Time to Rise Up In Support Of An Icon/Phil Humber Is Good

The Mets lost last night after I was sure the win was theirs, but I do not care. I cannot let myself get consumed with details of Met wins or losses when Chuck Norris is making headlines.

A new bridge in Hungary could be named after Hollywood action movie actor Chuck Norris unless the trend turns in an Internet vote organized by the Economy Ministry.
ADVERTISEMENT

Votes for the "Chuck Norris Bridge" had attracted 8,725 votes or 11 percent by Tuesday morning, just ahead of those cast in favour of naming it after Hungarian humorist Geza Hofi and three times more than for Szent Istvan, founder of the state.

Voting will remain open until September 8th and it is your civic duty as an American to vote. You can vote here to try and achieve what would be a huge coup for America to have such an iconic figure such as Chuck Norris have a bridge named after him in the great country of Hungary.

In honor of what could be Chuck's shining moment, some more facts:

Chuck Norris has two speeds. Walk, and Kill.

Once a grizzly bear threatened to eat Chuck Norris. Chuck showed the bear his fist and the bear proceeded to eat himself, because it would be the less painful way to die.

Chuck Norris once visited the Virgin Islands. They are now The Islands.

Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting implies the possibility of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.

Chuck Norris has to use a stunt double when he does crying scenes.

Chuck Norris owns the greatest Poker Face of all-time. It helped him win the 1983 World Series of Poker despite him holding just a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoly card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game Uno.

Chuck Norris can speak braille.

Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris.

When an episode of Walker Texas Ranger was aired in France, the French surrendered to Chuck Norris just to be on the safe side.

Chuck Norris never loses a game of Clue despite the fact everyone knows he's the murderer and used his foot to do it.

Chuck Norris is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man ate a fucking Indian.

If you try video taping Chuck Norris without his permission you will very quickly be filming the inside of your own ass.

* * *

Now on to baseball...Phil Humber just makes me a happy guy. I cannot say it enough, he has impressed the entire baseball world with how fast he has come back from Tommy John surgery. A lot of people wrote him off until he could prove he is back. Well, few doubt the fact that he is back.

I yanked this from the comments section at Metsgeek and it is from Baseball Prospectus:

RHP Philip Humber, High-A St. Lucie (Mets)

Now, if you’re looking for a Florida State League comeback that’s real, here you go. Humber has been receiving rave reviews of late, and he looks to be all the way back from Tommy John surgery, showing the same stuff that made him the third overall pick in 2004. On Saturday, the former Rice star struck out seven over five shutout innings, and in his last four starts, he’s giving up just one earned run in 23 innings with twice as many strikeouts (22) as hits allowed (11). The Mets have no need to rush Humber; he’ll likely finish the year with a handful of starts at Double-A Binghamton, where he was pitching last year when the elbow finally snapped. While mid-2007 as a date for a big league debut seemed far too optimistic a month ago, it sounds about right now.

In case you missed it, I wrote a piece back on May 26th on Metsgeek.com about Humber and his impending comeback. Since his return, he has posted an 8.53 k/9, 5.68 h/9, 2.37 ERA, .87 WHIP, and a 4.00 k/bb in St. Lucie. Some people think he should sit in St. Lucie for the year and dominate kids, but I think the Mets are doing the right thing. Let Phil Humber's arm dictate where he belongs not where you think he should belong. Keep him on his pitch counts and keep asking him how he feels, but if he kills it, why hold him back?

* * *

"Put out or get out." I knew this Macedonian kid in high school who used to tell me he would drive girls to the city limits back in his old country where there is absolutely nothing and tell them to put out or get out. I don't think he actually did it, but I think it is Steve Trachsel's turn to put out or get out. Kaz Ishii was cut for less. Victor Zambrano was removed from the rotation for less. Trachsel has been bad and though Pelfrey has struggled, he has shown a bit more than Trachsel and that includes last night's performance. I think he can continue to learn and grow and be a solid contributor. Trachsel on the other hand needs to improve on short order. Brian Bannister is on his way back from injury, John Maine has a nice scoreless inning streak going, and Mike Pelfrey has pitched well enough in my eyes to keep getting a look.

So Steve, put out or get out.

Duaner Sanchez is out for the year. That sucks. If you care to read about his accident, go for it.

I know some of you are mad at Mr. Billy Wagner, he has been pretty tight lately and better than you think all year. In April he had a 0.69 ERA anda 1.70 BAA, in May he had a 4.85 ERA and a .220 BAA, in June he had a 1.69 ERA and a .176 BAA, and in July he had a 1.46 ERA and a .178 BAA. He has hit a hiccup in August, but I would still do battle with him. I think his failures have been a bit magnified and his one bad month is clouding people's vision, but he has been pretty damn good this year.

Baseball Prospectus' Stat of the Day:

Top 5 NL Bullpens, by WXRL

Team                     WXRL
New York Mets          10.709
St. Louis Cardinals     7.951
San Diego Padres        7.670
Philadelphia Phillies   5.966
Arizona Diamondbacks    5.902

Psycopath Elijah Dukes may be done with baseball after his last suspension.

"I have no idea when or if I'll be back," Dukes said in a telephone interview. "I packed up all my stuff and I'm headed home. To be honest, I don't even know about baseball anymore. Everything is just wearing on me and this year has just been so frustrating. I'm trying to keep my nose clean and keep to myself, but things just keep getting turned around. I'm tired of it."

Here is an idea. Try not acting like an asshole and see what happens.

The Mets had two players with the best tools in the International League. Anderson Hernandez was the best fielding second baseman and Lastings Milledge was the most exciting player.

While on the topic of Milledge, his bat is so fast. Watching him last night just reinforces what everyone says and the skills he has. It was also nice to see him get three walks and take what Olsen was giving him as Olsen was more interested in taking on Pelfrey in two situations.

Oliver Perez was at Dolphin Stadium yesterday and is expected to throw a bullpen session today.

Roberto seems to think he knows what the Pirates did wrong.

"He's got great stuff. He just got confused the last few years," Hernandez said. "They tried to make him into Tom Glavine. He's a guy who lives at 94 to 96 and they made him a finesse pitcher."

If the Mets can straighten him out, I will no longer wonder why the Pirates franchise is doomed (I actually know why, but this will just reinforce it).

Also from the above link....a Zambrano sighting.

"I feel pretty good. I'm just doing some weights and running and trying to keep my body in shape," said Zambrano, who cannot do any throwing yet. The righthander, vilified by fans for being part of the Scott Kazmir trade, said "hopefully" he'll be ready for spring training.

....ready for spring training with another team hopefully.