Before David Wright assumed the position, the revolving door of third basemen had become a running joke - as all of us Mets fans know. As I was listening to the game on WFAN tonight, it was said that Daniel Murphy became the 145th Third Baseman in the club's history.
But during the Mets 50 seasons - how many men have been the primary occupant of the hot corner? Let's see, shall we?
1962 - Felix Mantilla - 95 games
1963 - Charlie Neal - 66 games
1964 - Charley Smith - 85 games
1965 - Charley Smith - 131 games
1966 - Ken Boyer - 130 games
1967 - Ed Charles - 89 games
1968 - Ed Charles - 106 games
1969 - Wayne Garrett - 72 games
1970 - Joe Foy - 97 games
1971 - Bob Aspromonte - 97 games
1972 - Jim Fregosi - 86 games
1973 - Wayne Garrett - 129 games
1974 - Wayne Garrett - 144 games
1975 - Wayne Garrett - 94 games
1976 - Roy Staiger - 93 games
1977 - Len Randle - 110 games
1978 - Len Randle - 124 games
1979 - Richie Hebner - 134 games
1980 - Elliott Maddox - 115 games
1981 - Hubie Brooks - 93 games
1982 - Hubie Brooks - 126 games
1983 - Hubie Brooks - 145 games
1984 - Hubie Brooks - 129 games
1985 - Howard Johnson - 113 games
1986 - Ray Knight - 132 games
1987 - Howard Johnson - 140 games
1988 - Howard Johnson - 131 games
1989 - Howard Johnson - 143 games
1990 - Howard Johnson - 92 games
1991 - Howard Johnson - 104 games
1992 - Dave Magadan - 93 games
1993 - Howard Johnson - 67 games
1994 - Bobby Bonilla - 107 games
1995 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 58 games
1996 - Jeff Kent - 89 games
1997 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 143 games
1998 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 144 games
1999 - Robin Ventura - 160 games
2000 - Robin Ventura - 137 games
2001 - Robin Ventura - 139 games
2002 - Edgardo Alfonzo - 134 games
2003 - Ty Wigginton - 155 games
2004 - David Wright - 69 games
2005 - David Wright - 160 games
2006 - David Wright - 153 games
2007 - David Wright - 159 games
2008 - David Wright - 159 games
2009 - David Wright - 142 games
2010 - David Wright - 155 games
2011 - David Wright - games TBD
So we can see by this exercise that the Mets have had 23 different primary third basemen (based solely on games played at that particular position during the season) during their 50 seasons.
David Wright has held onto the position longest - provided he comes off the disabled list and stays healthy, this will his 8th season as the man.
Only five other players laid claim to three seasons on the corner.
Howard Johnson - 7 years - 1985, 1987-1991, 1993
Wayne Garrett - 4 years - 1969, 1973-1975
Hubie Brooks - 4 years - 1981-1984
Edgardo Alfonzo - 4 years - 1995, 1997-1998, 2002
Robin Ventura - 3 years - 1999-2001
This exercise demonstrates why I drive my wife nuts.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
They Tease.
The Mets are like that girl you really liked in high school. Just when you think you have a chance, they shoo you away, let you think that it's all over, then just when you start to heal - she summons you back and shows you just enough to give you hope. Then she shoos you away all over again.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Turner Stays Hot. Murphy Playing Well.
Things may get interesting when Ike and David get back. You can't take Turner out of the lineup. Now Murphy is playing well. Which will be the odd man out when the corners come back? Do you go to a platoon - which will end up sitting your hottest bat against righties?
Random Former Met - Ron Hodges
Now this guy isn't as random. Ron spent his entire 12 year major league career with the Mets, playing from 1973-1984. Primarily a backup, he served as an understudy to Jerry Grote and Duffy Dyer in 1973-1974 (playing 40 and 44 games behind the dish those years as the third most used catcher). By 1975, he was still #3 catching only 69 innings behind Jerry Grote and the new #2 John Stearns. It wasn't until 1976 that he established himself as the #2 catching 52 games as Jerry Grote's relief with Stearns serving as the third stringer.
