The Mets now have had back-to-back complete game shutouts as Santana and Dickey became the first pair of Mets pitchers to post shutouts since Pedro Astacio and Jeff D’Amico went the distance in consecutive two-hitters on May 14-15, 2002 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Notching their major league-leading 18^th shutout this evening, the Mets have had their last four victories all come in shutouts.

Dickey (8-5) was just what the doctor ordered for the Mets in throwing a complete-game shutout against the National League East Rival Phillies. The righty was able to baffle the Phillies batters, striking out seven while only giving up one walk and one hit. The lone hit for Philadelphia came from opposing pitcher Cole Hamels, who laced a single to right field. Hamels (7-9) went eight innings for Philadelphia in a fine start, striking out eight Mets hitters. What hurt the lefty were the five hits that he gave up to the Mets with four of them falling in for extra base hits.

In speaking about his starter Mets manager Jerry Manuel had this to say, “Today he (Dickey) was very impressive for us. He is very much a competitor and he knew what he needed to do and he did it.”

After the game Manuel continued to say how he felt that pitching and defense was also a part of that Mets prescription for leading them to victories in the rest of the 2010 season. Well the Mets got plenty of great defensive plays in the game as in the first two innings shortstop Jose Reyes made two very nice diving plays for New York.

“We put an emphasis on pitching and defense, and we think that is our formula to win games,” Manuel said after the game, “Guys have responded very well to that formula so far.”

Mike Hessman also had two very nice defensive plays for the Mets, both coming in the bottom of the second inning taking care of two very hit ground balls and was able to make the outs against two very speedy runners. Hessman also recorded his first major league triple in the bottom of the fifth inning, but not without help of instant replay.

It seemed as if the rookie was able to hit a first pitch changeup into the crowd in left field which fell for what was originally called a home run.  That call was immediately protested by the Phillies players and manager Charlie Manuel as a fan interference play. In doing the right thing the umpiring crew immediately went into the replay booth inside of Citi Field to make the correct call. The umpires came out after a six minute delay to tell the rookie that he was going to get a triple. After the umpires call was made the 35,440 in attendance very upset immediately voicing their displeasure at the reversed call.

“The umpiring crew went to Major League Baseball for the official ruling,” Manuel explained of the overturned call. “They look at all of the different angels and they made that determination.” Hessman was awarded third base because, “When the ball hit the wall, Mike was already past second base and on his way to third; so I thought it was the right call for us.”

New York wasn’t able to cash in on that extra base hit as Hamels worked out of trouble. It would not stay that way for the Philadelphia starter as consecutive doubles in the bottom of the sixth inning by David Wright (29) and Carlos Beltran (6) was all the Mets needed to win the game.

“Having Beltran and Wright get hits tonight for us was a huge boost to our offense,” Manuel said after the game. “If we can get them both going at the same time it will be a positive thing for us offensively.”

Also contributing to the Mets offense was left fielder Angel Pagan who out hustled a very strong throw by shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Pagan continued to show off his speed by stealing second and third base (28). Catcher Henry Blanco was another part of the Mets offense in the bottom of the seventh inning, when scorched a ball down the left-field line for a ground-rule double (5).

The Mets will try to continue to ride this shutout momentum, and keep to the doctor’s prescription in game two against the Phillies on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Philadelphia will send out their own doctor in Roy “Doc” Halladay (14-8, 2.34 ERA) takes on Pat Misch. The 28-year-old lefty was 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA for Triple-A Buffalo will be called up to make the first start of the 2010 season. Mish had a taste of action with the Mets last season posting a 4.12 ERA in 59 innings.

Mets starter Hisanori Takashi (6-3) could not command the plate today in the loss going 4 innings plus four batters, the lefty gave up eight hits, six runs and four walks while also striking out four batters. Tigers’ starter Armando Galarraga (3-1) pitched well in six innings giving up five hits, four runs, and three walks and striking out one batter. Galarraga looked like he would have another no-hitter but the Mets spoiled his plans in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“The important thing for him (Takashi) is his command” Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters after the game. “Overall he has pitched well for us, today though it was just the walks and some hard hit balls, but overall he has pitched well for us.”

