I understand gasoline in Venezuela costs $0.16 per gallon right now. Let's invade them. We can do it peacefully. Just lay the message down that we need to do a little business. We have a lot of assets we can offer them. I'm sure the President can negotiate a little something. Maybe then our gas prices could drop to around the level they were when I first got my license, around $2.00 a gallon.
Now a few things that are on my mind.
1) Why are 90 percent of the Facebook status updates I see either referring to how tired people are or how giddy they are over some sort of relationship milestone. Calling all people, get creative! I'm tired of reading the same lines over and over.
2) Something about a 10:45 pm showing of The Shawshank Redemption. Anything narrated by Morgan Freeman gets me in a good state of mind. He could be reading the phone book, I would think it was exciting and creative.
3) I don't know how many more years I can play softball. I only know one style to play, and that's hard. That's balls out. But it is wearing me down in a way that nothing else has. Of the seven days between games, I need at least four of them to get my body ready again to take the next pounding. But I still love the pounding. The day I can't go hard, I don't know if my heart will want to stay in the game.
4) TNA is coming to Hoffman Estates for a PPV Taping in October. I feel a little sick going to a TNA show, but I may get a ticket. Hopefully, I can get a decent one for under 50 bucks. That said, I can't imagine it will be as good as ROH. But if I go, I'll keep an open mind.
5) God bless the Von Erichs.
Song pick: "Lover's Cross" Jim Croce
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Week 2 done
We go down 16-8 and while this was not a a great one, I'm not feeling too discouraged. First of all we played a team, with a load of power hitters. A few of their guys can hit a home run in a major league park. Their pitcher, who calls himself Tim Wakefield, switches his pitching motion between a straight underhand and a side arm angle. And they've won numerous championships before, not too mention they average around 20 runs per game.
I batted second and started in right field. We scored a pair in the top of the first, though we left the bases loaded. They scored 4 in the first thanks to Scott and I both misplaying deep fly balls. With the wind blowing out to right, it didn't help our fielding. Their #5 hitter drilled a three-run homer and we were behind. I did make a catch in right to end the first though. We rallied and made it 5-5 after three. Then in the fourth, I came up with runner on second and third with no one out. After taking strike 2, I took three straight balls to fill the bases. Paul comes up, our left handed power bat. He smashes the first pitch and the first baseman snags it on a line. Roger and Marty popped up and we scored nothing. I singled and scored later, not that it would matter as things would play out.
They nailed a grand slam on their way to a nine run fourth and we lost 16-8 in six. The thing was though they hit maybe five deep fly balls all game. They started grounding balls right up the middle and hitting line drives that kept falling in front of us. The problem is the RCF and RF both played with their backs literally against the fence. As I told both of them, with Dan pitching inside to the right-handed hitters, they were not going to power the ball to right field. So play in.
The amazing thing is with all those grounders and liners up the middle, if I I had played short center, they would have scored way less than 16 runs.
So we're 1-1. We'll win next week.
Week 2 Injury Report: Aggravated right big toe, sprained right ankle, bruised shin, bruised right wrist.
I batted second and started in right field. We scored a pair in the top of the first, though we left the bases loaded. They scored 4 in the first thanks to Scott and I both misplaying deep fly balls. With the wind blowing out to right, it didn't help our fielding. Their #5 hitter drilled a three-run homer and we were behind. I did make a catch in right to end the first though. We rallied and made it 5-5 after three. Then in the fourth, I came up with runner on second and third with no one out. After taking strike 2, I took three straight balls to fill the bases. Paul comes up, our left handed power bat. He smashes the first pitch and the first baseman snags it on a line. Roger and Marty popped up and we scored nothing. I singled and scored later, not that it would matter as things would play out.
They nailed a grand slam on their way to a nine run fourth and we lost 16-8 in six. The thing was though they hit maybe five deep fly balls all game. They started grounding balls right up the middle and hitting line drives that kept falling in front of us. The problem is the RCF and RF both played with their backs literally against the fence. As I told both of them, with Dan pitching inside to the right-handed hitters, they were not going to power the ball to right field. So play in.
The amazing thing is with all those grounders and liners up the middle, if I I had played short center, they would have scored way less than 16 runs.
So we're 1-1. We'll win next week.
Week 2 Injury Report: Aggravated right big toe, sprained right ankle, bruised shin, bruised right wrist.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Blackie's, Work, Play, Pain
I've found myself playing Freecell again. I don't think I had played in 18 months. But after enough baseball video games that were made in 2003, I needed a change. I'm pretty good at the game, but I have one issue. The tag on the game is every game can be won. With some of the hands that I get dealt, I find that a little hard to believe.
There are probably not too many videos of me in existence. We've never owned a camcorder or anything like that. And I'm not a prolific picture taker. But after watching myself at Saturday's party, I have to cringe at myself. It's scary. I seriously hope people will never have the opportunity to see a movie of my life in this age or the next.
Boston Blackie's has killed my appetite for a week. I went there for lunch today and I was so hungry when I walked in, that while I was waiting for the server to return, I found myself asking "Where Are You" out loud to myself! I mean talking to myself and then answering my own questions. Anyway, we ordered a burger each and then a plate of fries/onion rings, aka frings. Little did I know I would walk out more than stuffed. The rings came in what looked like a miniature metal deep fryer which was in the middle of the plate and surrounded by sliced potato chips which tasted like fries. The potatoes were a little cool in temperature, but nicely flavored. The onion strings had great seasoning and were very good dipped in the BBQ sauce. I ordered a Philly burger with American cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms, which is fast becoming my favorite style of burger. This thing was a good half pound. There were so many vegetables that when I took a bite, they kept sliding off and onto the plate. Mom ate half of her bleu cheese and mushroom burger and took the rest to go! My big problem with the meal was there was no pickle on the side. I mean Jimmy Buffett himself preaches on it. A good burger must be accompanied by a pickle, not some lame cole slaw! The total was around $26 for 2 burgers, frings, and two drinks. All in all, it was a good value and while I don't rate this high as Ted's, I still think this is a solid burger and a solid restaurant.
Work is undergoing a lot of changes. My boss got promoted. So ED, who has lead the other team in the Health Division is keeping her schools and now leading a few of ours. And DP is back and she'll manage the other team. She was gone four weeks and just like that, she's back in the Health Division. All this takes place June 9. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm thrilled. I like that DP is back, she is excellent to work with. But BB is a leader and I knew he would get promoted at some point. And it's good he will still be in close contact with us. Though I doubt we would be friends out of the office, I certainly respect him and his ability to manage. I don't know if ED has that same ability.
Monday's picnic was fun. Bocce is way better on a hill. I have to figure out why I'm so inept at Apples to Apples. And if only I could skip the mayo...
So much for the Mets' three game winning streak. As great as the beating the Marlins was, the "momentum" has evaporated faster than Elliot Spitzer's career. And Castillo is now injured. But this offense is so frustrating. How many more times do I have to see the Mets get two runners on base with one out and fail to score?
And softball finally starts tomorrow. I am ready.
There are probably not too many videos of me in existence. We've never owned a camcorder or anything like that. And I'm not a prolific picture taker. But after watching myself at Saturday's party, I have to cringe at myself. It's scary. I seriously hope people will never have the opportunity to see a movie of my life in this age or the next.
Boston Blackie's has killed my appetite for a week. I went there for lunch today and I was so hungry when I walked in, that while I was waiting for the server to return, I found myself asking "Where Are You" out loud to myself! I mean talking to myself and then answering my own questions. Anyway, we ordered a burger each and then a plate of fries/onion rings, aka frings. Little did I know I would walk out more than stuffed. The rings came in what looked like a miniature metal deep fryer which was in the middle of the plate and surrounded by sliced potato chips which tasted like fries. The potatoes were a little cool in temperature, but nicely flavored. The onion strings had great seasoning and were very good dipped in the BBQ sauce. I ordered a Philly burger with American cheese, peppers, onions, and mushrooms, which is fast becoming my favorite style of burger. This thing was a good half pound. There were so many vegetables that when I took a bite, they kept sliding off and onto the plate. Mom ate half of her bleu cheese and mushroom burger and took the rest to go! My big problem with the meal was there was no pickle on the side. I mean Jimmy Buffett himself preaches on it. A good burger must be accompanied by a pickle, not some lame cole slaw! The total was around $26 for 2 burgers, frings, and two drinks. All in all, it was a good value and while I don't rate this high as Ted's, I still think this is a solid burger and a solid restaurant.
