Reminder: A Night With Ike Davis Sept. 9

Just a reminder that Ike Davis will be holding his annual charity event, "A Night With Ike Davis," on Sunday, September 9 to raise money for Solving Kids' Cancer (SKC) and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

All proceeds from the event will go to SKC and the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative.

There are still some tickets available. So if you are interested and able to attend, why not buy a ticket, meet some players, and help out a good cause.  

The event, which will be held at City Winery, will feature a benefit concert starring country music artist Lee Brice, along with Ike and his teammates serving as celebrity bartenders.

Also featured will be an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a raffle, auction, and VIP Clubhouse (The clubhouse includes access to the VIP area with Mets teammates, an autographed item, 2 tickets for a VIP-only premium raffle item, and a limited edition event poster).

Evan Roberts from WFAN will be emceeing the event. 

If you are unable to attend, you can still donate by "Tipping your bartender," which allows you to donate to individual players and celebrities participating in the event. The bartenders include Ike Davis, Justin Turner, and Lee Brice. Donations of $25 or more qualify you for some cool prizes.

You can also text "IKE" to 32020 to donate $10.

ICYMI: The Week In Review

This week's record: 5-1

Terry Collins clarified that the team's goal is to finish the season at .500, not to finish the season in third place.

Matt Harvey will be shut down before the season ends due to an innings limit. Sandy Alderson has indicated that that limit may be around 170 innings. To date, he has thrown 152.1 innings. That means Harvey may only get two or three more starts.

Scott Hairston was claimed off waivers, but it was just another MLB team playing games. This team, who has not been identified, had no interest in acquiring Hairston, and simply blocked him from being traded to another team with a better record.

Mike Nickeas and Zach Lutz were the first of the September call-ups. They joined the team on Saturday. According to ESPN New York, Collin McHugh will be called up for a start against St. Louis. Other potential call-ups include Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, Jordany Valdespin, Fred Lewis, Elvin Ramirez, and Matt Tuiasosopo. Wally Backman is also expected to join the coaching staff for the remainder of the season.

The Mets double-A affiliate will remain in Binghamton for the next four years. The two agreed to terms that would keep the Mets there through 2016.

If you're interested in following the Arizona Fall League, the Mets will be sending seven players. Those players include pitchers Ryan Fraser, Greg Peavey, Adam Kolarek, and Chase Huchingson, infielder Danny Muno, and outfielders Darrell Ceciliani and Cesar Puello.

On the injury front...

The Mets seemed to stay relatively healthy this week.

Daniel Murphy did get an MRI on his shoulder earlier in the week after he was diagnosed with rotator-cuff tightness. The MRI revealed that nothing was wrong.

Justin Turner was hit in the head by Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon. The ball appeared to just graze Turner's helmet. He was fine and proceeded to first base.

Dillon Gee underwent an angiogram in St. Louis. The angiogram revealed that there are no issues following his surgery to repair a damaged artery. Gee is expected to begin throwing a baseball sometime this week.

Pictures From Wednesday's Cyclones Game

I went to check out the Brooklyn Cyclones as they took on the Hudson Valley Renegades Wednesday night.

The Cyclones trailed early, but rallied to beat the Renegades 7-4.

Here are some photos...

Brandon Nimmo went 0-3 at the plate with two walks. In 63 games with Brooklyn this season, Nimmo is hitting .260 with 5 home runs and 37 RBIs.

ICYMI: The Week In Review

Sorry about not posting the Week In Review last Sunday. I had other things to do other than rehash all of the crap the Mets did, and while this week wasn't much better in Metsville, I'm here to recap.

This weeks wretched record: 1-6 (This included a four-game sweep by the Rockies.)

Here's what you missed.

Lucas Duda is expected to rejoin the club in time for today's game. Why? Nobody knows. It was expected that he would be called up next week any way once rosters expand. A corresponding move will be announced later today.

Update: The Mets optioned Jordany Valdespin to Buffalo to make room for Duda. No, I still don't know why, and I don't get it either.

Collin McHugh made his major league debut this week. McHugh was excellent, throwing seven scoreless innings in his debut against the Rockies. He was then sent back to Triple-A Buffalo to make room for Jeremy Hefner, who was returning from paternity leave. Expect to see McHugh return to the rotation in September.