Magglio Ordonez had a great day at the plate for the Tigers going 2-for-5 and driving in three runs with two of those runs coming on a long home run to left field. Also having a good day at the plate was Ryan Rayburn who was 3-for-3 with one RBI, while hitting a homer as well.  For the Mets David Wright went 2-for-5 with one RBI, while Jason Bay and Ike Davis also contributed with an RBI each.

The Tigers plated their first run in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter Austin Jackson worked a walk. Rayburn ripped a single to left field to set up runners on first and second for Magglio Ordonez. During Ordonez’s at bat Jackson and Rayburn would steal second and third to have runners in scoring position for the visitors. The duo of Jackson and Rayburn has now swiped 10 consecutive bags against the Mets without being caught. Ordonez could not cash in as Takahashi got him to strike out swinging. Miguel Cabrera was able to plate the first run one batter later as he lifted a sacrifice fly to center field making the score 1-0 Tigers.

Ryan Raburn would work a walk to start top of the third inning, this was when Ordonez lifted his 10^th home run of the season making the score 3-0 in favor of Detroit.

The perfect game was spoilt for the Tigers in the top of the fourth inning as Jesus Feliciano picking up the first double of his career, which was hit over the left fielders reach. David Wright kept the inning alive with a single to left field. Ike Davis grounded into a 6-4-3 double play which scored the Mets first run.

Detroit would answer back in the top of the fifth inning as Raburn would strike with a home run (2) of his own to left field giving the Tigers the 4-1 lead. Back-to-back singles to left field by Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera set the stage for Brennan Boesch who worked a walk to load the bases for Brandon Inge. Mets manager Jerry Manuel then called for righty Elmer Dessens to try to stop the bleeding, but Dessens could not do so at first as he walked Inge which scored the fifth Tiger run. The relief pitcher was able to get Gerald Laird to hit a fly ball to right field before inducing the force out by Danny Worth. Even though there was an out recorded on that play, as Detroit took a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning that lead would not stand as Jose Reyes worked the walk to start the inning. Jesus Feliciano singled to right field setting up runners on first and second for David Wright who ripped a double (21) to left field cutting the Tiger lead to 6-2. Ike Davis plated the second run that inning as he was able to hit a grounder to the shortstop which plated Feliciano. Jason Bay ripped a single to center field which would make the score 6-4 in favor of the Tigers.

The Mets comeback would not end there as the drama mounted in the bottom of the seventh inning relief pitcher Ramon Santiago would start by hitting Ruben Tejada with a pitch and throw a wild pitch during Chris Carter’s at bat, which moved Tejada over to second base. Carter would cash that run in with a single to right field and make the score 6-5. Tiger manager Jim Leyland would call for former Yankee reliever Phil Coke to slow down the momentum. At first it seemed as if it would not be successful as Feliciano was able to hit an infield single, but the Mets could not cash in as David Wright struck out and Ike Davis flied out to end the inning.

“One of the characteristics of the team is our ability to come back,” Manuel said. “They felt like they can come back on any given night and they kept fighting and I really liked the fight that I had seen from them tonight.”

Both the Tigers and the Mets had chances during the course of the game. The Mets had chances to get the tie and the win, as well as the Tigers having a chance to add on to their lead. In the end though both bullpens did the job of shutting down the other teams offense and the score would stand at 6-5. Pitcher Jose Valverde converted his 17^th straight save opportunity tonight, which dates back to April 9, 2010.

Up next for the Mets is a three game home stand against another tough American League Central foe as the Minnesota Twins come into town. The first game on Friday features Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey (7-4, 4.58 ERA) taking on the Mets ace Mike Pelfrey (9-2, 2.69 ERA) with the first pitch slated at 7:10 p.m.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Injury Update:  Mets catcher Rod Barajas did not start tonight with a stiff back and Angel Pagan is day-to-day with a muscle spasm.  The team has recalled catcher Josh Thole from Buffalo and optioned lefty Raul Valdes to Buffalo.

