I have to say, I know its early in the season but how can you not be impressed with the Giants. Forget about who they have played, though Washington and Cincy have looked good in the last few weeks, watch how they play. They are a team that it is a pleasure to root for. They play hard and smart and entertaining football. This isn't a team that got drunk on the elixir of a Super Bowl and forgot how to work. They have had reasons to take a step back but refuse to make them. All you need to know was shown by Management in their suspension of Plax. It was an internal team issue, it could have been handled with a fine, but they chose to make it public and send a message that nobody is above the team. For that I respect the organization and its leaders.
I admit I was wrong about Eli, he has matured into the QB I never thought he could become. I do believe that the Super Bowl was more about the Defense, but it has seemed to imbue him with a new swagger and elevated him to "man" status amongst the team. There is no more Tiki or Strahan, he is the man. A lot of credit needs to go to the scouting department and the development abilities of Coughlin and his staff. They have turned a lot of lower draft picks into meaningful players and sculpted one of the best offensive lines in the game out of some rough material.
Obviously who knows what the future may bring, but it will no doubt be an enjoyable ride.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 4 2008
Just as we should not overreact to one ugly loss, we too should not overreact to one big win.
Just as I didn't think the poor showing against the Chargers meant that the team was doomed, I don't think the spectacular against the Cardinals means the team is destined for greatness.
This has been my theory of the NFL in this decade, that there are some weeks where a team, no matter how good they are, will get their asses whipped, and that there are other weeks, no matter how bad they are, that everything will go their way and will whip someone's unsuspecting ass.
For example, look at the Chiefs against the Broncos this past week. The Broncos will likely fight for the AFC title, and the Chiefs will likely fight for the worst record in football. But on that one day, the Broncos could do no right and the Chiefs no wrong.
And so it was with the Jets in the first half against the Cardinals - absolutely everything that could have gone their way did go their way. That's how you end up scoring 34 points in a quarter, and giving up none in a half despite giving the Cardinals the ball twice inside the 20 in the first quarter.
I think you can more or less ignore what went on in the second half. Sure, the defense played poorly in the third quarter, but you can't blame a team for maybe losing some focus after being up 34-0 at halftime.
Though it was funny watching that Cardinals mini-comeback, sitting at my usual bar with Teaneck's own Greg Kohler, who was in Chicago visiting (to see the My Bloody Valentine show the night before, which was not only awesome, but perhaps the loudest show I've ever been to.) During the first half, I mentioned to my other friend that this was not a typical experience, to sit with these two particular Jets fans and not hearing them bitterly and profanely complaining. How could we, when the Jets played close to a perfect half?
But then this mini-comeback starts, and all we could do was laugh, and say, "why can't it ever be easy?" Most teams, they go up 34-0 at half, they end up winning 41-14 or something. Not the Jets. They have to make it interesting, right? I honestly don't know how I've lived like this for the last 22 years or so.
Let's break down the good things, the ones that I think might actually be relevant to future weeks:
- The run defense was good again. When the Cardinals had the ball early, while it was still a game, the Jets completely stopped the run, forcing the Cardinals to put the game in Kurt Warner's hands, which led to all those first half turnovers. The Jets have stopped the run well in all games so far, especially early on, and that will most definitely help as the weather cools.
- The offensive line played well. They did a good job picking up the Cardinals on the blitz, and Favre didn't get hit too often. I suppose any day the QB throws 6 TD passes, you have to like the pass protection.
- Favre and the receivers seem to have found some chemistry.
- Laveranues Coles looks healthy again.
- Darrelle Revis looks like the real deal at CB.
So where are we? 2-2 going into the bye, which is exactly where they should have been given the schedule. Won the games they were supposed to win, didn't win the two tough games, which isn't a total shock since, again, this is a team breaking in a new QB, a new offensive line, and many new people on defense. No one should have expected perfection out of the first four games. They just need to avoid a 1-3 or 0-4 type disaster.
Now a bye week, a chance to regroup, and then four very winnable games out of the next five (Cincinnati, at Oakland, Kansas City, at Buffalo, St. Louis.) They have to be no worse then 6-3 coming out of that stretch, and then we can start thinking about contending.
For now, we can just enjoy that 34-0 half, and 56 total points, and allow ourselves during the bye week to dream a little of mabe having a high-flying passing attack for the rest of the year. Just a little.
Just as I didn't think the poor showing against the Chargers meant that the team was doomed, I don't think the spectacular against the Cardinals means the team is destined for greatness.
This has been my theory of the NFL in this decade, that there are some weeks where a team, no matter how good they are, will get their asses whipped, and that there are other weeks, no matter how bad they are, that everything will go their way and will whip someone's unsuspecting ass.
For example, look at the Chiefs against the Broncos this past week. The Broncos will likely fight for the AFC title, and the Chiefs will likely fight for the worst record in football. But on that one day, the Broncos could do no right and the Chiefs no wrong.
And so it was with the Jets in the first half against the Cardinals - absolutely everything that could have gone their way did go their way. That's how you end up scoring 34 points in a quarter, and giving up none in a half despite giving the Cardinals the ball twice inside the 20 in the first quarter.
I think you can more or less ignore what went on in the second half. Sure, the defense played poorly in the third quarter, but you can't blame a team for maybe losing some focus after being up 34-0 at halftime.
Though it was funny watching that Cardinals mini-comeback, sitting at my usual bar with Teaneck's own Greg Kohler, who was in Chicago visiting (to see the My Bloody Valentine show the night before, which was not only awesome, but perhaps the loudest show I've ever been to.) During the first half, I mentioned to my other friend that this was not a typical experience, to sit with these two particular Jets fans and not hearing them bitterly and profanely complaining. How could we, when the Jets played close to a perfect half?
But then this mini-comeback starts, and all we could do was laugh, and say, "why can't it ever be easy?" Most teams, they go up 34-0 at half, they end up winning 41-14 or something. Not the Jets. They have to make it interesting, right? I honestly don't know how I've lived like this for the last 22 years or so.
Let's break down the good things, the ones that I think might actually be relevant to future weeks:
- The run defense was good again. When the Cardinals had the ball early, while it was still a game, the Jets completely stopped the run, forcing the Cardinals to put the game in Kurt Warner's hands, which led to all those first half turnovers. The Jets have stopped the run well in all games so far, especially early on, and that will most definitely help as the weather cools.
- The offensive line played well. They did a good job picking up the Cardinals on the blitz, and Favre didn't get hit too often. I suppose any day the QB throws 6 TD passes, you have to like the pass protection.
- Favre and the receivers seem to have found some chemistry.
- Laveranues Coles looks healthy again.
- Darrelle Revis looks like the real deal at CB.
So where are we? 2-2 going into the bye, which is exactly where they should have been given the schedule. Won the games they were supposed to win, didn't win the two tough games, which isn't a total shock since, again, this is a team breaking in a new QB, a new offensive line, and many new people on defense. No one should have expected perfection out of the first four games. They just need to avoid a 1-3 or 0-4 type disaster.
Now a bye week, a chance to regroup, and then four very winnable games out of the next five (Cincinnati, at Oakland, Kansas City, at Buffalo, St. Louis.) They have to be no worse then 6-3 coming out of that stretch, and then we can start thinking about contending.
For now, we can just enjoy that 34-0 half, and 56 total points, and allow ourselves during the bye week to dream a little of mabe having a high-flying passing attack for the rest of the year. Just a little.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Baseball Awards
I will make outlandish picks, but I actually believe wholeheartedly in every one of them. As always, I go against the grain.
NL CY YOUNG AWARD
Tim Lincecum-18-5 2.62 ERA 260 SO 1.17 WHIP
I looked at all the numbers closely and I give Lincecum a very slight edge over Johan Santana. Both men have different reasons for low victory totals. Lincecum plays for a shitty team that is 28 games below .500 in games he doesn’t pitch and Santana had 8 leads blown for him by the bullpen this year. Lincecum has been dominant all year long; he has 50 more strikeouts than the nearest pitcher, his batting average against is .221 best among starting pitchers, only given up 11 homeruns, and has the best winning pct. at .783. No matter what way you look at it Lincecum’s numbers are sick and he has been the best pitcher in the National League.
