Centerfield

Maybe it's to keep warm.

Gary Cohen makes weird faces when he's talking.

Martinez - 2 Beltran - 2 Delgado - 2 Nady - 2 Wright - 2

soupcan wrote: I may be acting like a jerk if I boo him but I think the guy telling me not to boo him because he'll feel bad is an idiot. By the way, I don't mean to call you a jerk. I feel like I should mention that when you're there, it is really, really easy to get sucked into the moment. I booed Zambrano last year before realizing what I was doing. And I'm not saying you shouldn't boo because Carlos will feel bad. I'm saying don't boo because it hurts the team. Because it might make other free agents wary of coming here, and quite frankly, I want a guy who is sensitive if he'll hit 40 HR's and drive in 120. And there are those fans that boo to be mean spirited. The ones that boo-ed Jorge Julio on Opening Day before he ever threw a pitch for the Mets. The ones that boo-ed Benitez and Matsui mercilessly. This is the crap I can't stand. I'm saying they shouldn't boo because they're acting like jerks.

It occurs to me that some fans might not be booing, but rather urging Carlos to "Re-MOOOOOOOVE" that mole.

Exactly. Not booing doesn't necessarily mean being "coddled". That would imply that fans of all other teams "coddle" their players. All I'm saying is I don't see why we would choose to treat our players in a worse manner than fans of other teams. And I don't buy that garbage about New York being a "tough town". Acting like a jerk is acting like a jerk no matter what your zip code is. The booing of Beltran and Matsui and Benitez...these cases went beyond simply booing bad play. This sort of booing is mean-spirited and makes me want to disassociate myself with "fans" of this team.

I don't think it's in question that every fan has the right to boo anyone they want. The question is whether a fan should. I understand the urge to boo when things go badly...I boo and curse all the time when I'm watching at home. And I do this because it makes no difference what I do in my own living room. But when you're at the game, booing has an actual effect. And considering the effects, I can't understand why anyone would boo Beltran. First of all, booing is not going to make him play any better. In fact, it can get in his head and make him play worse. I have no idea why a fan would want to make it harder for a player on his own team. Secondly, it creates a negative atmosphere around the ballpark. Why would you want to create an environment where players think that the next mistake they make will be greeted with a chorus of boos? Let them relax...play loose. Third, as much as a fan can argue that a player has to suck it up because of his contract, this is simply not true. A player doesn't have to suck it up. They can go play somewhere else where they don't have to deal with it. St. Louis...Anaheim...all are great places to play...and those places don't have fans ready to jump down their throats. Someday, some free agent is going to think about how Beltran was booed and have that factor into his decision. Now, if a player is struggling because of lack of effort, I think he should be booed. Why? It sends the message that fans won't stand for that. But if a player is struggling but still playing hard...in that situation, booing accomplishes nothing. I hope that one day, a highly sought after free agent takes less money to sign somewhere else, and when asked why, says "I don't like the way those fans treated Beltran."

holychicken wrote: I am afraid now that it is too late and that Beltran is screwed in NY. He may be partially responsible for his demise, but the fans perpetuated it. All I can say is congrats to all the Mets "fans" who did their part by booing their own team. Exactly. FK, great observation about the timing of his "lemme at 'em" charge. Fantastic.

Between the idiotic "Yankees suck" chants and the booing, it's pretty embarrassing to be a Met fan these days.

Tom Martin and his 10.06 should own 2001.

I think the Ebbets Field-type facade is ugly.

Delgado 3 Bannister 2 Heilman 1 Nady 1 Sanchez - 1

I hear the Yankees are in uproar that Bonds allegedly used steroids. Everyone knows Shef and Giambi have made that a Yankee tradition.

On that note, I wondered what Howie would have said if Matsui had been in the lineup. "He has been nothing but a disappointment since arriving in New York, but at least he got rid of the mullet he wore his first season. Second Basemen, KAZ MATSUI...."

Anything by Air Supply.

Glavine - 4 Nady - 3 Wright - 2 Wagner - 1

I was disappointed Jesse didn't throw his glove in the air.

I told you that Mike's decline last year was due to Wilie's stupid facial hair rule. Look at him....goatee...opposite field HR at Petco. Need I say more.

Wow...I had no idea Wright had that kind of opposite field power.

There's no gun on this telecast. I'd like to know how hard Tommy is throwing today. Looks like he's got something extra on his pitches.

Beltran heard it pretty bad after failing to deliver with 2nd and 3rd, one out. Keith: "There seems to be more booing than ever before." SNY just played a clip of Ralph, Lindsay and Bob from the first Mets telecast ever. I'm really going to like this station.

We're lucky Soriano didn't tag up on that ball that Beltran airmailed. He would have ended up on third and scored on the ensuing groundout.

Which song did Wagner use?

Hi-Def Mets is absolutely freakin' wonderful. How is it that even Tom Nieto, Mets catching coach gets an intro, and Mr. Met doesn't? So cool to see Jesse throw to Gary. Both guys about as twice as wide as they were the last time. Boos during Opening Day intros is embarassing. I wish these classless fans would just stay home. These helmets look even worse in hi-def. I think Gary Cohen is much better on radio. SNY absolutely positively must stop this TV-head guy advertising campaign.

I second Widey's motion.