Mets 5, Giants 4

Viceo project

Spring Break

This year's spring break wasn't exactly a break for me. It started off well, I went to Opening Day at Citi Field to see the Mets take on the Braves. I got to see some of the changes the club made to the ballpark in the offseason. They moved the walls in, and changed their color from black to blue (the way it should have been in the first place). Another change that was tough to see from the upper deck where my seats were, was the new uniforms the Mets were wearing. The design wasn't different, they just dropped the ugly drop shadow from the "Mets" script across the front of the jersey.

I went home for the weekend to celebrate the holidays with my family, but I came back to school early to do work for WRHU.

One of my jobs at WRHU is the produce a weekly Division-I Men's Lacrosse show, called Top Post. There are two other producers, which is good because of the amount of work that goes into producing each show. We are responsible for making the on-air assignments (hosts, engineer, etc...), deciding what lacrosse games are covered on the show, and, most importantly, we set up interview to air on the show. We've had a number of college lacrosse coaches, players, analysts, and even the commissioner of the Ivy League, Robin Harris. For last week's show I set up a live interview with Eamon McAnaney, a lacrosse play-by-play announcer for ESPN. Here's a look at some of Eamon's work from the Konica Minolta Big City Classic at MetLife Stadium earlier this year:

The show aired on Wednesday night, but I still had more to do at WRHU before the end of "break."

Last Saturday, I was on the call for a softball double-header between the Hofstra Pride and the George Mason Patriots. In game one, I was the color commentator. My job was to analyze the pitches, the at-bats, and give the listening audience an idea of why or how a certain play took place. My job was pretty easy because Hofstra exploded with 10 runs in the fourth inning. There wasn't much to say other than the Patriots pitching fell apart.

Then, for game two, I switched position with my broadcast partner and did play-by-play. What makes softball a difficult sport to announce is the game's speed. It's actually quite different from baseball, where pitchers take their time delivering the ball. In softball, an entire inning could last just five minutes, including the break to switch sides. Here are some of the highlights:



I had fun in this role; my dream job is to be a professional baseball play-by-play announcer. So, this was a fun experience and good practice to have early in my college career.

Podcasts

Slideshow Project

Matt Turner is a sophomore at Hofstra University. He's a Biology major and is minoring in Math. Matt is almost the opposite of any journalism major.

Turner came to Hofstra because of the distinguished science program. He came to Hofstra with an undecided major, but knew he wanted to study somewhere within that department.

When he's not crunching numbers or taking notes, Turner is involved in many on campus activities, including being a member of Hofstra's Division-I Frisbee team.

Ultimate frisbee is taken very seriously by the team and its captains. Practice is every Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. The team hosts tournaments on campus and travels on the road to participate in similar events.

"Our practices usually last around two hours and any tournaments we go to take the entire weekend. We leave Friday afternoon and don't get back until Sunday night," Turner said.

For some, the difficult practice schedule interferes with academics, but Turner thinks he's figured it out.

"It's pretty tough, I won't lie. It's tempting to pick up a frisbee or just hang out with friend even when I have homework. I try not to let it all pile up on me. As long as I put my time in most days, I don't feel too overwhelmed," says Turner.

In this slideshow, Turner is working on a lab report for his Chemistry class. Turner typically studies with his friends, but is careful not to get too distracted.

"Actually, it doesn't really matter where I get my work done. As long as I'm able to focus, I'm usually okay," Turner said.

Johan Santana is Pitching

Four years ago, a very long four years ago, the Mets made a deal with the Minnesota Twins. They sent four players the Metrodome: Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra. In return they got the decade's most dominant pitcher and a new ace, one that would replace Tom Glavine who had worn out his welcome. They got Johan Santana.

Three of the players in that deal have yet to fulfill their expectations. One, is currently a backup outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. The fifth, hasn't appeared in a game in over one year.

Johan Santana's health has been a major concern to the Mets organization. It's affected their on-field product and their reputation in the sports world.

As much as David Wright is the "face of the franchise," Santana is the only player on the team to receive accolades at the end of a season.

Here's an easy way to describe Santana's career with the Mets:

In his only complete season with the club, the Mets finished 89-73. They missed the playoffs by one game. In his final start of the season, Santana threw a complete game, three-hit shutout. Beyond that, his pitch count that afternoon at Shea was a career high and he threw on short rest. That game put the Mets in a tie with the Brewers for the wild card with one game to go. The season then rested on the shoulders of Oliver Perez...every Mets fan knows what to expect from that.

