On Sunday, Bobby Parnell notched his sixth save of the season, recording the final three outs of the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Cubs.  With the save, Parnell now has 20 in his six-year career with the Mets.  Now that may not seem like much, but it does give Parnell a special title.

Tell me, my fellow Mets fans.  Do you know which homegrown Met has the most saves in team history?  That would be Tug McGraw, who had 86 saves in a Mets uniform.  (Jesse Orosco, who had 107 saves in Flushing, made his major league debut with the Mets, but was originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins and made his professional debut in their minor league system.)

McGraw is followed by Roger McDowell (84 saves), Neil Allen (69 saves), Randy Myers (56 saves), Doug Sisk (33 saves), Bob Apodaca (26 saves), Danny Frisella (24 saves) and Parnell.

Did you notice that all of the homegrown relievers ahead of Parnell pitched for the Mets exclusively in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s?  When Randy Myers was traded for John Franco after the 1989 season, that began a nearly quarter century stretch in which the Mets went with closers whom they traded for or signed as free agents.

First it was John Franco (acquired from Cincinnati).  Then it was Armando Benitez (acquired from Baltimore).  Benitez was followed by Braden Looper (free agent signing), Billy Wagner (free agent signing), Francisco Rodriguez (free agent signing) and Frank Francisco (yup, another free agent signing).  During that 20-plus year stretch, homegrown pitchers were used to close games primarily when the incumbent closer needed a day of rest or was on the disabled list.

So since the departure of Randy Myers following the 1989 campaign, which homegrown pitchers have registered the most saves for the Mets?  Here is the top three list:

1. Bobby Parnell (20 saves)
2. Anthony Young (18 saves)
3. Aaron Heilman (9 saves)

The only homegrown pitchers to record at least ten career saves for the Mets since Randy Myers’ last season in New York are Anthony Young and Bobby Parnell.  Young is also the only homegrown closer since 1990 to record an individual season of more than seven saves when he saved 15 games in 1992 – the same year he began his major league-record 27-game losing streak.

Bobby Parnell has been given the closer duties by manager Terry Collins.  He is the first homegrown pitcher since 1989 to earn that responsibility out of spring training.  And he is now the team’s all-time saves leader for homegrown pitchers since that year.

The Mets have not developed many closers over the past quarter century, choosing to bring in closers from other teams.  Bobby Parnell is finally getting a chance to become the next Tug McGraw, Roger McDowell or Randy Myers.  If he succeeds, he stands to join those pitchers as the best homegrown closers in franchise history.

Our ninth inning savior has finally arrived!  And his name is Bobby Parnell.  It sure is nice to see a familiar face on the mound in the ninth inning instead of a recruit from another team.

This is a scene that very few homegrown closers have been able to repeat.

Updated 12:15 PM

David Wright on Wednesday joined New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mets favorites in kicking off this year’s All-Star Game festivities at City Hall, with less than three months to go before the Midsummer Classic at Citi Field.

Wright was named Major League Baseball’s official spokesman for the T-Mobile All-Star FanFest, to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Center from July 12-16, while former Mets Edgardo Alfonzo, John Franco and Mookie Wilson were anointed All-Star ambassadors.

“All-Star FanFest is the world’s largest baseball fan event and is a great experience for the whole family,” Wright said in a statement. “Just like New York City, FanFest has something for everyone, and I am proud to be a part of the home team as we host this exciting event.”

As FanFest’s official spokesperson, Wright will help to generate public awareness for the event and make appearances in support of it. Alfonzo, Franco and Wilson, meanwhile, will take part in an array of All-Star events leading up to and throughout MLB All-Star Week.

Some attractions include:

• The Diamond - Located at the center of T-Mobile All-Star FanFest, this attraction features daily clinics and appearances by MLB players, managers and other experts. Past appearances have included George Brett, Tony Gwynn, Torii Hunter, Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken, Jr. and many other MLB greats
• Legends Autograph Program - Free autographs from Hall of Famers and MLB legends. Players such as Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Ferguson Jenkins and Juan Marichal have previously signed for fans at T-Mobile All-Star FanFest
• National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum - Take a stroll through Baseball’s glorious past and experience the history of the national pastime with one of the largest collections of artifacts on loan from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown
• The Negro Leagues - A compelling visual journey back in time, the Negro Leagues attraction brings to life the heroic history of some of the game’s proudest and most talented players
• Hometown Heroes - Hometown Heroes showcases the New York Mets history, roots in the community and promise for the future
• World’s Largest Baseball - What better way to welcome families to the largest baseball fan event in the world than with the World’s Largest Baseball? The signature white leather, red-laced ball measures 12 feet in diameter and features the signatures of baseball greats such as Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, Derek Jeter, Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith and Ted Williams

The All-Star Game will return to Queens this summer for the first time since 1964, when the Mets hosted it during Shea Stadium’s inaugural season. New York City has played host to the Midsummer Classic eight times, most recently at the old Yankee Stadium in 2008.

Citi Field opened in 2009 after more than a decade of planning and construction; its completion coincided with the demolition of Shea Stadium, which the Mets called home for 45 seasons. Owner Fred Wilpon recently called the All-Star Game a chance to “show off the ballpark,” which was constructed to resemble old Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

New York City has hosted the All-Star Game nine times, but this year’s game will be the first in Queens since 1964. New York last hosted the Midsummer Classic in 2008 at old Yankee Stadium.

