Daily Archives: February 25, 2009
The Mets had four RBI, all on opposite field hits today, according to Bart Hubbuch on his blog for the New York Post.
…naturally, this will be directly attributed to manuel’s 80–pitch drill, and he and his coaching staff stressing the opposite field…
Jerry Manuel, as quoted by Hubbuch following the game:
“I think for us as a staff, when we put something in, and it manifests itself so quickly, it gives the players confidence that we know what we’re talking about.”
Ryan Church had three RBI, including a double and a single.
Church, following the game, told reporters:
“It’s just a feeling that we have, it doesn’t matter what the pitch is, what count, we always know there’s grass over there – there’s hits over there… a lot of it has to do with that drill we were doing. I know I feel it.”
To hear more from Church, including audio from his post-game discussion, check out Hubbuch’s blog for the Post.
Tagged Ryan Church |The Mets take on the Marlins in Port St. Lucie tomorrow at 1:10 pm, which you can watch live on SNY.
The game will be re-aired at 7 pm on SNY.
The Mets play the Cardinals on Friday in St. Lucie, which you can also watch live at 1 pm on SNY.
…after the game on Friday, i have been told a group of readers from MetsBlog will be meeting for Happy Hour at Duffy’s… i will certainly be going, and encourage any one else who will be in town to do so as well… i’m thinking late-day Happy Hour in to dinner, and then who knows what… i am sure i will end up in the batting cage… i swear i’ll make contact in the 90–mph cage at least once on this trip…
…if you’re around, feel free to stop by, say hello, talk baseball and meet up with other fans…
Here is Episode 15 of my video diary for SNY, which explores what players do back at camp, while the rest of the team is on the road for a game:
The Mets beat the Orioles, 9-3, in their Grapefruit League season opener today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For a box score, go to MLB.com.
Pedro Feliciano was credited with the win for 1.1 innings of scoreless relief after Sean Green left the game in the first with a fingernail problem.
Former Yankee farmhand Matt DeSalvo pitched two shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Brian Stokes, Darren O’Day and Elmer Dessens also held the Orioles scoreless in their appearances.
Luis Castillo provided the offensive spark for the Mets, driving in four runs on two hits. Ryan Church added three RBI, and Angel Pagan and Nick Evans chipped in three hits apiece.
Tagged Pedro Feliciano, Ryan Church, Ted Berg |
At his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman reports Mets RHP Duaner Sanchez may be released or traded by April 1, ‘unless he makes a positive impression this spring.’
According to Sherman, Sanchez has come in to camp in good shape, but with several spots in the bullpen already set he could be the odd man out.
With the Mets in need of a right-handed hitter, Sherman suggests the Mets trade Sanchez for Rangers OF Marlon Byrd or Tigers OF Marcus Thames.
...repeat, this is not a trade rumor, just a creative suggestion from sherman…
In 66 appearances last season, Sanchez was 5-1 with a 4.32 ERA, with 44 strikeouts and 23 walks in 58.3 IP.
…i’d love to see sanchez return to his 2006 form, but i doubt that will happen…unless he has an impressive spring, i’d rather the Mets take their chances with Bobby Parnell or Darren O’Day for the last spot in the bullpen…
Tagged Mike Nichols |Update, 2:11 pm:
Green was not hit by the ball, his injury was caused by trouble with a fingernail on his pitching hand.
Update, 1:26 pm:
Sean Green left the game after facing four batters after Ty Wigginton hit a ball by him up the middle.
According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Green lunged at the ball with his bare hand and the ball may have hit his finger.
Also, the game is being streamed live, for free, at www.whfs.com.
Original Post:
The Game:
The Mets kick off their Grapefruit League schedule today with an exhibition game against the Orioles in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The Lineup:
- 2B Luis Castillo
- LF Daniel Murphy
- CF Angel Pagan
- RF Ryan Church
- C Ramon Castro
- SS Alex Cora
- 1B Nick Evans
- 3B Jose Valentin
- DH Fernando Martinez
- P Sean Green
The Pitchers:
Sean Green makes his first exhibition appearance (obviously) in a Mets uniform since coming over from the Mariners as part of the J.J. Putz trade. Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, Elmer Dessens, Valerio de los Santos, Matt DeSalvo, Brian Stokes and Darren O’Day are also expected to pitch.
Brad Hennessey will start for the Orioles, followed by Chris Waters and David Pauley.
The game is not being televised, but MLB.com subscribers can listen live on gameday audio. You can also follow along with the beat writer blogs, as David Lennon, Adam Rubin and Bart Hubbuch will be updating from the game.
Tagged Ted Berg |Here is a video of Francisco Rodriguez throwing in the bullpen:
Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have been waiting by the picnic tables to talk with Wright for an interview.
Update, 11:03 am:
These guys are always working on something. During BP, Carlos Beltran stopped by David Wright sitting ok a milk crate, between hitting, and was showing him something with his grip.
Here are two guys who could have won an MVP, yet there still talking about some of the more basic of things.
Update, 10:07:
While I was trying to do my open for the diary, and the camera on me, David Wright jogged by and was sure to heckle me about flubbing my lines.
He was right. I still struggle with this.
Later, he and the starting infielders took the field to take ground ball after ground ball after ground ball, with no throws, just working together on fielding and where to be and when.
They all walked off the field, sat in the dugout, with Marlon Anderson and Beltran and were laughing with Ken Oberkfell while joking about something.
I’m not sure what they were talking about, but they were all laughing.
Seriously, though, the teamwork vibe continues to be impossible to ignore this spring, mixed between a ton of hard work.
Original Post:
Johan Santana, Jon Niese, Francisco Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell, and others, have been throwing from the bullpen, doing game situations, under the watchful eye of Randy Nieman, Jeff Wilpon, lots of coaches.
Yesterday, I talked with Mets third-base coach Razor Shines, who has made quite an impression on people this spring while feeding batting practice and running drills in camp.
…by the way, of every one i have talked with the last week or so, he is by far and away the most engaging and interesting people i have encountered… i am very, very happy Jerry Manuel asked him to be on his staff…
To watch the video, click play below, or to read a quick sample text from the discussion scroll down.
Matthew Cerrone: What’s the big message this camp to the players?
Razor Shines: Well, 1) be positive, and 2) in order to win a championship there are certain things you have to do, ‘There is a price to pay to win a ring.’ That’s one of the slogans we’re going to use. And, what that price is, is: there’s a lot of sweat, a lot of long hours, and sometimes some tears, but we can do that, we plan on doing that and it’s part of the process.
By the way, if you missed it, yesterday, Ben Shpigel of the New York Times wrote a fantastic profile Shines.
Lastly, to watch video of Shines feeding pop ups to Daniel Murphy, Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church, among other outfielders, click here.
The buses are packed up and are leaving for Fort Lauderdale for today’s first Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
I’m not traveling to the game.
Instead, I’m going to stay back at Tradition Field, to do a video tour of the complex, maybe check out some of the minor leaguers, and see how the major leaguers act while the rest of the team is on the road.
To keep an eye on my entire photo album from Tradition Field, including hi-res versions of the pictures in this post, click here.
