News: A-Rod Reportedly Did Steroids

February 7, 2009 at 11:12 am · 418 comments

by Regis Courtemanche

According to SI.com, four independent sources have claimed that Alex Rodriguez reportedly tested positive for steroids in 2003.

Selena Roberts and David Epstein write that, “in 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids.”

Rodriguez’s name appears on a list of 104 players who reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003.

…this story makes me angry for a couple reasons…i was hoping that a-rod would beat barry bonds’ all-time home run mark for this very reason, because i believe bonds did steroids…now if it’s true, it taints a-rod’s legacy as well…

…if it’s not true, it’s unfair to a-rod and his fans that he will become vilified for this…every time mlb seems to be clearing the woods from the whole steroid era, something else seems to surface…it’s a truly unfortunate report in every way for me…

{ 418 comments }

phukthephills February 7, 2009 at 11:34 am

GREATEST NEWS OF THE OFFSEASON!!!

metsgirl1981 February 7, 2009 at 1:45 pm

A-ROID

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

reillys5 February 7, 2009 at 2:02 pm

HAHAHAHAHA CLA$SIC !!!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm

knocked that one outta ther ball park

dominicanboy08 February 7, 2009 at 11:34 am

I hope this report is not true, this is not good for baseball.

The Slider February 7, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Of course it’s true. It’s been suspected for a long time. And it’s true for Sosa as well – even though there’s been no “smoking gun” evidence yet on him.

I submit that it is, in the long run, good for baseball. The public humiliation these cheater get is well deserved and will hopefully serve as a deterrent to other baseball stars who really never needed to do this to begin with. I mean, why did ARod feel the need to juice? His incredible god-given talents were not enough?

Hit The Weights Zeile February 7, 2009 at 12:39 pm

I agree 100%, I dont get the whole “this isnt good for baseball” philosophy. If you cheat and get get caught you should be punished. this is great for the game it shows that no matter how high profile you are if you cheat you will get caught and you will face the music. maybe in 10 years we will finally be able to have piece of mind knowing that what we are watching is in fact pure.

Hit The Weights Zeile February 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm

*peace of mind

Ceetar February 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm

What ‘music’ is he facing? besides media questions and public perception? He’s not being punished and he still gets all that money.

Hit The Weights Zeile February 7, 2009 at 1:04 pm

he will be publicly humiliated and his reputation and legacy are ruined. He will forever labeled a cheater. When he breaks the HR record he will be met with similar hostility to what Bonds went through. All that stuff means alot more to these guys than money.

Jetsmets321 February 7, 2009 at 11:38 am

The New York Media has Farve and his Retirement, A-Rod and Steroids, The Torre Book, The Mets and the Collapses, Sean Avery Comming back and the Knicks getting torched this past week. Idk about all of you, but as a NY Resident and a wanna be broadcaster…..this is the Golden Age for the NY Media

groverland1 February 7, 2009 at 11:39 am

The funny part is that the Yankees are locked into this guy for 10 years and 300 million.

Alban February 7, 2009 at 11:39 am

I agree. I really hope it’s not true. I want ARod to clear Bonds and put the steroids era in the past.

Alban February 7, 2009 at 11:40 am

Wow. This isn’t even a small report/story. I just opened up CNN and saw this on the headlines/frontpage.

Fiya Minaya '09 February 7, 2009 at 11:40 am

A-Fraud

Kellman February 7, 2009 at 11:40 am

Yup, agreed Regis. I was really upset to hear this. I just want someone to be legit mainly so this subject can somewhat be pushed to the backburner. Not going to happen now.

moze1021 February 7, 2009 at 11:41 am

FREE BARRY!!!!!

This is what I am talkin about….people want to think that it was just Barry, Clemens, and the guys that were in the Mitchell Report. That is ridiculously naive….if you are in a profession where your compensation is performance based, and you can improve your performance by taking medication that is not tested for or banned by your employer, then why wouldn’t a majority of people participate?

I am not going to judge A-Rod…because I have a pretty good idea of another player who is probably on that list. A certain favorite player of mine was drafted as a weak hitting 1st baseman in the 62nd round as a favor only to become the greatest hitting catcher of all time…Not accusing, just saying I wouldn’t be surprised with anyone who allegations come out against…

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 11:50 am

Hopefully though if you are right and I hope you couldn’t be more wrong that it turns out that it was only while he was a dodger.

Hazmet February 7, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Agreed, I don’t thinks so just since 31 didn’t have the bulked up look in LA and in the end with us he kept breaking down so my thinking here is that roids weren’t in the picture to bulk up or quick heal. But each one of these guys bodies react differently so who knows. Just hope not.

groverland1 February 7, 2009 at 11:52 am

The difference between Arod and Clemens and Bonds is that Clemens and Bonds lied about it under oath. Perjury was the crime, not the steroids.

krumbledkookie February 7, 2009 at 11:42 am

I’d actually be really surprised if this is true – not because I liek A-Rod, but because he’s always seemed like he would be above this. His mechanics are so solid that you would think he wouldn’t need anabolic steroids to perform as well as he does.

If it is true, it is, as Regis said, very sad. It seemed like MLB was turning a corner and putting the “steroid” era behind it, but now this surfaces and throws everything into question again. Even more shocking is the claim that Orza of the Players Union was tipping off players as to when and where the testing would be occurirng.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 11:44 am

No way am I going to crow or mock ARod about this, because there are 103 other names on the list that have yet to come out.

moze1021 February 7, 2009 at 11:45 am

EXACTLY!!!

You, my friend, get it.

And for every name on that list..there is probably another 1 or 2 that didn’t test positive…

The Slider February 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm

So, that makes it ok? A-Rod’s stats now don’t mean anything. He’s further tarnished his already sinking reputation for being a jerk. The funny thing is that he is so talented, he really never had to this to begin with.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 12:27 pm

I can’t speak for moze, but I don’t think “making it ok” is the point at all. For me, I stated I wouldn’t be mocking ARod about this because there are still over 100 names from the list yet to be revealed, and I’d rather not go around triumphantly chanting “ARoid” only to have David Wright’s (or any other Met’s) name revealed later.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 11:49 am

And please let no current Mets be on it…can you imagine what the Nattering Nabobs of Negativity would do with that on here every day??

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 11:53 am

I don’t know if he would be on this list but if it turns out that Delgado used roids to turn himself around last year would anyone here be surprised?

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 11:57 am

Frankly, that is the name I am most concerned about…but Carlos has a sterling reputation as a person, so let us hope he–and all current Mets–stay unmentioned.

Alban February 7, 2009 at 12:00 pm

That’s an interesting theory. I had thought that Delgado was dogging it because of Willie, but it is entirely possible he used steroids to turn it around too. I mean, no one can deny how amazing it was for him to suddenly come on fire and hit every ball that came his way.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 12:08 pm

Wow, you really actually believe Delgado was dogging it? I mean, considering his entire career, that he has been an amazingly consistent and well-liked player, who is, by all accounts, a great guy on and off the field?

And he is getting older and had a bad injury, which may have finally healed?

I am not saying his using steroids is impossible considering the money at stake for an aging guy playing for a huge option year and his future, but the dogging it idea is SO unlikely.

euchreking February 7, 2009 at 12:17 pm

There is testing now, no? If he used, the liklihood of getting caught is very high now. Carlos could have his entire reputation ruined, and he’d be banned for a number of games as well, so it’s unlikely he used last year. His wrist healed, that’s all. I’ve had wrist surgery and I didn’t have strength in it for a year at least.

Alban February 7, 2009 at 12:39 pm

You’ve never seen a good coworker not put in his best effort because he was upset with his boss or work situation? I think it’s entirely possible. It’s also just as possible that he was recovering from his wrist injury and suddenly found his strength after willie left (although, I would think that his recovery would be more gradual and less sudden). And as mentioned, it is also possible that he took steroids.

Out of all those situations, I think that dogging it was most likely because of a) his miraculous and sudden recovery and b) he’s human, just like us. Even the best of us can act like children every now and then.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm

Well, you do make a good argument, unlike the others who say he dogged it….have to give you props for that….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:44 pm

nothing surprises me anymore – not even slappy mc singleton if he wore crochless panties when he comes up to bat :P

Nightlife February 7, 2009 at 11:45 am

Anyone read the Will Carrol Under Knife article this week about the next generation of steroids? Pretty ridiculous stuff.

Number57 February 7, 2009 at 11:48 am

Who the hell would want a guy like Alex Rodriguez to be the poster boy for baseball? The guy is a world renowned dirtbag who played in the same “steroid-era” as Bonds, Mcquire and Sosa. It’s going to take a new generation of players to oust this plague on the sport.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 11:51 am

I know I get accused of excessive optimism, but if no Mets are on the list, and we overcome the last two years in 2009, wouldn’t a team led by Santana, Wright, Reyes, KRod, Beltran, Pelf, Murph, etc. be a great team to consider as a great beginning of the future non-steroid era?

The Slider February 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Agreed.

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 11:48 am

Arod if this is true do yourself a favor and come out and admit it because the longer you take and pussy-foot around it the worse it is going to be for you.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:43 pm

Theres no reason for him to come out. This document is sealed and was seized in a BALCO raid. The feds only have a warrant for 10 of the names of those 104, and AROD is not one of them. Most likely, this document will never be released and there will not be evidence he cheated. It’s all speculation, and why would he omit to that. In fact, the judge will rule that only those 10 names can be released.

Number57 February 7, 2009 at 11:49 am

And how bad is Yankees camp going to be this Spring? The Torre book and now this? Sheesh…

NeedAnAce February 7, 2009 at 11:50 am

How could you guys not love this? The Yankees poured a boatload of money into AROD thinking that he would shatter all the HR records in the uniform. He was supposed to restore the game’s cleanliness and do it in pinstripes. Do you have any idea how sick that would have made each and every Met fan? Listen, I don’t want to see this happen to a guy like Pujols, but to see this happen to the Bronx Bombers… PRICELESS!!!!!!

By the way, I can only imagine the mental mistakes he will make this season while having 50,000 fans screaming “A-FRAUD” and “STEROIDS!!!” He’s a mental midget!

Alban February 7, 2009 at 11:56 am

Why don’t we love this? Read moze1021’s post and GravediggerHebner’s post above.

phukthephills February 7, 2009 at 12:00 pm

i am sooooo with u….arod is a di ck…i hate him more than anything in the world and this is fantastic news…

dominicanboy08 February 7, 2009 at 12:01 pm

how can you love this? arod is always killed by the media just because he is the highest paid player on the game. if you look at his numbers, he has been a power hitter his entire carrer unlike bonds.dont hate a player for the sake of hating a player. lets see if this is true first…jeez! if this is untrue, its not fair to him.

The Slider February 7, 2009 at 12:27 pm

That’s simply not true. ARod gets killed in the media because he says and does a lot of stupid things. He should have just stayed in Seattle where he could remain out of lime light.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Precisely…just as Bonds gets killed in the media because he has been an obnoxious jerk and bully to everyone around him since childhood, and was even voted off his college baseball team by his teammates before the coach invalidated the vote after being shocked by the results.

ARod is an all-time great, but an incredibly insincere guy who fools no one anymore.
When you are this rich and prominent and as big a jerk as these guys, you can be sure that if you give the media (and ambitious prosecutors) the slightest ammo which with to attack you, they will use every last shred of it.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Bonds committed felony perjury. AROD did not. His name is on a sealed document that was seized for only BALCO clients, and not AROD. This evidence will never be released because it was formulated back in 2003 with explicit written protection of the players. BALCO clients are being released because thats part of a federal investigation.

