A reverse shout-out to Mets Geek who today posted an excellent guide to Mets Blogs.
Check it out:
http://www.metsgeek.com/articles/2009/02/24/a-guide-to-mets-blogs/
Speculation On First Pitch At Citi – it’s Seaver or Nobody
The Daily News has an article today about Stephen Dillon and Bill Wakefield (no I’ve never heard of them either) who both pitched in the first night game at Shea.
That got me wondering about the ceremonial first pitch at the fourth ever event at C-Field on Opening Night. (Must resist sidebar rants about Opening Day being a night game and Opening Night not being the first thing at the stadium.)
This is when I worry about my Mets, because they have a tendency to get things wrong. Remember the marching band last year? Remember making fans sit for a half hour so they could line up some photos that weren’t even used at Closing Day last September?
I worry that the Mets don’t know who should throw out the first pitch at the new park.
I’m sure all of you know the answer is obvious. It should be a pitcher, and it should be someone with Hall of Fame credentials, and it should be a Met. You know who he is.
It shouldn’t be a catcher from Los Angeles. It shouldn’t be an ancenstor of Jackie Robinson (sorry everyone, not day one at a new METS stadium, they can do that on the 15th). It absolutely had better not be “The Vice President of Citigroup.” (can you imagine the boos?)
Someone call George Thomas Seaver and tell him that he’s needed. Pay him the $50,000 that DiMaggio used to get if that’s what it takes. Send one of the Citigroup corporate jets that we pay for to pick him up and send him home. The grapes will be OK without him for 24 hours.
The Mets understand that Seaver is the right choice and the only choice, right?
The News article is here: http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=35lj6mdbu9t9v
The Curse Of Bob Murphy
I was watching highlights of the 2000 World Series last night and a few things came to mind.
1. I have no attachment to that team or the players on it whatsoever. I know this is controversial especially for a Mets fan, but that team just lacks something. It’s hard for me to get excited about Al Leiter and Todd Pratt. Sorry, that’s how I feel.
2. It’s funny to hear everyone talk about how historic that World Series will be, and how people will be “talking about this one in 40 years.” Somehow I don’t think so. It’s kind of a forgetful one to be honest. Sort of like the 1973 World Series – you tend to think of the season more than getting beaten by the A’s.
3. The black uniforms with black hats are so so so horrible. It looks like a softball team showed up. What were the Mets thinking?
4. There’s one significant Met who I think was on steroids. I floated this once before but I know if I voice the name I will be lynched. Deep down you know who it is, don’t you?
5. John Franco. Why is he in camp? Is he there to teach K-Rod and Putz how to shut down a team 1-2-3-4-5? You know, sprinkle in a double and a walk just to keep it interesting?
6. Bob Murphy. Wow Murph was good. I’ve kind of gotten used to Howie (he who sees 40,000 in the stands when there is clearly not) and all the Gary Cohen imitators they have trotted in and out – but Murph was so much better, which leads us to…
THE CURSE OF BOB MURPHY.
With no Murph there can be no happy recaps. The ending must always be a disaster since Murphy isn’t there to happily recap it. How could the Mets have gotten into the playoffs on September 28th without Bob to tell us about it. No, the team is destined to have Howie Rose express disappointment.
How can the Mets solve this? I don’t have any ideas. A Murph-bot? Have the production guys whip up a “The Happy Recap” intro for Mets Extra? Get rid of Willie? Oh wait they did that last one – I’m pretty sure that’s what the curse was all along.
www.metspolice.com
99 Is Not A Baseball Player’s Number
If you’ve spent any time ever here at Mets Police you’ve probably noticed that I get picky about what the Mets wear.
I not only hate the black uniforms, I hate when stupid numbers are assigned.
If Rey Ordonez asked me for a zero I would have punched him in the face.
This year’s offender is Jose Valentin. He’s walking around camp wearing a #99. 99 is a football number. 99 is Wayne Gretzky. Even the Yankees who barely have 25 available numbers left don’t need to use 99.
The always awesome Mets by The Numbers has a list of players and numbers in a posting today.
Why 99?
Why not 8? What’s that you say – 8 is being held for Gary Carter? You may have a point – they haven’t given it out since 2002, and they don’t hand it out to every Tom, Dick and Fernando like they do with 17. (Again check out this awesome site: http://mbtn.net/number/8)
How about 24? The Mets need to get over this 24 avoidance they have. Either retire it or use it. (They have a Willie Mays fetish, just letting you younger kids know).
31? If you’re holding it for Mike Piazza day then just have Mike Piazza day and be done with it – but you better have Keith Hernandez day first.
45. Why are they holding 45? Do they want to honor the bad half of John Franco’s career? Is it a tribute to a pitcher that really did nothing for the franchise after June 6, 2006? Do they think Pedro is going to wow them in the WBC? Knowing this franchise they’ll probably have Pedro Day before the 17 goes up on the fence.
Fine, you want to hold on to all those, fine. How about 51, 52, or 55?
Lose the 99. Wear 51 until you either get cut or make the team and then can steal a number like 30 from Rocky Cherry. Yes the Mets have someone named Rocky Cherry.
www.metspolice.com
