Aftershocks of the 2009 Mets Season
The 2009 season for the Mets was a disaster. After careful review, it appears that the specific type of disaster was earthquake. Even after the disastrous season ended we’ve been hit with aftershocks. Aftershocks are known as smaller earthquakes that follow after the original quake, not to be confused with the alcohol beverage that was needed for us fans to get through the season. They can still be dangerous, but generally get smaller and farther apart as time goes on.
Carlos Beltran’s scoped knee surgery was the first aftershock of the 2009 disaster. While final damage totals are not yet in for this one, it’s expected he’ll miss up to a month of real time. The last report I heard suggested that he’d be cleared to resume baseball activities right around the time the Mets head north for Opening Day.
The Jose Reyes Thyroid aftershock hit last week, when blood work revealed that Reyes has an overactive thyroid. The results and treatment for this are still being determined, but many opinions suggest that it shouldn’t be a big deal and he can get back to playing soon. This smaller aftershock was still upsetting, but it seems like it won’t be one that did much damage.
Other smaller aftershocks have occurred throughout Spring Training for the Mets. Francisco Rodriguez came down with pink eye, 
but didn’t become a zombie. Fernando Tatis is batting some knee issues, and Nick Evans strained his forearm. Neither is considered serious and Frankie is back and pitching again.
The big thing to remember here is it’s not 2009 anymore. You can check the calendar if you don’t believe me. Every tweak or setback or injury is not indicative of disaster, and the bad luck that plagued the Mets in 2009 was just that; bad luck. The way Reyes did not adequately recover from his hamstring injuries has nothing to do with what his thyroid may or may not be doing right now, and the bone bruise that Beltran had does not relate to his recovery from having his knee scoped in the off season. Right now we’re still in limbo waiting on how Reyes will be treated by doctors and when he’ll get back down to Florida to continue Spring Training, but once he does everything will be alright. Soon it will be time for baseball to count, and we can start obsessing over wins and losses and pitching performances and home run totals instead of thyroid levels and pink eye symptoms.
Visit The Real Dirty Mets Blog for lively discussion on this, and other, Mets topics.
Tags: 2009 mets, 2009 mets disaster, 2010 mets, aftershocks, Baseball, Carlos Beltran, earthquakes, injuries, Jose Reyes, Mets, New York Mets, pink eye, south park, Spring Training, thyroid
A Healthier Orange and Blue 2010
Last night a player, wearing Orange and Blue, returned to play after an injury-plagued 2009. I’m going to take this as a sign of good things to come for those other injured orange and blue wearing professional athletes, even if it is a different sport. Last night Rick DiPietro made his first start in goal for the Islanders in over a year. He’s one of their franchise players, and having him back with the team means a ton to their long term success.
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| From MetsStuff |
In 2010 the Mets will be getting Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, and John Maine back from injuries in 2009. Even David Wright missed time in 2009. Maine and Beltran actually returned before 2009 was over, and the others are all on schedule to be healthy by Spring Training, with Oliver Perez already working out.
Of course, this doesn’t guarantee anything. Filling out the lineup card doesn’t count as a win, but the Mets had been competitive the three years prior to 2009 and with these guys back it’s hard to expect they won’t be again.
We could spend time breaking down lineups, breaking down the Phillies lineups, analyzing trades and offseason acquisitions, evaluating players and prospects and predicting what 2010 will bring. We can and will do that, but the rosters aren’t set yet, and Spring Training is not quite here. There will be time enough for everyone to declare who the favorite is, and why. There will be time to document what the Mets need to do, and what the other teams need to do to get to the playoffs. Right now it’s about formulating the roster that will take the field on April 5th. Omar’s working on a catcher and a pitcher, and time is working to get those players we already have healthy and back on the field.
I’m going to take Rick DiPietro’s return as a sign that the 2009 orange and blue injury bug is over, and that 2010 will bring much success.
Tags: 2009, 2010, Baseball, goaltender, health, injury, islanders, Mets, orange and blue, rick dipietro, Spring Training
2009 World Series: Bad News
As everyone has made light of, this World Series sucks for a Mets fan.
