Open Letter to the Mets

Dear NY Mets,
For the upcoming week, I will be out of town for work and will be deprived of all things Mets. There will be no Gary, Keith, and Ron; no quick peeks at mets.com; no metsblog gossip. Needless to say, it will be a long week for me.

It would be nice if I could come back home to see you managed to get a few wins, maybe even a series or two. A few good pitching performances and a bounceback from the Carlos-es would be a nice addition as well. If Mike Pelfrey gets the start next Friday, I hope the kid gets it together. If the gods of baseball could also assist in giving the Braves & Phillies a few losses, it would be a successful week.

I will admit I will be a little bitter if I watched 3 weeks of lackluster baseball, only to be rewarded by great baseball and no access to it; but worse things could happen. Get me to October guys and I'll hold no grudges.

Thanks for your cooperation! Let's Go Mets!
Steph

*To those who may be reading along, I apologize in advance for a week without any updates. I will get back on track when I return. Have a great week!!

A Breath of Fresh Air

A day away from all things Mets was necessary, maybe even refreshing. What was even better was coming back tonight and seeing the A-Team on the field. The Mets have taken the first game of a series again, but you had to feel good about this one.

The Mets got on the board first and piled the runs on as the night continued. Glavine had a typical Glavine-like outing and even helped his own cause at the plate. The Mets won this game with contributions from 1-9 in the lineup. More importantly, they looked loose, yet energized. They looked like the Mets team who was out there, clicking on all cylinders, and having fun at the same time.

I can't say enough about tonight's game. Reyes played his game, Beltran and Delgado looked much better at the plate, Glavine finally notched 296, they played small ball and long ball, and we were treated to some stellar defensive plays. On a sidenote, I loved every second of Tommy G trying to motor home from 1st base.

One can only hope this is a step in the right direction, but they must keep moving forward tomorrow. The fresh air feels nice.

Enter Words here

I'm not really sure where to start with this one. I don't really have a title for the post or a direction. As a blogger, I suppose this is where my job comes in; to find words for all the moments in a season. Tonight, after a game that all of us knew we needed to win and believed we could win, I'm at a loss for words. Actually, I'm tired of words (but I'll still supply a few).

I listen to the postgame comments and I hear the same thing, night in and night out. The past two nights actions spoke louder than words; players began throwing gloves, hats, and dirt; their faces sulked a bit more; the calm and steady trend of the team began to completely unravel. I think it's okay to see some anger in this team, and do not believe it's a bad thing. Human nature is to get frustrated when things go wrong for any prolonged period of time, be it in life or on a baseball diamond. For Willie Randolph to play it off like they are just plugging along and fighting through this, while he "turns the other cheek" to the frustrated gestures, is getting a little absurd. I still do not think he needs to go in there and flip tables, but I am a little tired of the robot routine. To say these guys are not frustrated or angry at this point is to go almost as far as saying they are superhuman. I do not have the answer to how Willie gets this team back on track and that is fair enough. I don't make the money to do his job, therefore I'm not going to act like I know how to solve the puzzle. All I know is that I am a little relieved to see some signs of frustration from this team from those who are out there doing the fighting.

I still have faith this team is going to shake this. I don't believe in the "this may be the real 07 Mets" as some people are starting to think. This team is still better than that when they put together a complete game. Those have just been very few and far between these days. I cannot lie, I'm frustrated and a little distressed of late with this team. Fortunately we're Mets fans, and those of us who bleed the blue and orange know we should be bred to see the glass half-full. Keep the faith Mets fans! Ya Gotta Believe...it's all gonna be alright.

Go Away June

Okay, first off I'd like to thank the Mets for taking a night off to participate in a Minnesota baseball clinic. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to decide for myself that highlights and cy young's are a pretty good indicator of one's ability. Thank you for letting the Twins remind me what small ball looks like. Honorable mention goes to the concept of terrible defense = embarrassing night.