Work is undergoing a lot of changes. My boss got promoted. So ED, who has lead the other team in the Health Division is keeping her schools and now leading a few of ours. And DP is back and she'll manage the other team. She was gone four weeks and just like that, she's back in the Health Division. All this takes place June 9. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm thrilled. I like that DP is back, she is excellent to work with. But BB is a leader and I knew he would get promoted at some point. And it's good he will still be in close contact with us. Though I doubt we would be friends out of the office, I certainly respect him and his ability to manage. I don't know if ED has that same ability.
Monday's picnic was fun. Bocce is way better on a hill. I have to figure out why I'm so inept at Apples to Apples. And if only I could skip the mayo...
So much for the Mets' three game winning streak. As great as the beating the Marlins was, the "momentum" has evaporated faster than Elliot Spitzer's career. And Castillo is now injured. But this offense is so frustrating. How many more times do I have to see the Mets get two runners on base with one out and fail to score?
And softball finally starts tomorrow. I am ready.
Monday, May 26, 2008
I hate basements...
Some people I know get on their blog and write deep insightful posts about life, politics, religion, other people, etc. I'm not going to do that this morning.
Since I've had the house to myself, this damn basement has flooded twice in three days. I'm ready to take a sledgehammer to this house. I'm happy to have 2 days off from work, but right now I'm ticked.
As much as I like the man, I'm ready for Willie Randolph to lose his job. These players refuse to play for him. This week has been as frustrating a time as I can remember watching this team. Swept by the Braves and then losing 2 of 3 to a terrible Colorado team. I am almost getting that numb feeling I had during the final 6 games of last season. That feeling where I expected a Mets team that was better on paper to find a way to lose to an inferior opponent and they did. That's exactly what I'm seeing. Last year though, the pitching was mostly to blame. This year, it's the offense that doesn't even come to play 3 days out of 4. So tonight, when the Mets host the first place Marlins, that crowd will be large and it will be nasty. And I have never, ever seen a player with so much talent and so poor baseball instincts as Jose Reyes.
And let me repeat what I've already said on facebook. My nutrition tip: Do not eat 2 burgers, 2 brats, drink 2 root beers, and go play ultimate frisbee for 30 minutes. And finishing it off with a root beer float...well...
Song pick: "The Clown" Conway Twitty
Since I've had the house to myself, this damn basement has flooded twice in three days. I'm ready to take a sledgehammer to this house. I'm happy to have 2 days off from work, but right now I'm ticked.
As much as I like the man, I'm ready for Willie Randolph to lose his job. These players refuse to play for him. This week has been as frustrating a time as I can remember watching this team. Swept by the Braves and then losing 2 of 3 to a terrible Colorado team. I am almost getting that numb feeling I had during the final 6 games of last season. That feeling where I expected a Mets team that was better on paper to find a way to lose to an inferior opponent and they did. That's exactly what I'm seeing. Last year though, the pitching was mostly to blame. This year, it's the offense that doesn't even come to play 3 days out of 4. So tonight, when the Mets host the first place Marlins, that crowd will be large and it will be nasty. And I have never, ever seen a player with so much talent and so poor baseball instincts as Jose Reyes.
And let me repeat what I've already said on facebook. My nutrition tip: Do not eat 2 burgers, 2 brats, drink 2 root beers, and go play ultimate frisbee for 30 minutes. And finishing it off with a root beer float...well...
Song pick: "The Clown" Conway Twitty
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The final nail
I really would like to write something new instead of the same old same old same old. But nothing changes. Why do I keep watching this stupid baseball team? No, not baseball team. The Mets are not a team. More like this group of overrated, overaged, and overpaid frauds.
The sweep is complete. The Mets lose 4 to the lousy, smelly, hicky Atlanta Braves and let's just kiss any playoff hopes we had goodbye. Before the game, Moises Alou goes on the DL and who do the Mets call up to take his spot? The legendary Raul Casanova, giving us a third catcher! Reason being he is the only major-league ready position player in the minors. Unbelievable.
And tonight's game was very predictable. Beltran and Delgado homer on back-to-back pitches for a 2-0 lead. After that, Hudson retired 11 Mets in a row. After that Castillo singles, and Wright grounds into a double play. Meanwhile, the Savior, Johan Santana is cruising through six. Going into the seventh, they're up 2-1 and I was feeling ok. Not confident, but we'll call it cautious optimism. Then just like a horror movie, the nightmare kicks in. First Beltran is on second with no one out, gets caught caught in a run down, and he's out. Onto the bottom half. That little bastard Kelly Johnson doubles and Hudson sacrifices him to third. Four straight singles and we're down 4-2. And Johan only gets out of it when he gets Francoeur to ground into a double play. I wanted to believe but I knew the game was all but done.
Onto the eighth inning. Endy Chavez who has fallen off the map like Pluto has fallen off the solar system bunts out. Ryan Church comes back from his concussion and singles. Then Reyes gets in an infield single and the tying runs are on. Up comes Castillo. The man who got a 4 years contract! The ideal number two hitter behind Reyes! A nice easy grounder back to the mound. 1-6-3 double play inning over.
But the best is yet to come. Onto the ninth inning. Now Wright is facing Manny Acosta. Ground ball, base hit. As soon as he hit it, I said to myself "How are they going to find a way to not score this time." It wasn't if, it was how. The how goes like this. Beltran smashes the ball on a line. Straight to Johnson. Wright pulls a Reyes/Beltran and gets doubled off at first. Another double play. Finally Delgado lines a shot to center and Mark "broken back" Kotsay dives, makes the catch, and ends it.
There's very little left to say. Just this. I am disgusted with this franchise from the top all the way down. I want this team to be sellers at the trade deadline. Fire the GM, fire the manager, trade absolutely anyone possible and get some youth in this depleted farm system.
The sweep is complete. The Mets lose 4 to the lousy, smelly, hicky Atlanta Braves and let's just kiss any playoff hopes we had goodbye. Before the game, Moises Alou goes on the DL and who do the Mets call up to take his spot? The legendary Raul Casanova, giving us a third catcher! Reason being he is the only major-league ready position player in the minors. Unbelievable.
And tonight's game was very predictable. Beltran and Delgado homer on back-to-back pitches for a 2-0 lead. After that, Hudson retired 11 Mets in a row. After that Castillo singles, and Wright grounds into a double play. Meanwhile, the Savior, Johan Santana is cruising through six. Going into the seventh, they're up 2-1 and I was feeling ok. Not confident, but we'll call it cautious optimism. Then just like a horror movie, the nightmare kicks in. First Beltran is on second with no one out, gets caught caught in a run down, and he's out. Onto the bottom half. That little bastard Kelly Johnson doubles and Hudson sacrifices him to third. Four straight singles and we're down 4-2. And Johan only gets out of it when he gets Francoeur to ground into a double play. I wanted to believe but I knew the game was all but done.
Onto the eighth inning. Endy Chavez who has fallen off the map like Pluto has fallen off the solar system bunts out. Ryan Church comes back from his concussion and singles. Then Reyes gets in an infield single and the tying runs are on. Up comes Castillo. The man who got a 4 years contract! The ideal number two hitter behind Reyes! A nice easy grounder back to the mound. 1-6-3 double play inning over.
But the best is yet to come. Onto the ninth inning. Now Wright is facing Manny Acosta. Ground ball, base hit. As soon as he hit it, I said to myself "How are they going to find a way to not score this time." It wasn't if, it was how. The how goes like this. Beltran smashes the ball on a line. Straight to Johnson. Wright pulls a Reyes/Beltran and gets doubled off at first. Another double play. Finally Delgado lines a shot to center and Mark "broken back" Kotsay dives, makes the catch, and ends it.
