Thursday, March 30, 2006

New York Mets Top Prospects

CBS SportsLine.com staff

No. Player Age Pos. 2005 High Destination

1. Lastings Milledge 20 OF Double-A Triple-A
Five-tool prospect was drafted on the level of one Delmon Young

2. Alay Soler 26 RH RP Low A Triple-A
We will finally get our first look at power-armed Cuban defector

3. Anderson Hernandez 23 2B/SS Majors Majors
He could push Matsui out of town due to defense and speed

4. Brian Bannister 25 RH SP Triple-A Triple-A
Floyd Bannister's son has been relatively unheralded, but he's polished

5. John Maine 24 RH SP Majors Triple-A
He is going to bide time in relief in the Heilman '05 role, or in Triple-A

2006 Mets Preview

National League
New York Mets
By Alan Schwarz
Special to ESPN.com



Wild-Card Resembled: 2003 Marlins, at least offensively. Although the Mets have assembled one of their strongest lineups ever -- with the core some mix of David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd -- Willie Randolph is one of the most aggressive managers in the big leagues. He runs Jose Reyes a ton, just like Florida did with Juan Pierre, and will exploit the Derrek Lee-type speed of Wright and Beltran to keep the pressure on opponents.

Why They Won't Win the Division: Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz, just like the '03 Marlins. After Atlanta's 14 straight division titles, including the last several during heavy roster turnover, it's foolish not to consider it the favorite. (Even though John Smoltz has coyly suggested the Mets are the team to beat.) The Braves have a more reliable rotation than New York does -- Smoltz and Tim Hudson have nowhere near the question marks that Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine carry -- and a good enough offense to win more games than the Mets.

Why They'll Win the Wild Card: The NL West is a shambles; no second-place team should win anything close to the high 80s the Mets will. The Phillies need another frontline starter to morph into a serious contender. The only other team that should give New York a run for the wild card is … Houston Astros

3 Days to Opening Day

Three more days and we will start the 2006 Baseball Season. We have so much to look forward to this year. With this being the 20th Anniversary of the 1986 World Series Championship team, it can only be sweet if we can do it again. It all starts on Monday April 3, at Shea vs. the Washington Nationals.

LET'S GO METS!!!!!!

Friday, March 17, 2006

Mets have a Minor Loss

Kaz Matsui will be out three weeks, due to an injury in last nights exhibition game against the Braves. He sprained his MCL sliding into second base. Most Mets fans won't miss him, even though you don't wish an injury to anyone, but this now opens a door for Rookie Anderson Hernandez and also for Jeff Keppinger.

Games Notes:
Mets beat the Braves and improved their record to 10-6.
Cliff Floyd, 3 for 3, 1 HR, 3 RBI's
Xavier Nady, 2 for 3, Avg .417
Lastings Milledge, 2 for 4, Avg .324

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Cuba stuns Puerto Rico

In what was a game that both teams needed to win in order to advance to the semi-finals against the Dominican Republic, was also an exciting game to watch. Both teams battled to the final out.

Cuba took a commanding 4-1 lead, and kept getting out of jams by forcing Puerto Rico to hit into double plays. Puerto Rico chipped at the lead and by the time the ninth inning rolled around, they found themselves down only 4-3. But they just couldn't get that one clutch hit that would tie the game or even put them ahead.

Puerto Rico had their chance in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the bases loaded and one out, but Alex Cintron bounced into an inning ending double play and the Cuban team escaped.

Cuba emerged and will now play the Dominican Republic in the semi-finals in San Diego, with a chance to play for the World Baseball Classic Championship.


Game Notes:
Carlos Delgado 1 for 1 , Single. His only at bat of the Classic.
Carlos Beltran 1 for 3, 1 RBI.

Sportsnet NY Launches March 16, 2006

The Mets new cable station will make it's debut on March 16, 2006. The NY Jets games will also be shown on this channel. It will be round the clock baseball related shows. So for all those Mets fans that have been waiting for their own station, it is finally here.


Artist's rendering of SNY Studios

Monday, March 13, 2006

A Little Spring Training Note

The Mets just keep rolling. They won again today beating Washington Nationals 10-4. Even with their depleted team, they are finding a way to gel as a team, which will only benefit them when the World Baseball Classic is over and their entire team is together and ready to battle for a title.

Xavier Nady, who came over from San Diego in the Mike Cameron trade, is batting .481, 2 HRs and 11 RBI's. He is battling Victor Diaz for the starting Right Fielders job.

Jeff Keppinger is batting .316 and playing a solid defense as he battles Kaz Matsui for the starting 2B job. Matsui seems to have the edge, but only because of his salary ($8 Mil this season).

Paul Lo Duca (.385) and Ramon Castro (.438) who will share the catching duties this year, are both having strong springs. They will both have the opportunity to help the team, because Willie Randolph showed last year, how he is able to keep guys rested and happy and ready to produce when called upon.

Carlos Beltran poses with a Conde

As you may already be aware, Carlos Beltran is my favorite player. It may be that we play the same position, even though he is in the majors and I am a retired softball player. It may be that he patrols center field for the best team in baseball, yes the Mets, and if you scroll down you will see my favorite picture of me posing in center field at Shea Stadium. It may be that people have told me, yes even strangers, that I look like him.

