The only team in baseball having a better October than the Mets are the SF Giants. The introductory press conference for Sandy Alderson proved a point on why the Highlander organization and fan base fear the Mets more than any team in baseball.

Highlander high strung manager, Joe Girardi was signed to a three year extension the other day and the reaction by the NY sports media was “that’s nice but did your hear? Sandy Alderson will hold a press conference on Friday”. To those too young to know this, there was a time around here that everyday was like yesterday, where folks walked around town with Mets hats and jackets and greeted one and other with “Hey, how ‘bout those Mets”. The Alderson era brings Mets fans hope and that has not been in abundance around here for a long time. Sandy Alderson also has a plan, another strategy missing in Queens as well, and most importantly he wants the same exact thing for the Mets franchise that we all want, respect and accountability.

Alderson knew just what to say yesterday. First when he talked about the NY Mets being an iconic franchise, my face was flush. I’ve gotten on my soap box time after time here about the Mets being the flagship team of the National League and how our lineage goes back to 1876 when the New York Mutuals played the first NL season and then of course in 1883 when our ancestors the New York Giants came to be. The NY Highlanders were not even a glint in Ban Johnson’s eye when NL ball was featured in NYC and for Sandy Alderson to acknowledge that made an outstanding first impression on me.

Alderson was asked about his choice for manager as Mets fans are nervous nellies because the reports and track record of Alderson’ is he goes for the weak silent type. After surviving the Dead Manger Era (Art Howe) and the Clueless Manger Era (Jeff Torborg) we waited to hear what our the new leader of free Mets world would say. When the words “I like a manager who kicks ass and takes names” rolled off his tongue, it was 1964 at the Ed Sullivan Theatre all over again. All I needed to hear was “and the Black uniforms and caps have already been shit canned” then I’d have had to been resuscitated. Alderson gets it. He knows that he not only has to build a winning team but he has to build an entertaining team and a team Mets fans want to embrace. Rooting for a losing team sucks but being a supporter of a team you can’t stand is heartbreaking.

Think about the dimension we are about to enter Mets fans. We have gone from a GM who had no time for statistical analysis of which he called “false hustle” which was really Omar Minaya verifying he was behind the times and quite frankly lazy as a GM, to a man who will use those numbers and a consensus from his staff and scouts on player evaluation for drafting, trading and free agent signing purposes. Welcome to the 21^st Century Mets fans.

Posted under Uncategorized

As we await the Sandy Alderson presser, I just want to pass along this programming note. I will be joining Frank Maniscalco (a/k/a Frankie The Sports Guy) on NY Football Blogs Live on Blog Talk Radio this Sunday at 9PM ET.

We will discuss the Jets-Packers game and look at the Giants off their bye week as well as the Bills-Chiefs game and a look at the Fantasy Football winners/losers

Posted under Uncategorized

Now that the GM is in place, the next move to be made for field manager. Besides bombarding Sandy Alderson with inquires about his A’s team and PED usage, the next big discussion by the MSM will be who and how Alderson will pick a manager. There seems to be no shortage of candidates. Let’s look over a few of the candidates:

Wally Backman- The fans choice to be manager is Backman. But is this a wise choice? Fans love the fact that Backman has a Mets championship ring and has a Billy Martin feel to him. Fans love Backman so much that they disregard the baggage he brings with him. His stewardship of the Brooklyn Cyclones was a positive for Wally and when asked about the Mets job he made it clear that he would work with the GM and carry out the organizations plan. Backman doesn’t just pine to be a big league manger he wants to be the Mets manager. He will definitely get an interview but I’m not sure he’ll get the job.

Chip Hale-Very well regarded in baseball and was a bright spot on the 2010 coaching staff. An organization favorite, Hale comes from a strong fundamentals background with the Twins. I don’t know how much Alderson knows of Hale but the Skill Sets like him

Ken Oberkfell-A loyal organization man. Has success in the Mets system and in the Winter Leagues. The thing is I don’t know if Alderson wants to go with an organizational guy or bring in his own man.

Terry Collins-Well regarded as a coach and met with Alderson when he worked in the Mets Dominican Academy and has managerial experience. If not manager, Collins could find himself as Mets bench coach.

Lee Mazzilli- This one I don’t get at all. Supporters say he got a raw deal in Baltimore under the Angelos reign of terror. Still I don’t get this one at all.

Clint Hurdle- Had a nice little run in Denver and he seems to be media friendly and now that he’s on the Texas staff he has some exposure.

Bob Melvin-Uhhhhhhh NO!

Now you have to figure Alderson has a list of candidates from his days in the A’s and Padres front office and the big relief I have is the confidence that Alderson will make the right choice who ever he chooses. When was the last time we could say that about a Mets GM?

I’m a Backman supporter as I saw him in action this summer in Brooklyn and his teams were very aggressive offensively kind of like what we’ve seen from the Texas Rangers this post season. Backman had the rep of protecting his players which in turn garners respect of his players giving him a good handle on the clubhouse. The bigger issue with Backman would be how he handles the media. For all the fun and games of Jerry Manuel’ pre and post game pressers he really told us nothing. But he had a nice smile and made people happy just like Jeff Francoeur another Flushing failure.

