HahnSolo

Good lord, Juan Pierre and Pedro? Haven't they already met their quota of guys who suck?

="themetfairy":1c7rc2k6]I have an iron-clad no-trade clause. You'll have to pay me off big time to get me to renegotiate![/quote:1c7rc2k6] I'm the utility guy nobody wants in a trade. I can be released, waived, or sent to Crane Pool triple A at any time. I'm just happy to be in the big leagues. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 10 2008 01:07 PM ="Frayed Knot":35lzm99m]BP's rumor mill has the Mets (and Cards) inquiring about Pirate reliever/closer Matt Capps[/url:35lzm99m] Check out them walk totals![/quote:35lzm99m] Often when I have a vision of a guy as a Met killer, I find I'm way off. This time, not. Given up no runs and only 1 hit lifetime vs. em (7.2 IP). For somne reason he didn't pitch vs. us at all last year. Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 01:16 PM Capps is a cool guy to be looking at. One of my goals for 2009 is to avoid the annual Disastrous Heartrending Loss to the Pirates. Gwreck Dec 10 2008 01:35 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1i8wym47]="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1i8wym47]All them Seavers look alike. Pretty sure he meant Rock N. Dock.[/quote:1i8wym47] That's the main reason I'm not crazy about the forced avatars. I tend to glance to the left side of the screen to see who's posting, and when everyone's avatar looks the same it gets very confusing.[/quote:1i8wym47] That's why I don't believe in avatars. attgig Dec 10 2008 03:13 PM there's talk about smoltz interested with us. I would love to bring him in as a setup guy, but I'm guessing he wouldn't be up to that. I would also like to see pedro back as the spot starter/long reliever, but again. not sure if he'd be up for that. otherwise, it would be great to revisit heilman & someone for Street, or showenstein/jackson, though I'd prefer street because it seems like there are more sure options for the rotation in the free agent market. But yeah, I would love to see the mets putting out one year, close to closer offers for fuentes, smoltz, hoffman, and other closers who are jobless, to see if any of them would be setup guys. I know Minaya loves Cordero, and I'm kinda expecting him to sign, but I hate how he's coming off injury. Also, what's happening with Isringhausen? isn't he a FA? MFS62 Dec 10 2008 08:52 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3cwukcsb]I hope not. If I get traded to Kansas City I'm just going to retire as a fan.[/quote:3cwukcsb] But what if the Mets can get a second baseman for you? Take one for the team, man. Later Gwreck Dec 10 2008 10:04 PM Rodriguez Putz Schoeneweis Feliciano Sanchez Stokes Green smg58 Dec 11 2008 06:01 AM An upgrade on one of our two lefties would be nice. Without Vargas or Collazo, we're short on lefties in the pipeline as well. Otherwise, no complaints.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1hsbh9p7]I happen to agree with critics of the Mets who say the team's behavior on the field is too much, and the one thing I don't look forward to is seeing K-Rod do the Electric Slide every time he gets strike 3 next year. Let the fans act like jackasses, I say. They will anyway.[/quote:1hsbh9p7] Since K-Rod has not thrown his first pitch as a Met, this thread really is about Reyes, correct? Because who else on the current Mets are you talking about? Delgado maybe, but his antics seem to only be in collaboration with Jose. And other than the home run celebrations on the top step of the dugout (or outside the dugout), I don't find the Mets to be all that bad. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 10 2008 12:56 PM Well, it is about Reyes, but I also seem to be arguing that the same obliviousness and lack of discipline exhibited by Reyes when he discos inhabits the entire team in its hour of need, whether that's a guy on 3rd, no outs or a relief pitcher in a big spot. I don't mean straight cause and effect, I mean, the team is unfocused in both cases. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 10 2008 03:06 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I'm talking about the basic tenets of sportsmanship as taught by your 3rd grade gym treacher, Mr. Marra -- you know, don't show up your opponent. Well, Mr. Marra sounds like a good teacher who understands that the main goals of phys ed are encouraging participation and helping children learn certain social lessons. The goals of professional sports have very little, if anything to do with that. Productivity and, ultimately, entertainment are professional athletes' goals. The productivity in sports can be measured objectively, but the entertainment is completely subjective. You might be entertained by someone who quietly leaves the field after each inning, stoically going about their business, and I might be entertained by someone who does the electro-boogie after stealing a base, but I don't see any reason to think the other fan's preference is wrong. The concept of "showing the other team up" is also subjective, with everyone drawing different lines between what is acceptable and what isn't. Some people think that it's wrong to spike the ball after scoring a touchdown, other people are disappointed when the scoring player doesn't do the worm after each score (actually, that might just be me). But I think that there's a clear line between overt and deliberate antagonization (such as pointing or yelling at a player) and celebration (anything that doesn't deliberately single out an opponent). If you want to consider some of the latter off-limits, I don't understand how people decide where the line should be. Is it OK to meet your opponent at home after a walk-off? Should the winning team shake hands with each other on the field, or should they save it for the locker room? If I hit a home run, can I clap? Can I clap twice? Three times? Is clapping seven times "showing the other team up"? Giving the "number one" sign? Is it OK if it's the World Series, game seven? The All-Star Game? Spring training? Is this decided by a majority of fans? Does this phrase really mean anything at all? Do I like it when other teams do it? No, but tough titty toenails. I'm only actually mad because it means something bad happened to my team. If another team beat the Mets while acting like a bunch of robots, I'd hate them for being soulless androids. If they beat em while performing Cirque du Soleil, I'd hate them for all their mystery and wonder. ]Your whole Happy Meal story isn't really apt here. Yeah, I think you're right. How about this: in 1998, Roberto Benigni won an Oscar for Best Actor for Life is Beautiful, then climbed over people and exuberantly celebrated his win. Was he showing up the other nominees? If Nick Nolte was offended by this, is that his fault or Benigni's? If Nolte was so ticked off that he punched Mario Cotone in the face, is Benigni ethically liable for that? What if there was a history of disrespected runners-up punching winning producers in the face? Would he be liable then? Can Benigni's actions be considered unethical in any way? attgig Dec 10 2008 03:19 PM bring back lastings. I wanna see a citifield leap into the stands after they cross home plate. baseball is the only sport that this is discouraged, and I find that somewhat elitist. heck, even tiger shows emotion on a golf course, and McEnroe introduced it in tennis a LONG time ago. if you're not playing with emotion, then you're not playing with your all. some people happen to hide their emotions, and others wear their emotions on their sleeve. it's not a question of maturity or sportsmanship, but rather, just their personality. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 10 2008 03:41 PM I'm all for actors punching each other in the face. I disagree the athletes should necessarily be striving to entertain me: The athletes -- understanding going in they're all self-absorbed fucks -- should strive to excel so that the game entertains me. That can easily be achieved within the admittedly subjective and sometimes murky framework of sportsmanship. TransMonk Dec 10 2008 03:49 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 10 2008 04:34 PM ="attgig":1mcf7f8o] baseball is the only sport that this is discouraged, and I find that somewhat elitist. heck, even tiger shows emotion on a golf course, and McEnroe introduced it in tennis a LONG time ago. if you're not playing with emotion, then you're not playing with your all. some people happen to hide their emotions, and others wear their emotions on their sleeve. it's not a question of maturity or sportsmanship, but rather, just their personality.[/quote:1mcf7f8o] I tend to agree with this post. The fact that it seems to piss off the Phillies fanbase and announcers most makes me even more pro-antics. Now if we could just get one of our guys to emphatically say that we're the team to beat this spring... ON EDIT: Ugh, I'm Lastings Milledge. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 10 2008 03:53 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I disagree the athletes should necessarily be striving to entertain me: The athletes -- understanding going in they're all self-absorbed fucks -- should strive to excel so that the game entertains me. That can easily be achieved within the admittedly subjective and sometimes murky framework of sportsmanship. But, setting aside behavior, their performance is part of the entertainment. By performing well, they entertain their fans, who want to see their team win. And, for people who enjoy watching a stoic ballplayer briskly and unemotionally trot around the bags after a home run, that's their entertainment preference. A player who behaves that way is making a decision, whether he realizes it or not, to entertain his audience with his stoicism. You enjoy watching players who, in addition to performing, behave they way you want them to behave. That's your preferred entertainment. I also enjoy watching those players, in addition to enjoying watching Lastings Milledge give out high fives to the crowd. That's my preference. I don't see how one preference can be considered more ethical than the other. Vic Sage Dec 10 2008 03:59 PM what Firecracker said? ditto. Kong76 Dec 10 2008 04:02 PM I'm in the everything in moderation and if you over do it and then you don't back it up with winning divisions then you should tone it down until you do camp. I think Jose will show even more maturity this year. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 10 2008 06:27 PM ="attgig":1rao6nna]bring back lastings. I wanna see a citifield leap into the stands after they cross home plate. baseball is the only sport that this is discouraged, and I find that somewhat elitist.[/quote:1rao6nna] What are you talking about? There is no penalty for dancing in baseball. In football it's 15 yards after the kickoff, or something. TransMonk Dec 10 2008 07:57 PM Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 09:43 PM Where the line is regarding sportsmanship is subjective, but we figure it out as a reasonable consensus builds the further one goes over it. When (without hopefully flames being fanned by a dopey columnist) a large group of your teammates, your hometown fans, or your country (in international sports) are declaring themselves embarassed by you, you've gone over the line. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 11 2008 07:11 AM So, you should conform your behavior to what a "large group" expects it to be? There are a "large group" of people that want to see more celebrating. Should the non-celebraters feel they've "gone over the line" with their non-celebration? I don't think this is an issue that you can pin any sort of intrinsic value to. Is it unethical to celebrate? Ethical? Evil? Good? Of course it isn't any of those. If you prefer not to see it, that's fine, but you have no grounds to declare it wrong. Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 07:59 AM ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":n8sa80tk]So, you should conform your behavior to what a "large group" expects it to be?[/quote:n8sa80tk] If they matter to you. We all do. Social norms exist everywhere. They're challenged daily. Sometimes the norm yields, sometimes the challenger. And sometimes the challenger is rejected outright. ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":n8sa80tk]I don't think this is an issue that you can pin any sort of intrinsic value to. Is it unethical to celebrate? Ethical? Evil? Good? Of course it isn't any of those.[/quote:n8sa80tk] This isn't about celebrating. It's about all sorts of behavior under the heading of "antics." ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":n8sa80tk]If you prefer not to see it, that's fine, but you have no grounds to declare it wrong.[/quote:n8sa80tk] I haven't declared anything to be anything. I don't know what "if you prefer not to see it" is supposed to mean. Some insult, I guess. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 11 2008 08:22 AM ="Edgy DC"]="Vince Coleman Firecracker"]If you prefer not to see it, that's fine, but you have no grounds to declare it wrong. I haven't declared anything to be anything. I don't know what "if you prefer not to see it" is supposed to mean. Some insult, I guess. Not at all. I'm just saying that's what you (well, not necessarily you, but a theoretical someone who doesn't like antics) prefer to watch. In this case, neither side (people who like to watch the type of celebrating we're talking about or people who don't) can claim they're a majority, nor can they claim they're somehow right in preferring what their preference is, and neither side should expect all players to behave exactly as they want them. There's nothing intrinsically right or wrong with Jose Reyes' handshake things, just as there's nothing intrinsically right or wrong with players who don't celebrate as wildly. It's a matter of preference whether a fan wants to see one or the other. And I apologize that my post said "you" declare it wrong, I didn't mean that. I meant it's not right for anyone (including Larry Anderson) to declare any non-antagonistic celebration wrong. Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 08:29 AM This relativism is silly. I have a right to declare what's embarassing to me as a fan. I have a right to vote with my dollars and to shun him. We can talk about it, discuss it, and --- if my ignorant views spread --- lead society to reject him and his kinfolk. I can even come up with social science and psychological support --- non-subjective ones --- for why a particular behavior is damanging to the the team's interests or society's. These may well be nonsense. Or very supporable. But if a man pees on the plate every time he hits a homer and makes a motion to cut the ump's throat, you'll hear from me. And that's what we're talking about. But no, I haven't rejected anybody, and I think the case against Reyes is greatly exaggerated, but they've used it to get in his head. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 08:32 AM I shoulda known that this would careen into various defenses of "playing with fire and emotion" and ethics and so forth. My point was that the Mets have just acquired another guy whose behavior on the field is demonstrative with respect to his peers and can be construed as unsportsmanlike or disrepectful to the game and opponents. I wondered aloud whether the obliviousness and self-satisfaction that kinda behavior broadcasts reveals itself in other ways. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 11 2008 09:16 AM ="Edgy DC"]This relativism is silly. I have a right to declare what's embarassing to me as a fan. I have a right to vote with my dollars and to shun him. We can talk about it, discuss it, and --- if my ignorant views spread --- lead society to reject him and his kinfolk. I can even come up with social science and psychological support --- non-subjective ones --- for why a particular behavior is damanging to the the team's interests or society's. These may well be nonsense. Or very supporable. But if a man pees on the plate every time he hits a homer and makes a motion to cut the ump's throat, you'll hear from me. And that's what we're talking about. But no, I haven't rejected anybody, and I think the case against Reyes is greatly exaggerated, but they've used it to get in his head. You absolutely have I right to declare something embarrassing to you, but when people claim celebrations are embarrassing to "the sport," they're using their own entertainment preference to mean something larger and more authoritative than what it is. And, as a customer, you absolutely can take your money elsewhere, just like how people with the opposite feelings on the "antics" issue can choose to support the most flamboyant teams. As for shunning the kinfolk, etc, well, that's an unethical response to something (if we're still talking about fist-pumps and the like) that is ethically neutral. Even if a person could show social scientific and psychological support that that a type of behavior, while not wrong on its own, is damaging to a society, that is only part of a debate about personal freedom versus the greater social good that we see manifested to varying degrees in nearly every aspect of our lives. And I'm not talking about threatening to slash an ump's neck, I'm talking about holding your arms over your head or pointing a finger to the sky after you succeed at something. As for getting into Reyes' head, I'm honestly not sure if you're referring to a particular incident, but Jose Reyes just finished a season in which he faced his harshest criticism for on-field antics and performed better than almost everyone else in the sport. THT ranked him tied for 7th in Win Shares, and Prospectus had him 7th in VORP. If someone's in his head, they can stay in there as far as I'm concerned. And, JCL, yes, this topic is pretty far afield from your original question. The Mets missed the playoffs the last two years primarily (I'd contend, anyway) because of problems with the bullpen. Had their bullpen (on the whole, not a very demonstrative group) been a wee bit better the last two seasons, would we be talking about how Jose Reyes' "antics" inspire his team and encourage espirit de corps? Edgy DC Dec 11 2008 09:30 AM ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":1zwlsdu2]And I'm not talking about threatening to slash an ump's neck, I'm talking about holding your arms over your head or pointing a finger to the sky after you succeed at something.[/quote:1zwlsdu2] We're talking broadly about antics. ="Vince Coleman Firecracker":1zwlsdu2]As for getting into Reyes' head, I'm honestly not sure if you're referring to a particular incident...[/quote:1zwlsdu2] I'm referring to my first post. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 11 2008 09:40 AM ="Edgy DC":2630r3db]We're talking broadly about antics.[/quote:2630r3db] Okay, then put me down as being against singling out an opponent or threatening others, but for all celebratory behavior. ="Edgy DC":2630r3db]I'm referring to my first post.[/quote:2630r3db] I agree that Jose's been put in a lose-lose spot, but his performance doesn't reflect that. He's everything short of an MVP, and he might even get that, as well. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 09:47 AM ]And, JCL, yes, this topic is pretty far afield from your original question. The Mets missed the playoffs the last two years primarily (I'd contend, anyway) because of problems with the bullpen. Had their bullpen (on the whole, not a very demonstrative group) been a wee bit better the last two seasons, would we be talking about how Jose Reyes' "antics" inspire his team and encourage espirit de corps? Perhaps then he'd have "more to show for it," though that's not a defense I'd advoacte personally. And I think the entire organization is to blame for their failures, since it (maybe like certain demonstrative ballplayers) appeared entirely too satisfied with itself despite having so little to actually "show." Maybe that's what I'm getting at, the whole idea of the arrogance in the marketing of the team as some kind of dynasty based on a pretty good run two years ago. I dunno. attgig Dec 11 2008 10:33 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":236dg64d]="attgig":236dg64d]bring back lastings. I wanna see a citifield leap into the stands after they cross home plate. baseball is the only sport that this is discouraged, and I find that somewhat elitist.[/quote:236dg64d] What are you talking about? There is no penalty for dancing in baseball. In football it's 15 yards after the kickoff, or something.[/quote:236dg64d] right, and baseball is the only thing that sportswriters will completely go after the player if they do something like that. where in football, it's only the retards like 81, and TO that get that hype. anyone else... it's just passed over. i guess another way to think about it is in football, you get -15 yards where in baseball you get a free base off a hit by pitch.... Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 06:38 AM Antics, Part II Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 12 2008 07:09 AM Cole Hamels talks antics, and labels the Metsies on the Benigno Show Phillies ace Hamels takes bait, labels Mets as "choke artists" By DAVID MURPHY Philadelphia Daily News dmurphy@phillynews.com SAY THIS: Cole Hamels knew it. After ripping Jose Reyes and labeling the Mets "choke artists" and taking the bait on every leading question thrown his way - and they were all leading - the Phillies' ace lefthander laughed into the mouthpiece of his phone and uttered something obvious. "You guys are going to kill me," Hamels said to a pair of hosts on New York's WFAN radio station yesterday. "I know." Two years after Jimmy Rollins labeled the Phillies the team to beat and a year after Carlos Beltran instructed the media to tell Rollins otherwise, Hamels dipped his toe into the already well-populated waters of Phillies-Mets lore, using a 10-minute appearance to both promote DVDs and take umbrage with Reyes' home-run pimpage. The headline-maker was an exchange Hamels had with hosts Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts in which one asks Hamels if he thinks the Mets are choke artists. This is the exchange: Question: "Do you think the Mets are choke artists? A lot of Mets fans think they are. Do you look at it from afar and say, honestly, we know they are going to find a way to lose this thing?" Hamels: "Last year and this year, I think we did believe that. Three years ago, we didn't, because they smoked everybody. I really thought that was the year they were going to the World Series. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. That's kind of what we believe and I think we will always believe it until they prove us wrong." Q: "Wow. It's worth repeating. You say the Mets are choke artists?" Hamels: "Yeah, for the past 2 years they've been choke artists." Perhaps the most interesting portion of the interview, conducted ostensibly so Hamels could hawk a set of DVDs commemorating the Phillies' World Series run, came earlier, when Hamels told a story about Shane Victorino's grand slam off CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. Throughout the season, the Phillies fancied themselves a team of ballplayers who played the game the "right way." Never was this more evident than after a late-July game in which Reyes hit a three-run home run that eventually proved to be the difference in a 6-3 Mets win. After the game, several Phillies were steamed about the way Reyes conducted himself, rounding the bases, holding one finger in the air. So when Victorino raised his finger in the air while circling the bases after his slam off Sabathia, a few enterprising teammates hung a sign in his locker that said something to the effect of "J-Reyes?" "When Jose Reyes hits home runs, he puts his finger up like he won the game, and he might have only hit it in the first inning or the third inning," Hamels said in the interview. "When Shane did it, he did the same, exact thing. So we said, 'Shane, this doesn't win the game, we still have a lot of game to play. Why are you trying to be like Jose Reyes?' That was kind of where it came from. Even though you hit the big home run, you don't need to pimp it. You just need to run around the bases and kind of get the game started. That's kind of where it came from." The man who gave up that home run to Reyes, Ryan Madson, happened to be making a public appearance last night at the Phillies-hosted premiere of "The Perfect Season," a DVD edited and produced by team videographer Dan Stephenson. Madson shrugged off Hamels' remarks. "All that stuff, that happens all the time," Madson said. "Jimmy did it a few years ago. It's good. It's good for the game. It's good for us two teams. It makes it interesting." (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) metirish Dec 12 2008 06:45 AM It doesn't bother me what he says about choking , the whole thing with Reyes though is getting old, like Jimmy Rollins never raises his finger and points to the sky after hitting a home run. I don't think Reyes can shake this label now anyway. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 07:42 AM Too bad Hamels cannot act with the dignity afforded a WS champion but as mentioned before their using Reyes' "antics" as a rallying point has been all to their advantage. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) MFS62 Dec 12 2008 07:55 AM Would he have used the term "choke artists" of Joe hadn't used it first? Later (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 07:55 AM Not that Hamels has ever showed himself to be the smart one, but doesn't he see that playing that choke card is another way of saying his team didn't deserve it*? *which I don't think is true. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Benjamin Grimm Dec 12 2008 07:59 AM As 62 points out, Beningo fed him the term "choke artists" and Hamels simply agreed to it. But yeah, it's not to your advantage to say the other team choked. Your position ought to be that your team outplayed them. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:09 AM Well, the author points it out too. I think worms can figure out what Beningo is up to. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Fman99 Dec 12 2008 08:13 AM Ugh. I'd trade 100 years of this pablum for one inning of actual baseball. Stupid winter. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Edgy DC Dec 12 2008 08:16 AM ]"All that stuff, that happens all the time," Madson said. "Jimmy did it a few years ago. It's good. It's good for the game. It's good for us two teams. It makes it interesting." Yes, it makes it interesting to deliberately rile the mooks. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) metirish Dec 12 2008 08:19 AM Getting played by Benigno , not a good thing. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Centerfield Dec 12 2008 09:50 AM This team needs to come out next year showing some sack with a "Fuck the World" attitude. I'd like to see the Mets play up their celebrations when they're playing the Phils. I would like to see a full marching band waiting in the bullpen that will come out and perform a Sousa march after every home run. Even if it costs us 15 yards. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 12 2008 09:53 AM They'll be out for blood after Jerry's Gangster camp. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Frayed Knot Dec 12 2008 10:11 AM It was actually Evan Roberts serving up the poison question, not Baddabingo. But this is a non-story in search of a controversy anyway; The Mets? Yeah, they were chokers over the last two years when they lost but not in the before that when they won, and I'll let you know about the future as soon as I see the results Wow, thems fightin' words.. (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) TransMonk Dec 12 2008 10:20 AM ="Centerfield":3iehvx6z]This team needs to come out next year showing some sack with a "Fuck the World" attitude.[/quote:3iehvx6z] Yup! (Merged from Antics, Part II, 12/23/2008) Edgy DC Dec 23 2008 10:00 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 23 2008 10:14 AM Bobby says Marianito hates Frankie. Why? ANTICS! Mets' image won't be helped by K-Rod By Bob Klapisch Special to ESPN.com In the days before the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Mariano Rivera asked Yankees clubhouse employees for a small but important favor: keep Francisco Rodriguez's temporary locker as far away from his as possible. It was a stunning request from the mild-mannered Yankee, but given how different the two closers are, perhaps not so surprising. By signing with the Mets, K-Rod will bring to Citi Field all the qualities that Rivera finds distasteful, not the least of which are Rodriguez's self-congratulations after each of his saves. If Rivera took exception to K-Rod's two-handed point to the skies, imagine how the rest of the National League will feel about it in 2009. The Mets already have an image problem with the Phillies, and their new bullpen savior isn't likely to improve matters. In fact, K-Rod has been a Met for a little more than a week, and is already immersed in the division's war of words. He declared the Mets, not the Phillies, were the team to beat. The world champs have other ideas: Cole Hamels made the back pages of the New York tabloids recently after calling the Mets "choke artists" on a local radio show. Of course, K-Rod was lured to Flushing to heal that very wound. The Mets' bullpen blew 29 saves last season, which is why K-Rod's lack of restraint made no difference to Omar Minaya during negotiations with the free agent. The Mets' general manager reckons that, if Rodriguez can secure the ninth inning, he's free to act as if he's brought down the Berlin Wall. The Mets certainly are beyond caring what the National League -- and, specifically, the Phillies -- think of them. And Rodriguez isn't about to temper his behavior now that he believes he's been validated by a three-year, $37 million contract. "Of course, I'm never going to change the way I do my job. Never going to change," Rodriguez told reporters. "There might be a little more adrenaline � the New York fans, they make a lot of noise. I try to rob that energy from the crowd. For me, all the noise they're going to make excites me more." K-Rod's celebrating profile will be layered atop Jose Reyes' customized high-fiving after scoring an important run in a big game -- outside the dugout. Such gloating, which has been part of the Mets' legacy since the '80s, has been steadily irritating opponents for the past four years. But unlike the 1986 club, as arrogant as it was successful, the latter-day Mets have collapsed in the past two Septembers -- choked, just as Hamels says. They've yet to win a pennant since the miniature renaissance began in 2006, despite an influx of marquee talent and the ballooning of the payroll over $130 million. That's the fine line Jerry Manuel must navigate in his first full season as the Mets' manager: He wants his players to emote, but without looking foolish. Without citing Reyes in particular, Manuel copped to the Mets' immaturity. Indeed, one baseball executive said, "If you don't think [the celebrating] has any consequence, then why does a team like the Marlins always love to stick it to the Mets?" The implied answer, of course, is that the Marlins -- who, despite being out of the playoff race, denied the Mets a playoff berth in the final weekends of the 2007 and 2008 seasons -- were paying the Mets back for their showboating sins. "I think there were times when we were out of rhythm with what was going on," Manuel admitted, before adding, "if you can back it up, that's fine with me. And you have to do it in a way that's somewhat respectful to the game." Manuel will certainly clamp down on open-air celebrating in a one-sided blowout. No argument there. But it's those one-run games with the Phillies that will test the manager's authority. What happens, say, the first time K-Rod strikes out Ryan Howard to nail down a Mets victory at Citizens Bank Park? You don't have to ask -- "Of course, I'm never going to change the way I do my job. Never going to change." -- Francisco RodriguezRodriguez will have his guns (OK, index fingers) blazing toward the heavens. It'll certainly light the fuse, which, sooner or later in the summer, figures to ignite a fire. Hamels' remark was one of the topics of conversation during the Mets' annual Christmas party for children Wednesday. "Words aren't going to do anything in December," pitcher Mike Pelfrey told The New York Times. "I could not care less about what Cole Hamels said or anybody else on that team said. We've gotten a lot better this offseason, and we need to continue to make some more moves." For now, the Mets are focusing on finding at least two more starting pitchers; they're hopeful of re-signing free agent Oliver Perez, and they have an eye on Randy Wolf. And it's not impossible for Pedro Martinez to return on a one-year contract. But whoever takes the mound for the Mets will eventually hand the ball to J.J. Putz in the eighth inning, followed by K-Rod in the ninth. Love him or loathe him, Rodriguez has made this much clear: He refuses to be ignored. The world (and the Phillies) will be watching. Bob Klapisch is a sports columnist for The Record (N.J.) and a regular contributor to ESPN.com. metirish Dec 23 2008 10:13 AM Happy fuckin Christmas to you too Bob.. ] If Rivera took exception to K-Rod's two-handed point to the skies, imagine how the rest of the National League will feel about it in 2009. The Mets already have an image problem with the Phillies, Rivera of course is not in the NL... themetfairy Dec 23 2008 10:27 AM Barf seawolf17 Dec 23 2008 10:49 AM It's 1986, baby. FIGHT! Centerfield Dec 23 2008 10:55 AM What seawolf said. G-Fafif Dec 23 2008 12:33 PM No game can be said to be truly official unless it is started by Mariano Rivera and the applause washes over him like soft rain. metsguyinmichigan Dec 23 2008 12:40 PM The Klap, ALWAYS looking for something bad to write about the Mets. And with a little Yankee love, thrown in like a cherry on top. Note, again, the unnamed source to throw a pretty mild brick. Klap, you can't get someone to go on the record saying the Marlins got all bent out of shape and delighted in beating the Mets? Maybe talk to, I don't know, one of the Marlins, maybe? They're a pretty chatty bunch. Made no bones about the joy they took and why. Lazy, lazy, lazy. Then again, we have no proof the unanmed person actually exists, and boy, that quote fits perfectly with very point Klapisch was trying to make. Funny how that happens. And, if I remember correctly, Reyes toned down his schtick last year, and people told him to loosen up and have fun again. As for the scenario he describes in the story, with Met-Rod striking out Ryan Howard in a big at-bat, if he doesn't show some kind of emotion in that situation, he's a freaking cyborg ... like Rivera. If I'm paying $47 for a seat in the boonies and paying $5 for a Diet Coke, I kinda like seeing that the guys on the field are a little excited. Fman99 Dec 23 2008 01:13 PM Jeez, you'd think Rivera farts cinnamon and shits gold coins. "Don't put his locker near mine, he might contaminate it!" Douche. And of course ol' stupid Mets-hating MFY-loving Bob Klapisch is there to wear Mo's jock like a surgical mask. Fuck these people. This palaver is activating my brain vein. G-Fafif Dec 23 2008 01:25 PM ="Fman99":2j726juf]Jeez, you'd think Rivera farts cinnamon and shits gold coins.[/quote:2j726juf] Actually, they run an infomercial on just such a contraption on YES. Benjamin Grimm Dec 23 2008 01:29 PM I bet everyone else in the Yankee bullpen finds themselves strangely craving Cin-A-Bon whenever they sit next to Rivera.

