Some quick hits on the new and improved New York Mets (I’m up to my eye balls with REAL work so this will be quick)

 

Willie Randolph:

 

Joel Sherman in today’s NY Post verifies my thinking that at the Summit at Shea Monday, Freddy Skill Sets spoke to Randolph in perfect “Brooklyneese” , “ Lookit, Willie you gotta do what you gotta do to get deese guys in gear, you know what I mean”? If you gotta kick some ass, then we got your back”. Willie seems as much as ease as I’ve seen him as Mets headman. He even joked with Kevin Burkhart last night in his post game presser when Burkhart said “All the things that were illin this club have come together” and Willie started laughing and said to Burkhart “Illin? What is that a hip-hop term” and then Randolph joked “Yeah we’ve been illin’” Good to see Randolph has a sense of humor and new hammer speaking of which…

 

Carlos Delgado-

 

See what a couple of days on the pine can do, a couple of base knocks and a dirty uniform which Randolph noted in on uncertain words that it’s about time CD got down and dirty. Willie will throw him a bone tonight and let him play tonight against the lefty phenom Clayton Kershaw but from reading Randolph’s comments when he said that without Grandpa Moises and Ryan Church he really has no choice but to play Delgado. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

 

Petey-

 

Is scheduled to pitch against the Giants in SF in Tuesday and reports are he is throwing better than he has in years. Can’t wait until Tuesday to see it for myself

 

Pelfrey/Vargas-

 

Somebody loses a job on Tuesday and for what it’s worth I’d love to see Pelfrey go to short relief and Vargas stay in the rotation, as much as I like Carlos Muniz, I’d have to send him back to NOLA. Maybe Omar Minaya will make this move to appease me.

 

Nick Evans-

 

Looks a little lost at the plate but I hope he gets to play tonight. He seems fooled by big league breaking balls but I’d love to see if he can adjust and be effective at the big league level. I’d play an outfield of Evans-Beltran-Tatis tonight.

 

The Curley Shuffle-

 

Listing to Boomer and Carton this morning, Carton played a clip from last night’s game of the Curley Shuffle being played on the Shea Jumbotron. The Curley Shuffle is a Keith Hernandez fave from the glory days of the 80’s Hey, it beats the shit out of the Rally Monkey. By the way I have been wearing my 1999 MOJO’ RISEN’ T-shirt. Whatever helps the cause.

 

        

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I’m not getting excited yet but last night was a turn back the clock kind of win for the Mets and it seems to me that Willie Randolph asked for and got the go ahead to play who he  feels is lineup worthy. Out of respect for a vet, Randolph won’t come out and say Carlos Delgado is part of a platoon at first base but it sure looks and smells like a platoon to me.  Let’s see if Willie plays Delgado tomorrow night as the Hollywood Bums have lefty phenom Clayton Kershaw on the hill. Show me some onions Willie and start Easley or even Nick Evans at first base show us who’s the boss!

 

Good for Fernando Tatis getting the game winner last night as he keeps making his case to stay in the big leagues. Tatis is just what the Mets needed a player who is trying to prove something instead of a clock puncher like Delgado.

 

I can see why some Mets fans are on Willie’s ass for not lifting Ollie P after 5 innings and the non-move just adds to the Fire Willie movement.  The first three innings for Perez were fine as he gave up just a solo HR to Mike Rabelo. OP was throwing strikes at least as he K’d 5 and walked no one through 3. Then in the fourth the Bad Ollie started to raise its ugly left arm and was falling behind in counts and walked a batter but finished without giving up a run. In the 5^th inning  Lack of Command Ollie took over as he couldn’t hit his spots at all, throwing 21 pitches and only 7 were for strikes. Now at this point when Lack of Command Ollie takes over from Effective Ollie, Lack of Command is just too tough to overcome, in fact Lack of Command Ollie usually morphs into Natural Disaster Ollie so it would have been a good time to take Perez out or at least have the pen warm with a Schonewises or a Heilman ready for when Natural Disaster strikes or walks in the case of O.P. So at the start of the 6^th  the Mets are sitting nice with a 4-2 lead. I guess Lack of Command Ollie falls asleep and forgets it’s time to get on the mound as Effective Ollie comes out to get Cantu to fly out on one pitch. As Lack of Command Ollie realizes, “Oh Shit, I got to get out there”  he gets run over by Natural Disaster Ollie who takes over to pitch. Wes Helms gets a 9 pitch walk, then falls behind Dan Uggla 2-0 and Uggla gets an infield hit. By now it’s time to notify the Red Cross because we all know what’s coming but Willie says “NO, WE WILL RIDE OUT THE STROM” as Cody Ross strides to plate salivating over the fact that Willie hasn’t budge from the Mets dugout. Not a Heilman, Joe Smith Cal Koonce, Harry Parker or even a Jerry Cram (JERRY CRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!) even stirring in the bullpen. No Captain Ahab Randolph will ride out the Natural Disaster Ollie and stands tall on that top step of the dugout (the better for the SNY cameras to see you my dear) and of course after falling behind in the count Natural Disaster Ollie puts a nice fat juicy pitch over the middle that the Mighty Cody Ross hits towards the Whitestone Bridge. And with that the fans are left to survey the ruins of Natural Disaster Ollie. Phones lines in Flushing are jammed with calls to Japan, New Orleans, and California. But Willie goes to what looks like the bullpen phone but the person on the other end is not Guy Conti it’s James Von Praagh:

