Let's Go Have a Beer, Doc

Wally Backman.

South Georgia Peanuts.

South Coast League.

2007.

This is a classic minor league ejection from a former backyard Mets-Thing legend.

The New Big Train

How angry is manager Jim Riggleman right now? The Nationals had Stephen Strasburg pitching in the minor leagues until last night, when he went off for 14 strikeouts against the Pirates in his major league debut. The Nats are actually contending this year. They could have used this kid in April and May. Riggleman should walk into GM Mike Rizzo's office and punch him in the face.

Maybe the Nationals were resting Strasburg, just waiting for June to come so he wouldn't log too many innings this season? Nope. They were pitching him. He threw 55 minor league innings in 11 starts before Tuesday night.

OK, so maybe they didn't think he wasn't ready? Nope. The kid finished his minor league stint with a 0.79 whip and 65 punchouts. Noone could possibly think he wasn't ready.

So what kept him in the minor leagues?.... Money. The Nationals simply tried to limit "Big Train" Strasburg's major league service time this season, which would make Strasburg ineligible for salary arbitration after the 2012 season. Basically, this would keep the Nats in control of his salary a little bit longer.

Of course, the Nats management says that all this minor league nonsense was part of Strasburg's "development plan", but I'm not buying it.

I think they simply made a mistake. Let's just say Strasburg started the season with the Nats, there is nothing that would make me believe that he wouldn't have pitched extremely well. The Nats could have had an extra 11 sellouts in his starts, and began making up that extra money they'll just end up paying him in the end anyway. Meanwhile, they'd have tons more fans and more W's in the standings.

I know some of you are saying that the Nats did a great job here. They got Strasburg some valuable minor league experience, meanwhile pumping up the hype machine to unbelievable heights. Last night was better than the two perfect games thrown this season, and the Jim Joyce game, combined. Then Strasburg lived up to the hype by going out and dealing while the whole baseball world was watching. Perfect.

Decent argument, but the Strasburg hype was already at stratosphere heights when he was in college last spring, and you can ask Mike Leake about whether he needed any minor league experience.

Riggleman is pissed.

Reyes 3rd? No. Wright 5th.

Lost in all the we're moving Jose Reyes to the 3-hole drama, was the best decision Jerry Manuel has made in a while.... moving David Wright down to the 5th spot in the batting order.

Mets-Thing correspondent, Cribs, has been calling for this move the last two seasons. Wright simply puts too much pressure on himself and his swing has turned into some kind of twisting upper-cut while he's stepping in the bucket.

Since moving down in the order, it is quite obvious that he is calmer in the batters box and taking more relaxed swings. His numbers since 4/23, the first day he returned to the 5-hole....

.343 BA, .368 OB%, .629 SLG%, 2 HR, 11 RBI

I, Davis.

On April 17, the Mets decided that they'd seen enough swings and misses out of firstbaseman Mike Jacobs, and designated him for assignment. Meaning, cut, see ya, get out of here you bum.

On April 19, the Mets decided that they'd call up firstbaseman Ike Davis, their 2008 1st round draft pick. The entire team was struggling. They couldn't sustain a rally offensively, and couldn't pitch.

After calling up Davis, the team has been on a 10-1 tear. Coincidence? We think "NO".

Davis has simply solidified the firstbase position. He has hit well so far and drawn some walks. Defensively, he doesn't look like the most gifted guy with the glove, but he looks the part and the infielders appear to be more comfortable letting throws go with his long arms over there to receive them.

We could be looking at the Mets firstbaseman of the next ten years.

Top Metsie Uniforms

This weekends cream colored throwback uniform is sweet! Got me thinking of the top 5 Mets uniforms in there brief history in MLB.

5. This weekends uniform; a turn of the century NY Giants inspired uniform, without the name on the back:




















4. Los Mets:




















3. The currently used pinstripe uniform w/solid blue hat/helmet:
















2. The currenly worn road grays:
















1. 1980's pinstripe with classic piping:

Mets Add Another Surprising Name to the DL

Head Trainer, Ray Ramirez, was finally placed on the DL today, Friday, after suffering a neck injury Monday afternoon. Ramirez and Jose Reyes were involved in a car accident in which they were rear-ended by a firetruck on the RFK (Tri-Borough) Bridge. Ramirez has been suffering from neck pain all week as a result.

However, in standard Mets procedure, he stayed on the active medical staff roster, making the Mets play with one doctor short all week, before finally realizing that yes, indeed, he was hurt.

The Mets have called up rookie chiropractor, Bert Jerkins, to take his place on the staff.

Jo-el dominates Mets, again

Joel Pineiro, complete game shutout. Two hits. One strikeout.

This is a guy who sported a 5.15 ERA in 2008, and leads the NL in losses so far in 2009. He's just not a good pitcher at this point in his career.

However, against the Metsies, he's money right now.

He's 2-0 this year in two starts against them, throwing the shutout last night and an eight inning "gem" on April 22nd.