Die Hard Sports Fan

I apologize for not writing the past two days.  One of our Giants Bloggers on Die Hard Giants Fan, Phessional, came up from Jacksonville, FL and stayed at my place for two days.  He moved down there about a year and a half ago and barely comes up here.  We partied like rock stars for two days.  He has to go to an engagement party tonight which is the reason he is here.  Anyway, I went back and got all of the news that I missed in case you haven’t heard it already.

The Mets won their final Spring Training game today and beat the White Sox 3-2.  The Mets will play for real on Monday…finally.

Mets.com:

Mets edge Sox in Civil Rights Game - Justice B. Hill recapped the Civil Rights Game between the White Sox and the Mets.  New York beat Chicago 3-2.  John Maine got the start.

Fans enjoy being part of history - Justice B. Hill gathered the thoughts of baseball fans who attended the Civil Rights Game.

Mets Opening Day outlook - Marty Noble tells us what he thinks about the Mets as they get ready to begin the 2008 season.

Aaron headlines roundtable discussion - On the eve of the Civil Rights Game, a dinner was held to discuss why black athletes are not playing Major League Baseball as much as they used to.

Johan has low-key take on hyped debut - Marty Noble found out that Johan Santana excited, but not nervous, about pitching on Opening Day.

Reyes scores pair of runs for Mets - Spencer Fordin summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.  Baltimore beat the Mets by a score of 4-3.  Orlando Hernandez was the starting pitcher.

El Duque’s right foot a wild card - After yesterday’s game, Marty Noble believes that El Duque has the edge over Mike Pelfrey for the final spot in the rotation.

Mets announce three roster moves - Marty Noble reported that the Mets optioned Anderson Hernandez to Triple-A New Orleans, Steven Register was returned to the Rockies, and Ruben Gotay was claimed off waivers by the Braves.

All ends well with Mets’ limo ride - Marty Noble tells us about a voyage that Billy Wagner, Matt Wise, and Jorge Sosa took.

Mets represent diversity - Anthony DiComo discusses the diversity of the Mets as they are about to play in the Civil Rights Game.

Going down to the wire - Anthony DiComo points out that the Mets still have to decide who the bench players will be and who will win the bullpen spots after the next two games.

Perez looks sharp in final spring start - Mark Bowman summarized Thursday’s game between the Mets and the Braves.  New York stomped Atlanta 9-4.  Oliver Perez got the start.

Civil Rights Game special to Randolph - Anthony DiComo explains how Willie Randolph feels about the Mets participating in the Civil Rights Game.

Perez gives Mets a brief scare - Anthony DiComo describes that fall that Perez took on Thursday.

Gotay’s Mets career nearing an end - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets placed Gotay on outright waivers on Thursday which may be a hint that his tenure as a Met is coming to an end.  DiComo pointed out that the final bench spot may go to Brady Clark or Fernando Tatis.

New parks pay tribute to the past - Marty Noble compliments the Mets and the Yankees for the stadiums that they are building in New York.

Newsday:

Mets’ El Duque scrubs new windup, looks better

Mets cut Gotay, guess who picks him up? Braves

METS SCOUTING REPORT - David Lennon analyzes every aspect of the 2008 Mets.

Randolph’s high-wire act - Johnette Howard believes that Willie is on a short-leash this season.

Yankee Stadium, Shea make their final turns for home in 2008

PRESSURE FROM DAY 1 - David Lennon talks about the expectations of the Mets as they head into the ‘08 season.

CATCHING ON QUICK - Anthony Rieber explains how Brian Schneider is quickly getting used to the fast pace of New York.

ACE OF ACES - David Lennon had a Q&A with Santana.

Pelfrey vs. El Duque for Mets’ fifth spot

WRIGHT ATTITUDE - Jim Baumbach discusses David Wright’s career with Wright.

Devastated Ruben Gotay is put on waivers by Mets

Mets’ Pedro avoids collision, then throws perfectly

Hopeful singers audition to sing anthem at Shea

Late-arrival Tatis may have right timing for Mets - David Lennon believes that Tatis can make the team.