Including the space in 54 luxury boxes, six clubs and restaurants, Citi Field can hold up to 41,922 fans at maximum capacity. Opened in 2009, the ballpark is within steps of the Citi Field-Willets Point stop on the New York City subway’s elevated No. 7 line.

Updated on 3/21

Terry Collins just announced that the Mets have named David Wright the captain of the New York Mets.

Wright becomes the fourth captain in team history, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and John Franco.

“This is probably one of the proudest days of my career so far,” Wright said.

“To be viewed in this light – by ownership, by Sandy and the front office, the coaching staff, and most importantly by the players – means a great deal to me. I’m honored and proud to be on the short list of guys of captains of this franchise. It’s a dream come true, to say the least, and something I am very, very proud of.”

Wright will not wear the “C” on his jersey, unlike the captains before him.

Interestingly enough, yesterday I think I told Clayton (was it you Clayton?) that this news was going to break today.

Original Post 3/13

From Bakersfield, California to Bayonne, New Jersey, Mets third baseman David Wright has become an overnight sensation as he continues to shine for Team USA in the World baseball Classic. Step aside Justin Bieber.

From trending nationally on Twitter to being the hot baseball topic on sports talk shows from coast to coast, Wright has gone from face of the Mets franchise to the face of Team USA and his fans now number in the millions.

Meanwhile, back in Port St. Lucie, the buzz about Wright goes beyond his exploits in the WBC and questions regarding his captaincy still continue. Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, caught up with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who is happy for Wright and said It’s nice that they’re calling him Captain America.

When asked if Wright would be named the Mets’ team captain before Opening Day, Wilpon responded by saying he could not talk about it, but Rubin believes it sounded like something could be happening soon. If it does happen, Wright would become the fourth captain in team history, joining Keith Hernandez (1987-89), Gary Carter (1988-89) and John Franco (2001-04).

Of course, the big story of the Spring is David Wright’s dominating performance in the WBC for Team USA. He leads the team with a .438 batting average, .750 slugging percentage and a 1.276 OPS. Wright’s 10 RBIs are also the most in the WBC.

This great graphic of Wright as Captain America was designed and posted by @theroar_24 on Twitter and has been making the rounds all over the Mets blogosphere. I love it!

Team USA will battle against the powerhouse Dominican Republic at Marlins Park on Thursday night at 7:00 PM in what is certain to be an epic clash. The winner will move onto the semi-final round at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

Former Met and reigning NL Cy Young R.A. Dickey will be on the mound for Team USA and will face-off against Samuel Deduno for the DR.

GO TEAM USA!

Harvey gave up a three-run homer to Washington’s Bryce Harper in the first inning, but rebounded to throw three scoreless innings and strike out six in an 8-5 loss.

Harvey settled down to retire 11 of the final 12 hitters against him; a very good sign for any pitcher let alone a young one after a rough start.

“I struggled there in the first inning, obviously. I think I came out a little too excited and needed to tone that down a little bit,’’ Harvey told reporters. “I made one bad pitch and it cost me three runs.’’

Harvey said he came out pumped in trying to atone for a three-homer rocking by the Nationals last year in spring training.

Bobby Parnell had a rough outing, giving up four runs in the seventh inning, which included a run-producing error by left fielderLucas Duda and RBI single by Harper.

Bright spots for the Mets included Collin Cowgill’s homer and scoreless relief innings from Robert Carson and LaTroy Hawkins. As of now, Cowgill seems to have the inside track in center field. Hawkins is expected to earn one of the bullpen spots. Carson, who was effective last year out of the pen in spots, could be the second lefty behind Josh Edgin.

METS MUSINGS: The Mets are expected to option catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and infielder Wilmer Flores to the minor league camp by Friday. If a player on the 40-man roster is injured within 15 days of Opening Day they qualify for major league service time and pay, and must be placed on the disabled list until they are healed. It’s a financial risk the Mets will not take, especially since neither is expected to make the team. … The Mets are expected to name David Wright captain by the start of the season, joining Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and John Franco. Wright is having a mammoth WBC with ten RBI in four games, including a grand slam. Hope he doesn’t get used to hitting with the bases loaded when he returns. If the USA goes the distance, Wright will be out of camp for another week. …Daniel Murphy is expected to get into a minor league game this weekend. He took live batting practice today. … It his hoped Kirk Nieuwenhuis will begin baseball activities Thursday. He’s been out with a bruised left knee sustained 10 days ago. … Jordany Valdespin, who was hit in the groin by a Justin Verlander pitcher yesterday, now vows to wear a cup. Smart guy.

Danny Frisella and Tug McGraw were in heated competition for fame and fortune from the outset of the 1972 season. The late Gil Hodges remembers both pitchers begging for their manager to pick them when he signaled to the bullpen. If Frisella was selected, and won the game, McGraw would give Frisella the “cold shoulder.” If McGraw got the nod (and won) Frisella would mimic the gesture.

There is no evidence whether or not the Mets clubhouse manager made an intentional effort to put Frisella and McGraw side-by-side in the locker room, but their adjoining lockers created more fun and competition. The two Mets pitchers would sometimes switch the locker nameplates to appear that the other won the game.

While Frisella and McGraw jockeyed for their manager’s affection, that same season a rookie named Jon Matlack was granted locker space between Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman. Matlack was named 1972 Rookie of the Year, winning 15 of his 32 starts. He compiled 244 innings pitched, eight complete games and a skinny 2.32 ERA. Coincidence? Possibly. Seaver will tell you, for certain, it meant nothing then and means nothing now.

“Where you lockered really wasn’t that important,” Seaver told the New York Times in 2008. “It didn’t make any difference. Just your own little space; it could have been anywhere.”

For Seaver, locker space was irrelevant. It was a place – and space – where he took out his frustrations after a poor start. “When I make a mistake and beat myself with a bad pitch, then I get kicking mad and go after stools and water buckets,” Seaver told People Magazine.

Other times, Seaver used his locker as a prop. After getting off to a slow start in 1974, a Mets beat writer asked him if he had lost his fastball. Seaver paused, then started rummaging in his locker muttering, “Where are you, fastball? Are you in there somewhere?”

Seaver didn’t need sabermetrics to figure out the 1975 New York Mets were in for a long year. The Mets, a team renowned for their pitching stock, found themselves lacking. That spring, Seaver sat on a stool in front of his locker and looked up at the adjoining lockers. SEAVER. KOOSMAN, MATLACK.

Who are the rest of these guys? Seaver thought. “That’s Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Where are 4 and 5?” He rolled his eyes in frustration.

He knew, if something doesn’t change (and it didn’t), the Mets would not compete. The Mets were within four games of the lead in the National League East on September 1, 1975; then the bottom fell out on the season. They finished in third place 10 ½ games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Seaver’s real estate at Shea Stadium was the site where many of the organizations proudest moments were celebrated. He sprayed champagne over the heads of his teammates in 1969 from that “little space.” Seaver helped the Mets win another National League title from that hole in the wall. He encouraged and mentored Matlack, Jackson Todd, Bob Myrick, George Stone and many others within earshot.

In one respect Seaver is right; a locker isn’t important. There’s nothing glamorous about an athlete’s locker. It’s literally a hole in the wall. For the common man, a locker is a lot like an office cubicle, a place to store your personal effects while you go take care of business. But, location is valuable, sometimes educational.

“I learned an awful lot from having my locker room stuck between Koosman and Seaver,” said Matlack. “”It was a very, very good location to be in.”

Seaver’s locker was physically unique, well, maybe for its modesty. Former Mets beat writer Marty Noble described the space this way: “there was no locker to the immediate left, just a three-foot-wide panel. A trash can was placed there.” Seaver’s “little space” was nondescript. Seaver, himself, was so Seaver was so impervious to his surroundings that, to this day, he is unsure whether he had the now famous locker space his rookie year of 1967.

Over time, Seaver’s locker took on a life of its own. After he we traded in June 1977, Bud Harrelson asked if he could move in. Not happening, said Mets equipment manager Herb Norman. The locker would be assigned to Seaver’s successor, Pat Zachry.

Seaver returned home, and to his “little space” in 1983, then, Ron Darling assumed the space from 1984-1991, followed by David Cone (July 1991-August 1992), John Franco (1992-2003), Steve Trachsel (2004-2006) and Aaron Heilman (2007).

“That locker did have history; more than any other in that place,” said Franco. “Nobody made the kind of history here that Tom Seaver made. It doesn’t matter how long anyone had it, it was always Seaver’s.”

“It doesn’t matter [who preceded Seaver],” added Darling. “It’s his.”

In some ballparks, because of some professional athletes, lockers can become hallowed ground. When Lou Gehrig died, his locker was sealed and sent to Cooperstown. Before Shea Stadium was demolished after the 2008 season, Seaver’s locker was preserved and put on the block for a cool $41,000.

That’s some valuable real estate.

In 1984, the New York Mets were on the rise. Jesse Orosco and Doug Sisk anchored the Mets bullpen on the field, roommates off the field and lived out of adjoining lockers during the team’s championship run in the 80s.

“We’re just a couple of ordinary guys who get along, and have no professional jealousy,” said Sisk. “We’re both fairly serious, but we have different personalities. But we’re not rivals. You can’t be rivals. It won’t work.”

When it does work, the team benefits – at least that’s what Mets manager Terry Collins hopes will happen by placing Zack Wheeler and Matt Harvey side-by-side in Port St. Lucie. Collins told the media he intentionally put Harvey, 23, and Wheeler, 22, at adjoining lockers to give Wheeler the opportunity to ask questions and “soak up” the experience like Harvey did last season.

“Having lockers next to each other, we’re both baseball players who have the same mindset,” said Harvey. “Getting along, I don’t think, is going to be very tough.”

Wheeler has prime real estate in Port St. Lucie. Like Harvey in 2012, he will receive a valuable education a lot by watching and listening. Harvey described the experience as “eye-opening.” Last spring he watched Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, Jonathon Niese and Dillon Gee prepare for a major league baseball season.

“That’s something that I’ve never seen,” Harvey told ESPN.com. “Watching the preparation that those guys had in order to throw 200 innings … Sometimes it’s stepping back and realizing, ‘Hey, this is a long process. Throwing until the end of September is a long time from now.’”

Let’s be honest here, Harvey is still learning too. Collins hopes the location will be the seed to a long-term successful relationship between his two future stars.

Spring Training, which officially starts today, is always an intriguing place for reporters to take stock in how and where players are positioned. The nameplates begin to disappear as February turns to March and the minor league players are dispatched for reassignment. The last days of March mark the time for final cuts. The veteran invited to spring training is playing his heart out and biting their nails in one corner of the clubhouse while the fresh-faced 20-something is bouncing off the walls hoping this will be his year.

As Opening Day creeps closer, locker room real estate values will increase.

Andres Torres had a big night offensively, but he credited the pitching staff for their stellar performances lately. “Pitching is a big key for winning games, and all our pitchers are terrific.”

