SinceThe70s

I hated pulling Vargas (did I just type that?) but was OK with how he handled Familia. I don't trust Familia for 6 outs, but more to the point I think that was Calloway's M.O. with Cleveland. Use your closer in the high stress inning instead of waiting for a clean ninth that maybe never comes. It's debatable for sure but kind of what I expected more of with Calloway. But really you just gave me an excuse to post one of my favorite Mets double plays:

Vargas gets pulled after 5 innings, 65 pitches, 0 runs. He has a look of disbelief in the dugout. Keith and Gary speculate it's because it's 3rd time through the lineup. They brought in a guy making his major league debut. I hope it works, but this may be a case of using analytics instead of common sense. The events of this week and state of the bullpen should be considered, not just the numbers.

I went with a battery powered one a few years ago and I love it. One problem I have is that it is supposed to feed the line automatically but I don't think it ever does. I suppose the battery life could be a problem, but I can get my yard done easily if it's full-charged. I also have an electric hedge trimmer that uses the same battery so if I remember to keep them charged I'm good. The hedge trimmer is great too. I used to do it by hand and it would take forever. Only problem is one the I got a little carried way, trimmed to much on a smaller plant and ends up killing it. On the gas side, I have a Husqvarna leaf blower that starts every time and runs well.

Another favorite of mine is the reporter driving around in a snow storm telling everyone to stay off the roads.

Same. I had to look this up to jog my memory, but I think the tipping point for me was Holyfield/Lewis: https://nypost.com/1999/03/24/ali-calls-holyfield-lewis-bout-biggest-fix-ever/

I'll go with any publicity is good publicity and forget everything about this except Josie Loren.

One of the greatest lines of all time.

We had pirated cable boxes at the time and didn't have to pay. You joke about the 12 seconds, but that was a thing and it was phenomenal and was a major contributor to boxings success at the time. The quick KO became expected. Tyson invigorated the sport and when Douglas took him down it was like Luke taking down the Rancor, nobody saw it coming.

Oh great that's gonna cost me some sleep. What's interesting today is the decision to stick with Lugo. Gary and Keith attributed it to the double-header...the Mets knew they wouldn't use Lugo in the night cap and wanted to save Familia. Easy to criticize after the fact but great arguments on both sides. Hindsight guy (me) says Lugo had already blown the lead an inning before and we should've tried to lock down the win with our closer.

As I'm washing dishes tonight, my boys flip to the hockey game and I vaguely hear "Lets Get Ready to Rumble!!!!" in the background. NO WAY! Michael Buffer!! That is freaking awesome! Is this a thing or did they just trot hm out for the Stanley Cup? Reminded me of a sport that I haven't paid any attention to for a long time (I've never seen a Mayweather fight). Hearing Buffer brought back a ton of memories: Ali, Frazier, Norton, Foreman (before the grills), Holmes, Gerry Cooney (grew up a few blocks from me so probably an unknown to most), The Michael Buffer years were great: Tyson, Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, Buster Douglas. Anyone remember Fan Man from Holyfield/Bowe? That was nuts. And that's just the heavyweights. How about Sugar Ray and Duran (No Mas)? So what are your memories and/or thoughts on boxing then or now?

#MeToo

He lied, you exposed it without resorting to an unfounded accusation, I'm impressed. He deserved it. He let down his teammates and the other team by causing the forfeit. The fact that he's not a senior and you risked losing a good player in a troubled program tells me that you'd had it with turning a blind eye to his antics. Body count aside you're probably better off without him.

I don't pay attention to basketball but I was at a party earlier today and threw $20 into a small-stakes hoops pool. Had to leave the party early and turned on the game when I got home since there was money to be won. Watched the game for a few minutes and quickly realized that I hope those Brady-worshipping, chowda-lovers watch their team collapse tonight.

As a Mets fan I have/had a soft spot for the Red Sox. We beat them in the WS a lifetime ago and I will always root for them against the Yankees. Always. But once they won a WS around the time Brady started dominating it changed. I still root for them against the Yankees, but definitely the Hatriot virus has spread to the Red Sox.