There's very little left to say. Just this. I am disgusted with this franchise from the top all the way down. I want this team to be sellers at the trade deadline. Fire the GM, fire the manager, trade absolutely anyone possible and get some youth in this depleted farm system.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A whimper into the night
There are time when I don't really want to blog, but just feel compelled to. Usually, it has something to do with desperation or pure aggravation. In this case, it's the latter. I'd rather be hanging with my friends who actually care like Julie in Wrigleyville or Chris in the loop or Regis in the Bronx who I'm sure are home right now getting wasted. That's where I wish I could be right now without the threat of work tomorrow. Because this is as bad a sports day as I can remember suffering through in a long while.
I know when it comes to my teams, I can be the most obnoxious jerk in the world. I know this. And again that happens. After the Mets beat the Yankees twice this weekend, I was excited again. I was ready for this 4-game series against the Braves. I was ready to watch the Mets slam Tom Glavine in the mouth after the way he screwed them and us fans last September. And Luis Castillo of all people homers in the first inning. 1-0 Mets. Then Glavine allows two hits and a walk so they have the bases loaded with one out. Moises Alou comes up and slams a pitch...right into Larry Jones' glove. Delgado flies out to right, inning over. The Braves immediately tie the score and kept scratching out runs as they game went on. John Maine was just awful, he threw no breaking balls, his change up sailed right over the plate all day, he barely made it through five innings. By the sixth inning, I was paying more attention to a shoot interview on Youtube with legendary wrestling manger Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle.
But the Met offense suddenly looks just as lethargic as they did against Washington and Cincy. Over the final eight innings, they get three hits and no runs. And worst of all, that piece of garbage Glavine, who spit the damn bit when he pitched for the Mets, looks like Sandy Koufax. He allows no hits and no walks over the final five innings he pitched. 6-1 final.
And Game 2. Who the hell is Jorge Campillo? 6 innings, 3 hits, no walks, seven strikeouts? Who the hell is he? Once Jones doubled home Escobar in the first inning, I knew the game was over. Because this team NEVER NEVER NEVER rallies. But I checked back in eventually, just in time to see Duaner Sanchez escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh. So I figured I'd watch the eighth. After the first two outs, Delgado walks, Castro doubles him home. Big deal. Alou pinch hits and single,s bringing the tying run up and now I'm into it. Will this finally be the time? Jose Reyes as always swings at the first pitch. And he actually gets a hit. Now the tying runs are on base. Marlon Anderson grounds out, and that was essentially it. Matt Wise gives up a two-run homer just for good measure in the bottom half. Mets lose 6-2.
They are the Tin Men, they are most of my ex-girlfriends, they have no heart. And that's not even the worst part. Ryan Church is now injured! A concussion, his second in two months! Our best position player is out for God knows how long! Holy Fucking Mackerel!
And then to top that off, we have the NBA draft lottery. Even when the Cubs lose, Chicago sports still stick it up my rear end. I was really into this lottery, I really thought the Knicks would get a Top 2 pick and have the opportunity to get Michael Beasley, or even better, Derrick Rose. So I listened to it on ESPN radio. Everything went according to plan from picks 14-9. Then by record, the next picks 8 and 7 should have been Chicago followed by Charlotte . The guy reads Ch-----arlotte. My jaw dropped in dread and horror. The Bulls were now in the top 3 picks. 7 goes like normal and I then knew the Knicks were either No. 6 or in the top 3. Then came the words. "The sixth pick will belong to...the New York Knicks." I slammed the computer mouse on the desk. Hard. Somehow, it still works. And of all teams, the Bulls wound up picking number one. Great, a young team that is playoff caliber to begin with now adds one of the best young players. I'll get to watch Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley torch the Eastern Conference for 10 years, while the Knicks will draft some seventh or eighth man like OJ Mayo or Brook Lopez. Mike, Donnie, have fun this year. Because as Knicks fans, we sure as hell will not.
So this has been just a horrible, horrible night between the Mets and the Knicks. Some things never change. Should I just start watching European soccer?
OK, I'll try to end this with something decent. To my twin Mike Piazza who retired today. Thank you for the great years and the great moments. We miss you and we appreciate you. Here are my top 5 Piazza moments that I can remember right now, anyway The blonde hair is not one of them.
5) 1997. The Trade From Florida. The Man Arrives.
4) 1998 Three-run bomb with two outs in the ninth inning off Billy Wagner, gave the Mets a 3-2 lead in a game they would win, 4-3, in 11 innings
3) Injured and not starting that night, he hit s a huge homer off Smoltz in Game 6 of the doomed 1999 NLCS.
2) Three-run homer off Terry Mullholland as the Mets rally from 7 runs down to take an 11-8 lead over Atlanta.
1) First baseball game in New York City after 9/11. Down 3-2 in the eighth, he homers to center field. Mets beat Atlanta.
I know when it comes to my teams, I can be the most obnoxious jerk in the world. I know this. And again that happens. After the Mets beat the Yankees twice this weekend, I was excited again. I was ready for this 4-game series against the Braves. I was ready to watch the Mets slam Tom Glavine in the mouth after the way he screwed them and us fans last September. And Luis Castillo of all people homers in the first inning. 1-0 Mets. Then Glavine allows two hits and a walk so they have the bases loaded with one out. Moises Alou comes up and slams a pitch...right into Larry Jones' glove. Delgado flies out to right, inning over. The Braves immediately tie the score and kept scratching out runs as they game went on. John Maine was just awful, he threw no breaking balls, his change up sailed right over the plate all day, he barely made it through five innings. By the sixth inning, I was paying more attention to a shoot interview on Youtube with legendary wrestling manger Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle.
But the Met offense suddenly looks just as lethargic as they did against Washington and Cincy. Over the final eight innings, they get three hits and no runs. And worst of all, that piece of garbage Glavine, who spit the damn bit when he pitched for the Mets, looks like Sandy Koufax. He allows no hits and no walks over the final five innings he pitched. 6-1 final.
And Game 2. Who the hell is Jorge Campillo? 6 innings, 3 hits, no walks, seven strikeouts? Who the hell is he? Once Jones doubled home Escobar in the first inning, I knew the game was over. Because this team NEVER NEVER NEVER rallies. But I checked back in eventually, just in time to see Duaner Sanchez escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh. So I figured I'd watch the eighth. After the first two outs, Delgado walks, Castro doubles him home. Big deal. Alou pinch hits and single,s bringing the tying run up and now I'm into it. Will this finally be the time? Jose Reyes as always swings at the first pitch. And he actually gets a hit. Now the tying runs are on base. Marlon Anderson grounds out, and that was essentially it. Matt Wise gives up a two-run homer just for good measure in the bottom half. Mets lose 6-2.
They are the Tin Men, they are most of my ex-girlfriends, they have no heart. And that's not even the worst part. Ryan Church is now injured! A concussion, his second in two months! Our best position player is out for God knows how long! Holy Fucking Mackerel!
And then to top that off, we have the NBA draft lottery. Even when the Cubs lose, Chicago sports still stick it up my rear end. I was really into this lottery, I really thought the Knicks would get a Top 2 pick and have the opportunity to get Michael Beasley, or even better, Derrick Rose. So I listened to it on ESPN radio. Everything went according to plan from picks 14-9. Then by record, the next picks 8 and 7 should have been Chicago followed by Charlotte . The guy reads Ch-----arlotte. My jaw dropped in dread and horror. The Bulls were now in the top 3 picks. 7 goes like normal and I then knew the Knicks were either No. 6 or in the top 3. Then came the words. "The sixth pick will belong to...the New York Knicks." I slammed the computer mouse on the desk. Hard. Somehow, it still works. And of all teams, the Bulls wound up picking number one. Great, a young team that is playoff caliber to begin with now adds one of the best young players. I'll get to watch Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley torch the Eastern Conference for 10 years, while the Knicks will draft some seventh or eighth man like OJ Mayo or Brook Lopez. Mike, Donnie, have fun this year. Because as Knicks fans, we sure as hell will not.
So this has been just a horrible, horrible night between the Mets and the Knicks. Some things never change. Should I just start watching European soccer?
