Daily Archives: March 30, 2008
Willie Randolph, talking to reporters today in Miami, speaking about his team’s attitude going from spring 
training to the regular season, while starts tomorrow:
“I feel real good about it. Everybody got their work in, we got a lot of fundamentals done, after starting out a little beat up every one seems to be coming in to shape, so, yeah, we’re ready to rock and roll.”
Randolph told reporters he does not feel any additional pressure because of the way things ended last season. In fact, he says welcomes the increased expectations, adding:
“We expect to win, too. I don’t mind people expecting us to win, that’s the way it should be…I wanna win, we all wanna win…That’s why we’re here: to win a championship. That’s where my focus is.”
…hot damn, i am excited…i really am…i can’t wait for this season to get started…it’s been a particularly long off-season, considering the painful and abrupt ending to last year…tomorrow is the first step on the road to redemption, and i can’t wait for it to begin…
Tagged Willie Randolph |
The Mets will use the following starting lineup for tomorrow’s game against the Marlins, who will have the left-handed Mark Hendrickson on the mound:
SS Jose Reyes will bat leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, LF Angel Pagan, RF Ryan Church, C Brian Schneider and LHP Johan Santana.
…so pagan, who’ll likely bat righty, will hit between delgado and church, who will bat from the left side…fair enough…it’s the lineup i hope to see all season long, with Moises Alou eventually replacing pagan in the same spot in the order…
According to the team, Orlando Hernandez, Duaner Sanchez and Ramon Castro will begin the season on the 15–day disabled list.
As such, Raul Casanova, Mike Pelfrey, Joe Smith and Brady Clark have been added to the team’s 25-man roster.
Clark will wear No. 44, i.e., R.I.P. Lastings Milledge.
Therefore, the following will be the 2008 New York Mets:
Starting Pitchers: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez and Pelfrey
Relief Pitchers: Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoenweiss, Jorge Sosa, Matt Wise and Smith
Starting Lineup: Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church, Angel Pagan and Brian Schneider.
Bench Players: Brady Clark, Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley and Casanova.
For what it’s worth, Brian Stokes was designated for assignment while Fernando Tatis, Ricardo Rincon and Nelson Figueroa were sent to minor league camp for reassignment.
The Mets have told Mike Pelfrey he will be the team’s fifth starter, making his first appearance against the Braves in Atlanta on April 5.
…fair enough…like most of us had been saying, the job should have gone to el duque if he is healthy…if he is not, then go to the disabled list and give pelfrey another chance - his third in 12 months - to take hold of a spot in the starting rotation…
…good luck, mike…be aggressive…b…e…aggressive…
…Update…12:29 pm…
To hear from Pelfrey, check out the Journal News.
Joe Smith has beaten out Brian Stokes, Nelson Figueroa and Ricardo Rincon for the final spot in the team’s bullpen, according to the Journal News and Newsday, both of which also provide quotes from Smith.
…excellent…welcome back, smith, who has been fairly consistent of late, which is exactly what the team wanted to see from him…
Also, Brady Clark beat out Fernando Tatis - and Ruben Gotay - for the team’s final bench spot.
Following last night’s win over the White Sox in Memphis, the Mets flew to Miami, where they’ll face the Marlins tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm in the season opener.
The Mets will work out in Miami today, after which the team is expected to announce their final, opening-day, 25–man roster.
…it appears that the decisions are are as follows: either put Orlando Hernandez on the disabled list and give Mike Pelfrey the first few starts in April, or demote pelfrey and start hernandez; choose between Brian Stokes, Nelson Figueroa or the young Joe Smith for the last spot in the bullpen; and, lastly, pick either Brady Clark or Fernandez Tatis for the final roster spot, and then regret your decision in a few months when Ruben Gotay is doing well for the Braves…
In his weekly piece on baseball history for The Hardball Times, Richard Barbieri gives a brief rundown of the history of Shea Stadium, which will inevitably be overshadowed by Yankee Stadium as both venues complete their service runs in 2008.
Meanwhile, the top baseball story at ESPN.com this morning links to a special section entitled “Remembering the House that Ruth Built.”
…the universal fanfare won’t be there when shea’s demolished…in fact, i wouldn’t be surprised if half the fans are happy to see it go…but as barbieri—a yankees fan, no less—reminds us, shea had some notable moments…
…i think—i hope—that mets fans are trying not to lose sight of shea’s historical value, despite the circus surrounding yankee stadium this year…
Tagged Shea Stadium |
