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!

Interview: Joe Smith

I found a funny article on Joe Smith with an interview from Billy Wagner. Link

Last Cuts

Reports are that Lastings Milledge and Ambiorix Burgos are the last two players to make the Mets Opening Day roster. Chan Ho Park and Jon Adkins have been sent to the Mets' AAA affiliate New Orleans Zephyrs. Yes, Chan Ho Park did accept he was sent down rather than leaving, which he could have.

The Battle for Number 2

The start of the 2007 Major League season is only 3 days away. Over the course of Spring Training Willie Randolph has frequently batted David Wright in the 2 spot. Last season Paul Lo Duca filled that spot. Everyone has been wondering if Wright will bat in the 2 spot between Reyes and Beltran during the regular season. This spring has not been the most successful for the Mets. The Mets are 11-20 this spring and not playing great to be honest.

David Wright and Paul Lo Duca are completely different players. Wright can hit for contact and power while Lo Duca is more of a singles guy. David Wright is having a much better spring then Lo Duca. In 66 at bats Wright has a .288 batting average, 12 walks, 5 RBI’s, 8 runs, 1 home run, and a stolen base. Lo Duca has been a little under par, he has a .208 batting average, 3 walks, 5 RBI’s, 3 runs, no homeruns or steals in 48 at bats.

But who would be a better hitter for the 2 role. We have already seen what Paul Lo Duca can do thanks to last season. Lo Duca allowed Reyes to run by letting himself get deep into counts in order for Reyes to choose his pitch. He was a singles hitter which is good to be in that position. Wright hits for contact and power to all ends of the field. He was very successful last season in the 5 spot. That spot allowed Wright to have the chance to gain a lot of RBI’s. If Wright was in the 2 spot he would have to be a lot more patient so Reyes could run. I don’t think that is the best thing for a young hitter to have to do. If there is a good pitch early in the count you want that batter to hit it. With Wright there he might not be allowed to do that.

With all this being said, I believe Lo Duca should be in the 2 spot. He was very capable and successful last season so why change a good thing. If Willie Randolph put Lo Duca in the 7 spot and Wright in the 2 spot, Lo Duca would be less valuable in that spot then Wright in the 5. Thus, Wright should be in the 5 spot this season and Lo Duca should remain as the number 2 hitter.

Didn't Happen

Today the Mets optioned outfielder Ben Johnson and infielder Anderson Hernandez to New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and reassigned infielders Ruben Gotay and Mike Carp, catchers Sandy Alomar, Jr. and Mike DiFelice and righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta to minor league camp.

Ben Johnson Anyone?

The chance of Ben Johnson making the opening day 25 man roster is a long shot but still very plausible. He has shown a lot of good things this spring like his power and ability to drive the runner in. This spring Johnson has a .241 batting average but a .328 on base percentage. He has 10 Runs, 5 RBI’s, 2 stolen bases, and 2 homeruns in 54 at bats. Johnson has shown that he can hit, field, and possibly run. But will Ben Johnson make the squad?

The recent hand injury of Lastings Milledge might help his cause. Milledge got hit in the wrist during a game last week, it is not broken, but Milledge has not played in the last couple of games. Milledge and Johnson have very similar stats. They both have 54 at bats with Milledge having a much better average along with more total bases, stolen bases, and less strikeouts. Johnson has more walks and home runs. Both Milledge and Johnson have 5 RBI’s and runs. Johnson is not getting as much consideration as Milledge even though he is putting up very similar numbers.

Johnson is also more valuable coming off the bench. He has shown he is an okay pinch hitter. Willie Randolph would also be more inclined to use Johnson off the bench then Milledge.

I’m not here to say Johnson should be on the opening day roster and Milledge should not. I am just trying to make my case for Johnson. Ben Johnson’s chances are being helped due to the fact that a fifth starter will not be needed until Sunday, April 15. That could help him be a bench player unless Willie Randolph decides to bring another reliever. Personally, I feel that if Ben Johnson is given a shot he will succeed and continue to improve. If Johnson does not start in the Majors this year I guarantee he will be there by the end of the season. Good luck Ben Johnson, I hope you make it.