Mets fans are pretty split on which side they’re rooting for, if you can even call it rooting. Funny thing is, you see plenty of Yankees fans saying that we should be rooting for them, but I don’t hear any Phillies fans making that same argument.
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| From Mets |
Personally, I’m rooting for the Yankees to lose. I don’t get any joy or any more grief no matter what the Phillies do, but the Yankees winning would really irk me. It’d blow my theory of them being cursed for knocking down the house that Ruth built, it’d give even more fuel to the “Jeter’s the best player ever” arguments you hear, as well as the constant reminder about how much they’ve won. Their eight rings to the Mets two would start to get a little insurmountable, whereas three for the Phillies wouldn’t be as rough.
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| From Mets |
Some say that the cracks in Yankee Stadium will open up and swallow both teams into Hell.
Some compare it to 1999 although despite how much it sucked losing the Braves, the Braves fans were never in the equation as hated rivals. Others suggest we ask who the Yankees were rooting for in 1986 and root accordingly.
Personally, I’m just not watching. I get no joy out of watching either team, and if you factor in all the game-delay tactics, the 50 million pitching changes, and the pop-fly home runs, I’m just not sure it’s going to be fun to watch anyway.
I’ll be watching the Islanders at the Rangers Wednesday night.
Tags: 2009, 2009 world series, Baseball, championship, hell, hell portal, islanders, Mets, Phillies, phillies suck, World Series, Yankees, yankees suck
MLB Playoff Predictions
Let’s talk MLB playoff predictions. My picks are probably slightly biased, but there is nothing wrong with that. Anything can happen.
NLDS:
Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies.
My pick is the Rockies. Probably in four games. The Phillies have shown at times this year that they are not that good a team. They haven’t been playing well lately. Lee hasn’t had a good September and Hamels hasn’t had a good year, period. Their bullpen is shaky. They won last year because their pitching got hot at the right time. I don’t see that happening this year. The Rockies have the Wild Card momentum thing going for them, and they can actually pitch pretty well, which is the best thing to have to face the Phillies.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
This is another case of a hot team facing a team that coasted in. The Dodgers are a good team, but I don’t think they have things clicking. I think the Cardinals, behind their pitching and their Pujols, take this series in four games. You can never rule out the Mannywood factor, but I think even if he has a good series, which he probably will, it won’t be enough.
ALDS:
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
This series is being billed as a mismatch, but I think there is too much Yankees love out there. We can talk all we want about being tired and worn out, but I bet the Twins wouldn’t describe themselves that way. I think game 163 even helps them, because they won’t have time to unwind and feel tired. They barely have enough time to get to the next game. I think the Twins take the series in four. I think age catches up to the Yankees offensively, I think the pitching won’t be up to task, especially Joba after how he’s been mishandled. The one thing to say is that if the Yankees can hold off the steamroller in game one and win it, I think the Twins could cave to exhaustion and collapse in three.
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This is a compelling series too, and I think the hardest one to pick. I think this series will go five, and be the best series. I’m giving the edge to the Red Sox, because I think they have an edge talent wise and that will shine through, but it’ll be close.
NLCS: Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
I think this is where the Rockies magic wears off. I think they get destroyed, and swept, by the Cardinals.
ALCS: Boston Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
Similarly I think the Red Sox take care of the Twins in five.
World Series: Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals
I think this is going to be the best World Series in a long time. I think it’ll go to November 5th, all the way to game seven. The Red Sox will take it in the end, winning their third championship of the decade and establishing themselves as the dynasty of the early century.
Tags: alcs, alds, Baseball, boston red sox, Colorado Rockies, los angeles angels of anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, minnesota twins, mlb, mlb playoff predictions, New York Yankees, nlcs, nlds, Philadelphia Phillies, playoff predictions, playoffs, St. Louis Cardinals, World Series
Goodbye 2009 New York Mets
Goodbye 2009 New York Mets
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| From 100409_Astros |
I caught your final game in person at Citi Field, and it was a good game. I’m glad I was there.
