I just thought I’d begin by saying Angel Pagan rules.

Single: In his column Rumblings and Grumblings for ESPN, Jayson Stark goes through the five biggest injuries in the MLB this year. As the fifth biggest, he places Pedro Martinez/El Duque.

Sometimes I look at things and say, why do two of our starters have to get hurt? Why us, why now? Sometimes it’s nice to remember that the Angels are missing their top two starters and the Mariners are missing their closer, just as a reminder that we’re not the only team getting screwed via injury.

Double: Throughout this week, the Mets have been trying out new sing-a-long tunes during the 8th inning, in an attempt to replace Sweet Caroline.

I was there Wednesday night, and they played Livin’ on a Prayer. It was fantastic. I’m not sure about the rest of the stadium, but my whole section was singing the whole thing, and I think that’s what supposed to be happening during a sing-a-long.

Also, one more note about the music at Shea: there’s too much of it. They played the techno song Sandstorm in the 3rd inning, which is all too early for it. Last night they played three different techno songs, only one of them at an appropriate time, that might have called for some pump up music.

One more note about last nights game: too early to bring out rally towels? It turned out to be an intense, extra-inning game, but I thought it was too early in the year to bring out the rally towels.

Triple: For AOL Sports, Jim Armstrong wrote an article criticizing fans for our obsession with statistics and numbers. He writes:

Have you seen some of the quote, unquote stats out there? When I was a kid hustling autographs at Wrigley Field, the game was all about W’s and L’s. Now it’s about WHIP and VORP and OPS and BABIP

Yes, we understand that in the end all that counts is whether or not we get the win. Yet, we’re trying to analyze how to get the win, and which players are most likely to give us that win.

For Fire Joe Morgan, Ken Tremendous went to town in a rant criticizing Jim Armstrong’s article.

In response to Armstrong writing, “Have you seen some of the quote, unquote stats out there?” Ken writes:

My man: when you are talking you say “quote-unquote” to indicate sarcasm. When you are writing you can just put things in quotes. As in: Jim Armstrong is a “journalist.” He is also “funny” and “smart” and I “want to hang out with him” because he seems to have a lot of “good” “points.”

Too funny. You must read the whole thing, I guarantee that you will not stop laughing the whole post.

Hat tip to Vines on FJM link

Home Run: As has become routine for the Cardinals, Tony La Russa had the pitcher bat 8th for the Cardinals last night.

I was thinking about it, and it makes loads of sense to me. Frankly, I think Luis Castillo should bat last. He brings no pop in the 2-hole. There are two main reasons to me that the SP should bat 8th. The first being, when you have a catalyst like Jose Reyes batting 1st, its rare that guys are on base for Reyes. Since Reyes can be such a great hitter, having someone with a high OBP like Castillo would allow for Reyes to produce more runs.

The second reason is that in a given game, we’ll pinch hit in the pitcher’s slot once or twice. Usually that pinch hitter is a better hitter then whomever the 8th hitter is (like how Marlon Anderson is a better hitter than Brian Schneider). So, it would allow for more production for Reyes and the pitcher only bats in that 8th hole a couple times, before a better hitter takes his place.

Today I’m not bantering about the team and its issues, but just some issues I have with us the fans and our behavior at Mets games.

Single: The ‘Yankees Suck’ chant.  Even when we’re not playing the Yankees, at home games we seem to break out in spontaneous ’Yankees Suck’ chants.

Yes, the Yankees do suck.  We know it, and I’m getting the feeling they are starting to figure it out lately too.  Yet, we don’t have to stoop down to their level of behavior. Its just not needed.  Listen, I’m sure if you have friends who are Yankees fans they rub in your face the 26 World Championships, then they ask you, ‘Wait, how many do they Mets have? Two, that’s all?’ But, you can always defend your fandom by saying the Mets are classier, the Mets don’t use the DH, and they have a much more dedicated and well-rounded fan base.  You lose that if all of a sudden we stoop down to their level for a meaningless ‘Yankees Suck’ chant midway through a summer blowout against the Pirates. 

Double: The ‘Jose-Jose-Jose’ chant.  In 2006 as Jose Reyes was developing into a star and we were in the middle of wining our first division championship since 1988, there developed an amazing cheer, for Jose Reyes.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out youtube.

Here’s my issue with the Jose chant: in 2007 we did it too often.  Before at-bats we did it, after meaningless singles we cheered it, and that’s not what its meant for.  It should be saved for those crucial RBI doubles, and singles that we want to spark come behind rallies in the bottom of the ninth.  Granted, not all of the blame here goes to the fans.  The higher powers that control the music at Shea started playing it before at-bats and after every meaningless single.  Together, along with better performance from the audio crew at Shea, we can avoid ruining this great cheer.

Triple: It seems to be almost regular now, that at a Mets game (and my guess is at every other ballpark too) that somebody decides they will be that guy and bring a couple beach balls to the game and hit them around in the crowd.