New York Daily News:

El Duque brings back high leg kick

Memories hit Tom Glavine hard

Keith not dialed in on SNY’s plan

Mets might bid Ruben Gotay goodbye

Pedro Martinez to start final home opener at Shea Stadium

Nelson Figueroa is following his dream of being a pro ball player - Vic Ziegel wrote up a Bio on Nelson Figueroa.

Hundreds line up for chance to sing national anthem at Mets game

Mike Pelfrey, El Duque still battling for 5th spot in rotation

New York Post:

KICK BACK - Bart Hubbuch pointed out that El Duque went back to his old form.

GOTAY GOES TO BRAVES

TATIS HAS SHOT AT REDEMPTION

DUQUE CAN NAIL DOWN FIVE SPOT

METS ARE READY FOR REAL THING

RADIO GIG WILL MAKE WAGNER A SHOCK JOCK - Phil Mushnick found out that, “ESPN 1050 Radio has signed Billy Wagner to a weekly say-for-pay spot on Michael Kay’s late-afternoon show, and that, by no later than Aug. 15, is going to cause a problem. Or two.”

THE HUMAN ERASER - Justin Terranova believes that Johan will help the Mets forget about the collapse.

FINAL 25 WON’T BE RUSH JOB

PEDRO’S GOING TO SPEAK UP - According to Bart Hubbuch, Pedro vows to be the vocal leader that the Mets lacked down the stretch during the collapse in ‘07.

IT AIN’T OVER … - Jay Greenberg discusses the glory days.

IF IT’S ‘08, IT’S CUBS’ YEAR - Kevin Kernan wrote up an National League preview.

The New York Times:

Glavine Says He Retains Emotional Bond With the Mets

A Break From the Game for an Inspiring Lesson - Ben Shpigel discusses other aspects of the Civil Rights Game.

Shea in ’64: The Planes Above, the Mets Below

You Can’t Just Blow Up History - Richard Sandomir doesn’t want to see Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium get blown up.

The Star-Ledger:

Walking (and shivering) in Memphis

Pelfrey v. Hernandez: Deciding Round

El Duque looks sharp

Braves scoop up Gotay off waivers

El Duque, Pelfrey to get final look

Gotay placed on waivers

Final decision would be a relief - Jeremy Cothran explains who can fill the last spot in the Bullpen.

Pedro aces stint, vows to be more vocal

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The Mets finally lost a game after another winning streak.  The theme of the day is that the Mets are bored of Spring Training and ready to take on the 2008 season.  Also, even some of the media has stated the same.  I have to agree with all of these parties because the season and the postseason is what matters.  I’m getting really excited about what ’08 could be.  So let the games begin!

Mets.com:

Homers sting Perez in loss to Tribe - Anthony Castrovince summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Indians.  The Tribe beat the Mets 5-2.  Oliver Perez got the start.  The Mets are 16-8-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Church feeling better about swing - Marty Noble found out that Ryan Church sees progress after work with hitting coach Howard Johnson.

Schneider set to return to Mets - Marty Noble reported that Brian Schneider is ready to play today.

Mets ready for end of Spring Training - Marty Noble says that the Mets‘ players are fighting boredom as Opening Day approaches.  The last word I want to hear the Mets say is ‘bored’.

Newsday:

Pedro says he won’t bug Mets for extension - I have no idea why this topic keeps coming up.

New York Daily News:

Pedro Martinez can toss aside concerns

New York Post:

PEDRO UNLEASHED

SCHNEIDER WILL RETURN TO LINEUP

New York Times:

Memphis Trip Is Revisiting Inspiration for Randolph - Ben Shpigel got Willie Randolph’s thoughts about staying in the hotel that Martin Luther King Jr. slept in the night before he was assassinated.

The Star-Ledger:

Rained out in Winter Haven - Lisa Kennelly lets us know that the game between the Mets and the Indians ended early due to rain.  Kennelly also offered some other thoughts about the game.

Is There Still Joy in Mudville? - Matthew Artus says he’s ready for the regular season as much as the players are.

Pedro eager for ‘real’ deal

Schneider making progress

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The Metropolitans will host the Orioles at 7:10 p.m. tonight.  Opening Day is quickly creeping up on us, and it isn’t good news if we can’t put together a healthy roster.  There are multiple articles about whether or not Duaner Sanchez will make the team or end up on the Disabled List.  Sanchez is going to attempt pitching on back-to-back days to see if he can do it.  How that goes will determine whether or not he will end up on the DL.  We all understand how important Duaner is as the setup man to Wagner.  Worse case scenario is that Sanchez gets a late start to the season.

Mets.com:

Mets’ Maine attraction stars in win - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Indians and the Mets.  The Mets beat the Tribe 3-1.  John Maine got the start.  The Mets are 14-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Coming days key for Sanchez - Anthony DiComo pointed out that Duaner Sanchez must show ability to recover quickly from outings to avoid being placed on the DL.  When Willie Randolph was asked about Sanchez, he said, “Is he on the borderline of not being able to break with us? Yeah, if he doesn’t start to pitch in succession and get his work done. Yeah, then that’s going to become a real issue.”  I agree with Willie when he said it’s going to become a real issue because Sanchez needs to be the man in the 8th inning.

Mets infielders play through pain - Anthony DiComo explains how Jose Valentin and Ruben Gotay played through pain in last night’s game against the Tribe.

Prospect Martinez among four Mets cuts - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets sent these four players down to the Minors: Fernando Martinez, Nate Field, Tony Armas Jr., and Joselo Diaz.

Newsday:

Mets’ Church getting tired of stress - I don’t understand why Ryan Church feels stressed.  He, like all pro athletes, is overpaid to play a sport.  Church just had a healthy baby.  Pedro Feliciano went through a much worse situation when his daughter was born.  I have more compassion for a person that works at McDonalds that had a healthy baby then Church.

Mets’ Sanchez might not make Opening Day

Injured Mets receiving most media attention

New York Daily News:

David Wright throws himself into new routine to reduce errors - Adam Rubin supports that David Wright has had fielding issues over the past three years with statistics.  Sandy Alomar Sr. explains what Wright needs to do to improve his fielding, and Wright explains what he is going to do to improve his fielding.

Duaner Sanchez itching to pitch more

New York Post:

MISSING IN ACTION - Bart Hubbuch discusses the status of injured Mets players.

DOMINANT MAINE MOWS DOWN INDIANS - Bart Hubbuch lets us know what he thought of Maine’s outing against the Indians last night.

SANCHEZ MAY MISS OPENER

New York Times:

Mets Still Waiting on Sánchez

The Star-Ledger:

Good night folks - Lisa Kennelly gave us a couple of quick thoughts as of last night.

Mets’ Maine Attraction Still Intact

Once again, Mets are down to third catcher

Sanchez hopes to get back on track

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The Mets are currently playing their Wednesday night game against the Indians.  The Tribe has a 1-0 lead after 3.  So far, it seems like the Indians keep turning the double plays.  A 1-0 lead means nothing anymore, so there’s no reason why the Metsies can’t win this game with John Maine out on the mound.

Mets.com:

Mets getting 2008 lineup in order - Marty Noble stated that Wednesday night’s starters may mirror Opening Day squad.

El Duque’s ’slow’ outing beguiling - Marty Noble pointed out that Orlando Hernandez sends usual mixed signals in simulated game.

Newsday:

El Duque fails to impress in simulated game

Castro may miss week with strained hamstring - David Lennon provided the status of Ramon Castro.  Lennon stated that the MRI came back negative, and Castro can miss as little as 3 days to as many as a week.

New York Daily News:

El Duque moves closer to 1st start

Ramon Castro legging it out

New York Post:

DUQUE DISAPPOINTING

SCHNEIDER: HAMMY FEELS FINE

New York Times:

Pelfrey and Hernández Have Different Styles, but the Same Goal

The Star-Ledger:

Game 20: Mets vs Indians - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for tonight’s game between the Indians and the Mets.

Deceived by El Duque’s Rocky Outing

For El Duque, health is up, velocity down

Pelfrey’s new slider is taken for a ride - Lisa Kennelly wrote that Brian Schneider taught Mike Pelfrey a new slider.  When the slider came to Scneider in a simulated game, he hit a home run and a ground rule double.

