Author: Jim Mancari

From Left Field: Two Months Of Turnover

Two months into the season, the Mets have used an inordinate amount of players thus far. This has been due in part to injuries, but it has also been the product of the Mets organization’s unwillingness to deal with mediocrity. Jack Egbert, the “power-hitting” Jeremy Hefner, Chris Schwinden, Rob Johnson, Omar Quintanilla, Jordany Valdespin, Vinny Rottino and even Kirk Nieuwenhuis all started the...

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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...

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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. Granted the...

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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,...

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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,...

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