NY's NL This Week

Shawn Green, welcome to New York.

The Mets added the 33-year-old right fielder on Tuesday to fill in the void left from an earlier trade that sent Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh. The trade with Diamondbacks involved minor league pitcher Evan MacLane going to the desert.

So far, Green has fit in very well, batting sixth behind David Wright.

In his debut game with New York, wearing number 20, he drove in a run and earned a walk in a Mets win on Thursday to help them sweep St. Louis. Then against Philadelphia on Saturday he had two hits including a double, two RBI and scored a run. Today Green had another double driving in another run.

Not only is his offence an asset, but his defensive experience is what will matter most down the final stretch of the regular season and then into October. It's a significant improvement of rookie Lastings Millege's defence -- who has since been assigned back to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Mets received the news early in the week that pitcher Tom Glavine would not miss significant time with a suspected blood clot in his pitching shoulder. No surgery will be required, so he will only miss about 10 days or two starts. He is expected to be good to pitch on Friday in Houston.

For what sounded like a huge blow to their postseason chances turned into much ado about nothing in about 48 hours.

And with the addition of Green, the nine wins in ten games, it's been a good week.

BASE HITS
- Both Carlos reached milestones in homeruns this week. On Tuesday against St. Louis, Delgado hit his 400th HR of his career and on Saturday versus the Phillies, Beltran smacked his 200th. That's impressive.

- Game of the year candidate: Cardinals at Mets on August 22nd. In a slugfest showdown of MVP candidates Carlos Beltran and Albert Pujols, who drove home all seven STL runs, was actually upstaged by Beltran on the last swing of the game. A two run walkoff shot to right in the bottom of the ninth won the game for the Mets. Just an Amazin' evening in Queens. Check out all of NYM's walkoff hits this season, including Beltran's most recent, with this video.

- Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado are good friends. I remember when they came up through the Blue Jays' system together in the 1990s and there was talk back then of them being what Wright/Reyes is with the Mets now, but of course at the time the Jays could only afford to hold on to Delgado's salary. John Delcos notes that Delgado was in Green's wedding party a couple years ago and their lockers are together again. Good stuff.

- For the first time this season the Mets were ranked first in ESPN.com's baseball power rankings, based on their 6-0 week and just one spot ahead of the Yankees. So with both of New York's team at the top of the list, there was of course talk of a potential Subway Series again this year. But as long as Alex Rodriguez in on the Yankees, I can't see them making the World Series.

ON DECK
- Road trip! Six games in fact where the Mets are off to the Mile High City for a three game set against the Rockies. These two just hooked up last week with New York taking all three games.

- The Mets celebrated their 1986 team last week and lots of footage of their NLCS series against Houston was shown. Well they won't be playing these games in the Astrodome, but it will be a challenge against the defending NL champion. A great pitching match-up for Friday with Glavine going against Andy Pettitte.

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

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

NY's NL This Week

Three losses in a row, four wins in a row.

That was this past week for the New York Mets, but the current four game winning streak and sweep of the Rockies is not the big news.

With the team's number one pitcher already on the disabled list, number two may be out for the rest of the season. Lefthander Tom Glavine (12-6, 3.92) has a suspected blood clot in his pitching shoulder, which could spell the end to not only his season, but his Hall of Fame career.

After a start in Philadelphia last week, Glavine felt on a finger on his pitching arm was cold -- a symptom of a blood clot. At time of publishing, he is still scheduled to receive a CT Scan and an angiogram on his arm and more specifically shoulder.

If the results of the tests come back positive, he'll require surgery ending his season and maybe last week's loss against the Phillies will be his last ever start. It is worth noting that Glavine has never been on the DL in his 20 years in baseball.

What does this mean for the Mets? If he's out for the remainder of the season, the rotation for September would look like Hernandez, Trachsel, Maine, Bannister and a call-up, like Pelfrey again. With such a large lead in the division and now league, neither seem at risk, however this setback would significantly hurt the team's chances at a deep run in the playoffs. Glavine has the experience of postseason baseball and would sorely be missed in October as he would love to get a second ring.

Nothing is for sure yet regarding required surgery and this finger coldness in the finger could turn out to be something else altogther. Who knows? We'll have to wait for the results before jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge.

Now a quick recap of the week that was on the diamond:

The Mets were slashed in their first three games in Philadelphia being outscored 27-4 (13-0, 11-4, 3-0), which including Martinez giving up six runs in the first inning on Monday and having to be put on the disabled list again this season. New York salvaged a win on Thursday. The team continued to roll with their second consecutive three game sweep at home defeating Colorado. Hernandez pitched six innings on Sunday giving up five hits and no runs. Billy Wagner saved all three games to bump his total up to 31 on the season.

BASE HITS
- This past weekend featured a celebration of the 1986 Mets World Series championship. It included an elaborate ceremony before Saturday night's game, which can be seen here.
- The Mets also wore their 1986 jerseys on Saturday and Sunday to honour the last championship team in Queens.
- Here's another reminder of the three fans votes that are going on from MLB: Carlos Beltran is a candidate for NL Comeback Player of the Year, David Wright is the team's rep for the Hank Aaron Award and pick a classic Met in the Hometown Heroes promotion.

ON DECK
- The nine game homestand continues with three games against the National League's number two team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite falling behind recently, the NL Central leaders can still catch the Mets for home field advantage in the playoffs.
- A weekend series against the Phillies. They just played a week ago and destroyed the Mets in Philadelphia taking three of four. How will New York respond?

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

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

NY's NL This Week

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

NY's NL This Week

The overrated non-waiver trade deadline came and went without a major splash by the New York Mets.

Only one deal was made by Omar Minaya, which he was forced to do after receiving the news that Duaner Sanchez (5-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 49 games) would be out for the remainder of the season.

Sanchez was involved in a serious looking automobile accident while riding in a taxi in Miami early Monday which was hit by another vehicle driver. Sanchez dislocated his right shoulder and required arthroscopic surgery last week.

So Minaya knowing that one of his team's best set-up men would not be available this year, he dealt right fielder Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh in exchange for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez. Two potentially effective relief pitchers, who just weren't getting their way as Pirates, but will surely find a spots out of the New York bullpen. Nady will be replaced by a platoon (Randolph won't call it that) of Lastings Milledge - called up this week from Norfolk - and Chris Woodward.

On the diamond, the Mets lost two of three in Miami including a blown save on Tuesday courtesy of Billy Wagner giving up a two run homerun in the bottom of the ninth. Wednesday saw him redeem himself with a save, albeit a little shaky. Pedro Martinez and Dontrelle Willis were involved in a pitcher's duel in the rubber match that saw Aaron Heilman (my favourite whipping boy) allow the Marlins to score three runs after Pedro left in a 1-1 tie. He picked up yet another no decision.

In the series with Philadelphia, Friday night saw the end of Chase Utley's 35 game hitting streak after going 0-5 at the plate. The Phillies did however win their fourth straight game. Saturday afternoon featured Tom Glavine finally picking up his 12th win of the season - his first since June 23 in Toronto (a game I was at), after going seven innings only giving up five hits and three runs.

The Mets took the rubber match thanks to a seven run fourth inning, which included a Jose Reyes grand slam, which was the team's eighth of the season tying a franchise record set twice in 1999 and 2000. They've hit six in their last 19 games. John Maine continued to sparkle on the mound, having yet another shutout performance - extending his streak to 23 scoreless innings. Amazing stuff. At ESPN.com, Elias says: "Maine has not allowed a run in each of his last three starts. He's the first rookie pitcher to do that -- while throwing at least six innings in each outing -- since the Brewers' Cal Eldred in August 1992."

BASE HITS
- On Saturday, the Mets and Jose Reyes agreed to a four-year, $23 million package with a club option for a fifth season. On Sunday, the Mets and David Wright agreed to a six-year, $55 million deal that includes a club option for a seventh season. Brilliant deals and the time is right to get them both locked up for the long term. Looks like they'll both be around for 2009 and Opening Day at the new Sheadium.
- Matthew Cerrone has now been doing interviews on his MetsBlog.com and recently conducted one with Tom Verducci from Sports Illustrated talking about his cover story on the Mets. They discuss the clubhouse camaraderie, among other things NYM related. Take a listen.
- Word is that Paul Lo Duca is finished talking to the media this season, because of a report in The New York Post citing that his wife has filed for divorce based on adultry. Whether it's true or not, the Lo Ducas are upset and it's unfortunate that's he's done with the media because he has great lines and provided a great quotation about the series with the Braves that I included in my column last week.
- More voting for your clicking pleasure: David Wright is the New York Mets' candidate for the Hank Aaron Award. Voting is done at MLB.com until September 30.

ON DECK
- Mike Piazza returns to Queens to play for the first time since signing as a free agent with the Padres. I am much looking forward to a warm welcome back from Mets fans as the three game set begins Tuesday. Thursday's game starts at 12:10 PM.
- Off to RFK to take on the Nationals in a weekend series. John Maine is schedule to make his next start on Saturday night in Washington as he looks to extend his shutout streak of 23 innings..

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

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

NY's NL This Week

Now that was satisfying.

On Sunday the Mets completed its first sweep of the Braves in Atlanta since 1985. And Carlos Beltran's bat couldn't be hotter.

In a week that saw New York nearly get swept at home by one of the league's worst teams after falling in two close games to the Cubs (7-8 and 6-8), they responded with an extra inning 1-0 win on Wednesday (Maine was spectacular again: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K) and a weekend sweep of the team that, prior to this weekend, posed the biggest threat of catching the Mets in the division.

Now that is highly unlikely.

On Friday night, in the much anticipated series opener (largest regular season crowd in Ted Field history), Pedro Martinez made his return to the mound from the DL and was hit hard in the first inning, giving up four earned runs. However, he responded over the next five innings only allowing a single hit. I chalk up the early battering to rust from not pitching in over three weeks.

Pedro threw 77 pitches in the sixth innings of work and recorded his eighth win of the year, including third against Atlanta. Jose Reyes led off the game with a homerun and Billy Wagner looked as dominant as ever shutting the door in the ninth 1-2-3 with a pair of strike outs.

In the second game of the series, a seven run sixth inning to break open a 3-3 tie was the difference as the Mets went on to rout the Braves. Beltran hit two homeruns (29 and 30) and drove in five. Orlando Hernandez didn't give up an earned run in eight innings on the mound, striking out seven Braves.

In the finale, the Mets jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held off Atlanta for a 10-6 series sweeping victory. Beltran hit another two homeruns and drove in another five runs. Oh, how quickly the talk of him being an MVP candidate begins. Tom Glavine didn't pitch well (4 IP, 6 ER, 3 BB) and couldn't get the win -- something he hasn't experienced since June 23.

Before the game, John Delcos noted that Glavine is feeling anxious for a win. Can you blame him? I'm sure he'll take the team victory and the 15 game lead over his former team though. Wagner collected his second save of the weekend and 22nd of the season.

BASE HITS
- Major League Baseball is running a "Hometown Heroes" promotion where they're urging fans of every team to vote for their respective club's best player in history. The Mets' nominees are John Franco, Tug McGraw, Mike Piazza, Tom Seaver and Daryl Strawberry. As much as I loved Piazza, my vote goes to Seaver. Record your vote before September 17.
- Delgado left Saturday's game after getting hit in the knee with a pitch and was listed day-to-day. He returned Sunday, obviously better, because he hit a two run homer in the first inning.
- Beltran's grandslam on Sunday was his third in the month of July tying a major league record -- he's just one of nine players to accomplish the feat.
- The Mets will not be getting Bobby Abreu (gone to the Yankers) and possibly not Barry Zito either (price too steep, which includes having to trade Lastings Milledge). The attention on Monday will be about whether or not Omar Minaya can swing a deal for Livan Hernandez.
- Great quotation by Paul Lo Duca on the weekend series against Atlanta: "Our goal was to try to end their season. Yeah, we have a big lead, but we wanted to show them that we're going to bury them and end it right now." Via: Metsblog.com.
- Read The Journal News John Delcos' blog post on the Mets being "a special team."

ON DECK
- Nonwaiver trade deadline is Monday at 4:00 pm ET.
- More intradivision fun on the diamond.
- Three games in South Florida beginning on Tuesday. Will Willis still be a Fish?
- The team flies home to take on Abreu-less Phillies in a three game series that could effectively end their hopes of a postseason berth. Saturday's game in on FOX and ESPN will show Sunday night's affair.

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

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

NY's NL This Week

Talk about a team that's grand slam happy.

After Cliff Floyd and Carlos Beltran each hit one in the same inning last Sunday in Chicago, Beltran slapped another out in the very next game and Jose Valentin recorded his second GS of the season against Houston.

According to Elias Says on ESPN.com, the Mets are the first team in major league history to hit four grand slams in a five game span. That's pretty darn impressive.

The Mets' pitching this week was also impressive. Rookie John Maine pitched a complete game shutout of the Astros on Friday night after Mike Pelfrey went six innings on Tuesday and improved to 2-0 on the season. He came back to earth on Sunday afternoon against Houston, giving up five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Who says this team needs another starter anyway?

John Delcos of The Journal News blogs that Jeff Wilpon doesn't see the need in added another arm right now.

"The Mets have spoken to Washington for Livan Hernandez, but the Nationals keep asking about Mike Pelfrey and/or Lastings Milledge.

That's too high, and with a double-digit lead, the Mets don't feel they have to deal to get into the playoffs. And, once they get there, they will go to a four-man rotation anyway."

I tend to agree.

BASE HITS
- Jose Reyes returned to the Mets' lineup on Tuesday in Cincinatti after suffering the sore wrist from sliding headfirst into first base. He went 0-4, was walked once and scored two runs in the 8-3 New York win.

- A bit of controversy was stirred up after David Wright was seen promoting a "faith healer" that is going to be appearing later in July at MSG. On Saturday afternoon on WPIX in New York, Wright reportedly said "Hi, I'm David Wright. I invite you to the 'Salvation Miracles Revival Crusade' with Dr. Jaerock Lee, at Madison Square Garden, July 27, 28 and 29." On Tuesday the team and Wright issued statements denouncing any such affiliation or association and the commercial was "produced without authorization or approvals through an abuse of a media-newsgathering credential." Intriguing stuff to start the week.

ON DECK
- The Mets (perhaps) get to feast on the poor Cubs pitching again with a three game series at the Sheadium. Wednesday's game starts at 12:10 PM.
- Then it's off to the ATL for a weekend set with the Braves. Will Atlanta keep their hot play up when they play New York for the first time since early May.
- Trade deadline is next Monday (July 31). Who'll come and who'll go?

Sorry for the delay again this week. NY's NL This Week will be a regular feature here on YankeesSuck.com, appearing on Mondays.

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

Let's Go, J.R.

Editor's note: Welcome new blogger, J.R. Hippe, a Mets fan who will give us the rundown on the good team from N.Y.C. each week. Let's go...)

The Mets were well represented at the Mid-Summer Classic in Pittsburgh having four players voted to start and could have had a pitcher starting too, if Tom Glavine had not just pitched on Sunday and Pedro Martinez on the disabled list.

In the Home Run Derby on Monday night, David Wright became the first Met since 1993 (Bobby Bonilla) to participate. And the 23-year-old did not disappoint smacking 16 homers in the first round, the third most in Derby history. He slowed down due to fatigue in the second round with only a pair. In the final versus Philadelphia's Ryan Howard, Wright led off with four. Howard hit five including the winning shot off the Mastercard 50,000 flights sign in right field. Time will tell if he becomes the second Phillie in as many years that sees a major dropoff in production after winning the Derby.

On Tuesday in the actual game itself, David Wright, Paul LoDuca and Carlos Beltran made starts. Jose Reyes couldn't take his shortstop spot because of the injured wrist he suffered sliping headfirst into first just days before. Hopefully that's a lesson learned. In the second, Wright hit a game tying homerun. Beltran put the National League ahead 2-1 after stealing third and eventually taking home on a passed ball. Despite the leading heading to the ninth, the Padres' Trevor Hoffman blew the save and the AL won their ninth consecutive game giving them home field advantage in the World Series.

The Mets took two of three from the Cubs this past weekend at Wrigley. On Sunday they set a franchise record after scoring 11 runs in the sixth inning. The offensive explosion included grand slams from Cliff Floyd, who promised the team he would have a much better second half and Carlos Beltran. Wright added a two run shot in the inning. NYM won 13-5.

When's Pedro Coming Back?
After dealing with sore ribs a couple weeks ago, the Mets' righthander was put on the DL before the All-Star break, he had to miss his chance at starting the game. Now after a bout of food poisoning last week, Martinez threw yesterday in Chicago. He is still expected to have a couple more bullpen sessions and a simulated game. According to John Delcos of The Journal News he could be starting next Tuesday against the Cubs.

Jose Reyes is expected to make his return Tuesday night versus the Reds.

BASE HITS
- On Wednesday night after the All-Star game, David Wright appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. The interview can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANFcm10KhU

- At the ESPY's, Wright was nominated for Best Play for his barehanded over the shoulder catch at San Diego last season, but lost out to football player Tyrone Prothro of the University of Alabama.

- According to Baseball Prospectus, the Mets have a 98.5% of making the playoffs - the highest among any team in baseball.

ON DECK
- Three game series at Cincinatti starting Tuesday night. Thursday's game starts at 12:35 PM ET.
- Back to Shea for a weekend set against the Astros. Saturday is a nationally televised game on FOX. Roger Clemens is the probable pitcher for Sunday's game.

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

Mets Looking Good for 06

The New York Mets' off-season gave a boost to the club's mentality. The team is building toward an eventual division win. Omar Minaya has shown he is willing and able to make the Mets a winning team again.

Bringing in Carlos Delgado earns New York my first congratulations. With 33 homers and 115 RBI last year, Carlos is a monster. If he can pull those same numbers in Shea stadium this year, people will love him. He is a power hitter and a decent first-baseman. The Mets had some terrible heartaches at first base but they turned a negative into a positive. Hopefully his health won't be an issue -- neither his elbow nor his kidneys.

The Mets also deserve congrats for getting Billy Wagner. Wagner has a fastball like no other pitcher in baseball and will singlehandedly save games that would have been lost a year ago. Now the Mets have a strong bullpen. Gosh, that sounds awfully weird, but with the acquisition of Wagner, it's now true! I am also glad that Braden Looper is out the door.

The Mets filled Mike Piazza's former catcher spot without trouble. I was not ready to see Ramon Castro playing catcher. They brought in veteran righty Paul LoDuca to do the job. Yeah, he won't hit for power, but he is very good at playing the position. There shouldn't be any trouble throwing the runners out now.

Now let's talk about the guys that have been here, done that. Guys like Jose Reyes and Cliff Floyd are in for a big year now that the Mets have filled all of those holes (except for second base where Kaz Matsui still stands, having no idea what to do.) I really don't like him and I want him off the team. He has not shown any talent in New York and that's not what the Mets need.

David Wright is the next big thing on this club. He has so much potential, with 27 homers and 102 RBI last year. I would seriously like to see a 40-homerun season out of this kid and I wouldn't be surprised if he did it. He could make a case for MVP. That's the kind of player he is.

This off-season, the Mets were able to fill those spots that weakened them during the 2005 season. That's to be admired. Now, let's all sit back and relax while spring training rolls on. Mets fans should get ready to actually enjoy this season!

Cameron's Creative Accounting

When you talk about misleading numbers it's Mike Cameron's name who comes to my mind. We all know Mike Cameron. The other player in the Ken Griffey Jr. trade. The same man who hit 4 homers in one game in Chicago. The same man who allegedly told Omar Minaya he would move to RF if the Mets signed Carlos Beltran only to then make a fuss about it. The same man who was lousy in centerfield for the Mets last year. That's when I first heard the comments about how misleading his numbers are especially his Home Runs.

Now last year was not a good one for the Mets. Aside from that one-month stretch in late June/early July when the Mets were playing good ball, they always seemed to be losing games so any homer or rbi would be welcomed. But after watching closely this year (and I have probably watched 75% of Mets games this year) I realize how misleading Cameron's numbers really are.

I have told a couple of other Mets fans about this and they say that I just have it in for Mike Cameron. Well I was in Florida for a week. I was able to catch a Monday night Mets/Braves game on TBS. The other two were not televised in Florida. I saw all 4 Mets/Marlins games including seeing Pedro beat the Marlins in person. I also saw the last 2 subway series games on TV. It's amazing. Against the Braves Monday night with the Mets down 4-1, Cameron hits a solo home run in the third inning. Then later in the game with the score 7-5 Braves, here comes Cameron striding to the plate. He's 3 for 3 and it's the bottom of the eight with runners on first and second. A double ties the game. The Braves announcer says Cameron has been on fire since he cam off the DL. Sure he's still batting over .360 with 90 at-bats under his belt. What does Cameron do? He strkes out.

Now Cameron was batting second, so you can say he's supposed to get on base which he has been doing. But he's still considered an RBI man. Let's fast-foward to the following Sunday. Tom Glavine is battling the Marlins escaping jam after jam. The Mets take a 2-1 lead into the 7th inning. The pen explodes and the Marlins now carry a 6-2 lead to the top of the 8th with Mota now pitching. The Marlins are trying to salvage one game of the 4-game set. Here comes Mike Cameron to the plate with runners on first and second and one out. The score is 6-2. Earlier in the game in the first inning Cameron — who is batting third this day — hits a 2-out double with nobody on. What does he do in the 8th inning? He strikes out. In all 23 strikeouts in 90 at-bats. Just look at his numbers.

Cameron has 11 rbi's. He's batting .367. This man has 33 hits and half are for extra bases. In fact in his last 7 games the only RBI's Cameron has is 3. That was in a game the Mets won 12-4. There have been many games where Cameron gets hits with nobody on or he drive in runs with the Mets either up big or down big.

The most telling stat about Cameron is his .222 batting average with runners in scoring position. In all 4-19 with 1 homer and 6 rbi's and 9 strikeouts. In comparison to other Mets like Cliff Floyd and David Wright both over .270 and Carlos Beltran who is over .330. Now Cameron probably won't get traded as long as the Mets are within striking distance in the division.

I'm a huge Mets fan and I don't dislike Cameron. But for 2 years now he never seems to drive in runs in big late inning spots — just watch the Mets games and you can see for yourself. This is just one case where numbers are very misleading. Cameron has great roto value right now. From the outside looking in you would never know the real truth. Mike Cameron is not as productive as his numbers indicate. The Mets need Cameron to play big if they want to win this year.

Welcome Back Omar

All season long, Mets owner Fred Wilpon has insisted that Jim Duquette has enjoyed autonomy in making all decisions regarding baseball. Well, today, in hiring Omar Minaya as the new Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, those new duties will, on paper anyway, reside with Minaya. Duquette has agreed to step down to the position of Senior Vice President of baseball operations and answer directly to Minaya. Speaking as a Met fan, I hope this is the case.

Duquette worked as an assistant under Minaya when Steve Phillips was the Mets GM, so the men already have a working relationship. The fact that Duquette didn�t leave with this announcement says good things about their relationship. Unlike the Yankees, where Supreme Commander General George Steinbrenner makes all the final decisions, the Mets have been criticized for using a committee to make their decisions. Some have argued, and I�m one, that Wilpon's son, Jeff, who is the Mets' Chief Operating Officer, has way too much say over baseball decisions.

Minaya was offered the same job last year but turned it down because he would have had to share authority with Duquette. Lets hope he doesn�t now have to share baseball decisions with the Wilpons.

New York Daily News

New York Post

Hispanic heritage awards Foundation

Cross your Fingers

Today the unthinkable can happen. Dare we say it?

The second place New York Mets can sweep the Yankees. Since the inception of inter-league play in 1997, the Mets have never swept a series from the Yankees. The Yankees hold a 26-15 lead in the Subway Series match up. The Yankees also seem to have the edge with best starter, Javier V�zquez going against the Mets Jae Weong Seo.

So Mets fans, although the odds seem against us, a sweep would be sweet and bolster their confidence heading into the second half of the season.

Mets Matsui

Maybe the Mets have the right Matsui after all.

Kaz Matsui went 3 for 4 Saturday scoring four runs including the winner in the bottom of the ninth to cap another strong performance and reinforce his claim as the dominant Matsui in New York.

For the second consecutive game, Matsui bested the Bronx Bombers Hideki Matsui. And the more time he spends looking at MLB pitchers, the more likely he is to live up to the statistics he had with the Seibu Lions of batting .305 with 33 home runs.

It�s always a joy when the Mets beat the Yankees. But when they do on National Television for two Saturdays in a row, well that just Amazin�.

Mets Rule!

The Yankees looked like they were still celebrating their three-game sweep of the Red Sox, when the Mets mowed them down at Shea stadium to even the Subway Series at two games apiece. The Mets were led by a 5 RBI performance from their own Matsui, Kaz Matsui, in what was his best game of the year both hitting and fielding. Derek Jeter, apparently working on getting rid of his �pretty boy� image by adding to his black eye and bandaged chin, dove headfirst into second base on a successful steal. But that was not enough to spark the Yankees as the Mets beat the Yankees 11-2, in a series in which blow outs seem to be the norm.

Feels so good!

When the Yankees had the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning, Yankee fans were undoubtedly thinking this would be a wonderful Saturday at the ballpark. But Mets starter Al Leiter, (3-2,) who won against a team he called �the mighty Yankees,� held tight.

Leiter struck out Yankee hulk Jason Giambi and forced Jorge Posada to weakly ground out, ending the inning and propelling the Mets to go on to beat the bombers and the Bronx's rookie pitcher Brad Halsey. Read it and weep: 9 �3. The pricey Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-5 and stranded seven runners, five of them on second or third and is hitting .211 against the Mets for his career. According to an AP wrap-up on ESPN, Rodriguez is hitting .197 (13-for-66 with runners in scoring position, including .086 (3-for-35) with two outs. Wow!

The subway ride continues today in a double hedder. The Yanks may face another mugging in the house that George wrecked. Let's go Mets!

Tom Tom Club

In the 43-year history of the New York Mets no Met pitcher has ever thrown a no-hitter. Think about that. Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, Nolan Ryan, David Cone never accomplished the feat while wearing Met blue and orange. However, they all went on to pitch one after leaving the Mets. Ryan pitched seven and Cone�s was a perfect game in 1999. Now Tom Glavine can be added to the list. Glavine gave up only one hit in the eighth inning Sunday in his 4-0 win over the Colorado Rockies.

Maybe Glavine can start a new club with Tom Seaver, who made close no-hitter bids routine with the Mets having lost no-hit bids three times in the ninth inning alone.

Is there a no-hitter curse on the New York Mets pitching staff? And if so, who would have done such a thing? Casey Stengel?

Mets Lead Yanks!

The Mets are better than the Yankees, at least for today.

With their .571 winning percentage to the Yankees average .500, the Mets used their home opener to make their statement that they are New York�s best team. Even without Mike Piazza, sore right elbow, and Cliff Floyd, on the DL for strained right quadriceps, they beat the Braves 10-6 at Shea.

Let's go Mets!

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