What happened on June 26th in Wisconsin? The Milwaukee Brewers were hosting the Minnesota Twins in interleague play. The Brewers won that day by the score of 6-2. Chris Narveson won to even his record to 5-5. Carl Pavano took the loss to drop to 5-6.
Why do I care? I wasn't there.
It was hat day for the Brewers.
I now have, courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers, a leftover promotional hat from that game. It's a camo Brewers hat with the "M" logo on the front and the Miller High Life logo on the back. It's a high quality promo hat and it was totally cool of the club to send one to me.
Thank you Brewers. You've joined the ranks of the Yankees, Reds and Phillies.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Cubs Have Added Additional Hat Days
Is attendance lagging at Wrigley?
They've added hat days for July 16, July 19. They also have hat days on Aug 8, Aug 23 and added Sept 7 and a floppy had on Sept 20.
Other teams have added additional hat days - here are other hat days around the majors coming up for the remainder of July.
Orioles - July 22 (floppy hat)
Mets - July 16
Tigers - July 16
Royals - July 23 (ladies cap)
Twins - July 23
Astros - July 20
Diamondbacks - July 23
Rockies - July 17
Dodgers - July 24
Giants - July 24 (fedora)
They've added hat days for July 16, July 19. They also have hat days on Aug 8, Aug 23 and added Sept 7 and a floppy had on Sept 20.
Other teams have added additional hat days - here are other hat days around the majors coming up for the remainder of July.
Orioles - July 22 (floppy hat)
Mets - July 16
Tigers - July 16
Royals - July 23 (ladies cap)
Twins - July 23
Astros - July 20
Diamondbacks - July 23
Rockies - July 17
Dodgers - July 24
Giants - July 24 (fedora)
The Dead Team Roll Call Grows
As we're getting deeper into July, the Dead Team Roll Call has increased to 12 teams as of the end of last night's play. The Mets aren't quite on the list yet - but at 7.5 games out of the wildcard chase, they're on life support and are getting pretty close to being team number 13 on the list.
The Roll Call - beginning with the Most Dead and Buried at the top:
Astros - 17
Orioles - 14.5
Marlins - 12.5
Royals - 12
Dodgers - 12
Cubs - 11
Blue Jays - 10.5
Padres - 10
Athletics - 9
Rockies - 8.5
Twins - 8
Nationals - 8
The Roll Call - beginning with the Most Dead and Buried at the top:
Astros - 17
Orioles - 14.5
Marlins - 12.5
Royals - 12
Dodgers - 12
Cubs - 11
Blue Jays - 10.5
Padres - 10
Athletics - 9
Rockies - 8.5
Twins - 8
Nationals - 8
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Nick Evans is Back
I guess we haven't seen the last of Nick Evans. He's back on board with Jose Reyes landing on the disabled list.
The question I'm wondering is... who will be the backup shortstop? Turner? Murphy?
The question I'm wondering is... who will be the backup shortstop? Turner? Murphy?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The 25th Anniversary Mets Cap Has Been Revealed
Mets.com now has a picture of the promo cap for the July 16th giveaway.
This one is looking a little bit cheesy. It's blue. That's cool. But it almost looks TOO blue. It has a patch on it very much like the 25th anniversary logo used during the 1986 season except the years are 1986 and 2011 on the sides.
I'll render my final verdict when I get my hands on one, but I think it may have looked a little better in grey with the logo on it, which would have really made the logo stand out. Instead, it's looking like a hat that's screaming "LOOK AT MY BLUE HAT!!!" that has a patch on it that you have to look closely to see what it is.
Again, I reserve final judgment for the 16th.
This one is looking a little bit cheesy. It's blue. That's cool. But it almost looks TOO blue. It has a patch on it very much like the 25th anniversary logo used during the 1986 season except the years are 1986 and 2011 on the sides.
I'll render my final verdict when I get my hands on one, but I think it may have looked a little better in grey with the logo on it, which would have really made the logo stand out. Instead, it's looking like a hat that's screaming "LOOK AT MY BLUE HAT!!!" that has a patch on it that you have to look closely to see what it is.
