Mike's Mets: May 2008 Archives

The Era of Good Feelings Ends

Game 53: Dodgers 9 - Mets 5 Ah, those last three days were great, weren't they? Mets fans were relaxed, smiling, and filled with approval for what they were seeing from their lads... I guess what bothers us most about last night was a return to those evil pre-last Tuesday...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:22 PM | Permalink

Give Your Dad Gary, Keith and Ron for Father's Day

Well, not literally. But we just got the news from Lynn Cohen that those of you looking to buy your dad a t-shirt or cap from GaryKeithandRon.com that you can save yourself 15%. From now through June 15, just use the coupon code yodaddy to claim your discount. And remember,...

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By Mike's Mets, posted at 12:45 PM | Permalink

Back to .500

Game 52: Mets 8 - Dodgers 4 Almost a third of the way through the season and the Mets had to put together a 3-game winning streak to get back to break-even. What a strange couple of years this has been. Playing well and showing energy, (Was that Carlos Delgado...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Blast from the Past

Game 51: Mets 7 - Marlins 6 (12) The script for last night's game was straight out of 2006. When someone faltered, someone else picked him up. What a concept! Oliver Perez was handed leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2, and for a while it looked like that would do...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Win

Game 50: Mets 5 - Marlins 3 I made it through a Mets game last night with hardly any urges to throw something at the TV, and still feeling that life was worth living when it was all over. I consider that progress, all things considered. Sorry for the late...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Ship Sinks Deeper

Game 49: Marlins 7 - Mets 3 These games are starting to blur together, aren't they? The Mets are losing games for so many of the same reasons, it's hard to tell these losses apart. The Mets haven't won a game that Mike Pelfrey has started since mid-April. A couple...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

What's Really Under the Microscope in New York?

Too many times, one person is blamed for the failings of one or more other persons. This is certainly the case to be made for Willie Randolph. In the current mess--and it is a mess--we have a so-so manager being blamed not only for the failings of his underachieving millionaire...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bats Abandon Maine

Game 48: Rockies 4 - Mets 1 If you're a starting pitcher for the New York Mets these days, you may think that you can't afford to make a single mistake. Sadly, this is often true. John Maine battled through 120 pitches over 6 innings yesterday in the rubber match...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Losing Streak Ends

Game 47: Mets 9 - Rockies 2 Baseball is a funny game. After Johan Santana and Oliver Perez came up short in their efforts to end the losing streak, Claudio Vargas does it on 3 days rest. After being staked to a big early lead, Vargas throws strikes and gives...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mystery Men

Since my last post here, the Mets have gone through one dreadful week, perfectly captured by Mike's recent wordless post. The five days between last Sunday night's homer that wasn't and Saturday's three-double debut by rookie Nick Evans will forever be remembered by me as the Walk Through the Valley...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 2:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Road Woes Continue

Game 46: Rockies 6 - Mets 5 (13) Sorry to be so late with this. I had a large project going in the yard today, and it these games are getting hard to write about. As I sit here and type these words, the Mets have already ended their losing...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:08 PM | Permalink

It Doesn't Smell Like Victory...

Game 45: Braves 4 - Mets 2 They say a picture is worth 1,000 words: View Johan Santana's Full Season Stats Box Score...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Worse Than Mediocre?

Game 44: Braves 11 - Mets 4 Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. -- Joseph Heller, Catch 22 The above quote from one of the greatest books of the Twentieth Century says it all about this edition of the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Wake Me Up After 37 More Games and We'll Talk

The first quarter of the 2008 season is three games in the past and the Mets are basically treading water as a .500 team. This probably comes as a surprise to Omar Minaya and the Wilpons, who figured they made two very good deals over the winter to obtain Johan...

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By Dave Mills, posted at 2:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Willie Wars

I hate drama. It is not enough that my Mets play bad baseball, now they give me drama on top of playing bad baseball. They are determined to make me miserable. The good news is, at least they are succeeding at something. If you have been reading my posts on...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Return to the Dark Side

Game 42: Braves 6 - Mets 1 Game 43: Braves 6 - Mets 2 There has been a ton of criticism of this team. The effort has been questioned, the manager has been raked over the coals, and the General Manager is getting heat over what a payroll of over...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A Weekend on the Sunny Side

Game 41: Mets 11 - Yankees 2 I apologize for being late again with this. To be honest with you, I've been having some health problems related to pushing myself too hard. I decided I needed to take a couple of steps backward for a while and I'm starting to...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Up Next...

While I am probably happier than anybody that the Mets made mincemeat of the Yankees, I'm also going to be a bit of a killjoy and say that we have bigger fish to fry. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled we won both games in convincing fashion and beat...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

A Knight of Luxury

I've been fortunate enough to see games from luxury boxes in a number of arenas, thanks to my work behind the scenes in broadcasting. I've been in a box at the Astrodome, which is kind of redundant, as it's like watching a game being played in a living room from...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Not Even Cowardly Umpiring Can Save the Yankees

I can live with umpires making mistakes, but there was absolutely no excuse for Bob Davidson to overturn a correct call on Carlos Delgado's fourth inning home run. Moreover, the discussion didn't even last that long. The only explanation in my mind was an incompetent group of umpires making a...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A Subway Ride in the Right Direction

Game 40: Mets 7 - Yankees 4 I'm not a Mets fan who lives and dies with subway series results. The win yesterday afternoon doesn't erase the ugly memories of another sub-standard series against the Nationals. I thought the Mets offense really let Andy Pettitte off the hook too often,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:15 PM | Permalink

Game 39

Game 39: Nationals 1 - Mets 0 (Played Thursday May 15) For archive purposes here are the links to the Mets.com wrap and my updated pitching stats for Mike Pelfrey. I still don't have much to say on this game. This was the second consecutive hard-luck loss for Pelfrey. His...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trades from the Past - Bob Ojeda

Continuing this series of posts on the best trades the Mets ever made, if Bernard Gilkey was the only hitter to have a career year after being traded to the Mets, then Bob Ojeda was clearly the first, last, and only pitcher to similarly have a career year after coming...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Back Tomorrow

Sorry for turning up MIA for a couple of days. Work got piled up, I've had some health problems, and I also just honestly needed to take a step back from the Mets. I'll catch up on everything later tomorrow. In the meantime, please enjoy one of Barry's historical pieces....

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:49 PM | Permalink

More of the Same

I haven't posted in a while because what could I possibly say that hasn't been said since last June? Every game, every loss, every problem seems the same to me at this point as it did last year. All I can say is that we are not a very good...

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By Joyce Mandelkern, posted at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

The Mets Just Can't Get Out of Their Own Way

Game 38: Nationals 5 - Mets 3 The 2008 Mets are a rollercoaster ride to futility. Some players who have been struggling goes on a hot streak with the bat and you think maybe the team is finally going to hit. Next thing you know, their bats cool off and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Claudio Vargas 2008 Season Pitching Stats

Updated Friday, May 30, 2008 Note: this page will only be updated if Vargas returns to the starting rotation. Claudio Vargas (2-2) DateOpp.IPRERHKBBHRERAWHIPTeam Result 5/14WAS6.12236412.841.11L 5/20@ATL54451207.201.40L 5/24@COL72243112.570.71W 5/29LAD5.24452126.351.06W Season (4 Games)2412121712844.501.042-2 Month By Month MonthStartsIP/StartH/9K/9BB/9HR/9ERAAVGOBPSLG May46.06.44.53.01.54.50.200.269.400 Season46.06.44.53.01.54.50.200.269.400 About Mike: I was the original writer on this web site, actually...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:47 PM | Permalink

Gary, Keith and Ron Have Class -- and a Web Site

I received a press release today from GaryKeithandRon.com, a new web site from the SNY announcing crew: Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez & Ron Darling Create Website for a Good Cause T-Shirts Being Sold With Net Profits Going to Announcers' Favorite Charities (NEW YORK CITY, May 14, 2008). SNY television announcers...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:03 PM | Permalink

