Frayed Knot

Q: Is Brad Penny appealing?A: Rarely

]I don't understand why you're asking me for chapter and verse of how Reyes' and Wright's 20- and 22-year-old contemporaries are doing.Because you constantly insist that the two players - promoted at ages 19 & 21 and each w/only a few months of above A-ball under their belts - were unconscionably left to rot in the minors by holding team mgmt to a standard which doesn't seem to exist. If this is uniquely a Met problem then where are the players who promotion schedules makes these two look like a couple of slacker turtles and why are they both STILL among the youngest players in MLB 1 & 2 years past their callups?Had this not been your orignial and continuing thesis I never would have entered the discussion.]It's sufficient, and pretty indisputable from where I stand, to show all the HOFers and All-stars and GMOTP (Great Mets of the Past) who have played spectacularly well with very little minor league experience and at very tender ages, and to boot who were not called up to fill in for injured players but who won their jobs on merit out of ST because they were better players than the vets on the big club. So you don't understand why I ask about contemporaries, yet your response that the '51 Giants called Willie Mays up at a similar (note: similar, not faster*) schedule - therefore everyone else should also - is somehow relevent?This all reminds me of an old 'Mad' magazine article: "I Clawed my Way to the Top so Why Can't those Other Punk Kids' -- by David Eisenhower* Older (by a few weeks) than Reyes at his callup - also not taken out of spring training.

Oh, so NOW awarding more points to wins than losses is a good idea?!?!?I suggested that a while back and was branded a heretic and burned at the stake.(I got better)

Ummmm, Shrink the Avatar NOW!!!!!

From another thread: 'Ramon Hernandez hasn't looked good'No he hasn't, not this week anyway - not much hitting to speak of and several bad throws from behind the plate. He's also sporting a sub-.300 OBA for the season with something like 7 HRs.He's been approx: .275/.335/.460 w/20 HRs-per over the last 2 seasons in a couple of pitching happy parks..The problem - or at least A problem - is soome kind of a wrist injury which will likely require surgery. His dilemma is that his team's in 1st place so he can't cash in the season, but then he hurts his FA winter if he does it after the season's over.He'll be an interesting case. He's got a rep as a good defensive player, has worked w/Peterson's staffs in Oakland, and turns 30 next spring.The other thing is that he's reportedly going to (or already has) changed agents to none other than Scott Boras who wasted no time in bringing up Varitek's (4yr/$50mil?) deal as a target. Hernandez isn't as good as Varitek and doesn't have the same good-will that JV had coming off last year, but - like the semi-good looking girl at the bar at 3AM - he doesn't have to be all that cute in order to get himself a whole bunch of offers.

Ishii - 2.5Castro - 2.5Mientkiewicz - 2Reyes - 1Wright - 1Koo - 0.5Bell - 0.5

But he gets out of it and preserves the shutout.12 - 0 is your final.

Graves is pitching the 9th - no sense wasting a PHer - and isn't doing hisself any favors w/2 singles to the first 3 batters.

Sorry I missed your sarcasm.Maybe I've just heard too many NYM fans recently talk about Soriano as the "perfect fit" and as someone who'll be their 2nd baseman for the next 10 years as if the laws of FA-gency have been suspended. Yes he's good and is probably available (though I doubt until the off-season) but he's only available if we pay through the nose for him and if we're going to pay through the nose I'd rather save my allowance and spend it somewhere else instead.

]He sure can hit though, and you know coming back to NY, playing for WWSB would be enough to get Soriano to hustle and play hard all the time.Why, he didn't hustle for Torre in his first trek around NY and he's not doing it for taskmaster Showalter down there either.The other night he hit a fly-ball (not a liner mind you, but a long fly) off the CF fence, where it was fielded by the worst arm in MLB (Bernie) and then there was a double-relay to get the runner from 1st at home. So where was Soriano when all that finished? ... AT FIRST BASE!!!!He didn't run when he hit it, didn't run once in fell, and didn't run while the Yanx were throwing the ball around not even paying attention to Soriano.The guy can hit but I've never liked him.Keep in mind also that he'll cost you lots of young players now, is making some $8mil this year, a probable $10 or so in arb next year, and then will have to be paid as a FA.