 

Willie: James? Willie Randolph here

 

James Von Praagh: Yes I know who it is stupid

 

Willie: Oh yeah! Anyway can you get in touch with Gil Hodges

 

JVP: Hang on! Ok Ok I got him and boy is he pissed.

 

Willie: I’ll deal with that later ask him what should I do now?

 

JVP: Gil are you sure about this? ALL RIGHT ALL RIGHT STOP YELLING AT ME LIKE I’M CLEON JONES. I”LL TELL HIM. Gil says lift Castro for Chavez next inning.

 

Willie: James is Gil hanging out with Billy Martin?

 

JVP: Please Willie just do it. Gil has me in a head lock and I’m blacking out.

 

Willie OK OK

 

So Endy homers just like Gil said to tie the game. YEAHHHHHHHHHHH. Dirty Duaner gives up a HR in the 12^th to Amezaga  6-5 Marlins BBBBOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! But Fernando Tatis doubles home David Wright and Carlos Beltran THE METS WIN! THE METS WIN!!! THEY WIN THE DAMN GAME 7-6!!!!! YEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH.

 

Bob Murphy, Gil Hodges and Mrs. Payson clink glasses in a toast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

 

     

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One thing we know about Monday’s Summit at Shea all the parties involved realized that Carlos Delgado is no longer an everyday player and will now be part of a platoon at first base. Last night Damien Easley played first but I can see Fernando Tatis becoming the right handed hitting at first. Tatis should be up here awhile as Marlon Anderson has a tear in his hamstring and he won’t be back any time soon. Ryan Church is headed for the DL due to his second concussion (I know in th eland of Mets it’s just a bump on the noggin) so guys like Nick Evans, Tatis and I would think soon to be called up Valentino Pascucci (.290/.396/.699 in NOLA) are what your looking for. Evans is young and getting his first taste of the big leagues and Tatis and Pascucci are given another chance at big league life. This could be the shot in the arm the Mets have sorely needed, players who are motivated to do what ever is necessary to stay in the big leagues. As for Delgado I hope Willie Randolph laid out his options to him, platoon or DFA? Your choice Carlos.

Speaking of Willie, last night was the most relaxed I’ve seen him since maybe the night two years ago when the Mets clinched the NL East (seems like a decade ago doesn’t it?) Trying to read between the lines it looks like what came from that meeting on Monday was Randolph getting his way and playing who he feels gives the Mets the best chance to win. If your going to get the boot then go out on your terms looks to be Willie’s way of thinking.

Petey goes tonight in St. Lonesome and is penciled in as the starter on Tuesday in San Fran. Whether you’re a Petey fan or not you can not dispute what he means to the team in that clubhouse.

Maybe it’s redundant but Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling make it watching Mets game must see TV. Hernandez placed behind the plate was outstanding as he was totally into the game and gave great commentary on fly balls and the difference in each pitcher who game into the game.

As much as enjoyed last nights win and by the way, Johan Santana is as Mike Francessa would say not a good pitcher but a great pitcher is becoming a must attened the game pitcher. I find myself trying to figure out when he pitches at Shea as so I can grab a ticket eventhough he hasn’t been dominant the Mets are 7-1 in his last eight starts and Santana is known as an excellenet second half pitcher. Damn, there I go again getting all giddy after one win.

