Even those watching may have questioned if Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez took the mound this afternoon. Against the Cardinals earlier today in his Spring debut K-Rod pitched a 1-2-3 7 pitch inning that you could have missed if you blinked an eye…just the way he likes it. Rodriguez tossed a hitless 9th with the Mets down 5-4, keeping the game in tact, and then earned the win as Angel Pagan smacked a 2 run walk-off homer just over the right field wall.
“I’m going to be a secret weapon this year,” Rodriguez said after the game. “In and out. Pay attention”
Met fans have to love the confidence of their closer heading into Opening Day, especially after struggling in the second half of the season and not having many chances to redeem himself last year. However, at this point I’m not sure anything K-Rod does will ever be a “secret”.
It was still good to see Rodriguez in top form…let’s just hope we actually need him this year.
The Mets will need K-Rod's curve to break even harder this year
I have a man crush on Jenrry Mejia !!! - There I said it !! But with that being said I feel under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should Jerry Manuel be allowed to bring him up north when spring training finally breaks . First off the kid has yet to play and excel above AA ball, and as we saw yesterday , although he was dominant for the most part, you could see that he was having some issues with his control giving up one run in the two innings that he pitched. I can see how it could be a tempting option to put him in the bullpen as a setup man for Frankie Rodriguez with his blazing fastball and nasty curve - but I feel that Jenrry’s better suited as a starter. Imagine this starting rotation next year Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey John Maine (or) Oliver Perez Jonathan Neise
and Mejia
This could be a dominant rotation, filled with young arms that could dominate most line ups! The future is Mejia - but in my opinion , the future is not now .
” Be patient Mets fans - Be patient !”
And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
New York Mets claimed pitcher Fernando Nieve on waivers from the Houston Astros on March 14, 2009.This was a great under the radar pick up for the Mets. Fernando started his season for the Mets Buffalo farm team where he showed that he had major league stuff. He pitched well for the Mets last season until he became a member of the not so exclusive Mets disabled list with a torn quad. He is currently in the mix for either the Mets fifth spot in the Mets starting rotation or in the bullpen.
And while you are getting your NCAA brackets in order, don’t forget that there are just 22 Ray Knight days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.
Francisco Rodriguez who has been sidelined due to a bout with Pink Eye expects to make his Spring Debut next week.
Rodriguez speaking with Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes said the following, “Tendré otro bullpen de 15 lanzamientos el miércoles y posiblemente un juego simulado en el fin de semana para estar listo para debutar en la próxima semana”.
Translated in English: I’ll have another bullpen session of 15 pitches on Wednesday and possibly a simulated game this weekend to be ready to debut next week.
Look I know that I am far from being the most optimistic Mets fan on this site, but as all of you may know I live and die by my team and it’s players. When Carlos Delgado was mired in that nasty slump through the majority of the ‘07 season I refused to boo him and I argued with many Mets fans in my Mezzanine section of Shea Stadium . Now I am listening to WFAN and I hear the overnight Yankee shill, and Mike Francesa wannabe, Mark ” The Moose” Malousis (sic) stirring the pot with the small yet vocal lunatic fringe segment of Mets fans, saying that it is extremely likely that Jose Reyes used HGH and it probably caused his hyperthyroidism. Next up was the Sid Rosenberg meets Howard Stern clone Craig Carton from the Boomer and Carton Show ( I love Howard, could never stand Sid and I tolerate Craig). Craig, who is from all of my information is not a doctor, never went to medical school when he attended Syracuse University , should not really be trying to state his views that link Jose Reyes and HGH as factual. It is a proven fact that 2+2 = 4 , but in Craig’s mind ( whether he is delusional or just trying to stoke the coals to get ratings ) just because Jose Reyes talked to the Feds about this Dr. Galea about this blood spinning treatment that he utilized, along with the fact that Jose has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is not a smoking gun that will lead us to the end result that Jose used HGH ! The man is innocent until proven guilty and even then since there is not a reliable test for HGH the point is effectively moot. And I would like to say to the “Moose” and Mr ” Mets Fan For Yankees” If we are casting stones at people now . what about A-ROD? Did he see one of the same doctors that are affiliated with Dr. Galea? Wasn’t he forced to admit he used steroids last season? Hmm he came back rather quickly from that hip surgery last season, maybe it was the HGH !!! ( SEE TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME !).
And now before I suffer a massive heart attack lets review the positives from yesterday. The Mets in spring training action crushed the Florida Marlins 11-2 , scoring eight runs in the top of the ninth ( including two home runs in the same inning by possible bench candidate Chris Carter. Jenrey Mejia pitched three scoreless innings , keeping his e.r.a at 0.00 ( let him spend an entire season in the minors !). John Maine lasted 1 2/3 innings but from what I have read he looked impressive Ike Davis strokes a r.b.i double ( can’t wait to see him in a Mets uniform next year !!) . Fringe bullpen candidate, R.A. Dickey proved that he was up to the challenge ( hehehe) giving up one inherited base runner in two innings of work. And Frankie Rodriguez has overcame his bout with pink eye and will be throwing batting practice within days.
” As of now, the only thing Jose is guilty of is stealing bases !!!”
And on that note… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Happy birthday to former Mets coach , and liaison to Pedro Martinez, Guy Conti (1942) . Guy started his career as a catcher in the Houston Astros organization, before becoming a pitching coach.
Journeyman pitcher from the ‘01 season, C. J. Nitkowski , is 37 (1973) .
And don’t forget - there are just 27 Craig Swan days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.
In this video courtesy of the AP on Fox Sports KRod wearing his shades while fighting Pink Eye talks about his hunger.
<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=be40d28a-d140-41cc-9dda-e5b5338850d6&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles');" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=be40d28a-d140-41cc-9dda-e5b5338850d6&from=IV2_en-us_foxsports_articles" target="_new" title="Mets have something to prove">Video: Mets have something to prove</a>
One Month to go.
One month until baseball comes back to Citi Field.
Thirty days until ” meaningful games”.
One month before Jose steals his first base.
Thirty Days until Johan wins his first game.
One month until David, Jason, Frenchy and the Murph hit their first home runs.
Thirty Days until we see amazing fielding plays being made.
One month until Frankie notches his first save.
Thirty days until the demons from ‘09 are exorcised.
And sixty days until Carlos Beltran comes back to the line up ! (knock wood !)
One month the BELIEVE !!
” I think this says it all!!!”
And with that said … HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Happy Birthday wishes go out to the Mets third base coach from ‘97 - ‘00 , Cookie Rojas (1939)
Los Angeles Dodgers signed backup catcher Rick Wilkins of the New York Mets as a free agent on March 6, 1999.
New York Mets signed free agent Tony ” Bong Hit” Tarasco on March 6, 2001. It appeared that he hit the bong more than he hit the baseball and was not resigned by the Mets after the ‘01 season had ended.
New York Mets signed free agent relief pitcher, Orber Moreno on March 6, 2003. And don’t forget - There are just thirty Mike Scott ( he wore the number 30 when he was a Met) days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.
