For all of you that know me out there, you know there are two things that I just fully cannot stand. The first being Radiohead, and the second being the New York Rangers. Well you can now add the handling of pitching staffs by all Major League teams (especially our beloved New York Mets) to that list.

Now I know that the bullpen is an integral part of the Major League game nowadays, and that in the minors pitchers are groomed to only go seven innings. I also know that in this age of the high priced bullpen and the evil pitch count complete games are a pretty much a rarity. But let's be realistic, there is no excuse for the Mets to not have one complete game this season. None. There have been times this year where I have been watching games and Willie or Jerry (pending on time of season) would come to take out a pitcher and I would just ask myself...why? I'll tell you right now, you would have never seen that with Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, or my boy Ron Darling (keep in mind one of my ultimate goals in life is to be "boys" with Ron Darling...he just seems like such a cool dude). Seaver probably would have actually flipped off whoever it is that was trying to take him out of the game. It would have been a slap in the face of a pitcher to take him out of the game as he was pitching a shut out back in the 70's, 80's, or even the early 90's. But recently it has become an all too common trend.

There have been two games this season that I can think off of the top of my head, where both Willie and Jerry have removed Johan Santana too soon. Now I know Santana has a history of never throwing complete games, and taking himself out of games, but this is where Jerry needs to now step up. We are going to pay this man $150 million and he can't throw us a complete game shut out every now and again. I was down in Philly for the 4th of July game where Duaner Sanchez decided that you only need two outs to complete an inning. Santana had under 100 pitches going into the ninth, and was still mowing down batters. But at the end of the eighth the doors to the pen opened, and out trotted Mr. Sanchez. JD=stunned. Of course that is the only game we lost in the series (thanks guys), and in the long run its not too much of a big deal anymore, but it really makes you wonder where this non complete game mentality that the New York Mets have came from. I would also like to think that Jerry would want to use this as an opportunity to show the players that this is HIS show. Putting his foot down on his ace (who coincidentally is the best pitcher in baseball) would show me a lot, and make the Willie firing more justified.

Before I get back into this art of pitching discussion, I must make a quick comment about our new manager. Now, I had problems with the ways Willie ran things at times, but I wasn't calling for his head. But I read Jayson Stark's Rumblings column today over at ESPN, and Billy Wagner basically set me straight about Willie. In short he basically said, it is nice having a more "Met-like" clubhouse under Jerry. Wagner also said that it was a nice change from the "Yankee-like" clubhouse that Willie ran. Wags also went on to say that the players have been more relaxed, and the clubhouse has been a better place in general. Now he never trashed Willie, as he likes Willie as a person (and how could you not). But if the Mets continue these winning ways under Jerry and make a run in the playoffs, I Jersey Dan, will feel like a huge fool for supporting Willie for as long as I did. I'm already starting to feel like a huge fool with the way our bats are starting to wake up. Though I can't stand the way Jerry handles his pitching staff at times.

Back to that pitching thing. Oliver Perez on Sunday. Even before the rain delay he was going to take Perez out. Why? He's young, he was actually pitching well, let the man throw until he can't throw no more. Perez needs as much time on that mound as possible. If he is to ever get consistent on the hill, that is the way he is going to do it. Same with Pelfrey on Tuesday. People will say his pitch count is high and what not. Who cares, pitch counts are the dumbest, most useless, overrated stat in baseball. The problem is pitchers need to learn how to pitch better again. Pitchers just aren't as good nowadays. They don't have as many good pitches in their arsenal, and as the great Ralph Kiner said a few weeks back during a game "they don't pace themselves." The reason all the great pitchers could go nine innings was because they paced themselves and they only threw hard when they needed to. Let's face it, Santana is great, but he can't stand up to Seaver, Doc, Ron, Jerry, or El Sid. Those guys were workhorses. I'm sure there are times when Ron is up in the booth just laughing at the fact that Mets starters are being taken out of games that they are throwing shut outs in. I think Ron understands this new age of pitching, but at the same time I'm sure Ron thinks its weak (that's just me assuming though).

What can be done? Well it starts in the minors. Pitchers should be groomed to go nine innings. Not six, not seven, not 100 pitches, but nine innings. Nine innings should be the goal. Now obviously on some days pitchers won't have their best stuff and they will be taken out, and that is fine by me. But if a pitcher is on, he should be staying in the game and giving his bullpen a rest. And let's face it, the New York Mets bullpen could use a rest every now and again. I mean it's nice to see Jerry bring stability to the pen by giving guys certain roles, but that doesn't mean you have use those guys every night. The only guy I have seen Manuel use less is Wags, who doesn't come in nearly for as many non-save situations as he used to.

