Tag: New York Mets

Packing My Bags For Florida

I’m on my way to Florida for the road opener in Miami. It’s amazing how easy it was to get field level seats. $28/each to sit right behind the Mets bullpen. If I get there early enough I’ll get to see Johan Santana warming up right in front of me!

I’ve been looking at the weather for Monday and it’s calling for the usual south Florida mix of sun/clouds/rain. It would be the ultimate disappointment to have opening day rained out. I’ll keep checking the weather websites for continual updates. At this point, I should probably even put them into my browser’s favorites.

It’s a far cry from getting seats to the opener at Shea Stadium. The Mets only offer that game as part of a seven game package at minimum. Certainly, the Florida Marlins team is a far cry from the Mets. I’m wondering, after Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, how many of their players that I’ll even recognize. There’s no more Dontrell Willis or Miguel Cabrera to see. The Marlins sent Cameron Maybain down to preserve another year without arbitration even though he’s one of the best young players in the organization. It’s a shady move, but I guess the Marlins have that luxury if they know they’re going nowhere this season.

I’ve never been to Dolphins Stadium before either. I’m thinking that it’s nothing special… The typical multi-purpose stadium built more for football than baseball. The Marlins have been talking about moving out of there for years. But I’m sure that it’s nicer than Shea Stadium. It’s only been in use since 1987. I’ll find out when I drive down Dan Marino Boulevard into the parking lot.

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The best part about seeing the opening day game: I’m guaranteed to see Johan Santana’s first game as a Met! Santana’s presence here could transform the franchise the way Mike Piazza did when he arrived in a trade with the Marlins ten years ago. The next six or more years will be remembered as the Johan Santana years without a doubt.

I’ll be sure to take some pictures and post them on the site as soon as possible. If anyone else will be in Miami this week give me a shout. I’d love to hear from you.

Billy Wagner: Headed For Trouble?

Source: WikipediaI’ve read several media reports that Billy Wagner signed a deal to do a weekly call-in radio interview with 1050 AM ESPN-Radio. There are many players that would be a good spokesman for the Mets but Billy’s not one of them.

It’s guaranteed that Billy’s notoriously big mouth will get him into trouble at some point this season. He’s always quick to call out his teammates and this radio deal gives him a soap box to cause trouble.

Billy’s best seen and not heard. I love having him close for the Mets, he’s one of the best in the game at a difficult job. The radio gig is a recipe for disaster though.

Roster Moves: Gotay, Register, and Hernandez

The Mets announced that Ruben Gotay was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Steve Register was returned to the Colorado Rockies and Anderson Hernandez was assigned to Triple-A.

I’m sorry to see Gotay go and Fernando Tatis make the team. I think the Mets will regret that move as the season goes on. Apparently, the Braves felt that Gotay would make the major league team since he’s out of options.