Jetsmets321 February 7, 2009 at 11:52 am

Jose Canceco was right again, everytime people would trash him and he is now 2 for 2. is the 3rd time the charm for good ol Jose?

uppertank February 7, 2009 at 11:54 am

A-Roid?

keep it posi February 7, 2009 at 11:55 am

A-FRAUD!

Metfreak February 7, 2009 at 11:55 am

I love this because it make the Yankee fans upset but this is bad for baseball

MetsFan4Decades February 7, 2009 at 11:57 am

Wow. True or not, it’s gonna be hard for ARod to get past this latest controversy.

Are they going to make the rest of that so called ‘anonymous’ testing group public?

This is just not good for MLB…

stickguy February 7, 2009 at 11:59 am

At least I know what the (probably) only topic of conversation will be on XM homeplate on my drive to work Monday!

I always thought that A Rod was relatively small (or at least had a normal, non-road body type), but there was a picture posted the other day where he was all buffed up, so not hard to believe.

Sad thing though is he always was a tremendous hitter, and unless he was juicing since HS, his numbers never took an obvious roid uptick.

Wonder if he has been on anything since getting snagged?

Still, he always has come across as kinda smarmy, and you just have to love more bad publicitiy for the Yanks!

Just as long as DW never shows up on one of these lists…

stickguy February 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm

They should just write off the steroid era and move on. Put in place the best testing possible, and stern penalties for anyone caught in the future. And just grandfather in everyone.

The whole era is tainted (numbers wise) anyway,

jaydh February 7, 2009 at 12:16 pm

yea, because willie mays never used greenies or red juice.

nydre78 February 7, 2009 at 12:02 pm

This was information that should have stayed sealed, but the feds leaked it. The feds are just as bad as these players.

MetsFan4Decades February 7, 2009 at 12:08 pm

I couldn’t agree with you more.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:46 pm

exactly.

stickguy February 7, 2009 at 12:03 pm

But, ya gotta admit, he has the perfect nickname for this (A Rod to A Roid). He should trademark it for himself.

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Okay so cross Arod off the moves that the “Coupons” were to cheap to make maybe they already knew???

mouserdz February 7, 2009 at 12:09 pm

Ha, good point. I’m almost surprised we didn’t end up with A-roid. It would be typical of the mets to be stuck with this cancer. Have fun Yanks.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Excellent potential point….

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 12:09 pm

2 more names i wouldnt be suprised to see Dunn and Howard and maybe even Manny.

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 12:09 pm

3*

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Not that I like to make a habit of defending Phillies, but this list is from a survey test done in 2003, Howard didn’t reach the majors until 2004.

nymgb44 February 7, 2009 at 12:19 pm

I think it’s fairly obvious that Ryan “The Juicer” Howard is doing steroids. I really hope that Juicer doesn’t get his $18 million.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:40 pm

I don’t think thats obvious though…Dunn and Howard have one thing in common, they are big guys. They are built strong and have the natural frame to play the way they have played. Same with Piazza. He is a big guy. These guys don’t need to roid to become strong.

keep it posi February 7, 2009 at 12:13 pm

I wonder if Piazza juiced? I hope not because he was my childhood hero.

jaydh February 7, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Why is anyone ever surprised by this? Just about EVERY player has used PEDs in baseball(and other sports) throughout history. Maybe not the same kind, but PEDs nevertheless. Anything to get a leg up.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Yeah, you are pretty much right….especially in the NFL.

But, as I would guess you and many other folks here know, the prosecutors who get Bonds and/or Clemens make a national rep for themselves and use that to try and run for office or get megabucks in the private sector.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:48 pm

BOnds and Clemens lied under oath. The rest of MLB did not. Except for Sammy “I don’t speak English” Sosa, Mark “Shoot me up” McGwire, and Rafy “Viagra” Palmero

dykstraw February 7, 2009 at 12:15 pm

lol at the yankees for having to deal with this and all, but this is terrible news for baseball

nymgb44 February 7, 2009 at 12:18 pm

I’m liking A-Roid myself…it’s not hard to make up, granted, but I thought of it in 2006 and I’ve been waiting for the day I could use it. Now I can!

There is a little sadness, though, when you realize that the next Home Run King will just be another ‘roider. First Bonds, now this clown…let’s just hope Pujols is clean.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:50 pm

and its a shame because they both are two of the greatest hitters of our generation, without drugs.

mouserdz February 7, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Someone needs to trademark “A-Roid” and make a dime for all the shirts they’ll be selling outside of Fenway this year.

Genesis Does February 7, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Wow now thats some news to wake up to. Bad for baseball. Really bad for Yankee fans. Im kind of torn how to feel. I hate the guy but the record being clean wouldve been nice

ProudMetFan February 7, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Bonds did it. He did it. Who else did it?

This upsets me deeply. I would not be surprised one bit if this is true. It’s just that almost evryone who wants to achieve success in baseball does drugs.

Arod is one is one of the best in baseball, we all know that, if it is tue that he took steroids in 2003 his legacy is ruined, no matter if he makes the HOF or if he becomes HR champion.

This is an upsetting day for baseball.

mookie February 7, 2009 at 12:30 pm

What really upsets me, is that hall of fame writers might let these athletes into the hall of fame because so many of the players did the same thing. It annoys me when people try to use that excuse to justify their actions.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Its tough though, Bonds may not get in because he will soon be a convicted felon, while Big Mac was an ok player with only a few great years, but AROD hasn’t broken any MLB rules yet (there was no penalty in 2003) or lied under oath. So we’ll see.

Ceetar February 7, 2009 at 1:05 pm

If you let one in, you have to let all of them in.

And they’ll let one in.

sincekindergarten February 7, 2009 at 12:38 pm

He came up hot for ‘roids back then–but I’d be surprised if he used them since then. Yeah, I know, once a cheater, always a cheater, but . . . I’m sure that he’s lawyering up as I type.

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:53 pm

Well I think its safe to as-sume that no current big stars cheat, it just seems too hard to get away with it now. But that doesnt mean they didnt used to do it.

Kalihan42 February 7, 2009 at 12:41 pm

This kind of fits with my dislike of A-rod and does not shock me. I always thought he was kind of a pre-modonna and it fits with my dislike of him as a complainer and a poor sportsman. I am kind of interested to see if his performance goes down oince he is forced to play without steriods.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Well, I don’t know exactly when the current MLB PED testing policy was put in place, but I know it wasn’t yesterday. ARod has at best been clean since it was instated, at worst he is using those substances which MLB doesn’t/can’t test for, so either way his performance is unlikely to change in the context of PEDs due to this story coming out.

Genesis Does February 7, 2009 at 12:58 pm

prima-donna?

Metfreak February 7, 2009 at 12:49 pm

There is no one to blame but MLB they had to known about this like 10 yrs ago but didn’t stop it because HR =$$$$$$

starz31 February 7, 2009 at 12:56 pm

very true…they certainly knew about it. the Lo Duca stories from last year proved the Dodgers were aware of his use and the fact he stopped taking them contributed to him being trade to Florida. I can’t believe thats the only story out there, especially concerning good players and stars.

oleosmirf February 7, 2009 at 12:51 pm

this comes a no suprise. i’ve always believed A-Rod was a steroid-user.

A-Rod is a clubhouse cancer and no team will ever win a championship with him on the team.

The Yankees have all the tools to win a WS, except the fact that A-Rod brings them down…

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:00 pm

I think the Yankees haven’t had all the tools in place to win a World Series since roughly 2003. They’ve made a ton of mistakes in as-sembling their starting pitching staffs this century. CC, and if he remains healthy AJ go a long way toward fixing that, but they still have a black hole in CF, and if they insist on keeping Joba in the rotation, their bullpen between the starters and the great Mariano is suspect at best. Not to mention the aging Matsui/Damon/Posada. Their failure to win it all this century has little to nothing to do with Arod.

oleosmirf February 7, 2009 at 1:03 pm

they have arguably the best rotation in baseball now and a deadly lineup

the only thing they are lacking is a CF and a bullpen although if Joba moves to the pen for the playoffs they would then have the best 8th and 9th inning in baseball…

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Yes, and should they fail to win the WS this season it will more likely be due to an injury to AJ Burnett, or age related decline/injury of Damon, Matsui and/or Posada, or their failure to put Joba in the bullpen, or their failure to upgrade from Gardner in CF, than it will be due to ARod’s perennial MVP type performance.

oleosmirf February 7, 2009 at 1:13 pm

they are a lock to make the playoffs and with a rotation of Sabathia, Wang, Pettitte, Burnett they will be very tough to beat.

i wont say “i hate the yankees so i’ll make up things to say they arent good”

i know they will be around 100 wins this season with or without Burnett…

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm

oleo–are they really a lock with aging players all over the place, and the Red Sox, Rays, Twins, White Sox, Indians, and Angels also all serious competitors for 4 playoff spots, not to mention whoever will be this year’s surprise team(s)?

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:23 pm

“I hate the Yankees so I’ll make things up?” Where the hell did that come from?

All I’m doing is as-signing reasonable possibilities for things not breaking right, like you do when you as-sess the upcoming season for the Manny-less Mets.

I guess we just pretty much disagree about every possible topic that comes up here.

I have one final question for you and I’ll be happy with your answer as the last word on this topic: Since these seem to be the only two choices you’ll allow me, are the Yankees a lock, or will ARod the cancer bring them down?

professor met February 7, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Generally, I’m amused. In reality though, all I care is about getting another lefty reliever and a righty bat for the bench. The season can’t start soon enough.

MetsFan06 February 7, 2009 at 12:55 pm

If he didn’t take steriods he probably still have 400 or so homeruns.

oleosmirf February 7, 2009 at 12:57 pm

one thing I will say about Barry Bonds. Even though he took steroids and is a terrible human being, the guy was the most dominant baseball player I have ever seen.

you just couldnt get him out…

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 7:37 pm

Well yeah, because he was a steroid freak. That’s the reason.

The most dominanting track and field race I’ve ever seen was Ben Johnson destroying Carl Lewis. Same deal with Bonds.

Those drugs work, that’s why everyone takes them.

MetsFan06 February 7, 2009 at 1:04 pm

That will be so funny if the Yankees miss the playoffs for two strait years just like the Mets did. And then the Mets make the playoffs for those two years!

Elastic February 7, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Piazza has already admitted taking ANDRO which is androstenedione (a steroid). At the time he was taking it, ANDRO had not been banned by MLB.

swoboda-bing February 7, 2009 at 1:09 pm

Just legalize the juice already. If we are honest, all fans want to see balls hit further and pitched faster. If players choose to risk their health, so be it. If it’s turning into a freak show, then let’s go full-freak. Inject the juice, spread the cream and let’s see how far a baseball can travel and who can hit the most.

Elastic February 7, 2009 at 1:12 pm

If performing enhancers are legalized, why not just build robot players and take the humanity of the competition completely out of the game.

swoboda-bing February 7, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Payrolls would be cheaper. You will see that next. A cyborg pitcher. Invest $100 million in R&D to develop the Santanator! Why not?

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:13 pm

Hahaha…interesting perspective…maybe Vince McMahon is ready to start a competing league.

