Daily Archives: August 20, 2009
The Mets lost to the Braves tonight by the score of 3 to 2 in Citi Field.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Johan Santana was good once again but very hittable as the Braves scored three times on nine hits against the ace. The big blow was a home run into the Pepsi Porch by Brian McCann.
Seeing Billy Wagner enter the game to the tune of “Enter Sandman” was possibly the most exciting part of this season for me. Wagner put on a very good show for the scouts tonight as he pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out two with a fastball clocked at 96 mph.
Misc., Etc. and Other Stuff:
The Mets had a few chances. In the first with two outs and the bases loaded, Fernando Tatis grounded out yet again to kill the rally. In the eighth, Omir Santos drove in Jeff Francoeur to bring the Mets within a run, but Anderson Hernandez grounded out. Finally, Daniel Murphy popped out with the tying run on first to end the game.
Anderson Hernandez and Luis Castillo did turn a beautiful double play in the fifth to get Johan out of a bases loaded jam, but it was all for naught. I try really hard to find silver linings.
The Next Series:
The Mets start a four game series against the Phillies tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. with Mike Pelfrey (8-8, 4.75) facing off against Cole Hamels (7-7, 4.69) at Citi Field.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
Gary Sheffield has asked the Mets for a contract extension, and the club was unwilling to meet the request.
Sheffield asked Jerry Manuel to be removed from tonight’s starting lineup to ‘clear his thoughts’.
…this is when the marriage with Sheffield was going to get ugly…not that I blame him for seeking security as he reaches the end of his career, but as. Matt has said several times, it would be a bad thing if he was in their plans for 2010…
The Mets have activated Billy Wagner from the 60 day disabled list.
To make room for Wagner, the Mets have released Livan Hernandez.
Hernandez was 7-8 with a 5.47 ERA for the Mets in 2009, but posted a 7.33 ERA in July and an 11.30 ERA in August.
Update, 4:38 pm:
Gary Sheffield told reporters that he is healthy but would not say if he knew why he was not in the lineup.
…Sheffield himself speculated that his future with the Mets was cloudy, but as of now there is no indication that a move has been made...the team would have to release him outright since he was already pulled back from waivers…
Original Post:
The Mets (56-64) conclude their series against the Braves (63-57) tonight at 7:10 pm at Citi Field.
Gary Sheffield has been scratched from tonight’s lineup.
Instead, it will be Cory Sullivan in left field and batting fifth.
Angel Pagan will leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, Daniel Murphy, Jeff Francoeur, Sullivan, Fernando Tatis, Brian Schneider, and Anderson Hernandez.
Johan Santana (13-8, 3.10 ERA) will start for the Mets. Santana has yet to allow an earned run against the Braves this season, yet he is just 1-1 in two starts against them so far. He lasted into the seventh inning during his last start against the Giants and allowed four earned runs.
Kenshin Kawakami (5-9, 4.13 ERA) will start for the Braves. Kawakami is having a decent rookie season and seems to improve with each start. He is coming off a no-decision against the Phillies in a 3 run, 6 1/3 inning performance. He is 0-2 with a 3.09 ERA against the Mets this season in two appearances.
I started MetsBlog.com in late 2003, 
during which I entered countless posts about Art Howe, lamented Roger Cedeno, I got excited about Vance Wilson and Jeff Duncan, and speculated endlessly about the acquisition of Kaz Matsui.
In some ways, it seems like 2003 and 2004 were the bottom of the mountain, while 2006 was the highest possible peak, and it’s been a slow, backward slide ever since.
So, I’m breaking my old One Team, One Millions GMs t-shirt and wearing it to tonight’s game, because I am feeling a sense of change coming to the Mets, much like was the case in 2004. We, the fans, will soon need to rally, bring out our collective thinking cap, and start to make serious, noteworthy suggestions and campaigns for ways to get this team moving in the right direction again.
People keep asking me if I’m depressed because of the losing. I’m not. Instead, I’m inspired, I see o opportunity, I’m excited to be creative, and intrigued by what the future holds.
I know people connected to the team read MetsBlog, including those who have the ability to make things happen. I have no idea if what you and I say matters, but I’d like to find out.
Tagged News |
In an interesting column for the New York Post, Mike Vaccaro explains why Mets fans may be sabotaging themselves by delivering such strong attendance numbers this season in Citi Field.
In short, Vaccaro says, “As long as you come, even if it’s more for Shake Shack than Sheff, you run the risk of all of this being misinterpreted.”
…it’s an interesting take… i will say this, i hope ownership does not misinterpret the attendance to mean acceptance for mediocrity… because, the reality is, Citi Field, right now, is a novelty… every new stadium seems to go through this phase, just as Toronto, Baltimore, San Diego and Cleveland, among others – all of whom did not have to compete for tickets with the Yankees…
…if the Mets keep losing, and collapsing, even the best chicken tacos will not be enough to sustain serious attendance… eventually, as always, it will need to be about winning…
For more on the ‘Million Dollar Question,’ read NY Baseball Digest.
