Friday Applesauce

by James Kannengieser on Mar 20, 2009 10:35 AM EDT in Applesauce

Day one of the NCAA Tournament saw a few close calls, but only one real "upset." Here are some links to peruse at while you find a way to lament that your bracket is already ruined:

Around Port St. Lucie

The Mets pounded the hapless Astros 12-1 yesterday. Mike Pelfrey looked terrific, giving up one run in six innings. David Lennon of Newsday says Big Pelf has added a "Maddux sinker" which starts inside on lefties and breaks over the plate. Anyone who's seen Greg Maddux pitch can picture it.

Nick Evans was the hitting star, going 3-5 with two doubles and a home run. He's now slugging .615 this spring and is making it tough for Omar Minaya to leave him at AAA to start the season. The problem is, bench spots are hard to come by, with Ramon Castro, Alex Cora, and Fernando Tatis stone-cold locks, and Marlon Anderson likely to make it. That would probably leave one spot between Evans, Bobby Kielty, Jeremy Reed, and Cory Sullivan. Evans will see playing time at the big league level this season regardless of where he starts out.

David Wright's toe injury should not be an issue.

The Mets face the Orioles today at 1:05, with Oliver Perez starting. The game will not be on TV.

Here's a strange story about a miscommunication between Omar Minaya and rehabbing Billy Wagner. Imagine an effective Wagner returning in August or September?

Alex Nelson at Mets Geek profiles former Mets announcer Lindsey Nelson. It's a lengthy but worthwhile read, and recommended reading for anyone casting a vote in Nelson vs. Ron Darling next Tuesday.

Gerry Fraley at the Sporting News provides us with a lesson in Awful Sportswriting 101. His premise is that Hanley Ramirez's enthusiasm about hitting 3^rd makes him some kind of leader willing to shoulder more responsibility, while Jose Reyes's statement that he'll hit wherever he's put in the lineup is a sign of immaturity and weakness. To all sportswriters out there still pushing this tired story: we get it. We get that you think Jose Reyes is immature and celebrates too much, etc. But don't you think that he's being a good teammate and avoiding controversy simply by saying he'll do whatever's good for the team? Try coming up with an original story Gerry.

Around the NL East

Even in silence, Phillies fans are already whining about Frank the Closer's celebrations. Because their own closer is a choir boy after he closes a game. If Frank does his job and helps the Mets make the playoffs, he can celebrate all he wants.

Matt Stairs might be the odd man out in the Phillies reserve outfielder competition.

Federal Baseball looks at the past Nationals Opening Day starters. One is competing for a job with the Mets, one is currently unsigned, and one retired from baseball by age 30.

Joel Sherman profiles the Braves, who are much improved from last season. I really wish the Mets could have acquired Javier Vazquez somehow.

Around MLB

Playoff Odds simulated the 2009 season, and see the Mets as an 89 win team. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Scott Kazmir got knocked around a bit yesterday vs. the Cardinals, although he was pitching with the flu.

Evan Longoria to the rescue. The Rays 3B will join injury-depleted Team USA this weekend in the World Baseball Classic.

Jake Peavy is disappointed in U.S. fans' interest in the WBC. It's not known if U.S. fans are equally disappointed in Peavy's six runs allowed over two IP vs. Puerto Rico last week.

Happy Friday, and let's go Big East.

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I'll add

this terrific profile of Lindsey Nelson by Alex Nelson (no relation, that I know of) over at MetsGeek. It clocks in at 3,400 words, but it’s well worth your time.

by Eric Simon on Mar 20, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

I'll update the Applesauce

Great read. When I was younger, my dad used to say that the current Mets announcers had nothing on this guy Lindsey Nelson. Only years later did I learn who he was.

by James Kannengieser on Mar 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

niese was also sent down to minor league camp

So, unless Pedro ends up signing with us, it looks like our rotation is set with Livan in the 5 hole.

by Gina on Mar 20, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Also the Wright story really irks me

And it’s probably a big reason why US fans don’t get incredibly excited about the WBC.

by Gina on Mar 20, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Americans and the WBC

As a general proposition, I think Americans care less about international sporting events than citizens of other countries. On the right (politically), there is a disdain for anything international, whether it be international law, international governing bodies, international diplomacy or even international travel. On the left, people tend to view any display of American patriotism as suspect. I think it funny how friends of mine will follow the World Cup, but root against the United States (they usually end up rooting for a country where they spent two weeks in on vacation). I think it funny how they think they are being anti-American when in reality they are being quintessentially American (who else would root against their country and in favor of a place where they spent two weeks on holiday).