By 1977, he was back to being #3, this time with John Stearns as the #1 and Grote as #2. By 1978, Grote was gone and Ron served once again as the main backup - albeit only catching 30 games as John Stearns carried a heavy workload. Once again, in 1979, Hodges was back to #3 as Alex Trevino came up as a young 21 year old. In 1980, Ron continued as a third stringer as Alex Trevino became the #1, Stearns was the #2 and Ron saw only 9 games and 47 innings of action after separating his shoulder in July and missing the rest of the season. In strike shortened 1981, Ron saw even less action - 7 games caught for 23 innings as Stearns and Trevino swapped #1 and #2.
By the time 1982 came around, in his 10th season with the team, Ron finally became the #2 option for only the second time, this time appearing in 74 games and 362 innings as Stearns backup. With Trevino gone, he saw more action that year than he had in the previous 4 years combined.
After a decade of always being the bridesmaid, he finally got his crack of being the primary catcher in 1983. He was the number one and caught 96 games with the young Junior Ortiz as his understudy. It was in 1984, he set career highs in games played (110), at bats (250), hits (65), tied his high in doubles (12), walks (49), and on base percentage (.383). He also hit .260 with 0 HR and 21 RBI.
1984 was his last year in the bigs. Turning 35 in mid-season, he hit only .208 in 106 at bats with 1 HR and 11 RBI as Mike Fitzgerald's primary backup.
From 1980-1984, Ron and teammate Craig Swan were the longest tenured members of the club.
He spent the majority of his career as the Mets third string catcher. For his career, he appeared in 666 games - 445 behind the plate. For his career, Ron Hodges hit .240 with 19 home runs and 147 RBI's. in 1426 plate appearances, he had 342 hits. He scored 119 times. He hit 56 doubles and 2 triples. He stole 10 based, walked 224 times and had a career on base percentage of .342. He was on the playoff roster for the 1973 Mets and made one postseason appearance with no official at-bats and one walk.
By 1977, he was back to being #3, this time with John Stearns as the #1 and Grote as #2. By 1978, Grote was gone and Ron served once again as the main backup - albeit only catching 30 games as John Stearns carried a heavy workload. Once again, in 1979, Hodges was back to #3 as Alex Trevino came up as a young 21 year old. In 1980, Ron continued as a third stringer as Alex Trevino became the #1, Stearns was the #2 and Ron saw only 9 games and 47 innings of action after separating his shoulder in July and missing the rest of the season. In strike shortened 1981, Ron saw even less action - 7 games caught for 23 innings as Stearns and Trevino swapped #1 and #2.
By the time 1982 came around, in his 10th season with the team, Ron finally became the #2 option for only the second time, this time appearing in 74 games and 362 innings as Stearns backup. With Trevino gone, he saw more action that year than he had in the previous 4 years combined.
After a decade of always being the bridesmaid, he finally got his crack of being the primary catcher in 1983. He was the number one and caught 96 games with the young Junior Ortiz as his understudy. It was in 1984, he set career highs in games played (110), at bats (250), hits (65), tied his high in doubles (12), walks (49), and on base percentage (.383). He also hit .260 with 0 HR and 21 RBI.
1984 was his last year in the bigs. Turning 35 in mid-season, he hit only .208 in 106 at bats with 1 HR and 11 RBI as Mike Fitzgerald's primary backup.
From 1980-1984, Ron and teammate Craig Swan were the longest tenured members of the club.
He spent the majority of his career as the Mets third string catcher. For his career, he appeared in 666 games - 445 behind the plate. For his career, Ron Hodges hit .240 with 19 home runs and 147 RBI's. in 1426 plate appearances, he had 342 hits. He scored 119 times. He hit 56 doubles and 2 triples. He stole 10 based, walked 224 times and had a career on base percentage of .342. He was on the playoff roster for the 1973 Mets and made one postseason appearance with no official at-bats and one walk.
