CHAT ROOM
Damn, he was young and spry and had hair. He’s gotten so old.
Pitching tends to age even the best teams having pennant aspirations. The Mets are now Johan Santana and pocket change, with any of the four capable of going either way. That’s right, the rest of the rotation has morphed into Oliver Perez. Good one night; bad the next.
We have a pop group: Johan and the Four Coin Flips.
HERNANDEZ: Mets need him to go long.
Can you honestly say you know Livan Hernandez will pitch lights out this afternoon? Nope. You count on five and hope he doesn’t implode the third time through the lineup.
John Maine? Well, he started out on the rocks last night and settled down late. By that time, the Mets’ listless offense had called it a night. Coming off shoulder surgery, Maine isn’t right and there’s no timetable that says he’ll be a 15-game winner again.
Mike Pelfrey? He’s been sandpaper smooth so far, and now he’ll try it again this weekend. He has facing the Washington Nationals going for him.
Yes, the Mets addressed their bullpen, but did precious little to shore up their starters, who barely got five these days save Santana.
The keys to the collapses the last two years have been the bullpen, specifically, over work of the pen. The Mets are already averaging 3.2 innings per game, which would be 514.2 innings on the season.
We’ll see how that 2.06 bullpen ERA stands up with that workload.
Somewhere down the road – three months at the trade deadline – the Mets might be confronted with some hard choices if they are to pick up a viable arm. That might mean losing Jon Niese or Daniel Murphy or F-Mart. It might mean losing two. It could mean all three if somebody like Jake Peavy or Roy Halladay are on the other end.
I was on a radio talk show last night in St. Louis and was asked if the Mets were good enough to win the World Series. Even with their dismal production with runners in scoring position they are if their pitching improves.
If it doesn’t, well, then it’s another long winter.
This post was written by John Delcos
Loading ...
Afternoon game, which is always dicey for a Mets Chat Room because everybody is working. Me? Still looking but keeping busy with odd jobs and freelance. Hope you’ll pop in during the day to say hello.-JD
I’ll be checking in JD…it’s so disheartening to watch this team though. I should have stuck with my initial game plan….wait until the last week of September before I get involved. LOL
Steve (2): You don’t want to come in at the end of the collapse do you? It’s like walking into the middle of a movie.-JD
JD- anywhere else you have been writing?…come back to Baltimore and write for the Bmore son..they certainly could use a good writer.
in 2006 and 2007 the mets killed teams in the first inning, thye need to get back to that..(since end of 2007 early runs meant no late runs but giving the staff some early support could let guys like maine not press)
Baltimore Sun*
John (1)
Actually there are a lot of people who work at desks which have computers – a captive audience.
Can you comment about the Figueroa situation for me?
I never want to walk in to the middle of a movie, although I have walked out on movies at that time.
1973 World series highlights on mlb channel now. Amazing how I can glance at a player and say “that’s John the Hammer Milner. 1974 World Series next: see Buckner thrown out stretching a double into a triple.How many guys got to be a goat twice?
Steve (2) I know this may be a rude question, but were you planning to cheer for another team???
OT – Only on the radio do I ever get to hear the National Anthem – TV always uses that time for more commercials.
Annie (6): He’s at 3A Buffalo. He was peeved, but it was only going to be for one start anyway.-JD
Afternoon all.
Here’s hoping for an exciting game today.
Go Livan!
(8) Annie…if they haven’t made me cheer for another team by now, they’ll never make me do that.
come on boys…lets win one today
jose reyes never works the count anymore
great AB by cora..good wood from beltran…come on mr delgado
Steve (12) just checking
a break for the mets!?
Yay! We score first! Love it!
drive it left carlos!
Interesting lineup today
annie- agreed..jerry looks good with cora and beltran producing early…id love to see david hit a few balls hard today
JD- did you see the 1-1 pitch to wright? it was a hanging breaking ball..he did nothing with it..he looks off at the plate
Jim (21) I want to see what Sheffield’s going to do.
23- i will say..there is a sense of anticipation when sheff is up..he still has an aura to him
jim (22/24): Wright just doesn’t look like himself at the plate. He looks tentative. And, Sheffield, you’re right. There is a sense of anticipation when he’s a the plate.-JD
how good is pujols..wow
We have got to stop giving runs back the next inning. This is killing us.