You can call me old fashioned, but I just wish we could bring back some semblance of old time baseball from the 1970's and 1980's. I mean from what I've been told by the old timers, the quality of play in todays game is nowhere near the quality of play of yesterday's game. The Mets need to start pushing their starters more, start getting them ready for the post season where they might need to throw 125 pitches in a game. If the starting pitching doesn't toughen up and start pitching more innings, this team will not go far in the post season. Not with the way the bullpen has been overworked. You could see the bullpen tiring out in May, so can you imagine what it would be like in October? Read More...

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Get Over It.

(Thanks to Pensblog for first introducing me to this wonderful link) Read More...

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After tonights game, as far as I'm concerned the season is over...

There's no way Pelfrey is gonna beat Webb tomorrow, and we'll be lucky if Santana can beat Haren on Thursday...

This whole season has been a joke, every single player except for Wagner has seriously underperformed, Willie has made every mistake possible along the way, and everytime we get teased by winning a few games we always find a way to come back and screw it up

Whenever we score a bunch of runs early, our offense gives up and doesn't get a hit for the last 6 innings of the game, whenever our pitching is un-hittable our batters get shutout by some nobody rookie making his second career start, then when we score 7 runs in a game, our starter throws 100 pitches in 3 innings walking 9 and giving up 8 runs. I'm sick and tired of seeing this night in and night out.

There is one word that sums up this whole season... inconsistency... the Mets never do what they need to do when they need to... and there's no reason to think any of that is going to change, 2008 is over time to start thinking about 2009.

Goals for 2009:
open Citifield
say goodbye to Pedro, Delgado, Alou and Willie
say hello to Sabathia, Teixera, FMart and a new manager to be determined at a later date Read More...

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Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who is currently managing the independent Orange County(CA) Flyers, made some controversial comments on the Mike and Murray show on Sirius Satellite Radio today.

Carter was asked about the Mets struggles this year and if he had any interest in managing the Mets to which he responded...

Boy, I'll tell you what. I would love that, guys. When I saw that on ESPN today ... I got on the phone and I called (Mets VP of media relations) Jay Horwitz and I asked Jay, 'Should I try to call Mr. Wilpon?' If there is this going on I just want them to know of my availability. I'm only a phone call away, because my contract allows me to leave the ballclub. I could be in New York tomorrow, if necessary, because if there's anything at the major league level I can leave this job.

Is this guy kidding me?

First of all, all he had to say to give a proper response to this ridiculous question was something to the effect of "Look, Willie is still the Manager of the Mets, he's done a great job the last few seasons, and his guys have just hit a little stumbling block, losing some tough games... blah blah blah..." Instead he took the opportunity to make a complete asshole of himself by talking about how much he would love to take over.

Second, is Carter trying to lose his job managing this independent team as well? his public response to the proposition of him managing the Mets was that he immediately called up the Mets to let them know he was available and could "leave this job"? seriously, does this guy have any brains at all? Don't count on Carter managing the Mets anytime soon.

NOTE: By the way on one of our three rotating banners (the 1986 banner), you can actually see a picture of Gary Carter, although he's kinda faded out.
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There are a number of viable candidates for today's ass of the day...or even ass of the past two days. Matt Wise, Aaron Heilman, Willie's fat trap, Yunel Escobar's Knee, Alou's Calf...etc. You get the point. I'm done honoring Heilman with ass of the day.  He gets the lifetime ass-chievement award. It's pathetic. The fact that Alou strained his calf muscle by merely breathing and is not optimistic about should be our first clue that 2008 is turning into a very cruel joke.

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A replay of what happened to Ryan Church can be found here.

Sorry, guys. After today, you have to joke around about something. I'll make serious posts again once the Cup Finals are over. I know. I miss you, too.

11:43 Update: Manager Willie Randolph's comments on Church's injury: "He must have hit his (Escobar) knee."

Thanks, Willie.

Randolph went on to say that Church would be under observation from team doctors in Atlanta. Don't be surprised if Church finds himself on the DL, especially if has suffered another concussion. Just what the Mets need right now; their MVP out of the lineup.

11:53 Update: Church has suffered a concussion and is on his way to the hospital. He did not lose consciousness. This, as most of you know, is the second concussion Church as suffered in 2008. Read More...

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So by now, you've probably all seen the home run hit by Carlos Delgado which was called a foul ball by the umpires in Sunday Night's Mets-Yankee's game. If you haven't, you can see it here.

This type of play is the kinda thing that makes me think about the rules and unwritten rules of baseball, so I thought I'd go over a few things about this call that were running through my head when I was watching this.

Now third base umpire Mike Reilly made the correct call calling the ball fair, and a home run. He was then over ruled by home plate umpire Bob Davidson, who was at least 90-100 feet further away from the play than Reilly, and the ball was incorrectly called foul.

