Pittsburgh Sports Article of the Week

For the Pittsburgh Sports Article this week, I'm going celebrate the build-up to Steelers Training Camp. In past years, Jim Wexell has been the absolute best when it comes to Steelers beat writing. He has the clutch interviews, inside information, and great writing all packaged into one. I also recommend his book "Steeler Nation," about his hilarious travel around the States to Steeler bars, parents, alumni, etc. It's a great read for a Steelers fan.

Although Wexell writes for a payed-subscription online newspaper at Steel City Insider, this article was released for free as a little treat to preview training camp. The article, Camp Points of Interest, highlights a few of the controversies, battles, and expectations heading into camp. I know I can't wait until things kick off.

Please Do Not Say You're Surprised; Pittsburgh Edition

Sorry for the title thievery, but right now, surprises are like crying in baseball, they just don't happen.

From the big shot teams suffering steroid outbreaks-cough Red Sox and Yankees-to the small market teams trading away their money players-your own Pittsburgh Pirates-nothing has really shocked me.

Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, and Ian Snell were traded yesterday from the Pirates. But before you criticize, before you call the pirates a farm team for the big market, and before throw away your Pirate Parrot Bobble Head Doll-please recognize that the Pirates are on the right track.

The Good: The Pirates are in rebuilding mode, and they're following the pattern effectively. These trades brought them some great potential with low cost upside. Of course, we won't see the return until 2011 as Ron Cook points out in his latest column, but if even half of our prospects turn out as projected, the Pirates could be in serious contention in a few years.

thats right-not fighting for .500 with all our pennies on Jack Wilson and Nyjer Morgan coming through-but in contention with established pitching, depth, and hopefully some good hitting. Signing big names or keeping old players would just put the rebuilding process in jeopardy.

I will admit, I wrote an entry earlier this month praising Wilson and Sanchez and begging to keep them, but that was assuming that the return for Wilson would be very small. Somehow, the Pirates found a way to get 3 decent pitchers, a great prospect in Jeff Clement, and a veteran shortstop to cover Jack's hole. They were also able to get rid of the mess that was Ian Snell.
Later in the day, the rebuilders were able to get one of the Giants' best pitching prospects in Tim Alderson for Freddy Sanchez. He instantly becomes the Pirates best pitching prospect in a depleted farm bullpen.

The Bad:
The Pirates aren't going to win much this year. They've already fell out of contention, and have no veteran leadership on their team. Furthermore, the infield will suffer tremendously on the defensive end. Freddy and Jack held together the double play, and although Delwyn Young can hold his own at the plate, flashy plays are a rarity for him. Cedeno is average at best.

The personalities of these guys will also be missed. Jack Wilson's efforts seemed to revitalize some guys, and inspire them to give their all on the field.

The Ugly:
The fans have been dropping like base hits on Ramon Vazquez. People have walked away from this season, as they rightfully can, given that the team is no longer in or trying to become in contention. Players are also speaking out, or are just speechless. That's what scares me. These guys need to recognize just as well that their organization needs to make changes for the future. It is understandable that they fear for their own jobs, but speaking to the media is no way to change that. Hopefully they keep the drama off the field-something they've been able to do very well this season.

Due to the drastic changes within the Pirate Ballclub, I will now refer to the team as "The Rebuilders." This not a negative nor a positive term, just an adequate label to what the team is pursuing at the moment.

Let's Go Rebuilders.

7 to the 4: July 29th

Yankees 6 Rays 2

Joba went eight strong innings for the second time in his career. When Joba is on he is as good as it gets in the league but that has been Joba's big problem; the consistency is just not there. He is only 23 so you have to think it will come. Teixiera went 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBIs. Cano homered in the 6th and Melky in the 9th.


Mets Rockies- Postponed

Playing two tomorrow.

Please Do Not Say You Are Surprised

If there is one thing we should have learned by now as a baseball fan it is that the entire era was tainted by steroids. Forget all those wonderful feelings of purity and pride and everything else baseball evokes; Major League Baseball did not care.

This morning's report that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive in 2003 really does not have the shock value anymore. This list, that was supposed to remain quiet, has torn down A-Rod already and now it has done its share of damage of Ortiz. You have to wonder who else is on there and when the next names will leak... but does it really matter?

All you really all you have to do is look at Ortiz's numbers to know something was going on. From 1997 to 2002 Ortiz never hit more than 20 dingers. In 2003 he hit 31, 2004 41, 2005 he knocked 47, and in 2006 a whopping 54 bombs.

This really cannot taint the World Series titles of the Red Sox because steroids was a apart of the era. Just accept it. The players are not evil; we are talking about their lively hood. If there was a pill you could take that could guarantee you a huge promotion at work your saying you wouldn't talk it because it is unfair? No you bet your ass your popping pills. As Buzz Bissinger put it "If I could take a pill that would make me John Grisham I'm there. I'm f---king there."

The home run saved baseball. Don't kid yourself because Sosa and McGwire's home run race in 1997 brought the fans back after the strike. Baseball made the home run god and this is what we got. So if you really want to point fingers then send them in the direction of the owners and league but you just have to accept it. The league turned a blind eye in the name of profits but freaking out every time a big name breaks out is just pointless.

I stand by the idea that only one name could shock now and it is Albert Pujols. He has constantly screamed that he is clean and fans can trust him. At this point I do believe him because he has put together six of the best all-around seasons right from the start. He has been consistent and basically great and I want to trust in baseball again.

Americans have this idea that athletes should be pure and we turn them into modern Greek Gods. Forget it. If you honestly believe that then you have bigger problems then steroids.

Down with the Vickness

Mike Vick is now free to sign with any NFL team; Well, any NFL team that will take him.

The 29 year old dash-man is well past his prime in the league for several reasons. One being that quarterbacks need to be able to throw with accuracy and composure. With premier safeties and pass rushers dominating league defense in the past couple years-Troy Polamalu, Bob Sanders, Ed Reed, Osi Umenyiora, James Harrison, Albert Haynesworth-it's become impossible to rely on throwing the ball downfield and/or attempting to scramble as an adequate game plan.

The second reason is that scrambling through wildcat offense, perhaps the only organized set up that would incorporate Vick well, is so 2008. The wildcat setup like any music downloading program ever created-we're talking Morpheus, Limewire, Napster, Bit Torrent. They're the best, and easiest things to execute since Sega Dreamcast, and then they get hacked, figured out, and full of viruses and become worthless, unusable space on your desktop. However lost in digression this simile has become, the Wildcat offense is easy to stop once you're prepared for it. And because it was all the hype in '08, it's going to be the first thing prevented in 09.

