A funny thing happened on the way to the Eastern Division title: The Mets discovered the kryptonite that may derail the Phillies’ season. And the green rock that renders all with super power to mush, lies smack underneath Citi Field.  Suddenly the powerful home run loving Phills routinely squeeze out long fly balls at the Mets’ home park. Normally, they are four-baggers in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Bandbox. Have there ever been two [...]

As Jim Nabors in “Gomer Pile” used to say:  “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.”  He could have been pontificating cryptically on the present wafer thin condition of the Mets’ starting rotation.  A concern expressed by many since there was snow on the ground, and ignored by Omar Minaya, but coming to fruition as June bugs and Vultures are circling.   Yesterday John Maine lasted five pitches.  He was throwing a Tom Glavinesque 85 mph, sans the biting breaking ball.  [...]

Jason Bay is a guess hitter because he has been streaky his entire career.  So far, his short tenure with the Mets has been one wrong answer after another.   Take the seventh inning of Sunday’s fifth straight Mets loss – Please.  With the annoying Marlins about to break out a four-pack of brooms, the Mets rallied from a 7-0 deficit to draw within one crooked number, thanks to a huge Alex Cora two-run double (more [...]

Gas is expensive these days and so would be swallowing the contract of Ollie Perez.  Right now you couldn’t get a tank of unleaded in a trade for the maddening lefty.    Nevertheless, it’s time to remove the tags and push this clunker down the hill.  For everyone’s sanity.  “They Shoot Lefties, Don’t they?” has found it’s leading man-Perez, and the Mets gleefully send him off to his next starring role.   Because he ‘ain’t getting it done [...]

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.    When Omar Minaya’s failed dalliance with Bengie Molina culminated in the late February signing of veteran backstop Rod Barajas, he hit on Black Jack, Number 21.   Barajas has not only provided long-distance service, from a previously power starved position, he should also be credited (and Henry Blanco) with gaining the trust of the young pitchers on the staff.   For a catcher, it’s all about the relationship he shares [...]

How sweep it is! Anytime the Mets utilize their brooms against the Braves its a good feeling. Regardless of the standings or time of the year. The fact the Mets buoyed their 3 of 4, first series victory of the year from the Cubs, by one-upping it with a sweep, signals better days ahead in Flushing. Nine days ago many of us stood on the bridge swaying in the wind. Should we jump or have faith? The baseball [...]

It is re-assuring that at least one person in Metville is happy today: Omar Minaya, the General Manager. He got his requisite victory in St. Louis this weekend.  Losing series number four is merely a footnote. The numbers are ugly, friends.  Your team resides in last place, two games behind the Washington Nationals and four games from the division leading Phillies.  Wave goodbye to Philadelphia because this is the closest the team might be the rest of the [...]

As the Yankees were handing out World Series jewelry in the Bronx the other day, the Mets pitcher John Maine was winning the booby prize for pitching a wonderful session of batting practice out West.  Unfortunately, it occurred during the third inning of regulation against the Rockies.   After six runs crossed the plate with two outs, pushing the deficit to 8-0, Maine stumbled off the mound like a punch drunk fighter.  The radar gun was registering so low [...]

It’s hard to believe the euphoria of Opening Day took place but a week ago.  Since the Mets won Game One they have lost 4 out of 5, and two consecutive home series against Florida and Washington.  Not the Sterling start this team wanted-or more importantly, needed. Then came yesterday’s revelation by Jerry Manuel that the team was not “prepared” for the slop served up by former Mets number five starter, Livan Hernandez (he must’ve felt vindicated a [...]

Let me tell you one thing: All this blather that the games don’t count, and it’s still only spring training, the wind is the reason balls are flying into the stratosphere, etc, etc, is beyond worrisome. It’s downright frightful-and not a figment of Mets’ fans imagination. The Mets pitching stinks and the only one who is oblivious to this hardened fact is Omar Minaya, the Architect. I haven’t seen slop served up like (pitchers and [...]

Call these the “Dog Days,” of Spring Training. With the regular season opener less than two weeks away it still resembles more mirage than oasis. Waiting for that ketchup, er, season to flow, grows with anticipation as another meaningless Grapefruit League tilt thankfully is capped. The storylines have been played out and one can only bang the bottle so long before realizing it’s empty. Eventually you must unseal the new season before the gratification commences. You can [...]