“The move was made earlier in the day,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said after the game. “We wanted to make sure that we were protected and there is a good chance that Thole will start tomorrow.” He continued by saying, “We need to protect our catchers they have been vital to our success and we need to make sure that we are protecting them.”

This story originally posted on www.latinosports.com

Saturday ramblings in no specific order:

While I applaud Jerry Manuel for yanking John Maine the other night and showing that if you don’t perform you’re gone, Manuel went a bit too much and it show how much he really can’t stand Maine when it was reported to Manuel that Maine said “he wanted to pitch so badly he’d go out and throw left handed” to which Manuel said with his Gangsta’ laugh “That’s not out of the question , he might have more stuff lefty” funny line but said at the wrong time. There’s nothing to joke about here with this team. The only fans buying tickets to Mets games at $iti Field are the opposing teams fans.  If you’re a Mets fan why would you want to sit in $iti Field and get ridiculed for three hours. Mets fans have been on an island the last few years, the players and management couldn’t care less that everyone who knows us as Mets fans repeatedly asks us the questions about the team failure and get the badgering for the failure of this team and organization. I don’t mind it from friends and family but it’s the front running douchebag Highlander fan who’s knowledge of the team goes as far as wearing a 2 JETER t-shirt and that the organization has won 27 World Series and if you’re a true Highlander fan that person should embarrass you as well.

David Wright has argued more third strikes this past month than he has his whole career combined. At some point the home plate umpire needs to tell Wright, “it’s not me, it’s you” The “hasn’t been good since the beaning” theory is starting too look spot on after each Wright at bat. Maybe it’s not Hojo’s fault but I just wonder if a different voice would help Wright at this point ? It’s just too easy to pitch to David right now. Start him off with an inside pitch and work your way outside, he won’t stride toward the outside at all. The ground out he hit against Rivera to finish the game was the pitch he used to go to right center with, now with this too long swing of his you get a little fart of a ground ball.

Benny Agbayani left the Chiba Lotte Marines because of the way the treated Bobby Valentine. Mike Hampton on WFAN yesterday said Valentine was the best manager he ever played for.  John Franco and Mike Piazza have said the same about Bobby V. You think any of the current Mets will have such loyalty to Jerry Manuel when he’s given his walking papers?

Let Bob Melvin or Terry Collins finish the season and then bring back Bobby V in 2011.

Kevin Russo ? Who the fuck is Kevin Russo? Now every year when this played out Mayor’s Trophy series is played we’ll have to read a Where Are They Now feature on Kevin Russo as he works as a valet parker at the Tropicana in Atlantic City.

Welcome back Uncle Elmer.

So Roy Oswalt has agreed to be traded, good for him, would he be a fit on the Mets?  Hummm  tough to say. At first glance you’d say of course but he’s 32 yrs old with a history of back trouble and his contract runs through 2012 with $15 mil for this year and $32 mil the next two years but there is a $2mil buyout in 2012. It’s not the money that would scare me off but the back issue would and the fact that Oswalt is a countryboy and played in a city that watches baseball until football training camp opens so that would be a concern as well but what would it take personnel wise to bag Oswalt ? Would the ‘Stros take a big bag of junk like Ollie Perez and Luis Castillo ? Or Perez and Fernando Martinez (can we all agree it just isn’t going to happen for this kid?)  and a low level busher?    Like I say the point is moot the Skill Sets won’t pay the money.

It may be ridiculous that the Highlanders have this ban on iPad’s and laptops by fans coming into The Mall on River Avenue and they are ridiculous with their law and order policies on what you can and can not bring into the park (I want to know how much of a kickback security gets from the bowling alley across the street for holding bags? What’s the number for NYC Consumer Affairs ?) but really why do you need to use a laptop or iPad as a fan during a game ? Sit back and watch the game don’t make a job out of it.

