Daily Archives: May 30, 2008
The Mets (26-27) lost to the Dodgers (27-27) by a score of 9 to 5 tonight at Shea Stadium.
For a complete recap and box score, check out SNY.tv.
- Jay Horwitz can now take off the orange jacket. For the most part, this game was like a see-saw in terms of lead changes. 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw showed glimpses of why he is so highly touted but just wasn’t throwing strikes and wound up going only 4.2 innings. John Maine had similar issues, but after dealing 34 pitches and giving up three runs in the first, he settled in and only gave up one more over 6 innings.
- In the first inning, Luis Castillo hit his second home run in three days and hell then froze over. Later, a left hip flexor strain forced him out of the game…ugh.
- I was excited when Chan Ho Park came into the game with the bases loaded in the fourth, but despite losing his hat, Park pitched effectively through the seventh.
- The bases were loaded with Mets on three occasions but they managed to squeeze out just one run each time.
- The recently reliable Aaron Heilman threw batting practice and gave up the lead for good in the eighth while the boos rained down once again. Scott Schoeneweis helped the Dodgers tack on a couple runs as well. I hope this was just a fluke.
- Pedro Martinez was in the building and will get the start on June 3rd, Jose Reyes set a new Mets record for leadoff hitters by reaching base in 30 straight games, and tomorrow is ‘Cap Day’ but it’s harder for me to see silver linings when the Mets lose.
The Mets play the third of four games against the Dodgers tomorrow at 3:55 pm.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
The Game:
The Mets (26-26) continue their four-game series versus Dodgers (26-27) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Fernando Tatis
- C Ramon Castro
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- LF Nick Evans
- P John Maine
The Pitchers:
RHP John Maine (5-4, 3.41 ERA) takes the hill for the Mets. Maine took the loss in his last start on May 25 versus the Braves allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits and four walks while striking out eight over 6.0 IP. Maine is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA in four career starts versus the Dodgers.
LHP Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second career start for the Dodgers. In his first big league start for the Dodgers on May 25 versus the Cardinals, Kershaw surrendered two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven through 6.0. This is his first career starts versus the Mets.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
In a report for Newsday, David Lennon asks, “Should the Mets apply the Joba Rules to Aaron Heilman,” and make Heilman a starting pitcher.
On the idea that Heilman struggled earlier this season because he is sulking over not being a starter, Lennon quotes him as saying:
“It’s the most insane logic I’ve ever heard…It doesn’t make sense. I realized a while ago that my role on this team is as a reliever. That’s my job. That’s my responsibility. That’s how they feel I’m best suited to help this team. I don’t think my mind-set has ever changed on that.”
Yesterday on WFAN, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said of Heilman:
“There are other teams that see him as a starter. T he Mets do not see him as a starter. He’s a two-pitch pitcher, plus with his mechanics he has what they call a high back elbow. He moves his elbow way back and it’s not real conducive to a breaking pitch. They think with that form, if he throws more than a 100 innings, he will put himself in jeopardy for an injury.
They site Mark Prior, who is a guy with a similar style. He threw over a 100 innings and was injured right away. So, they are being safe. They want to keep him as a relief pitcher. Also, there is the fact that he does not have a great breaking pitch.”
To listen to Heyman’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
Heilman has not allowed a run in his last four appearances, during which he has struck out seven batters in four innings.
…the difference, as i see it, is he’s finally throwing his fastball more, and so his change-up has become more effective…
This weekend on SNY’s Mets Weekly, Brian Schneider talks with Kevin Burkhardt from a Steakhouse in Colorado, during which Schneider orders the Rattlesnake.
Also, the show takes a closer look at The Zen of Bobby V; they talk with the fans behind SaveTheApple.com; Ron Darling shows how to throw a changeup; and Nick Evans is profiled.
…by the way, MetsBlog’s Jordan Zakarin will appear in the segment about evans, talking about the team’s minor league system…good for you, jordan…
According to Joel Sherman in the New York Post, Willie Randolph was empowered by the Wilpons on Monday.
Sherman explains, “The Wilpons, according to people familiar with the meeting, made the message simple to Randolph: Just win, baby. They told him not to worry about benching players with big salaries (think Carlos Delgado) or publicly demanding better 
efforts from players performing poorly (think Mike Pelfrey ). They told Randolph all they cared about were results: wins.”
…which is why, from what i understand, his job hinges on wins as well…all is nice now, as it should be…but, if the team hits another slide like the week before, he’s going to be in serious trouble…
According to Whats Hoof, Randolph is no longer the team’s manager anyway, as he’s been replaced by his alter-ego, Bill R., a man who is joking with reporters in press conferences, arguing with umps, pumping up his team on the bench and, most importantly, winning baseball games.