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| From 100409_Astros |
Better luck next year. How many days until pitchers and catchers?
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| From 100409_Astros |
I hope the rumors about Manuel and Warthen staying are false. For 2010’s sake.
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| From 100409_Astros |
Tags: 2009 season, Baseball, Citi Field, fire jerry manuel, fire manuel, jerry manuel, last game, Mets, pitchers and catchers
First Last Game at Citi Field
I bought tickets, way back in May, for the final game of the season. I didn’t think it would matter; I figured the Mets would’ve clinched, but it had mattered for two years and I figured it wouldn’t be a bad game to be at.
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| From Citifield |
It seems I was wrong. There is nothing to watch, and Pelfrey isn’t even making his final start of the season. This means Figueroa on the mound and who knows who playing around him. So why am I going?
A couple of reasons. It’s still baseball, it’s still the Mets, and I already have tickets. I haven’t been to Citi Field in a while due to a combination of life keeping me from being able to afford tickets (not the prices) and the Mets not being good enough to make it worth going.
I love Citi Field. It’s my favorite baseball stadium and I’m looking forward more to being in the stadium once more than the play on the field. I’ve always been a strong proponent of the new place, but the feeling I get now is similar the the ones I got at Shea Stadium late in the season. A “It feels right being here, and I’ll miss it for the next couple of months” feeling. I’ll enjoy being able to wander around, and not having to sit in my seat and stare at what’s become bad baseball lately for nine innings.
If I watched at home, I’d mentally tune out and not pay attention because it doesn’t mean much. I’d probably turn on football. At Citi I’ll mentally say goodbye to baseball, bury the 2009 season, and watch Manuel mismanage his final game with the Mets.
I’ll come home, root for the Islanders, the Giants, the Tigers and whoever is playing the Phillies. I’ll try to erase the 2009 Mets from my mind, and start waiting for April 5th, 2010. It’s only 184 days away.
Tags: Baseball, Citi Field, fire jerry manuel, fire manuel, football, goodbye, jerry manuel, Mets, Shea Stadium, stadium
Best 2009 Mets Acquisition
Without a doubt, the best acquisition the Mets made in 2009 was Citi Field. Given all the problems and the Mets going nowhere, the one new thing this year that helped sooth the pain and will continue to be there year after year is Citi Field.
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| From Citifield |
The stadium was there for all 81 games is was schedule to host, which is more than most Mets can say. It’s a great place to watch a game, and my biggest regret is the season died too fast to really get a feel for how it handles the big game, and what that energy would feel like. There’s great standing room only spots, including the bridge out in center field. We got to keep the Home Run Apple; If only the whole ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ had worked for the Mets this year. Maybe that’s the problem. They certainly didn’t get the Apple to pop up every game.
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| From Citifield |
Mobility and visibility are one of the big pluses of Citi Field. No matter where you are in Citi Field, you’re rarely a few steps from being able to see the field. It’s easy to get around the park as well. It has 360 degree mobility so that if you’re in the right field promenade you don’t have to circle the entire stadium to visit someone or something in left field reserved. You can do it without having to fight through crowded aisles or concourses, or puddles of water or vendors and janitors pushing pallets of trash or frozen burgers through the area. While it’s crowded, I have yet to encounter the type of gridlock that was prevalent at Shea Stadium. With the exception of the middle level club seats you can get to any part of the stadium with any ticket. I wish there were a center field exit to the Pepsi Porch, but I’ll live with it.
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| From Citifield |
The food, beer and distractions available at Citi Field are great. I do agree that the focus should be on the game, but if I wanted to zone out and stare at the game, I could stay home too. I want to immerse myself in the stadium, the crowd, the beer and the food. I want to do it without missing the game, and Citi Field allows me to do this without missing whole innings, something that was common at Shea.
Tags: 2009 mets, 2009 mets acquisition, acquisition, Citi Field, free agents, Mets, pepsi porch, Shea Stadium, trades
Why I’m Watching Baseball
What I’m Rooting For Now
Sure, the Mets are out of it. Everyone has been injured. The manager is still a disaster, and there is still no obvious plan in place going forward. So what should we watch when we’re drawn in to watching baseball? What should we be rooting for?
