Daily Archives: May 15, 2008
Just moments after his comments to reporters following today’s game, which you can check out here, Billy Wagner talked to ESPN 1050 in his regularly-scheduled, weekly interview.
During Wagner’s discussion with Kay, he had the following to say regarding his earlier comments to reporters…
“Well, I mean, I was not a participant in the game, and the guys that had participated were gone. I mean, we’re all upset, we’re unhappy with things that are going on, and how we’re playing, and I just felt like I hadn’t even played. I had no role in the game. David Wright is always there, and the same guys are always there. But there needs to be other guys that are accountable. It gets a little old when the same people keep getting interviewed even when they don’t participate…If you’re not there to answer the questions, the reporters can write whatever they want to. They can write you stunk, you sucked, whatever. But if you’re there to say, ‘Hey man, I wasn’t very good today. I came up and I had a chance and it didn’t work out.’ Well, you’re accountable. When you’re not there, it gets a little ridiculous…
…Paul Lo Duca’s comments from last year, about certain players avoiding the media, and suggesting that other players speak English too…
“I think it’s just certain guys. I don’t think it’s Latin or white or black. I don’t think it’s a color thing. I think it’s just as a whole. There’s guys that need to stand there and take the bad with the good.”
…whether or not he has talked with Willie Randolph or Omar Minaya about this…
“I think they understand. They know what goes on and I’m sure they’ve talked to everybody. That’s just a situation where I’m sure some of this stuff will be brought up tomorrow and see where we’ll go from there. I’m not saying it’s like earth-shattering. I’m just saying that I’m the closer of the baseball team – I’m not the captain. There’s other guys on this team that need to stand there and answer the questions during the tough times too.”
…he brings up an interesting point, in that by not speaking to reporters, it allows those reporters to frame reality however they see fit…and those stories, like it or not, tend to frame the discourse that goes on in the street, on talk radio and on blogs…and, this would not be such a big deal, but given how frustrated the fans are and how blah the team has been, it would make sense for the players to try and grab the wheel as much as they can…
To listen to Wagner’s entire interview, go to ESPN 1050.
Tonight on Countdown, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann listed the Mets as his Third Best Person of the Day for what he described as, “The best ironic baseball promotion, adding…
“This afternoon, they already lost two runs on base running blunders. Then, in the bottom of the ninth losing 1–0 to Washington, and Carlos Beltran at third base with one out, instead of playing it safe he broke to the plate just as Carlos Delgado lined in to an easy double play to end the game and it was all Beltran’s fault. After the game, the Mets let all senior citizens in attendance come on to the field to walk around the bases – and Beltran came out of the dugout and got doubled off again. Alright, I made that last part up. None of the senior citizens had the kind of trouble on the bases that the Mets runners did.”
…great, they’re being mocked on national television…lovely…
…i took most of today off, and did not 
watch the game…instead, i listened to it on the radio, while running in and out of a few appointments with my wife…
…each time i caught the score, i could just sense the doom and gloom bubbling up around Shea Stadium…
…sure enough, i get back in the car, flip on the radio in time to hear, “1–0 Nationals,” and i could only shake my head…
…seriously, i was speechless…
…i just can’t believe they dropped three of four to the Nationals…i really can’t…i mean, collectively this site’s readership agreed that 5–2 would be an acceptable home stand before playing the Yankees…the Mets went 3–4…against the Reds and Nats…
…to say the pressure is on this weekend, in the Subway Series, which is basically a public relations war for the affection of the New York media, would be an understatement…
…fact is, the Mets have essentially been a .500 team since last summer…and, frankly, i’m getting edgy…and judging by your reaction, management’s reaction and the team’s reaction, i am not alone…
…i’m trying real, real hard to stay positive, which should not be difficult since the team is just inches from first place, but it is…
…if i owned the team, my biggest concern right now would be that fans will begin tuning out because of frustration and a lack of fun…sure, there are plenty of organizations and fan bases who would embrace a .500 team…we, however, as Mets fans, have been led to believe this organization would be better than that…which is not to say they still cannot be…but after last season, when we felt like we were sold a false bill of goods day in and day out last September, it makes it that much harder to stay tuned in today because it feels like the same script is being replayed…
…fortunately, you and i are total die hards, so we’re not really going any place…but, i cannot say the same for other fans…
…i will continue to believe this team can turn it around…however, to do so, some changes may need to occur because .500 is not going to hack it…
Following the Mets 1 to 0 loss to the Nationals today, reporters attempted to interview Billy Wagner, but were unsuccessful.
Wagner, on the offense and pitching, said:
“Hits, we’re not getting consistently. Pitching, today, Pelfrey pitched a fantastic game. We had our chances, we didn’t get that hit. The other day, we’re coming back and we don’t get that hit and we don’t make the pitches. It’s a culmination of
just not getting it done. We’re not earning our money.”
According to eye-witnesses, Wagner directed his final comments in the general direction of Carlos Delgado’s locker, saying:
“Can somebody tell me why the (bleep) the closer being interviewed and I didn’t even play, while they’re over there not getting interviewed? I get it, they’re gone. (Bleeping) shocker.”
To watch a clip of Wagner’s statements, courtesy of SNY, click the play button below:
The Mets (20–19) lost to the Nationals (18–24) by the score of 1 to 0 in Shea Stadium today.
The Nationals took three or four in the series.
For a full recap, check out SNY’s Boxscore.
Binghamton (AA): 5-2 win over New Britain
RHP Sal Aguilar moved to 3-0 with his second win in as many spot starts, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. RHP Eddie Kunz earned his eighth save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth.
OF Fernando Martinez was 1-for-2 with an RBI before hurting his hamstring sliding into second; he described the injury as minor, and should be back soon, though he was held out of the Binghamton lineup for today’s early game. 3B Danny Murphy went 1-for-4 with a walk and his fifth homer of the season. Nick Evans, who got the start at 1B before moving to LF when Martinez went down, was 1-for-4. OF Ambiorix Concepcion finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run.
St. Lucie (A+): 3-2 loss to Vero Beach
RHP Nick Carr got the loss despite making a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in six innings, striking out five.
SS Ruben Tejada was 2-for-3 with his first homer of the season. 1B Lucas Duda went 1-for-4. 2B Luis Rivera finished 2-for-4.
Savannah (A-): 4-2 win over Asheville
Tagged Minors |RHP Elvin Ramirez was terrific fantastic, tossing six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out eight. The 20-year old Dominican improved his ERA to 3.29, with batters hitting just .237 against him.
DH Francisco Pena was 1-for-3 with a run scored, and 1B Jose Jimenez was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. 2B Greg Veloz officially went 0-for-2, though he scratched out two walks.
The Game:
The Mets (20-18) look to split their four-game series versus the Nationals (17-24) today at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Ramon Castro
- LF Marlon Anderson
- P Mike Pelfrey
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-3, 4.86 ERA) starts for the Mets. Pelfrey was the tough luck loser in his last start versus the Reds on May 10, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking one over 6.0 IP. Left-handed batters are hitting .426 against Pelfrey this season. He lasted pitched against the Nationals on April 15, throwing seven shutout innings, earning a victory. He is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five career starts versus the Nationals.
RHP Jason Bergmann (0-1, 11.68 ERA) takes the hill for the Nationals. Bergmann is making his first start since being optioned to Triple-A Columbus on April 12. In his last start on April 9 versus the Marlins, Bergmann allowed seven runs on nine hits while walkinig ne and striking out four over 5.0 IP. he is 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in nine career games, three starts, versus the Mets.
The Notes:
Carlos Beltran is batting .455 with a homerun and 2 RBI in 11 career at-bats versus Bergmann.