That didn’t take long.-JD
all the time wishy2…we do it alllllllll the time..its brutal
jim (26): I’d take Pujols over anybody, and that includes a healthy Alex Rodriguez.-JD
nice play by reyes… pujols is a stud. i wish wright was THAT consistent. wright’s #s have been consistent but he certainly has a lot of hot/cold streaks…alberts always hot
(29) jimb- to me the sign of a good team is one who can get runs back the inning after giving them up. But Im not sure if the teams are good or if we’re making them look good.
Cardinals have impressed me this series. They play very good ball. And after seeing them in spring training I thought they would stink.
(30) Yes Delcos, Pujols is an incredible hitter.
All the excitement of a gift run followed by two failures with a guy on second.
(24) Maybe you have a sense of excitement with Sheffield at bat, I have a sense of a has been who refuses to go to an old timers game.
unreal.
that ball was crushed..unreal catch
that hurts….coulda been an answer inning for us wishy2
you know your team is jinxed when you work that hard for one run, and the other side comes back in one swing and ties it — then when you need a bit of luck a guy makes a catch like that and the rest of the inning is a breeze
ed (37): That’s why they are the Mets. None of that is surprising to you, is it?-JD
im gonna try and get back to some positivity…had some early balls ht well of lohse..need a quick inning from livan
33- well hello harry…the metsies gonna win today?..i gotta good feeling
i mention good feeling then 4 pitch walk.. ugh
Nice statues outside the stadium. The Cardinals don’t have a problem honoring their history.-JD
We’ve got em right where we want em…
thru 2 ip
Livan- 21 pitches- 10 strikes
Lohse- 35 pitches- 25 strikes
Howie has been talking about the Black unis. Personally black clothing makes me think of gloom and doom, like a bad omen. Much prefer the blue, orange shirts and white pants unis.
Howie covers all aspects of these games.
(42) The new Busch stadium is beautiful inside and out. One of my favorite parks Ive been to.
Annie (44): Black also makes it hotter in the summer.-JD
jd- id like to see reyes moved out of the leadoff spot..he doesnt see enough pitches
wishy2 (45): It’s a simple park. All baseball. The Cardinals are such a tradition laden team and the park honors it. There needs to be more of that at Citi Field.-JD
John (42) I’d love to see the Wilpons spring for a few statues, starting with one of Seaver.
with castillo hitting maybe a lineup of
castillo
murphy
reyes
delgado
beltran
wright
church
castro
P
beltran is hot right now
couldn’t go out – jeaz- we needed a home run so bad
jerry was late making that move
jim (47): I’d leave him there. I just want him to take more pitches. That last at-bat of his was a waste. Any time he hits the ball in the air it is a waste.-JD
hello jim baltimore…. Will the metsies win you ask? If I knew I would be rich and in Vegas instead of here with you and everybody else!
true harry..true
they pitched around to get to DW
come on dwright..lets go..big hit here..break out
I read this in the rule book the other night. You are allowed to get a hit with two outs and runners on base.-JD
drive the ball to right field…come on david, stay back
there an asterick next to the mets on that one
I really loved the old scoreboard inside the new stadium.. and yes, the place reeks of Cardinals history. The park fits exactly what St Louis baseball is all about.
I dont see Citi until the end of May, but my expectations are very low now from everything I’ve read, but then again Im not surprised with anything Mets ownership does.
Lohse thinks he’ll fish
thats a hanging slider…fouled back again, ugly
fishing – 16 strikeouts in 54 at bats
oh course
wishy2 (62): I’m disappointed by the lack of acknowledgment of their history. Damn, throw in a logo every 30 yards or so.-JD
Damn.
ball was hit hard..and to right field..positive- thats what he needs to do
negative- wow we cant get a big hit
the team seems to have no life. not gtting big hits cant be good for that
(69) Jim, one big hit this year for Wright…only one. Well if there is a bright side, let him slump badly now instead of September
OK i’ll say it….Omar has to go if this team does not make the playoffs this year.
ah yes another close game – it’s kinda getting to be fun to see how they’ll implode today…. will it be the hitters, a pitcher or a fielder….as the saying goes somethings gotta give and its almost always the Mets
anyone else feel the mets really need this one.. i know its early but a 4 game losing streak..ton of pressure on johan if u lose to win tomorrow..if he loses team loses even more confidence
dont let albert bat this inning
making good contact isnt good enough at this point sorry to say – if they weren’t so bad with two outs and RISP then that would be a good answer – im getting tired of LOOKING for positive things
Steve (72) If we arent within 7 games come mid july Omar deserves to be canned. Heck, if we fall more than 7 games behind this year can him.