OK, I'll try to end this with something decent. To my twin Mike Piazza who retired today. Thank you for the great years and the great moments. We miss you and we appreciate you. Here are my top 5 Piazza moments that I can remember right now, anyway The blonde hair is not one of them.
5) 1997. The Trade From Florida. The Man Arrives.
4) 1998 Three-run bomb with two outs in the ninth inning off Billy Wagner, gave the Mets a 3-2 lead in a game they would win, 4-3, in 11 innings
3) Injured and not starting that night, he hit s a huge homer off Smoltz in Game 6 of the doomed 1999 NLCS.
2) Three-run homer off Terry Mullholland as the Mets rally from 7 runs down to take an 11-8 lead over Atlanta.
1) First baseball game in New York City after 9/11. Down 3-2 in the eighth, he homers to center field. Mets beat Atlanta.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The malaise
I've taken to using that word a bit a lately. I know of no other world that depicts the lackadaisical, care-free, boring attitude that the New York Mets have taken on over the last 12 months.
Going into the 7-game homestand against the dreadful Reds and Nationals, I wanted five wins. After that, it's the Yankees, Braves, and Rockies. Just a day at the beach with those three. We took 2 against Cincinnati, which was fine. After splitting the first two against Washington, Aaron Heilman blew yet another game, allowing four runs in 1/3 of an inning, Wasting Claudio Vargas' impressive Mets debut. Why Willie Randolph did not have Joe Smith warming up while Heilman was giving up run after run, I do not know. I have tried to maintain my support of the manager. It gets harder by the day. I don't know why, but as disappointed as I was, I promised I would not flip out.
Then came today's game. I will never forget this. Mike Pelfrey no-hits Washington through the sixth inning. And as gullible as I am, I really thought Pelfrey had a shot to throw the Mets' first no-hitter in almost 8,000 franchise games. It all seemed set up. The TV broadcasters working in the upper deck of Shea Stadium. So many Mets alumni in house. The team desperately needing a spark of some type.
But Aaron Boone singles in the seventh and that was it. Pelfrey escapes that and though the Met offense had mustered nothing (Wright hit his daily popup with two out and two runners on in the fifth), I felt good. But as soon as Jesus Flores doubled to left to lead off the eighth, I knew he was going to score. This SOB, who we let go for NOTHING, his going to haunt us for years. A sac fly and a sac bunt and he scores. The sac bunt was done by Willie Harris, who was double switched into the game for defense. I didn't understand why Manny Acta took Jason Bergmann out of the game, but more on that later.
Let's go to the Mets offense. Third inning. Castillo on first with two gone. Wright pops one up to shallow right. Inning over right? Wrong. Austin Kearns drops the ball. Castillo, who was jogging, gets as far as third base and doesn't score. But with his ravaged knees, I don't know if he would have made it anyway. But Wright, the golden boy, doesn't even run. He's lolly-gagging round like his ankles are shackled. Could have easily made it to second if he head been running. Once he sees the ball is dropped, he's barely past the first base bag and he has to hold. Not that it would matter as Beltran lines out to right.
Reyes leads off the eighth and despite barely getting his bat on the ball, he dribbles it down the third base line and made it to first. Castillo lays down a bunt and gets thrown out at first. Meanwhile, as Reyes slows down at second base, he notices nobody is covering third and he goes for it. Boone reads it and throws the ball to Christian Guzman, who easily tags the non-sliding Reyes. Wright pops out, inning over.
After Matt Wise strikes out Flores with two on in the top of the ninth, the Mets came up for one more shot. Beltran leads off with a single. I was hoping he would steal second base so a sacrifice fly could possibly score him form third. Up comes Ryan Church, our best position player all year, bar none. He flies the ball down the left field line midway between the infield and the wall. Harris dives and makes a ridiculous catch. If he misses that ball, Beltran is easily on third base. It's just like last year, when he robbed Delgado of a home run.
Delgado is up and I am feeling very queasy by this point. I have as much confidence in this guy getting a clutch hit as I had in Isiah Thomas making a good trade. Then Beltran takes off and Flores' throw flies in to center field, allowing Beltran to reach third without a throw. Now I'm feeling optimistic. On a 1-2 pitch from Jon Rauch, Delgado smashed a liner straight to Boone at first base. Beltran is frozen 15 feet down the line and Boone lobs the ball over to third for a game-ending double play. My head crashed to my desk and I didn't move for about a minute. We lose 1-0. So the homestand ends 3-4, and we're in fourth place, 20-19, 3 games out of first.
By the way, how does Willie sit Moises Alou for this game? And how does an offense with Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, and Carlos Delgado total three hits and no runs against a pitcher who entered the game fresh off minor league rehab and with an ERA of 11.68? We have wasted phenomenal starting pitching from two guys we never expected to get it from.
And tomorrow, I'm going downtown to hang with a bunch of other Mets fans to watch the first game of the Yankees series. I really have no idea how we're going to be feeling.
And I had a gift card for about 2 months from MLB.com and it expired today. I had to force myself to use it because I really didn't want to buy anything with the Mets logo on it. I feel the exact same numbness and frustration I felt last September when the Mets blew the division. Now there's no division lead to blow. Just another season.
Going into the 7-game homestand against the dreadful Reds and Nationals, I wanted five wins. After that, it's the Yankees, Braves, and Rockies. Just a day at the beach with those three. We took 2 against Cincinnati, which was fine. After splitting the first two against Washington, Aaron Heilman blew yet another game, allowing four runs in 1/3 of an inning, Wasting Claudio Vargas' impressive Mets debut. Why Willie Randolph did not have Joe Smith warming up while Heilman was giving up run after run, I do not know. I have tried to maintain my support of the manager. It gets harder by the day. I don't know why, but as disappointed as I was, I promised I would not flip out.
Then came today's game. I will never forget this. Mike Pelfrey no-hits Washington through the sixth inning. And as gullible as I am, I really thought Pelfrey had a shot to throw the Mets' first no-hitter in almost 8,000 franchise games. It all seemed set up. The TV broadcasters working in the upper deck of Shea Stadium. So many Mets alumni in house. The team desperately needing a spark of some type.
But Aaron Boone singles in the seventh and that was it. Pelfrey escapes that and though the Met offense had mustered nothing (Wright hit his daily popup with two out and two runners on in the fifth), I felt good. But as soon as Jesus Flores doubled to left to lead off the eighth, I knew he was going to score. This SOB, who we let go for NOTHING, his going to haunt us for years. A sac fly and a sac bunt and he scores. The sac bunt was done by Willie Harris, who was double switched into the game for defense. I didn't understand why Manny Acta took Jason Bergmann out of the game, but more on that later.
Let's go to the Mets offense. Third inning. Castillo on first with two gone. Wright pops one up to shallow right. Inning over right? Wrong. Austin Kearns drops the ball. Castillo, who was jogging, gets as far as third base and doesn't score. But with his ravaged knees, I don't know if he would have made it anyway. But Wright, the golden boy, doesn't even run. He's lolly-gagging round like his ankles are shackled. Could have easily made it to second if he head been running. Once he sees the ball is dropped, he's barely past the first base bag and he has to hold. Not that it would matter as Beltran lines out to right.
Reyes leads off the eighth and despite barely getting his bat on the ball, he dribbles it down the third base line and made it to first. Castillo lays down a bunt and gets thrown out at first. Meanwhile, as Reyes slows down at second base, he notices nobody is covering third and he goes for it. Boone reads it and throws the ball to Christian Guzman, who easily tags the non-sliding Reyes. Wright pops out, inning over.
After Matt Wise strikes out Flores with two on in the top of the ninth, the Mets came up for one more shot. Beltran leads off with a single. I was hoping he would steal second base so a sacrifice fly could possibly score him form third. Up comes Ryan Church, our best position player all year, bar none. He flies the ball down the left field line midway between the infield and the wall. Harris dives and makes a ridiculous catch. If he misses that ball, Beltran is easily on third base. It's just like last year, when he robbed Delgado of a home run.
