Mets fans?

[SinceThe70s]

16 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

 

 

@SinceThe70s

 

Sadly, there are not many to choose from of those 1980s Mets pitchers. You could certainly make a case for Rick Aguilera. I really liked him and was not pleased when they traded him in the Frank Viola deal but they had to give up something of value in order to get a pitcher of Viola's stature.

 

@Gugny 

 

Didn't get a chance to respond - in part because I couldn't refute  @Another Fan's  point off the top of my head - at face value it felt wrong.  It still does, but I'm having a hard time refuting it.  I remember Aguilera being a decent hitter and at best a slightly above average starter as a Met.  I'm also biased because I never watched much AL baseball. 

 

As a starter he never hit the highs that Gooden hit.  Looking solely at saves Aguilera had a great run from 1990-1998. Then take a look at Randy Myers from 1988-1998.  Looks like we missed out on some good relievers. I never fretted about Aguilera but Myers success with the Nasty Boys (him, Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton) always bothered me. We gave him up for John Franco. I had forgotten that - but probably another reason I never warmed up to Franco.

[Another Fan]

10 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

@Gugny 

 

Didn't get a chance to respond - in part because I couldn't refute  @Another Fan's  point off the top of my head - at face value it felt wrong.  It still does, but I'm having a hard time refuting it.  I remember Aguilera being a decent hitter and at best a slightly above average starter as a Met.  I'm also biased because I never watched much AL baseball. 

 

As a starter he never hit the highs that Gooden hit.  Looking solely at saves Aguilera had a great run from 1990-1998. Then take a look at Randy Myers from 1988-1998.  Looks like we missed out on some good relievers. I never fretted about Aguilera but Myers success with the Nasty Boys (him, Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton) always bothered me. We gave him up for John Franco. I had forgotten that - but probably another reason I never warmed up to Franco.

@Gugny  @ExWNYer

Admittedly Rick having the same last name of one of my big teenage crushes and a singer I always liked made me zone in on him more.  Lol

 

But this reliever I still remember well.  He was real good as well.  In fact so much so when I see his son play I still always recall

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 8, 2023 by Another Fan

[Another Fan]

@SinceThe70s

 

 

The 90s is when I started following baseball so I always think of Franco as Mr Met.  For better or worse 

 

But his best years were really with the Reds.  He probably deserves to be in their Hall Of Fame.  

[SinceThe70s]

My son said it best this morning: why can't we have nice things?

 

I'm assuming Diaz will be out for the season. 

[SinceThe70s]

@Gugny @Another Fan @ExWNYer

 

Can't believe Opening Day is tomorrow. As much as I love baseball the season starts too early and ends too late IMO.

 

Happy to see they chose the more versatile Locastro over Ruf - but I fully expect Ruf to have a much better year at the plate than last year - hopefully in the AL.

 

Projected roster doesn't include Alvarez, Baty, Vientos or Mauricio. Vogelbach looks like the backup at 1B and Guillorme backs up 2B, SS and 3B. 

 

And in late breaking news Daniel Murphy will be playing for the Long Island Ducks this year. Ducks are our local independent team, manager is Wally Backman, pitching coach is Nelson Figueroa and apparently Murph will be reunited with Ruben Tejada.

[Gugny]

8 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Gugny @Another Fan @ExWNYer

 

Can't believe Opening Day is tomorrow. As much as I love baseball the season starts too early and ends too late IMO.

 

Happy to see they chose the more versatile Locastro over Ruf - but I fully expect Ruf to have a much better year at the plate than last year - hopefully in the AL.

 

Projected roster doesn't include Alvarez, Baty, Vientos or Mauricio. Vogelbach looks like the backup at 1B and Guillorme backs up 2B, SS and 3B. 

 

And in late breaking news Daniel Murphy will be playing for the Long Island Ducks this year. Ducks are our local independent team, manager is Wally Backman, pitching coach is Nelson Figueroa and apparently Murph will be reunited with Ruben Tejada.

 

Signing Ruf was a mistake.

 

Retaining his "services," was an even bigger mistake.

 

They finally got it right by letting him go.

 

Young guns all sent back down.  I'm okay with it, albeit a little disappointed - especially with Alvarez.

 

VERY cool news about Murph!!!

 

Lastly, I TOTALLY agree that March baseball is pure crap; as is November baseball.

 

LET'S F*CKING GO METS!!!

[ExWNYer]

On 3/16/2023 at 8:20 AM, SinceThe70s said:

My son said it best this morning: why can't we have nice things?

 

I'm assuming Diaz will be out for the season. 

 

They said recovery for that injury is typically 8 months so there is a very small chance that he is back for the playoffs but in all reality, yes, he's done for this year.

