I wanted to post a story that was published in the February 2011 issue of the MLB Insider Magazine, who allowed me to share my memory of a great night at Citi Field with another huge Mets fan, my mother. This is my story:

In September 2009, my wife, son and I traveled from our home in Florida to visit family in Brooklyn, NY. When we arrived my stepfather Joe surprised us with six tickets to a Mets game.

Ever since I can remember, I have been a Mets fan. It started with my mother buying me my first Mets hat at the age of two and then taking my sister Vanessa and I to games at Shea Stadium. We went to games when the Mets were really bad in the early 80’s, but it didn’t matter because we were all together.  Shea Stadium was our place of refuge, a place where we could build memories together.

When the Mets won the World Series in 1986, my mother made sure we were up bright and early so we could be at the ticker-tape parade.  Joe even suggested that we get there around 7:00 am, a good three hours before anyone arrived. Good thing we went early, though, because we had a front row spot for the parade.

But, on this wonderful night in September 2009, it marked two milestones: the first game that I attended with my mom since the Mets lost a playoff game at Shea Stadium to the Dodgers in 1988 (the game when Mike Scioscia hit his famous home run off of Dwight Gooden), and also my first Mets game with my 3-year old son, Christopher. Additionally, it was also our first visit to the club’s beautiful new home, Citi Field.

It was a great night of reminiscing, talking with my mom about our memories and making new ones with my son.

Writing this story brought back so many memories with my mother and how baseball was just a huge part of our lives.  She always made it a point to be at my little league games, I could see her behind the plate excited to see me playing the game I love.  My mother knew what we needed when times just seemed so hard and instilling the love of a team in our lives was just what the doctor ordered.

Being able to visit Citi Field for the first time and having my mother there with me made the night extra special.  I can’t remember if the Mets won that night, but in my mind, it didn’t matter because the night was a huge hit and a victory in our family.

I thank my mother for introducing me to the Mets, and for taking the time to take us to games even when they didn’t count.  But in her mind each game was important because she watched her children grow and survive one of the hardest years of our lives while rooting for our favorite team.

I want to wish my mother a Happy Mother’s Day and thank her for always supporting my life decisions.  I am who I am because of how she raised me and I will continue the tradition with my children that my mother started with us.  The Mets mean more to my family than just being a baseball team.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mother’s that sacrifice their lives to raise their children. You are all extremely appreciated.

“They rigged the signing of free agents. They got caught. They paid $280 million to the players. And I think that’s polluted labor relations in baseball ever since …”

In spite of Selig’s unscrupulous past he was able to corral enough owners to his side in an 18 to 9 vote of “no confidence” to force Vincent out. Now, you’d think it would be difficult for an owner with a history of impropriety to ascend to a position best suited to someone who might inspire trust from both sides, not so. Selig took the commissioner’s chair in 1992, passing control of the Brewers to his daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb.

Selig of course presided over the 1994 player’s strike. The 232-day work stoppage lasted from August 12, 1994, to April 2, 1995. What has since been described as the worst work-stoppage in professional sports history was precipitated by a collective bargaining proposal that included a salary cap. Tensions were exacerbated by the collusion attempts … Ownership dug in and the players didn’t budge. Eventually the 1994 season became a lost cause.

The strike damaged the game deeply, fans walked away in droves. There was a prevailing perception that the great American pastime had been irrevocably corrupted by greed. It was also during this time that steroids took root in MLB locker rooms. This issue was covered in a previous piece, so I will only note here that while it is true that the players shoulder a preponderance of blame, the owners did little to stop the spread of PED’s while they lined their pockets, and, in the end, the spread of steroids did occur on Selig’s watch.

The strike hurt the Montreal Expos more than any other team. Montreal had the best record in baseball at the time. The Expos were also lobbying for a new stadium, an effort that disintegrated with the work stoppage. Soon thereafter the Expos were sold to an art dealer named Jeffrey Loria who immediately demanded that the local government build him a new stadium. When this didn’t happen Loria eviscerated and sold the Expos to Major League Baseball for 120 million.

Loria used the proceeds from this sale to purchase the Florida Marlins. A suit was promptly filed by 14 minority owners of the Expos accusing Loria of conspiring with MLB (Selig) to dilute the minority partners’ share of the team from 76 percent to 6-to-7 percent. The suit went on to assert that Loria never intended to keep the franchise in Montreal and that he planed all along on flipping the Expos with an eye on the Marlins. Eventually the suit was settled with the former Expos owners receiving an undisclosed amount. As part of the settlement, none of the documents from the case were made public. This was in effect the second ruling against Selig in a 15 year span.

In the meantime Selig continued to pursue a contraction campaign focusing on the now MLB run Montreal Expos and the Minnesota Twins (for which there was a glaring conflict of interest since the Brewers and Twins shared the same market). Selig himself (who was good friends with the obscenely wealthy Pohlads) had managed in 2001 to get the city of Milwaukee to build Miller Park with $290 million in public funds, so he knew the drill — threaten and lobby.

Selig’s efforts to contract the Expos and the Twins failed as a result of a ruling requiring that the Twins honor their contract to play in the Metrodome. The Expos were subsequently sold and moved to Washington. What remained unresolved for many fans, however, were the exaggerated claims of losses on the part of baseball owners who at the time argued that the market was stretched thin and that teams were being pushed to poverty by player salaries and crumbling venues.

The Twins did eventually get their stadium (with 250 million in public funding), and on the day of its unveiling in April of 2010, Selig, strangely, brushed aside questions about contraction by brazenly stating, “there was a lot of mythology” to it. These comments left many feeling as if contraction was an elaborate ruse to secure support from legislators for stadium funding, a ruse Selig’s old conspirator Jeffrey Loria went on to perfect in securing public funding for a new stadium in Miami. An endeavor that eventually left Miami-Dade County with a 2.4 billion dollar debt, an empty stadium, and a massive abomination of a fish sculpture.

What does all this have to do with the Mets? There’s a pattern of influence and impropriety here that stretches back quite a ways. Wilpon was able to wrest the Mets from the more belligerent and restive Doubleday with Selig’s blessing (and a handy low-ball MLB appraisal). Selig has also presided over an office designed, ironically, to help maintain the integrity of the game, turning it instead into a vehicle for charting new profit streams. In the business world Selig is considered by many to be the greatest commissioner ever, having overseen an era that saw profits increase by 400%. But if there is one thing we know about Bud, it’s his long-standing desire to undermine free agency and level the playing field for smaller markets.

