Mets Look to Win Fifth Consecutive Opening Day Game

Good morning Mets fans, the long awaited day is finally here.

As I wrote last week, the Mets have an amazing opening day record.  It's an astounding record actually.

The team is currently on a 4 game opening day win streak, and today they go for number 5 with Johan on the hill for the third consecutive opening day.

• 2009. Mon, Apr 6 at CIN W (2-1) Santana
• 2008. Mon, Mar 31 at FLA W (7-2) Santana
• 2007. Sun, Apr 1 at STL W (6-1) Glavine
• 2006. Mon, Apr 3 vs WSN W (3-2) Glavine 

Two other other opening day Met records courtesy of The Happy Recap.

The Longest Mets Opening Day Hit Streak:
Seven games.  This record belongs to future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, who had at least one hit in every Met opener from 1999 through 2005. David Wright has had at least one hit in every Met opener from 2005 through 2009, so he has a currently live streak of five.

Most Opening Day games Played as a Met:
Tom Seaver and Bud Harrelson 11
Jerry Grote, Cleon Jones and Ed Kranepool 10
Howard Johnson 9

After losing their first 8 opening day games in a row (the Mets were shut out in the 60s), the Mets are 31-9 on opening day since 1970. They’ve also hold the longest current opening day winning streak (four in a row). 

Finally, I just checked, then double checked--Tim Foli will not be in today's lineup.

Related articles by Zemanta

• New York Mets Opening Day Optimism (bleacherreport.com)
• The Best And Worst Mets Opening Day Lineups (amazinavenue.com)

Rare Must-Have Mets Gear--Act Quickly--12 Pairs Only!

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• The packs goes on sale Monday April 5th 11am.

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Vault by Vans and Major League Baseball are teaming up to celebrate the renewal of our national pastime with the Opening Day Collection. Available at select Vault accounts, Vans has created a special classic sneaker style for the corresponding hometown team. Just 12 pairs of New York’s Era LX and a matching limited edition Majestic Authentic Jersey will go on sale Monday, April 5th, only at Premium Goods in Brooklyn. More teams and store information will be announced in the coming days.

The Mets Amazing Opening Day Record

The Mets are 31-17 all-time in Opening Day games.

This is pretty amazing considering they lost their first 8 opening day games in a row.

That's right, the Mets did not win an opening day game until 1970, they just skipped the 1960s altogether as far as opening wins were concerned.

After losing those first 8 games, they won their next 4 in a row, lost 1, and then went on to win an astounding 9 in a row.

Since those first 8 losses, they've gone 31-9, and the team's current opening day win streak stands at 4.

Here is how the Mets have fared on opening day by decade:

• 60s: 0-8
• 70s: 9-1
• 80s: 9-1
• 90s: 6-4
• 00s: 7-3

All told the Mets have a .646 winning percentage on Opening Day--yes, that is the best record in the game.

So good morning my friends, let's have one heck of a season!

