My Summer Family

One More Time For the Promenade Seats!

2011-09-09T16:50:00.005-04:00

This aint no mistake! This aint not typo! This aint no party, nor is it a disco!

This is The Coop, all Coop, and nothing but The Coop who is making a very special announcement!!

First off, thank you to EVERYONE who came out to send their well-wishes and warm intentions about the next chapter in my life regarding being a blogging fan. Or a fan blogger. However you'd want to call it. Everyone came out to wish me good luck, in any endeavor.

Of course, I didn't stay idle for too long. After all, I retired "the blog" My Summer Family, and not from blogging. Just wanted to make that clear. In a year's time, I am writing now for three Mets websites: Metsmerized Online, Daily Stache and Kiner's Korner. Kiner's Korner also launched the Kult of Mets Personalities podcast that has a nice following with some really great guests in our panel, including former Mets executives, players and coaches, even beat writers and other bloggers. There are also rumors of an all-women's baseball site where I will not only be a contributor, but be a voice of their podcast as well. That will remain to be seen.

In the meantime, what else? Oh, yeah...I took some time off from having my own site to focus on what I wanted to do next. I started this site back in 2007 as a way to keep in touch with fellow fans, meet new people and write about my love affair with the New York Mets. Then I started to get involved with other parts of the blogging world and it got to be too much. I lost my focus. I stopped having fun with it. I wasn't myself.

So I have a soft-launch of my new site...(drum roll, please....)

A GAL FOR ALL SEASONS!!

The name actually came to me when I was describing myself to someone. I am not only a baseball chick, but I am a hockey fan and a football fan. I like talking about those sports and go to and watch enough of those games that I want to speak to that experience. I am a season ticket holder with the Mets, but I also attend several other sporting events that I want to cover that I didn't feel comfortable doing at just a Mets-focused site. This was just the beginning. Now I am evolving not only as a fan but as a writer too. I hope so, for the latter part.

Plus, like I said, I wasn't having fun with it anymore. It became a chore, updating this site. I wanted to make my writing tasks more fun again by including things and stories of my experiences and what I thought of things surrounding them. I feel like I became too censored because I was tired of pissing people off. Well, to hell with that! I was happier when I didn't give a shit. (Yes, I use bad words still)

Being a sports fan has shaped a lot of my personality. Some people don't get it, but those of you who do, I salute you here and at the new site!!

One last time for the Promenade...One last time for the Upper Deck...One last time for the cheap seats. You all ROCK!!!

So gracias, grazie, merci beaucoup, in any language...Thank you to everyone for your support over the last year, I really appreciate it!

Onward and upward!!

Roll Call 2010: A Very Special Post

2010-10-12T22:31:00.014-04:00

So family, it is time. It is time for the final post of the year, the one you've been waiting for...the roll call! In case this is your first year, I started this in 2007, as a way of giving a shout out to those who make my existence of being a Mets fan special. Sure, the team and the laundry has a way of doing it...but the people around me make it all better to root for the home team.

This year is also unique for a reason. I am making a very special announcement that this particular Roll Call is my final one. Yes, I have decided that after four seasons of blogging, that I am officially hanging up my cleats and this will be my last post on My Summer Family.

When I started this site back in 2007, I had a unique voice. I talked like a truck driver, but could provide a "softer" (if you can believe it) view of baseball and of my team. In some respects, though I am a grown woman, I still view the sport through the eyes of a child. Though my cynicism with being an adult does cloud my vision for some, it has occurred to me recently that my "potty mouth" as some have taken to call it bothers some people. To them I give them a big middle finger.

This in no means reflects my status as a Mets fan. I've been around for a long time, I'm not leaving any time soon. In some respects, though, I feel like blogging as an art form is dying off. Not that they still can't be relevant. But in the vein that any schmoe like you and me can just open a blogger.com account and start writing and consider themselves a "blogger." I mean, you are, but I had no idea that I would become "credible" when I started something for fun a few years ago (as an example, being one of the featured blogs in the Maple Street Press in 2010 - how'd the heck did that happen??? Or being asked to participate in an Amazin' Tuesday, an accomplishment I will always be proud of).

Once I believed that I wasn't doing much that was compelling, I refused to go out with a whimper and not with a bang instead.

In the meantime, enjoy my final post of the year.

In no particular order I would like to thank the following folks for a good year and great friendship, all stemming from the fact that we root for the same team!

Baseball chicks were in the forefront this year, and we certainly rocked the house.

Thank you to Chap for a memorable drive-by of Port St. Lucie. I hope that not only we won't have the timing constraints next year, but that it won't be blizzard conditions when we take off. "Everybody ON THE PLANE!!!"

To the PAC Lady, who brings baseball (as a Mets fan) and rocking (as a music fan) to a new level. We should all be as devoted as you.

To Julie at Chicago Met Fan, I really wished we could have had that game this year! Here's to hockey...and football...and everything in between.

To Miss Dee Wrighter, for making a baseball chick into a baseball sister.

To Rainiedazze, Carlos Beltran fans pale in comparison to you. (PS I usually reserve these posts to people I've physically met, but we already know our trip is to Arlington next year!)

To Jessica_Teresa, whom I had the opportunity to meet at Telecom-Conglomerate-Name-Here Park back in July, I hope to see you on the Shea Bridge next June!

To kBoTTi, she who laughs last laughs hardest. So I hope you are having a good guffaw over that Biscuits-and-gravy type on that team in Arlington right now. (PS Hockey chicks rock too)

To LadyMets, for making a minor league game fun as all anything and for being the baseball chick (emphasis chick) you are.

I went on many road trips this year. Five road stadiums and I had been to four of them already. I had a partner in crime this year for all of them, but I had the opportunity to meet with Team Doster at CitiField and at PNC Park. Hopefully, I can return the favor at your home next year (Great American Ballpark!).

My counterparts on the west coast: the Sollies! I do love them so. Y'all gotta come out here next here though, ya dig? RAWHIDE!!

The guys from Metszilla, namely Vinny whom I had the opportunity to meet with on the bridge. Love these new sites that keep making the Mets community a rich one.

To Rich S, thanks for the beer you would have bought me, but I'm sure the one we will meet up for in 2011 will be just as tasty!

To John Delcos, whom I always admired from a journalistic standpoint. Keep fighting the good fight and I'm very happy to know ya!

I know I'm forgetting someone. Oh right.

This guy.

If someone had told me that if I started blogging, I would get a husband out of it, I would have told them to get lost.

We met on Facebook in 2009, and became friends. We met face-to-face at CitiField on Build-A-Bear Night in 2009, and our the spring of our relationship's seeds were planted in the winter. I managed to get married without telling many people until a month afterwards. Folks, I am living proof that your dreams can come true. And every day, I have a man who wakes up in the morning just to cherish me. And he's a Mets fan to boot!!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank my blog-spirations. I often say if not for my haters, I wouldn't have a site but that's not entirely true. If not for finding some of these folks in as early as 2004, I'd have never had a "forum" voice (meaning: I was once a blog groupie) and therefore, would have not opened my own blogger.com account four seasons ago.

To Metsgrrl and Faith and Fear in Flushing, I aspire to be like these writers every day. And every day, I fail so miserably at it.

To Mets Today and the brains behind it, Joe Janish. I thank him for always being at the ready when I need a quick stat or need to defend the ghost of Aaron Heilman.

To the Kranepool Society, this is the yin to my yang. Look no further than this site for the Godfather of shooting from the hip. I'd like to think that My Summer Family was the long lost two-headed love child of this site, as we both never gave a flying fuck what others thought of us.

THE Metstradamus, who can always make us laugh, even when there really isn't much to laugh about. Metstradamus makes hate the backup National Pastime.

To Metsblog and Metsmerized Online (where I will still be contributing) for linking to me and taking me seriously when no one else would! Thank you for all the support in the past.

My family over at Brooklyn Met Fan. There's "My Summer Family" and there's the true value of a baseball community that is a family in and of itself. From BMF himself, to Blondie's Jake, Matt the Met Fan, Irish Mike, Joey Brooklyn, Fort Greene Met Fan, El Duderino and countless others, these guys make me so happy to be alive and that I am proud to call them my friends. Hope to see you at the next Jake-a-Palooza!

Some of them have gone...Toasty Joe, Ed in Westchester and You Can't Script Baseball. We really had a great bunch of writers back in the day.

And lastly...has anyone kept in touch with the motley crew over at the old The Metropolitans? This was authored by a fellow named Mike Oliver, and had such loudmouths in there such as Benny Blanco from da Bronx and the old Chuck Norris League. This was really the reason I started blogging and was the first community I found myself involved in. I really modeled my blogging style after this site.

Well, folks, there you have it. This is in no means "Goodbye." The Coop is taking some time off to reinvent herself. In the meantime, please follow My Summer Family's fan page on Facebook where I will still have a presence and be posting some random tidbits and wise-ass remarks intermittently. I will post updates on where to find me and my writing, and on Twitter, where you can certainly see me screaming about the Jets and the Rangers in the offseason. I have a small presence on Tumblr as well, that I am hoping to build up over the course of next months.

LET'S GO METS FOREVER AND EVER!!!!!

Hot in the Citi

2010-10-09T08:43:00.019-04:00

I've been attending live Mets games since 1984, and most importantly, at Shea till we brought the Grande Dame down in 2008. For most Mets fans, myself included, the transition to CitiField wasn't an easy one. It seemed there was a lot missing in the new state-of-the-art stadium we had built for us, but most of all including the Mets' soul (and subsequently, the Mets' fans soul).

Some people couldn't see Shea Stadium go fast enough. In some respects, I agreed because it was old, outdated, the toilets were abominable, the food was ok, and it was saddening to me that I could have a better experience at another team's stadium than at my own. On the other hand, what made Shea "home" was the feelings associated with it. And that to me was the biggest "con" on the CitiField Pros and Cons list, that we tried very hard to get that "noise" back, bring the old feelings we had associated with Shea back home.

It was evident that CitiField was merely a "house," it wasn't yet our home. My friend, Greg Prince, over at Faith and Fear in Flushing did a marvelous job (redundant, as far as the FAFIF guys go) of commemorating the two-year last game at Shea anniversary coinciding with the Last Play at Shea move. Definitely a must-read for those of us who had a particularly hard time to transition to the new digs.

I will say this though. In two seasons played there, CitiField has become my "summer home" for better or for worse. Some of it might be resignation, knowing full well that Shea Stadium will never return (despite what my buddies at The Apple say). In the last two seasons, I have visited eight road stadiums (For those of you keeping track at home: Nationals Park, Petco Park, Angel Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Camden Yards, AT&T Park, Citizens Bank Park, and PNC Park). Some of them where I had a rooting interest in the Mets, some of them not. To a baseball fan second (Mets fan first), there is nothing better than to watch a baseball game for art of it,where you didn't have a care in the outcome, just being able to take in the surroundings. So I tried something different, and perhaps CitiField is a bad example since I do visit there at least 20 times per season, but I wanted to look at it from the superficial view, where I didn't care about the outcome of the game, and truly enjoy myself at being a baseball fan.

CitiField, I have concluded, aint half-bad. I won't go so far as to say it is "home" to me, though I have felt "at home" several times in the season. However, as Greg said a few weeks back, it's no longer not Shea, but someplace in between where we could be comfortable again and find our heart.

Since I have given my readers a view of what it's like at the road stadiums, I realized I was doing a great disservice not reviewing CitiField from an unbiased perspective. While CitiField isn't my favored "modern throwback" stadium (that would be PNC Park to me), I certainly enjoy going there and appreciate some of the "quirks" we have at our new house while compared to other stadiums.

As an example, prior to this season, Camden Yards had been a favored destination of mine, yet I had never seen the Mets play there till 2010. I really like, an example, the 360 degree views that CitiField offers on the field level, and Camden Yards does not offer that. I hadn't realized it yet, but I had taken that aspect for granted at CitiField until I visited Camden this summer.

Another thing is that I LOVE the Shea Bridge area. It's a great place to meet up once people are in the stadium, as opposed to meeting at an offsite place such as McFadden's or by the HR Apple in front of the park. As Dee Wrighter exclaimed on this picture below:

Coop, you OWN that Bridge!

Well, I wish I did, heck I'm not even Mayor of it on Foursquare. But I do appreciate having that luxury of chilling out there during the games. That is not found at say, AT&T Park in San Francisco, where the ushers wouldn't even ALLOW people to walk on their version of the "bridge" (which is just a fancy bridgeway to the food courts in the back of the stadium and a nicer view of the Bay which is it situated). Yet another nicer modern stadium that does not offer unobstructed 360 views.

Lastly, CitiField has nicer fans (if you can believe it, given how many Mets fans dislike each other). I mean, of course I am comparing them to the fanbase that drinks from the douchewater as those inhabitants at Citizens Bank Park. I feel like other fans might have a better experience, especially if they are rooting for a team not named the Yankees nor the Phillies at CitiField.

So this year, CitiField has been in some aspects home but a place that I can now sit back and enjoy the very art of baseball. Since My Summer Family's inception year, I have taken it upon myself to discuss the road stadiums I've visited but I have never given a critique of where the Mets play. If you've ever heard the saying "hitting close to home," well, yeah, that would be why. I feel like I have seen CitiField enough as an observer to be able to speak freely about it.

The Coop for the first season had seats in the Promenade level. I'll be honest. When I bought my first year at CitiField for the full season the seats were less than what I paid at Shea Stadium's last year. Judging from what you guys know about The Coop, though, it was hard to build a community in the Promenade, because of the lack of boxes and I guess the lack of structure that went along with the mini and weekend "plus" plans. However, the sales reps and the Mets did NOT do us right in the first season by offering us "exclusive excelsior" level seats for like 2x's as much as my Mezzanine seats were at Shea. What the heck? Meanwhile, the best they could offer were seats in the Pepsi Porch (I wasn't willing to commit to those for a full season) or the Promenade. I thought it was shitty to do that the season ticket holder and mini plan holders, simply because they were strong-arming us. It was like -- if you don't buy these seats, someone else will. Well, I couldn't justify five-figure seats unfortunately. It was a good thing I didn't.

When the Mets faltered in 2009 and were dropping like flies, all of a sudden, a new stadium's novelty wore off quickly. Whey buy Promenade seats for $10 (which is what I was selling some of them for) when you could buy Delta Sky Club marked down considerably. I thought momentarily of not renewing my plan, when I talked to my sales rep after the Mets announced they would lower prices. The Promenade holders really did not see a difference or one that was enough to justify it.

However, I believe I have found the "value" seats in the stadium, seats you can get the most bang for your buck. They aren't the most expensive seats in the place, but they are not the cheapest nor the worst.

They are in the "outfield reserved," which I guess would be equivalent to bleacher seating in other stadiums. You also get the added bonus of being on the field level, and close to all the cool concessions. One other cool thing they did this year was add Caesar's Club access along with Promenade club access to these seats. I have to say, that for the plan holder who is into resale value, you can't beat these. Plus, we had the best of both worlds: if it was threatening rain, you could bail. If it was sunny, bring your sunscreen but you were able to enjoy your Boys of Summer in the summer sun.

Of course, I am giving you pictures at night, but I'm too lazy to go through my day game pictures right now. You get the idea -- you see a lot of player's hineys, but I can get away with that shit, because I'm a chick. On the flip side, you see a LOT of home run balls -- you are not in foul territory here, babe. Many home run balls were hit in this area this year. I was thinking of trying out a new section, but I think I shall keep these for next year.

Going back to the idea of the Mets' soul, it was hard to find one especially in a ballpark that was determined to be as plain-vanilla-corporate-devoid-of-personality as this one. The Jackie Robinson Rotunda in 2009, great in theory, failed miserably in my eyes because it just seemed like an insincere addition for an otherwise great ballplayer and humanitarian who transcended the sport. CitiField felt too "Dodgery" and nothing felt Mets-like. To me, it also felt incredibly incomplete as a front entrance. You walked in, and were overwhelmed with the crowds, that I truly felt like you couldn't enjoy the history behind it.

Mets fans, many of us including myself anyway, THRIVE on the history of the team. I loved the idea of the JRR, but again, felt like more could have been done with it. Like the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, with the New York National League Baseball history infused in it. Senor Solly even said that it was downright criminal that the San Diego Padres, a team that has only been in existence for 41 years, has a better sense of its own history at Petco Park. I had to agree with that, especially visiting that stadium in 2009.

Now, I have to say that the Mets finally got it right with the Rotunda. Now it feels complete with the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum.

With the Davey, Darryl, Doc and Cashen induction over the summer, I hope the Mets continue the progress with making CitiField FEEL like the Mets, instead of just being "that place where the Mets play." The HOF and Museum made me proud to be a Mets fan. Not that I'm ever not proud, but I was walking around like Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor in Stir Crazy after my first visit.

Now to the good fluffy part of the review...

The food. OOOHHHHHH the food at CitiField is much better than Shea ever dreamed it could be (many thanks to Joey for posting with the various foodstuffs at CitiField).

I would say the best bang for your buck at CitiField is the Taqueria. The picture in the top right hand corner are the taco trio platter, which is one chicken, one steak and one pork. I believe it's only $10.50. Compared to other items that are so-so at best, and the lines at other more popular stands such as Shake Shack, it doesn't get much better. And it's quality food. They have a damn good elote corn on the cob, which is basically just corn on the cob dusted with this magnificent mayonnaise, cayenne and other lovely spices. I don't know whoever thought that would be a combination on corn, but it works.

This year, the Box Frites stand (fancy term for Belgian fries) offered garlic parmesan frites and disco frites, which is their equivalent of cheese-and-gravy fries or the French Canadian poutine. This is pictured in the lower left corner. For $10+ you can easily split these between two people. Unfortunately, The Other Half and I could never agree so I usually ate that damn disco frites by myself. Now, it's good...but I feel like if you have a hankering for cheese fries, Shake Shack's are better.

However, that's not to be said that I think Shake Shack is overrated at CitiField. Don't get me wrong: since I gave up soy and being a vegetarian in recent months, the Shack burgers and fries have been a welcome source of beefy goodness in my life (picture in the lower right hand, with Joey posing with the goods). However, for the prices at CitiField and the lines that go along with it, I prefer getting mine six blocks away from where I live. However, I have that luxury: many do not. That said, I think if you are dying for a Shack, and don't care about the lines, it's certainly well worth it. I guess it really just is not a "treat" for me and I'm a bad judge when asked about it.

My old standby recently has been the chicken nachos grande -- there are only two stands in the entire stadium. But they are DAMN FINE (top left hand corner). I am kind of a nachos snob. I love real cheese nachos and think that fake nacho or cheez whiz is just the most disgusting and vile thing ever...that said, that combo seems to work on CitiField's nachos. Please note though: when we go to other stadiums and I see that orange goo they put on corn chips, I pass.

I used to go to the Shea Stadium at night and after work on weeknights, and I could never be truly satisfied with dinner. In fact, I used to either eat dinner before hand or wait until after the games. At CitiField, a BIG draw to the atmosphere and baseball experience is the good food. You would not believe how many people buy tickets from me and are not even Mets fans (and not seeing their team play) who want to go to enjoy the culinary delights. No, I don't kid.

When I get sick of beer (I know what you're thinking...The Coop gets sick of beer?????), one of the distractions were the premium mixed drinks that we are able to get. Unfortunately, these are in limited editions on open levels, and are mostly found in clubs and on the Excelsior level. My go-to drink was normally the DomQ Rum Punch which is uncannily like a hurricane (one of my favorite drinks ever). I'm not even a "rummy" as some may call it -- fortunately for all fans to enjoy, the rum stand is by the World's Fare Market, however, I think their choices are kinda sorta lame (pina coladas - which I am not a fair judge because I don't like them - and rum and cokes I believe..it's a travesty the rum punch is not offered at those stands). The Taqueria offers their Patron margarita, which is pretty good, but could be a little heavier on the tequila for the price ($12!! I get a yard frozen one at Nats Park for that much). They also offer an Absolut lemonade at the Box Frites stand...again, could be heavier on the absolut for the $12 surcharge. Your best bet if you are not a beer fan and want to imbibe and do not have club access, try the Bacardi malt drinks (mojito, I believe) at the Beers of the World stand.

The Mets did right by the season ticket holders this year, including on the last weekend of the season giving us unlimited club access, 30% team merchandise in the stores and the opportunity to run the bases "Mr. Mets Dash" style after the last Saturday home game. Okay, that was pretty cool.

To the area's credit, they are trying to revitalize the area. I mean, I have to say that the Chop Shops are ugly, but they are OUR chop shops and I guess add to the local charm, and by "charm" I mean "absolutely none at all."

With the advent of McFadden's at CitiField that is supposed to be open year-round (complete with Sunday football), I suppose that if they raze the junk yards, the area could be a happenin' place. I do have to say this about McFadden's. It is not an attractive place. I would not hang out there if not for the fact that it was at CitiField. However, their game day specials and packages (such as the $45 VIP package that gives you one-hour pre-game open bar with chicken wing appetizer, one free drink post game plus a game ticket with "VIP" access in the Excelsior level) are hard to beat. I hope they keep this tradition next season. Also on a side note, if all goes well, some of us December babies might have a joint bday party. I've always felt slighted that I could never celebrate my birthday at a Mets game. Well, I could celebrate it at their stadium now. Noodge.

So this baseball chick has rocked-and-rolled around the country this year following the Mets. Yet, I found myself longing for a place to call home, and while I'm not quite ready to call CitiField that yet, I find myself wanting to go back there sooner rather than later. That is a good thing.

I know how much the Mets have broken our hearts these past two years at CitiField, I know how much the Wilpons and Sterling Enterprises have pissed us off so much in the time that CitiField was being built to the time it was standing. I hope, I pray, they are trying to make it right this time around. For everyone's sake.

But hey. CitiField has a lot of alcohol to drink. So I can still get hammered and at least believe it's five o'clock somewhere. Or that Jose Lima is still pitching (that's another story).

Never Can Say Goodbye

2010-10-03T20:56:00.005-04:00

"Every poseur wants to be at Opening Day. Closing Day is a rite for the secret society of baseball fanatics." - Greg Prince, Faith and Fear in Flushing

I don't know why it was so hard this year. To say goodbye, that is. By all accounts, I should have been miserable, been willing to take 2010, slap it on it's ass and send it on the way through the door, leading to the offseason, 2011 New Year's and ultimately, Port St. Lucie, where all sins of previous teams are collectively washed away.

Lose a World Series Game 7? Who cares? It's pitchers and catchers! Trade away a young phenom for a questionable guy? Let's see what you've got there, old sport! Star centerfielder gets surgery in a clandestine fashion? We've got another guy who can take his place, we'll be fine!!

Lose on "Closing Day," as some in the "society" call it? Eh, that was last year. What's important is that this year is starting.

But what is it that makes Closing Day so very hard? I have to admit, it's never a been a favorite of mine to attend.

Because it's not so much of a "see ya later" kind of game. It doesn't matter who wins or loses (well, unless you are the Mets, circa 2007 and 2008). All that matters is that we, the fans, lose something, a collective loss.

The sun sets differently in October. It sets earlier and differently and there's a feeling in the air that change is on the horizon, for better or worse but it's coming so you better prepare.

Perhaps fellow English literature major Angelo Bartlett Giamatti said it best when he claimed that the game of baseball is designed to break your heart. It has nothing to do with who wins or loses on the last day of the season. It has everything to do with once the Closing Day game is over, you don't have it any more. There is no, "hey, I'll see you guys at the next homestand" or "when is your next game" to the guys next to you. Because their answers are the same as yours: in April.

April isn't around the corner right now. There is no "We'll get 'em tomorrow" because "tomorrow" is next year.

So "get 'em tomorrow" turns into the phrase most Mets fans are familiar with and it's "Wait till next year." Someone asked me if I'm optimistic about next year. And I'm not, but probably for reasons you don't think.

I already know that 2011 is a rebuild year. I know that it won't matter whoever the new General Manager will be (because clearly Omar Minaya will not be in the long-term plans), he will have his work cut out for him. And as long as there are blogs, there will be loudmouths who think they know better than anyone else and start fights with everyone else as to why THIS guy should go, and what THIS lineup would like with THAT guy, etc. The infighting and finger pointing coupled with worrying whether this new dude will indeed have "full autonomy" is enough to give me odge till pitchers and catchers report.

Today was interesting though. Actually the weekend was. Although we were celebrating Chap's early birthday, the conversations were wake-like. Saturday was the wake, where people share memories of the departed with heavy hearts but optimism. Then Sunday comes the funeral. Except in the comedy of errors that is the Mets, they can't even get THAT much right.

A game that goes for 14 innings. A game where Oliver F. Perez not only comes in, but ultimately is the losing pitcher. It was fitting, however. In a funeral gone awry, I would say that one of the pallbearers would have tripped, the body would have fallen out of the casket and the hearse would have run over one of the guests.

And the saddest part was, I couldn't even leave if I wanted to.

Not that I would have. I swear, my husband would have made us stay 20 innings if the game went that long. Any other day of the year, I'd have done it. Closing day is supposed to be the bare minimum, nine innings, especially for two teams who realistically had nothing to play for after July. This was maximum capacity right here for the nostalgic who wanted to wish the 2010 team well, but wanted to get home for the afternoon football games.

I had a complimentary post-game drink at McFadden's to capitalize on, which meant theoretically I had to wait till post-game to redeem said drink. But something else happened.

I had the opportunity to win a game-worn player's jersey, just by dumb luck.

You will probably never see me get rid of my Twitter account. I happened to catch a random tweet to "re-tweet" the Mets, and get a game-worn jersey. So for shits and giggles I responded to it. To which someone came to my seat in the 6th or 7th inning asking me if I was who I claimed I was.

My first thought was...uh, what'd I do? Then he said, that I had the opportunity to join the Mets (not the players, just the "Mets" organization) after the game (operative term) to get a jersey.

I don't know if I could have handled the endings of '07 or '08 better if I had that opportunity. I maybe could have stomached the 20o9 season too. However, it meant I also had to acknowledge that by the game ending, the season ended and well, denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

Then the 10th inning came. And the 11th. Wash, rinse, repeat three more times. Till the 14th when the Mets waved their own version of the white flag in surrendering Oliver Perez to the Nationals, saying, okay guys...we're not finishing in 3rd place anyway, you can totally have this game.

When we went downstairs to claim our prize after Ruben Tejada made the last out of this miserable often painful-to-watch season, I was kind of like, nothing to see here, please disperse. Yet, I realized at one point that any moment I could be in the stadium after the game meant that baseball season was not over for me. I got a second chance, a do-over, much like the Mets could have had several times over this year.

Then I started to wax poetic about whose jersey I wanted. For example, it would have just been cruel and unusual punishment to not only subject Mets fans to Oliver Perez on the last home game of the season, it would have been C&UP for the fans who won this raffle to get a used Ollie P jersey. Had that fan been me, I would have done my best imitation of a Phillies fan, with the jersey doing its best impression of a 12 year old child.

I told my partner in crime, I hope that I get Reyes. Or Wright. Or Pelfrey. Not necessarily in that order. And for no other reason but the fact that I figured these guys would still be around in some capacity in 2011. Not that they had spectacular games or anything (well, except for Big Pelf but as we've found out, he too cannot give up one measly run to the other team if he ever wants to win another game).

We are shuttled into the Mets press conference room where the marketing and communications people made an announcement, thanking us for our support and their hopes that we all come out to the ballpark in 2011. Nice gesture, but since they only had about 20+ "winners" to this exclusive club, and some of them had about 3 or 4 people with them (mostly kids, and husbands and wives), there were easily 60 people in there, out of what appeared to be about 75 total fans left behind after the initial people came and bid their farewell to CitiField and the Mets this year.

I was Number Nine. I had a feeling I was going to get someone good after Reyes, Pagan and Perpetual Pedro were chosen.

I got David Wright.

Now most of you would never characterize me as a "David Wright chick," and I admit that I'm the furthest thing from it. But I was so thrilled that finally, I won something as a Mets fan, and it wasn't a sack of sadness. It was a game-used jersey, and it was by our "superstar" (I won't call him "Captain" or "Face of the Franchise" simply because I don't agree with either label). But I do have to admit I squealed like a little school girl at a Jonas Brothers concert when I picked out his name from the Mets helmet. I won something dammit. And it was a guy I love having on my team.

This was the second day in a row that I willingly stayed at Willets Point after the game. I had spent Saturday running the bases as part of a kids and big kids (like me) Mr. Met Dash, and for a big kids' drink with some friends.

Then Sunday came, I had to stay mostly against my will but the payoff was there.

It's a parable really, for why I am a baseball fan but most importantly, a Mets fan. We have to go through the down times to really appreciate the good and great times. The bad years puts things in perspective. It makes you think about what's really important, not just in terms of baseball but in terms of life.

The end of baseball season means that summer is indeed over, and as wise man said, it leaves you to face the fall (and winter) alone.

Yet, I'm not alone. It took me a while to get back home tonight, and walking back a few blocks, I still wasn't looking forward to getting home. TBH asked why. I said, because then it's truly over. We won't be doing this walk anymore till next year, at the very least. It means we won't be going to another baseball game for six months. Sure, I might be having a birthday party at McFadden's CitiField, but it's not the same. I might take the 7 train out to Woodside...it's not the same. Being a football and hockey fan, I like both but I don't LOVE them. My buddy Whit once said it best when he said there's baseball season...and there's the offseason. Whatever I do in the offseason is just filler till when it can start up again.

