Vic Sage

Alou - 2.50 Wright - 2.00 Beltran - 1.50 Delgado - 1.00 Maine - 0.50 Sosa - 0.50 Heilman - 0.50 Wagner - 0.50 Castillo - 0.50 Reyes - 0.25 Easley - 0.25

Valadius wrote: Desi Relaford's played in 14 games for the Texas Rangers this season, and he's missing from the list. he's not missing from MY list.

DOH! Kent, Wilson and Bay. got it.

CF is, as almost always, except for the whole Rudolph lawsuit business, correct. Mostly, though, I blame the Carloses. Delgado's OPS+ went from 134 last season (which was already down from his career numbers) to 103 so far this season. Whether he's accomplished this mediocre performance in a week or 2 months is immaterial. This is his production to date. Beltran's drop has been even more precipitous, going from 153 to 119. While you can write the difference off to injury, his seeming inability to stay healthy (or at least to play through pain) is part of the problem with him. These 2 guys, batting mostly 3rd & 4th in WWSB's lineup, have hurt our run production more than any other factor. Reyes (121) and Wright (143) are performing at a pace ahead of their breakthrough seasons of last year, so they should not be bearing any blame here. Alou hits like he's supposed to when he plays. Unfortunately, his backups didn't produce and then they got hurt too. This paved the way for Milledge, who's finally producing as we'd hoped. I don't blame green for sucking. I blame Willie for playing him, when he clearly demonstrated over the last few seasons that he's in a steady decline. He's finally giving some of Greenie's ABs to Milledge, now that Alou is back, and Milledge has continued to produce. LoDuca has sucked, but he has always sucked, so thats no surprise (though even he has shown a dropoff from his mediocre 105 to this year's disastrous 78). Castro was better, but he's hurt too. Now we're down to DiFelice. Which does not bode well. Despite Valentin's injury, we've gotten decent production from 2b, between Gotay, Easley and now Castillo. I don't think we can be too unhappy at how that has worked out. The team ERA is amongst the best in the NL, but Maine and Perez have become extremely inconsistent, Glavine is near the end of the line, and Hernandez is due for another vacation any day now. Sosa started off hot, but then returned to his own level, and Pelfrey was a catastrophe. Now, we're stuck with Lawrence until Pedro comes back (if ever). Wagner has done the job all year, and Heilman has been better the last month or so. Joe Smith started hot then remembered he was just out of A-Ball. Mota and Schoeweise have been awful. Feliciano's been good, but overused. Sosa has been more effective than Sele and Mota as a long/middle-inning guy. All in all, the pitching has been comparatively solid but unspectacular. I don't know who the stopper would be in a 7-game series, and i don't like our chances in a slugfest. So i'm not terribly optimistic about the post-season this year, even if we get there.

I was noticing that Keppinger and Scutaro were doing well recently, and i got to thinking how many other ex-Mets (guys who were Mets "property" at some point in their careers, even if just in the minors) had made appearances (ABs or IP) with other major league teams this year. Here's the list, as far as i can tell: OF M.Cameron C.Floyd X.Nady V.Diaz G.Matthews J.Payton T.Perez T.Redman M.Sweeney J.Tyner on edit: P.Wilson J.Bay IF/C M.Cairo A.Castillo T.Clark M.Jacobs J.Keppinger K.Matsui D.Mientkeivicz M.Mora M.Piazza D.Relaford M.Scutaro K.Stinnett T.Wiggenton C.Woodward on edit: J.Kent SP B.Looper Y.Petit B.Bannister P.Byrd S.Kazmir K.Rogers S.Trachsel V.Zambrano M.Bascik L.DiNardo B.Chen RP H.Bell A.Benitez C.Bradford S.Colyer O.Dotel R.Hernandez J.Izringhausen J.Julio T.Martin N.Musser D.Oliver H.Owens R.Ring M.Stanton B.Traber D.Weathers D.Wheeler T.Yates It's not a list that necessarily sends shudders of regret down my spine. Am i missing anybody?

Willie was quoted as saying Easley is the emergency catcher, "but don't tell Easley that."

