Cowtipper

He also strikes out a lot.

Winker's already hit one historic home run.

Nick Mears had a 5.93 ERA in 2024. 5.93. If we don't annihilate this guy, then, well, maybe this is the farthest in the playoffs we deserve to go.

Eddy Alvarez outrighted to Syracuse.

Wow. Savvy vet Jose Quintana, cool as a cucumber in postseason baseball, gets out of it.

At least Atlanta lost yesterday. That's how I'll console myself if the Mets lose.

I've tuned back in.

I honestly tuned out a while ago.

I predict a 7-5 win, Mets. Jose Quintana in September: 0.72 ERA, .177 OBA Tobias Myers in September: 3.03 ERA, .274 OBA At the moment, I'd say Quintana has the momentum. Myers' recent elevated OBA shows he is hittable.

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: And you sound like a broken record It's a bad habit of mine.

It was tied, I went to bathe, I come back three minutes later and the game was over, Brewers win. Who's the dork who gave it up?

Gary sounds like Kermit the Frog.

They're playing like they haven't won a World Series in 40 years!

Skewer the Brewers!

It's a rollercoaster already!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Did they just play Diaz's entrance song? They talked about that in a past game, Contreras' walk-up music is the same as Diaz's.

Well, that was quick.

Big lumbering guys like him just collapse. Stanton. Chris Davis. Adam Dunn. Prince Fielder. Pete Alonso.

Mets score first!

I hope the Mets win.

Mets win! Last time the Mets won their first playoff game of a postseason, they went to the World Series!

Three outs left!