David Wright is 9-for-28 (.321) with 2 2B, 1 HR and 6 RBI during his current seven-game hitting streak. He is 1-for-11 lifetime versus Bergmann.
The Nationals are 7-6 in series finales this season.
Austin Kearns is bating .357 (5-for-14) with 1 HR and 4 RBI in his career versus Pelfrey.
How To Catch It:
Today’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
SNY’s broadcast team of Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez will be calling the game live from the Upper Deck.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
Metsblog reader Jeff H., sent in the following statistic regarding the Mets ultimately losing after they had been ahead in a game:
“Right now they are 20-18. Of those 18 losses, 9 came in games where they were winning. Of those 9 losses, Heilman appeared in 6.”
“Had they managed to emerge with wins in roughly half of those 9 come-from-ahead defeats, their record would be around 24-14 or 25-13 and we’d have very little to complain about.”
…with 77% of the season left to play, a five game swing in either direction has a much higher effect on how i view the current state of the team…if this was later in the year, i’m not sure that the difference would be as glaring…however, as i wrote earlier in the season, every game matters, and this is apparent even now…
…the question is, when is it too early to really gauge how effective this team, and more specifically Aaron Heilman, will ultimately be this season…to be fair, the numbers regarding heilman may be a bit misleading since he is said to have appeared in six of the nine losses, and is not necessarily responsible for them…that being said, i feel that there are definite issues that face the team, the biggest of which is inconsistency…although the names change, i feel that in any given loss someone fails to do their job to the best of their ability, and i just wonder when this team will finally, if ever, fire on all cylinders…
Another reader, Dave Constantino, points out that Heilman is historically better in the second half of the season. In his career, Heilman has a 4.79 ERA in the first half of the season, but a 3.45 ERA in the second half.
…so i suppose all is not lost…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Stats |Dustin H. sent in an email asking…
“Could you please explain what DFA means and how it relates to major and minor league assignment and what does it mean to clear and not clear waivers? After reading all of the recent articles on who would be sent back to AAA and the issues with Jorge Sosa and Joe Smith, I am confused. Can you help clear this up for me?”
When a player is designated for assignment, or “DFA” for short, the team has three options, which must take place within 10 days.
The first option is to place the player on waivers. When placed on waivers the player is removed from the 40-man roster with the purpose of outrighting him to a minor league affiliate. However, a player can only be outrighted without his consent one time in his career or the player can withhold consent. Players can also withhold consent if they have five years or more of major league experience. If the player accepts the minor league assignment he must continue to be paid at his agreed upon salary in his contract.
Before being outrighted a player must clear waivers, which typically takes three to five days. If a player is claimed on waivers, he becomes property of that team and the process is complete.
If Nelson Figueroa passes through waivers he is expected to be assigned to Triple-A New Orleans.
In the case of Sosa, he has five years of major league experience, so the Mets must wait to see if he accepts the minor league assignment or is claimed on waivers or they must complete one of the next two options.
The second option is to trade the player. In order for the player to be traded he must clear waivers. If a player has 10 years of major league experience, in which the last five have been with his current team, the player cannot be traded without consent.
The final option is to release the player. If the team releases him, the player must continue to be paid according to the contractual agreement between the team and player. At that time the player becomes a free agent and may sign with any team. However, if the player signs with another team, the team that releases the player still must pay the player a pro-rated amount of the major league minimum.
In the case of Smith, he has what are called “options.” Once a player has been with a major league organization for three years he must be protected on the 40-man roster or placed in the Rule V draft. In the three years that follow assignment to the 40-man roster the team earns options. Which means, the player can be freely moved up and down from the minor league without subjecting the player to waivers.
A player is out of option in the fourth year of being on the 40-man roster and cannot be sent down without clearing waivers first.
Only players ineligible for free agency can be optioned.
…i hope this clears the situation up for you, dustin…
Click play below to watch a segment about Citi Field that appeared on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann last night.
Tagged Mike Nichols | ← Older posts
