No sympathy

The Met-killers of old are getting up there in age. It's about time.

Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell left today's workout with a sore lower back, a day before Philadelphia opens the NL playoffs.

Aww...shucks.

Burrell will most likely not be in Phillies red and white next season, thank goodness. Chipper Jones is getting old, but he can still hit. Maybe these two are finally on the decline, and the Mets might be able to get him out sometime in the near future.

Also, what the heck is this? A pronouncer? An incorrectly spelled one, if it is.
Weird.

Eric Byrnes for Luis Castillo? Yes yes yes yes yes

People actually think this guy can still play baseball? Chumps!

Nick Piecoro, in The Arizona Republic:

Outfielder Eric Byrnes would figure to be the toughest to deal as he's coming off an injury-riddled season and is owed $22 million over the next two years. But the club could look to match up his contract with another team's bad contract, like that of Mets second baseman Luis Castillo, who is owed $18 million through 2011.

I will personally drive to Phoenix to pick up Byrnes and drive him here.

I've never been too hot on Byrnes, as his off-the-wall attitude always struck me as annoying. But he's a hard-nose, no nonsense player, something this team desperately needs.

If the Mets can trade Castillo away and get something, anything in return, it will be a huge plus.

Should they stay or should they go? [Hitters]

As we solemnly shift into the 2008-2009 off-season, I guess it's never too early to look ahead.

Here's a list of all the position players who made an appearance with the Mets in 2008, and whether they should stay or go, and why:

Hitters

Brian Schneider - Stay. He wasn't as good defensively as I was lead to believe. He also did not throw out as many runners as expected. His hitting is typical of a catcher, so I can't complain much there. I say he stays simply because Ramon Castro can't stay healthy enough to be a full time catcher. Otherwise, I'd say trade him and move Castro up to #1.

Ramon Castro - Stay. His hitting for average was down this year, as was his power numbers, but another year where he struggled to stay healthy and showed he can't be a teams full time catcher. His numbers with Johan Santana are in stark contrast to the games Johan threw with Schneider, and I would keep him purely for that reason. Keep your $137 million investment happy.

Robinson Cancel - Go. At least back to the minors. Decent as a third string catcher. Had some timely hits, and looks like a Ninja Turtle. What more can you ask?

Raul Casanova - Go. Not really much to say.

Gustavo Molina - Go. Did not realize how many catchers were up with the Mets this season.

Carlos Delgado - Go. Maybe. This is the toughest call on the team, I think. He was absolutely abysmal for over a year, then seemed to flip a switch in July and August and absolutely tore up the league. September saw him come back down to the Delgado of old. His bat seems to be still there, at least due to the last three months of baseball. But the Mets cannot forget about what he did for most of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. I think his defense at first in underrated, and he saves tons of David Wright errant throws. He might be worth picking up the option unless the Mets think they can sign Mark Teixeira, which I doubt. So I say "go," only because I don't think he'll be able to put up the same numbers again. I don't know where else they can turn though.

Luis Castillo - Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. I don't care what you do, Omar Minaya, but get this guy off the Mets as soon as possible. Eat the rest of the $25 million if you have to (and you will), but trade him for a bucket of balls and some Big League Chew. I'd be pleased with that.

Damion Easley - Stay. I love this guy, and I feel the worst for him. He's played the most games without making the playoffs, and he missed out again. He may be cursed, but he was amazing as a utility player this season. When Castillo went down and Argenis Reyes couldn't cut it, Easley was always there to fill in. His age started to show, but he's a veteran. He doesn't rub me as a leader, as he seems too quiet, and I wish he was more outspoken, but he's a decent utility / man off the bench, who you know you can rely on.

Argenis Reyes - Stay. The 26-year-old came out of nowhere in spring training and really surprised a few fans. When he came up to the Mets, he was hitting, playing stellar defense, and making everyone quickly try to put Castillo out of their minds. Unfortunately, he fell back to Earth, and hard. He's the poor mans Anderson Hernandez. Can hit a little better, but not as good defensively. Not a pinch hitter, but could work off the bench. Teach him SS, and see what happens.

Ramon Martinez - Go. Yes, I know he was clutch down the stretch (all 16 AB's) but I don't see him coming back, at all.

Jose Reyes - Stay. This should be a no-brainer, but some "chubby" radio hosts in New York seem to think that he, or Wright, should be traded away because "they haven't won with them, maybe they can win without them." Ridiculous. He's the most exciting player in baseball, posted amazing numbers once more, and is a stalwart in the field. He puts peoples in the seats.

David Wright - Stay. That same chubby host also entertained the idea of trading Wright. He put up the #2 RBI total in the league. He's the face of the franchise. He's not a gold-glover (at least not his throws) but he's well above average at the hot corner. If the Mets trade him, you will see true anger and bitterness toward the organization.

Moises Alou - Go. If any team signs him, I'd be shocked. Maybe as a DH, if they really need somone. The guy can still rake at the plate, if he can stay healthy...which is never.

Fernando Tatis - Go. His come back was amazing this season. He came out of left field (and was a savior in left and right for a time) and put up stellar numbers. A case could be made for Comeback Player of the Year. But I can't see him performing the way he did for another year. No way, no how. Some team will take a flier on him, though.

Carlos Beltran - Stay. No brainer. If he's traded, Omar is an idiot. He'll never hit for average, but he's proven to be more "clutch" than most people think. He's the best centerfielder I've seen, and makes some ridiculous catches look like simple pop flies. He's a cornerstone of this team. Bat him second!

Ryan Church - Stay. But I can see him being traded. He was great at the beginning of the season. Just absolutely unbelieveable and unexpected out of the gates. Then he got hurt again, was completely mishandled by the Mets organization, and never seemed to recover. He might be able to put up similar numbers, but who knows. He's still yet to play a full season.

Endy Chavez - Stay. Another spectacular catch in a huge game solidified his folk-like status among Mets fans. Amazing as a fourth-outfielder, and capable as a spot starter. Bring him back.

Angel Pagan - Stay. Remember him? If anyone thinks he's going to put up the same numbers, think again. He was hot when he was healthy, then went down with a shoulder injury and has yet to recover. See what he can do in spring training again, and see if he can actually be a consistent starter.

Daniel Murphy - Stay. Next years starting second baseman? Possibly. This kid can hit, that is undeniable. He might be in LF, might be at 2B, and I think they should test him at first. He'll be back. He's already a fan favorite. I just hope he's not a Jacoby Ellsbury-type player. Flash in the pan?

Nick Evans - Stay. Next years starting left fielder? I think he was overmatched for most of the season. The Mets are high on him, and I think he can be a solid hitter. Just where does he fit, though? Completely possible that Evans or Murphy gets traded for a legitimate major league player.

Trot Nixon - Go. No fit.

Chris Aguila - Stay. Stick around the minors a little more. Getting a little old for the minor leagues though.

Brady Clark - Go. Gone.

Marlon Anderson - Go. Fell apart after his injury to his hamstring. Just not the same hitter. No way he was 100 percent, and it showed. Might be the best pinch-hitter on the team, but was anemic for most of this season.

Also: check out my Should they stay or should they go? [Pitchers] post.

This is fitting

Pretty indicative of the Mets season, if I do say so myself.

AP Photo

Bittersweet: Johan Santana named NL Pitcher of the Month for September

Oh, yay.