]Let's play in the NL West next year.Well that's not going to happen of course -- but we can take some solace in the fact that these are only games 7, 8, & 9 this year for us against the very weak west* which is less than any other NL East team. This could be time to make up some ground**.* I saw some 'Since June 1' records the other day: no one in the West had anything near a .500 mark. Colorado was actually best and they were all a bunch of 18-25 type marks (or worse).** Last time we said something like this we wound up getting our clocks cleaned by Seattle & Oakland

The beat-down is on!Ee-Shee out-pitching Pee-Vee in this here I Gee-Tee

Last time 3 games over - and yes, I'm tempting the BBGs by typing this - was following the June 8th 4-1 loss to Houston (31 - 28), a loss which dropped us from our only time this season being 4 games over.

Glavine - 3.0Piazza - 2.75Beltran - 1.75Reyes - 1.0Padilla - 0.5Cairo - 0.5Wright - 0.5

]No, my main complaint is that the Mets can't judge talent very well. They seem more interested in making moves they can "sell" (to the fans, to the media, to their bosses) than making sound judgments. If Reyes could play ss in early June, don't you think he could have been able to play it in April? I do.Why wait until April, why not the previous August? Or maybe June? And if June was Okay why not start that season with him? Is it because starting an 18 y/o rookie in April was perceived as a give-up move? Or maybe it's because you're the only one who considers the HS prom --> single A --> MLB to be the normal state of affairs and anything else a foot-dragging and borderline fraudulent pace.And if it's not, please give me the orgs who are accelerating their top guys any faster; the example(s) you're using so far aren't holding up.- Atlanta's Wilson Betemit was everyone's hot-stuff SS prospect before Reyes (he's 3 years older) but is just now popping his head into MLB this year, and even that was largely because he was in an out-of-options/use-or-lose situation - Andy Marte was a year behind Wright and was brought up ... a year later - and even then only for injury and has since been sent back for not hitting (they have no patience over there)- Jeff Francouer is 13 months younger than Wright and was brought up a whopping 11 months later. No telling how much the 6 weeks Wright wasted in AAA that Francoeur didn't will mean to their careers - but then again the Mets were obviously too tied to the veteren Wigginton at the time.- Anaheim's Casey Kotchman? - Wright's age, at least as heralded, called-up later, since been sent back- Florida's Cabrera? - prolly the best young hitter in the game today ... was brought up when 2 months older than Reyes

