Championship teams need to develop a killer instinct. We are starting to see that from the Mets – slightly.
They need to sweep a team like the Giants. This is a team they can put away and demoralize with an early lead.
John Maine goes for the Mets. Says the cramp in his left forearm shouldn’t be an issue.
We should get some Moises Alou news today, too.
91 Comments
JD: I’ve soured on Randy Winn these past few games. What about Ibanez? Is he on the block in Seattle? Who might be available for the Mets to go after?
if we don’t sweep today the seasons over…....JK but yea we should crack zito today…..if not then we should seriously consider trading for a bat,....and NO BONDS
If SF starts swinging at alot of first pitches, they just want to get on the plane.
Gets some runs early. SF will be thinking of going on vacation quick.
JD: With Alou likely gone, and Church perhaps looking at the end of his career (boy, even if the Mets win the WS, the Church incident will be a big black eye on the team), what do you think of the acquisition of Mr. OBP/HR – Adam Dunn?
Maine hasn’t pitched into the 7th inning since May 7th… at this point, it’s a miracle if he finishes 5..
Greetings, everyone from the Miami airport, where I’m watching the game on my laptop. As hard as it is to believe, we’ve got a chance to go into the break in first place!
But this home plate ump sure isn’t helping us…
Maybe not, but Maine has got to find a way to economize his pitches. 45 after 2 is riddiculous.
Knowing the Mets desperately need a corner outfielder, I was hoping we could swing a deal for Toronto’s Alex Rios—until I looked at his stats and see he has hit only 4 HRs. Yikes.
Championship team? Killer instinct?
I would be happy if they stay competitive. Let them play this way for a few weeks before using terms like those.
Dave
Hi Gil –
This has surely been an interesting trip with the Mets organization so far this season, hasn’t it. I’m so superstituous though that I don’t want to hear words like ‘sweep’ until we do.
In fact I’m spending my spare time this afternoon voting for David Wright to take his rightful place at the All Star Game and I encourage all posters to do the same.
Philly up 2-0 after 2 1/2
Hey, Annie. Good to see your post.
I did like you and voted 25 times for D-Wright.
Frankly, I’m embarrassed that Blly Wagner is our representative, not only for his performance, but for his penchant of throwing teammates under the bus.
Pretty amazing the Giants Havent won a WS since theyve been in SF. Theyve had a lot of Great Players in those 50 years.
Gotta say this: What a pleasure it is to hear Ralph Kiner’s voice and hear his stories. It’s like your grandpa regaling you with tall tales. Such warmth.
Another GREAT nugget from Ralph: After that 25-inning 4-3 Mets loss to the Cardinals back in ‘74 or ‘75, Cards’ OF Bake McBride, who scored the eventual winning run on an errant pickoff throw (and who had the biggest Afro this side of former Yankee OF, Oscar Gamble) actually appeared on Kiner’s Korner, following that game.
What’s more amazing? The face that the game continued on that long, or that there actually was a Kiner’s Korner following it?
Trivia time: The Mets losing pitcher in that game, who made the error now has a son pitching in the National League. Who’s the son?
I agree with you about Wagner the Wild Man – we can only hope that he doesn’t get in the game.
As usual, I’m with WFAN and Howie and Wayne, but I sure remember Kiner, Murphy and McCarver – storytellers all – particularly Ralph and Tim who were long time MLB players.
Gil, I remember watching that game on TV. Hank Webb is the answer. Here is another of Ralphs Stories: In the Mid 60’s, the Mets traded a player named Harry Chiti for a player to be named later. Who knows the name of the player named?
I already like Argenis Reyes better than Luis Castillo playing second base for us. And he’s mushc younger, has two fully functioning knees and is four years and $32M less expensive.
Quick question, on Gamecast it looks Maine is getting hosed on a lot of what should be strikes up in the zone, is that true or is Gamecast just off?
Ray – I ‘cheated’ and Googled the Harry Chiti question – unbelieveable!
Mr. Sadecki, you’re correct on the name of the pitcher—I was looking for Brandon Webb as the answer.
And the Harry Chiti story?
Yes, Harry was traded for himself—he was the player to be named later!
I would take Adam Dunn in a second. He could be their first baseman for years. I know Carlos Delgado is hitting, but I am not sold over the long haul that he’s back.-JD
So much for the no-hitter. lol
More from Ralph:
During the WWII years, the St. Louis Browns were originally going to be the first MLB team to relocate to Los Angeles, but those plans were scrapped…
Also, Ralph said while traveling with the Pirates on an old DC-3 plane for a road trip, the players had to make room for another passenger—a racehorse!
