Die Hard Mets Fan

I apologize for not writing the past two days.  One of our Giants Bloggers on Die Hard Giants Fan, Phessional, came up from Jacksonville, FL and stayed at my place for two days.  He moved down there about a year and a half ago and barely comes up here.  We partied like rock stars for two days.  He has to go to an engagement party tonight which is the reason he is here.  Anyway, I went back and got all of the news that I missed in case you haven’t heard it already.

The Mets won their final Spring Training game today and beat the White Sox 3-2.  The Mets will play for real on Monday…finally.

 Mets edge Sox in Civil Rights Game - Justice B. Hill recapped the Civil Rights Game between the White Sox and the Mets.  New York beat Chicago 3-2.  John Maine got the start.

Fans enjoy being part of history - Justice B. Hill gathered the thoughts of baseball fans who attended the Civil Rights Game.

Mets Opening Day outlook - Marty Noble tells us what he thinks about the Mets as they get ready to begin the 2008 season.

Aaron headlines roundtable discussion - On the eve of the Civil Rights Game, a dinner was held to discuss why black athletes are not playing Major League Baseball as much as they used to.

Johan has low-key take on hyped debut - Marty Noble found out that Johan Santana excited, but not nervous, about pitching on Opening Day.

Reyes scores pair of runs for Mets - Spencer Fordin summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.  Baltimore beat the Mets by a score of 4-3.  Orlando Hernandez was the starting pitcher.

El Duque’s right foot a wild card - After yesterday’s game, Marty Noble believes that El Duque has the edge over Mike Pelfrey for the final spot in the rotation.

Mets announce three roster moves - Marty Noble reported that the Mets optioned Anderson Hernandez to Triple-A New Orleans, Steven Register was returned to the Rockies, and Ruben Gotay was claimed off waivers by the Braves.

All ends well with Mets’ limo ride - Marty Noble tells us about a voyage that Billy Wagner, Matt Wise, and Jorge Sosa took.

Mets represent diversity - Anthony DiComo discusses the diversity of the Mets as they are about to play in the Civil Rights Game.

Going down to the wire - Anthony DiComo points out that the Mets still have to decide who the bench players will be and who will win the bullpen spots after the next two games.

Perez looks sharp in final spring start - Mark Bowman summarized Thursday’s game between the Mets and the Braves.  New York stomped Atlanta 9-4.  Oliver Perez got the start.

Civil Rights Game special to Randolph - Anthony DiComo explains how Willie Randolph feels about the Mets participating in the Civil Rights Game.

Perez gives Mets a brief scare - Anthony DiComo describes that fall that Perez took on Thursday.

Gotay’s Mets career nearing an end - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets placed Gotay on outright waivers on Thursday which may be a hint that his tenure as a Met is coming to an end.  DiComo pointed out that the final bench spot may go to Brady Clark or Fernando Tatis.

New parks pay tribute to the past - Marty Noble compliments the Mets and the Yankees for the stadiums that they are building in New York.

Newsday:

Mets’ El Duque scrubs new windup, looks better

Mets cut Gotay, guess who picks him up? Braves

METS SCOUTING REPORT - David Lennon analyzes every aspect of the 2008 Mets.

Randolph’s high-wire act - Johnette Howard believes that Willie is on a short-leash this season.

Yankee Stadium, Shea make their final turns for home in 2008

PRESSURE FROM DAY 1 - David Lennon talks about the expectations of the Mets as they head into the ‘08 season.

CATCHING ON QUICK - Anthony Rieber explains how Brian Schneider is quickly getting used to the fast pace of New York.

ACE OF ACES - David Lennon had a Q&A with Santana.

Pelfrey vs. El Duque for Mets’ fifth spot

WRIGHT ATTITUDE - Jim Baumbach discusses David Wright’s career with Wright.

Devastated Ruben Gotay is put on waivers by Mets

Mets’ Pedro avoids collision, then throws perfectly

Hopeful singers audition to sing anthem at Shea

Late-arrival Tatis may have right timing for Mets - David Lennon believes that Tatis can make the team.

New York Daily News:

El Duque brings back high leg kick

Memories hit Tom Glavine hard

Keith not dialed in on SNY’s plan

Mets might bid Ruben Gotay goodbye

Pedro Martinez to start final home opener at Shea Stadium

Nelson Figueroa is following his dream of being a pro ball player - Vic Ziegel wrote up a Bio on Nelson Figueroa.

Hundreds line up for chance to sing national anthem at Mets game

Mike Pelfrey, El Duque still battling for 5th spot in rotation

New York Post:

KICK BACK - Bart Hubbuch pointed out that El Duque went back to his old form.

GOTAY GOES TO BRAVES

TATIS HAS SHOT AT REDEMPTION

DUQUE CAN NAIL DOWN FIVE SPOT

METS ARE READY FOR REAL THING

RADIO GIG WILL MAKE WAGNER A SHOCK JOCK - Phil Mushnick found out that, “ESPN 1050 Radio has signed Billy Wagner to a weekly say-for-pay spot on Michael Kay’s late-afternoon show, and that, by no later than Aug. 15, is going to cause a problem. Or two.”

THE HUMAN ERASER - Justin Terranova believes that Johan will help the Mets forget about the collapse.

FINAL 25 WON’T BE RUSH JOB

PEDRO’S GOING TO SPEAK UP - According to Bart Hubbuch, Pedro vows to be the vocal leader that the Mets lacked down the stretch during the collapse in ‘07.

IT AIN’T OVER … - Jay Greenberg discusses the glory days.

IF IT’S ‘08, IT’S CUBS’ YEAR - Kevin Kernan wrote up an National League preview.

The New York Times:

Glavine Says He Retains Emotional Bond With the Mets

A Break From the Game for an Inspiring Lesson - Ben Shpigel discusses other aspects of the Civil Rights Game.

Shea in ’64: The Planes Above, the Mets Below

You Can’t Just Blow Up History - Richard Sandomir doesn’t want to see Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium get blown up.

The Star-Ledger:

Walking (and shivering) in Memphis

Pelfrey v. Hernandez: Deciding Round

El Duque looks sharp

Braves scoop up Gotay off waivers

El Duque, Pelfrey to get final look

Gotay placed on waivers

Final decision would be a relief - Jeremy Cothran explains who can fill the last spot in the Bullpen.

Pedro aces stint, vows to be more vocal

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Top of the 1st: Ramirez popped up to short.  Maine walked Uggla.  Maine struck Hermida out swinging, and Castro threw out Uggla after attempting to steal second.  Marlins 0 - Mets 0.

Bottom of the 1st: Reyes flied out to right.  Castillo lined a stand-up double off of the left field wall.  Wright lined a single into right as Castillo advanced to third.  Beltran lined out to third.  Moises Alou grounded a RBI single up the middle scoring Luis Castillo and advancing Wright to third.  Carlos Delgado followed up with his own RBI single up the middle scoring David Wright.  With Alou on second and Delgado on first, Castro popped up to third.  Marlins 0 - Mets 2.

Top of the 2nd: Cabrera popped up to center.  Maine fanned Jacobs.  Maine struck Linden out looking.  Marlins 0 - Mets 2.

Bottom of the 2nd: Milledge, after working a full count, lined a leadoff single into left.  Maine dropped down a sac bunt, and Olivo made the out at first.  Reyes grounded to second as Milledge advanced to third.  Luis Castillo, with a full count, lined an RBI single to center field scoring Lastings Milledge.  Seddon walked Wright on 4 straight pitches.  With Castillo on second and Wright on first, Carlos Beltran lined a RBI single over Ramirez’ head into left center scoring Luis Castillo and advancing Wright to third.  The Marlins replaced Seddon with Wolf.  Moises Alou lined an RBI single into center scoring David Wright and advancing Beltran to third.  Delgado popped up just foul of the third base line, and Castillo made the catch.  Marlins 0 - Mets 5.

Top of the 3rd: Maine K’d Olivo and De Aza swinging.  Maine struck Wolf out looking.  Marlins 0 - Mets 5.

Bottom of the 3rd: Castro grounded a leadoff single through the hole on the left side.  Lastings Milledge jacked a 2-run homer to left field scoring Ramon Castro and himself.  World walked Maine on 4 straight pitches.  Reyes chopped an infield hit, and he never ran to first as Olivo made the out at first.  Castillo hit an opposite field ground rule double that landed fair down the left field line and into the stands.  The Marlins replaced Wolf with Garcia.  Wright grounded out to short, and Castillo stayed put at second.  Beltran, with a full count, line out to center field.  Marlins 0 - Mets 8.

Top of the 4th: Maine K’d Ramirez and Uggla swinging.  Hermida lined out to left.  Marlins 0 - Mets 8.

Bottom of the 4th: Garcia fanned Alou.  Delgado popped up to left.  Garcia struck Castro out swinging.  Marlins 0 - Mets 8.

