Harwell RIP Applesauce - Tiger broadcaster passes away, Met's bench bad, Bay's neighbors happy
by Joe Budd on May 5, 2010 9:02 AM EDT
in Applesauce
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Meet the Mets
Even at 15-12, the Mets have significant areas where they can improve. For one thing, the bench is horrendous. What's even worse is that there are plenty of options inside the organization that would represent improvements, but management insists on standing pat.
The starting pitching has been a strength so far, but that is susceptible to all sorts of problems, such as a potential Mike Pelfrey injury.
But, enough of the negative stuff. How about some good old-fashioned boyhood hero/good neighbor stuff from Jason Bay. Or a Buffalo Bison walkoff win on a wild pitch?
In another interesting story, David Wright has declined to join Cliff Floyd's lawsuit against former financial advisors Kolinsky-Hill.
Duaner Sanchez will continue to pitch in professional baseball.
Dave Singer asks if it's time to consider Pedro Feliciano as an all-time great Met. It's kind of sad that Feliciano could be considered among the best players in a team's 40 year history. Love the guy, but still, he's a lefty specialist.
John Sickels has his mock draft up with the Mets taking Georgia Tech's Deck McGuire with the #7 pick. Elsewhere in SBNation, the MLB Power Rankings have the Mets at 11.
Section 518 has some apt comments, particularly about the nauseating amount of talk on national television broadcasts about the Mets' chemistry.
Around MLB
The great Ernie Harwell has passed away after his battle with cancer. I have never heard the man call an inning of baseball, but I was still touched by this man's life and legacy. I was not alone. Tons of great stories about Harwell's amazing life and the impact he had on others. Rob Neyer. Joe Posnanski weighs in as well. Craig Calcaterra too.
The Phillies managed to pull one out against the Cards and managed to apprehend another uncaged fan, this time without a taser.
Philadelphia has lost Ryan Madson for eight weeks due to toe surgery. Also, Ibanez's bat speed is slow.
Strasburg to AAA is now official.
Bobby Cox made an appearance at my old workplace.
And, finally, Tom Verducci laments the lack of bat on ball action.
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Ryan Madson=Kevin Brown
With nowhere near the value and hopefully nowhere near the juice.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
Jerry wasn't kidding
about giving Gary Matthews Juicer more playing time.. he’s starting in right today.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
And Alex Cora at 2B.
What’s the current number on the Vesting Countdown?
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
7 games started
73 more starts for a vest..
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I can live with that, espescially considering Reyes missed the first week of the season..
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
But we also have to hold our breath for Castillo and Jose to stay healthy/Cora comes up with some mystery illness.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I get the feeling we'd see Tejada quite a bit if that happened.
I just don’t see Cora getting over half the starts for the remainder of the season.
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope
That Management wants this vest about as much as we do.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
We know that since Cora is the second baseman
He’ll batting second, Jerry believes that’s an MLB rule. But will Gary Matthews Jr. be batting leadoff? Is it a good idea to have your two worst hitters (yes I believe Niese is bette than both of them) first and second.
by Evan_S on May 5, 2010 10:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Matthews is seventh.
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Progress!
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
We know that since Cora is the second baseman
He’ll batting second, Jerry believes that’s an MLB rule. But will Gary Matthews Jr. be batting leadoff? Is it a good idea to have your two worst hitters (yes I believe Niese is bette than both of them) first and second.
by Evan_S on May 5, 2010 10:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Matthews is still seventh.
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha, Rec'd
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Full line-up, per Rubin and others
Pagan
Cora
Reyes
Bay
Wright
Davis
GMJr
White
Nose
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
A gimpy Beltran is better
Than a fully healthy Gary Matthews Juicer.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
hehe nose.
If there's ever a riot at Citi Field and Oliver Perez was the starter, I started the riot.
I saw the lasty 2 hitters as
White Noise.
Which is usually where my brain goes if I see Cora, GMJR, Tatis and/or Catatonic in the lineup…
Oh, the butcher and the baker and the people on the street: wheredotheygo?!?!?
I love it how
Francoeur is a career .400 hitter against Cueto but he sits.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
sometimes stats work against you
.400 hitter means its time for him to cool off against him…
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Jerry should be tasered.
