Daily Archives: June 15, 2008
The Mets defeated the Rangers by the score of 4 to 2 in Shea Stadium this evening.
For a full recap, boxscore, stats, etc., go to SNY.tv.
Despite losing in the first game, the Mets looked up beat and confident in the second game.
However, in case you missed it, know that Pedro Martinez looked strong, keeping hitters off balance, getting testy with Marlon Byrd, while throwing 92 pitches to 25 batters, of which seven reached base and only two scored; the Mets played some great defense, and some very bad defense; Carlos Beltran and David Wright were a combined 5 for 9 with two RBI; Willie Randolph chose to pinch hit for Martinez in the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded, and Martinez on a roll, but Robinson Cancel delivered; and, lastly, Billy Wagner threw a 1–2–3 ninth inning for the save.
Welcome back, Billy – and Willie, enjoy the flight.
The Mets travel to Anaheim to being a three-game series with the Angels tomorrow, with Mike Pelfrey facing Jared Weaver.
Willie Randolph, regarding rumors about his job, while speaking to reporters prior to today’s game:
“This is New York. I live here. I grew up here. I understand this is how it is sometimes. I’m man enough to deal with it. I just wish we could win some games.”
…me too, willie…me too…keep fighting, man…
…the buzz from shea is that, win or lose, willie will travel to Los Angeles tonight…as he should…though, in standard willie fashion, he joked with reporters about his fate, noting how he thought about it a bit while packing for the trip this morning…
Tagged Willie Randolph |
The Games:
The Mets conclude their three-games series with a doubleheader against the Rangers today at Shea, starting at 1:10 pm.
The Lineups:
To get lineups for both games, click here.
The Pitchers:
RHP John Maine will start against RHP Kevin Milwood in Game 1, while RHP Pedro Martinez will take on LHP Kevin Gabbard in Game 2.
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…
On this date, 25 years ago, the Mets acquired Keith Hernandez from the Cardinals for Neil Allen and Rick Ownby.
In the New York Post, Brian Costello does a fantastic job of recapping the trade, as well the legacy that Hernandez has established during his time in New York.
In the article, Costello asks Hernandez if he would consider being manager of the Mets, as was speculated about recently, to which Hernandez said:
“My name always comes up. I’m not interested. It did make me uncomfortable because I like Willie. I think he’s a good field manager. Managing entails so much more today than it did in my time [as a player]. I’m just not prepared to make that kind of commitment.”
in the article, Costello also talks with SNY’s Gary Cohen, and me, from MetsBlog.com.
For more on Hernandez, check out Newsday.
In the New York Post, Steve Serby sits down with Tom Seaver for a Sunday Q&A, during which they discuss Seaver being traded from the Mets to the Reds; his view of M. Donald Grant; Gil Hodges; Nolan Ryan; Doc Gooden; being on the Red Sox in 1986, and watching the Mets win a World Series; today’s pitchers, and pitch counts; his 19 strike out game; the journey; the destination; and his favorite movie and wine, among other things.
To watch Serby’s interview with Seaver, click play below:
According to Adam Rubin in the Daily News, the Mets have shown interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, ‘though no deal is considered imminent.’
Last December, Ken Rosenthal reported at FoxSports.com that the Mets had offered RHP Aaron Heilman to the Rockies for Fuentes, but Colorado also wanted Scott Schoeneweis, and so ‘talks disintegrated.’
On Friday night, the Mets acquired 34–year-old OF Trot Nixon from the D’Backs for cash or a player to be named later.
He will wear uniform No. 6, formerly of the Ruben Gotay, Wally Backman collection.
Nixon told reporters that he used to watch the Mets on television as a kid, adding that he ‘loved’ Lenny Dykstra.
David Wright, speaking about Nixon, prior to last night’s rain out at Shea Stadium:
“He goes out there and plays the game the right way, and I think that will rub off on the clubhouse here. He’s a proven winner, knows what it takes. He’s a guy who’s going to be well respected, a guy who everybody can look up to and learn from.”
Willie Randolph, on Nixon, speaking to reporters prior to yesterday’s rain out:
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Trot, the way he plays the game…He’s been on winning ballclubs and I like the way he grinds and plays hard…He seems like one of those old-school kind of players. He plays with a lot of intensity. I like that in him. He goes up there and competes, takes his cuts. He’s just one of those focused kind of players.”
Nixon, talking to reporters from the locker room, after arriving to Shea Stadium around 7 pm:
“I’ve been hoping and waiting to get the opportunity to get back to the major leagues…I’m glad to be back at this level, and I’m glad to be with a team that has a chance to win…I’ve played in Boston and I’ve played in the big series. I look forward to coming out here and competing on a daily basis.”
His batting average has dropped in each of the last four seasons, from .315 in 2004 to .251 last year, though he hit .288 during the second half of the season.
Tagged Trot Nixon |
