After the game, closer Billy Wagner spoke with the press. Wagner literally laughed off the possibility of Shane Victorino “running him over” on the grounder that Carlos Delgado fielded and then flipped to Billy who was covering first in the ninth inning. The two crossed paths but did not collide. Wagner seemed to be in good spirits but said, “Of course you feel it,” when asked about his left shoulder that caused him to miss Tuesday’s game. When asked if it feels better or worse than yesterday, he said tomorrow will be the real test, because right now the adrenaline is flowing, so its tough to tell. Also, Wagner was asked, “Is it discomfort that you feel in the shoulder or pain?” Wagner deadpanned, “age”.
Billy’s answers seemed a bit abrupt and short and he may still be smarting over a column written by NYT writer William C. Rhoden. Before last night’s game, David Lennon of Newsday reported that Billy was asked which part of the column irritated him and…
Wagner reached into his locker and pulled out of copy of the Times’ sports section, then read the passage. As soon as he did that, Wagner said he wanted Rhoden to stand at his locker and apologize to him — and all of his teammates.
Steve Popper of The Record explained that Wagner felt the NY Times columnist took his post game comments, “I’d much rather be the guy taking the blame than sitting here having my teammates have to suck on this one.” and twisted them into Wagner saying that he “Opted to sit this one out.” Popper had the following quotes from Wagner:
“I can’t even get hurt without being thrown under the bus,” Wagner said. “I tell you – [the columnist] comes in here, you might see something. Tell me I’m dogging it? I know right now I didn’t say I changed my mind and wished I’d have pitched yesterday after seeing the bullpen get slapped around. I know I didn’t say that quote. He’s going to stand right in front of you guys and this team and apologize. … You can tell me I suck, that’s fine, but you ain’t going to do this.”
With the scare of losing Wagner we’ve already read Hot Foot’s own Anthony De Rosa report on names like Brian Fuentes and Huston Street and where they may end up. Well, The Star Ledger’s Dan Graziano is adding more names to the list of possible relievers the Mets may have some interest in. Graziano is reporting that the Mets asked Seattle about lefty RP Arthur Rhodes, but he thinks Rhodes will end up with the Marlins. There is also interest on the Mets end in Pittsburgh’s lefty RP Damaso Marte. The Mets also had someone scouting Monday’s Rangers-White Sox game to keep an eye on lefty RP Eddie Guardado.
If you feel confused about what the Mets are going to do with their corner outfield situations, you are not alone. According to Graziano, there is “industry wide confusion about what the Mets plan to do.”
Some say they’re in on Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez, Casey Blake and others. Some say they believe Ryan Church will come back and plan to call up Fernando Martinez if he doesn’t.
For more on Roy Halladay, Mark Teixeria, Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, Jay Payton and Brian Fuentes make sure you check out Graziano’s blog over at The Star Ledger.
Also, if you want to listen to Billy Wagner, Jerry Manuel, Jose Reyes and John Maine’s post game remarks, head over to WFAN.com.
