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Matthew Cerrone

preGame: Mets vs. Red Sox
By Matthew Cerrone - Mar 10, 2008 11:28 am

The Mets will face the Red Sox today in Port St. Lucie at 1 pm.

SS Jose Reyes will hit leadoff, followed in order by OF Brady Clark, 3B David Wright, DH Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, OF Ryan Church, 2B Damion Easley, OF Angel Pagan and C Brian Schneider.

Johan Santana will start for the Mets, followed by Nelson Figueroa and Scott Schoeneweis, among others.

The game will air live on .

251 Responses to “preGame: Mets vs. Red Sox”

  1. BringTheAppleLeaveTheCowBell says:

    Beltran must be 77.6 percent healthy today

  2. ntlrock1 says:

    Even if the Carlos’s don’t hit like their normal selves, it’s a very good sign that they’re back into a game situation and hopefully healthy.

  3. therealsince86 says:

    This team does not look like time to panic now.

  4. vinluvr says:

    What does Angel Pagan have to hit to get out of the bottom 3rd of the order? Over .500??

    • mrose says:

      yea…i’m kinda curious why pagan is so low and brady clark bats 2…

    • therealsince86 says:

      If he makes the team, he will hit 7th or 8th so why not now?

      • Slob says:

        I think Willie expects Castillo to miss some time, and he probably wants to know he can slide one guy in there without worrying. Probably wants to see if Clark can do it on the fly. It pays to find this stuff out now, rather than in July.

    • darkstar73 says:

      does it really matter? one thought about spring training, it has nothing to do with the regular season, relax.

    • zen says:

      it’s spring training. getting started early on the complaining?

    • Nate W. says:

      It probably means he is going to play more of the game than some of the guys batting higher in the order.

      One of the main factors in ST lineups is getting guys who they want to play less innings more AB’s by batting them higher.

      Not to mention, Pagan has been hitting in the top 5 in most games this past week.

  5. jamie says:

    mmm, tasty spring game! should go very well with burger and beer.

  6. Peter says:

    Are there online options? SopCast? MLBAudio?

    • starz31 says:

      Thats what I’m trying to look for. I’m in Boston and they’re not even showing it on NESN because of SNY.

    • theperfectgame says:

      It’s on MLB.tv, but that probably doesn’t help too much…

  7. ibeentired says:

    God damn, you people complaining about spring training batting order are freakin hilarious.

    • therealsince86 says:

      language, come on now.

      • metsftw says:

        kids are going to start cussing in high school (or earlier), regardless of how much you shelter them, so what’s the point?

        • therealsince86 says:

          Never mind. Lets not start this debate. Just follow posting guidelines please.

        • itsmetsforme says:

          Luckily, every spring with the complainers come those devoted to policing what everyone is saying or thinking!

          Welcome back, deputies!

        • gipper913 says:

          Gosh diddly darn…the speech cops are here!

        • theperfectgame says:

          Personally, the only “dirty words” I find offensive are those that are derogatory slang intended to single out and attack specific groups. With the other stuff, I don’t have a problem self-censoring in the interest of the community and in light of the fact that children do read this site. That said, I don’t see why “GD” is any more of a curse than “D”, so I think that the individual who posted it was well within the site’s guidelines, given the consistent (and implicitly allowable) use of “D”. Thing is, if you had just not mentioned anything when the OP used “GD”, it would have been a non-issue instead of the focal point of a thread on which many people have strong opinions and will not be shy to voice them. Sometimes, it serves your interests to let things slide a little.

          Sorry if this came across as preachy. I’m not trying to tell people how to be, just making a few observations.

          And more importantly… Johan’s lookin’ pretty good out there! :-)

  8. ntlrock1 says:

    I don’t think vilvur is complaining. I wouldn’t mind seeing Pagan batting second over Clark. It’s Brady Clark!

    • therealsince86 says:

      We don’t know why. Maybe Fmart is taking Clark’s spot and they want him batting 2nd? Who knows are cares?

    • darkstar73 says:

      the point is this, we’re not trying to win the game…therefore it doesn’t matter where he hits, its about situations, not the game as a whole.

  9. FBones24 says:

    This is somewhat off topic, but am I the only one who finds it hard to believe that it is so difficult to listen or watch your team’s games unless you are (a) at home; or (b) subscribe to some pricey plan over the internet or through your cable provider for EVERY game. I would like to have the option of just subscribing to Mets games through MLB or some other source. I would think a lot of people would subscribe in this manner rather than paying the money for the yearly pass for hundreds of games that will never be watched.

    • itsmetsforme says:

      because that would make too much sense. how could the owners and big cable companies squeeze us for every last cent under your plan? why do you hate america?

      • FBones24 says:

        No, love America. Actually I’m a right wing extremist and proud of it. I wasn’t complaining about the cable companies or MLB. I was suggesting a way for them to make more money and I would be very happy with that. It would not be squeezing me out of anything. I would gladly pay for it and actually want to.

        • m00kie says:

          much of the reason seems to do with protecting a team’s “home territory” .. like, since I live in the south I can’t subscribe to SNY through directTV, because, look! I can see every braves game! blech…

        • itsmetsforme says:

          i think the cable companies used to offer a package where you could pick your region (if you lived outside of it) and but apparently that wasn’t profitable enough for them. The cable/dish lobby is just too powerful. I love baseball, but watching every mets game AND other games is quite a commitment. I’m sure if given the choice, most fans would prefer to pay for their team’s games and not buy every other’s. They got us by the short hairs and they know it.

    • kbh218 says:

      Buy a Slingbox. It only costs about $120 and you can watch your home TV channels from any computer in the world with internet access. It is very easy to install and there are no subscription fees or anything like that after you buy it. And no, I do not work for Slingbox.

      • FBones24 says:

        I forgot all about slingbox. That solves my problem now doesn’t it.

      • Saltzy23 says:

        I just wanna know why I DO pay for MLB.radio and my team is playing the WS Champs with our prized off season pickup on the mound and I cant listen to the game. Preseason or not, why is this game not on radio?

        • Steal Home Jose! says:

          Wow, I guess it is because it is on mlb.tv today? The least they could do is let you listen to the SNY broadcast.

          I thought ALL spring training games were on mlb radio, guess not…

  10. ravi3 says:

    Anyone able to do a play by play today?

    • Nate W. says:

      I’ll chip in… until work calls wondering why I havent gotten anything done today…

  11. lonman1129 says:

    They said on the radio yesterday that Figueroa was starting tomorrow in place of Pedro in Winter Haven v. Red Soxs.

    • Nate W. says:

      nice to know. I find it interesting that starting pitchers can work on three days rest in ST when they arent going 6-7 innings, but once they work up to full arm strength they need more rest. Seems backwards…

  12. bigNJ says:

    who cares who hits 2nd in march?

    come opening day castillo is gonna bat 2nd anyway

    • 86YearToRemember says:

      And that’s exactly why Pagan is batting 7th. Pagan is on pace to bat between Church and Schneider in the opening day lineup.

  13. Nate W. says:

    Sawx lineup

    Jacoby Ellsbury (cf)
    Jed Lowrie (2b)
    Jason Varitek (c)
    Kevin Youkilis (1B)
    Brandon Moss (rf)
    Kevin Cash (dh)
    Alex Cora (ss)
    Keith Ginter (3b)
    Chris Carter (lf)

    Jon Lester (lhp)

  14. Me llamo Pedro says:

    I’d love to see Johan bring his A game today against the Sox. Show everyone what he can do to the defending world champs

    • NoPepperGames says:

      Kinda. Not exactly the championship winning lineup right there.

      • Me llamo Pedro says:

        Yea, i saw that after I posted. oh well, i’d still like to see Johan turn it up a notch, just for one ST game.

  15. Nate W. says:

    Ellsbury singles
    Lowrie stikes out swinging on a cutter down and in.
    Varitek flies one to left that Clark couldnt find in the glare.
    - Ellsbury barely made it safely into second on the force attempt.
    Youkilis up
    - nice block by Schnieder on a 57′ …splitter?
    Youkilis strikes out on a check swing.
    - two on, two out
    Moss pops up to left and Clark manages to handle that one

    no harm, mid 1st

    • m00kie says:

      after watching ollie on friday, it’s nice to see Santana’s poise when the fielders let him down! I think he got a couple breaks on those check swings though.

  16. slangon says:

    i’m stuck tracking the game with the crappy mlb.com live box score. Can anyone tell me why it says theres no ump at third?

  17. m00kie says:

    that looked like an AB from a #2 hitter actually…0-2 hit the ball the other way, nice job

  18. Jova1931 says:

    Breaking News:
    Mets sign IF Bobby Bonilla to play LF.

  19. SheaVendor says:

    That is NOT funny Jova!!

  20. Nate W. says:

    Reyes made an out somehow…
    (Keith was making fun of the truck for putting up the Mets defense graphic when he was supposed to talk about the Red Sox defense)
    Clark singles
    Wright makes an out without advanving the runner. (sorry)
    Beltran batting
    - Clark takes second on a blocked pitch in the dirt.
    Beltran grounds out to 3rd and loped down the line. Dont get to see how he runs just yet…

    0-0 after one

    • Nate W. says:

      thanks guys

      I’m trying to get some work done while the Mets are batting, but its not really working to well…

      • m00kie says:

        lol I”m “trying” to get some work done too ;) that’ll have to wait until the game are back at 7pm I guess!

  21. Nate W. says:

    1-2-3 top of the second

    Kevin Cash flies one deep to Church in right
    Alex Cora hits a one hop comebacker to Santana, handled well and no injuries…
    Keith Ginter strikes out swinging

  22. Jova1931 says:

    Sorry ya, I thought it would be lol.
    A bit off topic, I went to go see Mr. 3000 (baseball movie with Bernie Mac) over at the theatre by Webster Hall, and when I left the theatre guess who’s outside? Bobby Bo. I thought I’d share that because we Met fans love him so much.

  23. metsin080910 says:

    My man Santana is lookin awfully sharp.

  24. mdemaio says:

    You could make a drinking game during Mets broadcasts…a shot every time Gary Cohen leads a comment with “It’s interesting…”

  25. Nate W. says:

    Delgado strikes out on a 3-2 check swing. The pitch was low and away.
    (apparently Delgado played for the Mariners in 2005, gotta love Keith)
    Easley pops to deep SS.
    Church putting up a nice AB against a lefty, looks very comfortable.
    Pop up to first on a pitch that may have hit him in the chest if hadnt hit it. I’d call that hanging in well against a lefty.

