Here is my thought of the day courtesy of a IM conversation between Larry and I:
Coops7 [3:11 P.M.]: ok..so here is what i was going to blog about today. why wouldn't the NFL make the playoff seeding based on records rather than the division winners and wild card games. instead of having 2 games with meaning this weekend, there would be at least 8. The Giants would be playing for a home game this weekend. The Jags would be playing for a home game against pittsburgh rather than traveling to pitts again in the middle of january when they just smoked them there 2 weeks ago.
Coops7 [3:11 P.M.]: it makes no sense to me
lawrenceG22 [3:11 P.M.]: the nba and nhl do it
Coops7 [3:11 P.M.]: I was actually going to write PK about this
lawrenceG22 [3:12 P.M.]: u can seed by division and wild card - but the home team should have the best record
Coops7 [3:12 P.M.]: fine, i would even do that. All I know is that the Jags are the 3rd best team in the AFC and are seeded 5th
Coops7 [3:13 P.M.]: and it would all but eliminate the "resting guys" mumbo jumbo
lawrenceG22 [3:13 P.M.]: its an extremely valid point
Coops7 [3:13 P.M.]: yet one that is hardly brought up this week
lawrenceG22 [3:14 P.M.]: hardly - i thought about and didn't speak to anyone about it
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The New York Football Giants
OK. Let's be honest, all I want for Christmas, if I celebrated it, is a playoff victory from the Giants! After 2 seasons of making the playoffs and then bowing out in the first game (the Panthers game is one I will never forget), how nice would it be to win a playoff game in a season most predicted a last place finish?
How about that game today!?!?!?!
What is such a gross shame is that none of this O-line was voted to the pro-bowl this week. They did such a great f*cking job today opening up holes all over the line for the 2 backs to run through. I mean that Bradshaw (more on him in a moment) run was all the Oline. Jacobs long run was all from a great block. This line had the 2nd best average yards per game in the NFC coming into today (the Vikes lead the NFL) and all they did today was ring up 291 on the ground and raise that average to nearly 139. 139 yards per game on the ground folks...you can give me all the complaints you want about Eli but give me 139/rpg and the most sacks in football and lets go to war in the playoffs against this weak NFC.
7 straight road wins. Seven! I mean what team wins 7 on the road and just 3 at home? Oh, right. The New York Giants!
Let me clear one thing up now, and this is mostly for the fellas with tickets. I will be there on Saturday around noon. Danny is booked to come in as well. This will be his 10th game of this season, ALL ON THE ROAD. I fully expect each and everyone of you who call yourself Giants fans to be there along side of us. Whether it is rain or snow or whatever. Sure the Pats are 15-0. Sure the game will mean very little or maybe even nothing to the Giants. But this is what makes us the season ticket holders. When many of you (and I won't name names right now) decided not to come to the last game, your dedication was questioned. To not show up and celebrate the 2007 season, cheer them into the playoffs and of course have one last great tailgate with your extended family, will answers those questions. So many times we have heard that Giants Stadium is not an intimidating place to come play. Do you want to continue to be part of that problem?
OK, a couple of other notes:
- Bradshaw! Finally, the kid is unleashed. Great speed. Nice moves. Do we let Ward walk and make this tandem the 2008 backfield?
- Toomer. What a true professional. What a career. What a bounce back from last week. I can't say enough about Toomer.
- Congrats TC. 10 wins! Who would've thought that was possible. (except for Larry)
- Spags. Can we say enough about him either? I think Strahan may just sign on again just because of him. Best move of the off season by far.
- Kavika! Seriously, I remember the day we signed him. Larry and I were like "OK, nice signing" in hopes of more to come. Nothing more came. Look at them now.
- The Pro-bowl. Let me get this straight...baseball votes at the half-way mark for the all star game, so basically does the NBA and the NHL. Why does the NFL vote with 2 games to play? I mean I get that the actual pro-bowl game means nothing but why not just wait until the end of the year and vote? I seriously don't get this at all. It's like whatever you do in the last 2 games means nothing? You could carry your team into the playoffs single handed in the last 2 weeks and that would be meaningless in the pro-bowl voting. Just a weird system.
OK, that's it for now.
For everyone reading this...I hope you and your families have a very Merry Christmas, had a very Happy Chanukah and have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!
How about that game today!?!?!?!
What is such a gross shame is that none of this O-line was voted to the pro-bowl this week. They did such a great f*cking job today opening up holes all over the line for the 2 backs to run through. I mean that Bradshaw (more on him in a moment) run was all the Oline. Jacobs long run was all from a great block. This line had the 2nd best average yards per game in the NFC coming into today (the Vikes lead the NFL) and all they did today was ring up 291 on the ground and raise that average to nearly 139. 139 yards per game on the ground folks...you can give me all the complaints you want about Eli but give me 139/rpg and the most sacks in football and lets go to war in the playoffs against this weak NFC.
7 straight road wins. Seven! I mean what team wins 7 on the road and just 3 at home? Oh, right. The New York Giants!
Let me clear one thing up now, and this is mostly for the fellas with tickets. I will be there on Saturday around noon. Danny is booked to come in as well. This will be his 10th game of this season, ALL ON THE ROAD. I fully expect each and everyone of you who call yourself Giants fans to be there along side of us. Whether it is rain or snow or whatever. Sure the Pats are 15-0. Sure the game will mean very little or maybe even nothing to the Giants. But this is what makes us the season ticket holders. When many of you (and I won't name names right now) decided not to come to the last game, your dedication was questioned. To not show up and celebrate the 2007 season, cheer them into the playoffs and of course have one last great tailgate with your extended family, will answers those questions. So many times we have heard that Giants Stadium is not an intimidating place to come play. Do you want to continue to be part of that problem?
OK, a couple of other notes:
- Bradshaw! Finally, the kid is unleashed. Great speed. Nice moves. Do we let Ward walk and make this tandem the 2008 backfield?
- Toomer. What a true professional. What a career. What a bounce back from last week. I can't say enough about Toomer.
- Congrats TC. 10 wins! Who would've thought that was possible. (except for Larry)
- Spags. Can we say enough about him either? I think Strahan may just sign on again just because of him. Best move of the off season by far.
- Kavika! Seriously, I remember the day we signed him. Larry and I were like "OK, nice signing" in hopes of more to come. Nothing more came. Look at them now.
- The Pro-bowl. Let me get this straight...baseball votes at the half-way mark for the all star game, so basically does the NBA and the NHL. Why does the NFL vote with 2 games to play? I mean I get that the actual pro-bowl game means nothing but why not just wait until the end of the year and vote? I seriously don't get this at all. It's like whatever you do in the last 2 games means nothing? You could carry your team into the playoffs single handed in the last 2 weeks and that would be meaningless in the pro-bowl voting. Just a weird system.
OK, that's it for now.
For everyone reading this...I hope you and your families have a very Merry Christmas, had a very Happy Chanukah and have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
The Return
New York Sports in the Holiday Season
After a few month hiatus, I have decided to make a long overdue return performance in lieu of all the sports fun over the past few days and weeks.
It's been exactly 9 weeks since my last real posting. The day after the debacle that ended the collapse. I tried to keep it going the week after with some half hearted Giants blogging but I really just needed a break.
In the past few weeks, I have started to get many requests for a blog update, so with that, I give you Cooper's team-by-team thoughts on the the NY Sports Scene....
Let's start it off with the pigskin.
The New York Giants
Say what you want about Eli, we are 9-4. NINE and four. Go back to the "experts" picks prior to this season and show me anyone who had them in the playoffs, let alone tied for the 3rd best record in the conference and 5th best in all of the NFL.
Let me stop here for a second and tell you all that my good friend Larry Goldberg picked the Giants to go 11-5. He picked this VERY early in the offseason and stuck with it through everything. He swore by the schedule and especially by the run game, by Reese, by Eli and by one Brandon Jacobs. And while he may have been off about Jacobs' season yardage, NOBODY knew that Derrick Ward would emerge as such a force during the season or that BJ would be such a, um, well, ya know, his prediction looks pretty damn good right now. Hats off my friend. I never doubted ya for a second. OK, that is a lie. I told him he was crazy about 50 times and after we started off 0-2, let's just say I was talking to Larry a lot in a not so complimentary way.
Anyway, we are 9-4. In a way, I already feel like people will look at this season and say if we don't win a playoff game, it's a failure. But those are the same people that had Coughlin fired after the Tiki retirement game in Philly and were bashing Reese all offseason for not doing enough (just checking but can is the left tackle still a problem? Is Kavika Mitchell a crappy LB signing? Were you not disappointed to lose Kiwanukah for the year? How's Luke doing down there in Tampa?). The reality is we have won 6 road games in a row (The first Giants team since 1962 to do that) and will go on the road in the playoffs for the second straight season. If we go to Tampa (say hi to Luke) and win, people will say great! Eli got is first win, he is finally on his way. If we lose, they will want Coughlin fired and call for Eli's head yet again and call the season a failire. We are now going to be expected to win on the road in the playoffs and that, for me, is never a good position to be in. That said, it's been a helluva season to date and with two 8:00 home games left, a lot of cold weather ahead of us.
A few comments on yesterday's game...
Anyone out there that thinks this is a better team on the field without Tiki is not watching the same games I am. Jacobs really needs a lesson on holding onto the damn ball (ditto D. Ward last week). Can't TC give them the same speech he gave Tiki when he came to town? It's definitely a closer and more complete team without Tiki in the locker room but on the field...no way!
How bout that Kavika Mitchell?!
Gutsy performance by Pierce. Really played like a GIANT.
Plaxico is a special player. Really didn't think he had that kinda game in him.
2 games in a row Coughlin has given the ball back to the other team with under 2 minutes to play and both times the defense has won the game. Hats off to Spags and his boys for doing so.
THAT SAID. What is with the pansy ass play calling on offense late in these 2 games?!?! Get the ball back with just under 2 minutes to play and run BJ 3 times for 9 yards and punt so the Eagles get a chance against 2 rookies safties and the moronic prevent D. Great playcalling Gilbride.
We got very lucky that goal post was there, didn't we?
The New York Jets
I really don't have much to say here.
Maybe just a few questions
Is he a Man or a Mangenius? Just wanted to make sure.
Was Thomas Jones still a great trade?
Is it me or are all Jets number 1 picks since like 2002 busts?
Will this team show up next week with any pride for their coach or will they be a part of ass kicking history?
Onto the Hot Stove...(I will try to keep it short)
THE New York Mets
Milledge: I have had a lot of time to think about this one and while I think it made us a better team for 2008, I was an LMillz fan and will really regret giving him up if he finally matures in Washington. That said, putting Lastings Milledge in the same outfield as Eiljah Dukes could go down as one of the all time greatest or all time craziest calls in recent baseball history.
Schneider & Church: Schneider will become a fan favorite. He is a just a baseball player. He will knock in as many runs in key spots as LoDuca has and will play MUCH better defense. Will he knock the ball off the end of his bat into the OF for singles all the time? No. He will ground into more DPs than you and I will like but he will be a positive. (Estrada will not be on the team by the way..he will be non-tendered). Here is my statement about Ryan Church. He is a younger, slightly more athletic Shawn Green. And not the Shawn Green of the 01 & 02 Dodgers but rather the Shawn Green of last season. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so but I do think we need another bat somewhere on this club.
Essentially Church replaces Green which is a wash. Schneider replaces LoDuca. An offensive downgrade (depending on how much PT Castro gets) but a defensive upgrade. The rest of the team is the same exact thing (Wright, Reyes, Castillo & Delgado in the IF, Alou, Beltran in the OF. Marlon, Easley, Gotay, Chavez and Castro are the bench). I think they need a right handed 1B/OF who has some pop that can play against lefties in place of Church and can back up Delgado/Alou when they are out injured (sorry, it's happening). Really wish I had someone to throw out to you guys that I like who is a free agent but I just don't. Maybe they give Gomez the chance in the OF? I don't see him developing enough as a hitter to carry that much of a load yet. Speaking of Gomez....
Johan?!?! Not sure if I believe what I have been reading but if we have to give up 5-6 young guys to bring him in, I do it in a heart beat. He would instantly make us the team to beat in the NL (damn does the NL suck compared to the AL these days!) for years to come. I don't want to get carried away about this cause these rumors can make you crazy.
So far Omar gets a C. Much work to do.
New York Yankees
They have spent FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS on the following 5 players (age in parentheses): Alex Rodriguez (32), Jorge Posada (36), Mariano Rivera (38), Andy Pettitte (35) and Bobby Abreu (34). In every single one of these deals, the Yankees bid against no other team. Yes, there were rumors that the Mets wanted Jorge but aside from that, no bid was made or allowed to be made on these 5 players. Yet, this team decided to commit $400 million on their own players who haven't won a playoff series since 2004.
So clearly, from this spending behavior and age of the players, you would think this club is a "win now" team, right? Well, ya see, they have this new owner named Hank and oh boy is he a hoot. Hank decided to give the $400 million but now is listening to Brian Cashman and holding on to his 3 pitching prospects instead of going out and getting a 29-year old Johan Santana, the best pitcher on the planet.
The Yankees are about to sign Latroy Hawkins to replace the departed Jose Vizcaino and this is what Cash calls rebuilding the pen.
Who the hell knows what is going on in the Bronx. All I know is they did a great job getting these kids hyped up enough to become big names and now they won't use them to go get the biggest name of them all. Weird team these days.
The other sports..
New York Rangers
GREAT OT win today against the Devils! Shanny!! The King really is fun. Too bad Goldberg and I went on Monday and sat in row A and they got shutout and Henrick looked like crap. Today was a good one. Marty is still amazing but we are 4-0 against them this year. That is great.
New York Knicks
I don't know anything about this sport at all but I do read the papers and this team makes the Jets look like winners. Isiah makes Herm Edwards look like a great coach. James Dolan makes Al Davis look like a genius owner. I feel bad for you Knicks fans out there.
College football
I have been bashing this minor league sport for years so it does feel like a bit triumphant when a season like this one rolls around. Calling a team "National Champions" this season goes beyond comical into a whole new stratosphere of stupidity. Everyone sucks! They can make up 30 stupid bowl game names and give all the money they want to these schools for making it to these bowls but this sport will always be sham until they create some type of playoff format.
OK..that is all I got for you guys...
It's good to be back!
After a few month hiatus, I have decided to make a long overdue return performance in lieu of all the sports fun over the past few days and weeks.
It's been exactly 9 weeks since my last real posting. The day after the debacle that ended the collapse. I tried to keep it going the week after with some half hearted Giants blogging but I really just needed a break.
In the past few weeks, I have started to get many requests for a blog update, so with that, I give you Cooper's team-by-team thoughts on the the NY Sports Scene....
Let's start it off with the pigskin.
The New York Giants
Say what you want about Eli, we are 9-4. NINE and four. Go back to the "experts" picks prior to this season and show me anyone who had them in the playoffs, let alone tied for the 3rd best record in the conference and 5th best in all of the NFL.
Let me stop here for a second and tell you all that my good friend Larry Goldberg picked the Giants to go 11-5. He picked this VERY early in the offseason and stuck with it through everything. He swore by the schedule and especially by the run game, by Reese, by Eli and by one Brandon Jacobs. And while he may have been off about Jacobs' season yardage, NOBODY knew that Derrick Ward would emerge as such a force during the season or that BJ would be such a, um, well, ya know, his prediction looks pretty damn good right now. Hats off my friend. I never doubted ya for a second. OK, that is a lie. I told him he was crazy about 50 times and after we started off 0-2, let's just say I was talking to Larry a lot in a not so complimentary way.
Anyway, we are 9-4. In a way, I already feel like people will look at this season and say if we don't win a playoff game, it's a failure. But those are the same people that had Coughlin fired after the Tiki retirement game in Philly and were bashing Reese all offseason for not doing enough (just checking but can is the left tackle still a problem? Is Kavika Mitchell a crappy LB signing? Were you not disappointed to lose Kiwanukah for the year? How's Luke doing down there in Tampa?). The reality is we have won 6 road games in a row (The first Giants team since 1962 to do that) and will go on the road in the playoffs for the second straight season. If we go to Tampa (say hi to Luke) and win, people will say great! Eli got is first win, he is finally on his way. If we lose, they will want Coughlin fired and call for Eli's head yet again and call the season a failire. We are now going to be expected to win on the road in the playoffs and that, for me, is never a good position to be in. That said, it's been a helluva season to date and with two 8:00 home games left, a lot of cold weather ahead of us.
A few comments on yesterday's game...
Anyone out there that thinks this is a better team on the field without Tiki is not watching the same games I am. Jacobs really needs a lesson on holding onto the damn ball (ditto D. Ward last week). Can't TC give them the same speech he gave Tiki when he came to town? It's definitely a closer and more complete team without Tiki in the locker room but on the field...no way!
How bout that Kavika Mitchell?!
Gutsy performance by Pierce. Really played like a GIANT.
Plaxico is a special player. Really didn't think he had that kinda game in him.
2 games in a row Coughlin has given the ball back to the other team with under 2 minutes to play and both times the defense has won the game. Hats off to Spags and his boys for doing so.
THAT SAID. What is with the pansy ass play calling on offense late in these 2 games?!?! Get the ball back with just under 2 minutes to play and run BJ 3 times for 9 yards and punt so the Eagles get a chance against 2 rookies safties and the moronic prevent D. Great playcalling Gilbride.
We got very lucky that goal post was there, didn't we?
The New York Jets
I really don't have much to say here.
Maybe just a few questions
Is he a Man or a Mangenius? Just wanted to make sure.
Was Thomas Jones still a great trade?
Is it me or are all Jets number 1 picks since like 2002 busts?
Will this team show up next week with any pride for their coach or will they be a part of ass kicking history?
Onto the Hot Stove...(I will try to keep it short)
THE New York Mets
Milledge: I have had a lot of time to think about this one and while I think it made us a better team for 2008, I was an LMillz fan and will really regret giving him up if he finally matures in Washington. That said, putting Lastings Milledge in the same outfield as Eiljah Dukes could go down as one of the all time greatest or all time craziest calls in recent baseball history.
Schneider & Church: Schneider will become a fan favorite. He is a just a baseball player. He will knock in as many runs in key spots as LoDuca has and will play MUCH better defense. Will he knock the ball off the end of his bat into the OF for singles all the time? No. He will ground into more DPs than you and I will like but he will be a positive. (Estrada will not be on the team by the way..he will be non-tendered). Here is my statement about Ryan Church. He is a younger, slightly more athletic Shawn Green. And not the Shawn Green of the 01 & 02 Dodgers but rather the Shawn Green of last season. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so but I do think we need another bat somewhere on this club.
