Hey Mets Fans, We've Got Your Number!
Today's blog is all about numbers. Big numbers and small numbers. Good numbers and bad numbers. All kinds of numbers.
.362 - That is where Lastings Milledge's batting average now stands. In 47 spring at-bats he has 17 base hits including 3 doubles, a triple and a homer. Only Jose Reyes has more hits and runs. The questions is, does it get him a spot on the big league roster? Willie is adamant that he will not let Lastings Milledge squander away on the bench, so it would seem the only way he makes it is to usurp Shawn Green and his .145 average from right field. Despite the vast difference in their spring performance, it might take more than numbers to wrestle the job away from the veteran outfielder.
.702 - Believe it or not, that is Jose Reyes' team leading slugging percentage. He also lead the team in homeruns (4), runs scored (15), and of course stolen bases (10), which is tops in both leagues. Make no mistake about it, his power numbers are no fluke. You want something even more amazing? In 57 spring at-bats, Jose Reyes has only struck out twice and drawn six walks. That gives him an on-base percentage of .444. We may actually be witnessing the beginning of the greatest single season in Mets history. I kid you not people!
.167 - Although Shawn Green's horrendous batting average is getting all the press these days, offseason acquisition Moises Alou hasn't done any better. In fact Shawn Green has more hits, homers, runs scored, and RBI's than Moises Alou. Alou has yet to hit a homerun this spring and his slugging percentage stands at an anemic .238.
10 - That is newcomer David Newhan's team leading RBI total. Newhan has looked impressive and should easily make Mets fans forget all about Michael what's-his-name (oh yeah, Tucker). Newhan has sparked the offense when he plays and his versatility will pay big dividends for the Mets this season as they try to keep their geriatric section well rested this season. He also is a great personality and will fit right in with the team's chemistry. Newhan is hitting .289 this spring and has played 5 different positions this spring. I'm a big fan of David Newhan!
0 - Yes that's a zero, and while there is much debate in mathematical circles as to whether zero qualifies as a number, all I want to convey is that Pedro Feliciano has given up zero runs this spring in ten innings. In those same ten innings he has struck out (hang on to your Mets hats) 12 batters and walked only 2! So I want Mets Merized to be the first website to coin the phrase "Dos Pedros".
9.53 - It looks like Ambiorix Burgos went straight downhill since his impressive first appearance this spring. He currently has the worst ERA of all the pitchers left in camp, and I will be surprised if he makes it past this weekend. It's not all bad news though as it gives us all a whole year to learn how to pronounce his name.
2.57 - That was Jason Vargas' ERA before he was sent packing for New Orleans last week. I don't understand what the rush was with cutting him from the team so quickly. Currently we have the aforementioned Burgos, Jorge Sosa, Aaron Sele, Chan Ho Park and Jon Adkins, all with ERA's over 5.00. I'd take Vargas over any of them and day of the week.
300 - I saved this number for last. For many years I have hated Tom Glavine because he would beat us almost everytime the Mets faced him. He played for the Atlanta Braves which is the team I despise the most after the New York Yankees. In 233 innings against the Mets, spanning 35 starts, he has a 16-7 record with a 2.86 ERA. I was not happy when the Mets signed him, in fact I thought the franchise betrayed us. But then I saw him in a Mets uniform for the first time and I had to let go of all that hate. He was a Met now and as such I had to support him just like every other Met that has worn our uniform. However something happened along the way. I soon began to not only support him, but I also started to like him and respect him as well. Today I find myself to be a huge fan of Tom Glavine. He has had a remarkable career that has seen him win two Cy Young Awards, while leading the National League in wins five times. His career winning percentage is an incredible .603 with an ERA of 3.46. He was selected to ten All Star Games including two with the Mets. This season, he is about to eclipse the magical number of 300 wins as a New York Met. It's a feat that will one day will have him enshrined in the Hall Of Fame. And even though I know he will be wearing a Braves cap on that day, I will cheer for him. I'm glad that we have had the privilege of having him pitch for the New York Mets.
So there you have it, all the numbers (including a zero) that's fit to print. Drop me a line and let me know what you think... you know the number.
Comments
Dos Pedros? lol
I like David Newhan a lot too. He was actually putting up some decent numbers as a part time player with the Orioles and showed some pop with his bat.
I didn't care for the Glavine signing either originally, but now I cant picture the Mets rotation without him, and he also is respected by everyone in the clubhouse, and Willie went so far as saying he is the unofficial team captain.
I dont agree with you about Vargas. Maybe Vargas isn't cut out ot be a reliever and thats why he was sent to the minors. All he has ever done was be a starter and with Pelfrey close to locking up the number 5 spot, why not let Vargas get regular playing time in N.O.
Posted by: Daniel | March 24, 2007 11:04 AM
I'm not as worried about Alou as I am about Green. At least Alou's numbers were respectable last year, given his injury and much weaker lineup. Save for a few October at-bats, Green just looked lost last year and his spring isn't helping matters. We've had this discussion before but I don't see any reason why Milledge shouldn't be starting.
I'm still trying to figure out why Julio Franco is still taking up a roster spot. I know he's a mentor/coach to a lot of the players but why not just make him a coach already and give that 25th spot to someone who could actually produce, like Johnson? Right now, the bench looks like Franco, Milledge, Endy, Castro, Easley & Newhan and you'd think Johnson would be left out.
I totally agree about Vargas, even as a long man he's a much better alternative than Park or Sele and I was surprised to see him sent down so quickly. The bullpen might have a few holes but we should be OK until Sanchez and Mota come back.
Posted by: Fred | March 24, 2007 11:09 AM
Hey cool site.
Pedro Felicano was the best guy in the bullpen last year if you ask me. Heilma, Wagner and Bradford got all the ink, but did you see Feliciano's numbers? He was incredible, I think he led all relievers in ERA last season. This guy is the future closer of the Mets!
Posted by: Mark | March 24, 2007 12:54 PM
I agree with 100% about Vargas. He has showed flashes of great pitching in his young career so far and I would take him over any of the other pitchers you mentioned. He could be an asset to the beat up bull-pen right now.
Posted by: Charlie | March 24, 2007 01:16 PM
Great Post. As I was reading it Pedro Feliciano gave up his first spring training run, but I still like "Dos Pedro's" and think they'll both come through for the Mets when it matters the most!
Posted by: MetsGal | March 24, 2007 02:05 PM
Alou stinks.
I'm making this clear...I don't like him one bit.
Posted by: Andrew V, | March 24, 2007 08:23 PM
Yeah I'm right there with you about the Braves and Glavine. I've always hated the Braves, but I've always said that nasty rotation they had in the 90's was unstoppable. Of course Glavine was part of it. Here he is approaching the end of his career and he is still one of the best in the game. I was so happy when he signed on with us this year instead of jumping to the Braves for his 300th. That's dedication!!! Obviously he loves this team and we love having him around. Sweet post, it's all about the numbers baby...DOS PEDROS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Matt Thompson | March 26, 2007 08:47 AM