XLB??

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Not ALL fans. I far prefer the low scoring, well pitched, move the runner along, under 3 hour, 2 to 1 game as opposed to the high scoring, poorly pitched, home run or bust, 3 hour 45 minute, DH tainted, 11 to 7 game. Am I in the minority? Perhaps, but please don’t say ‘all fans.’

Elastic February 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Amen

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:17 pm

I was joking above, but I totally agree….little in sports is more exciting than a 1-0 or 2-1 game, especially if it is a meaninggful game and/or in the postseason.

swoboda-bing February 7, 2009 at 1:24 pm

I agree 1-0 games are awesome. But if that one run comes in the bottom of ninth on one swing of the bat–would you rise out of your seat to watch its majestic flight? Or do you go home sullen because you did not see a walk, SB, error and sac fly to bring the run in?

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:29 pm

First off, I think you make funny and good points, including below about how society is awash in performance enhancers.

But for me personally, I think games that are 0-0 entering the bottom of the 9th are incredibly exciting, and I am with gravedigger that low-scoring, fundamentally well-played games are the most exciting. I prefer 2-1 games over 12-11 games anyday. 12-11 games seem like the Bad News Bears to me, and can be fun to watch, but I think a 1-0 or 2-1 game is more tension-filled, when EVERY pitch, every swing, every play can mean the game. In a 12-11 game, nothing means anything, because more runs will come next inning.

Just my opinion.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:33 pm

If the concept is my favorite team wins the game, clearly the home run in the bottom of the last inning is more exciting, but by no means am I sullen if the only run scored was in the 2nd inning via ’smallball.’

swoboda-bing February 7, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Fair enough gentlemen. Excellent arguments. I would amend my post above to read “most” fans rather than “all”.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:39 pm

And yes, in the 1-0 game of course a Reyes or Wright or Beltran homer to win is better than a small ball run….Beltran’s homer in the 17th or whatever in that game against the Phils in 2006 was amazing…..

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:40 pm

swoboda-bing, please consider your fairness and reasonability on this topic, and your amendment of ‘all’ to ‘most’ appreciated, because it genuinely is.

By the way, I love your screen name. Well done.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Thanks Swoboda, I really love it when people can have differing opinions and all make good arguments for their side and stay civil. That truly is one of the very best things about this site.

I am guilty of childish humor sometimes, but thnaks for the high-level, respectful debate man, much appreciated.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Kingman, I was at that game. Best seats I’ve ever had, Field Box X1B, just a few rows back directly behind home plate. Was very tired, had to work the next day but couldn’t leave because of the best seats ever. Talk about rising out of my seat to watch majestic flight! Big kudos to Ryan Madson that night who pitched 7 innings of 4 hit, 1 run relief, but thankfully eventually allowed Beltran’s belt.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm

That’s great gravedigger…I watched the entire game, and had a very long and early day the next morning….my brother and I run a biz together, and he has little kids and just cannot stay up that late and was very jealous when I told him what he missed. And yes, Madsen was amazing.

I was at a similar game in 1983, on my Dad’s birthday, when Dave Kingman hit a 2-run homer to win in the bottom of the 17th. My seats were not quite as good as yours though….Kingman was not too great of a player or a nice guy overall, but he sure did hit a lot of memorable homers….

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:58 pm

Great story Kingman, thanks for sharing. That’s a fantastic “Dad’s birthday” memory to have, and also sheds further light on your screen name(s). Given today’s topic, it’s nice to know that Kong’s power was 100% his own.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Thanks gravedigger, and great point! Kingman is probably sitting on a yacht somewhere figuring he would hit 70 every year if he played today!

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Oh, and I never wanted to expand my screen name, but recently 3 different people have been on briefly with Kingman and 26 in their names, and they have kind of been on the side of negativity/Coupons/MANNYMANNY/small-market, etc, so I added a name from one of my favortie movies to hopefully keep people from thinking I had turned to the dark side…I originally should have thought of a more creative name like yours, still one of the very best on here!

Hazmet February 7, 2009 at 1:12 pm

There are many posts here saying this is bad for baseball. What this is bad for is fans of baseball. Baseball doesn’t care about steroids they only care if it impacts the revenue stream of baseball. Which it clearly has not. Bud has ridden this to the tune of a $17.5M per year salary and each year there are still a handful of huge contracts awarded to marquis players. And owners have continued to see record revenues pre current economy. I’m interested to see the other names on this list as it more than likely will continue to point out the hypocracy of MLB headquarters and it’s so called shock at the extent of steroid use. The only one’s whe really care about this are us the fans and we will continue to show up for the love of the game. Alright, now I’ll kick my soap box out from under me.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:15 pm

I completely agree. The owners and Bud care about dollars first, second, third and last.

They could care less about steroid use.

oleosmirf February 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm

well that is how a business works…

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Thanks oleo–as co-owner of a successful small business, I will be sure to keep that in mind.

swoboda-bing February 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Has anyone writing these anti-enhancement posts ever used viagra or levitra? That’s performance enhancement. What about prozac? Mood enhancement. This is our society today–baseball just mirrors our collective dependencies. Get off your high horses.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 1:36 pm

For most of my life I’ve found it odd what things our government will legalize, tax and allow promoted versus what it will criminalize and prosecute.

metsin080910 February 7, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Us viagra or lavitra takers do not get paid millions of dollars to have sex with our wives or girlfreinds or one-night-stands for that matter. Enhancing your performance in bed and on the diamond is not comparable.

metsin080910 February 7, 2009 at 1:38 pm

People need to stop calling A-Rod the best player in baseball. It’s obvious Albert Pujols is the best player on the planet and HE will break Bonds record. If Pujols tests positive for steriods I don’t know what I’d do.

dte421 February 7, 2009 at 1:49 pm

Don’t hold your breath on steroids – his personal trainer has already been implicated by Jason Grimsley. I’m not going to say Pujols is a juicer, because I really don’t want him to be… but at this point, it would not shock me, and evidence has already pointed at him.

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 7:42 pm

I hate to burst your bubble, but Pujols looks like a roid-user more than any other player in the game.

He appeared in the middle of the roid-age, and he has a ridiculous barrel sized chest for a young guy.

I’m 99% sure Pujols uses. I’d be shocked if he didn’t.

Don Logan February 7, 2009 at 1:42 pm

I am not surprised by this A-Rod news. In fact, I’ve been telling friends right along that I believe he was all HGH’d up in 2007. He was jacked that year compared to 06. He wanted to win the Yankee fans over that were down on him from the year before. Then by last year he was a little more human again.

The Eephus February 7, 2009 at 1:49 pm

Warning: This post might anger a lot of purists.

In any event, for the sake of banter, I think we need to consider the fact of having a big cathartic reaction and relinquisging the anger we have towards juicers… In other words, those that have the credentials, positive testing (pre- penalties of course) aside, BELONG IN THE HOF. I will break this case down on 3 levels.

Part 1- For all the old time fans who put their eras on a pedastal, how many spitballers, sandpaper artists, vasoliners, etc are in the HOF?? I am sure pleanty, notaby Gaylord Perry, yet nobody cries for their heads… And who knows when the use of PEDs really began. As as can see, it wasn’t just size that proves it, so a # of yesteryears sluggers (Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, etc. I know there is no proof, but the witchhunt of the “steroid era” began with speculation so who knows…) To further throw a wrench into the nostalgia factor, was Babe Ruth accused of hitting weak pitching when considering the fact no minorities were in basebal??

Part 2- The whole “cheating” rhetoric. I define cheating as either breaking rules that were set in stone (with penalties) or having an unfair advantage that nobody knew about. Prior to around 2004 I think, baseball did not test or penalize roids so that takes away part a of the criteria. It also seems everyone knew about it and could have just as easily used roids as if it were Creatine, so it does not seem terribly unfair. Some players made healthy choices, others didn’t….

Part 3- Just as many pitchers were on enhancers. Therefore, the great # producers of the era were against a level playing field. Furthermore, not every juicer put up big #s (see Jeremy Giambi). Same for the pitchers. In general, the Bonds’ Arods, Big Macs, etc were the BEST OF THE STEROID ERA. And yes, this sadly means Clemens too… Let them in. The Steroid Era is no more tainted by immorality than any other period in the game, whether we want to admit it or not.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Very interesting post, I agree with most of it.

One other point that helps your argument even more (and the point about there being no black or Latin players in Ruth’s era is a great one) is Ty Cobb’s persona–a vicious, violent, unrepentant racist–should he be in the Hall, while Pete Rose isn’t? Not in my book. I would argue his conduct was more detrimental to the game and society than Rose’s…and I was no fan of his when he played. I was a 7-year old screaming for Bud to kick his butt in 1973.

As long as Pete never bet against his own team, he should be in if the slimeball Cobb is.

But I think McGwire, unlike Bonds, Clemens, and ARod, was not a HOF player without the PEs.

wladair February 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm

I hope that this is another blown out of proportion thing for the sake of baseball, but if its true, he should be punished fully and not just a slap on the wrist. His credibility is gone, say what you want about David Wright being A-Rod lite, he would not do steroids to help his game.

mouserdz February 7, 2009 at 2:01 pm

He won’t be punished. When he took the test that he failed, it was under the condition that no one would be punished. If he’s caught doing steroids today, then yes, he should and will be punished.

Giantmetfan08 February 7, 2009 at 2:05 pm

this just made my year.

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 2:06 pm

As a Mets fan, I am so thankful that we have David Wright on our team. I am glad we had nothing to do with A-Rod. The Mets made the right choice.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:42 pm

hey esq u a member of the nyscdl?

grotesmask February 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Phuck the Phuckiggin Skankoffs!

Yank-off SUK Forever and a Day!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:24 pm

jeez the filters are tough today

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:26 pm

what am i saying that needs moderation?

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Seriously, the filter is out of control.

Cactus February 7, 2009 at 9:37 pm

I don’t even know what sets it off anymore. Maybe SNY is under a mandate from the Wilpons to disallow critical comments on its blog lineup.

ASod1975 February 7, 2009 at 10:03 pm

That’s sad if true…

mouserdz February 8, 2009 at 4:41 am

Test….. Kill Kill Chokeslam. crucify female dogs,

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 10:58 am

we can say penis cock and pussy, but cant say a-s-s

MetzFanInTX February 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm

I think the biggest question is why has it taken 7 years for this to come out? and if he did use steroids were they band at the time he used them or did it just become band?

This is bad for the baseball, everytime someone breaks a record now everyone will think that person is on the juice.

Razor Shines February 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Well, five years and a few months, but the testing was done anonymously — the other 103 names are still locked down, and we aren’t even sure if the report that ARod is the 104th name is 100% accurate.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:39 pm

4 confirmed sources razor – can be damning – especially after the jose conseco book – u know the saying “where theres smoke… theres grant roberts with a bong and a-roid with a needle in the tush lol

LeiterMilnerFasterStronger February 7, 2009 at 4:50 pm

The reason it’s taken so long to come out? IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE COME OUT. The testing was for survey purposes only, and the IDs/results could have been destroyed by the union– whose job it is to protect ALL players’ interests/privacy– before the government raids for the BALCO investigation.

metsfrenzy February 7, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Personally I’m tired of this crap-MLB, the union etc. I realize these guys are not saints but disclose the information already… we all suspect players that are on the juice-Bonds, McGwire, Sosa-now A-Rod.. just release the information and move on.. Why is is necessary to hide this crap-public should know especially the kids who look up to these clowns.. and put astericks next to their achievements!

