Daniel Murphy's first game

Let's see how Daniel Murphy fares in his first major league game. It seemed to work for Nick Evans.

First AB: Singles through the hole between first and second. A seeing eye single. Murphy isn't on the basepath long, as Damion Easley rockets a two run home run to deep left field. 2-0 Mets.

Second AB: A 10-pitch AB results is a backwards K for Murphy. The 1.000 batting average is no more. It now stands at a measly .500.

Third AB: Murphy likes to make pitchers work. After an 8 pitch AB, Murphy grounds out to third base.

Murphy just made an absolutely gorgeous play in left field in the bottom of the seventh inning. He had to go back to the big wall in left field, jumped against the wall, and made a gorgeous catch. He then had the presence of mind to throw a beauty into second base to double off the runner, end the threat, and get out of the inning. Wow.

Fourth AB: Ground out to third again. 1-4 on the day.

You can call me "Daniel"

According to Keith Hernandez, the newest Met, Daniel Murphy, perfers the longer name over his nickname.

It's Daniel over Dan, for future reference.

Fernando Tatis shifted to regular right fielder

This is an interesting move by Jerry Manuel.

According to Bart Hubbuch in the New York Post, Fernando Tatis will now be the Mets starting right fielder. Manuel will use the tandem of rookies Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy as the left fielders.

Endy Chavez has been delegated the fourth outfielder.

The youth infusion is coming to the Mets!

I'm really excited to see how Murphy handles the bigs. He's supposedly the Mets best organizational hitter, so it'll be interesting to see how he adjusts to the major leagues. Maybe he can duplicate the first day Evans had in Colorado.

Lineup shakeup

The Mets are sporting a new look lineup heading into the second game against the Astros. Here's how it looks:

SS Jose Reyes
CF Carlos Beltran
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Fernando Tatis
LF Dan Murphy
2B Damion Easley
C Ramon Castro
LHP Johan Santanta

The things to note are Beltran batting second and Murphy making his first major league start.

I like Beltran moving up in the order. He's been struggling lately, but he might see some better pitched back be Wright. Tatis behind Delgado is solid. Seems like Brian Schneider is losing his starting job.

Movin' on up: Daniel Murphy is going to the show

With the Mets finally putting Marlon Anderson on the DL (about two months too late), the Mets will call up the best hitter in the minor leagues, Daniel Murphy.

Murphy had just been moved to AAA, where he played only one game.

I'm looking for Murphy to get the call tonight. I'd love to see this kid get to shine on the big stage at such a young age.

Day off

If you haven't noticed, I took a non-deserved day off.

Pedro Martinez goes tonight against the Astros, with a limit of 80 pitches.

Enjoy the game!

Why would a Mets fan purposely wear a Yankees hat?

The scene: Thursday afternoon, 3:50 train out of Penn Station. I'm on my phone trying to keep up with the madness that was the Jason Bay and Manny Ramirez trade. Sitting a few rows ahead of me in the other row, two guys in their mid-20s discussing the trade deadline.

One guy (Guy #1) is devoid of any sports paraphernalia. The other guy (Guy #2) is wearing one item belonging to a sports team, but more on that later. I overhear them wondering what is happening with the trade deadline, so being the helpful and gregarious guy I am, I offer my knowledge to them.

(Side note: At this point in time, it was believed that Jason Bay was going to the Tampa Bay Rays)

I tell him, "Hey, not to intrude, but rumor has it Jason Bay is going to Tampa."

"Oh, really! That's crazy," Guy #2 responds.

I look up, and perched upon Guy #2's head, is a well worn Yankees cap, fitted. I offer my condolences, "Yeah, that's not going to be good for your Yanks! The Rays just got a lot better."

Guy #2 looks confused. How could I know that he's a Yankees fan? He then realizes that he's wearing his Yankee hat and I'm not a psychic. He laughs. "Oh no man, I'm a Mets fan, I just wear this hat."

Now I'm the one that's confused. I stare at him. He laughs. I try to fake a laugh. My mind is racing.

Why, on all of God's green earth, would a Mets fan willingly and lovingly wear a Yankee hat?

Guy #2 thanks me for the info, and turns back to his friend. I nod, but also throw him a suspicious glance.

This man is a traitor.

He is not one of the blue and orange pride. He's a closet Mets fan, one who would rather seem "cool" and sport our crosstown brethren's cap instead of showing his pride for the team from Queens.

This man was no fan.

Be wary, folks, for people like Guy #2. There are more of them out there. Fans who don't think the Mets are good enough for their fashion choices, yet claim to be fans. Fans who are too embarrassed to sport the interlocking N and Y, in blue and orange. They prefer white on navy for their outward appearance. Not good.

Any true fan would never be caught dead in another teams garb. It's your team or no team.

People like Guy #2 should never be trusted.