Mets fans?

[SinceThe70s]

19 minutes ago, Gugny said:

I would have been pissed if the Mets paid him what Texas did. 
 

That said, Texas’ GM should be fired. 
 

Anyone with a functioning brain knew this was gonna happen. 
 

6’4”, 180 lbs., throwing 100+ MPH on a  consistent basis is never gonna end well. 

 

According to my son the Rangers didn't insure the contract. That's unconfirmed but somewhat unbelievable if true.

 

EDIT: if it's true I'll bet that  the cost of insuring the contract was astronomical. 

Edited June 6, 2023 by SinceThe70s

[ExWNYer]

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

This team sucks. That is all. #SOFM

 

  

[Another Fan]

On 6/6/2023 at 11:40 PM, ExWNYer said:

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

This team sucks. That is all. #SOFM

 

  

@SinceThe70s @Gugny

 

That post pretty much sums it up

 

 

What I’m surprised at though is Buck.  Before this year he always very much gave me the impression he is a tough man you do not want to mess with.  But the other night in his press conference he said we a bit when referring to the line ups put out.

 

 

Me kind of thinks he only has a certain amount of say on the on field product 

[ExWNYer]

2 hours ago, Another Fan said:

@SinceThe70s @Gugny

 

That post pretty much sums it up

 

 

What I’m surprised at though is Buck.  Before this year he always very much gave me the impression he is a tough man you do not want to mess with.  But the other night in his press conference he said we a bit when referring to the line ups put out.

 

 

Me kind of thinks he only has a certain amount of say on the on field product 

 

@Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Everything these days is driven by analytics and lineups are largely determined by the GM and the analytics team with very little say by the on field manager. You would think that someone with Buck's experience and years in the game would have more input but I'm not sure if that is actually the case. Managers used to determine lineups, not the pencil-pushers and nerds in the front office. FWIW, I hope the majority of this is not Buck because, if it is, the game has passed him by, IMO. In no world should a team that is supposed to be a contender be trotting out Daniel Vogelbach on a nearly nightly basis. He should have already been DFA'd. Can you imagine a well-run organization like Atlanta regularly playing Vogelbach as their DH? Not a chance in hell. Nothing ever changes with this franchise. They went from penny-pinching owners to the richest owner in baseball and yet the ineptitude continues despite the bloated payroll. Alonso, Alvarez and, to an extent, Baty are the only reasons to even pay attention to this team right now, at least for me. And now Alonso is day-to-day after getting plunked the other night. 1986 seems like a million years ago in the rearview mirror now. I'm starting to think I'll never see another title in my lifetime. <sigh>

Edited June 9, 2023 by ExWNYer

[Gugny]

7 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Everything these days is driven by analytics and lineups are largely determined by the GM and the analytics team with very little say by the on field manager. You would think that someone with Buck's experience and years in the game would have more input but I'm not sure if that is actually the case. Managers used to determine lineups, not the pencil-pushers and nerds in the front office. FWIW, I hope the majority of this is not Buck because, if it is, the game has passed him by, IMO. In no world should a team that is supposed to be a contender be trotting out Daniel Vogelbach on a nearly nightly basis. He should have already been DFA'd. Can you imagine a well-run organization like Atlanta regularly playing Vogelbach as their DH? Not a chance in hell. Nothing ever changes with this franchise. They went from penny-pinching owners to the richest owner in baseball and yet the ineptitude continues despite the bloated payroll. Alonso, Alvarez and, to an extent, Baty are the only reasons to even pay attention to this team right now, at least for me. And now Alonso is day-to-day after getting plunked the other night. 1986 seems like a million years ago in the rearview mirror now. I'm starting to think I'll never see another title in my lifetime. <sigh>

They lost every game vs. Atlanta because of crappy pitching. 
 

If we can’t count on Verlander and Scherzer to be consistently good, we are fuct. They were both HORRIBLE in this series. 
 

The way DH has been “addressed,” is totally on Eppler.  I can’t believe Ruf even BEGAN the season on the roster and yes … Vogelbach is pathetic. 
 

Lots of problems with the team, but I think the majority has been pitching. Terrible. 
 

The Diaz injury really hurt. 

[SinceThe70s]

6 hours ago, Gugny said:

They lost every game vs. Atlanta because of crappy pitching. 
 

If we can’t count on Verlander and Scherzer to be consistently good, we are fuct. They were both HORRIBLE in this series. 
 

The way DH has been “addressed,” is totally on Eppler.  I can’t believe Ruf even BEGAN the season on the roster and yes … Vogelbach is pathetic. 
 

Lots of problems with the team, but I think the majority has been pitching. Terrible. 
 

The Diaz injury really hurt. 

 

After reading @ExWNYer's post i was about to post much of the same thoughts. This season was always about pitching. In particular relying on Scherzer and Verlander which thus far has been a disaster. Throw in the Diaz injury which shortened the bullpen, the starter (whose name I can never remember) going down til July/August and the Peterson suckfest and the bullpen has been further strained/exposed.

 

Vogelbach needs to go, but IMO that's like complaining about the bread after you dropped big coin on a maggot-ridden filet mignon. 

 

With regard to the youngsters: Alvarez looks like a beast. I like Baty but I need to see more. Doesn't appear to have a strong arm but if he becomes a stronger hitter that won't matter. Vientos is an enigma. Not sure why he's on the MLB roster if he isn't gonna get at bats. With Pete out maybe he gets a chance. At this point I'd embrace Mauricio at 2B and McNeil in LF.

 

One last thought courtesy of my son. He suggested a trade of Marte and Vientos for Alek Manoah - who just got sent to the minors. Not sure why the BJ's would want to make that trade - and I suggested that Mauricio might have to be included instead of Vientos - but getting young, high-ceiling pitchers for one or more of our young prospects is worth considering IMIO. 

 

 

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Sharing an 'article' from the NY Post. It's pretty much just a long set of quotes from Steve Cohen.  It's either repetitive or consistent depending on your perspective - from my perspective I like Cohen's overall tone and messaging. Two things that stuck out on my first read:

 

"Verlander went out the other night and pitched three innings. The start before he threw 120 pitches. Is one related to the other? Might be, I don’t know, it’s way above my paygrade."  - um, very few things are above your paygrade Steve!

 

I liked comparisons to his hedge fudge management and his intent to build internally. 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/06/10/steve-cohen-not-going-to-blow-up-over-troubling-mets-start/

 

EDIT: the other thing I wanted to mention is that he channeled a quote that I always attributed to Bobby V: you are never as great as you think you are, and when things are going really bad, you are not as bad as you think you are

Edited June 11, 2023 by SinceThe70s

[ExWNYer]

On 6/9/2023 at 9:54 PM, SinceThe70s said:

Throw in the Diaz injury which shortened the bullpen, the starter (whose name I can never remember) going down til July/August and the Peterson suckfest and the bullpen has been further strained/exposed.

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Jose Quintana

 

16 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Sharing an 'article' from the NY Post. It's pretty much just a long set of quotes from Steve Cohen.  It's either repetitive or consistent depending on your perspective - from my perspective I like Cohen's overall tone and messaging. Two things that stuck out on my first read:

 

"Verlander went out the other night and pitched three innings. The start before he threw 120 pitches. Is one related to the other? Might be, I don’t know, it’s way above my paygrade."  - um, very few things are above your paygrade Steve!

 

I liked comparisons to his hedge fudge management and his intent to build internally. 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/06/10/steve-cohen-not-going-to-blow-up-over-troubling-mets-start/

 

EDIT: the other thing I wanted to mention is that he channeled a quote that I always attributed to Bobby V: you are never as great as you think you are, and when things are going really bad, you are not as bad as you think you are

 

I saw the same article and I'm glad that Cohen is not a reactionary hothead like Steinbrenner. That said, seeing is believing. I need some empirical evidence that this organization is truly changing and will be building correctly for the future. We'll see if they foolishly deal some of their better prospects for stop-gap pieces who give the fans some 'hope' but ultimately turn out to be window dressing or if they bite the bullet and try to retool (not rebuild) next year.

 

One other note: Vientos is playing today but he is not getting enough playing time to be up with the big club. He needs a run of at least a dozen games or so to see if he can show anything. Whether they want to see if he is a building block of the future or whether they want to showcase him as part of a potential deadline deal, sitting him so much will accomplish neither goal. He should either be playing first base while Alonso is out or DHing with Vogelbach's fat ass glued to the bench, lefty/righty match-up be damned. Currently, neither is being done which is the typically inept and shortsighted Met way.

Edited June 11, 2023 by ExWNYer

[Another Fan]

2 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Jose Quintana

 

 

I saw the same article and I'm glad that Cohen is not a reactionary hothead like Steinbrenner. That said, seeing is believing. I need some empirical evidence that this organization is truly changing and will be building correctly for the future. We'll see if they foolishly deal some of their better prospects for stop-gap pieces who give the fans some 'hope' but ultimately turn out to be window dressing or if they bite the bullet and try to retool (not rebuild) next year.

 

One other note: Vientos is playing today but he is not getting enough playing time to be up with the big club. He needs a run of at least a dozen games or so to see if he can show anything. Whether they want to see if he is a building block of the future or whether they want to showcase him as part of a potential deadline deal, sitting him so much will accomplish neither goal. He should either be playing first base while Alonso is out or DHing with Vogelbach's fat ass glued to the bench, lefty/righty match-up be damned. Currently, neither is being done which is the typically inept and shortsighted Met way.

@Gugny @ExWNYer

 

Cohen doesn't have to be Steinbrenner but it would be nice to feel the team has a certain amount of urgency/standards.  I wouldn't mind Cohen nagging at the team every now and then.  

 

How I see it is my boss harps on me at least a few times a day to get things done or to follow up with me to ensure things get done.  And I make a hell of lot less money than these ball players.  Buck saying he's proud of his players dont cut it with me.  

 

I mean yeah maybe it's different behind the scenes but the vibes I get are it is not.  I'll still follow the team because I enjoy engaging with you guys here and family and friends and what not but as far as being emotionally invested in this team.  Hell no 

[ExWNYer]

1 hour ago, Another Fan said:

@Gugny @ExWNYer

 

Cohen doesn't have to be Steinbrenner but it would be nice to feel the team has a certain amount of urgency/standards.  I wouldn't mind Cohen nagging at the team every now and then.  

 

How I see it is my boss harps on me at least a few times a day to get things done or to follow up with me to ensure things get done.  And I make a hell of lot less money than these ball players.  Buck saying he's proud of his players dont cut it with me.  

 

I mean yeah maybe it's different behind the scenes but the vibes I get are it is not.  I'll still follow the team because I enjoy engaging with you guys here and family and friends and what not but as far as being emotionally invested in this team.  Hell no 

 

@Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Ditto to the bolded. 

 

I know hindsight is 20/20 but Lindor is one of the biggest wastes of money in a long time, IMO. He was hitting .218 entering play today and did nothing again in a 2-1 loss. Even his defense has been subpar the last several games. I am at the point that I wish they had held on to Amed Rosario & Andres Gimenez and used the money elsewhere...either for some power bats or starting pitching. Gimenez is coming into his own and is a helluva lot cheaper than Lindor. You guys may not agree but that is just my two cents.

[SinceThe70s]

3 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Ditto to the bolded. 

 

I know hindsight is 20/20 but Lindor is one of the biggest wastes of money in a long time, IMO. He was hitting .218 entering play today and did nothing again in a 2-1 loss. Even his defense has been subpar the last several games. I am at the point that I wish they had held on to Amed Rosario & Andres Gimenez and used the money elsewhere...either for some power bats or starting pitching. Gimenez is coming into his own and is a helluva lot cheaper than Lindor. You guys may not agree but that is just my two cents.

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Ditto to engaging with our small group - I love hearing from perspectives I respect - whether I agree or not. Helps shape my opinion.

 

Lindor is a fun topic. My closest friend despises him. He hasn't been able to rebut my claim that Lindor's 2022 season was the best season a Mets SS has ever had. At the same time I can acknowledge that while he is an elite defensive SS he's been highly disappointing at the plate years 1 and 3. He's gotta hit above .260 IMO

 

On a lamp note  - me and the fam will be in attendance this coming Friday courtesy wifeys company tickets. Last year we went and it was DJ night - which was horrifying for me. As is turns out this Friday is LGBT pride night, yippee. TBH  I'm probably more OK with LGBT night than I was with DJ night. Either way I'm there for the game.

