Welll, the Mets didnt quite have enough to pull this out out, but hey it is Spring Training after all…

In truth, it is the individual performances I most closely observe in this time of the season (as many do). Today I was very impressed with the young pitcher Gee.

On his way to Minors camp, Dillon Gee turned in two hitless innings Saturday, though the Mets lost, 7-5, to the Nats. Daniel Murphy had two hits and two walks.

Also worth noting, Murhpy contributed two hits and two walks.

METS 5, CARDINALS 4

Luis Castillio, Jose Valentin, Murphy, and Marlon Anderson all had an excellent game. Valentin had three base hits and scored on two occasions. Murphy slammed a triple which drove in two in the fifth inning, and Marlon Anderson capped it off in the 9′th with a game winning single. Overall I am very, very pleased to see Valentin and Anderson hitting. These two will play crucial backup and supporting roles throughout the long season in 2009.

As for pitching, Niese had a strong first, but stumbled in the second. Antonini pitched two strong, only allowing 1 hit and no runs. Finally Duaner did walk 2 batters but no runs came as a result.

Up next: The Mets return home on Saturday for a game against the Nationals. Scott Olsen pitches for Washington against Dillon Gee at 1:10 p.m. ET. It’s the first of a home-and-home between the National League East rivals.

Mets at the plate: Singles by shortstop Jose Coronado and Marlon Anderson, playing left, and a triple by Jeremy Reed were the Mets’ only hits in the first four innings. However, in the ninth inning, Cory Sullivan belted a two-run homer to tie the ballgame, pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy collected a single and Reed won it by doubling home Murphy.

Mets on the mound: John Maine walked his first three batters and allowed two hits in the second inning, but escaped from his second appearance of the spring without allowing any runs. He was quite displeased with his performance. Team Italy scored twice in the third against Brian Stokes. Both Maine and Stokes were assisted by their outfielders, as Italian runners were thrown out in the second and third innings by Anderson and Reed, respectively.

Up next: Jonathon Niese makes his second appearance of the spring on Friday when he starts against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., at 1:05 p.m. ET.

So the Mets fell to the Nationals today…and the only bright spots were a few with the Mets bats. Castro hit a 3-Run bomb, which is a great sign. The pitching however….not so great. Livon and Pelf both struggles giving up 3 Runs apiece.

Mets Batting: The Mets scored four runs in the fifth inning. Ramon Castro highlighted the frame with a three-run home run, and Fernando Tatis also hit a solo home run.

Mets Pitching: Right-hander Mike Pelfrey pitched three innings and gave up three runs on five hits, and Livan Hernandez also pitched three innings, giving up three runs on five hits.

Stay tuned for more Mets ST Results!

Well, looks like the Mets Ace is making some progress….he threw 10 more pitches than last time out, and said he felt pretty good. I like the odds of seeing this fierce competitor out there for the opening day festivities.

After throwing 46 pitches in his seventh bullpen session of the spring and speaking with his pitching coach and a member of the media relations department, Johan Santana said on Wednesday he is making progress and that his objective is to start the Mets’ Opening Day game on April 6.

In saying so, Santana added a degree of certainty to a scenario that has been quite lacking in that regard. Pitching coach Dan Warthen, who had interjected some doubt into the Opening Day scenario, was pleased by what he saw in the morning session — the Mets’ primary starter throwing breaking balls as well as fastballs and changeups — and said, “I have no problem modifying the schedule.”

Hello All,

I just wanted to post this here for fun. A friend of mine does some great professional voice work and put together the first of many MLB podcasts to come.

Hopefully everyone likes it!

Major League Blogging Intro Podcast

Hello All,

I wanted to continue the post series on the Mets position by position outlook for 2009, and I figured I would move from Catchers right onto 1B.

So as far as I can tell it comes down to two main players:

1. Carlos Delgado

2. Nick Evans

Let’s start with Carlos Delgado.

We all know Delgado finished off quite strong last year, OK very strong. He had incredible second half and I must admit I was quickly converted into a Delgado fan closing in on August and September. We all know his defense is average AT BEST, but he is capable of making a great play once in a while.

There isn’t a Mets fan out there that would object to Delgado providing another 25 HR, 110 RBI season. Experts expect Delgado to deliver another above average season in 2009. He silenced the doubters in 2008. It is once again time for him to silence the critics.

It’s worth noting that considering Delgado’s age and injury history that we should expect a few bumps on the long road that will be the 2009 season.  But hey,  he’ll have a backup in Nick Evans, presuming Evans makes the roster.

Moving onto Nick Evans:

Nick spent last year platooning with Murphy out in left field and may start this year in Buffalo. I am sure Nick hopes that Carlos Delgado has a full season like he finished last year, but Evans will be ready, if needed to fill in for Delgado, in case he slumps or comes up injured. Evans is a natural first baseman and will definately be a capable backup/replacement if and when the time comes to do so.

So overall I am pretty comfortable with the 1B position in 2009 for the Mets. Not their greatest strength, but certainly enough (or sometimes more than enough) to get the job done.

Let’s Go Mets in 2009!

Hello All,

I just got an interesting email and I was discussing it over dinner with a good Yankee fan friend of mine.

Jerry from NJ Asked Me: “What are your thoughts on the A-Rod getting into the Hall Of Fame Argument” and he went on to ask “Tell me why you feel he should get in and NOT Pete Rose” WOW….my first reaction was…I hadn’t thought of this in that way before. I assume someone must have brought this up at some point, but I haven’t yet heard it so I want to answer it here. I also encourage all authors here to chime in, this can lead to some incredible debate and conversation.

Steroids In Baseball

Betting On Baseball

So here’s my take on it. I am not going to even bring numbers into this debate. Both players’ numbers speak for themselves. What they do have in common is that the each dishonored the game of baseball in some way.

Let’s look at each hall of fame worthy players mistake.

Pete Rose: An absolutely incredible player, a true testament to intensity, focus, and poise. He is considered one of the best hitters in the history of the game, and is not being admitted into the hall of fame because he bet on the game. He wagered on the game he played which goes against the “rules” as they say…

A-Rod of course is considered one of the best players ever to grace a baseball field, hands down, no arguments about it. A-Rod is a true marvel and up until this year I truly felt he was the last hope to reclaim Aaron’s record in a legit manner. Boy was I wrong…as were many. He is guilty of using performance enhancing drugs for “3″ years of his career…sure…3 Years. Regardless, it happened and now its time to face the music.

So let’s compare these two. One of them cheated the game he played to make more money…but then again…so did A-Rod. That’s right…A-Rod also cheated this game for the sake of money. Juicing up those numbers led to an even bigger payday that he could have ever dreamed of.  A-Rod’s cheating also enhanced his stats, in a big way…whereas Pete Rose’s actions could have in no way caused inflated numbers.

It is my opinion that it should be: Pete Rose In….A-Rod Never In. I am (was) a huge fan of A-Rod for years…but now I must admit I am a little deflated about the whole matter.

I know I can go on and on about this debate, but I want to leave the floor 100% open to all of you, our loyal visitors. I encourage everyone to chime in and let me know if you agree with me on this topic! Come on, let your voice be heard!

I have to say, the last thing in the world any Mets dan wanted to hear is the word “scratch”  after the name Johan Santana. The elbow certainly provided an un-needed scare to the Mets fans of the world.

35 Pitches....Keep It Up!

It was great to see that he threw some pitches today, fast balls, about 35 of them. A welcomed sight to this Mets fan sore eyes!

I will make sure to keep you all up to date on the progress of the Ace for the New York Mets….

Until Next Time,

Happy Blogging!

I don’t know why this just set in, but hs anybody seen the Yankees starting 5 this year?

1. Sabathia
2. Burnett
3. Wang
4. Chamberlain
5. Pettite

All 5 of these guys either are aces, were aces, or have the ability to one day be considered one. After the Yanks bullpen showed that it could hold up as well (Last season), I fear that the AL East might very well be in store for some stingy Yankee pitching.

As a lifetime Mets fan, I have never been a Yankee hater or anything, but I would have legititate fears if the Mets were paying them in the 2009 Wold Series (Ya Never Know ) with a rotation like this one.

I want to open the floor to the other Authors and visitors to chime in and tell us if there is any better rotation in baseball…

Let’s hear It!