A blog dedicated to the New York Mets with some other baseball thrown in.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Sorry About Your Life

I made the trek down to Philadelphia to see the Mets get ripped apart for the second straight game by the Phillies. The Philly fans, who root for a sub .500 team and have to jump at any chance they can get to enjoy their team beating a team of the Mets ilk, took every chance to let me know how much my favorite team sucked. That's all well and fine. The Mets got shellacked two games in a row and there wasn't much I can do. There are times you have to just grin and bear it, although I do prefer that my antagonists have all their teeth.

One trash talking girl was particularly creative. She disregarded the fact there was a baseball game going on and told my friend "sorry about your life". Now, his life sucks, but not because of baseball. I just found it hysterical she would just go for the jugular and try and tear down his entire being while we were hanging out on the concourse after giving up on the game. Good times for all. I do give the Philly fans credit because they showed up in droves to a weekday game and were into it.

One thing that I did notice is that the Mets have become the Braves...well, this year at least. As I was at the game taking some abuse from Philly fans, I was reminding them that their team was under .500, double digit games behind the Mets, still looking for their first World Series win, not going to make the playoffs (9.86% chance), and still just an all around big pile of suck. Then one kid said, "yeah, you will make the playoffs but you'll never win the World Series". That is what Met fans have been saying about the Braves for years and that is somehow supposed to make up for the fact your team isn't very good and will not be going to the playoffs while the team you hate does. What is even more bizarre is the fact that I kind of sounded like a Yankee fan. It is strange how things come full circle, but I like being here.

* * *

  • Brian Bannister's last AAA start was very bad. This one? More like we all expected. Bannister should be dominating AAA at this point and he went eight innings and allowed three hits, no runs, and no walks while striking out seven.

    Fernando Martinez went 0 for 5, Mike Carp went 1 for 4 with his twelfth homerun, a walk, and two RBIs, and Jesus Flores went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a double in St. Lucie's loss to Clearwater.

  • The Mets and the Diamondbacks are still talking about Shawn Green.

    The Mets and D-Backs have talked about a deal involving Green, and with the no-trade clause looking like less of an obstacle, it could come down to money as Aug. 31 approaches. Green will earn $9.5 million next season, with a $2 million option for 2008, and the Mets would want the D-Backs to pick up at least half of that money.

    This would definitely be a savvy move by Omar and one that is looking increasingly important day by day.

  • Pedro might be headed for the DL.

    Despite the Mets' optimism, the bottom line is that Martinez has been bothered by tightness in his calf for at least his last three starts, including Monday's, when his leg was definitely a problem. Martinez did not return after hitting two batters with the bases loaded and giving up six runs in the first inning of a 13-0 loss to the Phillies.

    I'm going to state the obvious, but Pedro needs to be healthy. If he needs to go on the DL, so be it. Get him healthy and done with these lingering injuries as much as can be. It is concerning enough that he has his 99.99999999% torn labrum, a hip issue, a toe issue, and now a calf issue. He will never be 100% healthy for the rest of his career probably, but he needs to be as healthy as he can. Enough saving face about Pedro and his health, get him more rest.

  • Talk about a different view of things that small market teams have.

    Wolff, in his second year of ownership, is hoping for his first postseason and commended the coaching staff and players for pushing forward despite the flood of injuries.

    "If we win the division, great," Wolff said. "If we don't, we'll still have a great year."


  • The Duque needed to step up and it's safe to say he didn't.

    "If it was a good pitch, they hit it good," Hernandez said. "If it was a bad pitch, they hit it good."

    However, he didn't get much help in the field either.

    Lastings Milledge misplayed three balls in right field that led to three runs, and Chris Woodward misjudged a line drive in left. None of those plays, Randolph said, were the result of not hustling.

    Had they been, there would have been no laughter.

    "It happens once in a while," Randolph said. "We've been crisp all year."


