Cowtipper

William Roger Clemens Donald Zackary Greinke Harry Roy Halladay

I remember I tried starting a thing by calling him Zoobs but it didn't catch on. I also remember when we traded for him. There was optimism. Hope. A time when things were starting to look up. So I was optimistic. Hopeful. But alas...Zoobs is gone. We traded minor leaguer Paul Gervase for him, an otherwise unknown pitcher, who made his big league debut this year.

I saw a lot more sprinting as fast as possible than I did walking.

Edgy MD wrote: =Cowtipper post_id=197622 time=1752066536 user_id=166] Akeel Morris == 67.50 ERA with the Mets. Alex Carrillo == 6.75 ERA with the Mets. Close enough. I would conclude next to nothing from such a sample.

I remember reading a book that was 30-40 years old that was touting pitchers with K rates of 6.5 as being akin to strikeout aces. Times have changed...K rates of 9 are just ho-hum nowadays and 100 MPH is good, but is no longer a truly special gift. Since batters have become adjusted to flamethrowers, perhaps it's time to do the reverse and start looking for those crafty junkballers that throw five pitches and know how to truly keep batters off balance. Two pitch, 100 MPH fastball/90-something slider pitchers are passe.

Akeel Morris == 67.50 ERA with the Mets. Alex Carrillo == 6.75 ERA with the Mets. Close enough.

I like baseball.

Zach Pop's tenure with New York was soda-pressing.

He'll Akeel Morris us and be gone after a game.

Magic number: 73 They must go 38-33 the rest of the way to be a 90-win team.

Another genius Stearns acquisition. I look forward to his 1.654 WHIP.

I hope Goldschmidt doesn't retire anytime soon. He's on the precipice of being a Hall of Famer and I want him to become a shoo-in (I think he's already done enough, but the voters might not).

Paul Blackburn: Blackburn (shoulder) played catch out to 75 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports. After being placed on the injured list Thursday due to a right shoulder impingement, Blackburn was cleared to initiate a throwing program just three days later. Blackburn should have a chance at returning from the IL when first eligible shortly after the All-Star break, but he could be in store for a bullpen role upon his activation. The Mets currently have just three healthy rotation members, but Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow) both appear poised to return from the IL next weekend in Kansas City. Injury Shoulder. Est. Return 7/21/2025. Starling Marte: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Yankees that Marte will get evaluated after his knee "flared up" in the ninth inning, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Marte was in the lineup for the fourth time in the last five games but was making just his fifth start of the season in the outfield while Brandon Nimmo served as the Mets' designated hitter. The 36-year-old provided a spark from the top of the order over his five plate appearances with three base hits and his fifth stolen base of the season, but the flareup of his chronic knee issue now clouds his availability heading into the All-Star break. Even if Marte is able to quickly bounce back from the knee problem, his playing time could soon trend downward with Jesse Winker (oblique) expected to return from the injured list at some point during the upcoming week. Injury Knee. Day-to-day. Kodai Senga: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Senga (hamstring) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list next weekend and is expected to start either Friday or Saturday in Kansas City, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "When he went down [with a right hamstring strain], in my head it was more like after the All-Star break," Mendoza said. "For him to be in play for us now before we go into the All-Star break, it's huge for us." Before confirming which day Senga will return from the IL, the Mets will wait and see how he bounces back from the rehab start he made Saturday for Double-A Binghamton. The right-hander was charged with four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings, but the fact that he covered 68 pitches and experienced no complications with his hamstring is of greater importance than his results. Assuming he's given the green light to pitch this weekend, Senga shouldn't be operating with any significant restrictions in what would be his first start with the big club since June 12, though the Mets probably won't overextend him with the All-Star break looming. Injury Hamstring. Est. Return 7/11/2025. Jesse Winker: Manager Carlos Mendoza said that Winker (oblique) could return from the 60-day injured list when the Mets open their three-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Winker has been on the shelf since May 4 due to a right oblique strain, but he looks ready to rejoin the big club after he went 4-for-12 with two home runs, one double and three walks across five rehab games with High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old didn't get any exposure to the corner outfield during his rehab assignment, and while DiComo relays that the Mets have no imminent plans to use him on defense upon his return, the left-handed-hitting Winker should see regular starts against right-handed pitching as the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter. Injury Oblique. Est. Return 7/8/2025.

Trevor Cahill, who pitched briefly in the Mets system in 2022, and Dan Straily have also retired.

Former Met Kevin Pillar and Freddy Galvis of the terrible Phillies has retired. Arturo Lopez, who pitched briefly in 2009, announced his retirement earlier this year after spending years in Mexico.