"Since we became accelerated readers, we never leave the house." - Los Campesinos

by Shomov on Mar 20, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Well I don't know about your friends obviously

But I know most of the people I know who care about soccer/the world cup come from families who are recent immigrants so they’re connections to soccer are through that country. Like my family lives for the world cup but we always root for Jamaica/England. It’s hard to root for the US when you’re connection to the sport stems from your connection to another country.

by Gina on Mar 20, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I understand

I am from Brooklyn and I know a lot of Italians who passionately root for Italy; I am not taking issue with them. I direct my ire at hipsters who root against the US because they erroneously think that doing so makes them cosmopolitan.

"Since we became accelerated readers, we never leave the house." - Los Campesinos

by Shomov on Mar 20, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair.

I don’t think it’s so much that people root against the US that they just pick other countries to root for so they have a dog in the fight. The US doesn’t have a rich soccer history like the rest of the world, and we’re not particularly good at the sport either.

For example, the last World Cup I obviously rooted for the US, but once they were eliminated I threw my support behind England since one of my good friends is from there. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but when you ask someone who they support in the World Cup, I think most Americans just say, “England” or “Spain” because they don’t consider the US to be serious contenders. I would obviously never root for England if they played the US.

As for the WBC, I am enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would and I have no problem with David Wright playing through an injured toe. A cracked toenail is really not that big of a deal, it’s more annoying than anything. I think they’re making too big of a deal out of him playing with a “potentially broken toe.” As someone who has broken a digit, you know when you’ve broken it.

by SQUAD on Mar 20, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

US Soccer

I’m not sure I’d agree that the US is “not particularly good at the sport.” It’s far from an elite national team, but it is capable of playing competitive matches against the best teams in the world (and has done so).

"Since we became accelerated readers, we never leave the house." - Los Campesinos

by Shomov on Mar 20, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I know what you mean... sorta.

While I would never root against the US, I do feel a bit conflicted when the US plays Spain, for example. I never liked soccer growing up because I found it terribly boring. Then I went to Spain for study abroad while in college, which was right smack in the middle of the Galacticos era for Real Madrid. I already had an idea of who Beckham was, but when I was there I got to see players like Zidane, Ronaldo, Casillas, and Roberto Carlos. Naturally, I became a Real Madrid fan, which I would later learn is akin to becoming a Yankees fan when you first start watching baseball. However, I rationalize this by saying it truly did happen organically because I really had no prior knowledge of European soccer before my trip.

Anyway, my point, when the US plays a team like Spain, they’re playing against my two favorite soccer players: Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. So while I want the US to win, I want to see my guys do well. This is how, even though I am American, my connection to the sport stems through Spain, because had I never gone there, I doubt I would have any interest in the sport at all.

by SQUAD on Mar 20, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

what about the World Series?

"If you bat [Luis] leadoff instead of sixth, say, you are taking away 18 plate appearances each from Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Delgado and Church and handing them to Castillo." John Walsh http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/five-questions-new-york-mets4/

by hotspur on Mar 20, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

i dislike international competitions in general

i enjoy the competition and the celebration of the sport, but the people who take it too seriously ruin it for me. it’s petty nationalism dressed up as patriotic pride and sports fantacism. give it a rest. your country sucks, just like every other country.

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

by kendynamo on Mar 20, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

although I do like international competition from the standpoint that it brings all the worlds best athletes together. That’s why I enjoy the World Cup, for example.

by cjmulrain on Mar 20, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I found myself rooting for Puerto Rico in the game against the US

though I was happy enough that DWright finally won it for the Americans. This was partly because of the Mets on the PR team, partly because I couldn’t bring myself to wholeheartedly root for Rollins, Jeter, et al, and partly just because PR wanted it more. Not necessarily the players, but when I know Puerto Ricans to be totally into it, and I know most Americans to be saying they’re not excited about the WBC, my sympathies go with the ones who care.

by SupT on Mar 20, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

"Maddux sinker"

I think that may be my favorite pitch ever. Whatever you think of the Braves, Maddux was one of the all-time greats and watching him pitch was like watching piano virtuoso playing a Beethoven sonata (if that’s a lame enough metaphor for you).

If Big Pelf can be half the pitcher Maddux was, we’re in great shape.

2009 Mets: maybe its the Phillies turn to have a terrible bullpen?

by Greenpoint Ian on Mar 20, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

I love Maddux, always have and always will. He’s the only player on a rival team that I’ve ever actively rooted for, b/c I love great pitching and I’ve never seen a better pitcher than him.

by cjmulrain on Mar 20, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

shut up peavy

no one tells me what to do with my free time. NO ONE.

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

by kendynamo on Mar 20, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, Phillies fans

Even after you win the world championship, you feel the need to obsess over the Mets. Such a complex.

