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The Diceman Cometh?

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:11 AM

Mets notes: Terry Collins wouldn't mind asking back Daisuke Matsuzaka Thursday September 26, 2013, 7:47 AM The Record A few weeks ago, when he was 0-3 with a 10.95 ERA in his first three starts, the thought of Daisuke Matsuzaka returning to the Mets next season was laughable. Now he doesn’t seem like such a desperate option. Matsuzaka tossed 7 2/3 shutout innings as the Mets edged the playoff-bound Reds, 1-0, at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday afternoon. In his last four starts, Matsuzaka is 3-0 with a 3.37 ERA. Asked if he would like the Mets to consider bringing back Matsuzaka next spring, manager Terry Collins said, "Absolutely." "We’ve got to bring some guys in," Collins said. "We’ve got to protect ourselves." Matsuzaka has been open about the improvements pitching coach Dan Warthen has helped him make in just a few weeks. He said he would be interested in another chance with the Mets. "It would be an honor," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter, "and something I would take seriously." If the Mets decide against using Jon Niese in Sunday’s regular-season finale, Matsuzaka likely will start in his place. http://www.northjersey.com/sports/22530 ... c=y&page=2

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2013 08:13 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

As I said in the IGT, why not? They'll need a bunch of pitchers in the mix, and if Daisuke proves himself good enough to be one of them, then we'll be glad to have him.

RealityChuck Sep 26 2013 08:16 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

It makes sense to bring him back, especially if you can get him cheaply. He's been pitching well enough to get a spring training look.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:20 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

If he can pitch like he's been pitching his last three or four starts, I'd take six of him.

Ceetar Sep 26 2013 08:28 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

eh, small sample size, etc etc. Sure, he can be one of the invitees to Spring Training for a low price, but there will be plenty of guys to choose from for that role anyway.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:30 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Pitchers who made the cover of SI before ever pitching for the NY Mets. (I have this nagging feeling that I left somebody out).

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2013 08:34 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Bret Saberhagen? Frank Viola? Orlando Hernandez? Tom Glavine? Francisco Rodriguez? Johan Santana? Phil Hennigan?

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:36 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Bret Saberhagen? Frank Viola? Orlando Hernandez? Tom Glavine? Francisco Rodriguez? Johan Santana? Phil Hennigan? Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. And no Lolich either.

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 08:37 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

batmagadanleadoff wrote: "It would be an honor," Matsuzaka said through an interpreter, "and something I would take seriously." You're a pitcher who has your agent hustling to find you an NRI. You're going to say anything else about the team you're currently pitching for? batmagadanleadoff wrote: I hope this cover fueled Koosman's competitive rage every day and night throughout his career. I hope it does still.

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 08:40 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Do commemorative issues count?

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:48 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Edgy MD wrote: Do commemorative issues count? Good find on the Nomo. I wouldn't count commemoratives, but that's just me. I'll check the rule-book later.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 08:49 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Pitchers who made the cover of SI before ever pitching for the NY Mets. UPDATED.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 09:05 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Pitchers who made the cover of SI before ever pitching for the NY Mets. UPDATED. AND THIS TIME, I MEAN IT!

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 09:09 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

I think this one actually has two. Is that Francisco Rodriguez in the lower righthand corner?

G-Fafif Sep 26 2013 09:11 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Pitchers who made the cover of SI before ever pitching for the NY Mets. (I have this nagging feeling that I left somebody out). Technically, Johan had yet to pitch in a regulation game for the NY Mets when this cover appeared.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 09:15 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Pitchers who made the cover of SI before ever pitching for the NY Mets. (I have this nagging feeling that I left somebody out). Technically, Johan had yet to pitch in a regulation game for the NY Mets when this cover appeared. I've got to learn to phrase this topic to make it Prince-Proof. Last time I posted these covers under the heading Players who appeared on the SI cover before they were Mets. And you came up with this cover:

G-Fafif Sep 26 2013 09:17 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Last time I posted these covers under the heading Players who appeared on the SI cover before they were Mets. And you came up with this cover: That was probably just an excuse to gaze into Tom Terrific's eyes (and not those letters on his chest).

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 09:34 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Is Viola in here somewhere?

batmagadanleadoff Sep 26 2013 10:36 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2013 10:53 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

He has a real shot. Especially if he takes Niese's scheduled start on Sunday.

metirish Sep 26 2013 11:16 AM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

I'd roll the dice.

Zvon Sep 26 2013 12:57 PM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Frank Lary was on a SI cover?

metsguyinmichigan Sep 26 2013 01:27 PM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Who are the guys in the trippy gold cart with Johnny Bench? That Seaver cover is both glorious and heart-breaking.

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 01:50 PM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

Don Pepper, Detroit Tigers / Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds / Alan Foster, Los Angeles Dodgers Mike Torrez, St. Louis Cardinals / Cisco Carlos, Chicago White Sox Pepper never had a big-league hit. Talk about a cover curse.

dinosaur jesus Sep 26 2013 02:22 PM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

It's not clear what Torrez is doing there. He was promising and still only 21, but pretty clearly not ready yet. Carlos was already 27, but he'd been very good in AAA the year before, and impressive in a late-season call-up, which included a 10-inning shutout. Pepper was nothing special in the minors, a first baseman without much power, and his only major league action was three at bats in 1966. Alan Foster was quite good in half a season at Spokane (AAA) in 1967; I'm guessing he was injured the other half of the season, though military service is a possibility. He had some success in the majors, but he's better known as a science fiction author. The Reds were grooming Bench to take Johnny Edwards's job. Yeah, it sounds crazy now, but hindsight is 20/20. Koosman was obviously way ahead of these guys. Maybe he had to run to the toilet or something when they were taking the picture.

Edgy MD Sep 26 2013 03:24 PM Re: The Diceman Cometh?

I bet if you looked at Sports Illustrated's top five rookies to watch in any year (at least, any year up until 1991 or so), you'd get one multiple All-Star/HOF candidate, one pretty good guy who made an A-S team or two, and three what-the-hell?'s