Nationals OF Lastings Milledge spoke today about the somewhat bumpy ride he had during his time with the Mets. According to the New York Post, Milledge did not offering up an apology for his actions, stating that he has no regrets and wouldn’t has done anything differently. His claim is that he just didn’t fit into the “rookie mold”, adding:

“When I came up to the big leagues, I felt like I could help the team. Usually rookies get in where they fit in, but I’m actually trying to help the team and be a big asset.”

According to the article, Milledge is expected to thrive in Washington because of the lessened media glare and the lack of long term veterans on the team.

I’ve said it before, but Milledge really does remind me of T.O., which makes me glad he’s off the team. The kid’s got talent, but I feel he really was going to be a cancer to the clubhouse. I also question Paul LoDuca and Manny Acta jumping to his defense, because I feel like if they were both still on the Mets, LoDuca would have been all over him for stuff like that. However, to quote Carlos Delagdo…what did I really expect them to say? If the kid proves himself, I will gladly admit I was wrong. Only time will tell…

In honor of President’s Day, I found a great article about baseball and United States Presidents. Whitehouse.gov provides us with some interesting facts about presidents, former and current, and their love for the game. Some interesting factoids from the article (Note: any words in italics have been added by me for clarification):

• “Abraham Lincoln’s love of the game was so well known that an 1860 political cartoon showed Lincoln and his opponents on a baseball diamond. “
• “William Howard Taft was the first President to do the honors (throwing the first pitch)  when he threw a ball from his seat in the stands to the Washington Senator’s opening day pitcher, Walter Johnson, on April 14, 1910.”
• “Ronald Reagan so loved the game that he worked as a radio announcer for the Chicago Cubs. His success gave him the opportunity to go into acting, where he once played the part of a pitcher in the movie, The Winning Team.”

In addition, Baseball Almanac also has some great quotes and facts, including the attendance dates for past presidents.

Sometimes I forget how long baseball, or forms of baseball, have been part of America’s pastime. Reading this stuff has really renewed my interest in looking into the history of baseball and sharing what I find with the readers of Hot Foot.

So everyone this week has been busy scooping up their Johan Santana jerseys. You know who hasn’t? This particular female Mets fan. In fact, this particular Mets fan has decided to boycott all licensed all MLB apparel. And here is why.

I am getting sick and tired of trying to find nice women’s Mets apparel. Now, I am not unrealistic. I don’t think that just because MLB makes something for a man they should offer the same thing for women. But I don’t think asking for MLB.com to sell AUTHENTIC women’s Mets jerseys is all that unreasonable. It is bad enough that when I go to Modell’s or Sports Authority or even the Mets Clubhouse they tell me that if I don’t want a pink jersey, I have to either buy a kids or a mens. And if I don’t want those because my body is not shaped like a child or a man? “Well, you can always go to the website”

Well yes…except MLB.com does not sell authentic women’s jerseys. They ONLY sell the replicas….in one style. Ya know, I would even be ok if they only sold one type of Authentic jersey without offering different colors (such as road or home alternate). But they don’t.

Well the rant is over for now. But I invite everyone to comment with their opinions. I realize not every girl is as into the Mets as I am, but I don’t think offering at least one option for a women’s authentic jersey would be that nuts.

Head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers where your favorite regulars are already buzzing about today’s exciting news!

Here is a rundown of today’s transactions:

• Free agent OF Luis Gonzalez reached a preliminary one year, $2 million contract with the Marlins. [AP]
• 3B Pedro Feliz has signed a $8.5 million, two year contract with the Phillies. [AP]
• The Mariners signed OF Brad Wilkerson to one year, $3 million. [Seattle Times]
• Rotoworld is reporting that the Marlins have also signed 3B Dallas McPherson, terms of the contract have not been made know yet. [Rotoworld]

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Mets went forward with getting more depth in thier bullpen by claiming RHP Ruddy Lugo from the A’s. Lugo is 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 102 major league games. And a little fun fact? He is the younger brother of BoSox SS Julio Lugo.

Yes, I know this seems minor in comparison to yesterday, but I like to see us trying pad the bullpen so it will not get over worked.

According to the Associated Press, Major League Baseball’s umpires are stewing over the increased background checks following NBA referee Tom Donaghy was caught betting on games by the FBI.

According to the article, investigators have been asking the neighbors of the umpires a series of questions about their behavior. John Hirschback, president of the World Umpires Association, spoke regarding the investigations,

“The questions that we found out are being asked are about beating wives, marijuana use and extravagant parties[...]And then finally with this whole thing about the Ku Klux Klan.”

All I can say is, I hope this doesn’t continue into the season because we don’t need those umpires thinking about anything but the game. I, for one, can’t believe they are taking to that level and asking those questions. Background and credit checks are one thing, but this is going a little far.

added by Anthony De Rosa

There is a code of ethics in any business, and baseball is a business. If these umpires cannot uphold those ethics, they don’t belong in the game.

That isn’t to say this should be a witch hunt of McCarthian proportions but an umpire is suspected of breaking the codes of conduct, he should be investigated.

Yesterday, 6th seed Matt Cerrone’s Metsblog took out number 4 seed The Hardball Times to advance to the Champion Round in Busted Coverage’s 2007 Sport Blog of the Year Tournament.

Now it’s down to the wire, MetsBlog is going up against FireJoeMorgan.com. Since Metsblog as always supported and worked with Hot Foot, I recommend everyone taking the time to go here and vote for them. Voting will continue until New Years Eve at midnight.

Good Luck, Matt!

Yesterday, 6th seed Matt Cerrone’s  Metsblog took out number 2 seed With Leather to advance to the Final Four in Busted Coverage’s 2007 Sport Blog of the Year Tournament.  Since Metsblog as always supported and worked with Hot Foot, I recommend everyone taking the time to go here and vote for them. Voting ends at midnight tonight, and voting for the championship round begins tomorrow and will continue until New Years Eve at midnight. Good Luck, Matt!

I think this would be a cool way to help Matt end his year. He works VERY hard for everyone and the deal with SNY and his loyal fan base proves that. I realize this poll is not something to be taken so seriously, but I think it’s a cool idea and would be a great way to say thanks to Matt.