Edgy MD

Post this table on the bullpen wall. Tell them as the game moves into the leverage and period situation where their name falls, the higher the likelihood that they are going to be called, and they should be mentally ready at that point. That does not, however, guarantee they will go in at that point, but will instead enter if, and only if, the pitcher who is currently in the game is a) failing, gassed, or c) on the obviously wrong side of a strategic overmatch, such as Byrdak-vs.-Werth. But if these obvious situations aren't occurring, then it's on the manager to stay with the pitcher who is pitching, because every time you bring a new pitcher in, you are rolling the dice that he is on his game that day, and it's on you, and not him, if you removed a guy who was coming up sevens for a guy who comes up snake-eyes. It's on you that you are burning another pitcher for the day when you don't have to. You are also next on the depth chart behind the guy to the right of you, so be ready to go in if you didn't get used during and your chunk of the game and if he is failing or gassed. This should be screamingly obvious. I feel like I've said it a thousand ways. And it certainly seemed obvious through much of baseball history. But now we have bullpen sizes ever-more bloated, ever-more overused, but no more effective, and probably less.

The thing is --- you can keep them in familiar roles based on the rank of their effectiveness without the specific inning being a necessary part of the equation at all.

Hey, wait. DFA don't mean gone yet.

If Wright truly and honestly doesn't want the C designation, and this isn't just some bullshit act to get the C that he really wants without it appearing that he really wants the C, well then I'm for David Wright all the more. So, what was this about? The Noble report from 2010?

Look out. We've got some bell tolling tonight. First there's this transaction from several days ago that I missed during the cyberthreat... Activated From 15-Day Disabled List Demoted To BuffaloInfielders =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983 =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Vinny Rottino DoB: 4/7/1980 More importantly is this brutal transaction from tonight which, while justifiable, seems pretty vindictive, and avoids the greater problem --- that was avoided too under Randolph and Manuel --- that designating inning-specific roles for pitchers is hatefully counterproductive. Designated For AssignmentPromoted From BinghamtonRelief Pitchers =#0000FF]77 D.J. Carrasco DoB: 4/12/1977 =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 2012 Mets (Orange Indicates Players Have Options) Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]47 Miguel Batista DoB: 2/19/1971 =#0000FF]43 R.A. Dickey DoB: 10/29/1974 =#0000FF]35 =#FF8000]Dillon Gee DoB: 4/28/1986 =#0000FF]49 Jonathon Niese DoB: 10/27/1986 =#0000FF]57 Johan Santana DoB: 3/13/1979Relief Pitchers =#0000FF]46 Manny Acosta DoB: 5/1/1981 =#0000FF]40 Tim Byrdak DoB: 10/31/1973 =#0000FF]73 =#FF8000]Robert Carson DoB: 1/23/1989 =#0000FF]48 Frank Francisco DoB: 9/11/1979 =#0000FF]39 Bobby Parnell DoB: 9/8/1984Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]52 Ram�n Ram�rez DoB:8/31/1981 =#0000FF]60 John Rauch DoB:9/27/1978 =#0000FF]16 Rob Johnson DoB: 7/22/1982 =#0000FF]4 =#FF8000]Mike Nickeas DoB: 2/13/1983 =#0000FF]13 Ronny Cede�o DoB: 2/2/1983Infielders =#0000FF]29 =#FF8000]Ike Davis DoB: 3/22/1987 =#0000FF]28 Daniel Murphy DoB: 4/1/1985 =#0000FF]2 Justin Turner DoB: 11/23/1984 =#0000FF]1 =#FF8000]Jordany Valdespin DoB: 12/23/1987 =#0000FF]5 David Wright DoB: 12/20/1982Outfielders =#0000FF]23 =#FF8000]Mike Baxter DoB: 12/7/1984 =#0000FF]21 =#FF8000]Lucas Duda DoB: 2/3/1986 =#0000FF]12 Scott Hairston DoB: 5/25/1980 =#0000FF]9 =#FF8000]Kirk Nieuwenhuis DoB: 8/7/1987 =#0000FF]56 Andr�s Torres DoB:1/26/1978 Also on 40-Man Roster Starting Pitchers =#0000FF]75 =#FF8000]Jeurys Familia DoB: 10/10/1989 In Buffalo =#BF8040]. =#0000FF]53 =#FF8000]Jeremy Hefner DoB: 3/11/1981 In Buffalo =#BF8040]. =#0000FF]32 =#FF8000]Jennry Mejia DoB: 10/11/1989 In St. Lucie =#FF0000]On DL =#0000FF]34 Mike Pelfrey DoB: 1/14/1984 =#FF0000]On 60-Day DL =#BF8040]. =#0000FF]63 =#FF8000]Chris Schwinden DoB: 9/22/1986 In Buffalo =#BF8040].Relief Pitchers Catchers Infielders =#0000FF]27 =#FF8000]Pedro Beato DoB: 10/27/1986 =#FF0000]On 60-Day DL =#0000FF]30 Josh Thole DoB: 4/28/1986 =#FF0000]On DL =#0000FF]71 =#FF8000]Wilmer Flores DoB: 8/6/1991 In St.Lucie =#0000FF]74 =#FF8000]Reese Havens DoB: 10/20/1986 In Binghamton =#0000FF]65 =#FF8000]Zach Lutz DoB: 6/3/1986 In BuffaloInfieldersOutfielders =#0000FF]3 =#FF8000]Josh Satin DoB: 12/23/1984 In Buffalo =#0000FF]11 Ruben Tejada DoB: 10/27/1989 =#FF0000]On DL =#0000FF]44 Jason Bay DoB: 9/20/1978 =#FF0000]On DL =#0000FF]76 =#FF8000]Juan Lagares DoB: 3/17/1989 In Binghamton =#0000FF]67 =#FF8000]Cesar Puello DoB: 4/1/1991 In St. LucieOutfielders =#0000FF]33 =#FF8000]Vinny Rottino DoB: 4/7/1980 =#BF8040]. In Limbo Relief Pitchers =#0000FF]77 D.J. Carrasco DoB: 4/12/1977 Coaching Staff ManagerBench CoachBatting CoachPitching CoachThird Base Coach =#0000FF]10 Terry Collins DoB: 5/27/1949 =#0000FF]7 Bob Geren DoB: 9/22/1959 =#0000FF]51 Dave Hudgens DoB: 12/5/1956 =#0000FF]59 Dan Warthan DoB: 12/1/1952 =#0000FF]18 Tim Teufel DoB: 7/7/1958First Base CoachBullpen CoachBullpen CatchersHead Trainer =#0000FF]26 Tom Goodwin DoB: 8/27/1968 =#0000FF]25 Ricky Bones DoB: 4/7/1969 =#0000FF]78 Eric Langill DoB: 4/9/1979 =#0000FF]79 Dave Racaniello DoB: 10/15/1981 =#0000FF] Ray Ramirez =#BF8080].Assistant Trainer =#0000FF] Brian Chicklo

