MFS62

sharpie wrote: Also odd that the MFYs are playing a night game in Toronto leaving New York baseball-less on Memorial Day. This was mentioned on ESPN radio. The host(s) said that they had mentioned the absence of baseball in NY on Memorial Day to Selig last year and he said he would remedy that this year. Guess baseball fans in New York are less important to him than baseball fans in Toronto. Later

Iubitul wrote: I think the Mets should move a franchise to Bridgeport, dammit AMEN brudder. Later

bmfc1 wrote: It's "Jewish Heritage Day" for the Marlins. Last year, they gave out a Mike Jacobs item, thinking that he is a M.O.T. Thank you. Later

Edgy DC wrote: An insult to Jewish heritage. Huh? 'Splain, please. Later

Edgy DC wrote: Bing may have hit a turning point: http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/SPORTS02/705240361/1003/SPORTS Note the recollection of Bryon Gainey. He's the one whose heart gave out on him, isn't he? And we get a Grant Roberts mention in the same sentence, too. Thanks, Later

The closest Eastern League city to me is New Britain. The B-Mets just played a series there. I would have loved to have seen them, but I had to work late. Rats! The first B-Met game I attended there was when Butch Huskey was (mis)playing third base for them and the DP combo was Quilvio Veras and Fernando Vina. Rick Otero was also on the squad, which probably qualified them for the title of shortest team in history. Later

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Everyone is a suspect, no sense in guessing who. Could be Joe McEwing for all we know I'm going on record here to say that I don't think Bud Harrelson was ever on Steroids. Later

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ballpark/virtual_tour.jsp Nice tour of the new place. If there a site with a virtual tour of the new Mets' park, what is the link? Later

There used to be an expression about pitchers saying that he was "short-arming" the ball. But that meant the pitcher wasn't extending his arm to full length. He was bending the arm at the elbow while releasing the ball. Baseball "lore" said this was not the best delivery, and sometimes allowed the batters to spot what was coming (e.g. curve ball). This is different all together. It really means the guy has a short arm. From what I know of physics, it would seem that the angular momentum of a longer pitching arc would increase the velocity of the throw. But that is in theory. Maybe these scientists have disproven pure Physics. If so, Oslo may be calling. Later

This was nice: http://www.metstoday.com/wp-content/empire-state.jpg Later

I really do not like Jorge Posada - a lot. Mainly because he looks like a first cousin of mine who I can't stand. Later

(Found the right thread) Lenny DiNardo is 1-1 2.40 ERA for Oakland this year. And while we're at it, check out Victor Diaz: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=429806 Later

Willets Point wrote: Actually it's halfway down the first page of the baseball forum. D'oh! As I said, I missed it. Corrected it. Thanks. Later

Willets Point wrote: This is the thread ye be looking for. AAAAARRRGGGGHHH. Whar it be? In the Bermuda Triangle of archived threads? Thank ye, matey. And while we're at it, check out Victor Diaz: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=429806 Later

A Rico Brognaesque thread comment. (Couldn't spot that thread. Is it still around?) Lenny DiNardo is 1-1 2.40 ERA for Oakland this year. Later

Endy is the kind of player we wanted Timo Perez to become. Later

And, I found out about Abreu. His is in EST because he is having visa problems. He can't get a worker visa, so he can't participate in any games where admission is charged. No word on how long it will take to get the issue resolved. Later

cooby wrote: They might be wearing Jeter's Avon cologne That gets my nomination for the CPF line of the day. I really did laugh out loud. Later

Who is Cancel? Later

Oops - wrong thread. Later

Vic Sage wrote: ="Johnny Dickshot"]Just wait till Delgado needs some time off! Lets bring Carp up NOW!!! I know that was tongue-in-cheek, but FYI, Carp is on the DL with a broken finger. Maybe when it heals.....? Later

From Baseball America:Parnell Impressing in FSLPosted May. 16, 2007 3:11 pm by Chris KlineFiled under: Daily Dish Righthander Bobby Parnell is back to being Bobby Parnell, and the 22-year-old Mets righthander might even be more than that.The 2005 ninth-round pick out of Charleston Southern burst on the prospect scene right after the draft, leading the short-season New York-Penn League with a 1.73 ERA in his first exposure to pro ball. But Parnell took a step back in his first full season in 2006, first putting up 5-10, 4.04 numbers in 94 innings at low Class A Hagerstown and then was pummeled in three starts in St. Lucie.And even though Parnell allowed a season-high four earned runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings in St. Lucie’s 4-3 loss to Palm Beach on Tuesday, there are plenty of reasons to believe he’s for real.Parnell’s fastball has been sitting anywhere from 92-to-96 mph, touching 97. He also has a power 84 mph slider and a workable changeup.“I was very impressed,� Johnny Dickshot Jun 05 2007 08:20 AM Bobby continues to kick major patootie in the minors.He's 3-3, 3.25 with 62 whiffs in 55.1 IP for St. Lucie -- 12 games, all starts. Edgy DC Jun 05 2007 08:37 AM I'm going to go ahead and disagree with Daily Dish, and say that a 4.04 ERA in Hagerstown wasn't such a bad showing. Johnny Dickshot Jun 06 2007 08:06 PM Promoted to AA Bingo, starting this weekend. Johnny Dickshot Jun 12 2007 10:23 PM 5 IP, 2 ER, no decision in his Bingo debut Edgy DC Jun 13 2007 02:29 PM I guess his promotion ruins it for him, but Bobby was named --- along with shortstop Jose Castro and cather Drew Butera --- to the Florida State League All-Star Game. Johnny Dickshot Jun 17 2007 08:41 PM Nother ND the other day but 6 IP, 6 Ks, and 2 ER. Edgy DC Jun 22 2007 11:57 AM Dude, I'm totally embarrassed. Your boy exited with a 6-3 lead over Reading, turned the game over to Serfass tension and it ended an 8-6 loss.He's upstairs right now thinking about just what he's done, and we'll be over later to talk about it. Frayed Knot Jan 17 2008 10:44 AM Minor League guru John Sickels wighs in on Parnell:... has a 90-95 MPH sinking fastball, and a slider which is often overpowering. He gets plenty of ground balls, but his changeup is below average, and Double-A hitter exposed this weakness. His track record, in college and as a pro, is erratic. He clearly has the arm strength to succeed, but is still making the transition from thrower to pitcher. He's a least a year away from being ready for the majors. My guess is that he'll have to move to the bullpen to succeed in the majors. AG/DC Jan 17 2008 10:49 AM I don't think so. I think a guy with spotty consistency like him needs to start so he cna make adjustments as he goes along. Benjamin Grimm Jan 17 2008 11:13 AM If he's any good the Mets should throw him onto the pile of players that they'll send to the Twins for Santana.Why leave any talented young players in the system? John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 19 2008 08:11 PM Baseball America reports from AA All-Star Game:A few pitchers did flash potential as solid bullpen arms, most notably the Mets� Bob Parnell. The Binghamton righthander sat with his fastball at 93-94 mph, touching 97 a few times. Parnell, who in 105 innings has a 3.94 ERA and a 76-49 K-BB mark, allowed a home run. With his non-fluid arm action and additional velocity in a one-inning stint (as a starter he operates in the low-90s, touching 95), the 23-year-old Parnell could end up in the bullpen, though the Mets will likely given him the opportunity to continue starting. John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 09 2008 07:20 PM Promoted to AAA to take the rotation spot of Brian Stokes. John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 12 2008 08:46 AM Rockin the International League, knockin on the bullpen doorBobby Parnell was the winning pitcher in his Triple-A debut for New Orleans on Monday. He allowed five hits and two runs in six innings in a 3-2 victory against Memphis. He struck out five and walked two. Parnell retired 12 of 15 batters during four scoreless innings to begin the game, and Memphis tied the score with a two-run fifth. Parnell batted in the top of the seventh, popping up a bunt to fall to 0-for-3 at the plate. Jesus Feliciano hit a go-ahead RBI single in the next at-bat. Parnell threw 88 pitches, and 53 were strikes. Back-to-back hits, including a triple, with two away produced Memphis' runs. John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 17 2008 08:47 PM Bobby took a perfect game into the 5th inning of his last outing but then got hammered for 4 runs on 5 hits including a steal of home, and he took the loss.Still, he had 10 Ks in 5 IP and four great innings and one bad one. John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 22 2008 09:50 AM Bobby Parnell didn;t get out of the 3rd inning last night in Albequerque -- triple, walk, single, triple, walk. 5 ER in 2.1 IP and a loss... to Bobby Keppel. seawolf17 Aug 22 2008 09:55 AM Hey, I remember Bob Keppel. Not for nothing, but the dude was lights out in my computer baseball game for a few years. John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 03 2008 01:46 PM Fallen firemen a driving force for pitcher Bobby Parnell By Mike London mlondon@salisburypost.com In the visitor's clubhouse at Milwaukee's Miller Park, Bobby Parnell reverently pulled on a New York Mets uniform. Butterflies danced in his belly, but the