I am somewhat surprised that they got it down to those figures without any other team jumping in. Yes, I could see how an asking price of 5/75 would scare away lots of teams. However 3/37 isn't that outlandish for a 26-year old. Good job, Mets, if they pull this off at those numbers.

="Frayed Knot":3jvztrhx]SI.com's Heyman, who is also employed by FAN as their nat'l baseball reporter, apparently called in to the overnight show around 3AM to say that the Mets were firing Willie again ... sorry, that was a reflex. Actually what he said was that the Mets had "serious negotiations" with Rodriguez and expects a deal to be finalized in the next few days for 3 years in the $36-$37 range.[/quote:3jvztrhx] Yeah, I heard that later. My issue is with Carton. Literally the first thing I heard in the car radio is "the Mets got their man." I don't know how he got that from what Heyman reported. Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 06:22 AM Carton exaggerating the degree of his inside information in order to draw attention to himself? ... You don't say! Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 06:28 AM I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons. NOTHING! metirish Dec 09 2008 06:32 AM The agent for Rodriguez sounds like he expects things to get done in the next few days, if that means anything. ] "I think we're at a point where there could be something happening before we leave," Kinzer said. "You never know until it's done . . . we had a great meeting, things went well. (Mets VP) Tony Bernazard knew (K-Rod) well, but I think that's the first time Omar (Minaya) really has had a chance to sit down and talk to him. It went well. They got a chance to see what kind of person he is." duan Dec 09 2008 06:34 AM one way or the other 3 years and 37-39 million is the kind of deal that the mets should think about pulling the trigger on. Then they need to sign a few more Type A free agents cause they've already lost the draft picks Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 07:03 AM Well additional Type A signings will still mean the loss of additional draft picks: round 2, round 3, round 4, whatever. Either way, 3 x $12 sure beats the original estimates of 5 x $15 HahnSolo Dec 09 2008 07:08 AM I am somewhat surprised that they got it down to those figures without any other team jumping in. Yes, I could see how an asking price of 5/75 would scare away lots of teams. However 3/37 isn't that outlandish for a 26-year old. Good job, Mets, if they pull this off at those numbers. Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 07:16 AM ="Edgy DC":8cslvx2x]I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons. NOTHING![/quote:8cslvx2x] The thing about Gammons is that he's now tied up in his exclusive agreement with ESPN to the point where his ability to break news has to fit into their schedule. So in this morning's SportsCenter, for instance, they've got a half-day-old taped spot of him talking about how the Mets are going to meet w/KRod - while at the same time a crawl is running underneath showing the news about SI/Heyman saying the deal is all but done, thus making their own man seem hopelessly behind the eight-ball. soupcan Dec 09 2008 07:27 AM I agree with the whole Craig Carton thing - woke up hearing that it was 'a done deal'. Thought about waking up soupy, jr. because he's been excited about getting Rodriguez. By the time I was done in the bathroom I figured out that, once again, Craig Carton was blowing smoke up my ass. I've said it before I'll say it again - Craig Carton is a crude, self-promoting moron and its just a matter of time before he gets himself fired. He'll bring Boomer Esiason down with him (Boomer, by the way, shows himself to be more and more of an egotistical idiot with every additional minute of airtime he gets). OlerudOwned Dec 09 2008 09:36 AM I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons Ken Rosenthal. NOTHING! metirish Dec 09 2008 09:41 AM Newsday and SI reporting that a deal is imminent. duan Dec 09 2008 10:06 AM ="Frayed Knot":2yl19znx]Well additional Type A signings will still mean the loss of additional draft picks: round 2, round 3, round 4, whatever. Either way, 3 x $12 sure beats the original estimates of 5 x $15[/quote:2yl19znx] yes, but they're of alot less value then the two picks we'll get for Perez between 16 and 45 (i don't know where along the sandwich they'll be!) Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 10:15 AM Well, it is starting to sound like Frankie is just about wrapped up. That would be good; we can get the closer search behind us and Omar can move on to other stuff. Valadius Dec 09 2008 10:22 AM Sometimes I think that they've replaced Peter Gammons with an android. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 11:24 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 09 2008 11:35 AM So, seriously, on a scale of one to ten, one being a feeling of imminent doom, and ten being an air of teflon imperturbability, how afraid will you be (assuming the Mets ink him) that this guy's been pitching his arm off? Having just lost a big-ticket closer for a year and a third, and probably a playoff berth with him, I'm a mite wary. metirish Dec 09 2008 11:32 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 09 2008 11:43 AM I'm not really afraid of that , he has a violent motion but I don't think Wharton will try and change that . I think that's where trouble might come if they try and change him. I will put my level of concern at 4 Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 11:40 AM I'll put my level of concern at a 6. I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I hope that the Mets will be able to groom a successor from within. So maybe, if Rodriguez has an injury-plagued year in 2010 or 2011, a guy like Smith or Parnell can step up and inherit the closer role. soupcan Dec 09 2008 11:47 AM I think if you are a Mets fan and not concerned with your closer then you haven't been paying attention. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 11:55 AM I'm concerned with the whole damn bullpen. The impression I'm getting is that the Mets want to hang on to Smith, Stokes, and Feliciano and are willing to part with Schoeneweis and Heilman. If it's true that Heilman and Feliciano would have brought back Howston Street, then maybe including Schoeneweis instead would do the trick. (I'm not at all sure, by the way, why Feliciano would be more desirable than Schoeneweis.) Centerfield Dec 09 2008 11:56 AM I'm concerned. That's why I'm willing to drive to Denver to deliver Feliciano and Heilman for Huston Street. Nymr83 Dec 09 2008 12:26 PM ]I'm not at all sure, by the way, why Feliciano would be more desirable than Schoeneweis.) salary difference? Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 12:40 PM That would make sense. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 12:50 PM There's that dropoff in his K/9 that is intimidating: 9.94 13.17 12.16 12.08 12.03 10.14 I think he's also got a few baby mommas. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 01:12 PM Is there some kind of an affinity that Venezuelans have for the number 57? Or is it just a coincidence that Johan and Frankie both wear that number? John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 01:20 PM He's definitely not going to help the Mets' rep as poor sports. And you gotta wonder with prices down why the Angels aren't hurrying to retain him. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 01:39 PM Yeah so reports are saying this is a done deal. And what do you know, vesting option for year 4. Edgy DC Dec 09 2008 01:43 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":30hfafmk]He's definitely not going to help the Mets' rep as poor sports. [/quote:30hfafmk] No, I suspect he won't. I've visited a few Halo discussion boards to read comments like "I'm going to miss him. Even though he's such a douche, he's really good at what he does." Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 01:45 PM ="OlerudOwned":w9avw6n8]I believe nothing unitl it falls from the lips of Peter Gammons Ken Rosenthal. NOTHING! [/quote:w9avw6n8] ="Ken Rosenthal":w9avw6n8]The New York Mets have reached an agreement in principle with All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year, $37 million contract, according to major-league sources. The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million. The deal is contingent upon Rodriguez passing a physical, and the language of the contract still needs to be finalized. That vesting option is within reach as long as Rodriguez pitches his normal number of innings as a closer, either in the third year of the deal or in a combination of years two and three. "Basically, he's just got to be healthy," one source said. The deal also includes performance bonuses that are considered within reasonable reach. News of an imminent deal was first reported by the New York Post. Contract figures were first reported by SI.com.[/quote:w9avw6n8] seawolf17 Dec 09 2008 01:51 PM Bingo bango. Welcome abordick, Senor Rodriguez. Now stand on the table and sing your college fight song. bmfc1 Dec 09 2008 01:53 PM Do we have to call him "F Rod"? How about "Frank", "Frankie"? Valadius Dec 09 2008 01:54 PM Now we need to rebuild the rest of the bullpen. We have the technology. metirish Dec 09 2008 01:55 PM Mr. Rodriguez , Rodriguez but not K-Rod or any variation of it. At least I will try and stick to that. G-Fafif Dec 09 2008 02:10 PM Get some decent setup men in there and they can be Frank(i)e & The Knockouts. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:20 PM I'll never call him K-Rod. "Frankie" sounds better to me. G-Fafif Dec 09 2008 02:25 PM Wasn't there already[/url:2wqvsdkw] a Frankie Rodriguez? sharpie Dec 09 2008 02:28 PM Let's hope our Frankie Rodriguez doesn't start putting up numbers like that Frankie Rodriguez. seawolf17 Dec 09 2008 02:31 PM "Frod" sounds good. Goes well with "Fartinez." Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:49 PM What uniform number would you give him? I guess he'll get his choice of all available numbers, but I'd like to see him get a 47. Or maybe 58. That way we can keep our "big splash" Venezuelan pitchers numerically sequenced. Valadius Dec 09 2008 02:51 PM 62. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 02:55 PM Mets vs. Frankie Centerfield Dec 09 2008 03:06 PM Marlon Anderson owns him. Which means that we now have one reason to retain Marlon Anderson for next year. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 09 2008 03:07 PM ]What uniform number would you give him? Mets by the Numbers is reporting he's going to go for 75. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 03:18 PM ="Centerfield":3oavbtld]Marlon Anderson owns him. Which means that we now have one reason to retain Marlon Anderson for next year.[/quote:3oavbtld] The other way of looking at it is that Marlon will no longer be facing the one guy he can hit against. Gwreck Dec 09 2008 03:23 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3v797aff]Mets vs. Frankie[/quote:3v797aff] I'd forgotten that we got one of his blown saves in 2008. 86-Dreamer Dec 09 2008 03:30 PM I'm pleased. It was a glaring need, he has been among the best at his position for several years, he is 26, and he was signed for less years and dollars than most would have guessed just a few weeks ago. I'd gladly swap Heilman and Feliciano for Howston Street if that really is an option. If not, I'd consider a one year deal to Hoffman to setup. His left/right splits are a concern, but his overall WHIP, K/9 and walk rate are still quite good. No idea if he values another 30 saves more than a chance to pitch for a contending team. OlerudOwned Dec 09 2008 04:30 PM If he went down from 57 to 54, he'd be using the number of now-former teammate and fellow Venezuelan Ervin Santana, who legally changed his name in 2003 to avoid confusion with his namesake at the time, Johan Santana. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 05:17 PM I took love it, love the years compared to all the speculation. Shoulda just started a new thread for the poll imgaho. metirish Dec 09 2008 06:10 PM Couldn't beat this with a big stick , got to like it for the years and if it turns out golden then he gets a few more years , turns out pear shaped he's not here for long. Nymr83 Dec 09 2008 06:15 PM I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009. Rockin' Doc Dec 09 2008 06:25 PM Nice start to the off season. Now all Omar has to do is add a starter to the rotation, get an upgrade at either left field, second base, or catcher, and then get 2-3 more reliable arms for the bullpen to get games to senor Rodriguez. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a great start. I like the deal quite a bit. This free agent market is shaping up to be a good buyers market. Hopoefully, the Mets can fill a few of their other needs while the market is depressed. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 07:28 PM I heart Frankie. This guy was the best closer on the market and it didn't cost any young talent. metirish Dec 09 2008 07:33 PM It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal. Kong76 Dec 09 2008 07:34 PM Ny83: I voted Neutral because I feel that big contracts for relievers fail and much as they succeed, but I'm happy to have Rodriguez on the Mets for 2009 <=== He couldn't have been had for '09 without a few more years added on. The thing to be happy with is it wasn't sick six or five years like what might have happened in a better market. The guy is young and it's worth the gamble no matter what your fantasy spreadsheets are telling you. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 07:58 PM I think the Mets'll get good value for the money/years. Prospectus' MORP puts Rodriguez at 14.3, 10.5, and 8.3 million over the next three years. So the Mets probably overpaid a little, but they're one of the few teams that can afford to do that, and they got the best available closer. I put down "Love it". Now, Fuentes or Wood for set-up? Frayed Knot Dec 09 2008 08:10 PM Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties. Valadius Dec 09 2008 08:11 PM Wood looks like he's going to Cleveland. Vince Coleman Firecracker Dec 09 2008 09:09 PM ="Frayed Knot":1b7mjflt]Wood & Fuentes are going to get closer money and aren't going to come here for set-up duties.[/quote:1b7mjflt] I know, I just wonder if they were offered closer money if they would accept a setup role. Fman99 Dec 09 2008 09:29 PM ="metirish":3kn98oo4]It will cost the Mets draft picks as you know , with the very easy vesting option this might as well be a four year deal.[/quote:3kn98oo4] True -- I was thinking more of the guys currently in their system that keep coming up in trade rumors - Evans, Parnell, Martinez, etc. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 07:26 AM Back page of the Daily News: K TO THE CITI. Sign of how things have changed. A year ago it would have probably been "SHEA K" I voted that I like the deal. I know you need good arms in the bullpen, so therefore this will help. But I think the importance of celebrity closers is overrated, so I don't see this as having the kind of impact they got from getting Santana. willpie Dec 10 2008 08:51 AM I went for Like. I'm on the verge of Love, especially for that amount of money. I'm worried about his arm, though. Between his antics and Reyes's, we ought to see some good fights this year. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 08:57 AM His antics really are a bit much. I don't think I've ever seen him pitch, (the Mets games in Anaheim this year were well past my bedtime) but I saw some clips last night in the opening montage of Mets Hot Stove Report. batmagadanleadoff Dec 10 2008 10:12 AM I voted "Love It". The Mets obtained one of baseball's best relievers. I don't see how any Met fan could not love this acquisition. I understand that FR might underperform, or even flop in 2009. But so could Beltran. Or Wright. Today, no one knows for sure, either way. By the way, this Mets pickup is hardly back-page headline worthy any more: Edgy DC Dec 10 2008 11:23 AM Pass the physical! Physical! You gotta pass the physical! Come on pass the physical Let me hear the trainer talk! Trainer talk! Let me hear the trainer talk! Valadius Dec 10 2008 11:39 AM C.C. Sabathia and Mo Vaughn having dinner - how much food would be consumed? Frayed Knot Dec 10 2008 11:41 AM All of it metirish Dec 10 2008 01:29 PM Some nuggets here from David Lennon. ] The Mets will the announce the signing of Francisco Rodriguez here at the Bellagio later Wednesday afternoon when GM Omar Minaya steps to the podium. Rodriguez completed his physical in New York earlier Wednesday to clear the way to make the three-year, $37-million deal official. Also, new details emerged Wednesday about the speedy negotiations with the free-agent closer: -- When K-Rod and his agent, Paul Kinzer, had dinner with the Mets on Sunday night, they were pleasantly surprised when the team executives got a call from Johan Santana, who had no idea they were meeting with Rodriguez. K-Rod, a fellow Venezuelan, idolizes Santana and was thrilled that he called. The Mets handed the phone to K-Rod and the two talked. In retrospect, it was a turning point as Santana expressed his excitement that K-Rod could be closing games for him. The Mets blew seven saves for Santana last season. -- After the Mets' initial offer of two years, $24 million, the two sides had marathon negotiating sessions on Monday that stretched until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning in Omar Minaya's suite. The clock was ticking because COO Jeff Wilpon was leaving Las Vegas on his private jet at 7:40 a.m.Tuesday and both sides wanted a deal done before then. Kinzer even brought in K-Rod for the final two hours of those talks just so he could see the urgency and stress involved. -- Just as the Mets badly needed K-Rod, he needed them too, and both sides seemed to realize that. Kinzer stressed that K-Rod is best on the big stage and that's why New York is perfect for him. A few other teams were involved with K-Rod, but not the Cardinals -- as was reported -- or the Angels, despite the bottom falling out of the closer market. -- So what number will K-Rod wear? His first choice is 57, but that's taken by Santana. Next is 37, but that once belonged to Casey Stengel and is retired. So that leaves his next favorite, the No. 17, which Fernando Tatis wore last season and was famously owned by Keith Hernandez. It's safe to say that K-Rod may be able to wrangle the No. 17 from Tatis -- perhaps with a new Rolex or some other token of appreciation. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:42 PM So he likes the number seven, but seems to not want an even number in the tens column. 17, 37, 57, 77, 97. 97 would be a cool number. seawolf17 Dec 10 2008 01:49 PM Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it. Benjamin Grimm Dec 10 2008 01:56 PM ="Adam Rubin":1imbkppa]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:1imbkppa] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium. Valadius Dec 10 2008 02:03 PM ="seawolf17":19bv4xds]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:19bv4xds] This is why we retire numbers. Centerfield Dec 10 2008 02:14 PM ="seawolf17":30mm7xcs]Fucking hell, Frod. 17 is Keith Fucking Hernandez's number. Take 77 and like it.[/quote:30mm7xcs] DAE. SUNG. KOO. metirish Dec 10 2008 02:18 PM Mr. Koo did that number proud. Zvon Dec 10 2008 02:59 PM I like this. Can't feel the love for it until I see what he does for us. I learned a long time ago not to throw my heart around like that. Landing a real closer was my number one concern, and its been addressed. The deal is at a nice price and length. So I'm really liking this. G-Fafif Dec 10 2008 04:24 PM E-mail from mets.com says K-Rod goes for No. 75. Fman99 Dec 10 2008 08:04 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":ti8ow5qk]="Adam Rubin":ti8ow5qk]Las Vegas - Francisco Rodriguez was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan Wednesday morning, undergoing a physical. There was no official word on K-Rod passing the physical, though the Mets hope to make an announcement within hours that he's cleared the medical hurdle. A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Rodriguez agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal Tuesday with a fourth-year vesting option based on games finished.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] They should all put on hardhats and have the press conference at what's left of Shea Stadium.[/quote:ti8ow5qk] You were close. Frank et al. were at the new park, but donning the Mets hardhats, which are damn foolish looking if you're not welding something. Big "Mets welcome K-Rod" sign at CitiField. They apparently aren't reading this thread. SteveJRogers Dec 10 2008 08:39 PM =Adam Rubin]A press conference is expected to be held next Wednesday in New York. With Citi Field not ready to host press conferences, the location of next week's event is unclear. Interesting. They can not host press conferences, but last September advertisements in the Mets program suggested that starting this winter, i.e. now, Citi Field would ready to be hosting "events" (corporate, weddings, whatever the heck they did at Shea) and were soliciting reservations. batmagadanleadoff Dec 11 2008 09:45 AM It's still Autumn. John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 11 2008 09:50 AM May also have to do with communication-type stuff and broadcasting abilities coming in later than banquet rooms. Benjamin Grimm Dec 11 2008 09:53 AM I'm guessing they have to wait until Citi Field is no longer a hard-hat zone. metirish Dec 13 2008 12:46 PM K-Rod jumps right into Mets-Phillies rivalry BY KEN DAVIDOFF | ken.davidoff@newsday.com 12:53 PM EST, December 13, 2008 Francisco Rodriguez didn't even wait for his first save to jump into the war of words between the Mets and Phillies. In a telephone news conference today, K-Rod's first interaction with the New York media, the Mets' new closer proclaimed his confidence in his new teammates. "Of course we're going to be the frontrunner," Rodriguez told reporters. "Of course were going to be the team to beat. "I don't want there to be a controversy. I don't want the other team to take it personally, or take it in a bad way. But I'm a really competitive guy. I like to win. "If they ask me, "Who's going to be the ball club that will win the National League East, it'll be the Mets." "Team to beat" has become a well-known phrase in the Mets-Phillies rivalry. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins first used the words to describe his team prior to the 2007 season, and Rollins proceeded to win the National League Most Valuable Player award as his team lived up to that proclamation. This past season, during spring training, the Mets' Carlos Beltran, usually soft-spoken, declared his club as the team to beat. The Mets couldn't quite make Beltran look good, giving up a mid-September divisional lead. On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Rodriguez said that his velocity did drop in 2008, as many scouts and opponents observed, but that it happened because he was working in a new pitch, a changeup that proved effective. In 2009, he said, his velocity should return to the mid-90s now that he's more comfortable with the arm action needed to make his fastball and changeup look identical out of his hand. Ashie62 Dec 14 2008 06:25 PM On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels upped the ante when, on an interview with WFAN, he referred to the Mets as "choke artists." Well..he's not totally off base But I signed up for phillienation under a bogus ID and sent Chase Utley a less than friendly "get well" email. metirish Dec 17 2008 11:29 AM Looks like Barry Bonds. Mets introduce Rodriguez. metirish Dec 17 2008 01:56 PM > Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:03 PM He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season. metirish Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1i00hhby]He has "K-ROD" monogrammed into his shirts? Oh, brother. I'm afraid that nickname isn't going to go away any time soon. But, wow, don't Jeff and Jerry seem thrilled? You'd think a faulty bullpen caused them to miss the playoffs last season.[/quote:1i00hhby] That Jeff can smile like that after Dad got taken to the cleaners is admirable. I admire you Jeffy Wilpon , nothing stands in this mans way. Centerfield Dec 17 2008 02:08 PM Meanwhile Omar has a look that seems to say "This shit had better work or I'm gonna end up bantering with Kruk on Baseball Tonight." Benjamin Grimm Dec 17 2008 02:12 PM Ain't dat the troof! My concern is that Omar is fixing last year's problem, which is well and good, but not addressing next year's problem. I don't like how he's standing pat on the offense. Sure, they scored a lot of runs last year, but guys like Delgado and Tatis are both one year older (actually, everyone is, but it's more of an issue with the old guys!) and we might also see decline from guys like Church and Castillo. themetfairy Mar 30 2009 10:58 AM I couldn't find the thread where we were discussing possible nicknames for our new closer. However, I was at the Modell's in Herald Square yesterday, and there was a lot of K-Rod 75 merchandise on display. metirish Mar 30 2009 11:01 AM One of the TV guys said that Rodriguez does not like or want to be called K-Rod...I think it was keith who said it....goes by Frankie..