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Ditto to engaging with our small group - I love hearing from perspectives I respect - whether I agree or not. Helps shape my opinion.

 

Lindor is a fun topic. My closest friend despises him. He hasn't been able to rebut my claim that Lindor's 2022 season was the best season a Mets SS has ever had. At the same time I can acknowledge that while he is an elite defensive SS he's been highly disappointing at the plate years 1 and 3. He's gotta hit above .260 IMO

 

On a lamp note  - me and the fam will be in attendance this coming Friday courtesy wifeys company tickets. Last year we went and it was DJ night - which was horrifying for me. As is turns out this Friday is LGBT pride night, yippee. TBH  I'm probably more OK with LGBT night than I was with DJ night. Either way I'm there for the game.

First of all, enjoy the game!!

 

And Lindor will come around. I get the batting slump, but the defensive slump perplexes me. 
 

Maybe he got some Buffalo bartender pregnant or something. 😂

[ExWNYer]

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

I know Cohen said last week that he's not ready to blow things up.

 

Saw this today, FWIW...

 

"It was around this time last year when the first manager was fired in Major League Baseball, and it's somewhat unusual for the season to reach the All-Star break without at least one canned. Two months ago, the favorite via oddsmakers to be the first manager dismissed in 2023 was Detroit's AJ Hinch, and he's still in that spot. However, closing fast is the New York Mets' Buck Showalter.

 

New York lost 2-1 in Pittsburgh on Sunday, its eighth defeat in nine games, to fall to 31-35. The team is much closer to last place in the NL East than first despite an MLB-record payroll of approximately $340 million. To make the playoffs at DraftKings, the Mets are currently +125 and -145 to go home early. One might think having a seven-game losing streak as New York just did would be a playoff killer, but the Mets have made the playoffs twice when having at least a seven-game skid in the regular season, doing so in 1999 and 2015.

 

It's certainly not Showalter's fault that All-Star closer Edwin Diaz suffered a serious injury in the World Baseball Classic and is likely out for the entire season, or Showalter's fault that the Carlos Correa contract situation didn't work out. Or that Justin Verlander looks past his prime at age 40. Or that mega-durable All-Star first baseman and NL MVP candidate Pete Alonso, with an MLB-best 22 homers, was hit on the wrist by a pitch last week and could miss another month.

 

The 'Mets Fire Showalter' columns are likely being pre-written as we speak. While it's likely not time to move on from the highly respected manager just yet, time is running out to save this all-in World Series season. Just looking at the division, the Phillies' 2022 campaign completely changed whey then fired Joe Girardi early last June and promoted Rob Thomson to manager. He led them to the World Series."

[SinceThe70s]

23 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

@Gugny @SinceThe70s @Another Fan

 

I know Cohen said last week that he's not ready to blow things up.

 

Saw this today, FWIW...

 

"It was around this time last year when the first manager was fired in Major League Baseball, and it's somewhat unusual for the season to reach the All-Star break without at least one canned. Two months ago, the favorite via oddsmakers to be the first manager dismissed in 2023 was Detroit's AJ Hinch, and he's still in that spot. However, closing fast is the New York Mets' Buck Showalter.

 

New York lost 2-1 in Pittsburgh on Sunday, its eighth defeat in nine games, to fall to 31-35. The team is much closer to last place in the NL East than first despite an MLB-record payroll of approximately $340 million. To make the playoffs at DraftKings, the Mets are currently +125 and -145 to go home early. One might think having a seven-game losing streak as New York just did would be a playoff killer, but the Mets have made the playoffs twice when having at least a seven-game skid in the regular season, doing so in 1999 and 2015.

 

It's certainly not Showalter's fault that All-Star closer Edwin Diaz suffered a serious injury in the World Baseball Classic and is likely out for the entire season, or Showalter's fault that the Carlos Correa contract situation didn't work out. Or that Justin Verlander looks past his prime at age 40. Or that mega-durable All-Star first baseman and NL MVP candidate Pete Alonso, with an MLB-best 22 homers, was hit on the wrist by a pitch last week and could miss another month.

 

The 'Mets Fire Showalter' columns are likely being pre-written as we speak. While it's likely not time to move on from the highly respected manager just yet, time is running out to save this all-in World Series season. Just looking at the division, the Phillies' 2022 campaign completely changed whey then fired Joe Girardi early last June and promoted Rob Thomson to manager. He led them to the World Series."

 

Whoever wrote that overlooked the fact that Correa is having an off year. 

 

Unless he's lost the clubhouse (and besides pointing at the poor play I haven't seen anything hinting at that) I'll be surprised if Buck gets canned.

 

[ExWNYer]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Whoever wrote that overlooked the fact that Correa is having an off year. 

 

Unless he's lost the clubhouse (and besides pointing at the poor play I haven't seen anything hinting at that) I'll be surprised if Buck gets canned.

 

 

I don't see him getting the axe either but if they get off to a slow start again next year I could see them pulling the plug early and going with Beltran again. BTW, how Metsy would it be to see Buck get eighty-sixed either during this year or right after just a season removed from winning 'NL Manager of the Year'? Fun times...

[Another Fan]

On 6/11/2023 at 6:41 PM, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

Ditto to the bolded. 

 

I know hindsight is 20/20 but Lindor is one of the biggest wastes of money in a long time, IMO. He was hitting .218 entering play today and did nothing again in a 2-1 loss. Even his defense has been subpar the last several games. I am at the point that I wish they had held on to Amed Rosario & Andres Gimenez and used the money elsewhere...either for some power bats or starting pitching. Gimenez is coming into his own and is a helluva lot cheaper than Lindor. You guys may not agree but that is just my two cents.

This is where I can’t stand the multi million dollar deals.  I’d say after tonight Lindor should be benched.  Send a message as well.  The strikeout in the 8th inning was inexcusable.   But then there’s a matter of You know you’re paying him so much money to be not playing thing.  
 

 

But I agree that kind of salary warrants a generational like player not this.  
 

 

 

Theres a silver lining at least about Scherzer and Verlander.  Aaron Rodgers is age wise right in the middle of the 2.   I bet the Jets fans that like the Mets will be more reluctant to be confident in him as a result of Scherzer and Verlander.  

