Yes, yes, I know...the Phillies are the "reigning champs". Yes, I will use quotation marks around that. You want to know why? Because FUCK the Phillies! C'mon! What did we take the head to head series by last year11-7? Now this year we're already up 3-1. Which their lone win was against a pitcher who obviously didn't belong in the majors at that point. It's tough to not get excited when the boys play like this. Sweeping the Braves and Phillies back to back. What's not to love?
The key is NOT to get blown out 2 out of 3 this weekend by the bottom feeder Pirates. If Niese can step up tonight and give us 5-6 innings of solid 3-4 run ball to keep them in the game, they could have a shot for tonight. This is a must win series to keep the positive vibes flowing.
One thing the last week has taught me is it's all about pitching. If the pitching is there, your team is going to win some ballgames regardless of the heart, passion, grit and on and on. The 86 Mets had 5 lights out guys in the rotation. That's a big part of why they took it all. Not just Mex, Nails and Backmans hard nose play. That's the key, start with pitching, then fill out the rest with talent and some attitude.
Speaking of attitude, I've had about all I can take from Victorino. What a lame play with Reyes. Then on top of that, the fastball to Wright which almost took off his head. Wtf??!! When are the Mets going to fight back?! It is fantastic that they are beating the Phils, but they really should've drilled Utley right in his numbers before the game was up to send a signal that they are not soft. Maybe down the line that will come this season. One can hope. It was nice to see Manuel fire it up. Reminded me to thank the baseball gods again that Willie is no longer amongst us.
David Wright is on his way with the bat, Beltran is hitting like he has never hit in a Mets uniform, I believe it is just a matter of time for my man Reyes, Murphy (future Hall of Famer) will continue to mash, Delgado seems to be hanging in. Things are coming together on offense. Pitching - Johan is quickly catapulting up my list of favorite Mets ever. Which surprises me how fast this has happened. He can take this team to the promised land if they follow. Pelf, Maine coming around. Livan hopefully can keep it up to be avg 5 at least. And then you've got K-Rod...STUD. That kid brings excitement and is starting to really bring this new stadium to life. What a great player to watch.
Finally I leave you (whomever may be reading this if anyone?) with this. I never thought I would say this, but thank you Steve Phillips. Thank you for not bringing in A-fraud when we all wanted him so bad. I couldn't imagine having to watch that guy on my team for another decade. And yes, Omar and Wilpon family, you too...way to hold firm on not biting on the Manny mania. Good call. We were wrong, you were right. I will admit it when I am naive and being an overzealous fan.
GO METS!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Taste of Victory
I never get over the joy of beating the Braves. To sweep in Atlanta and watch them wallow in suckiness is a beautiful thing. Even after the Mets almost gave the game away twice in the end. To watch Bobby Cox, Larry and the gang in frustration as their team gets swept by the hated Mets in Atlanta never disappoints. Even if they have been a bad team going on 4 years now. It doesn't get old.
Thoughts on some players mindsets.
“When you win, you have energy and passion,” David Wright told reporters yesterday. “When things aren’t going so well, it’s easy to pick apart things like that. We’ve got a good team. We’ve got good guys on this team. We’re well-prepared. We’re intense. When you win, that’s a plus - and when you lose, you start looking for reasons why.”
While I like to see David lash out a bit, let's not get carried away. They have won two games against a below average team with two of the lesser pitchers on that team. They still left gobs of men on base and couldn't put away a guy barely getting by who had 80 pitches thru three innings. So let's not act like all of a sudden the team now HAS the edge, grit, or whatever you want to call it that they have been lacking because they had a nice, short series in Atlanta. Just keep winning, grinding and I'd prefer to keep it shut for a while on how your team is intense. How about taking 16 out of 20, then we'll start believing in your intensity.
The reason why it's hard to believe what David says about his team:
“I think we made a really good move,” Perez told reporters before yesterday’s game. “I wasn’t doing my job as a starting pitcher.
Fantastic...glad to see Ollie thinks "we" made a really good move by moving him into a position of ZERO consequence while he earns 12 MILLION DOLLARS this year. Did he really have a say in this decision? This attitude blows. How about going off on the whole situation and stating that it's a disaster and you are disgusted with yourself and the whole scenario. That the bullpen is the last place that you belong and that you know you are a front of the line starter???? Nope. Ollie thinks it's a good move.
