http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310331124 (look under Game Notes)
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/first-pitch-mike-mussina-kicks-off-yankees-2011-season/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/03/31/first-pitch-mike-mussina-kicks-off-yankees-2011-season/
If the Cardinals just had Jim Edmonds throw out their first pitch and das Yankees are gonna have Mike Mussina throw out their first pitch, who should the Mets pick? Let's say of players who have retired in the past 2 seasons. I'm gonna cheat a little bit and say we invite Pedro Martinez. He claims not to be retired, but then again would Pedro really decline the opportunity to return to the bright lights of New York (and the dimmer lights of Citi Field)? It'd make me wanna go to Opening Day even more this year, and I'm sure Pedro would get a kick out of it. I can just picture him pitching from a full wind up!
What do y'all think?
-Natron
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Break it Down
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/7976/why-jay-bruce-may-have-reached-his-peak
I read this article expecting to disagree with the headline, and I did. But then again, Shoenfield doesn't seem to think Bruce has reached his peak, either. Looking at the list of Top 20 OPS+ by Age 23 Hitters since 2001, Bruce ranks 12th, with much of today's elite filling out the rest. Top 3, in order, are Phat Albert, Miguel Cabrera, and TAFKAP Fielder. I guess ESPN's method of attracting my attention worked...anyway, onto the Metserology:
Wright, unsurprisingly, ranked 9th with a 133 OPS+ in 2006 (and had a 139 OPS+ at 22). Of course, he's gone on to maintain a 137 OPS+ . Almost at the bottom, but still weighing in at 19th, Reyes achieved a 115 OPS+ in 2006, but only 107 OPS+ since (his high of 118 coming in 2008). He beats out Asdrubul Cabrera, for what that's worth, but stands in a group of players like Hanley Ramirez, Joe Mauer, Evan Longoria, and other fantastic players. Including -
Ike Davis 115 OPS+ last year
Shoenfield comments that Ike is the list's only rookie (also the only comment that is worthwhile). There are very few guys on this list who didn't have at least one excellent season after their age 23 year. Which leads me to believe that Davis has a lot of potential in that bat. If he can stay healthy, even a slump at the plate is offset by his slick glove-work. I hope Reyes does not follow the path of Grady Sizemore and Eric Chavez, who have lost entire seasons due to injury. Reyes is still young enough that he can have another standout season, but in all these cases all that matters is health.
I came out of this article expecting Jay Bruce to have a standout season in 2011. I'd consider a repeat of 127 OPS+ from the best defensive RF in the game outstanding. Now, though, I'm excited at the prospect of our 1B doing the same.
-Natron
I read this article expecting to disagree with the headline, and I did. But then again, Shoenfield doesn't seem to think Bruce has reached his peak, either. Looking at the list of Top 20 OPS+ by Age 23 Hitters since 2001, Bruce ranks 12th, with much of today's elite filling out the rest. Top 3, in order, are Phat Albert, Miguel Cabrera, and TAFKAP Fielder. I guess ESPN's method of attracting my attention worked...anyway, onto the Metserology:
Wright, unsurprisingly, ranked 9th with a 133 OPS+ in 2006 (and had a 139 OPS+ at 22). Of course, he's gone on to maintain a 137 OPS+ . Almost at the bottom, but still weighing in at 19th, Reyes achieved a 115 OPS+ in 2006, but only 107 OPS+ since (his high of 118 coming in 2008). He beats out Asdrubul Cabrera, for what that's worth, but stands in a group of players like Hanley Ramirez, Joe Mauer, Evan Longoria, and other fantastic players. Including -
Ike Davis 115 OPS+ last year
Shoenfield comments that Ike is the list's only rookie (also the only comment that is worthwhile). There are very few guys on this list who didn't have at least one excellent season after their age 23 year. Which leads me to believe that Davis has a lot of potential in that bat. If he can stay healthy, even a slump at the plate is offset by his slick glove-work. I hope Reyes does not follow the path of Grady Sizemore and Eric Chavez, who have lost entire seasons due to injury. Reyes is still young enough that he can have another standout season, but in all these cases all that matters is health.
I came out of this article expecting Jay Bruce to have a standout season in 2011. I'd consider a repeat of 127 OPS+ from the best defensive RF in the game outstanding. Now, though, I'm excited at the prospect of our 1B doing the same.
-Natron
Sunday, March 27, 2011
For Anyone Who Thinks Managers Don't Make a Difference
There are a lot of nay saying bloggers who don't think "clubhouse chemistry" means much to a team. And in particular that "players' managers" like Torre and Sciosa are successful because of their talent and not anything to do with their managerial skills - with Torre, in spite of his managerial skills.
But read this and take another p.o.v.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=6205577
But read this and take another p.o.v.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/
-Natron
Where's Shea?
I can't say I disagree with you, Ronjaya. It hurts when the tickets cost so, so much and the team is so, so bad. A capacity crowd is about 75% the size of the Shea capacity. If there is ever an important or intriguing game at Citifield again, the stadium holds about 13,000 fewer people than Shea did. And that prospect NEVER made sense to me. The Mets play in New York City, why would you make it a smaller stadium?
As far as the amenities go, I do go for the "final score." But I'm a big-time Met game and I'm not carrying kids and families in tow, so...
I think I've written it before but I think Citifield is a beautiful stadium. However, it has a couple of major issues with it. To rehash a little...
-It's significantly smaller than Shea Stadium in terms of crowd capacity. Why eliminate so many people from buying tickets, attending the game, and buying your waaaaay overpriced concessions?
-It doesn't feel like the "home of the Mets." While they have added some more Mets good-ness, I still feel like I could be attending a game for any team.
-StanO
Citifield
How, when you just open a new ballpark, do you lose this much money? The Mets are in serious, serious trouble in my opinion:
They should have built the stadium bigger and made a lot more affordable family-friendly seating. Kids and their families care a lot less about the score of the game than they do the experience.
-Ronjaya
Monday, March 21, 2011
A Response to the Mets History
Did the Mets really pass up the opportunity to pay out $5.9 over one year to pay $29.8 million over 25 years?! What cents (err, sense) does that make? That's absurd. I have Yankee envy.
As Natron pointed out (in a real, face-to-face interaction): Castillo will probably hit a walk-off home-run against the Mets. That and score 100r with an injured Utley ahead of him...
As Natron pointed out (in a real, face-to-face interaction): Castillo will probably hit a walk-off home-run against the Mets. That and score 100r with an injured Utley ahead of him...
-StanO
A L'il Mets History
I read this article about the Mets and all the contracts they've eaten (with emphasis on the Bobby Bo contract in particular), and it's easy to see why this organization was always seen as second rate. They do really dumb things:
-Ronjaya
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Ollie's Next
WFAN reports that Ollie will be released Monday.
-StanO
I wonder if he'll become the LOOGY (Lefty One Out GuY) for the Phils :P
-Natron
-StanO
I wonder if he'll become the LOOGY (Lefty One Out GuY) for the Phils :P
-Natron
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Ollie P
Dunno how to repeat it exactly, but Craig Carton reports that: if Ollie P. sucks today in his two innings of work, the Mets will cut him. -StanO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)