First, how does this even happen? The other umpires are only supposed to "help out" if the umpire who is supposed to make the call doesn't see it, isn't sure, or needs a rule clarification. Davidson shouldn't even have any say on this play unless he is 100% positive that it was foul, which as Joe Morgan pointed out, could not possibly be, because the replay showed the ball clearly hit the foul fair pole.

Second, on a play like this, Willie obviously has to come out and argue, which he did. But, when we're talking about a 3 run homer getting overturned, it is the JOB... nay the RESPONSIBILITY of the manager, regardless of whether the call was right or wrong, to argue and get thrown out of the game. If this was Lou Pinnella or Bobby Cox or Joe Torre, there is NO WAY they aren't getting thrown out of the game over this blown call by the umps. It's almost like an un-written rule of baseball that's part of "the book". In a situation like this, you expect your manager to go get thrown out of the game. Apparently Jerry Manuel knows of this rule, because he made sure someone from the Mets was gonna get tossed over this call, so he went and got himself tossed, and took one for the team. This is a perfect example of Willie not doing the manager's job, this is part of the reason why some Mets fans want Willie to get fired. I almost feel more confident entrusting this team to Jerry Manuel, should Willie get fired, because he did the right thing here and got thrown out.

Third, it's this type of play that once again emphasizes why we need the instant replay in Major League Baseball. And I'm not talking about instant replay for any play, I mean we need to have instant replay for questionable home run calls, that only the umpires can challenge, and nothing else. Here's the justification... In a regular season game, there are only 4 umpires on the field, and they are all on the infield at least 200+ feet from the outfield fence. In addition, with these new stadiums putting fans "closer to the action" we've had more fan interference calls on questionable home runs than ever before. This is all the more reason to make sure you get the call right. There is no way an umpire 200 feet away can tell if a fan reaches over the wall by 3 inches, or if the ball hits the bottom of the foul pole or the first seat in foul territory. There are only two ways in which MLB can make sure they get the call right with more accuracy than they currently do. First, they can have 6 umpires for every game like in the playoffs, and put an umpire down each foul line, then a proper decision can be made about questionable home run calls. Since there is simply not enough umpires to do this, and because it doesn't solve home run problems to center field, this isn't a feasible solution. Leaving the other option which is to do what the NFL, NHL, and NBA all use... instant replay for questionable home run calls.

Fourth, since there is currently no use of instant replay in MLB, why didn't the umps make sure they got the call right by taking a lesson from the famous 1969 Cleon Jones "shoe polish incident"? Would it have been the end of the world if the umps looked at the ball for a black mark from the foul pole, or looked at the foul pole for a white mark from the baseball? ESPN showed over and over the mark on the ball, and the spot on the pole where it hit, so even without the use of the instant replay, they could have gotten the call right. Willie should have suggested this, because then there would have been a legitimate chance to change the call back in the Mets favor.

Fifth, I'm not sure if this is the case everywhere, but there was an obvious alignment issue of the foul pole and foul line at Yankee Stadium. I understand the wall is angled so the pole want right behind the line, but, I did notice, that the outer edge of the foul pole at Yankee Stadium was actually inside the foul line that runs up the outfield wall. Now if a foul ball hits the line, its fair, therefore, shouldn't the outer edge of the foul pole line up with the outer edge of the foul line? It appeared to me that this was not the case, at least at Yankee Stadium.

So even though the Delgado home run didn't count, I think we may learn a lot about the rules of the game of baseball from a play that just goes down as a long foul ball for a strike in the record books.
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Before I even get into this non-sense, I want to go back to Monday's 10-4 loss to the last place Washington Nationals. The expectations were high for the Mets to take at least 3 out of 4 from the pathetic Nats. However, the tables were turned, and the Mets dropped 3 of 4 instead and fell to a mere 20-19. Then we saw the New York media once again calling for Willie's job, pointing out that the Mets have been just a .500 ball club since last May, resurrecting the the epic collapse... again. Some serious questions were surrounding this team's troubles.

Then, the drama began following Thursday's 1-0 loss at the end of Billy Wagner's post game interview with the press...

“Can somebody tell me why the (bleep) the closer being interviewed and I didn’t even play, while they’re over there not getting interviewed? I get it, they’re gone. (Bleeping) shocker.”

In all honesty, I don't see how could any Mets fan could disagree with Wagner on this one. We've all seen the Mets lackluster play this season, and for any of these so called "team leaders" to be missing in action after dropping 3 out of 4 to the Nats is unacceptable.

How stupid is it that reporters have to ask the closer questions about why the team is struggling, when not only did Wagner not even play in the game, but the pitching staff and the bullpen which you could say Wagner is the leader of did its job during the series. Just in case anyone's forgotten, Wagner has given up only 9 hits in 17 innings this season, and has still yet to allow a run. Wagner is far from responsible for the Mets woeful play.

