seawolf17

CLUTCH MUTHAFUCKA!

Oh, Metsies.

="Edgy DC":2hw8j74n]Can we jsut call this season a do-over.[/quote:2hw8j74n] Yeah, no kidding! Crazy. Rockin' Doc Apr 13 2009 08:00 PM Mark "the Bird" Fidrych was just a big kid playing a kids game. His exuberance for the game made each of his starts an occasion. I loved watching him pitch. His career and now his life ended too soon. A Boy Named Seo Apr 13 2009 09:53 PM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":k1crjngd]They've been showing that Monday Night Baseball game from 1976 on the MLB Network. I remember that game well, as I spent that entire summer consuming baseball. Cryin shame.[/quote:k1crjngd] I watched that game the other day. Wild character. Such a good interview post-game. Euker told him he was clocked at 90-something in the 9th inning and he was so psyched and said that was the first time anyone "timed his ball." themetfairy Apr 13 2009 11:07 PM We got this news at Citi Field moments after hearing about Harry Kalas. A horrible one two punch. I remember Fidrych's phenomenal rookie season fondly. You guys know that I have a penchant for the quirky ones, and Fidrych was nothing but quirk. He pitched beautifully prior to his injuries and wore his heart on his sleeve - what's not to love. RIP Mark, and thanks for the great memories. themetfairy Apr 14 2009 08:20 AM From The Dugout[/url:2cpf8hfq] LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 14 2009 12:57 PM Nice 1985 interview with the Bird (a little before my time, but I've heard the stories) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_jU0b5Hgw John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 16 2009 10:34 AM Great clip. Steve Rushin did a terrific peice on the Bird a few years back that I was reminded of recently. Ironically, he talks about buying the truck that would end his life having saved his farm. What a character. [url:38odvq7d]http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1022912/1/index.htm[/url:38odvq7d] Edgy DC Apr 16 2009 10:37 AM Doesn't he look a little messed up and older than his years in that clip, though? metirish Apr 16 2009 10:38 AM I was surprised when I searched but there was very little if any tape of Fidrych pitching. Farmer Ted Apr 16 2009 04:42 PM This is just brutal. NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. -- Former All-Star pitcher Mark Fidrych suffocated after his clothes became entangled with a spinning part on the truck he was working on, Massachusetts authorities said Thursday. The state medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident, according to a release from the Worcester District Attorney's office. A friend found Fidrych, 54, beneath a 10-wheel dump truck on Monday at his Northborough farm. "He appeared to have been working on the truck when his clothes became tangled in the truck's power takeoff shaft," District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said in a statement. A power takeoff shaft is a driveshaft that spins at high speed and can be used to power another piece of equipment. The investigation is now closed, a spokesman for the DA said. Fidrych went 19-9 with a 2.34 ERA for the Detroit Tigers in 1976 to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, becoming as famous for his mop of curly hair and on-the-mound antics as his skills. The Bird, as he was known, was beloved by Tigers fans for appearing to talk to the ball and smoothing out the mound between innings. He never matched the heights of his first season, as injuries derailed his promising career. He attempted a comeback with the Boston Red Sox in 1982 and 1983, but never again pitched above the Triple-A level. Fidrych remained a popular figure in his hometown, known for his friendly demeanor and generosity. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday at the First Parish Unitarian Church in Northborough. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday at the same church, followed by private burial. Fidrych is survived by his wife, Ann, and daughter, Jessica. A Boy Named Seo Apr 16 2009 04:53 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":3muphw82]Nice 1985 interview with the Bird (a little before my time, but I've heard the stories) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm_jU0b5Hgw [/quote:3muphw82] The commentary at the end was worth the wait. cooby Apr 16 2009 07:58 PM Loved this guy...had a penpal in Detroit at the time that would send me Detroit newsclippings about him. I also had a paperback book called "The Bird" that I carried with me everywhere and he knocked Ron Cey right off my top "foreign" baseball player perch for a time. Ron never made it back. I also had a huge crush on those yellow curls. He was fun to watch and I'm not really surprised that there is not much footage left of him. His was a brief, brilliant candle and some things are best left to memory, not photography. metirish Apr 17 2009 08:26 AM What a terrible way to die. dgwphotography Apr 20 2009 04:41 AM A look at The Bird through Joe McNally's Lens[/url:1jgq18di] Edgy DC Apr 20 2009 06:02 AM "IN the summer of 1976, a youthful goofball named Mark Fidrych blew fastballs by just about everybody with a bat in their hands..." See, here's something that needs discussing. He didn't throw it by them. Throwing 250 innings with a league-leading ERA with less than 100 strikeouts is in it's own way far more amazing. This really pthrows water on the Voros McCracken thesis, and adherents of the thesis would perhpas say that his season was unrepeatable. But before he got hurt his sophomore year, Fidrych was repeating it. And it all happened with Tiger Stadium for a home field. Anyhow, nice pictures.

