Join me tonight at 10PM ET on Blog Talk Radio for THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN. I have no guest booked for the show so the call in line will be open. To talk baseball tonight call in at (646) 727-2465. Some of the topics I’m looking to discuss is my big concern on who will be the next Mets manager and who is making the call on that hire (Jeffy Skill Sets, Omar or a new GM ?), Rob Dibble calling out Stephen Strasburg to learn to pitch hurt, the Pittsburgh Pirates showing profitability in suckitude and the Cincinnati Reds honoring Pete Rose on the anniversary of Rose breaking Ty Cobb’s hit record and anything else that’s on my mind.

What’s on your mind? Call in and vent at (646) 727-2465 tonight on THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN. 

Don’t forget to check out the THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN shop at Cafe Press

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Talk about Groundhog Day, how many times can I sit here and go over the same old shit about the Mets, but I’ll a try:

I wonder if Pat Misch sat at his locker last night and pondered, “You know Buffalo isn’t so bad, at least they score runs” Another nice effort out of Misch goes for naught after Carlos Lee blasted a cannon shot to left field and a 2-0 Mets lead became a 3-2 Astros win. Drive home safe everybody.

“We have to do what we’ve been talking about all of the time, we have to do more offensively.  We’ve got to find a way to get that done.  I mean, that’s poor.  That’s a very poor effort on our part offensively… We have to do better.  Period.  It’s pathetic.  We have to do better.”

~ Jerry Manuel, after tonight’s loss

Asked whose approach he did like at the plate tonight, Manuel shrugged and said, ‘maybe Misch, with that hit with two strikes.’

Welcome to our world Jerry.

Switching gears for a moment, I will be joining Frank Maniscalco this Sunday and every other Sunday during the football season on NY SPORTS BLOG RADIO on the BLOG TALK RADIO NETWORK.  Don’t forget about my No PSL Required Fantasy Football Team, we have a few spots left.

In the aftermath of the Fransisco Rodriquez beat down of his baby’s moma’s Papi (huh?) the Skill Sets have put the rest of the team under house arrest. Talk about a picture says a thousand words.

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My biggest problem with Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel is neither of these two challenge any of their players publicly. I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do but desperate times call for desperate measures.   The cool, calm way is just not working and Jerry trying not to throw anyone under a bus in the press isn’t working  either, so maybe it’s time for some tough love and start calling guys out by name.  If your Manuel, you know your job is on the line and if these underachievers don’t kick it in gear soon, you’ll be out of a job and maybe that’s what Manuel wants. Maybe J-Man has had it with this team and organization that he can just play out the next month and a half get released and go home?  It could be the players are taking their cue from their skipper. That’s why Jerry Manuel has got to go. Let Dave Jauss finish out the season but a message needs to be sent this isn’t a fucking country club and no one is set for life in Flushing.

Same with Minaya, how does he stay so calm? At some point shouldn’t he address the team and read the riot act? Doesn’t it bother him that just about every Mets fan thinks he’s a shit ass GM that only knows how to throw money at free agents and sign over the hill players?  Does he enjoy being in charge of a team that is made the punch line of jokes in all of baseball?

What about the owner? Does Jeffey Skill Sets enjoy be called a douchebag by me and other fans? Doesn’t get he ever get pissed that he is portrayed as a buffoon and spoiled little rich kid that evey Mets fan wants to punch in the face?

Is there anyone associated with this organization that ever gets mad? Besides Crazy Freddie? If ownership had a quarter of the passion and fight of it’s fan base, this team wouldn’t be in the sad position it’s in now.

You know what makes it worse? The Phillies and Red Sox have been decimated by injuries but both teams are still in the think of a pennant race. You know why? Because their players have boulders for balls unlike our Mets who I hate to say it, are cowards and I can call them cowards and losers and any other name I want and any of the MSM can show this post to the players, GM, or owner and they won’t do a damn thing about it.

Hey Omar, Hey Jerry, Hey Jeff, Hey David Wright any of you guys feel froggy, then leap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Have you ever daydreamed during a cold winter day while at work about your plans for the summer? Say take a trip to Europe or pack up the family and head to Disney World? Well, yesterday Freddy Skill Sets gave you on place you may want to cross off next summer’s destination, Citi Field.

