Just Like The Pros

I always love seeing the major leaguers doing drills that I recognize from softball.  At 3:10 of this video they are working on when runners are on first and third base.  If the runner on first takes off on the pitch there are a number of different things that could happen.  As a catcher, I absolutely hate this drill.  It leads to working on run downs (which are also hell) and all of the catcher's throws have to be absolutely perfect.  There is so much going on in this situation but so much of the pressure is put on what the catcher does when they get the ball.  This is definitely the situation I dread the most during the game.

I just thought it was really cool that the Mets are doing the same drill I did all of last season in softball.  It's good to know they are working on situations that come up in every level of the game.

Let's Go Mets!

You can also watch the video right here:

I Couldn't Possibly Say It Any Better

Over at metsgrrl.com there is a great reaction to a Yahoo! article.  You really should read it.  Both the article and the reaction.

I left quite the lengthy comment on her post.  Trust me.  I know how that girl feels standing next to Evan Longoria.  I have been to Spring Training once in my life.  I had my "Evan Longoria moment" with Joe Smith.  I was just so completely ... I really can't think of the word for it ... I couldn't take a literal picture, I just have my own memories.  Even when I got Mike Pelfrey's autograph at a game this year, I'm so glad my sister was there.  She understood I could barely fathom I was standing right next to one of the people I have watched for so long.  She was there to take the pictures because it was my moment, and my dad was there when I saw Jeff Francoeur.  It was my favorite baseball player live and in person.  All of them were so amazing.  I watch these guys on TV and now they are standing right in front of me.  And they talk to us too!  Mike Nickeas uttered half a "wassup" to me and I have never forgotten that moment.  I just wanted the chance to be near them.  Because I know I probably will never get the chance to do what they're doing.

Because I'm a girl.  That means I obviously can't play baseball as well as any boy my age.  I can't know more about baseball than any boy my age either.  Or any boy any age.  I'm a girl so I can't possibly look up to baseball players as the coolest people in the world.

It really sucks being a female baseball fan sometimes.  It takes a lot more to prove you really know what you are talking about.  It's just assumed you know the rules of the sport and have a big name favorite.  It takes saying Xavier Nady or Joe Smith or Mike Pelfrey is your favorite player to show you really watch and follow what it is going on.  I doubt I'd get very far telling some guy at school my favorite player is David Wright.  They'll just shrug and turn to a guy friend to talk baseball.  And that really hurts.

I know that I understand exactly what is going on.  I know I can contribute to their conversation.  I also know they don't want to give me a chance to join.  I want to have somebody to talk baseball with and most the time it's a guy.  The friends I hang out with everyday know baseball from what I've told them.  They recognize the names I've mentioned many, many times, but they just aren't into the sport.  They have their own interests and nod and listen to what I say the same way I would if they were talking about their favorite TV show.  It just isn't the conversation I know I can have with a true baseball fan.

If I go on for much longer this post will end up a novel.  But I will share the comment I posted:

Wow.  I really liked that article.  I especially like that I can completely relate to it.  My first autograph was at Spring Training in 2008 and I was 14.  I remember everything so vividly.  And I really remember getting Joe Smith’s autograph.  I guess he is my equivalent of Evan Longoria.  It was just so amazing.  And I didn’t just love every minute of Spring Training because I could look at the players.  I loved it because it was baseball.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been left out of a baseball conversation because the boys won’t take the time to listen to a girl.  I hate knowing I know just as much as they do (and many times more) and still being left out.  It’s just so frustrating that baseball is shown as a sport for little boys to worship while the girls go and do whatever. 

I admit, I look at a lot of players for well, their looks.  But I am also drawn towards the catchers because I know they are who I can look to and see how they play, because that’s how I want to play on the softball field.  Just because a girl likes a player it doesn’t mean it’s because they’re hot.  The major league catchers are all where I wish I had the chance to end up.  Even though I know it would be a virtually impossible future.

I love baseball.  All of it.  Watching it, playing it.  Everything.
AND I’M A GIRL.

Read more: http://metsgrrl.com/index.php/site/comments/sometimes-it-feels-like-weve-made-no-progress-at-all/#ixzz0gnYK8aAS

Let's Go Mets!

