SB Nation User Blog: ZaBlanc

Un-Official Vote: Who's the Mets catcher?

ZaBlanc — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:30:21 -0000

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!

Poll

Who should be the Mets starting catcher for the rest of the season?

Brian Schneider

17 votes

Ramon Castro

111 votes

Omir Santos

37 votes

165 votes | Poll has closed

What the Mets Need is a Brawl

ZaBlanc — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:06:54 -0000

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.

Free Adam Kennedy!

ZaBlanc — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:50:11 -0000

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!!!!

Mets at Rockies, 6/20/08 (ZaBlanc on TV!)

ZaBlanc — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:23:18 -0000

<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!"

Mets-Rockies Friday

ZaBlanc — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:18:40 -0000

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?)

F*** You, '08 Mets

ZaBlanc — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:55:07 -0000

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?

Billy Wagner: 2008 Mets MVP

ZaBlanc — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:37:51 -0000

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.

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.

Poll

Why should Willie Randoph be fired?

His laid back style is not firing up this ballclub.

9 votes

His loyalties to certain non-performing players is killing us.

7 votes

It's our only hope.

3 votes

Are you f***ing crazy, it's still only May 15th!

7 votes

26 votes | Poll has closed

Amazin Avenue Mario Kart Wii!

ZaBlanc — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:59:17 -0000

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!

Carlos Beltran: Clutch in September 2007?

ZaBlanc — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:25:50 -0000

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.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

ZaBlanc — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 14:01:25 -0000

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

Wishing all of you a Happy Holiday and a wonderful 2008. Our Christmas will be a good one, I bought the boy a 20-piece Mets sippy cup set and the wife doesn't know.

Sweeeeeeeeeeee-e-e-e-e-t...

PS - Shhhhh!