A Year full of News

Wow, it has been almost 1 year since I last wrote in this Blog. Since that time, the Mets lost a Game 7 in 2006 and never made it to the World Series, I then moved to Florida, haven't kept up with the Blog and now I am sweating this week, since the Mets have made it too interesting in their quest for another Division title. With the Phillies right on their heels, they have played mediocre baseball and have looked like a team that is not worthy of making the playoffs. But after taking 3 out of 4 from the Marlins, they find themselves coming home with the Magic # 5 and a chance to clinch at home again.

The Mets organization revealed the patch that the Mets will wear next season which will be the last season that they play in Shea Stadium. Citi Bank park should be ready for Opening Day 2009. By that time we should be celebrating back to back World Championships, but we have to sweat out this week first.

Where Were You When???

Where were you when the Mets Clinched the 2006 NL east Division. Well, I was at Shea Stadium yelling and screaming with all the rest of the 46,000 + fans. It was an awesome experience to be in the stadium when they finally did it. It was an awesome game, and as a long time Mets fan, waiting 18 years to do it, was a long time, but I wouldn't have wanted to miss it.

Next step the playoffs, and if we are destined to win it all, it will just be an icing on the cake.



"For us to win it, as we have, playing well since Opening Day, is very satisfying. And to be the team that ends a great dynasty is a thrill."
-- Omar Minaya

"Right now I feel like a proud papa. But the journey is far from complete. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for these guys. ... But that excitement is controlled because I know there's a long way to go."
-- Willie Randolph

What A Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First we had a scare that Glavine would not pitch again due to blood clots in his pitching shoulder. Then not knowing if we would be able to land Shawn Green before the Sept 1st deadline and the rosters are frozen.

Well yesterday started off really well, Glavine was told that he would be able to pitch in 7-10 days, and would not need surgery. With the Mets down 7-1 and making a comeback, it was announced in the stadium that the Mets had landed Shawn Green for a minor league pitcher, then the Mets capped off the night with one of the greatest comebacks in team history and beat the Cardinals 8-7.

Carlos Delgado started the rally with two Hr's, one being a Grand Slam, and Carlos Beltran ended the night with a two run shot, in the bottom of the ninth.


New York Post

Been Gone For a While............

I have been so swamped at home and at work, that I have neglected this site. But I am still following my Mets and I must say we are sitting pretty good right now. 13 games up on the Phillies and where are the Braves, oh Yes they are 16 games back. Right where they should be. My man Carlos Beltran is hitting near .300 with 35 Hr's and 101 RBI's. Not bad for a guy a year ago everyone thought was not worth the money.

Now we are in our stretch run and I think our Magic Number is 29, could be lower, but I am being fair. I will be back real soon to catch up on the Mets from this great summer. But I hope all you true Blue Mets fans are truly enjoying this season. Oh by the way, I hear that other team in NY, is trying to make some noise, I really can't hear them with all the noise going on at Shea.

LET'S GO METS

4 Mets to Start in All Star Game

Paul LoDuca-C, David Wright-3B, Jose Reyes-SS and Carlos Beltran-CF will be starting for the NL All Stars in Pittsburgh this year. Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine, have also made the team as pitching reserves.

Season Stats as of 7/3/06:
Avg - Wright .324, Franco .299, Beltran .299, Reyes .291, LoDuca .288
AB - Reyes 350, Wright 312, Delgado 290, Beltran 263, Loduca 260
Runs - Reyes 70, Beltran 60, Wright 51
Hits - Reyes 102, Wright 101
2B - Wright 20, LoDuca 20, Beltran 19, Reyes 19
3B - Reyes 11
HR - Beltran 24, Delgado 22, Wright 19, Nady 11
RBI - Wright 66, Beltran 64, Delgado 55
TB - Wright 181, Beltran 168, Reyes 167, Delgado 154
BB - Beltran 47, Wright 36, Delgado 31, Reyes 30
SB - Reyes 34, Beltran 12, Wright 11

2006 All Star Leaders

The Mets have four players that are leading at their respective positions for the 2006 All Star game. Jose Reyes-SS(769,919) is less than 100,000 votes in front of David Eckstein (689,054) of St. Louis. David Wright-3B(1,018,804) is nearly 200,000 votes in front of Scott Rolen (819,390) of the St. Louis Cardinals. Paul Lo Duca -C(960,111) leads former Met Mike Piazza (680,773) of the San Diego Padres for the starting job behind the plate. In the outfield, the top vote-getter is Carlos Beltran -OF(1,129,865), followed by Alfonso Soriano (1,084,936) of the Washington Nationals and Jason Bay (1,069,986) of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Mets also have Carlos Delgado -1B in second place behind Albert Puljos. And at this time Albert Puljos is on the DL, if he is unable to play in the All Star game, then that would mean that Carlos Delgado would be the 5th Mets player to be in the starting lineup.

