Perhaps the biggest decision new Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has made so far was to pick up the $11 million option for 2011 on
Perhaps the biggest decision new Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has made so far was to pick up the $11 million option for 2011 on
1970 TOPPS NL BATTING LEADERS #61 Mets’ fans of the ‘60s must have thought that Topps league-leader cards were designed to be cruel. These cards just rubbed it in the face of the orange and blue. “Where are your Koufaxes and Mantles and Gibsons?” they shouted mockingly from multi-paned windows. And out in the street, a single fat tear rolled down the ample cheek of Mr. Met… Imagine the relief when the 1970 set rolled…
While there are several jobs up in the air, the Opening Day roster is starting to take shape for the Mets. There are 17 positions which seem set and another four which seem likely. And the remaining four are possibly already on the team, it is just a matter of which direction Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson choose to go. The definites Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Capuano, Rodriguez, Parnell, Buchholz, Carrasco, Thole, Paulino, Davis, Wright, Reyes,…
After avoiding platoons for most of the past few seasons, the Mets could be moving back to this strategy in 2011, with potential platoon situations at both catcher and second base. With the LaRussification of bullpen usage, platoons have fallen out of favor throughout the majors in recent years, as spots that would go to platoon bats when teams carried 10 pitchers now go instead to sixth and seventh relievers. Most people expect the Mets…
“I really believe, personally, this is his time. I’d be very confident that if he continues on the path he finished last season, he’ll have a nice year. He’s incredibly diligent. His fundamental skills are an A. He’s in phenomenal condition. He’s had some injuries, but he’s strong-minded and strong-willed. He’s in a great place right now. “He’s two years past his surgery, had no physical setbacks last year. My understanding is, after the second…
Before moving into brand new Shea Stadium in 1964, the Mets played their first two seasons in the Polo Grounds, the former home of the New York Giants. The Polo Grounds were located in Upper Manhattan and one of the reasons the Giants wanted to move is that the neighborhood was not exactly five-star quality. Additionally, the Giants put little money into stadium upkeep the last decade they played in the Polo Grounds. The baseball…
Barring any trades, the Mets know that they will head into the season with Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan as their everyday outfield. What remains to be seen is who will open in centerfield: Beltran or Pagan? However, another issue facing the Mets is who will be the forth outfielder? Do the Mets look internally, presumably power-hitting prospect Lucas Duda, or do they look elsewhere? After not offering Chris Carter arbitration, the Mets…
1979 TOPPS SERGIO FERRER #397 Someone had to stand as a symbol of the colorless ineptitude of the late ’70s Mets. Sure, the practical avenue would have been to focus on ownership and/or management. But I was a kid. I needed a more visceral symbol. I needed Sergio Ferrer. In 1979, I heaped all my scorn for the wayward path of the team on the 5′ 7”, 145 lb frame of one Sergio Ferrer. The…
Seems to me… …the Mets are finally getting it. Let’s face facts: our orange & blue heroes probably won’t be contending in 2011. There. I said it. With the roster as presently constituted, coupled with the competition in the suddenly intimidating NL East – let’s be real: 2006 was a looooong time ago – the road to October ’11 looks quite long, indeed. It will take some major overachieving on the part of the boys…
This year’s Hall of Fame ballot is packed with people who deserve consideration. Rules limit voters to 10 choices and I believe there are 12 players who are worthy of enshrinement. In case you missed it, check out Part I of my series, detailing the guys who failed to make my ballot. Roberto Alomar – For 14 seasons, Alomar was a star both at the plate and in the field. And then he got traded…
Most baseball fans know the story of Roberto Clemente. The Hall of Famer played 18 years in the majors, all with the Pirates. A 12-time All-Star, Clemente also won 12 Gold Glove Awards in his career. A four-time batting champion, Clemente played on two World Series winners and was chosen World Series MVP for his efforts in the Pirates’ 1971 win over the Orioles. He was also the National League’s MVP in 1966 and drew…
Just like us regular folk, Major League Baseball teams look towards the winter months for something special. The only difference is your mother would be happy with a $50 sweater and the Red Sox spent $20.3 million a year for Carl Crawford. Now it’s common knowledge the New York Mets don’t have much financial flexibility for 2011. Despite some claims of owner Fred Wilpon being “cheap,” the team payroll is expected to be around $140…
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