NL MVP
CC Sabathia- 11-2 1.65 ERA, 7 CG, 3 Shutouts
While he certainly deserves consideration for the Cy Young I believe he has been the most valuable player to any team in the national league. Overall in his starts the Brewers were 14-3 and most importantly in 7 complete games they were 7-0. That saves an already thin bullpen when he does that and he completes the game with a W which is so important.
NL MANAGER
Dale Sveum, Milwaukee Brewers- Taking over late in the season with his team staring down the barrel of missing the playoff narrowly for the second year in a row, Sveum sprang into action. After a one and three start as manager Sveum motivated his team to 6 out of 7 wins in the final stretch to take the NL Wild Card away from the Metropolitans. He finished the season 7-4, and astonishing 64% winning percentage.
AL CY YOUNG AWARD
Mariano Rivera-1.40 ERA, 39 Saves, 1 BLSV, 0.67 WHIP
Yes he has been the best pitcher in the American league, but no he doesn’t have some super number of saves or wins. His team underperformed so he didn’t get a chance to have 50+ saves but when he did pitch nobody did it better. He blew 1 save all year. In 70 IP he struck out 77, walked 6, gave up 11 runs and gave up a ridiculously low 4 homeruns.
AL MVP
Francisco Rodriguez- 2.24 ERA, 62 Saves, 1.29 WHIP
If you look around the AL it is hard to find a hitter that may be the MVP so I went with K-Rod. He was on the best team in the AL and was the best player on that team. He shut down more teams than anyone in the history of the game. Not only did he perform but when you have a closer like that he improves the rest of your pitching staff because he strikes fear in the opponent. They know they have to get runs before the get to K-rod, it is like the guy batting ahead of Vlad is going to see plenty of pitches, it works the same for pitchers.
As for the rest of the awards Longoria and Soto are the ROTY's and Madden is clearly the AL Manager of the Year.
NL CY YOUNG AWARD
Tim Lincecum-18-5 2.62 ERA 260 SO 1.17 WHIP
I looked at all the numbers closely and I give Lincecum a very slight edge over Johan Santana. Both men have different reasons for low victory totals. Lincecum plays for a shitty team that is 28 games below .500 in games he doesn’t pitch and Santana had 8 leads blown for him by the bullpen this year. Lincecum has been dominant all year long; he has 50 more strikeouts than the nearest pitcher, his batting average against is .221 best among starting pitchers, only given up 11 homeruns, and has the best winning pct. at .783. No matter what way you look at it Lincecum’s numbers are sick and he has been the best pitcher in the National League.
NL MVP
CC Sabathia- 11-2 1.65 ERA, 7 CG, 3 Shutouts
While he certainly deserves consideration for the Cy Young I believe he has been the most valuable player to any team in the national league. Overall in his starts the Brewers were 14-3 and most importantly in 7 complete games they were 7-0. That saves an already thin bullpen when he does that and he completes the game with a W which is so important.
NL MANAGER
Dale Sveum, Milwaukee Brewers- Taking over late in the season with his team staring down the barrel of missing the playoff narrowly for the second year in a row, Sveum sprang into action. After a one and three start as manager Sveum motivated his team to 6 out of 7 wins in the final stretch to take the NL Wild Card away from the Metropolitans. He finished the season 7-4, and astonishing 64% winning percentage.
AL CY YOUNG AWARD
Mariano Rivera-1.40 ERA, 39 Saves, 1 BLSV, 0.67 WHIP
Yes he has been the best pitcher in the American league, but no he doesn’t have some super number of saves or wins. His team underperformed so he didn’t get a chance to have 50+ saves but when he did pitch nobody did it better. He blew 1 save all year. In 70 IP he struck out 77, walked 6, gave up 11 runs and gave up a ridiculously low 4 homeruns.
AL MVP
Francisco Rodriguez- 2.24 ERA, 62 Saves, 1.29 WHIP
If you look around the AL it is hard to find a hitter that may be the MVP so I went with K-Rod. He was on the best team in the AL and was the best player on that team. He shut down more teams than anyone in the history of the game. Not only did he perform but when you have a closer like that he improves the rest of your pitching staff because he strikes fear in the opponent. They know they have to get runs before the get to K-rod, it is like the guy batting ahead of Vlad is going to see plenty of pitches, it works the same for pitchers.
As for the rest of the awards Longoria and Soto are the ROTY's and Madden is clearly the AL Manager of the Year.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The Countdown is over
A day in the life of a pathetic Mets fan
4:20 pm: I'm pacing back and forth between my computer screen with GameDay and the bathroom, which holds the only radio in this apartment that I can receive my XM Radio on.
Only problem is the signal comes in choppy at times, but I was able to hear enough to curse when Manuel went to the bullpen after Ollie struggled into the sixth inning, I heard enough to know Carlos Beltran tied the game with a 2-run homer and I was just getting back to the room after putting my daughter down to hear Scott Schoenwiess and Luis Ayala give up back to back homers to Wes Helms and Dan Uggla.
I'm not even taking happiness in the fact that the Cubs are playing close with the Brewers right now, but I'll continue this later...
4:35 pm: The radio feed went out as Beltran walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs and Carlos Delgado coming to the plate. Of course, the Marlins went to the pen for a veteran left handed pitcher Arthur Rhodes...
Did I mention he also announced that the Brewers have won and that the season is now on the line? Let's see about the MVP voting...
Oh, did he just line out to left field and now I've got to hope we get into the last of the ninth with the deficit just at two. I'm tempted to leave my apartment and go to my car for the bottom of the ninth. That way, when I start cursing and screaming I won't influence my 7-year old or wake up the baby.
5:05 pm: I did go to the car and listened as David Wright started off the frame with the awe-inspiring at-bat you like. Full count, a couple of foul balls and then...
He popped up to second base.
Yeah, they walked Easley and Ryan Church had a chance to tie the game but they don't call it Big Shea for nothing and that's why pitchers will challenge anyone to pound it out to straight away center field.
Matt Linstrom did, the former Met farmhand, and Church didn't get it all and the walls of Shea will come tumbling down.
I might post about the season lost in a bit, but I think waking up my daughter is more important. Besides, the Giants are on a bye week.
4:20 pm: I'm pacing back and forth between my computer screen with GameDay and the bathroom, which holds the only radio in this apartment that I can receive my XM Radio on.
Only problem is the signal comes in choppy at times, but I was able to hear enough to curse when Manuel went to the bullpen after Ollie struggled into the sixth inning, I heard enough to know Carlos Beltran tied the game with a 2-run homer and I was just getting back to the room after putting my daughter down to hear Scott Schoenwiess and Luis Ayala give up back to back homers to Wes Helms and Dan Uggla.
I'm not even taking happiness in the fact that the Cubs are playing close with the Brewers right now, but I'll continue this later...
4:35 pm: The radio feed went out as Beltran walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs and Carlos Delgado coming to the plate. Of course, the Marlins went to the pen for a veteran left handed pitcher Arthur Rhodes...
Did I mention he also announced that the Brewers have won and that the season is now on the line? Let's see about the MVP voting...
Oh, did he just line out to left field and now I've got to hope we get into the last of the ninth with the deficit just at two. I'm tempted to leave my apartment and go to my car for the bottom of the ninth. That way, when I start cursing and screaming I won't influence my 7-year old or wake up the baby.
5:05 pm: I did go to the car and listened as David Wright started off the frame with the awe-inspiring at-bat you like. Full count, a couple of foul balls and then...
He popped up to second base.
