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Memories of R.A. Dickey

batmagadanleadoff Dec 18 2012 09:46 AM

Anybody......?

Edgy MD Dec 18 2012 09:54 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Dickeyface Invitational. viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15421&hilit=dickeyface

bmfc1 Dec 18 2012 09:56 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

I went to his first Mets start: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes ... 5190.shtml

metirish Dec 18 2012 09:56 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Honorificabilitudinitatibus

seawolf17 Dec 18 2012 10:00 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Knuckleballer, IIRC.

Centerfield Dec 18 2012 10:01 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

I remember watching him and really believing that he would throw the Mets first no-hitter. When he was on, it seemed like it was just a matter of time before it happened. I attended one of the one-hitters he threw. Great pitcher, great story. Hope he kicks the Yankee's ass.

Mets – Willets Point Dec 18 2012 10:03 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

He was great. He was the best thing about the Mets for the past three years. Now he's gone like every other thing I've ever loved about the Mets.

Frayed Knot Dec 18 2012 10:18 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

My mother follows baseball only casually - and by baseball I mean the Mets. Starting with the birth of the team through my father and then through the reflected fandom of her three sons, she's generally been aware of the fortunes of the team even though over that half-century-plus now there were stretches when she followed little or not at all. But during those times when there is time to devote some attention to the team she'll sometimes pick out a favorite player. There isn't always one and there doesn't always seem to be an explainable reason for her choice when there is one, but just sometimes she has someone who stands out among the always-changing cast of characters. The first one I remember was Koosman. She was one of the handful of '60s Mets fans who never particularly liked Seaver and chose instead to root for 'The Kooz'. The last one was Dickey. And rather than being a band-wagon thing or being inspired via the media-assisted onslaught from his "story" (since she pays little or no attention to the sporting press) she just decided to pull for him from his very early days on the team and was therefore was genuinely excited that he won the CY this year not the least of which because he had been her guy all along. Needless to say she's not happy these days.

Chad Ochoseis Dec 18 2012 10:26 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Mets – Willets Point wrote: He was great. He was the best thing about the Mets for the past three years. Now he's gone like every other thing I've ever loved about the Mets. Anything anyone ever loves about any team is temporary. Baseball gods willing, one day we'll have a thread where we discuss D'Artagnan's HOF induction and concurrent number-retiring ceremony. In addition to being great on the mound, he was probably the Mets' best hitting pitcher since Mike Hampton. A skill that will go for naught in Toronto. I saw him pitch at Nats Park against Strasburg in July 2010, when Strasburg starts were known locally as "Strasmas" and you still had to explain to non-New Yorkers what an "R. A. Dickey" was. Dickey outpitched Strasburg through six. Parnell and Frankie blew the game. And he had a name that turned us all into Fmen. I'll miss the puns. Even the really dumb ones.

G-Fafif Dec 18 2012 10:38 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

"Inconsequential." We'd already gotten a taste of what R.A. Dickey was for two months, both with the pitching and the talking, but the night he passed from novelty into icon for me came in July 2010 after he had been outpitched (a little) by Tim Lincecum in San Francisco. It wasn't the game itself, but the media scrum afterwards wherein he was asked about the effect of the Phone Company Park winds on his knuckleball. R.A. paused, contemplated and pronounced the impact "inconsequential". It's not that amazing a word in real life, but to hear a ballplayer express it...to watch a ballplayer think...it was breathtaking in the context of these sorts of things. I was at Dickey's first Citi Field start, his last Citi Field start and 18 Dickey starts altogether. Even in the lousiest of Mets stretches, there was juice for every one of them. The last, of course, was the 20th win, and, not having been at Johan's no-hitter, I would call it easily the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced in that generally dim bulb of a ballpark. With the possible exception of Pedro Martinez, there was no Met from 2005 to the present about whom I enjoyed writing more. If this trade really leads to us having a contending team, then that's a whole other level of blogging fun. But when you're sitting at your computer ruminating over another solid, unspectacular evening with Chris Young or Chris Capuano or whoever's not R.A. Dickey when the team you're committed to won't stop sucking, you really, really appreciate a pitcher who is both fascinating and effective. JCL's anti-R.A. backlash, whether it was sincere or performance art, was Really Awesome in its own right.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 18 2012 10:43 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Chad Ochoseis wrote: I saw him pitch at Nats Park against Strasburg in July 2010, when Strasburg starts were known locally as "Strasmas" and you still had to explain to non-New Yorkers what an "R. A. Dickey" was. Dickey outpitched Strasburg through six. Parnell and Frankie blew the game. I remember that game about as well as any Dickey start. That was the pre-injury, better than the Big Train Strasburg. Often, when I log onto this site with Dickey on my mind, I'm reminded of a terrific photo of RA snapped by Ceetar a few years ago. It's an overhead shot of Dickey capturing the pitcher right after releasing his pitch. Dickey's follow-through momentum carried him to the front of the mound which, from Ceetar;s persepective, looks round, but flat, like a sumo wrestler's ring. Dickey is in full Dickeyface mode, growling towards the plate, defending his section of the infield ferociously. It's one of my favorite action shots of Dickey.

