This Week in Mets Quotes: Walker on his return to Pittsburgh, Harvey feeling pretty good

Inspiring stuff.

"Guys have got to start doing some things better. I think they know that." -Terry Collins [Newsday]

More aggressive = acquiring Kelly Johnson a month earlier than last year.

"It’s no secret: We have aspirations of winning the whole thing this year. So we’re not going to sit around and wait. We know what this team is. We know what this team can be. We’re going to give it every chance to get there. I think that’s the difference between this year and last year. As you can see, Sandy has been a little more aggressive right out of the gate here." -John Ricco [New York Post]

Hopefully Kelly Johnson has been saving it for the Mets, as well.

"It was good to celebrate with these guys. I told them I was saving it for them." -James Loney on hitting his 100^th career home run [MLB]

Smell you later, Pittsburgh.

"That was a hard-fought game for us. We had to work hard for everything we got. And then to make it stand up, it was a struggle. We'll take it and get out of here." -Terry Collins [MLB.com]

Also reminds you that you love watching this team sometimes.

"The postgame celebration was pretty loud in here. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. It was just one of those wins that reminds you that you love playing for this team." -Noah Syndergaard [mlb.com]

I’m going to go ahead and assume he was thinking "Ty’d" rather than "tied".

"I was happy to just get a hit in the first place. That was the first thought that went into my head was that I tied it up. It just made it that much more fun." -Ty Kelly on his first career home run [mlb.com]

I knew something was fishy with that error.

"[Pittsburgh] is a place that I have a lot of great memories — a lot of great friendships on the field, off the field, in the community. I bled black and gold for a long, long time. It will still run through my veins for a long, long time. I can’t say enough about the fans and about the city and about the community and about the organization." -Neil Walker [NBC]

What is he running for mayor?

"I don't know if I've ever been around a player who can't wait to get out of town as bad as [Neal Walker.] He can't wait to get out of here. What he had to go through the last three days was a tribute to the kind of guy he is. He didn't miss an autograph. He didn't miss a media session. He didn't miss any ceremonies. He shook hands. He waved. He deserves a good night's rest." –Terry Collins [mlb.com]

Well, at least no one got hurt.

"It was a lot of emotions. But more than anything, we come away from the day with two losses, which is ultimately the worst-case scenario." -Neil Walker [mlb.com]

I had no idea he was statue worthy.

"I just have a ton of respect for Neil. I realize what he means to this city. … I'm sure he'll be a commentator here or they'll have a statue of him. I'm hoping I'm there for the ceremony." -Mark Melancon [mlb.com]

I wouldn’t bet on Campbell having any ‘highs’ left in him.

"That's just a part of baseball. Everyone has some highs and some lows." -Yoenis Cespedes [mlb.com]

Gut Check Time

"Yeah, it was definitely a big one. All the things going on, to win this game is huge for us. We stayed right there. We kept pushing and we got the result." Wilmer Flores [New York Post]

I’ll take ‘pretty good’.

"It’s still two starts; and obviously, the massive struggles that happened before, the only thing you want to think of is not letting that kind of creep back in. Feeling pretty good is definitely a positive." -Matt Harvey [New York Times]

Watching a healthy Juan Lagares play defense is a treat.

"I always think I have a chance. I just go hard and try to make plays." -Juan Lagares [New York Post]

P.J. Conlon takes up the soft tossing/smart guy mantle previously held by McHugh and Bannister.

"If I’m down on the count 2-0, I might throw my two-seam 86 and let him beat it into the ground. He’s looking fastball, so rather than humping up and trying to throw it by him, I’ll dial it down below the hitting speed and let him get himself out." -P.J. Conlon [Fangraphs]

"Will my approach work for me at the highest levels? I can’t really answer that, because I haven’t gotten that opportunity yet. But when the time comes and I get to face more advanced hitters… advanced hitters have an approach up at the plate. There’s something they’re looking for, and if pitchers really pay attention, if they really study the hitters, that can work to their advantage. You figure out how to attack someone." -P.J. Conlon [Fangraphs]

SiteBot FacePalm of the Week

"[Beltran will] be an interesting case. He’s right on the cusp for most of the HOF assessment tools. Except for Black Ink, where he’s not close. Which makes sense. If he gets in, it will be for being very good for a long time, though never truly great, per se, at any point." -afrosupreme

AA Quote of the Week

"Top young sluggers in the NL:

Highest 2016 SLG, age 23 season or younger (min. 5 PAs):
Trevor Story .554
Bryce Harper .525
Corey Seager .524
Noah Syndergaard. 500
Michael Conforto .475" -birtelcom