2019 Mets Opening Weekend: The Sweet Sounds of Baseball on the Radio

I always feel like everyone needs spring training. 

Photo via
https://wtop.com (AP PHOTO/NICK WASS)

The players need it, the manager needs it, the umpires need it,  the SNY truck needs it...and us fans? We need it too. We have to work that muscle in again, what baseball feels like, what baseball looks like, how it paces, how it goes. You would think by now with as many games as we die-hards take in year in and year out, we'd be so familiar with it, especially considering it is on 24/7/365 in this day and age. Still, I think one has to feel it out year in and year out and sidle back on into the rhythm, the play and that sense in your brain.

This day and age for me personally, however, I feel so overwhelmed by everything in my life that I haven't had time to just sit, relax and watch a ballgame, much less listen to a spring game on the radio. I am both in a heightened state of being overwhelmed yet finally am practicing, or at least attempting, to train myself to take it easy, take everything step-by-step, go easy on myself while holding myself accountable. I'm trying to both train new muscles and work out older muscles I've hardly used over the last few years, writing included. Whether it is our physical strength or theoretical muscles, we all need training to get ourselves to where we need to be. You generally don't just show up "In The Best Shape of (Your) Life," without having gotten to that point by doing what they say you need to do to get to that place on the corner of 57th and 7th: Practice.

When it comes to the sounds of baseball on the radio, however, they sidle on in so eloquently and naturally to compliment the sounds of the city of the ballteam we all so adore. On Opening Day, though the "City" was the one with Jersey in its name, I had the game on the old fashioned way with the AM dial...yes, THAT frequency set-up...tuned into the new home of the 2019 New York Mets, WCBS 880. All of a sudden, I could breathe. Combined with the warming temperatures and sunny disposition of the tri-state that day, I didn't feel I had needed ear training to appreciate the feeling of baseball being back in my life. I had just gotten right back on the bike after all this time.

All weekend, it was how I took in this new incarnation of the New York Mets. Part of the beauty of listening to the game is that you imagine what is going on visually based on how smoothly the announcers, in our case Howie Rose and Wayne Randazzo in his first year officially as Howie's right-hand man, describe the scene to our ears and brains. Part of listening to the game is the anticipation of seeing the moments visually later on in your day. In today's media landscape, us fans can see the highlight of what we heard in a matter of moments if we so choose. My job, however, renders me unable to take my eyes off the road (as, really, is everybody's job while driving...) so I must wait till I am not working Lyft to take it all in at once.

Here are some things I liked seeing from our team this first weekend of baseball in 2019:

• The Mets MO is winning on Opening Day. They get their fans' hopes up, but ironically have never won the World Series thereafter in seasons they win the first game of the year (a trend I hope they change this year.) There are many incarnations of Mets teams that have won on Opening Day, so we are trained to take the results with a grain of salt. In the moment, however, it is nice when the plan comes together TO A TEE: get a couple runs for your ace, play crisp defense and have your bullpen hold the lead. The Mets took advantage of a HR prone Max Scherzer (he gave up 23 of them last year, folks) got an insurance run late and did what they hardly could do in 2018 for our horse: give him a W.
• The Mets offensive approach looks much more professionally sound than in recent past seasons. They have a clear idea of what they want to do up there and are executing it so far. They are laying off some junk a good amount of the time, taking what the pitcher gives them and gliding the ball the other way. Players like Jeff McNeil and rookie Pete Alonso are doing a great job, with some tough pitches, of getting the barrel on the ball and making solid contact. All good so far, keep it up.
• They showed resilience and resolve to take advantage of a so far weak Nationals bullpen and even though lose the last game, gave themselves a chance to win...they've given themselves a chance in every single game they've played so far. No way, obviously, to go 162-0, but if you continue to put yourself in positions to win, you will do so more often than not. Keep executing, fellas.

It is so cliché of me to say, but I have so much else on my mind regarding muscles I need to train and retrain that when Mets baseball comes along, whether its just listening to the game to relax me while I attend to other stuff or producing the podcasts talking about the sport and team we love, I'm able to put all my troubles aside and just smile and laugh about it, even when we're complaining about them. Even though listening to the game feels like the first day I rode that bike perfectly back in the day, baseball and its role as a pleasant distraction is a muscle I was sorely in need of retraining. I think I'm well on my way.