He didnt deserve to come back this year. He’s run out of people to take the blame. he built this “team” he has to finally take the fall.
sheffs going deep
2 ropes from sheff…2 outs
At least Sheffield is hitting the ball hard.-JD
I dont know if they do but i do
two guys the size of linebackers make a big deal of that plow through him
cardinals certainly arent making any mistakes defensively…im jealous
are you kidding me – can we have something positive or do i have to keep hearing well we hit it hard
clear the pitcher..we’ll take it
ed (84): Give me something positive and I’ll comment on it. Right now they look flat.-JD
well at least Omir cleared the pitcher so we have the top of the lineup next inning
worse than flat
Ahhh..the beauty of baseball…two hard hit balls for outs and one bloop that found a spot…gotta love this game!
team is soft
I thought sheffiedl would flip his ass
from espn-
COLE HAMELS LEFT THE GAME IN THE TOP OF THE FOURTH INNING AFTER BEING HIT IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER BY A PRINCE FIELDER LINE DRIVE.
wishy2 (87): A lot of good that will do if Reyes keeps hitting the ball in the air.-JD
it’s early they’ll be fine, there so close, there hitting the ball hard there just finding gloves —- i’ve heard that so many times before
i feel your frustration ed.
JD- i woulda sat reyes today and put cora at short
i garuntee pujols goes through delgado
JD(93) I’m ignoring all the things we’re doing wrong and enjoying when we do something right.
jim (96): Sure, why not? He needs a rest, too.-JD
Lohse- 72 pitches thru 4.
unreal…they make all the placer and our gold glover cant pick a hard hit ball
agreee jerry picks on his two most productive – Castillo and church- hey david the cards have made five catches better then taht
here we go 2-0
this team pisses me off..pujlos just stole.are u kidding
ah yes apply pressure – insert choke
its like a lawnmower without the blades
laugh it up with albert at Short Jose…no worries…dont be into the game or anything
jim (104): He did it last night, too.-JD
reyes just joking around with pujols angers me
jim (109): Me too. It shows his head isn’t always in the game.-JD
of course thank you DW
HOW CAN HE NOT KNOCK THAT DOWN
he didnt even elevate his glove
A made for TV dive?-JD
tahts the Mets they find ways to give up hits while they hit gloves
114 JD- it really looked like it. he dove and watched the ball go by. great fake effort
Of course Ankiel who couldn’t buy a hit before this series gets another big one today. I knew I shouldn’t have razzed him in Game 5 of the NLCS in 2000!
this all started because DW cant come up with the play – but then Livan goes from being perfect to all over the place
when a ground ball goes to wright..delgado must say to himself oh no
if i were a betting man – i’d dsay they get that run home
gotta keep it a 1 run game..2 runs may be insurmountable for this teams hitting with RISP
2 out hits..must be nice
They’ve found a hole.-JD
lol – to funny whaen its that preduictable -one hit until a base runner then sudenly they fall apart
it feels like lohse will poke a hit through too
unbelievable.
7-8-9 hitters
Hernandez’s pitch-count might be good, but they’ve solved him.-JD
*sigh*
i wish they would show the dugout – after this inning i want to see if anyone throws a glove or a hat etc… this team could care less whether its 0-0 or 10-0
wishy2 (129): Every time you write that I think of Charlie Brown on the mound.-JD
jerry should really get off church’s back
wishy2- can the mets ever answer a big inning from anohter team???
top of the lineup
Repulsive
have we had a three run inning – how come our starters cant limit damage
OMAR MUST GO!!!!!!
ed (132): Just let Church play. … They’ll start Sheffield tomorrow if Washington throws a lefty.-JD
I gauarantee DW after starting that mess is swinging for the fences and strikouts
jd (131) i feel like charlie brown..
