Very late with my post today as I’m in some serious need of motivation.  It’s a Carlos Delgado playing for Willie Randolph kind of day for a few reasons.

The A/C in the building has been shut so with the warm weather it is hot as hell in this office today so it’s hot and stuffy kind of like all of Highlander Nation .

Knowing that the Phelatios are a game away from the World Series on the power of one of my favorite players, Professional Hitter Mat Stairs makes it even worse. Then you have the Little Hawaiian Punch Victorino in his Little League batting helmet and grass skirt making big play after big play and acting like he doesn’t need that winter job of his anymore. (EDIT: I got rethink my opinion of Stairs as he “likes to have his ass pounded WOHA NELLY, I guess he’s seen Victorino do the hula in the shower)

A little vindication for Pack A Day Hank as St Joseph of Torre the patron saint of tea drinkers decided that Derek Lowe was done after 73 pitches and turned the game over to relievers as green as plantains.

Looks like Papi ain’t so Big without Manny around? Tell me that a lineup with Beltran in the 2 spot, Manny in the 3, Delgado 4 Wright 5 Church 6 with Reyes on top wouldn’t make the NL shit itself silly?

The more a look at it the more it seems if K-Rod wants to be a Met it will be under the Mets terms and not his. I think Omar would rather go with lower level free agents like Juan Cruz, Jeremy Affeldt as bridge guys  and a closer/8^th inning guy like Brain Fuentes but I would like for Omar to explore a deal with the White Sox for Bobby Jenks and of course, AJ Pierzynski.

I’ve got to agree with Mike Silva, it sounds like Joe Bad Bing Benigno and Mike All Mighty Francesa sound like a match made in radio heaven. If WFAN would pair Francesa and Benigino in the afternoon then they should put the team of Curly Carlin and Kim Jones on at 10 to 1 and make Evan Roberts a utility host.

An other reason for lackadaisical day is my sadness over the death of NY Rangers prospect Alexei Cherpanov. For the non-hockey fan, Cherpanov is the Ranges equivalent of Fernando Martinez and from although the reports out of Russia are very very spotty it leaves one to wonder if an ambulance and or a difibulator were at the rink this tragedy could have been avoided.

I think someone else like guys pounding on his ass as well 

Since Jerry Manuel took over, the Mets haven’t just been good, but wicked good. As a result, Mets playoff tickets are out there as the team looks to play into October.

After last year’s collapse, the Mets rebounded from the Willie Randolph era with Manuel taking over and revitalizing the players. Carlos Delgado had a MVP-like year and this one of Carlos Beltran’s better years, which is surprising after having his knees scoped this past offseason.

It’s one reason why New York Mets tickets have been as hot as Broadway tickets and New York Giants tickets.

Now all the Mets have to do is hold serve over the next 14 games and make an October run.

{ I wrote this post at about 9AM this morning but forgot to hit the publish button. Yes, I’m an idiot) 

The Collapse2007 is dead and buried, thanks to a couple of grave diggers named Santana and Delgado. Johan Santana did what an ace does, prevents long losing streaks and then we have Carlos Delgado who has transformed himself in mid season, the likes I don’t think has been seen in baseball ever. I don’t have the time or patience to research it but if anyone can tell me different let me know what player has gone from shit to sugar in mid-season like Delgado? I mean those were M-V-P chants I heard last night from Shea right? I wasn’t sure as my head felt like it was injected with Novocain listing to Joe Morgan’s analyisis of the game.

So the Mets are in the same spot as they were before Friday’s game two games up on the Phellatios instead of being even. If you’re the Phellatios, even with two of three weekend you’ve got to be somewhat verklempt after last nights game because you are banking on the Mets folding up like a home mortgage lender and you find out that will not happen again for two reasons, the Mets strong starting pitching and new leadership in the managers office. Now that the Mets held serve they must, MUST beat the ever loving shit out the Nats and Braves this week, as if any lesson was learned from last year it’s take no opponent for granted as these two teams hate the Mets and will be at their best to try and beat them.

Pardon me for not panicking about Billy Wags being done for the season. Of more concern is  the up and down starts by Petey as the bullpen looks to be in descent shape but the starting rotation can not have another member go down. The pressure is on Santana, OP and Big Pelf to keep up their stellar starts but if Petey is not going to give the Mets effective starts then J-Man will have to act and from what we’ve seen so far if you perform you play is the Warlord Jerry’s Golden Rule.