Who was Pete Rose? Pete Rose was a dominant figure in Major League Baseball, best known for his consistent batting and contributions to the Cincinnati Reds' success in the 1970s, where he played a key role in the "Big Red Machine." Rose earned accolades such as the 1975 World Series MVP, and in 1978, he hit significant career milestones, joining the 3,000-hit club and achieving a 44-game hitting streak. Holding major league records for games played, at-bats, hits, and singles, Rose also set a precedent by playing at least 500 games in five different positions. His aggressive playing style earned him the nickname "Charlie Hustle." Rose later signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, contributing to their 1980 World Series win. Despite his illustrious career, his reputation was marred by allegations of betting on baseball games, leading to a lifetime ban from the sport in 1989. Attempts to lift the ban have failed, with further controversies surfacing over the years, including accusations of tax evasion and inappropriate behavior. Despite his contentious legacy, Rose remains a significant figure in baseball history, holding records that continue to be celebrated. More: Peter Edward Rose Sr., known as "Charlie Hustle," was an iconic American professional baseball player and manager, born on April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and passing away on September 30, 2024. Rose had a remarkable MLB career from 1963 to 1986, primarily with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was a pivotal member of the dominant 1970s team, the Big Red Machine. Over his career, he accumulated numerous records, including being MLB's all-time leader in hits, games played, at-bats, singles, and outs, while also winning three World Series championships, three batting titles, one MVP award, and two Gold Glove awards. He was a versatile player, earning 17 All-Star appearances across five positions. However, his career was marred by controversy when he was permanently banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on games, including those involving his own team. After years of denial, he admitted to betting on baseball in 2004, leading to ongoing debate regarding his Hall of Fame eligibility. Rose's early life saw him excel in sports despite early setbacks, eventually signing with the Reds after a successful amateur career. His professional journey included significant milestones, such as winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and achieving notable hitting streaks, while he played key roles in two World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. After his time with the Reds, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he helped lead the team to its first championship in 1980. Rose's death in 2024 marked the end of an era for a player whose legacy remains contentious due to his gambling scandal. More: In 1984, Pete Rose was traded back to the Cincinnati Reds from the Montreal Expos, where he took on the dual role of player-manager after replacing Vern Rapp. Although he had struggled with a .259 batting average before his return, Rose excelled, hitting .365 in 26 games with the Reds and finishing the season with an overall average of .286. On September 11, 1985, he broke Ty Cobb's all-time hits record with his 4,192nd hit, which led to widespread recognition, including being named ABC's Athlete of the Year. However, Rose faced scrutiny after allegations surfaced that he used corked bats during his record pursuit. He unofficially retired as a player in November 1986, having achieved a .303 lifetime batting average. Rose continued managing the Reds until August 1989, with a record of 426–388 and several second-place finishes in the National League West. His tenure was marked by a notable incident on April 30, 1988, when he was suspended for 30 days after pushing an umpire during a game, which remains one of the longest suspensions for an on-field incident. The situation escalated when allegations of Rose betting on baseball surfaced, prompting an investigation led by attorney John M. Dowd, which revealed he had wagered on numerous games in 1987. Despite denying the charges, Rose accepted a permanent place on baseball's ineligible list in August 1989, following negotiations that avoided formal findings against him. In the years that followed, Rose made several attempts to be reinstated, but each was met with rejection from MLB commissioners, who cited concerns about his gambling activities and their impact on the game's integrity. As of 2024, Rose continues to seek reinstatement and recognition in the Hall of Fame, but his requests have remained unanswered amid ongoing scrutiny of his past actions. More: After his baseball career, Pete Rose faced legal troubles, including a guilty plea for tax evasion related to undisclosed income from autographs and horseracing winnings, resulting in a five-month prison sentence and community service. His lifetime ban from baseball, imposed for gambling on games, barred him from Hall of Fame eligibility, despite artifacts from his career being displayed there. Rose was later recognized as an outfielder on the MLB All-Century Team, receiving a warm reception during a 1999 ceremony, though his past actions drew scrutiny during the event. In subsequent years, he admitted to betting on baseball games, including those of the Reds while managing the team, which continued to spark controversy among fans and the media. Rose made appearances in WWE and briefly managed a team in the independent league. He was hired as a baseball analyst by Fox Sports but was let go following revelations of a sexual relationship with a minor in the 1970s, which he later acknowledged, claiming ignorance of her age under Ohio law. After a series of personal relationships and family dynamics, Rose continued to earn income through public appearances. He passed away at 83 on September 30, 2024, just a day after participating in an autograph event. Despite his ineligibility for the Hall of Fame, Rose was honored for numerous achievements throughout his career. Who was Ozzie Virgil Sr.? Ozzie Virgil, who broke the color barrier for the Detroit Tigers in 1958, made an impressive debut by recording five hits in his first game. Initially recognized as the first Dominican player in Major League Baseball, this title was rescinded in 2020 when the Negro Leagues were retroactively granted major league status, passing the honor to Pedro San, who played in 1926. However, Virgil remains the first Dominican-born player in either the National or American League. He emigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen in 1947 and began playing baseball in the 1950s while serving in the United States Marine Corps. Signed by the New York Giants in 1953, he debuted in the big leagues in 1956 and played in 324 MLB games across various positions until 1969. Throughout his career, he played 13 seasons in the minor leagues, achieving batting averages over .300 in three of those years, although he was known as a free swinger with only 34 walks in nearly 800 (big league) plate appearances. After his playing days, Virgil transitioned to coaching for several teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners, often alongside manager Dick Williams. He also played in winter leagues in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, where he later managed several teams. Virgil’s legacy includes being the father of catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr., who also played in the MLB. He passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 92, leaving behind a significant impact on baseball history and a namesake airport in his birthplace of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. John Baumgartner (1953 Tigers) also died recently. https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/birmingham/name/john-baumgartner-obituary?id=56404026 Who was John Baumgartner? John Baumgartner, an American professional baseball player, is remembered for his brief stint with the Detroit Tigers in 1953, where he was the starting third baseman after an impressive spring training that saw him replace Hall of Famer George Kell. However, his performance in the big leagues was underwhelming, leading to his departure after just one week. Originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Tigers in 1950, Baumgartner had a successful start in the minor leagues, showcasing his potential with a .307 batting average and six home runs while playing for the Jamestown Falcons. Over the years, he experienced multiple team reassignments, ultimately posting a .263 career average and 42 home runs across 657 minor league games. Despite also trying his hand on the mound, his major league career was limited to just seven games, where he struggled defensively and offensively. After leaving baseball in 1955, Baumgartner transitioned into a successful career in sales, ultimately becoming a vice president at the Tractor Trailor Company before retiring to his farm in Hayden, Alabama, in 1993. His early baseball career included a notable collegiate performance at the University of Alabama, which reached the 1950 College World Series. Baumgartner's legacy, though brief in the majors, is characterized by his physical prowess and potential, as noted by his former manager Charlie Metro, who recognized him as a player who had the talent but struggled to meet the challenges of the big leagues. Baumgartner passed away on September 25, 2024, at the age of 93, leaving behind a mixed legacy of promise and missed opportunities in professional baseball.

Six outs left!

