Daily Archives: June 16, 2008
The Game:
The Mets (33-35) begin a three-game series versus the Angels (42-28) tonight at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA, starting 10:05 pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- DH Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- LF Marlon Anderson
- RF Trot Nixon
- C Brian Schneider
- CF Endy Chavez
The Pitchers:
RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-6, 4.24 ERA) starts for the Mets. Pelfrey was brilliant in his last start on June 11 versus the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out a career-high eight batters over 8.0 IP. In his last three starts Pelfrey has pitched to a 1.71 ERA. This is his first career start versus the Angels.
RHP Jered Weaver (6-6, 4.45 ERA) takes the hill for the Angels. Weaver earned a win in his last start on June 10 versus the Rays surrendering a single run while scattering four hits and two walks while striking out five over 8.0 IP. Weaver is 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA in four career interleague starts, however he is making his first career start versus the Mets.
The Notes:
The Mets are 3-3 all-time versus the Angels in Interleague play.
Carlos Beltran batted .400 (10-for-25) with 2 HR and 8 RBI during the Mets recent homestand. He is batting .246 with 2 HR and 13 RBI in 134 road at-bats this season.
Luis Castillo is batting .295 (31-for-105) with 3 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR and 20 runs scored in his last 29 games. He has one hit in six career at-bats versus Weaver.
The Angels are 30-4 when they score first, which leads the Majors.
Maicer Izturis is batting .383 in his last 60 at-bats. He is batting .250 with 2 HR and 17 RBI against right-handed pitchers this season.
Francisco Rodriguez has converted 25 consecutive saves and 28 of 29 this season.
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 |
Earlier tonight, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus reported that Rick Peterson had been fired by the Mets.
However, in an update a few minutes later, he wrote that his 
sources were ‘incorrect,’ adding…
“My apologies for the error. I consistently got “no comments” from Mets sources and do believe that Peterson remains in jeopardy. However, that decision has not yet been made … or made public.”
…will has solid sources, and is ahead of the curve on a lot of inside information, so, i wouldn’t dismiss what he was getting at…in other words, my hunch is that peterson is in super-serious trouble at this point…we’ll see…
…either way, it’s official, i’m going off the rails on a crazy train…
Tagged Rick Peterson |
According to eyewitnesses, Willie Randolph, Tom Nieto, Sandy Alomar, Jerry Manuel, Rick 
Peterson and Howard Johnson have all been seen at the stadium in Anaheim as the Mets prepare to face the Angels.
…you know what would stop this madness…if Omar Minaya would just come out and make a hard-and-fast statement about the future of this coaching staff…keyword being future, instead of obvious, in-the-now statements like, “We have coaches,” which is about as informative and comforting as, “We’re on Earth,” or, “I breath air.”…
For more, tune in to ‘s Pre Game Show at 9:30 pm.
With ‘buzz’ leaking out on Friday that Willie Randolph may be fired as early as Saturday if the Mets had lost their game to the Rangers, “Willie Watch” was in full effect, but now the story has turned into an embarrassing situation for the Mets.
Following yesterday’s doubleheader, Omar Minaya told reporters Randolph is the team’s manager ‘today,’ and that Randolph’s future with the club will continue to be evaluated.
Why do the Mets always seem to handle these situations poorly? They always seem to do things in an awkward manner that makes the franchise look foolish and inept.
It’s time for Omar Minaya and company to stop the nonsense, step up and make a decision on Randolph’s future.
This team needs to move forward, either with or without Randolph. However, by allowing their manager to ‘swing in the wind’ on a day-to-day basis, it is impeding their ability to move forward.
Instead of concentrating on improving this team, Minaya is having to answers questions on a daily basis about his manager’s future, which is also putting Randolph and his players in a unfair and awkward position.
Minaya’s indecisiveness is playing into the media’s hand and opening himself up to criticism from all corners of the baseball world.
