Heilman and the Mets checkmated by Michigan

Photo Credited to Nytimes.com

Michigan 4 11 0
Mets 4 7 0

The Mets took on the Michigan Wolverines in a friendly contest on Tuesday and ended the game tied with the youths. Jason Vargas gave up a run but struck out two in two innings.

His replacement, Arron Heliman, an alumni of rival school Notre Dame, threw an inning that will probably hurt his school pride. He gave up a run to the university squad in the third.

Funny thing is, he made a bet that if he does not get out of the inning without any damage, he would sing their song "the victory" in front of the fans. Unfortunately, he got cold feet and provided excuses that he did not know the words to the song and pushed it off to tomorrow.

I gotta say he should have lived up to his end of the bargain if he was that serious. It would not only be a blow to his ego but to his school. How embarrassing would that be? That has Youtube written all over it. And as a man, he better live up to his words because eventhough he's part of a team that is trying to get back into major league shape, the sight of Heliman singing would be priceless.

Alomars beat Manuels 7-5 With the Return of Sanchez

Photo: Courtesy of NYDailyNews.com

No, that is not a typo, its the first exhibition game of the season. The Mets played...well against the Mets in an intrasquad game.

The main story on the field was relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez, who pitched his first game since July 2006. He was sidelined with a freak cab injury and then faced other health problems. He threw one inning, with a K and a walk. Not a bad return for him. Looks like hes going to do fine this year, bearing any setbacks.

Juan Padilla showed up to pitch after receiving two surgeries and also pitched an inning of lights out ball.

Taking a peek at the bullpen, along with Sanchez back and the returning Aaron Heilman (stinks, but thats my humble opinion) and Feliciano backing up the closer, there should be little to worry about.

I know this game was a intrasquad game and it has no significance what's so ever, but they should have televised the game. I bet so many Met fans are salivating to see their team in action. The least they could do is show the first couple of innings on SNY, give the fans something to look forward to.

Legendary Lefty Visits Port St. Lucie

Photo1: COURTESY OF ENCARTA.MSN.COM

Photo2: COURTESY OF NYDAILYNEWS.COM


One of the best, if not the best lefty to have pitched in the game, Sandy Koufax visited the Mets spring training facility in a rare appearance. The reason he went down was to help closer Billy Wagner to develop a new curveball he has been developing. In an interview with reporters, he said that he wouldn't be here if he wasn't needed.

"If I help them, great. If I don't, I tell them it's an experiment - 'If it doesn't work for you, forget it. For it to work, you have to be comfortable.' I don't have all the answers to anything."

He looks like he meant business by the way he chose his words. This guy is not a spotlight hog in no shape or form.

Maybe there is something he can do for the 36 year old. If met fans can predict a pitcher who still has the ability to throw a fastball that reaches 100 miles per hour with an addition of a devastating curveball, we are in for one fun season from the 'pen.

I thought this little tidbit would be worth mentioning..... Koufax is also idolized by starting pitcher Pedro Martinez, who before arriving in the states, he had never really looked at his stats, but did have the card in his collection.

Case in Favor of Oliver Perez

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARTON SILVERMAN/NEW YORK TIMES


Pitcher Oliver Perez has won his arbitration case against the Mets according to reports on Friday. He will recieve 6.5 million this year. He is the second player to win the case this year next to Ryan Howard. This is also the first arbitration case since 1992, when they went to court against David Cone.

But....lets go to the question on everybody's mind....... Does he deserve it? Well, first things first, he did win 15 games for the team in the 2007 season, a career high for the lefty (btw, his ERA of 3.56 isn't too shabby either!) He struck out more than 170 batters, something he has not accomplished since his days as a pirate.

In this market where a mediocre pitcher like San Francisco Giant Barry Zito can get 100 million dollars and the ace of this ball club Johan Santana can get 150 million for his services, Perez's check suits him as he is not a dominant top notch starter, nor a bottom tier pitcher. He is however, still young and could have a bigger payday if he lives up to the potential other teams saw in him.

If you don't believe that he deserves the money, see for your self
Perez Fans Seven
Perez Fans 10

(courtesy of Mets.com)

Delgado's Numbers Returning from the Grave?

Lets face it ladies and gents, Carlos Delgado of old is not going to come back. Im sorry but those 2007 numbers (.248, 24, 87) were not what baseball fans are used to seeing from him. Ok, I give him the benefit of the doubt that he was hurt at times but still, it was almost as if his superpowers were drained. I believe he's past his prime already. I think its time for the mets to start shopping for a new first baseman right now.

He said in a story featured in the Daily News that he is ready to prove himself on the final year of his contract. The hand has healed and is ready to play some baseball. While i would not bet that his career is done, i would say that I doubt he's going to put up monster numbers.

Last year, I was starting to wonder, because he was creeping up in age, why didnt Wille move him down in the lineup, like fifth? While he did make the switch, he didnt keep him there for no more than a couple of days.

For my final word, I believe that Delgado will put up these numbers....

.275 Avg 28 HRs 95RBIs

While it isnt the 40 homers, I believe the Mets will have a first baseman with some pop left in his bat.

New Name

I felt the name New York Mets Talk was a little bland, so I decided to switch it up....Welcome to the Metiverse, the blog page dedicated to the New York Mets.

"We Are The Team To Beat"

Say What!? I cant believe Carlos Beltran just said that. This is supposed to be a quiet, shy Puerto Rican who is supposed to be earning about 120 million during his stay as a Met. Wait, Now that I think about it.....it's about time! Reason for his sudden boost of confidence? yeah, you guessed it....they have the best pitcher in the game period.

"With [Santana], I have no doubt we're going to win our division. I have no doubt about that"..."So, this year, tell Jimmy Rollins we are the team to beat." (Story)

I guess he's in the spirit of making bold predictions for the seasons, like the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins did last year and guess what...he was right at the end of the season! lets hope lightening strikes twice (PREDICTION WISE......NOT COLLAPSE!) with this in mind. Sorry to my fellow Metropolitans to bring back some painful memories. But think of it this way, use it as motivation for this year.....