Think about this for a minute, the Mets have lost their closer for the remainder of the season and maybe part of next season and instead of panic and angst, Mets fan are celebrating like the team just won the NL Pennant. Francisco Rodriguez has torn ligaments in his right thumb, HOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any other season the scramble would be on to find someone to pitch the 9^th inning, instead Mets fans are full of optimism that the team will void Rodriguez contract. Fans don’t even care if they can legally do this it’s more like the want to see Rodriguez suffer and maybe that the great legal mind of David Howard can take on the MLBPA and win, what could be the most important contest the Mets have been involved in two years. 

Speaking for myself, I don’t care if the Mets have to pay K-Rod the rest of this year and next, although I’d think if the Mets could win a case against Rodriguez a ticker tape parade down Roosevelt Ave would be appropriate, I just want to see the front office show some fight and send a message that they actually give a shit about the team and are tired of being portrayed as bungling douche bags.

Maybe the tide is turning in Flushing, as the Mets not only signed their number one pick RHP Matt Harvey but they went over slot price as well.

As another Mets season goes down the shitter, what better time to worry about next years contract right? That’s what’s on the mind of Pedro Feliciano. Daily Pedro will be a free agent after this season and is looking to re-up with the Mets and raise up his salary from this years $2.9 mil. I’m sure Feliciano will be looking for a healthy bump in pay and years but at what point do the Mets say farewell as the price in both cash and time becomes prohibited? A LOOGY on a mediocre team is a luxury you don’t really need so it’s more the Mets missed the boat at the trading deadline by not dealing Feliciano. I’m pretty sure you can find a Quadruple A or league average player to play the LOOGY role for a fraction of the price of Daily Pedro.

So today KO-Rod will be arraigned in Queen Criminal Court on domestic violence charges and no matter if his father in law doesn’t want to press charges it’s out of his hands as in NYC the law is the City of NY is now the plaintiff in this case.  This could be the best news the Mets get all year, maybe Rodriguez gets two years in the slammer and the Mets get to void his contract. Props to the Pops for taking one for the team.

I have a very funny feeling that David Wright will go to management very very quietly this winter and ask to be traded.

I’m leaving the Cape tomorrow and heading back to NYC and what I’ll miss most besides the beach and Main St in Hyannis is the great baseball I’ve seen here the last 10 days.  Yesterday in Game 1 of the Cape League Finals I saw one of the best pitching performances of the year as  RHP Matt Andreise out of Cal-Riverside pitched a complete game shutout to give the Cotuit Kettlers a 3-0 win over the Y-D Red Sox. Y-D is an offensive power house and that makes this game more special.

Then I’ve been watching some Red Sox games as you can’t help it they are on every TV in every bar and restaurant on the Cape.  For all the injuries the club has suffered this year they keep on playing good hard fundi baseball and are still on the Highlanders tail.

There is a ton of good baseball and well run baseball teams out there just don’t go looking on 126^th St and Roosevelt Ave in Queens for it though.

So much for the talk of $iti Field being a detriment to the Mets winning. Talk about ‘there’s no place like home” Welcome to Citi Field Home of Citi Ball. It’s a little bit of small ball, a dash of long ball and three parts big balls pitching.

Not only did the Mets take two series from the Taliban (Highlanders) and Al-Qeda (Phuck Phaces) of MLB they did it with the one thing that all winning Mets teams have possessed, outstanding pitching and timely hitting. Now the challenge is to do it on the road as the Mets have an NBA team like split of 19-9 at 126^th & Roosevelt Ave and an embarrassing 6-14 when the bags are packed, that has to change and change this on this road trip to show the league and Mets fans that this run of success is not a mirage.

It’s quite obvious that “as goes Jose Reyes, so goes the Mets” is not hyperbole, when it’s Jose Being Jose, hitting line drives in the gaps, running like his feet are on fire, making tremendous defensive plays, and reacting with all the animation of a Looney Tunes cartoon, the team and the fans feed off the Jose Reyes Experience and I for one am glad it’s back by popular demand.   

I could’ve done without Big Pelf doing his Dice K imitation last night with the five free passes but other than that, the continuation of the Summer of Pelf was a pleasure to watch.  Now that Big Pelf has incorporated the split-finger fastball with great success mixed in with his 90+ FB effective slider and a much better curveball and the big ingredient, maturation what we are seeing is the blossoming of a star pitcher that is quite impressive.

I like to compare Hisanori Takahashi to the late Bob Ross of the Joy of Painting, he makes pitching look so easy. Takahashi’s “happy little trees” is his fastball that he places on the inside strike zone and outside strike zone and maybe one here up in the strike zone or one here down and in. It’s like Takahashi has a baseball palette on the mound, just mix a little bit of fast ball with some slider to create at a cutter, just a little bit of slider on those bristles, oh that one is out of the strike zone ? Not a problem we can fix that it’s just a happy little accident. That’s Hisanori Takahashi pitching in his moment of Zen.

