm out was more pronounced. Maybe he's falling into bad habits with his delivery. And that could be the reason for his recent performances. http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=%22Aaron+Heilman%22&go=Search+Images&mkt=en-us&scope=&FORM=LIVSOP Later

About a week ago, there was a picture of Aaron Heilman in the Daily News. I just googled it but couldn't find it. In the picture, he was releasing the ball with his palm turned outward. That is usually the result of throwing a screwball or in some cases a sinking fastball. It is physically impossible for that to happen when throwing a curveball or slider. After those pitches, the follow through would have the palm facing the pitcher's glove side. So, I ask - is Heilman tipping his pitches? Later

sharpie wrote: I don't have a problem with altering a rotation slightly in order to have your best pitchers face superior lineups. Santana will likely be moved up more than moved back. Also, I'm guessing they'll push Maine up to Sunday rather than having him pitch after Figueroa. The ones who have been pitching after Figueroa lately have been about six guys out of the bullpen. Later

Torre did that regularly so that he would have his best starters pitch against the Mets. (under George's orders?) But I don't recall him catching any flak for doing it. Later

="metirish":2c2r57t3]Congrats, any clues as to who your future avatar will be?[/quote:2c2r57t3] Thanks for the idea. I'll be giving a clue every 100 posts or so. Here's the first: Mets fans have always looked to the future with hope. Later AG/DC May 12 2008 07:51 AM Not in my experience, but OK. Benjamin Grimm May 12 2008 08:13 AM ="MFS62"] Mets fans have always looked to the future with hope. soupcan May 12 2008 08:23 AM SteveJRogers May 12 2008 04:56 PM Tug McGraw's daughter-in-law FAITH Hill? Elster88 May 12 2008 05:19 PM Congrats, 62. Shut up, Rogers. SteveJRogers May 12 2008 05:23 PM ="Elster88":y7z10muk]Congrats, 62. Shut up, Rogers.[/quote:y7z10muk] Its called a freaking joke. Just like the Bob Hope post (unless this was the Colavito Rockies Forum), you want to tell the blue eyed, ever loving Thing to shut up? AG/DC May 12 2008 05:45 PM Elster only logs on these days to do the occasional body slam. Elster88 May 12 2008 05:47 PM My bad. I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon. Kong76 May 12 2008 06:15 PM E88: >>>I'm a cantankerous curmudgeon<<< I can be as much of a prick as the next poster, but you do ride Stevie Jeets a bit hard here and it ain't like he's provoking you. metsmarathon May 12 2008 07:24 PM i am so ridiculously far away from 10,000 posts... soupcan May 13 2008 07:29 AM 'Stevie Jeets' Crackin' me up. Benjamin Grimm May 13 2008 07:31 AM "Faith" and "hope" aren't the same thing. SteveJRogers May 13 2008 09:21 AM They are synonymous though. Granted "faith" does have religious conotation in origin, but I've seen faith used in secular forms, such as sporting events. MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:34 AM OK, posting a hint every 100 or so posts would have been overkill, so, with about 500 to go, time for another: I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person. Later metirish Dec 12 2008 08:37 AM You're 499 posts past 10,000. MFS62 Dec 12 2008 08:42 AM ="metirish":2469uvq5]You're 499 posts past 10,000.[/quote:2469uvq5] I know. The 10,000 the post gets you the Seaver avatar. The 11,000th gets you the choice of your own. Later Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:53 AM ="MFS62":296ptdhw]I've been told that at least one CPF-er has spoken with this person.[/quote:296ptdhw] The project runway chick? Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 08:58 AM Jay Horwitz? Valadius Dec 12 2008 09:19 AM Bud Harrelson? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:23 AM Billy Squier? MFS62 Dec 12 2008 12:25 PM Four nopes. Thank you for trying. You can pick up your home version of our game on the way out. I'll come up with more meaningful clues as time passes. Later Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2008 02:09 PM Rusty Staub? Valadius Dec 12 2008 02:34 PM Yogi Berra? Zvon Dec 12 2008 02:46 PM Gratz '62. Looking forward to 10,000 more. dgwphotography Dec 12 2008 04:40 PM Come on - You gotta believe - Tug McGraw. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 09:11 AM OK, Closing in on that magic 11,000. Time for the next clue: Winsocki Later HahnSolo Feb 11 2009 10:27 AM As in "Buckle Down, Winsocki"? (I can Google, yay!) Buckle down = Fasten your seatbelts? Bob Murphy? MFS62 Feb 11 2009 12:35 PM Nice try. Thanks for putting some effort into it. Nope. Later seawolf17 Feb 11 2009 01:05 PM Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy. MFS62 Feb 11 2009 01:26 PM ="seawolf17":3n1q2cmm]Good. Because I will fight you for Bob Murphy.