Centerfield

By the way, does anyone even question that there is someone watching the replay and relaying this to the home plate ump so he can reverse clearly blown calls? I'm usually not a conspiracy theorist, but to me, the conversation in the huddle goes something along the lines of: "Ok, guys, upstairs is saying that call was clearly blown. Can all five of you guys start nodding in agreement? Ok, Dana, pretend to object. Ok, now let's all nod. I'll go tell Matheny."

Couple of random thoughts after watching the game: 1. I have no idea how to build a championship team. After years of thinking I'd make a great GM, I'm happy to admit I'm clueless. I look at the lineup of both teams and I think there is not a chance that these guys are playing in the Fall Classic. Toronto? Sure. The Dodgers? Absolutely. Detroit? Yes. Boston and St. Louis? I would have said they'd contend but not make the playoffs. 2. The Beltran play really shows how polarizing this guy is. His catch of Ortiz's HR is a fantastic play. It's incredibly hard to time that perfectly, hit the wall and not lose the ball, then smoothly bring it back and throw it in to hold the other runners. The problem is, he makes it look so damn easy that a lot of people won't appreciate how hard that was. If it weren't the World Series, it might not even make those "Plays of the Night" highlights. Meanwhile every asshole who dives after catching a ball is shown over and over. He could have gone flying over the wall like Tori Hunter, and it would have been worse for the team (runners would have advanced) but everyone would be talking about the fantastic play. His injury is the same thing. The replays show his arm getting crushed into his side, and the force with which he hit the wall. Had he crumbled Cliff Floyd style, he would have gotten a big hand getting walked off the field, and no one would be faulting him. Instead, he tried to tough it out. Stayed in the game, although clearly in discomfort. Because he was removed between innings, people didn't really notice it, and now question his toughness. He's been waiting his whole life to play in the World Series. He's not going to come out of the game because his side hurts a little. Anyone who's ever played knows you can't swing a bat when your ribs hurt. As LWFS said, the guy is playing no cartilage in his knee. He played with a broken face for us. I think it's time to put the "soft" label to rest. Everybody talks about how sensitive Beltran is, but I can really see why. I'd be beyond sensitive if that were me. I'd be outright antagonistic. He is a terrific player and a gamer, and he has to continually hear that he's soft, disinterested and overrated. I hope he has a great series, but the Cardinals lose. I want him to have to wait until next year when he's back with the Mets to get his ring.

I don't care what hat he wears to Cooperstown, or if he even gets in. I root for him because he was a fantastic player for the Mets.

Let's make it a free-for-all and not stifle the creative juices.

I don't know if it was clear from the article, but I boycotted Chipper's first pitch too. Just so we're clear.

Well fuck. How do you follow that? With Joel Youngblood? Good luck forum.

Those 86 Mets were never very good at following directions.

Figured I'd try out this idea since I love the creative writing of the forum members. We are zapped to an alternative universe were baseball doesn't exist. Let's track down Mets and former Mets and tell me about their lives if they had never played baseball. Use as many real life facts as you want, or make it up completely. You can catch them at any time in their lives. [crossout]When you're done, introduce the next guy[/crossout]. I'll start. Hi. I'm Jeff Kent. I'm 41 years old, and right now I'm working with Tom, my father-in-law in the family business. We are independent contractors owning four separate routes for FedEx Ground. It's good money, I more or less run the show, and it beats working at a desk like some of the guys. The old man is ok, he gives me flexibility for vacations and stuff for the kids, and he knows to stay out of my hair. He's semi-retired and would rather work on his boat anyway. And that's good for me. I mean, he may have built this business, but I'm the one that keeps it current and adapted to today's marketplace. A lot of people at work don't like me. I think it's because they resent me because I'm the boss's son-in-law, and they don't think I deserve it. My wife says I can be abrasive, but I think that's because she doesn't really know the work environment. I love to ride my bike in my free time. It's a Suzuki Katana that can fucking fly. That's when I feel the free-est. Last year, I kind of had this thing with Erica from accounting, but I think that's more or less done now. I'm telling you for your own good, stay away from her. She's fucking nuts. So um, yeah. Wife's name is Darin. Two kids Taylor and Russell, 12 and 9. I think that's about it. [crossout]Here comes Jose Lima. Floor is your's buddy.[/crossout]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: "Looks like Mariano's been swimming in his pool."

