From a 21-Year Military Veteran: Leave Them Alone

I am a 21-year veteran of the Armed Forces, and a disabled vet as well.  I am absolutely appalled by the Press coverage that Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez are getting for not going to Walter Reed.

Why?  It is not big deal that they didn't go.

Carlos Beltran said he visited a VA hospital this off-season and had meetings to attend about his charity on the day of the Walter Reed visit.

Luis Castillo said he is not comfortable around amputees and those with other disfigurements.

Oliver Perez refuses comment, which is his right.

The fact of the matter is that this wasn't a visit to the zoo, it wasn't some mandatory fun, it was a visit to Walter Reed to pay tribute to fighting men.  Why on Earth should someone be forced to do it?  If it was voluntary, then why make a fuss over anyone who didn't attend?

Oliver Perez is from Mexico.  Does that mean if an American works in Mexico he needs to go visit a Mexican veteran's home?  Should they wear a Viva Zapata! shirt while doing so?

If Luis Castillo doesn't want to see disfigured people, do you force him to go and deal with the trauma?  Do you make the soldiers uncomfortable by forcing a guy on them who refuses to look, or possibly gets physically ill in their presence?

Do you force Carlos Beltran to delay the meetings for his $10M charity, and his lifelong dream, so that one more baseball player goes to Walter Reed?

Here's something you may or may not care about--those guys at Walter Reed get visits all the time.  It's not like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet their hero.

I am staggered by the reporting here, and I guarantee you that if you speak with any Walter Reed Soldier, Airman, or Marine, they would tell you to leave those three guys alone. 

Related articles

• New York Mets' Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez skip visit to veterans' hospital (sports.espn.go.com)
• Three Mets Skip Visit to Walter Reed (nytimes.com)

Colorado Rockies President Found Dead

From Rotoworld:

Rockies president Keli McGregor was found dead in a hotel room in Salt Lake City on Tuesday morning.

The cause of death is so far unknown. "We didn't see anything suspicious," Salt Lake detective Rick Wall told the Denver Post Tuesday. "The official cause of death will be investigated by the Salt Lake City Medical Examiner's Office." McGregor was named president of the Rockies back in 2001 and was entering his 17th year with the organization.

He was only 47 years old.

Down on the Farm

A good day for the Mets up and down the organization:

AAA Buffalo WON 3-2 (10)

• Josh Thole - 0 for 4, BB, K (batting average down to .042)
• Fernando Martinez - 1 for 5, RBI, OF Assist
• Ike Davis - 1 for 3, R, BB, K
• Chris Carter - 1 for 3, 2B, BB
• Ruben Tejada - 0 for 2, 2 Sac Bunts
• Pat Misch - 4 2/3 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (considering one of the runs was a HR, Misch got extremely lucky with stranding runners)
• Manny Acosta - 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (former Braves farmhand who may get a look especially if he keeps up striking out a minimum of a batter per inning - so far has 7 K in 5 1/3 IP)

AA Binghamton WON 7-6

• Kirk N+10 - 1 for 5, 2B, RBI, K
• Nick Evans - 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
• Lucas Duda - 0 for 3, 2 BB, 2 K
• Zach Lutz - 2 for 5, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K (K's are a tad high - 8 in 26 AB, but if he can stay healthy he is an underrated prospect who could turn out to be a nice trade piece since 3B is blocked by David Wright)
• Scott Shaw - 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
• Clint Everts - 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 0 K
• Roy Merritt - 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

A+ St. Luice Lost 7-5, but no team could score after the first inning

• J. Valdespin - 2 for 5, R, CS
• Stefan Welch - 2 for 5, R, RBI
• Richard Lucas - 1 for 5, R, RBI, 3 K, E
• Eric Campbell - 1 for 3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, K
• Sean Ratliff - 0 for 3, BB, 2 K, E
• Brahiam Maldonado - 1 for 1
• Robert Carson - 2/3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, BB, K (UGLY!)
• Jimmy Johnson - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, BB, 3 K

A Savannah WON 4-1

• Alonzo Harris - 1 for 4, 2B
• Wilmer Flores - 2 for 3, RBI, BB (improves his BB:K to 1:0)
• Juan Lagares - 1 for 4, K, OF Assist
• Cesar Puello - 1 for 3, R, 2 K
• Mark Cohoon - 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
• John Church - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Erik Turgeon - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Brandon Sage - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Mike Lowell + ? = One Good Offensive First Baseman

By now you've all heard that the Mets are scouting Mike Lowell.

