After yesterday's trip through the "depths" of what remains of my mind, we now return to our regularly scheduled rants. As you can tell by the heading, I'm a mite pissed off today.
So John Thomson had a few things to say about our Mets. Seems Mr. Thomson doesn't like how Paul Lo Duca handles himself behind the plate. He also had some disparaging remarks about Uncle Cliffy. Let's start with the latter, then return to the former.
Uncle Cliffy may not have been the swiftest of foot, or the strongest defensive outfielder, but, he was a guy who would run through a wall to make a play. He was a guy who would play on a torn Achilles to help his team win. Of course winning is not something Mr. John (62-84 4.69 ERA) Thomson is familiar with, particularly after last season's stellar 2-7 mark with the left for dead in April Atlanta Braves. Now, I'll admit that Vernon Wells is a damn fine centerfielder, but the Mets have a pretty good CF as well in Carlos Beltran. As for Cliffy, in 2005 he played quite a fine LF. Oh, and John, Uncle Cliffy ain't gonna be on the Mets this year you stupid bastard.
Now we get to PLD. Is Paul the best defensive catcher out there, no, and most, if not all Mets fans will admit that. He lets balls get by him on throws to the plate, he does not have a great arm, and he tends to get a mite annoyed by stupid ass umpires who can't call a game properly (I'm talking to you Mr. Angel Hernandez). However, it is generally accepted that Paul calls a very good game. When he was traded from LA to Florida, and from Fla to the Mets, teammates were sad to see him go, for his game and his leadership.
So Mr. Thomson, you have your right to your opinion, it is a free country, so if you want to spout some nonsense and prove to everyone that you are a complete fucking idiot by bashing an acknowledged good catcher and teammate, and a player who will no longer be patrolling left field in NY this season, feel free. However, please know that we Mets fans wanted no part of your loser ass back in NY. We remember the last time you were here, when you would not come out of your hotel (yep, seems like you are a good teammate there buddy), as well as the stellar 2-6 4.31 number you put up in 9 starts. I'm not quite sure what Omar was thinking offering you a contract, maybe he wanted someone in spring training for intra-squad games would would make the young guys gain confidence by knocking the slop that you offer up all of and out of the park. However, in your brilliance, you decided to sign in Toronto, where Mets fans will have the pleasure of watching you get the shit kicked out of you against the Red Sox and Yankees. I will root for the Yankees to beat the crap out of you should you face them this year, assuming that is the Jays don't come to their senses and cut your ass first. I will of course drink a bottle of vodka while doing so, to dull the pain.
At least PLD had the class to not respond, his agent put it perfectly, let the negatives stay with the negative people. PLD was unavailable for comment, apparently, he had to get his date home before curfew.
Oh, but I'm not done with this yet. Ken Rosenthal reported that some in the Mets hierarchy were annoyed with how PLD handled Mota in Game 2 against STL. If you remember, Mota shook PLD off, until he got Paul to put down the old #1. Scott (Merkin) Spezio proceeded to pound said fastball, leading to a Mets loss. Now, I can get people being pissed about the pitch selection. What I'm pissed about is the airing of dirty laundry. I'm sick and tired of "unnamed sources" bullshit. I want Omar to find out who leaked these thoughts, and fire his or her ass to set an example. This type of shit has to stop. It had gotten better, but I fear the leaks are going to start again, and no good comes of this. It's one thing for a fan to spout about this or that, but a member of the front office, or even a player, should not call out a fellow player anonymously. Show some testicular fortitude and put your name to it. Or better yet, go to the player in private, tell him what you think, and sort it out.
In other Mets news, they held a mini-camp this week. Among those attending were John Maine and David Wright. Pedro stopped by to hitch a ride back to the Dominican with Omar and others. David went along for the ride too. Nice to see David mixing with the prospects, it speaks well for the young man. Pedro said that he feels good, and could probably push things, but is not going to. He will stick to the timeline, and target his return for after the All Star Break. Pedro also said that doctors told him he may regain some velocity, making him able to hit 91+ consistently. Good news for the Mets, bad for the NL, and AL. Pedro will be the key trade line pick up this season. A little gloom was revealed this morning though, as Filthy Sanchez noted that he may not be ready for Opening Day. This could be the reason behind the signing of Scott "The Show" (thanks Dep!) Schoeneweis. More depth for the pen.
Non-Baseball Rants
Earlier this week, the Islanders continued their season long domination of the Rangers, smacking them around 5-3. After the game, Rangers coach Tom Renney lit into his team for their pathetic performance. Of course, they responded well, falling behind 5-0 last night against Ottawa, before scoring 4 goals in the third period. Of course, it was not enough, as they fell 6-4. After the game, Renney stated that he felt the team responded well, and hopes they can build off of this performance. So, expect the Rangers to fall behind 4-0 in their next game before trying to rally.
On the other hand, the Islanders, who had previously been 0-3 in games following wins against the Rangers this season, traveled to Boston. They fell behind 2-0 quickly, then 4-3, but tied the game with less than two minutes left. They went to the shootout, where Satan and Blake scored, Blake's being the game winner. So they finally won a game following a Ranger game. Good. Now just keep going. They dug themselves quite a hole with their 6 game losing streak. Now they need to fill it back in.
Pete Carroll met with the Dolphins. Mike Martz met with them. Tim Lewis met with them. Brian Schottenheimer met with them. Who's next, the coach of William Floyd High School? Jeez, Huzengia is meeting with everyone for this job. I'm waiting to hear that Mike Shula is the new coach. That will make daddy happy. As well as legions of AFC East fans from the teams the Dolphins will face for the next few years.
The Giants signed Tom Coughlin to a 1 year extension, removing his "lame duck" status. Excuse me, how does that get removed? Everyone knows that if he does not get them in a better place next year, there will be a change. Cowher will be free, as will Belichick (doubtful that he may come, but still). Charlie Weis might be free, if ND screws the pooch in a bowl game again (I mean, when, not if). There will be a lot of options at the end of next season.
I had no idea that Scott Boras was David Beckham's agent. How else do you explain a $250 MILLION contract for a soccer player. Sweet Jesus, soccer doesn't even have a TV contract. I don't care if a lot of kids play it, it is not a sport that translates to TV. It's like watching paint dry. Plus, Beckham is no longer the player he once was, based on what I have read. Of course he was once a star, and among the top players in the sport. But he is no longer in that group. Wait, I got it. Steinbrenner must own the Galaxy!
Have a nice weekend everyone.
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5 comments:
PLD was unavailable for comment, apparently, he had to get his date home before curfew.
One of your best yet, Ed. Excellent!
I'm glad to hear that Young Mr. Wright decided to leave the starlets & the talk-shows behind to hit mini-camp. Bodes well. Maybe he'll hit more than 6 HRs in the first half a season now. And Maine? Who knows, but he shows all the "character" traits you wanna see from one of your starters.
As to "the leaker," let's just hang it on Trachs and move on.
Thanks Mike.
Ed in Westchester, this is (obviously) Figgythemick from the Jets blog. Nice bog there, buddy.
I love Lo Duca, he was extremely clutch with timely hits. His personality is so New York Met, too. he apparently is something of a gambler and collectors actually went to the stadium to 'talk' to him.
I am pumped about the Mets, hopefully they can put it all together this year.
Figgy - thanks for stopping by. Good point on PLD. Clutch and a "Met".
Ed, another Thompson (Bobby, of the Hit Heard Round the World) told a freind of mine one time (while they were at a wedding of a joint freind), that the most important player on the baseball feild is the catcher. My brother, who was a fairly good catcher in his own right would also agree that catcher is the quarterback of the team.
Although, I loved every second Piazza was on the Mets...he lacked that quarterback quality. Although his offensive prowess shadowed any defensive lacking he had (with the exception of the last two years), he was not a true QB.
Thompson (Bobby, not John) also told my friend that before you have offense, you success is defined defensively. He said you build around your QB (catcher) with a solid defensive SS, 2B and CF. He said in those positions defense over rides offense every time. It is the opposite in the other positions.
Now, I dont know why I am going into all that besides saying that I love LaDuca. The guy is a warrior defensively and he is a true QB. If the pitcher shakes off the catcher, and the catcher doesnt agree than fuck you pitcher. The catcher is the QB, listen to his ass.
As for John Thompson. I was thinking the same shit. I am glad LaDuca didnt stoop by responding to his rants. And I am even more glad that LaDuca is getting into the heads of opponents during games. In fact, I love that.
Anyhow, have a nice weekend!
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