Mets at the 1/4 Way Point

 

A lot of mediocre teams. A lot of teams are under .500. After 40 games, the Mets are at the bottom of the pack at 15-25. A lot of baseball is left. Still, that's pretty bad.

Update: Good week, including an "instant classic" win vs. the Yanks. 

FU Blue Jays

YOU CHOKED! 2X. You F-ING CHOKED. You bunch of losers. 

They Had A Shot at the Playoffs Until the Very End

 

If the buck stops with the manager, he should be fired. Something significant needs to be done. Not just firing a few coaches.

Jets Fucking Blow It. Yeah, Still Pissed After All These Years. Giants Just Suck. They Have The Better Result.

Some analyst said "great game." NO! They blew it. No participation trophies. You have to finish the damn fucking game.

Oh, can CBS show some MORE shots of Brady celebrating? Can't have enough of those! Rubbing it in the fucking faces of Jets fans. Rubbing in the fucking faces.

Super Bowl LV Determined: Vomit

Giants/Jets Both Back to Form (Losing)

Giants had a bit of a gift win when Washington went for the win at the end of the game. Things balanced out with them losing by one on Thursday Night Football.  Washington then crushed Dallas (25-3). Eagles retained their 2-4-1 first place advantage.  Jets actually looked good at the start, going up 10-0, Buffalo not being able to get out of their own way.  The Bills 18-10 win wasn't exactly prime, but the Jets QB's return in the end got to the same result, after that "false start."  Pats then lost and are 2-4. 

Sports Sunday: New York Mostly Loses

The Mets started Saturday's DH still alive in the playoff race (and the other teams broke down as necessary!), but they had to win all three left. They lost all three, leaving them in last place (Nats win the tiebreaker). Brewers got in under .500.

Meanwhile, the Yanks lost 5-0 on Sunday to the fellow playoff Marlins while the Jets and Giants (previously of the "at least they were respectable" class) embarrassed themselves, the latter versus back-ups. Buffalo (with a help of a questionable penalty) avoided losing, after blowing a 25 point lead. Giants do benefit from a division where the other teams have all of 2.5 wins. Baseball playoffs begin today.

A few bad teams shine

Let us honor vets by education, respect for their service and needs as well as being very careful about how we use the military from now on.

There is a major divisional match-up tonight [messy game; Seattle won in OT], but a theme yesterday was for bad teams to shine a little. Jets v. Giants? Jets win by having two good halves (of four) and a great take away for a score. Dolphins hang on vs. a back-up and a veteran kicker who is having issues (missed XP key at end). Falcons upset Saints. Panthers back-up in the snow came within inches from going around ninety yards for the tie (they would need a two) in the snow vs the Packers. Bengals still winless.

Latest Mets Drama

Appeared ready to sweep the Nats last weekend, after being swept, with Thor on the mound. Instead, they lost 23-5 (third string catcher pitching two), Thor now on the 60 Day DL. A possibility of a sweep of the Marlins with Harvey up vs. a spot starter was a set-up clearly. Instead, for some reason, Harvey has been suspended and they lost 7-0 with a spot starter of their own struggling. The bright spot was rookie Paul Sewald, now apparently wasted to eat two innings with the Mets' big lead the day before, coming to pitch 3.1 of two run (one on a wild pitch) ball. Since [?] -- team doesn't want just to come clean -- they knew yesterday, they should had held Sewald to start. Could have went four and figure things out from there.

Kevin Plawecki

"Thor" looks bad for not having that MRI now that he left the game hurt. Sean Gilmartin finally got a chance, got a hit, but that third inning was a killer. As were other innings. So, Anthony Recker (back-up catcher pitched an inning in past) not available (and Logan Verrett with the Orioles, winning for them in the 11th), Plawecki pitched a pair of innings. ONE went well.

No more baseball

Horrible ending taints game. Great game evenly matched. Not blown like that. AGAIN. Sick of Giants. No fan of Nats/Dodgers. I'm supposed to be enthused by Texas/Toronto? The Red Sox? Guess go Indians, but blah. Heart not in the rest of games.