Score	Starter
2009. Mon, Apr 6 at CIN W (2-1)	Santana
2008. Mon, Mar 31 at FLA W (7-2)	Santana
2007. Sun, Apr 1 at STL W (6-1)	Glavine
2006. Mon, Apr 3 vs WSN W (3-2)	Glavine
2005. Mon, Apr 4 at CIN L (6-7)	Martinez
2004. Tue, Apr 6 at ATL W (7-2)	Glavine
2003. Mon, Mar 31 vs CHC L (2-15)	Glavine
2002. Mon, Apr 1 vs PIT W (6-2)	Leiter
2001. Tue, Apr 3 at ATL W (6-4)	Leiter
2000. Wed, Mar 29 vs CHC L (3-5)	Hampton
1999. Mon, Apr 5 at FLA L (2-6)	Leiter
1998. Tue, Mar 31 vs PHI W (1-0)	Jones
1997. Tue, Apr 1 at SDP L (5-12)	Harnisch
1996. Mon, Apr 1 vs STL W (7-6)	Jones
1995. Wed, Apr 26 at COL L (9-11)	Jones
1994. Mon, Apr 4 at CHC W (12-8)	Gooden
1993. Mon, Apr 5 vs COL W (3-0)	Gooden
1992. Mon, Apr 6 at STL W (4-2)	Cone
1991. Mon, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Gooden
1990. Mon, Apr 9 vs PIT L (3-12)	Gooden
1989. Mon, Apr 3 vs STL W (8-4)	Gooden
1988. Mon, Apr 4 at MON W (10-6)	Gooden
1987. Tue, Apr 7 vs PIT W (3-2)	Ojeda
1986. Tue, Apr 8 at PIT W (4-2)	Gooden
1985. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL W (6-5)	Gooden
1984. Mon, Apr 2 at CIN L (1-8)	Torrez
1983. Tue, Apr 5 vs PHI W (2-0)	Seaver
1982. Thu, Apr 8 at PHI W (7-2)	Jones
1981. Thu, Apr 9 at CHC W (2-0)	Zachry
1980. Thu, Apr 10 vs CHC W (5-2)	Swan
1979. Thu, Apr 5 at CHC W (10-6)	Swan
1978. Fri, Apr 7 vs MON W (3-1)	Koosman
1977. Thu, Apr 7 at CHC W (5-3)	Seaver
1976. Fri, Apr 9 vs MON W (3-2)	Seaver
1975. Tue, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Seaver
1974. Sat, Apr 6 at PHI L (4-5)	Seaver
1973. Fri, Apr 6 vs PHI W (3-0)	Seaver
1972. Sat, Apr 15 vs PIT W (4-0)	Seaver
1971. Tue, Apr 6 vs MON W (4-2)	Seaver
1970. Tue, Apr 7 at PIT W (5-3)	Seaver
1969. Tue, Apr 8 vs MON L (10-11)	Seaver
1968. Wed, Apr 10 at SFG L (4-5)	Seaver
1967. Tue, Apr 11 vs PIT L (3-6)	Cardwell
1966. Fri, Apr 15 vs ATL L (2-3)	Fisher
1965. Mon, Apr 12 vs LAD L (1-6)	Jackson
1964. Tue, Apr 14 at PHI L (3-5)	Jackson
1963. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL L (0-7)	Craig
1962. Wed, Apr 11 at STL L (4-11)	Craig

The Stats Say: Bat Angel Pagan Second

Met nation breathed a huge sigh of relief when medical personnel cleared Jose Reyes for baseball activities yesterday.

There is little doubt that Reyes will be ready for opening day, and there should be little doubt that he belongs in his rightful spot at the top of the order.  We can see about batting him 3rd next year.

Though Luis Castillo batted second for much of last year, it's Angel Pagan who truly belongs there, and all numbers point to that fact.  He is superior to Castillo, and every other Met, and what I'll call "2 hole statistical indicators of excellence."

Despite this, Manuel batted Pagan second for a grand total of 11 at-bats in 2009. Remember, Jerry is not a math guy.

Let's look at those indicators of excellence.

People who favor Castillo in the #2 hole point to the number of pitches he takes, but looking at the numbers, he's not all that different from Pagan.

Last year Castillo saw 4.23 pitches per plate appearance to 3.82 for Pagan.  Moreover, as a casual observer it seems that Castillo takes more pitches when there is no one on base when he tries to work walks.  He also takes too many pitches at times when there are men on base instead of jumping on an early fastball to move runners over.  We'll see next how this shows up in the stats.

When there are runners on, the 2 hole batter is truly there to move them along, hopefully all the way home.  One of the stats that shows how they fared in this capacity is the percentage of baserunners that scored.

Last year baserunners scored 13% of the time during Castillo at-bats, and that number jumped up to 18% for Pagan.  I'm sure you all had a few "Castillo moments" last year watching him take good pitches for strikes, or ground weakly or hit a soft liner that couldn't advance a runner...this stat partially shows the results of those feeble at-bats.

Pagan also led Castillo in Productive Outs (advancing or driving in a runner)--Pagan did this 44% of the time to 43% for Castillo. 

Well what about ability to sacrifice?  We know Castillo is a great bunter, but the numbers show that Pagan was at least as successful.  Pagan may not have the artistry that Castillo has in this department, but last year he was successful 71% of the time compared to 70% for Castillo.

