We Finally Go to 12

I have just been driving through the night from Chicago to New York, so I am exhausted and ready for more than the hour I got at a rest area in Pennsylvania, but I had to chime in before I went to sleep about last night's game...

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

I was on the road while listening, and when we went down 7-2, it didn't even occur to me that, once again, the potential for 12 games over .500 was in jeopardy, though the whole thing had been on my mind earlier in the day and after the last game in Colorado. It didn't cross my mind in the moment at all. I, in some ways, had forgotten of that fact. In FACT, I was at ease. I don't know whether I was at ease about the potential for a loss or at ease because I knew, or...echem...excuse me...BELIEVED...this team would come back. Maybe it was just the peacefulness of the road at sunset heading east, but whatever it was...

...isn't it a weird feeling?

I've been monitoring this whole 12 games over thing for a long time. I remember we had a chance against the Yankees in the Bronx in 2010, and lost 5-3.

The 2012 team didn't make it above 8, which they hit 2 days after the no-hitter on Sunday ESPN baseball in the black with a 6-1 win. Things felt pretty awesome that evening. The win put the Mets, Nats and Marlins in a 3-way tie for 1st. We lost the next day to the Cards 5-4.

We had a chance this year heading into Yankee Stadium to rake off 12 wins in a row, which at the time, would have brought us to 11 over. I didn't think about the correlation either last night, but deGrom got roughed up and we lost 6-1. Did something tell me it would be different this time? Maybe it was still the elation of Wright's comeback home run hanging in the air, giving it a free feeling of no worry. Or maybe it's because the 2015 New York Mets is the team that's supposed to turn the knob higher. There's no point in making 10 louder. The volume should always go to a greater plain of numbers.

At this point, though, the only number that matters is 5 1/2 games up. And whatever that number is at the end of the year, as long as it still involves the word "up" and not "back."

There is only one sentence "back" should be used in....

Alright, time for bed. Happy to be BACK in the City ⚾️

PUSH⚾️ PAST⚾️ 13⚾️

LET'S⚾️ GO⚾️ METS⚾️

#KEEPONPUSHIN'

The Difference Between 2012

Back in 2012, when I wrote about my hope for the 2nd Half, I used a photo of Jordany Valdespin after he scored the winning run against the Phillies in the Jonathan Papelbon game, July 5.

After losing 2 of 3 to the Cubbies going into the break, the Mets went out of the break on a 1-11 run.

The fact Jordany Valdespin is no longer on the team is not the ONLY difference between 2012, but it does interestingly offer a fitting symbol between the difference of this year, and the last year the Mets crashed and burned in July.

2013 and 2014 were miserable first halves with 2nd halves to build on. 2012 was the last time the Mets were in a position to contend, but they fell apart, and too quickly to even think about making a deal to support them.

Like 2010...

And kinda 2009, but that was the culmination of the mess of post-2006.

When you look at 2012, however, you remind yourselves of where the Mets were.

Johan Santana completely broke down.

Lucas Duda, still in the outfield, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis stopped hitting and were sent back to AAA.

The completely unsustainable rampage of 2-out hits predictably dried up.

And Frank Francisco was the closer.

It's crazy to think of how bad the offense currently is, but when you look at the lineup, even without Wright or d'Arnaud in there, it should be much better. Is how historically bad they've been really sustainable?

The pitching is world's and world's above where it was in the 2nd half of 2012, when Johan Santana, a great 1st half, was a non-factor, Matt Harvey was getting his feet wet, Dillon Gee was an anchor and R.A. Dickey was the only true ace. And Jeremy Hefner was getting innings.

Plus, now, there is Jeurys Familia, arguably the best closer in baseball currently.

The Mets are in a MUCH better position to continue to contend heading into these final games of the year.

It's up to Sandy Alderson and the Wilpons, however, if they want to make 2015 it's own special thing...

Or they want to have another 2012.

LET'S. GO. BASEBALL.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Random Mets Highlight Wednesday

This time, I know what I'm putting video I'm posting before I type anything, though I did go searching after writing the title.