A lot of fingers were pointed at Carlos Delgado, who Wagner was most likely referring to in his comments. Certainly Delgado with his .230 batting average, .310 OBP, only 5 home runs and 19 RBIs has contributed to the Mets sub-par play, but the truth is most of our guys haven't been earning their paychecks.

Reyes' OBP is only .332, and thats including the Yankee series where he played well. Carlos Beltran is only hitting .250 with only 3 home runs, and let's not even talk about Luis Castillo who can't hit the ball out of the infield. We're hitting only .257 with runners in scoring position, and we simply cannot win unless Reyes gets on base.

Our team leaders in innings pitched in relief have been Aaron Heilman and Jorge Sosa who have pitched to a 5.82 and 7.06 ERA respectively. Whereas our guys who have been lights out; Wagner, Feliciano, Smith and even Schoeneweis, have been used in limited roles like lefty-lefty or righty-righty matchups. Thank god Sosa got DFA'd the other day to make room for Wise.

So tell me why was Billy Wagner wrong in what he said? When was the last time you heard an explanation from Reyes or Beltran or Sosa after they sucked it up on the field?

Thankfully Willie called a team meeting over this non-sense prior to the Yankee series, and seemed to smooth it out and get everyone's heads screwed on straight again. And like Keith Hernandez said, it was good that someone got this out there in the open rather than let it fester for the whole season.

Hopefully the mets winning both games of the Yankee Series has put this issue to bed, and maybe the mets will turn the corner in the coming weeks.
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Aaron Heilman is really trying to be quite the stud these days. He's managed to rack up 2 Ass of the Day awards in a week. Really quite the accomplishment. The sight of Heilman jogging in from the bullpen makes me physically nauscous now. And Co-Ass of the Day award goes to Willie Randolph who just looks like a complete ass trying to manage this bullpen.

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After making waste of the Florida Marlins in the first series of the season last week, the Mets were quickly brought back down to reality by an Atlanta Braves team that looks like it is going to be right in the mix of things during this 2008 season. It wouldn't be fair to blame one sole person for the debacle that we saw at Turner Field this weekend, as there were many contributing factors to the lack of production we saw.

In a friendly debate with some of my fellow bloggers during Spring Training, I argued that the Mets have more pressing issues in their line up then they do in their starting rotation. Well after the first week of the season I feel both parties can claim victory in that battle. Pitching wise we lost Pedro Martinez for God knows how long. It looks like it will be up to Nelson Figueroa to help us forget about Pedro. But seriously, there can't be many of us over the age of 16 that remember Pedro in a Mets uniform. I mean I can recall seeing him in a Mets uniform about six or seven times in the past year and a half. My message to Mr. Figueroa is simple...make Pedro expendable. Besides that and a shaky first start from John Maine, the rest of the Mets staff looks great so far. Wait a second, that's less then 50% of the staff...oh man. I want to think Maine's poor performance was a fluke after that awesome spring he had. I also want to think that the Mets will throw a no hitter someday. Yeah well, I'm just going to keep hoping and praying.

Now the lineup is a whole 'nother monster. The Mets offense did not produce in big situations this weekend. We must have had six million chances to drive in runs on Saturday, and yet all we got were five small ball runs. All off season I complained that we don't have much in the ways of hitting after Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran. Well you can scratch Reyes from that trio. That .238 batting average looks great at the top of the order. Wright and Beltran have looked great, and Ryan Church along with Angel Pagan are pleasant surprises. But at the same time the Mets have a mere two home runs this season. Carlos Delgado has only two RBI and that is unacceptable for him. We hired him to bat .275 and drive in 115 runs. I don't care if he's batting over .300, because in the long run that means nothing if he isn't driving in any runs. The Mets followed up their "stellar" Saturday performance with a five hit encore on Sunday. Way to go boys. This lineup needs to wake up if it plans on hanging with the Phillies lineup this week. Then again the Phillies haven't looked to hot to start the season either.

The bullpen has been overworked, overused, and at times some questionable calls have been made by Willie Randolph and his staff. Should Jorge Sosa have been relieved by Pedro Feliciano with the bases loaded on Saturday. Maybe. Is it Randolph's fault that Sosa gave up a grand slam to a guy with a girl's name. Not at all. Stop blaming Willie for trusting his pitchers. Trusting your pitchers will get you much further in the long run, and that is what the Mets need to be looking at. Plus has it crossed anyone's mind that Willie might have liked to save his bullpen for the next inning (or possibly two) of work. Keep in mind that he most likely would have seen the heart of the Atlanta lineup in those innings. Sosa didn't do his job, end of story. Not too mention John Maine recorded a mere 12 outs (for those of us that have a hard time dividing, that comes to four innings of work). On a more positive note, Joe Smith looked great in his one inning of work.

