So this entry here may rub some regulars here the wrong way, but... Kudos to the Mets for a successful season. I was at the game last night to help out our coverage and was impressed by the energy in the stadium. What a real classic game, too.
Some observations:
-- Jerry Seinfeld is smaller and thinner in person.
I didn't have a seat in the press box so I spent a large portion of the game walking around the stadium, and I passed Seinfeld as he walked swiftly to his box seat behind the Cards dugout. I should mention, I have seen Seinfeld in person once before and he was rather obnoxious. Long story short: I was driving on the Northern State one day several years ago and noticed Seinfeld driving a sporty car to my right. We were in traffic and his window was open, so I rolled down my passenger window and called out to him. He turned left, looked at me, smiled, showed me his index finger and then promptly used that index finger to close his window. Ouch!
-- Carlos Beltran can't end the season by looking at strike three. Can't do it.
-- Mets fans love Willie Randolph. Every time he showed his face, he was cheered. And I thought he managed the game well. Can't blame him for using Aaron "Start me or Trade me" Heilman in the ninth, not with the pitcher's spot coming up that inning.
-- What a catch by Endy Chavez. At that point I was in the leftfield corner of the loge section and off the bat I was sure it was gone. My vision of the wall was blocked, so you could imagine my surprise when I saw the ball being thrown in for the double play. Amazing catch. Of the catches I've seen, it's probably second only to Jeter's catch-and-leap-into-the-stands against Boston. Maybe even as good. ... And just a thought, remember when the Yankees were looking under rocks for a centerfielder to replace Bernie Williams during the 2005 season? They would have loved to have taken Chavez at the time.
-- And David Wright deserves some heat for a rough series.
-- Tough to get up for a Cardinals-Tigers World Series.
I say Tigers in four, a third straight American League sweep.
Your thoughts?
Comments (18)
I've been listening to ESPN radio all day and Willie is getting blasted for two things:
1. Not bunting in the 9th with 2 on and nobody out. I told a friend who is a Mets fan that Willie figured he had the heart of his order coming up, I guess.
2. Not bringing in Wagner to start the 9th- have these people SEEN Wags pitch in this series, no way you bring him in at that time.
I'm a Yankee fan and pretty much despise the Mets, so I'm glad they didn't make it but I still like Willie.
By the way, David Wright was awful in this series, and really not good since the All-Star break. Where's the press coverage on that?
It's October 20 and there's no more New York baseball. Let the hot stove league begin! I think one of the saddest realities for New York baseball fans is that at the end of the World Series, either Jeff Weaver or Kenny Rogers will have a championship ring- maybe Ed Whitson will make a comeback next year!
Endy Chavez Catch was similar to Melkys Catch against Manny Ramirez.
I thought Willie did a great job. Hindsight is 20/20. If he brought Wagner in and he gave up a HR people would've been all over him.
I can't stand the thought of either Weaver or Rogers getting a ring. That's one of the reasons I rooted for the Mets for the 1st time in my life.
I am a primarily Yankee fan but I do pull for the Mets as well.
About last night's game.
You can tell the Mets felt more pressure than the Cardinals.
Swinging at bad pitches, taking balls right down the middle, uncertain and tentative.
Instead getting emotionally charged up after the Chavez play, they couldn't hit and so the pressure built up once again.
In the ninth, when the first two men got on base, you can tell they were trying too hard to hit the homerun (esp. Floyd).
When you haven't had regular at bats and coming off the bench, you can't expect to hit a homerun.
He should have been trying to get the bat on the ball and go for a basehit.
String together a couple of more hits after that and the game would have been tied and who knows, scored the winning run.
You can score three runs in an inning very quickly with hitting homeruns, you know.
Big mistake.
Oops!
The next to last sentence above should read "You can score three runs in an inning very quickly WITHOUT hitting homeruns..."
About Endy Chavez taken by the Yankees.
I don't think that would have happen.
The Yankees and their dumb fans want only proven and old superstars.
Chavez does not fit that bill, yet.
Dumb fans?
Hey we're not the ones making the deals out there. We want players that know the game and play it well over 162 games and even better in October.