"Plus," Howard said, "ESPN gave us a shitload of money to move it to the evening. And our fans want to hear mispronunciations from Jon Miller and analysis from Steve Phillips. Besides, if we had it during the day and everyone took the day off to attend the game, it would hurt the economy."

Okay, fine, you're rehired. Send me a box of books that I can use as promotional pieces.

G-Fafif wrote: I'll never make it on the sales side. You were all set to just send him a replacement book, weren't you? As your literary agent, I'm firing you as a client.

G-Fafif wrote: ="batmagadanleadoff"]The other day, I got out of a cab and left my copy of FAFIF in there. What's worse is that I didn't realize I had misplaced my book until a few hours had passed. Oh, the humanity. Why? Now he has to buy another one. You should wish that we all leave our books in the back of cabs.

Terrible loss for baseball; condolences to the Phillies family.

I should start a second career rewriting schlock baseball "journalism." (Finally, my I put my undergrad degree to good use. Bonnie Brennen would be so proud.)

I think that's a tone-of-voice question. Of course Murphy's going to make another error at some point in his major league career; it's not like Johan's calling out Garry Maddox.

We should all change our avatars to be different photos of Bobby Valentine.

I blame Irish for starting the IGT too early.

="SteveJRogers"]="soupcan"]I'm in California right now and I met Roger Craig yesterday (he and my dad golf at the same club). Funny guy. We talked about the Citi Field opener tonight and he acted as if he were insulted and confused as to why the Mets asked Seaver rather than himself to throw out the first pitch. Perhaps he read way too many bloggers and internet message board posters opine about how Citi Field was too much of a Brooklyn Dodger shrine. Never mind the fact that he never did pitch in Shea Stadium as a Met, and the Seaver connection is much, much, MUCH more stronger, and we are talking about ballparks, not the franchise history (to say nothing about the fact that Seaver IS the Mets Franchise). Sounds like a bitter old man who wishes he was still in some form of spotlight. Someone take Steve's computer away before he hurts himself.

="G-Fafif":2fk38li0]I hope when Jim Baumbach does the MFYS II is gone story, he'll incorporate the thoughts of Mets fans.[/quote:2fk38li0] ="Bizarro Jim Baumbach, on YS II":2fk38li0]Mets fans considered it an overblown piece of crap compared to their beloved ballpark in Flushing, considering the Yankees relied so much on a physical history that only existed in the deluded imaginations of their fan base. But to Yankees fans, there was something warm and special about Yankee Stadium. For 33 seasons, it was home, a home that bore a strong resemblance to the historic field once graced by legends like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.[/quote:2fk38li0] Gwreck Apr 13 2009 11:33 AM I wonder if there will be the "good luck" floral wreath presentation tonight. Saw no reference to it in the press notes. Edgy DC Apr 13 2009 11:55 AM Big question. Keeps me up at night. metsguyinmichigan Apr 13 2009 12:05 PM ="seawolf17":2j3ad4vw]="G-Fafif":2j3ad4vw]I hope when Jim Baumbach does the MFYS II is gone story, he'll incorporate the thoughts of Mets fans.[/quote:2j3ad4vw] ="Bizarro Jim Baumbach, on YS II":2j3ad4vw]Mets fans considered it an overblown piece of crap compared to their beloved ballpark in Flushing, considering the Yankees relied so much on a physical history that only existed in the deluded imaginations of their fan base. But to Yankees fans, there was something warm and special about Yankee Stadium. For 33 seasons, it was home, a home that bore a strong resemblance to the historic field once graced by legends like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.[/quote:2j3ad4vw][/quote:2j3ad4vw] Brilliant! seawolf17 Apr 13 2009 12:27 PM I should start a second career rewriting schlock baseball "journalism." (Finally, my I put my undergrad degree to good use. Bonnie Brennen would be so proud.) Benjamin Grimm Apr 13 2009 06:29 PM ="Gwreck":29g0w6na]I wonder if there will be the "good luck" floral wreath presentation tonight. Saw no reference to it in the press notes.[/quote:29g0w6na] Well? Was there? Gwreck Apr 13 2009 10:07 PM Yes, it was indeed there, with Bill Shea Jr. and a couple of other family members presenting it to Jerry. Edgy DC Apr 14 2009 05:19 AM (Clapping) themetfairy Apr 14 2009 06:23 AM

