Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News had conducted a interview with mets owner Fred Wilpon which you can read here http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/

I found the interview with Fred to be very insightful. He seems to care about the Mets and called this past off season ” torture”. He also claims he is a Mets fans and feels the frustration of the common fan, But where Fred loses me is when he said that the Mets have ” one of the best medical staffs in all of baseball “. I don’t know if he was referring to the Hospital for Special Surgery or the Mets training staff itself, but Fred comes across as being a bit delusional on that topic in my opinion. I also have to take Fred’s noncommittal answer to the security of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel’s jobs as being a subtle way of saying if this is a repeat of last season then they are gone.

                 ” Fred sez the Mets will be owned by the Wilpons for future generations  - OY !”

Well I guess it was going to happen sooner or later. While I was at work , driving my charges back to their homes in Staten Island and Brooklyn, I decided to put on the man who’d poopie doesn’t stink ( Mike Francesa) to see what topic was in his cross-hairs. Obviously it was Snowboarding and the Mets ( it  must’ve been a slow day if he was picking on snowboarding). Look I know I have been a downer this off season, disenfranchised with the lack of impact moves that my beloved Mets have made. And I was feeling pretty good about the news that Mookie Wilson was back into the fold and Bob Melvin was announced as a major league scout. Hey I’m even somewhat ecstatic that they lowered the center-field wall by 8 feet ( I still say lower all the walls by that much but hey my name isn’t Dave Howard)! So I guess I am a sadist because the man who is never wrong is eviscerating my team, at some points he makes sense - i.e not upgrading the starting rotation, catcher etc. And he called Jeff and Omar on the carpet for their not following through on the promise that they made when they were interviewed by his heftiness the day after the regular season ended. But when he drones on about how bad a ball player Daniel Murphy is and that David Wright is a question mark and their are putting too much stock into Ike Davis - well that just gets me as angry as an Eskimo boy can be ( thank you Frank Zappa !) This is a man who makes his living shilling for his beloved Yankees - who can do no wrong in his eyes ( I think the Curtis Granderson trade will come back to bite them on the ass!!) and he doesn’t lend one iota of impartiality to his arguments, You can hear the smugness in his voice. So I find myself not listening to him , I can’t stand Michael Kay. So I have decided that everyday I shall listen to a different Pink Floyd cd. Tomorrow shall be Wish You Were Here, and I dedicate it to the memories of Bob Murphy, Casey Stengel,Gil Hodges, Tug McGraw,Joan Payson and to all of the players and all of the people behind the scenes that have helped to bring us happiness with two World Championships that shook the world. Who needs Mike Francesa anyway ! I have my Mets … LETS GO METS !!!!

                                                   ” Gone, Yet not forgotten”

                                                          ” I wish  he could be forgotten”

And on that note… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to outfielder and Mets icon William ” Mookie ” Wilson (1956). I remember when Mookie first came up in ‘80, I though he was a star. He had speed he could hit for average, he had limited power, but he had amazing range in the outfield !! And he will always have a place in my heart for grinding out that at bat against Bob Stanley , until he slapped that ball right through Buckner’s legs and hearing Bob Murphy’s iconic call ” IT GETS BY BUCKNER !! THE METS WIN !!!” I t makes me wish I was 14 again!
Pitcher from the ‘94 season, Doug Linton is 45 (1965) .
One of the heroes of the ‘99 post season, catcher Todd “ Tank” Pratt is 43 (1967) . It still pains me that his name was on the Mitchell Report.

New York Mets signed free agent Clint Hurdle on February 9, 1987. Clint was most recently the manager for the Colorado Rockies . until his termination last season.

Anaheim Angels signed middle reliever Jason Middlebrook of the New York Mets as a free agent on February 9, 2004.

New York Mets signed free agent Chan Ho Park on February 9, 2007. Only Chan Ho Park - a scrap heap pitcher come back and haunt us for two straight seasons as a member of the Phillies Bullpen !

And don’t forget, while you are listening to The Good Rats, There are just 55 more days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field !

Well there are only eleven days until pitchers and catchers report to Port St Lucie for spring training. I have to admit that I am looking forward to it, because it means that we should be out of this arctic chill within a month. But this is the first time in possibly six years that I am not overly excited about this team. Don’t get me wrong I will be at some games this year ( I couldn’t commit to a Saturday Plus plan this year) , and I will root hard for my team. It just seems like this year above any of the last five seemed -aside from the Jason Bay signing - to be littered with reclamation projects and scrap heap pick ups. Before you call me a spoiled Mets fan, just remember I have been a fan for almost 40 years. I lived through the time when Shea Stadium was a monument to futility in the late ’70’s to early ’80’s. I lived through the George Bamberger and Art ” Battling” Howe eras. I have seen both the good times and the bad. But I saw this off season as a bait & switch. We were promised by ownership an aggressive off season where top notch talent would be imported and the flotsam and Jetsam within the coaching staff, training staff, and players would be thrown out like yesterdays garbage. Well last that I checked the entire training staff is still here, two coaches who didn’t really have much bearing on the teams problems last season were dismissed while Dan Warthen and Razor Shines were retained ( still scratching my head on that one) and we retained the services of Alex Cora, Elmer Dessens and Fernando Tatis.Yes we signed both Tatis and Dessens at discounts , but how can you rationalize giving Alex Cora - a back up a two million dollar contract , while the market dictates that a back up infielder should be paid less than that! Look I understand that this off seasons free agent class was less than desired, and I am sure that if deals were to be made they would have been consummated. But please don’t sell the fans on a productive off-season - and then fail to deliver . I read Hall Of Fame writer Murray Chass’ column this week, and aside from some speculation, I had to believe most off what he wrote to be true. And if Jeff Wilpon is the puppet master behind curtain, than this organization will be as doomed as when M. Donald Grant was running this franchise. Look we won’t know until the middle of May what kind of team we will have here. Maybe they will resort back to their ‘06 form , or maybe we will see a slightly better product that was ion the field last season. I am hoping for ‘06.

                                                                                      ” Is Jeffy Boy the second coming of M. Donald Grant?

And Now it’s time for the INFAMY !!!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to reserve outfielder from the ’70’s -Benny Ayala (1951) .
Decent pitcher for the early ’80’s Mets , Charlie Puleo is 55 (1955) .Charlie’s biggest contribution to the Mets was being one of the players sent to the Cincinnati Reds for Tom Seaver.
The man who made the second most famous catch in Mets history - Endy Chavez is 32 (1978) . We miss you Endy !!

New York Mets traded pitchers Hank Webb and Richard Sander to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop prospect Rick Auerbach on February 7, 1977.

Mickey Lolich announced his retirement on February 7, 1977. Funny thing is Loilich only retired from being a Met ( he hated being a Met !) - He signed the next year with the San Diego Padres, pitching two seasons for them.

New York Mets released utility infielder Ross Jones on February 7, 1986. Ross was the other player along with future Mets pitching great Sid Fernandez that was traded to the Mets for utility infielder Bob Bailor and pitcher Carlos Diaz

New York Mets claimed utility infielder ,David Lamb on waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on February 7, 2000.

And while you are watching the Super Bowl tonight , just remember there are just 57 days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

I have seen lately a lot of discussion around how much of the problems with the Mets falls on Omar Minaya
and how much falls on the current ownership. How much how little or who is to blame exactly? Tough questions indeed.

There are signs that suggest Minaya is more of a puppet who unlike Pinocchio who had no strings to call his own Minaya’s strings are being pulled by Jeff Wilpon. For example John Ricco holding a conference call to discuss events that only Omar Minaya was privy to that only resulted in making things worse with Ricco at times pleading the 5th when asked certain questions. Some speculate if the lack of moves this off season is more to Minaya having his hands tied by ownership. A notion that let’s face it is almost impossible to prove.

Since Fred Wilpon became the sole owner of the Mets back on August 23, 2002 the Mets are 581 - 586 that is
a .497 win percentage. Here are some highlights.

-

Starting in 2003 Wilpon’s team improved every year going from 5th/2003, 4th/2004, 3rd/2005, and finally 1st in 2006.
Is that rise due to ownership? Maybe it has more to do with the rise of Jose Reyes and David Wright. Reyes and Wright came on the scene and renewed hope in a franchise that the future was bright. Even though Omar Minaya would not become GM till 2005 he may have helped plant the seeds that was Wright & Reyes.
Omar Minaya was assistant GM and in charge of International Scouting under then GM Steve Phillips when Jose Reyes signed with the Mets in 1999. Omar Minaya was also Senior assistant GM and in charge of International Scouting under then GM Steve Phillips when David Wright was drafted back in 2001. How much of an influence if any at all Minaya had in the signing of Wright & Reyes I don’t know I tried to find more info and was unsuccessful.

When Omar Minaya became GM in 2005 he signed Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez. The “New” New York Mets era began. Minaya’s Mets finished 3rd in 2005 and in 2006 with Minaya having traded for slugger 1st baseman Carlos Delgado the Mets finished in 1st place for the 1st time in the division since 1988.

Since 2006 the Mets have had 2 (or 1 depending on your view) epic collapses in 2007, 2008. A poorly handled west coast managerial firing. A total meltdown accusing a member of the media with publishing stories painting longtime friend Tony Bernazard in a negative light to further his career with the Mets and probably the most injuries ever in a single season to affect a team’s star players in 2009 and if that wasn’t enough it was compounded by reports of multiple medical misdiagnosis of star players or the perception at least that the Front Office just was not on the same page with their medical staff. Add to the mix what was Citi Fields inaugural season, complaints from fans that there was not enough done celebrating Mets history and too much done to celebrate the late Great Jackie Robinson.

Who is to blame for 2009? Take your pick
A. Ownership
B. Minaya
C. Manuel
D. World Baseball Classic
E. Medical Staff
F. None of the above
G. All of the above
H. other

I am sure that I only scratched the surface but the thing is when you look at all this I find it hard to say it’s just one person’s fault. Is ownership not allowing Minaya to sign players? Does Minaya simply see little value out there in the free agent market and is holding back on trades to give the farm system a chance to grow? These are all plausible scenarios.

Personally I lost faith in Minaya in 2009 not because I blame him for the injuries but because I felt his wait for the cavalry approach in waiting for the players to get back  rather than going out and trying to find Wright help especially when Beltran went down was the wrong approach plus add allowing your manager to publicly express this idea that there wasn’t much you can do without your horses. I’ve had many say they don’t agree with my views and while I respect their opinion I still stand by mine. Maybe Minaya is but a puppet and the blame should lie with ownership. I admit lately I am beginning to wonder if that is just the case. If it is ownership what then? It’s been reported the Wilpons do not intend on selling the team anytime soon so what can we do to show our dissatisfaction? I leave that for you to decide. Time will tell I guess who is to blame but for now I’ll continue to stand by my opinions. What is good about that is it’s just an opinion.

Now Opening Day fast approaches and there is a feeling that the winds of change are blowing and both Minaya and Manuel’s future depends on how well the team performs in 2010.

Here’s to hoping 2010 the Mets fortunes turn in their favor.

Dave Matthews Band

Yup, the Mets just announced that Dave Matthews Band will be the second musical act to perform at Citi Field.

“We are thrilled that Dave Matthews Band is coming to Citi Field this July for what is becoming our annual summer concert event featuring the top acts in the world,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement.

“We pride ourselves on playing at some of the most unique venues in the world,” Matthews said in a statement. “We’re excited to play at Citi Field and continue the rock-n-roll tradition at the home of the Mets.”

The Band’s latest album, “Big Whiskey And The Grooggrux King” received two Grammy nominations for Best Album of the Year and Best Rock Album.

Check out Dave and Neil Young’s duet of “Alone and Forsaken” from the “Hope for Haiti Now” Telethon Jan 22nd.

First off I would like to thank the New York Jets for making the last few weeks bearable. If it was not for their exciting run through the playoffs , I would have probably committed myself to the psychiatric ward at Bellvue Hospital. But as we all know now that the dust has cleared from Sunday nights loss, the Mets and the perceived futility of their off-season will once again be under a microscope. Have the Mets made some good move? Yes Jason Bay and Kelvim Escobar ( if he is healthy) should be able to improve this team by a moderate amount. But a moderate amount is not what is going to make this team be able to compete with the Philadelphia Phillies for the N.L East pennant this year. I am trying to be patient here but my memory still goes back to that day on the Mike Francesa Bloviator Show, in which Jeff Wilpon said that they would do everything that they could into making this squad into a championship caliber team again. Honestly so far I am not so enthusiastic. Yes no one could see the Beltran injury rearing it’s ugly head again - ummm sorry but that’s a lie! The general consensus of everyone but Omar, Wilpon, and the Mets training staff thought that Carlos should have gotten season ending surgery last August/ September - when it was obvious the team fell out of contention. But here we are six months later drinking bottles of Maloxx trying to ease our twisted stomachs and the Tylenol for our bruised egos while this team fails to sign or trade for the best available talent to improve this team. And every time I hear the company line that ” well our best players will be back and healthy” I have to cringe, because in my gut I feel that they have no clue or game plan in which to improve this team. Am I hoping that all goes well and this team can return to respectability ? The answer is a resounding yes . But alot of things have to go right in order for this team to become winners again. And I have to admit that I am shocked that the Mets front office at least in perception are sitting idly by waiting for a good deal to fall in thir lap. Speculation is it won’t be Ben Sheets. So if the middle of July comes and the Mets are a sub .500 team fighting for the distinction that is fourth place and Citi Field looks and feels more like a morgue than a ball park. Jeff, Fred take a good long look at yourselves in the mirror , for the onus is on you my friends.
Sorry had to vent.

                                                                          “I am pulling my hair out this off season !!”

And now … ON WITH THE INFAMY !!!!
On this day :

New York Mets signed free agent utility infielder Kurt Abbott of the Colorado Rockies on January 26, 2000.

New York Mets traded middle reliever Jaime Cerda to the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitcher , Shawn Sedlacek on January 26, 2004.

New York Mets traded first base prospect, Ian Bladergroen to the Boston Red Sox for the man with the hardest name to spell in the big leagues - first baseman, Doug Mientkiewicz on January 26, 2005. Doug was all glove no bat and warmed the first base bag for a season until we acquired Carlos Delgado from the Florida Marlins.

New York Mets signed free agent pitcher, Jon Switzer of the Boston Red Sox on January 26, 2009.Switzer pitched in all only 4 games this past season to a E.R.A of 8.10. He was promptly demoted to the minors, never to be seen in a Mets uniform again.

And don’t forget while you are pondering the meaning of life in your office cubicle -there are just 69 more days until the Mets open the 2010 season against the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.