Valadius

] Freddy Garcia visits Mets camp, team not interested Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 7:18 am EST Freddy Garcia caused a stir by visiting the New York Mets ' camp Wednesday, but the team isn't interested in the free-agent pitcher according to the New York Post. A team source said the surprise visit was an attempt by Garcia's agents to drum up interest because the ex-Phillies starter drew so little during the offseason. Mets GM Omar Minaya confirmed that he spoke with Garcia but said the right-hander was more interested in saying hello to friends Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez. "We're not interested, and we wouldn't have any room [in the rotation], anyway," the source said. Source: New York Post

It's an awesome-looking stadium. Very distinctive.

I totally want a Shea seat too.

I've wondered why we haven't started grooming someone in the minors to eventually fill Delgado's shoes at first sometime in the near future, just in case we can't find one on the open market. I mean, those are some pretty big shoes to fill. That being said, I expect Delgado to hit about .275-.285, with 25-30 homers and 90-110 RBI.

The film has been pushed back until May 2009 so it can make more money.

Dammit Steve, there's no need to dredge this shit up again. We've put it behind us. I'd rather we not discuss it. Let's focus on the upcoming season and not on ranking how painful last September was.

I think they're angry. My hope is that last season was 1985 and this year turns out to be 1986.

Mets/Cubs in Tokyo! YES!!! The freaking samurai helmet!!! One of my all-time favorite Met moments!

Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca apologizes for 'mistakes in judgment' By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer February 16, 2008 VIERA, Fla. (AP) -- In his first words about his inclusion in the Mitchell Report, Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca apologized Saturday for his "mistakes in judgment." The four-time All-Star was one of more than 80 players cited in baseball investigator George Mitchell's report on drug use in the sport. Lo Duca was to arrive at the team's spring training camp Saturday for a preseason physical. "In regards to Senator Mitchell's Report, I apologize to my family, all of my fans and to the entire baseball community for mistakes in judgment I made in the past and for the distraction that has resulted," Lo Duca said in a statement released by the Nationals. The report came out in December, two days after the Nationals announced they signed Lo Duca to a $5 million, one-year contract. One of the main sources of the report, admitted steroid distributor Kirk Radomski, gave Mitchell's investigators copies of checks he said were from Lo Duca, each in the amount of $3,200. Radomski said those were for human growth hormone. The report also included handwritten notes from Lo Duca to Radomski, one of which was seized from Radomski's house during a search by federal agents. "So that I can focus on making positive contributions and avoid creating further distractions, I respectfully decline to comment any further on the content of the Mitchell Report," Lo Duca said in the statement. He played for the New York Mets the past two years, then moved to the Nationals as a free agent. Lo Duca, who turns 36 during the first month of the 2008 season, had left knee surgery last month and is expected to miss most of spring training. In 10 major league seasons with the Dodgers, Marlins and Mets, Lo Duca has batted .288 with 80 homers and 466 RBIs.

How about that! Has there ever been a father-son coaching duo on the same team before?

You know what, I'll ask him. I'll get back to you on that.

Metfairy: http://cranepoolforum.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=6524

Less of them were. And none of them played particularly large roles.

I need to get on the phone with the Mets and set a date for when I'm throwing out the first pitch. That would be a great game to meet up with you guys for.

I was at Game 1. Fucking Benitez ruined everything. I'm just wondering if we would've won had the 2000 Skankees not been all juiced up. Especially in the case of Clemens. I mean, think about it. The series was so close that a couple of runs going the other way would have resulted in our winning it.

We should have won that damn series.

And he did kick ass.

I love the apple. Hell, I have a Mets apple clock sitting on my desk. I want to keep it.

I think Olmedo Saenz ends up with New Orleans a la Fernando Tatis.

]Home run apple will follow New York Mets to new ballpark By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer February 12, 2008 NEW YORK (AP) -- The huge fiberglass apple that pops up when the New York Mets hit home runs will follow them to their new ballpark when it opens next year. "The big home run apple is coming," the team's chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon, said Tuesday during a media tour of Citi Field, the new stadium. An apple is coming, at any rate. Mets officials said they did not know whether it would be the same fiberglass apple that has popped up like a champagne cork following Mets homers since 1980. But a well to house the apple was visible beyond center field at the new stadium, which Wilpon said is on schedule and on budget -- about $800 million. Some 85 percent of Citi Field's structural steel is now complete, and the tiered concrete that will support the seats and stairways is in place. The Mets broke ground on the stadium in 2006 and announced a naming deal with Citigroup, which will pay $20 million annually, or about $400 million over a 20-year contract. Fans will enter Citi Field through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, honoring the Brooklyn Dodgers great who integrated baseball. Other references to the long-departed Dodgers will include an Ebbets Club Lounge and a section of Ebbets seats. The new stadium will have a capacity of 45,000 including standing room, compared with 57,333 at Shea Stadium, the team's home since 1964. It's being built next to the old stadium. Wilpon, son of team owner Fred Wilpon, said he won't miss Shea. "I was at Shea Stadium groundbreaking in my mother's belly," he said. "To be here for opening day should be pretty exciting."

Livan Hernandez signs a one-year, $5 million deal with the Twins.

What the fuck is wrong with him?

Perez isn't going anywhere.

]Video posted of Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at cockfight By The Associated Press February 7, 2008 A video of New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at a cockfight was posted this week on YouTube. Martinez and Marichal laugh before releasing the roosters. The two took part as honorary "soltadores," the word used to describe the person who puts the animal to fight. The animal released by Martinez appears to be killed on the video, which was posted Tuesday. The fight takes place in the Coliseo de Gallos (Rooster Coliseum) in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's biggest cockfighting venue. Cockfighting is legal and popular in the Dominican Republic. By early Thursday, the video was removed "due to terms of use violation."

I have no doubt that #31 will be retired. The question is when.