A Time to Put a Smile on Your Face

While I haven't been posting, the Mets have gone ahead and lost a series to the Good Brew Crew, won a series to the Bad Dad Crew, and now dropped another series to the Great Red Crew, continuing to keep that RISP number at a loser's level. With myself, my aunt, uncle, cousin and lil sis on hand for Father's Day at a rather full, actually, Citi Field, I was happy to see Curtis provide a spark at the top of that lineup with an awesome Pepsi Porch leadoff home run. I have been settling into the family of Mets fans that is Two Boots that the poor sight of the Mets in San Louis has not generally been in mine. Though I did not work Monday Night, I do not have cable, nor plan to anytime soon on my budget, so my sight generally does not take in the Mets live, rather listening to Howie and Josh describe the sight that's in their eyes.

Photo Credit: Bluenatic

It's clear, however, that we all need to just smile. Unless we take some serious political protest stance in some fashion or another, which would be interesting to see but I'll tell ya right now that I won't be the leader of the revolution, this team will most likely fail to be properly managed all the way from the top down. The Wilpons do not know how to run a ballclub, let alone know what it means to run the New York Metropolitan National League Baseball Club. I have very little faith, no matter what happens- no matter whether they have a winning season over the next couple of years- that the Mets can have sustained success with the Wilpons at the helm.

So, when I think about what I want to write on this blog at this particular moment, all I can think of is playing the song below, because every time I listen to it, it puts a huge smile on my face. Don't read into any of the lyrics, though I'm sure many of you may do so. That was not my intention, no matter how poignant it may seem at this particular Metsian intersection. I just want to smile, and tonight, when I got home from Two Boots and settled down, the song came on, and I just smiled. So, screw it, man. Let's just listen to Bob Marley.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. For more from myself and others on the Mets, head over to Rising Apple. And for the latest on a Brooklyn Baseball TV Series I am developing, Like the Bedford & Sullivan Facebook page, follow on Twitter here, and listen to the research process here.

Tail 'Spin

I was working the Rising Apple twitter feed for the majority of the game, when my internet went out just in time for the 9th inning. I had been watching the game, but my dad wanted to get his American Idol fix (.........................) in an upstate house with only one TV (he's renting his house out soon so we're up here getting it ready.) After the 6th inning, I started listening to Howie and Josh on gameday audio until the internet went out, 'cause for some reason Sprint just stopped working around here yesterday after being one of the better Sprint spots I've found. 

So, 3G gameday audio pickup was impossible.

Anyway, you could care less about my technological angst. I got to watch the Mets comeback in the 9th inning (with me ranting and raving to my dad about the sac bunt to get Mike Baxter over to 3rd after his double, but that's really a whole 'nother discussion for a whole 'nother post.)

With the internet still very, very flimsy, I hopped into the car and listened to the 660 feed that had very tolerable amounts of static. THAT was where I heard Josh Lewin's call on Jordany Valdespin's Grand Slam walkoff, the first Mets Grand Slam walkoff in 22 years, which...

@2stepsaway @convertedmetfan You might have been able to hear Josh all the way to wherever you are without the radio on that last one.
— Mets WFAN (@MetsWFAN) April 25, 2013

Word.

LET'S. GO. METS.

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Reviewing Your Metsian Weekend

On Saturday, the Mets staged a nice lil Spring comeback, down 7-3 to lock up an 8-8 tie (nobody cared to play the 10th.) Highlights from this include Matt Harvey's sharp outing, Cowgill and Ruben at the top of the lineup, good showing by the bullpen, The Duda's center field bomb and Brian Bixler's game-tying 2-run jack. Bixler is a very interesting candidate for backup infielder and has certainly performed better than others in the running, such as Brandom Hicks. Though Omar Quintanilla is being very Omar Quintanilla-ish (he is a Mets Legend, after all.) Anyway, the details are always awesome to run through, so check out Matt Musico's recap over at Rising Apple.

Yesterday, the Mets did not have as good of a showing, as they gave up a 4-0 lead to lose to the Marlins 6-4. I had my first "Oh, great" superstitious moment of the year, if you will, for I tuned into the WFAN broadcast with a 4-2 lead only to pretty much instantly hear that lead go to the wayside. Still, it was very nice to hear the voices of Josh Lewin, Eddie C. (and even Duquette.) I like Lewin. I think he fits in nicely next to Howie. He doesn't feel like an outsider the way Wayne Hagan did to me and other fans, though I didn't mind him. Lewin has his own distinct voice and style, and it seems to match up well with the harmony that is Mets Broadcasting. Anyway, highlights include Gee's fine outing, John Buck's 3-run shot and Nieuwenhuis's knee injury,  the severity of which is unknown. Interesting tidbits about some prospects in this game as well, so once again check out Musico's recap over at Rising Apple.

