Giambi Wears A Thong…And Shares It With Teammates!!!

Finally, something to laugh about today…courtesy of the Yankees and this article from Portfolio.com:

Jason Giambi has a deep, dark secret. Deeper than his compulsion to sleep on the side of the bed nearest the door, and darker than his dream of growing up to be a heavy-metal musician.

The deepest, darkest secret harbored by the New York Yankees first baseman is that whenever he is in a prolonged hitting funk, he wears a gold lamé, tiger-stripe thong under his uniform. “I only put it on when I’m desperate to get out of a big slump,” he confides.

Over Giambi’s checkered career in the Bronx, he has left the “golden thong” in the lockers of slumping teammates Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Johnny Damon, Robin Ventura, and Robinson Cano. “All of them wore it and got hits,” he reports. “The thong works every time.”

So the Yankees share a thong. Do you realize what Red Sox fans will do with this piece of information? The appropriate t-shirts are probably already being printed in Boston and I’d expect thongs to rain down on the field at Fenway for the next Yanks-Sox series.

I’ll be organizing something during the June Subway Series at Shea. I’ll keep you posted.

Brilliant work Jason!

Enough Said

The front and back pages of Dolanday Newsday say it all…

Sherman: Players Are Indifferent

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman writes on his Hardball blog today that the players are indifferent about Willie Randolph.

I don’t think Willie Randolph’s players hate him. That is not the sense you get around the team. But what you sense is perhaps just as damaging. There is indifference about him. There is not a wholehearted disrespect, but critically there is not respect either. Not hate, but not love. And this is bad for Randolph. Because as I wrote in today’s Post, his job is clearly on the line. And at a moment like this, you would want your players invested in you. You would want your players at heighten concentration and effort levels.

Randolph, however, has been unable for a while now to get consistency in those areas. Maybe nobody can. Maybe there just are too many low-pulse players on this team. The problem is that the first in the firing line is not presently the man who assembled this group (Omar Minaya) or the people who pay the players (the Wilpons). It is Randolph. The fans don’t like this team and the media has picked up on that plus the uncomfortable environment that exists in the Met clubhouse. And the Wilpons are very susceptible to fan and media choruses. That is why Willie is in big trouble. And that is why if players in that clubhouse actually do like and/or respect Randolph, they better find another gear now, this weekend, the Subway Series. There might be a lot of tomorrows for the 2008 season. There are not going to be too many more as Met manager for Randolph unless the attitude and results begin to change swiftly.

Alou & Mets Fans Agree: Willie Is An Idiot

Mets fans weren’t the only ones wondering why Moises Alou didn’t play in Thursday’s day game after a night game, Alou himself found it to be a curious decision. Bart Hubbuch reports in today’s New YorK Post Met Notes:

Left fielder Moises Alou, given the day off despite playing just four innings due to an ejection Wednesday, was puzzled by Randolph’s decision to take his potent bat out of the lineup.

“Maybe because I got thrown out after two at-bats [Wednesday], you guys [reporters] figured I would play,” Alou said. “I thought the same way. Willie told me he wanted to rest me for the weekend. Unfortunately, it looks bad now because we lost 1-0. Tough luck for me and Willie.”

Tough luck, indeed. Willie will soon find himself out of a job.

It is pretty likely that Alou is going to DH in all 3 games this weekend against the Yankees. Alou was already going to get a good deal of rest in those games and as stated, he only half of the game the night before.

There was no reason not to play Alou on Thursday.

No reason of course, unless you “know your guys” and you have an all knowing gut like Willie Randolph.

So much for Willie being a player’s manager.

Wagner on 1050 ESPN–Audio, Transcript & Clubhouse Video

Here is the transcript of the “juicy” first few minutes of yesterday’s weekly Billy Wagner segment on 1050 ESPN’s MIchael Kay Show.

You can also listen to the whole segment HERE

KAY: Is this a Mets team that’s kind of reeling right now?

WAGNER: (laughs) You’d have to say so. Today was a tough game. It was very well pitched, but you know, we had plenty of opportunities to make something happen and we just weren’t able to come through today.

KAY: Obviously I have to ask you what happened after the game. We’ve been told that you did not like the fact that everybody came to you to ask you questions and you kind of said where is everybody? People weren’t there. Tell us what happened there Billy?

WAGNER: Well, I mean, it gets to a point where, I didn’t even play today. I was not a participant in the game, and the guys that had participated were gone. I mean, we’re all upset, we’re unhappy with things that are going on, and how we’re playing, and I just felt like I hadn’t even played. I had no role in the game. David Wright’s always there, and the same guys are always there. But there needs to be other guys that are accountable. It gets a little old when the same people keep getting interviewed even when they don’t participate.

