Oliver & I

Sending You Along

2009-06-02T14:56:00.002-04:00

Hi Mets Fans....
I am now wandering the world and am blogging about my adventures. Rest assured, I am still a hardcore NY Mets fan and will occasionally spout off about baseball. So check me out at:
www.firstworldwhitegirl.com.

LET'S GO METS!
Jill

Wishes For 2009

2008-10-03T09:30:00.002-04:00

I know I was a crappy blogger this year, so just say it. Almost as crappy a blogger as the Mets were crappy ballplayers in September. But it's over, I'm not watching anymore baseball and will only occasionally blog during the off season as circumstances warrant. I will, however, offer my thoughts on what is needed for next year.

1. I like Jerry. Keep him. He came along late, but he definitely pushed the Metropolitans in the right direction.

2. I am becoming skeptical on the youngins' - Jose Reyes and David Wright. Yes they is cute. Yes they can make the plays - most of the time. But when it comes to being clutch, Jose ain't your guy and neither is David. You may all boo me, you may call me a traitor. But face the facts... they have a been 50 percent of the nucleus of the team for the last 2 years (and '06 too, of course). And I don't have to tell you how that went down. One more year I say. Maybe maturity and the last two years can give them the confidence to pull it out when we need it most.

3. Pitching. Disastre. Need I say more. Closer, another solid starter (at least one), a setup man. We need more help in our bullpen than George Bush will need building a positive legacy.

4. Leave the Carloses. I know they ain't young, but they're good. Keep 'em another year.

5. Shop for a second baseman, Castillo has sucked. Would be nice to get someone that can hit AND play second base, especially since we haven't seen either from Luis all year.

It was a hard baseball year, almost harder than the '06 collapse. I think this was because July gave me hope. And then September crushed it to bits. It's all a little Hillary Clintonian. Everyone talked about you, you were the one to beat. But in the end, fizzle. She fought, we fought. But in the end, our adversaries proved to be stronger.

At least for some of us there's always next year.

Optimism in the Face of Impossibility

2008-09-23T08:43:00.002-04:00

After the crap that has been going down, I know what you expect from me. Crying. Whining. Bitching. Moaning. Because the Mets are on the verge of doing the worst possible thing they could - repeating last year.

Instead of the usual bitch session, I am going to try something different. No complaints. I am going to do what Jerry Manuel is doing... say it is possible. Say anything is possible. No, the Wilpons are not paying me. I've decided that if we tell them they are no good, they will be no good. Kind of like children.

Besides, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings and she is still making her way over from the Bronx.

Groundhog Day in September

2008-09-17T08:56:00.005-04:00

I went to last night's Mets-Nats game in the lovely new Nats stadium here in DC. Sat in the best seats I had been in this season, courtesy of a good friend/recovering Mets fans. As we watched the game last night, he told me how his spirit had been broken during the 2000 World Series.

I get his pain circa 2000. Flashback.... The Mets were right there (against the Yankees no less) in the big time. And they screwed up. They let it slip through their gifted little fingers in the 12th inning in Game One, coming back in the 9th in Game Two only to lose, winning the third and crumbling to the end. That was the Mets of 2000.

Fortunately he gave up then. He didn't have to live through 2006 or last year. Instead of feeling like it was Groundhog Day in September, he was yippin' it up with the fans of the lovable losers and yet again Mets spoilers. Hadn't I been to this same game in September already?

Sadly, it wasn't deja vu. It was another Mets loss. In September. Against the lousy Nats. The only consolation is that it wasn't the Yankees.

Oh and those beautiful seats.

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

2008-09-03T08:37:00.006-04:00

I am back in the comfort of my sprawling apartment in DC, back to the giant TV and every baseball game a girl could want. So last night I watch the nail biter of a game v. the Brewers. This nail biting thing has become a little too de rigeur these days. While it makes for great baseball, it has been giving me heartburn for the last week or so. As was early in the season, the culprit seems to be pitching.

Pitching, pitching, pitching.

They got through it last night, by the skin of their pretty little asses. But mostly because of the incredible defensive play of the team. Amazing catches by little Nick, badass throws as fast as gunfire from Endy!, David tackling the ball more like a defensive end then a third baseman.

Last night was all about saving themselves from a melting bullpen. And they did it. Ten innings, 6-5. As long as the bats are alive, they may survive September.

As for some of the candidates, I am not quite as certain.

Beat Me, I Can Take It

2008-09-02T11:27:00.003-04:00

Alright, I know... you are going to accuse me of being a fair weather fan. Sure, the Mets are hanging on by a thread in June and July. And where was I? Galvanting across a continent, forgetting about where I come from and the important things, right? No, it's not true. In fact, I spent three months in South America, wearing my Mets hat. Consider my time not blogging as being an ambassador for the Mets and for American baseball. Not sure if I recruited anyone, but let's just call it "general awareness". And I did check the scores when I was anywhere near civilization.

Ok, so back to it. It's September, crunch time. I am now praying daily for the bullpen. Cause it's nothing short of a miracle that keeps them hanging on. Kinda like how it felt to support Barack Obama or John McCain a year ago, right?

Believe.

You Turn Your Back for a Second and Then What?

2008-06-21T09:18:00.003-04:00

I realize I have not been keeping up with the blog. I know. Have gotten some private comments about it. I apologize. First, you should know that I have been watching everything from here. Every last thing. Reading before I go to bed (extremely late, mind you this is Buenos Aires where you have dinner at 11 pm), getting up a bit before my Spanish class to make sure I miss nothing. Really, I promise.

As for Willie, you know I always liked him. A Brooklyn boy, a good ball player, a good guy. But I totally get why he was given the axe. When things stink, the smell eventually leads to the top. And in my mind this is not limited to Willie... Omar and the Wilpons also need to take a hard look in the mirror. The last couple of weeks of public bullshit, the hemming and hawing, the soap opera like dramas that have enveloped the team certainly don't help. I don't now about you, but blood in the water doesn't bring me any day to day relief.

I will say this... I like what Manuel is doing. Sometimes tough love is needed. And with the benign neglect of the last regime, maybe the hands on approach is what we need.

Now that you've gotten my two cents on the most pressing issue in Mets baseball, I have to figure out how to talk about politics and my trip. Hmmm.. well, the President of Argentina recently proposed an increase in a tax on farmers. And boy, the farmers are pissed... so pissed that there was a massive protest (which I checked out). There was a concession, with the President agreeing to let the Congress debate the tax. But a la a situation we are all familiar with, a concession does not mean victory. It only means wait and see.

At Least Someone's Winning

2008-06-08T19:30:00.004-04:00

Ah Metsies...you're killing me, killing me. The series of losses endured against San Diego have been tragic... matzo bats are the death knell. Oh well, at least the pitching hasn't fallen apart, right?

The good news is that yesterday I toured Buenos Aires on a bicycle and just loved it. Although the drivers are a bit sketch, it was thankfully a weekend and I managed to survive without incident. On the tour, we went through a neighborhood called La Boca, which is the namesake of the soccer team. The team- the Boca Juniors - seem to be quite the rage in BsAs and even throughout Latin America according to my sources. All over you can see people in Boca Jr's gear. I daresay they are the New York Yankees of soccer. But this year, they lost to Brazil.

There's another team in Buenos Aires. But it appears they are less adored by the throngs of soccer afficiandos across the land. River Platte they are called and they suffer from second class status. In fact, I have yet to see more than a splash of red and white around town. Sound familiar?

But, how tables turn. They are now the team that is making stuff happen. Today they beat Olimpo for the Clausura Tournament. And La Boca? Done. Toast.

So while maybe the boys of River aren't as popular, it appears they are better. At least the less popular boy wins sometimes.

Changes

2008-06-04T09:45:00.002-04:00

The Mets have changed and hopefully for the better with the glorious return of Pedro. We can only hope this is the spark that lights the fire that unlocks the potential of this team.

The Democratic race for the presidential nomination is over. Last night's results leave the Democrats with one choice, one that will hopefully allow them not to lose (something, it should be noted they excel at doing - giving it away - not unlike the Mets so far this season).

And for me, a big change. Instead of bringing you Mets commentary from Washington DC, I will b bringing it to you from South America. I write you today from Buenos Aires, where I just arrived to my hostel in San Telmo. It is a bight lovely onld house with brightly painted walls, skylights and Aussies traveling around the world, not shocking.

Change is good for the Mets. Let's just hope it's good for both me and the Democrats.

Beautiful

2008-05-29T07:24:00.003-04:00

It was a beautiful spring evening when the Mets took to the field to play the Marlins. I watched the first inning, saw the Mets score two and decided it was too beautiful to stay in watching baseball.

