To Jeff Wilpon The Mets Are Just A Laughing Matter…

That charming headline appeared in a May 29th Daily News article by the rabble-rousing Filip Bondy

You may remember that Jeff Wilpon showed up at Citi Field and made a rare public appearance during a pregame ceremony for Mariano Rivera, who threw out the first pitch, and eventually the last. That was the day that the Mets COO gave up on the season and let the future HOF closer know about it.

The title caught my eye like a mangled raccoon on Interstate 94, but as I wasn’t able to read it until days later. I tried to hold my preconceptions in check, but it looked like Jeff may have put his foot in his mouth again. Or maybe not… Here is what he actually said: “Wish we could see you in the World Series,” Wilpon told Rivera. “But I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”

For Mr. Bondy, this is tantamount to throwing in the towel, giving up, abandoning hope and tucking tail, only one problem … that’s not really what the words say. “I’m not sure that’s going to happen,” doesn’t mean it won’t … or can’t, or even will not … Correct me but don’t those words mean that Jeff WIlpon isn’t certain the 2013 Mets will make it to the World Series?

On what planet is this a revelation? Is this not what any rational person might say under the circumstances? Am I actually coming to Jeff Wilpon’s defense? What kind of warped alternate reality have I just stepped into? Cue the Twilight Zone music.

For Mr. Bondy these comments were outrageous, an affront to his own lofty standards for spirited competition. He never even thought about giving up when he was on the chess team back at the University of Wisconsin (Badgers never surrender!), or maybe it brings back all those ugly memories in H.S. when the jocks would make Filip cry “uncle” between an atomic wedgie and a swirlie. You may recall, this is the same “Flip” Bondy who spent a year in 2004 with the “Bleacher Creatures” in Yankee Stadium and who wrote the following in 2010 as he was gearing up to cover the ALCS:

“Ryan’s no-hitters aside, this ALCS represents one of sports’ great historical mismatches, 40 pennants versus zero. The Yanks should win this series just by throwing their pinstriped uniforms onto the  field and reading from a few pages of The Baseball Encyclopedia. If only Bud Selig would agree to waive a few silly postseason rules, the Bombers might send their Scranton/Wilkes-Barre roster to Arlington for the first couple of games, make this a fair fight.”

Of course the impossible to beat Yankees lost that series the same way they recently lost four games to the Mets, shocker.

Now lets pan back a little ways to 2008 and look at a different quote by a different NY Journalist.

“The Yankees are absolutely down two stars this season, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui. They still have enough big names and big contracts in their batting order and that is why it is almost bewildering that, at this point in the season, it is so difficult picking an offensive MVP for them. Right now the closest to that, the player doing the job you expect him to do, is the guy hitting between Jeter and A-Rod, Bobby Abreu.”

“But the biggest offensive disappointment in town, as much of an under-producer as any big name or big ticket or big player either New York team has, is Carlos Beltran.”

The above  was written by Mike Lupica in August of 2008. Lupica never seemed to appreciate Beltran and it is believed his attacks may have had at least something to do with Carlos’ brief media blackout after his difficult first year in NY. To read Lupica on Beltran you’d think the guy slept with his wife or stole his lunch money or failed to treat him with the customary reverence media royalty demand. I never quite understood the unceasing vitriol directed at a guy who by all accounts was a great player (the best center-fielder the Mets have ever had) and a decent human being.

Maybe Lupica was upset that Beltran didn’t end up in pinstripes? Who knows. Maybe Beltran brushed past Lupica in the clubhouse on his way to the restroom just as Mike was trying to ask a question? Hard to say, but, beyond the questionable beef stir-fry at the player’s buffet, what was clear was the one man campaign Lupica went on to try and destroy an athlete’s reputation. None of the accusations that Lupica leveled against Carlos were true, not the selfishness, or the lack of leadership, or the absence of passion, or the surly listlessness, in fact, to anyone who knew Beltran and had actually watched him play, they were categorically false.

Or how about Lupica lumping Beltran in with Castillo and Perez (two bonafide lumps) during the whole Walter Reed fiasco, even though Beltran had a more than legitimate reason than them not to attend? This didn’t prevent Lupica from throwing in a nasty little innuendo:

“All athletes worry about their next contracts when they get close to the end of their current ones. It is why Beltran wanted to get back on the field, even in his current diminished capacity, hoping he would look better than he has before his walk year, worried about what happens to him when he comes to the end of his $100 million contract a year from now.”

Lupica once called Beltran “as much of a free-agent disappointment as any big hire the Yankees or Mets have ever made.” Remember, this is a guy who had a 7.5 WAR in 2006 (only Pujols had a higher WAR a 5.1 WAR in 2007, and a 7.1 WAR in 2008 and who by almost any and all measures more than earned his salary over the course of his contract. Carlos remains one of the greatest players ever to put on a Mets uniform, and this is how he is treated? Unbelievable you say?