Daniel Murphy was tired, or as Terry Collins put it, "out of gas," prompting the Mets skipper to bench Murphy and add Justin Turner to the lineup for the first two games against the Astros. Murphy is expected to return to the lineup on Sunday.

The Mets promoted Robert Carson from Triple-A Buffalo. He has been pitching out of the bullpen.

If you're into drama, the media tried to stir some up. The Daily News reported that new catcher Kelly Shoppach was the player who actually sent the text to Red Sox ownership, trying to get rid of Bobby Valentine. Shoppach denied everything.

On the injury front...

Johan Santana is done for the 2012 season. Santana underwent an MRI earlier in the week and was diagnosed with inflammation in his lower back. Doctors prescribed him rest, some medication, and exercise. The Mets placed him on the 15-day disabled list, but the Mets stated that he will not return this season.

Sandy Alderson provided an update on Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwenhuis, who has been suffering from a torn plantar fascia in his right foot. Doctors determined that he will not need surgery, but he will not return this season.

Rob Johnson was placed on the the disabled list for the remainder of the season with a thumb injury. Since he was injured in the major leagues, he was unable to be demoted to the minors.

Kids Go Free To Thursday's Game With These Ticket Offers

Trying to find one last thing to entertain (or torture) the kids with before they head back to school?

The Mets are offering two ticket deals for tomorrow's 1:10 p.m. start against the Rockies.

First up is the Family Four Pack. For every two adult tickets purchased, you'll receive two kids tickets free. For more information on that ticket offer, go to Mets.com/KidsFree.

Second is the Kids Go Free ticket offer. With the purchase of one regularly priced ticket, you may receive up to three free kids tickets. This is valid for children up to age 12. This offer is available by calling (718) 507-TIXX, or by stopping by the Citi Field Box Office on Thursday, August 23.

Whichever ticket off you choose, all tickets must be picked up at the Citi Field Box Office the day of the game.

Personally, offers like these should be available all the time, whether the team is winning or not.

That's not necessarily a criticism of the Mets, but the sports and entertainment industry in general. They are about making as much money as possible, which makes sense seeing as how they are a business.

It shouldn't cost a family of four, however, over $100 to watch a baseball game. That $100 just includes four $25 tickets (nose-bleed seats). It doesn't include the cost for transportation to the ballpark, parking, and God forbid any of them want to eat.

Oh well. That's my little rant for the day. If you decide to take the Mets up on either of these offers for tomorrow, enjoy the game.

Mets, American Red Cross To Host Blood Drive

The Mets are teaming up with the American Red Cross for a blood drive on Saturday, August 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If interested in donating, you may enter the ballpark through the Hodges VIP entrance and park in Lot G.

All donors will receive two complementary tickets to the September 17 game against the Phillies. Donors will also have a chance to win other prizes like a home theater system.

Donors may schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood.org. Be sure to use the Reference Sponsor Code 16064nyp. 

ICYMI: The Week In Review

Johan Santana returned from the disabled list on Saturday, giving up eight runs in 1.1 innings to the Braves. Following the poor outing, the Mets are discussing having a six-man rotation starting in September. This would allow for Santana and Chris Young to get an extra day of rest in between starts.

With Santana being activated from the disabled list, Garrett Olsen was designated for assignment. Olsen made just one appearance in his stay with the Mets, and it wasn't a good one, giving up four runs and recording just one out.

The Mets unveiled the 2013 All-Star Game logo this week. You can see the logo here.

After quitting Twitter following backlash from his comments regarding Chik-Fil-A, Jeremy Hefner is giving it another go. You can follow him @jeremy_hefner53. Play nice.

R.A. Dickey earned his 15th win of the season on Thursday, tossing a complete game and recording 10 strike outs and zero walks. Terry Collins has said that Dickey will not be used on short rest this month, but he will consider using him on three-days rest toward the end of the season to help Dickey's chances of winning a Cy Young Award.

On Tuesday, the team announced that they will begin platooning Jason Bay. He will most likely not be in any lineup in which the Mets are facing a right-handed pitcher (unless Bay's record shows he has had major success against that particular pitcher).

On the injury front...

Dillon Gee told ESPN New York that he will most likely not return to the team this season. Gee had surgery on July 13 to repair a damaged artery that caused his arm to go numb.

Tim Byrdak will undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. Byrdak hopes to return in late 2013, but there is every possibility that his career is over.