June 30, 2007
Leg Injury Forces Mets' Sosa out
Mets starter
Jorge Sosa left Saturday's game against the Phillies after straining his left hamstring running to first base in the sixth inning.
Sosa ran hard down the line after bunting and barely beat the relay throw to first to avoid a double play. He immediately grabbed his leg and briefly sat on the ground before he was helped off the field.
The right-hander had a 5-3 lead when he came out. Sosa has pitched well in his first season with the Mets after a terrible year last season with Atlanta and St. Louis.
Carlos Goes Deep Finally
Carlos Beltran homered twice for the second straight game, leading the New York Mets to an 8-3 victory over the free-falling Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.
Beltran, who finished 4-for-5, gave the Mets a 5-3 lead with a two-run drive off starter J.A. Happ in the fifth inning. His solo shot off Ryan Madson in the seventh made it 6-3.
Friday, Jun3 29, 2007
Storms Postpone Card and Mets
The biggest loser in Thursday night's rainout of the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets was pitcher
Mike Pelfrey.
Pelfrey was supposed to be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to start the second game of the Mets' day-night doubleheader on Friday at Philadelphia. Instead, he'll stay in the minors and the Mets will start Orlando Hernandez (3-3) in the first game and John Maine (8-4) in the second. Hernandez had been scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Cardinals.
Pelfrey started the season in the Mets rotation but dropped five straight decisions before being sent to the minors on May 13. He is 2-2 in seven starts with a 3.44 ERA for Triple-A New Orleans and "learning to pitch," according to New York manager Willie Randolph. Had they brought up Pelfrey, the Mets would have had to make a roster move. The rainout eliminated that necessity.
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| Reason To Smile |
Glavine Wins 297
Tom Glavine nearly made history for the New York Mets, outperforming someone nearly half his age again. Glavine earned his 297th win, pitching one-hit ball for six innings in a rain-shortened shutout to lead New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Wednesday night. Scott Rolen's second-inning infield single was the only hit off Glavine, who nearly gave Mets their first no-hitter -- albeit a shortened one.
"He wants it the real way. He don't want the asterisk by it," teammate David Wright said. "He'll live. He'll take the win I'm sure."
Glavine has won consecutive outings after going 0-4 in five starts from May 24 to June 16. He walked two and struck out one in his 25th career shutout. "It's a lot of me making better pitches and a little bit of me having better luck," he said. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is closing in on becoming the 22nd major league pitcher to win 300 games.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Schoeneweis Sucks Still
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| You Suck! |
"What can you do? I probably deserve it," a distraught Schoeneweis said. "There's really nothing worse that can happen."
Mets manager Willie Randolph defended Schoeneweis. "He started out popping the ball pretty good. He's been throwing pretty well," Randolph said. "He got the ball up in the zone and the kid made him pay for it. You've got to keep the ball down."
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Mets Interested In Contreras
According to an official with one of the teams involved, the New York Mets have asked the Chicago White Sox about the availability of pitcher Jose Contreras.
The official said the Mets would be more likely to give up top minor-league talent for Contreras than they would for Mark Buehrle.
Monday, June 24, 2007
Mets Win A Series
A blooper to right, an inexperienced outfielder and
Jose Reyes speed became a messy combination for the Oakland Athletics.
Reyes led off the bottom of the first inning with a popup down the line that Jack Cust, normally a designated hitter, couldn't run down. Reyes stretched it into a double and Cust's throw to second sailed into left field. Reyes, who went into second headfirst, scrambled to his feet and scored on the two-base error.
It was downhill from there for Oakland. The New York Mets sailed to a 10-2 victory behind John Maine on Sunday to complete their first series sweep at home since last August.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Piazza Visits Shea With A's
Who cares? Retire already! You brought out the lineup card on Saturday, got some cheers and broadcasted the game on Sunday in the A's broadcast booth. Asked by the media how it felt to be back at Shea again Piazza replied, "I'm not gay!"
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Lo Duca Tossed, Then Tosses Equipment
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| Paulie Walnuts Loses It |
Lo Duca came to bat with two runners on in a scoreless game. After taking an inside strike that made the count 0-2, he got in Marvin Hudson's face and barked at the plate umpire, gesturing vehemently with his hand.
After making his point, Lo Duca walked slightly up the third-base line, gathered himself and prepared to get back in the batter's box. That's when Hudson ejected him, sending Lo Duca into a rage. His eyes bulging with anger, Lo Duca screamed at Hudson before Mets manager Willie Randolph tried to restrain him. Lo Duca grabbed Randolph by the sleeve, nudged him aside and went right back at Hudson.
