eMailbag: Quick Qs and As, Hate-Mail Edition
K McCarthy: Matt, I’m not one to complain on how a webpage is laid out, but you really had a good thing going with the old style. The feel of this 
new site is too corporate and not enough amature, or fan friendly. I miss the old look.
Matthew Cerrone: Actually, I think you are one to complain, seeing as you sent the e-mail. Right? And that’s good, you should complain. There is nothing wrong with that. I love good, honest, constructive feedback. The thing is, all I essentially did was flip the text column with the most left sidebar. That’s it. A simple flip of two columns and suddenly the site is too corporate? Interesting. Also, I will eventually add a Citi Field inspired header, but I have yet to be there for a game, with fans in the stands, so I went with the generic blue until then.
P Money: Why did you lose the new comments section. Two people complain and you give in. Sucker. Your such a jerk.
Matthew Cerrone: In case you missed it, yesterday I wrote, “I had to temporarily revert back to the old comment style for a variety of technical reasons. I will do my best tomorrow to bring back Intense Debate.”
Devin: Obama has taught me the importance of 
persistence. In his honor I will be sending this same email twice a day until I receive a response… I think we should take a note from the cards and bat Luis Castillo ninth. It gives him protection to bat in front of Jose Reyes. Essentially giving the Mets another lead off man the second time around. This is at least worth discussing.
Matthew Cerrone: For those unaware, Devin sent this to me nearly 10 times, and in some cases lectured me on how I do a poor job responding to people’s e-mails. Sorry, Devin, it’s been a hectic time of year, with the whole re-design, comments thing, and Opening Day. Sorry for the delayed response, and, truthfully, I admire your persistent way, and I apologize for not responding sooner… That said, I am not a fan of batting the pitcher any place other than ninth, because I see no advantage to exposing him to more at bats than needed, though I realize he is eventually pinch hit for at some point in the game anyway. The thing is, I actually like the idea of Castillo’s controlled bat hitting in front of the pitcher, who can bunt him over for the top of the order. For that hitter-batting-eighth scenario to pay off, the moon and stars need to align in a specific way. I’d rather construct the lineup for the most likely scenario and work it out that way.
No Hot: In a post last week, you wrote, “I freaked out a bit when I looked at the box score and saw that Pelfrey was pulled from the game following just one inning… thankfully, it was due to rain… but, I feared the worst.” Come on. Matt, you have to learn to report like a real serious reporter.
Matthew Cerrone: But, I’m not a ‘real serious reporter.’ I’m a Mets fan, who writes a blog. Here’s the thing, though, I did freak out. So, why should I not write that? I’m just being honest, which is all I have ever been on this blog, for better or worse. If you want to read an independent, objective reporter, read David Lennon, Adam Rubin, and the other beat writers who do an amazing job at being just that, independent and objective. I’m a Mets fan, and I’m proud to be a Mets fan, and I’m going to write as an honest, in-the-moment Mets fan, who sometimes is angry, sometimes is overly confident, and who sometimes is freaking out, because that’s who I am, and that’s what I have fun doing.
