Colin Stephenson of the Star Ledger, wrote an interesting article focusing on yesterday’s eight inning when Jerry Manuel yanked J.J. Putz and replaced him with Bobby Parnell. He writes, Did Manuel have any hesitation to bring in the rookie to relieve the veteran, former closer Putz? “I brought him in, didn’t I?” Manuel snapped when asked the question. Manuel has made no secret about how much love and trust he has for Parnell, the hard-throwing [...]

What is it exactly that makes the Mets ‘the Mets’? Why do we root for this team with unending loyalty and a lifelong commitment? It can’t be for our string of championships. We have won just twice in almost five decades, our previous one coming a generation ago. A growing number of fans are too young to remember the last time a Championship flag was flying in Queens. It cant be for our numerous Hall [...]

This about all of the highs and lows of the last month… The month of May started out with Oliver Perez losing his rotation spot, going to the bullpen, and ending up on the DL with a bum knee. All of our starters except for Johan Santana, had ERA’s that were 5.50 or higher, and in some of those cases MUCH higher. The month of May also socked the Mets with a boatload of injuries [...]

I’ve been giving Jerry Manuel a lot of heat for his in-game strategy lately. Most recently, on Saturday I felt he put the Mets into a poor position to win the game when he rested most of his regulars. That said, I need to give him his due for taking out J.J. Putz in the middle of the eighth inning on Sunday. After getting the leadoff batter Cody Ross out on a sharp line drive [...]

Let’s make this easy and get the bat-licking out of the way. Did you see it? SNY, in its telecast Saturday of the Mets’ 7-3 loss to the Marlins at Citi Field, showed David Wright licking his bat and making a face of displeasure. “I think I do that quite a bit,” Wright said with a sheepish grin. “It’s something that comes natural.” But let’s end that discussion right about there, shall we? Yes, it [...]

As the calendar changes from May to June, the Mets find themselves a half game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.  They have managed to stay at or near the top of the division despite the fact that the Mets have become the walking wounded.  In 2006, it was the month of June that propelled the Mets into the runaway train that dominated the division.  The Mets must find a way to [...]

Game Summary Thanks to a solid performance by starting pitcher John Maine, the Mets took the rubber game of their weekend series with the Marlins and beat Florida 3-2. The Mets got some key hits in the Pitching John Maine broke out his new changeup and used it to stifle the Marlins bats today. In six innings pitched he allowed just 3 hits, 2 walks, and didn’t allow a run. He struck out 5 batters, [...]

Buffalo 2, Durham 5 cf Jesus Feliciano 3 for 4, run, 2b, RBI, BB, .295 dh Alex Cora 1 for 5, .214 3b Javier Valentin 1 for 4, BB, K, .310 lf Willy Mo Pena 2 for 4, K, .237 rf Emil Brown 2 for 4, RBI, K, .250 1b Michel Abreu 1 for 4, 2b, .228 2b Mike Lamb 0 for 3, BB, .183 c Robinson Cancel 0 for 3, BB, .219 ss Jon [...]

Mets SS Jose Reyes (DL: right calf tendinitis) will be at the Mets facility in Port St. Lucie this upcoming week to test his right leg. Reyes will see action Tuesday and Wednesday with the goal of returning Friday. Mets utility infielder Alex Cora (DL: right thumb) began a rehab assignment at AAA Buffalo yesterday, going 1-4. The Bisons placed pitchers Dillon Gee and Carlos Muniz on the DL, both with right shoulder troubles.

When Jerry Manuel posted his lineup this morning, Carlos Beltran was slated to start in centerfield. However, Beltran had to be scratched because of a severe stomach virus, the same one that caused him to leave yesterday’s game. Beltran will be replaced by Angel Pagan in centerfield who will also bat leadoff. Here is the rest of the lineup for today’s rubber game…  1. Angel Pagan, CF 2. Luis Castillo, 2B 3. David Wright, 3B 4. Gary Sheffield, [...]