He is an intriguing possibility, and could be very useful as part of a platoon.

Just for kicks, I decided to compare Murphy's 2009, with the combined numbers of Mike Lowell and Mike Jacobs in 2008.

I used Lowell's numbers against lefty's and Jacobs numbers against righty's.

First Murphy:

	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Total	508	60	135	38	4	12	63	38	69	4	2	0.266	0.313	0.427	0.740

Now, our Mike and Mike Platoon:

	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	143	17	43	8	0	7	22	13	18	1	0	0.301	0.363	0.503	0.866
vs. Right	358	54	92	23	2	25	70	31	83	1	0	0.257	0.315	0.542	0.857
Total	501	71	135	31	2	32	92	44	101	2	0	0.269	0.331	0.528	0.859

The obvious issue with a "Mike and Mike" platoon is that neither player offers up much in the way of flexibility.

Lowell has only played 4 professional games at first base, and Jacobs is a VERY poor first baseman, and as an emergency catcher he is frightening.

The issue with Murphy is that we truly don't know what he will give the Mets this year.  He is not a great fielder (don't be fooled by his UZR--he goes after EVERYTHING), and his hitting was positively atrocious in 2009.

Tatis, who plays many defensive positions (he played 1B, 3B, SS, 2B, LF and RF for the Mets in 2009), is something of a safety blanket for Jerry Manuel, but I am 100% convinced he is still banged up, and right now his numbers reflect that (1 for 17).

I do believe the Mets need offense, and the Mike and Mike combination could provide that, but...

Another intriguing but VERY distant thought would be for the Mets to scrap what hasn't worked for them, cut ties with Jacobs, bring on Lowell, and let Ike Davis take the job now with Lowell as a caddy and starter when Davis needs a rest or struggles (which he will).

This could work because Lowell can start against lefty's and be a pinch-hitter, spell David Wright kind of guy.  If Tatis is healthy, he can continue in his super-sub role and play everywhere and anywhere.

It just seems that Ike Davis is a guy who is ready now--why wait when there is an option out there that makes this very doable?

An Young Ha Say Yo!

Tip of the cap to Mike Silva this morning for a little blurb about Korean Mets.

I was fortunate to live in Korea for 5 years of my adult life, and I have to say that they are incredible people with a real joy for life that most Americans don't realize.

Americans tend to think of Koreans as peaceful and docile folks who are overly polite, etc....in other words, the typical Asian stereotype.

The truth of the matter is that Koreans are a physical people from a warring country with many great fighters, a nice little mean streak for any enemy, and a great bit of joy and love for their friends (few friends actually as they are fiercely independent). Their society dates back many thousands of years, they are the most literate people on the planet, regularly finish at the top of the world rankings in education, and have one of the most robust and thriving economies in the world. And....they actually do it the hard way, with some fierce in-fighting, a bit of a controlling government, and a man-a-mano style that breeds competition with each other.

I like this analogy for how I view Asia:

There is a burning building...in the first scenario everyone in the building is Chinese--when they smell the smoke they all get in a line and swiftly leave the building, everyone surviving. In the second scenario all the people are Japanese, they also calmly line up, oldest to youngest, ladies and children before the young men, and swiftly leave the building. In the third scenario they are all Koreans, and when they smell smoke they push and shove and all fight for the exit...the results are not good.

Anyway, thanks to Mike for the video, which I've put below...it is a great one, and I encourage you to watch it.

You Want to Work for the Mets? Here's How...

An update to my post from yesterday on jobs with the Mets.

The Mets are currently looking to fill the following positions: Photographers, Pepsi Party Patrol and FanFest Staff. There are also internships for you enterprising young college students.

Internet/New Media: Photography

NEW YORK METS FAN PHOTOS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS - New York Mets (New York, NY)

Where: Citi Field, Flushing NY
When: New York Mets home games: April 5th – October 3rd, 2010
Salary: $10.00/hr with bonus opportunities

Amazin’ Fan Photo staff photographers take photos of fans during games and events, which are then made available via mets.com for purchase.