Bud Selig may have seen a unique opportunity to bring down spending and bolster parity by recommending a high level MLB operative (known for his ability to slash budgets and operate on a shoe-string), for the position of GM of the NY Mets. What better place to promote a small market paradigm than the biggest stage in the world?

In 2010 two crises were raging in MLB. Frank McCourt of the Dodgers was running his team as a personal bank account during divorce proceedings that had brought him to the brink of bankruptcy, and the Wilpons in N.Y. were in danger of losing the Mets as a result of a massive stadium bill and a disastrous association with Bernie Madoff and his ponzi scheme. Selig all but guaranteed that McCourt would sell by imposing a heavy-handed MLB takover, while he quietly supported the Wilpons with loans and votes of confidence.

In the fall of 2011 Frank McCourt filed a lawsuit against MLB, accusing Selig of forcing bankruptcy on the Dodgers by rejecting a contract with Fox Sports. The Fox contract would have allowed McCourt to retain possession of the Dodgers, but as the Dodgers were under MLB control by then, Selig was within his bounds to reject it — even though it was similar in principle to contracts signed by many other MLB teams. The court sided with MLB, but not without a stern warning to Selig. Again Bud had deftly maneuvered borderline illegal practices with impunity. Selig knew the Dodgers would fetch an obscene sum in sale and he also knew that any buyer would have deep enough pockets to pour truckloads of cash into the franchise. The Mets on the other hand would receive the austerity plan, a painful rebuilding process focusing on cutting payroll and rejuvenating their farm … the polar antithesis of what transpired with the Dodgers.

A friend who was in San Diego during Alderson’s tenure there warned me, “Alderson,” he said “would chop the team up piecemeal and sell off the parts for prospects, it’s what he does.” I didn’t believe him. “This is N.Y.” I countered “Here you have to spend money to make money, the fans wouldn’t stand for it …” After losing, in successive seasons, Beltran, Reyes, and Dickey, with a budget effectively halved, I can only admit he was ostensibly on the mark.

The more pressing question, however, is one of influence. Selig has exerted his influence over the years with mixed results. His approach in 1994 backfired as the players hit back, and his attempts at collusion resulted in a 280 million dollar settlement against MLB … but his influence was largely successful in both the migration of the Expos as well as the funding of numerous new venues on the public’s dime. The real defeat he’s never been able to undo is his failure to limit free agency and his inability to institute a salary cap.

Bud Selig is friends with Fred Wilpon, but given Selig’s commitment to the almighty dollar don’t let a personal relationship fool you. Selig would just as soon pop open a can of Milwaukee’s finest than hesitate to throw Wilpon under a bus if it meant more money in the coffers. His reasons for coming to the rescue of the Wilpons while moving to oust McCourt, can only be explained with an eye on profit. You could argue this is contradictory, how would the “Met austerity paradigm” mean more money for baseball when the Dodgers just boosted values of MLB franchises across the country by raising the bar with their sale price?

It’s all about parity. As Jason Stark recently pointed out, MLB now features more parity than the NFL. If a small market approach can succeed in a big market it would effectively establish an operational model that could be duplicated in any number of cities big and small. Increased parity means more money across a broader spectrum of markets, precluding the need for revenue sharing mandates. Why didn’t Selig attempt a similar austerity program with the Dodgers? McCourt was himself imbued in impropriety and was openly hostile to MLB, his was a hopeless cause where the only resolution was a forced sale.

If Selig’s plan proceeds according to design, the Mets will benefit from a self sustaining minor league feeder system what will propel them to perennial contention while the Dodgers dig out from an array of bad contracts … but, there are no guarantees. Selig lost control of the Dodger situation once the winning bid was accepted. The Mets on the other hand were under his influence in so far as he was able to impress upon both the Wilpons and Sandy Alderson that they needed to cut payroll. Granted, under the circumstances the Wilpons didn’t have much choice, but when you consider Selig’s history and the fact that he got his man on the GM’s seat in NY, you have to believe he was pleased.

Whether or not this experiment benefits the Mets remains to be seen. Given the volume of pitching the Mets have been able to accumulate you have to feel good about the team’s prospects, no pun intended. The Dodgers on the other hand appear to be a flawed, injury prone, aging, and above all expensive mess. As far as business models, you can bet there will be lots of baseball minds keeping an eye on the Mets and Dodgers in the coming years.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, team officials are saying that lefthanded starter Jon Niese reported no issues and is set to return to the rotation on Sunday against the Phillies.

“A little swollen, but it feels good,” Niese describe the injury Thursday morning.

Manager Terry Collins said they didn’t want Niese to break his routine, and he remains on target to make his next scheduled start.

Niese left Tuesday night’s game against the Dodgers after getting hit on his right leg on comebacker off the bat of Mark Ellis and X-rays taken soon after came back negative.

Meanwhile, the NY Post reported that Shaun Marcum is excited to about making his Mets debut on Saturday against the Phillies.

The veteran right-hander has missed nearly the first month of the season, but that hasn’t dampened his expectations much.

“Obviously that goal is not going to happen as far as making all my starts,”” Marcum told reporters.

“But with the snow-outs and stuff I still can come close to 30 starts, so hopefully I can come close to 200 innings and do what I can to go deep into those games.”

Collins has already said that Marcum will be on a 90-95 pitch count against the Phillies tomorrow.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were in town this week, taking 2 out of 3 games against the Mets. This was a fun series, that pictured two well pitched games on Wednesday and Thursday. I’ll even go so far as to say Wednesday night’s game was one of the most enjoyable ball games I’ve watched in a while.

Where’s The Spin: No doubt about who would lead of this edition. Jordany Valdespin wins the only game the Mets took in the series and then tells reporters afterward that the team won the game because of Mike Baxter‘s hustle. Nice. But, how come he was not in the lineup after hitting a dramatic game winning grand slam home run in the tenth inning the previous night?

