..getting paid to watch

A new beginning ....

2006-05-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

and a new home for me. I'm being hosted now by Joe McDonald of NYSportsDay . My new location is still ....getting paid to watch.

Sooner, rather than later

2006-05-13T07:50:00.001-07:00

David Cone had just made his impressive spring debut in 1987 the day before when Doc Gooden went to rehab for the first time. He would be gone until June, and by that time, Cone, Sid Fernandez and Bobby Ojeda had been lost for a significant periods of time. Although a furious surge would take place in the dwindling days of September, a chance to repeat as World Champions was lost before June when the rotation was in shambles.
To be blunt, it takes much from an everyday line-up when a rotation isn't consistently keeping the team in the game. The frequency of early leads and first inning scoring will lessen. Late inning comebacks will become increasingly rare. A pendulum shift of momentum occurs.
So with a lead that once was felt would only grow, two injuries in a rotation prompted a shrinking to two games. Jose Lima's start last Sunday-a loss-was followed by another loss in Philadelphia. That was a Pedro Martinez start. Today journeyman Jeremi Gonzalez goes against a greatly improved Milwaukee Brewers team. Fortunately he will be faced by Dana Eveland who's making his first appearance of the season. He was unremarkable in 27 games last season with an ERA just under 6.00. This game has the makings of lots of scoring in the first half and a bullpen duel during the final four innings. The current configuration of the staff promises more games as this, and the bullpen won't be able to sustain its early season excellence. This is characteristic of a club which plays below .500. So don't expect the Mets to take this path for long.
Its unlikely Lima will get many more shots and his lack of success doesn't figure to allow Gonzalez a long leash either. As the price for a starter of significance such as Livan Hernandez is currently prohibitive, a meeting that will be held soon to determine a course of action. If the powers that be decide its too soon for Mike Pelfrey or Alay Soler, then the only course of action left is for Aaron Heilman to return to the rotation. And sooner, rather than later.

Sooner, rather than later

2006-05-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing ever goes as planned.....

2006-05-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

..does it?
When Victor Zambrano sprinted off the mound yesterday, I sort of knew it was his elbow. A torn tendon or ligament is quite obvious to the one who has just suffered from it. And the torn tendon will sideline Victor Zambrano until the 2007 is well underway was already partially torn this season and Zambrano was pitching with it. The age old expression that a player's particular injury is "barking" has endured several generations it seems. And Zambrano's elbow had been barking for sometime, with only a chosen few in the Mets' clubhouse knowing.
These kind of things have happened for many, many years. A player wants to compete badly and even pain or the danger of career threatening circumstances will get in the way of this drive. Teammates know this need to compete and will protect the secret while providing a knowing broker to confide in. Any person who would blow the whistle on such pain-trainers, coaches alike-are kept out of the loop of the secret.
So what's done is done and here we are, with two of the five starters who left Florida now sidelined. Today the Mets send Jose Lima to the mound, a clear sentimental choice from many corners. His competitive nature and clubhouse presence will be extremely useful intangibles on this club which is playing very well. And they will play well behind him. This will be his 232nd major league start. Expect to see more of them in a Mets uniform.
There are four formative months before September comes around. Leads of 5 games over Philadelphia and 9 over Atlanta are extremely helpful here at the end of the first week of May. But with the Mets having to go into the second string of starters now in the back end of the rotation, the dominace may begin to subside somewhat. And the starting staff will have to swim on its own for awhile. A trade is always a possibility, but the price now is way, way too high to obtain a quality big league starter. It will get smaller as the deadline approaches. For the time being solutions will have to come from within.

Sophomoric and snide......

2006-05-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

.....is much of the second day coverage by the print media of the Jets draft this weekend. Aside from a rather and balanced take by Newsday, Ken Berger, the collective assessments were two thumbs down. Sadly, Berger's story was sabotaged by the misleading headline on the online addition, "Solid draft, but no QB." when two actually were picked.
Gary Myers and Rich Cimini continued their assault on the Jets weekend work. Myers revelations of the Jets furious attempt to get the Lions ninth pick to get Matt Leinart only seemed to embolden his critisism:

Even so, passing on Leinart at No. 4 was a mistake. They could have rectified that by making the trade with Detroit. If the Jets had been able to squeeze the Falcons for their own No. 1 pick (15th) in the Abraham trade - they didn't get enough for him - they would have had enough ammunition to pull off the trade with Detroit. Ironically, the Broncos, who wound up with that Atlanta pick in the three-way Abraham deal, moved up from that spot to the Rams' No. 11 spot and took Cutler. The price: a third-round pick, No. 68.
Mike Tannenbaum confirmed the Jest effort this morning on Mike an Mike of ESPN. Myers later plays the history card and closes with this:

Fifteen years ago, the Jets desperately tried to trade up for Brett Favre. They couldn't get a deal done and Favre went one spot ahead of them to the Falcons. The Jets took Browning Nagle. If Leinart becomes an All-Pro, the Jets will regret passing on him and then not paying enough when they had a second chance.
Tannenbaum explained with a simple word the philosophy in taking two lineman in the first round. It was the word, "infrastructure." and its use speaks volumes to the manner in which Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini look upon the task which they are charged with on Long Island.
The Daily News headline which accompanies the Cimini column, "Jets Doing it Bills Way," sets up this take:

They went heavy on intangibles, stressing leadership, work ethic, all those goodies. To remind his scouts of the mantra, Mangini posted a sign in the draft room that lists the characteristics he wants in his players. They've attacked free agency with the same philosophy, signing mostly overachieving role players.
Why such an emphasis on character?
Why such an emphasis on character? A veteran football observer as Cimini should know better than to emphasize something so simplistic. But he continues:

The Jets' 10-player draft class includes former college captains and academic all-Americas. Of course, this isn't a training ground for the Future Business Leaders of America; it's a football team. Talent wins.
Yes, indeed. Yet this assumes much. In quarterbacks, Brad Smith and Kellen Clemens, the Jets clearly drafted players with talent and players who have proved they win. Leon Washington, the running back from Florida State has had big games against big-time competition. Nevermind that you definitely never want a lockeroom void of leadership. Teams in all sports always are looking to add players of character and shun players without it. Note how the Mets leaped at the chance to get Paul LoDuca, and how no teams drafted Marcus Vick.
Both Myers and Cimini have now signaled they will be looking to criticize the Jets in seasons to come when opportunity presents itself after any subpar game at quarterback or when Curtis Martin shows signs of being over 30.
Just maybe among the four quarterbacks in camp one can emerge as one who delivers play-off games on the road in a hostile environment. And just maybe D'Brickashaw Ferguson protects the blindside of Jet quarterbacks all by himself while allowing them to run left again.
Other Observations:It really encouraging that Chad Pennigton has been throwing since March 1st. This indicates whatever soft tissue was damaged has indeed healed........It appears the Jets discovered Ohio State linebacker, Anthony Shlegel when they were scouting eventual 5th pick, AJ Hawk........From Berger's story today comes the tidbit that the Jets had Clemens arm strength ranked second only to Jay Cutler's but ahead of both Vince Young and Leinart.

Ron Darling

2006-05-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

Ron Darling quickly scribbled his cell phone number on my note pad for me after we visited for awhile in the Legends Field dugout in late March. Like the rest of the old Mets I encountered, I was taken by the sense of calm and content they all conveyed. I shared this with Darling and he painted a picture un like any I'd heard before. During the mid-to-late 1980's, Darling described a metaphorical perfect storm that was fostered between the team, the city, the attitude and expectations collided at once. Like many of them, Darling found himself feeding off it. Only after periods of reflection could one come to such conclusions, and have such self deprecating humor. Ronnie's frequent observations about his own struggles at Shea are instructive for fans. Last night SNY broadcast was one of them. When Pirate starter Paul Malholm loaded the bases in the thirds, Darling said he was having a flashback to 1984 and 1985. Flashback was a favorite Darling expression I remember well and the manner in which he explained Malholm's predicament with his own career was refreshing and enlightening. Maybe a star is born yet again.

Two of three, but some cause for concern....

2006-05-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

...and primarily in the rotation.
As the Mets lead going into May is still one of significant comfort in six games over the Braves and Phillies, its time to take some stock in the starting rotation.
With the passing of months during the season, more comparisons will be made with the 1986 club. Two first ballot Hall of Famers are at the top this season's Mets in Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine. Not much to compare here although Doc Gooden was dominate at the time. But it is in who follows where there is great water to navigate.
After Gooden, any of the four remainder of Ron Darling, Rick Aguilera, Sid Fernandez and Bobby Ojeda could be relied upon to deliver a quality start. It was by all measures the best staff in the game, and might well have been over as many as five seasons. Gary Carter pointed out to me last month that had today's play-off system been in place, the Mets probably have been in post season play every year from 1985 through 1990. The starting staff of the time which later included the likes of David Cone and Frank Viola, both Cy Young winners albeit with other teams.
Yesterday's bad day for Steve Trachsel at Turner Field should come as no surprise to anyone. He's now a collective 3-10 in Atlanta over his 12 year career and is now 1-4 against the NL East since his return late last season from back surgery. He's had only three winning seasons. Trachsel is an innings eater and best suited on this club as a fourth or fifth starter.
With tonight's start by Victor Zambrano ominous and tomorrow's John Maine debut not much more than that, one can assume Omar Minaya must note the same. This team is built and invested to win now, and I believe Minaya won't let his cellphone go unused.
Look first toward the struggling. The Minnesota Twins come first to mind. Terry Ryan and Joe McIlavaine know the Mets well and have been trading partners in the past. Johan Santana has struggled, but might be had. But Ryan and Joe Mac wont go for a care package of four of five.
The 1989 deal which brought Frank Viola to Shea, McIlvaine parted with Rick Aguilera, David West and Kevin Tapini. Aguilera was already an established pitcher and had proved effectiveness as a starter and reliever. West was a jewell among prospects. Tapani was felt to be rotation ready and ended up being just that. Tim Drummond, a pitcher was also included in the deal.
McIlvaine balked at the inclusion of outfielder Mark Carreon, but Andy McPhail knew that he had to have a fifth player from a public relations stand-point. So from his St. Louis motel room McIlvaine proposed a player-to-be-named later and McPhail agreed. The trade was consummated before the July 31st deadline and Viola started the next night at Busch Stadium.
Unless scouts indicate there's something terribly irreplably flawed in Santana, or he's not healthy, look for Ryan to shop him. In a smaller market this is the manner in which the twice world champion Twins have done business over the last 20 years. With White Sox, Indians and now the Tigers all playing well in their division assume the extremely wise and pragmatic McIlavine and Ryan to be having quiet conversations in dugouts, in the stands on their cell phones sooner rather than later.
And when August come around the best case scenario for the Mest will be a rotation of Martinez, Glavine, Mike Pelfrey, Steven Trachsel and someone very, very good who's not yet a Met.

Inside that umpire thing yesterday in the Bronx

2006-05-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

When the normally recalcitrant Mike Mussina became verbally engaged with rookie umpire,Adam Dowdy yesterday while leaving the field after the top of the fifth, Joe Torre knew he had to take action. In danger of losing his starter who was dealing at that point, he quickly sought to change the attention from the beleaguered umpire to himself. Another example of a manager protecting his player, Torre did what he is paid to do. Quickly gesturing by showing three fingers was all it took to get Mussina out of the fray and keep him in the game.
Toronto manager, John Gibbons, made certain no undue advantage would be had when he was tossed for arguing after Alex Rodriguez was walked to put the Yankees ahead in the next half.
Torre and Gibbons are similar in demeanor, and have to go outside themselves somewhat to get tossed from a ballgame. Neither of them use foul language much at all. Both demonstrated yesterday savvy in-game judgment.

Writers versus Tannenbaum/Mangini

2006-04-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that the only people upset about the Jets not getting Reggie Bush are scribes like Steve Serby and Gary Myers. Myers also ripped the Jets for not taking Matt Leinart.
History hardened Jets fans cheered at D'Brickashaw Ferguson's selection. One Jet fan actually pointed at his head to indicate smart choice. Most of ESPN's analyst seemed to understand what Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini were doing, not only accenting the positives, but realizing that the Saints price was beyond what anyone could pay. The second pick of Ohio State center, Nick Mangold signaled the Jets know there are no quick fixes and are indeed building for the future. With a shut-down left tackle and a center perhaps now representing cornerstones of an offensive line that plays in cold weather, essentials could be in place for a decade.
In Oregon's Kellen Clemens the Jets have their quarterback of the future. Although in Rich Cimini's assessment indicates questionable arm strength, ESPN's Ron Jaworski emphatically endorsed the pick and showed tape of the kind of high quality throw Clemen's will be making in the NFL.
It seems that Woody Johnson hired two sober, sharp football guys to run his football team. And they don't read the newspaper.

One down.....

2006-04-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Readers must notice my frequent utilization of ................Its even in my blog title. I often ask myself why is this so. But I know its intended to add emphasis and drama to the obvious. And the obvious for the Mets and their fans is that even in a series that is not even a month old, a sweep is something that's needed badly to rid themselves of the demons the past.
Last night was a beginning and hope is enhanced knowing that John Thompson and Kyle Davies will be taking the mound for the Braves these next two games at Turner Field. So with the Chipper Jones home run in the sixth which made it a one run game being answered in dramatic fashion by the Carlos Delgado sac fly and David Wright homerun in the ninth, a message was made clear. These Mets won't be wilting in the shadows on the Jones boys in Turner Field and will bring it for a full nine innings.
Willie Randolph may been entertaining thoughts of removing Pedro Martinez after facing both Jones' in the sixth, but the Chipper Jones two-run homer which made it 3-2 changed everything. Martinez answered quickly by striking out Andrew Jones to stem the fresh wound. Then he went on to quiet the Brave bats in the seventh enabling Randolph to put the ball in the hands of his most reliable relievers in Duaner Sanchez and Billy Wagner.
Before Sanchez' easy eighth, Jose Reyes probably went out to short thinking about bunting to lead off the ninth to get his team another run. With Reyes' speed, any ball that is an effort for a pitcher to reach is a hit. Paul LoDuca's unselfish team play continued with a quality bunt to get Reyes to third after his stolen base for Delgado. Delgado delivered his 68th career sacrifice fly in front of Wright's second homerun of the game.
This remarkable performance by the top half of the line-up in the ninth on the road shows focus on winning beforehand and proverbial killer instinct. Done once during the course of a season, it becomes easier and easier to duplicate as it draws on.

All the elements of foreshadowing.....

2006-04-28T03:36:00.000-07:00

...are in place for the beginning of tonight's last three days of April in Atlanta. The numerous comparisons to the 1986 Mets are understandable in an anniversary year that's being celebrated and in this writer's points of reference. With hopes and expectations high, both teams had its own kryptonite in an adversary. For the Mets of 1986, they needed to prove they could both beat and dominate the Cardinals after the bitter 1985 campaign. For these Mets its much more painful, with an almost decade of futility behind them.
My friend, Adam Rubin runs the numbers today in his column in the NY Daily News.. A bitter pill loss to the Braves in six games in the 1999 playoffs and a good run to the World Series in 2000 for a loss to the Yankees never has filled the void. The Mets have been a franchise of immeasurable uniqueness with its two championships so endlessly romanticized. Seemingly, this current team, like the 1986 bunch, needs to exorcise its demons.
A wounded and mediocre Braves team arrived at Shea Stadium last week, but left with 2 of three games. Not again. And with the Mets not winning a series in Atlanta since 1997, the numbers aren't, well, encouraging. In 1986, the Cardinals beat the Mets in a bad opening day loss. But the two days of rain which followed somehow soothed and healed before winning five straight and moving on to St. Louis to sweep 4 in dominant form. For these Mets, maybe its a trip to California and a nice day off that will erase the very large monkey on their backs.
Even so, this team's demon is indeed the Braves. And beating them somehow seems a step that needs to be taken before they can move on.

Political Correctness has reached the dugout

2006-04-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

During the 1970's, it became common for female reporters to have access to baseball's clubhouses. It took a court order, but it happened and quite frankly, we all got used to changing in front of our lockers and walking to the shower while there were women present. So at some point baseball was bound to take the next step.
When Mike Piazza homered Saturday night, I'm sure there was more than one person who was surprised to see a female face in the Padres dugout. Count Keith Hernandez among them. His comments and what happened afterwards are covered in Bob Raissman's piece this morning in the NY Daily News.
After I left baseball I had the priveledge of working with students from the University of South Carolina Athletic Training Department. Half were female. So in that number I knew eventually women would find thier way into the highest levels of professional sports. It's here.
Kelly Calabrese is a Certified Massage Therapist and is considered part of the Padres medical staff. Acceptance of her or another professional like her is not actually formal, but is accepteSo d practice. Its true that MLB rules allow for only a head and assistant trainer to be in the dugout during the game. But for some time nowclubs have had strength coaches and physical therapists and they have been in the dugout, too. This argument that she shouldn't be there base on this unenforced rule doesn't apply.
At any rate, Keith Hernandez made his comments in a manner which some may have found offensive, he was called on the carpet and subsequenly apologized. I feel that I know Hernandez well, and feel his comments were based on the fact he indeed has respect for women. A baseball dugout is a harsh place with rough language and men say things and do things that in my opinion can never change. I believe Hernandez is indeed a gentleman and doesn't feel women should be exposed to this. I agree and feel that here is a place where baseball cannot be feminized.
Having said this, from here on as women are clearly going to be part of clubs, they are going to have to accept the natural male competitive nature of the game. And they must realize they cannot and should not attempt to change it.
Kelly Calabrese did not react well in her indignation, making it a gender issue in the manner she chose. She's not off to a good start. And neither are the rest of us.

Thats So random for April 27th

2006-04-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

Toby Hyde is doing yeoman's work over at Mets Minor League Report . His site is truly your one-stop shopping for day-to-day action in the Mets minor league system. Hyde's spot is part of an inovative idea by Matt Cerrone of Metsblog to host blogs on his site. He indicates which bloggers have recently updated and its easy to join. Matt's going pro and this appears to be a great idea. Make sure you keep Metsblog on your favorites and go there daily............Brian Bannister's injury does not look good and I expect him to be placed on the DL...........I predict that if the Mets decide to place Carlos Beltran on the DL, Randolph and Minaya will summon Lastings Milledge. These two aren't afraid to make moves like these and shouldn't be. Milledge is an immediate impact player, and can provide offense right away. Its rare that this type player is available in your system, and his addition will be like acquiring another bat for free during the season.......The Mets bullpen won that game yesterday, the Wagner homerun to Bonds notwithstanding. I still don't like not using Paul Lo Duca when he's not starting..............Veteran outfielder Michael Tucker wasn't signed just to play in the minors. I'd wondered if the Mets were interested in Lenny Harris. With Jose Valentin continuing to struggle, look for Tucker's name to start being mentioned sooner rather than later. Its imperitive with fewer bench players that a left-handed bat be on the bench that can hit the ball out of the ballpark.

Unwarrated Perception

2006-04-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Two separate realities exist now regarding Carlos Beltran. One, in which are backed up by numbers, is of a player who's demonstrated his resilience and toughness as an everyday player. The other is one in which exists through the fog of talk radio and tabloid snide innuendo. Joel Sherman's story today about Johnny Damon notes the contrasts in perceptions about the two ceneterfielders in New York.

Parole was rescinded over the past week when Beltran hurt his hamstring, found the bench, and the Mets began losing. This quiet, introspective player again is imprisoned by a five-borough debate about his toughness, mental and physical.

I feel as if I'm in the minority of bloggers here, as most colleagues seem to feel that Beltran simply isn't getting it done. Perhaps this is a product of salaries in a historical perspective. Maybe its limited to bad clubs. George Foster and Bobby Bonilla come to mind. Recall Cliff Floyd's relationship during his early tenure. Time will tell with Beltran as both hopes and indications are that this current club is doing well.
Some members of the media have indeed come to Beltran's defense. Most notably broadcaster, Gary Cohen and New York Daily News' Adam Rubin as both sighted Beltran playing with a painful quad injury last season. Cohen brings considerable legitimacy as he's never shied away from criticism for anything Mets. As part of the pajama media, I add myself to this list.
Now to simply make my point. In Beltran's seven year major league career, he's been on the disabled list just twice-in 2000 for a knee injury and again at the beginning of 2003 for an abdominal strain. He never went on the DL last season, either for the quad which hampered him all year of after the still disturbing collision with Mike Cameron. He's averaged If the two month stint for the knee injury is thrown out from 2000, Beltran has averaged better than 155 games perseason. This number alone provides much argument.
In this space here over the weekend, I attempted to detail the reasons why Beltran's current hamstring troubles are nothing to scoff at. Keeping the nature of the injury in mind, Beltran's absence from the line-up has been prudent. Clearly when he attempted to play this past weekend in San Diego, indications were that he wasn't ready. He may have actually aggravated the injury which would explain both the Mets caution and his absence from the line-up.

Twenty years ago tonight.....

2006-04-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

...the Mets went to sleep in the Marriott Motel directly next to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. It was an off day, having flown to St. Louis after a 7-1 win over the Pirates in New York. We'd won 5 in a row after a troublesome start of 2-3, including a bad loss to the Cardinals on Opening Day at Shea. A ball had gotten by Howard Johnson in the 13th. The five wins were healing, but a four game series with a Cardinals team that we'd not yet proven we could beat with any consistency awaited. The winning streak had brought us even at 7-3.
Perhaps other teams were already taking offense to the swagger and were becoming weary at the domination. After taking a five 5-0 lead in the fifth on Tuesday night, Pirate pitcher, Bob Walk knocked down Kevin Mitchell. Bobby Ojeda was making his first start and badly wanted to retaliate. Davey said no. Not now. Maybe another time. Davey always seemed to say no, but never got in the way of letting the staff police as they saw fit.
The winning streak notwithstanding, memories of the 1985 struggle with the Cardinals was in everyone's mind as sleep came restlessly the night before a series that would eventually be the signature of one of baseball's most famous teams.

On Hamstrings, History, and Real Concerns

2006-04-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

We had just removed Vince Coleman from a game at Shea during the summer of 1991 and I came over to speak with our manager, Buddy Harrelson. Coleman had just injured his hamstring running out a ball to first.
Buddy asked, "is it day-to-day?"
I replied, "there's no such thing as a day-to-day hamstring."
Met training staffs have long dealt with hamstring injuries. Steve Garland and I witnessed Keith Hernandez' and Ron Gardenhire's problems along with Coleman's during the late 1980's. Scott Laurenson seems to have been the fall guy for Jose Reyes troubles a few years ago. It should be interesting to note that both Hernandez and Gardenhire later had back surgery. This shows just some of the potential complications that accompany hamstring tears for athletes well beyond the isolated leg issue, and are among the many things that are going through everyone's minds with respect to Carlos Beltran's current injury.
One must first be advised about semantics. In laymen's terms, we refer to "muscle pulls" as "strains". Strains are essentially a tearing of muscle tissue. So for the sake of discussion here, I will refer to hamstring injuries as "tears".
We essentially sit on the origin of our hamstrings, a group of three muscles which serve to flex the lower leg(kick backwsrds) and extend the thigh. They are attached to both side of our lower leg just below the knee. One small origin is on the thigh. This bone we sit in is called the ischial tuberosity. Its part of your pelvis and thus closely related to your lower back. Tight hamstrings pull the pelvis downward and can create complications for your back.
Conversely back problems can cause hamstring disorders. Consider the position baseball players take in the field between pitches. This odd, hunched over posture, often with their hands on their knees puts undue stress on your back much like sitting at a desk or driving for long periods of time. There is a good reason why your mother always told you to sit up straight. As this position is taken frequently during a players career, it may explain why someone as young as Anderson Hernandez already has a bulging disk.
Thus often a lower back goes along with the hamstring when considering plans of care and histories. Also, the tear needs time to heal. Keith Hernandez hamstring had a big "S" palpable scar in it after his re-injury. And this is where there is cause for caution as an aggravation or reinjury of an already existing hamstring tear can be devastating. Time frames for return can take two months and even longer. Unlike the quadriceps group on the front of the thigh, one cannot play with a hamstring pull. Beltran played with a bad quad all last season, but this is different. A hamstring injury is painful just to stand on.
So along with knowing these dangers, Beltran's recent MRI which indicated inflammation and an old scar doesn't throw caution to the wind. You can be assured the medical staff of the Mets realize all of these things and more. Certainly Beltran does as well.
I must take my old friend, Steve Phillips, to task after he said on ESPNs Baseball Tonight that Beltran's reluctance to play was motivated by not wanting to play hurt again this year and feel the heat from Mets fans. He should know enough to know he cannot possibly know the whole story. He's not there and not part of the staff who's advising all parties concerned. An MRI can't serve as the end all here.
Keith Hernandez lay prone on the training room table in the old Wrigley Field clubhouse in 1988 when the late team physician of the Cubs, Stan London, poked and probed at his hamstring. Mex had gone down two steps after leaving the batter's box as if a sniper had gotten him the day before. He'd injured it slightly in St. Louis at the beginning of the season. London confirmed the severity.
Hernandez looked up at Steve Garland and me and said, "this one's going to be a long one."
Scenes as this aren't what the Mets want repeated.

Where's Mex?!

2006-04-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

Ryan McConnell raised the question about the absense of Keith Hernandez from the booth on SNY telecasts. When I met with Keith this spring he told me he didn't want to do a whole season and they agreed on 100 games. Ron Darling is to do the rest. Recently remarried, I imagine that this was a weekend that he wasn't scheduled to work. Although I am unable to get all Mets broadcasts- yesterday I received the Brewer's feed on my Cox Cable baseball package- I've seen both Darling and Hernandez work. Obviously having a personal relationship with them both leaves me a bit prejudiced, but I fell their both very, very good. Both of them convey insights about the game much the same as they did when they played. I particularly liked Darlings advise to Jorge Julio saturday of , "Never let them see you hang your head." This was a particular mantra among Met starters of his day. David Cone often yelled at opposing pitchers from the dugout to, "throw it and hang your head!"

Pedro's Greatness as told by The Mex

2006-04-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

"When he missed, he missed in," were the words Keith Hernandez spoke in 1989 one evening in Dodger Stadium when observing Frank Viola's mastery in the dugout between innings.
He spoke with the same and more reverance tonight for Pedro Martinez tonight about his outing in San Diego. Hernadez continues to offer the same commentary for you in the same way he spoke in the dugout when he was a Met. I told him as much this spring and hope he continues to. His insightfulness goes well beyong what most analysts are capable of.
And with the good finish by Jorge Julio tonight to seal a 7-1 win, another dominating start by Martinez continues to make Omar Minaya awfully, awfully good.
There are no words at all to describe how it feels to make this team my own once again after a decade of giving up this wonderful game all together.

Oh, Boy...here we go

2006-04-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

And aren't we all shocked to find out there was drinking going on at a party for 3rd base coach Manny Acta? And its Jorge Julio's upside down Margarita which gets all the press. Nevermind that Julio's last three outings have been very, very good. Not with visions of Julio's poor outing which contributed to one of the Mets' five losses still dancing in everyone's heads.
And of course the inevitable comparison to the 1986 club comes to mind. Um, didn't they win 108 games? And then another 8 to win the World Series. I don't recall witnessing any recreational shots which required and accompanying stupid human trick along with it, but I'd be shocked if one or two-maybe-had not taken place. This writer admittedly recalls some similar behavior of himself in the past.
I'm going to have a hard time getting all worked up about these revelations. Omar Minaya's reported indignation notwithstanding. Fortunately the piece included Jay Horwitz denial of Minaya's aforementioned indignation.
Can anyone really blame Julio for letting his hair down a bit with all the crap he's gone through of late. Maybe the, ahem, blow-out, allowed him to loosen up the old sphincter enough to find his release point again.
During WWII, British Bomber Command used to ply crews with rum during debriefing sessions after hazardous bombing runs. Outings as described in this Rush and Malloy bit are common place in baseball, have been for some time and will be for a long time to come. Its one way in which camaraderie is established and maintained for a grind like no other. There's certainly no comparison to combat, and I for one give thanks for men as milblogger, Mudville Gazette states, "Good people sleep peacably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." In off duty hours I'm sure many of you have witnessed groups of soldiers and sailors enjoying evening as these.
Drinking to excess on a regular basis is clealy not somthing one would ever want as part of their life. I can personally attest to this. But good men can get together for an evening and be bad boys.

Hit Tip: Ryan McConnell

Losing something of its magic

2006-04-20T03:49:00.000-07:00

The topic for the day was "Reproduction and Development in Vertebrates" in my freshmen Biology classes yesterday. I kept ESPN's Gamecast minimized on my computer so I could sneak a peek from time-to-time between lecture and class management. As the game progressed I realized an old fashioned NL pitching duel was underway at Shea Stadium between two of baseball's best.
There wouldn't be many relivers. (There weren't-only Aaron Heilman for a perfect ninth....and more on that later)
It wouldn't take long. (It didn't: 1:59).
It would be decided by all the best guys on the field. (It was-Tim Hudson, Andruw Jones and Tom Glavine)
It was the way we used to be.
But having said all of this, in losing two out of three to the Braves, this years Mets lost a little bit of its magic before heading for the west coast. A healthy team would find favorable conditions in the large new confines in San Diego. But alas, this is not what awaits them.
Its not often that three everyday players suddenly find themselves hurting and on the bench. These things are unpredictable and can leap upon a mannager. Its why the roster is 25 players. But over the last ten years make-up of rosters have changed in a significant fashion. During the 1980's it was common to carry ten pitchers, even nine. That practice has changed to 11 to 12, leaving significantly fewer players on the bench. Hence situations that persented itself to Willie Randolph this week. Aside from Paul LoDuca, the only available healthy player on the bench was Julio Franco. Thus only one time at bat for a pinch hitter when under more healthy or another roster structure more ways to get this game would have been available.
For example, with a staff of ten pitchers, Randolph would most ceratinly have had another left handed bat on the bench and also the opportunity to hit for Endy Chavez as well late in the game. If Victor Diaz had still been here instead of the luxury of two lefthanders in the bullpen, he would have been in left and Jose Valentine's veteran bat would have been available. If a third catcher had been available, he could have used the exteremly valuable Paul LoDuca at some point.
Teams have changed to desiring the luxury of extra pitching to the hinderance of their bench. Witness yesterday Willie Randolph's Mets.

