Welcome Back Marlon; Franco Slammed

The Mets have finally shipped David Newhan back to where he rightly belongs (Triple A)... and brought back an old friend. Marlon Anderson was signed by the Mets and will compete with Gotay and Valentin for time at 2nd base. Definitely a good move if it's a straight Newhan for Anderson swap. At best, David Newhan was a poor man's "Super" Joe McEwing... which really isn't saying much. Marlon Anderson is just the type of veteran/role player that Willie loves to have on his team. Plus who can forget all of the clutch hits Anderson had for the Metropolitans back in 2005. The guy was clutch. Let's hope he still has it.

Now on to this Franco thing... wow, who knew? Check this out:

From The Journal News:

Manager Willie Randolph said Franco should get more playing time with the Braves, and the reason he didn't with the Mets was a .200 average.

"If you play, you have to produce. That clubhouse stuff is overrated," said Randolph, who volunteered the information unsolicited.

Jose Valentin offered up that Franco was a less than eager participant in the club's pregame stretching.

However, what irked some players was Franco wouldn't hesitate to get in the face of some of the younger players about doing their jobs when he was hitting .200 with one homer with the Mets.

"To be a leader for me, it's not enough to talk all the time," Valentin said. "You have to go out and do it yourself."

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Wow. Now that's VERY surprising. The whole time I was under the assumption that everyone just loved Julio Franco and his "veteran leadership." Come to find out, Willie thought he was overrated and Valentin didn't respect him. And Valentin isn't the type to slam a player so this must be a sentiment that is shared with at least a few more Mets in the clubhouse. Wow.

And of course "Larrrrry" and the Tomahawk Choppers from Atlanta promptly picked him up and signed him. Honestly, I say that's great news for the Mets. Can't wait to see him return to Shea in a Braves uniform so I can watch him swing late at an 88 mph fastball from El Duque. I think I have more bat speed than Franco right about now. Holla Back.

D-Wright Showing The PSTriple Some Love

Got this from the official Playstation Blog. D. Wright, who is the cover boy for the video game MLB: 07 The Show, took some time out during the All-Star break to visit a few kids at the UCSF Children's Hospital in San Francisco.

While he was there, he signed a few autographs and handed out some free stuff courtesy of Sony. Great job on all sides, can't really hate on charity. In the words of Martin Lawrence...David loves the kids!

If I were those kids I'd take a few of those PS3s and sell 'em on Ebay... $500 bucks is alot to a little kid. I'd keep the autographs though, Wright is the man! Holla back.

Offense? What Offense?

The Padres are the worst hitting team in baseball. But you would never know it judging by how awful the Mets looked last night, and have looked pretty much for the whole season.

The Mets lost last night 5-1, getting shut down once again by Dave "I had too many shots at my local drinking" Wells. Is he the John Daily of baseball or what?

Carlos Beltran... well... let's just say he hasn't performed up to his expectations. Okay, THE GUY FREAKING SUCKS!!! Here's a number for you: .121

What's that? Oh that's just Smelltran’s average with runners in scoring position and two outs (He's 4 for 33 in those situations). And to think, the Mets thought they were getting a clutch hitter when they signed him to that 7-year $119M contract. Remember the 2004 playoffs with Houston? Even Smelltran has to wonder whatever happened to THAT guy.

I like how Willie moved Milledge out of the 8 hole last night. However, I don't think Milledge is a good fit in the 2 hole... at least not yet. Just put Lo Duca back in the 2 spot and stop all of this experimenting, Willie! If it ain't broke don't fix it. Lo Duca doesn't strikeout and he knows how to handle the bat. You can hit and run, bunt, and let Reyes go hog wild on the bases with Lo Duca at the plate. Milledge is probably a better fit at 6 or 7 on this team.

As much as I'm really turned off by Moises "the hypochondriac" Alou, I must admit, his right-handed bat is something the Mets could desperately use right about now. When he gets back I'd slot him in the 5 hole, push Delgado to 6, Milledge/Green 7, and Gotay 8.

So another lackluster game offensively for the Mets. And tonight, Super Jake Peavy is on the hill for the Padres. What's the Vegas odds for a no-hitter from Peavy tonight? My bet's on Peavy. Holla back.

Another Day, Another Milledge Attack

Boy... it must be a slow news day. Check out this "wonderful" piece of journalism from a website called the New York Press:

New York Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge made a bold prediction after his team defeated the Nation League-worst Cincinnati Reds 5-2 on Monday: The Mets would easily win the NL East this season. “We’re going to get back to where we were last year when we ran away with it,” Milledge said following the win.

Settle down, Mr. Milledge. We know you had a good series and you’re excited to be back in the big leagues, but let’s not get carried away. For the past six weeks, the team’s much heralded lineup couldn’t hit sand if they fell off a camel. Even after yesterday’s win, The New York Times—the country’s most distinguished newspaper—compared the Mets to a three-year-old girl. This remark comes after the Mets took three out of four from the Cincinnati Reds, which is like beating a paraplegic in a foot race. Their next seven games will be against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, arguably the two best teams in the National League; and the team behind them, the Atlanta Braves, also swept their opponent this weekend, and are generally playing great baseball. At this point, Mr. Milledge, it would be impressive if you just held your current lead. Also, it would be nice if you kept your mouth shut long enough for some of your teammates to actually like you.