David Wright took off for the World Baseball Classic, which got underway this weekend with some fun matchups over in Asia. I know its slightly a polarizing thing, but as far as I'm concerned the concept is great and that translates on the field. Though they couldn't win a game this weekend, I had a fun time watching and rooting for the Brazilian team, which is managed by Barry Larkin. I also am rooting big time for the Netherlands, who unfortunately, after taking down Korea in the first game, could not beat Chinese Tapei, who already have 2 wins under their belt early on. Their fans, who packed the stands for the latter game in Taiwan, certainly know how to root for their Home Team. I'm pumped for these contests, and can't wait for the USA team to get going.

Sidenote: Though they did not make it past the qualifying round, how awesome is the Israeli baseball cap?


Anyway, that's it from me for now. I wish all of you the best start to your week.

This is how I Randomly start mine.

SO. MUCH. BASEBALL.
LET'S. GO. METS.

(If you can, enjoy the game against the Braves at 1:10PM on SNY. And just because, here is the Photo of the Weekend. Damn.)


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Why is Murph Holding a Huge Paper Airplane? And the Random Song of the Day

In my search for a photo for yesterday's game recap, there on the page was Daniel Murphy holding a huge paper airplane. "What?" I didn't immediately investigate, just wanting my current state of how my world experienced the Met game to stay the same. Apparently, a giant paper airplane landed in front of him in the 6th inning of yesterday's game, all the way from the upper deck. Murph got a kick out of it and, according to comments on Metsblog describing Howie's description of it all, he and Ike applauded the fans. Must have been a funny moment in yet another Mets loss.

Speaking of Ike, I'm glad to hear he hit his 27th home run of the year. I'm sure it's bittersweet for him as it is for all of us.

I am actually allowing myself to open football into my world today. Instead of being in a Metsian recluse, I will toss Howie and Josh into my ear come 2:10, which will be the first time in a while I've been able to either listen or watch a game. While I'm not even close to letting Mets baseball take a backseat, the transition should start earlier than I expected I would let it.

Enjoy the game, enjoy Sundays in the Autumn and Winter, and enjoy the Random Song of the Day.

LET'S. GO. METS.

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"...And They Win the Damn Thing"

The in-laws are in town and I must entertain them. So, this will be the "Cliff Notes" version of the game post:

1. We live in a studio, and the folks were going to bed. So, it was either go to the gym to watch the game or sit in my parked car and listen to Howie and Josh (car's in a good spot, which is why I didn't drive around.) I had some wine earlier, so the latter sounded more appealing. 4 hours later...I finally came back inside and went to sleep. I still haven't seen the highlights. The game lives in my head only through the sounds of Howie Rose and Josh Lewin. Not bad.

2. I dosed off in the bottom of the 7th, and woke up right before the big Scottie Hairston blast. Apparently, Jordany had a good at-bat....Oh, I see now he got the single on an 0-2 count. Sweet.
 

3. I'm sure many of you are with me when I say I'm sick of Bobby Parnell not growing as a pitcher. We're all sick of this bullpen, and Sandy's inaction was front and center during last night's/this morning's game. (Meanwhile, though, effective outings once again from Ramon Ramirez and Jon Rauch. Nice.)
 

4. Jason Bay helped us win a ballgame?! Wow.
 

5. That was the most fun time had on twitter in my young twitter history. Props to Mets fans on there for gutting it out to the very end, and making us all laugh in the process.
 

6. Baxter. You're like a miniature Buddha. (Mike and the Anchorman references are back!)

What kind of excruciatingly painful fun will be had tonight at 10:10PM, when Matt Harvey takes on Tim Lincecum? Oh, must we really wait 12 hours to find out? I better find as good of a parking spot...

LET'S. GO. METS.

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Much Needed Practice Holding a 1-run Ball Game

We didn't think we'd be in the car that long, but all of a sudden, it had been 3 hours, my friend's suit was not out in Bay Ridge as he had thought, and the Mets had held on to a much-needed 3-2 win. 

Listening to Howie and Josh wax poetic of the story happening near the Hollywood hills, we rode from the east side of Brooklyn to the South West, but my buddy's suit (needed for a New Hampshire wedding) was no where in sight. 

We drove on over the Williamsburg Bridge as David Wright doubled in the 1st run. 

We dropped people off on the hillside of Crown Heights as Chris Young sat Blue Helmets down. 

Wright crushed one as we drove down 4th Avenue with the street numbers ascending to 84th Street. 

I sat, parked next to a hydrant, as the Dodgers, after 33 innings or so, came back to life with a couple runs in the bottom of the 4th. 

And I sat there as Andres Torres got the big hit to send us back up by 1. 

As we passed by Washington Park (the pre-Ebbets Field era ballpark home to the Dodgers for many years), Jon Rauch induced a double play in the 8th inning, which, according to Josh Lewin, was the Turning Point of the Game.

And as we drove up the BQE towards our homes in Queens, Bobby Parnell located his fastball real, real well and shut down the Dodgers to lock down the win and the save. I pumped my fist and smiled all the rest of the way home.

The Mets look to put more smiles on our faces as they send RA Dickey to face Aaron Harang at 10:10PM.

