metirish

Pedro speaks ] Pedro: A-Rod made an error Mets' ace thinks the Yankees' star should play for 'us,' not U.S. BY KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF WRITER January 27, 2006, 10:08 PM EST Pedro Martinez and Alex Rodriguez are longtime friends, so much so that last winter, during Martinez's free agency, the right-hander met with and confided in the Yankees' third baseman. Yet Martinez, who wound up signing with the Mets, is disappointed that A-Rod has chosen to play for the United States -- instead of the Dominican Republic -- in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Martinez chose to share this sentiment publicly. "Alex is American because he was born in the United States, but after what Mike Piazza -- a future Hall of Famer -- did, who will be playing for Italy, and Nomar Garciaparra, who will be playing for Mexico, he had an excuse to do the same with the Dominican Republic," said Martinez, who intends to pitch for his native Dominican Republic. Martinez's statements were spoken to the Dominican-based television network Color Vision. ESPN.com first reported of the interview here. "Now Alex must prepare for the nasty comments that will arise in the Bronx, where almost half of the citizens are Latino and purely Dominican," Martinez said. "In fact, when Alex gets [to the Dominican Republic] it's possible that not even the reporters will be here to welcome him." Rodriguez, who couldn't be reached for comment Friday, agonized over his WBC decision, initially hinting he would play for the Dominican, then declining to select a team, then dropping out, then ultimately signing on for the U.S. team. In announcing his (seemingly) final decision, Rodriguez credited a telephone conversation he had with Manny Ramirez, the Dominican native, who told A-Rod he could play for the U.S. club. Ramirez and Martinez are good friends, having played together for the Boston Red Sox. On other topics, Martinez, who didn't attend the Mets' caravan this past week, confirmed that he recently married Carolina Cruz, a Dominican reporter for ESPN. He also spoke extensively about his notoriously ailing right big toe, saying that he is still waiting for the specially designed shoe from Nike that, he hopes, will provide the necessary cushion. "I have faith in God, and I know I'll be ready," Martinez said. "I'm being optimistic that I'll be able to play the World Baseball Classic and the 2006 season." The injury, Martinez said, resulted from "irregular movement" from his pitching delivery, damaging the cartilage of the toe. "The pain became insufferable during the 2004 season, and I had to take a cortisone shot in order to tolerate the pain and be able to help Boston win the World Series," he said. "Last year, the pain returned in June, but the doctors recommended that, rather than ignoring the wound by applying cortisone, I rehabilitate the foot instead, which is what we're doing right now." His friendship with A-Rod might need some rehabilitation, as well, following Martinez's television appearance in the Dominican.

Erin is quite a looker..

That would probably make A-Rod very upset, keep this info from him, David will be busy working on his woman skills anyway...

A ll hail to Seaver..

What Frayed Knot you thought this question wasn't loaded from cubbiesfan4ever ]Why are you so good, Cliff?

I'm surprised he's not been on 'Cribs', he has the cars for it.....funny guy .

] Piazza likely will be Padre BY KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF WRITER January 26, 2006, 9:46 PM EST The Yankees are officially out of the Mike Piazza chase, a certain disappointment to the former Mets catcher. But the San Diego Padres, whose locale appeals to the 37-year-old, remain very interested. According to a major-league official, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman notified Piazza's agent Dan Lozano on Thursday that the team would pass on the future Hall of Famer. "I've got nothing to report," Cashman said. The Yankees intend to carry 12 pitchers, leaving them with 13 position players. With catcher Kelly Stinnett, infielder Miguel Cairo and outfielder Bubba Crosby already tagged as reserves, the last spot likely will go to Andy Phillips, who can spot Jason Giambi at first base. The Yankees ultimately decided that Phillips' defense would prove more useful than Piazza's offense. Piazza relished the idea of serving as the Yankees' part-time designated hitter. But with the Yankees no longer interested, he could find himself in San Diego, for about $2 million. The Padres began negotiations with Lozano about a week ago, according to Padres GM Kevin Towers. Said Towers: " basically said to DH was Mike's preference, but if that didn't work out, he'd really want to be on the West Coast." San Diego has carried on a busy offseason, acquiring Mike Cameron in a trade from the Mets and re-signing free agents Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman, both for hometown discounts. At catcher, however, the defending National League West champions are unimposing, having lost Ramon Hernandez to Baltimore through free agency. Former Red Sox backup Doug Mirabelli, David Ross and former Yankees backup Todd Greene make up the catching corps. "He still thinks he can catch 70 to 80 games," Towers said of Piazza. "We can probably carry three catchers." Piazza could DH in the Padres' nine interleague road games, Towers added, and the GM said that he could even envision Piazza playing "10 to 15 games" at first base during the season. Piazza didn't play first base at all for the 2005 Mets, after struggling greatly there in 2004. Towers said he had largely been playing "phone tag" with Lozano, but negotiations could progress quickly now that the Yankees are out. The Phillies and Toronto also have expressed interest in Piazza.

From the WB site... http://wb11.trb.com/sports/baseball/mets/?track=toputil

Great score, Wright getting grilled about meeting women..

