Daily Archives: February 21, 2009
Today was a good. I met John Maine, and did an interview with him, while getting a quick lesson about pick-off moves, which will air in March.
I told him that, if I ever get to throw out a first pitch before a game, I plan to do the never-effective, fake-to-third, look-to-first pick-off move before actually make the throw, which he looked like he thought would be dorky. He’s right. But, I’m would do it anyway.
Later, I met Brian Schneider, and did an interview with him that will be up tomorrow morning. He also did a quick lesson with me about what he’s thinking in certain situations during the game, and all the little things that go in to just one moment, during one out, which was pretty interesting to hear. I did a similar interview with Ryan Church. Like the one with Maine, the Church and Schneider instructional-interviews will be up in March, when we have time to edit them properly.
Additionally, I watched a lot of Luis Castillo today. He looks good. He looks serious. But, it’s too early to tell just how good he will be – if he will be good at all. Like Jerry Manuel said today, ‘it’s just practice,’ and, 
honestly, he has looked rather sloppy on defense. But, again, ‘it’s practice,’ and that cuts both ways. The fact is, he looks to be in better shape, he’s hustling hard, he has a definitive spring in his step, and he is certainly the focus of the coaching staff and his teammates, who are pushing him hard.
Actually, that is the the biggest difference between this camp and last year’s. It’s nothing against Willie Randolph, but his camp was far more quiet and professional, which, while it worked fine for the Yankees in the 90s, it just never felt right for this team.
Manuel’s camp actually reminds me a lot of a younger, high-school like camp, with lots of rooting for one another, lots of clapping, lots of team-oriented drills and talk and motivation and constant chatter from coaches and teammates.
For me, as a fan, who wants desperately for this team to win, this is all exciting and it probably warps my reality of what is really happening – because, when I hear Razor Shines talking about Championships, rings, etc., I get pumped up. The good news is that the players seem to be responding too, because that’s what is most important.
Tagged Notebook |Here is Episode 6 of my video diary for SNY, during which I watch and discuss the team’s running drills, infield, Jerry Manuel’s chat with fans, and batting practice with Ryan Church and Fernando Martinez:
The Mets announced today that Tim Redding had offseason surgery in November to repair a stress fracture on the second toe of his left foot.
However, when he started throw it caused soreness in his shoulder, forcing him to shut down his throwing program and he only recently started long-tossing again.
Jerry Manuel told reporters that Redding had originally been the runner for the team’s fifth starter, but this brings everyone else back into the race.
However, Redding told reporters he would like to pitch from a mound within a week, meaning he will only be a week or so behind schedule.
…honestly, i had been thinking all along that the fifth starter spot was Freddy Garcia’s to lose, with redding being destine for long relief when camp breaks… at this point, i’m taking a wait-and-see approach with redding, who, though he wants to be ready, and get back quickly, you just never know how it will play out until he gets out there…
Meanwhile, John Maine threw off a mound to batters today, after which he told reporters he feels good – as did J.J. Putz.
Manuel also said he feels comfortable with Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, who he believes all will have good years.
He also said he would bet on Daniel Murphy’s success, and he is confident in Luis Castillo, who he says has rebounded nicely, adding that Ryan Church has the possibility of a breakout year as well – the key, of course, is that every one remains healthy.
He did note, regarding Castillo, that this is ‘just practice,’ of course, while doing his impersonation of the classic Alan Iverson quote.
Lastly, he says Putz is totally buying in to being the set-up man for Francisco Rodriguez, adding, “For a guy who has closed and has had tremendous success, to come over and buy into it, its huge. He’s been a good teammate. The players seem to like him. He gets a long with everyone. It’s huge for us going forward.”
Tagged Notebook, Tim Redding |Here is a quick one-minute video of Ryan Church taking batting practice, following by Fernando Martinez – the video doesn’t do Martinez’s swing justice, as he’s working to hit the ball to opposite field:
Update, 1:30 pm:
Walking behind the closed-cover batting cages, there was Daniel Murphy, still working with Howard Johnson, taking more batting practice – after most players had left for the day.
Does he ever stop hitting?
Original Post:
I can’t say enough good things about watching this batting practice drill.