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 2:29 pm

MLB network has Bob Costas live in studio with Selena Roberts right now!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:38 pm

me no lika de costas – although he was funny on monk

aj522 February 7, 2009 at 3:07 pm

I’m impressed, first time I checked out the network, nice to see it isn’t going to be a rah rah baseball is great and there is never a problem network..cough cough YES

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:13 pm

lol too bad hes a yankee shill lol

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:29 pm

there is a player who used to play for the mariners and is on the reds last year who is still on the market – his daddy used to play for the yanks – he is called jr and for some reason i cant post his name n the site

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:31 pm

oh we might be interested if he lowers his demands as per mlbtr

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 2:31 pm

that’s odd

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm

tell me about it heb – by the way ronn hodges and jr ortiz from the catching corps says hi – so does alex trevinio

Clem Kadiddlehopper February 7, 2009 at 8:09 pm

Is it true that when ex-catchers shake hands it takes 3 hours to separate them? :)

casey s. February 7, 2009 at 2:31 pm

i’m glad this stuff is coming out and all, but this is unbelievable since these test results were supposed to have been distroyed.

i’m fairly certainly the release of these names is illegal.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm

im hearing the players union wanted them kept so to have concrete numbers in case they had to dispute the claims

casey s. February 7, 2009 at 2:57 pm

makes sense, but i think the deal with the players was that the results would be destroyed. if they broke that deal (for whatever reason), they are in deep.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:03 pm

so – what ??? a -r od can aford another golder back scratcher??? he alrady has a cougar named madona lol

casey s. February 7, 2009 at 3:05 pm

sigh…my point is not about a-roid. but, if you want to get fixated on him, fine. my point stands.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:12 pm

sorry casey i glanced over your post so i thought u were talking about him my sincirist apologies ( no sarcasm here) but going back to your comment – look if the union was so smart they couldas blocked the mitchell report also – especially since these players took substances that werent banned during that scope of time – and are now being villified – but orza is turning a deaf ear on it like im sure he will do now with alex

casey s. February 7, 2009 at 7:21 pm

cool, no worries. i agree with your point. orza is disgusting.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:35 pm

ok kiddies now that i am thouroghly ticked with the filter system heres todays – t”this day in mets infamy with rusty” by the way belated b-day to the late joan payson who woulda been 106 so here we go now
happy b-days go out to
Benny Ayala (1951) uncle of little luis lol
Charlie Puleo (1955) he the best pitcher from 81 – 83 – not saying much lol
Endy Chavez (1978) THANKYOU FOR THE CATCH HEARD ROUND THE WORLD
Transactions:
New York Mets traded Hank Webb and Richard Sander to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Rick Auerbach on February 7, 1977. 2 1 word – WHO?!?

Mickey Lolich announced his retirement on February 7, 1977. – served him right – another bad mcdonald/ grant move

New York Mets released Ross Jones on February 7, 1986. – didnt he play guitar in manowar? :P

New York Mets claimed David Lamb on waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on February 7, 2000. isnt he with texas now?

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:40 pm

g-r-i-f-f-y jr – damn i hate these filters

Cactus February 7, 2009 at 9:40 pm

it’s like tecmo super bowl with qb eagles, qb bills, and qb bengals

ineedhelp February 7, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Who could ever forget the ROID-SERIES between the Mets and the ROIDEES

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 2:54 pm

lol – but we did have 1 known steroid user on the team at that time if i remember correctly — TODD PRATT!! and he barely played lol

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 3:04 pm

I no rusty us having todd pratt really levels the playing field because he single-handedly counteracts Pettite Clemens Giambi etc. The Great Todd Pratt lol

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:05 pm

lol i know – especially since he stopped venturas’s grand slam – roid rage i tells ya l!!!lol

Hazmet February 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm

Quick Pratt Tale: My friends son had their travel team at Shea for a meet the players day on the field when Pratt was with them. One of the kids was actually a huge Pratt fan and had his jersey on. He asked Todd for an autograph and he told the kid sure and went into the dugout joked around and then blew the kid off and ditched him. The kid snapped, took off his jersey, threw it on the ground stomped on it and started yelling down the tunnel at him. Pratt is a complete a-h-o-l-e.

LeiterMilnerFasterStronger February 7, 2009 at 4:52 pm

Kid sounds like a real prize, too.

BBmetsfreak36 February 7, 2009 at 9:29 pm

Jason Giambi did not play in the 2000 world series for the yankees.
He was MVP for the Athletics that season I believe.

mouserdz February 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm

Before we start gloating, lets wait until the other 100+ names revealed. We all know about the Mike Piazza rumors.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:24 pm

always in the back of my mind mouse

Razor Shines February 7, 2009 at 9:58 pm

There are a list of homosexuals?

I don’t know of any Piazza-steroid rumors.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:08 pm

btw guys just looked at stadium page – they have pics from today !!! – almost gone guys – i nearly wept – then i started to smile knowing that a bunch of chuckle heads (a whole 5 if you count the shea stadium cats)were at $iti field for the million manny trillio march/ protest!

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:11 pm

I think someone asked if I was a member of the NYS department of labor. To answer your question, I am not.

As an attorney, I cannot be upset if A-Rod lied on 60 minutes. As a man, it is upsetting. As a fan of baseball, it definitely hurts the sport’s credibility. Since the tests, are in fact random, how can we properly provide a bright line, between players who were and weren’t steroid users. If MLB and the PU, are on the same page with regard to cleaning up the sport, then all players should be tested. It is not a right to be able to play MLB, it is a privilege. MLB has to do the right thing.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:12 pm

nycesq are you a member of the nyscdl?

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:18 pm

In all honesty, my fellow Met fan, I have no idea what that is?

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:20 pm

sorry – new york state a$$ociation of criminal defense lawers -

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Oh, haha, I’m sorry.

I play for the other team.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 4:55 pm

lol ok my mother is their p,r rep

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 3:13 pm

here here!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:16 pm

totally agree esq!!

ProudMetFan February 7, 2009 at 3:14 pm

Didnt Heilman or Schoenweis test positive for something? It was one of those guys.

I just find it hysterical when you take roids and su ck.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:17 pm

see mota , gueiermo lol

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:22 pm

no heilmann – but scho does – cuz of his testicualr cancer – he allegendly has a waver from the mlb front office

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Hey Rusty–Thanks for today’s Met Moment–I think Benny Ayala was one of the Mets who homered in his first MLB at bat when I was a kid.

Mentioned you before, as someone mentioned Julie Donaldson and missing watching her, and i remembered your old comment, something about her in stiletto heels….I will try and let that image compensate for the one you put on the previous page about Castillo hitting in crotchless panties…I like the Julie image a little better….lol…..

Hazmet February 7, 2009 at 3:29 pm

Here, here – good job rusty.

And yes you are correct Benny Ayala did homer in his first appearance. Crushed down the left field line almost upper deck but I believe just to the right of where the seats end over the bullpen. Almost approached Agee’s shot

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Thanks Hazmet; did not remember it being such a blast…I thought Benny was in that select group….but alas, his first at bat was his career highlight, although he was a decent bench player for the O’s.

Hazmet February 7, 2009 at 3:34 pm

True the distance was a shock. The only reason I recall it was Kiner was gushing after the call.

Metshead1974 February 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Yea, Heilman tested positive for high levels of estrogen.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:57 pm

LOL!!

But I do think that was natural, and not from taking supplements….

What will be more fun, watching our hitters face Schoeneweis or Heilman??

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 4:56 pm

all the coulda wouldas and shouldas lol

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm

Andruw Jones is close to signing a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers, Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown reports.

Brown also states that Jones had earlier declined a non-roster invitation to Spring Training from the New York Yankees.

The signing could potentially help the team move Josh Hamilton to right field, which would likely keep him healthier over the course of an entire season. Of course, Jones’ most recent major league showings have indicated a need for drastic improvement before he can contribute at a big league level.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:29 pm

I think Andruw’s most impressive recent showings have clearly been at the dining room table level….

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Well done. That was brilliant.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Thank you counselor!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:02 pm

pa$$ the grits please !!

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:40 pm

At Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News:

He said that Garcia received a clean bill of health. He is now the clear favorite to win the no. 5 job.

They have also not closed the door on Abreu. If his price falls between 2-4 million, they will take a look at him. They want to keep wiggle room for a mid-season trade.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:45 pm

This is really excellent news on both counts…The Chief, if healthy, is still young enough to have an impact for several years.

And I know Abreu has his detractors, but his OBP (and excellent performance against LHP) in the 2 hole? Say hello to 150 RBI for Wright.

NYCESQ February 7, 2009 at 3:48 pm

If this is the case, having Redding in the bullpen, makes us that much stronger.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Agreed….and he has already said he is fine with the long man/6th starter role, and apparently told his agent he wanted to be here.

I am pro-Ollie, I think a healthy Maine can be excellent, I LOVE the new bullpen, and to me, this is just more good news. Our pitching staff is going to make the early leads stand up this year.

Like Torre says in his book about the 1996 Yanks with Rivera and Wetteland and good starters, we can make it a 6 or 7 inning game—with a lead after 6 or 7, which we should often have, we are going to win a lot of games.

Clem Kadiddlehopper February 7, 2009 at 8:41 pm

The major question with Garcia will be whether or not he will regain enough velocity on his fastball to make him effective.

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 3:48 pm

could you imagine:
having a healthy Garcia back to his old form
on top of a posibly healthy Sanchez back to his old form
on top of Church returning to pre-concusion #2 form,
on top of Pelfrey at his top of last years’ form
on top of a good, healthy Maine,
on top of a healthy, back to his old form Castillo

DAMMIT I JUST WOKE UP

Clem Kadiddlehopper February 7, 2009 at 8:44 pm

Go back to sleep and dream of Pedro in a Mets uniform with a 98 mph fastball. :)

steadyeddie February 7, 2009 at 3:49 pm

How a bout a dark blue tee with the skankee NY on the front and on the back it says;
“Got Sy-ringes?”
and 26 little needles lined up.
Can we get these made up right away, Rusty.
I need a 3x.
Oh the joy in Metsville!

enterkrod February 7, 2009 at 3:54 pm

hahaha….thats good…i would buy 3 of those shirts…haha

SantanaClause February 7, 2009 at 4:32 pm

I’ve already started designing it. it looks awesome because you walk up to some yankee fan with the logo on the front and they’ll think your one of them then when you turn to leave they see the shirts true meaning.

danimal February 7, 2009 at 5:46 pm

i will buy 2 XXLs, and 3 XLs

janoboys February 7, 2009 at 3:54 pm

i think Alex has a new name
A-ROID
i dont think anyone should be surprised

enterkrod February 7, 2009 at 3:55 pm

i like that…i also heard ster-rod…yours is a whole lot better

ASod1975 February 7, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Man, I rushed here to type A-Roid, and I’ve already seen it here a couple times. Although, it is a pretty obvious nickname but funny nonetheless. Could we just give the home run record back to its rightful owner, Hank Aaron?

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 4:12 pm

Amen on Aaron–in my mind, he never lost the record…one of the greatest and clas*iest guys in baseball history. Not to mention what he experienced playing in the south 40 years ago, and the racist idiocy he experienced while chasing the record.