Mets Blow A Great Spot Start From Lugo (Just Latest F-up)

Black Day in NY Sports

NYG come back, blow another late inning lead and with less than a minute left go three & out AND give NO time (with help via a 15 yard face mask) to win 51-49 via the final FG. Expected loss came the worst way. Jets favorites vs. Oakland but early injury put in Geno Smith (not only backup). Did okay but still lost by 14. Mets blew it again late with mismanagement helping more than once. Putrid World Series. Don't want to hear about KC or how fans should be proud they got here. Are they f-ing Little Leaguers with participation medals?

Insult to Injury: Mets Playoff Edition

Update:  MLB has suspended Utley for two games (which he appealed) for his slide and has promised to work to better protect infielders. This after some remarks by Joe Torre (who used to manage both the Yanks and the Dodgers, Mattingly was one of his coaches there) after the game that sounded like nothing much might be done. Let's see how it sticks. Some also have noted that this might in part be a matter of protecting Utley and/or MLB in general from potential retaliation and other negative stuff.

But, not satisfied really, since this only underlines that the umpires were wrong in the game and the game was still tainted by their rulings. Tejeda's leg is also still broken. An official ruling the slide was dirty only makes this clearer though it's something. Oh, he should not potentially face the Mets again in the series. Three games. Or, Mets can just win the next two and make the matter there moot.  (He might play as it is appealed.) 

To add to latest -- Utley will be available to play at least one game -- I'm okay with the appeal as a whole, but doubt seriously due process could not be fairly applied by hearing the case before the game. What exactly do they need to research here?  Let me add that along with a lot of good coverage there was some bad, including those who convince themselves other slides not the same were or think wrongful non-application (and it has been applied) gives people a pass now. 

Sports have various purposes and it is not just "a game" for that reason. This makes good drama with sports being a long time plot device for plays, films, television shows and fodder for intense debate in various fora. Sports are character building exercises, both on individual and team levels. They provide means to channel aggression and other passions, from ancient times in fact an alternative to actual combat.  And, it is a passionate means of entertainment for many, again going beyond merely watching a game, including a means to bond as families and friends.

It is not trivial stuff.  Yes, on some level, it is "just a game," and is not merely life and death.  But, even there, for many, it is rather important. People have escaped poverty, obtained an education and had their life have a major sense of purpose by means of sports.  Again, both on an individual and personal level.  It is a major aspect of our culture and this is one reason why I think it warranted to respect it as an important part of education.  It also raises various issues of public concern including funding public stadiums, various discrimination concerns, personal injuries especially in respect to boxing and football and other matters.

Again, important stuff.  For me personally, sports is an important matter, including as a means of channeling emotions and letting off steam. It also is fun on a basic entertainment level.  And, I want it to be fair. Last night, there was a basic act of unfairness in the Mets/Dodgers playoff game along with a particularly aggravating blowing of a lead/loss in a big spot.  The latter is part of the game, but a matter of great emotion all the same. The first is quite another thing, a basic threat to the integrity of the game.  The fact the Mets were less than nine outs away from a likely lock for the first round (2-0) just underlines the importance of the matter.  In context, it truly added insult to injury.

It was a pitching duel between one of the top three pitchers in the NL and the Mets young budding ace ("Thor" based on his appearance though he also looks to me as a ringer of Matt Damon) and the team was up 2-1 in the 7th. As in the past, the manager -- given the somewhat iffy nature of the pen -- was trying to stretch his starter for a few more outs. It was one out with men on first and third.  He might have taken out him sooner or used Jonathan Niese against a long term Mets killer (Chase Utley), but history really made that a risk -- Niese basically was in relief and the few times he tried that out late in the year were an adventure.

Anyway, old man Colon was brought in because of a good match-up and a hope to get a double play.  Plus, he looked calm in the few times he tried relief work.  Got the ground ball but not the double play -- in real time, it looked (and the analysts on television didn't disagree) that a double play would be hard to get.  But, one out (second base) with a man on first and two outs was something you could live with. Yes, 2-2, but the Dodgers ace was out of the game and on balance you figure the Mets probably have a bit of an edge, or at least even money. Plus, they won game one and a split in LA was also satisfactory. 2-0 would be great though. 

