Anyone else feel wiped out from that road trip? Talk about your emotional roller-coasters. I know all of you watching at home didn't have your laptops out hammering away at stories on deadline. But let me tell you this much -- the bullpen's performance (and rain on Friday) made for some nerve-wracking situations for the beat writers. Hope everything made sense in the newspaper or on the web site the next day.
Couple of observations from the trip. I'm wondering if Carlos Beltran is going to make it through the end of the season. Sure he's been in the starting lineup, but it's now been three straight games he's had to leave early because of the tendinitis affecting his knees. Tell you one thing. The Mets have taken notice of the public perception of Beltran as a soft player. GM Omar Minaya came out swinging after Sunday's win with an unsolicited defense of his $119-million centerfielder, so you know they're hearing the criticism.
The Mets also have to keep their fingers crossed with Moises Alou, who seems to be on borrowed time himself with that balky quadriceps muscle. He does appear to be wearing much less ice these days, however, so maybe that's a good sign.
Philip Humber on Wednesday? My advice is to temper your expectations. The guy hasn't made a start since Aug. 27 and a simulated game under the lights in Port St. Lucie isn't much of a tuneup. I still don't see why the Mets kept Humber buried for a month. They should have kept him on some type of schedule after he was called up from Triple-A New Orleans instead of making him an afterthought.
Good to see the MVP chants followed David Wright to South Florida and there were mostly Mets fans among the sparse crowds at Dolphin Stadium. Say what you want about Wright's lack of glamour numbers, but there is no one with more clutch hits than the Mets' third baseman, and Sunday was just another example of him getting the job done with the game on the line. Still is prone to those throwing glitches, however.
Predictions for the week? I can't figure out this team. They could run the table or go 2-5 and make this a race down to the very last day. Funny how they could use some help from the Braves, who begin a three-game series in Philadelphia tomorrow and will pitch both John Smoltz and Tim Hudson. My sense is that the Phillies finally will cool off and the Mets, despite not being a good home team, will feed off the crowd's enthusiasm at Shea.
That said, with the magic number at five, I'm thinking the clincher will be (drum roll please) on Thursday against the Cardinals. How's that for justice? Celebrating in front of St. Louis after what happened last October. I know Willie Randolph said on Sunday that the baseball gods are making the Mets "pay a little bit." But if those same gods have any sense of humor, it would be very appropriate for the Mets to be popping champagne with the Cardinals in town.
Comments (7)
OK, first off to our Million Dollar man Beltran. This guy is our team, or should be anyways. I don't want to hear the WWaaaaaambulance anymore! Suck it up, man up and play. This guy wants to cry about his tendinitis now, the last week two games up? Omar wants to make statements about our feeling towards the guy. He basically calls us all idiots and now I see where Willie gets it from!
Humber should have been part of the rotation a while ago. I agree, it doesn't say much when you pitch Lawrence and send him packing the next day when you had Humber around. If it was so easy to tell the guy to pack his locker why did he start in the first place?
Thursday night would be nice. I don't want to see St. Louis have the chance to spoil anything for us.
Andruw Jones is FA this year. Trade Beltran and his crybaby excuses for the best pitcher out there and sign Jones!
Um...Beltran's a crybaby?
Wasn't he the one who refused to sit through his injury because Chavez, Green, and Alou were out?
Isn't he saying that he's going to play? Isn't he playing through pain?
I'm really confused about this. To me, Beltran is the consumate professional. He takes his job seriously, and is having difficulty taking advantage of his speed without his knees.
Are we seriously talking about picking up Jones and trading Beltran? No way. Wouldn't do it. Beltran is a far more complete player.
If Beltran's wearing out now it's because he was a TEAM PLAYER througout the season. He could have sat. He was hurt (along with every other Mets outfielder), but he toughed it out. Maybe his tendinitis is a result of him playing when he should have been resting. And still, he's choosing to play.
Thats good, sounds like you listen to what Willie and Omar smile and say whenever on TV.
How can you not see that Beltran is about Beltran. It's pretty evident if you ask me.
When I think professional I think Paul Loduca and what he played through last year. And the only ones to cry about it were management not Paul.
Beltran should not be answering post game questions with replies of crying about his tendinitis The fact that Omar has to stick up for him and question us fans and the media that question Beltran says alot.
Jones comment was more to spark conversation and said in jest.
But, the truth of the matter is that Beltran is a cry baby always has been.
"Our Year" - where were you when Beltran and his "crybaby excuses" were literally playing with a broken face in September 2005?
I'm guessing that you were either one of the morons booing Beltran for having a sub-par year while playing hurt during 2005, or you hadn't hopped on the bandwagon yet.
Beltran gets hurt because he plays hard. I don't need to hear from Willie and Omar because I watched the two catches that knocked him out of games. He's playing every day and I don't hear him complaining.
Listen, call it like you want I really don't care. I am entitled to my opinion and you yours.
Spare me the attacks and bandwagon jokes!
Without Beltran, the Mets would be in real trouble.