Master Index of Archived Threads


Official Mets Divisonal Magic Number 2007 Countdown

SteveJRogers Aug 15 2007 09:15 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Sep 29 2007 05:43 AM

Mets win (67-52), Phillies lose (63-56), but the Braves win (64-56)which means we've hit the To eliminate both the "battle tested" Braves and the "team to beat" (according to Jimmie Rollins) Phillies. The Braves are a half game (win) better than the Phillies at this moment, the number is now 32 to squish the Fish and 31 to end DC's hopes of its first postseason apperance since 1933.

Nymr83 Aug 15 2007 09:18 PM

a little early for this imo.

SteveJRogers Aug 15 2007 09:22 PM

True, but its a good way to think on the bright side by thinking about things like magic numbers. For all the talk of how much last year reminded everyone of 1986, well this year isn't exactly 1987, on this date the Mets had close to the same record that they have today, but were 5.5 games back, and in third place!

Willets Point Aug 15 2007 09:23 PM

Oh for Christ's sake!!!

Valadius Aug 15 2007 10:04 PM

You started it at 40?!?!?! Farthest I'd dare start it at is 20. Good lord, this is jumping the gun a little...

Benjamin Grimm Aug 16 2007 04:19 AM

I wouldn't count down until we get the feeling that the title is inevitable. We're a long way from that.

Gwreck Aug 16 2007 05:45 AM

Didn't we start when it was over 100 last year? I think counting down from 40 is just fine.

seawolf17 Aug 16 2007 06:24 AM

40? I thought it was still bigger than that. I like the countdown... it reminds me that we're still in first place, even though the haters don't want to believe it. Keep bringing it, Steve.

metirish Aug 16 2007 06:45 AM

Steveo is a divisive character to say the least....:)

Benjamin Grimm Aug 16 2007 07:09 AM

="Gwreck"]Didn't we start when it was over 100 last year? I think counting down from 40 is just fine. The Mets had a much bigger lead last year. With a half game lead, starting the countdown at 10 would even be premature. Noting the magic number is one thing, as a measurement of the task ahead. But "countdown" implies inevitability, and that's just not the situation at all.

Gwreck Aug 16 2007 09:28 AM

="Yancy Street Gang"]With a half game lead, starting the countdown at 10 would even be premature. ?? Our lead is 4 games in the division.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 16 2007 09:44 AM

I know THAT. My point was that the magic number alone doesn't determine whether or not clinching is inevitable. It's relative to the lead.

Rockin' Doc Aug 16 2007 02:07 PM

I agree it's a little early to start a countdown with as tight as the division race is at this time. Luckily for Steve that I'm not an overly superstitious person. Otherwise, should the Mets should fail to win the division, I would be compelled to grab my old Adirondack, travel to New York, and go Offerman on him for jinxing the Mets.

HahnSolo Aug 16 2007 02:34 PM

I say we lock this and throw away the key for now. Start it back up if and when clinching is an inevitability.

cooby Aug 16 2007 02:47 PM

Steve you are welcome to PM to me the magic number every day. I would like to know it

Elster88 Aug 16 2007 09:17 PM

*grumble*

SteveJRogers Aug 16 2007 09:49 PM

39 over the Braves... (ducks everything including the kitchen sink)

metsmarathon Aug 17 2007 06:54 AM

honestly, i don't see why you can't do the magic number from the beginning of the season. when you're up, its fun to know how much. when you're down its helpful to know how much. and if you can jinx it at 40, you can jinx it at 10.

Gwreck Aug 18 2007 08:45 PM

="metsmarathon"]honestly, i don't see why you can't do the magic number from the beginning of the season. when you're up, its fun to know how much. when you're down its helpful to know how much. and if you can jinx it at 40, you can jinx it at 10. Couldn't agree more. With today's win and Philly loss, the magic number is down to 37.

Gwreck Aug 19 2007 04:17 PM

36 Our 4.5 game lead is the largest lead by a first place team in the Majors (tied with ARZ's lead of 4.5 over SD).

TransMonk Aug 19 2007 04:35 PM

35 as Phillies rain-delayed loss goes final and they fall to 5 games back. San Diego also beats Houston pushing them to within 4 of Arizona and leaves the Mets with the biggest Division lead in baseball.

Gwreck Aug 21 2007 10:55 PM

We win in walk-off fashion, but the Phils also win. 34

SteveJRogers Aug 22 2007 08:21 PM

33 as the Phillies "keep pace" with a 15-3 loss to the Dodgers. Heh, you score 15 runs you'd think you win the most runs scored of a night title. Not this night Dodgers! Braves also lose 4-2 to the Reds which drops their tragic number to 31

Gwreck Aug 23 2007 08:59 PM

Mets, Phils and Braves all lose. 32

Gwreck Aug 24 2007 10:33 PM

Mets win; Phils lose. Braves win to tie Phils for 6 back. 30

Rockin' Doc Aug 25 2007 09:23 AM

There is apparently something I'm not quite understanding here. If both the Mets and Braves won last night, how did the Mets magic number for the Braves change by 2 games? It was stated to be 32 games following Thursday's games and fell to 30 following Friday play. Doesn't one of those numbers have to be incorrect?

metsmarathon Aug 25 2007 10:00 AM

on the 23rd, the phils' magic number was 32. the braves was 30. since the thread only deals with the magic number to win the division, the magic number to eliminate the 3rd place team was omitted. so the next day, the mets won, the phillies lost (30) and the braves won (29). the braves and phillies are tied at 6 games behind us, but philly has one fewer losses than the braves, and are therefore ahead by a percentage points and are also one game farther from elimination.

Rockin' Doc Aug 25 2007 02:58 PM

Thanks, marathon. I knew there had to be something that I just wasn't quite grasping. I'm not real big on magic numbers to clinch until it gets down around 10.

Gwreck Aug 25 2007 08:50 PM

With the Mets win and both Philly and Atlanta losing, it's down to 28. We also have a 7 game lead.

SteveJRogers Sep 01 2007 08:34 PM

25 21 to knock the Braves out of divisional contention. 11 each for the Fish and Nats

SteveJRogers Sep 03 2007 06:11 AM

23 19 to make the Braves current streak 2 straight years without a divisional title and 10 to call it a season for the Nats and Fish.

SteveJRogers Sep 03 2007 02:38 PM

Closing in on the top 20 with 21 18 for the Bravos 9 for the Fish and 8 for the Nats.

SteveJRogers Sep 04 2007 09:11 PM

20 Lets start doing this the right way 16 now for the Braves

Benjamin Grimm Sep 05 2007 07:36 AM

Uniform numbers again? This is probably the fortieth time we've used uniform numbers for a countdown. (Maybe I should include a photo of Pat Zachry in this post.)

Willets Point Sep 05 2007 08:02 AM

I remember we did the periodic table for a while back in the spring.

Edgy DC Sep 05 2007 08:14 AM

A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted Hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion; A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted With shifting change, as is false women's fashion; An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; A man in hue, all 'hues' in his controlling, Much steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth. And for a woman wert thou first created; Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting, And by addition me of thee defeated, By adding one thing to my purpose nothing. But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure.

Willets Point Sep 05 2007 08:33 AM

Shakespearean Sonnets work well too. How about Dante's cantos?

seawolf17 Sep 05 2007 09:12 AM

Nerds.

Willets Point Sep 05 2007 09:31 AM

="seawolf17"]Nerds.

Edgy DC Sep 05 2007 09:35 AM

Yeah, the periodic table of the elements. That was badass.

SteveJRogers Sep 05 2007 03:10 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Uniform numbers again? This is probably the fortieth time we've used uniform numbers for a countdown. (Maybe I should include a photo of Pat Zachry in this post.) Heh, well there is a "wrinkle" of sorts, only Uni numbers worn by members of the postseason roster of division winners (Sorry Ventura, Zeile, Alfonzo and others from 99-00). Hence Hojo, Agee and Green. Well otherwise I'd be spending time trying to locate a shot of 1973 Met Jerry May as well as adding Victor Diaz in the mix along with other wearers of various numbers through that particular season.

SteveJRogers Sep 05 2007 03:36 PM

Fitting that a number that was used just on any of the previous 4 division winning postseason rosters appears on a day the number decreases thanks to a loss. Nothing against Bobby O, just feels a bit lonely having one guy representing #19, added to the taste of not winning today.

Valadius Sep 05 2007 03:36 PM

19 as the Braves score 7 runs in the last two innings to beat the Phillies 9-8.

SteveJRogers Sep 05 2007 03:49 PM

Interesting and useless tidbit: Bobby Ojeda of course was injured for the 1988 postseason, and my copy of the 1973 NLCS program (IIRC its the Mets one, not the Reds) does list Brian Ostrosser as #19 even though he was no where near the postseason roster. My guess is he, along with John Strohmayer were just called up in August and would have been possiblities if there was an injury or two late.

Edgy DC Sep 05 2007 09:27 PM

Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws, And make the earth devour her own sweet brood; Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws, And burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood; Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets, And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time, To the wide world and all her fading sweets; But I forbid thee one most heinous crime: O, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow, Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen; Him in thy course untainted do allow For beauty's pattern to succeeding men. Yet, do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong, My love shall in my verse ever live young.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 06 2007 08:36 AM

="SteveJRogers"]Fitting that a number that was used just on any of the previous 4 division winning postseason rosters appears on a day the number decreases thanks to a loss. Nothing against Bobby O, just feels a bit lonely having one guy representing #19, added to the taste of not winning today. Now THOSE are stirrups! Bobby O, fashionista!