Games-There are 12-15 photographers working every Mets home game. You are not required to work every game but we do request that you are available to work 75% of games during each homestand (to clarify, a homestand is the number of games played at home, back to back, and can range between 6 and 10 games). Each photographer has a specific section of the park during pre-game and in-game. We require our photographers to be here 2 hours prior to game time to shoot the pre-game crowds. We usually shoot until the 7th inning, after which you are free to watch the rest of the game in the standing room only sections. Shifts are approximately 3.5-5 hours long and you are on your feet moving around the stadium and interacting with fans the entire time.

General-We provide shirts and all digital SLR camera equipment. All you need is to bring is yourself and an outgoing, positive attitude. Although we do not require previous photography experience, it is preferred along with an interest in the field of photography. We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable, social people who have basic camera knowledge.

If this seems like a good fit for you please apply online. Interviews will be held early March (exact dates to be determined). This is NOT a full-time position.

Note: When you apply for this job online, you will be required to answer the following questions:

1. Yes/No: I have local housing available in or near Flushing.

2. Yes/No: I have previous photography experience.

3. Yes/No: I am able to work at least 75% of games during each homestand.

4. Yes/No: I am available to work nights.

5. Yes/No: I am available to work weekends.

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Sales & Marketing: Client Relations/Customer Service

New York Mets Pepsi Party Patrol - New York Mets (Flushing, NY)

Job Description:

The New York Mets Pepsi Party Patrol is a high-energy, fan-interactive team that will perform at all 2010 New York Mets home games at Citi Field. The fan-friendly Pepsi Party Patrol will be a quintessential part of the Mets game day experience as members will act as Mets fan ambassadors. Members will be the face of the fan experience. Pepsi Party Patrol duties will include: fan interaction (meet and greets, autograph sessions, etc.), escorting Mr. Met throughout the Ballpark and to his special appearances, T-shirt launches and crowd rallies, facilitating entertainment with live, on-screen interactive features, game operations responsibilities such as selecting feature participants and in-game promotions, and other duties as assigned by the New York Mets.

Qualifications:

• Candidates must have stellar communication and interpersonal skills as well as a positive, energetic personality. The ability to learn quickly and adapt to the situation is essential
• Candidates must be reliable, punctual and courteous. Must have good listening skills and an ability to work with others as a part of a team, as well as the ability to carry their individual responsibilities
• Candidates must be able to dedicate a large percentage of time to the Pepsi Party Patrol, including all designated games, community events and special appearances.
• Must have a flexible schedule for nights, weekends and holidays during the baseball season with mandatory hours from 5pm – end of game for night games and 11am – end of game for afternoon games
• Candidates must work well and have the patience to work with children and feel comfortable working large crowds
• Candidates must have reliable transportation to and from the ballpark
• Need to have an accurate knowledge of the ballpark’s layout
• Candidates should have knowledge of the game of baseball
• Candidates must have a healthy fitness level and be able to be on their feet for the game’s duration while performing their duties during the summer heat
• Proficiency in other languages is valued, but not required
• 18+ and a high school graduate by April 5, 2010 (valid photo I.D. required)
• Please provide current resume and headshot

Apply for this position | Go back job listings

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Sales & Marketing: Client Relations/Customer Service

New York Mets Fan Fest Staff - New York Mets (Flushing, NY)

Job Description:

The New York Mets Fan Fest is a high-energy, fan-interactive area that will be open from 3 hours prior to game time until the 7th inning at all 2010 New York Mets home games at Citi Field. The fan-friendly Fan Fest staff will be a quintessential part of the Mets game day experience as members will act as Mets fan ambassadors. Members will be the face of the fan experience. Fan Fest Staff duties will include: fan interaction (meet and greets, autograph sessions, etc.), responsible for facilitating interactive areas (pitching machine, wiffle ball field, video game kiosk, etc.), assist the live DJ and interactive stage show, provide game operations assistance with live player talk-backs, and other duties as assigned by the New York Mets.

Qualifications:

• Candidates must have stellar communication and interpersonal skills as well as a positive, energetic personality. The ability to learn quickly and adapt to the situation is essential.
• Candidates must be reliable, punctual and courteous. Must have good listening skills and an ability to work with others as a part of a team, as well as the ability to carry their individual responsibilities
• Candidates must be able to dedicate a large percentage of time to the Fan Fest, including all designated games. Must have a flexible schedule for nights, weekends and holidays during the baseball season with a 3:30pm call time for night games and a 9:30am call time for afternoon games
• Candidates must work well and have the patience to work with children and feel comfortable working large crowds
• Candidates must have reliable transportation to and from the ballpark
• Candidates must have a healthy fitness level and be able to be on their feet for the entirety of Fan Fest’s operating hours, especially during the summer heat
• Candidates should have knowledge of the game of baseball
• Proficiency in other languages is valued, but not required
• 18+ and a high school graduate by April 5, 2010 (valid photo I.D. required)
• Please provide current resume and headshot