Ceetar Dec 18 2012 10:46 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Chad Ochoseis wrote: I saw him pitch at Nats Park against Strasburg in July 2010, when Strasburg starts were known locally as "Strasmas" and you still had to explain to non-New Yorkers what an "R. A. Dickey" was. Dickey outpitched Strasburg through six. Parnell and Frankie blew the game. I remember that game about as well as any Dickey start. That was the pre-injury, better than the Big Train Strasburg. Often, when I log onto this site with Dickey on my mind, I'm reminded of a terrific photo of RA snapped by Ceetar a few years ago. It's an overhead shot of Dickey capturing the pitcher right after releasing his pitch. Dickey's follow-through momentum carried him to the front of the mound which, from Ceetar;s persepective, looks round, but flat, like a sumo wrestler's ring. Dickey is in full Dickeyface mode, growling towards the plate, defending his section of the infield ferociously. It's one of my favorite action shots of Dickey. Thanks! Now..where did I save said picture.. *digs*

Mets – Willets Point Dec 18 2012 11:14 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: He was great. He was the best thing about the Mets for the past three years. Now he's gone like every other thing I've ever loved about the Mets. In addition to being great on the mound, he was probably the Mets' best hitting pitcher since Mike Hampton. A skill that will go for naught in Toronto. Don't forget there will be interleague games everyday this coming season. He'll still be able to hit in NL ballparks.

bmfc1 Dec 18 2012 11:23 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Oh, that game still haunts me. Hot as hell. Moved to 4 PM so FOX could show Strasburg. The Mets had a good first inning and Francoeur just missed a Slam. Yes, Parnell and F. Rodriguez gave the game away. Here's my picture from that game:

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 18 2012 11:27 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

If not for Hamels' stinky flare, he would have beaten Johan to it. I gotta say, though... as much as I'm generally a rather-be-there guy re: ballgames, I think I preferred being at home for Dickey starts, all the better to appreciate the whiffing and batter confusion.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 18 2012 11:34 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

seawolf17 wrote: Knuckleballer, IIRC. Post of the year. I'll remember spurring him to ever-greater heights by constantly keeping him focused on the game and not getting soft on all the adulation from fanboys like you and my mom, and the press. Honestly as I recall the whole thing started when I was pissed off that the Mets lost a game in which Dickey gave up 2 leads to Clayton Kershaw and afterwards the only thing the press and fans could talk about was how many big words Dickey used in the press conference. Goes down as one of the greatest personalities the Mets ever had.

TransMonk Dec 18 2012 12:11 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Mets – Willets Point wrote: He was great. He was the best thing about the Mets for the past three years... This is how I feel. My memory of him may fade a little more quickly because the Mets teams he was great for were not terribly great themselves. The one-hitter he threw against the Rays in TB this past season was one of my faves. If we didn't have him to root for in late 2012, there would not have been much left.

