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Open Thread - Game #6: Mets vs. Phillies (04/08/2008) on SNY

Aa_avatar_tiny by Eric Simon on Comment 194 comments

Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets


Mets and Phillies. Shea's final home opener. Perez versus Moyer. Pomp. Circumstance. Cliché. Hyperbole. All of these things converge violently in Queens this afternoon.

In reality it's just another game in a long regular season, but every game *does* count, and the emotional utility at stake today seemingly makes this one worth a bit more. There was some trash talking during the preseason, and neither team is off to a particularly good start. The Mets are 2-3, having dropped a rain-shortened two-game series in Atlanta over the weekend. The Phillies are 3-4, an improvement over some of their recent early Aprils, and are coming off a four-game split in Cincinnati.

Jamie Moyer and Oliver Perez are two lefties of widely divergent age, repertoire and skillset. Perez has youth, power and stuff on his side. Moyer has experience, guile and incontinence going for him. Perez was terrific last week against the Marlins, and his fastball/slider combination should be a good match for the Phillies' power lefties in Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. Moyer had a really nice stretch in the late-nineties to early-aughts, but his career ERA is just 5% better than average and even worse than that of late. The Mets wield a lefty-heavy lineup, but they're facing neither Sandy Koufax nor Randy Johnson, so that should be less of a problem.

It's the beginning of the end for Shea Stadium, a point made all too obvious by the specter of Citi Field rising gloriously behind Shea's outfield wall. There is still plenty left to accomplish in this old ballpark, so let's start things off on a good note. By whipping the Phils.

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Opening Day!

I hope MLBtv does not crap out on me like it did last week.
Let's go Mets!

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, what do you know?

It is crapping out right now. I get the radio, but no tee-vee.

But, on the plus side, I get to hear the clip of Murph calling the last out of the 86 Series, and the Division clinching game in 06, which I attended. Ahhhh...memories.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it's crapping out for me too

just not working at all. no feed at all

it amazes me how little they care

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah

But last year it was always great. I watched tons at work and home. I am very disappointed (it's the Selig-era, after all. What else would I be?)

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just tuned

seems to be working ok. and thank god i can finally listen to home announcers again.

by kendynamo on Apr 8, 2008 2:30 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oliver...

Looks sharp. One batter? Yes. Total overreaction? Possibly. But you can see the focus and he is snapping through his curve.

Also, great shot of some drunk businessman with a Bud Light in one hand standing in the aisle and getting all over Jimmy Rollins for his nubber.

Good to be back at Shea!

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But the pitch gets away from Ollie

I sure hope the bloop and hit batsman does mess with Perez too much. He is pretty much a human slot-machine.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:17 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I need one of those dish-backpacks

like Al Franken used in the 88 elections for SNL.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Radio?

Is that an option? Have never tried, but can you find most MLB games on the radio online or is it Sirius only?

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:19 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

mlb.com

offers a radio service for $15 yearly

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 1:26 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How is it...

That someone hasn't shanked Burrell yet?

Fantastic bender to buckle his knees by Oliver. Great pitch to end the inning.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Arms

Get MLB Tv arms. best 90 Bucks you'll spend all year.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also, another great point from Darling

Going to be very interesting to see how the wind affects play this year. Will the new stadium funnel or block the wind? Will it swirl more? Is this going to keep scores lower and numbers down? Or will it have absolutely no impact on the game and the wind/weather will be the usual, unpredictable Shea?

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Reyes

Cannot take a fucking pitch! For those watching, how far inside was the first pitch he fouled off?

by ams258 on Apr 8, 2008 1:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Why...

Should he be taking a pitch? He's not the leadoff man? Oh, wait...

And judging by some of those pitches called balls to Castillo this could be a L-O-N-G afternoon for Moyer.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Leadoff man or not

He should be swinging at strikes, not balls.

by ams258 on Apr 8, 2008 1:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gameday says

that Feliz grounded into an unassisted double play to Carlos Delgado; Jason Werth out at second. How did that happen?