JONATHAN ARCHERWhat a difference 20 years makes – It seems like half a lifetime ago (oh, wait, it was). Darryl Strawberry was a wide-eyed rookie. Bobby Valentine was still a third base coach. President Reagan introduced us to Star Wars, and we were told to “Just Say No”. Sally Ride was the first woman in space. We were introduced to Cabbage Patch Kids. Billy Joel was still seeing his “Uptown Girl” – a move that almost ruined him musically. Luke and Laura got married, and Dallas was the No. 1 show on TV. We found out that Darth Vader was Luke’s father, and saw that the Mercury 7 had “The Right Stuff”. In 1983, people still thought of the Virgin Mary when they heard the term, “Madonna”.Now, where did I leave those parachute pants?1983 was a good year for music:30. Billy Joel - Allentown29. Rick Springfield - Affair Of The Heart28. Spandau Ballet - TRUE27. The Tubes - She's A Beauty26. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science25. Stray Cats - Rock This Town24. Eddy Grant - Electric Avenue23. Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Me22. Men At Work - Down Under21. Madness - Our House20. Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes19. The Clash - Rock The Casbah18. The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang17. Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut16. Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield15. Herbie Hancock - Rockit14. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen13. The Kinks - Come Dancing12. Stray Cats - (She's) Sexy + 1711. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing10. The Greg Kihn Band - Jeopardy9. Don Henley - Dirty Laundry8. Michael Jackson - Thriller7. Prince - 19996. John Cougar Mellencamp - Crumblin' Down5. Golden Earring - Twilight Zone4. Toto - Africa3. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean2. Talking Heads - Burning Down The House1. Michael Jackson - Beat ItMETHEADWe're gonna have some overlap on our lists. GF212121'Head, I'm sure you see that we're talking about that on the Be Yourself Tonight, the Best Tracks of 1985 thread. LFIs 30 the best of the list (like our player rankings) or worst? JONATHAN ARCHERSorry - I counted backward to 1, so 30 would be the worst on the list. METHEADWell, I'll post my list anyway since I spent some time compiling it. I'll revise using only Billboard top 100 later. No big deal. THE BIG TRAINI don't know which was released when, but "Billie Jean" had more staying power than "Thriller" or "Beat It" to me.Did you just stick with the Hot 100? COOBYI love playing "Thriller"; it drives my cat beserk!This is the year my daughter was born so it really takes me back. You're right JA, it was a great year for music! JONATHAN ARCHERI don't know which was released when, but "Billie Jean" had more staying power than "Thriller" or "Beat It" to me.I would agree, that's why Thriller is listed third among those three. If I agree, then why do I rank Beat It higher than Billie Jean? Three words: Eddie Van Halen Did you just stick with the Hot 100?I did use it as a guide for some ideas, but I didn't stick to it. I don't believe Rockit was in the Billboard 100. THE BIG TRAINNow "Rockit" is a summer song. NORRIN RADDUgh, Cap'n... many omissions and some questionable inclusions:>30. Billy Joel - AllentownI suppose, but one of Joel's least interesting songs & albums.>29. Rick Springfield - Affair Of The Heartno freakin' way. Pretty boy doesn't rate.>28. Spandau Ballet - TRUEyup. huge song, huge album. flash in the pan band.>27. The Tubes - She's A BeautyI don't recall it.>26. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Scienceabsolutely. still a classic.>25. Stray Cats - Rock This Townditto.>24. Eddy Grant - Electric Avenuei hated this song, but it was huge that year.>23. Naked Eyes - Always Something There To Remind Mestill a 1-hit pop classic.>22. Men At Work - Down Underyup. great album. >21. Madness - Our HouseOK. >20. Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoesi hated him, his music, his hair.>19. The Clash - Rock The Casbahare you sure that came out in 83? if so, then absolutely. one of the most important bands of the era. Saw them open for the Who in 83, at Shea Stadium. David Johansen was also on the bill.>18. The Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gangdefinitely. early hit of seminal group.>17. Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strutthey are not worth having 2 songs on this list.>16. Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefieldstill a fun pop classic.>15. Herbie Hancock - Rockitdon't recall it, but he classes up the joint.>14. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On EileenPoster boys for 1-hit classics. >13. The Kinks - Come Dancingall-time fave bands, but i don't remember this coming out in 83?>12. Stray Cats - (She's) Sexy + 17see NOTE re: #17.>11. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healingdefinitely.>10. The Greg Kihn Band - Jeopardyif you say so.>9. Don Henley - Dirty Laundryhe sucked without Eagles.>8. Michael Jackson - Thrillerwasn't that 82?>7. Prince - 1999again, i'm thinking this is earlier, but if 83, then yeah, i guess so, but i much preferred PURPLE RAIN soundtrack a few years later.>6. John Cougar Mellencamp - Crumblin' Downfeh. 2nd rate Springsteen.>5. Golden Earring - Twilight Zonea 1-hit, but feh.>4. Toto - Africahuge. defining song for Rosanna's boys.>3. Michael Jackson - Billie Jeanyeah, i'd go along with this one.>2. Talking Heads - Burning Down The Housejust about EVERYTHING from SPEAKING IN TONGUES could be listed here.>1. Michael Jackson - Beat Iti'd rather set fire to my hair than have this on a list.OMISSIONS:* What.. no Bowie? he had LETS DANCE and CHINA GIRL that year.* Joe Jackson's STEPPIN OUT still gets played on my turntable.* Bonnie Tyler's recording of Jim Steinman's TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART is a kitsch classic (albeit an acquired taste)* Where is the Police's SYNCHRONICITY? I'm pretty sure EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE was released in 83* I didn't much like CULTURE CLUB but they came as close as anybody in defining the period. the answer to DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME was "yes". * although MR. ROBOTO was probably their nadir, STYX was still a pretty big band and deserves a nod.* How can you list Adam Ant and forget Billy Idol's WHITE WEDDING?* Those MTV boys Duran Duran came out with HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF.*EURYTHMICS' SWEET DREAMS? My favorite album by my favorite artist of that year went unmentioned, while the Stray Cats got 3 songs!