Die Hard Sports Fan

The 2008 Subway Series will begin tonight, if it stops raining.  And man is it raining.  Tonight’s game will probably get postponed.  If you’ve followed what I’ve written then you’d know that I think the Subway Series is overhyped Interleague play.  I’m not a fan of Interleague games at all.  It wouldn’t bother me if they eliminated it from the schedule.  If they did it at all, I think that it would be better if they did it like the NFL where each NL division plays a specific AL division per year and then it alternates annually.  That way, each division plays the same opponents.  For instance, if the NL East played the AL East in 2008, then if the NL East played AL Central in 2009, and so on.  It seems like the Interleague play goes on forever.  Or is it that the MLB season goes on forever?  I don’t know.  And then there is the difference in rules which is the dumbest thing in sports.  That doesn’t happen in the NFL, NBA, or the NHL.  The difference in rules is buch league.  Anyway, here’s the probable pitching matchups for the weekend:

• 04/16/2008 - Johan Santana (4-2) - Darrell Rasner (2-0)
• 04/17/2008 - Oliver Perez (3-3) - Andy Pettitte (3-4)
• 04/18/2008 - John Maine (5-2) - Chien-Ming Wang (6-1)

Mets.com:

Randolph tabbed as NL All-Star coach - Tom Singer reported that these coaches will join Colorado manager Clint Hurdle as the coaches of the 2008 NL All-Star coaching staff: In addition to Willie Randolph and Black, Hurdle will be assisted in All-Star duties by his own Rockies coaching staff — pitching coach Bob Apodaca, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, third base/infield coach Mike Gallego, first base coach Glenallen Hill, bullpen coach Rick Mathews and bench coach Jamie Quirk.

Alou eager to play at Yankee Stadium - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Yankees.

Newsday:

Starting today, Mets’ Randolph in line of fire - Jim Baumbach believes that Willie Randolph is in danger of losing his job.

Wagner rips teammates after Mets loss - Mark Herrmann found out what Billy Wagner said after yesterday’s loss to the Nationals, “Somebody tell me why the — the closer is being interviewed and I didn’t even play. Why are they over there and not being interviewed? Oh, I’ve got it. They’re gone. — shocker.”  Wagner was pissed because his teammates weren’t around after the game to deal with the press.

Yankees, Mets stumble into Subway Series

SNY’s Cohen gets to call Mets game from upper deck - Neil Best pointed out that the SNY team called yesterday’s game from the upper deck at Shea Stadium.

Nationals’ Harris has knack for robbing Mets

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday tells us what took place on May 16th of a year in the past at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

Reyes tries to ignite on bases, but Nats nail him - Roderick Boone walks us through the 8th inning of yesterday’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

New York Daily News:

Basement Bombers vs. bickering Mets - Mike Lupica also wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s Mets-Yankees game.

This train to Bronx should be taken out of service - Bill Madden critizes the Mets.

Visitors save Johan Santana to show Yanks what they’re missing

Fox not on board for this Subway Series - Bob Raissman pointed out that Fox will not be airing any Mets-Yankees games this weekend.  I could care less because they suck at it anyway.

Mike Pelfrey gets no-no support - Kristie Ackert also summarized yesterday’s Nationals-Mets game.

Willie Randolph will be all-star assistant

New York Post:

BOOS FOR WILLIE’S AMAZIN’ MESS

THE SUBWAY SERIES MATCHUPS

UN-MET GOALS PUT RANDOLPH IN JEOPARDY

PELFREY MATURING ON MOUND

CASTILLO RETURNS - AND RUNS INTO TROUBLE - Bart Hubbuch is upset with Luis Castillo for not scoring when Austin Kearns dropped the ball in yesterday’s loss.

METS PREPARING FOR AMAZIN’ SUBWAY RIDE - Mike Puma explains where the Mets are as they come into the Subway Series.

