Injuries and Call ups

El Duque was recently placed on the DL bursitis in his right shoulder and Jose Valentin is also headed to the DL with an ACL problem. The call ups are Chan Ho Park for tonight, then probably Jorge Sosa with his 1.13 era will get the next few starts to replace Hernandez. Ruben Gotay with his .256 batting average in AAA is reportedly being sent up to the majors instead of Anderson Hernadez to replace Valentin.

Wright, Zimmerman, and Upton

If you did not know, David Wright played with BJ Upton (Devil Rays) and Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals) throughout his little league and AAU career. Wright and Upton were roommates on a traveling Amateur Athletic Union team, the Virginia Blasters, that also included Ryan Zimmerman. AAU News has more on the trio.

Bad News for Milledge

Omar Minaya told reporters after last night's game that Lasting Milledge will be out four to six weeks with sprained ligaments in his right foot. On thursday I wrote about if Carlos Gomez will now have a better chance of getting the call up now that Gomez is injured. I am absolutly crushed.

Standings

The New Orleans Zephrys (AAA) are in first place in the Pacific Coast League American South division with a record of 12-8.

The Binghampton Mets (AA) are in sixth/last place in the Eastern League Northern Division with a terrible record of 3-11.

The Port St. Lucie Mets (A) are in a three way tie for first place in the Flordia State League East division with a record of 10-8.

The Savannah Sand Gnats (A) South Atlantic League Southern Division are in seventh place with a record of 4-15.

Josh Thole

Josh Thole is playing on the A Savannah Sand Gnats. In 13 games this season for the Gnats, Thole is batting .359 with an on base percentage of .468. He has 6 runs and 3 rbis. Thole is 20 years old at 6 foot 1 weighing 190 pounds. He throws righthanded but bats lefthanded and is from Breese, Illinois. Thole is hitting very solidly, lets see if he can keep it up...

Prospect Updates:

(AAA)
2b Ruben Gotay has a .243 batting average along with 13 strikesouts, 2 homeruns, 11 runs and 12 rbis in 20 games.

ss/2b Anderson Hernandez continues to struggle with the bat. He has 18 strikeouts with a .224 batting average in 20 games.

OF Ben Johnson is still injured. In the 7 games that he played, he had a .238 average with just 2 rbis.

(AA)
1b Mike Carp is batting .250 with 3 rbis and 18 Strikeouts in 13 games.

OF Fernando Martinez is batting .213 with 2 rbis and a home run in 12 games.

P Kevin Mulvey, first pick of the 2006 draft for the Mets is pitching very poorly. In 4 games, Mulvey has a 6.06 era with 11 earned runs and 19 hits in 16.1 innings pitched.

(A St. Lucie)
P Deolis Guerra has a 2.18 era in 4 games with a win and a loss. He has 5 earned runs with 16 hits and 3 walks to 12 strikeouts in 20.2 innings and is still 18 years old.

P Jonathan Niese is 1-1 with a 2.50 era. He has allowed 5 earned runs with 18 hits over 18 innings.

(A Savannah)
C Francisco Pena is batting .278 with 0 rbis, 0 home runs, 4 runs, 1 double, and 11 strikeouts with 3 walks.

The Brooklyn Cyclones (A) and Kingsport Mets (R) both open their season on June 19.

Gomez's chances over Milledge

Carlos Gomez is having a pretty good season thus far in AAA New Orleans. He has a .299 batting average with 13 runs, 7 rbis and 9 stolen bases in 20 games. 6 foot 4 Carlos Gomez is 21 years old weighing 195 and is from the Dominican Republic. He is considered faster Jose Reyes with his long strides and in spring training Reyes and Gomez would race; Gomez would win the majority of the times.

Today, Lastings Milledge was placed on the DL. 22 year old Milledge is slightly older than Gomez, but has a lot more experience playing in the Minors since 2003. These two players could make the future Mets Outfield incredibly fast and solid defensively. The only problem is where someone that is faster than Jose Reyes bat would. Reyes in mind will continue to bat leadoff. I could not really see Gomez as a two hitter so he would be late in the lineup.

Does Gomez now have a better shot to get the call up now that Milledge is injured? No. Unless Milledge is out for an extensive period of time he will be the next outfielder called up. The Mets outfield is also playing sensational right now. Green and Alou are hitting better than expected which could delay Milledge’s call up and possibly Gomez. Also, Fernando Martinez is expected to arrive in the majors in a couple of years. He is playing AA Binghamton but is only batting .213 with 2 rbis and a home run in 12 games.

