Mets News and Notes

The Mets beat the Colorado Rockies today to complete a 3 game sweep, and to win their 8th straight game at home. Seems good, right? Well all is not completely well in Queens, as the Mets are looking at some problems that could plague them into the postseason:

Earlier in the week, Pedro Martinez hit the DL again after injuring his hamstring pitching one inning against the Phillies. In that inning, Pedro allowed 6 runs and hit two batters in a row with the bases loaded. He calims it was just a cramp, but this only continues his streak of injuries this year. I don't expect to see Pedro get much action until the postseason, as the team would love to have him at 100% and ready to pitch.

The news today was not much better. Tom Glavine is experiencing problems with his hand, and could have a serious blood clot in his shoulder. The worst case scenario would be that Glavine needs season ending surgery, which would put the Mets' pitching in an even worse spot than it already is.

These problems aside, there are some bright spots in the lineup right now. Carlos Delgado seems to be crawling out of his slump after a home run today, and Carlos Beltran is still playing with MVP form.

Also, I look for Brian Bannister to come back to pitch for the Mets, since he is healthy again and has been pitching well for the Norfolk Tides. Oliver Perez, the Mets deadline acqisition, could also see action. He had a strong showing on Saturday, pitching seven innings and allowing only one hit while striking out 11.

So we'll see...

I'm back bitches....and so is football

Well well well...it's that time again, I'm back with a useless post that maybe three people will read. But who gives a damn, here we go.

The Buffalo Bills played a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers this past Saturday, with mixed results from both sides of the ball. I listened to most of the game on the radio since I was working, but here are some thoughts:

- First off, the Panthers looked absolutely incredible on their first drive. They moved the ball down the field with ease against the Bills' defense. No Steve Smith? No Problem! Keyshawn Johnson proved that he will be a force in that offense...

- The Bills' starting offense was then victimized by the Panthers defense...and Kelly Holcomb did his best Todd Collins imitation, proving that he is in no way ready to be a starter in this league.

- J.P. Losman proved enough to me that he is serious this year. I love that Dick Jauron left him in well into the 4th quarter (even though it was the first PS game). He looked crisp at times, and at other times looked like things would be fine after three more PS games. I really believe that the Bills chances on this season hinge more on J.P. than on Willis McGahee. Why? Because for Willis to go, we NEED to have a passing game. I look forward to J.P. getting on the field with Lee Evans and Peerless Price...good things will...er...COULD happen.

- Ashton Youbouty looks like he will be the bomb at CB. He f-ed up a couple coverages, but he is an incredible athlete. I mean, he looks like a receiver with his build. Give this guy another two years max and we could be talking about the biggest steal in the 2006 draft by the Bills.

- Jason Peters, supposedly the future of the O-Line, got schooled by Julius Peppers, but that is understandable. I mean, this guy came out of NOWHERE! He is still learning, and it helps that he has three games left as well.

- Nice to see Kevin Everett make an impact at Tight End. Welcome to Buffalo, finally...and way to represent "Da U!"

- I am dying for Takeo Spikes to get on the field. Easily the most exciting member of the Bills.

- Damn do I miss Eric Moulds. Aw hell, throw Drew Bledsoe in there haha.

- I plan on going to Friday's PS game against the Bengals. Drop me a line if you want to go: 716-472-2395. Most likely I'll just get a ticket on game day.

I'll be back with some news on the Mets now...especially after Pedro looks like he's down again after hurting his hammy and giving up 6 runs in the 1st. Trouble in Queens? I don't think so folks...The Amazin's will work their way out...and you know they're already in the postseason.

Peace.

Off Topic: Summer Time

I know...for the three of you that actually read this blog, you are surprised at the time of day of this post, as well as the fact that this makes three consecutive days with a post. The truth is, I have decided to begin a new column. This will be some heavy stuff, stick with it and give me some time...read on, I want you to. So welcome to:

Off Topic:

I'll be very honest with all my readers tonight. For those of you who have known me well for the past four years, you know this story. For those of you that have known me in different sections of my patchwork college career along the way...I'll fill in the blanks for you.

Two years at Syracuse University was a great time. I met many people that even only sharing time for two short years, will be a part of my life for many years to come. The truth is, I wasn't sure what my purpose was at that point. I was a film major...and it seemed like a great idea. Little did I know that it wouldn't really lead anywhere. That's when I decided it was time for a change.

I ended up back in the town I grew up (for the most part), Orchard Park, NY. It seemed like a good idea to work 40 hrs a week, make some money, and try to squeeze in a full semester of school. Sure, it was at Erie Community College, but still a challenge to a guy that was used to just going to school and filling in the blanks with having a good time....okay...great time.

So life started to suck with the new time schedule...and I missed everyone from Syracuse. Plus, I needed to try to fit back into Orchard Park, NY. I was that guy that went to school for two years and didn't make it. I grew apart from a lot of my friends, but for the ones that stuck with me (you know who you are), they were the only force that got me through it all.

