RA says farewell to a fan base that adopted him as one of their own. We will miss you, RA Dickey!
Posted Dec 21, 2012.
I just picked up a 2013 RA Dickey jersey at Modell’s for $20. I wonder how many of these are floating around that they dropped that far in price overnight. Even the KRod jerseys will still $45 when he was dealt.
Posted Dec 8, 2012.
This should have posted on 11/13/12, but somehow was sitting in my queue.
So Long, Jason Bay
One of my favorite Jason Bay memories was when he first signed. I saw an interview, probably with Kevin Burkhardt, where he said his kids were so excited to meet Mr. Met. I can relate to their excitement, but that being my favorite Jason Bay moment is all you need to know about his time as a member of the New York Mets.
Last week the Mets and Jason Bay parted ways, freeing up a roster spot and deferring cash to reinvest in their payroll. The two parties agreed to his release and the Mets owe Bay $21 million through 2015. Bay was under contract through 2013 with a vesting option for 2014 if he put together enough ABs.
At this point in his Mets career, Bay had fallen to defensive replacement and platoon player. A long way from the big free agent signing envisioned by Omar Minaya.
Bay was to be the right handed slugger who complimented and protected David Wright in the lineup. Alongside switch hitters Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes, the Mets were built to score runs and play defense but it didn’t pan out with all four struggling through injuries. Marketing departments dreamed of the Bayside and Flushing Bay merchandise they could sell.
It just didn’t materialize. Bay started slowly in Queens, suffered a concussion and was never the same player again.
It was frustrating to watch as a once great slugger declined rapidly right in front of us. The Mets power hitting outfielder was unable to reach the left field fence with regularity. The fans booed, but many recognized this was not a player failing for lack of effort.
Bay hustled and put in extra time to try and regain what once was. He handled the NY media as well as anyone could have in his position. Doubtful, but maybe there’s a second career in broadcasting in his future. He was always there to encourage his teammates and provide veteran leadership to young players. By all accounts, he was a great teammate and a stand up guy.
Now Bay will leave Flushing and the fans will be happy to see him go. An undeserved fate for a man but not a surprise from a baseball standpoint. With his timing having deteriorated so badly, Bay should take the money and relax instead of trying to catch on elsewhere. Get invoked in charity, broadcasting, spend time with those kids and take up coaching somewhere. If he was as good with young teammates as the rumors imply, perhaps player development is where he belongs.
So long Jason Bay. We wish your time in New York could have been better and wish you all the best.
Posted Oct 19, 2012.
A subway ad for the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Just in case you plan to see the #Mets & #Nets back to back.
Where is Omar Quintanilla?
Posted Oct 5, 2012.
For a few weeks during the first half of the 2012 season the Mets called up minor league journeyman Omar Quintanilla to fill in at shortstop as the team suffered through a barrage of injuries to their infield. During this time, somehow, Dan Murphy managed to stay on the field despite suffering brutal season-ending take out slides at the second base bag the two prior seasons.
The injuries stacked up pretty quickly for the Mets as Ruben Tejada went down, followed by veteran backup Ronnie Cedeño and social media superstar, Justin Turner. It was so bad that David Wright managed to get his second career opportunity to play short at Citi Field. His first chance was 2011 when Jose Reyes was out and Dan Murphy had his season ended abruptly by a sliding Jose Constanza of the Braves.
This stretch of the season went particularly well for the Mets. They hung in the race and even lead the Wild Card at times. Their knack for two out RBIs and ability to string together late inning comebacks were stellar.
Quintanilla, took the opportunity and ran with it. He held his own defensively and contributed productive veteran at bats. He showed that while he isn’t a star, he has the ability to be a serviceable bench player. In 29 games he hit .259 with a .350 OBP.
Inevitably Tejada, Cedeno and Turner all healed up and returned to active duty, leaving Quintanilla without a position. The Mets didn’t immediately send him down though as he was out of options. When they did eventually run out of room for him on the major league roster, Baltimore came calling. In return the Mets were to receive cash or future considerations.
Quintanilla had played so well in his time in Queens that the Orioles, a team in the playoff hunt, felt he could be a useful piece during their run for a division. Now Omar Quintanilla is a member of the Baltimore Orioles and playing meaningful games in September.
When I wrote this post in mid September, in over six weeks, Quintanilla served primarily as a second baseman, hitting closer to his career BA of .221, but has managed to hit three home runs with a dozen RBI. He didn’t do much hitting down the stretch, but now he’s playing in October as the Orioles are on the verge of knocking out the slumping Texas Rangers in the one game wild card playoff format.
Posted Sep 27, 2012.
Keith’s moustache is gone as fans watch at the HR Apple. (Taken with Instagram)
About me
I think about baseball more than I should. This serves as a good place to get those thoughts out and avoid peppering friends and family.
