666 Responses to “Link Dump: October 14th, 2008”

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1. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:06 pm (#877175)

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Plus, you then have to apply that to New York. I imagine that brings a whole other level.

   Omar Minaya: Yeah, I mean, it is all perception. The perception of how players are and the reality of how they are, a lot of times, they just don’t correlate.

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Do you feel it out by asking other players who may have played with him? Like, is it word of mouth? Or, is it…

   Omar Minaya: Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is a combination of listening to all the players and listening to the other coaches and managers, listening to all of these things to make a true evaluation. I’ll tell you that we do have some guys here that are finding it out. Also, a lot of times, the fans don’t know which players are playing hurt either.


2. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:07 pm (#877176)

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Right, like with Beltran, I would think. I know he spoke with reporters a lot this season, and played through a ton of injuries, and ran out there, and I don’t think he gets enough credit for that.

   Omar Minaya: I mean, Beltran is one of the ‘toughest players,’ who grinds it out as much as he can and does it in a smooth fashion. But fans, because he is so smooth, fans don’t see that, you know… I mean, Carlos Beltran, the last few years down the stretch, has been banged up, but he went out and played outstanding, while being really, really hurt. That’s ‘tough.’


3. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:07 pm (#877177)

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: The most-popular topic sent in to me on e-mail was the bullpen, which I am sure is no shock to you. Basically, a lot of people referenced the Rays, noting how they were the worst bullpen in the league last year, but were able to be one of the best this year. So, it’s possible that a team can turn it around.

   In short, people are wondering, is there anything that you can learn from other organizations, like the Rays, that you can apply to the Mets? You know, ‘picking up a player off the scrap heap,’ as they say, or refusing to give long-term contracts, as the results seem to be so sporadic from year to year?

   Omar Minaya: The Rays are a great point. Also, if I’m not mistaken, the Phillies had a pretty bad bullpen for the last couple of years. Bullpens are made up of guys that are hot and cold and they are hard to predict – you do the best you can. The fact that we lost our closer, who we knew would be steady, that is something that we have to take into account.


4. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:08 pm (#877178)

   further answer from Omah for 3

   It’s hard to predict any bullpen. My belief is that you have to bring in good arms; you have to bring on guys that are able to go take the ball on back-to-back days and sometimes three days in a row. All bullpens are works in progress. The reality is, while there are some special guys like Mariano Rivera, look at (Brad Lidge), and look at the closer for the Rays, some of these guys were almost out of baseball three years ago. So, it is a hot-and-cold thing, but I do believe in order to win championships you’ve got to have a bullpen, and you do the best you can to put it together. Unfortunately, for us, this year, our number one guy got hurt, in Billy, and other guys we counted on, Duaner Sanchez and Aaron Heilman, didn’t have good years, but for all we know they might be great next year.


5. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:08 pm (#877179)

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Because it’s always a work in progress, as you said, should you keep it fluid. That is to say, is there a reluctance, in the current market place, is there now a reluctance to give a guy a three– or four-year contract? I would think that you would have to have some kind of hesitation to be locked in to a guy like that. I would think it would have to be the absolute right guy, is that correct?

   Omar Minaya: Pitchers, like those bullpen guys, year in and year out, are going to get three– to four-year deals, that’s just the way it is. But, you are right, I mean, in the ideal world you would rather not give a long-term contract. But, if you want a guy you are going to have to pay that price – it’s just the way it is. But, in an ideal world, I would rather not.


6. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:08 pm (#877180)

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Lastly, it seems like there has been a big shift in the last year or so – going away from the big time free agent signing – and it has shifted to locking up young players, such as the Rays and Evan Longoria, or even what you did with Wright and Reyes. It seems to me, that that means there are going to be less and less free agents available on the open market in years to come. I would assume that you are going to have to have a more concerted effort in terms of developing young talent. However, the problem as I see it, and I feel for you on this, is that you are in a city where a lot of people have a ‘win–now mentality.’ So, the question that kept coming to me on e-mail was, ‘How do you strike that balance, between a win-now style, but also to build from within?’

   Omar Minaya: That is a very good point, and an observant point on your part.

   We are a the market with a ‘win-now mentality.’ The reality is that there aren’t going to be as many free agents out there available… First off, teams economically are doing very well and they are locking up all of their young players long term. Teams are really going to have to be more creative, you’re really going to have to be more astute from an evaluation standpoint, from a scouting standpoint, to be able to bring in guys like the John Maine, the Oliver Perez. You are going to have to bring in guys who are having bad years and bring them in and hope that they perform well.

   At the same time, from a budgetary standpoint, as much this is a ‘win-now town,’ you are going to have to give the Pelfrey’s, the Murphy’s, the Niese’s, you are going to have to give them a chance, because you just cannot rely totally on free agents. You are going to have to rely on guys that have had bad performances in the past and slide them in, or use young guys that you hope will perform in the Major Leagues. We’ve been fortunate with that in the last year with Pelfrey, Murphy, Evans, and Niese, who won a big game for us, even Argenis Reyes has done a good job for us… So we are going to have to find a way to blend them in, even though the market wants proven winners, because you’ve got to ‘win-now,’ that’s the bottom line.

   Matthew Cerrone, from MetsBlog: Thank you so much, Omar, for taking time to listen to what readers of MetsBlog.com have to say. I really appreciate it.

   Omar Minaya: Great, great, keep up the good work. I think it is great that there is so much fan participation in the blogs and all this. For me, I think it’s all good.


7. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:11 pm (#877181)

   12 straight

   SUKITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

8. Comment posted by Ed in Westchester 2 on October 14, 2008 at 5:21 pm (#877182)

   no 13 for you deo


9. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:24 pm (#877183)

   hahahah, it was there if i wanted it! DEO COULD HAVE HAD IT ;)

   I dont even think that interview gets published on metsblog till starting tomorrow. dont quite know how i found it neither

10. Comment posted by Ed in Westchester 2 on October 14, 2008 at 5:25 pm (#877184)

    MCLite will not be pleased with you dep


11. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:27 pm (#877185)

    hahahahahahaha, oh noooooooo

    it was from a metsblog link, so its on there, just hidden


12. Comment posted by DL on October 14, 2008 at 5:33 pm (#877186)

    omar makes me sad

    well, sadder than usual

13. Comment posted by Ed in Westchester 2 on October 14, 2008 at 5:34 pm (#877187)

    time to go home.

    goodnight dep


14. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:45 pm (#877188)

    g’nite Mr. E


15. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 5:47 pm (#877189)

    hey dep, have you seen this

    http://www.ballineurope.com/european-basketball/euroleague/loren-woods-is-in-trouble/


16. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:47 pm (#877190)

    The North County Times reports that the Padres have made Jake Peavy available in trades.
    Peavy is just 10 months removed from signing a four-year, $52 million contract extension, but a 99-loss season can make a team do funny things. “This was a different year than last year,” general manager Kevin Towers said. “You’re arguably talking about moving one of the top pitchers in the game. But it’s not a 100-percent given. Nothing is imminent.” It’ll be interesting to see what type of market there is for Peavy given that CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Ben Sheets are all free agents.


17. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:49 pm (#877191)

    hey dep, have you seen this

    hahahha, NO! thanks for posting

    wow. what a crazy situation. he’s nuts too


18. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:51 pm (#877192)

    Peavy is the kind of guy I’d move F! for, in a heartbeat actually.

    I wonder if we even have the parts.

    you can’t move wilmer and F!


19. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 5:52 pm (#877193)

    I like Peavy.How’s shit been going?


20. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 5:55 pm (#877194)

    I like him too. him and johan up top are the things dreams are made of.

    they gotta ask for pelf back IMO. i dont see how else we could get him. Pelf and F! is probably almost enough to get it done plus another. no thanks.

    I’m good dawg, trying to get back into the work flow after missing the end of last week. lots of folks out this week, so its fairly relaxed here and just trying to catch up on some stuff.

    I’m trying to quit cigz again too, for good this time. that’s not so much fun. those fuckerz are like crack!

    How is everything in the dirty south?


21. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:04 pm (#877195)

    I wish you luck with giving up the cigz. It’s hard as shit.

