Cowtipper

Scott Douglas (1968-2026) was a minor league baseball infielder and manager who played for the Regina Cyclones and Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs in the 1990s before transitioning into coaching. He later built a successful career as a college baseball coach, most notably leading Trinidad State Junior College to a 246-171-1 record from 2000 to 2012. James Riley (1939-2026) was a respected baseball historian and researcher best known for his extensive work documenting the history of the Negro Leagues. After a long career in Florida public education, he became research director for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and authored several influential books, including The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Francisco Alvarez: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Alvarez (knee) has already resumed hitting and could return well before his projected eight-week timetable, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. Alvarez is less than two weeks removed from surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. He still has plenty of benchmarks he needs to reach before a specific timeline for a return comes into focus, but Alvarez seems to now have a chance to be back before the end of June. Injury Knee. Est. Return 6/29/2026. Clay Holmes: The Mets transferred Holmes (fibula) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. The right-hander was recently shut down from all activities for 6-to-8 weeks due to a fractured right fibula, so it's hardly a surprise he's been moved to the 60-day IL. Holmes is expected to require about a month to build back up to game readiness once fully recovered, so he'll likely be sidelined until at least mid-August. Injury Leg. Est. Return 8/25/2026. Francisco Lindor: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Lindor (calf) has begun a running progression, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. It's the first tangible sign of real progress for Lindor, who is going through other baseball activities like hitting and fielding grounders, as well. The star shortstop has already missed more than a month of action with a left calf strain and will likely require a handful of rehab games before being activated. Lindor should be back sometime in June, though there remains no specific timeline for his return. Injury Calf. Est. Return 6/18/2026. AJ Minter: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Minter (lat) will likely be activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. It's been a long road back for Minter, who hasn't pitched for the Mets since undergoing left lat surgery last May. Minter produced good results on his rehab assignment, holding a 1.59 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings. However, the lefty averaged only 92.3 mph with his four-seamer in his final rehab appearance with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, which is more than two mph down from last year's pace. As such, Minter could be eased into high-leverage situations. Injury Lat. Est. Return 5/26/2026. Jorge Polanco: Polanco (Achilles) has been taking live at-bats at the Mets' spring training complex at St. Lucie and could begin a rehab assignment soon, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports. The veteran infielder has been out since mid-April due to a wrist contusion and and Achilles soreness, but it's the latter issue that has kept him on the shelf. Pain management remains the biggest hurdle for Polanco to clear before he can return to game action, but if he's able to begin a rehab stint this week and avoid a setback, he could be back in the big-league lineup in early June. Injury Achilles. Est. Return 6/5/2026. Luis Robert: Mets manger Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Robert (back) is still experiencing lingering symptoms and "is not progressing the way we would like," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The decision to call up A.J. Ewing was no doubt related to Robert's slow recovery from a lumbar spine disc herniation. Robert has not been cleared to resume baseball activities and appears ticketed for an extended absence. In the meantime, Ewing will get an opportunity to nail down the center-field job for the Mets. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/9/2026. Kodai Senga: Senga (back) gave up two earned runs on four hits and a walk over 3.1 innings in a rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie on Friday. He struck out two. While the right-hander's line in the box score wasn't particularly impressive, Senga built up to 63 pitches (36 strikes) in his first rehab start, suggesting his return isn't far away. He landed on the 15-day injured list after a rough stretch to end April, coughing up 16 earned runs in just 8.1 innings over his last three big-league outings. If he needs only one more rehab start, Senga could be in line to rejoin the Mets rotation during the club's first series of June in Seattle. Injury Back. Est. Return 6/2/2026. Juan Soto: Soto (illness) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds. Soto is battling the flu and will miss a second straight start. It's unclear whether he might be available off the bench. Nick Morabito is starting in left field and Carson Benge is getting a start at designated hitter in Monday's series opener. Injury Illness. Day-To-Day. Jared Young: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Young (knee) will likely be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports. Young has been shelved since mid-April following surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, but he's done with his rehab assignment after going 5-for-22 in six games. Once activated, the left-handed hitter could see some starts against righties between first base, designated hitter and the corner outfield spots. Injury Knee. Est. Return 5/26/2026. Syracuse Mets sent LHP Joe Jacques on a rehab assignment to Brooklyn Cyclones. Syracuse Mets sent 3B Grae Kessinger on a rehab assignment to FCL Mets.