So Jose Bautista Slammed the Bat. Big Deal.
A-Rod did the same thing on the play when Castillo dropped the pop up. Then again, A-Rod's antics have been called into question before.
Why Is Tonight a Night Game?
It's Memorial Day. The fact that today's a night game is just stupid. People had the day off work. Kids had the day off school. By having a 7pm game, it's just like any other night game on a school night/work night. Sure, there's the argument that teams are coming off a travel day - but unless you're the Reds or the Braves, you didn't have a night game the day before, so you're not going into a day game after a night game on travel. Or here's another simple solution - have Memorial Day weekend be one of the occasional 4 game wraparound Friday-Monday series so that the afternoon holiday game is also the natural getaway game.
But there is no reason for there to be a night game tonight. It's a beautiful night - it was also a beautiful day.
But there is no reason for there to be a night game tonight. It's a beautiful night - it was also a beautiful day.
Better Late than Never
I was wrong in my earlier statement that I thought that Hairston would be the one to go one Pagan came off of the disabled list. I had entirely forgotten that Fernando Martinez was languishing at the end of the bench. It made perfect sense for him to be the one to go. If Beltran is gone come the trade deadline, he's most likely the one to slide in for the rest of the season (provided he's not on the disabled list). Why sit a 22 year old on the bench when you don't know if he can even play a long stretch of time? Let him play in Buffalo and prove he can stay healthy - then give him his shot in New York and see if he's a viable option for next season.
Random Former Met - Charlie Puleo
We're going old school here. Charlie Puleo pitched eight seasons in the bigs from 1981-1984, 1986-1989, playing for the Mets, the Reds and the Braves. In 180 games (76 starts), he recorded a record of 29-39 with a 4.25 ERA in 630 innings. Of his two career saves, one came with the Mets. For his career, he struck out 387 batters.
Two of those years were as a Met. He made his Major League Debut in 1981 with the Mets, pitching in 4 games (1 start) and posted an ERA of 0.00 in 13.1 innings with a 0-0 record. His only full season on the Mets roster was 1982 where Charlie posted a record of 9-9 with an ERA of 4.47. He pitched in 36 games (24 starts), recorded one shutout and one save and in 171 innings struck out 98 and walked 90.
He was also part of the trade (along with Lloyd McClendon and Jason Felice) to bring back Tom Seaver from the Reds on December 12, 1982. He also once surrendered a Home Run to Nolan Ryan in 1987 while a member of the Atlanta Braves.
Two of those years were as a Met. He made his Major League Debut in 1981 with the Mets, pitching in 4 games (1 start) and posted an ERA of 0.00 in 13.1 innings with a 0-0 record. His only full season on the Mets roster was 1982 where Charlie posted a record of 9-9 with an ERA of 4.47. He pitched in 36 games (24 starts), recorded one shutout and one save and in 171 innings struck out 98 and walked 90.
He was also part of the trade (along with Lloyd McClendon and Jason Felice) to bring back Tom Seaver from the Reds on December 12, 1982. He also once surrendered a Home Run to Nolan Ryan in 1987 while a member of the Atlanta Braves.
Einhorn - Majority Owner in Three Years?
I heard this during the radio broadcast on WFAN during yesterday's game. If I heard this correctly, and if this information they reported turns out to be accurate - it sounds like Einhorn made himself quite a good deal.
The deal requires the Mets to be solvent in the next three years. If the Mets are not solvent, Einhorn has the right of first refusal to buy a controlling stake in the team. If they are solvent, the Wilpons will pay him back his $200MM and Einhorn retains his minority ownership stake.
If this is correct, to translate into oversimplified terms - Einhorn is floating the Wilpons a $200MM loan. Instead of charging interest on the loan, he's repaid by getting a stake in the team. One of the covenants of the deal is that the team is solvent. If they're not solvent - the "default" is that he has the first right to take over control.