With all this being said, it is time for these bums to shake of the cobwebs of last season, and start playing like the team they should be. Santana looks great, Perez looks great, Christ almighty even Brian Schneider hasn't looked half bad. This is a huge tone setting series coming up this week against Philadelphia. The Mets we see in this series might be the Mets we see all season long. Now I ask myself, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
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Willie Randolph was on Mike and the Mad Dog this afternoon.
-Said that Pedro was in MRI machines as they were speaking (this was around 5 p.m. this afternoon. So much for Pedro having that MRI first thing in the morning.)
-Randolph fully expects Pedro to go on the DL.
-Hinted that Nelson Figueroa will be added to the rotation. It is being reported that Figueroa is on his way to Miami (according to Metsblog).
-Mike Pelfrey looked great in the bullpen today according to Randolph. And you guys were worried.
-Said that the Mets will in no way hurry El Duque back. Yeah, cause we wouldn't want to rush an injured and aging pitcher back to the rotation.
-Randolph praised the Mets bullpen for their work in the first two games of the season.
-Reassured fans that the clubhouse is indeed emotionally intact after Pedro hurt himself. I, for one, am sick of hearing about how Pedro's injuries will cripple team morale. It's the second game of the season. If losing Pedro Martinez is crippling to anything regarding this team, it's going to be a very long season.
-He continued his praise of John Maine, even saying that Maine has a little swagger going for him.
-Duaner Sanchez may be back before May.
-Also, Luis Castillo has one leg shorter than the other. I can't make this up, friends.

Randolph of course said more but nothing earth shattering. Perhaps we'll learn more about Martinez during tonight's game. Read More...

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Alright ladies and gentlemen, I know it has been entirely too long...but TUESDAY TWO CENTS is back! As a lot of you might be aware I have been computerless for quite some time now. This mainly has to do with me being poor and not being able to buy one yet, but that will be changing soon. I would like to apologize to all that have wondered where I am, considering I am an administrator in this group. It's good to be back again. Anyways, on to business.


Well as we all know, the Mets blew it this season. Last Sunday was quite rough on us all, and I hope to never feel misery of that sorts ever again. Of course being the New York sports fans that we are, the first thing we seem to do is find a scapegoat. I would like to clarify one thing though, there is not just one scapegoat, but there are many scapegoats. Willie Randolph is not the only man to blame for the Flushing Flush.

While the team could have been more motivated, it is not entirely Randolph's fault. Blame must also be put on Omar Minaya who put together a bullpen that went from best in the league in 2006, to steroid users. Blame, in my opinion, must also be put on Rick Peterson. While Peterson is great at developing pitchers, he seems to take no part in managing pitchers. Willie's expertise is definitely at managing the lineup, as he was a solid offensive second baseman for a quite a long time. Willie does seem to have trouble managing the bullpen at times, but if Peterson gave him any sort of advice I think that problem could be alleviated. Instead the Jacket has his face stuffed in a computer worrying about pitch counts and all other sorts of jazz. Get your head out of your Mac and into the game Rick, and help Willie out in a place that is obviously his weakness. Then there's Tom Glavine. The name makes me want to puke. Just one day after Johnny Maine pitches damn near flawless, our "ace" decides to do his best Dave Mlicki impression. Seven runs given up in less than two innings against a team with a mascot named Billy is just horribly inexplicable. Go back to Atlanta. Thank you for three years, you basically just rendered them useless with that lackluster garbage excuse of a start.

There needs to be a lot of changes this off season. Carlos Delgado needs to go. We need to get younger at first base, and Delgado's best days are definitely behind him. I love Carlos as a player, and he won his respect back for me as a man when he decided to start standing for THE National Anthem again. Go to the American League, be a DH, and end your career. Luis Castillo was a useless acquisition this season. Ruben Gotay is without a doubt the front runner for the starting 2B job going into next season. Especially since Anderson Hernandez couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a beach ball. If Lastings Milledge isn't starting in right field next season then I am becoming a Yankees fan...alright that was a joke, but I think you guys can understand how serious I am about that. Finally we need to get a bona fide ace, and fix that pitiful excuse of a bullpen we got.

Omar is going to be busy this off season. Mets fans are going to expect nothing less than a division title and payback on the Phillies. A pennant would be nice considering we haven't won one of those in seven years. Dare I mention it has been 21 years since we have won a World Series. Next year will show what Omar and Willie have when it comes to leading this team. They are facing a lot of pressure and are under a microscope...ummm scratch that telescope from all of the Tri State to get the job done. Here's hoping for a great off season.

In other baseball news.....

HOW BOUT THEM ROCKIES! This is without a doubt the feel good story of the year in baseball. If you would have told me that the Colorado Rockies would be four games away from the World Series in May, I would have been calling Bellevue for you. Big up to the Rock Dawgs, and I would love to see them in the World Series. Plus it was great justice to see them beat up on Philadelphia. This just goes to show that the only thing useful to ever come out of Philadelphia when it comes to sports is a fictional character that fictionally ended Communism in the USSR. Reagan didn't bring down the Berlin Wall...Rocky did.

