Daily Archives: April 7, 2008
So, FARK and DIGG rallied their troops, and got 5 million people to vote for Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up in the team’s eighth-inning sing-a-long contest.
Instead of declaring Astley the winner, the team will hold a live, run-off vote.
Tomorrow, during the eighth inning, they’ll play Never Gonna Give You Up, followed by Living on a Prayer on Wednesday, I’m a Believer on Thursday, Movin’ Out on Friday, Sweet Caroline on Saturday and Build Me Up Buttercup on Sunday.
…i actually like this solution…instead of just ignoring the FARK.com results, which are very real, Rick Astley and their efforts are recognized…however, as it was explained to me by the team, knowing full well that only a small, small percentage of those 5 million votes came from actual Mets fans, by playing the top six songs at Shea, the team can now gauge how their own, real fan base takes to each tune based on audience participation, which will ultimately determine the stadium’s new sing-a-long song…
…the funniest part about this entire thing is that, i never, in a million years, thought i would dedicate this much time and space to Rick Astley on MetsBlog.com…and i laugh every time i write his name…well played, FARK…well played, indeed…this may be one of the biggest Rickrolls ever…
In a recent chat for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark was asked if the Mets are in trouble, to which he responded:
“The Mets aren’t necessarily ‘in trouble.’…Their lack of starting-pitching depth is a major worry. I think Maine will take a big step forward this year, and I bet Oliver Perez is just fine (by No. 3 starter standards, anyway) in his walk year. But they’re really scrambling beyond those two and Santana, and I expect they’ll have to keep scrambling all year. I’m not certain Pedro and El Duque will make 35 starts combined.”
…man, if the Mets are in trouble, what are they saying in Detroit, where Tigers were expected to be the best team in baseball, yet are winless…
…by the way, thanks to Peter Wade for the excerpt…
During his second rehab appearance for Single-A St. Lucie, Duaner 
Sanchez threw a scoreless inning last night, allowing a double and striking out two.
…i assume the goal is still back-to-back days for duaner, which he is still yet to do…he did, however, pitch on Friday then Sunday…so, we’re getting there…
Speaking of St. Lucie, Pedro Martinez will re-arrive in camp on Monday to begin rehabbing his strained left hamstring.
…i understand duaner and pedro will be running for mayor and town clerk in st. lucie this year…i kid, i kid…
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
On Wednesday, I talked with Fernando Martinez while in Binghamton for the team’s open workouts.
To watch the full three-minute interview, complete with clips of Martinez taking batting practice, click here: 
Jordan Zakarin: So you’re now fully healthy; are you excited for this season?
Fernando Martinez: Yeah, you know, I feel very, very, very good, because, really, I want to be healthy, I want to work right here, maybe work for the next level.
Jordan Zakarin: What was it like being in Major League spring training, meeting the guys; what did you learn?
Fernando Martinez: Wow, I learned everything. You know, I see everyday, the guys – Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana -everybody talked to me, you know, about how it’s different there and staying in the minor leagues. I was very happy for that.
Jordan Zakarin: Did seeing guys like Jose Reyes, David Wright, young guys, does that make you excited that you can have a chance to be on the Mets too?
Fernando Martinez: I don’t know, man, [laughing], I don’t know. Like I told you, I’m gonna try to make it to the next level – but you never know.
Jordan Zakarin: What are you working on, over the winter and now, to get better?
Fernando Martinez: In the off-season, I worked on everything. I worked on the outfield, baserunning, hitting. You know, because, that’s my game. If I don’t play baseball, you know, this is the only thing I know: playing baseball.
Jordan Zakarin: What would you say the things you’re best at, your strengths, and what things do you need to get better at?
Fernando Martinez: To be better, I need to work on everything. I work on hitting in the cage, on the field, I work in the outfield, the baserunning. I work on everything.
Jordan Zakarin: In New York, you have a lot of fans already. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but they call you the Teenage Hitting Machine. Do you have anything to say about that?
Fernando Martinez: I don’t know, man, [laughing]. I try, you know, I try.
…fernando is obviously the star in binghamton… during the open workouts, all the media were requesting to talk to him much more than anyone else, and he handled it very well, getting his hitting and fielding in, and then gracefully giving time to whomever needed it… he’s already a seasoned pro in this regard… photographers were asking him to pose for pictures in pseudo mid-swing, and he knew exactly what to do…
…he’s a very, very impressive kid, whose english is incredible for someone who has only spent a handful of years here in the summer concentrating on baseball…he took classes at SUNY Binghamton, which is really impressive…
…for age 19, he is huge, with a strong handshake and body you know is meant to punish baseballs, which is exactly what he did throughout the batting practice sessions…i really look forward to seeing him more in binghamton, but more importantly, in new york as soon as he’s ready…
Again, to watch the full three-minute interview, complete with clips of Martinez taking batting practice, click here:
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…nice work, jordan…i look forward to more and more of these interviews throughout the year…
Tagged Minors |
…as a mets fan, never before have i felt that every game matters as much as it does this season…i have typically been of the mindset that it is a long season, and every team goes through its ups and downs at unpredictable times…i still feel this way, but for the first time the sense of urgency created by last year’s finish has me exaggerating the importance of every loss…i’m definitely not naive enough to say that the mets are in one of those funks right now, only that the seeds of doubt have creeped into my psyche, and the confidence i once felt in the overall result of 162 games has been slightly lessened…
…it’s very early in the season, and i thought that i had put last year behind me, but apparently i have been conditioned to feel the way i do about this year’s losses…this is odd to me because for the majority of my time as a mets fan i did not fully expect the team to succeed, but things have changed…obviously the team can’t win every game that Johan Santana starts, but i unrealistically feel like they should…i know these thoughts are mostly baseless and it irks me when people compare seasons to each other, but i can’t deny that the urgency to win has been heightened for this mets fan…
..i don’t like taking every game so seriously, that’s for the players and coaches to do…so for now, i will be mindful of my standard “one game at a time” mantra, and try not to lose sight of the big picture of a long season…it will just be much easier to do so when the mets win…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |Angel Pagan is the first player in 39 years to score and drive in a run during each of his first four games with a new team.
In 22 plate appearances this season, Pagan is batting .313 with six RBI, four walks and two doubles.
…had he not had such a hot spring, i would be reserved in how i judge pagan…but, he had talent years ago, did well with the Cubs, continued to evolve, hit great in the spring, in which he hustled and played hard, and now it continues through the first week of the season…i’m not saying he’s going to be on the All-Star team, but i’m more confidnent in his ability to play every day than i thought i would ever be…
Jose Reyes has reached base just seven times in 24 plate appearances, including just one walk and no stolen bases, while hitting .238.
Meanwhile, Luis Castillo is batting .190 with a .261 OBP.
…if these two do not get on base, the Mets do not score consistently…it’s that sikmple, and we all know it…get it out of your system, boys…
Carlos Beltran is 5 for 7 against lefties, but just 2 for 12 against righties.
Carlos Delgado is batting .350, but with one extra base.
Speaking of Delgado, read the New York Post and Newsday.
In 22 plate appearances, Ryan Church is batting .381, while going 2 for 8 with three RBI against left-handed pitching.
The Daily News gave Carlos Beltran a chance to take back his pre-season Team to Beat statement, to which he said, among other things:
“I just was messing around. But, at the same time, I do believe that as a team we feel we are the team…If we don’t think that way, then what are we here for?”
The report continues on to speak with Beltran, asking about the team’s recent injuries, and whether that makes the Mets less of a team to beat, while also quoting David Wright, who concludes:
“Too many people get caught up in the ‘who says who’s the team to beat.’ I think it’s a little ridiculous. To me, it’s more funny than anything.”
…ridiculous is putting it lightly, david…
…for what it’s worth, the Braves and Marlins are in first place, so, i guess they’re the teams to beat…for today, at least…
To check out video featuring Willie Randolph’s post-game comments, game clips, and, of course, an exclusive Post Game Extra with Ron Darling, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, click here:
Again, Willie Randolph has changed around his rotation again, telling reporters yesterday that Johan Santana will start next Saturday, April 12, at home against the Brewers, instead of Friday as was initially scheduled.
Nelson Figueroa will start Friday’s game.
Therefore, as of today, expect the following rotation through the next week:
Tuesday: Oliver Perez vs. Phillies
Wednesday: Mike Pelfrey vs. Phillies
Thursday: John Maine vs. Phillies
Friday: Nelson Figueroa vs. Brewers
Saturday: Johan Santana vs. Brewers
…when asked why he changed his mind, willie got all defensive and typically coy – adding that there is lots of information that goes on behind the scenes that he has no interest in sharing – so to protect his players…
…frankly, just win the game…the why is less important when you’re winning, willie…
[poll=67]
Tagged Poll, Willie Randolph |