] Classic sets pitch limits THE ASSOCIATED PRESS January 26, 2006, 6:57 PM EST The World Baseball Classic set its pitch limits and mercy rules Thursday, designed to protect pitchers in the early stages of spring training and cut short one-sided games. Pitchers in the first round of games, scheduled from March 3-10, will be limited to 65 pitches. The amount rises to 80 pitches for the second round, set for March 12-16, and 95 for the semifinals on March 18 and the championship March 20. A 30-pitch outing must be followed by one day off, and a 50-pitch outing must be followed by four days off. No one will be allowed to pitch on three consecutive days. Pitchers who reach the limit will be allowed to complete the current plate appearance. The usual rule that a starting pitcher must throw at least five innings to get credit for a win will be waived. All games will use designated hitters. Games will be stopped after five innings when a team is ahead by 15 or more runs and after seven innings when a team is ahead by at least 10 runs. A game can be stopped in the middle of an inning if a team reaches the threshold. Limits also were set on players in the tournament from any major league team: 14 from an organization and 10 from its active 25-man roster or disabled list last Aug. 31. A major league team is allowed to waive the limit for its players. The tournament organizers -- the commissioner's office and the players' association -- also may block "players whose participation would otherwise impose an undue hardship" on their major league team. The rules gave the examples of "too many starting pitchers, too many catchers." The 16 teams in the WBC must submit final 30-man rosters five days before their openers. Teams can replace disabled players from names on their preliminary 60-man rosters, but only for following rounds. The tiebreakers in the standings used for advancement will be head-to-head record, followed by fewest runs allowed per inning, fewest earned runs allowed per inning, highest batting average in head-to-head games and a drawing of lots. The tiebreakers are based on International Baseball Federation rules. The WBC also stated its previously discussed rules on eligibility. A player can represent a country if he is a citizen, qualifies for citizenship, holds a passport or is qualified to hold a passport, is a legal resident, was born in the country, has a parent who is or was a citizen and has a parent who was born there.

Fuck Schilling, he's a bollox......not interested, aren't any of the lick-arses at SOSH interested,I'd have thought they'd be wetting themselves at the chance to help Schilling.

Omar was a fan growing up in Queens....

Cliff seems to have assumed the role of media go to guy, I saw his bit on M&MD yesterday, he talked about taking the leadership role, it was good to hear.

Yeah he really dropped the ball on this did Molina,with 3 weeks to ST and he's still not signed, and I 'm kinda happy that the Mets didn't get him, he's old and fatish, LoDuca will do the biz I think.

Well he couldn't stay healthy either, after being an iron-man in Japan he never was here...I never thought he had a great arm though...

Not a lot of pics besides that one on Google of Mookie, and of cats, seems that lots of peeps name their cats Mookie..

Gotta start with this then...

Here is the bit from the News in Mets notes... ] Samuel to helm Double-A squad The principal in one of the most unpopular trades in Mets history is rejoining the organization. Juan Samuel has been named manager of Double-A Binghamton. Samuel, who coached third base for the Tigers last season, is slated to be joined on the B-Mets staff by ex-Met John Valentin as hitting coach and Mark Brewer as pitching coach. Obtained from the Phillies for Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell on June 18, 1989, Samuel hit .228 with three homers in 333 at-bats as a Met. He signed with the Dodgers as a free agent that winter. Ex-'86 Mets Mookie Wilson and Tim Teufel, who managed at the Single-A level last year, have left the organization. Wally Backman had expressed interest in the Binghamton job. Adam Rubin

No idea Cooby, maybe back trucking, it was in the Daily News today, him and Tim Tuefel are gone.

With Mookie leaving the organization we should honour him...

Well now that I live in a Cablevision town I am worried, please Mr. Dolan do not fuck with us.....thanks.

WOW none of them sound Latino.

I'm still rooting for Kaz, if ever a first month was important to a player it is to Kaz I would think, I hope he does well.

] By MICHAEL MORRISSEY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 25, 2006 -- The Mets would prefer to trade Kaz Matsui, according to numerous reports. The team's fans, judging by their vociferous boos, would rather have anybody else playing second base. But when the Mets promotional caravan kicked off yesterday at the New York Public Library, Matsui was sporting his familiar No. 25. "I'm aware that those rumors are around, but I'm here today," Matsui said about trade speculation. "I haven't produced as much as I would've liked to in the past two years, but right now I'm training hard, working hard, and trying to build my condition into spring training. "Since the first day I stepped into New York, I always wanted to play here. Because I'm very grateful that the Mets acquired me when they did, I just want to be part of this team and this organization. "I want to be here. In order to be here, I have to produce on the field." When major-league all-stars toured Japan a few seasons ago, many players and staff said they thought Kaz Matsui would be a bigger U.S. star than Hideki Matsui. But Kaz Matsui, who was an ironman shortstop in the Pacific Rim, has been beset by injuries here and has struggled to adapt. He batted .272 in 114 games in 2004, .255 in 87 games last season. His star has fallen so far, he wasn't even on the provisional 54-person roster Japan produced for the World Baseball Classic. Kaz Matsui said he wasn't disappointed, though, and he's not using it as motivation. "No, I'm not surprised," he said. "Obviously, this baseball world is based on results. "I haven't been producing compared to what I had three or four years ago. You have to be producing now. Since I can't do anything about it, the only thing I can do is produce from here on in." Willie Randolph, this winter a surprising advocate of Kaz Matsui's skills, left a message with the second baseman saying they'll sit down during spring training. The Mets signed Bret Boone to a minor-league contract, and minor-leaguers Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger also are fighting for the job. "Competition is the message that I get," Kaz Matsui said in reaction to Boone's signing. Kaz Matsui said his knee bruise has healed, and he vows to keep working hard on his conditioning and adaptation to second base. "I just want to show the Mets and people taking care of me that I can play," he said. "And that's where I'm concentrating on." michael.morrissey@nypost.com