Frankie C from Long Island

no, thats not a new caller to Mike Francesa, it's our new utility, spring training invite, Frank Catalanotto. The Long Island product barely got into games last year with the Brewers and is on the down side of his career (he's 35), but supposedly a good clubhouse guy and hitting coach. Looks like the Mets will be a-ok if Alex Cora gets hurt; we got his clone.

C M Wang

Some fans on another site want the Mets to sign C M Wang, and says he could potentially be the #2 starter the Mets need.

When has Wang shown that he is capable of being a #2 starter? If you ignore his win totals (as a result of a very, very good Yankee offense, not a direct measure of his performance), and his pitching stats do not look like a #2 starter. He doesn’t miss bats and pitches to the defense, has only made 24 starts in the past 2 years combined, and only broke 200 innings once in his career (another year he was 199).

His FIP (fielding independent pitching ERA)                          
2006 3.91,                                                                              
2007 3.79,                                                                           
2008 3.74 (15 starts)                                                         
2009 5.38 (9 starts)                                                             
Career 3.99                                                                                            

Compare that to a true #2 starter, Ben Sheets
2006 2.43
2007 4.11
2008 3.38  
Career 3.56

Erik Bedard Career FIP 3.66, with only 1 of the past 5 years above 3.60

J Vasquez (just as a comparison)
2006 3.86
2007 3.80
2008 3.74
2009 2.77


I do advocate taking a chance on signing Wang, but to think he would be our #2 is a stretch (Javy will be the Yankees #4 starter). I wouldn't mind Wang as a #4/5, but don't expect him to be a huge contributor, but more as an insurance policy if Ollie or Big Pelf or Maine get hurt/sh*t the bed.

Another baseball standing projection

I know it's the end of January and projected standings mean nothing, but since I posted Baseball Prospectus standings earlier in the week, I figured I would post the other projection system that is available right now. He gives his methodology and how he played the season 1000 times etc.
http://rlyw.blogspot.com/2010/01/extremely-early-2010-mlb-projected.html

He has the Mets at 82 wins, which is a lot more realistic than the 78 Baseball Prospectus currently has the Mets at, and just 2 games off my projection of 84-86 wins with the current Mets roster.


Hopefully we are all wrong and the Mets will magically jump up to the 90 win mark some how (anyone have the smoke and mirrors that worked for the '86 Mets, or the PEDs that worked for the 2000 Mets)?

Friday Recap in the world of the Mets

so we sign Josh Fogg to a minor league deal; nothing to write home about. He doesn't miss many bats, but was effective vs righties last year, as they hit under the mendoza line vs him. Whether that was just a product of good defense or not we shall see.

The other report is the Mets are pursuing Long Island product Frank Catalanotto. He is another veteran that won't add much talent, but is supposedly a like-able guy, so why not give him the Alex Cora deal of 2 million dollars just to shut up and not create problems...that is what good gm's do, right?


Less than 3 weeks away from Spring Training, and the Mets 2nd biggest move this off-season, after winning 72 games last year, was trading for a guy who would've been released during spring training (Gary Matthews).

Happy weekend.

Cross another potential spring training invite off the list

Timo Perez signed a minor league deal with the Los Angelos Dodgers. Although he was/is a fan favorite, will he ever be forgiven for not scoring in game 1 of the World Series?

Baseball Prospectus Projected Standings

Yesterday Baseball Prospectus released their preliminary projected baseball standings, and there was a collection groan/"oh ----" heard coming from the NY area. The Mets were projected for 77 wins, just one win better than the last place Marlins.

I had been saying this was an 84-86 win team with it's current players, so maybe I'm a little bit optimistic, although the readers would definitely disagree with that.

These standings do change on almost a daily basis as spring training is underway, as it becomes clear the different platoons/playing time battles are settled, or if the Mets ever sign a free agent pitcher.

Here are the current division winners: TB Rays (Yankees in 3rd with 93 wins), Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia, St. Louis, LA Dodgers. Wild Card winners: Boston and a tie between Atlanta and Arizona.


Happy Friday

Fernando Tatis vs Ryan Garko

I really would love to hear The Mets Front Office on why they prefer Fernando Tatis over Ryan Garko.

Fernando Tatis is a below average defender, is 35 years old, and hits .293/.377/.439 versus lefties, with 4 HRs in 239 at bats over the past 2 years, which is 1 HR every 59.75 at bats (he was out of MLB for the 3-4 years before that).