That being said, people still seem to think Vick will land on a team and possible get playing time as a specialist. Some have even gone so far as to put him in the Steelers' laps. Chris Mortensen seems to believe that Mike Vick would fit perfectly with the Steelers Organization, because they have
1. Great Ownership
2. Great Coaching
3. An Established Veteran Locker Room
4. An Established and Leading Quarterback

Let me tell you right now Mr. Mortensen-it is because the Steelers don't take chances on guys like Michael Vick that they have these, forgive the wordplay, a-four-mentioned qualities. The Steelers do have an established locker room, coach, owner, and quarterback-so although it might be the best situation for Vick, there is absolutely no reason for the Steelers to want this guy. They'd much rather help a younger guy develop into a useful player for the future-not a washed up dog torturer that is stuck in the scramble offense of 1998. A guy like Dennis Dixon, who has the same qualities as Vick, but is much younger and has much more time and potential to learn how to win in the league.


Six V. Lomardis doesn't come from dogshit.

7 to the 4: July 28th

Yankees 2 Tampa Bay Rays 6

The streaking Yanks were halted last night by the Rays. CC was less than impressive, giving up 5 runs over 5.2 innings. The bronx bombers are 11-11 in CC's starts. They haven't been particularly sharp when he is on the mound; often not giving much run support or playing poor defense, as was the case last night. The Yanks got some help from Boston when lost to the A's in the 11th.

Mets 4 Rockies 0

The Mets are begging to look like a team who knows how to play baseball. Pelfrey gave a strong start last night, pitching seven shutout innings for the Mets. Their offense pecked away as Castillo, Francoeur, Murphy and Schneider all drove in runs. These are the kind of wins you should expect to see at Citi Field; strong pitching and timely hitting. This makes 4 wins in a row for the Mets who are 5.5 out of the Wild Card.

Antonio Pierce To Face Criminal Charges

With the Plaxico Burress case heating up in NYC Antonio Pierce finds himself in an unsuspecting position.

The Giants linebacker who accompanied Plax to the club on the night when the receiver infamously... well "Plaxicoed" himself, is now facing criminal charges from a somewhat overzealous DA. Apparently after Burress shot himself Pierce took the gun from him and brought it to Burress's home.

The New York DA appears to be going after a weapons possession charge which carries a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years.

John Mara, the co-owner of the Giants, has thrown his support behind is player:

While we in no way condone Antonio's decision to be in a nightclub in Manhattan less than two days before a game, we cannot understand the DA's position that Antonio is subject to criminal charges. When this incident occurred, Antonio reacted out of concern for the health and well-being of Plaxico Burress. His first priority was to make sure Plaxico received proper medical attention for what very well could have been a life-threatening wound. There was no criminal intent on the part of Antonio, who was thrust into this predicament simply because he accompanied Plaxico that evening and because he made the decision to immediately take Plaxico to the hospital.

Mara is making the right move here. It does seem like a stretch to go after Pierce in this case and I'm sure it helps him out to know that the Giants are throwing him under the bus. Apparently an upcoming DA election is having an effect on these cases as the District Attorney is trying to appear tough on crime by using these highly public cases as a medium.

If charged with a crime Pierce could also face more punishment from the league. Although it is hard to believe that these charges will stick. We will keep you posted.

7 to the 4: July 27th

Yankees 11 vs Tampa Bay Rays 4

A.J. Burnett has continued to shine as he racked up his 10th win tonight against the Rays. He went 7 innings and only allowed two hits while on the mound. Nick Swisher did his part with two homers, one from each side of the plate and A-Rod added a two-run double on his 34th birthday. The Yanks are now 10-1 since the All-Star break and have a 2.5 game lead on the Sox

Mets 7 vs Colorado Rockies 3

Fernando Tatis is easily the hero of this game. With the score locked at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth and the bases loaded Tatis came in as a pinch hitter and blasted a rare Citi-field grand slam home run. This win gives the Mets three in a row and they now sit 6.5 back of the NL Wild-Card with three more games to go against the Rockies, who have the lead in the Wild Card.

Can Minaya Do Anything Other than Spend?

It seems almost everyday that Omar Minaya's seat as GM of the Mets gets just a bit hotter. With the often-cited injuries the Mets have shown an extreme lack of depth within the organization and Minaya has taken most of the blame. This morning the Mets fired Tony Bernazard, their vice-president of development for an alteraction with a minor leaguer and issues with Francisco Rodriquez. At the press-conference Minaya got into an argument with a Mets beat writer over one of his articles about Bernazard. It showed an extreme lack of professionalism on Minaya's part and it begs the question whether Minaya has the organizational and leadership skills to run the Mets club through this tough time.

Without a doubt you cannot deny that Minaya can create headlines and bring in star power. He helped an attention-starved Mets team compete with their cross-town rivals, the Yankees, on the sports pages. When the Mets hired Omar Minaya he immediately made a splash with the signings of Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran. He went on to sign Billy Wagner and Francisco Rodriquez, trade for Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana, John Maine and JJ Putz. He helped turn the Mets into an immediate contender but from what we see now it seems he only built a contender on the surface.

Minaya has yet to have any of his draft choices make any type of impact on the major league level. Granted hes only had about four drafts to get it done but his picks have left much to be desired. All Minaya has to show is under-performing prospects Bobby Parnell and Fernando Martinez. Steve Phillips, the Mets old GM boasts Jose Reyes (signed at 19), David Wright and Scott Kazmir (Phillips also has Mo Vaughn under his belt).

It is unfair to blame Minaya for all of the problems the Mets have been facing this year but this unprecedented run of injuries has exposed the holes in his club. The Mets have been unable to plug in their minor leaguers for any type of success. They also lack those platoon players that can shift around the diamond. The Mets seem to be more about flash than fire.

Minaya's professionalism has also been cited as of recently. He mishandled the Wille Randolph firing last year when he canned him just one day into a west coast road trip. Randolph's job had been in question for a few weeks but Minaya called him in his hotel room after a win over the dodgers and informed him of the firing. Many Mets players and staff found out through media outlets rather than from the organization. Then there was the debacle at this morning's news conference. You don't see Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein, the gold standard of GMs, pulling something like that.

Whether its missing third-base, falling flat on your face in center field or calling out a writer the Mets always seem to make themselves look like a second class organization. Minaya has proved that he can spend money and create headlines with the best of them but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of an organization Minaya just flat out is lacking.

The Double Play; Good and the Bad

Getting a double play in baseball is like...

realizing that your ice cream sinks all the way down the cone

getting a superhero figure in your wheaties box

finding money in the laundry

getting free shampoo in the mail

i could go on, and on

The point is, a double play is not only relief, but a pleasant surprise. Seeing a guy on first base disappear-and consequentially their prior hit made irrelevant or, at least, less damaging-is incredibly satisfying, exciting, and relieving.

