Mets 1986 Shadow

FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 27:  The New York Mets celebrate after winning game 7 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Shea Stadium on October 27, 1986 in Flushing, New York. The Mets won the series 4-3.  (Photo by T.G. Higgins/Getty Images)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsAmidst a terrible roadtrip the ’86 Mets, who seem to cast a bigger shadow each season, were outspoken again. This time the whistle blower was Bobby Ojeda. “Bobby O” was once a far cry from the lighthearted commentator you can watch on the SNY pre/post game. In 1986, the former Red Sox starter was a rough around the edges pitcher and arguably the best of a staff of aces. One of his teammates joined the nudging when Darryl Strawberry, for the second time this year, had something to say about the latest installment of disappointing baseball. The last team to win a championship in Queens has been consistently vocal about the Mets’ clubs and their shortcomings. The arrogant and noisy ’86ers won with their ability to talk and back it up on the field. Their brash , no nonsense, say what I want attitude has continued to show up years since they have retired. It must be said however, that there is something about their blunt and impulsive action that still inspires New Yorkers. The shadow only grows with Jerry Manuel’s Mets skidding and Wally Backman hit and running teams to death with the Brooklyn Cyclones. Here are some verbal lashings from the ’86 Champs directed at Mets’ clubs.

Keith Hernandez – 2002

Dubbed by The Seattle Times as “Keith Hernandez VS Mike Piazza” the two traded verbal blows when the disappointing club looked asleep at the wheel. Hernandez, who’s job it was and is still to analyze, might have gone overboard with his quote “The club has no heart; The Mets quit a long time ago. Bobby Valentine could’ve chewed this team out in June when this stuff started creeping in”. Piazza, angered by the comment, shot back with “He’s just trying to make a name at our expense” he continued to add “like he’s a judge of character, who quit or didn’t quit?” Keith stood by his comments but admitted he could have found a better way to put it. Continue reading “Mets 1986 Shadow”

Cardinals 8 – Mets 7 July 28, 2010

New York Mets starting pitcher Johan Santana throws a pitch to the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning of their MLB National League baseball game in New York, July 28, 2010. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsIt took a great comeback to get into the game but the Mets ended up losing it in 13 innings. Johan Santana had one of the worst starts of his career giving up 6 runs on 8 hits… In the first inning! He gathered himself to go 5.2 innings but the damage was severe.

The Mets bullpen did a great job including Francisco Rodriguez throwing 2 scoreless innings. He did have a little trouble, as usual, giving up a hit and a walk but managed to work out of it.

The Mets offense was pretty solid with 13 hits and 5 walks in the game. Jose Reyes and David Wright had 3 hits apiece. Angel Pagan and Carlos Beltran both had home runs in the nice comeback. Ike Davis had a big 2 RBI pinch hit in the eighth inning that tied the game and would eventually send it to extras.

Pedro Feliciano gave it up to Albert Pujols in the 13th to lose it. That’s a terrible match up for Feliciano but they didn’t have much choice left in the bullpen. Oliver Perez was about all they had left and that’s a bad match up against anyone.

The Mets and Cardinals are even at 1 apiece in the series. They’ll play an early one at noon tomorrow in the rubber game.

Box score

Preview: Cardinals at Mets July 28, 2010

St. Louis Cardinals (55-45) at New York Mets (51-49) 7:10pm

Jaime Garcia (9-4 2.21) vs Johan Santana (8-5 2.79)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets would be in great shape if they never had to leave Citi Field. They’re 31-16 at home now. Let’s hope that home cooking continues tonight. Santana is 6-3 with a 2.81 ERA at home this year. Garcia hasn’t pitched as well on the road as he does at home (.248 BAA vs. .221 at home). But he did pitch a nice game against the Phillies in his last start going 7 innings and only allowing 1 run.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

Mets 8 – Cardinals 2 July 27, 2010

New York Mets' Jeff Francoeur (C) celebrates his two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins with team-mates during the fourth inning of inter-league MLB baseball action at Citi Field in New York June 27, 2010. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsI was at the game last night so I got home too late to work on the game recap. Here’s the box score of the game for you. Big three-run homer from Jeff Francoeur and another nice start from Jon Niese were the stories of the game. Not to mention that the Mets continue their winning ways after home after getting beaten to a pulp on the west coast.

Here’s the post-game audio.

Jon Niese post-game

Jerry Manuel post-game

Carlos Beltran post-game

Preview: Cardinals at Mets July 27, 2010

St. Louis Cardinals (55-44) at New York Mets (50-48) 7:10pm

Adam Wainwright (14-5 1.94) vs Jon Niese (6-4 3.54)

TV: SNY   Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Cardinals come to town after losing two of three to the Cubs. But they’ve been hot over the last couple of weeks, winning eight in a row at one point. Garcia is having an incredible rookie season but he did get hit hard by the Dodgers two starts ago. Niese has pitched really well despite the Mets losing the last three games he started. The team scored a combined four runs in those three games behind him.

Don’t forget to visit The Mets Report Facebook page during the game to chat with other Mets fans! Connect with The Mets Report on Twitter too.

2010 Mets – We Believe in Comebacks!

New York Mets Omar Minaya reacts while sitting upstairs in a game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field in New York City on July 30, 2009. The Mets defeated the Rockies 7-0. (UPI Photo/John Angelillo) Photo via Newscom

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsDo you? Because I don’t buy it at all.

You can recycle that ad campaign for next year because it doesn’t look like the Mets will be coming back this year. The season is starting to slip away fast and this will be the third year in a row that the Mets, who again have one of the highest payrolls and the some of the best talent in the league, will just choke it all away.

On my very first article for the Mets Report I predicted that the Mets were no better than a 4th place team. The Mets are now ½ game out of fourth and it looks like my prediction may come true.

Despite the fact that I didn’t predict the wonderful additions of Ike Davis and Angel Pagan as true everyday players, which should have made them wild card contenders this year, I did get the feeling that with Omar Minaya in charge the Mets would make an early run and then drop out of the race yet again. Continue reading “2010 Mets – We Believe in Comebacks!”