Daily Archives: February 26, 2009
Here are some random photographs I took yesterday in camp:
To keep an eye on my entire photo album from Tradition Field, including hi-res versions of the pictures in this post, click here.
In case you missed it…
Yesterday, I talked with David Wright about the things he is working on 
this spring; the coaching staff; dealing with media and bloggers; saying goodbye to Shea and hello to Citi Field; and staying strong over a 162–game season.
The following is a quick sample text from the interview, after which you can watch the discussion in its entirety through the video player below.
Jerry Manuel told reporters following today’s game that Jose Reyes is ready to take it to another level.
“I told you all and you got mad at me,” Manuel joked with reporters, saying Reyes is capable of hitting third.
Manuel has not yet talked to Reyes about where he will hit in the lineup, saying he does not feel such a discussion is necessary.
Basically, Manuel would not say any one move is permanent, suggesting Reyes could return to the leadoff spot, as Manuel learns where players can play, while giving him other options to succeed.
…in other words, the way i hear it, reyes will likely bat leadoff most games, but it’s good to know, should the team go in to a funk, that manuel can do other things with the lineup to help ignite it…
“I love the energy that Jose brings,” Manuel said, “I don’t always like the anxiety that comes with it. His anxiety. I want to really calm it down and put him in to the rhythm of the game. The game is played on a jazz beat, and he’s playing at a hiphop beat.”
In the end, Manuel says he is trying to find ways to make Reyes a ‘dominant player,’ which will only happen when he learns to pace himself and be a more balanced baseball player.
Lastly, Manuel said he will contact Team Mexico to request that Oliver Perez keep his innings count down during the WBC.
Tomorrow, from 11 am to 11:45 am, at Tradition 
Field, the Mets top prospects will be signing autographs for fans inside the main gate prior to the game, including Ike Davis, Wilmer Flores, Reese Havens, Brad Holt and Jenry Mejia, among others.
…this is awesome… i plan to head down there and check it out, and see if i can ask these guys a few questions… i mean, it’s basically all of their top prospects, short of Fernando Martinez, who is working out with the big league club…
Jose Reyes told reporters he is bringing back the Prof. Reyes Spanish lessons to Citi Field this season.
Reyes said he has yet to speak with Jerry Manuel about batting third, but he is willing to do whatever is asks of him.
Reyes hit third today and had two home runs.
Lastly, Manuel’s Cadillac got hit by a foul ball, that skipped from the stadium in to the player’s lot, cracking his windshield.
I hope it was Hanley Ramirez, as it would be one more reason to not like him.
For other post-game information, including quotes from Jerry Manuel, check out Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.
The Mets beat the Marlins today, 9-0, in a Grapefruit League game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. For a box score, go to MLB.com.
Jose Reyes hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and tallied six RBIs in the win.
Offensive powerhouse Luis Castillo had a single, a stolen base, two walks and two runs scored.
Carlos Beltran also homered in the game, a two-run shot in the sixth off former Met Willie Collazo.
Oliver Perez started the game and threw two shutout innings, allowing no hits, one walk and striking out three.
Dillon Gee relieved Perez, tossing two innings and yielding only an infield hit to Cameron Maybin, who was promptly picked off.
Nelson Figueroa added two hitless innings, and Heriberto Ruelas, Jon Switzer and Kyle Snyder each chipped in a scoreless inning.
To watch Matt tour Tradition Field before the game, click play below:
…how does he pass on the taco helmet? c’mon…
Johan Santana has been scratched from his start in tomorrow’s exhibition game against Italy’s WBC team with soreness in his pitching elbow.
He spoke to reporters in the locker room a few moments ago and downplayed the injury, but said he’s temporarily shutting everything down and will do light throwing on Sunday to prepare to pitch next Tuesday.
“There’s no reason to rush anything,” he said.
The Game:
The Mets will take on the Marlins today at 1:10 in Grapefruit League action from Port St. Lucie. The game will be broadcast live on SNY.
The Lineup:
- 2B Luis Castillo
- P Oliver Perez
- SS Jose Reyes
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- LF Daniel Murphy
- C Brian Schneider
Tim Redding will not throw from a mound tomorrow, as originally expected, instead, ‘he’ll 
play catch again at 150 feet to build arm strength,’ writes David Lennon on his blog for Newsday.
…i get the feeling redding is going slow, at his own pace, on purpose… i mean, he is guaranteed a roster spot, regardless of whether he’s a fifth starter or a long man… given concerns surrounding Freddy Garcia and Livan Hernandez, and the young Jon Niese, it may make more sense for redding to just go slow, and shine late…
Lennon also reports on why Oliver Perez is batting second, and why Johan Santana is not starting tomorrow, as had been originally planned.
For other pre-game notes from the clubhouse, such as when Freddy Garcia and Livan Hernandez will next pitch, and the state of Sean Green, who will not miss any time due to yesterday’s finger mail incident, read Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.
…by the way, about an hour ago i walked by the batting cages, and, don’t you know, Daniel Murphy was hitting… i think he calls it breakfast…
…lastly, fans are starting to enter Tradition Field for today’s game… Meet the Mets is playing outside, which you can hear all along the walkways…
Tagged Tim Redding |In the Daily News, John Harper confronts David Wright about his hitting-in-the-clutch statistics, to which Wright says:
“I want to be the guy with the bat in my hands with the game on the line. Maybe there were points last year when I put too much pressure on myself to be that guy, but it’s not outside pressure. It’s the pressure I put on myself.”
Harper also talks with Wright about his infamous at bat last season against Bobby Howry, and puts forth some comforting stats.
Ted Berg of SNY talks tacos, baseball and the interaction thereof, and the food at Citi Field, with Ron Parker, managing director of Hudson Yards, and Floyd Cardoz, executive chef/partner at Tabla restaurant and the consulting chef for El Verano.
Speaking of stats, Eric Simon of Amazin Avenue takes a look at PECOTA comparables for the Mets starting pitchers, which compare John Maine to Ron Darling and Tim Redding to Armando Reynoso.
In a post to Mets Minor League Blog, Chris Guy takes a closer look at Mets 22–year-old C prospect Josh Thole.
Lastly, at his blog for Newsday, Ken Davidoff asks, “What if I told you that there was a way to quantify hustle, and that Luis Castillo scored surprisingly well?”
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