The walk-off theme keep on goin'.

AWESOME. COLORS.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series I am developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page, and follow on Twitter here.

Helping Ted Win in Vegas

It's been a while since quotes of Ted were plastered across these Orange and Blue pages, but with the man going 4 for 4 in betting on baseball in Sin City, there were plenty of quotes pouring in while I was at work and the Mets were working on a 12-5 win.

First, before we quote Ted from Vegas, I posted yesterday without any knowledge that Ike had been announced as returning from Vegas in the waning hours of July 4th. The man got 3 hits last night, his 1st a dribbler that played into the shift. EXACTLY. That's what Ike needs to be doing. Of course we want doubles power and home run power from the guy. If he's concentrating on getting on base any way he can, the approach that will bring the power swing will be there and the doubles and home runs will come. And the average will be up because of the more contact-oriented approach. That's my take. I'm glad he's back.

AND Kirk Nieuwenhuis! We sometimes forget about him and how solid of a hitter he was for most of his minor league career and for the 1st part of 2012. The strikeouts had mounted and he was too much of a liability. His approach has slowly gotten better since the walkoff home run against the Cubs and if he can continue to see the baseball and put sound swings on the ball, we might have an outfielder on our hands that doesn't have to be gotten from the trade deadline or free agency. Clearly, it's just 1 game, but it was the game of his life, and here's to more of them in the future.

Anyway, here's Ted's Quote:

 Can the pen get through 4 innings

Can you tell the Mets to hurry up and win this. I'm trying to cash out and get dinner. 

Stop scoring runs.

Take a knee. Lets end this game.

I got shit to do. 

For the record, The Mets, the Phils, the Cards and the Jays helped Ted go 4 for 4.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series I am developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page, and follow on Twitter here.

Sometimes You Catch The Best Moments

I had thought of going yesterday, joining my cousin, my uncle and my aunt at the game for Father's Day, but I made the practical decision for my wallet and work that I had to stay home and get some stuff done for school.

I listened to a bit, but only 3 of 9 innings, where the other 6 were monitored by the Gameday.

By the time I checked in on the 9th, there were 2 on, a run had already scored (I hadn't yet been privy to Marlon Byrd's mammoth 2nd Decker to left that added us to the board), and there were no out. With Omar Quintanilla up and my iPhone attached to our television via Apple TV's AirPlay, MLB Gameday offered myself and others checking in a "Live LookIn." For a moment, I had SNY like millions of others.

Q got the bunt down, and I had an internal struggle regarding the strategy. "Why waste an out when the offense has been so bad and a strikeout artist on his way to the plate?" "But the offense has been struggling so much, you want that tying run as close to the plate as possible." Things along those lines went through my head.

Turns out none of that mattered, because Kirk Nieuwenhuis crushed the 2nd Carlos Marmol pitch into the Pepsi Porch.

My jaw flew open.

I couldn't believe what I saw.

Kirk, as he rounded 2nd, looked back at his gathering teammates with the most baller look on his face.

The Live LookIn ended itself before Kirk even got to 3rd.

It happened so fast, it felt like a dream.


I may be wrong, but I believe that is the 1st ever walk-off home run in Citi Field where the Mets were down more than 1 run. If my memory serves me correctly, the Mets had never hit a walk-off home run at Citi Field where they were behind at all, even by only a run.

Trivia to check up on at some point today.

Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's COOOOOLD OUT THERE TODAY.

 

LET'S. GO. METS.

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And That is Why You Score With the Bases Loaded and No Out, Children!

That's all I got to say, and I got away for a chance to say it.

Get us back on track, RA.

LET'S. GO. METS.

 

(Clearly, none of us could help making the reference to this song when the power went out in the 2nd, and I couldn't help it in this instance as well.)

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All That and a Softball Home Run Derby

In a night that began with the Long Haul Bombers crushing softballs into the Citi Field stands, us fans were treated to the 2nd best home baseball game of the year (I wonder what the 1st is...) The Mets' offense AND (GASP!) the bullpen bailed a shaky-but-battling Dickey out with a fantastic 6-5 win to take the series right from under the Phillies' nose.

It was pretty clear early on RA did not have his best stuff. Control has been seemingly easy to come by lately, but in the 1st inning, the knuckleball wasn't cooperating for strikes. This was the 1st time all year he has given up 1st inning runs, so you knew something was up. The Phils kept playing our 2-out hit game against him. Jeesh. It was the most hits he's given up all year. But as usual, he limits the damage, gets us into the 7th and gives us a chance to get back in the game. His bat helps us get back in the game, as he is such a good contact hitter, getting a crazy, low and inside hit and scoring the 2nd run to tie the game in the 3rd. He is a true winning player, and I'm glad he's on my team.

When Murph's line drive knocked off Papelbon to tie the game, it was only fitting after the night Wright had that he drives in the winning run. Wright came up in the 3rd with 2 out and the tying run on 3rd...he has a 7-pitch at-bat and knocks a single to tie the game. Another 2-out run. David comes up in the bottom of the 5th with 2 out and a runner on 1st, down 1 run...he crushes the ball to give the Mets the lead. More 2 out runs. The New Franchise comes up in the Bottom of the 9th, 2 out, bases loaded and we've just tied the game...on a 2 out run...he fights the first-pitch fastball off the outside of the plate and dips it in the field just enough in front of a awkward Hunter Pence (he does EVERYTHING awkwardly.) Another 2 out run, another win over the Phillies, another series for the Metsies.

There were 3 plays, outside of an overall individual performance, that, to me, were the differences in this game. 1st, there was Murph's sliding play to grab the ball up the middle to open the 8th, miraculously throwing out Placido Polanco. 2nd, there was Scott Hairston throwing out Mike Fontenot at the plate in the 8th, with Thole holding the ball in his glove on a charging runner. 3rd, there was the Ruben Tejada at-bat in the 9th with 2 out and a runner on 3rd. He saw pitches. He got the walk (and the call.) Without those plays, we're talking about a completely different outcome. Honorable mentions include Ike Davis' 9th inning leadoff double and Jordany Valdespin's at-bat.

I love having DVR so I can record the 2:00PM encore.

And that Softball Home Run Derby pre-game was awesome.

SCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHTTIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

(I was getting the Meet the Mets slice at Two Boots when he hit that bomb. Oh, well. It's always fun to find out about something based on the sound of the crowd.)

Kirk's really reeling right now.

Anyway, that was the 2nd most fun I've had at the ballpark this year. Citi Field is rocking right now, and there is no doubt that none of us had yet to feel this kind of electricity in that new building. 1st, it was winning baseball. Then, it was the no-hitter. Last night was one of the most thrilling wins in the last few years (most of the thrilling wins in the last few years have come THIS YEAR.) Last night was an important moment in our season, and you could have argued it was a must-win for a team that MUST CHARGE ON. Now, I want a sweep. Tranquilize those Cubbies. Put those Baby Bears to sleep.

Santana. Wood. 7:10.

LET'S. GO. METS.

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The Let-Down Continues.

The New York Mets. 

I just don't know what to say. 

Must say they need to get this day game today. 

The ball's thrown around

The base-running sucks. 

The men are left on there

Instead of running a muck.

We're arguing with umpires 

when we're needed at-bat. 

The Skip backs us up but even he's feeling flat. 

I knew when Tim Tuefel put his arms up too late, 

that would come back to bite us, 

that could be the only fate. 

The Mets need to recharge.

They need the bask in the sun. 

A day game at Wrigley should be a lotta fun. 

Don't give them the Astros treatment.

Get this done now.

2 games over will come with many frowns. 

Jon Niese it's time, you must lock in and fight. 

Step up and end this sorrow.

Send us into Hollywood with delight. 

At 2:20 today, put us back up on the left.

Make us proud that we root for the New York Mets.

LET'S. GO. METS.

 

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