Laura's Lineup

Top Five Reasons Why the Mets 2011 Season Wasn't a Total Waste.

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:22:48 -0400

The New York Mets finished their season 25 games back and eight games below .500, which isn’t what the fans had envisioned in February. Even the most optimistic of fans had to realize that a playoff run would require nothing short of a miracle, but with new management there was hope of finishing the season above .500. The more the season progressed, the less likely it seemed that the Mets would reach the .500 mark by the end of September, and so another less than mediocre season came and went for the Mets.

However, unlike 2009 where injures sucked the life out the team or 2010 where lackluster playing led even the most positive fans to grow weary, this season had moments of promise. Some decisions made this season show promise for the future, and some moments lead to Mets fans going home from the ballpark with the rare feeling of pride.

Over the next few days, I will share the top five reasons I believe the Mets season was not 162 days flushed down the drain.

Reason #5: The End of the Grand Slam Drought.

On June 28, the Mets had gone 299 games without a grand slam. 299 games. The bases were loaded up plenty of times, but no Met could ever seen to get the job done.

Two Mets decided to change that this past June. Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran both hit grand slams in the same game, leading to a 14-3 win over the Tigers.

Considering that Beltran finished the season as a Giant and Jason Bay had another upsetting season behind the plate, this game does not have a direct impact on the future of the Mets. However, it did give fans with reason to hold their head high and got rid of the whispers of another “Mets curse”.

Now, if only the Mets could get rid of that No-Hitter drought…

Jose Reyes

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 20:58:26 -0400

Photo taken by me, Laura.

When Ike Davis went down after colliding with David Wright, Mets fans were upset. He was the best hitter on the team at the time and lack of offense isn’t something the Mets, or any team, ever needs. When David Wright went on the DL, Mets fans were worried. He wasn’t hitting well all year, and we need our third baseman to be at his best. When Chris Young went down, fans we’re not as surprised since they knew of his injury plagued past, but they were disappointed. With “ace” Mike Pelfrey having the highest ERA on the team, Mets fans are anxiously waiting the return of Johan Santana.

However, despite all of these injuries the energy at Citi Field remains high, and a lot of that has to do with Jose Reyes.

Any Mets fan will tell you what an amazing sight Jose’s triples are. One man behind me at a game this past May yelled, “I blinked and I nearly missed it!” just after Jose slid safely into third. Fans love him, and they don’t want to see him in any colors besides orange and blue next season.

The “Don’t Trade Reyes” movement has been sweeping through Queens. Fans have created specific “Don’t Trade Reyes” nights to bring signs and cheer for Jose, which have turned into fans bringing signs and wearing t-shirts to just about every game.

If Reyes is out for an extended period of time (although David Lennon of Newsday doesn’t believe he will be) the impact will not only be felt on the field but in the stands as well.

Yes, it stung with Ike Davis and David Wright went down, but they will be back next season. Jose Reyes’s next season is a mystery. The optimistic fans say he’ll be back in Queens next spring. The pessimistic fans say he’ll be gone by August. In reality no one, not even Reyes, knows what is going to happen.

We can all only hope that the MRI will come back negative, and he’ll be back out there stealing bases for the Mets in no time. Because whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, the time for Reyes as a Met may be running out.

Around the League: A Giant Step in the Right Direction

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:36:28 -0400

In the midst of Kobe Bryant’s gay slur controversy, the San Fransisco Giants reminded us that sports are a safe and welcoming place for everyone, including the LGBT community.

The Giants became the first professional sports team to create an “It Gets Better” video in support of LGBT youth. The It Gets Better project is a serious of videos, made by everyone from Lady Gaga to President Obama, that offers support for for bullied teenagers by reminding them that they are not alone.

Players Barry Zito, Matt Cain, Sergio Romo and Andres Torres are featured in the video that sends support to bullied teenagers. ”We speak for the entire Giants organization when we say that there is no place in society for hatred and bullying against anyone,” Zito said in the video.

Sure, it would have been alright to see the Giants ownership in the video, but having the players in the video (along with the Giants hitting coach) makes the message much more personal. The same guys that fans see on the field for 162 days are sending out their support and love to everyone who needs it and looks up to them. Kids hold athletes up as role models and seeing their role model speak out against bullying may have a lasting impact.

