Centerfield

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Yees, I'm glad peps aren't taking my arguments on this too seriously, although I feel like this is probably the best cover in the contest so I'm making a honest stand. Oh and fuck Donald Trump. My favorite, oddly enough, is Terry Collins getting Wet and Wild. It matches up against 11th inning Asdrubal next, so I'm not sure it's long for this competition. And yes, fuck Donald Trump.

I went with Sigh too. It is aesthetically a better cover. Also, I remember watching that Dodgers game. Noah's performance was amazing, but I remember it being a very frustrating game. I think that was around the time it dawned on me that our offense might suck. Plus I kinda like Hansel Robles. Kind of a badass. Crazy haircut. I thought he took a good step last year during that multiple inning outing (this might have been the game) where he was forced to mix in his slider a lot more. I thought that was a great development for him, but then he went back to pumping fastballs afterwards. If he can ever learn to throw that slider and mix it up a bit, he could be Addison Reed.

This thread is fun. In the absence of real baseball news, never underestimate the ability of CPF regulars to create a completely arbitrary and meaningless subject to argue, defend and otherwise obsess about. Love it. This matchup is fascinating. In one corner you have the Daily News, unapologetic, pissing on opponents, giving the middle finger to the wussy PC police. People love it or hate it. It's opposed by Newsday, with its boring cover, lame headline, being generally unlikeable. People shake their heads saying they "just don't get it" and wondering why Newsday couldn't put forth a better candidate. It seems all too familiar.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 1. The Harvey cover is just spring training filler. There is no game, no great moment. Hammers celebrates a win. --Well this is a contest between 2 newspaper back covers, not necessarily the news inside of them. If you want to vote for what result you liked best you can go make that poll. I don't think there is any specific criteria to voting on back covers that was dictated. I think the voter is free to vote on the cover itself, the underlying story, any memories it invokes, any subheadlines, and whatever other random criteria they see fit. If not I have been voting wrong for a year plus. John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 3. I agree with Edgy that pissing on the KC logo goes to a level that I'd rather avoid But without the KC logo it's not nearly as effective a statement, and would be even crueler since all it would do then is make fun of Harvey and not support him. Surely you guys aren't saying "Without the Royals logo this cover is great!" No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying I don't like the cover for all the reasons that I stated. Even if you removed the KC logo I still wouldn't like it. I haven't really though about whether it would make it better or worse. My thoughts are not really intended to sway anyone's opinion. I'm just responding to the statement that no one that voted for Hammers had voiced any justification. So I put my thoughts out there. Your mileage may vary. For the record, I also think it's wrong to vote for someone who mocks a disabled reporter.

It certainly is unique! Very seldom do you run across a sports cover that makes you stop and say "Is he getting sprayed with semen? Oh, sunflower seeds. Yes, that makes more sense..."

I went with Seeds. I admit that Pinch is a better cover, but I went with the sentimental pick. I don't know how much David has left in him, so any walkoff is appreciated more. Plus I was at that game.

Understood, and I'm happy about the progress. Was just thinking that his swing doesn't look right. And I guess my swing doesn't ever look right, and certainly wouldn't if I had just had neck surgery and a degenerative back condition, but he's out on his front foot more than normal, a little more upright than I'm used to seeing, and he's letting go with one hand. Wright, when he's right, has as nice a swing as a righty can have. This just doesn't look like him.

I went with Hammers. The cover is nothing special, nor is it terrible. But it celebrates a four HR win over the Phillies. And it's an action shot. I'm on record saying that making light of the medical condition is in poor taste. But aside from that: 1. The Harvey cover is just spring training filler. There is no game, no great moment. Hammers celebrates a win. 2. I generally dislike any covers that are doctored/photoshopped 3. I agree with Edgy that pissing on the KC logo goes to a level that I'd rather avoid 4. We ended up losing that game 5. The pissing puns are childish. I do like "Ya Gotta Relieve!" but would love it in the context of a bullpen guy who comes in and bails the Mets out of a bases loaded jam.

He doesn't look right.

seawolf17 wrote: PR Pitcher: Tony Armas Jr. Nope. The PR pitcher is probably best known as being a mainstay of my fantasy baseball team until he was traded to the Yankees, where I sold him for pennies on the dollar. He was an All-Star with the MFYS -- oddly, the only ASG of his career -- and then a postseason disaster, after which he was traded to Arizona. Started at least 32 games in 12 of his 14 seasons, and in the other two, he made 26 starts. Oh. That's Javier Vazquez.

seawolf17 wrote: Also, the German guy is the hardest to get on this quiz. I'd be blown away if anyone guesses him. Seriously? Harder than the Polish guy?

PR Pitcher: Tony Armas Jr.

TAIWAN: Most career HR (2) (not a typo) (2007-2011) - former Met Hu can forget Chin Ling?

2nd best DR HR Hitter is Poo-holes.

POLAND: Most career everything, more or less (1956-1972) - might be too old for this crew, but he's got a pretty Polish-sounding name

seawolf17 wrote: PANAMA: Most career W (1995-2013) - electrocuted his cousins in his pool seawolf is just awesome.

The South Korean pitcher is former Met Chan Ho Park.

Curacao: Andruw Jones.

Past the baseball equinox now and the Mets still have yet to add anyone to the big league roster. Not many rumors floating around about the Mets now, but it seems that all they are looking to do now is to trade Bruce, and add a reliever or two. The Bruce trade is looking more and more like it won't return much, maybe a low end prospect or two. Blevins remains on the market as a LOOGY, and if the Mets really want to splurge, Fernando Salas still sits out there. In fact, I think you could make a case that these two are pretty good, if not the best, options available. It's entirely possible that this offseason will end up with no additions to the 40 man. It's 1973 again!

I don't think he's toeing any line. I think he's crossed it. Bryce Harper may certainly seem like a douche. He comes across as arrogant, doesn't run out some fly balls, and has that haircut. But has only ever been respectful and humble when he actually opens his mouth. Plus all of his teammates except Papelbon seem to like him. Noah went out and called him a douche. If this is true, this is not right. I get that they are young and this sort of thing probably happens, but he is a professional, and he should conduct himself like one. Harvey may be guilty of acting douchy, but he's never outright insulted another player completely unprovoked. Let's hope this was a lapse in judgment and not a sign of things to come.

Edgy MD wrote: The second cover has the story, and a great photo go with it, but totally bungles the angle by shifting focus from Piazza onto Seaver. And focuses on the hat, mentions Clemens and Bonds. They just took a great story and fucked it all up. Landslide for me.

Some great matchups coming up. The long awaited Lugo-Gsellman deathmatch. Plus Terry versus Asdrubal in what I think are the two best moments and covers of the season.

Ditto on Conforto. But since it's taken I'll go with Harvey returning to form.

Some guy named Murphy on the Nationals had a pretty good year.

Didn't Mike Piazza play for Italy once? Or did I make that up. It all seems kinda silly. The rule should be, you take out your passport. Whatever country has issued it is the team you get to represent.