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Feliz...

Hit a sharp one-hopper right at Delgado, who grabbed the ball and touched first. Werth just froze because he couldn't tell if it were a line drive or not. He just knew he was screwed. Delgado tagged him. Game and set.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:40 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

feliz rapped it to delgado

he stepped on first then tagged Werth, who'd only taken about two steps away from the bag

by Simons on Apr 8, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CarlosD!

He ties Ripken with that one!

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and so willie decides

to bunt. because hitting it to the warning track is getting boring, i guess.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Actually,

I thought that was a great call, just poor execution. If he had put that down at all it would have been an easy baserunner.

And there's no way anyone called for that. It was all Church.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

HBP's

One for each side? Coincidence? Escalation? Bad blood? I can't see the game--anyone have a feeling?

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

definitely

A coincidence. Both were flukes and neither did anything more than graze the elbow.

No, there is some intensity on the field but it's all focused. Both teams know this first game is a bit more important than what they've played up to this point.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Argh.

Last year it was always exciting when he was up to bat. This year his at bats come with more apprehension than anticipation.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 1:57 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Trifecta.

Three HBP's.

Again, all accidental. But all we need is for Moyer to come out and "accidentally" plunk Reyes and this one could get ugly, quick.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 1:59 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wright

would have to be standing in the left-handed batter's box

by Simons on Apr 8, 2008 2:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah, it does make me wonder

if you're going to purposely hit batters, you probably don't get Moyer to do it, right?

by ivythesheep on Apr 8, 2008 2:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

are these really

all changeups that moyer is throwing?

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Moyer is best known

for his changeup, and he apparently also throws a circle change.

by ivythesheep on Apr 8, 2008 2:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yea, but

8 out of 9 pitches change-ups? what is it changing up from?

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 2:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

how bad

was the collision?

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nothing.

absolutely weak. like bumping into someone coming off a train or elevator. Only instead of excuse me, you wrap your arms around the person and fall on the ground.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 2:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

6 on a scale of 1 to 10

The RF caught the CF in a bear hug they both went down but stayed in the game

by Simons on Apr 8, 2008 2:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Baseball players are pussies

Exhibit A: the attention being given Werth and Victorino right now.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I think they are concussion-crazy?

These days there's lots of attention being given to concussions- with good reason, as several players have had to retire from them or just never really recover.

Of course the collision may not have had anything to do with heads, but...

by ivythesheep on Apr 8, 2008 2:12 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

so that makes them pussies

because the trainers want to make sure they haven't had a concussion like Church or even worse like Cameron a couple years back

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 2:12 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

man, wright's

putting some good contact on the ball--just a few yards shy, eh?

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Moyer Blows

How many warning track bombs has Moyer given up? He' not even a poor man's poor man's Tom Glavine at this point.. Mets have just been unlucky so far.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

considering the way he shut us down

in one of the worse games of last year i'd like some runs

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 2:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Unsure

Last year he gave up 30 HR.

by ivythesheep on Apr 8, 2008 2:17 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Delgado

Recognizing the tiny sample size, since he's now hitting .409 with a 1.049 OPS, can the "Delgado is done" people be quiet for a few days?

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

if he can do it against

anyone other than moyer, then yes, i'll gladly shut my trap. the two of them are both on the senior circuit at this point. baseball in slow motion.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 2:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am

One of those people. I still believe that he is well past his prime and will do more harm than good on our team this year.

But you know what, I want nothing more than for him to prove me wrong and put up .275-36-100 this year.

by Doc's Sports Picks Guru on Apr 8, 2008 2:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Leiter

Did he take lessons from Al? Leiter's ABs always cracked me up.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

&*)*^&B&&(_)+_(

Walking the pitcher?

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow.

I was gonna write that!

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But seriously...