Conflicting news on WFAN this morning. First thing I hear is Craig Carton saying that John Heyman is reporting the Mets got their man, and that KRod was going to be a Met at 3 years, 36 million. Then later Carton clarifies it to say that it's only a formality that he will sign. Still later, they said the signing could take place by "Friday." I guess the important thing hear is that they upped their offer by one year.

="Edgy DC":2sv0q5gv] I don't know. These two guys aren't winning any smart awards with me right now. <<[/quote:2sv0q5gv] Those two guys are still waiting for their hot pretzel ordered at the last home game. G-Fafif Dec 04 2008 12:30 PM Talk about your stiff Breezes playing havoc with Shea's outfield. Valadius Dec 04 2008 02:00 PM Part of me is rooting to see the picture of them ripping down that Fox News sign. Edgy DC Dec 04 2008 02:14 PM You strike me as somewhat partisan. Am I right? soupcan Dec 04 2008 02:17 PM Who Vlad? Nah - he's as fair and balanced as they come. Kong76 Dec 04 2008 03:45 PM I sent those latest photos to a friend of mine. He wrote back that he thought they were building a new stadium and not just fixing up Shea and slappin' on a new coat of paint like in years gone by. Chucklehead. Zvon Dec 04 2008 04:57 PM ="Iubitul"]="soupcan"] Zvon - is it me, or does this look tone-mapped? It looks like it has that HDR glow to it... Yes. Especially in comparison with the others. It does bring the shaded areas out. Zvon Dec 04 2008 05:02 PM I wish they would get this over with. How are they gonna take down the highest heights sans demolition? themetfairy Dec 04 2008 05:12 PM It may take a while. I remember Old Comiskey Park was in a state of partial demolition when we visited New Comiskey in August of 1991. Kong76 Dec 04 2008 05:22 PM Z: How are they gonna take down the highest heights sans demolition? <=== Cranes and stuff, and how is what they've been doing not demolition? Kong76 Dec 04 2008 05:52 PM tmf: It may take a while. <=== They don't really have much time if they plan to level the joint and make it a parking lot. My guess is they'll finish well before opening day. I don't want to get into union contracts twice tonight, but they make it worth it to finish on time so there's no lolligaggin' nowadays. Zvon Dec 05 2008 03:10 PM ="KC":21ab889l]Cranes and stuff, and how is what they've been doing not demolition?[/quote:21ab889l] Sorry. I meant the usage of explosive charges. Kong76 Dec 05 2008 03:42 PM I figured, I was just goofin'. soupcan Dec 09 2008 08:13 AM Upper deck wrecking ball. BAM! Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 08:32 AM They should have painted the wrecking ball to look like a baseball. metirish Dec 09 2008 08:33 AM That would have been really taking the piss on those that see that as a sad event. Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 08:37 AM It would be a nod to tradition. It's what they did with the Ebbets Field wrecking ball. The same ball was used a few years later on the Polo Grounds: Benjamin Grimm Dec 09 2008 08:50 AM Cincinnati's Crosley Field too! soupcan Dec 13 2008 02:19 PM Wow - now I'm even starting to have a hard time looking... baseball-fever.com Benjamin Grimm Dec 13 2008 02:36 PM Yikes. Edgy DC Dec 13 2008 02:55 PM GYAH! Kong76 Dec 13 2008 07:10 PM They didn't sell the panels depicting the leap and Seaver's head? Edgy DC Dec 13 2008 07:23 PM It looks like the terrorist hit we were praying wouldn't happen actually did. Kong76 Dec 13 2008 07:44 PM Fuck terrorists, an accidental plane crash on a foggy evening in the wrong flight path was what I thought mighta happened one day. *62 Dec 14 2008 12:56 PM The pictures may be gruesome but the Stadium has overstayed its welcome. I may miss living in Brooklyn desperately, but 3,000 sq. ft. is way better than 920. Edgy DC Dec 14 2008 05:11 PM I don't get the reference. *62 Dec 14 2008 05:39 PM I love Shea for lots of reasons, and will miss it some ..... but it's a dump. Better? Edgy DC Dec 14 2008 05:53 PM I thought those numbers referred to something. Rockin' Doc Dec 14 2008 06:57 PM I think *62 lives in Florida if my memory is correct. He apparently once lived in Brooklyn and apparently hung out at Shea quite a bit in the past. I think he was stating that he missed living in Brooklyn, but preferred the 3000 sq. ft. of living space he can now afford over the 920 sq. ft. of living space he had in Brooklyn. Living in the south and comparing costs for homes with my friends and relatives relatives that live near the city, I understand what he is referring too. Then again, maybe I miss interpreted the meaning of his post. Either way, it's nice to have *62 posting here again. I hope he hangs around. soupcan Dec 16 2008 01:42 PM StadiumPage.com Benjamin Grimm Dec 16 2008 02:04 PM It's amazing that just ten weeks ago it was still full of color and people and noise. soupcan Dec 18 2008 07:45 PM soupcan Dec 29 2008 07:51 AM soupcan Jan 05 2009 12:40 PM G-Fafif Jan 05 2009 12:52 PM Impressive Photoshopping, Soup. Quite interesting to see what Shea Stadium would look like if somebody went mad and started to tear it down. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, please put Shea back together again. Thank you. batmagadanleadoff Jan 05 2009 01:18 PM ="soupcan"]http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/soupcan11/shea5-1.jpg That neon batter just reminded me of Gary Carter' follow through, particularly the way Gary would take an inside pitch and line drive one-bounce it to the outfielder for a single. Are there any other Mets that the neon hitter resembles? Edgy DC Jan 05 2009 02:35 PM Looks kind of slender for Carter. It also looks like a guy going to right, while Carter more typically pulled. metirish Jan 13 2009 01:35 PM from 01/10/2009 metsguyinmichigan Jan 13 2009 02:35 PM They're not saving any of the neon players? I know they're huge. but heck, they could slice them up and sell them for $10 a foot to geeks like me! Zvon Jan 13 2009 02:58 PM ="metsguyinmichigan":8phckkps]They're not saving any of the neon players? I know they're huge. but heck, they could slice them up and sell them for $10 a foot to geeks like me![/quote:8phckkps] Why sell just their feet? John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 13 2009 04:19 PM wham G-Fafif Jan 13 2009 04:53 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1virpusd]wham[/quote:1virpusd] "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" vs. "Baby I'm Your Man" Whoops...wrong thread. metirish Jan 15 2009 08:00 AM Newsday today has a classic Shea pictures collection. Die-hard fans dance in the aisles at 1:50 a.m. during the 21st inning of a 25-inning marathon game between the Mets and the Cardinals at Shea Stadium. (AP Photo / September 12, 1974) A view of Shea Stadium during the national anthem before a New York Mets-Los Angeles Dodgers game in 1973. (AP Photo / June 9, 1973) Fans rush onto the field and players celebrate after the Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles to win the 1969 World Series. (AP Photo / October 16, 1969 A view of Shea Stadium after after souvenir-hunting fans ripped up the sod following the Mets' victory in the 1969 World Series. (AP Photo / October 16, 1969) Pirates first baseman Willie Stargell waves to the crowd at Shea Stadium during Willie Stargell Night at Shea. The man at left wiping his eye is Nelson Doubleday, Mets chairman of the board. (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill / September 27, 1982 The new owners of the Mets pose at Shea Stadium. From left: Stephen E. O'Neil, president of City Investing Company; Nelson Doubleday, president of Doubleday Co.; Fred Wilpon, Chairman of the Board of Sterling Equities and John O. Pickett, owner of the NHL New York Islanders, who was instrumental in setting up the sale of the team. Pickett was not listed as an owner of the club. (AP File Photo / January 25, 1980) Car fire involving several cars in the Shea Stadium parking lot during a game in 2002. (AP Photo / April 27, 2002) Workers Angelo DiMaria, left, and Dominico Bannezo clean off old paint and rust as they get Shea Stadium ready for Opening Day in 2001. (Newsdya / J. Conrad Williams Jr / March 28, 2001) > soupcan Jan 15 2009 08:09 AM Amazing how much Jeff looks like his dad used to. Even down to the bad hairdo. ="metirish"] Edgy DC Jan 15 2009 08:10 AM Car Fire Day: Best. Promotion. Ever. HahnSolo Jan 15 2009 08:36 AM I miss crazy old Uncle Nelson. soupcan Jan 15 2009 08:39 AM Pop Quiz - without looking it up, how much did Nelson & Jeff pay for the Mets in 1980. If I remember right, I think it was $20 million. Farmer Ted Jan 15 2009 08:45 AM I only recall $350 million or so to finally kick Doubleday to the curb in '02. Edgy DC Jan 15 2009 09:02 AM Who pitched on Car Fire Day? metirish Jan 15 2009 09:07 AM ="Edgy DC":kdd41i0v]Who pitched on Car Fire Day?[/quote:kdd41i0v] I remember that game , I should say I remember it from watching it on TV and the announcers talking about the fire in the parking lot and showing it. I'll guess that Steve Trachsel pitched . John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 15 2009 09:14 AM ="soupcan":sgwypaic]Pop Quiz - without looking it up, how much did Nelson & Jeff pay for the Mets in 1980. If I remember right, I think it was $20 million.[/quote:sgwypaic] For some reason $21 million is the number I remember but geez. Edgy DC Jan 15 2009 09:14 AM Pedro Pistacio took a no-hiiter into the seventh the day after a crisp one-hitter by Testes. It was game two of a three-game sweep over Milwaukee and, for a minute there, it looked like the 2002 Mets had scrapped together a winning rotation of Leiter-Estes-Astacio-D'Amico-Trachsel. That plan blew up in the parking lot like so many SUVs. Edgy DC Jan 15 2009 09:15 AM Is that logo stitched together? It acually looks like a giant shoulder patch. soupcan Jan 15 2009 09:16 AM D'Amico. I had high hopes for him. soupcan Jan 15 2009 09:17 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":esm8z809]For some reason $21 million is the number I remember but geez.[/quote:esm8z809] I think you're right. dgwphotography Jan 15 2009 11:19 AM ="batmagadanleadoff"]="soupcan"] That neon batter just reminded me of Gary Carter' follow through, particularly the way Gary would take an inside pitch and line drive one-bounce it to the outfielder for a single. Are there any other Mets that the neon hitter resembles? flip it around, and it's Mex. attgig Jan 15 2009 12:16 PM ="metirish"] Fans rush onto the field and players celebrate after the Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles to win the 1969 World Series. (AP Photo / October 16, 1969 > i wonder if that will ever be allowed in pro sports. when did that stop? it's only on college that you see fans rushing the field. why is that? Edgy DC Jan 15 2009 12:19 PM Because student athletes don't need/demand protection from the masses the way millionnaire atheletes do. Why is the cop screening home plate doing the time warp? metirish Jan 15 2009 12:23 PM How about the guy down the RF line jumping from the stands? Benjamin Grimm Jan 15 2009 12:23 PM I think it stopped in 1986, at least in New York. The fans rushed the field after the division clincher, but the mounted cops prevented it in the World Series. I think, though, that the Phillies had the cops on horseback for the 1980 World Series. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 17 2009 12:20 PM I went out there this morning, photos on facebook. Here's a vid shot as the 7 train arrives in Willets Pt. metirish Jan 17 2009 01:59 PM Great pictures btw. soupcan Jan 18 2009 01:53 PM These are from baseballfever... Kong76 Jan 18 2009 02:08 PM Even dollar cost averaging down to ~ 7 1/2, that sums up my Citigroup stock feelings. I've been somewhat unaffected by most of the images, but this one is particularly eerie to me: Kong76 Jan 18 2009 02:10 PM I know the home opener is late this year, but are they really gonna have the ol' girl completely gone by then and a parking lot installed? I thought they'd be more far along. Benjamin Grimm Jan 18 2009 03:30 PM I'm not sure they have to. The existing parking lot served Shea for the last few years, and Shea held more fans than Citi will. Kong76 Jan 18 2009 03:37 PM I don't mean they have to, I just thought that was the plan. Since groundbreaking, parking there has been a pain in the neck and I took the train mostly to games. I like to tailgate, plan on doing it a lot this year, and it's easier to do with a car. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 18 2009 04:26 PM ="Kong76":3gm6qt5k]I know the home opener is late this year, but are they really gonna have the ol' girl completely gone by then and a parking lot installed? I thought they'd be more far along.