Maybe that would shock some sense into him.
by SFloridaMetsFan on May 5, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Jerry is ALWAYS kidding
Hes not smart enough to realize he is joking and believes his own “humor”
by SFloridaMetsFan on May 5, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
lineup sucked, Niese never had a chance
how are they going to gel and start hitting when you put in Cora and GMJ every couple of days
by Rickfansince76 on May 5, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
One would think the mets would try to prove that acquiring Chris Carter for Wags was a good idea
The way this management operates, isn’t avoiding criticism priority 1? Bring the man up already. Send whomever down, it’s not like we’re getting anything out of any of them.
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on May 5, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah that's what I don't get.
Omar should be trying to justify that Wagner trade. Why the hell is Smithtown’s own still on the roster?!
Must be the powerful Smithtown lobby
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on May 5, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Why should he be trying to justify it
no one in the media is even asking about/concerned about it. And the wilpons probably forced his hand to dump wagner’s 3 million. the only people left to justify it to are the fans and God knows that don’t care about what we think =/.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Am I wrong to be optimistic
That Rod Barajas could improve on his BABIP (77 points below average) and BB% 2% below average?
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
BABIP yes, BB% probably not
he swings at anything in a 3 mile radius of the plate
by KeithsMoustache on May 5, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Philly might be the worst place in the history of places
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 10:12 AM EDT reply actions
I'm surprised the gods haven't destroyed it yet
They haven’t contributed anything to the world in the last 200 years.
by Evan_S on May 5, 2010 10:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wrong.
The exchange of sex for baseball tickets will go down in history as an important sociological breakthrough.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
It's time for the League of Shadows to step in
by James Kannengieser on May 5, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+100
Perhaps today is a good day to die.
-Klingon proverb
by Thomas Wachtel on May 5, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
This comment is full of win
Congratulations, you have won the internets!
Jesus wants to be like Ryan Miller when he grows up.
Seriously.
A dude could wait only one night after a kid gets tasered to run out on to the field? Really? Maybe my prediction about drunk idiots at CBP trying to outdo each other isn’t so far from reality.
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
really if they tased this guy too it would have probably ended it right there
now they’re gonna play a game of “who can run on the field and not get tased?” instead of living in pant-sh*tting fear of getting the hell electrocuted out of them for setting foot on the field.
by KeithsMoustache on May 5, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
im just waiting for the inevitable multiple fans on the field at once
it seems like only a matter of time until they do it.
by KeithsMoustache on May 5, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
You know how it will end up.
The fat drunk will be chasing a little kid dressed like Santa, get tasered, and proceed to vomit on the 12 year old.
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Best part of this one
Hamels got rattled after and lost his shutout.
Perhaps today is a good day to die.
-Klingon proverb
by Thomas Wachtel on May 5, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Will people cheer or jeer him?
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on May 5, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Feliciano on the All-Time Team
If you had put together a team which reflected their on-team roles, he probably makes it. What two (or three) LH non-closer RPs make it over him?
Dennis Cook FTW!
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw that man pick off two runners without throwing a pitch between pick-off throws
I swear this happened. It was glorious
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on May 5, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
and
I know he was a closer, but I’d rather have Jesse Orosco as a lefty specialist.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Cook and Wendell Were Great
As you’ll see, all three were/are terrific.
Here are the Games, IP, Wins, ERA and WHIP as Mets
Pedro: 382, 322.2, 20, 3.21, 1.34
Turk: 285, 312.2, 22, 3.34, 1.30
Cook: 255, 226.0, 25, 3.86, 1.31
Very very confused
We’re in win now mode which is why Mejia is up and pitching instead of getting work as a starter in the minors, yet Chris Carter stands in AAA raking and GMJr and Cat continue to get ABs. We have 17 games in a row after tomorrows layoff. There will probably be roster moves to get a reliever/spot starter up during that span why not make it worth it and boot GMJ or Cat, bring up the pitcher and then after sending them back down bring up Carter
Im extremely confused as to how this hasnt happened already, GMJ especially looks clueless up there and his body just doesnt look like its getting any more in sync. He actually needs a minors stint if he wants to rebuild value IMHO
Adam Rubin yesterday
mentioned in an ESPN chat that a Mets official said to him that they don’t see Cat or GMjr. as “consequential” pieces to the team’s success, which is why they are showing them patience. That’s unbelievable to me. These clowns are given key at bats every game, sometimes with the game on the line, and they are not considered important? That’s Mets thinking.