Via Mets.com:

During September, Santana tossed 44.1 innings, allowing nine runs on 39 hits with 13 walks and collecting 47 strikeouts. The 29-year-old did not allow more than two runs in any of his six starts, and recorded 10 strikeouts on two occasions (9/1 at MIL and 9/23 vs. CHI). The three-time All-Star hurled a three-hit shutout on three days' rest against the Florida Marlins in his last start of the season on September 27th. Santana became the fifth pitcher since 2000 to post a complete game on three days' rest. The two-time A.L. Cy Young Award winner finished the season 16-7 with a Major League-best 2.53 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 234.1 innings pitched. This marks Johan's sixth career monthly pitcher honor. He won five times in the American League, most recently in July 2006.

He should be in contention for the NL Cy Young, but the bullpen was just terrible, and blew any chance he had for that award.

He's been worth every single penny. He almost saved the season, and he's done as much as possible for the team.

Congrats, Johan. Here's to next year...

Should they stay or should they go? [Pitchers]

As we solemnly shift into the 2008-2009 off-season, I guess it's never too early to look ahead.

Here's a list of all the pitchers who made an appearance with the Mets in 2008, and whether they should stay or go, and why:

Pitchers

Johan Santana - Stay.

Mike Pelfrey - Stay. Probably the #2 starter next season.

Oliver Perez - Stay. Maybe. First tough one. He's good, he's young, and he's lefty. Too bad he's going to be expensive. I would say sign him again, maybe a three year deal. He's proven capable of pitching, sometimes. He put together a few good starts, but struggles at times. If he's re-signed, Mets fans must accept he will never be consistent.

John Maine - Stay. Surgery for him on Tuesday, and with a full recovery, he'll be back to normal. Without any huge acquisitions (CC Sabathia), Maine could be the #3 guy in the rotation. I think the Mets need a bit of an upgrade in the starting rotation, so Maine might be the #4. I love his fight and I think he can be a top-class pitcher if he can limit his pitch count and work further into games.

Pedro Martinez - Go. Sorry, Pedro. I love you, you helped turned this team around, but I can't see the Mets bringing you back, if you even keep pitching past this year. I say call it a career. Focus on your family, and become a fun-loving announcer or something like that. You've had a great run. Sorry this team couldn't send you out on top.

Billy Wagner - Go. Injured, and out for all of 2009. He's thrown his last pitch as a Met. Too bad they'll still be paying him.

Pedro Feliciano - Stay. Though he'll probably take a month off after appearing in 86 games this season. He's decent for what he does and won't be too expensive.

Joe Smith - Stay. I love him. He is overused, but that was a creature of the rest of the bullpen. He's great.

Aaron Heilman - GO! Trade him away, ship him somewhere, get him off the team. He's worn out his welcome on more than one occasion, and if the Mets want to please Mets fans and pay them back for what they've done these last two season, they will trade Heilman as soon as possible. He's the scapegoat of this team and he will never prosper while pitching in Queens.

Scott Schoeneweis - Go. People had interest in him nearing the end of July, so hopefully there is still some sort of market for him. Trade him.

Duaner Sanchez - Stay. Only because I think he wasn't fully prepared for a full season of pitching. After getting this under his belt, and a long offseason, I think Sanchez can come back as a decent pitcher. Take a chance.

Nelson Figueroa - Stay. I say keep him. He's perfect AAA fodder. He can start, come out of the bullpen, and is very versatile. He's not lights out, but he's capable and a New York native.

Brandon Knight - Stay. Why not? He's not going to cost much and can pitch three good innings. He's better suited out of the bullpen, as opposed to starting. Will not be heartbroken when the Mets release him, though.

Claudio Vargas - Stay. This is going to become a theme. I don't mind keeping guys like this because we all know the Mets will suffer injuries. They're going to need "veterans" to come up and fill in. Vargas was much better than I expected, so if he can keep that going, I wouldn't mind a spot start or two from him.

Brian Stokes - Stay. Smoking fastball, and with a bit of tweaking, he'd be a great relief pitcher. His fastball doesn't seem to move much, but he can get it up there. A good 6th or 7th inning guy, but nothing in clutch situations. He's not the next closer.

Carlos Muniz - Go. I know he's been on the Heath Bell Express, but I haven't seen more than a handful of good performances from him. Stay in the minors, please.

Luis Ayala - Go. Worth what we traded for him, but he's a guy on the fence. He's not a closer, but he might be able to pitch in relief in non-pressure situation. But then what's the point of keeping him around? Adios, amigo. You successfully got Anderson Hernandez out of this organization, and for that we are forever in debt to you.

Jonathon Niese - Stay. Possible starter next year? We saw what he's capable of with that eight inning, shut out performance against the Braves. Young, with a nasty curve ball. He's obviously not going anywhere, but it's yet to be determined if he can make the cut for the majors. See you in spring training.

Tony Armas - Stay. See: Claudio Vargas.

Matt Wise - Go. What a waste of a contract. Eight games, seven innings, 6.43 ERA. Good riddance.

Bobby Parnell - Stay. Another guy who could be starting next year, if things work out in his favor. Could also stick in the bullpen, but more valuable as a starter, I think. He looked a bit less polished than Niese, so we'll see him in spring training, and maybe if someone gets hurt.

Ricardo Rincon - Go. No sir.

Eddie Kunz - Stay. Closer of the future? That's yet to be determined, but he showed some signs of brillance. A big guy that can throw heat, how can you not love that. I could see him sticking in the bullpen out of spring training.

In the end, I'd like to see a starting rotation of:
Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Perez (if cheap)
Niese / Parnell

And a bullpen of:
Smith
Feliciano
Stokes
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Kunz, Parnell, or Niese could all fit in there at some point in time, and maybe Knight for long relief.

Omar Minaya has a lot of work to do with this bullpen. Hopefully he doesn't take all four years of his contract extension to put it together.

A tearful goodbye

I didn't think I'd be so beat up over this, but I already miss Shea Stadium. That final send off had me in tears from beginning to end, and I wasn't even around for most of that history.

Seeing Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver walk from home plate, out to center field, and "shut the door" on Shea Stadium has me teary eyed even writing about it.

Goodbye, Shea. You served us, the fans, admirably for 45 years. We'll all miss you, but we'll never forget the memories we saw within your walls.

Game Recap: Marlins 4 -- Mets 2

See you next season.

Goodbye, Shea Stadium. Hello, Citi Field.

Pitching Performance

Oliver Perez was spectacular for five innings. Through the first five, he allowed only one hit. Coming out in the sixth, Perez allowed three straight hits, with one run scoring. Another run was charged to him when Joe Smith entered the game with the bases loaded and issued a walk, driving in another run, charged to Perez.

Perez walked three and struck out six. He needed 85 pitches, but couldn't get out of the inning in the sixth.

Could have been the last start for Perez as a Met. His first five were simply spectacular, even after taking a ground ball off his pitching hand, but the sixth was a huge speedbump and he couldn't get over it.

Re-sign Oliver?

Smith stayed in the game after the walk and got two big outs to escape the inning with only two runs scoring. Brian Stokes pitched the seventh, allowing a hit and striking out one.

Smith will be back, Stokes should be.

With the game tied in the eighth, Scott Schoeneweis came on to face pinch hitter Wes Helms, a righty. Schoeneweis stayed in the game, and promptly allowed a home run into the bleachers. Luis Ayala entered the game, and he let up a solo home run to Dan Uggla. Ayala ended up throwing one 1-3 innings, allowing two hits and that earned run.

Don't know why Schoeneweis wasn't removed once Helms was announced. He's terrible against righties. Hindsight is 20/20.

Pedro Feliciano and Bobby Parnell each got an out in the ninth as the Mets tried to rally to win.

Both should be back. Maybe Parnell gets some more grooming in the minors, but it all depends what Omar can do this offseason.

Offensive Output

What offense? Five runs in three games isn't going to cut it.

