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

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!

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

Stewie is a Mets Fan!

I always knew, deep down in my heart, that Stewie was not only a Mets fan, but throws his hat down at the end of the season just like I do!

Sandy Promised Me a Pony!

First off, before I begin this little baseball rant, I have to congratulate the San Francisco Giants on achieving the ultimate goal and bringing the city of San Francisco its first World Series Championship. However, I have to say I’m not thrilled about the post-win reaction by the hometown fans. Tsk… Tsk…

Anyway, this isn’t a Giants Blog, its more of a Mets blog, so here goes the rant. It’s been a rough 4 years. Now, I’m not saying Mets fans have it as bad as some other fans across the league. We really don’t… (I’m looking at you, Cubs fans). But the last 4 years, again, have been some seriously rough years. The Wilpons have had an awful image, along with their parade of shmucks that ran rampant within the organization. Luckily, Jeff took the binky out of his mouth and uttered the words a lot of fans wanted to hear for a while… “It’s time for a change”. With that, Omar and crew were no more, and a new era has apparently started in Flushing. What era, do you ask? Well, its none other than the Sandy Alderson era.

Who is Sandy Alderson? I don’t know, and I don’t care to know. See, I’m a ‘results over words’ kind of guy. While local and national sports media and blogs have been salivating over this guy, I could care less about his past or his credentials. As I told a good friend, “the Mets could hire any shmuck they want as long as he/she gets the job done”.

I Can Haz GM Job!?

Shortly after he was hired, Mr. Alderson decided it would be a good idea to answer some fan tweets via video response on the Mets website. I didn’t get a chance to watch it (nor do I really want to) but judging from the general blog and sports media response of “Sandy Promised Me a Winner!”, I can’t help but be reminded of the long-time World of Warcraft slogan, “Ghostcrawler Promised Me a Pony!”. I hear you, Sandy, but I’m not listening just yet. Stop answering tweets, stop sending out “Manager Search Update” emails, and get going. You’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do. Oh yeah, and while we’re on the subject, tear down Citifield and rebuild Shea Stadium. Kthxbye!

Amazin’

Friday, June 12th, 2009: The Mets and Yankees play a hard fought ballgame in the Bronx.

With 2 on and 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, Mets Closer Francisco Rodriguez throws to Yankees 3rd Baseman Alx Rodriguez, who promptly pops the ball towards Mets 2nd Baseman Luis Castillo.

Chaos ensues in Mets country:

Thanks to Ray Dice Chan over in the Global New York Mets Fan Group over on Facebook for the intense drawing.

Movie Review: Up (Disney / Pixar)

After watching this movie over and over again, I believe the status of Brad Lidge… wait… I mean Brad Lidge’s ERA will continue to skyrocket towards the stars!

Props to Ray Dussault over at the Global New York Mets Fan Group on Facebook for the image.

No Band For You… Six Months!

Top o' the mornin' to ya, Gov'na!

Browsing around CNN.com this morning, I found a particular story that further proved how ridiculous we’ve become in America. John Coleman, the drum major for Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes & Drums, quit after some hard to handle and (what I call) unnecessary publicity.

At the Inauguration of President Obama, the CFMP&D (try pronouncing that 10 times fast) marched in the parade. Obama reportedly smiled directly at John, and then waved at the band. Doing what any polite person would do, John nodded in acknowledgement and gave the President-to-be a slight wave in return. Sounds like a non-issue, right? Think again… According to Ken Rybka, the band’s Manager and Web Page Editor, the band rehearsed over and over, and knew it was a military parade. “Protocol and proper decorum had to be followed”, he said, according to CNN.com. For breaking “protocol”, John Coleman was suspended for… count it… six months. What I can’t grasp is the idea that a nod of the head, a smile, or a wave would be gestures that warrant any kind of suspension, regardless of the “protocol”. Sure, the band has rules, I get that. It’s definitely not my place to say someone was wrong here, but I can only imagine the amount of excitement, pride, and joy that Mr. Coleman felt when Obama looked right at him. What’s even better, is that Rybka is quoted to say that Coleman’s resignation “comes as a shock and surprise.”

Seriously?… Shock?… Surprise?… Would you like your name to be thrown all over national airwaves for something as minor as a wave, smile, and a nod of the head? Give me a break! Nobody needs this kind of attention for something so unimportant. To Mr. Coleman (and this is just my opinion here), he had a chance to connect with the oncoming President of the United States for just a moment, and that’s excitement that many would be foolish to pass up. It’s unfortunate that this country’s media, yet again, doesn’t fail to impress with the amount of non-stories out there, making Mr. Coleman an “innocent victim” (I put that in quotations because George Carlin, RIP, had a lot to say about the term ‘Innocent Victim’).

In review: Obama looked at Coleman. Coleman was excited. Coleman nodded, smiled, and waved at Obama. Coleman was suspended for breaking “protocol”. Coleman’s suspension became a national story. Coleman quits due to the publicity becoming a bit much to handle.

What have we accomplished?: Nothing positive. My thanks go out to the national media, who never fail to impress me with their lack of important stories, making me blog about this when I could be blogging about the Mets!… wait… nevermind… as long as Citibank has their name plastered all over the Mets franchise, I’ll pass.

Telly Meets Ron

I always love finding videos on YouTube of shows I used to watch as a kid. Being a big Mets fan, and a fan of Sesame Street, I was extra excited to find this video of Ron Darling paying a visit to Telly Monster and his vast collection of baseball cards. Enjoy!

Holy Crap! You’re Telly Monster!