When we walked in the door, the feeling in the air was different. The sun set earlier than it did yesterday. It was chillier than it had been all week.

The calendar told me it was autumn for a few weeks now, but we all know that for baseball fans, it's when your team is done playing for the season. And I was sad about it. Again, not about 2010 ending, but that it has to ever end. But I guess that's what makes it special, so there IS an Opening Day.

Kind of like my special someone. Most of you know that I tied the knot a few months ago, but I never really publicized it here because I wanted to keep it special and between us. Yet we knew we were meant to be together after spending a weekend together just completing each others sentences back in the spring. And we still do that.

When we got home, I said, "I'm sad." And then we both completed my thought.

I said, "And I have no reason to be." And he said, "And you have no reason to be."

But I did have a slight reason to be. It was over. Baseball season is over. It will be born again come spring. Till then, I have to face the winter. Not alone in the biblical sense, like I had been all those years before I got married.

It will mean though that I have to wait till everything is new again.

Reality Check

2010-09-22T21:51:00.003-04:00

I had to laugh a few times today. See, my friend (and yours) Senor Solly out on the west coast posted something today that said something to the effect that the Marlins have once again eliminated the Mets. Then, Metsblog posted a t-shirt that the site The Apple made in honor of it, on the Elimination Day yesterday.

And I had to laugh. I know, it's funny that it's always the Marlins, isn't it? They are that pesky bug that won't die, the annoying little brother who will hold his finger a few inches away from you while saying "I'm not TOUCHING you," the let-me-at-'em-I'll-splat-'em annoying fucking Scrappy Doo.

But here's where I have to disagree. Trust me, I have plenty of sports teams that can make me cry with getting my hopes up only to dash them at the very end. Like last year, with my hockey team, the Bleeding Blueshirts (Rangers). They lost on the last day of the season BUT what they really lost was opportunity.

Lost opportunities. That's the theme here. The Mets didn't get eliminated by the Marlins. They did a fine job of doing that themselves.

Some fans think the Phillies are the Mets' worst enemy. Some still hate the Braves. I have an irrational anger towards the Marlins. I know the record against these teams, especially this season, is not a good one. But it would all be misguided.

The Mets' worst enemy has to be themselves. They are always getting in their own way. It's counterproductive and akin to shooting themselves in the foot. What saddens me is how much potential and promise there was at the beginning of the season. Then all fire just fizzled out.

This is a common theme that keeps repeating itself. And it won't get any better.

I think the only thing that can change them is a change from the top. I don't think a potential new General Manager should worry about trading Carlos Beltran or breaking up the "core" but rather seeing a better way to BUILDING around the team. Using the surplus of prospects for trades...after all, there is NO way they can all play. And a manager who can tell it like it is. I'm not even talking fiery, Bobby Cox-like or Bobby Valentine-type of big personality. We need a guy who can help cultivate this talent and bring it to the next level since it's obvious the "player's manager" types are not working.

So when we get upset at the Marlins, at the Phils, whoever, just remember...if you spot it, you got it. And what we "got" is a case of pointing the finger at the wrong dudes. The Mets have no one to blame but themselves. That's okay. There's a lot of lessons to be learned here. But let's not blame the Marlins for this.

Leonard Bernstein

2010-09-20T22:03:00.005-04:00

The Mets have been mathematically eliminated. This should be no surprise, and it's not, but it doesn't make it less sad. I had thought the team was so promising at one point in the beginning of the season, and then everything just fell apart.

I finally realized why I've been so edgy the last few years, especially in the last few homes games, though. As my friend Chap once said, the team has seen fit to ripping our collective hearts out and eating it right in front of us. Although she was pegged as being "melodramatic" at the time, I could not help but understand where she was coming from. See, it's bad enough that the season has to end eventually. The way the Mets had ended previous seasons just made a bad situation much much worse.

When we lost Shea Stadium though and got CitiField in return, it was hard for me to identify what was truly a "home." CitiField has become my home this year, and I have gotten over my nostalgia for Shea. It doesn't mean I don't miss the grande dame. There are some nights I feel like a toddler going through her Terrible Twos, stomping on the ground, holding my breath, saying "IwannagotoSHEA!" 2009 was just sad to me. I didn't have a home AND the Mets were just going through the motions. I think my attitude was shitty but then again, it seemed to be a result of my post-traumatic Mets disorder.

See, they are officially eliminated from any postseason contention after tonight. And that's okay. Being a lifelong Mets fan, or however long you've been one, we should be used to it.

I'm not upset about being mathematically eliminated. No, it's not that. It's that baseball season is ending. After October 3, there will be no more baseball for me. Rather, I will turn to Jets football and Rangers hockey to keep me warm in those winter months.

But now that I feel as though I can identify with CitiField, I can make a house into a home. And I welcome you all into it. In a few days, I plan on doing something I have not done since 2007. And that's go to every game in the final home stand at CitiField.

It's gonna be tough, frankly because I am old and can barely go to one game a week without it screwing me up. But seven games in a row? I must have a death wish.

It's not because I'll be watching baseball that doesn't matter. Because to me, baseball always matters. When it's still in season, of course. What matters is that I'll be with my friends and family and people I choose to call my family, which is the cornerstone to what makes My Summer Family what it is.

When the postseason goes on, I will watch simply because it's the closest thing I have to seeing the live real thing. Till it ends. Then I will have nothing except the Gang Green and Broadway Blueshirts. As my buddy Whit calls it, "Not-baseball season." The period leading up to Spring Training. But it's not the same. It's not my team. It's not my laundry.

It's not the end of the world as we know it, it's the end of the season of we know it. But I can enjoy the last few nights on this planet called CitiField for just a little while longer, if it can hold me over till April. It always seems to, though. So I'll just be sitting in blissful ignorance, counting down in my own selfish way what's left of my baseball season.

A Dangerous Game

2010-09-16T23:11:00.003-04:00

When I started blogging in 2007, I tried modeling myself after my blogspirations. Some of them still are around, others are not. One blog in particular I started following back in 2004, and the rigeur du jour of this particular site was to fire the then-Mets manager, Art Howe, coined correctly as "FireArtHowe.com." I thought it was hilarious, and one of the items the owner of this site would encourage is feedback and comments from his or her readers. Needless to say, the Mets fired Art Howe by the end of 2004, so the owner of the site had to think of another route to promote.

The name of the site was changed to "SelltheMets.com." However, by the end of the offseason going into 2005, with the hiring of Omar Minaya snowballing into so-called "Full Autonomy" to the pursuing and wooing of Pedro Martinez to nabbing that offseason's free agent crown jewel Carlos Beltran, the owner of the site also shut down SellTheMets, because (s)he felt it was inappropriate.

Well, I too felt that the Mets were on the right track. On the right track that finally they came to their senses and attempted to have a semblance that "baseball people" and not the ownership were calling the shots on the team, and that they were rightfully in their place, and that was behind the checkbook.

It appears as though old habits die hard and it's evident that once again, the ownership has gotten in the way of the success of the team and most of all, themselves.

Back at Spring Training, a friend of mine was working on a school project down in Port St. Lucie, and I agreed to be interviewed for it. He asked me, "If you (meaning: Coop) were the Wilpons, what would you (meaning: me, the Coop) do to improve the Mets?" And I said without a moment of hesitation, "Sell the team." I think it took him a minute or two to recompose himself, as I'm certain he didn't think I was going to come up with something that quickly. And say it with such conviction.

Whether it's truly a monetary issue, or just a habit of thinking they know better than those who are supposed to take care of the baseball operations, or simply a vanity thing (which is ALL they are about) the fact is the Wilpons are determined to run this franchise into the ground.

What is disturbing to me recently, I guess not so much recently but the habit of the usage of the press to pit the public perception against "underperforming" or those players who are out of favor with the organization to send the proverbial message. I mean, what does this exactly do? It makes the players unhappy, it makes their agents air their dirty laundry back out there not to mention doesn't make it appealing for other stars to want to play. Players will have their ups and downs. But it seems like if the Wilpons are spending the money a few things are bound to occur. One is that if they pay you, they play you (hypothetically speaking of course. They managed to run a 25-man roster with only 23 players in the thick of what could have been an interesting wild card race had they taken it seriously). Two is, if you don't perform up to expectation, they won't cut you but they'll cut your manhood down to size to the point that they hope it is YOU who leaves.

The third is, they tend to take what the public perceives about THEM (note: the ownership and not the team or players themselves), that they'll cut their nose to spite their face. Like I said earlier, it's all about vanity. It's always been about vanity.
`
I think it's clear that they are planning to part ways with not only Jerry Manuel at the end of the season but also reassigning Omar Minaya to some other part of the team (he has time on his contract, so he won't be fired outright). There is a lot of speculation on what to do to improve the team in 2011. Certifiably insane talk about "improving" the team.

Of course, I mean the crazy talk with trading players like Jose Reyes for prospects. Having a new General Manager come from within (like John Ricco) than getting someone in with a vision and bringing a new level of organizational culture to the Mets, and promoting the status quo. Or at the very worst, will "act" like things are changing, then it will be more of the same.

Why on earth if we bring someone in from the outside to be the General Manager (which is what they SHOULD be doing) and have them make crazy moves? I think it goes both ways. For one, they bring in a new fall guy and the Wilpons want to get rid of someone, let the "new guy" do it so their hands are clean. Then we can blame the "new guy" when things go wrong.

If we've learned anything as Mets fans, it's that from darkness comes light. How many down periods we've had as fans, it all leads up to something special and memorable. I have to believe that only good can come out of the inevitable change that is about to occur in the offseason. That is, of course, if Jeff Wilpon & Co don't do the obligatory Francesa visit on WFAN and "promise" change and not deliver it, or deliver enough of a little bits and pieces of it to keep the fanbase appeased and look like they're doing something and then, by not doing anything.

So what do I think? I think the Mets are playing some dangerous games, leading into 2011. It's a slippery slope, for sure. There's a right way to do things, and a wrong way. I am hoping that for once they figure it out all out and not shoot themselves in the feet once again.

Death of the Season Ticket Holder?

2010-09-13T20:44:00.001-04:00

I read an interesting article on CNBC.com today. Although it was geared more towards football season ticket holders, what with Personal Seat Licenses, thousands of dollars for the year itself, not to menti0n all the other incidentals for eight games a year, they suggested that the season ticket holder is going the way of the dodo.

And why not? We have convenienced ourselves so that we never have to leave the home. We can order groceries, order clothes, heck we can even have dry cleaning picked-up AND delivered. Of course, it goes without saying that with most people spending lots of money on in-home entertainment centers, if you can watch a sporting event and have a better experience doing so in the comfort of your own home, why the heck not?

It did get me thinking of the Mets and the state of their season ticket holder fan-base. Recently, it has come to my attention that the Mets are calling mini-plan holders one by one, offering them complimentary tickets to any remaining game of the season in a premium section (kicker being you have to physically pick them up at the box office, so no chance for resale and actually guaranteeing that someone will sit there).

I can't complain about my status as a season ticket holder. The Mets have given me some perks this year, including a complimentary Club Mets membership, 15% discount in the CitiField stores, allegedly some perk at Port St. Lucie, fees waived for Cyclones and individual Mets games purchases, and free stadium tours with a reservation.

Yesterday, I received an email that said that Saturday, October 2, I am invited to "Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Day." Apparently, there are some events and specials for season ticket holders, not to mention giveaways and stuff.

I was a little shocked. They are sending a future email detailing what types of specials they will have. Saturdays are games I usually go to anyway on my plan, and this was to be no exception. So I was pleased with the gesture at least.

With this article I read today, not to mention the recent kind gestures to mini-plan holders, coupled with the effort the Mets are *finally* making with their own season ticket holders, I can't help but think...is this the way of the future? For season ticket holders in sports?

I mean, it makes sense. I would say a big reason for season ticket holders to begin with is the playoff options. Of course, with the Mets, this is usually not the case. But with football games, it's a minimal time investment but lots of money to fork over for the "gift" of being able to buy these crapshoot of games. My friend actually makes a killing on his Rangers season tickets -- he is able to sell a whole part of his plan to ticket brokers, then he "leases" out the rest of the season in packages (I'm a proud partial-owner in that). The supply and demand statistics support this since there are fewer seats, and fewer games to fill.

Baseball, to me, is a harder sell. For one, there are more games. Outside of rivalries and/or a hot ticket (like a playoff game or a Subway Series type of game), some games are a tough sell for the casual fan, let alone the die hard who may not have resources to go (meaning, transportation time, more so than money I feel those are two limitations for fans these days).

I also do like my friend in the Rangers tickets plans and lease out some of my seats. I sold packages of five, four and three games. I have been fortunate to have eaten two games (SO FAR) for this season. That's not to say I've been able to get face value -- more often than not, I am marking them down quite a bit just to move them. Again, there are so many games, you have to give an incentive to resell. As a for example, I have tickets to Tuesday's and Wednesday's game, and they are marked incredibly low. However, I fully anticipate eating them (providing I do not go to them myself...but I am not sure I can make both games just for the sake of going).

I don't see myself giving up my status as a season ticket holder, but I can't deny that I'd like to see changes being made. Most certainly, I would like to see the Mets give us some kind of "hometown discount" on full season plans. That way, when I need to discount tickets to move them or I simply can't make it, there is not a lot of pressure. I feel like my seats, for what it's worth, are fairly valued. I wouldn't mind another discount though (We were supposed to have "10%" but it was like a stupidly derived average and did not apply to many seats, mostly in the Promenade section).

It's been tough to be a Mets fan in the last few years. Not that it's ever easy -- if it were easy, we'd all be Yankees fans. If other sports are worried about their season ticket holder base, in popular sports that are pretty easy sells, then it's evident to me that Sterling Mets MUST be concerned about their future with loyal fans.

Backman is the Answer - What Was the Question?

2010-09-04T14:05:00.006-04:00

I am not going to sugar-coat things. I LOVE Wally Backman. Was so disappointed when the Mets pursued Willie Randolph and not Backman, upset when Backman got a bum rap and subsequently was blackballed from baseball for a few years and happy when he finally got some redemption and a good baseball reputation, and was named Cyclones manager.

I am going to a Brooklyn Cyclones game tonight -- I used to go all the time, but Coney Island is kind of a pain in the ass to get to, but it's Labor Day weekend and the Other Half has not been to the I'm-Calling-It-KeySpan Park yet. And it's our time to give credit where due. Backman's team is currently tearing it up in the NY Penn League, and when a team is that young and hungry, it takes a special manager to be able to bring it all together.

That is why I am giving my hearty endorsement for the Mets to go after Wally Backman no holds barred in the offseason. I know this is the topic-du-jour these days in blogland, but come on. We all know Jerry Manuel is a lame duck (as TOH calls him, "Dead Manuel Walking"). Ken Oberkfell I think is still the best "tenured" coach in the organization, and if the Mets are truly going through the youth movement as evideced with the line up against the Cubs today, they need a manager who is going to guide them and try to get every ounce of potential out of them NOW, rather than this lackadaisical "let the players play" management we've had for two terms in Randolph and Manuel.

I wrote a piece a while back, calling out the on-field leadership on the Mets. People want David Wright to be the Captain -- I could not disagree more. He's a player who needs GUIDANCE. Why do you think Howard Johnson is still on the coaching staff: it's because David -- the "franchise part two" -- needs him there for a touchstone, whether he is helping the team or not. I liked Jeff Francoeur, I'm sure he's a really nice guy, but to call a guy with a .230 BA a "clubhouse leader...." I suppose I guess my point is, this team is in bigger trouble than we originally thought if HE was considered the leader.

My point is, I got in a lot of trouble by saying that players these days are different. It's very rare there are the Tony LaRussa's and Terry Francona's our there who get the respect of both the kids and the vets in the clubhouse. I grew up in an era where the manager had less weighting -- they basically just had to be a nice guy. Now, players these days are coddled since Day One. They win trophies in Little League for just showing up. You throw them into a mix in the clubhouse and they have no idea how to WIN.

Enter Wally Backman. Even Bobby Valentine to a lesser extent, but I think his brash attitude wouldn't gel with the team "unit" structured now, and "reunions" typically don't go as well as the first time. Backman has established that he can extract every ounce of talent on his team out. Backman knows how to win. He's not afraid to take shit from anyone. Put aside the fact he's a former '86er. He has a proven track record and if the Mets are truly going the youth route in 2011, we need a guy who was coached by Davey Johnson (and by all account, Johnson was the only one who was willing to give him a chance based on his scrappy attitude) and knows how to get the best out of his players and isn't afraid to push the envelope.

In other words, he knows how to win.

I hope they can right a wrong. Backman should have been the Mets manager in 2005. He can be manager in 2011. I hope for once, they get THIS go 'round right.

Damned If He Does

2010-09-01T20:01:00.005-04:00

Let's not fool ourselves. The Mets have conceded the season.

Don't get me wrong. I know they are not mathematically eliminated (yet...) and I also realize that Jeff Francoeur is hardly a make-or-break player. He was a good dude by all accounts but couldn't hit worth a damn and couldn't adjust his approach to the plate after so many years, his cannon of an arm in the outfield wasn't going to save him from any criticism.

However, trading him for a dude with a worse OBP than his after four partial (operative word here) seasons in the majors in Joaquin Arias, coupled with most of the lineup being young guys suggests to me two things.

One is that they are saying without saying "wait till next year." The pink elephant in the room this season is outside of two road series in Interleague play and a rain shortened series in Pittsburgh, the Mets weren't going to do anything but mail it in for the rest of the season after not winning any road series.

Two is that...the farm system is not as depleted as we thought it was. However, with names like Lucas Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jenrry Mejia, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas in the lineup now, there are no future Strasburgs or Heywards there, but the good news is there is depth.

I've had some conversations with some people in the past about Omar Minaya, specifically, and how he has handled this time. Perhaps Ted Berg said it best the other day and suggested that the Mets "core" isn't so much fractured as it is that Minaya has done a poor job of building around them. And that's true. Paul LoDuca and Carlos Delgado were good pickups, but it was a misconception to think of them as long-term plans, which I think after the Mets went on a tear in 2006, Minaya started to kind of believe his own hype. He certainly wasn't alone. I certainly drank a lot of the Omar-ade back then too. Moises Alou was awesome to watch when he was healthy for the 50 or so games he played in 2007. Having him with no plan B suggests to me that Minaya got a bum deal when he was named GM in 2004. He kind of had to start from scratch but needed to jump at deals when he had them.

This is by no means a glowing report of Minaya, nor is it an indictment. It's just that I think right now his time is done as GM of the Mets. His scouting and drafting could be better, but we can't deny he has a good eye for talent. If I were Jeff Wilpon, I'd just "reassign" Omar Minaya within the organization, not demote him or fire him. As I think he might have some value left to the Mets. He's just not a GOOD GM for what he's been given. That has been established.

As for now, well, with the trade of Jeff Francoeur and the seeming loss of Jason Bay for the year (I doubt he'll return this season, and I won't blame him if he does not attempt a comeback), we got what we wanted. As of today, our starting lineup is Angel Pagan, Luis Castillo, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Lucas Duda, Ike Davis, Mike Nickeas, Ruben Tejada and Jenrry Mejia. Mejia is making his first major league start today against a team that's had it worse than the Mets have this year, his personal catcher is making the start over another young dude named Josh Thole. In other words, five out of the starting nine are "rookies" this year, and the Mets are playing the kids.

We are getting what we asked for, yet Omar Minaya is still damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. Of course, we know now officially that the Mets aren't going to do anything except show up for the month of September, but it's the albatross of Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Carlos Beltran that have his handwriting all over it that make his legacy as Mets General Manager memorable, for better or for worse.

As I said, this isn't a recommendation nor an indictment on Minaya. Just something I've observed. Carry on.

Au Revoir

2010-08-31T23:13:00.002-04:00

I liked Jeff Francoeur. He did need to go, though.

But for a first baseman who has no power and walks less than Frenchy himself...? Why? Unless they plan on keeping Joaquin Arias in the minors for, like, ever.

When I told TOH his stats, he asked, "Why is he playing first? And why is he playing baseball?"

The good news is, Jenrry Mejia and Lucas Duda will be part of the September call-up contingent.

The bad news is...the Mets are falling apart in front of our very eyes. No, not because of Francoeur. But I guess by trading who the Maple Street Press called "The Right Fielder of the Decade" for the Mets, with Angel Pagan out for a bit (along with Jose Reyes, thus eliminating any kind of speed from the lineup), they are mailing it in for the rest of the season.

A sad day for the HardCoeurs out there now...

This Is the Last Time

2010-08-28T11:47:00.008-04:00

People have asked me to weigh on my unusually silent stance on the CitiField Sit Out that was supposed to have occurred Wednesday, August 25. Well, I do have some very good reasons for not posting -- I started a new job this week, plus I was actually at the game on August 26, so I have not been around to blog let alone, well, surf the Internet or anything. It's nothing to do with being ashamed or whatever. I'm actually proud of the experiment, for better or worse.

So I will weigh in. First off - some of the Twitterverse who are following me asked me if I was going to run another one. Uh, I think that answer would be a big fat NO unless others were willing to help spread the word and actually participate. See, I think that Matt Cerrone over at Metsblog weighed in perfectly on this -- he said it smacks of the old "boycott ExxonMobil for a day to get oil out of reserves" emails back in the day. I totally agreed with that and to a certain extent thought of it myself with the original seedlings of the event being planted.

Another reason why I've been so silent on it is that, and this is a huge confessional time is this: I never believed it would work. Shocker, right?

Here's the thing: I can't even take full credit for the idea. However, I was willing to take the proverbial ball and run with it to see how people would respond.

I was on Twitter one night after a particularly demoralizing loss. Some fans were lamenting the season. I won't say that I am a total optimist, but I never quite stop believing until the mathematical chances of being eliminated are finito. But this year may not have been as taxing to my psyche (as well as my liver) than others because I came in with low expectations.

That is to say I am not entirely NOT disappointed. I am, and I think everyone else should be too.

But this is where the interesting feedback and fallout have come. See, those who have followed the Coop and My Summer Family knows that she is not afraid to say anything. Like this Sit Out, I knew people would go to the game, and I knew it would not make that big of an impact. However, other fans believed very strongly in the idea of a peaceful demonstration, rather than a walk out or complete boycott of anything Mets-related, that I felt like there was enough support to warrant it.

The issue from that fallout was that most fans who agreed to not attend the game were probably not going to attend anyway. I had two sets of tickets, which I ate. But I was going to sell them on Stubhub anyway. On the flip side of that, I would have taken a huge hit on both sets, since I doubt I would have gotten face value or anything close to it. So it was no big loss to me, although I was not really in a position to do so. I'd been funemployed for the last five months and my husband is notoriously very frugal. On a side note he was not able to sell his tickets for Thursday's game on StubHub and they were marked down considerably. Not to mention, we saw a massive walk out before the game was even close to ending once it was evident that they weren't coming back.

If someone doesn't go to a game, another person gladly will. Physically no one sat in my four seats for this game, and maybe they wouldn't have sold at all. Some people I've met over the years claim to "not watch professional sports" as some kind of self-righteous stance. And my retort has always been, no one really cares if you or me attend the games. The owners, of any sports, not just the Mets or in baseball, want their corporate dollars. Without them, there is no team. And that's the truth. Sure, the fans are the people who live and die by the team sword...but our dollars aren't what makes the income statement flourish.

I was, quite frankly, humbled and a bit embarrassed by the coverage the Sit Out received (thanks to Lisa Swan at Faster Times and Kevin Kaduk at Yahoo) -- especially since I was the figure head that tried to organize this.

I'll be honest though -- I knew, deep down, it would not make an impact. I knew about 20K fans would show up. I even spoke about this very topic with Miss Dee Wrighter because shortly after MetsMerized Online started to promote the Sit Out, I felt the need to go ahead with it instead of cancelling it (also because my dear friend Lady PAC started calling the FAN about it). Big ups, by the way, to Lady PAC because she hosted a party with 55 people, with a Mets-themed dinner as they listened to the game on her deck. This is the way a Sit Out party should have been catered!

I felt like a hypocrite though because I wanted to believe in something like this, however my heart wasn't truly in it from the get-go. I think many fans knew that, even my Twitterverse that helped me with the idea in the first place. I knew just MOI is not influential enough to get people to sway my way. And that's fine. I just had to see if it could remotely make some kind of impact. It did not, and it's time to move on and think of other ways to make this organization notice us.

This exercise has also shown me a few things, actually things I already knew and figured out on my own, regarding the Sit Out and just professional sports, in general:
a.) People will still go to games (I even said that in my Faster Times Q&A that they could lose every game from here on out and I will still find a way to go)
2.) Fans, of any sports not just baseball or the Mets specifically, are apathetic, for lack of a better term. As an example, I am a Ranger fan and one of my best friends is a season ticket holder. Every year, he is not given a reason for why he should buy the season out, but he does...I know how he feels. Perhaps my explanation over at ESPN should shed some light on why I am a fan (again, this answer could apply not just of the Mets but any sport I follow). I guess to everything (turn turn turn), there is a season. And to every season, there is a sport...that fans will want to participate in no matter how bad their team is (except for the Pirates -- their stadium was like CitiField West last weekend).
D.) That fans are INCREDIBLY territorial about who they root for and why.

The D.) choice is potentially one of the items I was most shocked about. I never realized that this idea, which I felt personally was peaceful and the most non-confrontational of others that were being floated around, would be so incredibly divisive. I felt that the people who were most dead set against the Sit Out idea were the people who knew the least about it or wanted to hear about it. I guess it's sort of like politics: you are for one side or the other. Yet, you always find fault with "the other," even if you refuse to see what the "other side" has to present. I am just as guilty when I know my party is far from perfect.

So what, pray tell, is a "fan?" My friend J-Sol posted the actual Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of Fan, which is:
noun 1: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator
2: an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit)

I write about the Mets. I talk about the Mets, not to mention baseball, to anyone who will listen. I love going to games, and go to about 30-40 games per year, home and on the road. I own merchandise. I live, breathe and eat their product. I argue with holier-than-thou Yankee fans who think they know everything about baseball because they root for a winning team. That's to say, there are plenty of games I own, as a season ticket holder, that I do not attend. Does that make me, personally, a "false" or "fake" fan? Because that's all I've heard about "true fans." Sometimes, I can't make it. If I can't sell it, I eat it. That's the way of the road.

But who the hell are YOU, brother or sister, to decide what a "true fan" is? I know at least four people whom I know would have participated in a Sit Out if they didn't already own tickets but were committed to going. Trust me, I pale in comparison to their fandom. And they wanted to participate! Go figure.

Joe D even posted a great write up on that very topic, about how 70% of fans are pretty levelheaded, but there are 15% who are overwhelmingly positive, 15% who are overwhelmingly negative. That's to say, there is no pleasing either of those 15% pendulums. To them, you are either a "fan" or not. What I find is that especially with the eternal optimists, no one else is a fan BUT them. If you show one iota of negative energy, you can't be a "true" fan. Let alone take anything you ever say out of context.

I am a blogger. I don't go the passive-aggressive route of taking a stand without really taking a stand at all, while claiming to be controversial while not really raising important questions that people want to hear. I say what I mean, mean what I say and without my disagreeables, I wouldn't have a site. I've often said I'd rather have 10 people disagree with me than having 1,000 people licking my ass telling me how great I am. I know I'm not great -- I'm just a fan with an opinion and a love for writing.

Yes, I just called myself a fan. As I said before, if someone decides not to go a game, I'm sure there is someone who would much rather go in their place and will most of the time. That said, it's tough to quantify how many people did not attend the game due to the Sit Out, didn't hear about it, or just didn't care.

In other words, don't blame the Coop or the Sit Out for 27K paid attendance and whatever went through the turnstiles (possibly less than that, since this was a mini-plan holders game). People will go, and that's that. I sat out Wednesday night. If one of my blolleagues wanted to try something like this again, and I had tickets for it, I'd do it again if I felt the cause was justified. I reacted to how the majority of level-headed fans wanted...and I'm not losing any sleep over not going to the game or how it turned out. Because I knew that was how it was going to turn out.

Oh speaking of solidarity, my buddies over The Apple did a nice little piece about the Mets response to the Sit Out...yes they had a response. And it was a very weak response at that :) (only read if you understand satire).

So as Keane once said, this is the last time that I will say these words. The Sit Out experiment is complete. If we can mobilize more people into action next time, give me a call but I will not attach my name to it next time. I've seen enough Haterade this time around to justify doing it again.

Stuck Between Stations

2010-08-22T22:50:00.019-04:00

"There are nights when I think Sal Paradise was right/Boys and Girls in America have such a sad time together" - Hold Steady, Stuck Between Stations

As most of you know, I spent a drive-by visit in Pittsburgh this weekend, to see the Mets play the Pirates. The good news is, the Mets won their first National League road series in 2010. The bad news is, they lost on Sunday, not completing a sweep like they should have. The good news is, they won the game we attended. The bad news is, we spent more time in the car than in the actual stadium. Take it from me, folks: fly to Pittsburgh.