136- this team has no one who will flip out..i want to see gatorade thrown…something that shows fire..not flatness
over under reyes pitches seen here..3.5
jim (133) Doubt it. Mets have no heart or passion.
They’ll string together a hit or two to keep their averages up, but nothing to get back into this game.
JD- what do you know..hits it on the ground, something good happens
That’s it, hit the ball on the ground.-JD
figgy refuses good for him
It figures, I tuned in just in time for Livans implosion. How about Johan and the 4 stooges?
hit and run…do somethingggg
Let Reyes steal.-JD
he has forgotten how to fly.
145. Good for him bad for us. He had a decent start last time. Its not like Niese and Gee are setting Buffalo on fire either.
come on beltran…one time- 3 run bomb
I was listening in the car and it was tied. Figures by the time I check in here it’s 4-1.
Beltran is already 2-2 today… so he’ll either hit into a DP or K looking…
well still an unproductive out…
1st and 2nd no one out…1st AB- pop up
2AB-…
(153) Wrong! He flied out.
Reyes forgot how to steal- why would anyone swing pitch with a pitcher hurt
Delgado has cooled a bit.-JD
david wright-we could use a big hit from you.
Jeff (156) yeah… but still didnt do anything productive with the out… so I was only half wrong…
So, of course, he gets a hit. Anybody care to guess the result of this AB?-JD
dont press…just do your thing
atta boy
lets go sheff
Wright is always a better hitter when he takes it the other way.-JD
dead on JD
situational hitting..get a rbi sheffield
joke
im speechless.
Now, we’ve seen that before. One run on three hits and an error. Sad.-JD
WHAT A JOKE
Thats enough for me today…I can’t stand it. Talk to you guys after the game. I can’t take it anymore.
JD- ive supported this team thru a couple years of this crap…if this season continues down this path..the “core” may have to be dismantled…what would be the first move? who goes…delgado is a goner if it ends like this…dont need him and his attitude in the clubhouse..but what about the big 3 (beltran, reyes, wright)..as good as any three in baseball. yet the team isnt producing
Mets 3-8 with RISP today… and we got 1 run out of it.
stats lie with this team.
Poor base running judgment by Reyes. Derek Jeter hasn’t made a bad judgment like that since Little League. Then Sheffield grounds into a DP. Mets avoided getting Sheffield for 15 years because of his baggage, then sign him when he’s washed up because it’s only $300,000
jim (173): Unless Delgado has a monster season, I agree that he’s gone. Reyes and Wright aren’t going anywhere, and I think Beltran’s contract would be tough to trade. … The problem isn’t the core, it is the pitching.-JD
worst thing mets can do is get rid of Wright or Reyes.
Beltran and Delgado? I wont shed a tear.
game over
game over – team choke
176- but there is no fight or life from this team..and to be honest as good as beltran is…he is the exact persona that embodies this team..ton of talent, shows no passion
What do you know … Hernandez falls behind and Pujols goes deep. … Cardinals get the run right back.-JD
livan acted like maine and ollie today and I expected more from a veteran – he was solid until abversity
El Half-Duque is good for three innings then he loses it. How about instituting the Earnshaw Cook idea for have your starter go three innings, then pinch hit for him? Keep doing this all game.
ed (182): That came pretty good.-JD
I wonder when it came to Jerry that Livan didn’t have it?-JD
St Louis’s juicer jacks one. Ours hits into a DP. We can’t even get effective cheaters.
should read: That came pretty early. in 184
Yeah, who needs figeroa? Omar is a mentally challenged clown.
I don’t see what is to comaplin about with Livan. Innings eater! Yes, because it doesn’t take many piches for him to get bombed. He’s been a horrible pitcher for years. Why would any one really expect something different. Same with Sheffield. Teams don’t release a guy owed 14 mil if they think there’s something in the tank. Why did Minaya get a quality end of the bullpen if he was gonna fill all the other holes with has beens?
have a good day everybody… frustration reigns. lets hope this team finds a way to turn it on…ton of pressure on johan tomorrow. hopefully he starts a winning streak
Wait — I walked away for a few minutes, come back and it’s 7-2?
They’ll call a team meeting. Santana will start tomorrow and beat Washington and everybody will think everything is OK. It won’t be.-JD
Well the Mets have really set themselves up for a difficult stretch. 4 straight losses. 3 games below .500 Next 13 games against division opponents.
