Daily Archives: September 23, 2008
The Mets (87–70) defeated the Cubs (95–61) by the score of 6 to 2 in Shea Stadium tonight.
For a recap, boxscore, and stats, click here.
Johan Santana, Jose Reyes and David Wright 
are arguably the three biggest stars on the Mets, they are the three men who we expect to carry this ball club during times of struggle, and tonight they pushed their team to a much, much-needed win.
Santana pitched eight innings, struck out 10 of the 33 batters he faced, let up seven hits and just two runs, while throwing 125 pitches. He even got a hit in the fifth inning, on a broken-bat single that could have been an inning-ending double play, until the ball ricocheted off the end of the broken bat and slipped by the shortstop letting the inning continue.
The Mets are 10–3 in Johan Santana’s 13 starts in the second half of this season, during which he is 6–0 with 2.38 ERA.
Later in the inning, with Mets down two runs, and with two outs and the bases loaded, Wright shortened his swing, pulled the ball for a single and tied the game. I’m no professional statistician, but I call believe this is known as ‘clutch.’
Lastly, after Santana ran hard out of the box to beat out a potential double play, Reyes hit a bases-clearing triple to give the team a lead it would never relinquish. Reyes let out a series of claps, points and fist pumps as he pulled up in to third base.
By the way, the Phillies lost tonight – meaning the Mets are just one loss back of first place in the NL East with five games left in the season. Hey, Ya Gotta Believe.
Okay, exhale. This is a big win, there is no getting around it.
I look forward to a long night of sleep.
I think we have all earned it.
The Mets continue their four-game series against the Cubs tomorrow night, starting at 7 pm, with Oliver Perez (10–7, 4.10 ERA) taking on Carlos Zambrano (14–6, 3.77 ERA).
The Mets are expected to officially announce 
later this week the schedule of events for Sunday’s farewell celebration to Shea Stadium.
They better hurry up, though. I know lots and lots of fans are frustrated as they are trying to make plans for that day.
From what I can gather, a) the major part of the celebration will occur after the game, and b) expect to see Mike Piazza, Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Robin Ventura, Edgardo Alfonzo, Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, and Jerry Koosman, as well as nearly 40 other former players.
I have reason to believe that both Wally Backman and Dwight Gooden will be there as well, though I’ll believe it when I see it.
Lastly, I do not expect this to be as over-the-top or self-serving as the Yankee Stadium goodbye – thankfully. Instead, I think it will be more simple.
I have tickets and will be there with my dad, and I am far more excited and emotional at this point than I ever thought I would be.
Tagged Shea Stadium |
According to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, the Mets have given Mets GM Omar Minaya a four-year contract extension.
Olney adds, “The deal is all but done, but it is not known when the extension will be formally announced.”
…wow…umm, nothing against minaya, but i would have waited until after this season, to see how it ends, before committing to any one element of this team…
…i had hoped to wait until the end of the season to get in to evaluations…however, if the Mets are unable to make the post-season, this team is going to suffer a serious reaction from a fanbase that i sense is ready to boil over…this is not to say i would not have eventually come to the conclusion that he should return, it’s just, to me, it may have been more wise to wait and see how best to react to the reaction, so to speak…
…Update…8:00 pm…
From what I can gather, neither the team nor Minaya’s agent will confirm or deny the report.
According to Jon Heyman at SI.com, “An official announcement is not expected until after the season.”
…Update…8:24 pm…
…pardon the media commentary by the way, but, if a blog is looking to get credit for ‘breaking this story,’ whether a mainstream or independent source, you need to first add time-stamps to your posts…otherwise, it is impossible to tell what broke when and by whom…just a suggestion…
Tagged Omar Minaya |
The Game:
The Mets (86-70) continue their four-game series against the National League Central champion Cubs (95-60) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Ramon Castro
- RF Ryan Church
- LF Nick Evans
- P Johan Santana
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (14-7, 2.65 ERA) starts for the Mets. In four career games, one start, versus the Cubs, Santana is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He has not faced the Cubs since June of 2006. He is 7-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 15 home starts this season.
LHP Sean Marshall (3-4, 3.62 ERA) starts for the Cubs. In his only start versus the Mets on July 16, 2006, Marshall earned a loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits and a walk, while striking out four. In four road starts this season, Marshall is 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen 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…YA GOTTA BELIEVE!