Duda 2.29 Baxter 2.27 Santana 2.12 Wright 1.16 Parnell 0.95 Hairston 0.60 Davis 0.39 Byrdak 0.23

At third base is Todd Frazier, who just hit two homers. Had I gotten this post done earlier, we'd have known how to pitch to him tonight. On me.

That's pretty cool. I always associate this team with guys named Brandon and Branson and Bronson.

Well, then, Bay better find some hits in his bat, because this team is like one Ike short of being pretty good.

Totally thought this series started tomorrow. I wrote less than half an essay last night and hoped to finish it this evening. Feel free to continue it yourself. I'm seeing red. And I'm seeing Reds. The cherry Reds of my childhood are now a deeper bricky red. Venal blood vs. arterial blood, or something. The Ransom of Red Chief Their manager is 62-year-old Dusty Baker, in his ffth season with the team. His Redcord sits at just about .500 (340-342 as of press time), but the organization retains faith in him, and he just got to celebrate his 1500th career victory in their uniform. Nineteen years of Dusty Baker, man. That's good for 20th all time, but he's only won one pennant and no World Championships. (Plus, he almost got his kid killed on national televison.) Is he an achiever or merely a compiler? I don't know, but check out his all-time ranking. RankDudeYearsFromToGamesWLPCT17)Fred Clarke (HOF)1918971915282916021181.57618)Tom Lasorda (HOF)2119761996304015991439.52619)Dick Williams (HOF)2119671988302315711451.52020)Dusty Baker1919932012288615021383.52121)Clark Griffith (HOF)2019011920291814911367.52222)Earl Weaver (HOF)1719681986254114801060.58323)Miller Huggins (HOF)1719131929257014131134.55524)Al Lopez (HOF)1719511969242514101004.584 I think if you asked baseball watchers if Dusty Baker is a Hall of Fame manager, eight guys would say "No," one guy would say "um... no" and the last guy would tweet about what an idiot you are, but there he is surrounded by giants. GIANTS! Dusty's extended tenure with the Giants, the Cubs, and now the Reds has done more than made him a peripheral Hall of Fame candidate. It also makes him a much-sought-after public speaker. Say what you want... ... but Dusty knows enough to pimp out his website with an autographed photo of Shea. Last I checked, Darren's still working the dugout for his Dad's team. Maybe Darren should be a Hall of Fame Candidate. Red Racer Catcher Ryan Hanigan has been a part timer for a couple of years and is looking like the number one guy. He's sort of a righthanded Josh Thole: good contact, high OBP, not much pop. He's stronger defensively however. Pretty good arm. He's seeing more time this year. Like Paul Lo Duca, he's a ctcher whose real interest is the ponies. You know that when you had a high school party and thought you were cool, all adult and shit, scored a keg and ready to consume copious quantites, and people you didn't invite --- or don't even really know --- start showing up, but you're all trying to act cool like it ain't no thing, but then things get kind of weird, when some actual adult (or two) shows up, post-collegiate-aged and looking to party with teenagers? Well, Hanigan totally looks like that guy. Hanigan's backup is Devin Mesoraco (which I think was also the name of the crazy jailbait chick in the "Rock the Cradle of Love" ). Devin is a native of Puxatawney, PA, and like Ned Ryerson, he's finding the first step to be a doozy, as he hit in AA, a little less in AAA, but not at all in the bigs yet. Hanigan has been pretty hot this week. But throw to the guy anyway, as he's the type of guy who can have a 10-hit week, you start to fear him, and then you realize nine of those hits are singles. Don't walk him. Make him earn it. No Johnny Bench, he. Red Alert Joey Votto is everything you want to be: young, gifted, single, Canadian. He leads the league in walks and doubles, he fields well and he's pretty much playing baseball as well as anyone north of Arlington, Texas. He freakin looks like a ballplayer, and before he reached free agency, the Reds done went out and tied him up. And tied him up. Joey Frucking Votto is tied up until 2024. If that season happens. That, my children, is an impressive commitment: 12 years and $261.5 million. Bully for him I guess, but he's