They’ve dug themselves a huge hole. Now they need to come together and turn this ship around before its too late.
I haven’t seen the Robert Altman film “Nashville” since it came out. Real ugly mish mash (remind you of any team?). But isn’t there a scene at the end where a singer gets shot and a back up singer leads the crowd in singing “it don’t bother me.I ain’t saying I ain’t scared but it don’t bother me”??
over course now they make an error
(188) So what’s up with Figgy? Nobody claims him so his contract lets him refuse to go to minors and become a free agent. So was he pissed about the one day stint, or does he smell someone interested in him? He could’ve been the long man. Hell, looks like they need three long men.
(194) I never actually saw it, but I think that’s Keith Carradine (David’s brother).
Harry (189)- Its obvious Omar cant do the job as a GM. The 24th and 25th guy are just as important as the big contract guys.
And Omar gets plenty of good parts, but he’s always missing something.
what was that swing
Not a coincidence Reyes hit the ball on the ground.-JD
What really bothers me when I keep hearing people say Reyes needs to hit the ball on the ground, is I remember people saying the exact same thing about Greg Jeffries, and possibly Rafael Santana, and possibly several other Mets shortstops…
Jeff M (201): Reyes has more speed than any of those guys.-JD
this team just looks stale period – i have no better way to describe it- they have no life in the game they are so stationary
(202) Okay, I’ll buy that. It just feels like history keeps repeating itself.
ed (203): They haven’t hit in this series, but their pitching has been horrid. When you give up a lot of runs you’ll look stale.-JD
Beltran came up hitting .400, grounds out softly and is now hitting .393. What is his average with RISP?
how come beltran hits to scrotchers early then is an easy out – can anyone be clutch for more then 3-4 runs
Problem with Reyes is he isnt a smart baseball player. He doesnt know when to take pitches and run the count up. He doesnt know when its good to swing for the fences or when to hit line drives and ground balls.
So until he gains some baseball knowledge, he should only do his strength which is hit the ball on the ground and use his speed.
Character guys the Mets miss: Julio Franco, Captain Redass (LoDuca) and Cliff Floyd.
Jd- til this game the most they lost by is 3 and the most runs they gave up is 8 – they could have comeback from evyer game but they havent – they’ve lost every game except one they trailed in after six except one – the offense more then the roattion- but the rotation is now effecting the pen
privital play sheffield not plowing through pujols
ed (210): The pen is on pace to throw over 500 innings.-JD
The turning point of this series was boarding the plane at LaGuardia.-JD
Ollie giving up that 4 run lead
now this one is on the pitching – every other game this year they had a chance to come back
i think I’m the only fool watching with you JD
Ok, I am now outta here, see ya next time.
(213) Good line…
I’m outta here too.
Hey, the Nats are next…… All the problems will be forgotten for a weekend.
Okay, I’ve got to go. Maybe a miracle will happen over the final three innings. Um… geez, I was about to type “maybe they’ll score 7 runs” and before I could finish, it became 9 they would need. I’m beating a hasty retreat. Enjoy the rest of the game!
I’m back – had an appliance problem and now it’s fixed.
Let’s hope there is a way to fix the Met’s problem – any ideas?
Im lucky… my boss called so I got to miss the bottom of the 6th…
and now our bullpen ERA is going to stink.
(220) Play the Nationals…
John (213) That’s the line of the week.
BENCH CHURCH!
Lefty tomorrow by Nationals. They should still start Church.-JD
How dare he get a 2 out HR!
Sit Murphy instead. But, they need to get Church going again.-JD
ed (216): Where am I going to go?-JD
same here – wife sick im playing nurse – kids at friends
Can we bring back the other Shawn Green to see if he can pitch better than this one? Like in 1962 we had Robert L Miller and Robert G. A few years ago it was the two Bobby Jones.
I’m not going to be happy if Church sits tomorrow. But with a day game sat I’ll get over it if they have totally different lineups the next 3 games
wishy2 (231): I don’t want them screwing with Church’s head any more than they have.-JD
jerry needs to back of church and castillo
I don’t like this rotation when they start playing the Phillies, which is soon enough.-JD
The problem is they don’t have many options. It wasn’t like Figueroa was going to turn into an ace. Maybe they could bring up Niese or see if Garcia fixed his problems.-JD
somebody in that org. thinks church is the type of guy who needs pushing. I think they should look at pushing some of the others they have been leaving alone
I dont either.
