Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mets. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Here's Hoping Omar Has Deep Pockets This Offseason
Now that the 2009 baseball season is officially over, Mets fans everywhere have their fingers crossed that Omar Minaya is able to fill the many holes present on the team's roster. So with the GM meetings now underway in Chicago, I leave you with the official list of free agents available. So unless (or should I say, until?) there is some big news for the Mets on the free agent or trade front, I'm signing off for now. Here's to Omar and the Wilpons having deep pockets!
Read more!
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Lesser of Two Evils
While last week’s post-season drama made for exciting baseball for Mets fans, this week’s early league championship action has left much to be desired results-wise. This is not to say the games have been boring because aside from yesterday’s Phillies blowout of the Dodgers, all of the games have been close. They just, for the most part, haven’t had the final outcome most Mets fans would have hoped for.
Let’s face it folks, the two teams right now that Mets fans least want to see advance to the World Series are the Yankees and the Phillies. This puts us in an extraordinary pickle of who to root for. While we can admit both teams are good and well deserving of a potential Fall Classic appearance, seeing one or both make it just turns our stomachs – especially in light of the Mets debacle 2009 season. So if it comes down to these two teams, how will we decide whom to throw our “support” behind?
Let’s face it folks, the two teams right now that Mets fans least want to see advance to the World Series are the Yankees and the Phillies. This puts us in an extraordinary pickle of who to root for. While we can admit both teams are good and well deserving of a potential Fall Classic appearance, seeing one or both make it just turns our stomachs – especially in light of the Mets debacle 2009 season. So if it comes down to these two teams, how will we decide whom to throw our “support” behind?
It’s really not a remotely simple decision…First you have the ever-present jealousy and disdain Mets fans have towards the Yankees. Our cross-town rivals lead a charmed existence. Winning comes easily for them. They have a huge payroll but unlike the Mets, they spend wisely and it shows on the field. Their fans are arrogant and possess a sense of entitlement that drives us completely insane. And the truth is, no matter how good the Mets ever hope to be, they will always be the “other” New York team. Plus, if the Yankees win another World Series, I will have to deal with the ridiculous amount of media coverage and fanfare that will be showered upon them for weeks on end. Thankfully, I no longer work in Manhattan so I won’t have to deal with morons enroute to a ticker tape parade, but avoiding television and print news is a huge inconvenience.
Then you have the Phils…Truthfully, I never had anything against the Phillies until they became competitive over the last 3 years or so. Now, while I can love the scrappy brand of baseball they play, I honestly am annoyed by the fact that over these past three years they have taken every opportunity to slam my Mets in the press. I also don’t care for some of the shady rough plays in the field, such as deliberately trying to hurt Mets players on slides. Add to the fact that the one game I went to at Citi Field when the Phillies were in town was a miserable experience of Mets fans being completely outnumbered. The fact that Phillies fans turned out in droves was not upsetting but the level of belligerence exuded from even before the first pitch was deplorable. It created an atmosphere where if you had taken small children to a game you would want to get them out of the stadium as soon as possible. For now, I will try to believe that what I saw that night was the exception and not the norm.
So with this in mind, if it comes down to a Yankees / Phillies World Series, I’m going to have to root for the Yankees to take it all. I rooted for the Yankees against the Braves in the 90’s so this is a somewhat similar situation of picking the lesser of the two evils. And truth be told, this 2009 Yankees team is definitely a more likeable bunch than those of the “stick-up-their-butts” late 90’s dynasty teams. Call me cheesy, but I kind of like those shaving cream pie in the face antics. Reminds me slightly of the ’86 Mets in a non-inebriated way. Regardless of who I root for, though, a Yanks / Phils World Series could make for a very exciting World Series if both teams play up to their potential. And the best part is, neither team is my team so I’ll be sitting watching from my warm, heated living room rather than having to brave 40 degree stadiums. See, Mets fans? There’s a positive in every situation. Sometimes you just have to look especially hard for it. Now enough with all of this crap…Go Dodgers and Go Angels (wishful thinking).
Monday, August 24, 2009
An Ending to Remember
By Chris Pollay
Yesterday, the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets played a wild game that I don’t think any fan will forget about anytime soon.
Maybe it was the result of superstition... as in the number 13. After all, it was the thirteenth game between the two ballclubs this season and this one had a little bit of everything (and everything was a little bit odd).
It was definitely emotional. Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel got ejected in the 9th inning, so you know this one mattered. Also, Pitcher Pedro Martinez made his return visit to New York, so you know this one had drama.
The fans were not too happy to see him again, but they were far more angry at the home hurler, Oliver Perez. He gave up a pair of three-run homers to Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz before the top of the first inning was even over!
Not surprisingly, he left the game after pitching only 2/3rds of an inning and giving up six earned runs. I realize Perez’s ERA for the season is quite unimpressive (6.82), but his ERA for just yesterday was a staggering 81.81! Good grief.
Pedro Martinez couldn’t ask for a better scenario than a six-run lead before he even threw his first pitch. Still, he was shaky enough to keep things interesting. By the end of the third inning, he had given up four earned runs (including two home runs to Angel Pagan).
By the time he left the game after six full innings on the mound, his team comfortably lead 8 to 4... one of those runs, by the way, was provided by a bases-loaded single by Martinez in the top of the third inning.
Yet, the Mets chipped away at the lead and made it a ballgame again. Down two in the top of the ninth, they found themselves with runners on first and second (with no outs).
Thanks to errors by Ryan Howard and Eric Bruntlett, the Mets were in a perfect position for a last inning comeback. New York even had the right guy in the batter’s box to make it happen. Jeff Francouer already had a hit and an RBI on Sunday, and had batted four of eight (.500) over the previous two games in the series (including a home run on Friday night).
When Lidge delivered the last pitch, Francouer was right on top of it. The ball headed toward the gap over second base. For a split-second, everything was aligned perfectly for the Mets. However, that glimmer of hope was completely crushed when Bruntlett played the ball perfectly. He caught it and touched second base in a flash. Then, for good measure, he tagged out Daniel Murphy who had already committed to run on the pitch.
What an unbelievable ending!
The game was definitely odd, to be sure. Angel Pagan hit two home runs, one of which was inside-the-park, and that wasn't even the biggest statistical anomaly of the day.
Of course, that title goes to the last play. Bruntlett's unassisted triple play takes the cake. Even odder, it occurred not too long after he recorded an error.
I’ve seen a lot of baseball. I’ve never seen any game end on an unassisted triple play. Then again, it doesn’t happen often. After all, Bruntlett's gem was the first unassisted triple play to end a game in National League history and it was only the 15th unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history.
Wow.
That was definitely one for the books. Read more!
Yesterday, the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets played a wild game that I don’t think any fan will forget about anytime soon.
Maybe it was the result of superstition... as in the number 13. After all, it was the thirteenth game between the two ballclubs this season and this one had a little bit of everything (and everything was a little bit odd).
It was definitely emotional. Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel got ejected in the 9th inning, so you know this one mattered. Also, Pitcher Pedro Martinez made his return visit to New York, so you know this one had drama.
The fans were not too happy to see him again, but they were far more angry at the home hurler, Oliver Perez. He gave up a pair of three-run homers to Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz before the top of the first inning was even over!
Not surprisingly, he left the game after pitching only 2/3rds of an inning and giving up six earned runs. I realize Perez’s ERA for the season is quite unimpressive (6.82), but his ERA for just yesterday was a staggering 81.81! Good grief.
Pedro Martinez couldn’t ask for a better scenario than a six-run lead before he even threw his first pitch. Still, he was shaky enough to keep things interesting. By the end of the third inning, he had given up four earned runs (including two home runs to Angel Pagan).
By the time he left the game after six full innings on the mound, his team comfortably lead 8 to 4... one of those runs, by the way, was provided by a bases-loaded single by Martinez in the top of the third inning.
Yet, the Mets chipped away at the lead and made it a ballgame again. Down two in the top of the ninth, they found themselves with runners on first and second (with no outs).