Time to finish things off on the parquet floor starting tonight, as pissed as I am over the Mets who cower under the bed when things get tough, I have to make a 180 degree move as a Celtics fan. The C’s are so confident they border on cocky but when Paul Pierce looks in the camera and tells Celtics fans that “we’re coming home to finish this off” and ends it with a wink , I believe him, I mean he is The Truth right? But what I love is the way the team leaders are not afraid to call out anyone on the team, I still laugh at Big Baby Davis after fouling in a bad spot in the game and getting called out from the bench by Kevin Garnett yelling “ I know , I know I fucked up, I fucked up”   Can I get David Wright to do that just once?

I tell ya, this guy Nelly Figs if anything, is a real survivor. Just when you think he’s ready to get the boot, he now looks to be the long man in the Mets pen come opening day. The front office is finally coming to it’s senses as it looks like Jenry Mejia will go to Bingo to hone his pitching skills.

So the bullpen is now rounding into focus and come a week from Monday the pen should be:

Frankie Rodz

Vitamin Pedro (take one every day)

Kiko Calero

Ryota Igarashi (please pick another number.  18 does not fit you)

Hisamori Takahashi (the second lefty)

Fernando Neve (que ABBA)

Nelly Figs (que Destiny’s Child)

What stands out about this bunch of relievers is just three-Rodriquez, Vitamin P, and Kiki C are true relievers, the other four can be plugged into the rotation as well as relieve. What does that tell you about the faith the front office has in Big Pelf, OP, and Maine Man ? Not exactly a vote of confidence eh?

The worst part of the Reyes Thyroid melodrama is not the illness as it appears with rest and proper diet, Reyes can get his overactive Thyroid under control, it’s the fact that the front office now has to make some very important personnel moves and that alone should set all our Thyroids into overdrive.

As a fan I’m petrified about Jerry Manuel getting his way, having Jenry Mejia thrust into the set up role, and of Alex Cora becoming the everyday shortstop, and Cora can crow with all his bravado about grabbing the shortstop job until Reyes comes back but in the words of Harry Callahan, “A man’s got to know his limitations” you are what you are an overpaid backup. Now Manuel has another problem, trying to put together a lineup without two major pieces, a leadoff hitter and three- hole hitter.

The way it looks now the lineup for opening day would be this:

Pagan

Castillo

Wright

Bay

Murphy

Francouer

Barajas

Tejada

However, with the current situation the Mets find themselves in now and the way Ike Davis is hitting, the Mets may be forced into brining Davis up and letting him be the everyday first baseman. Now you may be saying, “Aren’t you the big time Murphy Fanboy” yes, yes I am, the problem is though, Murphy is not a 5 hole hitter, he is more a 2 or a 7 but with Wright and Bay both hitting from the right side, to have Frenchy got to 5, I would not be comfortable with three consecutive right handed batters plus Davis is showing that he could be ready and having that lefty power bat early on not only would boost the lineup but it would re-invigorate the fan base.

Murphy early on would be a lefty bat off the bench and by the time Beltran comes back (talk about a guy who has fallen off the radar screen, is Beltran working out in camp? at home?, at the mall ? where’s Carlos B ?)   along with Cora and either GMJ (switch-hitter) or Frank Catalanotto or Chris Carter with Fernando Tatis and Henry Blanco ready from the right side.  Then when Beltran and Reyes do come back, reassess the situation and move accordingly.

The biggest gripe I have and most Mets fans have is the lack of a strong leader in management. There is no one in the Mets organization that can stepped to a podium that makes me feel like they are in control of any situation. It’s sad. Every time a situation arises with this team it turns into embarrassment, we want to believe, we want to look at the ownership with confidence that there is a plan, we want to see the manager and players hold their heads high and play tough physically and mentally but all we get is a bunch of guys with high water pants and eye glasses held together with scotch tape. Not very inspiring is it?

I’d go into the pitching situation but my Morphine drip is almost empty.