    Jose Reyes was the lone bright spot and very bright one at that. From yesterday's post:

    If Reyes steals one more base and lifts his average to .300 (he was at .295 entering Monday's game), he would finish with better than 50 stolen bases, 20 doubles, 15 triples, 10 homers and a .300 average -- making him only the third player in history to do that, joining Honus Wagner (1908) and Willie McGee (1985).

    Reyes now has a .299/.354/.496 line and is on pace for 137 runs scored, 32 doubles, 21 triples, 20 homers, 68 stolen bases, and 82 RBIs. How many players have hit over .300, scored 130 times knocked 30 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 homers, stole 60 bases and hit over 80 RBIs? I have no idea, but I think it is safe to safe Reyes could be the first.

    The Mets are in dire need of having Tom Glavine go seven innings tonight, but that is a tall order in Citizen's Bank Park.

  • Ramon Castro is on his way back.

    Catcher Ramon Castro took soft-toss batting practice yesterday at Port St. Lucie, Fla., but still had problems with his strained oblique muscle. "The report I got was he didn't look comfortable," Randolph said. It had been hoped Castro would have been cleared to play in a rehab game, but that's still a few days away. ... Left fielder Cliff Floyd is still not ready to do anything other than work on an exercise bike or swim therapy to help his strained left Achilles' tendon.

  • Why trade Nady for Roberto if he is not even going to get used? He has been used in four losses and two wins so far and looks like he is not getting much responsibility. The Mets weakened their team to bolster the pen with a guy they are not using. Why not just give those spots to Heath Bell? I liked the move because of what the Mets received in return with bullpen help and Oliver Perez as a low risk, really high reward, but if you don't trust Roberto enough to use him, the move was not really good at all.

  • This was the second time I was at Citizen's Bank Park and the first time this season. Last year, they had Geno's cheesesteaks. This year? Rick's. Apparently Pat Olivieri, who is the purveyor of Pat's cheesesteaks, has a cousin Rick Olivieri. He wanted nothing more in his life to grow up and make cheesesteaks and his wish finally came true. Rick decided to cash in on the family name in 1995 with his very own cheesesteak venture. The result? A weak imposter. Very perplexing move by the Phillies.

    Cheesesteak-gate aside, it is still an amazing park. We were able to get some tickets for the Hall of Fame Club which is a glass enclosed, air conditioned, and carpeted part of the ball park. It has a full bar, plasma TVs, and sit-down eating as well as some other perks. Coors field had the same thing and I hope Shea has one. As of now, the Mets have the Diamond Club, but this just is way different. You can buy a one game tickets for the Hall of Fame Club so anyone can go and you can get a seat behind home plate with Press-level seating and youcan walk from your seat to enclosed area all game. Good stuff. I hope the Wilpons took note.
  • 44 Comments:

    Blogger Toasty Joe said...

    Mike- no pics? Remember how I heavily documented my trip to Wrigley this year. Try to keep up.

    12:18 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Mike- no pics? Remember how I heavily documented my trip to Wrigley this year. Try to keep up.

    Maybe I really didn't go? Hmmmm.....

    If you so want to see my lovely face, just ask.

    12:24 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Shoulda done the "Who's in First place" chant. Hours of fun.

    With Pedro down, I'm kinda wishing the Mets picked up Livan. What I'll do to make myself feel better is that there's commitment for next year... fuck that.

    Keep Milledge in there. Let him play. Let him learn here. Although I must admit he is looking pretty bad on defense. But whatever, leave him up here. He'll be good to go next season.

    Maybe they're trying to "rest up" Robert for the post season? I dunno. Willie saw first hand how tired Roberto got at the end of last season.
    So the less innings he pitches now the better he'll be for October.

    12:25 PM

     
    Blogger ossy said...

    im wondering if of all the times guys 3 hr's in a game, have any of them hit for the cycle in the same season

    12:29 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    The Phillies may have rocked the Mets but there's always this video...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4CCcA9qsbo

    We WIN!