[SinceThe70s]

 

As mentioned previously went to the game tonight. 

 

The good: 6-1 win with 4 of the runs coming off two out hits.

 

The bad: the game was just over two hours long. The pace felt unnecessarily rushed with the pitch clock.

 

The ugly: second straight year I went to a Friday DJ night - ugh.

[Another Fan]

On 6/16/2023 at 11:19 PM, SinceThe70s said:

 

As mentioned previously went to the game tonight. 

 

The good: 6-1 win with 4 of the runs coming off two out hits.

 

The bad: the game was just over two hours long. The pace felt unnecessarily rushed with the pitch clock.

 

The ugly: second straight year I went to a Friday DJ night - ugh.

@Gugny. @ExWNYer

 

 

At least you got to see a win.  I went to yesterday's game.  First time in about 8 years I made the trek out to Citifield.  Drove up to North Jersey and connected via PATH trains.

 

 

A long story short with my experience some good nostalgia and some sadness of how things aren't what they are.  

 

The game itself:

 

I cant say I like Adam Wainwright but that is impressive imo he's almost 42 and stayed with the Cardinals so long.

 

Mark Canha had a brutal day.  0 for 3 with grounding into a double play and missing a foul ball pop up which didn't go as an error.  The woman behind me said Canha Can't which was actually kinda funny.  

 

Big Dan I think struck out to end the bottom of the 8th.  At least 1/2 the crowd cleared out at that point which showed to me fans have no faith that the team will or can come back.  Even against the Cardinals.

 

 

 

But yeah still cool as a Mets fan to schlep out there every once in a while or every few years.  

 

 

 

[ExWNYer]

On 6/16/2023 at 11:19 PM, SinceThe70s said:

 

As mentioned previously went to the game tonight. 

 

The good: 6-1 win with 4 of the runs coming off two out hits.

 

The bad: the game was just over two hours long. The pace felt unnecessarily rushed with the pitch clock.

 

The ugly: second straight year I went to a Friday DJ night - ugh.

 

@Gugny

 

 I watched that game. I'm not sure I believe you...I didn't see you anywhere in the crowd. 😁 (j/k)

 

BTW, unfortunately for you, you were witness to the fastest Met game so far this season (2:01). The previous fastest was either 2:03 or 2:04. 

 

Lastly, I am not a fan of the black jerseys. I can handle the Friday night black jersey games, I guess, but I was pissed to see them earlier in the week for the first game against the Skanks.

 

14 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

@Gugny. @ExWNYer

 

 

At least you got to see a win.  I went to yesterday's game.  First time in about 8 years I made the trek out to Citifield.  Drove up to North Jersey and connected via PATH trains.

 

 

A long story short with my experience some good nostalgia and some sadness of how things aren't what they are.  

 

The game itself:

 

I cant say I like Adam Wainwright but that is impressive imo he's almost 42 and stayed with the Cardinals so long.

 

Mark Canha had a brutal day.  0 for 3 with grounding into a double play and missing a foul ball pop up which didn't go as an error.  The woman behind me said Canha Can't which was actually kinda funny.  

 

Big Dan I think struck out to end the bottom of the 8th.  At least 1/2 the crowd cleared out at that point which showed to me fans have no faith that the team will or can come back.  Even against the Cardinals.

 

But yeah still cool as a Mets fan to schlep out there every once in a while or every few years.  

 

 

Cool that you got to make it out to a game, even if it was a loss. In fairness to Canha, he was one of the only guys delivering over the last couple of weeks but he has since gone belly up, too. Nobody else stepped up to help him out and here we are. Canha is supposed to be a piece, not one of the main pieces. You never know what you're going to get with this team. Just as you leave them for dead after a 2-9 stretch, they win two in a row to make you raise an eyebrow only to fall at home yet again to another lousy team throwing an ancient pitcher on his last legs. This squad really misses Alonso but, even with him in the lineup, they were still scuffling.

 

As an aside, I think Verlander still has something in the tank and will give them a good outing more often than not but I am almost fully convinced at this point that Scherzer is cooked for good. I hope he proves me wrong. If they get nothing out of him & Lindor and Lindor continues to be a huge waste of oxygen and payroll, this team will be relegated to second division status anyway. Lindor is barely above 'The Mendoza Line' 70 games into the season. Hey, Francisco, it's not early anymore. At least we have one Francisco worth cheering for...when Buck decides to leave him in the lineup. Thanks for being a Met prospect who seems to be living up to the billing and then some, Mr. Alvarez.

 

Happy Father's Day to all.

 

LGM!!!

[SinceThe70s]

44 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

 

 I watched that game. I'm not sure I believe you...I didn't see you anywhere in the crowd. 😁 (j/k)

 

 

 

You probably did see me - I was the one that looked simply fabulous! It wasn't the usual crowd, that's for sure. But that's not why I'm posting.

 

Remarkably Pete is back today!! Vientos is the casualty as he got sent down. I'm fine with that because it made absolutely no sense that they brought him up only to have him ride the pine more often than not.

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

[ExWNYer]

5 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

You probably did see me - I was the one that looked simply fabulous! It wasn't the usual crowd, that's for sure. But that's not why I'm posting.

 

Remarkably Pete is back today!! Vientos is the casualty as he got sent down. I'm fine with that because it made absolutely no sense that they brought him up only to have him ride the pine more often than not.

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

Maybe I did see you! Was that you in the orange & blue feather boa and matching heels? Outstanding!

 

I was shocked to see Pete back already but he looked rusty. In all honesty, he wasn't contributing much at the time he was injured. He needs to get back into the groove sooner rather than later although I'm not sure at this point if it even matters. After winning two in a row, they dropped 2 out of 3 to an old team with the worst record in the NL...at home...and now head to Houston. They were already 5 games out of the final Wild Card spot heading into today and they simply cannot get on a roll. The division is also no longer in play and Buck continues to irritate me, as well. He brought in Robertson today in the 8th in a 7-7 tie and did not bring him back for the 9th despite having only thrown 8 pitches. In comes Ottavino in the 9th to serve up a meat pitch to Arenado. Game over. You can't save Robertson for Houston as they may not even be in the game. Go for the win at hand and worry about tomorrow's game tomorrow. Then, to pour salt in the wound, he uses Vogelbach to PH in the 9th. You saw Vogie's only highlight of the year the other night after a 9 day 'mental rest' hiatus and Buck acts like the big man has suddenly turned the corner by going back to him. One good AB does not make up for a horrible season. I agree 100% on Vientos. He should have been sent down if he wasn't going to get sufficient playing time and his use/non-use during his call-up was a travesty on the part of the manager and the front office. But, hey, at least Danny V is tan, rested and ready... 

