Spring waning

One can only hope we improve on what's happened in spring training so far. First, Duque is still injured. Now Sanchez has some pain. Then Maine gets tagged badly, as did Johan today. And on a HR, which is ominous given that Johan led the AL in HRs yielded last year.

This team needs a fast start to '08 season. If we don't jump out to an early 3-4 game lead in NL East by the end of April, I'm not sure they have the confidence to pull ahead during the season after the debacle that was last year.

Injuries

The two people that are guaranteed to be injured this year, El Duque and Alou, are apparently already banged up.

Orlando Hernandez revealed he had a right toe ligament replaced in the offseason, not surgery to treat a painful bunion as the Mets had announced. The toe surgery was so extreme it shortened El Duque's third toe, causing a difficult adjustment on the mound this spring. The bunion is still there, which only makes it tougher.

Moises Alou had a large bandage and ice pack on his right wrist after yesterday's workout. Alou wouldn't give any details, other than to joke that he hurt himself "punching" Jose Reyes.

Phight

Phillies claiming they expect a brawl with mets sometime this summer. Willie Randolph loves it, says let's do this.

Go, Carlos Beltran!

"To Jimmy Rollins: We are the team to beat."

That quote says it all.

Now, go back it up.

He's Baaaack (Hopefully)

Pedro is stating he feels like he did 5 years ago.
His 2003 stats: 14-4, 2.22 ERA, 29 starts, 3 CG, 186.7 IP, 147 H, 1.039 WHIP, 47 BB 206 K
2nd in Cy Young voting
I'd buy that for a dollar!

Clemens story keeps getting weirder and worse

McNamee claims he also injected Clemens' wife with HGH!

Why I already hate Citi Field

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it will look awesome and will be a huge upgrade in appearance over Shea. But I still have 41,000 reasons (45,000 if you include standing room) to hate Citi Field. Going from 55,000 down to 41-45 K is a HUGE drop in capacity, and will put us squarely in line with mid-market teams. Keep in mind also the Mets averaged 47.5 K this year. One of the things I really liked about Shea was that it could hold a huge number of fans, and as well they could keep ticket prices reasonable. Now, with this smaller stadium artificially driving up demand and prices, fewer people will get to see each game and they'll have to pay a lot more for it.

I don't even necessarily mind higher ticket prices, but at the end of the day this is New York. We're supposed to have the best of the best. Whereas the Yankees are doing that (~55 K in their new stadium, and inclusion of over-the-top amenities), the Mets are not.

This stadium is too small for NY, and a disservice to loyal Mets fans.

Mets tix

Are Mets tix already sold out, or have they just not yet posted a lot of them online? If you try to purchase single-game tickets there are only about 8 or so games all season that have any available, and they are all upper deck only. I can't believe they already sold out almost every game, although it is the last year of Shea.

Pshew!

Was it just me, or was that whole rigamarole a little too close to the wire for comfort?

Gotta admit, I got a touch of the SHK's thinking that the Mets would botch the contract and cause the deal to fall through...