New York Mets

If the Mets head into next season with Bobby Parnell in their plans for the starting rotation, I'm becoming either a Phillies or Yankees fan. I can't take it anymore...I just can't. Parnell is garbage!

Continue reading "Bobby Parnell is NOT a starting pitcher."

When the 2009 MLB season comes to a close, the Chicago Cubs have announced that they will shop starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano in hopes of swinging a trade and dumping much of his monstrous contract. The question is, should the Mets be interested in the massive right-hander?

Continue reading "Cubs Say They Will Shop Zambrano"

As if the 2009 season couldn't get any worse for the Metropolitans, Pedro Martinez had to go and embarrass them on national television last night. While Tim Redding (who I can't stand) pitched his ass off for the Mets, their anemic offense couldn't help him out. The Phillies' famously potent lineup was held to just one run...

Continue reading "Pedro sticks it to his old mates"

I don't intend to go on for too long in this particular post, but I'm just wondering, why did Jeff Wilpon say Jerry Manuel is "his guy," and why is Manuel's managerial job so secure? I understand that injuries have decimated the Mets' roster in 2009, but does that mean it should be impossible for the team to perform well? Does that mean Manuel automatically gets a pass for his personal performance?

Continue reading "What has Jerry Manuel done to keep his job?"

The 2009 Major League Baseball season has been a disaster for the New York Mets, and we all know it, so there's little need to beat a dead horse. Let's move on to 2010. Offensively, the necessities appear to be left field and catcher, but the focus of this post will be starting pitching. "Pitching and defense wins championships" they say, so let's see if the Mets will have what it takes...

Continue reading "2010 Mets' Rotation"

(Note: I posted this a couple of days ago on my other blog at FanNation.)

When it comes to the Mets' starting rotation, I think all of their replacement-level options are better than Tim Redding. Redding's stuff is disgraceful, and his general approach to the craft of pitching is laughable. He's been embarrassed in his last two starts -- recently against the Marlins, and the Red Sox before that -- and there is little-to-no indication of potential improvement. I don't think there is any doubt at this point...

Continue reading "I've Had Enough of Tim Redding."

(Note: I've also published this post on FanNation, under the username JFro.)

About a month ago, I published a similar post complaining about Jerry Manuel's mind-numbingly awful managing. It actually generated some interest, as it appeared on a Mets blog and in various discussion threads.

Continue reading "Jerry Manuel Must Be Fired. Now!!!"

All right, so I've jumped the gun a little (the Mets are 21-17, giving them 38 games played, which means they're shy of the 1/4 season mark), but I haven't been too active on this blog and I'd like to get up to speed.

Continue reading "The New York Mets: A Quarter Season in Review"

People can jump up and down and scream their admiration for the first day of the NCAA Tournament, Sunday of the Masters or the NFL Draft, but Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season has been and forever will be my favorite day of the year. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain why. You either get it or you don’t. I’ll spare you the clichés. After months of hot stove talk, six weeks of spring training, the World Baseball Classic and hours of blog writing previewing each team in every division ( which you can read here), the regular season has finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: ..."

Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets and incumbent champion Philadelphia Phillies are the league’s elite. The Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves should have respectable seasons while the Washington Nationals battle with the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates for the label of most horrendous team in the league.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's 2009 NL East Preview"

(Note: originally posted on February 25.)

Each year, prior to the start of the MLB season, I use a unique mathematical system (one that I will not get into, because it's boring) to project the performance of every player and team. This season, in lieu of their significant offseason additions, I expected the Yankees to come out on top. Surprisingly, my expectations were wrong...

Continue reading "MLB Preseason Predictions: Regular ..."

Mahay is a lefty specialist who doesn't have to specialize -- he can get righties out as well.

4-New York Mets: Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, Brian Stokes, J.J. Putz, and Francisco Rodriguez

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Bullpens"

ist, I must say when I posted this on FanNation, readers were complaining about the omission of the New York Mets' star-studded infield.

The funny thing is, I'm a Mets fan. And yet I ranked both the Braves and Phillies' infields ahead of the Metropolitans. Talk about reserving one's biases...