Best Team in Baseball

The Mets have jumped out to a 7 1/2 game lead in the NL East with a 40-23 record, thanks to their latest run of six straight wins. Carlos Beltran is finally having that great year that all Mets fans had hoped for, Carlos Delgado is better than what we thought, David Wright is coming into his own and is battling for the league lead in average and the youth are just playing well above expectations.

We as Mets fans, who have been waiting for so long to finally be able to have a product that not only is good, but is the best around. We have speed, pitching, hitting and defense and what is most important on any team vying for a championship, we have HEART!!!! We also have the chemistry that can lead us to a place we have not been to since 2000, yes, that is right the playoffs. This team has nothing to prove to it's fans, and all the haters out there (mostly Yankee fans) only wish they had what we have, a mix of young and old, that are geling and making a run at one of the best summers the Mets have ever had.

We, the fans look forward to more dramatic wins and great pitching duels, and just keep counting the days to when we can be in a position to finally win back what is rightfully ours, the NL East Division and the CITY!!!!!

Stats as of June 9, 2006

Batting:
Avg. – Wright .335, Valentin .299
Runs - Reyes 44, Beltran 39
HR - Delgado 16, Beltran 15, Wright 10
RBI – Beltran 41, Wright 40, Delgado 38
SB - Reyes 23

Pitching:
Wins - Glavine 9, Pedro 5
Games - Sanchez 29, Wagner 27
ERA – Pedro 3.01
Saves - Wagner 12

Too Busy to Blog

Unfortunately I have been too busy to Blog about my favorite team. But that does not mean that I have not been watching them play. They are in 1st Place with a 36-23 record. What a summer this is turning out to be.

I will be giving updates very soon.

Welcome to NY Lastings Millegde.

Bragging Rights on Mets Side

I have to admit, this weekend I was a little shocked that we didn't sweep, not to take anything away from the Yankees, but we did play like the better team and should have swept. Well I will leave that blame on Randolph (my opinion), for trying to stick it to the Yankees and for bringing in Wagner when he should have just went with Sanchez. But what's done is done and the Yankees got away with one.

Fridays game was an awesome game to watch. Just when you think that the Yankees would run away with the game, the Mets battle right back and tie it each time. They did this against Randy Johnson and they finally did it against Mo Rivera. A game that started off so poorly, ended so great. 7-6 Mets, Game 1.

Saturday's game was even better game for Pedro and the Mets. Pedro blows by everyone in the lineup, pitches 7 strong innings and then gives the game over to our bullpen with a 4-0 lead. At this point in the season, it is fair to say that Pedro should be 7-0. He is 0-0 in his last four starts and remains 5-0 (2.82 ERA).

The Mets blow the lead and eventually lose in extra innings 5-4. Yanks win game 2, series tied 1-1.

What a shame to lose this game, but that is ok, Wagner will be better than this when he is truly needed and not forced to pitch in a non-save situation.

Sunday's game, started out the same as Friday, the Yankees jump out to a quick 2-0, and look like they will take 2 out of 3 from the Mets. But then the bats finally get the Mets back in the game, with two blasts by Delgado and Wright, the Mets take the lead 4-2 and will eventually win 4-3. Wagner comes in this time when it counts and gets the Yankees out and saves the game and the series.

Round 1 goes to the Mets. Bragging rights to the Mets fans for at least a few weeks. But few Yankee fans will give the Mets the credit they are due, the Yankees may have a few guys out, but I will not give in to the excuses of fans of a team that can field, Damon, Jeter, Arod, Giambi, Cano, Bernie, Mussina, Randy Johnson, and Mo Rivera. Any team out there would love to have even two or three of these guys on their team, and they woudl have a chance.

So I give credit where credit is due. To my Mets for battling all weekend, for playing their hearts out and for once again showing that all the hard work that Minaya has done to put a good product on the field has so far panned out. On May 22, we are 26-17 and 3 games up in first, couldn't ask for a better present for my birthday (May 24). Lets Go Mets!!!!!

Bragging Rights, At Stake

The Mets face the Yankees for the first time this year on Friday May 19 - Sunday May 21 at Shea Stadium. All the fans are gearing up for another crosstown battle. The Mets with their New Team, and the Yankees with a bunch of veterans that are trying desperatly to get their team back to the World Series. I am not one for predictions on who will win, but I will gaurantee that this series will be one to watch. And Yes, bragging rights for the fans are at stake.

Mets 24-16 and Yankees 23-16 (as of 5/18/06)

Probable Pitchers for Friday May 19, 2006

Johnson 5-4 (5.13) Gonzalez 0-0 (5.40)

Mets Come Home After Strong Trip

Mets started the west coast trip at 10-4, and come home at 16-8. Overall, with a 6-4 road trip, the Mets road record stands at 9-4. And by beating Atlanta 2 out of 3, they have a 6 game lead in the NL East.

The Mets are starting to gel as a team, you can see it from the starters, to the bench, to the starting pitching and their strong bullpen. Everyone is picking eachother up. From Clutch hits, to small ball. And Glavine and Pedro have taken control of their games and have a combined 8-2 record.

With Carlos Beltran back in the lineup, the Mets once again have a deep lineup and are starting to hit again, after a minor team slump.

Mets come home for two games with Washington, on Monday and Tuesday and with Pittsburgh, on Wednesday and Thursday and Atlanta comes to town again on the weekend.

Month of April 2006:
Batting:
Avg. - Nady .311, Lo Duca .306, Wright .303, Delgado .298
Runs - Reyes 21, Delgado 18, Wright 16
HR - Delgado 9, Nady 6, Wright 5
RBI - Delgado 20, Wright 18, Reyes 12
SB - Reyes 11

Pitching:
Wins - Pedro 5, Glavine 3
Games - Wagner 12, Heilman 12, Sanchez 11
ERA - Sanchez 0.00, Wagner 0.69, Glavine 2.29
Saves - Wagner 7

The Ageless Wonder

Julio Franco came into last nights game as the oldest player in the majors at 47. He finished the game as the oldest player in history to hit a home run.

Franco helped the Mets to overcome an early hitting drought by hitting a pinch-hit 2-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to help propel the Mets into the lead and helped ignite a 6-run inning. The Mets were having trouble all game with Jake Peavy, but as soon as he left, the bats came alive again.

Endy Chavez helped get a run across with a drag bunt down the first base line, that would score Reyes from third and Carlos Delgado blasted his 6th home run of the season. Cliff Floyd added an RBI single also in the inning.

The Mets got a needed boost from an unknown source, Kaz Matsui, playing his first game this year, after starting the year on the disabled list, hit an inside-the-park home run in the third inning to bring the Mets within one at the time to make the score 2-1. This was the third straight season that Matsui hit a home run in his first at bat of the year(A Major League Record). If he can hit in the eighth spot in the lineup, he will be a great piece to an already deep lineup. He also turned an inning ending double play that David Wright started that was the turning point of the game. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Wright dove to his left for a wicked ground ball headed to the gap between short and third and tossed to Matsui for the out at second and Matsui threw on to first to complete the double play. That play enabled the Mets to stay within one run heading into the eighth inning.

The Mets improved to 11-4, regaining the best record in the league. They have 9 games left on their current West Coast trip.

Game Notes:
Jose Reyes 2 for 5, R, SB (6)
Carlos Delgado 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI, HR
Kaz Matsui 1 for 4, R, RBI, HR (inside the park)
Julio Franco 1 for 1, R, 2 RBI, HR (pinch-hit)

Mets Loses Add Up

Not only did the Mets not have Carlos Beltran, Cliff Floyd nor Anderson Hernandez in their lineup yesterday, but they didn't come with their "A" game either.

Tom Glavine pitched a marvelous game, only giving up two runs, one earned. David Wright had a bad game at the plate and even with the glove. He committed three errors that would lead to one of the Braves runs. The other coming on a home run by Andruw Jones. Wright came up with the tying run on in the nineth, but grounded weakly into a game ending double play.

The Mets looked flat with the bats, only mustering three hits against the Braves Tim Hudson, who pitched a complete game. They would lose 2-1. Glavine deserved a better fate against his old team, but the bats just weren't there.

The Mets look to bounce back from their mini slump as they face old mates Mike Piazza and Mike Cameron and the San Diego Padres starting tonight at Petco Park.

Beat Writer Chronicles the Season

Adam Rubin is a NY Daily News beat writer for the Mets. He has created a Blog that will keep fans updated on all insights regarding the team, news that you will not find in the papers. This is a great way for every Mets fan, that wants to know all the small details and to get an inside look on the team.

Adam Rubin has also written a book, "Pedro , Carlos and Omar: The Story of a Season in the Big Apple and the Pursuit of Baseball's Top Latino Stars".

Best Start in Team History

The Mets are out to the best start in team history. They beat their arch rivals, the Atlanta Braves 4-3, to extend their record to 10-2. They are 5 games up on the rest of the NL East. That is the first time in Major League history that a team, after the first 12 games of the season, lead their divison by atleast 5 games.

Pedro Martinez won his 200th Game. He dominated the Braves for 6.2 innings, by striking out 8 batters and limiting the Braves to only 3 runs. Duaner Sanchez came in and shut down the Braves for 1.1 innings of relief and Billy Wagner, with Mets fans dreaming of this day when he would come in and dominate the Braves, did just that, and saved the game for Pedros' 200th.


Carlos Delgado added yet another HR (5) and Xavier Nady, continued his hot hitting by also going yard (4).

The Mets look to continue their emegence as a top team in the east, as they battle the Braves tomorrow and Wednesday, hoping to send a message that they are for real and ready to play.

Game Notes:
Paul Lo Duca 3 for 4, R, Double
Carlos Delgado 2 for 3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB - 11 Game hitting streak
Xavier Nady 3 for 4, R, HR, 2 RBI

Other Notes:
Carlos Beltran stil out with a sore hamstring ( Day to Day)
Cliff Floyd left the game with a sore rib cage ( Day to Day)

Bannister Wins His First Major League Game

You would think that a day off would slow down the Hot start the Mets have had, but they picked up where they left off on Sunday. The Mets pounded 12 hits enroute to a 7-1 victory and a 5-1 record. Last year at this time, the Mets started off at 0-5, they won their next 6 games, but never regained that momentum, the rest of the year.

Brian Bannister recorded his first Major League victory and in two starts this season, looks very much like the highly touted prospect the Mets have been bragging about.


Brain Bannister Photo: AP

This year, they seem to have what it takes to go all the way. But it is too early to start preparing the ticket tape parade. They have a lot of baseball to play. But if this past week is any indication of how the season will go, then it will be a summer to remember at Shea.

Yankee fans have argued in the past and present that us Mets fans get ahead of ourselves and that we always falter, well Mets fans this year will cheer their team to the very end, and if for some reason we do not make the playoffs, it will just be another year that we thought we had the better team. But if we did not root for our team, then we would not be called fans. We live by our team through bad times and good times.

Game Notes:
Reyes 2 for 5, R, 2 RBI, Triple
Lo Duca 3 for 5, R, RBI, Double
Beltran 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Wright 1 for 4, RBI (6 Straight Games with an RBI)

Mets Keep On Rolling

The Mets were rained out yesterday afternoon. So they came out today looking to keep winning. But in order to do so they had to face the Marlins starter, Dontrelle Willis.

Willis has dominated the Mets, going 8-1, over his career. So coming into today's game, the Mets knew that they had to find a way to beat him, if they wanted to extend their record to 4-1.

Willis, dominated the Mets over the first six innings. But the Mets finally broke through in the seventh inning. Paul Lo Duca singled to right field, then Carlos Beltran singled to left field, Carlos Delgado grounds out to the right side and moves the runners to second and third. David Wright comes up and hits a line drive to right field and he ends up at third with a triple. Two runs score and the game is tied 2-2.

Game remains tied until the bottom of the ninth inning. Carlos Beltran walks, Carlos Delgado lines a pitch to right field for a single. First and third and no one out. David Wright hits a sacrifice fly to right field to score Beltran with the winning run. Mets 3 - Marlins 2.

