Shannon Shark

May 8, 2008

Wilpon’s Dodgers Lose To Crosstown Rivals

Brad Penny didn’t have his best stuff as Fred Wilpon’s Brooklyn Dodgers lost to the crosstown Manhattan Mets 12-1.

The Wilpon family has owned the Dodgers since the 1940’s, and this marks their 50th and final season at Shea Stadium before they move into the new Citi Field which will honor the history of the Dodgers and the great Jackie Robinson.

Wilpon was sad that the Dodgers lost to the team from the Polo Grounds but was consoled that Dem Bums took two of three.

After the game someone tried to tell Wilpon that the Dodgers skipped town 50 years ago and the Mets have their own history (and that Jackie Robinson never played for the Mets) but he would have none of it.

May 8, 2008

Let’s Blame Willie For Long Games Too!

Quiet day. In Newsday today…

And if it feels like the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets play the longest games of all … you’re not imagining things. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Red Sox are the biggest offenders, at 3:08. Then come the Yankees, at 3:06. And the Mets top the National League at 3:01.

The Red Sox and Yankees both field lineups that emphasize selectivity at the plate. The Mets? I guess the lack of long outings by the starting pitcher leads to multiple pitching changes by Willie Randolph.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spdavidoff0508,0,6568687.column

May 8, 2008

Reds Series Preview

Continuing with our theme of Santana & Maine and pray for rain…..we’ll get Rain on Friday which is good (instead of Pelfrey), Pelfrey and Santana for Saturday’s doubleheader so that’s a split, and Perez vs Johnny Cueto on Sunday – Perez is due for a great game….so the Mets Police predict the Mets take two of three, and the Reds lose their heads (see below)

May 7, 2008

As We’ve Been Saying

Let’s see: Santana, Maine or rain: Maine, check.

Uniform Check: Hideous cursed black uniforms are in the suitcases. Check.

Result: Mets lead 12-0 at 5pm ET.

Next Game: Pelfrey vs Anyone. uh oh.

May 7, 2008

Deja Vu All Over Again

In 1989 the Mets were coming off a relatively disappointing year – one in which they were supposed to at least get to the World Series. Their pitching staff had on it a young 26-year old, acquired in a trade with a 2nd division team, who looked to be a star in the making (Cone) and an aging injury-plagued starter acquired from the Boston Red Sox (Ojeda). Needing more pitching help the front office made a trade with the Minnesota Twins for their Cy Young Award winning left handed ace (Frank Viola), trading away several prospects in the deal.

You know where I am going with this so before I go on let me say I am not second guessing the Mets acquisition of Johan Santana. Hell it’s one of the best things Omar has done since he became GM. All I am doing is pointing out similarities.

In Viola’s first 7 starts for the Mets, he was 4-2, with 50 IP, an ERA of 3.41, and averages of 7.7 hits, 7.5 Ks, and 0.7 HRs all per 9 innings.

In Santana’s first 7 starts, he is 3-2 with 45 IP, an ERA of 2.97, and averages of 6.9 hits, 9.3 Ks, and 1.4 HRs per 9 innings.

In 89 the Mets finished in 2nd place, 6 games back. They would not make the playoffs again until 1999. Meanwhile in 1991, led by 2 of the players acquired in the trade with the Mets, the Twins won the World Series.