With 1 lefty then 3 righties coming up I wouldnt be surprised if Jerry has totally different lineups tomorrow and Sat, and different than what we saw today.
The question Omar has to ask himself is if this is a bad stretch or a bad team.-JD
Ed (229) Hope your wife gets well soon.
John (235) do I dare mention the name of Pedro Martinez?
ed (236): Who do you think needs pushing?-JD
Annie (240): Why not? He can’t do any worse.-JD
John (242) I think he is a good example to all pitchers on and off the field. I’m sure Omar has his phone number – Omar!! call Pedro.
she had some very bad lady problems the big “H” full one … but all tests came out benigh Phew so its recoveriy time and adjustment now… thanks for asking
JD (238) I believe Omar will just assume its a bad stretch. It is too early too worry too much. The next 2 weeks will be telling.
He’s in a tough spot.. if they dont wake up and keep playing mediocre ball he will be ripped apart for letting it get this bad. if he reacts too quickly he’ll get criticized for panicking.
ed (244): My prayers go to your wife and your family.-JD
Delgado, reyes beltran they enjoy themselves way to much and take there talent for granted
Another wasted AB by Reyes.-JD
ed(244) Please tell your wife that we are all wishing her a speedy recovery – and bless you for looking after her so lovingly.
YAY!! Another useless HR!!!! PAD THOSE STATS! PAD THOSE STATS!
i will ty you annie & JD
All those tack-on runs the Cardinals scored after seemingly putting the game away is the margin of difference…. Just a horrible AB by Wright.-JD
I like how Parnell brushed him back. The inning before Pujols was thrown inside. Good signs.-JD
He’s the only one- i truely believe the fall of the yanks from the WS was torre’s refusal to brush hitters back
ed (255): I’ve heard that. It doesn’t hurt to have a mean streak when you’re a pitcher. Pedro has it.-JD
Also the Cardinals scoring the following inning after we scored has been huge. 4 innings we scored in, they followed suit…
If the Mets want to compete, they have to stop the opponents 1,2,3 the next inning.
Its nice to see they answered 4 times today also, but have to follow it up with a strong inning.
do i have sour grapes is will it be less of a win against the Nats tomorrow night after the last six games…
wishy2 (256): That’s long been a Mets’ pitching problem.-JD
I was hoping Sheffield would bring that edge to the bench but he looks as soft as the other gently easing pujols down
should have signed Milton Bradley
ed (257): You are assuming they will win. Don’t forget the Nationals helped bounce the Mets from the playoffs the past two years. They always play the Mets tough.-JD
ed (259): Hard to have an edge when the hits don’t fall. He hit the ball hard twice today. He should start tomorrow in left.-JD
Ed(257) Ed, I’m sure that the fans feel that way, but I also hope the team does and gets their act together FAST.
I think Murphy should be in AAA learning 1b for next year so your not going to get an arguement there
ed (264): They won’t send him down now. But, he should play first this fall in Arizona.-JD
As do i but if they do it will feel like an empty win sorry to say when their backs were to the wall they once again wilted – I’m having a hard time liking this team – they lack a true met personality
i know they wont because then they have to explain why they passed on all those left fielder
ed (266): The emerging personality isn’t a good one.-JD
When I think of the met si think of over achieving scrappy players – not premadonnas who get tagged out standing
JD – this is the personality they’ve had since 07
there soft
ed (269): Whenever they won it was because they were scrappy.-JD
ed (270): That’s what I meant. They are 6-9. With their players that’s just wrong.-JD
ugh
Well this was disappointing…
Hopefully this team can wake up on the flight home. Hopefully they can play well the next 3 days when i will be unable to watch/listen to the games.
See ya all next week! Thanks JD!
they miss guys the front office wanted out the door — seasn green ( over achiever) , paul Loduca (fiery), jose Valentin ( get in your ass leader)
RECAP: The story of the game was again the Mets’ starting pitching with Livan Hernandez being lit up. They scored enough runs to win, but those were mostly cosmetic runs and the game was decided. The game was not as close as the score would indicate.-JD
I know they were washed up but they didnt replace them – they replaced them lwith boy scouts – bet reporters enjoy the PR spun press conference form this group
ed (269) Can we send Keith Hernandez into the clubhouse for a few minutes – he was never bashful when the teams he was on were slacking off.