He thinks tonight was his best offensive game as a Met. He’s not focused on being in first place right now, since it’s still so early.

Torres was a home run shy of the cycle. I asked him if he was hoping for an at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning for a chance to do it. He has never hit for a cycle at any level in his career.

“Never been close. I was trying to get a swing but that (Hairston double play) happened.”

He was more excited though that the team won the game.

Update 12:13

Kirk Nieuwenhuis was asked if he deserves to be here, especially with Jason Bay scheduled to return from the DL. “You have ups and downs during the season. You try to keep as even keel as possible.”

He said it’s “pretty cool” that the Mets will start tomorrow tied for first place in the NL East.

He hit his home run on an 0-2 cutter.

Update 12:11

Jon Niese post-game

Niese felt he felt good out there tonight. Last start, he said he tried to throw the ball too hard. Today, he took it nice and easy.

He’s not concerned at all about his elevated heart rate.

After two straight shutouts, Niese didn’t concern himself with trying to throw another. “I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on me. I went out there with mindset of just a quality start.”

He said he has learned a ton from fellow lefty Johan Santana. Niese said he charts the game on tv. “I see how he (Santana) sets up hitters and how he reads hitters mid-swing.”

Update 12:05

Post-game Terry Collins

“I think that’s the best I’ve see him (Niese) throw the ball in a while. He used his curveball very effectively. He threw it for strikes. He threw it out of the zone.”

Niese apparently had an elevated heart rate on the bench and that was why Collins came out to the mound in the fifth inning. It has happened to Niese a few times before.

Collins was with the Dodgers organization when they drafted John Franco. “He’s been a great friend of mine for many years. It’s certainly a well deserved honor. He was a great pitcher.”

On Andres Torres: “When Andres gets on base, he scores. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Collins expects to put Jason Bay in the lineup when he returns. “We’ll have some fun decisions here as we head down the road with who should play and who should rest.”

There’s been an infectious feeling amongst the starting pitchers. “You want guys when they are pitching good to compete with each other. Tomorrow, I want Dillon (Gee) to stand up and say, ‘I’m going to do that same thing.’”

“This is the best atmosphere in a clubhouse that I’ve been around in a long time.”

Update 11:10

METS WIN!!!! 6-1. Mets take three straight from the Cards. Will try for a four-game sweep tomorrow at noon.

Jon Niese improves to 4-2 on the year.

The scoreless streak is over, but the wins keep piling up.

The Mets are now tied for first place in the NL East.

I will head down for post-game interviews and then return to the press box to transcribe some quotes. Stay tuned for the coverage.

Update 11:07

And it comes down to Beltran…

Update 11:07

Holliday goes fishing for the second out.

Update 11:06

Oh boy. Error by David Wright.

Either way, Mets have 22 wins this season against teams with an above .500 winning percentage, which is the most in the NL.

Now they just have to beat the teams that are under .500.

Update 11:03

One out in the ninth.

Update 10:59

No cycle tonight for Torres (assuming of course that Frank Francisco protects the five-run lead). But a great overall night for Andres.

Update 10:57

My bad, I spoke too soon. Hairston hits into the 6-4-3 double play. Captain Kirk will have to keep it going.

Update 10:56

I thought it was guaranteed before that Torres would have at least one more at-bat. I was wrong. Mets need at least one baserunner…

And there it it. Thole walks. Scott Hairston is the pinch hitter. Assuming there’s no double play, Torres will bat in this inning in search of a cycle. Will need the long ball.

Update 10:53

Jason Motte entering the game for the Cards.

Update 10:52

Byrdak starts a new scoreless inning streak at 0.1 innings.

Update 10:51

Tonight’s attendance: 23,559

Update 10:49

Just showed clips on big screen of the no-hitter. Still in awe about that. And I only had to wait  23 years to see it. I can only imagine what fans since 1962 must have felt.

Then again, I wasn’t around in 1986 so I envy all the Mets fans who got to see that.

Update 10:47

And there it goes…

Elvin Ramirez gives up an RBI single that snaps the Mets scoreless streak at 25 innings.

Tim Byrdak comes in.

Update 10:45

Ramirez has a good arm on him.

Update 10:44

This is almost as stressful as the no-hitter was in keeping the scoreless streak alive. Ramirez strikeouts Adams for the second out.

Update 10:42

Seems fine. Matt Adams pinch hitting here for the Cards. Runner on second, one out.

Update 10:41

And then gets drilled with a Yadi Molina line drive. Coaches, trainers and entire infield crowding around him. Will attempt a few throws.

Update 10:40

Welcome to the big leagues Elvin Ramirez. David Freese singles up the middle.

Update 10:37

Elvin Ramirez enters the game for the Mets and will make his Major League debut. Keep the streak going Elvin.

Update 10:36

We head to the top of the eighth.

Update 10:35

What a terrible swing there from Ike. He might benefit from being sent down. Bay comes back to the outfield and Duda moves to first. Bay and Hairston split time with Kirk and Torres.

Update 10:33

A very emphatic “Yankees Suck!” chant just resonated through the ballpark.

Update 10:32

Sure enough, Scott Stapp from Creed sang God Bless America.

Update 10:28

STRIKE THREE! Parnell survives a rough inning. The scoreless streak continues. 25 consecutive scoreless innings.

Update 10:27

Parnell just hit 100 mph. But it was inside.

Update 10:25

Dan Warthen out to talk to Parnell after the walk to Holliday. The dangerous Carlos Beltran coming to the plate.