sure earning it so far this year, competing with David Wright, Michael Bourn, Carlos Beltran, and maybe Matt Kemp for early-season MVP honors. He's already got one of those trophies on his shelf. Don't let him beat you. Votto becomes the highest Canadian wage earner in sports: Joey Votto 12-yr $261.5 M, Reds, $20.9 M Jason Bay, 4-yr, $66 M, Mets, $16.5 M Justin Morneau, 6-yr $80 M, Twins $13.3 M Ryan Dempster 4-yr, $52 M, Cubs 13 M Steve Nash 6-yr $65 M, Suns, $10.833 M Eric Gagne, 2-yr, $19 M, Dodgers, $9.5 Sidney Crosby, 5-yr $43.5 M, Penguins $8.7 M Vincent Lecavalier, 11-yr, $85 M, Lightning $7.73 M Steven Stamkos, 5-yr $37 M, Lightning $7.4 M Jason Spezza, 7 yr $49 M Senators, $7 M But the contract is backloaded, so based on this year's salary, the top-earning Canadian is... Jason Bay, Mets, $18.125 M Ryan Dempster, Cubs $14 M Justin Morneau, Twins $14 M Brad Richards, NY Rangers $12 M Steve Nash, Suns, $11.7 M Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning $10 M Joey Votto, Reds $9.5 M Sidney Crosby, Penguins $9 M Duncan Keith, Black Hawks, $8 M Jason Spezza, Senators, $8 M The same night Giancarlo Stanton hit that walkie-talkie grand slam against the Mets, Votto Vottissimo hit one against the Nats. He's heroic like that. Other than a rhyming name, he has little in common with Frank Cattalonotto. -------------------- Please take over from here, titling your description of each position with not-so-clever crimson captions like: Cherry Red, My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose, Red Hot and Blue, Better Dead Than Red, Red Dawn, or Red Eye

Shibboleth. I thought this started tomorrow.

What do you think it means? I think we all have an idea, related but different. I think all good managers, when they get to a team, figure out who their surrogate between the lines and in the clubhouse is, and cultivates a relationship with that guy, so a gentle word or example from that player to his teammates --- whether it be about defensive positioning or about handing over your keys or whatev --- has the moral authority of the skipper as well as a peer, without the skipper necessarily having to ever get into anybody's bidness. He not only figures that out, but he works on developing a younger player to grow into that role, inculcating that guy with his philosophy, and if the heavens align and both survive a half dozen years, maybe that player becomes his captain. The machine should by then run like clockwork behind the captain while the manager fills out the lineup card, eats sunflower seeds, and spends much of his time thinking about higher things, holier things, descending from his perch only to move an occasional piece across the board before returning to his exalted state. The surrogate guy doesn't have to wear the C, but that's what he be. It goes right back to the beginning. Stengel had Hodges and tried to develop Rod Kanehl and then Hunt into the embodiment of his Stengelness (as he had so developed Yogi Berra a generation before, Mantle being a lost cause). Hodges had Charles and then Clendennon, as he developed Seaver. Torre tried to make a man out of Mazzili; Valentine made Alfonzo the walking reflection of the Valentine way. The end of the line for both Torre and Valentine meant the end of the line for their proteges. Willie Randolph had never managed anywhere before the Mets, but I think he saw this as an important part of leading a team too, and he spent much of his first season indoctrinating Jose Reyes with all the knowledge and philosophical principles of his long career. Like much of managing, it almost never works out. Seaver remained Gil Hodges' loyal marine, professional and courageous, but there were certainly reported times that his teammates found him disappointingly elitist or aloof rather than leading them from the metaphorical foxhole. Keith Hernandez was certainly the embodiment of Davy Johnson's well-oiled machine on the field, but where was he when it was time to tell Gooden and Strawberry that it was time go home, like Staub had done for him? So yeah, I think there is something to the role if the manager and the player want there to be, but no, it doesn't need an officlal title. And yeah, else, it's just another marketing angle.