The Other Half is usually in charge of pictures when we go on baseball road trips these days. We invested in a new camera shortly before our West Coast trip last month, and he takes better pics than me, admittedly. When we are in the car or the bus traveling to a stadium, he likes to document the signs and the stops we make by taking pics.

I will be documenting the stadium later, but I am doing the chronicle a little ass-backwards. See, being from the New York area, I am used to listening to 660 for the WFAN broadcasts. However, there are several stations that broadcast the Pittsburgh Pirates games in and around the city.

Some of our fellow road tripping fans wanted us to stay the second game...however, I wanted to get back home. The good news is, the Mets lost, so I didn't feel bad about staying. The bad news is, we got stuck in about 2 hours of traffic by the GW Bridge. The really bad news is, I should have listened to my gut about taking the Holland Tunnel all the way through, but I decided to listen to my GPS, which by the way was completely schizo the entire weekend. You'd think my lesson was learned, right? Nooooooooo.

Anyway we headed back on the road around 10:30 am on Sunday. I had wanted to leave earlier but I was so exhausted, I needed as much sleep as I could spare. When we left, I almost entertained staying for the game only because we had gotten around to leaving so late. But it also meant we'd have to get from Queens late at night, since that's where we rented our car from.

Our first stop whenever we are on the road is Cracker Barrel. If you have never experienced a Cracker Barrel, well, then you have not experienced Americana at its very best. Speaking of Americana, I've never done such an intense road trip in my adult life. Generally, I fly everywhere. This was questionable, but it was neat to finally have done it. Then again, I will never do it again, but glad I was able to do it once.

Getting there I was able to see so many rivers that I read about in my American History classes as a kid. The Susquehanna. Driving through mountains.

Pittsburgh would have been cool to explore had I been in the mood to do so, what with Fort Duquesne, the Allegheny, the Monongahela. and even as a baseball history fan going to visit Forbes Field.

Our biggest concern though was listening to the game once we were on the road. Oddly enough, the Pirates broadcast their games on an FM channel locally, so once we were out of range, it was AM stations, which is what we were used to. We were able to find their AM station right away after leaving Cracker Barrel.

However, we had to keep changing stations as we got further away from the city itself. TOH was using his copiloting and DJ-ing skills to assist. He got lucky most of the time. However, if we hit a tunnel, we'd lose all reception for a bit. One of the cooler parts about seeing Americana on the road is driving through mountains.

The not-so-cool part was missing an at-bat here or there. Now, at one point, well actually during the whole game was Johan Santana absolutely dominating. Of course you'd think the Mets would score some runs off a weak-ish Pirates pitching staff but nooooooo. However, at one point, we were lamenting leaving because "what if" this game turned into the first no-hitter?

Well, I'm just absolutely resigned to never seeing or hearing one that the Mets pitch anyway. By that time though, we were able to get the FAN pretty clearly from that point on, I'm guessing at the mid-way point in the state of Pennsylvania. We missed a part while going through a tunnel where someone got on base, but then we realized it was a walk or error or something. Then by the time the first hit occurred, we heard Wayne Hagin give the exact number of games the Mets have started and have not gotten a no-hitter.

Of course, it was fitting that we were able to get that stat and hear it on the FAN. Of course, if there was a no-hitter we'd have wanted it no other than to hear it on the FAN since it's the closest thing to home.

So speaking of home, we were nowhere near it at that point. TOH had mentioned that maybe we would be crossing the Jersey state line by the time the game was ending. Of course, Johan Santana is so efficient. Would you believe me if I told you that we'd see two complete games in a row by Johan...but both were losses?

Of course. This is the Mets we are talking about.

I don't know if I was just cranky or tired, maybe a bit of both. At any rate, we head into some small town where I wanted to get a Dairy Queen. DQs are hard to come by these days. I decided to get a coffee next door for the ride, since Cracker Barrel only gave me brown water for breakfast.

That's when I saw it. A dog in a van with closed windows.

Granted, the weather was not hot. The sun wasn't beating down on it. It was the PRINCIPLE of it. You wouldn't leave a child in there, with no windows cracked at the least, while his human went in to get his coffee and donuts.

Well, I let 'er rip on this jackass. I said, "Don't you know the amount of PREVENTABLE animal deaths happen each year because of leaving your animals in shut cars?"

He gets all defensive, "Well, it's not hot out...I'm only here 3 minutes...etc etc." To which I replied, "It doesn't matter! It doesn't matter!" I was so frustrated, by that time, he says, "Oh mind your own bloody business." To which I replied, "Take better care of your pet, you limey douche."

I might have also used the words, in no specific order "douchebag," "jackass," "moron" or "dumb ass."

And the Mets still weren't scoring runs by the time I made it back from my coffee trip. And before any of you ask, yes the husband stayed in the car, but he can fend for himself, unlike a domestic pet who trusts us and depends on us to take care of them.

The game was very late by then...and of course Johan was still in. By this time, I was pretty pleased we did not stay. Although I had gotten half a game in on Saturday, a win is a win and I got enough of the local flavor of PNC Park to justify our trip. We didn't get to Jerz before the game ended...but I was sure we'd be home before some of our blolleagues who had made the trip for Sunday.

Then the rain came down. A lot. Decreased visibility. Slowing down. I am fine with driving in the rain, but it's the caution I hate exercising, as I have bit of a lead foot. But we were still making good time on Route 78.

Then the GPS, who had sent me in some bass-ackwards ways all weekend sent me to the north. Against my better judgment, I didn't take 78 all the way to NYC but also did not listen to traffic reports.

That is...until it was much too late.

We get to the George Washington Bridge and I notice a little backup. I think nothing of it.

Till I see it not moving. At. All. I can't bail, since this is the "express" lane, and the only exit is right before the bridge...THREE MILES AWAY.

NOW I get the bright idea for traffic reports.

Every other Hudson River crossing has 10-15 minute delays. The GW? ONE FUCKING HOUR.

We decided to bail in Fort Lee, where we got to participate in more Americana settings, at Five Guys Burgers. Nothing says Americana and road trip like stopping at a burger joint (I give the slight edge to Shake Shack though).

As irony would have it, when we started this trip, we picked up our car from LaGuardia, which as you know is right next door to our very own CitiField. The GPS had us go in a back-end direction, which was fine with me since I was able to hit a non-BP gas station on the way home to top off the tank.

So we started at CitiField, made a Pittstop (get it?) at PNC Park, then passed CitiField again on the way home.

We were home.

So the rules of the road here...
Don't drive to Pittsburgh.
EVER.
If you do, stop at Cracker Barrel, there are about a million on the different interstates you travel.
If you stop at a Dunkin Donuts for a latte, make sure you stop before hitting a Hudson River crossing so you can pee. Picking a fight with a British guy who forgets his pet in the car is optional.
When all else fails, hit Five Guys. It's not Shake Shake, but worth a try.

And when you get back to LaGuardia, don't wait for the bus to take you home, even in torrential down pour. Dial-7 provided us with a car pickup in 10 minutes to take us back to the city.

I loved PNC Park, but it's a bitch-and-a-half to travel there. Not to mention, if you are catching a game on the radio, you have to really search for the stations to find the Mets. But halfway through the state, you feel like you are home again.

Where the Allegheny and Monongahela Meet

2010-08-20T10:56:00.003-04:00

So take a wild guess where the Coop is going to this weekend?

If y'all weren't quite sure if I was crazy yet, this will certainly put you over the edge, as I am going to my fifth road stadium this year. Although TOH (The Other Half) hadn't been to any of them, PNC Park will be the only stadium of which I am a virgin (no comments, Solly...you too, DyHrdMet).

Although I had the craziest of road trips by my lonesome in 2009 (Petco Park two days, a day game at California Angels Stadium with a nightcap at Ebbets West), this is the first year I've done five road stadiums in one year...with a companion for all those stadiums. This is also the first time I'm driving to Pittsburgh from the City of Blinding Lights.

Yeah, I'm nuts.

However, with a stop over at Cracker Barrel on the way, I figure I can drive anywhere. I just hope that I can enjoy this drive-by visit. After all, we will only be there on Saturday.

Yeah, I told you I'm nuts.

I'm hoping to pay homage to some of the greats, like Roberto Clemente, Sid Bream, John Smiley, Sammy Khalifa, Orlando Merced and Bill Mazeroski. That order is intentional.

Notice I haven't said that I am going to see the Mets. It seems like that's only an afterthought to me these days. I am someone who likes to believe up to the very day they are mathematically eliminated. Even though a Mets fan can only BELIEVE sometimes...it's very hard to do so these days.

People are telling me, "Well, maybe PITTSBURGH will be the first NL road series we'll win this year."

Okay, let's look at the evidence, folks. They have not won an NL road series since 2009. They've won series on the road, but only in interleague, in 2010. They were supposed to beat Arizona and their "weak offense" and were stacked against the Houston Astros this week. Now I'm supposed to believe we are going to take a series from Pittsburgh?

Keep dreaming. Well, I can dream that the Mets will win a road series in the National League before 2011. How much you wanna bet that happens in September, when it no longer matters?

i digress. I'm going to Pittsburgh. I will not be indulging in Primanti Bros (although TOH and a certain little bear will be, along with our Cincinnati represents who will be there this weekend)....but I may have a beer or two...maybe three.

Oh wait, I'm driving.

FML.

No One Watches As The Ambulance Pulls Away

2010-08-18T16:19:00.003-04:00

Is there a more powerful drug than the one of "denial?"

Forget alcohol, hard drugs, caffeine, nicotine, dairy...denial takes the cake, hands down (oh yeah, sugar is another one).

I am talking about me, as a Mets fan. Actually, come to think of it, Joe D hit the nail on the head when he talks about the "typical Mets fan" today, about how there are about 70% of us who are giddy with wins but take losses in stride. Opti-Mets make everyone feel like they are not doing "enough" and pessi-Mets only seem happy when the Mets are losing. I can't say I have 100% "Metitude" all the time, as one Tweeter calls it, but I can say that I am part of the typical forum with borderline positive tendencies.

That said, I don't want to be one of those fans who is calling for football season, as my friend Steve over at Kranepool Society has already done today. Well, maybe hockey season. But definitely not football season. However, it's hard to be positive these days. We manage but...I'm just trying not to end up in the insane asylum before October 3.

We lost our "star closer" (who has blown seemingly every save situation I've seen on the road this year) for the season due to not just a freak injury, but one in which he inflicted upon himself while committing assault against his kids' grandfather (not to mention in front of his teammates' families). Before anyone tells me "Oh plenty of closers give their fans heart attacks," well tell that one to the judge. The Mets can take star closers and turn them into shyte. I think Mr. E put it best when he said, "What a stupid fucking idiot. This can only happen 2 Mets." (I should mention this was in text format and well...the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree I guess). By the way, if you want a good read, head to Remembering Shea and see what DyHrdMet has to say about this chain of events and how the Mets are handling the K-Rod situation. I have to say, if there is a possible way to agree with someone 900%, I would do that to this article now.

But I'm still in denial. I deny that the Mets are in long-term trouble. Well. I guess I have acknowledged there's a problem in there since I am promoting a Great CitiField Sit Out (BE SOMEWHERE ELSE on August 25 vs the Marlins).

I am hoping to initiate some change at the grassroots level to not have the fans show up. What does this prove? Well, that baseball isn't all about the money. Haven't the Mets proved that spending top dollar doesn't exactly bring you the best team? Heck, even fans know that spending all that money doesn't mean you'll have a great time or a great experience.

Next, if you haven't already, please participate in the poll to the right of this column, regarding Howard Megdal's Mets General Manager campaign. Some of my friends on Brooklyn Met Fan, some of the most passionate and knowledgeable I have ever met, are cynical, about having "two bad candidates" (meaning Omar Minaya and/or Howard Megdal). But you see, this is why we need to rock the vote. Just because Howard Megdal isn't the guy you want to run the team, you can also use this as a forum to say what kind of changes you are looking for.

So denial can be powerful. However, once you hit rock bottom in your river of it, change can be initiated.

********************************************
I can't be too much in denial with the trainwreck of a season. After all, the Other Half and I were discussing this season and reasons for this downfall. It's more than management. It's more than the bats not being turned on. It's more than the bullpen falling apart every now and then. It's not about Ho-Jo, Jerry Manuel or Omar Minaya. It's not even about Frankie, Beltran or anyone else.

But what is causing this general malaise? TOH says that it's a leadership issue, that no one will call the team out. I say, this is a multiple system failure and the only bright spot from this is that the pitching has been stellar.

That said...2007, 2008 and even 2009 were easy to figure out. This year is not the worst team money can buy, but certainly the most underachieving, unlikable, unmotivated and disappointing team.

Just forfeit.

It's MO VAUGHN MONDAY, Y'all!

2010-08-16T11:37:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce that My Summer Family is hosting a Mets General Manager primary for Howard Megdal, on behalf of the Megdal for GM grassroots campaign!

I am honored to be a part of this historical event. If anyone has demonstrated the passion for logic and transparency, it is Megdal. He understands what the fans want, what a team should comprise and how to handle the press. He is determined to make his mark on the Mets world by ensuring there will be people who are as passionate about the team as we all are.

I also want to note that if Megdal is looking, I can do a mean John Ricco impersonation. Just sayin'. Please participate in the voting for this week!

ESPN: Why Bother?

2010-08-15T22:47:00.003-04:00

As a season ticket holder, I am a not a fan of Sunday evening baseball games. As a baseball fan, I like them less. If that's even possible. My point is, an 8:05 pm start on a Sunday, on the East Coast, when mostly everyone in America has to work the next day, is completely asinine. They are a hard sell for me, as a season plan holder, but also to justify going to.

But as a Mets fan, it's more difficult.

Is it me, or does it seem like every time the Mets have an 8:05 pm game on a Sunday, they are just so royally fucked over? Because the Phillies and Mets will have a pretty decent national draw, I am used to their Sunday games more than likely being the ESPN game. That's not the point here.

Did you know that tomorrow, the Phillies don't even have to play...plus they are just going back home. So they could in all seriousness, go back to their hotel rooms, chill and sleep, and take their own damn sweet time getting back to the city of Brotherly Love and Puking on Children.

The Mets meanwhile, have to travel. Now, if this was to Boston, Atlanta, Miami, you get the drift. An easy flight on the East Coast, then I wouldn't mind. But this team has to go to fucking HOUSTON, TEXAS, tomorrow. No rest for the weary I guess.

Then I got pissed. Does America really want to see the Mets/Phillies THAT badly on a Sunday evening? I'm sure even like three of the Phillies fans that are out there have day jobs and aren't criminals and dislike them too.

And why at 8:05 pm EST? I mean, I get "prime time" and all, but I'm sure most people wouldn't mind having a 7:05 or okay a 7:10 start. Even 7:35 pm would be better served. As a ticket holder, I have to mark my tickets down incredibly so I can move them.

That's not all. I remember back in 2008, the Mets played a Sunday night game in Philly. I don't remember where Philly was going the next day but I definitely remember the Mets going to Chicago. They had a two game series there, and were promptly swept. I swear, they were not the same after that.

Yeah, I know. This sounds of sour grapes, right? I doubt I am the only baseball fan who thinks like this. Maybe not about the residual, but who exactly does the ESPN Sunday night game serve? Maybe the ratings on TV, but it certainly is not fan-friendly.

Er, uh, er, uh

2010-08-14T23:47:00.005-04:00

Only the 2010 Mets it seems could look flawless one day, then look like complete ass the next.

We go from two days of pitching dominance to just looking like a bumbling low Single A team.

The run scoring business could be better. However, it was getting there.

We can certainly justify not scoring runs against Halladay, since he is phenomenal.

And Pat Misch did well, all things considered.

But...the errors. The Mets would not have won this game anyway but the errors cannot be helping the rest of the team's psyche.

I can almost handle the non-scoring BS. But the errors drives me nuts.

Granted, I did not watch any of the game. Wait. I watched the 9th inning when Frankie came in. But the damage had been done.

I can see an occasional brain cramp here and there. Tonight was unacceptable. Errors including a Buckner-like error from our Golden Boy, David Wright. Ruben Tejada started the error onslaught while muffing a double play. But of course they are costly because out of the four runs the Phillies scored, THREE of them were unearned. What the heck?

Someone, somewhere, asked facetiously (probably on Twitter) that if we got Ruben Tejada for his defense...why does he suck?

Which leads me to my next point. Some errors don't just occur on the field. They occur off the field and if you are with the Mets, it's in the front office. And this is of course the master of the lack-of-range himself...Luis Castillo.

Today, a big article hit the wires about how he "can't be here anymore."

Hey, Weezie, don't the let door hit ya!

Look, I know at one point, Luis Castillo was a decent ballplayer. However many times he's vilified by the dropped pop-up in 2009, the fact is his best days and have come and gone and there's not a lot of value the Mets could get for him. Especially with one year left on his contract.

However, his whole thing is making a mockery. Right now, it's very easy to pick on the Mets. I mean, it just...is. So Luis is striking while the iron is hot. Jeff Francoeur via his agent has quietly requested a trade or more playing time in response to it. It's easy to say - oh they don't want me around. Well, no shit Sherlock. You need a shovel to dig deeper, Watson? It's kind of obvious.

The Mets would rather play a rather green Ruben Tejada in place of your gimpy ass, and you have the balls to complain about it. Meanwhile, you have no problem usurping money and years from the Mets, not to mention a spot on the roster that well, the Mets could really use.

Here's an idea: ask for your outright release. Say you are retiring. Work out a deal where you no longer steal money from the team. No one wants you here, you are right. But I highly doubt there are people lining up for the services of a dude whose days were better served behind him.

So on a day where the Mets commit error after error -- er, uh, er, uh -- the granddaddy of all error makers, Luis Castillo, waxes poetic about his leaving this temple of doom at Citifield -- er, uh, er, uh -- and actually wants us to care about it.

Guess what Luis? No one cares about your shitty problems anymore. We have a Wild Card race to worry about. This is a very important series to finish up tomorrow.

If you left, believe me, you'd be saving us all from a lot of uncomfortable situations later on. And while you're at it, drug Oliver Perez and take him with you. Kthxbye. Love, the Coop

Get Along, Kid Charlemagne

2010-08-12T17:57:00.008-04:00

"While the music played you worked by candlelight/Those San Francisco nights/You were the best in town"

Today, you are reading post number 500 for My Summer Family. To my dear three and a half readers who give me feedback and make it worth it to write and bitch and moan about the Mets on a consistent basis...I say...thank you. Moving right along, with #500, I have LOTS to write about. So let's not waste any more time, shall we?

"Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl/You turned it on the world/And you turned the world around"

Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away lived a girl named Coop. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Die hard Mets fan since she was seven years old. Watching baseball with her old man, Mr. E, was an especially delightful treat, especially that guy she used to giggle watching his name on his jersey. "Strawberry 18." By 1984, a guy she called "Gooden Plenty" on the train engineering a Mets win with Captain Davey (she even used to sing to that annoying "Good N Plenty" jingle that was on TV back then by substituting their names).

"Did you feel like Jesus/Did you realize/That you were a champion in their eyes?"

Back in this far far away galaxy was a championship team, a team like no other. They were vilified, fear yet loved like no others. There were a group renegades, especially, four guys who didn't give a flying frog's fat ass about what others thought of them. They were roughed up by the law in Sheriff's country, after roughing them up themselves, yet came through and was just a footnote to an otherwise dominant reign.

"On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene/but yours was kitchen clean/everyone stopped to stare at your Technicolor motor home"

Yet, this dominance was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Sadly, it was tried several times to recapture said mystique, but it never occurred. Once a family got in, and tried to change the energy of this team, weird things happened. Non-power hitters would hit home runs to suck wind out of any momentum. Fingers were chopped off at odd hours, blaming an errant hedge clipper but rumored for years to be a mishap similar to the night when the four renegades challenged the law deep-in-a-heart-a Texas.

"Every A-Frame had your number on the wall/You must have had it all/You'd go to LA on a dare and you'd go it alone"

Over the years, some tried to believe that you could recreate magic, and you couldn't, simply by throwing a lot of cash around. Then you would get the Worst of what you could Buy. People often refer to this group of misfits as the most unlikable group of characters you could get into a room together. According to the exalted rulers of the bunch, the vibe of the day was "family friendly" and "we're NICE guys." It seemed, though, the more they tried to attain that level of Mr. Nice Guy, the further away they were from it. Firecrackers. Bleach. The Bronx. The Annuity.

"Could you live forever?/Could you see the day?/Could you feel your whole world fall apart and fade away?"

And yet, it seems like history never seems to die, it just keeps repeating itself over and over again. See this group from a galaxy far far away turns out they are not much different from you and me. They have their own issues, their own dramas, their own family problems. Yet we still get involved in them, and make our own judgments.

"Now your patrons have all left you in the red/Your low rent friends are dead/This life can be very strange"

Of course, I am leading into the unusual saga of Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez. The tide has changed in the story several times today. Actually, it was our own Kevin Burkhardt who made it a point, several times, to say that K-Rod's physical attack on his to-be father-in-law (since he is not officially married yet) was due to something not related to the debacle of a game where K-Rod was once again not used. It would have been a sorry excuse to beat on a man who is presumably weaker not to mention significantly older than he is, but clearly misdirected. Not to mention, there is also a rumor that his would-be mother-in-law was hospitalized with chest pains from stress related to the incident.

Either way, just so not cool. However, it seems whatever occurred to set him off, happened prior to the game.

"All those day glow freaks who used to paint their face/they've joined the human race/Some things will never change"

My thinking is, or the way we are "supposed" to think about this whole shebbang is that no matter if the Mets won by 11 runs, or if David Wright didn't wear the Golden Sombrero, or if Manny wasn't Acosta'd by the Rockies (and former Mets favorite Melvin Mora), this outburst would have occurred anyway. Yet the timing is a bit suspect. Not that it's an excuse. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

"It's time you were mistaken/You were obsolete/Look at all the white men on the street"

Now, K-Rod is charged with third-degree assault. I don't want to pass judgment on Frankie. Look, he's a baseball player. But even my mother (who is not a baseball fan), sent me an email saying, "Wow, he's passionate." (sarcastically of course) It's not like he hasn't had history repeating himself with this story, except it happened with another player. Once upon a time, a dude named Brett Myers hit his wife with a closed fist on a public street and it is all but forgotten (except for angry young females, like me).

Of course, he played for Philly and they puke on little kids, that's besides the point. I'm just saying it's a distraction, and the Mets need to deal with it swiftly and have, suspending him. But Myers' team supported him, and it looks like the Mets will support Frankie, for better or worse. Maybe this will get the team together, for once. Sometimes it does take something unfortunate to get people together. Or not. We'll see. In the meantime, the grassroots effort of getting a Sit Out organized is still taking place. Inquire within.

As the world turns, the Mets certainly turn, and have moved forward with a win today. Once again, it's up to Johan Santana to channel his inner Pedro Cerrano and say, "Fuck you, Jobu, I do it myself."

"Clean this mess up else we'll all end up in jail/The test tubes and the scales/Just get it all out of here"

I've gone back and forth with certain eras of my existence of being a Mets fan in this piece. And since this is post #500 of My Summer Family, I wanted it to be a retrospective. As a fan, I've been through a lot. I've seen the best arms of my Generation K run into the ground by an all-knowing manager. I've worn a Bobby Bonilla shirt. I saw a young phenom named Gregg go quietly into the good night. I've supported teams where Tommy Herr and Juan Samuel had no business being on. I saw Frank Viola win 20 games and disappear. I've survived Lastings Milledge. I've seen Johan Santana and Carlos Beltran be unappreciated by everyone around them, expecting more when they could only give what they could, and that's their all.

"Is there gas in the car?/Yes there's gas in the car/I think the people down the hall know who you are"

Yet, I can't get over that the heroes I once worshiped in that galaxy far, far away could be human.

"Careful what you carry/'Cause the man is wise/You are still an outlaw in their eyes"

Sometimes Johan Santana will cure all the ills, but it all momentary. We will all wake up, and the unbreakable men we put on a pedestal will crumble, only to get back up again.

People ask me often why I'm a Mets fan. I've often asked myself the same thing. Why I get so intimately involved, why I get so up and down, why it means so much to me spend my summers in a place where they could really give a damn whether I'm there or sunbathing in the Hamptons.

I know nothing else. You would think after I've seen it all that shit like this wouldn't surprise me. Or get me down. But I can't help it. And I can't help but think this could be once again the season that could have been, that never was, and that we have been fooled by possibly not the Worst Team Money Could Buy...but the most shrug-worthy team money can buy.

"Get along/Get along, Kid Charlemagne/Get along, Kid Charlemagne"

I guess all I can do now is have enough love for this team to provide enough fodder for 500 more posts.

Good night. And good luck.

Yes, I'm talking to you Frankie. And the rest of the team. You're gonna need it.

Accosted

2010-08-12T00:14:00.003-04:00

I am at a loss.

Here we are, discussing how we can make a point, to stick it to the Wilpons in a symbolic way, and after tonight's particularly dreadful loss, Acosta accosted any Mets chances of a win, let alone a comeback.

Of course, it gets worse. Much worse.

Now Francisco Rodriguez, apparently disgruntled, took a cue from Steven Slater, but instead of taking off down the emergency chute slide, or punching his coach (even if I dislike Jerry Manuel, that's so not cool), he took it out on his father-in-law (even, uh, more not cool).

Um, like I said. I am at a loss.

I know this is a deeply personal issue for Frankie and his family. First off, he's being charged with third degree assault. Second, I'm sure a suspension is coming up soon. Fine, I totally agree with that. What happens if he's off the team and outright released (which I'm pretty sure would happen -- Wilpons don't like the bad press)?

I think I can see the big picture. I wasn't willing to concede the season. It's clear everyone on this team is at their breaking point. I saw footage of David Wright beating the crap out of something in the dugout with the bat. Now K-Rod apparently told some reporters to leave him alone (even using "please" according to Kevin Burkhardt), then went to the family lounge and struck his father-in-law.

Speaking of KB, he just said on SNY that there is no correlation between the K-Rod incident or between any decision Manuel said. Of course I think he's being diplomatic. But it doesn't surprise me that K-Rod is a live wire.

I truly believe the 2010 season is over the Mets. This was just the exhaust port.

Dickey vs The Ace

2010-08-07T21:04:00.004-04:00

I have seen some interesting games this year. And tomorrow is no different. See, I am going to hit my fourth road stadium in 2010 (and fifth upcoming in two weeks when Mets are in Pittsburgh), and in three of those four road stadiums, I have seen R.A. Dickey start for the Mets...against the team's ace. I have seen him start against Strasburg and Lincecum and now Halladay tomorrow. I missed him in Baltimore. That's besides the point.

Each game, Dickey had his best stuff with him. A game in which the Mets lost to the Nationals, it wasn't because of Strasburg but in spite of him. In AT&T Park, it was a Lincecum start (turned out it was more telling that the Mets scored no runs that game, the first day back from All-Star Break).

Now I get to see him pitch against Halladay against a team I hate in a stadium I do not mind so much, but I just dislike Philly so much I have not been there since 2008. But I was invited to attend the birthday party of Ms. Chap's son, and I can't say no to such a persuasive person. Plus it's a Mets game. I can't exactly give those up yet, even though I did write about having a peaceful "sit-out" of Citifield on August 25.

I never expected anything from R.A. Dickey this season. However, the irony is that he's been our most consistent pitcher. And by consistent, consistently GOOD. Sometimes it's the diamond in the rough that is the bright spot in the season, and that has been R.A. Dickey.

Although Johan pitched his ass off earlier tonight, although I still have hope in Mike Pelfrey, and although Jon Niese has been the poster boy for why we should hold onto our prospects, R.A. Dickey has been the one pitcher I will never be disappointed in or try to get drunk at his starts just so I can get through them.

Unless of course I have a generous friend supplying them in a suite. Then who am I to say no?

*****************************************************
So now...quite a few are really behind the cause of the CitiField Sit Out, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 25 vs the Marlins. If you are invited (and all Mets fans are, near and wide), then click "attending" if you are NOT planning to attend the game. If you are in California, even better. If you are in Canada, so what? You can attend if you have a television or a bar with DirecTV. Just DON'T GO to Citifield.

I understand there are some with familial obligations who will have to attend, especially some mini-plan holders who have rearranged their scheduled months in advance to attend the games. However, we do need some people on the inside to report back. I know not every single seat will be empty. I expect that. But if only 1,000 - 2,000 seats are filled, maybe then they will get the hint that we are not happy.

As for what you can do -- spread the word. Get people to watch the games at home, at a bar (we may have some satellite bars for you to attend and watch the game with other fans), listen to the radio, even some might tailgate at the stadium. If the parking lots are owned by the city (someone please verify), tailgating is permissible. Just keep it PEACEFUL.

We may have to do this in two parts if we can mobilize more people by September, depending on the success of August 25. I was thinking September 14 versus the Pirates. Some fans have asked me why not do it against a big market team, like the Phillies. Well, it's simple -- Phillies fans will be there. They will still attend, and it won't make a difference if the seats are filled with red or blue & orange. So with smaller market teams their fans are less apt to see them while they are in town anyway.

The idea is SYMBOLIC. I am a season ticket holder. I have already paid for my seats. It doesn't matter if I get the seats filled for 81 games a year or three games a year. The greater number of people who do NOT show up (meaning no money spent in stores, concessions, etc) will speak volumes with our silence.