Wright On: Wright gets a nod for his game tying hit in the ninth inning on Wednesday night. Wright did exactly what a captain should do. The Dodgers had some mojo going after Jerry Hairston‘s great catch on Daniel Murphy. Wright stepped up, two out Baxter on third and promptly laces a single to center. So much for the non-clutch label.

Heff Deserved Better: Jeremy Hefner pitched a gem on Thursday afternoon, going seven innings, giving up one run, three hits, and four strikeouts. Job well done, Jeremy. Unfortunately, he got no run support. Let’s hope he can string some back to back quality starts together.

Mattingly’s Moves: In the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s game, Donny Baseball decide to use an extra infielder, and play with only two outfielders. The problem I have with this, is it took way too long for the Dodgers to get set on defense. As Ron Darling mentioned on SNY, Terry should be out complaining about the delay. Second head-scratcher from Mattingly was using his ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw as a pinch hitter to bunt. I get it, Kershaw is a very good bunter. But, the Dodgers pitching staff has been hit hard with injuries, so why risk getting your ace injured on a bunt play? Is Donny that desperate to save his job?

Post Game Celebrations: Joe D. had a post here on Thursday about the pie in Valdespin’s face on Wednesday night being a cheap shot. Looking at it live, I didn’t realize it, but then saw Joe was 100% correct upon further review. There was more behind the pie incident than we fans will ever know about. Joe called for an apology, was criticized for it, but that’s exactly what Valdespin and the team got. Buck assembled them all before yesterday’s game and apologized to the team and then turned to Valdespin and said he was sorry in Spanish. Valdespin accepted, shook hands with Buck, and the matter is over. I don’t like the pie in the face, and I also don’t like the entire team crowding around home plate after a walk off home run like a bunch of little leaguers.

Where’s His Edge: On Tuesday, sophomore reliever Josh Edgin worked 1/3 of an inning, giving up four hits and two runs. On the season Edgin is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA. Not good enough. His fastball has no life, his slider is flat, and it may be time to consider a trip to Vegas because he is not helping the team right now.

The Phillies are in town this weekend. Chase, Ryan, Cole, J-Roll….all our old friends enemies . Lets hope for the best, and Let’s Go Mets.

Starting Lineup

1. Ruben Tejada – SS
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Lucas Duda – LF
5. Marlon Byrd – RF
6. Ike Davis – 1B
7. Anthony Recker – C
8. Collin Cowgill – CF
9. Jeremy Hefner – RHP

Game Notes

Last night’s grand slam by Jordany Valdespin was the first walk-off grand slam by a Met since Kevin McReynolds against Montreal’s Scott Ruskin on June, 25 1991 and the sixth in franchise history. It also marked the second walk-off hit by a Met this season, joining Marlon Byrd against the Miami Marlins on April 7. Incidentally, Jordany Valdespin said last night after the game, “Biggest play of night was Baxter hustle.” So much for charges of inflated ego.

Jonathon Niese, who was struck with a comebacker in the lower right leg off and forced from Tuesday’s game, had some swelling and tightness a day after receiving the jolt. He may delay his bullpen session by a day to Friday and throw more lightly than customarily between starts. But Niese intends to proceed with his next scheduled start, against the Philadelphia Phillies opposite Cole Hamels on Sunday at Citi Field.

Despite pitching well in the New York Mets’ 7-3, 10-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up just four hits and three runs in six innings, Harvey was unforgiving about his no-decision. “You guys know me. In my mind I sucked,” Harvey said. “I have to be better.”

Game Preview

The Dodgers and Mets finish off their three game series this afternoon as the Mets look to take another series via the rubber game. Last night the Mets rallied in the 9th inning to tie the game 3-3 and then won on a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the tenth via Jordany Valdespin. Hopefully the magic continues today as Jeremy Hefner takes on rookie Hyun-jin Ryu.

Hefner had another off start last time out lasting 4.0 innings allowing 3 ER. He started the season well allowing only one earned run over 6 innings of work. Since that start he’s pitched 8.0 innings and has allowed 10 ER. Last year he made 3 appearances (no starts) against the Dodgers pitching a total of 4.0 innings allowing only 2 ER. The Dodgers have the following numbers against Hefner:

A.J. Ellis 0-2
Cruz 0-1
Ethier 0-1
Kemp 1-1, 3B
Uribe 0-1

The Mets bats will get their first look at Hyun-jin Ryu today who is 2-1 with a 4.01 ERA over four starts this season. In his first two starts he lasted 6.1 innings and since then he has gone an even 6 innings in each start. Each start has also gotten progressively worse for him as he has allowed 1 ER, 2 ER, 3 ER and 5 ER in that order. As you can imagine, he’s never played against the Mets and this is his rookie season, so there are no batting statics against anyone currently on the Mets.

Let’s Go Mets!

The walk-off grand slam by Spin was the first in 23 years when Kevin McReynolds last did it in 1991.

Matt Harvey started the game and didn’t have his best stuff as he searched for his fifth win of the season.

The Mets right-hander allowed three earned runs on four hits including Matt Kemp‘s first home run of the season. He walked one while striking out seven and still gets credit for a quality start. However it was the first time this season he didn’t last at least seven innings.

Despite the dramatic blast by Valdespin, the Mets were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and had plenty of opportunities to do some damage and avoid extra innings.

But what matters most is the win and this one was sweet.

Bobby Parnell got the win and pitched a scoreless tenth and the bullpen did a great job of keeping the Dodgers in check until the Mets offense rallied to win.

ODDS & ENDS

HARVEY STRIKEOUTS: Matt Harvey has 109 strikeouts in his first 15 career games…The only other Mets with more strikeouts in their first 15 games are Dwight Gooden (113) and Nolan Ryan (112).

HARVEY DOUBLES: Matt Harvey collected his third career double in the fifth inning…The three doubles over the last two years (2012-2013) are tied for third-most in the majors among pitchers…Stephen Strasburg, who has made 30 starts during that time, is first with five and Yovani Gallardo, who has made 37 starts, is second with four…Harvey’s double was also the first extra-base hit by a Mets pitcher this season.

EXTRA-INNINGS: The Mets improved to 1-1 in extra-innings while the Dodgers fell to 0-1 in extra frames.

COMEBACKS: New York rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win…It was the Mets third come-from-behind win of the year.

RUBEN TEJADA: Singled in the fifth inning to snap an 0-18 skid.

DANIEL MURPHY: Was 1-5 to extend his hitting streak to seven games…Hitting .333 (10-30) during the run, which dates to April 16 at Colorado.

BIG QUESTION: Why Terry Collins continues to keep Valdespin from playing everyday is still the big question. As I’ve said again and again and again, Valdespin is a catalyst… He’s a game-breaker… He’s electric… Wake your ass up, Terry!

Great Player… Great Moment… Great Game… Great Finish…

Starting Lineup

1. Ruben Tejada – SS
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. John Buck – C
5. Ike Davis – 1B
6. Marlon Byrd – RF
7. Lucas Duda – LF
8. Juan Lagares – CF
9. Matt Harvey – RHP

Game Notes

• Jon Niese is expected to throw a scheduled side session tomorrow, but remains on target to make his next start according to Terry Collins, although he’ll feel a lot better when he sees Niese back on a mound. Niese left Tuesday’s game in the third inning after being hit on the foot on a line drive.
• Shaun Marcum is in New York and ready to make his Mets debut on Saturday against the Phillies, Mets manager Terry Collins said today. Marcum threw 52 pitches over five scoreless innings in an extended spring training game Monday and later threw more pitches in the bullpen.
• Robert Carson and Brandon Lyon are not available out of the bullpen tonight according to Terry Collins. Jeurys Familia might not pitch either, Collins said.
• Lucas Duda is a first baseman by trade, but Collins will reluctant to move the left fielder to his first position even when Ike Davis is out of the lineup. “I want to have this kid be able to do is when he takes the field each day is be comfortable out there,” Collins said. “Can he play first base? Absolutely.”
• Center fielder Matt den Dekker, who suffered a fractured right wrist on an attempted catch in a March 24 Grapefruit League game, is due to have the cast removed Monday. Den Dekker then will begin an approximate two-week rehab program to regain range of motion before beginning baseball activities.

Game Preview

The Mets look to rebound after last night’s loss against the Dodgers as they play game two tonight. It’s the time of the week that all Mets fans look forward to because ITS HARVEY DAY.

If no one has wished you a Happy Harvey Day yet today, well a Happy Harvey day to you. Harvey will be making his fifth start of the season today. Fun fact, if the Mets wear the blue softball tops (and I don’t think they will) then Harvey will have worn 5 different jersey tops in his first 5 starts of the season. Anyway Harvey has dominated this season posting a 4-0 record with a 0.93 ERA over 29.0 innings where he has struck out 32 batters. Harvey has never faced the Dodgers and the only Dodger who has statistics against him is Schumaker who was 1-3 last year.

For the Dodgers, Ted Lilly will be making his season debut for a starting rotation that has caught a serious injury bug. Last year Lilly was 5-1 over 8 starts  over 48.2 innings with a 3.14 ERA. This year, he has allowed 13 ER, 15 total over 17 innings in three starts in the minor leagues. The last time he faced the Mets was in 2011 where he allowed 3 ER and 6 hits over 6 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against Lilly:

Byrd 8-17, 2B, HR
Murphy 1-6, 2B
Wright 1-5
Buck 1-4
Cowgill 1-3
Duda 0-3

Lets Go Mets!

Check 213 Miles From Shea!

Last night, in the Mets 7-2 loss to the Dodgers, Juan Lagares entered the game in the top of the fifth inning to play center field as part of a double-switch – officially marking his major league debut.

Lagares led off in the bottom half of the fifth with a hard hit fly to the warning track in left field against Dodgers’ ace LHP Clayton Kershaw. In his next at-bat, Lagares singled against left-hander Paco Rodriguez in the seventh for his first major league hit. The first of what I’m sure will be many.

“When I got to the dugout, all my teammates said ‘Congratulations,’” Lagares said. “I really don’t know how to say it, but I am so excited to be here with the team.”

Lagares, 24, was promoted in place of outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who was optioned to Las Vegas after hitting .125 (2-for-16).

I appealed to the Mets to call him up only the day before they did after looking at his .346 (27-for-78) in 17 games with Las Vegas. The athletic outfielder started every game in centerfield and had already hit three home runs, three doubles and two triples in his 82 total plate appearances. His .929 OPS was second on the team.

“He’s the future,” Mets manager Terry Collins said before Tuesday’s game. “A great defender. Got some power. There are people in this organization that think he’s a better outfielder than Matt den Dekker. That speaks a lot.”

Initially an infielder, Lagares converted to the outfield in 2009 and has only gotten better according to Wally Backman.

Collins said Lagares will start Wednesday with the Dodgers starting left-hander Ted Lilly.

Welcome to The Show, kid…

Mets Starting Lineup

1. Ruben Tejada – SS
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. John Buck – C
5. Marlon Byrd – RF
6. Lucas Duda – LF
7. Justin Turner – 1B
8. Collin Cowgill – CF
9. Jonathon Niese – LHP

Game Notes

The Mets lead the National League, averaging 5.82 runs per game, narrowly ahead of the Colorado Rockies (5.78). Imagine if we had a legitimate backend of the rotation? We’d have at least 11-12 wins with that kind of run support. (Joe D.)

Juan Lagares, who was promoted to the Mets from Triple-A Las Vegas today, will be available and wear Uniform No. 12 which was last worn by Scott Hairston. Wally Backman has always spoken highly of Juan Lagares who has a .282 minor league average. (Joe D.)

The Aaron Laffey era is officially over as he was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays on waivers this afternoon. Laffey had a 7.20 ERA, allowing eight earned runs on 16 hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in 10 innings for the Mets. And so it goes… (Joe D.)

Left-hander on the mound and Ike Davis on the bench. Does Terry Collins read MMO too? It’s about time Terry… (Joe D.)

Mets minor leaguer Christian Montgomery has been suspended 50 games for a second positive test of a drug of abuse, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Game Preview

The Mets and Dodgers start a series tomorrow night as the Mets look to build off of a series win against the Nationals. The Mets are catching the Dodgers at a good time as several players are struggling and moral is low. The Dodgers catch the Mets at an interesting time as they just beat two of the better pitchers in baseball (Strasburg, Zimmermann) and the Mets will get another challenge tonight in Clayton Kershaw.

Jon Niese had two rough starts in a row in two cold weather environments. In his first two starts, he was 2-0 over 12.2 innings with 9 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA. In his next starts he was 1-1 after pitching 11.0 innings allowing 8 runs with 7 earned. Tonight he looks to channel the first two starts. He had a no decision in one start last year against the Dodgers allowing 3 ER over 7 innings. The Dodgers have the following against Niese:

Uribe 0-11
Hairston 1-10
Kemp 4-9
Ethier 4-9
Cruz 1-5
Punto 0-5

The Mets batters will try to rough Kershaw tonight who is 2-2 with a 1.88 ERA in his first four starts on the season. He started off the season with 16.2 scoreless innings which he followed up with 6 ER over 12.2 innings. He had one start against the Mets last year and he allowed 3 runs, 1 earned over 7 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against Clayton:

Wright 2-12, 2B
Buck 1-8
Turner 1-10
Byrd 6-9
Tejada 3-5
Davis 1-6, 2B

Let’s Go Mets!

It was early April. The rosters were set and Opening Day was hours away. Unexpectedly the Mets exhibition game against the Expos was cancelled due to a players strike. With a free afternoon and nothing to do, the Mets manager and some of his coaches decided to walk across the street and play a round of golf at the Palm Beach Lakes Club. Later that afternoon on their way back to the Ramada Hotel where the team was staying, manager Gil Hodges collapsed in the parking lot of a heart attack just 2 days prior to his 48th birthday. He was pronounced dead at 5:45 pm.

The emptiness left by Hodges’ passing was not just felt from Florida to Brooklyn and Flushing but throughout the entire Baseball community. One of the games most loved and respected players would never again walk onto the field.

Hodges career was worthy of enshrinement in Cooperstown. Over 18 years, two of which were interrupted by service to his co

untry in World War II, he compiled 1274 RBI’s, 14 Grand Slams (most in NL history at the time of his retirement) and 370 career HR’s (most by a RH hitter at the time.) He accrued 1921 hits and a respectable 273 career average for a power hitter to go along with a 487 slugging percentage. He was an 8 time All-Star, winner of 3 Gold Gloves and 3 World Series rings. On August 31, 1950, he hit 4 HR’s in 1 game and for 7 consecutive years, from 1949-1955, Hodges surpassed the century mark in RBI’s.

But it was Hodges ‘the man’ and not Hodges ‘the ballplayer’ that left his indelible mark on our national pastime. During his 15 year tenure with the Brooklyn Dodgers he was perhaps the most lovable of all ‘Dem Bums.’ Pitcher Clem Labine stated, “Gil was the only player I remember whom the fans never booed.’ Pee Wee Reese once said of his teammate, “If you had a son, you’d want him to grow up to be just like Gil Hodges.”

At the end of his stellar career, with his best days behind him, the city that loved him welcomed him home with open arms. 38 year old Hodges was the opening day 1bman for the expansion New York Mets and proceeded to hit the 1^st round tripper in team history.

In 63, Hodges was traded to the hapless Senators where it had been decided he’d become their manager. Although Washington failed to ever reach .500 with Hodges at the helm, their win total improved each season. In 1968, the beloved Brooklyn Dodger and original Met returned to New York once more, this time to manage the lovable losers. Through the first 6 years of existence, New York’s ‘other’ team averaged 109 losses. However, when Gil took the reins, he immediately made it clear losing would not be tolerated.

As Buddy Harrelson stated, that first season Gil just watched, watched and studied. There was a lot more right with the Mets than wrong. He also made it clear to the press that he would not tolerate any jokes about ‘the same old Mets.’ He would go on to manage the Mets to 339 victories, 3^rd most in club history.

Gil’s larger than life persona and reputation commanded the respect of a young team. An ex-Marine, he was tough yet compassionate. He was paternal in nature to the young players. He was old-school. When he argued with umpires, they were not tantrums in the likes of an Earl Weaver or Lou Piniella, but rather logical discussions based on reasoning. He was nicknamed ‘The Quiet Man.’ When he was furious with a left fielder for not hustling, he had no qualms about walking across the diamond and personally escorting Cleon Jones from the game. “Gil remains the most important influence in my career because he told me what being a professional entails,” Tom Seaver once stated. Hodges went on to explain to the young pitching superstar, “Sometimes you don’t have your best stuff because you can’t control that. But you can always control your effort.”

Hodges never displayed emotion, always appearing calm. No matter what happened on the field, good or bad, it appeared as if it was just as he planned. He was ahead of his time, becoming one of the first managers to platoon players. In 1969, he used the platoon of Swoboda and Shamsky in right, Weis and Boswell at 2b.

During the funeral service in April 1972, Gil’s son, Gil Hodges Jr, who was a prospect in the Cardinals organization, was ushered into the back of a limo by sportscaster Howard Cosell. In the rear seat sat Jackie and Rachel Robinson. “Jackie was hysterical,” recalled the younger Hodges. “My dad and mom were really the ones that befriended Jackie and Rachel. Mom made sure that the other wives” welcomed Rachel to the baseball family.

Every year the BBWAA elects someone  worthy of baseball immortality to Cooperstown. And every year Hodges’ is seemingly forgotten, thus beginning a discussion/debate over why he continues to be overlooked. Perhaps, however, it’s his son, who sums it up best. Gil Hodges Jr, now in his sixties, was recently asked about his dad being passed over year in and year out. His response: “To me, in all honesty, it’s really beyond irrelevant. Everyone treats him like he’s in the Hall of Fame anyway.”

Gilbert Ray Hodges:   April 4, 1924-April 2, 1972

If you had asked me twelve months ago if the Wilpons should sell the Mets, I’d have been pretty emphatic in my support. In the six months that followed, new reports surfaced describing the debt the Mets were in and it seemed that number grew by $100 million from each report to the next. The most recent tally has it in the ballpark of $450 million. In the six months since then, I found my support for the “sell-sell-sell-sell” portion of the fan base waning (was there ever any other portion?)

First it was a $40 million loan, then it was an extension on paying back last year’s $25 million loan. Then Bud Selig, the Wilpon’s biggest supporter, was extended two years in his position as Commissioner, and now it seems that over the last couple of months the stars have been aligning for the Wilpons in their effort to maintain control of the team. Irving Picard’s lawsuit, which itself is about as criminal as Bernie Madoff’s scheme, has not progressed the way the trustee of Madoff’s victims had hoped. We’ve seen charge after charge dismissed. The total amount being sued for is decreasing, and now the latest blow, a motion from the Wilpon’s side to dismiss. The motion will likely be denied, but I think it speaks volumes about where the case stands now; that the evidence against the Wilpons is apparently flimsy enough, or even non-existent, for that option to even be entertained.

There is plenty that says the Wilpons might not be forced to sell and can ride out the lawsuit, thus maintaining ownership. This is why I feel the Wilpons should hold on at this juncture.

We’re almost in February, and as of this writing, the biggest impact name on the market is Edwin Jackson. Nothing against E-Jax, but the well’s fairly dry. The Mets 2012 roster is pretty much set, except for another few minor league deals for depth or maybe the low-base guaranteed deal for one of several fifth outfielders linked to the Mets. Even if the best case scenario for Wilpon-detractors comes true and a new owner is put in place tomorrow, there’s nothing he can do to significantly improve the 2012 team. Even if he was able to take on salary at the deadline, the Mets probably wouldn’t be in a position to buy, anyway.

But we all know a change of ownership stretches out a long time.  It was in April when MLB merely took over the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers, wasn’t till November when Frank McCourt agreed to sell, and now three months later, they’re only in the second round of bidding with ten potential ownership groups still in the running. The Dodgers won’t be sold till at least the summer; roughly 15 months after MLB took the first step. Think that’s a long time? Imagine the process with the team in the New York market.

I’m of the opinion that considering how long the process is to sell the team and how the lawsuit is progressing; it is in the best interest of the Mets and their fans for the Wilpons to remain owners. I think the Wilpons will ride out the storm quicker than it would take a new owner to step in. Let’s not dismiss the track record of the Wilpons, either. They have spent the most money in the National League the past few seasons. That and that alone is the sign of a good owner. They will do what’s necessary to win. Also take into consideration their charitable efforts, their community outreach and the respect they’ve earned throughout baseball.

How can we even be certain the new owner will do what’s necessary to win? We know the Wilpons would spend $150 million on payroll. How do we know that’s in a potential new owner’s budget?

Another thing I’d like to touch on is a shift in the landscape of ownerships. It’s no longer a family business, now its consortiums. Call me old fashioned, but I like it when my team is owned by one person or family with one agenda.  Skim this article on espn.com about the sale of the Dodgers and look who’s still in the running. All “groups headed by.” I don’t think something like that ever works in the best interest in the team, it works in the best interest of the investors and team success is usually a happy accident; a by-product of business decisions. It didn’t work for Nelson Doubleday, did it? I prefer the operation of the team be the family business, not a business venture.

Look, if Picard has an ace up his sleeve or one last smoking gun that could actually convict the Wilpons, then this article has been a waste of 45 minutes for me; I’d be back where I was twelve months ago. But in light of the fact that there seems to be no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of the Wilpons, at this stage of the lawsuit and what the sale of the Dodgers is proving, I think the best option for the Mets and their fans right now is sticking with the Wilpons.

What do you think?

This Fan Shot was submitted by Rob. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over eleven-thousand Mets fans who read this site daily. Send your Fan Shot to GetMetsmerized@aol.com.

Legend has it that the Mets were never quite the same after Dr. Evil himself, M. Donald Grant, traded away the Franchise, literally and figuratively, for some spare parts. It was true, in a way, but then again, so was the dynamic changing in baseball. Indirectly relating to the trade of Tom Seaver was the underlying notion that he wanted to be paid up, suckas.  Grant didn’t think Seaver was above the Mets name, and subsequently got rid of him by planting some unfavorable quotes in the NYC sports “tabloids,” if you will.

But the dynamic was also changing because of the era of free agency. And to that, I ask, is the “franchise player” still relevant?

You know who that is: the guy who is known for playing for one team; who made his mark with one team; who may have played for another team, but was never quite the player he was with that synonymous team. I think the closest we might have today is Albert Pujols. That, however, may change this offseason due to his contentious situation with being the best player in baseball (well, maybe Alex Rodriguez takes umbrage with that) and being a free agent. I think his brand with the Cardinals is significant, but as my friend Bill Ivie has said, the Cardinals were a great franchise before Pujols, they’ll still be a great franchise without him. Time will tell.

But then look at Carlos Beltran. Perhaps one of the most divisive Mets in recent memory, his injuries may prevent him from ever making the Hall of Fame. Yet, I had a Twitversation the other day with some other Mets fans about him playing a few more years, uninjured. I think if it walks and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck, and Beltran cannot stay healthy. I said, the harsh reality is he could be another Moises Alou, a great player whose injury-marred seasons keep him from getting his call to the Hall. However, someone said, if he DID come around with great numbers and played into his 40s without as many injuries, it would be hard pressed to have him go in as a Met, even though he did play seven years with them.

I guess I am raising these questions because of the Mets’ own “Franchise Players” and “Faces of the Franchise,” David Wright and Jose Reyes.

The Mets and those of us who live, breathe and eat any information surrounding the team have a contentious situation on their hands, especially regarding Reyes’ status as a free agent after the 2011 season. Couple that with David Wright, which is another contentious situation in and of itself. While not a free agent, he has an option that he can decline if he gets traded (which makes him a less attractive trading candidate), but then he’s had a noticeable drop off, but on the flip side he’s had one of his first injury-plagued seasons in recent memory (he’s been relatively healthy, considering all the injuries this stupid team has had in the last three years).

It gives me pause because they are still young and productive, yet I wonder if perhaps we all need a change of scenery. Meaning we, as fans, with the same “cornerstone” players, and the players themselves. M. Donald Grant may have been a clueless idiot, but perhaps he was prophetic in trying to set with us, that a player isn’t above the Franchise. Well, he was wrong in the case of Seaver, but the dynamic of the game has changed since then.

