Category: General

Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez – Same Injury, Same Agent

Jun. 08, 2010 - Washington, DC, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - epa02192870 Sports agent Scott Boras chats on the phone prior to his client Washington Nationals' pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg making his Major League Baseball debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park, in Washington, DC, USA, 08 June 2010. Boras helped Strasburg sign a record 15 million US dollar contract as the Nationals' top draft choice a year ago, and Boras is also the agent for the Nationals' top choice this year, 17-year-old Bryce Harper.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsOne of the comments on my last post inspired me to write this one so keep the comments coming:

Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez share the same agent and have the same injuries. Here are some interesting facts:

Back in 2000, injuries limited Carlos to only 98 games while with the Kansas City Royals and he lost the starting centerfield job to Johnny Damon, another Scott Boras client. Yes, you guessed it! The injury was a “bruised knee”. In July of that year Carlos refused a rehab assignment in Florida on the advice of Scott Boras. Kansas City management then suspended Carlos for almost a month and when he came back he ended up rehabbing in the minors anyway.

I know this was 10 years ago and should be ancient history but is it?

Back then Carlos’ desire to play for the Royals was questioned by teammates and management alike. These same questions could now be asked again of Beltran and of Perez.

Fast forward to 2009 where Boras has advised Beltran to have surgery on the same knee without consulting the Mets and now another of his clients, Perez, is also out with a similar mysterious right knee injury. Continue reading “Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez – Same Injury, Same Agent”

Lady Gaga At Citi Field

Lady Gaga puts up her middle finger while the New York Mets play San Diego Padres at Citi Field in New York City on June 10, 2010. UPI/John Angelillo Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe paparazzi were out at Citi Field to see Lady Gaga watching the Mets game this afternoon against the Padres. Judging from this picture of her, she wasn’t happy about the Mets losing to the Padres 4-2.

She caught the afternoon game of the doubleheader with Johan Santana pitching. The Mets are going for the win in the rubber game tonight. I can only imagine her reaction if they end up losing the home series to the Padres. She might flip a double bird.

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Support Pitch In For Baseball

Every once in a while I come across a cause that is something that is consistent with my interests that I would like to support. Pitch In For Baseball is one of those causes. And if you’re reading this blog, it’s probably consistent with your interests as well. PIFB is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides gently used baseball equipment to kids around the world that can’t afford baseball equipment.

Here is a description of their organization and their mission from Executive Director David Rhode:

Pitch In For Baseball is the central organization for the collection and redistribution of new and gently used equipment to children in underserved communities both here and around the world.  Since 2005, Pitch In For Baseball (PIFB) has distributed more than 100,000 items to over 250 communities domestically and over 65 countries around the world.  The impact of these donations far exceeds simply placing a glove or ball in a child’s hand.  So many of these kids have nothing and giving the access to the game and a positive activity for their time will pay huge dividends.  We get that feedback on a regular basis and remain committed to continuing to make a difference with children through the games of baseball and softball.

Our new Board President, former Twins All Star Roy Smalley III, is actively recruiting current and former players to join our cause.  To date, some of Roy’s peers who have lent their support include Paul Molitor, Fred Lynn, Bert Blyleven and Sal Bando.  We are a current equipment donation partner of both MLB’s RBI program, Little League International.

There are two ways you can help Pitch In For Baseball: donate equipment and donate money. Even if it’s just a few bucks, everything helps. For the joy that we’ve all received from baseball, give it back to a young person to help them experience that.

Video: Baby Phillies Fan Drinking Beer

They start ’em young in Philly. Check out this grainy video taken from a Phillies-Padres game this week. It’s quick, but the kid appears to be taking a swig from a beer bottle. Nice.

The Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark said the team hasn’t been able to identify the kid or the adults sitting near him.

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The 2010 Homegrown New York Mets

Apr. 27, 2010 - Flushing, NY, USA - April 25, 2010: New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, left, has a laugh with rookie teammate Ike Davis before a rain-filled Major League Baseball game vs. visiting Atlanta Braves at Citi Field in Flushing, NY.

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsSince the 2010 season started, Mets fans have had a soft spot for many of the players on the New York Mets. I have always wondered why the fans have embraced this team so much. Right now the Mets are three games behind the Atlanta Braves for the National League East.

With those numbers many of the fans wouldn’t embrace the team as much as they do. Yet, this team fights. This team cares. Finally it seems like the Mets players care about their fans.

I wondered why, so I did some research and found out that this team is one of the most homegrown teams the Mets have had in a long time.

Take Saturday afternoon for example. The New York Mets starting four in the infield were all homegrown. Ike Davis at first, Rueben Tejada at second, Jose Reyes at shortstop and David Wright at third are all homegrown. All drafted and played through the minors with the Mets. Even pitcher John Niese was homegrown.

That might not seem like that big of a deal. Yet, the last time that had happened was on September 20,1996 when the Mets had Butch Huskey at first, Tim Bogar at second, Rey Ordonez at short and Edgardo Alfonzo at third. The infamous Paul Wilson pitched that day as well. He was homegrown too. Continue reading “The 2010 Homegrown New York Mets”

Mets 2010 Team MVP- First 50 Games

New York Mets Angel Pagan hits a home run in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field in New York

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsThe New York Metropolitans 2010 season is now 50 games old and they have a 25-25 record alongside their name in the standings.

Some Met fans have been disappointed. A .500 record in 50 games just isn’t going to beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

Some Met fans are optimistic. The team has had their struggles and they have some chinks in their armor. Oliver Perez, Mike Jacobs, Gary Matthews Jr, and Jeff Francouer haven’t really turned out like they were supposed to. Injuries to John Maine, Jon Niese, Ryota Igarashi and Carlos Beltran have hurt the Mets this season.

So when looking for a team MVP this season it was really tough to find on. Offensively, the Mets have been struggling. David Wright and Jose Reyes struggled for the first 50 games, although it appears Reyes is climbing out of a slump. Jeff Francouer has struggled as well. Luis Castillo has been banged up and Ike Davis has only played in 36 of those 50 games. Jason Bay got off to a rough start and made a bid for MVP but fell short. Johan Santana has been outstanding, along with Mike Pelfrey but they only play once a week. The bullpen has been good, but again they don’t pitch every day. So I came to a surprising conclusion. Continue reading “Mets 2010 Team MVP- First 50 Games”

Mets 2010 Schedule – Looking Ahead to June

San Diego, Calif. (Apr. 15, 2004) - The San Di...
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With Memorial Day signifying the start of summer, June brings us some interesting match-ups and more interleague play. Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to this month:

The Mets schedule starts the month of June in San Diego. Actually, the Mets are IN San Diego for Memorial Day May 31st. San Diego, being a huge naval base to the Pacific Fleet, is an appropriate choice to spend Memorial Day and a great way for us Mets fans to brush up on our history.

There will be a Midway Memorial Day Tribute at Petco Park as part of a special pregame tribute to the military and the USS Midway as well as a fireworks show after the game. I hope the Padres wear their military themed uniforms. I was always a huge fan of Adrian Gonzalez and always wanted the Mets to get him to play first base. Having Ike Davis, who is also homegrown, means this will never happen. After watching Ike play, I’m glad the Mets never made the attempt. Continue reading “Mets 2010 Schedule – Looking Ahead to June”