Ex-Met: Uncle Cliff signs with San Diego

I thought San Diego was in a rebuilding phase? Maybe they're counting on Uncle Cliff Floyd to mentor their young guys.

Floyd and the Padres have agreed to a one-year deal.

Good luck, Uncle Cliffy!

Happy Birthday, Cliff Floyd

Today is Uncle Cliff Floyd's 36th birthday.
Floyd signed with the Mets on January 9, 2003 and ended up spending four seasons with the team, appearing in 468 games.

Floyd is currently a free agent after coming off a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He may retire if the right team doesn't come along. He continues to struggle with injuries, which would be the reason he would leave the game. If he does retire, he put up .279 career batting average, with an OBP of .359 and knocking 233 home runs overall.

Strangely, I had a dream involving Floyd last night, in which he was the Atlanta Braves first base coach next season. Very odd.

Off Topic: Go Rays; The end of a dynasty

A terrific Game 7. Close game throughout, sprinkled with opportunities and clutch performances in key spots. Can't ask for much more than that.

I had a rooting interest, and it actually panned out. I was pulling for the Tampa Bay Rays. I said in a previous post that I miss "Uncle" Cliff Floyd, and I was very happy to see him on the top of the pile as David Price notched his four-out save to propel the Rays into the World Series.

This team is chock-full of great stories, and I couldn't be happier for them. From Floyd (at least for me), to Rocco Baldelli, to Scott Kazmir, and even Price, the Rays played great baseball all year, and were strong enough to take down the defending World Series champs, and live to play another day.

As if I didn't want them to win before, now I'm 110 percent in the Rays camp. I would love to see them beat the snot out of the Philadelphia Phillies. I think the layoff between the NLCS and WS is going to hurt the Phills, but I'm sure they'll be able to put up a fight.

Go Tampa Go!

And on to point number two: Last night, we watched the mighty fall. They did not go down easy, but they did bow out eventually. Could the Boston sports dynasty be coming to an end?

I used to respect Boston. The long-suffering fans and the classy, hard-nosed teams were always one of my favorites to watch and secretly pull for. Anything to anger a Yankee fan, really. But over the past few months, my mini-allegiance from Boston has eroded, and a new disgust has nestled in it's place.

It all started with the 2007 World Series.

Watching the Red Sox win the WS really had no effect on me. I was still reeling from the collapse of the Mets. Anyway, when the Sox won, a person who will remain nameless, who is a big Sox fan was running around screaming "It's been three long years!"

Three long years?? Give me a break. Try never seeing a championship in your lifetime. Try only being able to see your team win on VHS or SNY re-runs. Try watching your team come within outs of the '06 WS. Try watching your team fall flat on it's face and miss the '07 playoffs. And from there, I knew that Boston fans were starting to get spoiled.

Don't get me wrong. I know not every single Boston fan is as boisterous or as greedy as this one, but after experiencing life around more and more Sox/Pats/Celts fans, I think this is the greater majority.

It didn't end there. Cue up Super Bowl 42.

My New York Football Giants taking on the perfect New England Patriots. We all know how that turned out.

It has taken up until yesterday night for me to hear one Patriots fan say to me, "The Giants just played a better game. They deserved to win." I was floored. To this point in time, all I had heard was that the Giants "got lucky" or were the benefactors of "BS calls."

Even when the Giants play now, all they do is "get lucky," according to some fans.

But last night, was some sweet revenge, even if it was a dish best served by the Rays. With the Red Sox losing on Sunday night, and the Patriots poised to take on a mediocre Denver Broncos team, could this be the beginning of the end for Boston sports? Sure, the Celtics look to be amazing again, but watch out for those New York Knicks.

Yeah, right.

Go Rays.

I miss Uncle Cliff

Cliff Floyd was easily one of my favorite Mets. I don't know of anyone who didn't like him. He looks like a big ol' teddy bear.

That's why I want the Rays to win.

Yes, they have Scott Kazmir, and it stings to watch him pitch and prosper with the Rays and not the Mets, but I want Uncle Cliff to win.

I'll never forget that game against the Angels, in the bottom of the 11th inning, with Cliff Floyd at the plate. Tie game, and he rips a ball to right field, but it hooks just foul. The very next pitch: crushed over the right field wall to win the game.

Truly a great moment. I was sad to see Floyd go, especially with all the injuries. But Floyd has really helped the young Rays, and acted as a leader through the season.

Go Rays, but more importantly, go Uncle Cliff.

Boy, this team has changed since 2006

I found this plaque while cleaning out my room today. I thought it was too good to pass up.

The X-ed out Mets (top row): Victor Diaz, Xavier Nady, Willie Randolph.
(center): Cliff Floyd, Paul Lo Duca.
(bottom row): Steve Trachsel, Tom Glavine

Why was Victor Diaz on this plaque? That's all I want to know.

....and we're back!

it took some time to collect my thoughts and feelings after game 7...

Since that day...free agent to be Cliff Floyd has undergone surgery on his achillies tendon. His recovery time is seen at 4 months.
...we may not see Cliff back in baseball again...his only chance is probably with the Mets...

...next year boys, next year...

Cliff in the lineup

Cliff Floyd will be in the starting lineup tonight, says Willie Randolph on WFAN.
Endy Chavez will come on as a pinch hitter/defense.

Hernandez is back! No, not Orlando...Anderson!!

Thats right, the 25 man roster is set, and Anderson Hernandez is on it! Cliff Floyd is also on the roster...