Delgado is up and I am feeling very queasy by this point. I have as much confidence in this guy getting a clutch hit as I had in Isiah Thomas making a good trade. Then Beltran takes off and Flores' throw flies in to center field, allowing Beltran to reach third without a throw. Now I'm feeling optimistic. On a 1-2 pitch from Jon Rauch, Delgado smashed a liner straight to Boone at first base. Beltran is frozen 15 feet down the line and Boone lobs the ball over to third for a game-ending double play. My head crashed to my desk and I didn't move for about a minute. We lose 1-0. So the homestand ends 3-4, and we're in fourth place, 20-19, 3 games out of first.
By the way, how does Willie sit Moises Alou for this game? And how does an offense with Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church, and Carlos Delgado total three hits and no runs against a pitcher who entered the game fresh off minor league rehab and with an ERA of 11.68? We have wasted phenomenal starting pitching from two guys we never expected to get it from.
And tomorrow, I'm going downtown to hang with a bunch of other Mets fans to watch the first game of the Yankees series. I really have no idea how we're going to be feeling.
And I had a gift card for about 2 months from MLB.com and it expired today. I had to force myself to use it because I really didn't want to buy anything with the Mets logo on it. I feel the exact same numbness and frustration I felt last September when the Mets blew the division. Now there's no division lead to blow. Just another season.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Keefer's Review
I'm two weeks behind on this, but with my schedule shooting up like a bottle rocket, some things just slip. First of all, the Saturday run from two weeks ago was excellent. I finally got to try Garrett's popcorn. That cashew caramel corn is something else. Jersey Boys was an amazing show. I like old music a lot, but rarely listen to the Four Seasons. The Bee Gees give me enough falsetto already for my Ipod. But I must admit some of those Frankie Valli songs are pretty cool. "My Eyes Adored You," "Oh, What a Night," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" do make me snap my fingers. Excellent music, great storytelling, and a funny compelling script. I still love the joke about the letter "Y".
So then it was dinner at Keefer's, a steakhouse in the River North section, with a french cuisine twist. First of all, the atmosphere is a little unusual. And the whole restaurant seems to be one big circle, I don't remember walking in a straight line the whole time I was there. But hanging on the wall in our dining room was a fireplace and a lot of 1920's radios. I have no idea what the purpose of the radios was.
Onto the food. I love any restaurant with a bread basket that includes pretzel bread. Amazingly, Dad had never heard of it before. Let's just say he won't be forgetting it anytime soon. I went with an Amstel Light to drink and was happy it came in a frosted glass that the waiter poured for me. We skipped the appetizers and went straight to salad. I got a house, which various greens and a few cherry tomatoes with mustard vinaigrette. I was very impressed with the substantial portion. This wasn't like some places which give you a small cereal bowl. This was filling. And I don't care for cherry tomatoes, especially when you take a bite and the juice explodes all of your shirt. But these were a little more meaty and they suited me fine.
Then the main event. For the sides, we got a combo of onion rings and pommes frites (french fries). We got so many of them they lasted two more dinners later that week. And I don't know how they fry them, but there is a certain lightness to them. They were crispy, flavorful, and I didn't feel heavy after eating them. We're big fans of spinach, so we got some sauteed spinach in olive oil and garlic. It was fair enough. Mom and I split an order of au gratin potatoes with Gruyere cheese. These were diced potatoes, smothered in cheese and cream and then broiled for a few minutes to get the top crispy. I usually prefer a good baked potato or Lyonnaise, but considering the French backgrounds of the chefs, this was a nice change.
OK, onto the meat! Mom and I ordered bone-in Kansas City strips and Dad ordered a Delmonico ribeye (sans the maitre'd butter of course). I really thought about ordering a steak with an au poivre sauce or Diane style, but in the end, I just wanted to savor the meat. And oh, did I! My strip was served on a hot plate, with plenty of sea salt and pepper and on top, a little pad of flavored butter melted into the meat. The steak was broiled perfectly; it had that combo of a little crispiness on the outside and plenty of juice on the inside. I didn't even need to add any seasoning. I had no problem finishing it.
For dessert, Dad ordered a lemon parfait with berries and orange shortbread cookies. I got three different scoops of gelato: chocolate (which I gave to Mom), Tahitian vanilla (Very rich and incredibly good), and green tea. The green tea was something I was glad to try once, but didn't enjoy it enough to where I would order it again. The meal was excellent and the French accents of the menu make Keefer's a nice departure from a Morton's or a Gibson's or a Chicago Chop House.
I'm glad Dad took the bill...
So then it was dinner at Keefer's, a steakhouse in the River North section, with a french cuisine twist. First of all, the atmosphere is a little unusual. And the whole restaurant seems to be one big circle, I don't remember walking in a straight line the whole time I was there. But hanging on the wall in our dining room was a fireplace and a lot of 1920's radios. I have no idea what the purpose of the radios was.
Onto the food. I love any restaurant with a bread basket that includes pretzel bread. Amazingly, Dad had never heard of it before. Let's just say he won't be forgetting it anytime soon. I went with an Amstel Light to drink and was happy it came in a frosted glass that the waiter poured for me. We skipped the appetizers and went straight to salad. I got a house, which various greens and a few cherry tomatoes with mustard vinaigrette. I was very impressed with the substantial portion. This wasn't like some places which give you a small cereal bowl. This was filling. And I don't care for cherry tomatoes, especially when you take a bite and the juice explodes all of your shirt. But these were a little more meaty and they suited me fine.
Then the main event. For the sides, we got a combo of onion rings and pommes frites (french fries). We got so many of them they lasted two more dinners later that week. And I don't know how they fry them, but there is a certain lightness to them. They were crispy, flavorful, and I didn't feel heavy after eating them. We're big fans of spinach, so we got some sauteed spinach in olive oil and garlic. It was fair enough. Mom and I split an order of au gratin potatoes with Gruyere cheese. These were diced potatoes, smothered in cheese and cream and then broiled for a few minutes to get the top crispy. I usually prefer a good baked potato or Lyonnaise, but considering the French backgrounds of the chefs, this was a nice change.
OK, onto the meat! Mom and I ordered bone-in Kansas City strips and Dad ordered a Delmonico ribeye (sans the maitre'd butter of course). I really thought about ordering a steak with an au poivre sauce or Diane style, but in the end, I just wanted to savor the meat. And oh, did I! My strip was served on a hot plate, with plenty of sea salt and pepper and on top, a little pad of flavored butter melted into the meat. The steak was broiled perfectly; it had that combo of a little crispiness on the outside and plenty of juice on the inside. I didn't even need to add any seasoning. I had no problem finishing it.
For dessert, Dad ordered a lemon parfait with berries and orange shortbread cookies. I got three different scoops of gelato: chocolate (which I gave to Mom), Tahitian vanilla (Very rich and incredibly good), and green tea. The green tea was something I was glad to try once, but didn't enjoy it enough to where I would order it again. The meal was excellent and the French accents of the menu make Keefer's a nice departure from a Morton's or a Gibson's or a Chicago Chop House.
I'm glad Dad took the bill...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
My cry
God, in this cold, I need relief. These elements I am connnected to, I can not break from their pull, from their influence. These forces come together, they combust, and their reaction is felt far and wide. They surround me always, most often staying to themselves. When they meet, it is chaos. It is my worst fear. It is heartbreak. It is helplessness. And sadly, it is inevitable.
Now I know these are the times I cry out for you. I need your spirit. I need to feel your presence more than I have never needed to feel anything in my life. Tonight, I am surrounded by so much, yet I feel so alone.
I don't know if I will be able to sleep at all tonight. I need courage and I need direction and I change. Most of all, tonight I pray for peace. Please.
Now I know these are the times I cry out for you. I need your spirit. I need to feel your presence more than I have never needed to feel anything in my life. Tonight, I am surrounded by so much, yet I feel so alone.
I don't know if I will be able to sleep at all tonight. I need courage and I need direction and I change. Most of all, tonight I pray for peace. Please.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Enough of Friday
The odyssey of today really started Thursday morning. I left my gym bag at home and I intended to work out that afternoon. As a result, if I didn't work out Friday morning before work, I would not get any exercise in until Monday, at the earliest. So my alarm got me out of bed at 4:30 a.m. this morning. I read on the net about the Mets' latest loss, listened to a little Boomer and Carton, and took off for the gym around 5:30 a.m. Got there at 6:05, worked out until 7:15. Showered and drove the 5 minutes to work. Left at 4:40 p.m.