Look at the Dodgers. Their two franchise players, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, are essentially the equivalent of our Reyes and Wright. They even have an A+ starter in Clayton Kershaw. And they STILL can’t provide a winning season (or make money)!  I would say that Ryan Braun is probably the closest to a “Franchise Player,” since the Brewers see him as part of their long-term plans (and also since it appears Prince Fielder is going to go to the highest bidder in the offseason).

Look, the Mets situation is precarious, and perhaps I am too close to it. I was discussing on Twitter the other day with my friends over at the Daily Stache about the Reyes situation. Basically, I feel like the issue is now that the Mets are mailing it in (something that Terry Collins is NOT happy about), we are going on our third straight losing season, our legs and asses are cramped up from wanting to jump for joy but we can’t because there is nothing making us do that, and now the prospect of losing guys we feel should be in Mets uniforms forever is something we are nonchalant about. “Whatever” has been my philosophy at this point.

I know things will change once the postseason is over, and who knows, maybe the Mets and Reyes will come to an agreement and we’ll all be happy. But I think what will make us happier is WINNING. Reyes and Wright certainly have not been enough. The onus is on the personnel to seriously evaluate the team and not attend to what the fans want. Yes, I know Reyes makes us a lot of us happy. And his injuries are a cause for concern, especially since they basically have said his running game (what makes Jose Jose) has been halted because of his hamstring issues this year.

I know I would hold onto Reyes simply for emotional reasons because I love him and want him to be a Met forever. The other more rational side of me says that the time is not now. This team is a few years away from winning, and would it make a huge difference to lose with him or without him.

Riding an eight game winning streak, including a series opening thumping of the Phillies on Friday night, the Mets had to feel pretty good about climbing from last to first in two week’s time.  But the Phils and their new, shiny ace, Roy Halladay, flustered the Mets’ hitters and their bats made short work of Mike Pelfrey’s scoreless innning streak, roughing him up for six runs in just four innings, on the way to a 10-0 rout.  If that wasn’t enough, the Mets sent their ace Johan Santana to the hill against lefty slow-baller Jamie Moyer on Sunday night, and staked him to a 5-2 lead.  But guys like Victorino and Utley hit home runs against Johan, turning a 5-2 advantage into an 11-5 loss.

My blood starts boiling when I think of guys like Victorino and Utley and how they torture us, but you have to admit they sure can play baseball.  And they went deep on one of the best pitchers in the game, even if he has lost some of his velocity.  What this all does, if nothing else, is it reminds us just how far the Mets have to go to be real contenders.  We can let the 10-0 game go, because everything was going right for 8 games.  But that game Sunday is a game we should have won and didn’t.  And it might come back to bite us in September.

Granted, many of us thought the Mets would wallow near the bottom of the division all season, and they sparked an amazing turnaround against the suddenly mediocre Braves, Cubs and Dodgers.  So the fact we’re even talking about September and the fact that the Mets sit just 0.5 games back of the Phillies on May 5 after a horrendous start is still pretty remarkable.  However, Omar Minaya needs to realize that he’s still a few steps behind the Phillies, and should bolster the starting rotation now to help keep his team in contention.  He sure owes us that much, and owes it to himself.

But then something happened.  After Mike Pelfrey won a stunning 5-0 decision in Colorado, the Mets took one game out of three with the mighty Cardinals — a marathon 20-inning contest in which Jerry Manuel clearly out-managed Tony LaRussa (with Pelfrey coming in to earn the save two days after his gem).  And then things really turned when the team brought up young phenom Ike Davis.  They took 3 of 4 from the Cubs, swept the Braves, and last night won the first two of three against the Dodgers.  So as we speak, the Mets are 12-9 and in first place, having jumped from last to first in that two-week span.

I’m not quite sure what to say.  I am baffled by this awesome start….incredibly happy, but baffled.  And it’s even more baffling to look at how the Mets are winning.  You might remember that the media, fans, and pundits from both the media base and fan base were throwing imaginary rocks at Minaya for not bolstering a weak starting rotation.  Yet, here we are 21 games in and the Mets have a 3.11 ERA, third-best in the majors.  And while they lead the league in walks with 106, they also lead in strikeouts with 170….almost one per inning!  That’s pretty amazing.

Then you look at the other side–the batting, which was considered to be more of a strength this season and at worst an improvement over 2009.  But the Mets are hitting just .237, tied for fourth worst in the majors, and have only 14 home runs, also ranking near the bottom.  By contrast, the Blue Jays lead the league with 28 homers. Of those 14, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur and Rod Barajas each have 3, and no one else has more than one.  That’s a bit troubling, but then again it’s only April and power numbers usually spike in the summer months.

So we can’t do anything now but enjoy this ride while it lasts.  And hopefully the team will continue to find ways to win as they have the last 10 days or so, and the winning ways will last for several months.

SI’s Jon Heyman is reporting that the Dodgers have traded the speedy outfielder to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for two minor league pitchers.

The Dodgers will reportedly pick up $10 million of the remaining $18.5 million remaining on Pierre’s contract.

Last year, Pierre was great during his time in Los Angeles filling in for superstar slugger, Manny Ramirez. In 380 at-bats last year, Pierre hit .308 with no home runs and 31 RBIs.

There was much speculation going around earlier in the off-season about the Mets swapping second baseman, Luis Castillo, in exchange for Pierre; however it is clear that the trade will no longer happen.

Part of me wishes that the Mets could have found a way to acquire Pierre, because I think it would have killed two birds with one stone, so to speak.

One one hand the Mets would have gotten a solid outfielder for the bench to replace Jeremy Reed, whom they non-tendered and they would have cleared the path for a new second baseman.

To be fair though the team has many greater needs than a fourth outfielder and a new second baseman.

“most of the injuries happened while the team was on the road and that the team relied too heavily on other team doctors”

Jeff Wilpon also mentioned that the Dodgers team doctors had made the original diagnosis that Jose Reyes had a calf injury.  The Dodgers were not happy about this and felt that Wilpon was wrong when he made that statement, they released a statement of their own saying that:

“the Mets have official documentation showing that the correct diagnosis of Mr. Reyes was made here in Los Angeles in May.”

According to the Dodgers, Dr. Neal ElAttrache examined Reyes and concluded that Jose Reyes did have a partly torn accessory hamstring tendon.  The Mets decided to have Jose play in one game during that series in which he lasted only a couple of innings, he ran to first, came up lame and did not play another game for the Mets for 2009.

