Wednesday Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Mar 11, 2009 10:02 AM EDT

Am I the last person to know that Duaner Sanchez's nickname on the blogosphere was Dirty? And am I the only one disturbed by that at all?

Around Port St. Lucie

John Maine gave up 5 runs, all from 2 home runs, in 3 innings in yesterday's 5-5 10 inning tie against the Nationals. Nick Evans, Cory Sullivan, Marlon Anderson, and Ryan Church all had multiple hit games and the bullpen provided 7 shutout innings. The Mets, however, committed 4 errors. Better quotes from Maine this time around, saying he felt good, but was just missing.

The Mets take today off from their exhibition schedule, but Pelfrey and Niese will throw on the side today. Reminder, Santana is pitching tomorrow.

Make of this what you will. Manuel is upset that Omar cut Sanchez, but should he be really? The writing was on the wall for quite some time. I think Matt Cerrone is right about this though, saying that it shows the Met players that they have Manuel's support.

I feel like I go through the exact same thought process every time the Mets are considering signing an older player.

NY Sports Dog discusses the 2009 potential Mets bench. I think I'm the only person who hasn't lost hope in Marlon Anderson as a pinch hitter.

Mike Silva tells us not to be too impressed with Pedro's WBC performance and that he should retire. Pedro might have no choice, as Buster Olney is reporting that the Mets will not sign him.

With the Netherlands' stunning 2-1 upset of the Dominican Republic comes some good news for the Mets. Jose Reyes is back in camp!

Around the NL East

Federal Baseball has a few posts about Adam Dunn's impact on the Nationals. One which predicts his historic stats for this year, despite the lack of significant lineup protection. The other analyzing his impact as the face of the franchise.

Philly.com has a rundown of the Phillies' top prospects.

Be sure to defend our turf against potential Philadelphia invaders on May 6th and 7th.

The Braves bullpen continues to come together, this time with Rafael Soriano impressing in his Spring debut.

That Garrett Anderson injury is more severe than originally reported and the team has pushed his return back to "hopefully" opening day.

Marlin outfielders Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida are adjusting to their new spots. This is just one aspect of what looks to be an awful defensive team.

Around MLB

The Yankees will probably stand pat in their search for A-Rod's replacement and will start Cody Ransom.

The Angels hope to be a deeper team without Mark Texeira. They're probably right too. Meanwhile, the LA Times profiles Mike Sciosia, sticking it to the Dodgers at the same time.

Ken Griffey and Lou Piniella reunited for a day, tears flowed.

WBC Update

Venezuela eliminated Italy 10-1 last night.

The Netherlands pulled off an amazing upset of the Dominican Republic 2-1 in extra innings.

Cuba defeated Australia 5-4 to advance to the second round.

Depressing Recession News

The bartender at Cheers for 35 years was laid off.

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Comments

herb of the year

Jair Jurrjens

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AshNXQdYM3.eegd2s6AlIeYRvLYF?slug=jp-netherlandsupset031109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

They beat the Dominican without their best player, Atlanta Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, who said earlier this spring, "I don’t want to go there for one game and come back." He since has admitted to friends his mistake.

Plus, he’s a Brave, so that’s not helping.

http://sports.yahoo.com/wbc/boxscore?gid=290310110

The Dutch had a literal Unknown playing third base…

by hotspur on Mar 11, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

That's fine

But I don’t want someone comparing missing Pujols to missing Jurrjens. That’s a little disingenuous.

by Lunkwill Fook on Mar 11, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

missing pujols

and A-rod, and beltre, and no manny or vlad either for w/e reason.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm kinda surprised about Manny

considering it wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go when the WBC started

by cjmulrain on Mar 11, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah i'm curious as to why he wasnt there.

Their outfield was pretty awful. When Nelson Cruz is your best outfielder, and Moises Alou probably your second best, and Taveras and Guillen are allowed to leave the bench your team is probably going to struggle.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Still.

Even with all those guys missing, there is no way the DR should have lost to the Netherlands.

by SQUAD on Mar 11, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the highlight of that article

was learning that the Dutch call baseball, “honkbal”.

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 11, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I concur

I’m not sure if I ever want to call it baseball again

by Sokojoe on Mar 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think a new Amazin' Avenue meme has just been created.