Usually, I would take the highway from Hoffman Estates down to Glen Ellyn for my Friday night group, about a 35 minute drive. And this is actually the last meeting we're having until next September. But there was an extra wrinkle. Last Saturday, I brought a grill and I wound up having to exchange it. The cool thing was the Lowe's I went to this time has the same grill for $30 cheaper. So I saved a few bucks and they're going to do the assembly as well. But this Lowe's was on Barrington Rd, which meant a lot of stop and go traffic, mostly stopping. This time, it took me an hour and 15 minutes to get to Glen Ellyn at 6 p.m.
To celebrate our final group session of the year, we had pizza. Theanks Chad for not calling in, thus making all those donations to the cause. I probably had 13 pieces tonight. Then again, this is that lame Chicago thin crust style. And a few regulars were missing tonight, so let's just say I took their burden upon my shoulders. Left at 7:30, and by now, the rain was pouring down. But I couldn't go home, I had to drive even farther south to Lisle for some Herald work. Got there just in time for the start of the third period. Rangers lead 3-2. Found out they had led 3-0 though, so I was feeling a little queasy. Penguins score two goals 30 seconds apart. I knew it was over. But of course, the Rangers tease me. They tie it with 10 minutes left. Three minutes left, the referees take their first step toward screwing the Rangers so the "anointed one" can reach the next round. Penalty on Straka, Pittsburgh scores on the power play, we lose Game 1. Absolutely terrible.
And to top off that, five minutes later, Kelly Johnson homers off Mike Pelfrey, snapping a 3-3 tie. Braves go on to beat the Mets 6-3. The Mets gout outhit in this damn game 13-2. Two hits! All their runs came off walks with the bases loaded. Ryan Church is the only Met hitting worth a damn. Wright hasn't hit anything since Saturday. Beltran has been terrible with runners on base. Reyes has not had a hit since the Great Flood. I think Noah was gathering animals for the ark the last time Jose Reyes got a hit. I've ripped Delgado enough already, at least he was benched in this game. Even our bench core, Easley, Anderson, and Chavez have been terrible. And Raul Casanova. Our catcher while Brian Schneider is recovering from an infected left hand. I have a request. This may be asking a lot. When you hit a ball to the wall, instead of skipping to your Lou, can you freakin' run hard? Who the hell are you to not bust your ass on the baseball diamond? Get lost, goodbye. I am sick of the lackadaisical and crybaby attitudes that still permeates this clubhouse.
By the way, there have been four grand slam home runs hit in baseball this year. Mets relief pitchers have given up three of them.
And then I had a 45 minute drive home through an absolute storm and got held up by a freight train in West Chicago for 5 minutes. Got in at 10:00 p.m. So that's 17 hours straight out of the house. I am now in the heated dungeon unloading on Claim Jumper's caramel apple cream cheese pie (TDF!) and a lot of milk. And I wonder where someone is tonight... They have a lot to answer for.
Usually, I would take the highway from Hoffman Estates down to Glen Ellyn for my Friday night group, about a 35 minute drive. And this is actually the last meeting we're having until next September. But there was an extra wrinkle. Last Saturday, I brought a grill and I wound up having to exchange it. The cool thing was the Lowe's I went to this time has the same grill for $30 cheaper. So I saved a few bucks and they're going to do the assembly as well. But this Lowe's was on Barrington Rd, which meant a lot of stop and go traffic, mostly stopping. This time, it took me an hour and 15 minutes to get to Glen Ellyn at 6 p.m.
To celebrate our final group session of the year, we had pizza. Theanks Chad for not calling in, thus making all those donations to the cause. I probably had 13 pieces tonight. Then again, this is that lame Chicago thin crust style. And a few regulars were missing tonight, so let's just say I took their burden upon my shoulders. Left at 7:30, and by now, the rain was pouring down. But I couldn't go home, I had to drive even farther south to Lisle for some Herald work. Got there just in time for the start of the third period. Rangers lead 3-2. Found out they had led 3-0 though, so I was feeling a little queasy. Penguins score two goals 30 seconds apart. I knew it was over. But of course, the Rangers tease me. They tie it with 10 minutes left. Three minutes left, the referees take their first step toward screwing the Rangers so the "anointed one" can reach the next round. Penalty on Straka, Pittsburgh scores on the power play, we lose Game 1. Absolutely terrible.
And to top off that, five minutes later, Kelly Johnson homers off Mike Pelfrey, snapping a 3-3 tie. Braves go on to beat the Mets 6-3. The Mets gout outhit in this damn game 13-2. Two hits! All their runs came off walks with the bases loaded. Ryan Church is the only Met hitting worth a damn. Wright hasn't hit anything since Saturday. Beltran has been terrible with runners on base. Reyes has not had a hit since the Great Flood. I think Noah was gathering animals for the ark the last time Jose Reyes got a hit. I've ripped Delgado enough already, at least he was benched in this game. Even our bench core, Easley, Anderson, and Chavez have been terrible. And Raul Casanova. Our catcher while Brian Schneider is recovering from an infected left hand. I have a request. This may be asking a lot. When you hit a ball to the wall, instead of skipping to your Lou, can you freakin' run hard? Who the hell are you to not bust your ass on the baseball diamond? Get lost, goodbye. I am sick of the lackadaisical and crybaby attitudes that still permeates this clubhouse.
By the way, there have been four grand slam home runs hit in baseball this year. Mets relief pitchers have given up three of them.
And then I had a 45 minute drive home through an absolute storm and got held up by a freight train in West Chicago for 5 minutes. Got in at 10:00 p.m. So that's 17 hours straight out of the house. I am now in the heated dungeon unloading on Claim Jumper's caramel apple cream cheese pie (TDF!) and a lot of milk. And I wonder where someone is tonight... They have a lot to answer for.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thank God for hockey
Because I am absolutely incensed at the disgrace that is the New York Mets these last three days.
Driving into Chicago this morning on 90, I was not feeling overly optimistic. Nelson Figueroa was pitching for us and I knew he was due for a rough game. But I tried to get in a good mood. I called my father, hoping he could give me some reason to feel excited. He failed. As I drove through the Second City, I blasted "Meet the Mets" from my car. I ran into Julie at Murphy's Bleachers and she introduced me to a few other Mets fans. I even met Regis C, one of the writers on metsblog.com. I drank a six dollar Chicago brew (I guess they double the prices on game days) and hung with about 15-20 Met fans for a little over an hour, talking the Mets, travel, and whatever else. And then the SNY television crew came by. They actually shot us and put us on camera! I have no idea if it went on TV, but it was fun. Little did I know it would be the only fun thing that would happen today.
I wanted the Mets to jump on Ted Lilly early. I felt they had to get their offense working quickly, jump out to a quick lead, and silence the crowd. Well, we couldn't even get a baserunner in the first three innings. And Carlos Delgado's strikeout nearly made me spew out my hot dogs I had eaten 30 minutes before. He whiffs on three straight pitches, and the last swing looked like Phil Mickelson playing a lob golf shot out of the deep rough. Easy and slow back, easy and slow through, swing straight down to the ball. Somebody walk this guy out to the glue factory and just shoot him. I'm almost begging for Mo Vaughn to come back, 400 pounds and all.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the second inning was my first nervous moment. Figueroa loads the bases with nobody out. But he gets Ronny Cedeno (and I'll get to him a in a bit) and gets Henry Blanco to ground into a double play. No runs allowed, an incredible inning. Of course, as I and the several thousand of my fellow Mets fans in attendance celebrated, some jackass cracks "Go Phillies!" I had a few counters in mind, but why bother wasting my time with a waste of life such as that?