How about Murray Chass and Mike Piazza? One man’s tenacious obsession with another man’s back acne may very well have resulted in Piazza not entering the hall as a first ballot inductee. The personal and relentless focus on one of New York’s good guys was weird and creepy, and for what? In the end it seemed Murray’s one man witch hunt was more about Chass demonstrating the power of his pen and less about the ethics of PED use. Chass had this to say in a recent post on his blog following this last ill-fated HOF vote.

“When I worked for The New York Times, I tried more than once to write about Piazza and steroids, but the baseball editor said I couldn’t because his name hadn’t been linked to steroids. I can link his name to steroids, I countered, but I had to wait until I started this Web site to talk about Piazza’s acne-covered back, a generally accepted telltale sign of steroids use.”

Didn’t matter that the accusations were largely based on one observation of some acne which may very well have been caused by Mike’s chest protector straps. Didn’t matter that Piazza had an on and off again history of problems with acne since High School, nope, all that mattered was that Chass was certain that Piazza was a roider, judge jury and executioner.

Lets go even further back in our little insidious chronology to February 1977 when Tom Seaver blasted M. Donald Grant for not doing more to improve the team. Later that summer, with a contract agreed upon in principle on the table, Seaver called Grant and demanded a trade after an article by Dick Young came out in which Young commented:

“Nolan Ryan is getting more [salary] now than Seaver, and that galls Tom because Nancy Seaver and Ruth Ryan are very friendly and Tom Seaver long has treated Nolan Ryan like a little brother.”

For Seaver the personal nature of the comment was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” he would not tolerate his family being dragged into the fray. Young faced numerous conflict of interest allegations in the press and was vilified by the fans who were aware of his close ties to Grant and McDonald, and the fact that his son-in-law worked for the Met front office.

The day after the trade, in a rare direct assault on a fellow member of the press, Maury Allen of the New York Post responded, “It is Young who forced the deal, who urged Grant on, who participated strongly in the unmaking of Tom Seaver as a Met.”

The wolf spider is known for a particularly peculiar practice, they will very often devour their own young.

You can’t walk into the Met clubhouse without feeling it. The tension is thick and palpable. I couldn’t help notice on the occasions when I was present that there was visible consternation among many Mets players at having to negotiate the press gauntlet, starting most prominently with Terry Collins who seemed acutely agitated and perturbed — even after a win. It was painfully obvious that this team did not like or trust the press. Their words were measured, their inflection flat, their demeanor extremely guarded.

I’m not saying the N.Y. Press should act like a bunch of obsequious homers pandering to a less than informed home crowd as you might see in some other cities. I’m not saying they shouldn’t continue to hold athletes who play in N.Y. to a higher standard. N.Y. is a tough place and New York’s news-media establishment is the one of the most prestigious in the world. If you can make it in N.Y. right? But there’s a difference between holding players to a higher standard and petty character assassinations.

When you contemplate the ubiquitous nature of the N.Y. media, the brightness of the big city spotlight, and the intensity of the fan base, playing in N.Y. is hard enough, we don’t have to make it any harder by subjecting these kids to the megalomaniac rants of self-declared kingmakers holding who knows what grudges against an organization and it’s players. Bondy has openly admitted his dislike of the Mets dating back to 1969 when they dashed his Cubs’ hopes. Seriously? He’s upset because the Cubs lost? That’s like holding a grudge against a bear for pooping in the woods.

It’s hard enough to play in the Major Leagues and it’s hard enough to do so in New York, but when the press becomes it’s own story, adding to an increasingly difficult set of hurdles that young often foreign born players have to overcome, you almost get the sense they are spiting their own just for the hell of it, because they can, and because negativity sells. Circling like sharks at the slightest inkling of controversy ready to destroy lives and careers because they believe it to be within their purview and part of the dog-eat-dog terrain. Meanness for the sake of meanness. Whatever it takes to break a story or make a mark.

I read a great article last night from David Lennon of Newsday, that I believe most of you will enjoy. Lennon got together with Carlos Beltran after the Mets lost to the Cardinals, and the former Mets center fielder looked back fondly at his time with the Mets and talked about his first years with the team when he helped David Wright adjust to the big leagues. But what I found most fascinating was what he had to say about Terry Collins who he says should get a lot of the credit for the Zack Wheeler trade.

Beltran had missed a lot of time during the 2009-2010 seasons and only played a total of 145 games in that span. But if not for Terry Collins the Mets might have never convinced the Giants to trade for him in 2011.

As Lennon points out, Beltran was hitting .289/.391/.513 through the first 98 games of that season and that might have never happened if not for the way Collins eased him back and worked out a plan that would ensure he would stay healthy enough to play a full season. It was a plan he implemented even before spring training began and was modified and readjusted as both Collins and Beltran kept in daily contact.

“I attribute that season to Terry Collins because of the way he communicated with me,” Beltran said. “The way he had a plan and listened to how I was feeling. He basically gave me the opportunity to get back.”

Though Sandy Alderson gets credit for making what some have said will go down as the best trade of his Mets tenure, Beltran suggested Wednesday that Terry Collins deserves a big assist for keeping him healthy enough to play at all. If Beltran’s knees stopped him from putting up decent numbers, there would have been no Wheeler trade.

Oddly enough, Collins may not even be around to see Zack Wheeler’s first full season in the majors, as the team refused to give him an extension this offseason, opting instead to let him play out his final year without any assurance that Alderson wants him back.

But that doesn’t bother Collins much, and he’ll go out there and do the best he can with the cards that he’s been dealt.

In many ways, just like Carlos Beltran, Terry Collins is another class act who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his impact on this team. We don’t get too many class acts that come through Flushing lately, that’s why I’m always so appreciative of the few truly nice guys that have worn or still wear the Orange and Blue.

How cool is that Tron graphic from Kelly? I asked her if she would make me a cool graphic to go with my post and in a matter of nano seconds she emails me this. All Mets sites feature great posts to read, but to have artwork like Kelly’s mixed in with all of our rants and raves really adds a different character and flair to MMO. Thanks Kelly.

After many great posts from my fellow bloggers here, I thought it was time to give you my take on the Carlos Beltran trade and what he meant to me as player and person, and close out what has been a phenomenal Carlos Beltran Appreciation week at MMO.

Like Ed and Kelly, Beltran was by far my favorite Mets player on the team. It’s been that way since 2005 when he joined the team. He replaced the void that once belonged to Mike Piazza who had been my favorite current Met until he moved on.

It was easy for me to root for Beltran because as a Met fan, I’ve learned to love rooting for the underdogs. After the rude welcome to the New York Mets by gasbags like Joe Beningo and Mike Lupica, and the ensuing mass-negativity that would follow, I knew Beltran was going to be my guy. With the deck stacked against him from jump street, plus a new big contract, and then the weight of a fanbase starving for another post season on his shoulders, it was easy for me to view Beltran as the underdog and thus began my personal journey between me and Tron.

I still remember the day when Omar Minaya was introduced by Fred Wilpon, and Minaya laid out his vision for bringing the Mets back to the post season. He said it would take five years to get back there, but he obviously didn’t know at the time that he would be the winner of that offseason’s Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. Apologies to Yankees and Astros fans.

Things got off to a shaky start for No. 15. as unrealistic fan expectations, several injuries including a devastating outfield collision with Mike Cameron, and a never-ending bashing in the media, all contributed to a less than stellar 2005 season. During the last game of that season, one look at Beltran’s face and you could see he had just been put through an emotional wringer – he looked like he had aged ten years. The smile on his face was gone. Welcome to the Big Apple, Carlos.

What a difference a year can make… By the time Opening Day in 2006 rolled around, Beltran-Bashing had reached a fever-pitch in New York. Radio and cable-TV sportstalk blasted Beltran daily - calling him out for being soft, for being overrated, and even for being Latino, and fans were buying into it in droves. It was an ugly time for being a Mets fan, especially a Met fan like me who had just got his brand new Carlos Beltran jersey that Christmas. I couldn’t believe he was being treated and portrayed so poorly.

It didn’t take long before some of those haters were jumping back on the Mets bandwagon as after a slow April start (4 HR, 11 RBI), Beltran delivered a huge month in May (10 HR, 26 RBI) and was now in the top five in about a dozen different offensive categories in the NL, and well on his way to an MVP caliber season. Together with Carlos Delgado, they formed a powerful tandem and after one year of rebuilding, the New York Mets were now in the thick of a post season run and were the top team in the NL East. Beltran would hit a franchise best 41 home runs with 116 RBIs, 127 runs, 38 doubles and 18 steals in one of the best all around seasons in Mets history. He would also win his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and finish 4th in the MVP voting that season.

Beltran led the Mets to their first post season since 2000 that year, and for all the grief Mets fans have given him for that called third strike in game seven of the NLCS, the fact of the matter is that Beltran outplayed everyone in that series. The Mets won Game 1 of the NLCS 2-0 as Tom Glavine and Jeff Weaver locked horns in a pitchers duel. All the scoring came courtesy of 2-run blast by Carlos Beltran, who also made a tremendous play in the outfield – doubling off Albert Pujols at first base with a laser to Delgado.

In Game 4, with the Mets down 2-1 in the series, Carlos Beltran powered the Mets to a 12-5 thrashing of the Cardinals to even the series. Beltran was on base all five times going 3-3 with two walks, four runs scored and jolting another 2-run homer, his second in the series.

