Today of course is 4/28
I woke up to many tweets this morning with the hashtag #imwith28 as the Daniel Murphy bandwagon heats up.
Some history –
Murphy first came to the majors and everyone liked him
Murphy became the LFer and everyone turned on him (except me)
Murphy became the 1B and everyone liked him
Spring Training 2010 came and the beat writers and some blogs got justifiable crushes on Ike Davis…but I thought they were harsh on Murphy
Murphy got hurt
Murphy merchandise went on heavy discount at Citi Field, so I scooped up a green Murphy Players Choice jersey.
Murphy tried to be the 2B and all the cool kids were mean again. I started the #imwith28 movement and predicted “you all” will be in love with him by June.
Brad Emaus, who you can vote to be the starting 2B in the All Star Game, got the job.
The Mets had one of their worst starts.
Murph started playing, and is getting big hits.
And here we are.
What’s great about Murph is that this topic drives some folks nuts. I’m sure I will be called an idiot by some advances stats guru who will quote some statistic I don’t understand because I only believe in traditional stats (and get off my lawn with your black uniforms). Meanwhile, the Murphy camp is playing with house money. If he’s good, we win. If he can’t play second, yeah we knew that. You can’t hurt me.
So, who is with 28? Add a #imwith28 hashtag and let’s get our boy trending!
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Meanwhile, Dan is getting a little nutty. Check out this from The Times.
“It’s a good win, but they’re all good,” he said. “We’re trying to get to a hundred. We’re a step closer.”
In order to win 100 games the Mets must go 89-49 the rest of the way, which is a .649 winning percentage.
Dan, Dan, Dan…let’s calm down a little and beat someone other than the Astros, Arizonas or Walgreens before you start talking .649 ball.
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Speaking of Dans, it’s nice to have Mets Police Dan writing some articles again. This morning’s Rusty Staub piece is his, as was yesterday’s Seaver stuff and some upcoming things lined up. Now if I can only get Osh41 to continue his history of Mets uniforms series. He left us hanging in the early 80’s…that’s when it starts to get crazy.
You will be pleased to know that advanced stats also show that Murph has been awesome so far in 2011. His fielding is a worrisome, but he’s hit enough (while playing a more difficult position) to amass more WAR (!) already than he did in 2009.
Best part about Murphy is that he’s hitting.
He made a mental mistake of inexperience not covering second, but the best part about that is that is he learned from it. He’s going to get better at knowing where to be, and developing instincts at second.
Also, he should’ve said they’re shooting for 110.
“I’m sure I will be called an idiot by some advances stats guru who will quote some statistic I don’t understand because I only believe in traditional stats.”
There’s a straw man if I ever heard one. No advanced stat says Murphy is having a bad season.
Beats me. You could tell me the stat and number and I’d have to get out my universal translator.
Actually James real question – are you surprised more broadcasts don’t use the advanced stats?