The sole runs came in the bottom of the sixth inning, after Robinson Cancel drew a pinch hit walk, Carlos Beltran belted a two-run homer into the bleachers, tying up the game.

And that was it. That's all. They had more chances sprinkled through the game, but just couldn't get it done.

The Rest of the Story

Endy Chavez entered the game as a defensive replacement, and made another wonderful catch. Going back on the ball, mere feet away from where he made his catch in '06, Chavez tracked one down on the track, jumped, and snagged it out of mid-air. The parallels are frightening.

David Wright had his nine game hit streak snapped.

Game Ball: Carlos Beltran.

Live Blog: The last (?) day at Shea

From the pre-game ceremonies, all the way to the last pitch, I'll be live blogging this possible last game at Shea Stadium, and crucial game in the 2008 Mets season.

Stay right here for all things Mets today.

11:31 am :: And let the pre-game fun begin. Cue the epic music.
11:33 am :: Wow. What a crowd. I thought they were piping in the "Let's Go Mets!" chant. I was wrong.
11:43 am :: Love that Yogi is there. He's a party machine this week.
11:45 am :: No Hanley Ramirez for the Marlins. That is huge.
11:47 am :: I love Ralph Kiner and Yogi Berra. Put them in the booth today.
11:57 am :: Edgardo!!! Second base next year, Fonzi?
12:10 pm :: Wow. They're really pulling out all the stops. Robin Ventura!

Going live!!

Honestly, I'm already teary eyed [My Shea stadium farewell]

Yeah, I'm a sap.

I literally just woke up, and I flipped on SNY. "45 Years of Shea" is on, and I'm already a little emotional.

There is not better way to send out Shea than this day. This day could mean it all for the Mets in 2008, but it will never be forgotten as Shea's possible goodbye.

It's a battle of present versus the past.

Do the Mets celebrate Shea in grand style, or do they focus on the task at hand and beat the Florida Marlins. Oliver Perez goes today, and he could cement his place in Mets history, and probably guarantee a big paycheck next season.

I'll miss Shea, there is no doubt. I first saw my first game against the Florida Marlins (how fitting) and my final game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I have two favorite moments from Shea: One happened last season, and the other was this year.

May 16, 2007, against the Cubs, the Mets were getting rained on, and hard. But the game was not canceled. The Cubs refused to come back to Shea, so they were going to try their hardest to get the game in, no matter what.

The game didn't start until 10 pm, and didn't end until 1 am. I've never been in Shea that long, or that late, so it was truly something amazing. There were only a handful of people left in Shea by the time the game started, so from our seats in the mezz. the players could easily hear us.

My other moment happened this year, on FOX Fan Night. Due to my internship, I was able to work at Shea, setting up for a FOX News Channel event.

I got to Shea at noon for a 7 pm game. I was able to walk around the bleachers and take a long, hard look at the stadium, completely empty. I admit I got teary eyed then as well.

Just looking around at the completely empty, quiet stadium was just overwhelming. Most people only see it packed to the gills with fans, cheering their heads off, with the players on the field. So to see it completely empty, with only a few security guards roaming the field level, was simply unbelievable.

Thanks, Shea. You've been an amazing ballpark.

You've had some great memories inside your walls, and hopefully one more can be etched into Mets history today.

Wild Card only

The Phillies were able to stave off the Washington Nationals and clinched the 2008 NL East title.

Congrats to them.

Right now, the Cubs are leading the Brewers 6-3, and are threatening for more. (Thank you, Kosuke Fukudome!) If this game ends as is, it will all come down to tomorrow.

Go Cubs!

Update: Cubbies win, 7-3.

Brewers and Mets are tied atop the Wild Card standings.

Well, tomorrow will be fun.

Game Recap: Mets 2 -- Florida 0

Johan Santana just pitched himself into Mets history. Absolutely amazing.

As Jerry Manuel said, "If I had to explain that one...that was gangsta."

Pitching Performance

This was Johan Santana's day. He's worth every million, every dollar, every penny. I've never seen or heard Shea Stadium rock as loudly as it did today. Amazin'.

Johan Santana, coming off his career high 125 pitches on three days rest, threw one of his best games of his career, and easily of his Mets tenure. With their backs against the wall, Johan went out and threw a complete game shut out. He allowed only three hits, walked three, and struck out nine Marlins.

He was supposed to have a cap of 105 pitches, but he was so good, he had to stay in. 117 pitches later, the Mets were walking off the field victorious behind one of the best pitched games I've ever seen.

There's nothing else that needs to be said. He's the ace. He's the leader of this staff. He is amazing. Cy Young bid, I think so.

The Mets needed him, and he stepped up and filled in with the game of his life.

Offensive Output

You must tip your hat to Ricky Nolasco. Seven innings, allowing only five hits and two earned runs. He walked only one while striking out 10.

This was a pitchers duel, and one of the most exciting and tense games I've had the privilege to watch.

It didn't look like Nolasco was ready for the game to start, as the Mets were able to jump on him in the first for a run. Jose Reyes led off with a single to center. With Carlos Beltran batting, Reyes stole his 56th base of the season. Beltran then singled, moving Reyes to third. Carlos Delgado followed that with a long fly ball to center, allowing Reyes to tag and score.

Another sac-fly. How about that.

In the fourth, an unlikely source drove in the Mets second run. Daniel Murphy was hit by a pitch, bringing Ramon Martinez to the plate. Martinez then drove a double into the gap between center and right field, allowing Murphy to chug all the way around from first to score the only other Mets run.

Honestly, where did this guy come from?? He's 4-13 this year, with three doubles and three RBI. He's another diamond in the rough, and the Mets seem to have caught some more lightning in a bottle.

The Rest of the Story

A mere two hours and seventeen minutes of spectacular baseball.

At time of post, the Cubs are up 2-0 on a Daryle Ward two-run home run.

Go Cubs and Go Nationals.

Game Ball: Johan Santana. A no-doubter.

Photo from Shea: Johan on the mound

Shea Stadium, with Johan Santana on the mound. The place is electric.Thanks to Doug Helferich for sending these photos today. A true Mets fan. He flew up from Duke University to attend his final game at Shea.

Daniel Murphy's walk up song

So I've seen hundreds of hits come to my site looking for Daniel Murphy's walk up song.

When he comes up, they usually play the Dropkick Murphy's - Shipping up to Boston. You probably know it from The Departed.


Also, I've heard him walk up to Linkin Park's - What I've Done.



Enjoy.

Follow my Twitter

I'm Twittering my thoughts on the game today.

Visit twitter.com/theropolitans to follow my thoughts on the game and the team.

Weather at Shea

One of my good friends is at the game today, and the weather looks absolutely miserable.
The game has been delayed at least ten minutes, with first pitch scheduled for 1:25, but that seems like some wishful thinking.

Update: Now the start time is 1:45 pm.

Expect this game to get delayed early and often.

Rally cry

Johan Santana on three days rest

The numbers don't look good.

Johan Santana will throw today, only three days after throwing 125 pitches in his last start.

Here are Johan's career numbers starting on three days rest:
3 games, 1-1, 14.2 IP, 6.14 ERA. 15 hits, 10 ER, 5 HR, 5 BB, 13 K.

Well...that's not great.

I have to agree with Jerry Manuel's decision here. You have to win today, otherwise tomorrow is your last ditch effort to save the season. This may end up a moot point, as the weather might limit Johan's start.

Say they get in three or four innings before the rains really come down, and there is a lengthy delay. I doubt Johan would be able to come back out after anything over an hour, so the weather may be on his side, or against him, depending which way you look at it.

It's practically do or die time for the Mets, and they need a little help to get there. As Tug always said, "Ya gotta believe!"