The team has already handled the Ryan Church situation and subsequent roster moves in an embarrassing manner and now, by allowing ‘Willie Watch’ to enter into its fourth week, the Mets are looking foolish in a season in which they cannot afford to.
Last night, Omar Minaya was peppered with questions from reporters on the current job status of Willie Randolph.
This morning in the Daily News, Adam Rubin 
wrote that Randolph could survive the first round of firings, while citing a team insider as saying, “I think the coaches are in trouble. That may be the compromise for now.”
Over the weekend, multiple reports indicated that Ken Oberkfell and Dan Wharthen, from Triple-A New Orleans, could replace Tom Nieto and Rick Peterson on the coaching staff.
…in fact, from what i can gather, the Zepyhrs have already begun to plan for life after oberkfell and warthon, and are ready to see their coaches leave in an eventual promotion…
…i can’t remember the last time i heard a bad word about obie…i had the chance to interview him back in 2005, and i remember him being a tough-guy, salt of the earth type of talker…it would be interesting to see how he would play in New York City…
“Don’t get me wrong,” Oberkfell told me in 2005, “I enjoy the Minor Leagues, and I love what I do, but there’s no question, my goal is to get to the Major Leagues.”
For more on Oberkfell, check out this recent post at Hot Foot.
By the way, speaking of the B’Mets, the Press & Sun Bulletin is doing a are giving you the chance to win four tickets to any regular-season, non-fireworks B-Mets home game.
Tagged Rick Peterson, Willie Randolph |Yesterday was supposed to be another day on which young 
children could run the bases at Shea Stadium prior to the game.
However, the last-minute double header canceled the event.
Pete Y sent in the following e-mail, writing…
“I bought tickets to Sunday’s game months ago so my two young daughters could run around the bases. Of course, fate strikes and the double header canceled it, much to their disappointment. But the real crushing blow? No Home Run Apple on the two Mets home runs. What the heck is up with that? They love seeing that thing come up on television, and they were almost in tears when it failed to pop up. So, my reputation took a big hit on Father’s Day. Dad says they can run around the bases? Nope. Dad says to watch the Apple come up? Nope. Thanks Dad.
“So, the burning question I have: is the Apple’s job in jeopardy? Was it benched for failing to hustle out of the hat on a previous home run? Did it oversleep and miss the game? Was it DFA’d?”
Ouch, Pete. Ouch.
According to the team, there was an electrical malfunction that shut down the Apple yesterday. They expect all issues to be resolved by the next home stand.
From what I can gather, the electrical issue had something to do with all of the rain that fell on Saturday.
Please answer the following question, while considering the team’s ownership, current management, talent, minor-league system, new stadium, network, etc.:
[Poll=118]
Tagged Poll |
Ryan Church visited with his teammates at Shea Stadium, where he worked out prior to yesterday’s game.
Church told reporters he is getting better, he has not had a dizzy spell in a few days, and he’ll be ready to return from the disabled list as soon as he is eligible on Saturday, June 21.
…the buzz from Shea Stadium continues to suggest he will remain in New York, and be activated when the team returns from Colorado on Monday, June 23…
David Wright played both games of yesterday’s double header, and is the only player in baseball to play every inning of every game this season: 
Wright, on whether he needs a day off, told reporters after the game:
“I needed some hits, I haven’t had too many lately…We need to win, and as long as I’m healthy and able to go I want to be in there until we right the ship.”
In the 68 games he has played, Wright leads the team in both HR (12) and RBI (50).
…keep playing d-wright… we need you in that lineup…
The Brooklyn Met Fan explains why the Mets are ‘bungling’ the Willie Randolph situation.
Speaking of Randolph, at Mets Merized Online, Bryan Berg looks back to 18 months ago, when ‘Willie was a beloved figure in New York.’
…it is amazing, when you think about it…what a quick dip…
Meanwhile, at Hot Foot, Andrew Beaton, gives at least one reason to believe that the Mets can still win the division: The Phillies Pitching.
← Older posts