It looks like the Mets front office feels the bullpen situation is bit dicey, with Kelvin Escobar hurting and the lack of a second lefty to take the pressure of Perpetual Pedro, they have signed RHP Kiko Calero and are courting LHP Joe Biemel.

Calero has a history of arm/shoulder injury but his biggest asset is he works cheap, a minor league deal that turns into a major league deal for $850K When Calero is on he is quite effective with his slider and he also a fly ball pitcher who could thrive at $iti Field National Park . Biemel is doing a song and dance about how much he wants, I guess he hasn’t figured out that the Mets have started throwing nickels around like they are manhole covers, but the Mets have the calendar on their side as they saw with Calero who wasn’t happy to be out of work so long but took what he could get.  

We all love Ike Davis and we all hope he becomes the 30+ HR 100+ RBI guy we have been dreaming of and his Granny yesterday in St. Lonesome was baseball Viagra no doubt about it but let’s not get premature about pushing him North as the every day first baseman for opening day. Let’s have Ike get about 100 or so AB’s as a Bison and if he’s producing, by all means bring him up. Between Davis, Jenry Mejias, Fernando Martinez and Josh Thole its clear the Mets fan wants a homegrown star to root for maybe this one time the bad fortune of the organization turns and these four kids turn out to be the real deal.

How aobut this take from Rockies manager Jim Tracy about injuires:

Still, just when they’ve gotten this close, the Rockies were hit with a series of injuries that threaten to curtail their momentum. Their staff ace, Ubaldo Jimenez, is bothered by a barking hamstring that has forced him to skip a start, while Contreras, who came over from the White Sox and allowed only two runs in 9.2 innings in his first two starts, was felled by a quad injury running out a ground ball. Closer Huston Street (33-for-34 in saves) has been out with a biceps injury but, in his absence, lefty Franklin Morales, a former starter, has been just as effective.

Lastly, Tulowitzki, who has thrived under Tracy, has been out for the past couple of days with a back problem. For whatever reason, Hurdle constantly was on Tulowitzki’s case, benching him three times last year, but under Tracy the shortstop has hit 20 of his 24 home runs and raised his average from .226 to .281.

“What is it they say? There’s no crying in baseball?” Tracy said. “You don’t worry about what you don’t have. You just find a way.”

WOW remarkable. You mean to tell me that the Mets way of talking about the guys who aren’t here more than the guys on the roster is not the way to go? You mean instead on making a statement and benching players who continually make bone head play after bone head play you reward them with more playing time? You leaving star players out in front of the firing squad to be question on what level they are hurt is not good management? I’m Shocked!

I never knew that Keith Hernandez was a bobble head devotee as myself. I love the Rusty Staub bobble head in the Expos uni I need to find one of those for my collection.

I am in full football mode today so what I’d like to do is give you folks three winners for today. I meant to so this Friday and I might just make this a Friday staple during the football season:

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

BENGALS -4 ½ over Broncos

Maybe it’s my fascination with Hard Knocks on HBO but I liked what I’ve seen of the Cincy Cats. I’ve always felt Carson Palmer, when healthy is one of the best QB’s in NFL. What is it with these coaches who graduate from Belichick University ? Don’t they know you need pelts on the belt before you can act like an asshole?

Vikings -4 over BROWNS

I won’t mention the over rated hillbilly who QB’s the Men of Norse but the Norsemen have the best RB in NFL in Adrian Petersen who will run roughshod over the Brownies.

SEAHAWKS -8 over Rams

Hate to go against our old Defensive Coordinator in his first game as an NFL head man but it will take awhile before Steve Spagnola turns the Rams into a winner in fact they may move back to LA before it happens.

I don’t know what was scarier yesterday, the sight of Wright getting hit in the head and lying motionless on the ground or the fear that his health and safety is in the hands of the most incompetent bunch of fuckers in sports, The Skill Sets!