Since that year, the Mets have yet to eclipse 80 wins in a season and are the butt of every baseball joke. It's at the point where Pirates fans think their team could be worse.

Johan Santana brings a competitive edge that the Mets have been lacking. They are not "the Mets" without their ace. He's a guy who simply doesn't lose. He's probably not going to win 18 games this year and win the Cy Young. But, that doesn't mean the Mets can't win.

As long as Santana stays healthy, I believe that every fifth day, this team will win. And if they can find other sources of consistency in the rotation, they are a solid team.

The buzz out of Port Saint Lucie is that Santana is throwing well and impressing all the coaches and members of the media.

Here's a video from SNY.tv of Santana's bullpen session earlier Wednesday morning:



Santana's progress is definitely something to keep track of every day during Spring Training. I can only keep my fingers crossed that he'll be ready for Opening Day and bring excitement to Citi Field, really, for the first time.

Wright Won't Go Looking for Contract Extension

Early Sunday, the Washington Nationals agreed on a six-year $100 million extension with Ryan Zimmerman, with a club option for a seventh year worth $24 million. To read more click here.

David Wright, who grew up with Zimmerman in Virginia, told reporters at Digital Domain Park that he's not going to approach the Mets about a contract extension.

If the team trades Wright, or declines his club option, the All-Star third basemen will enter free agency.

I can easily see a lot of people getting worried that with the Mets financial woes they cannot afford to keep David Wright. However, I disagree with this notion. Sandy Alderson has said that some of the Mets' future spending won't be affected by wins and losses. To me that means one thing: DAVID WRIGHT WILL REMAIN A MET.


If there's one player that this cannot afford to lose (no pun intended) it's Wright. He is, essentially, the last player from that '06 team (Mike Pelfrey was a rookie, but didn't appear in the postseason).


I was sad when Jose Reyes left; I'll be angry if the Mets let Wright go. This is a bold statement, but David Wright is the player that will define this era in Mets history. He's a home grown talent and a fan favorite who has been a part of the most excruciating stretch this team (maybe any team) has ever seen. Through think and thin, David Wright was in the lineup more than any other player since 2006, that includes Jose Reyes.


If you're a Mets fan, and are not convinced of Wright's importance, watch this video and try not to wince....

Tejada Reports to PSL

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada finally reported to Spring Training. Tejada, who will replace Jose Reyes as the team's shortstop, had not reported to Port Saint Lucie before his teammates, something manager Terry Collins would have preferred.

Tejada addressed the media early Sunday morning, indicating that visa problems held him up.

To read more from Tejada's talk, click here.


I'm a little disappointed Tejada didn't report earlier. It's clearly something Collins would have liked, since Tejada is taking on a major role this season. No one expects this transition to be easy; the Mets lost more than and All-Star, they lost the excitement and energy that only Reyes provides. However, I think Tejada is a guy who can make this transition relatively smooth. Now, I use "smooth" lightly because a lot of Tejada's success this year will depend on the 2nd baseman.


Most days, that'll probably be Daniel Murphy. Others, it'll be Justin Turner. And if the pattern that's been plaguing the Mets for the last few years continues, we'll get to see a minor leaguer that we've never heard of thrown into the mix.


According to Matt Cerrone on MetsBlog.com,

"...Collins said that when shortstop Ruben Tejada arrives in camp, he’s not going to “yell and scream at him,” but he plan to have a conversation with him. Collins explained that he wanted Tejada in camp early to both work on his agility and quickness, and beginning developing a defensive rapport with Daniel Murphy."

If you read here on, you can get a more complete description of Collins's reaction to Tejada arriving late.

Baseball in 2012 is Here

Spring Training is here! Pitchers and catchers have reported and Grapefruit League action is just around the corner.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson has said many times is some way or another, there isn't a player on this team who doesn't have something to prove.

So, I thought I'd take a look at some of the key players, and give my "recipe" of what needs to happen to make Mets baseball in 2012 competitive and hopefully end with a return to the postseason.

First, some early points. Making the playoffs IS possible for this team. Terry Collins has bred confidence in his young core of talent. Baring unforeseen injuries and with some luck, this team can defy the odds and silence the critics.

