Anyone can make a noteworthy entrance but few can make a memorable – for the right reasons – farewell. Perhaps you’re thinking about Lou Gehrig and his “Luckiest man alive” speech. Or maybe you’re thinking about Ted Williams, giving the figurative finger to the Boston press corps in a speech before his final game and then homering in his final at-bat and refusing to come out for a curtain call because, “Gods don’t answer letters.” Or maybe you’re even thinking of a non-sports situation, like George Costanza telling a good joke during a boring office meeting and then walking out to spend the rest of the work day watching a movie.
Right now, Daniel Murphy is doing his best to author a memorable farewell. Most expect that this will be his final season with the Mets, as he’s a free agent following the season and the budget-conscious Mets are unlikely to offer him a big contract, especially with top prospect Dilson Herrera ready to take over at second base. If so, Murphy’s making sure to end on a high note.
In his last 11 games, Murphy has a .370/.396/.761 line, with 10 of his 17 hits going for extra bases. He’s scored seven runs and driven in 10 during this stretch, in which he’s struck out just three times in 48 PA. Murphy may be limited defensively. He may do three things a week that make you scratch your head and go, WTF? But he’s also pretty good with the bat in his hand and is perhaps the Met most capable of hitting good pitching, especially when he’s in a groove like this. Keep making the farewell unforgettable, Murphy.
THE YOUNG PITCHERS STEP UP – For years, we’ve heard about the young pitching in the minors and this year we’ve gotten to see most of them pitch, and pitch well, in the majors. Currently, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard have each made 20 starts and all three check in with an ERA+ mark of 110 or above. In the late 60s-early 70s, this was a common thing for the Mets to have. But it’s not anything that we’ve seen lately. The last time the Mets had a trio of starters to reach these heights was in 2007, when John Maine (110 ERA+), Orlando Hernandez (116) and Oliver Perez (121) turned the trick.
MORE ON YOUNG PITCHERS – Thursday night a rookie pitcher started for the Reds for the 100th time, something that’s a little hard to imagine. By contrast the Mets have had 32 starts this year so far by rookies, a somewhat average number in Mets history. No rookie started for the Mets in 2005. And you probably guessed that 1984 was the year the Mets had the most starts by rookies. That year, Ron Darling led the way with 33 starts, Dwight Gooden had 31 and Sid Fernandez had 15. They were joined by Tim Leary (7) and Calvin Schiraldi (3) for a total of 89 rookie starts.
GRANDERSON’S WALK IN THE PARK – At the beginning of the year, Curtis Granderson couldn’t buy a hit. But he kept getting on base by drawing lots of walks. He hasn’t been able to maintain that early walk rate but he’s established a personal-best with 89 bases on balls. This leaves him tied with 1974 Wayne Garrett for the 13th-most walks in a single season by a Met. John Olerud in 1999 established the franchise record for walks with 125. No other player in team history has reached triple digits.
COMING THROUGH IN THE CLUTCH – Lately in the Game Chatters there’s been a lot of lamenting about the Mets’ inability to get runners home from third base with fewer than two outs. The National League as a whole bats .314/.348/.482 in these situations. The Mets as a team slash .359/.370/.527 in this split. That’s good for the fourth-best OPS mark in the league, one point behind the Braves and two points behind the Rockies. The issue with the Mets isn’t what they do in this situation, it’s how few times they get to this point. The Mets have 241 PA with a runner on third and fewer than two outs. That total ranks dead last in the NL. The Cardinals lead the way with 326 PA in this situation.
THE MEANING OF LIFE – For years now, we’ve heard the phrase “play meaningful games in September” thrown out there as a team objective. Earlier today, commenter Bob P. posted this: “Looking forward to playing some meaningless games in September. Ironic, isn’t it?” Here’s to meaningful October games!
Daniel Murphy 2015 is hitting like Cleon Jones 1973…
I will very much miss Murphy when he moves on. Brian is correct that he can be a hazard to himself and the team on the base paths and in the field. But this young man can hit plus brings an infectious enthusiasm to the game.
Having had him on my Strat O Matic teams in two different leagues I have watched his play intently ever since he reached the majors.
It’s anyone’s guess as to which team will sign him as a free agent. My guess is that he’ll be a SF Giant. We’ll see.
Boston.
I always feared Murphy would end up a National, as he would make that starting lineup an absolute machine. Now, I’m not so worried Washington will waste their time trying to sign him- without their ring and all.
He would fit perfectly into a Kansas City Royals offensive scheme that refuses to strikeout, but wouldn’t fit well with their incredible defensive scheme. If I had to make a guess as to where he will end up, Kansas City would be my pick.
No matter where he ends up, and make no mistake it won’t be in Queens, Mets fans should greet him with a ton of applause. He put his head down and refused to give up through one of the tougher stretches of Mets baseball. It’s good to see Murphy getting his first taste of postseason baseball, because he deserves it. I will always be with 28.
Save the farewells.
He’s a very important member of this team, our #3 hitter and a student of hitting, a vet now with lots of hitting wisdom to mentor the younger players and talk shop with all teammates. His energy, bat and related threat, plus ability to start long term at 3 positions must not be taken for granted.
He’s just become too valuable to let go especially with David Wright’s spinal stenosis being permanent condition, which, per David Wright, requires off day after three games in a row.
Mets have more than 20 mil coming off the books even with retaining Murphy.
I think Mets sign him to 2-3 year extension and could be signed at similar yearly salary as now. Murphy loves being a Met, doesn’t care about big contract, big money – has said so himself more than a few times, just wants to be wanted.
I think the Yankees partner.