[Another Fan]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

I watched the highlights this weekend.  All I could say is it's like bizarre to me this team is a Buck coached team.  The mental image of him I had prior to this year was fundamentally sound baseball were his teams bread and butter.  And if you made errors in the field like the team did this weekend he'd sit you down to make an example.  I think I recall even Mike Francesa telling stories about him and his time with the Yankees that he drove the team nuts with his micromanaging the smallest of details like shoelaces.  

 

 

Perhaps he's just at a point where he's burnt out giving as much as he did in his life to the game.  

[Gugny]

49 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

@ExWNYer @Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

I watched the highlights this weekend.  All I could say is it's like bizarre to me this team is a Buck coached team.  The mental image of him I had prior to this year was fundamentally sound baseball were his teams bread and butter.  And if you made errors in the field like the team did this weekend he'd sit you down to make an example.  I think I recall even Mike Francesa telling stories about him and his time with the Yankees that he drove the team nuts with his micromanaging the smallest of details like shoelaces.  

 

 

Perhaps he's just at a point where he's burnt out giving as much as he did in his life to the game.  

Today’s loss had bad fielding and we lost because Buck left a pitcher in too long. 
 

I wonder if Joe Girardi has the itch. 

[Another Fan]

29 minutes ago, Gugny said:

Today’s loss had bad fielding and we lost because Buck left a pitcher in too long. 
 

I wonder if Joe Girardi has the itch. 

Yeah remember a few years ago in the Brodie GM days when we all wanted Girardi as manager and were upset he wasn't picked?    And Buck we or at least I thought there was never a chance as he'd laugh and having lineups forced on him by the higher ups.  Ironic much now?  

[Gugny]

3 minutes ago, Another Fan said:

Yeah remember a few years ago in the Brodie GM days when we all wanted Girardi as manager and were upset he wasn't picked?    And Buck we or at least I thought there was never a chance as he'd laugh and having lineups forced on him by the higher ups.  Ironic much now?  

I wanted Girardi, big time. BVW and the Wilpons were why he wanted nothing to do with it, IMO. Hopefully the new regime is more attractive to him. I’d love to have him. 
 

I love Buck. Loved the hire. But there is clearly something wrong. 

[SinceThe70s]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

I wanted Girardi, big time. BVW and the Wilpons were why he wanted nothing to do with it, IMO. Hopefully the new regime is more attractive to him. I’d love to have him. 
 

I love Buck. Loved the hire. But there is clearly something wrong. 

 

I get that folks are pointing the finger at Buck but I'm not buying in - although I'll admit to listening to the argument.

 

To me this season has been all about the pitching:

- started with the shaky proposition of relylng on Scherzer and Verlander

- losing Diaz was devastating and shortened the bullpen

- Quintana hasn't thrown a pitch - straining the weakened bullpen

- Carrasco, Peterson and Megill have all sucked - straining the weakened bullpen

- Verlander started the season on IR and has been average  - straining the weakened bullpen

- Scherzer  has been average and willingly missed time due to the sticky stuff -  straining the weakened bullpen

 

I tend to be overly optimistic but this looks like a lost season. For position players:

 

😄 excited about Alvarez - he has crushed at the plate at every level

1B: no need to think about this position until we have a hard time signing Pete - but would like to see a higher batting average

2B: between McNeil and maybe Mauricio I think we are OK

SS: great fielder, power bat but the batting average is way too low

3B: we're rolling with Baty - and maybe Vientos. Fingers crossed

LF: Pham is trade bait, Canha is a 4th OFer. McNeil in LF with Mauricio is intriguing

CF: Nimmo is fine but would be better off in LF

RF: Marte has been a big disappointment since he got hurt last year. I'm not giving up on him yet but RF is a big red flag if he doesn't return to form

DH: this has been a black hole. Not sure whether I put that on Buck or the GM.

 

 

 

 

[Gugny]

Just now, SinceThe70s said:

 

I get that folks are pointing the finger at Buck but I'm not buying in - although I'll admit to listening to the argument.

 

To me this season has been all about the pitching:

- started with the shaky proposition of relylng on Scherzer and Verlander

- losing Diaz was devastating and shortened the bullpen

- Quintana hasn't thrown a pitch - straining the weakened bullpen

- Carrasco, Peterson and Megill have all sucked - straining the weakened bullpen

- Verlander started the season on IR and has been average  - straining the weakened bullpen

- Scherzer  has been average and willingly missed time due to the sticky stuff -  straining the weakened bullpen

 

I tend to be overly optimistic but this looks like a lost season. For position players:

 

😄 excited about Alvarez - he has crushed at the plate at every level

1B: no need to think about this position until we have a hard time signing Pete - but would like to see a higher batting average

2B: between McNeil and maybe Mauricio I think we are OK

SS: great fielder, power bat but the batting average is way too low

3B: we're rolling with Baty - and maybe Vientos. Fingers crossed

LF: Pham is trade bait, Canha is a 4th OFer. McNeil in LF with Mauricio is intriguing

CF: Nimmo is fine but would be better off in LF

RF: Marte has been a big disappointment since he got hurt last year. I'm not giving up on him yet but RF is a big red flag if he doesn't return to form

DH: this has been a black hole. Not sure whether I put that on Buck or the GM.

 

 

 

 

This is pretty much where I’ve been … but the lack of discipline in the field and on the bases just tells me it’s uninspired baseball. 
 

I have a hard time blaming Buck, but I’m really starting to think about it as the season continues. 
 

Im not calling for his head by any means. But I do think girardi would be an upgrade and could be a spark. 
 

I really don’t know. 