    I’m doing fine. Been too busy at work. Going out of town tomorrow, back to Tucson to visit some friends, party and whatever else may come along. Packing right now for the trip. Everything else is well. When ever I am around here, no one else is and I don’t want to watch any of the playoff games so I’m not even on here for those chats


22. Comment posted by DL on October 14, 2008 at 6:04 pm (#877196)

    hard to believe loren woods was once supposed to be the next tim duncan


23. Comment posted by Future, now with a present J.D. on October 14, 2008 at 6:05 pm (#877197)

    Has anyone been to the Arizona Fall League?

    Any advice for going? Anyone want to fly out and get Danny Murphy drunk with us and go out and party?


24. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:07 pm (#877198)

    I wish you luck with giving up the cigz. It’s hard as ####.

    thanks yo, i really appreciate it. i’m very motivated to do it this time, so hopefully i can do it. i just gotta get thru this week. then it will get easier.

    I’m doing fine. Been too busy at work. Going out of town tomorrow, back to Tucson to visit some friends, party and whatever else may come along. Packing right now for the trip. Everything else is well. When ever I am around here, no one else is and I don’t want to watch any of the playoff games so I’m not even on here for those chats

    hahahaha, we’re on different schedules!!!!! Post some stuff when no one is else is on, then i’ll answer it later and we can talk that way. it will be like using regular mail or something! ;)

    Awesome you’re going to Tucson, is that near the AFL at all??? Have the best time man! :)


25. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:07 pm (#877199)

    Has anyone been to the Arizona Fall League?

    Any advice for going? Anyone want to fly out and get Danny Murphy drunk with us and go out and party?

    LOL!

    I’ve always wanted to go. seems like a great time.

    i’ve seen some FAQ kinda stuff out there for AFL trips. i’ll see if i can find one.


26. Comment posted by Future, now with a present J.D. on October 14, 2008 at 6:11 pm (#877200)

    Come on Dep, fly out. The wife and I will meet you in Phoenix.


27. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:14 pm (#877201)

    Come on Dep, fly out. The wife and I will meet you in Phoenix.

    hahaha, it is very tempting but no can do.

    another year perhaps!


28. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:15 pm (#877202)

    I have been to the fall league before, future. my next post will be what I experienced


29. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:21 pm (#877203)

    nice read on niese


30. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:22 pm (#877204)

    If that moment was intense, little did Niese know that just 11 days later, close to 50,000 Mets fans would be chanting his name in Shea Stadium. Taking the mound for his second big league start on Sept. 13, Niese dazzled the New York home crowd, firing eight strong innings in a 5-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Before leaving the game, the crowd chanted his name in appreciation of his efforts on the mound.

    Said Niese: “That was probably the best day of my life, it was really just unbelievable. I don’t know if I can really describe what it’s like having 50,000 fans chant my name in New York City at Shea Stadium. I wish that everyone could understand what that moment is like just once in their life, it was just really unbelievable.”


31. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm (#877205)

    Concluded Niese: “The ultimate goal is to break with the team out of spring training. That means I have to go there in shape, ready to pitch and to work hard. I want to be the hardest working guy there because I really want to be in the rotation to start the year. Right now I’m taking some time off to let my body recover, but around the middle of November it’s back to work to get ready for 2009.”


32. Comment posted by Future, now with a present J.D. on October 14, 2008 at 6:24 pm (#877206)

    By the way, the wife was not happy when I fist-pumped when the Rays hit the late three run homer to destroy what little hope the Red Sox had left of winning Game 3.


33. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:24 pm (#877207)

    I’ve been to many fall league games. Basically, it is a rather easy going atmosphere. My favorite experience was the last time I went, during the 05 fall league season. I went to see Lastings Milledge play in Surprise vs Adam Loewen. It’s such a relaxed atmosphere. Milledge’s teammates joined Lastings in giving Denard Span a hard time as Span coached first base. If your lucky, you may strike up a conversation with a scout. During the game, I met a Tigers scout who was looking at some dude with a funny name. Dude he was watching hit two homeruns. The scout was saying that this guy was going to be a major league hitter but would find it hard to be much more than a DH. His name you ask? Well, his name is DAN UGGLA

    The games can get damn right boring if your guys aren’t playing that day or you have to wait till the 8th for them to use Jeremy Hill in a game (then, watch him blow out his elbow again). I enjoyed it. I might try to go friday if my friend wants to go to PHX with me.

