Edgy MD

Wright lost the popup in the wind, and the runner, not realizing the batter was out anyway, broke for second. Blevins magic.

Quick pitch this guy.

Some still see promise in my package. Some see a passive representative of all that is bad with sabermetrics. Am I a budding on-base machine, the leadoff guy of the future? Or am I a fourth or fifth outfielder, a double-switch specialist? Listen, your opinion has meant shit to me so far. I'm a Wyoming boy with a Georgia girlfriend and a first-round bonus that I used to get me a sweet little ride. But I'm likely to debut this year, and opinions are going to be raining down on me like a ... well, I'm a ballplayer and not a poet. Whatever opinion you have, you better file it now, or else you're just reacting. Anybody can do that. [fimg=390:2t77n5pu]http://www.baseballessential.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/14057923104_a782856b9d_o_z5o5gh4j_52i0bjmk.jpg[/fimg:2t77n5pu] [fimg=310:2t77n5pu]https://static01.nyt.com/images/2012/06/27/sports/JPNIMMO1/JPNIMMO1-popup.jpg[/fimg:2t77n5pu] [fimg=350:2t77n5pu]http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/SiriusXM+All+Star+Futures+Game+-rVkzT42rEGl.jpg[/fimg:2t77n5pu] [fimg=350:2t77n5pu]http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2234881/IMG_8837.JPG[/fimg:2t77n5pu]

I'm just amazed looking at the poll results and seeing the overwhelmingly positive response on this trade.

Well, he had the Conforto swinging with one hand, but the ball had a little too much plate. Offense.

Good early opportunity to let Conforto prove himself against a lefty.

Walker bats right-handed a little bit. Nice. Let's break it open.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Zvon wrote: The Phils pen has been especially horousious. HAha< no spl chk on that? I guess it's too far off. Herocious. I'll use both of these all season long for Phildescription. Liberally. Loogit 'em SugarPants scamper! First and third. Let's Du this. Now it's first and third and second. You shouldn't want to load the bases to pitch to a guy named "Walker."

We've got Rubbles back today, so they may go for the four-man bucket brigade to try to close this out.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Terrible luck for Darno. Whatthewhat? 5 innings, 76 pitches, and Dutch is pulled for a guy who barely hits better than him (IF that)? Cold spring days and precious, precious arms make for short workdays. But don't be given insults like that to Wilmer.

