While I'm At It...

Here's the clip of Jon Stewart actually throwing that pitch. It's about 1:20 into the clip. Hilarious. :)

Farewell, Willie!

I'll be the first to admit that the Mets have had some rough times over the years, and I know teams have to make tough decisions about who they hire, keep, and fire. But really, couldn't there have been a better time and place to let Willie Randolph know his time was up?

As usual, I heard the news on the Daily Show (sad but true...it's often the best news source out there). I was looking for the clip about it online but came across this one instead. Here it is, a tiny tribute to Willie.

Goodbye to the NY Mets Sign Man

Dana Brand's book "Mets Fan," available from Amazon, is a poignant collection of anecdotes and thoughts from a true Mets fan. I read an excerpt on MikesMets.com about the Sign Man, and it really touched me to see just how much of an effect a fan can have on the team they follow. Head over to check it out!

Now THAT's a fan

Okay, I thought I was a Mets fan, but Kevin James apparently puts me to shame:

'The King of Queens is such a diehard Mets fan that he named his second daughter after the Mets longtime home, Shea Stadium. "I honestly...honestly did. I have been a Mets fan my whole life and have such good memories of going to Shea Stadium," he told Chris Yandek of TheSportsInterview.com "Her middle name is Joelle after my dad Joe who passed away. I brought it in because he used to take me to Shea all the time. I can't believe this got by my wife. She ended up liking the name just for the name itself."

James jokes that his daughter's name will have to change when the stadium name changes. "I am excited and a little upset I am going to have to change it to Citi Park, her name, when they change the stadium over."'

Who's the team to beat?

Lol... too funny. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins says his team's the one to beat this year. Remember that, before spring camp this year? Considering that they finished 12 games behind the Mets in 2006, that's a whole lotta talk. He heard an earful from the New York fans back when he stepped up in April of this year, and I have a feeling he'll be hearing more later...

Mets MANIA!

Sit down! NO STAND UP NEW YORK METS FANS AND START SCREAMING! I can't stand to lose but this winning streak is almost too much. The Indians better run for their tepees - is that how you spell it?. Well that won't help anyway. The Mets are playing major league hard ball!

The New York Mets are paying $1.25 million for Jorge Sosa???

Reyes Sitting TIght at Home

The New York Mets have told shortstop Jose Reyes that he is not allowed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic for the Cibao Gigantes. The Mets want to make sure that Reyes is healthy and not risk injury so he will be ready for the 2007 season. Reyes had a huge season this past year winning the Silver Slugger award which is given to the best offensive performer at each position.

Mets Staying Put, Or Close By

Saw the announcement that the New York Mets will be leaving Shea Stadium. However, it won't be to wander off to another town like so many sports franchises seem to be doing. In fact, I think the new Citi Field, due to be ready for Opening Day 2009, is pretty good insurance that our Mets will stay here where we want them for the foreseeable future. Or the 20 years of the deal with Citigroup, whichever comes first.

They say the facility will be "state of the art." Can't wait to find out what that means.

Almost Afraid to Get Tickets

With MLB baseball between seasons and no New York Mets fun to follow, I've been checking out some other sports. Something I don't know much about is horse racing. Maybe I don't want to know.

I was checking out the Breeders' Cup, which was at Belmont last year and will be at Oceanside, New Jersey next year. It was at Churchill Downs this past Saturday. Lots of it was cool to watch, and a bunch of long-shots upset the favorites, so a few of the people who only watch to bet were probably very happy.

The thing that I didn't expect was when a horse named Pine Island made one wrong step, like Barbaro did in the Preakness. Only this was even worse, because Barbaro is getting better. Pine Island had to be put to sleep right away. Does this kind of thing happen all the time? It's horrible.

It does remind me why the leisurely pace of baseball is part of its charm for me.