So I walked. I walked through the city, people were outside drinking, running, biking, errand running. It was spring and everyone was soaking up the delicious weather. I come back in the 6th, only to see the Mets down 5-4. And then Endy! tied it up. NB: For those of you unfamiliar with my blog, I always call him Endy! after that amazing catch at the 2006 NLCS. It should be noted, I haven't had too much to Endy! about so far this season.

Maybe it was spring, maybe it was the pressure, maybe it was the self realization that they are a great team. They sure played like one. Second stringer Tatis with the clutch hitting, a fantastic bullpen, even Ollie kept it together. My personal favorite extra innings play was the Sanchez bunt; even after getting smacked by a pitch he came back, bunted and ran his mightiest to first. He didn't make it, but man... he tried. He tried so hard, as ever single one of them did.

And that my friends, is indeed beautiful. 7-6 beautiful.

Day to Day

2008-05-28T07:06:00.005-04:00

Well... they did it last night. Won a game, that it. Beat the fish 5-3 with Johan getting it done, a good defense to back him up, a bullpen that held it together and stiff bats with 9 hits. Oh and a nice double steal to boot.

Yes, it was a victory. A victory that was nearly as hard fought as the Democratic nomination. But are the Mets Hillary or Barack? That we'll know in the coming days and weeks. I suppose that Willie has been given a reprieve. For today. Jack Curry in the Times has it right - Willie, like the Mets, is day to day.

Someone Else to Kick Around

2008-05-26T21:32:00.007-04:00

Oh Mets. What can I say? The only thing that changed since I last blogged about you is that you are no longer clinging to .500... you're officially under .500 and are closer to competing with the Nats than with the Braves. You dropped three out of four against the Rockies. Something is outta whack.

Charges of racism (in a game that is more integrated than most workplaces or communities in America it should be noted) by Willie, our star players looking like Mitt Romney (over-hyped and under-performing), and of course the hitting. Or lack thereof.

My two cents on the Willie thing - I said last month that it might be time for him to go. I don't know if that will solve the problem immediately but there is something wrong at the core if a team built like this can't get things going. Sometimes those who are the most gifted are the ~~most lazy~~ laziest, which is why leadership and guidance are critical. I fear those things are missing and is that is precisely what is holding us back.

And it looks like tonight will be no different than the last couple of days. Another loss; I suppose the Marlins is an excuse. Clearly the boys aren't playing up to their potential, but in this case the perception fueled by the media have become the reality. Joe Girardi must be a happy guy - everyone is so busy trashing the Mets that the end of a five-game winning streak is probably not a contender for the sharp tongue of tomorrow's NY Post.

Almost in the Toilet

2008-05-21T07:25:00.004-04:00

We're baacck! Yes, the Mets that played in April are back again in May. Yes, I know they disappeared over the weekend. But it seems like the scoreless, listless and even nearly unconscious (if you're Ryan Church) Mets showed up at Turner Field to drop two to Atlanta yesterday. Good times.

I can't decide what is more painful - my bathroom getting ripped out or my heart after watching last night's game. At least the bathroom is scheduled to be back in commission tomorrow. Too bad I can't say the same for the Mets.

Better Than Broadway

2008-05-18T22:33:00.006-04:00

Oh New York. Such drama. The saga of the Mets has taken on a soap opera feel, with Billy Wagner playing Cruella de Vil in the locker room after the Nats disaster. Instead of a game against the Yankees on Friday, the team had a rain out meeting something like an AA gathering replete with recriminations, apologies and a vow to play like the $100 million plus team the Wilpons and you and me have paid for.

Something worked. Maybe it was the sharing of feelings, maybe it was the thrill of the subway series. Whatever the case, we've got yesterday's win and today's plowdown in the Bronx. 11-2. Now granted there's no A-Rod and no Posada in the Yankees lineup. But it wasn't about that. It was about Oli holding it together and more importantly the Mets bats performing (18 runs over the last two days, which is probably more than the last three weeks).

What's so amazing about the Willie-Billy-Delgado drama is that in any other town it wouldn't have escalated to this point. But other towns don't have the tabloids or the aggressive fans. At least the tale of these two wins after last week will give them what they are all looking for - a damn good show.

Disgusted

2008-05-16T07:52:00.003-04:00

I didn't watch yesterday's "pitchers duel" between Mike Pelfrey and the Nat's Jason Bergmann (who was recalled from the minor leagues). 1-0. And not one for us.

I'm not giving the blow by blow, but yet again the matzo bats failed. Just call the Nats Mike Huckabee - unlikely to win it all, but certainly exceeding expectations.

Me, I'm just disgusted.

Eye on the Prize

2008-05-15T07:03:00.007-04:00

Yes, I know the Nats are the ~~worst~~ second worst team in the National League. Yes, I know we should be kicking their butts. But it is not so. 5-3 at the hands of Heilman, who maybe should also be designated for assignment a la Sosa and Figueroa. Claudio Vargas, brought up from the minors, pitched a solid game before the Heilman giveaway.

What gave me a giggle was watching the broadcast on MASN (the Nats network) and the announcers commenting how they couldn't understand the booing at Shea when Heilman showed up on the mound. Couldn't understand?? Haven't these guys watched a single day of Mets baseball?!

Nevermind. I'm letting go. It's not far off from Clinton's West Virginia victory earlier this week... kinda futile. Phillies and Braves lost, so the half game sandwich remains.

Nasty as They Wanna Be

2008-05-13T07:07:00.004-04:00

If the Mets were Sybil, last night would have been the appearance of their childlike personality. With pitching and fielding like an 11 year old slow pitch team, they were routed by the Nats (yes, the Nats) 10-4. Nelson Figueroa melted down early and often and Sosa (one of my favorite S's) gave the Nats the rest of it. Nice scoreless 8th from Sanchez, who was shaky the last time I saw him.

But overall, ugly. Ug-lee.

What seems to be the talk today (other than Figueroa's future) is Lasting Milledge and his crew applauding the Mets flubs. The Times writes all about it.

I didn't see it, but I'm not surprised. Milledge, who was once a Met, always lacked a little maturity. Showing up late, high fives with the fans - it just ain't classy. Hence his move to the Nats.

We got the better end of that deal (Church and Schneider) even if it didn't show last night. Oh well. The battle v. the war, right? I need something as I think about where we were last May (first place) and where we are now - three back, in a half game sandwich between our two biggest rivals. And who's number one? The Marlins. Look out world, it's as crazy as John McCain getting the Republican nod seemed 9 months ago.

The only consolation in that is McCain imploded early.

He's Lost Control?

2008-05-12T06:59:00.004-04:00

That Oli. Always an enigma. Yesterday, a balls to the wall performance until the 6th. And then, out of nowhere the inning turned into a struggle a la the Democratic nomination. A gazillion pitches, every one of them more tense than the last one and unfortunately resulting in three runs.

It's ok. 8-3 ok. The Mets pulled it out with bats that are thriving better than mold in DC (it has rained nearly 5 inches in a day here). The Carloses are alive and well, David and Jose are starting to awake too. Even Scott Schoenweis pitched a blemish free inning.

But Oli, what's your deal? I know you still probably enjoy comic books and miss your hometown. But c'mon, you're in New York. You're playing in the big leagues. You're getting paid a lot of money. And you and your greedy ass agent want even more money come next year. So don't go the way of Romney or head down the path currently being forged by Hillary Clinton. You can do this. The good news is that unlike in politics, in baseball you can control about 85 percent of the outcome.

P.S. I didn't write about the whole series against the Reds, which the Mets took 2-1. Lovely play on Saturday, but the MLB package didn't offer the day game. This is the second time a Saturday day game was unavailable - bastards!

Clintonian

2008-05-07T19:32:00.003-04:00

The New York Mets. When they are on, they are like Bill Clinton in 1992. When they are not, they are like Bill Clinton in 2008.

Today it's 1992.

Losing One Can Mean Everything. Or Nothing.

2008-05-07T07:21:00.008-04:00

My favorite part about the MLB package is that you get to watch announcers from all over baseball. So I have been listening with glee to the Dodgers announcer who knows as much about the Mets as the current Congress and President seem to know about policy making.

This false sense of perspective must have worked on me. I fell asleep on the couch sometime in the 4th inning without too much agita. The Dodgers had a pitching meltdown that looked disturbingly Met-like. The boys were winning 4-1. I felt alright going to bed.

But I had ignored the warning signs - no hitting. David Wright striking out. Lots and lots of base runners stranded. I was so focused on the decent pitching and excellent offense, I ignored the soft underbelly... bats as cold as an office building in summertime. Mets lose 5-4.

As in life and in politics, you can't have it all. Sometimes you win one, sometimes you lose one. As this stage of the baseball season it's not just one that makes the final decision. As for politics, I guess we'll see in Denver.