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Infields"

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” – Matthew 7: 1-3

Yes, that’s correct. I just quoted the Bible. Enjoy it, because the only other biblical reference I’ll make is when I inevitably tell the story of how Larry Bird created the world in six days and rested on the seventh to watch Tom Brady win the Super Bowl. The reason I’m recruiting an Apostle is because I want to show each and every one of my readers that I’m not messing around. Enough is enough. We’re a forgiving culture. Let’s check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Continue reading "Sympathy for the Steroid Devils"

The sport of Major League Baseball just can't catch a break. The steroids era is very damaging to the game. Not to long ago the fans suffered major disappointment learning of the alleged steroid use of such stars of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Not to long before that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa cases were presented before us. We all thought what a relief that we still have coveted stars whose names weren't implicated in any of that mess. Well fans... we were all wrong. The games savior Alex Rodriguez admittedly used performance enhancing drugs. I was indeed shocked but I almost expected this. How many more players are there out there who no in doubt cheated the game and all of us? I don't exactly know, but I am beginning not to even care. The fact that drugs have played a part in the game that I love the most, has become reality and there is nothing I can do to change it. I believe in Major League Baseball. I am confidant that the Commissioner and his office, the owners and the players association have taken enough heat to try and get the game back on track. No doubt that there will be more stars that will have there past made public, but after enduring A FRAUD's ignorant publicized apology, I believe we the fans can handle all of the rest that will no doubtedly come.

Continue reading "Are You Serious???"

p;       In 1986 the Red Sox made it to the World Series against the New York Mets. They were leading the best of seven series 3 games to 2. Win one more game and it’s over. In Game 6, the Red Sox scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to take the lead 5-3. In the bottom of the 10th Boston quickly recorded two outs. They were one out away from winning the World Series, when the Curse struck again. Down to their final out, the Mets scored two runs to tie the game. With Ray Knight on second base, the Mets sent Mookie Wilson to the plate. He hit a routine ground ball to Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner. Red Sox fans were cheering waiting for the easy out, which was a certainty, and the right to say they were World Champions. What!? The ball rolled between Buckner’s legs and into right field? Oh No! Here comes Ray Knight around third. He’s on is way to the plate. That’s it! It’s over! The Mets have rallied in the bottom of the 10th inning to force a seventh and deciding game of the World Series! Game 7 would be no different. The Red Sox took an early 3-0 lead, but once again lost it, and the game 8-5. The Red Sox were becoming synonymous with disappointment.

Continue reading "For Love of the Game"

Honestly, I can't figure this front office out. I still can't decide if Omar Minaya is a crafty, savvy baseball mind, or a complete and utter idiot. I just can't tell. The decisions being made by this franchise are all over the map. This offseason is driving me insane -- not because it's neither good nor bad, but because I cannot comprehend our financial difficulties or the intended direction of the club.

Continue reading "Does anyone know what the Mets are thinking?"

Omar Minaya is the Jekyll and Hyde of Major League general managers. It's incredible how he can look like an Einstein-esque genius with some moves, and an executive that knows very little about baseball with others.

Continue reading "Major Mets Blunder: Lowe Signs with Braves"

Sure, Omar Minaya may have cleaned up the pigsty in the Mets' pen with the acquisitions of Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez and J.J. Putz, but that doesn't mean that this team is going to leapfrog the Phillies at the top of the National League East. There are still a number of rather deep holes to fill, and they need to be filled with quality players, not stopgaps.

Continue reading "The New York Mets: Plenty of Question Marks Remain"

Dear readers:

I'd like to begin my blogging on this account by thanking each and every one of you who have taken the time to read my content in the past, and those of you who will do the same in the near future. A special, personal thanks goes out to the readers who have provided me with direct feedback.

Continue reading "Welcome to JFro Sports Journalism"

For the last few day the Red Sox looked like a mirror image of the Dodgers.  Dying and quickly being pushed out of post season play.  A finally, a kid from Woodland, Ca battles his way to a two out RBI single and the Red Sox wake up.  Ortiz temporarly breaks out of his slump at the right moment and breathes life back into Red Sox nation.  JD Drew has found a home in Boston and calmly belted one over the right field fence to get the Sox back to within one run.  Drew looked very comfortable at the plate while working Howell to a 3-1 count.  You knew he was going to hit the ball hard somewhere. And he did and Boston will go back to Tampa.

Continue reading "Wow"

With the MLB playoffs set to begin, there is a subtle difference in the air compared to start of any other postseason. In the NHL, fans can potentially look forward to a great Canadians/Bruins series that is not only exciting, but has a historical kick to it. Likewise basketball fans always have the chance to see if the Suns can finally get past the Spurs and football fans love seeing the rivalry of the Eagles Vs the City of Philadelphia when the Eagles so much as get tackled for a loss.