Benjamin Grimm Sep 06 2007 08:47 AM

That wrinkle isn't all that interesting. It's still going to lead to more Darryl Strawberry and Keith Hernandez and Doc Gooden... How about this: The magic number is now in the custody of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States.

soupcan Sep 06 2007 08:52 AM

[url=http://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/the_rolling_stones/19th_nervous_breakdown___as_tears_go_by__dnk_/][/url]

Edgy DC Sep 06 2007 08:56 AM

The problems with the sonnets is that the order isn't arbitrary, but there's a narrative thread from one to the next, so posting them backwards is as much fun as reading a book backwards. I'm cool with presidents. Hayes won the most bitterly contested presidential election in US history, probably more so than 2000. He was till in the Army, fighting in the Civil War and holding the rank of brevet major general when he was nominated for the House of Representatives. He accepted the nomination, but refused to campaign, arguing, "an officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer... ought to be scalped."

Benjamin Grimm Sep 06 2007 08:58 AM

I like the idea of bearded presidents. I think whoever is elected in 2008 should grow a beard. (Even if it's Hillary.) When was the last president with facial hair? Teddy Roosevelt?

sharpie Sep 06 2007 09:03 AM

Taft had a 'stache and followed Teddy. He was the last one.

seawolf17 Sep 06 2007 09:06 AM

Edgy DC wrote: The problems with the sonnets is that the order isn't arbitrary, but there's a narrative thread from one to the next, so posting them backwards is as much fun as reading a book backwards. The other problem with the sonnets is that I didn't read them in college, and I'm certainly not going to read them now. At least a bunch of pictures can be amusing to look through.

SteveJRogers Sep 06 2007 09:40 AM

="Yancy Street Gang"]That wrinkle isn't all that interesting. It's still going to lead to more Darryl Strawberry and Keith Hernandez and Doc Gooden... How about this: The magic number is now in the custody of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States. One way of doing it. Take it away then! =;)

Willets Point Sep 06 2007 09:44 AM

If we do Presidents then it would be great to clinch on Sept 17-19 at Washington. Not likely to likely to clinch that early, but maybe on Sept. 24-26 vs. Washington.

Edgy DC Sep 06 2007 09:52 AM

seawolf17 wrote: ="Edgy DC"]The problems with the sonnets is that the order isn't arbitrary, but there's a narrative thread from one to the next, so posting them backwards is as much fun as reading a book backwards. The other problem with the sonnets is that I didn't read them in college, and I'm certainly not going to read them now. At least a bunch of pictures can be amusing to look through. Yeah, 14 lines. Whoah.

seawolf17 Sep 06 2007 09:58 AM

When we did the girls' names song lyrics things recently, someone complained that folks weren't actually reading the lyrics, they were just racing to get the next letter done. At least something with photographs allows for a little group interaction, rather than someone just posting one thing and that's that. I'm just saying.

Edgy DC Sep 06 2007 10:15 AM

That's cool. Just bustin' on your Elmo-lovin' ass.

seawolf17 Sep 06 2007 10:25 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 06 2007 10:28 AM

Yeah. Let's just count down using pictures of Elmo.

Edgy DC Sep 06 2007 10:27 AM

Keep it three-wide, if you would.

seawolf17 Sep 06 2007 10:28 AM

Sorry. Widescreen here. Fixed.

Willets Point Sep 06 2007 10:35 AM

The Mets need to win more. That's way too much Elmo.

SteveJRogers Sep 06 2007 04:59 PM

A furry lovable blue lump has something to say about this: Me don't want to count Elmos. ME WANT TO COUNT DOWN AND EAT... COOKIES! OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY! ME GOT 19 COOKIES TO EAT! C is for Cookie, thats good enough for me... AHHHH, too bad me can't find small enough cookie pics to post 19 of them. Me just go back to eating them! YUM YUM YUM YUM!

Rockin' Doc Sep 06 2007 05:39 PM

I thought he was on a health kick so now C stands for carrot.

seawolf17 Sep 06 2007 06:44 PM

Nah, he's still the Cookie Monster. Although he has now added the hit single "Cookie Is A Sometimes Food" to his repertoire.

Rockin' Doc Sep 06 2007 07:04 PM

Glad to hear that. I always liked Cookie Monster. Carrot Monster just wouldn't seem right.

SteveJRogers Sep 07 2007 08:10 PM

Who is buried in Grant's Tomb? The Magic number is with Ulysses S. Grant for a little while, thanks to the Marlins' 6-3 win over the Phillies.

