Author: Shannon Shark @metspolice

Some really sad news this morning coming out of of Los Angeles.

Angels starter, 22-year old Nick Adenhart, was killed early this morning when a minivan ran a red light and plowed into the side of his car, apparently killing everyone inside.

The driver of the van fled the scene but was apprehended by police. Unconfirmed reports say the driver may have been intoxicated.

Adenhart took the mound Wednesday night and threw 6 scoreless innings against Oakland. It was only his 4th career start in the majors.

Correction: The LA Times is now reporting that 3 of the 4 people in the car with Adenhart were killed, with the other in critical condition.

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In Newsday this morning, Jim Baumbach proposes that the Mets retire the numbers of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry

My initial reaction was, “No way!  Teams retire too many numbers as it is!  Let’s not retire everyone!  It’s a special thing!”

Then I thought more.

The top two complaints about Citi Field are obstructed views (which hasn’t even begun to reach the levels of complaining it will once people sit in their “real” seats) and that there’s not enough Mets stuff at Citi Field.

About that he’s right, and so I agree – let’s hang some numbers on the fence.   I just think he has the wrong numbers.

Let’s start with the first choice.   17.

I cringe any time I see someone else wearing Keith Hernandez’s number.   He was The Captain.  He was the one who taught us how to win.   He was a great player, a great New Yorker, and has a constant long-term presence with the club.   He’ll never make the Hall of Fame, but he’s one of the greatest Mets of all time.   17 should be next.

Doc Gooden’s #16.   My initial reaction was no.   Gooden had a few great years, and some ok years later – but he never won 300 like was destiny.  He didn’t even win 200.

However, Gooden is like the ex-girlfriend you just can’t get out of your system.  No matter how much he hurts us, we always long for what could have been.  

It has been 23 years since the 1986 Mets, it’s time to start honoring them.   Later in the summer, after Keith Hernandez day, let’s welcome back Gooden and hang the 16 on the fence.

Plus, I can pretend it’s for Lee Mazzilli.

Finally, Strawberry’s 18.  I’m going to say no.

Even when Darryl was here, he was talking about how he couldn’t wait to get to LA.  It was all he talked about.   I can’t do this revisionist history and pretend he loved us.  When I think of him today I actually picture him as a Yankee!    He’s one of our heroes…but he doesn’t deserve to be on the fence.

Mike Piazza’s #31.   We all know this one’s coming.  Let’s just get it up there.  We can tell Fred Wilpon he was a Dodger.

Baumbach makes a good case.  Check it out.

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Let's start off in the Bronx. 0 and 2. Increasing unhappiness with a stadium few have actually been in. Craig Carton doing his best Mad Dog impression this morning to start Yankee Panic…

Yankee fans are already pulling out the "it's only two games" rap (up from its only one game). Not what they expected.

However that's the right sentiment. It's a long season – but Bobby Valentine taught us all that you don't want to dig a hole too early.

I wouldn't call today a "must win" but you also don't want to have to sweep KC to get back to .500

Meanwhile in Flushing, the scary bullpen has distracted everyone from how awful Pelfrey was. This is not the Pelfrey we are looking for.

That first inning was as bad as it gets. However, I give the man credit for sticking around long enough to win and long enough that Jerry didn't have to completely exhaust the bullpen.

Day games for both today. A Mets win with Flaky Ollie would be nice – but the Reds are a soft opponent so I expect him to be awful….and A.J. Burnett will either prove that he was worth the money or that George Steinbrenner doesn't have any "statements" left in him.

Where's Hank by the way? They've hidden him well.

Yankee fans: cautiously optimistic due to lack of wins.

Mets fans: cautiously optimistic due to past scarring.

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