The magic that culminated in a 2008 Phillies championship is starting to crumble. It was an odd culmination of player resurgence, finding the hot relievers, and just plain luck that got the Phillies to where they were. Maybe this is the first sign that the magic was a one year thing, and they’ll soon be back in third place where they belong.
Orioles Fan
Mistaken for an Orioles fan.
I don’t really care what the Mets color scheme is, what uniforms they wear, or what symbols they use. The Citi Field logo isn’t great, but I just don’t care. Some fans dislike that the Mets every incorporated black into their apparel. I personally don’t care, although I like sticking to the history of the blue and orange from the Dodgers and Giants. Tangently, I really thought the All-Star jerseys worn in
However, I do like variety. I was annoyed that the Diamondbacks ditched the purple. I actually like some of the older 80s style flashy uniforms. I dislike teams looking the same, everyone wearing the same grays and whites and pinstripes.
The other day I was out at a restaurant, wearing a black and orange Mets shirt that I’d gotten cheap somewhere. One of the servers came over to me and said “Nice shirt”
, and happened to start talking baseball. He mentioned some third base prospect I’d never heard of, and since I don’t follow prospects or hot stove too closely, I figured he meant 2B, and it was some guy the Mets were looking at as a possible Castillo replacement. I gave a suitably vague answer, and he walked away, but I still felt confused. Then it dawned on me that he didn’t actually see the front of my shirt, merely the colors, and I (which he came over and verified later) correctly assumed that he mistook me for an Orioles fan.
Must be sad times in
RyanHoward-Rod
I like my title, shame you won’t see that on the back pages of the Post.
K-Rod.
Pretty much the best closer in the game. At least arguably. Definitely the bets Free Agent relief pitcher on the market, and as much as I’m reluctant to always try to ‘buy’ the best team, this was the right move. I’m not nearly as excited about it as I was Santana, but I’m fully of the mind that if Wagner doesn’t get hurt, the Mets win the division, and probably the Phillies don’t win the Series.
Omar filled the biggest hole with the biggest plug. We still need a a bunch of relievers, but I don’t think they need to be big name guys. Pull in a bunch of guys from the minors, waivers, other teams, rule-5, wherever, and see who can thrive in this system with these coaches and players.
The last two starters should be the next priority. I wouldn’t be against Pedro/Ollie. Not both, but one of them. Perez is probably the better option, but his consistency is infuriating and overly taxing on the bullpen’s piece of mind. I don’t trust Niese to step in and be a reliable 5th starter. I think they should assume he’ll be the guy that’ll get called up when they need a 6th, or a fill in guy when someone needs to skip a start. I’m not overly concerned with who it is, but It’d be nice to have another big innings guys so the bullpens innings can be kept down.
How many more days?
Watched some football today. Giants look good.
I miss baseball.
Baseball.
Spring Training Yet?
Speaking of which, I got my letter for renewal of season plans. Thinking about whether I should get a 15 game package, or just try to get 15 games on my own. Of course, I can have 3 extra seats, so if anyone out there wants to join me/us..
Banner
I hate the offseason. Not just because there’s not baseball, but because all there is is rumor. Rumors the Mets will get this player, or that player, or talk to this player, or this player wants this money, this many years…yawn. It’s all useless conjecture. I’d rather just read the news as it happens, not try to guess at it. Otherwise I’d be a weatherman. (*snicker*).
It’s a minor thing, but I’m debating when I should change the top rail image on the blog. Right now it’s a random picture of the banners that were in right field. But Shea is no longer the home of the Mets. Should I post a picture of Citi from the outside, or wait until the first and post a picture from the game? Decisions decisions..
Jets At Shea
The elusive picture of Shea for the Jets. Notice how the field level is rotated. This picture is from 1964.
Losingest Team in MLB
The Phillies are one of the oldest baseball teams, and have lost the most games. They found lightning in a bottle in their bullpen this year, and the teams they faced, which weren’t the top teams in the game, were unable to exploit their weaknesses. They played a strong September and October, much like the Rockies last year, or the Cardinals the year before. They won. It sucks. I take solace in that they only get one title a century, and they’ve used up this one’s only eight years in.
My money’s on 20,000 losses before the third championship.
However, from a rivalry standpoint, this just amps it up. Despise years and chances, both teams have two. Phillies fans aren’t going to discard their hatred for us, and we know they only come out when they’re winning. But now we’ve grown an intense dislike for them too. This could get interesting. Or the Phillies could pack it in and place fourth next year, and the rivalry, like the Phillies themselves, will be a flash in the pan.
Bounty
The stupid “The division hates the Mets” story got me thinking. Metstradamus joked about the Mets putting bounties on other players. Fine, do it. Not real bounties, but something team building and fun. Whoever has the best game against the Phillies in a series gets to set the radio/tv for a week. A pitcher who gets Hanley out the most gets to pick where they eat dinner next.
This all probably stems from the general disconnect players and fans have. While there is often a jealousy of
We seem to have criticized the Mets for acting like they deserved the division in ’07. Well, they did deserve the division, and I think they should continue to act like that. The Mets should walk into opposing stadiums like they own the place. Walk into ’09 like they own the division.
This would be great:
Wright: “The division is ours this year.”
Reporter: “But aren’t the Phillies the defending division champs? Don’t you have to go through them?”
Wright: “Even bad teams get lucky sometimes. The Phillies..who’s on that team? Cole..somebody or another right? Bring it on.”
Crossword
It’s the off season(except for two teams..damn them), and as I hate rumors, I haven’t been posting much.
I noticed this in today’s AMNY crossword puzzle, and while it’s true in a past tense sense, it’s a little outdated now.
65 Across: Shea Player.
It’s obviously Met (Although Jet would also work, since both teams used to play there, and neither do now), but right now the Mets don’t have a home. They’re still on the moving truck between them.
Postseason baseball
Last year I got right into the postseason, and the Phillies being pummeled didn’t hurt. It was like I was so expectant of the season not being over. This year I was just so disappointed and disillusioned that I haven’t been into it. Sox looked good last night, but I’m still pulling for the Rays I think. (I like to compare them to the ’69 Mets, but last night certainly reminded me of the ’08 Mets. Both teams blew it after Kazmir left! haha..that was..bad)
Islanders don’t look great, but I’m thinking there might be some fun there. I caught opening night at the Prudential Center against the Devils, they lost, but I had fun.
I’m going to be in Buffalo this weekend, I wonder if I should pick up a Bisons shirt or something.