    12:35 PM

     
    Blogger Anthony said...

    Reyes has the ability to be one of the greatest players of all time. Good stuff.

    Milledge is hurting the team. Hopefully he can get in a groove at some point and get a bit settled in. Not really digging the whole Chavez, Tucker, Ledee, Milledge thing. Those names just don't ring of championship baseball and I'm worried it's starting to catch up with the team.

    The whole Pedro mess is not so swell at all.

    I can't help but still feel that I'm waiting for Valentin to fall of the cliff. I just feel like we're living on burrowed time with him and all we can hope for is that he makes it thru October. Hopefully everyone in the front office realizes there is still a big hole at second base to fill next year. I'm not buying Valentin pulling this off again.

    Pray for Glavine to help us redeem today and show the Philly fans who's the best team in the natl league.

    Mike, my condolences on your miserable experience last night. Brutal. At least you got to drink beer, watch baseball in the summertime and eat some second rate cheesesteaks. There's worse things in life to be doing, like being f'd in Iraq.

    12:41 PM

     
    Blogger ossy said...

    philly does suck. they're gonna be the first team to 10K losses.

    12:42 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    If Reyes steals one more base and lifts his average to .300 (he was at .295 entering Monday's game), he would finish with better than 50 stolen bases, 20 doubles, 15 triples, 10 homers and a .300 average -- making him only the third player in history to do that, joining Honus Wagner (1908) and Willie McGee (1985).

    Reyes now has a .299/.354/.496 line and is on pace for 137 runs scored, 32 doubles, 21 triples, 20 homers, 68 stolen bases, and 82 RBIs. How many players have hit over .300, scored 130 times knocked 30 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 homers, stole 60 bases and hit over 80 RBIs?

    No on else. wagner maxed out at 10HR, and 11HR for willie.

    not to say wagner didn't have some excellent years.

    12:59 PM

     
    Blogger Toasty Joe said...

    Nah, I was just interested in seeing some fan pics of that ballpark. I'd like to check it out one of these days myself.

    1:03 PM

     
    Blogger Mets Beast said...

    I was supposed to go to one of these four games, but we never got back to my cousin who lives near Philly. Thank god we didn't. I'm happy to watch it at home (well I probably watched 6 or 7 innings out of all 18 so far) so I watched the Little League World Series on Monday (I'm from Staten Island, and used to play for the Little League.) Finally, something I can be excited about.

    1:25 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Good news on Bannister, he may be helpful if Pedro goes down. I am a bit more worried about pedro since the Mets had no comment on his MRI yeserday. If he took an MRI and it were clean, they would say all is clean and here's what we are going to do. By saying they need another day to interpret the MRI it makes me feel that they saw something and need another day to either take other tests or confer with other specialists. I am probably being paranoid, but thats my take.

    You know I hear Toree, the media and Yankee fans complaining all the time about the Yankees injuries, meanwhile the Mets have had their opening day #1, #4 and #5 pitchers, both corner OF'er, their opening day second baseman, their most consistent relief pitcher and a back-up catcher all miss significant playing time due to injuries. No one in Queens is complaining about how unfair the baseball god's have been.

    Adam

    1:44 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    my other fantasy team took a severe blow to the nuts last night courtesy of el duque. i know you all really care about my other fantasy team, so let me also point out again how bad it sucks when your looking up at favorite player reyes on the first place team.

    does wright intend to get hot soon? he's also on my other fantasy team.

    you are all very welcome for this obnoxious post.

    1:49 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    With Pedro down, I'm kinda wishing the Mets picked up Livan.

    No!!! No Livan. Bad. Very bad. Too much money for next year and a taking up space in the rotation.

    im wondering if of all the times guys 3 hr's in a game, have any of them hit for the cycle in the same season

    I'm guessing no. Simply crazy. Three homers and a cylce? Cannot see that happening.

