Last night I had a great time talking to Rob Castellano of Amazin Avenue about the Mets farm system on THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN. Today Rob has a great Q & A with Jim Calis of Baseball America.

Last night, under the steady hand of Dave Jauss, the Mets continued their Home Sweet Home ways with a great 8-2 win over the Cards. Before the game, Jerry Manuel was informed he was to take the night off for banging brims with umpire Doug Endings in LA on Friday. Manuel asked if he could delay his suspension until today so he could name me the Manager for the night, as a nice birthday present, but Bob Watson nixed the idea.

You know it’s your birthday when……..Your family has a smile on their faces when you say you’d like to leave at 2PM for a 7PM game at Citi Field. I just love to see them grit their teeth in a big grin saying “Sure Dad no problem, we love going to games 4 hours before game time”

We all know the Mets have a bad record when it comes to dealing with concussions but it seems hard to kill them over Jason Bay head injury. Bay did not show concussion symptoms after smacking into the left field wall at Chavez Ravine and he was checked out by Dodger team doctors. In fact Bay himself thought he was just dehydrated on the flight home to NY. Hopefully after a couple or three days Bay will be fit to play.

Don’t forget to check out my THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN store at Cafe Press

Not much from me today between running around doing errands and it being so damn hot, lots of perspiration not much inspiration today.

Loved what I saw from Johan Santana last night. I guess he got tired of of all the “what’s wrong with Santana” from the fans and media. It’s not just that he told Jerry Manuel to go sit down but he pitched a complete game shutout against a Reds team that is the best hitting team in the league.

Great post by Eric Simon on Amazin Avenue today on the educating fans on how to read saber stats and understand what the numbers tell us.  Gary Cohen got the ball rolling on this with his take on BAPIP during this past weekends telecast. Simon picked up on this and by explaining what the number tell us will hopefully convert the non-sabermetic believers .  I have to admit the one class I cut out of regularly during high school years  was math. I hate math and sometimes when I read the sabermetric sites, the charts and graphs lose me, just tell me what time it is I couldn’t give a shit how the clock was made and it seems Eric Simon is going to help me out and tell me the time of day.

Speaking of saber vs. non saber check out this video

If the Pirates take Eddie Kunz for Octavio Dotel then we have a deal

Check out my THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN Radio show from last night as myself and Dan Epstein author of Big Hair and Plastic Grass, A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging 70′s

Don’t forget the polls are open at MetsGrrl and Mets Minor League Blog to vote in the primary for Howard Megdal for Mets GM

Jason Fry has a great post on the events of last night game in D.C. and the fact as Mets fans we are on the edge of our seats when the Mets have a late inning lead. Part of it is our paranoia over the bullpen but the bulk of our fear is the way Jerry Manuel misuses his relief core. I also find it hysterical that some of the comments on that post are chastising fans for calling our the managerial flaws of Jerry Manuel with the simplistic refrain old “hey the team is winning he must be doing something right”  but the don’t list what those “right things”. Folks the Mets are winning in spite of Manuel, it helps that D-Wright has found his game elite game and Angel Pagan has matured and that Big Pelf, Jon Niese, Ike Davis and even Ruben Tejada have mature and given this team the shot of young blood we have been craving.

By the way Manuel should be fired for even thinking of replacing Ruben Tejada at second base with Luis Castillo when Castillo comes back. Even I don’t think Manuel believes that but it’s more like another of “Jerry’s Games” to force the front office to make a move, like he did with Ollie P and John Maine, remember he is a Gangsta’

Believe it or not the Washington Nationals are on the verge of signing El Duque. I guess Luis Tiant ask for too much money.

The first primary is complete and Howard Megdal received 65 % approval vote at Amazin’ Avenue and 68 % approval at NY Baseball Digest. Proving that Met want what Howard has pledged to deliver LOGIC, TRANSPARENSY, and PASSION .  Next weeks primary is set and your voting places are at the AabFab Metsgrrl site and at Mets Minor League Blog. It’s your constitutional duty as a Mets fan to vote and remember id Howard were the Mets GM today, Ruben Tejada would play every day and Oliver Perez would be his baseball Ambassador to Mexico.

I have no baseball games this weekend so I am watching this great Germany-Argentina World Cup match then Mets-Strasburg then off to Lend Me A Tenor on Broadway. Life is Good.

Is it over yet? Last night’s game will not be in the rotation of Mets Classics on SNY, between the rain delay, Big Pelf’s throwing batting practice, Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan forced out of the lineup with injuries, and Gary Cohen admitting in public he was a fan the Mama’s and the Papas, the only reason to keep watching the game telecast was to see if Keith Hernandez’ head would explode.

I can’t wait for Saturday’s Mets-Nationals game with the most bizarre pitching match up I ‘ve ever seen. R.A. Dickey for the Mets vs. The Sensational Strasburg. Just think, you could add up the velocity of three of Dickey’s pitches and that total is still lower than one Strasburg fastball. The only drawback to the game is it’s on FOX, so I’m guessing we get stuck with Doofus Joe and Tim McFullofshit UGH!!!!!

