New York Metropolitan Misunderstanding

Game 2 of the doubleheader in Atlanta is almost done, the Mets are losing again, and my Facebook/Twitter feeds are about to implode from the apparent panic that fans seem to be experiencing.

Seriously? Are you all really that distressed or upset? Did you honestly believe the current roster has a legitimate chance to compete? Did you honestly believe that making the switch to Sandy/Terry would bring immediate results? Stop for a moment, take a breath, and realize that these Mets are probably not going to head into a Playoff Chase, come away with a Pennant or a Championship. Celebrate the positives, and take the negatives for what they are. Besides , we should all be glad that we’re not in the position Terry will be in once the game ends, when he has to release some of that frustration he’s walking around with. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near that locker room… Yikes!

FYI: Pedro Beato was pretty awesome tonight. That’s right… positives, people!

Here’s an interesting mantra that might help cut down a little bit of your stress:

“The 2011 New York Mets were not built to win, and they’re playing appropriately. The 2011 Boston Red Sox were built to win, and Beantown has already pressed the big red button”.

Chew on that, or chew on this:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSTGOyDFPrU%5D

You Stay Classy, Harper!

How did I miss this!? Just over a week into the season and the Mets are just asking for write-ups like this. In case you haven’t clicked on the link yet, John Harper of the NY Daily News wrote about Mets SS Jose Reyes and how his performance with his bat may ‘lead him out of New York’.

Really…. Really, John? So, you mean to tell me that Jose Reyes… The same Jose Reyes who has been getting on base early in almost every game… The same Jose Reyes who has been lighting up the base paths… The same Jose Reyes who looks like he’s having fun again… is at risk of not being re-signed because of one example from a recent Mets/Nats game?

“…coming to the plate with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, the Mets trailing 3-2 with one out. With the infield back, all Reyes needed was a ground ball for a tie, but instead he struck out, which proved to be the pivotal moment in the game. The Nationals went on to win, 6-2, but had Reyes at least gotten the tying run in from third, who knows how differently the game plays out from there.”

While all he needed was a ground ball, would you have known exactly what was coming to the plate without looking at the signs from a television screen? Not only that, but there were plenty of other key moments in that game that proved costly for the Mets. Why you insist on signing out one of the Mets best offensive catalysts, is beyond me. How about these problems?

– Pagan’s slow start
– Duda not ready, appropriately sent to Buffalo
– Blaine and DJ awful out of the bullpen
– Pelfrey’s erratic inconsistencies

So what’s up, John? Needed to fill your quota for the day? Have nothing better to write about? From where I stand, Reyes looks pretty good. One strikeout isn’t going to make or break his ‘chances’ of getting re-signed. In all honestly, I think Alderson would be pretty silly to either let him go or trade him. Apparently, you don’t understand just how strong the left side of the infield is right now. But since we’re on the topic… Who would you suggest the Mets bring in to replace Reyes is to be replaced because of this ‘one strikeout’ you talk about? I’ll be waiting patiently for your next article, “With Reyes’ Future Solidified, Replacements Are Discussed”.

You Stay Classy, Harper!

World of Trash Talk

Larry Frum wrote an article for CNN.com about Rift, a brand new MMO that has been advertised as the “World of Warcraft killer”. I don’t have much to write about Rift, since I only got to play it during its Beta phase, but I will say the following:

Aion, Warhammer and Age of Conan were all advertised and promoted by media and their player base as the “World of Warcraft killer”…

Good luck, Rift. You’ve got a very steep hill to climb! (fyi, calling out your competition before your product makes that steep hill even larger)

What is this…

I don’t even…

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuDtACzKGRs%5D

Major League Greedball: Werth Every Penny

The Mets have already started their final game in their series against the Nationals today, and I couldn’t help but notice the frustration on Jayson Werth’s face as he tossed aside some of his equipment aside after popping up against Chris Young. You see, Moneybags Werth is cashing in on a 7 year (that’s not a typo), $126 million contract (that’s not a typo either).

Before I go any further, let me just add that this kind of money-tossing is something that pushes me further and further away from enjoying the game, when there are public servants and educators out there who bring in just a hundredth of what some athletes make.

You see, with a high amount of greed comes a high amount of expectation. Not only has Werth cashed in on the best contract he’ll ever obtain (mark my words), he has also taken on an incredible amount of pressure. I have no idea how that pressure feels, but it can’t be healthy. Werth hasn’t had the best start to the season, and certainly not the start that a 7-year, $126 million player would have. Here’s the 8-game line on Werth:

Jayson Werth (37 PA): .226 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 6 BB, 7 K

The Mets fan in me can’t stop celebrating Werth’s awful start, being that he plays well against the Mets, especially when he was in Philadelphia. The ‘disgusted by the greed’ fan in me can’t stop celebrating Werth’s awful start. We won’t really know how much pressure Werth is feeling until midway through the season, or perhaps until the season is over. But for the time being, he’s just another overpaid athlete who’ll rake in the big bucks even if he stinks it up. Congratulations, Jayson. You win in life, apparently.

Update: It looks Werth’s slow start isn’t going unnoticed, as Kevin Callahan of the Courier Post asks the important question: “Will the Nats soon see Werth at his best?“. It’s your move, Jayson. Enjoy the multi-million dollar pressure!

Major League Greedball: Manny being… you know…

Thank you, Manny Ramirez, for taking some attention off of the Mets (even if it’s just for today) after they lost to the Nationals today. Dickey looked a little lost on the hill while Zimmermann pulled a ‘Josh Johnson’, the bullpen was equally as spotty, and while sports writers are eating it all up… you decided to call it quits. Thank you, Manny Ramirez. Thank you.

