 Sunday, May 20, 2007
Glavine 295
Tom Glavine and the Mets beat the Yankees 10-7 at Shea yesterday. Tom Glavine earned victory #295 in his quest to be maybe the last pitcher to win 300 games. David Wright hit a pair of home runs, and A-Rod finally got out of his slump with a HR as well. Endy Chavez continued to be a Yankee killer with four hits and David Wright smacked a pair of 2-run home runs.
Both bullpens imploded and I will chalk that up to the rain and cold. That said, this game and series could have been a turning point for the Yankees. They are currently 10.5 games out of first and could have come back against the imploding bullpen, once down 8-2 and fighting back to 8-6 in the top of the 8th with a go-ahead run in the form of Jeter at the plate. Good news for the Yankees is that Boston split a DH with Atlanta yesterday. (Too bad for the Mets to gain another .5 game.)
Who said these games are "just another series"? Evey fan stayed in the cold rain yesterday day at Shea to watch the final out.
The Mets have won nine of 11 overall and finally have put some distance between them and Atlanta, but just 2.5 games. The Mets go for the sweep tonight with John Maine (5-1, 2.15 ERA) on the mound against Tyler Clippard, who'll make his major league debut. While he is a rookie making his first start, Clippard does have the advantage that noone has seen him before so the hitters don't have a scouting report. Maine is coming off his first loss of the year against the Cubs on Tuesday, however, the Mets bats were asleep that game, Maine did pitch well. A lot hinges on this game, a sweep by the Mets builds even more momentum (upward for the Mets, downward for the Yankees.)
Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Milledge Must Go
I agree with Steve that Lastings Milledge must be traded by the Mets to the As for young pitching. The As have plenty of young arms -- enough in AAA to start on most major league teams. If the As aren't still interested, get the most you can for him and cut bait.
I happened to be at the game where Lastings high fived everyone after hitting a key home run against Barry "Steroid Boy" Bonds and the San Francisco Giants. I didn't think much of it at the time because it happened to be his first big league home run and I liked the enthusiasm that he brought to the Mets.
However, as his off the field and off season comments have suggested, Lastings appears to be more focused on off the field activities rather than baseball. His hip hop lyrics are much more graphic than Shaquille O'Neal's ever were. (I am going to hold Lastings to same standard that I did Don Imus a few weeks ago.) After making hip hop albums and movies early in his career, Shaq put on weight and fell short early in his career. Shaq wised up and focused on winning championship rings.
As I can attest to, there is always time for music and movies later or after one's career. Let's hope Lastings doesn't go as bad as Ron Artest who was focused on music, neglected his animals, and let his anger consume him on the court.
The Mets have great chemistry and a potential good player gone bad like Lastings can ruin it for all. Lastings' time has come and gone.
Posted by a concerned Tank in NY.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Mets 3-Yankees 2
The Mets beat the Yankees 3-2 at Shea.
While Steve and the Tank love interleague play, it is unfair to the Mets and Yankees. The Yanks are looking to make up ground and have to play 6 hard games against the Mets while Boston plays an inferior team. The Mets have to play every playoff entrant from last year! (The only team to have to do that.)
That said both Steve and The Tank will loudly protest if MLB ever does away with the Subway Series. The Mets and Yankees can be both below .500 and the Subway Series will always be a sellout.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Lastings Milledge Must Go
Top prospect Lastings Milledge has to go. This guy has Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden written all over him: great talent but a sense of entitlement and will eventually piss away his career.
My dislike for Milledge started last year after his call up when he high-fived the fans, then when he was late for a game and then when he was called up again in September his attitude as if he were going to be the starting right fielder in the playoffs. Now his rap song and label. Milledge recorded a song, "Bend Ya Knees" and it was posted on the Web site www.souljaboirecords.com, the record he founded. He uses racist and sexist lyrics.
I think there is tension between Omar and Willie. Omar really likes Milledge and I can tell that Willie can’t stand him. David Wright is not a Milledge supporter, ever since Milledge’s minor league days. When Wright was in the minors Milledge was called up to the championship and sat on the bench since he was all of 19. When the team won nobody partied harder than Milledge. Wright and several other teammates locked him in the bus bathroom for the drive home!
The same thing was happening last September. Near the end of the season, a sign was posted in his locker at Washington -- "Know your place, rook. Your teammates."
Time for him to go.
Mets Win, Jose Reyes Out
The Mets won Thursday night, however, Jose Reyes left the game early with a muscle cramp in his left leg. No word yet on his condition.
Jose Reyes Update-
Thursday 8am. Reyes says he is a-ok and will play in Thursday's day game.
Posted by a nervous Steve in New York
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
What to do about Guillermo Mota?
Last year Guillermo Mota had a positive steroid test and is currently serving a 50-game suspension. Even with this knowledge, the Mets gave him a two-year, $5 million deal last year.
