I am back at the Ihalani for like the 12th time. I now have enough Marriott points to buy a Sony Blu-Ray surround sound system with wireless speakers, but I will probably end up listening to my wife and blowing it on a vacation to the new JW Marriott that they are building two miles from my house. That pretty much sums up my life in a broad stroke. "We don't even have to board the dogs!" Yes, I know, honey, we don't have to board the dogs. Sigh.
The estimable proprietors of this here resort have seen fit to honor me with an ocean view room. This is the best room I've ever had here. I can see the main lagoon and parts of the other ones, plus the pool. If only it was a tad lower, the better to gawk at the wahine, but I shouldn't complain. Maybe I'll go to WalMart and buy some cheap binoculars.
I am still getting over my colorectal whatsis surgery, which still hurts like a mother when certain waste products pass through it. I took the remaining Vicodin from my surgical prescription with me just in case, but I haven't taken any. I'm thinking of going down to Waikiki and seeing what the tourists will pay me for it (and then buying some really good binoculars, perhaps).
Tomorrow my colleague and I undertake the task of loading the world's most confusing software on the control system out here. I'm scheduled for a week, but I am secretly hoping it takes longer now that I am in this room. Whoops! Missed a step, have to start all over! Damn!
Maybe I will post some more. Maybe not. Refresh often! Or don't!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, November 14, 2008
THAT CAN'T BE GOOD
I knew we were in an economic crisis, but I had no idea it was affecting the sun! Does this mean we can forget about global warming now?
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
ANOTHER DAY ON THE ROCK
I'm writing in here only because it's too early to go to bed. I'm in Hawaii, and there is nothing on television. All the college football games are over, the ALCS Game 6 is done, and regular TV on Oceanic Time Warner Cable (are we all on a giant houseboat or something?) is hopeless. There is this one show worth watching called "Wahine Blue", on the Ocean Network, which consists almost entirely of footage of young local girls surfing, but it's not on right now. And I can only watch it so much, if you know what I mean.
I think I'll head over to Hulu and watch a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". In glorious Lo-Def, with constant buffering because of my crappy Internet connection. I love this job!
I think I'll head over to Hulu and watch a few episodes of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". In glorious Lo-Def, with constant buffering because of my crappy Internet connection. I love this job!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A.B.B. 20
I think I have that right. It's been a while since I did an A.B.B., and not much has happened...har! It's about two hours before I have to go to bed, and I have nothing else to do, so let's have a look at the race. Wow, 20 days. Freaking unbelievable.
BARACK OBAMA
I think he's gonna win. I will probably blow it for him by publishing this, but he's successfully navigated the Scylla, Charybdis, and whatever the third debate can be compared to (the Santa Maria?), and he didn't start foaming at the mouth or chanting Koran verses, so he's the man to beat. Everybody in the media is trotting out the Bradley Effect, which was specious to begin with, and saying that white people will get the willies when they hit the voting booth, but I'm not buying it. I sure didn't get even one willy (willie?), and trust me, I am very, very white - almost ghostly. I can't believe he's ahead in Ohio AND Florida, and he might even have a shot in West By Gosh Virginia ("Almost Heavin'") , as my friend and former Mountaineer Stater Ziggy liked to say.
JOHN MCCAIN
Poor John. He's not a bad guy, and he's got a great sense of humor, but events have overtaken him. He was revealed as the incompetent leader he is when he a) picked Sarah "The Moose Whisperer" Palin as his running mate, and b) called a time-out (and ducked David Letterman) when the banking system tanked. Either or perhaps both of those choices will go down in history, like Michael Dukakis' snoopy helmet, as the turning point in what might have been a winning effort. I'm sorry, John. Go back to the Senate, and keep up that maverick spirit. And stay out of the Arizona sun, for crying out loud, you with the 47 melanomas.
Sarah, my dear, you should go back to Alaska and not come back until you're fully baked.
There you have it. Barring an October/very early November surprise (and you know the GOP will try their damnedest), that's it for A.B.B. I'll be back on November 5th, or whenever the Republican lawyers give up the fight (God forbid), to proclaim who the Anybody is.
BARACK OBAMA
I think he's gonna win. I will probably blow it for him by publishing this, but he's successfully navigated the Scylla, Charybdis, and whatever the third debate can be compared to (the Santa Maria?), and he didn't start foaming at the mouth or chanting Koran verses, so he's the man to beat. Everybody in the media is trotting out the Bradley Effect, which was specious to begin with, and saying that white people will get the willies when they hit the voting booth, but I'm not buying it. I sure didn't get even one willy (willie?), and trust me, I am very, very white - almost ghostly. I can't believe he's ahead in Ohio AND Florida, and he might even have a shot in West By Gosh Virginia ("Almost Heavin'") , as my friend and former Mountaineer Stater Ziggy liked to say.
JOHN MCCAIN
Poor John. He's not a bad guy, and he's got a great sense of humor, but events have overtaken him. He was revealed as the incompetent leader he is when he a) picked Sarah "The Moose Whisperer" Palin as his running mate, and b) called a time-out (and ducked David Letterman) when the banking system tanked. Either or perhaps both of those choices will go down in history, like Michael Dukakis' snoopy helmet, as the turning point in what might have been a winning effort. I'm sorry, John. Go back to the Senate, and keep up that maverick spirit. And stay out of the Arizona sun, for crying out loud, you with the 47 melanomas.
Sarah, my dear, you should go back to Alaska and not come back until you're fully baked.
There you have it. Barring an October/very early November surprise (and you know the GOP will try their damnedest), that's it for A.B.B. I'll be back on November 5th, or whenever the Republican lawyers give up the fight (God forbid), to proclaim who the Anybody is.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
THE FRANCHISE
Texas actually sent me my absentee ballot. I take back every nasty thing I ever said about them. Except for the part about George W. Bush and Karla Faye Tucker, and anything Clayton Williams ever said. And the fact that they are overrun with stinking Aggies. But other than that, they're OK in my book.
I have voted. So don't blame me.
I have voted. So don't blame me.
Monday, October 13, 2008
HEY, IT'S WORKING
So, I didn't fail the test, obviously. I'm glad I gave up trying to chronicle the Mets' inevitable collapse, although the real reason I abruptly stopped blogging was that my domain name was discovered by a certain other person that I live with. I have dropped the domain name, and we're flying with the slash now, baby.
Yes, that means NO ONE will ever find this little journal, but that's cool. I don't intend to ever add much to it. It'll be pretty much back to normal, where entries will come when you least expect them, or want them. And since you won't be reading them anyway, what difference does it make?
See you (probably) never. Man, Russell Martin looks so much like Turtle.
Yes, that means NO ONE will ever find this little journal, but that's cool. I don't intend to ever add much to it. It'll be pretty much back to normal, where entries will come when you least expect them, or want them. And since you won't be reading them anyway, what difference does it make?
See you (probably) never. Man, Russell Martin looks so much like Turtle.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
CAN ANYONE HERE CLOSE THIS GAME?
I just got back from work, and I'm sitting in the hotel lounge while my room is being cleaned. I almost escaped at about 1:45 pm, but I kept getting sucked back in, and missed today's entire game. I see that the Mets won, but only because they happened to be playing the wretched Padres.
Chase Headley started the scoring in the 2nd with his second homer in as many at-bats, this one off Johan. You'll recall the last one was off Eddie "Never-ever-allowed-a-homer-oh-never mind" Kunz. The Mets scratched across a couple of tallies in the 4th on RBI singles by Danny Murphy and Nick Evans. The lead was extended to 3-1 in the 6th on an Evans sac fly scoring Murphy.
The Padres got one of those annoying, foreshadowing, ticky-tack runs in the 8th off Santana, Duaner Sanchez, and Pedro Feliciano. Actually, it should have been much worse, but Joe Smith relieved Feliciano and got a huge double play ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff to keep it to only one run.
Scottie Schoeneweis started the 9th, apparently because the switch-hitting Headley was leading off. Headley flied out, but then new Met Killer Jody Gerut stepped up and hit his third homer of the series to tie the game at 3-3. Aaron Heilman was summoned at that point, because we all know Eddie Kunz gives up a home run in EVERY game he pitches. With the pressure off, Heilman easily retired the final two hitters to give the Mets a chance to win it in the 9th.
Former Met Heath Bell relieved for San Diego. I still don't get why you wouldn't use your closer on the road in this situation. It seems to be a universal rule that all managers follow, but it doesn't make sense, and I've seen it come up wrong on numerous occasions. I say, get the three outs in the 9th, try to go ahead in the 10th, and then take your chances. The conventional wisdom is take your chances in the 9th, then try to go ahead in the 10th and have the closer ready to finish things off. But if the 9th inning guy blows it, you've left your best bullet in the chamber. Why would you send up a lesser pitcher with the game tied instead of possibly sending him in there with a lead? I'd rather give him a one-run cushion. If he gives up one run, you are still playing. In the conventional wisdom, if he gives up a run, you lose. Or, you could let your closer even pitch another inning if he feels good.
In any event, Heath Bell got two outs before serving up a fat one to David Wright, who atoned for yesterday's error with a two-run homer to win the ball game. Meanwhile, Trevor Hoffman didn't break a sweat.
Florida has beaten the Phillies, and the Mets are now two games out. And Eddie Kunz has allowed one career home run.
Chase Headley started the scoring in the 2nd with his second homer in as many at-bats, this one off Johan. You'll recall the last one was off Eddie "Never-ever-allowed-a-homer-oh-never mind" Kunz. The Mets scratched across a couple of tallies in the 4th on RBI singles by Danny Murphy and Nick Evans. The lead was extended to 3-1 in the 6th on an Evans sac fly scoring Murphy.
The Padres got one of those annoying, foreshadowing, ticky-tack runs in the 8th off Santana, Duaner Sanchez, and Pedro Feliciano. Actually, it should have been much worse, but Joe Smith relieved Feliciano and got a huge double play ball from Kevin Kouzmanoff to keep it to only one run.
Scottie Schoeneweis started the 9th, apparently because the switch-hitting Headley was leading off. Headley flied out, but then new Met Killer Jody Gerut stepped up and hit his third homer of the series to tie the game at 3-3. Aaron Heilman was summoned at that point, because we all know Eddie Kunz gives up a home run in EVERY game he pitches. With the pressure off, Heilman easily retired the final two hitters to give the Mets a chance to win it in the 9th.
Former Met Heath Bell relieved for San Diego. I still don't get why you wouldn't use your closer on the road in this situation. It seems to be a universal rule that all managers follow, but it doesn't make sense, and I've seen it come up wrong on numerous occasions. I say, get the three outs in the 9th, try to go ahead in the 10th, and then take your chances. The conventional wisdom is take your chances in the 9th, then try to go ahead in the 10th and have the closer ready to finish things off. But if the 9th inning guy blows it, you've left your best bullet in the chamber. Why would you send up a lesser pitcher with the game tied instead of possibly sending him in there with a lead? I'd rather give him a one-run cushion. If he gives up one run, you are still playing. In the conventional wisdom, if he gives up a run, you lose. Or, you could let your closer even pitch another inning if he feels good.
In any event, Heath Bell got two outs before serving up a fat one to David Wright, who atoned for yesterday's error with a two-run homer to win the ball game. Meanwhile, Trevor Hoffman didn't break a sweat.
Florida has beaten the Phillies, and the Mets are now two games out. And Eddie Kunz has allowed one career home run.
NEVER ENDING
No sooner than Howie Rose had mentioned that new Mets reliever phenom Eddie Kunz had never yielded a home run in his two-year professional career, Chase Headley hit one into the Flushing night. Some things you need to keep to yourself, Howie.
Well, this is the Majors, and Kunz's feat had been achieved in what is quite aptly called the Minors. Looking at the Mets lineup lately, there appear to be more players that belong in the latter rather than the former, and even though the entire Padres team should be toiling in the Pacific Coast League, they still beat the Mets 4-2.
Jody Gerut repeated his feat from his previous at-bat off Aaron Heilman and homered on the first pitch from Petey to make it 1-0. Brian Giles thought that looked like fun and hit an even longer homer one batter later to make it 2-0. The Mets answered with a triple by Danny Murphy, who may be a fugitive of Boston's Irish mafia a la "The Departed", and a David Wright grounder mishandled by second baseman Edgar Gonzalez. New York tied it at 2-2 in the 5th when Murphy, who patiently waited for Jose Reyes to steal second, smacked a single into right to score Jose. I was driving back from my brother's house in Rhode Island when this happened, and it was right about then that Howie Rose opened his big fat yap about Eddie Kunz.
I arrived at my hotel right about the time the Padres took the lead for good. Pedro Feliciano had relieved Petey in the 7th with Luis Rodriguez on third, and nearly escaped from the jam after striking out Gerut. He got Giles to ground to third, but Wright botched the play and Rodriguez scored. I didn't hear what happened because of the static on WFAN, but after hearing that Wright made yet another error, I wasn't surprised. I tried to follow the rest of the game on ESPN GameCast, but the crappy hotel internet connection wouldn't allow it. The first thing I did when I got up morning was to check the line to see if Kunz had in fact given up a homer. Nice one, Howie.
Man, I can't wait to get home. Red Sox Nation is totally screwing with my Mets fandom mojo. The Phillies of course won, so now we're three back again. We finish up with the Padres with an afternoon game before hosting Florida over the weekend. We need this game, Johan. And Eddie Kunz has now allowed a home run in EVERY GAME he's ever pitched in the Majors. There, I said it.
Well, this is the Majors, and Kunz's feat had been achieved in what is quite aptly called the Minors. Looking at the Mets lineup lately, there appear to be more players that belong in the latter rather than the former, and even though the entire Padres team should be toiling in the Pacific Coast League, they still beat the Mets 4-2.
Jody Gerut repeated his feat from his previous at-bat off Aaron Heilman and homered on the first pitch from Petey to make it 1-0. Brian Giles thought that looked like fun and hit an even longer homer one batter later to make it 2-0. The Mets answered with a triple by Danny Murphy, who may be a fugitive of Boston's Irish mafia a la "The Departed", and a David Wright grounder mishandled by second baseman Edgar Gonzalez. New York tied it at 2-2 in the 5th when Murphy, who patiently waited for Jose Reyes to steal second, smacked a single into right to score Jose. I was driving back from my brother's house in Rhode Island when this happened, and it was right about then that Howie Rose opened his big fat yap about Eddie Kunz.
I arrived at my hotel right about the time the Padres took the lead for good. Pedro Feliciano had relieved Petey in the 7th with Luis Rodriguez on third, and nearly escaped from the jam after striking out Gerut. He got Giles to ground to third, but Wright botched the play and Rodriguez scored. I didn't hear what happened because of the static on WFAN, but after hearing that Wright made yet another error, I wasn't surprised. I tried to follow the rest of the game on ESPN GameCast, but the crappy hotel internet connection wouldn't allow it. The first thing I did when I got up morning was to check the line to see if Kunz had in fact given up a homer. Nice one, Howie.
Man, I can't wait to get home. Red Sox Nation is totally screwing with my Mets fandom mojo. The Phillies of course won, so now we're three back again. We finish up with the Padres with an afternoon game before hosting Florida over the weekend. We need this game, Johan. And Eddie Kunz has now allowed a home run in EVERY GAME he's ever pitched in the Majors. There, I said it.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
MEDICAL BILL
Uh-oh. Billy Wagner is on the 15-day DL with arm problems. They still beat the atrocious San Diego Padres last night 6-5, but only because Aaron Heilman wasn't allowed to blow his first chance to finish a game in Billy's absence. Scottie Schoeneweis had to do the honors after Heilman allowed yet another multi-run homer, this time a three-run job by Jody Gerut. Even so, Jerry Manuel has proclaimed Heilman the closer for the indefinite future. We are doomed.
In better news, Fernando Tatis hit two homers last night, and we needed both of them, plus a couple of tack-on runs driven home by Danny Murphy and Nick Evans. Meanwhile, while guys making near the minimum win games, Omar is probably trying to figure out how to pay Luis Castillo even more money.
The Phillies were smoked by the Marlins, so everybody moved up a game. We're two back, with two left against the Pads. The Phils have a three-game set this weekend with the Pirates, who have exchanged the Jolly Roger for a white flag for 2008 after some high profile trades, but then have to travel to the West Coast. We get Florida at home, a makeup game with the Bucs, the Nats in Washington, and then a series at Pittsburgh. Now, if we had a closer, we could maybe make up some ground. You have to know Omar is thinking, "Is Armando Benitez available?"
In better news, Fernando Tatis hit two homers last night, and we needed both of them, plus a couple of tack-on runs driven home by Danny Murphy and Nick Evans. Meanwhile, while guys making near the minimum win games, Omar is probably trying to figure out how to pay Luis Castillo even more money.
The Phillies were smoked by the Marlins, so everybody moved up a game. We're two back, with two left against the Pads. The Phils have a three-game set this weekend with the Pirates, who have exchanged the Jolly Roger for a white flag for 2008 after some high profile trades, but then have to travel to the West Coast. We get Florida at home, a makeup game with the Bucs, the Nats in Washington, and then a series at Pittsburgh. Now, if we had a closer, we could maybe make up some ground. You have to know Omar is thinking, "Is Armando Benitez available?"
Monday, August 04, 2008
BROCKTON BLUES
I go to Brockton, MA, and the Mets start sucking again. Here's the rundown:
Monday: Mets take a 3-2 lead into the 8th, and Joe Smith and Scottie Schoeneweis decide that they don't want to win today. Five runs later, the Mets don't.
Tuesday: Good Oliver shows up and stymies the Marlins, Mets win 4-1. This will be the last good Mets game for a while. I'm still waiting, in fact.
Wednesday: Marlins 7, Mets 5. Mike Pelfrey gives up a 5-spot in the 4th, and the Mets never quite recover.
Friday: Oh, brother. The Mets load the bases with none out against the Ed Wade Dis-Astros in the 7th with the score tied at 3-3 and fail to score. The Dis-Astros load the bases with none out in the eighth and Aaron Heilman gives up a granny to Mark Loretta.