But one thing that I can say is that I am not the Conde that is posing with him in the picture below, I owe that honor to my big brother Ralphy. It so happens that Ralphy's wife, my sister-in-law, is good friends with Carlos Beltran's wife, so apparently, they met recently at a function in Puerto Rico, and they sent me this nice picture.


Carlos Beltran and Ralphy Conde

Puerto Rico Steals Dominican's Thunder

Puerto Rico came into round two at 3-0 and looking to continue their winning ways. But standing in their way, for the first game of the second round, was the Dominican Republic team, the favorites to win it all. But Puerto Rico was not fazed by all the hype, they came out swinging the bat, and showed that they may just have the best pitching staff in the Classic. They beat heavily favored Dominican Republic 7-1 and put all other teams on notice that they are for real and not to be taken lightly.

Game Notes:
Carlos Beltran went 1 for 4, 1 double, with 3 runs scored and 1 rbi.
Carlos Delgado has yet to play due to tendonitis in his left elbow.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Puerto Rico Slams Cuba

In what was a warm up to their second round meeting, Puerto Rico pummeled Cuba 12-2. Carlos Beltran hit a mammouth home run to right field and Puerto Rico finished their first round play, at 3-0 and will now meet Dominican Republic, Cuba and Valenzuela in round two. Two teams out of these four, will advance to the semifinals. The Dominican Republic team is the favorite with their offiensive explosions in round one, but Puerto Rico showed that they are capable of scoring more than enough runs to not only win, but rout their opponents.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Team Puerto Rico

Team Puerto Rico, with Mets stars Carlos Beltran and Carlos Deladgo, advanced to round two, where they will face the toughest team with the best lineup, Team Dominican Republic, with Mets star shortstop Jose Reyes.

Both teams did fairly well in round one with posting impressive wins as they prepare to advance even further in the tournament.


Team Puerto Rico 2006


Carlos Delgado and Javy Lopez


Carlos Beltran sliding home


Carlos Beltran enjoying a laugh

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Mets tuning up for 2006 Season

Even with some of their star players participating in the World Baseball Classic, the Mets continue to get ready for what promises to be a special season. The Mets are 3-2 in Spring Training. They beat the Indians 6-3 yesterday with Tom Glavine throwing 3 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run, and getting ready for what could end up as a starting nod on Opening Day. That will be determined by the health of Pedro Martinez, who is still suffering from his toe injury and has yet to throw in a game.

Xavier Nady and Victor Diaz are battling for the Right Fielders job and Anderson Hernandez and Kaz Matsui are battling for the Second Baseman's job. So those two battles will only heat up as we get closer to Opening Day. With I am sure, the hottest bat getting the nod from Manager Willie Randolph.

In other notes, Carlos Delgado may miss the first game of the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico tonight, due to tendinitis in his left elbow. I hope that it is nothing serious and that he gets to play so that he will be ready when the Mets season begins. He is a big part of what the Mets hope to be a great season.

Monday, March 06, 2006

NY Mets vs. Puerto Rico

Yesterday marked the first time that The Mets faced the Puerto Rican National Team. It was really odd to see Carlos Beltran face his new teammate Billy Wagner. For this one time only, Carlos got the better hand, by singling in two runs in for his Puerto Rican team. Puerto Rico beat the Mets 6-1. The Mets have several players on the Puerto Rican Roster, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, P Juan Padilla, P Pedro Feliciano, & INF Jose Valentin.

Puerto Rico faces Panama to open their round of the World baseball Classic on March 7 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, in Puerto Rico.


Carlos Beltran signing autographs at Tradition Field.

Friday, March 03, 2006

A New Star in the Making.

Christopher turned 3 months today. And he was more than happy to finally don his first Mets uniform, even though he may not look that happy. He is preparing himself for when he needs to have that edge, you know the one that all great Mets players have.


My little Superstar.

My Dream Day at Shea

Back on September 9, 2001, I was given the opportunity to walk on the field at Shea. My friend Tony was having a softball game with his firm. Not only did we venture out to every part of the stadium, but we actually were able to find a baseball and shag fly balls in the outfield. It was an awesome feeling to finally be on the same field that many great Mets teams had played on.

Posing in Center Field


What a View


In the Dugout


Robbing a Home Run


Standing under some of the Greats


Michael, Tony, Me & a friend.


Sitting on the Bullpen seats


The Glory Years

Finally, Spring Training Has Begun!!!

This year promises to be a season filled with a lot of winning and a lot of good times finally at Shea again. It has been 6 years since we last reached the World Series, and yes most Yankee fans would say that the Yankees own the city since then, but what us Mets fans can say now is that, that reign will surely come to an end this season.

Omar Minaya has brought in some great players, and with the young stars like David Wright and Jose Reyes, the Mets bring much promise to the table.






















With the additions last off season of Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez, and now adding Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado, the Mets have atleast shown the fans that they are serious about contending not only for the title, but also for the city again. And if we are as good as we look on paper, this year promises to be one to remember.


Carlos Beltran (Winter 2004)


Pedro Martinez (Winter 2004)



Billy Wagner (Winter 2005)


Carlos Delgado (Winter 2005)