Because Baseball Isn't Interesting Right Now

We all know Spring Training has started.  There have been some workouts but nothing too exciting.  Unless you find it exciting that K-Rod has pink eye.  I've found all of one picture of Joe Smith and read one semi-interesting mini article about him.  Otherwise it has been the normal stuff about everybody.  Of course David is being optimistic.  What do you expect?

So, instead of talking about baseball I have a really cute video of Michael Del Zotto for you.  It's not really in the Olympic spirit because he's Canadian, but oh well.  The cuteness of this video is too amazing, especially towards the end when he talks about watching the injury on YouTube and saving the pictures of his wound.



Just watch.  It's cute.

Let's Go Mets!

Oh Yeah, There's Also Good News Today

Oliver Perez threw a bullpen session today.  Wait, what?  Yup, and he had guidance from Sandy Koufax.  You still probably have no idea where I'm going with this.

Mike Nickeas caught for Poo Poo Perez today.  Uh-huh.

Let's Go Mets!

Some People Are Really Stupid

Apparently some people think David Wright's new muscle is fake.  In other words, they think he juiced.  Seriously, WTH?

For one, it's only David's arms that look bigger.  His head, neck, and the rest of his body look the same.  Well, I don't know for sure about what Frenchy was talking about.  But it really is ridiculous to assume something like that.  It's such an isolated part of his body that I can't imagine any drug being able to do that. 

So, all you David Wright haters out there ... shut up and maybe realize some players do actually work out and are more dedicated than taking drugs.

Ugh.

Hmm ...

Recently on Twitter somebody brought up that they think there are too many Mets bloggers.  I'm not going to say who it was or if I agree with what they say.  But I have noticed a lot of new Mets bloggers this offseason.  And I've noticed a lot of them just spit out news like there's no tomorrow.

I know I am definitely not a perfect blogger at all and I definitely don't have the most popular Mets blog out there, but I know I do more than some of the other blogs.  The blogs that just give out news without even adding their take on what they're "reporting" are just stupid.  Even the ones who give their opinion but only post news are pretty stupid.  I know reading headlines is boring, especially if it's a slow news day.  And I know that when I find a blog I want it to say more than:
METS SIGN BARAJAS.  The Mets have signed Rod Barajas to a one year deal.
There is no need for that.

The point of a blog is to express your own opinion.  Your opinions don't even have to be relevant to the most recent news.  But you really should add personal opinion and experience if you want a successful blog. 

Only one headlines blog is needed and chances are, you came too late to take that role.

I know this post was a little out of the blue but I wanted to get this off my chest and needed more than the 140 characters Twitter gave me.

NOW WE RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING.

Let's Go Mets!

March 2

There are a few things going on in nine days.  For one, it's the day baseball games come back.  The Mets have an afternoon game against the Braves in Port St. Lucie.  It's the first of any games this year in all of the MLB.

But March 2 is also the day hockey comes back from the Olympic Break.  Usually I would wear a Mets jersey anyway but ...
It's also Henrik Lundqvist's birthday.

I guess it depends on how the Olympics pan out.  Or what kind of mood I'm in on March 2.

Let's Go Mets!

I Wish I Was Jeff Francoeur

There's a good article from the New York Post about David Wright.  It's mainly about him adding more muscle during the offseason and it mainly has quotes from Jeff Francoeur. 

In other words, it's about how David used the winter to get hot.  And apparently Frenchy (yes, I am using that nickname.  It was either that or JFrizzle) noticed it when David took his shirt off.  If you look at the picture in the article and don't think David looks absolutely amazing I don't think I can help you.

Now I just need the Spring Training games to start, but March 2 brings a predicament I will explain later.

Let's Go Mets!

I Really Should Start Listening To The Radio

Josh Thole was also on WFAN yesterday, with Evan Roberts.  At this point, Josh probably isn't going to get the starting job because the Mets signed Rod Barajas.  I have no doubt he will be back in the Majors before September but the signing most likely puts him in AAA to start the season.

You can listen to the interview here.

Let's Go Mets!

Xavier Nady Is A Cub

Apparently Xavier Nady was a guest of Steve Somers on WFAN at some point.  How I didn't know about this, I'm not sure.

But you can hear the audio here.

He's probably going to start the season on the DL so he won't be playing for the Mets April series with the Cubs.  But hopefully I'll see him at some point.  

Let's Go Mets!