September call-ups are always a popular choice, even if the Mets aren’t going to have that many. Biggest guy to watch is Josh Thole, the prospect catcher. Catcher is a big hole next year which makes catching prospects even more important. If Thole is for real, then the Mets can look for a short term stop-gap type solution behind the plate for one year. Can watch Murphy and Evans and Pagan and Parnell as they jockey for position and hope to be in the plans for next year.
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| From Mets |
Mainly though, I’m rooting against the Phillies and the Yankees. It still looks unlikely that either team will miss the playoffs, but stranger things have happened. Both bullpens are suspect, as Lidge goes for the blown save record, batters figure out Phil Hughes, Mariano gets older and frailer, and other guys don’t step up the possibility for a collapse looms. I think both teams are beatable, especially in the playoffs if it comes to that. I don’t expect to see either in the World Series.
Still, the state of baseball frustrates me. The Phillies and Yankees don’t lose as often as I would like, and too often grab victory despite teetering on the edge of failure. I would get no enjoyment watching either of them play baseball in October, and hope I don’t have to. The Islanders first game is October third. The Giants and Jets both start playing this Sunday. I have no idea when the NBA starts, but I think it’s a couple of weeks yet.
Weekend Turns Out to be a Dud
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| From 040709_Phillies |
Three months ago you would’ve pointed to this weekend as one of the biggest of the season. Four games against the Phillies was likely going to set the tone for September and who was chasing who. On a New York front, the Yankees are also playing the Red Sox so it would’ve been baseball mania in New York.
Now the Yankees have grabbed a big lead, the Mets are injured, and people are talking about the football Giants. The biggest stories for the Mets is the ‘69 reunion Saturday night and Pedro’s return to the Mets home field on Sunday. There is little or no juice for the series, and I’m sure some Phillies fans will come up the coast, but it just doesn’t matter.
I do think both Pelfrey and Perez will have good games. I think Parnell might have a nice bounceback start as well. I also just noticed that the Mets rotation features three Ps. Interesting? Not really.
It really is time to start parting ways with some of the useless veterans, like cutting Livan Hernandez yesterday. Sheffield can go too, Cory Sullivan has more extra base hits than him since being called up, and at least Sullivan can play defense.
Lets get Evans up here and him, Sullivan, Reed, and Pagan can all compete for possible roles on the team next year.
Tags: Baseball, lost weekend, Mets, mets phillies, new york baseball, Phillies, Pitching, rivalry, veterans
Meaningless September Baseball
You know it’s bad when you’re starting to pay more attention to the upcoming Yankees series against the Red Sox hoping the Sox can stay undefeated than you are to the Mets, and even have to strain to remember who they’re playing next.
In fact, while I can’t find it in my budget right now to justify going to Citi Field to see the Mets play bad baseball, I just got an offer to go to the Thursday night Red Sox games in the Bronx. At least this way I can go to a game and not be disappointed when the home team loses. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have baseball being played but my interest waning. It’s not fun, and I’m not even a big football fan so I can hardly look forward to the Giants.
If Beltran and Reyes were to come back tomorrow, I’d tell you we still had a fighting chance. Technically we do. There is plenty of time for miracle comes backs and great baseball. It just doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen with this bunch of guys. Stranger things have happened though, and I know I won’t be able to complete ignore the team anyway. After all, it’s still Mets baseball.
Maybe Sheffield discovers some magic from when he was younger, the non-steroid kind, and maybe Pelfrey blossoms into a really consistent solid starter. Perhaps Perez finally figures it out and starts pitching with less walks, despite the indications that he needs a better coach. Because of the Conservation of Walks theory, Jeff Francoeur will take the walks that Perez stops issuing, and actually raise his OBP well above his AVG. Daniel Murphy could suddenly become the solid hitter we all started to suspect he could be.
Unlikely, but still possible. Can you risk missing it by turning the television off?
Tags: Baseball, Magic, Mets, mets magic, miracle