...the wheels might be coming off. I hope he can pull it together. Oh crap I do.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

all but one pitch

looked like strikes on Gameday

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 2:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nicely Done

He walked a fine line that inning, but he's thru 5 with one 75 pitches. That's pretty good. If Ollie can keep his head, he might pitch in the 7th inning. I'd be OK with that.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Strategy

Nice strategy--make old man Moyer tire by running the bases. Brilliant!

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How long...

...until Jose gets his next stolen base attempt?

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dang...

that's some crappy luck.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wheels coming off!

Walk , balk, walk. Crap.

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh crap is right.

Good thing Willie pulled him. There are only so many near-misses Ollie can overcome.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 2:54 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't mind Joe Smith pitching here

but this is the weakest part of Willie's game.

Close game in the 6th or 7th, he NEVER uses a good reliever. He feels like he has to use the Sosas and Figeueroas of the world because it's not the 8th or 9th inning yet. REGARDLESS OF THE DAMN SCORE OR SITUATION

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yet those good relievers

tend to have a ton of appearances, the problem last year is we didn't have enough good relievers

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 2:57 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's because he uses every pitcher every single game.

What's the over/under on pitchers used this game?

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:01 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really, now

If he uses his bullpen, Willie gets criticized.
If he leaves the starter in, Willie gets criticized.
If he tries to expand relievers' situations (like let a LOOGY pitch to a righty, ever), Willie gets criticized.
If he brings in his best relievers too early Willie gets criticized.
If he saves them until too late, Willie gets criticized.

Willie's been pushing all the right buttons--get used to it.

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 3:04 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Different people have different criticisms.

Get used to it.

I actually had no problem with him letting Sosa face Kelly Johnson or letting Feliciano face a RH. My issues with the way he handles the pen is when he gets matchup crazy. The only pitcher who should be restricted is Schoenweiss, because he has been given enough chances to show he can face RH hitters.

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sosa

has problems with lefties

Feliciano is good vs. both.

learn it, love it, know it

matchups are good

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Right,

but let's not manage by the spreadsheet.

If the team thinks Sosa has a chance to be a setup man he should be given a shot.

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:10 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that doesn't make any sense

what does "have a chance to be a setup man" mean?

dude sucks against lefties.

also, i think microsoft excel would do a fine job of running the team

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:13 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

What is so hard to understand.

If they think he could become a setup man, let him have a shot to pitch against lefties as well as righties.

I'll ask again. Do you have the breakdown of those numbers as a starter vs. as a reliever?

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And that's only regarding the bullpen.

Let me add: Wagner should not pitch more than an inning if it can be helped and it wouldn't be the worst thing to let some guys pitch multiple innings in relief, rather than having a conga line from the bullpen to the mound.

As for everything else, I generally think Willie is a very poor X's and O's manager.

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sosa against Johnson?

You were really okay with that? Take a look at Sosa's career numbers against lefties - I'm not sure how comfortable you'll feel with that type of matchup in the future.

by ams258 on Apr 8, 2008 3:09 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well aware

of his numbers. But again, are those numbers broken down by starter vs. reliever? Again, if they think he can set up, he needs to be put in those situations.

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:11 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what about

my mainest man, pedro feliciano. he's been totally MIA.

willie probably has a gotay for him

(that's my coinage)

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:03 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Joe Smith in

OP 5.2, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 2K, 0 ER (so far). C'mon Smitty.

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whew!

Ruiz grounds out.

Let's Go Mets!

by twassel on Apr 8, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Out or no

Pagan's playing like he wants to stay on the team

by ivythesheep on Apr 8, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He will

be doing a special on the vanishing middle class for CNN later though

by Simons on Apr 8, 2008 3:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Meltdown incoming

"It's Father's Day today at Shea, so to all you fathers out there, Happy Birthday." -- Ralph Kiner

by dissento on Apr 8, 2008 3:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It is obviously hit Utley Day.

Was an executive order signed that I missed?