Yeah, everyone has their own happy place when it comes to vacation. I have friends that do: Lake George every year...I'd be unhappy doing the same thing every year but I know friends that have great memories and look forward to it. The amusement park thing (Disney, Universal, et. al.)...I hate crowds and lines, but those parks have some awesome stuff. The islands. Wifey has had skin issues so sitting in the sun all day isn't an option and I think I'd get bored. But man does that sound relaxing, especially the all-inclusives. We tend to take road trip vacations usually involving national parks, a fair amount of driving and a ton of planning. During a recent trip (and after a long day) I remember telling wifey that we didn't take relaxing vacations. And yet that's what we keep doing and love. Some of my friends don't get it. To each their own.

Or too much?

A talk radio topic earlier this week was whether the Mets would/could/should consider moving DeGrom and/or Thor if things don't improve. I don't get that line of thinking at all. I'm not ready to blow the team up and start over. We're still over .500, there's a long way to go, we have two top flight pitchers and a closer who's had success (not getting where you stand on him Blue, but I think he'd have trade deadline value). Some thoughts on the team, sorry for the long post, I'm frustrated too. STARTING PITCHING: Murica suggested (with good reason) to put Gsellman in the rotation over Lugo, but I'd go the opposite way. Lugo looks more like a starter to me. But at this point maybe move Vargas AND Wheeler to the bullpen. Matz doesn't look like bullpen material to me, so sink or swim with him. RELIEF PITCHING: Say a prayer. CATCHING: It's early but I'm hopeful about Mesoraco. OUTFIELD: raise your hand if you're happy Ces isn't on a long term deal. Outstanding player when he's on the field, but leg muscle issues? WTF? If Bruce goes on a tear things will get better. I still like Conforto and as I said recently Nimmo has shown more than I expected, just don't know how he gets more playing time. Might need to have Bruce slip on a banana peel. INFIELD: Rosario's been average but shown enough to keep me hopeful. Cabrera has been a great Met when healthy. A-Gon and Frazier are caretakers - we need the outfield to produce more to get by with them. I don't think this team is good enough to bring Alonso up from AA.

Yeah, he didn't have a bounce-back outing today. What do we do with Vargas? He's not just losing games for us, he's burning out the bullpen. Hard to believe but Harvey was probably better.

Be careful what you ask for. Long season. Brutal losing the game on walks but we don't tie it without two free passes in the 9th.

One of my favorite lines came from my sister-in-law talking about family vacations to Disney or wherever: "It's not really vacation, it's just going away". For me vacation is getting away from work to the point that I'm not thinking about work. Usually takes a few days to get to that point.

I work for a company that's been going through lay-offs, down-sizing, right-sizing, re-orgs for way too long (dying industry). I can't tell you how many times the "unfortunates" who were let go show up 6 months later looking physically better with a positive mental attitude...and some that I knew well said they drank a lot less. I've been one of the "fortunates". Been with the company a long time and I'm in a good place wrt vacation/sick/personal time. Started taking longer vacations a number of years ago and I strongly advocate it. Getting out of the office for a week is nice, adding a few days or another week makes a big difference. Do it if you can...and if you think you can't, question whether that's true.

IMO this is spot on. As is a previous comment you made that ultimately if the league loses money than the players will too.

I could go with the Broncos because me and the fam were there or the Colts for obvious reasons but I'll go with the Jags. Sitting on the edge of my seat all game for a playoff game was great even though we lost. My kids still make fun of my reaction every time I was sure Tyrod was gonna get picked. The other games were more euphoric (including Dalton-Boyd) but it was great to have that win or go home feeling again.

As much as I profess not to be a stats guy, I do like a good stat and SNY posted this before the game tonight. Mets pitchers ERA with Mesoraco behind the plate < 2.00 without > 4.00. Of course he never had to catch Harvey ? and I assume not Vargas. And on a personal note, looks like I'll be attending a Mets game up at Fenway in September with some friends from college. Maybe we'll bring in Hanley Ramirez for an Omir Santos moment.

Matz got killed for his last outing but it really came down to the HR he gave up with the pitcher on deck (which was bad). Tonight he got out of that bases loaded jam (which was fortunate, ball made it to the warning track). I'm more concerned that he stays healthy and so far so good this year. But what do we do with Nimmo? A year ago I had written him off as a career minor leaguer but I'm becoming a convert. Problem is we already have too many left handed bats in the outfield. No way I'm giving up on Conforto but Nimmo's been the better player this year IMO. And this team needs Bruce to be Bruce. I get that A-Gon is an obvious target but the thought of Bruce at first frightens me. Regardless, nice bounce back road win after a tough home loss the night before. It's been a good seven days after a rough stretch. Let's Go Mets!