Gwreck Dec 18 2012 12:26 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

My Dickey memories go back to a spring training 2008 article that Alan Schwarz wrote in the New York Times about Dickey. Dickey was pitching for the Mariners and it struck me as a fascinating story at the time. He would later throw 7 shutout innings against the Mets that June when the Mariners visited. I remember attending Dickey's first home start against the Phillies with KC. Faced Jamie Moyer, "no pitch above 85 MPH or your money back." My recollection is that it was the first of three straight shutouts of the Phillies. I too attended that now-infamous July 3, 2010 game in Washington. My standout memory of R.A. -- aside from his being better than Strasburg that day -- was his post-game quote about facing Strasburg as a batter: how he was happy that he could see the ball, given all the hype. I was fortunate to be there for the first of the 1-hitters, against the Phillies in August 2010. It was then that he had me really hooked. I think I only attended one Dickey start this past year, the pitchers-duel-that-wasn't against CC Sabathia. Still, at a time when the Mets had no shot to contend, Dickey was the one player who kept me interested all year. Those back-to-back one hitters were magical.

Edgy MD Dec 18 2012 12:29 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Here's my picture from that game: See, this is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win.

Ceetar Dec 18 2012 12:31 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Ceetar Dec 18 2012 12:35 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Dickey in the rear Dickey from the side other side

Frayed Knot Dec 18 2012 12:39 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Ceetar wrote: Matsui, I presume. Funny how easily you can tell some players just by their stance even in a still shot where no features are visible.

Gwreck Dec 18 2012 12:39 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Edgy MD wrote: is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win. Bud Selig, too. Those white caps were the truly horrendous "Stars and Stripes" model that they made everyone wear for Independence Day weekend (among other occasions).

Mets – Willets Point Dec 18 2012 12:49 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

My picture of Dickey from his Banner Day victory. It sucks, but it's mine.

Mets – Willets Point Dec 18 2012 12:52 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Chad Ochoseis wrote: Mets – Willets Point wrote: He was great. He was the best thing about the Mets for the past three years. Now he's gone like every other thing I've ever loved about the Mets. Anything anyone ever loves about any team is temporary. Baseball gods willing, one day we'll have a thread where we discuss D'Artagnan's HOF induction and concurrent number-retiring ceremony. Yeah, but I like to have him on the team a little longer. I'm so sentimental I still want Benny Agbayani and Tsuyoshi Shinjo to have a chance to be on a Mets' championship team. This is the kind of thing I hold out for, that a Mets' player will come out of nowhere and achieve greatness. And it finally, happened. A pitcher no one had any expectations for wins the Cy Young. And then weeks later he's gone to another team. It's so deflating.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 18 2012 12:54 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Gwreck wrote: Edgy MD wrote: is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win. Bud Selig, too. Those white caps were the truly horrendous "Stars and Stripes" model that they made everyone wear for Independence Day weekend (among other occasions). You guys know the whole stars-n-stripes hats was a Fred Wilpon Thing. It is tied somehow to the veterans charity he was (is?) trying to get going with Seaver as the spokesman.

Ceetar Dec 18 2012 12:56 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Gwreck wrote: Edgy MD wrote: is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win. Bud Selig, too. Those white caps were the truly horrendous "Stars and Stripes" model that they made everyone wear for Independence Day weekend (among other occasions). You guys know the whole stars-n-stripes hats was a Fred Wilpon Thing. It is tied somehow to the veterans charity he was (is?) trying to get going with Seaver as the spokesman. [url]http://web.welcomebackveterans.org/index

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 18 2012 01:05 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

MLB Charities but I think Fred's baby within it.

Mets – Willets Point Dec 18 2012 01:08 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: MLB Charities but I think Fred's baby within it. Fred's baby?

Ceetar Dec 18 2012 01:09 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: MLB Charities but I think Fred's baby within it. yeah, I was just naming it for you. the 'buy a cap' link on the main page is a Mets hat.

Edgy MD Dec 18 2012 01:30 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

I'm with Willets of course. Certainly all good things must pass, but not before their time and of the team's volition. A really attractive trade. That's a big part of why I hate trades --- they're attractive enough to lure you into heartless action.