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Wow. Now that last line is a doozy. Guess he ran out of punchlines after the sand, girl, and paraplegic jokes, which all came in succession no less. Can you say overkill?

Anyway, I'm quickly becoming a Lastings apologist which is something I neither asked to be or wish to do. Plus, I don't want to turn this blog into the Lastings Milledge drama hour. But when you get idiots like this bashing L-Millz just for the sake of bashing him... well I have a problem with that.

With his statement and comment, all Milledge is doing is exuding a little confidence in his team. And he didn't bash any players or teams in doing so. He didn't throw his own teammates under the bus or anything like that. So where's the harm?

The writer goes on to say that the Dodgers and Padres are the two best teams in the National League? Sorry but you need more than a few good pitchers to get far nowadays(Can you say Oakland and Minnesota?). The Mets, Padres and Dodgers all have the same number of losses. How are they any worse than those teams? The fact that they still have the lead even after all of the injury problems they had says a lot. To me, it says they may even be much better than their record indicates. Obviously L-Millz feels that way too.

But back to the blatant Milledge attack... I would have been fine with the piece if he stopped before that last line. Up until then it was simply an opinion column. I can live with that. But the last line turned it into an attack. From what I can tell, Milledge's teammates do like him. Alot. Did you hear Beltran basically wax poetic about Milledge the other night after his game winner?

Seems to me like the author is just a weeeeeeee bit biased don't ya think? And when it comes to L-Millz, this seems to be the norm. Holla Back.

A Lastings Effect

The Mets took 3 of 4 from the hapless Cincinatti Reds this weekend and L-Millz, Lastings Milledge, was a big reason for it. In all of the Mets wins, Milledge either scored the key run, hit the key run, or got a key basehit. Even in the Mets 8-4 loss on Friday, Milledge hit a bomb off of Mike "Where'd My Fastball Go" Stanton that gave the Mets some life late in the game.

So L-Millz is doing his thing thing. That's what's up. As Notre Rican noted in his blog entry, maybe the enthusiasm and semi-cockiness that Lastings brings to the table is just what the Mets need to jumpstart them in the second half. So far, so good.

I have a bone to pick with Willie Randolph though. First, why are you getting on Milledge for making a perfect slide that won you the ballgame? We all know that those things are instinctive. Milledge felt like he needed to make that slide... and it turns out that it worked. If you want to make the point that he could have slid and created contact then fine, but to imply that what he did was wrong is very shortsighted. Willie needs to calm down with that one.

Secondly, hitting David Newhan 7th and Milledge 8th is downright unacceptable. I mean, what has Newhan done this year other than NOT get a hit? The guy is batting a cool .200 on the season. Plus, by hitting Milledge directly in front of the pitcher's spot, it almost guarantees that he will see little to nothing to hit... which is probably the worst thing you want to do with a young ballplayer. But then again, Glavine is probably a better hitter than Newhan so if Milledge hit in front of Newhan that's almost the same as hitting him in front of the pitcher. Guess Willie's hands are tied with that one lol.

I really think Willie just doesn't like Milledge. It's sorta like New School vs. Old School. Remember how your parents would freak out when you started listening to hip hop, sagging your pants, wearing baggy jeans and talking all sorts of crazy slang? Okay maybe that was just me but the point is, the older heads always think their way is the right way. And if someone doesn't follow their way, they are quickly deemed to be "a problem." But things have changed, it's a new era and kids don't act like they did 20 years ago. Once Willie accepts that fact then I think he'll finally accept Milledge. But for some reason I see another Victor Diaz situation on the horizon.

A few more thoughts about the weekend. Ollie P. looked great which is good news for the Mets. Ruben Gotay continues to smack the ball around and Beltran and Delgado continue to smack thin air. The boo birds keep getting louder and louder for those two. Pretty soon the boos are going to sound just as loud as all those 747s that fly over Shea Stadium.

Next up, the San Diego Padres. This is a pretty good test for the Mets. The Padres have a great pitching staff and with the way the Mets have been hitting, I can easily see them being stymied by this group. However, if the Mets start hitting against Peavy and the gang, it would do wonders for the team's confidence.

So all I can say is Let's Go Mets! Holla Back.

Some Second Half Thoughts

The Mets have gone through some significant changes since the all star break. So here are my thoughts on them.

1. Firing of Rick Downs, hiring of Ricky Henderson and the promotion of Howard Johnson.

• Downs and Randolph were close so this may put a divide between Willie and Omar. That concerns me some. I know Willie is the ultimate professional, but it still scares me. But this is further proof that the boss in NY is definitely Omar. No questions about it.

2. Hiring of Ricky Henderson.

• I don't usually question Omar, but I am not sure about this. Ricky was never exactly what you would call a team player. He would not call him a clubhouse cancer, because he was a lot like Manny is right now. A great player with odd behavior that other players don't really take seriously. But as a coach he needs to be someone who commands the respect of the players. So I will take a wait and see approach.

3. Milledge to the bigs.

• I am excited about this one. We all know the talent is there. I know people question his attitude, but I like the cockiness and mean streak he brings. I think the Mets are in desperate need of it. If he can play hard and behave the right way around teammates then his personality could benefit the Mets. I think what he has gone through this year has humbled him a bit and will benefit him in the long run. And I haven't even mention what he brings to the field. He fits into Willie's philosophy of playing aggressive baseball and he is a 5 tool player that can add stability to a lineup that needs it. He lengthens the lineup and provides some much needed fresh legs during the dog days of summer.

The team that we started the year with is very different from the one we have now. And with the recent changes combined with the impending return of Pedro and any trades Omar makes, this may be a different team in just two weeks. Either way it will be an exciting summer.

That's My Boy!!!!

It's no secret that I'm a Lastings Milledge fan. The talent and potential are both there... you can see it.

I mean, other than Reyes, who else could have scored from first on a weak single to center field? Matter of fact, who else has the BALLS to even try and score on a play like that?

Plus who else has enough talent to make the perfect slide at home like Lastings did? Think Alou scores on the play? Ledee? Newhan? Please.

The guy is the truth, and while I fear he will probably get traded, I can honestly say I think the guy is the real deal. His bat speed is phenomenal... once he matures and figures out major league pitching, he's going to be a beast.

Whether it's here or in Houston (once the Mets trade you for Oswalt or something like that...) here's to much success in the future L-Millz.

So Milledge scores the winning run and the Mets start the 2nd half on a good note, beating the Reds 3-2. Let's keep the wins coming fellas.

Holla Back.

No Mo' Franco!

It's official. The grim reaper has commeth and taketh the old man away.

Julio Franco has been designated for assignment and is no longer a Met.

All I can say is ......Yesssssssss!!!!!

Yessssss!!! Yesssssssss!!!! Yesssssssssssssssssssss!

OK time to calm down my enthusiasm.

I love Franco, don't get me wrong. But let's face it, that roster spot is too important now to have Franco occupying it for sentimental reasons. He's great for the clubhouse and the players but we need the bat and versatility more. So sorry Old Man but you gotta go. Thanks for making sure Beltran didn't alienate himself from the fans by making him take that curtain call, it is much appreciated. That basically saved him from certain death in NY. Holla back.

Down Is Out... Rickey Sittin' Pretty

Pretty Rickey what they call him. Or more fittingly, pretty Rickey is what he calls himself lol.

The day before the Mets resume their season, hitting coach Rick Down was fired. And guess who was hired as a full-time coach and a possible replacement for Down?

You guessed it, none other than Rickey "3rd Person" Henderson.

From the Newark Star Ledger:

Stealing a move from the Yankees dog-eared playbook, the Mets, who have had trouble scoring runs and hitting with men in scoring position in recent weeks, fired hitting coach Rick Down tonight and added Rickey Henderson to Willie Randolph's coaching staff.

Henderson, who had been serving the team as a special instructor for the past two seasons and who has made leadoff hitter Jose Reyes his pet project, will be in uniform tonight at Shea Stadium when the second half of the season begins with the first of four games against the Cincinnati Reds.

It is unclear, however, whether Henderson will actually replace Down as the hitting coach or whether those duties will go to another member of Randolph's staff.

First-base coach Howard Johnson, who served as a hitting coach while working in the Mets minor-league system, could also be a candidate to replace Down.

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So there you have it, Down is out and Rickey is in. I don't know, maybe this sparks the club to hit better than the .268 average they hit in the first half. Honestly, there's no excuse for a team that has Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Delgado to be hitting so poorly. Rickey Henderson did wonders for Reyes and his approach n the bases and in the batter's box so maybe, just maybe Omar Minaya is on to something here. Regardless, the clubhouse will surely be a lot more interesting with "the greatest basestealer of all-time" (his quote by the way) prancing through the dugout. Holla back.

I'm Back! And So Is L-Millz

It looks like Lastings Milledge will be recalled to the big squad after the All-Star break:

Lastings Milledge could be the Mets' leftfielder when the team returns from the All-Star break Thursday.

From The Greenwich Time website:

Milledge went 3-for-5 yesterday after going 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs Saturday night for Double-A Binghamton as he continues his rehab assignment from a sprained foot ligament. The 22-year-old seemed to be buried on the Mets' organizational depth chart before getting hurt, but injuries to Moises Alou, Endy Chavez and Carlos Gomez have helped raise his profile.


"The good thing is he's playing," manager Willie Randolph said. "Got a triple [Saturday] night and made a nice diving catch, someone said, so that's all positive stuff. By the time we get back from the break he'll have six, seven games under his belt and we'll look at it and see where he is."


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Great. Let's wish Lastings well, the Mets really need his right-handed bat in the lineup. Plus the guy has so many nicknames - L. Millz, Lasto, Edge... he's like a hard-hitting, flyball catching version of Jay-Z (who is also known as Hova, Hovito, S "Dot" Carter, etc.) It's safe to assume Jay-Z is the better rapper though. Milledge should probably leave the rapping to the experts. Holla Back.