Mets Chat Room: Welcome Back
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- March
- 31
Opening Day 2008. Welcome back to Mets Chat Room. I introduced this last season and was thrilled by the feedback.
Questions? Comments about strategy? If you just want to vent? Here’s the place. I’ll be on throughout the game and will comment as often as I can.
Hope all of you have a great season.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 4:12 pm by John Delcos.
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Great to be back. Looking forward to a better Mets 2008, JD!
Can't wait for the first pitch. I say that every year, but this time it means that the last Met batter was in March 2008 not September 2007.
LETS GO METS!!!
I'm glad SNY got their stuff together in regards to their scoreboard graphic, fixing it so it was totally on the screen for those of us watching in standard definition.
Good 1-2-3 start by Santana!
Don't these guys realize that Hendrickson sucks? :-)
I'm kinda feeling the bottom of the order is going to be like that all year long. 3 meek offensively challenged players. We better hope to goodness that the pitching stays stellar all year long, because this offense is not very good. (And i've been saying that all spring training long so i'm not jumping on the bandwagon)
In non-Met/almost-Met news, Milledge 2-run homer, and Barry Zito gave up 3 in the 1st.
Nice start by Johan Santana. Three up, three down in the first two innings.-JD
Santana flies to center. After listening to him this spring, I get the feeling he'd rather hit a homer than pitch a shutout … well, maybe.-JD
Delgado chocks again help!!
Castillo reached on a bunt single and steals second. He was talking at the end of spring training how he thought his knees had healed to the point where he could use his speed again.-JD
While I'll never understand giving Castillo 4 years, he just showed his true value. Guy gets on base, however he can.
33 pitches in three innings from Santana. This has the makings of a nice little start. Now let's hit the ball.
theo
To Ben … I liked that Castillo bunted and stole. However, he should have scored on Beltran's double in the first. Two outs, you're running on contact.-JD
Church can make his life a little easier with a hit here. I know a lot of guys are down on him, but I'm willing to give him some time.-JD
Like that.-JD
Good start from the bottom of the order, especially against a left-hander, though this one is of poor quality as Gary Cohen is saying.
I could see Santana developing into a nice little hitter from what I've heard so far.
Yeah right, Willie's not gonna squeeze.
(argh…forgot to change my handle)
Welcome back, Jose!
Castillo has been on base three times. That's a positive sign.-JD
Pagan will quickly become a fan favorite if he can maintain his stroke. I like what I see so far. Come on, David.
Yes!!!!!
I keep telling myself not to get too excited because this is Mark Hendrickson and the Marlins, with Fredi Gonzalez's weird decision-making, but I can't help myself on Opening Day. :-D
God bless Wright. Great story in the NY Post today about how he shunned endorsements and other deals to focus on offseason training. Will it make him better? Who knows, but it couldn't hurt. What an inning. Hard to remember that the Mets are capable of playing like this when it counts.
Though this team may struggle early on against lefties, I have a feeling once Alou and Castro are healthy they'll dominate them.
Spiderpig: Right on all counts. However, if you're looking for positive signs, consider Wright's bases-clearing double. I can't begin to count the times last year where the Mets left guys on base when they could have put the game away. It's 6-0 now. A lot different than 3-0.-JD
It was said on the radio the Mets did not hit one Grand Slam last year. I find that hard to believe. I have to wonder if that is common for a team to go the whole year with out hitting even one.
Church has an rbi and Castillo has a SB. Hope that answers once and for all that we traded for an rbi machine and our 2b will rival our ss for the SB crown this year.
And, the Mets still don't have a no-hitter. But, back to the point I made after Wright's double. When you go for the throat, it changes things a lot. A 6-2 game is far better than a 3-2 game.-JD
Has Santana forgot he has a nasty slider?
Hi All. I'm at work unable to watch on TV. I'm following the game cast at MLB. Was wondering what Delgado's at bats have looked like? When i see a groundout to shortstop, not usually a good sign? Line out in his first at bat, a solidly hit ball or weakly? thanks.
Theo: Pretty weak liner to short. A real quiet day for him at the plate.-JD
After seeing the close-up replay, I do think Reyes was caught stealing.
How do you feel about the helmets on the base coaches? I think they should be able to make their own decisions because it was a freak accident that probably wouldn't happen again for 50 years.
I wonder when will be the first time we get to see a home run replay used. They did put that rule into effect, right?
It was a freak accident, but I don't have a problem with helmets on the base coaches. That's eight strikeouts and 100 pitches for Santana. Wouldn't surprise me if that's it for him.-JD
No reason to push him in his first start with a 4 run lead and a good pen behind him.
