Mike's Mets: March 2007 Archives

The Fun Starts Tomorrow

As we stand here on the brink of another campaign, I have to admit that I am struggling to find something to write about. I just think all of the roster moves have been discussed to death and the pros and cons of David Wright batting second in the batting...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Bad Information

The last couple of decisions have been made concerning the Mets roster. Prognosticators have prognosticated, the naysayers have said their nays, and now it's just time to play ball. I wrote a piece yesterday on the yin and yang of Mets fandom, which seems to be split between optimism and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

The Unbearable Brightness of Being a Mets Fan

With reality a mere three days off, there is a division among the faithful between those who feel truly sanguine about the Mets' chances entering the season and those who look at our pitching staff with a deep sense of impending doom. I've made no secret of the fact that...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Q&A with Erik from PhilliesFlow.com

Last week I answered five questions on the Mets by Erik Grissom for his Phillies Flow blog. He returns the favor this week as he gives us a heads-up on the 2007 Philadelphia Phillies. What do you like most about the Phillies heading into the season? You've got to start...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Spring Fever

The 2007 season is now a reality to me. Our season tickets arrived yesterday. I can see them and touch them. I can read the accompanying media guide. What I can't do, however, is predict how the season will play out. I have watched and/or listened to every spring training...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Balls and Strikes

I watched the majority of last night's Mets game after working at the new house for a few hours yesterday. I learned something while working on the house -- wallpaper borders that have been up for 30 years or so become as much of a part of the wall as...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:53 PM | Permalink

The SI Thing

First of all, before we get into today's post, I apologize for the blog being down for a couple of hours. According to my hosting company, the power supply died on the server that hosts this site, among others. My original hosting company was sold a couple of months ago,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Trades From The Distant Past - Amos Otis for Joe Foy

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. - M.S. In 1969, the Mets were World Champions, but management saw that there were still holes to fill. So, that winter, knowing that one of their third basemen, Ed Charles was...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Roster Is Shaping Up

I have to admit that the spring training games are losing their appeal for me. It didn't help that SNY allowed amateurish audio problems to persist for almost half the game. Also not helpful is the fact that the Mets' offense has been almost as exciting to watch this spring...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

El Duque on Schedule After Strong Start

Orlando Hernandez pitched six strong innings against the Cardinals Friday afternoon, and his performance should at least temporarily quiet down some of the predictions of doom for the 41-year-old Cuban right-hander. It wasn't a perfect outing, as he got away with some hanging breaking pitches early on, but he got...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Big Day

According to all of the beat writers' blogs, Carlos Delgado's wife has gone into labor and he has left camp to be with her. Good luck to the first time Dad. Lisa and I will be closing on our house this afternoon. We'll be leaving in a few minutes. I'll...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wagner Stinks It Up

Aaron Sele started the game against the Braves today. Surprisingly enough, he only gave up an earned run in 5 innings of work. Considering that, after a terrible first inning, he pitched 5 shutout innings last time out, he is on somewhat of a roll. While the fifth starter's job...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Perez Strong Again

I listened to most of Oliver Perez' outing against the Dodgers tonight. It was obvious from the beginning that this wasn't going to be a replay of his dominant start against the Red Sox last week. He was struggling with his control and, according to Tom McCarthy, didn't have the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Mike Pelfrey and Joe Smith Keep Rolling

Mike Pelfrey continued to build a case for himself against the Orioles last night. Despite giving up 7 hits in his 5 innings of work (a couple of them were of the bloops and bleeders variety), Pelfrey held the O's to a single run. For the most part, the lineup...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Be It Ever So Humble...

I mentioned in yesterday's post that Lisa and I are closing on our home Friday. Apparently moving is a recurring theme this week. A while back I received an email from the company that hosts this web site announcing that they had been sold to another company. Then last week...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Getting Back To Work

After a day off yesterday, the Mets kick it back into gear tonight with a game against the Orioles. Another good start by Mike Pelfrey will really put him in the driver seat for the fifth starter's job. I have to admit that I was hoping for Chan Ho Park...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

This Thing Can Actually Work

When the Mets traded for Orlando Hernandez last year I wasn't thrilled. I wondered why, after Rick Peterson had finally turned Jorge Julio into a useful reliever, the team traded him straight up for a 40-year-old starter with a checkered 5 year injury history. His first couple of starts for...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

My Day in the Sun

As Bob Murphy loved to say, it was a beautiful day for baseball. Not a cloud in the sky. A Saturday afternoon in Florida at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. The Mets. The Nationals. Baseball like it oughta be when the score doesn't count. Fortunately, this score didn't count....

