My first son, Cedric Shea, was named after Shea Stadium in an act of mercy by my wife who liked the sound of the name and agreed to it. :-)  I tried to tag my second son, Sebastian CitiField, but she was not so keen on that.

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QQ and will delete this post when i get an answer. :-)

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I know a lot of us are ready to start 2010, but some are still down and not optimistic.  Well, I don't share that view -- I AM PUMPED!  Let me tell you why. :-)

I am ecstatic to see Jason Bay in left field!  No more platoons and no more Daniel Murphy making me cringe when I watch ESPN.  We have a super-solid, power-hitting, bonified star there now.

I am psyched that Johan feels great and his arm is no longer a problem.  I can't wait to see the TRUE Johan every 5 days and not the "Where was April Johan?" Johan!

I am juiced to see Oliver Perez reset his season.  He drives me batty with his walks, but we all know he's not as bad as we saw him last year.  It was a bad signing, but he can still be a quality starter yet and I'm ready to see him do it!

I am jazzed to see JOSE FREAKIN REYES back in the lineup!

I am drunk with happiness to see Beltran's knee feels much better!  I'll miss him in April, but knowing he'll be there soon enough with all his friends, I love it!

I am ready to see K-Rod put together another great season!

I am stoked to see Pelfrey again and see what he can do this year.

I am optimistic we'll see Wright's power return!

I am embiggened to see NO Brian Schneider and our new stable of catchers...especially Henry Blanco for whom I share a last name. :-)

AND I am super-psyched to see some of our young guns make a step up and see the potential of Fernando Martinez, Ike Walker, and Josh Thole!

And to top it off the Mets are HERE in Colorado in April!  SO CLOSE!

2009 IS FINALLY GONE!

THE METS ARE 0-0 AND CONTENDING! :-D

LET'S GO METS! LET'S GO METS! LET'S GO METS! LET'S GO METS!

Now, who is with me? :-)

Assuming Brian Schneider gets healthy again, and healthy alternatives, who should be the Mets starting catcher? Brian was the original starter, cut down due to injury.  Ramon was the backup. And Omir was the most recent pickup called on when Brian went down.

I won't inject any editorialization.  So, who do you think should be the starter?

Let's get an idea as of right now.  We'll take another vote later when Brian is ready to come back!

There seem to be two factions of Mets fans on Amazin Avenue: those who think things will turn out great if we stay as is, and those who think the last two years are not some statistical gaffe.  I'm with the latter group, but in no way can assure anyone of my correctness.

Whatever you may think, I think one thing we DEFINITELY need is a dugout-clearing BRAWL.  In the last two years, the Mets haven't had a single cause.  There's been no Clemens/Piazza blood rival.  There's been no big fights.  In fact, the only thing we've seen is Jimmy Rollins claiming the Phils are the team to beat -- and proving it by winning two straight division titles and a World Series.

Today, Ollie Perez pitches.  The differences between he and say, Maine and Pelfrey, are that Maine and Pelfrey have struggles and righted their ships a bit.  There was no blame other than bad pitching.  Ollie, on the other hand, has signed a $12 mil a year contract, come to camp out of shape, and frankly should thank his lucky stars he's paid so well and still getting a chance to start today.

I think it's time today culminates into something that will help the Mets.  Perez needs to beam someone.  Seriously.  Nothing dangerous, just drill a few Phils on the back.  We need a brawl.  We need some fire and a CAUSE.  And what better starting pitcher to throw to the ejection gods than Ollie Perez??

Ollie, do us all a favor, get yourself, your manager, and several teammates thrown out of the game.  BRAWL SATURDAY.

A quick post, because I haven't participated in AA so long and I miss you guys. :-)

First, I am proud to say I that I now think of Carlos Beltran as a more clutch player.  I am not admitting I was wrong.  I am saying he's changed.  He's definitely pulled out more clutch hitting late in games and I GIVE A STANDING OVATION to it!!!  Very happy with Carlos.