We have a roster, and more depth than I would have suspected, considering the graduations and trades of 2015. Big surprise (to me, anyhow) is that Gaving Cecchini is opening with the team, which for the time being, seemingly consigns Matt Reynolds to utility duty. Notable in his absence is Jayce Boyd, leaving the fifth outfield slot to utility guy Ty Kelly. Last-minute signee, Puerto Rico's own René Rivera joins a depleted catching staff. Rafael Montero got the bump for opening day, giving up two runs (one earned) over five innings. Dilson Herrera batted leadoff with Brandon Nimmo in the nine-hole. (Anybody got any skinny on Duane Below? I can't find where he was assigned. Extended spring training?) Your 2016 Las Vegas 51s (AAA, PCL) Position GroupStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FFFFFF]Players[fimg=56]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/607625/generic/180x270/607625.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/516935/t102/180x270/516935.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/593679/t505/180x270/593679.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516714.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/607473/t400/180x270/607473.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg]NameSean GilmartinSeth LugoRafael MonteroStolmy PimentelGabriel YnoaDario AlvarezChasen BradfordErik GoeddelDoB11/4/1986 #36 (#36)11/17/1989 #27 (#67)10/17/1990 50 (#50)2/11/1990 #545/26/1993 #57 (#63)1/17/89 #68 (#68)8/5/1988 #2912/20/88 #62 (#62)Primary PositionStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting PitcherStarting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief PitcherOther PositionsrprprprprpspspStatusOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/597972/generic/180x270/597972.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/623149/t505/180x270/623149.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/519294/t505/180x270/519294.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/543856/t400/180x270/543856.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/502368/generic/180x270/502368.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_476192.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/425784.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/608325/t505/180x270/608325.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_599096.jpg[/fimg]NameChase HuchingsonPaul SewaldJosh SmokerZach ThorntonJeff WaltersJohnny MonellRené RiveraGavin CecchiniDilson HerreraDoB4/14/1989 #325/26/1990 #1711/26/1988 #49 (#49)5/20/1988 #4611/6/1987 #56 (#56)3/27/86 #197/31/1983 #4412/22/1993 #13/3/1994 #2 (#2)Primary Position=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#008000]Catcher=#008000]Catcher=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Second BaseOther Positionssp1b1bssStatusOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterOn 40- Man RosterPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/571868/generic/180x270/571868.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/594940/t400/180x270/594940.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/608703.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/608061/t400/180x270/608061.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/465668.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/571841/generic/180x270/571841.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/607043/generic/180x270/607043.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/607369/t400/180x270/607369.jpg[/fimg]NameMarc KraussDanny MunoMatt ReynoldsT.J. RiveraRoger BernadinaTy KellyBrandon NimmoTravis TaijeronDoB10/5/1987 #342/9/1989 #3212/3/90 #5 (#15)10/27/1988 #36/12/1984 #97/20/1988 #113/27/1993 #7 (#77)1/20/1989 #18Primary Position=#8000FF]First Base=#8000FF]Second Base=#8000FF]Shortstop=#8000FF]Second Base=#0000FF]Left Field=#8000FF]Third Base=#0000FF]Center Field=#0000FF]Right FieldOther Positionslf, rf3b, ss2b3b, ss, 1bcf, rflf, rf, 2b, rprf, lflf, cfStatusOn 40- Man RosterPosition Group=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#8000FF] Manager=#8000FF]Hitting Coach=#8000FF]Pitching Coach=#FFFFFF]Disabled List[fimg=56]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/502213.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]http://www.milb.com/images/571712/generic/180x270/571712.jpg[/fimg]=#FFFFFF]Staff[fimg=56]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/wally-backman.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/jack-voigt.jpg[/fimg][fimg=56]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/frank-viola.jpg[/fimg]NameNevin AshleyJeff GlennWally BackmanJack VoigtFrank ViolaDoB8/14/1984 #259/22/91 #309/22/1959 #65/17/1966 #284/19/1960 #16Primary Position=#008000]Catcher=#008000]CatcherOther Positions1bStatusOn 7-Day Disabled ListOn 7-Day Disabled List

Mets be mastering the foul out today.

Swing for the fences JdG!

St. Lucie that is. I love 'em particularly when they're down 4-1, but then rally in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead, only to have Jupiter tie it in the seventh. What to do? How about a walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth by Amed Rosario, his third hit of the game?