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 3:22 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Scho should bring a fire

extinguisher to the mound when he pitches.

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 3:22 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MISSING:


IF FOUND, CONTACT WILLIE RANDOLPH

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All I see is a question mark instead of a picture.

But it's kind of funny because it could be a bunch of things: Feliciano, a brain, a clue, etc...

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

DFJBNSJOBNDoknsdkdsnofdns
fdjnsdfjdfnsdlfds
fFUCKKKKKKK!!!

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Really no place to go for Delgado on that play. I hope Utley dies by the way.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyone watching on tv?

If so, can you describe Delgado's error and how the runs scored?

Thanks!

by ams258 on Apr 8, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Question

How come the Mets hit Utley so much today? I would have liked it if they pluked Rollins instead.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He stands an inch off the plate and lets the ball hit him

and he runs outside the baseline to get hit by the fielders

by Simons on Apr 8, 2008 3:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Scho got his chance...

I just think he can't handle the NY pressure anymore. Every time he goes out there his mindset is probably, "I hope I don't fail again." He needs a change of scenery.

David Wright MVP Watch: .462/1/6! (through 3 games)

by ZaBlanc on Apr 8, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

His ERA at Shea sucks

Howie said it was something like 6.50 at Shea, and around 3 on the road. They should trade him to the Phillies.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 3:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he's a sunk cost

the Mets needed to sink him this spring and keep Rincon

by DoctorK16 on Apr 8, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ams

Howard hits ground ball 6 feet from first base. Delgado chucks to 2nd to start the Dp. Ball hits Utley in right shoulder and Rollins and Utley score as ball rolls away.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sosa

is throwing nothing but high fastballs according to Gameday.

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was just thinking the same thing.

I was also thinking "this is bad..." And I was right.

retire 17

by SQUAD on Apr 8, 2008 3:32 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what the hell happened?

it was 2-0 when i headed home.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:38 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Utley

He's a human ball magnet no matter where he is on the field. And Scho sucks.

David Wright MVP Watch: .462/1/6! (through 3 games)

by ZaBlanc on Apr 8, 2008 3:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

too late to worry about that now.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

again with the near misses...

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

all these warning track balls are

metaphors for last season.

oh, the pain.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:43 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow

Talk about the Phillies getting every break and the Mets not getting a single break.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:43 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fundamentals get us nowhere...

Beltranitis. We need something clutch. We'll go nowhere this year if we can't show what we lacked last year but had in 2006: GUTS.

it's been lacking this year.

Jesus Easley.

David Wright MVP Watch: .462/1/6! (through 3 games)

by ZaBlanc on Apr 8, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Amazing

Fastest guy on the planet gets on first and you don't even give him a chance to do what the Phils fear.

David Wright MVP Watch: .462/1/6! (through 3 games)

by ZaBlanc on Apr 8, 2008 3:45 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Cecil Fielder was on first?

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:46 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There ya go.

Phillies show the fundamentals. Braves always have. I am getting a little disprited. Someone cheer me up. Walk/Bunt/Single. That's how it's done. The Mets don't look like contenders.

Someone tell me to shut up.

David Wright MVP Watch: .462/1/6! (through 3 games)

by ZaBlanc on Apr 8, 2008 3:49 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

the requisite scolding.

it's the sixth game of the season. give it a while.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

worth noting

ollie looked fantastic to me.

by jadelane on Apr 8, 2008 3:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hahaha

you think sac bunting is a good tactic? what the hell are you doing on this blog?

by gogomets on Apr 8, 2008 5:25 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

what's with

all these passed balls? I thought...

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Much less painful to read the box score tomorrow morning than to watch the train wreck take place live.

by Armed N Dangerous on Apr 8, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nuts to this game.

If I thought the Mets hitters would get more than one hit in the next two innings, I'd keep paying attention.

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Even now

Why doesn't Feliciano come in vs. the lefty?