Though 2008 is not done yet, here's how I feel about 2009:

VERY GOOD.  The Mets lineup is set.  We can definitely tweak, but with Carlos Delgado himself again after one and a half years, the Mets are signed and ready to go.  I don't think anything has to change, but I wouldn't mind a couple tweaks.

First, if we can bring in a good LF, I'd be game.  Tatis was a surprise this year, but not sure I'll count on him for 2009.  Secondly, FREE ADAM KENNEDY!  I like the guy, and I think the Mets need some more character.  The 2B position is a great place for that.  We have crap there now and I'd like to see us stabalize.  I don't want to see the Mets spend $$$ for that position.  Good defense. Good hitting. 

I like Kennedy.

Pitching-wise, the Mets have one of the most promising rotations in baseball.  They are YOUNG and GOOD.  Santana, Perez, Maine, and Pelfrey are a solid core -- good, and even have room for improvement.  When Pedro Martinez is your #5 starter, that's a damn good thing.

I say forego any signings for starters, and focus focus focus on bullpen.  While it'd be pricey (and obvious), go get K-Rod!  The Mets are World Series contenders in 2009 with him...it's worth it.  Go get him.

I'm happy with 2008 and happy with 2009...so, it's good to be a Mets fan right now.  Now let's finish off these Braves!!!!

<p>Last night, my wife, little Cedric Shea, buddy Nick, and I went to see the Mets take on those scrappy Rockies.  Last year was a disaster, and we lost the series in May, so I was pleading to get a win in this tumultous time to be a Mets fan.

Obviously, the game was quite pleasing! ;-)  Mets win 7-2, putting on a hit parade!  Ironically, I knew things would go well in the 1st inning after the Mets went down 1-2-3 and the Rockies took a 2-0 lead.  You see, I decided to videotape just ONE pitch, and I just happened to pick the 2-run homer that put the Rockies ahead early.  Here it is:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9QHxy_TlGKE

<p>The sucker came right at us!  Luckily, the other Rockie hits that came us were snagged by one Endy Chavez, flashing some leather out in right field!

Another funny thing, we ended up on TV twice thanks to location, location, location.  On both homers to right, by Baker and Nixon, you will see a guy wearing a stark orange shirt.  Can't miss it.  The Nixon homer practically runs right through me.  Yep, it's me!  To my left is my wife.  Now, if only they were hit a little further...

More pics:

"Duaner, woot!"

"Here's me trashing the Mets while holding Cedric, as I am wont to do!"

Any Amazin' Avenue'ers going to the game at Coors Field?  I'll be there, Reyes jersey equipped.  Maybe we'll win -- who knows

If yer going, drop a line here.  Always wanting to meet fellow Mets fans in Denver.  Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo! (Did I hit 75 words yet?)

Brilliant job, guys.

You have everyone fooled.  The announcers call your lineup a "sleeping juggernaut."  According to them, it's just a "matter of time" before you bust out and win the NL East crowd like you're supposed to.

We have fans who want to stay the course.  They'll quote lifetime numbers and say things will change.  They think you, Mr. Beltran, are performing to what we paid you for.  The occasional home run keeps the front office hoping that Mr. Delgado will turn this around.  Last year it was the hand injury.  This year, just a funk.

But, you don't have all of us fooled, 2008 New York Mets. Some of us see you for what you are:  a lifeless, aristocratic team, that thinks wins should be handed to you and why fight?

Why fight.  That's the 2008 team mantra.

Well, f*** you, Mets.  I'm one fan who is not going to waste any more time watching what you guys play "baseball" out on that field.  That's not baseball, it's a waste of my time.

F*** you, Jose Reyes, for getting picked off not once, but twice, against the lowly Rockies.  You may have cost us game #1 getting picked off of 2nd in extra innings.  You seem to have cost us game #3 by turning a double-play into an error which came around to score on the ensuing three-run homer.

F*** you, Luis Castillo.  You look like my grandma at the plate, not a veteran.  You hit into a double play every time there are two men on base.  Thanks for the contributions.