Essentially Church replaces Green which is a wash. Schneider replaces LoDuca. An offensive downgrade (depending on how much PT Castro gets) but a defensive upgrade. The rest of the team is the same exact thing (Wright, Reyes, Castillo & Delgado in the IF, Alou, Beltran in the OF. Marlon, Easley, Gotay, Chavez and Castro are the bench). I think they need a right handed 1B/OF who has some pop that can play against lefties in place of Church and can back up Delgado/Alou when they are out injured (sorry, it's happening). Really wish I had someone to throw out to you guys that I like who is a free agent but I just don't. Maybe they give Gomez the chance in the OF? I don't see him developing enough as a hitter to carry that much of a load yet. Speaking of Gomez....
Johan?!?! Not sure if I believe what I have been reading but if we have to give up 5-6 young guys to bring him in, I do it in a heart beat. He would instantly make us the team to beat in the NL (damn does the NL suck compared to the AL these days!) for years to come. I don't want to get carried away about this cause these rumors can make you crazy.
So far Omar gets a C. Much work to do.
New York Yankees
They have spent FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS on the following 5 players (age in parentheses): Alex Rodriguez (32), Jorge Posada (36), Mariano Rivera (38), Andy Pettitte (35) and Bobby Abreu (34). In every single one of these deals, the Yankees bid against no other team. Yes, there were rumors that the Mets wanted Jorge but aside from that, no bid was made or allowed to be made on these 5 players. Yet, this team decided to commit $400 million on their own players who haven't won a playoff series since 2004.
So clearly, from this spending behavior and age of the players, you would think this club is a "win now" team, right? Well, ya see, they have this new owner named Hank and oh boy is he a hoot. Hank decided to give the $400 million but now is listening to Brian Cashman and holding on to his 3 pitching prospects instead of going out and getting a 29-year old Johan Santana, the best pitcher on the planet.
The Yankees are about to sign Latroy Hawkins to replace the departed Jose Vizcaino and this is what Cash calls rebuilding the pen.
Who the hell knows what is going on in the Bronx. All I know is they did a great job getting these kids hyped up enough to become big names and now they won't use them to go get the biggest name of them all. Weird team these days.
The other sports..
New York Rangers
GREAT OT win today against the Devils! Shanny!! The King really is fun. Too bad Goldberg and I went on Monday and sat in row A and they got shutout and Henrick looked like crap. Today was a good one. Marty is still amazing but we are 4-0 against them this year. That is great.
New York Knicks
I don't know anything about this sport at all but I do read the papers and this team makes the Jets look like winners. Isiah makes Herm Edwards look like a great coach. James Dolan makes Al Davis look like a genius owner. I feel bad for you Knicks fans out there.
College football
I have been bashing this minor league sport for years so it does feel like a bit triumphant when a season like this one rolls around. Calling a team "National Champions" this season goes beyond comical into a whole new stratosphere of stupidity. Everyone sucks! They can make up 30 stupid bowl game names and give all the money they want to these schools for making it to these bowls but this sport will always be sham until they create some type of playoff format.
OK..that is all I got for you guys...
It's good to be back!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Congratulations Jason & Val!
For those who actually still check this blog these days and didn't hear the big news.
Fink and Val got engaged this past weekend!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Fink and Val got engaged this past weekend!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Monday, October 08, 2007
It's the sport of kings...better the diamond rings
Football....
At half time, the ramp was packed full of angry Giants. Jerry, Danny and I met in our usual spot and all 3 of us had very annoyed looks on our faces.
We were losing to the freakin Jets! Eli Manning had a 0.0 rating and was 3 of 10 for 22 yards and an pick. Plex had no catches. Jacobs fumbled.
The feel good of last week's thumping of the Eagles had worn off and we were looking at the prospect of losing to the Green guys for the first time since 1993.
Would TC respond? Or would we start hearing about his job security again?
Then the 2nd half began. First series. 6 plays. 80 yards. 5 of those plays on the groud with the ridiculously large Brandon Jacobs taking it to pay dirt to cut the lead to 3. Leon Washington, the Jets only exciting player, than returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score to push the lead back to 10.
Then a few punts. Then the Giants had the ball back. 9 plays and 68 yards later, Jeremy Shockey (welcome to 2007) romped into the endzone and it was back to a 3 point game.
And then a star was born. Pennington drove the ball down the field. Throws into the end zone to Cotchery...PICK OFF AARON ROSS. Get used to that name folks.
Giants get the ball at the 2. They go 98 YARDS!! Plax to pay dirt on a ridiculous stiff arm. Giants lead 28-24!!
And then.....AARON ROSS AGAIN! This one on a duck from Chad. Aaron takes it in the end zone and the celebration was off.
Manning was 10 for 15 for 164 and 2 Tds in the 2nd half. Plex has five grabs for 124 yards, all in the 2nd half. Jacobs had 20 carries and his first 100 yard game. Evem Ward added 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts. (Can someone name this tandem something? Like maybe REALLY BIG THUNDER and Lighting?) And most important, Aaron Ross had 2 HUGE interceptions and we FINALLY may have a lock down corner.
A few more Giants points before we move on...
1. Just so i'm clear, Can David Diehl play LT in this league?
2. Is Mathias Kiwanuka a problem playing LB?
3. Do we miss Tiki Barber and his locker room diatribes?
4. Does everyone want to fire Reese?
3-2 with the Falcons, 49ers and Fins up before the bye.
Non-football quick hits...
1. Is the Phillies next pep rally scheduled at City Hall today? Seriously, how has there not been more made about this? They had a freakin quasi-parade for winning the division BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS STARTED!
2. JOBA! JOBA! Oops sorry, wrong blog.
3. Ubaldo Jiminez and Manny Corpas!! Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez!! Rockies!! D-backs!! Your 2007 National League Championship series, next on TBS!!
4. OK, some quick yankees. How does Torre bring in Joba in a 8-3 game last night?!? Did he not realize they were up 5 runs and play again today? Likewise, how does he bring in Rivera on Friday in the 9th of a tie game to face the bottom of the order rather than bring in Vizcaino in the 9th to face 7-8-9 and then have Mo for an actual save opportunity in the 10th or 11th or whenever? Did he think he was at Yankees Stadium? Seriously, what Steinbrenner announced is just not cool but can you really blame him? Torre is making Willie look like a smart man.
5. Avery out for a up to a month, rough start to the season, Rangers.
I will be back later with a review of this past sunday's tailgate.
At half time, the ramp was packed full of angry Giants. Jerry, Danny and I met in our usual spot and all 3 of us had very annoyed looks on our faces.
We were losing to the freakin Jets! Eli Manning had a 0.0 rating and was 3 of 10 for 22 yards and an pick. Plex had no catches. Jacobs fumbled.
The feel good of last week's thumping of the Eagles had worn off and we were looking at the prospect of losing to the Green guys for the first time since 1993.
Would TC respond? Or would we start hearing about his job security again?
Then the 2nd half began. First series. 6 plays. 80 yards. 5 of those plays on the groud with the ridiculously large Brandon Jacobs taking it to pay dirt to cut the lead to 3. Leon Washington, the Jets only exciting player, than returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score to push the lead back to 10.
Then a few punts. Then the Giants had the ball back. 9 plays and 68 yards later, Jeremy Shockey (welcome to 2007) romped into the endzone and it was back to a 3 point game.
And then a star was born. Pennington drove the ball down the field. Throws into the end zone to Cotchery...PICK OFF AARON ROSS. Get used to that name folks.
Giants get the ball at the 2. They go 98 YARDS!! Plax to pay dirt on a ridiculous stiff arm. Giants lead 28-24!!
And then.....AARON ROSS AGAIN! This one on a duck from Chad. Aaron takes it in the end zone and the celebration was off.
Manning was 10 for 15 for 164 and 2 Tds in the 2nd half. Plex has five grabs for 124 yards, all in the 2nd half. Jacobs had 20 carries and his first 100 yard game. Evem Ward added 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts. (Can someone name this tandem something? Like maybe REALLY BIG THUNDER and Lighting?) And most important, Aaron Ross had 2 HUGE interceptions and we FINALLY may have a lock down corner.
A few more Giants points before we move on...
1. Just so i'm clear, Can David Diehl play LT in this league?
2. Is Mathias Kiwanuka a problem playing LB?
3. Do we miss Tiki Barber and his locker room diatribes?
4. Does everyone want to fire Reese?
3-2 with the Falcons, 49ers and Fins up before the bye.
Non-football quick hits...
1. Is the Phillies next pep rally scheduled at City Hall today? Seriously, how has there not been more made about this? They had a freakin quasi-parade for winning the division BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS STARTED!
2. JOBA! JOBA! Oops sorry, wrong blog.
3. Ubaldo Jiminez and Manny Corpas!! Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez!! Rockies!! D-backs!! Your 2007 National League Championship series, next on TBS!!
4. OK, some quick yankees. How does Torre bring in Joba in a 8-3 game last night?!? Did he not realize they were up 5 runs and play again today? Likewise, how does he bring in Rivera on Friday in the 9th of a tie game to face the bottom of the order rather than bring in Vizcaino in the 9th to face 7-8-9 and then have Mo for an actual save opportunity in the 10th or 11th or whenever? Did he think he was at Yankees Stadium? Seriously, what Steinbrenner announced is just not cool but can you really blame him? Torre is making Willie look like a smart man.
5. Avery out for a up to a month, rough start to the season, Rangers.
I will be back later with a review of this past sunday's tailgate.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Last Night:
Kaz Matsui started the rally for Colorado in the bottom of the 13th with a leadoff double.....just saying
The End
My apologies for not getting this up sooner but Sunday was a long day and I needed yesterday to recover and gather my thoughts…
The first and most frequent question I received since Sunday was “Are you OK?”. I answered this in the most honest way possible. “Not yet. But I am not shocked”.
The retort has been something like this each time “Jeff, how are you not shocked, your team just went through one of the greatest collapses in sports history and you are one of the biggest fans of the Mets I have ever met!?
Let me explain…
I didn’t want to believe it, but the collapse didn’t start in September. It started in June. My friend Mark, a friend from college who I hadn’t spoken to in years prior to this season but has now become a good friend thanks to our shared loved for this franchise, had been telling me all year and my Dad had the same message. “This is not a good baseball team”.
I didn’t want to believe that. We were in first again. We held first place over the past 2 seasons more than any team in the game. We were robbed of a World Series appearance by Yadier Molina and the lucky Cards and we were going to show the world that we were back this year and ready to right our wrong.
We came out of the gate playing inspired baseball. Reyes and Beltran were killing the ball in April. Wright came out of his early season funk in May. John Maine was an early Cy Young favorite. And then June hit.
Read this sentence slowly. From June 1-September 30, the New York Mets were two games under .500.
Crazy, right?
So while blowing the 7 games with 17 to play and 1 game with 3 to play is truly devastating (yes Glavine, it’s devastating), this has been going on for 4 months.
After the games on May 31st we were 34-18. From then on they went 54-56.
Does that sound like a playoff team to you? It sure doesn’t sound like one to me. How could I be shocked when my team won more than 4 games in a row once?
Which brings me to my points about the ball club moving forward:
1) Omar deserves A LOT more heat than he is getting. The questions to fire Willie are warranted but it was Omar’s choice not to make any big free agent pitching signings. It was his choice to not bring back the Bradford’s and Oliver’s. It was his choice to trade away Owens, Lindstrom, Bell, Ring, Bannister, etc. It was his choice to bring in Schoenweiss, to re-sign Mota, to re-sign a 45-year old El Duque and a 48-year old Julio Franco. It was his choice to not help re-shuffle the bullpen during the season when it was painfully obvious that we were 2 arms short at least. It was his choice to fire Rick Down, (a Willie guy) and hire Rickey Henderson (a known slacker in the clubhouse). Etc etc.
I have been a HUGE Omar fan since the Day the Wilpon’s gave him the keys. But a 54-56 record is not just a reflection on the manager. It’s a reflection on the team overall and the man who built the team. It’s still In Omar We Trust but he has a very big offseason ahead of him.
For the record, I believe Willie should be back.
2)Quick hit on the free agents and what I think we need:
- Thanks for being a Met to: Tom Glavine, Paul Loduca, Jeff Conine, Damian Easley, Shawn Green, David Newhan, Brian Lawrence, Mike DiFelice, Sandy Alomar Jr., Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele. You can argue about LoDuca but I am not interested in a 35-year old catcher on the down side of his career who loses his temper way too often.
- Guys who will be back but we don’t really want: Duque (signed a 2-year deal), Mota (2-years), Schoenweiss (3 years), Wagner.
- Possibly on the move: Milledge, Heilman, Pelfrey, Gomez.
- Questions: Castillo, Alou, Marlon (being him back)
3) Things that need to be addressed:
- I still think, as I have all year and most of last year that we need a #2 hitter. I know Reyes had an awful September but slumps are part of baseball and he is far from our problem. I liked Castillo’s fit on this club but the guy is a singles hitter who bunts 40% of the time. I know some people want Castillo back and I would be fine with him as the #8 hitter but we must get an impact player to bat second next season. This team could score 75 more runs next season with a capable bat in the 2 hole.
- The starting rotation: Pedro, Maine (playing all 2nd half with a hip injury that requires surgery makes me love this guy even more. What a game on Saturday) and Ollie are locks to start the season. Pelfrey went 3-1 in the 2nd half after a ridiculous 0-7 first half but he was still getting hit very hard. Opponents batted over .298 against him this year and .304 in the 2nd half. He has talent but harnessing that in NY is easier said then done. Not sure if he has a spot or not. Let’s be honest, we need a #1 starter. I know there are very few out there but this has to be on top of Omar’s to-do list.
- The bullpen. Do I need to say more?
It was a terrible ending to a very long season. It was both sad yet quite relaxing to go home yesterday and have no game to catch. I will watch the playoffs as I am a baseball fan at the core but it will be with very little emotion.
To end…I want to say a special thanks to the people who I spent the season with the most: My co-blogger Jason, my friends and co-workers Dani and Lynne for the nightly email chain. Mark (you were right buddy, they suck), Goldberg (although he’s a Yankees fan, he is also a great baseball fan who puts up with my daily Mets rants), the entire Giants tailgate and lastly to my Dad. For if not for my Dad, I would not be a Mets fan.
My Dad just had surgery on his knee last week. He was in the hospital recovering as we were finishing off the end of the collapse and I was calling him to update him on a regular basis. For those of you who know my father, he isn’t exactly the most optimistic fan. But ya see, he has a reason he is this way. He grew up in Brooklyn in the 30s and 40s and lived through season after season of heart break. He, like many other baseball fans of that generation naturally took on the Mets as their new team in 1962, 6 seasons after the Dodgers and Giants left town.
On Sunday, my Dad called after the game as I was in the parking lot readying for what was to be the best Giants game I can remember in a long time. We exchanged the same type of words each of you guys did with your loved ones and as the conversation ended, the only thing I could think of was the famous words of his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers…
Wait until next year….
Thanks to all for reading…please pass this along to any fans you know and I would love your comments.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Devestation
I will be back later with a full season review and thoughts on the biggest regular season collapse in baseball history.
At least Big Blue came through last night.
14 hours at Giants stadium. 1 season lost. 1 season re-born.
At least Big Blue came through last night.
14 hours at Giants stadium. 1 season lost. 1 season re-born.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
LETS GO METS
1 Game to play..what else is there to say really?
LETS WIN THIS THING
LETS GO METS
LETS GO METS
LETS GO METS
LETS WIN THIS THING
LETS GO METS
LETS GO METS
LETS GO METS
Friday, September 28, 2007
Amidst the baseball, a Stadium tour
The Cat pondered a lot of different topics for this week, and finally settled on the road trip. Where would you go to see your team play, or any team for that matter? What are the top stadiums? How much does Giants stadium suck in comparison?
So here goes – a list of a few, why I was there and what I have to say.
Gillette Field – New England Patriots -
Event attended – The Kenny Chesney Flip Flop tour. Summer 2007
Pros – EVERYTHING. This place was phenomenal. What a gorgeous facility. We were in a suite with leather chairs and food and air conditioning. I could only imagine catching a football game here. Bonus points for a great nickname – The Razor.
Cons – The traffic. One way in, one way out. It took us 50 minutes to get out of the lot.
Heinze Field – Pittsburgh Steelers Event Attended – Jets Steelers game. Fall 2001
Pros – Permanti Brothers – look them up if you are ever in Pitt. They put fries and cole slaw on 4 different sandwiches(roast beef, turkey, tuna or grilled chicken). Just brilliant. Also, when home team is in the Red Zone, the ketchup bottle on top of the scoreboard turns on its side and fills the scoreboard up in red. Pretty cool to see. Walking distance to downtown Pittsburgh for hotel access.
Cons – umm, your in Pittsburgh and the strip clubs suck. Dancers do table dances, not lap dances. I know its not about the stadium, but its important to know.
Reliant Stadium – Houston Texans. Event Attended – Texans Giants game. Fall 2002.
Pros – Carpeted club level. Luxury boxes 15 rows from the field. Sports bars in every corner. TV’s every where. State of the art is an understatement. Just Gorgeous. Additionally, the best looking cheerleaders, www.houstontexans.com/cheerleaders/2007Squad.asp
Cons – the giants lost the game to an expansion team 16-14 on a last second kick by kris brown. I have nothing more to add here.
Jacksonville Municapal Stadium – Jacksonvilel Jaguars – formerly Alltel stadium Event attended – Super Bowl – XXXIX – Pats vs Eagles
Pros – hmmm – hosts the annual World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party(Georgia-Florida). That’s it. I hated everything about it. Granted we sat up stairs and not in club seats, but it was just weird.
Cons – The stadium doesn’t connect on the top. So to go from one side to the other, you have to go down to the lower level and then back up. – Yuck
University of Phoenix Stadium – Arizona Cardinals Event attended – BCS Championship game – Gators/Buckeyes
Pros – WOW – WOW – WOW. The epitome of what a stadium should look and feel like. We sat 6 rows from the top and the view was perfect. Retractable roof. Field turf. Air conditioned. Perfect. Attached to an outdoor mall. Where there are bars and music playing.
Cons – I can’t think of one. I will look for one at next years Super bowl.
So there you have it. Feel free to add on and let me know where you have been.
Looking forward to the LINC(eagles), and I would love to get to Invesco field(Bronco’s)
So here goes – a list of a few, why I was there and what I have to say.