Now the general notion of the beach ball does not bother me.  I’d just like to set a few guidelines regarding the conduct of the beach ball at the baseball game.  First of all, beach balls should only be brought during day games.  Day games are supposed to have a spring-summer almost picnic like feel, so beach balls are appropriate.  However, day game or not what really bothers me is how people act towards the ball.  There could be one floating getting bopped three sections away and the person sitting next to me is all giddy for the ball.  They’re on the edge of their seat yelling, as if the person three sections over will hear, “This way. THIS WAY!”  And for what, to take a smack at this beach ball?  Is it really such a thrill? It’s as if there are these men playing some sort of sport on a field in front of them that they could perhaps pay attention to, rather than a beach ball 100 seats to their right getting smacked by a random stranger.

Home Run: The ‘Hoo’.  At games, there tends to be a ‘Lets Go Mets’ chant, only to be followed with an even louder ‘Hoo’.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out youtube. 

I think the cheer is pointless.  What bothers me by far the most is that the ‘Hoo’ is usually much louder than the actual ‘Lets Go Mets’ chant.  What is the ‘Hoo’? Is it supposed to be intimidating, because its definitely not.  ‘Lets Go Mets’ is a classic chant being ruined by an idiotic roar in between each verse.  If you are a die-hard ‘Hoo’ person, I ask that you at least chant the ‘Lets Go Mets’ as well.  It’s just the worst when there is a faint ’Lets Go Mets’ but then there is an absurdly loud ‘Hoo’.  It’s a silly chant that takes away from a classic chant.  This doesn’t even graze my other issues with the ’Lets Go Mets’ chant.  For example, why do we try and do it so quickly?  Most of the time when we’re chanting it, Shea provides us with a nice steady beat to do it on, but people go way too quickly, and it results in parts of the stadium doing it at one pace, another section at another pace and it is in no way the classic chant that it could and should be.

I talked with Matt Cerrone of Metsblog about the ’Hoo’ and he expressed similar sentiment, however he had a unique reason for his views:

 ”The yelling of, ‘Hoo, is not my preferred version of the cheer.  However, like the black uniforms, I have learned to accept it as a product of a new generation of Mets fans, and I can live with that.  What bugs me most about it, though, is that after the game, in the parking lot after a win, people will beep their horns to the rhythm, ‘Lets go Mets,’ and it’s a great environment.  By adding that fourth beat, for the, ‘Hoo,’ it will turn in to one long series of beeps, and that is unacceptable.”

Whatever your reason is, please don’t chant the ‘Hoo’, and even if for some reason you feel compelled to, chant the ‘Lets Go Mets’ louder than the ‘Hoo’.

PS

This isn’t to the fans but Shea Stadium: Stop taking my freakin’ bottle caps. Now I just have to bring my own to put on top, which is moderately inconvenient.  Thank you.

Single: According to multiple sources, the Mets and Citi Field are the likely host for the 2013 All-Star Game.

Awesome. Really. Just with the 42,500 seat stadium they’re building, you better go and get your tickets now if you plan on going.

Double: In a post for Shea Nation, Dan Kuchuba argues that David Wright should bat 4th for optimal performance in the Mets lineup.

There isn’t much I like about that idea. The 3 hitter is supposed to be the best overall, most rounded hitter in the lineup, and there is no question in my mind that Wright is that man. Especially with Wright and his incredible .416 OBP last year, he’ll be on base more often than Beltran so it is more logical to have Beltran there to drive Wright home as Wright gets on more often. Especially later into last year, Wright was hot and slapping off tough to hit pitches the opposite way for singles. Many people have credited this to HoJo, so Wright should benefit from another year under his tutelage.

Triple: With Carlos Delgado struggling in Spring Training, and always battling an injury, do we have an issue at first base?

There is nothing that could be done here, but I think our best option is Delgado. And I do think it is very possible he hits very similarly to how he did last year. He just has the potential to rake as we’ve seen, so hopefully he has another year left in the can for us. Meanwhile, we should be trying everything possible to rest Delgado once a week. Try out Gotay, Valentein, Easely, Marlon Anderson, etc. out at first. Especially Gotay, because he seems to have such a great bat but he seems to be a fairly incompetent fielder.

Home Run: Do we have an issue in left field?

As Matt Cerrone said in a post to metsblog, “I accept Angel Pagan for what he is.” I think we’ve gotten so caught up in this win now mentality that all of a sudden when Ole Man Alou is going to miss the first part of the season with a groin injury, we are all rumbling for Xavier Nady this, and Dan Johnson that. The fact of the matter is Pagan will do just fine out there, splitting the reps with Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson and Damion Easely. There is a reason none of these four guys have caught on as starters elsewhere, but together they’ll form Unit Super Scrub for us, which will do just fine. Plus, Pagan is playing his ass off and has a hell of a name. Let’s give him a shot.