SteveJRogers Sep 07 2007 08:30 PM

Andrew Johnson as we are backing into The Civil War here with the countdown 17 thanks to the Mets 11-3 win over the Astros at Shea. Braves win, which means their tragic number stands at 16, Nationals at 8 and the Marlins are at 5.

soupcan Sep 07 2007 09:56 PM

Frayed Knot Sep 08 2007 01:33 PM

Met magic number drops again ... Honest!

soupcan Sep 08 2007 02:48 PM

Frayed Knot Sep 09 2007 02:08 PM

Mets 4 - Astros 1 =

Benjamin Grimm Sep 09 2007 02:10 PM

The magic number is 15. The magic number is now in the hands of James Buchanan, 15th President of the United States. (The only bachelor president, and the only one born in Pennsylvania.)

soupcan Sep 10 2007 09:41 AM

Gwreck Sep 10 2007 08:30 PM

14 Franklin Pierce was the only US president born in New Hampshire.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 10 2007 08:31 PM

The magic number is 14 Franklin Pierce

HahnSolo Sep 11 2007 06:30 AM

I must be dense. I don't get the Welcome Back, Kotter equation.

Rockin' Doc Sep 11 2007 06:32 AM

You're not the only one, Hahn.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 11 2007 07:03 AM

Four Sweathogs, one teacher?

soupcan Sep 11 2007 08:26 AM

This one was tough.

Willets Point Sep 11 2007 09:51 AM

SteveJRogers Sep 11 2007 08:59 PM

Phillies lose to the Rockies, so... Millard Fillmore (1850-1853) of Cayuga County, New York gets the magic number tonight.

soupcan Sep 12 2007 08:02 AM

You know - pictures of presidents are pretty damn easy to find...

SteveJRogers Sep 12 2007 08:07 PM

Phillies Lose in Colorado But the Mets win at Shea means ol' Zach Taylor had the number for just a few seconds, much like his actual Presidency, giving way to # 11 James Polk (1845-1849)

Frayed Knot Sep 13 2007 06:49 PM

HahnSolo wrote: I must be dense. I don't get the Welcome Back, Kotter equation. The show took place at James Buchanan High School. I was going to put up a picture of 'Hawkeye' from M*A*S*H for #14 since his full name was Benjamin Franklin Pierce ... but I wasn't around in time. Was trying to keep with the Presidential theme while sliding in a one step removed twist.

Willets Point Sep 13 2007 07:33 PM

Damnably clever.

soupcan Sep 13 2007 11:12 PM

soupcan Sep 13 2007 11:15 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 14 2007 11:41 AM

And I'm throwing this one up here just cause I always remembered it from my youth and can still sing 'Eleven Alive' in the correct tune and pitch.

soupcan Sep 13 2007 11:19 PM

One more... The Simpsonized version of myself... Because my birthday is November, 11 (11/11). Really.

A Boy Named Seo Sep 14 2007 08:20 AM

Be cooler if you were born in 1911.

Edgy DC Sep 14 2007 08:29 AM

Polk, last strong federally minded president before the Civil War. He was like President Manifest Destiny. I think he was also the only guy who retired after one term. I don't think New York has a Polk High, disappointingly.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 14 2007 08:35 AM

There was a stretch that ended with Lincoln where most presidents were one-termers. Lincoln, in running for a second term, was actually breaking with recent tradition. Buchanan, instead, may be the last president to retire after one term.

Frayed Knot Sep 14 2007 08:37 AM

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Be cooler if you were born in 1911. He'd most likely be deader if he were born in 1911.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 14 2007 08:42 AM

That's the year my grandmother (still living) was born. She may or may not share a birth date with Dizzy Dean, who is dead at the present time. (I've seen two reported birth dates for Ol' Diz, one of which, January 16, 1911 is the day my grandmother was born.)

Gwreck Sep 14 2007 09:22 AM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Buchanan, instead, may be the last president to retire after one term. Rutherford B. Hayes didn't see re-election either. Grover Cleveland was out as a candidate in 1896 as well.

Edgy DC Sep 14 2007 09:25 AM

I guess I meant first?

Gwreck Sep 14 2007 10:43 AM

="Edgy DC"]I guess I meant first? 's ok. You didn't have William "Wild Bill" Hennessey as your high school history teacher. :) Dickshot, I think he might've been around when you were there as well...

Johnny Dickshot Sep 14 2007 10:50 AM

Yeah but I had Thoeler.

soupcan Sep 14 2007 11:42 AM

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Be cooler if you were born in 1911. I've always known that.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 14 2007 02:16 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: There was a stretch that ended with Lincoln where most presidents were one-termers. Lincoln, in running for a second term, was actually breaking with recent tradition. Buchanan, instead, may be the last president to retire after one term. I think some of those were actually fired after their first terms. Buchanan was a horrible president, and sort of an odd duck with a personal life that would make it somewhat more difficult to get elected today. Then again, considering recent events he might just have been ahead of his time.

Zvon Sep 14 2007 03:04 PM

James K Polk, a song by They Might Be Giants. Performed by Zvon's brother. http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/42266

Rockin' Doc Sep 19 2007 04:48 AM

What I want to know is how did Polk get elected to a second term? And who, besides our bullpen, voted for him?

sharpie Sep 19 2007 06:50 AM

Polk was a one-termer. His term here, however, goes on and on.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 19 2007 07:13 AM

Where is Polk buried? (He was from Tennessee, wasn't he?) Maybe we need to have some kind of graveside exorcism to get him to yield the magic number.