[SinceThe70s]

4 minutes ago, Gugny said:

This is pretty much where I’ve been … but the lack of discipline in the field and on the bases just tells me it’s uninspired baseball. 
 

I have a hard time blaming Buck, but I’m really starting to think about it as the season continues. 
 

Im not calling for his head by any means. But I do think girardi would be an upgrade and could be a spark. 
 

I really don’t know. 

 

It's kind of crazy how they played inspired/smart ball last year when things were going well - and now we're seeing poor play. I'm still in Buck's corner - but more willing to consider dissenting opinions. Pretty much where I'm at with McD too.

[ExWNYer]

14 hours ago, Another Fan said:

@ExWNYer @Gugny @SinceThe70s

 

I watched the highlights this weekend.  All I could say is it's like bizarre to me this team is a Buck coached team.  The mental image of him I had prior to this year was fundamentally sound baseball were his teams bread and butter.  And if you made errors in the field like the team did this weekend he'd sit you down to make an example.  I think I recall even Mike Francesa telling stories about him and his time with the Yankees that he drove the team nuts with his micromanaging the smallest of details like shoelaces.  

 

 

Perhaps he's just at a point where he's burnt out giving as much as he did in his life to the game.  

 

13 hours ago, Gugny said:

I wanted Girardi, big time. BVW and the Wilpons were why he wanted nothing to do with it, IMO. Hopefully the new regime is more attractive to him. I’d love to have him. 
 

I love Buck. Loved the hire. But there is clearly something wrong. 

 

10 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

It's kind of crazy how they played inspired/smart ball last year when things were going well - and now we're seeing poor play. I'm still in Buck's corner - but more willing to consider dissenting opinions. Pretty much where I'm at with McD too.

 

I keep telling myself I'm not going to watch them anymore this season but my addiction keeps sucking me back into watching. I did turn the channel when they got down, 5-1, on Friday and saved myself. I missed most of Saturday (the lone win) due to plans with friends but, unfortunately, watched all of the sh*t show on Sunday. The most disappointing thing to me is that they are not fun to watch. I like elements of this squad but there is nothing fun or entertaining about watching the highest payroll in baseball continually shoot themselves in the foot and invent new and excruciating ways to lose. There are too many talented players and coaches (Buck & Hefner) for this team to be an also-ran laughingstock sitting 15 games out of first place and eight...yes, EIGHT...games out of the LAST Wild Card spot in June. Holy cripes...

 

Let me start off about Buck by saying that I like him...I wanted him as the manager. But he has frustrated me time and again this year with (IMO) his mismanagement of the bullpen. I am on record several times...you guys have seen it before. I know he's not managing with a full arsenal at his disposal but he's bungling what he does have. That said, he didn't go from winning 101 games and NL Manager of the year to not knowing anything about baseball but, as you guys said, he has always been known for preaching fundies and this is one of the most head-scratchingly bad fundamental teams in all of baseball. It's beyond perplexing. They don't have the margin of error for the kinds of mental & physical errors they are committing. Admittedly, Buck has forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know but, at some point, even the shelf life of the good ones runs out. This mess isn't entirely on him but he certainly should be held accountable for some of it. And a big "F*CK NO!" to Joe Girardi. I wanted him at one point, too, but have you already forgotten how putrid the Philthies were under his misdirection? They didn't take off until they canned his rigid ass and went in another direction. I'd rather stick with Buck or give Beltran his shot than bring in the crew-cut with the stench of both the Skanks & Philthies on him. That ship has sailed and is a hard pass for me. JMO

 

Lastly, I don't think a managerial shakeup will do anything for this current rag-tag amalgamation of misfit toys. They are poorly put together by one Billy Eppler. I can't stand him and would welcome his firing today. He assembled this awful bullpen. There were better options still on the market but he chose to go with guys who had options so he could have the flexibility to call them up and move them down. How the fug has that worked out for you, Billy?? The 2023 NY Mess have lost 12 games already...TWELVE...when scoring 6 or more runs in a game. That is mind-blowing and the most in MLB. They have also allowed the most HRs in all of baseball. Between this Mets team and the constant infestation of trolls on the main boards starting 'Trade Diggs...he's a cancer' threads or 'McDermott sucks' threads, this has been a miserable sports summer. Have a great week, gentlemen. I'm headed to WNY on Friday for a much needed week of R&R with family.

 

[Another Fan]

7 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

 

 

 

I keep telling myself I'm not going to watch them anymore this season but my addiction keeps sucking me back into watching. I did turn the channel when they got down, 5-1, on Friday and saved myself. I missed most of Saturday (the lone win) due to plans with friends but, unfortunately, watched all of the sh*t show on Sunday. The most disappointing thing to me is that they are not fun to watch. I like elements of this squad but there is nothing fun or entertaining about watching the highest payroll in baseball continually shoot themselves in the foot and invent new and excruciating ways to lose. There are too many talented players and coaches (Buck & Hefner) for this team to be an also-ran laughingstock sitting 15 games out of first place and eight...yes, EIGHT...games out of the LAST Wild Card spot in June. Holy cripes...

 

Let me start off about Buck by saying that I like him...I wanted him as the manager. But he has frustrated me time and again this year with (IMO) his mismanagement of the bullpen. I am on record several times...you guys have seen it before. I know he's not managing with a full arsenal at his disposal but he's bungling what he does have. That said, he didn't go from winning 101 games and NL Manager of the year to not knowing anything about baseball but, as you guys said, he has always been known for preaching fundies and this is one of the most head-scratchingly bad fundamental teams in all of baseball. It's beyond perplexing. They don't have the margin of error for the kinds of mental & physical errors they are committing. Admittedly, Buck has forgotten more about baseball than I will ever know but, at some point, even the shelf life of the good ones runs out. This mess isn't entirely on him but he certainly should be held accountable for some of it. And a big "F*CK NO!" to Joe Girardi. I wanted him at one point, too, but have you already forgotten how putrid the Philthies were under his misdirection? They didn't take off until they canned his rigid ass and went in another direction. I'd rather stick with Buck or give Beltran his shot than bring in the crew-cut with the stench of both the Skanks & Philthies on him. That ship has sailed and is a hard pass for me. JMO

 

Lastly, I don't think a managerial shakeup will do anything for this current rag-tag amalgamation of misfit toys. They are poorly put together by one Billy Eppler. I can't stand him and would welcome his firing today. He assembled this awful bullpen. There were better options still on the market but he chose to go with guys who had options so he could have the flexibility to call them up and move them down. How the fug has that worked out for you, Billy?? The 2023 NY Mess have lost 12 games already...TWELVE...when scoring 6 or more runs in a game. That is mind-blowing and the most in MLB. They have also allowed the most HRs in all of baseball. Between this Mets team and the constant infestation of trolls on the main boards starting 'Trade Diggs...he's a cancer' threads or 'McDermott sucks' threads, this has been a miserable sports summer. Have a great week, gentlemen. I'm headed to WNY on Friday for a much needed week of R&R with family.