PITCHERS (11): Chad Bradford, Pedro Feliciano, Tom Glavine, Aaron Heilman, Roberto Hernandez, John Maine, Guillermo Mota, Darren Oliver, Oliver Perez, Steve Trachsel, Billy Wagner

CATCHERS (2): Paul Lo Duca, Ramon Castro

INFIELDERS (7): Carlos Delgado, Julio Franco, Anderson Hernandez, Jose Reyes, Jose Valentin, Chris Woodward, David Wright

OUTFIELDERS (5): Carlos Beltran, Endy Chavez, Cliff Floyd, Shawn Green, Michael Tucker

Tuesday @ Shea.

Both teams are at Shea Stadium today, participating in various workouts and warmups...

Hey, Mets...please stretch alot! No calf injuries!!

The Mets will most likely announce Tom Glavine as thier Game 1 starter. Which will be no surprise to anyone.

The Burning Question(s): Will Cliff Floyd make the roster? If not, who takes his place?

...From what I saw, the amount of pain Floyd was in, it did not look good for him. That means either Oliver Perez or Dave Williams can make the team and possibly start Game 4...

Lastings...pack your bags, youre coming with us...

Cliff Floyd just re-injured his achillies heel rounding third base in the 3rd inning...

...he looked like he was in alllllot of pain. he looks like he is done for the year...

...my guess is Lastings Milledge will be called up, if we move on to the NLCS...

Mets up 2-0! so happy.

AP Recap.

Ohhh yesss...
what a solid solid game.
i had no doubts, and wasnt even close to nervous at the end.

Glavine pitched amazing. Just a solid game.
awesome awesome awesome...
this is the stuff you build on, and get on a roll.

i seriously thought Cliff's looong fly ball in the 4th was gone...long gone...
i thought it was gonna smash off that budwieser sign...stupid wind.


Im just soo happy right now. im ecstatic.

off to LA Trax vs. Maddux.
this should be super interesting.
and slow.

The rain for Maine falls mainly during Gary Cohen jokes...

wow...
Mets win 7-0, led by a surprise starter, Mr. John Maine.
He pitched a complete game, 4 hit shut-out. And pitched so well, apparently we dont need to trade.
He only needed 98 pitches to get it done.

Maine does have to buy steak dinners for Floyd, Beltran and Lo Duca for keeping the shutout intact in the 4th and 8th.
~Floyd went up and over the wall to bring back a possible Chris Burke homerun.
~Beltran made a fantastic throw that bounced off the pitchers mound (through Delgados legs) right to Lo Duca, who promptly tagged out Munson tagging from third.

oh yeah...and Valentin hit a Grand Slam in the second, Delgado hit a 2 run blast in the 5th, and also a sac fly in the third.

C-Del went 1-2, BB, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
would the real carlos delgado please stand up? and stick around...

just a solid game ALLL around. hopefully this is the real John Maine as well. and this continues!

Doubly Grand

Carlos Beltran haters, please shut up.
I would have to say he's earning his money now.

A Grand Salami 2 games in a row. (first met since Robin Ventura in a double header against the Brewers, 1999)
Takes over the RBI lead. 27 HRs.
Hit that GS in the 7th to extend the lead from one run to 5. Added an RBI double in the 9th.

And what about Xavier Nady...solo shot in the 3rd. Guns down Royce Clayton trying to stretch that RBI single to a double in the 6th, got out of a possible disaster inning.

And we cant forget about Mike Pelfrey. Pitched "OK" getting into trouble over and over, but his sinker was working excellent, and he induced double plays to end the inning in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Two of those DP's came off Griffey Jr's bat. He went 6 giving up 7 hits, 3 BB, and struck out 3.

Its good to have Reyes back. He went 0-4 with a walk and a FC, but scored 2 runs. He also forced Delgado to come off the bag twice with errant throws to first. But delgado still managed to get them out, and even joked about where his arm angle should be when throwing.

~Delgado is 5 for his last 33. in a major slump. thank god everyone else keeps hitting. Once were running on all pistons...ohh boy
~Cliff Floyd was finally quited going 0-4 on the day.
~Jose Valentin hit a solo HR in the 5th, extending his hitting streak to 6.
~Pedro is eating normal again.

== 7:10 tonight Traxx vs. Harang.

im speechless

that was an ammmmmazin' game.
i really dont know what to say. cliff and beltrans GS's, all those hrs. come from behind. so exciting.

and i know ive been lacking in my blogging. but i havent been able to watch the games, stupid wedding in the backyard.


anyway. lets go mets.

Game: Mets 7 - Pirates 6...hallelujah!

FINALLY!!!

shaky game from glav. 2 come from behinds. hopefully this kick starts us.

2 absolutely solid innings from the offense...something that has been in hiding of recent.
A few notes:: Reyes goes 3-5, 2 SB, gets back to .300. Nady a BIG day 3-4, 3 RBIs (including the gamewinner) He actually got a hit with RISP! and of course...a big congrats to Billy Wagner for his 300th save!!

Great slide by Endy in the 8th for the go-ahead. just got your foot in there in time...nice.

Feel Better Cliff! Floyd had to leave in the fifth, with a mild concussion, after crashing into jose reyes on a fly ball. I dont know what the problem was, i assume after the night game, when cliff had to come rushing in to make a very nice catch, he wasnt going to take any chances and came in hard on this ball. Cliff just cant seem to get healthy and stay healthy...hopefully he'll be back after the break.