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Memories of Jenrry Mejia

SteveJRogers Feb 12 2016 10:13 PM

Lifetime ban, pretty much moves him to the Rigo thread category.

Ashie62 Feb 12 2016 10:19 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

No memories, Just the ban

Zvon Feb 12 2016 11:14 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I'm gonna remember that he was a very stupid idiot.

Edgy MD Feb 12 2016 11:18 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Hard to understand. Three pops in about a year seems insane. There's a story we're not getting.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 12 2016 11:20 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Complete tragedy of a career, beginning with the overaggressive promotion and ending with three strikes of idiocy. Even if you agreed with Omar philosophically about the notion that there is little harm in promoting those few who possess the ability to succeed even before they're refined enough to succeed immediately -- you'd have to conclude given Mejia's "mature" phase that he was about as ill-prepared to be a big leaguer as anyone. AS I recall it, I was more willing than most to let them try, particularly for a hard-throwing reliever, thinking the worst that could happen was that he'd fail to get a couple outs and get pulled for someone else. And I don;t necessarily blame the injuries on them either. But boy did they choose the wrong guy to try this with. What complete morons.

dinosaur jesus Feb 12 2016 11:43 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I'll remember something positive. When he was on, he had the most incredible movement on his pitches. Wiffleball movement. Like he was snapping his wrist as hard as he could on every pitch. It was hard to imagine him keeping that up for long without seriously hurting himself. And maybe he was aware of that. Maybe he figured that if he didn't make his bundle now, he wasn't going to be around to make it later.

Lefty Specialist Feb 13 2016 12:07 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I'll remember how pissed I was the first two times. Now it's just waiting for the crash-and-burn story. His agent is negligent here, too.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 12:46 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Edgy MD wrote: There's a story we're not getting. I'll buy that. I'd bet that he was convinced that whatever banned substance he was using was untraceable. [fimg=200]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1547/24987512315_235bebc5e2_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1665/24987512355_f9fb1417f4_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1445/24987512375_21ec6ea792_o.jpg[/fimg]

Frayed Knot Feb 13 2016 01:24 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I'd bet that he was convinced that whatever banned substance he was using was untraceable. Except that the first time he got popped it was for a very old school steroid, Stanozolol, that nobody could possibly think was untraceable since maybe the Reagan era. Failed test #2 was again reportedly Stanozolol plus something called Boldenone. And now early reports on this one mention Boldenone again. It's hard to imagine what he was imagining.

Zvon Feb 13 2016 01:26 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Edgy MD wrote: There's a story we're not getting. I'll buy that. I'd bet that he was convinced that whatever banned substance he was using was untraceable. [fimg=200]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1547/24987512315_235bebc5e2_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1665/24987512355_f9fb1417f4_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=333]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1445/24987512375_21ec6ea792_o.jpg[/fimg] Wow, you're getting quick Batmags. Yea, I guess this deserves a card. First player banned for life because of steroids? I didn't realize he was the first. I can't blame anyone but him. He was given a golden opportunity. And twice forgiven.

Frayed Knot Feb 13 2016 01:38 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

There is, btw, a path for reinstatement. He can apply after one year although, even if granted, must sit out a minimum of two (which may or may not mean 2-1/2 in his case since he still had a half-year to go on suspension #2). But even if the commish grants that for some reason, he will by then (Spring 2018) be a 28 y/o pitcher who, since the end of the 2010 season, has had reconstructive elbow surgery, a combined total of <300 innings pitched including both major (144) and minor leagues (122), and essentially a minimum of four complete missed seasons (1 injured, 3 suspended). That'll be a tough job interview.

d'Kong76 Feb 13 2016 01:56 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 02:00 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Zvon wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: Edgy MD wrote: There's a story we're not getting. I'll buy that. I'd bet that he was convinced that whatever banned substance he was using was untraceable. [fimg=100]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1547/24987512315_235bebc5e2_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=166]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1665/24987512355_f9fb1417f4_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=166]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1445/24987512375_21ec6ea792_o.jpg[/fimg] Wow, you're getting quick Batmags. Nah. Those cards were done months ago. I made about 30 Mets cards New Judge style. And that other style card was part of a crazy stalled project. I set out to do an entire set of 2015 cards -- one card for every single player who played a game. Players who played on multiple teams were to get multiple cards -- one for every team. So, for example, I did three Clippard cards, an A's, a Nats and a Mets card. I didn't even come close to finishing that idea. But I did do the entire Mets team. All I did today was stick that "Banned" stamp on one of the cards. If I was gonna do a Mejia card today from scratch, I woulda put Mejia on a '72 traded card, substituting "BANNED" for "TRADED". Here's the New Judge panel for Mejia, available on specially marked cartons of New Judge Cigarettes. [fimg=1033]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1611/24357915924_da6bfcbaac_o.jpg[/fimg]

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 02:12 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: So, for example, I did three Clippard cards, an A's, a Nats and a Mets card. [fimg=277]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/24962305216_c2bc2a95e9_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=277]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1537/24962305226_6dceac46e0_o.jpg[/fimg] [fimg=277]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1584/24962305246_dda733838b_o.jpg[/fimg]

Rockin' Doc Feb 13 2016 02:40 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I'll remember him for having a $1,000,000 arm and apparently a 10¢ head.