Crew chief Ed Montague came down from first base and finally ushered Lo Duca away. As Randolph continued the argument with Hudson, Lo Duca walked to the dugout and heaved his helmet, bat and elbow guard toward first base.
Once he reached the bench, Lo Duca tossed his shin guards into foul territory. He chucked his chest protector, too, but that got hung up on the dugout railing. Finally, he retreated up the tunnel toward the clubhouse with the Shea Stadium crowd of 52,920 chanting "Paul Lo Duca! Paul Lo Duca!"
After a delay of several minutes, backup catcher Ramon Castro entered as a pinch hitter for Lo Duca and struck out on the next pitch from Joe Blanton. Carlos Beltran then singled to left, but Travis Buck's accurate throw cut down Ricky Ledee on a close play at the plate, drawing more boos directed at Hudson.
Friday, June 22, 2007
George Stone To Start Tonight Against A's
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| George Stone |
"It was an easy decision" Mets manager said Willie Randolph. "He needs to earn his place in Mets history, he was shunned in 1973 and now the A's are facing the Mets at Shea for the first time since 1973. He deserves a chance. Besides, he couldn't be any worse than Tommy has been lately."
Many people believe that Stone should have started Game 6 instead of another future Hall of Famer, Tom Seaver, who lost to another pitcher you may have heard of named Jim "Catfish" Hunter.
Stone, who turns 61 in July, looks forward to challenge. "Yogi Berra was always too busy with his damn harmonica and Seaver was a crybaby if he didn't get the ball. Yogi told me that he did not want to deal with Nancy Seaver, who scared him." Stone was let go by the Mets after 1975 season after compiling a 17-13 record in three seasons with the Mets.
Yogi Berra's Mets, who held a 3-2 Series advantage over the A's, lost Games 6 and 7 with Tom Seaver and Jon Matlack pitching on short rest. Berra's option for Game 6 was either Seaver, who'd thrown brilliantly in a 3-2, 11-inning loss in Game 3, or George Stone, hadn't been used in the Series.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Santana Rocks Shea
Johan Santana pitched a four-hitter -- with only one strikeout -- for his first shutout in nearly two years, and the Minnesota Twins took advantage of four early errors Tuesday night in a 9-0 rout of the New York Mets.
Santana walked none and retired 15 of his final 16 batters in his sixth complete game and first since May 17, 2006, at Detroit. He didn't strike out a batter until whiffing Paul Lo Duca for the first out in the ninth.
Santana improved to 15-4 in interleague play and 3-0 with an 0.82 ERA in three starts against the Mets. New York is 4-6 this season when its opponent starts a former Cy Young Award winner. ... It was Minnesota's third shutout this year, while the Mets were blanked for the second time. The other was May 30 against San Francisco.
Pedro Throws
Mets RHP
Pedro Martinez threw 55 pitches at the team's complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in his fifth bullpen session since shoulder surgery.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Buehrle wants to stay put
Mark Buehrle doesn't want to be traded, even as the Chicago White Sox continue to struggle. The latest rumor had Buehrle and fellow free agent-to-be Jermaine Dye headed to the New York Mets for prospects.
"It's exactly what it is," Buehrle said. "It's rumors."
The team is unlikely to re-sign Buehrle, as he's seeking a five-year deal.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Mets Hung By Wang, Take Subway Series
Alex Rodriguez and Chien-Ming Wang have been unstoppable the past few weeks, two big reasons the New York Yankees look almost unbeatable right now.
Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 27th homer, Wang came within one out of a complete game and the Yankees won the second Subway Series of the season Sunday night with an 8-2 victory over the stumbling Mets.
The Big Apple neighbors are headed in opposite directions -- the Mets have lost five consecutive series, while the Yankees (35-32) have won five in a row to move a season-best three games over .500.
Wang is on a roll himself, allowing only four runs in his past three starts covering 24 2-3 innings. Runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award last year, the sinkerballer has won four straight outings and six of seven overall.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Father's Day No-Hitter Anniversary
On Father's Day at Shea Stadium,
Jim Bunning of the Philadelphia Phillies fans 10, drives in two runs, and pitches the first perfect game (excluding Don Larsen's 1956 World Series effort and Harvey Haddix's 1959 overtime loss) since Charlie Robertson's on April 30, 1922. Philadelphia beats the Mets 6–0. He also becomes the first pitcher to win no-hitters in both leagues, and Gus Triandos becomes the first C to catch a no-hitter in each league. Bunning throws just 90 pitches in winning his 2nd no-hitter. He is one of only five players to throw a no-hitter in both leagues.
