On May 21, 1981 the Mets had an off day. A player’s strike was looming, and the Mets were on their way to a 41 – 62 record in the last season of Manager Joe Torre’s regime in Queens. But future Mets were active that day in what is now widely known as the greatest college game ever played. To set the scene, the game was played at Yale Field in Connecticut. Built in 1927, before...
Good morning Mets fans! The New York Mets (10-8) received a day off on Thursday after concluding a seven-game road trip within the NL East. They are back in action on Friday as they finish their road trip by opening a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals (10-8) at Busch Stadium. Latest Mets News Jason Vargas (1-0, 14.21 ERA) will get the nod in the first game of the series despite the...
For the last seven years, the New York Mets have had many of their young, talented arms under the tutelage of a former Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP throughout their minor league system. As many of the rising arms took shape, this two-time, twenty-game winner helped aid in critiquing, defining and preparing their physical and mental makeup for the major leagues. Frank “Sweet...
Tonight, the Mets are off before heading to Cincinnati to take on the Reds. Yesterday, the Mets split a double header in Washington. They won game one after roughing up young Nationals prospect Erik Fedde. The Mets led 5-0 before coughing up the lead but in the eighth, Amed Rosario homered to put the Mets up for good. AJ Ramos earned a six-out save and wrapped the game up for New York. The game...
Left-handed pitcher Josh Edgin and right-handed pitcher Tyler Pill are seeing doctors in New York per Betsy Helfand of the Review Journal. She says that pitching coach Frank Viola reported that Edgin has a meniscus tear while Pill has bone chips and spurs in his pitching elbow. There is no report on how long these pitchers have been injured or how their ailments have affected their pitching....
Tonight I am joined by Russ Langer, the Las Vegas 51s play-by-play voice, to talk about the development of Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith. Russ also gives me some sleepers for the Mets bullpen, how Pedro Lopez has fared his first year managing in Triple-A and why Frank Viola makes such an impact on the 51s pitchers. I think you will find Russ’ comments very interesting, especially when it...
Think of any of the Mets’ all-time great players. Chances are you probably thought of someone like Tom Seaver, Darryl Strawberry, David Wright or maybe one of the team’s current young aces. All of these players– and pretty much anyone typically considered to be in the Mets’ pantheon of greats– played in the postseason. But for a team that has missed the playoffs 45...
Mets right-hander Matt Harvey is still frustrated over his recent pitching struggles, but told ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin that he can solve his issues on the mound rather than skipping a start. “For me, taking time off isn’t going to do anything. It’s finding it on the mound,” Harvey said. “I’m not a quitter. I’m not going to just quit and put the...
In a recent article by Dan Martin of the New York Post, Triple-A pitching coach Frank Viola commented on the recent struggles of Matt Harvey and the steady rise of Rafael Montero. Montero and Harvey’s professional careers have been polar opposites to this point. Matt has enjoyed immediate success, while Montero’s career has been an uphill climb. However, Viola sees some similarities...
Long Island native, Steven Matz looks to get his first full major league season under his belt this coming year. In his brief appearance last season, we saw glimpses of how great of a pitcher he can truly be. Marc Carig of Newsday spoke with Frank Viola and discussed the possibilities for Matz, and what the coming season may hold for him. The prediction is quite strong, as Viola believes the...
Wally Backman and Frank Viola will both remain with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York first reported. The Las Vegas 51s confirmed the report with an official announcement on Tuesday. “I’m excited to return to Las Vegas for my fourth season,” Backman said. “I enjoy working with everyone in the 51s front office and look forward to...
It was very interesting to hear what Steve Gelbs had to say about his conversation with Mets Triple-A pitching coach Frank Viola on Friday. The two of them spoke shortly after the team announced that their top prospect, Noah Syndergaard, was being promoted and would make his MLB debut on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. I went ahead and transcribed it for you. Viola, a former Cy Young award...