Ryan Garko is 29 years old (peak of his career), is a slightly below average defender, and hits .311/.391/.491 versus lefties, with 15 HRs in 383 at bats over the past 3 years (1 HR per 25 at bats).


Yet again the Mets appear set on resigning another one of Omar's guys (for around 1.7 million), versus someone who can make the team better and most likely cost less.

Mets minor league system ranks

Keith Law ranked the Mets #15 in his rankings, while John Sickels was a little bit nicer, ranking the Mets system as 13th (based on a valuation system set up from Beyond the Box Score).

Mediocre, seems to sum up the Mets these days.

Just got a list of the Mets Spring Training Invitees

I'm a little surprised at a few of these names, but I guess the Mets are counting on recapturing some of the old magic.

Spring Training Invites:
Tom Glavine
John Smoltz
Pedro Martinez
Mike Hampton
Kris Benson
Shawn Estes
Livan Hernandez
Tim Redding
Glendon Rusch
Jason Isringhausen
Guillermo Mota
Duaner Sanchez

Omar Minaya "We feel very comfortable and excited that we have the opportunity to bring in a lot of veterans who have been around the block and have a lot to teach our younger pitchers. We are really looking forward to holding an open competition for our 4 starters after Johan, and feel that from this field of 25, we can find some real bargains and help our fans forget that we didn't put an offer in for Ben Sheets, Jon Garland or John Lackey, nor that we had an substantial conversations for any of the pitchers traded this off-season."


(As of now, this post is completely fictional, but I won't put it past the Mets anymore)

And now Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney

They both basically rip the Mets apart and say their organization, from top to bottom is a joke, and too many people are involved with every decision (Steve Phillips had been saying this for years on baseball tonight), yet nothing has changed.

They also both believe the Mets don't have a set budget, and if that's the case, that is a bigger issue.

Here is the link to Rosenthal's article.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/rosenthal-on-new-york-mets-omar-minaya-012610?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


Happy Wednesday morning. Just as I was getting excited for spring training in 3 weeks, now I'm back to being depressed about the prospects of this season.

Some things never change. Jets fans use the moniker "same ol Jets" it needs to be 'same OLD Mets'

So

At the beginning of the off-season, we were under the assumption that the Mets had approximately 20 million to spend this off-season. And under those assumptions, I had been calling to not sign Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, as they would take up too much of that 20 million dollar pie, and that this team had too many holes to fill. Instead, I recommended signing Ben Sheets and Rich Harden for between 14-16 million (actual costs would've been 16.5), and then use the remaining couple million for complimentary players to fill the other holes.

But the Mets showed they did have money to spend by overpaying for Alex Cora (because they like his attitude), then guaranteeing a contract to K Escobar (when no one else appears to have been willing to do that), then bidding against themselves for Jason Bay, leaving them without enough money to adequately address their desperate need for starting pitching. Jon Garland signed with the Padres, who will be lucky to win 75 games this year, for 5.3 million. And it is being reported the Mets didn't make an offer.

I completely understand that every one has a budget, every small business in the world up to every major league team, including the Mets, Red Sox and Yankees. But I just hope the Mets (Omar and the rest of the front office) knew how much they could spend from the beginning of the off-season and developed the plan accordingly, because right now, they have pie all over their face.

and FYI Omar, John Smoltz is not the answer to our starting pitching woes.

At least Johan didn't have surgery after his mound session yesterday, well at least it hasn't been reported yet.

more thorough post

I need to gather my thoughts and try to figure out Omar/Mets reasoning on their not making an offer for Sheets or Garland.

so don't wait up for anything more from me tonight.

Good night Mets fans, good night Mets season before spring training even begins. But at least we don't have Bengie Molina.

Um.......

So Ben Sheets is signed by the Oakland A's. So that leaves the Mets needing to sign J Garland right? no, he signs with the Padres.


there isn't much for me to say.



i'm speechless.

Mets Team as of January 24th

So in the beginning/middle of the off-season, I said, let's wait until beginning of spring training to judge the Mets off-season. Well we are 3 weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting, so let's take a look at where we currently stand.

Line up:
J Reyes SS
L Castillo 2B
D Wright 3B
C Beltran CF (from May fwd)
J Bay LF
J Francoeur RF
D Murphy 1B
O Santos C

With Beltran out for April, I would slide A Pagan into either the 2 spot and drop Castillo down to the 8th spot, or bat Pagan 6/7th depending a right vs left pitcher.