The next time Bunning faces the Mets he will shut them out, the first no-hit pitcher this century to do that. The Mets don't fare much better in the nitecap as 18-year-old rookie Rick Wise wins his 1st game and gives up just three hits for an 8–2 win. Johnny Klippstein comes on in the 9th.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Moises Alou vs. Cliff Floyd
Glass foot outfielder Cliff Floyd was not signed by the Mets in the off-season. The last impression Met fans had of Floyd was striking out in the ninth inning of NLCS with runners on base. Hoping for a younger, healthier and cheaper outfielder, the Mets signed 40 year old Moises Alou. With a more dangerous bat from the right side of the plate, Alou has been plagued with injuries throughout his career with seven teams. The Cubs are the sixth team that often visitor to the DL Floyd has played for.
Alou, injured on May 12, is hitting .318 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 30 games. Don't expect Moises Alou too soon, Willie Randolph warned. The left fielder remained in New York for further consultation with Mets doctors regarding his strained left quadriceps. "He's not going to be playing anytime soon," Randolph said. "He's not feeling a whole lot better." Mets brass says it's not overly alarmed, ruling out surgery. They're not actively shopping for an outfielder, a team insider said.
Numbers of Moises Alou (top) and Cliff Floyd (bottom) this season as of June 15.
| Ag | Tm | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | *OPS+ | TB | SH | SF | GDP |
| 40 | NYM | 30 | 110 | 15 | 35 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 11 | .318 | .374 | .445 | 124 | 49 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 34 | CHC | 45 | 119 | 15 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 20 | .319 | .377 | .429 | 112 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Friday, June 15, 2007
Midnight Massacre Anniversary: 30 Years Later
New York fans are in shock as the Mets trade ace Pitcher
Tom Seaver to the Reds. In return they get Pitcher
Pat Zachry, Infielder
Doug Flynn, and minor leaguer outfielders
Steve Henderson and
Dan Norman. Seaver finished the 1977 season with 21 wins by going 14-3 with Cincinnati, including a 5-1 win over the Mets in his return to Shea Stadium. The following season, after throwing five one-hitters for New York, Seaver recorded a 4-0 no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16, 1978 at Riverfront Stadium.
After Seaver slumped to 5-13 in 1982, the Reds completed the circle by trading The Franchise back to the Mets for three players. Although compiling only a 9-14 record (due mostly to the Mets' usual poor offense; his ERA was a better-than-average 3.55), Seaver and the Mets were stunned and fans were outraged on January 20, 1984 when he was claimed by the White Sox after he was mysteriously left unprotected in the free agent compensation pool. The team had assumed that no one would pursue a 39 year old starting pitcher and left him off their protected list.
Seaver pitched two and a half seasons in Chicago, winning his 300th game in New York against the Yankees on August 4, 1985, before ending his career with the Boston Red Sox.
Read Summer Of Seaver by Brian Costello of the NY Post.
The Mets also trade slugger Dave Kingman to the Padres for utility player Bobby Valentine and a minor league pitcher. Kingman became the first player to play in four different divisions in the same year - New York Mets (National League East), San Diego Padres (National League West), California Angels (American League West) and New York Yankees (American League East)
Memorable Quotes about Kong.
"A sullen, abrasive personality, his defensive shortcomings and his high strikeout ratio are reasons "Kong" has played for seven major-league teams... Nobody hits 'em farther - or higher." - Zander Hollander, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1985.
"What's my opinion of Kingman's performance!? What the fuck do you think is my opinion of it? I think it was fucking horseshit! Put that in, I don't fucking care. Opinion of his performance!? Jesus Christ, he beat us with three fucking home runs! What the fuck do you mean, 'What is my opinion of his performance?' How could you ask me a question like that, 'What is my opinion of his performance?' Jesus Christ, he hit three home runs! Jesus Christ! I'm fucking pissed off to lose the fucking game. And you ask me my opinion of his performance! Jesus Christ. That's a tough question to ask me, isn't it? 'What is my opinion of his performance?'" - Tommy Lasorda, in response to a question from reporter Paul Olden about Kingman's hitting three home runs during a May 14, 1978 10-7 victory by the Cubs over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Dodgers Pitcher Flips Off Mets
Hong-Chih Kuo flipped his bat away before leaving the batter's box - a fitting capper to a three-pitch, three-homer barrage by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Wilson Betemit, Matt Kemp, and winning pitcher Kuo homered off John Maine on three consecutive pitches, and the Dodgers beat the New York Mets 4-1 Tuesday night to hand the slumping NL East leaders their eighth loss in nine games.