I can’t think of anyone now playing for them who can do what he did.
ed (278): They keep playing like this and the questions will be getting harder and harder. And Manuel’s easy-going nature won’t get it done.-JD
Howie has put this game “in the books” it’s a trilogy of horrors.
Annie
Annie (279): It would be out of place for Hernandez to do that. The spark has to come from within. They can’t trade for it, which is why Sheffield bringing an attitude is a bit overrated.-JD
For those just coming home from work, you missed another meltdown by a Mets starting pitcher. Livan Hernandez was torched and the bullpen’s ERA went up a bit. …. Yes, they didn’t hit with RISP, either. …. If you have some questions or comments, fire away and I’ll get to them later.-JD
Right now 2006 is looking like a bigger fluke than 1969. At least the Phillies are losing to tease us but we know they have a heart. If I understand the MLB stat package, Beltran is hitting .385 with RISP.
JD- I meant the reporters get teh perfect answers and nice smiles – instead of gruff guys
would a trade shake things up …
take a page from davy Johnson and Bobby V.
Keep them in teh whole 9. dont use the bullpen at all.
do that for several games and see what happens. its early enough. Its an experiment worth trying.
steve c (287): It is. He could’ve done it today and saved the pen.-JD
edfever (244) I just logged back in to see what transpired after I left, and read about your wife. Want to give both of you my best wishes for her speedy recovery.
Sure hope she’s not a Mets fan, ’cause this stretch certainly can’t help cheer her up!
edfever: I also wish your wife a speedy recovery……
To repeat what I been saying for the past week about this team is they have no starting pitching (except santana). This team is the same team met fans have watched now for over 2 years. The offense chokes when it counts late in games. The bull pen will be burned out by july because of there starting pitching and the only way to fix these problems are to shake things up. What that means is trading who ever to get quality starting pitching and bring in more character players that show heart and grit, not soft players like Delgado and Beltran. I understand Beltran isn’t going anywhere but until Omar realizes the Mets need pitching and character players this team will go no where. I’m tired of people telling me it’s early in the season when I’ve been watching this garbage for more than 2 years now. I really haven’t watch a met game tyhi year and I won’t waste my time. I am going to the met/philly game in may primarily because I am curious to see the new park. I just went to yankee stadium the other night, the game which went in to extra innings and the yanks won 9-7. The park is beautiful. I know the yanks (city) spent 1.6 billion and it looks like it.
If you remember the 86 team they had character (carter, knight and Hernandez), they had grit (dykstra, knight and backman) and they had the starting pitching (gooden, darlin, ojeda, fernandez and Aguilera and the back end of the pen was mcdowel and orosco. The mets have the back end but no starting pitching and definitely no charcter or gritty players. I watched every game that year in 86, that was a perfect New York team, not this garbage. My opinion is different than most met fans. This is all on Omar and the little jack ass Jeff Wilpon.
tomg, while I basically agree with what you’re saying about this team, the fact remains that ’86 was 23 years ago. It’s starting to look like that “perfect New York team” was a once-in-a-lifetime group, and you can’t blame Jeff Wilpon for all the other failed attempts since. Even the 2000 team, which managed to make it to the World Series, didn’t have all the qualities that made the ’86 team special. But they succeeded with players like Piazza and Olerud, solid professionals who were not exactly “gritty”.
One thing about that team is that most of the players came up from the minors. There were key players who were brought in from the outside, but the face of the team was drafted.
I think we have 5 or 6 regular players on this team that have been promoted and half of them are part time players.
Yes we do not have grit and do not have the vocal leaders on the team we need. Our pitching is the same as the past 3 years. We have Santana and I believe Pelf will do well this year. That is 40% of your rotation. That is why I wanted Lowe. People said he is old and all, but he is a quality pitcher who can give us innings. Just look at the 3 losers we have on the staff.
I think Ollie will have some good games this year. He is just not worth 36 million. In the cheapest market in years we came back with essentially the same pitching staff. We upgraded the pen and got some decent marginal position player backups, but did nothing to upgrade the rotation.