Gwreck Dec 18 2012 02:06 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Gwreck wrote: Edgy MD wrote: is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win. Bud Selig, too. Those white caps were the truly horrendous "Stars and Stripes" model that they made everyone wear for Independence Day weekend (among other occasions). You guys know the whole stars-n-stripes hats was a Fred Wilpon Thing. It is tied somehow to the veterans charity he was (is?) trying to get going with Seaver as the spokesman. Goes without saying that Fred Wilpon should be in prison too, charitable work for Veterans notwithstanding

G-Fafif Dec 18 2012 02:24 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

is why Charlie Samuels needed to be thrown in prison. NO team dressed like that deserves to win. Bud Selig, too. Those white caps were the truly horrendous "Stars and Stripes" model that they made everyone wear for Independence Day weekend (among other occasions). You guys know the whole stars-n-stripes hats was a Fred Wilpon Thing. It is tied somehow to the veterans charity he was (is?) trying to get going with Seaver as the spokesman. Goes without saying that Fred Wilpon should be in prison too, charitable work for Veterans notwithstanding Where he can make these:

themetfairy Dec 18 2012 08:38 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

I have many memories of R.A. From his less than stellar performance in Philly on MK's 14th birthday - To his much better Mets Build a Bear Day performance that inspired me to name my Bear du Jour Dickey - To the last game of the 2010 season, where he hugged starter Mike Pelfrey when he left the game - To goofing off with Phil Niekro while promoting the Knuckleball documentary - To, finally, his 20th win this season - Thank you R.A. for a plethora of rich memories!

Frayed Knot Dec 18 2012 09:03 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

In our Rankings project, we voted Dickey the 4th best Met in 2010 (despite not being called up until mid-May), 2nd best in 2011, and then the top spot in 2012. In all he finishes 59th overall, just ahead of Wally Backman and barely missed overtaking Robin Ventura. He winds up as the 3rd best three-year NYM, again barely behind Ventura but 17 slots in back of John Olerud. Had he remained to pitch one more season he was almost certain to surpass Carlos Delgado as the best ever four-year Met. This, btw, was the 2nd year in a row where the top voted guy leaves the team before the start of the next season as Reyes was #1 in 2011.

The Second Spitter Dec 19 2012 12:24 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

O Captain! My Captain!

Ceetar Dec 21 2012 09:55 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Saw this on Twitter.

seawolf17 Dec 21 2012 09:56 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Love that. The best part might be Nickeas (?) just closing his eyes and hoping it hits his glove.

Ceetar Dec 21 2012 09:58 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

looks like Mike yeah. He thinks he's got it and then it tails off again and he's like "oh shit"

Edgy MD Dec 21 2012 10:17 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

That shit breaks three times. What the hell?

seawolf17 Dec 21 2012 12:30 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

The 7 Line just posted a photo of the new blue jerseys, DICKEY 43 on the back, marked down to $20 at Modell's. I'd absolutely buy that.

