Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Attention NY Media

You would think from the back pages today that the Yankees moved to within 1.5 games of first place. You would think that they got a dominating performance from a 24 year old pitcher who many had bashed as overrated. You would think that they were the team that has won 4 in a row. About the only thing the Yankees did that the Mets did last night was beat up on a heralded young pitcher.

Every paper had back-page main stories about the Yankees win over the Rays last night. Guess what though? The Yanks are still 7.5 games back, and 4.5 games behind in the Wild Card. They still have serious pitching issues, and they still have serious injury issues. Add to that the level of competition in the AL East, not to mention the WC, and they have a very tough road to travel.

Sal Marciano started off his sports report on the CW 11 last night with "Overrated? Let's see what Jeter did tonight." Wow, Derek got a "clutch" 2 run double. Of course, it came in the third inning. And he made a "patented" leap and throw to record an out at 2nd late in the game. I will admit the throw was nice, but since when did a 3rd inning hit become "clutch"? If that was clutch, then Beltran's 3-run homer in the 1st inning was as well right?

I am so sick and tired of the pro-Yankee slant in this town. Jeter was voted as most overrated by his PEERS. Yet the media circles the wagons around the golden child. Meanwhile, his stats are nothing special, and despite the play last night, his range at shortstop is mediocre at best. But the propaganda keeps coming.

/End Anti-NY Media rant
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Meanwhile, much to the consternation of Chris "Screaming Ninny" Russo, the Mets smacked Tim Lincecum around last night to the tune of 4 runs, 9 hits, and 2 walks in 6 innings. Every ball seemed to be hit hard. Beltran took him deep in the first, Delgado in the 6th. Lincecum had given up all of 5 hr's this year. Poor Chris, his boy let him down.

Meanwhile, Mike Pelfrey continued to grow. Last night he went 7 scoreless, giving up 3 hits, with 5 k's and NO walks. He won his 5th consecutive start, and dominated. He was pumping fastballs, threw a few sliders that looked quite nice, and even unleashed a couple of curveballs (you know, that near plus pitch from college that Hardwood Floors had him junk). This was possibly his best outing of his career. Schoeneweis pitched a hitless 8th, and Joe Smith a hitless 9th.

The offense continues to click, 14 hits last night to go with 7 runs. Tatis also homered. Jose had his 4th straight multiple hit game (I wonder if Delcos thinks he needs to be benched, or if the loudmouths think he should still be traded?) Beltran (that softy) finished 3-4 with 4 rbi, Delgado had 2 hits. Argenis Reyes collected his first major league hit (congrats kid), and later scored, and got a loud ovation from the crowd, as well as a hug from Jose after Jose scored later in the inning.

The bad news? Ryan Church was put back on the DL. Is it a migraine? Is it PCS? Who knows. I'm not a doctor, then again, neither is the media, but they claim to know what is right. The Mets made a smart decision to DL him again. How long will he be out? We don't know. It could be he comes back after the 15 days. He could be out the rest of the year. The important thing is to let him rest. It saddens me, as I have (as many others have) seen too many careers of NY Sports stars cut short due to PCS. Al Toon. Wayne Chrebet. Pat LaFontaine. Brett Lindros. Eric Lindros. The brain is something doctors don;t have all the answers to. Some guys bounce back right away, others take longer. Hopefully Ryan is able to come back.

The one thing I do not want to see or hear is anyone saying "well, this makes the Milledge deal that much worse." We know this will happen. And it will still be bullshit. Nobody could have know this would happen. But there will still be those who hated the trade who will use this as a way to justify bashing Omar.

Tonight, Johan vs. Sanchez. Johan (and the Mets) have not won in his last 6 starts. A win tonight makes it a 5 game winning streak. The last time they won 5 in a row was April 14 - 19. Three against the Nationals, two against the Philth.

Lets make it 9 in a row going into the break. I'm greedy. But greed, for lack of a better word, is good.

Just
Win
Series

LGM

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