Sam Page has a great post on Amazin’ Avenue on what is a fair trade for Cliff Lee. When you look it over the Mets do have the chips to pull this off without giving up Jenry Mejia. I would hate to lose Reese Havens in a deal as well but if a package of Fernando Martinez, Josh Thole, Nick Evans and Eric Niessen brings Cliff Lee to the Mets, it’s a steal, even if Lee leaves after the season as a free agent. Ike, Niese, Mejia and Wilmer Flores would be untouchables, Mark Cohoon too, so anyone else is fair game to get dealt for a pitcher of Lee’s pedigree.

Leonard Davis of the Syracuse Chiefs was the prick who took out Daniel Murphy at second base to break up a double play that put Murph out of action for the season with a knee injury. The play was a scumbag move by Davis. Tues day night the Bison met the Chiefs and Dillon Gee was on the mound and had a 4-0 lead when Davis came up to bat. Gee proceeded to drill Davis in the back with a pitch as payback for the take out of Murphy. I hope Dillon Gee is a Met forever!

The Phuck Phaces are getting hit hard by injuries. HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!

Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to announce that Howard Medal has accepted the call of duty and will run for General Manager of the New York Mets. The Eddie Kranepool Society whole hardheartedly supports Mr. Megdal’ candidacy for this very important office, please read this press release from Megdal Headquarters:

On Monday, June 14 at 11 AM, Howard Megdal, writer for SNY.tv, MLBTradeRumors.com, New York Baseball Digest, and Poet Laureate of Amazin’ Avenue, will reveal his decision concerning an electoral campaign to become the next General Manager of the New York Mets. Mr. Megdal will make a statement and take questions from the media.

The event will begin promptly at 11 AM on the fourth floor of the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway (at 45^th Street). At the conclusion of the event, lunch will not be served.

Megdal, 30, would be making his first-ever run for General Manager of the New York Mets. His career-to-date has included a wealth of relevant experience, however, including writing about the team for the New York Observer, authoring a definitive profile of Cowbellman, and finding several different rhyme schemes for the phrase “Big Pelf”.

Megdal also understands the fan perspective. He is also a Mets partial season ticket holder, attended David Cone’s 19 strikeout game on October 6, 1991, and served one day as a political prisoner over his love for the New York Mets during Phillies Hat Day at Beck Middle School in Cherry Hill, NJ.

WHAT: Announcement/Media Availability by Howard Megdal

WHEN: MONDAY, JUNE 14, 11 AM

WHERE: New York Marriott Marquis, Fourth Floor

Day/Nighter today and I was sooooo ready to cut work and head to Flushing to watch Santana do his magic, but my desk is piled as high with cases as thick as Fernando Martinez’ medical folder,  So I’ll pass on going to the game to spend the afternoon with Howie, Wayne and my un-fucking-believable case load. So while you wait for Game 1 some great links to peruse:

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever feels the time is right to bring back Bobby Parnell and his high heat to bolster the bullpen. I agree as it my be time to send Ryota Igarhashi down and when John Maine comes back, stick him in the pen as well. To make room for Maine, the Mets can put Fernando Nieve on the DL saying he is suffering from exhaustion. No one will dispute that.

Nice gesture by the Mets to draft John Franco’s son JJ in the first year draft even though he is headed off to Brown University. I watched JJ play at Staten Island Little League when I was managing a team and John would come to the complex whenever the Mets were off and his son played. Another young man from Staten Island Little League, Bobby Lanigan has been very impressive pitching for the Ft. Myers Miracle of the FSL.

Ike Davis is a rare species of Met 

When David Wright can slap Big Pelf in the mush with his batting gloves and live to tell about it, then you know all is right in Metsland.

I swear the guys over at Amazin’ Avenue get up with the roosters (or they just stay up all night) and I for one am glad they do as their Daily Mets Farm Report is a must read for me every morning.

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks for ending their 49 year drought by winning the Stanley Cup last night on one of the strangest goals in hockey history. Patrick Kane scored in OT but it wasn’t until the video review verified it. Kane and his teammates were celebrating but the Flyers and their fans just stood around like “now what” even the great Doc Emrick was a bit flustered. Anyway it’s nice to see an Original Six team win the cup. 

Memo to David Stern: Your thieving bastard refs are ruining the NBA Finals. When they are not gambling and throwing games or trading first class airline tickets for coach seats and pocketing the difference, they all but destroy the flow of the game and are so inconsistent with their calls that I don’t know what is and isn’t a foul anymore. And to you Mike Breen, your lucky I’m not working with you as I’d have punched you in the head by now you referee toady suck up.