 

 

I awaited getting a notification with your thoughts saying how you really feel about the latest debacles.  As always you did not disappoint! 

 

Enjoy the week as well 

[SinceThe70s]

@ExWNYer @Gugny @Another Fan

 

Cohen has scheduled a press conference prior to the game tomorrow (Wednesday). I don't expect him to say much more than he did a few weeks ago through Joel Sherman but he's giving the NY press a full day to prepare their onslaught. 

[SinceThe70s]

@Gugny @ExWNYer @Another Fan

 

I like Buck but...

 

Tonight there was a HBP called where the Brewer may have swung but got the call. Buck was p!sssed with the call showed his displeasure -  but didn't make a scene - until the next batter got a big hit and then Buck blew a gasket and got tossed.

 

Buck should have blown the gasket and gotten tossed at the point of the call, not after the fact. 

 

...I am willing to question whether what  he brings to the table is enough

 

 

[ExWNYer]

8 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Gugny @ExWNYer @Another Fan

 

I like Buck but...

 

Tonight there was a HBP called where the Brewer may have swung but got the call. Buck was p!sssed with the call showed his displeasure -  but didn't make a scene - until the next batter got a big hit and then Buck blew a gasket and got tossed.

 

Buck should have blown the gasket and gotten tossed at the point of the call, not after the fact. 

 

...I am willing to question whether what  he brings to the table is enough

 

 

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

And in yet another lost Mets season...on a night when their manager gets tossed during a typical 'rinse and repeat' home loss...on a night when their starting pitcher goes only 5 innings once again...on a night when their owner is addressing the media about his overpaid and under-performing squad and his embattled front office...Domingo German of their crosstown rivals tosses only the 24th perfect game in MLB history (and 4th in team history). The yin and yang that is ever present in baseball. Sadly, more often than not, the Mets seem to be the bad which evens out the good. <sigh>

 

In a disappointing year that was supposed to be "all in" and about chasing a World Series title, a perfect game by NY AL feels like salt in the wound. Every time I hear that there was a no hitter (and even more rare, a perfect game) thrown, I think about the lone no-no that the Mets have by Johann Santana and think, "The one we have isn't even legit". Had there been replay back then, the Mets wouldn't even have the one that they do. I don't know how in the world the umps missed that shot down the left field line that clearly hit the chalk, but I digress. Hard to believe that as pitching rich as this franchise has historically been, they only have one no hitter and a questionable one at that. Several fan favorites and team icons have them...Tom Seaver, Doc Gooden, Nolan Ryan...but all with other franchises. And just to bring this full-circle, the last perfect game thrown by NY AL was back in 1999...by David Cone...another former Met. David Wells also threw one for them the year prior so back-to-back perfect games in 1998 & 1999 and a third last night while the Mets are still looking for their first 'clean' no hitter. That would be nice at some point. A perfect game for the Mets? Fuhgeddaboudit!

[SinceThe70s]

6 hours ago, ExWNYer said:

 

@Gugny @Another Fan

 

And in yet another lost Mets season...on a night when their manager gets tossed during a typical 'rinse and repeat' home loss...on a night when their starting pitcher goes only 5 innings once again...on a night when their owner is addressing the media about his overpaid and under-performing squad and his embattled front office...Domingo German of their crosstown rivals tosses only the 24th perfect game in MLB history (and 4th in team history). The yin and yang that is ever present in baseball. Sadly, more often than not, the Mets seem to be the bad which evens out the good. <sigh>

 

In a disappointing year that was supposed to be "all in" and about chasing a World Series title, a perfect game by NY AL feels like salt in the wound. Every time I hear that there was a no hitter (and even more rare, a perfect game) thrown, I think about the lone no-no that the Mets have by Johann Santana and think, "The one we have isn't even legit". Had there been replay back then, the Mets wouldn't even have the one that they do. I don't know how in the world the umps missed that shot down the left field line that clearly hit the chalk, but I digress. Hard to believe that as pitching rich as this franchise has historically been, they only have one no hitter and a questionable one at that. Several fan favorites and team icons have them...Tom Seaver, Doc Gooden, Nolan Ryan...but all with other franchises. And just to bring this full-circle, the last perfect game thrown by NY AL was back in 1999...by David Cone...another former Met. David Wells also threw one for them the year prior so back-to-back perfect games in 1998 & 1999 and a third last night while the Mets are still looking for their first 'clean' no hitter. That would be nice at some point. A perfect game for the Mets? Fuhgeddaboudit!

 

I've had an obsession with a Mets no-hitter that started when my grandfather told me about Jimmy Qualls breaking up Seaver's perfect game. Then in 1972 I remember watching Leron Lee break up Seaver's no-hitter in the 9th. From that point forward I was looking for a no-hitter from the first pitch of the game until it got broken up. 

 

Ironically when Johan got his 'no-hitter' I saw none of it because I was playing softball that night. My brother-in-law was actually at the game - and he was also at the game when the Mets got the combined no-hitter. I only saw the last few batters of that one, can't remember why.

 

When I saw the headline this morning I was nauseated.

 

 

[Another Fan]

Chris Farley or Matt summed up the effect of the Cohen press conference on the team

 

 

 

[SinceThe70s]

 

With every hit that Pham gets the pitching prospect we'll get in a trade for him gets a little bit better.

[Another Fan]

On 6/30/2023 at 9:01 PM, SinceThe70s said:

 

With every hit that Pham gets the pitching prospect we'll get in a trade for him gets a little bit better.

I hear that.