Al Kykyoras February 7, 2009 at 4:01 pm

This news means nothing to me. I have not flipped about the whole steroids thing…ever really. My whole belief was that it was so widespread throughout baseball that it always was a “level playing field” because nearly everyone was doing it.

It was good enough for baseball when these juice head players brought them back to life from near death. I blame the fat cats throughout baseball, including owners that knew damn well this was going on. Now they are “cleaning up” baseball blah blah blah. Sure, like they didn’t know that most of the league was juicing.

Just play some f’in baseball.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 4:19 pm

I just realized what your name means—that’s great!!

ASod1975 February 7, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Agreed, that’s one of the funnier names I’ve seen on here.

atrain311 February 7, 2009 at 4:18 pm

Lol. And A-Roid is such a head case, this is going to haunt him come playoff time. Let’s hope the boys in the Bronx keep getting this kind of press and we just keep racking up wins with our solid starters and awesome pen! Come on ST get here already.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 4:24 pm

Amen on all counts, especially this outstanding prediction of exactly how the season should go:

“we just keep racking up wins with our solid starters and awesome pen!”

atrain311 February 7, 2009 at 4:39 pm

Yeah, I’ve gotten over the fact that our team and organization isn’t a fantasy baseball team and we’re not going to get every big name in the world, but we still have one hell of a club. Plus, we all know pitching wins championships and I feel really confident we’ve got the pitching aspect covered. After pitching, defense is where it’s at and I like our defense as well…especially if Castillo is right. Everyone says speed kills and I think we’ve got that too! Our O was great last year, sure we had a tough time getting timely hits, but I bet my paycheck (small coin…I teach) that we won’t be bit by that bug again. I think our lack of a pen had our guys pressing come the later innings.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 4:47 pm

Agreed on EVERY WORD.

Except I do think teachers should get paid much better…..

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:11 pm

i think us starving musicians should :P

Clem Kadiddlehopper February 7, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Where I live teachers get outstanding salaries plus incredible benefits. I strongly recommend it as a career path.

BTW my sister made my brother-in-law quit his job playing in a band because she didn’t trust him going out on the road. Of course he became an insurance salesman so the opportunities were still there.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:19 am

But Clem, as a former musician myself, I do think that your sister was on to something, as music groupies may in fact be of a different quality and quantity level of groupie-hood than insurance groupies!

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 4:38 pm

In a discussion previously in this thread about the Yankees, another commenter said to me “they will be around 100 wins this season with or without Burnett…” in the context of my suggesting certain things which could go wrong with this upcoming Yankee season.

I didn’t even think to suggest the media storm related to this topic as something that could negatively impact that team this coming season, so thank you for noting it.

I just have a hard time, even with a healthy Burnett, believing the Yankees will win 100 regular season games, considering 54 of them are against the Red Sox, Rays and Blue Jays, against which the Yankees went 29-25 last season.

Bear in mind, I’m not suggesting they won’t be a force to be reckoned with, nor am I suggesting they won’t make the post season. I just don’t think they’re going to win 100 games to get there.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Agreed; plus the whole AL is going to be tough….the Twins, White Sox and Angels will all be good, and the Indians might be as well. The Yanks are going to have a much tougher time than they think getting one of those 4 playoff spots.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 4:58 pm

HELLO CLEVELAND !!!

Clem Kadiddlehopper February 7, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Winning 100 games is always difficult but they have a solid starting staff and some great arms in the bullpen, especially if Jaba is returned to the pen. Just a couple of years ago Hughes was rated as one of the very best pitching prospects in baseball and he could mature this season. Basically I don’t care what they do since the last time I looked they weren’t in the NL and unlike some Mets fans I’m not obsessed with them. My friends that root for the Yankees generally don’t put the Mets down. They couldn’t care less about the Mets.

stearnsfan12 February 7, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Mark my words, this is the TIP OF THE ICEBERG!!!!!!

Shinjo is God February 7, 2009 at 4:30 pm

There are still 103 other players out. I’m interested in seeing what other names are in that group.

GravediggerHebner February 7, 2009 at 4:44 pm

If I understood Serena Roberts correctly in her interview today, she stated some of ARod’s teammates from the 2003 Texas Rangers, who have already been named in other PED related media reports, are on that list, such as Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro, but to be fair to those players I may have misunderstood what Ms. Roberts was saying.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 4:59 pm

i think casestreet would be crushed if tex was on that list

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:02 pm

Teixeira? MAJOR Juice HEAD!!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:03 pm

who knows?

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:05 pm

Anyone who’s not a complete stooge….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:12 pm

anothertypical – ever think manny was on the juice also?

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:23 pm

Yeah, probably….I’d say Manny was on and off the juice several times through out his career, but he wasn’t as flagrant an abuser as some of the other guys..He probably took a few cycles here and there. In this day and age, it’s hard to think otherwise, but Alice clearly took them all the time…he’s always been a rabid steroid abuser…..since high school.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:25 pm

But I don’t think Manny has been on them the last few years, and isn’t on them now….

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Alice is still on the HGH, and will probably always be on it…he’d rather die than have what he perceives as an imperfect body….he’s truly crazy…the pathologies are numerous…he’s a psychopath…1 out of 100 people are, and he’s definitely one.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Soooo….it finally comes out Alice does STEROIDS….and in other news…Jeter has herpes and the sky is blue….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:04 pm

alice as in linda lavin? or alice as in cooper??? damn i knew mel’s chili was potent :P

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 7, 2009 at 5:05 pm

and yes i too believe that jeter has the gift that keeps on giving

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:07 pm

He got it from Mariah Carey who got it from Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony and the OLD DB…Jeter then gave it to Jessica Alba, Jessica Beal, and Scarlett Johannsen……rotten shame….and Beal gave it to Justin Timberlake….and Baron Davis got from Alba….the list must be huge from these people…..disgusting.

Airfeet February 7, 2009 at 5:30 pm

LOL bone thugs N harmony

ProudMetFan February 8, 2009 at 8:57 am

Baron Davis with Alba rofl.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Alice Rodreekya$$

danimal February 7, 2009 at 5:53 pm

bone thugs n harmony reference…. a metsblog first???? i am loving this news, i am a big bonds supporter…and now all the haters out there need to discount AROID’s numbers in the same manner they treat bonds’ numbers….the real way to handle steroid era is to move on with it and if anyoen is caught going forward, deal with it then…but i am thrilled to hear arod was on list–couldn’t happen to a nicer guy

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 6:02 pm

lol, now maybe Bonds can be re-instated? I’d surely take him on the Mets….we can certainly use his bat. THE METS NEED TO UPGRADE THE OFFENSE!!

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 8:01 pm

The only way the Mets can upgrade their offense is if they shoot up Slappy McCantrun with 100 needles of whatever ARod is using.

CannonBoy13 February 7, 2009 at 8:31 pm

Then when he slaps at the ball and makes contact it may actually reach the outfield.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 8:49 pm

How about Schneider for Tejada straight up? Sign Pudge….and then trade Castillo in a three team trade to the White Sox…

ANGELS GET – Paul Konerko
ANGELS GIVE – Robb Quinlan, Jeff Mathis, Reggie Willits

WHITE SOX GET – Luis Castillo, Reggie Willits, Robb Quinlan
WHITE SOX GIVE – Paul Konerko

METS GET – Jeff Mathis
METS GIVE – Luis Castillo

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 8:54 pm

Gotta give you props for persistence man…seriously….I hate Schneider even more thsn Slappy…he su*ks….cannot hit and is incredibly overrated defensively….I am with you on wanting to get rid of him and taking a flyer on Pudge. He has been on some excellent teams.

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 9:04 pm

According to Omar 12 months ago, the Mets offense was so great, that they could afford to carry Schneider as an automatic out since his defense was so amazingly great.

Schneider’s hitting was as bad as advertised, but his defense was nowhere near as good as it was supposed to be.

I’m willing to give him another chance in 2009. At least until his first pas$ed ball.

(Can’t they just scrap the “filter”??? I can’t even say pas$sed ball for gods sake.)

No team will take Castillo unless the Mets pay most of his salary. Even then it would be hard.

In this economy, the Mets are stuck with Castillo unless he suddenly becomes good.

He’ll probably stink again, and Omar will be forced to eat the last two years of his contract.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 9:10 pm

Yes sir, I sure agree…Schneider’s defense was astonishingly mediocre at best…

And if you dont know, ANY word with a-s-s in it gets banned…totally nutty, but that is how the filter works.

That ARod post below is really some serious humor man…..

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Schneider is a joke….inexplicable he ever found his way on to this team to begin with.

I think the White Sox might have interest in Castillo if they could take Konerko off the books in the process….

Although, after looking at the mock trade, I think this works a little better –

ANGELS GET – Paul Konerko
ANGELS GIVE – Robb Quinlan, Reggie Willits, Jeff Mathis, Sean Rodriguez

WHITE SOX GET – Luis Castillo, Nick Evans, Robb Quinlan, Reggie Willits
WHITE SOX GIVE – Paul Konerko

METS GET – Jeff Mathis, Sean Rodriguez
METS GIVE – Luis Castillo, Nick Evans

Gland February 8, 2009 at 12:19 am

The White Sox have no need to trade for Castillo when Orlando Hudson is on the market.

Why don’t you keep the trade simpler? Would the Astros take Schneider/Castillo for Tejada if the Mets picked up the salary differential?

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 1:48 am

Ken Williams is Not looking to add payroll…in fact, he often jokes about electricity costs….Hudson is out for them unless they move payroll. Konerko makes 12 million this and next year. Williams has been on record as saying he’s not necessarily opposed to moving either Thome or Konerko. If he could move Konerko’s 24 million owed, receive 4 players, and upgrade at Second base by paying castillo’s 18 million owed, I think he does it. I personally think this deal works lovely for all 3 teams involved.

If the Astros are interested in a Schneider and Castillo swap for Tejada…rock on…I’ll even throw in Evans to defray costs…maybe even kick in a 1 million per year for Castillo’s contract….

sellitman February 7, 2009 at 6:12 pm

Will A-Roid ever make the hall now?

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Yes, as long as they have a “hall” for prima donna, stat padding, illegal drug taking, tiny testicled, tranny loving, 50 year old lady banging, Single White Female clone, lying, cheating, stealing, playoff failing, pressure choking losers. ARod will be a first ballot guy.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 8:32 pm

LOLOL!!!!!

And Slappy McCantrun is even better than my Slappy McMediocre!

From What I can Gather February 7, 2009 at 10:47 pm

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

m29w_12789 February 7, 2009 at 6:58 pm

1. Torre’s book
2. A-Fraud on roids
3. Jeter needs a new multi year contract, in 2010 and wants to stay at SS in his late 30’s . He wants 24 mil for 3-4 years and Yankees don’t want to give it .Yankees give him a hard time like Maris, Rizzutto, Mattingly and Bernie. He retires early

Priceless!!!!!!!

phukthephills February 7, 2009 at 7:44 pm

there’s some things money cant buy, for everything else, there’s mastercard

just-mlb February 8, 2009 at 8:54 am

the fact that there are no SS on the market in 2010…

and the yankees have no real replacement for Jeter in their farm system..

they are forced to give Jeter a 4 year 100 million dollar contract to keep him…

seeing Jeter in a Boston Red Sox jersey would be absolute comedy to me and horror to their fan base !

lol

Mex_17 February 7, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Oh no!!! ARod got caught with his pants down and a steroid needle in his @$$…

The calendar says February 6th, but it feels like CHRISTMAS to me!! I’m giddy!!! This is the best news in ages.