Duaner Sanchez ......

2006-04-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

...is clearly filthy as he was described by David Wright. His strike-out of Brian Giles to end the seventh was huge. And didn't you love the way he leapt off the mound? Randolph's used his pitchers well. Martinex got the first two of the last nine outs. Sanchex got the third and can get the next three, including Andrew Jones. Billy Wagner can have the last three in the ninth.

In game blogging...

2006-04-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

I'm limited to the ESPN feed tonight with two old National Leaguers, Rick Sutcliffe and Eric Karros doing the color. Early speculation had been that Randolph would take out Martinez for a pinch hitter, but left him in to pitch another inning. With a one-run lead he was left in to face the bottom of the line-up.
Sutcliffe noted that Martinez had given up hits on the first pitch after giving one up to Pete Orr. Clearly an adjustment was made by the Braves via their coaches.
And how about that response by Pedro on his way out by turning around to acknowledge the fans?!

Taken to the woodshed

2006-04-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here's something the blogosphere adds to talking about baseball. Two anonymous fans took me to the woodshed for my bloviations about Jorge Julio, fans, the press, and the Bensons. Fair enough. You supported your positions with sense. Good job readers. And thanks. I feel that Minaya made the best trade he could at the time. Perhaps it had been on his agenda to do so. If either Julio or John Maine proves to be serviceable here or with someone else, we'll have to re-assess again. Only time will tell.

Finding Jorge Julio...

2006-04-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

Did anyone bother to notice that Kris Benson was beaten yesterday by the Angels? No? Oh, thats right....having too much fun giving Julio the what for at the games this weekend. And you writers were having too fun banging out that same old crap criticizing Omar Minya for the trade in the first place. Lets not let practicalities get in the way of New York negatives.
Shea Stadium has never been kind to relievers. And although I'm not on the side of the fans in this, I know there's no way I can change it. But I think Bill Schroeder from the Brewers' called it as it is. Its hazing. You want to see them do better and will quickly jump on the bandwagon. Perhaps Jorge Julio will find himself. I for one really believe it was worth it.
No writer has really indicated just how much of a problem that Anna Benson had become. No one will go on record. Her public statements most ceratinly caused problems in the clubhouse and nevermind the wives room. Recall her statement about getting revenge on her husband for cheating on her by servicing everyone in the team photo. Nice. Classy. That went over well in the wives room I'm sure. And guys, I'll bet you got an earful on the ride home after the game.
This couldn't go on. Anna would have found a way to diflect attention to herself somehow during this great start by now.
Move on, folks. We'll find Jorge somewhere down to road.

Witnessing History: Hank Aaron's 715th Homerun

2006-04-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

In my son's bedroom a large poster of Hank Aaron's 715th homerun still is up. The large photo was taken from the camera box next to the first base dugout at the now torn down Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium right after Aaron hit the ball. You see Dodger infielder's Ron Cey and Bill Russell looking up at the ball as it passes above them. A panoramic view of the full stadium is represented beyond. Two ticket stubs are placed over the seats at field level down the leftfield line. I was there. And with my father.
I usually remember the anniversary of April 8. Now 32 years ago, I still recall it vividly.
In my own personal journey of writing about baseball I have some attempts at creative writing. Maybe its prose. Maybe its just lonely drivel. But hearing from many of you, I've realized how baseball is so personal to us. So I think you'll understand me wanting to share this little brief bit about the event and what it meant to my father and I.
Thanks for reading it.

Father sat on his left. The
innocent boy's image was of the
coliseum and cheering masses. The
dark,
cool April sky was the theatre
ceiling. Four balls went well
away from the
great man. Discontented, the
masses howled and
implied
mockery. A wait for nextxt time.

An
offer
skipped through sandy dirt and was quickly tossed back.
Fifty-thousand
rained indignation at the obvious slight. Yet during the
masked man soft toss
back was a warming felt by the boy. A
knowing

The great man swished a bat back and
forth. A head
cocked. A
blink. A stoppage in time
revealed a ball sailing on a fateful
flight for the great man. His seven, one
and five. A moment shared. A
father and
son,a knowing smile, forever
love, never to be broken by
neither death or
the end of time.