KAY: Can I ask who do you think should be there that wasn’t there today?

WAGNER: No, I think that will be rectified tomorrow.

KAY: How so?

WAGNER: Well, I think that those guys will be talked to about how you need to stand there in the bad times rather than just stand there in the good times. So that will be something that will be focused on tomorrow by the team I’m sure.

KAY: I know you’re a good quote, but that doesn’t excuse other people from not being there …

WAGNER: Well, I mean, it gets frustrating for some of the guys that are there. Whether I’m there or David Wright or whoever is there constantly, there comes a point where they don’t need to be answering the questions that should go to someone else. Then it causes that tension because my opinion on something may not be the way it really was.

If you’re not there to answer the questions, the reporters can write whatever they want to. They can write you stunk, you sucked, whatever. But if you’re there to say, ‘Hey man, I wasn’t very good today. I came up and I had a chance and it didn’t work out.’ Well, you’re accountable. When you’re not there, it gets a little ridiculous.

KAY: Last year there were similar complaints by Paul Lo Duca. Do you think it has anything to do with Latin players or anything like that?

WAGNER: I think it’s just certain guys. I don’t think it’s Latin or white or black. I don’t think it’s a color thing. I think it’s just as a whole there’s guys that need to stand there and take the bad with the good.

KAY: Do you want to be the spokesman?

WAGNER: I don’t think I’m nowhere near the captain of this team. I think that, like you said, I’m a good quote. I’m not afraid to stand out on an island. We all hear the complaints. We know the situation, and yes, we’re all frustrated because we want to win. We’re out there putting out the effort. But somebody’s got to stand up and say enough’s enough. Things aren’t going well, let’s stand there and take the beating and then when it turns around, let’s reap the benefits.

KAY: Have you gone to Willie and Omar about this?

WAGNER: I think they understand. They know what goes on and I’m sure they’ve talked to everybody. That’s just a situation where I’m sure some of this stuff will be brought up tomorrow and see where we’ll go from there. I’m not saying it’s like earth-shattering. I’m just saying that I’m the closer of the baseball team — I’m not the captain. There’s other guys on this team that need to stand there and answer the questions during the tough times too.

Over at Metsblog, you can view the SNY video of Wagner’s clubhouse comments.

At Least The Weather Was Nice Today

Where to begin? Where to begin?

Mike Pelfrey pitched 6 no-hit innings, gave up 1 run and 3 hits over 7 2/3 innings…and LOST THE DAMN GAME 1-0!

Why? Because Willie Randolph’s New York Mets can’t hit, can’t run the bases, and can’t motivate or police themselves.

Nationals starting pitcher Jason Bergmann allowed just 3 hits and struck out 9 Mets over 7 innings. This is the same Jason Bergmann that was recently recalled from AAA and who entered the game with a 10.45 ERA.

How did the Mets screw up on the base paths? Let me count the ways…

1. In the bottom of the third with two outs and Luis Castillo on 1st, David Wright hit a fly ball to the RF line that Austin Kearns dropped. Both Castillo and Wright jogged their way around the base paths and Castillo ended up on 3rd and Wright on 1st. Castillo should have scored and Wright probably should have been on 2nd.

99 times out of 100, that is the third out and the inning’s over…major leaguers take that for granted and they jog. I get that.

But this lack of trying is just typical of the Mets over the last 2 seasons.

2. Leading off the bottom of the 8th, Jose Reyes actually reached base on a single. It was a weak, weak single in between home and the mound…but it was an actual Jose Reyes hit and you must cherish it because it doesn’t happen too often these days.

Castillo was up next and I don’t know if he was acting on his own or if Randolph called this play but Castillo laid down a sacrifice bunt ON THE FIRST FREAKIN’ PITCH!

You have Reyes’ speed on at first. The smart play here is to have Reyes attempt to steal second. Why would you try to bunt Reyes over to 2nd and waste an out? So Castillo bunts on the FIRST PITCH!

So Castillo drops a bunt towards 3rd and the 3rd baseman charges the ball, the play is made at first as Reyes reaches 2nd and briefly stops there…then he takes off towards 3rd. There is a foot race between him and the SS, who catches the ball and tags out Reyes at 3rd.

There are sometimes when hustle is stupid and this is definitely one of those times.

3. In the bottom of the 9th, Carlos Beltran singled with 1 out and was the tying run. With Carlos Delgado batting, Beltran stole second and the attempted pick off throw went into CF and Beltran took third.

Delgado hit a sharp line drive right to 1B and Beltran inexplicably broke towards home. According to Randolph, he called for Beltran to run with contact. My question is why???

With 1 out, Beltran should have been playing it safe. A fly ball or a base hit would have scored him. There is no need to run with contact because an infield ground ball could have resulted in him being thrown out at home.