The problem was that Ruben Tejeda, a back-up who lately served as almost an everyday SS and helped win the game the night before with a key walk, was hurt.  It was later determined he had a broken fibula. Chase Utley, who has a history of nasty take out slides (replays suggested to many "slide" was generous here) even at least once before with Tejeda himself, hit him so hard that it broke the guy's leg.  In the process, though you had to look closely and some even missed it (and at least a few didn't think it was clear that it happened, making it not worthy of overturning the call), Tejeda barely didn't touch the bag. The play on the field though was that it was an out. And, Utley probably figured as much, satisfied he did his job -- run scores via take out slide.

Okay, so everyone was upset that Tejeda was hurt -- well, most, since some berate the guy's skills since he's really a journeyman type player, and some wanted Flores there (his defense at times was a bit questionable, but he became a fan favorite) -- and that the game was tied.  But, again, I was ready to move on, figuring 2-2 was livable. But, wait!  Utley, who people were already basically calling scum on Twitter etc., was called safe.  The "neighborhood play" -- in place in large part for just this purpose, to protect middle infielders from injury arising from take out slides -- was found not to apply.  That was necessary since if it did, it should not have been reviewed.  Likewise, it was not judged to be illicit interference. If THAT was called, the inning should have been over with the Mets UP 2-1.

The reason the neighborhood play was not called was that Murphy's throw to Tejeda pulled him off the bag so apparently this made the double play not possible or something.  This was said to be a "debatable" ruling.  The guy's f-ing leg was broken. If it was "debatable," the umpires should be very sure not to call it given the nature of the play.  And, I simply do not understand why the purpose of the rule suddenly changes given the player is still trying in the process of trying to make a double play and avoidance of injury still is a factor.  It sounds like b.s. to me and did to various other people. And, this only applies to the double play. We still have to deal with the nature of the slide itself.  Utley also never touched the bag, which confused a lot of people too.  The general reaction: WTF?!

I'm biased as a fan, but the injustice of the non-calls etc. here were expressed by various other people, including Kevin Burkhardt (a reasonable sort who used to be the sideline reporter for the team) and others.  The new pitcher -- this very situation of the middle relief getting key outs late with guys on base in a low scoring game was just the situation I was worried about -- got one out.  This should have been the third out.  He then gave up two hits and the Mets were down 5-2.  They were quickly retired in the eighth and didn't do much in the ninth either.  1-1 series.

Fans will get little satisfaction here, the best the team can do being winning the series regardless.  The game was not won if they got out of it 2-1 or 2-2, but most definitely it was a lot better than what happened.  You can second guess pitching moves in the seventh too, but that is part of the game. A missed tag or questionable ball or strike call is too, officials being human. But, this was more blatant. The team was screwed here and a rule in place EXACTLY to deal with a situation that happened was not applied when a guy's fucking leg was broken (not clear at the time, but it was obvious on the field the guy was hurt -- it might have been known then too actually).

MLB can't really do anything.  What can they do?  If they fine Utley, it basically is saying the Mets were screwed.  If Utley did something worth fining there, the player was interfered with by rule and the call on the field that directly affected the result of the game was wrong.  His apology to Tejeda, out while they have to call some minor league player since they need a damn back-up SS and no one else is available (the other guy had his first MLB shot at SS last month!), via Wright is charming and all.  Basically, you expect that reckless behavior from him in the game given his past efforts.  The true assholes here -- again I'm willing to be labeled just a fan but so many people are saying this is so -- are the officials. The integrity of the game is their responsibility.

Some, since it really is all one can do on some level, counsel us to move on. Just win the last two, accepting it was horrible, a "bad slide" etc.  But, nothing is guaranteed there, especially with a very good opponent and now a rookie with under ten MLB games starting a Game Four that very well might have matter a lot less.  Matt Harvey is great to have in a now essential Game Three and his last outing was impressive. But, the Dodgers are not the Nationals, and he gave up two against the Reds.  And, what if there is a Game Five?  This would mean your top ace will only start, assuming as we now have to retain our sanity, deeper into the next round.

