metirish

Not sure what to make of this really, I'd like to know what LaRussa and Izzy had to say, LaRussa in the past has sent pitchers out to plunk guys,maybe Mike knows this and wanted to know WTF Tony.

Any news on this..]Will Willie kid around?With Mets essentially out of wild-card race, Randolph could take a look at youngsters, especially HernandezBY ANTHONY RIEBERSTAFF WRITERSeptember 13, 2005With 13 games left at Shea Stadium beginning with tonight's against Washington, the Mets had hoped to sell the excitement of a wild-card chase to their fans.A 2-8 road trip pretty much took care of that notion. So the Mets instead will focus on finishing strong, maybe playing spoiler, and possibly taking a peek at a piece of their future. Or, as Willie Randolph put it, getting "a little glimpse of what might be, what could be."The Mets have a gaping hole at second base. Enter prospect Anderson Hernandez, a converted shortstop who could be promoted from Triple-A Norfolk as soon as today."I'd like to see maybe this kid Hernandez come up eventually," Randolph said Sunday in St. Louis. Two things are significant about that: The manager mentioned Hernandez without prodding, and at the time he spoke, Norfolk's season wasn't over.It is now, as the Tides were eliminated from the International League playoffs Sunday night. The only obstacle in Hernandez's way is the Mets' 40-man roster, which is full. Team brass huddled yesterday to decide when and how to add Hernandez, who is likely to be the only significant minor-leaguer the Mets bring up before season's end."I've heard some good things about him," Randolph said. "Just to get a look at how he handles himself and see if he's overmatched or anything like that. He's a switch hitter, had a nice little year in Triple-A, so you're kind of curious sometimes in what those kinds of guys can bring."Hernandez, 22, batted .315 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs and 35 stolen bases in a season split equally between Norfolk and Double-A Binghamton. The Mets acquired him from Detroit on Jan. 6 for Vance Wilson and he wowed them in spring training with his glove at short.The Mets don't need a shortstop, but given the struggles of Kaz Matsui and Miguel Cairo this season, they could use a second baseman. They also could use a No. 2 hitter, although Hernandez's high strikeout total (104) could be problematic in that spot."In Triple-A, he's had a nice year," Randolph said. "When you're looking at the numbers, it's like he's the kind of guy, a switch hitter, that could fit in that spot. Probably. We don't know at the big-league level."With their roster full, the Mets aren't inclined to call up other prospects who aren't on the 40-man roster, such as pitcher Yusmeiro Petit or outfielder Prentice Redman. Petit struck out 14 in a playoff game Thursday, but it was only his fourth Triple-A start, and the Mets are leery of rushing the 20-year-old. More likely additions are old friends Dae-Sung Koo and Royce Ring.One youngster who will be getting a good look the rest of the season is first baseman Mike Jacobs, who started the last three games of the road trip and had a key RBI double in Sunday's 7-2 win. The Mets want to see what they have in the 24-year-old before the winter shopping season opens. First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz understands."I knew it was going to happen," he said, "as soon as we fell out of the race. This ain't my first rodeo."Anderson HernandezDominican middle infielder acquired from the Tigers in January for Vance Wilson.Turns 23 on Oct. 30.A career .258 hitter in four previous minor-league seasons, the switch hitter batted .315 combined at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Norfolk with nine HRs, 54 RBIs and 35 SBs. Struck out 104 times. It was his first experience at Triple-A.A slick glove at short, he was converted to second base this season.

]And I was beginning to think things weren't looking too good. Sounds doable. Certainly it's not out of this world, we can do this.

It'a always the Dodgers and Mets going after these guys,a position change to where, stay away form him,Nakamura was supposed to be a great hitter and turned out badly.

I'd have no problem with Glavine being back next season, I can't really look to 06 yet, to early.

]Loop looks to set up his future BY ADAM RUBIN DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER ST. LOUIS - Met fans may want to run Braden Looper out of town after Wednesday's debacle in Atlanta, but the Mets closer says he would like to stick around - possibly even in a setup role. One night after serving up what appeared to be the death knell on the Mets' season, Looper said he wants to stay, even though it's extremely unlikely the Mets will pick up their option on him for next season that could be worth up to $6 million. Looper believes it might be possible to negotiate a two-year deal or longer at a lesser annual amount. His agent met with Omar Minaya on Aug. 30 while the Mets played host to the Phillies. "The way I told my agent was, if it was a situation where they paid me like I felt I should be paid and the Mets said, 'Hey, we'll pay you whatever amount and we're going to sign Billy Wagner, too,' how can I say no to that? That makes our team that much better," Looper said. "But it would be very few instances where that would be the case." Mets brass figures to explore other options trying to improve the closer's role, but the answer might not be out there. Wagner - who had his own meltdown on Wednesday - has been engaged in contract-extension discussions with the Phillies and may never enter the market. And beyond Detroit's Ugueth Urbina, there doesn't seem to be much available via free agency. The Mets don't have any true internal candidates according to team insiders, though one suit mentioned Aaron Heilman, who closed early in his career at Notre Dame. Asked before last night's Mets-Cardinals game, Willie Randolph indicated Heilman could be a closer down the road, but not soon. "From what I understand, I don't know what to say other than the fact Omar said he would like to have me back and we'll go from there," Looper said. "That doesn't mean it will get worked out." Looper has converted 28 saves, one shy of his career high set last season. He also has blown six chances. Of the 16 closers with more saves than Looper, one has a worse save percentage than Looper's 82.4% - Texas' Francisco Cordero (31-for-39, 79.5%). Looper's .333 on-base percentage allowed is higher than anyone in that group. His blown saves have come in key spots, costing the Mets an Opening Day win and also a sweep at Yankee Stadium. Looper has had particular trouble with lefties, who have a .327 average against him, as opposed to .203 for righties. His slider generally moves directly into their wheelhouse, leaving him largely limited to fastballs and splitters to retire them. One possible reason for his struggles: According to a team insider, Looper has been pitching with an injury behind his right shoulder that likely would've prompted surgery had it been detected before the season. Regardless, Randolph doesn't plan to depose him as closer. That would only be a sign of panic, which Randolph doesn't feel. "I've always shown a lot of confidence in my players," Randolph said. "I'm not wishy-washy." Originally published on September 9, 2005 Fresh stories hot off the