But, statistically speaking, is turning a lot of plays a good thing in baseball? Although this statistic does imply that your defense is on point and efficient, it also suggests that the defense allows guys to get on first base a lot.

So does leading the league in double plays mean that the team has great shortstops and second basemen duos, or that they don't have the pitching and infield defense to keep guys off base?

let's look at the stats.

The Pirates, with 107 DPs, are tied with the Indians, and second only to the Astros who have turned 109 DPs.

The Pirates, Indians, and Astros are all in the top 10 team fielding percentages in the MLB-the Pirates in 2nd, Astros 5th, and Indians in 8th

However, NONE of these teams are in the top 10 for Pitching ERA

and ALL are in the bottom of the league in On Base Against Average for Pitching-the Indians and Pirates are in the bottom 5, and the Astros are 19th in the league.

These teams are great at fielding, but they let guys on base far too much.

And, although this tendency does translate into a lot of double plays, the earned runs average speaks for itself.

Because so many hitters reach the base with these three ball clubs, and not all of them are stopped with double play groundouts, the pitching ERA suffers drastically, and translates into losing games.

Although the Double Play is certainly a satisfying thing to watch and execute-it's not necessarily a good stat to lead the league in.

Pittsburgh Sports Article of the Week

I went to what turned out to be a great Pirates game this past Wednesday-

5 homers, a Brandon Moss walkoff, the Garrett Jones phenomenon continuing, several lead changes, and burnt knees as always at PNC Park. I was a bit confused as to why Mr. Garrett Jones was playing 1st base, until a fellow gamewatcher back-a-row filled me in on the Adam LaRoche trade that happened earlier that morning.

Finding out that the Pirates found someone to take the old slugger actually made the game even better.

Anyways, I was going to blog about the trade, but Pat at WhyGavs wrote a follow up post that said everything there is to be said about Adam LaRoche, management, salary, patterns, trades, etc.-in eloquent bucco fashion. It's a long post, but it reads smooth, even when you're not. like keystone.

Therefore, i've decided to feature that article, titled "Why might the Pirates be dumping salary?" as the article of the week.

Whygavs is a great blog with updates, follow ups, reactions, game recaps, and just about anything else Pirate-ish. And the fact that a Pirate blog can flourish in these days is more than respectable.

So check out this article, and be sure to bookmark the blog.

Like Myoplex, NOW i'm done.

Blair Force Juan

The nickname controversy has been, perhaps, the most elaborate topic concerning Dejuan Blair in the past week. His play, of course, usually speaks for itself. In my last post, Dejuan Blair; Space Eater Extraordinaire I made a pretty good case for his space eater self.

Some suggested "The Black Hole"

For others, is was "Grizzly Blair." This was started at Pitt

His nickname growing up was "Big Fella," and will always be his hometown nickname.

However, spur fandom has seeked a new and fresh nickname. Blair Force One has emerged as the favorite, but let me introduce a marvel of the english language. Hidden in the pronounciation of his first name is, in fact, the sound of "one" in "Juan." Dejuan-->de"one"

whoa. meant to be?

Blair Force Juan* utilizes both his first and last name, while maintaining the integrity of the metaphor.

Feel free to spread the nickname like mom does your peanut butter in the morning lunch prep.

Let's not stop until we get an endorsement for him to do "Honey Dejuan Mustard-->A must for all Big Fella Burgers"

*credit to a Mr. Jules Coulson for the nickname ingenuity.

Big Ben-thats a [w]rap(e)

Here come the rape nicknames

Rape-lessburger
He tried to "force it up the middle"
He "took over in the huddle"
He "rammed it into the endzone"
He wanted his "clock ticked" a little too much.

Whatever you want to call it, Ben is being accused of rape.

This not a kobe-esque circumstance, because there are absolutely no criminal charges against Ben. These are simple accusations, and i'm not saying they're false, but they're definitely not backed.

-And until they are, this is just a desperate girl wanting attention and money. Am I sexist now? yikes. But all things considered, I wouldn't put it past Ben. He's quite the d-bag, a-hole, cocky bastard. And he's been known be a sleezeball when it comes to women. Could be because he's ugly, cocky, has money, has fame or all of the above.

but he's a great quarterback. and she's a gold digger. let's move on.

T(i)rades

Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson talk is floating around like sex talk in middle school computer labs. The duo is being labeled the only proven core of the Pirate Ballclub by some, and a large expense by others.

As far as media goes,

Gene Collier will lose all hope in the Pirates organization if they leave.

Mark Madden will be disappointed if we pay big bucks for the duo.

Both guys have valid arguments-->

Freddy and Jack are incredible defensively, and Freddy is a hit machine when his mole is healthy. But if we keep them, are the Pirates merely wading in the waters of rebuilding? Do they have one foot in, and not have the balls to jump in the cold water. 'Lord knows there could be success in the deep end-or a drowning victim.

I personally would like to keep the duo intact and inburgh.

The D: These guys turn double plays like it's the seventh inning stretch. Their defensive efforts have kept the Bucs in several ballgames, and their limited errors hold together the infield, and have played big part in this year's pitching improvements.

The Bats: Jack Wilson is not a slugger by any means(he's in a bit of a slump right now), but his bat can be dangerous at the bottom of the rotation. Many-a-time he has the extra spark to drive in runs and get the bases moving. Freddy Sanchez is the best hitter on the team. That would be "nuff said," but he is also a master at ball placement. He can put the ball at the right place at the right time to squeeze runs. Hitting the other way, hustling, bunting-you get it all with Freddy.

The Bucks: There is no reason the Pirates shouldn't negotiate with Jack Wilson. Even if based solely on the fact that he is much more valuable to the Pirates than to any other club-Firstly because we have no replacement for him, and secondly because he isn't seen as an above average player to anyone in the MLB. Teams will only look to acquire him for defensive purposes, and the Pirates will not get a sufficient replacement for him from within the organization or from trading him. Freddy's negotiations are much more tricky, because he is worth a lot of money, and teams do see him as a great player-he has a batting title to prove it.

This duo wants to stay in Pittsburgh. It's great to see that from guys, and if you look at the way they play, it's evident. To boot, isn't it great to see Jack Wilson playing so well late in his career?

In the end, rebuilding has its counterarguments, and "unrefuseable trades" can take their toll; but this duo has me convinced that this is one trade that the Pirates should not make.

7 to the 4: July 20th

Instead of doing long (somewhat pointless) individual posts about the Mets and Yankee games from the night before I'm going to start doing a short analysis of last nights action and call it 7 to the 4; an ode to the subway trains that run from Citi Field to Yankee Stadium.

