Johan A No-Han? Sure looks that way. Last year on June 1st the Mets faithful as well as sports pages all over were exclaiming No-Han after the Mets lefty recorded the first ever Mets no-no. Fast forward nine months and 27 days, and we are once again exclaiming No-Han, but for a different reason this time.
Mets GM Elvis Alderson informed press and fans alike that it seems pretty clear that Santana will not pitch this season for the Mets due to another tear in capsule in his left (pitching) shoulder. This is the same injury that sidelined the Mets Ace for over a season. Alderson said he hadn't spoken to Santana at the time of his presser last night at 7:50 PM, so he wasn't aware, or so he claims, if Santana will decide to have surgery.
None of us expect the Mets to be productive this year, and I will provide my prediction before Monday's opener, but to not have Santana finish the season his Mets career on the field is a terrible display of bad karma.
I had expected no more than about 8-10 wins for Santana this year, but it's not about wins; it's about what he provides his teammates. His bull-dog attitude and competitiveness might have rubbed off on some of the youngsters that will be playing in Flushing this year. I can't help but wonder what a strong influence Johan would have been on Heffner, Harvey, and Wheeler. If he could teach them his desire, preparation, and competitiveness, it would have been an experience too great for words.
Secondly, I can't help but feel sorry for the man. Yes, he has earned an aircraft load of money in his career, but he is only 34, and he might not ever play baseball again. He wasn't going to be re-signed by the Mets, that is for certain, but I feel bad for the guy that he can't even play for a contract for 2014.
Mike Lupica has penned an article that says the Santana contract was awful; along the lines of Bonilla's and Pedro's. A tad harsh. Santana pitched a masterful game 161 in '08, and kept the Mets alive for another day, as well as pitching the first Mets no hitter. Pedro on the other hand got injured just before the play-off's in '06, and was unable to provide any magic, magic the Mets sorely needed in losing the NLCS in 7 games to the Cardinals.
Johan gave us something to cheer about every time he toed the rubber. If it wasn't him fooling a hitter with a changeup that danced down and away, it might have been a sparkling fielding play; it might have also been that he stepped up to the plate looking to get a hit every time he grabbed a bat.
What looked to be a dismal season has taken a further turn for the worse, but this news is beyond wins and losses - it is about a man who gave his all, and he might not have anymore to give; it is about a man who came to play every day, and might not be able to do so again; it is about a man who provided for fans what no other Mets pitcher was able to do - not Tom Seaver, not Dwight Gooden, not Jerry Koosman, not Tom Glavine, not Pedro, not Sweet Music Viola - he gave us that one night that might not ever be repeated in our life time. He gave us joy. He gave us what few Mets pitchers ever did: the expectation that we can win every time he took the mound.
I was hoping to see Santana leave Flushing, riding off into the sunset after a good, not great, season that showed he still had a little left in the tank.
We keep hearing about d'Arnaud, Wheeler, Harvey, Mejia, etc. which provides some hope, but there is not guarantee that these players will be the next stud. It would have been nice to have one more year of Johan in the Clubhouse to mentor the young guns of this organization, but once again, it was not to be.
Talk me in folks, I'm on the ledge!
Hi there Mets fans! We are now less then a week away from Opening day and the Mets 2013 season. Are you excited? Will you be at opening day? Of course I will keep my opening day not going to the game streak alive . I think its up to 25 or something. Opening day too me is all about coming home after a full day of work and watching it on the DVR . Maybe catching a inning or 2 during the day on the radio with Howie Rose. Of course I would have no problem scoring a opening day tickets or any other game. Seems to be something that is catching around baseball. Some teams have reached to fans with some interesting ways.
Of course the Marlins top it all. Want to go see opening day in there new stadium to watch there shell of a team? Heck it might even include former Met John Maine. Check out Groupon.. Yes Groupon has a deal on Marlins tickets. Buy a ticket for opening day and get some other games for free. Fantastic to see them after 1 year give everyone the boot. Surprised someone just hasn’t knocked off Loria yet.
The Red Sox after a dismal year are realizing that there sellout streak is coming to an end is offering cheap prices for beer and free food for the kids in April .
The Mets just announced that anyone can get a free ticket on there birthday. Of course you cant use it for opening day or the Yankee series.
I wonder if you still need to pay fees?
2013 should be a banner year!
David Wright has officially been named the fourth Captain of the New York Mets. Wright, whom for years has been believed to be the Mets captain, has finally and officially received the honor.
The Mets have only bestowed the captaincy on three players before naming Wright El Captain: Keith Hernandez was named the first Mets Captain in '87 (1987-1989), the late Gary Carter joined Hernandez as co-Captain in 1988 (1988-1989), and Brooklyn's own John Franco sported the Captain "C" from 2001-2004.
Wright has said he will not have a "C" emblazoned on his uniform, which I couldn't agree with more. A baseball uniform doesn't look Wright right with a C on it, unlike hockey.
This has been an honor long coming to Wright, who has been the media darling, corporate spokesman, and the overall Nuke LaLoosh of Flushing. He never utters a bad word, and is one to have his teammates back.
Congratulations to Wright on his appointment. My biggest problem with all of this is the fanfare. It should be Collins' choice as the manager to name a captain, not Jeff and Fred's. Once again, this ownership doesn't get it.
In other news, Jon Niese was named Opening Day starter. It looks more and more like Johan will start the season on the DL.
Sources: Wikipedia, Adam Rubin
Thanks to the good people over at MPI/FilmBuff we have the opportunity to give away via a contest 3 copies of the DVD Knuckleball!
This DVD is being released on April 2nd and follows the exploits of our former 20 game Winner R A Dickey and Tim Wakefield during the 2011 season. Here is a little bio of the movie.
From acclaimed filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg this heartfelt, funny and deeply engaging film delves into the legendary subculture of the knuckleball and the brotherhood of men who share the drive, imagination and humility to throw baseball‘s slowest, most disrespected pitch. KNUCKLEBALL follows 37 year-old R.A. Dickey & 18-year veteran Tim Wakefield detailing their personal and professional triumphs of the season while exploring the bond between them and their only allies, the five living retired knuckleballers - Charlie Hough, Wilbur Wood, Jim Bouton, Tom Candiotti, and Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.
Check out the DVD here: http://www.mpihomevideo.com/Store/Detail.asp?ProdID=11032
We have 3 DVDS to giveaway.. Contest is simple Answer the following questions and send the answers to this email address- longislandmetfan@gmail.com
Who did R A Dickey record his first win for the Mets against in 2010 and what was the final score?
What knuckler started the inaugural game for the Florida Marlins?
Good luck!
Not much of a shocker if you have been following this spring but it looks like Ohio kid Jon Niese will be on the mound opening day 2 weeks from now at Citi Field as the Mets opening day starter. He had a solid outing against the Bravos on Sunday and except for 1 outing has been pretty good this spring. Johan has still not pitched on a mound in over 10 days. No idea when he will but at this point he will be on the DL to start the season.
Wright aka Capt America is back with the Mets after getting a cortizone shot this past Friday in NY. The gamer will do all he can to get himself ready but who knows if his body will respond.
Daniel Murphy who has dealt with a oblique injury this spring felt stiff after playing the field on Friday in a minor league game.
Mets lineup which would be anemic at best with Wright could look pretty sad if Murph and Wright are on the pine opening day against the Padres. Valdy will have to play 2nd and Turner if his sprained ankle is ok will be the 3rd baseman. Oh boy!
Dont forget to check out our contest on our post from tuesday the 19th!
Ahh here it is mid March and we already have Johan destined to start to the season on the disabled list. Of course its very tough to pitch opening day when he hasnt even seen 1 batter yet this spring. Good news though he can take a back seat for the next couple of days. David Wright now will occupy front and center since he has either a rib issue or a oblique issue.
Wright is heading to NY today to get examined. He was pulled from the WBC -USA lineup last night. He was examined by the Doctors there and it was decided he should sit. Wright to his credit plays whenever he can. He has mentioned that his side has bothered him since the WBC started and he still was hitting over .400 and knocked in 10 with the star packed lineup the USA has.
Wright will be back in PSL on Saturday and of course between now and today the media will be on call to make sure we hear everything and anything.. What he ate for the plan ride up and down. What he did the night he was in NY. Oh yeah and what is the Diagnosis. As Johan smiles knowing he is off the hook for a couple of days.
Good news! Mets tickets to single games go on sale today..who hoo..! (crickets) anyone? Hellooooo???
Yeah isnt it good to know that you can now can get tickets to opening day without wasting your $$ on games you dont want to go. Talk about excitement for your NY Mets. Dont get me wrong , Mets games to me means that finally that we are turning the corner on Winter. We have alot to look forward too in yeah I know in 2014. Or do we?
If you havent read Klaps article about what the Mets on the horizon with debt you can check it out here According to the article the Mets have lost over 90M over the last 2 years and have over 300M due in a little over a year. Isnt it great that you can refinance a loan even after losing over 90M. Be nice to be able to go to your bank and say hey loan me some cash..dont worry about me paying it back, i will just keep refinancing and you will get more! Crazy!!!
Amway will take up residence in Citi on the chop shop side of the park, Of course since they paid over 50M in fines due to a court ruling a couple of years back they seem to fit right in with the Wilpons.
Good times acoming at Amway field!
Johan A No-Han? Sure looks that way. Last year on June 1st the Mets faithful as well as sports pages all over were exclaiming No-Han after the Mets lefty recorded the first ever Mets no-no. Fast forward nine months and 27 days, and we are once again exclaiming No-Han, but for a different reason this time.