Paul Blackburn: Blackburn (shoulder) will be shut down from throwing until early next week, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports. The veteran right-hander landed on the injured list Thursday due to a shoulder impingement, but the Mets don't seem concerned about the severity of the issue. Blackburn could be ready to rejoin the roster in late July, but he may not have a rotation spot waiting for him if Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) beat him back from the IL. Injury Shoulder. Est. Return 7/21/2025. Jose Butto: Butto was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to an unspecified illness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The organization isn't releasing the specifics of the ailment, but he's expected to be back shortly after the All-Star break. Chris Devenski was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to fill the open bullpen spot. Injury Illness. Est. Return 7/21/2025. Sean Manaea: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Manaea (elbow/oblique) will make one more rehab start Tuesday, Manny Gomez of NJ.com reports. If all goes well Tuesday, the Mets will likely bring Manaea back from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut July 13 against the Royals in the final game of the first half. The left-hander went three innings and threw 60 pitches Wednesday with Double-A Binghamton in his most recent outing. Manaea initially went on the injured list due to a right oblique strain, but more recently he's dealt with a loose body in his pitching elbow. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 7/13/2025. Tylor Megill: Megill (elbow) has been cleared to restart a throwing program, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. The right-hander has been shut down since landing on the injured list in mid-June due to an elbow sprain, but he recently underwent an MRI that showed reduced inflammation and has been cleared to start throwing on flat ground. Megill will need some time to ramp up his arm strength and may not be ready to come off the IL until early August, but he's hoping for a quick buildup. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 8/1/2025. Dedniel Nunez: Nunez (elbow) may require Tommy john surgery, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. While the Mets initially labeled Nunez's injury as a right elbow sprain when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, an MRI revealed more significant issues with his ligament. If he does end up needing Tommy John surgery, it would be the second such procedure in the 29-year-old right-hander's career. Given his history of arm trouble, expect the Mets to be cautious with Nunez's recovery, even if he avoids a worst-case scenario. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 8/1/2025. Kodai Senga: Senga (hamstring) gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings Saturday for Double-A Binghamton, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. Senga was expected to throw around 60 pitches Saturday before potentially rejoining the big-league rotation next week, and he threw 68 pitches Saturday, although the results weren't great. DiComo says it remains to be seen whether this performance will affect the plan to have Senga return next week in Kansas City. Injury Hamstring. Est. Return 7/12/2025. Jesse Winker: Winker (oblique) has gone 2-for-6 with a home run and a 2:1 BB:K in two games since his rehab assignment was shifted to Double-A Binghamton. The veteran outfielder played nine innings as the DH both Wednesday (in the first game of a doubleheader) and Thursday, and while the Mets will likely want to get him some defensive reps before activating him, Winker's bat appears to be just about ready to face big-league pitching. He's been sidelined since May 4, and Winker should slot into the strong side of a platoon at DH once he comes off the IL while seeing occasional action in an outfield corner. Injury Oblique. Est. Return 7/8/2025. Calvin Ziegler: Status—day-to-day. Injury Elbow. Est. Return 7/9/2025.

I like it when All-Star Games have lots of ASG vets, rather then a bunch of first timers, because what you are seeing is a true collection of the game's current greats and not just flashes in the pan and one-year wonders. These are all the All-Stars with 5+ selections under their belts now: Clayton Kershaw (11) Freddie Freeman (9) Chris Sale (9) Aroldis Chapman (8) Aaron Judge (7) Manny Machado (7) Jose Ramirez (7) Josh Hader (6) Ronald Acuna (5) Pete Alonso (5) Jacob DeGrom (5) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (5) Francisco Lindor (5) Shohei Ohtani (5)

Marte has averaged 99 games per year with the Mets, so at 57, he's getting close to his limit. (At a cost of $20 million per year).

If Senger does something in the 9th, he could become a cult hero like that fella from a couple years ago, Patrick Mazeika.

Who was Billy Hunter? Billy Hunter was a Major League shortstop, coach, and manager who played six seasons from 1953 to 1958. He debuted with the St. Louis Browns and was their starting shortstop in their final season before they became the Baltimore Orioles. That year, he made the All-Star team and hit the Browns' final home run. After one season with the Orioles, he was traded to the Yankees in a blockbuster deal. Though mostly a reserve the rest of his career, he was part of the Yankees' 1956 World Series-winning roster. He also played for the Kansas City Athletics and the Cleveland Indians, finishing with a .219 batting average. After retiring as a player, Hunter coached for the Orioles from 1964 to 1977, including their championship seasons in 1966 and 1970. In 1977, he became manager of the Texas Rangers and led them to a strong finish that year, though he was fired in 1978 after internal conflict. He later served as head baseball coach and athletic director at Towson State University, helping elevate their athletic programs. At the time of his death in July 2025 at age 97, Hunter was the last living player from both the St. Louis Browns and the inaugural 1954 Orioles. He was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Towson Hall of Fame in 1998. Who was Bobby Jenks? Bobby Jenks (1981–2025) was a hard-throwing MLB relief pitcher best known for closing games during the Chicago White Sox’s 2005 World Series championship run. A two-time All-Star, Jenks also set a then-record by retiring 41 consecutive batters in 2007. Originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2000, Jenks struggled with injuries, control problems, and personal issues, including alcohol use, leading the Angels to cut ties with him. The White Sox claimed him in 2004, and he debuted in 2005, quickly becoming a key bullpen arm. He made the final out in Game 4 of the World Series, securing the White Sox’s first title since 1917. After several productive seasons in Chicago, Jenks signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2011, but his career was derailed by serious spinal problems. A botched back surgery led to life-threatening complications, multiple additional procedures, and forced retirement. He later sued and won a malpractice case related to the surgery. Post-retirement, Jenks became a successful minor league coach and manager. He also opened up about his battles with addiction, mental health, and redemption—maintaining long-term sobriety and mentoring young players. In 2025, while managing in the Frontier League, Jenks revealed he was battling stage 4 stomach cancer. He died on July 4, 2025, at age 44 in Portugal. The White Sox planned to honor him during the 20th anniversary celebration of their 2005 title. Jenks is remembered as a flawed but fierce competitor whose life was marked by turbulence, triumph, and transformation.

Raley was sent on rehab to Syracuse. So was Winker. Colin Poche is back! They signed him to a minor league deal.

OMG!

Now that the Mets have been freed from Max, let's see what they can do.

The Mets spent $92 billion per year for that Soto strikeout.

Frayed Knot wrote: =Cowtipper post_id=197379 time=1751828809 user_id=166] Stearns signs all these junk pitchers thinking they'll all be diamonds in the rough but it doesn't work that way. They're always good for 5-10 games then they fall apart. That's why they're junk pitchers and not established major leaguers. I agree. He should only sign bonafide aces off the waiver wires whenever the team needs emergency help.