Freddy Skill Sets has turned into a real recluse without the unkempt look . Yesterday up at Storrs CT where he was announcing that UCONN will now be the home of Huskies basketball and football (which means for the first time since it’s inception I’ll watch SNY in the winter) and when reporters questions him about his floundering baseball team, Freddy turned into a real Mr. Cranky Pants.  He lets the world know that Omar is safe and that his son Jeffey is doing a great job running the organization. Something tells me Ol’ Freddy was of his medication yesterday.  But I have to thank him because now I can think about  that trip I’ve wanted to make to California to go from San Francisco to LA next summer since there won’t be any reason to go to Citi Field next year.

The Cape Cod League playoffs start today and I’ll be at Yarmouth-Dennis (Y-D) for their game against the Harwich Mariners.  It’s best to get down to the field early and plant your chair in a good spot as the game tonight could draw a good 3,000 to 5,000 fans.

If MLB doesn’t do something to straighten out their umpires one of them is going to get the living shit beat out of them by a player, coach, manager or a fan running on the field. No joke here, I’m fucking serious.

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I spent last night on Coney Island watching Wallyball and had the good fortune to meet up with Coop and Corey at the game. We were all excited over our beautiful Ike Davis bobble heads, well not exactly bobble heads more like bobble torso.

Greg Vaughn was also at MCU Park last night to see his son Corey play centerfield for the Cyclones and he was very cordial and accommodating to the fans signing autographs.

The Cyclones lost 3-2 to the Hudson Valley Renegades but they still hold a 7 ½ game lead over HV in the McNamara Division and an overall 30-14 record, the best in the NY-PENN League.

WallyBall in Queens in 2011 is gaining steam

While I was getting my Ike Davis bobble head looks Luis Castillo was playing bobble ball last night. The Mets are 7 ½ games back of the Bravos and 6 games ahead of the last place Washington Nationals.

Now the Skill Sets are looking to enter the world of the Squared Circle? It might be a good thing for Mets fans if Jeffey Skill Sets sees himself as a Vince McMahon wannabe. I’d love to see Jeffey get on a segment of Pipers Pit.

MLB Umpires fuck up again this time with the Infield Fly Rule. The beat goes on , the beat goes on.

The Howard Megdal for GM has reached the WWL and in his column has some great ideas as usual but where Howard and I differ is in dealing for Prince Fielder, who I believe is in the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s Fattest Vegan (Prince must be drenching his veggies in vats of Ranch dressing) at the expense of Ike Davis. NO NO 1,000 TIMES NO!!!!! By the way Howard Megdal will be my guest on my THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN Radio Show on August 17^th at 10PM ET. And speaking of THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN, there will be no new show this week or next as I will be on Cape Cod enjoying the beach and trying not to become shark bait. You can listen to previous shows on the show page on Blog Talk Radio or download the shows on iTunes. Don’t forget to vist the THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN store at Cafe Press. Yeah that’s right I’m like a Hunts Point Ho’ on the stroll

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Someone needs to get Howie Rose one of those Queens Real Estate handouts they have at the supermarket, as it might be easier to move back to the boro of his birth as none other than Mr. Islander, Chris Bota says the Skill Sets are ready to build an arena in the Iron Triangle and the Icelanders will move down the L I E and call it home:

  Jones Lang LaSalle, the project management company for the upcoming $500 million renovation of Madison Square Garden, has begun work on a feasibility study for an Islanders arena at Willets Point — the property surrounding Citi Field, the second-year home of the Mets.

“This is beyond the preliminary stage,” said the source. “You don’t bring in a big hitter like JLL unless you’re serious. This tells me the Islanders and Mets have made progress in a partnership to take the hockey team to Queens. If Charles Wang and Nassau can’t cut a deal, this will be a great option.”