Pelfrey Headlines

There has been a bundle of Articles on Mike Pelfrey since he had that terrible start yesterday against the Rockies. Michael Morrissey at the New York Post along with David Lennon from the Hartford Courant talks about how bad pelfrey got rocked yesterday. John Rowe at The Record writes how Pelfrey is on thin Ice while Bill Madden at the New York Daily News sexplains that Willie Randolph will go another outing with Pelfrey and why.

Milledge On the DL

Lastings Milledge was placed on the minor-league disabled list today due to a strained ligament in his right foot. Milledge was batting .333 (13-for-39) with a double, home run and five RBI in 11 games at AAA New Orleans. Milledge flew back to New York and had further tests, including an MRI, on Wednesday.

The Compotation: Pelfrey, Humber, Vargas

In today’s start against the Rockies, Mike Pelfrey could simply not find the strike zone. He pitched 3 innings, giving up 8 hits, and 6 runs. Pelfrey said, "I didn't execute my pitches. When I missed, I missed over the plate, and they made me pay." In 3 games this season Pelfrey is 0-2 with a 7.90 era. He has given up 12 earned runs with 20 hits in 13.2 innings along with 7 walks to 6 strikeouts. So why should 23 year old Mike Pelfrey stay in the Majors if he continues to pitch poorly. In every start he has gotten worse going less innings and increasing by 2 more runs.

Did everyone forget that there is another first round draft pick in AAA who is actually pitching well. His name is Phillip Humber and he was the Mets first round draft pick in the 2004 draft. 24 year old Humber has not lived up to his potential at this point because he has had constant arm injuries. This season Humber is playing with AAA New Orleans. In 4 games, Humber is 2-1 with an era of 3. He has given up 7 earned runs with 16 hits, along with a 6 walks to 17 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. Humber was named the Pacific Coast League player of the week for April 16-22. Humber has shown he is capable of pitching in the majors by his dominance in AAA thus far this season.

Jason Vargas has also had success this season in AAA. Lefty Jason Vargas was acquired from the Florida Marlins along with LHP Adam Bostick in exchange for RHP Henry Owens and RHP Matt Lindstrom. Vargas is 2-1 with a 3.42 era in 4 games. He has 9 earned runs with 22 hits along with 5 walks to 19 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. The Mets really did not give Vargas much of chance to make the team in spring training with pitchers like Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa, and Mike Pelfrey as the main contenders. It doesn’t matter much right now because 24 years old Vargas is pitching very well right now.

Phillip Humber and Jason Vargas are both pitching pretty evenly for the Zephyrs. Both Humber and Vargas are extremely similar in era, strikeouts, walks, earned runs, hits, and innings pitched with the same amount of wins, losses, and games started.

But who will the Mets call up if they send Pelfrey back down. It is hard to say because Humber has so much potential, but Vargas also has potential to become a solid lefty pitcher. The New York Mets have a hard task to first decide the fate of Mike Pelfrey. He has only had 3 starts but they have been gradually getting worse. Pelfrey says his bullpen sessions are going well but during the game things change. Pelfrey had this to say about today’s start. “I don’t know if I missed a spot in the bullpen. I felt great. Then I get across the lines and, you know, maybe when I step across the lines the adrenaline kicks in and I’m trying to do too much, and instead of backing off and letting my ability take care of itself.” If the Mets do decide to replace Pelfrey it will be very interesting and exciting to decide who they choose. Personally, I feel the Mets organization likes Humber more than Vargas and will end up choosing Humber over Vargas if they decide to send Pelfrey down. But hey, they might not even send pelfrey down.

Rookie under Pressure

Anthony DiComo at MLB.com wrote and article about Joe Smith getting his first major league win. Smith said, "They're showing more confidence in me every day. Every once in a while, I start shaking, but that's just nerves of the situation. Every time, I feel more confident."

Remember, Smith was drafted in the 2006 draft, and only played in A Short Season. Now, smith is dominating with his sidearm delivery in the big leagues. I profiled Joe Smith and his journey to the Majors on April 2, the day after his first Major League start.

Injury

Lastings Milledge missed last night’s game in New Orelans with a bruised right foot. He has been sent to New York to have the injury examined by a team doctor.

