Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Perez Has One Of His Mr. Hyde Outings
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| Oliver Perez |
Perez allowed five runs -- four earned -- and nine hits with two walks. He threw 107 pitches, but shrugged off that high count and the results.
It was quite a contrast from his previous work in spring training, work that earned him a spot in the rotation -- although Perez doesn't know when he'll make his first appearance of the regular season.
His last time out, Perez gave up one unearned run in six innings against the Dodgers. The previous outing, he threw five shutout innings against the Red Sox. And he allowed two runs over seven innings in his two starts before that.
Ticket Office Continues To Screw Old Plan Holders
From one plan holder who sat through the Art Howe Years at Shea.
I am afraid I have some bad news. The box office at Shea indeed screwed up and they could not put my two seats together in section 25, row A. The closest they could find two seats together is section 29, row D.
It is unbelievable how they treat returning customers. Not only do they have to charge me for the two 'new' seats, but it is my responsibility to get the already printed and 'in the mail' tickets back to them so that they can then refund the second charge (and I have to make sure I have them returned a few days before the first home Sat game).
I started my Saturday plan up in the mezzanine, moved to loge, section 33, found my way towards home plate with section 25 and now they are sending me back out to right field. Who made the mistake? They did! Who ends up paying for it? Me, the loyal customer!
I think it is time I write them a letter. I doubt I will get anything out of it, but it is worth the effort. If they want to 'make it up to me' I can think of many things I would like ......... hmmm.....
#34
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sanchez Out Again
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| Duaner Sanchez |
Sanchez hasn't pitched for New York since July, when he separated the same shoulder in a taxi accident and had surgery. Before that injury, he was having a stellar 2006 season as the primary setup man for closer Billy Wagner.
The right-hander, disciplined in spring training this year for repeated tardiness, felt a pop in his right shoulder Thursday and cut short his first bullpen session in eight months after 11 pitches.
Deep and Powerful
The club boasts an A.L.-style order -- deep and powerful -- and the addition of
Moises Alou makes it even more formidable. If
Shawn Green delivers on his "feeling" that a career rebirth is at hand, the first 900-run season in franchise history is possible.
Friday, March 23, 2007
 Shawn Green |
Manager Willie Randolph insists that Shawn Green is still his rightfielder, but he's sounding less convincing as the New York Mets get closer to opening day.
In a 7-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves yesterday, Green went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .154 in 17 games. His chief rival, Lastings Milledge, did not get a plate appearance but is batting .370 (17-for-46) in 20 games.
Although the Mets seem inclined to start the season with Green in right, they could keep Milledge and use a platoon. They won't need a fifth starter until mid-April, which would give them roster flexibility to keep an extra position player.
Friday March 16, 2007
Mets Send Humber, Vargas To Minors
The New York Mets optioned pitching prospect
Philip Humber and left-hander
Jason Vargas to their minor league camp Thursday, trimming the competition for a spot at the back of the rotation.
 Philip Humber |
 Jason Vargas |
The moves left Mike Pelfrey, Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele as the remaining candidates trying to win a starting role. Vargas had a strong spring, going 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA, but Humber struggled to keep his pitches down in the strike zone and went 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA.
"I'm just going to go down there and get some starts, get some innings and get better," Humber said. "I'm going to be ready when my opportunity comes. I would have wanted to perform better, but I don't know that it would have mattered."
Humber, the third overall pick in the 2004 draft, said he spoke with manager Willie Randolph, GM Omar Minaya and pitching coach Rick Peterson. "I think they have a plan for me. Omar, Willie and Rick were all there and they said I'm one of the guys they're going to count on at some point this season. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later," Humber said.
Perez Impressive In Outing
Oliver Perez shut down Boston's big hitters in an impressive outing Thursday night, striking out David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez twice each during the New York Mets' 4-1 victory.
Perez, who appears close to securing a spot in New York's rotation, fanned nine batters in five scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked none.