Then there’s Game 7 – that’s the game the Mets lost 3-1 with the only run from the Mets coming from Carlos Beltran who doubled and scored in the first inning. Despite a record breaking season, and an NLCS in which he posted a 1.054 OPS in 27 at-bats, Beltran was singled out for simply making the last out in a hard fought series. Never mind his 8 runs scored, his 3 home runs, and his being on base 12 times in seven games, blame Beltran.

In the next two seasons, Beltran would go on to rack up 73 doubles and 60 home runs while driving in 224 runs and scoring 209 in 2007-2008. He also stoled 48 bases and earned two more Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. But the stigma of that Adam Wainwright curveball was simply too much to overcome for most Mets fans, and sadly his heroics were always met with a subdued calm instead of an exuberant celebration. Sadly, that said more about many Mets fans than it did Carlos Beltran.

In 2009, a misdiagnosed knee injury led to what might have been Beltran’s best season as a Met. When the Mets finally shut Beltran down toward the end of the first half, he was leading the National League with a .338 batting average and a .423 on-base as well as doubles and extra-base hits. Unfortunately, what the Mets diagnosed as simple knee sprain and treated with a cortisone shot, ended up being a serious bone bruise. He would eventually miss more than half the season and although he tried to come back at the end after the Mets treated him with just rest, he would sit out the last remaining games and was prescribed more rest as treatment during the offseason. Bad idea.

The 2010 season couldn’t have started any worse for Carlos Beltran as the Mets organization unfairly attacked him for seeking a second opinion on his knee that had now swollen to twice it’s size and was a constant source of pain. The Mets went ballistic when Beltran proceeded with surgery to repair it even when it was proven that their own medical doctor gave the approval, and that GM Omar Minaya admitting he knew about it and wished his centerfield luck the night before. The Mets would spend the rest of that season portraying Beltran in a bad light at every chance they got. He now not only had a fanbase and a belligerent New York media railing against him, but the Mets owners and front office too, and they used their network SNY to do a daily hatchet job on Beltran all through the end of the season. It didn’t really matter to Beltran, and while it must have hurt him deeply, he never uttered a bad word about his team, the fans or the media, and he continued to pursue every opportunity to help the community here in New York or abroad in his hometown of Puerto Rico with many different charitable events, many of which MMO was honored to cover.

When the 2010 season finally ended, so did the tenures of Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel. Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins were tabbed to replace them. but the biggest story of the offseason wasn’t them, it was Carlos Beltran and his knee and whether or not he would move to right field to help the team. For months this debate fueled sportstalk shows on radio and cable TV until Spring Training arrived and Carlos Beltran would shut all the pundits and talking heads up. Beltran walked into the new managers office and said he would voluntarily play right field much to the shock and ultimate adoration of Terry Collins who lauded him for selfless act.

Of course than the conversation shifted to how many games will Beltran play a week, and how many days can he play until his knee would give out again – just the usual trash journalism. But as has always been the case, Carlos Beltran would once again shut up the always ignorant media and go on to post an MVP caliber season and actually lead the team in games played. Yes, you read that right. Carlos Beltran had become the Mets’ Iron Man.. So lets get rid of him.

The writing was on the wall and Beltran was now a marked man. With every swing of his mighty bat, his value continued to soar, and this under-appreciated Mets all-star was writing his own ticket out of town.

The truth is, Beltran needed to go. Not for all the reasons that have been regurgitated countless times on blogs, radio and TV, but because it really was time for Beltran to shake the dust of this town off of him and go someplace where his talents and his good nature will be more appreciated.

New York took a great player, chewed him up and spit him out, and yet they never dulled his shine. The experience never affected his ability to give back. Even in leaving, he did so with class. He thanked the Wilpons, for what I do not know. He thanked the front office who was bent on getting rid of him from day one. He thanked the manager who I know will sincerely miss his right fielder. And of course he thanked all his teammates who were all saddened and shocked to see him go. His final words?

“The Mets did the right thing. I don’t blame them. They tried to do what they felt was best for the team. I’m happy for them”

Yes, the Mets were being selfish. Not Beltran… He was being what he always was. A class act whose mark was left in the Mets record books, and whose spirit touched everyone that was privileged enough to play with him. You don’t believe me? Just ask the players.

Farewell No. 15.

This concludes our week-long tribute to Carlos Beltran. I want to thank everyone on MMO who contributed, and of course I want to thank all of you for reading and interacting with us.

All spring long as Carlos Beltran sat out game after game in order to as he said “be able to play all the games that count”, the naysayers said he couldn’t do it, he must still be in pain, and that he needed weeks to get accustomed to right field. Where are they all now? After a 21 consecutive games played streak, Beltran has once again demonstrated what a tremendous athlete he is. May I also add that with apologies to David Wright, the gifted and powerful switch-hitting Beltran should be batting third. Sorry if that turns some of you off, but Beltran isn’t really a power hitter and he is perfectly suited for the three hole. What a start to a tremendous comeback season for Carlos Beltran! 