The Mets always suck
at the margins. They pretty much do not understand how baseball works.
by JohnPeterson on May 5, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
wait so you're saying
that when you lose the division by one game twice in a row 200 or so at bats to the gmjr’s and f-cats of the world might make a difference?
I don’t understand, I could have sworn we just needed a dominant 8th inning guy
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
Yea, I pretty much have been singing the same tune for three years.
MARGINS, BITCHES!
by JohnPeterson on May 5, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
That Mets official quote enrages me
Are they serious? How can any business consider 8% (or more) of its product “inconsequential”? And then the morons who cover the team parrot this nonsense and mock fans for getting so worked up about bench spots.
Of course, fans here have been proven right about nearly every “small” decision the team has made this year. GMJ starting over Pagan? That didnt last long. Jacobs at first? Nowhere to be found now.
And if they’re so inconsequential why not spend the league minimum to have younger guys filling those spots? Why offer up vesting options to washed-up middle infielders?
by Bieser's Balk on May 5, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
yea
8th inning at bats rarely matter. WTF
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on May 5, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Also if their roles are so insignificant
1. why can’t rookies handle it
2. why did we create such 40 man roster madness in order to get that insignificant production.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
by Gina on May 5, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I almost understand GMJ, as the perception is that he can actually play center.
What does Smithtowns own do that The Animal can’t though?
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
He's been to Splish Splash in Riverhead
And knows all the best wineries to visit on the North Fork.
by James Kannengieser on May 5, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven't been to Splish Splash in like 15 years. Jeeze...That's too long.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on May 5, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
In news that will mitigate GMJ suck
Miguel Cairo is starting over Scott Rolen at third today. Thank you Dusty Baker.
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
Holy crap.
I just read about the guy who ran on the field in Philly last night. He’s apparently some wannabe DJ who announced it on his twitter feed ahead of time.
Now THAT’s a dude who should have been tasered.
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions
What a douche
What Would Matt Szczur Do?
by Hoyadestroya85 on May 5, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Just to confirm.
Yep, he’s a douche:
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Is that Ben Roethlisberger?
Perhaps today is a good day to die.
-Klingon proverb
by Thomas Wachtel on May 5, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That's a face
that’s just begging to get tasered.
Jesus wants to be like Ryan Miller when he grows up.
So GMJ can play center but Carter can't . . .
Any chance Frenchy could spell Pagan in center and Carter could spell Frenchy and Bay at right and left?
Yeah, I was thinking that too
I don’t think Frenchy or heck even Bay would be that much worse than Matthews in center. And we’d only be talking about 1 or 2 starts there over the next month or two until, hopefully, Beltran comes back. Until then, let Pagan play every day.
Drop Cats and GMJ
and bring up Carter and Pridie. Pridie can play all three OF positions, Carter can play the corners and first
Thats insane
Pinch-hitting is a specialized job, requiring unique preparation. Younger players are not typically successful coming off the bench, meaning that Carter’s gaudy Triple-A numbers would not necessarily translate to a very limited big league job.
Even assuming it’s true that pinch hitting is different than playing a regular position (and i don’t really see why it should be any different, as it’s just like a DH). No one believes Carter is going to have a SLG over 600 and OPS over 1.000. Just that he will for sure be better than Catalanotto at .182/.356 or GMJ at .184/.417.
by Blame-everyone-else on May 5, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions
Stop making sense.
Its the Jerry and Omar show.
by SFloridaMetsFan on May 5, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
not to mention...
F-Cat and GMJ are incapable of starting, EVER. They are automatic 0-fers.