What the West Can Do

2008-05-06T07:25:00.003-04:00

West coast baseball is a sleep killer. The games don't come on until 10 and by midnight I am usually begging to be put to bed. Last night was no different; after watching the first inning of Oliver Perez I figured I could go to bed because I already knew the outcome.

He was battered by the batters (literally by a pitch) and just seemed to lack concentration at times. Sigh. Nothing new here, unfortunately. Just a repeat of the last two outings.

Now it could have been worse, in the end it was only 5-1. And the Dodgers are hot, hot, hot. But, I'm not sure this was the team I saw pounce on Arizona just a few days ago. Who the hell showed up last night? Maybe it's California, we know what it can do to you. Just ask Barack.

Our Guam

2008-05-04T21:27:00.004-04:00

Wow, what a weekend between the Mets and the gorgeous weather. The past two days were literally the most beautiful of the year - 70s, 80s... perfect biking weather. And I took advantage of it.

That, of course, meant that I only saw a bit of the Mets take the series 2-1 from Arizona, the team with the best record in baseball. Now before you think we're out of the woods, think again. Yes, we won today in a pitchers duel (yes, we won a pitchers duel, shocking I know) between Johan and Dan Haren. But yesterday was a complete and total pitching meltdown, not dissimilar to the Pittsburgh avalanche last week. Friday was a beauty, with Moises Alou back, Jose's bat alive, and pitching that held it together. What can I say... we're streakier than my pollen covered windows.

And we're still a half game out of first. Consider this series kind of like Guam - sometimes it's the perception and the subsequent momentum that matters more than anything.

Believe

2008-05-01T07:38:00.004-04:00

Now I know what it is like to be a Ron Paul operative. After yesterday's unbelievable Mets performance (for those of you not in the know 13-1 trouncing), I can only believe that it is my own delusions that are feeding any ideas of Mets grandeur.

I didn't watch, since it was a day game. But here's the quick recap: poor Oli left after the second inning when the Pirates... yes, the Pirates, scored SEVEN... yes seven, runs. But that was only meltdown #1. Sosa repeated the same performance just a couple of innings later. But this time, it was just 5 runs. While these problems are not new, they were just jacked up on steroids yesterday.

More disturbing were the number of errors. Chase downs, bad communication between players. Dude, where's the team that has dominated over the last two years? Trying not to freak out. It is only April and if you're gonna melt, this is the time. Plus, these guys are only human. And while we expect our ballplayers and our political figures to be absolutely perfect every time, I know they're all just human. So no yelling, no booing. Y'all are perfect on paper, now you all just need to believe it.

Rocky Road

2008-04-30T07:39:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was free cone day at Ben and Jerry's, but I abstained since beach season is around the corner. However, I still got a dose of Rocky Road watching the Mets last night. And against the Pirates at that. Almost worse than watching a bungling against the Nats.

Ugly night. Crap throw by Reyes, bullpen dramas (Heilman continues on a trajectory that looks like Fred Thompson's presidential bid - doomed from the third week; two run scored off Billy Wagner; Sanchez loading the bases), and the usual high number of stranded runners.

After 11 innings, they won 5-4. That was the dessert.

Settling In For the War

2008-04-27T18:57:00.000-04:00

For just a moment watching the Mets v. Braves today, I felt bad for the Braves. In an emotion I am all too familiar with, I watched an aging pitcher fall part. But this time it was John Smoltz (because of course, every aging Mets pitcher is already on the DL).

This tiny weakness was enough for the Mets bats to wake up, including two, yes TWO, big ass home runs by Carlos D. Beautiful. I, along with pretty much all of Metland, have been trashing Carlos D. for not performing. Today was a welcome change; I guess Friday's mental health day did its' voodoo.

The bullpen even held it together, Schoenweis included. 6-3, the boys are back. We won the battle. The war? Tied for second with Philly, where half the team is on the DL. Let's settle in for a long season gang, just like another contest that won't be settled until later this year.

Is Willie's Time Up?

2008-04-26T07:49:00.006-04:00

Now, I love Willie Randolph. Love. Seriously. An exceptional player. A Brooklyn boy. But this team has so much talent, has spent so much damn money, and has so much opportunity. Last night's loss against the Braves was not just the bullpen or the starting pitching, but slopping fielding and lost hitting opportunities. It's a serious funk. Benching Carlos D isn't a bad idea, but I wonder if that's just throwing the wrong man overboard.

Sometimes when things start to feel Titanic-like, you've got to look around and make some changes. More fundamental than a new player here or letting go a ~~manager~~ coach. Hillary Clinton did it by dumping Patty Solis Doyle, who was a longtime, very loyal staffer. McCain did it by dumping the Bush crew last year. And look at where we are now.

After last year, after this type of start, I just wonder if a complete change of atmosphere is needed for everyone in Mets nation. I'm not screaming in New York-ease, "Get him the fuck out" but maybe it's an option to consider. There, I've said it.

#6

2008-04-25T07:46:00.004-04:00

Last night was my premiere of the Nats new stadium, which is absolutely lovely. Gleaming like a shiny pair of new shoes, the stadium stands in a neighborhood of the city that once housed titty bars and gay male strip clubs. Now, instead of rave clubs (that I once went to), hulking shells of buildings that promise urban reclamation are being slapped together by a developer who also happens to be the majority owner of the team. How convenient for me, a taxpayer shouldering one of the largest individual municipal tax burdens in the nation. No fretting though, there's also MLB's largest jumbotron!

At least there was something for me to enjoy because the game was a complete disaster for the Mets. Every potential weakness became as magnified as that big ass TV in centerfield. Ugliness from everyone - Perez, the relievers that bring no relief, Carlos Delgado, and Reyes and Wright not hitting. A Mets apocalypse, 10-5.

Nearly all of these things are not new. I have bitched about them in one form or another since I have been blogging. But there's a new one on the list.... Carlos D. I was talking about him last night to my friend who I went to the game with. In our conversation, we talked about his move to 6th in the batting order. She revealed that she too had been cast into the role of #6 when she was in a slump. Just as interesting, she was also at first.

She got over her slump. Let's just hope #6 is the tonic.

Loss in Politics and Baseball

2008-04-22T20:48:00.006-04:00

Am home watching Pennsylvania returns, no baseball. And after last night's gut wrenching loss to the Cubs, I was grateful to miss the Mets daytime slaughtering. Last night, 7-1 and today 8-1.

And a bloodbath it was today, identical to yesterday. Bullpen takes over; Mets fall apart. Last night Heilman, today Sosa. My relievers that not only give no relief, they give away the damn game. Bats asleep, even my boyfriends couldn't get it going.

I mourn, I loss, I grieve, I move on. Is this how life feels at Obama HQ tonight? Spent so much, but just not getting enough to win.

Exorcise the Ghosts

2008-04-21T07:35:00.003-04:00

Poor Metsies. Last night's 5-4 loss to the Phillies was a tough pill to swallow. It was supposed to get easier without Jimmy Rollins. And it was. Until last night.

Pelfrey's pitching was ok (nothing remarkable and nothing near his last appearances). The Mets defense, on the other hand, was excellent - they contained the Phillies to just four runs until a 6th inning that was as momentous as Iowa for Obama. Four runs, tie game.

But the relievers came in and the Mets went back to their early spring ways. Stranding base runners, striking out while swinging. The ghosts of the past.

My PTSD

2008-04-20T08:28:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was the most loveliest day so far in 2008. The temperature in DC was nearly 80, amazing sunny skies and a lovely breeze AND the Mets were atop the NL East for the first time since last year's "special time". But it's only April, so I spent the day on my beautiful new bike and caught the extremely tense last two innings of the game against the Philles.

I'm sure I've written about how I want to be a pitcher in my next life. I'm not sure, however, if I would not end up suicidal if I were to actually become a pitcher. The idea that you can almost give the other side the game in the 8th inning, as Heilman almost did yesterday, would induce me to a pawn shop or a pharmacist for sure. Who can take the tension of knowing that YOU lost it? Gave the shit away! But then I realized that you need a whole posse to back you and unless the ball goes out of the park (which is no too hard in Philly), you are not alone with the burden.

But none of this happened. Heilman pulled through, Wagner pulled through, the outfield pulled through. I think I just have PTSD from last year. Deep breath. One day at a time.

Praying for a Surge

2008-04-17T22:49:00.007-04:00

The Mets have had a lovely week thus far, pounding the Nats in a manner reminiscent of Desert Storm. Pitching, alive and well, even Mike Pelfrey. But tonight, it is now 11 pm and things are starting to look more like the more recent foray into a large, oil filled country in the Middle East.