Tagged News |
In a report for Newsday, Ken Davidoff looks at whether Jeff Francoeur should be in the team’s plans for 2010.
Davidoff talks with Chipper Jones and Jerry Manuel, as well as Francoeur, about ‘pitch selection,’ the change of scenery and Mets fans.
Francoeur is batting .299 with a .331 OBP, 12 extra base hits and 22 RBI in 35 games since joining the Mets.
He is eligible for arbitration each of the next two seasons, and can be a free agent following the 2011 season.
…my guess is, the Mets know francoeur is on the team, and build the outfield knowing he can start, but that it is a place to potentially upgrade… they could also look to include him in a deal, because he’s under contract and has looked good with the Mets…
…i like francoeur’s attitude… he’s a free swinger… no doubt… he’d probably be a good six-place hitter, with or without the walks, assuming the Mets had a normal lineup in place… he can drive in runs, put the ball in play and seems to always be in good spirits… however, if he’s going to play a larger role, the lack of plate discipline will be a problem… in other words, i don’t think the Mets should build around francoeur in any way… instead, they should build the team they want, and if there’s a spot for frenchy, great… if not, oh well…
By the way, Davidoff will be chatting with fans on his blog today at 11 am – to log in and ask a question, click here.
Tagged News |
Carlos Beltran took batting practice, took flyballs and did running in the outfield before last night’s game.
…from what i understand, he will soon work on running the bases, specifically quick starts and stops, and sliding, after which the team will plot out a rehab assignment sooner than later…
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said, once Beltran is cleared ‘medically,’ and can play without pain, he looks forward to seeing him back in the lineup.
“If he’s pain free, I’d like to see him play.” Manuel said.
“For me, it’s somewhat selfish.”
Tagged News |
The Mets will honor the 1969 World Championship prior to Saturday’s game, with an on-field celebration featuring players from the team, including Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Nolan Ryan, among others.
Honestly, I completely forgot about this event. I hate to admit that, because it’s the 1969 Mets, the Amazins, the guys that truly started the legacy of hope and disbelief, and the idea of miracles. I’m not alone, apparently, because I do not hear many other fans talking about it as well, nor do I hear any buzz on WFAN, other blogs, in the stands, or even on SNY.
From what I understand, there are still plenty of tickets available for Saturday’s game, despite the team announcing this event five months ago.
It’s bizarre, too. I mean, I have spent so much of this season ripping the team for not paying enough attention to their history. Yet, here we are, days before Koosman and Seaver will be in the house, and I’m essentially ignoring it. Why?
Like someone with the team recently said to me, ‘Fans want an Old Timer’s Day, they want a statue of Seaver… well, here he is, the real person, here they are, and nobody seems to care.’
I don’t think it’s a lack of care, though. I mean, I love the Mets. I am proud of their legacy. I got chills and was 
very nervous when I had the chance to interview Seaver last season.
The thing is, I grew up in the 80s. Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, Darryl Strawberry, the Home Run Apple, the neon signs outside Shea, 1986, etc., that’s my era. That’s my history. The 80s is where my path to loving this team… not 1969.
I also think the long season has taken a toll. I’m exhausted. I bet you are too. Unlike today, in 2006, there was a ton of hype and excitement around the 1986 20th Anniversary Celebration. The 1986 team resonates better with people my age because we lived it, but also the 2006 Mets were charging towards the post season, and similarly dominating the National League. There was a sense of full-circleness going on, which made the celebration all the more relevant.
Today, the Mets are bumbling around the bottom of the league, playing uninspired baseball with players nobody recognizes. To celebrate any success, let alone success from 40 years ago, is almost depressing.
I worry the team and players may soon be sent a message that nobody cares about their history, despite all the clamoring for it earlier in the season.
This is not the case, though. We care. We’re all just really tired.
Tagged News |In the Bergen Record, Steve Popper talks with Billy Wagner, who is going to go out and try to be ‘the best.’
To learn why Pedro Martinez is so amazing, aside from his ability to pitch, read this outstanding report from Ben Shpigel in the New York Times.
In a post to Metsopolis, Patrick McCarthy explains why he no longer hates the Phillies.
Jason of Faith and Fear in Flushing explains why it is important to always look for the silver lining.
James Kannengies of Amazin Avenue discusses the idea of a Relief Ace, and how Francisco Rodriguez can fill that role.
…i love that title, relief ace… it makes so much sense, yet no team does it… i think this is a case of a breakdown between people with calculators and people who sit in the bullpen, and how the players are convinced they need to know their role, and when and how they’ll be pitching… of course, things change… at some point, people needed to convince pitchers to break habit and pitch from the bullpen… then be closers… so, maybe one day people can convince relievers to change again, in to the Relief Ace model…
The NY Sports Guy on NY Sportspace looks at whether to keep pitching Johan Santana or shut him down for the season.
Lastly, if you’d like to ask Razor Shines a question, click here.
Tagged News |