Charlie Moore died. https://www.tmj4.com/sports/former-milwaukee-brewers-player-charlie-butch-moore-passed-away Who was Charlie Moore? Charlie Moore was an American Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Moore originally planned to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship before being drafted by Milwaukee in 1971. Choosing baseball instead, he rose quickly through the Brewers’ minor league system and made his major league debut in 1973. Although primarily a catcher early in his career, Moore became known for his versatility, also playing extensively in the outfield. He steadily developed into a reliable contributor for Milwaukee, batting over .300 in both 1980 and the strike-shortened 1981 season. One of his most memorable achievements came in 1980 when he hit for the cycle against the California Angels while also stealing two bases, a rare accomplishment. Moore was also the final player ever driven in by Hank Aaron during Aaron’s last MLB season in 1976. Moore played a key role in the Brewers’ 1982 postseason run, particularly during the American League Championship Series against the Angels, where he batted .462 and made a crucial throw from right field to retire Reggie Jackson at third base. He continued his strong performance in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, batting .346 despite Milwaukee losing the series in seven games. He remained with the Brewers through 1986 before finishing his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987. Over 15 major league seasons, Moore compiled a .261 batting average with 36 home runs and 408 RBIs. After retiring from baseball, he returned to Birmingham and worked as a sales representative for many years. In 2014, he was inducted into the Brewers Wall of Honor and named to the All-Time Alabama Baseball Team. Moore died on May 23, 2026, at the age of 72.

Nothing Tong with that, I was hoping Kimbrel could recapture the magic of old as he seemed to manage some of it last year with Houston. But alas, it wasn't to be. He still might latch on somewhere. Astoundingly, it's been nearly a decade since he had a couple great seasons in a row. From 2010 to 2018, he had a 1.91 ERA and 212 ERA+ in 542 games. Since then, he has a 3.94 mark in 323 games.

This is actually exciting. It's awesome to see they're trying so many of their top prospects now. Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, Nick Morabito on the offensive front. Zack Thornton on pitching. Nolan McLean. Despite my annoyance with them, they still have Bret Baty, Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez. And Mauricio at some point. I can't imagine we won't see Dylan Ross (a phantom major leaguer from last year) and Jack Wenninger (15-7, 2.63 ERA since last year) this year, too. And this is the downside of having so many at any given time, it's easy to forget about last year's big ones...I already forgot about Jonah Tong. But here's there, too. They have legends, superstars and stars -- Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien. They have talented youth out the wazoo. It's just one of those Mets-specific anomalies that they aren't tearing up the league right now. Established veterans and a veritable youth movement and they're still last in the division. I see them making a push later in the year. I don't see them being a losing team.

I was unpersoned. I thought I was banned because I was pushing it too far the other day. Then I saw all my posts were gone and was like, "man, they don't mess around." I have returned from reeducation camp and the electroshock therapy seems to have worked. I, for one, love David Stearns.

I like that the Mets are winning this baseball game.

I log on each day specifically to read Edgy's PhD-level insightful discussion.

I have an account, its name is Cowtipper. Look, you and 93% of this forum have an irrational and disturbing hatred of anything Trump and right-wing, I have an irrational and disturbing distrust and dislike of David Stearns' mode of operation. It's the same thing. Everyone here does it in some form or flavor. Potato - potahto.

I can't believe David Stearns would make you say something like that. I rarely see any meaningful conversation here. Let's be real. Someone just said this in another thread: "Bellinger has a really sunburned nose." Ooh, yes, very insightful conversation. Nah, that's 95% of what this forum is. It is what it is bruv.

"I care. I care a lot." Aren't we adults who should have more to worry about than what some mostly irrelevant baseball players have to say? As the kids say...go touch grass.

Trying to carry over the feel from the old board.

I have more confidence in Semien putting it all together, as he has a history of great success, than Vientos et al, who folks keep putting faith into despite the fact that they're all 5 years into their Mets careers with almost nothing truly impressive to show for it.

Vientos, Baty and Alvarez should've all been traded in the offseason. Mauricio, too, but after he got hurt people stopped pinning as many hopes on him. Actually, he kind of became more of a forgotten entity after he got hurt.

I'm here just to let you guys know the Mets are losing.

Who's the guy who hasn't had a meaningful major league job in 3 years and is currently struggling in the minors that David Stearns will sign to replace him?

People here wake up thinking how they can get mad at anything remotely right-wing, hence the almost laughable over the top Trump hate. Trump's a bummer, but dude, these people literally wake up foaming at the mouth thinking "how can I be mad at that stuff today?" It's especially annoying because this is, ya know, a Mets website.

LOL and I just bought MLB.tv so I could watch the Mets.

I'm about the go sit on the schlitter, actually.

Mets are now just 7 games under .500. That's not insurmountable, y'all.