 

IMO it is more advantageous than ever to field young teams.  This is because with the push on analytics young players don’t have much tape on them to scout.  Case in point the Cincinnati Reds this year.  A very talented and high achieving young team.  But I’m still not sure they’ll hold up over 162 games.  

[SinceThe70s]

@Another Fan @ExWNYer @Gugny

 

How you guys living? Hope summer is going well.

 

Fun fact: my summer vacation coincided perfectly win the 6 game winning streak, lol. Lost a few games before we left town and resumed to their losing ways the day we came back.

 

Any thoughts on how to approach the trade deadline? The link below is worth a read- just skip the first three paragraphs. Basic premise is that the juice isn't worth the squeeze wrt being sellers and trying to get prospects back. I think it ignores the opportunity to not start next season with Max and/or Verlander. 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/mets-surrendering-at-trade-deadline-would-just-be-a-waste-of-time/

 

 

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Another Fan @ExWNYer @Gugny

 

How you guys living? Hope summer is going well.

 

Fun fact: my summer vacation coincided perfectly win the 6 game winning streak, lol. Lost a few games before we left town and resumed to their losing ways the day we came back.

 

Any thoughts on how to approach the trade deadline? The link below is worth a read- just skip the first three paragraphs. Basic premise is that the juice isn't worth the squeeze wrt being sellers and trying to get prospects back. I think it ignores the opportunity to not start next season with Max and/or Verlander. 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/mets-surrendering-at-trade-deadline-would-just-be-a-waste-of-time/

 

 

I’m a little torn, but I’m leaning heavily toward standing pat. 
 

Keep playing the young guys and let them get big league reps for the rest of the season. 
 

Hope Verlander and Scherzer can begin next season healthy. 
 

Firing Buck at this point doesn’t seem smart. 
 

I think it’s just one of those seasons.

[ExWNYer]

8 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Another Fan @ExWNYer @Gugny

 

How you guys living? Hope summer is going well.

 

Fun fact: my summer vacation coincided perfectly win the 6 game winning streak, lol. Lost a few games before we left town and resumed to their losing ways the day we came back.

 

Any thoughts on how to approach the trade deadline? The link below is worth a read- just skip the first three paragraphs. Basic premise is that the juice isn't worth the squeeze wrt being sellers and trying to get prospects back. I think it ignores the opportunity to not start next season with Max and/or Verlander. 

 

https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/mets-surrendering-at-trade-deadline-would-just-be-a-waste-of-time/

 

 

 

7 hours ago, Gugny said:

I’m a little torn, but I’m leaning heavily toward standing pat. 
 

Keep playing the young guys and let them get big league reps for the rest of the season. 
 

Hope Verlander and Scherzer can begin next season healthy. 
 

Firing Buck at this point doesn’t seem smart. 
 

I think it’s just one of those seasons.

 

@Another Fan

 

(Disclaimer: Long post...read on at your own peril. Or don't...you might be glad you saved yourselves the time and energy)

 

Hello, Gents. Just noticed that it has been almost 3 weeks since any of us has posted. I have missed our chats ( rants? 😉 ). Win (or mostly) lose, they are therapeutic. Summer has been busy but good so far. It was beautiful here up until about mid-June with low humidity and temps in the low 70s but then someone opened the blast furnace that is a Virginia summer and unleashed the hounds of hell. We are making up for it in spades...hot and humid with temps in the 90s with a decent amount of rain tossed in for good measure. Good times...not. I hate VA summers. Every time I hear some bozo say, "I LOVE the heat!", I want to slap him (or her) into next week...but I digress. Have been catching up with some friends, going to dinners and enjoying good wine, food, and company. We were also in Jamestown visiting relatives for the week of the 4th which coincided with the Mets six game win streak. Made it to Dunkirk for their outstanding fireworks display over the marina and made it up to Niagara Falls with the family, as well. We had some rain and some beautiful days, as well, but all-in-all a great, relaxing visit with almost a week's worth of Met wins. I did not post during that short-lived streak because I didn't want to jinx it and I knew it could just be an anomaly. Sure enough, as soon as I left New York state, they immediately went back to being the SOFM...

 

WRT this Mets squad, I expect them to stand pat...maybe try to add a minor bullpen piece...and hope to get hot down the stretch and sneak into the last Wild Card spot. That does not inspire me and I don't see it happening anyway. This team is just too inconsistent and can't seem to pitch when they hit or hit when they pitch. It is baffling and aggravating but I think the sample size is large enough now to definitively say that this is who they are...yet another in a long, torturous line of bad &/or underachieving Mets teams. At this point, I'd be all for tearing it down to the ground and keeping only the Franciscos, Alonso, Nimmo, & Baty...and even all of them have been less than inspiring except for the young stud Alvarez who has been a godsend; however, I don't believe that Cohen's ego will allow him to let this team tank and he may end up throwing bad money after bad money. He says he wants to use money to make them competitive until they can build a robust farm system like the Dodgers or Braves and then use homegrown talent complemented with the occasional free agent stud. That sounds great in theory but he can't have it both ways. The farm is several years from being robust and they will be caught in this perpetual back-and-forth until they fully commit to a plan and stick to it. They can't be competitive with high salaried players without sacrificing prospects at the deadline to supplement those high salaried players and they can't be competitive by shedding salary and hoarding prospects who are not abundant enough and not MLB ready. It is the purgatory that comes with being a Met fan and it's beyond old at this point. BTW, can they please sit Pete for a game or two? Please?! I know they need him but he is so in his own head right now that it would take a team of psychiatrists to pull him out of there. He's hitting something like .177 for the last month and a half or so and now it's affecting his defense which was not Gold Glove level anyway. Save him from himself.

 

Lastly, I did not watch any of the game last night and saw that they had won, 11-10, against an awful White Sox team. Upon further review, they had a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning...their highest scoring 1st all season...and also had 8-2 (4th inning) and 11-4 (6th inning) leads before barely hanging on for the 11-10 win with the tying and go ahead runs on 2nd & 3rd in the 9th. In a season like last year, that would probably have been an "exciting" win. This year it is just an annoying microcosm of an initially promising season gone steadily south after the first few weeks. Next year...always next year.

 

Apologies for the long-winded post yet again.

 

Cheers.