Guillermo Mota is a cheater. He is a bad example for young Mets fans and should have been released. I know the Mets bullpen needs him, but I would rather lose then win with a cheater. Apparently the Mets' front office disagrees with me. Unless there is a canceled game, Mota will be activated May 30, for the Mets' 51st game. Mota made his Mets AAA (Zephyrs) debut Monday night where he pitched a scoreless eighth.
I will boo Mota at Shea this year.
Posted by a disappointed Steve in New York.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Jose Reyes Too
So Jose Reyes joined in and shaved his head too. "That is so cool, a young team doing that-it really is special" was the quote of one Yankee fan.
Being part of a team is something special, and the Mets are a special team. They are exciting and fun to watch. Yesterday they were down 4-0 early and you just knew that they would come back. That has a lot to do with teamwork. There is no one superstar on the Mets like on some other teams that carry them. Oliver Perez is the hero on Sunday, David Wright the hero on Monday, and how knows who will be the hero on Tuesday.
Yankess-Mets This Weekend
Steve boycotts the subway series games in person. Since the whole city roots for the Yanks, Steve retreats to the comfort of his living room and his HD TV. Looks like the Mets pitching lineup will be Oliver Perez on Friday, Tom Glavine (going for #295) on Saturday and (MLB ERA Leader) John Maine going on Sunday. SInce the Yanks have a day off, their rotation is not set up yet for the weekend. No Rocket v Glavine since Roger Clemens is scheduled to make a minor league start this week.
Posted by Steve in New York
Monday, May 14, 2007
"I wish the Nets were already in Brooklyn."
I uttered the comment in the subject line to Linda and Sara while we were at the Brooklyn Pig Roast in DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) on Saturday afternoon. I am grateful that I didn't say it too loud as to avoid a beat down from NIMBYites (Not In My Back Yard) opposed to construction of the new stadium for the Brooklyn Nets. 
The "Brooklyn" Nets would have saved me schlepping out to the swamps of Jersey to watch the Nets host King Lebron James and the Cavaliers. To watch the pre-game intro, I was flashed back to Cirque du Soleil with all the pyro that the Nets flashed for their faithful.
The Nets are down 2-0 after losing in Cleveland to start the series. To get back in the series, the Nets needed to get off to a quick start and did. Jason Kidd hits a couple of three point shots. Nets led 14-4 at the 7:11 mark. Cleveland came back but the Nets lead 22-15 at the end of the first quarter.
Timeouts featured great cameos from bigtime Nets fans like James Gandofini. For a guy who has been mistaken for Mr. Soprano by Americans, Brasilians, Dominicans, and even Italians, you better root for the Nets or else. Capiche?
The Cavs take their first lead, 38-37, with about three minutes left. Vince Carter jogs past my location in the 23rd row. He winces as he holds his left shoulder with about a minute remaining in the third quarter. At half, the Nets lead 45-43.
Not all fans rooted for the Nets. There were quite a few Cavs fans. While the crowd would chant "Defense", a guy in front of me changed "Offense". His wishes didn't come true as the Nets expanded their lead to 73-64 at the end of the third quarter.
Lebron hits a three to close the lead to 77-73 with 9:46.
I hate thundersticks that the Nets gave out before the game but love the Nets dancers pictured below.
After a back court violation with 8:26 left, the Nets still lead 77-73. The Cavs must have been distracted by the Nets dancers.
Jason Kidd grabs a rebound, throws a football pass to Vince Carter who slammed it home. The was the straw that broke the camels back. During a TV time, the PA system blares out, "I don't want to work". The "Cheers" crew starts playing "We Will Rock You" on the main screen while a spotlight highlights a kid hitting on his plastic cans with drums. WWE superstar Mick Foley is then shown on the screen.
With a 13 point lead with 2:59 left, WNBC's Bruce Beck heads for the exit. Beat the traffic, eh Bruce? Of course, I stay until the end to watch the crowd give a standing ovation to Jason Kidd who in now in second place on the NBA playoff triple double list with 11. Jason only trails Magic Johnson who I was privileged to meet in Los Angeles in July 1991.
The Nets substitute in their reserves and seal the 96-85 victory.
Posted by the Tank reporting live from the Continental Airlines Arena in the swamps of Jersey.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Birthday to the Tank!
Today is both Mother's Day and the Tank's b-day. I would like to wish him a very happy birthday and for his birthday, I am going to shave his head like David Wright!
Posted by Steve in New York.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Happy Mother's Day
I know it's a day early, but I wanted to wanted to wish all the Moms, especially my Mom, a happy and healthy Mother's Day.
Moms are special and my Mom is the most special of them all. My Mom wasn't born in America and didn't understand all the sports that I grew up playing and watching. But she always supported me through good times (Yankees victories) and bad times (Bills four consecutive Super Bowl losses). She would call after the latter to comfort me and ensure that I wasn't too depressed.
A mother's love is unconditional and my Mom's is the best. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day to all!
Posted by a grateful Tank in NY.
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