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Internships: Any Internship

Internship Notification - MLB and its Teams (Various Locations, NA)

From time to time, the participating teams in MLB will be looking for interns. If you apply below and check off all of the internship notifications, you will be contacted about specific internship opportunities with these teams posting their internships on the MLB Teams Employment Site. This is a notification only, not an application for a job. Thank you. If you complete your application and then press "edit your information" you can be notified of full-time positions as well. Please complete the application first and then modify it to include notifications for full-time positions if you are in your final year of college or graduate school.

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Apply for Future Notification Only: Open

Future Notification Only - MLB and its Teams (Various Locations, NA)

If you would like to be notified of positions in the future with MLB teams participating in this program, please press "apply" below and fill out the entire application. Make sure your email is correct and you check off the notification boxes, otherwise we cannot send you notifications. Once you receive notification of a job, you must come back to the site to reapply. Entering your record here does not make you an applicant to any position and is not viewable by any team. If you need to update, edit, modify or delete your record, please go to "Edit Your Information" above and put in your email address and password.

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Was Tom Verducci Right on Mike Pelfrey?

On April 7, 2009, Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated put Mike Pelfrey in his cross-hairs.

He singled out Pelfrey for a potential drop-off in performance based on something that has become known as, "The Verducci Effect."

Verducci wrote:

Mike Pelfrey was ready for me in the Mets spring training clubhouse, as if he knew I was coming.

"Look at me," the Mets right-hander said one day last month. "I'm a pretty big guy." Yes, sir. Pelfrey is 6-foot-7. Thankfully, he is a rather pleasant, mild-mannered guy.

I didn't feel threatened, but my theory about young pitchers getting overworked was precisely in Pelfrey's crosshairs. Pelfrey was familiar with my rule of thumb that pitchers 25 and under are at risk of injury or significant regression in the year after their clubs boost their workload by 30 or more innings.

The Mets pushed Pelfrey, then 24, 48 innings beyond his previous professional high in innings pitched last year. The club preferred not to do it. In fact, the Mets had mapped out a plan to get Pelfrey about 180 innings last year, but injuries on their staff and a tight pennant race forced the Mets to keep running him out there, rolling the odometer on his innings up to 200 2/3.

Verducci "red-flagged" 10 pitchers for 2009, and looking at the numbers, his theory can certainly be called accurate, or at least another data point for mapping out a program for young pitcher development.

Here are the pitchers he flagged and their ERA increase from 2008 to 2009:

1. Jon Lester Red Sox: +0.39
2. Cole Hamels Phillies: +1.43
3. Chad Billingsley Dodgers: +0.69
4. Tim Lincecum Giants: -0.29
5. Clayton Kershaw Dodgers: -1.30
6. Dana Eveland A's: +3.66
7. Mike Pelfrey Mets: +1.08
8. John Danks White Sox: +0.50
9. Jair Jurrjens Braves: -0.77
10. Jonathan Niese Mets: Injured

So looking at that list, he was right on 6 of the 9 pitchers (Niese's unfortunate non-pitching injury takes him out of this equation).

Lincecum, Jurrjens and Kershaw are three that have improved since last year, but what of Pelfrey, or Cole Hamels for that matter?

In 2008 Pelfrey had an ERA+ of 113, compared to an ERA+ of 88 in 2009.

He is walking 3.4 per 9 innings vice 2.9 in 2008.

His K/9 is up slightly, however his K/BB is worse.

More troubling are his ERA numbers by month:

2008 season:

4.43, 5.35, 3.52, 2.70, 2.93, 4.06

Compared to 2009:

6.32, 2.92, 6.39, 4.84, 5.10.

It's as if we've been playing, "Where in the world is Mike Pelfrey?" all year long.

Now I won't go as far as saying his jump in innings from 2007 to 2008 is the cause of all of this, but it certainly does make you stop and think.

I only hope that over Pelfrey's final 6 or so starts in 2009 that he finds something to build on going forward.

One thing is for certain, he won't match his 200+ innings total from last year, and that might just be the right approach for the rest of the year--caution. He threw 118 pitches in his last outing, and that, in my opinion, is unnecessary right now.