Now if Wags is gone for the year then I don’t want to here a word about him or out of him until spring. Now I know I’m prick for saying that but I’m of the mindset if you’re injured and can’t play then get out of the way. Cold hearted yes but it’s the only way to go. Losers make excuses for poor play due to injury (see Highlander, New York, Girardi, Joe, Clueless) Wags is out. No problem.  Luis Ayala is doing fine and I also think Al Reyes will see some significant innings as will Ricardo Rincon. The Mets have the arms what is needed is the execution.

Do you get the idea that Warlord Jerry looks at Aaron Heilman like the Jets looked at Baby John in West Side Story? What is J-Man quote? “Gangsta’s take the field, ladies take the bus”? Looks like J-Man gave Heilman an unlimited Metro Card.

Same with Gimp Castillo, by playing Damien Easley in both games it shows J-Man was true to his word that he doesn’t care about contracts he is playing his best guys.

According to ESPN MLB Schedule the match ups the next four games, the Mets will see four LH starters (Jon Lanan-Odalis Perez for the Nats Denver School Superintendent Mike Hampton and Jo-Jo Reyes of the Braves) so my question How does J-Man get Danny Boy Murphy at bats? Out of the next four Murphy has to get at least one start and if a righty comes in, then Murphy should be put in for either Tatis or Evans which ever gets the start.

Let me join Ya Gotta Believe in saying I’m sorry to Carlos Delgado for wanting to run him out of town earlier this year. Who knew Del-GOD-o would turn around his season/career like he did? I didn’t that’s for sure but I got caught up in the rush hour a fellow starter to shower you with love and affection now you won’t look in my direction. But I want to make it up to CD how about after a game next week we hit the mobile taqueria on 108 St and have a little rice and beans and talk about our plans for October.

Word out of Flushing is that Mookie Wilson, Davey Johnson and Doc Godden have declined invites to the Last Day of Shea. I don’t care how pissed off these three are at the organization they should know that this day is not about the Skill Sets it’s about the Mets fans and the Mets players past and present. Sure Mookie is ticked off that he was not given a bigger role In the organization and that the Mets didn’t hold on to Preston Wilson or even bring him back to the team and the fact that fans like myself were angry with him about being decked out in Cardinal regalia during the 2006 post season, time burry the hatchet Mookie. Same with Davey the original bad ass has to realize he would be given a heroes welcome. And Doc, my god  with all the bullshit that he has been through in his life you would think he’s want to here the cheers from the crowd in the place where he made his name and fame? Maybe he loves the Highlanders so much because they are the biggest enablers around (see Martin, Billy former player/manager/violent alcoholic) and the Skill Sets tried in vain to get him on a straight path, whatever Gooden needs to be a Shea he heeds to feel the love from Mets fans Com’on Doc come home I’m not mad at ya.!  

As much as our bullpen makes us want to pull our hair out remember one thing, you will never here  “Now pitching for the New York Mets, Eric Gagne”  Gagne makes Aaron Heilman look like Cy Young

It is official the great exalted (and bloated ) Mike Francesa has pronounced the 2008 New York Highlanders dead!  To pay your respects, Suzyn Waldman will be sitting shiva in her home in Westchester.

Only in baseball can you be called “filthy: and be highly complemented. Last night Warlord Jerry sat at his post game presser and said the Pelfrey had “Filthy stuff” and proud to say it. The progression from rags to riches continued for Big Pelf with another turn back the clock performance with a complete game win. As the ninth inning rolled around according to the SNY radar gun Pelf was hitting 92-94 mph with his fastball. Now that’s nasty. With John Maine as sure as gone for the season Big Pelf has told J-Man to cancel any plans to give him a leave of absence as we got a pennant to win. Old time baseball I love it.

We all sit and watch with awe the reincarnation of Carlos Delgado and not one of us can figure out how he turned his season around.  I tried to figure it out after his first inning opposite field home run and then again after his majestic shot to center field and I still can’t figure out how he’s done it. It can’t just be the change in manager it has to be something else I just can’t figure out what.

Some detergent company will wise up and get Jose Reyes to endorse deal for their product. The guy has the dirtest uniform in baseball. Not a game goes by where he stays clean but it’s not just in spots but from head to toe filthy (there is that word again) he’s Nails without the tobacco.