Article:

David Lennon at Newsday writes about why Scott Schoeneweis was stayed in the game and Steve Popper at The Record talks about the shaky bulpen, and Ian Begley at the Daily News writes about Shawn Greens costly error.

Small recap

(AAA) Jorge Sosa is 2-0 with an 0.95 ERA in three starts for Triple-A New Orleans. (AA) 1B Mike Carp doubled twice on Saturday, extending his hitting streak to five game while (A) Francisco Pena was 3–for-4.

Lastings Milledge Tear

Adam Rubin writes about how Lastings Milledge is tearing it up in AAA. "He’s been on a tear ever since. Milledge extended his hitting streak to six games with the Zephyrs. He was a combined 9-for-13 with a homer, four RBI and four steals during a four-game series against Memphis."

I am very glad to see this out of Lastings Milledge. The only problem is Shawn Green is hitting which is delaying the time until Milledge is back in the big leagues. Lastings Milledge showed it in spring training and is showing it now in AAA, that he can hit. He isnt playing in the Majors because Shawn Green is hitting right now with a .338 batting average, 10 rbi's, and 3 home runs. It will be intresting to see how long this will last. This is very difficult for me becuause I am such a strong Lastings Milledge fan. I want Shawn Green to play well, so the Mets win, but I want Lastings Milledge to be the starting right fielder, but then Green has to play poorly. What am I supposed to think?

Article:

Ted Berg at SNY writes about Lastings Milledge and how he is hitting again. He also says how different Milledge is from Victor "Miny Manny" Diaz. "I should have realized that Milledge is and always has been a much bigger prospect than Diaz, and though his attitude has been questioned, his drive has not. Milledge rebounded from his early slump with a huge game today, going 4-for-4 against the Memphis Redbirds -- the Cardinals' affiliate -- in New Orleans. He homered in the effort, stole two bases, and scored three runs. "

News:

Carlos Gomez was on this weeks Hot List from Baseball America. Baseball America had this to say about Gomez, "No sense in waiting until the second half this year. The precocious Gomez is hitting .375/.405/.575 and leads the PCL with six doubles and six triples."

This would be very intresting if Gomez continued to hit like this. Gomez is 21 years old. This could hurt Lastings Milledge chances if this kid continues to play like this. Remember, Gomez is faster than Reyes, and Jose Reyes had 64 stolen bases last year. Since being demoted, Milledge is 1 for 11 with 5 strikeouts in AAA New Orleans. Hopefully it's just rust because he sat on the bench with the Mets for 2 weeks and only recieved 2 at bats. I will have more on Gomez and the effect it will have on Milledge tommorow.

Also, Ben Johnson sprained his throwing shoulder diving for a ball on Thursday and was placed on the DL. He is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. In case you have yet to hear.

Article:

When Carlos Gomez made the leap from low-A Hagerstown to Double-A Binghamton to open the 2006 season, the center fielder initially struggled, hitting .205 in April and .219 in May before catching fire.

Gomez has not experienced a similarly sluggish start upon arriving at Triple-A New Orleans. The 21-year-old speedster has recorded hits in the Zephyrs’ first eight games and is tied for the Pacific Coast League lead with five steals. He’s hitting .357 and already has four doubles and a triple in 28 at-bats.

"That’s the good thing about him, he makes adjustments,” New Orleans manager Ken Oberkfell said. “What is he, 21? He’s going to make mistakes. But he makes adjustments. It’s been eight games, but he’s been great.”

When Gomez races Jose Reyes during the winter in the Dominican Republic, he wins the 50-yard dashes seven out of 10 times. Gomez has stolen a combined 105 bases the past two years, and is again on a torrid pace this season.

“He’s getting good jumps and he’s got great speed,” Oberkfell said. “And we’re aggressive. We want him to run. He picks his spots and he’s not afraid.”

With Gomez in center, flanked by Lastings Milledge and Ben Johnson, the Mets have perhaps Triple-A’s best outfield. However, Johnson injured his throwing shoulder diving for a ball in Memphis on Thursday and was placed on the DL with a sprained shoulder that figures to sideline him for a few weeks.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/

Article:

Mets.com has an intresting story about Joe Smith in New York City. NEW YORK -- For the most part, Joe Smith is enjoying his first month as a big leaguer. He fits in well in the clubhouse -- his primary residence is under the wing of Aaron Sele -- he's pitching well and is being given innings of significance to work. He's making more -- $370,000 -- than most people who were attending college this time last year, and most of his "firsts" have been positive.

