NY's NL This Week

By jrhippe

Catcher Paul Lo Duca was in hot water this week, but he and the Mets handled it in stride.

Faced with the reports of his divorce throughout the media being reported, The Daily News also reported that Lo Duca is a heavy gambler and has accumulated debts. This of course isn't against Major League rules, as long as there isn't bets made on baseball, but a media circus surrounded the Mets clubhouse over the past week.

Lo Duca made a statement that he is indeed a gambler, but that all his wagering is done on horse racing and through legal electronic means. Fine by me.

And would this even be an issue if the Mets weren't the National League's best team?

During the week, the Mets did what any responsible club would do and issued a statement backing their All-Star catcher. It read:

We have talked to Major League Baseball and they have expressed no concern of any violation of any Major League Baseball rule regarding Paul Lo Duca. Right now we urge Paul to focus on baseball and we support him through this difficult period in his life.

Good move. Many talking heads have suggested a situation like this could destroy the team's chances at winning. I on the other hand believe it brings a team closer together when faced with a teammate getting publically trashed. And judging by the play of Lo Duca in the Mets, it hasn't bothered them at all. In fact the team has won seven of their last eight games and Lo Duca has continued to contribute with hits, runs and RBI and is batting .366 this month.

To be honest, I could care less when Lo Duca does away from the ballpark, as long as he's contributing to the team. That's the important thing.

Mike Piazza, with at the time his first place Padres, made his first trip back to Shea since signing as free agent with San Diego. He was greated with a long, loud and deserving ovation before his first at bat and the crowd chanted "MIKE PI-AZZA" when he singled. Although the Mets swept San Diego, Piazza didn't leave without smacking a pair of homers on Wednesday. The second was greeted with a few sarcastic boos. Hopefully he goes into the Hall as a Met and when the time comes, the organization retires his No. 31.

In Washington, the Mets took two of three. Glavine again received no run support, despite pitching brilliantly on Friday night. The team lost 2-1. On Saturday, John Maine's scoreless inning run came to an end at 26, but New York was able to win. And Sunday saw the Mets reach 71 wins in the fewest number of games since when? 1986.

BASE HITS
- Another week, another vote I ask you to cast. Carlos Beltran is one of six National League players to be nominated for the Comeback Player of the Year award. The others are Garciaparra (LAD), Estrada (ARZ), Rolen (STL), Borowski (FLA) and Renteria (ATL). I can't see Beltran not winning this award. I mean he goes from free agent bust to NL MVP candidate in one offseason. The same cannot be said about any of the others.
- As of right now the Mets have five sets of uniforms (three home, two road). I've always thought this was an overboard attempt at marketing and it looks like I'm not the only one. Although I don't mind the black uniforms, I think it's unnecessary to wear them so regularly. This petition though calls for the Mets to "return to their original colours" and only wear their pinstripe whites at home and greys on the road. Add your signature.

ON DECK
- Four games at Philly starting on Monday night. The Mets took two of three in their series with Philadelphia at the beginning of the month.
- Three game weekend homestand against the Rockies. Believe it or not, but despite Colorado's poor record, they're still in a pennent race out west and will be hungry for wins.

NY's NL This Week is a regular feature here at YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

Questions, comments, conundrums, concerns? email: jrhippe@canada.com

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