June 2012
He's Ed Kranepool, and You're Not
Great reprint of a 1984 article on the aftermath of Ed Kranepool's career surfaced this week at MetsMerized Online. If quotes were hits, David Wright would never catch Steady Eddie, who reveals his inner Gene Simmons and demonstrates he's as unique a charcater as the team ever produced. Well worth the read!
Moving On (updated)
It isn't like they needed one but the Mets got another reminder of their shortcomings in depth, defense and power this weekend, and it didn't help that Terry Collins couldn't manage past them and Ike Davis was poisoned. But whatever, they've got to move on and will do so now without Vinny Rottino, who was farmed out last night for lefty relief help, Justin Hampson. We could have used both guys last night but Terry instead opted for Justin Turner, who had a very bad game and Miguel Batista, who's once again pitching like a 41-year-old should.
No word yet on Hampson's digits, we'll let you know (or, likely, you will me). EDIT: Hampson (note the spelling) appeared tonight wearing No. 45.
In the inbetween we welcomed back Ronny Cedeno, Ruben Tejada and Ramon Ramirez and bid goodbye (for now) to Jordany Valdespin, Elvin Ramirez (farmed out) and Frank Francisco (strained mouth). I liked both Valdespin and Ramirez and hope to see them back soon.
Justin Hampson
Young journeyman lefty.
Let Us Never Speak of it Again
To Be Young Again
I consider myself fortunate to have missed most of the goings-on last night due to another engagement but have no excuse but my own laziness with respect to not keeping the roster updated.
Chris Schwinden: The book is closed on the first No. 63 in team history. He was claimed by the Blue Jays the last time the Mets tried designating him. Manny Acosta and Rob Johnson in the meantime cleared waivers and will try to get their stuff together in Buffalo.
Johnson's departure meant that Josh Thole was back, it's a miracle the Mets made even a little progress without him. Boy do we have some awful bats out there.
Josh Satin was recalled from Buffalo and again wearing No. 3 as Mike Baxter hit the disabled list as a result of his heroics in the Santana game.
DJ Carrasco: DFA'ed some time ago, cleared waivers, and now officially dumped by the organization. Another guy guy to debut a number (77) with horrid results.
Also returning to the team was gigantic soft-tosser Chris Young, again wearing No. 55. He gives me a little more confidence at the back end of the rotation that Migual Batista, who also reappeared this week when Ramon Ramirez hit the disabled list with a hamstring injury suffered while rushing to the mound in celebration of Santana's no-hitter. This was a small price to pay given that Ramirez didn't look to me like he was in great shape to begin with.
Jack Egbert, destined to be one of the most obscure Mets ever I can already assure you, was sent down when Young arrived. Egbert was so nondecript I forgot even to create a record for him here but that's done now.
Elvin Ramirez
Hard-throwing relief project who overcame injuries and a Rule 5 possession by the nationals to arrive in the Mets bullpen in 2012.
Great Change-Up
Congratulations to Johan Santana and his Mets teammates especially the heroic Mike Baxter for spectacularly ending the Mets' random but remarkable 8,020-game no-hitter drought. I have to say I was more stunned than elated as it came to pass but glad a deserving Met earned it. And any time you humiliate the Cardinals is a bonus. Let's Go Mets! This is becoming a pretty good year.