Mets win 3-2

Tonight I witnessed the Mets beating the Nationals 3-2. Pelfrey was responsible for the Nationals' two runs, both of which came in the second inning. He lasted 5 2/3 innings, walking four and allowing six hits. Jose Reyes scored runs in both the first and sixth innings against John Patterson. Julio Franco provided a run-scoring, pinch-hit single in the seventh inning that produced the decisive run.

It was a fun game, pretty cold. I had good seats right along the third base line. I got to the game pretty early and heckled the crap out of Nats Starter John Patterson. I almost made him throw a pitch away in warmups. During the entire game Moises Alou had his hand in his pants. I hope it was to keep warm, but it was very funny.

Articles: Jose Reyes

Vic Ziegel at The Daily News has a nice piece on Jose Reyes and the Mets ability to run. While Jeremy Cothran at The Star Ledger writes about how Jose Reyes continues to stay hot.

Mets vs. Nats

I will be attending tonights Mets game against the Washington Nationals. Mike Pelfrey is getting his first start of the season against John Patterson. Should be fun and cold...

Glavine and Moyer Connections

Degrees of separation: Glavine and Moyer never have been teammates. Of course, they are linked by other players, most notably Greg Maddux, who broke in with the Cubs less than three months after Moyer did and who was Glavine's teammate with the Braves for 10 seasons, from 1993-2002.

Forty-two other players have played with both Glavine and Moyer.

Mets long man Aaron Sele and Phillies third baseman Wes Helms are the most recent additions to the list. Each became linked last week. The first players to play with Glavine and Moyer were Kevin Blankenship and Jody Davis, who were involved in the same trade Sept. 29, 1988. Blankenship played most of the season with Glavine and the Braves. After the trade to the Cubs, he had one at-bat (Oct. 1). But Davis' first at-bat with the Braves came the previous day.

Links II: Neither Glavine nor Moyer has been accused of being a hard thrower. In that regard, each is linked to Eddie Lopat, the left-handed pitcher who made his mark, softly, with the White Sox and Yankees in the '40s and '50s. He was known as "The Junkman."

The shortest link between Lopat and Glavine includes two other players. One of them, not surprisingly, is Phil Niekro, Glavine's Braves teammate in 1987. Niekro had played with Johnny Blanchard, the old Yankees catcher, in 1965 with the Milwaukee Braves. And Blanchard had played with Lopat in 1955 with the Yankees.

The shortest link connecting Lopat and Moyer also involves a Hall of Famer: Brooks Robinson. Lopat and Robinson played with the Orioles in 1955, Lopat's final season. The link wasn't made for 42 years. But in 1997, Dennis Martinez pitched for the Mariners and with Moyer. Martinez's rookie season, with the Orioles, was 1976. Robinson was in the 22nd year of his 23-year career in '76.
Mets.com

Last Day Lastings

The Mets will soon activate Mike Pelfrey as he is scheduled to pitch tommorow against the Nationals. This will mean that Lastings Milledge will be sent down to AAA New Orleans. The New York Post, Newark Star Ledger, New York Daily News, and Newsday have more on the immediate future of Lastings Milledge. Milledge has just two at-bats this season.

C'mon Perez

The Mets lost 5-2 last night with an awful outing from starter Oliver Perez. In last weeks outing against the Braves, Perez allowed one run, five hits and no walks in seven innings. Yesterday Perez was not anything close to that. Perez went 2 2/3 innings while giving up 1 hit, 3 runs and 7 walks. That about sums it up right there, 7 walks. Your not going to win if you do that. The only highlight of the game was David Wright continuing his hit streak which is now at 20 games (starting last season).

How Good is He!

Fernando Martinez homered, tripled and walked Tuesday in his second game for AA Binghamton. 18 year old Martinez is 5-for-8 through two games.

Kelvin Mulvey on the other hand was not so great. In his first start for the Binghamton Mets (AA), Mulvey didn't make it out of the 2nd, giving up 7 earned runs and 4 hits. He also walked 4, while striking out 1 and allowing a homer. His ERA is a solid 47.25. Mulvey was the Mets first pick in the 2nd round of the 2006 draft. So far, no good. I'm not loving Mulvey. I did not really think much of him and spring training, but he's young so lets see what hes got.