* Also overlooked were Cyndi Lauper's debut album, SHE'S SO UNUSUAL, U2's WAR, and the following soundtrack albums:*FLASHDANCE was still going strong, and MANIAC was one of the hit singles of 83 (though i hated it, the movie, and anybody who liked it)*RISKY BUSINESS also had a great soundtrack, with rock n roll hits mixed between Tangerine Dream. And it was a great movie.*LOCAL HERO had Dire Straits guitar hero Marc Knopfler doing great atmospheric stuff. And it too was a great movie.*KOYANNISQATSI had the fascinating, hypnotic Philip Glass describing Life out of balance.*the TV show WONDER YEARS began, bringing Joe Cocker and classic rock back to the popular culture. metsmarathonmy god! the wonder years really began in 83?? but i wasn't seven when that started... was i?imdb to the rescue sez TWY began in 1988.how, in listing all of 83's achievements, do "V" (which i was too young to watch, but it had me terrified nonetheless) and "War Games" get omitted? THE BIG TRAIN"Back On The Chain Gang"Not really early. This song was recorded after the band was forced to re-form with a new lineup after both the guitarist and the bassist died in seperate incidents -- thus the theme of the song. GF212121'She's A Beauty' is a great call. The Tubes may not have been as out-there as they thought they were, but they knew how to write a pop song. The guy who sits behind me at work has about 20 songs on an endless loop, and this is one of them. The Tubes are also amung the victims if the train wreck known as 'Xanadu.' They were the rock band in the rock vs. swing number. Recently, the show choir at my kids' high school resurrected that number, 'Dancin' To Do.' THE BIG TRAINBut no "I'll Talk to You Later."I didn't know about The Tubes in Xanadu. I should have included them in the Bands in Movies quiz we did. COOKIE MOMSteppin' Out MUST be added! JONATHAN ARCHERUgh Norrin:Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* although MR. ROBOTO was probably their nadir, STYX was still a pretty big band and deserves a nod.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------This list is for the songs, not the bands - you answer your own question as to why this isn't on the list.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* What.. no Bowie? he had LETS DANCE and CHINA GIRL that year.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hated 'em both.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Bonnie Tyler's recording of Jim Steinman's TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART is a kitsch classic (albeit an acquired taste)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exactly - that's why it's off.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* How can you list Adam Ant and forget Billy Idol's WHITE WEDDING?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------If White Wedding came out in 83, then my bad - It should be on the list.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------EURYTHMICS' SWEET DREAMS? My favorite album by my favorite artist of that year went unmentioned, while the Stray Cats got 3 songs!Joe Jackson's STEPPIN OUT still gets played on my turntable.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------See White Wedding....WIDE BEE GEENow here's another issue.BUSINESS AS USUAL was released in 1981.Meathead has a song from it ranked in 1982 and Archer in 1983!Come on Eileen!ON EDIT: Some sources show this recorrd released in 82. It may have been a stateside thing GF212121From Billboard.com:1982 Who Can It Be Now? Pop Singles No. 1 1983 Down Under Adult Contemporary No. 13 THE BIG TRAINAgain, half of Night and Day could be included. THE BIG TRAINI catch a paper boyBut things don't really changeI'm standing in the windBut I never wave bye-byeBut I tryI tryThere's no sign of lifeIt's just the power to charmI'm lying in the rainBut I never wave bye-byeBut I tryI tryNever gonna fall forModern love - walks beside meModern love - walks on byModern love - gets me to the church on timeChurch on time - terrifies meChurch on time - makes me partyChurch on time - puts my trust in God and manGod and man - no confessionsGod and man - no religionGod and man - don't believe in modern loveIt's not really workIt's just the power to charmI'm still standing in the windBut I never wave bye byeBut I tryI tryModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern loveModern love - Modern love, walks beside meModern love - Modern love, walks on byI don't know what it means either.NORRIN RADDQuote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* although MR. ROBOTO was probably their nadir, STYX was still a pretty big band and deserves a nod.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------->CA: " This list is for the songs, not the bands - you answer your own question as to why this isn't on the list."granted, but the worst STYX song is still more fun to me than the BEST song by Spandau Ballet. But thats me.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* What.. no Bowie? he had LETS DANCE and CHINA GIRL that year.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------->CA: "Hated 'em both."and you liked ALLENTOWN? I gave you the benefit of the doubt and assumed you included it because it was a hit song from an important recording artist that year... i never dreamed you LIKED IT! ugh.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------* Bonnie Tyler's recording of Jim Steinman's TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART is a kitsch classic (albeit an acquired taste)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------->CA: "Exactly - that's why it's off."fair enough. Still, THAT song just had a Broadway musical built around it this year (granted, an all-time debacle, but still...) How many on your list are even PLAYED any more? by anybody? anywhere?and while you granted as valid omissions WHITE WEDDING, STEPPIN OUT, and SWEET DREAMS, you do not mention your response to any of my other listed omissions:* Where is the Police's SYNCHRONICITY? I'm pretty sure EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE was released in 83* I didn't much like CULTURE CLUB but they came as close as anybody in defining the period. the answer to DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME was "yes". * Those MTV boys Duran Duran came out with HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF.* Also overlooked were Cyndi Lauper's debut album, SHE'S SO UNUSUAL, U2's WAR, and...The following soundtrack albums: *FLASHDANCE was still going strong, and MANIAC was one of the hit singles of 83 (though i hated it, the movie, and anybody who liked it)*RISKY BUSINESS also had a great soundtrack, with rock n roll hits mixed between Tangerine Dream. And it was a great movie.*LOCAL HERO had Dire Straits guitar hero Marc Knopfler doing great atmospheric stuff. And it too was a great movie.