It Will Be Dismal For The New York Mets with Some Promise

By Rich Mancuso

New York – There have not been many good moments for the New York Mets and their fans since the move to Citi Field in Flushing New York three years ago. The, ballpark will usher in the 2012 season Thursday afternoon as the Mets host the Braves , and once again there are not expected to be any bright moments for this New York Mets team.

New field dimensions, moving in the fences are expected to increase home run production for a team that has been next to last in that category the past two years. Question marks are many about the health of some key position players. Second year manager Terry Collins will try and keep his team competitive in the National League East a vastly improved division with the Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and once again the Philadelphia Phillies who are favored to take their sixth straight divisional title.

A wild card berth for New York, even with the addition of another team in the revamped playoff system, probably won’t come. Simply put the Mets are in for another dismal campaign, and if they don’t get out of the gate quick Citi Field will be desolate this summer.

And there is no Jose Reyes in the lineup. He opted to take the big contract and go to Miami. Reyes, who won the NL batting title, in his last game as a New York Met in September, will be missed. When healthy, he is the catalyst leading off and there will be a definite amount of interest when he returns to Citi Field for the first time as a Marlin later this month.

In place of Reyes, 22-year old Ruben Tejada will get the start at shortstop. He has potential but does not have the range on the field, or the ability to spark a rally at the plate. With more playing time last season, Tejada had over 300 at bats and hit .284. He has always been a favorite of Collins, and got more playing time showing potential. He came into spring training stronger and last season was more patient at the plate, making a sparkling play or two in between time at second base and shortstop.

So what should be expected from a team that is beset with financial issues, a projected payroll of $91 million, and maybe looking to shed more of the money to make ends meet? Team owners settled a lawsuit by the trustees for victims of Bernie Madoff, are still in debt and lost $70 million last year after a fourth place finish.

“Almost everybody has room for improvement,” says team General Manager Sandy Alderson in his second year. He was brought in to shed payroll, so there was no room to offer Reyes that long term multi-million deal. The lone franchise player, David Wright is coming off another dismal and injury ridden season of 14 home runs and 84 RBI. He could be out the door by the trading deadine of July 31st.

In the walk year of his contract, and with the Mets not expected to contend, Wright could be expendable and in return worth some prospects and a quality player or two. If the Mets could not afford a contract for Reyes, there is no way they can spend on a huge contract for Wright.

If Wright, Jason Bay, Lucas Duda and Jason Bay hit the home run, and they could with the drawn in outfield fences in left and right fields, there could be an increase in home runs. Bay has not been anything of suburb since coming to New York with the huge contract. Some say it was the big wall out in left that have seen a major decline in his production and he has been plagued with injuries.

But now, Bay is healthy and rejuvenated. The dimensions at Citi Field have changed and there should be no room for excuses. “He will have every reason to prove what he is capable to do,” says Collins about Bay who will bat fifth in the order after Davis. Duda, Davis, and Daniel Murphy, all left handed hitters will bat in the middle of Collins’ batting order. Murphy will get the start at second base and get some help from Justin Turner off the bench.

They will get the opportunity to test the new renovated right field walls at Citi Field. A 39.5 percentage of home runs were allowed by Mets pitchers at Citi Field last year, the lowest home rate in the majors. The attempt has been made to increase that production as the fences were moved by as much as 17-feet in some places.

However, a suspect starting pitching staff going with a revamped bullpen will have to keep the opposition from using those new fences to their advantage. The good news is Johan Santana, the high profiled starter returns from shoulder surgery. He last pitched in September of 2010 and the fastball, changeup and command seem to be back to form. If not, there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about a pitching staff that was second in the league when giving up runs.

After Santana, R.A. Dickey and his knuckleball are interesting. He goes deep into games, and the 36-year old right hander was 8-13 last season. But the record does reflect more wins, over 200 innings, and a 3.28 earned run average. But the bullpen gave the games away and Dickey was victimized with a no-decision or a loss.

Mike Pelfrey proved he could not be an ace last year, more known with the absence of Santana and last week there were reports the Mets were considering a trade for the right hander. He finished with seven wins and an ERA over four. There is no consistency with Pelfrey and he could be traded before September.

The rookie Dillon Gee has good stuff and time will tell what he can offer. After that the Mets could use the 40-year old veteran Miguel Batista who was picked up late last season and got a couple of wins. And expect the youngsters Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia, and Zach Wheeler to be seen at some point.

Ramon Ramirez and Frank Francisco are a part of the new bullpen, inexpensive acquisitions that offer experience. And Jon Rauch, another veteran with a good right arm could get a shot at closing games as Collins intends to go with a pen by committee. Bobby Parnell, who was tested as a closer last season, his ability to throw a fastball over 95, may eventually be groomed to close games. But his inability to close games, attributed to control problems may leave him as a setup man or a long man.

By no means is this version of the 2012 New York Mets a playoff team. They could finish last in the division however in the course of a long campaign anything is possible.

Regardless, Collins and his new coaching staff will be tested. So will Mets fans. Because being a Mets fan has become a routine of knowing that winning ballgames is not easy to find.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

This post is sponsored in part by Bayside Coops & Forest Hills Real Estate

Yankees May Go That Extra Step This Season With Pitching And Depth

By Rich Mancuso

There is never satisfaction in and around the confines of Yankee Stadium unless the team is playing baseball games in the late part of October. Of course if the stadium is busy in October the New York Yankees are in the World Series and in quest of their franchise 28th championship.

And this could be the year of late October baseball in the Bronx. As the Yankees prepare to start another season in Tampa Bay tomorrow, with their home opener in the Bronx next Friday afternoon, there is optimism that the 2012 team will be playing baseball deep into October.

The important aspect for any team is pitching which is something the Yankees can say is a depth of their team. To go deep in October, it is the pitching that will get you there and New York has six quality starters for five spots. The return of Andy Pettitte gives them that extra mile, though the veteran, who came out of an early 2010 retirement, won’t be in the Bronx for a month. With most wins in post season baseball history, Pettitte appears strong but will he be the same pitcher after a brief hiatus from the game?

If newly acquired pitcher Michael Pineda, who will start the season on the disabled list, with shoulder stiffness, needs more time manager Joe Girardi has the depth. Pettitte returns, Phil Hughes works his way into the rotation, and there is hope and optimism that Ivan Nova will be the same pitcher that went 16-4 last season. There is also the addition of Hiroki Kuroda, a $10million investment, who throws hard and has a nasty cutter.

“Eventually Pineda will come back,” says Girardi. “It gives us some time to sort some things out. Things most of the time have a way of working things out. To speculate what might happen is kind of silly because we didn’t expect an injury because all of our starters have been so healthy.”

One thing is certain. Opening Day starter CC Sabathia, the fourth player in club history, with 19 wins the past four years is healthy and will throw close to 200 innings. The bullpen, without an injured Joba Chamberlain is perfect for the best relief pitcher in baseball history, Mariano Rivera, who may throw his last pitches after 18 years in Yankee pinstripes. David Robertson, and a healthy Rafael Soriano, as was the plan last season will get the ball to Mariano.

And getting the ball to Mariano for a save should not be an issue because the Yankees once again have a veteran offense and depth off the bench. They are capable of winning 97- games and take another AL east title in a competitive division with Tampa Bay and the Boston Red Sox. With the new post -season one game wild card that adds two more teams to the party in October, it will be important to have depth off the bench and good arms out of the bullpen.

Brian Cashman, the Yankees General Manager, with a reduced team payroll of a little under $200 million will be the first to say that Boston is still the team to beat. “This division is very close and people are underrating Boston,” he says. However, the Yankees are always the team t beat and to their credit favored to win every year.

They have to many weapons in the lineup to not be one of the four best teams in the long campaign. Robinson Cano is one of the best young players the game, improves as time goes on, and handy at second base. Mark Teixeira is healthy and ready for another 35- home run season and the outstanding glove at first base. Curtis Granderson in center field will once again have a MVP season.