Theo – WFAN is streaming Howie and Wayne live if you want to hear the radio broadcast.
Santana out of the game. Two runs, three hits, eight strikeouts and 100 pitches in seven innings. Nice effort. But, the Marlins have two on and one out in the eighth. You would like to see the pen just put it away.-JD
Ok, Sosa, do your job.
John –
I'd just like to say that Howie and Wayne call a really good game – they've been listening to Vin Scully instead of John Sterling – and they put you right on the scene without screaming or catchy phrases.
I've heard the whole game with them today, and it's been great.
Nice job, Sosa. That's a confidence builder, right there.
Annie Savoy – You may want to amend that. The radio broadcast is not on the WFAN website, per MLB rules.
Good job by Sosa. I think Willie is trying to build both the pitchers' and the fans' confidence!
I'm surprised Gary would say that Marlon Anderson is "the best pinch hitter on the planet" considering that Lenny Harris set the record for pinch hits while he was on the Mets.
Huge effort by Sosa. I liked him for the fifth spot in the rotation if they couldn't make a decision, but the truth is he's been valuable out of the pen. If Duaner Sanchez doesn't come back, I wouldn't mind putting him in the set-up role.-JD
Marlon's looking in mid-season form.
Horrible fielding by the Marlins leads to an insurance run.
Howie says "Put it in the Books!"
Nice to get the win on Opening Day. Santana was terrific. Willie must be smiling – his team was in the game right until the last out.
Pedro Tomorrow!
OMG Gomez just got an double, why would they give away such young talent.
hahahahhaa WS '08
I'm surprised Willie didn't use Smith in the 9th, especially as Gary went on about how the depth in the bullpen could get off to a good start today, rather than starting with Heilman, Feliciano, and Wagner in the first game. Oh well. It's a win, nonetheless, and no runs given up by the bullpen in two innings.
It's interesting how two guys the Mets traded away are starting centerfielders batting first and second. It's too bad we had to trade both of them, but it had to be done. I'll still root for 'em to do well.
John, you're going to skip right over Heilman to put Sosa in the set up role? What does Heilman have to do to gain some respect? One thing about bullpen arms which is the hardest to find, is consistency from year to year, which is exactly what Heilman does, PLUS, he has swing and miss stuff, electric stuff. Why are you not giving him any respect?
I agree "Metsfan" sry john but if sanchez's out Heilman is the perfect set man, Sosa is better in the 6th and 7th cuz he can go 2 innings. I think Heilman in the ninth was an ok move, but in the future i'd go with someone else to keep him fresh.
hey who here thinks that joe smith is an effective pitcher, considering that he has little to no control?
I think our underestimation Joe Smith, spring training is spring training, i think you have to give him a chance. I trust him until sanchez gets back.
To Metsfan: I'm not skipping over Aaron Heilman. I'm saying that it is a role cut out for Jorge Sosa. Either can do it. I think, however, that if I needed a strikeout, Sosa is more liable to get it for me.-JD
so you're trusting Sosa over Heilman, like I said, you're not giving Heilman any respect, which I think he deserves, not many relievers outside of closers have had the consistent success Heilman has had. And Kyle, yes, I think Joe Smith CAN be an effective pitcher, he's still young, give the kid a shot before you write him off.
phillies suck: you have a point, Smith is that pitcher that makes me cringe whenever he takes the mound. He seems incapable of throwing a strike and it is always a definite possibility that he will walk the bases loaded.
JD, was it you that asked Willie about Castillo not running it out on the blooper by Beltran? He didn't like that question. I don't think he would have scored anyway.
Sosa in setup? Taking a chance that that slider does not float up there and get clobbered. But it was good of Willie to get him and Wise and even Show in there to get a first feel for what they can do in semi-close game. And willie only used Show against a lefty-the right move.
Carrlos Gomez: 2-2; Single, Double, Walk, 2 SB. Promising start; hopefully F-Mart turns out better than him in the end.
JD- on the official Mets website, on the depth chart, it now says that Angel Pagan is the starting left-fielder. Do you think that's a good idea, or do you think Endy Chavez should be given the consistant playing time in LF?
Things good about the game.
Santana obviously. BP despite the couple of hits. Wright and Reyes looked in mid-season form. Castillo getting on base. And yes Church and Scheinder had a couple of good at bats.
Things not so good.