Yet this is what Willie called for.

This team needs a change and its needs to happen now.

BREAKING–Billy Wagner Blows Up At Media About His Teammates

Billy Wagner was fed up after the game today, speaking about his teammates to the media. The ever on-top-of-the-story Adam Rubin has the scoop on his Daily News Surfin’ The Mets Blog:

He looked over toward the area of Carlos Delgado’s locker and blurted: “Someone tell me why the (expletive) you’re talking to the closer. I didn’t even play. They’re over there, not being interviewed. … I got it. They’re gone. (Expletive) shocker.”

Beltran & Reyes spoke to the media today but Delgado was already gone by the time the media were let into the locker room.

Wagner will be on 1050 ESPN at 5:20, doing his weekly segment. It should be “must hear” radio.

UPDATE: Wags didn’t say too much else other than “we will take care of this tomorrow.”

More to come later, including my take on the pathetic mess this team is in.

Willie WANTS To Be Fired

Just got back from tonight’s game. F’n unbelievable.

Willie Randolph is unfit to be a major league manager and I am not certain but, I think he is looking to be fired.

How else could you possibly explain removing Claudio Vargas in a tie game with 1 on & 1 out in the 6th after only giving up 2 runs & 3 hits on 97 pitches?

For Aaron Heilman?

I’ll say it again, in case that didn’t sink in.

Willie put f’n Heilman in an important situation YET AGAIN.

Heilman then not only allowed his inherited runner to score, but he also got 3 earned runs of his own! A 1-1 tie fast became a 5-1 game, compliments of Willie Randolph.

If Willie isn’t looking to get fired, then he is incredibly dumb for both taking out Vargas and putting Heilman in that situation.

Either way, he should be fired immediately.

Beyond that, the Flushing Cyclones looked like crap again tonight. Up & down is their nature.

They managed only 2 hits and 1 run off of Washington starter Tim Redding and that is inexcusable.

But this loss is on Willie Randoilph, incompetent and stupid.

Oh and congrats to Teflon GM Omar Minaya. Its a good thing you left Jesus Flores (your top catching prospect at the time) unprotected, he only won two games thus far in this series for his team. I guess he wasn’t old and injury prone enough for you.

I’m A Maine-iac

Lots to do today, brief entry for now…

Little by little, the John Maine we expected after improving in 2007 and being lights out in spring training is coming  to the mound every fifth day for the Mets.

Maine followed up his near complete game in LA with a 6 inning, 2 hit (one of which was a Ryan Zimmerman 2 run HR) effort in the Mets 6-3 win last night.

More importantly, Maine hit the Nats’ leadoff batter, Jesus Flores, in retaliation for the the silly Monday night cheerleading.

Who would have ever though mild mannered John Maine would show that he has the biggest set (possibly outside of Billy Wagner, who closed things out on in the 9th giving up 1 hit) on the Mets?

The other big story on Tuesday was Ryan Church, who continues to play way above anyone’s expectations.  Church was 2-for-4 with a HR, 2B, and 4 RBI.

Church is now hitting .324 on the season while playing a stellar RF.  He has been carrying the Mets, who
would be in sever trouble without him.  Seemingly everyone else strands every runner in scoring position.

Finally, a tip of the hat to Carlos Delgado, who FINALLY laid a bunt down towards third when faced with the infield shift.

In praising Delgado,  Willie Randolph exposed himself as being the complete idiot of a manager I already knew he was.

“He did that on his own. I like it. He should have been doing it a long time ago, actually…It’s an ocean out there with everybody on the other side.”

Hey Willie, you do know that you are allowed to suggest or ever TELL any of your players to do something.  You are supposed to be their leader after all.

If I were Willie’s boss, I would think about firing him based on this quote.

Updates on Roster Moves

4:20 PM UPDATE: WFAN is reporting that everything below has occurred exactly as Rubin reported earlier.  With the exception of the Sosa-Smith situation, I still feel this team culture’s in infected with mediocrity.

The ever informative Adam Rubin is reporting on his Daily News blog that Claudio Vargas has been pulled from his AAA New Orleans start tonight and will start for the Mets on Wednesday instead of Adam Bostick.

Rubin speculates now “confidently projects” that this might be Nelson Figueroa will be replaced by Vargas, who will be here for more than 1 go around in the rotation.

Rubin also reports that it could be Jorge Sosa being let go instead of Joe Smith being demoted after all “Jorge Sosa not Joe Smith, is in serious trouble once Matt Wise returns”.

….I hope & pray this is accurate.

Finally…either Luis Castillo or, more likely, Angel Pagan will be heading to the DL with Fernando Tatis to be called up.