We aren't going to see much else added to change that starting line up, but may tweak the bench with either Delgado (who is sounding like he's strictly a DH right now), or R Garko to platoon with D Murphy.

Bench:
J Thole/Blanco/Coste knowing the Mets, it prob will be 2 of these 3, but it should be just 1 of them (another poor use of resources by the Mets, but I will wait until they make the mistake until I kill them on it).
G Matthews- 4/5th OF
A Pagan- 4/5th OF
A Cora- Utility IF
N Evans- Platoon PH/1b??  Battling for a roster spot, prob won't make it due to the Mets insistence on carrying 3 catchers.

Pitching Rotation. I'm assuming we are still getting another starting pitcher (Sheets or Garland). Sheets would slide into #2, Garland into the 3/4.

1) Johan
2) M Pelfrey
3) J Maine
4) O Perez
5) J Niese

Bullpen:
K-Rod. closer
R Igarashi 8th inning guy
S Green- situational righty
P Feliciano- situational lefty
B Parnell-7th/8th inning guy
K Escobar- If healthy.
N Figueroa- long man/spot starter. Battling for last spot on roster.
P Misch- 2nd lefty out of the pen. Battling for last spot on roster.

So looking at the bullpen as it is now, it seems like B Stokes really was expendable (sorry Cotter).

With that team as is right now, I'd put the Mets around an 84-87 win team. If the Mets are able to sign Ben Sheets and R Garko as a RH platoon 1B/PH, I think the Mets are then an 87-90 win team.

24 days until pitchers and catchers report! I will be reporting to Port St. Lucie in 23 days...

Gary Matthews Jr.

meet the newest member of the NY Mets. 35 year old outfielder who had 1 good year and was subsequently linked to PEDs. Has battled injuries and actually is a worse contract than Luis Castillo.

I'm assuming this is not the only move the Mets are making, so I will withhold judgment until other pieces fall into place.

Rumors are swirling it could be a stepping stone to a trade with the Reds and the names being floated of B Phillips, B Arroyo or A Harang potentially being involved. Again, these are all rumors, no facts.

I have no idea why the Mets would want to take on Arroyo's or Harang's contracts as they are both due over 10 million next year and are both average to slightly above average (and Harang had shoulder issues last year, surprise surprise, another pitcher under Dusty Baker's watch with shoulder problems...)

If you are going to spend 10 million, spend it on Ben Sheets who is definitely an above average to all-star caliber pitcher.


UPDATE: It is now being reported the Angels will pay 21.5 out of the remaining 23.5 million, so Gary Matthews is going to be a 4th/5th outfielder for the Mets making around 1 million a year. Mets gave up Brian Stokes from the bullpen.  Matthews used to be regarded as a great defensive centerfielder, but that has steadily dropped over the past 4 years, and now he isn't even an average fielder.

New updated opinion: Shoulder shrug. This isn't going to make a difference for the better over the course of the season, but gives the mets some outfield depth, and traded a bullpen arm which we needed. The Japanese import, Ryota Igarashi, better be able to set right in and be a valuable part of the bullpen, or else this could be another bad move by Omar. But again, it's not going to be a season-altering trade most likely.

Joel Pineiro

Has signed a 2 year deal with the Angels for 16 million. The Mets reportedly had a 2 year-15 million dollar contract on the table. It is clear he preferred the Angels, which is fine, as I'm not sold he's a great pitcher. I think he is an average pitcher that had a very good year last year, a lot of which may be contributed to Dave Duncan.

Yesterday, Doug Davis (who I had no interest in from the beginning), signed with the Brewers. That's fine by me.

So the remaining free agents of note are Ben Sheets, whom we've discussed numerous times, and Jon Garland, whom I view as an innings eater who will be league average to slightly above average. C Wang and E Bedard are two other pitchers available, but neither will be available to start the season until May at the earliest, so the market has not developed for them as of yet.

John Smoltz has been mentioned/linked to the Mets recently, but I don't think he has the stamina/endurance to last a full season as a starter, so he doesn't have much appeal if he is our 2nd biggest signing of the off-season behind Bay. I love his competitiveness, but how many bullets does that arm have left?