Let's see how some other guys who were in the Mets system, but never played for them, did in 2024. Peyton Battenfield - Pitched for Syracuse in 2023. Went 5-8 with a 7.45 ERA in 26 games (24 starts) for the Rockies Triple-A club in Albuquerque in 2024. Elieser Hernandez - traded to the Mets with Jeff Brigham in November 2022. Pitched in their system in 2023. He signed with the Dodgers for 2024, going 4-1, 2.83 in 28 2/3 IP for their Triple-A club in Oklahoma City. He was 0-1 with a 8.38 ERA in 9 2/3 innings for the Dodgers themselves. He became a free agent in early June and signed with the Brewers the next day. In 6 innings with Milwaukee, he had a 3.00 ERA, bringing his MLB total to 0-1, 6.32 in 15 2/3 IP. He became a free agent again in late June. Then he went overseas and went 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 11 games (9 starts) for the LG Twins in Korea. Daniel Palka - played in the Mets system in 2022 and 2023. Went to Mexico for 2024, hitting .298/.372/.553 with 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 41 games for Laguna Niguel. Penn Murfee - signed by the Mets in October 2023, claimed by Atlanta a couple weeks later, released by Atlanta before the 2024 season, then he joined the Astros system. Never played in the Mets system. Was 0-1 with a 108.00 ERA in 0.1 innings for the 'Stros Single-A club at Fayetteville in 2024. Austin Adams - signed by the Mets in November 2023, then purchased by the A's in March 2024. Never played in the Mets system. Was 1-2 with a 3.92 ERA in 56 relief appearances for Oakland, striking out 53 in 41 1/3 IP. Tyler Heineman - selected off waivers by New York in December 2023. Purchased by Boston in February. Selected off waivers by the Blue Jays, from whom the Mets claimed him originally, in September. Never played in the Mets system. Between the Red Sox and Blue Jays, he was 1-for-12 in 7 games. In 52 minor league games spent mostly at Triple-A, he hit .253 with 6 homers. Cooper Hummel - selected off waivers by New York in December 2023. Purchased by San Francisco in January 2024. Selected off waivers by the Astros in April. Never played in the Mets system. He went hitless in 6 ABs for the Astros. In 101 games for their Triple-A club in Sugar Land, he hit .277 with 10 homers, 59 RBI, 15 steals and a .419 OBP. Taylor Kohlwey - played in the Mets system in 2024, before being released. He latched on with the Long Island Ducks, with whom he hit .240 with 2 homers and 21 RBI in 49 games. Trayce Thompson - played in the Mets system in 2024, before being released. He joined the Cubs Triple-A team, with whom he hit .240 with 7 home runs and 22 RBI. Diego Castillo - let me just copy and paste his travels—January 19, 2024: Selected off waivers by the New York Yankees from the New York Mets. February 5, 2024: Selected off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies from the New York Yankees. February 16, 2024: Selected off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles from the Philadelphia Phillies. April 5, 2024: Purchased by the Minnesota Twins from the Baltimore Orioles. Had 2 hits in 6 ABs for the Twins, scoring thrice. In 113 Triple-A games, spent mostly in the Twins system, he hit .261 with 9 home runs, 54 RBI and 13 steals. Jose Rondon - signed by the Mets in January, released in March. Went to the Mexican League, where he hit .236 with 9 homers and 35 RBI in 57 games for the Diablos Rojos del Mexico. Luke Voit - played in the Mets system in 2023. Went to Mexico for 2024, where he hit .270/.391/.554 with 23 home runs and 57 RBI in 81 games for Tabasco. Kolton Ingram - Another copy/paste job: February 25, 2024: Selected off waivers by the New York Mets from the Detroit Tigers. April 24, 2024: Selected off waivers by the Texas Rangers from the New York Mets. May 10, 2024: Selected off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Texas Rangers. July 2, 2024: Selected off waivers by the San Francisco Giants from the St. Louis Cardinals. Played for four Triple-A teams and a Double-A team this year, going 7-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 46 relief appearances overall. Jon Duplantier - went to indy ball after flunking out of the Mets system in 2024. Was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 30 Ks in 18 IP (over 4 starts) for the Lake Country DockHounds, which prompted the Dodgers to sign him on August 8. He had a 3.60 ERA in one start for their Double-A club and was 3-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 6 starts for their Triple-A club, K-ing 41 batters in 30 1/3 innings. Duke Ellis - claimed by the Mets in June, claimed by the Mariners in early July, claimed by the Yankees August 26. After leaving the Mets system, he had a 1.000 BA for the Yankees (in one at-bat). He played for five minor league teams this year, hitting .230 with 57 stolen bases in 83 games. Andriel Lantigua - was sold to the Rockies in June. He was hitless in 9 ABs for their rookie-level club (and he hit .000 in 25 ABs split between four minor league clubs that year...and his career BA is .135 in 126 minor league ABs).