Ceetar Dec 23 2012 07:42 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

The inverse of this thread: The Mets gave me that chance almost exactly three years ago, and I will always be grateful to them for that. Only God could’ve written the narrative that has played out in the three years since. That is what I want to focus on, and what I want to hold in my heart. BY R.A. DICKEY / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS PUBLISHED: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012, 10:00 PM UPDATED: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012, 10:00 PM 637 116 0 Print KATHY WILLENS/AP RELATED STORIES Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher says Yankees fans got under his skin after he misplayed a line drive Saturday A Harlem friar who swung for the fences in 1966 was not inspiration for the San Diego Padres' first logo, the team says. Former Cincinnati Reds player Ryan Freel reportedly commits suicide with self-inflcted shotgun blast Yankees playoff hero Raul Ibanez signs one-year pact with Seattle Mariners A little over a year ago I was knocking around book titles with my publisher when we finally found a keeper. The minute I heard the words, “Wherever I Wind Up,” I liked the cadence of them. I liked the mystery of them. Most of all, I liked the way they captured the essence of my nomadic pitching life — which has now taken another completely unforeseen turn. I never expected to be writing a farewell “holiday card” to Mets fans. I never expected to be doing anything but celebrating the joy of the season with my wife and kids and looking toward the spring, and the start of my fourth season with an organization that gave me maybe the greatest gift an athlete can get: A chance. A chance for a fresh start. A chance to prove that maybe I could be somebody on a big league mound, an authentic and trustworthy pitcher, not just a retread with a weird name and an even weirder pitch — a man who was so in need of financial stability that he had to get talked out of taking a guaranteed contract to go pitch in Korea. The Mets gave me that chance almost exactly three years ago, and I will always be grateful to them for that. Only God could’ve written the narrative that has played out in the three years since. That is what I want to focus on, and what I want to hold in my heart. I am not going to lie to you, though. The trade was hard for me at first. This is where my heart was, where I wanted to be, where I lived out a story of redemption and felt that every one of you shared it with me in some form or fashion. I loved pitching for you. I loved your passion, the way you embraced me from the start, and the way you seemed to appreciate the effort I was putting forth. Every time I’d walk off the mound after an outing, I’d look in your faces, the people behind the dugout, and felt as if all your energy and support was pouring right into me — even when I was lousy. It gives me chill bumps thinking about it even now. Every organization has to do what it feels is in its best interest, and I have no doubt that that’s what the Mets did by trading Josh Thole, Mike Nickeas and me for two young players who, by all accounts, are terrific prospects. It doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier. From the beginning of last season to the end — when you cheered with all you had that Thursday afternoon when I won my 20th game — I felt that this was a shared journey, that we were all in it together. What a great way for an athlete to feel. There were so many special relationships I formed that made my time with the Mets so much richer. Not just in the clubhouse, either. I enjoyed talking with Bill Deacon, the head groundskeeper, about his craft, and all that went into it. The security people who helped my wife and kids get in and out of the family lounge, the policemen who helped me get out of the parking lot, the folks at the Hodges Gate — so many people went out of their way to be kind to me, and they should know how much it was, and is, appreciated. I was going to take out an advertisement to express these thank yous, but decided in the end that there was too much I wanted to say. So I am writing this instead. As I move beyond the sadness over leaving here, I know I have a tremendous amount to look forward to. The Blue Jays may need name tags on the first day of spring training, but once we get acquainted, well, this team could be something. I appreciate the welcome I’ve already gotten from them, and what they’re trying to build. We’ll see how it all unfolds. God has blessed me in so many ways. His grace and mercy are at the center of my life. I may not pitch for the home team anymore (a friend told me I now have to start calling myself a Canuckleball pitcher ) but wherever I go from here — wherever I might wind up in the future — I hope you know that I will never forget my three years in New York, and never be able to adequately thank you for everything you’ve given me. Read more: [url]http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/pens-bittersweet-farewell-mets-article-1.1225987#ixzz2Ft0nIR2b

Chad Ochoseis Dec 23 2012 08:00 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Every organization has to do what it feels is in its best interest, and I have no doubt that that’s what the Mets did by trading Josh Thole, Mike Nickeas and me for two young players who, by all accounts, are terrific prospects. It doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier. Wuilmer Becerra just called. And he's pissed.

G-Fafif Dec 23 2012 08:19 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Josh Thole's "Screw you guys, I'm going to Canada" letter in the Post not nearly as gracious.

Ceetar Dec 23 2012 08:33 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

G-Fafif wrote: Josh Thole's "Screw you guys, I'm going to Canada" letter in the Post not nearly as gracious. And the reference to the mysterious M.N. that keeps following him everywhere makes him seem a little paranoid.

smg58 Dec 23 2012 09:45 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

I always found his eccentricities very endearing, and the DN piece from yesterday was very gracious and classy. He'd have been my favorite Met if he was mediocre. But I'm still not opposed to the deal.

The Second Spitter Dec 25 2012 03:31 AM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Edgy MD wrote: That shit breaks three times. What the hell? Explained by this article.

Ashie62 Dec 25 2012 12:52 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Hey! I got Crocs from the Mets for Christmas!

Zvon Dec 26 2012 03:35 PM Re: Memories of R.A. Dickey

Classy letter, classy guy. That gif of the movement on his knuckler is fantastic. It really shows what that pitch can do like no other image I've ever seen.