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Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy MD Jan 02 2012 08:50 PM

The 2011 thread can be found here. If retired, it can be found among threads begun in January of 2011. We open our news with a report that Rick Peterson is expected to be hired by the Orioles as an "organizational pitching guru." I could be a guru. Where do I apply for a guru job? Also notable is the hiring of former Met associate trainer guy Chris Correnti --- massage therapist for Pedro Martinez and rehab supervisor for Johan Santana.

Edgy MD Jan 05 2012 06:42 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Mike Jacobs signs with the Diamondbacks despite having the old 50-game suspension to deal with.

Edgy MD Jan 11 2012 02:33 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Heilman returns to Seattle. Emaus traded to Boston.

Edgy MD Jan 12 2012 06:28 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Melvin Mora denies he's retired, and so returns to this thread.

G-Fafif Jan 12 2012 06:30 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Melvin Mora denies he's retired, and so returns to this thread.

Chad Ochoseis Jan 12 2012 07:22 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Roadtripping to DC to see a Mets-Nationals game in 2012? Stop off in Wilmington and say hi to Vance Wilson, manager of the Blue Rocks.

G-Fafif Jan 12 2012 08:30 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

It slipped in under the radar (on the off chance that any radar is directed at news like this), but approximately six weeks ago, Luis Hernandez signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, meaning that one of the multitude of second basemen who couldn't beat Chin-lung Hu and Brad Emaus out of an Opening Day roster spot in 2011 had his last official Met act the hitting of a home run with a broken foot. So it takes a while to confirm, but the man went out on a high note.

Edgy MD Jan 12 2012 11:05 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Big freak Jon Holdzkom --- author of exactly 10 innings since 2008 --- resurfacing with Cinncinati.

attgig Jan 13 2012 08:47 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Argenis Reyes joins fellow ex-met Chin Lung Hu in the Cleveland organization, where they also recently picked up non-ex met Lebron.... Willy Lebron that is...

Vic Sage Jan 19 2012 10:25 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Bruce Chen is KC's pitcher of the year.

Edgy MD Jan 25 2012 01:50 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Life goes on for Ken Oberkfell in Newark, where he will join the Bears' staff.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 25 2012 01:52 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Carlos Beltran wants us to "get over it."

attgig Jan 25 2012 02:48 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Carlos Beltran wants us to "get over it." I'm assuming you're paraphrasing this? Question: For some Mets fans, seeing you in a Cardinals uniform might be weird. For a player, is that weird or is just about having the best opportunity now. Carlos Beltran: Actually, I’m not thinking about the fans. I’m thinking about myself. I’m thinking about my chances of being with the team that, like I said, has the opportunity to be in the playoffs. What happened in 2006, you have to turn the page. That’s over. We can’t bring 2006 back. It has already been six years. If they want to continue to think about that moment, then that’s their problem. Like I said, I have turned the page. I have really moved on and I feel being with the Cardinals this year was a good fit for me.”

Edgy MD Jan 25 2012 07:53 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Yeah, that's being paraphrased as "get over it" all over the place.

Edgy MD Jan 26 2012 08:28 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

The Indians, gobbling up one-time Met properties left and right, sign minor league deals with Dan Wheeler and Jose de la Torre, who somehow never got far enough to make a memory despite a few solid years at the top of the Mets' system. More than solid, even. They join Joe Smith in Cleveland's camp. I guess that could count as "left and right."

Benjamin Grimm Jan 27 2012 06:53 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Maine signs a minor league contract with Boston.

Edgy MD Jan 30 2012 08:24 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ken Oberkfell's Escogido team wins the Dominican championship.

G-Fafif Jan 31 2012 04:12 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jeff Keppinger a Ray, Livan Hernandez a minor Astro.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 02 2012 08:33 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Al Leiter's photo appears in Snooze graphic today detailing Mitt Romney's (lack of) celebrity contributors.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 06 2012 07:46 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Matt Lindstrom, along with Jason Hamel, traded to the O's for Jeremy Guthrie. I kinda liked Guthrie but he really struggled lately. I had no idea Lindstrom was a Rockie.

G-Fafif Feb 06 2012 12:47 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Alex Cora signed to minor league contract with Cardinals, perhaps to provide the sorely missing leadership that benighted franchise needs to repeat as world champions.

attgig Feb 07 2012 12:22 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

mlb.com celebrates Endy's birthday with a video of...wait for it... the catch happy 34th birthday. and yes, it's not necessarily anything different for him but... it just got me a little teary eyed seeing that again.

G-Fafif Feb 09 2012 02:49 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Why, yes, Bill Pulsipher is the pitching coach of the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Brings a wealth of experience, too.

G-Fafif Feb 10 2012 12:54 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Luis Ayala joins the cast of the Baltimore Orioles.

G-Fafif Feb 21 2012 02:05 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Mookie Wilson to rove and instruct in 2012.

Edgy MD Feb 21 2012 02:33 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Great role. He can go from minor league town to town in one of his semi rigs. Will he be in big-league camp? (ESPN be blocked at work.)

G-Fafif Feb 23 2012 07:38 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jason Isringhausen, on the side of the Angels. [youtube]Oq1nAQOQaSU[/youtube]

attgig Feb 28 2012 02:05 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Gary Sheffield is now an agent, currently representing two clients: Recently signed righty Josh Banks and Pirates reliever Jason Grilli: [url]http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/orioles-sign-josh-banks.html good for him.

metsmarathon Feb 28 2012 02:06 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

didn't he screw up his own contract when negotiating it with the yanks way back when?

Frayed Knot Feb 28 2012 02:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

metsmarathon wrote: didn't he screw up his own contract when negotiating it with the yanks way back when? Yup! He fired his agent (Boras I think) in order to deal "one on one" with his Tampa Bay homie Steinbrenner. Turned out he was later unhappy about the price he negotiated and the absence of a no-trade deal IIRC. Kind of proves the old line about the man representing himself having a fool for a client.

Frayed Knot Feb 29 2012 04:50 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

No real news on Terrence Long today, except to take this opportunity to point out that he is one of only 11 ML-ers ever, the last ML-er to date, plus the only Met (all of 3 ABs) to be a Leap Baby. T.L. turns 36 today ... or 9 depending on how you want to look at it.

Edgy MD Feb 29 2012 06:40 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Strange how Long turned in his spikes at 30. Crappy year, but he could have squeezed a few more dollars out of his career, trying to catch on here and there as a reserve outfielder.

metirish Mar 01 2012 11:42 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Inside Beltran's LI home, up for sale if you can spare a few shillings http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ ... -1.3568175

metirish Mar 07 2012 08:16 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Frank DeFord with a nice piece about Valentine. http://www.npr.org/2012/03/07/147962750 ... ersonality

bmfc1 Mar 09 2012 10:54 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ex-Met Gone Bad: John Shea BREAKING NEWS: #Athletics OF Jason Pridie suspended 50 games, violating minor-league drug program. Agent Matt Sosnick not returning calls.

metirish Mar 09 2012 05:43 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

bmfc1 wrote: Ex-Met Gone Bad: John Shea BREAKING NEWS: #Athletics OF Jason Pridie suspended 50 games, violating minor-league drug program. Agent Matt Sosnick not returning calls. Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Athletics minor leaguer Jason Pridie faces a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy, a person with knowledge of the situation said Friday. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because details had not been made public, said Friday that the 28-year-old Pridie's infraction was for a drug of abuse rather than a performance-enhancing drug. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Pridie's violation. pot head?, coke head?

Frayed Knot Mar 09 2012 07:58 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I just figured he needed steroids in order to keep up with that chick of his.

G-Fafif Mar 16 2012 10:16 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

From Japan: Lastings Milledge doesn't like the food (though he might be known as a food product himself). Chris Carter and his balky knee enjoy the supportive atmosphere. And more than forty former Mets have preceded them as gaijin over there.

Edgy MD Mar 16 2012 10:24 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I guess it's two more counting Bobby Valentine and Terry Collins. That's great work. We could add to it with a roster of ex-Mets who've played in Korea and/or China.

G-Fafif Mar 16 2012 10:45 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ex-Met players who went on to play in Japan (partial through 2011; Chris Carter and Lastings Milledge slated to play in Japan in 2012): Benny Agbayani Chris Aguila Edgardo Alfonzo George Altman Mike Birkbeck Bruce Boisclair Craig Brazell Brian Buchanan Mark Carreon Chris Donnels Matt Franco Mike Fyhrie Wayne Garrett Shawn Gilbert Dicky Gonzalez Ike Hampton Jason Hardtke Mike Hessman Eric Hillman Darrin Jackson Jason Jacome Mike Kinkade Luis Lopez Bob MacDonald Barry Manuel Jim Marshall Mike Marshall (1B) Felix Millan Kevin Mitchell C.J. Nitkowski Jon Nunnally Alex Ochoa Tom O'Malley Andy Phillips Gary Rajsich Jerrod Riggan Don Schulze Shane Spencer Ryan Thompson Kelvin Torve Eric Valent Pete Walker Dave West Don Zimmer

Edgy MD Mar 29 2012 09:49 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Chin-lung Hu supposedly out of Phillies camp after failing a phys.

Ceetar Mar 29 2012 09:52 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Evans and Igarashi released by the Pirates. so expect the Phillies to pick them up?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 29 2012 09:58 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

They weren;t released but reassigned to minors. I suppose there'd be a chance that both could make this Mets squad.

Ceetar Mar 29 2012 11:20 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: They weren;t released but reassigned to minors. I suppose there'd be a chance that both could make this Mets squad. Bah, that's what I get for regurgitating idiots.

Edgy MD Mar 29 2012 11:24 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

That sounds disgusting.

G-Fafif Mar 31 2012 11:50 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Izzy makes the Angels. Which sounds like a Disney working title.

Frayed Knot Mar 31 2012 02:02 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Igarashi dealt to the Blue Jays for cash

Frayed Knot Apr 12 2012 06:39 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Heilman returns to Seattle. In more recent transactions: April 1 - Released by Seattle April 4 - Signed by Texas Is currently 3 appearances and 3 innings (and 7 base-runners, 1 HR, and 2 earned runs) into his stint with AAA Round Rock

G-Fafif May 07 2012 03:36 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Guillermo Mota's continuing career interrupted for a second PED suspension of 100 games.

G-Fafif May 25 2012 10:44 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Maine puts the "M" in MFY.

Edgy MD May 29 2012 01:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

And Ryota Igarashi joins Maine. Luis Castillo's agent has to be on the phone to Cashman.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 29 2012 08:38 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

This could be hilarious, or-- given the orange-and-blue propensity for whiffing this year-- hilariously awful, come a week and a half from now.

TransMonk May 30 2012 09:18 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Hi! Remember me? 10 GS, 63 IP, 42 H, 15 ER, 21 BB, 58 K, 7 Wins, 1 Loss, 1.00 WHIP, .190 BAA, 2.14 ERA Dang!

Vic Sage May 30 2012 11:39 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I like Capuano. When he's healthy (which has been rarely), he helps a staff. Not THIS much, usually, and he'll come back to the pack a bit, i'm sure (fun with sample sizes!), but its not a total shock either, especially in the pitching-friendly expanse of Chavez Ravine.

batmagadanleadoff May 30 2012 11:53 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Vic Sage wrote: I like Capuano. When he's healthy (which has been rarely), he helps a staff. Not THIS much, usually, and he'll come back to the pack a bit, i'm sure (fun with sample sizes!), but its not a total shock either, especially in the pitching-friendly expanse of Chavez Ravine. Like Citi Field 2011 wasn't pitching friendly either. By the way, ESPN's Cy Predictor sez that Capuano wins the NL Cy Young Award if the season ends today.

Vic Sage May 30 2012 12:14 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

yeah, Citi is pitcher-friendly, and he didn't do too badly there either, considering it was his first full season after numerous injuries and surgeries that cost him part of 2007, all of 2008 & 2009, and part of 2010.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 30 2012 12:16 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

F Capuano. I suspect he'll be back to the pack soon enough, giving his usual 5 and two-thirds.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 30 2012 12:19 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

He's also getting FAR better outfield defense, it seems-- depending on which metric you use, the Dodgers have either the best or second-best OF in baseball (in terms of runs saved), where last year's Mets were dead last in baseball.

Vic Sage May 30 2012 12:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

he's also pitching to a BABIP about 100 points lower, which supports my notion that he (1) pitched better than his overall numbers showed last year, and was subject to bad luck and limited defensive support, and (2) he'll likely revert to form at some point, because his current BABIP is likely unsustainable. But his "form" isn't at all bad, if healthy, and if he's backed by good defense, he can help a team win.

G-Fafif May 30 2012 11:02 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Lastings Milledge in Japan: [url]http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/in-japan-milledge-continues-to-underwhelm/]Tough to Swallows. Through Tuesday, he was batting .240 with 6 home runs and 17 runs batted in, hardly the power surge the Swallows had hoped for. On Sunday night, he went 0-3 in a 4-1 loss. His highlights included an inning-ending double play, a fly ball to the warning track and getting hit by a pitch.

Benjamin Grimm May 31 2012 04:02 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

So, basically he's Jason Bay?

TransMonk May 31 2012 07:42 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Underwhelming based on expectations, ex-Pirate, same Mets number...

Met Hunter Jun 17 2012 08:43 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ollie P. makes it back as a member of the M's.

Edgy MD Jun 17 2012 08:31 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I want to stand and clap. Misty tear in my eye. Go, OP.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 19 2012 09:17 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Bobby Ojeda is going to be on NPR's Fresh Air this afternoon. Apparently he wrote a book about how much his arm hurts? (At least, that's what it sounded like from the on-air promo.)

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 19 2012 09:32 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

He wrote a lengthy article in the NY Times magazine about his career, during which his arm hurt often. It was pretty eye-opening and none too glamorous.

metirish Jun 19 2012 09:36 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Yeah, it was an excellent read http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/sport ... wanted=all

Vic Sage Jun 20 2012 09:14 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I had conflated in my memory the accident that cut off the tips of his fingers with the boating accident; i was surprised to read and be reminded that they were in fact separate incidents. Memory is such an odd creature, squirming in the shadowy recesses of your mind.

MFS62 Jun 20 2012 09:19 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports: Scott Kazmir is expected to sign with the independent Sugarland Skeeters later this week, Kazmir, a former prized arm, has just about hit rock bottom. The 28-year-old failed to garner so much as a minor league contract over the winter, forcing him to move back to his native Texas and resume his career in obscurity. The former Mets farmhand and Rays stalwart has a 5.54 ERA over 55 major league starts dating back to the 2009 season. If you want to see him play, that team is in the same league (Atlantic) as the Bridgeport Bluefish and the LI Ducks. Later

Benjamin Grimm Jun 20 2012 09:26 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

That Victor Zambrano trade didn't turn out to be nearly as horrible as it first seemed. (Even in retrospect, though, it was ill-advised.)

Met Hunter Jun 20 2012 10:09 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I've always felt the Kazmir trade was more about what we could have gotten.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 11:00 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Yup, and just the whole hubris of it. The Mets really misread where they were and what they needed to compete. It was just a dumb day all around.

SteveJRogers Jun 20 2012 11:34 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

It also provided one of the most funniest examples of a media member pulling a hamstring as he backpedled off of his original stance. A sports show host as the deal was going down was all gun ho about both deals the Friday that they were going down with the attitude of "I don't know Kazmir, I don't know Peterson, I do know Benson and I do know Zambrano [yes he was talking about Victor, not Carlos], so these were smart deals." Mets get swept by the Braves that weekend, including Kris Benson's Met debut, opinion across the board was pretty much that the Mets had completely mis-read their chances and should have gotten more for Kazmir if they were going to trade him, and he opens his Monday show declaring the season over and the Mets should start looking to trade off veterans in waiver wire deals.

Ceetar Jun 20 2012 11:53 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

and apparently Zambrano was actually hurt the entire time right? In the end Peterson was right about Kazmir's long term viability, but he did get some good years in and it would've been nice to have him in '06-'08. It's funny, because that was the first year the Mets had a stats guy, so you'd think they wouldn't have been as high on Zambrano who was a low-K high-BB guy. They seemed to like the win % on a bad team instead. He was an innings type guy, but those aren't the guys that put you over the top in pennant races.

themetfairy Jun 20 2012 11:56 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ceetar wrote: and apparently Zambrano was actually hurt the entire time right? IIRC, Jim Duquette relied on Tampa's medical assessment rather than having him checked out independently.

Frayed Knot Jun 20 2012 12:13 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ceetar wrote: In the end Peterson was right about Kazmir's long term viability, but he did get some good years in and it would've been nice to have him in '06-'08. Peterson never said a word - at least not that has become public knowledge - about Kazmir and his long term viability. The only way Peterson was ever tied to that deal (despite repeated attempts by Joe Badabingo to act as if Rick himself was solely responsible) was to say that he didn't think someone with that slim a minor league track record was nearly ready to contribute at that point in the majors. Met mgmt, mainly the "wise old men" that the Wilpons installed to watch over Duquette's shoulder, wanted someone who could contribute NOW!!! hence the trades. Peterson never predicted future injuries for Kaz and claimed to have only seen him throw once or twice since he was mainly assigned to the minor league camps during ST. Besides, we all know it was Al Leiter who ordered the deal since he was pissed at Kazmir for changing radio stations in the clubhouse. It's funny, because that was the first year the Mets had a stats guy, so you'd think they wouldn't have been as high on Zambrano who was a low-K high-BB guy. They seemed to like the win % on a bad team instead. He was an innings type guy, but those aren't the guys that put you over the top in pennant races. Once of the 'Wise Ol Men' (Livesay maybe) was reportedly in love with Zambrano from way back and apparently never altered his opinion despite a mediocre at best track record in the majors.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 20 2012 12:44 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I was terrified that the Mets had jumped the shark (I mean, they already had but we'd know soon how badly) but I desperately tried making sense of those deals at the time. For a short while my fantasy - not all that farfetched - was that Zambrano was a kind of 1973 Nolan Ryan, a young veteran with rocky track record, poised to unleash asskickings everywhere and make people's jaws drop. Despite better pedigree Benson I was never all that excited about but he at least came at the smaller cost of a bad-fielding third baseman who'd just lost his job forever.

metirish Jun 20 2012 12:54 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I have a vague memory of Peterson saying that Kazmir's mechanics were an elbow injury waiting to happen..........this may have been said a few years later though. I have always felt bad for Peterson in that whole saga, I thought he was a good pitching coach and seemed like a good guy.....

Ceetar Jun 20 2012 01:30 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

metirish wrote: I have a vague memory of Peterson saying that Kazmir's mechanics were an elbow injury waiting to happen..........this may have been said a few years later though. I have always felt bad for Peterson in that whole saga, I thought he was a good pitching coach and seemed like a good guy..... yeah, that's the thing I was remembering, somewhere. It wouldn't be out of line with Peterson to think/say that privately though either, being a guy that was all about studying mechanics and risky deliveries. I was ready for Peterson to go, but I think we underappreciated him, particularly (And this could certainly be unrelated too) the way he seemed to get the most out of John Maine and Oliver Perez. I suspect mechanics had stuff to do with that too. I wonder if anyone's asked Peterson about Maine since, although it's not like he's studying Maine day in and day out to truly comment.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2012 01:46 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Peterson did more than see Kazmir. He took him, among others, down to James Andrews health center to undergo one of those telemetric evaluations. He certainly had the biomechanical data on the guy. What he did with it, and how much it scared the Mets is certainly open to debate.

Frayed Knot Jun 20 2012 02:50 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

metirish wrote: I have a vague memory of Peterson saying that Kazmir's mechanics were an elbow injury waiting to happen..........this may have been said a few years later though. I think it was commonly said that Peterson said that, but that's different from him actually saying that. And, yes, Kazmir was part of a whole contingent of NYM pitchers who were tested in Andrews bio-mechanics lab or whatever it was called. I recall Peterson saying (well after the fact) that no red flags were raised at that time and that he rarely if ever saw Kaz pitch after that. Of course, if red flags were raised it wouldn't be the sort of thing a team would announce. And, again, Peterson was the major league pitching coach at the time while Kazmir was mostly in A-ball. Peterson's main complaint, or suggestion if you will, was that very few pitchers had succeeded in the majors without at least 500 minor league innings and certainly not those from out of high school. Kazmir had around 200 minor league innings under his belt and just 4 starts above A-ball at the time of the trade. Whether his promotion by Tampa at age 20 and after just an additional 25 or so innings of minor league ball contributed to him not reaching his hoped-for potential and, in effect, being done as a useful pitcher by the age of 25 is conjecture, although I think most would agree that the track he was put on pretty neatly fits the description of being rushed unnecessarily. The Rays certainly weren't going anywhere in a hurry in 2004.

duan Jun 20 2012 05:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Despite better pedigree Benson I was never all that excited about but he at least came at the smaller cost of a bad-fielding third baseman who'd just lost his job forever. lets not forget that he did technically cost Jose Bautista.

Edgy MD Jun 25 2012 02:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Tobi Stoner, after falling to 1-8 with the Bridgeport Bluefish, finds himself cut loose like a deuce from the Atlantic League. That's a tough pill to swallow.

G-Fafif Jun 26 2012 03:22 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Deja June all over again: Just like 13 years ago this month, Bob Apodaca takes the fall, this time for the Rockies' woes.

Swan Swan H Jun 29 2012 12:46 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Andy McCullough reporting that Chris "Suitcase" Schwinden, waived by the Indians to make room for Vinny Rottino, has been claimed by the Yankees.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 29 2012 12:50 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Swan Swan H wrote: Andy McCullough reporting that Chris "Suitcase" Schwinden, waived by the Indians to make room for Vinny Rottino, has been claimed by the Yankees. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Edgy MD Jun 29 2012 01:02 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Wow! Sorry, John Maine.

seawolf17 Jun 29 2012 01:26 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Maine, Schwinden, Figueroa, Igarashi. LOLOLOLOLOL indeed.

Frayed Knot Jun 29 2012 03:04 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Igarashi was one of those just re-called to fill holes left by the double-LHP-DL-ing. Wonder if he'll get a start?

Met Hunter Jun 29 2012 03:49 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

A little 2000 Mets reunion feel this weekend. Ventura and Super Joe in with the ChiSox. Rickey at Old Timers Day. Out east, the LI Ducks bring Armando back in and are reportedly signing old friend Timo Perez.

DocTee Jun 29 2012 09:31 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Cris Carter recalled from Sacramento...batting seventh and starting at 1B for Oakland tonight. "I know what's expected, I have no excuses."

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 30 2012 01:52 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

DocTee wrote: Cris Carter recalled from Sacramento...batting seventh and starting at 1B for Oakland tonight. "I know what's expected, I have no excuses." That's the former A's uberprospect, not our guy.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 30 2012 05:40 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Frayed Knot wrote: Igarashi was one of those just re-called to fill holes left by the double-LHP-DL-ing. Wonder if he'll get a start? MFYs already sent him back. They are gonna be forced to go to Plan Schwinny soon.

Met Hunter Jun 30 2012 06:18 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Short timer Michael O'Connor is teamed up with that group of stiffs in Scranton, as well as catcher Gus (No, not one of those) Molina.

themetfairy Jun 30 2012 04:38 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I just flipped to the Pawtucket Red Sox/Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game, and discovered Pat Misch pitching for the Iron Pigs. OE - A beardless Jason Pridie started out the game in the field for the Iron Pigs but has apparently left the game. Unconfirmed reports are that the Phillies traded Jim Thome to the Orioles, and that the Phillies have called Pridie up to the bigs.

Edgy MD Jul 12 2012 10:23 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

"Hii, I'm Karim Garcia! You may remember me from such films of My Enemy, Pedro and Squirting in the Parking Lot!. Today I'm here to tell you about me hitting .346 / .392 / .607 // 1.001 for Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. ¡Olé!"

G-Fafif Jul 27 2012 11:55 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Braves signing Miguel Batista, per David Lennon.

Edgy MD Jul 29 2012 08:34 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ollie Perez getting the job done, more or less, but doing markedly better against righties (in his 13 2/3 inning sample).

G-Fafif Jul 30 2012 05:39 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jose Reyes, the Marlins' No. 3 hitter since the departure of Hanley Ramirez, is riding a 16-game hitting streak since the All-Star break. In the 70 games that started with the Mets visiting Miami, Jose (who hasn't missed any of them) is batting .293/.354/.452.

batmagadanleadoff Jul 30 2012 08:36 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

It makes a whole lotta sense to bat Reyes third, especially if there's a teammate who gets on base at least as much as Reyes does, but with significantly less power. If Reyes were still a Met, I'd want Reyes to bat third, and the emerging Tejada (2B) to bat leadoff. Manuel tried to bat Reyes third in 2010. It was a brilliant move, I thought -- but poorly executed. Manuel didn't stick with it for more than the handful of games that saw Reyes slump as the three-hole hitter. Too bad.

Edgy MD Jul 30 2012 08:51 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Reyes was also prematurely activated after very little spring training action and only a few minor league games. His weak performance was associated with him being in the three-hole when it was far more likely a product (at least in part) with him not having the rust off yet.

Vic Sage Jul 30 2012 08:54 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

as a met, Reyes showed legit power after his first few years, and though he was of course an elite base stealer, his OB skills remained modest. I thought he was developing into an ideal #3 hitter, but i recall articles where he was unhappy about the prospect of such a change and neither Randolph, Manuel nor Collins had the balls to force the issue.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2012 09:12 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Reyes was also prematurely activated after very little spring training action and only a few minor league games. His weak performance was associated with him being in the three-hole when it was far more likely a product (at least in part) with him not having the rust off yet. It was a political time bomb for Jerry though. It showed how little juice he had.

Ceetar Jul 30 2012 09:15 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ozzie Guillen is clearly the smarter former-White Sox manager to bat Reyes third.

batmagadanleadoff Jul 30 2012 09:37 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Vic Sage wrote: as a met, Reyes showed legit power after his first few years, and though he was of course an elite base stealer, his OB skills remained modest. I thought he was developing into an ideal #3 hitter, but i recall articles where he was unhappy about the prospect of such a change and ... Randolph [didn't have] the balls to force the issue. I know all about Wee Willie's Small Balls, but are you sure it was Willie's balls (or lack therof) that kept Reyes out of the three hole under his watch? I mean, we're talking about the moronic manager whose idea of inspired offense was to put the fastest guy on the team in the leadoff spot and follow him with a crappy-batter-but-not-as-crappy-as-the-eighth-hitter, preferably a crappy second baseman, so that Reyes could be moved up a base on an intentional out. The jackass set offense back by 100 years.

Edgy MD Jul 30 2012 09:43 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

The potential was always there, but I don't think he was ever an ideal three hitter. His first half of last year might well have added productivity from the three hole, but he didn't hit his second homer until June 10. His triples certainly made up for that to a large extent, but I don't think he ever really made it to the fully rounded performer "ideal" suggests.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2012 09:50 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

The point was, or at least mine was, the manager thought hitting him 3rd was a good idea and a combination of the player's stated (or whispered) preferences and a fan/media corps married to the narrative of Reyes as a Leadoff Man didn't let it happen for better or worse.

Edgy MD Jul 30 2012 10:01 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I'm agreed with that understanding. The plan was meant as a temporary measure in the absence of Carlos Beltran, as Tim Raines did time in the three hole in the eighties when his team didn't have better options. I'm just disputing "ideal," as opposed to "best available."

batmagadanleadoff Jul 30 2012 10:16 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy DC wrote: The potential was always there, but I don't think he was ever an ideal three hitter. His first half of last year might well have added productivity from the three hole, but he didn't hit his second homer until June 10. His triples certainly made up for that to a large extent, but I don't think he ever really made it to the fully rounded performer "ideal" suggests. Good point. But if not three, then two. Especially with teammates like Wright and Ike. The main idea is that it's more productive to bat Reyes behind of, rather than ahead of a guy like Tejada.

Ceetar Jul 30 2012 10:21 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

back in '08 and '09 when Luis Castillo was out-OBP'ing Reyes as a singles hitter, it always seemed to me that it'd make more sense to let him get his walks leading off and then have Reyes be able to drive him to third/in. Castillo was still above average speed wise, swiped some bags, could go first-third and more often than not allow Reyes to steal (or double steal) if that was the play.

Edgy MD Jul 30 2012 10:25 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Edgy DC wrote: The potential was always there, but I don't think he was ever an ideal three hitter. His first half of last year might well have added productivity from the three hole, but he didn't hit his second homer until June 10. His triples certainly made up for that to a large extent, but I don't think he ever really made it to the fully rounded performer "ideal" suggests. Good point. But if not three, then two. Especially with teammates like Wright and Ike. The main idea is that it's more productive to bat Reyes behind of, rather than ahead of a guy like Tejada. Tejada followed by Reyes in 2011 would have given me untold delight.

Vic Sage Jul 30 2012 10:34 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

the guy produced double digit HRs, 2bs, and 3Bs for three straight years, while maintaining a good but not great OB% of around .350. I will concede that that may not be "IDEAL" #3 hitter, but it would have best utilized his talents to have him bat behind somebody other than the pitcher.

Frayed Knot Jul 30 2012 12:13 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ceetar wrote: back in '08 and '09 when Luis Castillo was out-OBP'ing Reyes as a singles hitter, it always seemed to me that it'd make more sense to let him get his walks leading off and then have Reyes be able to drive him to third/in. Castillo was still above average speed wise, swiped some bags, could go first-third and more often than not allow Reyes to steal (or double steal) if that was the play. Jerry's answer at the time was always that 'Luis doesn't like hitting leadoff' (I believe he even said that directly to someone here - GWreck? - at ST one spring) - as if that alone was enough to scotch the idea. But even if that weren't sufficient, it all got tangled up with the fact that Reyes obviously did like hitting first, that the team had some skin in the image of Reyes as the 'exciting leadoff guy', and that a large segment of the fans and mediots were mentally wedded (if not physically welded) to the pre-ordained thought that Reyes could only and would only succeed at the top of the order that they were just laying in wait for Jose's first 0-fer-4 so they could pronounce the grand experiment a monumental disaster and demand an immediate return to their idea of normalcy. No one, least of all Jerry, had the stones or the backing to buck all those horses pulling against him even assuming he was ever really committed to it in the first place.

seawolf17 Jul 30 2012 04:55 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Vic Sage wrote: I thought he was developing into an ideal #3 hitter "Let me finish this and then I'm going to come over there and kick your ass."

G-Fafif Jul 31 2012 05:24 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

News from around infields: Orioles starting 2B Omar Quintanilla goes 1-for-2 vs. MFYs, draws two-out walk that instigates crucial two-run, seventh-inning rally in 5-4 Baltimore win. Two more doubles for Marlins No. 3 hitter Jose Reyes, lifting his hitting streak to 17 games (.343/.389/.627) and overall slashes to .277/.344/.419. Giant SS Joaquin Arias 1-for-2, 3B Marco Scutaro 2-for-4 in ten-inning loss to New York Mets. (While SF CF Angel Pagan punches something in the dugout and has to come out of the game because he punched something in the dugout.)

Edgy MD Jul 31 2012 06:43 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Angel getting himself hurt in a war of attrition was quite the gift to his old team. Torres almost paid him back for it.

G-Fafif Aug 01 2012 07:06 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Shortstops of the recent past update cont'd: Quintanilla drives in two in Orioles' life-affirming demolition of MFYs. Reyes hitting streak up to 18.

Edgy MD Aug 02 2012 08:38 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Five-Spot has also had a seven-game streak stopped last night. But he's at .371 / .395 / .543 // .938 in Birdland. Just to reiterate. We set him free to activate Bay.

G-Fafif Aug 02 2012 08:54 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jose up to 19 on a 2-for-4 night. And Arias 1-for-3.

G-Fafif Aug 02 2012 09:24 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jose triples to get his hitting streak up to 20. Arias, Pagan & Scutaro a combined 0-for-7. Albert Chen gives Carlos Beltran a Midwestern neck massage in the current SI. The statue is still there, standing on a patch of yellowing grass outside the St. Louis restaurant formerly known as Pujols 5. But there's no plaque or sign identifying the bronze ballplayer gazing up and pointing to the sky. Once a shrine to a local legend, the establishment is now a generic sports bar, with photos of still-beloved local heroes such as Schoendienst and Brock and Freese lining the walls. Many of the ex-eponym's jerseys, bats and signed baseballs are gone. It's as if Albert Pujols was just another Cardinal. Prince Albert is now an Angel, and the city of St. Louis has moved on. The Cardinals are still winning, the offense is still humming, and every game at Busch Stadium still feels like a college football Saturday. On a recent, sweltering Monday, 40,000 fans squeezed into the stadium dressed in red, and in the eighth inning, when rightfielder Carlos Beltran, the man signed last winter to replace Pujols's bat in the order, swatted a two-run home run against the Dodgers, his 22nd in an MVP-caliber season, it was yet another reminder of how and why St. Louis has gotten past the Pujols divorce. Even in light of the outfielder's July slump, it has been a perfect marriage, Beltran and St. Louis, the Most Underappreciated Player in Baseball and a city famous for its embrace of quiet, humble stars. He is rarely mentioned as one of the game's greats, yet the 35-year-old Beltran-one of eight players in major league history, and the only switch-hitter, with 300 homers and 300 stolen bases-has quietly put together a career that puts him in the Hall of Fame discussion. In Kansas City, where he began his career, Beltran was a dazzling but overlooked talent, his star dimmed by the AL Central cellar, where the Royals have slept for the better part of two decades. When he played with the Mets, from 2005 to '11, his profile rose-though not always for the better. Even though he put together two of the best seasons in franchise history and ranks in the Mets' top six alltime in home runs, OPS and RBIs, he became a symbol of failure. His signature New York moment was the called third strike he took to end Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS against the Cardinals. Perception of the seven-time All-Star (a career .366/.485/.817 hitter in the postseason) was so colored by the image of his frozen bat that Adam Wainwright, who unleashed the curveball that Beltran watched, avoided throwing breaking balls to his new teammate during batting practice this spring. Beltran, who wept the day he was traded from the Royals, never seemed at ease in the big city. "I have a personality where I don't show a lot of emotions on the field, and maybe some fans like to see players that show a lot and say crazy things," he says. He adds, "But in St. Louis, I'm comfortable. The fans are unbelievable. You can feel their appreciation for how hard you play." Maybe now, in his 15th season, Beltran will finally get his proper due. The case for Beltran as an alltime great only gets stronger the closer you look at his career. The advanced statistical analysts will tell you that over his career Beltran has a WAR above 60, which ranks him ninth alltime among centerfielders, the position he has played the most. They will tell you that for the bulk of his career, before knee injuries slowed him down, he has been one of the best defensive outfielders in the game, an effortless glide adding style to his substantive numbers. They will tell you that his stolen-base success rate (87.0%) is No. 1 among players with 300 or more steals. No one in St. Louis seems particularly interested in talking about how Beltran is outhitting Pujols this season, or how the Cardinals' signing Beltran to a two-year, $26 million deal now looks like a much smarter play by the front office than a Pujols megadeal. No one seems interested in making any comparisons-all they talk about is Beltran's golden swing, the splendid season he's having. Carlos Beltran is his own man, and in St. Louis, that is more than good enough.

Ceetar Aug 03 2012 07:29 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Perception of the seven-time All-Star (a career .366/.485/.817 hitter in the postseason) was so colored by the image of his frozen bat that Adam Wainwright, who unleashed the curveball that Beltran watched, avoided throwing breaking balls to his new teammate during batting practice this spring. come on. Really?

metsmarathon Aug 03 2012 07:43 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

i've got no problem with that. i don't it had anything to do with wainwright wanting to protect the public image of carlo sbeltran, but him being a good dude to the new guy on his team. he'd be a fucking asshole if, in spring training, all he threw to beltran were massive curves to the inside corner, yelling after each pitch, "remember that one, fuckface? how bout again? bam! another curve! keep watching! hey look, it's yadier molina - bam, another curve! wait, let me take off my world series ring... never mind. bam! another curve! welcome to the cardinals! bam! another curve! had enough? bam! another one!"

seawolf17 Aug 03 2012 08:01 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

You know, if Beltran had signed with the MFYs, that they would have asked Sabathia to do exactly that.

Ceetar Aug 03 2012 08:05 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

metsmarathon wrote: i've got no problem with that. i don't it had anything to do with wainwright wanting to protect the public image of carlo sbeltran, but him being a good dude to the new guy on his team. he'd be a fucking asshole if, in spring training, all he threw to beltran were massive curves to the inside corner, yelling after each pitch, "remember that one, fuckface? how bout again? bam! another curve! keep watching! hey look, it's yadier molina - bam, another curve! wait, let me take off my world series ring... never mind. bam! another curve! welcome to the cardinals! bam! another curve! had enough? bam! another one!" I just don't believe they altered what Wainwright was going to throw to get ready for the season because of one event 6 years ago. I'm questioning that it even happened, and if it did it was a coincidence of Adam not throwing breaking pitches at that point in Spring. And umm..do pitchers often throw curveballs in batting practice? Where's the Beltran quote "Fans need to get over that. It was 6 years ago. I've moved on." Or did it not fit with the story he wanted to tell?

G-Fafif Aug 04 2012 05:09 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Doubleheader boosts Marlins' Jose Reyes's hit streak to 22. Ron Gardenhire's Twins beat Bobby Valentine's Red Sox in 10. Robin Ventura's White Sox stick the Angels' Hisanori Takahashi with his 3rd loss against zero wins.

Edgy MD Aug 04 2012 08:22 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

The current Mets shortstop has a ten-game hit streak of his own.

G-Fafif Aug 04 2012 10:18 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Erstwhile Met 3B Ty Wigginton goes 1-for-1 as Phillies top Diamondbacks. Erstwhile Met IF Wilson Valdez goes 0-for-3 as Reds top Pirates. And erstwhile Met SS Jose Reyes goes 3-for-4, scores 4 runs, extends hitting streak to 23 games and raises average to .288 as Marlins fall to erstwhile MGR Davey Johnson's Nationals, 10-7. Non-erstwhile Mets clinch a winning trip, meanwhile.

Fman99 Aug 05 2012 05:20 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Endy Chavez, sporting a woeful .190/.222/.281 line in Baltimore, DFA'd to make room for Nate McLouth on their roster.

G-Fafif Aug 05 2012 05:16 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Reyes, like Tejada, continues his hitting streak. Jose's is 24. Fish lose anyway. Darren O'Day, Luis Ayala and Omar Quintanilla lead O's to 1-0 win over Jeff Keppinger's Rays.

Edgy MD Aug 10 2012 02:05 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Fartinez called back up by Astros.

Frayed Knot Aug 13 2012 06:50 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

From Sunday's eX-Files: eX-er Jose Reyes broke up eX-er Chris Capuano's no-hit bid with a single in the 7th inning.

MFS62 Aug 14 2012 08:12 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Fartinez called back up by Astros. He's 2 for 13 in his 1st four games since being recalled. Later

G-Fafif Sep 17 2012 02:17 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Davey Johnson, profiled deep and adoringly, by ESPN's Steve Wulf. Howie Rose, the Mets' radio play-by-play man, worked with Johnson closely when Davey was managing at Shea, and Rose said, "[Johnson] was my baseball professor. Every day we would do a pregame show, and I would pick his brain. I learned so much about the game from those sessions that I can actually say I wouldn't be where I am today without his help." [...] He's certainly not afraid to challenge authority. "One of the very first shows I did with him in '87," Howie Rose said, "he wasn't happy about the way Frank Cashen, the general manager, had dealt with an injury to pitcher Roger McDowell. So right there, he says, 'And Frank Cashen did a dumb thing today.' At the end of the interview, I ask him if he wants to take it back, and he says, 'Hell, no, I said it for a f------ reason.'"

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 17 2012 02:30 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I'd known he'd had health problems, he has the look of a guy who lost weight due to medical issues. I did not realize 5 stomach surgeries following an undiagnosed burst appendix. Geez.

G-Fafif Sep 17 2012 03:34 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

In the dugout where he belongs, before the last game in New York last week, Johnson repeated a question: "What do I see when I look in the mirror? First of all, I'm shocked. Some part of me still thinks I'm 19. How did I get to be so old? But I see a happy man. Not happy like when we won the World Series in 1966 -- that was all about me. Happy like I was in '86, when we brought joy to a city. It's much better when you share it."

G-Fafif Sep 17 2012 04:11 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Robin Ventura manages a team that leads its division by three games with sixteen to play.

MFS62 Sep 26 2012 05:35 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Prentice Redman had two hits for the Indie League Bridgeport Bluefish the other night. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 26 2012 08:29 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Fman99 wrote: Endy Chavez, sporting a woeful .190/.222/.281 line in Baltimore, DFA'd to make room for Nate McLouth on their roster. He's back, and on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 27 2012 01:28 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Manny Acta to file for unemployment, Sandy Alomar Jr. to interimize.

Met Hunter Oct 05 2012 07:09 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

This year's edition of 'Where did they go right?' features exMetsies that found their way into the 2012 playoffs. Bud's 'Stay for a day or play all the way' format. Leading off for the Buck-O's-Luis Ayala. A couple of Met favorites Omar 'couldn't handle the rigors of the 2012 Mets standards' Quintanilla and Endy 'hit the ball, I catch the ball' Chavez and coach Wayne Kirby. For Larry's Bravos, the other Miggy-Miguel Batista, and the man who makes everyone in Atlanta say Leo who?, pitching coach Roger McDowell. The Tigers represent with old fossil Octavio Dotel. Big Red Machine goes with super subs, the definitely not that Miggy, Miguel Cairo and strong armed Wilson Valdez. Texas has Greggies bro, pitching coach Mike Maddux. Lastly, the Giants, the opposite of our Citi by the Bay (unfortunately in our case its Jason) sport a boat load of where are they now talent, Guillermo 'will you ever retire?' Mota Joaquin 'your welcome Matt Cain' Arias Marco 'Scoots' Scutaro Angel 'better than Andres' Pagan The X-factor Mr Nady and led by pumpkin headed Bruce Bochy Some honorable mention go to Texas coach Gary Pettis, minor league talent Jesus Flores of DC and Yusemerio Petit in SF. Chip Hale who found out that Moneyball beats out Terryball. Of course the Gnats have old Davey. Not too many this year. I guess current Mets either find the trap door to the abyss after leaving the team or are forced to spend eternity in the Mets system. Something that can be as painful to us as it is them. Thankfully no MFYs.

G-Fafif Oct 15 2012 06:08 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jayson Stark praising Carlos Beltran's postseason bona fides to the hilt, as if everything he's ever done isn't automatically defined by one unfortunately timed strikeout. For Carlos Beltran, meanwhile, there isn't an experience in his career he would trade for the season he has spent with this team. He has been a gigantic part of what the Cardinals have become and where they've lifted themselves. But he still finds himself in, well, awe of what he has seen the men around him do -- starting with the unforgettable rally from six runs down Friday night in D.C. "I didn't sleep that night," he said Sunday, two days after that postseason comeback for the ages. "I still go like this sometimes." He looked at the folks around him. He shook his head. Side to side. Then side to side again. He looked around again to make sure everyone had gotten his drift. "I shake my head," he went on. "My wife says to me, 'Why are you shaking your head?' I say, 'It's unbelievable what happened.' It was just incredible, how we were able to win that ball game, how we were able to put up those at-bats. I mean, it was incredible." Beltran was as emotional after that game as people who have known him for years have ever seen him. And he credited his teammates for lifting him to that unique place in time. But on Sunday, he was the one lifting them, with a mammoth two-run homer that floated back to earth a third of the way up the bleachers in left. It was just a year ago that Beltran spent the last two months of his season playing in this park, for the Giants. So he knows well that, thanks to pitcher-friendly inventions like the Northern California marine layer, not all mammoth fly balls turn into game-breaking home runs. But for once, when this one left the bat, he wasn't worried. "With this one, as soon as I hit it, I knew I hit it good," he said. "Last year here, yes, I hit some balls and went, 'Wow, I got this one,' and no chance. They never even made it to the warning track. But this time, I knew." When that baseball landed, the Cardinals had a 6-0 fourth-inning lead, and a large enough cushion to withstand a four-run Giants rally in the bottom of the fourth. But it also represented one more opportunity to appreciate what a special player Beltran has been on this October stage. After 133 postseason trips to the plate, Beltran's career October OPS is now 1.305. That ranks him No. 1 in the history of baseball. His OBP is now .481. That's also No. 1. Only one other National Leaguer in history has ever hit more postseason home runs than the 14 Beltran has now hit -- Albert Pujols (18). And only two other men, period, own at least 14 postseason home runs and a postseason batting average of .325 or better. One is Pujols. The other is Babe Ruth. But when Beltran was asked Sunday night, after his third home run of this postseason, if "this is your time," he preferred to think big picture. "I don't see it that way," he said. "This is about a team. This is about us, trying to go out there and win. I'm just trying to do my part … and it feels like good things are happening. I can't explain what it is. Right now, the way I feel, I feel calm. I feel relaxed. I'm not trying to do too much. I'm just letting the game come to me." But he also understands that he's 35 now, that health isn't something he can take for granted, and that he finds himself playing for a team that could finally allow him to make his long-time World Series dreams come true. "Playing in the World Series, that's a dream for me," he said. "And since I signed, since my first day in the big leagues, I always wanted to have that opportunity. … And I understand now that winning the World Series is not an easy thing to do. Look at what happened in Texas. They've been to the World Series twice. They never win it. And that shows how hard it is to win a World Series. "In my case, God only knows how many more chances I'm going to get. So I'm just enjoying myself, and enjoying this time." Maybe, after all these years, after a journey that has taken him from Kansas City to Houston, from New York to San Francisco, and now, finally, to St. Louis, he is finally in the right time and place. There are too many games left to play in this postseason to say that for sure, of course, and too many games left to win. But he finds himself now on a team that just seems to get what October baseball is all about. And it keeps proving it, night after spine-tingling night.

A Boy Named Seo Oct 24 2012 08:44 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Been hitting the cages like a crazed man the last coupla months, trying to get back in 'game shape' to join an over 35 league in LA. Was checking out this league and saw the Sunday National MVP was a bro named Glendon Rusch. Was told there's a fair few ex-pros bouncing around. Gotta be, no?

metirish Oct 24 2012 08:53 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Been hitting the cages like a crazed man the last coupla months, trying to get back in 'game shape' to join an over 35 league in LA. Was checking out this league and saw the Sunday National MVP was a bro named Glendon Rusch. Was told there's a fair few ex-pros bouncing around. Gotta be, no? from wiki Rusch is currently playing in the PBL League in California. same league? can't be for the money unless he blew it all http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... gl01.shtml made over $15 million in his career

Frayed Knot Oct 24 2012 10:06 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Yeah nobody plays in those leagues for the money (if there's even money to be had there). They play mostly for the competition and the enjoyment, or possibly to keep in shape for any last-chance opportunity that might pop up. A friend of mine was playing in an over-35 (or similar) league on Long Island a bunch of years ago and found himself facing a recently retired MLB pitcher. I forget the guy's name now, he was never a high-profile guy in the first place although was only a year or two removed from his career and had actually pitched in a WS some 18 months prior. on edit: I believe this was the guy I was talking about above. Turns out he was only in the A's AAA system in 1988 so did not pitch in that year's WS and was out of baseball a year later. And it was probably a year or two after that where my friend was in a league with him in what must have been an over-30 BB league on L.I.

A Boy Named Seo Oct 24 2012 11:59 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

And he plays for the Mets, too. Hot damn. Back row, 2nd dude on the left.

metirish Oct 24 2012 12:14 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Gained a "few" stone! I remember Bobby V loved him, pitched well during his time here, a good guy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 24 2012 12:31 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I'm guessing that he eats a lot of innings and corned beef hash.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 24 2012 12:35 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

They pay him in tacos.

Frayed Knot Oct 24 2012 12:39 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I think it's nice that the team brought back Roy McMillan (top right) to play SS

Vic Sage Oct 24 2012 02:23 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

And he plays for the Mets, too. Hot damn. Back row, 2nd dude on the left. Nah, that's the dude that SWALLOWED him. And that kid with Down Syndrome, who played "Corky" on the TV show LIFE GOES ON... isn't that him 3rd from the right, in the front? i'm so happy for him.

G-Fafif Oct 24 2012 03:32 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Gary Sheffield, player agent. He's also thinking of opening a cigar bar. During our interview, he brought me into Lit, a cigar lounge in a Channelside strip mall, next to a Hooters. "This is something I wanna do, but on a bigger scale," Sheffield says. Lit features one moderate-sized room and an adjoining humidor, with a few TVs turned to ESPN, monochrome posters of naked women, and 16 bottles of Grey Goose standing on a mantel. It is everything you'd ever dream a cigar bar in a Tampa strip mall would be. Sheffield lit up a Rocky Patel Freedom, a new cigar he got at a show. He had been carrying around a plastic bag full of sample cigars and cigar tools -- a hole-borer and a silver torch that shoots four prongs of blue flame. When he puffed through, the stogie produced the smoke of a small rubber fire. Sheffield thinks he might enter broadcasting soon. He did some radio for a sports-talk station in Tampa, and a few shows on the MLB Network, and he got good feedback. He says that ESPN wanted him to come to Bristol, but he said no -- too far. The local station wanted him to come work full-time for them, but they had moved the studios to St. Petersburg, across the bridge. Also too far, he said. He shot a television pilot in spring training with other ex-jocks for what he describes as a "Best Damn Sports Show-type deal," and he says some networks are interested. Sheffield says he'd move for work if he could land a gig like Charles Barkley's or Michael Strahan's. He has opinions, and he'd like to share them on television. He's not going to get on Twitter, though: "I don't like when people think I'm boisterous about everything. Most things I just don't care about." What else does he do? He owns a beach resort. His business partner, Xavier James, tells me that Sheffield also has a deal with "a Vitamin Water-type company." Sheffield says, "I'm thinking about buying -- well, I can't tell you -- it has to be approved with a big organization. I'm about to buy that." He skis, too. He has a house in Aspen, which he bought after a vacation there with his mentor, Dave Winfield. "Dave introduced me and my family to skiing," he says. "It's the best thing that's ever happened to us." And he does whatever there is to do in Tampa. He was curious, so he attended every night of the Republican National Convention in August. He liked the atmosphere of the convention, but didn't care for how few black faces were in the audience. He didn't like Clint Eastwood's speech, either. He sympathizes with Mitt Romney, though, because both men are oppressed by capital gains taxes on overseas profits. He says, "If you're smart enough to make money out of the country, you shouldn't have to pay taxes on it. Mitt Romney would have done more here, created jobs, if the government let him." Sheffield says his primary concern is with the plight of the working poor, and thinks the government should do more to help them. He's particularly troubled by what faces black men. Poor black men will never go to work, he explains, when the government lets women take half their income in child support payments. Then they get involved in crime, so the government doesn't see any income at all. "Change the laws, make the women responsible," he says. "Then they'll stop having all those kids." Sheffield, a veteran of several paternity suits and child-support battles, knows that his position isn't a popular one. But, as usual, he doesn't care. "The thing is, I'm not really pro-this, pro-that, no. I'm pro-right."

Vic Sage Oct 24 2012 09:13 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

he's pro-Gary, and always was.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 24 2012 11:06 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

"If you're smart enough to make money out of the country, you shouldn't have to pay taxes on it. Mitt Romney would have done more here, created jobs, if the government let him." See, I WOULD calm the brain itch this gives me by repeating, "This is just Gary Sheffield, this is just Gary Sheffield, this is just Gary Sheffield," only I hear thinly-veiled iterations of the same coming from people who haven't... well... been Gary F*cking Sheffield for the last decade and a half.

Frayed Knot Oct 25 2012 06:35 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I remember when Sheffield fired his agent then negotiated his own contract with Steinbrenner after coming to the Yanquis. He then spent the next three years complaining about being duped into a bad deal. Yeah, I want that guy for my agent.

G-Fafif Oct 25 2012 07:39 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Tim Bogar, not thrilled with Bobby V aftermath. "I'm not upset about him or anything he says, but what bothers me is the perception of me and the other coaches is completely wrong," he told ESPNBoston.com. "That bothers me because of what the coaches went through this year and what we dealt with. I did exactly what (general manager) Ben (Cherington) asked me to do. I'm not saying I did everything perfect because I didn't and I know that." Valentine has not been shy about criticizing his coaches. In the final week of the season, Valentine said during a radio interview that he felt his coaching staff was not loyal to him. On Tuesday, the same day the Red Sox introduced John Farrell as their next manager, Valentine appeared on the "Costas Tonight" program on NBC Sports Network and was again critical of the coaching staff, saying, "I should have made sure the coaches were my guys." Bogar's comments Wednesday were the first from any of his former coaching staff since Valentine's latest remarks. Bogar was a holdover from ex-manager Terry Francona's staff, serving as first-base coach in 2009 and third-base coach in 2010-11. He was promoted to Sox bench coach under Valentine, who approved the move. "The coaching staff was prepared to do everything that we were supposed to do to help Bobby succeed," Bogar said, "but not once did he portray what he wanted us to do to help him and eventually he shut some of us out completely."

G-Fafif Oct 25 2012 07:43 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Jose Reyes, Knicks fan, Mets kibitzer. The New York Mets let Jose Reyes leave in free agency last offseason. Reyes hopes the same thing doesn't happen to former teammate David Wright. "They should sign David (long term). He's been the face of the franchise for a long time," the Miami Marlins shortstop told ESPNNewYork.com at halftime of the Brooklyn Nets-New York Knicks preseason game Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum. "If they let him go, that's gonna be difficult to see the New York Mets without David Wright. I can't imagine that. You never know in this game what's gonna happen, but I wish all the best to David. He's a good friend of mine." The Mets hold a $16 million option for Wright in 2013. A CBSSports.com report suggested the Mets' first offer to Wright will be in the $100 million range. Wright has said he wants to stay with the Mets, but would be open to testing the market and playing elsewhere if a deal can't be consummated. Reyes wanted to stay a Met, too, but the cash-strapped franchise elected to move in another direction, so he signed a six-year, $106 million contract with the Marlins. Miami's season -- its first in a new ballpark -- ended a complete disaster, culminating with manager Ozzie Guillen being fired. "It's surprising to me, of course," Reyes said when asked about Guillen. "Like I said, it wasn't his fault the way we were playing. We are the ones who are playing on the field. I had a great relationship with him. We had a lot of good communication. To see him go is kind of sad for me, like I said, because I got along very good with him. But I don't make those decisions; I just play baseball." Asked if he regretted going to Miami given what transpired, Reyes replied, "It's tough to think about that (now) because you never know what's gonna happen. But like I said, I'm really happy where I am now in Miami. The people there treat me good. I have my family there in Miami. They like the way I play. I feel now like I'm home." Reyes lives 10 minutes from Nassau Coliseum, and will work out this offseason in the New York Metropolitan area with Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada. Reyes is a Knicks fan and is friends with Carmelo Anthony. When he was shown on the JumboTron on Wednesday night, the crowd booed him. "It's OK," Reyes said, laughing. "Every time I came to Citi Field this year, they booed me. They still feel bad because I left the Mets, but it wasn't my fault. I wanted to stay. I said that so many times, but it is what it is. I'm happy with where I am now." New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had a horrendous postseason, has been linked to a possible deal to the Marlins, as well. "Those are just rumors, but if he went to Miami, it would be an honor for me to play with Alex," Reyes said. "He's a future Hall of Famer."

seawolf17 Oct 25 2012 07:48 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

If the Marlins really are having a fire sale, and you're Fred Wilpon... Jason Bay and his contract for Jose Reyes and his contract.

metirish Oct 25 2012 08:08 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

seawolf17 wrote: If the Marlins really are having a fire sale, and you're Fred Wilpon... Jason Bay and his contract for Jose Reyes and his contract. key words : and you're Fred Wilpon..

Ceetar Oct 25 2012 08:25 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

seawolf17 wrote: If the Marlins really are having a fire sale, and you're Fred Wilpon... Jason Bay and his contract for Jose Reyes and his contract. You'd have to throw in Ruben Tejada. and I would.

MFS62 Oct 25 2012 08:54 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Ceetar wrote: seawolf17 wrote: If the Marlins really are having a fire sale, and you're Fred Wilpon... Jason Bay and his contract for Jose Reyes and his contract. You'd have to throw in Ruben Tejada. and I would. DING!And the start of the watp season begins. Time to start the thread. And I will. Later

MFS62 Oct 25 2012 10:50 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Holdzcom - once a Mets pitching prospect. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/pro ... bc-roster/ Later

Swan Swan H Nov 21 2012 10:04 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Are we posting ex-Mets in this thread and civilians in the 'Winter Signings' thread? In any case, Nick Evans to the Dodgers on a minor-league-with-spring-invite deal.

Edgy MD Nov 26 2012 12:23 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Samoan dreams die hard as Matt Tuiasosopo signs a minor league dealio with the Tigers. Adam Rubin reports interestingly that Wally Backman lobbied for a September call for Tooey, but found himself rebuffed. In my Out-of-the-Park replay of the 2012 season, Matt is barely hanging on at Binghamton.

G-Fafif Nov 30 2012 06:40 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Daryl Boston is Robin Ventura's new first base coach on the South Side of Chicago, which may be the baddest part of town, but it won't be so perfect anymore now that Phil Humber has been claimed off White Sox waivers by the American League West's Houston Astros. The Mets now have a no-hitter. Always fun to mention that.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 10 2012 06:31 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Doug F. Meintkeivich or whatever named manager of the Ft. Meyers Miracle (Twins Class A) "I've always considered myself a Twin." You sure as heck weren't a Met. Geez. Jim F. Dwyer is his hitting coach.

MFS62 Dec 10 2012 09:24 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

G-Fafif wrote: Daryl Boston is Robin Ventura's new first base coach on the South Side of Chicago, which may be the baddest part of town, Then they should have hired Leroy Brown. Later

G-Fafif Dec 14 2012 06:54 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

[youtube]glEiPXAYE-U[/youtube] Wiggy, Wiggy, Wiggy Can't you see? Sometimes the Redbirds Will hyptonize thee Which is to say Ken Rosenthal reports Ty Wigginton to the Cards for two years at $5 mil total.

Swan Swan H Dec 19 2012 12:22 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Pedro Beato DFA'ed by the Sawx to make room for Ryan "30-Yard" Dempster.

smg58 Dec 19 2012 01:09 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I'd claim him back, but I still think he must have worn his welcome out with somebody to get traded in the first place.

G-Fafif Dec 19 2012 04:24 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

To get a Kelly Shoppach, sometimes you have to give up a Pedro Beato.

smg58 Dec 19 2012 09:43 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I don't think he ever pitched for us at the major league level, but Jason Vargas just got shipped to Anaheim; Kendrys Morales takes Interstate 5 all the way up to Seattle in return.

smg58 Dec 19 2012 09:46 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

G-Fafif wrote: To get a Kelly Shoppach, sometimes you have to give up a Pedro Beato. Well it just seemed odd at the time (and still does) for a non-contending team to ship somebody they had control over for at least five years in exchange for a two-month rental.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 19 2012 10:04 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

I think Kelly Shoppach and his gigantic midsection served to demonstrate we needed to pick apples directly off the tree if at all possible. I can barely remember an "athlete" who looked more out of shape than he did here.

G-Fafif Dec 20 2012 07:36 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

smg58 wrote: I don't think he ever pitched for us at the major league level, but Jason Vargas just got shipped to Anaheim; Kendrys Morales takes Interstate 5 all the way up to Seattle in return. Jason started what turned into one of the best games of the Willie Randolph era, though his participation in it only ensured there'd be a great deficit to overcome. Per Warner Wolf, if you had the Mets coming out on top with Jason Vargas and Ambiorix Burgos as your pitchers after spotting the Cubs a four-run lead AND not starting most of your regulars...you win!

Ceetar Dec 20 2012 07:46 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

G-Fafif wrote: smg58 wrote: I don't think he ever pitched for us at the major league level, but Jason Vargas just got shipped to Anaheim; Kendrys Morales takes Interstate 5 all the way up to Seattle in return. Jason started what turned into one of the best games of the Willie Randolph era, though his participation in it only ensured there'd be a great deficit to overcome. Per Warner Wolf, if you had the Mets coming out on top with Jason Vargas and Ambiorix Burgos as your pitchers after spotting the Cubs a four-run lead AND not starting most of your regulars...you win! I was at that one. good times. hell, you might even argue that was one of the last moments the Mets were come from behind pros that had any magic left in them.

smg58 Dec 23 2012 09:05 PM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

John Maine signs a minor-league deal with the Marlins. Bookies in Vegas give him a 50% chance of being their Opening Day starter.

Swan Swan H Dec 28 2012 11:36 AM Re: Life Goes On: Continuing Careers of Ex Mets - 2012

Hisanori Takahashi signed a minor-league-spring-invite deal with the Cubs.