Again, I reserve final judgment for the 16th.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Pujols Coming Back Already?
Albert Pujols broke his wrist on June 19th. Now there's talk he may be coming off the DL on Tuesday?
If that happens, that dude is tough.
If that happens, that dude is tough.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Real Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - Tomorrow, July 4th
Since Bartolo Colon won't be participating, everyone will need to show up to Coney Island to determine this year's winner.
In the qualifiers, Tim Janus at 45 dogs as the top dog. He did it right out of Queens, in front of me at Citifield.
On the ladies side, Juliet Lee ate 28 dogs to take the top women's spot. I think NYC's own Laura Leu may have a little bit of a hard time keeping up with her and the other three women qualifiers that downed more than 20 dogs. Laura may have to get Boba Fett to put down his accordion and collect a bounty to come home with the mustard belt.
In the qualifiers, Tim Janus at 45 dogs as the top dog. He did it right out of Queens, in front of me at Citifield.
On the ladies side, Juliet Lee ate 28 dogs to take the top women's spot. I think NYC's own Laura Leu may have a little bit of a hard time keeping up with her and the other three women qualifiers that downed more than 20 dogs. Laura may have to get Boba Fett to put down his accordion and collect a bounty to come home with the mustard belt.
I'm Rooting for the Pirates... Aargh!!!
That is, if the Mets fall out of the race for good. The team has been so futile for so long, it'd be good to see the once proud franchise stop being a joke.
And they're giving away floppy Chuck Tanner hats tomorrow. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on one of those.
Now the Royals, they're still a joke.
And they're giving away floppy Chuck Tanner hats tomorrow. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on one of those.
Now the Royals, they're still a joke.
A Comeback against the Mighty Rivera
With Jason Bay's clutch hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, the Mets get a walk off win go get back to .500 before heading off to the west coast before the all star break.
I will continue to be a Mets fan. This is why they will collapse on this trip.
I will continue to be a Mets fan. This is why they will collapse on this trip.
I'll Have to Use Reverse Psychology
The Mets lost while I wore a Mets hat while watching the game on Friday.
The Mets lost while I wore a Mets hat while at the game yesterday.
So I'm going to put on the promo Yankee hat they sent in the mail while watching the game today to try to help out Dickey and the Mets.
I'm not jumping ship. I'm just trying to do my part.
The Mets lost while I wore a Mets hat while at the game yesterday.
So I'm going to put on the promo Yankee hat they sent in the mail while watching the game today to try to help out Dickey and the Mets.
I'm not jumping ship. I'm just trying to do my part.
The Upcoming Mets 25th Anniversary Promo Hat
Unless the Mets sneak any other cap days in on the schedule this year, the 25th Anniversary Cap giveaway on July 16th will be their last hat giveaway this season. They've had a good run of them this year. Each one has been unique, and even the fugly Nathan's hat wasn't as bad as I first thought.
I'm waiting for a photo of the upcoming one to be posted. Hopefully, it will look good.
I'm waiting for a photo of the upcoming one to be posted. Hopefully, it will look good.
Have We Seen the Last of Nick Evans?
After an unsuccessful 0 for 12 effort in very limited action this year at the major league level, have we seen the last of Nick Evans?
In parts of 4 seasons from 2008-2011, he's appeared in 108 games, made 222 plate appearances, has 54 hits, hit 4 homers, driven in 21 and has a career batting average of .243 with a .298 on base percentage.
At 25 years old, he's reaching the point where he's going from prospect to "this is what he is".
He's not a huge power guy. Yes, he has hit 105 home runs in the minors with 24 home runs last year (17 AA, 6 AAA, 1 MLB). He's a .276 hitter for his career in the minor leagues, but has hit .300 in the minors the last two years.
Granted, he's never really gotten a legitimate shot at the major league level. But when you're a first baseman, you hit righty, there are other guys that play your position in your system that have a whole lot more pop and hit for a higher average, and you're not overly versatile as an outfielder or at other positions, your value goes down. Way down.
