Winning was Jerry Grote’s bliss. In fact, his most joyous moment on the diamond was captured on film when teammate Jerry Koosman leapt into his arms after the final out of the 1969 World Series. In 1976, Bob Myrick found out the hard way how Grote felt about losing when the Mets rookie pitcher beat his catcher in a game of Backgammon, causing Grote to explode, sending the board and its pieces across the room [...]

Las Vegas manager Wally Backman had some nice things to say about Mets catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud after his impressive debut last night against Sacramento. In the 51′s season-opening 10-5 victory over the River Cats, the 24-year old prospect went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two walks, a career-high four runs scored and an RBI. “I think it’s just a matter of time before he gets to the big leagues,” 51s manager Wally Backman said. “He [...]

There was lots of good will to go around Citi Field on Opening Day. And with good reason, as the Mets opened their season superbly. Just about everyone that saw the field contributed. However, there were two large figures that were mostly missing – Ike Davis, and to a lesser extent, Lucas Duda. Davis went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts, while Duda was 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout. Both were the only two starters [...]

Here is the first look at the St. Lucie Mets roster. The starting pitching staff on this team may arguably be the best pitching staff in the minors, and if not the best, definitely in the discussion. Pitchers Hamilton Bennett Chasen Bradford Marcos Camarena T.J. Chism Angel Cuan Jacob deGrom - Finger Injury Randy Fontanez Jim Fuller Michael Fulmer - Knee Injury Luis Mateo Estarlin Morel Alex Panteliodis Hansel Robles Noah Syndergaard Domingo Tapia Taylor Whitenton Catchers [...]

The San Francisco Giants surprised the game yet again this past fall by making an improbable October run to capture their second title in the past three seasons. The first of which was even more unlikely than the latter when a young pitching staff coupled with a patchwork lineup managed to best the powerhouse Texas Rangers and take home the 2010 championship, the first in their history on the West Coast. The season prior marked San [...]

The Mets currently have a front office in place that has earned them the nickname the “Moneyball Mets.” Mets G.M. Sandy Alderson was once Billy Beane’s mentor, and the Mets have also added a couple of other front office executives that once worked with Beane. As the Brady Bunch theme song goes – everyone sing along – that’s the way we became the Moneyball Mets. Does that mean the Mets are on pace to have the [...]

I know there are rumors flying around like crazy about pending free agent signings, and that the Mets are interested in the likes of Ben Sheets, Joel Pineiro and John Smoltz.  And while any of those guys are capable of stepping in and being, at the very least, our #4 starter, we should be prepared for the worst.  And that “worst” is the depth chart in our starting rotation as it stands today—Johan Santana, Mike [...]