First off: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Furthermore: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

And in closing: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 8:27 pm

lolololol…..

nrmax88 February 7, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Haha. Wow. What a loser you are. This is what makes Met fans so pathetic. You idiots root against the Yankees and not against the Mets. I want to see your stupid response when Mike Piazza’s name comes out as a steroid user. You stupid clown. Saying this feels like Christmas to you should enforce to everybody what a loser you truly are.

nrmax88 February 7, 2009 at 9:38 pm

not for the Mets*

Mex_17 February 8, 2009 at 11:07 am

nrmax: You’re 100% wrong, because I root for the Yankees in the AL.

I know a lot of Met fans hate the Yankees, but not me. They don’t compete against each other, in my opinion.

I want AFraud out of NY.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 7, 2009 at 9:47 pm

ARod is one of the most selfish, disliked, insincere jerks in baseball and has been since the day he turned against the Mariners many years ago…..what in the world does being please by his comeuppance have to do with the Mets AT ALL??

danimal February 7, 2009 at 9:26 pm

i know this is like xmas…. i mean everyone knew the guy was a jerk, but t for this info to come out….wow….now, lets sign manny

casey s. February 7, 2009 at 10:34 pm

people down here in miami are in complete denial. it’s so strange how much they love a-roid down here.

garfios February 7, 2009 at 10:58 pm

What I don’t understand is, why did MLB didn’t do $hI* about it and wait until Canseco published his book to start cleaning up the mess.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 2:02 am

lol…big business views honesty like Johnny Damon views reading…with antipathy, and only when necessary…

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:22 am

AnotherTypical, I think we have reached common ground, as I think this quote of yours may be the very best and most accurate sentence I have ever read on Metsblog.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 11:50 pm

I’d like to get a general consensus here….

Alex Cora or Ray Durham?

Ray Durham had 35 doubles last year, and hit .289 had a .380 OPS and .812 OPS….Alex Cora hit .270 with a .720 OPS….

Who would you rather have? Who do you think would improve the club more?

Another Typical Mets Fan February 7, 2009 at 11:52 pm

.380 OBP**

compared to Cora’s.371….

Gland February 8, 2009 at 12:09 am

Durham only plays 2B. Cora plays SS and 2B (he’s actually played more games in his career at short). He’s also played a few games at 3B. So I think that’s why Omar preferred him.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 12:12 am

For as much as they signed Cora for, we could of gotten Durham AND Vizquel for the bench….

Gland February 8, 2009 at 12:14 am

Why would we want Vizquel? He is done. Cora is fine for the bench.

A more interesting question is if Durham should be starting over Castillo.

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 1:39 am

VIzquel could play Short, and is so defensively adept I’m sure he can handle Second. Imagine him and Reyes up the middle defensively? Nothing would get through.

I think adding Durham makes sense, and I think he and Castillo should battle it out…personally, I think Durham wins. I’d much rather have the extra pop, and Durham gets on base just as much. Castillo is a sunk cost, I’m not saying to cut him, but if Durham is out there, and will come relatively cheap….why not improve the club? Castillo on the bench/injury protection isn’t the worst thing in the world to have…..

enterkrod February 8, 2009 at 12:11 am

i dont understand why they tried to keep it quiet to begin with?…especially since bonds and all of them are being scrutinized…so they would have kept aroids quiet and most likely have him brfeak the all time homerun record…and have this kept under wraps?…if they got away with it?…

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 1:41 am

Of course they tried to get away with it. Alice should be treated just like Bonds was.

oleosmirf February 8, 2009 at 12:22 am

i dont understand the Cora signing.

look at eckstein who is a much more accomplished player taking 1.2 mil less to take basically the same role for a losing team.

I understand Eckstein wanted a chance to start opening day but with Jerry not being a fan of Castillo and the fact that he has bad knees, Eckstein would have taken over sooner or later…

Another Typical Mets Fan February 8, 2009 at 1:50 am

Eckstein wanted to start…but whatever, I don’t really see him as an upgrade on Castillo…or even really Cora….whiffing on Vizquel was a foolish move in my opinion, but it wouldn’t be as foolish as whiffing on Durham….

ineedhelp February 8, 2009 at 8:41 am

A-ROID…

Goodbye Shea February 8, 2009 at 8:54 am

Please take that CHUMP off the front page of Mets Blog!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 11:29 am

and to think there was a loud minority that wanted to try to sign him last year

ProudMetFan February 8, 2009 at 9:05 am

Who is deserving the HR crown now??? Im going to puke. If Aroid is out – what now?

Metfreak February 8, 2009 at 9:36 am

Now we are going to have to hear this for about week and maybe all summer

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:25 am

True, but you do not have to listen….What we are going to do this year is going to push the Skanks off the back pages, and even Fran-moron on WFAN is going to have to talk positively about the Mets….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 11:28 am

thats kinda like morton downey jr making nice with al sharpton :P

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:44 am

LOL! That would make a great steel-cage match for charity!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:10 pm

lol downey would be bob backlund and sharpton would be kamala the ugandan giant lol i got a funny sharpton story i have to tell u some time kingy if and when we meet lol

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 11:22 am

According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are no longer pursuing lefty reliever Will Ohman. The Braves made an early offer to Ohman and left it on the table for much of the winter. There have been varying reports on the Phillies’ interest; it seems they’d like to sign him cheaply. The Mets also have Ohman on the radar, if he’s a bargain.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 11:27 am

ok boyz and girls its time for the sunday edition of “this day in mets infamy with rusty” so strap in cuz today is a doozie

first off happy b-day to former coach Don Heffner (1911)

Died on this date:

Mike Bishop (2005)
Transactions:
New York Mets signed free agent Rey Ordóñez on February 8, 1994. – the original slappy mcsingleton !!!

New York Mets signed free agent Rich Rodriguez on February 8, 2000. – forever known as steve phillips cabinboy lol

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:33 am

In the immortal words of Walter Sobchak “And a good day to you sir!”

Thanks for the history moment, once again bringing the finest in long-forgotten Met history to everyone, free of charge, and with a smile…or at least an LOL….

Cannot believe things finally get started this Friday!

And remember, in the spring last year, Heilman, Feliiciano, and Wagner were absolutely unhittable, and even Schoeneweis was very good, so if JJ and KRod get shelled early in the spring, it could be a good sign!

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 11:34 am

what if jj and krod are unhittable in spring

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 11:39 am

LOL! Well, I was hoping no one would ask that!

I am perhaps a bit too optimistic, but I really believe the two of them will be the best bullpen combo we have had since the glory days of Orosco and McDowell…

The pieces are all in place for a great pitching staff, and I suppose to a degree it all hinges on Maine and JJ being 100% healthy.

MetsFan4Decades February 8, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Hey Rusty, thanks for our daily fix!

oleosmirf February 8, 2009 at 12:10 pm

actuallly our entire pitching staff hinges on Mike Pelfrey (after Johan)

If Pelfrey pitches poorly were pretty much screwed as Ollie is unreliable and Maine always seems to have some type of injury…

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 12:21 pm

Well, your point on Pelfrey is a good one…but we have had Maine for 2 1/2 years—when was he hurt before the latter part of last year?

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 12:23 pm

i agree he was a solid 15 game winner and he was our #1 pitcher in the 06 playoffs…i think he is gunna be a big surprise to people…i do think pelfs performance is important tho, and i think he will do well

oleosmirf February 8, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Maine’s ERA has gone up each of the past 2 seasons. He hasnt pitched poorly but that certainly isnt a good sign.

while Maine hasnt been on the DL all that often, he’s had plenty of nagging injuries since coming up…

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 12:51 pm

in 07 he had 15 wins and an era under 4…last year he was injured for the majority of the season (probably played through injury too)

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:11 pm

lets hope “ready” freddie (mercury?) garcia is back to to his dominant self then we shall all breathe a collective sigh of relief

Hazmet February 8, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Totally off topic but, kudo’s to Carlos Beltran recognized as the Met’s recipient of the Thurman Munson award for charitable work in our area.

Good job Carlos. And for my money the best CF in the game. Then again I’m partial.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 1:36 pm

Thanks for posting this Hazmet; would not have seen it otherwise.

Carlos is indeed the best all-around CF in game for my money.

And apparently a very generous and good guy as well.

dave27 February 8, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Best pure FA signing in Mets history.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:18 pm

whole heartedly agree with you man – i mean at the time foster couldve been that but you know he was allergic to running after fly balls lol

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one or two year deal at $3MM. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, and Mariners.

^^^^^^^mlbtr.com ^^^^^^^

if he signs somwhere for 3 mil and its not the mets then omar is completely retarded

darkstar73 February 8, 2009 at 4:06 pm

yes, Omar should brain wash Abreu and convince him to sign with the Mets. Please, can’t any of you realize that sometimes players simply choose to play certain places, for whatever reason, and that there’s nothing a GM can do? Not saying that will definitely be the case here, but it happens, and you people seemingly can’t wrap your head around it.

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Darkstar,
I’d normally agree with that sentiment, but there have been reports that Abreu has reached out to the Mets. Johan has been on record as saying he wants him here and I believe Abreu wants to be here as well. If he signs somewhere else for $3 million, then it will almost certainly be because Omar and the Mets’ front office doesn’t want him.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:36 pm

darkstar and asod – see what i worte below – i echoed yer sentiments – i mean when you wont even go after aurillia as a off the bench speacialist that means they dont (or wont) have the flexibility for payroll right now (sad isnt it)

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:41 pm

Which makes the signings of guys like Cora and Sullivan even more perplexing. I’d rather have held out the cash for actual impact players (especially with the down market) than stashing mediocre bench guys….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:43 pm

cora is supposed to be a tim tuefel/ tommy herr type of second baseman – i mean what would u do ? lure jeff kent out of retirement so we’d have another power bat and slipshod fielding?

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:47 pm

No, I’m just saying I believe they overpaid for Cora. I’m not so opposed to him being here, you’ve got to have infield depth but if the Mets are on a tight budget as you say, I would think they could find a cheaper alternative to Cora while using the leftover money for another impact bat, that’s all….

darkstar73 February 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm

what I actually think will happen, is Omar won’t sign anyone right now, go with what we got, if it works out, great, if not, look for a mid season deal with the money we saved right now, for a guy like Magglio Ordonez or Jermaine Dye, from a team looking to unload a contract like that.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:15 pm

i dont think omar has enough extra cash of wilpons to get abreu – i think he’s saving his pennies until the trade deadline in case we need reinforcements

Chris Alvino February 8, 2009 at 3:32 pm

You are dead on with that.

Also, I wonder if the Mets can trade for Nelson Cruz now that the Rangers signed Andruw Jones to a deal. What about Carlos Muiz for Nelson Cruz. That guy raked at AAA last year.

dave27 February 8, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Why would taking a gamble on Jones lead to Texas trading a legitimate prospect?

I know Texas is not exactly a model organization, but they are not that clueless.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:17 pm

yeah they wouldnt have the forsight to trade kazmir for that pitching sensation victor zambrano like we did — oh never mind !! just make the pain stop damnnnit !!! lol

dave27 February 8, 2009 at 4:05 pm

I think it’s time for a new post, no?