 

57 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

Signing Ruf was a mistake.

 

Retaining his "services," was an even bigger mistake.

 

They finally got it right by letting him go.

 

Young guns all sent back down.  I'm okay with it, albeit a little disappointed - especially with Alvarez.

 

VERY cool news about Murph!!!

 

Lastly, I TOTALLY agree that March baseball is pure crap; as is November baseball.

 

LET'S F*CKING GO METS!!!

 

@Another Fan

 

This year has flown by and things have snuck up on me. I can't believe that opening day is tomorrow and that the NFL draft is less than a month away. Crazy. Gug, I expected Alvarez to be sent down and, honestly, it was the right decision. He need to get as many games behind the plate as possible before sticking and he didn't have a great Spring at the plate either. I was more disappointed in Baty being sent down but I get that, too. He needs more seasoning at 3B and some games in the OF which is probably where he'll need to play with Escobar at 3B. He'll be up sooner rather than later, IMO. Vientos is likely a trade chip so a nice productive stint in the minors would benefit the team, as well.

 

LFGM!!!

[Gugny]

18 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

They said recovery for that injury is typically 8 months so there is a very small chance that he is back for the playoffs but in all reality, yes, he's done for this year.

 

 

@Another Fan

 

This year has flown by and things have snuck up on me. I can't believe that opening day is tomorrow and that the NFL draft is less than a month away. Crazy. Gug, I expected Alvarez to be sent down and, honestly, it was the right decision. He need to get as many games behind the plate as possible before sticking and he didn't have a great Spring at the plate either. I was more disappointed in Baty being sent down but I get that, too. He needs more seasoning at 3B and some games in the OF which is probably where he'll need to play with Escobar at 3B. He'll be up sooner rather than later, IMO. Vientos is likely a trade chip so a nice productive stint in the minors would benefit the team, as well.

 

LFGM!!!

 

Based on what he did (didn't) do this spring, I am also glad that he got sent down.  But as far as I can gather, he made great improvements on his defense (his weakness last year), but couldn't hit (his strength last year).  I think he'll get it together in AAA and be a contributor this season.

 

It's such a "Metsy" thing to do, to continue playing players at a position other than their natural position.  It's plagued the team spanning multiple GMs, coaches and owners, so I don't know what the hell is going on.  I'd really prefer to see Baty at 3rd and not in the outfield.  If they need his bat and Escobar is doing well at 3B, then fine ... I get it.  But man ... it would be nice to finally replace David Wright and Mike Piazza with long term solutions, wouldn't it?!?

[SinceThe70s]

@Gugny @ExWNYer @Another Fan

 

Verlander to IL:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36005535/mets-putting-justin-verlander-il-muscle-strain

[Gugny]

Just now, SinceThe70s said:

@Gugny @ExWNYer @Another Fan

 

Verlander to IL:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36005535/mets-putting-justin-verlander-il-muscle-strain

 

[SinceThe70s]

2 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

 

Q: Why do you keep banging your head against the wall?

 

A: Because it feels so good when I stop.

[Gugny]

1 minute ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Q: Why do you keep banging your head against the wall?

 

A: Because it feels so good when I stop.

 

On an entirely different note, teres major is a cut of beef that is similar to filet mignon, but tastier AND cheaper!

[Another Fan]

I mean there was always these kind of risks with his age unfortunately.  
 

Is that like a Metsy thing to do as well going back to at least George Foster signing guys like that on the down side of their career? 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Another Fan

[ExWNYer]

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

I saw the Verlander news earlier but was too depressed to post. 😁 Gary Apple said it's not serious and he'll still be able to throw. We'll see. JV is 40. I hit the trifecta...Bills fan, Sabres fan, & Mets fan. Was I a serial killer or something in a former life??

 

 

[Another Fan]

Just now, ExWNYer said:

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

I saw the Verlander news earlier but was too depressed to post. 😁 Gary Apple said it's not serious and he'll still be able to throw. We'll see. JV is 40. I hit the trifecta...Bills fan, Sabres fan, & Mets fan. Was I a serial killer or something in a former life??

 

 

That joke don’t hold up well imo….  I wanna say the Mets have an outstanding opening day record.  It’s after that when it usually goes to 💩

[SinceThe70s]

5 hours ago, Another Fan said:

That joke don’t hold up well imo….  I wanna say the Mets have an outstanding opening day record.  It’s after that when it usually goes to 💩

 

Yup, it's remarkable: https://www.mlb.com/news/opening-day-wins-by-mlb-team-c268497122

 

LAMP alert, read on at your own discretion.