  26. MetsRmilife says:

    I like Church’s stroke just seems like he would be more effective if it was a bit shorter.

  27. StrawberryCoke says:

    Can Anybody watching the game give us an update on how Beltran and Delgado looked in their AB?

    • Beltran grounded out…looked as good as you can grounding out… Delgado had the same problems as last year, this time instead of striking out on an inside pitch in the dirt, he struck out on an outside pitch in the dirt

    • MetsRmilife says:

      Beltran was hard to gauge…most significant I would say he is using a smaller bat (length) than last year. Delgado was more or less busted inside which he seemed comfortable with but then lunged for a 3-2 slider low and away.

      • Hit The Weights Zeile says:

        seems like lefty sluggers are always vulnerable to that slider low and away so if he did in fact look comfortable with the stuff inside then id take that as a positive.

  28. StrawberryCoke says:

    Sorry just saw previous post

  29. Nate W. says:

    Chris Carter bloops a single into left center
    Jacoby Ellsbury grounds to Delgado, who throws to second for the lead runner. Another reason we need him at 1B most of the year, a fill in doesnt make that play, or throws it into LF.
    Jed Lowrie makes an out without advancing the runner (help?)
    [ How is Gary bored already? He's been gone for a week...
    Keith: "I hope we arent boring our audience" as Gary was discussing confusing college maskots... ]
    Santana checks Ellsbury at first a couple times
    Varitek strikes out to end the inning.

    Santana looking excellent now after working through the first.

  30. slangon says:

    sorry about all the dumb questions, but does anyone know if they at some point start playing spring training games without the DH?

    i’m really curious to see santana bat.

    • yagottabelieve9 says:

      The home team has the decision i believe, so maybe later on in spring training they will

  31. gipper913 says:

    For those unable to watch:

    Good news:

    Johan looks sharp; businesslike

    Keith and Gary are in rare form and obviously bored with ST already.

    Bad news:

    Delgado still looks utterly befuddled at the dish.

    Church did a good job working the count, but same old result against a LHP – a weak out,

    David continues his slow start…let’s hope he doesn’t repeat last April’s showing.

    • ArmandoReynoso says:

      …as long as he winds up with .325, 30, 100 like he did last year, I could care less if Wright has another slow april.

      • gipper913 says:

        Agreed, I’m as big a Dwright fan as anyone – I just know the kid, in his usual class act . great work ethic way wants to improve on those numbers by not having such a rough start.

  32. MutantGupee says:

    How was Santana’s velocity?

    • gipper913 says:

      topped out at 93 on the SNY gun, and that was “juuust a bit outside”

    • MetsRmilife says:

      He hit 93 once but has lived around 90 or 91 with a change in the low 80s high 70’s. Before Kieth and Gary zoned out they were saying he will gain a few mph before the start of the season

  33. StrawberryCoke says:

    Just wanted some feedback to see if I am by myself on this one? Does anybody else think Johan will throw the first No-No for the Mets?

    • MetsRmilife says:

      Lets not tempt fate

    • Lets go Mets says:

      I’ve thought of that, He certainly has the potential. Even Padro and Maine have a great chance, look what Maine did last year, a one hitter. I’d rather want the mets to loose every spring training game and save the wins for when it counts. Same goes for Wright not hitting, save those home runs for April.

    • gipper913 says:

      No-no? For the Mets? Surely you jest.

    • mackey_sassers_arm says:

      I bet it goes to some flash in the pan bum. I always thought that Trachsel was going to throw one. But he would throw 4 no hit innings and then give up 14 earned runs in the 5th.

      Perhaps Duque can throw one. I think I read somewhere that Johan has never even carried a no-no into the 6th. Can that be right??

      • Lets go Mets says:

        I was at the Stadium when Glavine carried a perfect game into the seventh and a no-hitter into the eighth. Can’t desribe the exitement, the crowd was on electric, every pitch was an applause, it was something you had to be there to believe.

  34. Nate W. says:

    bottom 3rd, Lester still in there

    Pagan leading off batting righty. Strikes out chasing a fastball away.

    Schnieder strikes out swinging at a slider away. Lester has it going on right now, would be a great pitchers duel if it wasnt going to end after 4 innings…

    Reyes batting righty. he fouls of a bunt attempt and gets rewarded with the canned Jose chant…wtf?
    Reyes eventually works a full count walk.

    Clark grounds out to end the inning.

    end of 3rd, no score

  35. Lets go Mets says:

    Any rumors of trades lately?

  36. Nate W. says:

    Santana in his last inning of work.

    Youkilis flies out to semi deep CF.
    Brandon Moss grounds out to Reyes.
    Kevin Cash swings wildly at a changeup, then flies to Church in right with Easley running past him. Church looked fine, but it wasnt really close at all.

    Thats 9 up and 9 down after a semi-shakey first inning.
    Real nice job by Santana, he was using and locating all this pitches the best I oculd tell.

    • m00kie says:

      santana has gotten better with each start and looked great today. Guys were swinging and missing at all three of his pitches and no one really made solid contact when they did hit the ball.

