Daily Archives: August 7, 2008
To watch my segment from this afternoon pre-game show on SNY, during which I talk to Matt Yalloff about the bullpen and the current youth movement, click play below:
The Mets have announced that Brian Stokes will be called up from Triple-A New Orleans to start for the Mets on Saturday.
This will be his first start for the Mets, who acquired Stokes in an off-season trade in exchange for cash.
…nothing against stokes, but i am a little disappointed, in that i had hoped that Jon Niese would get the call…
In 22 starts in Triple-A this season, the 28–year-old Stokes is 10–8 with a 4.41 ERA.
The Mets (60–54) defeated the Padres (44–71) by the score of 5 to 3 in Shea Stadium today.
For a recap, boxscore, stats, etc., from today’s game, go to SNY.tv.
…i will have a write-up posted shortly, but for the purposes of a post-game discussion, here you go…but, i will say this…day off…for David Wright…guess not…well played, guys…
The Mets begin a three-game series with the Marlins tomorrow at 7:10 pm EDT in Shea Stadium, with Ricky Nolasco (11-6, 3.91 ERA) taking on Oliver Perez (11-6, 3.91 ERA).
Last week on MetsBlog, I wrote a post about having seen the infamous Giuseppe Franco in front of his Beverly Hills salon, while on vacation in California the previous week.
The next day, Giuseppe e-mailed me saying he had seen my post, he was flattered and so we struck up a phone call.
He told me he would be in New York City and at Shea Stadium for last night’s game.
So, yesterday, SNY.tv’s Ted Berg and I went to Shea 
Stadium to interview Dan Murphy, Eddie Kunz and Giuseppe.
First, I should note, this was the first time I had ever set foot on the field in Shea Stadium, which, for me, as a fan, was amazing. Yes, I took time to stop in the dugout, sit on the bench, then walk up the steps, taking pause to lean on one knee like Davey Johnson used to do, before jogging up on to the field, which, I will admit, gave me goose-bumps.
Prior to the game, select fans, media, etc., are allowed to stand on the field, up against the backstop, behind a white, plastic fence, and watch the players take batting practice.
I spotted Giuseppe with his wife and friends standing along the fence watching David Wright and Ryan Church, among others, swinging from home plate.
Giuseppe had his hair spiked, was wearing all black, a ton of tattoos, and he never once removed his sunglasses and – even with Wright and Church only a few feet away – he was clearly the most popular person on the field. In fact, he was approached by not only fans, but also coaches and 
players for handshakes, autographs and pictures.
For what it’s worth, he is a very nice guy, who is very humble, with a ton of energy, and, most importantly, he has a sense of humor when it comes to his ad for Procede.
Ted broke off to interview Heath Bell and Kunz, while I took a moment to speak with Dan Murphy, all of which I will post later in the day or tomorrow.
By the way, Murphy comes across as a serious dude. He looks focused and means business, which I like. He has a look in his eye that says, ‘I’m in the major leagues, and I’m not going back to the minors.’
Later, Ted and I were able to sit down with Giuseppe at his seats in the stands, where we talked about his move to Los Angeles, his salon, and, of course, his ad for Procede, which he doesn’t own – in fact, he doesn’t own anything about it.
To watch our interview with Giuseppe, click play below:
Tagged SNY, Ted Berg |
Cole Hamels pitching of late puts his ace status in doubt. He posted a 7.45 ERA in his last two starts with four walks and three home runs in 9 2/3 innings.
Jeremy Hermida struck a six-year-old boy with a line drive, sending the child to the hospital Tuesday night. Hermida contacted the family:
”I gave him my phone number and told him to call me if he needed anything,” said Hermida, adding that he intends to invite Babel and his family to batting practice when the Marlins return to Philadelphia in September.
After being declared day-to-day, Elijah Dukes goes on the disabled list and will miss four to six weeks. Dukes played just seven games since the end of June.
Casey Kotchman failed to make a good first impression with Atlanta. In his first week with the Braves, he’s hitting .167 with a .265 OBA and a .267 slugging percentage. Teixeira is at .286/.444/.429 with the Angels.
For more real-time information, news, links and stats from around MLB, check out Baseball Musings.