Jeff Francoeur vs Dan Quayle

We're all familiar with the similarities between Lincoln and Kennedy, including the tragedies that befell these great men, and the coincidences of the circumstances.

That got me thinking about the similarities between Jeff Francoeur and Dan Quayle. It was actually my friend Jim at Mets Refugees that brought it up initially when he posted this quote:

During the first George Bush (senior) presidency Saturday Night Live and Dana Carvey used to spoof him wonderfully. At one point they took to saying the following rubric in every speech:

"Dan Quayle - Still gaining acceptance"

Of course, he never did, but for Mets fans, the more important question is will Jeff Francoeur ever gain acceptance?

First, the eery similarities:

Dan Quayle was born on February 4th.
Jeff Francoeur was born on January 8th--less than a month apart!

Dan Quayle was born in Indianapolis, Indiana
Jeff Francoeur was born in Atlanta, Georgia--both towns have professional sports teams and a shit load of Waffle Houses!

Dan Quayle is 6'1"
Jeff Francoeur is 6'4"...both men above the national average!

And now the quotes, which really shed light on this intriguing comparison:

"The holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history.… No, not our nation's, but in World War II. I mean, we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century, but in this century's history."
-- Dan Quayle

"Hell yea boys, this is some fine BBQ"
-- Jeff Francoeur

Advantage: Francoeur

"P-O-T-A-T-O-E, potatoe"
-- Dan Quayle

"P-U-S-S-Y, got to get me some of that!"
-- Jeff Francoeur

Advantage: Francoeur

"Mars is essentially in the same orbit [as Earth]....Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe."
-- Dan Quayle

"Beer me Feliciano, and pass the f*%king guacamole."
-- Jeff Francoeur

Advantage: Francoeur

"Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is right here."
-- Dan Quayle

"Shane Victorino is really a little asshole, isn't he?"
-- Jeff Francoeur

Advantage: Francoeur

"I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mind. You are no Jack Kennedy."
-- Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle

"I knew Jeff Francoeur. Jeff Francoeur was a friend of mine. You are no Jeff Francoeur."
-- Bobby Cox to Ryan Church

Advantage: Push

"What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."
-- Dan Quayle

"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
-- Jeff Francoeur

Advantage: Quayle

So the question remains: Will Jeff Francoeur ever gain acceptance?

Unlike Dan Quayle, I believe he will.

Team USA has a Fighting Chance

Despite being decimated by injury, Team USA, which includes Mets stars David Wright and JJ Putz, is 2 games and 2 days away from winning the World Baseball Classic.

Though American fans have yet to turn out in large numbers, my sneaking suspicion is that tonight's semi-final game against Japan will draw a large TV audience. Should Team USA advance to the final against Korea, the numbers will get even better.

Tonight the American's will face a familiar face in Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka.

As Newsday reports, Derek Jeter is ready:

"We face him all the time," Jeter said of Dice-K, who joined the Red Sox in 2007.

"Playing Boston 20 games a year, we see him all the time, so I'm familiar with what he throws. I think at this point in the season, pitching is usually a little ahead of the hitters. So it's going to be a challenge for us."

Thus far the Classic has been up and down--for every upset victory of the Dominican Republic, you get a 5 error Venezuelan fiasco. That said, there have been moments of brilliance, including David Wright's walkoff hit that propelled Team USA past Puerto Rico.

"I don't think I've ever had so many phone calls and messages after a game," Wright said.

"That's something, no matter what team you play for or who your favorite team is in the big leagues, you're talking about representing your country and putting this uniform on and going out there and being able to do that. That would be a memory that lasts a lifetime."

So yes my loyal readers, I will be watching tonight. Thought I am opposed to the WBC from an injury standpoint, the prospects of meaningful baseball on a March Sunday night is just too big a draw.

U-S-A! U-S-A!

Good Morning Mets Fans!

Three in a row, and there is a new energy at Shea.

Up and down the lineup everyone is contributing, and the "Super-Subs" have kicked it into a new gear.

Couple that with some stellar relief pitching and solid defense, and you have a team that is suddenly looking like the formidable powerhouse we thought they'd be coming into the season.

Are there still question marks? Of course. But there are also signs pointing to greatness.

We have seen the hump, and it appears to be in the rear view mirror.