The NY Daily News and NY Post should be ashamed of themselves for not putting Big Pelf on the back page. Instead the News puts Big Papi and Captain Craptastic for the um-teenth fucking time as this long over done Rivalry has past its expiration date. NEWSDAY got it right at least. Here is a bulletin fans of the Bronx Bastards and Old Town Team neither of your teams is going to the post season as the Rays will win the East and either the White Sox or Twins will be the Wild Card so you folks are shit out of luck. Sorry but someone had to put you out of your misery. The Post has Michael Strahan on the back cover. I love football and the G-Men but it’s the end of August and Big Pelf just pitched back to back complete games and the Mets are headed to the Land of Cheesesteaks to take on the Phucking Phillies, THAT”S the RIVALRY that should be played up.

Oh yeah, Fuck Joba, We got Pelf.

I have found the Mets new closer.

The Mets are rolling. Since July 1 to today the boys in Orange and Blue are 32-15 and winners of 14 of their last 18. With a 2 ½ game lead over the Phillies and a macho performance by Johan Santana last night Metsdom should be as giddy as Jeffey Skill Sets when he’s opening up the season ticket renewals. But of course there always has to be a turd in the punch bowl.

Gimp Castillo who has been a way from the team for what seems like three months has bogarted his way back into the starting lineup in what looks to be the first power struggle loss under the rule of Warlord Jerry. This is Omar Minaya pulling th “I’m the boss” card out on J-Man as Manuel knows he’ got a good thing going here and doesn’t want it disturbed. It’s not so much that Gimp is back in action, it’s more who gets the furlough to NOLA that is disturbing.

Look we can all read and the number that Gimp has over both Argenis Reyes and Damien Easley is his OBP of .365 which is superior to Reyes (.297) and Easley (.312) so if it were a question of the Mets needing an offensive shot in the arm then Gimp coming back would be greatly anticipated. But offense has not been a problem for the team since Gimp went out in fact the resurgence of Carlos Delgado and the LF platoon of the Gold Dust Twins added to the resurgence of Fernando Tatis makes the Mets offense one of the deepest and most productive in baseball. Sure the offense has helped the Mets-troliner get back on track but the biggest ingredient to the surge has been starting pitching and defense which always go hand in hand.

When you have a strong up the middle defense like the Mets have now with the Reyes-Reyes/Easley-Beltran tag team, it gives your pitching staff a little more confidence to pitch to contact because of the great faith they have in their fielders. That’s what Argenis and Easley have brought to the table that Gimp hasn’t. Gimp is shell of himself in the field and like the Visa commercial where everyone on line has a Visa check card and then one guy stops the line by writing a check that’s what Gimp will bring when he comes back. The baseball term on offense is when your down by a lot runs and you need a big inning when guys get on base you will hear from the bench”Just keep the line moving” and that’s what J-Man wants for his defense to keep the outs coming and he knows with Gimp out there that could be a problem.

But J-Man like most of us has a boss and his boss is Omar Minaya and not only is J-Man limited in his taking on the boss as he still has the”interim” tag next to his name he also has to know the burden Omar has with the albatross contract around his neck that is Gimps ridiculous deal. As bad as that signing has been for Omar and the Mets it’s unfair to kill him on it as so far Minaya has made many more positives moves than bad during his rein as Mets boss. If he could have just found a way to keep Gimp away from the team until September 1, that would have been another check maker in the positive column for him.

Meanwhile with all the bloviating I just got finished doing I will still be cheering for Gimp tonight as he is a Met and we have something very special going on here at Shea, that’s why I leave all my “hatein’” here and not at the ball park.

I guess for most of Metsfandom the turning point of last nights game was Carlos Delgado lost in the lights game winning single that scored a head first diving David Wright to give the Mets a come from behind win. But for me the turning point was the top of the 7th inning and the show of cajones by Petey. After giving up a first pitch home run to Yunel Escobar, the next five innings Petey was in control making pitch after pitch in the strike zone with marksman persicion. But then in the 6th, he got in trouble and let three runs score for the Braves to take a 4-3 lead. But Petey came out for the 7^th and this is where his cajones came into play. You can work on mechanics and arm slots and pitch selection but either you‘ve got balls or you don’t and what we know about Petey is he’s got platinum nuts. He got the Braves three up three down and the Mets in the bottom of the inning tied the score on Nick Evans double and Carlos Delgado infield single and some help from a suddenly inept Atlanta defense. At 100 pitches Petey should have been done as he did his job but he came out for the 8^th inning and after a lead off single was done for the night as Pedro Feliciano and Luis Ayala providing solid relief work. But as I say that top of 7 stands out to me as Petey being Petey and that should make all fans smile today.

