September Call-ups

The Mets made their first two call-ups for the month as Mike Nickeas and Zach Lutz will join the team in Miami tomorrow.

In 22 games and 66 at-bats Mike Nickeas hit .364 with 6 doubles and 10 runs scored.  He also caught 8 runners trying to steal.

Zach Lutz played in 72 games and hit .299.  He hit 10 home runs, 16 doubles, and had an OBP of .413.  He played 55 games at third base, 10 at first base, and was the designated hitter for six games.

They aren't really going to change the Mets season but it is always nice to reward players for good work.  I wasn't sure how Nickeas would respond to the mid-season demotion but I was ecstatic when he started his time with Buffalo on fire and he didn't cool down.  Many people will write off this stretch but he has never really hit well in AAA so seeing him figure out what to fix was nice.  No matter where he's playing I'm going to be happy when he plays well.

As for Lutz, he has been hitting for most of the season.  Hand surgery kept him out for about two months but that never hindered his season.  With the smallest bit of luck this would be his third stint in the majors but his 2011 season was cut short by a second concussion.  His OBP hasn't been as high as it is since he played 24 games with the Cyclones in 2008.  He really has been solid this season and this call-up is more than deserved.

Hopefully Mike and Zach will get some playing time.  They won't be the only September call-ups but there probably won't be many more position players, if any at all.  They both showed promise with the Bisons.

Let's Go Mets!

So Everybody Can Know

Mike Nickeas went 3-for-3 tonight in the Bisons 10-3 win over the Rochester Red Wings.  He had two singles, a double, scored two runs, and drove in two runs.  He is currently hitting .349 with Buffalo.

I'll just leave that there.

Let's Go Mets!

Do Not Let Him Go

I would like to believe the Mets have a bright future.  They have so many bright players on the team and coming up through the system.  They also have a great leader in David Wright.  I just don't know what would happen if David Wright wasn't there.

Seemingly since he was called up David Wright has been the voice and face of this team.  He has hustled everyday and stayed to talk about all of it after every game.  He talked in 2006 when he was one of the young guys, still finding his way through the league.  He talked in 2007, 2008, and 2009 as well, when he had to grow up quickly or else.  David Wright has been through manager explosions and front office overhauls.  He got to the postseason when he was 23 yet he hasn't been back.  He has had to fight for every bit of success since then, and it hasn't been much.

Sure, David Wright hasn't been the leader of a dynasty.  But he has been the leader on a team that only knows him as the leader.  This team would be lost without him.  Ike Davis isn't ready to take over this team.  The Mets don't have enough faith in Daniel Murphy to leave it to him.  R.A. Dickey is a good candidate, but if David isn't here then R.A. probably won't be either.

David Wright really is the only option.

The Mets have to re-sign David Wright.  They have to re-sign him this winter.  I don't want to see him play through his option and reach free agency or get anywhere close to reaching free agency.  This is the man that literally broke his back for the team.  He barely missed a series when he broke a finger.  He was ready to break a rib for the team before Terry Collins had to step in.  Give Mr. Wright a blank check and let him fill it in.  I cannot begin to fathom what else he would have to do to deserve it.

Let's Go Mets!

Disney Words

Everybody has problems. Everybody has bad times. Do we sacrifice all the good times because of them? –Phoebe (Enchanted)
— Disneywords (@disneywords) August 23, 2012

It's hard to believe words said in a Disney movie from 2007 can be relevant to the Mets season, or any sports season, but these are so true.

One of the questions that keeps getting asked is whether or not you would trade the no-hitter for a healthy, effective season from Johan Santana.  It is really one of the most ridiculous questions in existence.  On June 1, 2012, Johan Santana made history for the New York Mets.  After 50 years and 8020 games the Mets finally had a no-hitter.  Does nobody remember what it felt like to watch?  What it was like to stay in the same position for hours because if you moved it would somehow change the outcome of the game?  Is the exuberance of the moments after the final pitch gone and forgotten?  Howie Rose called it a "surreal feeling" and he could not have been more right.  That feeling was unbelievable yet people are willing to sacrifice it for a handful of average games and a few more wins.

But that game isn't the only positive forgotten because of the second half free fall.  There are all the walk-offs and come-from-behind wins.  The R.A. Dickey one-hitters.  The promise of Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Ruben Tejada.  The losses do not take away the wins.  They do take away from the wins either.  I would not for a second wish the Mets had a few more wins but never had a reason to call up Nieuwenhuis or Matt Harvey.  The Mets have a bright future, perhaps in part because of the bad times.

I know it's hard to enjoy the current play of the Mets.  I also know the first half of this season was awesome.  Instead of defining the season by the downfalls, let's remember the history and magic that also surrounded this team.  Everybody loses ugly games every season.  It is not everyday that history is made.

Let's Go Mets!

At Least It's An Answer

Wally Backman was finally asked about Mike Nickeas after tonight's game.  He injured a finger on his left hand but the Bisons are not expecting to need to make a roster move or put him on the Disabled List.  For now Mike is day-to-day and while he could play if needed, Matt Tuiasosopo is the emergency catcher for the team.

I'm happy it's not more serious.  Mike has dealt with so many injuries throughout his career I'm glad this one isn't expected to keep him out for long.  I'm also just relieved now that I know what the injury is.

Feel better, Mike!  Hopefully you'll be back before the weekend.

Um . . .

Nobody asked Wally Backman about Mike Nickeas after the game.  So I don't really know what to do now.

Um . . . I'm surprisingly not panicky.  Well, at least not right now.

Um . . . Now I am.

I guess that's all for now.

Ugh

Now it's the bottom of the sixth inning and Mike Nickeas is out of the game.

Somebody hold me while I cry.

It's Worrying Me

During his at-bat in the fifth inning tonight Mike Nickeas swung awkwardly and let go of the bat with his left hand. He took a long time to get back in the box and ultimately popped out in the at-bat. In the bottom of the inning he took of his mitt multiple times to flex his hand.

I obviously don't know what exactly is wrong or I wouldn't be wondering about it here. Whatever it is I hope it isn't too bad. If Mike is injured I'm going to cry.

The View From Fenway

My pictures from yesterday are posted!

Go Bisons Go!

Some Other Thoughts From The Game

When the players came into the dugout they didn't all have their jerseys on and some didn't have their belts on. I guess that's what happens when you don't have your own locker room before a game.

Josh Satin was one of the last players to put his jersey on. It's not a bad thing. It just contributes to The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Josh Satin. You go Josh!

During the first game I could tell which leg the on-deck batter would slide on due to the fraying in the pants. Yes, I was that close. No, I was not looking at that during the second game.

And finally, despite the fact that I have spoken to Mike Nickeas numerous times and he has hugged me multiple times, I still felt completely overwhelmed when he was on deck and standing right in front of me.

It really was a beyond awesome day!