Vic Sage

i've heard repeatedly from Minaya and others that Cora is a real asset in the clubhouse. Not that i wouldn't prefer to have, you know, like a good player in that position, but he's not bad, and if he brings that dimension too, well that's cool.

you're right... he should be batting 9th.

My changeup has always stunk most of the time Broadway is already talking like Casey Stengel.

="Nymr83":u6wyb99l]Can we bring Bobby back if we promise to greet him at the airport too? i'd skip work.[/quote:u6wyb99l] I'd pick him up at the airport myself. Hell, I'd even let Namor go with me! Farmer Ted Jul 15 2009 05:41 PM Heyman suggested a few days back that Bobby could be holding down the Nats job now that Acta is out. I just don't see that one. Frayed Knot Jul 15 2009 06:24 PM [Random columnist] suggests that Bobby V could be tapped to fill [random team]'s job now that they're [rumored to be] looking for a manager. Get used to hearing/reading some version of that from now right through the winter. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 15 2009 07:06 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 15 2009 07:10 PM ="Farmer Ted"]Heyman suggested a few days back that Bobby could be holding down the Nats job now that Acta is out. I just don't see that one. The Nats seem like a particularly bad fit. In the wake of the Bowden firings/scouting scandal, they're rejiggering the organization from top to bottom, and a strong personality in the dugout seems like it would make establishing clear, orderly chains of command real difficult. Valentine's more for most-of-the-pieces-in-place, need-help-getting-over-the-hump situations. Detroit-- if Leyland walks or gets walked-- or Cleveland could be interesting. (Crossing fingers.) Fman99 Jul 15 2009 07:07 PM ="Centerfield":398mkj62]Seriously. All we did was slam him on talk radio. Marines Fans > Mets Fans[/quote:398mkj62] Yeah but can they fight ham like the Nippon Ham Fighters? I'm a Jew and I can't resist ham. Ashie62 Jul 15 2009 08:27 PM Valentine is not going to the Nats..not enough spotlight. He may use them to negotiate. Fred and Jeff..Fire the Fuckstick we have as a manager and offer Bobby V a quadrillion dollars! now! Edgy DC Jul 15 2009 10:51 PM He's still got a job, hasn't he? Triple Dee Jul 15 2009 11:05 PM ="Ashie62":6zlpizip]Valentine is not going to the Nats..not enough spotlight. He may use them to negotiate. Fred and Jeff..Fire the Fuckstick we have as a manager and offer Bobby V a quadrillion dollars! now![/quote:6zlpizip] How about no? Mex17 Jul 16 2009 03:53 AM ="Triple Dee":9a3ipcdv]="Ashie62":9a3ipcdv]Valentine is not going to the Nats..not enough spotlight. He may use them to negotiate. Fred and Jeff..Fire the Fuckstick we have as a manager and offer Bobby V a quadrillion dollars! now![/quote:9a3ipcdv] How about no?[/quote:9a3ipcdv] How about yes? (Not the quadrillion dollars part. . .more like what he is making in Japan.) Edgy DC Jul 16 2009 05:36 AM Still got a job, hasn't he? I think the Marines have a worse record than the Mets. Managers aren't alchemists.

fire Jerry, hire Edgy! Now!

the plot makes almost no sense, but its focus on character and relationships, while providing just enough action and incident to maintain interest, was a welcome respite from standard characterless, plot-driven, smashup Hollywood summer pix.

]I don't understand this team. I don't know anything. Shut up. yup ©

="SteveJRogers":1zzyzhrl] After Martin's death, the Yankees produced a video about his life which included interviews with various MFYL Douchebags, presumably in bars around MFYS. Anyway, one of these douches, with bandages covering his eye, mentions that he loved Martin because he got into lots of fights, and used the fact that he, the douche, was a bar room brawler himself.[/quote:1zzyzhrl] If you're talking about the movie "Billy Martin: The Man. The Myth. The Manager (1990)", it wasn't produced by the Yankees. It was produced, directed and edited by my brother. It started out as a how-to-manage video, featuring Billy. After his death, they added interviews with many of his former players, including Ricky, talking about Billy. It wasn't about his life, and it wasn't "The Bronx is Burning", nor was it ever intended to be. It was about Billy on managing, a subject he was more than qualified to talk about, and then it became a tribute to him from his former players, none of whom were under any obligation to offer such a tribute. http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Martin-Man-Myth-Manager/dp/B000R7HY4G

I agree with Ashie62. I think we should import a shortstop from Calcutta. They have a much better educational system in India. In the meantime, lets trade Reyes like the easily exploited commodity he is! Because, despite having one of the leading run scorers in baseball under contract for 2 more seasons at reasonable price, the Mets clearly need to dump him after an injury plagued season. You go, Ashie62!