Can’t you just picture Jeffey Skill Sets visiting Wright in the hospital. “Dave how are ya”? “You know what take Sunday off in fact here’s free pass to Great Adventure go ride the Kingda Ka on me”

A must read this morning is from Metsradamus who correctly points out the softness of the Mets is what has fueled this pitching inside and may have led to Wright getting beaned. I have stated this here before, the word around the league is the Mets are as soft as two-ply Charmin. Pitch inside, dust them off the plate, hell drill ‘em in the ribs, the Mets will turn the other cheeck never a fear of retaliation isn’t near. Turk Wendell Mets fans turn their lonely eyes to you .

But finally FINALLY someone stepped up as Johan Santana there behind Kung Fu Panda (on purpose) and drilled Bengi Mollina (The one Mollina who needs to get drilled is Yadier but that’s another post for another time) Sure the Panda hit it out of the park after hitting the dirt but sometimes you lose a battle to win the war.

Check out Mike Silva’s NYBD and his post on the NY Times story on left handed catchers. He mentions Benny DiSteffano the pride of Bensohurst has the last lefty receiver in the bigs. When I started with the City 25 years ago I worked with DiSteffano’s sister. When he was with the Pirates their Mom, would make a pot of pasta, meatballs and gravy for the Bucos. Chuck Tanner was the manager back then and it was the highlight of his season when the club made the trip to Shea and Mama DiStefano’s home cooked meal. By the way, being a lefty myself I own a left handed catcher mitt.

Oh by the way, my sympathy for Matt Cain ended when he tipped his cap to the crowd as he was booed when he was removed from last night’s game. That was a real asshole move by Cain.

 

 

Talk about a buzz kill, after Thursday ‘ game and the fact that the Mets took 3 of 4 from the Cards to pull within a half game of first place in the division, I was starting to wonder could this team play just good enough to stay in the race until August when we’re told the walking wounded should all be back in the lineup plus a chance that Billy Wagner could make his way back to the pen. Could it happen? Well, after last night’s cold water in the face, bringing me back to this awful place performance, it’s  going to be mighty tough.

This one was over in the second inning as the Mets decided that the lineup they trotted out on the field wasn’t enough of a handicap that they had to help the Highlanders more by playing shitty defense to leave Big Pelf out to dry. The combination of bad D and having his nuts squeezed by home plate ump Tony Randazzo had Pelfrey close to meltdown mode.  As Ron Darling pointed out on the telecast Pelf was showing emotion but he was still in control and after that awful second inning, pitched well but at 93 pitches through 5 innings and with two on and two out, and Pelfrey due up, Manuel sent up a pinch hitter which was the right call, the batter he sent up was Argenis Reyes and that was the wrong call.

When your lone right handed bat on the bench is Argenis Reyes he doesn’t see the batters box until the game goes to the bottom of 145^th inning. Manuel does not have the luxury of matching lefty righty with  this cut rate roster you have to go with your best hitter on that bench so in that spot you have to have Daniel Murphy hit for Pelfrey.   I wonder if there was some subliminal message that Manuel was sending to the front office with that move?

If ever there was a game to close the clubhouse door and air out your team it was last night but J-Man didn’t do it.  Last night in Toronto, after the Phillies lost to the Blue Jays, Charlie Manuel closed the clubhouse and laced into his club to get its head out of its ass. After the tongue lashing C-Man refused to speak to the media most likely going back to his hotel room with a big bottle of Canadian Club to wash away his frustrations. So which Manuel do you think is GANSTA’?

J-Man mentioned his roster depletion due to injury in his post game talk and it’s pissing me off that he keeps using that excuse as he needs to add a little Belichick to his game.

So now John Maine is getting a cortisone shot and will be shut down as he still has “discomfort” in his shoulder. Can we just send him to Birmingham to Dr Andrews already and get it over with? The Mets med staff is embarrassed one more time and the sad part is it’ll happen again.

The doctor who shot Michael Jackson with so much dope it killed him shouldn’t worry about a job I’m sure the Mets would gladly take him on their staff.

I agree with Gary Cohen, F-Mart is up here to play as a showcase for a trade.