*KOYANNISQATSI had the fascinating, hypnotic Philip Glass describing Life out of balance.THE BIG TRAINI'm putting a pile of money on you not winning the point with Phillip Glass.WIDE BEE GEEOther 1983 songs that deserve consideration:THE POWER AND THE PASSION: Midnight OilEVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK: Elvis Is KingSUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY and NEW YEAR'S DAY : U2VALLEY GIRL: Frank Zappa (it captured a regrettable moment and all)RADIO FREE EUROPE: R.E.M.NR -- Synchronicity is 1984. If HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF is eligible, it deserves its props too!JONATHAN ARCHEROk Norrin,Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Those MTV boys Duran Duran came out with HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Great video - hated the song. I thought this was for songs, not videos.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Where is the Police's SYNCHRONICITY? I'm pretty sure EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE was released in 83--------------------------------------------------------------------------------There's a reason why he's referred to as Stink around here.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I didn't much like CULTURE CLUB but they came as close as anybody in defining the period. the answer to DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME was "yes". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------So, you admit to not liking them, but you're questioning why I don't?Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------FLASHDANCE was still going strong, and MANIAC was one of the hit singles of 83 (though i hated it, the movie, and anybody who liked it)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Again, you're questioning why it's not on my list, even though you hated it?Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------RISKY BUSINESS also had a great soundtrack, with rock n roll hits mixed between Tangerine Dream. And it was a great movie.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Agreed. Great soundtrack. Even greater movie. But was any of the songs NEWLY released in 1983?Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------LOCAL HERO had Dire Straits guitar hero Marc Knopfler doing great atmospheric stuff. And it too was a great movie.*KOYANNISQATSI had the fascinating, hypnotic Philip Glass describing Life out of balance.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------I don't know either of these.Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Also overlooked were Cyndi Lauper's debut album, SHE'S SO UNUSUAL, U2's WAR--------------------------------------------------------------------------------U2 was a great group before they became so farging pretentious, but wasn't War released in 1986?She's So Unusual came out in 1984.Oh, and one more thing:Quote:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------->29. Rick Springfield - Affair Of The Heartno freakin' way. Pretty boy doesn't rate.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pretty boy could play guitar better than anyone gave him credit for.THE BIG TRAIN War was definitely 1983. Now let Archer deal with these without getting into a diverting tangent on whether Springfield, John Stamos, or Jack Wagner was General Hospital's greatest gift to pop music:1 Sunday Bloody Sunday 2 Seconds 3 New Year's Day 4 Like A Song 5 Drowning Man 6 Refugee, The 7 Two Hearts Beat As One 8 Red Light 9 Surrender 10 40JONATHAN ARCHER Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Now let Archer deal with these without getting into a diverting tangent on whether Springfield, John Stamos, or Jack Wagner was General Hospital's greatest gift to pop music:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oh please... Let's not bring those two posers into it...On a side note, When Springfield was on the show, I used to laugh when he would just sit in the audience watching the other castmembers trying to perform on stage in their night club set...Quote:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Sunday Bloody Sunday 2 Seconds 3 New Year's Day 4 Like A Song 5 Drowning Man 6 Refugee, The 7 Two Hearts Beat As One 8 Red Light 9 Surrender 10 40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------New Years Day definitely belongs NORRIN RADDCap'n...there are a number of songs i'd put on a 1983 list because of their cultural impact, either that year or over time, or as examples of work by important artists, without my personally having to like them.i understand now, however, that we are proceeding from different operating parameters. but if it were really just about music i liked from 1983, i'd have almost NONE of the songs you listed. And everybody would come up with their own entirely different and idiosyncratic list, with little overlap given the inherent subjectivity of what people "like" as opposed to what they thought was worthy of listing as the "best of that year". our mileage, therefore, clearly varies... SOUPCANAs Norrin pointed out, U2 released War in '83.On that album were Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day & Seconds.At least New Years Day should be on there.On Edit: Read more, post less.COOKIE MOMWhile this isn't from 1983, it's about 1983, so I feel compelled to post these John Mayer lyrics -83I've these dreams I'mWalking homeHome when it used to beAnd everything isAs it wasFrozen in front of meHere I stand6 feet smallromanticizing years agoit's a bitter sweet feeling hearing "Wrapped Around Your Finger" on theradioand these daysI wish I was 6 againOh make me a red capeI wanna be SupermanOh, if only my life was more like1983all these things would be more like they were at thestart of mehad it made in 83thinking bout my brother BenI miss him every dayHe looks just like his brother JohnBut on an 18 month delayHere I stand6 feet smalland smiling cause I'm scared as hellkind of like my life is like a sequel to a moviewhere the actor's names have changedoh wellwell these daysI wish I was 6 againOh make me a red capeI wanna be SupermanOh, if only my life was more like1983all these things would be more like they were at thestart of meIf my life was more like1983I'd plot a course to the source of the purest little part of meand most my memorieshave escaped meor confused themselves with dreamsif heaven's all we want it to besend your prayers to mecare of 1983you can paint that house a rainbow of colorsrip out the floorboardsreplace the shutters butthat's my plastic in the dirtwhatever happened to mywhatever happened to mywhatever happened to my lunchboxwhen came the day that it gotthrown away and don't you think I should have had some sayin that decision

