Edgy MD

deGrom's career daytime ERA down to 1.98. Actually even lower. 1.9773898454.

Check out the Mets new offensive celebration. A little contrived? Mebbe, but I admit I just enjoyed it after Frazier gestured back to the dugout after sliding into third.

Mets up 2-0 as Cardinal defenders show themselves to be shorthanded in the throwing department.

And Pham phans also! [bigpurple:gcz3c35r]K K[/bigpurple:gcz3c35r]

Fowler living up to his name, battling out the first at-bat, but deGrom gets him on pitch 9. The 1.99 daytime ERA begins to drop.

I'm big, I'm disabled, and my career just hit a weird intersection with the big truck of Adrian Gonzalez parked in front of me. Beyond that, I hear the engines of Peter Alonso revving behind me. This can't be it. I mean, I'm coming off a pretty good year in AAA. Yeah, I had a crappy average and a lot of strikeouts in the bigs. But the power was there and I had a lot of bad BABiP luck. And yeah, I wasn't fundamentally sound, but come on, that's polish. I can get there. But the timetable has been revised, as timetables must be. These things are not set in stone, but neither is my detour here. I'm cutting the carbs, smoking less pot, and saying all the right things, even if I did show up late in game one. So how does this ultimately play out? [fimg=346:1v2b5zf4]http://content.sny.tv/assets/images/4/8/0/254031480/raw.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=354:1v2b5zf4]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.3405749.1502548245!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/830590094.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]http://image.nj.com/home/njo-media/width600/img/mets_main/photo/mlb-new-york-mets-at-new-york-yankees-e7b22f0423f64c28.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/08/12/sports/12mets/12mets-master768.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mIpyRcgnPfwMSz_ZJ_JGmF-w4Bc=/334x135:2223x1584/1200x800/filters:focal(1332x208:1758x634)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57435063/usa_today_10312582.0.jpg[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] [fimg=350:1v2b5zf4]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/hr1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=550&h=367&crop=1[/fimg:1v2b5zf4] Listen to the sizzle! [youtube:1v2b5zf4]7JbwelDYYFo[/youtube:1v2b5zf4]

I'm taking it as a confidence move. With the Cardinals running three righthanders in the first series, he doesn't want Lagares to go the whole opening set without getting a start. I'll bet Flores starts tomorrow. #love Also, I #love the Alarm vid. [table:32x2wmjc][tr:32x2wmjc][td:32x2wmjc][fimg=235:32x2wmjc]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6b/91/e3/6b91e3892ee9fad83dc6a1676c3d4729--cardinal-tattoos-cardinals-baseball.jpg[/fimg:32x2wmjc][/td:32x2wmjc][td:32x2wmjc][fimg=250:32x2wmjc]https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/search/print/images/artworkimages/medium/1/new-york-mets-1965-official-program-john-farr.jpg[/fimg:32x2wmjc][/td:32x2wmjc][/tr:32x2wmjc][tr:32x2wmjc][td:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Dexter Fowler (S), rf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Tommy Pham ®, cf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Matt Carpenter (L), 3b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Marcell Ozuna ®, lf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]José Martinez ®, 1b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Yadier Molina ®, c[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Paul DeJong ®, ss[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Kolten Wong (L), 2b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Michael Wacha ®, sp[/*:m:32x2wmjc][/list:o:32x2wmjc][/td:32x2wmjc][td:32x2wmjc][*:32x2wmjc]Asdrubal Cabrera (S), 2b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Yoenis Céspedes ®, lf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Jay Bruce (L), rf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Todd Frazier ®, 3b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Travis d'Arnaud ®, c[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Adrian Gonzalez (L), 1b[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Juan Lagares ®, cf[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Jacob deGrom (L), sp[/*:m:32x2wmjc] [*:32x2wmjc]Amed Rosario ®, ss[/*:m:32x2wmjc][/list:o:32x2wmjc][/td:32x2wmjc][/tr:32x2wmjc][/table:32x2wmjc]

Signed about two weeks ago, former Marlins prospect Gio is the nephew of Cycones manager Edgardo Alfonzo. He'll likely start the season with Columbia. In fact, the Columbia infield will include an Edgardo (Fermin) and an Alfonzo (Giovanny). Transactions, 3/15 DirectionCOMINGTransaction=#000000]Signed Away From Long Island (Atlantic League)Position Group=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/595871/generic/180x270/595871.jpg[/fimg]NameGio AlfonzoDoB12/19/92B/TR/R

Thompson apparently the recipient of the John J. Murphy Award for Outstanding Rookie in Camp.

Josh Wilker's obsession with mortality catches up to him, reflecting on Rusty and losing his own father.