Luis Castillo is in the cage now. He looks strong, is always wearing a pull over, and actually asked for more pitches after his 80 were up. He did not seem very tired when it was over.
Razor Shines was barking to him on the last few pitches, “Come on now, base hit, we win the World Series, here it is, here’s the moment, big hit to win the game.”
Jose Reyes also sat off to the side, giving Castillo encouragement.
“We’ve got a surprise right here for the National League,” he said towards Castillo, with Reyes clapping along.
I asked Church about the team-first messge, which you can feel all throughout camp. He said he feels it too, and that camp has been upbeat.
Also, when I was introduced to Church, he said, “Oh, from MetsBlog,” which, I will not lie, is always fun to hear.
Former Mets’ RHP Kris Benson signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.
Once part of ‘Generation K’, reliever Jason Isringhausen signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
After not playing in the majors last season, catcher Jason Phillips has been invited to spring training by the Mariners.
And Lastings Milledge has graciously offered up his #44 to new teammate Adam Dunn, and will sport #85 this season in honor of the year of his birth.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |Update, 11:50 am:
Fernando Martinez did the drill, finished, exhaled, then walked around the cage like he was totally fine. He didn’t even grab a drink of water. It looked like he could do another 80.
Of course, he is 20 years old.
By the way, I can totally see why Manuel wants Razor Shines on his staff – the guy is loud, fun, and a total cheerleader, pushing these guys in a good way.
Speaking of Manuel, I spotted him on one knee way, way out in the outfield, all alone, just watching the drill, nodding his head, taking note.
I’ll post some video of Church and Martinez in a moment.
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Ryan Church is taking batting practice, doing the 80-pitch drill, and, man, Razor Shines just works them, yelling at them to stay focused, only giving positive renforcement when the batter hits to opposite field, occasionally saying, “Focus, Churchy, focus.”
Church ripped one back at the screen, nearly taking Razor’s head off, to which he responded, “Nah, man, that’s what you’re supposed to do, knock the head off, I can get a new one.”
Update, 10:50 am:
Jerry Manuel joined in on hitting to the infielders, hitting to the group of second baseman. He paid particular attention to Castillo, encouraging him on nearly every pick up (see below).
Original Post:
The entire team just did some base running drills, running to first, then home to second, a triple, tagging up on pop ups, etc.
You’ll be happy to know Luis Castillo looks great. No limping.
In the photo below, notice Jerry Manuel doing an impromptu Q&A with the fans behind the cage – no reporters, just fans, who were asking him honest questions that he seemed happy to be to answer.
The following is my Q&A with Nick Evans, who I wanted to talk to to learn about being a young guy in camp, the TV screens Jerry Manuel installed in the clubhouse, adopting new drills, learning from veterans, and how the older players respond to yet another spring training full of workouts:
Update, 9:58 am:
Odd, they are using baseballs with the 2008 All Star Game logo.
Update, 9:35 am:
Delgado has been at first base with Sandy Alomar for a good 30 min, doing nothing but field groud balls at first.
It looks like he’s working on his range, and picking shirt hops.
Murphy was behid me talking to a coach about how consistent Delgado is, in terms of how he sets up, regardless of where the ball is hit.
Take note, Daniel, you’ll be there soon enough.
Update, 9:25 am:
Daniel Murphy was doing a hitting lesson with Kid’s Clubhouse, holding a bat, in his stance. Carlos Delgado walked by, rolled his eyes jokingly and said, loudly for the camera, “He’s in the league less than a year and he’s the guy they’re asking for hitting lessons.”
Murphy laughed, then went right back to work.
Later, I spotted him a talking to a father and son in the stands, who simply asked him a friendly question about being a left-handed hitter.
Of course, he stayed, answered and even asked the boy questions about his position in Little League and hitting.
Update, 8:40 am:
Very cool. I had him show me how to do the pick off to second, and the goofy, never-seems-to-work fake to third, fake to first move.
He has a good sense of humor.
The video will be up in March.
Now I’m waiting on Brian Schneider to walk me though some aspects of being a catcher.
Original Post:
I’m on the field waiting to gghet a pitching lesson from John Maine, for a video segment for MetsBlog.com and SNY.
Thank God for Starbucks and caffeine.
