a new poll - vote here, on the "Polls" tab, or on facebook.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com. "Like" RememberingShea on Facebook (the function formerly known as "Becoming a Fan"). Become a Networked Blog
Showing posts with label 2009 mets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 mets. Show all posts
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Mets of Twenty-Ten
2008 was a season with some hope, lots of negativity (at least until it was cleared up after midnight one night), but it ended with the world crashing down on us. 2009 was a season in which it seemed there was hope, but it was just hopelessly bad. 2010 seems like a blend of the two. We don't have the injuries (at least not en masse like we did last year). There was lots of hope at the start of the season. The bullpen pitched well. We had a good streak at home. But it's all regressed into that blend of the past two seasons. I'm starting to feel the same type of negativity around the club (from the fans and what some in the media are writing) that we saw in 2008 (and that went on for a good couple of weeks for a move had to be made). I see the same lack-of-quality club we had a year ago (something that can't change over night).
Right now is a critical time in the Mets' 2010 season, and it's a critical time in the history of the franchise. They're playing the Yankees, a team that always seems to have our number (maybe not on the field, but in our collective heads). 3 losses here, which I can't rule out, for the last-place Mets, could really bury hopes for the 2010 season. It could show the collective pop culture that the Mets are losers (consider one or two good seasons out of 10, considering that 2007 and 2008 weren't good because of the way they lost). It could become a sequel to "The Worst Team Money Can Buy".
I've been saying for about a year now that the only way for the Mets to be on the right track is to clean house, remove the players and management that have had the stigma of losing over the past 5 seasons, and start fresh. It can't happen overnight. Remember that's basically what they needed to do after the original version of "The Worst Team Money Can Buy". They took a few years to rebuild into decency for the late '90s. They need to do it again.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com. "Like" RememberingShea on Facebook (the function formerly known as "Becoming a Fan"). Become a Networked Blog
Right now is a critical time in the Mets' 2010 season, and it's a critical time in the history of the franchise. They're playing the Yankees, a team that always seems to have our number (maybe not on the field, but in our collective heads). 3 losses here, which I can't rule out, for the last-place Mets, could really bury hopes for the 2010 season. It could show the collective pop culture that the Mets are losers (consider one or two good seasons out of 10, considering that 2007 and 2008 weren't good because of the way they lost). It could become a sequel to "The Worst Team Money Can Buy".
I've been saying for about a year now that the only way for the Mets to be on the right track is to clean house, remove the players and management that have had the stigma of losing over the past 5 seasons, and start fresh. It can't happen overnight. Remember that's basically what they needed to do after the original version of "The Worst Team Money Can Buy". They took a few years to rebuild into decency for the late '90s. They need to do it again.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com. "Like" RememberingShea on Facebook (the function formerly known as "Becoming a Fan"). Become a Networked Blog
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What a Weekend - Part 2
What a weekend indeed. Saturday was the GKR Main Event at Citi Field. Sunday was the Mets season finale and the drive for 70 wins. I'll reserve comment on the 70 wins for another day. Sunday really wasn't bad. I was considering in the morning not going. My friend that I was planning on going with decided Saturday night not to go. We each had an extra ticket that we couldn't get rid of. So I went alone. I wasn't letting the pre-paid parking pass go to waste either, so I drove to the ballpark (something I don't like doing). I did find it was exactly 40.0 miles from my apartment building to the parking space in Citi Field's lot, somewhere in what was left field at Shea.
Sunday was a beautiful day, weather-wise. A beautiful day for baseball. A bit of sadness that the season was coming to an end, but good riddance to it. No batting practice after Saturday's long day. No real need at this point. Still, the fans came out, pushed to the outfield sections along the foul line to try to get players' attention (the relief corps went out for some stretching and throwing, which was the only action on the field), and a few of those guys stayed for a long time to sign. Lots of kids down there too. I've started to think it's better for autographs when there is no BP and just the relievers because there's less going on at field level and less people from the club watching and possibly discouraging positive fan interaction (and yes, going back to the Willie Randolph days, I do feel that to a degree. Just come out to Spring Training at Tradition Field with me and tell me there's good player-fan interaction before a game).
I did get to meet fellow blogger Ed Leyro of Studious Metsimus. We really should have a bloggers day/night at the ballpark to get to know one another.
I decided just to try out the new fad of not sitting in your seat and wandering around the ballpark to watch the game from the open concourses. It's a different experience. First, I felt no real reason to stay in my seats. They suck. I said that from day one. But I got a chance to see the imagery that's been added since the last time I was there in August. What they added was nice. I'm glad they did it. It would have been nice to see "space reserved" back on Opening Day to show the promise and forward thinking of images to come rather than doing this based on complaints. I see a real black-and-white theme to the images. And they're sponsored, which for a photo company is a good opportunity but for a fan, it shows no real investment by the club (this wasn't exactly prime advertising space they gave up). Maybe if Kodak sponsored it, the images would be in color.
