Daily Archives: February 26, 2008
Willie Randolph talked to reporters after yesterday’s intrasquad game, and had the following to say regarding…
…Duaner Sanchez, who threw 26 pitches during the game…
“It was good to see Sanchez let it loose a little bit. I thought he ran out of gas a bit, since it was his first time on the mound in a while. So, his legs got a little heavy. But, it was very encouraging to see him out there moving around…He threw back-to-back change ups at times, and he looks like he’s on the way back…It’s just very positive to see him go out there and get his work in…It’s not easy facing hitters for the first time in a year and a half. It’s a different feel…He is in better shape (than before the taxi cab accident), but he still needs to get that real good feel back. I’m sure he’s optimistic, and he should be, he’s worked real hard, and if all of this stays together and translates into him feeling good about himself, and if physically he feels better, than that could make him a better guy. I hope that’s the case, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
…Jon Niese, a left-handed prospect who threw a shaky inning…
Tagged Willie Randolph |“He’s a cool customer from what I’ve seen, and I think he was a little bit nervous before he started. We were getting ready to start the game, and he was sitting in the dugout, I’m looking at him like, ‘Hey, let’s go, are you gonna go out there and pitch.’ (Laughing). It was like he didn’t know the game was gonna start. So, it was probably just a little bit if jitters…But, yeah, he’s impressed me all spring with the way he’s used all of his pitches, especially his curve ball. You don’t see a lot of curve balls from lefties, and it had a nice little break to it.”
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, free-agent Mike Piazza may retire if he doesn’t sign with a team before the end of spring training.
Piazza, who missed half of last season with a shoulder injury, hit .275 with eight HR and 44 RBI.
…this is very sad for me to see piazza retire even though i knew this day was coming…he was my favorite player even before he turned around the Mets…i can’t wait for the day to see his No. 31 retired in Citi Field…
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…i still have doubts that piazza’s number will actually ever be retired…i’d do it, but i have doubts the Mets will…
Tagged Mike Piazza |The Mets will play the University of Michigan - Fred Wilpon’s alma mater - today at 12 pm at Tradition Field.
To listen live to today’s game, go here or here.
…thanks to Jeremy K for the links…
…like yesterday, Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Jose Valentin, Damion Easley and Ben Johnson will not play as they continue to nurse their way back from injuries…
The Mets will attempt to pitch Jason Vargas, Eddie Kunz, Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Ricardo Rincon, Carlos Muniz, Nelson Figueroa, Nate Field and Ryan Cullen during the game.
Tagged MetsBlog |
In a report for the Star-Ledger, Jeremy Cothran spends time with Brian Schneider, who is establishing a rapport with the Mets pitching staff.
At his blog for Newsday, David Lennon writes that ‘The Bank,’ so far, leads a quick unofficial tally of nicknames for Citi Field.
Meanwhile, in a post to Amazin Avenue, Eric Simon takes a look at what to expect from Carlos Delgado in 2008.
At Mets Today, Joe wonders if Wally Backman could, or should, ever be considered a replacement for Willie Randolph.
Loge 13 continues its look at the final days of Shea, while Russlan Abouhassan at Mets Geek continues his look at the team’s current 40–man roster.
NYFS has posted some great notes, video and images from yesterday’s intrasquad game.
Lastly, Tom S sent in a photo gallery from yesterday’s game, as well, which you can check out by clicking here.
The Mets played an intrasquad game yesterday in Port St. Lucie, during which Duaner Sanchez threw 26 pitches - with a few reaching as high as 90 mph, according to Rick Peterson.
In the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano takes a closer look at just how important Sanchez will be to this team’s bullpen, while talking to David 
Wright and others.
Sanchez, on the performance, while talking to reporters after his outing:
“This is a relief. It’s been so long I don’t even know how to step on the freakin’ mound. I didn’t know what to expect. It’s a big relief. It’s great…I wasn’t nervous. There was a lot of adrenaline, but I wasn’t nervous at all. I wanted to step in there and see how it was going to be. It’s a long year and a half, or something like that, just to be able to go out there and pitch again feels great…I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself. It was the first time that I pitched, but that’s how I am. If I miss a pitch I don’t want to miss, then yeah, you’re going to see me yell.”
…from what i can gather, when he’d miss a pitch or throw a ball, sanchez was moaning and groaning a lot on the mound…not from pain, but from frustration, which is understandable seeing as it’s the first time he has pitched in a game in nearly 18 months…
Brian Schneider, on Sanchez:
“He looked really good. He looked like he was free and his changeup was good - and like I said, great sinker.”
For more on Sanchez, as well as Juan Padilla, and the game in general, read the Journal News, the Bergen Record, the Star-Ledger, Newsday, the Daily News.
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