You know something, the way the Mets are treating Oliver Perez is better than just releasing him. The Mets have become Amish elders with Perez as he is shunned by management for not accepting assignment to Buffalo. Ollie has become a non-factor on this team, only to be used in blowout conditions. Here are the Mets scrambling for a starter for Saturday and the names being tossed around are Raul Valdes, or R.A. Dickey on three days rest or just let Fernando Nieve start as a resurrection of the spot starter, not one mention of letting Ollie P take the mound. I wonder if Perez is bright enough to be embarrassed about this?        

As long time readers here know, I am not a big fan of Mike Piazza. I acknowledge the he is arguably the best offensive catcher of all time and a first ballot Hall of Famer and I hope he goes in as a Met. But he always struck me as a me guy and a phony because in my opinion, he was more concerned about his personal stats than winning baseball games. However, when it comes to speculation that he was a steroid user all of those who come out and say that Piazza used PED’s , show your proof or shut the fuck up. Show the test results that separates fact from fiction and I’m looking square at you Murray Chass you old broken down fucking hack. I wish Piazza would sue you for defamation of character to expose you as the irresponsible dolt that you are. If you want to read Chass’ bullshit post, Google it, there will be no links to his site here ever!!!!!!

 

So the Skill Sets have sent out invoices to their loyal season ticket holders and some of these customers it seemed got bigger decreases in the invoice than others. If you’re a fat cat who buys tickets in the Metropolitan section you get a bigger break than the guy who buys tickets in the Promenade. It seems the less you know or care about the Mets, the better the Mets organization takes care of you.  Oh yeah, the Skill Sets need a partial payment by December 4^th so they can pay Bobby Bonillia’ his yearly stipend from his buyout.

 

 

I’m a fan of Carlos Beltran as he is a great player and is a very charitable man, but as a GM he leaves a lot to be desired. Beltran stated yesterday he’d love for the Mets to bring back Carlos Delgado for next season. I’m glad Beltran is so fond of Delgado, but the next time I see Delgado at a Mets game it should be for Old Timers Day.

 

Who wouldn’t want a stud pitcher like Roy Halladay? But does it make sense for the Mets to get involved in a trade for the Blue Jay ace? Word is the Highlanders and BOSOX are ready to talk turkey with the Jay-Birds but who knows how much of this is fact or bullshit and if the Mets were to get involved do the Mets have the pieces to make it happen? It seems the Jay want quality over quantity so if you’re the Mets do you have anything that the Jays would want? If you take Vernon Wells of their hands you could get Halladay for nothing but do who wants to saddle themselves with $98.5 mil in contract? As you can see I have a lot of questions but no answers.

 

I saw this last night on via Twitter on the Tirico Suave site and like I said there, this is Gold PURE GOLD. Mike Francesa never looked so hip!

 

I saw a bunch of guys stand around Port Richmond Ave on Staten Island this morning looking for day labor work and I swear one of them was Lou Dobbs.

 

Seems that Chuckie Gruden could be the next head football coach at Norte Dame. I think it’s a foregone conclusion that Charlie Weis is the lamest of ducks at ND and the list of names will be filled with names like Chuckie, Urban Myer, and Skip Holtz to name three but the bottom line is Weis has not only been a coaching disaster but a prick as well. The funny thing about Weis and Eric Manasshole in Cleveland is they want to be like Billy B up in Foxboro but they forget if you want to be a first class asshole you better be a successful first class asshole.

The off season is not even 24 hours old and I want to rip someone throat out in the Mets front  office. The shit heads in charge have made their big announcement on the changes in the coaching staff.  Sandy Alomar Sr and Luis Alicea get the ax and Hojo, Razor Shines and Old School Dan Warthen  get to stay.

Sandy Sr. will be reassigned to another job in the organization most likely tending bar in the Aclea Club, Alicea will be reassigned to body and fender work across the street at Minaya’s Auto Repairs.

Hojo stays because David Wright says he stays, and Wright is the highest ranking Caucasian in the clubhouse so he gets to make a minority hire . You wouldn’t have to be an online betting specialist to know that was going to happen.

Razor Shines stays because he and Jerry are tight which makes Shines, Jerry’s Art Fowler with the cirosess of the liver of course. Thankfully Razor will be assigned to bench coach job so no more innocent base runners get injured. Look for Obie One Oberkfell named as third base traffic cop.

Old School Dan Warthen stays because he has threatened to go public with stories of Jeffey Skill Sets, Mr. Met and Charlie Samuels hooking up at the Holiday Inn on Roosevelt Ave for an erotic adventure. My sources tell me there is a picture of all three involved in a ménage au trois while wearing black Mets uniform tops and black Mets caps with blue bills. Mr Met now answers to the name “Lucky Pierre.” NFL Odds weren’t even taken on this one.

Sandy Alomar Jr and Randy Niemann are staying as well because there is no definitive proof that Sandy Alomar Jr or Randy Niemann actually exists.

So far the off season is off to a less than rousing start.

The off season is not even 24 hours old and I want to rip someone throat out in the Mets front  office. The shit heads in charge have made their big announcement on the changes in the coaching staff.  Sandy Alomar Sr and Luis Alicea get the ax and Hojo, Razor Shines and Old School Dan Warthen  get to stay.

Sandy Sr. will be reassigned to another job in the organization most likely tending bar in the Aclea Club, Alicea will be reassigned to body and fender work across the street at Minaya’s Auto Repairs.

Hojo stays because David Wright says he stays, and Wright is the highest ranking Caucasian in the clubhouse so he gets to make a minority hire . You wouldn’t have to be an online betting specialist to know that was going to happen.

Razor Shines stays because he and Jerry are tight which makes Shines, Jerry’s Art Fowler with the cirosess of the liver of course. Thankfully Razor will be assigned to bench coach job so no more innocent base runners get injured. Look for Obie One Oberkfell named as third base traffic cop.

Old School Dan Warthen stays because he has threatened to go public with stories of Jeffey Skill Sets, Mr. Met and Charlie Samuels hooking up at the Holiday Inn on Roosevelt Ave for an erotic adventure. My sources tell me there is a picture of all three involved in a ménage au trois while wearing black Mets uniform tops and black Mets caps with blue bills. Mr Met now answers to the name “Lucky Pierre.” NFL Odds weren’t even taken on this one.

Sandy Alomar Jr and Randy Niemann are staying as well because there is no definitive proof that Sandy Alomar Jr or Randy Niemann actually exists.

So far the off season is off to a less than rousing start.

 

Oh where oh where to start on my bitch and moan session on this team. First I’m ready to give Jose Reyes the nickname of Scarecrow (if he only had a brain) because he knows his base running is fucked up and he knows that he needs to use his head better but he still makes the most mind boggling blunders. At some point we have to drop the “he’s young and still learning” bullshit and admit that he is baseball retarded.

 

Same with Wright maybe it’s enough with the face of the franchise stuff and put a foot in his ass as well. I’m sorry for attacking the children like this but as I mention above I’m a fan of the Boston Celtics and watching two kids like Rajon Rondo and Big Baby step up like men when their team has been hit by injury after injury and they have stepped up and taken charge in this playoff series against the Magic. Of course it helps that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are their to lead (Carlos Beltran is our Ray Allen) but Rondo and Big Baby (is there a better nickname in sports than a 6’7” 280 lbs man who is called Baby by teammates and fans?) have not once blinked when the game was on the line. Rondo has turned into Bob Cousy and Baby has not only hit big shots but he has played a physical game that has pussified the Magic. I want Reyes to be our Rondo and Wright to be our Paul Pierce unfortunately we don’t have a Big Baby (maybe Frankie Rodriguez) 

 

In the time honored tradition of being clueless about how to treat their injured players the Mets put Carlos Delgado and his bad hip on a cross country flight to then decided if he should go on the DL  Yeah I love this team!!!!!!!!!

 

Hey J J Putz why not draw a big “L” on your forehead as well. Putz claims he can’t get his adrenalin up when he comes into to pitch as a set up guy and not a save situation. The guy saved 15 games last year for a team that lost over 100 games. Really tough pressure situation there JJ how much adrenalin was oozing out you then?  Just shut up and pitch

 

 

Pro Baseball Central will be on tomorrow night  Friday May 15^th at 9PM EDST as Joe McDonald and I will preview Mets-Giants and talk about the big 10 games road trip and other news and notes from around MLB

 

Sunday night at 7PM I will be join the guys at Seven Train to Shea as their guest.

 

I’ve been fired up like this since Dave Singer sent me this clip of Wally Backman addressing his team. I’m thinking of using this on Saturday before our Babe Ruth League game. Our game Saturday is at 8:30 AM and my son has warned all of his teammates not to even mention the early start to me as he did and got the whole “I walked though 10 miles of broken glass with snipers on the roof through the streets of Brooklyn in the dark to play ball you little candy ass” rant.

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

You know what? I’m going to take credit for last nights Mets win. Yeah that’s right , if the Mets go off and rack off 15 or 17 game in a row I’m taking full credit, in fact if the Mets win the NL East and Carlos Beltran wins the NL MVP Award I want that trophy delivered to me with  a note from Beltran thanking me for my motivational push that made him the best player in baseball in 2009.  The Mets were looking for an “edge” and that’s me THE EDGE.  David Evans better get a new nickname because I earned mine.