This is part of the culture of this team that makes it very hard to root for them. Delgado's gaff last night...wow. Again, just another part of this team not finishing things off. All that drop showed was a lack of intensity until the final out. Wake up Delgado! That being said, it was great to see Frankie stay focused and close the game out against the Braves best hitter and Mets killer Chipper Jones. What I like about K-Rod is that while he is a showboat and emotional, he seems to know how to keep it in control and feed off of his adrenaline. That's a great thing. The bullpen looks solid outside of Feliciano and Green. A+ to Parnell.
Phillies tonight. Johan > Park...you've got to like our chances. I'm going to the ballpark to watch Santana lay it out. Can't wait. Been sick for last few days and just feeling better today. I expect a full relapse after boozing it up celebrating an ass kicking of the Phils. I like tomorrow with Pelf getting on roll against Moyer as well. This is where the Mets can really make a move. Pull off these two and take 5 out of 6 from our division. Win baby...just win.
Thoughts on some players mindsets.
“When you win, you have energy and passion,” David Wright told reporters yesterday. “When things aren’t going so well, it’s easy to pick apart things like that. We’ve got a good team. We’ve got good guys on this team. We’re well-prepared. We’re intense. When you win, that’s a plus - and when you lose, you start looking for reasons why.”
While I like to see David lash out a bit, let's not get carried away. They have won two games against a below average team with two of the lesser pitchers on that team. They still left gobs of men on base and couldn't put away a guy barely getting by who had 80 pitches thru three innings. So let's not act like all of a sudden the team now HAS the edge, grit, or whatever you want to call it that they have been lacking because they had a nice, short series in Atlanta. Just keep winning, grinding and I'd prefer to keep it shut for a while on how your team is intense. How about taking 16 out of 20, then we'll start believing in your intensity.
The reason why it's hard to believe what David says about his team:
“I think we made a really good move,” Perez told reporters before yesterday’s game. “I wasn’t doing my job as a starting pitcher.
Fantastic...glad to see Ollie thinks "we" made a really good move by moving him into a position of ZERO consequence while he earns 12 MILLION DOLLARS this year. Did he really have a say in this decision? This attitude blows. How about going off on the whole situation and stating that it's a disaster and you are disgusted with yourself and the whole scenario. That the bullpen is the last place that you belong and that you know you are a front of the line starter???? Nope. Ollie thinks it's a good move.
This is part of the culture of this team that makes it very hard to root for them. Delgado's gaff last night...wow. Again, just another part of this team not finishing things off. All that drop showed was a lack of intensity until the final out. Wake up Delgado! That being said, it was great to see Frankie stay focused and close the game out against the Braves best hitter and Mets killer Chipper Jones. What I like about K-Rod is that while he is a showboat and emotional, he seems to know how to keep it in control and feed off of his adrenaline. That's a great thing. The bullpen looks solid outside of Feliciano and Green. A+ to Parnell.
Phillies tonight. Johan > Park...you've got to like our chances. I'm going to the ballpark to watch Santana lay it out. Can't wait. Been sick for last few days and just feeling better today. I expect a full relapse after boozing it up celebrating an ass kicking of the Phils. I like tomorrow with Pelf getting on roll against Moyer as well. This is where the Mets can really make a move. Pull off these two and take 5 out of 6 from our division. Win baby...just win.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Do the Mets have heart?
As written in a number of articles today, this seems to be the topic for the upcoming weekend. Do the Mets have enough heart to be winners of the division (let alone a championship)? Do they care, do they have passion? I think up to this point, it's fair to say they do not. Of course I believe the players care about being competitive and winning. You don't get to this level without having major drive to be the best. But once you get here, there is a distinct difference that separates teams each year. The champions from the underachievers. Hence, the Rays and Red Sox compared to the Yankees last year. The Phillies compared to the Mets. The Twins almost ever year. Playing together for a common goal. Team chemistry matters. When I say team chemistry, I mean attitude. It's obvious this team is in sore need of some. A team doesn't just go on talent alone. They have to be a unit with the same agenda. This team is all over the place right now. They have plenty of talent obviously, but they seem to lack the same goals.
