Rants

I've been remiss on posting the "Weekly Observations". Now seems as good a time as any to post some rants.

1. Fat Man got a little dig in on Mr. Maine, saying that "well, I could do that against the Nationals". Really Mike. Tell me, how did your vaunted Yankees pitch against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays?

2. Note to Mets lineup, it is OK to beat on any and all comers. You don't have to go to sleep to make other pitchers feel better.

3. Julio Franco made a Keith Hernandez like play yesterday on a bunt. In doing so, he became the oldest player to act like Keith Hernandez. So long as he doesn't start doing lines in the clubhouse, it's all good.

4. El Duque's shoulder is acting up. Chan Ho Park is the possible starter. Hey lineup, tonight might be a good night to get some hits and drive in like 15 runs.

5. I guess the old "team first" saying is going the way of the horse and buggy up in New England. First they draft a guy out of Miami who fired a gun and was involved in the big brawl against Florida International. Now they trade for Randy Moss. Good luck with that Bill Belichick. Actually, not really. I hope it blows up all over your face.

6. Um, David, it's OK to get some more hits. Walks are OK, but, driving in runs is what the chicks dig.

7. So lets see. Tell the media that no one will listen if he stands up for A-Rod. Otherwise, stand up for admitted steroid user, which causes fans to give him a break. Stand up for manager as team goes 9-14 to start the year, which will probably buy him some more time. Stand up for 3rd baseman, not so much. Ladies and Gentlemen, your Yankee Captain, two face Jeter.

8. Of course, now that the Yankee are in last place, and A-Rod is cooling off, you know the boos are coming.

9. Note to the media, just because a guy who worked for the Mets as a bat boy and clubhouse cleaner 10 years ago gets locked up for steroids does not mean every last story needs to mention the fact he worked for the Mets. It's not like he was, oh, I don't know, the PERSONAL TRAINER for a player and was given carte blanche to the clubhouse.

10. Barroid hit his 742 home run Saturday. The Giants still lost. Karma is a bitch, ain't it?

11. We are so close to Mt. George erupting. I can't wait. The question is, who will be the replacement for Torre? You know the boss is pissed that Swindal talked him out of hiring Lou.

12. Then again, you can't really blame Joe. I mean, the bats are hitting. The problem is, the Yankee pitching SUCKS. But, you never would have known that by listening to the lap dogs at ESPN.

13. Remind me to send a Thank You card to Anna Benson. John Maine, the "bag of balls" per Anna, is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.

14. I'm really liking this Joe Smith kid. Wonder if Mike and the Dog have decided to learn about him. In the preseason, they wrote him off, saying if they didn't know him, he must not be that good. Assholes.

15. Yankee fans are clamoring for Bernie Williams. Funny, I didn't know Bernie could pitch.

16. Last time I checked, a sock does not throw a pitch.

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So, the Mets took two of three from the Nationals. The Braves took 2 of 3 from the Rockies, and the Mets are still in 1st by .5 game. The bad news for the Mets, Jose Valentin is hurting. We've learned so far this year that guys who go to NY for MRI's are usually hurt badly. I'm thinking Stache is gonna be gone for a month or so. Anderson Hernandez will possibly be called up, as Damion Easley will play 2nd every day. El Duque is also in NY after shoulder tightness. That hurts. Thankfully, there is better depth in AAA this year, so no Jose Lima sightings. If Park is not up to it, we can go with Jorge Sosa or Jason Vargas. Either is a good option.

Nice to see The Show put together a couple of strong outings in a row. He went 1.1 on the 24th, then .1 on Saturday and Sunday. It is vital that he settle in and become dependable. Now, if only Aaron Heilman can do the same. Darling made note both Saturday and Sunday that he thinks Heilman looks different compared to last year, that he seems to be overthrowing. I hope Rick is noticing something and is going to work with Aaron. We need him to settle in as well.

Meanwhile, the bats need to get it in gear. Three hits yesterday is not good to say the least. They should be beating up on the likes of the Nationals. Now, I can't get too mad, since they did win 2 of 3. But the Marlins are in town, and they boast the most runs scored in baseball. We are putting Duque/Park, then Pelfrey, then Perez against them. The bats better put up some crooked numbers, because the Marlins certainly can.