Edgy MD Feb 13 2016 03:00 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Edgy MD wrote: There's a story we're not getting. I'll buy that. I'd bet that he was convinced that whatever banned substance he was using was untraceable. That's certainly one angle I'm on. Another is that whoever was bullshitting him was convinced. I have a dozen other highly speculative theories. I mean, I don't know, but it's just so unprecedented. Three life-is-staring-you-in-the-face mistakes in a year. And the same one, all three times. It's like falling off a roof drunk three times in a year, impregnating three women you're otherwise unattached to in one year — all of them the wives of your bosses — or getting VD three times in a year, all from the same person. What should have been a terrifying, punch-in-the-face, come-to-Jesus moment the first time should provide at least a few months of self-realization before you start kidding yourself again. But with Jenrry, not so much. I dunno. Maybe he's just the biggest fool on earth.

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 03:19 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: So, for example, I did three Clippard cards, an A's, a Nats and a Mets card. Jeez, Clippard didn't play for the Nats in '15, I just realized.

MFS62 Feb 13 2016 03:27 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Zvon wrote: First player banned for life because of steroids? I didn't realize he was the first. I always wanted a Met to be the first player in major league history to do something. But this wasn't one of the things I'd wanted. Later

Zvon Feb 13 2016 03:40 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Nah. Those cards were done months ago. I made about 30 Mets cards New Judge style. And that other style card was part of a crazy stalled project. I set out to do an entire set of 2015 cards -- one card for every single player who played a game. Players who played on multiple teams were to get multiple cards -- one for every team. So, for example, I did three Clippard cards, an A's, a Nats and a Mets card. I didn't even come close to finishing that idea. But I did do the entire Mets team. I love the concept. Very ambitious. batmagadanleadoff wrote: All I did today was stick that "Banned" stamp on one of the cards. If I was gonna do a Mejia card today from scratch, I woulda put Mejia on a '72 traded card, substituting "BANNED" for "TRADED". Here's the New Judge panel for Mejia, available on specially marked cartons of New Judge Cigarettes. If you make this card please allow me to display it. That's probably what I would have thought of (even though I really had no plans to make a card for this stupidity). Love the Judge cards. I've been tied up in tether making blernsball cards. This blernsball thing I'm working on is going to be insane. __[fimg=200]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kTlxfq3bWb0/Vr6dJp12bWI/AAAAAAAAlhQ/in5TZA-_PxU/s576-Ic42/2016mfc-JackieAnderson-z16.png[/fimg]__[fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y2HQQNGYbtk/Vr095vwZIkI/AAAAAAAAlb8/wI53CjRdJO4/s532-Ic42/2016mfcsalutesBlernsball001-z16.gif[/fimg]__[fimg=300]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIGDmUjLcIA/Vr1T3xMzSBI/AAAAAAAAlcs/ssnMh3VkvXk/s636-Ic42/2016mfcsalutesBlernsball003-z16.gif[/fimg]

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 03:54 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Zvon wrote: I've been tied up in tether making blernsball cards. This blernsball thing I'm working on is going to be insane. I know. I've been reading those posts. I never got around to watching Futurama even though I think it's something I'd like, so I don't get the references as much as someone who watched the series. But I can think of at least one other Matt Groening character who rocked the Mets jersey. [fimg=444]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bv0dm0wIEAMKuNf.jpg[/fimg]

themetfairy Feb 13 2016 04:30 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

This is my favorite memory of Mejia; it appears like he's telling Ryan Howard, "Why are you even bothering running this one out?" I have been literally shaking my head over this since I've heard the news. I feel really bad for him - like he didn't have enough confidence in his ability to be able to pitch without taking his magic (and illegal) beans. In the end, he has deprived himself and his family of being able to benefit from his talents, and that's just a shame. He is possibly the stupidest man to have ever walked the face of the earth (what - the first two suspensions didn't convince him that they were on to him?), and it just makes me sad.

Zvon Feb 13 2016 05:29 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I hope he can handle the ridicule. [fimg=200]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZVxmtQuiyJE/Vr65TpnBDnI/AAAAAAAAlhg/5ba0YramBSI/s576-Ic42/2016%252520mfcMEJIA%252520BANNED-z16.png[/fimg]

batmagadanleadoff Feb 13 2016 05:40 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

[fimg=333:159ych7g]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1512/24361098774_ca237bc5b2_o.jpg[/fimg:159ych7g]

Frayed Knot Feb 13 2016 12:46 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

JM (via Dominican journalist Hector Gomez): “It’s not like they [MLB] say ... I’m sure I did not use anything. I will appeal. Win or lose, I have a lot of faith. I have to clear my name. … I will not stand idly by. I will take this case to the bitter end.” Tough to make that 'there must be some kind of mistake' claim after getting popped three times in a ten month span, but there's a specified path for him to try if he wants.

Edgy MD Feb 13 2016 01:25 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

I'm glad somebody got a statement out of him.

G-Fafif Feb 13 2016 02:59 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

On the positive (and I don't mean testing) side, a few things stick with me: --His comeback from elbow oblivion in the summer of 2013 as a starting pitcher, when after the breakout of Harvey and the debut of Wheeler, Mejia's sudden success indicated that there really might be something to this pitching depth we'd been hearing about. --The one-night controversy when he did that reeling in the last out of a rare win over the Nationals in 2014. It was supposed to get Washington mad. Eff them, I thought. I liked the kid's moxie. --The planned back end of the 2015 bullpen, when it briefly came into focus, looked like it was gonna work: Mejia in the 7th, Parnell in the 8th, Familia in the 9th. Three closers, no waiting. --Jenrry's last accomplishment was stranding Jimmy Rollins on third in the Sunday game against the Dodgers in late July, the one that began with the Mets breaking Greinke's scoreless streak and ended with Uribe driving in the winning run in the tenth. Mejia was the winning pitcher that day. It was, pre-Cespedes, arguably the biggest Met victory of the season to date. There's no getting around the "why do you think they call it dope?" aspect of his career, but he was Familia before Familia became Familia (if markedly more stressful to watch), and in the context of the development of a contender, he played an important role. Parts of five seasons as a Met, covering six years, it's hard to believe he's only 26, younger than Harvey and deGrom.

d'Kong76 Feb 13 2016 03:28 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

So take some steroids, Mejia, and now you're banned for life So you won't be coming north, ya gotta start a new life So take some steroids, Mejia, and now you're banned for life You best go and call a lawyer, ya gotta start a new life

Edgy MD Feb 13 2016 03:34 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Yeah, he did as much high wire walking as any closer in recent history. Give him three outs to get with a man on second and a one-run lead, he might power his way through with two strikeouts and a tap-out to first. Give him three runs and the bases empty, and two runs could be home with a third guy on second before it was all over. That save percentage was comparable to a good closer, but the activity in getting there didn't seem sustainable. But he saved 28 games in a season he didn't start with the team, and in which he arrived and started seven games. Ceetar badly wanted him to stay in the rotation.

seawolf17 Feb 13 2016 04:46 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

It's going to be hard to remember anything but the suspension. So much promise there.

Edgy MD Feb 13 2016 06:45 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Mejia, 26, apparently had an old-fashioned approach to drug cheating. In each case, he was caught using anabolic steroids, substances that have long been easy to detect in a urine sample. Two of his positive tests involved boldenone, a steroid that has been used in horse racing. So weird.

Zvon Feb 13 2016 09:48 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Went looking for the reeling .gif but not finding it. One thing I can say about him is he had flair.

El Segundo Escupidor Feb 13 2016 10:35 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Was at his first start (with Bucket, I think). Edgy MD wrote: Mejia, 26, apparently had an old-fashioned approach to drug cheating. In each case, he was caught using anabolic steroids, substances that have long been easy to detect in a urine sample. Two of his positive tests involved boldenone, a steroid that has been used in horse racing. So weird. He was either dining on horses with Ryan Braun or he relying on dodgy masking agent. Fwiw, under the terms on the new collective bargaining agreement players who have previously tested positive are subject to non-random OOC testing. His agent/trainer/dealer probably didn't get the memo.

Zvon Feb 15 2016 11:00 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Greg, the article you linked (must have been fb) says Mejia is also banned from playing in Korea, Mexico or Japan. Why is that? Is that part of the MLB punishment? I figured the kid could still make a decent living playing ball, but not if he can't play anywhere else. OE:good piece. But I felt bad for Mejia the first and second time. 3rd time I was kinda angry.

Frayed Knot Feb 16 2016 12:12 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Zvon wrote: Greg, the article you linked (must have been fb) says Mejia is also banned from playing in Korea, Mexico or Japan. Why is that? Is that part of the MLB punishment? I figured the kid could still make a decent living playing ball, but not if he can't play anywhere else. OE:good piece. But I felt bad for Mejia the first and second time. 3rd time I was kinda angry. The Japanese & Korean leagues both honor MLB rules and such. American indie leagues are available to him since they're not affiliated w/MLB but that's about it. btw, Mejia (and other suspended players) get ML service time even during their suspensions.

Edgy MD Feb 16 2016 03:01 AM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

There are also Latin American leagues (excluding Mexico) and the Chinese Baseball League open to him.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 16 2016 12:07 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Maybe he can join a bowling league!

Centerfield Feb 16 2016 04:16 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Maybe he can join a bowling league! We at the Oakhill Township Adult Bowling League take objection to the characterization that any disgraced athlete can simply sign up and join the league. The OTABL has always adhered to the strictest, most cutting edge, measures when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs. We would like to remind the public that we started testing in 1996, six years before Major League Baseball. We are disappointed in Benjamin Grimm's comments in the wake of the Jenrry Mejia suspension. Although we know those comments were made in jest, they still cast a negative light on the elite athletes of the OTABL. We hope that Mr. Grimm, being in a position of influence, will be more careful with his words in the future.

bmfc1 Feb 16 2016 04:27 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

This game (7/26/13): http://www.ultimatemets.com/gamedetail. ... 03&tabno=D Mejia pitches 7 shutout innings. I was there--great game.

seawolf17 Feb 16 2016 04:29 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Frayed Knot wrote: American indie leagues are available to him since they're not affiliated w/MLB but that's about it. Jenrry Mejia, Long Island Duck.

Benjamin Grimm Feb 16 2016 04:34 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Centerfield wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Maybe he can join a bowling league! We at the Oakhill Township Adult Bowling League take objection to the characterization that any disgraced athlete can simply sign up and join the league. The OTABL has always adhered to the strictest, most cutting edge, measures when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs. We would like to remind the public that we started testing in 1996, six years before Major League Baseball. We are disappointed in Benjamin Grimm's comments in the wake of the Jenrry Mejia suspension. Although we know those comments were made in jest, they still cast a negative light on the elite athletes of the OTABL. We hope that Mr. Grimm, being in a position of influence, will be more careful with his words in the future. One thing I've learned recently from Donald Trump is that if you're challenged on anything you say, you have to double down. Bowling leagues are for losers who need to sit down after taking only four steps! Sad! Bowlers beg me to join their league but I'd never consider it! Pathetic!

Centerfield Feb 16 2016 05:16 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Wow. That's crazy. With that double-down you just took New Hampshire.

Frayed Knot Feb 16 2016 05:26 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

[fimg=500:3iott5ud]http://www.writtalin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/big-lebowski-1.jpg[/fimg:3iott5ud] SHUT THE FUCK UP DONNY YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT!

dgwphotography Feb 16 2016 06:54 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Hey, I own a bowling alley, and still got the babe.

G-Fafif Feb 16 2016 08:27 PM Re: Memories of Jenrry Mejia

Thoughtful, non-amneisac piece from Ted Berg. If the particular circumstances of my life and career were different, I might be shocked or angered by the news, or I’d be right there with all those joking about how anyone could be so stupid as to continue taking steroids after already getting popped for them twice in one year. I mean… how could anyone be so stupid? But the particular circumstances of my life and career include six years covering the Mets exclusively and three more covering them fairly frequently, and as such, I’ve dealt with Mejia a bunch of times. I hardly know him personally and I really am not qualified to speak to his intellect or his character, but he certainly never seemed particularly dumb or terribly evil. Unlike a lot of Dominican kids, Mejia didn’t even like baseball growing up. He shined shoes for $8 a day at a cafe in Santo Domingo, and prided himself on earning money without resorting to pickpocketing like some of his friends did. As detailed by Brian Costa at NJ.com in 2010, Mejia took up baseball only after learning that his countryman Pedro Martinez had signed a four-year, $53 million free-agent deal with the Mets in 2004. Mejia started playing baseball to make money, then, by getting himself banned, left about $1 million in prorated 2016 salary on the table, money he would have earned upon his return from suspension no matter how he performed. The Mets signed Mejia as an amateur in 2007. Armed with preternatural movement on his fastball, he blitzed through the low levels of the minor leagues. I first met him when he was a 19-year-old in Class AA Binghamton in 2009. I don’t remember much about our conversation, except this: While many of Mejia’s Spanish-speaking teammates on the B-Mets spoke to me with a coach translating, Mejia — only a couple of years after he was shining shoes for a living — insisted on conducting the interview in English without a translator because he was dedicated to learning the language. He spoke it haltingly, but seemed determined to do it well, and drawn to the spotlight much in the same way Matt Harvey would be while coming through the same system a couple of years later. And now you’re telling me that same guy, driven enough to want to speak English in an interview despite no pressure from me or his team or anyone besides himself to do so, is so reckless as to ruin his career by choosing to take steroids three times in the same freaking year. It’s impossible to rationalize.