Wednesday March 14, 2007
Pedro Throws Again
The Mets' ace made 50 throws from about 60 feet on flat ground Tuesday and said he's on schedule to throw four times a week. The three-time Cy Young Award winner increased his distance from approximately 40 feet a week ago.
Mets Release Cuban Soler
The Mets released right-hander
Alay Soler before their exhibition game Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians.
Soler came to camp in competition for the fifth spot in the Mets' starting rotation this spring, but was unimpressive. He yielded two runs in a 9-6 loss to the Washington Nationals on Monday, raising his ERA to 8.22.
"He just didn't perform," pitching coach Rick Peterson said. "Look, you don't let guys go if they're getting batters out 1-2-3, right? What we've seen since he's been here is a lack of consistency. He just wasn't consistent with his performance."
Monday March 12, 2007
Bullshit Single Game Tickets
The Mets started their single game ticket on Sunday morning at 9am. Many fans were excited about getting tickets, especially opening day and subways tickets. But to the shock of many Met fans who attempted to purchase those single tickets they were redirected to a ticket plan window and were forced to buy a ticket package if they wanted tickets for games. It is an outrage, what a slimey thing to do. If you have complaints, call the Mets Corporate Sales Representative at 718-559-3027 or email him.
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| Duaner Sanchez |
Sanchez Allowed Play
Reliever Duaner Sanchez will be allowed to resume workouts at spring training camp on Sunday after apologizing for showing up late.
Sanchez, sent home by the team Thursday, met Saturday with manager Willie Randolph and GM Omar Minaya for about 30 minutes. The 27-year-old right-hander was apologetic after the meeting and said he planned to meet with each of his teammates one-on-one to apologize.
Thursday March 9, 2007
Stiffneck Gets Shelled
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El Duque gave up five runs and six hits in just two innings Thursday during the New York Mets' 8-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
"I was able to throw all my pitches and not feel the pain in my neck, so it was good," the 41-year-old right-hander said. "The fastball was up and it was hit, so now I get ready for my next start, and that's it."
Carlos Delgado went for precautionary X-rays after missing his third straight game due to a stiff neck. The X-rays were negative, and he is day to day. Delgado said he doesn't have arthritis in his neck like the 51 year old Hernandez.
Swinging A Hot Bat
Shawn Green was 0-for-16 before singling in the sixth inning. He took extra batting practice Wednesday.
I am A Bad Boy
Willie Randolph said rehabbing reliever
Duaner Sanchez was being sent home for repeatedly showing up late for his workouts. Randolph said Sanchez, who injured his right shoulder in a car accident last summer, had been warned about his tardiness. Randolph will consult with GM Omar Minaya to determine whether there will be additional disciplinary action.
Who Are Those Guys
The Mets reassigned pitchers Clint Nageotte, Kevin Mulvey, Jorge Vasquez, Willie Collazo, and Eddie Camacho; catchers Joe Hieptas, Drew Butera, Mike Nickeas and Francisco Pena; infielder Michel Abreu; and outfielders Chip Ambres, Fernando Martinez and Victor Mendez to their minor league camp. The Mets also optioned LHP Adam Bostick to the minors.
Wednesday March 7, 2007
Martinez Throws Niemann To Ground
Pedro Martinez threw a baseball Wednesday for the first time since rotator cuff surgery last October.
The New York Mets ace lightly tossed a ball for about 10 minutes from a distance of about 45 feet at the Mets' minor league complex.
"He looked good," said Randy Niemann, the Mets' rehabilitation pitching coordinator. "It's just the beginning. It's the start of a long process, but he looked really good."
Mets' manager Willie Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson were not present -- they accompanied the team to Fort Myers for Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox.
Martinez then threw Niemann to the ground face first to show he still has his fierce determination.
Mets Sign Old Latin Wife Beater
The New York Mets on Wednesday signed veteran infielder
Wil Cordero, who did not play last season, to a minor league contract.
In 29 games for Washington in 2005, Cordero batted a woeful .118 (6-for-51). He hit just .197 (13-for-66) with Florida the previous season.
