Frayed Knot

In a sport where all hitters are streaky Cameron streakiness stands out and he's in one of his "UP" rolls right now. But this trade was a future move also. Cameron wanted to get back to CF and, while he was a good soldier moving to RF, he'd be gone after this year and we'd be searching for a new corner OFer again instead of at least having Nady as an option. The question will always remain about whether Omar pulled the trigger too quickly on the deal w/o trying to drive the price up, but at worst it's a wash right now.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer** SPOILER WARNING**Lincoln dies and Booth gets caught!!!!Interesting slice of American history that brought out a couple of things I didn't know:- I hadn't realized is how famous Booth was even prior the the assasination. He was one of the country's best known actors at the time so this was the equivelent of say Tom Cruise deciding to murder George Bush (maybe not a stretch if Tom keeps flipping out). OK, so the concept of "fame" in that day doesn't exactly translate to the same thing today (Booth never stooped to doing Oprah for instance) but, because the murder took place in a DC theatre where Booth was well known, there were dozens of people who recognized as he jumped and ran so it was never a question of who did it, only where he went and to what extent he had help. Many in the Gov't thought he had Confederate Gov't help (he didn't) and the atmosphere smacked somewhat of the initial conspiracy theories surrounding Kennedy's death where LBJ's first thought was that Russia and/or Cuba was involved.- it's striking to read about how tough travel was in those days. Booth didn't get much more than 50 or 60 miles in those 12 days. Of course his broken leg didn't help but at one point he's held up for 4 days trying to get across the Potomoc River. Guess he forgot his EZ-Pass.- the author doesn't say whether the expression; 'Your name is Mud(d)' eminated from Dr. Mudd, the physician who fixed Booth's broken leg and later spent time in prison because of it (he was later pardoned). At various times over the years I heard both that it is and is not true - but the author never offers an opinion here. Mudd's family long propped up the story that he was an innocent who had no idea of Booth's identity. Oh he knew all right, he even knew Booth before hand and Booth headed to Mudd's place specifically because he knew he was sympathetic to the Southern side. Mudd also knew what Booth had done before sending him away and was clearly guilty of aiding and abetting an assassin and lying to the gov't on his whereabouts.

Last thing I heard was that the first order of business in the construction time-line is going to be a multi-level parking garage. They'll need that completed first as the stadium construction is going to eat up most of the existing parking. It's still going to be a bitch for much of the next 3 years and then beyond until they old joint is dynamited and cleaned up - but that'll help the drivers at least a bit. The garage then remains for the new place.

Yanx DFA backup catcher Kelly Stinnett and trade some minor league scrub to Philly for their recently DFA'd backup Sal Fasano. So the "Sal's Pals" group in Philly loses their hero and Sal loses the longer parts of his 'stache. Meanwhile they're in the 9th in Texas as the Rangers are doing the usual by finding new and interesting ways to lose to the Yanx. - They led 4-2 much of the game until giving up 4 in the 8th - They then beat on MFY relievers Bean & Proctor to not only score 3 times but also have the bags loaded and still just 1 out - In comes Chacon who promptly snares a comebacker into a DP. It really didn't matter where he threw it since all 3 runners were about 25 feet off their respective bases. - So with only a 1-run lead into the 9th, Osutka immediately gives up a single & HR (Jeter, Giambi) in the first 3 or 4 pitches of the 9th - And Mariano closes it out, the Rangers truly suck, and the Yanx are now in the Wild Card lead by 1/2 game over the [u:d5efe51e17]now tied[/u:d5efe51e17] ChiSox & Twinkies

]Willie going out to talk to Maine rather than Peterson. Don't think I've ever seen Willie go out to the mound other than to change a pitcher/injury in his 1.5 years as manager. Willie said that he went out there to "challenge" Maine to get through whatever sticky spot he was in at the time. I forget the specific situation.

Well they're sorta in a 6-man at this point now that Pedro's back - but it sounds like that just temporary. As of now it's: Fri - Pedro Sat - Ducky Sun - hasn't been named but I can't see how it won't be Glavine Mon - off day At that point all bets are off. Someone reported yesterday (think it was Eddie C?) that Pelfrey let slip that he's got the first game vs Florida (Tues). Not sure if that's subject to change or if he just let the cat out of the bag since Willie's not saying that publically yet. Willie was on the radio after the game today and indicated that Trax & Ducky are safe for now - meaning that the race for #5 is between Maine & Pelfrey. Of course all this is subject to trades and obviously Maine helped himself out a lot this week.