Wait, what's the potentially bullshit act? The dugout rhubarb? (Because if hitting .408 and fielding like he hasn't in five years is a manipulative and pandering, well, pander to me, baby.)

Be in the moment, man! Have we learned nothing from R.A. Dickey?

I agree that the team doesn't need one. I agree that it would unfortunately put more pressure on him. I do, however, think he wants it. (Though I'm certainly intrigued that he turned it down in 2010.) I just think forces of inevitability are aligning. I'd be very surprised if he signs an extension and doesn't wake up with a C under his pastel pillow.

Hey man, sorry. It's just a bubbling thing. I certainly concur if you mean to suggest that clamoring for the honor has become one more tired populist cause with which to hammer the allegedly tone-deaf management.

Jenrry Mejia after two starts in St. Lucie: 1-0, 11 IP, 2.45 ERA, .184 BAA, 0 walks, 7 SO. Jenrry Mejia, moving up to Bingo. Chris Young after two starts in St. Lucie: 0-0, 10.2 IP, 2.53 ERA, .300 BAA, 2 BB, 6 SO. Not sure what's next for him, but he may be looking at Buffalo for his next outing.

Interesting on last night's radio broadcast was Howard and Joshua were speaking of David Wright explicitly as captain. Specifically Howie, and when he caught himself saying it, paused very briefly, but rather than outright backtrack into a more political re-phrasing --- "captain-like," "captain candidate" --- he only modified it with something like, "He essentially has been in that role for at least two years or more." I'm paraphrasing there, but it was the sort of modifier that started out as an attempt to correct himself and ended up as doubling down. So, with the 7 Line pushing this shirt ... ... and with Wright now the longest-serving Met, playing some of the best ball of his life, and still representing as the ever-cheery good citizen he has always been, the long-entertained question seems to be coming to a head, and sure hit the front burner last night. Howie was animated enough that you half expected him to say that it's kinda stupid that we have to pretend that he isn't the captain. The only issue left to decide is whether the honor should come before pushing to sign Dudley to an extension, during, or after. Honoring him before securing him could certainly come across as a down payment of good will as the negotiations continue. It can also lead to the organization putting their own feet to the fire, as letting him walk or trading him becomes even more unpalatable if he takes off with a C on his jersey. One would think they'd want to at least be on the same page before conferring such an honor, but based on clubhouse reports, and the way Terry speaks about him, his remarkable start, and the team's battling to defy predictions, the time may simply be ripe.

Following through tweets. Somethings changing in the air. Even the day after an embarassing loss, folks are either resisting or (more likely) have grown tired of the it's-funny-cuz-its-the-Mets! punchlining.

Terry was on fire in the postgame. That was one uninhibited interview subject.

He's in a bad place. Even moreso in that he's conscientious and considerate sometimes to a fault. He's got to show his teammates he's not a wimp, not a primadonna, that hitting .400 doesn't put him above facing what they're gonna face (even as he's most likely to face it). And he's got to show his opponents that too. On the other hand, he doesn't want to be insubordinate. He's almost constitutionally incapable of that. So, publicly disagreeing with his manager and then humbly and respectfully submitting while not withdrawing his disagreement. Only way to go. Why wait for the appropriate question. > "David, if you've got a mom..." > "I RESPECT TERRY..." > "Yeah, I was just gonna ask..." > "I JUST FELT THAT I NEEDED TO..." > "Relax, Sugarpants. Slow down. It's all good."

And of course, he's spent much of his Mets career doing just that. Is there any reason his 2011 chapter was interspersed into little chapterlets throughout the book? It didn't really help the narrative. My guess is that the book comes to the dramatic conclusion in 2010, and the rest is boring tiresome "Life After Garp" epilogue, but he had this extra material by the time he was finished, and it would have been conspicuous had they left 2011 out, so they chopped it up and turned it into garnish. Poor 2011!

Is it me or does Ricky Weeks always seem to break out of extended slumps while playing the Mets?

Yanking Wright (.408!). White flag, baby.

It's sure not helping the old run differential.