It will be a sad day for Mets fans if these two tremendously talented players never take the field together again. We’ve seen and heard of them since they were teenagers and watched both of them grow up and evolve into stars before our very eyes. It would be a shame to see them eventually split apart because in my heart they are joined at the hip. Wright is off to a slow start and he will come around, but Reyes may shatter half of the single season records in franchise histrory at the rate he is going. Do you know he is second in the National League in Total Bases??? His 75 TB are more than Albert Pujols, Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki and Andre Ethier!!! He is batting an incredible .331 and leads the league in triples and stolen bases. Memo to the Mets: Please keep Jose Reyes in Flushing.

It was only a short year ago when we were first learning about Ike Davis after he was called up to replace Mike Jacobs. And what a year it’s been! If this was a parting gift from Omar Minaya we gladly accept and can’t thank you enough! I have no idea what this kid’s limit is, but for now I’ll just have to say it’s the sky.

I hope you enjoy these and feel free to save them to your computers and use them as you wish!

Game Summary

Wow, one of the best games of the year! The Mets were able to ride high on the strength of three homeruns and Santana’s seven innings pitched to win game one against the Phils 6-5.

Pitching

Johan Santana had a decent start only giving up one hit through the first three innings. He had trouble in the fourth inning giving up back-to-back homeruns to Howard and Ibanez, followed by another two out hit from Rollins. Santana gave up another homerun, a two-run shot from Rollins in the sixth to give up the lead.

Another un-Santana-like start, that is four in a row. Santana was able to give the Mets 7 innings, gave up 5 runs on 8 hits, and 4 homeruns. He struck out an un-Santana like two batters, and walked one on 91 pitches. Santana picks up his eighth win of the season and now has a 2.39 ERA.

Bobby Parnell and Pedro Feliciano combined to throw eight pitches to end the eighth inning.

Best closer in the game!!! Frankie Rodriguez, gave the Mets a shutout ninth inning, striking out two, to get his 16th save of the season. He remains perfect, going 16/16 on the season.

Hitting

Mets offense had a nice early lead thanks to David Wright‘s fourth homerun of the season in the second inning, and a Carlos Beltran two-run homer in the third, his eighth on the season. Ryan Church added to the the Mets lead with his second homerun of the season in the seventh inning. Who says the Mets can’t hit homeruns?

Santana helped himself out with a game tying two-run double in the sixth inning, followed by Alex Cora getting the Mets the lead with an RBI double. 

Additional Info

This Day In Mets History - After being ejected in the game, Bobby Valentine returned to the dugout with a fake mustache and glasses.

Johan Santana has gone 116 innings without allowing a stolen base, dating back to last year.

Ryan Church hit the first ever homerun to go into the Homerun Apple in centerfield.

Citi Field turned into Yankee Stadium with a record 7 homeruns hit in the game.

Game Ball

Church, Wright, and Beltran for their end to the Mets homerun drought.

Up Next

Mike Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85) will pitch game two against the Phillies ace Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.40).

Mets bounced back from last nights awful effort and defeated the Nationals 7-0. Livan Hernandez had another stellar start, and the offense helped out with five runs in the first inning, and more runs in the seventh and ninth innings. The Mets win the series two games to one.

Pitching

Livan Hernandez continues to impress and gets the win against the Nationals after a stellar performance. Livan held the Nats scoreless and didn’t allow a hit through the first two innings He was able to keep base runners stranded, and looked like a natural out there with no pressure.

Livan continues his impressive string of starts with his third in a row, going seven shutout innings, only giving up four hits. He struck out 4 and walked 4 on 118 pitches. He is now 5-1 on the season, with a 3.88 ERA.

Pedro Feliciano came into the game and got two outs in the eighth inning, striking out one. Pedro continues to be the productive, quiet guy in the ’pen. Bobby Parnell came in and finished the eighth for Pedro.

The best closer in the game, Frankie Rodriguez, came into the ninth inning to finish off the Nats, not allowing a hit and striking out one.

Batting

Mets offense got off to a huge start in the first inning, and scored five runs on only three hits and two helpful wild pitches from Stammen. After that, they went back to typical Mets hitting, not scoring a run again till the seventh inning when Wright hit a single to score Cora. The Mets scored again in the ninth inning on Beltran’s double to score Martinez.

Everybody’s favorite rookie hitter, Fernando Martinez, went 1-5 with a double, RBI, and two runs. Nice to see he didn’t get sent down.

Daniel Murphy looked impressive going 2-4 with an RBI, walk and a run. Also he continues to do well at first base, starting his first double play since his first game at first base. Let’s hope his cold streak ends. Keep it going Murphy, and you may urn yourself some more playing time.

David Wright continues his leadership stretching a base hit up the middle into a double catching Dukes napping. He went 2-3 with a double, RBI, run, and two walks.