Mets 6 Nationals 2

The Mets roughed up Nats starter JD Martin on their way to an easy win. If the Mets want to salvage any type of respect this season they will need to pummel the teams they are supposed to beat; such as the Nationals. Murphy went 2-4 with two RBIs as did Francouer who added a 9th inning homer to seal the deal.

Yankees 2 Baltimore 1

The Yankees uncanny ability to hit walk-off homers continued last night; this time it was Hideki Matsui. Tex also came up with a huge defensive play when he gunned a runner at the plate on a hard hit ground ball in the 8th inning to preserve the 1 run lead. This win keeps the Yankees tied atop the AL East as they continue their series with the struggling Orioles.

The "What-If" Roster; An Alternate Universe

Baseball is much different than most other sports because college athletes do not make the jump from college star to the professional ranks within a few months. The minor league system develops the players over time and during those years there is bound to be a lot of change. Prospects are dealt all throughout the league and often times they wind up starring for a different club than the one that drafted them.

This is a possible roster for the Mets using players that they either drafted or traded for/away as prospects. It does not take into account whether or not the trade was good or bad for the team but just the fact that the player was once a minor leaguer for the Mets. It also factors in players that the Mets drafted but never signed due to player choice. No free-agent signings are included (aka no Beltran or Delgado).

Depth Chart

Catcher- Jesus Flores

Jesus Flores had a tremendous 2006 season in the Mets Minor League system but was drafted by the Nationals in the Rule 5 Draft. In 2008, his first full season, he hit .256 with 8 homers. He was hitting .311 with 4 homers this year until his year was cut short by an injury just 26 games in. He is considered a young player with a lot of upside.

First Base- Garrett Atkins

Atkins was selected by the Mets in 1997 but elected to go to college. He hit .301 for the Rockies in 2007 with 25 homers.

Second Base- Melvin Mora

Started off in the Astros minor league system but was signed as a free agent to the Mets organization in 1998. He made his major league debut with the Amazin's in 1999. He was traded to the Orioles and has been a two-time all star since (2003, 2005).

Shortstop- Jose Reyes

Signed by the Mets out of the Dominican Republic in 1999 and made his Mets debut in 2003. Hes been a two time All-star for the Mets.

Third Base- David Wright

Drafted by the Mets in 2001 Wright made his much anticipated debut in 2004. He has been a three time all star selection for the Mets. He has also won two gold glove and two silver slugger awards.

RF- Aaron Rowand

Drafted by the Mets in 1995 but elected to go to college instead. Rowand broke out with the white sox in 2001. He is a career .284 hitter but made the all-star game in 2007 with the Phillies.

CF- Carlos Gomez

Signed by the Mets in 2002 he made his debut with in New York in 2006. He was considered the Mets top prospect along with Fernando Martinez. Gomez came up with Reyes and Jose has often said that Gomez is faster than he is. Gomez was traded away to Minnesota in the Santana deal and has since taken over roaming center field for the Twins.

LF- Jason Bay

Bay spent just a few months with the Mets in 2002 before being dealt to the Padres; the team with which he would make his debut. He is a three time all-star with both the Pirates and the Red Sox. He has hit over 20 homeruns in each of the last three seasons.

Starting Rotation

#1 Scott Kazmir

15th overall selection by the Mets in 2002 he was infamously traded away by Jim Duquette in 2004 at the deadline for Victor Zambrano. Kazmir has a career record of 51-41 with the Rays. He is a two time-all star but has struggled this year due to injury.

#2 A.J. Burnett

Drafted in 1995 by the Mets he was traded away to the Marlins in the Al Leiter deal. Has a career record of 95-80 and a 3.81 era. He is 8-4 with the Yanks this year

#3 Jeremy Guthrie

Was selected by the Mets in 1997 but elected to go to BYU. He has a career record of 25-23. His breakout year was in 2007 with the Orioles when he was in the running for rookie of the year when he started 26 games with a record of 7-5 with a 3.7 ERA

#4 Brian Bannister

Drafted in 2003 and made his Mets debut in 2006. He was traded to KC for Ambriox Burgos, who is now a free agent, in 2007. Bannister has gone on to post a 29-33 record with the Royals with a 4.5 career ERA. His breakout season was in 2007 when he went 12-9 and was in the race for the rookie of the year award (finished 3rd)

Bullpen

Scott Proctor

Drafted in 1995 by the Mets and traded to the Yankees in 2003. He made his debut in 2004 but became a very reliable late inning option for the Yanks in 2006. Torre relied on him heavily, often pitching two days in a row. He signed on with the Marlins for 2009 but has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Octavio Dotel
Signed by the Mets in 1993 and made his debut 6 years later for the Mets. He has bounced around as starter, closer, relief pitcher for the Mets, Yankees, Marlins, Astros and A's.

Matt Lindstrom

Drafted by the Mets in 2002 and traded to the Marlins in 2006. He has since emerged as the closer for the Marlins.

Other Notable Players

David Dejesus

Lastings Milledge

Darin Erstad

FAIL... Like only the Mets Can Provide

I honestly just feel bad for the Mets now. They really just cannot catch any type of break this season. With a four game series against the lack-luster Atlanta Braves the Mets needed to start winning in order to try and salvage this once promising season. They, instead, went the complete other way.

On Thursday Oliver Perez took the mound and actually was not awful. He gave up three runs through six innings in his second start back from the DL. It was very promising outing for Perez, who the battered Mets could use as they push to get back in the race. However, the Mets, still found a way to lose when Mr. Live Arm (aka fastball down the middle) Bobby Parnell and Pedro Feliciano could not hold down the ship.

Friday Night they lost 11-0. Need I say more? Yes I do... Mike Pelfry Sucks. Oh and Shef got banged up on a play in the outfield. He wont be making a DL trip but will be sitting a few games.

Saturday we were saved by the Spanish-superman who goes by the name Johan Santana. He dominated the Braves for seven-innings. The offense even came to life; which is rare behind Santana and the Mets won 5-1.

Sunday night just summed up the Mets season. Fernando Nieve, the Mets starting pitcher, strained his right quad when he raced down the first baseline in the top of the second. Nieve had been a rare bright spot in this injury ravaged season. He had come in and pitched well. Compiling a record of 3-3 but with a 2.95 ERA. He had been a surprise asset that the Mets were counting on to excel in the second half. But as it has gone all year he found his way onto the 15 day DL. Redding came in and held down the fort for a few innings but it was not last as the Braves put up 5 in the 5th on the way to a 7-1 rout of the Mets.