]The Schaefer Mets Player of the Month for May 2009 is DAVID WRIGHT. David totaled 23.72 Schaefer points for the month, finishing 2.59 ahead of runner-up Carlos Beltran. He led the Mets in May in the following offensive categories: At Bats (98), Batting average (.378), On-base Percentage (.479), Hits (37), Triples (2), Runs Batted In (22), Walks (19), Strikeouts (23), Stolen Bases (9), and Caught Stealing (5). His .561 Slugging Percentage was third on the team, behind Gary Sheffield (.591) and Carlos Beltran (.562). This is the seventh time that David has been Player of the Month. (He's also been Player of the Year three times, from 2005 through 2007.) yeah, sure, but he just ain't clutch i tell ya!

my mom used to call them "your Mets" when discussing them with me after a loss; they were "my Mets" when she talked about them after a win. Context is everything.

="John Cougar Lunchbucket":1vr4gym4] Yeah not for nothing,, I don't need a newstyled know-it-all sabersnark criticizing Manuel. We can do that ourselves with more precision.[/quote:1vr4gym4] sabersnark? Bullet of cool, jonny. John Cougar Lunchbucket May 19 2009 09:25 AM ="Ceetar":2cpinc1g]Here's my rant on why we need to fire this bum. http://www.ceetar.com/optimisticmetsfan/2009/05/fire-jerry-manuel/ Easily the worst manager we've had in at least 15 years.[/quote:2cpinc1g] Managers rarely get fired for making dumb game decisions. It's when the players tune him out that he has to go. Edgy DC May 19 2009 09:32 AM Grady Little excepted. Ceetar May 19 2009 10:28 AM ="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2tdcmpvy]="Ceetar":2tdcmpvy]Here's my rant on why we need to fire this bum. http://www.ceetar.com/optimisticmetsfan/2009/05/fire-jerry-manuel/ Easily the worst manager we've had in at least 15 years.[/quote:2tdcmpvy] Managers rarely get fired for making dumb game decisions. It's when the players tune him out that he has to go.[/quote:2tdcmpvy] That's only a matter of time. I'd hard to think Murphy and Church, and even Reed and Reyes think he's a good manager. Gwreck May 19 2009 10:47 AM History tells us otherwise. It took an awful long time for Randolph to get fired and he wasn't exactly a master strategist. (And, of course, he wasn't really fired for his game decisions, either). LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 19 2009 12:42 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":1cp3q3jf]Ryan Church is actually fourth on the team in at bats. Only Beltran, Wright, and Reyes have more.[/quote:1cp3q3jf] Everyone but Beltran, Wright and Reyes has been hurt, 40 years old, or Daniel Murphy. Benjamin Grimm May 19 2009 12:51 PM True, but it's kind of hard to argue that he's been buried when only one outfielder has had more playing time than he has. Edgy DC May 19 2009 12:59 PM Nah, I don't think so. He played a lot the first three weeks before the trend began. Since the trend began, he's been (1) frequently bumped in lieu of his apparent lessers, (2) seemingly drawn more lefthanders while Murphy and Reed draw the righties, and (3) slid down the batting order. Gwreck May 19 2009 01:03 PM April ABs Beltran 80 Murphy 68 Church 67 Sheffield 30 Tatis 23 Reed 11 May ABs Beltran 67 Church 49 Tatis 47 Sheffield 40 Murphy 40 Reed 18 Benjamin Grimm May 19 2009 01:03 PM Okay, but in May, he's fifth in at bats: Carlos Beltran 67 David Wright 63 Luis Castillo 54 Jos� Reyes 53 Ryan Church 49 Fernando Tatis 47 Gary Sheffield 40 Daniel Murphy 40 Ramon Castro 37 Alex Cora 30 Elster88 May 19 2009 08:27 PM Pagan had four hits yesterday. Reed threw a ball from the first base position to the backstop. So naturally Manuel starts Murphy in left and Reed at first. Seriously what the fuck is wrong with him? If you have to play Reed and Murphy (and sit Pagan) than at least switch the positions. And as I'm typing this I see Murphy commits a two-base error in left. This is comical. Ashie62 May 19 2009 08:38 PM Jerry Manuel...I think he's probably not much better or worse than anyone else out there. In game managing doesn't get people hired or fired. 