I Dunno

Mike Jacobs made the team.  So, why do I feel like crying?  Why did he have to make the team because somebody else got injured?  Why do I have to like both players involved in this?

Mike Jacobs deserves to be on the Opening Day roster.  Right? 
And Daniel Murphy certainly doesn't deserve the injury.

Jake was always going to get a chance to play for somebody.  He could DH, play 1st base, whatever.  But Murph isn't guaranteed a spot on any roster.  The Mets already have an Ike Davis waiting to take over at 1st base, left field was a failure, and it's the National League, no DH.  There just isn't that much room for Murph in any plans.  Yet, Daniel has done nothing to prove unfit for the Major Leagues. 

Daniel's timetable is a return in 2-6 weeks.  Of course, after that there is rehab games/extended Spring Training.  At least a month of time lost.  Time for Daniel to prove he belongs here.  Time when Ike will still be in the minors and Daniel won't have to constantly look in the rear-view mirror.

I'm very happy about Mike Jacobs.  I hate how it happened but I want Jake to have all the success in the world.

Let's Go Mets!

Now I'm Sad

Daniel Murphy is injured.  He has a sprained knee and is apparently limping around the locker room.  I'm sure I'm not the only fan that can't possibly imagine Murphy walking with a limp.  I mean, tell me Castillo is injured and I can totally picture it.  Tell me Beltran's injured and I can completely imagine what it looks like.  But telling me Murphy's injured is just wrong.

He's going to get more tests and see more doctors and may or may not be seriously injured.  I'm not ready to see Ike Davis just yet.  If there's one person that doesn't deserve to be injured it's Daniel Thomas Murphy.  He's had the worst luck this Spring.  Hopefully it's nothing too bad but it seems like it's getting worse as the minutes pass.  I wish I could just go and ask Daniel about the injury myself.

Hopefully he'll be okay.  I want Mike Jacobs to make the Opening Day roster but not like this.

Let's Go Murph!

My Not So Secret Love Affair

We all know I love catchers.  I love the players who catch and I love catching.  I love that catchers are involved with every pitch of the game.  They aren't the most loved player on the field.  They don't get the same praise as pitchers and it's surprising when they hit 40+ home runs or have a batting average over .310.  They are the "backstop".

It's a nickname that was taken literally for a time about 150 years ago.  The catchers were simply there to stop the baseball.  Otherwise, the game was up to the pitcher.  They got even less respect when they started to wear equipment.  Why should the backstop have to protect themselves?  Five years ago there was no equipment.  This year all of a sudden they're weaker?  They simply got no respect.

Today, there is Joe Mauer, Jorge Posada, the Molinas.  Otherwise, the big name players are mostly outfielders.  People have a better understanding of the toughness of catching but still don't get it all.  Even the ones that aren't big names have a tough job to do. Catchers have to deal with an entire pitching staff.  They have to know which pitchers like to throw which pitches in which counts.  It's a lot to type, much less carry-out everyday.  Even the catchers that toil in the minor leagues have a tough job.  They have to catch young pitchers.  They've probably caught more pitchers than the average fan can name, while being a role model and mentor to younger catchers.  They're the ones teaching the rest the tendencies of pro batters and pitchers.  They wouldn't be but pitchers with any talent are called up.  There are usually 12-13 pitchers on a team and 2-3 catchers.

It's simply a demanding position.  I didn't start catching until last year.  In fact, I used to hate catching because it would take away from batting practice time.  But now, I'd rather catch the batting practice than take the swings.  I hate when I play in a game and feel like I didn't do anything.  When I catch I always know I was a part of that game.  Standing in right field isn't always going to get my uniform dirty.  Catching assures I finish the game knowing I was a part of it.

I can't imagine enjoying playing any other position as much as I enjoy catching.  It makes me more sore than I ever want to be, but I love where the soreness comes from.  Catching simply makes me happy.

Let's Go Mets!

Ian Kinsler

Now you're confused.

Let's Go Mets!

The Little Big Leagues

Bobby Parnell could very well start the season in AAA.  I certainly don't want this.  But there is nothing I can do about it, either.  What I really don't like is the fact that people go from saying "Spring Training stats don't matter" to "He won't make the team because of a sucky Spring Training".  Make up your mind already.  I know it depends on the player and whether they have proven Major League experience but it's still annoying.

