Disclaimer to Mets Fans

Please, please, I beg of you, do not reach for foul balls if you sit in the first couple of rows on the field level. Last night, in the 4th inning, David Wright just missed a foul pop because someone was jumping for the ball, essentially getting in Wright’s way (I can’t blame the little kid there, but someone should pull him away – buy him a jersey for his sacrifice). The ball dropped and the next pitch by El Duque was lined for a 2 run single and the Braves tacked on 5 runs after that play. (My apologies, but I was a little distracted as I was playing with my 2 year old daughter while the game was on, so I had the volume down and I don’t know what the three amigos in the SNY booth were saying about it, or how exactly the inning unraveled from that moment). If Wright could have caught that ball there would have been one out, and Texiera would not have hit a 3 run homer later in the inning when there were two outs.

The Mets probably would have lost anyway, so it’s not that big of a deal. It’s more important that this doesn’t happen in the post season. Look no further than Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS to see what can happen. Mosies Alou can tell you all aout it.

So, please, unless someone on the Mets hits the foul ball, don’t try to catch it, get out of the way. I’ll personally mail you a box of baseballs.

One of Those El Duque Games

El Duque in his first game back with the Mets looked like he should have taken another week off. He had trouble with his control early and it seemed like everyone was able to get a hit off of him. I'm not going to even mention the final score because it's not even worth typing.

El Duque struggled his last time out so I was a little surprised to see him have back to back shaky starts. Some on talk radio and online are already saying this shows that El Duque needs to go to the bullpen if the Mets make the playoffs.

That's ridiculous. If you want to move him to the bullpen in the playoffs because his arm is durable enough to sustain it and he could fix some middle relief problems, that's one thing. But to move him there on account of this start is preposterous. El Duque has way too much playoff experience and fantastic playoff resume to send him to the bullpen for this.

I still feel that El Duque should be the Mets #1 starter in the playoffs. If he pitches in Game 1 there's no question he'd be available for game 4 and even game 6 if he was needed. From his time with the Yankees and White Sox, I am convinced El Duque dials it up a notch come playoff time.

I've been waiting 2 years to see him pitch a playoff game for the Mets. Just don't let him run around in the outfield between now and October.

One More Year for Glavine?

I was surprised to read a story in the New York Post today by Kevin Kernan who writes about Tom Glavine returning for yet another season. He cites Glavine as saying he's having "too much fun" to retire right now.

Wow, what a difference a year makes. This is the same guy who was courting with the Braves after last season?

Hey, if Glavine continues to show that he can pitch well I wouldn't mind having him back for one more year although that might delay the return of Mike Pelfrey and the appearance of Philip Humber for another year. But that might not be a bad thing. Often young pitchers are brought up way too early and fail, so they're tossed aside. Giving Humber & Pelfrey another year of minor league experience with some time in the majors might be a good thing.

But then again Glavine might change his mind if the Mets win a certain few games towards the end of October.

Mets Magic Number = 14

Too bad the Rockies couldn't hold on to their lead last night against the Phillies. As long as the Mets keep wiping days off the calendar, we should be in good shape.

Going for another 5 game winning streak tonight, if the rain holds.

Go Rockies!

Tim Hudson, Cry Baby

Via MetsBlog.com I came across a post and some conversation about Tim Hudson's post-game remarks. Evidently Mr. Hudson was a little perturbed that Oliver Perez picked him off second base last night. Now he wasn't upset with himself, he was upset that Perez broke some unwritten code that pitchers don't pickoff other pitchers.

What?

Hudson has always been a cocky guy and he's had a right to be cocky. He's one of the winningest pitchers this decade, but come on this is little league whining.

By the way, have you compared Hudson's numbers to Oliver Perez's numbers? Hmm, they're looking awfully similar. Yet Hudson is included in every Cy Young conversation. I'm not saying Perez should win the Cy Young. That should go to Jake Peavy or Brandon Webb, but he should at least be in the top 5 or 6.

Well Hudson I hope you get a chance to pick off every pitcher that gets on base against you for the rest of the season. Frankly I don't care because you won't face the Mets again until April.

By the way, you can enjoy working on your golf game starting October 1. Perez will still be busy at that point.

A Disgusting Sight at Shead Stadium Last Night

At last night's game I saw the most repulsive thing I have ever seen at a Mets game in my entire life.

Two rows in front of me there was a guy in a Jose Reyes jersey sitting next to his girlfriend who was wearing a Jeff Francouer jersey! I almost vomited.

How can a Mets fan date a Braves fan? I can live with someone dating a Yankees fan, but a Braves fan? That's unacceptable. And she wasn't a laid back Braves fan either. She was actively cheering for the Braves and rooting against the Mets. This is against all that is right in the world. Next thing you know you'll see an Ohio State fan dating a Michigan fan. Or a Giants fan married to a Cowboy fan. Or a Duke grad and a UNC grad raising children together. It's a prelude to the apocalypse people.

So far all you young Mets Lifers out there, when you find a girl or guy that you think is the one make sure you know where their baseball allegiances lie.

I guarantee the couple I saw won't make it through October.

David + Wright = MVP

David Wright showed yet again why he should be the NL MVP this year coming through with a much needed 2-run home run yesterday which turned out to be the deciding runs of the game.

I was at the game and there's really nothing better than being part of Shea crowd that holds its collective breath while the ball keeps sailing and finally lands over the left field wall. The crowd then erupts with jubilation and immediately begins to chant M-V-P. We wanted a curtain call, but David Wright is too much of a gentleman to do that in the middle of a tight contest.

Oliver Perez could have had a disappointing night if not for Wright's home run. Perez pitched a fantastic game up until the 7th inning when he made one bad pitch to Brian McCann. With the count 3-2 and 2 outs, the Shea crowd stood on its feet and started to get Perez pumped up. That's when he dug deep and fired his fastest fastball of the night. The only problem was he threw it right down the middle and McCann sent that ball out to right in a hurry.

But Wright's home run was enough to keep the Mets on top on this night. Even Heilman and Wagner pitched an uneventful 8th and 9th, except for Beltran's fantastic grab to end the game.

I want a sweep of the Braves so badly. If the weather holds, we'll see how El Duque does on his return to night.