lean right-hander dressed stoically among millionaire celebrities who were preparing for a Labor Day game with pennant-race implications. Parnell stared in silent awe at his gray No. 39 road jersey. He studied the orange and blue "New York" across his chest, the perfect leg-stripe and the bright blue bill on his black cap. Then he headed for his new residence � the bullpen. On his first day in the big leagues, Parnell's thoughts were partly about $400 million Miller Park and the proper grip on his changeup. Mostly they were about Justin Monroe, a 19-year-old firefighter who died in a March blaze at Salisbury Millwork. The Mets' roots are in the blue Brooklyn Dodgers and orange New York Giants, franchises that represented the Big Apple in the National League until they joined a second California gold rush 50 years ago and relocated. Parnell's humble roots can be traced to hunting, fishing, Staton Field, Newman Park and fire stations. Parnell was invited to Spring Training by New York and reported in mid-February to the complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. On March 7, he received word of the raging blaze that claimed the lives of Monroe and 40-year-old Victor Isler. "I tell you, it was the worst news I've ever gotten in my life, and it hit me hard," Parnell said. "It just tore me up. Justin and I were hunting and fishing all the time this offseason, and we were close. As soon as I heard, I came home." Parnell's father, Bob, is Salisbury's fire chief. Bobby has spent countless hours at the station. He's driven trucks to calls, although he's never had to pit his courage and a water hose against an inferno. Parnell and Monroe spent peaceful times in the woods as well as the station, and the conversation often turned to baseball. "Justin told me he wanted to see me play in the big leagues," Parnell said. "Justin and Victor � they've been kind of a driving force for me all year." After returning to Spring Training, Parnell faced the regular lineup for the Florida Marlins. He fanned Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez, a sign he wasn't far from completing an improbable journey from role player to major leaguer. Parnell was on terrific high school teams at East Rowan. The 2002 Mustangs went 21-4 with a lineup that included third-round draft pick Cal Hayes Jr., Division I signees Drew Davis, Julian Sides and Spencer Steedley and D-II signees Nick Lefko and Michael Gegorek. The most surprising signing from the group came when Parnell got an offer from Charleston Southern. As an East senior, Parnell played third base, batted .283 and was the No. 6 pitcher. He threw eight innings. East coach Guy Wirt, like Jeff Safrit before him, noticed the way balls sizzled across the infield when propelled by Parnell's loose right arm, but Parnell couldn't throw consistent strikes and there were never enough innings to go around. Parnell rarely pitched, but he played first base for the state championship Rowan Legion team that went 43-2 in 2002, and he was still eligible for Legion ball in 2003 following his freshman year at Charleston Southern. Rowan coach Jim Gantt gave him a shot as Rowan's closer. He went 2-2 with three saves and 45 strikeouts in 31 innings. But Parnell never shined at Charleston Southern. His ERA as a junior was 8.86, and opposing hitters clobbered him at a .330 clip. But the draft is about talent, not stats, and each team had Parnell somewhere on its board in 2005. The Mets had him highest. He went in the ninth round � 269th overall. New York offered $65,000. Parnell signed as soon as he could grab a pen and headed to Brooklyn for rookie ball. Many thought that was the last they'd hear of him, but he was an all-star for the Cyclones. He struggled at low A Hagerstown in 2006, but he got back on track at St. Lucie in an advanced A league and was an all-star in 2007. Parnell finished that year and opened the current season at Double-A Binghamton. Still shaken by the fire, he started miserably and was 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA after five outings. But he began challenging hitters again and became an all-star for the third time. His record was 10-6 when he was promoted to Triple-A New Orleans. His mark at New Orleans was 2-2, including an eye-catching start against the Iowa Cubs in which he retired the first 12 hitters he faced � nine on strikeouts. "I had a chance to watch their hitters five days and saw how aggressive they were," Parnell said. "I got them to expand the strike zone, and I got strikeouts from guys swinging at balls. "I couldn't tell a real big difference between Double-A and Triple-A, but Double-A hitters will miss a few mistakes. In Triple-A, whenever you make a mistake, it gets hit hard." It goes without saying National League hitters miss even fewer mistakes and hit them harder still, but Parnell has a chance because he's added an improved changeup to his sharp slider and crackling fastball. "I've always had the changeup, but I got away from using it for two years," Parnell said. "I've gotten that pitch back this year, and I'm confident I can throw any of my three pitches for strikes now." Spring Training discussions with mound artists Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez helped Parnell refine changeup mechanics and his mental approach. "Two great guys who will sit down and talk to you about anything," Parnell said. Parnell, who struck out 91 batters at Binghamton this season and another 23 at New Orleans, is still pinching himself hourly, but his big-league dream is real. "I didn't expect this," he said. "I played with so many great players � Drew, Cal, Nick � I never thought for a minute it would be me that got this opportunity." The Mets return home this weekend, and Parnell, who turns 24 on Monday, hopes for a relief role against the Philadelphia Phillies. If he's called upon, memories of the fallen firefighters will accompany him to the mound at Shea Stadium. "Their initials will always be in my cap," Parnell said. "I think about those guys every day, and I feel like they're right here with me." metirish Sep 15 2008 08:17 PM Looked good tonight , congrats. John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 15 2008 09:16 PM First kid ever to make it to the show, and a longshot adopted five seconds after that draft.Couldn't be a prouder dad.Well, maybe I could, but I'm proud of him anywhoo. John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 07 2008 11:44 AM Local Boy Continues to Do WellStill Drinks Local SodaGallagher column: Parnell riding wave of success Tuesday, October 07, 2008 12:58 AM We used to know him as Bobby Parnell, the country boy, who looked forward to hitting the Gas-n-Go convenience store in Granite Quarry for a hotdog and a Cheerwine. Then, he was drafted and became a professional baseball player. Now, he's Bobby Parnell, surfer dude. Well, kinda. Baseball has given Parnell, an East Rowan graduate, a tour of the United States. He has pitched for teams in places like St. Lucie, Brooklyn, New Orleans and Binghamton. However, he loves to tell the story of pitching for two months in a winter league based in Hawaii. "I went to a couple of luaus," he drawled, "and I took surfing lessons. "I just hung out, man." Hanging out is basically what Parnell did once he was called up to the New York Mets last month. The team was involved in an intense pennant race so he saw limited action: six appearances and five innings pitched. He did get a taste of big-league life, something he'd love to continue. And the bet here is, he will. The first step began Saturday when he left his parents' Barger Road home and headed to an instructional league in Arizona for a month-and-a-half. "(The Mets) said when I come to spring training, they don't know whether I'll be starting or be in the bullpen," Parnell said. "Just getting to be up there with them in a pennant race was an honor. It's definitely an experience I won't forget. It shows they had a little faith in me." - Parnell was home last week for a few days. He spent his time like you'd expect a country boy from Rowan County to: duck hunting, visiting grandma and grandpa, seeing high school buddies and playing golf. And surely, there was a Cheerwine or two swallowed. We caught up with Parnell at a Salisbury softball field, watching brother Adam play in a church league. Parnell was the only one in the park wearing a Mets pullover. Just seeing "Mets" on the front of it brought back memories of the final day of the regular season when New York lost to the Florida Marlins, completing a collapse from first place in the NL East for the second straight year. The Mets not only lost the East title, but any chance of a wild-card berth. "I'd never been in a situation like that," Parnell said. "Everybody took it pretty hard." - Parnell hurt for his new teammates because of how they treated him. "There are so many good guys on that team, it's amazing," he said. "They'll reach out to you. They lended me a lot of advice." Some of the advice included the fans and the media. "The fans will let you know how you did," Parnell grinned. "I made four appearances in Shea Stadium and was booed in one of them." That was the night he walked a man and then gave up a broken-bat single. As he walked back to the dugout after being relieved, the fans let him have it. "I knew it was coming," he laughed. "I didn't mind too much. At least, I'm there." Parnell remembers his first major-league appearance in Washington. "It's a different feeling," he said. "Everybody's looking at you. I go out there and either get the coaches on my good side or just be another guy in the pen. My adrenaline was definitely rushing." It took only eight pitches to get three outs. "I felt like I had a 100 pounds off my shoulders," he said. Parnell also can say he struck out Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee. As bad as the Mets bullpen was the final month, the media had to notice, right? He was asked if the New York media ever swarmed his locker. "No," he said emphatically, "which is a good thing because they're always looking for bad stories. I figured if there weren't 100 people at my locker, I was doing well." - Parnell said that after four years in the minors, his Mets' stint was nothing short of heaven. His first major-league eye-opener came in Milwaukee shortly after joining the team. "There were stained wood lockers," he said. "Everything's bigger, better and cleaner. There are people standing behind you asking, 'You need anything?' " But the money, Bobby. The money. "I think maybe now, playing one month in the big leagues, I've made minimum wage over the last four years," he chuckled. "I don't have a lot but I got a little lump there in the last month. There were a couple of days I went to Manhattan looking around and seeing what I couldn't afford." - Parnell paused for a moment as Adam came to the plate for Gloria Dei. "He said he hit a home run last week," said Bobby, who then stayed after the game to get in a few throws with Adam. Hopefully, the fireballing right-hander eased up on little brother. The radar gun has hit 99 mph in Double A, and he consistently fires in the mid-90s. That 24-year-old arm will certainly start out in Triple A or with the big club next season. It's mind-boggling to everyone around here who recalls Parnell as anything but a pitcher. That is, until Allen Wilson persuaded the Mets to draft him in the ninth round. Now, Wilson, the former South Rowan Legion and East Rowan coach, looks like a genius. And Parnell doesn't intend to let him down. "I've had some breaks and some luck," he said. "I feel like I've done the right things and kept my head on straight." If the breaks and the luck continue, Parnell may be in for a long and prosperous career. Which means he'll owe Wilson big-time. Hey, maybe during an offseason, he can take Wilson on a trip to Hawaii for a couple of luaus and some surfing ... you know, just hang out, man. - Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4287 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 24 2009 07:17 PM newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spmets0221,0,2625054.story Newsday.com Mets rising star Parnell's got stuff to make team BY DAVID LENNON david.lennon@newsday.com 9:19 PM EST, February 20, 2009 PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. Jose Reyes had never seen one of his bats split from the top of the barrel almost down to the knob. When the shattered half flipped in the air toward the mound, Reyes looked at the piece in his hand, shook his head and walked to retrieve the fragment. Just another victim of Bobby Parnell's evil sinker, which is what caused the bat to virtually explode on contact. Asked to describe the pitch, Reyes offered one word: "Heavy." Parnell is no fun to face, and he's about to become even more dangerous with the addition of a split-fingered fastball. Pitching coach Dan Warthen suggested that he use these next six weeks to revive his splitter, which Parnell used in college, and he plans to have a morning tutorial Saturday with J.J. Putz, who throws a nasty one. "He's going to lend a helping hand with it," Parnell said. The Mets already consider Parnell a serious threat to win a bullpen spot, and if he starts throwing a splitter like Putz's, it's going to be difficult to keep him down at Triple-A Buffalo. At 24, Parnell is a rare commodity. His fastball is a consistent 96-97 mph -- he's reached 99 -- and he's combined that with a slider and improving changeup. Add the splitter, and Parnell will get more swings and misses as it dives into the dirt. "With that power fastball at the top of the zone," Warthen said, "we wanted him to have another look with another strikeout pitch." Parnell, a ninth-round pick in 2005, got a taste of the majors last season with the Mets' bullpen in disarray. After only five games for Triple-A New Orleans in which he went 2-2 with a 6.64 ERA, Parnell made his Mets debut on Sept. 15 in Washington and retired the side on eight pitches. "I felt like I was floating off the mound," he said, "getting some quick outs like that." That composure is one of the things the Mets like best about Parnell. For an organization that tries to accelerate its prospects along the learning curve, that performance spoke volumes about Parnell's character. "We spend a lot of time working on fundamentals," said Tony Bernazard, the vice president of player development, "but we also want to know their level of maturity, how they handle a certain situation." Manager Jerry Manuel, desperate for a closer, briefly considered using the untested rookie in that role last season. It never came to that, but the Mets could use him in the bullpen this year for the sixth or seventh innings. The Mets have a number of veterans competing for bullpen spots, without many vacancies if everyone stays healthy. Francisco Rodriguez, Putz, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green are locks, with two possible openings. Brian Stokes has the inside track to one of those, and the Mets would love to develop a prospect for the other. If Parnell doesn't make the team, he will start the season in the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo, but this opening could be his to lose. Said Warthen, "He's certainly going to get a good look." LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 27 2009 10:52 AM [quote="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1n9fg4hz] Just another victim of Bobby Parnell's evil sinker, which is what caused the bat to virtually explode on contact. Asked to describe the pitch, Reyes offered one word: "Heavy." [/quote:1n9fg4hz]Anytime anyone can impute malicious intent to your stuff, you've got my attention-- the worse the epithet ("nasty"<"filthy"<"evil"), the better. OlerudOwned Feb 27 2009 12:04 PM When Brandon Webb is throwing his Hitler, you just hope to get back to the dugout without embarrassing yourself.

Methinks a good start for the update would be to replace Adkins with Mota (who will be earning most of the money due him on his 2 year contract).

If the Yanks had lost the double dip, would we have had to start a quadruple happiness thread? Later

Edgy DC wrote: When we do find these things, we have to look at them as a percentage of overall runs scored. You can also consider it part of runs not scored. Or outs. Many here have said in discussions of OBP and bunting that it is very important to avoid outs. Later