Cowtipper

I remember being at a Mets game in Pittsburgh and, pre-game, Regan was standing there on the field. A couple of younger women (early 20s probably) in the stands were trying to get his attention and being all flirty. I remember thinking, "man, all you gotta do is wear a baseball uniform and even if you're 900 years old the women will still be all over you."

Or up? Either way, the Mets have selected the contract of pitcher Dan Hammer, a 28-year-old career minor leaguer. He played in the Orioles system from 2021 to 2024 and the Rays system in 2025, joining the Mets when they signed him as a free agent. If this gives you PTSD because you recall the destruction of another recent older career-minor league call-up, that would be understandable. It gets even worse when you see that he has a 4.96 career ERA and 1.629 WHIP in his career. 2026 has been different, in a positive way, however. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he is 4-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 27 appearances, striking out 38 in 33 1/3 innings. At Double-A, his mark is 2.77; at Triple-A, it is 1.77. I'd rather have minor leaguers with no experience getting the call at this point, because you really don't know what you're going to get. When you keep calling up major league washups, you can expect washup-quality performance. Not so with these minor leaguers. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-dan-hammer-added-to-roster/

I mean, duh. He's struck out lots of people. But to return to the majors and end your very first game back by striking out Witt has to feel pretty good. I don't see the need to nitpick that but, you do you fam.

Books it in the put, he struck out superstar Bobby Witt Jr. to finish it. Gotta feel pretty good to do that.

Well, he allowed a run, saving himself for another day.

If Curry pitches a scoreless inning, that'll earn him a one-way trip back to Syracuse so he can be replaced by someone with a 7.50 ERA.

Xzavion sounds like a planet on Star Trek, or a prescription medicine for hemorrhoids.

Man, I know Benge was the big prospect off the bat because he made the Opening Day roster, but Ewing I think is the one that's gonna be something super special. He's pretty awesome.

The Kinda Shitty Royals are falling apart!

Things are happening! This Caglianone fella doesn't seem very good at defense.

Soto's got that home run look in his eye. I'm thinking a home run right now.

I remember when Randy Dobnak pitched for the Red Wings those many years ago. I remember thinking "Dobnak" sounded like an insult. Like "don't be a dobnak." "That's guy's such a dobnak." Etc.

Paul Adomites died. https://www.morrisonhome.com/obituaries/Paul-D-Adomites?obId=44426760 Who was Paul Adomites? Paul D. Adomites (August 20, 1948 – August 21, 2025) was an American baseball and oil historian, author, and former member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). A prolific writer, he authored or contributed to numerous books on baseball history, including October's Game, Babe Ruth: His Life and Times, Baseball in Pittsburgh, Sluggers!, The Love of Baseball, and Extra Innings Baseball, while also publishing works on the history of the Pennsylvania oil industry such as Pennsylvania Crude and Oil Fields, Oil People. Beyond his books, Adomites wrote articles on subjects ranging from jazz and food to science fiction and old-time radio, earning a reputation as a versatile historian whose work preserved the stories of both America's national pastime and its early petroleum industry.

Toby needs to go-by. Forever.

Who was Phil Regan? Phil Regan (1937–2026) was an American professional baseball pitcher, manager, scout, and coach whose career in the game spanned more than six decades. After debuting with the Detroit Tigers in 1960, he found his greatest success as a relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning the nickname "The Vulture" from teammate Sandy Koufax for his remarkable ability to collect victories in late-inning relief appearances. Regan was a National League All-Star in 1966, won two National League saves titles, twice earned The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award, and helped the Dodgers reach the 1966 World Series before finishing his playing career with the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox. Following his retirement as a player, Regan became a respected coach and manager at both the collegiate and professional levels. He managed Grand Valley State University, served as pitching coach for several major league clubs, spent one season as manager of the Baltimore Orioles in 1995, and coached extensively in winter leagues and the minor leagues. In 2019, he made headlines by returning to the majors as the New York Mets' interim pitching coach at age 82, one of the oldest coaches in MLB history. Regan remained active in baseball well into his 80s and was remembered as one of the sport's enduring baseball lifers following his death on July 8, 2026, at the age of 89.