Carlos Beltran has gotten off his groove, going 1 for his last 12 at bats. He went 1-5 today with a double and an RBI.

Ryan Church had a nice start back from the DL. He went 2-5 with a double and a run in the game. With him back, Mets will have an impressive outfield with him, Martinez and Beltran.

Alex Cora and Brian Schneider each had a hit. In fact only Valdez was the only guy not to get a hit in the game for the Mets.

Additional Info

Gary Sheffield continues to miss games because of his sore knee.

Aflac trivia question: Who has the major league record with the greatest disparity between homeruns at home and homeruns away?

Aflac trivia answer: Mel Ott, 323 homeruns at Polo Grounds, 188 homeruns on the road.

Game Ball

Livan Hernandez for his seven shutout innings.

Up Next

Mets will have tomorrow off as they prepare for the Phillies. On Tuesday, Johan Santana (7-3, 2.00) will start the series opener at home against the division rivals, Philadelphia Phillies, who will send the undefeated J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.48) to the mound.

Round One

On Friday June 4th after the Mets got swept by the Pirates, Carlos Beltran said he was embarrassed.

“We have to play better. There’s no doubt we have to play better. I mean, we have to take this personally. It can’t happen. It can’t happen us being able to come here and lose three games just like that. It just can’t happen. Three games with this team – I know they’re a big-league ballclub, but we’re better than them. We’re better than them. And we know we’re better than them, but we have to do something about it.”

Beltran should have felt embarrassed being swept by the Pirates who are in last in their division. Many Mets’ fans were happy to see their team leader step up and call for some accountability from his slumping teammates

Round Two

Adam LaRoche responded by saying Beltran was showing “zero class.”

“I think it shows zero class and zero professionalism,” the Pirates’ first baseman said yesterday at Minute Maid Park. “When somebody says that, they know what they’re saying, and they know it’s going to get out. He knows we’re not going to be real happy about it. If you go and say that to your buddies, it’s one thing. If you go to the media and make that public for us to hear? Yeah, that’s no class.”

Beltran really couldn’t have expected his remark that he was “embarrassed” to be swept by the Pirates to go over well in the Pirates’ clubhouse.

Round Three

It was Beltran’s turn Saturday, with the New York Mets center fielder dismissing LaRoche’s comments.

“What I said was as a team we should all feel embarrassed, because, being honest, I don’t care what he said,” Beltran said before the Mets’ game against the Washington Nationals. “I believe we’re a better team than them. I don’t care what he said. I know that we could have won the first game and there’s no excuse why we would have lost that one. If we would have won that one, I tell you we would have won one or two more. There’s no doubt.”

So far Beltran is up 2-1 against LaRoche. We’ll have to see if Adam has anything to say after that.

“Worst loss of the season” Keith Hernandez says it all.

Mets gave up a 5-0 lead to the Bucs after the bullpen failed to hold on. Late runs were absent as well as all the Mets runs came in the first 3 innings. Mets lost game one to the Pirates 8-5.

Pitching

Livan Hernandez started the game off well, not allowing a run till the 4th inning, despite allowing the lead off hitters to get on for the first three innings. Livan left the game in the fifth inning. He went 5.2 innings, allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, walked 2 and struck out 5 on 103 pitches.

Bobby Parnell came into the game during the fifth to end the inning despite having the bases loaded.

Pedro Feliciano came into the game and struck out two to end the sixth inning. Pedro came back out in the seventh and got one out as JJ Putz came in to relieve him and gave up a base hit that got Feliciano’s runner in. Putz also gave up two runs to give up the lead.

Brian Stokes came in with the bases loaded and only one out. Two runs came across to score on an error by the shortstop Valdez, and a sac fly. Stokes was finally able to finish the inning after five men scored.

Batting

Mets got the offense going early, got five runs by the third inning. Nothing from the offense happened after that. Valdez had a 3 RBI game with a triple and double. Reed and F-Martinez combine for 3 runs in the game. Schneider and Sheffield each had an RBI in the game.

First career stolen bases for Fernando Martinez.
First extra base hits for Wilson Valdez.

Additional Info

This day in Mets history: New York Mets selected Nelson Figueroa in 30th round of free agent draft on June 1, 1995.

Angel Pagan will likely go to the DL when Alex Cora comes back on Tuesday.
Carlos Beltran still out with a stomach flu.
Gary Sheffield looked to be in pain during the game with a sore hamstring.

Aflac trivia question: First 5 players inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1936?
Aflac trivia question: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.

Game Ball

Wilson Valdez for his 3 RBIs.

Up Next

Johan Santana (7-2, 1.77) will pitch game two of this series against Pirate ace Zack Duke (5-4, 2.75).

This game wasn’t one of the best the Mets have had this season. Starting pitching was clearly the weak point, and the offense didn’t help much either. Mets winning streak snapped at 4 games as Mets lose 7-3 to the Marlins.

