Humpday Applesauce

by Joe Budd on Apr 29, 2009 9:46 AM EDT in Applesauce

How did the Mets re-sign Aaron Heilman and I not hear about it? I'm the freaking news guru! I must be slipping.

Meet the Mets

Gary Sheffield tripled, Livan pitched adequately, but Sean Green couldn't get out of his own way in the fateful 4 run 7th inning, giving up the lead and handing the Marlins a 3 run lead of their own. There are other concerns besides Green's awful/overworked beginning of the season. The Mets have 12 home runs this season, third worst in the majors and consistently look meek when faced with a deficit. That lack of power may not get any better, either, as Carlos Delgado remains sore after a cortisone shot to his right hip.

Is Jerry relying too much on the newly upgraded bullpen? Wasn't Livan supposed to throw 120 pitches/start?

The Freddy Garcia era has ended and Willy Mo time has begun.

Josh Thole speaks!

The Mets have signed 33 year old infielder Mike Lamb. Lamb will report to AAA Buffalo.

Around the NL East

John Maine may have knocked Hanley Ramirez out of the lineup for a few more days. The hand is not broken, fortunately (I'm a good sport, what can I say?). Marlin brass is getting frustrated with Hanley's lack of hustle.

The Phillies thumped the Nationals last night, 7-1, but in the meantime lost Cole Hamels to yet another injury. This one was a sprained ankle from fielding a John Lannan bunt. He will probably be OK. Meanwhile, the Phils are taking a cautious approach with ailing closer Brad Lidge. Raul Ibanez homered again last night, making the Phillie Phaithful forget about Pat Burrell. Adam Dunn sparked a furious one run National rally with this enormous home run.

Matt Diaz led the Braves over the Cardinals 2-1 in Atlanta. Jo-Jo Reyes made the strong start, pitching 7 effective innings. Meanwhile, Tom Glavine is steadily making his way back to the Brave rotation.

Around MLB

The Yankees have lowered their ticket prices to get people to fill the empty seats adjust for the economic slowdown. Could all those empty seats be because of Stubhub? Phil Hughes made a dominant first start of the season last night, in the Yankee 11-0 victory.

A few injuries from the NL Central: Edwin Encarnacion out with a chipped bone in his wrist; and Jose Valverde out with a strained calf.

Why have there been so many grand slams this early? Because there have been more walks.

This is it, the one day out of five where the Mets have a better pitcher on the mound than their opposition. Don't waste it!

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Comments

Will Sommer

is an impressive 6 for 15 in asking questions that begin with the word “now”… fun interview though.

by deadspy3 on Apr 29, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

I like this Thole guy

Humble, patient, and strong work ethic.

by cuseindahuse on Apr 29, 2009 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

The guy used to be a 1B?

That doesn’t sound promising.

The 2009 NY Mets: WE GOT K-ROD! OMG, Putz, too! Sign Lowe! Lowe's a Brave. Sign Manny! Tim Redding, WTF? Sign Manny! Sheets or Perez? SHEETS! Perez?? Oh, Sheets is hurt -- good job, Minaya! WTF?! SIGN MANNY!

by ZaBlanc on Apr 29, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

You're preaching to the choir, my friend.

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

by squid92 on Apr 29, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I have voiced concerns about overusing the bullpen since game one. Mainly because I’ve seen this before and I really think that half the bullpens problem last year was overuse, particularly of certain guys. Comparing Green and Heilman is pretty accurate. The guy gets paraded out there every day, he will turn into a pumpkin sooner rather than later. Omar needs to get another dependable arm so Jerry can at least spread the overuse between two players.

No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.

by sireric on Apr 29, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Dig the new signature line, Eric.

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

by kingcritical on Apr 29, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

HAHA

That was inspired by the NFL draft. kinda a inside joke over at Rumblings.

No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.

by sireric on Apr 29, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh

Cerrone no longer “trusts” the Mets, and totally understands people booing David Wright:

In other words, I need this team to inspire me and earn back my trust, so I can get me back to believing; and until that happens I’m going to feel frustrated; and while I do not boo, others probably will, because it’s the only way we, as a fan base, can truly express our frustration.

I used to read MetsBlog and occasionally comment there. Then I stopped with the comments and just read the front page because there was news on offer and Cerrone was generally pretty level-headed in his commentary. Now I’m not really sure I should even bother anymore.

'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 Apr 29, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

is he still selling 'in omar we trust' t shirts?

you think theres kids in 3rd world nations wearing those next to someone in a patriots superbowl 42 champs t shirts?