[/quote:3n1q2cmm] No fear, from my POV he's all yours. Later MFS62 Mar 02 2009 11:53 AM Congrats for reaching 11,000 before me, Doc. But in his thread, he did mention something about someone else helping him with his chosen avatar. As y'all may have fugured out by now, I don't do technology well. (I can't even imbed a link or a video image). Who can help me to edit (crop) and upload the avatar image of the person I've chosen? That said, time for my final clue: Learn your lesson well. Later Gwreck Mar 02 2009 12:23 PM Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 01:38 PM ="Gwreck":2gxbhwby]Lessons are taught. Who teaches? Professors teach. Professor = Casey Stengel. Duh.[/quote:2gxbhwby] Very obvious. Very incorrect. Nice try. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 02:54 PM Stretching for JC Martin? MFS62 Mar 02 2009 03:12 PM ="TransMonk":2c4rd0i6]Stretching for JC Martin?[/quote:2c4rd0i6] Nope. Not him. I don't get how professor would be a clue to JC Martin. Even as a stretch. Later TransMonk Mar 02 2009 03:30 PM Hugh Martin co-wrote Buckle Down, Winsocki. Learn Your Lessons Well is a song from from Godspell, which is about JC. Like I said...a stretch. MFS62 Mar 02 2009 04:41 PM Wow! I'm old and brittle. If I stretched that far I'd break. My kudos for getting creatively analytical. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 03:41 PM Gil Hodges? can't quite connect all the clues, but here are some of the things that make me think of Gil mets fans always look to the future with hope = wait 'til next year at least one CPF'er has spoken with him - Gil was a very accesible person in his Brooklyn nabe, so can imagine several of the older members might have met him - he lived around the corner from where I grew up Winsocki - can't figure that one out, other than that it was a fictional military academy and Gil was a military man. there is probably some connection to fight songs but i cant figger it out Learn your lesson well - Gil taught Cleon a lesson. MFS62 Mar 03 2009 04:02 PM Dreamer - you connected the dots pretty well. Unfortunately, not well enough. I'm surprised nobody else has selected Gil as their post- 11,000 avatar. But I have selected someone else. Thank you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 03 2009 04:21 PM Mets fans always look to the future with hope = Lets Go Mets? could it be Jane Jarvis? Edgy DC Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM I'm gonna bet 1,000 cranebucks that it's not Jane Jarvis. metirish Mar 03 2009 07:30 PM Need some resolution here on this.....please... soupcan Mar 03 2009 07:36 PM ="metirish":8eyqqbmn]Need some resolution here on this.....please...[/quote:8eyqqbmn] Do we? Really? cooby Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM ="MFS62"] Learn your lesson well. Ricky Nelson? Real guess: Bill Shea? DocTee Mar 03 2009 07:40 PM Davey Johnson. MFS62 Mar 04 2009 06:25 AM All good, or creative, guesses. None correct. All will be revealed shortly. I don't want to use up allthe remaining posts until 11,000 in this thread. Thank you for playing along. Later MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:13 AM I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later Edgy DC Mar 31 2009 07:20 AM soupcan Mar 31 2009 07:26 AM Thank goodness. Now I can sleep tonight. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:27 AM It was worth the wait , what a nice tribute to Cole. Fman99 Mar 31 2009 07:30 AM ="MFS62"]I�m announcing the identity of my chosen permanent avatar today because it is the anniversary of his death. I have chosen Brian Cole. He was a rising star in the Mets minor league system, an outfielder with speed and emerging power. Brian had been named Mets minor leaguer of the year 1999 by Baseball America Almanac. Spring training had ended. He was driving home from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., to drop off his truck. He was to fly Saturday to Binghamton, N.Y., to join the Mets' Double-A team. There was a companion in his truck. Cole's truck was hit by another vehicle near the Florida-Alabama border. His vehicle rolled over and Brian was thrown out. It was later found that he had not been wearing his seat belt. He was killed almost instantly. His companion, who had been wearing a seat belt, survived. The Mets have named a rookie award after him. I want to honor his memory this way. Later That's a good choice, I like it. seawolf17 Mar 31 2009 07:32 AM Interesting choice; I like it. Benjamin Grimm Mar 31 2009 07:33 AM So I wasn't TOO far off when I guessed Bob Hope. metirish Mar 31 2009 07:40 AM A New York Times report from April 2nd 2001 BASEBALL; Subdued Mets Share in Loss Of Player With Major Future By TYLER KEPNER Published: Monday, April 2, 2001 ] The televisions were on in the Mets' clubhouse this morning, but nobody paid attention. Most players sat alone or spoke softly to teammates. There was a game to play, the Mets' last exhibition before opening day, but nobody seemed to care. The night before, at a team dinner, the players had learned that Brian Cole, a 22-year-old outfielder who had been with them for much of spring training, had been killed in a car accident. ''There's no doubt that baseball is definitely secondary today,'' the veteran outfielder Darryl Hamilton said. ''It's going to be like that for a little while for us. You can't just let it go.'' Cole was driving from spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to Meridian, Miss., with his 17-year-old cousin, Ryan Cole, on Saturday afternoon. According to the Florida Highway Patrol in Panama City, Fla., Brian Cole's 2001 Ford Explorer, which was exceeding the 70-mile-an-hour speed limit, drifted onto the grass median from the inside westbound lane of State Route 8. The car then re-entered the westbound lane, slid sideways and rolled almost two times. Brian Cole, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the car. He and his cousin were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Marianna, Fla., almost 20 miles east of the accident site. Brian Cole was pronounced dead there, and Ryan Cole, who was wearing a seat belt, was treated and released. The police said neither alcohol nor drugs were involved in the accident. The Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates observed a moment of silence for Cole before today's game at PNC Park, and the Mets are preparing to honor him in another way. A prayer service for Cole was held for the Mets' minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie, where workouts were canceled. Dr. Allan Lans, the director of the Mets' employee assistance program, will meet with the Class AA Binghamton Mets, the team Cole would have played for, to counsel them. ''That we were all together when we heard it, I think, is something that will make us a little stronger, that we shared our grief together,'' Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said. ''Guys know there was real emotion there, and a lot of people to share it with.'' Jason Phillips, a Mets catcher who played with Cole last season, said a driver had backed into Cole's Explorer a week ago. Cole planned to fly to Binghamton after driving hi car home so that his father and brother could take it in for repairs. ''That's the only reason he was going home,'' Phillips said. Phillips and others remembered Cole's quiet confidence and his ability to match his expectations. In an interview last month, Cole said his goals for last year had been 60 stolen bases, 18 home runs, a .300 average and 75 runs batted in. He exceeded every figure. Cole was in major league training camp for the first time this spring, and he impressed Mookie Wilson, the Mets' outfield coach, with his willingness to learn. All their conversations, Wilson said, were about how Cole could get better. Cole would sit in a corner of the locker room taking everything in, and he became friends with the veteran infielder Desi Relaford. The two played video games together, and Cole spent time at Relaford's home in Jacksonville, Fla. ''It's hard to comprehend the fact it's a life that's over,'' Relaford said. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips said Cole was projected to be an impact player in the majors, and that his talents suggested he could be an updated version of the classic leadoff hitter -- Cole could steal bases, but he also had pop in his bat. Phillips saw Cole play for the Class A St. Lucie Mets last year, and Cole put on a show -- infield hits, stolen bases, home runs. The Mets even considered promoting him last September. ''We had some of our longest discussions about him during spring,'' Valentine said. ''Most of it was about whether he was going to hit 20 or 35 homers in the big leagues.'' Cole was named the organization's player of the year last season, and he was considered the team's third best prospect behind outfielder Alex Escobar and pitcher Pat Strange. Pitcher Jerrod Riggan, a former teammate, struggled to fight back tears this morning. ''He knew he was going to make it,'' Riggan said. ''He knew he was going to be a big leaguer.'' Riggan was not the only Met hit hard by the news. Cole was a teammate for a few weeks, the veteran John Franco said, but he was part of the Mets' family. ''We all have some types of tears in our eyes,'' Franco said. ''The kid had a great future ahead of him, and it was stopped so short with a tragedy like that. It makes you realize how precious life is and appreciate everything you have. You want to go home and give your kids a big hug.'' Photo: Brian Cole (Gary I. Rothstein) MFS62 Mar 31 2009 07:46 AM Thanks, Irish. And thank all of you. Later 86-Dreamer Mar 31 2009 08:52 AM It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave? metsguyinmichigan Mar 31 2009 10:31 AM Tip of the cap. A fine choice. MFS62 Mar 31 2009 11:06 AM ="86-Dreamer":18grwt9a]It is a nice tribute to a life cut short. But, how does it relate to the clues you gave?[/quote:18grwt9a] Thanks, The key ones: Promise followed by sadness. I think our metfairy mentioned that she had spoken to him/ written about him. The lesson to be learned is to buckle up. (I took license with "Buckle Down, Winsocki") Later