Pitching

Tim Redding had a rough outing as he gave up four runs by the third inning, giving up several hits, and an error by Tatis. Redding continued to struggle as he he gave up a three-run homerun in the fifth inning. Redding went 4 innings, giving up 7 runs on 8 hits, 2BB, 2K and gave up a homerun. His ERA jumps to 9.20.

Green came into the game and got three outs after Redding failed to do so in the fifth. Takahashi came into the game and went 3 innings and aloud no runs. Stokes came into ninth and got his three outs to finish it out.

Batting

Mets were able to get a run early as Pagan got a walk and Tatis was able to get him in. Bats were sleeping until the fifth where they were able to get one run back with F-Martinez getting an RBI double. Bats didn’t put up much of a fight again till the ninth, Pagan got an RBI double to score Schneider.

Fernando Martinez had several career firsts. First hit, first extra base hit, and first multiple hit game.

Tatis, Valdez and Schneider each had one hit.

Additional Info

This day in Mets history: David Cone announced his retirement in 2003. 
Brian Schneider had his first start since April 15th.
Carlos Beltran left the game in the sixth inning because of a stomach virus.

Aflac trivia question: Which player led the league in ERA most times in his career?
Aflac trivia answer: Lefty Grove, 9 times.

Game Ball

Ken Takahashi and Angel Pagan.

Up Next

John Maine (4-3, 4.18) will go up against Marlins Chris Volstad (4-3, 3.69) for the rubber match of the series.

The Mets Sweep! It may have not been the prettiest win of the season, but the Mets beat the Nationals 7-4 tonight and completed the sweep for their third straight win. Johan Santana clearly didn’t have it today, but luckily the offense picked him up and he was able to walk away with the win. Daniel Murphy had a big day at the plate with three hits including a double and a homerun that needed some help from the umpires. Murph ended the game with a career high 5 RBI’s.

Here is the rest of the story…

Pitching

First run, second run: 4th inning, Dunn homered to right, Zimmerman scored.
Third run: 4th inning, Guzman walked, Willingham scored, Maxwell to third, Zimmermann to second.
Fourth run: 9th inning, Johnson singled to center, Guzman scored.

Hitting

First run, second run: 1st inning, Sheffield doubled to deep right center, Castillo and Wright scored.
Third run: 3rd inning, Murphy singled to right, Pagan scored, Sheffield to second.
Fourth, fifth run: 6th inning, Murphy homered to right, Sheffield scored.
Sixth, seventh run: 7th inning, Murphy doubled to deep left, Pagan and Castillo scored, Sheffield to third.

1. Pagan: 2-4   .323
2. Castillo: 2-2   .295
3. Wright: 1-4   .345
4. Sheffield: 1-2   .295
    Putz: 0-0   .000
  c- Valdez: 0-1   .000
    Rodriguez: 0-0   .000
5. Murphy: 3-4   .262
6. Castro: 1-4   .253
7. F-Martinez: 0-4   .000
8. R-Martinez: 1-3   .121
9. Santana: 0-2   .067
  a- Tatis: 0-1   .275
    Parnell: 0-0   .000
    Feliciano: 0-0   .000
  b- Reed: 0-1   .298

a- Tatis pinched hit for the pitcher in the 6th inning.
b- Reed came in for defensive replacement in 8th inning. Double switch, Reed plays left and goes into the 9 hole, pitcher into the 4 hole.
c- Valdez pinched hit for the pitcher in the 8th inning.

HR: Murphy (4)
RBI: Sheffield 2 (18,19), Murphy 5 (13,14,15,16,17)
R: Castillo 2 (26,27), Wright (31), Pagan 2 (5,6), Sheffield (23), Murphy (21) 
2B: Sheffield (5), Castro (5), Murphy (5),
K: Pagan (9), Murphy (14), Castro 2 (15,26), R-Martinez (7), Santana 2 (3,4), Wright 3 (47,48,49), Reed (7)
BB: Castillo 3 (9,10,11), Sheffield 2 (21,22), R-Martinez (7), Pagan (6)

Baserunning/Fielding

CS: Castillo (2)
E: Murphy (4)
DP: 1 (Putz-Martinez-Murphy)

Additional Info

Happy birthday to Todd Hundley. Mets catcher/outfielder 1990-1998.

Omir Santos was out with a bruised shin after he fouled away a pitch that hit on Tuesday.

Johan Santana now has four 10+ strikeout games this season, 47 times in his career.

Another game where the umps needed a instant replay, Murphy’s homerun. IT’S GOOD! 4/4 on replays.

Fernando Martinez hit a pop up in front of the plate in the 6th inning, and could have reached first if he ran it out as the catcher dropped the ball.

First time in David Wright‘s career he struck out 4 times in a game and earned a Golden Sombrero.

Daniel Murphy had a career high 5 RBIs in the game.

