Alderson's Got Jokes

Courtesy: Newsday.com

Mets GM Sandy Alderson was on hand to answer questions at the annual Mets Hot Stove Report, hosted by Ed Randall's Fans for a Cure, in NYC.


Some Alderson quotes from the evening:


"What we need in the future, lots of Jose Reyes if we want to be a good team." 
Well, Sandy, you do already have one Jose Reyes. You may want to keep him around as you start your Reyes collection.


Alderson's example for how the Phillies can crash: "Look at the Mets in recent years."
Ouch, Sandy. That hurt a little.


Alderson's thoughts on the wild card: "In my current situation I'm in favor of it."
This one supposedly got a laugh from the crowd. What are you trying to say Sandy? The only way the Mets are making the the postseason is with the Wild Card? Geesh...Where's the faith?


Alderson's quotes provided by the Bergen Record's Steve Popper.

Top 10 Mets Moments of all Time

It's a slow news day, and I'm sick of talking about the Wilpons and that mess. Therefore, I present to you, my list of the top 10 most memorable Mets moments of all time...er...since 1986. I chose to only include moments that have occurred since I was born. Unfortunately, the early 90's were a particularly ugly time, so many of the moments revolve around 1999 and the early 2000's.

10. 1997 Subway Series
The Mets took the first game of the three game set against the Yankees, and had bragging rights, at least for that day. Was an interesting concept at the time. Now I'm over it, and all of interleague play, for that matter.

9. 1999 NLDS, Game 4
Back-up catcher Todd Pratt came to bat in the 10th inning of tied ball game against the Diamondbacks. Nobody expected too much from him because, well, it was Todd Pratt. He went on to hit a home run over the center field wall, winning the series, and sending the Mets on to face the Braves in the NLCS. 

8. 2000 National League Pennant  
The Mets beat the Cardinals to go on to play in a world series that I would actually be able to see and remember. What made it even better...it was against the Yankees. I don't want to talk about what happened next.

7. 1999 Wild Card Playoff Game
Al Leiter pitched what was probably his best game as a Met on this day. Against the Cincinnati Reds, Leiter threw a complete game shut out to send the Mets to the playoffs for the first time since 1988.

6. Mike Piazza's Home Run on 9/21/01
While this would have been just like any other game played between the Mets and Braves, it wasn't. It was the first game played since 9/11. Down 2-1 in the 8th, Piazza hit a two-run homer, giving the Mets the lead, and the city of New York something to cheer about.

5. 2006 Division Champs
The Mets finally de-throned the Braves from atop the NL East. That's all I have to say. 

4. The Endy Chavez Catch
In game 7 of the NLCS, Chavez made one of the greatest catches I had ever seen, and cemented his spot in Mets highlight history. In the 6th inning Cardinals hitter Scott Rolen hit a high drive to left field. I remember thinking that the ball was gone. Next thing you know, Chavez's arm goes over the left field fence, and he lands with the ball in his glove.

3. Grand Slam Single
I will never forget this hit. Thank you, Robin Ventura. With two on in the bottom of the 15th, Ventura smacked a pitch by Kevin McGlinchy over the right-center field wall. He was mobbed by his teammates after rounding first base and prevented from completing his home run trot.
   
2. 1986 World Series, Game 6
Two words: Mookie Wilson. Despite hitting the ball just over 90 feet, Wilson possibly had one of the most memorable hits in Mets history, with a little help from Bill Buckner.  

1. 1986 World Series Win
What else were you expecting? Do I really need to explain this one? They won it all.

Accusations of Leaks and Character Assassinations

Courtesy nydailynews.com

The Daily News is reporting that according to court documents, the Wilpon's filed a motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Monday, asking that Irving Picard's lawsuit against them to be kept under wrap. The Mets are claiming they have been the victims of "significant leaks," and "attempted character assassination."

The most interesting quote in this story was from the owners' attorney, in which he wrote, "The public's interest in the contents of the suit are closer to 'mere curiosity' than 'legitimate public concern.'"

To the overall general public, yes, they may just be curious. To Mets fans, no, it's not just curiosity. There IS concern about what is going to happen with this team, financially, as well as the effect (if any) it may have on the players on the field.

Nothing hurts a team more than instability.

Just when the Mets were making some pretty low key, yet important signings this offseason, and I was starting to get a good vibe about the 2011 team, this happens.

Pagan Signs, Avoids Arbitration

Courtesy nj.com

Angel Pagan and the Mets avoided arbiration today, with Pagan signing a one-year deal worth $3.5 million.

In a statement released through the Mets, Pagan stated, "For the first time in my career, I have a spot on the team, but I'm not taking anything for granted. I can't wait for Spring Training to start. I think we'll be better than people are predicting."

If there was one player I wanted the team to sign it was Pagan. The 2010 season was a break out season for him. He hit .290 in 2010, with 11 home runs and 37 stolen bases.

I think the most important aspect to his successful season was that he was able to stay healthy.

Pagan did a great job filling in for Carlos Beltran in center field, but with Beltran back, it's expected that he will move over to right field. 

On a side note...Pagan will be chatting with fans tomorrow at noon on Mets.com.

Why People Won't Buy What the Wilpon's are Selling

According to Darren Rovell, CNBC's sports business reporter, nobody is going to bother paying $200 million for a minority piece of the team. This makes sense. That's an awful lot of money to pay just to sit in the background and have no major say in the team's operations.

Rovell thinks the Wilpon's have two options:

1. Sell the 20-25 percent and throw in a part of SNY as well, or;
2. Sell now with a promise to sell the rest of the team at a later date.

As much as many Mets fans would like to see the Wilpon's sell everything and never come back, I don't see this as a possibility. I don't see the Wilpon's leaving without a fight.

I am no financial expert, however, so I really have no idea how this will play out. Only time will tell.

To read Rovell's full story, click here.

Selig Meeting with Mets

According to ESPN, and Newsday's Jim Baumbach, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is on his way to New York today, and will meet with the Wilpon's either late today, or tomorrow.

There is no word as to what this meeting is about. So before you go crazy assuming it's about their finances, or selling the team, relax.

It could be that, or it could be about the All-Star game coming to Citi Field in 2013.

Reality Check: Cuban Ain't Buyin'

Just when I get past the fans' and the medias' delusional idea of Albert Pujols playing for the Mets, they come up with another asinine idea: Mark Cuban, part owner of the Mets.

Be real, people.

As soon as the news broke the other day of the Wilpon's possibly selling a minority stake in the team (20-25 percent), the Internet went crazy with talk of Cuban snatching it up.

My question is why?

I've got nothing against Cuban, but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who buys 20-25 percent of a team and then takes a back seat, not participating in day-to-day operations.

Plus while some fans call him passionate, I think he may also be just a touch crazy.

After hearing about all the shenanigans he's pulled in Dallas, I can just see Cuban running out onto the field, ripping a base out of the ground, and tossing it at an umpire because he disagrees with a call.

As entertaining as that would be to see, the Mets don't need that kind of crazy. After all, they already have Wally Backman in the system.

Finally, when was the last time Cuban's team has won a championship?

That's right, never.