Game Recap: Marlins 6 -- Mets 1

And the Mets went quietly into that good night.

Pitching Performance

The final three games are crucial. Mike Pelfrey put in a decent bid, but the Mets bats just weren't there. Pelfrey threw six innings, allowed eight hits. He surrendered three runs, bookend style. He let up two runs in the first, and another in the sixth, that one on a solo home run by Josh Willingham.

Pelfrey walked none and struck out three. Unfortunately, he needed 112 pitches to get through the six, and was unable to continue beyond that, though there were signs of fatigue.

Good, not great. He's getting up there in innings, crossing the 200 mark tonight, but this was a pretty good start from Pelfrey. Nothing great, but not awful.

Bobby Parnell started the seventh, and ended up allowing two earned runs, and left the game without recording an out. Pedro Feliciano also pitched in the seventh, and also recorded no outs. Aaron Heilman pitched 2-3 of an inning, walking two, but allowing no runs of his own to score. Joe Smith finished out the seventh.

When it takes four pitchers to get out of an inning, and two of them didn't record outs, that's never a good sign.

Brian Stokes pitched the eighth, allowing one run on two hits. Scott Schoeneweis finished out the inning with a strikeout. Nelson Figueroa pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

It didn't even matter. The Mets bats were quiet as a mouse.

Offensive Output

The Mets loaded the bases in the first, and failed to score. They got two runners on in the second, and failed to score. The Mets had two more on the pond in the third, and failed to score.

They weren't able to scratch one across until the sixth inning, when Brian Schneider hit into a fielders choice, allowing Ryan Church to score from third base.

That's it. That was all they could do tonight. Awful.

Does this team even deserve to make the playoffs? I'm not so sure.

The Rest of the Story

Phillies won. Two games back.

Milwaukee is winning. Could be one back in the Wild Card by nights end.

Game Ball: I'm going to have to say Ramon Martinez. 1-3, 2B, BB. A few nice plays in the field.

What will happen to Shea

Inch by inch, piece by piece, it will be torn down by hand.

From the Shea Stadium / Citi Field FAQ on MLB.com:

What are the plans for tearing down Shea Stadium, and how will that be done?

Fifteen days after the last game, the Mets will turn over the stadium keys to the demolition crew, which will immediately begin to tear down the 45-year-old building. Since New York laws now preclude implosion of buildings or the use of a wrecking ball (you've seen all those old pictures of that big ball knocking down the Polo Grounds and Ebbets Field), the demolition will be accomplished piece-by-piece, beginning with knocking out all the concrete and then taking down the steel skeleton like a decomposing Erector Set.

I do not envy those construction workers. I wonder how many "pieces" of Shea will end up on eBay.

Ryan Church, the slide, and how it may have saved the Mets season

This shall be forever known as "Church's Dodge."

Bottom of the eighth, two outs, men on first and second, and the Mets are down by one run.

The crowd is on their feet, as the Mets just pulled within one run of the Cubs. The man walking into the batters box is not a feared hitter by any stretch of the imagination. He has one career home run (which I was lucky(?) enough to see), and is technically the third string player at his position on the team.

But Robinson Cancel came up to the plate, and delivered what the Mets needed most. A hit.

Ryan Church was the player standing on second base when Cancel ripped a single to right field. The field was already soaked, meaning the infield dirt must have felt like cement on the underside of Church's cleats.

As Kosuke Fukudome fielded the ball, Church wasn't more than a step past third base. Luis Aguyao, the man with the quickest windmill this side of the Mississippi, sends him on his merry way toward home plate.

Aside: I think you have to send Church here, unless Fukudome fielded the ball before Church got to the bag. If you don't send him and the team strands a man 90 feet away when he had a chance, even if it was slight, to score on the play before, you will be roasted, toasted, and sent packing either by management or the fans. Luckily, it all worked out.

Church is busting around third, most likely trying not to slip on the soggy grass. SNY cuts to a camera shot of him churning towards home, so we at home have no idea where the ball is in relation to Church. They then cut to an overhead shot of home plate, and Koyie Hill is already fielding the ball and Church isn't even in the picture.

"Uh-oh," I thought.

But as Church approached Hill, and home plate, he pulled a Little League-esque play. As Hill lunged toward him from his knees, Church side-stepped the tag, as momentum carried him away from home, and towards the dugout.

As he turned away back towards the plate, he made a diving stab towards home. So did Hill. Church missed on his first attempt, but he was able to squirm and crawl closer to home, and was able to slap his hand down on the plate before Hill could recover and attempt a tag of his own.

The game was then tied. The next inning, the Mets were able to win it with a Carlos Beltran clutch hit, scoring Jose Reyes.

It would have been a much steeper mountain to climb in the ninth if it wasn't for "Church's Dodge" in the bottom of the eighth inning on Thursday night.

Game saver? Yes. Season saver? Time will tell.

Saying goodbye to Shea begins

Here is the first, of many, "So long Shea Stadium" posts.

This is from 'Duk over at Big League Stew, who visited Shea a few times in his life. It's an interesting read from a Chicago native who got to Shea only four times in his life, a much higher number than I expected. I urge you to check it out.

So in its final week of the regular season, here's to Shea. Here's to a pile of concrete and steel painted orange and deep blue, an absolutely unremarkable building in the world's most remarkable town. Here's to Shea, to its two World Series trophies and four pennants. Here's to acting as the canvas for the forever young beauty of Gooden and Strawberry and Seaver and Wright. Here's to its big ridiculous apple in right-centerfield that puts exclamation points on home runs.

As these pour in over the next few days, I'll try to post links to the good ones.

Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Cubs 6

Best game of the season?

Pitching Performance

Pedro was absolutely on at times, and off at others. Pedro Martinez put in his possible final bid in a pretty good start for the Mets against the Cubs. He allowed five runs on seven hits. He allowed walked four, while striking out a season high nine.

Pedro let up a solo home run to Micah Hoffpauir, the first of his career in the first inning. He later allowed an RBI single in the same inning. In the third, Hoffpauir got to Pedro again, this time for an RBI double to deep center field.

Well done, Pedro. I don't think you can ask for much more than that from him.

Two of the runs were charged to Pedro, when Ricardo Rincon came in and allowed a three run home run on his first pitch to Hoffpauir.

It looked like Hoffpauir was going to be the downfall to the Mets this game, but things would not all go his way. Thanks a lot, Ricardo!

Brian Stokes entered after Rincon got one out, and recorded two outs, while walking one and striking out another. Scott Schoeneweis worked the eight inning, walked one and allowed a hit, but was able to work out of a tiny jam. He struck out one in the inning.

Not bad from these guys. Not bad at all.

Pedro Feliciano faced one batter, allowing one hit. Joe Smith entered the game, and struck out one, intentionally walked another, and then got two ground ball outs to escape the inning.

Whewwwwwww.

Offensive Output

The Mets realized there is such a thing as a "sacrifice fly." David Wright drove in Jose Reyes in the bottom of the first with a fly ball to center field.

I was shocked they actually remembered you can score runs this way.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ryan Church came to the plate with Wright on second and Carlos Beltran on first. Church ripped a double down the first base line, driving in both runners and tying the game at three.

I must say, my roommate Jamie called it.

In the seventh inning, Robinson Cancel doubled, moved to third on a ground ball, and scored on a Reyes RBI ground out.

Too little, too late? Not this time.

In the bottom of the eighth, Beltran singled with two outs. Church followed that up with a single of his own. Ramon Martinez then singled in Beltran to draw within one. Cancel then singled to right, and Church completely avoiced the tag, that would have had him beat by 15 feet. He ran around Koyie Hill, turned around, and lept towards home, making it in just in time.

WOW. Just, WOW.

Reyes singled to lead off the inning. Murphy and Wright were struck out consecutively for the first two outs of the inning. The Cubs chose to intentionally walk Delgado to get to Beltran. Beltran responded by ripping a line drive off the tip of Hoffpauir's glove, which trickled into right field, allowing Reyes to score from second base.

Wow, again. Great game. Maybe the best of the year. Amazing.

The Rest of the Story

Hat tip to Micah Hoffpauir. What a game from this guy. 5-5, 2 R, 5 RBI. If he was an inch taller, he might have been able to snag that. Can't have it all.

Church: 3-3, 2 RBI.

Game Ball: Ryan Church, Carlos Beltran.

The Mets bullpen is so bad, the iPhone won't even tell you who is pitching

Taken during last night's loss to the Cubs...
It's probably better off that way, actually.

Forget John Maine

They activated him yesterday, but Jerry Manuel says he won't be used.

Because that makes sense.

Manuel is making the decision on his own, and will not pitch John Maine for the rest of the season.

I'm confused. The medical staff cleared him ready, and the front office thought it was a wise idea to activate him.

This team makes less and less sense as the days go on.

Comment: About last night

From a faithful friend and commenter, Paul Mannino...

Much like Glavine's performance last year, I think that might have been Ollie's tryout for being re-signed. I was looking at the free agent pitchers, though. And he is still the youngest "proven" commodity. I don't know...

I think the same can be said for tonight. Too many people rolling their eyes over a Haren vs. Pedro match up. Pedro can either bring it or flounder. And, again, whether it is right or not, I think that this start (almost on its own) will determine whether or not the Mets get creative about pursuing him past 2008.

I so badly want the poetry of Pedro stepping up. That sense of vindication that I felt yesterday when Delgado hit that grand slam (and all the boo birds went away)...oh, I wish Pedro could have that. I would love for him to go out a champ.

We floundered for so long in mediocrity. Pedro ushered in that era of relevance. It would only be fitting for him to get into a classic pitching duel with a pitcher who could be his grandson. Whizzing a myriad of pitched at flummoxed Cubbies. Yeah, don't forget, Andy, sports are about dreaming too!

And believing. Maybe I'm just the faith guy. But, I still see this happening. How beautiful would a one-game playoff be in the last game at Shea? Oh...wow. We're on-line for that right now. I will get nervous when we are on the outside looking in. We're not now.

Am I aggravated? Yeah.
Do I hate the bullpen? Yeah.

I am a Met fan. Tried and true. Sometimes I think the "true"-ness comes from the "try"-ing. So...we're in trying times, but we are not finished or dead. Shoot, we don't even stink. We just need to play even with the Brewers for the rest of the week to have an awesome Shea farewell moment.

That's what I'm hoping for now. Screw the Phillies. They've already proven that they don't know what to do with a division title (sweep to the Rockies?). So...let's have a fun week against the Brew Crew!

Give me a break, Baumbach

"The challenge for the Mets in the next four games is to find a way to make the playoffs despite one of the least reliable bullpens in the history of contenders. The challenge for their fans is to fill Shea Stadium and hold back on booing.

Which of those scenarios is more likely to happen?"
-Jim Baumbach, 9/25/08

What else do you want us to do!?

We've watched our team fall apart, piece by piece, for the second season in a row. They had a 3.5 game lead with two weeks to play, and now we're battling to make it into the playoffs via the Wild Card.

And you just want us to sit back and applaud all these wonderful performances?

I guess if you want to be controversial, you can write what you want, but it's absolutely absurd to expect fans to sit back and watch a four run lead slip away. To entertain the fun experience of having a runner 90 feet away, and nobody out, and not be able to score for three straight innings.

Sure. Yay. Go Mets. Woo.

No, I will not do that. I will have my voice be heard. If I was at the game last night, I would have booed louder than anyone else there. There is a point at which you should cheer, if there is fight, if there is heart.

But I saw none of that last night. Last night I watched a few players really attempt to help the team, and the rest of them fail.

If they wanted it bad enough, this game was there for the taking. But the Mets watched it pass them by.

And for that, they should be booed.

Beyond frustrating

Usually, I can bounce back from a loss rather quickly. Give me a few hours and my life snaps back into perspective.

Not this time.

Last night, the Mets had chances upon chances to score, to take the lead, to win the game. They had a perfect opportunity to pick up a full game on the Phillies and to keep some distance between them and the Brewers.

But no, they let them slip on by. It must sting for the guys, but it stings even more for a fan. I was getting text messages from friends along the lines of "That's it...I'm done. See you next year," "The Choke of 2008," and "This team #$%&*@# stinks!"

I agree.

It took me a while to sit back and move on from the game. It's sad, that I take a game like this, one I have no hand in, this hard, but it's how I am. It's how I've always been.

I'm a competetive guy by nature, so when I get on a field to play, I switch from generally happy-go-lucky, to fierce competitor. The same thing happens when I watch a game. I get engrossed in the action on the field and by the end, I'm practically pleading with the team to score, hold off the opponent and just plain win.

Game Recap: Cubs 9 -- Mets 6

It's almost funny. Almost.

Pitching Performance

Oliver Perez did not have his best stuff tonight. He could barely get some of his pitches over for strikes. He only lasted four 1-3 innings, needing 105 pitches to get there. He ended up allowing five runs on six hits and five walks. He struck out six.

He was handed a four run lead in the bottom of the third, thanks to some quick baserunning on his part, but handed it right back in the fifth.

Unbelievably frustrating to watch this game, on all counts. I don't think Perez will be back next year, and this could have been the last start as a Met.

Duaner Sanchez came into the game, and allowed a single to left, with one run scoring on a fielding error by Daniel Murphy. Joe Smith and Ricardo Rincon worked through the sixth inning, with Smith allowing a hit and walking one.

Brian Stokes pitched the seventh, and allowed a run on three hits.

Stokes looks so good one night, and very hittable the next. I can't get a good read on him.

Robert Parnell turned in a scoreless inning, walking only one. Luis Ayala ended up pitching two innings, allowing three runs in the tenth, including a two-run home run to Aramis Ramirez.

And Ayala will not be back next year. Awful.

Offensive Output

When you hit a grand slam, and lose, you know it wasn't pretty.

A big third inning for the Mets. After Perez grounded into a fielders choice, Jose Reyes and Murphy walked to load the bases. David Wright then drew a bases loaded walk to drive in one. Carlos Delgado came to the plate, and smashed a grand slam off the front of the bleachers in left field.

Great AB's from Murphy and Wright to set up the grand salami. Thought the Mets were going to roll from there. I should know better.

The Mets were held off the board until the 8th inning when Ramon Martinez (yes, you read that right) drew another bases loaded walk to driving in another run.

Sad showing from the offense, sans the third inning.

The Mets had a runner on third in the seventh, eighth, and ninth inning with no outs. Did they score? Nope!

With the score tied in the bottom of the ninth, Murphy tripled to lead off the inning. They did not get him in.

It happened two innings previous, but this was the most glaring situation. Just awful.

The Rest of the Story

Phillies lose, Brewers win. 1.5 back in East, dead even in Wild Card.

Game Ball: Carlos Delgado.

John Maine activated

John Maine has been activated from the DL, and will work out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season.

According to MLB.com, Maine was hitting between 92-03 mph during his session on Wednesday, and was activated just before game time.

It can't get much worse than what's been going on out there. Don't expect him to get a lot of work, if any. He might just be a security blanket out there.

Mets to stick with WFAN

There goes my hope for the jump to FM radio.