It's the 12th inning, the Mets barely scrambled to the 2-2 tie in the 8th. It's not the pitching. Again, we are suffering from the bats that are as flat as matzoh. Passover is Saturday boys. I need my surge today. It may or may not work, but if it's all you got, it's all you got.

Bitter Boos

2008-04-15T06:58:00.009-04:00

Life took over for a few days (while the Mets crumbled and bungled), but now I am back, baby! Not going to bring you the now rancid leftovers of the last two days, but the chattering on Mets blogs and even the notoriously lame NY Times sports section is the boo. For you non-rabid Met fans the ~~127~~ 137.5 million dollar pitcher, Johan Santana, was booed by Met fans on Sunday for a less than ~~127~~ a 137.5 million dollar worthy appearance. He's not the only one - Mets fans will boo at any sliver of ineptitude, particularly from pitching.

The Times asks if this because of last year's collapse, which I don't think it is. Met fans always booed. We are a rowdy, angry bunch. Bitter, some might say. Not just from last year but from two decades of not making it. And the last time we did, it was with the meanest, craziest, nastiest guys in baseball. What the hell do you expect?

I just hope our bitterness doesn't drive us to guns or religion. Or the Yankees.

They're Alive

2008-04-10T07:27:00.003-04:00

I saw the NY Mets last night - capitalizing on every error by the hated (but not reviled, I save that for the Braves) Phillies. Now where the hell were they this weekend?

8-2 and the bullpen held it together. Pelfrey held it together. The bats sort of performed (not so much as the Phillies bullpen melted down, but I'll take it).

Change in momentum = change in attitude= wins. In life and in baseball.

Three Makes a Trend

2008-04-09T07:22:00.004-04:00

And we're almost there.... Yesterday was a repeat of what we saw with the Braves. The relievers that bring no relief giving up the hard earned lead of the starters. That and again with the stranded runners.

The Mets are starting to look a little bit like the Democrats. Where is our Obama now? Not that he would be a guarantee of victory in the fall, but at least we could bump up our win/loss record.

Early Spring Torture

2008-04-05T20:20:00.004-04:00

Yes, tortured today with the Mets getting creamed by the Braves. The source of torture? Death by pitcher. The same pitcher I raved about just days ago - Johnny Maine. Johnny only led me down to the dungeon. The true pain came from the middle relievers that haunted me all of last year - the S's... Smith, Schoeneweis. But the best - Sosa, who gave the Braves a grand slam. Goodbye.

The pisser in this, aside from the damn pitching, is the Mets leaving so many runners stranded on base. This eluded them last season and today aided in the trouncing.

I ordered the MLB package which seems a little sadistic after today. 160 bucks for nearly daily torture.

Early for Ugh

2008-04-02T07:34:00.001-04:00

I'm trying not to meltdown, it's early for a meltdown. Maybe Pedro's injury last night was an April Fools' Joke? It wasn't. This seems worse than Howard Dean's scream was for the Democrats - or at least how it scream seemed in January 2004.

We still got Johnny, we still got Ollie. As long as our Johnny isn't like the Dems Johnny, we should be all fine.

Crocodile Tears

2008-03-31T07:27:00.003-04:00

The only tears that came from last night's 3-2 win by the Nats is that the new stadium is finally open. While I am part of a group of taxpayers that is financing 94 percent of a stadium in a city that doesn't have functioning public schools and potholes that threaten my daily commute, I am not bitching. No more institutional food, no more seats with posts in the way. Now that's progress.

And hey, now the Mets are a half game up on the Braves...

The Bitch Is Back

2008-03-30T08:48:00.006-04:00

Yes, yes, I realize it has been too long. Too many months where you have been starved of Mets news through the eyes of a lunatic woman who only marginally knows about baseball. But the good news is, I am back!

I did not write during Hot Stove season, only because a gal needs a break. Last season was so... well, you know. I just needed to step away. But I am bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for a fantastic season. And right now super hot on Johnny Maine, who has has a super duper spring training, keeping his ERA under 2. While in end of last year was not easy for anyone, it was his first full season pitching in regular rotation with the Mets and that experience will take him far this year. Keep your eye on him, he just may be our Obama (or at least that is what I am telling all the dudes who are looking for picks for their fantasy teams).

What's the Best Hand?

2007-11-05T21:55:00.001-05:00

So, lots of talk and speculation about who will be a Met next year. I have opined on the A-Rod/D. Wright controversy and my vote remains the same. A vote for A-Rod is like a vote for Ron Paul, theoretically flawless but failing to account for anything more than cold, hard logic. And baseball and life sadly don't quite work that way.

Bottom line, we need to pick up a few new cards. Here are a couple of my wishes for the 2008 Mets:

- We need pitching, so we need to focus funds on pitching. Whoever. Whatever. Whenever. However. Dontrelle Willis. Even if he is a little sketch.

- 86 LoDuca. I decided his attitude became a hindrance, not a help. Worse than Billy Wagner with the mouth and like half the performance. Let's look at Jorge Posada, who is a free agent and a fantastic hitting year. I know he's not young, but I think he's still got 2-3 good years left (although he wants 4).

- Leave David and Jose where they are, they are doing a good job.

- Try and keep Castillo, the Reyes/Castillo combo proved to be a highlight in the disaster known to you and me as September.

- Ciao to Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado. They both underperformed this season. If I have to choose one to keep, I would say Green as he is a member of tribe (which is good for business) and was clutch in August.

Rumble, Rumble

2007-11-02T12:50:00.000-04:00

The rumors are at a fevered pitch, re: A-Rod and my boyfriend.

I know that I was a little enthused about this a few weeks ago, but now my feelings have changed... I know he's a great bat, but when I think about our untimely demise in 2007, I can't help but think what we lacked in all of this was leadership and maturity. We had David, we had Mosies, but what we need is more leadership. And I'm not sure if A-Rod is all that. Look at the whole things with Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. We need grown ups who can bring a positive attitude to the team. Is this A-Rod?

My Facebook status says it all...

RIP 2007

2007-10-29T19:50:00.000-04:00

It's over. Boston won. I have many a friend who had a spring in their step this morning (albeit a tired one), relishing the Boston win combined with enjoying the arrogance of A-Rod and that Scott Boras character.

Nonetheless, one of my favorite people in the office (our intern), asked me today if I thought the outcome was an indicator of the dominance of the American League over the National League. I had to weigh the facts. While last year was an NL victor (the Cardinals), the last 10 years have been dominated by the AL. But what I decided is the Colorado Rockies probably didn't represent the best the NL had to offer. Why you ask? They were good, but not the best at anything. The best hitting in the NL? The Phillies. The best pitching? San Diego.

It's not that I don't like the Rockies; I'm just not sure they were the best team in the NL in 2007. Oh well, is the WS about the best team anyway? Not necessarily. Sometimes these types of contests are not indicative of the best in show. Look at some of the past Presidential races.

Gone Baby Gone

2007-10-25T20:55:00.001-04:00

At first, I missed the Mets. Then, I missed baseball. Now, I miss my blog.

I suppose it is like a drug, this blogging thing. I found it cathartic, I found it enjoyable. But now, it has gone the way of bike riding and summertime strolls.

I am watching the World Series tonight, but it's hard to watch and not root for anyone. I am not going to pull a lame Rudy Giuliani on all of you and feel some burning loyalty to the National League (although I do think the DH is the ultimate in wussy).

No Mets, no rooting. No Mets, no blog. Gone Baby Gone.

Baseball, I Miss You...

2007-10-16T21:22:00.001-04:00

I'm still watching, but it is not the same. Not the same at all.

I gotta like the spunk of those Rockies, I mean who doesn't like an upstart? It's all kinda Ron Paulish, who while crazy, once in a while says something that warms your heart. I like that Holliday guy, I wish that Matsui would've been half as good as a damn Met. I kinda like 'em.

My heart is too heavy to even THINK about rooting for someone else. Could I? Can I? No, I can't. But I still like baseball and I miss baseball so I'll keep on watching.

A New Boyfriend?

2007-10-09T22:22:00.000-04:00

Tonight, the Times is reporting that A-Rod is going to opt out on his contract with the Yankees. This may seem a little bit like suggesting to a Chilean socialist in the 70s that they should go out on a date with Pinochet's best marksman, but A-Rod is one of the Yankees best weapons and one strategy to beat them is to disarm them.

The bigger problem? What about my first love?

Slasher

2007-10-07T21:06:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't love a little irony? The knife that slashed the Phillies throats last night came from none other than Kazuo Matsui. For those of you who read this because you love me and find me funny, but don't know a damn thing about baseball, click here. For those who love me, blah, blah, blah, but are too lazy to click anywhere, Matsui was once a Met, came to us with the pomp and circumstance (but reduced cost) of Dice K, and delivered worse than our bullpen this September.