Here’s your lineup for game 1:

            Reyes SS

•           Pagan CF

•           Bay LF

•           Davis 1B

•           Wright 3B

•           Francoeur RF

•           Cora 2B

•           Blanco C

•           Santana P

Will there be a Jesus sighting in game 2 ? How about the Animal?

 

 

I am pressed for time this morning as I have to leave work early and next week is a very short work week for me (just two days!!!!!) so I have ton of work to finish.

 But last night we had a great show on PRO BASEBALL CENTRAL that lasted 2 hours. The first part of the show we talked Mets and the moves to be made and more importantly who is going to make the moves. Listen to Joe McDonald us in on who will be making the important moves and who could be making the future moves for the Mets. Also Eric Simon of Amazin’ Avenue joined us.

 

The big question of the night on the show was will the Mets go the way of JACKS 99 CENT  or Bergdorf -Goodman.

 

 

The second part of the show dealt with the recent Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto Prize Fight from last Saturday night as we were joined by Rich Mancuso of NY SPORTSDAY who was in Vegas to cover the fight. If you are a Boxing fan you will love listening to Rich give his Sweet Science insight. Just click on the link on the upper right hand side of this site to listen in.

 

Check out my Week 11 NFL BEST BETS on NY FOOTBALL BLOG.

Tonight at 9PM ET we are back with a Hot Stove Edition of PRO BASEBALL CENTRAL on Blogtalk Radio.

 

Joe McDonald and I will be joined by Rich Coutinho of ESPN1050, Rich Mancuso of NY SPORTSDAY and Eric Simon of Amazin’ Avenue.

 

We will discuss what has transpired so far this off season for the NY Mets and look ahead on what moves the team needs to make to get back into contention in the NL.

 

You can join in as well by calling in at (646) 595-4462.

 

So join us live at 9PM ET on Blogtalk Radio or via podcast on our PRO BASEBALL CENTRAL site or right here at Kranepool Society for 90 minutes of  Mets Hot Stove talk.

WELCOME TO YANKEE STADIUM ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Great, great post today by James Kannengieser over at Amazin’ Avenue commenting on a post by Jeff Pearlman on Mark McGwire becoming the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals where Pearlman gets all righteous slamming McGwire with the tired old cheater line.

Kannengieser brings up the Amazin’ Tuesday even that Pearlman attended and I was there. I have all of Pearlman’s books and I read his blog and SI.com columns as well so yes I’m a fan of his but I don’t always agree with him on his positions.

I agree with Kannengieser, Bill James, Rob Neyer and Tom Tango on this over blown media scream fest about PED’s in baseball. We live in a world of physical enhancement from face lifts, to Botx injections to pills that give men erections for four hours and no one gets outraged but a baseball player, who a grown ass men by the way, making decisions to take something that would either bring them back from injury faster or enhance their ability to play better that was not against any of the rules of MLB until recently.

If you really want to be outraged, turn your anger at the Federal Government who is wasting your tax dollars in trying to prosecute (very unsuccessfully) athletes for using PED’s

It seems the biggest loser so far this World Series is the Rich Folks Fortress in the Bronx. I thought it was just my middle aged ears that couldn’t hear the crowd noise but after reading and talking to some fans who were at the games, it seems the Grey Poupon  crowd just ain’t into cheering. It could also be that real fans A/K/A Poor Bastards in the upper deck and bleachers are closer to Van Cortlandt Pak than they are the playing field and their veil disgusting comments float like a fart in the wind. Sad. Here we Mets fans have a ball park that seats you closer to the action plus we are more passionate and involved in our team than our neighbors in the Northern boro but have a team that can’t find it’s way back to post season baseball. It’s even sadder when a Mets-Phuck Face series in May has more passion that the Fall Classic.

 

 

 

 

Omar Minaya’s Best Week Ever came to an abrupt end last night as his team ended it’s winning streak, his Ace pitcher again received no run support and this time the defense betrayed him as well, the best free agent pitcher on the market last winter who camethisclose to being the second banana to Santana that the Omar will be looking for before July came to $iti and showed the Mets what could have been, his rejuvenated first baseman is headed for a DL stint and his manager made some head scratching moves before and during the game last night.

 

Big thank you to Dave Singer at NY Sportsdog and James K at Amazin Avenue for doing the heavy lifting on dissecting J-Man’s brain farts last night. Let’s hope he learns a lesson from last night.

 

Carlos Delgado’ tragically hurting hip could send him to the DL. He already had cortisone shot this spring in the hip and is a little leery of taking another one so soon because as we all know cortisone is a steroid. That’s why I don’t get all in a huff over players using PED’s  as cortisone injections are given out to athletes like flu shots at a nursing home.

 

It’s no secret that J- Man doesn’t think Ryan Church is Gangsta’ enough for him but the truth is Jeremy Reed is the same player as Church but with better and more versatile outfield play. Even more bad news for Church is if Delgado goes on the 15 day DL you could see Murphy and Tatis spilt the first base duties with Reed going to RF and Gary Sheffield going to left and Church going to sunflower seed distributor.