Some good things happened to the pitching staff in 2017. And I'm one of them. Yeah, I was hit-and-miss, but I established myself as a big leaguer. Now something good has to happen to me. I went 0-6 last year, which is most losses against no wins by any pitcher in Mets history. I've got to check something off in the win column. I've just got to. Will that happen in 2018? Hit me up and let me know! [fimg=380:22cco4as]https://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.13248810.1489363585!/httpImage/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/landscape_768/image.jpeg[/fimg:22cco4as] [fimg=320:22cco4as]https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/F2J4GQOXRqvDUrVVmLLGgNUpvqw=/0x0:3846x2564/1200x800/filters:focal(1555x910:2169x1524)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57179183/683976078.0.jpg[/fimg:22cco4as] [fimg=346:22cco4as]http://media.nj.com/mets_main/photo/miami-marlins-v-new-york-mets-4072f2b99a59169c.jpg[/fimg:22cco4as] [fimg=354:22cco4as]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/05/31/sports/31KEPNER/31KEPNER-master768.jpg[/fimg:22cco4as] Know where I'm from? Vegas? Know where I never want to go back to? VEGAS! That's why I hustle. [youtube:22cco4as]kqS0vWKHti4[/youtube:22cco4as]

Edgy MD wrote: [fimg=500]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/amedrosario.jpg?quality=90&strip=all[/fimg] Amed plays for all of us.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I kinda like that the blue on Mr. Met looks like it was colored in with a felt-tip marker. There's something charmingly DIY about being about to see the artist's pen strokes. Of course, before the year was out, the whole organization would become not-so-charmingly DIY.

I'm the youngest, slickest, fastest, bestest shortstop prospect to come along since, well, since my mentor guy, José Reyes. I tore through the minors while the organization tore their hair out, pulled between BE PATIENT YOUNG MAN on one hand and DON'T CURB YOUR AGGRESSIVENESS on the other. These guys, they don't know what they want. They apparently don't want Dom Smith, and he's a first-rounder. But they want me, and they want me enough to give me Mookie Wilson's number. How about them apples? Heck, they gave Kranepool's number to Reyes, so that's got to be a nice vote of confidence. I'll be starting at shortstop six days in seven and hitting at the bottom of the lineup for now. Where it goes from there, it's up to you to say. But make sure you use a lot of superlatives. [fimg=350:1141oifg]http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Amed+Rosario+St+Louis+Cardinals+vs+New+York+JwA1uQccRiAl.jpg[/fimg:1141oifg] [fimg=350:1141oifg]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/835631998.jpg?quality=90&strip=all[/fimg:1141oifg] [fimg=379:1141oifg]https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2017/05/15/fdbbb3e3-6fac-4d7b-a78c-7a3ae332dc59/thumbnail/770x433/8fd45d537e806055df73032e92aeae3a/amed-rosario-1400.jpg[/fimg:1141oifg] [fimg=321:1141oifg]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/rosario5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1[/fimg:1141oifg] [fimg=350:1141oifg]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/amedrosario.jpg?quality=90&strip=all[/fimg:1141oifg] [fimg=350:1141oifg]https://d3d2maoophos6y.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/02110923/CHY1708011070_Mets_at_Rockies.jpg[/fimg:1141oifg] Know what happened in 2017? I did. [youtube:1141oifg]RF4v-YpWWwA[/youtube:1141oifg]

And I guess that means he was judged to be a better leader than Terry Francona, at least at one point. How do you pronounce his name? In my mind, it's pretty much homonymous with wrestler.

Gary was saying yesterday that they were 0-8, followed by 36-12. I guess yesterday would make 37-12, which adds up to 37-20, which comes to 57 openers, which sounds right. Although Greg advocates for their 1981 second half opener to count. Ben has his new page, too: http://leaptoad.com/mets/openingday.php

A lot of new faces, new looks, new philosophies in the Mets dugout. But what about when the new face is an old face? That's what's going on in the trainer's seat, where the new guy is the old assistant guy. And that's what's going on with me. I'm Pat Roessler, and I'm the new batting coach, having previously served as assistant batting coach. I've been in this racket a while — long enough, in fact, that I used to be a batting coach for a team called the Montreal Expos. Isn't that a funny name for a team. Say it with me ... Montreal Expos. Amazin'. Then I spent about a decade getting Yankee stains all over me, and now I'm here. What will you see? More elevation? Better patience? Exit velocity? Funky stances? Who will benefit under my tutelage, and who will be taxed? I'm Pat Roessler, and I want to know. [fimg=391]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.3603899.1509547238!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_1200/mets-nationals-baseball.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=309]https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KHIjTAEzDB3xO_G6WqvWaDQaRH8=/0x0:4471x3173/1200x800/filters:focal(2093x713:2807x1427)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57423063/usa_today_9498807.0.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=353]https://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/fan/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Frisingapple.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F11%2F481819408-los-angeles-dodgers-v-new-york-mets.jpg.jpg&c=sc&w=850&h=560[/fimg] [fimg=347]https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/tucson.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/73/e7386fe6-56cf-54ce-81ed-8674d8f6b304/5573889b44c94.image.jpg[/fimg]

A really satisfying win. On-basing > homering, and 12 hits, nine walks and a hit batsmen is a lot of on-basing. Apart from a couple of long fouls, Bruce is the only one who made a bid for a homer. Lots o' baserunners is the sort of offensive foundation you can build on. Fewer than three GiDPs would be nice, as would some more aggressive or opportunistic baserunning. On the other hand, who would have bet on Bruce for the team's first stolen base? And against Molina!