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So after all the media pontification about Willie Randolph losing his job and the anticipation over Summit at Shea yesterday nothing has changes except maybe my perspective of the team and organization. I am quickly on the verge of not giving a flying fuck if the team wins or loses any more.  In fact what we thought was an injustice that $iti Field had “only” 45, 000 seats and “oh how oh how were we Mets fans going to get tickets” Who cares! As much as I was anticipating the opening of the new ball park right now I couldn’t care less. I’m taking the same attitude as guys like Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran as they are the most nonchalance baseball players I’ve ever seen. Both guys make Kevin Mc Reynolds look like Pete Rose, “Win or Loses it’s the paycheck that counts”.

 

Right now the highlight of my Mets season is listening to Gary, Keith and Ron, SNY should just make those three partners in the company as they are the only reason to watch that god-awful network. Yeah Beer Money is great programming!!!

 

Back to the Mets, so the Skill Sets got mad at Willie for calling out race issue and for criticizing SNY. Hello? Any one home in Skill Set mansion? Someone’s head had to come out on a platter yesterday either Willie’s, Omar’s Delgado’s Heilman’s, Wayne Hagin somebody had to be sacrificed yesterday, how could they not? Here is a slap of reality to the Skill Sets and to Omar Minaya NOT ONLY DOES YOUR TEAM SUCK, WE CAN”T EVEN ROOT FOR THEM ANYMORE!!!!!

 

Someone has to get a hold of Jose Reyes and straighten him out. Great he hit 2 HR’s yesterday all that means is he will go fly ball crazy the next 3 weeks. Carlos Delgado is an embarrassment at first base, I know the money is like close to $8mil but he has got to go. The Skill Sets would have shown me big balls and shut me up if they gave this has been his release. But unfortunate there isn’t a pair of balls in the organization. Same with Carlos Beltran, time to see if anyone wants to make a deal for him as well.

 

David Wright should just stop talking to the media. If you have nothing of substance to say the tell them “Fellas, nothings changed I got nothing to add” If you not going to take a stand then shut up.

 

Where is our Dan Uggla? Did you see Uggla diving, rolling and busting his ass last night? 

 

Johan Santana goes tonight and he has been very good but now that you look at this underachieving team, you have to ask yourself, “Why did they make this deal”? Seriously if you went through all the trouble to trade for an ace pitcher and give up young talent and your team still puts out no effort and could give a shit if it wins or loses then what was the sense of bringing Santana here? That’s why I don’t understand how after that meeting yesterday, the Skill Sets could stay with the status quo?

 

Lost in the minutia of yesterday is the fact that Ryan Church should be on the 15 day DL and seeing a doctor than sitting in the dugout waiting to pinch hit. Kevin Burkhart asked Church for an interview last night, but Church said he was not up to talking. Church never blows off an interview especially where Burkhart wanted to talk about his brother who is serving in Iraq.  Man, I am really starting to hate this organization.

 

Here is a novel idea, how about letting Aaron Heilman gets a start and put Mike Pelfrey in the bullpen? Heilman pitched two innings last night and was good and Pelfrey with all his between the ears problems was still hitting the radar gun at 95-96 mph on his fastball. What’s the worst that could happen both pitchers fail?  So what. Failure is rewarded in the Mets organization.

 

How do we as fans get this organizations attention that things are bad and changes are needed? The tickets for this year have been bought and the team has been booed and that hasn’t gotten any one motivated. Do fans stage a walk out or even cheer the opposition? How can fans show displeasure with this organization and players that will get not only their attention but get them angry? How many times can we as fans poke a finger into the player’s shoulders before the take a swing at us? Does anything get these guys mad?  The floor for ideas is now open.    

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I don’t think Willie Randolph will be fired today during his sit down with Freddy and Jeffey Skill Sets but I do think it will be an extremely volatile sit down. In attendance will be Randolph, The Skill Sets, Uncle Saul and Omar Minaya. If Randolph is the champion human being and tough old soldier that the mainstream media is now making him out to be then he needs to go in with guns blazing.

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A couple of quickhits here as I get ready to go to the ballpark as my little league team tries to make it two in a row as we play the first place team in our division. Then I’m off to New Jersey for a party so it’s a jammed packed Saturday.