I just don't understand

by JohnPeterson on Apr 8, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Take it to Church, Ryan! **

** Credit: Eric Simon

"It's Father's Day today at Shea, so to all you fathers out there, Happy Birthday." -- Ralph Kiner

by dissento on Apr 8, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Guess not

"It's Father's Day today at Shea, so to all you fathers out there, Happy Birthday." -- Ralph Kiner

by dissento on Apr 8, 2008 4:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I want everyone to get up out of your seats!

I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell....

by IanB in MD on Apr 8, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

at the park

Well, I just got back in front of a computer after this last Shea opener -- and I want to second all the apoplectic remarks above about Willie's bullpen managing just on general principle, but really, this loss just felt like the death of a thousand cuts. I don't think there was any single decision that was clearly the wrong one, just a lot of little bad breaks and a key fielding error. There are remarks above about "warning track bombs" with which I would agree completely -- a lot of those balls, Beltran's in particular, looked off the bat to be ticketed for the entrance to Citi Field. I kept looking up every inning and being a little surprised at Moyer's low pitch count, given how well many of the Mets hitters seemed to be seeing his pitches (save the thoroughly execrable performance from Reyes, who seems to have completely lost the strike zone and his selectivity).

Even the bullpen whipping boy, Schoeneweis, handled things almost acceptably; I can certainly fault him for putting on the early baserunners from the bottom of the Phillie order, but he really handled both Utley and Howard. Heilman's inning was not pretty at all, but the whole way through it felt like a winnable game given a few better breaks and a few (okay, a lot) more patient at-bats in key spots. Just a disappointing day.

I should say too that this was both the smallest and the most apathetic crowd I've ever seen at opening day at Shea. There was remarkably little rooting for anything besides the sporadic fistfights with Philly fans; a lot of people didn't really seem to care about the game at all. I hope these shitty crowds go away when Citi Field opens.

by anonymous on Apr 8, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

huh?

Schoeneweis "handled" Utley? He hit him with the first pitch he threw.

As someone who was part of the apathetic crowd, maybe part of the apathy was due to the poor handling of the crowd coming into the game by the stadium staff. I was off the train at 12:45 and it took close to 45 minutes to get up to my seats because they had nowhere near the right number of security staff to check people coming into the game. It's almost like they're trying to make the Shea experience less pleasant so we'll be happy to pay the almost-certainly-higher prices at the new stadium.

by JoshNY on Apr 8, 2008 11:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Utley

Ha. Yes, you're right, I have no idea what I was thinking there. I must have just been thinking of the feeble grounder he got from Howard. Looking back over the box score I think my semi-almost-positive impression of Schoeneweis's performance was a little on the wishful side, perhaps because Sosa just afterward surprised me by limiting the damage rather than adding to it.

The security wait was terrible for me, too, and I was especially annoyed that there wasn't anyone helping the crowds form into lines rather than a mob scene at some of the gates. Where I went in there was effectively a politeness tax -- a long line formed, but everyone who was nice enough to get in line ended up waiting much longer than the people (mostly, it seemed, angry young men) who just swarmed the gate. The security people should not be rewarding jerkiness.

by anonymous on Apr 8, 2008 11:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

a bad experience all around

The lines at Shea today were the worst I've ever seen. From the mobs at the gates to the bathroom lines to the beer and food lines, it was out of control.

I, too, was there with what I thought was plenty of time to get to my seats, and I missed all of the opening ceremonies (caught the flyover when I was a part of the mob scene at the gate). Lucky enough I sat down in time for the second pitch.

And then the game was like the Mets picked up right where they left off last year. I should check my ticket stubs, but I think I must have been to at least five of their nine straight losses to Philadelphia. Ugh.

All in all, it made for a pretty forgettable Opening Day.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Apr 8, 2008 11:55 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UGH

If it wasn't for the first Philadelphians there would be no New York City or America.

by xixiond on Apr 8, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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