Tagged Mike Nichols |
The Digital Media Department at SNY is looking for a Fall Intern, who a) must be a current college student eligible for college credit for the internship, and b) be willing to commit a minimum of three business days per week.
If you’re interested, download this application and e-mail it to intern@sny.tv.
Tagged SNY |Prior to tonight’s game, again, Jerry Manuel was asked about last September, to which he said:
“I think we’re gonna be fine. Like I said last night, we have to win games…Call it the cloud, the demons, whatever name is good for conversation, but once the game starts, I don’t sense that (the players are thinking about it). If you’re a fan, you’re reminded of it…We just need to make plays, pitch and catch the ball.”
He’s right. Like I wrote this morning, “One at a time…Win tonight, get a better vibe going, and we’ll re-evaluate tomorrow – wash, rinse and repeat.”
For more from Manuel, including comments about what he expects from Johan Santana, tune in to SNY’s Pre Game Show, which begins at 6:30 pm EDT.
Prior to tonight’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters he has still yet to decide on who will start Saturday’s game.
In an update to his blog for the Journal News, Josh Thomson notes “Staffinator” was listed in the Mets clubhouse as the starter for Saturday’s game against the Marlins
Thomson believes this may be an indication that everyone, including ‘starters on their throw days,’ may be available to pitch during the game.
It’s also important to note an impending rain storm is in the forecast for Saturday.
Thomson also makes a post regarding the health of Carlos Beltran, who will be in tonight’s lineup.
Tagged Mike Nichols |With the Mets in a battle to avoid another September collapse, it’s important to take a moment and remember that for many of us, this week will be the final time we step foot inside and enjoy a game in Shea Stadium.
With that said, Kristian Dyer of ESPN.com pens a terrific piece on the other stadium closing in New York this week.
While reminiscing about the stadium’s history, Dyer speaks to a few Mets fans regarding their thoughts and memories about the house that William Shea built.
Meanwhile, click play below to watch rare footage of Shea Stadium’s construction and former manager Casey Stengel welcoming fans to Shea, courtesy of ReelSportsFans.com.
…i love that casey was excited about the escalators…classic casey…
…i’m still at a loss for words when it comes to speaking or writing about the final days of shea…it’s just strange that shea will be nothing but a memory come next season…
Tagged Mike Nichols, Shea Stadium |
At ESPN.com, both Buster Olney and Rob Neyer held chats today and the Mets were one of the many discussed topics.
Olney had the following to say when asked if the final game at Shea will be relevant or will the Mets have already ripped out the fans’ heart:
“You don’t want to hear my answer. I really think the schedule is going to hurt the Mets this week. The Brewers get to play the Pirates, who have lost 11 of their last 16, and then the Cubs over the weekend, and while Lou Piniella has every intention of competing to the finish line, the reality is that by Friday or Saturday, a lot of his decisions will be shaped (and rightly so, by the way) by preparation for the post-season. He’s not going to pitch Kerry Wood on Saturday and Sunday against the Brewers, for example. He won’t pitch Carlos Marmol in extended outings. He won’t overtax his starters. If one of his position players is playing 85 percent, he’ll get him out of there. That works against the Mets, who have to play the team nobody wants to play, the Marlins. But hey, who the heck knows…”
During Neyer’s chat, he was asked who’s neck is on the line if the Mets don’t make the playoffs, in which he replied:
“(Omar) Minaya, perhaps, but he might be given credit for the team’s big comeback in the second half. I guess if I were Minaya’s boss, I’d want to know if he’s learned anything from this season.”
…as far as the schedule is concerned, i don’t care who we play or where we play…perform like there is no tomorrow and we shall see what happens when the dust settles…talk is cheap, just play ball…
To watch today’s edition of New York Baseball Today, during which Steve Lombardi, Pete McCarthy and I talk about using John Maine in the bullpen, and whether Joe Girardi will have a say in his team’s off-season transactions, click play below:
To send in a question for tomorrow’s New York Baseball Today, email it to baseball@sny.tv.
Lastly, to watch other videos from SNY.tv, including today’s Nooner, Giants highlights, and post-game quotes from last night’s Jets game, click here.
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