    • ravi3 says:

      Thanks for the Play by Play Nate…your boss would be proud

  37. Jova1931 says:

    Mack Sasser’s Arm = Best Username Ever

    • Saltzy23 says:

      DelCrapo….DelWeakLinko….Karlos……any are acceptable…

      Man, hes gonna cost us 3-5 games with his constant neverending strikeouts…at least he has a good glove…opops…He SSSSSucks……

  38. Nate W. says:

    Wright rips a single to left.
    Beltran GIDP, moving rather slowly again.
    Delgado pitch by pitch
    1- fouls off a fastball in his up and in trouble spot.
    2- flails at a breaking ball down and in, foul ball 0-2
    3- late on a fastball down the middle, foul ball 0-2
    4- takes high fastball, 1-2
    5- takes fastball on the high inside corner, backwards K.

    Lester was as good as Santana today, would have made a real nice regular season matchup. It was a 1-0 dual complete game type of game.

    • MetsRmilife says:

      It was a good fastball to K Delgado but he also bailed pretty hard. I would think the broken hand played a role in that and it will get better/easier to stand in with more at bats

  39. StrawberryCoke says:

    Yeah Sorry For wishful thinking . Meant to Say Perfect Game :)

  40. gipper913 says:

    This lester kid is dealing. Minny would have been happy with him. Thankfully they went another direction! Since it is ST, we can be happy for the kid, coming back from cancer and whatnot.

    Meanwhile, for those expecting a Delgado bounce-back year…….hmmmmm.

  41. StrawberryCoke says:

    Are these Delgado’s first AB’s of the year?

  42. Lets go Mets says:

    Could’ve told you before the game that Delgado was going to strike out every time he’s going to be up. The old fort is gone.

  43. Lets go Mets says:

    He’d be better off batting with a walking cane, with that he might have take a walk.

    • Saltzy23 says:

      Tell him just to turn the bat upside down and use that. Its not like he uses it for anything else….I hate Karlos Delcrapo….

  44. gipper913 says:

    Gov Spitzer implicated in prostitution ring.

    • Well, at least it’s a “high-class” prostitution ring. Nothing’s too good for our boys!

    • Simon L. says:

      You’re a Republican… me too. But it’s the hypocrites who are the problem – on both sides.

      Go Mets (and please avoide he prostitution rings).

      • gipper913 says:

        Damn straight on the hypocracy – spitzer was always very sanctimonious and took a shotgun approach to his investigations and indictments of Wall Street types – some deserving and many whio turned out to be innocent yet had their careers ruined. Spitzer always was too black and white in his approach and too in love with himself….oh, and evidently in love with $5,000 a pop hookers.

  45. Nate W. says:

    Santana threw just 50 pitches in his 4 scoreless innings.

    Wise now pitching. Wise comes right over the top, which is a different look for the Mets pen. Spotting his changeup really well today. He went back to back for strikes after getting to 2-0 on Clark.

    Alex Cora flies to RF
    Keith Ginter lines to RF (Church getting a workout in the field today)
    Chris Carter singles to right-center. Pagan makes a nice play to cut off the ball.
    Ellsbury chops one past Delgado. two on, two out
    Lowrie flies to right.

    mid 4, no score

  46. Lets go Mets says:

    this sounds like the espn play by play update, when you’re reading it from your cellphone.

  47. Jova1931 says:

    Is it me or does Ricky Ledee look like Carlos Beltran’s twin?

  48. Nate W. says:

    Okajimi now pitching for the Sox

    Easley grounds to SS
    Church (are the Mets batting out of order?) taps it off the end of the bat just to the 3B side of the mound, 1-3 groundout. Not a good AB against a tough tough lefty.
    Pagan lofts it to deep SS, side retired in order.

    Burkhardt says Santana was pleased with the agressive pitch calling of Schnieder.

    • Lets go Mets says:

      Shneider has a good reputation of knowing how to handle pitchers. I’m happy we got him. All we need now is Nady and then we’re set.

    • ravi3 says:

      That seems to be Schneiders MO…though if you were callnig Johan Santana, how could you be anything but aggressive?

      Kevin and Keith were making comments the other day of how Pelfrey seemed to buy in teh Schneider’s game calling…hopefully Mike can learn to turst Brian, and his pitches, instead of over-thinking things, and being afraid of contact

  49. mdemaio says:

    Wise looks sharp…smooth, fluid, lots of movement on his pitches, throwing strikes…good to see…

  50. Nate W. says:

    AH at 2B, FM in RF

    Wise in for a second inning of work.

    Varitek batting lefty now, pulls a changeup to Delgado unassisted. 1 out.

    Ralph Kiner referencing the 40’s and 50’s numerous times…

    Youkilis grounds to Reyes, 2 out.

    Someone made the last out somehow.
    Sorry but Kiners babbling is really annoying.

    • Jova1931 says:

      lol@ babbling.

      Nate, you fired yet?

    • Frank Taveras says:

      Sorry but Kiners babbling is really annoying.

      You have to stop talking now.

    • QnsNative718 says:

      Thats what happens when youre 110 years old…

    • m00kie says:

      I grew up on kiner’s babbling..it’s somehow therapeutic for me. Is he as drunk as he sounds?

    • ScottN says:

      Dude, this guy is a link not only to the ’40s and ’50s, but to the Mets entire existence as a franchise. He’s only on a few times a year.

