The Mets Police

February 13, 2009

Hugo Chavez Hates The Mets

Never thought I’d be writing about Hugo Chavez on this blog.

Apparently the leader of Venezuela is quite ticked off at MLB teams, particularly the Mets, for not allowing Venezuelan players to represent their country in the World Baseball Classic.

Chaves was quoted as saying “They take away the athlete’s right and duty … to represent Venezuela”

A duty? Really? Playing in the WBC is a duty?

Of particular concern is that the Mets may not clear Sanatana to pitch in the tournament.

Unlike my colleague MetsPolice, I am actually a big supporter of the WBC (more on that later), but let’s be real, no way is it a duty.

Then again, if the US Congress can waste time and resources to hold hearings on steroid use in baseball, I guess Chavez can blow off some steam about MLB too.

www.metspolice.com

February 13, 2009

The Last Week of Shea – Part 2

On Wednesday morning I drove through the city. First I came down the Deegan and saw the two Yankee Stadiums. I’m sure I’ll come to love New New Yankee, but it seems completely useless right now with a perfect stadium right next to it.

Then I looped around and approached Shea from the south (heading north on the Grand Central). it’s very strange to see a stadium off to the right of the unnecessary tennis stadium (the newer one being unnecessary).

Then I pulled up to poor Shea. Not much left, and I’m apparently a really lousy photographer.

Hopefully the below works. If not enjoy the one and I’ll post the rest after the weekend.

You are invited to view Mets’s photo album: Shea Feb 11

Shea Feb 11

Shea Stadium –

Feb 11, 2009
by Mets

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Message from Mets:

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
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www.metspolice.com

February 12, 2009

Flushing Islanders

In case you missed it – there was a small flurry yesterday and frankly I forgot about it – the VP of the Queens Chamber of Commerce suggested the Islanders come to Willets Point.

Now the Isles can’t go anywhere until 2015, and there’s no hockey arena next to C-Field but let’s pretend for a second there is (unless you want to go back to steroid talk).

Would it work?

Would fans from Suffolk trek to Queens? I don’t see it. Nassau? Maybe, but I doubt it. It’s kind of annoying to drive from Nassau to Queens on a weekday or Saturday between 5 and 7pm. I guess people do it for baseball.

Would you work in the city all day, go to the arena, and then head home? I don’t see it, but then again I guess people do it for baseball.

Would the Nets come there? Brooklyn is a pipe dream. The Nets should cut-bait and head to Newark. Would you go see the Flushing Nets?

I’m wishy washy on this one, but I think it wouldn’t work. It’s better than the KC Islanders, but it’s not the best choice. I still think an arena on Route 110 between the parkways is the best idea.

February 12, 2009

Suspend A-Rod? Asterisks? Time For Bud To Go

Time for Bud Selig to step down.

Bud Selig has been the commissioner for the Steroid Era. It’s time for him to turn the reigns over to someone else. Fay Vincent doesn’t look so much like a cranky old man now, does he? Where’s Bart Giamatti when you need him?

Bud spoke to USA Today. (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2009-02-11-selig-rodriguez-suspension_N.htm). Bud is thinking about suspending A-Rod.

Will he suspend the other 103 players? Whatever happened to privacy and anonymity?

Are we really going to have 103 players (or however many are active) sit out 50 games?

In the same article Bud talks about reinstating Hank Aaron as the home run champion.

Asterisks, huh? That didn’t make sense for 61* and it doesn’t make sense now.

The ball flew over the fence, it’s a home run. Deal with it.

Below is the section for “Most Home Runs In A Season” from the Baseball Record Book (Selig Edition)

Bonds 73*

McGwire 70*

Sosa 66*

McGwire 65*

Sosa 64*

Sosa 63*

Maris 61

Ruth 60** (154 games new double asterisk)

Gotta be honest, looking down that list a little further I’m seeing a bunch of names from the 1930’s, some suspects like Luis Gonzales (57) and that 58 Ryan Howard hit in 2006 really catches my eye.

Brian Cashman said, “No one can wave a magic wand and make it all go away.”

As Howie Rose would say, “Put it in the books” and move on.

February 12, 2009

How about Simms for the Jets?

How about Chris Simms for QB of the NYJ?

They don’t have an obvious choice for quarterback, and Simms at age 28 is a free agent.

He showed some promise before injuries got to him (spleen, not a shoulder or elbow or leg) and you may have heard of his father around these parts.

Part of putting a team together is the marketing, and I think having someone named Simms on the team would help sell some green jerseys at Modells.