Maine - 4.5 Valentin - 1.5 Beltran - 1.0 Delgado - 0.9 Heilman - 0.6 Sanchez - 0.8 Wagner - 0.7

SteveJRogers wrote: ="Centerfield"]Come on guys. This is Glendon Freakin' Rusch. A pupil of Al Leiter Nah, Rusch has much better control, making the IW less dangerous than w/most pitchers. Twas the right move (IMO) just didn't work

Had 'em all the way!!!!

Wright gets the intentional pass. Wonder if they would have done that if Delgado stopped at 1st? They should treat both situations the same, but might not have.

The umps have some discretion when invoking the IFR. The rule reads something on the order of easily fielded by an infielder. I've never seen it NOT called due to weather either. In fact, the first time I ever remember the call being invoked was on a windy day in Candlestick when Buddy Harrelson missed it due to wind. I didn't know the rule up to that point and treated this newly found treasure as if a reprieve from the Governor.

Aaron shuts me up with two popped pups

Lately I fear Heilman.

]Is poppup correct spelling? Pop up, or pop-up. Unless you're talking about a father dog.

Leadoff walk (Bad Aaron) and Dusty bunts - which makes more sense as it with a weak hitter (Pagan) but also sets up a weak hitter (Cedeno)

Elster88 wrote: Successful Valentin bunt = Met win. Sure, assuming the everything-stays-the-same principle. Also one could argue that Valentin swinging away could have won the game, or that NOT bunting would have given us an extra crack at it since we weren't so intent on handing them an out.

<<<<---- Speaking of big lefty hitters ... I'm big Mo!!! Shame to lose Wagner if this continues into the 10th since he had a good & quick inning ... but ya gotta PH Cliffy in this spot.

[broken record]and that's one of the problems with the bunt .. i'ts proponents always assume it'll be successful[/broken record] Then there's the argument of whether it helps you even if IT IS successful

Bunt of no? I say no. Maybe Willie will use his newly discoverd Hit-and-Run signals

]hence why sports center anchors (radio and TV) should not spice their reports with commentary It's like when news anchors say; 'I don't want to speculate here Jim' and then they go right on speculating ... 'but the number of dead could be in the thousands'

SteveJRogers wrote: Just heard on ESPN Radio's Sports Center that Prior actually had possible arm problems when he left? Anyone hear this on the broadcast? Sounds like pure speculation to me - based solely on him leaving while he still had a no-hitter. Dusty came out to talk to him one batter prior to him being pulled - and then pulled him when he didn't retire that batter. Seems illogical that an injury occured right at that moment.

That's the first ball he's gotten out of the infield in a while ... hit OR out.

Lots of pop-outs today - and lots of warning track fly outs all series.

Maine was a reasonably regarded prospect in the Bal'mer system. Now granted he wasn't a Sure-fire / Can't-Miss / #1 with a Bullet type, but it's not like any and all success needs to be viewed with a 'when's it gonna turn back into a pumpkin' suspicion. For all the years Met fans have been saying that we should be trading our middling, yet aging & more expensive parts for other team's younger/cheaper/higher-upside pieces, that's exactly what they did with the Cameron & Benson deals.

The media seem to work under the assumption that everyone who has ever played for Omar was there (and will eventually be here) specifically and solely because he's a personal favorite and whether or not he can actually play is treated as a non-factor in the decision process. The only one who seems to even remotely fit that bill that I've seen is Julio Franco and, given the role he's in, it's not like that's been a bad move roster-wise. So until shown othewise, I think I'm going to refrain from panicking in advance over moves that might be made in the name of favoritism. And my only point on keeping N. D. Chavez is that it was hardly a clear cut move as the season broke - yet it's tough to believe that it could have worked out better had they chosen to go w/Redman. On a side note, I was making a case the other night for Endy as a poor-man's Ichiro. Think about it: Similar size & build, both lefty/lefty speedy OFers w/good gloves & arms. Similar type of lithe flexible body with that hips-bailing-toward-1st kind of swing that slaps the ball around most of the time yet can & will put a charge into it when all those moving parts time things out just right. Same type of skills, only, y'know .... not as good; specifically not the amazing hand/eye coordination that puts wood to leather as consistantly.