Gwreck Sep 19 2007 08:23 PM

10 John Tyler was the first man to become President due to the elected president not completing his term.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 19 2007 08:25 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 20 2007 04:28 AM

And he's one handsome son of a bitch, isn't he?

sharpie Sep 19 2007 09:15 PM

Finally our Polk nightmare is over.

Gwreck Sep 19 2007 09:26 PM

9 William Henry "I died in 30 days" Harrison was of course our shortest serving President.

Willets Point Sep 19 2007 09:32 PM

="Gwreck"]9 William Henry "I died in 30 days" Harrison was of course our shortest serving President. Hopefully his term as magic number will be 29 days shorter.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 20 2007 04:30 AM

Nice to see you, Tippecanoe!

HahnSolo Sep 20 2007 06:58 AM

^^^^ Phil Spector was once President????

SteveJRogers Sep 20 2007 09:59 AM

And now, the complete lyrics for Revolution # 9. Artist, The Beatles, author, John Winston Ono Lennon Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9 Number 9...

sharpie Sep 20 2007 10:24 AM

Wrong! Here are the complete lyrics to Revolution 9: [Bottle of Claret for you if I had realised… Well, do it next time. I forgot about it, George, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me? Yes.] Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, Then there's this Welsh Rarebit wearing some brown underpants About the shortage of grain in Hertfordshire Everyone of them knew that as time went by They'd get a little bit older and a litter slower but It's all the same thing, in this case manufactured by someone who's always Umpteen your father's giving it diddly-i-dee District was leaving, intended to pay for Number 9, number 9 Who's to know? Who was to know? Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9 I sustained nothing worse than Also for example Whatever you're doing A business deal falls through I informed him on the third night When fortune gives Number 9, number 9, number 9 People ride, people ride Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride Ride! Ride! 9, number 9, number 9, number 9 I've missed all of that It makes me a few days late Compared with, like, wow! And weird stuff like that Taking our sides sometimes Floral bark Rouge doctors have brought this specimen I have nobody's short-cuts, aha… 9, number 9 With the situation They are standing still The plan, the telegram Ooh ooh Number 9, number Ooh A man without terrors from beard to false As the headmaster reported to me My son he really can try as they do to find function Tell what he was saying, and his voice was low and his hive high And his eyes were low Alright! Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, So the wife called me and we'd better go to see a surgeon Or whatever to price it… yellow underclothes So, any road, we went to see the dentist instead Who gave her a pair of teeth which wasn't any good at all So I said I'd marry, join the fucking navy and went to sea In my broken chair, my wings are broken and so is my hair I'm not in the mood for whirling Um da Aaah How? Dogs for dogging, hands for clapping Birds for birding and fish for fishing Them for themming and when for whimming Only to find the night-watchman Unaware of his presence in the building Onion soup Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9 Industrial output Financial imbalance Thrusting it between his shoulder blades The Watusi The twist Eldorado Take this brother, may it serve you well Maybe it's nothing Aaah Maybe it's nothing What? What? Oh Maybe even then Impervious in London Could be difficult thing It's quick like rush for peace is Because it's so much It was like being naked If you became naked

Benjamin Grimm Sep 20 2007 10:31 AM

I told her that my team was in a fix We haven't won since Nineteen Eighty Six She looked at the standings and she made a magic sign She said what you have is Magic Number Number Nine.

Valadius Sep 20 2007 10:49 AM

Actually, it was 41 days. But who's counting? I actually share a birthday with William Henry Harrison.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 20 2007 10:59 AM

I too share a Presidential birthday. I was born on Jack Kennedy's last birthday.

Edgy DC Sep 20 2007 11:13 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 21 2007 07:56 PM

Vlad, he's quoting a song, not trying to provide actually historica data.

soupcan Sep 21 2007 07:47 PM

Forgot about this thread (understandably).

Gwreck Sep 21 2007 10:51 PM

8 Martin Van Buren: the Red Fox of Old Kinderhook.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 21 2007 10:56 PM

Old Kinderhook is OK with me! Nice to finally see you, Marty!

soupcan Sep 22 2007 08:28 AM

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2007 08:32 AM

Van Buren was the first President to be born post-revolution and therefore actually as a United States citizen.

Valadius Sep 22 2007 10:44 AM

My dad graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens. Donny Deutsch was his class president.

Edgy DC Sep 22 2007 11:10 AM

Van Buren... fascinating guy.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 22 2007 05:16 PM

Say hello to Andrew Jackson, Old Hickory: The 7th president of the United States.

SteveJRogers Sep 22 2007 05:45 PM

Hey a one time Spring Training Met! My question, how in the heck is he sucking his gut in for that shot! Then again, he did perform as his emo alter ego Chris Gaines on Saturday Night Live and he was supposed to be one slim fellow.

Gwreck Sep 22 2007 06:35 PM

Andrew Jackson was the first President born in a log cabin.

