Die Hard Sports Fan

The Mets were fortunate enough to win the series against the Phillies.  That call at the plate last night could’ve went either way as I mentioned in the game summary.  I’ve seen the play a dozen more times today, and I still can’t figure out what happened.

This weekend, the Brewers are in Flushing for a three-game series.  This should be a good NL matchup for the Mets to see where the Mets really are right now.  Here’s a look at the expected pitching matchups this weekend:

• 04/11/2008 - Manny Parra (1-0) - Nelson Figueroa Jr. (0-0)
• 04/12/2008 - Ben Sheets (1-0) - Johan Santana (1-1)
• 04/13/2008 - Jeff Suppan (1-0) - Oliver Perez (1-0)

After the Brewers leave town, the Nationals come to Queens for a three-game set.  The nine-game homestand will be over then, and the Mets will go on the road.

Mets.com:

Mets edge Phils in 12 on Pagan’s single - Marty Noble summarized last night’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

Controversy surrounds song choice - According to Anthony DiComo, the initial online voting was rigged by fans to pick the Rick Astley tune.

Figueroa hopes to impress in first start - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis of tonight’s game between the Brewers and the Mets.  Nelson Figueroa Jr. is scheduled to make his first start since 2004.

Mets sign righty Vargas to Minors deal

Remembering Negro Leaguer Vazquez - Danny Torres noted that Armando Vázquez passed away in March, and Torres feels like this native Cuban was an ambassador for the game on and off field.

Newsday:

Heilman has been weak link in Mets’ bullpen - Ken Davidoff takes his shots at Aaron Heilman, and deservedly so.

Mets’ Santana not thrown by high expectations

Mets sign ex-Brewer Vargas as rotation insurance

METS INSIDER: Grumpy old ballpark - David Lennon describes Mets fans leaving Shea Stadium after Tuesday’s game.

Mets beat Phillies again on Pagan’s hit in 12th

Pagan has seized opportunity Mets have given him - Erik Boland praises Angel Pagan for filling in wonderfully for Moises Alou.

New York Daily News:

Angel Pagan delivers in 12th inning, singles in winning run in Mets win

Mets-Phillies rivalry looking like what Mets-Braves used to be - Filip Bondy describes the play at the plate in the Bottom of the 12th, and how it might play into the 2008 Mets-Phillies rivalry.

Mets sign Claudio Vargas

Nelson Figueroa full circle with Mets - Mark Lelinwalla takes us through how the Mets drafted Figueroa in 1995, he has pitched for various teams (home and abroad), and he finally will be be making his first start as a Met tonight.

Panic is too much, too soon for Mets

New York Post:

STRIKING 12TH - Brian Costello walks us through the 12th inning of last night’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

REYES SLIDE COULD LEAVE SKID BEHIND

PAGAN ENJOYING AN AMAZIN’ START

SCHOENEWEIS GETS METS OUT OF JAM

METS SIGN VARGAS

REYES NEEDS TO PHIL UP STAT SHEET - Prior to last night’s game, Tim Bontemps felt like Jose Reyes needed to get more involved.  It was good timing for the article because Reyes had two hits last night, and he was the tying run.

New York Times:

Mets Slide Past Phillies as Bullpen Holds Late

With Hernández Hobbled, Mets Come Back to Vargas

The Star-Ledger:

Mets Lineup

BRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - M.A. Mehta says he’s freezing at Shea.

Figueroa pitches tonight for Mets

Reyes scores winning run in 12th to lift Mets

Santana ready for Shea debut - David Waldstein pointed out that Johan Santana is scheduled to make his Shea debut tomorrow.

Reyes hits and Mets Win in 12

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With Pedro on the DL and with El Duque out indefinitely, Omar Minaya felt like he had to bring in a starter ASAP.  Minaya signed RHP Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract today.  Vargas, 29, was released by the Brewers on March 25 earlier this spring which means that he was available.  In his career, Claudio is 43-38 with a 4.95 ERA in 153 games.  This isn’t a spectacular signing, but it is a body…And bodies are what the Mets need right now.

Mets.com:

Robinson’s legacy a major part of Citi - Anthony DiComo noted that Major League Baseball has chosen to anchor its Jackie Robinson Day festivities at Shea Stadium this year.  Am I the only person that doesn’t understand why the Dodgers doesn’t handle all of Jackie Robinson’s festivities?  Am I the only person that doesn’t understand how it defaulted to the Mets?  From the retired number to the 50th Anniversary to the festivities, I don’t understand it at all.  I know Robinson played for the Dodgers in NY fifty years ago.  Is there any other player in the majors that has another organization celebrate his achievements?  Please let me know if you know the answer.

Patient Mets end Phillies’ hex at Shea - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

Mets take aim at series win over Phils - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Mets.

El Duque suffers setback with hurt foot - Anthony DiComo reported that Orlando Hernandez suffered a tendon strain in his right foot, and he has to wear a protective boot for about two weeks.  DiComo believes that El Duque may still be months away.

Randolph hopes to share No. 42 tribute - Anthony DiComo pointed out that Willie Randolph wore No. 42 during last month’s annual Jackie Robinson Day, but Willie would rather a player on his team wears it during next week’s Jackie Robinson Day festivities.

Mets play it safe with Castillo - Anthony DiComo reported that Luis Castillo will most likely not play tonight against the Phillies.  Castillo is still listed as day-to-day.

Newsday:

Mets’ Castillo to miss a “couple” more days

Duque out; Vargas on way in? - David Lennon reported that the Mets may sign Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract due to the status of El Duque.  Last night, SNY stated that the Mets may sign Vargas as soon as today.

Give Phillies most of the credit for Mets’ win

Pelfrey gets win; Mets helped by sloppy Phils

New York Daily News:

Bumbling Phils make it easy for Mets

Bruntlett comes up short for Phillies

Knee has Luis Castillo in tight spot

Mets snap Phillies’ dominant streak

New York Post:

NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT

THIS WIN WAS JIMMY-RIGGED

VARGAS MAY NOT BE FAR OFF

TIME OFF IS WHAT CASTILLO NEEDS

SLOPPY PHILS HELP SNAP AMAZIN’ SKID

New York Times:

For One Night at Least, Mets and Phillies Trade Places

The Star-Ledger:

Mets sign RHP Claudio Vargas - Joel Magaraci reported that the Mets signed Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract.  Vargas will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., before joining Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League.  Vargas hopefully will eat some innings due to the loses of Pedro and El Duque.

It’s ugly, but Mets take it

El Duque shut down; Vargas deal close

Mets Win.

What’s that smell? - Dan Graziano explains how poorly both teams played last night.

Mets close to signing Claudio Vargas

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Unfortunately, the Mets fell to the Marlins this afternoon.  Even though the Mets did pretty well in Spring Training, it doesn’t mean anything.  Only 5 Days until Opening Day.

Mets.com:

Pedro: Human or superhuman? - Anthony DiComo lets you know of Pedro Martinez’s outing against a Minor League club.

Wright, Delgado prove clutch in loss - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Marlins and the Mets.  Florida beat New York by a score of 7-5.  Robert Parnell got the start.  The Mets are 18-10-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

New batterymates have prior history - Marty Noble felt the need to tell us that Brian Schneider took a photo with Martinez when he was a teenager.

Easley to play utility role, that’s for sure - Marty Noble says that it is unknown if the Mets will rely on Damion Easley to backup in the outfield.

Sosa may get rotation shot - Since El Duque and Pelfrey are not performing too well, Marty Noble thinks that Jorge Sosa may be suitable for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Alou eyeing April return - Marty Noble stated that Moises Alou is hoping to return to the Mets by the end of April.

Newsday:

Mets’ Santana can’t wait to pick up bat again - I don’t know much about Santana picking up a bat, but I love when a title begins with “Mets’ Santana”.  Jim Baumbach and David Lennon pointed out that Johan Santana hit his last triple in Dolphin Stadium which is where Santana will make his first start wearing orange and blue.

Mets’ Alou swears he’ll come back strong

New York Daily News:

Mets hoping new ace Johan Santana can help them forget historic collapse

Billy Wagner: Johan Santana is so good he makes bullpen better, too - Billy Wagner is always complimenting other pitchers.  I’m waiting for him to say that he is going to make the team better.

It’s hard to Shea goodbye

Moises Alou eying April return

The ‘Not’ Corner: First base used to be glamour position in New York - What’s wrong with Delgado and Giambi? hahaha.

Fans get into act on SNY - Bob Raissman talks about how SNY now has interactive TV where the fans can call in and discuss what’s on their minds.  That doesn’t sound like a good thing to me.

Minor adjustment a big-league help to Johan Santana - Adam Rubin pointed out that Santana’s inaugural spring as a Met ended quietly with an intrasquad game against minor-leaguers.

Raul Casanova ready to catch on - Adam Rubin believes that Raul Casanova appears to be the catcher on the Opening Day roster due to injuries to Schneider and Ramon Castro.

New York Post:

FIFTH AVENUE - Bart Hubbuch believes that Claudio Vargas may have what it takes to get the 5th spot in the rotation.

JOHAN’S THE MAN

WHAT METS NEED TO WIN - Bart Hubbuch has all of the secrets.

WHOLLY MOISES!

The Star-Ledger:

South American adventure over - Jeremy Cothran is back and ready to bring us through the 2008 season.

A Steady Diet of Curveballs - Matthew Artus extensively explains what the Mets can do to fill the 5th spot in the rotation.

Alou eager to return to Mets

Bullpen taking shape - Lisa Kennelly found out that, “The Mets placed reliever and Rule 5 pick Steven Register on waivers yesterday.”  Kennelly believes that Joe Smith and Brian Stokes will fill the void until Sanchez is ready to return.

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