I hope Santana does rely so heavily on his changeup. Throw a few more sliders. Delgado bat slow on a couple of pitches. Wright trying to steal third-no need to do it there.
i know Smith didn't have the best spring and last year he got worse as the year went on, but if he pitches like he did at the beginning of last year, or even in that civil right's game (he looked great), he'll be fine. He's a kid, let him find himself. As for giving up Gomez over Fmart, consensus said Fmart would be better, but that doesn't mean Gomez won't be good. We all want our trades to be steals, but in reality, you have to give up talent to get talent, and we gave up a talent in Gomez, to get Santana. It's just how it's works. Good to see Gomez playing well, he's a fun player to watch, i wish him well. As for Santana throwing his change up, he's relied on it heavily for the past few years, no reason to think he can't have success. In addition, its his first start, its almost spring training lite, except in matters, so maybe the slider isn't quite ready to be totally unveiled and he was just avoiding it. Also, it puts more stress on his arm to throw it, so maybe he just felt like, if the change up's working, why use anything else?
Up from the clubhouse to answer some of your comments and questions.
To Metsfan: It's not a matter of me not trusting Aaron Heilman, but also trusting Jorge Sosa. It was Sosa who got the big strikeout. And, Randolph said it was a role Sosa is capable of filling. Heilman is also capable, but it was Sosa's turn today.
To Scoopcoop: It wasn't me who asked the question. I mentioned it in the blog early in the game after it happened. I didn't ask the question because it didn't impact the outcome of the game. More important about Luis Castillo was beating out the bunt and stealing second.
To Alex: I think the job should go to Pagan based on his spring. Endy is valuable off the bench. I don't think he'll ever get a chance to start full time here.-JD
We tried Endy full time last season. It didn't work too well. His injury ended his chance, however, not a benching.
John, your diverting from the issue at hand, I have no problem with what Willie did today, I like Sosa as well in that situation, but that's not what you said before, which is what i'm talking about. You said that with Sanchez out, you'd put Sosa in the set-up role. That's what I had an issue with, but now you're talking about something completely different, which was more of a situational thing. Set up means, setting up the closer, the 8th inning guy, and that's what i'm talking about, not what happened today. So why are you changing the subject?
metsfan: Its opening day, the team won and your being a complete a-hole. That is pathetic. Thanks for trying to ruin the day for everyone.
Scoopcoop: Its hard to imagine someone who is so positive about everything Met has a complaint about a guy who pitched 7 innings and had one bad pitch.
I really love the fact that people who spent all Spring whining about others criticizing the teams move, would have the nerve to bitch when the team wins its opener by 5 runs in a game that was a yawner.
Omar Padilla i don't think you read anything "Metsfan" or John have been talking about. IF you did you'd relize metsfan was making a smart counter-argument.
no problem Omar, oh, and Gomez is going to be good, he's a joy to watch. I wish him well, and I'll enjoy watching him develop. Oh, and Santana is going to be amazing for us, he'll give up a few HRs (not like last year though) because he's a fly ball pitcher, but he'll get enough K's to make up for that, and historically, he only gets better as the season goes on. I'm seeing Cy Young.
no Kyle,, lecturing Delcos about what a set up man is insulting, and very arrogant to assume Delcos doesn't know what a set up man is. maybe you don't know and appreciate the lecture but i think a guy in the sports business doesn't need a lecture from anonymous fans.
If Pagan can keep it up AND Castillo can somehow stay healthy AND Church can be protected from hitting lefties… maybe this team has some supporting bats for Beltran/Reyes/Wright after all.
That's a huge best-case-scenario but who knows?
Schneider and Delgado, of course, are still terrible.
JD, please tell me you weren't the one who asked the Castillo question…..
Nope, it wasn't me who asked the Castillo question.-JD
JD,
Still questioning Castillo's performance?
I think the Mets are going to better than everyone thinks this years. Despite the Braves who lost two in a row. Phils lost one.
I know its early but the Mets are off to a good start.
Great job by the team. I will have to go through retrosheet to
see how key Met acquisitions did in their first game. I think guys like Willie Mays, Gary Carter and Bobby Bonilla hit home runs in their first game (Gary Thorne, broadcasting the game on ESPN, said Bonilla paid for the $25 million contract right there. It's nice but rememember it's the Marlins and it is a long season.
As I perused the sports pages of a bunch of newpapers on the web this morning, I noted that many writers were filing from Miami. This was interesting because it meant they had skipped the last Opening Day at Yankee Stadium (later rained out and re-scheduled for tonight) to go to the former Joe Robbie Stadium to watch Johan Santana pitch the Mets opener. I'm sure it also means that they will be there tonight for Pedro Martinez. This is a big deal in NY Sports and the Mets front office has got to be pleased and proud.
As Stephen King says – "if you are a writer, you should be a reader first", so those of us who do write, read like crazy. This morning everyone on this blog should take note of John's Opening Day Column in The Journal News – the first sentence is a work of art.