F*** you, Carlos Beltran.  We pay you superstar money and you give us "good" play.  You are great in centerfield, but you  barely hit your weight and you couldn't give us a clutch hit if your life depended on it.  And f*** you for getting doubled up on 3rda couple weeks back.  It's called being "alert" on the basepaths in your last shot to tie a game.  You look clueless.

F*** you, Carlos Delgado, for contributing sh***y defense and sh***y offense. Retire.

F*** you, David Wright, for having gone completely missing the last 3 weeks. (I still love you.)

F*** you, Endy Chavez, for not hitting a lick this year.

F*** you, Aaron Heilman, for being a setup man for the other team.

F*** you, Oliver Perez, for making it a sport to walk as many people as possible.  Often, in a row.  Let's go for 6 in a row next time!

F*** you, Willie, for letting the team sleepwalk through game after game after game.

F*** you, HoJo, for having the title "hitting instructor" and letting Ryan Church be our best hitter!  YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED A MONTH AGO.

And finally, f*** you, Omar Minaya, for letting this happen.  How long will it take before you realize that this club needs a breakup?

Every Met fan in the universe should bet caressing any handy picture of Billy Wagner tonight.

All year it's been "The Mets have the most talent!" this and "The Mets will turn it around!" that.  Well f*** that.  I've been getting ripped on the blogs for my stance on Carlos Beltran.  Everything I say gets taken out of context and I see the "great clutch single" comments all the time.  Maybe it's funny, but when you're joking about it on a 2nd inning single, you don't realize what will happen when it's a 9th inning base-running atrocity.

Sorry, folks, the Mets will not *magically* turn it around on their own.  Auto-pilot won't work, folks.  This ain't Airplane, minus the cigarettes.  The Mets need a complete mental change.

Billy Wagner is our only hope of that happening.

His tirade after the game today is what we need.  Where are the accountable?  How many times does he have to sit in the bullpen and watch this "oh so talented" team sleepwalk through games every day?  These guys need some fire.  They need to realize that they need to go out and WIN these games -- no one is handing it to them.  WAKE UP, GUYS.

If the Mets somehow make it to the playoffs with this zombie team, I guarantee you you'll be thanking Billy Wagner.  Not for today, but for what's to come.  He is the only man who sees what's happening.

<blockquote>

On the eve of the Subway Series, with Mike Pelfrey's no-hit flirtation squandered, the Mets had a clubhouse eruption Thursday. Closer Billy Wagner looked across the room, in the direction of the vacant locker of Carlos Delgado, and blurted:

"Someone tell me why the ---- you're talking to the closer. I didn't even play. They're over there, not being interviewed."

Wagner paused for dramatic effect. Then, in a scene reminiscent of last year's Paul Lo Duca comments, minus the racial overtones, the closer sarcastically added: "I got it. They're gone. ----ing shocker."

</blockquote>

PS - The only other MVP possibility is Omar Minaya, who *must* fire Willie Randolph.  Right now. We need fire and grit and he has abandoned his post as Manager since Cardinals-Mets, Game 7, 8th Inning.

With tonight's game postponed, it means there's more time for Mario Kart Wii?  Anyone here have it?  Let's exchange friend codes and do some racing! Mine is:

5241-2320-9938

Respond with yours!  Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii! Wii!

So, I seem to get challenged on my assertions of whether Carlos Beltran is a "big time" player. 

My observations are simple:In big situations, Carlos rarely performs.  In fundamental RBI positions, Carlos routinely strikes out or fails to advance runners .  In all other situations and facets of the game, he is an excellent player.

So, based on a challenge, here is Carlos's September 2007 performance, game by game.  Note that I don't care about his overall numbers.  I'm looking on critical situations and how he responds.  Here they are:

9/1 - Mets win comfortably, 5-1.

9/2 - With Mets up just 3-1 in 8th, Beltran leads off with walk and steal. (good)

9/3 - Mets win comfortably, 10-4.

9/4 - With Mets down 5-3 in 6th, Beltran hits 2-run homer to tie game. (good)

9/5 - With Mets down 3-0 in 4th, 1st and 2nd, none out, Beltran strikes out, failing to advance baserunners. (bad)

9/10 - With Mets up 3-2, bottom of the 8th, Wright on 2nd with 1 out, Beltran strikes out, failing to advance runner. (bad)

9/12 - Tied 3-3, Beltran leads off 8th by singling and stealing. (good) (At this point I am reliving the nightmare of last season...how did we lose this???)