Update 10:24

Don’t want to count our chickens but the last defending World Series champions to be shut out for three straight games was the 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Update 10:23

Captain Kirk has taken well to left field. Remember that whole debate about who should play center when Torres returns. Well, Torres has been great in center and Kirk has been great in left. Collins is a genius.

However, we will see how much of a genius he is when Jason Bay is eligible to return from the DL, which will likely be this week.

Scott Hairston is hitting well too, so Bay may be slowly eased back in. But with Mike Baxter now on the DL, the team will need another outfielder.

Update 10:20

Mets have the worst bullpen ERA (5.45) in the league and the second most blown saves (10).

Update 10:19

No pressure on you Bobby. Your team just has a streak of 24 scoreless innings going.

Update 10:18

Like I said before, leadoff walks score 80 percent of the time, if not higher. Parnell walks Daniel DeScalso with the top of the Cards order coming up.

Update 10:14

Bobby Parnell will be the first reliever attempting to keep the Mets scoreless inning streak alive here in the top of the seventh.

Update 10:12

Torres is a homer away from the cycle. He should have at least one more chance this game.

Update 10:09

Crowd not happy after that inside pitch to Wright.

Update 10:08

Another big hit from Andres Torres! Mets lead 6-0. This is a team of destiny.

Update 10:05

Kirk just set a new career high in RBI in a game with three.

Maickel Cleto in to pitch for St. Louis.

Update 10:04

Kirk comes up big again. Single up the middle drives home Quintanilla. 4-0 Mets. Here comes a double switch.

Update 10:01

Valdespin fails to get the bunt down and then pops up. Collins ain’t gonna be too happy about that. 3-0 is still a close game and you gotta do the little things right in those spots.

Update 10:00

Niese’s day is done. Six innings, six hits, one walk, 10 strikeouts, 70 of his 96 pitches were strikes. That’s unreal.

Update 9:59

Sidenote: I was in the dugout before with Scott Stapp from the band Creed. I think he’s singing God Bless America. He recorded one of those rallying Mets chants like Chris Rock and Kevin James do.

Update 9:58

Another John Franco shot from his speech.

Update 9:56

Mound visit from Mike Matheny. And he’s pulling Jake Westbrook. Lefty Sam Freeman coming in for the Cards.

Update 9:55

Fantastic at-bat there from Josh Thole. Runners on first and second and nobody out for Valdespin. Do you bunt here? If so, why not leave in Niese to bunt?

Update 9:54

Bobby Parnell warming up in the pen. Looks like Jordany Valdespin will hit for Niese.

Update 9:51

80 percent of leadoff walks score. Omar Quintanilla just walked; let’s see if he scores.

Update 9:47

That’s now 24 consecutive scoreless innings from Mets pitching. Notice: ALL FROM STARTING PITCHERS.

Update 9:46

Great throw home by Andres Torres!!!! The streak is alive!!! Looked like a close there at home plate. Thole might have just got the tag on.

Update 9:45

HUGE strikeout from Niese. Adrian Chambers who has struck out twice already today steps to the plate with two outs.

Update 9:42

Beltran rips Niese’s 90th pitch into left field for a base hit. This might be his last inning of work. No activity as of now in the bullpen.

Great play there by Omar Quintanilla and good turn by Murph. Freese beat the throw though.

Update 9:37

Davis hit that ball very well, but Citi Field is still too big.

Update 9:36

It’s been announced in the press box that Dillon Gee will start tomorrow afternoon’s game for the Mets

Update 9:35

No-Han t-shirts are available in the Mets team store. The drawback: $32. Wow, $32 for a t-shirt. The best way to have those prices drop is for another Met starter to throw a perfect game.

Update 9:34

Five scoreless innings from Mr. Niese. It’s just been one great pitching performance after another. Keep in mind it’s not like the Mets pitchers are blanking the Astros (despite the Astros sweeping the Mets earlier this season). The Cardinals have one of the top offenses in the NL even without Albert Pujols.

Update 9:32

Collins comes out to talk to Niese. That was weird. He just set a career high in strikeouts with nine.

Update 9:29

If Niese continues this pace, the Mets bullpen will go four full days (including last Thursday’s off day) without much work. Even if Niese gets through seven, that would only be two innings. Is this good or bad for the pen? What do you think?

Yes, the bullpen hasn’t been great, but the only way for them to regain confidence is by getting on that mound and getting the job done.

Update 9:26

David Wright before popping out to end the bottom of the fourth.

Update 9:22

Cards trainers and coaches out to tend to Westbrook. He might have a sore neck after giving up that bomb.

Update 9:21

Captain Kirk goes blastoff! He needed that shot. No. 3 on the season. And that was on an 0-2 pitch. Mets 3, Cardinals 0.

Update 9:19

Jon Niese is 2-for-2. That ties Niese’s career high in hits in a game. Last time: September 2010 in Chicago.

Update 9:17

We got a pitcher’s duel brewing here at Citi.

Update 9:15

Gotta love Brooklyn boy Johnny Franco!

Update 9:13

GOT HIM! And the streak continues!

Update 9:12

Big Niese strikeout. Now must get out Westbrook.

Update 9:10

Ike was off the base on that one. Same umpire (Adrian Johnson) who blew the Beltran fair or foul call. But he got this one right. Ike must have saw the runner crossing and came off early. Scoreless inning streak in serious jeopardy.

Update 9:08

Not known for his speed, that was actually Molina’s fifth steal of the season.

Update 9:06

Every time up, Yadier Molina is berated with a chorus of boo’s. Lines a single to left. The guy can flat out play.

Update 9:05

It’s amazing how a guy like David Freese can go from being a relative unknown to a household name in a matter of games. Play well during the postseason and that’s what happens. Niese fans him here though.

Update 9:03

John’s son J.J. Franco presented his father with his Hall of Fame plaque. J.J. was drafted by the Mets, but instead chose to attend Brown University on a baseball scholarship. He’s a second baseman.

Update 9:01

Not necessarily boo’s for Ike Davis. But fans are very apathetic towards him.

Update 8:59

This team may not score a lot of runs, but remember that pitching and defense win championships.

Update 8:56

Beltran goes down swinging. Niese is through three without surrendering a run. Scoreless streak at 21.

Update 8:54

Carlos Beltran started off the weekend getting applause, but now it’s mostly boo’s.

Update 8:48

The members of the Mets Hall of Fame as well as Franco’s special guests.

Update 8:45

ESPN just showed the clips of Terry Collins during Santana’s no-hitter. Nice!

Update 8:43

Back-to-back hits with one out. Now up Torres who socked a double last time up.

Update 8:41

Nice at-bat there from Niese. Fouled off some tough pitches and lined a single past Furcal.

Update 8:39

Al Leiter was one of Franco’s former teammates on hand for the festivities. Leiter had great things to say about Franco and said everyone listened to the reliever when he was the captain.

Update 8:37

Niese looking pretty good so far. Records a strikeout to retire the side. Keeps scoreless inning streak alive.

Update 8:34

Photos from the ceremony

Update 8:33

Niese just took a broken bat to the body. Appears fine.

Update 8:31

The Department of Sanitation pep band performed before the ceremony. Franco’s dad of course was in the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, and that’s why Franco always wore the orange shirt under his uniform. He got a little emotional talking about it, but he thanked his dad for teaching him how to play the game.

Update 8:30

Can’t leave the bases loaded with one out. Anyway, I will intersperse the live coverage with a recap of the John Franco Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was very well done.

Update 8:28

Ike has to put the ball in play there. The slump continues. He looked good today in bp, but it has to translate into the game.

Update 8:25

Murph delivers a single. Mets can break it open right here. Ike Davis can really break out of a slump in a big way with a clutch hit. A grand slam would be great, but a single would do.

Update 8:24

Cards starter Jake Westbrook has induced eight double play grounders. He’s hoping for one here. But Murph may have different plans…

Update 8:22

Duda comes through. Mets 1, Cardinals 0.

Update 8:21

Nationals lost today so the Mets can pull into a tie for first place with a win. Get it started DUDA!

Update 8:18

Mets have a .264 BA with runners in scoring position–third best in the NL.

Update 8:16

Nice double from Andres Torres. Now let’s get him around.

Update 8:12

I’m back and the Mets and Jon Niese are through the top of the first.

Update 6:59

I’m heading down to the field to get a good spot for the John Franco ceremony. Be bacl later. Look for me behind home plate.

Update 6:57

The tarp is coming off the field! There will be baseball tonight in Queens!

Update 6:55

A few reporters were gathering outside the clubhouse, and HBO comedian Bill Maher was there wearing a Mets hat. He was mainly hanging out with Jeff Wilpon.

One of the other reporters noted that Maher recently purchased a minority share of the Mets and is now a partial owner. He said he’s been a Mets fan since he was young.

His first memory of the Mets was when his dad was reading the paper in 1961 and said that National League baseball was heading back to New York.

Maher said the purchase is a good investment, but he cannot disclose any terms of the agreement.

He said his role will simply to bring luck to the team. “Let’s be honest. They did not have a no-hitter for 50 years. I buy in and I come to town, and there’s a no-hitter. Draw your own conclusions.”

Update 6:49

R.A. Dickey spoke with reporters after his stellar performance from yesterday.

He said he’s open to pitching on short rest for his next start. “If it helps Johan (Santana) get an extra day of rest, so be it.”

He said he can measure how well he thinks he can perform on a given day based on his bullpen session.

“If I am given the ball on short rest, you have to treat me like it’s my normal day,” Dickey said. “I don’t want to get cheated.”

In typical Dickey lexicon, he said that “prudence will be measured in retrospect” when handling the issue of an extra day. “If we end up winning a game and it goes well, then it was prudent.”

Update 6:41

Check out Josh Thole taking some reps at first base.

Update 6:38

John Franco is currently working for the Mets, and he’s enjoying what he’s doing.

He commented that a no-hitter can rejuvenate a franchise. “You want to go out there, and Jonathon (Niese) probably wants to go out there and keep that scoreless innings streak going. Hopefully he does.”

Franco said that this current team needs to be consistent, and they could do something special.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Hello all!

Pre-game interviews just concluded. The tarp is actually on the field right now, but the sun is shining here in Flushing.

There are a couple of key new developments surrounding the team, and I will try to highlight those before I head down to the field for the John Franco Hall of Fame ceremony.

Enjoy!

Through the use of the scorecard, let’s take a look at how David Wright did this week:

Despite missing three games due to a pinkie injury, Wright still had two home runs, five runs batted in, and a .571 batting average. During those three games he missed, his impact was noticed, as the Mets went 1-2 without him, while going 5-1 with him. This is the David Wright that we all want playing out there, week in and week out.

Honorable Mentions

These players, although not winning the Player of the Week award, had a very strong showing this week and deserve to be recognized. We will also show how strong a showing they had through the use of the scorecard.

Ruben Tejada

Daniel Murphy

Johan Santana

Jon Niese

Jon Rauch

Frank Francisco

Not So Hot

The Not So Hot area mentions a few players who did not have a good week this week.

Ike Davis

Jason Bay

Miguel Batista

Ramon Ramirez

Player Of The Week Scoreboard

This area shows the scoreboard of the Players of the Week, and who has won already this season and how many times.

1. David Wright – 1

Trivia

To finish off the Player of the Week announcement each week, I’ll be asking you a trivia question. The answer will be announced during the next Player of the Week announcement, as well as the first person who answered correctly. Another question will then be asked. So here is this week’s question:

In the 2000 NLDS, most Met fans remember that Bobby Jones won the clinching Game 4 with a one-hitter, and many fans remember that John Franco saved Game 2 for winning pitcher Armando Benitez to even the series when he struck out Barry Bonds. But what pitcher won game 3 of that NLDS for the Mets?

Last week I wrote about how the Mets need to find ways to entice the fans to come out to the ballpark in 2011.  Last week I brought up the idea of retiring 17 in honor Keith Hernandez.  I thought it would give Mets fans something to look forward to during the long season that 2011 will be and I thought that when looking back on 2011 it would be a fun thing to remember.

The Mets have not had an old-timers days since 1994.  Back in 2009 WFAN’s Evan Roberts stirred up a bit of controversy when he relayed a quote from a Mets executive in regards to old-timers day.  Roberts said his source told him that it was too much work hosting old-timers day and that is why the Mets stopped doing it.  Dave Howard tried to do some damage control by saying:

It was particularly unpopular as a promotion. We didn’t see an increase in ticket sales or interest from sponsors or even from people who already had tickets. It died of its own unpopularity in the early ’90s.

I don’t know about you readers but one of the only times I ever watch the YES Network for baseball is on old-timers day.  I enjoy seeing the legendary players such as Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, etc…  Even Darryl Strawberry has donned the pinstripes over the years for the Yankees on old-timers day.  I watch it to see some of the legendary players and it looks like a lot of fun to be honest, seeing these older players who retired long ago having some fun playing the game.

I know a lot of Yankees fans who really look forward to old-timers day and go every year to see it.  They always tell me how much fun it is.  Now I can understand how in the 90′s they didn’t attract a lot of fans.  The early 90′s were not especially kind to the Mets and their fans.  However as the saying goes, “that was then, this is now.”

We learned in 2009 after the Citi Field opened how passionate Mets fans are about their history.  As nice and shiny Citi Field was there was not much of the Mets history on display and the fans let the Mets know how they felt about that proving that this fanbase wants to acknowledge their past.

Just thinking about an old-timers day while writing this piece has me excited.  I would love to see Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden pitch while Mike Piazza catches them in an old-timers game. I’m sure we all would like to see Darryl Strawberry hit in Citi Field.  I would love to see the Mets of yesteryear on the field, playing in a game.

I’m sure we all have our favorites whether they be Rusty Staub or John Franco or Bobby Valentine, Wally Backman, Keith Hernandez, Buddy Harrelson and many more favorite Mets on the field, playing in an old-timers day.

I know I would look forward to it as the season goes on and I’m sure if done right it will be a fun memory to have of the 2011 season.

In comments, let me know if you agree or disagree and for fun list some of the Mets you would love to see playing an old-timers day in the future.

Ok that’s a bit extreme but the Yankees always seem to get all the attention. It takes guts to be a Met fan. We EARN our attention, both in good and bad ways but we do earn it.

The first week of the season is behind us and the Mets definitely earned their record of 2-4 against those National League East , ahem, juggernauts, Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals.

Even Johan Santana took his dose of Kryptonite against the Nats with a loss on Sunday, giving up a grand slam in the first inning. At least the Mets were kind enough to allow me to enjoy the rest of the day promptly.

Some of you may already want to throw in the towel. The calls for Manuel and Minaya’s head are on the streets. I for one will abreact these dark emotions. Big word huh? It’s a coping mechanism, so says my therapist. Not that a Met fan would actually see a therapist.

Anyway, the main topic of this off-season was the pitching staff, or as I like to call it, One Man and a Little Hazy. So in keeping with my therapist’s desire to keep me rooted in the here and now, I give you my All Time Mets Pitching Staff’s…plus one.

Staff ace, the real Mr. Met, Tom “Terrific” Seaver. I can easily wow you with his stats, 311 career wins, 2.86 career ERA, 3640 strikeouts. Three time Cy Young award winner. I much rather do this. In the time Tom Seaver was a Met from 1967 to 1977, including his return in ’83, the team won 936 games. Tom Seaver won 198 of them. That’s about 21% of the time the Mets won, it was due to George Thomas Seaver. No pitcher with a team as umm, eclectic as the Mets could have done more. Semper Fi Mr. Met.

Backing up Seaver I give you Dwight Eugene Gooden. Perhaps the biggest icon the team had since Seaver himself, the Doctor racked up insanely impressive numbers. He set the rookie record for strikeouts with 276 in 1984 while winning the Rookie of the Year. His follow up season the Doctor earned the Cy Young award by way of the pitching Triple Crown, leading the NL in Wins, K’s and ERA. His off field troubles are the only thing that kept Doc out of Cooperstown. Bittersweet memories fade hard.