      Have a little respect for a guy who’s given a heck of a lot to this game, and this franchise, and put up with his babbling. Frankly, when I listen to Ralph, even through the tough parts, there is almost always a little gem of baseball past that he puts out there.

      I hope they let Ralph “babble” until he can’t string 3 words together anymore. Any living link to 1962 should be treasured.

      • gipper913 says:

        Actually, today, he at least got Keith and gary talking baseball again after their forays into the derivations of various Collegiate mascots and symbols….Ralph came on and started talking about what a great player and good kid DWright is and how well he played in Sept while team reeked.

      • Santanaman says:

        Well said Scot, I grew up with Kiner, Lindsey Nelson and Bob Murphy….the good old days.

  51. foul bunt strikeout says:

    (Kiner reminiscing about the good ol’ days)

    “mmmyeah see…after each game, dick tracy and I would go about the town lookign for some floozies!”

    JK kiner is the man…babbles but hey he is like 85!

  52. m00kie says:

    I think wise is going to be a key piece for us this year.

  53. Jova1931 says:

    I used to like listening to Ralph when I was growing up watching the games on Channel 9, with that classic home run call (it is going, going…. gone good-bye). He’s a completely different person now.

  54. Nate W. says:

    bottom 6th, no score
    George Kottaras now catching while Okajima stays in to pitch a second inning.

    Schnieder strikes out
    Reyes strikes out fishing at a changeup in the dirt.
    Clark dunks one over the SS, really bad swing bailing out on a down and away pitch.
    Wright works a 3-1 count and drives it to the warning track. Not quite windy enough today…

    through 6, no score

    not even a runner in scoring position in a while.

  55. Don Logan says:

    This criticism of guys like Delgado and their at-bats in their 1st spring training game is assinine. Some of you guys need to learn what spring training’s about and get a life. At least wait until the 1st game of the season to start your impatient remarks.

    • Jova1931 says:

      Wright’s hitting below the Mendoza line. We need to trade him.

    • NYCESQ says:

      I understand where you are coming from. I think people are worried about Delgado since he troubles span back to last season. It would be different if he were 26. But he is older, and it could be a decrease in bat speed and/or hand eye coordination. I hope this is not the case.

      Also, the back to basics approach to his swing is bitter sweet for me. i like his diligence and hard work, but it COULD be a sign of a decline.

      Again, I hope this is not the case. We need him.

    • stickguy says:

      Normally I agree, but I have a bad feeling that with Delgado, it is OK to get an early start.

    • gipper913 says:

      Hey, Don Logan, assinine is claiming to be a Mets fan and asserting this is Delgado’s first ST game. Pay attention much?

      I’m certainly not saying the guy is guaranteed to be done….but he has looked as befuddled at the dish as he did for much of last year. You don’t find that at least a bit troubling? Even the booth was saying hwo he needs to make some adjustmenst very soon as his physical ability to turn on the inside pitches has declined so dramatically

      • Don Logan says:

        Don’t get your panties in a bunch, it’s March 10.

        And please forgive me all of you b/c I didn’t finish my sentence by saying Delgado’s 1st game S/T game in a while.
        Gold jacket, green jacket, who gives a s—-

        • gipper913 says:

          My panties (nearly sheer silk thong with some black lacy accents, actually) are just fine, thanks.

          Seems to me, in this thread, you are the one in this thread with undergarmnt bunching (or staining) issues in your kneejerk defense of Comrade Karlos.

          Everyone’s point is that the guy declined dramatically last year and has yet to show signs of bouncing back – not shocking at his age – and that a continuation of his decline would be a problem for the Mets.

          What, pray tell, is wrong about that?

  56. gipper913 says:

    Spitzer to resign.

    • Jova1931 says:

      Obama for NYS Govenor!

      • gipper913 says:

        LOL…Obama’s looking at a higher office at the moment.

      • Saltzy23 says:

        One of the most amazing stories ever. What is wrong with all these people? All they do is scream from their pulpet about the ills of society, then they are either found trying to S some D in a bathroom, or are part of a prostitution ring….This country is so full of sh*t its our eyes are turning brown….thank God that baseball is so clean and pure….oh, thats right….its full of hypocrites too…sad….

    • ravi3 says:

      Is that official? I haven’t heard much beyond the announcement for his press conference

      • Saltzy23 says:

        From the WashPost…..$5,500/hr?!….MAN, thats some pricey pu$$y…..what did she have 2?

        The Times reported that a person with knowledge of the governor’s role believes the governor is identified as a client in court papers. Four people allegedly connected to a high-end prostitution ring called Emperors Club VIP were arrested last week.

        The Web site of the Emperors Club VIP displays photographs of scantily clad women with their faces hidden, along with hourly rates depending on whether the prostitutes were rated with one diamond, the lowest ranking, or seven diamonds, the highest. The most highly ranked prostitutes cost $5,500 an hour, prosecutors said.

      • gipper913 says:

        No…reports are he is expected to resign…also new word he has been indicted in the Southern District of NY for activities in the District of D.C.

        5 grand a pop for a prostitute? My first question at the press conference: was the quality equal to the cost?

        Sad for his family….but couldn’t happen to a better, more sanctimonious guy.

        • Saltzy23 says:

          Im officially to the point where when any public official is anti-anything I will believe they secretly are doing it. Its like they think that if they can abolish the ill from society their urges will disappear….

          Pathetic. I have so little faith in the govenment in this country its crazy.

        • gipper913 says:

          Well, isn’t the whole point of america to mistrust the government? – hence why the Founders chose a limited government with so many checks and balances…wise men.

        • gipper913 says:

          Appears he’s holding off on any resignation. Smart to wait and see what deal he can get with prosecutors.

  57. Nate W. says:

    Dan Murphy in playing 3B.

    Feliciano butchers whatever 3 hitters were batting for Sox while Wright was interviewed by Burkhardt.

    I think he had a strong inning, but they only showed half the pitches.

  58. Hit The Weights Zeile says:

    ok time for omar to start looking for a 1st baseman. that bounce back year aint looking too likely.

    • Jova1931 says:

      Bobby Bo is still a free agent.

    • stickguy says:

      That Dude that keeps plugging for Morales from the LAA might be on to something.

      I don’t really think a retread for a 1 year back up is going to add much, but if they could score a legit future replacement to share time in 2008 and take over FT in 2009, that would be an amazing score for Omar.

      • Jova1931 says:

        Who is it that you speak of?

        • Nate W. says:

          Someone else brought him up first, but I’ve been on board with the idea of Morales and mentioned his name a few times.

          If they are going to trade something for Nady or Thames, they should go after Morales instead. It will cost more, but well worth it.

        • Jova1931 says:

          They might not have enough to land a young guy like that. Our farm system is pretty depleted after the Santana trade.

        • Another Matt says:

          I think it’s therealsince86’s catch.

          He’s blocked at the Halos, so he might be within reach.

  59. MetsRmilife says:

    Keith talking about almost being arrested this could get good

  60. Agee's Catch says:

    SHould we have a platoon of Pagan Church?

  61. Nate W. says:

    former Met farmhand Javy Lopez in pitching for the Sox

    Beltran flies out
    Valentin now in the game somewhere, flies out
    (the announcers arent helping much with the player substitutions)
    Anderson Hernandez battles and then rips one to LF. (yes, rips. hard to believe I know!)

    FM batting against the sidearm lefty. Takes 5 pitches to a 3-2 count, poor swing K. I dont think he liked the sidearmer at all.

  62. Lets go Mets says:

    Governor Spitzer has officially resigned-yeah!

    • Jova1931 says:

      Are you surprised he resigned? It makes sense….Prostitution, the name SPITZER. Should have seen that one coming.

      • gipper913 says:

        Actually, his statement did not mention resignation at all….if I were him, I’d hold off on that to see what kind of deal he can get with the prosecutors. That may be why he delayed the press conderence so long.

    • bigNJ says:

      where did you hear that?

  63. cousinrk says:

    Who’s are these Carlos guys, Delgado and Beltran? They look familiar but can’t place it

  64. Frank Gaffington says:

    whats the score?

  65. Nate W. says:

    Beltran says that playing in the field is going to take some more time. Cutting, starting and stopping is what gives him pain.

    Argenis Reyes is now playing SS.

    Collazo pitching, its an all lefty day so far…
    Willie gets a couple quick grounders, then Murphy misplays a longhop into an error.
    with Kottares batting, Collazo picks off the runner.

    Collazo with back to back strong outings after that first awful outing.

    • whynot says:

      Thanks for the p-b-p Nate. Great for us outside the SNY area.

      Delgado had a pretty good second half. Injuries are always possible, but given some ST time to work on his new approach, and last year’s solid 2nd half I think he’ll be at least league average productive. A little patience seems warranted. And it sounded like Lester was on today as well.

      Love the Pagan, Church platoon. It’s a shame Angel doesn;t hit as well righty historically. Don’t know his spring splits which are a small sample.

      Glad to see Johan looking so good today. Wise too. He seems to be sewing up his spot nicely.

      Pedro tomorrow sort of. Another day closer.

  66. foul bunt strikeout says:

    wow the tri-state area is 0-2 with Governors…NJ’s Mcgreevy a while ago wuth his scandal (coming out of the closet) and spitzer of NY in a ho ring…whats next, the gov. of connecticut gets caught in bed with a sheep?

    oh…and lets go mets!

  67. m00kie says:

    got a phone call and missed beltran’s interview .. anyone have a summary? Did we get a percentage?

  68. QnsNative718 says:

    76.9%

  69. Jova1931 says:

    How do you guys like this potential trade:
    J. Sosa for W. Betemit?
    He’s not great from the right side, but he’s young and he can play first.

    • Hit The Weights Zeile says:

      he can actually play third too if we needed to give wright a day off.

  70. m00kie says:

    pagan is really trying to play his way onto this team.. I like him personally and think he will be a fine fill-in for Alou’s spot..

  71. m00kie says:

    hey .. that’s the first time I’ve seen my browser block a popup from this page …. popunder_sny.jsp

    uh-oh

  72. Agee's Catch says:

    If the Angels decided to move a 1B, I would bet on Kotchman rather than Morales, who has been slow to develop. Doesn’t have a lot of pop, something you normally want at 1B.

  73. Wright Stuff says:

    A lot of people assume that we can get Teixiera after this season to fill in first base, but I’ve heard that he likes playing in Atlanta . His agent is Scott Boras so he’ll be shopped. Any idea what his price would be and if he is considering a home town discount to stay with Atlanta?