The fire your manager wave is hot all over New York City, as George Steinbrenner, in yet another act of ignorance, will be firing Joe Torre for taking his Yankees to the playoffs every season of his 12 season tenure. Joe Torre is a class act, and he gets treated with utter disrespect by The Boss. It is not Torre's fault that Alex Rodriguez is useless in October, and the ace of his staff didn't show up to this post season. You ask any player in that Yankee clubhouse and they will tell you firing Torre is a horrible idea. Have some class George.

Finally, I'm just going to put it out there. NO ONE IS BEATING BOSTON. They are too good. They made the Angels look like the Reds in the ALDS. Their pitching is clicking on all cylinders, Manny and Ortiz look like Ruth and Gehrig, and that bullpen is awesome. Cleveland has nothing to match Boston after Sabathia and Carmona. Look for the Red Sox to take the series in 6. Rockies take out the D'Backs in seven. Both series' should be very entertaining to watch.

IN OTHER SPORTS...

I don't know about you guys, but it was very gratifying to watch the Giants front four demolish the Eagles on that horrible Sunday last week. It really saved my day, I'm not going to lie. My G-Men then followed up their demolition of Philly with a 35-24 comeback victory over the Paper Airplanes. Eli and Plaxico (STIFF ARM) looked great in the second half, and HOW BOUT THAT AARON ROSS. The G-Men, along with the whole NFC East is looking like the NFC East of the early 1990's. Everyone is good, except for the Eagles.

Also this calling time out RIGHT before a field goal is kicked. That bush league garbage needs to stop.

HOCKEY IS BACK!!!!

What seems to be the second most popular sport in the group has made it's triumphant return...unless you are a Devils fan of course. We look like garbage. Rangers are fans are already on my last nerve, as they are already running their mouths. The Rangers are the same story every season; a bunch of high salaries with no chemistry and no results by the end of the season. Until I am ever proved wrong I will continue with that philosophy. The Fishsticks are weak. I'll let Wassink handle the Pens.

THE CHASE IS ON!!!

Well not for Junior unfortunately. To add insult to injury my boy Dale blew his sixth engine of the year at Talladega (Man Race) last Sunday. At least he is sticking it to Theresa, the woman who is trying to ruin the Earnhardt name. Looks like Hendrick Motor Sports is going to be running 1-2 in points again as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are motoring themselves away from everyone else. Wait until Junior joins that team next season...scary.

Finally I would like to give a shout out to my Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who finally won a football game this past weekend. Let's keep em coming boys. Oh and if anyone finds the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team, please return them to Piscataway. It would be greatly appreciated. USC lost...HAHAHAHA. That's my Two Cents. Later on. JD.
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One of our recent threads over at the Facebook group asks "Is Willie gonna get fired if the Mets don't make the playoffs?" this thread was started on September 22nd, and the Mets were up 1.5 games with 8 to go.

It is obvious from reading this thread that Mets fans disagree on this point...

"He is 265-211 which last time I checked is still over .500"
- Charlie D'Alessandro (Long Island U.)

"He's done a pretty good job. Fire Omar for giving Willie such old ass players to work with. Look at how young the braves and diamondbacks are."
- Robert Crawford (WVU)

"You can't blame Willie for errors, bullpen meltdowns, Reyes hitting .260 in second half, Delgado getting injured...Willie is not getting fired, take the time to realize what he has brought to the Mets."
- Phil Bashmashnikov (Bridgeport / Stamford, CT)

"If they don't make the playoffs Willie better be fired. Its not about who is in the bullpen, its about how Willie is clueless about how to manage it. If you see what has been said in other threads about this, Willie is an idiot for not allowing Feliciano to pitch, putting far too much trust into Mota, over-using Sosa, and constantly burning his best relievers in one inning."
- Andy Parker (Binghamton)

"I think he should get fired regardless of what happens to us. I don't think hes a good manager because we shouldn't even be in this situation with such a team. Let me honest, do you think if we had another well known good manager from either the AL or NL and be in this same situation? I personally don't think so."
- Michael K. (New York, NY)

The opinions go on...

Now for an opinion that actually matters...

"I look at his job for the past three years. The question, as far as if his job is safe, I will tell you that I am pleased with the work that Willie Randolph has done…"
- Omar Minaya

Of course the Wilpons will have the final say; they have yet to comment on Willie's future with the team.

Going strictly on Omar's position, I would say Willie will probably be back.
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Shawn Green informed Mets manager Willie Randolph during batting practice yesterday of his intent to sit out next Friday night's game in observance of Yom Kippur - and to play the Saturday day game against the Marlins, even though that also falls on the Jewish holiday.

