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In a long, 2,800–word, fascinating article, Christian Red of the Daily News traveled to Venezuela to talk with 
Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez at his new home in Caracas.
Red talks with K-Rod about his family, his new home, playing in the WBC, the estranged relationship with his parents, how and why he learned to play baseball, and his nickname at home, ‘The Kid Rodriguez.’
Rodriguez, speaking to Red about the Mets, and ‘The Collapse,’ and what it means to him, said:
“Everybody knows the story. Unfortunately the last two years, they fell short. They didn’t get the goal that was to get into the playoffs… I cannot speak for them because I wasn’t there… Every ballplayer comes to spring training with one goal – you don’t think about numbers or yourself. You think about what’s best for the ball club and the one goal, which is to win a championship. I believe that’s got to be everybody else in that clubhouse’s goal, too.”
…this is a cliche’d response…that said, this is why the Mets need some new blood…they need some new, impact players who do not have the Stink of September on the them…sure, goals, championship, blah, blah, blah, i’ve heard it before…
…however, when this sort of lingo comes from a new player, coming from in a different enviornment and a different experience, while playing such an important position, it re-establishes the idea of new, which the Mets are desperate for…it’s not the words that K-Rod will speak, it’s his words plus his energy and actions that will have an impact…
…also, this is a tremendous piece of ‘reporting,’ a word that is taken for granted in the blogosphere i think, and red deserves a ton of credit…i envy his ability to travel, and have time to create this type of work…well done…
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does anyone know the list of players so far that are playing in the WBC from the mets?
Lol pro players need to learn a new way to respond to questions… THEYRE ALL THE SAME ANSWERS!!! ALWAYS!!!
They just need some new players. The core needs to stay the same because they’re legitimately stud player, but the supplementary guys are completely replaceable. They’ve already done a good job getting rid of guys (Heilman, Show) but I’d still like to see an offensive change. Really? Same starting 8? There needs to be a little new blood, both in the SL and off of the bench. Wigginton would be the ideal bench fit, and then sign up an OF who is hanging around. Or keep the Murphy/Tatis platoon and sign the O-Dog. Just do something with the offense. It seems like it is getting neglected and it really shouldn’t be. It’s not perfect. Just need some new faces.
Ok, I this has nothing to do with this, but some thoughts….
If the price is RIGHT, I’d like to see the Mets go after Moyer for the #5 spot. Hes durable as the come and owns WAS, FLA, and ATL.
I’d like to see the Mets offer Alou a MINOR LEAGUE contract to make the team as a PH/4th OF. Wouldn’t that be a sick bat coming off the bench? He wouldnt be playing the field much, so, chances are, he’d stay healthy.
Anyone interested in a Kris Benson reunion for the 5th SP?
This is why you pay for top talent, especially top talent from a culture of winning. It’s necessary to wipe away the stench of failure.
That said, MannyLoweBiemel = MLB success.
Thanks for the new post Matt just so we can start a new thread.
leiter22, are you really doubting alous ability to get hurt? if he was a bench player he would get hurt in the on deck circle or something come on. and please NO on kris benson he is completely done Id rather take a flier on a guy like daniel cabrera at least he is young and has a ton of up side.
yeah, goals, championships, blah blah blah. What happens when that really is the players goal? Is it still cliche? Or is he just supposed to keep his mouth shut so he doesn’t sound cliche to Matt Cerrone? Krod is all about winning, i’ve got no problem with that, and i’m not going to blah blah blah it.
It’s unfortunate the the world of sports has pretty much chewed up and spit out it’s lexicon, because now anyone who genuinely expresses a desire to be a part of a winning team is decried as a cliche spinner.
What do you expect him to say, Matt? It’s stupid he’s being as the question to begin with.
Wigginton? Moyer? ALOU?
KRIS BENSON?!?!
OK, I guess this is the early April Fool’s Day thread….
The culture has been hugely changed by getting KRod, who has won, and Putz, who is a tough fireballer….
krod is great….but manny is needed to get to the world series
Kingman 26: The only one I would take back with open arms is Wiggy, and that’s if he’s a bench player. But I doubt it.
Yeah, as a bench player, if not too pricey, he would actually be VERY valuable….
Good name, by the way…..
Remember, because K-Rod is talking about the Philadelphia “We’re America’s Team” Phillies, he MUST be saying that we’re the “team to beat” because he’s talking about winning and championships….I mean, we all know that the Phillies are the winners and Cole Hamels is just so much better than Johan Santana….and even though the Phillies play in a freakin band box, they’re all good hitters and we’re NOTHING!
OK….take a deep breath…..
Yes, I was being sarcastic. Can we stop with the “team to beat” proclamations, go out there and play the game? Can we get Tom Coughlin to put up “Talk is cheap, play the game” slogans in the Citifield clubhouse?
Yes, its a cliched response, i’ll agree with that. At the same time, we can’t complain its a cliched response when in the same breath we criticize this team for not having a “leader” on thier team. It’s one or the other!
Okay guys, what do you think of this as our 2009 slogan? I added the word goal in because I keep seeing it every where. Here goes:
One team. One Goal. One DestiNY(the n in orange and the y in blue).
Eh?
losmets57
That’s pretty good, you might want to copywright that before someone steals it, and I’m NOT being sarcastic. Well done!
I am busy watching the Jets and Dolphins careen headlong to that last game of the year being for a playoff spot, but had to take a second to say that losmets57, that is a really, really fantastic slogan idea. That has tshirts and ads and billboards written all over it. Seriously, people get paid crazy amounts to think of slogans not nearly as good as that one.
EXCELLENT idea LosMets57…..i’d copyright it and then sell it to the Mets marketing team
Nice story, there’s an interesting part about K-Rod and his family where he admits that he may not be right in not talking to his parents but it’s how he feels right now.
I say it’s interesting because it shows that although he knows his relationship with his family should be different he’s just not ready for that.
At the same time he also says he’s different than the guy you see on the mound.
You hardly ever get to understand players and what they’re thinking, that’s why I love pieces like this. It’s real reporting with a real story.
YES, we have heard the same thing over and over again. Beltran and the “New Mets”, I’m here to win, Pedro, I want to bring a championship to NY. Santana…blah, blah, blah. It does get old, but, with the second collpase in two years, a new ballpark and a new pen I think its time. Im glad that K-Rod is going after the Phillies and now we need to WIN, WIN, WIN !!!! Lets bury them like the Braves of the 90’s. Lets win the division by double digits and win it early. LETS GO METS !!!
lets clinch the division before september 17th so we dont have to worry about that date again
lmao at the awesome photoshoping of the mets jersey on K-Rod in that picture…
Today I finally understand why Omar traded for Putz. He now has a terrific pitcher that is going to bring it and be hungry for the closer spot if K-rods slips (velocity or if he blows his arm out, he pitches with alot of stress aginast his arm)