Well the Mets did play games that mattered late in the season, that was a plus, the starting pitching was better than decent, the bench this year is super.David Wright is a star, Reyes is a star. I could go negative but I hope this year will be a good learning experience for next saeson.

Super KTE, good job.

Maybe the closers role for the Mets is cursed.

Stick a fork in us, we're done, even though we lost I tought Takatsu showed some balls, very nearly did it.

Great post Dickshot, I have gone to the vault for a classic(or not).. House of Pain Faster Pussycat A little past suppertime I'm still out on the porch step sitting on my behind, Waiting for you. Wondering if everything is alright. Momma said, "Come in boy, don't waste your time." I said, "I've got time. Well, he'll be here soon." Five years old and talking to myself. Where were you? Where'd you go? Daddy, can't you tell? I'm not trying to fake it And I ain't the one to blame. There's no one home In my house of pain. I didn't write these pages And my script's been rearranged. No, there's no one home In my house of pain Wasn't I worth the time? A boy needs a daddy like a dance to mime and all the time I looked up to you. I paced my room a million times. And all I ever got was on big line, the same old lie. How could you? Well, I was eighteen and still talking to myself. Where were you? Where'd you go? Daddy can't you tell? I'm not trying to fake it And I ain't the one to blame. There's no one home In my house of pain I didn't write these pages And my script's been rearranged. No, there's no one home In my house of pain (REPEAT) And I'm alone again. (Spoken): Well, if I learned anything from this...it's how to live on my own.

Opinion That's impressive because Boswell only played in 116 games in 1971,109 at 2B. Fact On September 7, 1984, New York Mets right-hander Dwight Gooden sets a National League record for most strikeouts by a rookie. Gooden�s 228th strikeout surpasses the record set by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911...

Yeah that's what I thought, but I have noticed over the course of the season that it's basically the same umps that work Met games, they seem to show up every few weeks.

We need Piazza, stupid broken bone.

As much as I would like to see the young Hernandez I see no reason not to keep playing Matsui,I'd hate to bring up a young AAA player expecting him to spark this offence.

Great thread, I wish I was a baseball fan back then.

This is a House of Pain... Pack it up, pack it in, Let me begin, I came to win, battle me that's a sin. I won't ever slack up, Punk you better back up. Try and play the role, and yo the whole crew'll act up. Get up, Stand up, (c'mon) C'mon throw your hands up, If you've got the feeling, Jump and touch the ceiling. Muggs lets the funk flow, Someone's talkin' junk, yo, I'll bust him in the eye, and then I'll take the punk's ho. Feeling funky, Amps in the trunk, And I got more rhymes than there's cops at a Dunkin' Donuts shop. Sure 'nuff I got props, From the kids on the hill plus my mom and my pops. (chorus) I came to get down, I came to get down, So get out your seat and jump around! Jump around! Jump around! Jump around! Jump up, jump up, and get down! Jump (times 17) I'll serve it out like John McEnroe, If your girl steps up, I'm smacking the ho. (slap) Words to your moms, I came to drop bombs, I've got more rhymes than the bible's got psalms. And just like the prodigal son, I return. Anyone stepping to me, you'll get burned. 'Cause I got lyrics, but you ain't got none, If you come to battle, bring a shotgun. (shotgun) But if you do, You're a fool, 'Cause I duel To the death. Trying to step to me, you take your last breath. 'Cause I got the skill, Come get your fill, 'Cause when I shoot to gif, I shoot to kill. (chorus) I'm the cream of the crop, I rise to the top, I never eat a pig, 'Cause a pig is a filthy animal. (um... "cop") Or better yet, a Terminator, Like Arnold Schwartzenegger. Trying to play me out, Like as if my name were "Sega." But I ain't goin' out like no pro, bitch. Get used to one style, yo and I might switch. And up up and around... And buck buck you down. Put out your head And then you wake up in the dawn of the dead. I'm coming to get ya, I'm coming to get ya, Spittin' out lyrics, Homey, I'll wet ya. (chorus)

Sure, why not, it's not like the Mets can hit with men on base lately, I welcome the pain.

Very cool, Mets fans are a talented bunch.

classic, I wonder what team will pay Ponson millions next season to pitch for them.

]My head hurts now. I'm going to lie down for a few hours.Mr.Healey could be onto something here..

Graves must have had something oral going with Omar, some sort of aggreement before he signed,IIRC he was told when he was sent down that he would get called back up in September.

]I will do a preview for the remainder of the series later this evening or tomorrow evening. I hope this doesn't adversely affect my grade. You get a B for quick work on such short notice, and could the title of this thread been more visionary, then again you are an Eye Doctor so I supposed you were showing off...

Rockin Doc please tell us about the Braves.

Yeah it's true, check out the September call up thread, IIRC Graves was told when he was sent down that he would be called back up.