The Mets Police: k-rod

Showing posts with label k-rod. Show all posts

A Four Out Save For K-Rod Is Not A Big Deal

Everyone relax.

Believe me, I know as well as anyone that it can be hard to fill your blog some days.

A four out save by K-Rod is not a big deal.

22 pitches.

22 pitches is not 140 on a rainy cold day in Chicago (for you older Mets fans who love Doc & Leary).

It's 22 pitches against Kingsale, deCaster & Schoop.

You should be (slightly) more worried about this sentiment from Jose Reyes, "I need BP. I need to get my timing."

They'll all be OK. Like Santana and Pelfrey were. Everyone remain calm.

Root for the Dutch against the USA so we can get more of our guys back to camp.

www.metspolice.com

Hey K-Rod Shut Up

francisco rodriguez, k-rod, mets

I'd like to tell K-Rod to STFU but I try to keep the blog clean.

No Met should be running their mouth to the World Champion Phillies.

The same Phillies who refused to roll over and die the last two years

K-Rod says the Mets are a different team. Yeah, the Wagner jersey now says Rodriguez on the back and there's a guy to pitch the 8th but it isn't like this is a vastly different team than the one that let us down on September 28th.

The team to beat is the Phillies. Remember that and stay hungry.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Fun Stuff From The Week (including more Michael Kay)

jets, k-rod, lee mazzilli, mets, Michael Kay

This post about Michael Kay got a lot of attention. One of the things I brought up was my suspicion that Kay doesn't like like the regular folks.

I don't know where Kay stays or doesn't stay when on the road. For all I know he stays on a friend's couch and walks to the stadium. Bob Raissman wrote in today's news about some other announcers:

Does the cost-cutting at networks extend to the lavish perks enjoyed by marquee sports voices?

For example, take NBC Sports. Those who traveled here for Sunday night's Panthers-Giants tilt have to stay somewhere. Believe me, Al Michaels ain't flopping at no Motel 6 in Piscataway. A man of Al-Exigente's stature is more likely to take his wakeup calls at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan.

The dude probably checked into a suite Thursday night. Four nights in a Season's suite cost $12,485.25 (including tax). That's living la-la-large - Daddy-O.

Again, maybe Kay sleeps in a tent on the street, what do I know? I do know Kay said on his radio show that paying $10 a seat is the same as paying $25 a seat so I'm guessing he isn't as affected by the economy as you are.

By the way I actually like Kay on the radio - but he's out of touch on this one.

Raissman also mentioned Lee Mazzilli may get a job with the new MLB Network. Cool.

Also this week, Metspolice.com got some attention about this: Alleged Racist Angels Fans who don't seem to upset that K-Rod left

We announced the Greatest Met of the 1990's and don't forget I Hate The Jets.

www.metspolice.com

K-Rod In Pinstripes

2009 uniforms, k-rod, mets

Relax Yankee fans, the Mets wear pinstripes too...you just haven't seen them much since Bobby V and the Japanese Greg Maddux were around.

Good news: They picked pinstripes for K-Rod's coming out party, not the dopey white no-pins, and not the awful black.

Bad news: Black shading.

Good news: Blue hat. Not a dopey black hat or the hybrid.

www.metspolice.com

More Insight Into K-Rod, The View From Out West And Allegedly Racist Angels Fans

francisco rodriguez, jeff miller, k-rod, mets

So last week I wrote about this: View From Out West: Racist Angels Fans? which led to an anonymous poster writing:

Jeff Miller is an imbecile that can barely formulate sentences. OC Angels fans were so disgusted with this baseless article that thousands of fans contacted the Register to file a complaint. I personally cancelled my subscription to the newspaper due to an ongoing slew of trash journalism that finds its way to print at this rag. Don't believe me? Read the comments section regarding this pitiful article.

There are a myriad of reasons why OC fans said so little on the departure of FR--which met fans will unfortunately find out. Oh, it should be noted that Arredondo will most likely be our next closer and Angels fans are more than happy about that. Strange...coming from such a "racist" fan base that Jeffy suggests.

So while I don't claim to be anything but a loudmouth with a blog, and by no means 60 Minutes, I decided to look around the comments section from the Miller article:

The real reason is, THAT Frankie is just a poser in a closer's uniform. He's not a TRUE closer... He benefitted from all of the Angels success, and the close games that they had in the last few years... especially last season. True closers are LIGHTS OUT... Think of Mariano, Lidge, Papelbon, Eckersly, and even Hoffman, Percival and Gagne in their prime. They were untouchable, unhittable, wouldn't budge an inch, and most of all, they all are, or were, lights out. They don't give up walks. They don't give up a double or two, they didn't muster up that feeling of "I don't know", and most of all, they didn't go out trying to show up the other team with that cocky attitude that Frankie has. He's been lucky that he didn't play in the N.L. all of his career. He would've been plunked on numerous occasions if he had to bat. Nobody, especially pro ballplayers, likes or appreciates a player that shows off an attitude like Frankie has... But now he's on the Mets, and I only hope that he doesn't get hurt with a beanball, or with that god-awful delivery of his, if you can actually call it a delivery... It's freekin' painful to watch that crap, falling off the mound, with no chance of ever being able to field a come-backer.

My only sentiment to K-Rod is, God Bless Him... The N.Y. media is going to eat him alive when he fails, and that's gonna be a whole bunch, most likely.

It looks like a lot of fans were upset by the article, and said they were glad to get rid of him not because of his heritage, but because he puts guys on, which I warned about here: 7 Things Mets Fans...

What's really interesting is that Miller has not backed off his statement. In fact Miller even quotes an anonymous Angel:

A prominent Angels player contacted me to thank me for writing my original column that ran in Wednesday's newspaper. Since identifying him here could cause him problems, he will remain anonymous.

"As a player, you always have to watch what you say," he told me. "But thankfully you have a platform to talk about things like this. You don't have to worry about the things we have to worry about.

"I really liked what you wrote. You were right on. People identify with their own kind. That's human nature."

If you're waiting for me to back down on this one, all I can say is sorry. Contrary to what so many of you have suggested, I didn't write that column to generate reader reaction. I wrote my opinion, what I believed — and still believe — to be 100-percent accurate.

Wow now that's interesting. It's almost LoDuca in reverse...as if Pedro or Delgado had said something when a lot of Mets fans were questioning Omar's alleged marketing plan.

I don't know what's in the soul of an Angel fan or not. I do sense that they don't care that he left, and I keep thinking about how Philly fans felt about Rich Kotite coming to the Jets (they laughed). I think it was the right move for Omar to make (they needed a closer, he got the best one available). If K-Rod can blow fewer than 27 saves this team will be improved from last year's debacle.

www.metspolice.com

The K-Rod View From Out West: Racist Angels Fans?

angels, francisco rodriguez, k-rod, mets, ocean county register

So let's cut to the chase. There are a fair number of Mets fans who think that Omar likes to sign (only) ballplayers with Hispanic surnames. I throw that out there and will get back to it in a minute.

I remember when the Jets signed Rich Kotite. "Joe Fan's" initial reaction was that Kotite was a good coach. That day Mike & The Mad Dog were flooded by callers from Philly who laughed their arse off about how bad Kotite was and that the Jets had made a terrible mistake. Mike, Mad Dog and I didn't believe them. We all know what a disaster that turned out to be.

The lesson there is to listen to the local fan.

Now I've gone on record saying K-Rod was a good signing and they needed to go get him. He was the best closer out there and they blew enough games last year that even Doug Sisk at his worst would be an improvement.

However, it is a little troubling that the Angels let him go easily, and that Angels fans don't seem to mind. So let's go to the local sports section , which brings us back to the issue of surname. Jeff Miller wrote a piece in the OC Register titled "Angels Less Colorful Now Which Pleases Some" (excerpts below)

With an absurd degree of silence, the Angels lost Francisco Rodriguez.

Stranger still, about the only sounds generated by this development have been certain fans — on talk radio and the Internet mostly — cheering his departure.

After saving 208 Angels victories, Rodriguez will be remembered for providing this kind of relief?

Shame on you, vocal minority.

We do believe it is a minority. We are sure most Angels fans are wiser than this. It doesn't take a lot of smarts to appreciate a pitcher who has given a franchise three of its top four single-season save totals.

So what's wrong with these people?

Part of it, no doubt, isn't baseball at all. We know what it is. And so do you.

It's that Rodriguez doesn't look or talk like most people who sit in the stands at Angel Stadium. His skin is darker, his voice accented.

We aren't saying it's racism. It's human nature, being comfortable with what's most familiar.

And it's too bad our society just can't conquer this mountain. What a better place this would be if we could. All of us, together, as one.

Face it, Angels fans always will remember Tim Salmon's final season more dearly than they will all of Vladimir Guerrero's seasons here combined.

They embraced David Eckstein but only tolerated his replacement, the statistically equivalent Orlando Cabrera.

The Angels are not better today. They also are less colorful, both literally and figuratively.

It is one of the most interesting arrangements in all of sports, and one rarely noted. Here, in Orange County of all places, sits the professional sports team owned by a Latino and general managed by a black.

And now the Venezuelan closer is gone. This, by itself, makes certain people happy. They see their beloved team looking a little more like they do today.

Interesting stuff. I'm not sure the feeling is all that different in Flushing some days.

www.metspolice.com

Too Much Black In K-Rod Video

francisco rodriguez, k-rod

The Mets have posted a video of K-Rod touring Corporate Taxpayer Bailout new Shea Field (again don't use the coporate name). I'm seeing way too much black attire being worn.

I would share it with you but the Mets being the Mets have not embraced viral file-sharing technology so you will need to click this link.

www.metspolice.com

Yankees & Mets No Better Than They Were Despite Pickups

c.c. sabathia, francisco rodriguez, k-rod, mets, yankees

(Full credit, this is a stolen premise from a friend. He knows who he is.)

The Yankees got C.C. Say he wins 20 games. That just replaces Mussina's 2008 output. They are no better than they were. In fact they are worse minus Pettitte and having no first baseman yet.

Say K-Rod saves a lot of games. Wagner was doing fine. The Mets are no better than they were the day before Wagner got hurt. In fact they are worse because they don't have Ollie Perez in the rotation.

Fun pickups, but plenty more to do guys.

www.metspolice.com

K-Rod Off To Dopey Start By Choosing #75

francisco rodriguez, k-rod, mets

Dear K-Rod,

Please reconsider your poor choice of uniform number, 75. That's not a baseball number. Yes you wanted 57 but you can't have it. Ever. Yes you'd like 37 but that's gone too. You might consider 17 and if they made Franco change numbers after 10 years I'm sure they can make Tatis change numbers. Of course it boggles the mind that 17 isn't retired. (link).

Anyway, 75 is a horrible number. It makes me hostile to you before you throw a pitch. I'll be in my expensive last row seats and I'll see a 75 come out of the bullpen (wherever those are at Taxpayer Bailout Corporate New Shea Field - reminder to everyone to avoid using the corporate name until the Mets refuse to take taxpayer money.) and I will get angry. It better not be a black 75 or I will get very angry.

Also, while you are appeasing me, please drop the nickname. (see here: 7 Things K-Rod & Mets Fans Need To Know ).

Sincerely,

Your pals at www.metspolice.com

Yankees Steal The Back Page

c.c. sabathia, k-rod, mets, yankees

I hope K-Rod has learned to read www.metspolice.com and read 7 Things K-Rod & Mets Fans Need To Know About Each Other yesterday because one of the predictions has already came true.

I spent yesterday telling Yankee fans that the NYYs would sign Sabathia "three hours" after the Mets got K-Rod. Sure enough you woke up this morning expecting to read about the Mets, and Sabathia will be the topic of the day.

The Yankees do not like it when the Mets get the spotlight. The Mets announce a stadium, the Yankees announce a stadium. The Mets pick a year to open a new one, the Yankees pick a new one. Spotlight your new park with an exhibiion on April 3rd - we can do that too! The Mets would have had today to themselves - nope, now it's C.C.'s day.

The Yankees will be stuck with a guy who didn't want to be here. He's Randy Johnson. He's A-Rod. They came for the money but never won.

I'm excited about K-Rod even though deep down I know we'll wind up hating him when he puts people on and only throws 92 mph. That's the scars in my psyche from Vince Coleman, Bobby Bonilla, and Four Inning Pedro. Free Agents always let the Mets down. Omar had to do it, and it was the right play. Now I want Omar to take that Federal Bailoit Money and go get me three starters, two corner outfielders, a catcher, a second baseman and someone to pitch the eight.

www.metspolice.com

7 Things K-Rod and Mets Fans Need To Understand About Each Other

francisco rodriguez, k-rod, mets

As K-Rod gets ready to join the losing tradition in Flushing, there are a few things both he and Mets fans need to know about each other:

To K-Rod:

1. Lose the nickname. The nickname K-Rod will bring you nothing but grief.

First of all there's not a single K in your name, so it's plain dopey to begin with.