John, that’s an interesting take on Adam Dunn, one I’ve never seen considered. It’s true if he plays left now, he could slide into first next year.
I don’t care much for him as an outfielder (though I prefer him to Seattle’s Raul Ibanez) and I wonder if there was something to Blue Jays’ GM JP Ricciardi’s comments that Dunn “doesn’t care.”
Could being thrust into the pennant race motivate him? And what price would the Reds ask? There certainly isn’t a whole lot of outfield talent available, is there?
Yes, Ralphie is a treasure, I hope he will be with us many more years. Former Mets catcher Gary Cooper hopes so too !!
Didn’t Dunn’s trainer say that he’s never seen anyone play through more injuries than Dunn – and that he has tremendous heart?
I had heard that Dunn wouldn’t net a price consummate with his value as a hitter because the Reds are afraid of offering him arbitration. I just really think he could help the team out and Minaya should be open to offering Heilman and a AA hitter other than F-Mart.
Gil – here’s my Ralph and Tim story:
Years ago when Tim McCarver was doing the Mets games, Ralph Kiner told him to stop throwing things on the floor of the booth, he was making a mess. So, I wrote to Tim and asked him to obey Ralph and send me the scorecard instead of throwing it on the floor. He did – he signed it and sent it and it is currently on my office door with other baseball remembrances. I hope it made Ralph happy.
PS – John – what do you do with your scorecards? Would you send me one?
Back to the game. Inexplicable how he can throw 9 pitches to Zito and walk him. Things like that keep Maine from being an elite pitcher. It’s going to be hard for him to pitch 6 full innings this game.
I’m sorry, but when you already have a high pitch count and you walk the opposing pitcher in a 9 pitch at bat you deserve to get punched right in the mouth.
BH,
Regardless of pitch count its inexplicable to walk the opposing pitcher especially after an 0-2 count. Lack of concentration.
4-1 Phills bottom of 6th
Remember the comments billy wagner made about oliver perez not picking up the staff when they needed it earlier this season. Isnt todays performance by maine on the same level.
Maine had an awful game. It’s one of the worst 2 hit outings you’ll ever see a pitcher have. Not what they needed today at all and Maine has no one to blame but himself.
Anyone know the pitching rotation for the weekend?
Game tied 3 up. My problem with Dunn is that hes a lefthanded hitter. They need a righty. If he comes cheap though, Why not? He can play LF the rest of this year, and take over first next year. I wish we could get Texiera, but thats probably not gonna happen.
Why can’t a guy have a bad game without his character being called into question for ‘Not picking up the staff’? Maine was a little wild today. Definitely not a great start but its 3-3 at the end of 5.
What would the day be with Moises Alou news. I’m eagerly awaiting it.
Taylor,
All im saying is Wagner called out Perez, so whats the difference between the performances.
John—What’s the deal with Nick Evans being re-issued uniform number 6? Isn’t there some ethical problem as it relates to Troy Nixon? Did Troy willingly surrender his number or is management sending him a not-so-subtle message?
Good Job by muniz getting it to the 7th where you can start mix and matching guys
Gang – am I the only Met fan voting against D Wright so he doesn’t go to the All-Star game and gets a much needed vacation?
Wagner is quick to judge and criticize his teammates. I don’t particularly like it. He needs to be knocked down a peg or two. I don’t think either performance (Ollie’s or Maine’s) should be attributed to lack of effort or character.
We dont need no stinking Dunn, We have Tatis !!!!
You can’t stop Fernando Tatis, you can only hope to contain him.
Looks like we have the best “Fernando” already on this team. :-)
Taylor: I would like to think his lousy job of closing lately has already knocked him down a peg or two.
David: Yes, that was an excellent job by Muniz. If the Mets hang on, he’ll be a big reason why.
Wow seeing Tatis hit big HR’s makes you hope that maybe this is different this time.
Taylor,
as for wagner i hate the idea of players throwing their teammates under the bus, thats for us fans and the media to do :-) With that said i was drawing a comparison of the two outings.
chiliGTC, I am selfish. I want to see a Met in the All Star game not named Wagner. Sorry I voted for Dave.
One more hour to do the Wright thing – vote for David.