Knuckle Forth, Oh, Robert Allen.

LET'S. GO. METS.

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In My Absence, The Mets Still Get It Done

Monday marked the first time in the short 2012 campaign I could not be present at Citi Field. No matter how much I would love to go to every Mets game there is, Overtime must be worked so I can go to as many as possible. The Mets faced yet another division rival, one I believe is going to be a formidable opponent during this campaign. In what is arguably the most entertaining game so far in the infancy of this season, The Mets prevailed over the Nationals by a score of 4-3 to stretch their early record to 4-0.

The Monday night affair was the first I listened to on the radio, and when spoiled with live baseball and the gentlemen on SNY, I forgot how eloquent and visual Howie Rose can be. Baseball is still the most cinematic of sports radio broadcasts, with enough time in-between pitches to paint a vivid picture of what the listener's eyes are missing. Not many do it better than Howie Rose, whose Mets Fandom is also a fantastic treat, with his emotions bleeding through subtly to enhance the listener's experience.

I cannot figure out yet what I think of his new partner, Josh Lewin. The Mets got rid of Wayne Hagin at the end of last year, and while I never minded him,  I didn't shed a tear. In my first time listening to the pairing, I can tell Lewin knows his Mets baseball, and is real energetic on his calls. As the season goes on, I will be able to form a more solid opinion of what I think of the new guy.

Mike Pelfrey started and he was very....Pelfrey. He had trouble, as usual, finding his groove in the first inning, and as he staked the Mets out to their first deficit of the year, every Met fan universally rolled their eyes. He wasn't very efficient throughout the night, throwing around 100 pitches in only 5.2 innings. He was able to settle down, however, after giving up 3 runs in 3 innings, uncharacteristically striking out 8. He also helped his own cause by smacking a double down the left field line in the 3rd, scoring on David Wright's RBI single for the Mets' first run (Wright is now 4 RBIs away from tying Strawberry's all-time franchise mark.) No matter how frustrating the consistent inconsistencies of Mike Pelfrey can be, outings like this are what makes his a serviceable 5th starter, and his role as an innings eater has value in and of itself. The new front office, however, has no attachment to Pelf, and the mediocrity he provides will most likely not be accepted for that much longer, especially if the kids down on the farm develop into what we hope they will.

The first deficit of the year provided the Mets with their first opportunity to battle back, and our new center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (or "Nieuwy" as Murph called him during the post-game interview) responded with a 2-run home run off the Mo's Zone to tie the game (which is now a 4-bagger and should have been for 3 years now). This was also Kirk's first major league round tripper, and when I watched the highlights, you could see how pumped he was, and how excited the rest of the team was for him as well.

Not enough can be said about the bullpen's work. They made some key outs with runners on base during this game. It is forming into a real strength for this team. What a sight to behold.

I got home around the 7th inning, turning the TV on as I got ready to go to our basement gym in our building (where I have watched most of the Knicks' fourth quarters on overtime days.) When a commercial came on, I raced downstairs, turned the facility's TV on and finished watching the game while on the treadmill, another first time for me in this young baseball season. I almost lost my feet below me (as Mike Baxter later did) pumping my fist in the air when in the 9th Murph saved a 2-out hit with a diving stop up the middle, tossing the ball to Tejada for the force out. This was Murphy's first defensive 9th inning this year, and the guy came up huge.

As I ramped up my running, Tejada laid the bunt down, the Nationals' Rodriguez threw it away (so many pitchers who throw 100 mph cannot make a simple throw to 1st) and Mike Baxter made everyone in the ballpark cringe as he stumbled between 3rd and home, arriving safely back at 3rd. Murphy solidified his place as MVP of the game by shortening his swing on an inside, waist-high fastball to line the stitches in front of Jayson Werth in shallow right-center field and score Baxter for the winning run.

I am having such a blast watching this mostly young team slowly build their chemistry, their confidence and their swagger. I know it's early, but I like what I see so far. Until they show me otherwise, I will revel in the Awesomeness.

LET'S. GO. METS.

It was announced yestersay that to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Mets first game ever, the team would be selling a limited number of $2.50 seats for Wednesday's afternoon game (which is an unbelievable price for the scheduled match-up of Johan and Stephen Strasburg). Those tickets sold out pretty quickly apparently and they extended it into Tuesday night's ballgame. I couldn't resist, and I had planned on going after Overtime to see if there would still be tickets available. But the best girlfriend ever traveled out to Citi Field around 7:30 and locked down some seats for us and a friend. She. Is. Awesome. I just can't stay away from the ballpark, especially at $2.50 a seat. You can purchase them here, but at the ballpark there is no service fee (I know even the concept of the service fee sucks, but it might be a lot more complicated than we think to remove it from the site for just this one promotion. I don't know. The service charge isn't expensive at all, but if you have time tomorrow, head down to the ticket booth and lock down, say, 4 tickets for $10. Pretty sweet, huh? Call ahead, though, if you're concerned they'll be gone.)
 
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