Rounding out the top three I have Nolan Ryan. Now some of you might not think Ryan should be considered since he’s so synonymous with Texas. I can’t hold that against you but how can the Mets not include this Hall of Famer, arguably one of the best pitchers ever, at their number three starter? 7 no hitters, including one at the ripe old age of 44. He’s tied with Bob Feller for most one hitters with 12. He’s the All Time leader in strikeouts with 5714, and yes the Mets traded him in 1972 for Jim Fregosi. Just to let you know, Omar Minaya was 14 years old. It happens.

Towing the rubber is our number four pitcher, Johan Santana. Johan is one of the best left handed pitchers in the game today. He averages about 15 wins a season, an ERA around 3+, and well over 200 K’s a year. A two time Cy Young award winner, Johan will hopefully be a cornerstone for the franchise for years to come. That’s of course until they trade him to Cincinnati for…oh wait, we’d never do that.

Rounding out the staff is tough. Usually the 5th starter on a club wears the oft overused title of “journeyman” or “quality arm”. However, this is my fantasy and I’m going with Jerry Koosman. Granted all you Coneheads are freaking out now. It’s ok have a Zoloft, yummy. Jerry Koosman along with Tom Seaver, practically saved the Mets from complete obscurity. “Cool Hand” Kooz won 140 games as a Metropolitan with an impressive ERA of 3.09. He will be remembered for his incredible 1969 season where he went 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 6 shutouts. Not too bad for a 26 year old.

Closing it out I give you Mr. Brooklyn himself, Johnny Franco. If there ever was a Met that was more New York than Franco, I don’t think I ever met him. He looked like the guy who could be sitting next to you in a bar in Queens but he pitched like the guy who should be in the Hall of Fame. With 424 career saves, the most by a left handed reliever, John was the brick wall, all 5 foot 10, 170 pound frame, the Mets could ever want. While Tug made us all remember that “Ya Gotta Believe” John Franco made hitters say “Fuhgettaboutit” and go home, bat dragging behind them.

Well there you have it. My All Time Mets Pitching Staff…plus one. We’re a week in and sure we’ve seen the team sputter a bit. Look at the bright side seriously; we got Jose Reyes back and Carlos Beltran is around the corner. Have some faith! Or have a good therapist that doesn’t mind prescribing good meds,  we have a long way to go.

Yesterday while a guest of Kevin Kennedy’s Inside Pitch on Sirius XM, former Mets closer and captain John Franco, threw a spit ball at his former team when he was asked to comment on the current state of the Mets.

“Watching them almost every day, there’s no leadership there,” Franco said during an interview with SIRIUS XM. Nobody wants to step forward and be a leader. Something is missing and it’s hard to put your finger on it. They got some great, talented players – Jose Reyes and David Wright and Carlos Beltran, now Johan Santana’s there – but I just can’t put my finger on it.”

Franco then got more specific and gave details on a conversation he had in spring training with David Wright about stepping forward and being the leader or captain of this team.

“I tried talking to him and tell him to come forward and be that guy, but I think David feels that being that he’s such a young player and you have the [Carlos] Delgados and [Gary] Sheffields and veteran guys like that, he’s afraid that they’ll look at him like, ‘Be quiet and sit down.’”

Wright, who was actually a teammate of Franco when he first came up in 2004, was annoyed over the remarks when told.

“With all due respect to Johnny, he doesn’t know what’s going on in this clubhouse,” Wright said. “I don’t feel the need to defend myself as a leader if the guys in here respect me and think of me as a leader. I don’t worry myself with outside people, saying what they’re going to say. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Franco also accused the Mets of showing “too much individuality,” and having the “wrong kind of attitude”. He singled out the overall malaise in the clubhouse, in his sharpest criticism of the interview and blamed it on a lack of fundamentals, team spirit, and a care-free atmosphere.

“I was down in spring training and Jerry had them guys working on fundamentals every day and doing the things that you need to do to win ballgames – taking the extra base, heads up, knowing situations. But once the game starts, I think they have maybe too much individuality, where guys are worried about their own stats instead of worrying about getting the guy over…. These are the kind of things that they’re dealing with.”

Jerry Manuel didn’t say much when asked to comment,

“At this point, you’re going to get a lot of opinions on things. John Franco is a member of the Mets and highly thought of by the Mets. He’s entitled to his opinion. I think when a guy [Alex Cora] plays with a torn ligament in his thumb, that’s leadership. When a guy [Wright] needs a day off and still wants to play, that’s leadership.”

John Franco has always been a vocal guy even as a player. Sometimes his comments can rub people the wrong way, but he usually tells it like it is according to him, and he pulls no punches.

I actually agree with much of what he said. I do believe there is a leadership void on this team, and Wright, Manuel and any other Met can deny it all they want, but it’s very evident to a wide range of observers besides just me and John Franco.

I also can’t argue with Franco for singling out the lack of fundamentals and selfish play and in fact I referred to it myself only yesterday in a previous post.

Did anyone expect Franco to go on the air and lie and say the Mets have solid leadership with guys that are willing to carry the team on their backs and take them to the play-offs.?

Should he have said that the Mets are fundamentally sound and play crisp, heads-up baseball?

Would everybody be happy if he said that the Mets are all grinders who put the team first and ahead of padding their own stats like stealing third with the cleanup hitter at bat?

Maybe former players like Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez, Bobby Ojeda and John Franco should stop criticizing the team and instead lead us all in a rousing rendition of “Meet the Mets” while we hold hands and encircle all those Mets that were offended…

Gimme a break…

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.