The Times asked the Mets to respond to Dr. ElAttrache’s diagnosis Mets public relations guru Jay Horrowitz said:

“The Mets and Dodgers doctors have spoken.”

This is so typical of this team.  The Mets have shown this whole season that they refuse to take responsibility for anything that they do wrong, always trying to blame it on someone else.  We saw that earlier this season when Omar Minaya had to fire his friend Tony Bernazard he tried to discredit Adam Rubin, saying Rubin wanted a job with the Mets and once again Jeff Wilpon is now blaming the Dodgers and their medical team in the mishandling of Jose Reyes’ injury.

Word going around is that the Dodgers are not happy about the Mets making these false statements and now there is a rift between the Dodgers and Mets.  I’m not surprised in the least, I wonder how the Mets will try to spin this latest mistake, they will probably embarrass themselves and most Met fans I’m sure.

But they don’t.  The Mets are 42-45, and there have been some encouraging peaks of sunshine through all this gloom and doom.  Remember in early May when we won seven in a row, sweeping short series against Philly and Atlanta and then a three-game set against Pittsburgh?  And remember some of those gems Johan pitched early in the season?  And taking two out of three against Boston?  And most recently, winning the last two games before the break as newcomer Jeff Francoeur ignited the team?  Those are things to look back on and try to find a spark from.

Of course, there is so much negative to look back on, too.  I remember writing about a critical stretch of games leading up to the break that had the Mets facing the Phillies, Yankees, Orioles, Rays, Cards, Yankees again, Brewers, Phillies again, Dodgers and Reds.  Well, the Mets went 12-20 in that span, a .375 winning percentage in ten series with at least eight opponents that are playoff contenders.  Very bleak indeed, but if you care to drink the Kool-aid being served by Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, the team is due for a rebound once guys like Reyes and Delgado and Beltran and Putz (and Billy Wagner) return. 

I’m not holding my breath, and I think this team is going to remain mired in mediocrity this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some noise in the division, either.  After all, as we’ve seen from the other side, a 6.5 game lead is not insurmountable with even two weeks left to play—and we’ve got almost three months to play.  Let’s go Mets!

I know I’m not alone, because many of you are posting today about knowing what the outcome of each game will be before it happens, and spending your time and your money on something other than the Mets.  Sad, but it’s the truth.  Management keeps using injuries as the big excuse, but you just can’t do that for more than a week or two and start expecting that when the big bats come back, the team will suddenly start catching every ball and throwing to the right base and not running into outs. 

Well, I’m about to give you more proof that this season is virtually over.  Every Tuesday I read the USA Today MLB statistics, and yesterday I scanned them to find some more interesting tidbits.  Through Sunday, the Mets were second in the National League in batting with a .270 average.  Meanwhile, the Phillies were tenth with a .256 average.  However, the Mets have 50 homers and 334 RBI, while Philly has 110 homers and 393 RBI.  The Mets have hit into 77 double plays, tied with Houston for most in the NL, while the Phils have hit into 53.  You want more?  How about the Mets have committed 55 errors to Philly’s 32?  Are you following me?  The Phillies are a much, much more efficient team, and they come to play, when they face the Mets in particular.  I’m not going to beat a dead horse beyond this, but Jimmy Rollins is hitting .224 with 7 home runs and 33 RBI, but against the Mets he’s hitting .293 with 2 homers and 10 RBI. 

I haven’t even mentioned the pitching, but if Johan can’t give us a win here or there, who else do we have to count on?  Pelfrey follows a gem last week with a giant thud last night, Livan is pitching on borrowed time and everything else is a roller coaster ride.  The bullpen is not much better than last year. 
So go ahead, when the Dodgers go up 3-0 after an inning or two tonight, just change the channel. 

That’s what I’m going to do, if I even put the game on at all.

Quite frankly, the next month of games is going to make or break this Mets’ team, and show us all what they are made of.  I like how it started last night, with Johan absolutely fierce despite not having his best stuff.  Wright, Beltran and Church delivered homers when there had been a power drought.  And as for Johan, he ignored a bunt sign and drove in the tying run with a double down the right field line, and he also made a stunning catch of a wicked liner off the bat of Shane Victorino, doubling Eric Bruntlett off first to end the Phillies’ half of the 7^th.  He was pissed when Jerry Manuel yanked him in the 8^th—he was saying “I’m a Man!” and I could also make this out: “I’ll give you the ball, but I don’t agree with you.”  Good for him….who would want our ace to have any other attitude?

There was also a horrible call in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Church hit a rocket that was fielded by Ryan Howard as Fernando Tatis broke for the plate (with no outs, mind you) and Howard threw him out at the plate.  But wait…..umpire Lance Barksdale blew that call about as bad as you can blow a call.  Tatis slid under the tag of catcher Carlos Ruiz, but not only that, Ruiz was bobbling the ball!  I have no idea why Tatis, nor Jerry Manuel, didn’t get in Barksdale’s face.  Even David Wright could be seen in the dugout trying to convince Manuel to do that.  Luckily, that was the same inning Santana doubled home the tying run, so it didn’t decide the game.  But still…..I’m pissed about that call, and the Mets and their fans should be too.

So Game 1 goes to the Mets, and it brought them to within two games of the Phillies.  We need at least one more win in the series to make a statement, but wouldn’t a sweep really be nice?  I won’t get greedy, and I’m just excited for more playoff-style baseball for the next month.  Let’s go Mets!

Ryan Howard hit his seventh career grand slam, tying Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt for the Phillies record, in a victory over the Cardinals that included a frightening injury to Rick Ankiel. The Cardinals’ outfielder crashed headfirst into the fence after chasing down a line drive to the gap in the eighth inning. He was carted off the field strapped to a gurney and wearing a neck brace. X-rays and a CT scan of Ankiel’s head, neck and back were all negative and showed no fractures, team spokesman Brian Bartow said. Ankiel, who flashed a thumbs-up sign as he was taken off the field strapped to a gurney and wearing a neck brace, was hospitalized overnight for observation. It looks like Ankiel will thankfully be okay, but if you caught the video of the crash, you’d swear that divine intervention was at play.