Hidalgo and Rocker

Bob Herzog at Newsday, writes about, former Met, Richard Hidalgo signing a deal with the Long Island Ducks to join, also former Met, Edgardo Alfonso:

The former Met connection continues for the Ducks. Outfielder Richard Hidalgo was signed yesterday. He'll join infielder Edgardo Alfonzo, signed in February, in what should be a potent lineup for the independent Atlantic League team on Long Island.

There are two reasons why I am posting this; one the Long Island Ducks are in the same league as my favorite independent league team, the Bridgeport Bluefish (whose manager is Tommy John) and former Brave John Rocker was on the Ducks last season. As of now, the Long Island Ducks roster is not updated , so I am not sure if Rocker is still on the team.

Article:

Bob Herzog at Newsday writes about how the young Met starters thrill pitching coach Rick Peterson. "What we had was a major gap of untapped potential and we had guys who were totally committed to wanting to gap that potential for themselves. It was important to know whether Maine and Perez gained wisdom or just experience from the postseason. There's a big difference between wisdom and experience. We weren't going to know that until mid-March. But they went about their business all spring and we knew."

While Jeremy Cothran at the Star Ledger writes about the new confidence and ability by young pitcher Oliver Perez. Rick Peterson had this to say; "When he came here his delivery was a mess. It's solid right now. And he's worked incredibly hard, his bullpens have been solid."

At the New York Post, Mark Hale writes about how Carlos Delgado helped John Maine during mondays Home Opener. John Maine had this to say when Delgado came to the mound, "It was just, he says I was flying open and it was something that I see more often now but sometimes I don't,and he's got a good viewpoint and he was just like, 'Stay closed,' because that's the way I'm more effective, instead of flying open and the ball is going all over the place."

AA Debut

Mets prospect Fernando Martinez went 3-for-4 in his Double-A debut on Monday. How exciting!

Deolis Guerra

The Mets signed Deolis Guerra from Venezuela on July 11, 2005. He was regarded as the top prospect from Venezuela from the 2005 set of players eligible to sign. In 2006, Guerra was successful enough at Hagerstown to earn a promotion to St. Lucie as a 17-year-old. He is said to have good fastball velocity, depth to his breaking ball along with the confidence to use it, and the ability to be consistent. Guerra’s fastball was up to 94-95 mph in minor league camp, which is an increase of four-to-five miles an hour from where he was last season. He also worked hard on his curveball during the offseason, which lagged behind his fastball and changeup. Guerra is being compared to fellow prospect Fernando Martinez. Both prospects are about the same age, Martinez 18 and Guerra 17. They both are expected to become very good baseball players. Guerra is currently playing for St. Lucie (A). He pitched last thursday going five innings with no walks, 5 strike outs, and 2 hits.

Milledge in Trouble

Lastings Milledge has yet to start a game this season. On Sunday, Willie Randolph told reporters that Mike Pelfrey will re-join the Mets on Friday to start against the Nationals, bumping Orlando Hernandez to Saturday. This most likely means that Lastings Milledge will be sent down to AAA (New Orleans).

Is this a good thing? I believe for the time being it is the right decision and a good thing for the Mets. Shawn Green has been red hot so far this season. In 27 at bats, Green has a .370 batting average and a .452 on base percentage. Green also has 5 runs, 4 RBIs, and a home run. Thus Milledge is not needed with the way Green is hitting and is hitless in a whopping 2 at bats this season.

I would rather see Milledge getting to start in AAA then watching him ride bench in the Majors. Remember, Milledge just turned 22 and is still very young and underdeveloped. Milledge needs at bats right now and with Green hitting the way he is I don’t blame Willie Randolph for not playing Milledge. When Green cools down or goes into a slump, look for Milledge to be right back to the Majors. Let’s just hope Milledge doesn’t take the News to hard. My estimated month that Lastings Milledge will become the starting right fielder is August due to the length of time that Willie will use until the switch is made.

Article:

Over at The Record, Bob Klapisch writes about the difficulty of the NL East this year, asking questions like ,"With a 5-1 start, how much of a threat are the Braves, really?"

Maybe Chan Ho Park

Chan Ho Park and Jorge Sosa both pitched six scoreless innings while starting games in a doubleheader for Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday.