We've went through different managers, different pitching coaches, and we're getting the same results with this unit. They have been a .500 team or a tad over for the better part of two years now. It seems that it's time to accept that this team is what it is. Their bullpen was terrible last year, they fix that (we think) and now their starting pitching is a mess and hitting continues to lack coming through in big situations. It just always seems to be something that keeps this team down.
The time has come where some major changes need to take place. There is a solid core of young talent to build around. Wright, Reyes, Santana, Pelf, K-Rod, Murphy, Beltran are all guys to build around. The team needs to add scrappy, tough players around these guys. They need to add some reliable, proven starting pitching (at least one number 2?). Hopefully Omar gets this and will start working on it to have some things shaken up by the All-Star break.
Unfortunately, sounds like Delgado is headed to the DL which is not the way to get his season started and increase his trade value by the deadline. Hopefully Castillo continues to have a good year, then trade him by the deadline. It's time to deconstruct and start over with the core.
That all being said, let's hope for a tough, fought out series in Philly this weekend. I'm so tired of hearing Philly fans and media yapping it up. Would be fantastic to shut their pie-holes at least for a weekend. Stranger things have happened. This team could wake up and does have the capability to light someone up...even if it is just temporarily. It's been no fun yet this season. Would be nice to get a bit of joy from your team. No?
We've went through different managers, different pitching coaches, and we're getting the same results with this unit. They have been a .500 team or a tad over for the better part of two years now. It seems that it's time to accept that this team is what it is. Their bullpen was terrible last year, they fix that (we think) and now their starting pitching is a mess and hitting continues to lack coming through in big situations. It just always seems to be something that keeps this team down.
The time has come where some major changes need to take place. There is a solid core of young talent to build around. Wright, Reyes, Santana, Pelf, K-Rod, Murphy, Beltran are all guys to build around. The team needs to add scrappy, tough players around these guys. They need to add some reliable, proven starting pitching (at least one number 2?). Hopefully Omar gets this and will start working on it to have some things shaken up by the All-Star break.
Unfortunately, sounds like Delgado is headed to the DL which is not the way to get his season started and increase his trade value by the deadline. Hopefully Castillo continues to have a good year, then trade him by the deadline. It's time to deconstruct and start over with the core.
That all being said, let's hope for a tough, fought out series in Philly this weekend. I'm so tired of hearing Philly fans and media yapping it up. Would be fantastic to shut their pie-holes at least for a weekend. Stranger things have happened. This team could wake up and does have the capability to light someone up...even if it is just temporarily. It's been no fun yet this season. Would be nice to get a bit of joy from your team. No?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Welcome to Makes Mets
Hmmmm...where do I begin with my new Mets blog? I have debated for a while about starting this thing. A hell of a time to start a blog on the Mets, right? Kind of fits my style with this team. I became a fan in my youth during the 70's when they totally sucked and now here I am starting a blog covering them...when they are sucking.
First, let me say, if Mike at the Metropolitans had continued with his blog this would not exist. I'd like to thank Mike for 5 years of great entertainment covering the Mets as well as a providing great laughs along the way. Don't know what happened to you brother. But it would be swellicious if you would drop by here from time to time to put in your thoughts, vent or take over for a while. Would be great to see you discussing some Mets again.
This blog is for all Mets fans that want to join in and have a good time and discuss the Mets. All are welcome. Pontificate, rejoice, rant, bitch, laugh, cry, whatever the hell you feel the team is making you go through, you are welcome to bring it here. That's the reason why I am starting this. To have an outlet with some fellow Mets fans. I am not a super baseball stats geek. Just know what I know and have watched A LOT of baseball in my life. So those of you who are, please bring in your knowledge and join in. All aspects and views are welcome.
Now, my opinion of the current state of this team to get things rolling...
