Electronic Pat On The Back

Do you think Dickey is saying “Thanks” fellas?

I fancy myself as a level-headed, realistic Met Fan.  Much of this is my personality, some of it is based on the fact that I grew up in the Middle, where we are a tad bit more laid back than my east coast brethren who have a tendency to be high-strung.

Having said that, I have to congratulate you easily excitable east coasters.  After last night’s game, I expected you to be all over David Wright for “blowing” R.A. Dickey’s no-hitter as well as Nickeas for the two past balls that ruined his shutout.  After reading over the comments left on the bithcin’ internet I was surprised that this was not the fact.

Accept this post as an electronic pat on the back, atta boy, job well done etc.

The debate I stumbled across that had the most volume was whether or not the Mets should appeal the ruling of Wright’s bare-handed attempt in the first inning.  This question seemed to bring out the touchiness I have become accustomed to reading.

For the record, it was the right call for the Mets to appeal the call.  Not because it was a clear hit, simply because they should to show support for their 10-1 knuckleballer who is mowing down the opposition.

Also for the record, it was a hit.

1. Upton had more than a good chance of beating that out even if Wright fielded the ball cleanly.
2. The ball hit the lip of the infield “grass” on the last bounce placing it in the ole’ “tough hop, bad bounce” hit category.

One more thing before I let you go.  I am becoming leery of David’s fielding of late.  He is starting to revert back to his 2011 form of sailing his throws which were pleasantly absent at the beginning of this season.

Summing Up The Madoff Mess

If you are like me, trying to ascertain the true impact of the Madoff mess is a gargantuan task. Did they or didn’t they? One billion or $300 million? Positive net worth or negative net worth?

One thing is certain, this situation is not drivel created by the media to entertain the masses. This is an affair that Met fans should pay close attention to.

Howard Megdal summed it up best as he wrote the following:

“But make no mistake: the resolution of Irving Picard’s suit against Fred Wilpon is not a mere distraction. Reasonable people can disagree about the need for steroids coverage, but it is indisputably re-litigating the past. The result of Picard’s suit, and the financial maneuvering it forces upon Fred Wilpon, will impact the way the Mets are run for years to come. This will be true whether with a new owner, a financially-compromised Wilpon ownership, or a minority partner empowered in some way with the team (authority or cut of profits).”

Typically, I believe that the truth lies somewhere in the middle in most matters. This lawsuit is probably no different. The problem is, the middle of one billion and 300 million dollars doesn’t exactly drum up thoughts of smooth sailing for the Mets operationally.

The Wilpons have sealed the deal in terms of starting us off with another season of uncertainty. Sadly, the financial issues the Mets face are ginormous in comparison to Carlos Beltran’s knee or Jose Reyes’ impending free agency.

Thanks for the annual bout of pre-season torment Frank, Jeffy, and Uncle Saul.

Look at it this way, paying Oliver Perez 12 million dollars this season doesn’t seem like all that much money anymore. There is always a silver lining……

Originally published on Mets Gazette.