Why go only halfway in observing the holy day? "I wanted to observe and recognize it, but I felt it would be more hypocritical to miss both," Green said. "I didn't grow up Conservative or very religious. At the same time, I understand being a Jewish role model as an athlete. I do find it important for people to recognize their faith." Read More...

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A hot topic around the Mets blogosphere lately has been the recent inefficiency of the Mets Bullpen. Global NYM reader Jill writes...

The Mets will not make the pennant with the Bullpen the way it is. Besides, Wagner and Heilman the rest of them need to get more work. To lose last night's game which Glavine pitched great was a nightmare. When I saw Mota coming, I turned it off. I knew exactly how this would play out and it did. Every night it's the same thing, the parade of relief pitchers that come in and can't get the job done is getting old. I don't understand why Mota was brought in with after all of his last attempts the Mets have lost. Billy Wagner can pitch an extra inning. Tim McGraw used to and so did Jesse Orosco. If I see Mota again, I'm TURNING THE GAME OFF. He might be good one day, but not right now with September right around the corner. I hope in the Winter they can get some good relief pitchers.

I've been a defender of Mota since he returned from his suspension earlier this season, blaming his poor play on the lack of a spring training, but even now, I must agree, this guy is terrible, he never gets the big out when we need it, and is almost money in the bank for opposing hitters. Mota simply cannot get the job done.

I think Mota constantly coming in the games despite his horrendous pitching has been based on two factors. First, Manager Willie Randolph seems to have an endless confidence in Mota, as if Mota were a veteran that you know will bust out of this slump (sort of like why the Mets were never going to bench Delgado no matter how bad he played this season). Secondly, I think it has to do with the economics of baseball, Mota is making $1.8 Million this year, and is signed through next season for the rest of his $5 million contract. Bottom line, the Mets are paying Mota, so they have to play Mota. This would also explain why Mota is used more in big game spots rather than Pedro Feliciano or Aaron Heilman, despite the fact that Heilman and Feliciano have consistently dominated both righties and lefties, for the last two seasons.

The Mets bullpen needs some drastic change. With the rosters expanding Saturday, I don't expect the Mets to up and release Mota, but there needs to be a change in how the bullpen is used.

First, Pedro Feliciano is NOT, I repeat NOT a lefty specialist. Just because someone is left handed and has a small contract, it doesn't... automatically make them a lefty specialist. While lefties are batting an abysmally low .149 against Feliciano, Righties aren't doing much better, batting a mere .202. Ironically, thats the same BAA vs righties as Closer Billy Wagner and setup man Jorge Sosa, it's better than any of the Mets other relievers righty or lefty (minus Ambiorix Burgos who didn't have very many appearances), so how exactly did Feliciano even get this reputation for being a lefty specialist? Comparatively, Scott Shoeneweis who Willie brings in to face righties all the time has a BAA vs righties of .330. If anyone in that bullpen is a lefty specialist, it's Schoeneweis.

Second, The Mets have to bring back Joe Smith when rosters expand, and make him a more instrumental part of that bullpen. Most of us expect Smith to be on the playoff roster, there is no way he should not be on this team in favor of Guillermo Mota or Aaron Sele.

Third, If Sosa is going to be the setup man, use him as such, meaning he pitches the 8th inning, whenever the Mets have the lead. I don't want to see Sosa come in in the 6th inning to face one batter, then come out of the game, so we can see Shoeneweis in the 8th. Bullpens need to have routines. Based on how our starters do, the bullpen should be able to figure out who's going to come in before it happens. I'm sick of Willie randomly flipping a coin to decide who he's going to bring in all the time.

Fourth, I've been asking this for a while, and Gary Cohen said it last week. Is Aaron Sele even still on this team? The Mets got Sele to be the long man out of the bullpen, but when a mets starter gives up 5 runs in 3 innings, we seeing Jorge Sosa or Aaron Heilman warming up in the bullpen. If you're not going to use Sele EVER, why is he even taking up a spot on the roster, especially in a bullpen that has been worn out like the Mets. Not to mention, in the rare situation that Sele actually does come in the game, he can't get anyone out. since August 1st, Sele has made a grand total of 6 appearances,for a total of 8.1 innings, and in that time, allowed 14 hits 0 walks and 6 runs for a WHIP of 1.68, and an ERA of 6.75. So I ask again... Is Aaron Sele still a part of this team?

Unfortunately with Ambiorix Burgos having Tommy John Surgery, the Mets are short on bullpen options, unless they add some one (like minor league relievers Willie Collazo, Jon Adkins, or Steve Schmoll) to the 40 man roster before September 1st, the playoff bullpen roster will be limited to:

Billy Wagner
Jorge Sosa
Aaron Heilman
Pedro Feliciano
Scott Schoeneweis
Guillermo Mota
Aaron Sele
Joe Smith

The only other option would be to use a starting pitcher out of the bullpen; of course, this will be highly dependent on Pedro Martinez's performance in September. Read More...