Single: According to ESPN.com, the Mets were on the verge of giving a job to Brian McNamee prior to this season, as Willie Randolph and former Mets hitting coach Rick Down worked with McNamee while they were with the Yankees.  However due to McNamee’s reputation, Omar Minaya vetoed his hiring.

There was a time, around a month ago, when I still doubted Omar Minaya. I think he doomed us for collapse last year by preparing us with inadequate pitching.  I doubted him this offseason when it seemed more and more day by day like we wouldn’t acquire an ace.  However, he stole Johan Santana from the Twins, by out waiting a rookie GM.  And now, he had the incredible foresight and judgement to know hiring this sleezeball would be a bad idea. Major props there Omar, you have my trust. 

Double: According to the New York Post, former Mets’ OF Shawn Green has retired.  The former Met, Diamondback, Dodger and Blue Jay hit 328 career HRs, while having four seasons with 100 or more RBIs.  According to baseball-reference, Green earned over $100 million during his career.

I think he was a nice fit in RF last year, despite his declining mobility in the field.  I think he responded well to days off, and should’ve been platooned a bit more with Lastings Milledge.  At least he’s got a nice retirement fund going.  

Triple: This week we had a round of Lastings Milledge smack talk.  He said, “I can’t go through anything worse than I went through in New York. It only gets better from here.”

Jeez, I questioned the trade at first, but good riddance.  Welcome Ryan Church.  C’mon Lastings, show a little bit of class.  You wonder why you were bounced out of town? Grow up, trades happen and this explains why this trade involved you.    

Home Run: With spring training underway, the Mets have already lost to the Tigers 4-2 and the Cardinals 7-0.  They also tied the University of Michigan, Fred Wilpon’s alma mater, 4-4.

Oh no, still winless! The collapse lives on! Yeah, we lost, but it’s spring training.  But there are some nice things to pick out.  Mike Pelfrey pitched two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.  Pelfrey wasn’t facing scrubs either, he faced a lineup with Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez and Curtis Granderson among other great hitters that the Tigers have.  Other nice facts include that teenage phenom Fernando Martinez has hits in both games against the Tigers and Cardinals.     

Single: Head over to ESPN.com, Sportsline.com, and Yahoo! for some great fantasy baseball prep. 

I already had my draft, and let me tell you starting pitchers are thin.  Makes me more and more thankful that we have four really solid guys in Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine and Oliver Perez.

Double: At the Journal News, John Delcos quotes Moises Alou as saying, “I’d love to get over 500 at-bats. If I do that I can have a great season. And, if I do that the team can have a great season.” 

The last time he had over 500 at-bats was in 2004 when he had 601 for the Cubs.  He’s only had over 500 at-bats three times in the last eight years.  While I’d love to see Alou step into the batters box 500 times this year, I just don’t see it happening.  Willie has to almost treat him like a catcher, rest him most day games after night games, etc.  Let’s be realistic, he’s 41 and was consistently hurt in his mid 30’s.  I think he can get close to that number if Willie rests him properly.  Most sundays he should send Alou for a day-off, tell him to go see a movie.  He’d probably enjoy one, seeing how movies are in color now. 

Triple: According to Newsday, Jose Reyes plans on cutting down on his antics this year such as his clubhouse dancing and celebratory handshakes.  Tuesday Reyes said, “No more handshakes. People kept saying we got teams fired up when we did those handshakes, so now I want to focus more on baseball.” 

Sometimes they seem a bit too choreographed but really, he didn’t bat .205 in September because he slapped Carlos Delgado’s hand a few times before he entered the dugout.  Sometimes most people–including me–often take this game like its a religion of some sort.  Baseball is a game, a sport, a very important and intense one at that.  And we in fact are hypocritical when we look down on these players for demanding too much money and treating it like a job. I know I’ve thought they should  be thankful that they have the privilege to play baseball for a living.  So yeah, let them enjoy it, make sure they know its not a job.  Jose should slap hands bump fists elbows and feet when he hits a homerun.  

Home Run: The usually quiet-mannered Carlos Beltran recently said, “So this year, to Jimmy Rollins — we are the team to beat!” After he proclaimed a division title last year, Phillies’ SS Jimmy Rollins responded, “Has anyone heard of plagiarism?”  In an interview for 950 ESPN radio, ESPN senior baseball analyst Jayson Stark discussed how there were people in the Phillies locker room suggesting there would be a brawl. 

This hatred between the two teams really has just blossomed over the last few years, since both teams have been good.  The rivalry really spiked with Rollins’ prediction of the division crown last year, and the Mets collapse allowing his seemingly absurd prophecy to be true.  What’s still humorous though, is that I still don’t see them as our biggest rival.  Even though there has been all this tension and hatred lately, the Braves have been our rival for so long and probably again will contend for the NL East Title as well as the wildcard.  To me, the Phillies are a grumpy third wheel that just desperately wants some attention.  Really, we won as many playoffs games as they did last year.