9/14 - Tied 2-2 in 8th against Phillies, bases loaded, Beltran strikes out. (baaad)

9/15 - Mets down 5-3 in 9th, runners on 1st and 2nd, flied out to end game. (bad) Game including this: "Carlos Beltran misplayed Jimmy Rollins' line drive into a two-run triple and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat New York 5-3 Saturday for their seventh straight victory over the Mets."

9/16 - Beltran hits 3-run homer in 5th to tie game 5-5 against Phillies. (goooooood)

9/20 - Down 4-3 in 8th to Marlins, Wright on 1st, 0 out, Beltran strikes out failing to advance runner. (bad)

9/? - Rallying from 10-3 down in the 9th, at 10-6, 2 on, 1 out, Beltran walks in front of Alou's double. (ok)

9/28 - Down 7-4 in 7th, 1st and 3rd, 1 out, Beltran strikes out and fails to drive in runner from 3rd. (baaaad) Down 7-4, man on 2nd, 2 out, Beltran ends game with foul out. (bad)

9/30 - GO TO HELL TOM GLAVINE!

All in all, what do you think?  Not a lot to go on.  The list will seem picky, but it's objective.

Oh, yeah, guess who made the last out in Game 7 2006?  Yeah.

The wife and I are about to head downstairs with Cedric Shea to enjoy his first Christmas. :-)

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OK, maybe it's just me and you Mr. Met. :-)  The Mets visit, not once, but TWICE!  Once in May and one in June!!!  For the first time ever, we play two series in Colorado!

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Anyone need a Met fix during the offseason?  I got MLB Power Pros for Wii for my birthday, and man the game is incredible. :-)

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The news tonight is that Mike Piazza has cleared waivers and is now free to be traded to any team.  The question from me is -- why not the Mets?

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So I'm looking to get a replica jersey but want a good one.  One that doesn't look campy.  And one that I can find online as I live in Colorado. :-)

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AP - Late Saturday night, the Mets have reacquired one-time closer Armando Benitez from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for RF Lastings Milledge.

Benitez, the Mets closer from 1999-2002, including 2000 when they faced their hometown rival New York Yankees, returns with something to prove.

"I always felt that I never quite lived up to my expectations in New York," said Benitez in an early morning phone call. "As a fan favorite, I feel that I let some fans down."

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Our first child, Cedric Shea Blanco, was born this morning at 6:44 AM.  Yes, you heard that right -- middle name, Shea. ;-)

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Jose Reyes has been Fark'ed. :-)  If you don't read Fark.com, they have regular Photoshop challenges of interesting pictures.

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Here are the new good luck charms making their first appearance for Game 6!

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This was submitted as part of a YouTube contest.  It's a complete re-enactment of the 10th inning of Game 6 in the 1986 World Series.  It is beautiful!

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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2390936

Enough said. :-)

 Mets general manager Omar Minaya contended that Anna Benson was not a factor in the trade. Kris Benson isn't buying it.

"New York is just a world of its own. I knew that coming in, but you learn that a little more when you get put in the spotlight like that in a negative and undeserving way," Kris Benson said. "It was a little frustrating at the time because people kind of believe what they read. For her it's been a little tough, because they kind of portray her in a negative light."

Anna Benson wore a provocative dress at the team Christmas party, and there was talk that she was considering posing nude for Playboy. Kris Benson bristles at the memory.

"We learned a lot from the whole situation. You look at some of the things that were said, some of the lies that were passed, who believes what, who your friends are, who your friends aren't," he said.

He said Anna never had a serious conversation with representatives from Playboy, and that her attire at the party was "not as revealing as people say it is. The only thing they fed off is when she kind of bent over and someone took a picture of it. It's an exaggeration of the truth, and now the Mets are going to miss out on a quality starter and the Orioles are going to benefit."