One thing I noticed - both tonight and in past games - is that he's not a very good arguer. Bobby V would have had a field day w/that balk call tonight. WWSB doesn't seem to want to get down & dirty with the men in blue.But other than that:I seem to be less critical of his in-game stuff than many here. - Yeah I think he bunts too much (remember that Cameron GiDP the other day when I said at least he wasn't bunting? ... turns out the bunt sign was on and Cammy missed it - ARRGH), should hit-&-run more, yyybbb; but you're always going to differ on some stuff and he seems to be playing less small-ball than earlier in the year. - The lineup questions would be easier to critisize if there were real alternatives to some of the complaints. Often there aren't.- A few too many double-switches, some seemingly just because he could not because they helped.and so on. - "Misuses the pen" is frequently just a fan's code for "he brought in a guy I don't like". Yanx fans f'rinstance were all over the radio today because they don't want Torre to use anyone but Rivera/Gordan/Sturtze EVER unless there's at least a 12 run lead. Middle relievers are unreliable folks, that's why they're middle relievers and you're not going to see your favorite 3 every night while the designated punching bags get stuck watering the tomatoes.Overall game strategist = C+/B- Not bad for a beginner.Where he seems to fit in smoothly is in using the bench well (of course it always looks good when the bench hits)- the players seem to like him well enough- and he handles the media well. I suppose anyone looks good there following Art but he seems to enjoy the give & take and doesn't seem like the type to make moves due to being intimidated by the hordes.Not too bad and, like the team, a work in progress.

