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.

On Vacation...

Not the Mets... unfortunately.

No no, MetsBrotha himself is off for a little rest and relaxation. I'll be away until Monday but I will try my best to keep you updated on the latest happenings.

See ya then!

Mets Take 3 of 4 - Mission Accomplished

I love it when my predictions come true. Makes me feel all tingly inside.

As predicted, the Mets take 3 of 4 after losing today, 5-3, to the Phillies. Also as predicted, the Mets are stymied by yet another rookie pitcher, Kyle Kendrick. What is it about this team when it comes to these rookie pitchers? They just can't hit 'em. Weird.

Here's the game recap.

Here's what I take from this series. Beltran was awesome hitting multiple homeruns in back-to-back games. May be time for him to break out and go on one of those hot streaks he's famous for.

Delgado showed signs of life with a couple of homers in the series. Maybe that gets him jumpstarted.

John Maine is definitely my "main man" after the performance he put on against Cole Hamels. Dude definitely deserves to be on the All-Star team.

Jorge Sosa's value this season has been understated. For a 5th starter, the guy has been incredible. He provided a bit of stability and certainty to the pitching staff...

...Which is why his injury hurts the team big time. Let's face it, Pelfrey needs work and not at the big league level. Throwing Pelfrey out there every 5 games is a shaky proposition at best.

How hurt is Oliver Perez? He's a young guy with no really chronic injuries in his past so I think the back issue probably isn't too serious.

So the Mets gain ground on the Phillies which is all you can ask for. Hopefully they'll keep it up. Holla Back.

Is Lo Duca A Racist?

Here's the short answer: No.

Now here's the backdrop. A bunch of reporters with nothing to write since there was a rainout, approach Lo Duca trying to find a story. Paul warns them that he was "in a bad mood all day" but would talk to them anyway.

He then goes on to state how other people need to start talking. Here's an excerpt from today's NY Daily News story:

"I'll do this (interview), but you need to start talking to other players," Lo Duca announced loudly after he was approached by a radio reporter after the Mets-Cardinals series finale was washed out by rain. "It's the same three or four people every day. Nobody else wants to talk. Some of these guys have to start talking. They speak English, believe me."

So of course what gets him in trouble is the "they speak English" part.

(*long sigh.....)

Here's my take. At no point in time do I believe Lo Duca said anything in a malicious manner towards the Hispanic players. Context and delivery are very important when it comes to things like this. THE WAY YOU SAY something is very important. I have a hard time believing Lo Duca would do that. He was simply pointing out that the reporters need to start approaching other guys for quotes and that those guys speak English.

The Latin players all seem to agree that it wasn't racist.

Secondly, he has a point. Reporters are lazy (I know, believe me) and instead of asking questions in a way that elicits a good response, they instead go to guys that they know will give interesting answers no matter what. Why sit down with Reyes, Beltran and Valentin (who all speak English by the way) - and have to deal with their accents and broken speech, when Wagner, Wright and Lo Duca are right there? It's the same sort of lazy journalism that pollutes newspapers, radio, and TV newscasts today.

Also, I know some of the Latin players aren't comfortable speaking English and therefore would rather not speak to reporters, but the only way you are going to get comfortable doing it is to do it. If you speak English, there's no excuse not to talk.

So reporters are lazy, the Latin players are uncomfortable and unwilling, and Lo Duca is not a racist. Those using this as an example are just trying to gain attention, trying to sell newspapers or just trying to up their ratings. It's ridiculous. Holla back.

Time For A Double Dip

Make no mistake about it. These next 4 games against the Phillies are important ones for the Metropolitans. Take 3 out of 4, and they put a little more cushion between themselves and the Phils. Lose 3 out of 4 and,the Phillies are right there breathing down your necks. Plus they would gain a ton of confidence and start feeling god about themselves. So now is the time to start stepping it up. Here are the pitching matchups for the series:


Game 1: El Duque (3-3, 2.77 ERA) vs. Durbin (0-0, 94.50 ERA)

Game 2: Maine (8-4, 2.87 ERA) vs. Hamels (9-3, 3.80 ERA)

Game 3: Sosa (6-3, 3.79 ERA) vs. Happ (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Game 4: Perez (7-6, 3.14 ERA) vs. Kendrick (2-0, 5.00 ERA)

Two things I noticed off-hand. The Mets catch a break by not having Pelfrey come up to make a start and by having Paul lo Duca for the series. All of the matchups favor the Mets except for game 2. The Mets ALWAYS have trouble against pitchers they've never seen so Game 3 might be interesting. But realistically, the Mets have no reason not to take 3 of 4. Time to step it up guys. Holla back.

Madden: Bullpen Is The Issue Not The Starters

In his latest column for the NY Daily News, Bill Madden makes a valid point on how the starters are actually pitching well but the bullpen is what's really faltering. Says Madden:

In fact, you could make the case the Mets' starting pitchers have been their biggest asset, as evidenced by their ERA, which is second-best in the NL.

For now, even Minaya would have to admit the best-laid bullpen plans of last winter have not exactly panned out. The Met brain trust believes that relievers tend to follow good years with bad ones, and for more money - and therefore are interchangeable. For that reason, they chose not to re-sign Chad Bradford and Darren Oliver, despite the considerable contributions each made toward last year's division title. Turns out they were right in that assessment as neither is faring well with his new club. Unfortunately, Scott Schoeneweis, in whom the Mets invested $10.8 million over three years despite a less-than-glittering '06 season with Toronto and Cincinnati, and Aaron Sele (signed to a one-year deal off the free agent scrap heap) have been even worse.

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I think I'm going to have to agree with Bill on this one. I think that the Mets starting pitching is fine. Ollie P. and John Maine have been better than anyone could have imagined, Glavine has looked better recently, Sosa has been a wonderful surprise and El Duque, when healthy, has been, well, El Duque. Plus Pedro should be back sometime in August which should solidify the staff even more.

The biggest problem with the Mets right now is their inability to get the clutch hits and the lapses by the bullpen. Scott "Show Me The Door" Schoeneweis has been god awful, Heilman has been terribly inconsistent for a setup man and while Darren Oliver had the ability to not let games get too far out of hand, Sele shows no such ability. Therefore, if Sele comes into the game in long relief it's pretty much like signaling the white flag to the other team.

So the bullpen and lack of timely hits (*cough *cough Delgado) is what's bringing this team down. Do you agree? Holla back.