ExWNYer

He was a decent MLB reliever back in the day. Sounds like he needs help. Hopefully, he realizes that before it's too late.

My dad never forced the Buffalo teams on us, we were just born into it like most WNYers. Likewise, I never forced my sons to follow my teams but I am thankful that they chose to cheer for the Bills, Sabres, & Mets. They have never lived a day in WNY...born and bred in VA...but they are forever tethered to WNY and the familial roots on my side of the family. It is great to have something that will always bond us no matter where life takes them. They have been to several Bills games at the stadium and this past season we went to see them at FedEx for the beat down of the Washington FootballCommanderSkins. Last hockey season. my younger son & I went to Raleigh to see the Sabres play the Hurricanes (his idea). This year, we will all take in our first Mets game together at PNC Park in Pittsburgh over the 4th of July when we make our annual pilgrimage to Jamestown to visit my aunt (Dad's sis) & uncle. While I love that we all root for the same teams. I also feel bad/guilty sometimes knowing that they are in for a lifetime of heartache like their old man and late grandpa...then I tell myself that it builds character. 😉

Did this change over the years? It was WOR back in the day. My dad was from Dunkirk and I grew up in WNY as a kid. My dad is the reason my brother & I grew up as Bills and Sabres fans. He wasn't really into baseball but became a Mets fan in the '80s because of my brother and me. We were in Virginia by then (his job took us here). That was the infancy of cable and we had WOR for the Mets games and could also see them play the Cubs on WGN and the Braves on TBS. Those games were all televised over cable, if your subscription included those channels. Those were the days. In any event, I always thought it was cool that not only did our dad influence our choice in sports teams but we also influenced his. RIP, Dad.

I still have some of those old Bells football cards. They were better than a lot of the pro cards released, IMO. Nothing is more embarrassing than the Fish stealing the Houston Oilers old 'Love Ya Blue' song and playing it as their own. Frauds.

There is a draft coming so it makes sense that the window is still open... <Brrrrrrrrrrr>

Noted. We disagree on how to handle DH and that's fine.

As Met fans, you know this has happened to us on more than one occasion.

I loved Bobby V. I'm not debating his managerial skills.

And he did it over 20 years ago. For better or worse, the game has changed. Rotations and bullpens weren't handled the same as they are now either.

I actually said, "Go out and at least sign a one or two year stop gap." This year would be the one year. Two would have more than likely been a team or player option to get someone like Turner or Martinez to sign. One year would have been my preference and then reset/reassess for 2025. It's not realistic to think that they will just constantly rotate and decide on game day. Nobody has it every day but it's standard for a guy to more or less hold it down like any other position. They plan on that guy being Vientos this year whether or not we like or agree with it and I'm sure Alvarez will get some ABs there on days he's not catching, as he should.

"Signing an aging proven vet hitter to a high end contract" is exactly the opposite of what I meant by properly addressing the position. That is a stop gap, as were Ruf and Vogelbach. There was absolutely no excuse to have those two at DH last year on what was billed as a WS contender. None. That was a travesty and they were negligent in addressing the position. So, yeah, it was ignored. Maybe we don't actually disagree and it's just a matter of semantics, I don't know. Right now, Vientos is just Ruf and Vogelbach with position flexibility. If he turns in another near .205 year, then he is obviously not the solution. If he rakes then great, the problem may be solved. If not, it had better be fixed one way or another in 2025, if that really is the year they plan to "go all in". I said I'm fine with them using him this year, if they are retooling and don't really plan to compete but they've sent mixed messages. They don't want to go all in but they want to be competitive, whatever that means. As currently constituted, they are set up to be no more than the last WC at best if everything breaks their way. Not likely but hopefully the journey turns out to be an entertaining one. I said in my original post that my preference was Soler, a younger guy with power and the capability to hit for some average. At least someone of that ilk who can provide some lineup protection for Alonso. They are still woefully short on power.

So, literally...no more 'Saint Doug'.

It doesn't really matter how any of us feel about the DH position because it's obvious that they are going to ride or die with Vientos this year to see whether he will be part of the core going forward or whether they should move on from him. In the micro, I can live with that since this year will be about finding out what they have in the kids. This is not a 'throw away' year to me...more like a let's assess what we have and 'retool' before diving back into the expensive free agent market next year. I can live with that since they seem to be emphasizing doing things the right way. Going in with that acceptance upfront is easier, knowing that not much is expected of them and a Wild Card run would be exciting versus what they presented last year as a supposed WS run with two graybeards anchoring the rotation and disappointing everyone. Unlike in years past when they sucked, there is still plenty of talent on this team and in the organization. Getting back to the DH topic...in the macro, I do expect them to address it properly next year, if Vientos flames out and is not the answer. He hit .205 last year so I'm not holding my breath that simply getting more ABs will be the cure all. I hope I'm wrong because I want to like him. In any event, the position is just as important as any other and has been ignored far too long.

It could be worse. Like this abomination...

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan Welcome to 2024, gents. I hope this finds you all well after the holidays and yet another sickening Bills exit from the playoffs. Between that, the Sabres continued ineptitude, and the Mets looking like 'also rans' this coming year (an all too familiar feeling) along with Pete Alonso's impending free agency at year's end, it seems like this is destined to be yet another lost sports year in the flotsam and jetsam of my fandom. But I digress... I concur with you both on the Joe McEwing point. Loved that dude. He's the kind of versatile 'glue guy' that every good team needs. He was a fantastic utility player. This off-season has been underwhelming and losing out on Yamamoto felt worse than it probably was. I know there will likely never be a hard cap in baseball but the system is broken. I can't stand the fugging Dodgers. That stunt they pulled by signing Ohtani to a record $700M contract and deferring all of it but $2M per year and then inking Yamamoto to a $325M mega deal was complete bs. Although they were within the rules as currently constructed, it was way outside of the 'spirit of the law', IMO. They found a loophole and exploited it (good for them) but MLB needs to shut down that garbage. I don't think it's good for the game. Then again, they don't care what I think as a long time fan of the sport. There is another Japanese phenom named Roki Sasaki who will probably be headed to MLB in a couple of years who is supposedly a better pitcher than Yamamoto. He's only 22 and is the youngest pitcher to ever throw a perfect game in Japan. He would fit into the Mets timeline of wanting to "seriously challenge for a World Series". Remember the name. You heard it here first (or maybe you didn't. lol) Lastly, aside from missing out on Yamamoto, my biggest gripe with the organization is failing to address the DH position. I know they want to see what Vientos can do and determine what they have in him but I'm sick of that position being a continual blackhole. Enough is enough already. They claim that they are going to be competitive this year, if not WS contenders (whatever the hell that means) and Mark Vientos at DH will not accomplish that. Go out and at least sign a one or two year stop gap like Turner, Martinez, or Soler (my choice). Bummed about the Mauricio injury (wanted to see if he was the answer at 3B). I did like signing Ottavino again to a one year deal. Come on Spring Training. Can't wait for pitchers and catchers to report! LGM!

Lamar continuing to Lamar.

Getting raw dogged by Kermit will have that effect on a gal.

Most Vomitous Playoffs

I wonder if the DVD 'Extras' has an alternative ending we can all watch?

Will Kermit cry about that called back Rice TD not being a part of his eventual HOF highlight reel?

The only solace for me in the Ravens not winning would be watching a Harbaugh get bounced.

The MVP is awarded for regular season play. The regular season is over.

Looks like Tarzan in the regular season, plays like Jane in the playoffs.

That batted Lamar pass caught by Lamar was sick. 🤣

Huge stop there on 4th by the Ravens D. Could be a game changer.