In his chat today over at ESPN, Jim Callis was asked who his pick for the best all time defensive first basemen in. His answer was only two words long:

No explanation needed, when you have what anyone who has ever watched baseball knows the true correct answer. Keith was so good they changed the rules, to make it fair to other teams. Unfortanetly, some places (Rawlings) rig their elections, much like the Hall of Fame did, to deny Keith the greatness in which he deserves.

thanks to imkeithhernandez17 for the tip

In his latest Starting 9, Crasnick over at ESPN takes a look at 9 Players who have redeemed themselves for earlier slumps and/or transgressions. The list is topped off by Pat Burrel and Jeff Weaver, but coming in at the nine spot, our very own Lastings Milledge.

The article mentions some of his on field and off field problems, but recognizes that he's worked to clean up his act and has been running hot at the plate. Crasnick on Millz:

With the improvements we've seen in Lastings, its just nice to picture him and Gomez in the outfield, with Wright and Reyes in the infield, for years and years.

Wear Tom Glavine to work, head on over to Rally 300 where you can get a Tom Glavine autographed tie when you donate $1000. The money goes to the Rally Foundation, which is a nonprofit that works to fund research towards better and treatments and a cure for childhood cancer. Other items available include autographed balls and mitts, and if for some strange reason you are non a Mets fan (ie, wrong), you can only donate in hopes for a ball signed by John Smoltz, Scott Rolen, Brian McCann, or Kris Benson.

Only 300 ties are available.

   This forecast is provided by NYNJPAweather!  Check for your own zone forecast this morning!

Walk off win and tons of Beltran RBIs.

Beltran had five RBIs for the night, he went 3 for 3 with a walk, a double and a homerun. His two run homerun in the first was the start of his offense for the night, and he followed it with a 2 RBI double in the third and finished it with a RBI single in the eight.

The Mets were up most of the night, the Pads pulled ahead in the seventh before Beltran retied it in the 8th, only to lose the lead again when Wags struggled in the 9th. Down by one, Lastings led off with a single. DiFelice sacrificed him over. Marlon Anderson came in to pinch hit, singling to bring home Lastings, tie game. Jose Reyes followed with a single of his own to advance Anderson, with a little assistance from Cameron. Then Castillo made sure his trade was official, by hitting the game ending single to score Anderson.  All off of Trevor Hoffman, the best nonBilly Wagner closer in the league.

Reyes went 2 for 5 and stole a base, his 64th, tying his previous personal high mark. Alou went 2 for 4 and Castillo walked twice, making up the majority of the rest of the days offense.

John Maine gets the no decision, throwing a lot of pitches early again. He gave up three runs, walked four, struck out four, and went just 5 and 2/3rds during which he threw 118 pitches. Show pitched an inning, giving up a single with two outs before getting the pull. The runner advanced on a Lastings error, and scored after Show had left the game. Sosa gets a blown save, Heilman added an inning of no runs and two hits, and Billy gave up a hit, a walk and a run, handed a lead to the Padres, and still gets the win. He owes Castillo a fruit basket or something.

The Carlos Gomez to the 60 day DL freed up a 40 man roster spot that went to Sandy Alomar, who took Castro's 25 man roster spot.

Pedro Martinez, was moved today to the 60 day DL, which clears the spot for Conine. Since Pedro has not played yet this season, it will have no effect on his ability to return once his rehab games finish up.

Sorry for the mistake…didn't see the Pedro move earlier, just the Gomez one. And I can't count to 40 either, so I got confused. I would not be surprised to see other heavily injured Mets (Stache, Easley) moved to the 60 day by months end to clear additional room.

The tarp is off the field, Jose Reyes is doing his antirain celebration dance, and Steve is locked in his weather cage and handcuffed to the dopper rader.  There will be baseball tonight. We hope.

John Maine will take the mound, 13-7 3.59 ERA.  Johnny had his first win of August against the Pirates after struggling in his previous two starts. He gave up just three runs in five, much better than what preceded it. He no decisioned in his last (well…only) start against the Padres, giving up four runs in six. Chris Young, 9-4 1.94 ERA.  He's a career 0-1 in two starts against the Mets, lasting just 9 innings with a 7.00 ERA, but hasn't faced them this season.

lineup:

SS Reyes
2B Castillo
3B Wright
CF Beltran
1B Delgado
LF Alou
RF Millz
C DiFelice
P Maine

Beltran has been hot, and was just named the NL Player of the Week. Delgado returns after taking a seat with a sore knee, and WFAN is reporting he will play despite the conditions, though may leave early if conditions get too sloppy.  DiFelice is actually hitting .261 for the season after his…well maybe not surge, but remembrance on how to hit the ball.

Game time, in theory, is 7:10.  You can catch the game, or at the very least alternative rain delay programing, on SNY and WFAN.  As always head on by the Hot Foot Bleachers, where its never raining.

Does WFAN always play Journey during the pregame report, or did I just pick the right time to tune in?

Anderson Hernandez was sent back to whence he came, to clear roster room for newly acquired Jeff Conine.

Carlos Gomez was moved from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL to clear room on the 40 man roster.

Since rejoining the Mets, Anderson Hernandez was 0 for 0, but rumor has it enjoyed some nice NYC style pizza and a bagel, neither of which can be found in the cities of the PCL.

     The following forecast is from NYNJPAweather, which is my personal weather forecasting site from your favorite weatherman and fellow Mets fan. 

Luis Matos, formerly of the O's and Nats, has been signed and is now with AAA Zephyrs. Matos had been with the Indianopolis AAA team. Matos has bounced back and forth between the major and minor leagues, but has not played above AAA this season.

Toby at Mets Minor League Report reports that Ricky Ledee has retired. He has been placed on the restricted list.

So I guess no random last minute Ricky Ledee minor league signing next season. I have clicked on the Ricky Ledee post tag for the last time.

This weeks Pedro Martinez Hotfoot Update of the Week, brought to you always by Hot Foot, recognized world wide as the best Mets blog with a Roger McDowell inspired name.

Pedro threw five innings during which he gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four. He gave up two unearned runs. He left the game lined up for the win, its currently in the 8th inning.

Endy by the way, is 3 for 4 so far.

thanks to Aaron on LI for the info.