Johan Santana-He's not only the ace of the pitching staff, he is the most important player on this team. He is a leader and a natural competitor. To be realistic, Santana's not the best pitcher in baseball anymore. 2008 is well in the past. But, that doesn't mean he can't put up similar numbers and be a No. 1 starter in the National League. He's coming off surgery after missing 2011 entirely, so it's tough to expect a 20-win Cy Young year. But, if Santana can have a full season of healthy, reliable baseball, this team wins.

With that in mind, I predict 12-15 wins from a healthy Johan Santana in 2012

David Wright-Should be the team's captain. It's been talked about enough. Wright is no longer one of the younger guys, like he was in '06. I understand he wants to respect the veterans in the clubhouse. But he represents the New York Mets more than anybody. He is now the veteran (sorry Tim Byrdak) in a clubhouse full of second and third year players. The fences at Citi Field are coming in, especially in right-center, which should boost Wright's power numbers. It's really no coincidence that Wright, whose power is to the opposite field, loses some spark when the distance to right increases by more than 40 feet. Wright is always solid defensively and towards the end of last year we really saw his mental game improve (check out this play against the Padres).

If Wright matures, takes charge, and finds those power numbers of old, it's safe to expect 20-25 homers.

Jason Bay-Some say trade bait, I disagree. Bay is the player I'm most excited to see play this year. I think Bay got into an unhealthy groove playing with Fenway's Green Monster, and he wasn't able to adjust to Citi Field. This year with the fences moving in, I EXPECT Bay's power to come back. That kind of talent doesn't just disappear. He's shown improvement through his mediocre first two years in Flushing, but this is the year he earns his pay and the fan's respect. Bay is solid defensively. That's a given. His number one priority this offseason was to improve his offensive production and I think that mentally, knowing the walls are closer and lower, we can see serious power displayed.

Very simple, Jason Bay, 20-30 home runs.

Those three guys are key. Obviously there are other factors working here. Sandy Alderson has done an outstanding job solidifying the bullpen, so I'm not worried there. Guys in the rotation like Jon Niese and Mike Pelfrey, especially, need to live up to expectations. Ike Davis MUST be healthy and we need to see a break-out year from either Daniel Murphy of Lucas Duda.

A lot needs to go the Mets way this season. After the last 5 years though, it's about time something does.

Stadium Update

The New York Mets have been working hard this offseason modifying the cavernous Citi Field. Check out the team's Facebook page for more construction photos of the outfield walls.

Here's an update from the Daily News on the construction at Citi Field.

And as Spring Training arrives, the Mets have also made some changes to Digital Domain Park, the site of the team's spring training games and the home of the Single-A St. Lucie Mets.

To check out images of the new scoreboard and some other modifications visit the team's Twitter page.

RIP Gary Carter

Last Thursday, we all learned about the sad passing of former Met and HOFer Gary Carter. Kid was 57 and was enduring a tough battle with brain cancer, as his daughter noted on her blog (seen here).

This is very sad news for any Mets fan. Even the ones who never saw him play, myself included. He was a captain of our team; he was the final piece to the puzzle that was the 1986 Mets. When I think of great catchers, Carter is always one of the first to come to mind.


The Mets community has really come out to support Carter and his family during this difficult time. Darren Meenan at The7Line invited fans to come pay their respects outside Citi Field, by the marker of Shea's home plate.
Click here to see some photos and read about the night's event. 

WFAN Hires Josh Lewin

The Mets and WFAN announced the newest member of the Mets' broadcast team. This season Josh Lewin takes his post alongside Howie Rose in the radio booth at Citi Field. Lewin most recently served as play-by-play announcer for the Texas Rangers and also appeared on Fox's Saturday baseball broadcasts. Prior to that, Lewin has experience calling Orioles, Cubs, and Tigers games. In addition to Mets games, Lewin will keep his current position as the radio voice of the San Diego Chargers. The 43-year-old replaces Wayne Hagin, who spent the last four seasons in the Bob Murphy Broadcast Booth.

Click here to follow Lewin on Twitter

From what I've heard, Lewin's got a quirky personality in the booth. He's full of stories and should be entertaining to listen to, especially in the dog days of August. This move brings some more character to the already colorful Mets broadcast team.

7 Days 'till Pitchers and Catchers

Spring Training in Port Saint Lucie, FL begins in just 7 days. With pitchers and catchers reporting, it's officially the start of baseball in 2012. There's a lot of change on and around the Mets from last year. Some new faces at camp include newly signed closer Frank Francisco who looks to revive his career as a solid option out of the 'pen and Jon Rauch, who begins his tenth major league season and his first in Queens.

*Photo credit to MetsBlog.com