John Maine Is Good

Game 37: Mets 6 - Nationals 3 It's clear that John Maine is someone who you really have to see pitch to appreciate. Most die-hard Mets fans who have seen many of Maine's performances over the last 2+ seasons believe the young right-hander is the real deal. The Mets as...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

A Lost Night at Shea

Game 36: Nationals 10 - Mets 4 I was at this game last night with Greg Prince from Faith and Fear in Flushing. I enjoy talking baseball and life with Greg, which was fortunate, because last night had absolutely nothing else going for it. The weather was reminiscent of late...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Heading To Shea

I'll be heading out to Shea in a few minutes, braving the wind and rain and hopefully seeing a game tonight. I'll be meeting up with Greg Prince from Faith and Fear in Flushing. We'll be in the Loge Reserved: Section 3, Box B, Seats 1-2. If you want to...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:42 PM | Permalink

Mets Slug Their Way to Series Win

Game 35: Mets 8 - Reds 3 Two components of the Mets that have been MIA for much of the season wree present in winning the rubber game of the Reds series Sunday afternoon: Oliver Perez and extra base hits. First Perez. For the first five innings, we saw the...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Arroy-no

Game 34: Reds 7 - Mets 1 I started writing about this game last night after it was over, but it felt like a was writing version 117B of the same post I've written so often over the past 12 months. Moreover, I didn't even think I was being fair,...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Johan Gets Lots of Support

Game 33: Mets 12 - Reds 6 Johan Santana left his two starts with the lead, but the bullpen cost him the victory both times. Today the Mets rewarded a gritty if not particularly awe-inspiring performance from their ace with enough runs to ensure his fourth victory. Still, for a...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's More Wrong With the Mets than Willie

Add Newark Star-Ledger columnist Dan Graziano to those calling for the head of Mets manager Willie Randolph. After making the point that the Mets are 71-71 since last June 1, Graziano accuses the Mets of not playing up to their talent level, and places the blame squarely on Randolph's shoulders:...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 7:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Mets Salvage Final Game in LA

Game 32: Mets 12 - Dodgers 1 On the one hand it's a little frustrating, because with a clutch hit or two in Tuesday night's game the Mets could have had a terrific 4-2 swing through Phoenix and LA. On the other, if they hadn't won this one it would...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

One That Got Away

Game 31: Dodgers 5 - Mets 4 In the top of the second, the Mets had the bases loaded, 2 runs in, a 3-0 lead and no one out. The game was virtually there for the taking. Another hit or two could have busted it open. Even a couple of...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:16 AM | Permalink

Pardon the Interruption

Due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to spend the whole day away from my computer. I just finished watching today's game on DVR and will catch up with posts on both Maine's win today and yesterday's loss. Things should be back to normal for me tomorrow. About Mike: I...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 11:35 PM | Permalink

Inability to Score = Another Dreary Loss

Game 30: Dodgers 5 - Mets 1 Sorry for being late. This has been a crazy day. I have to run out of here in a few minutes, so this will have to be brief. If you stayed up late last night to watch this one you may have felt...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Johan Santana Pics

Gary Sparber has pictures posted from Johan Santana's last Shea start vs. the Pirates: View Gary's pics There are some nice action shots of Johan's delivery that really illustrate how much of his power is generated from the leg drive. Support Mike's Mets by shopping at our Amazon Store...

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By Mike's Mets, posted at 11:50 AM | Permalink

Tim Marchman Gets It Wrong

Last Friday, the NY Sun's Tim Marchman wrote a piece calling for the immediate firing of Mets' manager Willie Randolph. Marchman, who enjoys a cult following among younger fans and bloggers, is usually coolly analytical. For this particular article, however, he chose to take a walk on the melodramatic and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Just Enough

Game 29: Mets 5 - Diamondbacks 2 The Mets had just enough pitching, just enough hitting, and took advantage of just enough breaks to pull out the rubber game of their series vs. the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Johan Santana battled through an uncharacteristically wild day to hand the bullpen a...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Trades from the Past - Bernard Gilkey

When discussing the outstanding trades the Mets have made over the years, the acquisition of Bernard Gilkey from the Cardinals is usually forgotten. In part, this could be because Gilkey really had only one good year for the Mets - although it was a terrific one, and also because even...

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By Barry Duchan, posted at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Trivial Pursuits

Some people like to divide a major league baseball season into halves or quarters. Managers often try to help their team focus on the task at hand by concentrating on a ten-game stretch. Me, I'm a little weird. I like sixths. Like the small pepperoni pies at Pizza King, or...

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By NostraDennis, posted at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Close, And Then Not So Much

Game 28: Diamondbacks 10 - Mets 4 The Mets staged a nice comeback in this one to make it a game, but then Duaner Sanchez comes into the game and can't get anyone out. Then Scott Schoeneweis comes in with the bases loaded, a couple of runs already in, and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Reyes as the Catalyst

Game 27: Mets 7 - Diamondbacks 2 The D-backs elected to go with Micah Owings as the starter last night, despite the fact that he was obviously bothered by a bad right ankle. It was clear from the get-go that Owings wasn't right. Everything was up in the zone and...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Sliding Down the Bannister

If you're a Mets fan, you've been treated to endless early season updates on Brian Bannister's hot start for the Kansas City Royals. They always seem to start, "Now I'm not trying to upset you..." when, of course, that's exactly what they're doing. Now it occurred to me today that...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 2:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Putrid Baseball

Game 26: Pirates 13 - Mets 1 I have to admit that I pretty much stopped paying attention to this game about halfway through when it became obvious most of the players had stopped paying attention. While it's certain that even good teams are going to have their share of...

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By Mike Steffanos, posted at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mike's Mets

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

May 31, 2008

The Era of Good Feelings Ends

Give Your Dad Gary, Keith and Ron for Father's Day

May 30, 2008

Back to .500

May 29, 2008

A Blast from the Past

May 28, 2008

A Win

May 27, 2008

The Ship Sinks Deeper

What's Really Under the Microscope in New York?

May 26, 2008

Bats Abandon Maine

May 25, 2008

Losing Streak Ends

Mystery Men

May 24, 2008

Road Woes Continue

May 23, 2008

It Doesn't Smell Like Victory...

May 22, 2008

Worse Than Mediocre?

Wake Me Up After 37 More Games and We'll Talk

May 21, 2008

Willie Wars

A Return to the Dark Side

May 20, 2008

A Weekend on the Sunny Side

May 19, 2008

Up Next...

A Knight of Luxury

May 18, 2008

Not Even Cowardly Umpiring Can Save the Yankees

A Subway Ride in the Right Direction

Game 39

Trades from the Past - Bob Ojeda

May 17, 2008

Back Tomorrow

May 16, 2008

More of the Same

May 15, 2008

The Mets Just Can't Get Out of Their Own Way

Claudio Vargas 2008 Season Pitching Stats

May 14, 2008

Gary, Keith and Ron Have Class -- and a Web Site

John Maine Is Good

May 13, 2008

A Lost Night at Shea

May 12, 2008

Heading To Shea

Mets Slug Their Way to Series Win

May 11, 2008

Arroy-no

May 10, 2008

Johan Gets Lots of Support

May 9, 2008

There's More Wrong With the Mets than Willie

May 8, 2008

Mets Salvage Final Game in LA

One That Got Away

May 7, 2008

Pardon the Interruption

May 6, 2008

Inability to Score = Another Dreary Loss

Johan Santana Pics

May 5, 2008

Tim Marchman Gets It Wrong

Just Enough

May 4, 2008

Trades from the Past - Bernard Gilkey

Trivial Pursuits

May 3, 2008

Close, And Then Not So Much

Reyes as the Catalyst

May 2, 2008

Sliding Down the Bannister

May 1, 2008