Seriously, that is just an incredibly awesome upset.

by JoshNY on Mar 11, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

We totally have to sign a Dutch guy now

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 11, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

How about

the Unknown guy? He sounds promising and mysterious all at once.

by deadspy3 on Mar 11, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I hear

He’s in the best shape of his life

by Reg Dunlop on Mar 11, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

call Omar

When I picture him in my head, that guy is wearing a mask like the Lone Ranger along with wooden shoes.

by hotspur on Mar 11, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The unknown guy.

Is a National already.

by SQUAD on Mar 11, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually.

We have signed a Dutch guy.

by SQUAD on Mar 11, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Honkbal

I play OOTP (stats based computer baseball game, for those who don’t know), and I downloaded a template that had all the various leagues from around the world, including the Honkbal Hoofdklasse – I found myself paying more attention to that than the MLB. It was pretty fantastic.

by cjmulrain on Mar 11, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

my favorite Honkball team by far

is the Mr Cocker Honkbalclub Allan Weerbaar. Mr Cocker HCAW are the New York Mets of the Eerste Klasse.

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Mar 11, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I know that's probably not actually pronounced "Mister Cocker"

(like as if you were respectfully addressing Joe Cocker) but that’s how I’m going to think of it.

by JoshNY on Mar 11, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I love playing NPB in OOTP.

yu davish <3

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Mar 12, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Anybody know a couple good snipers we could hire for those Filly games?

I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!

by R_Adragna on Mar 11, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

the angels offense could be ugly this year

And Australia was only one strike away from another huge upset. Damn.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

We have to sign one of the Dutch guys for our honkbal team.

Combined, the Dutch team made $0.4 million last year, compared to $80 mil+ for the Domincans.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Mar 11, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

i say we sign the whole honkbal team

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Mar 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

HONKBAL!

This is such a good word. Should perhaps be used after a gritty, underdog Dutch-style victory – e.g. “we saw some real honkbal today”. Eckstein would be a master of Honkbal in this case, though, which kind of ruins the word totally.

by deadspy3 on Mar 11, 2009 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Didn't want this to get lost above.

We actually have signed a Dutch player.

Marinus Vernooij.

by SQUAD on Mar 11, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Honkbal met Marinus!

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 11, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

anyone who plays for a team named Door

is allright in my book

HELLO HELLO MR WILPON. WE WANT THE MANSION NOT THE CONDO.

by kendynamo on Mar 11, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

After hearing about the 1st defeat of the "vaunted" DR by the Netherlands (which I'll refer to from now on simply as: THE ORANGE!)

I was shocked. I decided to tune into watch THE ORANGE! play Puerto Rico. Damn! They – THE ORANGE! – almost pulled it out. Last night I watched with joy as THE ORANGE! defeated the “vaunted” DR. I am always happy to see a ‘David’ defeat a ‘Goliath’. I think that’s why everyone hates the Skankee’s. They usually are the most beloved team by the majority of casual fans (God knows why) and for that reason alone it’s always great to see them fall.

The DR had trouble hitting and producing runs due to the pitching from THE ORANGE! in both games. The DR’s play in the field was anything other than spectacular. The DR let THE ORANGE! hang around long enough to do damage. And damage THE ORANGE! did by great pitching.

I got a little sick of the play by play guy saying that Carlos Marmol was one of the greatest closers in the game. Sure, he’s gotten eight saves in eleven save opportunities in the past three seasons and his SO:BB ratio is a thing of beauty but that doesn’t earn him such lofty praise. If I’m not mistaken, he’s been a setup man for the Cubs the past three years and is currently battling Kevin Gregg for the closing spot this season. Last night didn’t help him.

" (Stewie) Wait a minute. Germany is building WMD's? Then, why doesn't America go in there and kick their a$$e$? (Brian) I don't know. Maybe it's because they don't have any oil? (Stewie) Ohhhhhhh. Clap, clap, clap, clap, claaaaap. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

heh

I like how “THE ORANGE!” is always in all caps with the exclamation point. It’s kinda like “FERNANDO!”.

by JoshNY on Mar 11, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol I was thinking the same thing about Marmol

Like really one of the great closers of the game? The guys had all of like 10 innings. Although I don’t think he’s going to be battling Gregg, I think if the cubs have any idea what they’re doing Marmol will be the closer. Even if there was a battle I don’t see how Gregg could win, he’s just not very good.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions