SB Nation User Blog: Mr. Met

Blessings in Disguise

Mr. Met — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:13:13 -0000

Another awesome game that goes into the pantheon of great wins by Big Blue! This one has to go in my top 10 of favortite Giant games of all time. I don't know - there are probably about 20 games in my top 10, to tell the truth!

But this could have turned out very differently. I'm thinking specifically about the missed FG from Tynes earlier in the game. Think about this scenario had Tynes made that FG: instead of being down 31-30, Giants are instead ahead 33-31 after the Cowboys' last TD. The Giants go into their fetal position offense, running the ball 3 times into the middle for no gain, just to entice the opponent to use up their time outs. This is what they usually do under Coughlin, isn't it? So the Cowboys would have been the ones with the ball, with maybe no time outs but plenty of time on the clock to race down into FG position themselves.

Meanwhile, think about Tynes' psychology. None of us really trust the guy - that's not a big revelation. But remember how he redeemed himself in Green Bay? This was a similar situation. Had he been perfect on the day, that's when disaster seems to strike for him. Making up for a mistake is when he's at his best. So despite my grouching to my poor wife about Tynes' miss for most of the 2nd half, the stars lined up perfectly for the G-men. Eli is at his best in that situation, and Tynes is too. You couldn't have written it up any better in advance.

On the other side of the coin, I think back to last year. It's all said and done now, so this is not meant to relive it. But just think - what if Carolina had made that FG at the end of regulation against us last year? Of course, I rooted for them to miss it, and they did, giving us the chance to secure the top seed. But look what happened: Eli was not at his best against either the Eagles or the Giants Stadium conditions.

Had Carolina made that FG, the whole playoff picture would have been different. The Cardinals would have come to see us in that game. The Eagles would have gone to Carolina. Now had the Eagles beaten Carolina, then they would have come into our house again (assuming we would have beaten the Cardinals, which I think is a good assumption), and maybe the same thing would have happened. But maybe our attitude would have been different with a Super Bowl repeat on the line. Or maybe the Panthers would have beaten the Eagles and then we would have gone into the nicer weather in Carolina, and then...

Anyway - I guess my point is, you just never know. Being a fan means just being at the mercy of all the unpredictable elements of the entire world. Last night, when things were going badly for us, when the Cowboys took the lead and were driving down the field again, my wife asked me, "What should we do?" I just had to laugh. I don't know - what CAN we do? Nothing, just hope for the best, right?!

Toomer Cut by Chiefs

Mr. Met — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:08:46 -0000

That according to a tweet by Adam Schefter.

75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words.75 Words. 75 Words.75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words. 75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.75 Words.

Always Look On the Bright Side of Life

Mr. Met — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:50:33 -0000

Greetings, Amazin' Avenuans -

My apologies for not being around as often as I would have liked this year. I'm sure you all missed my usual pearls of wisdom.

I guess Eric said it as well as it can be said with his front page story there. Living in Denver as I do I have to wonder what the baseball gods are up to by packaging the "epic" meltdown that we experienced with one of the most unexpected, phenomenal runs in baseball history, and that would of course be the one the Rockies just concluded.

I think back to that lost July 4 trip that the Mets had out here. Had those games gone differently, of course it would be us in the playoffs and not them.

But, such is life. When you take a swift kick to the mandibles there's not a lot you can do except writhe around on the ground in the fetal position for a while and cough up blood. So that's the mode I'm still in. But I'd like to lift myself, and the rest of you, out of that state of mind, with a little song. Perhaps you're familiar with it:

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing life's gristle,
Don't grumble,
Give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.
[whistle]
Always look on the light side of life.
[whistle]

If life seems jolly rotten,
There's something you've forgotten,
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps,
Don't be silly chumps.
Just purse your lips and whistle.
That's the thing.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.
[whistle]
Always look on the right side of life,
[whistle]

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin.
Give the audience a grin.
Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow.
So,...

Always look on the bright side of death,
[whistle]
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
[whistle]

Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.
Always look on the right side of life.
[whistle]

Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]
Always look on the bright side of life!
[whistle]

Repeat to fade...

The "Real" Kings of NY

Mr. Met — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:02:19 -0000

Lord help us, it's the Colorado Rockies.

I'm so happy there were fireworks again tonight, because if you liked it the last 2 nights as a Mets fan, you surely loved it tonight.

It was eerie how pretty much everything that occurred last night occurred again tonight, only in slightly greater relief.

The early lead, the subsequent inability to make pitches or field like a normal team, the failure to run out hits, the barnacle-encrusted bullpen, and worst of all the general sense that the Mets just "weren't into it" all that much.

The one big mystery tonight was whether we'd see the "good" El Duque, or the "evil" El Duque. The one big difference from last night was that El Duque did not give the lead back immediately, but rather slow-dripped us to death as his own little good v. evil scenario played itself out.

Sometimes baseball games turn on you in an instant. This was not one of those games. It was a steady erosion of an already tenuous position that the Mets had established thanks to an error, a walk and a bomb by D-Dub.

Dub was really the only player on the field in a Mets uniform who, well, I don't want to say he's the only one who cared, so I'll go with maintained his focus. He's the only one who kept his concentration and played like a man worthy of a major league uniform. That's probably why he was only regular Willie pulled from the lineup early. Everyone else had to stay out there and enjoy themselves.

Anyway, this good v. evil El Duque thing - I think it did play out in microcosm in a key at-bat by Todd Helton in the 4th inning. With the bases loaded and two out and the game still tied (and by "still tied" what I mean to say is "El Duque had used up all the rope the Mets handed him"), with El Duque rolling up to 90 pitches or so this was the critical AB of the game, in my mind.

Had ElD been able to get Helton, he could have worked the 5th, and possibly been in line to still get a win. He did manage to get ahead of Helton, but started to lose him, and was battling him (much like Darth Vader vs. Obi Wan on the river of lava at the end of Episode III, ok, Eric, you snarky bastid?) with a 2-2 count.

That's when ElD dropped the Eephus. Helton waited until he could wait no longer and finally took a mighty swing, ticking just enough of the ball to drop it foul at LoDuca's feet.

It was a nice effort by ElD. He did have him surprised by it. He did get a "woo" out of the crowd. Had Helton swung and missed, it's a different ballgame, possibly.

Instead, Helton ultimately walked, leading to a miserable overthrow by Reyes on a ball in the hole, and the game was for all intents and purposes over right there.

If I had his number, I would have called President Bush immediately to ask him to commute the rest of this game. Unfortunately, I don't have Preznit Pretzel's number, so I actually had to sit through the rest of the game, which was downright interminable.

From the moment that Helton walked on the missed Eephus (2nd, much lamer attempt) on the 3-2 pitch, the pitch that even Reyes would have taken last year, the pitch that said, "I have nothing on any of my other pitches, so I'm going back to this well one more time, but both of us know damn well it's not going to work," it was just a long, painful journey through one of those "Games That Would Not End".

Sure, stuff happened after that. Willie had to use "Please Don't Make Me Watch Any Mo" -ta again, after using him yesterday, because he wouldn't let his long man eat the innings a long man is supposed to eat. Is that the reason Mota appeared more Benitez than ever today? I have no idea. But he had no business being in there yesterday, that much I'm pretty sure about.

In fact, Sele came in today to mop up Mota's mess in the role that Joe Smith should have filled, but didn't, because Joe Smith already filled the role that Sele should have filled yesterday. Go figure.

Scott Schowen- "Why Is Willie Doing This To Me" followed with yet another display of craptaculariousness, as did Pedro "I'm Too Good For This" Feliciano and Aaron "This Blows Like Rita" Heilman.

Kaz Matsui spared us another singles clinic tonight but he did giggle like a schoolgirl after stealing 2nd on us with the Rockies already leading by a touchdown. He stopped himself as soon as he could. Probably when he came to his senses and remembered that Alissa Milano is not actually all that into him.

Rockies fans did not turn out in droves with brooms, to their credit, but they did lose multiple levels of cool points by booing the umps lustily when they called a couple of close ones against them even though they were up by 10 runs in the 7th inning and by all rights this game should have been called for darkness of the soul. It was a game that was crying out to just end already and they were booing because someone was called out at first base. Bunch of Toby Keith-loving morons.

Matt Herges got on my nerves by walking guys and generally taking a long time to get out of the 8th inning without giving up any actual runs to us. And Carlos Delgado gave me several different opportunities to mention his Hands of Stone(tm), while the Mets' bullpen made Yorvit Torrealaba look like the second coming of Yadier Molina, but I've decided not to dwell on any of those.

I'm not even going to talk about the 13 pitch AB that Dookie opened up the 9th inning with when all anyone wanted to do was watch some fireworks.

No, I'm going to step back from this series, and say, hey, the Rockies were amped for us, and we were not even plugged in for them. They do have a respectable lineup, and they have posted a 12-3 record in their past 15 home games, I believe. So I'm prepared to just turn the page, get the hell out of here (well actually I'm staying but the Mets can go ahead and get the hell out of here), and thank the powers that be for my health, my friendships and family, the fact that the Mets are still in 1st place, after all, and that life itself provides opportunities to riff on games like this at blogs like this.

It's not perfect, but it's all pretty much good. The fireworks were great again, and the guy did hook me up with an extra level on my mixed ice cream cone that he prepared while Show was busy walking guys he had previously been 0-2 on. So I had that much going for me tonight.

Random Observations From Tonight's Debacle

Mr. Met — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 05:59:25 -0000

Hello fellow Mets aficionados.

I write to you tonight from beautiful downtown Denver, Colorado, where our beloved Amazins dropped quite the gi-normous pile of putridity on their faithful in attendance this fine evening.

Let's start with the highlight of the evening:

Yes, our savior stretching out before the game. Swoon.

I was just settling in with my peanuts and frosty when the hilarity began to unfold. Bunt single by Josejosejosejose (a thing of beauty), a stolen base, a throwing error to 3rd allowing our first run to score.

Then, a little speck of a cloud on the horizon, as Beltran grounded weakly to the right side. Turns out he would do that 3 more times on the evening. Gotta admire the kid's consistency.

Back on track as Dub knocked Gotay in over a drawn-in infield, just moments after I explained to my companions what a doofus Clint Hurdle was for drawing his infield in so early when he hadn't even seen what Vargas could do yet, so the timing there was just short of exquisite.

Delgado even went the other way for a single, regrettably for the last time on the night. I say that even though he did squeeze a single through the shift later in the game.

What would possess a man to hit into a shift when down by 8 runs late in the game? I couldn't possibly know. Delgado's way too cerebral for me. I'd like to hear his explanation, though I dare say it is likely to come across somewhat like this:

Finally, the rumblings of discontent began with old man Green hitting into a DP and letting a shaky Cook off the hook. Hah! Fran Healy couldn't have said it better. That was only the beginning of Green's trail of ineptitude. He slugged yet another DP right in front of Hippo's homer, at a time when the game wasn't yet completely out of reach. He subsequently came up with the bases empty so, with no DP available for him to hit into, his weak squib to the pitcher seemed the next best thing, to be followed by the coup de grace of watching strike 3 whiz past his lonely eyes to end this debacle of a sham of a travesty of a mockery of a ballgame.

This weak-hitting corner outfielder was nearly matched by our other one, Senor Gomez. What a wretched night of over-matchedness he had. Coming up in the 2nd inning following his misplay of a Kaz Matsui single into a double, he was clearly swinging to tie the game up when he stroked that embarrassing swinging bunt instead. His futility continued through the evening as he bunted, yes, on purpose this time, out of the 8 hole with 2 outs and Vargas due up next. Ex-squeeze you? Even for such a young up and coming talent, that was a particularly retch-worthy play. His final flailing, 3 pitch strikeout was equally as appropriate to his overall performance tonight as Green's was to his.

I took a couple of pictures with my camera of death. This one of Josejosejosejose was taken just moments before he embarrassed himself and the team by not running out a ball that he would have been safe on due to a throwing miscue, but wasn't, because he went all "Julio Franco" on our asses instead.

Then I took this picture of Carlos Beltran:

That was just moments before he grounded out to the right side for the 4th time on the night. I decided to put the camera away for the night after that. Until, of course, the Rockies' mascot decided to lob undergarments into the seething crown with some sort of giant thong thing. I had to take a shot of that.