According to Neil Best, the Mets are "likely to remain on WFAN" past this season.

From Best:

If the Mets had left, WFAN simply would have inherited the Yankees from its CBS Radio sister station, WCBS-AM. It is not clear where the Mets would have landed if they had left the FAN.

Maybe someone with the Mets is reading my blog. Maybe they were exploring their FM options. Maybe I'm crazy.

I love WFAN, so I can't complain too much. But this does mean I have to listen to more Wayne Hagin. Great.

If the All-Star Game was played at the end of the year, there would be a lot more Mets on the roster

The second half has been generous to the Mets.

Nick Friedell over at Big League Stew, takes a look at the NL All-Star team, and adds or subtracts players, based on their entire season, instead of just first few months of play.

Mets that were added to the team:

Jose Reyes, SS: Reyes has a .300 average 16 HR, 67 RBI and 52 stolen bases. The Mets' shortstop is still one of the best all-around players in baseball and if you think it seems like no All-Star team should ever be complete without him, you're right.

Carlos Delgado, 1B: If Delgado had hit in the first half like he is hitting now, Willie Randolph would still be the Mets' manager and Delgado would have been on the actual All-Star team. Since struggling through the first few months of the season, Delgado has hit .310 with 20 HR and 58 RBI since the break.

Johan Santana, SP: Santana has given the Mets the top of the line starter they needed so badly. Oh yeah — he also has 15 wins and a league leading 2.64 ERA.

Mets who were cut:

Billy Wagner, RP: Wagner had 27 saves for the Mets but his season is over due to an elbow injury.

Mets who were kept:

David Wright, 3B: The Mets' star was the best third baseman in New York City this season (Yeah, A-Rod we're talking to you) hitting .300 with 33 HR and 122 RBI.

Works for me.

Wishful thinking

I know the Mets are far from clinching a playoff spot, but the current playoff scenario has got me thinking and scheming.

My dream scenario:
Mets win the four of the next six, win NL East.
Phillies collapse, and go 1-5.
Brewers keep winning, and take the Wild Card.

Mets win the East, Brewers take the Wild Card, and the Phillies hit the golf course.

So many things would have to go right for this to happen, but it would be amazing to see this happen.

Plus, the Mets have played the Brewers very well this season, to the tune of a 4-2 record, including a three game sweep in Milwaukee at the beginning of August.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this scenario to play out, but I'd just be happy with seeing the Mets make the playoffs.

Edit: I completely goofed on this article. Commenter, and friend, Buzz lays it out perfectly:

Actually the Mets and Brewers have 5 more games, the Phillies have four. This would get you your dream:
Mets: 3-2
Phillies: 1-3
Brewers: 4-1
(Or Mets 4-1, Phils 2-2 and Brewers 5-0).

Under that scenario, the three teams finished tied at 90-72 (or 91-71). The Mets win the East because they have the tiebreaker over the Phils (season series). So, the Phils have to play the Brewers for the Wild Card. Brewers win the extra game, Phils are gone

Thanks, Buzz!

Edit #2: Buzz has his sleuthing shoes on today. We were both wrong, but he clarifies with this second comment:

Looks like I'm not 100% correct either here -- according to the news articles on Mets.com, if this scenario occurs there would be a two game playoff -- the Mets would travel to Philly to play for the division and then the Brewers would then travel to the loser to play for the WC. I know this used to be different, but they must have changed it.

Here's the link: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=...

And the quote from the end of the article:
"Should three clubs finish the season with the same winning percentage, one as a division winner and the other as a Wild Card, playoff games would be played as follows:

• The two teams tied for the division lead play the one-game tiebreaker, with the winner being declared the division champion.

• The losing team in that game then plays the club from the other division for the Wild Card."

I guess this whole thing playing out the way I want would take a lot more than just winning a few games. But hey, you never know.

Again, thanks Buzz!

Thank you, Johan's broken bat

That broken bat may have changed the season.

One out, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Nick Evans on first and Johan Santana at the plate.

Santana swings at a pitch from Sean Marshall, breaks his bat, and knocks the ball past the pitcher and toward second base. Ronny Cedeno moves over to cover, but the bat and ball are traveling together towards second base.

Just as Cedeno seems ready to field the ball, and attempt to avoid the bat, the two object connect again, changing the direction of the ball, and making is nearly impossible for Cedeno to field it cleanly. Everybody is safe, Evans at second and Santana at first.

Jose Reyes then struck out for the second out of the inning. Luis Castillo worked a walk to load the bases, bringing David Wright to the plate with the bases loaded. He then punched a single into left field, driving in two runs and tying up the game.

Lucky? Yes. It's about time a little luck went the Mets way. It's not a black cat, but it may do.

Thank you, physics. Thank you, black bat. Thank you, baseball. Let's go Mets.

Game Recap: Mets 6 -- Cubs 2

Almost everything went right tonight.

Pitching Performance

Johan Santana: the stopper, the savior, and worth every penny. Eight innings, scattering seven hits, and surrendering two runs. He walked only two, and stuck out 10. 125 pitches later, this was one of Santana's best outings as a Met.

He allowed a RBI double to Kosuke Fukudome in the second inning, and an RBI single to Reed Johnson in the third. That was it.

Goodness gracious, I love that man. What more can I say? His numbers speak for themselves. Well done, Santana. Well done, indeed.

Also, Santana was getting squeezed beyond belief tonight. Both pitchers were, but it seemed to affect Johan the most. There were at least two times that Santana thought he had just thrown strike three, but the umpire saw it differently.

Of course, it wasn't easy, as Pedro Feliciano and Luis Ayala had to combine to finish out the game for the Mets. Feliciano allowed two hits in 1-3 of an inning, and Ayala had to come in and clean up the mess, and earning a save in the process.

Never easy.

Offensive Output

Big hits when it counts.

Sean Marshall held the Mets off the board until the fifth inning, when David Wright punched a bases loaded single to left field, driving in both Nick Evans and Johan Santana.

I didn't think he was going to get a hit, but Wright proved me wrong. Keep proving me wrong.

The Mets had a huge sixth inning. Carlos Delgado placed a bloop double just inside the third base line to start the inning. After moving to third on a Ryan Church single, Castro scored on an error by Chad Gaudin. Daniel Murphy followed that up with a pinch hit single, loading the bases for Jose Reyes.

Reyes came to the plate with 199 hits on the season, after singling in his first at bat of the game. His 200th hit was a big one, a triple down the first base line, clearing the bases and putting the Mets up by four, and for good.

Congrats, Jose.

Huge inning. Could possibly change the season.

The Rest of the Story

Santana went 1-3, scoring two runs to help his own cause.

Reyes: 2-3, 3 RBI.

Wright: 2-4, 2 RBI.

Look who is getting hot!

At time of publishing: Phillies lost, Brewers are losing. Mets are 1.5 back in NL East, TBD (Up at lease 1 game) in WC.

Game Ball: Johan Santana.

Omar Minaya gets four-year extension

This is straight out of the "Bad Timing" playbook.

Omar Minaya will receive a four-year extension.

I will withhold commenting on this until after the regular season is over.

Poll: Once again, I ask

Will the Mets make the playoffs?

Six games in six days. A one game lead in the Wild Card.

Can they pull it off?

Cast your vote on the right.

If the Mets make the playoffs, will you be happy?

For me, yes. But it will be so bittersweet.

It looks as if the NL East is slipping away quickly. That leaves the Mets to contend for the Wild Card. A two team tango begins tonight, with the Mets and Brewers each having six games to play to finish out the regular season.

The Mets have a one game lead heading into tonight, with three more against the Cubs, and another three against the recently eliminated Marlins. The Brewers play three against the Pirates, starting tonight, and another three against the Cubs.