Gillette Field – New England Patriots -
Event attended – The Kenny Chesney Flip Flop tour. Summer 2007
Pros – EVERYTHING. This place was phenomenal. What a gorgeous facility. We were in a suite with leather chairs and food and air conditioning. I could only imagine catching a football game here. Bonus points for a great nickname – The Razor.
Cons – The traffic. One way in, one way out. It took us 50 minutes to get out of the lot.
Heinze Field – Pittsburgh Steelers Event Attended – Jets Steelers game. Fall 2001
Pros – Permanti Brothers – look them up if you are ever in Pitt. They put fries and cole slaw on 4 different sandwiches(roast beef, turkey, tuna or grilled chicken). Just brilliant. Also, when home team is in the Red Zone, the ketchup bottle on top of the scoreboard turns on its side and fills the scoreboard up in red. Pretty cool to see. Walking distance to downtown Pittsburgh for hotel access.
Cons – umm, your in Pittsburgh and the strip clubs suck. Dancers do table dances, not lap dances. I know its not about the stadium, but its important to know.
Reliant Stadium – Houston Texans. Event Attended – Texans Giants game. Fall 2002.
Pros – Carpeted club level. Luxury boxes 15 rows from the field. Sports bars in every corner. TV’s every where. State of the art is an understatement. Just Gorgeous. Additionally, the best looking cheerleaders, www.houstontexans.com/cheerleaders/2007Squad.asp
Cons – the giants lost the game to an expansion team 16-14 on a last second kick by kris brown. I have nothing more to add here.
Jacksonville Municapal Stadium – Jacksonvilel Jaguars – formerly Alltel stadium Event attended – Super Bowl – XXXIX – Pats vs Eagles
Pros – hmmm – hosts the annual World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party(Georgia-Florida). That’s it. I hated everything about it. Granted we sat up stairs and not in club seats, but it was just weird.
Cons – The stadium doesn’t connect on the top. So to go from one side to the other, you have to go down to the lower level and then back up. – Yuck
University of Phoenix Stadium – Arizona Cardinals Event attended – BCS Championship game – Gators/Buckeyes
Pros – WOW – WOW – WOW. The epitome of what a stadium should look and feel like. We sat 6 rows from the top and the view was perfect. Retractable roof. Field turf. Air conditioned. Perfect. Attached to an outdoor mall. Where there are bars and music playing.
Cons – I can’t think of one. I will look for one at next years Super bowl.
So there you have it. Feel free to add on and let me know where you have been.
Looking forward to the LINC(eagles), and I would love to get to Invesco field(Bronco’s)
The Wrong Side of History?
Not just yet. This season isn't over. It has really just begun! A fresh start!
Sure, i was standing beside myself last night as Cy Young, asa Joel Pineiro, proceeded to shut down this offense that has been red hot these past 2 weeks. I mean, it had to come to a close. We can't expect this offense to keep up that pace forever.
Pedro pitched a great game. 7 strong innings when the team needed it most but yes, he was outdone by an underachieving but talented kid who pitched the game of his life. It just may be that no matter who the cards put on the mound in a big spot against the mets they turn into the next coming of, well i have to say it, Jeff Suppan.
Let's move on. Put it in the past. A clean slate. A new day. A new dawn. It is now the start of the postseason as my obsessed colleague pointed out earlier. Hang in there Coop. The wheel may be wobbling but it hasn't fallen off yet!
Tonight the Mets begin the 1st of 3 one game playoffs. Oliver Perez takes the hill against the much maligned Byung Yung Kim. This matchup is in our favor. Perez has pitched rather well of late and if he can go 7 strong and this offense can put up a few runs, i have confidence that the pen will hold down the fort. I can't believe i just said confidence, but i did and i stand by it.
Reyes needs to get his head on straight and bring that energy back that this team so relies on. If he can get on early and make things happen this team will feed off of him and maybe, just maybe we can get some positive momentum.
Do whatever it takes for you to get in a positive mindset, for me it's the knowing that my compnay brings in lunch on friday's. Stay positive! Hang in there. It's playoff time!
LET'S GO METS!
Sure, i was standing beside myself last night as Cy Young, asa Joel Pineiro, proceeded to shut down this offense that has been red hot these past 2 weeks. I mean, it had to come to a close. We can't expect this offense to keep up that pace forever.
Pedro pitched a great game. 7 strong innings when the team needed it most but yes, he was outdone by an underachieving but talented kid who pitched the game of his life. It just may be that no matter who the cards put on the mound in a big spot against the mets they turn into the next coming of, well i have to say it, Jeff Suppan.
Let's move on. Put it in the past. A clean slate. A new day. A new dawn. It is now the start of the postseason as my obsessed colleague pointed out earlier. Hang in there Coop. The wheel may be wobbling but it hasn't fallen off yet!
Tonight the Mets begin the 1st of 3 one game playoffs. Oliver Perez takes the hill against the much maligned Byung Yung Kim. This matchup is in our favor. Perez has pitched rather well of late and if he can go 7 strong and this offense can put up a few runs, i have confidence that the pen will hold down the fort. I can't believe i just said confidence, but i did and i stand by it.
Reyes needs to get his head on straight and bring that energy back that this team so relies on. If he can get on early and make things happen this team will feed off of him and maybe, just maybe we can get some positive momentum.
Do whatever it takes for you to get in a positive mindset, for me it's the knowing that my compnay brings in lunch on friday's. Stay positive! Hang in there. It's playoff time!
LET'S GO METS!
The Playoffs Begin Tonight
What a crazy season.
What a sad ending so far.
What will happen over the weekend?
Well my friends..this is what we watch sports for...the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Unfortunately, we root for a baseball team that has been through a lot of agony.
Sadly, I keep thinking back to the 1998 season. I know the teams and situations aren't comparable as this epic collapse is record breaking and far more shocking, but I remember visiting Jayme up in Albany the final weekend of that 98 season and watching the final 3 games at her house. We faced the Braves (who else?) needing one win to force a 3-way wild card tie with the Astros and Giants. What is reminding me of this season is the way that team played to close it out. With 5 games to play, the were playing the Expos (see the similarities) and took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. But the infamous Armando Reynoso gave back those 3 runs in the 3rd and 2 more in the 6th and the Mets never won another game losing the next night to the Expos again and then 3 straight to the Braves over the weekend capped off with the great Greg Maddux beating Mr. Reynoso on the season's final day.
So you can probably see why blowing the 5-0 lead 2 nights ago with 5 games play started bringing back these sad moments in Mets history for me.
This club has little confidence right now, if any. Their savior pitched his ass off and they got 3 hits for him.
I will be in front of my TV tonight, tomorrow afternoon and live from Giants Stadium on Sunday rooting this team on.
Let's hope that they don't repeat that 1998 ending.
Root hard my friends.
The playoffs start tonight.
LETS GO METS!
What a sad ending so far.
What will happen over the weekend?
Well my friends..this is what we watch sports for...the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Unfortunately, we root for a baseball team that has been through a lot of agony.
Sadly, I keep thinking back to the 1998 season. I know the teams and situations aren't comparable as this epic collapse is record breaking and far more shocking, but I remember visiting Jayme up in Albany the final weekend of that 98 season and watching the final 3 games at her house. We faced the Braves (who else?) needing one win to force a 3-way wild card tie with the Astros and Giants. What is reminding me of this season is the way that team played to close it out. With 5 games to play, the were playing the Expos (see the similarities) and took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. But the infamous Armando Reynoso gave back those 3 runs in the 3rd and 2 more in the 6th and the Mets never won another game losing the next night to the Expos again and then 3 straight to the Braves over the weekend capped off with the great Greg Maddux beating Mr. Reynoso on the season's final day.
So you can probably see why blowing the 5-0 lead 2 nights ago with 5 games play started bringing back these sad moments in Mets history for me.
This club has little confidence right now, if any. Their savior pitched his ass off and they got 3 hits for him.
I will be in front of my TV tonight, tomorrow afternoon and live from Giants Stadium on Sunday rooting this team on.
Let's hope that they don't repeat that 1998 ending.
Root hard my friends.
The playoffs start tonight.
LETS GO METS!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Great posting from Metsblog.com
I don't know how many of you visit Matt Cerrone's wonderful site, metsblog.com, but I personally visit many times per day.
Matt and his team have put together one of the most successful sports blogs on the interweb today. He breaks stories, does great podcasts and has become a recognizable face out as Shea.
Earlier today Matt blogged under the Headline of: "You've got to keep fighting" and I felt it was so well done, I wanted to share it will all of you as we embark on the next 4 days...
(full post can be found here http://www.metsblog.com/2007/09/27/quote-youve-got-to-keep-fighting/)
…i will never give up on this team…i’m not a quitter…and i’m certainly not going to quit with this team in first place…i woke up this morning to a lot of comments and e-mails from fans who are basically quitting…it’s sad…i mean, that’s not what this fan base is about…i always thought we were about ‘hope’ through the final out, which is what we’ve done on so many occasions in the past…yes, the division could have been won weeks ago…i understand that…and it stinks that things have played out as they have…but, it is what it is…there are four games left, and, despite all the panic, the Mets control their fate…
…you can quit, or you can believe…it’s your choice…you can boo when the team takes the field tonight, or you can cheer them on…it’s your choice…
…personally, i just don’t understand why you’d want to boo, though, or why you’d choose to quit…what fun is that…we wait all winter for baseball season to start…well, here it is…it’s time to fight, and you wanna quit…what a shame…look, i’m freaking out, too…i can’t believe what i am watching, either…but, it…is…what…it…is…like it or not…again, if you wanna tune out, quit, and go hide in a corner while being negative…go for it…but, i’m sticking it out, for better or worse…like i have said before, there will be plenty of time to criticize in the off-season…at this point, with four games left, all i can do is believe and cheer this team on as best i can…that’s my plan…what’s yours…
Matt and his team have put together one of the most successful sports blogs on the interweb today. He breaks stories, does great podcasts and has become a recognizable face out as Shea.
Earlier today Matt blogged under the Headline of: "You've got to keep fighting" and I felt it was so well done, I wanted to share it will all of you as we embark on the next 4 days...
(full post can be found here http://www.metsblog.com/2007/09/27/quote-youve-got-to-keep-fighting/)
…i will never give up on this team…i’m not a quitter…and i’m certainly not going to quit with this team in first place…i woke up this morning to a lot of comments and e-mails from fans who are basically quitting…it’s sad…i mean, that’s not what this fan base is about…i always thought we were about ‘hope’ through the final out, which is what we’ve done on so many occasions in the past…yes, the division could have been won weeks ago…i understand that…and it stinks that things have played out as they have…but, it is what it is…there are four games left, and, despite all the panic, the Mets control their fate…
…you can quit, or you can believe…it’s your choice…you can boo when the team takes the field tonight, or you can cheer them on…it’s your choice…
…personally, i just don’t understand why you’d want to boo, though, or why you’d choose to quit…what fun is that…we wait all winter for baseball season to start…well, here it is…it’s time to fight, and you wanna quit…what a shame…look, i’m freaking out, too…i can’t believe what i am watching, either…but, it…is…what…it…is…like it or not…again, if you wanna tune out, quit, and go hide in a corner while being negative…go for it…but, i’m sticking it out, for better or worse…like i have said before, there will be plenty of time to criticize in the off-season…at this point, with four games left, all i can do is believe and cheer this team on as best i can…that’s my plan…what’s yours…
New Lyrics to Meet the Mets
(lyrics courtesy of Marc's friend Chris)
Beat the Mets, beat the Mets
Last place teams defeat the Mets
Hanging sliders, minor-league speed
Guaranteed to waste a seven run lead
Because the Met bullpen keeps fading away
October baseball won't be at Shea
Mota....Sosa
Every game is now in doubt
Can anyone who's on this staff
Get three men out?
Beat the Mets, beat the Mets
Last place teams defeat the Mets
Hanging sliders, minor-league speed
Guaranteed to waste a seven run lead
Because the Met bullpen keeps fading away
October baseball won't be at Shea
Mota....Sosa
Every game is now in doubt
Can anyone who's on this staff
Get three men out?
Oh What a Night!!! NY Baseball Team Clinches
What a night for NY baseball. Last night we clinched a playoff birth.
errrrr - i forgot, IOWT - IN OMAR WE TRUST - where is the bullpen?
in all seriousness, my friend's Jeff and Jay have started this blog and since then, its been all downhill. They deserve a playoff run. They deserve better.
Lets root for the home team. Go NY Baseball.
p.s - last year, the cardinals were under .500 in September. As of today, the Mets are 13-11.
errrrr - i forgot, IOWT - IN OMAR WE TRUST - where is the bullpen?
in all seriousness, my friend's Jeff and Jay have started this blog and since then, its been all downhill. They deserve a playoff run. They deserve better.
Lets root for the home team. Go NY Baseball.
p.s - last year, the cardinals were under .500 in September. As of today, the Mets are 13-11.
4 games left...
It's the same story it's been for the last 2 weeks. Mets come up big at the plate and small on the mound. Like clockwork, the Mets took a 5 run lead on the offensive juggernaut that is the Nats and proceeded to give it all back and then some. Humber looked fairly solid in his first start as a Met but he clearly tired in the 5th and the pen couldn't rescue him. SHOCKER!! Once again, the starters couldn't provide a quality start and the bullpen gave it right back - 6 batters, 5 runs in the 5th.
It was still a game in the 8th when Wagner came in and if he could have held them scoreless who knows what happens in the 9th. But, Wagner couldn't hold them down, gave up 2 runs in another shaky outing, and the game ended as many of us expected. With a loss. And not only a loss, but a sweep to the lowly Nats, who, would have the best offense in baseball if they played the Mets every day.
There doesn't seem to be any fix to this bullpen and when Shoe-in-face is your best option you know you've hit rock bottom. El Duque looked ok last night. If ever there were an extreme situation this is it. It's a call to arms and we don't have many. As I suggested to Coop a while back, it's time for drastic measures. And here is what i proposed:
Maine to the pen - he's solid early and falters late. If you need a K or a some solid middle relief bring him in. He's a strikeout guy and would assumingly not be part of the rotation come postseason. IF there is one.
El Duque - he gets the 8th (or any big spot). This guy is one we know can flat out pitch and thrives in pressure situations.
Heilman - here is one guy who has been the same all year. A hit here and there but has been known to give up the long ball at the most inopportune times. He's also been able to get out of some big spots (though not lately obivously) So, give him that 6th/7th inning spot and let him go 2 if need be.
Pedro goes tonight and while he has been solid since his return I fear that it will be all for not if he can't take a 6 run lead into the 9th. I wish I was exagerating but I'm not. Even with a 6 run lead and wags on the mound I would still put my confidence level at around a 5 out of 10.
Not much to say at this point and you can expect the blog to be rather quiet over the next few days. There is one wheel left on this wagon and if it continues to wobble this team will be setting their tee times instead of their postseason rotation. But who knows. Baseball is a funny game. Perhaps this 1 game rescheduled game against a team (St Louis) outside of the division will help get the boys back on track.
Running out of time boys. Show me something. Anything. LETS GO METS!!
It was still a game in the 8th when Wagner came in and if he could have held them scoreless who knows what happens in the 9th. But, Wagner couldn't hold them down, gave up 2 runs in another shaky outing, and the game ended as many of us expected. With a loss. And not only a loss, but a sweep to the lowly Nats, who, would have the best offense in baseball if they played the Mets every day.
There doesn't seem to be any fix to this bullpen and when Shoe-in-face is your best option you know you've hit rock bottom. El Duque looked ok last night. If ever there were an extreme situation this is it. It's a call to arms and we don't have many. As I suggested to Coop a while back, it's time for drastic measures. And here is what i proposed:
Maine to the pen - he's solid early and falters late. If you need a K or a some solid middle relief bring him in. He's a strikeout guy and would assumingly not be part of the rotation come postseason. IF there is one.
El Duque - he gets the 8th (or any big spot). This guy is one we know can flat out pitch and thrives in pressure situations.
Heilman - here is one guy who has been the same all year. A hit here and there but has been known to give up the long ball at the most inopportune times. He's also been able to get out of some big spots (though not lately obivously) So, give him that 6th/7th inning spot and let him go 2 if need be.
Pedro goes tonight and while he has been solid since his return I fear that it will be all for not if he can't take a 6 run lead into the 9th. I wish I was exagerating but I'm not. Even with a 6 run lead and wags on the mound I would still put my confidence level at around a 5 out of 10.
Not much to say at this point and you can expect the blog to be rather quiet over the next few days. There is one wheel left on this wagon and if it continues to wobble this team will be setting their tee times instead of their postseason rotation. But who knows. Baseball is a funny game. Perhaps this 1 game rescheduled game against a team (St Louis) outside of the division will help get the boys back on track.
Running out of time boys. Show me something. Anything. LETS GO METS!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Strangely Enough...
As i type this message, though the mets don't play until tonight, glavine has been pulled after 3 pitches and the bullpen has given up another 4 runs.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Weekend of Atonement
I LOVE SPORTS
What a weekend in NY Sports, right?
First off, a SPECTACULAR Sunday in New York with all 4 local teams winning. The Jets barely pulled it out against the Fins. The Yankees topped the Jays once more with the half drunk Sox losing as well (side note: one really bad thing about the wild card is the "clinched a playoff berth" experience that occurred Saturday night for the Sox. Hey guys, we didn't win anything but we are in the playoffs and that is all that really matters anyway so let's pour champagne on each other!! Just a strange situation) and our beloved Giants and Mets both held on in dramatic fashion to make it a perfect day in New York.
Now, let's talk about the team that this blog is dedicated to first & foremost, our New York Mets. Does it feel like a 3-game winning streak to anyone? It sure doesn't to me. A week ago today I drove home from the Meadowlands depressed at both the Giants and Mets losses. The Mets had just been swept at home by the Phils and were headed to Washington. It only got worse as we lost 2 of 3 there and went to Florida and lost the worst game of the season on Thursday night. On Friday, at work, I listed to the FAN callers sound like they were all ready to jump off the Triborough or at least throw Willie off it. And then the weekend came. We started the fast on Friday night and the Mets started the drama. At 12:45, after a 2 hour plus rain delay I finally went to bed..starving, but with a win. The Phils won too, of course, and the lead remained at 1.5. I awoke, OK Nate awoke, at 7:15 Saturday morning. No food all day though Yom Kippur. Napped for 3+ hours in the afternoon. Woke up at 3:15. At 4:00, the next game of torture arrived. Watched the Mets during the home stretch of the fast. Finally, an easy game. As the game wrapped up, bagels and lox and whitefish and egg salad and tuna and herring and any other Jewish appetizing you can name was devoured by yours truly (actually I hate herring but it sounded good in the sentence). The Mets won, the Phils won but the magic number was at 7.
And then today came. A beautiful day when I awoke from the sounds of my child yelling for my wife to come get him. I went to my brother Barry's in the morning to help him build a sukkah. Jews have no building skills at all so it took us 4 hours. I left with the Mets down 3-2 and jumped in the Jeep to race back home for the end of the game and beginning of the Giants. I stopped at a local deli for some sandwiches & drinks when Moises came to the plate with 2 on. Base hit and a tie game! I run into the deli, order 2 sandwiches. Run back out to the car. Del-god-o bomb! High five Jayme (she didn't care). 6-3 Mets.
But of course..this team can't make it easy. Heilman let's up 2 in the 8th, which should have been 3 easy. Wagner (where the hell have you been) lets up a bomb to Uggla in the 9th. Tie game. Extras.
This is where the fun started. Giants kick off.
Back and forth, back and forth my TV went. From channel 234 to 235 back to 234 back to 235. Over and over, over and over. Then some minor leaguer walked Jose. Followed by a clutch hit by Luis. Followed by the MVP with possibly the biggest hit of the season. 7-6 Mets. The best hitter I have seen in a long time, Moises, then lined out into a fluke DP to end the inning. Back to the Giants...playing horribly...Back to the Mets...and in the pen ready for the close was none other than Aaron Sele. He comes on and gets 2 guys easy and for some strange reason Willie comes out to get him. Brings in Shoe-in-face. Somehow he gets his 2nd save of the series! Mets win! The Phils lose on top of it and the Magic number is 5. Wow.
Back to 234. Giants just not getting it done. The half ends on a particular low not and they are down 2 TDs..17-3. Well, if one team can come back, why not the other? The Sandwich, aka Reuben Droughns punches in 2 tough running 2nd half TDs and Plax makes a sick catch and run to top a great come from behind win led by the missing BIG BLUE DEFENSE. A HUGE goal line stand ended it with great plays made by Kawika Mitchell on 3rd down and rookie Aaron Ross on the final play of the game.
Games balls to Derrick Ward for a terrific effort on the ground (running more on 1st down would only add to his production Kevin), The Sandwich for his 2 Tds, Mathias Kiwanuka (7 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble), Plax (for a great second half after a horrible 1st) and Spags for he defensive effort today. - the entire defense allowed just 81 yards and zero points on the 2nd half. Incredible job defense!
Next week is gonna be a fun one out at the Meadowlands. Sunday Night with the Eagles. I invite anyone and everyone out to the tailgate. It's sure to be one of the best of the year.
Onto another week of baseball my friends. Hopefully next Sunday I just care about the Giants as the Mets are resting up.
LETS GO METS. LETS GO GIANTS
What a weekend in NY Sports, right?
First off, a SPECTACULAR Sunday in New York with all 4 local teams winning. The Jets barely pulled it out against the Fins. The Yankees topped the Jays once more with the half drunk Sox losing as well (side note: one really bad thing about the wild card is the "clinched a playoff berth" experience that occurred Saturday night for the Sox. Hey guys, we didn't win anything but we are in the playoffs and that is all that really matters anyway so let's pour champagne on each other!! Just a strange situation) and our beloved Giants and Mets both held on in dramatic fashion to make it a perfect day in New York.
Now, let's talk about the team that this blog is dedicated to first & foremost, our New York Mets. Does it feel like a 3-game winning streak to anyone? It sure doesn't to me. A week ago today I drove home from the Meadowlands depressed at both the Giants and Mets losses. The Mets had just been swept at home by the Phils and were headed to Washington. It only got worse as we lost 2 of 3 there and went to Florida and lost the worst game of the season on Thursday night. On Friday, at work, I listed to the FAN callers sound like they were all ready to jump off the Triborough or at least throw Willie off it. And then the weekend came. We started the fast on Friday night and the Mets started the drama. At 12:45, after a 2 hour plus rain delay I finally went to bed..starving, but with a win. The Phils won too, of course, and the lead remained at 1.5. I awoke, OK Nate awoke, at 7:15 Saturday morning. No food all day though Yom Kippur. Napped for 3+ hours in the afternoon. Woke up at 3:15. At 4:00, the next game of torture arrived. Watched the Mets during the home stretch of the fast. Finally, an easy game. As the game wrapped up, bagels and lox and whitefish and egg salad and tuna and herring and any other Jewish appetizing you can name was devoured by yours truly (actually I hate herring but it sounded good in the sentence). The Mets won, the Phils won but the magic number was at 7.
And then today came. A beautiful day when I awoke from the sounds of my child yelling for my wife to come get him. I went to my brother Barry's in the morning to help him build a sukkah. Jews have no building skills at all so it took us 4 hours. I left with the Mets down 3-2 and jumped in the Jeep to race back home for the end of the game and beginning of the Giants. I stopped at a local deli for some sandwiches & drinks when Moises came to the plate with 2 on. Base hit and a tie game! I run into the deli, order 2 sandwiches. Run back out to the car. Del-god-o bomb! High five Jayme (she didn't care). 6-3 Mets.
But of course..this team can't make it easy. Heilman let's up 2 in the 8th, which should have been 3 easy. Wagner (where the hell have you been) lets up a bomb to Uggla in the 9th. Tie game. Extras.
This is where the fun started. Giants kick off.
Back and forth, back and forth my TV went. From channel 234 to 235 back to 234 back to 235. Over and over, over and over. Then some minor leaguer walked Jose. Followed by a clutch hit by Luis. Followed by the MVP with possibly the biggest hit of the season. 7-6 Mets. The best hitter I have seen in a long time, Moises, then lined out into a fluke DP to end the inning. Back to the Giants...playing horribly...Back to the Mets...and in the pen ready for the close was none other than Aaron Sele. He comes on and gets 2 guys easy and for some strange reason Willie comes out to get him. Brings in Shoe-in-face. Somehow he gets his 2nd save of the series! Mets win! The Phils lose on top of it and the Magic number is 5. Wow.
Back to 234. Giants just not getting it done. The half ends on a particular low not and they are down 2 TDs..17-3. Well, if one team can come back, why not the other? The Sandwich, aka Reuben Droughns punches in 2 tough running 2nd half TDs and Plax makes a sick catch and run to top a great come from behind win led by the missing BIG BLUE DEFENSE. A HUGE goal line stand ended it with great plays made by Kawika Mitchell on 3rd down and rookie Aaron Ross on the final play of the game.
Games balls to Derrick Ward for a terrific effort on the ground (running more on 1st down would only add to his production Kevin), The Sandwich for his 2 Tds, Mathias Kiwanuka (7 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble), Plax (for a great second half after a horrible 1st) and Spags for he defensive effort today. - the entire defense allowed just 81 yards and zero points on the 2nd half. Incredible job defense!
Next week is gonna be a fun one out at the Meadowlands. Sunday Night with the Eagles. I invite anyone and everyone out to the tailgate. It's sure to be one of the best of the year.
Onto another week of baseball my friends. Hopefully next Sunday I just care about the Giants as the Mets are resting up.
LETS GO METS. LETS GO GIANTS
Friday, September 21, 2007
S.O.S.
I know people out there are looking for a blog entry this morning so I will appease the "fans" out there.
3 thoughts on the worst game of the year:
1. Lasting Milledge is a freakin baby. I have been a huge LMillz fan for years now but that display is just little league. I wish the Mets would suspend him themselves.
2. Jose Reyes looks like he did when he first came up to the bigs. I can strike him out right now. He is so also so undisciplined.
These 2 kids being so undisciplined really has to be a focal point in terms of Willie's control over this club. I am not saying this slide is Willie's fault because...well.....
3. THE BULLPEN SUCKS. Billy Wagner is a p*ssy. Jorge Sosa is a joke. Pedro Feliciano hasn't got a lefty out in months. Don't even get me started on Mota and Schoenweiss.
My good friend Danny summed it up very well last night....
If this team makes it to the playoffs, they will deserve it as much as the 2006 Giants did in reaching the playoffs last year.
This bullpen can't even make it through the Marlins and Nationals...I can't even imagine having to stomach them come to October.
That all said...
YA GOTTA BELIEVE
LETS GO METS
3 thoughts on the worst game of the year:
1. Lasting Milledge is a freakin baby. I have been a huge LMillz fan for years now but that display is just little league. I wish the Mets would suspend him themselves.
2. Jose Reyes looks like he did when he first came up to the bigs. I can strike him out right now. He is so also so undisciplined.
These 2 kids being so undisciplined really has to be a focal point in terms of Willie's control over this club. I am not saying this slide is Willie's fault because...well.....
3. THE BULLPEN SUCKS. Billy Wagner is a p*ssy. Jorge Sosa is a joke. Pedro Feliciano hasn't got a lefty out in months. Don't even get me started on Mota and Schoenweiss.
My good friend Danny summed it up very well last night....
If this team makes it to the playoffs, they will deserve it as much as the 2006 Giants did in reaching the playoffs last year.
This bullpen can't even make it through the Marlins and Nationals...I can't even imagine having to stomach them come to October.
That all said...
YA GOTTA BELIEVE
LETS GO METS
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Ya Gotta Believe!
OK Mets fans....
BIG WIN
Let's tip our caps to Mike Pelfrey & Jorge Sosa for getting us through this one and re-starting our broken hearts.
I have to admit, I have never been happier watching our beloved club beat a terrible baseball team than I was last night beating the lowly Nots.
After watching the game, I gave the remote over to my beautiful wife Jayme and headed upstairs to my office..went over to the computer...keyed in espn.com and launched the Gamecast for the Phils-Cards game. For the next 90 minutes or so I watched the computer screen and in the 10th inning, the great game of baseball decided to finally shine down on the Metropolitans. First, former yankee Miguel Cairo (seriously, who the hell knew this guy wasn't a yankee anymore?) singles with 1 out. Then he steals second during a Russell Branyan AB that ended in a K (side note: Russell Branyan has been on 3 teams this season including the hates Phils) and comes home to score the winning run on a single by none other than Yadier F*ckin Molina.
A Yankee and the very Cardinal that knocked us out of the playoffs last year win a game that helps the Mets tremendously. What a sport!
So with 11 games to play (and 10 for the Phils) the Magic # is now at 9. Sure it took a week to move this number but it is officially in single digits and with 21 combined games left and a 3 game lead in the loss column, this somehow doesn't seem that hard.
Glavine & Pedro the next 2 days against the lowly Marlins.
Tug, my man, I believe!
LETS GO METS!
BIG WIN
Let's tip our caps to Mike Pelfrey & Jorge Sosa for getting us through this one and re-starting our broken hearts.
I have to admit, I have never been happier watching our beloved club beat a terrible baseball team than I was last night beating the lowly Nots.
After watching the game, I gave the remote over to my beautiful wife Jayme and headed upstairs to my office..went over to the computer...keyed in espn.com and launched the Gamecast for the Phils-Cards game. For the next 90 minutes or so I watched the computer screen and in the 10th inning, the great game of baseball decided to finally shine down on the Metropolitans. First, former yankee Miguel Cairo (seriously, who the hell knew this guy wasn't a yankee anymore?) singles with 1 out. Then he steals second during a Russell Branyan AB that ended in a K (side note: Russell Branyan has been on 3 teams this season including the hates Phils) and comes home to score the winning run on a single by none other than Yadier F*ckin Molina.
A Yankee and the very Cardinal that knocked us out of the playoffs last year win a game that helps the Mets tremendously. What a sport!
So with 11 games to play (and 10 for the Phils) the Magic # is now at 9. Sure it took a week to move this number but it is officially in single digits and with 21 combined games left and a 3 game lead in the loss column, this somehow doesn't seem that hard.
Glavine & Pedro the next 2 days against the lowly Marlins.
Tug, my man, I believe!
LETS GO METS!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
It's Official: Time to Worry
Ok, after a couple of questions as to why there hasn't been an update on the site for a couple of days, I got over my peevish ways of not blogging until the Mets actually won a game. I'm just not in the right state of mind with all this losing and especially the way they are losing. But, i'll suck it up.
Just last night, I got home, turned on the game and the Mets took a 1-0 in the 1st and a few minutes later it was 4-0. Valerie says to me "oh good they're winning". To which I respond "it's only the first. we'll check back in the 7th and i'm sure it will be a different story" and then we headed out for some dinner. Upon our return I put the game back on and low and behold it's now 8-7 Nats. I bellow "YOU'VE GOTTA BE FUCKIN KIDDING ME". To which Val replies (while trying not to laugh) "well, like you said, it's the 7th. they are pathetic".. Sorry Val, it was only the 6th honey. By the time they reached the 7th it would be 9-7 Nats.
Throughout the year the Mets have been consistently good enough to lead the division and not be too concerned about who is chasing them. They'd win 3 or 4 in a row, lose 2 of 3, win 4 of 6, lose 2 of 4, etc. That was all fine and good b/c as long as they stayed at the top there was still plenty of time left to go on a run and show everyone why they were the best team in the NL (and top 3 team in baseball).
After getting swept by Philly in a 4 game set they looked in the mirror and in the words of Carlito Brigante said "You think your BIG TIME! Get ready to fuckin die BIG TIME . They proceeded to put a spanking on the Braves and run off 10 of the next 12 and held a 6.5 game lead with the phils coming in to shea. And the Mets were licking their chops just waiting to get their revenge on the team that had swept them twice already this season.
So... What happens next? Why, the mets laid down and play some of the worst baseball that any team has played on there way to not only getting swept (AGAIN) in the 3 game set but even worse, they headed down to face the woeful NATS and drop the first 2 in a way that will turn any Mets fans' stomach. During this dreadful 5 game stretch the pitching and defense has been pathetic. Coughing up leads and literally throwing games right into the toilet. Let's take a quick snapshot of this recent 5 game collapse:
Errors: 12
Runs: 39 (9 unearned)
Blown Leads: 4
PATHETIC!!! This team is lost. The pitching is either tired or just bad. Unfortunately, I am leaning towards the latter. Seriously though, how do Mota, Shoe-in-face- and Sosa keeping getting called on in key situations. Sosa i can live with b/c at least he had shown some resliency early on, but has struggled of late (he's thinking too much as evidence by his costly throwing error). As for Mota, I don't even know what to say. At this point it's not even his fault that he sucks and gives up big runs in big spots like clockwork. I mean, he knows he's bad. The team knows he's bad. The only guy that seems to think he's on the cusp of greatness (i'll even take goodness) is Willie. He's either stubborn or out of options. I'm gonna say it's both.
I hate to say it but yes, the yanks still are and have been for the last half of the year, the better team. THEY are making a statment. THEY are playing with conviction. THEY are playoff ready. The Mets? Well, until they start pitching like major leaguers and play some frickin defense the homestretch is going to be gut wrenching. The best part is they'll have to do it without El Duque, without Delgado, with Mosies day to day, Marlon suspended for 2 games, Reyes looking like a minor leaguer, and no bullpen. Aside from that they are in great shape.
It is defintelty time to worry and for me to say that things must be looking pretty bad. Worse than the pathetic teams they are facing through the end of the season.
Just last night, I got home, turned on the game and the Mets took a 1-0 in the 1st and a few minutes later it was 4-0. Valerie says to me "oh good they're winning". To which I respond "it's only the first. we'll check back in the 7th and i'm sure it will be a different story" and then we headed out for some dinner. Upon our return I put the game back on and low and behold it's now 8-7 Nats. I bellow "YOU'VE GOTTA BE FUCKIN KIDDING ME". To which Val replies (while trying not to laugh) "well, like you said, it's the 7th. they are pathetic".. Sorry Val, it was only the 6th honey. By the time they reached the 7th it would be 9-7 Nats.
Throughout the year the Mets have been consistently good enough to lead the division and not be too concerned about who is chasing them. They'd win 3 or 4 in a row, lose 2 of 3, win 4 of 6, lose 2 of 4, etc. That was all fine and good b/c as long as they stayed at the top there was still plenty of time left to go on a run and show everyone why they were the best team in the NL (and top 3 team in baseball).
After getting swept by Philly in a 4 game set they looked in the mirror and in the words of Carlito Brigante said "You think your BIG TIME! Get ready to fuckin die BIG TIME . They proceeded to put a spanking on the Braves and run off 10 of the next 12 and held a 6.5 game lead with the phils coming in to shea. And the Mets were licking their chops just waiting to get their revenge on the team that had swept them twice already this season.
So... What happens next? Why, the mets laid down and play some of the worst baseball that any team has played on there way to not only getting swept (AGAIN) in the 3 game set but even worse, they headed down to face the woeful NATS and drop the first 2 in a way that will turn any Mets fans' stomach. During this dreadful 5 game stretch the pitching and defense has been pathetic. Coughing up leads and literally throwing games right into the toilet. Let's take a quick snapshot of this recent 5 game collapse:
Errors: 12
Runs: 39 (9 unearned)
Blown Leads: 4
PATHETIC!!! This team is lost. The pitching is either tired or just bad. Unfortunately, I am leaning towards the latter. Seriously though, how do Mota, Shoe-in-face- and Sosa keeping getting called on in key situations. Sosa i can live with b/c at least he had shown some resliency early on, but has struggled of late (he's thinking too much as evidence by his costly throwing error). As for Mota, I don't even know what to say. At this point it's not even his fault that he sucks and gives up big runs in big spots like clockwork. I mean, he knows he's bad. The team knows he's bad. The only guy that seems to think he's on the cusp of greatness (i'll even take goodness) is Willie. He's either stubborn or out of options. I'm gonna say it's both.
I hate to say it but yes, the yanks still are and have been for the last half of the year, the better team. THEY are making a statment. THEY are playing with conviction. THEY are playoff ready. The Mets? Well, until they start pitching like major leaguers and play some frickin defense the homestretch is going to be gut wrenching. The best part is they'll have to do it without El Duque, without Delgado, with Mosies day to day, Marlon suspended for 2 games, Reyes looking like a minor leaguer, and no bullpen. Aside from that they are in great shape.
It is defintelty time to worry and for me to say that things must be looking pretty bad. Worse than the pathetic teams they are facing through the end of the season.
Monday, September 17, 2007
At least we have the bean bag game...
First, the positives of the weekend....
1) A BIG thank you to Danny Cohen for getting us amazing seats for the Giants. Going from the corner of the end zone down stairs to the 35 yard line, in the sun, upstairs is just a HUGE upgrade.
2) Great to be back with my second family as close as we possibly could get to parking lot 6F. Great tailgate, great food, great friends...and well...
3) GREAT GAME! (no, not the actual game) A huge "GREAT JOB" to my partner in crime Larry Goldberg for introducing the great Giants bean bag toss game to the tailgate. In the early morning hours at TPLFKA6F there were 20 or so happy tailgaters in teams of 3 competing in this new tailgating staple. The early season MVP Brett Yarkon looked good early but the team of Bubba-DC and yours truly are the current champs. (Special Coop-a-Fink blog shout out to Harris)
4) Some solid new additions to the tailgate...starting with my new "camp burner" breakfast specials and my new table. AMAZING ribs from Danny's smoker that may have been the best ribs any tailgater has yet to bring. No offense to Mama Venokur's ribs at all (they are still very good) but you simply can't make ribs in a pot like you can in a smoker. Note on this...get it together men, we don't need 2 people bringing ribs, especially when V brings like 15 lbs.
A few things that didn't work...the boneless buffalo wings, the huge pile of bean dip, the "You know how I know you are gay" spinach dip in a bread bowl, any other dips, the danny pigs in a blanket (bubba's rule!)
5) Actual IM from Larry earlier:
lawrenceG22: I have a confession
coops7: OK
lawrenceG22: I don't remember a lot of the game
There you have it kids...Sunday's are back
OK...now onto the recaps...
Let's start if off with the Mets....
How in the FREAKIN WORLD does Willie still bring in Guillermo Mota??!!??!! What is his thought process?
This bullpen is just sickening. From Heilman on Friday to Feliciano & Sosa on Saturday to the debacle of 8 pitchers yesterday, it just seems to get worse and worse against the Phillies. The Mets' relievers allowed 10 runs, seven earned, in 9 2/3 innings in the series. In contrast, the Phillies' relievers allowed one run in 11 1/3 innings in the sweep. This has been going on all year...only against the Phils. It's strange, it's annoying and it's sickening.
This all said, we are up 3.5 games, 4 in the loss column and the division is still ours for the taking. Seeing Brian Lawrence take the hill tonight is far from encouraging but we must take solace in the fact we are playing the Nats and Marlins for the remainder of the year.
Now to the Giants...
Ugh. Where to start?
Lets start with #10 playing the game...tht was a nice way to begin. And then it's basically all down hill from there. The penalties by Shockey and Toomer were awful, the injuries keep mounting and the defense is embarrassing. I can honestly say that I felt as helpless watching the Giants D as I do when Mota comes into a game. Just a sad display of football. When Bradshaw fumbled the kickoff, I really had just had it with the weekend overall.
We will have more Giants coverage from LG later this week.
Happy New Year to all
1) A BIG thank you to Danny Cohen for getting us amazing seats for the Giants. Going from the corner of the end zone down stairs to the 35 yard line, in the sun, upstairs is just a HUGE upgrade.
2) Great to be back with my second family as close as we possibly could get to parking lot 6F. Great tailgate, great food, great friends...and well...
3) GREAT GAME! (no, not the actual game) A huge "GREAT JOB" to my partner in crime Larry Goldberg for introducing the great Giants bean bag toss game to the tailgate. In the early morning hours at TPLFKA6F there were 20 or so happy tailgaters in teams of 3 competing in this new tailgating staple. The early season MVP Brett Yarkon looked good early but the team of Bubba-DC and yours truly are the current champs. (Special Coop-a-Fink blog shout out to Harris)
4) Some solid new additions to the tailgate...starting with my new "camp burner" breakfast specials and my new table. AMAZING ribs from Danny's smoker that may have been the best ribs any tailgater has yet to bring. No offense to Mama Venokur's ribs at all (they are still very good) but you simply can't make ribs in a pot like you can in a smoker. Note on this...get it together men, we don't need 2 people bringing ribs, especially when V brings like 15 lbs.
A few things that didn't work...the boneless buffalo wings, the huge pile of bean dip, the "You know how I know you are gay" spinach dip in a bread bowl, any other dips, the danny pigs in a blanket (bubba's rule!)
5) Actual IM from Larry earlier:
lawrenceG22: I have a confession
coops7: OK
lawrenceG22: I don't remember a lot of the game
There you have it kids...Sunday's are back
OK...now onto the recaps...
Let's start if off with the Mets....
How in the FREAKIN WORLD does Willie still bring in Guillermo Mota??!!??!! What is his thought process?
This bullpen is just sickening. From Heilman on Friday to Feliciano & Sosa on Saturday to the debacle of 8 pitchers yesterday, it just seems to get worse and worse against the Phillies. The Mets' relievers allowed 10 runs, seven earned, in 9 2/3 innings in the series. In contrast, the Phillies' relievers allowed one run in 11 1/3 innings in the sweep. This has been going on all year...only against the Phils. It's strange, it's annoying and it's sickening.
This all said, we are up 3.5 games, 4 in the loss column and the division is still ours for the taking. Seeing Brian Lawrence take the hill tonight is far from encouraging but we must take solace in the fact we are playing the Nats and Marlins for the remainder of the year.
Now to the Giants...
Ugh. Where to start?
Lets start with #10 playing the game...tht was a nice way to begin. And then it's basically all down hill from there. The penalties by Shockey and Toomer were awful, the injuries keep mounting and the defense is embarrassing. I can honestly say that I felt as helpless watching the Giants D as I do when Mota comes into a game. Just a sad display of football. When Bradshaw fumbled the kickoff, I really had just had it with the weekend overall.
We will have more Giants coverage from LG later this week.
Happy New Year to all
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Let's go Huskers!!
About to sit back and watch a meaningful game for big red for the first time in a long time. Is Nebraska a contender or pretender? We should find out that answer over the next 3 hours as they face off againt the beasts of college football, USC.
If Lucky can stay lucky and Keller can actually hit some receivers they just may have a fighting chance.
Gooooooo Huskers!!!
If Lucky can stay lucky and Keller can actually hit some receivers they just may have a fighting chance.
Gooooooo Huskers!!!
Sunday over/unders
A new Saturday weekly feature where i will come up with a few weekly over/unders....feel free to play along at home.
6:45am - Arrival time for the tailgate formerly known as 6F - UNDER(6:42)
2 - Interceptions thrown by Brett Favre - OVER(3)
9 - Racks of Momma Venokur's ribs - OVER(12)
50 - Minutes to leave the parking lot after the game. OVER(65)
17 - Funells by Jethro - UNDER(11)
49 -Points combined by the packers and giants - OVER(51) 27-24 big blue
23 - Points combined by the ravens and jets - UNDER(16) 10-6 Ravens
100 - Combined rushing and receiving yards by Derrick Ward - OVER(124)
5 -Bones smoked by J & J - OVER(7)
2.6lbs - Food Consumed by the recently married Yarkon - UNDER(2.25lbs) - his belly is smaller
1 -Softball championships won by the new 5H - UNDER - need i say more
3 -Bald headed men - OVER(4) - Fink, Bubba, Jethro......has to be one more there tomorrow
we will be back monday with the results - GO GMEN
6:45am - Arrival time for the tailgate formerly known as 6F - UNDER(6:42)
2 - Interceptions thrown by Brett Favre - OVER(3)
9 - Racks of Momma Venokur's ribs - OVER(12)
50 - Minutes to leave the parking lot after the game. OVER(65)
17 - Funells by Jethro - UNDER(11)
49 -Points combined by the packers and giants - OVER(51) 27-24 big blue
23 - Points combined by the ravens and jets - UNDER(16) 10-6 Ravens
100 - Combined rushing and receiving yards by Derrick Ward - OVER(124)
5 -Bones smoked by J & J - OVER(7)
2.6lbs - Food Consumed by the recently married Yarkon - UNDER(2.25lbs) - his belly is smaller
1 -Softball championships won by the new 5H - UNDER - need i say more
3 -Bald headed men - OVER(4) - Fink, Bubba, Jethro......has to be one more there tomorrow
we will be back monday with the results - GO GMEN
Friday, September 14, 2007
Eli Update
From our friend Ralph Vachianno at the NY DAILY NEWS
Manning Seems Likely to Play Sunday:
In a sure sign that he’s pretty close to playing on Sunday afternoon, Eli Manning didn’t just throw on the side at practice today. He took about half of the first-team snaps during the team drills.
That bit of information came from his would-be replacement, Jared Lorenzen, who was among the many in the locker room today trumpeting how good Manning looked. The consensus seems to be that it will now be a surprise if Manning doesn’t play against the Packers.
Tom Coughlin, though, remained tight-lipped and would only say that a decision likely won’t be made until just before kickoff.
* *
Perhaps the bigger surprise was DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), who returned to practice today. It’s not clear how much he actually practiced, though. Coughlin said he practiced fully, though Umenyiora said he only did "a little bit."
Still, Sunday’s game may be a longshot for him.
"He said to me, ‘It’s a miracle that I’m out here today,’" Michael Strahan said. "He thinks he’s the Miracle Man."
Manning Seems Likely to Play Sunday:
In a sure sign that he’s pretty close to playing on Sunday afternoon, Eli Manning didn’t just throw on the side at practice today. He took about half of the first-team snaps during the team drills.
That bit of information came from his would-be replacement, Jared Lorenzen, who was among the many in the locker room today trumpeting how good Manning looked. The consensus seems to be that it will now be a surprise if Manning doesn’t play against the Packers.
Tom Coughlin, though, remained tight-lipped and would only say that a decision likely won’t be made until just before kickoff.
* *
Perhaps the bigger surprise was DE Osi Umenyiora (knee), who returned to practice today. It’s not clear how much he actually practiced, though. Coughlin said he practiced fully, though Umenyiora said he only did "a little bit."
Still, Sunday’s game may be a longshot for him.
"He said to me, ‘It’s a miracle that I’m out here today,’" Michael Strahan said. "He thinks he’s the Miracle Man."
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Eli to Practice? Osi on the Bike?
Doesn't Mort owe us an apology? Where does his credibility lie now?
from Art Staple at Newsday.....
TC 'encouraged' by Eli's progress
That's the word from the coach in his press conference that just ended.
Manning will be on the practice field today and do some soft-tossing on the side, as well as stay with his fellow QBs in individual drills. Jared Lorenzen will get the first-team snaps, but TC said much of the swelling is gone from Manning's shoulder and he's reporting far less pain and soreness.
Umenyiora will also be on the field today, riding the stationary bike. TC likes what he sees with Osi too, so much so that Mathias Kiwanuka will stay at LB this week.
K Lawrence Tynes has a strained calf and won't practice. Josh Huston is still a FA and would get "strong, strong consideration" if Tynes can't kick before the end of the week.
DT Barry Cofield (knee) will practice.
Speaking of, practice starts in a few... I'll bring back some eyewitness accounts of Eli standing around."
from Art Staple at Newsday.....
TC 'encouraged' by Eli's progress
That's the word from the coach in his press conference that just ended.
Manning will be on the practice field today and do some soft-tossing on the side, as well as stay with his fellow QBs in individual drills. Jared Lorenzen will get the first-team snaps, but TC said much of the swelling is gone from Manning's shoulder and he's reporting far less pain and soreness.
Umenyiora will also be on the field today, riding the stationary bike. TC likes what he sees with Osi too, so much so that Mathias Kiwanuka will stay at LB this week.
K Lawrence Tynes has a strained calf and won't practice. Josh Huston is still a FA and would get "strong, strong consideration" if Tynes can't kick before the end of the week.
DT Barry Cofield (knee) will practice.
Speaking of, practice starts in a few... I'll bring back some eyewitness accounts of Eli standing around."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
BANNED FROM TAILGATE: MIKE SIMON
Seriously! Who dives while playing catch at a company event? It doesn't help that he sits on tickets while others from the tailgate are looking to buy.
Survey Says - You're out!
Survey Says - You're out!
Home Opener - Menu
OK. We have heard the injuries and we have heard the whining coming from Giants nation about how this team is ALWAYS hurt.
So what are we going to do about it you ask?
EAT OF COURSE!
I often get requests from friends who don't tailgate with us to see our menu. In case you guys don't know, this will be our 8th season tailgating as a group. In 1999 my good friend Michael called me up and asked me if I would like to come to a Giants game with him as his brother was going back to school and could no longer attend games. We sat and ate deli sandwiches in the parking lot with Danny and his father, Jerry and his father Henry, who has been a Giants season ticket holder since 1936 at the Polo Grounds and a tradition began.
Since then, our tailgate has expanded a tad to say the least. We sport 20 "regulars" each week and have developed a true gourmet menu that has become the envy of tailgate parties everywhere. We have roasted pigs, BBQ'd snakes (it tastes like chicken) and are visited annually by The Commissioner of tailgating, Joe Cahn (www.tailgating.com) who also features some "6F" recipes on his site (http://tailgating.com/Recipes/yurgers.htm).
With that all said...I give you our week 1 menu (out a few days early due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday):
Breakfast:
Eggy Cheesy w/ Bacon or Sausage– Jerry Junior A.K.A Cooper
Meat:
Mom’s Wet ‘N Wild Ribs – Veno
Pulled Pork Shoulder – assuming the TSA does not confiscate - DC
Yurgers – Yarkon
Random Smattering of Steaks – Fink a Bubba
Burgers – Jerry
Regular Dogs & Burgers - Jerry
Sweet & Sour Sausage w Peppers & Onions
Poultry:
Fried Boneless Chicken Wings w/ Homemade Buffalo Sauce – Erik
Seafood:
Crab Cakes - Fink a Bubba
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - Fink a Bubba
Stuffed Clams – Fink a Bubba
Misc:
Rolls & Buns – Jerry
Pretty Face – Goldberg
Coleslaw - DC
Beer - Hersh
Booze - Jerry & Hersh & Larry
Sliced Cheese – DC
Giant Jell-O Shots – Sarah
Chips & Dips – Sarah
Stromboli – Fink a Bubba
Taquitos – Fink a Bubba
Players to be named later – Geller / Dennis / Yarkon
After Lunch Delights:
Cannoli’s - Hy
Baked goods - Sarah
Misc Supplies:
Cutlery - DC
BBQ Sauce - DC & Coops
Charcoal - Jay Frank
Condiments - Jay Frank
Plates & Napkins - Veno
Grills - Cooper
Tables - Cooper / Bubba / Jerry
So what are we going to do about it you ask?
EAT OF COURSE!
I often get requests from friends who don't tailgate with us to see our menu. In case you guys don't know, this will be our 8th season tailgating as a group. In 1999 my good friend Michael called me up and asked me if I would like to come to a Giants game with him as his brother was going back to school and could no longer attend games. We sat and ate deli sandwiches in the parking lot with Danny and his father, Jerry and his father Henry, who has been a Giants season ticket holder since 1936 at the Polo Grounds and a tradition began.
Since then, our tailgate has expanded a tad to say the least. We sport 20 "regulars" each week and have developed a true gourmet menu that has become the envy of tailgate parties everywhere. We have roasted pigs, BBQ'd snakes (it tastes like chicken) and are visited annually by The Commissioner of tailgating, Joe Cahn (www.tailgating.com) who also features some "6F" recipes on his site (http://tailgating.com/Recipes/yurgers.htm).
With that all said...I give you our week 1 menu (out a few days early due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday):
Breakfast:
Eggy Cheesy w/ Bacon or Sausage– Jerry Junior A.K.A Cooper
Meat:
Mom’s Wet ‘N Wild Ribs – Veno
Pulled Pork Shoulder – assuming the TSA does not confiscate - DC
Yurgers – Yarkon
Random Smattering of Steaks – Fink a Bubba
Burgers – Jerry
Regular Dogs & Burgers - Jerry
Sweet & Sour Sausage w Peppers & Onions
Poultry:
Fried Boneless Chicken Wings w/ Homemade Buffalo Sauce – Erik
Seafood:
Crab Cakes - Fink a Bubba
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp - Fink a Bubba
Stuffed Clams – Fink a Bubba
Misc:
Rolls & Buns – Jerry
Pretty Face – Goldberg
Coleslaw - DC
Beer - Hersh
Booze - Jerry & Hersh & Larry
Sliced Cheese – DC
Giant Jell-O Shots – Sarah
Chips & Dips – Sarah
Stromboli – Fink a Bubba
Taquitos – Fink a Bubba
Players to be named later – Geller / Dennis / Yarkon
After Lunch Delights:
Cannoli’s - Hy
Baked goods - Sarah
Misc Supplies:
Cutlery - DC
BBQ Sauce - DC & Coops
Charcoal - Jay Frank
Condiments - Jay Frank
Plates & Napkins - Veno
Grills - Cooper
Tables - Cooper / Bubba / Jerry
Monday, September 10, 2007
Something To Cheer About..
Ok Giants fans. We all know that last nights performance by the G-Men was filled with ups and downs, mostly downs. On the upside, the Giant offense moved the ball up and down the field throughout the night and kept fighting back to give the team a chance. The downside is, well, answer this question: Can Jacobs, Eli, Osi, and Dockery all fit in the MRI machine at the same time? It seems like this franchise has compiled more injuries in the last 3 years (actually 2 seasons and 1 game) than any other franchise in history.
I'm going to move on, and quickly, b/c i just have to. So let's get to it.
Welcome back PEDRO!!! I was at Shea for Pedro's homecoming and while attendance definitely wasn't the 52,000 they are reporting, there was a nice crowd waiting to do what they haven't been able to do in almost a year. Stand up and cheer at the top of their lungs for the man some say may just have the "golden ticket". You could feel the energy in the stadium as they announced the starting lineups and then again when they took the field. If I had any hair it would have been standing up.
On this day pedro reminded us all why he is so important to this franchise. He reminded us why he is one of the greatest of all time. We all know Pedro isn't throwing 93mph-95mph and blowing hitters away anymore. He hasn't done that in years and he doesn't have to to be successful. Pedro went 5 strong innings (6 hits, 1bb, 4k's) yesterday and didn't allow a run after getting out of a jam to end the fifth. He picked his spots and worked on his offspeed stuff throughout the day. He threw his curve a little more and tested his arm a bit, hitting 91mph on the gun while tossing 92 pitches.
One thing that was noticeable and absolutely the most encouraging sign of them all was the amount of swings and misses Pedro was getting. His changeup was in midseason form making that not-so-great houston lineup look like they were swinging with their eyes closed. He threw his curve here and there and when he did it was pretty nasty, getting ooo's and aaah's from the Shea faithful. To add to it Pedro came to the plate in the 3rd inning and drilled a 2b over Carlos Lee's head in left and scored on a sac fly by Beltran.
Pedro walked off the mound when his day was done giving high fives and hugs to his teamates as he entered the dugout. However, this was not the last we would see of Pedro as the crowd stood and cheered endlessly until he came out for a cutrain call with both arms raised and fists-a-pumping. We can only hope to see many more curtain calls come October.
