Centerfield

Couple interesting tidbits from Adam's article in the News today: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/06/30/2009-06-30_beltran_second.html "The diagnosis pretty much concurred with what we heard from our guys, which was a bruise in the knee," assistant GM John Ricco said. "The recommendation is that he rest that knee until he's pain-free. And then he can proceed from there. He's going to have a few days of inactivity and then be reevaluated by our guys. ... I will say it's probably looking like, with the All-Star break, we had hoped maybe he'd be back before that. Right now, it looks like we're headed for after." This much is encouraging, but I wish one of the doctors would address the cartilage issue. If Beltran's knee has worn down, rest may heal the bruise, but what is to prevent it from flaring up again immediately? It's not like the cartilage will grow back in a few weeks. And if there is sufficient cartilage, how did he get the bone bruise? Some answers would be nice. Mets players expressed satisfaction with the team's doctors to the Daily News. One player instead suggested it's how that information is used by the organization that is the issue. The player cited the case of J.J. Putz, saying Altchek recommended to Putz in mid-May for the reliever to have immediate surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Instead, team officials advocated a cortisone shot. Putz rejoined the team in San Francisco and subsequently had a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances before ultimately needing the procedure anyway. If this is true, all the things we've been hearing about the Mets being incompetent rings true. I don't even know what to say about this. How do you ignore your doctors? And in the end, that decision ended up costing the Mets both time and games. Beltran had a cortisone shot on May 26 when knee discomfort flared up, but he believes that merely blunted the pain and allowed it to get worse. When Beltran had a second MRI weeks later, he said, doctors noted the bone bruise had doubled in size. It's hard to argue with that. The same could be said for Delgado's injury. The Mets staff can't be blamed for this rash of injuries, but if these allegations are true, they certainly can be blamed for making things worse.

That is certainly a relief. Of course, I hope this doesn't mean that Dr. Steadman recommends surgery in September after the bone bruise fails to heal. "Micro-fracture surgery" just sounds scary.

What D-Dad said.

And does Santana look right? Gameday tells me he just walked the pitcher.

I hear that the GM for the Hurt Mets is in negotiations with Gary Sheffield.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]]What's the most lopsided shutout? 16-0. A loss to the Braves at Shea on July 2, 1999. Masato Yoshii started for the Mets and Greg Maddux went for Atlanta. I remember this one. Ambler at the old mofo described this as "Hiroshima." Fascinating list by the way and thanks. That one-run games are more common than 2-run games probably says something about how 2-run leads are treated. If memory serves me correctly, that was the pitching debut of Matt Franco.

The fact that he has this information should really confirm that the name "Ultimate Mets Database" is not hyperbole.

New Goal for Tonight's Game: DO NOT GET NOMINATED FOR "WORST LOSSES" THREAD

metirish wrote: ] Pineiro may throw a complete game here without breaking 90 pitches. This is embarrassing , it's like I'm watching an all time great here , but it's Joel fucking Pineiro. "Fucking" is a very common middle name in St. Louis.

That's true. For me, the Castillo Game, the Pittsburgh game, the Church Misses Third Game, and the Murphy Drops the Fly Ball game were all worse. I think last night would have been a miserable game to go to. But as long as I could change the channel, last night wasn't excruciating.

Last night's game pissed me off, and it's about as "unfun" as a game can be, but it wasn't the kind that rips your heart out and stomps on it. I'm serious, I think this contest is over after the Castillo game.

I wonder if Sheffield is hurt.

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]="Centerfield"]I don't understand how a bruise would get worse unless something were to hit it in the same place again. From what I understand, the "bone bruise" is essentially caused by repetitive knee trauma, caused itself by centerfieldin' with a very, very degraded mensicus. Basically, the guy's got no padding; with nothing in there dispersing body weight/knee friction when he's running/sliding/jumping, it's more or less bone on bone when the knee is compressed (and apparently has been for a while). This is potentially a career shortener, unless something drastic (microfracture?) can be done... but said drastic measures have pretty significant recovery times and no guarantees. (Orthopedist in the family.) Well that's fucking scary.

I don't understand how a bruise would get worse unless something were to hit it in the same place again.

Starting tonight, we are about to start the most brutal stretch of the schedule. Over the next few weeks we see: Tampa Bay (3 games) St. Louis (4 games) MFY's (3 games) Milwaukee (3 games) Pittsburgh (1 makeup game) Philadelphia (3 games) Dodgers (3 games) Twenty games total before finishing up the first half against Cincy. How many do they win? How many can you live with?

Excellent KTE! Love the exclamation points!

The title of this thread was kind of a joke. As it's progressed, it become less and less so.

Do they know that they're being picked up on mlb.tv?

="Benjamin Grimm":wvotfwll]Don't worry, I have no plans to make this a daily feature... yet. I have my doubts right now that the Mets will be involved in a gripping September pennant race anyway.[/quote:wvotfwll] You think they're gonna run away with the division? Wow, that's some confidence. Benjamin Grimm Jun 25 2009 01:56 PM One game out of first place. If Tampa Bay does us a favor tonight, it'll be only a half. Perhaps the Mets will leave Philadelphia in first place next week. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 25 2009 01:58 PM We got a cupcake at home coming up, I don't see how we could get out of this weekend not in first. Edgy DC Jun 25 2009 10:51 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jul 31 2009 07:51 AM The whole field has truncated since the last update, with expansion brethren Colorado and Florida heating up the most. Even Washington has gained some ground. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #Philadelphia3733.529---------New York3734.5210.50.592Florida3836.5141.01.590Atlanta3438.4724.010.588Washington2149.30016.058.577 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #San Francisco3932.549---------Milwaukee3834.5281.51.499New York3734.5212.02.590Colorado3735.5142.54.089Florida3836.5142.54.088Cincinnati3536.4934.011.588Chicago3435.4934.011.589Atlanta3438.4725.522.086Houston3337.4715.522.087Pttsburgh3339.4586.531.085San Diego3140.4378.050.584Arizona3042.4179.562.582Washington2149.30017.5158.575 Willets Point Jun 25 2009 11:11 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":3i3p78g1]Perhaps the Mets will leave Philadelphia in first place next week.[/quote:3i3p78g1] That can be interpreted in two different ways: 1. The Mets will depart the city of Philadelphia having gained first place for themselves. 2. The Mets will lose and thus the team from Philadelphia will remain in sole possession of first place. Gwreck Jun 25 2009 11:31 PM Which do you think it is? Benjamin Grimm Jun 26 2009 05:45 AM Let me rephrase then... Perhaps the Mets, upon their departure from Philadelphia next week, will find themselves with the best record in the National League East. Edgy DC Jun 26 2009 08:45 PM Hey, we're in first place. Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 06:11 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 07 2009 07:18 AM Wow, I haven't posted since the Mets were in first. The good news is that, in the day and a half since the Mets last played (and lost), they have passed two teams (one intradivision) in the standings. The bad news is that the sterategy of moving ahead by not playing isn't very sustainable. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia4337.538---------48.17926Florida4341.5122.02.07918.79686New York3942.4814.57.07821.36100Atlanta3943.4765.08.57711.65843Washington2455.30419.064.5640.00446 NL Wildcard TeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsSan Francisco4537.549---------24.55501Colorado4339.5242.02.07936.45378Milwaukee4339.5242.02.0795.20361Florida4139.5133.05.0792.99581Chicago4341.5123.05.0773.12304Cincinnati4041.4944.512.5771.71817Houston4041.4944.512.5771.13201New York3942.4815.519.5763.12304Atlanta3943.4766.023.5752.08225Pttsburgh3746.4468.546.0720.56024San