Great move by SNY to put a camera in the tunnel leading to the Mets clubhouse. Just watching Fernando Tatis jump up and down like a kid greeting his teammates as they were coming off the field lends you to believe that there something special happening here. That and the site of Mets players led by Johan Santana wearing inside out rally caps shows that the fun is back in Flushing.

I love Tom Seaver like he was a member of my family but I really don’t need to hear him in the booth with Gary, Keith and Ron during a game while we are in a pennant run. If SNY wants to do an hour long interview with The Franchise I’d watched until my eye balls bled but while there is a game going on I don’t need to any convoluted bullshit in the booth .I also can do without Seaver belittling the Mets pitchers for not kissing his ring when he was talking to them about pitching, maybe if you came around more often Tom, they’d listen more closely. SNY mane up for though when they sent Mex and Darling to seats behind home plate for up close and personal analysis.

I kind of feel sad for Gimp Castillo as the Mets are hoping they can stash him away for  more 12 more days when the rosters can be expanded as J-Man really wants no part of him on the team. Even when he does come back it looks like just cameo appearances for Gimp.

Ryan Church on the other hand will be welcome back tonight with open arms and will most likely platoon (though not a strict platoon) with Fernando Tatis and the Gold Dust Twins keep their gig in LF.

I just knew that MLB and ESPN would do this to us. They have switched the September 7 Mets-Phillies game to 8:05PM Great. The next day is the first full day of school for my kids and its Johan Santana Bobble head Day (Night?) and it was supposed to be a Dyna-Mets Dash day. So thank you Skill Sets, Used Car Salesman, and the assholes in Bristol CT for fucking up a nice Sunday afternoon for me and other Mets fans.  

Funny how you don’t hear about Tony Bernazzard that evil bad man that was undermining the former manager and was the cause of all the clubhouse chaos and is it just a coincidence that two players who were not favorites of Willie Randolph’s, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado are not just hitting and playing on an MVP level but Reyes for one is back to the Jose-Jose-Jose we all love and Delgado has stepped up his leadership role as he looks and plays like an anvil was lifted off his shoulder. When Jeff Torborg and Art Howe were run out of town the media in this town loved putting a big foot in their asses as they headed out the door but when it comes to Randolph no one has heard a discouraging word, even though the skies at Shea are no longer cloudy all day. This not meant to bash Willie as I think he worked hard as a bench boss but he just couldn’t get out of his tight ass Highlander ways. One of the things that stands out with J-Man over Randolph is you hear the term “communication”  from the Mets players when they are asked what the big differences between pre J-Man and now and it shows on the field. The Mets are having fun and yes this stretch of prosperity and good cheer is coming from the bottom feeders of the league, but back in May this team would have lost to those teams.

One big difference now from then is J-Man uses his whole team. Everybody contributes and everyone gets to play. Guys are not asked to take a day off which puts them in an awkward position as if they are weak and maybe the manger is playing a head games with them, no they are told they are getting the day off and there is no argument. Yesterday David Wright took a breather and today Jose Reyes gets a personal day, which hopefully will keep them fresh and smelling good come September.

If it were up to J-Man, Gimp Castillo would sit out until September 1 or off into the sunset) as his tag team second base duo of Easley Reyes has done more than an admirable job at the position but why does that tandem need to be broken up? How does Robinson Cancel fly under the NOLA radar as to me as a third catcher is more luxury than necessity so I would think Cancel would be the one cancel-ed out.

Speaking of the walking wounded, Ryan Church is off to NOLA as Hurricane Fay could be washing out games in the Sunshine State along with Trot (Mojo Risen’) Nixon and Ambiorix  Burgos  (anyone want Brain Banister back?) goes to Kingsport where he will continue his comeback from elbow surgery.  Jeffy better order some folding chairs for the Mets dugout come September as it going to be one crowded hangout.

A story in today’s Daily News details astronaut Mike Massimino transporting Shea Stadium home plate from the 2007 season into orbit . Word is J-Man was hoping that Gimp Castillo would be joining the plate in outer space.

I hope you all appreciate Gary Cohen as Gary is defiantly one of us. Saturday night during the SNY telecast Cohen relayed the word that Titan Tom Glavine had blown out his elbow after making his first start since being out most of the season with elbow trouble. Cohen made it known that it would mean that Titan Tom would not be back at Shea this week and the Mets fans would not be able to give him the ovation he deserved after he disgraced the Mets uniform in his last start for the club. . Now Mex had a problem with this and said that Mets fans should calm down and forgive and forget and as soon as I got the “Fuck you Mex” out of my profane mouth toward my TV set,  Gary told him in a nice way the same thing.   

I wonder what time the ticker tape parade is for Brett Farve and the Jets after their pre season win the other night.?

Even though the 12-0 and 9-3 games that the Mets have won this week are a welcome respite from the nail biters and “Please God Let Aaron Heilman Turn Into Dennis Eckersley” games we have been subjected to this season nothing is a better gauge of what your team is made of than when it gets down and dirty in a one run game and last night even with it’s scary moments the Mets had a (gulp!) Championship look to them. The Reyes Boys (Memo to Mark Malusis: When it comes to breaking down baseball personnel you’re clueless if you think Gimp Castillo at this point is better on the Mets than the A. Reyes/Damien Easley platoon then you’ve watch way too much of Robinson Cano) and Carlos Beltran flashed leather and arm in big D plays and Big Pelf had a bounce back game. Yes I know it was the Pirates and I swore I wouldn’t let myself get all pumped again about this team but when they do the little things that you need to win, I just can’t help myself.

I’ve thrown some stones at Billy Wagner here but you have admire the guy for saying screw minor league rehab and is forcing his way back as the closer. Wags knows the team needs him and as long as the medical staff clears him and Old School Dean Warthen gives the seal of approval then Wags will be activated on Monday. Then it looks like Eddie Kunz will go down for a couple of weeks but would come back on Sept 1.

Speaking of coming back, Ryan Church is playing in the GCL as a DH and hopefully by tomorrow will be in the outfield, same with Gimp Castillo who the rumor mill has it has been dealing with some medical issues with his wife.  I’m sure there is some kind of rule that both players have to be activated at a certain time but as it stands now there is no rush for either guy to come back before Sept. 1. As vital as Church’s bat has been early in the year with Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis both swinging potent bats (and don’t forget Nick Evans who has platooned with Murphy and started to hit) and Carlos Delgado’s deal with the devil still paying off, the Mets have the luxuary to let Church and Castillo take their time getting back. Depth it’s a good thing.

The best move Omar Minaya made yesterday was standing on the sidelines and doing nothing but take phone calls. Could the Mets use a Jason Bay or Manny Ramirez, (forget Jr. Griffey) of course but Minaya felt the price was too high player wise and he has realized it’s time to let the farmhands grow up to be Mets. I think a lot of fans feel the same way. It’s funny that when a player comes up through the teams farm system the fans seem to be more tolerant of mistakes and of lesser play than they are of guys who sign here for big free agent  money like Carlos Beltran or a money driven trade like Carlos Delgado and Johan Santana. So let Jon Niese, Dan Murphy, Eddie Kunz and the Teen Aged Hitting Machine come up and make their  debut in a pennant race. It may not pay off this year but it could pay huge dividends down the road. Mets management has finally come around to the mind set of build a team that will contend for a few years instead of the one and done approach the Skill Sets have been famous for during the reign. The Phillies and Marlins did nothing to have us take notice so with two months of baseball left let the race begin.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Remy yesterday in Hyannis. He was appearing at a restaurant there for a local Cape Cod radio station and I ask him about Manny being traded and he was hoping that Manny would not be delt. I asked about clubhouse reaction to the latest Manny Being Manny episode and Remy felt they have all seen this before so it’s nothing new it’s more management being disrespected than anything that fueld this deal. After Manny said that the Sox didn’t deserve him that set off the front office who felt the team has been around over 100 years and they will still be around another 100 years Manny or no Manny. I think the players were relived as well that Manny is gone even if his bat can not be replaced but his lack of hustle and desire and his disrespect for Terry Francona had become a major issue. 

Go get’em tonight Petey!!!!!!!!!!!!

As much as I love being here on vacation I MISS THE METS!!!!!!! I miss watching and listening to Gary, Keith and Ron and I almost miss Yalloff and Mazzilli (I said ALMOST)