Yeah, they walked Easley and Ryan Church had a chance to tie the game but they don't call it Big Shea for nothing and that's why pitchers will challenge anyone to pound it out to straight away center field.
Matt Linstrom did, the former Met farmhand, and Church didn't get it all and the walls of Shea will come tumbling down.
I might post about the season lost in a bit, but I think waking up my daughter is more important. Besides, the Giants are on a bye week.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Collapse, Part Deux!!!
Here is the thing, I really dont hate the Metropolitans all that much, but it is hilarious watching this unfold again.
I have some Yankee bretheren who just revel in every Mets loss or error or scoreless inning for that matter, not me. I don't mind seeing the Metropolitans do well, it doesn't bother or effect me; they aren't really a rival for my beloved Yankees. I would much rather the Blue Jays plain go down in a fiery wreckage or a Noreaster come along and wipe out Fenway Park while the Sawx hold "fan" appreciation day.
But to watch and listen to Mets fans as this drama unfolds once again is just great theatre. Everyone knows about their historical collapse last year, while this years isn't as spectacular it is hilarious nonetheless. It is so funny because the Brewers want no part of actually making the playoffs either, and it is a war of attrition between these two teams.
That, and for the second year in a row when consulting with Mets fans friends of mine before the season both years they would say things like, "Well hell, who is going to win the NL East, the Phillies?" Yup, it appears they will for the second year in a row.
So lets go Brew Crew and lets go Marlins. How fun will it be to see Mets fans launching themselves off the upper deck of Shea Stadium before they tear that hell hole to the ground where it belongs.
I have some Yankee bretheren who just revel in every Mets loss or error or scoreless inning for that matter, not me. I don't mind seeing the Metropolitans do well, it doesn't bother or effect me; they aren't really a rival for my beloved Yankees. I would much rather the Blue Jays plain go down in a fiery wreckage or a Noreaster come along and wipe out Fenway Park while the Sawx hold "fan" appreciation day.
But to watch and listen to Mets fans as this drama unfolds once again is just great theatre. Everyone knows about their historical collapse last year, while this years isn't as spectacular it is hilarious nonetheless. It is so funny because the Brewers want no part of actually making the playoffs either, and it is a war of attrition between these two teams.
That, and for the second year in a row when consulting with Mets fans friends of mine before the season both years they would say things like, "Well hell, who is going to win the NL East, the Phillies?" Yup, it appears they will for the second year in a row.
So lets go Brew Crew and lets go Marlins. How fun will it be to see Mets fans launching themselves off the upper deck of Shea Stadium before they tear that hell hole to the ground where it belongs.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Countdown - 3 to go
I'll make this short since this is my second post of the day, but reading about Carlos Voltron made me laugh so hard I figure I would try to do this on time while it's still fresh...
This was the bounce back game I wrote about in the previous post, the game where the night before fans were tearing their hair out and quoting Scripture about the Second Coming and...
OK, it wasn't that bad but there were many that lost faith after another late-inning loss.
Tonight, we needed a good start from Pedro and it's clear that he needs to either warm up extra in the bullpen or Jerry Manuel send out a reliever for the first and then let Pedro pitch. He's horrible to start the game and let some guy you've never heard of take him deep in the first and come back for more later...
But Pedro is a professional and stemmed the tide and kept the team in the game and the Mets tied it at 3-3 against Rich Harden headed into the seventh. Now, with his age and everything, any manager would have slapped Petey on the ass for a decent game (Quality Start no less) and called for the pen.
But Manuel looks out and is as scared and scarred as any Met faithful and instead of letting the pen blow it from jump, he asked Pedro to go back out. He promptly gave up a hit and a walk and when Ricardo Rincon (Yes, that same guy who's name you know because you know he's not any good) allows a three-run bomb and the Mets trail by a 6-3 margin.
But since this was a bounce back game, they bounced back with a small-ball run in the seventh and got big hits from Ramon Martinez (Not Pedro's brother) and Robinson Cancel and a great cat and mouse slide from Ryan Church to tie the game at 6-6.
Pedro Feliciano, a left-handed specialist, proved he's not that special and allowed a leadoff hit in the top of the ninth but Joe Smith closed the door and when Reyes led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, it was just a matter of time.
Yes, it would have been nice for Daniel Murphy to get down a bunt. Yes, it would have been nice for David Wright to come through but I'll take a two-out hit by Carlos Beltran for the win and make the Brewers have to beat up on the Cubs, who are on cruise control, while we deal with those pesky Fish.
Next up: Marlins at Mets
Chris Volstad, RHP (5-4, 3.10) vs. Mike Pelfrey, RHP (13-10, 3.70)
After a horrible start, Pelfrey has shown why Omar didn't want to include him in the Santana trade. The fact his ERA is below 4 is pretty amazing. Nevertheless, his last start was the first decent one against the Fish.
Volstad is a rookie, so of course he pitched 6-plus innings of good baseball against us in his only appearance against the Mets...
If any of you get to this, I wanted to mention this earlier but...
Kellerman was calling the Mets a jinxed franchise and it's hard to argue against that, especially lately. But the fact of the matter is the Mets are the by-product of the departure of the New York Giants (orange) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (blue).
The Giants (1885 - 1957) won 5 World Championships, 17 Pennants, and 16 Playoff Appearances before leaving the city that never sleeps, but there are big gaps of time when the team was horrible.
The Dodgers were known as the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1911, 1912, 1932 - 1957 and had only 1 World Championship and 7 Pennants but the Lovelbe Bums' were in Brooklyn from 1884 and before Leo Durocher took over in 1939, they had a 15-year run of being pretty average.
Point is the foundation of the Mets then and today as they build CitiField in tribute to both these teams is that of a second-rate team. It's something that the media latches onto and rides to advertising sales and website clicks, that fans easily adopt and one can only hope, is completely lost on those in uniform...
This was the bounce back game I wrote about in the previous post, the game where the night before fans were tearing their hair out and quoting Scripture about the Second Coming and...
OK, it wasn't that bad but there were many that lost faith after another late-inning loss.
Tonight, we needed a good start from Pedro and it's clear that he needs to either warm up extra in the bullpen or Jerry Manuel send out a reliever for the first and then let Pedro pitch. He's horrible to start the game and let some guy you've never heard of take him deep in the first and come back for more later...
But Pedro is a professional and stemmed the tide and kept the team in the game and the Mets tied it at 3-3 against Rich Harden headed into the seventh. Now, with his age and everything, any manager would have slapped Petey on the ass for a decent game (Quality Start no less) and called for the pen.
But Manuel looks out and is as scared and scarred as any Met faithful and instead of letting the pen blow it from jump, he asked Pedro to go back out. He promptly gave up a hit and a walk and when Ricardo Rincon (Yes, that same guy who's name you know because you know he's not any good) allows a three-run bomb and the Mets trail by a 6-3 margin.
But since this was a bounce back game, they bounced back with a small-ball run in the seventh and got big hits from Ramon Martinez (Not Pedro's brother) and Robinson Cancel and a great cat and mouse slide from Ryan Church to tie the game at 6-6.
Pedro Feliciano, a left-handed specialist, proved he's not that special and allowed a leadoff hit in the top of the ninth but Joe Smith closed the door and when Reyes led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, it was just a matter of time.
Yes, it would have been nice for Daniel Murphy to get down a bunt. Yes, it would have been nice for David Wright to come through but I'll take a two-out hit by Carlos Beltran for the win and make the Brewers have to beat up on the Cubs, who are on cruise control, while we deal with those pesky Fish.
Next up: Marlins at Mets
Chris Volstad, RHP (5-4, 3.10) vs. Mike Pelfrey, RHP (13-10, 3.70)
After a horrible start, Pelfrey has shown why Omar didn't want to include him in the Santana trade. The fact his ERA is below 4 is pretty amazing. Nevertheless, his last start was the first decent one against the Fish.