It’s a bit puzzling why the Skill Sets would get involved in building an arena if they were not looking to either buy the Icelnaders from Charles Wang or just become a partner.  There is always the the idea of the Icelanders becoming much needed winter programing for SNY but I believe the team has a big time contract with MSG so that my or my not be tough to break.

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A very busy Memorial Day weekend continues, first it was a trip to the Staten Island Homeport for Fleet Week and a visit on the battleships in port, then yesterday it was chillin’ and grillin’ in the backyard and today my family is honored to march in the Staten Island Memorial Day parade as both my kids will be flag bearers and then off to another barbeque. How can anyone like winter over summer ? I dread heading to work tomorrow for the fact I have to wear real pants and a shirt, I could be extremely happy spending the rest of my life in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops.

Take time out of your busy weekend to give a thought about the brave men and women of our military who have put their lives on the line for us and for our country and if there is a parade in your area today try to get out to it and show your support for those who have given the supreme sacrifice.

I’m not happy with just one win in Milwaukee this weekend, if this Mets team would have gone 11-12 on the road, to go with that great home record of 19-9 that’s 30-21 overall just a shade under .600 ball and in 1^st place in the NL East. Now it’s on to the 1^st place SD Padres and their top ranked pitching staff, 2 out of 3 here for the Mets would be sweet.

At some point Jeffey Skill Sets has to have a sit down with Ollie Perez and Scott Boras to get Perez to go to Buffalo. I’m sure Perez’ teammates are not happy by his selfishness and me attitude but when the team comes back home this weekend, just the sight of Perez at the ballpark will set off an ugly reaction by the fans. Jerry Manuel said in so many words that it would take a disastrous situation before he calls Perez on the bullpen phone so really Ollie man up and go to Buffalo.

Fernando Tatis was in the lineup for Ike Davis yesterday and batted clean up. That’s worse that the other Manuel line up staple of whoever plays 2^nd must bat 2^nd.  Do any of the other coaches go to Jerry and say enough is enough with these ridiculous lineup he puts together ?

If my vote means anything I vote YES on brining Dontrelle Willis to the Mets.

There is nothing sadder than seeing a house without an American flag outside of it especially on a holiday like Memorial Day.

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Non-Mets fan ask all the time why do Mets fans put all the blame Jerry Manuel after every Mets loss? Well, we don’t put all the blame on Manuel and we don’t hold him accountable for every loss and last night’s 2-0 loss wasn’t his fault but he did make a big mistake by not letting Johan Santana pitch the 9^th inning. Santana could have just as wel given up Corey Harts walk off homer but if he did so what. Santana is the ace of the staff and he should be treated as an ace. Forget pitch counts this isn’t Little League you need to have a feel for your pitchers and the feel last night was Santana was in a great grove.

That’s the biggest drawback with Manuel, look how long it took him realize the GMJ stinks and that Angel Pagan was more than capable of being the everyday CF’er? He still hasn’t figured out how to use Jenry Mejia all he knows is the young arm should be here and not in Buffalo starting. Manuel also has this mental block about whoever plays 2^nd base must bat 2^nd in the lineup. He also forced fed Jose Reyes into third hole with disastrous results and finally put Jose back where he belongs in the 1 hole and low and behold, Reyes has responded. For reason known only to Manuel, he trots out Jeff Francoeur every single game with his unsightly .218/.278/.364 hitting line. How does Omar or even Jeffey Skill Sets sit by and let Manuel play this automatic out every single game? FREE THE ANIMAL JERRY I’M BEGGGGGGGGGGGGGGING YOU!!!!

The Mets should still be riding the wave of the last home stand as you head into Milwaukee that fields a dead team in a dead ball park with not just your Ace but one of the top pitchers in baseball who pitches a gem but comes away with nothing. That sucks as did Jerry Manuel’s decisions last night.

The Mets will be wearing NEW YORK CUBANS uni’s tonight as a salute to the Negro Leagues. The Mets wore these once before I believe and I love these uni’s. I wish they would make a third jersey like these instead of those ugly ass black ones.

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Here we go again. Just when it looked like the season was slipping away the message out of $iti Field is “not so fast my pessimistic Mets fan” this could be the start of an exciting summer.

I want to dance up and down and shoot middle fingers at the rest of the NL but I can’t because this team still has needs and I’m not confident that ownership will provide it.

It’s safe to assume that Jeffey Skill Sets is calling all the shots around here that Omar Minaya not only is under a gag order when it comes to speaking in public but his ability to make baseball moves has been clamped down as well. In a way Omar and Oliver Perez have a lot in common both have been rendered insignificant.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying this recent run of winning and solid baseball being played by the Mets but as Bobby Valentine says “you’re only as good as your next day starting pitcher” so today we’re in good shape with Big Pelf and tomorrow Johan Santana against the Brewski’s looks great as well, but when does the clock strike twelve on R.A. Dickey and the mystery fifth starter (playing the role of Jon Niese this weekend will be Fernando Nieve)?

At this point as much as I feel, along with what looks like the majority of Mets fans, that Jenry Mejia should have been working on his starting pitcher apprenticeship in the minors, at this point now let him stay with the big club as a reliever. Mejia seems to be settling in role of late inning man and the rest of the pen has been solid now that Igarashi is back so adding a solid starting pitcher should be paramount to management to go out and get.

So who is out there? As much as Roy Oswalt would be a huge acquisition between the money and cost in personnel and trying to get a deal done with Drayton McClain is almost impossible, I doubt that Oswalt will be Queens bound. Cliff Lee as a rental could be cost prohibitive as well.  If the front office could land Kevin Millwood, Mark Buehrle, or even Jake Westbrook it make a huge difference in solidifying the rotation and sending a message to the players and fan base that there is a real commitment to winning.

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I would love to work for Jerry Manuel. No matter how much you fuck up, the guy never gets angry. I mean if I were the manager of the Mets, after the Dan Uggla home run in the 3rd inning I’d have gone down to the clubhouse, taken out my cell phone and called Omar Minaya and let him know either you release, waive or trade Ollie Perez or I’m going to keep trotting his sorry ass out there every fifth day and I’d let the media and the fans know that any questions you have about Perez go see Omar or Jeffey.  How much patting on the ass can you do with this guy? Enough! Call Scott Boras, try to work out something to pay Perez off and end this.  And you want to know why the Mets get no respect around baseball. Same thing when Charley Manuel called out the Mets as sign stealers when the Rockies called out the Phillies for that offense, Jerry Manuel just laughs instead of  sticking up for his team and going off on that inbred hillbilly fuck. The Mets as a franchise love to get kicked in the ass but never kick back and you want to know why no one is showing up at $iti Field.

Maybe instead of looking to buy a sucky hockey team, the Skill Sets should make an investment in ridding themselves of Oliver Perez.  By the way, can Gary Cohen put the violin down for Ollie, I don’t feel sorry for him, the guy is set for life financially and he has his health, he can’t pitch anymore he’s done good bye.

The longer they keep Perez around the closer the Mets get to deflating this team. I still say with the way the NL is the Mets can still contend for a post season spot but they need some leadership from management. Show the fans and your players you’re serious about competing and cut Perez, if you have to pay off the whole contract then do it. Sure it’s not my money but if Jeffey Skill Sets is crowing about buying the Icelanders and building an arena then you have cash that Bernie Madoff didn’t steal from you. Put that money to good use and buy out Ollie Perez. Maybe if ownership showed they give a flyin’ fuck about this team they wouldn’t be playing to 30,000 empty seats at $iti Field.

I’m sure when the players see it’s Perez’ turn to pitch they know that have no chance of winning that game. Perez is sucking the life out of this team and sending a message that all the talk about committing to winning by the Skill Sets is just a bunch of bullshit . You want to show a commitment then dump Ollie and quite frankly it may be time to dump the manager as well. I don’t hate Jerry Manuel and it’s not all his fault this team is inconsistent or his offense is stagnant but maybe a shakeup in the managers office is needed both for Manuel and the Mets. Its’ tough to manage knowing your on a week to week watch. I might be time to just get the inevitable over with.

Mets ownership takes us for jerks but the truth is we are much smarter than they are. Show you care and we will too.

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