Nick Swisher has another contract in right field and recovered from an injured groin that hindered him this spring. And 25 home runs are not out of the question as a starter and when he gets rest coming off the bench. Added to the equation is Brett Gardner in left. His speed is an asset though he does not give numbers, more so a catalyst at the bottom of the order.

The Yankees are rich in the catching area. Baseball experts will say they have an excess of wealthy and young catchers, good enough to trade away Jose Montero to Seattle for Pineda. So Russell Martin, a veteran, coming off a season of 18 home runs and 65 RBI will get the start again behind the plate.

It was an off-season of signings and little activity of acquisitions, and fans won’t miss pitcher A.J. Burnett who went to Pittsburgh for minor league players. Raul Ibanez,a veteran with some power was signed at minimal cost. The former Philadelphia Phillie adds depth coming off the bench and has power to the opposite field. He will also play right when Swisher needs to sit.

Andruw Jones and Eric Chavez were awarded contracts coming off a good 2011, hitters adapted to Yankee Stadium, and viable guys coming off the bench that can give the regulars some rest. As will Eduardo Nunez, a solid backup in the infield.

Two questions for Girardi, who did not have issues this spring with the exception of some injuries, and the return of Pettitte, are the captain Derek Jeter, one of the Core Four of the five championship teams, now three again with Mariano and Pettitte. Jorge Posada has retired and his leadership will be missed.

Jeter has not shown a decline on the field, though his production at the plate has dwindled the past two years, six home runs and 61 RBI last season, and the question is how much more will the 36-year old veteran have left in him? He does not answer that question and there are no signs that Derek Jeter is in a serious decline.

Which leads to the ultimate question, does the highest paid player in the game, Alex Rodriguez, rebound from a 16-home run and 62 RBI season of last year that also had him hindered with injuries? He has hit the ball with authority this spring and a key part of his body, the lower half is strong where he gets his power.

A-Rod, Teixeira, and Swisher when in the lineup together make the Yankees that more of a power threat, but they went a combined 3-for-18 in the AL division series loss to the Tigers last October, which contributed to an early exit from the post season. Last season the Yankees once again once led the American League in home runs but for the first time in three years at the new stadium failed to lead baseball in that category.

But this is a new season and the pitching should be that good for the Yankees to not be concerned about their tradition of being “Murders Row.”

They won 97 games last season and their 25th divisional title. There is no reason why the Yankees won’t win another one in September. How far they go in October will be the question. That answer could depend on how the health of Rodriguez is and if the pitching lives up to expectations.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

This post is sponsored in part by Woodmere Homes for Sale & Glen Cove Homes For Sale

Cena vs Rock - The Wait Is OVER.

*Excerpts from DieHard Pro Wrestling's "...And Justice For Brawl" Blog*

The Rock defeated John Cena after the year long build up of the greatest pro wrestling main event of all-time.

"As much criticism as The Rock gets, everyone needs to realize he WAS a pro wrestler long before he became a Hollywood star. And when he was a pro wrestler, he was one of the greatest of all time!....It's not like Brad Pitt or George Clooney came in and Cena did the job for them. The Rock came back "home"."

"It's not like Cena had the entire year off to prep for the match. He worked harder than ever to maintain his status as the face of the company and still stay healthy, strong and focused on the "once in a lifetime" match. Hate Cena all you want, but you better fucking respect him!"

"It was built as the greatest Wrestlemania main event of all time... and I think they're right. The only other Wrestlemania main event that could challenge for those bragging rights would be Hulk Hogan vs. The Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania VI... I think Rock vs. Cena trumped it!"

"The match is everything it was expected to be, and more. Rock and Cena were in full control and they're eyes were locked only on each other."

"Based on their history and bad blood, you wondered how much of the match was a shoot and how much was a work. You looked for hard punches that may have "accidentally slipped"...there were also times where The Rock was being a blatant prick. You can tell on the outside of the ring that he was dead weight to Cena every time Cena tried to powerlift him. The Rock wasn't giving an inch!"

