Mets Announce Gary Carter Uniform Patch

Gary Carter
Gary Carter (Photo credit: AxsDeny)

The Mets sent out a picture on Twitter  of the patch they’ll be wearing this season in memory of  Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter who passed away last week. It’s the second patch the Mets uniforms will have this season. The 2012 uniform will also have a patch celebrating 50 years of the Mets franchise. Of course, much of the team’s marketing this season appears to revolve around the anniversary.

Clearly, the Mets are doing the right thing by honoring Carter. I haven’t talked to anyone that disagrees with that. He was a huge part of one of the Mets most memorable teams in 1986.

The Mets occasionally appear out of touch with Mets fans but on Gary Carter they seem to be doing all the right things. And you have to give them credit for that. I’m the first one to write about the Mets when they’re oblivious to the fans or team history. So I want to make sure that I note that they’ve done the right thing by recognizing the significance that Carter played in the history of the Mets.

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Video: Johan Santana’s Comeback from Shoulder Surgery

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JULY 24: Johan Santana #5...
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Here’s some video from ESPN’s Baseball Tonight on Johan Santana’s comeback from shoulder surgery. Santana threw another bullpen session today and he’s scheduled for another on Thursday, if he feels good.

Today Terry Collins made some comments to the media that he’s hopeful that Santana could be ready for opening day. That would be quite a surprise to everyone. I’d expect to see him around mid-season. It remains to be seen what he’s got left in that shoulder when he does come back though.

Notice the comment by Karl Ravech in the video about people joking that the Mets could lose 100 games this season. Ouch…

Video: Mets David Wright on 2012 Spring Training

New York Mets third baseman David Wright durin...
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David Wright talked to Fox Sports from Port St. Lucie about getting to Florida early and working out with the young guys on the team. It’ll be a shame if the Mets have to let him go at some point in the near future like Jose Reyes. Wright is always so professional with the media and always says the right things. He’s pretty positive even in the face of adversity, maybe to a fault.

I feel like a rebound season is on the horizon for Wright. I think he’ll be the one guy that exceeds expectations this season. I’m not basing that on anything other than a gut feeling and the fact that Wright is starting to come up on the biggest free agent opportunity that he’ll have in his career in the next year or two depending on how the 2013 option plays out.

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2012 Mets Pitchers and Catchers Reporting Date

Johan Santana
Johan Santana (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

The Mets pitchers and catchers have to report to Port St. Lucie by tomorrow and have their physicals on Tuesday. There isn’t a lot of intrigue this year given the team’s dire financial situation. But the one pitcher that everyone will be keeping an eye on is Johan Santana. He missed all of last season recovering from surgery on his left shoulder and there are still major questions about when he can come back. And there are even bigger questions about how effective he’ll be when he does come back. The good news is that Santana only has two years left on his deal with the Mets plus a team option for 2014. I never thought that I’d be counting down the days until Santana’s contract ended.

There are some new faces in the bullpen this year. Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, and Frank Francisco will be the newly acquired back of the bullpen. Tim Byrdak will be back as the lefty specialist. D.J. Carrasco might find himself back in the minors again if he can’t keep it together.  Carrasco might be pitching along side Pedro Beato at Buffalo this season. Beato started hot last season but ended dreadfully. He’s available to send back to the minors now that the Mets got past his Rule 5 season. Continue reading “2012 Mets Pitchers and Catchers Reporting Date”

Video: Mets Johan Santana Back on the Mound

Johan Santana got back to the mound today and threw 25 pitches in Port St. Lucie. As you know, he’s rehabbing from a serious left shoulder surgery and missed all of 2011. He looks like he’s in good shape, as you’d expect from him, and it sounds like he’s encouraged about the bullpen session today with Josh Thole.

Personally, I’m hoping that he can pitch a solid half season this year. Anything more than that will be gravy.

Check out the video below when he spoke reporters after the bullpen session.

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