Die Hard Sports Fan

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reported that the Mets made a bunch of roster moves today in their Mets Blog.  The Mets activated Matt Wise, and they purchased the contracts of Claudio Vargas and Fernando Tatis from Triple-A New Orleans.  To make room on the roster, the Mets designated Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa Jr. for assignment and put Angel Pagan on the DL.

Mets.com:

Highlights aplenty, but no win in end - Marty Noble summarized last night’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Mets play on until Pedro’s return - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Alou psyched about Cathedral trip - Marty Noble found out that Moises Alou is pumped up about playing at Yankee Stadium this weekend because he never played there before.

Castillo sits with quadriceps injury - Marty Noble reported that a strained left quadricep muscle kept Luis Castillo out of the lineup last night against the Nationals.

Mailbag: How are Mets doing so far? - Marty Noble answers questions posed by Mets fans’.

Education is power - Howard Kussoy pointed out that some Mets players are taking part in a program called ‘School is Amazing’ around the city.

Newsday:

Nationals get under Figueroa’s skin in Mets loss - Anthony Rieber also summarized last night’s Nationals-Mets game.

Ex-Met Milledge always at center of controversy - Lastings Milledge had a pretty good game last night, and Erik Boland tells us all about it.

Looks like Mets’ Santana will start Subway Series

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what happened at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on May 13th of another year.

New York Daily News:

Photos: Surfing the Mets tours Citi Field

After Mets’ loss, Nelson Figueroa calls Nationals ‘bunch of softball girls’ - Adam Rubin summarized last night’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Sideshow takes over in latest act of Shea circus - Filip Bondy described the situation where the Nationals were singing in the dugout last night.  It really upset Figgy.

Say it ain’t so on Joe Smith - Sean Brennan offers a few suggestions for the Mets to make regarding their pitching dilemma.

Pedro Martinez is starting to show progress - Adam Rubin tells us what the Mets have Pedro Martinez doing down in Port St. Lucie.

New York Post:

‘FIGUER’ HATER - Mike Puma revealed what Nelson Figueroa Jr. had to say about the Nationals after last night’s game.

INJURED DUQUE MAKING PROGRESS

PITCH & MOAN - Mark Hale found out that Pedro is frustrated about having to rehab and not being on the team.

PEDRO PREPARED FOR SIMULATED GAME

New York Times:

Only Applause for Mets Comes From Nationals

Santana Receives an Extra Day of Rest and a Date With the Yankees

The Star-Ledger:

Progress at Citifield

Mets drop Figueroa, Sosa in flurry of moves

Will they clap for John Maine?

Nats frustrate Figueroa, Mets

Pitcher chides cheers - Colin Stephenson also examined the Mets pitching options.

Valentine’s success well-documented - Lisa Kennelly also wrote an aritcle about the three NYU students that made a documentary about Bobby Valentine titled, “The Zen of Bobby V”.

Mets bow to Nationals, 10-4

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Lastings Milledge was the last National that was a former Met to complain about his former team.  Paul Lo Duca is another National that was a former Mets to take shots at his former team.  The media shouldn’t even hand these guys a microphone.  Milledge is a classless scumbag, and Lo Duca is a steroid user.  Both of them should figure out why they are not on the Mets anymore.  They can begin by looking in the mirror.  Nobody cares what they have to say so say nothing at all.

Mets.com:

Mailbag: Alternatives to Delgado? - Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans’ questions.

Off-day won’t be quiet for Mets - Marty Noble lists the tasks that the Mets would like to accomplish during their off-day.

Newsday:

Lo Duca, Milledge still have issues with Mets - Does anybody care what these guys have to say?

Businesses near Shea bracing for uncertain future -With the days until Citi Field opens counting down, Wallace Matthews discusses the fight between the business owners of the Queens’ Iron Triangle and the potential business owners of what could be a beautiful area in Queens.

Mets’ injured Valentin is mulling retirement - David Lennon is following up on an article that Anthony Rieser of Newsday wrote about on Saturday.  Omar Minaya said that the Jose Valentin situation is ”not that desperate”.