Warning--opinion ahead--I think Castillo bunts way too much.  There are times when a sac fly or swinging away is a much better option, especially as it can also lead to a hit, but with Castillo, Jerry seems over-inclined to give up an out with a bunt, even in the first inning.

Pagan was outstanding last year with runners in scoring position.  He batted .342 with a 1.004 OPS.  Castillo, on the other hand, hit .325 with RISP, but his OPS was only .774, meaning he was not nearly as productive as Pagan in this department.  To be fair, Castillo was certainly OK, but Pagan was simply great.

The last number we'll look at is double plays.

In 2009 Luis Castillo grounded into 15 double plays in 93 double play opportunities for a 16% clip (that number was 22% in 2008).  This is pretty awful for a 2 hole hitter.  Pagan, on the other hand, grounded into only 3 double plays in 35 opportunities, a 9% clip, and his career average is 5%.

OK Jerry--you have your leadoff hitter back, and your #2 hitter....let's play ball!

(and don't forget the idea of Reyes and Pagan hitting back to back triples...I'd rather see that than three homeruns in a row)

Mets Baseball Card of the Day: 1987 Gary Carter

From here to Opening Day, we'll present you with a Mets "Baseball Card of the Day" commemorating some great Mets of the past.

Today's entry is the wonderful 1987 Gary Carter--I just love cards with action photos, and this one is particularly poignant as it depicts Carter in his trademark lean forward follow through...if one had to guess, it looks like Carter just drilled a fastball to the gap.

Carter had something of an off-year in 1987 after driving in 100 or more runs the previous three seasons, but he was still a great player, albeit one that was certainly on the decline.

Keith Hernandez gets a ton of credit for the great mid-80s Met teams, but I always felt that the addition of Hall of Famer Gary Carter is what really put the Mets at the top of the baseball world.

The Wonder of Impeccable Timing

About 3 months ago my boss asked me, "Dave, do you want to go to a conference in Miami?"

It took me about 2 seconds to say yes.

Two weeks ago he asked me if I'd made my travel arrangements yet.

"For what?" I asked. "Miami dude!" was his reply.

"Oh shit" was all that came to mind once I realized:

• I would be traveling during the Mets opening day game (my flight leaves at 12:00 from D.C.)
• It is my daughter's spring break, and this was our week to visit colleges
  
• I fly home during Thursday's game for a meeting in D.C. on Friday
• The Mets go to Miami on Friday to play the Fish
  

So yes my friends, timing, as they say, is everything, and right now mine sucks.

I am praying for a weather delay!

The Mets Amazing Opening Day Record

The Mets are 30-17 all-time in Opening Day games.

This is pretty amazing considering they lost their first 8 opening day games in a row.

That's right, the Mets did not win an opening day game until 1970, they just skipped the 1960s altogether as far as opening wins were concerned.

After losing those first 8 games, they won their next 4 in a row, lost 1, and then went on to win an astounding 9 in a row.

Since those first 8 losses, they've gone 30-9.

All told the Mets have a .638 winning percentage on Opening Day--yes, that is the best record in the game.

So good morning my friends, let's have one heck of a season!

