Oh my… Just look… [Image]

The Brooklyn Cyclones will be giving this jersey away at their “Jersey? Sure!” Night on July 21…

Why, why, why must my home state have such a bad rep?

All I can do is shake my head.

A message from Wally [Video]

Backman officially named Brooklyn manager

The Brooklyn Cyclones have officially named Wally Backman manager of the Single-A affiliate.

From the press release…

"I am thrilled and grateful to be coming back to the Mets' organization," said Backman. "The greatest days of my professional career were spent here in New York, and I have always felt a special connection to the city. I am especially excited to be joining the Cyclones. Brooklyn is a major minor-league team, and I know the borough's fans are - like me - intensely passionate about baseball and about winning."

Backman's appointment as the Cyclones' manager also marks a return to the New York-Penn League for the fifty-year-old Oregon native. Originally selected by the Mets in the first round (16th overall) of the 1977 draft out of Aloha High School (OR), an 18-year-old Backman made his professional debut with the then-affiliate Little Falls club in the NYPL, and hit .325 in 69 games.

"We couldn't be happier to welcome Wally to Brooklyn, "said Cyclones General Manager Steve Cohen. "He has always been a fan favorite in New York, symbolizing the blue-collar work ethic and unbridled dedication to winning that this city - and particularly this borough - values above all else in its sports stars. Brooklyn and Backman were made for each other."

He will be introduced on Tuesday at 11 a.m.

A Wally in Brooklyn?

Wally Backman will be names manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday, according to Mike Silva from New York Baseball Today.

The press conference should be Tuesday, according to Silva.

Backman was last named as a manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 for just one day. It was reported that he failed to report a '99 DUI arrest and he was promptly fired.

I’m glad to see Backman back with the Mets organization. He’s quite a character and should make for some fun in Brooklyn in the coming months.

A summer with the Brooklyn Cyclones [Video]

As the 2009 season comes to a close (at least in term of playoff chances), let’s look ahead to the future of the Mets. The Brookyln Cyclones recently put up this awesome video of their season. Take a look…

My favorite moment is the play at the plate around the 1:06 mark.

Strange names abound for the Mets and their affiliates [Updated]

This morning, Joe Budd over at Amazin’ Avenue  (one of my favorite Mets sites), wrote this “Where did Kirk Nieuwenhuis come from? If I thought it was hard to learn how to spell Francoeur, it's going to be a nightmare season if Nieuwenhuis becomes something.”

Which got me thinking about weird names.  And off the top of my head, I could think of a few strangely named Mets players (at the major and minor league level).  Here’s a rough list…

Mets

Jeff Francoeur – OF -  I know his family is French, but I’m just not used to the combination of “c-o-e-u-r” and don’t think I ever will be.  I always think I spell his name wrong.

Omir Santos – C - “Omar” would be one thing.  “Omir” is something different.  Only 208 people pop up with the name Omir on Facebook.

Tobi Stoner – P - I mean…come on!

Bisons

Ricky Bones – Coach – This guy?

Derrick Ellison – P – There are too many letters in the “Derek.”

Chip Ambres – OF – Anyone (nick)named “Chip” must have been mocked in middle school.

B-Mets

Mako Oliveras – Manager – What is he, a shark?

Emary Frederick – P – Um…Emary?  I don’t even know where that comes from.  Heck, he’s from Florida!

John Madden – P – BOOM! FOOTBALL!

German Marte – P – Have you met his brother, Polish?  They used to not get along, but now they’re OK.

Jenrry Mejia – P – But hey, he’s good.

Elvys Quezada – P – Was he named for The King?

Kirk Nieuwenhuis – OF – Is that “new-when-house” or…um…something?

St. Lucie

Tim Teufel – Manager – I always found this name funny.  Like he’s a character on a children’s show or something.

Reese Havens – IF – Yum.

Brahiam Maldonado – OF – I will name my first child Brahiam.  Just don’t tell my future wife.

Sand Gnats

Jimmy Johnson – P – Nice hair.

Jean Luc Blaquiere – C – Oui oui!

Imbewer Alvarez – IF – I’ve got nothing here.  I’ve never seen this name before.  Ever.

Cyclones

Dock Doyle – C – Awesome name.

Jordany Valdespin – IF – I’m going to go by “Andrewy” from now on.  Just add a “y” to your name and you can be equally cool.

Kingsport

Yohan Almonte – P – If he ends up half as good as Johan, I’ll be happy.

Guillaume Leduc – P – Another name I can’t pronounce.  Is that “Gee-yam-me”?

GCL

ZeErika Hall – OF – I knew he existed, but I just couldn’t find him on any of the rosters.  He was drafted this year.  And he may have the greatest name of them all.  (H/T to Ted Berg, a.k.a. OGTedBerg) – Update: Further investigations finds him on the roster of the Gulf Coast League affiliate.

Jeurys Familia – P – Sounds like a really bad television show on Univision.  And let me tell you, there is some quality programming on that channel.

Lachlan Hodge – P – Lachlan spends his free time hunting kangaroos in the brush down under.

Jimber Mueses – P – My goodness.  This GCL team might beat out the B-Mets for greatest names.

Nelfi Zapata – C – Anyone named Nelfi is OK in my book.

Aderlin Rodriguez – IF – Aderlin!  Aderlin!  Aderlin!

Wilfredo Tovar – IF – By far my favorite name.

Ray Van Gurp – IF – No, this is my favorite.

Marinus Vernooij – IF – Actually, it’s this one.

There were a few others along the way that I snickered at, but didn’t think belonged on the list.  Did I miss anyone?  How about some historic silly Mets names?  Let’s hear them in the comments.

Want to watch Carlos Beltran play for the Brooklyn Cyclones?

Tune in here!

They seem to be having some technical difficulties. Give it time, I guess.

Oliver Perez’s start in Brooklyn

Oliver Perez made a rehab start for the Brooklyn Cyclones today.

His final line: 72 pitches, 5 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 1 BB

Remember, this is Single-A baseball.

Tonight is Baracklyn Cyclones night

We linked to this way back on January 12, but the day is finally upon us.  Tonight, the Brooklyn Cyclones will become the “Baracklyn Cyclones.”

Here’s their press release:

The landmark game will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd – the “Inaugural Tuesday” of the 2009 New York-Penn League season – and will feature, among other highlights:

• Alternate red, white, and blue jerseys adorned with the team’s new name
• FREE Barack Obama bobbleheads to the first 2,500 fans in attendance, featuring the President in a Baracklyn Cyclones Jersey
• The Economic Stimulus Package: From 10am on January 20th – Inauguration Day – to midnight on January 23rd, ticket prices for the June 23rd game will be “rolled back” to the Cyclones’ inaugural 2001 season rates: $10 Field Box Seats, $8 Box Seats, $5 Bleacher Seats. Beginning January 24th, tickets will be priced at the regular 2009 rates ($15, $12, $8)
• Universal Health Care: Free Band-Aids to the first 1,000 fans
• Naming Rights: Anyone named Barack gets in for free
• Joe the Plumber special: any plumber named Joe gets two free tickets – one for himself, and one to “spread the wealth” with a friend
• Bi-Partisan Consolation Prize: anyone named McCain or Palin will get a free Bleacher Seat
• A clear-cut Exit Strategy: fans will receive American Flags and discount coupons as they leave the ballpark

In addition, the Cyclones will hold four seats directly behind home plate, Row A, Seats 1-4, for the new First Family, should they decide to attend the festivities.

And here’s the video for it:

Get your tickets here.

Grub Wow

The Brooklyn Cyclones have delved into the infomercial industry.  Too funny.

Via The Final Score.

Brooklyn Cyclones to become Baracklyn Cyclones, if only for one night

Regardless of political affiliation, this is a tad bit extreme.

According to NJ.com, "The New York Mets' Single A farm team will be renamed the Baracklyn Cyclones for its June 23 game in Brooklyn."

There's already a website up and running, along with an insane YouTube video.

I almost have no words for this. Thankfully this is only for one night.

Here's what you can get, if you attend:

* Alternate red, white, and blue jerseys adorned with the team’s new name
* FREE Barack Obama bobbleheads to the first 2,500 fans in attendance, featuring the President in a Baracklyn Cyclones Jersey
* The Economic Stimulus Package: From 10am on January 20th – Inauguration Day – to midnight on January 23rd, ticket prices for the June 23rd game will be “rolled back” to the Cyclones’ inaugural 2001 season rates: $10 Field Box Seats, $8 Box Seats, $5 Bleacher Seats. Beginning January 24th, tickets will be priced at the regular 2009 rates ($15, $12, $8)
* Universal Health Care: Free Band-Aids to the first 1,000 fans
* Naming Rights: Anyone named Barack gets in for free (Bring your ID on the night of the game)
* Joe the Plumber special: any plumber named Joe gets two free tickets – one for himself, and one to “spread the wealth” with a friend (Bring your ID and a business card or proof of employment on the night of the game)
* Bi-Partisan Consolation Prize: anyone named McCain or Palin will get a free Bleacher Seat (Bring your ID on the night of the game)
* A clear-cut Exit Strategy: fans will receive American Flags and discount coupons as they leave the ballpark

You have got to love the minor leagues and their wacky promotions. And to top it all off, tickets will go on sale Jan. 20, at 10 am. So fitting and very, very clever.

It's Obama-mania!