And last night? A 5th inning triple that helped to get the Rockies on high. And the Phillies to go down.

Hangman

2007-10-06T19:29:00.000-04:00

Tonight's games are the NL's version of hangman. You know who's leg I am hoping to draw on tonight? Yes, you guessed correctly.... Jamie Moyer. And I'll take Jimmy Rollins too if I can.

We'll see later. But for now, it looks like its may be Rich Hill, Lou Pinella and the Cubs.

Lovin' No One

2007-10-04T21:42:00.000-04:00

You know I am happy about the Rockies pounding the crap outta Philly. I am working through my feelings about the 2007 baseball season. I am over sadness, now I am into anger. Not anger at the Mets, but anger at the Phillies. This has been a recurring theme throughout the season, depending on how close on our tail they were. But now, full on rageahol.

Another thing pissing me off? People trying to convert me to their teams. I have been pitched Boston (very aggressively, BTW), sometimes the Yankees (trying the you're a New Yorker kinda logic), even the Indians (this was someone preying on my anti-Yankees sentiment).

I heart no one. And if I was going to remotely heart anyone right now, it would be the Rockies for taking those Phillies down and TBS for being so beautiful in HD. I'm watching right now and it looks like the pitching disease is ravaging all of New York.

Fairytales Do Come True

2007-10-04T07:20:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am still sitting shivah for the Mets (which means that you can't make mean jokes for a little while), but I am kinda, sorta watching playoff baseball.

I am not rooting for anyone, but after seeing the preview coverage, as well as stuff about last night's games, it's clear the story of baseball is alive and well. In the political world, all flacks want a consistent story to tell in order to create loyalty, action, a whole host of things. It is no different in baseball. The title of this season? Fairytales Do Come True.

I'm not sure who is a bigger fairytale team: the Rockies, a non East coast team that was nowhere near first place and had a blazing fall, a crazy duel against the Padres (which they won); the F*#cking Phillies (don't need to fill you in on that one); the Cubs, who came back to bite the Brewers in the butt; and of course, the Yankees, who I poked fun at all summer (who I don't like, won't root for, but have to admire their determination).

The only hard part in the fairytale is that nearly all of the teams are in the NL. Oh well, at least MLB will have one fairy to get us to watch the WS.

Sitting Shivah

2007-10-01T21:18:00.002-04:00

It's dead. Over. And I did not really talk about it today and asked everyone in the office (the boys really), to not talk to me about baseball today. They didn't.

The rabid NY media have already started feeding on the corpse of the 2007 Mets, so I won't be too harsh as I join the group 'o buzzards. But what I will say is that I don't think Willie deserves to be fired. I think the end result was a team that had a lot of talent, but ravaged by injuries could never again quite find the full glory of those sweet spring days.

Pitching was always a nagging problem and in the end it took us down. Aging pitching, along with young pitching with tons of potential proved to be the wrong combination for a long season. The older bodies couldn't hack it, the younger ones proved to be too inconsistent to deliver every time (although I think both John Maine and Oliver Perez were highlights of this team and will deliver for years to come).

Oli and Johnny were not the only highlights.... David Wright was spectacular all around and we'll see more of him next year. Mosies Alou, at 41, was key to keeping us even half alive in the second half of the season. The youngins' --- Endy, Anderson, and Milledge all have lots of potential.

Just a bit on attitude: Post All Star Break there was definitely a slide in the attitude of some of the players. And this is the thing that lost it for the Mets. They collapsed on themselves.

It doesn't change how sad I am. I will watch the playoffs and will occasionally post my thoughts about them. But I won't be rooting for anyone, my season has passed.

This IS How It Ends

2007-09-30T21:56:00.000-04:00

Indeed, it is over.

I have been beyond words, near tears and just generally in shock about what has conspired today.

I will write more when I am able, but today I am grieving. It is especially painful because despite the ups and downs, I never would have believed it could lead to a conclusion like this one. The last few weeks, the terrible weeks after I got home from Italy, the ups and downs that could have rivaled Sybil.

Maybe that was the problem. It's smooth and steady that wins the race. What is needed to be at the top is the ability to stay sharp enough to stay there. And it ain't easy - anywhere and everywhere, not just baseball.

When I'm old, I know I will recount the 2007 baseball season to whatever crazy lunatics will listen. Thanks for listening.

Amazin'

2007-09-30T08:23:00.001-04:00

I started yesterday determined not to let baseball dominate the day. I had a party to prep for and a good friend who needed my attention.

We are out shopping and a random dude says to me, hey, you know they are up 4-0. Ah yes, I am wearing my Mets hat. Addiction resumed, thank gawd for the blackberry and auto refresh. And it just kept getting better; emails started to come in, people started calling. I watched the last 2 innings of the Philles- Nats....

Amazin'.

As long as you control your own fate, anything is possible. And that's where we are today. As FOI (Friend of Oliver & I) MEC reminds us, this is exactly why Tommy is here. Do your thing Tommy G and make the Mets fate what you want it to be.

This is where politics and baseball are different; at the end of the day in politics, there is something emotional that impacts people to choose you and transcends your physical ability to campaign or raise money. At the end of the day in baseball, your ability is all you've got. That and your own emotional state. Yesterday was the turn on that one and there has never been any doubt about our ability.

So let's show 'em what we've got.

Finding Inspiration Where You Can

2007-09-29T12:39:00.000-04:00

In times of stress, you hunker down and try to find hope. I did that this morning, reading the myriad of Mets bloggers out there. Saw lots of things, but this is my favorite from Metsmerized... yesterday on SNY, a tarot card reader saw a game being played in Philly on Monday.

We all find our ways to get through. I am going to take that one, why not?

Note: I was going to put a picture, but I decided I don't know enough about tarot and what if I pick the wrong one? Silly, but at this point, one has to consider these things.

It's Not Just Us

2007-09-29T01:20:00.000-04:00

New York Magazine reports that the very talented, sadly beautiful, kinda country (though I am not) singer Ryan Adams melted down in Minneapolis.

Oli's not alone. Still believin'.

Note: Thanks to an O& I reader for the Ryan Adams tip!

P.S.

2007-09-27T23:18:00.000-04:00

Have been reading some of the post mortems and I am not going to dwell on the loss, I am going to focus on the opportunity. We've got three more games, so Mets, show me why you got my hopes up all season. Show me what all these baseball bloviators have been ranting about since the spring.

I know it's there, I spent April until two weeks ago with it. Don't Al Gore on me, now is not the time. Ya gotta believe.

No Dessert for Me

2007-09-27T23:03:00.000-04:00

So gang, we are here. We made it through September and we are on the verge of embarking on October baseball, my favorite part. It was so close, I could taste it on the tip of my tongue, smell the ruminations of it as I pulled out my sweaters and boots.

I am supposed to be enjoying this, it is supposed to be delicious, it is supposed to be like dessert, after a long season of struggle, triumph, victories, defeats. But no dessert for me. I am stressed, sad, hurt, angry, upset, sugar deprived and just generally on suicide watch at this point.

How can it be that we dominated all season long and for the last two weeks we look like the Rockford Peaches could take us down? I just can't understand how we could come so far, but it could all feel so faraway. I know if you are reading this, you know what I am talking about.

I know we have all lost confidence in the Mets pitching, but some words from pitching coach Rick Peterson in tomorrow's Times:

“It doesn’t make sense to think about the past for the next four games,” Peterson said. “The present is really a good place to be.”

Baseball's no different than anything else - One day at a time, one day at a time. It's all I've got.

Haven't We Been Through This Before?

2007-09-26T23:31:00.000-04:00

Last night I gave up once the pitching did, so probably somewhere around the 5th inning. But we all know how the story ends. Not so good. Swept by a team that has been swept more than the floor this season. Pretty, it ain't.

I've had conversations with Mets fans and some say, hey, this is what it is all about. Fighting 'til the end, a battle. We're New Yorkers, after all. I said this last year for the NLCS, but you know where we ended up on that one. I still feel the agony anytime Cardinals red flashes before me and I hear Pujlos, Molina, Eckstein. Which I believe I will be seeing and hearing tonight. Sweating already.

Not sure if I could take another replay of last year's NLCS... but I am preparing for the worst.

Moises=Moses

2007-09-26T07:25:00.000-04:00

I gave up last night, somewhere in the 7th inning and retreated as depressed as the day before about the state of Mets Nation as I am about the rest of the nation. Thankfully I nearly spit my coffee out this morning as I was reading all about how the boys came back to score 6, yes 6 runs in the 9th.

They still lost, 10-9, but seems like all the boys pitched in to close the gap. Jose the spark, Castillo, my boyfriend, and of course Mosies Alou, who has become the beacon of hope.

Note this exchange from the Times:

“It doesn’t mean a thing,” Lo Duca said. “It doesn’t matter if we lose by eight runs or one. It’s still a loss.” Perhaps 15 feet away, Moises Alou, whose bases-loaded double with one out drew the Mets to within a run, said: “You always want to think about the positive. You never want to dwell on the negative.”

I'm pretty sure Moises is Moses. And you know how my tribe feels about Moses.

Rooting for Atlanta...

2007-09-25T22:17:00.001-04:00

I never thought I would do this, but I need to win something tonight. I am rooting for the status quo and hence, an Atlanta victory. Yee haw - 10-6.

Chop, chop. Status quo intact.

No need to tell you what happened with the Mets. At this point, I am praying for a Dewey defeats Truman type of sitch. Sorry for the bad analogy, it's all I've got.

Oh Where, Oh Where Has it Gone?

2007-09-25T07:18:00.000-04:00

Our pitching, that is. I didn't want to fully discuss, but last night's super painful 13-4 raping by the Nats is the end of my silence. The sad thing is, I can tell you where- it has gone to the last 156 games and staying in first all season, albeit today by just 2 games.

There were pitchers last night that I never even heard of warming up in the bullpen. And I have been paying attention, I promise.

I just can't believe this is where we are with just a week left in the season. No political analogies; I need to research some great comebacks, cause at this point I can't see any on the current political front.

Gotta Have It

2007-09-23T23:06:00.001-04:00

So much has happened over the last few days, so first off I apologize for the Jewish holidays breaking into my baseball commentary. The delay was continued for several hours today due to airplane breakdown. Ah, US Airways, the Greyhound of the Skies.

But am now safely ensconced back in DC after both the Mets and I had a marathon weekend in Florida. I was able to share part of it with the Mets, thankfully and got to see Oli's beautiful pitching job on Saturday.

We took the cheap seats way up, although they were right behind home plate which always makes for a great way to see the game. Dolphin Stadium, while (like RFK) designed for football, was not bad. The amenities are waay better than RFK, which is not a tough standard, sadly.

A win in Florida for the Mets this weekend was probably as important as Florida will be in January for a Presidential candidate - it's just gotta happen in order to even hope you'll get the whole enchilada. They came together and while they didn't get all the delegates, ~~2 outta 3~~ 3 outta 4 ain't bad. In the end you could argue that a win is a win, even if it was awfully tough to get there. In politics, this may matter less than in baseball. This week will tell on at least one front.

So Close...

2007-09-20T11:06:00.001-04:00

I was within a block of my boyfriend and did not see him! Today, the Washington Post reports...

Mets star David Wright touring the Spy Museum and lunching at Clyde's on Tuesday before showing up for his team's 9-8 loss to the Nats. Even though he was out of uniform, fans recognized the latest member of the 30-30 Club (that many homers and stolen bases in one season).

What is killing me is that is ONE BLOCK from my office. I eat lunch at Cyde's and ride my bike by the museum everyday on my bike ride home.

Boo hoo. Oh well... see you in Florida, David.

Half Alive, But Alive Still

2007-09-19T22:30:00.000-04:00

8-4, they got it done. It wasn't perfect, but the pitching seems to be alive again (Mike Pelfrey, I misjudged thee). The bats were alive, but the defense remains as sloppy as Fred Thompson's stump appearances.

I am off to the Sunshine State on Friday and I will join the Mets on Saturday with my parents on the holiest day of the Jewish year. Let's hope for the best; I need to believe that somebody up there is a Mets fan, I am kinda starting to wonder. At least we can hope for a better Florida appearance than Thompson endured.

Phillies are still duking it out with the Cards, but we're still at game and a half. It's a big number in New York right now.

32" Flat Screen

2007-09-19T19:50:00.000-04:00

That is where I am enjoying tonight's game... 3rd inning, Mets down 2-1, Jose Reyes on 2nd. I am hating the announcers for the Nats; they are talking about the team as if they are hermetically sealed in a bubble and don't know that the Nats are actually 15 and a half games out of first place. That being said, if you were hermetically sealed in a bubble in this series, you wouldn't know the Mets were in first place.

Game update: My boyfriend drove Reyes in, game tied. Believe.

I Still Believe

2007-09-19T07:24:00.000-04:00

Naturally, I was beyond distraught last night.... the tying run just yards away from coming home and we still can't manage to win against the Nats. In fact, I considered writing a post with a red flashing light, screaming red alert in my customary chicken little, sky is falling kind of way.

But I ain't gonna do that. Why? The heat is on, it is crunch time. And you can't abandon your peeps now. This is when they need ya the most.

We know this is not about our ability; this is about our attitude. So, in solidarity, I am changing my attitude. No more bitching, no more moaning, I will just be rooting for the Mets. I can only open hope my attitude change inspires others to believe.

I Just Couldn't Cope...

2007-09-18T21:08:00.000-04:00

Am watching from home tonight. After the incident that conspired last evening, I thought it best to have a swim, find some zen and take tonight's events from a safe place. My couch. So far, 7-3, Mets.

UPDATE: Johnny Maine melted down; 8-7 Nats. I am foraging for ice cream. Pitching, pitching, pitching, where have you gone?

I Witnessed the Crime

2007-09-18T07:32:00.000-04:00

Against the name of the New York Mets last night... Between the bad pitching, nightmare relief, sloppy fielding and too much to eat, I left RFK last night feeling like I had been poisoned.

Pounded would be an understatement. And by the wimpiest guy in our school. Massacred actually, 12- 4. I just hope we live.
I can't decide if I should go to tonight's game, I may end

up permanently damaged. I try to find a high note, but after what I saw last night, it is tough. Really tough. I can't decide if my lingering stomach ache is from the giant hot dog or from how painful the beating really was. Or the fact that our lead in the NL East is now as skinny as Nicole Ritchie when we need it to look more like Britney.

Please come back New York Mets, I miss you.

My Name is Not Chicken Little

2007-09-16T17:45:00.000-04:00

Some regular O&I readers have chastised me for not always seeing the big picture, for fretting over every win and every loss. Well I hate to gloat now, but it is getting tighter than the Democratic nomination race will ever be - three and a half games.

Today, complete disaster. Total disaster. Backed into a corner disaster? Maybe. I'll let ya know after I see the Mets here in DC tomorrow night. If that can't beat the Nats, the world really is ending.

New York, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

2007-09-15T16:55:00.001-04:00

This is a song, in case you didn't know it. And it is how I am feeling after the Mets 5-3 loss today against the Phillies.

I know we are still up, four and a half games up. But, we've still got two weeks to go. All I can hope for is these losses will leave us feeling a little backed into a corner. If have to read gloating comments by that Rollins character, I may puke.

Can't Seem to Catch a Break

2007-09-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

What is such a bummer about last night's 10-inning, 3-2 loss to the Phillies is that it has much less to do with skill than with luck. I'm not saying the Phillies suck; clearly they have had a late season surge that would bring envy from most of the political candidates on the stump these days. But one late inning run proves nothing except making the pennant race a little tighter.

My fave quote in all the coverage from last night was from my boyfriend -"A team is most dangerous when they're backed into a corner."

A 5 and a half deep in the hole corner.

I Know the Times Sports Coverage Sucks...

2007-09-14T07:24:00.000-04:00

But I have many needs from my paper in the morning, so I read the Times first. My fave thing so far (and not even from regular Mets writer Ben Shpiegel) from today's paper.

"Over the last two seasons, the Mets have been in first place for a total of 313 days, which ranks first in the major leagues. The Boston Red Sox rank second at 260 days."

Who doesn't feel good reading that? Happy Friday Met fans. Consider yourselves psyched for the evening festivities.

L'Shana Tovah

2007-09-13T20:21:00.000-04:00

Happy 5768! Sorry I did not get to this yesterday, I spent the evening celebrating the holiday with friends and family in Pikesville, MD. But I will say I find it highly ironic that the one member of the tribe on the Mets, Shawn Green, managed the hit that brought Carlos B home to win on the eve of Rosh Hashana.

It's all good. Shawn Green can still have dinner with his peeps tonight, as the Mets are off.

Ugh, Ugh and More Ugh

2007-09-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

I blame the Mets 13-5 meltdown tonight against the Braves on one thing... my own over-exuberance.

As you may recall, I uttered the words post season in recent days (and yes, italics is whispering). No more. We still have 3 weeks of baseball to get through. It ain't over 'til its over, just ask John McCain.

Until September 30th, I am keeping it all in check. I promise. You all won't be able to bear me otherwise.

V is for....