41-41 at the break could be a breaking point Personally C- Edgy DC May 20 2009 11:15 PM Letting Murphy start at first. A-. The team was desperate for this. I'd give it a higher grade, but it's so overdue. Pinch-hitting for Churchie, but not Murphy. D+. If you want to pull one of your lefties, pull the first one, because then Torre can't change pitchers. Sending Tatis up there instead of Sheffield. D+. Tatis is your last shortstop in a game where pinch-hitting for your struggling current shortstop needs to remain an option and would eventually happen. Sheffield's position is a hitter, and we needed one of those. Lifting Livan. C-. I suppose it's defensible. But good God. Just once, let a starter at least hint at losing it. Edgy DC May 21 2009 08:25 AM And to clarify, pinching Tatis (the mnorst versatile guy left on the bench) in for Church doesn't have to be a problem, except that he was then double switched out. Why, oh why, do managers persist in double switching when they have seemingly no intention of letting their relievers pitch beyond the one inning? Benjamin Grimm May 21 2009 08:35 AM This push-button managing gets frustrating to watch. I yearn for a manager with above-average intelligence. I think the Mets have only had two guys who fit that description: Davey Johnson and Bobby Valentine. If I was hiring a manager I'd look for a smart guy who dared to be unorthodox. Edgy DC May 21 2009 09:20 AM The problem is that so many of them present as such. And because they are mostly old middle infielders and catchers, they supposedly have a broader understanding of the game. And as unconventional as they may fancy themselves, they end up under siege and paranoid from day one --- ripped if they do something out of the ordinary and it doesn't work, despite the fact that most moves dont' work and most games are won or lost by players no matter what the manager does. They get one tenth the salaries of their stars and maybe one third the contract length, they are utterly disposeable. In the end, they all end up like Willie --- acting inperturbable and above it all while inside you're clearly terrified. You bunt like crazy because you know you're one blown rally away from getting fired. Here's a crazy thought: If I found the guy who fit your description --- smart and daring enough to trust his smarts --- I'd pay him as much as I pay my richest player. Hopefully, knowing that it would be as hard for me to part with him as with Beltran --- harder, actually, as he would have no trade value --- he would be unafraid to act outside the box or discipline his players. Of course, then I might get a Tony LaRussa situation --- a detached freak who wears sunglasses at night, moves his pitchers up in the order, and drives drunk after the game. Benjamin Grimm May 21 2009 09:32 AM Yeah, I thought of LaRussa too. As the ugly downside of a guy who, at first glance, might appear to fit my description of the ideal manager. metirish May 21 2009 09:50 AM I'm not liking Jerry a lot this week , that as always is subject to change. John Cougar Lunchbucket May 21 2009 09:54 AM The thing that bothered me most was going to Putz like a kneejerk. Turns out he had a stiff neck ("the elbow is fine" he lied). I've about had it with Putz and with Jerry leaning on him like he has when it's obvious there may be better choices to be made. Nymr83 May 21 2009 09:59 AM ]Sending Tatis up there instead of Sheffield. D+. Tatis is your last shortstop in a game where pinch-hitting for your struggling current shortstop needs to remain an option and would eventually happen. Sheffield's position is a hitter, and we needed one of those Although i wanted him up there for Muphy, no Church, i have no problem using Tatis over Sheff. Tatis is the better hitter to me, especially a pinch-hitter (if the numbers dont back me up on that then maybe i'm wrong, this is just based on my perception) Edgy DC May 21 2009 10:24 AM I understand lifting Murph istead of Church (he could have lifted 'em both), but I'm trying not to make a deal over C decisions. It's spending his most versatile player that slayed us. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 21 2009 12:22 PM ="Nymr83":1fs6xos9] Although i wanted him up there for Muphy, no Church, i have no problem using Tatis over Sheff. Tatis is the better hitter to me, especially a pinch-hitter (if the numbers dont back me up on that then maybe i'm wrong, this is just based on my perception)[/quote:1fs6xos9] Sadly, the numbers seem to do great violence to you on that (although Tatis, in a teeny-tiny sample size, is doing a touch better, and putting the ball in play more): Tatis: 2009: 8 PA, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI .400a/.500ob/.400ops, 6 balls in play Career: 57 PA, 49 AB, 5 R, 5 RBI, 1 XBH, .204a/.281ob/.224ops Sheffield: 2009: 17 PA, 1 H (HR), 6 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI .091/.412/.364, 9 balls in play Career: 51 PA, 36 AB, 10 R, 11 RBI, 3 XBH, .278/.471/.444

how about trading him back to the Nats for Nick Johnson?