Thanks to errors by Ryan Howard and Eric Bruntlett, the Mets were in a perfect position for a last inning comeback. New York even had the right guy in the batter’s box to make it happen. Jeff Francouer already had a hit and an RBI on Sunday, and had batted four of eight (.500) over the previous two games in the series (including a home run on Friday night).
When Lidge delivered the last pitch, Francouer was right on top of it. The ball headed toward the gap over second base. For a split-second, everything was aligned perfectly for the Mets. However, that glimmer of hope was completely crushed when Bruntlett played the ball perfectly. He caught it and touched second base in a flash. Then, for good measure, he tagged out Daniel Murphy who had already committed to run on the pitch.
What an unbelievable ending!
The game was definitely odd, to be sure. Angel Pagan hit two home runs, one of which was inside-the-park, and that wasn't even the biggest statistical anomaly of the day.
Of course, that title goes to the last play. Bruntlett's unassisted triple play takes the cake. Even odder, it occurred not too long after he recorded an error.
I’ve seen a lot of baseball. I’ve never seen any game end on an unassisted triple play. Then again, it doesn’t happen often. After all, Bruntlett's gem was the first unassisted triple play to end a game in National League history and it was only the 15th unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history.
Wow.
That was definitely one for the books. Read more!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Phillies vs Mets: The Rivalry Burns Strong
by Chris Pollay
In the last three seasons, the rivalry between the Phillies and Mets has percolated to an all-time high. The two teams have finished one-two in the NL East standings all three times.
In 2006, the Mets took the NL East by winning 97 games, and in 2007 and 2008, the Phillies usurped their rivals in dramatic late-season fashion, taking the division title by a total of one game (2007) and three games (2008) altogether.
Since the NL East was first created in 1969, the Phillies and Mets have only finished one-two in the division four times altogether, so it is odd that three of them have occurred in recent consecutive seasons.
The other time was in 1986 when the Mets barely edged out the Phillies by 21.5 games.
OK. So, the history of the two ballclubs has been seemingly uninspired intermittently for well over three decades. Heck, the two teams have never even competed against each other in the postseason.
Still, the rivalry has been a thing of beauty to witness lately. In fact, if you look at the head-to-head record of the teams during the past three seasons (2006 to 2008), the Mets hold the bare minimum of margins with a 28 and 27 overall record.
However, if you factor in this season’s ten games (Phils lead 6 to 4) between the two clubs, the Phillies have racked up 33 wins versus 32 losses in the last 65 games between them.
It simply doesn’t get any closer than that. Or does it? If you look at the two team’s 46 head-to-head games throughout 2007, 2008 and so far in 2009, the run total for both teams against each other is as follows: Phillies, 206 runs; Mets, 207 runs. Wow.
With a four-game series coming up between the Phils and Mets in New York, it seems like the stakes might be awfully low this time around. After all, the Phils lead the Mets by 14.5 games and there are two teams sandwiched right in the middle of them in the standings (the Marlins and Braves).
But don’t think for a minute that the Mets don’t want these games badly. This time the Phils will be playing for October and the Mets will be playing for pride.
Long before 2006 and the neck-and-neck division lead battles, the teams still managed to battle hard with tons of memorable games. In fact, since the 2000 season (including thus far in 2009) here is a breakdown of the team’s head-to-head rivalry: the Phils have won 88 games; the Mets have won 84. Only four games separate them in an entire decade!
To illustrate further, let’s break down the total runs scored in those games. The Phils have put 812 on the board while the Mets have put up 804. Eight measly runs separate them in 170 games!
As a way of comparison, let’s look at how the MLB’s “best rivalry” -- the Yankees and Red Sox -- have fared against each other in that same time frame (since 2000, which includes two postseason series against each other).
The Yankees have also outscored Boston by a mere eight runs in all of that time, but the win-loss record is a bit more lopsided. The Bronx Bombers have won 99 to the Red Sox’s 89 victories, a difference of ten games.
I realize nobody will forget the classic back-to-back seven game ALCS series between those two clubs in 2003 and 2004, but the numbers this decade actually suggest that the Phillies and Mets have been a little closer overall in their recent rivalry.
Hopefully, they will translate into another memorable series over the next four days.
Read more!
In the last three seasons, the rivalry between the Phillies and Mets has percolated to an all-time high. The two teams have finished one-two in the NL East standings all three times.
In 2006, the Mets took the NL East by winning 97 games, and in 2007 and 2008, the Phillies usurped their rivals in dramatic late-season fashion, taking the division title by a total of one game (2007) and three games (2008) altogether.
Since the NL East was first created in 1969, the Phillies and Mets have only finished one-two in the division four times altogether, so it is odd that three of them have occurred in recent consecutive seasons.
The other time was in 1986 when the Mets barely edged out the Phillies by 21.5 games.
OK. So, the history of the two ballclubs has been seemingly uninspired intermittently for well over three decades. Heck, the two teams have never even competed against each other in the postseason.
Still, the rivalry has been a thing of beauty to witness lately. In fact, if you look at the head-to-head record of the teams during the past three seasons (2006 to 2008), the Mets hold the bare minimum of margins with a 28 and 27 overall record.
However, if you factor in this season’s ten games (Phils lead 6 to 4) between the two clubs, the Phillies have racked up 33 wins versus 32 losses in the last 65 games between them.
It simply doesn’t get any closer than that. Or does it? If you look at the two team’s 46 head-to-head games throughout 2007, 2008 and so far in 2009, the run total for both teams against each other is as follows: Phillies, 206 runs; Mets, 207 runs. Wow.
With a four-game series coming up between the Phils and Mets in New York, it seems like the stakes might be awfully low this time around. After all, the Phils lead the Mets by 14.5 games and there are two teams sandwiched right in the middle of them in the standings (the Marlins and Braves).
But don’t think for a minute that the Mets don’t want these games badly. This time the Phils will be playing for October and the Mets will be playing for pride.
Long before 2006 and the neck-and-neck division lead battles, the teams still managed to battle hard with tons of memorable games. In fact, since the 2000 season (including thus far in 2009) here is a breakdown of the team’s head-to-head rivalry: the Phils have won 88 games; the Mets have won 84. Only four games separate them in an entire decade!
To illustrate further, let’s break down the total runs scored in those games. The Phils have put 812 on the board while the Mets have put up 804. Eight measly runs separate them in 170 games!
As a way of comparison, let’s look at how the MLB’s “best rivalry” -- the Yankees and Red Sox -- have fared against each other in that same time frame (since 2000, which includes two postseason series against each other).
The Yankees have also outscored Boston by a mere eight runs in all of that time, but the win-loss record is a bit more lopsided. The Bronx Bombers have won 99 to the Red Sox’s 89 victories, a difference of ten games.
I realize nobody will forget the classic back-to-back seven game ALCS series between those two clubs in 2003 and 2004, but the numbers this decade actually suggest that the Phillies and Mets have been a little closer overall in their recent rivalry.
Hopefully, they will translate into another memorable series over the next four days.
Read more!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Who The *%#@ Is Sullivan?
Maybe I'm a bad writer, or a crappy fan, but I'm running out of things to say about the New York Mets. This season doesn't hold much promise for the post season, but at the same time, they're playing well enough that you can't completely and confidently count them out yet. The front office didn't make any moves by the deadline which to me says, they're not thinking about this year anymore and they'll wait till the off season to see where their current team stands before making moves. And I think I'm OK with that.
I apologize for the title of this post, but this was a text message I sent to my father today. He so kindly responded by telling me that Sullivan has been around for about a week and he believes they brought him up from the minors. Now I haven't been watching religiously lately, because I think I'll have a heart attack if I do, but I've been watching enough that you'd think I would have heard about this. And if not during a game, I watch Sports Center every night and morning, so surely I would have heard about this then right?
Nope. So I decided to look him up. After four seasons in Colorado, Cory Sullivan joined the Mets organization and until Fernando Nieve went on the disabled list, he was playing in Buffalo on the Mets Triple-A team. In his 11 games with Mets he's batting .267. I know I was mocking him before, but now I'm slightly surprised I hadn't heard of him. He's not an all-star but he seems to be solid enough.
As much as I love the Mets and am glad they haven't rolled over, even though it seems like a lost cause, there is a part of me that wishes they would. For the past few seasons, they've strung us along, played with our hearts and then blown it. As much as it seems like it's over, part of me still thinks they're going to make a run and get close (at least to the Wild Card). Maybe that's the crazy fan in me that can't give up, but I honestly think it's a possibility.
Am I crazy? Probably. But at least I now know who the *%@# Sullivan is. Read more!
I apologize for the title of this post, but this was a text message I sent to my father today. He so kindly responded by telling me that Sullivan has been around for about a week and he believes they brought him up from the minors. Now I haven't been watching religiously lately, because I think I'll have a heart attack if I do, but I've been watching enough that you'd think I would have heard about this. And if not during a game, I watch Sports Center every night and morning, so surely I would have heard about this then right?
Nope. So I decided to look him up. After four seasons in Colorado, Cory Sullivan joined the Mets organization and until Fernando Nieve went on the disabled list, he was playing in Buffalo on the Mets Triple-A team. In his 11 games with Mets he's batting .267. I know I was mocking him before, but now I'm slightly surprised I hadn't heard of him. He's not an all-star but he seems to be solid enough.
As much as I love the Mets and am glad they haven't rolled over, even though it seems like a lost cause, there is a part of me that wishes they would. For the past few seasons, they've strung us along, played with our hearts and then blown it. As much as it seems like it's over, part of me still thinks they're going to make a run and get close (at least to the Wild Card). Maybe that's the crazy fan in me that can't give up, but I honestly think it's a possibility.
Am I crazy? Probably. But at least I now know who the *%@# Sullivan is. Read more!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
How many sides to one story can there be?
Not that this is new for me when it comes to the Mets, but I'm confused. I like to think of myself as someone who stays on top of the latest information - but am I the only one who didn't know the Mets were in talks with the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay? According to a July, 20 2009 Daily News article, SI.com reported that the Jays offered the Mets Halladay for Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Ruben Tejada and Jon Niese.
Why wouldn't Omar Minaya strongly consider that deal? Even if the GM considered this year a lost cause, which I'm not sure they do yet, Halladay could fully contribute to next season as well. With the team that was assembled in preparation for the 2009 season, there's no telling where the Mets would be in the standings if everyone stayed healthy. I'd even go so far as to say they'd still be a definite contender.
Of all the episodes of Baseball Tonight and Sports Center I've watched on ESPN over the past few weeks, not once have I heard mention of the Mets in the conversation with Halladay. I know they have a lot of needs right now, the most important probably being a bat, but what could it hurt to add, quite possibly, the best pitcher in the majors?
And as awful as people have deemed the Mets Farm System, it doesn't seem as far gone as we're to believe. For some specifics, check out Eddie D'Anna's article on SIlive.com.
Since Minaya has been around, he has made some interesting moves. Some have worked out, others haven't - and like I've said before, it's hard to know how much blame you can place on the GM and manager when it seems that the talent just may not be there. But what's the case against Halladay? Or making any move right now? I'm not sold either way, but I'd love for him to come out and tell us something. His cryptic quotes are getting a little old. I'd like his side, but in understandable, logical terms. Read more!
Why wouldn't Omar Minaya strongly consider that deal? Even if the GM considered this year a lost cause, which I'm not sure they do yet, Halladay could fully contribute to next season as well. With the team that was assembled in preparation for the 2009 season, there's no telling where the Mets would be in the standings if everyone stayed healthy. I'd even go so far as to say they'd still be a definite contender.
Of all the episodes of Baseball Tonight and Sports Center I've watched on ESPN over the past few weeks, not once have I heard mention of the Mets in the conversation with Halladay. I know they have a lot of needs right now, the most important probably being a bat, but what could it hurt to add, quite possibly, the best pitcher in the majors?
And as awful as people have deemed the Mets Farm System, it doesn't seem as far gone as we're to believe. For some specifics, check out Eddie D'Anna's article on SIlive.com.
Since Minaya has been around, he has made some interesting moves. Some have worked out, others haven't - and like I've said before, it's hard to know how much blame you can place on the GM and manager when it seems that the talent just may not be there. But what's the case against Halladay? Or making any move right now? I'm not sold either way, but I'd love for him to come out and tell us something. His cryptic quotes are getting a little old. I'd like his side, but in understandable, logical terms. Read more!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Perception as reality
Not having watched the show I can’t vouch for the validity of this, but based upon a huge number of Twitter mentions, it would appear that comedian Jimmy Fallon’s monologue Monday night included this quip: Tomorrow is the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Or as the Mets like to call it, "vacation."
By the sheer volume of redistribution of this little pearl of wisdom, one might think this was the greatest comedic utterance since Costello first asked “Who’s on first?” But in truth, the line’s about as funny as it is accurate. Of the 29 MLB teams, 13 rosters didn’t hold a single player voted as an All-Star. And, of the remaining 16, only one - the Phillies - had more players (5) invited to the season’s halftime show than the Mets (4).
I’m not about to indict the misguided Fallon for assault with a foolish tongue. The fact of the matter is, if you’re perceived as a joke, you are a joke, and so far this year the Mets might as well be wearing joker’s hats instead of baseball caps. Player lowlights don’t just end up on local news, they grace the entire world online and live there in perpetuity. Just as HD television takes note of every minor skin flaw your favorite reality star is sporting, the internet makes every major flaw of your favorite sports star a broadband reality and the potential butt of any joke, late night or otherwise.
If the Mets are going to allow themselves to be defined by their troubles - walk off errors, base running blunders, bat anemia, and an inability to portray that you actually do understand all the rules of the game (just to name a few) - then they’ve created the true playing field that the rest of the world judges them on. By not rectifying their problems on the field they’ve allowed perception to become reality. Today’s reality is that the Mets put up a comedic first half. It’s up to the players to change the perception by providing a new, improved reality, no matter who within their system might be playing at any time on any given day.
Management is another perceived joke that has seemed to be laughed at more and more since Omar Minaya’s plane touched down on the west coast and Willie was sent packing back east. However well he may believe he break danced around any criticism about how that particular situation was handled, Minaya’s personal presentation in the year since has invited the perception that he is a bit of a stammering joke. Through all the team troubles, Minaya has appeared to be incapable of displaying himself as forthright and fully educated. Through injuries he’s appeared unaware of status or expected treatment, and through player moves he’s appeared less than honest and, frankly, ignorant. Most importantly, through a period when the need for any type of field and plate relief would appear to be a no-brainer, he’s stuck his neck out just enough to bury his head in the sand while the inadequacy of the farm team he's responsible for is beginning to ring clear. While Jerry Manuel’s mantra could be categorized as “don’t give up,” perception is that, for at least this season, Minaya already has. For a team to which he’s devoted the second highest total salary in the major leagues, that might be considered the very biggest joke of all. That is except for the All-Star game itself, which is arguably in a league of its own.
For all you twitterati who might be interested, feel free to follow my ongoing musings at twitter.com/MikeVooss
Read more!
By the sheer volume of redistribution of this little pearl of wisdom, one might think this was the greatest comedic utterance since Costello first asked “Who’s on first?” But in truth, the line’s about as funny as it is accurate. Of the 29 MLB teams, 13 rosters didn’t hold a single player voted as an All-Star. And, of the remaining 16, only one - the Phillies - had more players (5) invited to the season’s halftime show than the Mets (4).
I’m not about to indict the misguided Fallon for assault with a foolish tongue. The fact of the matter is, if you’re perceived as a joke, you are a joke, and so far this year the Mets might as well be wearing joker’s hats instead of baseball caps. Player lowlights don’t just end up on local news, they grace the entire world online and live there in perpetuity. Just as HD television takes note of every minor skin flaw your favorite reality star is sporting, the internet makes every major flaw of your favorite sports star a broadband reality and the potential butt of any joke, late night or otherwise.
If the Mets are going to allow themselves to be defined by their troubles - walk off errors, base running blunders, bat anemia, and an inability to portray that you actually do understand all the rules of the game (just to name a few) - then they’ve created the true playing field that the rest of the world judges them on. By not rectifying their problems on the field they’ve allowed perception to become reality. Today’s reality is that the Mets put up a comedic first half. It’s up to the players to change the perception by providing a new, improved reality, no matter who within their system might be playing at any time on any given day.
Management is another perceived joke that has seemed to be laughed at more and more since Omar Minaya’s plane touched down on the west coast and Willie was sent packing back east. However well he may believe he break danced around any criticism about how that particular situation was handled, Minaya’s personal presentation in the year since has invited the perception that he is a bit of a stammering joke. Through all the team troubles, Minaya has appeared to be incapable of displaying himself as forthright and fully educated. Through injuries he’s appeared unaware of status or expected treatment, and through player moves he’s appeared less than honest and, frankly, ignorant. Most importantly, through a period when the need for any type of field and plate relief would appear to be a no-brainer, he’s stuck his neck out just enough to bury his head in the sand while the inadequacy of the farm team he's responsible for is beginning to ring clear. While Jerry Manuel’s mantra could be categorized as “don’t give up,” perception is that, for at least this season, Minaya already has. For a team to which he’s devoted the second highest total salary in the major leagues, that might be considered the very biggest joke of all. That is except for the All-Star game itself, which is arguably in a league of its own.
For all you twitterati who might be interested, feel free to follow my ongoing musings at twitter.com/MikeVooss
Read more!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Moment of Silence
I have been putting off writing my weekly post all morning because truthfully, I don't even know what to say anymore about these Mets. They get harder and harder to watch with every passing game so I have really been adhering to my self-imposed media blackout for the past week. If they win, well, it's a nice surprise. If they lose, well, at least I didn't waste my time and energy only to be disappointed. This is a terrible way to exist but I'm not sure what else to do at this point in the season.
This past weekend's sweep by the Phillies was a complete and utter disaster of anemic hitting, atrocious fielding and general malaise. The team might as well have just not shown up at all and forfeited. I know, the injuries, blah, blah, blah. I'm so tired of hearing about the injuries. No one expects the Mets to be playing like a championship caliber team right now but they aren't even treading water. This series with the Dodgers is pretty much over before it even begins. Sorry, call me a pessimist, but at this point, not only is the glass half empty, it's cracked and my lips are bleeding profusely.
The All-Star break could not come quickly enough - just so that Mets fans get a reprieve from the daily torture of this team. At this point, it is hard to believe that they can overcome the physical and psychological damage this season has wrought. As of now, the only player that looks to be coming back from the disabled list remotely soon is Angel Pagan, and given his injury history, I'll believe that when I see it. There's no hard dates set for Reyes, Beltran, Maine or Putz. And as for Delgado, I have my doubts whether he will ever wear a Mets uniform again. If and when these players do return, it is not going to be an immediate return to all-star form for anyone. After being out for so long, it's going to take some time to shake off the rust and get going.
As for adding player(s) before the deadline, no addition great or small is going to make enough of an impact to outweigh the loss of so many key regulars. The Mets farm system is in shambles as it is. Why give up future talent to try to patch an irreparable situation with a soon-to-be free-agent rental? No Mets fan wants another Zambrano for Kazmir debacle.
As frustrating as losing is, Mets fans have to sit tight and try to ride this one out. This 2009 season does not look promising but all we can really do is wait and see how it unfolds. With the exception for the Dodgers, the NL is mired in mediocrity right now. If it stays that way, the teams that get hot towards the end will be the ones playing in October. Hopefully, after a miserable first half and the collapses of '07 and '08, maybe the Mets will get some good karma sent their way for September and October. For now, though, at 4.5 games in back of Philly and 3 under .500, I'll hang my head in a moment of silence.
Read more!
This past weekend's sweep by the Phillies was a complete and utter disaster of anemic hitting, atrocious fielding and general malaise. The team might as well have just not shown up at all and forfeited. I know, the injuries, blah, blah, blah. I'm so tired of hearing about the injuries. No one expects the Mets to be playing like a championship caliber team right now but they aren't even treading water. This series with the Dodgers is pretty much over before it even begins. Sorry, call me a pessimist, but at this point, not only is the glass half empty, it's cracked and my lips are bleeding profusely.
The All-Star break could not come quickly enough - just so that Mets fans get a reprieve from the daily torture of this team. At this point, it is hard to believe that they can overcome the physical and psychological damage this season has wrought. As of now, the only player that looks to be coming back from the disabled list remotely soon is Angel Pagan, and given his injury history, I'll believe that when I see it. There's no hard dates set for Reyes, Beltran, Maine or Putz. And as for Delgado, I have my doubts whether he will ever wear a Mets uniform again. If and when these players do return, it is not going to be an immediate return to all-star form for anyone. After being out for so long, it's going to take some time to shake off the rust and get going.
As for adding player(s) before the deadline, no addition great or small is going to make enough of an impact to outweigh the loss of so many key regulars. The Mets farm system is in shambles as it is. Why give up future talent to try to patch an irreparable situation with a soon-to-be free-agent rental? No Mets fan wants another Zambrano for Kazmir debacle.
As frustrating as losing is, Mets fans have to sit tight and try to ride this one out. This 2009 season does not look promising but all we can really do is wait and see how it unfolds. With the exception for the Dodgers, the NL is mired in mediocrity right now. If it stays that way, the teams that get hot towards the end will be the ones playing in October. Hopefully, after a miserable first half and the collapses of '07 and '08, maybe the Mets will get some good karma sent their way for September and October. For now, though, at 4.5 games in back of Philly and 3 under .500, I'll hang my head in a moment of silence.
Read more!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Read 'Em and Sweep
By Chris Pollay
At the start of the weekend, four teams found themselves bottlenecked together atop the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins were tied for first with the New York Mets only one game back and the Atlanta Braves a mere two-and-a-half back.
When the smoke cleared at the end of Sunday afternoon, it was the Phillies who remained at the top with a one game lead over the Marlins and a four-game lead over the Braves and Mets.
Here are some of my observations following another wild showdown against the Phils and the Mets in the competitive NL East:
• The Mets held a 4-3 record against Philadelphia for the season going into the weekend (they also won four of the first five games in 2009). After Philly swiftly swept the series, however, the Liberty Bell Bombers now lead the rivalry this season by a 6-4 margin including five straight wins.
• The Phillies started the weekend leading the National League in numerous offensive categories, including: first in runs scored (394); first in home runs (107); first in slugging percentage (.444); first in OPS (.778); and first in total bases (1,173), yet they were barely treading over .500 with a 39-37 record. They can blame the inconsistency mostly on bad pitching as the ballclub was also ranked 15th in the National League in giving up earned runs, and 16th in hits and home runs allowed. In fact, the team had given up at least five runs in 14 of their last 18 games before they hosted the Mets on Friday. During the three-game series, however, Philly only gave up three runs overall to New York and emerged with a much more respectable 42-37 record.
• Philadelphia dominated a one-sided series in which they never trailed (or needed to bat in the 9th, for that matter). They outscored the Mets 13 to 3, outhit them 23 to 18 and didn't make an error. The Mets committed two. New York batted a collective .196 (18 of 92) and the Phils were .261 (23 of 88) as a team.
• The trio of starting pitchers for the Phils (Rodrigo Lopez, Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton) boasted an ERA of 1.35 in 20 innings. Even more notable, the club's bullpen had a cumulative ERA of 0.00. Not a single run was scored by the Mets in the 8th or 9th innings.
• Philadelphia exploded out of the gate strong and scored in the first inning of EVERY game setting the tone in the series. They were clearly hungrier and more focussed.
• Philly had accrued a distressful 13-22 home record before the series started. Now, it’s still less-than-stellar at 16-22, but the home sweep is definitely a promising sign.
• Jimmy Rollins proved once again to be a pesky thorn in the Mets' collective back sides. After struggling all season long, his bat seems to be heating up at just the right time. This weekend, he connected on five of eleven (.455) from the leadoff spot with three walks and a home run. He also scored twice and tallied five RBIs. By all accounts, he was the MVP of the weekend series.
• Chase Utley and Shane Victorino also came up clutch for the Phils. Utley batted .333 (3 for 9) with one homer, three RBIs and two runs. The Flying Hawaiian was hotter than Spam Musubi batting .429 (6 for 14) and scoring three runs with one RBI. The top of Philadelphia's lineup was absolutely devastating in the series.
• The Phillies showed much more patience in the batter's box, which is a large reason why they swept. They did strike out 15 times, but they also drew 14 walks. Meanwhile, the Mets only walked six times and whiffed 20 times.
For now, it appears the Phils are stabilizing and the Mets continue to be embroiled in turmoil (not to mention injuries). It will be interesting to see where the two teams sit in the standings when they play their next series in late August. The Mets will host four straight games.
The two teams face off against each other eight more times in the regular season.
Read more!
At the start of the weekend, four teams found themselves bottlenecked together atop the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins were tied for first with the New York Mets only one game back and the Atlanta Braves a mere two-and-a-half back.
When the smoke cleared at the end of Sunday afternoon, it was the Phillies who remained at the top with a one game lead over the Marlins and a four-game lead over the Braves and Mets.
Here are some of my observations following another wild showdown against the Phils and the Mets in the competitive NL East:
• The Mets held a 4-3 record against Philadelphia for the season going into the weekend (they also won four of the first five games in 2009). After Philly swiftly swept the series, however, the Liberty Bell Bombers now lead the rivalry this season by a 6-4 margin including five straight wins.
• The Phillies started the weekend leading the National League in numerous offensive categories, including: first in runs scored (394); first in home runs (107); first in slugging percentage (.444); first in OPS (.778); and first in total bases (1,173), yet they were barely treading over .500 with a 39-37 record. They can blame the inconsistency mostly on bad pitching as the ballclub was also ranked 15th in the National League in giving up earned runs, and 16th in hits and home runs allowed. In fact, the team had given up at least five runs in 14 of their last 18 games before they hosted the Mets on Friday. During the three-game series, however, Philly only gave up three runs overall to New York and emerged with a much more respectable 42-37 record.
• Philadelphia dominated a one-sided series in which they never trailed (or needed to bat in the 9th, for that matter). They outscored the Mets 13 to 3, outhit them 23 to 18 and didn't make an error. The Mets committed two. New York batted a collective .196 (18 of 92) and the Phils were .261 (23 of 88) as a team.
• The trio of starting pitchers for the Phils (Rodrigo Lopez, Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton) boasted an ERA of 1.35 in 20 innings. Even more notable, the club's bullpen had a cumulative ERA of 0.00. Not a single run was scored by the Mets in the 8th or 9th innings.
• Philadelphia exploded out of the gate strong and scored in the first inning of EVERY game setting the tone in the series. They were clearly hungrier and more focussed.
• Philly had accrued a distressful 13-22 home record before the series started. Now, it’s still less-than-stellar at 16-22, but the home sweep is definitely a promising sign.
• Jimmy Rollins proved once again to be a pesky thorn in the Mets' collective back sides. After struggling all season long, his bat seems to be heating up at just the right time. This weekend, he connected on five of eleven (.455) from the leadoff spot with three walks and a home run. He also scored twice and tallied five RBIs. By all accounts, he was the MVP of the weekend series.
• Chase Utley and Shane Victorino also came up clutch for the Phils. Utley batted .333 (3 for 9) with one homer, three RBIs and two runs. The Flying Hawaiian was hotter than Spam Musubi batting .429 (6 for 14) and scoring three runs with one RBI. The top of Philadelphia's lineup was absolutely devastating in the series.
• The Phillies showed much more patience in the batter's box, which is a large reason why they swept. They did strike out 15 times, but they also drew 14 walks. Meanwhile, the Mets only walked six times and whiffed 20 times.
For now, it appears the Phils are stabilizing and the Mets continue to be embroiled in turmoil (not to mention injuries). It will be interesting to see where the two teams sit in the standings when they play their next series in late August. The Mets will host four straight games.
The two teams face off against each other eight more times in the regular season.
Read more!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Don't Count Them Out Yet
The Mets may have lost the weekend series against the Phillies, but I wouldn't write them off just yet. There are a few positive things to consider when thinking about the state of the Mets. With roughly half of the season left to play, they have more than enough time to catch up. We are near the halfway point in the season and many people are starting to have doubts about the Mets' playoff chances. While they have struggled, I don't think this is a time to worry. We must consider a couple of points before bidding the Mets a farewell. First, despite the record that is under .500, the Mets are only 4 games out of first place. Second, sure they have a lot of injuries, but a considerable portion of those players will return after the all star break. Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, John Maine, and Oliver Perez will be returning for duty. This will relieve the Mets of some of their struggles, particularly in the lineup and on the field. Simply having Reyes back will shake up the lineup severely because of his speed and Beltran can bring back some power. One of the problems they've experienced has come on defense, and these two players should help restore some consistency. In addition, it's too early to call it quits because they will also be getting most, if not all, of the remaining players on the DL back. This will happen by september, a crucial time during the season. These are all proven players who can help the Mets get back on a winning pace. Look for the Mets to make a push in the second half of the season and give the Phillies and Marlins a run for their money.
Read more!
It's not you, it's me ...
I think I need a break. I know it has been 27 years, and we've had our ups and downs, but I really think we should take some time to re-evaluate what we want, and maybe even see other people. I don't know how much more I can take. I've been strung along for years. Kept on edge till the very end, then dropped like a sack of potatoes. And even though there are still the occasional butterflies and excitement, I'm just so tired of being let down and feeling ashamed. I feel like the guy in high school who was in love with the chubby girl but was too ashamed to let anyone find out.
The Mets have been my life-long love. And, although they've made me furious in the past, I've never wanted to give up on them so badly; yet, I feel guilty about it. It isn't even the All-Star break yet and they're only four games out of first. With all of their injuries and their lack of quality replacements - that's really not bad at all. I know that logically, but I'm so tired of the bone-head plays, lousy hitting and all around lackluster play.
And with all of that said, they have FOUR All-Stars. FOUR! Is anyone else baffled by this? I know Wright is our star, and he's batting .326 which is extremely respectable, but he infuriates me right now. Grounding into double plays, popping out on the first pitch he sees and striking out way too much. He doesn't hit enough home-runs anymore for me to accept the amount of times he strikes out. I saw in Citizen's Bank Park on Friday night and compared the Mets batting averages with the Phillies. Not much of a difference there, but the power was completely lopsided and as much as it kills me to say this, so was the heart.
But, I think the thing that frustrates me the most right now, is that with all of their injuries, the only person they've said anything about coming back is Oliver Perez. Yeah, the starting pitching isn't great, but is he going to make that much of a difference? Maybe his injury was the problem, and he'll be a stud. But even if he is a stud, will it really matter? What good is a solid outing if they can't back it up?
Maybe this break will do both of us some good. Because I lied. It is you. Read more!
The Mets have been my life-long love. And, although they've made me furious in the past, I've never wanted to give up on them so badly; yet, I feel guilty about it. It isn't even the All-Star break yet and they're only four games out of first. With all of their injuries and their lack of quality replacements - that's really not bad at all. I know that logically, but I'm so tired of the bone-head plays, lousy hitting and all around lackluster play.
And with all of that said, they have FOUR All-Stars. FOUR! Is anyone else baffled by this? I know Wright is our star, and he's batting .326 which is extremely respectable, but he infuriates me right now. Grounding into double plays, popping out on the first pitch he sees and striking out way too much. He doesn't hit enough home-runs anymore for me to accept the amount of times he strikes out. I saw in Citizen's Bank Park on Friday night and compared the Mets batting averages with the Phillies. Not much of a difference there, but the power was completely lopsided and as much as it kills me to say this, so was the heart.
But, I think the thing that frustrates me the most right now, is that with all of their injuries, the only person they've said anything about coming back is Oliver Perez. Yeah, the starting pitching isn't great, but is he going to make that much of a difference? Maybe his injury was the problem, and he'll be a stud. But even if he is a stud, will it really matter? What good is a solid outing if they can't back it up?
Maybe this break will do both of us some good. Because I lied. It is you. Read more!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Brotherhood of Chlorophyll Facials
By now you know the story of last night’s installment of “The 9 Stooges Play Baseball.” The abundance of lowlight reel additions during the 4th inning alone would be enough to give any fan reason to pull out their hair longer than Fernando Martinez will be pulling grass from his teeth after his inability to put one cleat in front of the other. How appropriately symbolic for an entire club that’s fallen flat on its face all over the field.
For weeks, the cry in Queens has been centered around the abundance of injuries this team has had to overcome, but in reviewing the gaffes that have really cost games, it’s largely been a bunch of veterans who have been to blame: Church (missing 3rd base), Castillo (4-legged base running and the pop up), K-Rod (Mariano’s walk), Santana (Yankees meltdown and overthrowing Wright yesterday), and let’s not forget the manager (among others, how do you even throw one pitch to Jeter with the pitcher due up?). That, in itself, counts 6 game changers. Think about what reversing even just half of them would mean to the standings right now.
It’s one thing to be bruised, it’s another to offer yourself for tattooing. Bruises heal, the impression of a tattoo lasts forever no matter what you do to remove it. 2007 and 2008 have left their mark, and this 2009 team has already tattooed itself, with the remaining veterans being the ones spilling the ink and creating this brotherhood’s legacy. Sure, players of every age have caused oodles of other errors, miscues, and mental hernias that have contributed to too many losing efforts, but this is precisely the time when veterans need to take the reins and bully the team through its hardships. Not in the dugout, not in the clubhouse, not in the media. On the field. The only place it actually counts is on the field, measured by how many times you cross the plate (although judging by the LOBs you’d believe someone thinks you get a few bonus points for the other 3 bases).
That said, all the leading by example can’t make a fundamentally flawed team sprout fundamentals. Even in its best incarnation, before being decimated by medical issues, this had not appeared to be a team that would dominate. If they’re going to be serious about making a run for the NL East or Wild Card this season, the Mets need a cavalry greater than what they may have returning "sometime after the All Star break." I’m not for selling the future haphazardly, but the core of this team needs to be denser. If they want seats in the post season that don’t come from StubHub, Omar Minaya can’t afford to let this team drown in preventable losses and Jerry needs to do more than preside over 28 minute hugfests.
The bugles need to sound soon, or when they finally do they may be playing taps.
Read more!
For weeks, the cry in Queens has been centered around the abundance of injuries this team has had to overcome, but in reviewing the gaffes that have really cost games, it’s largely been a bunch of veterans who have been to blame: Church (missing 3rd base), Castillo (4-legged base running and the pop up), K-Rod (Mariano’s walk), Santana (Yankees meltdown and overthrowing Wright yesterday), and let’s not forget the manager (among others, how do you even throw one pitch to Jeter with the pitcher due up?). That, in itself, counts 6 game changers. Think about what reversing even just half of them would mean to the standings right now.
It’s one thing to be bruised, it’s another to offer yourself for tattooing. Bruises heal, the impression of a tattoo lasts forever no matter what you do to remove it. 2007 and 2008 have left their mark, and this 2009 team has already tattooed itself, with the remaining veterans being the ones spilling the ink and creating this brotherhood’s legacy. Sure, players of every age have caused oodles of other errors, miscues, and mental hernias that have contributed to too many losing efforts, but this is precisely the time when veterans need to take the reins and bully the team through its hardships. Not in the dugout, not in the clubhouse, not in the media. On the field. The only place it actually counts is on the field, measured by how many times you cross the plate (although judging by the LOBs you’d believe someone thinks you get a few bonus points for the other 3 bases).
That said, all the leading by example can’t make a fundamentally flawed team sprout fundamentals. Even in its best incarnation, before being decimated by medical issues, this had not appeared to be a team that would dominate. If they’re going to be serious about making a run for the NL East or Wild Card this season, the Mets need a cavalry greater than what they may have returning "sometime after the All Star break." I’m not for selling the future haphazardly, but the core of this team needs to be denser. If they want seats in the post season that don’t come from StubHub, Omar Minaya can’t afford to let this team drown in preventable losses and Jerry needs to do more than preside over 28 minute hugfests.
The bugles need to sound soon, or when they finally do they may be playing taps.
Read more!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2009 Survival Guide for Mets Fans
Mets fans are a passionate bunch who are incredibly resilient and loyal to a fault. For the most part, we take the phrase "Ya Gotta Believe" to heart. But is there ever a time when you need to detach from the chaos to save your sanity? For the 2009 season, that time might be right now.
The Mets are finishing up June with a 9 and 17 record for the month. Now granted, with the ridiculous amount of injuries that have befallen them, the under .500 record is understandable. You can even argue that earlier in the month there were quite a few games that they should have won if they had managed to play error-free, solid fundamental baseball. As the month has progressed, however, you can’t even remotely say that. A bleak situation has turned even bleaker with the loss of Carlos Beltran. When news of this first broke last week I was pleasantly surprised to see the team rally and take 3 of 4 from the Cardinals. But losing this bat combined with the Triple A line-up of replacements, bad bullpen work, circus-like mental mistakes and a general lack of hustle, is too much to overcome.
All of this became painfully evident over this weekend’s series against the hated Yankees and it started in the first inning of Friday night’s game. I generally hate interleague play - especially the Yankee series because even though games within our own division mean more with regard to the standings, losing to the Yankees is pretty much unbearable. It is like salt in the wound in a city where your team and its fans are second class citizens. Granted, for the past few years the Subway Series has been pretty evenly matched, but the fact that we lost the World Series to the Yankees in 2000 (thanks, Armando!) was the ultimate blow and I am scarred for life by it. It was after that World Series that I learned how to save my sanity by resorting to a SIMB. Now, you may ask yourself, what is a SIMB? A SIMB, my friends, is a sanity saving tool for any fans of losing sports franchises. It is a Self-Imposed Media Blackout.
I am a die-hard Mets fan. I will always root for them and always support them, but every once in a while it is necessary for me to tune them out and sort of pretend they don’t exist. For example, while most Mets fans were in agony during the Art Howe years, I simply tuned most of it out. Much more pleasant than getting upset over a situation you can’t control.
After the collapse in 2007, I was forgiving enough to believe in them for the start of the 2008 season. When that got off to a ridiculously slow start with the Willie Randolph debacle, I again resorted to short-lived SIMB. Before I could bring myself to believe in them, they had to give me some reason to believe. And then true to form, they did give me a reason to believe in July and August. Of course, in September, they once again kicked me in the shins, but hey, as Mets fans, we have come to expect the worst and we usually get it!
Now, in 2009 with the new ballpark and a much improved bullpen, I once again gave the team the benefit of the doubt and had faith that they would redeem themselves for the past two black Septembers. I have been very patient all through this June swoon because of all of the injuries, but at this point I just can’t stomach what I have been seeing the past few games to continue watching. It is like a comedy of errors. Not only do they not hit, they also do not pitch. And the lack of hustle and the lethargic, sloppy play are just too much for me to take. So I won’t. I’m tired of all of it. Tired of the losing. Tired of the ineptness. Tired of hearing about the injuries. Tired of Jerry Manuel talking about treading water (inexcusable). Would Bobby Valentine be happy with treading water? Hey Jerry, how about losing the Zen and lighting a fire? I have news for you, Mahatma Manager, Omar can trade for whoever is available but one or two deadline acquisitions are not enough to help this team if Beltran is out for the season.
So at this point, if the Mets don’t show up for games, why should I? SIMB, baby! I will watch and listen from a distance and detach myself emotionally. Hopefully, they’ll surprise me like they usually do and turn things around once a few of the walking wounded return from the salt mines. But until then, I’ll let the games play out in the background and watch from afar. Sometimes good things happen when you least expect them but if they don’t, at least the disappointment will be over long before the last day of the season.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Goodbye June Swoon, Hello July Revive
By Chris Pollay
It has been a painful month for Phillies’ fans, to be sure. Calling it a June Swoon is too kind. It’s more like a Friggin’ Free Fall.
After starting the month on a 4-0 tear, Philadelphia proceeded to lose 14 of their next 19 games as opponents treated the pitching staff’s fastballs like oversized piñatas. With one more game left to play this month, Philly has posted an overall June record of 11-14. Even if they win tomorrow, they will still end up with a cumulative losing record for the entire month.
That’s no reason to sound the alarm just yet, but the Phils do need to shut off the snooze button.
Despite recent evidence to the contrary, the Phillies have been irrefutably consistent for a long time now. During 2008 and 2009, the ballclub played ten months of regular season and post-season baseball and accumulated winning records during eight of them*.
Both exceptions occurred in June. That just can’t be coincidence.
(*If you are a stickler for details, Philadelphia did technically have a losing record in another month in 2008 when they opened their season one day prior to April. Thus, they ended up 0-1 for March.)
It’s hard not to believe the team is a victim to the infamous June Swoon that so often plagues Major League Baseball franchises. However, statistical evidence of last year also suggests the Phils may have a July Revive coming up now.
The Phils have posted 15-10 records in July during the previous two baseball seasons. So, here’s hoping they can win 60% of their games this July, as well.
Take a look at the breakdown of the team’s month-by-month win-loss records for the past two seasons:
April 2009: 11-9
May 2009: 17-11
June 2009: 11-14 (With one game still to play.)
**********
March 2008: 0-1
April 2008: 15-12
May 2008: 17-12
June 2008: 12-14
July 2008: 15-10
Aug. 2008: 16-13
Sept. 2008: 17-8
Oct. 2008: 11-3 (Postseason)
What stands out to me is how similar the records are month by month. The Phils were three games over .500 in April of 2008 and two games over .500 this April.
In May, the team won the same number of games in 2008 as it did in 2009, suffering only one more loss last season.
In recent history, June has proven undeniably bad, of course, but if last July, August and September are any indication of how the team plays late in the year, Philadelphia should inevitably revert to their winning ways shortly. (They certainly seem to get hungrier in the second half of the season.)
Manager Charlie Manuel’s recent closed-door meeting on Friday may have provided the spark that will light a midsummer fire underneath the ballclub.
Interestingly enough, there is a positive by-product to all of the losing of late. The Phillies have learned that the division race is theirs to win or lose.
The last time the Phils took over first place in the NL East was on May 30th. They have remained in that spot throughout the entirety of June despite trying to sabotage that lead in every conceivable way.
Of course, a large reason for this is that the Mets have solemnly swooned their way through June as well, posting an even worse 9-16 record leading up to today. Read more!
It has been a painful month for Phillies’ fans, to be sure. Calling it a June Swoon is too kind. It’s more like a Friggin’ Free Fall.
After starting the month on a 4-0 tear, Philadelphia proceeded to lose 14 of their next 19 games as opponents treated the pitching staff’s fastballs like oversized piñatas. With one more game left to play this month, Philly has posted an overall June record of 11-14. Even if they win tomorrow, they will still end up with a cumulative losing record for the entire month.
That’s no reason to sound the alarm just yet, but the Phils do need to shut off the snooze button.
Despite recent evidence to the contrary, the Phillies have been irrefutably consistent for a long time now. During 2008 and 2009, the ballclub played ten months of regular season and post-season baseball and accumulated winning records during eight of them*.
Both exceptions occurred in June. That just can’t be coincidence.
(*If you are a stickler for details, Philadelphia did technically have a losing record in another month in 2008 when they opened their season one day prior to April. Thus, they ended up 0-1 for March.)
It’s hard not to believe the team is a victim to the infamous June Swoon that so often plagues Major League Baseball franchises. However, statistical evidence of last year also suggests the Phils may have a July Revive coming up now.
The Phils have posted 15-10 records in July during the previous two baseball seasons. So, here’s hoping they can win 60% of their games this July, as well.
Take a look at the breakdown of the team’s month-by-month win-loss records for the past two seasons:
April 2009: 11-9
May 2009: 17-11
June 2009: 11-14 (With one game still to play.)
**********
March 2008: 0-1
April 2008: 15-12
May 2008: 17-12
June 2008: 12-14
July 2008: 15-10
Aug. 2008: 16-13
Sept. 2008: 17-8
Oct. 2008: 11-3 (Postseason)
What stands out to me is how similar the records are month by month. The Phils were three games over .500 in April of 2008 and two games over .500 this April.
In May, the team won the same number of games in 2008 as it did in 2009, suffering only one more loss last season.
In recent history, June has proven undeniably bad, of course, but if last July, August and September are any indication of how the team plays late in the year, Philadelphia should inevitably revert to their winning ways shortly. (They certainly seem to get hungrier in the second half of the season.)
Manager Charlie Manuel’s recent closed-door meeting on Friday may have provided the spark that will light a midsummer fire underneath the ballclub.
Interestingly enough, there is a positive by-product to all of the losing of late. The Phillies have learned that the division race is theirs to win or lose.
The last time the Phils took over first place in the NL East was on May 30th. They have remained in that spot throughout the entirety of June despite trying to sabotage that lead in every conceivable way.
Of course, a large reason for this is that the Mets have solemnly swooned their way through June as well, posting an even worse 9-16 record leading up to today. Read more!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Jerry’s Lemonade Stand
The trauma center known as the Citi Field claimed its latest victim early this week when Carlos Beltran was sidelined with an ongoing deep bone bruise of the knee. With 9 major components of the team on the DL, Jerry Manuel seems to have gotten a free pass for the season. How can you blame the manager for the play of a team that is a shell of what it should be?
A good manager never takes credit for the success of the team, and all the blame for its failures (well, unless it’s Omar’s fault, but that’s another story). In the process, a good manager should also be able to overcome adversity and create winning opportunities. So while the current pandemic in Queens may breed a safe cocoon, I’m thinking that more than ever this is the prime time to be scrutinizing the skipper’s ability to be functionally creative. Before the cavalry comes back to try and clean up whatever mess may happen in the coming weeks, let’s see how Jerry’s able to make lemonade out of lemons.
Fernando Tatis has been batting cleanup the past two days, an experiment Jerry has explained as giving the opportunity to see if he can reclaim some of his spectacular rejuvenation during last season. In the process, Tatis has single-handedly redefined the art of sparking double plays for the opposition. Both days his already scary proclivity for doing so would be even greater had David Wright reached base ahead of him a few more times. Placing a slumping player in a lineup position normally relegated to cartoonish behemoths with questionable hormone levels has to raise the eyebrow of anyone paying attention. Let him rejuvenate, just don't do it there. I don’t doubt Tatis’ heart or the possibility of rekindling the fire in his offense, but this is the major league, not a feel-good Disney movie, and cleanup isn’t the place for batting practice. Mix it up and get Reed or Church in there, with a displayed ability to get hits when they’re in a groove. If you’re going to give someone a chance at redemption, don’t you want them to start with the bigger bat?. If Tatis is going to find his groove, he can find it at 6 or 7 just as easily. Would Cora, Church, Santos and Wright be a less effective front 4 than what’s up now? If Jerry’s going to think out of the box, maybe he needs to think farther out.
There was no way the Mets were going to win against Pineiro yesterday, who had a masterful game. But with Livian Hernandez batting, Jerry called for a very rare hit and run. The questionability of this is overwhelming. That’s not creativity, or working with the tools you have. It’s grasping at straws, but the team that won the night before certainly didn’t look like it required desperate moves. The season still has a lot of time, but it’s past the time when you can afford to give up games carelessly. I realize these examples only spotlight two games worth, but these past 3 months have generated plenty of other possible inclusions.
As engaging and insightful as he can be when describing wins post-game, Jerry has a way of sounding awfully like Willie Randolph when the team loses. The standard lines of “tomorrow’s another day” and “we just have to put this one behind us” have gotten old even before halftime. I’m not about to drink the Kool-Aid that says Jerry can’t win with the team he has, he’s not to blame because of it, and we shouldn’t worry as long as the team that’s playing .333 ball is over .500.
I’m waiting for lemonade.
Read more!
A good manager never takes credit for the success of the team, and all the blame for its failures (well, unless it’s Omar’s fault, but that’s another story). In the process, a good manager should also be able to overcome adversity and create winning opportunities. So while the current pandemic in Queens may breed a safe cocoon, I’m thinking that more than ever this is the prime time to be scrutinizing the skipper’s ability to be functionally creative. Before the cavalry comes back to try and clean up whatever mess may happen in the coming weeks, let’s see how Jerry’s able to make lemonade out of lemons.
Fernando Tatis has been batting cleanup the past two days, an experiment Jerry has explained as giving the opportunity to see if he can reclaim some of his spectacular rejuvenation during last season. In the process, Tatis has single-handedly redefined the art of sparking double plays for the opposition. Both days his already scary proclivity for doing so would be even greater had David Wright reached base ahead of him a few more times. Placing a slumping player in a lineup position normally relegated to cartoonish behemoths with questionable hormone levels has to raise the eyebrow of anyone paying attention. Let him rejuvenate, just don't do it there. I don’t doubt Tatis’ heart or the possibility of rekindling the fire in his offense, but this is the major league, not a feel-good Disney movie, and cleanup isn’t the place for batting practice. Mix it up and get Reed or Church in there, with a displayed ability to get hits when they’re in a groove. If you’re going to give someone a chance at redemption, don’t you want them to start with the bigger bat?. If Tatis is going to find his groove, he can find it at 6 or 7 just as easily. Would Cora, Church, Santos and Wright be a less effective front 4 than what’s up now? If Jerry’s going to think out of the box, maybe he needs to think farther out.
There was no way the Mets were going to win against Pineiro yesterday, who had a masterful game. But with Livian Hernandez batting, Jerry called for a very rare hit and run. The questionability of this is overwhelming. That’s not creativity, or working with the tools you have. It’s grasping at straws, but the team that won the night before certainly didn’t look like it required desperate moves. The season still has a lot of time, but it’s past the time when you can afford to give up games carelessly. I realize these examples only spotlight two games worth, but these past 3 months have generated plenty of other possible inclusions.
As engaging and insightful as he can be when describing wins post-game, Jerry has a way of sounding awfully like Willie Randolph when the team loses. The standard lines of “tomorrow’s another day” and “we just have to put this one behind us” have gotten old even before halftime. I’m not about to drink the Kool-Aid that says Jerry can’t win with the team he has, he’s not to blame because of it, and we shouldn’t worry as long as the team that’s playing .333 ball is over .500.
I’m waiting for lemonade.
Read more!
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Long Ball in the Long Season
by Chris Pollay
Over a third of the long, long baseball season is officially in the books and the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets rest atop the National League East in a tight race. However, neither team is playing remotely well at the moment, and the Phils currently seem to be trying to give up their division lead by losing eight of nine games heading into today. The Mets, however, appear to have no interest in taking it as they have stalled with a 3-8 record in their last eleven games.
On the plus side for the Mets, they have pitched much better than Philadelphia all year. In fact, their team ERA is 4.25 through 67 games. Meanwhile, the Phils have struggled alarmingly with a team average of 4.79 (also through 67 games) and have given up 101 long balls to the opposition.
It’s been much worse of late, too.
When the Phils were recently swept by Toronto, the Blue Jays scored a staggering 23 runs in three games. In the prior series against the Red Sox, Boston tallied in 22 runs, taking two of three. During the first two games in the interleague Baltimore series, the team gave up another 13 runs in two losses. That’s 58 runs in eight games, which averages out to an ERA over 7.0.
Philadelphia’s pitching has been missing a few cylinders, yet despite that, the ballclub still precariously leads somehow. (Fortunately, Cole Hamels showed some positive signs of life by only allowing two earned runs yesterday, but that was only the third time this month the Phils' staff have allowed two or less runs.)
So, how in the world have the Phillies captured the division lead with such a high team ERA?
The reason is simple: they have been able to rely on hitting the long ball quite well themselves. As bad as their arms have been, the bats continue to be off the charts.
True, the Mets have hit for a higher average (Mets: .277 average; Phils: .259 average), but the Phils have unquestionably inflicted more damage per swing.
The Liberty Bell Bombers have a jaw-dropping 98 homers as a team, compared to the Mets hitting only 43.
Raul Ibanez (who will be sorely missed while on the DL) has hammered 22. Ryan Howard has notched 20. Chase Utley has racked up 15. Jayson Werth has knocked out an even dozen. Nobody on the Mets is even in double-digit homer territory through the season’s first 67 games. Read more!
Over a third of the long, long baseball season is officially in the books and the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets rest atop the National League East in a tight race. However, neither team is playing remotely well at the moment, and the Phils currently seem to be trying to give up their division lead by losing eight of nine games heading into today. The Mets, however, appear to have no interest in taking it as they have stalled with a 3-8 record in their last eleven games.
On the plus side for the Mets, they have pitched much better than Philadelphia all year. In fact, their team ERA is 4.25 through 67 games. Meanwhile, the Phils have struggled alarmingly with a team average of 4.79 (also through 67 games) and have given up 101 long balls to the opposition.
It’s been much worse of late, too.
When the Phils were recently swept by Toronto, the Blue Jays scored a staggering 23 runs in three games. In the prior series against the Red Sox, Boston tallied in 22 runs, taking two of three. During the first two games in the interleague Baltimore series, the team gave up another 13 runs in two losses. That’s 58 runs in eight games, which averages out to an ERA over 7.0.
Philadelphia’s pitching has been missing a few cylinders, yet despite that, the ballclub still precariously leads somehow. (Fortunately, Cole Hamels showed some positive signs of life by only allowing two earned runs yesterday, but that was only the third time this month the Phils' staff have allowed two or less runs.)
So, how in the world have the Phillies captured the division lead with such a high team ERA?
The reason is simple: they have been able to rely on hitting the long ball quite well themselves. As bad as their arms have been, the bats continue to be off the charts.
True, the Mets have hit for a higher average (Mets: .277 average; Phils: .259 average), but the Phils have unquestionably inflicted more damage per swing.
The Liberty Bell Bombers have a jaw-dropping 98 homers as a team, compared to the Mets hitting only 43.
Raul Ibanez (who will be sorely missed while on the DL) has hammered 22. Ryan Howard has notched 20. Chase Utley has racked up 15. Jayson Werth has knocked out an even dozen. Nobody on the Mets is even in double-digit homer territory through the season’s first 67 games. Read more!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It really ain't that bad
Although the Mets haven’t lived up to the expectations set for them by Sports Illustrated at the beginning of the season, they certainly have done exactly what die hard fans expected. From Luis Castillo dropping a pop fly to Jose Reyes and his perpetually torn hamstring, true Mets fans expected this.
However, even with the loss of Reyes and slugger Carlos Delgado the Mets offense hasn’t completely laid down. In fact, they are hitting for a monstrous team average behind NL league leader David Wright. The injuries have given playing time to super prospect Fernando Martinez and Gary Sheffield has been an absolute beast thus far.
The bullpen has been steady. The loss of J.J. Putz has hurt a bit, but rookie Bobby Parnell has stepped up in a big way. Even if as a rookie he has to bring a little girls’ backpack stuffed with candy to the bullpen for every game.
The missing ingredient for the Mets is starting pitching. Omar Minaya needs to get a pitcher of at least the caliber of a Brad Penny if the Mets want to go deep into the playoffs. But with the guys on the roster now, there really is not that much need for worry. The return of Reyes alone will erase the three game lead the Phillies currently have. So as long as the infield can catch pop ups, there is no need for alarm. Baseball is a game where Steady Eddie wins the race. Once the Mets have weathered the injury storm they should be fine. Just don’t tell that to us die hard fans. We are convinced the other shoe is going to drop.
Read more!
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