Daily Archives: September 8, 2009
The Mets lost to the Marlins by the score of 4 – 2 in Citi Field tonight.
For a full recap and boxscore, click here.
The Least You Should Know:
Hanley Ramirez and Cameron Maybin each hit two-run home runs against Tim Redding, who gave up four runs, four hits and four walks in five innings.
Carlos Beltran returned to the lineup and nearly hit a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning, which fell five feet short for a pop out.
Josh Thole hit a sacrifice fly for the Mets in the fourth
Misc., Etc., and Other Stuff:
This was a ho-hum loss – and I hate that. But, it’s that time of year, I guess – in which individual performance is becoming far more interesting and important than wins and losses.
It was great to see Beltran in action. I missed watching him play. He made a sliding, smooth-looking catch in the outfield, bending both knees, hitting the deck and sliding forward to scoop the ball – and I held my breath the entire time. He’s committed to the Mets, and I appreciate it.
Thole continues to look solid at the plate, despite going hitless, though he did have his first RBI. He controls the bat well, works the count, and has an idea at the plate. He receives the ball well, too, he has a hard glove and doesn’t move around a lot. He had a ball bounce funny on a play at the plate, going over his head, but I think it simply took a weird hop… or, I am not ready to admit he isn’t perfect. He will start tomorrow, again, going back-to-back days for the first time this season, while catching Pat Misch, who he caught in his first start.
Todd Zeile was in the dugout before the game. I had no issue with Todd, but Dad always felt he was the laziest man in baseball, and I’m not sure why.
According to Jerry Manuel’s post-game talk, down two runs with two on in the seventh, and no outs, Angel Pagan was asked to bunt in the seventh inning and he didn’t get it down. Instead he flied out to center.
Redding could not command his fastball, and he was lobbing over his off-speed pitches. Maybe he had a difficult time with Thole? Maybe he was just off? Either way, he didn’t look like the same guy from his previous three starts. He did ‘keep them in the game,’ though, as they say.
I liked SNY’s Silent Sixth Inning. I like Ron, Keith and Gary, too, but I enjoyed the peace and quiet. I wouldn’t mind watching an entire game like that once in a while – or at least having the option.
What’s Next for the Mets:
The Mets continue their three-game series with the Marlins tomorrow night, with Pat Misch taking on Ricky Nolasco.
Tagged News |
From what I can gather, Mets players, coaches, etc., have been occasionally, randomly dropping by different sections of the ballpark, be it the bullpen gate, the Ebbets Club, etc., mingling with fans, signing autographs, and taking pictures before the game.
For instance, several fans e-mailed me today to say Jeff Wilpon personally upgraded their seats, from Promenade to Field Level.
In addition, the Mets announced that every fan in Citi Field will be entitled to a free hot dog during tomorrow’s game.
The way it was told to me, the Mets are simply saying, ‘Thank you,’ to the loyal fans who continue to support the team this September.
Tagged News |The Mets (62-75) begin a three-game series with the Marlins (72-65) at 7:10 pm tonight in Citi Field, with Tim Redding taking on Rick VandenHurk.
Prior to the game, the Mets promoted 24–year-old RHP Tobi Stoner.
For the first time since the end of June, Carlos Beltran will return to the lineup, bat fourth and start in center field.
Angel Pagan will play left field and hit leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Beltran, Daniel Murphy at first, Jeff Francoeur in right field, Josh Thole behind the plate, Anderson Hernandez and Redding.
VandenHurk (2-2, 4.91 ERA) is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA in three starts against the Mets during his career.
Redding (2-4, 5.70 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his last three starts.
Tagged News |
Tonight, during the Mets-Marlins broadcast, SNY’s broadcast team will be silent during the sixth inning, allowing for the natural sounds of the ballpark.
…natural sounds of the ballpark… really… you mean, like, loud music, constant contests, party patrols, commercials and sing-a-longs… or, like, the sound of the bat, crowd noise and vendors… just checking…
Tomorrow night, Gary Cohen will get the night off, meaning only Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez will be in the broadcast booth.
…oh, man, i hope it’s a blowout…
Speaking of Keith Hernandez…
In a post for the San Francisco Chronicle, Michael Malone has a Q&A he did with Hernandez, who was born in San Francisco, during which he talks about his opinion of the Giants, the 49ers and growing up in the Bay Area.
Malone was kind enough to e-mail me five questions and answers that he did not use in his blog post, dealing with Seinfeld and acting, which you can read below:
Tagged News |
In early August, in a post to 1050 ESPN Radio, Andrew Marchand said, “Omar Minaya could be reassigned so Assistant GM John Ricco is the face of the front office, while Minaya still plays a vital role in player personnel.”
However, in a must-read report for the Bergen Record, Ricco tells Steve Popper he has no interest in Minaya’s job, saying, “I’ve never felt I need to be a GM… I’m really comfortable doing what I do and doing it well.”
…if you don’t know ricco, and want to learn more about who he is, what he does, where he came from and where he wants to go, read popper’s report…
…i have no idea what the team plans to do, who will be doing what, from what position, etc., but i think it’s quite clear ricco will have a bigger role, in public and behind the scenes, over the next few years… and, i think that’s a good thing…
Tagged News |In a post to NY Baseball Digest, Mike Silva looks at 10 players on the Mets roster who intrigue him for 2010.
…speaking of young players, i feel bad for Nick Evans, who has just one start and 10 
at bats since being re-promoted roughly two weeks ago…
…i mean, if he wasn’t go to play the last two weeks, when competing with Cory Sullivan and Angel Pagan in the outfield, he is certainly not going to play now that Carlos Beltran is returning… i do hope Jerry Manuel can wiggle this kid in, be it in a corner or at first once in a while, just to get a better idea, yet again, of what evans is all about…
…in terms of intrigue, for me, i am obviously most interested in Josh Thole, who is 4 for 9 since joining the Mets… he can hit, no question about it… he has a very controlled bat, a good eye, and a definite idea about what he’s doing in the batter’s box… i like that he chokes up on the bat… it says to me, he knows who he is and what he’s about… this will be a big month for josh, who will also get time to work on his defense and experience as a catcher with Brian Schneider and Sandy Alomar Jr… i think by the end of this month, the Mets will have a pretty good idea if thole can realistically factor in as part of a platoon next season at catcher…
Tagged News |Last week, on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark painted a bleak picture of the Mets and their ability to compete next season.
Yesterday, also on ESPN.com, Peter Gammons explains why the return of the Mets is ‘not as impossible as it seems.’
The Gammons Plan is essentially as follows:
- “Hire a really strong, competent, forceful CEO with a widespread understanding of the business, development and people.”
- “Use their market and SNY television network advantage to acquire talent through the draft and the international stage.”
- “Stop worrying about comparisons with the Yankees.”
- Acquire one quality starting pitcher.
- Acquire a young catcher, like D-Back’s C Chris Snyder, Indians C Kelly Shoppach or Rockies C Chris Ianetta.
- Acquire a power bat, either at first base or in the outfield.
For what it’s worth, Gammons adds, “The farm system is nowhere near as bad as has been colored.”
…this all sounds fine and good, but it’s obviously a lot more complicated, because this is all fairly obvious… to me, though, the Plan needs to dig deeper… the Mets need to do more than just tinker… they need to have a better understand of who they are, and where they’re going, and what they want to be… for most teams, that isn’t necessary… but, for the Mets, in New York, with the Yankees, with so much other options for entertainment, such focus is vital…
…by the way, i’m working on it, and hope to have Matthew Cerrone’s MetsBlog Plan ready for the end of September…
…hopefully, the Mets are working on one as well…
Tagged News |In a post to Amazin Avenue, James Kannenengieser gives a quick review of Friday’s game-used equipment auction in Citi Field.
…seriously, someone purchased an Ambiorix Burgos game-used jersey…
Speaking of the weekend, in case you missed out, and still want a Francisco Rodriguez Bobble Head Doll, check out eBay.
And, speaking of Rodriguez, check out Zoe’s Pick Me Up Some Mets.
Aaron Yorke of the Daily Stache wonders who Mets fans will root for if the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series.
…i have no idea, aaron… for me, if i root for the Yankees, i’ll have to punch myself in the face… but, if i root for the Phillies, my wife will punch me in the face… tough call… hopefully, we never need to find out…
According to Hot Foot, Mets pitchers can hit.
In an article for Newsday, Anthony Rieber lists several reasons to continue to watch the Mets in 2010.
…i watch the Mets because i’m a Mets fan… i appreciate the effort, anthony, but i’m not sure i need any more of a reason than that…
Greg Prince of Faith and Fear in Flushing writes about his relationship as a Mets fan with the New York Times.
By the way, if you’re interested, you can also find me and MetsBlog on Facebook, here, and on Twitter, here.
Tagged News |
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets will call up 24–year-old Triple-A RHP Tobi Stoner to their major-league roster before tonight’s game.
…if he ends up being even a decent pitcher for the Mets going forward, i think it’s fair to say he might become one of the more popular jerseys in Citi Field…
Stoner was 7-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 16 starts for the Bisons, during which he struck out 64 batters and walked 34 in 97.2 innings.
…from what i can gather, stoner needed to be added to the 40–man roster to avoid possibly losing him in this December’s Rule 5 Draft…
…i doubt he’ll pitch very much… but, from what i can gather, he doesn’t strike a lot of people out, as he rarely cracks 90 mph… also, he gives up a ton of flyballs… all of which may work fine in the minors, but in the big leagues it could be a problem… that said, he has a large repertoire of off-speed pitches, he’s smart, and he cruised through the minor leagues once he got going…
Tagged News |The Mets will soon announcing the signing of 17–year-old Japanese LHP 
Taiki Kawasaki to a minor-league contract, reports NPB Tracker.
According to the report, since leaving Japan last year, Kawasaki has been training at ‘Prime Time,’ Julio Franco’s baseball academy in Florida, where he has added velocity to his fastball, while working on his slider and curveball.
Tagged News | ← Older posts
