Reyes Survived the Trade Deadline

Jose is staying put.  So is Irsinghausen.

And a couple of clutch moments by Hairston went by the wayside today. 

Yankees Tickets for $7.99 on Stubhub

It's not as hot as it was last weekend, so Yankee tickets aren't as cheap as they were last weekend - but you can still get a pair of upper deck seats for $7.99 for today's game - that's less than half of face value. 

Woman Kicked out of Wal-Mart for Wearing a String Bikini

I don't know if you saw the article about the woman that was kicked out of a Wal-Mart for shopping in a string bikini.  But if you didn't, she shouldn't have been wearing one.  It was not an attractive sight.

Hat Days in August and September

I'm still waiting on my Astros hat.  They said they'd send me one, but it hasn't arrived yet.

Yankees - Aug 10th, Aug 12th
White Sox - Sept 9th, Sept 25th (knit hat)
Tigers - Sept 3rd
Royals - Sept 17th
Twins - Sept 27th (knit hat)
Angels - Aug 4th
Athletics - Aug 14th
Rangers - Aug 22nd, Sept 11th
Marlins - Aug 6th
Phillies - Sept 16th (knit hat)
Cubs - Aug 8th, Aug 23rd, Sept 7th, Sept 20th (floppy hat)
Astros - Sept 23rd
Rockies - Aug 6th
Dodgers - Sept 15th, Sept 20th

Will They Tempt Us Again?

They're 6.5 back.  Officially off the Dead List on a temporary basis.  Now if they can somehow gain a game and a half before next Friday, they'll be 5 games behind the Braves heading into the weekend series.  Will they be that Girl From High School again?

I don't expect it.  Even with this 5 game winning streak they're on, I don't expect it or believe they'll make a run.

But that's okay.  They're a fun team to watch.  Unlike the last couple of years, when they've been out of it, they've been unwatchable.  This year, they're a scrappy, fun bunch.

Attack of the Bad Subway Poetry

I was on the train this morning and this guy with hobbit feet was writing some really bad poetry.

The first time that I saw you (that I can recall)
You were brushing your hair
I was hungover
You were wearing white leggings
Your eyes seemed to glow.

It was too funny. 

Add the Rays to the Dead List

They're now 8 out of the chase.  Chalk them up to Dead.  Or chalk up that outline.  The AL wildcard is a two team race between the Yankees and the Angels. 

Extra Extra - Mets Sweep Reds

With the four game sweep of the Reds, the Mets are now 3 games over .500 and at the moment, 7 games behind the Braves in the Wildcard chase.  So technically, they've gotten off the Dead List.  But let's not fool ourselves.  They're still dead.

So Who is Zack Wheeler?

He's in his 2nd year of pro ball, after being the Giants first round pick and #6 overall in the 2009 draft.

Last year in A ball - he had a record of 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 21 games (13 starts) striking out 70, walking 38 in 58.2 innings.

This year, for the San Jose Giants (high A) he's gone 7-5 with a 3.99 ERA in 16 games (16 starts) striking out 98 and walking 47 in 88 innings.

He was the number two prospect in the Giant organization, right behind Brandon Belt.  He was also the 33rd ranked MLB prospect, according to MLB.com.

I'm glad the Mets are making the trade.  They're out of it.  Give Beltran another shot at the postseason.  Call him whatever you want, but he's been nothing but a good citizen in New York.  If they let him walk, they weren't going to get anything for him.  Now you've got a top pitching prospect that will either pan out or won't. 

Kids Go Free Promo

Wow.... the Mets are dying to get people to the park next week.  First the $5 tickets for August 1-3.  Now it's the kids go free tickets for Aug 1-7.  Buy one ticket, get three free for kids 12 and under.

What Will the Mets Giveaway be on August 20th?

It's the only weekend game yet without a giveaway.   It's against the Brewers.  A Francisco Rodriguez boxing glove perhaps?

Summing up the Mets in Haiku

Under .500
Hopes of the season are gone
Where will Beltran land?

Stanton Crushed One into the Empty Seats

Where are all the Marlins fans?  Do they even exist?

MLB's Rookie Leaders

100 games into the season - who are the top rookies? 