Continue reading "The Ups and Downs of the MLB Playoffs"

Let's take a trip down memory lane. We're going to travel all the way back to a month called March in the year of 2008. One of the biggest discussion topics of the time was young pitchers. The Yankees had their "Big three" who have turned into 2/3 of a big bust, and one overrated yet above average pitcher who hates Kevin Youkilis. Then there was the great debate of who is going to be the better pitcher, Joba or Buchholz. Joba's nasty outta the pen! But Clay threw a no hitter already! Joba's going to be an even better starter! But Clay threw a no hitter already! Joba's slider is rated an 80! Clay's curve drops 12 to 6 and is disgusting! Joba throws harder! CLAY THREW A NO HITTER ALREADY!

Continue reading "Hype Leads to Disappointment...Usually."

It’s the annual midpoint of the baseball season, and for the brief span that is the All-Star break, all eyes are upon the Bronx. As everyone is well aware of, this campaign is the last go around for the world’s most famous, largest, and most prominent ballpark, Yankee Stadium. It seems hard to believe, and even more sacrilegious that this living legend’s days are numbered. Built in 1923 and christened by the greatest ballplayer to ever live, Babe Ruth, the cathedral of baseball will never truly be replaced. Although the Bombers will move a block to Yankee Stadium’s heir, the Mecca of America’s Pastime will still live on in our hearts. Whether you’re a diehard Yankee fan, or Yankee-hater, you still can respect the history and awe that the stadium brings. So when the All-Stars take the field Tuesday night, sit back on your couch, crack open a cold one and soak up the history of Yankee Stadium, as its final chapter is unveiled to all of us.

Continue reading "National League Looks to End Rut"

One of the All-Star Break traditions: Reassessing our predictions from the first half of the season. Some of mine have changed, some have stayed the same—and some were just damn wrong. Living in the West, I will take the contrarian position and roll from west to east in my choices.

Continue reading "Second Half Predictions"

My attention is divided today, between the two coasts, and between moves major and minor.

Beginning in the East and the earlier time zone is appropriate to the biggest story: the firing of Willie Randolph. Say what you will about Willie, he’s been a classy guy in both New York teams (he earlier served as a Yankees’ bench coach) and deserved better. That Minaya reportedly declined to fire him on Father’s Day, only to axe Randolph in the middle of the night on Monday, replaces a reprehensible act with a cowardly one.

Continue reading "Two Brief Bits"

emy Hermida and Mike Jacobs who are capable of potentially hitting 25 home runs each this season.

New York Mets

What will the Mets get from Pedro Martinez this year?

While Johan Santana gives them the legitimate number one starter they lacked last year and should easily be the most dominant starter in the Majors this season, he can still only take the ball once every 5 games. Pedro Martinez, however, will be the key to the pitching staff. He has shown in the past that he can still be very effective even though he no longer throws 97 thanks to his command and assortment of pitches. Now, though, he will probably have to live in the low to mid 80's and rely even more on guile than he ever has. Pedro remained effective in his brief stint last season and should put up good numbers if he can stay healthy.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: National League East"

And finally, the New York Mets.  The team with the worst collapse ever last September.  It took months to get over what happened last season and I don’t think they did until the day they traded for Johan Santana.  Johan is obviously the biggest story in Mets camp right now but he isn’t the most important.  Is there any doubt he is going to be great?  In my mind there are two big questions for the Mets to answer before we can give them the division crown.  First, will Carlos Delgado be able to rebound?  This line-up is much more potent when he is hitting around .270 with 30 homers and 100 rbi’s.  Also, the Mets have questions in their starting rotation (SURPRISE!!).  Johan will be great and I believe Pedro will be fine but then comes the haunted three starter.  I feel the Mets are better equipped then the Phillies or Braves in this department but that doesn’t mean I feel comfortable with John Maine, Oliver Perez or “El Duque”.  The bullpen should be great with Duaner Sanchez coming back this year and Billy Wagner still closing out games but let’s not just give this division away.  The Mets are much improved and may have the most talent but they are far from a sure thing.  Sorry Mets fans but no, a World Series appearance has not been gureenteed by trading for Johan.

Continue reading "First of a Seven Part Series-NL East Preview"

st year when the hitting went bad, it stayed bad, for a very long time.  And, they are not the New York Mets.  After aquiring Johan Santana, they have become World Series contenders and I do not see the Cubs marching pass them in the playoffs.  After their historic collapse from grace, the Mets are out for blood.

Continue reading "Carlos Zambrano Injured!!!"

sion was far superior even with the lack of hitting Diamondbacks had.  All I got to say is the New York Mets are out for blood after their historic fall from grace with their new top gun Johan Santana.  No way is any team going to march pass them.

Continue reading "Is this the year of Dreams? Think ..."