[/quote:3gm6qt5k] Official plan is the last bits of Shea are to be disappeared by June 30. Those photos put mine to shame! metirish Jan 23 2009 02:23 PM Vince Coleman Firecracker Jan 23 2009 02:43 PM An auto body shop in a Quonset hut. Fantastic. Willets Point Jan 23 2009 02:44 PM I've got dibs on "City * Field * Collision" as my band's name. Frayed Knot Jan 24 2009 11:28 AM The ends of the horseshoe are starting to disappear http://www.wfan.com/pages/3706726.php?imageGalleryXRefId=907755#imgXR http://www.wfan.com/pages/3706726.php?imageGalleryXRefId=907756#imgXR G-Fafif Jan 24 2009 11:53 AM It's a stump, but it's our stump. dgwphotography Jan 24 2009 01:07 PM soupcan Jan 26 2009 12:33 PM More at stadiumpage.com Frayed Knot Jan 26 2009 12:56 PM btw, Harvey Araton tees off the Yanx in a piece in Sunday's NYTimes. Specifically it's the sweet time they're taking in getting rid of the old park even though the new one is nearly finished and that the whole deal was based on trading stadium space for park land, park land that now seems destined for 2011 at the earliest. Their answer as to when they'll get around to even starting deconstruction is essentially "when we fuckin' get around to it - now go away and stop bothering us", even as they had no problem making a public spectacle about marching their offices across to the new digs the street last week. "Mayor Bloomberg, tear down this stadium" metirish Jan 26 2009 01:16 PM The arrogance of all involved is sickening , how I despise all things Yankees. SteveJRogers Jan 26 2009 02:14 PM Supposedly they are going to use YSII for a movie production, plus the plan was that either the Mets or Yankees would use YSII to play games if either Citi Field or YSIII weren't ready come April. So despite the arrogance, there really are valid reasons why it is still up. Frayed Knot Jan 26 2009 02:36 PM Even if using YSII was the on-paper 'just-in-case' backup plan in the event that some wild mishap went on with the construction of either of the new stadiums the virtually ZERO chance such a plan would ever be put into place has now shrunk to roughly that of the Lions being put into next week's Super Bowl were a case of bubonic plague to sweep through either the Steeler or Cardinal camp. And, as the article mentions, they've yet to even select a company that would do the deconstruction or set a date as to when it might start. So the reason it's not only still up but will be so for at least another year has everything to do with the fact that they haven't finished milking the old girl for every cent she's worth and if that means that the city that just re-re-issued more tax-free bonds as the price climbed over a billion dollars and the local kids in the neighborhood they claim to care so much for (whenever they weren't threatening to leave that is) go without a public park for the next few years well then that's none of their damn business. metirish Jan 28 2009 08:10 PM New York Times ] In Dead of Winter, Shea Stadium Is Melting Away By KEN BELSON Published: January 28, 2009 With each passing day, Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets since 1964, fades further from Citi Field, the team�s new home. In the last few weeks, demolition crews have been ripping down entire sections of Shea from both ends of the outfield decks toward its middle. What was once a semi-enclosed bowl with 57,000 seats is now a skeleton of a grandstand. In the first weeks after the Mets finished their final season at Shea (with another desultory loss that knocked them out of playoff contention), crews removed the seats, signs and anything else that could be sold to collectors or reused in city parks. Then demolition crews started knocking out the field level and the concrete decks that made up the loge and the mezzanine. But the structure of the stadium, built for nearly $30 million, was largely intact. Not so anymore. Since the beginning of the year, crews have clawed away at Shea�s walls and beams, exposing escalators, elevator banks and air ducts. The stands above Gates A and E have vanished and parts of the neon players that adorned the outside of the stadium are gone, too. Twelve sections of the upper deck still have their concrete floors, but the other sections that remain are outlined only by their steel beams. Unlike stadiums in other cities that have been imploded, Shea had to be taken down piece by piece because of building codes. The rat-a-tat-tat of the construction machinery drowned out the noise of the jets taking off from LaGuardia Airport. Tarps on chain link fences say �Almost Home,� a reference to the soon-to-be-opened Citi Field, but also the six-month process of erasing Shea. In all, nearly 10,000 tons of steel and another 2,500 tons of concrete will be pulled out of Shea. Some of the concrete will be ground up and reused as the base material for the parking lot that will be installed in its place. The lot will include space for 2,000 cars and signs marking where home plate and the pitcher�s mound once were. Team representatives said that the demolition will be completed some time in the coming weeks, which is not hard to imagine. On Wednesday, lines of dump trucks made their way onto what was once the outfield, weaving around piles of crumpled metal and concrete covered in snow. Several Web sites have sprung up that have chronicled the destruction of the place where Seaver once threw, Piazza once squatted and the Stork, George Theodore, once roamed. In a way, the sites are a testament to the morbid curiosity of Mets fans, who have endured many morbid Mets teams. �It�s interesting how they are doing it piece by piece,� said Eric Okurowski, a 31-year master�s candidate and a life-long Met fan from Babylon, N.Y., who runs stadiumpage.com. �Most old stadia are blown up and it takes just a few seconds. It�s pretty interesting seeing it come apart in pieces over the course of four months.� Okurowski and several other die-hard fans are organizing a final farewell at Shea at noon Saturday to share stories and take photographs of what is left of the ballpark. As Shea diminishes, Citi Field emerges. While less imposing than Shea, the new stadium, at least from the outside, has an elegance that Shea lacked. Instead of the lattice of concrete ramps that constituted Shea�s exterior, Citi Field is covered in brick and punctuated with arches and an entrance rotunda. Flood lights highlight the outside while klieg lights illuminate what is left of Shea. More Articles in Sports �A version of this article appeared in print on January 29, 2009, on page B18 of the New York edition. apmorris Jan 29 2009 04:58 PM ="metirish"]New York Times ] Okurowski and several other die-hard fans are organizing a final farewell at Shea at noon Saturday to share stories and take photographs of what is left of the ballpark. Anyone going? (bring a camera) metirish Jan 29 2009 05:28 PM People are going http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/ G-Fafif Jan 30 2009 03:38 PM Damn, dirty apes... apmorris Jan 30 2009 04:43 PM ="G-Fafif"]Damn, dirty apes... Awesomenessness Kong76 Jan 30 2009 07:24 PM Classic pic. dgwphotography Jan 31 2009 05:41 AM that's just brilliant. Benjamin Grimm Jan 31 2009 05:44 AM That really is brilliant. metirish Jan 31 2009 05:47 AM Yeah it's very clever. themetfairy Jan 31 2009 06:19 AM It's just a model.... batmagadanleadoff Jan 31 2009 04:06 PM I'm guessing that the picture has something to do with the Statue Liberty finale in Planet of.... But that picture never came up on my browser. Not today. Not yesterday. Benjamin Grimm Jan 31 2009 04:14 PM Me neither. I had to right click, select "Copy Location" and paste the following in my browser: http://faithandfear.blogharbor.com/_photos/heston.jpg Edgy DC Feb 02 2009 07:05 AM You MANIACS! soupcan Feb 05 2009 07:11 AM From stadiumpage.com Just a matter of time now.... Benjamin Grimm Feb 05 2009 08:06 AM It's starting to look more like the grandstand you'd see at a race track. Frayed Knot Feb 05 2009 08:11 AM Never can say goodbye No no no no, I Never can say goodbye Even though the pain and heartache Seems to follow me wherever I go Though I try and try to hide my feelings They always seem to show Then you try to say you're leaving me And I always have to say no... Tell me why Is it so That I ... Never can say goodbye No no no no, I Never can say goodbye Evertime I think I had enough I start heading for the door There's a very strange vibration That pierces me right to the core It says turn around you fool You know you love her more and more Tell me why Is it so Don't wanna let yo go I never can say goodbye soupcan Feb 06 2009 10:55 AM These are from wcbs880.com. And there are a few more there as well. G-Fafif Feb 08 2009 03:10 PM Shea among the ruins... Kong76 Feb 08 2009 03:47 PM I called KB over and asked if she wanted to see an eerie picture on my laptop and she saw this and started bawling. "That's all that's left? When was that picture taken?" "Uh, I guess last time it snowed." ... (I'm obnoxious in real life too) and I told her this is like a 25 page thread of the destruction of Shea and we started talking about our Moms and games and tailgates and she got me all throaty too and crying and screw you all but ok I admit that it's hard to see the old thing disappear and I've been suppressing the sadness. There, I said it. dgwphotography Feb 09 2009 07:41 AM the first time we go there this year will be a shock. Edgy DC Feb 09 2009 07:50 AM We should go and have a tribute concert in the parking lot. G-Fafif Feb 09 2009 10:37 AM ="Kong76":1akaid2f]I called KB over and asked if she wanted to see an eerie picture on my laptop and she saw this and started bawling.[/quote:1akaid2f] My wife, who worked downtown throughout the fall of 2001, invoked Ground Zero in terms of what it reminded her of looking at. soupcan Feb 13 2009 10:09 AM Another from baseballfever.com metirish Feb 13 2009 10:27 AM Great pictures over there...taken this morning from the #7 train Benjamin Grimm Feb 13 2009 10:48 AM They should leave that last chunk in place. smg58 Feb 13 2009 12:34 PM I drove past it the other day. It's really sad to see it. soupcan Feb 14 2009 07:21 AM I'm at LaGuardia waiting for a flight. Drove past Citi and Shea. Shea looks so sad and insignificant. I'm excited and wistful at the same time. cooby Feb 14 2009 08:22 AM Please, check for ice and geese. Not joking. soupcan Feb 14 2009 08:38 AM We're flying Continental - what could go wrong? dgwphotography Feb 14 2009 09:44 AM ="metirish"] It's fitting that that's the last piece left... Frayed Knot Feb 14 2009 09:49 AM Think of it as an image of Koosman throwing the final pitch of the '69 WS. It could be Orosco/'86 too but it looks more like Koosman. dgwphotography Feb 14 2009 09:51 AM hmmmm.... I always saw Matlack in that image... dgwphotography Feb 14 2009 09:57 AM ="Iubitul"]hmmmm.... I always saw Matlack in that image... Actually, no. Bob Ojeda. SteveJRogers Feb 14 2009 11:49 AM ="Iubitul"]="Iubitul"]hmmmm.... I always saw Matlack in that image... Actually, no. Bob Ojeda. What is that watermark on the other side of the card top? A Boy Named Seo Feb 14 2009 11:58 AM ="metirish"]Great pictures over there...taken this morning from the #7 train Nice pic, Irish. Poor, little Shea getting swallowed up by Citi on both sides. Kong76 Feb 15 2009 01:46 PM We took a ride out there today. We packed up a camera, a couple of Heineken keg cans (KB drove) and set out. I was kind of emotional getting ready but by the time we were in the car and on our way I was kinda excited. There were a bunch of people milling about doing the same thing we were and while I didn't talk to anyone we all smiled and nodded to each other like we got it. What we really should have done was cooked a few hot dogs one more time but the beer was enough I guess to count as a tailgate of sorts. The pictures posted all over the internet get redundant after awhile I suppose, but I got a few unique images. metirish Feb 15 2009 02:20 PM Great pictures , thanks. themetfairy Feb 15 2009 03:08 PM Nice shots Kase! LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 15 2009 05:20 PM Thanks, sir. Beautiful and gut-wrenching. (All in all, this offseason's been like a months-long wake... except one where the guests take parts of the deceased with them as souvenirs.) A Boy Named Seo Feb 15 2009 05:30 PM Great shots, man. Love the one of you raising your can of Heiny in salutation. holychicken Feb 15 2009 05:49 PM Whoa, crazy, KC. I was there today too and took some very similar pictures. I was the jackass with my little brown dog off the leash. He was very happy to be out running about like that. Edgy DC Feb 15 2009 06:01 PM Should have a concert out there. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Feb 15 2009 06:05 PM Or an Irish wake? -Loading up on Jameson fifths/Cueing up "Body of an American" on the iPods. Kong76 Feb 15 2009 06:13 PM holyc: I was the jackass with my little brown dog off the leash <<< I didn't see any little brown pups running about. It's funny, but I really thought I'd run into at least one Mets' fan I knew out there. Running into you woulda been cool and we coulda done a Heiny. holychicken Feb 15 2009 07:42 PM Yeah, I figured there would be no one there but the when I saw the number of people there I figured I would see someone I knew. I checked everyone saw there, but didn't recognize anyone as well. I figured my dog would have stuck out tho more than me DocTee Feb 15 2009 08:27 PM Cool pics, thanks for sharing them. Did you pour some of that Heiny on the ground, ghetto style, to remember Shea, your fallen friend? Kong76 Feb 16 2009 01:11 PM Tee: Did you pour some of that Heiny on the ground <<< I have to confess that I did deposit some used Heiny behind some construction materials. Edgy DC Feb 16 2009 01:13 PM I'm going to guess you haven't puked at Shea since October 12, 1982. Kong76 Feb 16 2009 06:24 PM I had to google the date but I didn't yak that night. John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 17 2009 09:25 AM Nice shotz guys. ah, screw it. Zvon Feb 17 2009 12:28 PM ="SteveJRogers"]="Iubitul"]="Iubitul"]hmmmm.... I always saw Matlack in that image... Actually, no. Bob Ojeda. What is that watermark on the other side of the card top? That's the Desert Storm logo/thing they added to sets of cards for the troops overseas back in the day. themetfairy Feb 17 2009 02:00 PM Zvon! How have you been? attgig Feb 17 2009 03:53 PM http://twitpic.com/photos/bluenautica one last piece remaining. Frayed Knot Feb 18 2009 11:14 AM Last piece down (video available via Newsday's main sports page) It's all over but the sweeping. soupcan Feb 24 2009 08:02 AM These I guess are almost a week old. From http://www.stadiumpage.com Edgy DC Feb 24 2009 08:14 AM To heck with your copyright, Gary. soupcan Feb 24 2009 08:32 AM 'Zactly. Zvon Feb 24 2009 02:38 PM ="Edgy DC":33njl1ow]To heck with your copyright, Gary.[/quote:33njl1ow] I'll photoshop that out. Shhhh. holychicken Feb 24 2009 03:59 PM ="Zvon":13ygrx4a]="Edgy DC":13ygrx4a]To heck with your copyright, Gary.[/quote:13ygrx4a] I'll photoshop that out. Shhhh.[/quote:13ygrx4a] Simple crop job ought to do. Edgy DC Mar 16 2009 02:56 PM Mini-Shea ripped up from the ground. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/you-too-can-own-a-piece-of-the-mini-city/ Farmer Ted Mar 16 2009 03:14 PM They couldn't save those two satellite dishes? Coulda saved me a few bucks with DirecTV.