SteveJRogers Sep 22 2007 06:38 PM

Edgy DC Sep 22 2007 06:47 PM

Jackson, not John F. Kennedy, should be remembered as the great Irish-American story among US presidents. Scots-Irish sadly don't count, but everything else about his biography quintessentially qualifies him.

metirish Sep 22 2007 06:51 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Jackson, not John F. Kennedy, should be remembered as the great Irish-American story among US presidents. Scots-Irish sadly don't count, but everything else about his biography quintessentially qualifies him. I remember reading a great article about that,maybe in the Irish Echo.

Rockin' Doc Sep 22 2007 07:06 PM

Is it just me or does this portrait of Andrew Jackson bare a resemblance to Roger Daltrey?

metirish Sep 22 2007 07:11 PM

WOW that's freaky.....

DocTee Sep 22 2007 07:42 PM

But Kennedy was not an Indian- hating, slave-owning SOB.

Edgy DC Sep 22 2007 08:33 PM

I'm not claiming Jackson was a moral paragon, and I hope nobody who found Kennedy's story notable would make the same claim about him. More importantly, I'm just claiming there is a lot in common with themes of the broad Irish-American story in Jackson's personal story, tellingly so, not that Jackson was necessarily better man.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 22 2007 08:45 PM

DocTee wrote: But Kennedy was not an Indian- hating, slave-owning SOB. On the other hand, the Kennedys' hands are not exactly clean either. I'd say it's a draw.

soupcan Sep 22 2007 08:46 PM

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2007 06:06 AM

"Is it just me or does this portrait of Andrew Jackson bare a resemblance to Roger Daltrey?" Not surprising considering that Jackson, like Daltrey, was also in a rock band Oh wait ... that's the other Andrew Jackson look-alike Peter Gammons!

Gwreck Sep 23 2007 01:39 PM

6

Gwreck Sep 23 2007 01:40 PM

John Quincy Adams was the first president who was related to a prior president (his father, John Adams). Who were the others?

Valadius Sep 23 2007 01:44 PM

There have been plenty, actually, although some are just distant cousins. Easy ones: Adamses Bushes Harrisons Roosevelts

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2007 01:45 PM

Benjamin Harrison - grandson of WH George W. Bush - son of Geroge H. W. and the Roosevelts were cousins though I'm not sure how close

Valadius Sep 23 2007 01:47 PM

TR was Eleanor's uncle, and FDR's 5th cousin or something.

SteveJRogers Sep 23 2007 01:48 PM

John Quincy Adams, the first son of a former POTUS to be elected President. There would not be another untill George W. Bush in 2000. Interestingly enough, both Adams are the only one-termers in a stretch from Washington to Jackson of 5 two-termers in 7 Presidents. After Jackson though, Lincoln would be the next two-termer.

Edgy DC Sep 23 2007 01:50 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 23 2007 01:55 PM

The Adamses also hold the distinction of being the only two presidents who are descendents ancestors of Todd Zeile.

Valadius Sep 23 2007 01:51 PM

Ancestors, right Edgy?

Gwreck Sep 23 2007 01:52 PM

Those were the only 4 I know of.

Edgy DC Sep 23 2007 01:54 PM

Valadius wrote: Ancestors, right Edgy? I guess so.

DocTee Sep 23 2007 01:55 PM

Zeile schmile. Martin Van Buren counts both Ann Landers and "Dear Abby" (Abigail Van Buren) among his progeny.

Edgy DC Sep 23 2007 01:57 PM

How many teams did they homer for?

SteveJRogers Sep 23 2007 03:23 PM

And now we get to James Monroe

Rockin' Doc Sep 23 2007 03:24 PM

A fine Virginia gentleman and neighbor (next mountain top over) of Thomas Jefferson.

Valadius Sep 23 2007 03:27 PM

Monroe was one of three of our first five presidents (the others being Adams and Jefferson) to die on July 4.

SteveJRogers Sep 23 2007 03:31 PM

Valadius wrote: Monroe was one of three of our first five presidents (the others being Adams and Jefferson) to die on July 4. Adams and Jefferson on the same day!

DocTee Sep 23 2007 03:35 PM

George Steinbrenner was born on the fourth of july.

martin Sep 23 2007 04:23 PM

in college i had to memorize the presidents. i used the word "wajmmaj" to remember the first 7. never thought i would use it again, and certainly didnt think i would need it to decipher the mets magic number. washington adams jeff madison monroe adams jackson ok, lets see, i guess that monroe means the magic number is 5. got it. man, that was a lot of work.

Gwreck Sep 23 2007 05:05 PM

Our 5th president is the only US president to have an African capital named after him.

Edgy DC Sep 23 2007 05:17 PM

He has that in common with Miguel Cairo.

soupcan Sep 23 2007 07:36 PM

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2007 08:10 PM

DocTee wrote: George Steinbrenner was born on the fourth of july. Or so he claims.

