The John Delcos New York Mets Report Featuring Mets' commentary, analysis and news.

Yes, they are in the public eye, and yes your dollars go toward their salaries. But, just what should your right to know be?

Within the past few days, golfer Tiger Woods and Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore had their personal lives go public. Woods, with the holiday car accident, that might have been triggered by an alleged affair, and Sizemore, for nude photos of himself to his girlfriend now on the Internet.

As a journalist, I want to know as much as I can, but the off-the-field behavior would have to impact his performance as an athlete or his relationship with the public. If image is such that they capitalize on endorsements with their image, and that image becomes tainted, then it should be out there for all to see. In Woods’ case, he already pulled out of a tournament. He’s a corporate spokesman; his image gets him commercial money. That image is now on the line, and because of it, the events of that night should be made public.

As much as he would like it, there are no mulligans for Woods.

If Sizemore gets heckled to where he loses concentration and it hurts his play, yeah, that would count, also. He’s also the Indians’ most visible – no pun intended – player. The team sells tickets because of Sizemore’s play and image.

I get comments all the time from people telling me why their personal lives are an issue, and my response it that above and that people read that stuff. Woods was the number one topic on Google over the weekend.

So, tell me why or why not an athlete’s private lives should be made public.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

It was one moment of uncontrollable action in an otherwise stellar, steady career. Roberto Alomar’s moment came in Toronto, Sept. 27, 1996, while as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, in a flash of blind rage and runaway temper, he spat on umpire John Hirschbeck.

It was stupidity and immaturity, and the moment hung over him the rest of his career, which began in San Diego, and included stops in Toronto (where he won two World Series rings, Baltimore, Cleveland, the Mets and Tampa Bay.

However, it shouldn’t keep him out of the Hall of Fame, nor should his brief, unproductive, seemingly mailed-in performance with the Mets.

I covered Alomar for two seasons in Baltimore, and this was a five-tool second baseman who could dominate a game as well as any slugger.

In a game against Boston, he homered, beat out a bunt and stole a base, made a scintillating back-handed diving catch of a line drive, and made a throw I still envision. He was about 70 feet down the right field line for the cutoff, but knowing he had no chance at the runner at home, threw behind the runner rounding third to nail him.

He made plays like that all the time and with the game on the line I wanted him up as much as anybody.

Said former teammate Pat Hentgen: “He was just so good at everything. He ran the bases well, he was a clutch hitter, he hit for power, he played tremendous defense, and he made everyone around him better defensively. Just a clutch performer. He always rose to the occasion.”

Except that day in Toronto.

There are several criteria for being a Hall of Famer, but they are subjective to the voter. Alomar gets mine because he dominated his position for over a decade. There was no better second baseman. He went to 12 All-Star Games and won ten Gold Gloves.

Numbers wise, among second basemen, he ranks first in steals, sixth in hits and seventh in runs scored. Just numbers, but when the game was in the balance he dominated.

He’ll get my vote.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

The name stares at you from the computer screen. Miguel Cabrera.

The Detroit Tigers, in a payroll cutting-mode, will listen to offers for the enigmatic first baseman. This guy would fill a lot of holes for the Mets. He’d take care of first base for the next six seasons and provide a potent right-handed bat.

But, he won’t come without a price.

In 2010, Cabrera will be entering the third year of an eight-year, $152.3 million deal. Here’s the breakdown: $20 million the next two seasons; $21 million in 2012 and 2013; and $22 million in 2014 and 2015.
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Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Roy Halladay said he would waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Yankees. He’d probably to the same to pitch for the Red Sox. Either way, that’s not encouraging news to the Mets if they were banking on the Blue Jays being reluctant to deal within the division.

The Blue Jays, it seems, are willing to deal with the Yankees and Red Sox. Throw in the Phillies, Dodgers and Angels, and there are five teams better than the Mets with the resources to make a trade. I was never banking on Halladay to begin with, but this should end that kind of talk.

If the Mets are going to add a pitcher, it will be a middle-tier arm, and FA is the way to go so they don’t have to give up prospects.

Halladay isn’t coming here, and neither is Lackey. The Mets will be lucky to get a guy like Jason Marquis.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Thanks Annie and Ray for the kind words yesterday. I hope you all had a happy holiday with your family and friends.