It's a winning situation for Einhorn. If the Mets turn things around financially in three years, he gets his $200MM back and he's got a stake in a profitable enterprise. If the Wilpons don't get their act together, he gets to take over the team and run it the way he wants to.
The deal requires the Mets to be solvent in the next three years. If the Mets are not solvent, Einhorn has the right of first refusal to buy a controlling stake in the team. If they are solvent, the Wilpons will pay him back his $200MM and Einhorn retains his minority ownership stake.
If this is correct, to translate into oversimplified terms - Einhorn is floating the Wilpons a $200MM loan. Instead of charging interest on the loan, he's repaid by getting a stake in the team. One of the covenants of the deal is that the team is solvent. If they're not solvent - the "default" is that he has the first right to take over control.
It's a winning situation for Einhorn. If the Mets turn things around financially in three years, he gets his $200MM back and he's got a stake in a profitable enterprise. If the Wilpons don't get their act together, he gets to take over the team and run it the way he wants to.
Another Cap Night Just Announced!!!
This one I really like. I'm all about hat days. The July 16th game against the Phillies is the 1986 25th Anniversary Cap night.
Let's belt out the "Let's Go Mets!" song and "The Curly Shuffle".
Let's belt out the "Let's Go Mets!" song and "The Curly Shuffle".
Now that the Phillies are Gone...
The Mets salvaged the final game of the series instead of getting the sweep. Both games were in their grasp until the bullpen snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. So instead of standing at .500 and a record of 26-26 heading into the Pirates series, they're 4 games under at 24-28 and 6.5 out of the wildcard.
Treading water and splitting the 4 games with Pittsburgh isn't going to cut it. They'll need to take at least 3 of 4 and get them back to two games under to give them a shot of getting within one game of that elusive mediocre mark if they can take the weekend series against Atlanta. After that, they'll be hitting the road for a 10 game road trip. Lose three out of four to the Pirates, they'll be 25-31 and they'll need to sweep Atlanta just to get back to three under before heading on the road. I seriously doubt they'll sweep a four game series, so we can forget about having any chance of seeing .500 by the end of the homestand.
The season ends now. Beltran to San Francisco?
Treading water and splitting the 4 games with Pittsburgh isn't going to cut it. They'll need to take at least 3 of 4 and get them back to two games under to give them a shot of getting within one game of that elusive mediocre mark if they can take the weekend series against Atlanta. After that, they'll be hitting the road for a 10 game road trip. Lose three out of four to the Pirates, they'll be 25-31 and they'll need to sweep Atlanta just to get back to three under before heading on the road. I seriously doubt they'll sweep a four game series, so we can forget about having any chance of seeing .500 by the end of the homestand.
The season ends now. Beltran to San Francisco?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Why Are There So Many Opposing Fans at Citifield?
The game was overrun by Phillies fans. The last game I went to was overrun with Dodger fans. Before that, it was Giant fans. There better not be a ton of Pirates and Braves fans next week.
Another Humiliating Loss
They were cruising until Collins took Pelf out with two out in the 8th. Yeah, he had given up a single. Yeah, his pitch count was getting up there. Yeah, it cost them the game.
So now they're 9.5 games behind the Phillies and 7 out of the wildcard at the moment, give or take another half game depending on the outcome of the Marlins/Dodgers game tonight.
This season is slipping away fast.
So now they're 9.5 games behind the Phillies and 7 out of the wildcard at the moment, give or take another half game depending on the outcome of the Marlins/Dodgers game tonight.
This season is slipping away fast.