…that’s pretty funny, and pretty clever…i’ve noticed people using Bill R. when referring to the new willie in the comments section on MetsBlog.com as well…nicely done, guys…
Tagged Willie Randolph |
According to Dan Graziano in the Star-Ledger, citing officials 
with three major-league teams, ‘Mets GM Omar Minaya has been calling around this week to gauge the availability of players he thinks could help the Mets improve,’ such as O’s 1B Kevin Millar, and Pirates OF Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.
Graziano compares the Mets to the position Boston found themselves in while stumbling around in 2004, after which a ‘radical July makeover’ propelled them to a World Championship.
To see a list of other potential outfielders who could be available on the trade market, check out MLB Trade Rumors.
Speaking of the trade market, in his video blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney explains how the bounty of quality, young pitching around MLB could result in a team trading a pitcher like Ben Sheets or C.C. Sabathia in exchange for two Grade-B prospects.
Speaking of acquisitions, though the Mets have ‘some interest’ in 1B Scott Hatteberg, as Newsday recently wrote, the Mariners appear to be his biggest suitor, according to the Seattle Times.
Tagged Xavier Nady |
In nature, there is what’s known as a “pack animal” (ex. dogs and wolves). Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal, who has the strongest personality and leads the other members of the pack.
Obviously, baseball teams are not comprised of dogs, but there is something to the concept that applies. For example, each World Series champion has at least one position player who could be described as an “alpha”, or pack leader.
Back in 1986, the Mets had Keith Hernandez and Ray Knight. In 1969, it was Jerry Grote and Bud Harrelson — as well as Tom Seaver. The last great Yankee teams of the 1990s had Paul O’Neill, among others. The 2007 Red Sox were led by Jason Varitek. The “alpha” may or may not be the best player on the team, but his actions and words transcend statistical value — and causes teammates to follow his lead.
Looking at the 2008 Mets, who is the “alpha dog”?
David Wright could be, but his youth makes it difficult with so many aging veterans on the club. But then, none of the veterans seem to have a strong enough personality to lead the team. Maybe Jose Valentin can fill the role, but it’s doubtful he’ll play every day – generally you want the team leader to be a regular.
If no one takes charge, the question is: can a team without an on-field leader find their way to the post-season?
In an article for the Journal News, Sam Borden speculates what might have been if the Mets had replaced Willie Randolph with Joe Torre when he departed the Yankees’ organization.
Borden writes:
“Clubhouses are Torre’s domain. His style with players has, more often than not, resulted in overachievement and his smoothness with the media succeeds in keeping distractions away. The question, of course, is whether things would be different under Torre.”
…i am not one to dwell on ‘what ifs’, and have grown weary over all the buzz around willie’s job security…that being said, willie did learn much from joe, so having the teacher in our dugout as compared to the apprentice certainly makes some sense if this had been an option last fall…
…overall i feel that torre is a good manager who was blessed with talented yankees teams, similar to the chicago bulls squads whom phil jackson led to several nba championships…
[Poll=109]
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Willie Randolph |
In his latest installment of Rumblings & Grumblings on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark discusses how the Mets clubhouse sorely misses Jose Valentin. 
Stark quotes a baseball insider as explaining:
“Not having Jose Valentin might be the biggest difference between this team and the 2006 team … He not only played well. He’s a tough guy. He kept other players in line. And he added to the toughness and the winning attitude of that team. You look around that clubhouse now, and there’s not one guy like that.”
In regards to Carlos Delgado, Stark reports that two different NL scouts said it is time for the Mets to give up on reviving him, and one scout went as far as calling Delgado “sad.”
On the trade front, Stark lists a large number of starting and relief pitchers to possibly become available in the trade market.
The list includes the following: Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Bronson Arroyo, Daniel Cabrera, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Miguel Batista, Jarrod Washburn, Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, Chad Cordero, and Jon Rauch.
According to the New York Post, though Carlos Delgado did not have a problem with sitting out Tuesday and Wednesday against left-handed starters, ‘a platoon situation would not go over well with the veteran first baseman.’
Last night, Delgado was 2 for 4 in his return to the lineup, and also made an impressive full-extension, diving grab on a ground ball hit behind first base.
SNY snagged a nice shot of Willie Randolph pumping his fist to 
Delgado, looking happy and impressed by the play.
To read more about Delgado’s defense, including video, check out MLB.com.
Meanwhile, in a recent report in El Nuevo Dia, Delgado is quoted as criticizing reporters for creating a ‘soap opera,’ regarding the team’s recent struggles and situation involving Randolph.
According to Delgado, he and Carlos Beltran support Randolph, but, he says, the press is trying to make a small situation bigger than it needs to be, picking out only the bad stories and making it too big of a deal.
…thanks to Sam H for the link, and translation…
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