Nick made it to the majors. He's seen part of 4 seasons in the bigs. His numbers are in no way, shape or form memorable in any way in the books and his baseball card is regulated to the status of "common player", but he's also had more of a major league career than a ton of guys who came up for a cup of coffee.
I doubt we'll see Nick in any kind of impact way (except for maybe a September call up when the Mets are out of it), but he'll probably be squeezed out of the system next season or the year after. Maybe he'll catch on with another team. Maybe he won't.
I wish Nick the best, but I don't think he has a future with the Mets. His chance with the team, as fleeting as it was, has come and gone.
In parts of 4 seasons from 2008-2011, he's appeared in 108 games, made 222 plate appearances, has 54 hits, hit 4 homers, driven in 21 and has a career batting average of .243 with a .298 on base percentage.
At 25 years old, he's reaching the point where he's going from prospect to "this is what he is".
He's not a huge power guy. Yes, he has hit 105 home runs in the minors with 24 home runs last year (17 AA, 6 AAA, 1 MLB). He's a .276 hitter for his career in the minor leagues, but has hit .300 in the minors the last two years.
Granted, he's never really gotten a legitimate shot at the major league level. But when you're a first baseman, you hit righty, there are other guys that play your position in your system that have a whole lot more pop and hit for a higher average, and you're not overly versatile as an outfielder or at other positions, your value goes down. Way down.
Nick made it to the majors. He's seen part of 4 seasons in the bigs. His numbers are in no way, shape or form memorable in any way in the books and his baseball card is regulated to the status of "common player", but he's also had more of a major league career than a ton of guys who came up for a cup of coffee.
I doubt we'll see Nick in any kind of impact way (except for maybe a September call up when the Mets are out of it), but he'll probably be squeezed out of the system next season or the year after. Maybe he'll catch on with another team. Maybe he won't.
I wish Nick the best, but I don't think he has a future with the Mets. His chance with the team, as fleeting as it was, has come and gone.
Decisions, Decisions
I had a tough decision to make today. I've been looking forward to the Subway Series games all season. That I had tickets to yesterday and today's game was no surprise. But I had to make a choice - either go to today's game and hear complaints or sell my ticket and stay home.
So I sold my ticket.
So I sold my ticket.
The Mets are Almost on the Dead List
They're 7.5 out of the playoff chase. As of tomorrow, they may officially be on the Dead List, heading off to their west coast trip.
They should fear the beard. And if Jose is hurt for a couple of days?
They should fear the beard. And if Jose is hurt for a couple of days?
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Mets Chevy Cap Trade Hats
I like them. I got to the park about three hours early when my wife booted me at the door, which meant I was there in plenty of time to get my blue stars and stripes logo hat. I think it looks pretty good. Not as good as the classic blue with the orange NY that was part of the Geico giveaway on June 18th, but it's the number two hat of the season in my opinion.
Thankfully, my wife thinks it looks hideous, so hopefully I won't risk losing this one.
I was surprised that the giveaway was being done outside before you even got in the park. If you didn't even have a ticket, you could have arrived outside early, picked up a hat and left. If you came and parked, you could have come into the park and not even noticed that the trade area was by the train platforms.
But I have my hat.
Thankfully, my wife thinks it looks hideous, so hopefully I won't risk losing this one.
I was surprised that the giveaway was being done outside before you even got in the park. If you didn't even have a ticket, you could have arrived outside early, picked up a hat and left. If you came and parked, you could have come into the park and not even noticed that the trade area was by the train platforms.
But I have my hat.
Another one Slipped Away
They've gone from the hottest team this side of the Mississippi to one in the middle of a losing streak. They're back to being under .500 and they're on the verge of being irrelevant.
When it was announced that Jose Reyes was out of the game in the third inning, my first thought (and the thoughts of other Mets fans in my area) was that he was either traded or he got hurt.