San Fran Giants bloggers re: to Molina

Some people wanted to know why I was happy that the Mets didn't sign Molina. Rather than write a sarcastic post, I will send you to a fictional press conference introducing Bengie Molina to the San Fran media with the Giants GM Brian Sabean (who is in the contest for bottom 5 GMs in baseball with Omar and D Moore of the Royals).

Enjoy

http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2010/1/19/1260768/bengie-molina-back-on-the-giants#storyjump

Molina to the Giants

WOW! 2 good moves by the Mets today!!! 1) no long term deal for Frenchy, and 2) We didn't sign Molina!

Is someone else making decisions for the Mets these days???

Now sign Ben Sheets and it would be a trifecta

Ben Sheets audition

According to tweets from Trenni Kusnierek from MLB Network, Ben Sheets topped out at 91 mph, and had a good curveball which ranged from high 60s-low 70s. He appears in great shape and it's the only the 4th time he's thrown off a mound.

Mets were one of the teams represented, and hopefully some teams will be concerned with his appeared lack of velocity (which really isn't a concern, it's the middle of January and he will continue to get stronger), which will allow the mets to come away with a top 2 starter, but obviously he is a higher injury risk.

get 'er done Omar.

Jeff Francoeur

Frenchy fans cry out, he did not get the multi-year deal that was rumored (THANK GOODNESS), instead signed a 1 year 5 million dollar deal. So once he shows that he isn't any good once again, we can let him walk. If by something close to a miracle, he proves worthy of being a major league baseball player, then we finally get a good value.

Poor Omar

Also wanted to touch on the report on Baseball Prospectus that this Beltran situation may have been the last straw on Omar's tenure and that the Mets are one losing streak away from Omar being fired.

And when I was asked if I was happy with the report, and I responded  "well I won't lose any sleep on it." But no, I don't want Omar to be fired in the middle of the year. If you are going to fire him, fire him now. The general manager does not have an impact on a in-season losing streak. If you've lost confidence in him, fire him now, don't wait.

Ben Sheets

Mets are going to be watching Ben Sheets audition today in Louisiana.

Looking forward to hearing the scouting reports and if the Mets possibly have the money to get this done.

Poll Results

So for catcher, 60% of those voted for either 1) Omir Santos, or 2) Anyone but Bengie. FYI, 20% voted for Bengie Molina

In regards to the pitching situation, it was closer than I thought, with 50% wanting Ben Sheets, but my biggest surprise was 40% wanted Garland. I thought people would've rather had Pineiro instead of Garland.

The perception of the Mets

So as we get further away from the originiating "tweets" of impending doom, to the official press release, to the initial reaction that the Mets didn't know he was having the surgery, the Mets once again look like they are a lost puppy without a united system of communication.

The facts are now that Carlos Beltran and/or Scott Boras, spoke with Jeff Wilpon and Ray Rameriz (Mets head ATC), as well as Dr. David Altchek on Tuesday. I understand the Mets point of view that although Dr. Altchek is the team physician, he is not a part of the Mets organization and should not be the only person of contact, but as its being reported now, that was not the case, as Jeff Wilpon (COO) and the head ATC were both contacted. If they did not communicate with Omar then it's another sign of disorganization, not Carlos' problem.

So then it gets out that the Mets aren't happy with the situation and the media takes off with it and runs to the hills. The Mets have no sense or ability of damage control. Even if they wanted to have Beltran get a 3rd opinion, they could've crafted that in a lot more positive light.

Even a positive of having John Ricco doing the press conference, who is a more polished public speaker than Minaya, gets negative press because the Mets say Omar and Jeff Wilpon are unavailable because they are driving. Do they not have cell phones? Verizon is a sponser, why don't they donate them cell phones? Just announce John Ricco will be handling the press conferences this year. Simple. Don't make excuses, Mets.

We can handle losing Carlos Beltran the player for April and possibly May, but I hope we don't lose his personality/desire for the rest of the year over how the Mets handled this situation.

Beltran fall out

And the same b.s. from the Mets continues.

Last year was obviously a medical disaster, and I'm not going to blame the athletic training staff, or the team MDs for the myriad of injuries. I chalk it up to bad luck. We can't dismiss that this happened however.

Now, instead of going to "The Best Doctors in the City and the World" (and I believe it, but saying it in quotations because people will/do joke about it), the Mets players are going to other specialists.

If the Mets players (starting with Beltran and we have to see if anyone else goes outside to get other opinions), do not have confidence in the team physicians, then the Mets need to make a change.