Finally, just moving on will only encourage more of this shit, both the officiating and the dangerous physical contact.  Maybe, there will be a discussion of changing the rules here, like with the collision rule change at home plate.  This is merely Ruben Tejeda, not a star catcher, true.  But, there are rules in place already.  They could have been applied to at least call him out and have it stand to help protect the middle infielder or even to call the double play because of interference.  This is baseball, yes, not gun control, but a broken leg is serious too if on a lesser level.  Just being upset and moving on small scale and big at some point is the wrong move. This included mid-game. Terry Collins should have got himself thrown out.

I was pissed -- the crude language used to express my mood, as this will simmer on an off day -- when the NY Giants blew the first game of the season, a key divisional match-up, greatly helping the other team with an asinine play that gave them about thirty more precious seconds to drive down the field.  I didn't get a chance to watch the whole game, but if I did, it would be wasted because of stupidity and horrible play with under two minutes to play.  But, this wasn't merely the pen blowing it. This was MLB not doing their job.  Why should we watch if games turn on that?

The Mets are now basically left to winning two more damn games. MLB might preemptively warn each team, to avoid retaliation, which will hurt Harvey because now inside pitches etc. could lead to ejection.  Harvey is a bit of a mental case himself -- he can really come to the plate here or be a bit too hyped up. It helps the Dodgers middle starters provide a big drop-off, but they still aren't exactly scrubs.  Mets fans have a tendency to be pessimistic on average relatively speaking as is.  It is a sanity device to say "we got this," and the best of three should favor them with two in NY. But, life is harder now.  And, Utley -- only a bench player -- or even some other player getting hit doesn't give me much satisfaction. Not going to break someone's leg either.  The game is lost too.

By now, Mets fans are saying "of course" with all that happened this season. They can only try to move on, some of use still very upset, and win the series and move on anyway.  MLB should be on notice though. Fans deserve better. And, since sports are not merely trivial, there is a bigger message to be taken here as well. The Mets lost last night, but they are on some basic level not the true losers here.

As if Dodgers needed more help ...

After defensive misplays led to 2-3 runs, ump miscalls (blatantly a 3-2 way outside "strike") blocked the Mets from making up for them. Worse, the manager not only didn't complain (it deserved getting tossed; even Vin Scully was a bit taken aback), but barely reacted. Almost worse.  West Coast, so this happened after midnight local time. Some way to end a day.

Ike Davis Has To Be Sent Down

Really, this is too much. Can't hit or field, though now and then walks. Harvey was human, some struggling extra person getting three hits to add insult. Yesterday, Captain Wright flubbed a ball to help lead to three unearned. Today, Mets offense showed a bit of life. Found another way to lose, with a touch of embarrassment. One might say "again."

Mets Clown Show

First, if Gee cannot pitch five innings, the team needs another starter.  Second, all you needed was a split.  It took a ridiculous amount of screwing up (the eighth inning was a classic here) to manage to blow that. And, after a long day, after 1 A.M. NY time, do we really need your typical Gary Cohen "[the other team] WINS IT!" call?  You know, shut up.

Kent Jones Goes Too

The latest in a bunch of moves that made Air America p- me off ... the "business decision" to fire Kent Jones from the Rachel Maddow (with the exception, up to a point, of Thom Hartman, the only full time host worth consistently listening to left on the station) Show. I was not at home, but let out a sigh when I heard the news earlier this week. Touching final goodbye last night -- the usual ending of the show with a Kent Jones report (and a "pet story") particularly fitting. What a lame move. The station, like the Democratic Party, yet again is seen as the enemy by the base. Charming.

Giants Won. Miami and Jets Lost. Pats Won.

Eagles almost tied it at the buzzer with a 57yd field goal. All about right. And, per the usual blogs, more Dem enabling. Oh wait, are the Jets trying an onside kick for the fifth time (one for three, one do over) in the final three minutes? No, the game is over. Still lost, but amusing.