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With some shuffling of the lineup and getting everyone healthy, the Mets may finally have everything they need to play some good baseball. The bullpen will hold its own and if Beltran can stay healthy and find ways to produce, Mets fan may be able to sleep better at night.

One of the most needed lineup changes has come with Willie giving Lastings Milledge more playing time. I have never been crazy about Milledge, but it has been obvious that he needs to play. Shawn Green is probably at the end of his road, which is unfortunate, but that's the way the game goes. Milledge provides this team with much needed youth and defense, while Green has proved to be a liability for the Mets is every sense. Let me add, I really have no idea what the Mets expected out of Green is signing him last August. From '98-'02 he put up significant power numbers and have seen an incredible drop-off since. I know the Mets had a hole to fill in RF last summer, yet all he has provided is a random 4-4 day, awkward belly flops, and a flying hat. Hopefully, Milledge will embrace this opportunity to prove himself to this organization once and for all.

Yesterday I posted an update on Pedro's 2nd rehab start and although all of us have been warned some Mets fans still believe that Pedro is going to come back and be a savior for this ball club. Do not hold your breath friends...you may end up turning blue. If Pedro continues to progress, he will be at best an average pitcher when he returns. The energy that is Pedro should be a shot in the arm if he returns to New York, but he will not be a front end starter who will go deep into games. If he can provide the Mets will quality starts during the stretch run, that would be a success for this season. Expecting too much from Pedro Martinez may only be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Moises Alou used to make me see red. While he was injured, his status was always the biggest mystery of the early summer. What's even better is that while we have no idea if he would return this century, the Mets tease me on the scoreboard with "Moises Alou's favorite vacation spot in the Dominican Republic." Well, that's nice Mo, but could you find your way back to NY? Thankfully he did, and I take back any anger I had towards him in June. If he stays healthy and continues to come up in clutch situations, I am officially an idiot.

Last but not least, some red flags. I still have faith in John Maine and Oliver Perez, but there is some concern regarding these 2 young arms. John Maine has never thrown this many innings, and should we get to the postseason, I don't know if we'll see the Maine of last October. Oliver Perez could be suffering from fatigue as well, yet he has some more experience from his time in Pittsburgh. The Mets do not have the luxury of rest their starters as they did last August with a 15 game lead. These kids need to dig deep and come up big for the Mets as we head for the home stretch.

We're 75% of the way there...keep the faith Mets fans! Read More...

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We've made it through 2/3 of the season and somehow, the Mets are still clinging to first place. I have been patient; I have not panicked; I still believe this can be a good team. There were a lot of things I could write about: Lastings Milledge, Trade Deadline Hangover, Glavine's failed attempt at 300. But today, August 1st, Willie Randolph and I are no longer on speaking terms.

I know Willie is still a fairly new manager and I respect him for what he has done with team since he came to the organization. I try to stay away from being an "armchair manager" to keep frustrations at a minimum. Frankly though, I can't listen to the speech anymore.

I realize that Willie Randolph comes from the School of Joe Torre, which can be maddening. I'd like to see a few more instances that he comes out of the dugout to go to bat for his guys, yet I appreciate that he maintains an even-keel attitude in the New York spotlight. Willie tends to be a bit of a broken record when speaking with the media after each game, which can be expected in a long season, but I cringe now when I hear "Well, we come out and get a win tomorrow."

Baseball is a long season, with a lot of ups and downs. We all know this. With two months left to the season, tomorrow's are becoming a bit numbered. I have a hard time knowing that my team rolls over after every loss and just waits for tomorrow. If this is the message that Willie is sending, I am officially annoyed. It is okay to turn the page, but when have you reached the point of the season where you play for today? When you're in a playoff series, tomorrows are not endless. It makes me wonder about this team that has looked to the next game throughout the regular season. Assuming they make the playoffs, will they be able to turn on the ability to play like there's no tomorrow in October? I'm not so sure I'm convinced this team has that killer instinct or if they are a gang of incredible procrastinators.

Despite the prospects we do have in our system, this team is built to win this year. The division (a weak one at that) is going to come right down to the wire. It's time to win today.

On a sidenote, Pedro will thorw in an intra-squad game in St. Lucie tomorrow due to rain. I am as excited as anyone else to see his progress, yet I'm not sure if I could have actually watched SNY's coverage tonight. All year the Mets have been trying to stumble through until Pedro's return and we still cannot be certain that Pedro = instant success. I am holding my breath and hoping that he continues to show positive signs, yet I can't get my hopes up for Pedro who is still a bit away from the big club. We know how I feel about tomorrow. Read More...

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