With every game it becomes more and more evident that this team needs to try and unload some players before the deadline. Feliciano is probably the only player any team would want. Minaya should really try and unload Castillo, that won't be an easy task, however. Considering the trend of offensive 2nd basemen in the past few years the Mets could use more production (and a cheaper option) at second.

Mr. Jones, Are You For Real?

Hype is a funny thing. As is rooting for the Pittsburgh Pirates

As Pirate fans, we're forced to do two very contradictory things.

1. Remain hopeful, and therefore sane. If you don't have any hope, then there's really no reason to be a Pirate Fan at the moment. And hope is really the only way to convince yourself that you're simultaneously a pirate fan and sane.

2. Deny large hype-->aka we can't get our hopes up, because that will ultimately lead to drastic disappointment, and therefore a downfall, due to not being able to accomplish the aforementioned task 1.

These two tasks beg the question at the present moment-->what do we do with Garrett Jones?

Our Dear Mr. Jones has only played in 12 games for the Pirates. Yet in these 12 games, he's managed to hit 7 home runs. In the past 4 games, he's hit 4 Home Runs. That includes last night, when he hit 2 HRs, one walkoff, that counted for the Pirates only runs.

But you know this.

What you don't know, is whether beginners luck has teased us Pirate Fans yet again.

Well Pirate Hopefuls, I'm here to announce that I know for a fact that...................

he has potential!

I know, classic answer, but really, there's no way to tell if Jones will be able to develop into a true power hitter in the league. The truth right now, is that pitchers just haven't figured him out yet and/or are underestimating him, and Jonesy is taking full advantage of that.

Andrew McCutchen did the same thing, with much less power but more hits, when he went on his 11 game hit streak. Then he struggled for a while after pitchers picked up a little more on him. I think we're seeing Cutch come out of that cycle unscathed and ready to grow even more, but there's no telling if Garret Jones will do the same.

As of right now, i'm going to enjoy is slugger streak; he's certainly earned his starting job, and will perhaps provide some competition for Brandon Moss. But i'm not going to act like I don't hope he develops into a Nate McLouth type contributor. And i'm not going to assume that as fact either.

Because I'm a pirate fan.

Pittsburgh Sports Article of the Week

People, people, people! It's time for our Pittsburgh Sports Article of the Week. This week, i'm going with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review for the very first time. I don't read the trib much, as I have found their sports section not really up to par with the PG in the past; but with the topics that Ron Cook and Gene Collier are choosing for their columns, I found much better writing/subject matter in the Trib.

This week it was Joe Starkey's "Morgan's Lasting Gift; Passion" that stood out for me. Starkey takes an interesting side on the Pirates' Nyjer Morgan trade. He loved Morgan's passion for the game, as did I, but he looked more at the fan reaction to show that the team is headed in the right direction...sort of. He also recognizes that the trade was a good move for the Buccos. He writes:

"So, what's the good news in the wake of dealing Morgan and Sean Burnett to Washington for outfielder Lastings Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan?

Two things:

1. It was precisely the type of potentially high-yield trade the Pirates need to make.

2. The outrage proved that people in these parts still have a Morgan-like passion for baseball.

I really like his take-->not because I agree, necessarily, but because its not skewed to one side. It is, perhaps, a farewell to Nyger Morgan, without being negative towards the organization's move.

"Pittsburgh desperately wants to enjoy baseball again. Morgan jostled the zombies."

Good stuff from Joe Starkey. Maybe I'll check up on the Trib a little more nowadays.

@News: Mets Injury Update, Knicks Shopping Robinson, Lee

Mets and Knicks news from around the Tweetosphere:

Looks like injuries will continue to dog the Mets into the second half. Omar Minaya gave a health rundown today, and there is very little help on the way.

via The Daily News’ Adam Rubin:

- Carlos Beltran: The center fielder’s right knee bone bruise is preventing him from doing anything rehab-wise. Minaya said that he hasn’t even begun jogging yet.

- Jose Reyes and John Maine: Maine threw Rayes batting practice today, and Minaya said that the pitcher could be back by the end of the month. He was optimistic about Reyes too, but popular thought is that he will be out past the end of the month. He’s still unable to make sharp cuts on his recovering hamstring.

- Fernando Martinez: The outfielder underwent surgery on his right knee. He will be out 6-8 weeks while his torn meniscus heals.

- Carlos Delgado: Delgado is swinging a bat now, but his return is still slated for August.

- Also, Angel Berroa worked out at shortstop today after being called up in place of Argenis Reyes.

via ESPN Radio’s Andrew Marchand:

- The Knicks are trying everything to give Nate Robinson away, says one NBA executive.

- New York is also looking into a sign-and-trade with David Lee. The most logical destination is the Utah Jazz, though those plans hinge on whether Utah retains forward Paul Millsap.

Should Halladay Be a Yankee?

It should not surprise you in the least that the Yankee name is in play for Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay. They have question marks in their starting rotation and well... they are the Yankees... so naturally rumors are flying.

Without a doubt Halladay could have a big time impact for the Yankees; he could have a huge influence on any club really. The Yanks once iron-clad rotation has not quite turned out the way they expected. CC has been solid but spots teams 3-4 runs a game and sure not the pitcher they expected to get when they made him the highest paid in baseball. AJ Burnett is streaky but well he has been his whole career. Wang just flat out sucks, going 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA before going on the DL last week. Joba has been decent but far from the fist pumping wonder boy that used to give Yankee fans wood. And Pettite is unreliable. One good start to go with two bad ones.

So the question becomes what do they give up because Toronto is going to want a significant return and maybe unload an overpaid veteran, Vernon Wells, who somehow fooled baseball into thinking he deserved money to play. You would assume that the Jays would target Jesus Montero and Austin Jackson, the Yankees top two prospects. Montero has all the hitting tools to become an all-star catcher but there are big concerns with his defensive ability and whether or not he can play catcher at the major league level. Jackson is the Yanks top outfield prospect. He is the most athletic player in their system and looks to be shaping up to be an everyday center fielder. The question is where does he fit in? The yanks are high on Gardner and have Swisher signed for a few years. Melkey is also in the mix. 

So Jackson and Montero could be on the block but Toronto would probably ask for Phil Hughes to sweeten the deal. Hughes who has been solid out of the bullpen never measured up the front line starter predictions of just a few years ago. Wang's name could get thrown in their. It is hard to ignore the fact that he won 19 games last season.

So while giving up Montero, Jackson and Hughes (assuming the Jays don't ask for more) would not be breaking the bank it doesn't seem like smartest deal for the Yanks. Halladay, who is 32, has one more year left on his contract and will probably be looking for a 5-6 year deal (worth lots of $$$) at the end of next season. The Yankees are an old, expensive, team as is; would they want to add another aging pitcher to their staff for the next few seasons? If they don't sign Halladay and just let him finish out his contract then they will have given up three of their better young players for just a season and a half of work.

Halladay is a rare talent; Jeter said "he's probably the best starter in baseball."  He may be aging but he can still pitch (he started the all star game last night) and has a CY Young sitting in his closet. For the Yanks it is a matter of win-now or save for later. We all know where the Steinbrenner family sits on this argument but this deal just does not seem worth it Bronx Bombers. Although as is, their 200 million dollar roster can't beat Boston so it's hard to imagine they do not create some headlines.

Hey Now, You're An Allstar!-but you aren't playing

Zach Duke and Freddy Sanchez-

Congrats guys, you two are a fraction of Baseball's best this year. You have the stats, you have the character, and you aren't pumping roids (knock on Louiseville Slugger wood). Therefore, we'll be inviting you to participate in the MLB All-Star game, to represent your team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Oh, but you might not leave the dugout, bullpen, etc.

You see, the coach could be drastically concerned about winning a fairly meaningless game, and therefore decide to sit you out in case you're desperately needed in a non-guaranteed extra-innings situation.

And extra innings is a female orgasm; it just doesn't happen unless the sluggers bring their big bats.

So, while the other guys (that didn't get it done) are getting 3 at bats, or giving up earned runs like it's Hanukkah, you two can sit on the bench and sip your all-star gatorade. just keep it away from Carlos Zambrano.

Sorry Buccos, your team doesn't exist according to the MLB.

Honestly, i've never been a fan of the all-star game. I like the home-run derby, I like the recognition of great play-but the meaningless competition really puts a cork in the bat.

But if you're going to have this game, to have the cream of the crop compete against each other, then at least make sure the guys get to play. If the recognition and representation is what the game is all about, then that should be the priority of the game-not a win. And let's not pretend that the game is do-or die.

Although the Pirates arent' the pride of the league right now, it's still important that great players get recognition. shouldn't baseball at least pretend that each team has a chance in such a buy-out league?

So yes Duke and Sanchez-you're all stars.

but keep sipping that gatorade, keep sporting that Pirate P. although we can barely see it outside of the dugout.

Please Mets... DO NOT BUY

Omar Minaya if somewhere out there you are listening pretty pretty please do not go out there and buy in this weak market. I know you love to make trades but lets take it easy this year. Maybe a vacation? I hear Greece is nice!

Lets be honest. The Mets are not a particularly good team. They can't hit, their pitching is weak and they play defense like a high school softball team. They face plant in center field and miss third base. Fundamentally they are just a pathetic team. Whether you blame Manuel, Minaya or the injuries does not matter. The Mets look to be well on their way to wasting another season; this is becoming a theme. 

So now as the trade deadline approaches the Mets name always surface because they have money and they are expected to remain in contention till September. So every year the Mets (and other teams around the league) ship off their best prospects for some major league ready player. Their fans demand to win now and the team responds by sacrificing their future. 

This year the Mets just plain should not buy. Hell maybe even sell if the right deal appears. The Mets are 6.5 out of a team that is in the chase for Roy Halladay. I hate to say it but it does not look like they are going to be making a run at the playoffs this year. 

I say let them play as is and see if they can make things interesting; Beltran and Reyes should be coming back in the next few weeks and they can have a serious impact. The Mets are not one good bat or arm away from becoming a serious contender so there is no reason to pick over an already weak farm system to try and obtain Aubrey Huff or Nick Johnson. Besides when Delgado comes back where do you stick them?

Seriously the Mets have only two top 100 prospects in their system (Fernando Martinez and Wilmer Flores) and any major deal would without a doubt include one if not both of those names. 

It just flat out is not worth it this year. Look I'm not saying to pack in this season. We are within striking distance (somewhat) and have our best players coming back soon (hopefully). There just does not seem to be any good reason why Minaya and the Mets need to sacrifice what little we have left in order to obtain some major league journeyman. 

Think of two of the best players on this team now; Wright and Reyes. They are both home grown studs. Show some faith in our farm system and lets see the kind of players they can produce down the road. I would rather see Fernando Martinez tear it up for the Mets in two years then Nick Johnson suck next week. I don't know. Maybe I'm old fashioned.

Yanks Lineup Turns Halladay Against AL

The biggest name on this years midseason trade market just happens to be one of the best pitcher in baseball; Roy Halladay.

Halladay is 10-3 this season with a 2.35 ERA and will start for the AL in tonight's all-star game.

The former CY Young winner has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays and his name always bounces in and out of rumors. This year it looks as if the Jays will deal him to a contender. 

Halladay, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, says he would be interested in going to an NL team or a bigger market. 

His exact words were "I'd rather hit than face Jeter, A-Rod, Matsui and Teixeira."

Minaya to Blame?

Every Met fan knows the infamous Scott Kazmir- Victor Zambrano trade orchastrated by Steve Phillips. Most baseball critics consider it the worst trade of all time; infact Sports Illustrated wrote an article about it a few years ago. Many Met fans, however, consider it one of the best trades becaues it got Phillips fired and then Omar Minaya came to town (that sums up the Mets. It takes the worst trade in baseball history to get somebody fired).

Since then it has been a complete transformation for the Amazins. Minaya brought in Pedro and Beltran. As well as Billy Wagner and completed a trade for John Maine. He became the Mets golden child as his newly constructed team won the NL east by 12 games and came within a game of the World Series.

Lately, however, Minaya's luster has faded away. He traded away Heath Bell and Brian Bannister in '06. Both pitchers thrived with their new teams and could have helped the Mets during their epic collapse to the Phillies two years ago.

He did trade for Santana and sign K-Rod but this season has exposed the real holes in the Mets organization.

The Mets have been plagued by injuries and while that is not his fault, he is to blame for the lack of depth throughout the entire team. The Mets have been mixing and matching players all season looking for a winning combo and they just cannot find it. They lack the utlitly players that can play multiple positions and they have a severe lack of power within the lineup. Not to forget that they field like a little league team. The worst part is there is no help on the horizon.

The Mets farm system has been picked over the last few years and Minaya has failed to restock. Not to mention that their two big prospects, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez, have been flops.

So with the Mets needing the cavalry to charge over the hill Minaya cannot provide the support. The market out there is weak and teams that are selling are few and far between. It will take a lot to acquire any of the quality talent there is out there and the Mets just do not have the pieces to make a move.

Minaya has done a great job in bringing in star-power to compete for the New York headlines against the Yankees but he has failed to build an organization. The Mets lack depth on the field and within their farm system and Minaya is to blame.