Do something by doing nothing. Spread the word.

I'd like to thank Twitter for getting the ball rolling on the idea. Now if we can get fans on board...

If You Are Pissed Off, You Won't Go

2010-08-07T00:01:00.004-04:00

I can't really say I'm pissed off, just royally disappointed in the Mets play of late. I have made no secret of the fact that I am a season ticket holder. I do not attend all of the games at home, I do "lease" out many of my tickets. However, in a way, I've helped contribute to this hot mess already. We all have.

The talent is there, they just don't know how to execute it (I think someone best described it once as assembling IKEA furniture -- you get all the parts but have no idea how to construct the piece of furniture once you get it home).

As a take on the line in Field of Dreams, if you build it, he will come...

If you are angry or disappointed or want to make a statement...then don't go.

Don't go to CitiField on Wednesday, August 25. We do know it's hard to round up enough people to make a true "statement" over the course of several games. Especially for those of us who have already purchased a full or mini season package. The tickets are paid for and we ALL know they look at "paid" attendance, and not "actual turnstyle" attendance.

However, if no one is IN the seats for ONE game...the tag lines will be "The Day CitiField Went Silent."

Watch the game at home, watch it in a bar (not McFadden's), listen to it on the radio. I won't advocate tailgating, unless you want to dissuade people from entering the stadium. Just be sure to bring plenty of good food and beer for them to not enter the stadium.

The Mets already have my money, but if the majority of seats are empty, if only a few thousand fans show up, they can't ignore it.

If you're pissed off or disappointed enough, then do something about it and join our cause. Twitter campaigns and Facebook events can be the next generation of grassroots change...I mean, look at Betty White hosting Saturday Night Live. Some dude was allowed to name his sister's baby Megatron. Mundane tasks and event have been constructed as a result of voices on social media forums.

It will be difficult, it's extremely symbolic (Metsgrrl has a post on a forum of tweets a bunch of us had earlier). But if you want change...this is the way about it. Choose a game. Packs of us don't go. Only 2000 fans in the seats. Everyone talks about it. It's quite simple but it's up to YOU to show them tough love and spread the word.

I am a realist. I love baseball and I love the Mets. I won't stop going to games, even if they lose every game from here on in till October 3. We have power in numbers, we can do something symbolic enough to create change if we truly want to. Or we can sit and complain about it and get nothing of record done.

In an act of solidarity my husband and I will be taking our two sets of tickets off StubHub for the game on Wednesday, August 25. You are all invited to the event on August 25 of the CitiField Sit Out.

Short Pelf

2010-08-04T22:37:00.006-04:00

What the hell has happened to Mike Pelfrey?

Earlier this season, I was drinking the Pelf-Aid by his overperforming, it seems, as evidenced by this piece I wrote for MMO. I even thought yesterday, hey you know what, he'll come through today. He's waiting for this moment.

But now what? He can't pitch under pressure. No one can make an error, although "excusable" it doesn't account for why he would totally melt down. He can't pitch under ideal conditions either. And forget run support. Even those rare occasions since like July when he holds up his end of the bargain, the Mets don't come through.

I'm through with excuses, like Verducci Effect and all. In fact, I think this team has enough of both kinds of excuses -- the regular kind AND assholes.

All I know is...Mike Pelfrey is no longer Big Pelf, as he continually comes up short. Short Pelf sounds like a breakfast pancake stacker or something, but it truly applies to him now.

Someone asked, rhetorically of course, on Twitter, who had less sack -- Pelfrey or Perez? I said, no brainer, it's Pelf. Can you imagine what it would be like if he had a contract with beaucoup bucks? At least Perez, you know the second he gets released and goes someplace else, he can still overperform. In fact, you KNOW he will overperform. As for Pelfrey, my advice to him is to not only start drinking heavily, but to take stockbroker classes in the winter.

He's gonna need a back up career soon.

***************************************************************
I randomly tweeted last night that I was happy that Frenchy killed a home run off Billy "I Only Blow Saves For the Mets" Wagner but I also wrote that I would only be impressed if the Mets were to keep momentum, win tonight AND take NO LESS than two out of three from the Phillies,

Again I ask - so now what?

As of August 4, this Mets team is a .500 club.

I think that's what we're going to see for the future.

Keep Fucking That Chicken

2010-07-31T17:33:00.005-04:00

Well the trading deadline has come and gone and to no one's surprise, much less this blogger, the Mets have stood pat. They are in essence saying, "These are the guys we are going to battle with. Like it or not, they have each other's backs in the trenches." It must be comforting for David Wright to know that Oliver Perez (a dude who is so into it for himself) has his back in war. If that's the case, I hope DW carries his own Vaseline.

I digress. Look, the Mets are not so COMPLETELY out of it that a trade was warranted. As I mentioned yesterday, I am not so much upset that the Mets didn't get Oswalt (personally, I've always thought he was too overpriced to the extent that even the Astros didn't get a hometown discount for him or anything), but again, that they didn't even try to drive up the asking price. HELLO! The Phillies are your direct competitor and they have strengthened their pitching staff, where Cole Hamels is now a third starter. Oswalt might not exactly help us, but he wouldn't have hurt. I guess my point is, if the Phillies are going to "overpay" in talent, at least let them lose their top prospect in Domonic Brown. Why are Reese Havens/Kirk Nieuwenhuis/Jenrry Mejia all of a sudden untouchable? Havens, although injury prone, once upon a time had a higher ceiling than Ike Davis, who has been our savior so far this year with his infectious grooves.

Meanwhile back at camp, the Cubs have shut the door on 2010 and traded Ryan Theriot and Ted Lilly to the Dodgers. The Braves and the Phillies have both visibly improved their teams. Jake Westbrook is a Cardinal. Yankees got Kerry Wood, Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns for just a cup of coffee. Why? Cause they can.

So some Tweeters are asking, rhetorically of course, "Who would you have traded? Who would have made the Mets an immediately better team? It takes more than one guy..." Etc, etc. Well, here's my philosophy. I do think that the Mets have a good team ON PAPER and should be winning more games than they are. But they are NOT and losing to lesser teams like the Diamondbacks who gave up on their season well before the trade deadline.

Some of my ideas included: Why are Nieuwenhuis/Havens/Mejia so untouchable? Well, Mejia I can justify keeping around but let's face it: We all know the Mets will fuck up his development somehow or another. We all know Pagan should have been on the trading block had Bay not gone on the DL. Look, coulda woulda shoulda.

Fact is, the Mets are asked for the sky from other teams because they know they are stupid enough to take it. Should I applaud them for not going for it? Well, maybe. But then I remember that the Mets were the only teams dumb enough to offer guaranteed money/years for Luis Castillo, Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez. Oh and how did that ethos happen? Because the Mets had reacted too strongly and traded away Scott Kazmir and severely undervalued their own talent.

So all I can say is, to those of us happy that we stood pat, keep drinking that Kool-Aid, keep fucking that chicken. Because at the end of the day, we'll have punch, we'll have a weird chicken disease. But Oliver Perez has our back because the Mets say he does.

Um, Lets go Mets. Bring on the post-trade deadline games!

Frustrated, Inc.

2010-07-29T15:35:00.005-04:00

Once again, my team has failed me. Has failed us. I shouldn't be surprised but sometimes it seems what should be obvious to them clearly is not, but those of us see it coming 13,000,000 miles away. If there are that many miles that exist, like, anywhere.

In case you did not hear, the Phillies have pulled off a coup and have obtained Roy Oswalt, certainly a great pitcher, for J.A. Happ but some other middle-of-the-road prospects (not named Domonic Brown, who is making waves in Philly right now due to Shane Victorino's injury). Now, I've said before, but surprisingly the Mets problem has not been pitching but timely hitting and well, hitting and driving in runs in general. So I can see taking a pass on Oswalt. Even a Phillies fan friend of mine (who is one of the rare types who has been a fan since before 2007 and is level headed) suggested that he was not excited about Oswalt because he is an injury waiting to happen.

The Mets would never come out and say that, mainly for a few reasons. Here's my beef: I'm not upset about losing out on Oswalt. The Mets allowed him to not only go within the division but to direct rivals the Phillies. THAT'S what pisses me off.

I don't care what anyone says right now or ever: the Braves, geographically, could never be direct rivals (just NL East rivals since we are in the same division). During those years of Braves dominance, I always kind of felt like the Mets were suffering from LBS: Little Brother Syndrome. Aka "Why are you guys always picking on me?????"

The Phillies have kicked our ass the last three years and everyone knows it. The Mets know it, the Phillies, Jon Miller knows it (although he still annoys us with his overexaggeration of Carlos Beltran's name on broadcasts). When the Johan Santana sweepstakes occurred in the offseason leading to 2008, the Red Sox and Yankees were in it for "vanity" reasons, meaning, they were trying to keep him from the other. Well, the schematic worked (of course, I can't complain when the Mets were the victors of that infighting). But at least the vanity part was there to keep him off a division rival.

Looking back, I shouldn't cry over spilled milk, since I do believe overall Johan Santana is a better pitcher over Roy Oswalt, so I'm certainly not comparing the two. In fact, I wouldn't shed a tear if Oswalt went to, I don't know, say the Angels or Rangers or something. To a division rival though not to mention the hated Phillies. And J.A. Happ was the crown jewel in that deal, not Domonic Brown. If the Mets were asked to part with Jon Niese, I agree he is pretty untouchable right now. But I guarantee this non-move has more to do with Omar Minaya once again overvaluing his prospects, where the rigeur du jour is to sell your prospects at their absolute lowest value. This is what angers me.

Don't get me wrong: I did a piece on the prospects who were dealt in the Johan Santana trade. Save Carlos Gomez scoring the winning run in Minnesota against the Tigers last year in the Wild Card tie-breaker, none of those prospects have been particularly impactful. So it was obvious that Tony Bernazard and Minaya were snake-oil peddlers when it counted. But again, I ask, how can you let Roy Oswalt go to a division rival for basically nothing?

Or better yet, how does a GM allow Dan Haren, exactly a pitcher who would fit in with the rotation and would pitch well at CitiField, to go for next to nothing? The Diamondbacks GM was using scare tactics to see who would jump...then the Angels came in and said, "Hey, I'll give you a couple bags of balls and we take Haren's contract." "OK, I'll take it!"

The least the Mets could have done is drive up the asking price for Oswalt so that the Phillies would have to part with more. I mean, is that too much to ask?

Apparently, yes, because now stories are coming out about how the Mets operate. While top flight free agents such as Matt Holliday and Derek Lowe walk over a matter of years, the Mets go for "poor man's" versions of Jason Bay and Oliver Perez (okay, the super-duper welfare version). I didn't complain at first because I thought contract locks are a bit stupid. However, when Joe D. mentioned on MetsMerized Online the other day that the Mets go for the lesser-wanted candidates so they won't get into a bidding war (just with themselves, as evidenced with Perez-idente) just to make fans believe they are committed to a winning team, well, it's counterintuitive. The Mets, as we can see, are NOT committed to winning, they are committed to this smoke-and-mirrors operation of running a team and most of all, allow a direct competitor to get away with trading little or next-to-nothing for a top-flight candidate, that is commitment all right: commitment to getting yourself committed to an insane asylum.

Fans have asked me outright why I still go to games, why I'm still so passionate, and I still follow the team on the road if I am disappointed as much. I shouldn't have to explain my "fandom" to people who either don't know me personally or follow my writing and/or Tweets, but I will say this: a day with bad baseball is better than no baseball at all. When the World Series is over, when it's fall going into winter, I'll have wished I had gone to as many games as possible. As Bart Giamatti once so eloquently said, this game is designed to break your heart. And the Mets are no different. I am a Mets fan first, but baseball fan second.

The incompetence of the front office though pisses me off to no end. I dislike Soul Asylum, but their song Misery, the line that stands out is "Frustrated Incorporated."

That's how I feel about the Mets front office right now. They frustrate me. They simply don't "get it." And what "it" means is: they are not committed to winning, they are not committed to being competitive. They just need to be "committed."

Period of Schmadjustment

2010-07-26T11:50:00.003-04:00

One of the conversation topics I had with Senor Solly and the hubby while in San Francisco is this...it's more of a question, really.

Why is it when the Mets get a big chip free agent, he takes a year to "get adjusted" to the New York team, media and fans? Yet, any other team who signs a free agent seems to pay off in dividends (barring, say Barry Zito in recent memory...yet including someone like, I don't know, Billy Wagner, who is the Braves bullpen savior this year. He's lights out for them and for us he did shit when it mattered).

Adjustment, schmadjustment. My theory is, they are a bunch of pussy prima donnas who are looking for excuses. And we all know what excuses can be like - I'll give you a hint: everyone has one and they ALL stink.

Of course, you know I am referring to Jason Bay. When talking about it, I realized that I, too, was guilty of giving him a pass. Back in April, he had a slow start. Believe it or not, I actually blamed Carlos Beltran. Well, indirectly of course. I thought that without Carlos Beltran's protective bat in the lineup, Bay had to get accustomed to not only getting on base but still drive in runs, which was different from what he was used to. He could still be a powerful hitter, but I don't believe he has ever had a scrappy style on the base paths.

However, as time went on, I realized that I bought into the whole notion of a period of adjustment. Carlos Beltran is easily the prototype of this common excuse we make for players who do not do well in their first year. When he came over in 2005, it was evident after a time that he was indeed paid for his performance in the 2004 postseason and was overvalued for being a very good (not great) player. Of course, his performance in 2006 leading up to his injury in 2009 made us almost forget about his first bad year.

In fact, in recent memory, the only former Met who came over on a big free agent signing who actually did well in his first year but faltered in later years of it was Pedro Martinez. Of course, we can look to Bobby Bonilla as a big ticket free agent who never really amounted to anything in his years with the Mets, barring still being paid by the Mets (which as I stated previously is not as bad as it seemed).

My point is, I don't think Jason Bay is a bad player. I think he is a good, nee VERY good, ballplayer who is smart and a gamer. I think he would have complemented Carlos Beltran in the outfield and in the lineup very well had Beltran been available and not lost due to the injury this year. I also have to believe that though he is streaky historically, he cannot possibly be as bad as we see.

Yet we are all guilty of letting these biases come in and have us judge the players as being "human," there is a "period of adjustment" coming into New York. Why is it that every other team doesn't allow for that excuse yet the Mets and their fans (myself included) do?

If they can't handle the pressure in New York, then don't come here. Of course, we are the only people dumb enough to pay them. Any mediocre player can point to Oliver Perez's albatross of a contract (not to mention Luis Castillo's whose contract pales in comparison) and say - the Mets will pay me. So not only have we set the bar on mediocre talent (which is an oxymoron), we give them a pass for not performing to their highest abilities.

I know Senor Solly, uh, dislikes Jason Bay quite a bit. I have to believe he is not that bad, but unfortunately we have to wait. The Mets have made a period of adjustment a necessity to coming to this team, that they are allowed and conditioned to not perform or simply underperform and underachieve.

This only comes from the top and the excuses must stop. Adjustment, schmadjustment.

Just win some fucking ballgames.

People in Motion

2010-07-22T11:11:00.017-04:00

"All across the nation such a strange vibration...People in motion. There's a whole generation with a new explanation...people in motion, people in motion." - Scott McKenzie, San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)Prior this series, I had such high hopes.

I believed the Mets might have been victims of circumstance. That a pre-All Star Break slide was just circumstantial. That they could have easily won a few games. They were in a funk. Carlos Beltran would cure all.

And then came the series in San Francisco.

Here's the thing though. As many of the MSFers know, I took a West Coast Road Trip by myself last year. The last time I had been in San Francisco was in 2004, and that was the last time (as well as the first time) I had been at Telecom-Conglomerate-Insert-Name-Here Park (Now AT&T Park, then SBC Park). To tell the full story of my "attachment," if you will, to this stadium, I'll have to bring up my first-cousin-once-removed Mark. He moved to the west coast from the Jerz in 1973. I met him and visited the city for the first time in 1999. It was love at first sight, for both. For years and years, I had heard old war stories of cousin Mark and my dad Mr. E. Let's cut to the chase: they were up to no good most of the time.

I had Mission Burritos. I had seen the Pacific Ocean. I had seen a real west coast sunset. I had ridden a Cable Car.

Mark had shown me my first West Coast stadium, driving in the area that the stadium was located. Since it was the offseason, no games were going on of course. However, I had glimpsed the stadium and that was enough for me. From afar, I could see then that the design was similar to an East Coast favorite of mine, in Camden Yards. It wasn't until 2004 though that I was able revisit the stadium, this time due to an actual game. I thought it was charming, but I had gone with two other non-baseball aficionados. I sat in my seats all night, not that it was a problem. However, I didn't take many pictures and I was pretty non-plussed about the whole situation anyway.

Yet after last season, and I had visited the Southern California stadiums (read that most-Southern Stadium, Disneyland aka California, and Thinking Blue), I realized I needed to get back to AT&T Park. It wasn't because I hadn't been there or wanted to give it a new look. It was because I LOVE San Francisco, and felt the need to compare to what he had here now, in Flushing.

Visiting it again, six years after the fact, more than one game, and seeing how the security and staff treated their fans (like a hindrance, and these were all rent-a-cops who created traffic while trying to cause "traffic control"), I would have to say...I not only like CitiField more (that says a lot, since I'm not 100% in love with it), but I can say if I ever moved to San Francisco (not sayin'), and this was my home stadium (just sayin'), I'll probably spend a lot of time in Oakland Coliseum if I ever want to watch baseball (and this is a stadium I have ZERO desire to visit, like, ever).

Let me 'splain.

The Mets were in town for four games. Since I love San Francisco, the city, I only wanted to do three games, so I wouldn't have to be beholden to each night/afternoon at the waterfront. Hey, I'm a baseball fan...but I do love being a San Franciscan as long as I can pretend to be.

Here's my thing with San Francisco though, as a baseball city: it's second suitor (for those of you who know Mallrats know to what I am referring). Unless you crawled out from under a rock yesterday, you know that the San Francisco Giants were once upon a time the New York Giants. Some of you young whipper snappers may not realize that, especially if you are a Mets fan, because the ownership especially do not like to acknowledge the fact that the Mets are the descendants of Brooklyn Dodgers (blue) and New York Giants (orange).

That said, I have to make an observation.

I was warned prior to my L.A. baseball trip that I would like Dodger Stadium, I'd like the atmosphere, I'd LOVE the baseball and team history. It would be the fans I would not like. Well, I did not have a problem with the fans. In fact, I felt the people I talked to that night last year were knowledgeable and passionate...heck, *I* was the one who left early that night (since I had been at a game at Anaheim at 1 pm earlier in the day). Again, I had no issues with anyone doing the wave, beach balls, etc. The things that other fans had warned me about I did not observe.

I did NOT like San Francisco Giants fans. Every single one of them was fucking obnoxious. EVERY ONE. Loudmouthed. Rude. Zero respect for others. Had to rub it in for every loss. And I mean, why? Clearly, there was respect to be paid if we made a trip (it was obvious we were SO not from there). If we were talking shit the entire game like a Yankees fan perhaps, then bring it on.

Then I realized something as I walked out with Studious Metsimus.

I love a lot of San Francisco Giants players. I love Willie Mays. Heart Juan Marichal. Appreciate Willie McCovey. Despite what you think about Barry Bonds, he *was* one of the greats, even before HGH of course.

The fans though, they are angry. They are unfulfilled.

They have never won a World Championship since moving to the West Coast.

Unlike the Mets, who seem to not embrace the New York Giants part of their history, which is as rich if not more than the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Giants fans have no choice but to relish in the championships that the team who played in the Polo Grounds brought them, many of them, before they were born.

I like that they acknowledge their New York past, but they truly have no choice in the matter. They have fallen quite short on the left coast side.

Then, I pitied them.
I felt bad for them once I realized it, and could almost identify with them (ALMOST) especially with the quote above. All the "Mets suck" (I mean, they can't do any better than that?) comments, all the dirty looks, snide comments about the games, obnoxious cheers...I understood it and I felt bad about them. After all, if I were as unfulfilled as them and had no identity tied to the own city they played in, I might be as angry as they are too.

Plus, I mean, they have to listen to JON MILLER, Bel-TRONs and all, as their hometown announcer. That really has to blow, right?
So bitches...212 area code. Call me when you guys have actually won SOMETHING, kthxbye? Love, the Coop.

All right, now that I'm done getting that off my chest, I will say this: AT&T Park is a lovely park.

I think it has more to do with my attachment to the city of San Francisco for example and not so much the park itself. There are certainly charming areas to it -- McCovey Cove, the palm trees, the cute little seals that pop out of the neon lights in the right field entrance...

Then of course the charming homeless dudes who try to get money to pay for hookers are always a San Francisco treat.

I still feel a little middle-of-the-road on this stadium. I love the atmosphere, love the city, love the history.

Hate the fans. That experience can weigh down an opposing team's visit quite a bit. Perhaps that's why I didn't mind Dodger Stadium when I went last year. Since the Mets were not there, I had no vested in the interest in the outcome.

Guess I gotta go back there too.

******************************************************
I will be weighing in on this abortion of a road trip tomorrow probably. Until then, please visit my piece over at Metsmerized Online, "Playing not to Lose." I posted it tonight since tomorrow, the whole leadership factor of it may be obsolete.

I have two more posts coming up on my trip to San Francisco, one the "people" factor, and one on the K-Rod blown Santana save. Fun stuff I witness, right? Where's the toilet paper???

The Second-Half Itch

2010-07-20T02:28:00.009-04:00

Yes, folks, I realize it's been a week since I last posted, and I also acknowledge that I need to post on my trip to the left coast to see the Mets start their second half with a whimper (along with the triumphant return of Carlos Beltran who looked good at the plate but not-so-hot in the field). Patience, my dear minions. I am still going through the many photos of two cameras, and trying to frame out my posts.

In the meantime, you get to hear me bitch. I guess you can see that some things just don't change, especially after a relaxing week in my favorite city ever, San Francisco.

The Mets went on a 2-4 home stand right before the break, have embarked upon a 1-4 road trip* (*and counting) on the west coast...not to mention have fallen short so far in the month of July with a 5-10 record* (*also "and counting"). Ouch.

Well, as the saying goes, a team never is as good as they look on a winning streak, or as bad as they look on a losing streak. Of course the Mets look like world beaters when winning and absolutely horrific on losing streaks.

Take for example last Thursday's and Friday's games against the Giants. Now, the Giants have a fly-ass pitching staff, and with Tim Lincecum starting the first game after the break, it looked like the Mets would have to fight back. However, the Mets have historically been able to handle Lincecum, and our ace in the hole was Carlos Beltran returning after a season-long injury.

Now if I were to tell you that Jon Niese and R.A. Dickey's respective ERAs would go down, but still had a collective 0-2 record in the games they pitched you'd think I was lying, right? Wrong. But can you get upset about losing a game to Lincecum? No. You can get upset however at losing a game against Matt Cain.

Who I'm really upset about though is Mike Pelfrey. What the hell happened to him? I can understand "dead arm" issues but after watching his pitiful performance against the Diamondbacks (whom I'd like to point out are in last place in the NL West) it's clear to me that he's second guessing himself, just like last season. So what gives? According to an article linked out on Metsblog, the consensus from the team is "Mike throw your fastball." That says it all. He needs a shrink, but for brevity sake I say let him just win a game and regain his confidence.

After all, we were ready to throw Johan Santana under the bus for a crappy first half. He's pitched his balls off (uh, pun intended). I know there is "First Half Johan" and "Second Half Santana" but the fact is, his first half was not as indicative as historically told. Not to mention, his differential in the second half was also very slight, meaning there is a difference but I didn't think it was as great as one would believe. Anyway, I'm saying let's give Mike a chance to work his shit out. Not that we have much of a choice. But he will come around I believe.

Next is the offense. Back to the games after All-Star break, losing two in a row 1-0. WTF? When Jose Reyes returned, it took a while for the team to adjust to him back in the lineup, not to mention it also took a while for him to adjust himself back to playing every day. Once he took off, it was like a house-afire. That said, Carlos Beltran looked good at the plate...pitiful on the field. As an example, when I was at Saturday's game in San Francisco, there were two easy plays I personally thought he kind of dogged. Then I thought, well, I can't judge (since you know, I don't get paid to play). But several tweeters I followed not to mention my game partner both said Angel Pagan, had he been playing CF, would have gotten to them easily. Fair point, since I did agree but again though my harsh-on-Carlos gene was coming out to play.

So what do those defensive plays have to do with the offense. Well, it goes to show the whole chemistry thing is not overrated or a myth. However, this is the time for the Mets to make a pont and win some fucking ballgames. I said in June, right before going on the road against two bad teams, the Orioles and the Indians, that nothing less than a sweep against the O's and nothing less than two wins would suffice in those series. Well they swept both series, making a strong statement that they would beat up on the weaker teams. They need to now turn it up and beat on the Diamondbacks to make a statement in their own National League.

I don't want to jump yet. It's discouraging to come back from a hopeful first-half and subsequent All-Star Break to this. It feels like eons since the break, which we all agreed the Mets could use and would need. Now it's time to grab the bull by the balls and kick some ass on the road. Or this season will get short, quickly.

Welcome to the All-Star Shyte Show

2010-07-12T17:28:00.003-04:00

Everyone who knows the Coop knows she is a huge baseball fan. I am a Mets fan first, baseball fan second (Rangers hockey fan thirds and Jets fourth, in case you were wondering).

Although I am a huge baseball fan, I can't say I am a fan of the All-Star Game. This has been a more recent development, I would say I stopped caring about it when Bud Selig made it "count" by making World Series home field advantage contingent upon which league won the game. I understand that it was in "response" to a year when there was a play for a tie. However, call me crazy, I find that kind of "exhibition" more interesting than say having an every day player put himself out for a game that might not even impact how his team fares in October.

Meaning, only eight teams could potentially be impacted by the whole home field advantage thing. Meaning, every team needs to be represented in the All-Star Game. Meaning a guy on the Houston Astros has to play hard just because someone on the Cardinals (a division rival) might need it to have 1/4 of a chance to make the National League the home field team in the World Series. When you know the dude on the Astros will be golfing.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am all for playing hard in the All-Star Game. After all, some of the best games I remember watching as a game were low-scoring efforts. Meaning, they were more dependent on pitching duels and players actually being proactive in wanting to win. I have no issue with a player who wants to play hard and represent his league and make them "proud."

Making the players "have" to care, that's not something I'm cool with.

Case and point: 2006 All-Star Game. Although I said I stopped caring for it earlier in the decade (possibly the only one I watched beginning to end was in 2001, just to see my hero Cal Ripken Jr. play his last ASG, and to see him win the MVP too). The 2006 All-Star Game had many Mets representing. So of course I had to watch. I was thrilled when Carlos Beltran showed some aggressiveness, to the point where it looked like his ASG MVP was in the bag.

Enter Miguel "Fat Boy" Cabrera and Trevor Hoffman in the 9th inning. When Cabrera "Dorn'd" a ball that should have by all accounts been an easy play, of course Hoffman gets rattled and blows the save. Michael Young becomes the American League hero, and Beltran is all but an after-thought.

I wasn't so much upset about the National League losing home field advantage in the World Series, and hey tough breaks for Beltran, he's a big boy I'm sure he can handle it. However, Cabrera's team wasn't even sniffing the playoffs that year. Hoffman had more on the line, since his team actually made the playoffs. But I stopped caring when guys like Lance Berkman from the Astros was joking around in the press, when asked about whether he plays harder because National League home field is on the line, he made some kind of comment that "Oh I'm sure I won't lose any sleep if we lose."

Tell me again why this game "counts" for "ANYTHING?" I don't even get jazzed about the Home Run Derby, simply because it seems to ruin the swing of most players who participate.

The only thing I would remotely want to watch is Ubaldo Jimenez pitch, and even that, meh. He'll only pitch, what two innings, three innings tops? I really want to see Angel Stadium though, but hey, I can visit Anaheim anytime.

Not to mention the abject nepotism played by the "Managers," clearly the NL and AL reps from the Series last season. Charlie Manuel is a dick head to the nth degree, we all know this, but saying that Ryan Howard, a mediocre first baseman at best who is a dime-a-dozen represents while other more deserving players are not going. Then again, why should they? Maybe Howard will play harder since his team actually has a chance of making the playoffs.

I feel like a bad baseball fan for not caring or watching. Since I am going to be on the west coast this week, perhaps I will watch it tomorrow night. After all, my better half likes to view it. As long as I'm somewhere I can drink beer maybe I can tolerate it. Otherwise...why bother?

********************************************************
Stand proud, be loud Mets fans! Megdal for GM has two new primaries this week, at Amazin Avenue and Faith and Fear in Flushing. Whether you agree or not with his campaign, voting is the most important thing to do here. You can also hear Megdal and Mets poobah Marty Noble speak tonight at Amazin Monday at Two Boots Tavern. Unfortunately, I cannot make it, but tell 'em Coop sent ya if you make it.

Less than Ted

2010-07-10T09:44:00.004-04:00

So the crowburger barbecue hoe down is put off (for now...). The Coop would like to mention that she was the only one in the blogosphere, Twitterverse and just about anywhere else in the galaxy who was skeptical about a Lee-to-Yankees deal all but being "done." Of course, I was working up my appetite for some cheesecrow, but when I found out that I was the only one who hadn't jumped off the Pulaski Skyway, I celebrated with some nachos and a concrete from Shake Shack.