from GKR:

Did Cameron Maybin just hurt Jose Reyes? Someone take him out.

Backstreet Symphony The Marlins are hot. White hot. They swept the Washington Nationals, who are playing their regular schedule despite being demoted to the International League during the offseason. They can run, they can hit, they can pitch. Thankfully, they can't field, finishing third in all of baseball in errors in 2008. Laughing On Judgement Day The Marlins, as we all know, have knocked the Mets out of the playoff picture for the last two years running. Thankfully, Hanley Ramirez doesn't remind Jose Reyes about it all the time, says David Lennon of Newsday. (http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spminside1012639045apr09,0,125408.story) Hanley's a bigger man than I am; hell, I'd spend all off-season making fun of Reyes if I was Hanley. But I suppose Hanley hasn't won anything himself either, so maybe it's all good. Anyway... Behind Closed Doors The All-Time Mets/Marlins Team: Carlos Delgado 1B Luis Castillo 2B Todd Zeile 3B Damion Easley SS Mike Piazza C Moises Alou LF Cliff Floyd CF Carl Everett RF Bench: Lenny Harris PH Bobby Bonilla SUCKS Jeff Conine OF Mike Jacobs 1B Dave Magadan IF Paul LoDuca C Ramon Castro C SP: Al Leiter, Darren Oliver, Yorkis Perez, Jason Vargas, Reid Cornelius RP: Toby Borland, Dennis Cook, Jorge Julio, Braden Looper, Guillermo Mota CL: Armando Benitez (Not a bad team, as long as you don't mind your pitching staff giving up thirteen runs every game, especially with that outfield defense.) The Thrill Of It All FRIDAY 7:10 -- Anibal Sanchez vs John Maine Sanchez, making his first start of the season, is best known for his September 2006 no-hitter over the Diamondbacks. A hard-throwing righty, he missed most of the last two seasons with shoulder woes. Will walk guys, but will also pile up strikeouts. He's 2-1, 3.63 lifetime against the Mets. SATURDAY 6:10 -- Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 7.50) vs Livan Hernandez Nolasco pitched Opening Day for the Fish, a 12-6 win over Washington. Nolasco gave up five runs in six innings. He's 2-5, 6.27 in eleven career appearances against the Mets. Just about everyone in the lineup has hit Nolasco hard: Jose Reyes: .423 (11 for 26), 2 HR Daniel Murphy: 3 for 8 David Wright: .480 (12 for 25), 3 2B, 3 HR Carlos Delgado: 6 for 21, HR Carlos Beltran: .348 (8 for 23), HR Luis Castillo: 4 for 7 Fernando Tatis: 2 for 6, 2B SUNDAY 1:10 -- Josh Johnson (1-0, 0.00) vs Johan Santana (1-0, 1.59) The anti-Nolasco, Johnson has given the Mets fits. Delgado, Beltran, Wright, and Reyes are a combined 5 for 42 against him, with Reyes carrying the load at 3 for 9, all singles. Johnson has four wins in five starts against the Mets, and in his one no-decision, he gave up no runs in five innings in a game he left leading 4-0 before the bullpen gave up six runs in the last three innings (including a run off Ricky Nolasco!) to lose 6-4. Giving The Game Away As bad as the Mets' bullpen was in 2008, the Marlins weren't much better, with 24 blown saves. Most of those culpable in that output (Kevin Gregg's nine and Joe Nelson's four) are gone, however. The bullpen is led by former Mets farmhand Matt Lindstrom, who throws way harder than a guy I knew in college with the same name (no relation). The rest of the bullpen: Kiko Calero ®: 34-year-old setup man who's retired all eight batters he's faced this season, striking out four. Reliable guy who's spent time with St. Louis and Oakland. Will get pinch-hitter Jeremy Reed to bounce into an inning-ending double play Sunday afternoon. Renyel Pinto (L): Not only is he the only Renyel in major league history, but there's