    • MacD81 says:

      I think the Yankees will be looking for 1B help too, so take that into consideration.

      • Wright Stuff says:

        Yeah, I was trying to think of an appropriate price for him. Originally I thought of 5 years $15 mm per year (upgrade over Paul Konerko’s years $12 per year from a few years ago) but with the Yankees and Mets both needing a first basemen, plus the Red Sox could always get in the mix (trade either Youkilis or Lowell). I could see him go for as high as $18 million a year (Andruw Jones type money – but for a less premium defensive position). Could it go higher? More and more I just don’t think we have a great chance of getting him

        • ravi3 says:

          plus the team does have a high payroll, especially if Perez gets inked to a new deal…Yes, there are contracts coming off the books, but two of those big money guys (Perez, Pedro) have a chance of joining the club next year..while Opie will see a significant raise if he stays, I’d imagine Pedro’s decreasing, but not enough to offset Perez. Plus, when you factor in the rising salaries of Wright/Reyes/Beltran/Santana, arbitration for Maine -figure $5mill+, assuming he can perform upto expectations- and the Mets will have a bloated payroll as it is. They don’t want to cross the luxury tax threshold, and therefore I don’t see them as major players for Tex, as much as I’d like to see him here.

    • whynot says:

      No discount, and don’t bother him with it. There was an AJC article early in spring training, probably by Dave O’Brien. While he may stay in ATL eventually (the Braves are raising payroll), he is going to at least test the market. He turned down 8/140 from Texas before the trade. The Yanks will offer him 8/180 or maybe even 200. He’s a stud, but I don’t think we’re willing to pay it. But you never know, we’ve got lots of $$$, and he’s real young.

      The AJC article is probably still up for free.

  74. m00kie says:

    pagan broke for home on contact, groundball to youk, can’t get it out of his glove, and we have a 1-0 game!

  75. Nate W. says:

    Collazo likely balked on the pickoff, but it was allowed.

    its the bottom of the 8th, still no score
    Craig Hansen in to pitch (St. John’s product)

    Pagan batting lefty drives a leadoff double down the LF line. (nice swing and approach there)
    Cancel slaps one to the right side moving Pagan to third.
    Argenis Reyes grounds to first, Youkilis double clutched on the throw home then went after Reyes instead who ran out of the baseline. Mets lead 1-0. bases empty, two out
    Chris Aguila strikes out swinging.

  76. bigNJ says:

    chris aguila who was with fla??

    • Chris Jelic says:

      Yes.

      • bigNJ says:

        where the hell did he come from??

        i dont remember seeing or hearing anything about him until today

        • Chris Jelic says:

          It got about the same press as Nate Field. He was projected to a 4th OF in NO behind Pagan, Clark, Johnson, but may see more time now. Wouldn’t be buying his jersey just yet.

        • Nate W. says:

          The Mets signed Aguila to a minor league contract prior to the 2008 season. He was originally a 3rd round selection of the Florida Marlins in 1997, drafted out of McQueen High School in Reno, Nevada. He played his entire career with the Marlins organization before signing with the Pirates in 2007. Aguila was born in Redwood City, California.

  77. Nate W. says:

    Tradition field record crowd today.

    Jesus Feliciano in CF (so a Jesus and a Pagan in the same OF?)
    Brian Stokes in to pitch the 9th

    leadoff double on a fastball right down the middle.
    Youkilis is up and the crowd is getting into the Sox rally… :-(
    grounder to SS advances the runner to 3rd
    with Moss batting, Stokes almost threw one to the backstop that I think Cancel actually got some air on, and then Cancel saves one in the dirt. Stokes is all over the place.

    Moss fouls off two 3-2 pitches, 11 pitch AB end in sac fly that ties the game.

    Kevin Cash grounds to SS to end the inning

    middle 9th 1-1.

  78. m00kie says:

    1-1 on a sac fly, stokes had moss 0-2 then couldn’t close the deal, worked to a 3-2, nice at-bat..

  79. foul bunt strikeout says:

    At least 1 reyes is getting some RBIs…still early in ST, I know

    5 days till the St Paddy’s day bar crawl!

    • ravi3 says:

      yes! are you doing the 3rd ave pubcrawl that starts at Pourhouse?

      I did it last year, and it was a great time. The morning was expecially nice, after a big snowfall, but the white inevitably turned to yellow….I’m lookin forward to it as well…I’ll be wearing a Curtis Martin jersey, as I don’t own a lot of green…say hello if you see me

  80. CaseStreet says:

    Ragin Pay-gin.

  81. foul bunt strikeout says:

    Yea I will be at that bar crawl…getting there mad early so I can avoid the will call lines (are they bad?)

    Haven’t really drank for 3 weeks so it might be a long day…regardless i am gonna be smashed.

    lets hope it doesn’t rain

    also, they serve green beer at the crawl?

    • ravi3 says:

      some do have green beer, though to be honest, I was reallllly hammered, and don’t remember much (thats what happens when you pregame for a whole day of drinking)…some of the beer may have been green, but not necessarily from food coloring ;)

      make sure you get to pourhouse around 1130-1145ish
      it gets packed quick in there, because for the first hour, its the only participating bar…once other places join in on the fun, places get less crowded as people start to spread out more

  82. Nate W. says:

    I think Craig Breslow is pitching for the Sox. A lefty at least.
    Dusty Brown catching.