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:13 pm

as a old jedi master i know once said “mine !mine ! give it to me or ill help you not !!” oops wrong quote its actually “patience”

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:21 pm

im still wondering why the filters wouldnt let me write g-r-i-f-f-ey yesterday

dominicanboy08 February 8, 2009 at 4:25 pm

so, how are the phillies better than us on pitching?

santana>hamels
pelfrey>myers
ollie>moyer
maine=blanton
5 starter= 5 starter

k-rod=lidge
putz>madson

not to mention we have the edge on 3B, SS, CF and arent far apart in the other positions.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:34 pm

although i agree with you dominican i also think we are a better team than the phils – they do have the stonger bats than we do and are able to sustain rallies better than us – all i know is that our pen should help us clamp down after the 7th inning when needed – i just wish we had one more big bat – doesnt have to be a power bat – just a consistant bat that can help us when we need a spark

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:37 pm

That’s why I think Abreu would be perfect for this team, especially on a one-year deal. Strong on-base percentage, good RBI guy. He’s not a guy you can build a team around, but he’s certainly someone who would lengthen the lineup, especially since there is an awful lot of nothing at 2B and C.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:40 pm

once again asod i think omar has been told to not sign anyone to any more than a 1 year 2 mill contract – i also beleive that omar is banking that f-mart will be ready to take over lf by august

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:42 pm

That’s fine, but a guy like Alex Cora shouldn’t get one of those one year, $2 million deals if that’s the case.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:45 pm

what you woulda signed eckstein ? or would you have a-rey fill the gap w i personally woulda took a chance on edgardo alfonzo – but omar obviously disagrees with me ith his lack of bat?

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Bringing in an Alfonzo or an Omar Vizquel on a minor-league deal would have been fine by me. Not a big Eckstein guy, but I know Juan Uribe got less money with the Giants than Cora got with the Mets. Again, just saying the Mets overpaid for Cora, nothing more nothing less. And if a proven hitter like Ray Durham can’t even get an offer in this market, that just drives the point home further….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:52 pm

asod – as per mlbtr here are the rest of the f.a utility infielders & everyday 2b other than hudon – cuz he would never agree to be a back up who would u go for?
Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
Mark Grudzielanek (39) – Type B, offered arb
Orlando Hudson (31) – Type A, offered arb
Ramon Martinez (36)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34) – Type A, offered arb
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Tomohiro Nioka (33)

Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Ramon Martinez (36)

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:56 pm

From that list, I like Aurilia, Nomar, Durham and Grudzielanek. Three of the four are righty bats and the other (Durham) is a switch hitter. Again, not arguing on them bringing in Cora, just saying they probably could have had him for a million bucks less…..

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:58 pm

U MAY BE RIGHT BUT YOU KNOW THATS ALL PART OF THE GAME AND OMAR BLINKED oops sorry caps

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 5:00 pm

And the Sullivan signing seemed a bit redundant to me, especially since they have basically the same player in Reed and another similar player in Pagan. Unless of course Omar has a trade in mind that we don’t know about….

dominicanboy08 February 8, 2009 at 4:45 pm

yea, I agree that we have a better team. the phillies couldnt hit our starters, they were always waiting for the bullpen to score runs. we won the season series, even after blowing many leads against them.

we have 3 phillies killers in our rotation in santana, olllie and maine.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:48 pm

KILL THE FILLS !!!

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Now that we can all agree on. But the problem wasn’t so much killing the Phils last year. The Mets could have used a few more wins against the Nationals and Marlins, for instance….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:57 pm

SWAT THE NATS !!! CHRIS CARLIN THE MARLINS !!!!

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 5:06 pm

DIG A GRAVE FOR THE BRAVES??

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I wouldn’t go so far as to say Pelfrey is greater than Myers yet. Remember, before last season, Pelfrey was widely labeled a bust around here. Let’s see him do it a second year in a row (I believe he will). Myers had an atrocious year last year but overall is more proven than big Pelf….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:37 pm

meyers wasnt exactly the second comming of j.r richards either asod

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:39 pm

No, but Pelfrey’s numbers before last year weren’t good enough to even make him the second coming of Anthony Young….

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:41 pm

but he was a rookie man – not every good or even great pitcher will start his career like tom seaver at 17 – 11 or what ever his rookiw season record was

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 4:44 pm

Oh I know, I was just saying I want to see Pelfrey do it again before I consider him a legitimate No. 2. From what I’ve seen, I believe he will be and for our sakes, I hope he is!

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:47 pm

i can respect that

Gland February 8, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Metsblog

A Grand Central Station for Mets Information

M-F 9:00-5:00
Sat 9:00-12:00

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:46 pm

lmfao gland – but thats not fair man what was matt gonna write? mr met takes a bathroom break on rt 95 outside of baltimore???

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Alas, some people LIVE to complain.

I think Mr. Met might have been hit on by the Orioles’ mascot at that rest stop near Baltimore….

Rusty, I am definitely looking forward to that Sharpton story at the next Metsblog get-together!

As for G-r-i-f-f-e-y’s name being banned, I also had a post yesterday that was held for moderation, and I could not figure out why.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:54 pm

kingman – it could be worse he coulda benn propsitioned at the howard stern rest stop in n.j which is a known as a locationwhere homosexual men go cruising lol

Hazmet February 8, 2009 at 4:54 pm

At the Molly Pitcher rest area no doubt.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:55 pm

go there often hazmet??? j/k

Hazmet February 8, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Good one. My replies under moderation too. Interesting filters this weekend as you observed. I think for h e double toothpicks I wrote. Gist was who the heck is Molly Pitcher? I guess I’ll look it up. Maybe she was Loogy we could’ve used.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Or the Florence Nightengale or Vince Lombardi! NJ clearly has the most strangely named rest areas….

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 5:09 pm

Molly Pitcher was this woman from NJ in the Revolutionary War who supposedly delivered pitchers of water to soldiers on the battlefield….now she delivers Coke and Roy Rogers roast beef….

Gland February 8, 2009 at 5:00 pm

Well Rusty it depends on what he wants this blog to be. If all he’s going to do is link to news stories from other sites, then sure he won’t have anything to post. But if that’s his goal other sites out there do it better. After all, how many times do you yourself go to those other sites and bring back the info here? In my opinion, that’s a bad job by him and his team.

This is his blog. He can do whatever he wants with it. But there are any number of features and stories he can write about the team that have nothing to do with just linking to stories on other sites.

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm

First, I’ll preface this statement by saying I have always enjoyed Metsblog and come here every day, whether I post or not. But I will have to agree with Gland somewhat. I thought when the blog became affiliated with the Mets and SNY, that there would actually be more posts and more features but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I find myself going to other sites like mlbtraderumors just as often as Metsblog for information. Not really a complaint, just a fact. I applaud what Matt’s done and making this site his livelihood, I’m sure we’d all love a job as cool as his, but the cupboard seems awfully bare on some weekends.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 5:12 pm

Good points….. this is just speculation, but with spring training starting this Friday, this will be the very last weekend, hopefully until the very end of October, when Matt and the rest of the guys could take time off…they will have news every weekend forever after this one….

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Yeah, you’re probably right about that. Kind of the calm before the storm….

Gland February 8, 2009 at 5:28 pm

That’s a fair point Brock about the weekend off before Spring Training, but it’s kind of been like this every weekend.

It is what it is. Maybe now that Matt has an affiliation with SNY and therefore a more steady income stream, he doesn’t feel like he has to kill himself anymore. Who knows. It just seems like other blogs are updated a whole lot more frequently and he could easily rectify that.

metsfan227 February 8, 2009 at 5:36 pm

I’m going to agree with Gland on this one. I actually stopped coming here in the middle of last season after I realized that Adam Rubin’s blog, Dave Lennon’s blog, etc all have information(lineups, injury reports, clubhouse news, etc.) up hours before it shows up here. Unfortunately, their off-season coverage is a little lacking.

However, Rubin has a story today about some snarky comments the Marlins’ president made about the Mets not wanting to play the Marlins the last weekend of the season again. I thought for sure that would have garnered a MetsBlog post.

Gland February 8, 2009 at 5:46 pm

It probably will get a post, but not until tomorrow or after. And then it will just get posted as if it is a brand new story.

That’s the thing I hope Matt realizes. There are so many more blogs and sites out there now to get constant information. Every weekend that someone comes here and it’s not updated they go out and find other sites that are. After a while, some of those readers may not even bother coming back. That can’t be good for business, can it?

LadyMet February 8, 2009 at 7:58 pm

How about something along the lines of “Luis Ayala, the Mets’ closer down the stretch last year, signed with Seattle?” (from Mestradamus and Adam Rubin)
Or did I miss a post here?

LadyMet February 8, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Oops, some commenters below me already covered this – not Seattle, but Minn – Did Matt say he works on SNY’s other blogs too? Maybe that’s the problem, he’s overextended

911nafstem February 8, 2009 at 4:49 pm

When I first heard about this story I didn’t bat an eye. To me the bigger story would’ve been if AROD had been clean this whole time.

By the way, I’m so sick of this guy. I’ve never seen a less interesting man garner so much media attention. The unfortunate thing is he’s signed for eternity with the Yankees so we have to continue to hear these boring overhyped stories.

rustystaubsillegitmateson February 8, 2009 at 4:55 pm

could you imagine the fallout if he became a met after the 2000 season?

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 5:05 pm

So true!

By the way Rusty, I am halfway through the Torre book, and it is VERY interesting…not an autobio at all, Verducci interviewed Torre and many others, and the book is like a cross between a behind-the-scenes and pretty uncensored look at the Torre Yanks, crossed with elemts of Game of Shadows and Moneyball. VERY interesting all around.

One interesting thing I had never heard is that apparently Turk Wendell’s pre-2000 WS comment infuriated the Yanks, and they kept toasting him after winning it.

It talks about steroid use by Clemens, Pettitte, Stanton, Todd Hundley, and many others, including Mo Vaughn—now Vaughn’s use was harder to detect because he ingested his in the middle of 8 pound pastrami sandwiches, and as we all know, pastrami is an excellent natural masking agent….

Hazmet February 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm

lmfao, awesome. 8 pound pastrami. I’m signing off for the weekend. Thanks to all for some great reads this weekend.

dave27 February 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm

Clips of ARod’s interview with Katie Couric will forever replace Clinton’s denial of his affair with Monica as the go-to clip for bold-faced liars.

I love it. Yet another arrogant loser, like his old teammate Roger.

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm

(wags his finger) “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…Miss Lewinsky”

(wags his finger at Senate hearings) “I have never used steroids…PERIOD”
Rafael Palmeiro

tonybeef February 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm

how bout a new post cerrone, we’re five days away from spring training and no posts in two days

lets get our acts together

dave27 February 8, 2009 at 6:29 pm

Seriously…Luis Ayala signing with Minnesota doesn’t warrant a post?

Can we play that last game with the Marlins again, now that Olsen is in DC, Scho is in the desert, and Ayala is a Twinkie?

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 6:33 pm

The Ayala signing should have been posted, as well as Andruw Jones signing a minor-league deal with the Rangers (since he was linked to the Mets earlier this offseason). Even the Ryan Howard three-year deal would be of interest. The fact that Ryan Howard makes a lot more money than Albert Pujols is pretty ridiculous….

Gland February 8, 2009 at 7:07 pm

All of those could have been covered. There are also Mets references in posts on MLBTR. If this site is going to become a place for that kind of information then all of that stuff should be posted.