The Mets have two rookies who have had an impact on the team this year - Dillon Gee and Justin Turner.  How do they shape up?  And why isn't Justin Turner on MLB.com's top rookie tracker?  He's a rookie.  He won rookie of the month this year.  So MLB - what gives?


Jason Pridie is on the rookie tracker list.

So the glaring Justin Turner omission notwithstanding - top rookies by major categories:

Runs scored:

1) Danny Espinosa - Nationals - 48
2) Freddy Freeman - Braves - 45
3) Darwin Barney - Cubs - 42
4) Mark Trumbo - Angels - 38
5) J.P. Arencebia - Blue Jays - 32

 Justin Turner - Mets - 30

Hits:

1) Freddy Freeman - 98
2) Darwin Barney - 95
3) Danny Espinosa - 86
4) Mark Trumbo - 83
5) Eric Hosmer - Royals - 76

Justin Turner - 73

Home Runs:

1) Mark Trumbo - 18
2) Danny Espinosa - 17
3) J.P. Arencebia - 15
3) Freddy Freeman - 15
5) Eric Hosmer - 9
5) Wilson Ramos - 9

RBI:

1) Danny Espinosa - 55
2) Freddy Freeman - 51
3) Mark Trumbo - 44
4) J.P. Arencebia - 42
5) Eric Hosmer - 40

Justin Turner - 37

Batting Average:

1) Darwin Barney - .297
2) Freddy Freeman - .279
3) Eric Hosmer - .277
4) Justin Turner - .274
5) Daniel Descalso - .266

Wins:

1) Jeremy Hellickson - Rays - 9
1) Dillon Gee - Mets - 9
3) Ivan Nova - Yankees - 8
3) Michael Pineda - Mariners - 8
5) Zach Britton - Orioles - 6

ERA (among starters)

1) Jeremy Hellickson - 3.17
2) Michael Pineda - 3.24
3) Dillon Gee - 3.67
4) Tyler Chatwood - Angels - 3.71
5) Brandon Beachy - Braves - 3.75

Games pitched:

1) Craig Kimbrel - Braves - 51
2) Tim Collins - Royals - 43
3) Jordan Walden - Angels - 42
4) Vinnie Pestano - Indians - 41
5) Aaron Crow - Royals - 40

Saves:

1) Craig Kimbrel - 31
2) Jordan Walden - 23

Craig Kimbrel will probably get the NL rookie of the year.  AL ROY looks to be between Jordan Walden and Jeremy Hellickson at this point.

Two Fools Bought the $80 Hot Dog

I can think of a few better things than spending $80 on a hot dog.  The Brockton Rox sold two of them last night.  Louis Glanz, I hope you enjoyed your fish egged topped dog. 

Now the big question - did he eat it or did he just buy it to get into the Guiness Book?

Tickets from $1.98

Yankee tickets can now be had for as low as $1.98 with a bunch of seats for less than $2.50.

Yankees tickets for $2.49

If I wanted to, I could get a pair of Yankees tickets for this afternoon's game for $2.49 each on stubhub.  Toss in fees, a pair could be had for less than $20.

Wow.

Updating the Dead Team Roll Call

Who's Dead by Division?

AL East -
   Blue Jays - 9.5  from WC
   Orioles - 17.5 from WC

AL Central -
   Royals - 11 from division

AL West -
   Athletics - 13.5 from division
   Mariners - 14.5 from division

NL East -
   Mets - 8.5 from WC
   Nationals - 9.5 from WC
   Marlins - 11 from WC

NL Central -
   Cubs - 12.5 from division
   Astros - 20 from division

NL West -
   Rockies - 10 from division
   Dodgers - 13.5 from division
   Padres - 14 from division

We are still at 13 dead teams

Brockton Rox Hot Dogs

The Brockton Rox are selling hot dogs for $80 tonight, complete with caviar and fresh roe. 

That really doesn't sound too appealing. 

The Rox are averaging 1,557 fans per game.  Attendance was over 3,000 because it was fireworks night.  Tonight, they were giving away vouchers for a free hot dog (not the $80 eech-gourmet dogs) to the first 1,000 fans. 

How many of those dogs do you really think they're going to sell?  One to some plant pretending to be a fan?

I like hot dogs - but I really don't want to eat one after you squeezed a fish over it. 

Gaby Sanchez Crushed One

There was no doubt when that one was hit.  The Fish now have the lead.