D. Blair: Space Eater Extraordinaire

"I'm a space eater"- Dejuan Blair

What a nickname. It's neither catchy nor quick, but Dejuan Blair is, indeed, a space eater. He's hungry for space. Looking to devour anything in the way of his basketball, he grows hungry when anything resembling opposition enters the painted area that can now be labeled his 'space." Served on a silver platter, space is the distance between Dejuan and deBall; something that he can chew up in a matter of milliseconds.

This begs the question-what truly satisfies him? Getting the ball, or the simple act of denying the treasured pigskin-to follow the space metaphor-"planet"-from other species of bigmen. Much to his tasteful delight, these two actions run in sequence.

I think we've discovered Dejuan's secret to losing 30 pounds in 2-3 weeks. May I introduce the "Dejuan Diet"; Forget burgers and fries when he can eat space. Calorie and sugar free, there's no unsaturated or trans fat in space, but eating it is perhaps the most satisfying treat a bigman can enjoy. All the more satisfying, are the calories burned during space-eating. It could be compared to celery, on a much larger scale-forgive the pun.

Perhaps we should release our assumptions, and ponder the possibility that Dejuan doesn't suffer from enduring pull of gravity during his space eating habits. This might be the only way to explain his unique abilities in his comfort zone-and his suction cup hands to boot. Gravity has been realigned, and the center now exists in the palms of his hands. People-this is a nobel prize worthy discovery.

But seriously, Dejuan thrived in his first summer league game. He had a double-double in 17 minutes of play, and he shot 5-6 from the line, ending with 10 rebounds and 13 points. Number 45 is at it again people.

This may serve as a warning; If you're in his space, don't be surprised if you're in his ever-shrinking stomach before you can blink.

A Landfill of Wasted Opportunity. Take it away Shakespeare

Waste might be an understatement. And toxic waste may not be politically correct. But the Pirates wasted the night tonight.

This is a waste that only Shakespeare's 129th sonnet can come close to describing. Go for it 'Bill

"The expense of spirit in a waste of shame"

Garret Jones hit his 4th homer of his very young career. 4 out of his 11 hits at that point were homers.

"Mad in pursuit and in possession so"

Delwyn Young came through with a two run homer and Ryan Doumit hit two doubles.

"Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust"

Andrew McCutchen hit a two run homer to push the envelope. of waste.

"Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream."

Ross Ohlendorf gave up only 3 runs on 5 hits. He had five wasted strikeouts and some great pitches.

"Enjoyed no sooner, but despised straight"

Andy LaRoche had a double and triple, and scored a wasted run.

"On purpose laid to make the taker mad"

I believed in them. I thought this win was in the bag. And yet, the Pirates, accompanied by Matt Capps, find a way to blow such an offensive explosion by giving up 4 runs in the ninth.

"All this the world knows, yet none knows well"

I guess I should have seen it coming. But I like rooting for the Pirates, not awaiting their bloody downfall. It's disheartening.

Look, everyone knows Shakespeare is probably talking about masturbation in this sonnet, but for now, it seems perfectly clear that he wrote this following last night's loss. The lines are shuffled but you catch his drift. What a waste.

Fear and Loathing in Las Pittsburgh; So Long Sanchez?

Well not so much loathing, but there's definitely some fear on the homefront this week.

I swear, every time I check-scratch that-refresh my computer screen, I take a deep breath and prepare to see that the Pirates have arranged some massive trade that will send me into hibernation for the next month-I just won't be able to bear it anymore. ha....ha.....

Rumors are flying in the Steel Mill, and the Pirates' starting roster and bullpen aren't coming out intact. According to several sources, including the PG's Dejan Kovacevic, the Pirates are pushing to trade Freddy Sanchez-coupled with their closer Matt Capps for a side-dish. I'm really not sure about the return, but i'm expecting a couple prospects at a cheap price with a lot of upside. Call me Dr. Obvious.

I'm scared.

I really like Freddy, and he's always been a great guy with a clutch bat. And to boot, I will really miss his facial mole. It added a really nice touch to the clubhouse. There's something about Freddy's stature that calms me, and tells me that it's going to be ok. But, he's expensive and if we can get upside prospects fo' cheap, the Pirates might as well stick to their plan.

Pirates fans are taking a beating right now, but the best we can do is look to the future and be confident, because Huntington is sticking to his plan. And when the time comes, the plan will either succeed or he will have to directly face the consequences. At the moment, however, the Pirates are amazingly still in the run for a playoff spot, given the weakness of their division.

Let's face it, seeing "Pirates trade their only All-Star for Prospects" on the top of the sports section is going to lose a lot of fans. For those of you Bucs fans that are on the cusp of a fallout after McLouth and Morgan were cast away, all I can ask is that you don't just look at the headlines and formulate your opinions. Also, don't look at this from a 17 year timeline. We're rebuilding from 2 years ago, with a new manager. It takes a long time, and we're at a pretty good spot after two years, given how dreadful a spot Littlefield left the team at.

Sanchez is probably going to go, and i'm sure Wilson and Laroche will follow. For all the pirate fans left with me, let's bite down, and be proud to say we stuck through it when everyone else is running to celebrate a 2012 championship.

can someone take me to the psych ward?

Pittsburgh Sports Article of the Week

This week's Pittsburgh Sports Article is coming, for the first time, from a blog. Although there was some decent writing out there in the Pittsburgh newspaper wires, I found an article I couldn't pass up on [Blitzburgh Blog]. The article, titled "Why Pittsburgh isn't America's Team," is a legit bashing of any desire for the Steelers to become the Dallas Cowboys.

The argument spurs from the back and forth on ESPN Nation Blog regarding which team is the true "America's Team." Although there are Steeler Fans across the nation, Blitzburgh makes a great argument for not wanting to be identified with lazy, flashy, quick fix America. Instead, we should be proud to be Pittsburgh's team. A team playing for a hard-nosed city, with hard working people that are diligent and get the job done.

I love the argument; it's a clever rejection of any competition with the Cowboys or any other team for that matter. The Steelers, and Pittsburgh, are above the Cowboys and the general cultural amalgam that America entails. Pittsburgh's team is good enough for me-in fact, it's much better.

It's a great read, as always, from Blitzburgh-I'd encourage anyone to check out the shtuff they're postin over there.

"Shouldering" the Burden; Max Talbot

Last year it was Sergei Gonchar's dislocated shoulder surgery that deprived the Penguins of him for 5 months-at that was an early return. Now, Talbot decides to take care of his continuously popping shoulder, and who can blame him. It's also worthy noting that Talbot's surgery will not need as much recovery, only up to two months, and that Talbot is not as crucial to the Penguins' success. He doesn't hold together the powerplay, nor does he play on the first line.