I still think the Mets can back into the playoffs. The Brewers have dominated the Pirates this year, and will look to win their 10th game in a row over the lowly Bucs. CC Sabathia was a blown call away from a no-hitter last time he faced Pittsburgh.

The Mets need the Pirates to play spoiler, and this would be the perfect team to do it. They've been held down long, so the Brewers might get a little complacent playing them. If they can come out strong and put up a fight, it might be enough to break the young Brewer team, especially with a new manager at the helm.

Even with a one game lead, the Mets shouldn't even worry about the Brewers, they have enough problems of their own. The Mets can't seem to get enough pitching together to get through nine innings of baseball, and can't seem to buy a win.

What the Mets need to do, for maybe the one millionth time I've written it on this blog, is win. Just win.

If they win, it won't matter what the Brewers do.

A strange case, something I am half-wishing for, is a one game playoff at Shea Stadium. That would only happen if the Mets and Brewers are tied at the of the regular season. Since the Mets won a coin-flip last week, the game would be hosted at Shea.

Could you even begin to imagine how crazy Shea would be that day?

If the Mets get to that point, and I half hope they do, and if they can pull off a win, it might be just the sort of momentum they need to roll into the playoffs.

Wishful thinking, I guess. The Mets still have to get to that point.

Photo of the Day: Carlos Beltran

If this photo isn't a metaphor
for the Mets season
as they approach the finish line,
I don't know what is.AP photo

Game Recap: Cubs 9 -- Mets 5

The Mets are teases.

Pitching Performance

Jon Niese turned in three decent innings, and one terrible one. He surrendered seven hits and six runs, five of which came in the fourth inning. The opposing pitcher, Jason Marquis, hit a grand slam over the right field wall.

First three were nice, the fourth inning was a disaster. Maybe instead of starting pitching, we just patch together a bunch of players who can throw a few innings at a time. Throw bullpen by committee out the window, how about entire game pitching by committee?

Nelson Figueroa allowed a solo home run to finish off the big inning for the Cubs. Robert Parnell allowed his first hit and first run in the his major league career, in two innings of work.

Bound to happen sometime.

Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman each turned in scoreless performances, an inning of baseball each.

Shocked.

Luis Ayala allowed a run on a butcher boy hit to second, scoring a man from third. Ricardo Rincon came on and got a pop-up to end the ninth inning threat.

Offensive Output

...if you can call it that.

The Mets were held scoreless in the first inning, but were able to scratch one out in the second. Carlos Delgado was able to score on a wild pitch from Marquis. In the third, Daniel Murphy doubled into the left field corner, scoring Jose Reyes.

Looked like a good night for the bats, but they then killed three rallies, with two double plays and leaving nine on base. Awful.

David Wright drove in a pair with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, just tipping off the glove of Alfonso Soriano's glove over the AIG sign.

That puts him at the 120 RBI plateau, with 33 home runs. Pretty good season, if you ask me.

The Mets threatened in the ninth inning, scoring one run in the ninth, but were unable to push any more across to close the gap.

The Rest of the Story

Phillies win, Brewers had off. Mets are 2.5 back in the East, and one up in the Wild Card.

Carlos Beltran had to leave the game in the seventh after crashing into the wall in the sixth inning after making a running catch at the warning track.

Game Ball: David Wright. (2-4, BB, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI)

Dear Brewers...

A letter sent from the Mets to the Brewers.

Dear Brewers,

The Wild Card is yours for the taking.

We're going to roll over and die during the last week of the season again, so feel free to snatch it up if you really want it.

Enjoy October baseball!

Sincerely,
The Mets

Buster T. Bison is a creepy mascot [Updated]

I have no words.

Update:
And just when I thought it couldn't get any weirder...it did.
I present to you: Belle "The Ballpark Diva"
Ew.

Another update:
What is wrong with this thing???Just. Plain. Creepy.

A frightening, sobering statistic

This is pretty depressing.

Jayson Stark takes a look at the Mets bullpen, and crunches the numbers if the official MLB game was six, or eight innings.

Here's what he found: If the game was only six innings long, the Mets would have an 11 1/2 game lead over the Phillies, with a record of 84-52 to 71-62.

Even if the game was eight innings, the Mets would be up by 6 1/2 games, 83-59 to 75-64.

Could you imagine? All that heartbreak, defeat, and antacids would never have come to pass.

Too bad, it's nine innings and the Mets are 1 1/2 back in the East, but 1 1/2 up in the Wild Card. Just win, Mets. I'll say it time and again, but all they need to do is win and make this all go away.

Buffalo bound

So long New Orleans, hello Buffalo.

The Mets and the Buffalo Bisons have agreed to a two-year player development contract, starting next season. The Mets will house their AAA team in Buffalo, marking their third organization in so many years.

The trip from Buffalo to New York City is a lot shorter, so shuttling any players will be much easier.

According to the article on MiLB.com, this isn't the first time the Mets and Bisons have hooked up. Buffalo was the minor league affiliate for the Mets during the 1963-65 seasons.

I don't think it really matters where the players are, as long as they're managed and taught correctly. The Bisons had previously been linked to the Cleveland Indians, who have a very good young crop of players, so they must be doing something right.

Now there are three minor league affiliates for the Mets in New York state. If a player plays their cards right, they could play their whole career, both minor and major, with New York as their home base.

Would Lou Pinella actually do this?

Knowing him, it's entirely possible.

Jeff Passan throws out a scenario that would be absolutely crazy for anyone else but Lou Pinella.

Were Lou Piniella the scheming type – and, well, he’s been around long enough, in the game and in Chicago, to understand that a little bit of maneuvering is encouraged – he could influence the entire NL playoff scene. If the Cubs prefer playing the Phillies, Piniella could cobble together a lineup of Micah Hoffpauir, Casey McGehee, Koyie Hill, Daryle Ward and others for the four-game series against the Mets starting Monday, then end the regular season against Milwaukee with his regular lineup. Mets win the division; Phillies get the wild card; Brewers out. Or they may prefer the Mets to the Phillies.

I honestly wounld not put that past old Lou. But knowing the Mets, they'd still lose to a bunch of September call-ups and really screw things up.

As plausible as it is, I can't see Pinella trotting out a team of young guys. Maybe a mix and match, resting some of his key players for the playoffs by giving them a day or two off, but not much more than that.

You never know, though. All the Mets need to do is win. Win, and they control their own destiny. It's a simple concept, but they still haven't been able to grasp it.

As I said last night, the Mets had an awful day yesterday, and slipped in both the NL East and Wild Card standings. Tonight, we are all Braves fans, as the Phillies kick off a three game series at home. The Brewers have today off, but tomorrow we all should be rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Go Braves. Go Pirates. Go Mets.

A terrible day for the Mets

Bad timing, Mets.

Mets lose 7-6.
Phillies win 5-2.
Brewers win 8-1.

That puts the Mets 1.5 games back of the Phillies in the NL East and their lead shrinks to 1.5 over the Brewers in the Wild Card.

This will be the week that the Mets prove themselves, or fall into obscurity (and the answer to another bad trivia question). The Cubbies come into Shea, a team that if they do make the postseason, they may have to play in either the first or the second round, depending.

If the Mets can beat the Cubs, it will not only vault them into the postseason, it will show the players and the fans that they are capable of beating a playoff caliber team.

Big week, without a doubt. Jason Marquis, Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, and Ted Lilly. Four excellent pitchers who have combined to go 50-26 on the season. Realistically, I'd hope for a split. A sweep is simply out of the question, with the Mets unable to beat up, or even win series over lowly teams.