Second, it makes me think of A-Rod, and in this town that's a really bad thing. If you suck people will compare him to the bad A-Rod. You'll hear about how much money "this guy" makes and you'll hear cracks about "at least A-Rod bangs Madonna.". If you're good you'll get compared to the A-Rod that wins MVPs (and 2009 is an odd numbered year). You won't be able to live up to that. Nobody will care about 63 saves.

Third, it makes me think of Dr. K. Dwight Gooden.   I lived through 1985 when Gooden was the best ever for one year. Unless you plans on striking out the side on 9 pitches every time, Mr. Rodriguez you would do well to find another name.
When you have your press conference (and hold up your shiny new white-with-pinstripes-no-black Mets uniform) let everyone know that "K-Rod" was a creation of the media or your ex-teammates but you prefer to be called Francisco.

2. You are going to get booed. You can bank on it. You might even get booed that first day at Corporate Taxpayer Bailout Field.   (Reminder to everyone not to use the sponsor name.)   As soon as you walk one guy or give up one bloop single it will start.   Bring a thick skin or don't come.

3. You will have the spotlight for exactly one day. The second the Mets sign you, the Yankees will throw another bazillion dollars at Sabathia so they can regain the back page.   The Yankees like the back page.   If you come to Flushing you are coming to the little brothers. You're coming to the Clippers.   You're coming to the Jets.   You're coming to, well, the Angels - get used to being overshadowed when times are good and attacked when things are bad.

To Mets Fans:

4. Shut up.   Omar went out and got the best guy. The Mets needed a closer, Omar went out and got the guy with the saves record. The guy Omar got isn't 40 years old (for once), he's in his prime. What else do you want Omar to do? There should be no self-righteous blogging from metspolice.com if this one doesn't work out.

5. He is going to make lots of money.   He's going to make more money in one inning than you will all year. When you can strike guys out the Mets will give money to you. Until then let it go and don't worry about it. The Mets have plenty of federal bailout taxpayer money to spend.

6.   This one is really really important for Mets fans to understand.   He puts guys on. Last year he put on 1.29 guys per inning.   Those are John Franco like stats.   He's not going to strike out the side every time. Expect a few guys on-base. Be ready for it and don't start booing on April 13th just because you're cold at the bad-decision-by-the-Mets nighttime home opener.

To Omar Minaya:

7. Omar you're not done. The bullpen still sucks. Go see if Wood or Hoffman would care to pitch the 8th. You still need two corner outfielders, a second baseman, a catcher, and oh yeah three-fifths of a rotation.   You still have federal bailout money left, go spend it.

www.metspolice.com

Oh No, Why K-Rod Can't Come To Flushing

k-rod, mets

Anyone remember how much Franco was despised...(don't believe the revisionist history)....yeah he'd save the game after walking two guys and getting a double play. Well, I'm trying to write ahead this week so I can travel - and I saw this in the Sunday Post.

K-Rod did set the season record with 62 saves in 2008. But one Mets official had this insight: "When it comes to statistics, we are not basing this decision on save totals; at least not save totals alone." The Mets will honor, among other items, strikeout-to-walk ratio and on-base percentage against.

And I came across this stat just out of curiosity: Rodriguez registered 1-2-3 frames in a career-low 29.2 percent of his innings (all figures courtesy of Elias). That ranked 151st out of 253 pitchers who worked at least 60 innings in 2008. Fuentes (41.3) was 13th, Wood (38.1) was 28th, Street (38.0), even with diminished stuff, was 29th, and another free agent, Brandon Lyon (37.7) was 31st.

Can you imagine K-Rod getting "all that money" (and I don't care about money this year, the Mets have it) and then putting someone on base 70% of the time. He'd be the new Doug Sisk. Bummer, I was hoping they got him but then again I'm just a pop-off blogger and not a full-time GM.

I Hate Myself But I Want K-Rod and C.C.

c.c. sabathia, k-rod, mets

I run my mouth a lot.

I preach and preach about the value of homegrown players and I call Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine mean names.

Maybe it's two collapses in a row but...

I want K-Rod and I want Sabathia.

Break the bank Mets. It's all pretend money (and partially the money you have yet to refund me for non-delivered playoff tickets).

For the first time since about 1975 you are on even keel with the Yankees. They didn't win (either). They can no longer hit you over the head with Yankee Stadium.

This is your chance to win back the city.

Take your new stadium money and get a closer and another front line starter.

I can't believe I'm saying this.