The day after Thanksgiving should be pretty quiet. I’m figuring things will heat up at the beginning of next week on into the winter meetings in Indianapolis, starting Dec. 7.

I don’t believe the Mets will be as aggressive as Jeff Wilpon lead us to believe after the season or as many of you want them to be. I also don’t think they’ll be totally stagnant, either, as even they know another season like next year won’t fly.

They can’t and shouldn’t be thinking a healthy return of the injured will be enough, because it won’t be.
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Posted under Uncategorized

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving. There are a lot of things I am thankful for today even in what has been a most difficult year. I’m thankful for my health, and friends and family. I’m also thankful for many of the people who offered encouragement after I was laid off. I’ll never forget that.

I’ll also never forget you folks. The blog gave me a sense of balance and something to look forward to when I was deeply depressed. You guys gave me more than you could possibly imagine and I’ll be always thankful.

I hope you’ll take the blog today and post what it is you’re most thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving my friends. JD

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

If I am Omar Minaya, then I’m taking Jeff Wilpon at his word in his postseason press conference in which he said the Mets would be aggressive in both the FA and trade markets. If I am Omar, I know my job is at stake this season so I’m not holding anything back.

I’ve been writing the Mets would be conservative, but in reality they shouldn’t. As a general manager, Minaya’s responsibilities are to the present and future. However, that’s under normal circumstances. This isn’t a normal time for the Mets.

The Mets need to win right away for Minaya to keep his job, that means dramatic improvement. He doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for the prospects to develop. By the time they do, Minaya might be gone.

Minaya has to think that way, as being prudent and his job security aren’t mutually compatible. If trading F-Mart this winter makes the Mets better next summer, that’s something Minaya needs to act upon, because next summer could be his last.

Posted under Uncategorized

Word is the SNY has reached a deal in principle with Keith Hernandez on a new contract. I obviously haven’t heard them all, but I find it difficult to imagine a better group than Hernandez, Gary Cohen and Ron Darling.

They provide insight with humor. Of the three, Hernandez comes across as the least polished and at times a bit spacy … but that’s his delight. Yeah, I don’t mind hearing about Hernandez’s travel plans and Cohen busting his chops by saying, “it’s all about you, isn’t it?”

Hernandez is witty and honest and pulls no punches. He’s not afraid to rip the home team, and this year they needed it for sure. That’s honesty and it is rare from team announcers.

What’s best about them is they don’t come across as blatant homers like you get from the team across town. We’re not stupid. We know what we’re watching, and Hernandez doesn’t come across as patronizing or condescending.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

Of all the Mets last season, Mike Pelfrey was the biggest disappointment. To me, that also makes him the biggest issue for next season of those Mets on the current roster.

After a what many thought was a big step in 2008, Pelfrey took a step back last summer. He unraveled like a ball of yarn, unable to work his way out of trouble and finish off hitters and innings, never mind games. His moments of dominance were scarce. And, the old problem of not having command of his secondary pitches and being reliant on his fastball was a constant theme.

Maybe it was the wall many pitchers get the season after throwing a career high in innings. Then again, maybe it wasn’t and he’s a right-handed Oliver Perez. I have no faith in Perez; Pelfrey I haven’t given up on, yet.
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Posted under New York Mets 2008-09

I don’t know why it took criticism and a year to do these things, but better late than never. Even so, the Mets made three announcements Saturday reflecting the ties to their past that should have been announced when Citi Field opened.

First, various VIP entrances were named after: Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver and Casey Stengel. The outfield bridge will be named Shea bridge.

Secondly, there will be a Hall of Fame, which should have been in the original blue prints. It will be next the Jackie Robinson Rotundra.

Lastly, there will be banners of Mets players on Mets Plaza in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and the light poles in the parking lots will be adorned with the team’s logo.

Yes, this is something that should should have been done in the beginning, but better late than never. I love it when a team acknowledges its past. The Mets history isn’t as successful as several teams, say the Yankees, Dodgers and Cardinals, but it is colorful and rich and closing in on 50 years.

There’s no question the fans honor Mets history. The team should do the same.

Posted under New York Mets 2008-09