The Mets hadn't allowed three straight homers since April 1, 1997, and five days ago they hit back-to-back-to-back homers against Philadelphia.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Stinking On The Road Too
The Mets lost for the seventh time in eight games, this time to the Brooklyn Dodgers of Los Angeles 5-3 in the series opener at Dodger Stadium. The Mets' lead in the NL East fell to two games over Atlanta.
Orlando Hernandez entered the game having tossed 12 straight scoreless innings, and having blanked opponents in 31 of his last 32 frames. But he couldn't hold an early 3-0 lead, and ultimately was charged with five runs (four earned) in 5 2/3 innings.
After 15 straight games in which Mets starting pitchers allowed three runs or fewer, Oliver Perez, Glavine and El Duque (3-2) have combined to surrender 19 runs in 15 innings over the past three games.
Moises Aloof
Mets LF
Moises Alou, sidelined since May 12, had an MRI exam in New York that revealed inflammation and soreness in his left quadriceps. "Nothing's better. I don't think that he's in a situation where he's going to be back anytime soon," manager Willie Randolph said.
Vern Hoscheit, the bullpen coach on the '86 title team, died yesterday at 85 in Pierce, Neb. Hoscheit, who also was a coach on three World Series winners with Oakland, was the Mets' bullpen coach from 1984-87. Hoscheit was a catcher in the Yankees' system for 12 seasons starting in 1941.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Happy Birthday Jose
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| Jose Reyes |
Reyes ranks 24th currently on the Mets all-time (602) and will be passing such great Met names like George Foster (602), Dave Magadan (610), Todd Hundley (612), Tommie Agee (632), Hubie Brooks (640), Wayne Garrett (667), Wally Backman (670), John Stearns (709), Rusty Staub (709), Rey Ordonez (720) and Felix Millan (743). What a offensive juggernaut! Surprised Rey Ordonez has more hits as a Met than Rusty Staub! Rusty played four seasons with the Mets, Rey played seven.
Ed Kranepool is the Mets all-time leader with 1418 career hits. When he retired after the 1979 season at the age of 34, he left as the all-time club leader in eight offensive categories, of which he still leads in four (at-bats: 5436; hits: 1418; doubles: 225; and total bases: 2047). He has also played more games in a Met uniform (1853) than any other player.
Kranepool wore the number 7 (Kranepool wore 21 his first four seasons after the Mets acquired pitcher Warren Spahn who also wore number 21) like Jose Reyes wears today. If Jose stays healthy he could have 3000 hits by the time he is 36 years old. Good Luck Jose! Knowing the Mets they will trade you for Mickey Loich after your best season.
Jose ranks 4th all-time on the Mets list with 187 steals and will pass Darryl "Crackhead" (191) and Howard "Loaded Bat" Johnson (202) this season and Mookie "Thanks God Buckner misplayed that ball or no one would remember me" Wilson (281) next season.
Mauled By Tigers
Tom Glavine who whinning about his lack of run support for crusade to 300 wins, had one of the worst outings of his stellar career against baseball's highest-scoring team.
Gary Sheffield contributed to Glavine's rough day with a homer and an RBI triple Sunday, helping the Detroit Tigers beat up the New York Mets 15-7 and win the series.
Clearly, Glavine probably has other things on his mind.
Glavine gave up a season-high 11 hits and lasted just 4 1-3 innings -- his shortest outing of the season -- and is 0-3 over his last four starts after beginning the year 5-1.
"He threw the ball well. He felt pretty good, but Tommy didn't locate his pitches," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "You have to make sure you make good pitches against the Tigers."
The only other time Glavine gave up nine earned runs was May 24, 1999, for Atlanta against the Milwaukee Brewers, and he allowed nine runs total in two other games.
What A Mess!
The 15 runs and 21 hits allowed were season highs for the Mets.
Mets OF Moises Alou left the team Sunday morning to fly back home for an examination on his strained left quadriceps and another OF on the DL, Shawn Green, is expected to be activated Monday. Mets 1B Howard Johnson was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans after the game.
David Wright has homers in four straight games, one short of the franchise record.
The Mets bullpen continued their brilliant efforsts. New York brought in reliever Guillermo Mota while trailing 5-3, Mota was tagged for three runs in the sixth. Curtis Granderson led off with a double, extending his career-best hitting streak to 10 games. He advanced to third on Placido Polanco's infield single when David Wright's throw sailed over Delgado's head at first.
The Tigers' won 8-7 win despite a Mets late comeback. The Mets sent nine batters to the plate and came away with three runs in the seventh to pull within 8-6 and had threatened again to take the lead. But with the bases loaded, reliever Wilfredo Ledezma got Carlos Delgado to hit into an inning-ending grounder.