Boston Globe reporting that the Phillies have made an offer to Derek Lowe. No details of the offer, but apparently another team has also made an offer. [url:27icv0p0]http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/12/04/teams_starting_to_make_pitches/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Red+Sox+news[/url:27icv0p0]

AReyes looks like he's about 50; Trot Nixon does not look like Trot Nixon; and I had completely fogotten about Jose Valentin.

Regarding that Red Sox photo: When did ballplayer wives stop being hot?

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":17soyqpu]Rivera (x-Mariners) is an ideal Met backup catcher: Fat, short and can't hit. [/quote:17soyqpu] And Hispanic. [ducks]

Maybe it's the thank you they get from the Phillies and Brewers.

First Caddyshack loses to Tootsie, now Spinal Tap may get bounced by Princess Bride???? To quote Frank Costanza on the feast of Festivus: "you people are disappointing the hell out of me!!!"

I say he's out. i feel like I remember somebody diving over the low fence in Dodger Stadium and taking away a HR.

I'm fond of : "Sources familiar with the Mets' thinking..."

Mike Francesa has spoken. The Mets "must" return Citibank's money. He will elaborate later.

Starring Daniel Murphy as Terry Pendleton.

Utley to have hip surgery. Possibly out until June... [url:374l8fpr]http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3715241[/url:374l8fpr]

Refresh my memory someone: why wasn't Fuentes closing for the Rocks in the '07 postseason. Corpas closed. Was Fuentes coming off an injury or something?

I have slightly more confidence that we'll get 3-4 decent years out of KRod than we will out of Fuentes. So, an ever so slight vote to KRod.

Where's the "I hate Rivera because of Rogers" choice?

="Edgy DC":3dmxgmap]Steve tries to get support for his viewpoint at a Yankee forum --- while endorsing "hate" as long as it remains baseless --- and annoys them into closing the thread: http://forums.nyyfans.com/archive/index.php/t-97459.html[/quote:3dmxgmap] He's an equal opportunity annoyer. John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 17 2008 08:40 PM Jeezziz. Valadius Nov 17 2008 08:56 PM Steve, I don't like the fact that you bad-mouthed me on another board. Nymr83 Nov 17 2008 09:12 PM wow board-drama. and steve can't even keep it on the board. hey steve, if this place is so bad that you have to complain about it elsewhere, why are you still here? metsguyinmichigan Nov 17 2008 09:29 PM Damn, stuck in a school board meeting all day and I missed this. 1) I hate Derek Jeter. He's Mr. Yankee 2) I like David Wright. A lot. He's Mr. Met, at least the non-costumed one. 3) Mariano Rivera is a soul-less cyborg with a dangerous pool. 4) Steve needs to keeps his beefs about the 'Pool family within the 'Pool family. All caught up. metsmarathon Nov 18 2008 07:37 AM i so wish i had seen this thread earlier yesterday... i still haven't gotten an answer on what evidence there is showing cal ripken's hatedness. and i still don't know how david wright parallels derek jeter. i also would think that the whole point of this thread, initially, was to point out what i would call special hate, not just the generic 'waah i hate XXX 'cos they're our rival and they suck and blah blah blah, and i hate YYY cos he's their best player and he sucks too!' the instances stevie seems to be pulling out about fans of other teams whining over wrights accomplishments and cheering his misaccomplishments seems more like hating on, than hating. "david wright doesn't deserve to win the mvp because YYY was a muuch better player and he didnt come through when they needed him anyways" isn't hating, its hating on, or deliberately (and perhaps intellectually dishonestly) minimizing his accomplishments and value. and of course, using sound logic and reasoning in a fact-based argument against the gross overrating of a player, well, that's not hating. that's called analyzing derek jeter. and he does a terrifically poor job of relaying the conversations of this board to other boards. i mean, jeez! Benjamin Grimm Nov 18 2008 07:51 AM ="metsmarathon":3by8ybm2]and he does a terrifically poor job of relaying the conversations of this board to other boards. i mean, jeez![/quote:3by8ybm2] Is that at all surprising? It's amazing how tenaciously he's held on to this issue, even going to other boards to try to get validation for his point of view. It's appropriate that his link back to us contained the phrase "getalifealready" Centerfield Nov 18 2008 07:56 AM For the record, I have no problem with him talking badly about us on other boards. In fact, I wish he would post on those other boards more often. Like all the time. Steve, don't go away mad... themetfairy Nov 18 2008 08:47 AM There was also the great leap of logic (if you can call it that) that Steve made. He asked, "How can you not like Mario Rivera?" I answered that I found the electrified pool to be a reason not to like him. He then extrapolated that I was blinded by irrational hatred, and posted about my obsessiveness all over the Internet. Yeah, I was the obsessed one here.... G-Fafif Nov 18 2008 09:10 AM I have to confess I barely remember the Mariano Rivera pool story and don't remember, at all, the conversation here about it. That said, fuck Mariano Rivera and fuck the Yankees. I mean, geez... soupcan Nov 18 2008 09:19 AM I didn't get much of a chance to get here yesterday and read most of this thread on my BlackBerry on the train home. "It's gold Jerry, pure gold!" Seriously, I was cracking up all the way home. Edgy DC Nov 18 2008 10:03 AM I keep Metro North moving. Kong76 Nov 18 2008 07:21 PM SJR: I'm clarifing it for you by holding up a fucking mirror <=== EDC: Don't fucking mirror me. <===

It used to be a good deal. They get lots of stuff some they'll use some they won't. But it's a bummer they don't include the free tix. Without the tickets I don't really know that it's all that great a deal.

="themetfairy"]="soupcan"]="Centerfield"]I hate the patch. But it is the state flag of MD. I like that they are connecting themselves to the region. State flag or not, it looks like a soccer logo, IMO. Don't the Ravens have this at midfield of their stadium?

Hi, I'm here for the "intelligent, lively and provocative discussion of the Mets, Ed Kranepool, and on a good day, the Ramones." Am I in the right place?