RealityChuck

metirish wrote: I'm curious to know if some of our long time fans have ever seen the like of this with the injuries .Not that I can remember. The team had a lot of injuries in 1973 to key players but the were all back by September.

Green set the team back for years with his handling of young pitchers.

But the anecdotes quoted did provide insight into the relationship and behavior: The Mantle one showed Robinson to be a fierce competitor, but also a decent guy. The Morgan one showed that the pitcher was not going to use the cheap way to get a no hitter. Morgan wasn't lying about it -- it was how he remembered the incident. He may have only considered the idea, but knew that the pitcher wouldn't do it. He may have shouted, "Hey, walk Aaron" and had the pitcher glare at him. But that doesn't matter. It's unrealistic to expect someone in the broadcast booth to look up things every time he remembers an incident from forty years earlier. You can certainly criticize Morgan for a lot of things as an announcer, but this phony "gotcha" is not one of them. It says nothing about the comment to criticize it, but instead shows the person making the comment to be something of a showoff trying to impress people about how smart he is.

Just what I said. What difference does it make if he was playing second base that day or not? Maybe he just thought about it when he was watching in the dugout and, like any good storyteller, "printed the legend." It's still a good story. So what difference does it make that it's not 100% accurate? Same for the Mickey Mantle story. What difference does it make if it's true or not? (Well, actually, it is true, it's just not accurate).

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]How would you score that, anyway? 1B and PO? GO/9? Deadspin carped on Joe Morgan about some of his on-air stretches a month or two back. http://deadspin.com/5290951/it-wasnt-so-joe http://deadspin.com/5299503/joe-morgan-clarifies-one-fib-possibly-tells-another ]From Sunday's game, here he is, verbatim: I guess I can tell this story now, one of my great experiences when I was a young player. Don Wilson was pitching a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. They had Orlando Cepeda, Rico Carty, Felipe Alou and Hank Aaron, of course. And they got to the ninth inning, he got two outs, no one on base, and Hank Aaron was the hitter. And in my infinite wisdom, I ran in to the mound. I said, "You know, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if Hank Aaron walked right here. He said, "Get back to second base." I proceeded to go back to second base. He threw three fastballs right by Hank Aaron. No-hitter. Charming, right? And, alas, very likely an utter crock. This would've been June 18, 1967, Joe's third full season in the bigs. That Braves team did indeed feature Hank Aaron, Felipe Alou and Rico Carty � though not Cepeda, who was in St. Louis that year. And Wilson did indeed throw a no-hitter, striking out Aaron to end the game. None of that's the problem. The problem, as a tipster points out, is that Joe Morgan wasn't playing that day. I'm thinking old-timers who go on-air/writers who work with them need to familiarize themselves with Baseball Reference and/or Retrosheet-- apart from saving them from potential embarrassment, it's kind of a cool memory aid... I'd imagine it would bring back a flood of vivid recall, seeing some of these box scores (even as they might bust some ego-preserving myths). What the hell difference does it make?

Yes, because we all know that the ability to build a team is far less important than avoiding saying something stupid at press conferences. We need to replace Omar with someone like Ari Fleischer. That way, we won't have to worry about angering the press and can concentrate on them, not player acquisition and development, which are only a minor part of the General Manager's role.

="Edgy DC"] Francis Moreta of the New York Yankees,. Even Bill James draws the line of players using dragons.

The show lost me in the first episode, where they used a ludicrous anachronism in order to solve the problem, sort of like having Babe Ruth show up on our doorstep and win the pennant this year. I don't mind minor anachronisms, but when a show bases a major plot point on one it's just plain sloppy writing. I also find they have absolutely no feel for the period and don't bother to do any research at all. It's all stereotypes of how they imagine it was without an ounce of reality to it. The characters are all shitheads, too.

So-so film. Downey was, as usual, fine, but Iron Man never struck me as a particularly interesting hero. Besides, I preferred the original version:

You're right about Gosger; he didn't get to the Mets until after September 1st and rules at the time froze the roster at that point. I'm pretty sure Dilauro was on the playoff roster. He pitched both August 29th and September 1, which would indicate he was on the roster as of September 1. He joined the team the previous December, but wasn't on the opening day roster, but probably came up when Al Jackson was traded. This[/url:3k30e6c0] lists Dilauro on the roster.

This makes it clear where furries rate among geeks[/url:1sxc99zu].