First, last night game was a killer. Too many mistakes and poor pitching by Ollie Perez. It seems the Mets just can not hold a lead. The offense scores two runs, the pitching gives up 3 runs the next inning. Not exactly a mark of a  championship team. Jose Reyes getting picked off second base said it all last night as did Keith Hernandez, who was top form last night when he shouted “That’s why you lose” when Reyes got picked.

Speaking of Mex, Mike Francessa put down his Diet Coke long enough to let us know that he asked Mex if he would manage the Mets if asked and MEx said “Yes” Very interesting.

Also Gary Carter pulled a very poor move yesterday on Sirius Radio saying he’s called Jay Horowitz to tell hin to let the Skill Sets know he is ready and able to take over for Willie Randolph. Real bush league on Kid’s part.

Omar Minaya made the trip to Denver, not a good sign for Willie. He let Randolph know that he and Willie will meet with Freddy and Jefey Skill Sets either Monday or Tuesday in NYC. Here’s my advice to Willie, if there is drop cloth on the floor when you walk in you’re getting “whacked”

Petey claims he will be up next week to pitch at Shea as he is in the DR with his dad. Petey calims his father wants him to go back to the team and pitch.

Omar listening to me has promoted Nick Evans from Bingo. Now that Marlon Anderson is out with a himmy strain and Ryan Church is still feeling theeffects of his concussion (please put him on the 15 day DL Omar) if Fernando Martinez were healthy he’d beup as well.

Lot’s of hammy injuries in the MEts organization some of it due to old age but maybe the training staff needs to reevaluate it’s conditioning ways.

Enjoy the holiday weekend and remember why it’s a holiday and remember the men and woman of our military who gave their lives for us. No matter your political view we must always stand by our military as they are the bravest of all Americans.  

  

   

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My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me.My shallow heart’s the only one that’s beatingSometimes I wish someone out there will find me‘Till then I walk alone    

I don’t know what more to add to the analysis of the collapse of the Mets and what looks to be the last days of Willie Randolph as Mets manager. Last night I had the pleasure of being on with Matt and Greg over at Seven Train to Shea after the Mets fourth loss in a row to the Braves and it’s worth a listen as I can tell you I was more “expressive” than Willie Randolph ever has been in a post game press conference.

 Read between the linesWhat’s fucked up and everything’s allrightOn the borderlineOf the edge and where I walk alone 

I can’t figure out how a team of 25 players can be so passive. They talk the talk but never walk the walk. Too many times the Mets teams under Randolph turn the other cheek. In 2006 after the Cardinals won the NLCS the chants of “Jose-Jose-Jose” were heard coming from the St Louis clubhouse. The Mets allowed a team to come into their home, beat them then mock them. There have never been any repercussions from that incident. Jimmy Rollins comes out in 2007 and challenges the Mets by saying his Phillies are the team to beat. He then goes out and not only leads his team to the NL East but also grabs the MVP award as well. Still no anger from the Flushing Flashes. Now it’s 2008, the Mets take two games from the Highlanders and Willie is all smiles and then we here “we turned the corner” Mets start to feel giddy that NOW we go to Atlanta and keep this streak going……and what happens FOUR STRAIGHT LOSSES!!!!! Now the team goes on to Denver to play a Rockies team that is playing as dreadful as the Mets. Willie Randolph is a three game sweep from getting fired. So what will Willie do? He will go on SNY and say “no, there’s no problem in the clubhouse”, “me and my guys are on the same page”, “it’s frustrating but we’ll battle and turn it around”. Did I miss any Willie-isims?

 My shadow’s the only one that walks beside meMy shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beatingSometimes I wish someone out there will find me‘Till then I walk alone 

Look from all reports today it seems The Skill Sets have taken the firing and replacement of Randolph away from Omar Minaya and will make the move themselves. I have to hand it to the Skill Sets you know they are fuming over not just the awful play of their over priced team but more so over Willie’s stupid  and disrespectful comments. That the Skill Sets have not returned Willie’s call speaks volumes as the next call they do make to him will be for an exit interview. So Willie has to prove how much this job means to him. How much will he fight to keep this job? Does he have it in him to go into his clubhouse today and line up each of his 25 players and go down the line and look them in the eye and ask the “DO YOU WANT TO WIN”?  When the say yes then ask then “HOW BAD DO YOU WANT TO WIN”?  This group is softer than Charmin toilet paper, they allow teams and media and fans of the opposition to spit in their face and do nothing. There is no fight whatsoever in this bunch. The sit around and lick their wounds and give the old woe is me bullshit line. Willie just doesn’t have the personality to get to this bunch motivated and let’s not pile all the blame on Willie here as Omar Minaya has become the Teflon GM, he put together this bunch of passionless slugs by the Skill Sets taking Willie Randolph job status away from him speaks to fact that Freddy and Jeffy will pick the next manager and that Omar’s neck is next in the guillotine.

