Category: General

Bloggers Unite For Human Rights On May 15

Shi Tao - Yahoo! I'm in jailImage by King Dumb via Flickr

Every once in a while I diverge from the New York Mets. This is one of those posts. BlogCatalog is coordinating today as an awareness day of human rights issues.

While we’re enjoying the Mets games (usually) there are people in parts of the world that are unable to enjoy the same freedoms that we have in the US. When I was asked to participate in this action I did some reading at the links that BlogCatalog sent to me. I was particularly moved by Shi Tao’s story. Shi is serving a ten year prison sentence in China for divulging state secrets to foreign entities by sending an email. Continue reading “Bloggers Unite For Human Rights On May 15”

Mets Report Comments Now Video Enabled

The Mets Report has added a new feature to the Comments system today allowing users to leave video comments. If you have a webcam and microphone you have the ability to leave your comments in the form of video on The Mets Report. Click to leave a comment on one of my posts and then click “Record Video Comment”. It’s as simple as that.

New Baseball Celebrity Blogger- Paul DePodesta

San Diego PadresImage via Wikipedia

San Diego Padres front office assistant Paul DePodesta is the latest entrant into the blogsphere. DePodesta is the 35 year old, Harvard grad, former GM of the Dodgers. He only lasted about a year and a half as the GM in LA though. He was the one that traded Paul LoDuca to the Marlins at the deadline in 2004.

His blog is called It Might Be Dangerous. It’s always interesting to get a first person view into baseball operations. Check it out.

Video: The Zen of Bobby V Preview

Bobby Valentine is the star of a new documentary film appearing on ESPN2 at 9:00pm on Tuesday May 13th. It looks like Bobby’s living a rock star life in Japan from the clips of the film. I’ll be watching the Mets-Nationals game instead of the film but I have to admit that I’m interested in seeing it at some point.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3391984

Overachiever Ryan Church Carrying Mets

I have to admit that when the New York Mets traded top prospect Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider I was unhappy. I thought this was another one of Omar Minaya’s misguided trades like Heath Bell to the Padres for nothing, or Brian Bannister to the Royals for Ambiorix Burgos. Wow… Have I been wrong!

Ryan Church, and to a lesser degree Brian Schneider, has been much more than the nondescript outfielder that I was expecting. Schneider has been hitting pretty well but without any semblance of power, and he does seem to provide some sense of comfort to the pitching staff. However, the catcher’s influence on a pitching staff is vastly overrated in my opinion.

Church has been a revelation, both in the field and at the plate, for the Mets. He’s currently hitting 34 points above his highest season average in 2005. His OBP is 18 points higher than his career high in 2006. His OPS is 13 points higher than his career high in 2006 as well. Without a doubt, he’s been the most consistent offensive performer for the Mets this season. He’s hit well in every spot in the order that Willie Randolph has put him in. He’s seemingly unaffected by changes that Randolph makes to the lineup. Continue reading “Overachiever Ryan Church Carrying Mets”

Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer

Major League Baseball and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization are joining forces again this season on Mother’s Day. We’ll be seeing pink bats, wrist bands, ribbons on the bases, etc.

Many of us know someone who’s been affected by breast cancer. If you haven’t already checked out the Komen.org website, today’s a good day to do so. Everyone should have charitable causes that are important to them. If you’re not already involved with a charity, get involved with the Komen organization.

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Marlins, Hanley Ramirez Talking Extension

I took this photo on June 5, 2007 06:25, 8 June 2007 . . Chrisjnelson . . 178×311 (111,469 bytes)Image via Wikipedia

Although I usually stick to Mets news, this story will impact the National League East for many years. Fish Stripes is reporting that the Florida Marlins are close to a deal with Hanley Ramirez to extend his contract for an additional six years.

The deal would be the largest financial commitment in team history. That’s amazing considering the Marlins have won two World Series’ in the last eleven years.

The deal is reported to be for six years/$70 million and buys out Ramirez’ first three years of free agency. Hanley must really need the big money now because he’ll probably be making A-Rod type money at some point in his career. He’s definitely giving the Marlins a discount.