 

Had to fact check my memory, but in 1990 I was at one of the losses - and it was brutal. Gooden started and got clobbered by Andy Van Slyke (great player) and the Pirates. It was a full day for me and my friends as we went straight from Shea Stadium to the Nassau Coliseum for an Islanders/Rangers playoff game.  The game went to OT and I remember being so exhausted (two pre-game tailgates in one day) that I just wanted the game to end. Of course it went to double OT so I had to stay awake through the 15 minute intermission and then the Isles won 59 seconds into the second OT. I was more relieved it was over than overjoyed at the win. 

 

P.S. - just checked the box score and holy crap that Pirates team was loaded: Bonds, Bonilla, Jay Bell, Wally Backman, Sid Bream, Jose Lind and Mike LaValierre. Leyland was the manager.

 

[ExWNYer]

On 3/30/2023 at 4:54 PM, Another Fan said:

That joke don’t hold up well imo….  I wanna say the Mets have an outstanding opening day record.  It’s after that when it usually goes to 💩

 

Yeah, I'm well aware of their opening day record. I was following them about two decades before you. I still find the clip funny. It's a microcosm of Met fandom.

[Gugny]

Not much grinds my gears more than a one-run loss; especially one in which we only score one run. 
 

Nice effort by Peterson. 
 

Vogelbach had a lead off double in the 8th that was squandered. 
 

These are the kind of games that matter late in the season. 
 

[SinceThe70s]

Does anyone here think that calling a ball or strike when a pitch has not been thrown is a good idea? I know it's been less than a week (I don't pay much attention to spring training) but so far I despise the clock. The intent behind it is fine, 4 hour 9 inning games were ridiculous. TBH I'm perfectly fine with a 3 hour game - the giddiness over a 2 1/2 hour game escapes me. MLB and the umpires effed up when they weren't able/willing to control the pace of play without a clock.

 

On the flip side, the anti-shift rules have been a fart in the wind to me. I'm not a fan of the rule but I haven't had an old man yells at the clouds moment yet.

[ExWNYer]

20 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

Does anyone here think that calling a ball or strike when a pitch has not been thrown is a good idea? I know it's been less than a week (I don't pay much attention to spring training) but so far I despise the clock. The intent behind it is fine, 4 hour 9 inning games were ridiculous. TBH I'm perfectly fine with a 3 hour game - the giddiness over a 2 1/2 hour game escapes me. MLB and the umpires effed up when they weren't able/willing to control the pace of play without a clock.

 

On the flip side, the anti-shift rules have been a fart in the wind to me. I'm not a fan of the rule but I haven't had an old man yells at the clouds moment yet.

 

I think it's probably the only way to get these pitchers and batters acclimated to the new rules. The best way to drill it into them and keep them honest is to enforce it early on, IMO. I don't like much of what MLB has done to revamp the game but I get why they are doing it and accept it. What choice do I really have? They are targeting a younger demographic to try and hook them and sustain the game's future. They don't care about the people our age because they know we're watching either way and we are not their future revenue stream. I know you guys hate the rule banning the shift but I personally hate the shift itself and think it is garbage. To each his or her own, I guess. That's fine.

 

WRT the Mets, I know it's early but they have been over-hyped and oversold. The best closer in the game was lost prior to the season, they are relying on a 40 year old starter who was already hurt before the season even started and their other 38 year old 'ace' has looked every bit of his age in his first two starts following a horrible post-season last year. Guillorme is a nice utility player who starts way too much, Escobar is 'meh' again, both of their catchers are light-hitting backups at best, and their DH tandem of Vogelbach and Pham are spare parts thrust into a starting position which calls for power. I fully expect that Baty and Alvarez will be called up at some point this season and I hope they are as advertised because the team did nothing to address the woeful lack of power in the offense. Save for Alonso and Lindor, there is none. And, speaking of Lindor...

 

His bat finally woke up today...albeit in a loss and he has been stellar in the field...but he has been atrocious at the plate up until now. The starters and pen surrendered 26 runs over a mere 25 innings while getting swept in Milwaukee and the most expensive players Steve Cohen could buy were shutout 10-0 and 9-0 in back-to-back games...the worst in franchise history.

 

Again, I realize it's early but, other than the 'gimme' opening day win, they have gone 2-4 and looked awful in doing it. I think this is easily Atlanta's division to lose with the Mets and Phillies battling for second and third and hoping for another Wild Card berth. *

 

*Disclaimer: The bolded is predicated on Batty &/or Alvarez not contributing as expected and no 'meaningful' deadline additions being acquired. If the kids produce &/or help is acquired at the deadline then the Mets may challenge the Braves for the division, if they are still within striking distance by then. It just feels like another 'typical' Mets season in the making rather than a 'historical' one. Time will tell...7 down and 155 to go. LGM