MetsMusings Blog

de Grom SETTING TRENDS - 3-8-2016

I recently read an article in The Record saying that a MLB player found Jacob deGrom's hair is distracting. Here is what the hitter had to say about the hair to The Record:

“First of all, I see this guy on the mound who looks like a stick figure. I mean, you don’t see major league pitchers who look like that. And he’s got that hair – you can’t not look at it, it’s everywhere. It bothers me when I’m trying to pick up the ball out of his hand. All I see is hair.”

Well, it made me think. A hundred years ago when I played organized ball, I don't remember anyone playing with hair that long. So it is hard to relate, but if you sit down and study I could see where it could become a distraction, and then it gets in your head. Maybe that's why Tim Lincecum was so good with the Giants. It was the hair!

So where will this take us. All starting pitchers growing their hair long to boost their strikeouts? It could happen. Remember, relief pitchers grew moustaches and beards to be more intimidating, so I guess long hair on starters for distraction is not out of the realm of reality.

Oh, by the way when de Grom heard about all this he said, “That’s pretty cool … I guess now I’ll never cut it.”

There it is trend setter Jacob de Grom keeping it simple.

MICHAEL CONFORTO CAN HIT - 3-7-2016

Michael Conforto can hit and field too. That smooth, fluid, swing and the ability to hit to all fields, his knowledge of the strike zone, will prove to be the fuel that makes him a star in this league.

After being drafted by the Mets in 2014, Conforto came to Brooklyn to play for the Cyclones. His six week stint in Brooklyn left an impression not only with the fans, but with his first pro manager Tom Gamboa. I interviewed Gamboa in 2014 during the off season, (Cyclones FeverCast #14). Gamboa spoke of how Conforto hit it off with his teammates, has great poise, very relaxed and confident in his talent. He was also impressed with his defense. All the scouting report,and notes said that Conforto's defense and his arm were "adequate". Gamboa said "I'm telling you this guy was anything but that. He's got unbelievable pride in his whole game and in the team concept and in wanting to win and be a part of a winning team". That's just the type of player we want patrolling the outfield in Citi Field.

So we watch the development of a ballplayer, possibly a star, maybe even a superstar who knows. All I know is that it will be fun to see what happens with this young man, who, I believe, has a very bright future.

It's gonna be a fun season!

End Of The Road For Ruben? 3-2-2016

Ruben Tejada may not even make the New York Mets team this year. There are reports that he could be traded before spring training is over.

Tejada became the center of attention last year during the playoffs when he was taken out by Chase Utley on a dirty slide and received a broken leg. With the addition of Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop, and Wilmer Flores as a super utility man, there may not be room for Ruben on this roster. Beside Flores, the Mets bench seems to include Juan Lagares as the extra outfielder and Kevin Plawecki as the backup catcher. Alejandro de Aza is in the same boat as Tejada but with his big contract, he doesn’t figure to go anywhere. That will leave Tejada fighting for the last spot on the roster. Eric Campbell could be Tejada's competition, and with his experience, and versatility, (infield,outfield, emergency catcher) Campbell has a good chance to make the team.

If Tejada does not make the roster or gets traded, I wish Ruben all the luck in the world and hope that he lands in a spot with a team that can really use his glove and his services.

With all the hoopla over Cespedes’s autos, and horse, and pig having taken place the first week of Spring Training, Terry Collins is putting an end to it and informing the players :

"The fun time is over," Collins said Tuesday afternoon. "It's time to finally get ready for baseball. ... I have no problem with it. ... There's nothing else to write about, so you write about his cars. ... But, like I said, it's time to get ready for baseball now."

Sounds like Terry is ready to go, and now it’s time for his team to do the same. I don’t think there will be any problem with that. The Mets got a taste of the playoffs and now they want more.

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MY FIRST BLOG POST - 3/1/2016

Here it is my first blog. For years people said I should be getting into the blogging game but, not being a writer, I never thought that I could sit down and put something down on paper every day or every other day that people would find interesting but lately I've had a change of heart. The problem I have is that,sometimes, my thoughts are way too faster than I can type, or that I can write down on a piece of paper. So, I lose my train of thought and get lost completely and end up with nothing and I miss the entire point of trying to make. But now I am trying something new. It was suggested that I try speech to text software and that's what I am doing and I am going to let technology handle the job for me so I hope this works and will see. I’m sure there's a lot of editing that I'll have to go back and do, but that may be simpler than trying to sit down and write.
So spring training is finally here in just a day or two the games will start , and we will be getting our first look at the entire squad of the New York Mets. And it's always an exciting time because you get to see all the young players trying to make an impression, the invited veterans that are trying to make the team, and of course the regular squad getting in shape for the upcoming year. There isn't a lot of questions with this New York Mets team this year not a lot of positions up in the air as in previous years. The only spots open is probably the end of the bullpen and a bench spot. But again it's always a fun to see the guys coming to camp and try to make this team especially the young guys.

There's a lot of for grabs this year and I'm sure the Mets are going to be working hard to get back to the playoffs and the World Series in 2016. And I hope that you'll join me in this journey all season long by listening to the MetsMusings podcast and following this blog.

So remember keep the faith stay optimistic and let's go Mets

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Friday, May 20, 2016