Pelfrey - 3.50 Reyes - 2.25 Beltran - 2.25 Rodriguez - 1.50 Castillo - 0.25 Wright - 0.25

I''m going tomorrow with my son; we'll be up in LF, Section 533.

who let Rottblatt back in the pool? Hi Rottwieler!

my 8-year old son plays on the Wolves. He seems to be having fun, despite a dearth of talent, inherited from his old man. My 11-year old girl hasn't been able to play so far this season, due to a broken thumb, but she's almost ready, and chomping at the bit. She has slightly more talent, but more importantly, a passion for the game. My son's passions are known only to him. He started playing soccer this season, and seems to have more aptitude for that. We'll see. And "parental involvement" is a double-edged sword. Its important to be there and supportive, but "intrusive and overbearing" is always just a hair's breath away.

Centerfield (like famed forumite "13" before him) is, as almost always, correct. wow. tortured syntax. i think i sprained something.

Preferred order (not that it matters much): Reyes, ss Beltran, CF Wright, 3B Church, RF Tatis, 1B Sheffield, LF Santos, C Cora, 2B hernandez, P

="Edgy DC"]There actually used to be an unwritten rule about this in broadcasting, that you'd never describe two black players as looking alike, lest it --- like in this case --- betray the reality that your world is so white that you really you have little means of distinguishing among any black men. The exception was in place that you could make such a comment if two men looked so much alike that you'd lose credibility by not pointing it out. The "Dude, dude" and the "We're live, you know" were clearly reminders to stay within the rule. OE: Also reminders to not act the jackass during a sober moment. But I don't think sports journalists care about that any more. i disagree with your take on this. I think the reaction to his lame joke was more of the "don't try to be a funny when a guy is getting put in a neck brace, you dickhead" variety, then any response to some perceived political incorrectness in his humor.

Church 2.75 Beltran 2.75 Pelfrey 1.75 Stokes 0.50 Castillo 0.50 Parnell 0.50 Green 0.25 Wright 0.25 Delgado 0.25 Santos 0.25 Murphy 0.25

]Your post yesterday seemed to give a Feh toward the Dodger/Giant thing it's really not that big issue to me, and i think "feh" pretty well sums up my attitude. I just think its become a bigger issue to the public because of the dunderheaded approach ownership has taken to honoring the Mets' own legacy. I'm not saying the necessarily SHOULD have built a tribute to Clemente or Mays, particularly, but its disproportionate to recognize to the extent they have non-Mets history in the new Mets building, or even to recognize 1 of their two progenitor franchises disproprtionately, without any recognition at all of their own history. Frankly, i'm more annoyed that the building sacrifices sightlines for "intimacy".

]Jerry left Ollie out too long. listening on the radio, you could tell that Howie was practically begging Manuel to lift Perez before he imploded. Why is it everybody can see it coming but our manager? ]Jerry had Church bunt a guy to second with no out. Leave yourself no margin for error and get screwed when a guy makes an error. the other day, Jerry got killed for NOT BUNTING with Tatis. I think he overreacted to that criticism. Hey, Jerr... BIFL! ]Getting thrown out at home? Sure, whatever, but slide. Murphy, Beltran, slide. I heard Beltran explain the lack of a slide with "i looked up and was too close to home to slide." say what? First of all, you knew when you took off from 3rd that you were heading to the plate, right Carlos? So you were caught unaware when you got there? And even if your mind wandered and your arrival at home came as such a surprise, then why aren't you barreling the catcher over? Beltran, you are as soft as custard in August. ]Castillo, help Beltran out. I'm not of the belief that he play was all in front of Beltran. the ball came from the left side of the mound. Castillo has nothing to do with this. Slide or Collide, Carlos. Man up, you donkey. ]Bench Murphy, Beltran, and Castillo tomorrow. Start Racienello if you have to. How about Wright, and his 4rbi? Is he off the hook?

i have a suggestion to fix 3 problems at once. For next season, the should move the fences in 5'-10', from Left-Center to Right-Center (which now goes out to 415 feet!). This would: 1) make the park more neutral, in terms of run production; 2) allow folks in the corner upper decks to actually see the outfield plays in those areas; and 3) provide a corridor for a Mets HOF, like the old monuments area in Yankee stadium, accessible via the CF promenade food court before and after games.

AVI