We dumb Yankee fans love Melky, Wang, and Cano. And some where disappointed Melky didn't start in the post season.
Really, Eric, why are Yankees fans "dumb?" Is it because we stick by our beloved team which has brought us 26 World Series championships and several dozen American League and Divisional championships?
I'm obviously a Yankees fan and I used to be a Mets fan as well (second to the Yankees). Basically, I'm a New York fan but followed tradition in rooting for the Yankees. The only reason I wanted the Mets to lose is because of their fans. The jealousy and envy is overwhelming. They continually vent their frustrations by casting aspersions on Yankees fans, calling us names, accusing us falsely, and so on. Yankees fans have no reason to hate the Mets since they play in a different division and are not in direct competition (except via Mets fans' psyche). The Mets are rarely (if ever) in the playoffs, so why should we care about them or their fans? WE DON'T. But it's quite obvious why they care so much about us (we win -- a LOT at that -- and they don't win very much at all.) Sorry, this is not our fault. Don't hate us because we're beautiful.
Again, I'm glad the Mets lost merely because I don't want to hear gloating Mets fans rave about how they are now the new New York dynasty, merely because they are in the playoffs for a rare change.
Well put LAS
Yes, dumb but I really meant it in an affectionate way.
Like "hey I love you guys but you are all really dumb."
See?
Affectionate.
LOL.
You are calling for a sweep!!!?? I think it will go Tigers in 6.
Jim thanks for the observations:
On Seinfeld: It would have been much funnier if he stuck his index finger up and scratched the right side of his nose. After all, there was no penetration.
On Endy: Miraculous catch. I think someone else mentioned it. Carbon copy from other side by Melky Cabrera on Manny's scorcher.
On David Wright: He must be a golden boy because he had a terrible post-All-Star Break -- probably the same funk disease that caused the power outage Abreu suffered post A-S HR Derby. Only difference is that Abreu was heroic in A-S Derby appearance and Wright was TERRIBLE.
On Beltran: Great season. Series was terrific until he looked at Strike 3. A-Rod would not be able to remain in his own skin if that happened to him. Of course, Beltran has been big in his postseason career until then.
My observatiion: Funny thing, I think every paper in NY ran some sort of "Who would you rather have: Wright and Reyes or A-Rod and Jeter? That was then, this is now. I love Reyes' enthusiasm and Wright is going to be terrific. But, who would you rather have now?
Too bad Jeter can't play 3B in a few years and we sign Reyes to play SS when A-Rod' contract expires. I LOVE the kid in Reyes.
Getting 3 outs in the 9th inning of a tied Game 7, is worth far more than a pinch hitter. Wagner going good or bad, should have pitched the 9th inning.
Aaahh, Eric, I know you love the Yankees fans, being one yourself. What's not to love???? Ya making us feel all warm and toasty.
I sat in Jerry's seats for the August 4, 2006 game when El Duque pitched (balked twice), but the Mets lost to the Phillies. The highlight of the night was watching Chase Utley going 0 for 5, thus ending his streak.
Jim- I am sorry NOOO kudos to the Mets. How is losing in Game 7 of the NLCS a "successful season"? Funny how you can walk around the streets of Manhattan on Friday and see not one single Met hat,jersey etc. And of course Met fans will hold the "at least we lasted longer than you guys" motto. According to Met fans they don't even play to win they just play to outlast the Yankees. Boy that is something to be proud of. Jim I do respect you writing but come on "Kudos to the Mets"? I don't see Red Sox fans or even Met fans for that matter posting anything about us. I don't see Red Sox fans saying great season guys on overtaking us by 11 games. So lets stop being soft here.We are Yankee fans here. Put the "Kudos to the Mets" on there blog. By the way Jim when are we going to start the trade rumors?
Aj you are 1000% right. Yes the Mets did improve this season and yes that is an acheivement. But if you don't win it all then you aren't a success. Look at the Pirates, when they go over 500 for the year they call it a successful season. It's no wonder why they never win. You have to set your goal to be the best and thats how you become the best.