Wilson Valdez had his first Mets at bat and grounded out.

Carlos Beltran will likely be back in the lineup for Friday night.

Game Ball

Daniel Murphy (HR – 5 RBIs)

Game ends: 10:31 P.M.

Up Next

Mets have the day off tomorrow and get some rest before taking on the Marlins Friday. Mike Pelfrey (4-1, 4.31) will go up against the Marlins Sean West (0-0, 3.60).

Today’s Quote

“I just want to make sure that everything is going to be fine and it’s not going to get worse,” Beltran said. “Mentally I know something is wrong.” (Beltran talking about having an MRI on his knee Tuesday)

Pitching

First run: 7th inning, Dunn homered to left.

Hitting

First run: 2nd inning, R-Martinez doubled to right center, Santos scored.
Second run: 3rd inning, Tatis singled to shallow center, Pagan scored, Castillo to third, Sheffield to second.
Third run: 3rd inning, Martinez grounded into fielder’s choice to first, Castillo scored, Tatis out at second, Sheffield to third.
Fourth, fifth, sixth run: 7th inning, Sheffield homered to left, Castillo and Wright scored

1. Pagan: 2-4   .296
2. Castillo: 1-3   .283
3. Wright: 2-4   .349
4. Sheffield: 2-3   .291
   a- Reed: 0-0   .304
5. Tatis: 1-3   .278
6. F-Martinez: 0-3   .000
7. Santos: 1-4   .268
8. R-Martinez: 1-4   .100
9. Hernandez: 0-4   .111

a- Reed came in for defense in ninth inning.

HR: Sheffield (5)
RBI: R-Martinez (2), Tatis (10), F-Martinez (1), Sheffield 3 (15,16,17)
R: Santos (10), Pagan (4), Castillo 2 (24,25), Wright (30), Sheffield (22) 
2B: Santos (4), R-Martinez (1)
K: F-Martinez 2 (1,2), Wright 2 (45,46), Pagan (8)
BB: Castillo 2 (18,19), Sheffield (20), Pagan (5)
HBP: F-Martinez, Tatis

Baserunning/Fielding

SB: Wright (11), Pagan (4)
DP: 3 (Castillo-Martinez-Tatis), (2 Martinez-Castillo-Tatis)

Additional Info

Jose Reyes and Ryan Church were sent to the 15-day DL.

Mets brought up top prospect Fernando Martinez who Made his major league debut.

Mets purchased 31-year-old shortstop Wilson Valdez from the Indians.

John Franco will represent the Mets in the 2009 Amateur draft.

Center fielder Carlos Beltran (tibia) is already expected to miss the next two games.

Alex Cora will delay surgery until after the season, he will be back next week.

Livan Hernandez is the first Mets starting pitcher to go into the 8th or 9th inning.

He tossed the first complete game of 2009 for the Mets.

1,000 career hit for Adam Dunn.

Oliver Perez‘s start in AAA-Buffalo: 4.1 innings, 1 run, 3 hits, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts, 2.08 ERA.

Aflac trivia question: Who is the only player to win 3 batting titles and retire batting under .300?
Aflac trivia answer: Carl Yastrzemski (.286)

Game Ball

Livan Hernandez (complete game victory)

Game ends: 9:51 P.M.

Up Next

Johan Santana (6-2, 1.50) will go up against rookie pitcher Jordan Zimmerman (2-1, 5.71) for the sweep at CitiField.

Daniel Murphy: Manuel pretty much said that the Daniel Murphy outfield experiment is dead and over with.  Murphy will have the next 4 games to prove himself a capable first baseman, otherwise Murph will not be an everyday player.  Also sounds like Murphy will not be getting a lot of at bats against lefties, which is somewhat confusing to me considering how well he hits lefties.

The Outfield: Besides Carlos Beltran the outfield will remain in a platoon situation, some games Sheff, Reed, Pagan and Tatis.

Ryan Church: Jerry said that there is no beef between Church and himself, that he’s thrown batting practice to Church and everything is good.

The Jerry Manuel Dog House:  There is no dog house, Castro, Church and Castillo are not in any dog house.

David Wright: With Delgado out, this is now Wright’s team.  That comes right out of the mouth of the gangsta.  He wants Wright to be a leader on the infield and the team.

Carlos Beltran: This one surprised me a lot but he says he’s been really hard on Beltran in private, didn’t go into specifics about that.

What really struck me about this interview was that Jerry Manuel came out and said that the New York Mets is David Wright’s team.  I think it’s been the worst kept secret for the last couple of years but now it’s officially out there.  David Wright is the leader of this team and he needs to step up now and be that leader.  This will not trip David up, in fact I think this might take some weight off him now as he can be the leader with the manager’s blessing.  I don’t expect David to be a “rah rah” type of leader but this has to make the job of leading this team easier with Jerry Manuel’s blessing.