Cordero, 35, is joining his ninth team in a career that began in 1991. The Puerto Rican native is a career .273 hitter with 122 homers and 566 RBI in 1,247 games.
A Mets spokesperson said that the Mets should of signed Cordero years ago to keep Anna Benson in line.
Monday March 5, 2007
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Can you imagine Alex Rodriguez in a New York Mets uniform in 2008? It's not just impossible, you say, it's heresy. Or is it?
The idea of A-Rod crossing enemy lines has strong support from none other than David Wright, who says he'd give up his position to make room for the New York Yankees third baseman.
"Are you kidding me? As great a hitter as Alex is, I'd definitely do it," Wright said. "Tell him to come over, tell him to do it."
Kiner's Korner once included Cobb, Dizzy and the Babe
Ralph Kiner shook hands with Babe Ruth, talked ball with Ty Cobb and hit a home run off Satchel Paige.
Great names of the game, all gone.
I miss the guys, the old guys," Kiner said.
Now 84, the Hall of Fame slugger-turned-broadcaster keeps busy at park. Dressed neatly in a suit jacket and sunglasses, he was at Tradition Field on Monday to work a few innings of the exhibition between the Cleveland Indians and New York Mets.
Kiner started calling Mets' games during their expansion season in 1962 and has stayed ever since -- the home TV booth at Shea Stadium is named in his honor. The Mets will hold an on-field tribute to him July 14 before they play Cincinnati.
"You couldn't be any luckier than I've been, to keep working in baseball," he said.
To spend any time around Kiner is to open a Who's Who of Cooperstown. Other announcers can rattle off the Sabermetrics, but who else can tell stories involving 19th-century luminary Cap Anson, Rogers Hornsby and Rube Marquard?
Don't hear much about them these days. Funny thing, there was a trivia question posted on the scoreboard Monday, and Tris Speaker was one of the potential answers. Speaker, a star way back in the deadball era, was one of Kiner's coaches.
"Taught me a lot about playing the outfield," Kiner said.
Kiner has recovered nicely from a stroke several years ago that impaired his speech, and recently had dinner with Yogi Berra. He remains good friends with Stan Musial and occasionally sees Bob Feller.
He only wishes a few more faces were still around.
Friday March 2, 2007
RHP Maine, Heilman and OF Milledge among 13 signings by Mets
The New York Mets on Friday have agreed to terms with 13 players, including righthanded pitchers
John Maine and
Aaron Heilman and outfielder
Lastings Milledge.
No financial terms were disclosed.
Entering his second full season with the Mets, Maine was acquired prior to the 2006 campaign along with reliever Jorge Julio for righthander Kris Benson.
The 25-year-old Maine was 6-5 with a 3.65 ERA in 16 appearances last season and even performed well in the postseason, going 1-0 with an impressive 2.63 ERA in three starts.
Heilman is entering his fifth season with New York, posting a 12-18 record with a 4.34 ERA in 146 appearances, including 25 starts in his career. Long figured to move into the Mets' rotation, Heilman was a bullpen stalwart last season, heading a group of talented set-up men.
Milledge, who made a splash with his flamboyant on-field antics in his debut last campaign, hit .241 with four homers and 22 RBI in 56 games. A prized prospect, Milledge entered spring training looking to cement a spot as a reserve outfielder.
New York also signed righthanders Jon Adkins, Ambiorix Burgos, Marcos Carvajal, Juan Padilla and Alay Soler; lefthanders Adam Bostick, Pedro Feliciano and Jason Vargas; infielder Anderson Hernandez and outfielders Carlos Gomez and Ben Johnson.
Clem Labine dead at 80
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Labine came to Brooklyn in 1950, appearing in just one game. He was the handyman of the Dodgers staff in 1951, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.20 earned run average and was comfortable as both a reliever and occasional starter. He won eight games the next season and by 1953, he had become Brooklyn's main man out of the bullpen, with 10 of his 11 victories that year coming in relief.
Labine was drafted by the expansion Mets in 1962. He appeared in just three games before retiring and returning to Rhode Island as a partner in a company that manufactured golf clothes and other sports wear.