"This match was a clash of passions. It doesn't matter who won. What mattered was that it got the fans engaged. It wasn't designed to entertain, it was designed to get your blood pumping and make you fall in love with pro wrestling all over again.....Regardless of the outcome, the only two words that sum up this match for both The Rock and John Cena is... Thank you!"

It Really Was An End of An Era

*Excerpts from DieHard Pro Wrestling's "...And Justice For Brawl" Blog*

In a match that was defined as "The End of An Era", The Undertaker continued his Wrestelmania winning streak to 20-0 by defeating Triple H in a Hell In The Cell Steel Cage Match featuring Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee.

"As I woke up this morning, I had mixed feelings about this match. Perhaps I expected more. Perhaps I expected a swerve. And perhaps I got lost in creatively booking the match myself in my own mind."

"I had expected to see some sort of one night only DX reunion. But, that didn't happen. Instead, we got a slower paced and more dramatic encounter with Shawn Michaels not really playing a major factor in the final decision."

"This match wasn't about creative storytelling. This match was about saying farewell to what is arguably the greatest era of pro wrestling history - The Attitude Era.... And this match at Wrestlemania, was the one moment where we literally said goodbye to yesterday."

"Had Shawn Michaels gotten more involved in determining the outcome of the match, then it would have opened the flood gates of rumors and speculation that he'd be back for at least one more match."

"The match didn't need physical involvement. The story was told through expression....It was technically designed so that you would be able to hear audio bytes of conversations between the those involved. The close up shots of Taker and clear audio of him saying, "Don't end this match Shawn.. No matter what, don't end the match", were more effective than any swerve... The story wasn't in the punches thrown. It was in the facial expressions. And it's an example of the lost art in this business."

"One problem that I had with this match was the lack of blood...I understand the "no blood" policy for the PG-13 product, but this is Wrestlemania!"

"The finish was somewhat weak. Basic tombstone into a three count... Taker saw the end in Triple H's eyes and put the dying dog out of his misery."

"The final shot of Michaels and Taker carrying Triple H to the back was worth a thousand words. You can't put a price on that type of perfection. And while I feel the match itself didn't live up to the expectations, it told the story it needed to tell and ended one of the greatest wrestling books of all time."

Did Punk and Jericho Steal The Show?

*Excerpts from DieHard Pro Wrestling's "...And Justice For Brawl" Blog*

CM Punk retained his WWE World Title by defeating Chris Jericho.

"I felt this was the match to steal the show. And in my opinion, it did...but barely."

"I don't think the WWE Universe understood what they were watching... Jericho and Punk took us to an early time in their career... What we saw was a Japanese exhibition and a technical clinic where these opponents stretched each other in ways the human body isn't meant to bend."

"...let me go on the record in saying that I think the build up was piss poor. Social media killed this match in late 2011..."

"I started to wonder if Jericho's time away had hurt his value. Was his return strong enough to make an impact? Strong enough to change the game? Strong enough to shake the world? The only thing that shook the world was the weight of the ball WWE creative dropped."

"While watching the match, I was trying to understand the input both men had in the match. I sensed a strong Japanese influence..."

"They were looking for acceptance of a unique style, but those 78,000 fans were only looking for entertainment. 78,000 brainwashed fans who don't understand the science of the business, the magic of a match, and who all have accepted that wrestling is nothing more than a fake show."

"Amazingly, Punk and Jericho never let crowd reaction take over. Sure, they were disappointed but they were smart enough and good enough to switch the match around and have the fans eating out of the palm of their hands."

"I applaud Punk and Jericho for taking that chance, but rather than building up the match based on Punk's father being an alcoholic and his sister a crack head, perhaps they should have talked about their years prior to the WWE....THAT would lend credence to the term "Best In The World"."

"This is an example of WWE creative not being in tune with what the business is about, so they rather stuff some senseless sitcom type of formula down your throat. After all, what other option do you have? TNA?"

"On a side note, one thing I did notice about this match was that Punk is better suited to play a heel....Remember, you first started loving CM Punk when he was a heel and cutting down Cena, Triple H, Vince, and the company. Not now, when his only grip is with John Laurinaitis."

"Overall, neither man was the best in the world that night.... It was still a great match, but it won't be one that is remember as one of the greatest of all time."

This post is sponsored in part by Towers At Waters Edge & Pro Wrestling Blogs

Tag Match Ends With Zack's Sack

*Excerpts from DieHard Pro Wrestling's "...And Justice For Brawl" Blog*

Team John Laurinaitis defeated Team Teddy Long to take over control as general manager of the RAW an Smackdown brands.

"This was a typical throw-away match... creative decided to compile 12 roster members into one match as a "thank you for your hard work this year"."

"From the start, it was obvious Team Johnny was going over.... Team Johnny was stacked with some of the top talents on the roster, some who are former champions such as Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and The Miz. What did Team Teddy bring to the table? An aging Booker T? Kofi "Lost In The Shuffle But Good For Highspots" Kingston? R-"My Promos Sometimes Make Less Sense Than Jimmy Snuka" Truth? And Santino "Glorified Jobber Whose Sock Puppet Is More Over Than He Is" Marella? Seriously, this match was over before it even started."

"...what really pissed me off is that the match concluded with the love affair between Zack Ryder and Eve Torres."

"...what has become of Zack Ryder?.... no rematch for the US title. No feud with Kane for almost killing him. But instead, he's chasing a piece of ass that is way out of his league. Not to mention, Eve had a prominent spot in the divas tag match, so why was she allowed to get double duty by appearing in this match only to attack Zack's nut sack? Prime example of WWE creative making zero sense and throwing shit against the wall just to see if it sticks."

This post is sponsored in part by Hudson County Pest Control & Nassau County Apartments

Big Show Gets Big Moment, But Put Focus Back on Rhodes

*Excerpts from DieHard Pro Wrestling's "...And Justice For Brawl" Blog*

The Big Show finally got his Wrestlemania moment when he defeated champion Cody Rhodes to win the Intercontinental title.

"...it was one of my favorite original concepts of the year... simplicity at its best! Another prime example of less is in fact more!"

"What made this angle work is that most fans forgot how bad Big Show's Wrestlemania track record really was. He truly never had a real Wrestlemania moment. Before this angle, if you were to ask a fan about any of Big Show's matches at previous Wrestlemanias, they'd be stumped to answer you...It's like anytime Wrestlemania season came around, Big Show got bit by the asshole bug."

"The problem here is that Big Show doesn't need the title as much as Rhodes does, and it would be wise for creative to put it back on him as soon as possible. Remember, this was never really about being a championship match. It was simply about Big Show having his moment."

"Well, the moment happened. Wrestlemania is over. Now we need to get the focus back on bringing value to the title and making Rhodes one of the top stars on the roster... There has been talk of pushing Rhodes to the main event level and having him feud with Randy Orton to set him up for a shot at the heavyweight title. In my opinion, it's a mistake."

"...look at Dolph Ziggler...Got his main event match at the Royal Rumble and has been main eventing house shows with CM Punk across the globe. But after doing the jobs, where is he now? .... pushing him to the top only to knock him back down makes no sense at all. And I fear the same fate for Cody Rhodes."

"In this new WWE creative universe, valid history has no part. They may keep track of how many titles you've won, but your win/loss record is meaningless. When you're wrestling every week and doing jobs for the sake of entertainment or cheap pops, matches become meaningless themselves."

"It's like WWE suffers from severe cases of A.D.D. and short term memory loss....The constant flipping of scripts and rebooting of characters doesn't leave much to build a legacy on. The time line of careers is so botched and flip flopped, you'd think you were watching a Republican GOP race."

"In the end, Big Show finally won his moment. But now that Wrestlemania is over, it's time to focus on the future...and it starts with putting the IC strap back on Cody Rhodes."

This post is sponsored in part by Hudson County Exterminator & Nassau County Rentals