="Kong76":3o9q9o35][u:3o9q9o35]Front[/u:3o9q9o35]: Shea and Schaefer, the way it oughta be![/quote:3o9q9o35] Rheingold, not Schaefer. Vic Sage Jul 01 2009 02:07 PM ]As the great William Blake wrote: �The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.� Crash Davis: "William Blake?" Annie Savoy: "Yes, William Blake!" ---------------------------- (narration) "Walt Whitman once said, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us." You could look it up." Yeah, but he didn't sit thru the Mets-yanks series. G-Fafif Jul 01 2009 02:11 PM One night after a game, I overheard an LIRR conductor try to explain to some kid why he had the wrong ticket as regarded what is now known as the "Mets-Willets Point" stop. He, the conductor, referred to the stop as "Shea"; "Citi Field but it's not called that"; "Shea"; and 'I"m going to call it Shea." At no point did he use (as Roger Angell once put it in another matter), the Sixth Avenue name Mets-Willets Point. I occasionally call it Shea out of habit not from protest. If it were somewhere else it might not be as automatic. Plus Citigroup puts a dime in my checking account every time I use the correct name. Don't they? Say Hey, Say Willie Mays Bridge[/url:3dbqrimv]. Kong76 Jul 01 2009 02:18 PM RC: Rheingold, not Schaefer <<< Now tell us, how is Rheingold a better fit for a cranepoolforum.net tee shirt idea over Schaefer? Farmer Ted Jul 01 2009 02:19 PM The virtual tour of Citi had a "Duke's" Food stand. Duke Sinder? Can this be confirmed? Kong76 Jul 01 2009 02:25 PM It's Jim Duquette place, he's flippin' burgers there now. metirish Jul 01 2009 02:34 PM ="Kong76":dknh69qt]It's Jim Duquette place, he's flippin' burgers there now.[/quote:dknh69qt] LOL...... G-Fafif Jul 01 2009 04:12 PM You'd figure with the oodles of beers available at the beer island stand out beyond center field (Big Apple Brews) that two of them would be Rheingold and Schaefer, but I don't think either's been spotted. Not even a Knickerbocker. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 01 2009 04:17 PM ="G-Fafif":exoi2ldw]You'd figure with the oodles of beers available at the beer island stand out beyond center field (Big Apple Brews) that two of them would be Rheingold and Schaefer, but I don't think either's been spotted. Not even a Knickerbocker.[/quote:exoi2ldw] They've got 'em at MFY Bank, just inside the "Great Hall," at some sort of "classic beer" stand. For $9.50 a pop. SteveJRogers Jul 01 2009 04:56 PM ="G-Fafif"]You'd figure with the oodles of beers available at the beer island stand out beyond center field (Big Apple Brews) that two of them would be Rheingold and Schaefer, but I don't think either's been spotted. Not even a Knickerbocker. Greg, I would HOPE TO GOD that if Knickerbocker was ever brought back by whomever, that none of it ever makes it anywhere near Flushing Meadows. I'd say you should use your connections and get this done, BRING RHEINGOLD AND SCHAEFER TO CITI FIELD! But Knickerbocker, NEVAH! SteveJRogers Jul 01 2009 05:00 PM ="Farmer Ted":x8x4z2rt]The virtual tour of Citi had a "Duke's" Food stand. Duke Sinder? Can this be confirmed?[/quote:x8x4z2rt] I'm not sure if anyone but the artist knew. Probably seen many other newer parks have stands with popular player names slapped on, and figured with the Ebbets motif that the Mets would eventually reach out to Duke for something in that vein. Why, who knows, I believe Snider is a full time LA resident right? Anyway, it was just an artist rendering, I'd wouldn't have put much stock into it. That being said, its too bad Bluesmoke doesn't have Rusty Staub's name slapped below it. G-Fafif Jul 01 2009 06:30 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":3mz9a9z3]="G-Fafif":3mz9a9z3]You'd figure with the oodles of beers available at the beer island stand out beyond center field (Big Apple Brews) that two of them would be Rheingold and Schaefer, but I don't think either's been spotted. Not even a Knickerbocker.[/quote:3mz9a9z3] They've got 'em at MFY Bank, just inside the "Great Hall," at some sort of "classic beer" stand. For $9.50 a pop.[/quote:3mz9a9z3] Pabst Blue Ribbon available by the high-priced can at MFYS III. I know the guy who helped relaunch PBR as a slightly ironic phenomenon. Marketing genius. gerrard00 Jul 02 2009 09:08 AM ="G-Fafif":3ktatvdd]I know the guy who helped relaunch PBR as a slightly ironic phenomenon. Marketing genius.[/quote:3ktatvdd] I hope that guy is building a mansion out of platinum bars as we speak. Kong76 Jul 02 2009 09:52 AM gerrard00, who is that in your avatar? Benjamin Grimm Jul 02 2009 09:53 AM I think it's Darryl Strawberry after a week of partying.

="Edgy DC":1zz94amt]Good job by Ken Belson (Ken Belson?) getting responses from Carter and Johnson in the article instead of just rushing with the slam and using day two for slambacks.[/quote:1zz94amt] It's known as "reporting." I know it's rare in sports these days, but I can still remember the concept. Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 09:14 AM Clark continues to push it, promising future snubbings. http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x931229737/Sliders-skipper-Clark-relished-All-Star-appearances ]�The Mets were our competition and they kind of disrespected us,� Clark said. �I didn�t like the Mets and I didn�t talk to them. They really weren�t very nice guys. If I see Gary Carter or any of them, I won�t say hello.� LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 13 2009 09:42 AM ="Edgy DC"]Clark continues to push it, promising future snubbings. http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x931229737/Sliders-skipper-Clark-relished-All-Star-appearances ]�The Mets were our competition and they kind of disrespected us,� Clark said. �I didn�t like the Mets and I didn�t talk to them. They really weren�t very nice guys. If I see Gary Carter or any of them, I won�t say hello.� It's a little-known fact that after Jeffrey Leonard, Jack Clark was the National League's hardest shunner of the mid-80s. You do not want to cross his line-of-shun. You will be shunned... with great dispatch. Edgy DC Jul 13 2009 10:21 AM When he was young, back with the Giants, they say he was a five-tool shunner. He could shun for power, shun for average, shun for speed, the whole works.

="MFS62":1tokybhs]American League pitchers can get away with crap like that because they never have to bat. [/quote:1tokybhs] True, but I doubt Rodriguez will ever get a chance to bat in the NL, either. smg58 Jun 14 2009 10:52 AM Apparently Bruney and Frankie exchanged some words during batting practice today. Kong76 Jun 14 2009 10:59 AM Probably discussing where to go for zuppa di pesce after the game. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 14 2009 11:09 AM ] As the Mets were stretching in the outfield as the Yankees took batting practice Sunday, there was a little commotion. K-Rod was pointing and gesturing at Brian Bruney. The two had to be separated. According to a witness, Bruney and Phil Coke approached K-Rod, hoping to make amends, but the Mets closer wanted no part of it and started getting animated. The Yankees' Jose Veras and Mets bullpen coach Randy Niemann eventually had to intervene. Players later were hugging in the outfield, including Alex Cora and CC Sabathia. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/#ixzz0IQQOdURq&D Frayed Knot Jun 14 2009 11:14 AM So they exchanged words, almost blows, but probably not Christmas cards. Hawkeye57 Jun 14 2009 03:11 PM Was the witness a Yankee player? LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 14 2009 06:16 PM In full view of a whole lotta folk, apparently. From Marty Noble's MLB.com article: ]Mets players said Bruney didn't back off, but he said little and the Yankees' visible support of Bruney wasn't particularly strong. "I wasn't trying to go pick a fight," Bruney said after the game. "If anything, I was hoping we could cross paths and bury the axe. I think that it's ridiculous that this is a big story. ... To me, it's over with, and hopefully for him, it's over with. I don't think either of us are worried about it." Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey said he interceded after the feud had simmered for "a minute or two" and that Jose Veras, a Yankees pitcher, had interceded on Bruney's behalf. "We stepped in before something happened," Pelfrey said. "It was getting a little hot. K-Rod went right up to him after we were done stretching and after he found out who he was. He really didn't know. He kept asking, 'Is that the guy?' "All he was saying was something like, 'If you have something to say, say it to my face.' And Bruney didn't say much at all." Apparently, it was the only fun part of the day for the Queens nine. ]The Mets seemed to enjoy the confrontation, and how K-Rod handled it. "It was cool," outfielder Ryan Church said. "Frankie walked right up to him and got right in his face. And the kid didn't say a thing." "At least Frankie went to the guy," Alex Cora added. "I think it's better that way than to go from A to C and then to B. Through the papers, you don't really respect that." metirish Jun 14 2009 06:51 PM They showed the whole thing on the 6 O'Clock News , funny stuff. Francisco just wouldn't go away and kept coming back to the guy. Bruney afterwards apologized about it , or as he said" I guess this is my apology to him"... It was "handbags at six paces" as they say. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 14 2009 07:53 PM ="metirish":tzekns7e] It was "handbags at six paces" as they say.[/quote:tzekns7e] LOL Willets Point Jun 14 2009 08:02 PM We would have all gotten a good laugh if they chose to duel with cream pies instead. Rockin' Doc Jun 14 2009 08:21 PM Willet Point - "We would have all gotten a good laugh if they chose to duel with cream pies instead." That only would have made matters worse. Bruney would have missed wide with his toss and then Rodriguez would have creamed Bruney with a high hard one. Then the Yankees would have got upset by Frankie's victory celebration. Frayed Knot Jun 14 2009 08:42 PM ] I think that it's ridiculous that this is a big story. ... To me, it's over with, and hopefully for him, it's over with. I don't think either of us are worried about it." "Hey, how was I supposed to know that giving unsolicited negative comments about the other team's star to the NYC press was going to cause a problem?" Edgy DC Jun 14 2009 08:46 PM ]"Rodriguez is totally bush league," Bruney commented shortly before his team's big matchup with the Laramie Tumbleweeds. Centerfield Jun 15 2009 08:28 AM I'm disappointed that no one on our side is bright enough to come up with the obvious comparison to Joba. Someone ask Bruney what he thinks of his teammates' actions, and whether that falls in with "how he was taught to play the game". And do it quick before I do it. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 15 2009 10:35 AM ="Centerfield"]I'm disappointed that no one on our side is bright enough to come up with the obvious comparison to Joba. Someone ask Bruney what he thinks of his teammates' actions, and whether that falls in with "how he was taught to play the game". And do it quick before I do it. I don't think it's a matter of brightness (well, in some cases, at least-- these are professional ballplayers, not professional philology professors or mechanical engineers) as brazenness, or lack thereof. The fact that dragging a Joba comparison into it might be construed as an "attack" on Joba himself-- unless done with extreme rhetorical skill, and maybe even then-- probably plays into it a little. Think anyone wants to answer that question from lazy reporters for 6 weeks?