We at A Metsian Podcast with Sam, Rich and Mike have been lucky enough to generally get together on Thursdays and Opening Day was no exception, with Faith and Fear in Flushing's Greg Prince joining us to discuss the new edition to the New York Metropolitan history books.

I was also lucky enough to talk Mets, burgers and BBQ with Metstradamus himself, John Coppinger, on his Burgerball podcast, on-location from the Barnwood Restaurant parking lot as I ciphered off their WiFi which I paid them back for with the purchase of a pulled pork sandwich afterwards. Along with plugging a burger I had had the night before at Rathbone's on 88th and 2nd in Manhattan, this was a fun time I highly recommend you take in. 

Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. Though that isn't the song I'm going to go with to close us off. As I'm trying to train and retrain my physical and mental muscles, I'm going to go with a song I keep going back to lately: Mind Power by James Brown.

FLEX. THAT. MUSCLE.

LET'S. GO. METS.

It Doesn't Count, but It's Fun

Last night might be the first time I really cared about 2014 Mets baseball.

Clearly, I've been lacking when it comes to writing, watching, or even discussing the Mets. Even on the podcasts (one of which I'll embed down below) though I may ramble, I feel as if I cannot give a full opinion because of my lack of Metsian observation the past couple of months. Then again, I've picked up the general things that are being thrown down in the Metsosphere.

I went out of my way, however, to watch the highlights of yesterday's game, where Anthony Recker and the Mets, down 6-4 to the Braves in the 9th, won 7-6 on Recker's 3-run shot.

And then there's this gem, which is another reason Juan Lagares HAS to be starting in center:

Yeah, it's spring training. Yeah, nothing is counting towards the standings. But memories are still created. I mean, listen to that crowd when Recker hit the home run. Listen to the crowd AND Mr. Burkhardt and Keith. It's an early division match-up, and though it completely changes when the pages turn to April (well....this year, March 31...) there's still a lot of people with plenty to prove, making the juice flow a little more in the above match-up. Certainly some fun highlights to watch.

And prior to watching them, I made my way from the neighborhood of Flatbush to Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues in Brooklyn while discussing some Mets baseball with Mr. Gary Mack of Mets Musings. Take a listen below.

SETTLE. ING. IN.
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, follow on Twitter here, and listen to the research process here.

One for my Baby

Not to toot my own horn or nothin', but I'm guessing my friend ain't the only one out there who was like, "Why isn't Sam posting?!"

Well, there's no great excuse. I could say it's 'cause I've been busy, and sure, that's true, but that doesn't mean I can't sit down and just type, the way I currently am now? So chalk it up to laziness, chalk it up to not dealing with stress the appropriate way, chalk it up to whatever (is that the correct way you spell chalk in the phrasing "chalk it up?" You know, I do have the internet, but I'm gonna halvsies it on this one...)

Anyway, I haven't been writing about the Mets, I haven't been writing about pretty much ANYTHING, except for the podcasts and occasional Rising Apple post hear and there (which, again, I'm gonna go halvies on this one...go find those....) So, it's about damn time just a random text from a friend I don't see too much anymore jumpstarts me back into clicking these clankin' clickers (yeah, nobody's ever referred to "typing" that way, but nobody knew what popcorn was until coming across kernels sitting in the sun...and nobody ever parenthesesed as much as I am in this post...but that might be a good thing....)

Anyway (I say again...) this clearly wasn't about the Mets, but this post doesn't necessarily need to be. I just wanted to type again, and not with just selling ANITA, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, GOODBYE WORLD and THE GERMAN DOCTOR (This I won't go halvsies on...SEE THEM ALL!!!)

I mean, do you really want me to talk about the shortstop situation? or the fact both first baseman have been a bit banged up? or the manufactured Matt Harvey controversy? What else have you been reading while Sam Maxwell hasn't been...uh....clacking?

So, there you go, I'll settle back in, give my thoughts on Mets stuff more often, post Random Songs as I've been known to do and click and clank all the day long. 

Thanks, Friend.

Funny...I'm not even gonna go for the obvious song here....ya know...the title of this post...(if you don't know what song I'm talking about, shame on you, and I'm halvsieing it here and telling you to go listen to...yeah...Frankie's version...)

I've gotten into Electric Light Orchestra for the first time EVER over the last year, which was a travesty to my music-loving ways. I've recently purchased ELO's album, "Time" which you should all get and was a poignant album to explore for the first time ever in the year 2014, almost 33 years after it's release. So, here's a Random Song from the year 2095.

CLICKING. CLACKING.

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, follow on Twitter here, and listen to the research process here.

The Half-Televised Game with Rafael Montero

A lot of us were able to watch the Nats TV feed of last night's 4-4 10-inning tie, either on MLB Network or MLB.TV. If you missed any of the game, check in with Matt Musico over at Rising Apple for a recap and his thoughts on it all.

The most interesting item from the game, for me, was 22-year-old Rafael Montero. The Mets- coaches, front office and players alike- have been raving about this kid for a long time, and it was the first I ever got to see his stuff. Very impressive. He will begin the year in AA and will most likely be in the minors the whole time, but a September call-up is not out of the question (unless he breezes through everyone and forces the organization to speed his process up, but I'm looking towards the 6th month of the season for Montero's Citi Landfall.)

There were plenty of other things from the game that drew my attention (besides, generally, the Mets and baseball) but I can't really get into detail about it all right now. So, please (once again) head over to Rising Apple, for Matt Musico has got you all covered.


This song is randomly stuck in my head this morning. Probably 'cause Silver Linings Playbook is for some reason randomly stuck in my head (for those of you who saw the film, you understand the tune reference.) It's a really beautiful rendition (not to say the original folk version isn't fantastic as well, but this one gets me.)

It's just a really, really well-written song.

MARCH. ROLLS. IN. NOW.
LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

Today's Game Recap & The Mets Legacy Photo of the Day

For a recap of today's spring schloshing of the Mets by the Cardinals (including coverage of Zack Wheeler being scratched from the start) check out this from Danny Abriano over at Rising Apple.

The Mets Legacy Photo of the Day comes to us from way above 
the former city of Brooklyn.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

This is Why I Love the Spring.

Because when the Mets lose 6-4 to the Division Rival Nats, I could care less. This will still be one of the most memorable spring games in the history of the New York Mets. So many moments which unfortunately cannot be embedded at this time, but MLB and whoever makes the embedding decisions in their ranks was kind enough to include this:



I mean, I gotta say, that has to be one of the most memorable catches I've ever seen somebody make in a Metropolitan uniform. Clearly, not being in the regular or post-season diminishes its affect...or maybe it doesn't. For I, as a fan, and for certainly many other fans, a spectacular play from one of our top prospects while the face of the franchise talks about the direction of the franchise on the air (becoming part of the commentary) was maybe just what we needed. 

Even in a (fake) loss, there were reassurances.

den Dekker just needs to start hitting. Then damn. Center field in Citi.


The Heroes of Spring are variant.

Sometimes it's a stoked 1st baseman, who can't wait to play baseball on a regular basis again, putting the Mets on the board with his first SHOT off live in-game practice.

Or a super-utility player, who's been designated here and there, makin' the most of the shot he has got (combining with Travis d'Arnaud for an aggressive double play at the plate.)

Sometimes it's a 23-year-old natural-hitting outfielder looking to be the first in line if the injuries strike.

Or a submariner who is a wild card because of his deception.


And countless others that will make us one day say to each other, "Hey remember the time...?"

Because for most of these players, the current impression is the most impressive impression, and because of that mindset, the baseball instincts that they were born with shine through like they've never shined before, and might never shine again. 

Who knows what is to come of most of these players' careers. But I appreciate seeing them play their hearts out on February 25th.

Man, I'm so happy Mets Baseball is Back.

PLAY. THAT. BALLGAME.
LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

Rock Out Randomly Pre-Game.

Tune in to SNY at 6:00 for Mets preseason baseball.

For now, Rock Out Randomly (though the more I post AC/DC, the less random it becomes.)

RANDOM. ROCK. OUT.
LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

A Couple Wins...But More Importantly - Baseball

I've been going on and on how awesome it is baseball is back so early, and of course I forgot it was a 12 'o Clock start time on Saturday. So, I missed Ruben Tejada's 1st inning home run off Stephen Strasburg. I DVRed the rest of it, and crazily (like I'm sure so many other Mets fans) didn't fast forward (once the DVR stopped glitching.)

I'm not gonna elaborately recap it for you or jot down my notes like I did last year (but that was just me settling into blogging.)

For a recap of the first spring game of the year, check it out at Rising Apple here.

And for a recap of Sunday's Split-Squad games, here is where you'll want to click.

........ok, I slightly lied. I'm gonna over-analyze the first games a bit.