Random Former Met - Bob Bailor
Bob Bailor was a Met from 1981-1983, logging his best season at Shea in 1982, when at the age of 30 played in 110 games and hit .277 with 0 HR and 31 RBI. He had 376 at bats, scored 44 runs and had 104 hits. The one stat that I found particularly cool that year as a kid was that he stole 20 bases. I always loved the stolen base (being a big Mookie fan as a kid) and that year Bob was 2nd on the team in steals behind Mookie (and just ahead of John Stearns who had 17 and I also thought was cool because he was a catcher that could steal). In 1982, Bob was the team's utility infielder who, despite not having a regular position on the team that year, he was 6th on the team in total at-bats. He was their 2nd most used shortstop (playing in 60 games at short, backing up Ron Gardenhire - now manager of the Twins who played in 135 games at short). He played 56 games at second (backing up Wally Backman who played 88). He played 21 games at third (backing up Hubie Brooks who played 126). Bailor even played 4 games in the outfield that year.
Bailor played 11 seasons in the majors from 1975-1985 with the Orioles, Blue Jays, Mets and Dodgers. For his career, he played in 955 games with 775 hits in 2937 at bats. He had a career batting average of .264 with 9 home runs, 222 RBI and scored 339 runs. He also stole 90 bases.
Bailor played 11 seasons in the majors from 1975-1985 with the Orioles, Blue Jays, Mets and Dodgers. For his career, he played in 955 games with 775 hits in 2937 at bats. He had a career batting average of .264 with 9 home runs, 222 RBI and scored 339 runs. He also stole 90 bases.
Looking Back on the 1992 Mets
In 1992, the Mets finished in 5th place in the National League East with a record of 72-90. The pitching wasn't too bad if you look at the individual stats. The staff had an ERA of 3.68, which these days doesn't sound too bad - but the Mets that year were 16th out of 26 teams in terms of runs allowed. Sid Fernandez and David Cone had seasons that we'd sign up for in a heartbeat - El Sid made 32 starts, threw 214 innings and had an ERA of 2.73. David Cone made 27 starts, threw 196 innings and had an ERA of 2.88. Even Doc made 31 starts to the tune of 206 innings and had an ERA of 3.67, which was still respectable for 19 years ago. Those three combined for a record of 37-31. Pete Schourek recorded 21 starts, Anthony Young (of the 2-14 Youngs) recorded 13 starts. Bret Saberhagen started 15 and Wally Whitehurst (remember him?) started 11 games.
The offense, however, really blew monkey chunks. The Mets were dead last in batting average, with a major league low .235. They were 23rd out of 26 in on base percentage with .310. They scored only 599 runs all season (tied for 21st), struck out the 8th most in the majors, and were 24th out of 26 in slugging at .342 - just a fraction above the Angels .338 for dead last. The most often used lineup in terms of games played by position consisted of C- Todd Hundley, 1B - Eddie Murray, 2B - Willie Randolph, SS- Dick Schofield, 3B - Dave Magadan, OF - Bobby Bonilla, Howard Johnson, Daryl Boston.
Some of those names aren't too bad - except let's put batting averages next to those names, shall we? Hundley - .209. Murray - .261. Randolph - .252. Schofield - .205. Magadan - .283. Bonilla - .249. Johnson - .223. Boston - .249.
When that's your starting lineup and your third best position player's average is .252 - you're going to suck. And they did that year.
The offense, however, really blew monkey chunks. The Mets were dead last in batting average, with a major league low .235. They were 23rd out of 26 in on base percentage with .310. They scored only 599 runs all season (tied for 21st), struck out the 8th most in the majors, and were 24th out of 26 in slugging at .342 - just a fraction above the Angels .338 for dead last. The most often used lineup in terms of games played by position consisted of C- Todd Hundley, 1B - Eddie Murray, 2B - Willie Randolph, SS- Dick Schofield, 3B - Dave Magadan, OF - Bobby Bonilla, Howard Johnson, Daryl Boston.
Some of those names aren't too bad - except let's put batting averages next to those names, shall we? Hundley - .209. Murray - .261. Randolph - .252. Schofield - .205. Magadan - .283. Bonilla - .249. Johnson - .223. Boston - .249.