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The Mets won both of their games today.  They are hot right now so I wish it counted.  The best Mets article of the day is “Castro, Delgado injured in Mets game” by Anthony Rieber.  Rieber followed up on the status of both players injured in today’s game.  At least Delgado isn’t as injured as it appeared.

Mets.com:

Pedro blanks Tigers in spring debut - Marty Noble summarized today’s second game between the Tigers and the Mets.  The Mets beat the Tigers 7-4.  Pedro Martinez got the start.  The Mets are 12-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Young Mets upstage Astros on road - Alyson Footer summarized one of today’s split-squad games between the Mets and the Astros.  The Mets beat the Astros 6-4.  Nelson Figueroa got the start.

Good signs from Martinez in debut - Marty Noble pointed out that Martinez threw four scoreless innings, with four hits and four Ks, and then went on to describe Pedro’s Spring Training debut.  Martinez said “I’m right where I want to be.” after his first start.

Pedro makes anticipated debut Sunday - Finally!!!

With no DH, Johan steps up to plate - After Johan Santana grounded out in his first at-bat of the spring, Anthony DiComo captured Santana’s thoughts, “At least I made contact. I didn’t strike out. It was a little weird, but it’s part of the game and I’ve got to adjust to it. Those are the little things that I’ll have to learn how to do.”

Newsday:

Castro, Delgado injured in Mets game - Anthony Rieber explained what happened to Carlos Delgado, ”Delgado went down in an attempt to dodge the dangerous, pointy projectile, but was hit. His arm was bloodied and he immediately went into the Mets’ dugout and then to the clubhouse. He required four stitches to close the wound and left the ballpark with a playing-card-sized bandage taped to his forearm.”  Next, Rieber told us how Ramon Castro got injured, “Castro, catching Martinez in his first game since March 9, re-injured his right hamstring when running to first on a single in his first at-bat. As soon as he reached the bag and time out was called, Castro limped off to the third-base dugout and was replaced by a pinch runner.”

Baby’s heart surgery: Big save for Mets’ Feliciano - Anthony Rieber followed up on the health of Pedro Feliciano’s baby who had heart surgery during the offseason.  Feliciano described his daughter’s health as:

My baby, after surgery she never gets a fever, nothing, no change color, no blue hands, nothing. They don’t know how she reacts that good after surgery. Strong kid. The same day that they bring her back to the room, she got up. Just got the surgery and she got up and started moving. They had to get the liquid for her to go to sleep.

Castillo’s back for Mets, who are getting healthy - Anthony Rieber explained how Luis Castillo played in his first game yesterday against the Cardinals.  After playing 5½ innings, Castillo went 0-for-1 with two walks.  Luis had this to say about his play, “I feel so good. I feel so happy with myself because I made the right decision having surgery. I feel so different. A long time I don’t feel like that.”

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? RON HUNT - Jim Baubach stated that, “Ron Hunt, the first Mets player to get a hit, score a run and hit a home run at Shea Stadium, wants to be on hand when the team officially closes the stadium.”  Yet, Hunt hasn’t been invited to a Mets alumni function in many years.  Hunt said, “I would hope since I was there to open Shea, I hope I will get an invitation to put it away, too,” Hunt said. “And then an invitation to open the new one as well.”  In response to that, Mets VP for media relations, Jay Horwitz stated that ”We’re very aware of what he’s done, so I’m sure he will be hearing from us in the season. I’m sure he’ll be back.”

Can Pedro tame Tigers in first real test for Mets?

New York Daily News:

Johan Santana aced by Cardinals

Luis Castillo’s return a success

New York Post:

PEDRO ON MARCH

WAGNER: ROLLINS ONLY HALF RIGHT - The fued between the Mets and the Phillies continues.  In response to the comments Rollins made, Billy Wagner said:

He’s right. He’s right that they’re the team to beat. They’re excited they got to the playoffs. As far as do they want it more? It’s up to the guys in this clubhouse to prove him wrong. Obviously last year he was right and so far he’s been good at telling the future.