MLB Trade Rumors had a link at deal with the Nats to send Nyjer Morgan to the Nats for Lastings Milledge.  I wouldn’t mind going after Morgan if I’m the Mets.

 

After yesterday’s loss to the Rays J-Man sounded like a guy at the end of his rope and to this Mets fan it seems he is sending out an S.O.S. to Omar Minaya to get him some relievers who can actually pitch at the major league level:

 Manager Jerry Manuel tried to shoulder the blame, saying he has overused Parnell, Green and Pedro Feliciano lately.

 What I need to do is really refresh the bullpen,” Manuel said. “I probably, to a fault, use them too much. I have to do all I can to refresh them and that will help.

“What I have to do is trust the other people I have down there.”

 

If that’s not a cry for help I don’t know what is. The Big Three (Parnell, Green and Feliciano) are the only pitchers not names Santana and Rodriguez that Manuel has faith in. Where Manuel has to take a hit is his lack of going to Brian Stokes. Stokes now becomes a major player in the pen. I really hope they have a Q & A session at this Mike Francesa/Jerry Manuel Breakfast tomorrow so I can ask J-Man why he buried Stokes for so long ? Hopefully I’ll eat my meal before I get tossed out of the proceedings.  

 

Problem here is there is no one to bring up besides Elmer Dressens who should have been here over Jon Switizer at this point. Lefty/righty who cares? Lets go with the best 7 guys we have.

 

This would all be a moot point if the Phillies were half way descent. Instead of looking at what’s going on down the Turnpike, Mets fans better watch Florida and Atlanta coming up on the outside.

 

Forget Adam Dunn, Mark DeRosa or Nick Johnson last time I looked they’re not pitchers and with everyone else looking for pitching the Mets just don’t have the chips to get in the trading game. J-Man better find a better way to manipulate his bullpen because the Calvary ain’t coming.

 

If you are free this Wednesday you should head over to Gallagher’s Steak House for lunch with Ron Darling and Bobby Ojeda  and a great charity:

  Gallagher’s Steak House and SNY Present: “An Afternoon With Ron Darling: A Benefit for Urban Dove” to Assist New York City’s at Risk Youth on Wednesday, June 24, at noon at Gallagher’s Steak House

 New York — New York Mets 1986 World Champion hurler and SNY Mets television analyst Ron Darling will be the guest of honor at a benefit luncheon for Urban Dove to assist New York City’s At-Risk Youth on Wednesday, June 24, at noon at Gallagher’s Steak House in New York City.

 An Afternoon with Ron Darling: A Benefit for Urban Dove” is priced at $75 per person, and includes a three course Power Lunch featuring Gallagher’s Certified Angus Beef steak as the entree, a copy of Darling’s book “The Complete Game,” and an autograph and Q & A session.  Seating is limited, and for reservations contact Gallagher’s at 212.245.5336. Darling’s teammate, pitcher B obby Ojeda, SNY’s Mets studio analyst, will be a special guest. Gallagher’s is located at 228 West 52nd Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, in Manhattan’s Theater District.

 

 Also tomorrow night at Foley’s  Eddie Kranepool and George Foster will be on hand to sign autographs and talk baseball.

 

Going to baseball game dressed like an umpire is beyond being an asshole in fact it’s so fucked up I’m surprised no one in the New York State Senate has done this yet.

 

Someone forgot to tell Fredi Gonzalez that its INTER-LEAGUE play not a Little League Tournament. Gonzalez had a tough time keeping track of his personnel last night and it could cost him the win against the Highlanders. 

 

The more I watch the SF Giants the more I feel they are my dark horse team to win the NL Pennant. If you look at their individual stats they’re not pretty, to appreciate this team you have to watch them. I know for some that’s hard to do but sometimes you have to put your slide ruler down and shut off your calculator and actually WATCH a baseball game to get a real feel for the execution and beauty of the game that you can’t find on a stat sheet. 

Mets contemplate the future if  Carlos Beltran gets bad news on his MRI today