While all the talk lately has been about whether or not it’s time to end the Terry Collins era as manager of the Mets, how much of the blame for the team’s poor performance should be equally shared with the architect and general manager, Sandy Alderson? Joel Sherman of the New York Post, pops the question and defends Collins, saying: “It is relatively easy to argue his second-year team had worse talent than his first [...]

Updated by Joe D. at 2:30 PM Just caught this on MetsBlog who seems to have just caught on to what has been a two day debate here: It almost sounds like Collins put Valdespin in a situation he knew would end up with a hit-by-pitch, maybe in an effort to teach Valdespin a lesson, right? If that’s the case, is that why Valdespin threw a ‘tantrum,’ as fans and media have described it? Unfortunately, we’ll never [...]

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, does a fine job of explaining why the Mets chose not to insure Johan Santana’s contract. The Mets will be on the hook for the remaining $31 million owed to Johan Santana because they did not insure the contract.  Why? As premiums have skyrocketed because of escalating salaries and past payouts — such as the bailout when Mo Vaughn was owed $17 million and could not play for the Mets in [...]

I had the chance to talk to New York Mets left-handed pitching prospect Jack Leathersich last month before he headed to Port St. Lucie for the start of Spring Training. Now that the season has begun, and all of our regular readers are returning from their offseason slumber, I’m going to re-post many of our interviews that you may have missed. I can’t think of a better Mets prospect to lead things off with than lefty fireballer Jack [...]

What is it with the Mets and their starting pitchers? Giving them near total control hasn’t worked. It didn’t for Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel, and it isn’t for Terry Collins. The impression is the tail is wagging the dog when it comes to Mets’ starters, and this isn’t new. Pitchers tend to be divas by nature, but it has gone to another level with the Mets. Clearly, free-agent Shaun Marcum did not report to spring training ready to go by [...]

The Mets made it official this afternoon and named David Wright the team’s captain, joining a select group that includes John Franco, Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter. “This is probably one of the proudest days of my career so far,” Wright said. “I’m honored and very proud to be on that short list of guys that have been considered captain of this franchise. For me, it’s a dream come true, to say the least.” There has been speculation for years [...]

A pair of Chicago Cubs centerfielders, Jimmy Qualls (1969) and Joe Wallis (1975), stole two of Tom Seaver’s early bids for a no-hitter. One year after being traded from New York to Cincinnati, Seaver threw a no-hitter for the Reds. Nolan Ryan never pitched a no-hitter – as a New York Met – but after being traded to the California Angels in 1971 he nudged Mets fans every couple years, throwing seven no-hitters. “Every time [...]

Thursday – October 19th – 2006 Top of the 9th and the score is 3 to 1 in favor of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Mets are one loss away from post-season elimination. The St. Louis Cardinals are one win away from the World Series. Cliff Floyd has struck out with runners on first and second. Jose Reyes has just lined out to Jim Edmonds in center.  Hope is rapidly fading when Carlos Beltran makes [...]

According to Mark Bowman at mlb.com, Tom Glavine has retired from baseball after 22 years in the major leagues.  He will reportedly return to the Braves as a special assistant to team president John Schuerholz and will participate in Braves’ radio and television broadcasts. To baseball fans, Glavine was one of the best pitchers of his generation.  He won 305 games over his career, including five 20-win seasons.  He finished in the top three in [...]

Do you ever wonder what guys like Johan Santana think after suffering through two straight non-playoff years?  Last year the Mets collapsed in September for the second straight year, and the Twins were a one-game playoff away from reaching the postseason.  This year the Twins are battling the Tigers for the AL Central crown while the Mets have been out of the race since July.  I know Johan likes the bright lights, but let’s face [...]

Tom Glavine continues to impress this spring as he pitched another 3 scoreless innings yesterday during the Mets 7-2 win over the Astros. He now has 5 scoreless innings in the early goings of the exhibition season and has only given up 4 hits. He certainly looks like he is ready to capture that 300th win and begin his trek into the Hall of Fame once the season ends. Along the way, I hope he can show off a 2007 [...]