Volstad is a rookie, so of course he pitched 6-plus innings of good baseball against us in his only appearance against the Mets...
If any of you get to this, I wanted to mention this earlier but...
Kellerman was calling the Mets a jinxed franchise and it's hard to argue against that, especially lately. But the fact of the matter is the Mets are the by-product of the departure of the New York Giants (orange) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (blue).
The Giants (1885 - 1957) won 5 World Championships, 17 Pennants, and 16 Playoff Appearances before leaving the city that never sleeps, but there are big gaps of time when the team was horrible.
The Dodgers were known as the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1911, 1912, 1932 - 1957 and had only 1 World Championship and 7 Pennants but the Lovelbe Bums' were in Brooklyn from 1884 and before Leo Durocher took over in 1939, they had a 15-year run of being pretty average.
Point is the foundation of the Mets then and today as they build CitiField in tribute to both these teams is that of a second-rate team. It's something that the media latches onto and rides to advertising sales and website clicks, that fans easily adopt and one can only hope, is completely lost on those in uniform...
The Countdown - 4 to go
This is getting harder and harder to write, each time out...
I could look on the negative side, which is what every Met fan did over the final three innings. I could think about how David Wright could be in the top 5 in the league in RBIs and still bat under .250 with runners in scoring position. How he couldn't come through with a fly ball in the ninth after rookie Daniel Murphy tripled to start the frame...
I could think about Ryan Church stranding runners at third with less than two outs twice and how a win would have gave the Mets a chance for a first-place tie going into the weekend.
I could think about all that or I could think positively.
I could think that if you told me in June when the team was in fourth place and 7.5 out that we would be in this position this late in the year, I would have likely took it.
If you told me that we would have three guys with 100 RBIs, that Jose Reyes would have 200 hits and that despite all the injuries, we would be in a pretty good position to play postseason baseball at the beginning of the year, I would have likely took it.
But we don't have time machines and we, as a society, never live in the past. We are a What Have You Done For Me Lately people except when it comes to the Great Collaspe of 2007, which everyone feels the need to bring up over and over again.
Listening to Max Kellerman's radio show, he brought up the point that the 08 version of the Mets is currently one game behind the win total of the 2007 team. He's a big proponent of using Johan Santana in the bullpen on his off-days to ensure the playoffs and other silly things that come from the mouth of an irrational Yankee fan.
(The other point he brought up is that Yankee fans, at least the loud mouth ones that post on newspaper sites and call into talk shows, are acting like Red Sox Nation fans used to when they take any joy in the disfunktional existence of the city's other franchise. Do you think I take any joy that the Yankees' aren't in the playoffs this year? It matters little to me and the same approach is rarely taken the other way around.)
I've forgotten my point and I hope the Mets, as a team, forget about last night. They've done a good job this year and if they put their heads in the sand and somehow win 3 of their next 4, they've got a 75% chance of avoiding an extra game.
Next Up:
Rich Harden, RHP (10-2, 2.03) vs. Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-6, 5.50)
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. On recent history, this looks like a mismatch and with the importance of the game unchallenged, this looks like a mismatch...
So let's look someplace else for pleasure.
The Brewers send Yovani Gallardo, RHP (0-0, 1.80) against the Pirates and Zach Duke and I've got to hope that Pittsburgh can show some sort of ball sack and get it done with a win. They've played the Brew Crew close, but failed to assist the boys from Queens.
After that, the Brew get the Cubs and who doesn't want to see another road sweep like they did a couple of weeks back when both teams were close atop the NL Central?
Meanwhile the Flilthies have today off (and hopefully will only lead the East by one game after it's done), then throw Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and a starter to be announced on Sunday. It will clearly depend on what's needed and the Mets need to make sure and force them to throw Cole Hamels on short rest or hope that Brett Myers remembers he's not as great as he's been down the stretch.
I could look on the negative side, which is what every Met fan did over the final three innings. I could think about how David Wright could be in the top 5 in the league in RBIs and still bat under .250 with runners in scoring position. How he couldn't come through with a fly ball in the ninth after rookie Daniel Murphy tripled to start the frame...
I could think about Ryan Church stranding runners at third with less than two outs twice and how a win would have gave the Mets a chance for a first-place tie going into the weekend.
I could think about all that or I could think positively.
I could think that if you told me in June when the team was in fourth place and 7.5 out that we would be in this position this late in the year, I would have likely took it.
If you told me that we would have three guys with 100 RBIs, that Jose Reyes would have 200 hits and that despite all the injuries, we would be in a pretty good position to play postseason baseball at the beginning of the year, I would have likely took it.
But we don't have time machines and we, as a society, never live in the past. We are a What Have You Done For Me Lately people except when it comes to the Great Collaspe of 2007, which everyone feels the need to bring up over and over again.
Listening to Max Kellerman's radio show, he brought up the point that the 08 version of the Mets is currently one game behind the win total of the 2007 team. He's a big proponent of using Johan Santana in the bullpen on his off-days to ensure the playoffs and other silly things that come from the mouth of an irrational Yankee fan.
(The other point he brought up is that Yankee fans, at least the loud mouth ones that post on newspaper sites and call into talk shows, are acting like Red Sox Nation fans used to when they take any joy in the disfunktional existence of the city's other franchise. Do you think I take any joy that the Yankees' aren't in the playoffs this year? It matters little to me and the same approach is rarely taken the other way around.)
I've forgotten my point and I hope the Mets, as a team, forget about last night. They've done a good job this year and if they put their heads in the sand and somehow win 3 of their next 4, they've got a 75% chance of avoiding an extra game.
Next Up:
Rich Harden, RHP (10-2, 2.03) vs. Pedro Martinez, RHP (5-6, 5.50)
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. On recent history, this looks like a mismatch and with the importance of the game unchallenged, this looks like a mismatch...
So let's look someplace else for pleasure.
The Brewers send Yovani Gallardo, RHP (0-0, 1.80) against the Pirates and Zach Duke and I've got to hope that Pittsburgh can show some sort of ball sack and get it done with a win. They've played the Brew Crew close, but failed to assist the boys from Queens.
After that, the Brew get the Cubs and who doesn't want to see another road sweep like they did a couple of weeks back when both teams were close atop the NL Central?
Meanwhile the Flilthies have today off (and hopefully will only lead the East by one game after it's done), then throw Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and a starter to be announced on Sunday. It will clearly depend on what's needed and the Mets need to make sure and force them to throw Cole Hamels on short rest or hope that Brett Myers remembers he's not as great as he's been down the stretch.
Mets Updates?
I assume we haven't had any more Mets updates from Martin because the team's second-straight September implosion has led to his head's exlplosion. Or maybe his dreadlocks have caught fire.
In the meatime, read this, because it's funny:
Monday, September 22, 2008
Here Come The Warm Jets: Week 3 2008
Let's not spend too much time on this full-team giant turd of a game.
There wasn't much positive to take out of this, except maybe the run defense early on when it still kind of mattered, and that Leon Washington is still a good kick returner.
The worst thing that happened? Letting the Chargers score on that first drive of the third quarter. The entire defense should be embarrassed, because they got punked as a unit on that drive.
The bottom line is that the team made far too many mistakes, mostly early turnovers. This team isn't good enough to overcome that many mistakes.
And, we better hope Kris Jenkins isn't hurt too bad, because apparently the defense is awful without him.
That all said, this game shouldn't provoke an over-reaction. Sure, it's a game that a contending team should win, playing a team like the Chargers that have been struggling on defense and with half their offensive weapons hurt. But, then again, the Chargers are a very good team, playing at home, with pretty much their season on the line, on national TV. The odds are that they would play a good game.
Plus, if we looked at the schedule before the year started, well, the Jets were supposed to be 1-2 at this point. Losing to the Patriots and at the Chargers isn't the worst thing that ever happened, especially early in the year when the team is still figuring things out.
If they lose to Arizona next week? At home? Then the season is lost.
If they win, like they're supposed to? Then they're 2-2 going into the bye, with a wide open AFC, and playing Cincinnati, at Oakland, Kansas City, at Buffalo, and St. Louis in the next five. They could very well be 6-3 after that.
That all depends, of course, on the entire team playing a fuck of a lot better than they did tonight. Because the team that played in San Diego tonight doesn't win any games the rest of the year.
But since it's still warm out, I'm not ready to believe that the team we saw tonight is the true reflection of what this team can be. I hope I'm not wrong to retain that sliver of optimism.
There wasn't much positive to take out of this, except maybe the run defense early on when it still kind of mattered, and that Leon Washington is still a good kick returner.
The worst thing that happened? Letting the Chargers score on that first drive of the third quarter. The entire defense should be embarrassed, because they got punked as a unit on that drive.
The bottom line is that the team made far too many mistakes, mostly early turnovers. This team isn't good enough to overcome that many mistakes.
And, we better hope Kris Jenkins isn't hurt too bad, because apparently the defense is awful without him.
That all said, this game shouldn't provoke an over-reaction. Sure, it's a game that a contending team should win, playing a team like the Chargers that have been struggling on defense and with half their offensive weapons hurt. But, then again, the Chargers are a very good team, playing at home, with pretty much their season on the line, on national TV. The odds are that they would play a good game.
Plus, if we looked at the schedule before the year started, well, the Jets were supposed to be 1-2 at this point. Losing to the Patriots and at the Chargers isn't the worst thing that ever happened, especially early in the year when the team is still figuring things out.
If they lose to Arizona next week? At home? Then the season is lost.
If they win, like they're supposed to? Then they're 2-2 going into the bye, with a wide open AFC, and playing Cincinnati, at Oakland, Kansas City, at Buffalo, and St. Louis in the next five. They could very well be 6-3 after that.
That all depends, of course, on the entire team playing a fuck of a lot better than they did tonight. Because the team that played in San Diego tonight doesn't win any games the rest of the year.
But since it's still warm out, I'm not ready to believe that the team we saw tonight is the true reflection of what this team can be. I hope I'm not wrong to retain that sliver of optimism.
The Countdown - 6 to go
Well here we are again. The last week of the season, the playoffs within our grasp and we send a rookie pitcher to the mound.
I'll keep this short so all you Yankee fans can think back on a stadium that was closed for renovations for two years AND YOU PLAYED AT SHEA and then think about the fact that the team isn't leaving town.
They're just going across the street. Calm down about the closing of the place for God's sake, and I'm not the only one. Dave Anderson of the New York Times agrees with me (or I agree with him) and he's been covering games since...
Well, long enough to have over half a century of experience and if he's not impressed, then I don't feel I should be.
Yeah it's sad that they're moving across the street and taking all that history with them, but no one is making a big deal about the closing of Shea and it makes me a little sad. Not because they shouldn't open Citi Field but Shea's got a lot of heart.
I went to Yankee Stadium once. Didn't get a chance to walk around Monument Park or anything, but I did sit behind home plate at Shea on Mother's Day. I did wait out a day game with Brian John, walking around the place to kill time after attending a baseball camp in the morning.
I went with friends I have and have forgotten. I went on the 7 train and by car and I've sat in the bleachers and moved up close for Merengie Night. I've left disappointed and unfulfilled and boarded the train with happiness and hope for a new tomorrow.
Yes, it's sad that Yankee Stadium is closing for a new one across the street. And yes, Citi Field looks great growing in the backdrop behind center field and they'll eventually move the Big Top Apple into the new home, but there will always and only be one big Shea.
One place that housed the Jets, Mets, Yankees and the Beatles.
And now will house the thousands that didn't think it wise to take mass transit to the game.
Next Up:
Sean Marshall, LHP (3-4, 3.62) vs. Johan Santana, LHP (14-7, 2.65)
This is the epitome of a must-win game. It's really simple - A loss here and they won't make the playoffs. There'll be another long winter of silly Yankee fans rightfully making fun of the Next Collaspe and the media will have a field day, not looking into the fact that the Mets resemble the walking wounded more than anything else.
Simple as that.
I'll keep this short so all you Yankee fans can think back on a stadium that was closed for renovations for two years AND YOU PLAYED AT SHEA and then think about the fact that the team isn't leaving town.
They're just going across the street. Calm down about the closing of the place for God's sake, and I'm not the only one. Dave Anderson of the New York Times agrees with me (or I agree with him) and he's been covering games since...
Well, long enough to have over half a century of experience and if he's not impressed, then I don't feel I should be.
Yeah it's sad that they're moving across the street and taking all that history with them, but no one is making a big deal about the closing of Shea and it makes me a little sad. Not because they shouldn't open Citi Field but Shea's got a lot of heart.
I went to Yankee Stadium once. Didn't get a chance to walk around Monument Park or anything, but I did sit behind home plate at Shea on Mother's Day. I did wait out a day game with Brian John, walking around the place to kill time after attending a baseball camp in the morning.
I went with friends I have and have forgotten. I went on the 7 train and by car and I've sat in the bleachers and moved up close for Merengie Night. I've left disappointed and unfulfilled and boarded the train with happiness and hope for a new tomorrow.
Yes, it's sad that Yankee Stadium is closing for a new one across the street. And yes, Citi Field looks great growing in the backdrop behind center field and they'll eventually move the Big Top Apple into the new home, but there will always and only be one big Shea.
One place that housed the Jets, Mets, Yankees and the Beatles.
And now will house the thousands that didn't think it wise to take mass transit to the game.
Next Up:
Sean Marshall, LHP (3-4, 3.62) vs. Johan Santana, LHP (14-7, 2.65)
This is the epitome of a must-win game. It's really simple - A loss here and they won't make the playoffs. There'll be another long winter of silly Yankee fans rightfully making fun of the Next Collaspe and the media will have a field day, not looking into the fact that the Mets resemble the walking wounded more than anything else.
Simple as that.
The Weekend that Was
If you were a sports fan, could you have asked for a better weekend? I can’t remember a weekend as chock full of sports excitement this good in a long time. The two biggest things the weekend will be remembered for is the US regaining the Ryder Cup back from the Europeans for the first time since 1999 and the closing of the most famous and hallowed venue in all of American sports, Yankee Stadium. But also there were big happenings in College and Pro Football.
GOLF
Without El Tigre the Americans found a way to come together and win, not really a surprise to me. The questioned was universally asked, would the American team be better without Woods. Well common wisdom would say not having the best player in the world would be a detriment. I didn’t totally subscribe to the theory, only because of Tiger’s singular focus. It has been proven that in Ryder Cup play there needs to be fellowship and selflessness something more akin to team sports, rather that individual sports like Golf. Tiger never played team sports growing up and was taught by his father how to channel all is energy and focus and block out all distractions, at which he is terrific. However, in Ryder Cup play the first 4 rounds of 5 involve strategy and team play something Woods is not very good at yet. He has yet to be able to give himself over to the team concept when it comes to Ryder Cup play.
How about Paul Azinger’s captains picks? JB Holmes, Chad Campbell and Hunter Mahan all played their asses off. If I had to give an MVP award for the weekend it would go Mahan, he was 2-0-3 and was one of only 2 guys to play all 5 matches. Also, how about the kid, Anthony Kim. This young man is on the verge of breaking through big time next season on the Tour and could be a Major Champion in the nest 2 years.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Not much to say here but SEC. Are you fucking kidding me, Florida went up to Tennessee and beat that ass. LSU also went on the road and beat the Auburn Tigers in another great game in this series. And just when you have your back turned, the undefeated Vanderbilt Commodores have snuck in to the top 25 and they are the worst team in the SEC.
PRO FOOTBALL
So Elisha just keeps producing, and 274 Sherman Ave keeps hating. I ask you, and lord knows this will elicit the most responses ever in this blog, but name me 5 NFL QB’s you would take right now over Elisha. And for the arguments sake I will even let you use the injured Tom Brady. My list goes like this, and these are all maybes; Brady, Peyton, and McNabb, outside of that I can’t really think of anyone else I would clearly take over him. Now I would say guys like Brees, Rothliesberger, and Romo are on the same level but I wouldn’t take any of them over the youngest Manning.
Ummm….the Cowboys are pretty damned good; that was one hell of a game at Lambeau last night.
Can we cancel all pro football in the state of Missouri? Who thinks the Missouri Tigers are the best team in the show me state right now?
Nice to see Super Bowl picks Minnesota and Jacksonville getting of the schnied yesterday.
How about those Buffalo Bills, my 15-1 prediction for them is not far away baby!!!
YANKEE STADIUM
What more can be said? The Yankees had a perfect and poignant send off to the great venue and to cap it all off with a Jose Melina homer; the House that Ruth built and in these multicultural times the House that Jose closed.
So I leave it to you the reader to regal us with favorite Yankee Stadium memories, and yes we will even allow Mets fans to comment on this one.
GOLF
Without El Tigre the Americans found a way to come together and win, not really a surprise to me. The questioned was universally asked, would the American team be better without Woods. Well common wisdom would say not having the best player in the world would be a detriment. I didn’t totally subscribe to the theory, only because of Tiger’s singular focus. It has been proven that in Ryder Cup play there needs to be fellowship and selflessness something more akin to team sports, rather that individual sports like Golf. Tiger never played team sports growing up and was taught by his father how to channel all is energy and focus and block out all distractions, at which he is terrific. However, in Ryder Cup play the first 4 rounds of 5 involve strategy and team play something Woods is not very good at yet. He has yet to be able to give himself over to the team concept when it comes to Ryder Cup play.
How about Paul Azinger’s captains picks? JB Holmes, Chad Campbell and Hunter Mahan all played their asses off. If I had to give an MVP award for the weekend it would go Mahan, he was 2-0-3 and was one of only 2 guys to play all 5 matches. Also, how about the kid, Anthony Kim. This young man is on the verge of breaking through big time next season on the Tour and could be a Major Champion in the nest 2 years.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Not much to say here but SEC. Are you fucking kidding me, Florida went up to Tennessee and beat that ass. LSU also went on the road and beat the Auburn Tigers in another great game in this series. And just when you have your back turned, the undefeated Vanderbilt Commodores have snuck in to the top 25 and they are the worst team in the SEC.
PRO FOOTBALL
So Elisha just keeps producing, and 274 Sherman Ave keeps hating. I ask you, and lord knows this will elicit the most responses ever in this blog, but name me 5 NFL QB’s you would take right now over Elisha. And for the arguments sake I will even let you use the injured Tom Brady. My list goes like this, and these are all maybes; Brady, Peyton, and McNabb, outside of that I can’t really think of anyone else I would clearly take over him. Now I would say guys like Brees, Rothliesberger, and Romo are on the same level but I wouldn’t take any of them over the youngest Manning.
Ummm….the Cowboys are pretty damned good; that was one hell of a game at Lambeau last night.
Can we cancel all pro football in the state of Missouri? Who thinks the Missouri Tigers are the best team in the show me state right now?
Nice to see Super Bowl picks Minnesota and Jacksonville getting of the schnied yesterday.
How about those Buffalo Bills, my 15-1 prediction for them is not far away baby!!!
YANKEE STADIUM
What more can be said? The Yankees had a perfect and poignant send off to the great venue and to cap it all off with a Jose Melina homer; the House that Ruth built and in these multicultural times the House that Jose closed.
So I leave it to you the reader to regal us with favorite Yankee Stadium memories, and yes we will even allow Mets fans to comment on this one.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Countdown - 9 to go
This season really comes down to two things and you can check that to determine what the final score was/is for the Mets, something that's been the case for the past three years.
How did Jose Reyes do and did the bullpen finish the job?
They won three games in a row and took over first place again. Reyes was 7-of-14 with 6 runs scored and 5 RBIs and the bullpen held off late charges in two of the three.
The Mets lose two in a row, two very winable games at Turner Field with Bobby Cox taking his foot off the gas slightly shown by the fact that Chipper Jones didn't even start on Saturday.
Reyes strikes out to start the game and Pedro gives up three runs in the first. Yes, he did settle down and keep the game close until the sixth but that's still a mountain to climb and an anthill seems like Mt. Everest when Reyes goes 0-for-4.
That 4-2 loss ended moments after the Phillies, who sense blood in the water, hold off the Marlins, who I actually heard someone talking how they're closing in on the wild card with three left in New York to end the season.
If that were the case, then someone would have come through on Saturday night. Thanks to Gameday (I really hate listening to the Marlins announcers), I slowly watched the Fish put a runner in scoring position in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings when a base hit would have tied the game and JC Romero, Ryan Madson (Didn't he play at Gonzaga?) and Brad Lidge did what a compentent bullpen is supposed to do - close the door and confirm a victory.
With that in mind, the Mets got four runs early on Sunday afternoon and the offense went into the tank. Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey struggled at first but got into the seventh with the lead and turned it over...
Well, I picked up the action on the radio in the top of the eighth and with Marlon Anderson on first I was able to hear Reyes complete an 0-for-5 day. Then smiled with glee as Schoeneweis gave up a double and the lead then Joe Smith let the Braves go up on a Frenchy triple.
That's when I turned the radio off and it wasn't for another 20 minutes that I went to my computer to see that the pen allowed four runs in the frame. Yeah, Delgado did homer in the ninth to make the score close, but that only matters with horseshoes and hand grenades...
Where does that leave us? 1.5 behind Philly for the NL East, 1.5 ahead of the Brewers for the wild card and seven games in seven days at home to end the season. We all know Met fans aren't the kindest lot in the world, so that means Monday's game is huge and will likely set the tone for the rest of the week and who do we get to send to the mound?
Next Up:
Jason Marquis, RHP (10-9, 4.39) vs. Jonathon Niese, LHP (1-0, 4.09)
We send a rookie pitcher making start No. 3 in his career against the NL Central champion Cubs in easily the biggest game of the year. This is similar to last year (Did I just say that?) when a mis communication or just sheer stupidity forced us to send Phil Humber to the mound to make his pro debut against the Nationals during that downward slide.
The kid pitched well last time out and he is at home, but it's really simple - We have to pound the baseball and leave it out of his hands, out of the bullpen's shaky hands and hope that if we get up early that Sweet Lou will call off the dogs and start clearing the bench.
Speaking of the bench, Johan Santana will be sitting there with two more starts to make and I can't see how the season finale won't be necessary and he can rest up. The way it's set up, Pelfrey and Neise will pitch against the Fish and I've got to hope those games still mean something positive not that we're fighting for our lives...
BTW - The Giants are 3-0. I don't really care how it looked, that the Bengals suck this or the defense allowed that. The defending Super Bowl champs have started the season 3-0. A fat man texted a question - name five quarterbacks you would take over Elisha?
The first three are easy, so long as injuries are taken out of the equation. Brady, Peyton and McNabb are just better and a lot of that has to do with experience. I argued Drew Brees because I'm impressed with what he's done in two different systems, but Elisha's on his level. Tony Romo made my list because anyone who's motorboated Jessica Simpson's breasts gets a nod regardless of his flaws and lack of playoff victories. What do you thing, America?
How did Jose Reyes do and did the bullpen finish the job?
They won three games in a row and took over first place again. Reyes was 7-of-14 with 6 runs scored and 5 RBIs and the bullpen held off late charges in two of the three.
The Mets lose two in a row, two very winable games at Turner Field with Bobby Cox taking his foot off the gas slightly shown by the fact that Chipper Jones didn't even start on Saturday.
Reyes strikes out to start the game and Pedro gives up three runs in the first. Yes, he did settle down and keep the game close until the sixth but that's still a mountain to climb and an anthill seems like Mt. Everest when Reyes goes 0-for-4.
That 4-2 loss ended moments after the Phillies, who sense blood in the water, hold off the Marlins, who I actually heard someone talking how they're closing in on the wild card with three left in New York to end the season.
If that were the case, then someone would have come through on Saturday night. Thanks to Gameday (I really hate listening to the Marlins announcers), I slowly watched the Fish put a runner in scoring position in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings when a base hit would have tied the game and JC Romero, Ryan Madson (Didn't he play at Gonzaga?) and Brad Lidge did what a compentent bullpen is supposed to do - close the door and confirm a victory.
With that in mind, the Mets got four runs early on Sunday afternoon and the offense went into the tank. Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey struggled at first but got into the seventh with the lead and turned it over...
Well, I picked up the action on the radio in the top of the eighth and with Marlon Anderson on first I was able to hear Reyes complete an 0-for-5 day. Then smiled with glee as Schoeneweis gave up a double and the lead then Joe Smith let the Braves go up on a Frenchy triple.
That's when I turned the radio off and it wasn't for another 20 minutes that I went to my computer to see that the pen allowed four runs in the frame. Yeah, Delgado did homer in the ninth to make the score close, but that only matters with horseshoes and hand grenades...
Where does that leave us? 1.5 behind Philly for the NL East, 1.5 ahead of the Brewers for the wild card and seven games in seven days at home to end the season. We all know Met fans aren't the kindest lot in the world, so that means Monday's game is huge and will likely set the tone for the rest of the week and who do we get to send to the mound?
Next Up:
Jason Marquis, RHP (10-9, 4.39) vs. Jonathon Niese, LHP (1-0, 4.09)
We send a rookie pitcher making start No. 3 in his career against the NL Central champion Cubs in easily the biggest game of the year. This is similar to last year (Did I just say that?) when a mis communication or just sheer stupidity forced us to send Phil Humber to the mound to make his pro debut against the Nationals during that downward slide.
The kid pitched well last time out and he is at home, but it's really simple - We have to pound the baseball and leave it out of his hands, out of the bullpen's shaky hands and hope that if we get up early that Sweet Lou will call off the dogs and start clearing the bench.
Speaking of the bench, Johan Santana will be sitting there with two more starts to make and I can't see how the season finale won't be necessary and he can rest up. The way it's set up, Pelfrey and Neise will pitch against the Fish and I've got to hope those games still mean something positive not that we're fighting for our lives...
BTW - The Giants are 3-0. I don't really care how it looked, that the Bengals suck this or the defense allowed that. The defending Super Bowl champs have started the season 3-0. A fat man texted a question - name five quarterbacks you would take over Elisha?
The first three are easy, so long as injuries are taken out of the equation. Brady, Peyton and McNabb are just better and a lot of that has to do with experience. I argued Drew Brees because I'm impressed with what he's done in two different systems, but Elisha's on his level. Tony Romo made my list because anyone who's motorboated Jessica Simpson's breasts gets a nod regardless of his flaws and lack of playoff victories. What do you thing, America?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Countdown - 9 to go
So I'm at my full time temporary job which will hopefully become full time soon because I need some benefits because children need shots and dentist appointments and that stuff cost a lot when you don't have insurance to knock down the cost...
Anyway, I'm walking past the manager's office, after overhearing him say
"Not the Jets, the Mets..."
And I notice tickets on his desk. Naturally I ask about the four tickets and if I could buy one off him. He says he's going with his girl and a couple of her friends.
The day continues and eventually, five minutes before 5 pm, I head home. I'm doing manual labor on a regular basis for the first time in my life, meaning I'm getting sweaty at work so I quickly get into the shower.
I don't notice the missed calls and voicemail on my cell phone, instead I get on the phone with my former insurance company. It's not until my wife says "Your job is on the phone" that I pick my head up to hear my boss say those magic words...
"I've got two tickets. Do you want them?"
My answer was the married man's answer - "Yes. I have to ask my wife, but yes."
Faye, clearly upset with my question, mumbled a yes that was full of venom and general angst that I'm sure I'll feel the wrath of later but...
But...
BUT...
That's a story for a different day. As for the moment, I went to the office, was handed two tickets and after my brother-in-law turned down my invitation for the free ticket I parked my car, hopped the next MARTA train downtown and join the throngs headed for Turner Field.
My baseball stadium list isn't long, but includes Fenway, Yankee, Shea and Tiger Stadium before they tore it down. I've seen SafeCo and Pac Bell and Turner has them beat with public transportation to the game. Train to Underground, then countless free bus shuttles to right outside the front gate.
Good sight lines from the main concourse and although I didn't get there soon enough to watch batting practice, I did have enough time to get lost trying to find my seat.
In case you go, field level is 100 and 200, the upper deck is 400 and the mezzanine or covered section is 300 and you have to go through/near/around the casino which threw me and two fellow Met fans looking for their seats for a loop.
I didn't have to bet on black to sit down. Thought about it, but Jose Reyes was coming up and I try not to miss his plate appearances. You never know when he'll lead off the game with a home run off Jo-Jo Reyes for an early 1-0 lead.
Oli P didn't pitch great, but he wasn't helped by two errors by David Wright in the second (although the official scorer only gave him one) that allowed the Braves to take a 2-1 lead. I pleaded for the team to get my runs back and Jo-Jo Dancer obliged by walking Reyes to lead off the third.
Luis Castillo, who a random Met fan on the train home ripped for "swinging like a girl" and wouldn't listen to me say that he's batted .300 a couple times with that swing, advanced him to second, then Jose Reyes stole third and scored on a single to center by Wright.
I'm not going to go through the entire game, but I haven't been to a pro game in a while so bare with me. It was fun to watch the game and the scoreboard as the Marlins beat up on the Phillies and helped us regain first place.
I realize I really hate the tomahawk chop, mostly cuz they do it all the time. I mean when the No. 7 batter walks in the sixth, I don't think we need the fucking chop. But I will admit it's funny to see the big Chic-Fil-A cow high on the rafters in left-center doing the chop.
Some fans tried a wave and I joined in, but it died out. Yes, I know it may sound corny, but the wave is fun to do at a stadium and watch it go around. Some silly fans tried to start a Let's Go Mets chant. There were enough of us there for it to work, but Braves fans would counter with a Let's Go Braves which made the whole thing just sound like noise.
After Reyes singled home Daniel Murphy in the eighth, I tried to start a "Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose" chant ala any Spanish soccer game but stopped when the realization of what I was doing set in.
I didn't stick around for the fireworks show after the game (They do it after every Friday night home game), but all in all was completely pleased with my trip. The only thing that would have made it better is if I tried to use my valid 2008 Mississippi Press Pass to get into the press box, but I was too busy enjoying the game to search for Newsday's Wallace Matthews and the News' John Harper.
By the way, did I mention that I was given the $13 tickets and when I tried to pay for them was told that they were company tickets that were passed down, that it was cool and my payment really was taking a couple of pictures of my boss and his girl and a $6.25 bag of peanuts?
Next Up:
Pedro Martinez (5-5, 5.47 ERA) vs. Jorge Campillo, (7-7, 3.79)
On the train home, I was asked by the same fan who made fun of Castillo if I was going on Saturday. My answer was "I don't want to see Pedro get roughed up." He could throw a gem, but more than likely this is a high-scoring affair that will likely tax a bullpen that needs more rest days with the season coming down the wire. Campillo hasn't pitched well lately and against the Mets, but he's still got a pretty impressive ERA and I can only hope the offensive team, the same one that got clutch hits late to put the game away, shows up knowing that they control their own destiny,
With the Brewers latest loss, they are now 1.5 behind Philly. If they stay that way and the Mets and Phillies end the regular season tied, according to everyone knowledgable that I asked, the Mets would be division chamnps due to their 11-8 regular season record. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to that.
Anyway, I'm walking past the manager's office, after overhearing him say
"Not the Jets, the Mets..."
And I notice tickets on his desk. Naturally I ask about the four tickets and if I could buy one off him. He says he's going with his girl and a couple of her friends.
The day continues and eventually, five minutes before 5 pm, I head home. I'm doing manual labor on a regular basis for the first time in my life, meaning I'm getting sweaty at work so I quickly get into the shower.
I don't notice the missed calls and voicemail on my cell phone, instead I get on the phone with my former insurance company. It's not until my wife says "Your job is on the phone" that I pick my head up to hear my boss say those magic words...
"I've got two tickets. Do you want them?"
My answer was the married man's answer - "Yes. I have to ask my wife, but yes."
Faye, clearly upset with my question, mumbled a yes that was full of venom and general angst that I'm sure I'll feel the wrath of later but...
But...
BUT...
That's a story for a different day. As for the moment, I went to the office, was handed two tickets and after my brother-in-law turned down my invitation for the free ticket I parked my car, hopped the next MARTA train downtown and join the throngs headed for Turner Field.
My baseball stadium list isn't long, but includes Fenway, Yankee, Shea and Tiger Stadium before they tore it down. I've seen SafeCo and Pac Bell and Turner has them beat with public transportation to the game. Train to Underground, then countless free bus shuttles to right outside the front gate.
Good sight lines from the main concourse and although I didn't get there soon enough to watch batting practice, I did have enough time to get lost trying to find my seat.
In case you go, field level is 100 and 200, the upper deck is 400 and the mezzanine or covered section is 300 and you have to go through/near/around the casino which threw me and two fellow Met fans looking for their seats for a loop.
I didn't have to bet on black to sit down. Thought about it, but Jose Reyes was coming up and I try not to miss his plate appearances. You never know when he'll lead off the game with a home run off Jo-Jo Reyes for an early 1-0 lead.
Oli P didn't pitch great, but he wasn't helped by two errors by David Wright in the second (although the official scorer only gave him one) that allowed the Braves to take a 2-1 lead. I pleaded for the team to get my runs back and Jo-Jo Dancer obliged by walking Reyes to lead off the third.
Luis Castillo, who a random Met fan on the train home ripped for "swinging like a girl" and wouldn't listen to me say that he's batted .300 a couple times with that swing, advanced him to second, then Jose Reyes stole third and scored on a single to center by Wright.
I'm not going to go through the entire game, but I haven't been to a pro game in a while so bare with me. It was fun to watch the game and the scoreboard as the Marlins beat up on the Phillies and helped us regain first place.
I realize I really hate the tomahawk chop, mostly cuz they do it all the time. I mean when the No. 7 batter walks in the sixth, I don't think we need the fucking chop. But I will admit it's funny to see the big Chic-Fil-A cow high on the rafters in left-center doing the chop.
Some fans tried a wave and I joined in, but it died out. Yes, I know it may sound corny, but the wave is fun to do at a stadium and watch it go around. Some silly fans tried to start a Let's Go Mets chant. There were enough of us there for it to work, but Braves fans would counter with a Let's Go Braves which made the whole thing just sound like noise.
After Reyes singled home Daniel Murphy in the eighth, I tried to start a "Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose Jose" chant ala any Spanish soccer game but stopped when the realization of what I was doing set in.
I didn't stick around for the fireworks show after the game (They do it after every Friday night home game), but all in all was completely pleased with my trip. The only thing that would have made it better is if I tried to use my valid 2008 Mississippi Press Pass to get into the press box, but I was too busy enjoying the game to search for Newsday's Wallace Matthews and the News' John Harper.
By the way, did I mention that I was given the $13 tickets and when I tried to pay for them was told that they were company tickets that were passed down, that it was cool and my payment really was taking a couple of pictures of my boss and his girl and a $6.25 bag of peanuts?
Next Up:
Pedro Martinez (5-5, 5.47 ERA) vs. Jorge Campillo, (7-7, 3.79)
On the train home, I was asked by the same fan who made fun of Castillo if I was going on Saturday. My answer was "I don't want to see Pedro get roughed up." He could throw a gem, but more than likely this is a high-scoring affair that will likely tax a bullpen that needs more rest days with the season coming down the wire. Campillo hasn't pitched well lately and against the Mets, but he's still got a pretty impressive ERA and I can only hope the offensive team, the same one that got clutch hits late to put the game away, shows up knowing that they control their own destiny,
With the Brewers latest loss, they are now 1.5 behind Philly. If they stay that way and the Mets and Phillies end the regular season tied, according to everyone knowledgable that I asked, the Mets would be division chamnps due to their 11-8 regular season record. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to that.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Countdown - 10 to go
So it goes...
Jose Reyes led off the game with a double and Daniel Murphy followed with a run-scoring single. That would be enough, especially after the superstar shortstop slapped a single to score Santana...
Sorry, this blog is brought to you by the letter S.
Johan pitched well, the Mets scored runs and more importantly, the Cubs scored four runs off Solomon Torres to erase a 4-run Brewers lead in the ninth and now sit 1.5 games behind the Mets for the final playoff spot in the NL.
Yeah, I would rather the division title but the only thing that matters is a ticket to the Dance. After that, anything goes.
I heard about the Brewers collapse listening to Chris "Mad Dog" Russo on my XM radio, only to find out that he cut a deal with both satellite radio stations meaning he's on Sirrus as well.
Good for him. I never really listened to Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN, mostly cuz I was out doing stuff like playing in the street, collecting empty crack viles and breaking into bakeries near Votee Park.
Anyway, my next mission is trying to figure out how and/or when I'll get into Turner Field this weekend. Two night games and a Sunday special which I'll be lucky to get anything more than a score report with it being my daughter's first birthday, which is interesting enough because wouldn't it really be her second birth day?
Next up:
Oliver Perez (10-7 4.09 ERA) vs. Jo-Jo Reyes (3-11 - 5.50 ERA)
Oli has pitched well against the Braves, in big games and at Turner Field. We really need this game and if I had a game to pick to attend, this would be it. I don't really want to see Pedro struggle on Saturday night while Jorge Campillo looks like Fernando in 1981. As I said, Sunday is out of the question, although I would love for that to be Naomi's first baseball game somehow I don't think my wife will let that fly...
Jose Reyes led off the game with a double and Daniel Murphy followed with a run-scoring single. That would be enough, especially after the superstar shortstop slapped a single to score Santana...
Sorry, this blog is brought to you by the letter S.
Johan pitched well, the Mets scored runs and more importantly, the Cubs scored four runs off Solomon Torres to erase a 4-run Brewers lead in the ninth and now sit 1.5 games behind the Mets for the final playoff spot in the NL.
Yeah, I would rather the division title but the only thing that matters is a ticket to the Dance. After that, anything goes.
I heard about the Brewers collapse listening to Chris "Mad Dog" Russo on my XM radio, only to find out that he cut a deal with both satellite radio stations meaning he's on Sirrus as well.
Good for him. I never really listened to Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN, mostly cuz I was out doing stuff like playing in the street, collecting empty crack viles and breaking into bakeries near Votee Park.
Anyway, my next mission is trying to figure out how and/or when I'll get into Turner Field this weekend. Two night games and a Sunday special which I'll be lucky to get anything more than a score report with it being my daughter's first birthday, which is interesting enough because wouldn't it really be her second birth day?
Next up:
Oliver Perez (10-7 4.09 ERA) vs. Jo-Jo Reyes (3-11 - 5.50 ERA)
Oli has pitched well against the Braves, in big games and at Turner Field. We really need this game and if I had a game to pick to attend, this would be it. I don't really want to see Pedro struggle on Saturday night while Jorge Campillo looks like Fernando in 1981. As I said, Sunday is out of the question, although I would love for that to be Naomi's first baseball game somehow I don't think my wife will let that fly...
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