A night after everything went right, everything went wrong. I know this team is "staying calm" and remaining on the same page by providing the media with replica quotes. The bottom line is, they got absolutely shut down by Santana and the Twins. Santana pitched a complete game shut-out on 92 pitches. It's okay though...we hit the ball hard.

I know the Mets have faced a lot of great pitchers during this skid, which has not helped their cause. But this team needs to find a way to beat these guys, because if this is any indicator how the Mets will fair in October (should they get there), I may need a blindfold. I still have not started to panic, as we are still in first and there is still a lot of baseball to be played. I am frustrated though, as frustrated as D.Wright was as he chucked his glove into the dugout. The Mets need to win tonight; they need A-game Ollie Perez; they need to win a series; they need July to come quick...

or maybe that's just what I need.

Maine: The Way Life Should Be

Knowing that John Maine is on the mound makes me as calm as I'll ever be with a Mets starter on the mound. Yes, there are times when he can give up 3 straight home runs, or look less than extraordinary, but for the most part John Maine is as cool and calm as they come. This kid never gets to up, never gets to down, and always sees room for improvement. He has struggled a bit since his amazing April, but tonight he was fantastic. He held down the Twins and then the bats broke free. For once, everything worked tonight.

Due to the rout this game turned into in the late innings, John Maine may get lost in the numbers. Offensively, the Mets finally broke loose and got a win. Beltran and Delgado both got past first base, and LoDuca reminded us what a clutch hit looked like. There was some help for the unlikely in Ricky Ledee and solid defensively play all around. They hit the ball, they made the catches, the bullpen was strong, and Maine held a lead. All that equates to an all-around solid win. Again, it means nothing if we don't come out strong tomorrow. Santana will be a tough task, but the Mets can crack him if they ride this wave.

But for tonight, thanks for reminding us of how life in Queens should be.

10 years already...

10 years ago interleague play began it's run and I find it hard to believe it's been that long already. 10 years ago puts me at a young 13 years old, riding in a car, on my way home from Long Island. On the radio, WFAN is pumping the car. The Mets were facing the Yankees for the first time and New York was crazy. We had been dreaming of this day for a very long time, but Yankee fans could not have dreamed of the outcome.

A less than fabulous Mets squad came into that series, completely out-hyped by the defending World Champion Yankees. But the Mets would go out and Dave Mlicki, another Mets pitcher who never quite made it, pitched the game of his life. He pitched a complete game shut out, while the Mets went on to beat the Yankees and Andy Pettitte, 6-0 at Yankee Stadium.

I still remember how excited I was as a kid in the car to hear we beat them. I can only imagine how Yankee fans tried to wrap their brains around what had happened. But if Dave Mlicki wanted something to be remembered by in a career with few bright spots, he had that with this game. So when people chuckle at my Dave Mlicki autograph among the few others I've acquired, I let them laugh. Over the years the Yankees have dominated most of the subway series matchups, but every time I see that picture, it's a nice reminder that on that first day, we had the last laugh.

You can check an an old article of Mlicki's account of that day here. Hopefully Glavine can tune into a little bit of history today...

So That's What A "W" Feels Like

An off day and a win; exactly what I needed to curb the negative vibes. Truth is, we were all getting a little edgy and needed some sort of a break. I was a little uncertain coming into the Yankees series as to how they would respond. Thankfully, they put together a much better effort than in the previous days.

Ollie Perez. I don't care if he was effectively wild, or pitching with his eyes closed. He got the job done. When this kid is on, he is without a doubt one of my favorites. And I will admit I was not a believer after game 7. But almost nothing makes me more excited than the leap of the foul line now. So well done Oliver and keep it going.

Speed kills and that's what the Mets weapon of choice. Between Reyes and Gomez, and even Wright, they ran circles around Roger Clemens. If we can get some of this lineup into a groove, these guys can definitely pull out some wins. I am losing my patience with Beltran and Delgado. I know both are veteran players, but neither have been doing anything to contribute offensively to this ballclub. To make matters worse, I haven't even seen them answering any of the bazillion questions from the media. But when Willie makes a different lineup and moves both of them, they both have some complaint how they would prefer their regular spot. See, here's where I have a problem. Just because you're a veteran means nothing to me if you are not doing your job. So stick a sock in it Carlos-es and produce. Maybe then I'll consider your complaints. A Golden sombrero is not a step in the right direction.

Last but not least, Roger Clemens. This guy will go down as one of the most talented pitchers of his time in baseball, probably of all-time. As a man, I do not like Roger. It started with the broken bat incident seven years ago. It has boiled over to his multiple attempts at retirement and has come to a head with the Roger Clemens Family Plan contract. I think such a deal is worthless and to pay a man to pitch every 5th day, whoever he is, and give him the opportunity to come and go whenever he wants is bad for baseball. Baseball is still a game in which 25 guys go out each and every night to win a game. Becoming a great one gets you a ticket to Cooperstown and a spot in the record books, but not one of kind treatment if you are playing next to your peers. Respect is one thing, personal exceptions are another.

The Mets made no exceptions last night. They gave Roger his first L of the season and scratched out a win. They're going to need a little more umph in their bats to keep it going but I, personally, feel a lot better after last night's game. There was some life in the Mets that we had not seen in the past week and they held the lead. High five to the bullpen last night; the "tag team" shut down the big guys and Wagner gets the 1-2-3 save. So thanks for the reminder last night guys, but it doesn't mean anything if go back to your old ways.

Mental Health Day

I was all prepared for a post today, but I'm going to save it for now. I need a mental health day; a day away from the Mets and all things baseball. I suggest you do the same. I have listened to far too many Mets fans ready to jump off the ledge, especially the last three days. I can admit to being your prototypical glass half-empty person, but I believe in the Mets. I believe someday I'll be able to watch this team win a World Series, pitch a no-hitter, and all the other things I've been eluded as a fan. The Mets have played terrible baseball the past few days, but when David says it's a test of their character, that rings true for us as well. So when things get bad, take a mental health day. Tomorrow we need a refreshed crowd, especially if I have to stare at Roger Clemens for 6 innings.

Wanted: Team Leader

Thanks goes out to mets.com for making my job easy today and providing a blog-worthy picture. The June swoon has taken over, but this picture makes me laugh. It even was appropriate for my thoughts of the day. I couldn't even think about posting when I first woke up. I still didn't really have anything to say that I haven't already been through once, twice, or ten times. After some thought and recollecting on some post-game quotes, I have something to say.

I like Willie Randolph. I think he's a good manager, but he's still working out the kinks. There are times I question some of his decisions, but he gets paid the mediocre bucks (in baseball terms) to do the job, not me. Last night I held my eyelids open after a snore of an effort by the Mets and listened to Willie, LoDuca and Wright weigh in on the skid. Every single one of them had a different opinion. Willie comes from the land of "Tomorrow we find a way to win. It's an early season test." Okay Willie, if tomorrow we find a way to win, this has been one very long today. Paulie, who I would anticipate to be the one to fire his team up, still mumbles how this happens to everyone, it happened last year and they will break out of it. While across the clubhouse, David Wright told reporters this is more than a slump and they all need to step up and do something, including himself. Hmmm, seems to me like we have a standard case of "not on the same page."

Willie is supposed to be the beacon of light for this squad and right not I do not agree with his even-keel attitude. If I saw just a little bit of fire in him, I may believe that he is relaying that onto his players. Besides the manager, someone on that team needs to step up and say enough is enough guys. I'm not a big believer in a team captain for a baseball team, as guys take turns in a long season to carry the load. But when things are looking down for your team, someone has to take the wheel and help guide the ship the better days.

I am a big David Wright fan. I think the guy is a good ballplayer, but not a great one...yet. He's good for the game and the fans love him to no end in New York. As if he needed more of an upside, it turns out he truly is a good person and somehow is still a down to earth guy. Above any one player, I love this team; so I try to stay away from tooting his horn here, as he has his downright awful days too. Last night, he said what I wanted to hear from someone. He admitted this was more than just a little slump. He challenged his team to step up. Apparently he is the only one who has watched the highlights of their games and wondered who the hell is running around in Mets uniforms. He even went so far as to take blame and say he needs to step it up as well. This coming from the hottest bat in the lineup right now.

D.Wright is only 24 years old, and with the "veterans" around him there should be others showing signs of agitation. I do not expect him to be the one to have to motivate this team with only 2 full seasons behind him. Then again, he seems to have some experience of first-time slumps, as his April will show. Despite his personal scuffle, he showed poise and determination in finding his way back. Now he is finally stepping forward and saying what we've all been thinking, despite the fact that maybe it is overreacting and a bit premature. Maybe that's why he's so easy to like, as what he says is a bit easier to relate to than Willie-speak. So while we all try to be patient and wait for the turnaround, maybe we can rest our hope on #5 to be our superman.

Keep Your Chin Up, Mets Fans

I really have not had the appropriate words to sum up the past few days in Mets land, and to be quite honest, I find a little bit of humor in searching for pictures to relay my feelings. I see Carlos Gomez shriveled up on the warning track and I think "Well this is kind of awkward." Then I look at El Duque and I can't help but think, "Yeah man, you're not the only one who wants to hide behind their leg." It's been a tough ride the past week or so. It's important to still see some light in things.

There are Mets fans coast to coast who are in total panic mode right now. I am not in the dark, this is serious business. The Mets are playing less than stellar baseball. But good teams are not guaranteed to coast along. If the Mets can turn around from this, and I firmly believe they will, they will be a better team because of it. The Mets came into the season as the team to beat in the National League, regardless of what Jimmy Rollins had to say about it. That means every single team is going to bring their A-game against us. They are gunning for us and want to take us down. So when we're not playing well, combined with a little extra incentive from the other dugout, we get what we have witnessed in recent days.

I've said it elsewhere, this team is far too good to stay this way. They'll break out of it. As a long-time fan, I would rather be slumping with this team than struggling in the days of Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar. Things are going to be okay. There are many who were quick to jump up and down when the team is 7 games up in first place, and those who will say "they never doubted the team" when they break out of this funk. The fairweathers stick out like a sore thumb. Your team needs your support now more than ever. We're all frustrated, but put the negativity away. Or at least hide it behind El Duque's leg.

Time to Stop the Bleeding

Take a look at the expression on Jose's face. That is just about what I looked like after today's game, crawling in the dirt and all.

Okay yes, maybe that's a little extreme. But today wore me down. Everyone has a bad week and expects a little sympathy. Wednesday and Thursday I was full of sympathy and understanding. Today I looked on at the end of a pathetic week. This team had their one bad week free pass and now they need to right the ship (by now, I mean tomorrow).

I understand this month's schedule is not for the weak at heart, but I also believe that to be the best, you have to beat the best. The American League is stacked with teams that are much stronger than the National League, and if this Mets team is going to hang with the best of them in October they will look back in hindsight and appreciate this stretch. I do not agree with the Yankees playing the Pirates or the Phillies playing the Royals, and all the other hokey interleague matchups that will take place this week. That my friends at MLB, is incredibly unfair. But excuses only go so far and you must work with the hand you are dealt. Hence, the Mets need to find a way to win these games.

Enter tired, whining fan here. I'm tired of seeing the Mets have a lead in almost every game this week, only to blow it and break my heart almost every single day. I do not like 6 games in 7 days and only 1 win. I do not like sitting on eggshells when everyone who's name is proceeded by P is on the field. I do not want to hear about Moises Alou's calves anymore. I want Tom Glavine to win a game, not to get closer to 300, but to WIN A GAME. I do not want to read about laughter in the shower after a week like this. I'm absolutely horrified at Carlos Beltran's ugly strikeout swing. I don't want to see runners left on base every single inning. Seeing so many seagulls on a baseball diamond is disgusting. I want to enjoy D.Wright hitting 4 home runs in 4 games. I want someone else to pick up some of the load on this team so he doesn't get back spasms again. I want to win when we score 7 runs on back to back days. I want to stop whining...