Friday, June 8, 2007
The Four Horseman Of The Bullpen
Terror |
Bewilderment |
Frustration |
Despair |
Chase Utley's opposite-field shot to left off Pedro Feliciano (1-1) was the first homer the left-hander has allowed this season. The normally reliable reliever was charged with another run, too, increasing his ERA from 0.90 to 1.80 in 24 appearances. Utley's leadoff homer in the 11th inning and drove in three runs, sending the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Jimmy Rollins hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Aaron Heilman in the seventh inning, rallying the Philadelphia Phillies and Mets nemesis Adam Eaton to a 4-2 victory over New York on Wednesday night. Shut out for six innings by starter Orlando Hernandez, the Phillies got going against Heilman (5-3) in the seventh. Aaron Rowand drew a leadoff walk, Abraham Nunez followed with a single and Rod Barajas advanced the runners with a sacrifice. Heilman struck out pinch-hitter Pat Burrell, but Rollins lofted a 1-2 changeup over the right-field wall for a 3-2 lead. Heilman started off the season 5-0 and has been pitching like a guy who wants out of Willie's doghouse.
Pat Burrell snapped out of a slump by doing what he does best -- breaking the hearts of the New York Mets. Burrell hit a game-tying home run in the ninth off New York closer Billy Wagner, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins combined for the go-ahead run in the 10th and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep with a 6-3 win Thursday night. Wagner's last blown save was Aug. 1 against Florida. Wagner has not been lights out like he was when pitched against the Mets for years. He hit 99 on the radar game on Thursday night.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Another Zambrano A Met
According to the New York Post, if the Chicago Cubs end up putting ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the trading block, the New York Mets will go after him.
According to one MLB team executive, the Mets would be "heavily involved" if the Cubs look to trade Zambrano.
The 26-year-old righty is set to be a free agent after the season, and the Cubs could potentially deal him prior to the July 31 deadline.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Mets OF Chavez Headed For DL
The Mets' banged-up outfield took another hit Wednesday night
when Endy Chavez left a game against the Philadelphia Phillies with a hamstring
injury that likely will land him on the disabled list.
Chavez hurt himself in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out and the Mets trailing by one, Chavez hit a grounder to shortstop and hustled to try to beat out a double play. But Jimmy Rollins stepped on second and threw out Chavez to end the inning. As Chavez passed first, he collapsed to the ground in pain. He was helped off the field and replaced by Carlos Gomez.
Chavez was to have an MRI exam Thursday, and manager Willie Randolph said after the Mets' 4-2 loss that he expected Chavez would probably wind up on the disabled list.
"It doesn't look too good," Randolph said. "He went down pretty hard. I was sure it's going to be the DL for him. We've got him iced up right now."
Chavez, normally a backup, went 1-for-4 with a stolen base. He is hitting .292 with a home run and 13 RBIs.
"I felt a pop and something went wrong in my leg," Chavez said. "I've never had anything like this before. Right now I just want to know what it's going to take to get back."
New York got good news earlier in the day, when Shawn Green did some light work in the outfield. He said he was optimistic he'll be ready to return from the disabled when he's eligible Sunday. He hasn't played since May 25 because of a broken right foot.
"If all goes well I should be ready for Sunday," Green said.
Left fielder Moises Alou also is on the DL with a quadriceps injury and isn't sure when he'll be able to return.
Monday, June 4, 2007
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| Chan Ho Park is rumored to buying a deli in Flushing. |
The Mets accommodated the request of veteran pitcher Chan Ho Park on Sunday, granting him his unconditional release hours after their game against the Diamondbacks and ending a relationship that had no high point. Park, who turned 34 on Sunday, had been signed by the Mets a week before Spring Training in hopes that he would be, at the very least, a temporary member of the starting rotation. But he seldom pitched effectively in Spring Training or in the Minor Leagues. Park performed poorly in his cameo appearance with the Mets in the big leagues.
After winning 19 games and losing 15 with the Rangers and Padres in 2005-06, Park produced a 4-4 record and 5.57 ERA in nine starts with the Mets' Triple-A New Orleans affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. He allowed 64 hits and 16 walks and struck out 49 in 51 2/3 innings.
Park was summoned to the big leagues for a start against the Marlins on April 30. He pitched merely four innings, allowing seven runs on six hits -- two of them home runs -- and two walks. The loss put his career record at 113-88.
The Mets are responsible for the remainder of his $600,000 salary unless he signs with another club, in which case they would be responsible for the difference between what he is paid by the new club and the remainder of the $600,000.