Depending on how the Penguins choose to manage replacing Talbot while he recovers next year, his abscence could be a blessing in disguise for the team. Filling in Talbot's spot for 2 months does several things.

First, it gives Talbot a shorter season-one that he can hopefully take advantage of, to keep his game up in the playoffs. We saw how refreshed Gonchar looked in the playoffs, mostly because he didn't play a whole season, and had the energy to not only last through the games, but turn it up. Talbot is much younger than Gonchar, so if he gets a shorter season, he could really 'max out!' when it counts.

Second, it gives another guy a chance to perform on NHL ice. I said before, that this depends on how the Penguins manage the roster, but if they bring up a guy like Luca Caputi, they could be easing the transition for these guys. They won't have to replace a struggling or traded player, which tends to be more controversial. Instead, they'll just be filling in for the injured Talbot, and hopefully show us a preview of their abilities at the NHL level; maybe even prove to Bylsma that they deserve a roster spot when Talbot returns.

The team could easily move Pascal Dupuis up to the second line to fill in for Talbot, but Dupuis isn't very good on the right wing, and it would not be a very forward looking move for the organization. At some point this season we will see Caputi, so why not start him out in a specific window of time, and give him a chance to prove that he's worth more.

Although Talbot will be missed for the first 2 months of the season, it could very well benefit the Penguins in the long run. If they get Talbot's explosiveness at full force in the playoffs, and get a chance to see some young talent step it up, Talbot's injury will fall very short of a burden.

True Greatness

This really has nothing to do with New York sports but at some point you have to stop and smell the roses.

Sports are different then everyday life because you are constantly measuring success. Winning and losing is public knowledge and when something truly special comes along the world pretty much knows it.

We are fortunate enough to be seeing absolute greatness right now; two geniuses in their respective sports marching towards immortality. Roger Federer in tennis and Tiger Woods in golf.

Federer has done what many believed to be impossible just a few years ago. 15 grand slam titles and counting. His epic match with Andy Roddick this Sunday at Wimbledon just sealed the deal. After Sampras clinched his 14th no one thought it would take just a few short years for someone to come along and break it. It is really just a race against himself now, how many more can he claim?

Tiger Woods, a close friend of Federer, also took home the trophy this Sunday; although not quite the same stage. Tiger won the AT&T Invitational, aka his tournament, as a tune up for the British Open later this month. Tiger, in pursuit of his 15th major, is nipping at the heels of the immortal Jack Nickalus. Woods, pretty much the greatest golfer of all time, is just waiting till the numbers match up at this point. There is almost no doubt in any golf fans mind that he will surpass the magical number of 18. The question has really become when, not if.

Every generation has had their defining athletes. From Babe Ruth to Montana on to Jordan. Lucky enough for this generation we have been privileged enough to watch two once-in-a-lifetime athletes work their magic. While they may not be baseball or football players, the fact that they dominate the lesser-known sports almost adds to the legend. Tiger has single-handedly made golf an important global sport and Federer has given new life to the legends of Sampras and Borg.

For the rest of your life you will be able to look back and tell people that you watched two of the greatest athletes of all time at the height of their careers. Say what you will about golf and tennis but Woods and Federer’s names will live in infamy. Nike is going to love this.

The Mets' Biggest Problem: Johan Santana

The New York Mets found themselves on the wrong end of another series sweep on Sunday, but this time it couldn’t have been too surprising; after all, their ace, Johan Santana, was pitching.

And if the Mets have done one thing consistently throughout this up-and-down season, it has been to take a day off when Santana goes to work.

How else to explain the disturbing lack of run support provided every fifth day? 

The popular excuse right now is injuries, but the bats were sleeping far before the Mets mishandled the aches and pains of Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran. In Santana’s five April starts, the team scored a high of four runs. That offensive explosion came against Scott Olsen and the Washington Nationals. 

Hardly an accomplishment for the healthy and, on paper at least, loaded Mets.

Citi Field is another explanation. To hear David Wright and the rest of the lineup tell it, the stadium is a re-creation of Polo Grounds, its fences nearly unreachable by mere mortals.

But if that’s the case, those impossible dimensions must follow the Mets on the road. As of Sunday, the team had hit 24 home runs at other ballparks, compared to 26 hit over the supposed ocean of outfield in Flushing. Such offensive offense knows no borders.

On days Santana pitches, there are no automatic lineup changes. He faces opponents’ aces as frequently as their Nos. 2-5. Rain and sunshine do not set their schedules to Santana’s watch.

There simply is no tangible reason that the offensive well turns dry when Santana takes the hill.

In 17 starts, Santana is 9-7 with a 3.29 ERA. He dominated April, was similarly stellar in May and worked through blister-related command issues in June to rebound with a much needed ace performance on Sunday.

In those 17 starts, the Mets have scored 2.94 runs per game. 

Behind the rest of the starters combined, New York averages 4.76 runs per game.

Hurt, healthy, home, away, it does not seem to matter if Santana is starting. 

In his seven losses and one no-decision, the numbers are even more disturbing. New York produced, if it can even be called that, 12 total runs, or 1.7 per game. If provided with just three runs during those starts, Santana could have earned, at least, two more wins and three no-decisions.

All this is not to speculate on the unseen influences that seem to rule these games. There is no way to measure the heart, sense or urgency, or hustle employed when Santana takes his turn.

What it is evidence of, though, is the persistent excellence of Johan Santana. On a team so frequently, and deservedly, ridiculed for their apparent lack of caring, Santana rarely flinches. He routinely turns in in masterful performances, even if to no avail.

Santana has received the least support of everyone, yet still has 107 strikeouts, more than two times more than any other Met. 

He has thrown 109.1 innings, a figure nearly identical to the 113.1 he recorded through his first 17 starts in ‘08. This despite receiving almost two runs per game of support less than last year and carrying a three inning, nine-run black mark versus the Yankees.

It is frustrating to watch and, surely, many times more frustrating for the hapless pitcher. 

Yet Santana has remained classy through it all, returning to the mound each fifth day and keeping quiet during the other four. Only Sunday, after the Mets were blanked by the mediocre Joe Blanton, did any inkling of frustration leak out.

“I did everything I could, but they were better,” he said. “I was trying to give them a chance to win, but in the end it came down to a couple of pitches.”

Handed another loss, there is nothing for Santana to do but begin preparing for start number 18. Maybe this time the indebted Mets offense will hoist him onto their shoulders. 

But don’t count on it.

Adam Cancryn is a guest writer for The Big Apple and the Burgh. He is a freelance journalist currently working for the Philadelphia Business Journal. A compilation of his published articles can be found here