SteveJRogers Sep 23 2007 08:22 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: ="DocTee"]George Steinbrenner was born on the fourth of july. Or so he claims. Isn't that George M. Cohan not George M. Steinbrenner? I don't think there is any controversy over his birthdate.

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2007 08:28 PM

I have no reason to think that his birthday is anything other than what he says ... except that making up that date as his is exactly the sort of thing he'd do. He wouldn't be the first to fudge a few facts in the resume so as to perpetuate an image and he's already proven that he'll lie in public and force others to do so on his behalf towards achieving those kinds of ends.

DocTee Sep 23 2007 08:41 PM

Cohan: Yankee Doodle Dandy, born July 3, 1878 Steinbrenner: Yankee Owning Scumbag, born July 4, 1930

Valadius Sep 25 2007 08:19 PM

4 We now arrive at James Madison, Father of the Constitution.

Frayed Knot Sep 25 2007 08:30 PM

soupcan Sep 25 2007 09:15 PM

Does it really matter what the sorry ass magic number is if this sorry ass team is going to continue to get bitch slapped by a team with the worst offensive stats in the majors? So fucking what if they make the playoffs? they'll continue to pitch like this and they'll be done before I eat my second hot dog during Game 1 of the first round. Right now I see no reson to celebrate the fact that this team, despite their best efforts, is inching towards the playoffs. Its a joke. And its not a very funny one at that. Hey Tom Glavine, you suck.

SteveJRogers Sep 25 2007 09:15 PM

James is coming, but first a word from the FLOTUS

Johnny Dickshot Sep 25 2007 09:20 PM

soupcan wrote: Does it really matter what the sorry ass magic number is if this sorry ass team is going to continue to get bitch slapped by a team with the worst offensive stats in the majors? So fucking what if they make the playoffs? they'll continue to pitch like this and they'll be done before I eat my second hot dog during Game 1 of the first round. Right now I see no reson to celebrate the fact that this team, despite their best efforts, is inching towards the playoffs. Its a joke. And its not a very funny one at that. Hey Tom Glavine, you suck. I broke my Sarcasm Detection Machine earlier tonight. Are you inspired by this team or disgusted? I really can't tell. I mean, I think you're a softy on this bunch, but you're also proud of your long history as an abusive booer. So I don't know.

SteveJRogers Sep 25 2007 09:22 PM

And now the man who took down the minutes of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 1776, the 4th President of the United States, James Madison Not to be confused of course with Oscar Madison

SteveJRogers Sep 25 2007 09:24 PM

If you feel that way Soupy, then I'll just continue your themed album covers

Gwreck Sep 26 2007 12:32 AM

Madison was the shortest president.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2007 07:22 AM

Well, all things considered, I'd rather see them win the divisional title and go down in flames in the NLDS than see them go down in flames this week and win nothing at all. If the Mets are in the playoffs, there's the possibility, however slim, that they'll catch fire at the last minute and pull out an unlikely World Championship. Even though the Mets have been in first place since May, I'm no longer expecting the postseason as I was a couple of weeks ago. The rug has been pulled out from under me, and I'm over the shock and in the acceptance stage. If they don't make it, I won't be crushed. If they DO make it, then I have some playoff baseball to watch. I've figured out a way to make lemonade out of all this. The Magic Number is 4. I wish it was zero, but I'm glad it's not 6. Let's Go Mets! Suck as little as possible! Woooooo!

Frayed Knot Sep 26 2007 07:27 AM

"Let's Go Mets! Suck as little as possible! " So how long could one get away with THAT banner before it gets confiscated?

soupcan Sep 26 2007 07:42 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: I broke my Sarcasm Detection Machine earlier tonight. Are you inspired by this team or disgusted? I really can't tell. I mean, I think you're a softy on this bunch, but you're also proud of your long history as an abusive booer. So I don't know. I was not being sarcastic in the least bit. I have booed, I do boo, I will boo in the future but I would stop short of labeling myself as 'abusive'. I'm just not sure what clinching anything is going to do at this point. If they can't hold the Nationals to less than 10 runs a game what can we realistically expect from them in the playoffs? I want the Mets to get there but then I'm asking myself why.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 26 2007 07:45 AM

OK, good. I've built a hotel here the dark side, though I suspect I'll pretend nothing ever happened if/when the playoffs begin.

soupcan Sep 26 2007 07:53 AM

="SteveJRogers"]If you feel that way Soupy, then I'll just continue your themed album covers Appreciate the effort, Steve-a-rino, but you're kinda missing the point. It's about showing the number...

soupcan Sep 26 2007 07:57 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: OK, good. I've built a hotel here the dark side, though I suspect I'll pretend nothing ever happened if/when the playoffs begin. Consider my reservation made.

HahnSolo Sep 26 2007 08:22 AM

="soupcan"] ="SteveJRogers"]If you feel that way Soupy, then I'll just continue your themed album covers Appreciate the effort, Steve-a-rino, but you're kinda missing the point. It's about showing the number... And, appropriately, things are quite Urgent with this team.

