MFS62

Bret, tell them you're Roberto Petagine.(as you are today) They'll let you go. Everybody lets him go. Later

The Milaukee Braves in the late 50's used to bat Del Crandall second. His numbers, as well as his speed, were comparable Paul's.. Later

Elster88 wrote: That's a great story. SC = zero Thanks. But what does SC=zero mean? And thanks, too, CF. Later

Vic Sage wrote: as a hitter, Grote was no J.Bench, but he wasn't putrid (as compared to other catchers in the mid-1960s to mid 1970s era). He was basically a .250 hitter, without much punch or speed. He hit like a SS, but his defensive value was equivalent to a top SS as well. Thats why he lasted for over 15 years. There was a handful of great hitting catchers in that era. Grote wasn't amongst them. But he was a great catcher nonetheless. He did have a rep as a prickly hardass. But so did the other catcher in the Bronx, if i recall correctly. And it took a plane crash to keep that guy out of the record books. Grote was a member of the "He can't hit a lick, but that tough sumbitch can sure handle a pitching staff" school of catching. You're right about his equivalency to a good fielding shortstop. Never thought about it like that. But don't get me started about that "catcher in the Bronx". He couldn't carry Grote's glove as a defensive player. He had a rag arm, which he hid by conveniently having the ball drop out of his glove if he knew he couldn't throw the guy out. If he had played in the go-go NL of the time, I think he would have been moved to the outfield. And, playing there, his numbers would have only been average. Compare his career numbers to Bruce Bochte. No, not Bruce Bochy the catcher. I'm talking about the guy with the similar name who was a 1B/ DH in the AL. Their career numbers are almost identical, and nothing to write home about. LAter

Irish, that Klapish piece really had me up in the air.By that I mean that I wished I were on an airplane and had a barf bag handy.I know you tried to warn us with the title to the link. But that's what I get for not heeding your alert.Later

Hi Adam. As my screen name implies, I've been a Mets fan since 1962. I was mentioned in last year's book "Inside the Mets Dugout" Two questions if I may: 1) While you've been down there in Spring Training, have you seen Rickey spending a lot of time with Jose Reyes? If so, are they working on? Baserunning? Pitch selection? Someting else? Who else has Rickey been working with? 2) I once heard Ralph Kiner say that in all of his years with the Mets, only one or two players have come to him for hitting tips. Can you please ask him who they were, and if they successfully put his tips into practice? Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to your book as well as the chat. Later

One liner in today's Daily News said that Parra will require TJ surgery. Is there a DL category for players invited to camp? Later

="Elster88"] It's good to know that the Post is sticking to their usual journalistic standards.We have the full range of sportswriting in New York. If the motto of the Times is "All the news that's fit to print", then the motto of the Post should be:"All the news that's shit, they print".Later

Willets Point wrote: What does it say that it wasn't until the third paragraph that I realized this is a parody? It says that this was a good parody. Later

="MFS62"] It was almost as blatant an example of claptrap as the original Kiernan article. Oh no! Its happening. I'm getting old. I checked back in to read the additional responses. And then I saw that I had used the word "claptrap". Does anyone use that word anymore? I'm depressed, and need some kind words of reassurance. Mole. You remember that word... don't you? Help. Please. Later

Yancy Street Gang wrote:]It's time to do everything in their power to make Manny a Met. Even for those who want to see Manny as a Met, everything in their power seems a bit extreme.That's why the article was perfect for this thread.Later

Nice try. It was almost as blatant an example of claptrap as the original Kiernan article. But you have potential, kid. Keep practicing. One day you may show enough promise for us to trade you to another website for a washed up veteran writer. LOL!!!! Later

Just when you thought it was aafe to open up your morning sports page:(insert music from Jaws here)http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/62240.htmHere we go again.Later

For me , it boils down to a fight between Self and Valentin for the end of the bench as the lefty "power" bat. And the team will already have a backup first baseman, Self's best position, in Julio Franco. IIRC, Self is a big guy, and I would question his defensive speed in the outfield. So Chavez stays and Self goes. And, yes, I'm rooting for Lambin, too. But I don't have much hope for him staying with the team out of ST. So: (with Matsui starting and keeping six on the bench) Woodward Ju Franco Valentin Castro Nady Chavez Later

SI Metman wins the cigar. Just heard on the 20/20 update (forget which station I was listening to at the time) that Bonds has told MLB.com that he WILL play in 2007 "if his knee is ok". Forget Roger Clemens "when we need him". I'd take Bob Gibson or Don Drysdale. Irish: My dad (may he rest in Peace) saw both Ruth and Bonds (at least one Bond's MVP year). When we talked baseball, he never mentioned Bonds as one of the best he'd seen. And he mentioned Ruth, Aaron, Mays, Musial and Josh Gibson. Later

Oh. Thanks, Later

Wouldn't Lima prefer 21? Later

I'd guess they rate "tools", and "potential" highly instead of already demonstrated baseball ability, because of how high Gomez and Bowman are rated. Ragsdale had dropped off most of the other lists I've seen. The one where he was on the list had him aroound 28-29. And these guys have him at #15? We'll see. Later

I have Charter Cablevision. I spoke with someone there today. She said the marketing department hasn't announced yet as to whether they will be carrying that channel. If they don't, keep checking CNN. You might see a picture of a distinguished looking gentleman being led off from an ugly scene of mayhem in the back of a Police cruiser. And I don't mean Dick Cheney. Later

Now that is a child who will be brought up properly! LOL! Later

Folks, we're losing the sight of something very important. We have many members with young children, or children on-the-way. One day the parents may look to the CPF for guidance about how to raise them properly, and we shouldn't mislead them by posting threads with titles such as this one. Let me make one thing perfectly clear. It is always proper to hate the Yankees, no matter what the circumstances. This has been a public service announcement. Later

What are your spring training wishes? 1) That Matsui can really play second base and if he can't they are able to trade him 2) Julio becomes a good setup man 3) Pedro finds the right shoe to alleviate his toe woes 4) That Heilmann continues to get hitters out at a starter, like he showed he could do from the bullpen last year. 5) That Rickey can have the same success teaching Reyes plate patience that he did with Roger Cedeno the year they played together. 6) That Victor Diaz shows that he can be a productive, every day right fielder. Who are you pulling for to make the the team/ win the position? 1) Diaz in right 2) If Matsui fails, then Jeff Keppinger getting the nod at second base (Until Anderson Hernandez is ready) 3) Soler What do you know that Willie seems to ignore? That he can't manage - in-game, a lineup, or a pitching staff. Later

Rotblatt wrote: BUT let's say that 1 ho is none other than America's Sweetheart, Julia Roberts, wheras P-Diddy's 3 ho's are Suzyn Waldman, A-Rod's mother, & Bernie Williams (hey, a washed up Yankee's gotta eat somehow, right?). So, if Suzyn is Steinbrenner's ho, and we all suspect she is, where does that put him on the WHOMP scale? "Da man got heavy bling (unfortunately) from those Series rings. Don't know nothin' 'bout his ride, though. Can anyone run a quick calculation? Later

What are your spring training wishes? Who are you pulling for to make the the team/ win the position? What do you know that Willie seems to ignore? Later

Thank you for clearing that up. Where can I send you the bill for a new keyboard? Later