"One of the nice things about baseball is that there are no rules you can't break." - Jim Bouton

by Prince on Mar 20, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

They're...unique?

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

by squid92 on Mar 22, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Sporting News

that article really pisses me off. Hanley should be a #3 hitter, Reyes should be a leadoff hitter. Reyes said he would bat 3rd if Jerry wanted him too – sorry he didn’t say it with gusto. I hate sportswriters like that. I wonder what Jeters reaction would be if Girardi said he was gonna move him to LF and bat him 8th? Think he’d react like Hanley or Reyes or something even worse?

by cjmulrain on Mar 20, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Jetes has an edge

So it’s a moot point. Reyes has no such edge.

"One of the nice things about baseball is that there are no rules you can't break." - Jim Bouton

by Prince on Mar 20, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

by JoshNY on Mar 21, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

bad bad bad

man, that article is really stupid, even by sports journalism standards. i mean, how do you write:

Ramirez was willing to take on more responsibility, even if it puts him in an unfamiliar role. Reyes was unwilling to shoulder a more important role with the Mets.

when Reyes said he’d bat at any spot in the lineup. the author is basically premising his article on a straight-up lie.

by englishgrey on Mar 20, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

that's quite a fabrication

unless Fraley got information off the record, he has no idea what Reyes was or wasn’t “unwilling” to do. he’s just making that up because it fits his view of the narrative.

by JoshNY on Mar 21, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

He starts with a preconceived notion, i.e. “Reyes isn’t a leader”, and shapes the quotes to match that notion. Switch Ramirez and Reyes’s quotes and I bet he could write the same article.

by James Kannengieser on Mar 22, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I mean, its one thing to base a bad article on a fact and then blow it way out of proportion. This is even worse, basing it on absolutely nothing.

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

by squid92 on Mar 22, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

It's not their closer

but Romero gave one of his King-Kong like screaming and chest pounding celebrations after getting out of the eighth inning the other night.

by Mount17 on Mar 20, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

It's okay if it's not the closers

closers are glitzy, set up man are baseball players.

by Gina on Mar 20, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

on another note

tell me again why Marlon Anderson is a near lock to make this team and Evans isn’t?

by Endys Game on Mar 20, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

$$$$$

leadership & experience.

Plus it’s not in Evans, or the teams in the long-term, best interest to have him in a role where he’s not playing everyday, not getting a chance to bat against rightiesconsistently, and not working on his defense at one position consistently.

by Gina on Mar 20, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah.

As much as I prefer Evans over Marlon “Utility Man” Anderson, if he’s not going to be given much playing time, it might be in his best interest to spend some time in the minors.

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

by squid92 on Mar 22, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I root against the USA

Always have, always will. Rooting against the US is like rooting against the Yankees. Being from overseas gives me a different perspective, I very much root for the under dog and at no time, in any sport (except maybe soccer) is the US ever the under dog. The WBC should be a cake walk for da USA with the talent pool they can draw upon. Take basketball in the olympics, I root for Croatia, Russia (now that the cold war is over), Canada, Nepal, Nauru, anyone. Its just the way it is USA vs The rest of the world.

Being Scottish I can however never support England. I would root for Iran before I root for England. As a matter of fact I might support an Afghani team headed by Osama Bin Laden before I supported the English soccer team.

by scott from peekskill on Mar 21, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah that;s one the thing that's annoyed me about the WBC coverage from the US media

They keep talking about how much we’ve struggled because of injuries and gms not being willing to send certain players, when we still have by far the most talented roster. Our losses have absolutely nothing to do with lack of talent.

by Gina on Mar 21, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Great point

That’s the same excuse people made in ‘04 when the U.S. basketball team stunk it up in Athens. “Well, most American stars would rather take the summer off than play in the Olympics.” That doesn’t come anywhere close to justifying a blowout loss to Puerto Rico(!) and another loss to Brazil. Similarly, there’s no excuse for the U.S. baseball team’s struggles in the WBC.

"One of the nice things about baseball is that there are no rules you can't break." - Jim Bouton

by Prince on Mar 21, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm confused

Are you Scott from Peeksille or Scott from Scotland? Don’t care either way, just looking for clarification.

"Since we became accelerated readers, we never leave the house." - Los Campesinos

by Shomov on Mar 21, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

WBC

I get the feeling that the WBC isn’t very important to a high percentage major league players, not just Americans but Dominicans and Venezulan too, and having tons of them seems to hurt your chances of doing well. That apathy is also reflected in the fans disintrest. I do like the tournament but perhaps moving it a different portion of the year or being more careful with who you select like basketball has done, would help.

by DoctorK16 on Mar 22, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions