The Braves Know How to Stick It to the Mets

It never ceases to amaze me how one team can own another so consistently for years on end. Think about it. The Braves have owned the Mets in Atlanta for the last 15 years or more. Players have come and gone, styles have changed, but one thing remains the same: the Mets can't beat the Braves in Atlanta.

Last night was a game the Mets should have won. There was really no excuse. Oliver Perez pitched a great game making only 2 bad pitches the whole night which ended up being back to back home runs. But after that he settled in and the Mets even produced some runs for him.

But it was not to be.

The Braves were able to tie up the game thanks to a not-so-swift Gary Sheffield, and then take the lead thanks to a plummeting Bobby Parnell.

I still can't understand why the Mets ever pitch to Chipper Jones in a crucial spot in the game. Just hit him in the head. In the 7th inning with runners on the corners and two outs, Bobby Parnell pitched to Chipper Jones instead of walking him to load the bases.

No man has inflicted more pain and suffering on this team than Chipper Jones. Why let him do it again? Makes no sense. So of course Chipper drove in what would be the winning run of the game.

But as if that wasn't enough the Braves had to throw another little item in the Mets face. After a single in the 8th by Garrett Anderson, Bobby Cox sends in the fleet-footed Ryan Church to pinch run. Now Church isn't exactly a speed demon out there, but there he was on first base and a few seconds later scored an insurance run.

And so you arise this morning finding the Mets 7.5 games out of first. I requested that the Mets either sink or swim earlier than usual this year to save us the pain and suffering. Looks like they're willing to accommodate.

ESPN's Bad First Half Moments Starring Your New York Mets

So SportsCenter did a "Not Top 10" segment featuring the worst plays in the first half of the baseball season. One team stands out - your New York Mets. Three of the top ten most embarrassing plays star the Mets with Luis Castillo taking the #1 spot. And they didn't even include the Ryan Church missing third base in the mix.

Let's pray we've left these behind us.

Mets Need to Sink or Swim

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

The hoopla and disappointment that was the All Star festivities is now over. It's time to get back to baseball that really matters, and the pain and suffering that comes with it.

The Mets have the luxury of opening up the second half of the season in Mordor. The rival Atlanta Braves play host to the Mets for a 4 game series starting tonight. Nothing like jumping in head first.

I'm ready for the Mets to either sink or swim. I don't want to this season to be drawn out and the questions of "wait til Delgado/Reyes/Beltran return" to be looming over our heads. I want the Mets to either come out of the gate with some fight or to just quickly fade into oblivion.

Just don't string us along only to have our hopes crushed in another September disappointment.

I'd rather have the Mets 10 games back at the end of this weekend than still be 6 games back at the end of the month. All that will do is give us hope that when our injured players return we'll make a run. It will give the front office the luxury of not dealing with trade talks or making tough roster moves because they're "waiting."

A series in Atlanta is the perfect litmus test. The Mets are notoriously awful in Atlanta. If this team can win 3 out of 4 games there, it would be miraculous and spark a fire in this club and the fan base heading into the second half.

If this team gets swept, it will be painful, but we'll be better off for it because we'll finally realize this team is going nowhere.

But in spite of all this, we still need to get Roy Halladay.

First Mets Game

After 4 years of brain washing my daughter and 18 months of doing the exact same to my son, I finally took my kids to see their first Mets game this past Sunday. For baseball-junkie dads, this is one of those milestone moments that you look forward to and for me, the day did not disappoint. It was truly special. Here’s how it unfolded.

You have to understand, for those of you who do not have kids, there is a lot of preparation involved in taking them anywhere, let alone going to a ball game. This adds a whole new level of stress to your planning. Diapers? Check. Wipes? Check. Extra set of clothes (vomiting may occur)? Check. Goldfish (crackers)? Check. What about the stroller? You definitely don’t want to lug your kids all over especially when your back is already shot from lifting them up. Does Citi Field allow strollers? Not sure. Unable to find a “general information” number at Citi Field, I call the ticket line and got someone to tell me that ‘yes’ I can bring a stroller. How ‘bout a double-wide? Remember, my son is 18 months old, and while my daughter is certainly very capable of walking at 4 years of age, I know her well enough to know that at some point she’ll ask my wife or I to carry her so we definitely need the double-wide. ‘Yes, you can bring the double-wide.’ Perfect! Stress level reduced somewhat.

So we head to Citi Field from NJ, as a very clutch (I’m talking Keith Hernandez clutch!) DVD, Baby Einstein, occupies my son so he doesn’t get car sick. We found that one out on our trip to Flushing for Opening Day when we were dropping the kids off at Grammie’s Puked all over himself and the car seat. Awesome! Anyway, we begin to see the new park on the horizon as we make our way on the Grand Central and my daughter starts to get excited. She tells us she’s going to see David Wright (her favorite), Mr. Met, Jerry, Jose and Carlos and Carlos. (Remember, 4 years of brain-washing, she knows them all). I disappoint her when I tell her Jose and the Carloses are still hurt. She asks why they’re hurt and I tell her not even the team doctors know why. She didn’t understand why the doctors didn’t know why.

We arrive at Citi Field, drop $18 bucks for parking, pick up the kids’ first program, (photo op) and we stroll on over to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda entrance. Here, the stress level starts to increase because I’m thinking that we have to get the kids out of the double-wide and fold it up so we can pass through the turnstiles. Not an easy task when you consider my wife and I are also carrying backpacks containing the key ingredients; diapers, wipes, food, clothes. I wheeled the kids as close as I could and a security person came over and opened the big gate for us to walk through so we didn’t have to wait on the line. We also did not have to walk through the turnstiles as someone else came immediately over and scanned our tickets. Fantastic! That was a huge relief. But now what? Walk up the stairs or take the escalator? Both options would require some “heavy lifting.” But, once again, Citi Field staff saved the day as a lady came over and asked us if we would like to take the elevator. Bam! Absolutely! So she guided us over and we were up on the field level in no time. You could not have scripted our entrance any better. Stress level greatly reduced, all due to the personnel at Citi Field.

Before the start of the game, we walk to the Fan Fest area beyond center field in hopes of catching a glimpse of Mr. Met. Sure enough, there he is posing for pictures. My daughter is very excited as she wants to give him a hug. My son has no idea what’s going on but the look on his face says he’s having a blast. Unfortunately, the line is too long and Mr. Met has to head to the field for the start of the game. No worries, as we head over to the apple, which my daughter loves. (All kids do by the way). It is fantastic to see the legendary apple up close. The same apple that popped up on Todd Pratt’s series ending bomb in ’99, Dykstra’s walk off in Game 3 ’86 NLCS and of course Piazza’s memorable moon shot against the Braves after 9/11.

While we were near the apple, my son decided to walk over by the bullpen and stood up on the table to get a look inside. No doubt he was heckling the Reds (see pic above). ‘Atta boy. (Remember, 18 months of brain washing).

After, we headed to our seats which were perfectly located. Field level, down the right field line, 29^th row, two rows from the concourse. With kids, you know you’re going to have to get up and down a lot throughout the game; bathroom, food, diaper change, so the fact that we were right there made our lives so much easier. Plus, a supervisor allowed us to park our double-wide in the handicap section. The game started and sure enough, David Wright smacks an RBI double to deep center, appropriately giving my kids their first RBI and extra base hit in person. Throughout the game, my kids were great. My son couldn’t stop smiling and clapping. He had a great time, even shaking people’s hands introducing himself. He knew he was in good company so he was fitting right in. My daughter got all kinds of food; hot dog, pretzel, ice cream, but finished none of them which was perfectly fine with her brother as he gladly took the leftovers. We had to leave in the 6^th inning because we had to go to a birthday party.

Unfortunately, we missed “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” which my kids love, and we never did reconnect with Mr. Met. And of course, in typical Mets fashion, they hit back-to-back home runs in the 7^th (after going like a hundred games without one) so my daughter never did get to see the new apple pop up as she was hoping for but no matter, we still had an extraordinary day.

Truth be told, this was one of the more memorable days in my life. To experience that first game with my kids, was truly priceless and I will remember it always. And while our beloved NY Mets break our hearts year after year, I know I made the right decision in raising my kids as Met Lifers. The looks on their faces reminded me of the excitement I felt when I first started going to Met games more than 30 years ago. After all the Yadier Molina’s, Mike Scocia’s, John Franco’s, Armando Benitez’s, and September choke jobs, I wouldn’t trade it for the world…or all those Yankee championships for that matter.

Now let’s get our guys back and make a run in the second half!

Special thanks goes to two key people (L&L) who scored us the free tickets. I cannot thank you enough. And special props goes to the staff at Citi Field. Citi Field has been criticized at times, and rightfully so, for its lack of Mets history on display, (not to mention those silly white tarps over the bullpen – can someone please remove those eyesores?), They were absolutely fantastic in making our day as easy and as enjoyable as possible.

Predictions for the 2009 Mid-Summer Classic

The All Star Game is here (yawn). Let's hope it's not as long or as boring as last night's home run derby. Here are my predictions for this year's all star bash:

• David Wright will strike out at least once
• Albert Pujols gets the largest ovation
• Chase Utley swears on camera...again
• The phrase "steroids era" is used at least once in the broadcast
• Tim McCarver will make me want to break my TV
• Tim McCarver mention catching Bob Gibson
• Johan Santana will not pitch
• Ryan Howard hits a home run
• Mariano Rivera is hailed as the greatest relief pitcher to walk the face of the earth
• Joe Buck will remark how the Cardinals' fans are the greatest baseball fans on the planet
• Roy Halladay trade talk will start in the first inning
• The pre game show will go too long
• The National League will lose

Mets First Half Report Card = "I"

It's the time of year when every blog under the sun grades their baseball team's first half performance. Mets Lifer is no different although this is the only post on the Mets first half report card that was originally written in Aramaic and translated to English for the common man's understanding.

My grade for the Mets first half is an "I."

It's an appropriate grade because it's very far from an A, not even close to a B, and obviously lower than a C, but not an F.

Remember April? Hopes were high, the disappointment of '08 (and '07) still lingering, and you liked having Daniel Murphy in left field? Me neither.

The grade of "I" stands for 3 things: injuries, ineptness, and inconsitent.

Injuries is obvious. Everyone not named Santana and Wright has appeared on the DL at some point. Where this team would be with Reyes, Delgado & Beltran in the lineup everyday will be a mystery and there's no use reflecting on it any more because there's absolutely nothing that can be done about it.

Ineptness is inexcusable. The amount of stupid and just plain odd plays that this team has seen in the first half is remarkable. Off the top of my head I can recount the ineptness of Luis Castillo's dropped pop-up against the Yanks, Daniel Murphy's missed fly ball against the Marlins, Delgado's dropped pop-up in the 9th inning, Church missing 3rd base, all 143 double plays by Fernando Tatis, FMart falling flat on his face, KRod walking Rivera and the list goes on and on.

It's remarkable the Nationals are worse than we are. The ineptness of this team has to come to a screeching halt for any shot at a respectable second half. The errors, the balks, the idiotic walks and all of that stupidity has got stop completely.

Finally the incosistency that has plagued this team should have the Mets 10 games below .500 or worse. Pelfrey is either magical or Jose Lima reincarnated. David Wright is either Ted Williams or Bobby Bonilla. Daniel Murphy looks like Pete Rose one game and then Ross Gellar the next.

Every facet of this team is just riddled with inconsistency from defense to offense to starting pitching. I wouldn't mind if the Mets were mediocre all the time because at least I'd know what I'm getting from this team, but the ups and downs have got to even out to a more solid level of play.

I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to a break from the Mets for a few days. It's exhausting being a Mets fan, but I like that they finished out the first half on a high note.

Omar, Jerry Manuel and Mets players alike have talked about "making it to the All Star break" with their heads above water and then have the ability to turn things around or make a move. That watershed moment is here.

Let's see if they can put their money where their mouth is and make a second half turnaround that warrants another "I" grade: improbable.

Photo from Flickr user Leo Reynolds

Church for Francoeur

'Been listening to the radio and reading the blogs and it appears the consesus on the Church for Francoeur deal is mixed. Some like, some don't. I actually like it. I mean, I don't love it, I don't hate it, but I like it. I know one thing, I am somewhat more intrigued to watch this team play tonight with Francouer in the lineup. This offense has been putrid so any change is welcome in my eyes. Plus, let's face it, Church only had 23 RBIs. 23! He was quite simply, dispensable. Is anyone really going to miss Ryan Church? Nice guy, hard-nosed player for sure, but after he inexplicably (the game was pretty much over) ran head first into Escobar last year and suffered a second concussion, he was reduced to an average player from then on. I always thought he would recover and return to the form he exhbited those first two monhts of the season last year but unfortunately he never recaptured it.

As for Francoeur, he's still only 25. Five years younger than Church, and truthfully, he's more productive, even if he has a huge hole in his swing. He has a lot more upaisde for sure, and hey, if he doesn't work out, so be it.

What I really would have liked to have seen Omar do is acquire Alex Rios from Toronto. I know he makes alot of money, and that's the biggest reason why he's available but I think this is where Omar misses the boat as far as managing a budget.

When you have budget to work with, and in this case, let's say it's $145 million, it's not so much about what you're paying per player but rather what you've spent on the whole team. The same way Omar missed the boat on both Derek Lowe and Orlando Hudson, he may do the same by not getting Rios. You think right now, Omar would add Hudson to this team for $3,8M if he was available as a free agent? Or what about Lowe instead of Ollie and Tim Redding? Since combined, they make the same as Lowe. Uh....yeah. That't what I mean when managing a budget.

So I would have talked to the Jays and depending on how motivated they are to move Rios (I hear very motivated by the way), I would asked them to eat $1-$2 million a year off his contract and traded Church to them. That way, you get Church's $2.8M off the books, and you get Rios (who is due to make $12M per) at $10M per year (Jays picking up $2M) and your net for Rios is actually $7M-$8M per. That's not bad actually. I know Rios hasn't lived up to his potential, but, he's still more productive than anyone on the Mets right now. Think about that.