If I really cared about Manny, I’d probably ask a few simple questions like:

Why, Manny Ramirez, would you call it quits so abruptly? You couldn’t help yourself? You stayed with the ‘program’ and were so close to really starting fresh again. So instead of growing a pair (which I’m sure is hard, being that they’re probably the size of raisins by now), you decide to walk away and call it quits like a coward? That’s quite the example you’ve just set. For all of the charities you’ve ever been involved in… For all of the community events you’ve been a part of with the teams you’ve played for… For all of the children and those who dream of walking in the footsteps of some of the greats… You really set quite an example with your cowardly decision.

But I don’t care about Manny. He was caught a second time and instead of being open and honest, another one bites the dust. He’s just another athlete who thought he could cheat the system, and when the system came knocking, he opted into the witness protection program. Typical, cowardly, and forgettable.

Did I mention the Mets looked silly against the Nationals today as they walked 9 batters and… I mean… Steroids McNeedle retired today! Thanks, Manny!

Hey Mikey, He Gets It!

The Mets come home today with a 3-3 record (which is better than I predicted). They showed life during their series with Florida. They put up a hell of a fight during the first two games in Philadelphia. But no matter how good things may look, there will always be someone out there itching to rack up the ‘page hits’ by deterring the fanbase from the positives and turning them back towards the irrelevant. Fortunately, I came across the first positive piece on on the Mets that I’ve seen since the season started, and it was written by David Schoenfield over at ESPN.

He brings up a few interesting opinions that both of us share, like:

– Angel Pagan is the real deal
– The rotation (sans Pelfrey) has real potential
– Watch out for Josh Thole
– They ‘could be’ an 86-87 win team (emphasis on ‘could’)

After reading David’s write-up, I got a little overconfident and thought I’d keep searching the interwebz to find others who share the same opinions on how the season could turn out for the Amazins. Unfortunately, my streak of 1 was quickly broken by Mike Puma of the New York Post (aka: New York Porta Potty). Mike writes:

“The only good news for the Mets is they are finally home, ready to face the Nationals in the first game at Citi Field this season.”

That’s the only good news? Really? Are you not aware of anything that Schoenfield mentioned in his write-up? Granted, Mike does make small mentions of the Florida series, but that’s a pretty bold statement. I’m actually shocked I haven’t seen more Mets rants without a mention of Charlie Sheen, considering he’s in NYC. Maybe he’ll show up at the game today. Wouldn’t that be hilarious? But hey, maybe knowing he’s there is what they need to get people into the WINNING mindset. (c wut i did thar?)

Elimanated?

…and apparently, the Mets are a TV show?

Ruffles… Try again, kthx.

You Stay Classy, Gonzo!

Update: I was informed that Gonzo would offer this post to his mother as a birthday gift. Isn’t that swell? What a guy, that Gonzo! Send my regards! =D

—————–

Another game of the 2011 MLB season goes by, and another Mets rant goes live. If I may, assuming you’ve just read the linked article, I would like to sum up the first 5 games of this young season for the Mets.

Game 1 – Josh Johnson showed up, Pelfrey was erratic
Game 2 – Wright puts it away, Frankie goes wild
Game 3 – Dickey was ridiculous
Game 4 – Young impresses, Hamels struggles vs Mets again
Game 5 – Mets come back from 7-0 to tie, Bullpen can’t hold it

Looking back at the first 5 games of the season, there are a ton of positives. Wright is hitting, Dickey continues his dominance from last season, Young is lights out in his debut, The 7-run comeback, and they’re getting contributions from everyone on the roster. If you could write anything negative about the first 5 games, it would be that Pelfrey has been off of his game (if he ever appears to have one), and K-Rod well had an awful appearance. That’s it. Five games, tons of positives.

“But Josh, why would anyone write such a ‘bashing’ article if the Mets are playing better than anyone really expected, and aren’t 0-5 to start the year like the guys up in Boston?”

Well, unidentifiable question asker, it’s really quite simple. There’s nothing ‘substantial’ to knock the Mets about. They’re not 0-5, they’re playing hard, they’re playing as a team and they look like they’re having fun! Despite what writers want you to believe, there actually is no “National Punchline” involving the Mets. So Chris Rock, a Mets Fan, makes a few cracks. He’s a comedian. He gets paid to make people laugh. Of course its funny. I laughed when I heard that joke! So Seth McFarlane decides to throw the Mets under the bus with a crack before the season even starts. Again, he gets PAID to create a show that will make people laugh. Otherwise, Family Guy would’ve been off the air a long time ago. John Stewart? The Mets fan? I don’t think I need to show you where this is going… If you can’t laugh at yourself, or the things you love, then… nevermind, I’m not being paid to be your therapist.

The bottom line is this… As long as the Mets continue to play hard, and put up a fight on the field, the only thing we’ll continue to see from ‘expert bloggers’ and writers looking for a quick burst of hits to their articles in order to reach their quota for their newspaper is an overdose of “BAHAHAHA METS (insert claim of actual rivalry) BAHAHAHA METS (insert random madoff joke) BAHAHAHA METS (insert random charlie sheen quote about winning)”

In short, what you’ve just read over at the Philly.com website is the result of what happens when a sports writer strokes his e-peen for just a second too long. It feels good on the way out, but its just not worth the mess. But don’t blame me for the impressive mess Gonzo leaves for you to clean up. Go on and tell him to clean it up himself.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20110407_Gonzo___Mets_are_a_national_punch_line.html#ixzz1Iq7gpBva%20Watch%20sports%20videos%20you%20won%27t%20find%20anywhere%20else