I expect it to be fun. I expect it to be high intensity. I expect it to be very - there should be some intensity to these games. We should play better. We should play better against the Phillies. They weren’t the better team. They just played better than us.

The Star-Ledger:

Game 18: Tigers at Mets - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for today’s game between the Tigers and the Mets.

Castillo striving to get up to speed

Beltran stepping up to the plate - The Star-Ledger found out what Carlos Beltran is doing to take on more of a leadership role.

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The Mets dropped another Spring Training game to the Cards.  Like I said the last time the Mets lost to the Cardinals, I hate when that happens.

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Mets.com:

Castillo reaps benefits of slow return - Anthony DiComo lets us know that Luis Castillo feels great in his Grapefruit League debut.

Johan, Mets remain vexed by Cards - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Cardinals and the Mets.  The Cards beat the Mets 10-3.  Johan Santana got the start.  The Mets are 10-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Vargas seeks second opinion on hip - Anthony DiComo reported that ”Jason Vargas traveled to Colorado on Saturday for a second opinion on his sore left hip, which may require surgery.”

Camp nearing end, Mets roster ailing - Marty Noble stated that the calendar is counting down and the lineup remains incomplete.

Which teams have the best defense? - Lyle Spencer pointed out that MLB.com produced a list of the five premier defensive units heading into 2008.  This list includes these teams: New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals.  Spencer explained why each of these teams made the list, and here is what he wrote about the Mets:

Johan Santana, whose glove is a matching accessory to his golden arm, will enjoy watching his new teammates pick it. Jose Reyes is the game’s premier defensive infielder in the view of advance scouts participating in MLB.com’s survey, and his partner on the left side, Gold Glover David Wright, also is first-rate. Ryan Church enhances an outfield that features Gold Glover Carlos Beltran and arguably the game’s best all-purpose sub in Endy Chavez. There are no serious chinks in manager Willie Randolph’s defensive armor.

Pitchers row laughs are par for course - Marty Noble revealed that Pedro Martinez was never into golfing like most MLB pitchers are, but now Martinez brought a golf bag to Spring Training, and said this to his colleagues, “You guys are going to teach me. If someone can tell me where to put my feet, I’ll be all right.”

Newsday:

Mets’ Valentin makes a major plea about his role - Anthony Rieber wrote that “Jose Valentin knows the Mets have made him no promises. He knows they signed Luis Castillo to a four-year contract to play second base. He also knows he signed a minor-league deal that allows the team to send him down if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.”  If Valentin does not make the team, he said, “I mean, I’m not going down there because they say I don’t make it. I don’t have to prove something in Triple-A. Money-wise, it’s not a big deal. I think that if I just shut it down right now and retire, I’ve still got enough money to live the rest of my life.”

New York Daily News:

Willie Randolph closes in on opener - Adam Rubin pointed out that Willie Randolph needs to get the full squad together in order to get ready for the season.

Jimmy Rollins repeats NL East boast - Here’s what Jimmy Rollins was quoted as saying in the April issue of Men’s Journal.  “That wasn’t a one-year thing. It’s still gonna ring true in 2008, and every year I’m with the Phillies. We’re going to win. It’s gonna come down to who wants it more, and we want to win more than the Mets do. Truthfully, I don’t worry about anybody in our division, or anybody in our league for that matter. I’m not worried about getting into the playoffs, because that part is accomplished. We’re a playoff team now. Our next goal is to win the World Series.”

New York Post:

BURNING QUESTION - Bart Hubbuch believes that Aaron Heilman has settled into the bullpen, but he still would prefer to be in the starting rotation.

AMAZIN’ STAFF HAS ANOTHER MAINE MAN

New York Times:

Soothsayer to Mets Won’t Brush Off Signs - Karen Crouse tells a story of a Mets fan in Floriday.

Castillo Feels No Pain in Spring Debut

Mets’ Schoeneweis Puts Painful Year Behind Him - Charlie Nobles discusses the injuries that Scott Schoeneweis suffered last season, and how he aims to put last year behind him.