Saturday: Daddy Wags craps the bed against his former team, giving up two runs in the ninth to blow a 4-2 lead. Houston wins it in the 10th, 5-4.
Sunday: Randy Freaking Wolf and four relievers shut out the Mets 4-0 to give Houston their first Mets sweep in 15 years.
I need to get home soon, apparently. The Mets find themselves three games back and in 3rd place behind Florida. San Diego comes to town tomorrow. We have to beat them, right? Right?
Monday: Mets take a 3-2 lead into the 8th, and Joe Smith and Scottie Schoeneweis decide that they don't want to win today. Five runs later, the Mets don't.
Tuesday: Good Oliver shows up and stymies the Marlins, Mets win 4-1. This will be the last good Mets game for a while. I'm still waiting, in fact.
Wednesday: Marlins 7, Mets 5. Mike Pelfrey gives up a 5-spot in the 4th, and the Mets never quite recover.
Friday: Oh, brother. The Mets load the bases with none out against the Ed Wade Dis-Astros in the 7th with the score tied at 3-3 and fail to score. The Dis-Astros load the bases with none out in the eighth and Aaron Heilman gives up a granny to Mark Loretta.
Saturday: Daddy Wags craps the bed against his former team, giving up two runs in the ninth to blow a 4-2 lead. Houston wins it in the 10th, 5-4.
Sunday: Randy Freaking Wolf and four relievers shut out the Mets 4-0 to give Houston their first Mets sweep in 15 years.
I need to get home soon, apparently. The Mets find themselves three games back and in 3rd place behind Florida. San Diego comes to town tomorrow. We have to beat them, right? Right?
Monday, July 28, 2008
BYE, ALBERT, AND DON'T COME BACK
That would be the rampaging Albert Pujols and his Bat of Doom, of course. The Mets would have a three game sweep of the Cards if not for Albert, but then, a lot of things would be better for the Mets if not for Albert.
I'm in Red Sox Nation for a business trip (I cleared customs with only the obligatory hour wait on the tarmac at Logan), so we'll dispense with the usual prose and go to a quick game recap.
Friday: Mike Pelfrey goes seven and allows only one run in a convincing 7-2 victory. Delgado and the Other Reyes went deep.
Saturday: Hail to Albert, and to Skip Schumaker, whoever he is. Skip had six hits and Albert had five in a 14-inning thriller. Albert's final hit may still be in low earth orbit. He hit it off an exhausted Aaron Heilman in the 14th to give the Cards a 10-8 win. The Mets had erased two earlier deficits of 4-0 and 8-5, so I can't complain much. Just too much Albert.
Sunday: Our somewhat less formidable answer to Albert, Johan, went the route and the Mets whupped on Kyle Lohse for a 9-1 laugher. Fernando Tatis hit his second homer in two days. I suppose we have to give Omar his due here. Fernando Tatis would not have been my first, second, or 867th choice to replace Moises Alou.
We start up with Florida, who is hanging in there in the division race. Philly took two of three from Atlanta to stay one back, and now gets to beat up on the Nats. After that, Albert will be the Phillies' problem, and they can have him.
I'm in Red Sox Nation for a business trip (I cleared customs with only the obligatory hour wait on the tarmac at Logan), so we'll dispense with the usual prose and go to a quick game recap.
Friday: Mike Pelfrey goes seven and allows only one run in a convincing 7-2 victory. Delgado and the Other Reyes went deep.
Saturday: Hail to Albert, and to Skip Schumaker, whoever he is. Skip had six hits and Albert had five in a 14-inning thriller. Albert's final hit may still be in low earth orbit. He hit it off an exhausted Aaron Heilman in the 14th to give the Cards a 10-8 win. The Mets had erased two earlier deficits of 4-0 and 8-5, so I can't complain much. Just too much Albert.
Sunday: Our somewhat less formidable answer to Albert, Johan, went the route and the Mets whupped on Kyle Lohse for a 9-1 laugher. Fernando Tatis hit his second homer in two days. I suppose we have to give Omar his due here. Fernando Tatis would not have been my first, second, or 867th choice to replace Moises Alou.
We start up with Florida, who is hanging in there in the division race. Philly took two of three from Atlanta to stay one back, and now gets to beat up on the Nats. After that, Albert will be the Phillies' problem, and they can have him.
Friday, July 25, 2008
FIRST PLACE, BARELY
We should be three games ahead. We should be three games ahead. We should be three games ahead!
Sorry, I can't get that thought out of my brain. I realize that this is self-defeating and not helpful in any way, but still, WE SHOULD BE THREE GAMES AHEAD! Ok, never mind.
The Mets won game three against the Wife Beaters with a clutch two-out, two-run double in the 8th from my new best friend, Carlos Delgado. Dude is raking. Yeah, I know, I called him an embarrassment and washed up. It was just my motivational techniques! Well, it would be if he read this. The Good Oliver Perez showed up as well yesterday afternoon, yielding a solo homer by Jayson Werth as his only major blemish in seven and two-thirds innings. Wags was sharp again to get his 26th save in a 3-1 final.
The Cards come to Shea for three games starting tonight. Their pitching staff is looking pretty ratty, and they just fell behind the Brewers in the wild-card race. It's as good a time as any to see them, although they will have Phat Albert. They'll throw Kyle Lohse on Sunday, who the Mets couldn't touch the last time they faced him. This will make tonight's and Saturday's games critical. We have some guy named Brandon Knight (another Baseball Witness Protection Program player?) pitching on Saturday. He was torched pretty good while he was with the Yankees back in 2001 and 2002, but he has a 1.60 ERA this season with the Zephyrs. I'm not sure why he is a better option than Tony Armas, Jr., but Jerry Manuel has a 14-3 record in his last 17 games, so I suppose we should trust him.
And, also, we should be three games ahead. Really.
Sorry, I can't get that thought out of my brain. I realize that this is self-defeating and not helpful in any way, but still, WE SHOULD BE THREE GAMES AHEAD! Ok, never mind.
The Mets won game three against the Wife Beaters with a clutch two-out, two-run double in the 8th from my new best friend, Carlos Delgado. Dude is raking. Yeah, I know, I called him an embarrassment and washed up. It was just my motivational techniques! Well, it would be if he read this. The Good Oliver Perez showed up as well yesterday afternoon, yielding a solo homer by Jayson Werth as his only major blemish in seven and two-thirds innings. Wags was sharp again to get his 26th save in a 3-1 final.
The Cards come to Shea for three games starting tonight. Their pitching staff is looking pretty ratty, and they just fell behind the Brewers in the wild-card race. It's as good a time as any to see them, although they will have Phat Albert. They'll throw Kyle Lohse on Sunday, who the Mets couldn't touch the last time they faced him. This will make tonight's and Saturday's games critical. We have some guy named Brandon Knight (another Baseball Witness Protection Program player?) pitching on Saturday. He was torched pretty good while he was with the Yankees back in 2001 and 2002, but he has a 1.60 ERA this season with the Zephyrs. I'm not sure why he is a better option than Tony Armas, Jr., but Jerry Manuel has a 14-3 record in his last 17 games, so I suppose we should trust him.
And, also, we should be three games ahead. Really.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
TGIW
As in Thank God It's Wagner, and not the rest of the Gang Who Can't Get Anybody Out When It Counts (GWCGAOWIC?). I feel somewhat better this morning, although I can't help but think we should by all rights be two games ahead right now and gunning for a sweep.
Jose Reyes did the major damage with a well-timed three-run homer off Ryan Madson in the 6th that broke a 3-3 tie. The Chief Wife Beater himself, Brett Myers, started and was wild, walking five and hitting Carlos Delgado. Maddeningly, the Mets kept letting him off the hook, scoring only two in the first even though Myers had walked the bases loaded and then walked in a run. The Phils answered immediately in the 2nd with back-to-back solo homers off starter John Maine by Shane "Annoyin' Hawaiian" Victorino and Geoff Jenkins. The Mets wasted a great opportunity in the 3rd when they loaded the bases with one out, but could only score one after Marlon Anderson struck out. They were lucky to get that one when Jimmy Rollins bobbled a grounder by Damion Easley that might have been the third out. Maine lasted seven and pitched well, staying around long enough to get the W after Reyes' homer.
I can't completely excoriate the Non-Wagners (much easier acronym), since Scottie Schoeneweis and Joe Smith were spotless in the 8th, aside from a prudent walk to Pat Burrell. Billy looked completely healthy in getting three quick outs in the ninth. I'm assuming he's available for this afternoon's game. Oliver "Two-Face" Perez takes on the Methusalah of the Delaware Valley, Jamie Moyer, to decide who walks away in the lead. It's probably best that I will be following this on my BlackBerry, although it may not be good that my BlackBerry is so easy to throw.
Jose Reyes did the major damage with a well-timed three-run homer off Ryan Madson in the 6th that broke a 3-3 tie. The Chief Wife Beater himself, Brett Myers, started and was wild, walking five and hitting Carlos Delgado. Maddeningly, the Mets kept letting him off the hook, scoring only two in the first even though Myers had walked the bases loaded and then walked in a run. The Phils answered immediately in the 2nd with back-to-back solo homers off starter John Maine by Shane "Annoyin' Hawaiian" Victorino and Geoff Jenkins. The Mets wasted a great opportunity in the 3rd when they loaded the bases with one out, but could only score one after Marlon Anderson struck out. They were lucky to get that one when Jimmy Rollins bobbled a grounder by Damion Easley that might have been the third out. Maine lasted seven and pitched well, staying around long enough to get the W after Reyes' homer.
I can't completely excoriate the Non-Wagners (much easier acronym), since Scottie Schoeneweis and Joe Smith were spotless in the 8th, aside from a prudent walk to Pat Burrell. Billy looked completely healthy in getting three quick outs in the ninth. I'm assuming he's available for this afternoon's game. Oliver "Two-Face" Perez takes on the Methusalah of the Delaware Valley, Jamie Moyer, to decide who walks away in the lead. It's probably best that I will be following this on my BlackBerry, although it may not be good that my BlackBerry is so easy to throw.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
TIN METS
Why, oh, why, Lord, am I doomed to root for a team with no heart?
So, what if Billy Wagner is hurt? Come on, Duaner, show some nutsack and get the 5-6-7 hitters for the Phillies out for crying out loud! Instead, each one of them singles, and then Joe Smith gets a slow grounder from Pedro Feliz that Jose Reyes apparently wasn't thinking could ever possibly be hit to him, and he forgets that Shane "Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino is on first. Reyes stops to think for a few seconds, straining his pea brain, then steps on second base well after Victorino has arrived, so now nobody is out. YOU'VE GOT TO GET ONE OUT! Then, So Taguchi, who is on the Phillies roster for one reason only, to torment the Mets, gets his first pinch hit of the entire season (thanks for pointing that out in advance, Gary Cohen), by driving a Pedro Feliciano pitch over Endy Chavez' head to tie the game. Endy, he's facing a lefty who lives on the outside of the plate, don't you think maybe he might want to go to right? So why are you playing right behind second base? I see the Phils added three more after that. I turned it off in disgust before that inevitability occurred.
Oh, this was a team effort all right. Endy Chavez has to be blamed for a lot of it, but he wasn't the only one. Chavez ran the Mets out of at least two runs on two separate bone-head plays. The second one was much worse than the first one. On the first one, with none out in the 3rd, Endy had singled to move Reyes to second. David Wright then hit a double that Chavez had almost no chance to score from first on, but he was waved around by Luis Aguayo and was out by ten feet. You can kind of chalk that one up to aggressiveness, because it was early in the game, but he should have stayed at third. In the second episode, in the 7th and again with none out, Endy hit what should have been an easy triple but missed Aguayo waving him to third and ended up with a double. Wright then hit a sharp single to right field, and Endy once again had zero chance of scoring, but as if to try to make up for his earlier two blunders, he and Aguayo gave it another try, and this time he was out by about 15 feet. You knew those two runs would be significant, and they were.
We suck. And we don't even have as much will to win, fire in our belly, intestinal fortitude, call it what you will, as a bunch of wife beaters. Have fun in the Playoffs, Philly. You want it more, so you can have it.
So, what if Billy Wagner is hurt? Come on, Duaner, show some nutsack and get the 5-6-7 hitters for the Phillies out for crying out loud! Instead, each one of them singles, and then Joe Smith gets a slow grounder from Pedro Feliz that Jose Reyes apparently wasn't thinking could ever possibly be hit to him, and he forgets that Shane "Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino is on first. Reyes stops to think for a few seconds, straining his pea brain, then steps on second base well after Victorino has arrived, so now nobody is out. YOU'VE GOT TO GET ONE OUT! Then, So Taguchi, who is on the Phillies roster for one reason only, to torment the Mets, gets his first pinch hit of the entire season (thanks for pointing that out in advance, Gary Cohen), by driving a Pedro Feliciano pitch over Endy Chavez' head to tie the game. Endy, he's facing a lefty who lives on the outside of the plate, don't you think maybe he might want to go to right? So why are you playing right behind second base? I see the Phils added three more after that. I turned it off in disgust before that inevitability occurred.
Oh, this was a team effort all right. Endy Chavez has to be blamed for a lot of it, but he wasn't the only one. Chavez ran the Mets out of at least two runs on two separate bone-head plays. The second one was much worse than the first one. On the first one, with none out in the 3rd, Endy had singled to move Reyes to second. David Wright then hit a double that Chavez had almost no chance to score from first on, but he was waved around by Luis Aguayo and was out by ten feet. You can kind of chalk that one up to aggressiveness, because it was early in the game, but he should have stayed at third. In the second episode, in the 7th and again with none out, Endy hit what should have been an easy triple but missed Aguayo waving him to third and ended up with a double. Wright then hit a sharp single to right field, and Endy once again had zero chance of scoring, but as if to try to make up for his earlier two blunders, he and Aguayo gave it another try, and this time he was out by about 15 feet. You knew those two runs would be significant, and they were.
We suck. And we don't even have as much will to win, fire in our belly, intestinal fortitude, call it what you will, as a bunch of wife beaters. Have fun in the Playoffs, Philly. You want it more, so you can have it.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
SPLIT-CINNATI
The Mets went 2-2 in southern Ohio this weekend, which was good enough to stay in a first place tie with the Wife Beaters. Here's a quick recap of the weekend's games:
Friday: John Maine gave up four runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batsman in the 5th, and the Mets couldn't solve Bronson Arroyo for the second time this season, as they fell 5-2.
Saturday: This was a close, back-and-forth affair until the 7th, when Pedro Feliciano got pounded by Jay Bruce, Jeff Keppinger and Adam Dunn, and Aaron Heilman chipped in by allowing a crushing triple to Joey Votto. The Reds won easily 7-2.
Sunday: The Mets got out to a 4-1 lead in the 4th, and with Mike Pelfrey on the mound I was feeling pretty good. Then in the bottom of the 4th, Marlon Anderson let Ken Griffey Jr.'s pop fly drop in for a ground-rule double, Brandon Phillips singled in Griffey, Ramon Castro threw one into center field on a steal attempt to allow Phillips to go to third, Dunn hit a sac fly, and Edwin Encarnacion jacked one into the left field seats, and it was 4-4. Just like that. Both teams added a run, with the Reds' tally coming on an impressive upper-tanker by Phillips, also off Pelfrey. The game went to extras, and Reds reliever Bill Bray, which sort of rhymes with "Bad Day", had one. He gave up an instant double to start the inning to pinch-hitter Robinson Cancel. Jose Reyes tried to bunt him to third, and catcher Javier Valentin almost collided with Encarnacion trying to field it, allowing Reyes to beat it out easily. It looked like the Reds were going to
get a break when Argenis Reyes hit a sharp grounder right to Encarnacion. Since Cancel had to hold at third, Encarnacion decided to try for the force at second, but threw the ball away into right field, scoring Cancel and sending Jose Reyes to third. After a David Wright intentional pass, Carlos Beltran hit a fast-dropping liner to right that Griffey caught but that left him in no position to make a throw as Jose scored. Daddy Wags struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th for a 7-5 Mets final.
Both the Mets and Wife Beaters now have identical records of 53-46, with Florida a half game back at 52-46. Florida has a remarkable -25 in run differential, compared to our +35 and Philly's +75. We play Philly for three at Shea starting Tuesday, then host the Cards. Philly hosts Atlanta after us, and the Marlins host Atlanta but then have to travel to Wrigley to play the NL leading Cubs for four games. This week is a critical chance to establish some separation from our rivals, but given the way the rest of the season has progressed, I'll be content with a tie or a lead of any kind when it is over.
Friday: John Maine gave up four runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batsman in the 5th, and the Mets couldn't solve Bronson Arroyo for the second time this season, as they fell 5-2.
Saturday: This was a close, back-and-forth affair until the 7th, when Pedro Feliciano got pounded by Jay Bruce, Jeff Keppinger and Adam Dunn, and Aaron Heilman chipped in by allowing a crushing triple to Joey Votto. The Reds won easily 7-2.
Sunday: The Mets got out to a 4-1 lead in the 4th, and with Mike Pelfrey on the mound I was feeling pretty good. Then in the bottom of the 4th, Marlon Anderson let Ken Griffey Jr.'s pop fly drop in for a ground-rule double, Brandon Phillips singled in Griffey, Ramon Castro threw one into center field on a steal attempt to allow Phillips to go to third, Dunn hit a sac fly, and Edwin Encarnacion jacked one into the left field seats, and it was 4-4. Just like that. Both teams added a run, with the Reds' tally coming on an impressive upper-tanker by Phillips, also off Pelfrey. The game went to extras, and Reds reliever Bill Bray, which sort of rhymes with "Bad Day", had one. He gave up an instant double to start the inning to pinch-hitter Robinson Cancel. Jose Reyes tried to bunt him to third, and catcher Javier Valentin almost collided with Encarnacion trying to field it, allowing Reyes to beat it out easily. It looked like the Reds were going to
get a break when Argenis Reyes hit a sharp grounder right to Encarnacion. Since Cancel had to hold at third, Encarnacion decided to try for the force at second, but threw the ball away into right field, scoring Cancel and sending Jose Reyes to third. After a David Wright intentional pass, Carlos Beltran hit a fast-dropping liner to right that Griffey caught but that left him in no position to make a throw as Jose scored. Daddy Wags struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th for a 7-5 Mets final.