Let's see if the 2 pm conference call (done by John Ricci, not Omar thank goodness), sheds any additional light on this situation.


Also, I seem to remember someone clammering to give Beltran "whatever contract extension he wants, because he deserves it." Anyone willing to still do that now?

Carlos Beltran

It's being reported Carlos Beltran had knee surgery today. More details as it becomes available tonight/tomorrow..

Here is the official Mets release:
“Carlos Beltran had worsening of osteoarthritis of the right knee during the offseason.  He had not been experiencing pain following the conclusion of the season and into his early offseason conditioning. The symptoms returned to the point where pre-spring training conditioning became too painful.  He elected to undergo arthroscopic clean out of the arthritic area of his knee by Beltran”s personal physician Dr. Richard Steadman today in Colorado.  He is anticipated to return to baseball activities in 12 weeks.




5 weeks until pitchers and catchers report, yet it seems like it's getting off to the same way last year started.

no good (just a little understated I know)

Polls

I set up 2 posts on the right side of the page to gather your opinions on what should the Mets and Omar do in regards to our pitching staff and his perceived weakness at catcher.

Polls will be open for 2 days.

Joel Piniero

Word on the street is the Mets think they can get Piniero for 2 years, 15 million dollars, which is a pretty low risk move. I'd still rather have Ben Sheets, but if Ben thinks he can get a 1 year deal for 12 million, and a player option for the 2nd year, let someone else give it to him, and wish them luck.

My 1st preference is still sign Sheets to a 1-2 year deal for 7-10 million/per year, but if that isn't possible, then Piniero for 2/15 is a decent fall back. It won't vault the Mets into a debate with the Phillies for best team in the division, but the Mets would be a respectable team, capable of winning 86-89 games. I think Sheets would put them into the 88-91 win territory.

Mark McGwire

yawn

and in other news, the sun rose in the east today

In Honor of Shea Stadium

In order to properly honor Shea Stadium, to whom this blog is dedicated, I will list my 9 most memorable games at the well-storied stadium. Feel free to post your favorite moments in the comments section.

9) April 3, 2006 Home Opener. Mets open up versus the Washington Nationals, Tom Glavine pitches a swift 6 innings and leaves leading 3-1. Heilman throws 2 innings, lets up 5 hits, and only 1 run. But the big memory is Billy Wagner making his Mets debut, and on the ride home to CT, we some how cross 3 bridges (thanks GPS; it was set to avoid tolls, that didn't work), and got to listen to Mike and the Mad Dog talk about Wagner's entrance song "Enter Sandman". "Mike, he can't play that song, he just can't do it. not in this town Mike, he can't do it. thats Mariano's song. Not in this town." Oh how I never thought I'd miss those 2 working together. That was the 8th opening day in a row I had attended, a streak that ended last year. Went to the game with Mike Medina

8) 2007 Home Opener, April 10, Mets vs Phillies. After Jimmy Rollins opened his big mouth the prior off-season and said the Phillies were the team to beat (although they hadn't won a darn thing at that point), this turned into the rivalry it is today. Mets scored 7 runs in the 8th inning, highlighted by a J-Roll error, and he was then serenaded for 8 straight batters with "Jimmy Rollins, Jimmy Rollins, Jimmy Rollins". David Wright broke the game open with a bases clearing double during the 8th. Mets win 11-5. Went to the game with Rory

7) April 17, 2006, Pedro wins his 200th career game. Pedro was the 2nd pitcher in the history of the Mets to accomplish the feat as a member of the Mets (Orel Hershiser was the 1st). Delgado hit a HR (off of Jorge Sosa), and Pedro pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowed 3 runs, but Duaner Sanchez and B Wagner came in to close out the game. Mets win 4-3. Pedro comes out of the dugout and gets a standing ovation from those remaining in the crowd. Went with my brother, Stonaha, and Leandra.

6)September 22, 2001. 2nd game in New York after 9/11. Had goosebumps head to toes entering the stadium, with the star spangled banner and God Bless America. Mets won 7-3, but the game didn't mean much. Have never seen/felt the country as united as it was on that day. Mets moved to 3 1/2 games back after this win, but never got closer than that. Steve Traschel got the win and Benitez the save. Went with Amy.