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
L.A. Dodgers	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	0	4	7	2
N.Y. Mets «	0	0	2	4	0	0	2	0	x	8	13	0

W: C. Vargas (2-2) L: B. Penny (5-6) HR: LA - J. Kent (5), B. Dewitt (5) NYM - D. Wright (10), D. Wright (11)

Recap/Box · GameCenter

Oh where to start? Hmmmm, did I hear David Wright? OK, will do.

David Wright hit two more home runs off Brad Penny....he owns him, I mean really owns him. If David wright yells "Bitch" in a restaurant in Alberta Canada, Brad Penny comes running with a wetnap.

DW and his adoring fans enjoyed the all-star's first multihomer game of the season. Brad Penny's master is now 11-for-19 (.579) with four home runs and five walks against the wetnap dispenser.

But DW was just one story on a night when the Mets looked terrific in all facets of the game.

The 1-5 batters, Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, combined for 11 hits and 3 walks. With that kind of production at the top the Mets produced 8 runs and were consistently putting men on base in each inning.

How nice was it to see Carlos Delgado go 2 for 4?

For those that watched the game, how about that bizarre 4th inning? At this point in the game the Mets had a 2-0 lead and Penny seemed to have settled down after giving up DW's 2-run bomb earlier in the game. The Mets had two outs and none on in the fourth when pitcher Claudio Vargas grounded out--OK, routine groundout, they threw him out at first, and SNY cut to commercial.

Just before they cut away I was wondering why Vargas didn't really run to first. Suddenly SNY comes back on, Vargas is at first, and Jose Reyes is at the plate!

Russell Martin was called for catcher's interference and Vargas was given first base. Jose Reyes promptly stroked a single, Luis Castillo hit an RBI double and Wright connected for his 11th homer and a 6-0 lead.

Wacky times come to Shea!

The Dodgers then came back with two home runs and it was 6-3 Mets. Jeff Kent hit one of the dingers, and it was an absolute blast....it cleared the stadium in left field....truly a monster shot.

Willie turned it over to the bullpen and we again saw good old fashioned mound domination.

Scott Schoeneweis, who is having a magical season, pitched 1.2 innings of perfect relief and lowered his season ERA to a sparkling 1.25. The Shea faithful rewarded his performance with a standing ovation that he richly deserved.

Joe Smith then came on for the final 4 outs, closing out the game in fine fashion with an on the black and down fastball that drew an emphatic "strike three" call from the ump.

A few shout outs:

Endy Chavez has the mojo right now. In the top of the first he made a sparkling catch and throw to nail Juan Pierre trying to score from third. Moreover, he also had an RBI hit and drew a patient walk. He looks fearless out there and really locked in right now. 6 for his last 13.

Endy is a ballplayer.

Brian Schneider is one old school son of a bitch. Does anyone block the plate the way he does anymore? He calls a great game, communicates with his pitchers during and between innings, has a cannon for an arm, and can hit a little too.

As a baseball fan for a few decades it warms my heart to see a throwback like Schneider playing the game the right way.

Jose Reyes looks loose and determined. He has now gotten on base in 29 consecutive games and has superb numbers for the month of May--numbers that I expect him to carry through for the remainder of the year.

The Reyes of 2006 is back....and better.

NY Daily News runs down last night's events.

Mets.com talks about the big win.

Ryan Church nears his return.

Delgado opposes a platoon....well, it may not be your choice.

OK my people, enjoy your coffee!

Nick Evans Called Up to the Mets

Young blood!

Nick Evans was promoted to the Mets from AA Binghamton to replace Marlon Anderson, who pulled a hamstring running to first base in last night's loss to the Rockies.

Evans is a 22 year old power hitting first baseman who is especially effective against left-handed pitching.

Year	Lg	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	SO	AVG	OBP
2007	A	103	378	108	25	1	15	54	65	53	64	.286	.374
2008	AA	45	171	50	8	5	8	31	30	17	32	.292	.356

More on the Evans called up can be found here on New York Future Stars.

Omar Meeting with Willie Today

Image via WikipediaAs we said this morning, tonight could be the end of Willie Randolph's time at the helm of the Mets.

Omar Minaya is in Colorado rather "unexpectantly."

It's tough to get anyone to say anything on record or off, but we're trying.

Will Willie Randolph be fired? The tea leaves say yes.

Are Willie Randolph's Days Numbered?

Terrible homestand, inconsistent offense, shaky relief, and a club that cannot seem to gel.