If Oberfell got the job I’d be on board with that as well. Talk about paying your dues, Obie has done that with the Mets and he shouldn’t be overlooked for the job. Same for Chip Hale. I love the fact that Hale has a Minnesota pedigree and I’d have to believe he would be a manager that would stress the fundi’s big time and also play an aggressive brand of ball.

Posted under Uncategorized

Take out that Mets jacket.  Bend the brim of your Mets cap. Start putting some cash away to buy tickets to the 2011 season, my fellow Mets fans  WE ARE BACK!!!!!!!!

Our suffering summer has been replaced by a spectacular autumn. This has been the best October the Mets have had in 24 years.  First the Highlanders and Phuck Phaces went down in flames.  Then the cretins of the Mall of the South Bronx have been exposed by Mrs. Cliff Lee who was subjected to taunts, thrown objects and general fan disobedience to the point that Pee Wee Cashman better rethink putting all his eggs in a Cliff Lee free agent basket. Then the news today that CC Sabathia’s knees have given up holding up all that girth to the point his meniscus ripped, you had to wonder if the baseball gods decided that we Mets fans have had enough penance and are now due a reward.

The adults of the Skill Sets family have taken to bring back credibility, accountability and authority by naming Sandy Alderson as the new GM of the New York Mets. The pride in Flushing has returned.

Maybe I’m going a bit overboard on the Alderson hiring but I can’t hide my giddiness. Sandy Alderson was the name that first popped into my head when it was a fait accompli that Omar Minaya was done as the baseball boss. It just made so much sense to hire Alderson, the man had everything that was needed to bring back the respect this organization has lacked for years.

There is a segment of Mets fans who wanted the young hipster type of GM and I’d have had no problem with that but in Alderson you get the Mr. Myiagi of baseball execs. Alderson was baseball analytical before baseball analytical was cool. Billy Beane, Theo Epstein and Paul DePodesta (a name to keep an eye on Mets fans as he could be brought in to the Alderson Cabinet) all learned the trade from Alderson.

This hiring also sends word to fan base that the days of Little Jeffey meddling in adult decisions are over. A man of Alderson’ resume and stature in baseball did not take this job to have a no nothing like Jeffey lurk over his shoulder. This is Freddy and Uncle Saul putting Jeffey in the time out chair.

It looks as if Friday will be the day that Alderson will enjoy his day in the sun at Citi Field for his inaugural presser and I can’t wait to hear what his plan of attack is. It’s nice to have a guy in charge that has a plan, we haven’t had that around here since the days of Frank Cashen.

The biggest decision Alderson will have will be to name a manager. A majority of Mets fans want Wally Backman to get the job and I would count myself as a Backman supporter.  From reading this post from Mike Silva’ NY Baseball Digest, Backman could be exactly the guy Alderson is looking for. Backman has no problem being a manager that carries out the organizational orders from the GM. From reading the quotes in Silva’s post, Backman to me, looks like a strong choice for manager.

That discussion will be now on the front burner and I have a ton of faith that whoever Alderson picks he will do his due diligence on that choice. It’s so nice to have someone in charge that makes me feel optimistic that the Mets will be back as one the best teams in baseball.

By Friday the weather in NYC will be what it should be; autumnal so it would be nice is all Mets fans wear their Mets jackets or sweatshirts to celebrate the new day dawning in Flushing as the Alderson Era begins.

Posted under Uncategorized

The NY NL Chapter of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance is proud to cast its vote for the 2010 Stan Musial Award given to the leagues Most Valuable Player. The Chapters vote is as follows:

1st Place-Joey Votto

2^nd Place-Albert Pujols

3^rd Place-Carlos Gonzalez

4^th Place-Troy Tulowitzki

5^th Place-Adrian Gonzalez

6^th Place-Matt Holliday

7^th Place-Ryan Zimmerman

8^th Place-Dan Uggla

9^th Place-Ryan Howard

10^th Place-Aubry Huff

Posted under Uncategorized

As we wait for the Skill Sets to decide on either Sandy Alderson or Josh Byrnes (could it be both would be hired? Alderson as GM and Byrnes and John Ricco working in concert with Alderson? Interesting isn’t it?)  why not join me tonight at 10PM ET for THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN on BLOG TALK RADIO. The following subject will be discussed:

• A look at what to be expected for the upcoming World Series.
• The on going dispute between FOX and Cablevison hurting baseball fans
• The future of the Yankees and Phillies
• A look at the season ending awards handed out by the Baseball Bloggers Alliance
• I will be joined by Ed Marcus (a/k/a Rusty Jr) of The Real Dirty Mets blog as we look at the who we feel should get the GM’s job and what improvements the Mets need to make on and off the field.

I hope you can join us tonight but if you can’t then you can always listen to the podcast on our homepage on BLOG TALK RADIO or right here on Kranepool Society (lower left sidebar) and of course on iTunes.

Posted under Uncategorized

SSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEE 3

Posted under Uncategorized

So now that our weekend of fun (no Highlanders or Phuck Phaces in the World Series) and we await what I think will be a terrific World Series, it’s time to look at what is taking so long for the Skill Sets to figure out who will be the next leader of the baseball operations.

On Mets Minor League Blog, they feel it’s up to Uncle Saul as to who will get the GM job. Freddy Skill Sets is in the pro-Alderson camp, while Jeffey is leaning towards Josh Byrnes due to both of them being similar age. It’s this kind of bullshit that brings out the nastiness in me when it comes to Jeffey, he’s done this with players (Al Leiter, John Franco and Tom Glavine) he did it with Omar and with John Ricco as well. Doesn’t this little shit have friends of his own? But then again who would want to be friends with this dolt? So the third and final vote comes down to Uncle Saul Katz. Whoever Uncle Saul picks most likely will be the next American Idol Mets GM. Why do I have the feeling the Skill Sets will fuck this up?

If Jeffey Skill Sets sent me e-mails like Metstadaums has on his site, I would be waiting with heighten anticipation to receive them.  

Metszilla has a link to a 2008 interview that Sandy Alderson did with the site Ducksnorts when he was in charge of the Padres. It is a fascinating read.

Sometimes I just can’t figure out our fan base. Daniel Murphy is back playing after a devastating knee injury. He’s playing 2^nd bas in the Dominican League and from some of the stuff I read on Twitter you’d think that Murphy is solely responsible for the suckitude of the franchise. Am I saying that Murph is the answer at 2^nd base ? No. But I see no reason why he and Nick Evans can’t be viable bench pieces next season. What I can’t understand is, Murphy is the kind of player most Mets fans feel the team needs. He shows up to spring training with the pitchers and catcher. He will play any place the manager asks him. He plays that balls to wall hustle that it seems the majority of the fan base is clamoring for, so tell me all you Murphy haters out there, what is it that bothers you about him? I know he’s a player without a position but as a sub or spot starter, I feel Murphy would make a solid contribution to this team. The comments section is now open for all of you to let me know how much of an asshole I am over this.

Tomorrow night on THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN on BLOG TALK RADIO my guest will be Ed Marcus a/k/a Rusty Jr of The Real Dirty Mets blog. Ed and I will discuss the hunt of a new Mets GM and all things Mets. That’s tomorrow Tuesday October 26^th at 10PM ET on THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN.   

Posted under Uncategorized

Eat the Rich: there’s only one thing they’re good for
Eat the Rich: take one bite now – come back for more
Eat the Rich: I gotta get this off my chest
Eat the Rich: take one bite now, spit out the rest

I love the outrage from Highlander fans that Mets fan and other non-believers in the Pinstripe religion have the gall to mock the former World Series champs as they went down in flames to a team from a football mad state. Maybe the Flock form the Bronx will now realize that there are 29 other fan bases out there all deserving of their slice of the World Series pie. Nah, those who don the “look at my 27 TIME WORLD CHAMPION jacket” or the my favorite the big gas guzzling SUV with the huge NY on the back window, a staple for Highlander fans from Staten Island, only care about winning, as rooting for the Highlanders makes up for some deficiency in their lives.  Now I’m not saying all Highlander fans are like that and not even the majority but mostly the younger 20-30 year old fans are that way. There whole grasp of Highlander history is the organization has won 27 World Series titles and that’s it. So maybe with their team out of the post season they could sit down and do some research on the history of their team ? Nah never happen all they want to here is Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford are signed for a quarter of a million dollars, because it’s not scouting or sabermetric analysis that fuels the Highlanders it’s dead presidents baby.

Congratulations to the SF Giants for winning the 2010 NL Pennant and for playing in one of the best baseball games I’ve seen a long time. I have to tip my Mets cap to Bruce Bochy, who I’ve never been a fan of, for bring in The Freak to pitch the 8^th inning. What a concept, bringing in your best pitcher to win a game. Even though Lincecum got in trouble with two on and one out, Brain Wilson came in and did what he did a lot of this season, get a 5 out save.

As a Mets fan it’s tough to root for Cody Ross who as a Fishhead killed the Mets and rubbed their noses in it but to go from cast off to NLCS MVP is impressive.

How about Bengi Molina? No matter what he gets a World Series ring and a check.

The one thing that has me skittish about Sandy Alderson taking over as Mets GM, is his philosophy of hiring non-descript managers. Alderson like the guy in the white short sleeve dress shirt with the blue tie and tie clip. Mets fans are looking for more of an aggressive Carhartt wearing type of dock boss as field general. Maybe that’s why this process is dragging out and that Josh Byrnes is getting a call back interview. Could it be the guy who says, he’s cool with Wally Backman being the manager gets the job?

Posted under Uncategorized

This the look of a CHAMPION

This is the look of a DOUCHEBAG

If this Highlander fan were still alive, heds tell all his brothers in pinstripes to “hang in there”

“A-Rod blows”

Maybe “Dandy” might have made a difference. There are Highlanders fans asking themselves,”who the hell is Dandy” well you have all winter to  learn about the team history you’re a so-callled fan of

Season tickets for the 2011 NY Highlander season are now on sale,  your prompt payment is appreciated to we can go out and spend more to try to buy a championship

Posted under Uncategorized