Top of the 5th: Cabrera popped up behind home plate, and Castro made the out.  Maine K’d Jacobs and Linden. (John Maine is giving me goosebumps after striking out 10 through 5 innings and allowing no hits and 1 walk)  Marlins 0 - Mets 8.

Bottom of the 5th: Lastings Milledge followed up his first homer with another solo shot to the same place.  Garcia struck out Maine.  Reyes lined a stand-up double down the first base line and into the right field corner.  Garcia threw at Castillo on 2 consequetive pitches.  The second one being a wild pitch that allowed Reyes to advance to third, and the dugouts and bullpens emptied as a bit of shoving went on.  Garcia was warned by the Umpire for throwing at Castillo.  Garcia ended up walked Castillo on 4 pitches.  During a pitching change, Olivo started punching Reyes and the bases benches cleared again down by the third base line.  (It’s strange because Reyes was laughing towards home during the last pitch so Olivo must of took offense to it, but that’s awesome considering that they weren’t even playing and the Jose Jose Jose Jose cheers started in the stands).  The Marlins finally replaced Garcia with Zarate, and Olivo was ejected.  With Reyes on third and Castillo on first, David Wright grounded a RBI single through the hole on the left side scoring Jose Reyes.  With Castillo on second and Wright on first, Zarate struck out Beltran swinging.  Alou popped up to shallow left, and Carroll made the catch.  Marlins 0 - Mets 10.

Top of the 6th: Hoover replaced Olivo, and Maine K’d him too.  Maine then fanned De Aza swinging.  Carroll lined out to left.  (John Maine now has 12 K’s through 6 innings with no hits and 1 walk)  Marlins 0 - Mets 10.

Bottom of the 6th: Delgado lined out to short, and Amezaga made the out with the shift on.  Ramon Castro lined solo shot to the left field corner.  Milledge grounded the ball down the first baseline that Zarate misfielded, and then Mauro Zarate (2 Erros: one for not fielding the ball properly and one for the bad throw) overthrew first as he attempted to hurry the throw and Milledge advanced to second base (all of this after Milledge didn’t run to first).  Maine popped up to first.  Reyes (now gets the Shea Faithful rocking after getting booed earlier) popped up to short.  Marlins 0 - Mets 11.

Top of the 7th: Andino, in for Ramirez, grounded the ball hard to third, but it deflected off of Wright to Reyes and Reyes made the out at first.  Uggla, with a full count, was walked by Maine.  Maine K’d Hermida swinging.  Amezaga, in for Cabrera, popped up to near the pitchers mound, and Wright made the out.  Marlins 0 - Mets 11.

Bottom of the 7th: The Marlins replaced Zarate with Carvajal.  Castillo grounded out to second.  Wright dropped a single into shallow center.  Carvajal struck out Beltran swinging.  Gomez is in for Alou, and he grounded the ball down the first base line but Carvajal misfielded the play and Gomez arrived safely at first.  Carlos Delgado lined a RBI single into right scoring David Wright and advancing Gomez to third.  Castro grounded out to short, and Andino made the force play at second.  Marlins 0 - Mets 12.

Top of the 8th: Maine K’d Jacobs swinging.  Wood lined out to left field, and Gomez made the out.  Hoover grounded a slow infield hit down the third base line, and Wright had no play.  The Mets replaced Maine (7.2 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 2 walks, and 14 strike outs got his standing ovation and a curtain call) with Collaza.  De Aza popped up to shallow center, and Beltran made the out.  Marlins 0 - Mets 12.

Bottom of the 8th: Milledge popped up to center field.  Hernandez is in to pinch hit for Collaza, and he drew a walk from Carvajal.  Hernandez replaced Reyes, and he popped up to left.  Gotay slapped a single through the hole on the left side.  With Hernandez on second and Gotay on first, David Newhan blooped in RBI single into left field scoring Anderson Hernandez as Gotay advanced to third and Newhan advanced to second on the throw to third.  Beltran grounded out to first.  Marlins 0 - Mets 13.

Top of the 9th: The Mets replaced Collaza with Muniz.  Carroll flied out to left center, and Anderson made the out.  Andino attempted to bloop a hit into shallow center, but a diving Gomez made the catch.  Abercrombie is in to pinch hit for Uggla, and he was struck out by Muniz.  Marlins 0 - Mets 13.

Final Score: Florida Marlins 0 - New York Mets 13.  The MLB.com Box Score is attached.

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