Diamond Dad

My only problem with Wee Willie is that he protects his players too much. He never (N-E-V-E-R) says anything remotely critical or negative about his players when he's interviewed. He is incorigibly optimistic -- always putting positive spin on everything, even mistakes and dumb plays. Sometimes, these prima donna major leaguers need to have their asses kicked in order to get them going.Of course, he may be doing that in private, while protecting them in public, but c'mon, Willie, don't insult our intelligence by telling us that Ishii is "really trying hard" and "starting to show signs" etc.On the whole, aside from Bobby V, he's working out as well as anybody else we could have had.

imagine how the guys at SportsCenter feel -- there is NOTHING going on in the sports world, unless you count the ramp-up for the British Open or the day's Tour de France update.Good thing we have little league!

We'll have the "Let's Go/Vamos Mets" banner in honor of Pedro's start on Tuesday. Probably won't be able to hang it in the stadium, but maybe we can hold it up between innings for the TV crew.

no obit in FACTIVA database for this year.

Thanks, KC -- it was '86. Summer of magic. Gooden bested Ryan, then spectacular fireworks over the Hudson River. (And we didn't even know then that the Mets/Astros would meet later in the NLCS)This July 4th won't have the pitching matchup of that day, but hopefully the outcome and quality of fireworks will approach '86.

He'll probably pitch tomorrow (Thursday) and then again on Tuesday the 5th. Willie will want to give him the extra day of rest created by the off day on Monday. Too bad -- Pedro for a day game followed by fireworks would have been reminiscent of 1986, when we saw Gooden pitch a day game at Shea and then went to Battery Park for the big fireworks marking the 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty. (Or was that '85???)

Never miss a tailgate party -- especially when KC is involved. I'll have to find a local store to buy some brats morning of the game, along with some ice for drinks. I'll bring mini-grill as well as chairs and table, KC. Also ingredients for blue drinks (any preference between blue Marguaritas or Electric Lemonade??). I have blue cups and blue and orange napkins. Usual stuff. Also banners to mark off tailgate location. Unfortunately, probably not room in the van to pack the shelter.Agree that indoor dining after the game (for those who can still eat) would be best before outdoors again for fireworks.Looking forward!!

Cameron should be worth more. Better to trade Diaz, but probably can't get as much for him. Plus for remainder of this year you have a log-jam at first base.No, Giambi's time has passed

I always liked the line about the Post, which I think was from an old Saturday Night Live show --When an executive from Bloomingdale's was asked why the store advertised in the New York Times, but not in the Post, the response was:"because their readers are our shoplifters."

Never saw Koufax pitch in person. Read a bit about him, including recent biography that was very well done.His career was cut short, so he lacks the longevity of some other great pitchers, but in those 5-7 years when he was in his prime, he dominated as few pitchers ever have. Every start was a potential no-hitter. Earlier in his career he was wild, so it was only a brief window of dominance before his arthritis made him retire.He also participated in one of the significant events in the history of the players' association, by holding out with Don Drysdale to force the Dodgers to bargain with them as a duo. They both refused to sign contracts one year, and the clubs exercised their option to renew them. The next year, both claimed that they were "free agents" and demanded that the Dodgers negotiate with their agent. The Dodgers refused, and both sat out spring training. Koufax talked about going into movies. Eventually, the club offered them both $100,000 contracts (very big money at the time) and they both signed. The owners avoided a confrontation with the "reserve" clause in the uniform players' agreement, but other players saw the bargaining leverage they had, and it was only a few years later that Andy Messerschmidt first tested the reserve clause (he lost, but the ball was rolling toward the players' association).If you needed one pitcher to pitch one game that you had to win to save the planet from destruction, it would be safe to choose Koufax from 1965 or 1966. Could also pick Gibson from 1968. Gooden from 1985. Pedro Martinez 1999. Orel Hersheiser -- second half of 1988.Of course, my ultimate choice would be Satchel Paige -- 1942 -- but Koufax ranks right up there.