I am positive and negative Omar P.
But since you and some others are generally only negative and can't see good and bad I see why you can't recognize that perspective.
I was criticizing the fact that Santana is not throwing as many sliders as he use to and throwing many more changeups. This is the same criticism lobbed his way by several "experts" who have stated that not throwing his slider as much as he use to has led to more HR balls.
I don't have it in front of me, but the stats of the last three yrs back it up. His percentage of FB has dropped while his percentage of changeups has gone way up. And his slider percentage is way down. And hence, the # of HR balls has gone up too b/c it is alot easier to hit a mistake changeup than a FB since his changeup when it does not break floats up there like it is on a tee.
In a game like yesterday it did not matter. But in some other game it might. I just hope he mixes it up more like he use to so that in a close game that HR ball won't happen.
It is a little nuiansce of the game. Maybe someday you will undertand.
scoopcoop: How long are you going to continue your insinuations that Latinos have limited mental capacity? You did it continually with OP, then you changed El Duque's nickname to something very insulting and now you state that a fellow poster with a Latino name isn't smart enough to understand your posts. You have reached strike three…. Why can't you just keep your bigotry inside yourself or take into the gutter with your friends?
El Duque risked his life to escape tyranny and his story is a wonderful example of the American dream and of the beauty of America and the diversity of American culture. For you to so blatantly call him derogotory names because he has struggled with an injury is truly disgraceful, and is an example fo America at its worst. People wonder why there is sensitivity and why people are always on guard against bigtory and hate. Its because of people like you who contunually spew it out in the hopes that if others hear it enough they will subconsciously start to believe it themselves.
I hope this is a sign of things to come, but I think Willie handled the bullpen flawlessly yesterday. None of the Schoenweis contract dictating that he should pitch to everyone, playing matchups with Sosa against Willingham, letting Heilman finish the game instead of wasting Wagner. Kudos to Willie. I hope it continues throughout the year.
Hollywood, Omar P insulted me first. Why don't you say something about him?
I'm not going to respond to your acquisations. This is the last time.
and would you have said the same if Sosa had given up a long ball?
Letsgo: If you were asking me, the answer would have been still yes. If he would have given up a homer, the Mets still would have lead. Besides, AH is just as capable of giving up a big homerun as anyone on the staff.
hollywood: I'd love to discuss with this guy face to face in a serious way but since that will never be possible, whatever…. that is if I am smart enought to have a discussion with him….
I do appreciate you pointing it out though, one never knows when it might do some good.
You can be sure you'll see another sneaky zinger in a few days and it wo't be about Church's mental capacity.
scoopcoop: Did I question your intellectual prowess? As amatter of fact I questioned your consistency in attitude about others' negativity. You couldn't refute that becauase I'm not your intellectual equal I guess…. Right…....NOT.
OMAR DUD! OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!OMAR DUD!
Now I guess you'll be satisfied that I am what you think!
By the way, Omar can also be a middle eastern name. I guess I have offended that group too.
Can't wait to come here when we lose one!!!!!!
"His percentage of FB has dropped…"
Scoop, you're wrong.
Johan's GB% since 2004: 40.6%, 40.4%, 40.6%, 38%.
HR's allowed: 24, 22, 24, 33.
Pretty consistent. His HR jump last year was probably due to randomness. I think it's time to quit while you're ahead.
Honestly, if you really complained about Santana's start yesterday you need to take up a hobby to occupy your time.
"AND Church can be protected from hitting lefties"
Mike C., Church was 1-3 yesterday off a lefty with an RBI. Give him some credit.
For more about Santana and his homerun troubles, don't know if you saw this article but it was an interview with Jack Morris who has been the Twins announcer for the past number of years. I wish I could find the link, but it had to do with Santana, in Morris's opinion, throwing way too many changeups and that the AL caught up to him. Morris thought that he should be throwing the slider much more than he was. They also had some stats to back it up.
I have to agree with Keith on Santana. On Church its kind of hard to get excited about a single, but there shouldn't be complaints about it either. For all those over analyzing one game against a very bad team, was Wise's performance a continuation of his bad pitching from the beaning he gave last yar, or was it a mere bad outing based on the fact that if you use enough relief pitchers somebody is going to have a bad day, or was he a bad selection from our very deep bullpen and Stokes shouldn't have been DFA'd or Register retained?
"On Church its kind of hard to get excited about a single, but there shouldn’t be complaints about it either."
Well said. My point was that people were bellyaching about his inability to hit LH pitching all offseason. The guy had an RBI single off a LH in the game yesterday. I think it should be acknowledged.