Santana 5 Wright 1 Beltran 1 Church 1 Rodriguez 1 Feliciano .5 Cora .5

One of Bogart's best films (up with Casablanca). Don't try to follow the plot -- it's not important. No one knew what was going on, so why should you? Famous story: When director Howard Hawks was working out the screenplay with writers Leigh Brackett* and William Faulkner,** they couldn't figure out who committed one of the murders. Hawks decided to call Raymond Chandler, who wrote the book. Chandler told them that he couldn't figure out the killer. (Hawks told the story that Chandler said, "The butler did it" and that Hawks replied, "That's impossible! The butler was at the beach house." A sign why Hawks was such a great director -- he knew a good anecdote.) What makes the movie are the scenes, especially when Bogart and Bacall on onscreen together. But there are many other great setpieces: the death of Eddie Mars, the meeting with General Sternwood, the "quickie" in the bookstore. And the dialog is so good that you don't need a plot. *This was her second most famous film, after The Empire Strikes Back **Yes, that William Faulkner

Maybe he should boycott all games played in Citi. Put his money where his mouth is (though I suppose money shoved up there would be very unsanitary).

The team really sucks at baserunning this year.

Here is a summary of all players on the DL since 2002 by team[/url:1m68core] If you think the Mets have been hit badly by injuries, you're right -- they're third in number of trips to the DL and in length of pitchers' DL stays. Position players are about average, but overall the Mets are fourth in the number of days lost. (2009 is excluded, but it's certainly not going to improve the numbers.) Maybe it's having older players, or incompetent trainers, but if the team had been in the middle of the pack, there would have been a postseason or two (I think it's obvious that if Wagner hadn't wrecked his arm, the Mets would have easily won another couple of games).

The "Parody" label pretty much trumps LaRussa's feelings, assuming it was clearly displayed.

="Edgy DC":179bjr4r]="Newsday":179bjr4r]"My stomach's killing me," Maine said. "I have an iron stomach, too."[/quote:179bjr4r][/quote:179bjr4r] Then it's not flu. You don't complain about your stomach when you have influenza. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 03 2009 10:07 AM ="soupcan"]It might be good for me and you to get the pig virus right now, but personally I'd rather Beltran does get it in December or January. KnowwhatI'msayin'? The ghost of Rick James finds that a tad cold... bloodeeeed.

Like it only because there was no way Castro would be back next year, so we're at least getting something for him.

The thinking probably is: 1. Trade Castro. 2. If no trade, send down Santos. Let Castro go at the end of the season and replace him with Santos next year. Outside the box options: 1. Keep three catchers and send down Sean Green (note that Earl Weaver was a big believer in having three catchers, but times have changed and it's better to have the extra bullpen arm). 2. Trade Schneider. You could get more for him than Castro. Of course, that means Castro might walk this fall and you're stuck with one catcher. Also, teams would want to see if Schneider was healthy, so you'd have to send down Santos until the trade was made.

Perfectly normal. I did the same thing years ago. Eight team league, 20-game seasons, using baseball cards for the players and this deck of cards I got in the five-and-dime for the plays. It went for 11 seasons. I especially liked the fact that it was unrealistic and you could have Pete Rose being a massive flop while Chuck Estrada and Bob Aspromonte were all-time greats. I can still remember the teams and many of the pennant races.

Swan Swan H wrote: ]The difference is that Mora was a prospect, this guy is a fill-in, and we can be even more certain that what we see is pretty close to what he is. "See that fellow over there? In ten years he has a chance to be the third baseman for the Orioles. Now, that fellow over there, in ten years he has a chance to be 46." My favorite Casey quote.