2007-09-11T08:01:00.000-04:00

Victory, as in a 3-2 win over the Braves (who are sinking faster than Senator Larry Craig); Valuable, as in David Wright as a possible MVP with a sweet homer last night; and Victory again for Oli, as he struts his stuff trying to score a playoff spot. Yes fans, I am admitting today that what once seemed just out of reach may just be on the horizon.

We still have to get through the rest of the Braves and the Phillies. But we're playing some vicious ball.

Swept Away

2007-09-10T18:45:00.000-04:00

The Mets are sweeping me away. And I can only hope after this week, they are closer to sweeping away the division.

I was in a discussion with the yucky Yankee fans at work and they brought up a great point... the Mets are easily the best team in the NL, probably the only team (when they are playing well) that can compete with the best of the AL. I agree, particularly, because of our hitting. The NL West is most certainly a highly competitive division, but that is because of the great pitching.

Let's hope the bats are movin' around like Fred Thompson's campaign staff. And that would be alot.

A Little Something From My Trip...

2007-09-09T16:29:00.000-04:00

I told him I would only be nice until October.

A Wash

2007-09-06T08:28:00.000-04:00

So, looks like Cincinnati was a wash. Thankfully, Atlanta came back and kicked Philly's butt. No love lost there from me, I can assure you. The Mets are finally riding a wave, hoping they can stay there. Although history tells me it's tough to maintain the balance. Like a campaign, it is not one appearance that typically sinks you, it is a series of bad ones. Or at least your competitors nibbling away at you (Phillies, Edwards, Giuliani).

I am in Boston for work and was fortunate enough to catch the Sox v. Blue Jays. Love Fenway. But at the end of the day, October is coming. And you know what that means? I am a New Yorker through and through. Although not a Yankees fan.

L'Chaim!

2007-09-03T21:28:00.000-04:00

Before I get into baseball, a note for you non Jews out there... L'Chaim is a toast that means "to life". If you're a non-Jew rooting for the Mets who is reading this blog and don't know what L'Chaim means, please leave me a comment as I cannot believe you exist.

And we've got a lot to toast.... the sweep, Pedro back and doing alright (fully report in the morn). Bats that are alive and well. We're 5 games up after Atlanta beat Philly, the poetic justice of which I cannot even begin to write about.

All good. And guess who else lost today? The AL Wildcard is gonna be a nail biter. No gloating, just sayin'.

Now I realize this can all fall in a la last week; I just want to enjoy this moment. Delish.

Mailbag

2007-09-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

An O and I reader asks, "What is going to happen to you after the baseball season is over and the Mets have won it all?"

Well, we first need to make it through September, which is where my focus is right now. But my feeling right now is that this blog is primarily about baseball and I am not going to try and make it something else.

Now if Oli gets traded, I am screwed! He is on a one year contract right now, will keep you all posted on this.

It's the 9th Inning...

2007-09-01T18:21:00.000-04:00

And the Mets are on the verge of actually beating Atlanta 5-1 at the hands of Mike Pelfrey and Pedro Feliciano.

I'm not complaining, not at all. In fact, I am thrilled. Great hitting, solid pitching, lotsa K's. What is there to bitch about? Especially from pitchers who have given me more heartache than love all summer long.

A beautiful two game winning streak, at the expense of Atlanta. But why does it take the brink of failure to find greatness? This week was the verge of homelessness, with the last 2 days like winning the lottery. What do you do? You go shopping and hope it lasts.

Oh and P.S., the Mets won. No Billy W, but I am suffering too. In true Metfan form, I have a pain in my arm too.

Meet the Mets, Again!

2007-09-01T09:52:00.000-04:00

Now I don't want to get out of control. But last night's 7-1 win over the Braves is what I (and all of you, frankly) have been salivating for all season.

We're back baby! Meet the Mets, Meet the Mets... If you need me to tell you the rest, I can. My mother used to sing it to me when I was a kid.

All the boys were back -Jose, Johnny M, and most important Carlos D's three run homer, the spark that set it all off.

I'm happy. Let's hope we see more of it later today.

Tomorrow is Another Day

2007-08-30T19:01:00.001-04:00

I was at work today monitoring the disaster game. I am crazed, as I am about to be out of town all next week for work (don't worry, I promise road blogging) and watching the score go up and down like a roller coaster. To make it worse, I was surrounded by giddy Yankee fans.

Now it should be known that I hate roller coasters. If someone asks me to go on one, I typically will with the end result being my face in a garbage can less than a half hour later. You'd think I would learn and not do this, but like a jackass I try and try thinking the end result will be different. It never is.

That's how today's game felt, but more disturbing than that is how baseball is starting to make me feel. This is worse than an Election Day to me. I can't take the drama, I can't take the agony, I can't take the pain.

I would probably just give up after last night (courtesy of the shamen) and today (courtesy of pitching problems), but I can't. We were hitting like we should and Pedro is back in another week or so. Plus, I have made it this damn far. It's September for gawd's sake and we are still in first place.

I know we're off to Atlanta, so as Scarlett said, "Tomorrow is another day".

AARGH!

2007-08-30T07:41:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is in caps. And yes, I am yelling. Not only was luck not on our side in last night's 3-2 loss to the Phillies, it was as bad as a downright curse. Has a shaman put a vex on the Mets or on Citizens Field? It's the only explanation I can come up with to explain Oli walking the pitcher as well as the bizarro call against Marlon Anderson.

Hey Mr. Shaman, there's a guy named CB Bucknor, he's an umpire.... I will look up his address and email it to you.

Matzo Bats are Back (and it's not good)

2007-08-29T07:17:00.001-04:00

Why do we always suck the later in the season it gets? Last season September was pretty much awful. But then again, we were waay more than 5 games up and neither the Phillies or the Braves were where they are this year as competitors.

Luck was not on our side in last night's 4-2 loss to the Phillies, with a roller that rolled the wrong way. So it goes. What is more troublesome to me is the recurrence of problems such as matzo bats and relievers that bring no relief. We should be scoring runs; Citizens Park (while lovely) is as small as Barbie's House. We should be adding to our numbers and winning games, not helping that arrogant Jimmy Rollins. Blech.

Frustration. That's all I can say.

And P.S.... welcome back to Endy! Take the kindness now, as I am sure I will complain about you in a few days.

Fall is Here

2007-08-28T06:39:00.000-04:00

I was there in late June when the Mets ate the Phillies for dinner. They ate them for lunch too, I just didn't go to the game. They even had snacks the next day.

But you would never have know that last night after the 9-2 pounding the Phillies gave my Mets. It was like one of those Pennsylvania Dutch Country smorgasbords for Philly.

And they got their giant meal. My boyfriend ejected for rejected authority the whole game. The Philles coach was ejected too. It's September friends, even if the calendar says August 28. Heck, ask the Presidential candidates... it's been September for months. Or at least their schedules have seemed like it.

Melting

2007-08-26T22:09:00.000-04:00

It's the top of the 6th, Mets down 4-2 against the Dodgers. I wanted to believe that Johnny M. had it goin' on tonight. The beginning looked good, looked real good.

But now, melting like the Wicked Witch of the West.

UPDATE: 5-2, Schoeneweis is pitching, now it is 6-2, a double steal with runners on 2nd and 3rd and gettin' as ugly as the WWW's warts. Ugh.

My Boyfriend is HOT

2007-08-26T15:51:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know David Wright is hot, like cute hot, but his numbers are amazin'. According to my friends over at Metsblog.com:

Mets 3B David Wright is the only player in the National League hitting over .300, with at least 80 runs scored, 80 RBI, 20 stolen bases and 20 home runs..... He is batting .403 in 77 at-bats in August, and .373 with a .489 OBP since the All-Star break. He has reached base in 15 of his last 19 plate appearances.

This post is motivated by the wonderful post excerpted above and the very stupid article in today's NY Post. This feeble attempt at lifestyle writing by a sports writer is worse than an actor running for president. Leave the Cosmo crap to those who can pull it off, Mr. Kernan. Thanks.

Plugging Away to October

2007-08-26T09:57:00.000-04:00

Instead of watching baseball, yesterday I did a 63 mile bike ride for fun. I realize this is crazy. Today I am exhausted and looking forward to seeing Johnny get his groove back tonight (esp because I am doing absolutely NOTHING today).

Yesterday's 4-3 win against the Dodgers was good stuff. El Duque, as per usual, a beast of the finest order. I would argue he has been the most solid pitcher in our rotation all season. Granted, he has only been back since July, but we have not seen El Duque meltdowns as we have for pretty much everyone else on the mound.