Milledge loves Rocky

And to think I could not love Lastings Milledge even more. Today I found out Milledge has an obsseision with Rocky. Personally, I love Rocky, with the third one being my favorite. Milledge said, "I've seen every one like 15 or 20 times. Every time it's on, I have to watch it. I don't know why. I'm addicted to them." Link

Power for Wagner

I found an intresing article about Billy Wagner at ESPN. It talks about how he did not always throw so hard. He was 5 foot 3 as a senior in high school throwing in the high 70's. Wagner also played D-III baseball which I did not know.

Intresting Trade

The Florida Marlins today announced that they have acquired right-handed reliever Jorge Julio and cash from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit.

I find this trade very funny. Jorge Julio was a Mets reliver last year and was quite frankly awful. Yusmerio Petit was a former Mets Prospect but was traded during to the Marlins November of 2005.

Stop Complaining Chan Ho Park

Recently, Pitcher Chan Ho Park has been moved to the Bullpen. Over spring training Park was buying for a role as a starter. Yesterday, Park pitched 3 innings with 0 runs and was removed from the game. After the game, the Mets told Park that they wanted him in the bullpen. Park did not take kindly to hearing that. While talking to Steve Popper, Park said,”…they ask me to be a reliever, honestly, I'm unhappy. I'm not happy.” When talking to John Delcos Park said, “When asked if he would seek his release if this was a permanent move, Park said he would have to think about it.” This brings me to my main point; Stop complaining Chan Ho Park!

Park cannot honestly complain. So far this spring Park has pitched 12.1 innings while giving up 9 earned runs, 14 hits, and has a strikeout to walk ratio of about 2/1 which is quite poor. Park was signed late in the off-season for a potential job as the 5th starter. Apparently, he believes he earned the job coming into camp and did not realize the amount of people starting for the job.

The whole thing is very simple. Pelfrey pitched better than park. Pelfrey has had a superb spring with 19 innings pitched, 6 earned runs, and a 2.84 ERA while Park has a 6.57 ERA.

I am just annoyed that Park is complaining. He should be happy to be on the roster with the way he pitched. He should be thanking Burgos and Sosa for pitching even worse than him. Plus, by being on the Roster he is making more money along with the fact he would probably refuse to play in the minors. The only reason Chan Ho Park is being given the shot he is getting is due to his past experience. Last year, Park pitched out of the Bullpen for Korea in the World Baseball Classic and did a good job. Chan Ho Park, stop complaining and just prove to the Mets that you should be a starter. You're a good pitcher, so how hard can it be?

It's Official

Reports are that Willie Randolph told Mike Pelfrey that he was added to the rotation in a meeting after today's game. It's about time! My only question is what about the first two weeks where a 5th starter is not needed?

The Reason Pelfrey is #5

After lasts nights 5 inning 1 run performance Mike Pelfrey is solidifying himself as the Mets fifth starter. Wille Randolph says he has not made his mind about any starters in the rotation. It’s a given that Glavine and Hernandez are in the 1 and 2 slots. John Maine’s continued success provides obvious reason that he is most likely the 3rd starter while Oliver Perez is more than likely to be number 4.

Coming into spring training everyone knew a battle was going to take place for the final spot in the rotation. It could have been any one from Humber, Sele, Park, Vargas, Soler, Sosa, and Pelfrey. It all depended on who would pitch well. As of now the only true contenders in my opinion are Park and Pelfrey. Park is more experienced as a 33 veteran pitching in Korea and in the Major Leagues. Chan Ho has not pitched very well this spring training which is really hurting his chances. Pelfrey has pitched in 14 innings and only giving up 2 Earned Runs. He shows a lot of poise; last night he gave up a lead off double and only gave up one run. In that process he continued to burn hitters in and get outs. In my opinion, Mike Pelfrey will get the job as the 5th starter because of his great spring training. Mike Pelfrey will be a mainstay in the Mets future and I think his success will begin this season.

Article on Milledge and Pelfrey

Over at SNY there is an article on Milledge and Pelfrey titled, "Milledge should start in right; Pelfrey should be in the rotation," Enough said...
I'm glad to see I'm not the only person who wants Milledge to start in Right field.