Beltran - 2.25 Alou - 2.00 OHernandez - 1.75 Wagner - 1.00 Sosa - 0.75 Wright - 0.75 DiFelice - 0.50 Milledge - 0.25 Castillo - 0.25 Delgado - 0.25 Gotay - 0.125 Schoeneweis - 0.125

[u:e235bc07c3]2007 holdovers:[/u:e235bc07c3] Blyleven, Bert - yes Rice, Jim - borderline Dawson, Andre - borderline McGwire, Mark - borderline Smith, Lee - no Morris, Jack - no John, Tommy - no Garvey, Steve - no Concepcion, Dave - no Trammell, Alan - no Parker, Dave - no Mattingly, Don - no Murphy, Dale - no Baines, Harold - no [u:e235bc07c3]2008:[/u:e235bc07c3] Tim Raines - borderline NO: Brady Anderson, Andy Benes, Delino DeShields, Shawon Dunston, Chuck Finley, Travis Fryman, David Justice, Chuck Knoblauch, Mike Morgan, Robb Nen, Greg Swindell, Randy Velarde, Mark Wohlers [u:e235bc07c3]2009: [/u:e235bc07c3] Rickey Henderson - 1st ballot Mark Grace - no NO: Steve Avery, Jay Bell, John Burkett, David Cone, Mike Bordick, Ron Gant, Denny Neagle, Dean Palmer, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn, Matt Williams, Mike Williams [u:e235bc07c3]2010: [/u:e235bc07c3] Roberto Alomar - yes Barry Larkin - yes Edgar Martinez - borderline Fred McGriff - no NO: Kevin Appier, Rod Beck, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, , Shane Reynolds, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile [u:e235bc07c3]2011: [/u:e235bc07c3] Jeff Bagwell - yes Larry Walker - yes Juan Gonzalez - no Rafael Palmeiro - no NO: Wilson Alvarez, Carlos Baerga, Bret Boone, Kevin Brown, John Franco, Marquis Grissom, Mike Hampton, Al Leiter, Tino Martinez, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo, John Olerud, Benito Santiago, Ugueth Urbina [u:e235bc07c3]2012: [/u:e235bc07c3] Craig Biggio - yes NO: Bill Mueller, Tim Salmon, Tim Worrell

>"Did we quit when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" >"Germans?" >"Shush. He's on a roll."

Alou = 3.25 Delgado = 1.75 Sosa = 1.25 Reyes = 1.25 Heilman = 0.75 Milledge = 0.50 Wright = 0.25 Castillo = 0.25 DiFelice = 0.25 Gotay = 0.25 Wagner = 0.25

here here! (where? where?)

Wright = 3.00 Reyes = 2.75 Castillo = 1.00 Alou = 1.00 Gotay = 0.50 Delgado = 0.50 Schoeneweis = 0.50 Mota = 0.50 feliciano = 0.25

As a big comics fan (and a fan of DD in particular), i had no problem with Kingpin being played by Michael Clarke Duncan. There was nothing inherent in the character that required him to be white, or any particular race. What was required was that he be physically imposing, to a ridiculous degree, yet elegant and articulate. And those qualities are ones that Clarke certainly has in sp... has plenty of. Duncan's casting is no more a betrayal of the character then Garner being Elektra... after all, she's not really Greek. With Jackson playing Nick Fury, you have a major star playing a secondary character. Now, to the extent Nick Fury is the former Sgt. fury of world war II, its disingenuous to cast a black man, since there weren't too many black sargeants during wwII, and portraying him as one is basically a "whitewash" (so to speak) of American military racism during that period. However, to the extent they'll being playing Fury as a more contemporary character, there, again, is nothing inherently aesthetically inconsistent with casting a terrific black actor in the role. Now, if your casting Denzel Washington as Thor, a Norse God... well, that's another story.

update on comic book/superhero live feature adaptations currently in production: Iron Man (May 2, 2008) - IN POST-PRODUCTION dir Jon Favreau, with Robert Downey, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick fury. "Based on the Marvel Comics Character; Billionaire playboy industrialist Tony Stark makes weapons for the U.S. government. While out on a field test of one of his inventions, he is wounded, captured and forced to make weapons for the enemy. Instead, he fashions himself a crude power armor to save his life and facilitate his escape. When he returns home, he revises his armor and finds purpose as the Armored Avenger Iron Man!" Incredible Hulk, The (June 13, 2008) - FILMING NOW dir Louis Leterrier, script Zak Penn, with Edward Norton & Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) living in shadows, scours the planet for an antidote. Upon returning to civilization, he is pursued by The Abomination (Tim Roth) -- a beast whose powers match The Hulk's own. Banner must call upon the hero within to rescue New York City from total destruction. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (July 11, 2008) - FILMING NOW dir/script Del Toro, with Ron Perlman. Guillermo Del Toro and Mike Mignola have both been stated saying that they would love to complete the Hellboy trilogy off with a third film. However, if Hellboy 2 does not suceed in the theaters, they will make sure the Two-Disk Special Edition will indeed have a proper and suitable ending to relieve any questions of a third film. Dark Knight, The (July 18, 2008) - fILMING NOW "Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker (Heath Ledger)." The rumored third Batman film is to be called "Shadow of the Bat" and is likely to be released in 2011. PUNISHER WAR ZONE(2008) - fILMING NOW dir Lexi Alexander, scr Holloway/Marcum (they wrote Iron Man), with Ray Stephenson replacing Tom Jane. "Continuing his crusade to punish violent criminals in America, former FBI agent Frank Castle arrives in New York to take on a underworld boss who plots to take control of the underworld." The Spirit (Jan 16, 2009)- FILMING NOW Writer/Director Frank Miller, with Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson. "Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City." Watchmen (MARCH 6, 2009) - FILMING NOW dir Zack Snyder, scrpt Alex Tse/ David Hayter;with Matthew Goode/Ozymandias, Billy Crudup/Dr. Manhattan, Jackie Earle Haley/Rorschach. "Based on the landmark Alan Moore comic book series... In a gritty and alternate 1985 the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown, but after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so discover a deeper and far more diabolical plot." -------------------------------------------- currently in pre-production: Flash, The (2008) - IN PRE-PRODUCTION dir: David Dobkin / script David Goyer While touring the crime scene lab of his uncle, Barry Allen, teenager Wally West is doused in chemicals after a lightning bolt strikes them, which enables him to run faster than any other human being on earth. Becoming the Flash, Wally sets out to protect the people of his city from the villainous threats that arise Sin City 2 (2008) - IN PRE-PRODUCTION aka "A Dame To Kill For"; Miller/Rodriguez "The film's plot follows multiple storylines: "A Dame to Kill For" is a prequel to "The Big Fat Kill", and follows Dwight (Clive Owen) and his former love Ava Lord (Rachel Weisz), who betrayed him and ended their relationship for a wealthier man. After Ava frames Dwight for the murder of her husband, he seeks to clear his name, with help from Marv. Another storyline follows Nancy (Jessica Alba) as she grieves the death of Detective Hartigan, after the events of "That Yellow Bastard". " Sin City 3 (2009) - IN PRE-PRODUCTION Miller/Rodriguez. On a dark night in Sin City, an ex-Navy SEAL named Wallace (Johnny Depp?)saved a young woman, Esther, from killing herself. After a night on the town, she was kidnapped by mysterious people. May God have mercy on those who stand in Wallace's way... Thor (2009) - IN PRE-PRODUCTION dir Matthew Vaughn, script Mark Protosevich, with Kevin McKidd (?) "Partially disabled medical student Dr. Donald Blake discovers his heretofore unknown alter ego, the Norse warrior, Thor." X-MEN ORIGINS: Wolverine (May 1, 2009) - IN PRE-PRODUCTION dir Gavin Hood; script David Benoiff, with Hugh Jackman, Brian Cox, Ken Watanabe. This is a prequel to the X-Men series. "The mutant known as Wolverine breaks off into his off spin-off film from the successful X-MEN! franchise. Hugh Jackman (X1, X2, Van Helsing) returns as Logan/ Wolverine-A mutant with regenerative powers, three claws on each hand and a skeleton all laced with the rare metal known as adamantium. Logan struggles to find the secrets to his past. After learning little information through the help of Charles Xavier (X2's Patrick Stewart), Logan takes his search even further by learning the full truth of his origin, while also heading in a bold, new direction." ------------------------------ projects that have been announced or are in development: Iron Fist (2008) - ANNOUNCED dir Steve Carr, script John Turman, with Ray Park. "A martial artist fights evil with his consummate fighting skill backed with the ability to strike with a punch of superhuman force." Nick Fury (2008) - ANNOUNCED Writer Andrew Marlowe, with Fred Ward (?) Sgt. Rock (2008) - ANNOUNCED. no info Shazam! (2008) - ANNOUNCED dir Peter Segal, script William Goldman/John August, with The Rock (?) Sub-Mariner (2008) - ANNOUNCED dir/script Johnathan Mostow; with David Boreanaz (?) Superman: The Man of Steel (June, 2009) - ANNOUNCED followup, dir Bryan Singer, with same cast as "Superman Returns". Captain America (July, 2009) -ANNOUNCED script by David Self; a director will be announced soon; production is expected to begin by mid-2008 Ghost Rider 2 (2009) - ANNOUNCED. No info available. Ghost Who Walks, The (2009) - ANNOUNCED The Phantom, script by DeSouza Hands of Shang-Chi, The (2009) - ANNOUNCED dir W-P Yuen, script McKenna bros. Luke Cage (2009) - ANNOUNCED dir John Singleton, script Ben Ramsay, with Tyrese Gibson Silver Surfer (2009) - ANNOUNCED dir Alex Proyas; scrpt JM Straczynski; a spinoff from FF 2 Spider-Man 4 (2009) - ANNOUNCED Raimi/Koepp/Maguire, etc. Dr. Curt Conners decides to experiment with the blending of nano-bots with the DNA of animals. In hopes of regaining his lost arm, Conners first experiment is with that of a lizard. However, the experiment goes terribly wrong and Conners' DNA mixes with that of his subject. Unable to control the results of the experiment, Conners goes mad and it is up to Spiderman to stop him. Witchblade, The (2009) - ANNOUNCED script Ethan Erwin/Marty Musatov Wonder Woman (2009) - ANNOUNCED Joss Whedon off project ------------------------------------- Ant-Man - IN DEVELOPMENT writers Edward Wright & Joe Cornish, and director Edgar Wright The Avengers -IN DEVELOPMENT Writer Zak Penn JLA - There are rumors of a George Miller-directed live-action feature, with Smallville's Clark Kent (Tom Welling) as Superman.