The Game:
The Mets (59-54) continue their three-game series against the Padres (44-70) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 12:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Argenis Reyes
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Fernando Tatis
- LF Dan Murphy
- C Ramon Castro
- 1B Nick Evans
- P Johan Santana
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (9-7, 2.86 ERA) starts for the Mets.
RHP Josh Banks (3-4, 3.65 ERA) starts for the Padres.
How To Catch It:
Today’s game can be seen locally on SNY and heard 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 |During last night’s loss to the Padres, David Wright was doubled-up at first 
base to end an inning, and he could not get his glove on pool-cue ground ball in the seventh, which led to the go-ahead run.
Tony C sent in the following e-mail, which read:
“If Jose Reyes would of done the things that Wright did last night, everyone would of been killing him for loafing and falling asleep and questioning his heart and hustle. But with Wright, he is just tired…I for one am sick of this double standard. I love Wright, but he very rarely gets thrown under the bus by the media for any of his mistakes.”
…you make a fair point, tony, at least in regards to how reyes would be characterized had he made similar mistakes…
…by the way, i went back and read what i wrote this morning, about wright needing a day off…in hindsight, that doesn’t make sense…technically, just like the rest of his teammates, david had two of the last seven days off…why does he need another…
…also, the team plays today at noon, which will give them time away from the game tonight, and to take a mental break, at which point they’ll be needed back at the field on Friday in the late-afternoon for a night game…
…in other words, i take back what i said, wright should play today, as the Mets need a win, just like he said last night…
Yesterday, upon reporting that Livan Hernandez had been claimed from waivers by the Rockies, Ken Rosenthal wrote at FoxSports.com, ‘The Rockies beat out another NL team with a better record.’
…i think most people, including myself, assumed the mystery team from the NL had to be the Mets…
However, according to Peter Gammons at his blog for ESPN.com, “The Mets did not put in a claim for Hernandez because they believe John Maine will be back, and they’re willing to try Jon Niese if necessary.”
…speaking of niese, there is a lot of mixed buzz about whether he will start on Saturday, in place of maine…i have heard people suggest it will certainly go to Claudio Vargas, while others believe the Mets are waiting until the last minute to make announcement because it will be niese, meanwhile others assume it will be Brian Stokes, because he was pulled early from his last start in Triple-A…
…i am still hoping for niese, as i believe most fans are…
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Padres OF Brian Giles has 
been claimed off waivers by an unknown team.
Rosenthal reports that the Padres will attempt to make a trade with the team that claimed Giles, who will be due $9 million next season, after which he can be a free agent.
According to Rosenthal, Giles can block a deal to the Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Rays, Marlins, Brewers, Pirates and Nationals.
In the days prior to the Trade Deadline, ESPN’s Buster Olney said the Mets and Padres had discussed Giles, adding, however, that talks never got ‘serious.’
Later in the day, in a post to his blog for the New York Post, citing ‘team officials,’ Joel Sherman wrote that the Mets had not talked to the Padres regarding Giles.
…there is no indication that the Mets are the mystery team…that said, i’d take him…at this point, given how inconsistent the team’s offense has been, acquiring a guy who hits, hits at home, hits on the road, hits lefties, hits righties, etc., and who gets on base at a consistent rate, he could be a perfect fit batting behind Jose Reyes and Dan Murphy, and ahead of David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran…
Giles is batting .316 against left-handed pitchers this season and .285 against righties. He is batting .294 with no one on base, and .298 with runners on base.
Update 12:10 p.m…
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Red Sox have claimed Brian Giles and now have 48 hours to work out a trade with the Padres.
Ryan Church took batting practice before yesterday’s game, while also fielding fly balls in the outfield.
The Mets told reporters that Church will be re-examined today or Friday.
Yesterday, Jerry Manuel told reporters it is best for him to operate as though Church will not be back, saying:
“We’ve been going through this, I don’t know how long (he’ll be out). Two months? Whatever. But, if it does turn out to be something favorable for us, it would be very, very welcome.”
…i was able to watch most all of church’s time in the cage, and he looked strong…n fact, he hit one ball on to the Budweiser portion of the scoreboard…of course, i am neither a doctor nor a scout, and i was just happy to see the guy in action…naturally, the key to it all is how he felt after and how he feels today…
Tagged Ryan Church | ← Older posts
