Thursday, April 29, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUBI!!!!!!!!

Today, Brandon Dubinsky turns 24 years old.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I Like Ike

So, I wasn't that excited about Ike Davis.  Mostly because it meant the demise of 2 players I really like (Daniel Murphy and Mike Jacobs).  I also just didn't have a reason to like him that much.  I've gotten used to being disappointed in the Mets call-ups and had a hard time seeing Ike Davis as anything different or special.

But, now I know he's special.  He's Jewish.  The Mets haven't had a Jewish player since Scott Schoeneweis and they haven't had a really good one since Shawn Green.  The Mets haven't had a Jewish player that has really been identified as a Met since Art Shamsky.  Ike says he doesn't necessarily want to make his Jew-ness a big deal and he's just here to play baseball and I'm okay with that.  Even if he doesn't want it to be a big part of his MLB career it definitely got me on the bandwagon.

It's going to be hard for me not to root for him a little bit harder now.

Let's Go Mets!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Some Non-Mets Updates

It's been a while since I've updated on Joe Smith, Xavier Nady, Mike Nickeas, and my other out-of-town favorites.

First, Joe Smith has a 1.93 ERA and last pitched 1.1 scoreless innings against the White Sox on the 18th.  Not sure if there's a reason he hasn't pitched in 5 days, but hopefully he'll pitch today and I'll be able to stop worrying.

Xavier Nady was just in New York with the Cubs and played 2 of the 4 games.  He's in the lineup to play right field tonight.  He's batting .225 with limited playing time.  He has 3 homers, too.

Mike Nickeas was put on the 7-day DL today.  He was batting .150 for the B-Mets.

Bobby Parnell is relieving for the Bisons.  He has a 4.15 ERA and 1 save in 6 games this year.

And finally, Josh Thole is batting .136 for the Bisons.

The minor league guys aren't doing so well.  Actually, neither is Xavier Nady.  Hopefully they'll all start playing the way I know they can.

Let's Go Mets!

It's Just Not Right

The beginning of this post has nothing to do with the Mets.  It's about the Angels and Yankees.  And catchers.  Bobby Wilson was literally knocked out of his first major league start last night.  Mark Teixeira railroaded him, giving him a concussion and ankle injury.  I don't really have anything against runners going hard into catchers as long as it is necessary.  In this case it wasn't needed at all.  For one thing, Bobby didn't even have the ball.  For another, he wasn't blocking the plate.  He was standing towards the first base side waiting for the throw.  Even if the ball had been picked cleanly on the tough bounce Teixeira could've scored easily with a slide.  There was no need to railroad the Wilson.  Catchers take enough of a beating and poor Bobby Wilson can't get through his first big league start.

As for the Mets, Pelf continues to be the Mikey P. I have always loved, Jose looks like Jose, and Ike Davis is doing his best to make Daniel Murphy feel unloved.  Last night the Mets had a revamped lineup that put Jose Reyes in the 3rd spot and Jason Bay behind him.  There's nothing weird about JayBay batting fourth, it's just that he's batting fourth behind Jose.  It seemed to work last night but it will definitely take some getting used to.  It lead to me dreaming that Jerry put the pitcher in the 8th spot and had Ike Davis batting ninth.

Speaking of Ike Davis, he hit his first big league homer last night.  He was one of 3 Mets to get his first hit in his first big league at-bat this week.  The others were pitchers Raul Valdes and Hisanori Takahashi.  Ike has been impressive.  He has hit well and makes playing first base look easy.  David Wright, on the other hand, has not hit well.  He doesn't look comfortable in the box and his swings are too long.  He got a hit last night and a sac fly that would've been a homer almost anywhere else but still hasn't been consistent.

And about what has been keeping me from blogging, softball has been great. I've played all seven games at catcher and gotten on base in all seven games. I've thrown out one runner trying to steal second base and have made some interesting plays at the plate.  Yesterday I scored from first and slid into home.  The thing is, my coach didn't tell me I needed to slide until I was a foot away from the plate.  My slide was pretty ridiculous and probably the most painful thing I've ever done playing softball.  My coach was actually laughing at me.  Luckily today's practice was canceled so I don't have to worry about running until Monday.  We won and now we're 4-3.

Let's Go Mets!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

"The Time That We Spent, Trying To Make Sense Of It All"

Mike Jacobs was designated for assignment by the Mets today.  Jake.  My first favorite.  We all know who he is.  He hit his first major league home run and his one hundredth.  He even got a hit in the 20th inning last night.  And now he's gone.  He didn't get off to the best start but neither has Jason Bay.  The Mets had to make room for another relief pitcher after yesterday's game.  I enjoyed watching the game yesterday.  Had I known it would lead to the last of Mike Jacobs I would have taken a nine inning loss.