With gay slurs being thrown around in sports, it is a much welcomed change to see a professional sports team taking a stance in support of the LGBT community.

Last year, baseball legend Willie Mays was asked if baseball is ready for an openly gay player. His response was simple. “Can he hit?”

Is this video a step closer to having an openly gay ballplayer? Who knows, but if this video can send support to one kid struggling and feeling lost, than the Giants have done a magical thing.

More information about the It Gets Better project can be found here, and the Giants video can be viewed here.

Jose Reyes placed on the Bereavement List.

Mon, 30 May 2011 18:45:26 -0400

After the death of his grandmother, Jose Reyes was placed on the Bereavement List today. As of right now, no one has been named to take his roster spot.

Here is the lineup for tonight:

Harris 3B
Turner 2B
Beltran RF
Murphy 1B
Pagan CF
Thole C
Pridie LF
Tejada SS
Gee RHP

Nick Evans still can’t seem to work his way into the starting lineup despite having Wright, Davis, and now Reyes out. It seems pointless to have him on the roster when he could be down in Buffalo getting more playing time at first base only to be called up to play LF.

Citi Field Adventures: May 27 vs Phillies

Sat, 28 May 2011 23:16:00 -0400

All photos taken by me, Laura.

This past Friday I hopped on the 7 train and ventured to Queens for my second baseball game this season. As a Mets fan, buying tickets to a game against the Phillies is always a bold move. On the one hand, you want to see the Mets beat their biggest rival. On the other hand, the Phillies are one of the best teams in the NL, the Mets didn’t play well against the Cubs let alone the Phillies, and they have four aces while the Mets have none.

Murphy struggled with his fielding and grounding into a double play to end the game.

Like all Mets games, you walk up to the ballpark hoping for the best but expecting the worst. I wanted better, but I didn’t quite get the worst.

There were many Phillies fans there of course, but they did not outnumber Mets fans. The crowd was electric. I’m not sure whether it was the fact that the Mets were playing the Phillies or if people just wanted the cheers for the Mets to overtake the boos from the Phillies fans, but the crowd was into the game. Chants of “Let’s Go Mets” filled the ballpark quite often. People were on their feet during an intense at bat. Thousands of boos erupted as Howard stepped up to the plate.

There was something comforting in the sounds of the Mets chants. This past week was absolute hell for the Mets. Between the games against the Cubs to the comments from the owner, it seemed that each day this team took another blow to the gut. To go to Citi Field and hear the cheers of the orange and blue faithful was almost heartwarming. Reading articles and hearing commentary from reporters and fans alike made it seem as though everyone was done with the Mets and the Mets were doomed to fail. While the Mets may indeed still be doomed to fail, the flushing faithful remains strong.

Jose Reyes, the man surrounded by much trade talks and Wilpon’s controversial comments, went 2-5 last night.

Angel Pagan was activated from the DL on Friday and returned to the lineup to go 2-4 with a run scored.

Capuano gave up only 1 ER on 4 hits through 6. He got burned by home runs in his last outing at Yankee Stadium. Citi Filed definitely suits Capuano’s pitching style well. Out of the 78 pitches he through 50 were for strikes.

Justin Turner has been the shining light in the Mets offense since Ike Davis went on the DL. Last night he went 4-5 with a go ahead single in the seventh.

Murphy had a very rough night. He went 1-5 and made a fielding mistake that allowed the Phillies to take the lead.

The Mets lost to the Phillies 6-4, with K-Rod getting the lose after giving up three runs. It was a tough loss to swallow, especially after seeing the Mets come back to take the lead only to have the bullpen blow it. However, the Mets did come back. They didn’t get shut out. They showed some fight, but they need to show more. They need to not leave men on base. They need to score late in the game. The bullpen, which has been solid up until this week, needs to get back on track.

There are some positives that can be taken from this game, but there is still a long road ahead for the Mets and their fans.

