Month: April 2009

Mets Over Marlins 8-4 April 11, 2009

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Javascripts/PisV3.jshttp://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/javascripts/DataV3.ashx?ImageId=838127&PublisherId=1326MLB: FEB 26 Spring Training - Marlins at Mets

There are really two stories in this game: Livan Hernandez pitched really well, and Luis Castillo had a great game. Hernandez went 6.2 innings giving up 2 runs. What a performance from the fifth starter! This spot in the rotation was supposed to be a contest but Hernandez locked it up pretty early this spring. He continued to show that he’s still got something left in the tank.

Luis Castillo went 4 for 4 with 3 runs and 1 RBI. He took early batting practice with Jerry Manuel before the game and it really paid off. He should’ve been 5 for 5 but had a bunt hit taken away by the scorer who ruled it a sacrifice.

The Mets still left 15 runners on base but the offense looked much better than it has the last few days. Carlos Beltran had 4 LOB himself.

The Mets go to 3-2 on the season and go again with the Marlins tomorrow at 1:10 pm.

Box score

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Mets Designate Marlon Anderson For Assignment

MIAMI - MARCH 31: Marlon Anderson #9 of the Ne...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Livan Hernandez joined the Mets roster today and Marlon Anderson was designated for assignment. It wasn’t a surprise for anyone. The speculation has been going on for weeks. Anderson can either accept an assignment to Triple-A Buffalo or become a free agent.

Anderson has been very successful since 2005 as a part-time player and pinch hitter. He got off to a bad start with the Dodgers in 2007 and was released in July of that year. The Mets picked him up the next day as a free agent and signed him to a 2-year deal after the season.

The Mets stand to eat $1.1 million on Anderson’s guaranteed contract.

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Game Preview: Mets At Marlins [Game 4] April 11, 2009

Florida Marlins logoNew York Mets (2-2 Road: 2-2) vs. Florida Marlins (4-0 Home: 4-0) 6:25 pm

Livan Hernandez (0-0 0.00) vs. Ricky Nolasco (1-0 7.50)

TV: SNY Radio:  WFAN

What to watch: Remember that the game won’t be televised until 7:05 pm because of Fox restrictions. In Nolasco’s first start against the Nationals he went 6 innings giving up 5 earned runs but got the win. This is Hernandez’ first start as a Met. At the time of this post we still don’t know who the Mets are leaving off the roster to make room for Hernandez. Everyone assumes it will be Marlon Anderson but we’re waiting for official word.

Visit The Mets Report Live Game Chat during the game to chat with other Mets fans.

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Sheffield To Start Against Padres

PORT ST LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Manager Jerr...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Mets manager Jerry Manuel told reporters before last night’s game that Gary Sheffield likely won’t get a start in the outfield until Wednesday at home against the Padres. Manuel had been planning on starting Sheffield on Sunday against the Marlins.

The Mets have been working Sheffield in the outfield before each game getting him ready to play defensively. He hasn’t played the outfield regularly since 2005. There have even been reports that Sheffield believes that he needs to lose weight to be an effective outfielder.

The Mets don’t need to rush Sheffield because Ryan Church is hitting the cover off the ball so far this season. Through the first four games he’s hitting .533/ .588/ .733.

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Mets-Marlins April 11, 2009 Game Time Change

Flo RidaThe saga of the game time for tonight’s Mets-Marlins game continues. Originally, the game was scheduled for 7:10 pm but it was changed to 6:10 pm to accomodate a concert by Flo Rida. Now we’re hearing that the game is changed to 6:25 pm.

Most likely the latest change is due to television restrictions by Fox. They have exclusive rights to broadcast MLB games on Saturdays until 7:05 pm. So the Mets and Marlins can’t broadcast the beginning of the game. We’ll have to huddle around our radios like it’s the 1940’s. At least we’ll only miss the first 40 minutes before SNY begins airing the game.

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Citi Field- Harrah’s Casino Sponsorship Deal

Harrah's CasinoThe Mets are breaking a major taboo in professional sports by signing a sponsorship deal with Harrah’s Entertainment, better known as Harrah’s Casinos. The deal makes Harrah’s a Signature Partner at Citi Field. They’ll have an exclusive Caesar’s branded club space and a heavy presence throughout the stadium.

This just goes to show how desperate times have become to attract marketing dollars that the Mets would engage in such a deal with a gambling company. Gambling and professional sports mixing has to be a major concern for Major League Baseball Commisioner Bud Selig.

It wasn’t that long ago that Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were banned from baseball for taking jobs at casinos doing personal appearances. That was 1983 when commissioner Bowie Kuhn banned them. They were later reinstated by commissioner Peter Ueberroth but the gambling taboo remained. Of course, who could forget the Chicago White Sox being paid by gamblers to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds?

From The Biz of Baseball:

Fans throughout the season will experience a variety of programming from offers to Harrah’s owned casinos in Atlantic City to themed nights that bring simulate the experience of being at Harrah’s and Caesars to the New York Metropolitan area. On opening night April 13 at Citi Field, the Caesars Club will welcome baseball fans by hosting a DJ, providing fans with a commemorative gift, along with providing opportunities to take photos with iconic Caesars personalities.

Harrah’s has also signed on as the exclusive Casino partner for prominent in-venue signage at Citi Field, including presence atop Citi Field’s left field roof, first and third base rotationals, and identification throughout the concourses.

Harrah’s promotional rights extend to the Mets’ minor league affiliates at Tradition Field (Port St. Lucie, Fla., home of Mets Spring Training and the St. Lucie Mets) and KeySpan Park (Coney Island, N.Y., home of the Brooklyn Cyclones).

It’s incredible to me that the Mets would become this desperate to attract revenue. Maybe building a 42,000 seat stadium wasn’t such a good idea. If they had more gate revenue they wouldn’t have to stoop to this level.

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