 

Please, please people hold your applause, my work isn’t done yet as one game does not a turnaround make but I’m working on it.

 

My next pupil will be Sean Green, I have to get into his head and make him a feared warrior when he comes to the mound. My first order to him will be to grow a Fu Manchu moustache and then we are going to a hair salon on Roosevelt Ave to get him hair extensions (goin’ old school mullet here) and before every game I will beat him with a Kimbo stick.

 

Now all this I’ve done for the Mets have been at no charge, if they want Ollie P straight that will cost them as I’m THE EDGE not JESUS.

 

      

Today had to be Omar Minaya’s worst nightmare.  A guy he could have been rid of in O.P.  whose contract is ready to bypass Luis Castillo’ as the worst deal signed in the Minaya Era. Daniel Murphy played LF again without a clue and it’s not all the kids fault as he has never played there so in Mets logic he’s the perfect candidate for the outfield job. Then Jesus Flores the former Mets famer who was stolen in the Rule 5 draft smacked Mets pitching around.  Then after the game Casey Fosum was DFA’s and 40 year old (Omar is a cougar chaser) LHP Ken Takahashi. Oh yeah and now there is talk that OP will be skipped in his next start (vs. Philly) and banished to the pen when Tim Redding decides it’s time to earn a paycheck. But the good news is Carlos Beltran saved the Mets some money on bleach again as he pulled up at 2^nd base on a steal attempt. Quite the gentleman that Beltran.

I have to say I’m not angry or disgusted in the play of this team so far in fact I’m quite intrigued on what the front office will do to get this thing in the right direction.   The players can give quotes on how they are a good team and how they will get it together and all that but we know better that it’s just bullshit right now the story here is how does Omar Minaya save his job as Mets VP and GM and that of his staff.

Minaya won’t be axed during the season but without a post season game in the House That Jeffey Built, there will be a second demolition in two years at 126^th and Roosevelt Ave.     

 

Couple of things from $iti Field today. I love the Jackie Robinson Rotunda but why does everyone think it’s the only entrance to the ball park? We entered at the Right Field Gate and there was no one on line to get in.

When it got to 8-1 we went to get something to eat and of course the lines at the Shake Shack were ridiculous. But we hung in there and got some burgers and found refuge down by the visiting bullpen where the old Apple resides. Its’ a great spot with tables and shade but one little problem, you can’t see the game from there and there are no TV’s either. Now the Field Level where you can see the game from any place you stand has more TV’s on display than P.C. Richards showroom. I think it would be wise to move a TV or two to that little picnic area by the pens.

I was very happy to see the Mets Yearbook and Media Guide was finally available. Last week they were selling neither  so there is some progress.

If today’s game was played at Shea there would have been a mass exodus to the exits by the 6^th inning. The Mets were losing, the game was lousy and it was hot as hell but a game like this gives you a chance to enjoy the amenities of $iti Field. I would not be off base if I said there were more fans in the center field food court than in the seats by the 7^th inning.  

  

 

  

 

    

 

The top starlet on the list is Derek Lowe who won’t settle for the 3yr/$36 mil initial offer from the Mets but a face saving 3yr/$42 mil with a vesting option on a 4^th year could make for a deal as it seems the propaganda out of the Lowe/Boras camp of suitors lining up is pure hearsay.

(UPDATE: Lowe will now meet with the Braves as they look to fill the void left by Smoltz shipping off to Boston. Now the off season is heating up GIDDY UP!!!!) 

 

Could there be a way for the Mets to sign both Lowe and OP? I’m not even going in the Manny direction as it looks like that won’t happen but is there a way that Omar could squeeze a few more million out of the Skill Sets to make arguably the best starting rotation in baseball?

 

Talk about out of nowhere? John Smoltz to the Red Sox?

 

Dear Joe Girardi,

    

                          Please excuse my husband Mark for being absent for last nights game. He did not finish his chores at home and had to be punished. Hopefully Mark learned his lesson and will make sure there are no dishes left in the sink over night and use coupons when I send him to the Stop and Shop.

 

                       I know the team really needs Mark, put as you know sometimes you just have to put your foot down. I’m sure you understand my predicament.

 

                                                                         Sincerely,

                                                                         Leigh Teixeira

 

“YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!! NOT BATTING FOR PETE ABRAHAM, MIKE SILVA!

 

“WHO LET THE DOGS OUT”- Seems a stray dog from the junk yards of Willets Point ran a muck over $iti Field yesterday and was captured by construction workers and animal control officers. When questioned the dog stated she was just looking for the season ticket office as she wanted to buy 4 seats in the Sterling Section. Jeffey loves his Bitches!

 

Don’t forget to set you alarm for 9PM tonight and join myself and Joe McDonald for our first Pro Baseball Central of the new year on Blog Talk Radio. We want you to join in on the show so call in at (646) 595-4462