Or he could write an article. Spring training previews? Player features? The types of things bloggers from the papers are writing. You’d think that working for SNY he’d have some extra access.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 7:12 pm

Yeah Gland, you are right…sorry for calling you a complainer above…pretty much everything you guys mention could have been at least mentioned in one catch-all post by someone here. The Ayala, Andruw, and Howard things all are surely highly relevant.

Gland February 8, 2009 at 7:23 pm

I saw that Brock, but no problem. I know I’m not complaining just to complain. It’s clear to me that this offseason the blog has slipped.

Doesn’t it seem like every weekend there are no updates? Whenever i see people going to other sites and copying and pasting the info I think to myself “if people are doing that it means that someone on this site has dropped the ball”

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Yes, I cannot argue; seems like everything I learn on here on weekends comes from folks posting things from other sites in the comments section…..the optimist in me who sees us playing deep into October this year led by our pen and starters, also is hoping that starting next weekend, they will hopefully be posting all day every Sat and Sun, as there will be loads of important things happening 7 days a week starting this Friday. They better keep us updated on Maine’s health, JJ’s velocity, how Delgado looks, The Chief’s comeback, Church’s head, Murph’s progress, Slappy’s waistline, etc etc etc.

nailsnmex February 9, 2009 at 10:49 am

Hilarious! When he posts non-exciting news like Ayala, people say “slow news day” and “who cares”. They can’t win lol

va beach mets fan February 8, 2009 at 7:40 pm

I mean really! can we get more than one post a weekend. I know that things are slow but really.

Metfreak February 8, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Tell me about it

va beach mets fan February 8, 2009 at 7:44 pm

Sorry everyone. I commented before reading the latest post. My bad.

mistermet February 8, 2009 at 8:01 pm

Looks like Metsblog never posted anything about the Mets and Feliciano avoiding arbitration, which happened on Thursday. If so, that’s a really bad job…how do you miss that?
You guys are right, it seems like the coverage has actually gotten thinner since the partnership with SNY. I mean, seriously…1 post (the Arod post) for the entire weekend? And the story had been broken for almost an hour before they posted it on here. Lately the weekend coverage has been really thin in general, but 1 post for an entire weekend is pretty ridiculous. Could have posted something about Andruw Jones, Ryan Howard, etc., at the very least- both very post worthy stories.

But again I can’t believe they didn’t post anything about the Mets agreeing to terms with Feliciano. That is a bad miss….especially since he was the last player that was arbitration eligible, and we can say that the Mets still have not gone to arbitration with any player since 1992 or 1993 or whenever the last time was.

metsfan227 February 8, 2009 at 8:23 pm

I agree and I mentioned something similar upthread.

In 2007, which is when I first started coming here, this site was on top of everything. Last year, I found that by spending a couple of minutes going to the beat writers blogs I found out things HOURS before it was ever posted here.

I have no idea what has changed internally over the past year but SNY must have a very different definition of *constantly*(as in, MetsBlog is constantly updated) than I do.

MetLifer February 9, 2009 at 9:54 am

First, this is the off season. Second, Matt has a life (I think) besides sitting on the computer 24/7 on weekends.

nailsnmex February 9, 2009 at 10:39 am

Agreed MetsLifer, internet traffic is way down on the weekends, and no one asks any of us to work on the weekends unless you work for Mr. Lumberg from Office Space. You expect Matt to be like a robot in front of his computer all day. The Feliciano story was pretty much a non-story, did anyone expect him not to re-sign? I think the guys do a great job, especially in slow times like these when everyone is bored and antsy for baseball. If they don’t post for a few hours, everyone is up in arms.

mistermet February 8, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Forgot they went to arbitration with Perez last year (regarding my post above)

Gland February 8, 2009 at 8:21 pm

“but when it is a topic he does not care to address, it gets ignored.”

Very, very true. I guess that’s the luxury of having your own blog, but when you position yourself as a place to come for Mets news, you kind of shouldn’t be ignoring things.

I remember at the beginning of the off season Matt put up a post about the Mets being close to signing Ken Takahashi. A lot of people were up in arms and there were lots of comments on it. Well Takahashi signed with the Blue Jays last week. You’d think that would have been a great opportunity for a comment or a post.

tonybeef February 8, 2009 at 8:38 pm

but mike “i hit .130″ defelice managing a group of 16 years olds somewhere in the middle of montana is soemthing extremely important

meanwhile no mention of:
1. the hunt for a lefty reliever
2. the hunt for a right handed bat
3. the signing of andruw jones by texas
4. any follow up on the arod scandal
5. the mets signing of a mexican league lefty reliever i heard on the fan
6. the ryan howard contract extension
7. the mets trying to trade castro

wake up

MLBTR is on top of everything as it breaks, and that is pretty much a one man operation. that is my first stop now for info, used to be this sight

Gland February 8, 2009 at 9:08 pm

You really nailed it Tony. I couldn’t agree more.

The only thing I will add is that Tim at MLBTR does have some writers working for him on the weekend. He wants to make sure that he has almost constant coverage, so he has some people working all weekend so there will be very frequent updates.

Hmm…..

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Not to pile on, but the way the comments always–like they are doing right now–are posted totally out of order when they get to about 300 or so, is another annoying and unprofessional thing which the old comments page did not do. My only guess is that the new comments page style must save the site money bandwidth-wise, or be something related to being affiliated with SNY and using their systems, but it is another issue in which the site has gone backwards, and it has never been addressed by Matt….

phukthephills February 8, 2009 at 9:24 pm

sign will ohman
trade for X Nady

successful offseason

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Signing Abreu and Ohman might be cheaper than trading for Nady and signing Ohman. I know the Mets say they need a righty bat, but Abreu hits lefties well. I think Nady is set to make over $6 million this year, and reports are Abreu may have to settle for $3 million a year…..

Gland February 8, 2009 at 10:35 pm

I agree that Abreu would be cheaper, and probably more productive offensively. Question: if you sign him, where do you put him? Church is clearly a better defender in right. Can Abreu play left?

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 10:38 pm

I would at least try him out there in spring training. I’m pretty sure Church has played left before, but I’d rather have the better fielder in right….

ASod1975 February 8, 2009 at 10:41 pm

For what it’s worth, Abreu has played 16 games in left field, all very early in his career though. I was surprised to find Church has played more games in left field (156) than any other position, with 124 games in right and 114 more in center.

darkstar73 February 8, 2009 at 10:54 pm

Bottom line is that the quality of metsblog has actually gone DOWN in the past year, which is surprising, since the partnership with SNY did start out really well. Personally I just feel like Matt has lost touch with his fandom. He’s part of the business of baseball now. Furthermore, his opinionated pieces are down right atrocious. He comes off as someone who thinks he is actually a baseball insider, with real knowledge. Let’s all get this straight, Matt doesn’t know anymore about baseball than the average fan.

Gland February 8, 2009 at 10:57 pm

Besides knowledge, I also don’t think he has any significant contacts within the organization or knowledge of what they are doing. So coming here looking for some “inside info” is no better than going to read any NY newspaper’s sports section.

metsfan227 February 8, 2009 at 11:19 pm

I seriously have to agree with everything you just said. In fact, I remember the exact day that I stopped faithfully visiting this site. It was day Willie was fired and Matt honestly wrote the following,

“I think I’m in a better position than most people to understand why Willie was fired.”

I think that’s verbatim. I literally laughed out loud. He’s understands better than most people? He has just as much information as I do and, as I stated above, I frequently have the information before him(or, to be fair, hours before he decides to post anything.)

Once the season starts I’m sure I’ll just go back to reading the beat writers blogs. They have more access(in the clubhouse daily, travel with the team) and post their info as soon as they get it.

FWIW, I’m not trying to pile on either. But I used to really love MetsBlog and it has really gone downhill and, you know, this is a business for Matt now so I think he should hear the honest criticisms from his *customers*.

fongulalou February 8, 2009 at 11:18 pm

Sign Manny!!!!

Another Typical Mets Fan February 9, 2009 at 3:01 am

SIGN MANNY!!!!!

Another Typical Mets Fan February 9, 2009 at 3:05 am

Can someone ask one of these independent sites to interview Martin Silver, and ask if he owned the Mets would he sign Manny Ramirez? How about Wallace Mathews? Someone email him at realdbag.com or something….

ProudMetFan February 9, 2009 at 7:23 am

This site aint what it used to be. The lack of weekend posts is a brutal, maybe three for the weekend and Id be fine. But one is just silly. I like Matt, hes got a nice guy personality, but really though, he has to be a little more informative. And it isnt just regular posts that he is ignoring. During December there was like no Fan Confidence rating polls. I know Matt can do it. He may have the average fan IQ, I definately agree with that, but he has sources and he should be able to do more than this.

bob burket February 9, 2009 at 7:35 am

As far as A-ROID, unless we are NY media or sports talk show hosts, DO WE REALLY CARE OR GIVE A FLYING ________?

bob burket February 9, 2009 at 7:38 am

HEY MATT,

WHATS UP WITH THIS NEWER AND OLDER COMMENTS. WE MAKE A COMMENT TO A STORY AND THEN WE HAVE TROUBLE FINDING THE COMMENT. THIS IS A GREAT BLOG BUT CAN YOU FIX THIS PROBLEM?

Gland February 9, 2009 at 8:50 am

nice to start monday with a new post! the funny thing is that matt put up that bogus Q&A last week detailing his daily activity. great job

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 9, 2009 at 8:59 am

This is nutty….I am starting to think it may be deliberate, as ridiculous as that may be….when people criticized him for constantly saying “from what I can gather” he started putting that phrase in every post…alas, I do not think Matt needs all of us anymore…VERY surprising and disappointing…not one of his roster of contributors could put something up by 9 AM when spring training starts in 4 days?

Again, Gland, sorry for suggesting you were complaining yesterday—you were 100% right man.

Gland February 9, 2009 at 10:22 am

it’s all good brock! i think we are on the same page with this

simon February 8, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Why am I awaiting Moderation? what did I say that’s so evil???

Gland February 8, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Every weekend people end up having little discussions like we have been having regarding the lack of posts/updates on the weekends. I find it odd that Cerrone and crew have not addressed this since it is a concern of a number of his readers.

I have seen him reply in threads to posters, but I’ve never seen anything on this.

MetLifer February 9, 2009 at 10:00 am

New posters get moderated initially. Blogs get a lot of spam these days.

Brock Landers aka The Original Kingman 26 February 8, 2009 at 8:12 pm

I love this site and I think Matt does a great job, and one most of us envy, but when it is a topic he does not care to address, it gets ignored.

Another example would be when he changed the comment section for the winter meetings, and people mentioned it every day, and to the best of my knowledge, it was never addressed, nor was it returned to. He did improve the new comment style, but I never saw the issue addressed by him; please correct me if I am wrong here.

metsfan227 February 8, 2009 at 8:18 pm

A long time ago I remember Matt saying that he only reads the first few comments on every thread(because if he had made any sort of grammatical error, mistakenly wrote the wrong name or something it was usually the first few commentators that mentioned it.)

I don’t know when people started complaining about the new comments section but I would think complaints about the lack of content only start to show up late in threads. So I don’t know that Matt necessarily ever sees them. Obviously, I’m just guessing based on what he’s said in the past but it seems logical that he doesn’t read through all of the comments on every post.

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