I think this is the right move. Move back to respectability in 2014 with some new faces. Call up Syndegaard and Montero. Bring back Harvey in 2015. Scorch the competition in a way that makes the 86'ers look like pansies.

So we've had some time to digest the new dimensions. What do we think? The Mets suck at hitting at home. Some of the splits are pretty bad. All of the Mets hitting prospects are struggling (Davis, Duda, Tejada, even D'Arnaud and Flores in small sample sizes). Does Citi have something to do with this? On the other hand, the pitchers are doing well. Even borderline guys like Niese and Gee are performing better than we would have guessed. Mejia, Wheeler and Harvey all looked good. Do we risk this if we move fences in further? During the Phillies series, I watched Wright, Duda and Murphy smash the ball out of the ballpark and thought about what numbers they would be putting up playing there. I think Murph would have an OPS in the 800's and Wright would be an MVP candidate. I don't know. I don't think I have any organized thoughts on this one. Just speculating out loud.

I've been meaning to bring up Doubleday. Piazza specifically mentioned him during his Mets HOF induction speech. I know it was rumor at one point, but is it generally accepted now (perhaps even validated by Piazza) that Nelson was the driving force in obtaining him?

Hi. I'm Scott Atchison. My best day? Wow, let me see. I've had so many great games and moments throughout this season, it's hard to pick just one. But isn't that always the case for middle relievers with an ERA in the mid-fours, who miss big chunks of the season with numbness? I guess if I had to pick just one, I'd pick August 6 against the Rockies. We won 3-2, largely in part to my scoreless inning of relief. I struck out 2, picked up the win. You guys might remember this as the night Eric Young scored from second on an infield single, but for me, this was my Best Day. Or maybe not. I'm all about the team you know, so maybe I'm forgetting a better day. Ok. I think Terry's signalling for Greg Burke. Been great talking guys.

The offseason stinks, but I love the creative writing that is generated here.

The annual Jim Tracy Thread. Speaking of Jim, didn't realize he was out as the Rockies' manager. Guess he is golfing these days.

Leading off, the shortstop Jose Reyes and a fraction of his salary!

The Mets "can't" wear the hats because they choose not to. No one is physically restraining them.

You think? Second shoulder capsule surgery in three years? Chen Ming Wang's phone isn't exactly ringing off the hook.

Wow. The tributes just keep rolling in. Con Edison serves up Fried Dogs for Mo By Darren Rovell ESPN.com Throughout the year, teams have honored Mariano Rivera's final season in different ways. On Thursday, Con Edison will offer its own special spin to send off the closer, who likely will be playing his last game at Yankee Stadium. In a ceremony before Thursday night's game, Con Edison will electrocute two small Jack Russell Terriers to honor Rivera's propensity to electrocute puppies and small children. Ben Franklin, area manager for Con Edison, felt that electrocuting two children would be "over the top. But we did consider it, after all, this is for Mo."

If we're inviting Dice-K to spring training, I'd extend an invite to Johan as well.

How ballsy of it was for Swannie to name this thread "The Dynasty Crumbles" before a single game had been played? Nicely done. I hope their winter sucks and we can be equally as confident next year.* I can't remember the last time the MFY's were this punchless. Even as they played well early in the season, it looked like they were doing it with smoke and mirrors and were never a realistic threat. I know they have smart guys at the helm, and soon they will unload the dead weight and come back strong, but it sure is nice to enjoy this down time. $200 million just doesn't buy you as much as it used to. *This should not be confused with the Mets' idiotic decision to run the "Your Post-Season has Come" ads in 2007. That was done either out of carelessness, or a desire to get a jump on post-season tickets (as if post-season tickets are a hard sell?). The thread naming was a bold prediction.

The good news is that they have lost 4 in a row. The bad news is that they are still only 3.5 games back.

I love him, but I fear poor Bobby's starting to lose it. I guess that ship has sailed. Now he should try to stay quiet.

Or you know, just buy your own and put it on after they take away the ones they distributed. https://www.google.com/#q=nypd+hats&tbm=shop

David Aardsma gets it. Special guest appearance by CPF'er included.