Park allowed two hits, walked one and struck out six. Sosa allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five. The two appear to be battling to be the first pitcher called up by the Mets. Park will be the next option if Pelfrey does not pitch well when called up.

Tired Heilman

Mets.com reports that Heilman says he's tired. Aaron Heilman was, in his own words, "unavailable" and "emergency-use only." Heilman threw41 pitches in the Mets' Sunday afternoon game in Atlanta, far more than he usually throws. He was summoned in the seventh inning when the Mets needed one out, and he pitched the eighth when the Braves scored the tying and decisive runs in their 3-2 victory. Nothing really to worry about, he threw alot of pitches for a reliver. He just needs a couple of days off.

Minor Report

Baseball America recently rated the Mets Minor League Organization rank of 13. Last year, the Mets were ranked 28. It rose so greatly due to players such as Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra.

Domination

The Mets dominated the Braves tonight in a battle of the undefeateds. So far this season the Mets have been absolutly dominate. Jose Reyes drove in four runs with two triples and a single, and Oliver Perez allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. In four games, Mets starters have allowed just three runs over 27 innings. Joe Smith got an inning of work. If you have yet to see Smiths slider, see it. It is nasty.

Tomorow should be a great game. Tom Glavine vs. John Smoltz in a battle of future hall of famers. The game will be nationaly telivised on FOX at a 3:55 first pitch.

Solid Start for Guerra

Mets pitching prospects Deolis Guerra who is considered the equivilent of Fernando Martinez pitched very well last night for (A) Saint Lucie.

Guerra, who is only 17 years old pitched five solid innings for the St. Lucie Mets, he had no walks, 5 strike outs, and only 2 hits. Guerra has great stuff. He throws about 95/96 mph and has a good changeup. I will have a full bio of Guerra in the near future.

Minor League Ball

This year MLIB.com (Minor League Baseball) will be broadcasting more than 6000 minor league games via internet radio. This is great for all you minor league lovers and now it will be even easier to watch/hear progress in young players.

AAA Starts Tonight

Tonight the Mets are off, but their Triple-A affiliate the New Orleans Zephyrs will be opening their season against the Nashville Sounds at 8 pm. Prospect Philip Humber will start for the Zephyrs. The game will be telivised on SNY.

Preview:

Toby Hyde at Mets Minor League Report breaksdown who will be playing where in the Mets minor leagues.

Zephyrs Open Thursday

Kevin Maney from the New Orleans Zephyrs previews the Mets new Triple-A affiliate.

The New Orleans Zephyrs have announced their Opening Day roster. The 2007 edition includes pitcher Chan Ho Park, catcher Sandy Alomar and former Zephyrs infielder Jason Alfaro. Park, a right-handed pitcher, has played 13 seasons in the big leagues, most notable with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1994-2001. He has won a combined 113 games as a major league pitcher. Park joins the Mets organization after pitching the last two seasons for the San Diego Padres.

Alomar is a six-time All-Star at the major league level. In his rookie season in 1990, Alomar was the American League Rookie of the Year and won a Gold Glove award as a member of the Cleveland Indians. Alomar has played parts of 18 seasons in the major leagues. 2007 will be his first year in the Mets organization.

Alfaro played for the Zephyrs in 2003 and 2004 while a member of the Houston Astros organization. In 2004 Alfaro played in 126 games for the Zephyrs, batting .325 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI. Alfaro's 151 hits that year ranks him 5th all-time in Zephyrs history for hits in a single season.

Opening Day for the Zephyrs is this Thursday at Nashville. The starting pitcher for the Zephyrs will be RHP Philip Humber. Link

Looper to Start Tonight

Braden Looper is scheduled to make his first career start tonight against the Mets. Looper is quoted as saying, "It's my first start. It's against the club I was with before I came here and, on top of that, they're one of the best teams in the National League. I'll have to face one of the best lineups in the National League and those are the kinds of games you want to be in. The reason you play is the challenge, the competitive nature of it." Something tells me that tonight, Looper is goin to get shelled....Just a feeling.

Article:

Jerry Crasnick over at ESPN wrote an article about how the Mets exact a bit of revenge on Cardinals. It talks about how some of the Mets dealt with being at there as the Cardnals were embraced as World Champions.