Here we go. MetFavorite MovieFavorite New York Tourist AttractionFavorite New York RestaurantNon-Sportsperson IdolFavorite MusicianOff-Season ActivityBlaine BeattyField of DreamsThe Quilted GiraffeRandy TravisHunting in South TexasMark CarreonField of DreamsRusty'sMadonnaTaking up GolfDavid ConeThe Black SwanZarelaJackie CleasonJim MorrisonRon Darling12 Angry MenCarousel Ride in Central ParkLa Petite FermeNatalie Merchant & 10,000 ManiacsHockey GamesKevin ElsterToo Many to List Just OneThe PalmTom Cruise, Jack NicholsonVisiting Las VegasSid FernandezWWF Wrestling in Madison Square GardenTom SelleckEddie Van HalenSurfing, DivingJohn FrancoThe GodfatherAll of New YorkMother-in-LawElton JohnDwight GoodenNo Way OutPeter Luger Seak HouseMy Mother, EllaPatti Labelle, Freddie JacksonKeith HughesLittle ItalyIl CortileMichael CardSkiing in the PoconosJeff InnisAmadeusMetropolitan Museum of ArtThe Sporting ClubThe CarsGregg JefferiesThe HustlerThe Late Night with David Letterman ShowPeter Luger Steak HouseElvis PresleyHoward JohnsonThe Outlaw Josie WalesSouth Street SeaportEarth, Wind, & FireOffshore FishingPhil LombardiFast Times at Ridgemont HighThe Quilted GiraffeDonald TrumpPhil CollinsBarry LyonsSea of LoveMy college coach, Dave Boo FerrissGlenn FreyGolfingJulio MachadoScarfaceRincon CriolloSylvester StalloneAll Salsa MusicDave MagadanCasablancaCentral ParkLusardi'sElton JohnMike MarshallThe GodfatherWalking on Fifth AvenueCarnegie DeliDavid LettermanKevin McReynoldsCaddyshackBenihanaHank Williams, Jr.Hunting in My Duck Club in ArkansasOrlando MercadoRockyConey IslandPaula AbdulSpending Time with Family in Puerto RicoKeith MillerAll of ManhattanThe PinesHarry ChapinHuntingJeff MusselmanAn Officer and a GentlemanMuseum of Modern ArtRuth's Chris Steak HouseThe CommodoresTom O'MalleyMusicals on BroadwayRusty'sBruce SpringsteenFishing in ArizonaBob OjedaBorn on the Fourth of JulySubwayImperboleBoxcar WillieRock Climbing in CaliforniaAlejandro PeñaNino's CaféMy Wife, TellieLionel RichieGolfMackey SasserEmpire State BuildingRichard NixonWhitney HoustonHunting and FishingDarryl StrawberryHarlem NightsPeter Luger Steak HouseJanet Jackson, Paula AbdulTim TeufelOne Flew over the Cuckoo's nestAnywhere in Little ItalyNeil DiamondHockey GamesLou ThorntonRaiders of the Lost ArkDaniel'sMy father, Lou Thornton, Sr.The Jackson 5Frank ViolaHoosiersJones BeachBorelli'sChicagoWally WhitehurstRain ManDonald TrumpThe TemptationsGolfing

