Valadius

Really, the only hope for this team is for the Wilpons to sell it.

If there were ever any plans to retire his number, the Mets should do so soon.

Asian lady must be apoplectic today.

RIP.

The 74-year-old Twins great has ended treatment for "incurable" esophageal cancer and is entering hospice care. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AsDQhExi1h2dqg0IWVa6F1w5nYcB?slug=ap-twins-killebrew

Have the Mets replaced Samuels yet?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjnpvD9UEF1m7KE3gpzg.kMRvLYF?slug=ap-expandedplayoffs With both sides expressing support for adding two playoff teams in 2012, negotiators for baseball players and owners are considering having the new wild-card round be best-of-3 or winner-take-all. Because longer series would push playoffs deeper into cold weather, the sides are not considering have the new first round be best-of-5 of best-of-7. �I would say we�re moving to expanding the playoffs, but there�s a myriad of details to work out,� Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday at his annual meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors. �Ten is a fair number.� Since 1995, eight of the 30 baseball teams make the playoffs. In the NFL, 12 of 32 teams make the playoffs. In the NBA and NHL, 16 of 30 advance to the postseason. In the new format, the two wild cards in each league would meet, and the winners would advance to the following round against division winners. �The more we�ve talked about it, I think we�re moving inexorably to that,� Selig said. Discussions have taken place as part of collective bargaining for a labor deal to replace the one that expires in December. Players want to make sure the new format doesn�t cause lengthy travel with little recovery time. �We�ve had a healthy exchange on a number of alternatives,� union head Michael Weiner said, �but the sides recognize there has to be a balance of competitive considerations, economic considerations and player safety considerations.� At the bottom of the piece: Selig also expressed confidence the Mets will be able to sell a minority interest in the team and raise money, relieving some of the pressure caused by a lawsuit from the trustee seeking to recover money for victims of Bernard Madoff�s Ponzi scheme. �I�m very confident that they set out a process to sell part of their club, and the person handling that is very confident that can happen,� Selig said, a reference to investment banker Steve Greenberg, a son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg. �Hopefully, the Mets will find a suitable partner and do it posthaste.� Selig said teams had reduced their combined debt by $1 billion in the past year but he would not say what the industry debt total currently is. He said baseball�s debt rules �could use some change, modest change, and we�re working on those.� A wild card round works for me.

Selig told Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt that he will appoint a representative to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the club. "I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the club," Selig said Wednesday in a statement. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that Frank McCourt had arranged a $30 million loan from Fox, the team's television partner. Selig has not approved a new longterm contract between team and Fox, and the Times said the money was needed to make payroll. Selig said he will appoint his representative within a few days. "My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt's ownership," Selig said. "The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future." Selig's move might be seen by some as a precedent should the New York Mets have additional financial problems. With owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz under pressure from a lawsuit tied to the Bernard Madoff swindle, the Mets borrowed $25 million last year from Major League Baseball. Unlike the McCourts, Wilpon is a longtime friend of Selig. The situations are slightly different when you get right down to it. Both clubs seem to have significant financial liquidity issues. The big difference here, I imagine, is that the day-to-day running of the Dodgers has become completely untenable, while the Mets, absent their financial woes, can at least run their ballclub.

Hindery and Utay previously tried to buy the Cubs. Hindery also is the former Chairman and CEO of the MFY Propaganda Network.

Um... what? Bobby V's weird analysis of Josh Hamilton's arm injury: Karl Ravech: What was stupid about the play? Bobby Valentine: Well, it was the first inning and it was taking a chance with your best player and he did dive headfirst and it was a way of avoiding the slide and he knew that he shouldn't go and he did go, you know? And you know, there's indiscretion in this guy's life, he was stupid earlier and because of that, he can't take drugs now to help cure this injury and heal this injury. And that might have been dumb on everyone's part because, my gosh, it's the first inning, he's the MVP. They're scoring runs better than anybody in the league, you have to tag up on a fly ball in front of the dugout?

Hey! Zach Lutz's head is now a normal size!

He's also got the new Superman movie coming up.

Yohan Almonte - 6'1" 150 lbs? Skinny kid.

The first of many this season, I should hope.

Doesn't change his baseball stats.

Ok, so the Mets come to Washington in April, July, and September. September looks best, since the Mets are here on the pre-Labor Day weekend.

Ceetar wrote: on that note, Washington apparently got Shake Shack, Taqueria, Blue Smoke and Box Frites in the ballpark. ditched 5 guys. I hope they didn't take our beer too :-( but probably. Wait, am I going to have a reason to go to non-Mets Nationals games now?

Why does it seem like the Mets have had more than their fair share of head/facial injuries?

The move leaves Wilson Valdez as the Phillies second baseman.

Very gracious response there by Izzy.

Church is being used as the poster boy of why this new concussion policy is a good idea.

This is what happens when you build a SMALLER ballpark than the last one in the biggest city in the country.

Chris "Dumbo" Woodward.

Luis Castillo signed away by Atlanta? You sure about that, Edgy?

Check out the HBO series Eastbound & Down. You will not be disappointed.