Frayed Knot

Endy also deserves some props despite the (somewhat) disparaging remarks about his throwing arm that were made about a week ago.

I need to get my eyes checked because I thought I saw Jeter make the last out in two consecutive 1-run losses (plus a tying & go-ahead on/2-out/7th inning K) and I KNOW that can't be true since I've been told that he ALWAYS comes through when you need him. On a related note: Yanqui fans are getting to be an interesting bunch these days. With the success of Cano & Wang last year and the (kinda) success to date of Phillips & Melky (it's short-term & limited so far ... but, hey, it's something) they - along with a whole bunch of columnists - have gotten it into their heads that they're actually a whole lot better with these 'home-grown' fill-ins than they were when they still had the high-priced imports like Matsui and (particularly) Sheffield. It's all about hustle and "heart" don't you know and, for the first time in a long while, a significant number are NOT clamoring for the superstar-at-each-position-plus-a-backup' stereotype that's defined MFY fans for so long now. They're quite content to stick with what they've got - at least on the offensive end. Now I happen to think they're wrong, but it is somewhat interesting to listen to. The problem is that, between the '90s crop of homegrown stuff all turning out so well and last year's call-ups doing OK, they're deep into assuming that it's destiny that all future call-ups will simply follow suit and the reports of a thin farm system was just so much anti-Yankee propaganda. But Phillips is a 29 y/o journeyman and Melky - while only 21 w/time to improve - is a singles-hitting corner OFer and, while you can get away w/o the 60 HRs & 200 RBIs that the missing corners provide for brief spells, in the long term you're going to feel the difference.

Don't even think about this "too easy" stuff. Not ever - and certainly not with 100 games to go. Just as an example: yes, this is the Braves worst 62-game start during their run ... but just barely * They are - well now were - 29-33 and tied for 3rd place. * Just two years back (2004) they were 30-32 and in 3rd place ... before going on to win 96 and running away from the division by 10 games (that's a 66-34 pace for the remainder of the season) * They've also been in 4th place at this point in the season Remember, you're never as good as you look when you're wi ... yadda, yadda, yadda

ScarletKnight41 wrote: Nick Swisher hits a ball into the outfield. Damon is lined up to make the catch but, at the last minute, Mekly Cabrera comes up, gloves extended, and smashes into Damon's face. Damon goes down, the ball drops, and Swisher winds up with an inside the park home run. And then an inning later Damon took a Swisher drive off the top of the CF fence. IOW, Swisher winds up with a HR which should have been an out and an out which should have been an HR. 5-5 headed for the 7th. Chacon not so good in his return from the DL - but (as mentioned) Zito seems to pitch well against everyone except the MFY. Still in there though - at least partially because half the Oakland bullpen is on the DL.

Soler - 5.8 Beltran - 0.7 Reyes - 0.7 Wright - 0.7 Chavez - 0.7 Valentin - 1.0 LoDuca - 0.4

I couldn't let this thread go without adding: Eli's comin'. Eli's comin' (Eli's a-comin'). Well, you better hide your heart, your loving heart. Eli's a-comin' and the cards say a broken heart, a broken heart. Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl, Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl. Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide. Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl, Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl. You better, better hide your heart, Eli's comin', better walk. Walk but you'll never get away, no, you'll never get away from the burning a-heartache. I walked to Apollo by the bay, everywhere I go though, Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she never got away). Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she never got away). Eli's a-comin' and he's comin' to get ya (she walked but, she walked but) Get down on your knees (she walked but she never got away), Eli's comin', (Hide it, hide it, hide it) Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide. Girl, Eli's a-comin', you better hide, girl, Eli's comin', hide your heart, girl (hide it). You better, better hide your heart Eli's comin', better walk. Walk but you'll never get away, no, you'll never get away from the burning a-heartache. I walked to Apollo by the bay, everywhere I go though, Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she'll never get away). Eli's a-comin' (she walked but she'll never get away). Eli's a-comin' and he's comin' to get ya (she walked but, she walked but). Get down on your knees (she walked but she'll never get away). Get down on your knees. No, no, no, no Lord, I said no, no, no, no, no, no (hide it). She can (hide it) hide it, (hide it). You better (hide it). Somebody (hide it). You got to (hide it). Eli's comin'. Eli's comin' (Eli's a-comin'). Well, you better hide your heart, your loving heart. Eli's comin', better hide your heart, girl. Eli's comin', better hide your heart, girl. Eli's comin', better hide your heart, girl. Eli's comin', better hide your heart, girl I don't know it that's his 'come-to-bat' music ... but it oughta be.