New York Times:

Wanting Answers, Wagner Adds Questions - Ben Shpigel wrote up a game recap for yesterday’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Wagner, Talking Again, Criticizes Silent Players

The Star-Ledger:

Willie Randolph to coach in All-Star Game

Wagner rips teammates after Mets’ crushing loss

Leader needs to step up to plate for Mets

Reyes’ aggressive approach in eighth backfires

Digesting Wagner

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If you remember how I was bitching yesterday that Santana shouldn’t have been held back a day to face the Yankees because the division is more important then listen to what I’m pissed off about now.  That was before last night’s game and today’s game.  How good of a game did Vargas pitch last night?  He pitched 6.1 Innings allowing 3 Hits and 2 Runs.  Pretend that was Johan’s line, and then Heilman came in and gave up 4 Runs while only recording one out.  Or better yet, how great was Pelfrey today?  He pitched 7.2 Innings allowing 3 Hits and 1 Run.  The Bullpen subsequently came in and put up zeroes.  Santana was suppposed to pitch today so pretend that he pitched as great as Pelfrey did.  The problem is that the Mets wouldn’t have won either game because the offense sucks.

The only thing the Mets did differently today is mess up that w-l-w-l-w-l thing.  Now, they lost two in a row to the last place Nats…and at home to boot.  The Mets lost the series 3 games to 1, and the Mets finished the homestand with a 3-4 record against the Reds and the Nationals.  It’s kind of pathetic.

Mets.com:

Pelfrey flirts with no-no, loses to Nats - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Castillo returns to lineup for Mets

Schoeneweis OK after trip to hospital - Anthony DiComo reported that Scott Schoeneweis suffered severe abdominal pain which sent him to the emergency room.

Heilman’s rough outing dooms Mets - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Versatile Tatis a diamond in the rough - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis between the Nationals and the Mets.

Pedro pain-free in simulated game

Castillo could be headed to DL

Alou ejected for arguing strike call

Newsday:

Mets waste Pelfrey’s gem in 1-0 loss to Nationals - The AP also summarized today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Heilman ruins good outing by Vargas as Mets fall - David Lennon also summarized last night’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Mets’ Schoeneweis rushed to hospital; OK now

Mets waste game for Vargas and unfortunate fans

Mets reliever Schoeneweis had hospital visit

Santana’s talk of Subway Series, but won’t talk

Castillo trying to avoid the disabled list

New York Daily News:

Billy Wagner rips Mets teammates for ducking media - I don’t even understand how the Mets allow the players to not be available for questions.

Mike Pelfrey flirts with no-hitter, but Mets bats fall flat in loss to Nationals - The AP summarized today’s Nationals-Mets game.

Mets should admit to flaunting Johan Santana vs. Yanks in Subway Series

Aaron Heilman allows three runs in 7th inning, dooms Mets vs. Nationals - Adam Rubin summarized last night’s Nationals-Mets game.

Moises Alou tossed into Bronx debut

For Scott Schoeneweis, tough to stomach

New York Post:

NO RELIEF IN SIGHT - Bart Hubbuch stated that Aaron Heilman’s relief efforts last night were ”frightening”.

PELFREY LOOKS TO SETTLE IN VS. NATS

MARTINEZ’S SIMULATED ‘PROGRESS’

METS NEED MORE VARGAS

OFFENSE STRUGGLES AGAIN

New York Times:

Alou Loses Cool, Heilman Loses Control and Mets Lose a Game - Joe Lapointe wrote up a game recap for last night’s game between the Nats and the Mets.

Castillo Will Probably Go on the D.L.

The Star-Ledger:

Final: Nationals 1, Mets 0 - Jeremy Cothran also wrote up a game summary for today’s Nats-Mets game.

No, No, Luis Castillo - Dan Graziano believes that Castillo had to score on the ball that was dropped by Austin Kearns.

Pelfrey looking sharp

Game 39: Nationals at Mets - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Heilman ruins debut for Vargas

Pedro making progress

Final: Nationals 5, Mets 3

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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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The Metropolitans will host the Nationals to a 4-game series beginning tonight.  Some good pitching and some clutch hitting should lead to a thrashing.  The Mets should be able to sleep walk through the Nats, but they haven’t gotten to that point yet in ‘08.  The Mets keep us on the edges of our seats by playing to the level of the competition.  Here’s the pitching probables for this series:

• 04/12/2008 - Odalis Perez (0-3) - Nelson Figueroa Jr. (2-2)
• 04/13/2008 - John Lannan (3-3) - John Maine (4-2)
• 04/14/2008 - Tim Redding (4-3) - TBD
• 04/15/2008 - Michael O’Connor (1-1) - Johan Santana (4-2)

Mets.com:

Reliever Wise the Mets’ invisible man - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Using pink bat, Beltran enjoys big day

Newsday:

Mets in the pink after beating Reds - Anthony Rieber summarized yesterday’s game between the Reds and the Mets.

Inconsistent Perez finds his rhythm for Mets

Reds bat out of order in ninth - Erik Boland attempted to explain what took place yesterday when the Reds batted out of order in the ninth inning.

Schoeneweis turning boos into cheers

New York Daily News:

Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church hit back-to-back homers as Mets blast Reds - Peter Botte summarized yesterday’s Reds-Mets game.

Mets’ Oliver Perez baffles even Willie Randolph with turn for better

In ninth, Mets-Reds get out of order

Mets turn to Johan Santana to get Subway Series rolling

Mets’ minor league report - Adam Rubin lets us know what’s going on in the minors.

New York Post:

AMAZIN’S PINK BATS RED HOT - Mike Puma summarized yesterday’s game between the Reds and the Mets.

OLIVER’S LEFTY PERSONALITY ALL RIGHT

DOING A RAIN DANCE - Mike Puma wrote, “With today’s forecast calling for rain, the Mets might not wait long to postpone their scheduled game against the Nationals.”

CASTILLO HURT - Fred Kerber reported that Luis Castillo will not be in tonight’s lineup.

BUMBLING REDS DELAY INEVITABLE - Fred Kerber stated that the lineup confusion in the ninth inning slowed down the game.

New York Times:

Snapping Out of a Slump, Beltrán Is Starting to Click

The Star-Ledger:

Mets’ Perez shows his better side

Beltran the driving force in Met bats’ revival

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Yesterday was yesterday, and today is a new day.  I hope that brighter days are coming now.  It’s imperative because the Mets are going to face the Nationals and the Braves for five games.  These are the games that matter more than any other.  If the Mets can walk out of D.C. with a mini-sweep then maybe it will give them enough mojo to win the series against the Braves over the weekend.

Here’s a picture of the new Nationals Park which replaced the ugliest stadium in sports, RFK.  I went there once, and they needed a new stadium.  If you never made the trip to RFK then you didn’t miss anything.  Anyway, Washington is only 2-5 in their new park so New York doesn’t need to make it easier for them to get closer to a winning record at home.  Santana is on the mound tonight, and he has to stop the bleeding.

Mets.com:

Capital time to visit Washington, D.C. - Jon Greenberg put together a pregame analysis for today’s game between the Mets and the Nationals.

Alou finding timing in rehab outings

 Can’t Compare - Anthony DiComo is taking in Yankees and Mets games on the same day — in Chicago.

Newsday:

Trouble at first glance - David Lennon summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Cubs.

Pedro can return to mound in 10-14 days - David Lennon found out that Pedro Martinez can return to the mound in 10-14 days.  At that point in time, Martinez will need about three weeks before he can return to the Mets.

DEBATE: Who hurts his team more: Delgado or Giambi?

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Find out what happened on today’s date at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

New York Daily News:

Don’t expect to see El Duque or Pedro Martinez soon - Adam Rubin informs us about Mets injuries.

Met bullpen implodes against Cubs - Adam Rubin criticizes how the Mets bullpen performed in Chicago.

New York Post:

LIFELESS METS PUT TO SWEEP - Bart Hubbuch asks where the offense was in the Mets-Cubs series.

SOSA FAR, SOSA NOT GOOD - Bart Hubbuch pointed out how poorly Jorge Sosa has been so far.

HEILMAN NO WORRY TO WILLIE - Willie Randolph had this to say about Aaron Heilman’s struggles, “He’s just going to have to make pitches. That’s the life of a set-up guy. I’m going to use him like I’ve been using him. He’s healthy, and I’m not ready to reduce his role a month into the season. He’s fine. He’s strong. It’s early. That [workload] will even out later on. I’m not concerned about it.”

New York Times:

For a Day, Chicago Becomes a New York Kind of Town - Jack Curry wrote up an article about how the Mets played the Cubs and how the Yankees played the White Sox on the same day in Chicago.

The Star-Ledger:

Delgado looking powerless - Jeremy Cothran breaks down the struggling Carlos Delgado.

Infield blunder opens floodgates

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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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