3 final thoughts:
- Guillermo Mota did not disappoint as he was greeted by Brad Ausmus in the 6th with a 1st pitch HR. Willie - have you been watching this guy? DFA sounds good to me.
- Fans at Shea gave Biggio a standing ovation prior to the start of the game when it was announced that this would be his final appearance at Shea. Good job sports fans!! Great career Biggio!!
- Press Release: Moises Alou CAN HIT A FASTBALL!!
I'm going to move on, and quickly, b/c i just have to. So let's get to it.
Welcome back PEDRO!!! I was at Shea for Pedro's homecoming and while attendance definitely wasn't the 52,000 they are reporting, there was a nice crowd waiting to do what they haven't been able to do in almost a year. Stand up and cheer at the top of their lungs for the man some say may just have the "golden ticket". You could feel the energy in the stadium as they announced the starting lineups and then again when they took the field. If I had any hair it would have been standing up.
On this day pedro reminded us all why he is so important to this franchise. He reminded us why he is one of the greatest of all time. We all know Pedro isn't throwing 93mph-95mph and blowing hitters away anymore. He hasn't done that in years and he doesn't have to to be successful. Pedro went 5 strong innings (6 hits, 1bb, 4k's) yesterday and didn't allow a run after getting out of a jam to end the fifth. He picked his spots and worked on his offspeed stuff throughout the day. He threw his curve a little more and tested his arm a bit, hitting 91mph on the gun while tossing 92 pitches.
One thing that was noticeable and absolutely the most encouraging sign of them all was the amount of swings and misses Pedro was getting. His changeup was in midseason form making that not-so-great houston lineup look like they were swinging with their eyes closed. He threw his curve here and there and when he did it was pretty nasty, getting ooo's and aaah's from the Shea faithful. To add to it Pedro came to the plate in the 3rd inning and drilled a 2b over Carlos Lee's head in left and scored on a sac fly by Beltran.
Pedro walked off the mound when his day was done giving high fives and hugs to his teamates as he entered the dugout. However, this was not the last we would see of Pedro as the crowd stood and cheered endlessly until he came out for a cutrain call with both arms raised and fists-a-pumping. We can only hope to see many more curtain calls come October.
3 final thoughts:
- Guillermo Mota did not disappoint as he was greeted by Brad Ausmus in the 6th with a 1st pitch HR. Willie - have you been watching this guy? DFA sounds good to me.
- Fans at Shea gave Biggio a standing ovation prior to the start of the game when it was announced that this would be his final appearance at Shea. Good job sports fans!! Great career Biggio!!
- Press Release: Moises Alou CAN HIT A FASTBALL!!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Its the Sport of Kings
RECAP of 2006:
1-2 with losses to the eventual champ colts and at seattle. our early win was 1 of Eli's 2 best comebacks, this one in Philly in OT(go up and get it Plax) and in 2005 when he beat Denver in the final seconds in front of DC and I.
Week 4 we surrender only a FG and beat the Skins 19-3, and TC is quoted as saying "We played Giants football"...Then we went down to Atlanta and beat them 27-14 to move to 3-2. Week 7 found us in Big D where Coop has already re-capped for you how much better were than them. Giants 36-22. We then stifled TB at home 17-3 and Survived a scare from the Texans 14-10 and were 6-2 and the talk of the NFC.
6-2 - .750 winning percentage. We allowed 16 points over 3 weeks at home.
And thats when the season ended. The Bears played here on Sunday night. While losing Luke Pettigout, we also lost our heart and soul. It wasn't the Devin Hester 108 yard fg return(which did suck), The Bears changed the momentum with one drive -- and really one play, a draw to Jones on third-and-22 with 1:30 left in the half. He went 26 yards for a first down and woke up the offense; grossman hit Mark Braddley for a TD, and what was a 13-3, game tunred to 13-10 and the season would never turn around.
If i am Coach Coughlin, Antonio Pierce, Jeremy Shockey, Eli Manning, Gibril Wilson, etc...I remind myself all off-season of the football team up until that play.
GETTING READY for 2007:
Why does everyone think we will stink?
Football is the ultimate team game where individuals need to step up and make plays.
It starts tomorrow night. It starts with a defense that's achillesin 2006 was 3rd and 11. We never stopped it. We also played soft. Our corners played 10 yards off. We lost The Chief, Lavar, Michael, Sam and Corey at different points. We brought in Spags. We will play man-press coverage. That alone should tell you we will be aggressive. We will blitz. On 3rd and 11, Kiwi will put his hand down and rush the qb with Osi, Michael and Justin.
It starts tomorrow ninght. The schedule should allow us to surive early and get strong in the middle. In OCtober alone, we play the Jets(overrated), SF(overhyped), Atlanta(we beat them with vick and lost to them with Doug Johnson and Matt Schaub, so who knows) and Miami.
It starts tomorrow night. The transoformation at RB. We return to Power football. Jacobs will be fine. we went 3-0 in 2006 when he carries 10 times. Imagine the Big Blue back to Bruising Running and Aggressive Defense. Thats how i dream every night.
It starts tomorrow night. I can't wait.
1-2 with losses to the eventual champ colts and at seattle. our early win was 1 of Eli's 2 best comebacks, this one in Philly in OT(go up and get it Plax) and in 2005 when he beat Denver in the final seconds in front of DC and I.
Week 4 we surrender only a FG and beat the Skins 19-3, and TC is quoted as saying "We played Giants football"...Then we went down to Atlanta and beat them 27-14 to move to 3-2. Week 7 found us in Big D where Coop has already re-capped for you how much better were than them. Giants 36-22. We then stifled TB at home 17-3 and Survived a scare from the Texans 14-10 and were 6-2 and the talk of the NFC.
6-2 - .750 winning percentage. We allowed 16 points over 3 weeks at home.
And thats when the season ended. The Bears played here on Sunday night. While losing Luke Pettigout, we also lost our heart and soul. It wasn't the Devin Hester 108 yard fg return(which did suck), The Bears changed the momentum with one drive -- and really one play, a draw to Jones on third-and-22 with 1:30 left in the half. He went 26 yards for a first down and woke up the offense; grossman hit Mark Braddley for a TD, and what was a 13-3, game tunred to 13-10 and the season would never turn around.
If i am Coach Coughlin, Antonio Pierce, Jeremy Shockey, Eli Manning, Gibril Wilson, etc...I remind myself all off-season of the football team up until that play.
GETTING READY for 2007:
Why does everyone think we will stink?
Football is the ultimate team game where individuals need to step up and make plays.
It starts tomorrow night. It starts with a defense that's achillesin 2006 was 3rd and 11. We never stopped it. We also played soft. Our corners played 10 yards off. We lost The Chief, Lavar, Michael, Sam and Corey at different points. We brought in Spags. We will play man-press coverage. That alone should tell you we will be aggressive. We will blitz. On 3rd and 11, Kiwi will put his hand down and rush the qb with Osi, Michael and Justin.
It starts tomorrow ninght. The schedule should allow us to surive early and get strong in the middle. In OCtober alone, we play the Jets(overrated), SF(overhyped), Atlanta(we beat them with vick and lost to them with Doug Johnson and Matt Schaub, so who knows) and Miami.
It starts tomorrow night. The transoformation at RB. We return to Power football. Jacobs will be fine. we went 3-0 in 2006 when he carries 10 times. Imagine the Big Blue back to Bruising Running and Aggressive Defense. Thats how i dream every night.
It starts tomorrow night. I can't wait.
Taking care of business
OK Mets fans...
6 games up again.
22 games to play.
Magic number is 17.
Very nice to see the offense bring it last night at home. Great to see Beltran finally seem to hit one at home (that shot was a BOMB) like he normally does on the road. It would really be great if he could finally begin to relax at Shea and kill the ball there like he does on the road. It's been 3 years now and he never has really been comfortable hitting in front of the home crowd.
Wright really is making a case for that MVP. Down 2-0 in the 3rd, he comes up with 2 on and the Mets still without a hit against Wandy Rodriguez (who threw a 9 inning, 4-hit shutout the last time we faced him) and just smokes a double to right center. Just great hitting in a great spot. Beltran singled Wright home after that and the game was over.
Another positive step forward for Mike Pelfrey. He didn't have near the stuff he has his last time out in Atlanta but he was able to work his way out of trouble several times and gave us 5+ nice innings.
Here is my stat(s) of the day...
As a reliever this season, Jorge Sosa is sporting a 2.57 ERA. He has a .238 BAA with a 14K/7BB ratio. Where would we be without this signing by Omar? Possibly the team's pitching MVP of the season, no? I mean in the first half of the season he stepped up and won 7 games for us and in the 2nd half he stepped up and became the RH relief option we were sorely lacking (thanks to Mota only being good while on steroids & Duaner going to get cuban food). Nice job once again by Omar.
Glavine and Pedro over this weekend. Pedro with a ridiculous unlucky draw again of Roy Oswalt (after seeing Harang in his first start)on Sunday will be a thrill in NY despite kickoff Sunday going on and the men's final going on next door. Come 1:00 when Brady & Co invade the Meadowlands, Pedro will get ready to throw his first pitch at Shea in a year. The forecast has cleared up and Flushing will be ready to rock from pitch one through Federer's final ace. Pretty cool day in Flushing Queens.
Now..onto the NFL weekend...my predictions for the hometown teams in week 1:
Jets are 1-8 in their last 9 against the Pats. This is a HUGE Week 1 matchup. The Jets fans will be loud and the Pats are missing 2 keys players in their defense. That said, these games usually come down to Chad and Brady. And there is a reason why it says 1-8 in the past 9 in the first sentence of this paragraph. Pats win in a competitive game 27-20.
In an equally HUGE divisional matchup, our beloved Giants visit the rival Cowboys on Sunday night. Last year so much happened down in Big D when these 2 teams played and the Giants killed the Boys 36-22. It was the game we first saw Romo and the last time we saw Bledsoe. It was also a game that eneded up being the end for Lavar Arrington in Blue (who had a safety during the first quarter and his best game as a Giant before leaving with a potentially career ending injury - well that and the dumb motorcycle thing). The Giants also lost Osi during this game and for 5 weeks after that. This time it's a week one matchup in primetime. The Cowboys are many "experts" favorite to come out of the NFC. Sorry, I just don't see it.
This week, and possibly many more, the Boys play without their 2nd WR in Glenn and likely without their best CB in Terrence Newman. If Newman doesn't play, that is a big advantage for the Giants. Look for Eli to spread the field on early downs, possibly from the shut gun at times to give new LT Davd Diehl some time to handle the pass-rush happy Wade Phillips D, and find Shockey one-on-one with Roy "horsecollar" Williams. Plax will be able to go up for some deep balls as well and look for the kids Smith & and the old man Toomer to be open over the middle. Then we are gonna smash it with Jacobs late to wear em down. I don't see the Boys being better than last season at all. In fact, I think Romo will be significantly worse as teams have now studied his weaknesses and on top of that he blew their potential 1st playoff win in a decade singlehandedly. If he falters early, the crowd in Big D will get on him. Look for a close game here as well with the Giants surprising many and prevailing 31-27.
Lets go Mets! Lets go Giants!
6 games up again.
22 games to play.
Magic number is 17.
Very nice to see the offense bring it last night at home. Great to see Beltran finally seem to hit one at home (that shot was a BOMB) like he normally does on the road. It would really be great if he could finally begin to relax at Shea and kill the ball there like he does on the road. It's been 3 years now and he never has really been comfortable hitting in front of the home crowd.
Wright really is making a case for that MVP. Down 2-0 in the 3rd, he comes up with 2 on and the Mets still without a hit against Wandy Rodriguez (who threw a 9 inning, 4-hit shutout the last time we faced him) and just smokes a double to right center. Just great hitting in a great spot. Beltran singled Wright home after that and the game was over.
Another positive step forward for Mike Pelfrey. He didn't have near the stuff he has his last time out in Atlanta but he was able to work his way out of trouble several times and gave us 5+ nice innings.
Here is my stat(s) of the day...
As a reliever this season, Jorge Sosa is sporting a 2.57 ERA. He has a .238 BAA with a 14K/7BB ratio. Where would we be without this signing by Omar? Possibly the team's pitching MVP of the season, no? I mean in the first half of the season he stepped up and won 7 games for us and in the 2nd half he stepped up and became the RH relief option we were sorely lacking (thanks to Mota only being good while on steroids & Duaner going to get cuban food). Nice job once again by Omar.
Glavine and Pedro over this weekend. Pedro with a ridiculous unlucky draw again of Roy Oswalt (after seeing Harang in his first start)on Sunday will be a thrill in NY despite kickoff Sunday going on and the men's final going on next door. Come 1:00 when Brady & Co invade the Meadowlands, Pedro will get ready to throw his first pitch at Shea in a year. The forecast has cleared up and Flushing will be ready to rock from pitch one through Federer's final ace. Pretty cool day in Flushing Queens.
Now..onto the NFL weekend...my predictions for the hometown teams in week 1:
Jets are 1-8 in their last 9 against the Pats. This is a HUGE Week 1 matchup. The Jets fans will be loud and the Pats are missing 2 keys players in their defense. That said, these games usually come down to Chad and Brady. And there is a reason why it says 1-8 in the past 9 in the first sentence of this paragraph. Pats win in a competitive game 27-20.
In an equally HUGE divisional matchup, our beloved Giants visit the rival Cowboys on Sunday night. Last year so much happened down in Big D when these 2 teams played and the Giants killed the Boys 36-22. It was the game we first saw Romo and the last time we saw Bledsoe. It was also a game that eneded up being the end for Lavar Arrington in Blue (who had a safety during the first quarter and his best game as a Giant before leaving with a potentially career ending injury - well that and the dumb motorcycle thing). The Giants also lost Osi during this game and for 5 weeks after that. This time it's a week one matchup in primetime. The Cowboys are many "experts" favorite to come out of the NFC. Sorry, I just don't see it.
This week, and possibly many more, the Boys play without their 2nd WR in Glenn and likely without their best CB in Terrence Newman. If Newman doesn't play, that is a big advantage for the Giants. Look for Eli to spread the field on early downs, possibly from the shut gun at times to give new LT Davd Diehl some time to handle the pass-rush happy Wade Phillips D, and find Shockey one-on-one with Roy "horsecollar" Williams. Plax will be able to go up for some deep balls as well and look for the kids Smith & and the old man Toomer to be open over the middle. Then we are gonna smash it with Jacobs late to wear em down. I don't see the Boys being better than last season at all. In fact, I think Romo will be significantly worse as teams have now studied his weaknesses and on top of that he blew their potential 1st playoff win in a decade singlehandedly. If he falters early, the crowd in Big D will get on him. Look for a close game here as well with the Giants surprising many and prevailing 31-27.
Lets go Mets! Lets go Giants!
Monday, September 03, 2007
In Case You Missed It:
Pedro Martinez notched his first victory in more than a year and didn't look to bad doing it giving up 3 runs (2er) in 5 ip.
This team looks rejuvinated ever since Petey set foot in the clubhouse, going 4-0 since his return to the bigs.
The Mets are 5 games up, own the best road record in baseball, and have a chance to go for 5 in a row tomorrow.
The Mets own the easiest schedule in baseball through the end of the season.
Mike Stanton and Dave Weathers are in the same bullpen which, not surprisingly, is the worst in the league.
Let me repeat, Mike Stanton is still pitching for a professional team. Well, the Reds, but still.
Philadelphia has proven time and again that the stigma attached to them is legit. That is, they are a bunch of losers.
Carlos Delgado may not be in his prime but he can still swing the stick a little bit.
Last but not least, I will say it again..MOISES ALOU CAN HIT A FAST BALL!!!!
This team looks rejuvinated ever since Petey set foot in the clubhouse, going 4-0 since his return to the bigs.
The Mets are 5 games up, own the best road record in baseball, and have a chance to go for 5 in a row tomorrow.
The Mets own the easiest schedule in baseball through the end of the season.
Mike Stanton and Dave Weathers are in the same bullpen which, not surprisingly, is the worst in the league.
Let me repeat, Mike Stanton is still pitching for a professional team. Well, the Reds, but still.
Philadelphia has proven time and again that the stigma attached to them is legit. That is, they are a bunch of losers.
Carlos Delgado may not be in his prime but he can still swing the stick a little bit.
Last but not least, I will say it again..MOISES ALOU CAN HIT A FAST BALL!!!!
Vayamos Pedro
Well, well, well....
So much for a tough luck draw against Aaron Harang. What more can be said..he is a walking, talking, pitching legend in orange & blue.
I remember opening day 2005 so clearly. It was his 1st game, it was against the Reds at The Great American Ballpark. It was the first game of "the new Mets".
He looked nervous in the first, just like today, and let up a 3-run homer to Adam Dunn before Gary could welcome new starting CF Carlos Beltran and new starting 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (yuk). Not to mention the switch back to SS for the great Jose Reyes and shift to 2B for the NY bust Kaz Matsui. After the homer, you saw the Pedro look come over his face. Soon he was mowing down batters. Fastballs, nasty change-ups and that steady slow curve. He didn't allow another hit but he has struck out 12 in just 6 innings and was over 100 pitches so he was removed from the game leading by 3 runs. A guy by the name of Manny Aybar then came in (he was that year's Mota) and let up a run. Followed in the 9th by Braden Looper letting up 2 HRs - Dunn to tie it and Joe Randa to lose the game. It was a sickening loss but that day all Mets fans knew that something had changed. Pedro's games all became festive holiday's. At home, attendance shot up 8,000 or more when he pitched. The "new Mets" had arrived.
Sitting down today to see Pedro throw, I was as excited as I was that April day in 2005. He had that same look of nervousness on him in the first, as did I on my couch. The leadoff guy hit a dinker like Aaron Rowand did last week followed by a rocket to LF that Alou misplayed for a double. Suddenly, things looked shaky. Granted the Alou play should've been an out but he was throwing 82-83 and they were crushing the ball. Next batter, Junior, crushes one right at Beltran for an out. A run scored but the Pedro face is suddenly back. He lets up a single to Phillips to plate the second run and then proceeds to retire 8 in a row and 9 of 10, reaching as high as 90 MPH on the clock, something I have never seen Pedro do as a Met. A weird error by Beltran plates a run and that was it. He let up a dinky IF single in the 5th and retired Dunn to end the 5th. The Mets promptly came up the next inning and put 2 on the board and with Manny Aybar off playing in the Korean Baseball Organization, Schoenweiss, Feliciano and Sosa eased through 3 innings, the Mets tacked on 4 more and won in a romp.
Pedro is back my friends. He joined the team before the Braves series and I don't think it's at all a coincidence that we are 4-0 since then.
He is the one that brought us all of this. He brought us Beltran & he brought us Delgado. He brought us Fernando Martinez and many more like him in the future.
This team has been in need of an identity all season long. Our identity has just entered the building. He wears 45. His name is Pedro.
So much for a tough luck draw against Aaron Harang. What more can be said..he is a walking, talking, pitching legend in orange & blue.
I remember opening day 2005 so clearly. It was his 1st game, it was against the Reds at The Great American Ballpark. It was the first game of "the new Mets".
He looked nervous in the first, just like today, and let up a 3-run homer to Adam Dunn before Gary could welcome new starting CF Carlos Beltran and new starting 1B Doug Mientkiewicz (yuk). Not to mention the switch back to SS for the great Jose Reyes and shift to 2B for the NY bust Kaz Matsui. After the homer, you saw the Pedro look come over his face. Soon he was mowing down batters. Fastballs, nasty change-ups and that steady slow curve. He didn't allow another hit but he has struck out 12 in just 6 innings and was over 100 pitches so he was removed from the game leading by 3 runs. A guy by the name of Manny Aybar then came in (he was that year's Mota) and let up a run. Followed in the 9th by Braden Looper letting up 2 HRs - Dunn to tie it and Joe Randa to lose the game. It was a sickening loss but that day all Mets fans knew that something had changed. Pedro's games all became festive holiday's. At home, attendance shot up 8,000 or more when he pitched. The "new Mets" had arrived.
Sitting down today to see Pedro throw, I was as excited as I was that April day in 2005. He had that same look of nervousness on him in the first, as did I on my couch. The leadoff guy hit a dinker like Aaron Rowand did last week followed by a rocket to LF that Alou misplayed for a double. Suddenly, things looked shaky. Granted the Alou play should've been an out but he was throwing 82-83 and they were crushing the ball. Next batter, Junior, crushes one right at Beltran for an out. A run scored but the Pedro face is suddenly back. He lets up a single to Phillips to plate the second run and then proceeds to retire 8 in a row and 9 of 10, reaching as high as 90 MPH on the clock, something I have never seen Pedro do as a Met. A weird error by Beltran plates a run and that was it. He let up a dinky IF single in the 5th and retired Dunn to end the 5th. The Mets promptly came up the next inning and put 2 on the board and with Manny Aybar off playing in the Korean Baseball Organization, Schoenweiss, Feliciano and Sosa eased through 3 innings, the Mets tacked on 4 more and won in a romp.
Pedro is back my friends. He joined the team before the Braves series and I don't think it's at all a coincidence that we are 4-0 since then.
He is the one that brought us all of this. He brought us Beltran & he brought us Delgado. He brought us Fernando Martinez and many more like him in the future.
This team has been in need of an identity all season long. Our identity has just entered the building. He wears 45. His name is Pedro.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
A 12-day roller coaster...
First off, great comments and analysis by my partner below...
Now onto my post...
It was Wednesday, August 22nd, I went out to Shea with my buddies Danny, Adam and Yankees fan Larry. Jake Peavy faced off against Brian Lawrence. The Mets were never in the game and despite getting 3 runs in the 9th off Trevor Hoffman they lost 7-5. After that game they were 5 games up on the Phils and 6 games up on the Braves.
I go to Cape Cod for my sister-in-law's wedding the next morning. I would be completely out of touch of SNY and WFAN for 4 full days. Of course I have my Treo giving me play-by-play and Dani-&-Lynne updating every moment for me via email but if you guys know me well, I rarely miss innings, let alone games.
That night the Mets lose a thrilling heart breaker in the 10th inning with Johnny Franco (aka Billy Wagner) blowing the save in the 9th and Heilman letting up yet another homer, this one to Adrian Gonzalez, in the 10th to lose. Phils and Braves both lose.
The Dodgers come to town over the weekend and the Mets promptly go out and do a complete reverse from the Pods series and win the 1st and 2nd game of the series. Wagner comes in the first game up 5-1 and lets up 3 hits and a run. He complains after the game that he doesn't like to pitch in non-save opportunities. The next day we hear Billy has a dead arm and needs to shut it down for a few days. The following night Heilman gets the save in a close one. While the Braves win on Friday, they lose on Saturday and the Phils drop the first 2 to the the wild-card leading Pods. At the end of Lauren & Jay's wedding, which was also my birthday, the Mets are up 7 games on both the Braves and Phils. The next morning at brunch we were all celebrating.
Then....the Phillies series. No need to re-visit this one any more than we already have. The first day was a blow out yet seemingly meaningless given the lead. The following night the bullpen struck again with Feliciano giving up a homer to JRoll and then Heilman letting up the dinker to Roward and then none other than Mota ending it with a meatball to Howard. The following night it was Marlon blowing the game on a bush league play. And then there was Thursday.
I couldn't take it anymore after the lead has shrunk to 3 in 4 days so I got my work done in the morning and headed out to the US Open for the day session. I figured a little tennis would be a nice change of pace. After I check my phone from my buddy Mark IMing me and he tells me it's 5-0 Phils, I want to jump off Arthur Ashe stadium. Then we tie it. Then the Phils go up by 3. I leave Flushing, tennis can't keep me from watching. I get on the 7 Express with my friend Erik. I'm in Port Authority 30 minutes later..run to the bar...glance at my phone, email from Goldberg, tie game. Get into the bar...moronic play by the catcher Ruiz. Mets lead 9-8!! I am in shock. They get another run and then I see it...Franco is coming in for 2 innings. You knew it. I knew it. We all knew it. This game wasn't over. Burrell homers yet again. Then the moronic steals. Then the Iguchi hit. Then the know-doubt-in-anyones-mind-he-will-get-a-hit-in-this-spot Chase hit. Ball game. Season ove....
Just before you could get that last r out of your mouth....we hit Atlanta. The same Atlanta that we were 4-8 against this year. The same Turner Field where we have previously played 26 September games and lost 21 of them. And what do the do? They go out and sweep those f*ckin Braves. Take that Tomahawk chop and shove it up your asses Braves fans. And even better, as Fink says below, the Phils do their thing and lose the series to the Marlins and the Mets lead is back at 4.
So when looked at after this season, within the span of 12-days, the Phils gained 1-game on the Mets and the Braves lost a game and a half. From my point of view right now, I feel like we have been through hell and back in less than 2 weeks and we still have 4 more weeks of craziness ahead of us.
That craziness continues with the craziest one of all, Pedro, tomorrow night in Cinci. (FYI..get your tickets now for Sunday against the Astros as it looks like that will be his first start at home). If Pedro can bring any type of magic and get through 5 solid innings in his first go, then maybe we can make this lead a bit more comfortable again and take this damn division that these Phils and Braves are just asking us to take.
With the NFL kicking off this week and the excitement of Sunday night in Dallas a mere 7 days away, I for one am quite focused on the Reds and the Astros this week. Cause guess who comes up at home the following week? That's right, those same Braves and Phillies.
When people ever say to you they don't watch baseball because there are too many games and it's too long of a season. Point them to the 2007 NY Mets and the last 6 weeks of the season.
The roller coaster continues tomorrow...all aboard.
Now onto my post...
It was Wednesday, August 22nd, I went out to Shea with my buddies Danny, Adam and Yankees fan Larry. Jake Peavy faced off against Brian Lawrence. The Mets were never in the game and despite getting 3 runs in the 9th off Trevor Hoffman they lost 7-5. After that game they were 5 games up on the Phils and 6 games up on the Braves.
I go to Cape Cod for my sister-in-law's wedding the next morning. I would be completely out of touch of SNY and WFAN for 4 full days. Of course I have my Treo giving me play-by-play and Dani-&-Lynne updating every moment for me via email but if you guys know me well, I rarely miss innings, let alone games.
That night the Mets lose a thrilling heart breaker in the 10th inning with Johnny Franco (aka Billy Wagner) blowing the save in the 9th and Heilman letting up yet another homer, this one to Adrian Gonzalez, in the 10th to lose. Phils and Braves both lose.
The Dodgers come to town over the weekend and the Mets promptly go out and do a complete reverse from the Pods series and win the 1st and 2nd game of the series. Wagner comes in the first game up 5-1 and lets up 3 hits and a run. He complains after the game that he doesn't like to pitch in non-save opportunities. The next day we hear Billy has a dead arm and needs to shut it down for a few days. The following night Heilman gets the save in a close one. While the Braves win on Friday, they lose on Saturday and the Phils drop the first 2 to the the wild-card leading Pods. At the end of Lauren & Jay's wedding, which was also my birthday, the Mets are up 7 games on both the Braves and Phils. The next morning at brunch we were all celebrating.
Then....the Phillies series. No need to re-visit this one any more than we already have. The first day was a blow out yet seemingly meaningless given the lead. The following night the bullpen struck again with Feliciano giving up a homer to JRoll and then Heilman letting up the dinker to Roward and then none other than Mota ending it with a meatball to Howard. The following night it was Marlon blowing the game on a bush league play. And then there was Thursday.
I couldn't take it anymore after the lead has shrunk to 3 in 4 days so I got my work done in the morning and headed out to the US Open for the day session. I figured a little tennis would be a nice change of pace. After I check my phone from my buddy Mark IMing me and he tells me it's 5-0 Phils, I want to jump off Arthur Ashe stadium. Then we tie it. Then the Phils go up by 3. I leave Flushing, tennis can't keep me from watching. I get on the 7 Express with my friend Erik. I'm in Port Authority 30 minutes later..run to the bar...glance at my phone, email from Goldberg, tie game. Get into the bar...moronic play by the catcher Ruiz. Mets lead 9-8!! I am in shock. They get another run and then I see it...Franco is coming in for 2 innings. You knew it. I knew it. We all knew it. This game wasn't over. Burrell homers yet again. Then the moronic steals. Then the Iguchi hit. Then the know-doubt-in-anyones-mind-he-will-get-a-hit-in-this-spot Chase hit. Ball game. Season ove....
Just before you could get that last r out of your mouth....we hit Atlanta. The same Atlanta that we were 4-8 against this year. The same Turner Field where we have previously played 26 September games and lost 21 of them. And what do the do? They go out and sweep those f*ckin Braves. Take that Tomahawk chop and shove it up your asses Braves fans. And even better, as Fink says below, the Phils do their thing and lose the series to the Marlins and the Mets lead is back at 4.
So when looked at after this season, within the span of 12-days, the Phils gained 1-game on the Mets and the Braves lost a game and a half. From my point of view right now, I feel like we have been through hell and back in less than 2 weeks and we still have 4 more weeks of craziness ahead of us.
That craziness continues with the craziest one of all, Pedro, tomorrow night in Cinci. (FYI..get your tickets now for Sunday against the Astros as it looks like that will be his first start at home). If Pedro can bring any type of magic and get through 5 solid innings in his first go, then maybe we can make this lead a bit more comfortable again and take this damn division that these Phils and Braves are just asking us to take.
With the NFL kicking off this week and the excitement of Sunday night in Dallas a mere 7 days away, I for one am quite focused on the Reds and the Astros this week. Cause guess who comes up at home the following week? That's right, those same Braves and Phillies.
When people ever say to you they don't watch baseball because there are too many games and it's too long of a season. Point them to the 2007 NY Mets and the last 6 weeks of the season.
The roller coaster continues tomorrow...all aboard.
I'll take it..
Ok. So I asked for 6 of 7 on the trip and instead I got 3-4, including a 4 game sweep by the Phils and a 3 game sweep of the Braves. Can someone tell me what the hell is going on with this team? Cooper, i know you have no idea and I certainly don't.
Strangely enough I have an optimistic outlook heading out of what could have been a disasterous road trip. I mean, after losing those games to Philly the way they did there was not a thought in my mind that they would walk into atlanta and take the brooms out. Not only did they sweep the bravos but they did so by winning 2 games vs Hudson and Smoltz, with glavine securing his first victory in a head to head matchup against his old friend and future hall of famer.
It's amazing how much of a difference a few days can make in this game. This team was spiraling into the abyss as they boarded their flight to Atlanta, clinging to a 2 game lead. 3 days later they smack the hated braves upside the head and make them a non factor in the postseason race. Philly, as is tradition after gaining momentum, fall flat in Florida and drop 2 of 3 to the lowly Marlins, leaving them 4 games out. Way to keep that momentum going!
All in all things could be worse. The Mets showed some pride and head to Cincy with a bit of momentum and a guy named Pedro ready to take the hill. A solid outing tomorrow would make it 4 in a row and a chance to take 5 in a row for the first time all season. More importantly Pedro could provide that extra jolt of energy that this team could surely use down the stretch.
By the way, the Mets are the best road team in MLB with a 41-30 record. What? Really? This season gets stranger and stranger.
Strangely enough I have an optimistic outlook heading out of what could have been a disasterous road trip. I mean, after losing those games to Philly the way they did there was not a thought in my mind that they would walk into atlanta and take the brooms out. Not only did they sweep the bravos but they did so by winning 2 games vs Hudson and Smoltz, with glavine securing his first victory in a head to head matchup against his old friend and future hall of famer.
It's amazing how much of a difference a few days can make in this game. This team was spiraling into the abyss as they boarded their flight to Atlanta, clinging to a 2 game lead. 3 days later they smack the hated braves upside the head and make them a non factor in the postseason race. Philly, as is tradition after gaining momentum, fall flat in Florida and drop 2 of 3 to the lowly Marlins, leaving them 4 games out. Way to keep that momentum going!
All in all things could be worse. The Mets showed some pride and head to Cincy with a bit of momentum and a guy named Pedro ready to take the hill. A solid outing tomorrow would make it 4 in a row and a chance to take 5 in a row for the first time all season. More importantly Pedro could provide that extra jolt of energy that this team could surely use down the stretch.
By the way, the Mets are the best road team in MLB with a 41-30 record. What? Really? This season gets stranger and stranger.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
What a ride...
If anyone is sick, there are barf bags located in the seat pockets in front on you.
Seriously, is this team kidding me?
We go up 7, lose 5 in a row, including 3 of the worst consecutive losses I can remember since losing the final 5 games of the 1998 season (the last 3 to the Braves in Atlanta when we needed just 1 win to force a playoff - potentially a 3-way playoff with the Cubs & Giants) and then actually win the first 2 Atlanta this weekend?!?!
What's next? An actual sweep tomorrow with Tommy on the mound?!?! Ha!
I am as confused as all of you. I have no answers.
It's September 1st. Strap on your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
Seriously, is this team kidding me?
We go up 7, lose 5 in a row, including 3 of the worst consecutive losses I can remember since losing the final 5 games of the 1998 season (the last 3 to the Braves in Atlanta when we needed just 1 win to force a playoff - potentially a 3-way playoff with the Cubs & Giants) and then actually win the first 2 Atlanta this weekend?!?!
What's next? An actual sweep tomorrow with Tommy on the mound?!?! Ha!
I am as confused as all of you. I have no answers.
It's September 1st. Strap on your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
Friday, August 31, 2007
A Chip(per) off the ol' block
Yep, just what we need to see after the debacle in Philly. Hudson and Chipper ready for us after a day off in Atlanta.
Oh yeah, I feel confident. Ha!
I can't even write about the Mets today. I just need to see them freakin win a game again before I really get in to detail about this club right now. I am in shock how a club can go from 7 up to 2 up in 5 games like they just did. The last 3 games seem like a bad movie. Let's just hope this movie somehow has a happy ending.
That said, let's talk about the Giants.
A great first drive by the first team offense last night. Manning looks sharp and ready for the season. Jacobs looks big and while he could struggle at times he should be able to work down any defense by the 4th quarter with he ridiculous size. Shockey looks ready...really need him and Plax healthy. On the other side of the ball, I am not impressed, quite concerned in fact, with the secondary. Reeese really did nothing to improve this unit in the short term and it will once again be our soft spot. Teams can and will throw on us all day long. Still don't like the kicking situation. Again, thanks to Reese for not re-signing our perfectly good kicker. Season kickoffs in 8 days in Dallas...still no sign of 92
Oh yeah, I feel confident. Ha!
I can't even write about the Mets today. I just need to see them freakin win a game again before I really get in to detail about this club right now. I am in shock how a club can go from 7 up to 2 up in 5 games like they just did. The last 3 games seem like a bad movie. Let's just hope this movie somehow has a happy ending.
That said, let's talk about the Giants.
A great first drive by the first team offense last night. Manning looks sharp and ready for the season. Jacobs looks big and while he could struggle at times he should be able to work down any defense by the 4th quarter with he ridiculous size. Shockey looks ready...really need him and Plax healthy. On the other side of the ball, I am not impressed, quite concerned in fact, with the secondary. Reeese really did nothing to improve this unit in the short term and it will once again be our soft spot. Teams can and will throw on us all day long. Still don't like the kicking situation. Again, thanks to Reese for not re-signing our perfectly good kicker. Season kickoffs in 8 days in Dallas...still no sign of 92
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Ummmmmmmmm
Not sure what to say except that this was by far and away the most infuriating 4 game set i can recall. Not only did we have a chance to pull away from the division but worse than that, every game was within reach and every game was pretty much a heart breaker. Bad decisions, bad execution, and just an all around pathetic perofrmance against a hated rival. Wagner for 2 innings after having "dead arm"? Heilman a no show after a day off? Constant blown opportunities by the bullpen and the offense!! Brainless errors on the basepaths at critical points!!
I will leave you with this, as we have reached a boiling point: The Mets are 8-7 since Coop-a-Fink was created and 4-2 when we both blog vs 1-3 when only 1 of us blogs. My friends, there is a direct correlation between coop-a-fink team chemistry and the success of the Mets. Coops, we have to be more consistent for this season to be a success!!
I will leave you with this, as we have reached a boiling point: The Mets are 8-7 since Coop-a-Fink was created and 4-2 when we both blog vs 1-3 when only 1 of us blogs. My friends, there is a direct correlation between coop-a-fink team chemistry and the success of the Mets. Coops, we have to be more consistent for this season to be a success!!
Yes, I am worried
Really, I don't even know what to type.
I go to Cape Cod, we go up 7 games and look like we are ready to end the division race.
I come home, we lose Sunday night, they go to Philly and suddenly it's a 3 game lead and today at 1:00 we play the most important game of the season.
I am ill.
Obviously Marlon made a moronic decision but what the hell is Willie thinking putting Green up to pinch hit in that spot??
If they have any heart and any pride they beat the crap out of Kyle Lohse today. Nobody we would rather have on the hill that Duque to do it.
As the late, great Tug McGraw once said.. YA GOTTA BELIEVE
I go to Cape Cod, we go up 7 games and look like we are ready to end the division race.
I come home, we lose Sunday night, they go to Philly and suddenly it's a 3 game lead and today at 1:00 we play the most important game of the season.
I am ill.
Obviously Marlon made a moronic decision but what the hell is Willie thinking putting Green up to pinch hit in that spot??
If they have any heart and any pride they beat the crap out of Kyle Lohse today. Nobody we would rather have on the hill that Duque to do it.
As the late, great Tug McGraw once said.. YA GOTTA BELIEVE
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Relax people
OK. It was a terrible night of baseball. But let's just relax. We can't expect Brian Lawrence to go on the road in Philly and win. If we were going to win that game last night it was about scoring more runs that the Phils and we simply didn't do that. Nothing more to analyze on that.
I know my partner in crime wants to win 6 of 7 against these 2 clubs but I am not asking for that at all. I don't need any proof of the kind of club we are. I don't need a big winning streak. What I need is to split this 4 game set with the Phils and then win 2 of 3 in Atlanta. That would insure us of losing no ground and knock another 6 games off the schedule. With the Braves and Phils facing each other 6 more times this season, there would not be much season left for either of them to make a run.
What I need is a division championship and homefield advantage throughout the NL playoffs and I don't care if we don't win 5 in a row all year long as long as we get that.
Let's forget about yesterday and focus on the next 6 games. Tonight would be a nice way to start.
Updated by Fink 12:35pm....
....that's an easy enough game to put behind me. but i will say this, schoenweiss does not make me feel any better about the bullpen and let's just pray we don't have to face any young unproven pitchers in meaningful games from here on out.
I know my partner in crime wants to win 6 of 7 against these 2 clubs but I am not asking for that at all. I don't need any proof of the kind of club we are. I don't need a big winning streak. What I need is to split this 4 game set with the Phils and then win 2 of 3 in Atlanta. That would insure us of losing no ground and knock another 6 games off the schedule. With the Braves and Phils facing each other 6 more times this season, there would not be much season left for either of them to make a run.
What I need is a division championship and homefield advantage throughout the NL playoffs and I don't care if we don't win 5 in a row all year long as long as we get that.
Let's forget about yesterday and focus on the next 6 games. Tonight would be a nice way to start.
Updated by Fink 12:35pm....
....that's an easy enough game to put behind me. but i will say this, schoenweiss does not make me feel any better about the bullpen and let's just pray we don't have to face any young unproven pitchers in meaningful games from here on out.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Show Me!!
The Mets have been, or have seemed to be, an up and down team all year. They have never gone through that long stretch where they won 15-18, 21-25, etc. They tend to put together 2,3, maybe 4 wins in a row and then proceed to lose 2 of the next 3 and missing out on a chance to pull away from the rest of the pack. The rest of the pack being Philly and Atlanta. This type of inconsistent play is the reason why i don't necessarily have all the confidence in the world that they can get deep into the playoffs and make that long sought after trip to the World Series.
They lost 6 of 8 heading into the All Star break and were clinging to a 2 game lead over Atlanta (4.5 over philly) on July 9th. Coming out of the break they went 15-9 and were heading into a 3 game set at Shea against the Braves with a 4.5 game lead (5 over philly). This series was a chance for the Mets to make a statement and , of course, they proceeded to lose 2 of 3 to not only the Braves but to the mighty Marlins in the following series.
Since that Marlins series the Mets have gone 8-4 and stretched their lead in the division race over now 2nd place philly to 6 (7 over atlanta). Through all of their mediocrity and talks of Atlanta and Philly breathing down their necks in the middle of the summer, the Mets have managed to win just enough and atl/phi have managed to lose just enough for the Mets to get a hold of the division.
For me though, on the heels of the ugly (but exciting) series with the Padres and another inconsistent outing last night vs LA, I need to see this team come out and let the rest of MLB know that they are the team to beat. And taking 6 of 7 from Phi/Atl this week will make that statement loud and clear. Pitching and defense will tell the tale this time around, as it almost always does. 6 of 7 may seem like a reach but given the fact that they are facing mediocre pitching over the next 4 games (durbin, eaton, moyer, lohse) and missing Smoltz in Atl (they do get hudson but face reyes and cormier as well), this should certainly be something that is achievable for a team that has it's eyes set on a WS ring.
Make me believe!
They lost 6 of 8 heading into the All Star break and were clinging to a 2 game lead over Atlanta (4.5 over philly) on July 9th. Coming out of the break they went 15-9 and were heading into a 3 game set at Shea against the Braves with a 4.5 game lead (5 over philly). This series was a chance for the Mets to make a statement and , of course, they proceeded to lose 2 of 3 to not only the Braves but to the mighty Marlins in the following series.
Since that Marlins series the Mets have gone 8-4 and stretched their lead in the division race over now 2nd place philly to 6 (7 over atlanta). Through all of their mediocrity and talks of Atlanta and Philly breathing down their necks in the middle of the summer, the Mets have managed to win just enough and atl/phi have managed to lose just enough for the Mets to get a hold of the division.
For me though, on the heels of the ugly (but exciting) series with the Padres and another inconsistent outing last night vs LA, I need to see this team come out and let the rest of MLB know that they are the team to beat. And taking 6 of 7 from Phi/Atl this week will make that statement loud and clear. Pitching and defense will tell the tale this time around, as it almost always does. 6 of 7 may seem like a reach but given the fact that they are facing mediocre pitching over the next 4 games (durbin, eaton, moyer, lohse) and missing Smoltz in Atl (they do get hudson but face reyes and cormier as well), this should certainly be something that is achievable for a team that has it's eyes set on a WS ring.
Make me believe!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Get Your Act Together
Ok. The time has come. Enough of this "not clicking on all cylinders" garbage. We're heading into the last week of August with a favorable schedule and a chance to widen the gap in the division. The offense has picked it up lately and during this series with SD they have shown the fight and sense of urgency despite the fact they lost 2 of 3. Now the starting pitching, which can't seem to get past the 5th inning, has to pick it up and show us what they showed us pre all star break. Let's go 6-7 strong and let the bullpen do the rest. Oh yeh, and the bullpen has to step it up. I can't watch any more of this inconsistency. it's embarrassing and will come back to haunt them if they don't get it straightened out starting tonight against the Dodgers. unless things change, and fast, i will not have much confidence that this team can go deep into the playoffs. That is, if they make it there. Pick it up boys!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
What a night
Wow. I am still excited.
Has to be the game of the year, right?
Omar comes up looking like a genius as his two late season acquisitions - Castillo and The Fish come through in the 9th to win it.
How cool was LMillz stepping to the plate in the 9th vs. Hoffman?!?!
Beltran is really the streakiest player I can remember. His swing from the left side when he is locked in like this is special.
Castillo was a marvelous acquisition. It really boggles my mind how so many media memmbers dismissed this move as a "minor" one at the deadline. Not only is he a gold glove 2nd baseman but he is an exceptional 2 hitter who does all the little things right. As Willie said last night after the game, "He is a winner". Sure Teixiera was the sexier name and biggest splash at the deadline. And he is off to a ridiculous hot start with the Braves (9 HRs in his first 19 games). But for Omar to snag Luis for so little (just like he recently did for Conine) was truly the deal of the deadline. The Braves mortgaged the future for a guy who may only stick around a season and a half. Omar stole this guy.
Lastly, Endy is red hot down at St Lucie and went 2 for 4 again last night. The question now becomes...who gets sent down when Endy gets the call? Or does Endy need to wait until September 1st? My gut is telling me it's the end of the line for either Aaron Sele or Brian Lawrence. Tough to say who as Lawrence goes tonight and Pedro goes Sunday (possibly in Brooklyn). No day off next week. OK..let me throw this one out there. Possibly the end of Shawn Green's career in Flushing?
Updated byFink at 1:05pm:
..... or could it be Mota? just throwing it out there (more wishful thinking than anything). Also, as i've stated numerous times Beltran is the key to this offense and i couldn't agree more that i don't know if i've ever seen as streaky a player in the past. But as hot as he is it seems that he will cool down very quickly once he faces a pitcher that can throw curve balls consistently for strikes. He's swings threw them every time... By the way, this bullpen is a mess!!
Has to be the game of the year, right?
Omar comes up looking like a genius as his two late season acquisitions - Castillo and The Fish come through in the 9th to win it.
How cool was LMillz stepping to the plate in the 9th vs. Hoffman?!?!
Beltran is really the streakiest player I can remember. His swing from the left side when he is locked in like this is special.
Castillo was a marvelous acquisition. It really boggles my mind how so many media memmbers dismissed this move as a "minor" one at the deadline. Not only is he a gold glove 2nd baseman but he is an exceptional 2 hitter who does all the little things right. As Willie said last night after the game, "He is a winner". Sure Teixiera was the sexier name and biggest splash at the deadline. And he is off to a ridiculous hot start with the Braves (9 HRs in his first 19 games). But for Omar to snag Luis for so little (just like he recently did for Conine) was truly the deal of the deadline. The Braves mortgaged the future for a guy who may only stick around a season and a half. Omar stole this guy.
Lastly, Endy is red hot down at St Lucie and went 2 for 4 again last night. The question now becomes...who gets sent down when Endy gets the call? Or does Endy need to wait until September 1st? My gut is telling me it's the end of the line for either Aaron Sele or Brian Lawrence. Tough to say who as Lawrence goes tonight and Pedro goes Sunday (possibly in Brooklyn). No day off next week. OK..let me throw this one out there. Possibly the end of Shawn Green's career in Flushing?
Updated byFink at 1:05pm:
..... or could it be Mota? just throwing it out there (more wishful thinking than anything). Also, as i've stated numerous times Beltran is the key to this offense and i couldn't agree more that i don't know if i've ever seen as streaky a player in the past. But as hot as he is it seems that he will cool down very quickly once he faces a pitcher that can throw curve balls consistently for strikes. He's swings threw them every time... By the way, this bullpen is a mess!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Take a knee? No thanks!
The Houston Chronicle recaps a wedding proposal during last nights Astors/Nats game:
The biggest excitement happened in the stands when a fan failed in his public attempt at popping the question. With the couple highlighted on the big screen, the mood soured after the man took a knee to offer an engagement ring. Wearing a brick-red replica Astros jersey, the woman appeared to angrily dump a bag of popcorn on the man before rushing up the stairs amid a chorus of boos.
After the top of the sixth, the man left amid cheers from the sympathetic crowd. "If it was an act, she put on a good one," Garner said. "She looked totally surprised and then totally mad. We couldn't even get a proposal right down here tonight.
How does that saying go? It sucks to be you!
The biggest excitement happened in the stands when a fan failed in his public attempt at popping the question. With the couple highlighted on the big screen, the mood soured after the man took a knee to offer an engagement ring. Wearing a brick-red replica Astros jersey, the woman appeared to angrily dump a bag of popcorn on the man before rushing up the stairs amid a chorus of boos.
After the top of the sixth, the man left amid cheers from the sympathetic crowd. "If it was an act, she put on a good one," Garner said. "She looked totally surprised and then totally mad. We couldn't even get a proposal right down here tonight.
How does that saying go? It sucks to be you!
Wagner's Heir Apparent: Eddie Kunz
I was flipping back and forth last night between the Colts/Bears preseason game (Rex, are you trying to set an NFL record for fumbled snaps this year?) and well, not much else. When i came across the last half inning of the Brooklyn Cyclones/Staten Island Yankees game. It was 1-0 Brooklyn in the top of the 9th and they were trying to close out the victory.
Normally, I take a glimpse at these games for about 2 seconds unless something cathes my eye. Well, last night pitcher Eddie Kunz did just that. I saw this kid throwing mid to high 90's fastballs with movement that would make The Jacket giddy. You could see right away that there was a reason the Mets drafted him in the 1st round this year and will expect big things from in the not so distant future.
Kunz was taken in the 1st round by the Mets with the 42nd pick and was the closer for College World Series champions Oregon St. With a little work on his location and secondary pitches we could see Kunz skyrocket through the system, similar to Joe Smith. He's only thown a few games this summer but don't be surprised to see him start out at AA Binghamton next year with an eye on the big club come mid summer.
Normally, I take a glimpse at these games for about 2 seconds unless something cathes my eye. Well, last night pitcher Eddie Kunz did just that. I saw this kid throwing mid to high 90's fastballs with movement that would make The Jacket giddy. You could see right away that there was a reason the Mets drafted him in the 1st round this year and will expect big things from in the not so distant future.
Kunz was taken in the 1st round by the Mets with the 42nd pick and was the closer for College World Series champions Oregon St. With a little work on his location and secondary pitches we could see Kunz skyrocket through the system, similar to Joe Smith. He's only thown a few games this summer but don't be surprised to see him start out at AA Binghamton next year with an eye on the big club come mid summer.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Pedro Update
Tonight for the St. Lucie (A) Mets, Pedro started. He allowed two unearned runs on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts over 5 strong innings.
By far the most encouraging start to date, Pedro threw 72 pitches, 52 for strikes and topped out at 89 MPH on the gun.
I don't want to get too excited but 89 on the gun already is really a great sign. The reports say looked great and really should not have let up any runs as the St. Lucie defense apparently stinks.
Also in the game, Endy Chavez continues to rake in minor league action. He went 3 for 4 today with a run scored. All 3 hits were singles. He is now batting .643 on his rehab assignment (9 for 14). I think he's about ready to return. Anderson Hernandez, we will miss ya. Don't let the door slam you on your way out of Queens..hopefully for good this time.
By far the most encouraging start to date, Pedro threw 72 pitches, 52 for strikes and topped out at 89 MPH on the gun.
I don't want to get too excited but 89 on the gun already is really a great sign. The reports say looked great and really should not have let up any runs as the St. Lucie defense apparently stinks.
Also in the game, Endy Chavez continues to rake in minor league action. He went 3 for 4 today with a run scored. All 3 hits were singles. He is now batting .643 on his rehab assignment (9 for 14). I think he's about ready to return. Anderson Hernandez, we will miss ya. Don't let the door slam you on your way out of Queens..hopefully for good this time.
Updated by Fink 9:40am:
....can you hear it? sshhh. wait, wait. there it is.. ENDY ENDY ENDY ENDY!!!!
In other Mets news, the player so many fans seem to want to hate, Carlos Beltran, took home the NL Player of the Week award. Carlos swatted 4 dingers, had 10 RBI, scored eight runs and totaled 24 bases over the week. As we all know, as Carlos goes so do the Mets and there is no mistake why we took 5 of 6 this week (we all know it should'v been all 6).
Nice off day news all around. Conine, Pedro, Endy and some accolades.
Updated by Fink at 9:40am:
.....Beltran, as you read this blog as part of your early morning routine please remember that this lineup needs you to continue to produce. What does this mean? That you best pick up the pace at home as your home/away splits are not what they should be (251avg/749ops home vs 271avg/931ops on the road). Relax up there buddy and keep this momentum going!
My Virgin Blog
Quick hits from last night - Giant Recap -
Lets address the beating that the media is hailing as slaughter house 6:
1)Jacobs - lacerated toe - he is 6'4 and 260lbs - i am not worried about a toe, he is fine
2)Demps - dislocated elbow - much better than a ligament or a break(pop it back in and rehab for 10 days)
3)Smith - concussion - welcome to the NFL - now you know how to take a hit. Fine by wednesday.
4)Madison - old man tweaked a hammy - rest up - we need every DB.
5)Jennings - the most severe, yet the most overrated. Anthony Mix is a more important WR for this team because of his size, and now he makes it. #15 is a great story and i feel bad for him, but Jennings is easily replaced by Moss and Smith as the slot or on the WR depth chart and by Moss, McQuarters and Ross on punts returns.
6) Rugemar - I like Greg Rugemar, but I think Zach Pillar has the full time 3rd guard role by October 1st.
What did work:
1) Kiwanukah will be a joy to watch(like a raw talent having fun playing a game he loves) - he is a superior athlete.
2) Jacobs will be a monster. Those draw plays are like a watching a bowling ball go downhill.
3) Toomer - welcome back. Eli sparkles with you in there
4) Huston made a 50 yard kick in CONDITIONS(Hersh's favorite word)
5) Ray Lewis, Terrel Suggs, Ed Reed Chris McCallister, Haloti Ngata - all played -
Eli went 10-13, with 2 drops for 114 yards a TD(in a a tiny window).
We are a long way from where we need to be, but we are much better off than we were after Carolina.
Congrats to Spags - The Defense showed some life yesterday and a ray of hope.
Lastly, a note on Michael Strahan. To compete we need your talent. The locker room on the other hand doesn't need your ego(see Tiki in 2006). That all being said, lets all stop speculating about his return cause no one knows what he wants to do. Let Michael be Michael and hopefully he will return to help us win the east.
Lets address the beating that the media is hailing as slaughter house 6:
1)Jacobs - lacerated toe - he is 6'4 and 260lbs - i am not worried about a toe, he is fine
2)Demps - dislocated elbow - much better than a ligament or a break(pop it back in and rehab for 10 days)
3)Smith - concussion - welcome to the NFL - now you know how to take a hit. Fine by wednesday.
4)Madison - old man tweaked a hammy - rest up - we need every DB.
5)Jennings - the most severe, yet the most overrated. Anthony Mix is a more important WR for this team because of his size, and now he makes it. #15 is a great story and i feel bad for him, but Jennings is easily replaced by Moss and Smith as the slot or on the WR depth chart and by Moss, McQuarters and Ross on punts returns.
6) Rugemar - I like Greg Rugemar, but I think Zach Pillar has the full time 3rd guard role by October 1st.
What did work:
1) Kiwanukah will be a joy to watch(like a raw talent having fun playing a game he loves) - he is a superior athlete.
2) Jacobs will be a monster. Those draw plays are like a watching a bowling ball go downhill.
3) Toomer - welcome back. Eli sparkles with you in there
4) Huston made a 50 yard kick in CONDITIONS(Hersh's favorite word)
5) Ray Lewis, Terrel Suggs, Ed Reed Chris McCallister, Haloti Ngata - all played -
Eli went 10-13, with 2 drops for 114 yards a TD(in a a tiny window).
We are a long way from where we need to be, but we are much better off than we were after Carolina.
Congrats to Spags - The Defense showed some life yesterday and a ray of hope.
Lastly, a note on Michael Strahan. To compete we need your talent. The locker room on the other hand doesn't need your ego(see Tiki in 2006). That all being said, lets all stop speculating about his return cause no one knows what he wants to do. Let Michael be Michael and hopefully he will return to help us win the east.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