Ok let me focus for a moment on the defensive side of the ball. There really was something for everyone tonight. Everyone who needed to stop at each level of Dante's inferno, I mean. We had ourselves a balk, a walked-in run, a grand slam, not one 4 run inning, but two of them, and, last but not least, one of our very own cast-offs dropping another double nickel on the city of New York. Congratulations Kaz Matsui on a career night, going 5 for 5 against his old mates and snaring the ball, making a beautiful play on Beltran the one time all night he actually hit it with a tad bit of authority.

I could see it was going to be a long night immediately, if not sooner. Vargas went 2-0 on light hitting Willie Taveras, only to allow the man to get aboard with a single on a 9 pitch AB to start the game. There was no doubt in my mind that Vargas had nothing, and was going to get clobbered. I knew that and I wasn't even wearing a jacket of any sort tonight.

So, naturally, when he gave up the inevitable 4 runs in the first inning, I cast my gaze towards the Mets bullpen, expecting to see Aaron Sele, perhaps bearded and speaking in tongues to a volleyball he kept referring to as "Wilson", but Sele nonetheless. Nope. Nothing of the sort was going on in the Mets' bullpen.

What about after the second inning, when he gave up 2 more runs and only got out of that inning after a questionable double play call went his way? No way, man. Willie must have had a "feeling" or some shit. Because he actually sent Vargas up there to hit, bless his heart.

By some miracle or divine intervention or what have you, Vargas managed to get out of the 3rd inning without any more runs, but would Willie press his luck and send him back out there for the 4th? Of COURSE he would, stupidissimo! Why would you even ask that question?

I was seriously wondering if Sele was hurt, or had insulted Willie's wife, or something quite serious like that was going to prevent Willie from going to him. When Willie allowed the bases to get loaded again before going to the pen, I was really quite shocked to see him pull out... Joe Smith?

Ok, ground ball pitcher. Needs a DP. I get it. Boom. No more need for a DP. Well, until Joe put two more guys on, then he did need a DP, and, bless HIS heart, he did get one at that point.

Right. Enough of Joe Smith. Now that we're behind 10-3, now that would seem to Willie like a perfect time to bring in Sele. He must really hate that guy. He also only let him pitch 2 innings.

I will say this about Sele's fastball. It's sort of a good news/bad news story. The bad news is that he only throws it about 85 mph, so it's really easy to hit. The good news is that he doesn't actually throw it over the plate for strikes all that often, which makes it considerably tougher to his. So maybe Willie knows what he's doing after all.

Mop-up time continues with Mota, snooze, Show, blargh, game over, pass the napkins. That was just completely terrible.

All of this occurred in front of that rarest of events, by the way: an actual packed house at Coors Field. It looks like this, in case you've never seen it before:

But, just when you thought the night was over, the fun was really just starting, as the Rockies let the fans down on the field, thusly:

and gave us a rousing fireworks display. It helped me forget how much money I paid to come out and watch the Mets carry on out there like a 3rd rate traveling circus. I remembered that Orlando was just around the corner, and that I'll be heading right back out there tomorrow night, right along with them. And tomorrow's my birthday too (yeah, for reals), so hopefully they'll give me some of this to remember them by:

Oh and yes, I DO realize that some of the more feeble-minded among the Rockies faithful will show up tomorrow night with their broomsticks, as they did last time the Mets lost the first two in a series, gayly waiving them around in the early innings only to crawl away by the time the 7th inning stretch comes along, with those broomsticks nestled safely between their legs, wishing they had not brought them in the first place, and wondering if it's worth the humiliation of continuing to carry them around all night rather than having to buy new ones.

The Blessed Day Has Arrived

Mr. Met — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:14:15 -0000

Here he comes to save the day!!!

Yes, that's a special, fitted hat. He's quite serious about what he's saying, as well. Woof. Here's to another great year for the New York Metropolitan Baseball Club, and another great year of blogging at Amazin' Avenue!

Anyone Up For Some Game Chatter?

Mr. Met — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:21:27 -0000

Mets/Sawx

We're already in the 4th inning but here's your Mets' lineup:

Jose Reyes - SS
Paul Lo Duca - C
Carlos Beltran - CF
Carlos Delgado - 1B
David Wright - 3B
Shawn Green - RF
Jose Valentin - 2B
David Newhan - LF
Oliver Perez - SP

Oliver Perez is BRINGING IT tonight. Sawx have 0 runs on 2 hits through 4 innings, Ollie Ollie Ollie Oy Oy Oy with an eye-popping 7 strikeouts and 0 walks also through 4.

Josh Beckett is looking sharp also, with the Amazins getting both of their runs with the help of some highly dubious defense by the Sawx in the 2nd inning.

Here in the 4th, Green goes El Deppo to straightaway center for a 3-0 Mets lead.

Ambiorix!

Mr. Met — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:29:42 -0000

I need to get the spelling right so I can scrawl it on the padded walls of the asylum I'll be living in, should he ever become our actual closer.

Armando Benitez, we hardly knew ye. Thank goodness Ambiorix is here to remind us, and to have the same initials. Prayse Jaysus.

No, no. I'm not being alarmist, fatalistic, existential, or even serious. But Amby dropped quite the pattie on the field today. According to the box score Amby pitched one inning successfully before I tuned in, but I was only able to catch the bottom of the ninth of today's game, so I saw it thusly:

Amby on the mound. 5-5 score.

You can cut the tension with an axe! Bring the heat, baby!

Excitement level: 8.

Chop infield single to AHern.

That's ok, stay with it! A good throw would have had him, but AHern was off-balance.

Excitement level: 6.

Line out to AHern, runner safe back at first.

Alright, Ambiorix! You got it, baby! Bring the heat!

Excitement level: 7.

Single to center. Runners at 1st and 2nd, one out.

Focus, Amby. Focus.

Excitement level: 4.

McEwing Steps to the plate (yes, that Joe McEwing).

Excitement level: 5.

McEwing walks. Bases loaded, one out.

Grrrr.

Excitement level: 2.

Grrrraaaaannnnnnddddd Sssssaaaallllaaammmmiiii.

Flashes of Subway Series Game 1. Large, sweaty, incompetent pitcher trudges off mound dejectedly.

Excitement level: -6.

Go post a diary on AA. Feeling better.

Excitement level: 0.

Ken Rosenthal Cements "Genius" Reputation

Mr. Met — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 22:06:50 -0000

Fox Noise (Joe Buck hearts Troy Aikman Division) has determined that the Astros would be "wise" to consummate their unseemly "flirtation" with Steve Trachsel.

Flirting with Steve Trachsel, huh? Go figure. First, I'd like to say that I'd prefer not to be exposed to any mental imagery whatsoever that might remotely involve Steve Trachsel and any hint of sexual activity. Thanks. Moving on.

I'm not sure what sort of beer goggles Rosenthal put on prior to penning his analysis, but I imagine they're thicker than the usual Coke bottles.

I mean, just how drunk would you have to be, from a GM needing pitching standpoint, to want to "flirt" with Trax? I'd be on the floor having seizures from alcohol poisoning before I'd ponder that move, especially if the team hopes to compete for anything. I mean, Trax is the pitching equivalent of that last chick in the bar, with smeared lipstick, torn fishnet stockings, a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, and a mug like Willie McGee.

That picture of Trax by itself should be enough to put any suitor off. I mean, just look at that face. It fairly screams, "Urgh! Me well-evolved and erudite modern man! Here come 82 mph "fast" ball. Deal with that, left field bleacher bums!"

Of course, I wish Trax the very best. However, he really ought to pitch in Oakland, if anywhere in the majors, just so he can suck down bottle after bottle of that sweet, sweet, NAPA Valley grape juice, and stay as far the hell away from us as possible.

By the way, if by some wrinkle in the time/space/human intelligence continuum he turns up on the top 50 list I'm afraid I'll have to request my money back from Eric, or at least write a very sternly worded letter to the editor.

Make it stop!! Make it stop!!

Mr. Met — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:57:27 -0000

Let me start off this diary with a hearty, full-throated, NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Courtesy of deadspin, I'm going to go get my Mets-logo'd barf bag and make full use of it.

Can someone - anyone - please get these guys get some competent publicists, STAT?!?

Whatever you do, in God's name, DO NOT click on this link which has a slideshow with more of these... (how can I say this as sneeringly as possible?)... photos.