I voted 1978 too (more photojournalism!), but it would be better if it didn't look like the Cub was safe.

The insignia idea would work better if it was a clean, sharp image of the hat insignia. The breast insignia patch from a warmup jacket just highlights the patch's imperfections and makes the enterprise feel cheap. Which, in 1979, it certainly was.

No expectations for Rivera, huh? That's, OK. Expectorating is a hard business. Hang in there; we're in the home stretch. I'll give you a hint with me, though. I'm not going to make the opening day roster. I know. You're shocked. I'm a 2016 World Series vet who can't keep his job. Apparently, this Mickey dude believes in accountability and stuff. And the stuff just hasn't been there for me for a year. Velocity is down and I just don't have the stuff to make up for it. Yet! YET! I'm still a Met. A 51 of a Met, but that's still something. I'm still on the roster and eligible to return at any time. So there are still expectations. What will they be? Because if there's anything you can count on from a guy from a guy named Hansel is that he leaves a trail of crumbs to find his way home. And then, there I'll be. Like I never left. Quick-pitching my way back into your heart. [fimg=379]https://nbchardballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/683020764.jpg?w=610&h=343&crop=1[/fimg] [fimg=321]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/hr.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1[/fimg] [fimg=436]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CP3fDIPWgAApi66.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=264]https://risingapple.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/2016/12/9373735-hansel-robles-jose-reyes-mlb-washington-nationals-new-york-mets.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=351]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/roo.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=618&h=410&crop=1[/fimg] [fimg=349]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/mets1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all[/fimg] Robles! It's Dominican for FUN! 6BSrIzR0SsM

Ohtani picked up a hit on the first pitch he saw. Finished 1-5 as a DH, but we'll see what's really going on when he starts on the mound Sunday against Oakland.

My other big Rusty Staub question, besides "Why was he pushed to the bench in the first place?" is "Why didn't Yogi Berra just put him at first and Milner in the outfield when he hurt his shoulder?" It obviously wasn't the ideal alignment, but both had meaningful (and recent enough) experience at the other's position. A first baseman certainly handles more balls than a rightfielder, but is a guy who can't throw overhand that much bigger a handicap at first than in right?

Rusty finished with 2,716 hits, 499 doubles and 292 homers. It's not hard to see how a little more DHing could have helped him clear the milestones that would have made a Hall-of-Famer of him. But he stayed with the Mets as a bench player. Good on him. What I never got was how he ended up on the Mets bench. He re-joined them in 1981 as their first baseman. Despite putting up an .800 OPS (tops on the team, once Youngblood got hurt) through the first half of the season, he was relegated to the bench once the second season started. Yeah, he probably was below average as a firstbaseman, but he was replaced by Dave Kingman, so that wasn't really an issue. Effectively, it was the acquisition of a going-nowhere Ellis Valentine that knocked him out of the lineup. Coming off the bench, rounding into September, he hit and hit and hit as the Mets hung around the fringes of second half contention — no thanks to Valentine and Lee Mazzilli, the corner outfielders pushing Dave Kingman to first and Staub to the pinch-hitter's role — but, checking the game logs, he re-entered the lineup September 25, and over the last nine games, he went 11-27 (.407 / .484 / .814 // 1.298) over the last nine games. And that was it. He was never a starter again. As a Mets manager, Torre always seemed to pick the glove guy over the hitter, but Rusty's final OPS+ that year was 147. (147!) It was a tragedy to see him sit while he was capable of that kind of productivity with such monumental milestones within reach. Initially, anyhow. Obviously, it was a special pleasure to see him flourish as a pinch-hitter/elder-statesman as the Mets slowly found their footing in the early 80s Bamberger/Howard era, continuing into the contention of the early Johnson years. Keith cleared up part of the mystery this morning, saying between tears that Rusty could have gone back to the American League and DH'd for a bit more, but he was too committed to New York City, as a restauranteur and philanthropist, which is as wonderful as it is enlightening. How he ended up on the bench despite swinging a sweet bat, I guess, is as simple as the reality that, if a team gets a five-tool player like Ellis Valentine in (what should have been) his prime, they've of course got to play him, and as the oldest guy among players eligible to be replaced, Rusty was the odd guy out. I guess part of the mystery is how the Expos successfully sold Frank Cashen the lemon that Ellis Valentine actually was. Oh, you want to give me this still-young All-Star, Gold Glove right fielder, and all you want is my second-best reliever? Sounds good. I'd call him a sucker for not seeing that Ellis was actually a coked-out shell of his All-Star form, but, buying similarly low on Keith Hernandez would work great two years later, so I guess he gets a pass.

I might have gotten Gordon, given 100 guesses. Calhoun? No idea.