Who is that quote from, anyway? it’s mind-bogglingly stupid
by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on May 5, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Andy Martino really is dumb
I was optimistic when he got hired, but he’s as bad as anyone covering this team. What a joke.
by Bieser's Balk on May 5, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
That's the beat writers' way
Mix two parts baseless assertion with one part cliche. Sprinkle in a fair amount of condescension. Ready to serve in minutes.
by Bieser's Balk on May 5, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Andy Martino
It was linked to in today’s applesauce
by Blame-everyone-else on May 5, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
haaaaaa
and their veteran savvy preparation has led to Catalanotto at .105/.105/.158/.263 (19 PA) and GMJuicer at a veterantastic .000/.000/.000/.000 (5K in 9 PA) as PH so far this season. I’m not sure how they think Carter would be worse than that.
Hey, come on now
Everyone knows you could do worse than .000/.000/.000/.000 with 5K in 9PA… you could have 6K.
Jesus wants to be like Ryan Miller when he grows up.
How long will it be...
Before we see netting or Plexiglas put up around lower seating? Between foul balls, broken bats, and idiot fans, I’m sensing a giant MLB overreaction.
Exactly why I didnt mind the taser
gotta show people its not acceptable to do that. Someone will get hurt badly trying to get onto the field one day, cant let that happen.
You mean...
like electric fences?
by SFloridaMetsFan on May 5, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Ren and Stimpy reference gets you a rec.
If there's ever a riot at Citi Field and Oliver Perez was the starter, I started the riot.
Not Mets-related, but
From yesterday’s discussion, here’s a new trailer for Machete (some language NSFW).
I am officially looking forward to this movie.
"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on May 5, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions
Holy crap
He has a motorcycle with a Gatling gun. I AM SEEING THAT MOVIE
Perhaps today is a good day to die.
-Klingon proverb
by Thomas Wachtel on May 5, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
How much do you think it would cost
to get a gatling gun custom mounted on my bike? That’s the coolest gun/bike combination since the shotgun in Terminator II (not connected to the bike, but the one handed reload was only necessary b/c of the bike). I want one.
That is even better than the original!
Awesome. I hope I get to see that here in Mexico, it will be muy popular I would imagine.
Who wouldn't take this trade today?
Carter, Pridie, Evans/Hessman and Green called up, and Cora, Matthews, Cat and Tatis DFA’d. I would do backflips if they did this. Has any team ever cut 80% of their bench? We could call it the Mother’s Day Massacre.
Tatis is fine, and those moves don't really leave anyone on the roster that can play SS other than Jose.
Carter and Pridie for GMJ and Cats makes sense, the other two are just lateral moves.
Reyes, Thole, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Martinez, Tejada...
by Stephen Schmidt on May 5, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree about Tatis
I think he’s just about done as a serviceable player, we’ll see. Also, it’s not like Cora plays SS well at all. Doubt Green would be much worse, and he actually hits a bit.
I bet we can find someone on the roster who can play ss as well as Cora,
and even if we lose a little defense in our backup, improved offense may balance. Considering earlier development of defense, who is playing SS or 2b in the minors that is close to ready and who’s development isn’t at risk? Tatis, I would probably hold onto, but cut the rest.
Tejada?
Considering how often Jerry uses Tatis, Ruben would get enough ab’s to make it worthwhile. And he’d be a huge defensive upgrade at 2B/SS over Cora/Tatis.
Jesus wants to be like Ryan Miller when he grows up.
yeah but Jerry would only play Tejada once a month
because he doesn’t know how to use him.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
A younger player who gets thrown into the shadows, hardly ever to be seen?
Why does that sound familiar?
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on May 5, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
so what are average age on the bench is 39 yrs old
Veteran leadership in the clubhouse over talent on the field ANYDAY
Meija's still on the team
I refuse to be ecstatic until that madness ends
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
power rankings is so worthless...
You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.
Is it just me
Or is Verducci basically saying the same thing Bill James did back in 2001 (updated historical baseball abstract)? Well, except in a much more annoying way, and without all of Bill’s helpful ideas on what could realistically be done to curb the trend.
by yellomellojello on May 5, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions
from what I've read
(*note Mr. Verducci this is not a personal opinion on you)
a lot of people seem to claim that he basically took things guys like Bill James and Rick Peterson (typing those names together really makes me want to shout “I’m Rick James bitch”) had been saying for years and put his name on it, and along the way kind of lost some important details of their theories.
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
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