I know not many people liked Mike Jacobs.  I know most fans were sick of him when he was brought here to hit home runs and he didn't.  But that doesn't mean I can't be upset about his release.  One of my favorite players was just released by my favorite team.  I don't care who you are but even if your favorite player sucked I would understand if you were upset by their release.  I was 11 years old when he became my favorite.  I didn't go for the flashy players as my favorite.  I went for Mike Jacobs because he caught my eye.  We shared #27 on our uniforms and first base in the lineup.  I also felt my first real disappointment with the Mets when he was traded. The feeling when he came back to the Mets was amazing.   I just expected him to get more of a chance.

Hopefully somebody will pick him up.  Right now I say even the Phillies.  The thought makes me sick but I just want to see him play.  I want him in a Major League uniform.  I still believe in him.

Let's Go Mets!
Let's Go Jake!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Mets 2 Cardinals 1 Final/20 Innings

What?  Not long enough for you?  (Insert *that's what she said* here)

The Mets seriously just beat the Cardinals in twenty innings.  Francisco Rodriguez got the win and Michael Alan Pelfrey got the save.  Mikey P.  Big Pelf.  Pelf.  He wasn't supposed to pitch.  He wasn't even supposed to play.    Most of the team wasn't supposed to play.  And the only one who didn't was Oliver Perez.

It almost seems ridiculous to be amazed by a game ending just after 11 o'clock.  It's the fact that the game started at 4:15 this afternoon that made it crazy.  At one point the FOX announcers were talking about how the shadows will affect the game and the hitters.  How about the stadium lights?  Yeah, those were needed.  At one point the Mets were no-hit in this game.  I wasn't even thinking about scoring a run.  I just wanted them to get a hit.  They got a hit.  Just one.  They needed the extra innings to get a respectable amount of hits.  And even with 9 hits they looked pretty pathetic.  But they won.

The Mets had a game go their way.  Even when they didn't score off of the Cardinals first position player to pitch, they won.  Even though they used almost their entire pitching staff, they won.  They used every one of their relief pitchers, but they won.  K-Rod blew his first save chance of the season, but they won.  So many things were going against the Mets, and they won.

It's just so hard to comprehend.  On the same night of a no-hitter, a Mets won is possibly more impressive.  These are the Mets that have recently lost on walks, hit-batters, and errors.  Today, tonight, April 17, 2010, the Mets won a 20-inning baseball game.

Let's Go Mets!

P.S.
Mike Pelfrey leads the Mets with 2 wins and 1 save.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Yeah, I Still Exist

Ugh.  I know it's been a while and I know a lot has happened.

John Maine didn't do too well, Jon Niese deserved to win, and Mike Pelfrey did win.  Oliver Perez was well, Oliver Perez, and Johan did what the Mets can't afford having him do, give up runs.  The Mets are 2-4.  Jeff Francoeur is on fire.  Most fans want Mike Jacobs gone.  David Wright and Jason Bay have gotten a few hits.  And Jose Reyes is back.  Oh yeah, and people are calling for Jerry Manuel's firing.

It's only been a week of baseball and the Mets have proven they are still a mess.  There really isn't much to say about them.  Fans have already shown they aren't pleased by not showing up to Citi Field.  There really is little patience with the Mets.  Last year was terrible and this year the front office decided not to make any drastic changes.  They don't have time to wait around for the offseason acquisitions to start producing, because there was only one offseason acquisition.

I will always root for the Mets but my patience is running thin.  I'm ready to see a change.  Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya don't have control of this team and the Mets will never win with them.  At this point it doesn't matter if the players don't produce.  You can't fire all of the players.

Let's Go Mets!

Monday, April 5, 2010

At Least It's On The Right Day

I know I'm posting late but I had softball and homework and just didn't get on a computer.

First off, I am very happy the Mets won today.  David homered and I survived missing the game.  I turned my phone on during gym to find a txt from my dad saying David hit a two-run home run.  Then, because my gym class is fitness, I got to have my phone with me for the rest of the class.  But, I had to put it away once I got to softball so I missed following the rest of the game on Pitch-by-Pitch. 

I knew Johan would pitch well because he always seems to on Opening Day.  Actually, he always seems to pitch well in general.  He definitely reminded everyone what the Mets were missing at the end of last season.

As for school, I wore my new (kinda) authentic David Wright jersey and everything seemed to go well.  I even got a "Go Mets!" cheer in the hallway from a boy in a Mets shirt and cap.  Of course, I was prepared for softball and wore a Mets t-shirt under my jersey.  I also wore my Mets cap until I had to take it off to put on the catcher's mask at practice.  BTW, the mask today was way too small and I felt like my face was being squished.  We couldn't get our equipment because the gym was locked so I had to use the equipment my coach has for the 11-year olds. 

Overall, it was a good day.  I don't even mind the fact that I got hit in the knee by a hard ground ball. 

Tomorrow and Wednesday and Thursday I have softball games so I don't know how much I'll be able to post.  But even if I don't you can still enjoy the fact that baseball season has started.

Let's Go Mets!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

It's Like Going To School On Christmas

The Mets season starts tomorrow at 1:10 PM.  Chemistry class starts tomorrow at 1:08 PM.  Thanks to the fact that I have a phone with internet I can follow on MLB.com.  It won't be the same without actually being able to see what's going on but at least it's something.

The problem is, if the Mets do something really good.  If Mike Jacobs or David Wright or Jason Bay or Jeff Francoeur hits a home run, I'm in trouble.  That's when I have the urge to jump out of my seat screaming "YES!" and people look at me like I'm a freak. 

It's one thing being at work or someplace else where you have the ability to listen to the game.  It's another when you're sitting in class trying to pay attention to chemistry.  It's hard enough to focus when there's nothing else going on.  It's going to be Opening Day tomorrow and I'm going to be a mess.

Last year I somehow got through Opening Day without losing my mind.  I'm not sure how or why but I do know that last year all of my classes were a lot more fun.  I also know that I got to come home and watch the second half of the game.  This time I'll be at school and then softball right after school.  I'm never going to be able to figure out why last year was so easy for me.  Maybe it was school break, maybe I was just better at not caring.  But this is like being at school during Christmas.  I need to be with the Mets.

I'll update tomorrow as soon as I can.  It won't be too early but it will definitely be here.

Let's Go Mets!

Friday, April 2, 2010

I Could See It Coming

Bobby Parnell didn't make the team.  He'll either be pitching to Josh Thole in AAA or Mike Nickeas in AA.  If it's not one of those something has gone terribly wrong.

Chris Carter, Nelson Figueroa, Russ Adams, Kiko Calero, and Elmer Dessens were also cut tonight.

Now I'll mourn the lack of Bobby Parnell on the Mets.

More Meetings

The Mets personnel are in more meetings after tonight's game.  They lost 4-2 to the Rays.  Pelf pitched very well and he's not the one I'm worried about.

I'll update when I know what happened but I figure it will look something like this:
I'll miss Bobby Parnell.  Watching the Mets won't be the same without him.

Let's Go Mets!

They're In A Meeting

According to the tweets of various Mets reporters the Mets management is meeting.  Actually, it's Jerry, Omar, and Ricco.

This could be the end of Bobby Parnell.  I know it probably wouldn't be the end of his MLB career, but it would still be sad.  Yesterday he didn't look right.  It looked like he had absolutely no energy.  John Maine was sick yesterday but nobody knows if Bobby was, too.  Even if Bobby wasn't feeling well I don't think he would tell anybody.  He wouldn't use it as an excuse because people already hate him for his early Spring performance.  Yesterday, he just clearly wasn't feeling 100%.

Hopefully he gets lucky and the Mets come to their senses and give him a bullpen spot.  He has had no reason to have any confidence.  Nobody in the organization has said they believe in him.  A spot on the roster would say that.

Let's Go Mets!

It's Oh So Painfully True

David Wright is boring.  I admit it.  I completely agree with this entire post.  He's boring.

But that's why I like other players.  David Allen Wright will always be my favorite player.  But, I also like Mike Pelfrey, Jeff Francoeur, Xavier Nady, Dirk Hayhurst.  They aren't the most popular players but they aren't boring.  Heck, did you hear Jeff Francoeur's interview from earlier this week?  He was talking about anything and everything, including Mike Pelfrey.  And multiple people have said Xavier Nady has a great sense of humor.  Oh yeah, don't even get me started on Dirk Hayhurst.

But, David is special.  There is nobody else that can fit seamlessly into all the various roles listed.  He is everything a baseball fan could want and more.  It is absolutely impossible not to love him.  And he probably drives Phillies fans crazy.   They don't have anyone like him.  Chase Utley likes to shout expletives at inopportune moments.  Ryan Howard has never stolen 30 bases in a season.  Jayson Werth has an animal growing from his face.  Roy Halladay isn't homegrown and doesn't play everyday.

The Mets do have something over the Phillies.  They have something over every team in the Major Leagues.  The Mets don't have the most interesting player in baseball.  Or the best player.  They have David Wright.  And there really is no word for David.

Let's Go Mets!

Clearly, the Blue Jays have the most interesting player in baseball.

My New Obsession

I know, I know.  You're thinking here we go again.  But it's almost a new season so I'm allowed to have a new obsession.

His name is Ryan Tatusko.  Who?
Ryan Tatusko.
He's a minor league pitcher for the Texas Rangers.  This year he will start the season with the AA Frisco RoughRiders.  He's also on Twitter.  And, last year he wore #20 for the Bakersfield Blaze.  He's pretty awesome and it's cool to be fans of minor leaguers.  I'm rooting for him and would go to a RoughRiders game but they're not playing anywhere near this stratosphere.  I'll be following the RRs from afar.

Just thought I would let you know.  Now you can't say you have no idea who he is when I randomly talk ... err ... blog about him during the season.

Let's Go Frisco!

P.S.
He wrote a blog/journal thing that is really cool last year.  Hopefully he'll keep up with it this year.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Alas, His Birthday Must Go On

Today, Daniel Thomas Murphy turns 25 years old.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL!!!!
I hope he has a good day despite the fact that he only has one working knee.