Jeff Nelson, Woild Serious Factor
Who is Jeff Nelson? Thanks for asking.
He’s a baseball umpire with a “small strikezone,” working behind the plate [chosen to work behind the plate] in game 2 of the 2009 World Series.
Of course the strikezone should be the same for every umpire, and when an individual umpire’s calls are consistently inconsistent, he should be repromanded. Maybe fined demoted, suspended, or fired… NOT GIVEN A PLUM ASSIGNMENT, BUD SELIG.
“Christ, the Commish is a moron,” you may thinking.
Wrong!!… at least in this instance.
MLB is deliberately not standardizing umpiring. Why? Because who’s umping behind the plate becomes a factor in prognosticating the odds and probabilities of any given game.
Baseball, by doing everything possible to draw interest in itself through gambling… both legal [Fantasy/Roto] and illegal. They know that betting is right up there with apple pie, in the hearts of we ‘mericans. Want proof? Check out the the NFL.
Pete Rose Bet On Steroids
WZIG in Alameda is reporting that former baseball star Pete Rose alledgedly bet on the effects of steroids on current baseball players. Since we Fantasy League players have been doing this forfever, MLB Commisioner Pud Selig isn’t expected to add any years to Pete’s lifetime suspention from baseball.
Here’s Pete, doing his best “Jack.”
Milton Bradley, Talented, Disturbed, Fantasy Enigma
For the fifth year in a row the California Sea Otter, my Fantasy Baseball team, is “blessed” with Milton Bradley. Over the years [at times], I’ve been able to ride the streaky, emotional, talented [five tools], injury-prone, misunderstood, understood all too well, disturbed Bradley for weeks at a time.
2009? No streaks to ride so far. I’ve drafted, released, reacquired and released him time and time again. He now looms on my bench, once again at the ready. I know that breakout time is coming. Today, I have a hunch, and I’m playing him. I’ll sit the steady Michael Cuddyer.
Here’s an image of Milton as an Oakland Athletic. I wonder if Billy Beane would like him back. He’d look really good in green and gold, again.
K-Rod’s Back Troubles Playing Havoc With My Sunday
K-Rod was taken to the hospital after experiencing severe back spasms for the second time yesterday.
It’s Sunday, my fucking Sunday, and not only is it too cold to go to the A’s game, but the aforementioned news re. the New York Mets closer gives me an unwanted, “Nostradamus- like” glance into their immediate future. Naussia looms, I fear.
JJ Putz assumes the role of closer. The former Sea Otter has not adjusted well to his role as set-up man, and/or New York. I fear the later, and that worries me. Mets fans are somewhat more forgiving than Yankee rooters, but only a bit more.
Some players [performers] excel in the gigantic spotlight, others wind up in the Clevelands of the Baseball woild. Funny, earlier in the week Putz had been rumored to be going to just that Ohio town for a Carlos Delgado [Are you hep to his hip problems, or like me, hep to the hop?] fill-in.
The thought of another Mets baseball season going down the tube because of injuries, sucks. I’m about to go back to sleep and wake up at 4:20… or set my clock ahead. The reason for the stupid ass grin in the image bellow, I just found out that shortstop Jose Reyes will be back Monday against the Nationals, and I was able to set the clock, pictured in the upper right hand corner, forward [never straight]. :-)
Losing Less, The 1962 New York Mets Way
These days part of my “Fantasy Baseball trip” is recreating past seasons on my computer baseball game [Baseball Mogul 2007].
I’m managing the Mets of ‘62, the pride of the Polo Grounds. Through July 19th, I’m doing better then the Originals. 35-54 isn’t all that great, but if the “wheels don’t fall off” I’ll continue to compete with the Cubs, Phils, and Colt 45’s for seventh place or, at the very least, avoiding the moniker of “Basement Bertha.”
My favorite story about that year is the one the late Leonard Koppett, the two-sport [baseball and basketball] Hall of Fame writer, loved telling. The phone rang in the newsroom at the NY Post at two in the in morning. “I understand the Mets scored 16 runs last night,” the caller said. “Did they win?”
Here’s hard luck [an understatement, to say the very least] pitcher Roger “The Dodger” Craig.
Original Met Clem Labine was a former Dodger pitcher.
Former Brave pitcher Ken MacKenzie.
Chris Cannizzaro ended up doing most of the catching.
[Hot] Rod Kanehl was special. A Jack of all trades, master of none. The late Leonard Shecter wrote about him [and Casey] in his great book, “Jocks”.
Utility man Rick Herrscher.
Pitcher Dave Hillman, a one time Cub.
Joe Christopher’s intangible attributes on a baseball field take away from any positive statistics you can get from him…
.. and the same can be said for Jim Hickman.
Pitcher Galen Cisco, from Ohio State, was one of the few who pitched effectively enough to stay in the organization long enough to make it to Shea. Mert and I shared a car on the 7 line with the former Buckeye on the way to opening day in 1964.
Willard “Bill” Hunter came over from the Dodgers and, as I recall, wasn’t the piece needed to turn things around.
Red Ruffing made the Hall Of Fame as a pitcher. Certainly not as the pitching coach of the 1962 Mets. I question the wisdom of entrusting one’s pitching staff to a man who cut off his toes with a lawnmower…. but, what do I know?
Northwestern’s Jay Hook, reputed to be one very smart cookie, was one of many Met pitchers who started games without finishing them and relieved games without offering relief… In short, it was a dismal staff.
Vinegar Bend Mizell, veteran NL pitcher, added to th Mets futility.
Ed Kraneppol made is debut in the majors in 1962.
Gil Hodges may or may not be the best baseball player who is not in the Hall of Fame. That doesn’t mean he deserves to be in it. He most certainly doesn’t. When I think of Gil, I’m reminded of his wife Joan. She’d get in the spirit of things by dyeing her hair “Met Orange.”
Jim Rufus Marshall filled in at first base for the gimpy kneed Gil Hodges in the first game they ever played. He later went on to manage the Cubs and join an inordinately long list of big league managers [including the aforementioned # 14] who at one time or another played for Leo ”The Lip/Lion” Durocher. [A future blog about these men looms large.]
Elio Chacon was the regular shortstop. Made for a long year.
Craig Anderson was known as an “inning eater.” Given his earned run average, this was a backhanded compliment.
Cliff Cook was acquired for…
… Don Zimmer. A dog for a cat.
Harry Chiti was the catcher the Mets acquired for a player to be named later… That player turned out to be Harry Chiti.
“… Little Alvin Jackson was born on Christmas Day, one of twelve children from Waco, Texas…” , the late Bob Murphy [original Mets announcer] would babble, every inning of every game he pitched. Jackson was also the fastest runner on the 162 New York Mets.
Hard to dislike Choo Choo, who was the fastest runner the Mets ever have had catch for them. That’s Clarence, to you.
Casey brought in former Yankee outfielder Gene Woodling. Gornisht helphen.
Former Dodger and future bullpen coach Joe Pignatano did some catching for the ‘62 Mets.
Myron “Joe” Ginsberg, one of the few Jewish ballplayers in Mets history, also did some catching in 1962.
Bob Moorhead [A surname that, after all these years, still evokes a smile.] was a gas can, waiting to explode.
Johnny DeMerit was a highly regarded prospect for the Braves and a lowly regarded bust for the Mets.
The original Frank “Mule” Thomas was a super hitter in the National League for a decade before the Mets were born and the heart of their offense [such as it was] in 1962.
A lot more was expected of this former Brave. I remember Felix Millan as the “Cat,” and Felix Mantilla as the “Sail Cat.”
Bob “Righty” Miller [the Mets also had a southpaw Bob Miller in '62 with far less talent] was an effective pitcher for many years, before, during and after his stint in New York. Trading him for Tim Harkness and Larry Burright seemed like a good idea at the time, but set them back.
Pictured below is the right handed throwing Bob Miller…
.. and Bob “Lefty” Miller.
By all accounts, the Hall O’ Fame 2nd baseman was a removed, uncommunicative coach.
“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby
“There comes a time in every man’s life, and I’ve had a few.” That’s my favorite Casey Stengel quote.
Sammy’s brother was Solly Drake, not…
…Mets coach Solly Hemus.
Charlie Neal was a terrific ballplayer for the Dodgers… for the Mets, another story.
Then Brooklyn Dodger Harry “Cookie” Lavagetto in his last ML at bat broke up Bill Beven’s no hitter against the Yankees in the 1947 Woild Serious. After coaching the Mets for a while, he was traded for SF Giant coach Wes Westrum, who later replaced Casey as manager.
Going in to the season Gus Bell was worth a lot… “on paper.” The Mets, and fans like me, play the game on grass. :-)
The first Met drafted was Hobie Landrith, whom they traded for…
… Faye’s brother, Marv Throneberry, who was once a prospect with the Yankees.