I really don't like walking around during the game. I never did. I miss so much. I had a walkman, which helped, but still. I find it more enjoyable sitting and watching from one location. That's just me.
It was a good game. Maybe one of the best all year. Weekend sweep. Got to 70 wins. And the complete game shutout by Nelson Figueroa. What a game. What a story Figueroa was. And he's a good guy, always signing autographs. A model player from that respect. We need a person like that on the Mets, and we need a guy like that either as the number 5 or long man/spot starter. Remember that roster debacle back in April. We almost lost him. We did lost him and were damn lucky to get him back. A few moves where we were damn lucky to get someone just to fill a position for the final quarter of the season.
After the game, not well publicized or known to some stadium staff was a DynaMet Dash with Mr. Met (run the bases). This one was set up for all fans. I had heard something during the week about it being only for season ticket holders. Lots of kids went. I asked a security guard and he said everyone. Even the guy on the street could get in since nobody checked tickets. They lined us up after the game on 126th Street from the bullpen gate back to the subway tracks (breaking at walkways and driveways). The line even turned the corner on Roosevelt Ave. They brought us in through the bullpen entrance to the warning track (almost picking up where I had left off from Saturday), down the RF line to first base, and over the grass onto the infield (they had a tarp down to protect the grass). Around the infield with the customary security telling us to keep on moving, and down to home plate, and back under the tunnel under the stadium and out to the LF VIP entrance. That was good, right by my car.
And that was it. 2009 was over. A few photos now.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Sunday was a beautiful day, weather-wise. A beautiful day for baseball. A bit of sadness that the season was coming to an end, but good riddance to it. No batting practice after Saturday's long day. No real need at this point. Still, the fans came out, pushed to the outfield sections along the foul line to try to get players' attention (the relief corps went out for some stretching and throwing, which was the only action on the field), and a few of those guys stayed for a long time to sign. Lots of kids down there too. I've started to think it's better for autographs when there is no BP and just the relievers because there's less going on at field level and less people from the club watching and possibly discouraging positive fan interaction (and yes, going back to the Willie Randolph days, I do feel that to a degree. Just come out to Spring Training at Tradition Field with me and tell me there's good player-fan interaction before a game).
I did get to meet fellow blogger Ed Leyro of Studious Metsimus. We really should have a bloggers day/night at the ballpark to get to know one another.
I decided just to try out the new fad of not sitting in your seat and wandering around the ballpark to watch the game from the open concourses. It's a different experience. First, I felt no real reason to stay in my seats. They suck. I said that from day one. But I got a chance to see the imagery that's been added since the last time I was there in August. What they added was nice. I'm glad they did it. It would have been nice to see "space reserved" back on Opening Day to show the promise and forward thinking of images to come rather than doing this based on complaints. I see a real black-and-white theme to the images. And they're sponsored, which for a photo company is a good opportunity but for a fan, it shows no real investment by the club (this wasn't exactly prime advertising space they gave up). Maybe if Kodak sponsored it, the images would be in color.
I really don't like walking around during the game. I never did. I miss so much. I had a walkman, which helped, but still. I find it more enjoyable sitting and watching from one location. That's just me.
It was a good game. Maybe one of the best all year. Weekend sweep. Got to 70 wins. And the complete game shutout by Nelson Figueroa. What a game. What a story Figueroa was. And he's a good guy, always signing autographs. A model player from that respect. We need a person like that on the Mets, and we need a guy like that either as the number 5 or long man/spot starter. Remember that roster debacle back in April. We almost lost him. We did lost him and were damn lucky to get him back. A few moves where we were damn lucky to get someone just to fill a position for the final quarter of the season.
After the game, not well publicized or known to some stadium staff was a DynaMet Dash with Mr. Met (run the bases). This one was set up for all fans. I had heard something during the week about it being only for season ticket holders. Lots of kids went. I asked a security guard and he said everyone. Even the guy on the street could get in since nobody checked tickets. They lined us up after the game on 126th Street from the bullpen gate back to the subway tracks (breaking at walkways and driveways). The line even turned the corner on Roosevelt Ave. They brought us in through the bullpen entrance to the warning track (almost picking up where I had left off from Saturday), down the RF line to first base, and over the grass onto the infield (they had a tarp down to protect the grass). Around the infield with the customary security telling us to keep on moving, and down to home plate, and back under the tunnel under the stadium and out to the LF VIP entrance. That was good, right by my car.
And that was it. 2009 was over. A few photos now.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
F-You, F. Wilpon
If I had seen Fred Wilpon greeting fans at either Saturday's or Sunday's game, this is what I would have said to him (somewhat of an assumption is that he's thanking fans for coming out to see the Mets and that he doesn't apologize for anything).
OK, that last line is a bit corny and dripping with a punchline.
That's worked in other ballparks.
I think they'll learn the hard way what happens when the fans stop showing up.
Other bloggers have written their own letters or purging their ill will, and I'll go read them now. I purposely didn't want those opinions to get in the way of my own.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Mr. Wilpon, I think you owe me more than a "thanks for coming". I think you owe me an apology. You owe all fans an apology. You should step up to the microphone and say to the fans and media, "I'm sorry for the way things turned out. I'm sorry for all the injuries. I'm sorry for the bad play. I'm sorry for what happened with Adam Rubin and Tony Bernazard. I'm sorry for 2009. The buck stops here, and I accept full responsibility."
OK, that last line is a bit corny and dripping with a punchline.
Mr. Wilpon, even with that, I can't accept your apology. I'm not sure why, but I can't. But it's good that you said it. It was a start. But you owe us more. You owe me more.
What about (the absurdly high) ticket prices? What about (deceptive) ticket packages? Why so expensive to park your car at the ballpark? Where are the Mets colors? Where is the Mets Hall Of Fame? Why did we have to force you to put up the Mets (championship outfield wall) banners? Why did we have to force you to put up Mets photos and "imagery"? Why is it all black-and-white? Why are there no statues (like of Tom Seaver, "The Franchise")? Why were so many photos and banners sold (online and then at auction). Why haven't more numbers been retired? Why couldn't you have fixed/renovated Shea?
That's worked in other ballparks.
Why not (formally call it) the "Gil Hodges Bridge", and in front of it, "The (Mike) Piazza"? Why not "Casey Stengel Plaza" (behind the Promenade Club over the Rotunda)? Why not allow us to congregate at a bar called "The Happy Recap"? Why are the pieces of Shea (scoreboard skyline and home run apple) hidden (behind the big scoreboard and behind the bullpens respectively)? Why have so many restricted areas? Why focus on suites and corporate instead of the fans?
I think they'll learn the hard way what happens when the fans stop showing up.
Why didn't you have the banners out where everyone could see them? Why did you get away from the familiar names of "Loge", "Mezzanine", and "Upper Deck" and their familiar colors in favor of country club names and a generic color? Why didn't you see the (seating) obstructions?
Why didn't you stop and review medical practice and procedure when players started dropping like flies? Why were so many players trying to rest an injury only to end up on the DL? Why were we strung along to think there was real hope for all these guys? Why was there no depth in the farm system? Why were we made to believe that the core group was a winning group? Who is supposed to be accountable for the endings of the past 4 seasons? Why do we continue to build the team up only to see it fall down again after a few years?
Other bloggers have written their own letters or purging their ill will, and I'll go read them now. I purposely didn't want those opinions to get in the way of my own.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Sunday, October 4, 2009
What a Weekend
Yes, what a weekend indeed. The Mets swept the Astros, limped to the 70 win mark, and finished the season. I got 2 more wins under my "witness" belt, and finished the season at Citi Field at 7-0 (with one loss that I never actually saw). I got to go on the field twice. I got to meet/see a few of my fellow bloggers.
Let me give a shout out to Dana Brand, Greg Prince and Jason Fry, Steve Keane, Zoe Rice, Lynn Cohen, and from Sunday, Ed Leyro.
Lynn Cohen did a great job setting up the GKR event. We were a bit cramped down in the Citi Field party area. A lot of GKR supporters came out despite the weather. A lot of GKR supporters came out despite the Mets. That's a big outfield. In some of the photos, you can get an appreciation of how many of us there were on the warning track. We came in from left field near the foul line, and a single line wound all the way to the right field foul line and then down the LF foul line towards 3B. I was somewhere in right centerfield just before the bullpen. That outfield wall is big, almost like you can't even see up into the crowd from the field. It looks big on TV, but seeing it in person from that level you really can see just how big it is.
They had t-shirts (some cool new designs and some other ones that I remember seeing earlier in the year. My collection is now up to 7 (and I do wear them a lot). And raffles. I won a pin from an instant winner scratch off. And I won one of the raffle prize baskets (on a single ticket even). That was really cool. Mine had a GKR hat, a t-shirt (one that I wanted but didn't buy because they didn't have my size), a pen and circular key chain (I guess) medallion with the circular Mets logo on one side and the Citi Field Ceremonial Groundbreaking logo and date on the other side. That's pretty cool to add to the collection.
Thank you to Lynn and the GKR "elfs" for all of their hard work putting Saturday together, bringing all of us together, and getting us onto the field. I've already seen on the GKR site that they did better than last year in raising money, so job well done! And thanks to Gary Cohen and Ron Darling for coming down, hanging out with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Keith, we missed you down there.
I did end up staying through most of the rain delay, towards the end just hanging out in the party area talking to people (mostly Dana Brand), staying that long mostly because my plans at night weren't until later (no stopping at home in between) and I would rather wait at Citi Field (under cover) than in outside in Newark in case the rain didn't go away. I ended up leaving just as the skies cleared and the train left the station just a minute or so before the first pitch of the resumed game. Oh well. 5 innings with a lead counts towards my overall record (since they held the lead, much like the rules for a pitcher getting a win).