We missed this from a couple of days ago, but the Mets have found the big league vet backup catcher they were looking for through spring training. They're assigning him to Vegas for now, but if they ever get concerned that Plawecki is stagnating on the bench, they can send him down for a few weeks and call on René. Rivera previously collected a Wilpon paycheck back in 2009, spending the full season with the Buffalo Bisons. TransactionSigned To Minor League Contract And Assigned To Las VegasPosition Group=#008000] Catcher[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/425784.jpg[/fimg]NameRené RiveraDoB7/31/1983 #44 YOUR 2016 New York Mets Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_112526.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594798.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518774.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_571927.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592789.jpg[/fimg]NameBartolo ColonJacob deGromMatt HarveySteven MatzNoah SyndergaardDoB5/24/73 #406/19/88 #483/27/89 #335/29/91 #328/29/1992 #34Status Notes=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00] Has OptionsPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/455374.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_460283.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_544727.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/449104.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/592665.jpg[/fimg]NameAntonio BastardoJerry BlevinsJeurys FamiliaJim HendersonAddison ReedDoB9/21/1985 #59?6/6/83 #3910/10/89 #2710/21/1982 #5112/27/88 #43Status Notes=#00BF00] Has OptionsPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#008000] Catcher=#008000] Catcher=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_570663.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/548337.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_518595.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_608700.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/452678.jpg[/fimg]NameHansel RoblesLogan VerrettTravis d'ArnaudKevin PlaweckiAsdrubal CabreraDoB8/13/90 #476/19/1990 #355/30/90 #72/26/91 #2611/13/1985 #13Status Notes=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00] Has OptionsPosition Group=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_493472.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_446263.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_527038.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/435522.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_431151.jpg[/fimg]NameEric CampbellLucas DudaWilmer FloresNeil WalkerDavid WrightDoB4/9/87 #292/3/86 #218/6/91 #44/9/1987 #2012/20/82 #5Status Notes=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00]Walk YearPosition Group=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/493316.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/624424.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/457477.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_434158.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_501571.jpg[/fimg]NameYoenis CespedesMichael ConfortoAlejandro de AzaCurtis GrandersonJuan LagaresDoB10/18/85 #523/1/93 #304/11/1984 #163/16/81 #33/17/89 #12Status Notes=#00BF00]Opt-Out Year=#00BF00] Has Options Also on 40-Man Roster Position Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543219.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607229/t505/180x270/607229.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607625/generic/180x270/607625.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_606160.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_554430.jpg[/fimg]NameSean GilmartinRobert GsellmanSeth LugoRafael MonteroZack WheelerDoB11/4/1986 #367/18/1993 #6511/17/1989 #6710/17/90 #505/30/90 #45Status Notes=#00BF00]In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options =#FF0000]On 15-Day Disabled ListPosition Group=#FF0000]Starting Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/593679/t505/180x270/593679.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_516714.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_572831.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_592340.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/592570.jpg[/fimg]NameGabriel YnoaDario AlvarezJosh EdginErik GoeddelAkeel MorrisDoB5/26/1993 #631/17/89 #6812/17/86 #6612/20/88 #6211/14/1992 #64Status Notes=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options =#FF0000]On 15-Day Disabled List=#00BF00] Has Options=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League CampPosition Group=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#FF8000]Relief Pitcher=#8000FF] Infielder=#8000FF] Infielder=#0000FF] Outfielder[fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/519294/t505/180x270/519294.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/502368/generic/180x270/502368.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_599096.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/images/players/head_shot/608703.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://www.milb.com/images/607043/generic/180x270/607043.jpg[/fimg]NameJosh SmokerJeff WaltersDilson HerreraMatt ReynoldsBrandon NimmoDoB11/26/1988 #4911/6/1987 #563/3/1994 #212/3/90 #153/27/1993 #77Status Notes=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp=#00BF00]Has Options=#00BF00]Has Options, In Minor League Camp Coaching Staff Position=#BF0000] Manager=#BF0000]Hitting Coach=#BF0000]Pitching Coach=#BF0000]First Base Coach=#BF0000]Third Base Coach[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/492632.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/438989.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123951.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/114961.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/123212.jpg[/fimg]NameTerry CollinsKevin LongDan WarthenTom GoodwinTim TeufelDoB5/27/49 #1012/30/1966 #5712/1/52 #387/27/68 #227/7/58 #18Position=#BF0000]Bench Coach=#BF0000]Bullpen Coach=#BF0000]Ass't Batting Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach=#BF0000]Strength and Cond. Coach[fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/dick-scott.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/111191.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pat-roessler-1.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/mike-barwis.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]https://metsinpeace.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dustin-clarke-1.jpg[/fimg]NameDick ScottRicky BonesPat RoesslerMike BarwisDustin ClarkeDoB7/19/1962 #234/7/69 #2512/27/1959 #66/6/73circa 1987Position=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher=#BF0000]Bullpen Catcher[fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/534948.jpg[/fimg][fimg=90]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/coaches/mugshots/430002.jpg[/fimg]NameDave RacanielloEric LangillDoB6/3/78 #537/7/58 #78

Cards got to Niese for four runs over five innings his first time out as a Pirate. Bucs came back and won it in 11.

cooby wrote: Can someone tell me the reason for the recent surge of movies about single girls who want to sleep around? Or is it just this particular actress? It's actually a big problem with the romantic comedy genre that studios are struggling to deal with. The flip but very useful dramatic definition is that a tragedy ends with a funeral and a comedy with a wedding. This has held true through most of cinematic history, as long as you're willing to redefine wedding in a more symbolic sense — a big, magical redemptive first kiss, or a proposal. If it's to be sex, it should be the first time, and a clear implication (or explicit statement) that it is to be forever. A marriage, in other words. In the age of almost indifferently casual sex, and less faith in marriage, it's become much more of a challenge for the screenwriter to get us to a meaningful payoff. Frequently they have to go through a relatively meaningless sexual encounter and then build meaning to their relationship beyond that, even as that brass ring of coupling is gone. Sometimes it works (Knocked Up), sometimes not so much (most of everything else, particularly if Natalie Portman or Dakota Johnson are in it). It was somewhat more doable when the convention suggested the man had the casual attitude toward sex and not the woman. Therefore the pre-coupling sexual encounter (When Harry Met Sally) becomes a plot device forcing the reconciliation of their attitudes. Now that both genders are happily giving it away for free, the magic of romance has become a harder sell. One thing that has worked in latter years (and Knocked Up is again an example), is the romantic comedy where the man is the real protagonist. That's been mostly the exception through Hollywood history, but is seemingly less rare.