New York Mets sent RHP Dedniel Núñez on a rehab assignment to Syracuse Mets. Marcus Semien: Semien (hip) is unlikely to return before the end of July, Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic report. Semien landed on the 10-day injured list in late June with a left hip flexor strain that's bothered him at least since early May. He believes the nagging injury affected his performance and was a result of compensating for an old foot injury, noting that "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." However, after working to "strengthen some things," Semien is "feeling really good." Semien will likely require a rehab assignment before returning to the Mets' active roster. Injury Hip. Est. Return 8/1/2026. Austin Warren: Out with strained forearm. The Mets placed Warren on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right forearm strain. The injury could help explain Warren's recent struggles, as he's coughed up nine runs over his last two outings. Prior to those two appearances, Warren had posted a 2.45 ERA and 36:16 K:BB over 33 innings. The Mets have not provided a timeline for Warren's return, but the nature of the injury suggests it will likely be longer than a minimum absence. Injury Forearm. Est. Return 7/24/2026.

And like clockwork, he's been DFA'd. Now we get to see what Xzavion Curry can do, because cycling through washups has worked so well. We also get Tobias Myers (6.21 ERA this year) back in response to Austin Warren going on the IL.

Phil Regan, who served as Mets interim pitching coach in 2019 after Dave Eiland was fired*, has passed away at 89. He pitched in the majors from 1960 to 1972, winning 15 games as a starter in 1963 -- though he made his name in the bullpen. In 1966 and 1968, he led the league in saves and games finished; the former year, he went 14-1 and the latter, 12-5. He was also an All-Star in 1966 and received MVP votes both years. He got more votes than Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Orlando Cepeda, Willie Stargell and Willie McCovey in 1966! From 2009 to 2015, he was the St. Lucie Mets pitching coach and from 2016 to 2019, he was the minor league assistant pitching coordinator. https://sny.tv/articles/former-mets-pitching-coach-phil-regan-dies-at-89 *remember when Dave Eiland was pitching coach? I barely could

Anyone wanna give the last one a shot? Hint:

His debut went from a feel-good story to a nightmare pretty quickly. Two genius Stearns moves in this one: Trading for him in the first place, then DFA'ing Guillo Zuniga, who pitched a scoreless inning in his lone appearance, to make room for him. The Mets wasted cash, the solid performance of Zuniga and an active roster spot for 2 innings, 7 earned runs and a 31.00 ERA.

Young held up better, longer than I'd think a mediocre Quadruple-A player could, but I'm glad we have another actual established major leaguer back. Now we just wait for the departure of Wagaman.

Well, ain't this a blast from the past. Jorge Polanco, who hasn't appeared in a game for the Mets since April 14, has been activated from the injured list, with Alex Carrillo being designated for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man and Ronny Mauricio being demoted to make room for him on the active roster. Polanco was one of the big names brought aboard to help bolster the club in 2026, however he was ineffective in his brief stint before getting hurt, hitting just .179 with a homer and two ribbies in 56 at-bats. However, he is an established veteran, so I can't imagine he won't be of some benefit to the club. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/mets-activate-jorge-polanco-dfa-alex-carrillo.html

Mets trade for Matt Seelinger. Mets DFA Zuniga. Mets call up Seelinger. Robert sent on rehab to Binghamton. Dedniel Nunez sent on rehab to Binghamton.

Good call! They have DFA'd Zuniga and called up Matt Seelinger. It'll be a feel good story for Seelinger, as he is a 31-year-old rookie making his debut.

Mets are slowly improving, I guess. Their team OBP is above .300 for the first time in what seems like forever and they now have multiple active guys with averages at or over .250 ... Soto, Bichette, Ewing, Benge and Alvarez.