Especially with pitchers.  And young pitchers.  And young pitchers who have been in the majors.  And young pitchers who have been in the majors but are still working on things.  And especially those young pitchers that showed they can succeed in the majors until their team decides to make them a starter.

You get the picture. 

Bobby Parnell did well at the beginning of the season.  He seemed to peak at Fenway when he hit 100 MPH multiple times, but he wasn't bad after that.  He was only bad once the Mets made him a starter.  And he hasn't had the strongest Spring Training, but he has been working on a new pitch and is still young.  Not every outing has been bad.  His worst outings were at the beginning of Spring Training.  He was pitching the later innings.  He was pitching without the regulars playing behind him.  It was early in ST and all of the minor leaguers who clearly weren't going to make the team were getting playing time.  That leads to errors or just an uncomfortable feeling on the mound.

It wasn't up to Bobby to decide when he would pitch or who would be fielding behind him. 

Speaking of unlucky relievers, or perhaps very lucky relievers, Joe Smith has been making some news.  He's had a total of two bad outings this Spring but fans are upset.  He has already been guaranteed a spot in the bullpen.  In his last outing he didn't give up any earned runs but let Ryan Garko steal a base.  For one thing, even the slowest players steal bases.  Two, it's Spring Training.  Three, players don't simply steal bases off a pitcher and I know that firsthand.  Joe hasn't had the best luck with the Indians but if their fans really don't like him, I'm willing to take him back.

That's all for now.
Let's Go Mets!

The Other Boy From Virginia

Today, Michael Brent Cuddyer turns 31 years old. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!!

JockBio has him listed as 'Mike Cuddyer'.  I've never seen/heard him called Mike anywhere.

 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Don't worry.  It's nothing too big and if you're reading this and haven't noticed I'm going to start worrying.

It really has been a long week.  I can barely remember how the Mets did.  I just know Ike was sent to minor league camp and Jenrry Mejia is still with the major league Mets.  Will Jenrry make the Opening Day roster?  I have no idea.  At this point I don't even know if  Bobby Parnell will be on the Opening Day roster.  Either way, baseball season is going to eventually start again.

I do know Alex Cora and some other Met hit a home run today.  Who could that other Met be?  Oh yeah!  David Wright.  David has 4 homers this Spring.  That's 1 less than half of his homers all of last season.  It definitely looks like David is more comfortable this year.  Frenchy and JayBay have taken a lot of the "media pressure" off him.  There has also simply been other stories.  There is still the Jose Reyes saga and watching/speculating who will make the Opening Day roster takes a lot of time and newsprint.

Speaking of making the Mets, Mike Jacobs isn't doing too well.  The good news is neither is Frank Catalanotto.  The bad news is Chris Carter is doing well.  Nobody expected Chris to come in and take the last bench spot.  Personally, I really want Jake to make the team.  He was my first favorite for Omar to trade and it would be one of the greatest feelings ever for him to play for the Mets again.  It would just really make me happy.

And, speaking of the name Chris, I was watching the Rangers game last night.  They won in large part because Chris Drury scored at the very end of the third period to send the game to overtime.  After the game I was thinking it is really weird that his name is Chris.  I mean, it's normal that he's Chris Drury, but he doesn't seem like somebody that could simply be called Chris.

And that has been the journey through my brain.  I hope you kept your arms and legs inside the tram at all times or you have enough money to buy new arms and legs.

Let's Go Mets!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!!!!!!

Today, Joseph Michael Smith (yes, that really is his name) turns 26 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From The Catcher Files

In news that everybody should have seen coming, Joe Mauer signed a contract extension with the Twins.  It's for 8 years and $184 million.  I'm very happy about this.  He is a local player (for them) and is the future of their organization.  He is the best catcher in baseball and will probably go down as one of the greatest players of all time.  #7 for the Twins will be special for a long time.

In not as life-changing catcher news, Mike Jacobs has catcher's equipment back.  Earlier this week he reportedly caught a bullpen session.  He also caught one last year with the Royals.  I really hope he makes the team, and I really hope he gets the chance to catch in a game this year.

Let's Go Mets!

I Wonder If They're Planning A Party

It's not very often a team has two player with the same birthday.  But it's even less often that those players play the same position.

Well, tomorrow, it's going to happen.  Joe Smith turns 26 and Justin Masterson turns 25.  The Cleveland Indians better be ready to par-tay!

Ok.  Just thought I would give you a warning about the massive birthday post Joe Smith is getting tomorrow.