Both the Mets and Wife Beaters now have identical records of 53-46, with Florida a half game back at 52-46. Florida has a remarkable -25 in run differential, compared to our +35 and Philly's +75. We play Philly for three at Shea starting Tuesday, then host the Cards. Philly hosts Atlanta after us, and the Marlins host Atlanta but then have to travel to Wrigley to play the NL leading Cubs for four games. This week is a critical chance to establish some separation from our rivals, but given the way the rest of the season has progressed, I'll be content with a tie or a lead of any kind when it is over.
Friday, July 18, 2008
O ME OF LITTLE FAITH
I have a confession to make. Bless me, Mets fans, for I have sinned. I turned off the game last night right after the immortal Javier Valentin hit that bases-clearing double to put the Reds up 8-6. "Shit!" I said, to my cat and two dogs (the wife is visiting family, and she doesn't typically watch with me anyway). "There goes the streak. Nice going, Schoeneweis and Heilman!" And then, I clicked the red "X" in the corner of the Firefox window and disgustedly went to bed.
Yeah, I know, Crash Davis said that a player on a streak must respect the streak, and that goes for fans as well. I should have stayed up the extra half-hour to watch the rousing 9th inning comeback. I see that David Wright hit a two-run bomb to tie it, and Carlos Delgado put us in the lead with a double, and scored on Fernando Tatis' double. All of this came off the normally reliable Reds closer, Francisco Cordero, who had his worst outing of the season. Dammit! I wish I had seen that.
I had only been absentmindedly checking in on the game periodically from the beginning. I was listening to an audio book that I bought so that I could participate in an online book club. Every so often, I'd minimize iTunes and see what the score was. It started out well, with Delgado hitting a two-run homer in the 4th to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. The next time I checked, it was 5-2 Reds. Wow, back-to-back homers, a double and a triple off Johan. The Reds can definitely hit. No wonder they got rid of Josh Hamilton for some pitching. The Mets quickly made it 5-4, and then 6-5, and I thought, "Ok, the bullpen has been stifling of late, looking good." I finished the book about then and headed up to the Man Cave to watch the rest of the game.
By the time the "Buffering..." stopped, the Reds had two men on and Aaron Heilman was doing his trademark nibbling. He walked Dan Ross to load the bases, and Manuel brought in Scottie Schoeneweis to face the switch-hitting Valentin. Scottie had Valentin looking pretty foolish early in the at-bat, but then he laid in a spinning slider that Valentin crushed to right-center. Reds announcer George Grande went into that weird high-pitched thing he does when he gets excited as everybody scored, and I sat there steaming. I momentarily debated with myself on hanging on to watch a potential comeback, but with the time approaching 9:30 pm, I didn't think I could make it, and it probably wasn't forthcoming anyway.
So, I'll do two three "Meet the Mets" and ten "Ya Gotta Believes" as penance (or is it pennants?). The Mets win puts us in a flat-footed tie, whatever that means, with the Philadelphia Wife Beaters (as I have taken to calling them) at 52-44. Man, we were two games under .500 when this thing started. John Maine takes on Bronson Arroyo and his mad licks tonight to try for 11 in a row. It's Friday, and I'm staying up all night if necessary. Unless it's 15-0 or something, of course. I'm not a masochist. Or I least I won't confess to being one here.
Yeah, I know, Crash Davis said that a player on a streak must respect the streak, and that goes for fans as well. I should have stayed up the extra half-hour to watch the rousing 9th inning comeback. I see that David Wright hit a two-run bomb to tie it, and Carlos Delgado put us in the lead with a double, and scored on Fernando Tatis' double. All of this came off the normally reliable Reds closer, Francisco Cordero, who had his worst outing of the season. Dammit! I wish I had seen that.
I had only been absentmindedly checking in on the game periodically from the beginning. I was listening to an audio book that I bought so that I could participate in an online book club. Every so often, I'd minimize iTunes and see what the score was. It started out well, with Delgado hitting a two-run homer in the 4th to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. The next time I checked, it was 5-2 Reds. Wow, back-to-back homers, a double and a triple off Johan. The Reds can definitely hit. No wonder they got rid of Josh Hamilton for some pitching. The Mets quickly made it 5-4, and then 6-5, and I thought, "Ok, the bullpen has been stifling of late, looking good." I finished the book about then and headed up to the Man Cave to watch the rest of the game.
By the time the "Buffering..." stopped, the Reds had two men on and Aaron Heilman was doing his trademark nibbling. He walked Dan Ross to load the bases, and Manuel brought in Scottie Schoeneweis to face the switch-hitting Valentin. Scottie had Valentin looking pretty foolish early in the at-bat, but then he laid in a spinning slider that Valentin crushed to right-center. Reds announcer George Grande went into that weird high-pitched thing he does when he gets excited as everybody scored, and I sat there steaming. I momentarily debated with myself on hanging on to watch a potential comeback, but with the time approaching 9:30 pm, I didn't think I could make it, and it probably wasn't forthcoming anyway.
So, I'll do two three "Meet the Mets" and ten "Ya Gotta Believes" as penance (or is it pennants?). The Mets win puts us in a flat-footed tie, whatever that means, with the Philadelphia Wife Beaters (as I have taken to calling them) at 52-44. Man, we were two games under .500 when this thing started. John Maine takes on Bronson Arroyo and his mad licks tonight to try for 11 in a row. It's Friday, and I'm staying up all night if necessary. Unless it's 15-0 or something, of course. I'm not a masochist. Or I least I won't confess to being one here.
Monday, July 14, 2008
BREAK IT DOWN
Wow, nine straight wins. Who predicted that? Certainly not me. I've been teetering on the edge of shutting this stupid Mets blog down on numerous occasions this year due to poor play, lackadaisical attitudes, crippling injuries, and bad general management. Then, Mike Pelfrey turns into the right-handed Randy Johnson, and we're a half-game out at the break. As per the usual Mets luck, the All-Star break is timed perfectly to halt the nine-game winning streak, and all the momentum of the streak will be drained by having to watch some 10-minute schmaltzy video produced by FOX during the pre-game show. A half-hour of Jeannie Zelasko alone will make you never want to play or watch baseball again.
That being the case, what happened in the last few games? We'll do a quick recap again, because I have reverse jet lag and the home run derby is coming on.
Wednesday - The Mets clobber my Strat team pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, and Johan goes five innings until the rains come. The bullpen goes the other four after the skies clear in scoreless fashion for a 5-0 win over the Giants.
Thursday - A four-run seventh off two more guys clearly using aliases, Sergio Romo and Jack Taschner, breaks open a 3-3 tie with San Fran, and the Mets win 7-3. The bullpen doesn't even give up a hit.
Friday - The Rockies are in town, and even grab a 1-0 lead, before the Mets quickly tie it and then win it 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th. The bullpen has an epic meltdown over the previous night and gives up one hit.
Saturday - Petey starts but can only go four (yet another injury), but with this bullpen, who cares? Wait, what? Yes, the bullpen is clearly taking performance-enhancing something, and once again goes hitless. Maybe it's just the Rockies. The final is 3-0.
Sunday - Who even needs a bullpen? Mike Pelfrey is a golden god. Pelf goes eight and continues the Rockies woes as the Mets get ANOTHER shutout, 7-0. This is getting monotonous.
The Phillies have also been winning, or we would be in control of this division. They took two of three from both the Cards and D'backs after we left town. The Phils start eating their own tails in the NL East for the rest of the month. We get the Reds for four in Cincy right off the break. After Cincinnati, we play the Phillies and Cards at Shea and then at Florida and at Houston. The Phils make the full circuit: at Florida, at us, home for Atlanta, and then back on the road in Washington. After two home series with Florida and Pittsburgh, they have to make a west coast trip. I'd say slight advantage to us until after that trip, but it looks remarkably close after that, with both of us having to play the Cubs and Brewers down the stretch. It'll probably be decided by starting pitching, as it usually is. If the Phillies get one of the remaining starting pitchers available in trade, like A.J. Burnett, that might be enough. We're going to have to stand pat (because we have nothing left to trade), but at the moment, that's not looking too bad.
That being the case, what happened in the last few games? We'll do a quick recap again, because I have reverse jet lag and the home run derby is coming on.
Wednesday - The Mets clobber my Strat team pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, and Johan goes five innings until the rains come. The bullpen goes the other four after the skies clear in scoreless fashion for a 5-0 win over the Giants.
Thursday - A four-run seventh off two more guys clearly using aliases, Sergio Romo and Jack Taschner, breaks open a 3-3 tie with San Fran, and the Mets win 7-3. The bullpen doesn't even give up a hit.
Friday - The Rockies are in town, and even grab a 1-0 lead, before the Mets quickly tie it and then win it 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th. The bullpen has an epic meltdown over the previous night and gives up one hit.
Saturday - Petey starts but can only go four (yet another injury), but with this bullpen, who cares? Wait, what? Yes, the bullpen is clearly taking performance-enhancing something, and once again goes hitless. Maybe it's just the Rockies. The final is 3-0.
Sunday - Who even needs a bullpen? Mike Pelfrey is a golden god. Pelf goes eight and continues the Rockies woes as the Mets get ANOTHER shutout, 7-0. This is getting monotonous.
The Phillies have also been winning, or we would be in control of this division. They took two of three from both the Cards and D'backs after we left town. The Phils start eating their own tails in the NL East for the rest of the month. We get the Reds for four in Cincy right off the break. After Cincinnati, we play the Phillies and Cards at Shea and then at Florida and at Houston. The Phils make the full circuit: at Florida, at us, home for Atlanta, and then back on the road in Washington. After two home series with Florida and Pittsburgh, they have to make a west coast trip. I'd say slight advantage to us until after that trip, but it looks remarkably close after that, with both of us having to play the Cubs and Brewers down the stretch. It'll probably be decided by starting pitching, as it usually is. If the Phillies get one of the remaining starting pitchers available in trade, like A.J. Burnett, that might be enough. We're going to have to stand pat (because we have nothing left to trade), but at the moment, that's not looking too bad.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
FLOPPIN' PHILS
This will be very quick. I'm in Hawaii and jet-lagged, and I'd rather be looking at the ocean out my window, frankly.
Friday: the Mets lose 3-2 on a 9th inning 2-out single by a kama'aina, Shane Victorino. Maybe I'll go fire eggs at his porch.
Saturday: the Mets break open a tight game with 6 runs off a suddenly mortal Phils bullpen, win it 9-4.
Sunday: Daddy Wags blows a 2-0 lead in the 9th on a Jayson Werth homer, but Fernando Tatis picks him up with a 2-run shot of his own, as the Mets prevail 4-2 in 12 innings.
Monday: Wagner nearly blows another one, but the Mets scrape by with a 10-9 victory after leading 8-0 at one stage.
Tuesday: Mike Pelfrey dominates the Giants, as the Amazins beat San Fran 7-0.
Four wins, one loss, and they should have won that one too. The Mets are now only one and half behind Philly, and only one in the loss column. The only bad news is that Ryan Church is back on the DL with migraines, likely from his two concussions.
Ok, back to staring at the ocean...
Friday: the Mets lose 3-2 on a 9th inning 2-out single by a kama'aina, Shane Victorino. Maybe I'll go fire eggs at his porch.
Saturday: the Mets break open a tight game with 6 runs off a suddenly mortal Phils bullpen, win it 9-4.
Sunday: Daddy Wags blows a 2-0 lead in the 9th on a Jayson Werth homer, but Fernando Tatis picks him up with a 2-run shot of his own, as the Mets prevail 4-2 in 12 innings.
Monday: Wagner nearly blows another one, but the Mets scrape by with a 10-9 victory after leading 8-0 at one stage.
Tuesday: Mike Pelfrey dominates the Giants, as the Amazins beat San Fran 7-0.
Four wins, one loss, and they should have won that one too. The Mets are now only one and half behind Philly, and only one in the loss column. The only bad news is that Ryan Church is back on the DL with migraines, likely from his two concussions.
Ok, back to staring at the ocean...
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