 

I’m reading Jack McCallum’s book on the Phoenix Suns “:07 Seconds or Less. In the book Asst’ Coach Alvin Gentry makes a statement about the Suns that also sums up what the New York Mets have become:

 

“If you get the reputation as a punk-ass team—and that’s what we are right now—–It’s one of the worst things that can happen”

 So there you have it I called the Mets a “punk-ass” team. If anyone in the Mets organization reads this and takes offense, the just send me an e-mail at SINY and I’ll be glad to meet with you. Why should I be scared of anyone in the Mets organization? No one else is!  

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I didn’t see last nights game so I’m lucky that way as my Little League team finally broke a five game losing streak as I took a page out of Whitey Herzog’s 1980’s Cardinals playbook and stole bases any time one of my players got on base. The best play of the night was a steal of home as that was very close. Good aggressive baseball which is a foreign entity to the New York Mets.

 

This Mets team is so lackluster and un-committed to winning that I’m not even sure a change of manager could cure what ails them. The big problem is too much player job security. Who on this team is fearful of losing his job? Carlos Delgado? Ha!  Try and move that contract. Gimp Castillo? This will be the Minaya’s Lament the deal he gave to this lazy, one legged slacker is embarrassing but who else to play 2^nd base, Damien Easley? Marlon Anderson? Fernando Tatis? Excuse me while I throw up.  

 

Let’s see fire is hot, water is wet, Grandpa Alou is hurt any more obvious scenarios? The worst part is Fernando Martinez is also limping around with a bad hammy or this would the exact right time for and injection of youth that this team needs. Be that as it may, send me Nick Evans from Bingo and put Grandpa on the DL and leave him there. Alou is a great hitter but he is as broken down as a broken down plow horse ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Now with Grandpa out I hope the Mets don’t rush Ryan Church back into the line up until he is 100 % fit to fight. This sets up as a really bad situation as Church claims he’s fine and the Mets are really short in the outfield and Church is on e of the few guys on this team that actually plays like he gives a shit put I hope the Mets put his health first over wins.

 

Prayers and good wishes to Petey and his dad as Petey heads back to the D.R. to be with him.

 

How Chris Russo could host an afternoon sports show for over 15 years in NYC and be absolutely lost on getting the pulse of the fan base of this city’s teams?. If you come on the radio and say you can’t understand the hostility of Mets fans toward their team you have got to be the most clueless asshole on radio. I’m sure Russo can’t figure out why the majority of the country can not wait for the November election to get George Bush out of office. Oh I forgot the good Republican that Russo is he is a staunch Bush supporter. I’m no fan of Michael Strahan but he did game Russo a much deserved bitch slap during the Costas Now bordello on HBO. What a fraud you are Mad Dog!!!!!!!!

 

Want to here me vent more on the Mets? Then tune in tonight to the Seven Train to Shea tonight at 10:00PM EDT on Blog Talk Radio as I will be a guest on the broadcast tonight. It should be great radio as I plan to drink a quart of Canadian Club while watching Johan Santana duel Tim Hudson as the Mets try to not totally embarrass themselves by dropping four straight to the Braves.

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Yeah I’m late with today’s post but really what is there to write about? Between losing to Tom Glavine, a guy who couldn’t find the fucking onions to win a big game on the last day of the season but now that he has his beloved BRAVES plastered back on his chest finds the guts to pitch well, the self-initiated bullshit that Willie Randolph brought on himself, the sleepwalking ways of this mediocre team I root for plus my little league team which is now 1-7 and a bunch of parents who say “here teach my kid how to play baseball” and head off to the mall, I am in one really foul fucking mood. More than my usual “get off my lawn you little bastards” mood that I’m usually in.

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