I'm telling you, there's something strange, weird, and magical about this guy. He is not going to join in Ty Kelly's whimsical outlook on life as a AAA player. He's going to strut around and be all big league even if the fates tell him otherwise. He's got 17 games of replacement-level (or less) performance as an MLB player, but in his mind, he's a household name.

Well, if he does, presumably the "stop" he has to come to would be the one before he rotates and does the stutter step, as he's not stopping at all there, which suggests to me that any runner on base would get a flying start. So, I'd guess he's got a traditional delivery with runners on base.

John Gant, who went from the Mets to the Braves in the Johnson/Uribe deal, has made his debut for Atlanta. And, um, he pitches like this... [youtube:ebwlwt9r]4EoREMtZiYU[/youtube:ebwlwt9r] Wtf is that?

I'm kind of like Jason Pridie and Justin Turner before me. A player on the fringe, but with a big-league chip on shoulder. But you know, when you're on the fringe, there's an advantage to expandability. If a starting job becomes open, well, then, you call on Dilson or Reynolds or Cecchini or somebubby. But if you need somebody to sit on a bench five days a week, well, I'M your guy! Some folks, you don't want their development to atrophy. With me, that's totally NOT A PROBLEM. Some guys, you don't want to distract from their training at one position by moving them around the field. Me? I'll play third or catch or coach first or whatever. That's my value added, and it's going to get me back to the big leagues, even if that chip on my shoulder makes you roll your eyes a little. I'm Danny Muno. What do you see for me in this season now getting under way? [fimg=380:39ws7ova]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Danny-Muno2.jpg[/fimg:39ws7ova] [fimg=320:39ws7ova]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2248305.1433536912!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/475020899.jpg[/fimg:39ws7ova] [fimg=404:39ws7ova]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/danielmunonewyorkmetsvstlouiscardinalsumh4abdbqzol.jpg?6c20df[/fimg:39ws7ova] [fimg=298:39ws7ova]http://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2015%2F0416%2Fny_a_muno_mb_1296x1296.jpg[/fimg:39ws7ova]

What a star-crossed franchise they are. In a favorite novel of mine, Foolscap, by Michael Malone, the author describes this hapless aristocratic British family, whose great house has fallen into hard times over the centuries. They've historically been decent folks as far as landed gentry go, but they have a family history of always betting the wrong horse, backing the wrong prince whenever there's been a struggle for the crown, being Catholic when it was safer to be Protestant, being Protestant when the smart move was to be Catholic, selling off land when there's been whispers of land reform that turned out to be nothing, but holding on to land when it turned out to be forfeited years later. In latter years, they've kept up the estate by turning it into a tourist attraction, making it gaudy by adding a zoo and a medieval torture dungeon, but always one sad attraction behind the neighboring big house, and so still hemorrhaging in value. The Padres always strike me like that, finally figuring out that it's OK to zig, just when everyone else has put zigging behind them and the real foreword-thinkers are zagging. Fire up the 1962 Mets tracker.

He's certainly been consistently effective at AA.

Hi, I'm Akeel Morris. And I am the Mets all-time second-place holder for highest ERA (die, Garrett Olson!). Yeah, that's not the career start that you or frankly I was looking for, but you've got to start somewhere, and I was called up directly from St. Lucie for God's sake. Yeah, I got splattered all over the field, but then I went down to Bingo and my great season resumed. Maybe I wasn't ready. Maybe I'm still not ready. But I've struck out 12 batters per nine innings as a farm boy. That's an arm. That's stuff. And that's stuff that won't be ignored. Akeel the Real Deal. So will I be ready soon? And if so, then what? [fimg=422]https://metsmlb.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/akeel-morris-on-the-hill-11.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=228]http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.2135791.1425406657!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/gallery_1200/mets-2015-spring-portraits-akeel-morris.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=202]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Akeel_Morris_(16160117443).jpg[/fimg] [fimg=448]http://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/i-1.jpeg?6c20df[/fimg]