Daily Archives: April 24, 2007
During 74 at-bats in spring training, Shawn Green hit just .222. In 69 at-bats so far this season, Green is 
batting .333.
During 62 at-bats in spring training, Moises Alou hit just .200. In 63 at-bats so far this season, Alou is batting .397.
Meanwhile, Carlos Beltran is hitting .351 with four HR, seven doubles, 19 RBI and 14 runs scored through 18 games.
In the New York Post, George Willis profiles the trio, writing that they’re “flashing leather,” and “flashing lumber.”
…no kidding…i never once doubted alou, who we’ve all been watching play against the Mets for years, and so we knew he would hit…i mean, that’s what he does…he hits…he hits when ahead in the count, behind in the count, he hits curve balls, fastballs, change-ups, with runners on, not on, on third, on deck, whatever…he hits…and he hits hard…it’s a joy to watch him work, actually…
…green has surprised me…i truly believed he would have one step out of the lineup by this point, with Lastings Milledge getting set to leave New Orleans…i have been clearly proved wrong…he’s settled down his swing quite nicely…he’s no longer pull-happy, and appears comfortable with simply being a singles-to-doubles type guy, which is all he needs to be…
…beltran is just beltran…he’s truly is the definition of a five-tool player…
After having hit in 26 straight games, Mets 3B David Wright is hitless in his last 15 at-bats. Yesterday, he was 0-for-3 with a walk and two strike outs. He has struck out nine times in his last five games.
In his last 53 games, dating back to September 1 of last season, including the playoffs, Wright has just 17 extra base hits, including 14 doubles, two triples and one home run.
In the Bergen Record and New York Post, 
Steve Popper and Brian Costello each take a closer look at Wright’s slump, while talking with hitting coach Rick Down.
Wright, as quoted by Popper…
“You’re talking about, what, 17 games? You’re talking about a very small fraction of what’s going to happen during the season. It’s not something I’m panicking about, not something I’m worrying about…I’ve been playing this game since I was five or six years old. No matter what level you’re going to have slumps. I’m going through one of those now. You have to continue to work, continue to fight through it and that’s what I think makes a difference.”
…i know i have written a lot about this, but, honestly, it’s the least of my concerns with this team…i don’t know, maybe i just trust in wright, or maybe i have simply watched enough baseball to know the difference between a slump and poor talent…the kid will be fine…he’s young, and now needs to re-adjust to professional pitchers, who have clearly adjusted to him…as long as the team is winning and scoring runs around him, he has the luxury of being able to swing himself out of this, which he will…like they say, david, ‘swing it’…
During last night’s win over the Rockiess, John Maine allowed just one 
run and seven hits while striking out five, and walking two, through 7.2 innings.
Talking with reporters following the game, Maine had the following to say regarding…
…lasting at least seven innings during three of his four starts this season…
“I think throwing more pitches for strikes, my slider, my change-up, and I’ve been working hard on conditioning, things like that, and it’s paid off.”
…the roaring cheer from Mets fans as he left the game…
“[The ovation] was stronger than I thought. The fans here are great. They see someone out there working hard and I respect that, and I appreciate that too.
“It felt good, it was better than being booed. I feel excited. The fans appreciate it, and just sort of being accepted here in this city means a great deal.”
…the movement on his fastball…
“Yeah, I think I’m hitting my spots a little bit better than last year, as opposed to just trying to throw it and get guys to chase it up. I’ve been doing a better job of throwing in and out.”
Talking with reporters following last night’s win over the Rockies, 
Willie Randolph had the following to say about…
…John Maine, who allowed one run through 7.2 innings, and pitched in to the seventh inning for the third time in four starts this season…
“Well, when he’s efficient, and throwing first strikes and getting ahead of hitters he can do that. He’s a big strong kid, and works hard. Sometimes he gets a lot of first strikes, gets a lot of first pop-ups, you know, because he has that good riding fastball that guys think they can get to and they pop it up. So he has a tendency to go through some quick innings and that’s usually why he goes longer than most quality starts. You know, when he’s in a rhythm, you know he’s chucking the ball up there and guys and trying to get on him quick and you get some quick outs, which is important…I’m real proud of John.”
…Jose Valentin, who bats eighth, with the pitcher behind him, yet is hitting .281 with two HR and 12 RBI…
“Well, I trust Jose in that spot because he’s smart. Obviously, he’s a switch hitter and I like him there because if you don’t watch him he can steal a base. He just does so many things for you, he’s almost like a player coach in a way. He’s just one of those smart players who you trust in that spot, he knows how to play the game, he knows how to react in situations…I feel he’s gonna have another good year for us.”
…leaving in Ambiorix Burgos, who let the bases become loaded in the ninth, following a quick visit to the mound…
“Well, I trust my people all the time. It’s not about being predictable or going with the so-called percentages, or whatever. This is a long season, and I like during the first third of the season to see what I’ve got, see what my guys are made of. I’m always challenging them, not just on the mound, but in the clubhouse, during practice, during games. I’m always conversing with my players and getting a feel for who they are.”
By the way, filling in for David Lennon, at his blog for Newsday, Bob Herzog explains how Randolph may be getting more comfortable talking with reporters.