Rick Kreuger died. https://www.thebiglead.com/pitcher-for-red-sox-world-series-team-dies-at-76/ Who was Rick Kreuger? Rick Kreuger was an American left-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1975 to 1978 with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, and later in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kreuger first gained attention as an All-American at Grand Rapids Junior College before transferring to Michigan State University, where he pitched for the Spartans in 1970. He signed with Boston in 1971 and spent several years in the minor leagues, including missing the entire 1972 season with back problems. Kreuger made his MLB debut with Boston in September 1975. Over the next few seasons he moved between the majors and minors, highlighted by a strong outing against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976 when he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. In 1978 he was traded to Cleveland, where he appeared in six games before returning to the minors. Across his major league career, he posted a 2–2 record with a 4.47 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 17 games. After leaving Major League Baseball, Kreuger continued playing internationally, including a season in Japan and winter ball in Puerto Rico with the Criollos de Caguas. Following retirement, he worked in real estate and later became a baseball coach and instructor, serving as head coach at Cornerstone College and operating Kreuger’s Baseball School in Hudsonville, Michigan. He died on May 7, 2026, at age 77. Also, who was Buzz Capra? Buzz Capra was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1971 to 1977 for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. Born in Chicago, Capra was originally a shortstop before becoming a standout pitcher at Illinois State University, where he helped lead the school to the 1969 NCAA Division II championship. Drafted by the Mets in 1969, he developed into a strong minor league pitcher and reached the majors in September 1971. Capra spent parts of three seasons with the Mets, working mainly as a reliever and contributing to the club that won the 1973 National League pennant. Though he did not pitch in the postseason, he became loosely connected to one of baseball’s memorable moments during the 1973 NLCS brawl involving Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson, when Reds pitcher Pedro Borbón accidentally grabbed and destroyed Capra’s Mets cap during the chaos. After being sold to Atlanta before the 1974 season, Capra enjoyed a dramatic breakout year. Inserted into the Braves’ rotation after an injury to Ron Reed, he quickly became one of the National League’s best pitchers, winning nine straight games and earning All-Star honors. He finished the season with a 16–8 record and a league-leading 2.28 ERA, while helping draw major crowds during the same season Hank Aaron broke baseball’s career home run record. Arm trouble soon followed, however, and Capra struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the remainder of his career before retiring after the 1977 season. Following his playing days, Capra spent decades coaching baseball at both the college and minor league levels. He worked as a pitching coach in several organizations, including the Braves, Mets, Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, and Philadelphia Phillies systems, and also taught ceramics during his playing career after earning a teaching degree. Illinois State later retired his No. 9 and inducted him into its athletics hall of fame. Capra died in Joliet, Illinois, on May 11, 2026, at age 78.

That 1974 season with the Braves was excellent. 16-8, 2.28 ERA.

Louis Clarizio Jr. was an American baseball outfielder who briefly played for the Chicago American Giants in 1950 in the Negro American League and was one of a small number of white players to participate in Negro league baseball. He died in 2025 at the age of 94.

He just comes off as a little know-it-all-ish and when you're that young and in charge of a big league team, of course you're gonna be cocky.

René Cárdenas was a pioneering Nicaraguan sports broadcaster who became the first Spanish-language announcer in Major League Baseball when he began calling games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958. Over his long career, he also worked for the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, helped create the first international Spanish-language baseball radio network, and died in 2026 at the age of 96. Gene Hooks was an American baseball player who starred as a third baseman for Wake Forest University, earning multiple All-American honors and helping lead the team to the 1949 College World Series championship game. He later became Wake Forest’s long-serving athletic director from 1964 to 1992, overseeing major athletic success before dying in 2026 at the age of 98. Steve Jongewaard was a multi-position minor league player drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1982, moving through shortstop, outfield, and later pitching while struggling to establish consistent offensive success across five seasons in the minors. After his playing career, he became a scout and national crosschecker for organizations including the Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners, helping evaluate talent such as Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow, and Rob Johnson. Hank Nichols was an American college basketball referee and later supervisor of officials who had a long career officiating major NCAA games, including 10 Final Fours and six national championship games, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. After retiring from officiating and his role as NCAA coordinator of officials, he also worked in education and as an umpire observer for Major League Baseball before dying in 2026 at age 89. Jeff Pyburn was a standout two-sport athlete and the son of former major leaguer Jim Pyburn, drafted in the first round by the San Diego Padres in 1980 but ultimately never reaching the majors due to a knee injury. He also played quarterback at the University of Georgia and was selected in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills before passing away on March 29, 2026. Len Rivers was a long-time high school and college football coach who spent over 40 years in the profession and also served as head baseball coach at Princeton University from 1976 to 1980. During his tenure with the Princeton baseball program, he worked alongside players such as Bob Tufts and compiled a 74–82 record before his death on March 16, 2026.