Rockin' Doc Sep 26 2007 11:09 AM

Gwreck -"Madison was the shortest president." I hope his reign in this thread is short as well. I want to see the Mets score 10 runs tonight. Hopefully, that will be enough to actually win a game against the Nationals. In my perfect little dream world, Tim Hudson pitches a 3 hit shut out against the Phillies tonight.

Edgy DC Sep 26 2007 11:14 AM

I've got the Madison blues.

TransMonk Sep 26 2007 11:42 AM

I welcome the Mets to my hometown and kindly ask them to get the fuck out.

Edgy DC Sep 26 2007 11:46 AM

You know, it was on Madison's watch that Washington burned. I'm just saying.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2007 11:48 AM

Hopefully that rotunda will inspire them to get to Edgy's home city as soon as they can. The Mets, by the way, can clinch TOMORROW if everything goes right. Let's rush past Jefferson with barely a glance, and spend the night with John Adams. And let's not linger long with George Washington, either.

SteveJRogers Sep 26 2007 08:07 PM

On the bright side, the number for eliminating the Braves is now one.

Elster88 Sep 26 2007 08:08 PM

I'm really not in the mood.

SteveJRogers Sep 26 2007 08:42 PM

Well I was hoping for a big comeback myself as well alright

Benjamin Grimm Sep 26 2007 08:44 PM

SteveJRogers wrote: On the bright side, the number for eliminating the Braves is now one. That would be really nice if our only goal was to keep the Braves out of the playoffs.

SteveJRogers Sep 28 2007 09:09 PM

I am NOT going to post the picture of the gentleman from Qunicy, Mass who was the 2nd President and soon to be the subject of a Tom Hanks produced HBO miniseries, but in both races the number stands at 2.

SteveJRogers Sep 28 2007 09:27 PM

Aww s**t, GW represents the WC tragic number for the Mets.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 29 2007 04:34 AM

SteveJRogers wrote: I am NOT going to post the picture of the gentleman from Qunicy, Mass who was the 2nd President and soon to be the subject of a Tom Hanks produced HBO miniseries, but in both races the number stands at 2. How do you figure that? The Mets magic number is still 4. And renaming a ten-page thread probably isn't kosher. It's like revising history. I think you should put it back to what it was.

Kid Carsey Sep 29 2007 05:16 AM

Fix the title, Steve. Now is no time to be dickin' around.

Edgy DC Sep 29 2007 02:57 PM

So, I guess it's sort of Jeffersonian now. Obviously, we have no magic number, but there's one out in the back gardens at Monticello.

SteveJRogers Sep 29 2007 04:44 PM

Yes but that fellow from Quincy, whose bio I'm listening to on my iPod should be arriving shortly to take the Magic Number from the Virginian. Oh, and to quote him in regards to today, "Jefferson survives!"

SteveJRogers Sep 29 2007 04:46 PM

Well, incorrectly of course, but it is a hell of a final words.

SteveJRogers Sep 29 2007 05:00 PM

Apparently TJ wants to be seen, so lets indulge the man who wrote the Declaration and bought the Louisiana Territory

Benjamin Grimm Sep 29 2007 05:11 PM

Now the Mets and the Phillies share a magic number of 2.

SteveJRogers Sep 29 2007 05:13 PM

The Whitehouse.gov official portrait does not do Mr. Adams justice, so here we go

Benjamin Grimm Sep 29 2007 05:14 PM

Thanks to John Larroquette for the picture of John Adams!

Edgy DC Sep 29 2007 07:05 PM

Mr. Adams Mr. Adams You now possess our Metly magic number Though you've never known your Pelfrey from your Humber Join us and pray the Metsies pack their lumber

Valadius Sep 30 2007 05:01 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: I agree it's a little early to start a countdown with as tight as the division race is at this time. Luckily for Steve that I'm not an overly superstitious person. Otherwise, should the Mets should fail to win the division, I would be compelled to grab my old Adirondack, travel to New York, and go Offerman on him for jinxing the Mets. I'm starting to have thoughts along these lines now...

SteveJRogers Sep 30 2007 05:04 PM

Please, like internet posts really have ANYTHING to do with what goes on on the field.

Rockin' Doc Sep 30 2007 06:04 PM

SJR - "Please, like internet posts really have ANYTHING to do with what goes on on the field." Of course they don't. They can, however, make you look pretty damn stupid when you start to count your chickens before they hatch or in this case, pennants before they're won.

SteveJRogers Sep 30 2007 06:07 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: SJR - "Please, like internet posts really have ANYTHING to do with what goes on on the field." Of course they don't. They can, however, make you look pretty damn stupid when you start to count your chickens before they hatch or in this case, pennants before they're won. Fair point, but 40 was a nice round number to start the countdown at. No matter how small the lead was at the time.

Elster88 Sep 30 2007 08:20 PM

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread!