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PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2013 09:06 AM

Fun Fact: Wandy Rodriguez's actual first name is ... Wandy. Wandy Fulton Rodriguez. This was revealed only after he spent two years pretending to be Eny Cabreja, so as to appear to be two years younger than he actually was. Here he is with his Wandy-Wifey, Luz: Wandy is 5-2, 2.88 career vs. the Mets including wins last year for the Astros and Pirates. When he was traded to the Pirates last summer, he was the last remaining member of the Astros' 2005 World Series team. Turner and Wright have HRs off Wandy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2013 10:01 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

That beard is on-point! Like, it looks like it came from an extra-fine black-ink Uniball.

seawolf17 May 10 2013 10:02 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Wandy was the true star of that SNL-style Pirates lineup video.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2013 10:35 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

The "real" Eny Cabreja was a childhood friend of Wandy. Wandy took his name so as to improve his chances of being looked at as a pitcher after spending his teens as an outfielder under his real name failed to get him signed.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 12:05 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Teufel gets a PTO to attend his daughter's graduation. Goodwin moves to coach third, per JayHo's tweet. Who gets the nod at first? Hudgens? Geren? Someone on Twitter suggested it be the person who made the last out.

seawolf17 May 10 2013 12:20 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Could a player coach first base? Is there a rule on that? I suppose there must be.

seawolf17 May 10 2013 12:24 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

From the rule book: Rule 2.00 Definition of Terms: A BASE COACH is a team member in uniform who is stationed in the coach’s box at first or third base to direct the batter and the runners. A COACH is a team member in uniform appointed by the manager to perform such duties as the manager may designate, such as but not limited to acting as base coach. Rule 3.17: Players and substitutes of both teams shall confine themselves to their team’s benches unless actually participating in the play or preparing to enter the game, or coaching at first or third base. So I'm assuming they could. I wonder how often (if) this has ever happened.

Edgy MD May 10 2013 12:31 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Players definitely can coach the bases. It's the standard with most minor league teams.

dinosaur jesus May 10 2013 12:43 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Until the 1910's, the base coaches were usually players; the first full-time base coach was Arlie Latham in 1900. (I'm getting this from Peter Morris's A Game of Inches, a terrific book.) I'm sure there have been lots of occasions since then when players had to step in, especially before there were so many assistant coaches on a team. Managers used to coach third base too, and of course still do in the minors, which is how I got to see Jose Valentin close up without his mustache last year. If you think Keith Hernandez looks weird clean-shaven . . .

G-Fafif May 10 2013 12:58 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

In The Happiest Recap Game No. 11, 8/21/1962, the story is told of 3B coach Solly Hemus getting thrown out for arguing, 1B coach Cookie Lavagetto replacing him and Gene Woodling come off the bench to replace him. Then Woodling was called on by Casey to pinch-hit, so Richie Ashburn volunteered the services of Marv Throneberry, and Stengel went along with it. Why not -- the Mets were in the midst of a 13-game losing streak...which ended in the ninth when Marv left the box to pinch-hit with two on, two out and the Mets down by two. Coach Marvelous homered to win the game and end the streak. You can look it up.

batmagadanleadoff May 10 2013 02:12 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

VRAM!

G-Fafif May 10 2013 02:30 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

batmagadanleadoff wrote: VRAM! Exactly.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2013 02:43 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Muffy and Buck getting a blow. Recker has hardly shown his dreamy face this year, but let tonight be his arrival. 1. SS: Ruben Tejada 2. 2B: Justin Turner 3. 3B: David Wright 4. LF: Lucas Duda 5. RF: Marlon Byrd 6. 1B: Ike Davis 7. C: Anthony Recker 8. CF: Juan Lagares 9. SP: Shaun Marcum Pittsburghers 1. LF: Starling Marte 2. 2B: Jordy Mercer 3. CF: Andrew McCutchen 4. 1B: Garrett Jones 5. RF: Jose Tabata 6. 3B: Pedro Alvarez 7. C: Michael McKenry 8. SS: John McDonald 9. SP: Wandy Rodriguez

Edgy MD May 10 2013 02:56 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Damn. They're playing McCutcheon again. That guy blows my mind. He's got the detachment of a zen master, and the powerful but incredibly lean physique of a world class sprinter. He's got this easy loping swing that seemingly has no internal violence but certainly executes external violence. He comes across as perhaps the most disciplined ballplayer in the league. He's already an MVP candidate, but I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to improve. He wore one long sleeve and one short one last night, like he's Allen Iverson or something, and I'll forgive him for that, because he's so damn polished a ballplayer. Polished and deadly.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:23 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Geren coaching first. Marcum breezes through the first, and the Mets get breezed through in the bottom.

Zvon May 10 2013 05:29 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Ha. They held Jones at third. Amazin'

Zvon May 10 2013 05:31 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Wow. And what a throw by Byrd. They plate one though.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:32 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Marcum has given up three straight shots, but Tabata ignores the dictum about making the first out at third and gets gunned down by Byrd as one run scores. Marcum is a grounder away from turning a decapitation into a shaving cut.

Zvon May 10 2013 05:37 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

They are slappin Marcum around pretty good here. He still can get out of it with minimum damage.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:38 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Four straight shots. At this point he is only fooling the people who pay him to be a major league pitcher.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:39 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

He plunks the 8 hitter, and if he can induce a DP from the pitcher he can still emerge from this mess with just one run allowed.

Ashie62 May 10 2013 05:40 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

I'd like to cede Marcum's next turn to Colin McCough...

Zvon May 10 2013 05:42 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Swan Swan H wrote: Four straight shots. At this point he is only fooling the people who pay him to be a major league pitcher. He doesn't look like one in any way, shape, or form. Takes a liner off his glove wrist. Oy

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:47 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Tejada can't make the play on a slow roller, and it's 3-0. This game has gotten bumped to the small box on the P-I-P in favor of the Rangers.

Zvon May 10 2013 05:48 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13 Edited 2 time(s), most recently on May 10 2013 06:03 PM

Tejeda does not want to help Marcum out. He's gotta make that play. Come on. Looks like that shot off his wrist is paining him now. So now we're all in pain. A seeing eye single

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 05:57 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Ike serves one nicely into left for a single.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 06:01 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Recker bloops one into left and the Pirates outfielders, transfixed by his beauty, allow it to drop ever so gently onto the soft, lush lawn.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 06:05 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Well those two innings only take an hour. What's that commercial? not going anywhere for a while ...

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 06:08 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Asking Gary to comment on Sabermetrics is like asking Nancy Pelosi to comment on the Tea Party

Zvon May 10 2013 06:30 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Wright trying to get the pahtey started with a lead off double in the 4rth.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 06:33 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

I hate stranding leadoff doubles.

Zvon May 10 2013 06:34 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Swan Swan H wrote: I hate stranding leadoff doubles. A ground out and two pop outs. They would have conceded a run there too. Gah!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2013 06:38 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Frayed Knot wrote: Asking Gary to comment on Sabermetrics is like asking Nancy Pelosi to comment on the Tea Party He has generally seemed to give "advanced stats" something of a fairer shake so far this year, and was pretty magnanimous this go-round.

Edgy MD May 10 2013 06:46 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

That's a homer. Come on.

Zvon May 10 2013 06:49 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Edgy MD wrote: That's a homer. Come on. Yep. Marcum is only 31? He looks older than that by a bit.

Nymr83 May 10 2013 06:51 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Asking Gary to comment on Sabermetrics is like asking Nancy Pelosi to comment on the Tea Party He has generally seemed to give "advanced stats" something of a fairer shake so far this year, and was pretty magnanimous this go-round. The lab coat was funny, the rejection of evidence that BABIP regresses to the mean wasnt

Edgy MD May 10 2013 06:53 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Rob Carson will do.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2013 06:55 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 10 2013 07:13 PM

Asking Gary to comment on Sabermetrics is like asking Nancy Pelosi to comment on the Tea Party He has generally seemed to give "advanced stats" something of a fairer shake so far this year, and was pretty magnanimous this go-round. The lab coat was funny, the rejection of evidence that BABIP regresses to the mean wasnt Ditto on the WAR discussion re: Trout and Cabrera. ("Trout had a WAR of 10, Cabrera something like 7... but which one would YOU rather have?") But... baby steps. Gary's a reasonable man. I have faith he'll get there, even if it'll be in the nursing home.

Fman99 May 10 2013 06:56 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Shawn Marcum sucks.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 06:56 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Asking Gary to comment on Sabermetrics is like asking Nancy Pelosi to comment on the Tea Party He has generally seemed to give "advanced stats" something of a fairer shake so far this year, and was pretty magnanimous this go-round. Yes, he wasn't as hostile to them as he generally has been in individual cases. I sometimes think it's stats people he dislikes more than stats themselves. And, yeah, the discussion of the weaknesses of BABiP should include the mention that, if it truly were dependent on individual skill, then it should be more predictable.

Zvon May 10 2013 07:03 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Edgy MD May 10 2013 07:03 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Hey! Homer for handsome!

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 07:09 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

He hit it with his cheekbones.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:13 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Meanwhile, another no-out double gets stranded.

Kong76 May 10 2013 07:22 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

I just checked, Mets lead NL in LDSpG. I should Tweet the booth.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2013 07:23 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Recker has hardly shown his dreamy face this year, but let tonight be his arrival.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:27 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Another leadoff hit gets followed by another three batters failing to get the ball out of the infield.

Ceetar May 10 2013 07:30 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Frayed Knot wrote: Yes, he wasn't as hostile to them as he generally has been in individual cases. I sometimes think it's stats people he dislikes more than stats themselves. well to be fair, there are plenty of frustrating stats people. There's a lot of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing aspect to it where people parrot researched theories as fact without really understanding the reasoning behind them or how it fits into baseball as a whole. (i.e. ALL BUNTING IS BAD, STOP BUNTING)

Kong76 May 10 2013 07:33 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

BiFL

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:44 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

So does Wright get an error on that play? I figure he does since the batter technically reached 1st safely.

Ceetar May 10 2013 07:46 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Frayed Knot wrote: So does Wright get an error on that play? I figure he does since the batter technically reached 1st safely. I would think so right? Error and..pickoff? just..out? gameday: John McDonald reaches on a throwing error by third baseman David Wright. John McDonald out at 2nd, first baseman Ike Davis.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:47 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13 Edited 2 time(s), most recently on May 10 2013 07:50 PM

Ceetar wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Yes, he wasn't as hostile to them as he generally has been in individual cases. I sometimes think it's stats people he dislikes more than stats themselves. well to be fair, there are plenty of frustrating stats people. There's a lot of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing aspect to it where people parrot researched theories as fact without really understanding the reasoning behind them or how it fits into baseball as a whole. (i.e. ALL BUNTING IS BAD, STOP BUNTING) And there are probably even more frustrating anti-stats people like those who insist that if the stat wasn't in general use prior to 1960 then it's a useless piece o' shit invented by pointy-headed geeks who, because they don't sweat for a living, couldn't possibly know what they're talking about.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:48 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Ceetar wrote: So does Wright get an error on that play? I figure he does since the batter technically reached 1st safely. I would think so right? Error and..pickoff? just..out? Error and out trying to stretch essentially.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 07:51 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

And yet another leadoff hit wasted!

Ceetar May 10 2013 07:52 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Yes, he wasn't as hostile to them as he generally has been in individual cases. I sometimes think it's stats people he dislikes more than stats themselves. well to be fair, there are plenty of frustrating stats people. There's a lot of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing aspect to it where people parrot researched theories as fact without really understanding the reasoning behind them or how it fits into baseball as a whole. (i.e. ALL BUNTING IS BAD, STOP BUNTING) And there are probably even more frustrating anti-stats people like those who insist that if the stat wasn't in general use prior to 1960 then it's a useless piece o' shit invented by pointy-headed geeks who, because they don't sweat for a living, couldn't possibly know what they're talking about. breaking: people are frustrating all around. *resumes hermit status*

Ashie62 May 10 2013 07:54 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Breaking news....Mets offense frustrating all around...

themetfairy May 10 2013 07:54 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Recker has hardly shown his dreamy face this year, but let tonight be his arrival.

Zvon May 10 2013 08:00 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Kinda looks like Dale Murphy to me.

Frayed Knot May 10 2013 08:01 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Gary & Ronnie were talking about all the 'M' names on the Pirate team - something like 10 guys of the current 25 man roster. Wonder if this former Yanx pitcher is available for bullpen coach duty or something. Seems like he'd be a natural on this team. You might even say he'd be a double natural.

Fman99 May 10 2013 08:07 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Ronnie not a fan of Jordany's HR appreciation.

Zvon May 10 2013 08:10 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

And he's right. Down 7-1 and he gets all showy.

Swan Swan H May 10 2013 08:14 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

If Andrew Brown was in the Pixies, would he also go by Brown Andy?

Zvon May 10 2013 08:23 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

All in all, pretty bad game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 10 2013 09:06 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Marcum ought to try not to suck. He's been nothing but a screwup from the start.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 10 2013 09:19 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

It's like watching Pelfrey in an off-year, only slightly less excruciating, because the damage comes a little quicker.

Edgy MD May 11 2013 06:09 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Zvon wrote: Kinda looks like Dale Murphy to me. Far dreamier. He doesn't even need a .320 batting average as an accessory. Murphy did. It's like watching Pelfrey in an off-year, only slightly less excruciating, because the damage comes a little quicker. Definitely thinking of junkballers in one of those ugly funks where their junk isn't fooling anybdoy. Trachsel on a bad run. Missing the middle chunk of last season, and missing most of spring training, maybe he should've opened the season on a rehab assignment instead of throwing those BS simulated games. But having lost Santana, the Mets were desperate to get any and all starters with MLB pedigree active as soon as possible. He's all yours, Dan Warthan. Hoefully the silver lining of falling behind early was a chance to get some of the non-contributors going. Recker, Carson, Lagares, and Brown all got some licks in. Maybe that'll lead to something.

Frayed Knot May 11 2013 06:43 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Zvon wrote: All in all, pretty bad game. Yeah, although going into this series you could see in advance that this was the game where the pitching matchup least favored us so it's tough to get too fired up over it even if our leadoff runners being LOB'd all over the place was frustrating. On Marcum in general: he's had good stretches in his career when healthy so it's too soon to shit-can him after just three starts. On the other hand he'll need to get his act together in the near future so as to not make Hefner the automatic man out when the eventual promotion of Wheeler comes around and that competition/pressure can be a good thing. Also, even though Gary & Ron seem to dismiss it out of hand last night, I don't see why Marcum couldn't fill the role of long-man/6th starter. You're paying him $4mil no matter what role he fills so if Hefner, Gee, and Wheeler/whoever earn the shots at being starters 3, 4 & 5 then go that route. I'd hate to think that mgmt made promises to him that he'd always start as long as he's on the roster to the point where Terry wouldn't have the option to put him out to pen.

Ceetar May 11 2013 08:12 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

If it comes to the point where we can't find a starter that's clearly not worth keeping..well.. Gee experienced similar layoff problems early in the season so I'll give Marcum some more time. Some innings looked good last night at least..

Edgy MD May 11 2013 10:39 AM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

Sure, but when he's the first starter in Met history to lay that big an egg in each of his first three starts ("Really?!" --- Steve Trachsel), then it's officially an issue. I'm trying to work with the idea that he should have been working out of the minors and it's still spring training for him, but that narrative officially ended this morning.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 11 2013 08:58 PM Re: PIT at NY (N) 5-10-13

In terms of who he reminds one of, Trachsel's a great call here. (Again, though, the pain is faster... if for a different reason.)