Prospect Info

I found an article on all the major Mets prospects of each league. Link

Fun Fact

Here is something intresting: Mets Bullpen Catcher, Dave Racaniello, was on the same team as Orioles Ace, Erik Bedard, when they won the Junior College World Championship with Norwalk Community College.

The Joe Smith Journey

23 year old Joe Smith had his major league debut in last nights opener against the cardnals. In last nights game Smith came in the 8th and gave up a hit, a walk, and struck out one. He threw 8 of his 12 pitches for strikes. Joe Smith has had some journey to get to this point.

Smith was born and grew up in Cincinati, Ohio. He went to Amerlia High School and recieved three varsity letters. Smith might have been a better high school basketball player than baseball player in high school. Smith averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. During the baseball season, Smith had arm surgery, in his senior year, which made him sit out the entire season.

Joe Smith enrolled at Wright State without a scholarship and was cut from the team as a freshman. He came back as a sophmore with a sidearm delivery and was 6-5 with a 1.53 ERA and 22 saves in 80 games during his college career. As a junior, Smith was named the Horizon League Pitcher of the year and earned All-Mideast Regional Second Team with a leading 13 saves while striking out 63 batters and walking just 16.

Smith was selected by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2006 First Year Player Draft. He began his professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones (A) of the New York-Penn League. He pitched very wll allowing just a run over a stretch of 19 innings. He also had a league leading 9 saves. Smith was named one of the top 20 prospects in the New York-Penn League by Baseball America. Smith was promoted to the Binghamton Mets (AA) of the Eastern League pn August 1 and has not looked back since. I'm expecting big things from you Joe Smith.

New York Magazine on David Wright

In this week’s issue of New York magazine, on newsstands today and online at http://nymag.com/news/features/30019/, contributing editor David Amsden profiles the NY Mets’ third-baseman David Wright. With his dimples and packageable fifties charm, Wright is emerging as a heartthrob to rival Derek Jeter—the women want to marry him, the men…also want to marry him. How can his teammates stand it?

David Wright on women:
“I don’t want to put them in the same category as drugs, but women can be a … a distraction. I have to remember, baseball is the reason I have my apartment, baseball is the reason I’m on the cover of video games—baseball is what I do. I’m not saying I don’t ever … I mean, I go on dates, but I’ll just never let something like that become as important as the game. Not right now, at least.”

Mets’ catcher Paul Lo Duca on Wright:
“He thinks every woman in the world is in love with him, so we give him some shit, keep his feet on the earth. I tell him that if he was a garbageman, not a single woman would notice him. [Mets’ pitcher Tom] Glavine always says, ‘When I was your age, every woman loved me too. It’s not you, it’s the uniform on your back.’ ”

Wright on decorating his new $6 million Flatiron district loft:
“Since I have literally just about no taste and no understanding of what colors go with what, I hired an interior decorator,” Wright says one day over lunch, his tone somewhat embarrassed. “Basically, I told her I wanted it to be the ultimate bachelor pad. We’ve butted heads a few times—she wants more color, I’m into the grays and blacks—but it’s been a pretty smooth experience.”

Wright on Derek Jeter:
“He’s offered me some great advice. He just says to remember who you were when you started playing and don’t change. It sounds simple, but it’s not. You wear the uniform, you’re under a microscope. He has his social life, but he’s also someone kids look up to. That’s a hard balance. I’m very conscious of what it means to wear the jersey, but at the same time, I’m a 24-year-old who likes to do what any normal 24-year-old does.”

Wright on how many flat-screens he has:
“A lot. I was at the ESPN Zone—you know it? In Times Square ? Anyway, I based my media room on how they do their TVs. I’ve got five in there so I can watch every football game.”

Wright on living in NYC:
“Just living here, I feel like I’ve become more cultured. The museums, the people. In Virginia , where I grew up, it was a very conservative town. Just take the food in New York . I don’t know if I’d ever had sushi before I came here, but in New York, every other place is a sushi restaurant….I drive a lot faster and more aggressively whenever I’m back home. And people will sometimes call me out for slipping in the New York accent. And talking too fast. People back home say I talk too fast now.”

Thanks to Lauren Starke of New York Magazine for the article...

Happy Passover

Happy passover to David Newhan, Shawn Green, and Scott Schoenweis.

Opening Night!

It is here, Opening Night. The Mets face the Cards at 8 tonight. Glavine vs. Carpenter. I cant believe its actually here. Get ready for a fun season!