Marlon Byrd is a real sleeper in my eyes. He looks determined and ready to win a job after a lackluster 2012, which included a 50-game suspension for PEDs. A Quote From Ted states that Byrd started training with Victor Conte, and was a firm advocate for Conte's changed way, or something along those lines. And then he got busted for PEDs. Though, according to this USA Today article from when Byrd got suspended, Conte might have had nothing to do with it and it was all one of those "careless" moments that we never factor into our thinking when it comes to these 50-game suspensions being handed down. The Human Element and how stupid and absent-minded we can sometimes be (sorry, MANY times) gets completely thrown out of the equation when these news items pop up.

Am I advocating PEDs? No.

All I'm saying is that not every case is the same.

Anyway, Byrd seems like s perfect candidate for, maybe not Comeback Player of the Year, but something along those lines. I pose a question to you all.

What kind of production would be worth Marlon Byrd as the starting right fielder?

If I were to see a line of .260 15HR 75RBI at the end of the year, that would be MORE than enough production out of that spot. And for those of you who are already calling the outfield "devastating," I'm sure you would take even less than that from of a starting Marlon Byrd.

He will certainly be a very interesting storyline to follow throughout the Spring.

Here's a Kevin Burkhardt interview with the man.




Then there is the case of Collin Cowgill.

Another sleeper for sure.

He's got speed, he's got aggression, he's got determination and he's got guts. Sandy might have pulled off quite the under the radar trade that the people who haven't been paying attention will find out soon how under the radar it actually was. With a lack of opportunity at his fingertips in Oakland, the timing might just be right for him to blossom as a New York Met.

Here's Metsblog's Michael Baron interviewing Cowgill.



Anyway, there were of course many other takeaways from the weekend that was the first taste of Mets baseball we have gotten in a while. But I'm going to stop with the potentials for the outfield. No need to go on about The Duda's 0-7 or Matt Harvey's Spring Debut, or Cory Mazzoni's solid outing, or Dillon back from the shoulder surgery.

Let's just soak up the early baseball...

And love the amount coming up next several months.

For those that weren't able to watch the televised game, watch the following videos for no other reason than to see Mets uniforms on grass once more.

There's Ruben's home run.

And Shaun Marcum's Mets Debut, with a snazzy Ike Davis defensive play to boot.

Not to mention Wheeler's ML Camp Debut.

And of course Cowgill's heads up play.

INHALE. EXHALE.
BASEBALL'S. BACK.

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A Game Tomorrow & The Song of the Day

There isn't much else to say except that I'm so stoked I there is any form of Metropolitan baseball on TV tomorrow you guys. So many storylines to focus on, I'm pumped for the analysis to begin. Who knows what this year could bring? So stop all your whining (for those who do) and enjoy some New York Mets baseball for a change.

Here's the Song of the Day.

BASEBALL. BASEBALL.
LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

Oi, it's Baseball!!!

You would think on the day Pitchers and Catchers reported I would want to talk about that. But I actually want to talk about how awesome it was that MLB Network put actual baseball on the telly Saturday in the form of Game 2 of the Australian Baseball Championship.

The Perth Heat v. the Canberra Cavalry

The Cavalry were up by 1 in a best of 3 series at home. I wasn't able to watch the whole game, but the Cavalry were up by 4 or so when I left. (Looks like they eeked out a 7-6 victory for the Championship.)

The 7,000 or so who made up the full stands sure did like their Cavalry. Baseball must be quite the subculture down under. The announcers were Australian, and they certainly knew what they were talking about, though at some point they explained "for our Australian viewers" why the catcher changes signals with a runner on. This said to me that the game isn't there yet but growing strong.

Some other things I came away with after watching the ABL is that the pitching isn't very good and most of the teams are made up of scrappy blue-collar types you wouldn't mind stealing a job away from somebody in the Spring.

And Graeme Lloyd is the Cavalry pitching coach.

And the Cavalry Stadium plays the standard "Ba-da Ba-Da Ba-DAAAAAAAA......CHARGE!" but the fans don't say that at the end. They say, "Oi!" Which is ironic.....since they're the Cavalry...

And they have a knack for the facial hair (though the mullet is apparently in...)

Here's the Random Song of the Night.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.

Random Song of the Night

3. MORE. DAYS. NOW.

LET'S. GO. METS.

Thanks for reading! Follow me on Twitter @convertedmetfan. And for Rising Apple twitter updates, click here.