When that's your starting lineup and your third best position player's average is .252 - you're going to suck. And they did that year.
20th Anniversary of Rodney McCray
Yesterday was the 20th Anniversary of Rodney McCray's famous run through the wall when he was playing in AAA. We've all seen the clips.
Rodney did not have an extensive major league career. He played in a grand total of 67 games over three seasons - 1990-1991 with the Chicago White Sox and 1992 with the New York Mets. During these 67 games he had a grand total of 14 at-bats. That's right. 14 at bats in 67 games. He did score 13 runs. He had 3 hits and one walk. He had 9 stolen bases. This looks like a profile of someone who was a September call up and because of the expanded rosters, there was the luxury of carrying a speedster to use as a late inning pinch runner. Looking at his minor league stats, he wasn't much of a hitter, but the guy could run. He hit .226 in 2648 minor league at bats from 1984-1992. He didn't have much pop. Only 9 home runs.
He had a good eye - despite the .226 batting average, he had an on base percentage of .368 in the minors. In 1986, he had 108 walks at Class A Charleston with a .414 on base percentage. In 1989, he had 96 walks at High A ball Sarasota with a .410 on base percentage.
The guy was fast. He stole 81 bases in 1986. Between 1985 and 1989, he had no less than 44 stolen bases in any given season and finished with 365 steals during his minor league career.
Despite having a career that wasn't memorable, he made it to the show. He will also always be remembered for that one moment that will be replayed on blooper reels for years.
Here's to you, Rodney. May your currently position as a minor league coach in the Dodgers organization get you back to the show. If anything your famous play shows, you have heart, you have hustle, and you give it your all.
Rodney did not have an extensive major league career. He played in a grand total of 67 games over three seasons - 1990-1991 with the Chicago White Sox and 1992 with the New York Mets. During these 67 games he had a grand total of 14 at-bats. That's right. 14 at bats in 67 games. He did score 13 runs. He had 3 hits and one walk. He had 9 stolen bases. This looks like a profile of someone who was a September call up and because of the expanded rosters, there was the luxury of carrying a speedster to use as a late inning pinch runner. Looking at his minor league stats, he wasn't much of a hitter, but the guy could run. He hit .226 in 2648 minor league at bats from 1984-1992. He didn't have much pop. Only 9 home runs.
He had a good eye - despite the .226 batting average, he had an on base percentage of .368 in the minors. In 1986, he had 108 walks at Class A Charleston with a .414 on base percentage. In 1989, he had 96 walks at High A ball Sarasota with a .410 on base percentage.
The guy was fast. He stole 81 bases in 1986. Between 1985 and 1989, he had no less than 44 stolen bases in any given season and finished with 365 steals during his minor league career.
Despite having a career that wasn't memorable, he made it to the show. He will also always be remembered for that one moment that will be replayed on blooper reels for years.
Here's to you, Rodney. May your currently position as a minor league coach in the Dodgers organization get you back to the show. If anything your famous play shows, you have heart, you have hustle, and you give it your all.
Mets Phillies Tonight
I'm flying solo to tonight's game and I'm looking forward to it. Sure, my Mets are sucking up the joint and they'll probably get their asses kicked by the Phillies - but tonight should be heaven. The weather is great. It's a three day weekend. My stepdaughter is with her father this weekend. I sold my other ticket on Stubhub. Which means that I get to sit back, relax, cheer, boo and I can have a few hours of not having to answer to anyone, to not have anyone talking to me, to not have to deal with another human soul.
Now I just need to convince my wife I need to get of the apartment early enough to get to batting practice and maybe snag a ball.
I'm in heaven...
Now I just need to convince my wife I need to get of the apartment early enough to get to batting practice and maybe snag a ball.
I'm in heaven...
Friday, May 27, 2011
Turner Keeps on Hitting
He's now 4 for 4 on the evening. He's fighting for that starting job once Ike comes back.
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