It was a tight hammy. We'll see if he's playing tomorrow.
When it was announced that Jose Reyes was out of the game in the third inning, my first thought (and the thoughts of other Mets fans in my area) was that he was either traded or he got hurt.
It was a tight hammy. We'll see if he's playing tomorrow.
Updating the Dead Team Roll Call
The following teams are hereby categorized as "Dead", meaning they are at least 8 games (more than one full week) out of the playoff chase.
We're currently standing (or in this case, no longer standing) at 9 teams as we're heading toward the all star break.
Blue Jays - 8 wildcard
Twins - 8 central
Dodgers - 10 west
Padres - 10 west
Orioles - 11 wildcard
Royals - 11 central
Marlins- 11.5 - wildcard
Cubs - 11 central
Astros - 16 central
There are several other teams on life support that are greater than 6 games out of the hunt:
Mets - 6.5 wildcard
Nationals - 6.5 wildcard
Rockies - 6.5 west
White Sox - 7 wildcard
A's - 7 west
We're currently standing (or in this case, no longer standing) at 9 teams as we're heading toward the all star break.
Blue Jays - 8 wildcard
Twins - 8 central
Dodgers - 10 west
Padres - 10 west
Orioles - 11 wildcard
Royals - 11 central
Marlins- 11.5 - wildcard
Cubs - 11 central
Astros - 16 central
There are several other teams on life support that are greater than 6 games out of the hunt:
Mets - 6.5 wildcard
Nationals - 6.5 wildcard
Rockies - 6.5 west
White Sox - 7 wildcard
A's - 7 west
Back to .500
After losing two straight, the Mets are back to .500 on the season.
I don't think anyone expected them to beat Verlander. After a disappointing loss last night, a loss today can send them reeling back under send the team into a tailspin. It's up to Dillon Gee today, who is facing Bartolo Colon (who has apparently recovered from his hot dog intake as chronicled on these pages). After this weekend, it's off to the west coast.
And yes, A-Rod, Reyes is playing like the best player in the majors.
I don't think anyone expected them to beat Verlander. After a disappointing loss last night, a loss today can send them reeling back under send the team into a tailspin. It's up to Dillon Gee today, who is facing Bartolo Colon (who has apparently recovered from his hot dog intake as chronicled on these pages). After this weekend, it's off to the west coast.
And yes, A-Rod, Reyes is playing like the best player in the majors.
Hat Days Around the Majors this Weekend
If you're heading to the Tiger game today, you can get a relaxed floppy hat.
On the 4th, the Nationals are giving away a red cap with a stars and stripes "W" logo.
Also on the 4th, the Pirates are giving away floppy hats with Chuck Tanner's star - photos on the website reflect there are black hats and white hats. I wonder how they are going to give them out.
On the 4th, the Nationals are giving away a red cap with a stars and stripes "W" logo.
Also on the 4th, the Pirates are giving away floppy hats with Chuck Tanner's star - photos on the website reflect there are black hats and white hats. I wonder how they are going to give them out.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Mets Fall in the First Game of the Subway Series
Niese got off to a rough start and that did it for the Mets tonight. Now it's up to Gee to break the streak tomorrow. I'm wonder how early I will have to get there to make sure I get one of the Stars and Stripes hats.
I sold my extra ticket for tomorrow's game for a profit. Probably to a Yankee fan. Unfortunately, my computer was out of whack for a bit before and the ticket sold before I could get onto stubhub to raise the price. I could have made a nice additional chunk of change. Hopefully the guy sitting to my left won't be an obnoxious beer swilling guy.
Is it wrong to want capitalism to work in my favor?
Nah.
I sold my extra ticket for tomorrow's game for a profit. Probably to a Yankee fan. Unfortunately, my computer was out of whack for a bit before and the ticket sold before I could get onto stubhub to raise the price. I could have made a nice additional chunk of change. Hopefully the guy sitting to my left won't be an obnoxious beer swilling guy.
Is it wrong to want capitalism to work in my favor?
Nah.
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