    The best part of it for me was realized much later, when I could tell people I saw this filthy LHP from Canada just dominate, Lastings being lastings or even that I saw DAN UGGLA before everyone else. I even saw Michael Jordan back in the day


34. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:25 pm (#877208)

    By the way, the wife was not happy when I fist-pumped when the Rays hit the late three run homer to destroy what little hope the Red Sox had left of winning Game 3.

    hahahaha, too bad! her pain don’t equal yo’ pain


35. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:26 pm (#877209)

    awesome post chris, just awesome


36. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:26 pm (#877210)

    I will say that Surprise is the least accessible of the PHX burbs. Just got to drive on a lot of non-highways to get there


37. Comment posted by Future, now with a present J.D. on October 14, 2008 at 6:28 pm (#877211)

    Well I want to see Danny Murphy play: it would be rough to drive 5 hours and not see him play.


38. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:28 pm (#877212)

    yea, that would seriously suck

    i think he’s played every game but one so far.

39. Comment posted by Athena on October 14, 2008 at 6:29 pm (#877213)

    Hey Guys! Chris!!!! I don’t think I’ve been on at the same time as you (for more than a minute or two) in weeks. How are you?

    I once went to two straight weeks of minor league games. When I was dating a single-A pitcher. But I wasn’t much of a fan then, and I mostly read novels. ;-)


40. Comment posted by Future, now with a present J.D. on October 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm (#877214)

    What was the pitcher’s name Athena? ;)


41. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:32 pm (#877215)

    and these guys were dudes I saw play the last time I was there

    Lastings, Reggie Abercrombie, Robert Andino, Denard Span, Taylor Tankersly, Logan Kensing, Dan Uggla, Ian Stewart, Chris Iannatta, JJ Hardy, Corey Hart, Nick Markakis, Adam Loewen, Adam Jones & Craig Breslow

    Prince Fielder didn’t play but he coached first base for the other team

42. Comment posted by Athena on October 14, 2008 at 6:32 pm (#877216)

    What was the pitcher’s name Athena? ;)

    Heh! I won’t say. In case, he ever googles himself. But he got as far as AA before quitting. So you’ve never heard of him. :-)


43. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:34 pm (#877217)

    I’m doing great Athena. Just packing for my trip to Tucson. Once October is over, I’ll be on metsgeek more. Just lots of stuff at work, trying to find a more rewarding job and other things.


44. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:34 pm (#877218)

    at least give us an organization ;)


45. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:36 pm (#877219)

    I assume your doing well Athena


46. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 6:37 pm (#877220)

    and these guys were dudes I saw play the last time I was there

    awesome, that’s a great list.

47. Comment posted by Athena on October 14, 2008 at 6:40 pm (#877221)

    I’m doing great Athena. Just packing for my trip to Tucson. Once October is over, I’ll be on metsgeek more. Just lots of stuff at work, trying to find a more rewarding job and other things.

    That’s great. I didn’t know you were going to Tucson. Good luck on the job search. Let us know if we can help! And I’m doing pretty well, thanks. Work has been absolutely terrible lately. I wanted to strangle myself this morning! But my day improved.

    at least give us an organization ;)

    Oakland A’s :-)


48. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:41 pm (#877222)

    good thing I had the program out. I was going through all my old mags the other day to recycle them and came across the program. Obie was the manager of the team with the mets, marlins, Twins, Rangers and Yankees


49. Comment posted by TLC on October 14, 2008 at 6:46 pm (#877223)

    Well, I got to get going. I hope everyone is well and I’ll prolly check in again

    Later

50. Comment posted by Athena on October 14, 2008 at 6:47 pm (#877224)

    Bye Chris!


51. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 8:57 pm (#877225)

    MORE LIKE BLOWSOX!!!!