The Saga Continues: Fred Wilpon

Tue, 24 May 2011 22:31:47 -0400

What has Fred Wilpon said that any Mets fan hasn’t said before? (To read the full article, which mainly focuses on Sterling Enterprises, you can go here.) Go anywhere in the New York area and you will hear people in Mets jerseys rip into their own players. Watch a game with most Mets fans and you will see them curse as David Wright strikes out late in the game. They will yell at Jose Reyes when he doesn’t properly field a ground ball. They will find something, anything at all, to yell at Carlos Beltran. (See #BlameBeltran tag via twitter)

In some respects, we Mets fans have earned that right. 2006 was a ray of hope. 2007 broke our hearts in ways we did not know our hearts could be broken. 2008 we missed by the skin of only one game, but the hell of 2009 and 2010 overshadows that.

Despite all the pain of the last five years Mets fans still watch their team take the field. We still smirk as Reyes steals a base. We still high five over a David Wright RBI single. We still are amazed that Dickey has managed to strike out batters on a 50mph knuckleball, and don’t even get us started on how beautiful an Ike Davis HR is.

We still watch and defend our team, but boy has it gotten hard. When your team has an absurdly high payroll for being under .500 multiple seasons in a row it can be hard to find a stat or game that puts their pros in the spotlight instead of their cons. Each season seems to make it harder and harder for us to find positives in the Mets, and exactly how are we supposed to find positives in a team that its owner describes as “shitty”.

The comments by Wilpon sting. The team that has become the joke of MLB in some aspects is even “shitty” in the eyes of its owner. I’ve seen different comments and thoughts about this from comments on Mets related websites. Some people want to boycott going to Mets games or buying Mets stuff because they don’t want their money going to anything Wilpon touches.

But in the end, this isn’t about Wilpon. Most Mets fans have grown apart from Wilpon the past few years and for them this is just the nail in the coffin. He can make all the comments he wants, both good and bad, and that will not be what this is about.

The team that we love, and have loved for years, is playing baseball. They run onto the field 162 times a year. Yes, they break our hearts and let us down in ways we couldn’t even think of, but that is part of being a fan. Fans are there through the good and the bad. We are fans of teams, not owners. Not a single person buys tickets to a game or watches post game coverage because of the owner. We buy tickets to see the 25 men whose stats we have memorized play baseball.

These comments will not be what impacts the Mets and the trades they make or do not make. It will be the money. It will be the lack of wins produced by the roster. These comments are just another horrible episode in the soap opera saga that is the New York Mets.

Citi Field Adventures: first game of the season.

Sun, 08 May 2011 14:59:30 -0400

Thursday, my father and I hopped on the 7 train to Citi Field for the first time this season. It was a beautiful, yet incredibly windy, spring afternoon. The kind of afternoon that we thought about to get ourselves through the cold winter months.

We got to Flushing, Queens just as the gates to Citi Field opened. Although there was no batting practice, since it was a day game after a night game, there were still a few pitchers and catchers warming up and playing catch in the outfield.

Jon Niese and RA Dickey were playing catch, and Niese kept dropping the ball. Dickey stood there smiling like a child who just aced a test, as Niese kept giving him the “c’mon man!” look as he kept bending over to pick up the ball.

Chris Capuano was out there as well, and on his way back to the dugout he tossed me the ball. Now, I know there are some people out there who have dozens of baseballs collected from games, but this was the first ball I got. To be able to take home a little souvenir from the game put a smile on my face the rest of the day. It really is the simple things that make going to the ballpark so memorable.

Jose Thole, who did not play in the game, was out there catching for a bit. He was very polite. He responded to every “YO, THOLE. YOU’RE AWESOME.” with a thank you or a head nod.

My father and I walked over to left field to see a few Giants pitchers warming up. Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo were there for a bit. I do love the Giants, and if they were playing against anyother team I would have loved to see them win. In fact, I picked going to this game specifically so I could see the Giants. However, they were playing against my Mets, and although I’ve always wanted to see B-Weezy pitch, I’m very glad the Mets were able to keep him off the mound in the ninth.

My father and I then took our seats in the Pepsi Porch. I personally love sitting in the Pepsi Porch. The view is pretty damn good for price, but the best part is how there’s bathroom and a concession stand right behind the seats. That is the only place in any MLB stadium where I was able to go get food between innings and not miss a pitch.
It was so windy that we had to take our hats off out of fear that they’d blow right off our heads and onto the field.

The game was great. For me, the highlight of the game was Jose’s triple, not only because Jose ran the bases faster than anyone I’ve ever seen, but because Pelfrey hauled his ass and rounded the bases from third. Nothing can make me smile more than seeing a pitcher get on base.

Pelfrey pitched a great game going 7.2 innings, and only allowed 1 ER. I’m going to keep telling myself that this is Pelfrey starting to settle in, and not the Giants horrid lack of offense.

Of course K-Rod gave everyone in the stands a heart attack in the ninth. I just kept thinking, “And Giants think their baseball is torture?” K-Rod and Brian Wilson both put men on base when they’re on the mound. However, the fans have faith in Wilson. Even though K-Rod has a 1.17 ERA this season, my entire section groaned when K-Rod entered the game. I suppose a few mediocre seasons and punching an old man will take a while for fans to forget.

Walking through the streets of Manhattan after the game I felt good. I got a ball, I got to see Brian Wilson (and thankfully it wasn’t during the game), Pelfrey had a good outing, and the Mets won.

All winter I had waited to sit inside Citi Field on a sunny day watching my team play, and boy was it worth the wait.

More photos:

Posting this picture for two reasons: The beauty of the rookie hazing and how you can tell that’s Brian Wilson by the giant beard sticking out of the hoodie.

In honor of those who lost their lives serving this country, in the attacks of 9/11, and at the hands of Bin Laden.

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:38:40 -0400

Shea Stadium, the former home of the New York Mets, was used as a campsite for first responders after 9/11. On the first game played in NYC after 9/11, Mike Piazza hit the most memorable, and most emotional, home run in Mets history. With a single swing of the bat, hope was restored in New York, and America, even just for a small moment.

Tonight, I’d like to take a moment to remember all those who lost their lives on 9/11 and all those who are still suffering. Tonight, Mets and Phillies fans came together to chant U-S-A at the stadium when they found out Osama Bin Laden was killed. Rivalries were pushed aside, and everyone came together to show love for their country.

Mets, please win this one for New York City. Of all nights to get a win, it’s tonight.

"The Franchise" - The SF Giants.

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:16:41 -0400

The Franchise premiered on Showtime last night, and can be seen in its entirety here. Out of all 30 MLB teams Showtime could have picked for this, it seems like a perfect fit for the Giants. Anyone who has followed this team for any amount of time knows how interesting and “out there” some of the guys on this team are.

Showtime most likely picked the Giants because of guys like Wilson, Huff, and Lincecum, but they were not what made last night’s show so memorable.

Cameras were there when manager Bruce Bochy told Brandon Belt that he made the big league roster.

Belt looked at Bochy almost in disbelief. It took a moment for it to really sink in, and then Belt got emotional and began to cry. Belt then received many hugs from the Giants staff, and a beer, as he realized his dream finally came true. His dream he has ever since he was playing in little league was finally reached.

Yes, we all know baseball is a game, and sometimes even more so it’s a business. However, there is something about seeing the moment where a man’s lifelong dream comes true that reminds us that these guys are real humans with real emotions.

Yes, the comments Brian Wilson makes will make the show hilarious, but the moments like seeing Belt cry tears for happiness will be what make the show successful. Many baseball fans think Brian Wilson is a cocky asshole, and Tim Lincecum is weird, but no fan of the game can deny how heartwarming it is to see a rookie shine.

A game that means virtually nothing for the Phillies, means a lot for the Mets.

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:28:52 -0400

This game isn’t going even remotely define the Phillies season. For them it’s just a loss that had to come because no team can go 162-0.

It’s a bit different for the Mets. The Mets played so differently than they’ve played the past few season, and that’s the best possible thing that his team can do. This game is a reflection of the tone that Terry Collins is setting in clubhouse.

They were aggressive on the bases. Terry Collins has been talking about that all through spring, and it showed through tonight. Jose and Pagan had a double steal in the first, and David Wright got his first stolen base of the season. They were patient at the plate. Chris Young had three hits, two of which came in the third inning. At that point in the game, Young had more hits than the Phillies.

They Mets played like they wanted to win. They were aggressive, they stole the bases, hit the ball well, and pitched fabulously. They not only beat a team that was deemed unbeatable, but they beat them 7-1.

The Mets need a winning attitude, and it appears so far this season that is the kind of atmosphere Terry Collins has created. The season is still young, but we can only hope this is a sign of things to come.

Ballpark Memories: baseball is the best stress reliever.

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:09:00 -0400

Each Sunday, I will share a story about the love of the game. Beyond the stats, rivalries, and standings there’s a beautiful game. These are those stories.
Want to share your story? Email lauraslineup@gmail.com!

As a freshman in college, this year has been especially tough for me. I am completely overwhelmed with essays, homework, and other assignments. Sure, doing homework into the wee hours of the morning is something that most people associate with college students, but after a certain point the workload becomes too much and I break down.

Late October of last semester I reached my tipping point. Writing essay after essay, and doing hours of countless other assignments pushed me over the edge. I was sitting in my last class of the day, and I broke down. The insane amount of stress and pressure finally caught up to me. I felt tired and sick, and I started to panic because I was running myself into the ground trying to finish everything.

By the time I came home I was a wreck, and I actually had a panic attack. I figured that starting my homework wasn’t the best thing for me, so I turned on the TV. The playoffs were just starting, and the Rangers were playing. CJ Wilson, one of my favorite pitchers, was starting that day.

Watching CJ Wilson pitch helped me relax. The game was able to take my mind off what was going on in my life, even just for a few hours, and help me calm down. By the time the game ended I was feeling significantly better, and was able to tackle the workload I had in a reasonable amount of time.

No matter what may be going on in my life, I can turn to baseball. I know I can turn on a game and get my mind off the stress of every day life. I believe that’s how it is for most people.

Baseball can be the perfect little escape. It provides us with an outlet to get away from whatever is holding us down. It can put our minds at ease, even just for a few hours. That is the beauty off baseball.

Series Recap: the Mets have fight.

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:38:45 -0400

April 1 vs Marlins: Mets lost 2-6
Pelfrey: 4 1/3 innings, 5 ER
Willie Harris: 2 for 3

April 2 vs Marlins: Mets won 6-4
Niese: 7 innings, 2 ER
Wright: 3 for 5, RBI single in 10th inning

April 3 vs Marlins: Mets won 9-2
   Dickey: six innings, one ER
   Willie Harris: 2 run HR
   Ike Davis: HR

The Mets won the series, and are currently 2-1 this season. The Mets won a road series, which is something that the 2010 Mets did not accomplish until August. Yes, that’s right August.

The first game did not go well for the Mets, but they bounced back. They showed fight and swagger in the 10th inning on Saturday. Unlike last year, they came back late in the game, and they didn’t go down without a fight.

This is the type of attitude Mets fans have been waiting to see. Whether it was the 1986 Mets or the 2010 Giants, no team has ever won a World Series without attitude and swagger.

Mets fans have had their hope beaten, kicked, and let down more times these past few seasons than anyone can count. The Mets need to regain confidence in their fans, and that starts with showing they have confidence in themselves. Fans do not want to see lackluster attempts made on the field. We want to see hustle, we want to see fight, we want to see guys who look like they give a damn.

Overall, the Mets have given that to the us. If the team’s confidence stays, great things can happen this season.

The first game did not go well, but it's only the first game.

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:15:46 -0400

Mike Pelfrey not pitching well against the Marlins is as common as cold weather in February. Sure, we’re all beyond delighted when it reaches 60 degrees, but we don’t expect it.

Last night, Mike Pelfrey went just 4 1/3 innings, throwing 97 pitches. He is 1-7 against the Marlins and has never won a game at Sun Life Stadium. Not to mention the Mets were facing Josh Johnson, who is one of the best pitchers in the game.

I’m not making excuse for the Mets. After all, if they want to compete they’re going to have to hit well against the best in the game. However, starting the season off 0-1 isn’t a good reason to give up on the team for the rest of the season.

It’s one game. This one game alone does not reflect Collin’s skills as a manager, team chemistry, or the entire rest of the season. Yes, there are small kinks that need to be ironed out. Yes, if Pelfrey has more bad outings it will cause legitimate concern. Yes, if the Mets bats remain in a slumber for a while people will be worried, but any fan would drive him/herself insane to sit there and think about what could happen. I highly doubt Phillies fans are sitting around wondering what could happen if their team does poorly. Giants fans are still excited about their team although they started off the season 0-2.

It’s way too early in the season to give up on it all. There’s a long season ahead of us, and I’m still excited to see how it all plays out.

It's here

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:21:51 -0400

It is here. At 7:10 it finally arrives. After months of waiting, the bitter cold is finally pushed out of the way and replaced with a warm feeling from our boys taking the field. The warm feeling we all get when the first pitch is thrown for a strike. The first 6-4-3 double play, the first stolen base, the first walk off win, the first triple, HR, RBI…

It’s all back, and unlike anything else it’s here to stay. It will be by our side for the next seven months. Almost every day a game will be there to take our mind off whatever else may be going on. The sky could be falling, but as soon as the first pitch is thrown everything seems alright.

I’m ready to scream at my TV as if they can hear me, jump up and down with excitement, laugh at my rival’s misfortune, laugh at my own team’s misfortune, sing and yell the chants for our players, and share the beauty of this sport with those around me.

Ladies and gentlemen, baseball is here.

A Release to Move Forward.

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:14:00 -0400

This is a photo I took of Oliver Perez (and David Wright) back in August of 2008 at Shea Stadium. The Mets won that game, and Perez got the win (although the final score escapes my memory now). That was my last time at Shea Stadium before Citi Field became the Mets new home. Oliver Perez gave me my last Mets win at Shea.

Fast forward a few years later. Sarcastic “M-V-P” chants are being yelled at Perez has he blows leads. New York City is begging for him to be released- despite the money left on his contract. The once promising young pitcher has turned into everything that is wrong with this team. A guy who can’t seem to get his act together, and at times doesn’t seem all that willing to try.

Little by little the Mets, now under new management this season, are removing the weights of guys like Perez off their ankles.

Along with Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo was released, and then ironically enough signed with the Phillies. In fact, let’s talk about that for a moment. Around the internet many Mets fans have commented on articles saying things such as, “oh yeah, watch Castillo hit .350 this season now that’s he on the Phillies”.

While it may be hard to believe, the Phillies don’t have magic beans they feed to their players to make them play well. (Although that may explain why Lee signed there…) Even if Castillo does have a great season this year, so what? He has his chance with the Mets. It didn’t work out. Holding on to mediocre guys like Castillo only to hope that they’ll play better is what got the Mets into this mess.

Besides, with Castillo out of the way it opens up the second base job for some of the younger guys. It would be great to see the Mets go to the post season this year, but in reality this year is about rebuilding. Seeing a younger guy, whether it’s Brad Emaus or Daniel Murphy, take charge and succeed at 2B would be phenomenal. Having a young talented player will not only help us out this season, but it’ll help us out in the long hall.

Releasing these guys can hopefully usher in a new era for the Mets. No more speculation about what will happen to them. No more speculation about how their impact on the chemistry in the clubhouse. They will no longer be eating up roster spots. Yes, the Mets still owe them millions this season, but the relief that Mets fans now feel knowing they don’t have to watch Perez blow another save is priceless.

As for what happens to Perez? Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.

Mets Announce Spring Training Cuts; Shutout Marlins 10-0

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:45:15 -0500

The Mets have announced their first spring training cuts. There are real no surprises. Ruben Tejada, Tobi Stoner, Fernando Martinez, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis are among those cut.

Keep in mind that RA Dickey was cut first in 2010, and he turned out to be the shining story of last season.

No one knows if one of the men cut this year will have a story as uplifting and entertaining as Dickey’s, in fact the odds are probably slim, but that’s what this year for the Mets is all about. I’d like to see guys really find their niche on this team, their role, their position. I don’t care if it’s guys like Bobby Parnell who have been on the team for a few seasons or the guys who just got cut. For each player to figure out their role and to have a game plan going forward would be excellent.

Basically, I don’t want another Nick Evans situation where they have him playing first base in the minors, only to be brought up to the big leagues to play left field. (I’ll write more about the Evans situation at another time.)

It’d be great to see more players shine like Dickey did last season, and it’ll be great to see Dickey hopefully play like he did last season. (Although I do not believe anyone on the team can top his faces or incredibly eloquent interviews.)

Also, the Mets beat the Marlins today 10-0.

I have to say, there are few things more beautiful in this world than Ike’s home runs. I look forward to seeing more of these this season.

Have a blog you'd like me to promote?

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:16:26 -0500

I’m going to add a section to the layout where I link other baseball blogs, whether it’s tumblrs or other websites. There are some great writers out there with fantastic blogs that I’d like other people to notice. I mean, a ton of people don’t read mine or anything, but a little circulation never hurt.

Please, send me a link to your blog, and I will be sure to add it to my list!

Oliver Perez not in the starting rotation. Mets fans rejoice.

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:13:26 -0500

Laura’s note: I apologize for the lack of updates on this blog. Personal issues as well as not being at spring training to actually report on stuff or watch all the games has made updating difficult. I will certainly update more once the regular season starts up.

It was announced today that Oliver Perez will not be in the starting rotation. He threw two scoreless innings today vs St.Louis and ironically enough got a W.*

I find myself at times feeling bad for Perez, but then I instantly remember that in the time it takes him to blow the lead he made enough money to pay off my entire college tuition. Suddenly, I no longer feel sorry for him.

Look, bottom line is, I never want to see a guy on my team fail, but it is time the Mets just cut their losses and move on. Yes, that contract will still haunt the Mets this year because they still owe him millions of dollars, but the mental torment that Mets fans suffer from being haunted my images of Perez blowing games is just not worth all the money in the world.

*~~Quite depressing~~ trivia: Can anyone tell me the last time, today doesn’t count, Perez got a win?

Move Over Winter, Baseball Games Have Officially Begun!

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:57:01 -0500

The Mets opened up the season with a 5-5 tie against the Atlanta Braves in ten innings.

As Ron Darling mentioned at the end of the game, Spring Training is less about the final score of the game and more about seeing players, specifically pitchers, develop.

David Wright’s defense looked solid, with a diving stop in the top of the second. Willie Harris showed us his power late in the game with a two run homer to tie the game in the bottom of the tenth. Fernando Martinez also hit a two run homer in the fifth inning, and Jenrry Mejia stuck out three.

Beyond the stats, there was also the beauty of the long awaited return of baseball on our television again.

For those of us, like myself, who are not lucky enough to go down to Florida to see the Mets play, watching the games on TV is what gets us through these cold last winter days.

It’s the time of year where most New Yorkers, and New Jersey natives, are beyond frustrated with winter. We’ve all done the wake up to scrap ice off your car windows dance for months now, and we all are in dire need of a taste of spring. Today, watching our beloved team play was the sweet taste we’ve all been longing for.

Of course, there is still a ting of bitterness when you see people sitting outside on a nice sunny day in t-shirts as you’re freezing wearing multiple sweaters and jackets, but then David Wright steps into the batters box and suddenly all seems right with the world.

Baseball is back, and for a few hours on a chilly February afternoon, spring had arrived.

Bobby O's Words of Wisdom

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:12:07 -0500

Starting last week, Mets Hot Stove began broadcasting from spring training down in Port St. Lucie. Bobby Ojeda, 1986 Mets World Series Champion and now co-host of Mets Pre/Post Game Live, has been joining Kevin Burkhardt.

Whenever I listen to Bobby O give his insight about what the Mets are doing I find myself constantly nodding my head in agreement. There were multiple times last season where I would be watching Mets Post Game Live and upon hearing Ojeda’s comments go, “Finally! Someone gets it!”.

Unlike some broadcasters who seem to be there to only spew out stats, Ojeda’s passion for the Mets shines through as he discusses their games. He would get frustrated when the Mets played poorly, and he would get fired up when they played well. As a fan, it’s refreshing to see that, and it is always great to have a former Mets World Champion still be involved with the team in some capacity.

Hearing Ojeda talk about the team is just another sign that the 2011 season is upon us, and I’m sure most Mets fans will agree that we can’t wait to hear what Bobby O has to say about the Mets this season.