    Dan Murphy pops it up foul to the 3B who kicked the catchers mask on his way to catching the ball. Murphy took a big cut.

    Endy Chavez up for the first time. he lofted one just foul that would have been at least a double. Then flies to RF.

    Lee Gronkewitz is warming up for the Sox, but no one is warming up for the Mets. A 10th inning is in question unless Stokes stays in for a second inning.

    Valentin batting righty, Dusty Brown misshandles a foul popup near the on deck circle, and Valentin works a walk on the next pitch.

    AH lines to 3B

    looks like the 10th will be played. And then thats it.

  83. Nate W. says:

    top 10th, 1-1 score

    Stokes is still pitching

    Valentin makes a tag play (maybe) on a bad throw from Argenis Reyes. Then Reyes makes a good throw on the next play.

    nice play at 1B on a rip towards 3-4 gap, 3-1 putoutm inning over

    the Sox were swinging at everything, I guess they dont want to be late for dinner.

  84. m00kie says:

    holy crap nice play by the sox 2bman

    • Nate W. says:

      I think that was Argenis Diaz, SS prospect learning 2B.

      real nice play.

    • Nate W. says:

      actually it was Joe Thurston, moved over from SS during the game.

      sorry for all the lack of names, the SNY crew was really lax on the Mets substitutions today, much less the Sox.

  85. m00kie says:

    tie game, like kissing your sister, and keith always wanted a sister…

    tmi?

  86. Nate W. says:

    Lee Gronkiewicz (think Meintkiewicz) is the last pitcher for the Sox. He’s a righty.

    FM leading off. swings wildly at a high change, and then whifs on a 66 mph curveball. That was not machine like at all…

    Jesus Feliciano (veteran minor leaguer) hits one up the middle and the 2B makes a really nice play. Feliciano beat out the throw but was called out, for everyone’s betterment.

    someone pops up foul to the catcher and… I am done!

    Gary wonders which pitchers get credited with the tie, heh

  87. gipper913 says:

    There’s no tying in baseball!!

  88. kbusch22 says:

    Seeing the way Santana pitched today really makes me wish I could fast forward time 3 weeks.

  89. Necciai27 says:

    Awesome to have a guy whom I know (Steve Dalkowski…the Minor League southpaw who threw 105-110 mph on average) mentioned on the broadcast. Steve is a great guy…he’s still around and lives in CT. Sadly, he drank really heavily after his career was done (and I mean drank to the point where he now has mild dementia and lives in an assisted living facility), but he’s gotten better and has been totally and completely sober for almost a decade.

    Ralph got it right only in the technical sense that Steve made the Majors…he was on the Orioles’ MLB disabled list for a few days in 1963 but never appeared in a game. By the time his violent control problems were finally solved, he was injured on a freak play fielding a bunt in ST. He pitched in 1963, 1964, and 1965 but wasn’t that effective.

    Also, Dalkowski was NOT a relief pitcher as Kiner alluded to. The Orioles used him as a starter in their farm system. The incident he was talking about must have occured when Steve pitched with Kingsport in 1957 (his first year of pro ball) and was used as a swingman.

    I’ve had the privilege of seeing Steve wind up, if not pitch. Imagine a combination of Ted Lilly (upper body), Tim Lincecum (stride, but even longer!), and Pedro Martinez (arm angle) all in one. It sure didn’t hurt his velocity that his arm is basically all sinew and bone. There’s a famous picture of Satchel Paige that has a doctor looking at his arm to see why he threw so hard…think of that picture and you got Steve’s arm.

    But why was he so wild? Think Oliver Perez. Steve has borderline retardation and was basically given too much information to digest. His arm slot “wobbled” a bit at first, though that got ironed out by then-Minor League manager Earl Weaver. But what he could never get right was his release point. He’d release the ball just a tiny bit too early and that resulted in his wildness (and also the myth that Steve was scientific proof of a rising fastball). He wasn;t wild in and out, he was wild UP AND DOWN!

    BTW, Steve was also mentioned by Ernie Harwell (who DID see him pitch) in the 2006 ALCS. Bottom line: Steve’s a great guy, and it was an awesome anecdote!

  90. StrawberryCoke says:

    Jaguar Paw -Sorry for asking such a dumb question about Carlos Delgado’s AB when you could have used that space to ramble some more about child molestor’s. It is kind of hard to keep track with all the in’s and out’s of spring training with all the different players getting a chance to play. But I will say this I would not care if someone asked “Does Johan Santana play for the Mets? ” i would still answer them politely because maybe they don’t sit at their computer all day wishing they had a real girlfriend and getting off trying to be the website manager.

  91. Don Logan says:

    get a life

  92. Don Logan says:

    Any blogger who has nothing better to do than criticize my post about morons such as yourself who are already criticizing Delgado is pathetic. Delgado played for the 1st time in a while today, that’s all I need to know. You know why? Because it’s f’n spring training you fool. And by the way paw – perhaps you need to learn how to spell unintelligent before inaccurately accusing someone else of being just that. And again loser, it’s SPRING TRAINING.