BREAKING NEWS SNY: Mets offer Oliver Perez a deal

SNY MLB Insider reports that Oliver Perez and the New York Mets are trying work a deal, 3 years for 30 million dollars. Stay tuned for more details...

Battle of NY

Well ladies and gents, its that time of the year again. The New York Mets will take on their cross-town rival the New York Yankees. Let the smack talk begin.

So far, the Mets are 26-39 against the Bombers, including the 2000 World Series (one to forget). Talk about an ugly record. Well, a large factor in this record included the fact that in 2003, they were swept in both series. If not, the record would even out a bit.

Both teams are sinking ships as neither are in first. This makes a good match-up, since they are hungry to become top dog of their division. They will both sport their aces, but on different days.

Here are the pitching match-ups for this weekend:

Friday: Johan Santana Vs. Darrell Rasner
Its the ace against the recently brought up youngster, who has discovered some kind of a groove. While most people would favor the team with the two time Cy Young winner, Rasner has won both of his starts since coming from the minors. He's stuck on cloud nine and I think its about time that the Metropolitans bring him back down to earth. Santana is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA against the Yanks. I give this game Queens.


Saturday: Oliver Perez Vs. Andy Pettitte
Its number 46 against... number 46? Petttitte and Perez should be considered mirror images of each other. They both bear the same jersey and are both lefties that are in-the-middle starters. Heck, they are even sporting similar records (Pettitte 3-4, Perez 3-3) and even ERA's (4.60, 4.61). Creepy. This is too close to call as both of them are in a rut that they can't get out of. The only difference is one win by Perez last start against the Reds. But, going by the career numbers, Pettitte owns the Mets, going 7-3 in 16 appearances. I do not think the boss would be happy with two losses in a row. This one belongs to the Bronx.

Sunday: John Maine Vs. Ching Ming Wang
Well, if my assumptions are right, the rubber match-up should be one for the ages. Here we have the top dog of the Yankees, going against the second best pitcher in the rotation for the Mets. Wang has been near perfect, the only blemish has been a loss given up to Cleveland going against another undefeated hurler, Cliff Lee. Maine has won four straight decisions and is definitely the guy they want to have on the mound against the Yankee's Cy Young candidate. This is no doubt going to be a duel. Throwing away those career numbers against the teams (Maine has not faired well against the Pinstriped Posse), I think i'm going to go with the Mets because, as of late, it seems like there has been a fire that has been lit in that clubhouse.

Sure, they have the worst record of the two, but they have a potent offense that is packed with home run hitters (Church, Betran, Delgado...[this one is a stretch]) hitters that pack a punch (Alou, you are going to love Yankee Stadium.) The Yankees do not have much going for them as A-Rod and Jorge Posada are out and without them, the lineup does not feel the same. Jeter, Abreu and Matsui cannot do everything themselves. Their homegrown talent, Robinson Cano and Shelly Duncan have not lived up to expectations. The only man the Mets should fear this series is the man they simply call Joba. He is a stopper. But that is a story for another time.

In general, this should be an amazing series that will bring the city to life, Bringing out those fans who come out to see the two home teams battle it out for Big Apple Supremacy.

pictures courtesy of sportslogos.net

FEATURE: The Real Stars of Shea

One of the most interesting and eeriest experiences I have had in my life. That is one way to describe being in an empty Shea Stadium.

Why was I there? Well, I was thinking us fans always get to hear about the players and coaches who go in and out, playing a grueling 162 game schedule. But what about the people who help run the Stadium? People like the beer man, the security all work for the Mets, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

Outside, there are many workers waiting until they get to work. Its amazing how many people work there. The numbers has to be at least in the hundreds. Talk about strength in numbers. As I went through the halls, I see people standing on a line to check in. Everyone looked kind of exhausted.

These people run around constantly for three-plus hours, serving fans, sometimes from great heights. Its not fun running around, carrying a big cooler full of beer from the upper deck, trying to avoid looking down at all costs.

As I walked through the halls of the pre-game version of Shea, it felt really quiet…too quiet. Maybe this is what it’s going to feel like when they open Citi Field for the first time.

A couple of employees took time out of their day to stop and talk about what they do and other good stuff.

When asked about what was their favorite moment, most of the employees instantly remember Endy Chavez’s Superman catch in the 2006 National League Championship Series against the Cardinals…And what a spectacle it was.

Video: Endy Chavez's leaping catch

At first there weren’t many people who wanted to talk to me as they looked busy getting ready for the game that night but I managed to find Frank, a bartender for 10 years at the stadium, Alicia, a lotto ticket vendor and Elias, a vendor who has been a part of the Shea experience for two seasons already. All these individuals seem to enjoy what they do to make a living.

ALICIA

Lotto Vendor

Mike, a alcohol inspector, is supposed to make sure that the employees selling alcohol are doing their job. This is his third season.


Just to give u a preview of what they do. Lets look at opening day where security was working even the rooftops of Shea to make sure everything is ok (WARNING:UNCENSORED Language)



At that game, I remember security guards taking out people left and right for bad behavior. Here is a soft version of what security can do.

Finally, don’t ask how I got in, it’s best not to say anything. Let’s put it this way, yours truly almost was going to be mince meat if I was caught. Just enjoy!

Endy Chavez footage courtesy of MSN.com