Then in the fourth, the Mets start doing what they do best. Failing to deliver big hits. Reyes leads off and strikes out. Pagan doubles to right and would have gone to third if he didn't trip and fall after rounding second. Wright walks, Beltran walks, and the bases are loaded for Delgado. All I was hoping was for him to hit the ball out of the infield. I knew he was never getting a hit. He pops up. Damion Easley comes up. I was so excited about him playing second. I felt he would mash Lilly. Pops up to second.
Bottom of the fourth. One on with two outs. Cedeno doubles and Blanco is intentionally walked to bring up the pitcher. Slow roller between first and second. Delgado and Figueroa wait for each other to make the play, bases loaded. A total lack of fundamentals. Reed Johnson singles, 3-0.
Top of the fifth, 2 on for the Mets, Pagan pops out.
Top of the sixth. Bases loaded for Brady Clark with one out. Fielder's choice, one run scores. Raul Casnova grounds out, two more stranded.
I'd had it. I knew we were done. Before the seventh, I took off for the 1.5 mile walk back to my car. I found out later Jorge Sosa gives up yet another big home run, this one a grand slam to that a-hole Cedeno, who has been as big an underachiever the Cubs have had in the last 5 years. Now he plays the Mets and he's All-World. He kills us with big hits in two straight games. It's sick. Another R. Cedeno I would like to castrate with a hatchet.
People ask me why I don't like Cub fans. Well, put it this way. Between the comments I heard walking to the park, and everything I heard when I was in my seat, I know Marty Brenneman was right when he said "They are the most obnoxious fans in baseball." And I will add this to his comments. These fans live in a bubble. They shout about how they're so entitled to glory and success. God forbid strike three is ever called on a Cub. And now they apparently struck a deal with Benihana to wear those gay looking headbands for Fukodome. Forget the Cubbies, they are in my mind the Bubbles. Because that's the environment they exist in.
And here is why it is harder to be a Mets fan than a Cubs fan. Nobody cares about us. The Cubs are the chic team in baseball, have been for 30 years. It's fashionable and easy to ride on their bandwagon, which millions are doing right now. It's fake. It's phony. If there was a ever a baseball franchise that would have had too much plastic surgery, it's the Cubs. It takes a lot more toughness and character to root for a team that plays second fiddle to the Yankees and still loses so consistently. The Mets are hated because of the New York aura, yet we're not in style around the world like the Yankees. There's just no way to win in that situation.
And there's this. When the Cubs blow a lead, they get all the sympathy and tears from everyone. Mets choke away the division the way they did, we're snickered at and mocked. Why? Because we're from New York? Because we have a few dollars to spend?
Now onto the future. The Mets could win the NL East. It's not completely inconceivable. But I have no confidence this team can defeat the Bubbles or the Diamondbacks or the Padres in a series. This team is assembled poorly, performing poorly, and I hate to say it, coached poorly. Willie Randolph, I like you as a man, but my patience is wearing very, very thin.
Driving into Chicago this morning on 90, I was not feeling overly optimistic. Nelson Figueroa was pitching for us and I knew he was due for a rough game. But I tried to get in a good mood. I called my father, hoping he could give me some reason to feel excited. He failed. As I drove through the Second City, I blasted "Meet the Mets" from my car. I ran into Julie at Murphy's Bleachers and she introduced me to a few other Mets fans. I even met Regis C, one of the writers on metsblog.com. I drank a six dollar Chicago brew (I guess they double the prices on game days) and hung with about 15-20 Met fans for a little over an hour, talking the Mets, travel, and whatever else. And then the SNY television crew came by. They actually shot us and put us on camera! I have no idea if it went on TV, but it was fun. Little did I know it would be the only fun thing that would happen today.
I wanted the Mets to jump on Ted Lilly early. I felt they had to get their offense working quickly, jump out to a quick lead, and silence the crowd. Well, we couldn't even get a baserunner in the first three innings. And Carlos Delgado's strikeout nearly made me spew out my hot dogs I had eaten 30 minutes before. He whiffs on three straight pitches, and the last swing looked like Phil Mickelson playing a lob golf shot out of the deep rough. Easy and slow back, easy and slow through, swing straight down to the ball. Somebody walk this guy out to the glue factory and just shoot him. I'm almost begging for Mo Vaughn to come back, 400 pounds and all.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the second inning was my first nervous moment. Figueroa loads the bases with nobody out. But he gets Ronny Cedeno (and I'll get to him a in a bit) and gets Henry Blanco to ground into a double play. No runs allowed, an incredible inning. Of course, as I and the several thousand of my fellow Mets fans in attendance celebrated, some jackass cracks "Go Phillies!" I had a few counters in mind, but why bother wasting my time with a waste of life such as that?
Then in the fourth, the Mets start doing what they do best. Failing to deliver big hits. Reyes leads off and strikes out. Pagan doubles to right and would have gone to third if he didn't trip and fall after rounding second. Wright walks, Beltran walks, and the bases are loaded for Delgado. All I was hoping was for him to hit the ball out of the infield. I knew he was never getting a hit. He pops up. Damion Easley comes up. I was so excited about him playing second. I felt he would mash Lilly. Pops up to second.
Bottom of the fourth. One on with two outs. Cedeno doubles and Blanco is intentionally walked to bring up the pitcher. Slow roller between first and second. Delgado and Figueroa wait for each other to make the play, bases loaded. A total lack of fundamentals. Reed Johnson singles, 3-0.
Top of the fifth, 2 on for the Mets, Pagan pops out.
Top of the sixth. Bases loaded for Brady Clark with one out. Fielder's choice, one run scores. Raul Casnova grounds out, two more stranded.
I'd had it. I knew we were done. Before the seventh, I took off for the 1.5 mile walk back to my car. I found out later Jorge Sosa gives up yet another big home run, this one a grand slam to that a-hole Cedeno, who has been as big an underachiever the Cubs have had in the last 5 years. Now he plays the Mets and he's All-World. He kills us with big hits in two straight games. It's sick. Another R. Cedeno I would like to castrate with a hatchet.
People ask me why I don't like Cub fans. Well, put it this way. Between the comments I heard walking to the park, and everything I heard when I was in my seat, I know Marty Brenneman was right when he said "They are the most obnoxious fans in baseball." And I will add this to his comments. These fans live in a bubble. They shout about how they're so entitled to glory and success. God forbid strike three is ever called on a Cub. And now they apparently struck a deal with Benihana to wear those gay looking headbands for Fukodome. Forget the Cubbies, they are in my mind the Bubbles. Because that's the environment they exist in.
And here is why it is harder to be a Mets fan than a Cubs fan. Nobody cares about us. The Cubs are the chic team in baseball, have been for 30 years. It's fashionable and easy to ride on their bandwagon, which millions are doing right now. It's fake. It's phony. If there was a ever a baseball franchise that would have had too much plastic surgery, it's the Cubs. It takes a lot more toughness and character to root for a team that plays second fiddle to the Yankees and still loses so consistently. The Mets are hated because of the New York aura, yet we're not in style around the world like the Yankees. There's just no way to win in that situation.
And there's this. When the Cubs blow a lead, they get all the sympathy and tears from everyone. Mets choke away the division the way they did, we're snickered at and mocked. Why? Because we're from New York? Because we have a few dollars to spend?
Now onto the future. The Mets could win the NL East. It's not completely inconceivable. But I have no confidence this team can defeat the Bubbles or the Diamondbacks or the Padres in a series. This team is assembled poorly, performing poorly, and I hate to say it, coached poorly. Willie Randolph, I like you as a man, but my patience is wearing very, very thin.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Roller coaster update on Brian
Brian had his first round of double chemo on Monday. He was supposed to get to the hospital at 10 am and be home by 2. Didn't quite work that way. His treatment did not begin until 3 p.m. and he was actually awake when they administered the chemo. First, they ran the usual tests, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Then they gave him two sets of medications, two pills in each set. The first set was fine. He then took the second. He was in the operation room with Susan having a conversation when all of a sudden, he began experiencing pains in his left side. Then he suddenly could not talk. He was terrified that he might be having a stroke. The doctors rushed over to him, shot him full of Benadryl, and thankfully, he was stabilized within an hour.