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By NostraDennis, posted at 1:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

WHAT IF? Turning Back The Clock To 1966

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. - M.S. It's June of 1966 and the Mets have already experienced the good fortune of getting their name picked out of a hat to win the signing rights to Tom Seaver....

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Rick Peterson Has His Work Cut Out For Him

I was going to write about today's games, particularly the one in St. Lucie vs. the Nationals, but the Mets were so awful today it isn't worth the effort. They lost both split squad games by a combined score of 22-1. As he did his previous time out, Chan Ho...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Friday's Game Notes

Hard to believe that we're only a couple of weeks away from the start of the season with a winter storm raging outside here in Connecticut. Tonight's game against the Marlins was not televised, but here are a few brief thoughts. The bottom line for Tom Glavine looked good: 5IP,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Oliver!

Oliver Perez took a symbolic journey back to 2004 last night in St. Lucie, putting up the type of dominant performance that made the then 22-year-old the toast of baseball for one magical season. Perez has looked a little better each time out this spring, and it actually seems possible...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Not Much of a Legacy for Duquette

It was somewhat of a surprise when the Mets released Alay Soler a couple of days ago. Not that Soler was pitching all that well, but given the numbers game the club was playing with the pitching staff I thought Soler would at least spend the year in New Orleans....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Wednesday's Game Notes

Sorry, today got away from me. A very busy day with the paying job. Here are some thoughts on today's game: With all the uncertainty over the starting rotation, John Maine continues to give every indication he is ready to justify the confidence Omar Minaya places on him. After allowing...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tuesday's Game Notes

No television again, but some quick thoughts on today's game against the Indians: Jason Vargas started the game and pitched 3 innings. The line was 3IP, 2ER, 3H, 2K, 2BB. He also gave up a home run to the immortal Ben Francisco. While he didn't earn himself a one-way ticket...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Ticket Lottery

I received an email yesterday from Jill Brennan Lessard, one of the many Mets fans who is unhappy with the team's decision to go to a ticket lottery to distribute tickets for opening day and the Yankees series. The tradition for years was for diehard fans like Jill to camp...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

The Spring Continuum

With more than 40% of the Mets 2007 Spring Training schedule in the dust, there are a few cautious observations to be made and perhaps a few cogent prognostications to be attempted. The more fascinating pitching scenarios are first up, with the everyday and bench personnel making an appearance here...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Monday's Game Notes

No television today vs. the Nationals, but just some general thoughts: Chan Ho Park made his second start of the spring today. The line was 3-1/3IP, 4ER, 5H, 6K, 2BB. He did okay for the first 2 innings, allowing only Zimmerman's first inning double while getting 3 groundouts and striking...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Much Ado About Nothing

Since Mike Pelfrey signed with the Mets in January of 2006 there have been questions about how much his relatively raw secondary pitches will hold him back early in his career. With respect to those who specialize on ranking prospects, I've always felt this was overblown. FoxSports.com's Dayn Perry is...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Sunday Game Notes

Finally had the chance to watch today's game against the Fish that DVR'ed. Some quick notes. Tom Glavine looked sharp in 4 innings of work. He was victimized by the "D" and a strange hit by pitch call in a 3-run third inning, but seems really in synch this spring....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Steve Phillips, Boy Genius

If former Mets' Genereal Manager Steve Phillips had his way, he would have traded away not one but both of the young cornerstones of this franchise. Last July, Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun offered up this piece of information: In late July of 2002 the Blue Jays were nearing...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

The Mets Top Ten Prospects - 30 Years Ago

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. - M.S. In retrospect, as good as the 1967 crop proved to be, including Seaver, Ryan, Koosman, and Boswell, the 1977 edition of the Mets' prospect list was a pretty good portent...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 12:09 AM | Permalink

Game Notes from Yesterday and Today

Just some quick observations on yesterday's pitchers vs the Tigers: John Maine pitched 3 scoreless innings. Interestingly enough, he seemed to have somewhat better command of his changeup, which he used often and to good effect, than his fastball, which he had some difficulty keeping down in the zone. I...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Grabbing My Slice of Grapefruit

There are only a couple of things I miss about New York since our family moved to Florida twelve years ago. One thing, of course, is family. My brother and his wife, my sister in law, her husband, and their kids, and Mom all live on Long Island. I do...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Mike Pelfrey Opening Eyes

The Mets had yet another somewhat disheartening loss today that featured some shoddy defense. The team hasn't been hitting particularly well, but that really doesn't concern me yet. They've been guilty of some really bonehead defensive lapses, though, and I'd like to see them tighten that up pretty quickly. It's...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Say It Isn't Armando

Words have power. Strong words convey meaning that goes far beyond the dictionary definition. For Mets fans, there are certain names that stir up powerful emotions, even after many years: Tom Seaver, Dave Kingman, George Foster, Doc Gooden -- all these names evoke different sorts of feelings from us. More...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Park Solid in His Spring Training Debut

Chan Ho Park finally received his visa and was able to make his Mets debut today against the Red Sox. The game was televised on NESN, and I endured listening to Jerry Remy in order to get a look at him. He got off to a rough start in the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

The Boys of Spring

Televising a lot of spring training games is a relatively recent phenomenon. When I started following the Mets spring training coverage was pretty light, and mostly in print. You had to take someone else's word for what was going on, unless you were one of the lucky few that could...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Battle for the Rotation

Sorry for the late post today, but Internet connection problems threw a monkey wrench into my morning. Just a few thoughts before I get back to the stuff that pays the bills. I was pleased to see Oliver Perez bounce back yesterday with a better outing. He avoided hitting any...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Selig Just Doesn't Get It

Last year when my cable company elected not to carry SNY, I signed up for DirecTV service and was able to watch the games. For that I'm grateful. Meanwhile, my old cable company was in the process of being sold to Comcast, and the deal took so long that cable...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Trades From The Distant Past - Tommie Agee

Editor's Note: We will publish a post from Barry Duchan every Sunday covering some aspect of Mets history. - M.S. Ask any Met fan under 40 with a sense of the past about Tommie Agee and he'll probably tell you that Agee was the terrific center fielder who helped the...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Pretend GM Speaks

I've been a Mets fan since 1969. There have been some good times and a whole lot more lean times. Steve Phillips' tenure as Mets General Manager offered a sampling of both. When Steve replaced Joe McIlvaine in 1997 he was taking over a club that had fallen hard since...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

A Sad Tale Before A Great Season

Beltran stood frozen at the plate, I blinked, and it's spring training. Unlike Mike, I'm not a big fan, though I go to a game when and if I'm in Florida and love the idea that the guys are working out, smacking those home runs over the wall. I can...

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By Alan Vogel, posted at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Glavine Impresses

I had the chance to watch the first few innings of today's game. Tom Glavine was in mid-season form in 2 impressive innings. He looked like he could have easily thrown another. Jorge Sosa had decent stuff, and threw fairly well. He got burned by two solo homeruns. One was...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 8:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hit the Mascot

Oliver Perez began the exhibition season by going Nuke LaLoosh on a photographer during warm-ups, and it didn't get a lot better once the game began. Based on what I've seen in the comments on this web site, Perez is the player in camp this spring that inspires the strongest...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Mike's Mets

New York Mets discussion, news and historical perspective -- now getting by with a little help from my friends.

March 31, 2007

The Fun Starts Tomorrow

March 30, 2007

Bad Information

March 29, 2007

The Unbearable Brightness of Being a Mets Fan

March 28, 2007

Q&A with Erik from PhilliesFlow.com

Spring Fever

March 27, 2007

Balls and Strikes

March 26, 2007

The SI Thing

March 25, 2007

Trades From The Distant Past - Amos Otis for Joe Foy

The Roster Is Shaping Up

March 24, 2007

El Duque on Schedule After Strong Start

March 23, 2007

The Big Day

March 22, 2007

Wagner Stinks It Up

Perez Strong Again

March 21, 2007

Mike Pelfrey and Joe Smith Keep Rolling

Be It Ever So Humble...

March 20, 2007

Getting Back To Work

March 19, 2007

This Thing Can Actually Work

My Day in the Sun

March 18, 2007

WHAT IF? Turning Back The Clock To 1966

March 17, 2007

Rick Peterson Has His Work Cut Out For Him

Friday's Game Notes

March 16, 2007

Oliver!

March 15, 2007

Not Much of a Legacy for Duquette

March 14, 2007

Wednesday's Game Notes

March 13, 2007

Tuesday's Game Notes

The Ticket Lottery

The Spring Continuum

March 12, 2007

Monday's Game Notes

Much Ado About Nothing

Sunday Game Notes

March 11, 2007

Steve Phillips, Boy Genius

The Mets Top Ten Prospects - 30 Years Ago

March 10, 2007

Game Notes from Yesterday and Today

March 9, 2007

Grabbing My Slice of Grapefruit

March 8, 2007

Mike Pelfrey Opening Eyes

Say It Isn't Armando

March 7, 2007

Park Solid in His Spring Training Debut

The Boys of Spring

March 6, 2007

The Battle for the Rotation

March 5, 2007

Selig Just Doesn't Get It

March 4, 2007

Trades From The Distant Past - Tommie Agee

March 3, 2007

The Pretend GM Speaks

March 2, 2007

A Sad Tale Before A Great Season

March 1, 2007

Glavine Impresses

Hit the Mascot

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