For the closing, the not always predictable Heilman managed to keep it together for the win. But no Billy Wagner yesterday and not a lot of info, except something about a dead arm. Now, I have bitched the last few weeks about Billy and for good reason. But I hope he is back soon, as he is overall one of the best closers in baseball (29 saves, 2.05 ERA) and probably more predictable than anything else we've got. Plus, we'll need him in the post season.

Carlos D out of the funk. We need him back, just as much as we need to keep winning. We're at lucky number 7, let's see how much further we can go.

Ain't Going Down Like That

2007-08-24T07:13:00.000-04:00

Last night's 9-8 loss to the Padres was the ickiest kind of loss. It was mostly luck, with a dash of bad pitching on our part (although it could be said that is 90 percent of baseball and probably of life).

But more important than tears, this is a wakeup call for the Mets. As of right now, the Padres are the wild card team. At the end of September, it might be what we have to face in the NLDS. And while this was only a three game series, I can assure you that many a Met will wake up this morning and think about how there is no way... no f&*cking way.... that an outing like that would mean the end of the chase.

Consider this series a straw poll. We know who we need to beat.

Groundhog Day

2007-08-23T05:17:00.000-04:00

Haven't we been here before? Last night's 7-5 loss (which I caught most of on TV... jet lag is still nipping at me, hence the 5 am post) to the Padres was kinda painful to watch because I have seen precisely this before. The bats were performing beautifully, with the Jose, Luis, Carlos show doing what we need it to do...finally! But again, no relief from that damn ex-druggie Mota.

Now, I have bitched and bitched about our relief pitching, but I am fully disgusted now. We had a good chance to beat one of the best pitchers in the NL last night and it was our relief pitching that sunk us. It is late August, which is just too late to still have this crap happening. The bats are alive, it's time for the relief pitching to get with the program.

My only consolation is that both Atlanta and Philly lost. Phew. Enough of my rant. As reader MEC will remind me, it is about that and not about just one game.

Back!

2007-08-22T06:36:00.000-04:00

Things are getting back to normal. I am home and today I got out of bed at 6 instead of 4 (jet lag), Carlos Beltran is the beast we know and love, and the Mets won a crazy ass game 7-6 against the NL Wild Card leader Padres.

Some things are still out of whack: Johnny Maine not even lasting 6 innings and giving up 3 runs. Billy Wagner giving me indigestion (while this is not uncommon, it is out of whack). Women fighting hand to hand combat in politics. Going to bed last night before Sportscenter.

I guess all a girl can do is watch, wait, hope, and try to stay up later.

What I find interesting about last night's game is the players (other than Carlos B), who made stuff happen. Names we didn't hear in April and May - Lastings Milledge (ok, there was the bad rap record...), Luis Castillo, Marion Anderson, and Mike DiFelice. All of these players were clutch and all of them are new. It's a testament to the talent of these guys, the team, the coaches, and Omar.

The next week or so will test 'em for sure - SD, LA, Philly and Atlanta. But it's all good.

It's All Good

2007-08-14T03:49:00.000-04:00

Good news ... found bag. Better news... Mets beat the Marlins. None of my stuff appears to be missing and the Mets bats are coming along as good as my tan - which is quite nice now.

Off to Pittsburgh without a catcher. I believe we can beat them. DeFelice almost not making the game is like a flashback to 1986 when so many players would get throw out, they would rotate the pitcher.

Times change, but crazy crap still happens.

Lost

2007-08-11T17:06:00.000-04:00

I'm making this quick... in Barcelona, Alitalia lost my bags somewhere between Milan and here. The Mets have lost 2. Blogger is in Spanish. Lost, lost, lost.

Now the good news, which I am much more focused on... the sun, my favorite beach in the whole world in Stiges, and Carlos B is back.

Going to the Alitlia website now to track my lost Dolce and Gabana skirt. Besos.

Tight, but it Fits

2007-08-09T07:54:00.000-04:00

Tight. Last night we eeked out a 4-3 win against the nefarious Braves. It's still a win, so I am going to focus on that. I am not going to micromanage the situation, a la an insecure politician. Instead, I am going to focus on El Duque's good pitching, nice bats from the new boy and Shawn Green's 4 for 4 night... nice! I don't think I didn't want to mention Billy Wagner here, as it will just ruin the groove. But man, that guy makes me more nervous than a truss bridge.

They've just got to keep it up. After all, Mets fans are lucky these days, right?

I leave today for sunny, beautiful Barcelona, where there is a lot of technology, so it may be possible to both keep up with the Mets AND maybe even blog about it.

Now That Hurt!

2007-08-08T07:20:00.000-04:00

I tried to write last night, but the pain was just too great. A tough one. A spanking. Worse than being Mike Gravel, left out of last night's Presidential debate. 7-3 loss to the Braves.

I'm blaming this on my upcoming vacation, which starts tomorrow. A lack of focus by the Mets, a lack of focus by me.

I'm trying to keep it together.... to not let the pessimism, the weight of the years of losses pile up and blind me to a couple of things.

1. We've stayed in first place all season. This does not happen to crappy teams. This happens to teams that have a shot at the playoffs.

2. We have been ravaged by injuries by our first string of players and we have still managed #1.

3. We have some amazing talent and I have to believe in it. But more importantly, they need to believe in themselves.

I guess all this madness comes from being so close, yet so far. Yes, we are in first place, but our lead just shrunk by a game, something we could ill afford. When you're ahead, anything that chips away at that lead, that threatens it, hurts more than never being there in the first place.

Sigh. It's gonna be ok. We'll both be back. The Mets before me, I hope.

Shaken, Not Stirred

2007-08-05T22:07:00.000-04:00

I just got home from the music festival and am beyond wiped out. It's the top of the 6th and Tom Terrific is closing in on 300. I am closing in on sleep. I may have to go to bed before I can witness the magic.

And while I am thrilled for Tommy G and I am soo happy he is a Met today, I just remember that he once was one of the banes of our existence. Bygones. He stayed with us, so he is now one of us. Trying to be loyal, despite what politics has tried to do to me.

But quickly... the Jose/Luis cocktail is a lethal one if mixed just right. And tonight, a double base steal is shaken, not stirred. Just like I like it.

Double Time

2007-08-05T09:12:00.000-04:00

I know this is a big baseball weekend... Barry, A-Rod (Who I must give props to... I am no Yankees fan, but A-Rod is an exceptionally talented ballplayer and I have to give him that. And normally I wouldn't, but c'mon. Youngest player to hit 500? Impressive.)

Mr. Viagra's next shot at 300 is also happening today. And the Mets are again on national TV. But where I am? Not watching baseball.... I have been at the Virgin Music Festival in Baltimore. The hightlight was yesterday when I was wearing both a Mets hat and a Mets backpack, I had two guys come up behind me and furiously fanning me in the 90 degree stickiness while yelling, "We love it, double time." Mets fan are everywhere.

Very awesome and much less upsetting than Johnny Maine's meltdown yesterday. Look, he's young. Yesterday is a reminder that our typically stoic, extremely talented 25 year old pitcher has as much experience pitching as some of the peeps running for President have in public service.

Just sayin'....

Guess Who I Think I Saw?

2007-08-03T07:46:00.000-04:00

No, it's not the ghost of FDR or anything like that. It's the New York Mets. The top of the NL East NY Mets, the team with the best record in the National League. They played yesterday and I don't think I've seen them since maybe May, before I went to Italy.

Nice to see you guys, I missed you. 12-4 against the Brewers. Hey, I remember you. Some of you guys are missing, but you are just like those guys from the spring.... You are fast, you pitch well and most important, you score.

Willie said it, “Scoring early and adding on, that’s the key.”

Welcome back.

Tommy G, the Actor

2007-08-02T07:29:00.000-04:00

Just poking around this morning and stumbled on this very funny ages old advert starring Tommy G. Check it out.

Thanks to Mets Grrrl for posting.

Ouch!

2007-08-01T23:05:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it hurts to watch Billy Wagner. I realize the numbers are on his side. The guy is probably one of the best closers around, with something like a 1.39 ERA. But sometimes watching him is like watching Russian Roulette scene in Deerhunter - ouch! And tonight when the tying run came onto the plate, I kinda felt like when Christopher Walken has the gun in his mouth.

In the end, it was all ok. Oli continues to be a beast. 11 strikeouts. Hot. 8-5 win hot.

Hurry Up and Wait

2007-08-01T07:00:00.001-04:00

Poor Mr. Viagra... no win last night. The relievers bringing no relief to anyone. Maybe Gange and Cordero look more worth it after the haze of last night's 13th inning loss? Maybe. We'll probably see one of them in the postseason (or at least a girl can hope). But ya can't go back to yesterday at 3:59, can you? Three games ain't much. But it's where we are today. I don't love it, it's not August 2006 but I still believe.