A Dr. House (I'm trying to find out if he's a British guy just speaking with an American accent) was one of the doctors working on him. After the drama had settled, he chatted with Brian. He was feeling optimistic. He told Brian "I will be surprised if you are not golf balls within six to eight weeks." And today was a critical day after his first round of chemo. He had no fever, headaches, stomach issues, etc. This is a great sign after a terrible scare. In three weeks, he goes back for his next round of chemo.
Now he's home, but his immune system is incredibly weak. So there are some restrictions in place for the next two weeks. He cannot touch a human being, drink anything cold, or open a refrigerator or a freezer. But I am starting to feel more and more optimistic. I thank God for hope. It's funny how hope can drive a person crazy and calm them too!
A Dr. House (I'm trying to find out if he's a British guy just speaking with an American accent) was one of the doctors working on him. After the drama had settled, he chatted with Brian. He was feeling optimistic. He told Brian "I will be surprised if you are not golf balls within six to eight weeks." And today was a critical day after his first round of chemo. He had no fever, headaches, stomach issues, etc. This is a great sign after a terrible scare. In three weeks, he goes back for his next round of chemo.
Now he's home, but his immune system is incredibly weak. So there are some restrictions in place for the next two weeks. He cannot touch a human being, drink anything cold, or open a refrigerator or a freezer. But I am starting to feel more and more optimistic. I thank God for hope. It's funny how hope can drive a person crazy and calm them too!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Update on Brian
Well, Brian has the pump in his chest as of a week ago. During that time, they removed his gallbladder nad a portion of his infected liver as well. From Monday morning-Tuesday night, he had a series of tests done and nothing negative came out of them. Now he's home, but last night, he was only able to sleep for two hours. Supposedly, he has lost a lot of weight and is incredibly thin. He doesn't even want to be looked at, he feels so bad about it. His appetite is coming back though. I believe the chemotherapy starts in the next week or so and he goes in for treatments once every 2-3 weeks. Let's see what happens.
Of course, I know he was happy about the Rangers defeating the Devils in Game 1 tonight!
Of course, I know he was happy about the Rangers defeating the Devils in Game 1 tonight!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Should anyone be surprised?
Because I am not. Last week, my father asked me to predict the six division winners in baseball. Of course, he's a Braves fan and picked the Mets and I'm a Mets fan and the strange thing was, with a gnawing, painful feeling in my stomach, he asked who I thought would win the NL East and I said "The Braves." My father literally said I had lost my mind. My feelings had nothing to do with the "lack of respect" BS that Atlanta would try to play since "everyone" is picking the Mets or Phillies. I felt the Phillies did not have enough pitching after their top two starters, the Mets were old and had a brutal lineup, and the Braves were more well-rounded. Well, once again, when I'm right about sports, it absolutely bites me.
Game 1 on Friday night. The Mets had Thursday off, and had just taken 2 of 3 from Florida. Atlanta, meanwhile, comes off a tough series against Pittsburgh with extra inning games, rallies, back and forth action. Their bullpen was spent. So what happens in Atlanta on Friday. A little rain in the morning, which stops by Friday afternoon by the way, and they call the game off. How convenient. So we go to Saturday afternoon. John Maine, the great John Maine, the best pitcher in spring training, huh? Can't even get his team to the fifth inning. And in the top of the fifth, the Mets are down 4-1. Bases loaded, Reyes singles. 4-2. Luis Castillo and David Wright both ground out and a golden opportunity against Tim Hudson was wasted. Right there, I knew the Mets were in trouble. The Braves make it 5-3 until the 7th when Kelly Johnson hits the grand slam off Jorge Sosa. Game over, kaput.
And then today. I just wanted the split of the series. And we have the great Johan Santana pitching. And he does great. Seven innings, one run, three strikeouts, no walks. But there's that little problem called the Met offense. We chased Smoltz out after just five innings which meant a lot of shots at their bullpen. And we get two singles over four innings. The only Mets extra base hit comes by the pitcher! Santana leads off the third with a double and Reyes, Castillo, and Wright can't even get him to third and a golden opportunity is pissed away. Eighth inning: Teixeira homers off Heilman in the eighth, 3-0. Of course, we get the tease in the ninth. 3 walks by Soriano with a hit by Church. One run in, the go ahead run at bat. Schneider swings at the first damn pitch, grounds out to first, we lose 3-1. Can't wait for the home opener against Philly on Tuesday.
And then you put on top of that the New York Rangers. 7-0 against New Jersey this season. One game to determine who has home ice in their first round playoff matchup. And they did not give a damn about this game. They get outshot 9-2 in the first period. Not even 10 minutes in, five odd man rushes for New Jersey and two goals. Game over. TV off. Good luck in the series. Way to give the Devils their confidence back, boys. Sean Avery, are you out there????
Game 1 on Friday night. The Mets had Thursday off, and had just taken 2 of 3 from Florida. Atlanta, meanwhile, comes off a tough series against Pittsburgh with extra inning games, rallies, back and forth action. Their bullpen was spent. So what happens in Atlanta on Friday. A little rain in the morning, which stops by Friday afternoon by the way, and they call the game off. How convenient. So we go to Saturday afternoon. John Maine, the great John Maine, the best pitcher in spring training, huh? Can't even get his team to the fifth inning. And in the top of the fifth, the Mets are down 4-1. Bases loaded, Reyes singles. 4-2. Luis Castillo and David Wright both ground out and a golden opportunity against Tim Hudson was wasted. Right there, I knew the Mets were in trouble. The Braves make it 5-3 until the 7th when Kelly Johnson hits the grand slam off Jorge Sosa. Game over, kaput.
And then today. I just wanted the split of the series. And we have the great Johan Santana pitching. And he does great. Seven innings, one run, three strikeouts, no walks. But there's that little problem called the Met offense. We chased Smoltz out after just five innings which meant a lot of shots at their bullpen. And we get two singles over four innings. The only Mets extra base hit comes by the pitcher! Santana leads off the third with a double and Reyes, Castillo, and Wright can't even get him to third and a golden opportunity is pissed away. Eighth inning: Teixeira homers off Heilman in the eighth, 3-0. Of course, we get the tease in the ninth. 3 walks by Soriano with a hit by Church. One run in, the go ahead run at bat. Schneider swings at the first damn pitch, grounds out to first, we lose 3-1. Can't wait for the home opener against Philly on Tuesday.
And then you put on top of that the New York Rangers. 7-0 against New Jersey this season. One game to determine who has home ice in their first round playoff matchup. And they did not give a damn about this game. They get outshot 9-2 in the first period. Not even 10 minutes in, five odd man rushes for New Jersey and two goals. Game over. TV off. Good luck in the series. Way to give the Devils their confidence back, boys. Sean Avery, are you out there????
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Brian's latest news: it's good
One week ago, he seemed really despondent. He had lost a lot of weight, about 30 pounds form what I hear. All he wanted was a prognosis on how long he had to live. That's a scary thought, considering how upbeat and ergetic he usually is. The doctor wouldn't tell him he had a certain amount of time; they said they could help him pending an MRI. If he had enough bone density and various other factors were good, he would be eligible for double chemotherapy, where they surgically place a titanium pump in the chest and that pump distributes the "medicine" to the diseased organs. If not, it would probably tradiotional chemo or radiation, which is usually pretty risky.
Great news. After the MRI results came back today, it was determined that Brian is indeeed eligible for this treatment. He was expecting the worst news and got about the best he could have hoped for. If everything goes according to plan, he could conceivably beat this in 6 or so months. Now that is being very optimistic. But I believe God can and does heal. For now, he will be in the hospital through Monday and his gall bladder will be removed. And he will go in for treatments several times a month probably through the end of the year.
There is some legitimate hope. Praise God.
Great news. After the MRI results came back today, it was determined that Brian is indeeed eligible for this treatment. He was expecting the worst news and got about the best he could have hoped for. If everything goes according to plan, he could conceivably beat this in 6 or so months. Now that is being very optimistic. But I believe God can and does heal. For now, he will be in the hospital through Monday and his gall bladder will be removed. And he will go in for treatments several times a month probably through the end of the year.
There is some legitimate hope. Praise God.
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