Former Cardinal outfielder Bobby Gene Smith played some for the ‘62 Mets.
Sammy Taylor came over from the Cubs and did nothing but add to the Mets catching woes.
In a spring training battle, Sherman “Roadblock” Jones [pictured bellow] beat out Bob “Butterball” Botz, who shared a nickname with my rather large brother, for a spot on the original roster.
Richie “Whitey” Ashburn nicknamed Marv Throneberry,”Marvelous.” What a team. 40 wins, 40 nicknames.
I’d love to have bigger pictures of coach Ralph “Red” Kress, who died shortly after the season…
… and pitchers Larry Foss…
…Ray Daviault…
…and Herb Moford.
Mr. Met, mascot extraordinaire.
Original Mets Annoncers
Bob Murphy, Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner
Pitchers And Catchers Report, As Do I…
… at long last.
The California Sea Otter, my Fantasy team, has been drafted. Hanley Ramirez, Matt Holiday, Cliff Lee, Carlos Marmol, Lance Berkman, and Victor Martinez are amongst the draftees that excite me [if not in the Biblical way]… The Mets look to be the team to beat in the NL East, yet again. This years bully should put an end to the chokeitis that has befallen my beloveds for the past few years. From my mouth to gawd’s ears. Their new stadium is almost an exact replica of Ebbets Field. As an old NY Giants fan, I’m less than thrilled. Fact is, the SF Giants do more to honor the memory of the New York Giants than do the Mets… Manny is still out there. Will the Dodgers or Giants win the sweepstakes? I’m guessing the Giants, who thus far haven’t insulted the man by taking any offers off the table. The Mets may sneak in there. That would be splendid… Jim Rice in the HOF, and Bert Blyleven not. What a travesty… Congrats to Rickey, who in his prime, “became the game,” as only Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson, could do… A-Rod on steroids? Really. Next thing you know, Brady Anderson will be accused. Seriously, Baseball would be better served if all the 104 names are released. The overwhelming majority of players who didn’t test positive will than not be lumped in to this Gene Orza caused travesty…. If any one sees the game I grew up loving [the one played on a comparatively even playing field, with no DH, and Sunday double headers], please return it at once. No questions asked. Reward offered… The closest I can come to the “way it was” is recreating the seasons past on my computer baseball game. I’m now replaying the 1962 season, again. This time, I’ve programed the game not to include injuries. After all, a season without injuries is, indeed, a fantasy.
Dodgers Defeat Yankees In 1954 Woild Serious
I just completed the 1954 baseball season, thanks to the Baseball Mogal 2007 computer simulation game, that satisfies my winter baseball Jones. The Giants and Indians both came up short, and the Brooklyns defeated the Bronx Bombers 4-2 to take the title.
Edwin Donald “Duke” Snider’s Triple Crown performance led the way.
For me, this is the next best thing to being an eight year old kid again. Better… I get to stay up and watch every game, and there’s no school tomorrow. :-)
A’s Get Matt Holliday [No, Not Garrett Atkins]…
… from Colorado. Aside that they [too] quickly gave up on Carlos Gonzalez, who cost them only Dan Haren. they needed [need] a third baseman, not a one year rent-a-player.
That said, they did get a terrific hitter and a superb California Sea Otter in my Yahoo Fantasy League a few years ago, whom if they turn around and package at the deadline…
Sound familiar, A’s fan?
Congrats Phils
I’m an old National League fan and, although the Phillies are the Mets hated rivals, I was happy to see them win… Matty Stairs, a fav of mine when he was a hitting machine with the A’s [and nice to my kid on picture day], continues to be clutch… Jimmy Rollins is an Alamedian who would look good in a Giants uni. SF entertained me and are upward bound in the post Barry Bighead era… Pat Burrell, Ray’s Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena were California Sea Otters this year and all did me well… The Otters were in contention all year, finished fourth of twelve in my league… The Angels made the playoffs and just picked up Vlad’s option and not Garrett’s. Thats good… Mets second demise in a row not withstanding, It was a terrific year.
Billy Wagner, Key To Two Seasons
Both the New York Mets and the California Sea Otter’s [my beloved Fantasy Team] seasons hinge on the return of Billy Wagner. Especially the Mets. Tonights win over the Phillies puts the New Yawkas back in the lead in the see-saw Eastern Division of the National League. Perhaps they’ll pick up Rockie’s closer Brian Fuentes after he clears waivers in a day or two. I hope so. A “smoke and mirror” bully ain’t gonna get it.