The Star-Ledger:

Castillo plays, feels healthy

Getting Things Started Wright - Matthew Artus has spent the last few days pondering a debate that arose recently over at Shea Nation regarding where David Wright should bat in the Mets’ lineup.  In his article, he makes his case.

Castro is also a big hit on field - Jeremy Cothran revealed Ramon Castro as the prankster that placed the bubble gum on Castillo.

With 5 at-bats, Schneider feels he’ll be ready

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Single-game tickets for the final season at Shea Stadium go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m.  You can order the tickets at Mets.com or by calling the Mets’ ticket office at (718) 507-TIXX for more information.

The Amazins’ are playing in split-squad games today.  The Mets beat the Orioles by a score of 4-1 in the non-televised game.  Jonathan Niese got the start.  The Mets are 7-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.  The Mets got smoked 12-4 by the Marlins in the second game which was televised.  Mike Pelfrey finally had a bad outing in Spring Training, and it was really bad.  The seven-game winning streak came to an end.  The Mets are 7-4 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Mets.com:

Notes: MASH unit stays home - Tom Singer pointed out that the road lineup is full of prospects as many starters deal with injuries.

Pedro gets work in at simulated ‘event’ - Marty Noble let us know how Pedro Martinez performed in his simulated start.

Mets subs shine in win over Indians - Anthony Castrovince summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Indians.  Oliver Perez got the start.  The Mets were able to put together another comeback to beat the Tribe by a score of 8-6.  The Mets are now 6-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Newsday:

Mets’ Pedro has work cut out after simulated game - After the simulated game, David Lennon felt like Martinez had some things to improve upon.

Pain fading for Delgado, who takes recovery slow

New York Daily News:

Moises Alou insists he will make return from hernia injury

Pedro Martinez can’t wait to deal for real

Ryan Church takes batting practice - Peter Botte lets us know what he thought when Ryan Church returned to BP.

New York Post:

SLOW PITCH - Bart Hubbuch also wrote how Pedro wants to pitch in a real game already.

OLIVER GETS ROUGHED UP AGAIN - Bart Hubbuch reveals his thoughts on Oli’s outing against the Indians yesterday.

New York Times:

Martínez’s Changeup: Less Talk, More Action

The Star-Ledger:

Mets vs. Marlins - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup and a summary of the early innings for today’s game between the Marlins and the Mets.

Leave No Stone Unturned - Matthew Artus suggests Barry Bonds as a right fielder for the Mets.  I think that all of the steroid users should be permanently banned from the majors to avoid any more unneccary embarrassment.

Trade rumors putting the heat on Schoeneweis - Jeremy Cothran wrote “What upsets Schoeneweis, who is out of Lenape High in Medford, is that the team is so quick to dismiss him after one below-par season.”  The Mets are not dismissing him for one below-par season.  The below-par season is a direct result of the lack of needles being injected into his rump.  I grew up in Medford, but I went to another high school called Shawnee for my Freshman year before moving to Long Island.  We competed against Lenape.  I wish the Mets would get rid of this guy already.

Pedro eager to make it real

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I have expressed my concerns regarding the Mets already as we head into ’08.  On of my biggest concerns is this guy, Duaner Sanchez.  I was thrilled to hear that Sanchez was able to pitch today, and he didn’t give up any runs in his first outing since ‘06.  Duaner is the one player that I’m going to zone in on more than any other.  The biggest reason why the Bullpen was so much better in ‘06 then in ‘07 was primarily because of Sanchez not being there.  Bradshaw was also very successful, but Omar let him go so it’s not worth arguing that point.  It is very infrequent when pitchers come back from injuries and pitch as well as they used to.  So what we will get out of Duaner?  Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m looking forward to watching him.  If he can hold down the 8th inning like he used to then the Mets are going to have a great season.

Mets.com:

Smith aims to regain early ‘07 magic - As a Mets fan, I also want Joe Smith to regain that early ‘07 magic.  I’ve read that Smith just ran out of gas in ‘07 so he hopefully he got on a better conditioning play this offseason.

Notes: Santana leaves mark — literally - In batting practice, Carlos Beltran ended up getting hit by one of Johan Santana’s pitches in the tricep.  Beltran said “he got me pretty good.”  Marty Noble was seeking for a story and came up with this, John Maine went on the internet for the first time last week.

