Tag Archives: Notebook

I walked through the clubhouse earlier to get to the main field, and noticed the 32” flat-screen TVs Jerry Manuel had installed.  There is one every 10 feet or so, tucked up on the pillars throughout the room.

It looks like he has a DVD in there, with different chapters titled, ‘Hitting to Opposite Field,’ and, ‘Hit and Run,’ etc., so he can gather the team as a group, hit play, and explain what he is looking for.

By the way, Robert Parnell threw live batting practice to a group of player, which included Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy.  Parnell looked good, though he was hardly throwing full speed.  In fact, the hitters mostly took pitches, but when Murphy swung, he clobbered the ball.

Fernando Martinez also took live batting practice, as he apparently has been cleared to return to action.  He has an amazing swing.

Tagged Notebook |

Here is a animated .gif of Luis Castillo fielding a ground ball:

Here are some other photographs from my day in camp so far.

To keep an eye on my entire photo album from Tradition Field, including hi-res versions of the pictures in this post, click here.

Tagged Notebook |

Carlos Delgado talked to reporters from the dugout in Tradition Field and said he has nothing to worry about when it comes to steroids because he has never used illegal drugs.

For more on Delgado’s talk with reporters, check out Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.

Later in the day, Jerry Manuel talked to reporters about the 80–pitch batting practice drill, and said the goal is to develop better hand-eye coordination, while getting their hands strong and taking the body out of the swing.

So far, Manuel said he likes what he sees from Luis Castillo, who he feels has a lot to prove this spring.

Manuel talked to his team this morning in private about how difficult it is to win a World Series, stressing the importance of preparation and team work, noting that the end of the last two seasons was all part of the preparation, in terms of experience, towards a larger goal.

Manuel also used the newly installed flat-screen TVs in the clubhouse to highlight how his players could better work to hit the ball towards the opposite field.

Also, Manuel said Fernando Tatis will back-up first place, among other guys, on days when Delgado gets a rest.

Manuel believes Delgado struggled last season with some health issues, which may explain why he was so up and down.  Manuel believes Delgado could be the leader this team needs.

Lastly, Brian Stokes pitched from the mound today, despite having an issue with his hamstring earlier in the week.

By the way, don’t forget, later tonight, Kevin Burkhardt will be hosting SNY’s Mets Hot Stove LIVE from Duffy’s in Port St. Lucie.

…i’ll be heading down to Duffy’s to film a behind the scenes look at the show, and catch up with a few readers while i’m there…

Tagged Notebook |

Here are some photographs from my day in camp so far.

To keep an eye on my entire photo album from Tradition Field, including hi-res versions of the pictures in this post, click here.

The last photo is of Fred Wilpon, up on a perch in the center of the complex, talking on his cell phone, turning to watch each field, as his players work out for the 2009 season.

Tagged Notebook |

On the main field, I watched the outfielders take batting practice, doing Jerry Manuel’s 80–straight pitch batting drill, which Marty Noble wrote about earlier in the week on MLB.com.

The goal is to exhaust yourself, but be aware of your swing, working hard to keep it consistent, even when tired.

I was tired just watching them.  Seriously.  Ryan Church came out of the cage, dripping in sweat, looking beat, and he ran right for the Gatorade cooler.  Daniel Murphy was no different.

Razor Shines was feeding the pitching machine, and was pushing these guys hard, motivating them to finish strong.

Murphy finished, looked tired, exhaled and shook his head, to which Shines said, “That’s right, Murph. That’s the price you pay to win a ring.”

The following video is of Murphy finishing up his session, after which you can hear Shines talking to him:

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