Should be fun, if not frustrating.

Game Recap: Braves 7 -- Mets 6

If the Mets make the playoffs, they'll either back in or be very, very lucky.

Pitching Performance

Another good start down the drain. Mike Pelfrey threw six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. He struck out two, needing 106 pitches to work through the Braves.

He wasn't great, but he wasn't terrible. Wish he could have stayed in a little longer, but hindsight in 20/20.

Let the mixing and matching begin.

Brian Stokes came in, and allowed one hit in 2-3 of an inning. Ricardo Rincon finished out the seventh scoreless.

Scott Schoeneweis started the eight, and ended up giving up two runs on two hits in 1-3 of an inning. Joe Smith did not record an out, and let in a run on one hit. Pedro Feliciano was charged with a run, walking one in 1-3 of an inning. Aaron Heilman let the game get out of reach, allowing a two run double before registering the last out. The runs were charged to Smith and Feliciano.

Figures, the Mets bullpen gives up just enough to put it out of reach. Not pretty.

Offensive Output

Too little, too late.

Surprise! First inning runs for the Mets! It all started with Carlos Delgado, when he doubled to right, driving in David Wright. After the bases has a few sips of beer and got drunk, Luis Castillo worked out a walk to drive in another run.

I love that the score so much in the first.

In the second, the Mets added on, as Wright hit a two-run home run to center, plating Pelfrey.

Woo-hoo!

From there, the Mets were held off the board until the ninth inning. They had many, many chances, but they all slipped right on by. They left nine on base, and that came back to hurt them.

With the Mets down three runs in the top of the ninth, Carlos Delgado blasted a two-run home run to deep right field, driving in Wright.

Too little, too late.

The Rest of the Story

The Mets knocked out the Atlanta starter after only one and 2-3 innings. The Braves bullpen (six pitchers) held the Mets to only two runs.

Game Ball: David Wright.

Say goodbye to Yankee Stadium

I don't have many memories from Yankee Stadium, but it's a baseball landmark in New York.

Head over to Scott Proctor's Arm for a final wave goodbye to the historic venue.

I bid thee, adieu.

With Pedro stinking up the joint, who can pitch in his spot? (If needed)

Simple: Jon Niese.

John Harper, in the Daily News, relays a few tidbits about Pedro Martinez and his willingness to help the team in any way he can.

"In a short series you've gotta go with the hot hand," he said. "I'll do anything to help the team. Starting or relieving, I'll do anything I can to help."
---
"If I'm healthy I'll try again next year," he said. "But first I'll go home and get everything out of my mind, and then see."

If Pedro doesn't feel right, and after last night it seems that way, it might be time to turn to Niese. Even in a playoff situation, I trust him over anyone else.

Brandon Knight seems only capable of throwing three innings of good baseball, and usually scrapes through the rest. Nelson Figueroa hasn't been stretched out enough to throw more than two innings. Aaron Heilman...no comment.

Niese, though a rookie, turned in a spectacular performance against the Braves last time out. Eight innings, no runs, and only allowing six hits. He also struck out seven.

I respect Pedro a lot for coming out and saying this. He's a veteran and he's not out for himself. He just wants to see the team win, any way it can happen. Good guy.

Take a chance, Mets. Maybe you can really catch lightning in a bottle with Niese.

Game Recap: Braves 4 -- Mets 2

You know it's not good when Pedro Martinez drives in the only two runs for your team.

Pitching Performance

Pedro was the definition of "decent." Pedro allowed three runs in the first inning, allowing an RBI double, groundout, and single before escaping. He ended up throwing six innings, letting up nine hits. He allowed the fourth earned run in the sixth inning, an RBI single to right.

He needed 116 pitches, and even touched 90 mph a few times. He walked three and struck out seven.

Didn't think he's make it through the first, then the third, and he ended up going six. Not bad, but not great. Without his bat, the Mets would have been shut out.

Scott Schoeneweis turned in an inning and 1-3 of scoreless baseball, striking out one. Robert (Bobby? Which is it?) Parnell pitched 2-3 of an inning, striking out one.

Another stellar bullpen performance. Well done, guys.

Offensive Output

Martinez drove in both Mets runs with a double in the fifth inning, plating Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran.

Yuck.

The Rest of the Story

David Wright was the only Met to pick up two hits, a single and a double.

Schoeneweis needed only 12 pitches to retire four batters.

Game Ball: Pedro?

Welcome back to first place, Mets

Now stay there.

Game Recap: Mets 9 -- Braves 5

Thank you, Daniel Murphy.

Pitching Performance

Oliver Perez struggled again. He lasted six innings, when I thought he wouldn't make it through three, allowing four runs (three earned). He let up six hits, walked three, and struck out six. His control wasn't really there last night, and it showed. He needed 109 pitches to make it through the six.

Not great, but not terrible. Again, the bats came about to bail him out. He was handed a lead on a few occasions and surrendered it just as many. The defense wasn't behind him tonight, but he was able to work out of some jams.

Cue the bullpen. Nelson Figueroa entered in the seventh, and was unlucky enough to have an error committed behind him, allowing an unearned run to score. Ryan Church overran a groundball in the outfield, and it skipped by, allowing the runner to come around from first to score.

Ricardo Rincon, Aaron Heilman, and Pedro Feliciano combined to each get one out in the seventh to shut the Braves out with only one run.

Patchwork, but it worked. Feliciano earned the win as the Mets rallied for four run in the eigth inning.

Brian Stokes pitched two innings of shut out baseball, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Maybe Stokes still has some magic in the tank. Overall, a good night from the bullpen, and a "decent" night from Perez. Again, the defense was lacking tonight but the pitching was somewhat able to work around it.

Offensive Output

Cue the first inning run!

Jose Reyes got the Mets on the board as early as possible, cracking a leadoff home run to left field.

I like it. The beginning of a big night for Reyes. He's starting to spark.

David Wright got off the schneid, ripping a double down the first base line in the third, driving in Reyes to start a three run inning for the Mets. Carlos Betlran then ripped a double of his own, driving in Wright. Carlos Delgado followed that up with a single, plating Beltran.

3-4-5 is getting hot. Last series they were pretty miserable, this series may be a whole new story.

In the top of the fourth, Nick Evans hit his second home run of the season, and his career, a solo home run over the center field wall.

The rookies are contributing in big, big ways.

In the eighth, with the score tied at five, Daniel Murphy came to the plate as a pinch-hitter. Seconds lated, he ripped a double to deep left, allowing Delgado and Argenis Reyes to score. Reyes added to his RBI total with a single, brining in Murphy. Wright capped it off with a RBI single of his own, driving in Reyes.

Excellent. Mets were in a tough spot and the bats came out and took the game into their own hands. That's what I like to see.

The Rest of the Story

Reyes: 3-4, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI.

Wright: 2-5, 2 RBI

Six extra base hits for the Mets, out of 12 total. Four doubles and two home runs.

Three errors for the Mets. (Reyes, Wright, Church.)

Game Ball: Jose Reyes.

Mets walk-up songs

One of the most searched items that land on my blog involve "Mets" and "songs."

Here's a link to some of the Mets walk-up songs, via MLB.com.

My favorite:

Fernando Tatis, LF

Song: "Theme from 'Superman'" composed and conducted by John Williams
Tatis: "I don't care. I don't even know what it sounds like. Somebody was joking with me. I have no idea. They just put it on and play it."
Critic commentary: "Brag much? Although given the way he's saved the Mets time and again this season, the comparisons to a certain caped crusader are not entirely inappropriate." --Saul Austerlitz, freelance critic for Boston Globe and other publications

How about the theme for Mighty Mouse?