There's a story I heard once -- not sure if it's true.Hack Wilson - who had that great season for the Cubs in the early '30s: 56 HRs/191 RBIs - never came close to matching that season again in part because pitchers started realizing he had trouble w/breaking balls (it also may have had something to do with the fact that he drank most of his meals but that's a different story).Anyway, one game there's a play at the plate while Hack is on deck and when the heave comes in from the OFer Hack steps up and smacks the thing back the other way muttering; "that's the first fastball I've seen in weeks".Don't know what the ruling was there either.

This was a new one on me, both for the "type" of balk it was and for the fact that is was: a) argued (supposedly not allowed) and then b) reversed.Apparently, is wasn't a balk because Williams stepped off the rubber first which makes him like an infielder now, not a pitcher. So I guess that makes his throw a non-pitch (essentially, like a pick-off throw). But, of course, the batter likely has no idea this is the case and it's a "live ball" as it's traveling.So what happens if said batter swings and knocks the ball into the parking lot?; or swings and hits a grounder to short?; or swings and misses?; or simply fouls it off or any one of a number of other possiblities?I can't figure out how a hack at a supposed non-pitch would get handled.

..

Padilla perfect in save chances.Make him the new closer NOW!!!!

So just how hot does it have to get until Peterson takes off the jacket?

First day at 2-over .500 since June 11. That was the Anderson I-t-P-HR to tie, then Looper BlownSave, then Cliff HR to win it vs. LAA game. We then went on the Sea/Oak road trip and bit the big one and haven't been there since.

]If Seaver were a current 22-year old Mets' prospect, he would be: 1) started at AA ball at best, 2) kept at AA for a year or two, and then AAA for a year or twoExcept that your main ammo/complaint for this seems to be Reyes & Wright who were brought up - not at age 25 or after 2 years at each level - but after barely a half-year of AA & AAA combined and prior to their 20th and 22nd birthdays. IOW, at a schedule at least as agressive as Atlanta's using with their guys.About Atlanta: The main difference with them is simply that they've got better prospects than almost anyone else. They buck the trend and draft almost exclusively 'toolsy' High-School types and get them into their system at a young age. That method is out of favor in many circles for the high-risk/high-reward chance it takes but - lucky or not, and I suspect "not" - they're "guessing" correctly a lot more often than most.It's nice that Francoeur, Marte, Davies (and Andruw, Furcal previously) were brought up and were able to contribute at an early age (though Furball was not as young as we thought at the time) but let's not pretend that they were typical for 21 y/o's and that other teams would get the same results if only they weren't so chickenshit. It should also be noted that the Braves did sign Raul Mondesi & Brian Jordan this past winter and only brought the kiddie corps when injuries and/or suckitude of the old guard made it neccesary. In the meantime, those young'uns got an extra 2-4 months of seasoning (sound like Sanchez -- Reyes?) and are still subject to being sent back down for regular work (Marte & Davies) when/if those temp opportunities no longer exist. These recent '10 rookies' promotions have had as much to do with neccessity as it has with some sort of organizational philosophy. Have the Mets been too cautious? Yeah I think so at times; although more with the small potatoes moves than the big ones. Exmpls: losing Scutaro by protecting McEwing, and Cerda for Franco weren't moves that were likely to make a lot of difference in the long run but did show a risk-adverse preference for sticking w/the old, comfy chairs instead of trying something that could have turned into something in the long run.Reyes & Wright however were the reverse of that flaw, not examples of it.

You'll have to forgive Bret because - despite his Zambrano zingers of the past week - his main complaint at the time about last year's trades was that we'd suffer for the loss of the great Ty Wigginton. And now that Ty pretty much fell on his face Bret seems intent on becoming a caraciture of the type of poster he used to make fun of; the one who keeps defending his chosen favorites despite evidence to the contrary.Back to the Burnett topic.Not only didn't the deal go down by yesterday as Gammons and others predicted, but Burnett pitched - and pitched well - last night for the Marlins (one fewer start if he even does get dealt) amid reports from Baltimore that any potential deal has stalled over money issues: like how much of Lowell's deal gets paid and by whom.