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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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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The Amazins’ are smoking hot right now.  They are getting healthier even though they won’t begin the season with some critical components, but it is what it is.  I just hope that the hot streak continues when it counts.  In the meantime, the team that is on the field at the beginning of ‘08 will need to win as many games as possible until the injured players can return.  At least the Mets aren’t playing crappy ball and don’t have to come out of a funk in March with players out.  It could be much worse.

Mets.com:

Mets make all the Wright moves vs. Nats - Anthony DiComo summarized today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.  New York beat Washington 8-2.  John Maine got the start on the mound.  The Mets are 16-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Santana goes six scoreless vs. O’s - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s game between the Orioles and the Mets.  New York beat Baltimore 7-0.  Johan Santana got the start.  The Mets are 15-7-1 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Johan a hit on the mound, at the plate - Anthony DiComo tells us about Johan Santana’s performance last night.

Delgado returns to Mets’ lineup - Anthony DiComo lets us know that Carlos Delgado played last night, as well as how he did.  DiComo also thinks that Delgado should be healthy enough to finish the Grapefruit League schedule and make the Opening Day roster.  As a sidenote, Anthony reported that Olmedo Saenz was assigned to a Minor League camp.

Sanchez not ready to go back-to-back - Marty Noble stated that Duaner Sanchez is not willing to attempt back-to-back days yet which will probably land him on the DL when the season begins.

Minor League Report: The Final Five - Marty Noble pointed out that the Mets created their own version of March tourney madness, and he explains how it goes.

Newsday:

Johan will have to get used to hitting

Sanchez takes big step toward comfortable role - David Lennon covered the status of the bullpen.

New York Daily News:

Mets vulnerable to lefthanded pitching - Adam Rubin explains why the Mets are vulnerable to lefthanded pitching.

O’s baby, Johan Santana shuts down Baltimore

New York Post:

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER - Bart Hubbuch believes that Steven Register is making a great impression, and has a legit shot to wiggle his way into the Bullpen.

SANTANA HAVING ‘DOUBLE’ THE FUN

The Star-Ledger:

Game 22: Mets vs Nationals - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets.

Mets Huber-is Holding Back Catcher - Matthew Artus takes a look at the ailing Catcher situation.

For Latinos, English can be a real curveball - Lisa Kennelly tells us what the Mets’ Latino players do to learn English.

Santana shows some punch with the bat

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After that 0-3 start, the Mets have won 8 of their last 9 to improve to an 8-4 record.  Not too shabby for a club that needs an ER in their dugout.  So many Mets are hurt that a few players come back each day.  Eventually they’ll be back to full strength.  These Barry Bonds rumors are really awful.  I don’t know which newspaper started the rumor, but it had to come from one of them.

The best Mets article of the day is “COLLECT ‘EM ALL!” by Joel Sherman of the New York Post so check it out below.

Mets.com:

Unhittable Maine carries Mets - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Astros and the Mets.  The Mets beat the Astros 3-0.  John Maine got the start and pitched 4 hitless innings.  The Mets are 8-4 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Young Mets top Orioles on the road - Spencer Fordin summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.  The Mets beat the Orioles 4-1.  Jonathan Niese got the start.

Schneider, Easley go deep in loss - Anthony DiComo summarized yesterday’s game between the Marlins and the Mets.  The Marlins beat the Mets 12-4.  Mike Pelfrey got the start.

El Duque has sights set on starting

Notes: Sanchez returns to action - According to Anthony DiComo, Duaner Sanchez pitched one inning yesterday against the Marlins and said he felt like “I was 97 percent of what you watched in ‘06. I could say 100, but I don’t want to be crazy.”  Jose Valentin was expected to make his debut today playing either first base or second base.  Ryan Church was cleared to play yesterday and played.  Church finished the day with 2 singles.  When the Mets cut 13 players on Friday, Steven Register did not get cut.

Newsday:

Fifth spot for Mets? Duque confident; Pelfrey hit - David Lennon provides the status for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Now starting in left for Mets … Barry Bonds? - That is the dumbest idea that I’ve ever heard.  And then we can add Sammy Sosa in center and Mark McGwire in right.  David Lennon included excerpts from Mets players, and they don’t want Bonds either.  That’s relieving.

New York Daily News:

Mets laugh off reports they have any interest in signing Barry Bonds

Pedro Martinez, wife committed to making a difference in Dominican - Christian Red wrote about how Pedro and Carolina Martinez, appear at a charity dinner in December in Santo Domingo that was part of their foundation’s effort to help underprivileged girls in the Dominican Republic.

El Duque starts to talk the talk; Mike Pelfrey gets shelled

Newest Mets return, make good impression - Peter Botte lets us know how Church and Brian Schneider felt after playing yesterday.

New York Post:

COLLECT ‘EM ALL! - Joel Sherman says that the Mets should sign Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens so they can discuss steroids and their legal troubles.

PELFREY TAKES STEP BACK IN BATTLE FOR FIFTH SPOT

DEARTH VALLEY - Joel Sherman explains the lack of depth that the Mets have since giving up 4 players for Johan Santana.

WEAPONS FOR WAGS - Bart Hubbuch noted that Billy Wagner added a curveball and a change-up to his arsenal because Wagner felt like hitters were catching up to him.

New York Times:

Mets Are Happy to See Some Familiar Faces

The Star-Ledger:

Mets vs. Astros - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for today’s game between the Astros and the Mets.

El Duque not feeling the Pelfrey pressure

Fernando Martinez is a huge talent, tiny ego

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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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