The Mets overcame Dontrelle Willis, sweep the two game set and finish their first homestand of the year 4-1 and now head to Washingtin to face the Nationals on Tuesday afternoon, April 11.

Clutch hitting helped out the Mets again today, as they continue on their path to become the team to beat this season.

Doc Wants to Help Beltran

My Chiropractor, Dr. Robert Gucciardo, wrote a comment on my blog in regards to Carlos Beltran's health. You see Dr. Rob (as his patients call him) practices Specific Chiropractic. You may ask, what is Specific Chiropractic. Well here is your answer:

Specific Chiropractic is a specialty within the field of chiropractic. The "Specific" Chiropractor, Brain Stem Specialist, specializes in the upper cervical C1, C2 area of the spine thus allowing care for a more severe and a wider range of conditions.

It is a well known fact that the upper cervical spine surrounds the lower portion of the Brain Stem. This level of the Brain Stem is considered the master control switch of the entire nervous system. The "Specific" Chiropractor is highly trained to monitor the functional ability of this level of the nervous system and correct any interference to its normal function.

A subluxation of one of the top two bones in the neck can cause nerve interference (pressure) affecting any, many or all parts of the body.
*Courtesy of http://www.gucciardospecificchiro.com/main.html

In other words, as I describe it, it has helped me to become healthy again. Dr. Rob has become my miracle healer, with the help of God. Specific Chiropractic not only changed my life, but Dr. Rob has helped to change so many other people's lives as well. He also believes, that he can help Carlos Beltran, and I believe him too. Why wouldn't I, he has turned my whole life around and helped me to smile again.

Here is an exerpt from Dr. Rob's comment:

"I need to refer to the picture of your brother with Carlos Beltran("Carlos Beltran Poses with a Conde", Friday, March 13, 2006). You need to tell your brother that he needs to tell Beltran that his left shoulder is low. The reason for that is that the second bone in the neck C2 is tilted and turned to the left dropping the muscles on that side. That will cause him to be swinging slower than normal and late. This will also cause him to drop that shoulder on his swing. If he really wants to rock this year he needs to get C2 adjusted by an upper cervical specific certified doctor."

If there was anyway to get this note to Beltran, I believe it would help him. Well, it can't hurt him, only will make him even better. Imagine that!!

If anyone reading this Blog is interested in visiting Dr Rob, just visit his website. http://www.gucciardospecificchiro.com/main.html

Mets Back on Track

The Mets had Pedro Martinez on the mound yesterday, hoping to just give the team a needed lift after their dramatic loss the night before. He did just that, even though he left the game after the top of the sixth inning, and the score tied 5-5. But in the bottom of the sixth inning Carlos Deldago hit a screaming line drive over the right field fence and put the Mets ahead to stay 6-5. They would tack on 4 more runs and win the game 10-5 and hand Pedro his first win of the year.

The Mets pounded out 15 hits, with Carlos Beltran breaking through and hitting a two run home run to left field in the seventh inning. When Beltran returned to the bench, the fans were cheering for a curtain call, but Beltran would not acknowledge. You could see that he was upset that the fans were booing him the last two games. It took Julio Franco to talk to Beltran to urge him not to be angry with them even if he felt they were wrong. He then stood up and acknowledged the fans with a wave. You could see that Franco's veteran leadership is already starting to influence the players. Not that Beltran needed to be influenced, but Franco was right, just acknowlegde the fans and keep them on your side, but what if Beltran doesn't get another hit, do the Boo Birds have a right to get on him? Some will argue that point, as for me, "Carlos keep swinging that bat, do your best and have fun, you can't please everyone, but if your teammates support you, so will your true fans".

When Beltran does what he is capable of doing, all those Boo Birds will jump on the band wagon and act as if they rooted for him all along. A true fan of a team or a player will back them up even in the bad times. We suffer together in the hard times, and we celebrate together in the great times. Like the summer of 2006.

Game Notes:
Jose Reyes 3 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI, Triple.
Paul Lo Duca 2 for 3, R, BB
Carlos Beltran 1 for 4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SB
Carlos Delgado 1 for 5, R, HR, RBI
David Wright 3 for 4, 2 R, RBI, BB
Cliff Floyd 2 for 5, R, RBI, Double
Xavier Nady 2 for 3, R, Double, BB