"Daniel Stegall, a standout in two sports at Greenwood High School, has signed a contract with the New York Mets, putting college football on hold for now." Kewl! "The Mets will pay Stegall more than $107,000 for signing with the organization. The contract also includes money for college should Stegall decide to continue his education." I'm thinking that he prolly wasn't a real highly touted QB - like one with Pro aspirations - or else it would have taken more $$ to pry him away. "Stegall said he planned to leave Greenwood on Sunday for Port Lucie, Fla., where he will join a Mets' affiliate that plays in high Class A." St, Lucie sounds high for a HS 7th rounder. I'm betting that means he'll hang at their instructional camp for a while before heading either to Brooklyn or to one of the Rookie level teams.

Not 'mongst the best 60-game starts I would suppose. Remember that was the year we started 27-28 before Phillips axed several of Bobby's coaches during a weekend series vs the MFY. We then won the Sunday game which started a run where we went 40-15. So I'm guessing the 60-game mark that year was no better than 32-28

Delgado - 2.5 Beltran - 2.8 Wright - 1.8 Trachsel - 1.0 LoDuca - 1.0 Chavez - 0.7 Wagner - 0.2

And now you know why this team went looking for Jorge Julio

No pitchers are coming out of tonight's game with any glory - even as Duaner dances out from between those non-existant Arizona raindrops (of his own making).

They did look into (no pun intended) his vision problems in his first year here. I think what Marrero would provide is a decent bench presence that they don't think Kaz will be. One problem with giving Valentin the full-time (or mostly FT) job is that he was your primary threat to hit a long-ball off the bench and now he's not there. Not that Eli is any great threat these days - his best season came 2 years back with (of course) Atlanta - but he does provide some versatility.

The thing about Bannister is that he's not even eligible to pitch for another 2+ weeks - and then he'll need some rehab starts to get hisself tuned up again. IOW, he's AS Break at best. Maine's rehab time is up so he's officially at Norfolk for now and only pitching so-so at the moment. One of the papers even mentioned that Evan MacLane may have moved ahead of him on the depth chart for now. Nice recent outings by Soler & Ducky have stabilized things for now but the 2nd half could bring some changes.

Pelfrey Thrusday Night: 7 shutout innings, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 2 hits Last 3 outings: 19 IPs, 1.42, 22/4 K/BB Scouts report (via BA): "He sat at 93-95 (mph) consistently throughout, and touched 97 a few times," the scout said. "He had real good command of the fastball, and moved it around to make it more effective. He was up, down and in, out--his fastball was unhittable--with a lot of late, downward movement. "The secondary stuff was just OK. His curveball is a hard, slurvy breaking ball that he just wasn't commanding well. The changeup was a non-factor that needs work, more in his grip than his arm speed. It looks fine (mechanically), but it doesn't have much depth to it at all."

I have no memories of NOT being a Met/baseball fan.

The only difference between what I was saying and what Raissman is, is that occasionally (and w/what seems like inceasing frequency) Sterling would have called Melky's catch as a HR - and then not corrected it until Melky was half way back to the infield with a smile on his face. (and then make the excuse that he doesn't have access to replays)

OHernandez - 5.7 Milledge - 0.5 Delgado - 0.7 Beltran - 1.4 Valentin - 1.0 Chavez - 0.7

="Elster88"] Are those golf clubs under your head-covers or are you just happy that the Mets won while Yanx & Braves lost?

Ah hell, throw El Ducky out there for the 9th too. It's not like we're looking to save his arm for future years or anything!

I didn't realize (until just now) that the 'Chase' in Chase field is the same as Chase Manhattan. did they just drop the 'Manhattan' part so as to not seem out of place? Also, anyone notice the 'Snake death rattle' they pipe in when their pitcher first gets two strikes on a batter? Don't think it's worked yet tonight.

Tony Clark is literally a gray beard these days.

[cynical view]the ump probably knew it wasn't televised and could get away with the bump knowing he would win a 'he said/he said' dispute afterward[/cynical view] Yes, umps can be suspended/disciplined by the league offices.

'All our young pitchers are prone to elbow/shoulder problems' is one of those complaints common to fans of all teams even as they think it's unique to them.

Sheffield ... Surgery ... September

The only problem with theories like that is that it's based on going .500 during the supposed toughest part of the schedule means that it's assumed you can't possibly do worse during the remaining stretch. Oh yeah you can.