Newsday:

Beltran survives Santana fastball, but sidelined - David Lennon also lets you know how Beltran is feeling after getting belted by Santana in BP.  Beltran is a big boy…he’ll tough it out.

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT St. LUCIE - David Lennon reported that Santana pitched his second BP yesterday.

SPRING TRAINING: Willie carries message to Reyes’ home - David Lennon tells us about a “14-person Mets contingent that visited Reyes at his parents’ house in a village outside of Santiago” which Willie was part of.  Willie stated that “I went because I wanted to talk to him about his mind-set moving forward. We didn’t get into what happened last year.”  If 14 Mets go to DR to see Reyes then it goes to show you how important Jose is to the team.  Does anybody find it odd that they went to Reyes’ parents house?  Does Jose have his own house in DR?

Randolph in better humor for 2008 - David Lennon pointed out that Willie Randolph is smiling and cracking jokes now.  That’s all good during Spring Training, but Willie needs to crack the whip in ‘08 after the collapse.

New York Daily News:

Duaner Sanchez pitches scoreless inning in Mets’ intrasquad scrimmage - The AP reported that Duaner got to pitch as expected, and he threw a scoreless inning in his return.

John Maine is Mets’ ace in the hole - John Harper raises this question.  How good is John Maine?  Then Harper tried to get the answers to his question.

Duaner Sanchez springs into action - Sanchez was expected to pitch in a game today for the first time since ‘06.

Ex-Mets adjusting to life with Twins - Anthony McCarron lets us know how Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra are doing in Twins camp.

Carlos Beltran not ready for spring games - Adam Rubin provided the status of six Mets that will not be ready in time for the start of Spring Training.  These players are Beltran, Castillo, Chavez, Easley, Johnson, and Valentin.  All of them are suffering from leg injuries.  Also, Rubin wrote that El Duque threw his second BP.  Juan Padilla was supposed to pitch today after not pitching since having Tommy John surgery performed in March 2006.  Last, Angel Pagan swept every event to become the best athlete in camp and the first Met to do that.

New York Post:

PLEADING THE 5TH - Bart Hubbuch has the latest and greatest on that final spot in the rotation.

MINAYA’S BRAND OF BASEBALL - Mike Vaccaro lets you know what kind of GM he thinks Omar is.

FROM BELTRAN TO WELT-RAN - Bart Hubbuch also provided the details about Beltran getting belted by Santana.

New York Times:

The Skinny on the Mets’ New Reliever? Great Changeup, Bad Luck - Ben Shpigel tells the story of Matt Wise.

The Star-Ledger:

Citi Field Logo: Thoughts? - Yesterday, Jeremy Cothran was very excited about seeing the Citi Field logo.  He has a picture of it and it is ugly.

Don’t Call It a Comeback - Matthew Artus wrote about the return of Sanchez.

No rush to play ailing players - Jeremy Cothran also covered the injured Mets.

Mets pitcher regains control of his career - Jeremy Cothran also discusses Wise.

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Right before Super Bowl Sunday, the Mets signed Johan Santana which got me really excited about ‘08.  The Giants won the Super Bowl and I was on cloud 9 ever since.  Well, I’m no longer riding that high.  Since I came back down to Earth, concerns about the Mets began popping up in my head.  The collapse still bothers me.  The majority of the team is still in tact.  The challenge is on those players to bounce back.  The optimist in me thinks that have to feel horrible inside which will make them come out with a chip on their shoulders this year.  The pessimest in me thinks that if they couldn’t do it last season, how are they going to do it this season?

These are the players in the lineup that I’m concerned about: Reyes, Castillo, Beltran, Delgado, Church, and Shneider.  All offseason, I was hoping that the Mets would release a statement on what happened to Reyes.  I didn’t know if he was injured, if he was being a baby, or if he was in a slump.  If he wasn’t injured, I felt like he should’ve been included in the Santana deal.  Once Reyes reported to Spring Training, he stated that he was in a slump.  The timing of his slump was horrible, and he didn’t play well in the Playoffs in ‘06 either.  Reyes needs to play well down the strecth and in the Playoffs.  Castillo couldn’t even walk to the batters box last year so I’m very worried about his performance this year and for 3 years beyond that.   I never felt like Castillo was that good anyway, except when he was really young.  Beltran is still hurt.  He was very inconsistent last year due to injuries.  Carlos needs to work on that.  Delgado was bored in a season when he had a career low average…go figure.  He reinvented his swing so we will need to keep an eye on how that works out for him.  I don’t know anything about Church.  Supposedly he struggles against lefties, and his average isn’t that good anyway.  Schneider also doesn’t have a good average.  Defense should be the strength of this unit.

Regarding the starting rotation, I feel confident.  The only thing that concerns me about Santana is the transition to New York.  I feel like Pedro should be near the back of the rotation.  I don’t think he will be healthy all year so Maine and Oli should pitch ahead of Pedro in order to keep consistency in the rotation.  El Duque or Pelfrey will fill that final spot.  I’m not too fond of either one of them.  El Duque barely has anything left, but once in a blue he throws a gem.  Pelfrey is as young as El Duque is as old.  With that said, Pelfrey only throws a gem once in a blue as well.

The Bullpen has plenty to prove.  Omar added a ton of people to the pen in the offseason.  The entire Bullpen needs to step it up from long relief to middle relief to the closer.

Mets.com:

Notes: Martinez’s bold prediction - Anthony DiComo provided some quick hits:

• Fernando Martinez was quoted as saying “This year, you’ll see me.”  Martinez believes that he will get some playing time with the Mets this year.
• Peterson had Pedro throw with his eyes closed again today.
• Later this week, Wagner is set to have a cyst removed from the front of the base of his neck.
• The salary-arbitration case with Oli is still pending.
• “The Mets have already sold more than two million advance tickets for the final season at Shea Stadium.”

Newsday:

Wilpon expects Mets to go ‘deep into the playoffs’ - Those are the words of Fred Wilpon according to Ken Davidoff.  My expectations are just as high.

Pedro, Fernando create buzz at Mets camp

Delgado has got Beltran’s back

Contract year could spark Delgado, Mets

Notebook: Bad ankle is Endy’s latest issue - This guy went from ‘The Catch’ to injury prone.  I wish he could get healthy and contribute.

Hagin brings experience to Mets radio

Former Mets traded for Santana see new opportunity - The AP lets us know how all of the players traded to the Twins for Santana are doing.  Those players were Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra, and Carlos Gomez.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon lets us what the preferred choice of wheels is for Mets players in Port St. Lucie.

New York Daily News:

Carlos Delgado vows to bounce back

Who was ‘bored’? Not 2007 Mets - After one of the longest offseason in Mets’ history, Carlos Delgado suggested that he never said that they were ‘bored’ in 2007.  To be honest you, it is the only quote I remember from the collapse.  I remember everybody except these 3 players being ‘bored’ in September: Alou, Wright, and Green.  Green is gone, and most of those ‘bored’ players are back for another year…go figure.

New York Post:

HOPING FOR RELIEF - Mike Vaccaro believes that it’s time for Duaner Sanchez to give the bullpen a boost.

ENDY SEES WINNER IN SANTANA - Endy said “a guarantee for us to make the playoffs”.  Further down in the article, Bart Hubbuch switched topics.  Delgado took some shots at Jose Canseco.

DELGADO ‘FOCUSED’ ON TURNING THINGS AROUND

New York Times:

Long Shot for Reliever Better Than Having No Shot - Ben Shpigel tells the story of Steven Register.

Owner Confident This Year Could Be Mets’ Year at Last

Delgado Uses Off-Season to Rebuild His Swing

The Star-Ledger:

A week for proclamations - Lisa Kennelly pointed out the quote from Fred Wilpon which was “It’s a championship season, we expect to be in the playoffs, and deep into the playoffs. That’s our expectation.”

Delgado Fights Off Brushback Season - Matthew Artus breaks down Delgado’s swing.

Aging Delgado armed with brand-new swing

Chavez over ankle, hamstring injuries

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