Comments on: Note: Clark knows he was Wrong

By: Hit The Weights Zeile

Hit The Weights Zeile — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:06:55 +0000

i definitely agree i saw a couple of get me over pitches yesterday just being passed on and my jaw was dropping. To me this is an issue with some guys just thinking too much up there.

By: jamie

jamie — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:58:01 +0000

particularly when you’re the 25th man trying to keep a place on the team

By: PhillyMet

PhillyMet — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:42:12 +0000

I would agree…I think it’s a trend with Beltran in taking too many pitches in the latter part of games, hence, he gets caught gazing at called 3rd strikes and not swinging earlier in the count. Bobby Abreu (while with Phils) would get ripped by the fans for doing this repeatedly. Finished year with great stats, but at end of games, he took way too many pitches.

Would like to see some late-inning stats on our guys.

By: dykstraw

dykstraw — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:28:54 +0000

i really think clark’s trip around the bases summed up everything i think is wrong with this team. he was overaggressive in stealing 2nd, and after he was (correctly i think) held up on pagan’s single, he was overaggressive AGAIN going home.

but my main problem is: if i’m 25th man brady clark, and i literally spend 95% of game time sitting on the same bench with willie randolph, and halfway home i realize that i screwed up and i’m dead to rights at the plate, i need to be saying to myself “i better make jason kendall pay for my mistake or i can’t go to the bench and look my manager in the face.” i don’t think anyone on this team has that kind of attitude, if the guy who barely has a job her doesn’t. and it strikes me as silly to blame that on 25 guys instead of 1 guy.

By: AzMetsFan

AzMetsFan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:20:41 +0000

I agree 100%. Especially as a bench player. Make a name for yourself and get some respect. I think even Santana slid into home the other day much harder.

By: AzMetsFan

AzMetsFan — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:17:05 +0000

I actually liked that play, mainly because the previous 4 lead off walks/hits had been erased by double plays. It seemed inevitable that he would be out, so why not give it a shot in stealing against a week arm catcher and Mota who likes to forget about the runners.

By: Another Matt

Another Matt — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:06:02 +0000

I agree the problem is not that they’re not trying, it’s that they’re trying too hard.

I guess “The Collapse” is having an effect, and not necessarily a good one.

Clark highlighted a general problem in modern baseball. In that situation, you just have to flatten the catcher. That was my first reaction on that play, even before realizing he shouldn’t have been running anyway. But noone seems to think of running over the catcher any more.

By: signupcall

signupcall — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:34:28 +0000

Say what you will about that play and about Clark’s place on the team, I’m personally more or less indifferent toward the 25th man since it really doesn’t matter, Gotay or not. On Pagan’s ball a batter before Castillo, Clark probably should have been able to get a better read that it was going through, but I can understand the conservative play – there is a decent chance he would have been held up at 3rd anyway. But I actually think Clark breaking on contact on Castillo’s ball, while the wrong play, was not harmful at all. The ball was hit hard enough right at Fielder that he would have been able to make a play on Pagan at 2nd after checking Clark, but Brady just made the play easier. Of course, if the si tuation was totally reversed (them down 6-4, same scenario, Delgaydo playing 1B) then it would have been a great move to have the runner on 3rd go because the throw would have probably been so far off target that Pagan could have gotten all the way to 3rd himself. Or, in the rare case that Carlos’ throw was relatively close to Schneider, but not perfect (an impossibility anyway), Scheider probably would have missed it because “you expect Major League [1B] to be able to make that throw.” MrDarling has had to utter that phrase way too often already, even if it’s mostly been Sosa’s fault.

By: cnome04

cnome04 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:34:16 +0000

Everyone needs to relax. Although I agree that Willie Randolph is a terrible a manager and somewhat worthless i dont think a manager makes all that much of a difference in baseball. if the players hit and pitch like they are supposed to this team will be fine. Baseball can not be microanalyzed the season is too long to live and die with each each game. The mets have the talent to win and over the long season strong pitching and defense will translate into wins. Look at the Phillies or Yankees last year both teams started poorly and made the playoffs while the mets started hot and missed the playoffs. The team is fine, relax and stop overreacting.

By: Hit The Weights Zeile

Hit The Weights Zeile — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:12:27 +0000

the swipe slide has become “in” just like throwing at hitters has become taboo. the game on a whole is simply alot softer. why? im not sure im not there in the dugout/clubhouse, but its definitely alot softer.