5) Saturday June 15, 2002. Mets vs Yankees, but this was the 1st time Roger Clemens would pitch/hit at Shea Stadium after the Piazza fiasco. It was one of the most highly anticipated pitches and Estes threw it behind Clemens; he sent a message (even tho he wasn't on the team in 2000), and both benches were warned. Clemens got roughed up on the mound, as both Estes and Piazza took him deep, and Mets win 8-0. Went with Katie, Tim and Jess.

4) May 29, 2007. First opportunity to see the phenomn Tim Lincecum. He was unhittable for the 1st time through the line up, striking out Beltran on 99 mph fastball. I truly thought the Mets were going to get no hit. Delgado hit 2 bombs (1st hit was in 4th inning), including walk off HR in the 12th inning. Benitez was booed as he trotted in from the bullpen, yet I stood up and cheered, realizing he was going to allow us to win the game. Benitez balked in Reyes (who ran home with his hands waving in the air like a small little leaguer), the 2nd balk of the inning. Willie still hadn’t learned Shoenweis can’t get righties out and almost lost the game in the 10th. Bonds pinch hit in top of the 10th, and he got booed so viciously I was scared for his life. He walked on 5 pitches. Went with Scat and Rory.

3) Mets vs Phillies June 7, 2007. Mets were down 2-0 going into the bottom of the 6th, and Cole Hamels was dominating the Mets. With 2 outs in the 6th, C Delgado breaks through with a HR, followed by a controversial HR by D Wright, and then Pauly Lo Duca completes the BACK-BACK-BACK HRs, (1st time since D Strawberry, K McReynolds and K Hernandez did it also vs the Phillies), led to one of my favorite text messages "PROTEST THAT" (Charlie Manuel was tossed on the D Wright HR call and played the game under protest). All this was for naught, as we lost 6-3 in extra innings (Pat the Bat owned B Wagner and hit a HR to lead off the 9th inning, amd then Schoenweis lets up 3 er in the 10th). Went with Medina.


Although the final 2 memories have negative feelings associated with it, they are and always will be fresh in my memory.

2) Game 5, 2000 World Series, October 26, 2000. Bernie Williams hit a HR in the 2nd inning for the first hit of his World Series (off Al Leiter), and the Mets responded with 2 unearned runs in the 2nd to take the lead. Mets held the lead until the 6th when Jeter took Leiter deep. Remained tied until the 9th inning with 2 outs, Posada walks, Brosius singles, and Luis Sojo singles to center, both runs score as the ball his Posada as he slid home and the ball went into the dugout. Mets have a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th after Benny Agbayani walks, and I'm still convinced Mike Piazza got all of the ball to send the game to extra innings, but it was too high or something, and the ball easily falls into Bernie Williams glove. Will never forget having to watch the Yankees celebrate on our field. bad day to be a Mets fan. Went with my sister.

1) Sunday Sept 28, 2008. Last game ever at Shea. Went with my brother, and met up with Scat, his dad, and Medina and his brother before the game. Brutal loss. The Mets entered the game tied for the wild card with Milw. and had a 50 min rain delay to start the game, so the game started at the same time as Milw and Cubs. Cubs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and the place was as loud as if the mets scored. It was scoreless until the 6th, when Ollie Perez let up 2 runs and left with the bases loaded. Beltran hits the biggest HR in his Mets career and ties the game at 2. In the 8th inning of the Brewers game (scoreboard watching), Braun drives in 2 runs and makes it 3-1. Mets crowd goes silent, knowing the mets need to win to force 1 game playoff. Jerry Manuel gets outmanaged by bringing in Schoenweis to start an inning, which allows Wes Helms to pinch hit for Mike Jacobs and Helms greets him with a HR. Manuel comes out, makes a double switch, and Schoenweis gets booed out of the stadium (Schoenweis was crying and needed to be consoled after the game). Luis Ayala then comes in and promptly lets up another HR, this one to Uggla. Church had a chance to tie the game in the 9th, but fell about 30 feet short of the fence. Loss 4-2. Post game ceremony was very nice, with the marlins celebrating on the field and fans yelling “off the field! Off the field” Very emotional and they did a nice job, although Seaver bounced the last pitch in shea to Piazza. Good bye Shea, you will always be home.


Hope you guys have as good of memories as I have of that stadium. Feel free to post your favorites that you went to.

Slow winter times

I know I have been slacking a bit, but I will have a big post/discussion tomorrow.

But I do want to announce that I will be reporting live from Port St. Lucie as pitchers and catchers report February 18th.

Enjoy the 20 degree weather, and know 38 days until spring training begins.