Score	Starter
2008. Mon, Mar 31 at FLA W (7-2)	Santana
2007. Sun, Apr 1 at STL W (6-1)	Glavine
2006. Mon, Apr 3 vs WSN W (3-2)	Glavine
2005. Mon, Apr 4 at CIN L (6-7)	Martinez
2004. Tue, Apr 6 at ATL W (7-2)	Glavine
2003. Mon, Mar 31 vs CHC L (2-15)	Glavine
2002. Mon, Apr 1 vs PIT W (6-2)	Leiter
2001. Tue, Apr 3 at ATL W (6-4)	Leiter
2000. Wed, Mar 29 vs CHC L (3-5)	Hampton
1999. Mon, Apr 5 at FLA L (2-6)	Leiter
1998. Tue, Mar 31 vs PHI W (1-0)	Jones
1997. Tue, Apr 1 at SDP L (5-12)	Harnisch
1996. Mon, Apr 1 vs STL W (7-6)	Jones
1995. Wed, Apr 26 at COL L (9-11)	Jones
1994. Mon, Apr 4 at CHC W (12-8)	Gooden
1993. Mon, Apr 5 vs COL W (3-0)	Gooden
1992. Mon, Apr 6 at STL W (4-2)	Cone
1991. Mon, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Gooden
1990. Mon, Apr 9 vs PIT L (3-12)	Gooden
1989. Mon, Apr 3 vs STL W (8-4)	Gooden
1988. Mon, Apr 4 at MON W (10-6)	Gooden
1987. Tue, Apr 7 vs PIT W (3-2)	Ojeda
1986. Tue, Apr 8 at PIT W (4-2)	Gooden
1985. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL W (6-5)	Gooden
1984. Mon, Apr 2 at CIN L (1-8)	Torrez
1983. Tue, Apr 5 vs PHI W (2-0)	Seaver
1982. Thu, Apr 8 at PHI W (7-2)	Jones
1981. Thu, Apr 9 at CHC W (2-0)	Zachry
1980. Thu, Apr 10 vs CHC W (5-2)	Swan
1979. Thu, Apr 5 at CHC W (10-6)	Swan
1978. Fri, Apr 7 vs MON W (3-1)	Koosman
1977. Thu, Apr 7 at CHC W (5-3)	Seaver
1976. Fri, Apr 9 vs MON W (3-2)	Seaver
1975. Tue, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Seaver
1974. Sat, Apr 6 at PHI L (4-5)	Seaver
1973. Fri, Apr 6 vs PHI W (3-0)	Seaver
1972. Sat, Apr 15 vs PIT W (4-0)	Seaver
1971. Tue, Apr 6 vs MON W (4-2)	Seaver
1970. Tue, Apr 7 at PIT W (5-3)	Seaver
1969. Tue, Apr 8 vs MON L (10-11)	Seaver
1968. Wed, Apr 10 at SFG L (4-5)	Seaver
1967. Tue, Apr 11 vs PIT L (3-6)	Cardwell
1966. Fri, Apr 15 vs ATL L (2-3)	Fisher
1965. Mon, Apr 12 vs LAD L (1-6)	Jackson
1964. Tue, Apr 14 at PHI L (3-5)	Jackson
1963. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL L (0-7)	Craig
1962. Wed, Apr 11 at STL L (4-11)	Craig

Mets Stars Assuming Their Roles

As we inch closer to Opening Day, the Mets stars are building toward what everyone hopes will be a championship season.

Yesterday two of the biggest names put on a pitching display that is likely a foreshadowing of things to come this season.

Johan Santana pitched a 7-inning gem, needing only 75 pitches to shut down the Nationals . He struck out 6, walked 1, and gave up 1 run.

For those worried about his health, Santana answered everyone with a loud, "I'm fine!", though it was his arm that did most of the talking.

"I felt pretty good and had everything working," Santana said. "I was able to throw strikes and get ahead in the count. You're going to put yourself in a good position to throw quick innings."

The Mets closer, KRod, didn't pitch quite as well as the Mets Ace, but he got the job done.

Entering the game in the 8th inning, KRod allowed runners to reach first and third with no outs--and then he brought the magic, striking out the next two batters and inducing a ground out to end the inning.

As the first day of the season nears, the Mets team is taking shape...all-stars all over the diamond, the best pitcher in baseball fronting the starting rotation, and a record-setting closer.

Are there still questions? Of course there are. But the simple fact is that this team is built to win now, and yesterday showed us all why.

Johan Soldiers On

Johan Santana is quickly becoming my favorite Met.

The guy is a battler, a warrior, and a massively talented and impressive physical specimen.

Last year, down the stretch, when his team needed him most, he threw one of the great games in Mets history.

The recap of that magical outing can be found here.

Johan just tossed a 36-pitch simulated game and feels like he is "on track" to start Opening Day, and who really thought otherwise?

Mets fans, who have become somewhat jaded the last few years, have yet to fully take to Johan for what he is--one of the top 3 starters in all of baseball and one of the very best players we've ever had.

It's almost as if we are still in shock that he pitches for the Mets.

But count me among the faithful who fully appreciates what this superstar brings to the team--he is 110% every day, every game, every pitch, and trains and prepares himself with zen-like devotion to his craft.

I don't know about you, but Opening Day cannot get here soon enough...can't wait to watch him win 20+ this year.