Willie has two weeks to right the ship, ie get to 5 over .500, or he is gone. It may be less time than that if this weekend's series against the Yankees is disastrous.

The Mets Yankees regular season subway series means a lot right now, and for all the wrong reasons for both teams.

We like Willie, but the simple fact is the Mets are 74-75 in their last 149 games, and that is simply unacceptable when you have the biggest payroll in the national league and a team chock full of stars.

Is this Willie Randolph's fault? That is a subject for debate, but regardless of where the blame lies, it is the leader who ultimately must take the fall for the performance of his troops.

A friend of mine was recently relieved of Command at Minot Air Force Base. You may recall the incident where nuclear weapons were flown from Minot Air Force Base to Barksdale Air Force Base...live nuclear weapons...this should NEVER happen. The people at fault were subordinates to my friend.

So though the troops were responsible, he took the fall, and rightly so. This is the way of the military.

In Willie's case there is a similar situation, though the Mets winning and losing is only life or death to those of us so fanatical that our daily emotions rely on where the Mets fall in the National League East win-loss column.

So this is it...a last gasp, a dying managerial breath...one shot at redemption in 2008.

Get to 5 over .500 in the next two weeks or go.

It's that simple.

Fire Willie Randolph? No!

Image via WikipediaOne month into the season and the "Fire Willie Randolph" brigade is in full force.

This morning there's an article in the New York Sun by Tim Marchman that tries to stoke the "fire".

The Bergen Record's Steve Popper tells us that "Willie's honeymoon is over".

So why should they keep him? There are several reasons, foremost among them that Willie's teams have won.

Plain and simple, they have won.

Managerial Record Glossary

 Year    League   Team     Age  G     W    L    WP   Finish
+----+-----------+--------+---+-----+----+----+------+------+
2005 NL East     NewYorkM  50   162   83   79   .512      3
2006 NL East     NewYorkM  51   162   97   65   .599      1
2007 NL East     NewYorkM  52   162   88   74   .543      2
2008 NL East     NewYorkM  53    26   14   12   .538      2
+----+-----------+--------+---+-----+----+----+------+------+
TOTAL                           512  282  230   .551

At 14-12, with injuries that have hampered Carlos Beltran, forced Brian Schneider, El Duque, Moises Alou, Matt Wise, Ramon Castro and Pedro to the DL, the Mets have won.

With slow offensive starts by Reyes and Carlos Delgado, the Mets have won.

With Ollie Perez reverting to "Bad Ollie", the Mets have won.

With Aaron Heilman pitching the worst relief of his career, the Mets have won.

With inexplicably bad defense from Jose Reyes, the Mets have won.

If Willie were to be fired, it should have happened right after last season. By bringing him back based on his strong 2006 and the Mets overall strong 2007, they have stated that Willie is the man.

Let's get everyone back, or at least Schnieder, Alou and Pedro, and see what Willie's Mets can do.

In my opinion, the bellweather for this team is playing with a full squad and seeing where we are at the All-Star break, which is the week of 11-15 July.

If the Mets are at, or very near, the top of the NL East, you keep fighting the good fight.

If not, then you maybe, just maybe, make a move.

You don't do it in May.

You don't even talk about it in May.....unless you're a young Big Stein.

Willie deserves at least half a season with the 2008 squad...at least.

Did I mention the Mets have won with Willie?

The Zen of Bobby V.

When I first heard of this documentary last year I was very intrigued. Bobby Valentine, for want of a better phrase, is a fascinating man.

Ballroom dance champion, star schoolboy athlete, fallen star due to injury, controversial manager, restauranteur, and icon in Japan.
--to many a Mets fan, Bobby is an icon too.

Photo courtesy of ESPN

There is a very interesting article about the documentary here in New York Magazine.

I plan on seeing this film soon and will post a full review. I'm sure it will evoke fond and not so fond memories of Bobby during his tenure with the Mets.

You can watch an exclusive clip of Bobby V in Japan here....his fluency in Japanese is terrific (as is his accent).

The official Tribeca profile of The Zen of Bobby V includes further information as well as upcoming showtimes.

The Zen of Bobby V (TribecaFilmFestival.org)
Bobby Valentine on His New Tribeca Documentary (NY Mag Interview)
The Zen of Bobby V (NY Mag Clip)

Love him or hate him (and we love him), the man is a fascinating study in human nature.