Daily Archives: March 5, 2009
According to Newsday, ‘Fernando Tatis has agreed to be the replacement for Alex Rodriguez on the Dominican Republic team for the WBC.’
The Mets now have more players in the World Baseball Classic, 16, than any other team in MLB.
…hat tip to Chris Caraballo for the link…
The Mets beat Team Italy yesterday, 3–2, in Tradition Field.
- The Mets scored all three runs in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run home run from Cory Sullivan and a game-winning RBI double from Jeremy Reed.
- The Mets only had three hits in the first four innings.
- John Maine walked the first three batters of the game, and allowed two hits in the second inning, but did not allow a run.
- Reese Havens was 0 for 2, but made a slick play in the field.
- Brian Stokes let up three hits and two runs in one inning.
- Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning, as did Robert Parnell, Brandon Knight, Conor Robertson, and Matt DeSalvo.
Jon Niese will start today against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., at 1:05 p.m – the game will not be televised.
As the World Baseball Classic begins, things are relatively quiet around the NL East.
In Orlando, Tom Glavine reported to Braves camp after signing a one year contract about 2 weeks ago. Glavine is currently slotted to be the Braves 5th starter.
…Whether or not Glavine holds up after shoulder and elbow surgery remains to be seen.
And in Clearwater, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel added to the “we’re 
better than you” banter.
When asked if his team could repeat, Manuel said, “I think if our pitching just stays consistent, I don’t see any reason in the world why we can’t win our division and go onto the World Series.”
“If I was picking a team in our league, I’d pick the Phillies, and that’s not because I manage them.”
…Here we go again! I mean, it’s important to be confident, but can someone have a little humility!
For more news, notes, analysis and statistics from around Major League Baseball, be sure to visit Baseball Daily Digest.
Tagged MetsBlog |
The Game:
The Mets (3-4) play an exhibition game versus Italy today at Tradition Field, starting at 2:10 p.m. EST.
The Lineup:
- 2B Luis Castillo
- P John Maine
- LF Marlon Anderson
- 3B Fernando Tatis
- CF Jeremy Reed
- 1B Nick Evans
- RF Rob Mackowiak
- C Josh Thole
- SS Jose Coronado
The Pitchers:
John Maine (0-0, 4.50 ERA) starts for the Mets. Sean Green, Bobby Parnell, Brian Stokes, Brian DeSalvo, Brandon Knight, Adam Bostick, Connor Robertson and Heriberto Ruelas are also scheduled pitch.
Roberto Corrandini is schedule to start for Italy.
The Notes:
The Mets are batting .301 and averaging 11 hits per game in their first seven spring training games.
Luis Castillo has a .412 OBP in five games this spring.
How To Catch It:
Tagged Mike Nichols |Today’s game will not be broadcast locally. However, you can follow the live boxscore by clicking here.
Ryan Church was a late scratch from today’s lineup, writes Steve Popper 
in a post to his blog for the Bergen Record.
According to Popper, Church was “hobbling around the clubhouse all morning with an ice pack attached to his right knee,” but said he was fine and just taking the day off.
Popper also provides a picture from Tim Redding’s successful bullpen session.
The Mets have a Major League high 15 players participating in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
The following is a quick update on the progress of a few Mets players in the WBC:
- Oliver Perez allowed two runs on one hit and a walk over 2.1 IP in Mexico’s exhibition game versus the Diamondbacks.
- Carlos Beltran went 1-for-3, while Carlos Delgado was held hitless in three at-bats in Puerto’s 2-to-1 win over the Rays last night.
- David Wright was 0-for-2 as Team USA’s DH.
- J.J. Putz allowed three runs on three hits in 0.2 IP in Team USA’s 6-to-5 loss to the Blue Jays yesterday.
The Mets today announced the launch of a series of tours of Citi Field for fans still interested in purchasing Season Tickets for the team’s Inaugural Season.
According to a press release, “The first tours begin tomorrow afternoon… Fans can register at Mets.com, or call the Mets Ticket Office at 718-507-TIXX to reserve a place on one of the tours… Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.”
By the way, tickets for the April 3-4 exhibition games against the Red Sox at Citi Field go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Yesterday, on WFAN, host Evan Roberts said he noticed the Mets had been coming out of the dugout to the song Keepin It Gangsta by Fabolous, while he was attending games in Tradition Field.
However, from what I can gather, the song was only played before the first few home games, but is no longer being used.
…my guess is that this was a stadium choice, and not necessarily something manuel or the Mets were pushing…
…that said, it is a pretty decent choice… i like the gangsta theme…
…frankly, this is not that big of a deal, but i do think the Mets must ditch Taking Care of Business by BTO, which will forever remind me of willie…
To hear Keepin it Gangsta, click here.
Over the last week, it was reported that Johan Santana will not be ready to pitch Opening Day – a report the Mets would not initially confirm nor deny.
The next day, Santana declared himself fit enough to pitch Opening Day.
Far too often, the Mets have looked foolish in these types of health matters.
Last season, it appeared they mishandled the Ryan Church concussion injury by allowing him to dictate his ability to play, when clearly Church’s judgment was impaired by a significant head injury.
However, a significant injury to Santana is something the team cannot afford, since he is the most indispensable player on the their roster.
This is why it is not important that Santana pitch Opening Day, as it is simply symbolic – it is most important that make his 30-35 starts over the course of the 162 game season.
Regardless if Santana says he is ‘OK,’ why can’t the Mets still have a precautionary MRI performed to see if there is anything to be truly concerned about?
I’m sure the MRI machines in southern Florida will produce the same result as any in Manhattan – unless of course the Marlins have devised a way to sabotage the Mets season before Opening Day, rather than their customary last day of the season.
If nothing else, it puts the issue to rest and surely puts the organization and their fan’s hearts and minds at ease. Instead, the Mets and Santana continue to send mixed signals.
It wasn’t until late yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya finally told the media doctors had declared Santana ‘fine.’
I am alarmed it took the Mets over 48 hours to come to out with a clear message – but sadly, this is something we have become accustomed to.
Perhaps the entire franchise should take Manuel’s advice on being a ‘team,’ on and off the field.
Tagged Mike Nichols |
According to multiple reports, Manny Ramirez can opt out of his new two-year deal with the Dodgers at the end of this season.
…you do realize, this means we’re probably going to have to do this Manny Insanity all over again next off season – especially since Daniel Murphy can be switched to first base if Carlos Delgado leaves as a free agent…
…so, to all of you from the failed Million Manny March, don’t burn those jerseys and banners just yet…
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