In no particular order, photos from the GKR portion of the day and a short video from walking onto the field.
It's late and I'm tired, and the GKR event really deserves its own post, so Sunday's game will be posted tomorrow.
Let me give a shout out to Dana Brand, Greg Prince and Jason Fry, Steve Keane, Zoe Rice, Lynn Cohen, and from Sunday, Ed Leyro.
Lynn Cohen did a great job setting up the GKR event. We were a bit cramped down in the Citi Field party area. A lot of GKR supporters came out despite the weather. A lot of GKR supporters came out despite the Mets. That's a big outfield. In some of the photos, you can get an appreciation of how many of us there were on the warning track. We came in from left field near the foul line, and a single line wound all the way to the right field foul line and then down the LF foul line towards 3B. I was somewhere in right centerfield just before the bullpen. That outfield wall is big, almost like you can't even see up into the crowd from the field. It looks big on TV, but seeing it in person from that level you really can see just how big it is.
They had t-shirts (some cool new designs and some other ones that I remember seeing earlier in the year. My collection is now up to 7 (and I do wear them a lot). And raffles. I won a pin from an instant winner scratch off. And I won one of the raffle prize baskets (on a single ticket even). That was really cool. Mine had a GKR hat, a t-shirt (one that I wanted but didn't buy because they didn't have my size), a pen and circular key chain (I guess) medallion with the circular Mets logo on one side and the Citi Field Ceremonial Groundbreaking logo and date on the other side. That's pretty cool to add to the collection.
Thank you to Lynn and the GKR "elfs" for all of their hard work putting Saturday together, bringing all of us together, and getting us onto the field. I've already seen on the GKR site that they did better than last year in raising money, so job well done! And thanks to Gary Cohen and Ron Darling for coming down, hanging out with fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Keith, we missed you down there.
I did end up staying through most of the rain delay, towards the end just hanging out in the party area talking to people (mostly Dana Brand), staying that long mostly because my plans at night weren't until later (no stopping at home in between) and I would rather wait at Citi Field (under cover) than in outside in Newark in case the rain didn't go away. I ended up leaving just as the skies cleared and the train left the station just a minute or so before the first pitch of the resumed game. Oh well. 5 innings with a lead counts towards my overall record (since they held the lead, much like the rules for a pitcher getting a win).
In no particular order, photos from the GKR portion of the day and a short video from walking onto the field.
It's late and I'm tired, and the GKR event really deserves its own post, so Sunday's game will be posted tomorrow.
Put It In The Books
It's over! Finally! This season of misery is finally over. We can officially transition into winter baseball mode, counting down to Spring Training.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Friday, October 2, 2009
Too Little, Too Late
The Mets put out a press release and an email announcing that season ticket prices will be reduced by 10% to 20% for next season. I'm still trying to process that thought. Studious Metsimus, MetsPolice, MetsPolice again, and again, Loge13, and Citi Field of Dreams among others have this one covered.
There's a lot of ill will from Mets fans towards Fred and Jeff Wilpon and the rest of the Mets ownership. I fell it too. I have a post that I wanted to have ready now but expect it to be next week where I address Fred Wilpon directly. My Summer Family, and Faith and Fear In Flushing have that sentiment covered too.
Meanwhile, The Daily Stache looks at the big question what if bloggers ran the Mets?
I'll get to reading all of these posts soon, along with others soon. I'll be at the final 2 games of the season. And on Monday, we'll be in off season mode. Spring Training games start on March 2 against the Braves (thanks to Gary Cohen for saying that on air tonight).
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
There's a lot of ill will from Mets fans towards Fred and Jeff Wilpon and the rest of the Mets ownership. I fell it too. I have a post that I wanted to have ready now but expect it to be next week where I address Fred Wilpon directly. My Summer Family, and Faith and Fear In Flushing have that sentiment covered too.
Meanwhile, The Daily Stache looks at the big question what if bloggers ran the Mets?
I'll get to reading all of these posts soon, along with others soon. I'll be at the final 2 games of the season. And on Monday, we'll be in off season mode. Spring Training games start on March 2 against the Braves (thanks to Gary Cohen for saying that on air tonight).
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Mr. Met
Yesterday we received word that Jose Reyes has a torn hamstring in addition to the tendon problem he's had all summer. I'm just thinking that whoever it is sticking pins in the Mr. Met voodoo doll, STOP! It's not funny anymore. Well, at least nobody was killed.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I give up
Just make it stop! Please! I can't watch, I can't listen, I can't even read about it anymore. 5 in the 9th off K-Rod to lose the game. Meanwhile, his old team clinches the division without his 162 saves. The Mets aren't even trying. Jerry Manuel is not even trying. They stopped trying around the same time they stopped getting hurt. Reyes is was trying. And he got hurt again, and he hasn't played since May.
I'm going to the game on Saturday to sit with the GKR group. That should be interesting - lost of Mets fans that mostly otherwise wouldn't be at the game at this point in the season from hell concentrated in one part of the ballpark to watch the game.
I'm going to the game on Sunday to sit in my "regular" seats, hopefully in those for the last time, where at least there will be some obstructions keeping me from seeing what goes on on the field.
Just make it end! Please!
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
I'm going to the game on Saturday to sit with the GKR group. That should be interesting - lost of Mets fans that mostly otherwise wouldn't be at the game at this point in the season from hell concentrated in one part of the ballpark to watch the game.
I'm going to the game on Sunday to sit in my "regular" seats, hopefully in those for the last time, where at least there will be some obstructions keeping me from seeing what goes on on the field.
Just make it end! Please!
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Injured Players
Here is an interesting take on injuries for the 2009 Mets. The following players from this season's roster did not play during the NHL's entire off season (defined here as the time between the end of the Stanley Cup Finals, June 12 and the first exhibition game, September 14):
John Maine missed being on this list by one day - he returned on September 13 after pitching June 6.
OK, I actually thought there were more players on this list. But when you consider 2 offensive keys and 2 of your top 5 pitchers (top 3 starters, setup man, closer) on this list, that spells doom.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
- Carlos Delgado - last game was May 10
- Jose Reyes - last game was May 20
- Ramon Martinez - last game was June 2
- J.J. Putz - last game was June 4
John Maine missed being on this list by one day - he returned on September 13 after pitching June 6.
OK, I actually thought there were more players on this list. But when you consider 2 offensive keys and 2 of your top 5 pitchers (top 3 starters, setup man, closer) on this list, that spells doom.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Mets have been officially eliminated from playoff contention
It's over. Officially. And there's still baseball to play this season.
11:00pm, September 13, 2009 - After being swept in a doubleheader in Philadelphia, the Mets have been eliminated from both Division play and the Wild Card in the same game. With 18 games left ot play, the Mets have also assured themselves of no better than a .500 season.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
11:00pm, September 13, 2009 - After being swept in a doubleheader in Philadelphia, the Mets have been eliminated from both Division play and the Wild Card in the same game. With 18 games left ot play, the Mets have also assured themselves of no better than a .500 season.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Saturday, September 5, 2009
a new Mets take on Monopoly
This comes from Faith And Fear In Flushing's Jason Fry and courtesy of the Wall Street Journal's website.
MetsSloppily. I Mets-themed Monopoly parody that kind of sums up the 2009 season. Check it out.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
MetsSloppily. I Mets-themed Monopoly parody that kind of sums up the 2009 season. Check it out.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
It's been almost a week since I watched a Mets game
Yes, it has been 6 nights since I watched a Mets game. It just seems weird. Very weird. Where were they? Where was I? I've actually watched and listened to 1 televised game in the past 9 days (and had one other on in the background while meeting some other Mets fans last week). After that unassisted triple play, they had 3 day games last week, I was at work and had to listen, and that seems like a very long time ago. They had games in Chicago, and I was in Boston, New Hampshire, and then Maine. Then they were off.
I started getting used to NOT having to watch the Mets. Sorry Gary, Keith, and Ron. I like you guys, but the break was good. Now that it's September, I'll be looking for distractions from the Mets. Is it worth watching? The U.S. Open is this week and next, and I'll be there all day Friday when the Mets come home again. Hockey games will be on TV starting the week after that. Just a few, but it's a change. LET'S GO DEVILS! A new season of primetime network television comes later in September, officially the 64th.
The Mets have to fight for my attention.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
I started getting used to NOT having to watch the Mets. Sorry Gary, Keith, and Ron. I like you guys, but the break was good. Now that it's September, I'll be looking for distractions from the Mets. Is it worth watching? The U.S. Open is this week and next, and I'll be there all day Friday when the Mets come home again. Hockey games will be on TV starting the week after that. Just a few, but it's a change. LET'S GO DEVILS! A new season of primetime network television comes later in September, officially the 64th.
The Mets have to fight for my attention.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
There are no more words
Monday it was late news that Johan Santana was missing the Tuesday start. He's done for the year.
Tuesday night it was late news that J.J. Putz was going to miss the rest of the season.
Wednesday afternoon it's news that Oliver Perez is done for the year with season-ending surgery.
Last night I shared what I see as the "bright side" in all the injuries with some of the folks at Amazin' Tuesday in Manhattan.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Tuesday night it was late news that J.J. Putz was going to miss the rest of the season.
Wednesday afternoon it's news that Oliver Perez is done for the year with season-ending surgery.
Last night I shared what I see as the "bright side" in all the injuries with some of the folks at Amazin' Tuesday in Manhattan.
At least nobody died.Scary!
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Friday, August 21, 2009
How far we have fallen - the 3rd quarter report
First, remember where we all were 13 weeks ago and 6 1/2 weeks ago.
After 41 games: 22-19, a team that I didn't think was much more than a .500 club
After 81 games: 39-42 (17-23 over the 2nd quarter), a team that showed all the signs of having a bad summer
After 121 games: 56-65 (17-23 over the 3rd quarter), a team who's season is all but done.
If that projection keeps up, it could be a 20 game dropoff from last season - you don't recover from that with the same personnel making decisions.
This quarter hasn't been good for the New York Mets. More injuries, more embarrasment, more bad play. It's easy to blame things on the injuries, but there have been players largely uninjured playing poorly (or at least before their injuries). Off the field seemed to be just as bad as on the field. Tony Bernazard, new things to see at Citi Field (too little, too late for me), more bad luck injuries (can't blame the trainers for someone blowing a tendon doing the splits covering first or getting beaned in the head by a fastball). The Mets have all but said that they're done, but not admitting it directly so they can still try to sell tickets (what a joke that whole area has turned out to be).
What is there to look forward to? The end of 90 degree temps and the end of the humid nights? A few September callups showing us what we had in the farm system that wasn't worth trading? People begging on the street for someone to buy or just take their tickets from tonight's game? Hockey, Football, and Basketball seasons? Spring Training 2010 vacations?
Pitchers and catchers in less than 6 months!
I don't even know what else I can say at this point. It's over, something I really knew for a few months now, so just play out the schedule rather than taking a forfeit. Let's come back and fix things both inside and out for 2010. When I return to Queens for my first game next year (my only game?), I want to feel like I'm back in the home of the Mets after being homeless for a season.
My advice: take the family on vacation before school starts (or maybe just yourself before school starts, or maybe that doesn't matter), and don't worry about missing the Mets while you're gone.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
After 41 games: 22-19, a team that I didn't think was much more than a .500 club
After 81 games: 39-42 (17-23 over the 2nd quarter), a team that showed all the signs of having a bad summer
After 121 games: 56-65 (17-23 over the 3rd quarter), a team who's season is all but done.
If that projection keeps up, it could be a 20 game dropoff from last season - you don't recover from that with the same personnel making decisions.
This quarter hasn't been good for the New York Mets. More injuries, more embarrasment, more bad play. It's easy to blame things on the injuries, but there have been players largely uninjured playing poorly (or at least before their injuries). Off the field seemed to be just as bad as on the field. Tony Bernazard, new things to see at Citi Field (too little, too late for me), more bad luck injuries (can't blame the trainers for someone blowing a tendon doing the splits covering first or getting beaned in the head by a fastball). The Mets have all but said that they're done, but not admitting it directly so they can still try to sell tickets (what a joke that whole area has turned out to be).
What is there to look forward to? The end of 90 degree temps and the end of the humid nights? A few September callups showing us what we had in the farm system that wasn't worth trading? People begging on the street for someone to buy or just take their tickets from tonight's game? Hockey, Football, and Basketball seasons? Spring Training 2010 vacations?
Pitchers and catchers in less than 6 months!
I don't even know what else I can say at this point. It's over, something I really knew for a few months now, so just play out the schedule rather than taking a forfeit. Let's come back and fix things both inside and out for 2010. When I return to Queens for my first game next year (my only game?), I want to feel like I'm back in the home of the Mets after being homeless for a season.
My advice: take the family on vacation before school starts (or maybe just yourself before school starts, or maybe that doesn't matter), and don't worry about missing the Mets while you're gone.
Leave a comment or drop me a line at DyHrdMET [at] gmail [dot] com.
Become a fan of RememberingShea on Facebook.
Become a Networked Blog
Saturday, August 8, 2009
September Training
Earlier today, I invented a new vocabulary word, "September Training'. By now, you've all have a chance to memorize it and create flash cards.
Tonight is the unofficial start to September Training. Former minor league starting pitcher and until now-Major League relief pitcher Bobby Parnell gets the start. All indications are that this is an evaluation of his skill and talent in a starting pitcher role to see what they may or may not have for 2010.
This is a good thing. The 2009 team never had a chance (though lots of us want to think that they did), and with 1/4 of the season to go, the focus is off 2009. Injured vetrans are on the waiver wire-trading block. We're giving someone who really is still a prospect (even with almost 3/4 of this season in the bullpen) a chance to show what he has, with a complete focus on 2010.
This is what September Training is (just not with a September callup in the physical month of September). An evaluation of what you have in the farm system (or even misplaced on the roster) BEFORE starting to rebuild for next season. It makes that job that much easier, and this is a better evaluation than Spring Training is.
Come September, when the minor league seasons are over, we'll get a look at a few prospects filling out the 40 man roster, and we can see what these guys are all about. To create roster spots, some aging free agents-to-be veterans will be traded (before the post-season roster freeze on September 1), and some injured players will just be shut down for the season (Reyes? Beltran?).
Rebuilding is the right direction for the Mets. Out with the old, injured veterans, and in with the new, younger crop of talent. I just wish they'd go a different direction from Omar Minaya since it didn't quite work out they way they hoped with him over the past 4 years.
Become a fan of Remembering Shea on Facebook.
Tonight is the unofficial start to September Training. Former minor league starting pitcher and until now-Major League relief pitcher Bobby Parnell gets the start. All indications are that this is an evaluation of his skill and talent in a starting pitcher role to see what they may or may not have for 2010.
This is a good thing. The 2009 team never had a chance (though lots of us want to think that they did), and with 1/4 of the season to go, the focus is off 2009. Injured vetrans are on the waiver wire-trading block. We're giving someone who really is still a prospect (even with almost 3/4 of this season in the bullpen) a chance to show what he has, with a complete focus on 2010.
This is what September Training is (just not with a September callup in the physical month of September). An evaluation of what you have in the farm system (or even misplaced on the roster) BEFORE starting to rebuild for next season. It makes that job that much easier, and this is a better evaluation than Spring Training is.
Come September, when the minor league seasons are over, we'll get a look at a few prospects filling out the 40 man roster, and we can see what these guys are all about. To create roster spots, some aging free agents-to-be veterans will be traded (before the post-season roster freeze on September 1), and some injured players will just be shut down for the season (Reyes? Beltran?).
Rebuilding is the right direction for the Mets. Out with the old, injured veterans, and in with the new, younger crop of talent. I just wish they'd go a different direction from Omar Minaya since it didn't quite work out they way they hoped with him over the past 4 years.
Become a fan of Remembering Shea on Facebook.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Is the season half full or half empty? The mid-season report
81 games down, 81 games to go. The Mets are 39-42, tied for 3rd place (with Atlanta), 4 games back of the Phillies. 22-17 at "home", and 17-25 on the road. They were 22-19 after 41 games (1/4 of the season).
The team is in a bit of a tailspin right now. A good team would have shown signs of competition in the recent series in Philadelphia. The Mets didn't.
It's easy to blame problems on the injuries. And it's easy to blame the injuries on the WBC and a clueless training staff. But every team suffers injuries (though not at the rate that it's hit the Mets this year), and even the best team must overcome injuries. The roster isn't really a 25 man roster. It may be a 50 man roster, with 25 in uniform and ready to play on any given game. The Mets are showing a lack of depth in their roster. I've used the joke that the organization is only 20 players deep, and 25 of them were on the Opening Day roster. They need depth in order to sustain the injuries. Even after the first couple, the Mets showed a lack of depth.
It's easy to blame problems on bad decisions. Decisions to rest a player for a couple days on the active roster while everyone with a clue knew that the player needed a 2 week vacation (to the DL). The bigger kicker is that most of those players still haven't returned. Decisions to play a player out of position to fill a gap rather than find someone who knows how to play that position. Remember, that's what the AAA team is for. Decisions to play player that just aren't big league ready, mostly because there is no other option.
It's easy to blame problems on the new stadium that we now call home. Its dimensions are supposedly vastly different that it's a place where home runs go to die. But that's just an excuse, and they need to play 81 games on the road, where they've played very poorly this year.
It is what it is. The Mets are a .500 club when healthy, and a few games less than that when not. They've performed poorly, especially in the last 41 games, and it shows. Their confidence has to be shaken. Anyone around the club for the past 4 years has been shaken. The new players and injury replacements are just a band aid on a broken leg. They're in a tailspin, and after the season is over, it's time to rebuild the farm system (depth), get better training and medical opinions (injuries), and bring in a whole new set of baseball minds who can bring in a whole new set of players. Just like we did after spinning down in 2001-2003. Just like we did after spinning down in 1992-1995.
The team is in a bit of a tailspin right now. A good team would have shown signs of competition in the recent series in Philadelphia. The Mets didn't.
It's easy to blame problems on the injuries. And it's easy to blame the injuries on the WBC and a clueless training staff. But every team suffers injuries (though not at the rate that it's hit the Mets this year), and even the best team must overcome injuries. The roster isn't really a 25 man roster. It may be a 50 man roster, with 25 in uniform and ready to play on any given game. The Mets are showing a lack of depth in their roster. I've used the joke that the organization is only 20 players deep, and 25 of them were on the Opening Day roster. They need depth in order to sustain the injuries. Even after the first couple, the Mets showed a lack of depth.
It's easy to blame problems on bad decisions. Decisions to rest a player for a couple days on the active roster while everyone with a clue knew that the player needed a 2 week vacation (to the DL). The bigger kicker is that most of those players still haven't returned. Decisions to play a player out of position to fill a gap rather than find someone who knows how to play that position. Remember, that's what the AAA team is for. Decisions to play player that just aren't big league ready, mostly because there is no other option.
It's easy to blame problems on the new stadium that we now call home. Its dimensions are supposedly vastly different that it's a place where home runs go to die. But that's just an excuse, and they need to play 81 games on the road, where they've played very poorly this year.
It is what it is. The Mets are a .500 club when healthy, and a few games less than that when not. They've performed poorly, especially in the last 41 games, and it shows. Their confidence has to be shaken. Anyone around the club for the past 4 years has been shaken. The new players and injury replacements are just a band aid on a broken leg. They're in a tailspin, and after the season is over, it's time to rebuild the farm system (depth), get better training and medical opinions (injuries), and bring in a whole new set of baseball minds who can bring in a whole new set of players. Just like we did after spinning down in 2001-2003. Just like we did after spinning down in 1992-1995.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Morning Programming
I usually turn off SNY/WPIX after the game. I do it even after wins because there's something on my DVR that I need to watch in order to make room for something else to record.
But after Wimbledon, I'm going to leave my cable box on SNY HD before I retire for the night. Not to watch highlightes (or "lowlightes") on SportsNite, not to watch a replay, but to watch ifWillie Randolph Jerry Manuel was let go overnight.
If this keeps up, returning home next week should be real interesting to see if/when/how the fans' mutiny happens. This team is under such a microscope this year from the fans and media and us amateur bloggers that a mutiny may be on the scale of the Boston Tea Party.
But after Wimbledon, I'm going to leave my cable box on SNY HD before I retire for the night. Not to watch highlightes (or "lowlightes") on SportsNite, not to watch a replay, but to watch if
If this keeps up, returning home next week should be real interesting to see if/when/how the fans' mutiny happens. This team is under such a microscope this year from the fans and media and us amateur bloggers that a mutiny may be on the scale of the Boston Tea Party.
Monday, June 22, 2009
There's a lot of parallels
I don't think the immediate future is good. Do you remember the 2000 season, the team got to the World Series? That was good, and maybe they should have won (or at least got back to Yankee Stadium to get finished off there). They really really should have won game 1, but found ways to blow it. After that series, they had a couple of down years instead of working from the momentum, like they had done going from 1999 to 2000 (and even building into '99). That game 1 loss was a game that they, as a franchise, just needed a couple of years to get over.
And those couple years were some down years (2001-2004). Some bad trades. Some bad players. And eventually, the players, coaches, and management from the 2000 team were all gone. Omar Minaya came in to run the baseball operations after the 2004 season, Willie Randolph was named manager, Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez came in as free agents, and we had some good prospects. The Mets were getting built for the future.
And the future came with a good team in 2005, and a team that was made to win it all in 2006. But that didn't work out. They blew their chance in game 7 of the NLCS that year after Endy's catch, and I've said for 2 1/2 years that the franchise hasn't recovered from it yet. This is why I brought up the 2000 team and aftermath. There's a lot of parallels between the two, and some differences too. After 2000, it took into a 5th year before things got pointed in the right direction. After 2006, we had a let down too. A different way of letting down though. We had leads and blew them late, missing the playoffs by 1 game in each of the past 2 seasons. I think we're still on our downslide following that game 7 loss almost 3 years ago. The current team is starting to show signs of slippage.
Back to the parallel, things didn't really get worked out for the Mets earlier this decade until the house was cleaned out and players and management who were part of that 2000 team were gone. I really think that's the same remedy we need here. Clean house. Rid ourselves of everyone who was part of the teams in 2006, 2007, and 2008, because those years collectively have a stink similar to the 2000 team.
It will take a few years to remake the club into a contender, and for us to try again. But I think it's the only way. Throwing new players at this thing just isn't going to make it better.
And those couple years were some down years (2001-2004). Some bad trades. Some bad players. And eventually, the players, coaches, and management from the 2000 team were all gone. Omar Minaya came in to run the baseball operations after the 2004 season, Willie Randolph was named manager, Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez came in as free agents, and we had some good prospects. The Mets were getting built for the future.
And the future came with a good team in 2005, and a team that was made to win it all in 2006. But that didn't work out. They blew their chance in game 7 of the NLCS that year after Endy's catch, and I've said for 2 1/2 years that the franchise hasn't recovered from it yet. This is why I brought up the 2000 team and aftermath. There's a lot of parallels between the two, and some differences too. After 2000, it took into a 5th year before things got pointed in the right direction. After 2006, we had a let down too. A different way of letting down though. We had leads and blew them late, missing the playoffs by 1 game in each of the past 2 seasons. I think we're still on our downslide following that game 7 loss almost 3 years ago. The current team is starting to show signs of slippage.
Back to the parallel, things didn't really get worked out for the Mets earlier this decade until the house was cleaned out and players and management who were part of that 2000 team were gone. I really think that's the same remedy we need here. Clean house. Rid ourselves of everyone who was part of the teams in 2006, 2007, and 2008, because those years collectively have a stink similar to the 2000 team.
It will take a few years to remake the club into a contender, and for us to try again. But I think it's the only way. Throwing new players at this thing just isn't going to make it better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)