The offense is not to blame during this Tigers series. Hats off to the Tigers for capitalizing on every single pitch the Mets threw this weekend. The Tigers are an incredible team and have a scary lineup. I do not have the answer for our pitching, but something has to give. Go play kickball in the park together, tap into the psyche of Jorge Sosa, have a 'pen bonding lunch in L.A., start growing your hair back immediately; these are just a few suggestions. I will be okay though. I grew up as a young Mets fan throughout the 1990's. I have seen bleak days and will not panic. I just needed to vent. I mean we all have bad weeks, and it's nothing that a couple wins won't fix.

10 Things I Learned at Shea

Apologies for no posts this past week. I was in NYC and was able to catch Wednesday night game against the Phils. For living out of the area, I've been fortunate to see quite a few games at Shea the past two seasons. This last trip was a little different. It was an enlightening night (tongue in cheek here) to say the least. I share with you the 10 things I learned Wednesday evening.
1. When David Newhan has a double and a webgem, you are in for a long night.
2. If you get the chance to sit in the Picnic Area before Shea closes, do not pass it up.
3. Paul LoDuca is soooo slow.
4. Carlos Delgado is even slower.
5. I guarantee that David Wright will hit a HR every single game AFTER the one I was at. Grr.
6. A trivia question regarding Moises Alou's favorite vacation spot in not funny right now.
7. Chanting "EN-DY CHAVEZ!" doesn't work like the Jose chant.
8. Tengo un centurion negro. Professor Reyes never gets old.
9. Jimmy Rollins loves playing the Mets.
10. Mr. Met makes me feel like a 5 year old and I love it.

No Need to Panic

This past week was gut check time for Mets fans. "Rookie" fans were ready to press the panic button, while long-time fans know the latest skid is nothing to get nervous about. The Mets suffered 4 straight losses, dropping 2 straight series which included the sweep courtesy of Philadelphia. Next up is the tough stretch of schedule against six of last year's playoff teams. It doesn't get any easier for New York, that is certain.

The Mets rolled into Detroit last night and looked like a completely different team. Reality is this year the Mets have looked terrible at home. I've only been to 5 games at home this year, but it is not due to lack of excitement. Shea has been full and rocking until the likes of Jimmy Rollins suck the life right out of the place. The Mets need to step up their game when they're within the walls of Shea, but with a little bit of scuffle, the best medicine may be to get this team on the road.

Last night Jorge Sosa was brilliant and completely shut down Detroit's potent offense. Strong performances from David Wright and Carlos Delgado put the runs on the board, while some fine defensive plays from Carlos Gomez and the infield sealed the deal. This team is capable of beating the quality teams in the American League and they may fair better than some expect during this next stretch. Today Oliver Perez will face Jeremy Bonderman, which if Ollie brings the A-game, this could be a phenomenal game to watch. Kick your feet up and enjoy, this is the best baseball can offer.

Here Comes the Heat...

The Mets wrapped up the month of May by winning another series, this time against the Giants, to hold their lead to 4.5 games ahead of the second place Atlanta Braves. With the conclusion of last night's game we flip the calendar to June. June looks to be a true test of this team's ability. These Mets are a strong team and they'll need to show it for the majority of June. The month begins with the D'Backs this weekend, who come into New York playing great baseball as of late. Next week the Phillies return to Shea and the Mets will return the favor at the tail-end of the month. In between the Philly sandwich is a stretch of series' against every playoff team from the AL last season. This chunk of games includes the Tigers, Twins, Athletics, Yankees, and what the hell, throw in the Dodgers from the NL.

The Mets need to bring their A-game this month and make a statement against these teams. As long as the Mets keep winning each series and plugging along, hopefully they will be able to maintain and add to their division lead. It's imperative for the Mets to get their outfield healthy and keep their arms strong. The injury bug has been plaguing New York as of late, but as the summer heats up we'll look for the lineup to return to "normal." One thing is for certain, we'll be treated to some high-caliber baseball this month. Enjoy!