Diego3547.42710.061.0710.14075Arizona3449.41011.577.5690.26129Washington2456.30020.0179.5620.00053 Benjamin Grimm Jul 07 2009 06:51 AM Yikes... eighth place in the Wild Card race? Just a few weeks ago they were in first or second. Things look pretty grim, but not so bad that a sustained hot streak wouldn't cure. But is this team capable of a sustained hot streak? Sure doesn't look like it. Edgy DC Jul 07 2009 07:22 AM The overlooked here continues to be the turnabout Colorado had had over the last few weeks. I ain't telling you what to believe, but if you want to still root, take it one team at a time. Root for the Mets, and root like heck against Houston. Once they pass Houston, the Astros become the Mets allies in helping them pick off the teams ahead. I'm not going to tell you it's not a slog ahead. TransMonk Jul 08 2009 08:07 AM 39-43. This is the first time the Mets have been 4 games under .500 since 9/17/05. metirish Jul 08 2009 08:09 AM The Mets are losers of nine of their last eleven games. I expect to be in fourth place in the next few days. Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 08:23 AM The pattern of fortune's vunlerability to change dramatically each day in the NL East lends an air of bigitude to the Mets upcoming series with the Braves. Is anybody in the press noticing the extended surge of the Rockies? Look how dramatically they lead without leading in the wildcard race. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia4838.558---------60.36533Florida4644.5114.04.07115.70618Atlanta4345.4896.08.07012.38783New York4245.4836.59.57011.54009Washington2661.29922.573.5540.00058 NL Wildcard TeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsSan Francisco4939.557---------27.11857Colorado4741.5342.02.07345.51423Milwaukee4543.5114.06.0712.96857Florida4644.5114.06.0403.00459Chicago4343.5005.010.0713.18395Houston4444.5005.010.0700.71723Atlanta4345.4896.016.0691.13201Cincinnati4245.4836.519.5690.68224New York4245.4836.519.5692.23495Pttsburgh3850.43211.060.0640.12630Arizona3851.42711.565.0620.19441San Diego3652.40913.081.5620.01837Washington2661.29922.5195.5530.00010 Nymr83 Jul 13 2009 08:50 AM ]Washington 26 61 .299 22.5 73.5 54 0.00058 so they'll win the division 6 times out of 1,000,000? that takes into account the chances that they trade for Albert Pujols, Tim Lincecum, Hanley Ramirez, Manny Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Evan Longoria, and Zack Greinke all before the end of the day, right? Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 08:56 AM Plague years, I believe. Nymr83 Jul 13 2009 08:59 AM I also did not take into account the chances that the Mets, Braves, Marlins, and Phillies would all get paid off to lose the rest of their games. Edgy DC Jul 27 2009 02:02 PM Chicago --- recently compared to the Mets as far as being disappointing --- has re-asserted themselves and edged ahead of the Cards, thought St. Louis still is shown as more likely to win the division according to Baseball Prospectus. The Mets series win helped put a brake on a long streaking period by Houston climbing the standings, and it also allowed them to pass Cincinnati. So the Reds are now one of the teams you are allowed to root for. Milwaukee is sliding and their the next team we are looking for the Mets to pick off. Washington is eliminated from both races to the fifth decimal place of a percentage point. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia5640.583---------71.92603Atlanta5148.5156.56.55918.94809Florida5148.5156.56.5596.65038New York4651.47410.518.5562.47551Washington3068.30627.084.5390.00000 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsColorado5444.551---------58.03895San Francisco5246.5312.02.0639.07787St. Louis5348.5252.53.0613.54684Atlanta5148.5153.56.0618.31609Florida5148.5153.56.0613.47697Houston5048.5104.08.5610.87862Milwaukee4949.5005.014.5600.89282New York4651.4747.532.0580.37380Cincinnati4453.4549.548.0560.07017Pttsburgh4355.43911.061.5540.02579Arizona4356.43411.566.5530.09422San Diego3861.38416.5121.5480.00010Washington3068.30624.0211.5410.00000 Edgy DC Jul 31 2009 07:45 AM Not a lot of movement during the series, except, you know, the Mets knocked Colorado off the top perch in the Wild Card race. No matter, says Baseball Prospectus, who is still doubling down on the Rockies. The Mets are only a game closer to the top, but cut their net gap from 32 to 26, so that's good. Similarly, they pulled three games closer in the Net column in the division race, such as it is. In other words, this run has been nice, but it has to be sustained to be meaningful. Catching Milwaukee and/or Houston over the next few days would be very meaningful. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia5842.580---------73.50793Florida5349.5206.06.0568.16545Atlanta5250.5107.08.05515.18698New York4952.4859.515.5533.13963Washington3270.31427.085.5350.00000 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsSan Francisco5646.549---------18.97177Colorado5547.5391.01.06045.52084St. Louis5649.5331.52.0586.05652Florida5349.5203.06.5584.07728Atlanta5250.5104.010.5576.77887Houston5151.5005.015.5560.65272Milwaukee5151.5005.015.5560.78867New York4952.4856.526.0550.62566Cincinnati4556.44610.558.0510.01369Arizona4458.43112.071.5490.04786Pttsburgh4358.42612.576.5490.00565San Diego4162.39815.5109.5450.00005Washington3270.31424.0211.5370.00000 Edgy DC Aug 04 2009 12:41 PM NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia5640.583---------74.89575Atlanta5148.5156.56.55913.43997Florida5148.5156.56.55910.06658New York4651.47410.518.5561.59770Washington3068.30627.084.5390.00000 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsColorado5444.551---------58.95294San Francisco5246.5312.02.06316.21132St. Louis5348.5252.53.0613.44353Atlanta5148.5153.56.0612.64151Florida5148.5153.56.0613.85554Houston5048.5104.08.5610.39682Milwaukee4949.5005.014.5600.44886New York4651.4747.532.0580.12738Cincinnati4453.4549.548.0560.00121Pttsburgh4355.43911.061.5540.00172Arizona4356.43411.566.5530.06649San Diego3861.38416.5121.5480.00031Washington3068.30624.0211.5410.00000 Net Met Post-Season Likelihood: 1.47032% Ashie62 Aug 04 2009 12:50 PM ="metirish":37imwhfz]The Mets are losers of nine of their last eleven games. I expect to be in fourth place in the next few days.[/quote:37imwhfz] We have a winner! Give the man a set of steaknives TransMonk Aug 04 2009 12:51 PM ="Edgy DC":1wacunne] Net Met Post-Season Likelihood: 1.47032%[/quote:1wacunne] Met Post-Season Likelihood on Sept 12, 2007: 99.80% Stranger things have happened. Stranger and far more depressing. Ashie62 Aug 04 2009 01:00 PM ="TransMonk":1oi9gbzs]="Edgy DC":1oi9gbzs] Net Met Post-Season Likelihood: 1.47032%[/quote:1oi9gbzs] Met Post-Season Likelihood on Sept 12, 2007: 99.80% Stranger things have happened. Stranger and far more depressing.[/quote:1oi9gbzs] Wow** Strangely that just made my day. After all they are the Amazin Mets Edgy DC Aug 06 2009 08:06 AM Well, that lousy loss the night before last burns the Mets badly as their net post-season odds dip toward the 1% mark. Milwaukee moves up a bit, so the Mets have to eye Houston first, but you know, the Fish are slipping also. San Fran re-takes the top wildcard slot, but Baseball Prospectus still is totally not impressed. They love the Rocks. San Diego joins the Nats among teams not shouldered with the burden of a visible post-season possiblity. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia6045.571---------75.75257Florida5552.5146.06.0519.14475Atlanta5553.5096.57.05014.03328New York5156.47710.017.5471.06940Washington3672.33325.579.5310.00000 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsSan Francisco6048.556---------22.82055Colorado5948.5510.50.55554.46296St. Louis5951.5362.03.5542.71764Florida5552.5144.511.0522.38452Atlanta5553.5095.013.0513.43947Milwaukee5454.5006.018.0500.41470Houston5355.4917.024.0480.11615New York5156.4778.534.5470.27858Arizona4959.45411.054.5440.11468Cincinnati4661.43013.577.0420.00048Pttsburgh4562.42114.587.0410.00063San Diego4465.40416.5109.0380.00000Washington3672.33324.0199.0310.00000 Edgy DC Aug 10 2009 07:57 PM The Mets are Santa Claus right now, giving hope to all the poor children, first Arizona, then San Diego, who actually has come back from having no chance of winning within five decimal places of a percentage point. Mercy. Not so resuscitated is Washington, who despite winning a fuky eight straight, still aren't showing any numbers but goose eggs, but they've closed their wild card gap from 199 net games to 173. Another seven months at this pace and who knows? Normally I'd cheer the Nats onward, reasoning that any success by a team behind the Mets in the standings helps the Mets pick off opponents, but this week stank so solidly that I view Washington's success as a threat by them to somehow catch the Mets in the standings. Show me something, SHaMs. NL EastTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsPhiladelphia6148.560---------58.10719Florida5853.5234.04.04915.91526Atlanta5854.5184.55.04825.56209New York5259.46810.021.5430.41546Washington4072.35722.571.5300.00000 NL WildcardTeamWL%GBNet GBElim. #BP % ChampsColorado6150.550---------51.36310San Francisco6150.550---------18.00222Chicago5851.5322.04.0514.56220Florida5853.5233.07.0493.87031Atlanta5854.5183.59.0484.75462Houston5556.4956.021.5460.16014Milwaukee5556.4956.021.5460.41311New York5259.4689.042.5430.08468Arizona5062.44611.562.5400.03717Cincinnati4862.43612.571.5400.00078San Diego4766.41615.096.5360.00003Pttsburgh4566.40516.0107.5360.00000Washington4072.35721.5173.5300.00000 Elster88 Aug 10 2009 08:55 PM ]I view Washington's success as a threat by them to somehow catch the Mets in the standings. That just depressed the hell out of me. duan Aug 11 2009 05:34 AM i don't know every time they look like they *just might* put something together that'd mean they'd claw their way TOWARDS being at least able to duke it out in September they lose two straight and fall back off. I'm still cool with saying if they go 13-6 or something in the remaining August games they'll be well in it, but there's only so many times they can fail to actually have one of those runs and still be able to put enough of them together. We've really missed a healthy John Maine. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 11 2009 12:06 PM Re: i don't know ="duan":exl5k9ys]We've really missed a healthy John Maine.[/quote:exl5k9ys] Since mid-2007. Edgy DC Aug 11 2009 12:53 PM We've missed three batsmen a bunch more though. duan Aug 11 2009 05:08 PM ="Edgy DC":20movskg]We've missed three batsmen a bunch more though.[/quote:20movskg] totally, it's just that Pelfrey & Hernandez seem to alternate good & bad outings and whoever's in the 4th & 5th slots is usually pretty junky so on the days where we don't score 7 runs we lose more then half the time. I sorta feel if we just had one more stable starter we'd be close to .500 now and if the batters came back could make a go of it.

According to several reports, Sheffield did not have the MRI. Stupid Mets.

Big series this is. The schedule gets brutal after these guys.

I think all are safe for the time being, but if the Mets fall short, Jerry probably takes the hit. One year left on the contract, reasonable salary, Bobby V looming. Sorry Jerry.

Talk all weekend long was that Sheffield would have an MRI soon. They would do it today rather than wait until they get to Baltimore, then fly him back right? Right?

I'm disappointed that no one on our side is bright enough to come up with the obvious comparison to Joba. Someone ask Bruney what he thinks of his teammates' actions, and whether that falls in with "how he was taught to play the game". And do it quick before I do it.