What about Aaron Heilmann in a start by committee, each pitcher to follow going one or two innings? It seems they all pitch in the same games anyhow. (ducking) Later

Ah, maybe that's why it didn't mean anything to me. I don't think I would recognize a Ramones song if one were playing right now. Or recognize one of the Ramones if one should knock at my door. Thanks. Later

Maybe this is from before I joined the board, but what does "Gabba" mean? Is it an acronym? I'd like to know before I would get a shirt with that on it. Later

Meatloaf lived in a small town in Connecticut, where he coached youth ball teams for a number of years. So he knows what ballplayers can do, and what they can�t. ************************************************ Luis Castillo has a magic glove. Great coming in and going back He can do everything with that glove And to those who see him play that is a fact You say Jose makes all the plays, that�s way you feel right now, Oh no, I�ll say Luis can do everything with the glove But not with the bat. Everything with the glove Oh, he can do everything with the glove Luis can do everything with the glove, but not with the bat. No, not with the bat. Some days the plays look easy Some days the plays look hard But Luis won�t let pop flies fall, and batters are always out in the end. He will easily pick ground balls and fire There�ll be another runner iced Some nights I see nothing I've ever seen before or will again Maybe I'm crazy, but it's crazy and it's true I know when I see him around the bag, he�s the best in orange and blue His plays keep our heads a-turning And one day I�ll get the yearning To see again how our Luis threw You'd better believe me, about what he can do. Anything with the glove We never get tired of that act Luis deserves a golden glove, and that is a fact. But I'll never forgive myself if I don�t tell the truth tonight Luis can do everything with the glove Oh, Luis can do everything with the glove Oh, Luis can do everything with the glove, but not with the bat No, not with the bat. Oh, Luis can do everything with the glove Oh, Luis can do everything with the glove, but not with the bat No, not with the bat. Later

Last night I was listening to my car radio and heard Jayson Tyner give the basic player intro to the Buffalo Bisons' post game radio show. (For some weird reason, I can get the station in Buffalo but can't get ESPN radio NYC after dark.) You know, it went something like "This is Jayson Tyner, and you're listening to the post game show on 1520 radio, Buffalo". Not a great voice. Later