This continued for three whole semesters....seriously. I felt like...this was it. I would be stuck in a Pizzeria/Restaurant my whole life. At that point...letting everyone down...letting your family down...friends...is it worth living?

That was when something woke me up. To this day, I honestly don't know what it was. I can't pinpoint a single event that really changed my attitude. I truly believe it was the culmination of everything that had fallen apart since I graduated high school. Everyone I knew would be getting ready to move on to a "real" job in less than a year. I was starting to hate my job. I was starting to really hate ECC. It was time for a change.

That's when I ended up at the University at Buffalo. Problem solved. Here I am now, writing this article knowing that maybe 5 people will read it...but it doesn't matter. I want this article on my resume. I feel that it is a testament of everything I have went through in the roller coaster that has become my college career. Public Relations/Journalism is my new calling...and you damn well know I can do it. I'm staring down the barrel of at least another year, maybe year and a half of college...but I'll see you in the big time.

Which finally leads me to the new column:

Off Topic:

I'm sure you get by now that this column, which will pop up every few weeks when I feel strongly about something, is straight from the heart. This is me, and how events in sports and other things are affecting my life. So now that you know my story...time for the first "off" topic:

How I wasted my Summer of 2006

Okay, sorry for the tease...It'll be up tomorrow...hope by the end of this column I got your attention...check back by dinner tomorrow for the first edition.

A few things from Training Camp...

Just wanted to get down a few things I've been hearing over the radio and in the paper about Bills Training Camp:

- Coach Dick Jauron has been running what the players call a fairly "easy" camp.

- Even though the excessive heat is keeping the practices short and not too intense, Takeo Spikes has already made it clear that he is back and still a force, cleaning a few young receivers' clocks.

- Peerless Price has been working hard and looks to be making strides towards locking up the number two receiver spot.

- Donte Whitner still isn't signed.

- No one knows who the starting QB will be.

- Angelo Crowell is now a starting LB, taking Jeff Posey's spot.

- Willis McGahee seems to have dropped some weight in an effort to regain some of his speed in order to cut the outside corner faster.

- All they players seem to be getting along and are taking the criticism of their team to be a chip on their shoulder. Regardless of the fact that no one expects anything from the Bills this year, all the players I have heard comment feel they can compete for the playoffs and sneak up on a lot of teams.

- According to Peerless Price, the new offense relies much more on individual talent than set plays. The idea is to use the young, athletic abilities of the team to make plays. The receiving core is lightning fast, and to counter that McGahee and Anthony Thomas should have no problem pounding the ball.

I'd still like to know who our QB is....

Trade Deadline has come and gone...

On a day where I should be going out to Warped Tour, instead I am sitting in my apartment nursing another damn cold. This one's a little more serious, however, lucky for you it gives me time to post an article!

Yesterday's 4pm. MLB trade deadline came and passed without the Mets making a blockbuster deal. It seemed that no deal was going to be made until the team learned that relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez suffered a dislocate shoulder after being involved in a car accident in a taxi. The possibility of Sanchez being out for the season led to GM Omar Minaya making this deal:

The Mets send OF Xavier Nady to Pittsburgh for Relief pitcher Roberto Hernandez and pitcher Oliver Perez.

There are some good and bad sides to this deal. The Bad:

Nady was a good player for the Mets this year. He was setting career numbers for himself and came up with some big hits. I feel bad that he won't be a part of this team down the stretch and unfortunately he will be waiting to make an impact in Pittsburgh for a couple years as they attempt to build a team.

Oliver Perez has yet to prove himself as a consistent pitcher. His potential at 24 years old is incredible, and maybe pitching coach Rick Peterson can fix him. However, for now he will be viewed as a risk. Roberto Hernandez is 41 and sometimes viewed as being done.

The Good:

Hernandez played well for the Mets last year. He can play in New York and knows the team's personnel and their system. He should be able to fill at least part of the void left by Sanchez.

Perez could pay off big time for the Mets. If the team can mold him into a quality starter, then the Mets might have found their soild pitcher as a diamond in the rough. If not, he could be used as a trade piece at a later date. There are plenty of teams out there that want him.

The most important part? Lastings Milledge gets called back up to the Mets. The top prospect for this team is getting another chance, and this time he should have some motivation. He got sent back down once this season, and rumors of being included in a trade were abound. He should consider it a compliment that he was kept on the team, and hopefully it will fuel his fire to play well and provide the team with a spark in the playoffs.

On another note, Carlos Beltran may have taken over David Wright's position as top candidate for NL MVP. Beltran hit two HR this Saturday, and then two more on Sunday, one of which was a Grand Slam, his THIRD in the month of July. He is third in the NL with 32 HR, leads the NL with 94 RBIs, and even adds 14 Stolen bases to the mix. Oh by the way, Beltran finished last season with just 16 HR and 78 RBIs. Looks like he's starting to be worth the money.

Let's Go Mets...