15
2012
From Left Field: What About Left Field?
How great has the Mets team chemistry been this season? Maybe it has to do with the fact that the team’s biggest headache—Jason Bay—has been sidelined for nearly three weeks with a broken rib. Bay has been cleared to resume baseball activities and will be heading to Port St. Lucie this Thursday. Terry Collins told reporters after last night’s game that Bay will play in minor league rehab games before joining the big club. However, [...]
3
2012
From Left Field: The Worst Is Out Of The Way
After the Mets dropped three games to lowly Houston Astros, one thing appears clear: It can’t get any worse than that. Did you happen to see the Astros lineup the last three days? Jed Lowrie and Matt Downs are looked at as major offensive weapons. How did this team pull of a sweep? Well, at least we can look at it this way: The Mets got their lowest point out of the way this season. [...]
26
2012
From Left Field: You Gotta Love Mike Baxter
It’s a fairytale story to say the least. Childhood Mets fan and Whitestone, Queens native Mike Baxter wound up suiting up for hometown team last summer. Though his playing time was limited, it still must have been a great thrill for him to be playing right at home. But this year, Baxter legitimately won a roster spot in spring training as the fifth outfielder/left-handed pinch hitter. And now, with Jason Bay on the disabled list, [...]
19
2012
From Left Field: Getting On Base Is One Thing, Driving Them In Is Another
For those who have read Moneyball, we know now that on-base percentage is the name of the game. In the early going this season, the Mets have done a great job of getting guys on base. The team is tied for third place in the NL with a .335 on-base percentage with the Washington Nationals. However, driving in those runs has been a more difficult task. Just in Wednesday’s game against the Braves, the Mets [...]
12
2012
Tough Series For Larry Vanover, More Replay Needed?
Through the first six games, the umpiring in the games the Mets have played has been rather suspect. But we really saw it take a turn for the worse this series against the Nationals. Larry Vanover, a 21-year MLB veteran umpire, made a few key questionable calls in this series. The first actually benefitted the Mets when Adam LaRoche was called out at second base in the first game of the series on a play [...]
5
2012
From Left Field: Mets Dominate Opening Day Historically
Based on the Mets 50-year history of mostly losing records, trends would normally dictate that the team would have a losing record on Opening Day. However, it’s the complete opposite. The Mets have a 30-20 record in the season’s first game—a .600 winning percentage. Maybe there’s just something about Opening Day that gets the team amped. But actually, the Mets lost their first six Opening Days and eight of their first nine. Starting in 1971 [...]
29
2012
From Left Field: Mets Picked To Finish 4th?
As most readers of this site know, I’m the eternal optimist. Until the Mets are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, I still have hope—no matter how bad the team is playing. But even I have to admit that this year, it will be tough for the Mets to finish higher than fifth place in the NL East. That’s based though more on the other teams in the division on paper than on the Mets. However, [...]
24
2012
Depth Is Not The Mets Strength
Ever since losing the NLCS to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006 when they were destined to win, it seems the Mets have been a snake-bitten franchise. The collapses of 2007-08, the injury plagued years from 2009-11 and of course the Madoff ponzi scheme have marred the past few years for this franchise. The combination of injuries and the lack of spending power have meant that the organization simply has had to move forward with [...]
15
2012
From Left Field: Don’t Sleep On Lucas May
Ever since Mike Piazza’s departure, the catcher position for the Mets has been in a state of flux. Paul LoDuca, Brian Schneider, Rod Barajas, Henry Blanco and Ronny Paulino are just some of the catchers to suit up behind the dish. Last season, the Mets handed the mask to young Josh Thole, and he seems to be the No. 1 guy again for this season, though Terry Collins has made it a point to Thole [...]
8
2012
From Left Field: Marlins Home Run Celebration Is Very Distracting
There’s been a lot of talk about the Miami Marlins all offseason, so I’ll keep the trend going. Let me start off by saying, I downright love the “Home Run Apple.” Whether it’s the old one outside Citi Field or the new one inside the stadium, the Home Run Apple is a Mets and baseball icon. In addition to bringing multiple high-profile free agents including Jose Reyes, the Marlins have made headlines with their brand [...]


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An article by Jim Mancari