New York Daily News:

Paul Lo Duca can’t mask irritation with Omar Minaya and wounded feelings - Paul Lo Duca was quoted as saying this about the Mets letting him go,

Anytime in your lifetime that you’re not wanted, it’s tough. I was vocal that I wanted to stay in New York, but with the way that the offseason went, I’m glad I’m not there. I hate to say that, but they went through three guys and I never got a phone call. I wasn’t wanted, obviously. So, I’m human. I’m glad.

Maybe if Lo Duca did things the right way, he’d still be in New York.  Steroid users shouldn’t be able to control the situation.  They should be lucky that they’re still playing because I would throw them the hell out if I was the Commissioner.

After birth of son, Ryan Church takes own baby steps - Adam Rubin lets us know how Ryan Church did against the Nationals on his first day back from a three-day paternity leave.

For Jose Valentin, pain in neck may spell end of career

New York Post:

METS TOOK LO ROAD

NECK’S NAGGING VALENTIN

New York Times:

Hard Feelings Emerge as Mets Face Lo Duca

The Star-Ledger:

A Simulated Off-Day

It’s Delgado, For Better or Worse - Matthew Artus pointed out how dismal of a Spring Training Carlos Delgado has had, which led Artus to question what type of season Delgado will have.

Injured Valentin hints about retiring

Ex-Met seeks revenge

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The injury list is up to 16 now.  The Mets are downplaying the status of the injuries.  I’m getting more and more concerned about the ‘08 season.  All of these injuries are overshadowing our acquisition of Santana.  It was supposed to be an easy season, but we need our A-team to play for that to happen.  It seems realistic now that our B-team will be on the field a lot this year.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.  Being a Mets fan, it just seems like nothing goes our way.  All we can do is hope.

Mets.com:

Minaya preparing for Alou-less Mets - Marty Noble explains why Omar Minaya will use use other Mets’ players until Moises Alou returns.

Alou likely out until May - Marty Noble further discusses the status of Alou.

Pedro set for first spring start - Anthony DiComo pointed out that Pedro Martinez is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut in tonight’s game against the Washington Nationals.

Newsday:

Kenny Lofton could help solve Mets’ problems - Jim Baumbach explains how Kenny Lofton can help the Mets.  When I think of Lofton, I crack up.  I once worked with a Yankees fan named Frank (from Brooklyn).  Frank would always mock me because I’m a Mets fan.  Each day he would say something like, “Hey Keith, the Mets suck!”  So once upon a time, the Yankees got Lofton.  When arguing the lineups heading into that season, Frank said to me, ”We got Lofton!”  I said, “You should be fine then.”  We all know how that turned out.  It cracked me up that a Yankees fan would try to use Lofton as the selling point when they had a ton of talent.  So Lofton makes me chuckle, but I don’t have a better answer than that for the Metropolitans.  Lofton was pretty good in the Playoffs last year on the Indians.  It made me think of Frank all over again.

Alou’s hernia adds to Mets’ injury woes

El Duque hopes new windup will work out - According to David Lennon, Orlando Hernandez said this when asked if he thinks the new delivery will work, “I don’t know - good luck! When I throw in the game, please, everybody cross their fingers.”  What kind of answer is that?  I want Pelfrey out there!  Lennon believed that Johan Santana had a good outing yesterday.  Willie Randolph said that Duaner Sanchez may not be ready in time for Opening Day.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon stated that Martinez a Double-A prospect named Daniel Murphy.

New York Daily News:

Moises Alou diagnosed with hernia, could be sidelined until mid-May

Omar Minaya’s plan shows its age

Johan Santana’s off-speed is on - Adam Rubin was also complimentary of Santana’s performance yesterday.  Also, Olmedo Saenz resolved his work-visa issue.  Brady Clark is also going to try to learn to play first base in his effort to make the team.

New York Post:

AMAZIN’ BODY COUNT RISING

EL DUQUE GETS SET TO KICK-START HIS SPRING

JOHAN REBOUNDS; PEDRO IS UP NEXT

IN DENIAL: INJURY FLURRY CAUSING NO WORRIES

The New York Times:

The Mets From A to Z: One Fan’s Perspective - Vincent M. Mallozzi told the story of a Mets fan named Matthew Silverman.

Alou Out 4 to 6 Weeks, Making Mets’ Injury Report Complete

The Star-Ledger:

Rain washes out Pedro’s start - Lisa Kennelly reported that storms cancelled tonight’s game between the Mets and the Nationals.

Maybe An Answer’s Under Our Nose - Matthew Artus tries to find solutions for the injured Alou.

Santana is sharp in start

Alou to have hernia surgery

Milledge determined to prove Mets wrong - He can’t prove them wrong by what he does on the field.  The Mets acquired him because he was good on the field.  It is off the field where Lastings Milledge has to prove them wrong.

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The Metropolitans lost again.  This time to the Cardinals by a score of 5-4.  Santana gave up a 3-run shot to Juan Gonzalez in the top of the 1st Inning.  The Mets retaliated early on with a few singles to get two runs back in the bottom of the 1st Inning.  The Mets tied the game 3-3 in the 4th Inning before Pujols went yard off of a pitch by Sanchez in the 6th.  The Cards tacked on an insurance run in the top of the 9th before Gotay crushed a solo shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the 9th.  But it wasn’t enough for the Mets which led to their second straight loss to the Cardinals, and their third loss in Spring Training.  The Mets are 0-3 in the Grapefruit League.  Santana was not the stopper that we needed him to be, but it’s only Spring Training.  Eventually, our boys in blue and orange will win a game.

Mets.com:

Santana set for first spring start today

Leap year shines light on Mets’ feats - Marty Noble discusses ‘extras’ because this year we have an extra day.

Newsday:

Mets not happy about ex-Met Milledge’s comments - David Wright responed to Lastings Milledge’s comments by saying,

Enough is enough, you’re a Washington National now. Don’t worry about what happened last year or the year before that. Just go out there and try to help the Nationals win. It makes no sense to bash your former team. He just needs to turn the page and worry about helping the Washington Nationals. Forget about what we’re doing over here. Forget about the New York Mets.

The Mets should simply say that this behavior is why they traded him.

Santana to make Mets’ debut against Cardinals

St. Louis blanks Mets, 7-0 - The AP put together a post-game summary for yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Cardinals.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon let us know the status of the Mets before today’s game took place.

New York Daily News:

Mets have major age-old issues - John Harper has some concerns about the Mets and he goes in depth about it.

Johan Santana makes debut Friday

Duaner Sanchez comes up sore - Adam Rubin noted that Duaner Sanchez did not pitch yesterday because of “normal soreness”.

New York Post:

AN AMAZIN’ MATCH - Bart Hubbuch pointed out that Johan and Pedro have become best friends.

SANCHEZ ‘SORE’ OVER MISSING SPRING DEBUT

CARDS EAT UP MAINE COURSE - Bart Hubbuch also broke down the game yesterday between the Mets and the Cardinals.

New York Times:

Mets Unveil Their Own Health Plan: Keep Alou on the Field

The Star-Ledger:

Sanchez pitches, after all

Q&A with Baseball Prospectus’s Joe Sheehan

Easley gets his footing, looks for gold with Mets - Jeremy Cothran noted that Damion Easley has never played a Postseason game and wants to contribute in a big way to make it happen.

Roster on road an issue - Jeremy Cothran reported that the Mets didn’t bring enough ‘regulars’ when they played the Tigers, and they faced a fine.  Since too many Mets players are still recovering from injuries, MLB agreed with the Mets and didn’t fine them.

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The bad news is that the Amazins’ lost again with Mr. Maine out there.  This time to the Cardinals by a score of 7-0.   The good news is that their Grapefruit League home opener is tomorrow, and the Mets will be hosting the Cardinals at 1:10 p.m. with Santana on the mound.  If I’m lucky then I can watch Johan lead the Mets to their first Spring Training win.

I thought that the best Mets article of the day was “Pedro and Roger have got a lot of nerve” by Wallace Matthews.  Make sure you check it out below.

Mets.com:

Mets looking to tomorrow - Anthony DiComo provided a summary and the box score for today’s game between the Mets and the Cardinals.  The Cardinals beat the Mets 7-0.  Ouch!  You want to see your team do well, but just remember that it is Spring Training so it doesn’t count.  The Mets are 0-2 in the Grapefruit League now.

Minor League Report: Brant Rustich - Anthony DiComo covered Brant Rustich who was a college reliever who is trying to convert to a starter.  Brant is already considered one of the Mets top prospects.

Pelfrey applies lessons from last year - According to Marty Noble, Mike Pelfrey was talking to himself on the mound yesterday.  He was saying things like “We’re not doing this again.  That was last year.  No more of that.  If I’m going to go 0-7 again, I’m going to do it throwing strikes.”  That’s what I wanna hear from this kid.

Notes: Schneider learns from teammates - Marty Noble and Anthony DiComo said that Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran did not play the Tigers yesterday.  Instead, Schneider got some hitting advice from Beltran.

Newsday:

Mets’ Pelfrey impresses, but he’s still sixth man

Minaya on El Duque’s first start: What’s the rush?

Pedro and Roger have got a lot of nerve - Wallace Matthews has some beef with Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens.  It’s syterical so give it a read.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon says that the ”Joker Marchant Stadium is one of the nicer ballparks on the Grapefruit League circuit”.

New York Daily News:

Lastings Milledge rips Mets again - Adam Rubin got this quote from Lastings Millegde, “I can’t go through anything worse than I went through in New York.  It only gets better from here, a lot of veterans (on the Mets) didn’t like the way I play the game. They thought I didn’t respect it.”  The biggest move that Omar made during the offseason was signing Santana.  Second to that was getting rid of Milledge.  Even his own teammates thought he didn’t respect the game.  That’s how I felt about him all along, and I cannot figure out why so many Mets fans questioned that trade.  I understand that they didn’t get equal value, but who wants Milledge.  Even his comments now go to show you how classless he is.  This guy is a bum.

Mike Pelfrey sees need to get ahead - Adam Rubin lets us know how Pelfrey did in yesterday’s game.

New York Post:

ONE-MAINE SHOW - Bart Hubbuch also covered the story about how a John Maine imposter dressed as a woman in November.  Another media outlet reported this story a while ago.  Maine had this to say, “I thought it was kind of great, actually, I mean, of all the people on the team, this guy picked me to impersonate. Maybe that means my name is getting out there.”

FORMER MET ENJOYING GREEN-ER PASTURES - Mark Hale has reported that Shawn Green told The Post that he retired yesterday after playing 15 seasons in the big leagues.  Green said that a few teams across the coutnry were interested in him, but he was hoping to sign with a team near his home in California, but none were interested.  Die Hard Mets Fan would like to wish Shawn a happy retirement.

WILLIE ‘SURELY DIDN’T’ KNOW MCNAMEE RISK - So says Willie Randolph…I am suspect on all of these baseball guys saying that they don’t know anything about anything.  We know that Willie was with the Yankees, but I’m not just talking about Willie.  I’m talking about all of the coaches, trainers, GMs, and owners.  With such a widespread problem, how does nobody know about it?

PELFREY POPPIN’

New York Times:

Pelfrey Hopes First Outing Becomes a Lasting Impression

The Star-Ledger:

Sanchez pushed back - Lisa Kennelly reported that Duaner Sanchez didn’t pitch today due to “normal soreness”.

Vote for Pelfrey - Regarding that 5th spot in the rotation, Matthew Artus explains why he would rather have Pelfrey pitch than El Duque.

Pelfrey confident his opportunity will come in time

Maine starting off with new mind-set

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