Jerry Manuel - not digging what he's been dishing these days. I was a pretty big fan of him when he took over last year. He seems like a smart man and a good baseball man. But the way he has been acting lately is making me more and more curious of what he's all about. The situation is getting a bit "ticklish" as he likes to say. Pulling Castro for Santos with the bases loaded...huh? Keeping Green to face a left handed hitter when Feliciano is ready to go and that's what he's getting paid to do (GET LEFT HANDED HITTING OUT!) and then the next pitch is a 3 run shot! Bam! Just some weird stuff that I haven't been getting lately coming from my man Jerry. But I do believe that he didn't just "lose it" from last years success that he brought to the team when he took over.
Dan Warthen - I am finding myself thinking that Dan may be suspect as well. I was into his old school ways last year when he took over and how all the younger guys took on to him. But I was always a fan of The Jacket. I believe The Jacket was a great pitching coach. He may have been obnoxious to some of the pitchers but he produced major RESULTS. He got it in Oakland and he got it when he came to the Mets. Maine and Perez were under his control when they blossomed into the pitchers that they became in 07/08. I'm not so sure if Mr. Warthen is blowing these guys out with the "get out there and let it rip" attitude. It's not that easy at this level. I hope Warthen comes through as I do like him. But I question...if he was so good, why was he coaching in New Orleans last year?
The team - Wow...it is hard to argue that this group of players have the grit, heart, chemistry, focus, drive, guts and balls to be a championship club. I like most of the players on the team, but it is clearly obvious at this point that it is not happening with this group constructed as it has been for the last 3 years. There should've been some changes in the off season. I believe in Wright, Reyes, Johan. That's really it. And even Wright is a bit too sugarpants/pussyish for me. It's time for him to grow up. Same thing with Reyes. Grow up gentlemen and get tough. They're great players. But they are soft. They need to get tough. The boys need to look at some film from the Dykstra, Backman, Strawberry, Hernandez years. I hate to say it, but the Phils showed it last year and there's nothing we can do to change it. They had that toughness and proved it. Our team has not. If you notice I left out Beltran. I want him on this team as I think he is the best centerfielder in baseball and a great talent. But man is that guy a pretty boy. Please GOD, SLIDE!! Get dirty! That's the whole thing with these guys, they just need to shake it up. Delgado I don't believe in. Let's trade him while his value is high right now and get some pitching back. Put Murphy (future hall of famer) at 1st base. Get him out of LF asap. Release Castro. He's an asshole. It's obvious his attitude sucks. I saw him on tv the other night score and when he got in the dugout one of the players gave him a congratulatory pat on the helmet, he looked back pissed off and acted like it hurt his head. Fuck that. That's the EXACT shit that is wrong with this team. Get rid of the extra weight bullshit guys that don't care and bring in some who do. Wright cares, Murphy cares, Johan...yes. Reyes is unreal talented but he needs to quit dancing and worrying about his hair style and what gold he's wearing. He has come no where near his potential. Hopefully he figures it out.
Pitching - Johan, fuck yeah. Best pitcher in baseball. Pelf - work in progress. Could be great. Maine, eh...on the fence. Hopefully he turns into decent 3-4. Ollie - pigfuck. Waste of money huge mistake. Livan - won't last long. Hopefully he keeps the 5 spot decent and warm until the next guy comes along.
Bullpen - we'll see. Should be better. But we'll see. Last couple days...not so much.
There you have it folks. My first post. Hopefully some of you find me out there and we can get this thing started. Would be great to see some of the guys from Metropolitans jump over and get this started. Benny Blanco from da Bronx, TC, DG, Ossie, Mookie, Rickey Henderson, Jake from Norfolk, Mike in Spain, Sidd, Mets Fan in Cincy...am a big fan of all your input and it's been a drag not having the daily convo.
Out for now.
First, let me say, if Mike at the Metropolitans had continued with his blog this would not exist. I'd like to thank Mike for 5 years of great entertainment covering the Mets as well as a providing great laughs along the way. Don't know what happened to you brother. But it would be swellicious if you would drop by here from time to time to put in your thoughts, vent or take over for a while. Would be great to see you discussing some Mets again.
This blog is for all Mets fans that want to join in and have a good time and discuss the Mets. All are welcome. Pontificate, rejoice, rant, bitch, laugh, cry, whatever the hell you feel the team is making you go through, you are welcome to bring it here. That's the reason why I am starting this. To have an outlet with some fellow Mets fans. I am not a super baseball stats geek. Just know what I know and have watched A LOT of baseball in my life. So those of you who are, please bring in your knowledge and join in. All aspects and views are welcome.
Now, my opinion of the current state of this team to get things rolling...
Jerry Manuel - not digging what he's been dishing these days. I was a pretty big fan of him when he took over last year. He seems like a smart man and a good baseball man. But the way he has been acting lately is making me more and more curious of what he's all about. The situation is getting a bit "ticklish" as he likes to say. Pulling Castro for Santos with the bases loaded...huh? Keeping Green to face a left handed hitter when Feliciano is ready to go and that's what he's getting paid to do (GET LEFT HANDED HITTING OUT!) and then the next pitch is a 3 run shot! Bam! Just some weird stuff that I haven't been getting lately coming from my man Jerry. But I do believe that he didn't just "lose it" from last years success that he brought to the team when he took over.
Dan Warthen - I am finding myself thinking that Dan may be suspect as well. I was into his old school ways last year when he took over and how all the younger guys took on to him. But I was always a fan of The Jacket. I believe The Jacket was a great pitching coach. He may have been obnoxious to some of the pitchers but he produced major RESULTS. He got it in Oakland and he got it when he came to the Mets. Maine and Perez were under his control when they blossomed into the pitchers that they became in 07/08. I'm not so sure if Mr. Warthen is blowing these guys out with the "get out there and let it rip" attitude. It's not that easy at this level. I hope Warthen comes through as I do like him. But I question...if he was so good, why was he coaching in New Orleans last year?
The team - Wow...it is hard to argue that this group of players have the grit, heart, chemistry, focus, drive, guts and balls to be a championship club. I like most of the players on the team, but it is clearly obvious at this point that it is not happening with this group constructed as it has been for the last 3 years. There should've been some changes in the off season. I believe in Wright, Reyes, Johan. That's really it. And even Wright is a bit too sugarpants/pussyish for me. It's time for him to grow up. Same thing with Reyes. Grow up gentlemen and get tough. They're great players. But they are soft. They need to get tough. The boys need to look at some film from the Dykstra, Backman, Strawberry, Hernandez years. I hate to say it, but the Phils showed it last year and there's nothing we can do to change it. They had that toughness and proved it. Our team has not. If you notice I left out Beltran. I want him on this team as I think he is the best centerfielder in baseball and a great talent. But man is that guy a pretty boy. Please GOD, SLIDE!! Get dirty! That's the whole thing with these guys, they just need to shake it up. Delgado I don't believe in. Let's trade him while his value is high right now and get some pitching back. Put Murphy (future hall of famer) at 1st base. Get him out of LF asap. Release Castro. He's an asshole. It's obvious his attitude sucks. I saw him on tv the other night score and when he got in the dugout one of the players gave him a congratulatory pat on the helmet, he looked back pissed off and acted like it hurt his head. Fuck that. That's the EXACT shit that is wrong with this team. Get rid of the extra weight bullshit guys that don't care and bring in some who do. Wright cares, Murphy cares, Johan...yes. Reyes is unreal talented but he needs to quit dancing and worrying about his hair style and what gold he's wearing. He has come no where near his potential. Hopefully he figures it out.
Pitching - Johan, fuck yeah. Best pitcher in baseball. Pelf - work in progress. Could be great. Maine, eh...on the fence. Hopefully he turns into decent 3-4. Ollie - pigfuck. Waste of money huge mistake. Livan - won't last long. Hopefully he keeps the 5 spot decent and warm until the next guy comes along.
Bullpen - we'll see. Should be better. But we'll see. Last couple days...not so much.
There you have it folks. My first post. Hopefully some of you find me out there and we can get this thing started. Would be great to see some of the guys from Metropolitans jump over and get this started. Benny Blanco from da Bronx, TC, DG, Ossie, Mookie, Rickey Henderson, Jake from Norfolk, Mike in Spain, Sidd, Mets Fan in Cincy...am a big fan of all your input and it's been a drag not having the daily convo.
Out for now.
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