    I can't help but still feel that I'm waiting for Valentin to fall of the cliff.

    Me too man. And the game wasn't bad. Well, it was, but I had a good time. I have to tell you, the level of hotness in terms of girls there is just nuts. Time for the NY area to step it up.

    philly does suck. they're gonna be the first team to 10K losses.

    I love it.

    Toasty...You don't want to see my face? Whatevs...toasty....whatevs. You really need to check it out. Camden and Philly are very close and very nice. I was going to hit up a random Sunday game this year, but ended up making the during the week trip.

    well I probably watched 6 or 7 innings out of all 18

    I watched six or seven and was at one of the games! Not good.

    Adam, both teams have been hit hard by injuries no doubt. But the Yankees (led by A-Rod) are crybabies.

    Thanks Jake. Always welcome. Also, your trade you proposed to me was silly. My team might have tanked, but I'm still holding out hope.

    3:15 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    "There are times you have to just grin and bear it, although I do prefer that my antagonists have all their teeth.

    One trash talking girl was particularly creative...."

    i take it she was an exception to the general level of hotness?

    ok, i see, then how about you give me gonzalez for...drumroll...DAN UGGLA?

    btw, toasty, since no one but us seemed to care about yesterday's cinematic references, #2 was from lebowski.

    3:33 PM

     
    Blogger Anthony said...

    Plus hot chicks...good deal! Hot chicks in Philly. Who would've thought? I think the NY area does well with hot girls. Just not at Shea unfortunately. Not much talent to come by there (in the stands that is).

    4:00 PM

     
    Blogger Toasty Joe said...

    Funny, I just watched that movie again, and I didn't pick that one up. Hilarious movie. My favorite line - "See?? This is what happens, Larry! When you FUCK...A STRANGER...IN THE ASS!!!"

    By the way...just wait for my blockbuster post over at Toasty Joe's tomorrow on the Yankee Groundbreaking Ceremony...ohhhh, baby.

    4:02 PM

     
    Blogger Toasty Joe said...

    Oh, and the talent level at Shea has risen since the Mets have been winning. Chicks dig the wins, I guess. Either that or Sugar Pants.

    4:02 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    i take it she was an exception to the general level of hotness?

    Ha, exactly. My friend was actually looking at her and was about to say not only are they tons of hot girls, there are tons of not-so hot girls too. She slammed his life before he could get to that.

    I don't need offense. I need pitching. My staff and pen has been torn apart. Gonzo is my jewel. If that doesn't tell you how serious things are, I don't what does.

    Yes, plenty of hotness going around. A lot more young people than at Mets games....or so it seemed like.

    Toasty, I read that crap in the elevator up to my floor today...fuck the skankees. Do us all justice and rip them appart.

    4:06 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Yes, the talent level has risen, but I have a few friends that will back me up. Maybe it's the fact that they like to wear less clothing in Philly that is clouding my vision, but something is going on over there.

    4:08 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    D

    4:38 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    L

    4:38 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Yes, plenty of hotness going around. A lot more young people than at Mets games....or so it seemed like.

    David Wright is GOD! It's because of him that I got a date last year.

    btw, toasty, since no one but us seemed to care about yesterday's cinematic references, #2 was from lebowski.

    Miller's Crossing never gets any love.

    Emad

    4:43 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    I know everyone likes the big lebowski, but no self respecting man drinks white russians all day no matter how cool you may be.

    4:53 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Bring on Ollie Perez!

    Sunday's game is going to be either really fucking good. Or really fucking bad.

    I will be tailgating about about 10:00 AM....

    4:54 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I just want to see his velocity, mechanics, etc. and compare them to previous years. The results really don't mean jack.

    Emad

    4:58 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Found this site in the Post today, supposedly it's the baseball groupie gossip website. Nevertheless it's got some classic pics of ballplayers with hot (and not so hot) chicks, including Sugar Pants doing his best impression of Tom Cruise in Cocktail:
    http://itsasecretsohush.blogspot.com/
    Enjoy.

    5:00 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Emad, if you got check out his highlights on Mets.com, you can see it. Pretty interesting stuff.

    I will be DVRing the game since I won't be able to really tell shit while I'm at the game.

    You have to love that site Mikey h....thanks. The LoDuca pics are classic.

    5:06 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    i just read that soler hasn't pitched since his demotion, of which i was unaware. why not? also, is perez official?

    5:11 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    "Emad, if you got check out his highlights on Mets.com, you can see it. Pretty interesting stuff."

    Did you read Sickels' take on Perez? I would categorize it as cautious optimism. He also mentions Perez was throwing 95 at Indianapolis his final start there.

    Emad

    5:13 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I understand Soler was injured, but unless you have Maddux or Pedro-like control, you can't throw 86 and expect to be better than mediocre.

    Emad

    5:15 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Mike - was Ollie brought up from Norfolk? Starting Sunday? I thought it would be Sat, b/c I think Pedro was supposed to start. Oh boy...I'm supposed to go to the game on sunday.

    6:20 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Shit Coop. You are right. Damn. It's Sat for Ollie.

    Jake, it's not official. They just mentioned it and it is tempting for them as well to see him pitch.

    As for Soler, I think he is better than he showed at the end. He can throw 90/91 and has a very good breaking ball. We'll see once he is healthy, but he has been a waste so far.

    8:37 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    The game tonight made me want to puke.

    Emad

    9:32 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Forgot to mention Humber's outing:
    5.2IP, 3H, 2ER, 2BB, 9K, 1HR

    Emad

    9:33 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I'm going down tomorrow...damn we have to win! I have been to many, many games where the Mets have swept other teams but never seen the Mets swept...I could lead a full and rewarding life without seeing this.

    So the new cheesesteaks are crap? Dammit, last years were awesome!

    9:42 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Don't go. It's going to be ugly. Maine in that park? After all that luck? He's going to regress and we're getting swept.

    And Willie, do me a favor, tell your team that ONE three ball count in a game is NOT acceptable.

    Emad

    9:49 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I'm going down tomorrow...damn we have to win! I have been to many, many games where the Mets have swept other teams but never seen the Mets swept...I could lead a full and rewarding life without seeing this.

    So the new cheesesteaks are crap? Dammit, last years were awesome!

    We gotta start the "Metropolitans national food tour." We tour the country looking and tasting the best foods. Cheesesteaks, pizza, burgers, hotdogs, chinese, whatever.

    9:51 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    We need a decent outfielder. This bullshit is now starting to looklike the 2002 Mets with Joe McEwing playing fulltime. Bring in a decent fulltime hitter and fielder. If its Green so be it.

    9:52 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Emad besides that

    Philly = Iraq

    10:42 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Indeed.

    If that was meant as a veiled insult, i'm from Alexandria.

    Emad

    11:03 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Not an insult unless your from Iraq. I'm sure there are millions of Iraqi's who are pissed with me for comparing them with Philly fans.

    9:24 AM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Brian B reporting from Maine here. Im disgusted by the amount of red sox yankeeness going on here. I went to a bar the other night, 8 TV's all on the sox.

    Managed to see the scores of a few of the mets games in the philly series... kind of glad i'm away.

    This is a terrible place to be, nobody even knows the mets exist.... until i splay my beautiful yet mildly out of shape body across my majestic Mets towel (for which i got free for signing up for a mets credit card on a rainy day).

    to be honest i'm not thrilled with S. Green, i mean lets say we trade for him, what does he even bring to the table?

    12:29 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Scott, they weren't horrible and it could have been just in my head, but I don't think they compare to the legends of Philly.

    3:01 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    free fantasy baseball informationAny one using the phrase "easy as taking candy from a baby, has never tried taking candy from a baby before.free fantasy baseball information

    12:42 PM

     

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