Moving right along, I still believe and will believe that Cliff Lee, as good as he may be, would not be the push over the proverbial cliff that the Mets need to win-at-all-costs this year. In fact, Lee would make them a "win-now" team, and who wants that? Sacrificing the future for a momentary glimpse of glory, well, there are no guarantees, one, and two, how has that worked out for the Mets in the past? Well, it hasn't.

Now, the real question remains from Mets fans is this...who do the Mets go after now? I agree, if we are to be legitimate contenders in the NL East and/or Wild Card, Omar Minaya NEEDS to execute a trade. Perhaps a starter who can eat innings or someone who won't only contribute this season but to seasons afterwards, long-term and short-term.

And by "he" I mean anyone not named Ted Lilly.

At least if the Mets had managed to trade for Cliff Lee (I agree that the prospects probably weren't as enticing as that Smoak kid, but when the asking price "starts" with Ike Davis, then I agree the asking price was a tad too high), I could have suffered in silence with the best of them.

Ted Lilly, aka "why?" What does he have that the Mets absolutely need right now? On the flip side, what do the Mets have that the Cubs think they can pull the wool over our eyes and get long-term for a short-term trade of Lilly?

Fact: Lilly would be a half-year rental. He is only under contract till end of 2010. So why would the Mets, thinking now AND later, be remotely interested in making a trade that would make them suffer long-term? (Is there any word that Lilly would be willing to negotiate an extension? Probably not)

Fact: Lilly is not...that...good. The dude is as old as me (read: not young), pitched for the Expos for crying out loud, and I guess not...that...good is a bit of an exaggeration. Or is it? He's OKAY at best.

Fact: Now the asking price is Josh Thole. After losing two straight to the Braves, two straight series at home, the WORST thing to do is a panic move. And let's just say that I believe we could get a lot more for Josh Thole than Ted Lilly.

Need I remind you all that the Mets are NEVER good at making a "panic move." Luckily for us, Omar Minaya tends not to make them. Fairly enough, though, he makes NO moves at the deadline.

If this team is as good as they want us to think they are, they need to make a move. However, a Thole-for-Lilly deal is potentially worse than a Davis-plus-other-prospects-for-Lee would ever be. Why? BECAUSE HE'S NOT THAT GOOD!!!

As evidenced by today's loss, the Mets problem isn't the pitching. Hopefully, when Beltran returns, there will be a short "learning curve" and the hitting will be fine. Or will it? Fact is, the Mets biggest problem right now is the hitting and not pitching.

Jason Bay hits into a 6-4-3 Double Bay, becoming our higher paid version of Fernando Tatis. David Wright isn't doing his job. Jose Reyes won't be playing in the All-Star Game and is also slumping. Angel Pagan is our MVP but that's not saying much. Don't get me started on that waste named Jeff Francoeur. But hey guess what!??? Alex Cora is on pace to hit the amount of innings for his vesting option!!!!

The Mets, if they truly wish to improve themselves, will have to get another bat for the lineup. Trading Thole or Havens or any other prospect for Ted Lilly won't change the fact that they will be less than Ted without another bat in the lineup.

Last Dead Mouse

2010-07-09T12:05:00.005-04:00

I don't know about you guys...but I'm not buying this whole Cliff Lee-close-to-going-to-Yankees business. Just the timing is so suspect. Most Mets fans are throwing Omar Minaya under the bus but the fact it, I cannot blame Minaya for not making a deal or holding his cards close to his chest regarding a deal like this.

Look at the big picture: Lee is a half-year rental. I could give a rat's ass about "draft picks" next year. Of course the Mariners aren't in it to win anything this year. That's all fine and dandy. What i do know is this: what does Jack Zduriencik have to lose asking for a king's ransom in top prospects?

And we all know the true reason why the Yankees are even being thrown around right now: TO DRIVE UP VALUE. Gee whillakers, if y'all can't see that, then I have this here bridge I'd like to sell ya.

Now I am not a Yankees fan, I think I make that very evident. Don't like the way they conduct business, the way they've ruined baseball by raising the bar of "value." Before I get all "Coop, A-Rod didn't sign with the Yankees for $252 mm, it was the RANGERS" comments from you, please tell me that the Yankees way of running their baseball operations DON'T cause people like Scott Boras to inflate the value of their athletes, and get dudes like Hicks to pay up, sucka.

Now, when I look at the standings in the AL East, it's a three team race, with the Yanks, Rays and Sox. Will getting Cliff Lee REALLY help them run away with the division? I think it makes them marginally better...but not to the extent of giving up a future catcher (Jesus Montero). I mean, what happens after Jorge Posada retires? Will the Yankees make an offer to Victor Martinez to blow him out of the water?

Keep in mind, last season, I had my Yankee fan friends swearing up and down that Mussina and Giambi and others coming off the books in 2009 was going to clear up space on the payroll. I scoffed because I thought they'd get Sabathia, maybe Teixeira, and Burnett was a dark horse candidate. Well guess what? They peaked last year, getting all three, winning the World Series... adding Cliff Lee, whether or not he costs prospects and not that much in dollars yet...Especially Cliff Lee in a little league park?

I just...I just don't buy it. When I said the timing was "suspect," how ironic that the Yankees are in Seattle. OF COURSE the GMs are "in talks." They may as well, right, since everyone is in the same room?

If anything, I believe these "reports" ('cause that is all they are) are to light a fire under the arse of Bill Smith, GM of the Twins, to get a deal cooking.

This is what I believe. Of course, I know that Senor Solly and DyHrdMet are firing up the grill, getting their crowburgers out of the freezer for me...but hear me out.

I don't believe Lee will go to the Yankees. Seriously how many times have we been through this scenario? Heck, even Johan Santana was "close to a deal with the Yankees" before surprising everyone (including us) by going to the Mets. Why was that? TO GET MORE BANG FOR THE JOHAN BUCK. Substitute "Cliff Lee" for "Johan" and it's the same damn thing.

I never believed the Mets were in the running (Solly and Jason - I do like cheese with my crowburger) for Lee. Again, how many times are New York teams used in the media to drive up the value of the trade? It's not just baseball: it's every sport.

Now wherever Lee goes to -- Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, assistant road secretary to the Phoenix Coyotes -- we can FINALLY concentrate on real deals that will REALLY help the Mets, not just this season, but long-term. Again, I could give a rat's ass about getting draft picks for Lee if we were to trade for him. So then we're out of major league-ready talent AND a few years away for these picks to make some kind of impact? Keep dreaming.

I want Haren. I'd almost rather have Oswalt, although I've said before that I am concerned about his injury history and age. Lilly is good, but again. he is a half-year rental. If I'm the GM, I want someone who can help us NOW AND LATER. What a novel concept! Cliff Lee can suck my left nut. If I had them. Just sayin'.

I can say one thing about Zduriencik it's this: he sure knows how to work the press. The New York media needs something else to feed on since their "savior" LeBronx (yes that was intentional) won't be playing in New York next season.

Ice to an eskimo. Last dead mouse. It's all a way of driving up value.

And if the Yankees end up getting him...will it really matter?

Balls: Two

2010-07-07T00:37:00.005-04:00

Johan Santana took the mound tonight and said, "Fuck you, Jobu. I do it myself."

What that meant was: no run support? No problem! He hits a home run. Technically, if Game-winning RBIs still were a valid statistic, he'd have had it, since they technically were in the lead from that point forward.

Haven't had a win in awhile? No issue! He'll just pitch a complete game. And not give up a run either.

Threw 97 pitches last outing? No worries! He made sure to go 100+ pitches tonight.

Any rumblings about a dead arm? His rehab from surgery isn't going well? He made sure to put an exclamation point in lieu of those question marks tonight.

No blown saves. Almost a "Bay-stillo" (stolen from someone on Twitter - please identify yourself so I can give you credit!) moment in the 9th.

Jerry Manuel running the bullpen into the ground? No need for that, General Jerry. Johan tells him to go back into the dugout. This is MY game.

Still, walked away with a win that was needed after an ugly loss last night. And it was well under three hours to boot!

Mr. E sent me a text after the game. "1 man show! He just told manuel 2 go back 2 dugout. How cool is that?" You have to understand, Mr. E came from a different era, where pitchers went 15 innings in order to preserve a shutout and give your team the best chance to win (I have to hear about his Al Jackson 15-inning loss when he had a shutout going almost the entire time).

I responded: "Cojones."

And he said: "Balls, 2."

Yup. You guys wonder where I get my Mets-titude from - well there it is, boys and girls.

Nights like tonight where complete game shut outs from the dude who is our "ace" bring me back to not just a simpler time, it also makes me happy to be alive.

Johan told everyone with his performance tonight that rumors of his demise are greatly exaggerated.

I have a feeling he is back.

Watch out.

Megdal for GM: The Race Continues

2010-07-06T10:04:00.003-04:00

Rock the vote! For Megdal that is.

F-O-C, local writer and published author and passionate Mets fan Howard Megdal ran a successful primary last week, capturing well over 60% of the votes at both New York Baseball Digest and Amazin' Avenue.

This is a victory for everyone in Metsopotamia. The fact is, in line with Presidential primaries, Megdal caught a larger percentage of the vote than Ronald Reagan, LBJ or Dick Nixon in their respective campaigns. This is, in no short term, amazin'!

So rock the vote again! This week, we will see some primaries run on Metsgrrl and Mets Minor League Blog. In other related news, if Megdal is voted in, he has tapped Toby Hyde of MMLB to run his minor league operations. Outside of Tony Bernazard (heh heh, that's a little joke), Hyde is one of the most educated on Mets minor league prospects.

Hopefully, Megdal will ask Coop to be his right-hand man, er, woman. But I'll take it as it comes. It's an honor to be part of this grassroots campaign, highlighting "logic, transparency and passion."

PS Also come out for an unprecedented Amazin' Monday, hosted by Greg from FAFIF and Jon from MBTN, where Megdal will be speaking to his constituents on July 12 at Two Boots Tavern in Grand Central. Tell them all "hello" as I will not be able to attend.

The Washington Post

2010-07-04T21:31:00.008-04:00

I would like to say that this weekend was the first weekend I've spent in our Nation's Capital coinciding with said nation's birthday. However, it was not, and while the circumstances were quite different, the theme remains the same.

It should have been a fun one. I was in a festive mood most of the day.

But to do so, I have to bring you back to a non-baseball related story. In fact, it has nothing to do with baseball at all. It has to do with the reason I dislike fireworks, I've never taken to D.C., and toilet paper. It will tie together, I promise.

Back in 1996, the parents of my boyfriend (who to this day remains a very good friend of mine) at the time moved to a suburb smack dab in the middle of Baltimore and Washington called Crofton. We were futzing around thinking what to do on 4th of July. Up to that point, I wouldn't have called myself a huge fireworks fan, but I thought maybe finally we'd see the Macy's spectacular.

His idea? Let's help my parents unpack and then go to D.C. to see the fireworks. Up to then, I had only been to D.C. a few times, but each time the visits were rushed and I never got the full "tourist" effect of it. No White House (except driving past it), no Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Smithsonian, nothin'.

What a fabulous idea! Spending the Nation's Birthday in the Nation's Capital.

This holiday, of course, I found that the best laid plans, etc etc. You know the drill.

We wake up and in the brand new, recently constructed house, there was no hot water. Zee-roh. So we couldn't take showers. His father was one of those guys like, "I gotta see it to believe it." Since he had hot water in the morning, he figured we were all crazy. Then his mother realized that the sprinkler system was hooked up to the hot water heater. Oops. So by the time we were able to get our act together it was early afternoon. Not terribly late, but again, on a holiday in the Nation's Capital, we wanted to get a head-start on the day.

His brother agreed to tag along, and as we left the house, said ex-boyfriend asked his parents if they wanted to go. We had planned on taking the Metro in from Landover, but we still needed to get there (I don't remember it being all that far). They agreed to come as well. Okay, I guess. My philosophy was the more the merrier.

As we were heading to the train, his mother suggested we stop at the nearest Sears, to schedule a dishwasher delivery. What, you couldn't have done that earlier? Or call them? So we go the other way around to schedule this...Okay, fine, so we do that. Then it's off to the train.

The train itself wasn't that bad. By the time we got there, everything was shutting down, the few things that were open. The museums, etc. Not to worry, I figured we are there for the fireworks right? They go off in about four hours at that point.

Since I'd never been there, I told him that I wanted to go up the hill to the Washington Monument. Again, remember I had never been there. His dad starts freaking out. What happened? Well, he had to go the bathroom and the port-a-potties were in the different direction. So...do you need help wiping or something? Get over it -- we'll meet you down there in an hour.

Of course, again, best plans mislaid, etc etc. We start walking up the hill to find that...the Monument was closed because of no air conditioning. Well, that sucks. At that point I said, well, we might as well join Pops in the bathroom line since by the time he's done (I mean, there were a lot of people there), I'd probably have to go.

I don't mean to sound bitchy or ungrateful, but I was pretty pissed off. Boyfriend and I were planning on doing the fireworks, I had actually been looking forward to it, and now his folks (whom I normally loved hanging out with) were being complete wet blankets (um, no pun intended, due to the bathroom trip).

Wet blanket indeed. I pick the port-a-potty that had NO toilet paper. Zee-roh again. What now? I have to DRIP DRY??? This day from the minute we woke up to the grass being watered with the hot-water heater, to us making several pit stops because we wanted to be generous and ask his folks to join us, to missing the museums, to no AC in the Washington Monument, to no TP in the john was a complete clusterfuck. What next?

Ice cream.

Okay, so boyfriend could see my patience was being tested thin. So he suggested we hit a truck. I got my usual Firecracker Pop (the red, white and blue icy thing -- apropos, right?). As we all got our wares, I forgot about the late start, I forgot about the museums, heck I even forgot I had to do the shake as I left the pot.

Then it happened.

Mom, who was known as a "general" in the family, said, "Okay, let's go home now." Now, since we all took the same car, we had no choice but to leave together. I turned to boyfriend, who looked mortified, and said, "but...I thought we were..." Then his mom says, "I have some steaks, so we can cook dinner when we get home."

Now, I'd never been in D.C., but I figured...this is the nation's Capita, right? There are PLENTY of places for us to dine, right? So I said, "Well, can't we just eat here?" Apparently, you can't question Mom, when everyone (including stoic Pops) says, "NO!" rather emphatically.

So let's reCoop here: I go down to the D.C. area specifically to see the fireworks. I was held up by stuff out of my control, then by stuff that could be controlled, went to D.C., didn't see anything in D.C. except a port-a-potty that HAD NO FUCKING TOILET PAPER, got ice cream, but then only stayed about a total 30 minutes.

So why did I rehash that story? Well, I often like to tell it because I have to explain myself why I don't like fireworks. It wasn't just then though but I never have. I remember being a kid and freaking out at the annual 4th of July celebration in town, and my mom having to take me home. This trip was a concerted effort to get me to like fireworks, but also to let me see why people love D.C. so much.

Much like Chap called her feelings on her years in Boston, I hated it on sight.

See, the reason I am telling this story is because all I kept thinking as Frankie Rodriguez blew what should have been an elementary save after not only a fabulous R.A. Dickey start but a start where heralded phenom Stephen Strasburg clearly did not have his best stuff working for him.
If the Mets lost to the Nationals and it was Strasburg's doing, hey, at least we'd have been able to justify it.

The game took much longer than it should have. A 4:10 pm start and we made it out of the parking lot at 8 pm, we were staying in Wilmington, Delaware (since I drove all the way down, I thought staying in a half-way point would be easier since I had to return the rental car earlier the next day), and my GPS died so we had to make a pit stop at a rest stop in order to charge it.

What's the point? Can't you see the parallels?

It was a shitty game and a shitty day and the only thing missing was the toilet paper.

Kind of like my trip in 1996.

On the Road Again...

2010-07-02T21:12:00.003-04:00

Yes, the Mets are on the road this weekend. And I will be joining them. Only for a day though. See, Senor Coop and I had a crazy idea to follow the Mets to D.C. this weekend. I try to avoid I-95 like the clap on a holiday weekend. But this one seemed right for some reason. It's a 4 pm game, so there's less pressure for us to make it down by 1 pm.

Getting a method to get down there was tough though. I would venture to say ALL rental car agencies on the island of Manhattan are completely sold out. So what does Coop do? She looks at the local airports and got a good deal via Hotwire at LaGuardia.

I guess what they say is true. Will, way, etc, etc.

Then staying overnight in Delaware, only to come back before the 24-hour span. I am going to be EXHAUSTED. But worth it, I hope. We get to see Strasburg. Senor Coop gets to see another park he would not have.

That's not all. See, besides having season tickets, we are traveling quite a bit for this team this year. Baltimore, D.C., San Francisco, Philadelphia, and *potentially* Pittsburgh. I've never been to PNC Park. I've been to the other four. Hubby will be a "virgin" at all these stadiums.

I often think I'm crazy. I love the beach. I love the summer time. I love warm and sunny weather. I prefer it over cold weather any day of the week including Sundays. I appreciate air conditioning. Don't get me wrong. Like Southern California weather is something I wouldn't mind experiencing year-round.

I could be spending my time and my dinero on time shares in the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore. Yet, each year, Sterling Mets get my money, and I manage to take my show on the road as well.

Priorities, I guess.

In the meantime, though, I am enjoying this season. Quite a bit, actually. Taking it as it comes, and it's quite lovely after what we went through as fans in 2009.

If you remember, I was not a fan of Nationals Park. But Hubby hadn't been there yet. We had nothing else to do but smile this weekend. So why not?

As a friend mentioned earlier, we hope to see a good performance by Strasburg, but overshadowed by a Mets win.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

So Long, San Juan

2010-07-01T18:51:00.003-04:00

So the Mets and Marlins just finished their pilot series in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last night. I don't know how I felt about it, the series, being played there and all. Maybe I would have felt better if the Mets had home field. But what the hell do I know?

I think what bothers me most is that the Marlins always seem to beat us when we really need to win. Okay, fine, maybe these games weren't "must win" games, but nothing makes me giddier than beating on the Marlins. Well, except for maybe beating on the Phillies. I truly HATE with a passion certain Marlins, especially Cody F. Ross and Dan "Fucking" Uggla. Oh wait. Maybe his middle name is also "F." I just call him "Fuggla" though. And I don't even call Shane Victorino the middle initial "F." Though I should.

I digress. While I think it was tres cool (or perhaps I should say "muy") to have something like this, as I kept telling Senor Coop that we are SO GOING next year if they do it again, the schedule was pretty unforgiving to the Mets especially. The Marlins get today off, and yet they have a shorter trip to Miami than the Mets did, who traveled back up the east coast to our nation's capital.

The Mets lost two out of three. I really feel like they should have won two out of three. Should I be so nitpicky? Hells belles yes!!! I was watching Tuesday night's game at an establishment, and I truly thought someone slipped a roofie in my one beer to see Frankie Rodriguez pitching in the 8th inning. Eighth inning. The game wasn't tied, I know, but still, the Marlins were clearly breaking down and he shoulda been spared. Lo and behold, the Mets *did* tie it up. I love me some Pedro Feliciano but he is not bullet proof. Chances are, Frankie gets a little shaky at times but I would have believed he would have kept the game tied. We'll never know, but I felt like once again Jerry Manuel was writing the Manuel of "Stuff I pulled out of my ass: Fucking with the bullpen against a division rival." Conceding the game = not cool, Jerry. Not cool at all.

Do I need to remind everyone about how we feel about the Marlins? Okay, I won't insult your intelligence. But FUGGLA killing us once again with the go-ahead run on base? I know his lifetime BA against the Mets isn't all the dramatic (.225) but according to Baseball Reference, he has 15 doubles and 15 HRs against the Mets lifetime. He sucks offensively by the way. I guess the good part is, he seems to hit those doubles and home runs when they count against another rival: the Braves (his BA is a lot better against them, .286, with 22 HRs and 22 doubles).

There are bigger fish to fry (get it?? FISH to fry??? Ah, what do you know from funny), but pitch underhanded to Daniel Cooley Uggla from now on. Yes, that is his middle name. And he can kiss mine too. My "cooley." I'm telling you, I slay me, folks.

What else? Well, I think it's a tad unfair, although still on the East Coast, that the Marlins really have no repercussions of playing the series, with their day off and all. Especially with the delayed game yesterday, the Mets got a late start and are probably operating with a bit of fatigue.

This series in DC is pretty critical. I predict three out of four for the Mets though. Why not a sweep? Well, I am a realist. Because Saturday they are facing Strasburg. AT BEST I am hoping for a 1-0 game. And that the Mets actually get a hit. Please? After all, SC and I will be in attendance.

So until next year, San Juan, we shall meet again. Will the Mets even play their next year? I'm confused.

That's all for now, folks. Later.

Strike While The Iron Is Hot

2010-06-29T22:59:00.003-04:00

Today's loss sucked but I do believe that the Mets can redeem themselves in a few easy steps. Two of which they do not even entirely control.

A.) Jason Heyward is on the DL for the Braves. Heyward is an exciting young player, and his loss in the lineup will be felt. The Braves are also kind of falling out of favor (though they are in first, they still do not scare me), especially with golden boy Derek Lowe giving his best impression of Steve Trachsel this year.

2.) Chase Utley and Placido Polanco also hit the DL today for the Phillies. While they were both placed on the 15-day DL, Polanco's seems a bit suspect with an inflamed right elbow injury. I'm sure that when the Phils go on a losing streak (and they will), we'll have to hear the woe is me comments from their fanbase about how they have so many injuries. To that, I say "SUCK IT PHILLY."

D.) To capitalize on all these changes in the opponents, it is imperative the Mets get a new pitcher. It appears as though Josh Thole and Wilmer Flores might be "Crown Jewels" in any trade involving a top-tier pitcher, according to several reports.

After the last two nights -- R.A. Dickey was going to come back down to earth eventually but Hisanori Takahashi is better served in the 'pen -- it is evident that the Mets need another top-of-the-line pitcher to back up Mike Pelfrey and Jonathon Niese (yeah, I said it). Rumors of course are saying the Mets are the frontrunners for Cliff Lee.

However, I have to think that Dan Haren would be better suited for the Mets at this point.

If my good friend Howard Megdal weren't already running for GM, I would do a WWCD (What Would Coop Do?) post as GM right now. However, I can still do that, since I am not the GM and not step on Howard's toes since he is still maintaining his campaign (be sure to get out and vote this week too).

Haren is on the right side of 30, and I have to believe the righty would benefit from a change of scenery (read: on a winning team). Not to mention he's been a pitcher most have coveted since his days on the Oakland A's. His stats have been lackluster so far this year (7-6, 4.56 ERA and 1.315 WHIP); however, it seems like the month of May might have cause this aberration. In June, he's got a 2-2 record with a 3.19 ERA and 1.228 WHIP (down significantly from the month prior).

He seems to be a ground ball hitter, but with the defensive line (such a hockey term) backing him up at CitiField, I have to believe that would only benefit him. He doesn't give up many home runs and strikes out on average one batter per inning.

I think that's pretty sick.

It's not that I am totally against getting Cliff Lee. Okay, maybe I am. No seriously, I'm sure Clifton is a wonderful guy once you get to know him. I do know that Danny Haren would fit in nicely with the team, he's under contract till 2012 (with a 2013 option) and well, I've coveted him. Isn't that enough? He also won't cost that much in prospects and is certainly more reliable than the two schmoes we have at the back of the rotation.

Dickey and Takahashi have sufficed for now. But now it is time to strike while the iron is hot. Our two major rivals in the division have lost key components, and it will be nice to see how they bounce back from losing major offensive parts to their lineup. However, after losing two straight the Marlins (including Coop's "favorites" Cody F. Ross and Dan "I'm Fucking" Uggla), it is time.

Omar, make your move. *Klang! Kling!* Okay, that's striking while the iron is hot.

On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever

2010-06-26T22:02:00.033-04:00

When I was a kid, I loved going to Mets games at Shea Stadium. My Summer Family is anarrative of my memories as a young fan and the relationships I've formed as a result of being a Mets and baseball fan.

My dad (Mr. E for those of you who know him) used to have a weekend plan back when I was very young, but it was also a treat for me to go to games during the week. I would leave home right after school, hop in Dad's truck and we'd take the drive from the Jersey Shore all the way to Queens.

Some games, my dad would "let me loose" and I'd walk around the stadium. My favorite places to go were the far reaches in the Loge (where we would sit) and look at the landscapes around. Sure, there's not much to look at in the Iron Triangle, but it was something I could call my own.

I don't know why, but that's how I felt when I was sitting in the non-Coop Coop seats in the Excelsior level for Thursday, June 24 against the Detroit Tigers. It was a Thursday evening game, we got to the game just minutes before the start, and I guess I felt like I was transported back to the late-'80s mostly because I didn't have my cell phone with me.

The night started off as a comedy of errors with my phone brain cramp, but then ended on a note of sweet irony when the Mets could not cap a comeback against the Tigers late in the game. Of course, with a huge visible strikeout by David Wright with the bases loaded (as Will would say, WTF, Davey???), it was probably the only time I wanted to be on Twitter since I knew several Mets fans who would be absolutely murdering Dave for striking out in that type of a situation. Morbid curiosity on my part (though truth be told I did see it coming).

So Senor Coop and I got these seats as a compensation for the rain-shortened game against the Braves in April. The Mets gave us the option to trade them in for one of two series -- against the Padres earlier in the month or the Tigers. We choose three games and we got the 24th. However, we thought we'd get comparable tickets to his Sunday plan, which are in the Promenade.

No, the Mets did us right. We got Excelsior level seats with full access to the Acela, Caesar's and Promenade Clubs.

Score.

I'd been to the Caesar's and Promenade Club a few times but never the Acela.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but SC was hungry and we thought maybe we could get a snack at Acela.
Although it reminded me of the old Diamond Club at Shea, they had the grill (which was basically the whole ballpark menu) and the sit-down restaurant, which actually had pretty decent food. I remember the prix-fixe back then was something like $35/person. The Acela is not that bad -- $48/person, but not really what we wanted, especially since I wasn't eating just yet, and SC couldn't eat $48 worth of food if he tried, we just took some pictures and left for the comfort of our seats. Ironically, they our seats were in the same section we sat in during the rain shortened game, when the officials told us to move down to Field and Excelsior.

My favorite part of the Excelsior level are not only the lounge areas (read: air conditioning) but the BAR AREAS. I miss the old Diamond Club, which was so horrifically cheesy (old F-O-C and MSF All-Star Bookie D used to call it the "Bus Depot to Purgatory" which was so true), but it was part of the experience of Shea. They used to serve Mets-themed alcoholic drinks like Boys of Summer or Mets Martinis, which were pretty good for the money. Now it's Absolut Lemonade, Cuervo Margaritas and Bacardi Mojito drinks (notice: all product placements).

Of course, I opted for the DonQ "Home Rum Punch" which is sort of like a hurricane. It was only $2 more than a draft beer. A problem I've had with the mixed drinks, take for example the Absolut Lemonade is that there is more "fruit" or "lemonade" than the "Absolut" or "Rum" or whatever. I don't know, perhaps you are better off with a gin and tonic or something.

The best part of having the mixed drinks right next to your seats is that there's no alcohol abuse. Meaning: you can bring the drinks over to your seats without worrying about people knocking into you or spilling your drink, since you do not have far to walk. In my handy dandy cup holder, I kept my rum punch. One thing I did notice when I went back to CitiField over the weekend is that the rum stand down by World's Fare Market is there is no rum punch on the menu. I believe it's only pina coladas. That's fine but I am no coconut fan, so you'll never get me to buy one of those drinks. Also, I am not even that big of a rummy but I'll tell you what. I would buy the rum punch if it were offered there, just sayin'.

Okay so no more talk about me being a lush and back to the game. As I mentioned earlier, our seats were pretty good.
The Coop season seats are located in the outfield reserved, which are on the same level as the field seats, but you pay probably half the price you would for the seats closer to the infield. Not to mention, I have always thought that the Excelsior level, as Greg from Faith and Fear in Flushing likes to call it the "logezzanine" area, are the most overpriced seats in the park. Save the Left Field Landing and perhaps the Pepsi Porch, you are not getting much bang for your buck except for maybe the club access. However, for a fraction of the cost, you can sit in the outfield reserved and still get club access. It's a bit head-scratching to me. I truly feel like we got these "comped" tickets because they just wanted hineys in them, not necessarily that they wanted us to experience them as ticker plan holders.

One of the biggest drawbacks to these seats though are if you are sitting in the back rows, you have no view of the lineup. The scoreboard is obstructed as well. I know, we are not there to see the CitiVision or the scoreboard, but for someone like Mr. E who likes to keep score, this is a major drawback for me ever wanting to upgrade to this level.

Of course, I probably never will. It's the principle. Of course, I just kept watching the game, which was, I have to admit, a very good view.

It's not a universal view of the field like you can get from the Promenade in the surrounding infield areas, but if you like to chill and watch a game, you can't beat these. Though this was a night game, I can see the allure to these seats. You are out of the sun, the lounges are right there, and there are stores to go into. Take for instance...this one.

I had to chuckle a bit when I saw the outside sign, since Daniel Murphy and Carlos Beltran are still on photo. I should probably also mention that all Daniel Murphy merchandise is discounted and some of Beltran's items are as well, at least in the Mets Clubhouse store by Bryant Park.

Meh, whatever. Anyway, you can see that I am not talking much about the game but rather my experiences at the game. I figured that is more interesting, since the game itself didn't turn out like we would have liked it. I know, the Mets will win some games, they will lose some games. Believing in "home field advantage" though, you'd think I'd get to see a lot more wins. Instead in the two road games I attended, they won (hey, can't complain), but home I've seen way too many losses for my liking. Sure, winning series are just as if not more important than sweeps, since you can't possibly sweep every series in a season. But can't they just sweep one little series when I am in attendance?

I digress. I can't complain about losing one game out of three to the Detroit Tigers, who are a VERY good team. I can't expect Hisanori Takahashi to be dominant in every start (or at the very least, put them in a position to win). I guess I can glean some satisfaction that they could come back late in a game after being put in a hole (but don't get me starter on Johan Santana's start on Saturday).

The game itself might not have been interesting, yet I had some interesting things happen while I was in the seats.

For one, the Pepsi T-Shirt Launch landed, well, right at us during the game. Joey Beatran technically caught it, but since the shirt is much too big, he let me have it.

At one point, I decided to try and find an ever-elusive Jon Niese shirt for my friend Senor Solly out on the West Coast. I didn't find much in that respect, but how can we have tons of Barajas shirts, Davis shirts and no Niese. Hell, there was even a BOBBY PARNELL shirt available, and he was literally pitching his first game back in 2010 that night. Don't get me wrong -- I have no problem with there being those choices there. However, Niese has been our show-stopper all season. I'm sure some fans would like the opportunity to purchase one at the Mets stores on site.

I also found a cutie little Mets shirt wearing polar bear, that I bought for my husband. See, because the Mets failed to get runners in at one point, I became a major bitch about it. Buying this little guy made it up to him.
We named him Ike. I wanted something Arctic-sounding, and we tend to name them after players and Ike could kind of look like "Ice." I thought of naming him Iggy, but I kept coming back to Ike. Now, it's Klondike Bear, which sounds more Arctic-like. Joey doesn't look all too happy about him being there. However, when he found out that he only likes cold drinks and cold food (think iced tea, iced coffee, cold soda and ice cream), Joey could handle his new sibling since they didn't have to share food.

The game itself was a loss, but the night wasn't, I suppose. Another perk of sitting in the Excelsior is that we had "VIP" access, which didn't mean much except we got to choose the special access entrance we wanted. I had gone through the Hodges entrance a little while back for the CitiField tour and a game I had attended in a luxury box (I haven't shared it here yet though). So we chose none other than the Franchise himself, the Seaver entrance.

My thoughts going into the entrance would be I'd flash my ticket around like Wayne and Garth do to get backstage at Alice Cooper's show, I'd get on an elevator. And that's pretty much it. I'm glad that I took the time to view the landscape there because the Mets did Tom Seaver right. Like the Mets Hall of Fame/Museum, I was blown away by the homage paid to George.

No one says "New York Mets" more than George Thomas Seaver. Once again, after seeing this display of affection and admiration for our own, I had to once again feel proud to be a Mets fan. Now I wonder what kind of homage they'd pay Mike Piazza. I have to hope they get that one right too. Since you heard it here first, he'll be in the HOF as a Met. Then, as Mr. E says, it will be more of a man-crush thing going on with Seaver and Piazza. Maybe they can get rid of the Stengel VIP Entrance. Eh, who knows, it's much too soon to discuss this

I've seen much of CitiField and save the Pepsi Porch, I've sat in as many sections I feel that I could have in order to find my happy place here. Once upon a time, I was a wee young Coop, and I'd go to Shea Stadium to night games with my dad, which were a rare treat but a treat nonetheless. And I'd swear that on a clear night, you could see forever. You could see Queens, you could see Long Island, and I would see the bright lights of the big city beckoning me.

I may not exactly have found my happy place at CitiField, not entirely because I do like my new home a lot. But I did feel like I could see forever on Thursday, June 24. The past, the present and the future of the team.

I have to admit, I kinda got giddy with anticipation.

Weighing in on Cliff Lee

2010-06-25T22:30:00.010-04:00

Am I the only Mets fan alive who thinks Cliff Lee is overrated? Well, I know at least one other fan who thinks that, but it screams of nepotism if I use him as my backup.

Any time I hear potential "trades" from Monday Morning GMs starting with either Jon Niese or Ike Davis, I just have to laugh. I hope if Omar Minaya gets an offer like that, he laughs too (I know Howard Megdal, future Mets GM who will hire me as his assistant, would as well).

After all, the children are our future, as Randy Watson would say, and since Jon Niese has done better WAY better than expected this season (and I think he's going to be infinitely better as time goes on) and Ike Davis is the rug that ties the room together, that move would be silly not to mention incredibly premature.

It would be a hard sell but I think if the Mets were to hypotethetically be frontrunners for him, start with Fernando Martinez. Like I said, it would be a hard sell simply because the dude is injury-prone. Maybe Kirk Nieuwenhuis (I hope I spelled his name cause I aint looking it up right now), MAYBE. But we'll need a OF for the future. And I would choose Nieuwenhuis over F-Mart anyday. Though I did name the Shea Bridge after him.

Anyway, back to the whole Cliff Lee thing. I cannot be the only who thinks he overrated or that the Mets don't need him. He would be nice. I'd like to have him on the team. The last thing they need to do right now is be shortsighted for a half-year rental to have him go someplace else. Here's an idea: let another team make a stupid-ass move like that other than the Mets. The Twins, for example. They have a shitload of prospects and can afford to do something stupid. Hey, no skin off our nose if he leaves after half a season. Give us our draft picks*.
*pending arbitration, which I'm sure they'd offer

Any deal involving Angel Pagan too is just crazy talk. The dude has been our MVP, I don't care who you are or what you think. I plan on writing a piece on Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan soon, but it more involves keeping Pagan in the lineup every day. Think what you want about my thoughts on Beltran.

Now, I mentioned above that I believe Clifton Phifer Lee (yes, that is his real name) is "overrated." On the surface, his numbers are impressive. Lifetime, 96-55, 3.86 ERA and 1.274 WHIP. For a dude who has pitched most of his years in the American League, that sounds pretty dang good, right? He's a Cy Young Award winner but two years ago. In the AL. Save 2007, he's pitched over 200 innings each season. He started this season injured too, but has rebounded to have impressive stats with Seattle, 6-3, 2.39 ERA and 0.912 WHIP.

That's not overrated Coop. That is pretty fucking good!

Well of course it is. I am not saying that Cliff Lee is "overrated" in the sense that everyone thinks he's great but is just a shade above mediocre (that would be Jake Peavy). I am saying he's overrated because of what he will eventually be paid as a lefty starter who is in his walk year (you know the best numbers come up in walk years). I think he is injury-prone and his arm will fall off at one point, especially in a long-term deal you know he will get. Let someone else overpay for him in prospects right now. I'd also be curious to see how a long-term deal gets worked out after this season.

Did I mention that he will not negotiate an extension even in the event of a trade? Hell, the Phillies traded his ass because they knew he wouldn't negotiate an extension and wanted to maximize their value for him while they still had him (and got Roy Halladay as an added bonus). This was after two trips in a row to the World Series!!

So Cliff Lee is basically saying, yeah trade me, but expect me to bolt my new team once the season is over. We all know how that works out. We are out prospects and money and whatever else. Oh and we need to refill that spot in the rotation still. I understand why he's doing it. Still doesn't take away from the fact that it's a dick move.

Not happenin'.

I always say that too much pitching is never a problem. When he's a half-year rental, it is. And last I checked, save Hisanori Takahashi's hiccups every now and then, the Mets are far from having problematic pitching.

They rank 4th in NL ERA with 3.74, 7th in Ks with 518, their WHIP might be high-ish but their K/9 is impressive with 7.2.

We don't need no stinkin' Lee. We'll be fine without him. In 2010, that is.

*****************************************************
What a game!

Tonight, Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks pitched his first career no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Two things are amazing out of this event.

One is that Jackson threw 149 pitches to complete the game. Nolan Ryan must be so proud.

Second is that the Rays are a legitimate AL East contender. And this is the SECOND TIME this season they've been no hit, and third time in less than a calendar year. Remember, Mark Buehrle threw one against them in 2009. Did I mention two of those "no hitters" were "perfect games?" Yes, Dallas Braden's "Suck it A-Rod" match du parfait was against the Rays as well.

Another thing of note is that the Oakland A's are a significantly below-.500 team this season and the D-Backs are in dead last this season.

And the Rays are still good.

I tweeted earlier that I felt bad for Jackson though. His best game ever, and it was in front of 150 fans who were probably all Yankees-transplants (it was at Tropicana Field).

*****************************************************
Megdal for GM primaries begin on Monday, June 28 at Amazin Avenue and New York Baseball Digest. Stand up and be counted! Polls close on July 2.

*****************************************************
Be sure to visit F-O-C John Delcos' Mets Report during games for live chats. Tell him The Coop sent ya!

*****************************************************
Don't know what else to say except Lets Go Mets. Nice win against the Twinnies tonight.

Pass It On

2010-06-21T23:50:00.003-04:00

Howard Megdal wants a better existence for Mets fans, and for his baby daughter to experience a lifetime of happiness as a Mets fan. This is what we will get from a passionate fan who knows his Mets history, and someone who cares deeply about his association as a Mets fan.

Sign up for the Megdal For GM Channel on YouTube, and pass it on!

Grassroots efforts start by word of mouth. Tell your mom, tell your pop, tell your friend, tell Mr. Met! But most of all, start following his ads. It's good stuff.

Crowburgers

2010-06-19T23:58:00.014-04:00

At the beginning of the season, DyHrdMet and I were discussing the potential of the Mets. You see, he and I had been to spring training (me to camp, he to exhibition games). His quotes were pretty damning. From "this pitching staff scares the shit out of me" (who wasn't?) but most of all, "I only see a 75-win team here" (his thoughts, and I agreed with him).

Well, barring any monumental collapse (say, losing 20 in a row at some point), we are on a pace to winning at the very least 80 games. In the meantime, we've both been eating crow (mostly from Senor Solly, who I think is just doing it to bust our proverbial chops). In the meantime, with all the jokes about Cleveland Indians, the Mets and the movie Major League, DyHrdMet and I said we'd both eat a big shitburger.

Shitburgers. Eating crow. Another term for that is "admitting one's mistakes." While the Mets have had a hot hot winning streak that ended yesterday, the thing is, I still feel like there is a margin of not only improvement, but a massive amount of crow eating that needs to take place before I am totally comfortable with giving my backing for this season.

I'm going to come right out and say it: Jenrry Mejia doing mop-up work is NOT the answer in the 'pen. The Mets are notoriously once again driving a rookie into the ground by putting their needs first and not the development and nurturing the rookie will need in the long-term. This team has been lucky to the extent that R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi has worked out well in the starting rotation, not to mention that whole addition-by-subtraction thing by having John Maine on the DL and Oliver Perez, well, sent to the Puppy Farm.

How great would it have been to have Mejia in the minors when Maine and Perez were no longer "available" to pitch, and have him at the ready? I like Takahashi, but I still feel like his talents were better suited in the 'pen. Once the league starts figuring him out, we are in trouble. (Dickey I'm not concerned with yet because for some reason, major league hitting has not figured out knuckleballers)

The Mets have been incredibly lucky in the fact that the bullpen hasn't been make or break...yet. We all know it's shortsighted to think that this will go on "forever." No, there will come a time (oh, say, August or September) where we will see them blow leads and falter in the stretch. That will not be Jenrry Mejia's fault, in fact, I doubt he will even part of that. Since he's been relegated to doing "mop-up" work at this point, the chances of him coming into a tight game is slim and none, and Mr. Slim is out of town.

No, Jenrry Mejia's talents are not being leveraged in the 'pen, and my fear is he is not only too "green" to be pitching in the majors in any role at this point without seasoning and stretching out in the minors, the Mets are in turn running Mejia into the ground at 20 years old.

I know his stats suggest he is not being hurt by this treatment (for a reliever, he's "okay" with an 0-2 record, 3.38 ERA) but his WHIP is abnormally high (1.650) for a guy who is supposed to have such filthy stuff. For a young kid with nasty stuff, it's clear out of the 'pen he is walking FAR too many batters. He is NOT ready for the big show.

Let's be fair. Mejia is ONLY on the team to make Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel look good as "lame ducks." Right now the team can afford to right this wrong since they've been playing over their heads, and send Mejia back to the minors. He will only maximize HIS talents if they right this wrong.

Yet, if there is one thing that "scares the shit out of me,"as DyHrdMet once said about the starting rotation, it's Jerry Manuel's running the 'pen into the ground on a consistent basis.

Back to Jerry Manuel. The reason I gave such a rambling intro to the whole sending back Mejia to the minors argument is this: yesterday, an article hit the wires that Manuel was addressing John Maine's rehab in the minors. While Manuel praised the efforts of Takahashi from Friday night against the Yankees, when asked if he would move Taka back to the 'pen once Maine returned (supposed to be in the week, initially, I believed), the answer was no. However, when asked if Maine would go to the 'pen, Manuel said no.

As a friend of mine said, Manuel basically said "Maine would be pitching in the off-day."

Okay. Now, John Maine has been testing my patience in the rotation. For a guy who has had numerous rehab assignments and never had a true "out" pitch, he never seemed to want to take the extra step to better himself. Even in rehab, his pitch counts are extremely high in early innings. Wouldn't the better question, since we know John Maine can handle not only major league hitters but we also know he's good for about five innings. Wouldn't that be better out of the bullpen?

Yes, I know Maine would prefer to be a starter. But Maine needs to put his big boy pants on and do what's best for the team. If he wants to pitch in the majors again, he has to understand that pitchers with similar stuff (aka Takahashi) is not only being effective but finishing the job Maine never seemed to do.

Of course, Manuel hates Maine for some reason. Maine is a Jerry's Shit-List Kid, as I like to call them. Manuel is unprofessional. It's bad enough he cannot hide his disgust for Maine in public view, but to say outright, he has no place on this team to the press isn't cool.

Maine cares. I'm sure if you sat him down with Minaya or Ricco or whoever, said, you need to do this, it's what's best for the team, he'll be reasonable about it. Of course, he may ask for a trade. So be it.

Here's my thinking. Ship Mejia's ass out of town and bring Maine up when he is ready (of course, news comes out today that Maine will be re-evaluated and that Mejia might be sent back to the minors. Have they been inside my head or reading my Tweets?). Hat tip to Metsblog for suggesting that if Maine goes back on the DL, the Mets can put off doing what they want with him. If he's not, they'd have no choice but to release him.

Doing this will right two wrongs. Maine should be in the 'pen, plain and simple. He also has a heart and cares about his performance, we all see this. The Mejia experiment just needs to be done, period.

Another wrong that needs to be righted? Release Oliver Perez.

Here's my thinking. John Maine, I feel, can be effective out of the 'pen. Perhaps as a long-man, but whatever. He can be and that's my point. Oliver Perez is effective NOWHERE. Not as a starter, not as a long-man, not as a reliever. I'd go so far as to say not as a human being, but that's mean. He managed to get an agent who believed he was worth $12mm/year, so that's impressive. He doesn't have the goods to back that up.

Of course, the Mets will fail to do the right thing here because it's a money issue. They will never admit to being wrong by giving Perez that contract and eating all that dough. Or crow.

The answer to me is simple. Let Maine work his stuff out in the minors, then tell him, work out of the 'pen, or else. Send Mejia back down. And release Perez.

Press Mute

2010-06-18T21:31:00.003-04:00

I'm one of the rare people in America.

I hated the show Seinfeld.

Hate is a very strong word, and understand that I don't like to use it. But "dislike it very much" doesn't really cut my feelings for it. I wanted to punch Elaine. And why was that Kramer guy so funny? I would rather hear nails on a chalkboard than listen to George (or as he would say it, "Jawdge").

I only watched the show like three times in my life, mostly because I was living at home and my mom loved it. Yet each time I watched it, I wanted to throw the TV out the window.

However, going back to the whole "nails on a chalkboard" thing, the one thing I didn't get was Jerry Seinfeld. Yeah, I get it, as a stand up comedian, he's pretty balls on. But as an actor? You have to be fucking kidding me.

But to hear him speak for three innings, potentially more, during Wednesday's broadcast is enough to make my ears bleed. Seriously? I know, he's doing what every Mets fan dude in the universe would love to do -- call a Mets game with the best in the biz -- but he wouldn't have been able to do unless he was really connected.

As it turns out, I wasn't planning to go to the game, but may have two tickets to it. If ever there were an incentive for me to not watch a game at home, this would be it.

So if anyone is interested in going to a game with a really cool chick, let me know.

********************************************************
Hey everyone, I've mentioned it before, I'll mention it again. Get thee to John Delcos Mets Report's website (facebook fan page here). The former Mets beat writer still has insightful analysis on the team and has in-game chats. This would be a great place for some shyte-talking, especially this weekend with the Subway Series.

********************************************************
Nothing else to say except LGM/YGB.

Sacrificing the Live Chicken

2010-06-18T00:41:00.005-04:00

"She's living in sin with a safety pin. She's goin'...CLEVELAND ROCKS! CLEVELAND ROCKS!" - Ian Hunter, "Cleveland Rocks"

Well, folks, we did it. We discussed prior to rolling into Baltimore that two out of three would not do it. Nope. To prove to me this team was legit, they would need to sweep the Orioles into oblivion.

So that happens. Cool. Then we head to Cleveland. The Indians are a pretty awful team as well, but eh, I was okay with winning two out of three. They certainly are not as bad as the Orioles, but the Indians are not a good team.

The Mets this week rolled into Cleveland to the lake like that barge Randy Newman sang about in Major League's opening credits, taking all three from the Indians.

This surprised the heck out of me. How many times this season have the Mets looked awesome at home, to looking like the Keystone Kops on the road? Or worse, Pedro Cerrano trying to hit a curveball in training camp? They made it look easy, but let's keep it together here. These were the teams with the worst records in their respective divisions. It's good that the Mets rolled over them both, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

It's easy to though.

Now what? Considering that Remembering Shea's DyHrdMet told me at the beginning of the season that he thought this was a "75-game" winning team, and I told Senor Solly to take the under on that, well...it looks like DyHrdMet and I are eating a big shitburger on that one (although I am pretty sure Solly did agree with me).

Even so, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. So I am upping that ante to 85 now.

The Yankees also rolled over tonight for the Phillies tonight. Which could be good and bad.

Good in the sense that...hey, we're heading to the Bronx now. Maybe taking all three games isn't that much of a stretch. The Yank-these just lost two in a row to the Phillies (which leads me to the second part...), so perhaps we can carry that losing momentum over them.

Bad in the sense that...the Phillies are creeping up behind us. Well, the Phillies are 3.5 games out of first. And 3 games behind us. But they just won two in a row against the Yankees. Why didn't the Yankees bother to show up? Are they giving the Phillies a reach-around for winning the World Series against them last year?

This weekend is the first place Braves are facing a VERY good Rays team. The Phillies are facing a very solid Twins team. I know the Mets can TOTALLY take the Braves. But dang, we don't face those two teams (Braves and the Phillies) again till August. The Twins, however, we will see next weekend, bringing to a close Interleague play for 2010. Thank goodness.

I'm still hopeful. I'm hopeful the Mets can still pull off a massive winning streak. We will have to take into consideration though that these wins were against the respective worst teams in their divisions.

These upcoming three series will be the true test, boys and girls. Whether they can beat the class of the American League (right now, Yankees are tied for first in AL East, Twins are first in AL Central and Tigers are a very close second in the same division), they need to keep bringing out the big guns.

You know what? I'll gladly bring the chicken for the Mets to sacrifice before tomorrow night's game (and if it puts a hex on the Yankees doing it in their visitor's clubhouse, more power to them) to continue the progress though.

All I know is I gotta prepare myself for that shitburger now.

I'm heating up the Foreman grill as we speak.

***************************************************************
Here's a fun fact: The Mets are 18-5 since May 22, which is the best record in baseball. Also, since starting out 4-8, the Mets are 34-20. It also seems like addition by subtraction (e.g. Oliver Perez and John Maine) and addition by addition (Ike Davis) has contributed to this hot streak.

Where's that live chicken again???

Three Times is a Charm City

2010-06-16T16:34:00.002-04:00

I've been to many games at Camden Yards in my lifetime (including Cal Ripken's last game and number retirement ceremony in 2001). Baltimore is a nice quick day trip from up here. I can take the city in small doses, and I like to end my day or evening by going to either an afternoon game before catching dinner or evening game before heading home.

With as many games as I've attended there, as big of a Mets fans I am, as many "road" stadiums I try to visit (with or without the Mets actually playing a game against the home team), I have never been able to sync my schedule with the Baltimore Orioles when the Mets are in town.

Last year, when they had a three-game series in the middle of the week down in Charm City, I figured I'd just resigned myself to not seeing the Mets play there again for many years.

Not so fast there, Scooter. As soon as I saw the Mets were making the trip not only to Baltimore again this season but on a weekend, I had to go. It was the first time for me seeing my team ever at Camden Yards.

Baltimore may not be the nicest city. It may not be the cleanest or the flashiest or most comfortable (the summers there are BRUTALLY humid and this is coming from someone who LOVES humidity), there may not be a ton to do outside of the Harbor and Fells Point areas, but I can tell you one thing. It is a GREAT place to catch a baseball game and an overall enjoyable experience as a fan. I always said I love watching games where I had no vested interest in the teams and could just enjoy the "art" of baseball. Well, I had a vested interest this time, but no Cal Ripken to root for (who is my all-time favorite player). So let's play ball!

First, I have to say I was truly amazed by the pure amounts of Mets fans who made the trip down there. I don't know if it's because perhaps being in the DC-metropolitan area, or that it's approximately three hours outside of the NY metropolitan area, but it seemed like Baltimore was THE PLACE to be this weekend for Mets fans.

And rightfully so. Until this series, the Mets had not won a road series since July 2009. Forget sweeping. this team just needed to win. We already know the Mets believe in Home Field Advantage. To be legit, they need to start winning on the road. And what better way to start winning with the worst team in the AL East, the Orioles.

Maybe it was the authentic "Lets go Mets" chants. Maybe it was all the blue and orange in the stands. Maybe it was the big bright white letters of the GO BIG PELF shirts on Sunday.

All I know is that the Mets treated Camden Yards like their home, and I've considered Camden Yards like a home-away-from-home for me as a fan. So the fact they swept and continued their home winning progress on the road was a huge thing.

Doing it in front of so many fans who made the trip was just a bonus.

I'm sure many of my dear readers have been to Flushing in April or a cold night in the spring, or in the fall. You freeze your parts off, male or female. The summers, to me anyway, are not as bad, because the breeze from the Bay keeps the air circulating, so it's hot, but manageable. It depends on who you are, I guess, because I love hot weather. One reason I can only take Baltimore in small doses is because the humidity. My goodness, the humidity. It's a dirty word there. You'd think in a harbor area the air would be cooler at least. Nope. On a hot day, the air does not circulate and if you were a dog, you would be panting to keep cool. When we checked into our hotel room, I tweeted (@Coopz22) that I never loved air conditioning more than I loved it at that moment. See, I had worn jeans on the bus trip down, and since our room wasn't ready for occupying yet, I couldn't change till we returned after lunch.

Lunch was closer to the stadium, so we stopped by to get pictures there.
That was the last time of the weekend where I did not have my hair up or wore long pants. Shorts all the way. Yay!

Saturday night was supposed to be a big Tweet-up Meet-up type of thing. When you make the trip to Baltimore for a game (which I highly recommend) more than likely you will use the Eutaw Street entrance. There's nothing really like it at Citi Field, but it's kind of like scanning your ticket on the street then continuing with a neighborhood walk. Over there though is an open plaza with bleacher seats, food stands, beer and most importantly Boog's BBQ, named after a Baltimorean legend, Boog Powell. That's as much of a landmark at Camden Yards as anything.

I've been going to Camden Yards for years, but have never taken part in their BBQ delights there. It's odd but every time I go there, it seems like I just ate or just not hungry enough to have a meal (not to mention, I think the last two times I was there, I was eating vegetarian, so BBQ pulled pork was not on my menu). I have to make it a point to try it next time though.

The idea seemed easy enough. However, I found out on the way down that several fans' plans fell through, and one of them who actually did make it had to keep moving around simply because the area was so crowded (it was, no blaming them not to mention the oppressive heat). So the hype machine left us with four people -- myself, the hubs, CoreyNYC and his wife Em! So we were able to get one picture. But it was so uncomfortably hot, we didn't stay that long anyway.

On to our seats. For the Saturday game, we had seats on the third base side (between David and Jason, to be exact). Our views were pretty good.

Prior to the game was Ravens Appreciation Night, and we were given Ravens-colored Orioles caps on the way into the stadium. The Ravens mascot (uh, a raven) made an appearance, and Metsgrrl even pointed out that the Ravens mascot was named "Poe." How did I not know this? If I haven't already declared my allegiance to the J-E-T-S, I'd totally stake my tell tale heart with the Ravens.

One thing that surprised me in the Charm City though was the fact that although the city is in general cheaper than New York City, there is not really a "home town discount" at Camden Yards. The 16 oz beers were on course with what we'd pay at CitiField, and the best "bargain" I guess if you can call it that is the 24 oz can of beer for $10. But still when I think about what I spent on that, it was quite a lot. I noticed for Sunday though, when I participated in it, was that the draft beer was $6.25. I guess that was a bargain. Sort of.

I did get several texts while inside the stadium and the game settling in, but the most welcome one was from CrazyMetGirl Tracy who suggested we come up to the Club Level -- unlike the Mets' Excelsior Level, the Club Level is open to all, just not the seats. The best attraction? AIR CONDITIONING. (You can see by the happy faces that we were cool as cukes)

The Club Level, as its name suggests, houses different air conditioned (Oh I never loved air conditioning more than I did this weekend) lounges, but most importantly the Retired Numbers Lounge...
Where my favorite number of my favorite player of all-time, Cal Ripken Jr. is honored (along with Eddie Murray and Brooks Robinson, to name a few).

Only if you want to get to the seats do the ushers check your tickets. Even then, though, I was able to sneak in a row that was empty because I knew members of my family were there, including the famous Jay the Dawg (aka SassDawg). This trip turned out to be a last hoo-rah for Sass since he is moving to Upstate New York in a few weeks to start school.

Even with K-Rod on the mound, the team managed to not make things interesting in the 9th and we won, yeah! Takin' care of business, for sure!

Then onto Sunday, which was the get-away day for all teams, including me. The Studious Metsimus team and I took the Boltbus down. Now, if you remember my grumblings last year going to the series in D.C., I basically said I would commit hari kari before taking one again. Well, when I got hold of their dollar fares going down there, I figured...what the heck. Try and try again. It wasn't as bad as it was last time, but I guess the 1/2 hour less road trip meant there was no rest stop on the way down. Which sucked on the way back, hitting traffic and being cooped in that bus the entire time. Anyway, I had the idea that maybe we could get on standby if the game ended early enough. Well the game did end on the early side, but we still made our regularly scheduled departure basically because to buses to Baltimore/New York are booked solid.

I digress. Anyway, Sunday was another one of those brutally humid and hot days, with thunderstorms threatening. Funny thing was, it started to drizzle at one point and it was a welcome relief from the weather. UGH.

Bear Man and I had a humongous breakfast at the buffet at the Cafe Promenade - it's a bit pricey, but it's in a hotel. I dream about this buffet when I am not there, it is THAT good. So by the time the game rolled around, we still were not hungry. And even when we returned home that night, we STILL were not hungry!

But Sunday I had to make it a point to get Joey Beartran and myself a funnel cake, to report back to someone who kept telling me to try one. They were apparently the "best." I am not a big funnel cake fan, but it was good -- not enough to make me want one again, but glad I tried it nonetheless.

What else? Out of the three starters the Mets had going, I was so certain Big Pelf was going to have a strong game against the weakest team in baseball. However, it was RA Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi who were the sure things this weekend, while Mike Pelfrey had a case of the yips, but still managed a good outing.

We got to the park early on Sunday. Folks started lining up around 11 am to get in the stands.

We were able to get some decent shots of the final moments of BP, with the team running in from the outfield to the clubhouse at the end.

Also some suh-weet photos from behind home plate.

One thing that Bear Man pointed out to me is that we are lucky at CitiField to be able to have the luxury of walking around the open concourses during a game and still be able to watch it. You are still enclosed at Camden Yards, which is one drawback. It's still one of my favorite places to watch a game though.

Our seats were in the "Eutaw Reserve," more commonly known as bleacher seats. I specifically wanted these seats because they were equivalent to what I have at CitiField in Section 138. Only difference? PRICE.

This is where you get the hometown discount when you go to Orioles games folks. In the seats, but not in the concessions.

Here are some of the other views from the stands.

I feel as though I am a close personal friend of Angel Pagan (or as the Orioles announcer would say: "Pah-GAWN") this year, since I see him so often in my seats at CitiField too.

To the left of the seats we had was the standing room only section -- you have to be about 9 feet tall to see the game from there.

Prior to this series, the Mets were not impressive on the road. To me, a sweep was necessary. Two out of three in my eyes would be a failure, if the Mets were going to prove themselves as "legit," they needed to beat upon the weaker teams. Well guess what? We broke out the Swiffers for this series and opened the series in Cleveland with a win as well. With a Braves and Phillies loss last night, this division is getting a little close for comfort. Hot enough for you, boys?

Three wins in Charm City, though. Baltimore may be one of the worst teams in the baseball. To me the Mets proved they can beat up the smaller guys and play to the level of the stronger components, and to me, that's just absolutely charming.

Magic Moments, Subway Series and Megdal for GM

2010-06-14T16:33:00.003-04:00

I traveled to the Charm City over the weekend to witness two out of the three wins our Metsies had at Camden Yards. I am crafting a post now, but still going through pictures, so I should have something completed by tomorrow. However, in the meantime, visit other sites for more Mets-related info!

I wrote a remember-when piece for MetsMerized Online commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Steve Henderson walk-off home run, a "magic moment" that gave Mets fans a reason to believe, even just briefly.

Visit Lisa Swan's and Jon Lewin's Subway Squawkers blog for information on how you can win tickets for the upcoming "Subway Series" this weekend. Act quickly, this promotion ends at midnight tonight!

Lastly, Howard Megdal put any rumors to rest, as this morning he officially announced his candidacy for New York Mets General Manager. Visit his Megdal For GM site for continuous updates.

Grass-Roots General Manager Event

2010-06-11T19:47:00.005-04:00

We have a very special announcement today on My Summer Family, specifically pertaining to the citizens of Metsopotamia, and our grass-roots efforts to get Sterling Enterprises to do the right thing by us, as fans, as citizens and as voters.

Rallying our voices together gives us a very strong platform. And what is social media (blogging, Tweeting, etc.) if not for bringing Mets minions' voices together as one?

On Monday, June 14, 2010, at 11 a.m. sharp, Howard Megdal, writer for SNY.tv, MLBTradeRumors.com, New York Baseball Digest, and Poet Laureate of Amazin’ Avenue, will reveal his decision concerning an electoral campaign to become the next General Manager of the New York Mets.

This conference will take place on the fourth floor of the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway (at 45th Street).

My Summer Family's The Coop will not be announcing whether she will be Megdal's running mate, since she believes this is a solo platform; however, she will throw her hat into the ring for any potential vice-GM openings Megdal may or may not plan to have once his official announcement is made on Monday morning. *wink, wink*

A Night of Young Studs and Future Stars

2010-06-09T10:53:00.005-04:00

Anything significant happen in baseball last night?

If you do not Tweet, have no Facebook account, or generally live under a rock, last night's baseball offerings were quite special. Special in the aspect that we may have glimpsed the future and these futures are all viral.

I have never seen a hype machine as, well, "hyped" as the debut of one Stephen Strasburg on the Washington Nationals, and to a lesser extent the Mike Stanton kid (no, not *THAT* Mike Stanton) for the Marlins. (PS think it's funny both Mike Stantons go by their middle name, though I think would have been pretty kick-ass if Little Mike Stanton went by his real name, Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton. Just sayin').

Under a strict pitch count, but didn't really even need it since he was dealing, Strasburg pitched a 7-inning 2 ER start, complete with his piece de resistance of FOURTEEN STRIKEOUTS. Fourteen. If you were following on Twitter, there was a mass Twitter-bation and general ball-washing of this kid, but with good reason. As a baseball fan, whether you like the Nationals or not, this was pretty special. Although I'd like to see him mature more into his role, I know he won't be dominant every time, but pretty close to a sure-thing as we'd expect. Just keep in mind, the last time we saw a rookie phenom hyped up with his break out debut was Kerry Wood, when in just his fifth career start, struck out 20 batters in a game against the Houston Astros.

Where's Wood now? Closing for the Indians, due to an injury-wracked career. Even suffering an injury this year.

Not trying to be a killjoy here, but I think everyone is buying into the hype, and we'll soon see that this kid isn't unflappable. He's human and will make mistakes. That said, I am hoping the Mets don't face him in their series down in DC in July.

Not to be outdone, the other rookie phenom Mike Stanton made his highly anticipated debut with the Marlins last night, going 3-for-5 against the Phillies with two infield singles and scoring two runs.

Of course, these two will be Mets killers in the NL East for years to come.

But what's the hype here really? Our own rookie phenom first baseman Ike Davis had a walk-off home run against the Padres last night, extending the Mets current winning streak to four games.

If you ask me, it doesn't get much better than this. We've glimpsed the future, kids. And these kids are our future.

Off-Day Blues

2010-06-08T11:12:00.002-04:00

I really wished yesterday wasn't an off-day. Although I had plenty to do at night (even specifically made plans at night since there was no game), since the Mets had a day off just five days ago, I feel like the spacing issues between days was not well thought out. I mean, who does the scheduling? The CoopDeVilles fantasy team did provide some brief respite. Of course, I forgot to start my one pitching starter who was going yesterday but it didn't make or break me, since I inadvertently had many others who had the day off.

I also believe in momentum and feel like an off day can kill it, especially with these Mets. They kind of remind me of Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club: "Shhhh-shhhh. You might make it creep back up." The home record and road records are the not-so-big pink elephant in the room. The team knows they rock at home, suck on the road, but can't seem to do anything about it except stay the course. If they could just get a sweep on the road every now and then, or take two out of three, we'd be in first place in the NL East.

Which leads me to my next point to ramble, and that's the competitiveness of the NL East. Are they that good? Or that bad? Separating first and third place in the East are 2.5 games (with the Mets bringing up the rear).

Comparatively speaking, the AL East is separated by four games in the top three. The fourth place team is 4.5 games out, while the fifth place team is pretty much out of the running already in June. Someone pointed out on Twitter the other night that the Yankees and Red Sox could be in first place anywhere else in MLB in any other division.

Conversely, the NL East is still close on the back end, with the fourth and fifth place teams out of first by five and six games, respectively. However, the NL East doesn't even have a Wild Card representative at this point in the season. The NL East is competitive, but not quite because they are "good," it's because they are facing a weak-ish division.

The Phillies have lost two in a row to the Padres, and the Mets are facing the Padres (a team they NEVER seem to beat even when they are bad) at home, which you know they will win. It's funny how confident I am about the Mets at home this year. At this track, they will have something like 70 wins at home, beating their TOTAL record of 2009. They get better on the road, we have a team here, folks.

However, the nagging Mets fan in my head is saying something and I'm trying not to listen. "They'll never keep this rate going." "The bullpen will falter in September." "Jeff Francoeur will forget how to hit." "Carlos Beltran is never coming back." Okay, that last one is dramatic. Like I said, I have a case of the off-day blues. And when I get inside my head, especially about the Mets, it's tough to not write about it.

This Week In Baseball With The Coop

2010-06-05T10:53:00.011-04:00

What a wacky week in baseball we've had, eh?

Good afternoon folks, and welcome to an edition of This Week in Baseball, with your host The Coop. Sponsored by...the Coop.

I doubt we'll have a week like this in a long-ass time, but let's give it a shot.

The week brought us two, count 'em, TWO perfect games (or as they say in French, les matches des parfaits). Roy Halladay gave the Marlins 27 up, 27 down last Saturday. I don't like the team he's on, and I have to admit, I always thought Halladay to be a tad overrated from his days in Toronto. That said, I gotta give him credit where it's due. So hats off to him.

The second perfect game was a bit odd, since it took 28 outs to complete it. Unless you've been living under a rock, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers pitched a perfect game, only to have a simple ground-out to an infielder be ruled a "safe" call by umpire of the week, Jim Joyce.

TWIB Notes: This call brought out a lot of complex issues such as the use of instant replay or reversed calls or challenges by the manager; however, since those things do not exist in MLB at the moment, I have to say that all parties involved conducted the aftermath in the correct manner.

For one, Joyce himself apologized to Galarraga and the Tigers for botching the call. He knows he made a mistake, and admitted it. The Tigers treated Galarraga as if he conducted the amazing feat on paper, by celebrating it.

The classiest move of all though was Galarraga forgiving Joyce -- hey, to err is human, right? -- as Jimmy Leyland had him bring the lineup card out to Joyce the next day, which brought tears and ovations from the crowd.

That's baseball, folks.

As for Bud Selig, everyone is crying about how rules need to be changed. I think Selig is a know-nothing, do-nothing Commish, but I have to side with him on NOT changing the call and reversing the issue. Probably the only thing he's done somewhat correctly in his tenure as Commander in Chief of MLB.

All that considered...why can't the Mets pitch a no-hitter? Everyone else is doing it, so why can't we?

Moving right along, one of the all-time baseball greats of his time, Ken Griffey, Jr. announced his retirement this week. This is truly a loss but it was his time to step down. Just a few weeks back, it was noted that he slept in the clubhouse as his team was playing a game. His team did the right thing and backed him up on it. However, I think Junior knew his time was up and stepped down before it just got ridiculous. Clearly, his best years were behind him and he wasn't at the top of his game. We all know how hard it is to say goodbye. However, Griffey did it they way he played the game: with class and dignity. (stop by MetsMerized to see Mike Branda's good bye piece to Griffey this week)

What else can I tell ya? Since this is a Mets-focused blog, I do have to bring up the second walk-off grand slam given up by the Mets bullpen in less than a year to Adrian Gonzalez (last year, it was K-Rod giving one up to Everth Cabrera). The Coop can't complain but A-Gon was on her starting fantasy baseball team.

Funny thing is, why is it the Mets load up the bases and can't buy a run, yet the opposition hits grand slams.

Hanley Ramirez also did not hustle out a ground ball in the 9th inning last night against the Mets, causing a tying run to not cross the plate and ending the game. I can't complain, but could you imagine how good Ramirez could be if he DID hustle every now and then?

Shock and awe, I tell ya.

In management changes this week, Juan Samuel was named interim manager of the Baltimore Orioles, replacing Dave Trembley. In a move to jazz up the team, the O's conveniently lost Samuel's first game. Here's to hoping their first win under Samuel's reign won't be when the Mets are in town next weekend. (Which reminds me, there will be a tweet-up/meet-up next weekend by Boog's BBQ on Eutaw Street in the stadium -- be there, or not. Just be there - @Coopz22 for more info)

That said, as Senor Solly asked, how can Samuel have a major league management job, and Wally Backman does not? Well, he did at one point, the D-Backs backed out of the offer, but now Backman is where he rightfully belongs in the Mets organization.

That said, I hope that if Jerry Manuel is fired, the Mets do the right thing and don't automatically promote Bob Melvin (aka Manuel-lite). And complete the right move, and promote Ken Oberkfell once and for all.

I mean, they finally did the right thing, and DL Oliver Perez to make room for Jon Niese, who is starting today. The real question is - is the DL a mental or physical injury?

That said, maybe they are *finally* getting it.

So here's to you, MSFers and This Week in Baseball. Even with the mundane things to occur this week, I can assure you, a week like this won't happen again for a very very long time.

How about that???

Why Not Call Out Scott Boras?

2010-05-31T22:54:00.005-04:00

Scott Boras has an impressive client list as far as baseball players go. Names like Alex Rodriguez, Prince Fielder and Matt Holliday to give you an idea. Players like him because he gets them the best contracts and years based on current market needs and infamously, like it or not, gets teams to overpay as well.

Yet, it's agents like Boras who have ruined baseball to a degree. Look at the first contract he negotiated with the Texas Rangers and Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod signed the largest contract in baseball history in the leading-into-2001 offseason with the Rangers, a 10-year/$252mm contract. We all know what happened - his contract usurped 2/3 of the payroll, and the struggling Rangers traded him to the Yankees in the going-into-2004 offseason. I'll get back to A-Rod in a minute. He's not the problem here.

The problem here is what Scott Boras represents, not the who. Boras represents the greediness in sports, pricing die-hard fans out of the game simply because they can't afford to pay high ticket prices to watch their heroes.

The drawback of course to all this is overvaluing players. Of course, you all know I am referring to Oliver Perez and his 3-year/$36mm contract. Perez is represented by Boras, as I am sure you are all well-aware. I have made no bones about how high on Oliver Perez I was going in 2007. I had high hopes for him, and it was with good reason, as he won 15 games. In a year that was marred by an epic collapse, Perez's breakout year so to speak was one of the bright spots that we could hold dear to our hearts.

I was pretty much done with Ollie in the going-into-2008 offseason, when he decided to milk the Mets in arbitration. Actually, I take that back. I was almost okay with it, hey he had a family to feed (I'm kidding), but the real issue I had was the fact that Boras wouldn't let the Mets negotiate a contract extension with Perez in 2008. I was done with Ollie then. He broke my heart, much like Fredo broke Michael's in The Godfather II. I knew he wasn't into the game because he loved it...he wanted the cash money millions.

Of course we all know what is going on now. Oliver Perez and the $24mm still owed him whether he sits on the bench or plays every game over the next two years are playing a game of stand-off with the Mets. The Mets want him to take a trip to the minors. Though completely within his rights, he declined. My question is...why? Steve Trachsel once accepted a trip to the minors to clear his head, and he came back a new man.

Besides learning how to, you know, win games, what other incentive is there for Ollie to go? It's once again Boras whispering in his ear about negotiating.

Now the Mets can do one of two things with Perez: outright release him (please?) or return him to the starting ro'. The obviousness of it kills me that Sterling will not release because of the money thing. I don't know what's worse: the fact that Ollie doesn't care whether or not he plays...or the fact that the Wilpons are not committed to winning.

Recently, Dontrelle Willis was released by the Tigers, owed approximately $9 mm for the remainder of this season. Management released a quote, saying they were committed to winning and wished him well, but wanted to go in a different direction. Heck, this is the same team that paid Gary Sheffield $14mm to NOT play for them.

After agreeing to a 5-year/$50mm deal with Gary Matthews Jr., the Angels traded him to the Mets, essentially eating $23.5 mm left on the contract. Again, for him to play on a different team.

Common themes with the above situations? Well, besides the Mets taking the two latter guys on their team (Sheffield was a decent pickup in 2009 -- GMJ...not so much), the teams themselves were COMMITTED TO WINNING. They admitted their mistake. They are not making their fans suffer. They cut the fat and are better for it.

The Mets need to do the same with Oliver Perez. I don't think this has anything to do with money. Sure, approximately $24mm would be a hard mistake to swallow, but releasing him would take balls and a commitment to winning. My theory is this though.

I think it's the relationship with Scott Boras that's clouding the Mets judgment.

Right now, the Mets have three clients of Boras on the team: Carlos Beltran, Mike Pelfrey and Perez. Boras is a sneaky, sly dude. He waited until basically Beltran was being wheeled into surgery to inform the Mets his client was going to be out for a few months. At least, that's the idea we were given. I could be wrong. But it's still kind of sneaky the way they pulled it off with the team being caught with their pants down.

Mike Pelfrey's situation is interesting. He is up for arbitration next year, and two years after (according to Cot's). I wonder if the Mets are treading lightly with Perez in order to preserve their relationship with Boras, so as to not get fucked in the ass when renegotiating with Pelfrey. I'm sure many of you would agree that losing a homegrown talent would suck, regardless of his representation.

Which leads me back to Perez. If Perez gave a shit about anything besides the benjamins, you know he would take his lumps like a man and take a trip to Buffalo. Once again, it's Boras controlling the situation and telling his client not to take it. After all, what does he (meaning Ollie) have to lose by holding out? The worst that can happen is the Mets can cut him, and he can either play in an independent league or sit pretty on a boat somewhere while collecting his millions. Must be nice. Have I mentioned I am funemployed right now? I digress.

My point is, if this is a Boras thing, if this is because the Mets don't want to piss him off so as to further complicate any future dealings, then Boras has the Mets right where he wants them. I hope he gives them the Vaseline first before he fucks them in the ass though.

I mentioned A-Rod before. Here's a guy who is vilified in the press. He has earned millions by sheer talent, yet treats it like a jay-oh-bee. However, he stood up for himself. When Boras announced during the World Series in 2007 that A-Rod was opting out of his contract, reportedly Rodriguez was so mortified that he got an investment bank to negotiate his 10-year/$275 mm contract extension with the Yankees. Word has it that his relationship is strictly superficial with Boras at this point.

It showed me that A-Rod might have been about money, but he did care about the game, about his image and he was committed to winning as much as A-Rod can be anyway. Oh I still can't stand the guy. I'm not defending him by any means.

The point is that Oliver Perez, a far lesser player than A-Rod ever will be, has his agent orchestrating his every move. Now Jerry Manuel, a manager on the hot seat, has to run his team basically with a 24-man roster because of Perez's and Boras's selfishness.

Boras has ruined baseball. And he's indirectly ruining the Mets. I could sit here and call Oliver Perez selfish and that he's a bastard for not accepting a minor league assignment. But let's be fair. This is ALL Scott Boras. And it's not going to change. Therefore the Mets must release Perez if they want this soap opera to end.

WAHmburger and Some French CRIES On the Side

2010-05-26T17:58:00.009-04:00

Someone asked me a few weeks back what I did during last year's World Series. Like, who did I root for, etc? I said, "Series? World? What on earth is that?" I feigned ignorance last year, as most of you knew, and I still do. I can say I didn't watch one solitary second of that shyte show called the Yankees / Phillies World Series in 2009, and I'm ding-dang proud of it.

However, if you are involved in any social medium (Facebook, Twitter), you couldn't help but be brought abreast of what was going on. I also didn't get the infighting between Mets fans at the time. No one was MAKING you watch the World Series. You only participated in it because it's in your blood, as a Mets fan. We are all masochists. We keep coming back for that sweet pain. Even if it's not our team.

Hard-pressed, I told people I wasn't exactly rooting *for* the Phillies, but I didn't want the Yankees to win. However, some of the things that occurred in the series last year I could get some sort of satisfaction, well, as much as a glass half-full person's perspective can get to.

I have a good friend, Paulee Vee, who is a huge Yankees fan. He's no Johnny Come-Lately -- his whole family has roots in Yankee fandom. He knows his stuff, and so does his sister. So when I found out the Yankees won, I told him that there were a few things I could be happy about. Chase Utley did well (I actually like him), A-Rod can now shit in peace after winning a title (hey, I can't feel sorry for poor little rich boy, but if he can coast now till retirement, he won't even try to win now), Derek Jeter is in fact not God, Jimmy Rollins shut the hell up, Hideki Matsui won MVP (he was one of the few Yankees I had respect for) and Cole Hamels was exposed to be the little whiny punk we all (meaning: Mets fans) knew him to be.

I told Paulee Vee - I'm happy for you and your sister, because I know you are true fans who appreciate it. So congratulations...now leave me alone!

Why did I go into that? Well, the funny thing was, in 2009, we all know the Mets pretty much cashed in their chips in July (some would argue after the dropped pop-up in the House of Evil) after injuries decimated the team. When we tried to explain that away (to anyone who didn't follow the Mets as closely as we did), the "injury excuse" was pooh-poohed. "Ooh, you can't say that. You need to have reinforcements. You can't use that excuse, it's not good enough." Etc, etc. Blah Blah Blah.

What's funny now is that the Mets took two of three from the "reigning World Champion" Yankees (visibly hurting and clearly not even close to being their best in their division let alone the class of baseball like they claim to be) and will at the very least take two of three from the "reigning National League Champs" (Or "National League Fuckin' Champs") the Philadelphia Phillies. And all of a sudden, everyone's got one (an opinion) and they all stink (like assholes).

Can I get a "AY-MEN" and a "Hallelujah" up in here? It's about friggin time we had something to feel good about. You know what the bonus is? That against the Phillies, two basically no-name pitchers -- R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi -- shut down the team to the extent that they've been SHUT OUT two games in a row. Amen, Hallelujah, etc etc.

What I especially liked are the "marbles" that Dickey and Takahashi are bringing to the table. I like that they are not bridled with the burden of three years constituted of one major collapse, one year of just not making the playoffs and ??????? of injuries, and they went out there and did their fucking jobs. Hey, Ollie and John...are you watching??

It seems also that their fortitude is infecting the team. At least, that's what I hope anyway. Jose Reyes (finally!) hit his first home run of the season, David Wright is still striking out but at least he's driving in some runs, Jason Bay is the new Yankee killer and heck, even Jeff Francoeur is contributing. I won't get too ahead of myself, as Brooklyn Met Fan said today, since it seems like the Mets themselves are very streaky/slumpy (like their hitters). We all know they could easily win like nine of the next ten, then lose five straight, ruining all goodwill.

But that's not the point of this post. Many of you in the past have known me to call out the Mets for being soft, not coming through in the clutch and for just rolling over, playing to their competition and rarely over their heads. This team is different though. Maybe getting pitchers who do not put you in a hole by the time you come up to bat gives you a new lease on life.

What I see though, is a Phillies team that has no bark, let alone bite. The usual suspects -- the Victorinos, the Werths, and Ibanezes -- have disappeared. At one point during last night's broadcast, the camera panned to Sphincter-boy (Victorino/Sphincterino) himself, and it looked like someone kicked his sick dog. Jayson Werth, I have nothing bad to say about him, but it is his contract year, so he's sort of playing over his head right now. However, he's been a non-issue.

It was nice to see Ryan Howard drop an easy play at 1B last night as well, nice to see them not capitalize with runners on base, and nice to see them look clueless against "no name" pitchers (no offense to Dickey and Takahashi, but they are hardly world-beaters...yet).

Charlie Manuel must *really* hate being exposed for being "cheaters." What happened to the offending binoculars that they were caught with and tried to pass off as "Oh, no big deal?" My personal favorite part of the whole thing was C. Manuel (so as to not confuse him with our Manuel), "Why not look at the Mets, and see how well they are doing at home." Once again, Mets do nothing wrong, were not even a team that called them out on it, and yet, somehow are still on the minds of the Phillies.

Which leads me to Whipping Boy #1 of mine, and that's Nelson Figueroa. Wait, I'm sorry, he's a Philthy Phil now, so I will call him "Phigueroa" from here on in. Many fans cried like we lost the second coming of Nolan Ryan when the Mets put him through waivers after Spring Training, yet I knew better. This is a dude who is a career below-.500 pitcher and we are upset about losing him? I like my chances with Dickey and Takahashi at this point, and Nieve for the spot start at this point.

People wonder what my problem is with Phiggy. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he's a nice guy once you get to know him. When I did my CitiField tour in the offseason, we were told that Phiggy was the resident tech whiz and Guitar Hero, um, hero. That's great. Still didn't want him on my fuckin' team and even after he pitched a complete game the last game of the horrific 2009 season, still didn't want him there. Why's that? Because he's a fucking CRYBABY that's why.

Let's go back to 2008. I was pretty much done with him, as I chronicled over at the infamous Debmc's GB&U Mets blog, after he called out the Nationals for cheering like "softball girls."

I'm sorry, but Phigueroa must have been the most clueless fuck in all of baseball for saying something like that. Sure, he might have been distracted but you are a professional, and you don't need to call out a bunch of juvenile behavior. Remember why teams hated the Mets in 2007 and played extra hard whenever they faced them? Because of their dancing and high-fives and basic lightheartedness in their approach to the game. You do not call a team that had our number at the end of 2007 when all we needed to win was one game. Nooo. Phiggy couldn't keep his fucking mouth shut.

Which leads me to before this series, when the New York press got a hold of him. Look, I know his family owns that heartbreaking brick outside on the Fan Walk at CitiField, I know he was from Brooklyn and his roots are New York. But he is the biggest pussy on the face of the planet if he's still crying about the Mets not wanting him. You're playing on a team that has won three straight division titles, two seasons removed from winning a World Series and current National League Champs.

Here's an idea Nelson...put on your big boy pants and deal with it.

It's one thing if he came into the game and actually did something. Now he claims he tried to do too much. Yeah, he did. He tried to pretend he's actually a major league pitcher.

But the piece de resistance in that article is that he says that the Mets are worried too much about what others think. Maybe to the front office, that is true, but they are clueless bumbling idiots, so I can stand behind that. The kicker is he was claiming the TEAM cares too much, like "What Jimmy Rollins is thinking?"

Um, bad example there Phigs. Rollins is the same ass-clown who, after winning the World Series for the 300 fans celebrating in a parking lot in South Philly, called out the Mets.

Who didn't even make the playoffs. Who owned the Phillies during the regular season. Who were golfing. What the fuck was that about? The Phillies are in the Mets heads, wondering what Jimmy Rollins is doing? I'll tell you what he's doing. He's injured and at home, probably masturbating to images of 2007, since that was the last and only year he was ever significant.

What I find most telling about this whole thing is that...the Mets haven't said a damned word about the Phillies. David Wright in spring training claimed that the Mets felt they could get into October, which was pretty damning since they had three straight seasons of misfortune and could not get the job done. A guy, who could barely hit his weight in 2009, was claiming this. Most Mets fans were incredulous and with good reason.

But he never called out a specific team. If I were David Wright, well first I would get some testosterone injections, but besides that, I would have added in that interview, the pressure is on Philadelphia since they have won the past three years, and we want to give them a run for their money. That would have been the thing to say.

Sure, maybe Rollins' claim of "we're the team to beat" in 2007 set the tone for the Mets to live up to. But in that twisted logic, the Mets are in the heads of the Phillies, not that other way around.

I saw a different Philly team. I saw one that had no phight in them, I saw one with no antics, it was just a different tone. It's one without Jimmy "The Mouth of the South Philly" Rollins, it's one with a toned-down Victorino, it's one that Cole Hamels is still a little bitch, and one where Nelson Phigueroa, a 35-year old journeyman career below-.500 pitcher, can't leave well-enough alone.

He should fit right in with those phightin' crybabies. WAHHHHHHHHHH!

If the Mets can capitalize on this series and sweep tonight, they'll be 12-14 against NL East. As of today, the Mets are tied for "third" being three games out of first and have won four of their last five games.

I don't hear anyone crying over that.

As for the Phillies, perhaps they can take strength that they are still in first place, albeit not by much.

For now, at least.

LGM/YGB!

Oliver Perez Has One Thing Going For Him

2010-05-22T22:25:00.013-04:00

He's NOT John Maine. Or injured. Okay, that's two things. But who's counting?

A few days ago, I wrote about John Maine and Oliver Perez over at MetsMerized. Although we can say they have had similar journeys in their history as Mets pitchers, as fans we tend to give John Maine a little more rope in his starts, while we want to hang Oliver with the remainder of said rope during his starts.

We all know where this story leads now. Oliver Perez has been sent to the bullpen, yet John Maine's story gets more interesting by the day.

Last week, in his start against the Nationals, Maine was pulled after FIVE PITCHES, giving up a walk to the lead off batter Nyjer Morgan. The kicker was that Dan Warthen had seen Maine struggling with his velocity during warming up and had told Jerry Manuel about it. When they saw Maine looking uncomfortable on the mound, they shagged ass out of the dugout and yanked him immediately.

The other kicker is that Jerry Manuel looked pissed off...not at the situation but at Maine himself. Every camera angle into the dugout suggested that the skip and his underling were visibly fighting. Maine looked not so much angry but, I don't know, his body language suggested his feelings were hurt (and it wasn't just shoulder pain).

Now instead of just saying, "we are concerned for his health," Warthen and Manuel take the road-less-traveled and basically said John Maine is a liar. Okay, not basically. They DID say that Maine was a liar and Warthen took it to the extreme calling him a "habitual liar."

Call me crazy, but there are two things to glean from this. One is: Manuel's and Warthen's patience, in general and not just with Maine, is wearing thin. Two is: Manuel is willing to throw one of his subordinates under the proverbial bus to save his own hyde. Stay classy, Jerry!

Here's my thing though. So R.A. Dickey makes a start last week and is scheduled to start on Tuesday night against the Phillies (which I'll get to in a minute or so). Hisanori Takahashi made a promising start against the Yankees on Friday, so he'll definitely get a nod during the Phillies series too. However, Jon Niese, the "fifth" starter, is also on the DL. That leaves us, in my estimation, short one starter. Right now, the probables suggest that Mike Pelfrey will make his normally scheduled start on Thursday (since there is an off day this week). In the future though, will Fernando Nieve-ryday or Raul Valdes get the spot start in the meantime?

Or will Oliver Perez get it by default since he was a starter but also getting paid like an ace? Although we know he is far from one? Can I ask enough questions?

What I found incredibly fascinating in this story, though, is how John Maine is now being treated. Oliver Perez is STEALING money from the Mets and their fans, yet Maine is treated like the criminal by wanting to pitch hurt. Yes, I agree, that it hurts the team when he tries to do that (especially since he was given a nice lead in that game). But to be called a liar in the entire New York press is not only downright rude it is unprofessional, borderline unethical.

My piece on MMO last week suggested that I am through with both pitchers, and to an extent I am. Let's give credit at least where it is due. John Maine is getting thrown under the bus because he can be. Oliver Perez isn't going anywhere, we all know this, Jerry knows this, Warthen knows this. He gets the silent treatment while Maine gets the cold shoulder tendinitis treatment. That is short hand for, his coaches call him a liar but can't fire him.

I predict Maine will be DFA'd sometime this season. We are stuck with Ollie in the meantime. Unfortunately.

*****************************************************
So how about them Mets! We struck first blood in the Mets/Yankees subway series, taking two games out of three. Of course, I am looking at this whole thing glass half-empty and saying it SHOULDA been a sweep, since game one was imminently winnable if not for Alex Cora's error and David Wright inexplicably swinging at the first pitch of an obviously ineffective Mariano Rivera (well, as ineffective as Mo can be). Hey, I'm happy though, we have some bragging rights with the whole Empire State Building lighting up thing anyway.

Next though is the series that will separate the men from the boys against the Phillies. The last series left a lot to be desired. We thought at least two out of three was in the bag since our two aces were facing the Phils. Unfortunately, those were the two starts that were not only lost but completely annihilated. Of course, rookie Niese kicked butt, but he's on the DL.

The starters in this next series, according to Mets.com and pitching probables from Roto-times, are R.A. Dickey, Hisanori Takahashi, and Mike Pelfrey (due to the off-day, I guess Pelfrey makes his regularly scheduled starting day).

Oftentimes, starting pitchers of the Dickey and Takahashi ilk have Mets fans running to the hills or at least to the beer vendors. However, I have a feeling they are going to come up huge for us this series.

The Mets have made it a habit to play to the level of their poor competition, yet seem to play over their heads against the "better" teams. Mets pitching that is supposed to be a "sure thing" (e.g. Santana, Pelfrey) get hammered in starts that are supposed to be close, at the very least. Of course, we all know that "MLB pitching debut" starter or junkball pitching old mean (e.g. Jamie Moyer) will shut the Mets down while the likes of Oswalt or Carpenter get hammered for several hits/runs.

My point is, I am not scared about the pitchers we are throwing out there. According to several tweets from yesterday, Tim Wakefield absolutely baffled the Phillies' bats. Wakefield is a knuckleballer. So is Tuesday's starter Dickey (Ironically, Dickey learned his knuckleball technique from Wakefield. *Cueing the Dr. Evil pinky to lip movement*)

Takahashi is not a yet a big game or big name pitcher, but he is a finesse pitcher from Japan. Turns out Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, a big name for sure but has not given his big paycheck justification with a big game just yet, limited the Phillies to just ONE hit in Saturday's game.

We all know Mets kryptonite is listed above. Since the Phillies weaknesses were exposed this weekend, perhaps taking two out of three this series is not only a possibility, but will be looked at by this blogger as a glass half-full analysis.

Also, the last series, Mets were in first place going into Philly, yet right now going into a CitiField series they are in last. Phillies are in first; however, five games separates them right now.

Beasts of the East for sure. The Mets just need to step up their game a bit and take the bull by the balls and kick these punks off the top of the NL East. Specifically, kick Victorino in the vagina for me. Kthxbye.

Let's DO IT!!!!!!

Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

2010-05-20T02:56:00.020-04:00

Tuesday, May 18 kicked off the first regular-season Two Boots' Amazin' Tuesday (since the first one of 2010 occurred during the off-season). Our hosts with the most, Greg from FAFIF and Jon from MBTN, headed the evening. Of course, as Greg later pointed out on his site, our record with Amazin' Tuesdays (game-wise) is not that great. We were joined by such Mets bloggerazzi all-stars as Metsgrrl, Studious Metsimus, DyHrdMet, Matt Cerrone and Ted Berg. I did a reading, as did Josh Wilker from Cardboard Gods.

This was our first Amazin' Tuesday. however, at Two Boots Tavern in Grand Central. The spirit was the same, but our original setting in the Lower East Side (RIP) was certainly more intimate and quiet, as Two Boots Grand Central was, you know, in Grand Central Freaking Station. It was busy, it was loud, and to us amateurs (i.e., me) it was a little daunting to read in an environment like that. However, we all made it work, and it was fun, as Greg pointed out, bringing out the cast of characters of MSF to life. Thanks to everyone for making it possible and for coming out to support our cause (which is - reading is fundamental...even in sports).

Here are some pics chronicling the night. Some of them are not taken by me (or my camera) but you get the idea.
Senor Coop and I listening to Greg talk about 1975 from his book Faith and Fear in Flushing.

(two above pictures courtesy of Chap)

(Moi reading, courtesy of Metsgrrl)

The pizza of the night...the "Schneck" (which was black forest ham and sauerkraut. To be ingested at one's own risk. Photo on Chap's Flickr feed but pic taken by yours truly!)
Jon Springer, regaling us with the tale of Jeff McKnight (from Mets by the Numbers)
Joey listening intently to said McKnight-mare.
Scenes of the crowd - Steve and Mark (I think!), regulars from Cranepool Forum and F-O-Cs.
Josh Wilker, reading from Cardboard Gods.

All in all, a great time had by all. It would have been nice if the Mets won, but I guess you can't have it all.

Win - Lose - Draw

2010-05-19T18:17:00.005-04:00

That is how I will describe the Mets mini-series in Atlanta. It was the Battle of Who Sucks Less, the Mets took game one, the Braves took game two.

I guess there are two things I can gather from that series. One is that, even in a two game series, the Mets can't even win a rubber match (though technically not a real one, but you get my drift, they can't seal the deal). Two is that the Mets are still even-Stevens (meaning they really haven't done much as far as improving their record).

It used to be that Johan Santana goes on the mound and he gives you the best chance to win every fifth day, and last night was no different. He was able to put the Mets in a position to win, only they did not bring up their end of the bargain.

Then there's David Wright. UGH. I mean, I am no D-Dubs apologist, but I am no hater of his. I am glad he's on our side, but clearly he is having some mental issues out there. Maybe he's suffering from Post-Traumatic Mets Disorder like we fans are. Now, I know I could probably get flamed for this, but I am wondering...just wondering...if the Mets wouldn't be...I don't know...prudent to start looking to...trade him?

Now just hear me out!! D-Dubs seems to be putting a lot of pressure on himself. He is A-Rod but without the infinite talent (and of course the paycheck). He may need to be in a smaller market to be a true leader. The Mets fanbase have been looking to him to be some kind of leader since Pedro Martinez and Carlos Delgado left the building, but my thinking is he can't handle it. No one puts more pressure on D-Dubs than himself.

No one wants to see him succeed more than him.

And someone posted earlier today that he's on pace for 20-30 HRs, 100 RBIs but over 200 Ks. TWO HUNDRED STRIKEOUTS BITCHES. That's insane. The issue is - he's become a home-run hitter in his head. I guess that's what happens when you have zero protection in the lineup with Streaky (Jason Bay) and Slumpy (Jeff Francoeur) as the biggest back-up threats to you.

Before everyone gets all hell-bent on WHO WOULD REPLACE HIS PRODUCTION???, well, I haven't thought that far ahead. But you know, I don't get paid for this shit, so there you go.

You could get a front-of-the-line starter in a deal that featured D-Wright, and you could certainly get a 3B prospect. That would in essence say the Mets have given up on this year, but perhaps it's best that we do that now and get it out of the way.

It would suck, but at least it would show some kind of futuristic game plan for the organization.

Thoughts?

Yeah I know, I've got my asbestos suit on. In the meantime though, D-Dubs has the night off. Thank goodness. It seemed to work well for Jeff Francoeur last night but of course, he did hit into a double play in a critical play in the later innings that could have been a go-ahead run situation.

As fate would have it, the Mets are in DC for another two-game mini-series against the Nationals. Other beasts of the East, however, this is not a battle who sucks less.

It's the Battle of...Are the Mets REALLY As Bad As Some Think?

Battle of Who Sucks Less

2010-05-17T17:34:00.002-04:00

Remember how fired up we Mets fans would get, marching into Atlanta's Turner Field, taking on Larry and the other old hats of the Braves, even though we knew it was certain doom? The games always had something riding on them, mostly pride, but we could always get something out of it.

Well, it may be certain doom for these next two games, but man let me tell you, the Mets/Braves rivalry aint what she used to be. I could not be less jazzed about a mini-series (that's what I call two-games, coming off a 4-game series in Miami especially).

Not to mention both teams are not cellar dwelling in the East, with the Mets 6 games out of first, the Braves a mere half-game above them in standings. I could call this series the Battle of Last Place, but hey, right now, it's who can suck less.

Who does suck less? The Braves are not the Braves of late. Larry is a shadow of his former self, and outside of Jason Heyward and MAYBE Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe, admittedly good, doesn't even scare me and he's starting tonight. We look to Big Pelf to right this ship.

Short story long, this series is the best of the worst. Even a split, they remain in the same spots. This series, I feel, has more to do with who ELSE is playing in the NL East and how they fare. Everyone plays tonight, with Philly facing the Bucs (a below-.500 team), Marlins face D-Backs (another LAST PLACE friggin team) and the Nats face St. Louis (who are in their eyes reeling right now but still have one of the best teams in baseball, if I do say so myself).

So perhaps a loss here or there in the East will benefit the Mets. Of course, it would be nice if they could fucking win a game or a series this month. But hey, that seems to be asking a LOT of them right now. In the meantime, go Big Pelf.

****************************************************
The word on the street (OK, on Metsblog and Twitter - @Coopz22 if you haven't already) is that the meeting of the Heads of the Four Families (Jerry - the team, Warthen - pitching, Minaya and Ricco - the "GMs", Wilpon - The FO) had a "closed door" meeting today to get the team's needs squared away. What I gather from that is -- everyone must know they are on the chopping block if things don't get improved immediately.

Of course, what we did hear is that R.A. Dickey has a locker in the away team's clubhouse in Atlanta, and that Hisanori Takahashi is making the start Friday against the Yankees.

I like Takahashi and I really hope that with the start against the hated Yanks, the reverse will happen. What I mean by "reverse," is that a relatively unknown pitcher comes in and shuts down the Yanks. Cause you all know that's what usually happens to the Mets.

Wilpon reassured reporters that he did not make a trip to Atlanta to "fire anyone." What I want to hear from his ass is: "Oliver Perez has been released from the team. We are eating his salary. Failure is not an option. We are sorry for wasting the fans time and ours. We are committed to winning and not just having an unjustifiably high payroll."

The Mets admitting they are wrong? *Scoff.* Never happen. Nothing to see here, folks. Let's move along.

****************************************************
Remember to come holla' at your girl tomorrow night, as I am representin' at Amazin Tuesday tomorrow night at 7 pm, Two Boots Tavern in Grand Central, hosted by Greg from FAFIF and Jon from MBTN. Come say hi!!

Excuses Are Like Assholes

2010-05-16T19:45:00.004-04:00

...Everyone has one. And they ALLLLLL stink.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have returned. I knew I couldn't stay away too long, but I guess the way the Mets have played since basically last Wednesday, I'm not sad anymore about my team. I've been sad for the past three years. I'm not embarrassed of them. I'm not humiliated by them anymore.

I am red hot and fucking pissed off right now.

Where do I begin?

Jerry Manuel tried, in vain, to shake up the lineup the last two games. Lineup change, schmine up change. What I want to see is an organizational and philosophical change. No more of this "We believe in comebacks" bullshit, please. The sentiment is nice, but technically, comebacks (in the Mets view) do not equate to "winning." That much is evident in the last five games, starting at home against the Nationals and now the four-game series against the Marlins.

At the end of the day (sorry, channeling my inner Omar), wins and losses are what matter to this team. Going from (as Studious Metsimus says today) worst to first to worst again is not going to fly this year.

Joe Janish over at Mets Today said that John Maine is incredibly lucky. He was nice and said that with Oliver Perez on the team, Maine's role as "ugly girl" is pretty hidden. No one likes John Maine more than me and no one wants to see him succeed more than Mets fans. However, I have to say that any other team would have shipped Maine's ass on out of town by now. Of course, the Mets have probably the most expensive reliever in baseball in Oh Pea, and John Maine's lack-of-an "out" pitch is simply not gonna fly this year. Well, fly in the facetious sense, not the fact that they cause a lot of fly balls.

As a fan, I am tired of listening to excuses. Fans, management and players are all guilty of it.

I do agree that, as they say in the public announcement at CitiField, "Mets fans are the best fans in the world." We are, for all the B.S. we have to put up with on a daily basis with this damn team, and we should be demanding more from them. Applaud effort in St. Louis for all I care. Here, we should be protesting and screaming our heads off at CitiField RIGHT NOW.

And I don't even mean the team on the field -- most of us are informed enough to know that as long as Sterling Equities owns this team, aint nothin' gonna change. However, if I hear more excuses from the fan base, I am going to scream. If this team had the "fight," if this team had cajones, if this team has what it takes to be better than a .500 team (which I am not thinking they are, even if/when Beltran returns), then show it to me. The sad part is, the talent is there on paper. But paper does not win championships or even at the base level GAMES.

They are not winning games, and yes, this stretch of games is critical (with or without me writing it for MetsMerized Online last week) because it's against (yep, you guessed it) NL EAST teams. Right now, the Phillies have zero competition. The competition was almost a dead heat last week but with the Mets skydiving with no parachute towards Earth, the Marlins playing Scrappy as per usual, and the Nationals coming out of nowhere this year, the Phillies are going to waltz right back into the National League Championship this year and you know what? They are going to win another World Series at that rate.

Now where was I? Oh, so back to management and players. First off, don't give me the crap that (pick any that apply): K-Rod isn't pitching enough and/or not participating in competitive enough situations - FUCK THAT NOISE. He is a professional that is getting paid handsomely to get three fucking outs. And that's it. If Jerry Manuel, as his "manager," tells him that's what he needs to do, then he needs to grow a pair and do it.

Don't get me started on Oliver Perez.

If you really want to shake up the lineup, have Luis Castillo bat leadoff. Yeah, I said it. Although another poster at MMO has some good suggestions on it as well. But this team needs more than just a line up change, it needs me cracking the Coopinatrix whip. Give me ten minutes with everyone there, I'll have them all crying for their moms while sucking their thumbs in the corner.

Oh did I say "me?" I meant, Coopinatrix of course.

Someone on Brooklyn Met Fan, F-O-C IrishMike said that if/when Beltran returns, Jeff Francoeur and Angel Pagan need to platoon on RF. I am not sure if Pagan has the arm for RF, but all I can say is IrishMike for GM (with Coop as Assistant - that would be a killer leadership for the Mets right now).

Of course, my gut is telling me Beltran aint comin' back. Yeah, I said it. And perfectly expect to get flamed for it.

Lastly, I am done with the organizational leadership on this team. Well, I've been technically done with them for years, but I am REALLY fucking done with this fucking lot.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that when Omar Minaya goes over to Atlanta and has "discussions" with Jerry Manuel and let's say even for more argument's sake that Manuel is fired, along with several coaches. My point is, this shit happened in 2008. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change. Especially if the Mets management do not right a wrong and put Ken Oberkfell as Mets manager IMMEDIATELY and instead, throw in Jerry Manuel-lite, Bob Melvin, as manager.

As my dear Aunt Babe would say - you have the be FUCKING kidding me. The Mets deserve better. The Mets should not and cannot tolerate failure. Bob Melvin won't create change. Maybe they'll win a few games here and there, but it will NOT CHANGE.

And none of this will ever change until the Wilpons sell this team. Failure has not only been an option but has been the mainstream for such a long time. Second fiddle has been played one too many times for this team since Wilpon increased his stake from 5% to 50% in 1987. How ironic it correlates with when the Mets started to change and NOT for the better after dominating baseball and winning the World Series in 1986.

So Mr. Wilpon (channeling my best Ronnie Reagan)...

SELL THIS TEAM!

...And lastly my Fantasy team blows goats. If there is a G*d, she is not a Mets fan, nor likes my fantasy team.

Thank goodness there is still a lot of baseball to be played. For both the CoopDeVilles and the Mets.

********************************************************
Just wanted to address my post from the other day. I wanted to throw out there that the "offending" poster has apologized, it was sincere and heartfelt and I have accepted it. I know this person is a good dude. On the flip side, I am taking a break from writing at this other site, at least for the short-term, to take a step back.

Don't worry, I will still be doing my MetsMerized project (I think Joe D and Rainiedazze would beat me up for it LOL).

I am pleased, though, that the post has created a lot of dialogue, not only on this site but on multiple venues including Facebook, Twitter, and other blogs, even outside Metsopotamia. In fact, Yankee and baseball blogger Joanna from "Your Baseball Girl," noted that recently in the forums that gender issues have been profound and highlighted the Coop's piece from last week as being one of those addressing it. Hats off, Joanna, and glad to have you on my side. Our teams may differ, but fun fearless and fabulous female bloggers always get a high-five from me.

********************************************************
Last but certainly not least, come support the Coop, FAFIF, MBTN, Cardboard Gods and Two Boots Tavern for Amazin' Tuesday -- May 18 at Two Boots Grand Central.

Is it 2010? Really?

2010-05-13T16:48:00.004-04:00

What you are about to read is a more serious post by the Coop. A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece inspired by a dear friend Rainiedazze on the fact that while a good baseball piece can be written by a female of the species, there will always be some idiot of a guy who tries to take her down a notch by making a comment about "You're a chick, you don't know what you are talking about."

As Metsgrrl and I like to say, baseball chicks are 45% of the baseball fan population. We not only rock, but we are knowledgeable, passionate and most of all can do what the big boys can do and possibly better and less misogynistic (the latter I know for a FACT we are capable of).

I'll be honest with you folks. My Summer Family has been a labor of love for me since 2007, yet there have been times that I have thought about shutting it down simply because I wasn't loving it 100% anymore. In the last few months, my world was turned upside down and writing became an outlet for me. In fact, I started writing for other sites as well and was recently invited to read some my Coop Originals at Amazin Tuesday next week, hosted by two Mets guys I admire. It was not only keeping me occupied but giving me an opportunity to combine my two loves: Mets baseball and writing.

However, one of my side project leaders was sending some joking emails around, and one of which was how he was going to "replace" me with Alyssa Milano. At first, I was like - whatever. I thought it was a bit unclever, but I went along with it, saying - Hey, Alyssa knows her baseball, I'd replace me too with her.

Now, unless you live under a rock, Alyssa is a household name, and she's known for not exactly being the best actress ever but she's incredibly beautiful. What I respect her for is not just her business acumen and her name brand but the fact that's she a passionate baseball fan and knows her stuff.

What I wasn't aware of was that said blogger was going to post said suggestion on the site, with my name in full view for every one to see. And as Metsgrrl pointed out to him later, basically saying, "Women are not invited to this party."

I didn't know whether to embarrassed or infuriated but I am probably somewhere in the middle. However, I am not sure if I should feel like Alyssa was insulted too -- she is possibly more successful than any of us schmoes could possibly imagine, and she is still judged by her beauty and whether or not she passes the test of "Hey, I'd do her."

I consider myself a feminist, but I have a great sense of humor, which may be construed sometimes that I don't respect the good fight women have had to endure to be at least equal with men, let alone successful without that whole gender thing getting in the way. Between the behavior of some men in baseball forums, and someone I had respect for and actually wrote for his site hoping to increase my visibility, I am saddened and discouraged by it. I have never once used my gender to my benefit or detriment while trying to make a baseball argument. OK, maybe there was one time I was bored and wrote about the Mets Divas Fantasy Team, but it was mostly inspired wite. And yes, that's one thing as a girl I can get away while watching baseball - I can enjoy the view.

Of course, I had no idea we still lived in a world, especially in baseball blogging, where men still ranked women on whether or not they are considered "bangable." Heh, silly moi.

I am so discouraged by this, and this is not a thinly veiled threat but close to a damn promise that I may shut down My Summer Family for good. If I am living in a world where I can think people actually respect my writing and my thoughts on the New York Mets, which by the way I have followed since I was seven freaking years old, and actually I am still being judged whether or not a guy would do me, then I no longer want to do this gig at all.

I am going fishing for a few days. Check ya later.

Separating the Men from the Boys

2010-05-10T10:45:00.004-04:00

I think F-O-C Senor Solly put it best on Twitter yesterday: "3 blown saves from the pen this weekend. - be happy with the 2 wins."

The Giants were not an easy team to beat. They have some of the best pitching in the NL and had the best record in the NL West until this weekend (where they dropped to second, following the two Mets walk-offs). The only game that could have been a quote-unquote gimme was the Wellemeyer start, however if the Mets lost that game, I would have blamed the offense more so than the bullpen blowing the save since they did not take advantage of that junkballer.

So I guess my points, taking two out of three from the Giants, regardless of how they were won or lost as Solly points out, is never a bad thing. Take them as they come.

What I am truly concerned about though is this upcoming week against two NL East teams -- the Nationals for a three-game series at home and a four-game series in Miami against the Marlins. Right now, the standings are as such:

Phils 19-12

Mets 17-14 (2)

Nats 17-14 (2)

Marlins 14-17 (5)

Braves 13-18 (6)

Who would have thought that the Nationals would be "tied for second place" in the division, anytime this season, right? The Nationals are on a streak, taking the last two in a three game series against the Marlins, who are surprisingly not seeming as scrappy as they normally are (except, of course, against the Mets earlier this season).

To say that this series at home is a must-win this early in the season seems ridiculous, but the fact is, if the Mets are going to be taken seriously at all within the division or within baseball, they have to take no less than a sweep of the Nationals series.

Yeah, you read that right.

Until May 21, when interleague games start against the Yankees, the Mets are playing nothing but East teams (and have no off days, by the way). These series will separate the men from the boys and hopefully, the Mets from the tight pack of the NL East right now. I said it in 2007 and I will say it again in 2010 -- these series, if the Mets do not win the majority of the games or at the very most sweep a series here and there, we will look back at these as the ones that got away. Mark my words.

The time to make a statement is now. Or for Senor Solly specifically: it's time someone put their foot down. And that foot...is the Mets.

*********************************************************

Save the Date!! The Coop has been asked to participate in a reading of Mets Bloggerati All-Stars at Two Boots Tavern at Grand Central Terminal on Tuesday, May 18, at 7 pm, for the next installment of Amazin' Tuesday!

I have ideas for three of my old pieces to be read, don't worry, they will be G-rated. But I would like to thank Greg Prince from Faith and Fear in Flushing and Jon Springer from Mets by the Numbers for not only putting these together, but for inviting me to participate. I am truly honored!

Never Let The Facts Get In The Way Of A Good Story

2010-05-08T18:07:00.009-04:00

I should be happy. I mean, two days, two walk-off wins for the Mets. Bengie Molina was crying to Kevin Burkhardt on Friday about the Mets "not wanting" him (wah!), but I think the guys we got instead -- Henry Blanco and Rod Barajas -- seem to really pay off in dividends. Also, since Molina left the game yesterday due to a tweaked hamstring, it REALLY seems Omar not following his gut worked out well for him in this respect.

My new nicknames for our catching duo were Blanco Lightning and Hot Rod. However, I would like to shmush their names together and call them Blanco Lightning Rod. Be sure to credit me with that name.

What I should be upset about mostly is that the hiccupy bullpen lost the lead two games in row, especially our most reliable parts of Perpetual Pedro, Fernando Nieveryday and Frankie Rodriguez. Losing the lead for our two most dependable starters, Santana (barring last week's major hiccup against the Phils of course) and Big Pelf (ditto). I should really be upset that the Mets did not take advantage of a slow-ass Wellemeyer on Saturday. I'm a little disappointed in the offense, the K's by David Wright and Jason Bay's been lackluster (on the road - not at home).

I should be happy that the Mets have won two in a row against not only a top team in the NL West, but a team that boasts one of the best starting pitching staffs in MLB, period.

Well, I am happy to that extent.

What I was not happy about is facts getting in the way of a good story. While at the game on Saturday, I was following some Tweets (@coopz22 if you can handle the Coop) and someone starting retweeting David Lennon, the Mets beat writer from Newsday, on how he was remarking that for a Saturday afternoon, CitiField was "empty."

To that I say, "HUH?"

I was at the game. Sure, the game did not have every seat filled (especially in the Promenade, where it was very windy) but I will say that outside of Opening Day, this was the fullest game I've attended. If he was looking at the two section in the Excelsior level that actually were quite empty, then yeah, I'd say he had a good story. Of course, I was pissed off that most of these writers and what the cameras do not pick up is that due to the layout of the stadium, many fans are also milling about in "Standing Room" areas watching the game. What a novel idea.

I guess I missed the day in my Journalism 101 where writers were told to never let the facts get in the way of a good story. At the beginning of the season, the Mets did not get off to a running start, not to mention, fans were still smarting over last season and the weather by the way was freaking cold. Many bloggers were even commenting on it. I think what would be a fair analysis is to see how other teams (outside of the west coast perfect weather stadiums) are doing in their attendance. Suffice to say, I've been selling my tickets, so tushies have been in Section 138 since Opening Day, I am proud to report.

However, I don't think the media can handle that the Mets are doing pretty decently (even with all the negativity surrounding their offseason and start), their division is interesting (which I wrote about for MetsMerized on Friday), their pitching and bullpen have performed almost over their heads and better than expected, and they've been winning close games although one of their biggest offensive threats (Carlos Beltran) still sits on the DL. So what do reporters do? Attack the fans who still are "not coming out" to support them.

Don't believe everything you read, some and none of what you see. The pictures you see on camera are not telling the whole story, and the reporters are clearly feeding on the negativity that still lies within the Mets community.

It's fun going to games now. I even remarked that I felt like I was home a few weeks ago. Two walk-offs in a row, though I should be upset that the games should not have even come to that point, are not only dramatic, but shows what fight this team has although they are not exactly intact. They may not be a playoff team right now, but they are certainly going to keep things interesting.

What reporters SHOULD be focusing on is the home field. Not what's going on in the seats, but on the field. You know, the Mets have won 9 home games in a row. THAT, as a wise man once said, is truly amazin'.

Half Empty

2010-05-06T16:12:00.007-04:00

I have to apologize in advance for such a pessimistic post this early in the season. We had a fabulous homestand followed by a shitty-ass road trip where I guess I was trying hard to see the bright side of things. Fact is, I kept looking at the bright side, but then found a side to counteract it. In life, I never quite look at things half-full or half-empty, but then again, I'm usually referring to a bartender situation, where he gladly refills my drink.

So here are the bright sides, followed by the down sides of the road trip.

Jon Niese pitched very well in his two games, practically dominating the Phillies in his 9-1 win last Friday and pitching well-enough to win against the Reds yesterday. Of course, he still delivered a game Ron Darling-style, and got a no-decision, leading to an overall Mets loss in their businessman special game.

Pitching overall was a bright spot. However, the pitchers who normally deliver (Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey) certainly did NOT deliver their goods.

John Maine and Oliver Perez performed well, however the Mets only won one of their starts.

The bullpen is still producing fewer heart attacks on behalf of their fans this year; however, the most reliable cog in the bullpen ("Perpetual Pedro" Feliciano) got the loss in a walk-off fashion yesterday.

Dan Warthen still deserves accolades for his pitching staff's performance in general; however I will predict that Howard Johnson is on the hot seat in a few weeks for how poorly his offense has been.

As a fan, I can almost take losing a series to the Phillies. However, I can't take a series loss when nearly all of their best players are not playing to their competition...until of course the Mets show up.

As a fan, and I acknowledge that the Reds are an up-and-coming team, simply cannot take a series loss to the Reds. That is just inexcusable.

David Wright's bat is showing up again, thank goodness. I saw a stat during yesterday's game that just so far into the season, his road HRs have surpassed his total road HRs for all of 2009. To counteract, Jason Bay has turned his streakiness into slumpiness, and it doesn't seem to ever come at a time where it's okay.

Just when you think that Jerry Manuel knew what he was doing when he shakes up the batting order by putting Jose Reyes third, he screws that whole thing up by putting both Gary Matthews Jr, Fernando Tatis AND Alex Cora in the same game. Yes, I do realize that Luis Castillo has some sort of special dispensation from the Pope to not play day games after night games. However, as a friend of mine said to me in passing a few weeks back, Luis needs to do what's best for the team. Furthermore, if Jose Reyes is going to be batting third, at least until Carlos Beltran returns (and who the hell knows when that is going to be), he needs to be taught the approach to batting right before the clean up hitter. Who will ever know if their performance was just dumb luck or simply just dumb.

I guess a bright spot is that Carlos Beltran is planning to start running exercises this week in Port St. Lucie. However, since I saw his t-shirts at the Mets Clubhouse store yesterday selling 50% off, I still will put money on him being as good as gone either by trade deadline or after end of this season.

The Mets came close to winning at the very least two-out-of-three games against the Reds and still came out with their tail between their legs winning one game out of three. With some other luck on their side, they could have also won all three games. This is not bad luck or okay luck or any luck at all. It's just dumb. The Mets are still playing to their competition without any fire or spark and are still losing the games they need to be winning now. Will there be a margin of error in 2010? Of course not, the little margin of error in previous series is what has exactly bit them in the ass.

The only player right now who is showing any kind of spark is David Wright, and it's about time. However, his supporting cast of Jose Reyes, the so-called "catalyst," and Jason Bay are not supportive at all.

And where the hell has Ike Davis' bat been? Does The Coop have a SI-like curse over at MMO?

*******************************************************

I will be at this Saturday's game once again, trying to organize a meet-and-greet, although this time at McFadden's. Please note that if you enter the stadium by scanning your ticket you cannot enter the establishment via the inside of the stadium. However, you can enter the bar and enter the stadium with your ticket through the bar. If that made sense. Anyway, we'll be there again.