    WACKA WACKA


52. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 9:05 pm (#877226)

    LMFAO

    According to his post-game quotes, Matt Stairs must be into some freaky celebratory shit. Following the 2-run blast that made Jonathan Broxton the new old-Brad Lidge, he had this to say:

    “When you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you’re getting your ass hammered by guys — there’s no better feeling than to have that done.”

    Hey, I’m not here to judge, Matt. Do whatcha gotta.

53. Comment posted by WilmerHasArrived on October 14, 2008 at 9:23 pm (#877227)

    Number 1: Phillies will get hammered in the World Series, regardless of their opponent.

    Number 2: It would just be sooooo great if that opponent could be the Rays. It would soooooo freakin’ awesome. And their just going to get better.

54. Comment posted by BOB A. BOOEY on October 14, 2008 at 9:35 pm (#877230)

    ha ha ha ah ha dep that stairs thing killed me !!!1

55. Comment posted by BOB A. BOOEY on October 14, 2008 at 9:36 pm (#877231)

    athena ,, having some vino ???????? :)


56. Comment posted by Dep on October 14, 2008 at 9:39 pm (#877232)

    yo bob. that stairs thing is ridiculously funny.

    something feels different about the geek.

    i feel free


57. Comment posted by Confused on October 14, 2008 at 9:40 pm (#877233)

    hmmmmmmmm?

    Palmer to see Mets team doctor about elbow injury
    AP
    POSTED: October 13, 2008
    Email: “Palmer to see Mets team doctor about elbow injury”
    *To:

    <–TO Email REQUIRED!
    *From:

    <–FROM Email REQUIRED!
    EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will have his ailing elbow examined by a New York Mets team doctor.

    Palmer said after the Bengals lost 26-14 to the New York Jets on Sunday that he would remain in New York to be examined by Dr. David Altchek. Palmer was designated as the third quarterback for the game behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and Palmer’s brother Jordan, the second game this season he has missed with the elbow injury.

    ‘‘I’ll play whenever they give me clearance,’’ said Palmer, who injured his elbow against the New York Giants three weeks ago, missed a game against the Browns, then played against Dallas last week. He said he had been told that his injury is the kind common to baseball pitchers, one reason he decided to consult Altchek.

    The Bengals (0-6) and Detroit (0-5) are the NFL’s only remaining winless teams. Houston and St. Louis both got their first victories on Sunday.

    The Bengals host the Steelers next Sunday.

    why am i laughing at this?


58. Comment posted by Confused on October 14, 2008 at 9:41 pm (#877234)

    TAZEWELL, Va. — The Wagner Challenge Baseball Camp will be held Nov. 1 at Tazewell Middle School, hosted by Second Chance Learning Center and directed by Billy Wagner of the New York Mets. The camp will be divided by age groups: age 8-12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and ages 13-17 from 1 p.m. to 4:30. Enrollment is limited to first 40 in each group. For details, call Erik at (276) 326-1078 or e-mail info @ secondchancelearning. com.


59. Comment posted by Confused on October 14, 2008 at 9:42 pm (#877235)

    Scientology next?

    Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony Renew Their Vows
    13-Oct-2008
    Written by: Alexandra Perich

    Just four years after saying “I do,” Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony renewed their vows in Las Vegas on Sunday.

    Doubling in the joy and fun, New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran and wife Jessica joined Lopez and Anthony in a joint ceremony.

    According to the NYDailyNews.com, the two couples renewed their vows after having dinner together and spending most of the night playing craps.

    “They were both winning at the craps table and Anthony kept saying that it was going to be a lucky night,” a source told People, and he suggested they should renew their vows.

    “It was totally a spur-of-the-moment thing,” a source said, according to the NYDailyNews.com. “They decided around 12:30 in the morning that they wanted to do it and started calling for ministers.”

    “Initially, they were supposed to do the ceremony outside on the suite’s balcony but it was too cold, so they had to move it inside,” a source told People.

    “Carlos gave his wife a specially engraved ring and gave Marc and Jennifer special rings as gifts,” a source told People exclusively. “Carlos and Jessica renewed their vows first, then Jennifer and Marc went.”

    The two couples renewed their vows in the Caesars Palace’s newly renovated Forum Tower Penthouse in the suite’s rotunda. The suite only reopened Saturday, making Lopez and Anthony the first people to stay there since the renovation, People reported.

    “Marc actually said the suite was so beautiful that it deserved its own zip code,” the source said to People. “He thought it was perfect.”

    Lopez looked beautiful wearing a black dress as 12 people witnessed the ceremony, the source said.

    Following the ceremony, a butler opened a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne for the newly re-married couples.

60. Comment posted by BOB A. BOOEY on October 14, 2008 at 9:43 pm (#877236)

    why would he be seeing a mets team doc !!!!!!!!???
    we have the worst docs ever !!!! man oh man its the bengals,,,, :)


61. Comment posted by Confused on October 14, 2008 at 9:43 pm (#877237)

    Here’s a small nugget I stumbled across this morning. Ex-Mets coach Rick Peterson has had two discussions with members of the Rangers front office about their vacant pitching coach job, according to the Dallas Morning News.


62. Comment posted by Confused on October 14, 2008 at 9:46 pm (#877238)

    Mets made Randolph a ‘better man’
    Former manager relaxing with family during postseason

    By Marty Noble / MLB.com
    NEW YORK — The game occasionally holds his attention these days. But it can’t compete with Savannah Rose. Willie Randolph still embraces baseball, still longs for more of it. For the moment, though, he is quite content to wrap his arms around the little girl who has changed his identity from former or future manager to grandpa. For now, the gravitational pull of family offsets the lure of the game.

    So this week, Willie Randolph is Larry again. He’s down in the South Carolina town where he was born, Holly Hill, the little place that sounds so comfortable and seems to go hand in hand with his granddaughter’s name. He’s there to visit his folks — they know him as Larry — have some laughs, share some stories and eat some barbecue.

    And next week, he’ll be home, directing his smile at little Savannah Rose. “She changes your perspective,” Grandpa says. And all she asks in return is to be changed. She knows nothing of magic numbers or dysfunctional bullpens; the phrase “17 games to go” is lost on her. At this point, she can’t even identify the glowing face connected to the warm arms and sure hands that regularly hold her, “But she knows who loves her,” Larry Randolph says.

    Joyous words flow from him now. He’s talking about the kisses and hugs he gives and the fun of it all. “I love the way she smells,” he says, as he’s driving from North Jersey to his roots. He calls her “an unbelievable little creature.” A smile comes through the telephone. Savannah Rose has not yet taken her first steps — she was born in August. Her presence has allowed her grandfather to take steps away from “that funk I was in.”

    It is a kinder, gentler time for the man who hasn’t released all the “might have been” thoughts just yet. He enjoys the freedom while he anticipates a return to the game “someday, somewhere.” He is comfortable at the coordinates of betwixt and between.

    The Mets’ shortfall hardly went unnoticed by him. “I saw the look in David’s eyes. I felt Aaron’s pain and a few others’,” Randolph says. He mentions no Mets other than David Wright and Aaron Heilman by name. “I remember the feeling. … I can’t compare it [to what he endured in 2007].”

    He recalls: “I cried like a baby when I talked to my guys after the last game last year. … When I took the job, I wanted to bring a championship back to Shea. I wanted that parade for the Mets.” And he can’t help but wonder what Johan Santana would have meant to the 2007 rotation. “We missed by one game,” he says. “One game.

    “I promised those guys we’d get back there. I was always with winners. I wanted us to be winners in the worst way. I wanted my guys to feel the reward of rebounding from that devastating thing we went through. I’d teach them, and we’d get back to where we were in 2006. But I wasn’t able to finish.”

    Randolph’s voice drops, but it bounces back in a New York minute.

    Since the moment he was dismissed by the Mets in Anaheim in the early hours of June 17, he has learned about recovery. Returning to Yankee Stadium for Old-Timers Day and receiving a warm, loud reception that night buoyed him. Perhaps Savannah Rose will see a video of it someday.

    Randolph was back again, as No. 30, the night the Stadium was given last rites; more emotions in a summer filled with them. “I didn’t expect to feel anything,” he says. “I thought it would just be, ‘See ya later.’ But I was melancholy. The fans showed me some love. That felt so good. An hour and half after it was over, I was still there. Chambliss’ home run and Reggie’s three and Boone’s homer. Jeez.”

    As he drives, Randolph relives the piece of spontaneity that brought a smile to the Stadium’s face on that night of ambivalence. “When they were introducing us,” he says. “I was standing next to David Cone and David Wells. I told ‘em, ‘I’m going to slide into second base.’ They said, ‘No, you’re not.’ I said, ‘Why not?’ Then it got to be like they were daring me. You know, I used to be proud when my uniform got dirty. I was a relatively dirty player — you know what I mean.

    “So when I got out there and I felt that adrenaline rush, I just did it.”

    Small, choppy steps preceded his slide. “I was so afraid I’d blow out my hamstring,” he says, laughing at his own hesitancy. “I said, ‘Please, God, don’t let me pull it again.’”

    He recalls a quick move from the dugout steps to the field early in the 2007 season. He wanted to dispute an umpire’s call. “I popped out, and I felt my hammy go. ‘Oh no.’ I covered it up pretty good though,” he says. “There was just a subtle limp. I think some of my guys could tell. But I covered up pretty good. But I didn’t want to be limping off at Yankee Stadium.”

    When the ceremonies were complete, Randolph stuffed the stained uniform pants into a bag and brought them home. Since then, he has transferred them into a transparent plexiglass casing. “Some guys picked up dirt from the mound or home plate,” he says. “I’ll have mine on a Yankee uniform, crisply folded and in that case in my memorabilia room.”

    He has a Mets uniform as well.

    It has been a summer of souvenirs for Randolph — some good, others not good, some that can be encased and displayed, others that he will allow to fade from immediate recall. He isn’t limping physically or emotionally these days.

    Golf awaits him if no club seeks his services. The Mets are obligated to pay him through next season, so he could provide complementary babysitting services if he chooses. At least one newspaper has said a move to the third-base coach’s box at the new Yankee Stadium is possible. He says nothing has been said to him.

    He knows where vacancies exist and hopes the game doesn’t forget his face, his name or his resume. But it’s October, and Holly Hill has him for now. Savannah Rose has a few dozen tentative appointments when he returns.

    So he’ll catch a few innings of the game’s Final Four here and there. His ties to Joe Torre are strong. A Dodgers appearance in the World Series wouldn’t disappoint Randolph. He can empathize with his former colleague, Lou Piniella, after the Cubs’ hasty postseason exit. Randolph’s ‘06 Mets were favored too.

    The 2008 fate of neither the Cubs nor the Yankees surprised him. He can draw parallels between Torre’s World Series champion teams and the current Red Sox and marvel at all the young talent the Rays have. Even now, he marvels at the succession of postseason appearances the Yankees made. Randolph had hopes his Mets could take steps in that direction.

    Disappointment developed instead. But now the disappointment has faded and some scars have healed. His family is a salve.

    Randolph hardly is ignoring the game that is his livelihood. He may be back in it before the 2009 season begins. On this day, though, as he drives down I-95, he’s living in the happy ever after. “All that’s happened,” he says, “the good and the bad, has made me a better man.”


63. Comment posted by Jessica on October 14, 2008 at 9:47 pm (#877239)

    why am i laughing at this?

    Because you want my fantasy team to suffer ;-P

    (Note: Bad stuff happening to the first QB I picked hasn’t even been a problem for Intercept This! My two best RBs getting hurt, on the other hand…)

64. Comment posted by BOB A. BOOEY on October 14, 2008 at 9:48 pm (#877240)

    jess im in 2nd place in the geek league how are yu
    ??


65. Comment posted by Jessica on October 14, 2008 at 10:15 pm (#877243)

    I’m in 10th. I need to do some re-tooling.

66. Comment posted by BOB A. BOOEY on October 14, 2008 at 10:20 pm (#877244)

    hhmmmmm lots of ball to play jess good luck,,,

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