OHernandez - 3.00 Alou - 2.00 Castillo - 2.00 Green - 1.25 Heilman - 0.75 Wagner - 0.50 Reyes - 0.50

no, its pronounced, ".....mmmmmm, Jennifer Connnnnelly....." i liked it ok when i first saw it, but i haven't seen it since.

So?

] He was clam and poised. he was? That was so shellfish of him.

gee, i got the opposite from Steve's post (showing how badly phrased it is). That is, he understands why Matthews dogged Knicks fans for celebrating Ewing, but thinks Matthews failed to understand that fans had a right to celebrate the good times Ewing had, and had a right not to turn it into a Bonds-ian hatefest, whatever Ewing did or didn't do during his Knicks tenure. If that isn't Steve's point, then it should be. And, what Matthews similarly fails to comprehend is, whether or not Mets fans are comfortable with Glavine, and/or vice versa, they absolutely have a right to celebrate a great accomplishment performed in a Mets uni.

Alou = 2.50 Sele = 2.00 Sosa = 0.75 Schoeneweis = 0.75

Wright 2.00 Easley 1.75 Sosa 1.25 Milledge 1.00 Alou 1.00 Reyes 1.00 Delgado 1.00 Anderson 0.75 Lawrence 0.25

Glavine = 3.00 Milledge = 1.75 Delgado = 1.50 Castillo = 1.25 Reyes = 1.25 Wagner = 0.50 Heilman = 0.25 Sosa = 0.25 Green = 0.25

metsguyinmichigan wrote: ...But we don't lie or misrepresent. We'd get fired. Investigative journos who go undercover for stories [like 60 minutes-type hidden camera reports] have to lie and misrepresent. they don't get fired. They get promotions, raises, bonuses and syndication opportunities.

Castillo is a steadier defensive player, but his range has decreased as his knee injuries have increased. In a fantasy league, you'd pick up castillo off the waiver wire, but continue to play Gotay as long as he stayed hot. In the real world, however, if you put Castillo on the bench behind Gotay, he'd be so upset you'd likely lose him as a player for the remainder of the season. And when Gotay cools off, as he is likely to do (given his minor league numbers and high BAPIP) you'd have nobody reliable to turn to, other than Easley. And, also unlike in fantasy baseball, defense counts... at least a bit. what i've seen of Gotay makes me think that he's erratic enough to make Willie nervous, and so Castillo was brought in to soothe WWSB's low tolerance for defensive inconsistency. i'm not against the move, based on the low committment to Castillo and the relative value of what we gave up for him, but by putting Gotay on the bench, we're losing one of our hotter hitters in exchange for a guy that gives you nothing more than an ocasional single these days. I doubt he gains us more defensively than he gives up to Gotay offensively. However, since i was dubious of Gotay's ability to maintain this level of offensive production, i think we would've ended up with more of Easley and Marlon Anderson at 2b, by the end of the year, and i think Castillo is superior to that combo, overall. And so, i think Castillo will be of more valuable in October (if we get to post-season) than Gotay, due to consistency playoff experience, and the likelihood of Gotay's decline the longer he plays. So if we survive the balance of the season with a lead, this move may help in the post-season.

brett butler?