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

by kendynamo on Apr 29, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

rec'd

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 29, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

That pretty much sums up

my involvement with Metsblog. Up until recently, I just tolerated it because it was the best source for news, I thought. But now, AA is so on top of things I can cut MB out.

I want to like Cerrone. He seems like a normal guy who got a bomb ass web address then got in over his head. I understand the “I want to write from a fans perspective” thing, but that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to analyze the game using, you know, facts and things.

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Apr 29, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm with you hotchip

I was a devotee of metsblog and occasional commenter, but then I discovered AA and applesauce and I haven’t been back there in a while. I always thought Cerrone’s little asides were pretty asinine and not so much level-headed as “blah, I don’t have real opinions on things” especially after it became SNY-owned. It’s not really even worth it as a news source at this point. AA and Metsgeek work for me.

by dtro on Apr 29, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Applesauce has rendered Metsblog obsolete

by JoshNY on Apr 29, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah pretty much

it was great not having to load 10 different newspaper’s sports sections for a while but now that i can avoid the fake ‘analysis’ and company line toeing rah rah commentary i have pretty much ‘so longed’ metsblog for good.

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

by kendynamo on Apr 29, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yep

Cerrone’s stock phrases include “from what I can gather,” “the thing is,” “that being said,” etc. Just a waste of time.

by jasondg on Apr 29, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

At least he doesn't say

“no question about it” every other phrase. Really? No question Joe Beningo/Adam Schein/Buster Olney/Steve Phillips/John Kruk? I’ve got a question. How did you ever get hired to do a job that requires speaking?

Anyway, I’m in the same boat. I read metsblog, occasionally commented, got frustrated, forgot my password and never logged in again, and eventually discovered AA. Applesauce>metsblog is like saying cake>cowpies. And that’s not meant as a knock on Cerrone, who’s never really been more or less than adequate, but the discussions that go on the comments section there make me ashamed to be a Mets fan sometimes.

by Mark Himmelstein on Apr 29, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

It's not just applesauce

If something comes up post-Applesauce, there’s usually a fanshot. Failing that, it’ll come up in comments.

AA routinely scoops Metsblog, and that’s without the SNY partnership.

I’m with the guy who said Cerrone’s a normal guy who lucked into a super-awesome URL.

by jasondg on Apr 29, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure I'd lump Olney in with the rest of those blowhards

Some of the stuff he writes is pretty decent

by JoshNY on Apr 29, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That's true

He’s decent as a writer/analyst, much better than the rest of that group, but I just hate how when he appears on baseball tonight all of his responses begin with “I don’t think there’s any question about it”. I don’t know why that phrase in particular annoys me so much, but I just can’t stand it anymore.

by Mark Himmelstein on Apr 29, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

If you were videotaped

I’m sure the camera would capture your verbal crutches and ticks as well.

These people aren’t trained professionals. They didn’t go to acting school or take a speech class. They’re on TV for their knowledge and expertise.

by SQUAD on Apr 30, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

But what about the ones who aren't even good at that?

by Gina on Apr 30, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly!

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

by squid92 on Apr 30, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Can I put all of these comments

In the infomercial I’m producing?
Thanks everyone!

by Joe Budd on Apr 29, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

get billy mays on that

and you got yourself business model

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

by kendynamo on Apr 29, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I suck at typing

I was going to have a joke about the ShamWow guy, but I give up. I don’t want a bloody picture of him on this post. It was so unpleasant.

by Joe Budd on Apr 29, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

therapy

man, that post you quoted from sounds like cerrone’s on the couch in his therapist’s office…he doesn’t “trust” the team and needs to be “inspired.” who cares!

by englishgrey on Apr 29, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

hahaha

but seriously, it’s like no one wants to deal with the ups and downs inherent in rooting for a sports team anymore. wins and losses happen, moreso in baseball than any other sport. i don’t understand why people have such a hard time with this. the Mets aren’t out there trying to win your trust, nor are they out there trying to hurt you by gaining your trust and then losing the game/season/etc. it’s a fucking game; try to enjoy it.

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 29, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

Yup

It’s the Yankee-fan disease, and Mets fans are catching it at an alarming rate.

by SupT on Apr 29, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

double true

batting helmets. batting titles. obp.

by Durelo on Apr 29, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

When did entitlement replace enjoyment among Mets fans?

by Mark Himmelstein on Apr 29, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

But I thought they'd go 162-0! And every player would hit over .300 the whole season! And that slumps don't occur!

Wha-wha-what?!?!?!

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

by squid92 on Apr 29, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Same story here

I still love Metsblog for the constant updates because I’m chatter hungry but I just can’t handle the comments section anymore!

by TheBigStapler on Apr 29, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Same. Et tu, Matt Cerrone?