only been one other Pinto; a reliever for Philadelphia in 1922 and 1924. Situational lefty who likes to give up home runs. Will give up an RBI single to Carlos Delgado in the seventh inning tonight. Logan Kensing ®: Averaging a baserunner and a half per inning in his 127-inning major league career. Yes, he's the only Kensing in major league history, and already the most successful of the three Logans. Middle name is "French," after the actor French Stewart. Will pitch one scoreless inning tonight. Leo Nunez ®: Had something of a breakout season for the Royals last year. Acquired in the Mike Jacobs deal, Nunez throws hard, and we could see a lot of him this year. Will pitch a scoreless inning on Saturday, then give up a RBI single to Brian Schneider on Sunday. Dan Meyer (L): Made his major league debut against the Mets in 2004, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a 7-0 Braves loss, and has been otherwise worthless since then. Will walk Carlos Delgado on Saturday night. Andrew Miller (L): Top pitching prospect who's actually their fifth starter, but won't be needed this time around, so he's in the pen. Hayden Penn ®: Just acquired from the Orioles on April 1 for Robert Andino; has not pitched out of the bullpen since 2004, when he was in A-ball. Shooting At The Sun Leadoff hitter Emilio Bonafacio won the third-base job this spring over Dallas "42 Home Runs" McPherson, and broke out of the box in a big way, hitting the first Opening Day inside-the-park home run in 41 years on Monday over the head of Lastings Milledge (HA!). Bonifacio (Spanish for "tarted last season with Arizona, was dealt to Washington for Jon Rauch, then dealt to Florida this spring for clinically insane RHP Scott Olsen. The Magnificent Seventh Sure, you know about Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla and Jeremy Hermida, but leftfielder Cody Ross has hit seventh in the first three games for manager Fredi Gonzalez, and is 1 for 12 on the season. He's hit the Mets hard -- although most of his success has come against Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez, who he'll miss this weekend. He had a great series at Shea in May 2008, hitting three home runs and driving in six over two games. Bang! 1B Jorge Cantu, who came back from baseball purgatory to hit 29 home runs and lead the Marlins in doubles and RBIs in 2008, is tied for the NL lead with 2 home runs. He is the fifth Marlin to hit home runs in the team's first two games of the season, and the first since Cliff Lee in 2002.

What the hell is FOX Dynasty?

KTE will be up this evening when I get home. Just needs a few more tweaks. It'll hit before the game starts.

Ugly.

Edgy DC wrote: On the other hand, seems to me that was Castillo's at-bat he just gave to Sheffield. Absolutely. What does Sheffield give you there? Even a home run doesn't help you. You needed a baserunner. Fuckin' hell, Jose.

="Frayed Knot":3f36140k]btw, Hanley Ramirez - maybe 2nd only to Albert in NL offensive prowess - celebrated his first AB this season as a newly minted #3 hitter by sac bunting w/a man on 2nd and no outs.[/quote:3f36140k] I thought Willie was bench-coaching in Milwaukee, not Florida?

ESPN can get Gary Sheffield, who was signed fifteen minutes ago, photoshopped into a Mets hat, but when I clicked onto the Cubs game the other day, Aaron Heilman, now TWO teams removed from his Metsdom, is still in a Mets hat. Doesn't ESPN make enough money to hire some more graphics folks? And could you imagine the boos that Sheffield would be hearing right now if this game was at Shea?

Wow. Stunning. Only 22 years old.

Hey, if the season ends today, we're in the playoffs!