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

by squid92 on Apr 29, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

yesterday was like, one of the worst hour of sports in years

devils season ends by giving up 2 goals in last 3 minutes, then green blows it. then the braves win. f this fing s in the a. im going to go watch highlights of the giants draft picks.

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

by kendynamo on Apr 29, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Dunn has half as many HR's as the entire Mets team.

I’m sure glad we didn’t go after that guy.

batting helmets. batting titles. obp.

by Durelo on Apr 29, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

B..B...But

He strikes out!

In all seriousness, he should really be a DH

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Apr 29, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

He's actually even cut his K rate and is make reasonable amounts of contact

I still don’t think he was worth $10 mil though.

by Mark Himmelstein on Apr 29, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Ibanez

I knew this was going to happen. I didn’t want the Mets to sign him, but I knew he’d have a few big moments for the Phillies and now everyone in the media and everywhere else is gonna lambast the Mets for not going after the guy, even though by the end of the year (and definitely by the end of the contract), he’ll probably be a net loss over Burrell.

by cjmulrain on Apr 29, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Have you noticed

A few too many people getting overly upset about last night’s loss? It wasn’t an overall pathetic performance. Sean Green just got smoked.

by TheBigStapler on Apr 29, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Last night was the worst of both worlds

because the Mets lost and I have Ricky Nolasco on all 3 of my fantasy teams. He was one of my sleeper 13th-15th round picks and the Mets didn’t even have the decency to give him a win.

by dtro on Apr 29, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Can fans please stop thowing homerun balls back?

I keep seeing it more and more and it’s so stupid! It doesn’t undo the effect of the home run, and it is a Cubs tradition. Why would any fans ever want to follow a tradition set by the Cubs?

Keep the ball and have a great and free souvenir.

by Reg Dunlop on Apr 29, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

i dunno

what kind of souvenir is some opposing team’s home run ball? i dont want that. its not worth anything on ebay. maybe if i needed an actual baseball id keep it but chances are i would have bought one already. maybe if there was a kid around id give it to him or her. otherwise, i am throwing that crap back. so long stupid home run scored agasint the mets ball.

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

by kendynamo on Apr 29, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Honestly

It’s a pretty cool souvenir. I would be pretty pumped to catch any home run ball, because the odds of catching a home run ball are so slim. I would actually love to be in attendance for a no-hitter one day, even if it came against the Mets.

I’ve been to plenty of Mets games, lots of wins and lots of losses. I remember some, others, not so much. If the Mets are going to lose a game, let it be one where I catch a home run ball or see something really cool, like a no-hitter or a 3 homer game. At least this way I might not be as annoyed that they lost because I just experienced something pretty cool.

by SQUAD on Apr 30, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I was at Jim Abbot's no-hitter

my first ever Yankees game. And I was sitting in the Luxury Box to boot. Somehow I imagine I may go the rest of my life without ever experiencing either of those things again.

by cjmulrain on Apr 30, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

the worst part

The fan in fair territory throws it back. A ballboy runs out to retrieve it from the field. He runs back to his little chair near the foul line, and all the idiot fans with seats on the line are begging for the ball.

The Mets should make a policy that any balls thrown back onto the field end up in a blender or something.

That, and the freaking wave last night was disgusting. Absolutely appalling.

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

by kingcritical on Apr 29, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

The wave

embarrasses all of us.

by jasondg on Apr 29, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not that bad, guys

yeesh!

by TheBigStapler on Apr 29, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Any fan

that participates in mid-inning Waves — especially in tight games — and/or boos David Wright at any time, is objectively an idiot.

by jasondg on Apr 29, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I know right.

Because when you go to a ballgame you should act like you’re watching Tiger Woods put on the 18th hole at Augusta. Fans should just politely clap, yell “good show” when warranted, and spend the time between the action dutifully keeping score.

Full disclosure, I don’t do the wave and I don’t boo Met players, but come on guys… you’re being a bit harsh.

by SQUAD on Apr 30, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

J:!

I don’t think it’s awful…it’s annoying. But in the middle of an action packed inning? No sir. Unacceptable

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

by squid92 on Apr 30, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think anyone's saying that

But the wave is objectively stupid, as is booing your own players. Get rowdy, boo the opposing team, cheer on your team loud, but why boo them?

by cjmulrain on Apr 30, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yes it is

Anyone who takes part in The Wave if the Mets are not winning or losing by a minimum of eight runs should be taken out to the spot in the parking lot where the home plate used to be at Shea and shot.

And even if they are up or down by eight, I still hate it.

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

by kingcritical on Apr 29, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions