Video: Mike Piazza Wants in as Met for HOF
January 22, 2012 Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets, Video | Tagged Baseball Hall of Fame, Mike Piazza, New York Mets | Leave a commentMets Interested in Jeff Francis
January 20, 2012
In 31 starts, Francis went 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA, striking out 91 batters and allowing 39 walks in 183 innings for the Royals.
Even though, he did have 16 losses last season for the Royals, Francis did pitch better than his stats showed. Francis has the ability to give a team quality starts and pitches to contact which benefits him in a park such as Citi Field. He could be a very nice bargain with the Mets thin rotation depth after the projected five of Santana, Dickey, Niese, Pelfrey and Gee.
Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets, Rumors | Tagged Jeff Francis, New York Mets | Leave a commentVideo: R.A. Dickey Talks About Climbing Kilimanjaro
January 19, 2012 Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets | Tagged R.A. Dickey | Leave a commentDaniel Murphy, R.A. Dickey to Receive Munson Awards
January 19, 2012
Daniel Murphy and R.A. Dickey (pictured) will join former Yankees and Mets Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, and newly-inducted NBA Hall of Famer guard Chris Mullin as the honorees at the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner on Tuesday night, January 31, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
Proceeds benefit The AHRC New York City Foundation which is a not-for-profit organization that supports programs enabling children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead richer, more productive lives.
For tickets and information on the Munson Awards Dinner call 212-249-6188.
I will not be able to attend this year, however, Steve will be attendance for a second straight year in covering the event. This great cause to support and I’ve heard it is a great event to attend if you have the chance.
Click here to read Steve’s experience from last year’s Thurman Munson Awards. Click here to view Mike Piazza, and click here to view Angel Pagan, accepting their Thurman Munson Awards from last year.
Photo courtesy of the New York Mets
Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets | Tagged Angel Pagan, Chris Mullin, Daniel Murphy, Mark Teixeira, Mike Piazza, New York Mets, R.A. Dickey, Thurman Munson Awards, Yogi Berra | 1 CommentPhoto: Ken Griffey Jr. Fill in the Caption…
January 15, 2012
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
Video: Mets Man Cave
January 13, 2012Here is video from a couple of years ago of a Mets man cave on DIY’s Man Caves. This would be a dream come true in the future, if I could do the same to my basement. I love the bar with the Home Run Apple and the scoreboard skyline above the television. Now, all this guy needs is a couple of seats from Shea Stadium down there and he is set.
Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets, Video | Tagged DIY Man Cave, New York Mets | 1 CommentBaseball Returning to Atlantic City?
January 11, 2012
Two proposals have been announced that could bring baseball back to Atlantic City, the Press of Atlantic City has reported.
Former Atlantic City Surf general manager Mario Perrucci said Tuesday he will meet Jan. 19 with city officials about his ideas for putting the 5,000-seat arena back into use… Less is known about the second proposal from Silk City Ventures of Connecticut, which announced its intentions online Tuesday to revive the Surf.
It’s really interesting that these two groups are trying to bring back the Atlantic City Surf.
Right now, interest is growing for a return of the franchise. Silk City Ventures launched a Facebook group to gauge the communities interest in bringing back the Surf which has grown to more than 1,200 fans. Creating a buzz in the air. I’m most intrigued by Silk City Ventures plan to offer stock in the team of $10 per share with 2.5 million shares available (25%) of the company to the public. Will the proposed plan work?
While the public’s interest might have sparked for a return of professional in the Atlantic City area, it faces true up hill battle on the logistics side. The Surf’s struggled with attendance, averaging 2,466 fans, in its inaugural 1998 season, and later dropping to as low as 1,984 in 2006. The 5,000-seat Sandcastle Stadium has been neglected since the Surf’s ceased operations prior to the 2009 season. Upgrades to the stadium would cost around $5 million, according to Silk City CEO Nicholas Desrosiers. Looking over recent photos the stadium, it needs a lot of work, especially the playing surface.
I’m not sure what the true reason to what led to the demise of the Atlantic City Surf’s. Poor management? Poor planning? Surrounding minor league baseball teams area drawing away attendance? The casinos? I do know, however, baseball returning to Atlantic City can work. It is in an area where a majority of people near and reminds me of a Myrtle Beach type, between the local resides and tourists coming in. Not to mention, Sandcastle Stadium is a modern stadium with the correct upgrades is right up there with Citi Bank Park of the L.I. Ducks.
In the end, it comes down to money. If the city is aboard with either one of the two proposals, baseball could be returning to Atlantic City sooner than later.
Posted in Matt Pignataro | Tagged Atlantic City Surf, Long Island Ducks | 2 CommentsMets Should Look at Mark Teahen for Bench Spot
January 9, 2012
The Blue Jays have designated Mark Teahen for assignment the team has announced.
Teahen hit .200 (32-for-160) with 4 HR and 14 RBI combined between 78 games for the White Sox and Blue Jays last season.
Assuming Teahen passes through waivers ($5.5MM left on his contract for 2012), I wonder if the Mets would have any interest in him once he becomes a free-agent?
Teahen can play multiple infield positions and corner outfield spots, which would give the Mets versatility off the bench. He did struggle last season, but it was largely do to a wrist injury. I think Teahen tried to change his game once traded to the White Sox in trying to hit for more power than being that contact, hit the ball into the gaps type hitter he was with the Royals. Teahen could fit quite well at Citi Field, being a gap-to-gap hitter throughout his career as Teahen hit 30 or more doubles from 2007-2009.
In my opinion, Teahen is worth a shot of bringing into camp on a minor-league deal. He could provide the much needed versatility off the bench and could benefit from playing in a large park offensively.
Posted in Matt Pignataro, New York Mets | Tagged Mark Teahen, New York Mets | 1 CommentMock Draft: SS C.J. Hinojosa Projected to Mets
January 4, 2012
The Mets will have the 12th selection in June’s 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
In a post to MLB Bonus Baby, Matt Garrioch predicts the Mets will select Texas HS SS C.J. Hinojosa.
Here is a scouting report on Hinojosa from the Perfect Game:
Very top level hitting tools, balanced approach, glides into contact, very good lower half use, + aggressive, attacks the ball, recognizes pitches early, looks to pull, exceptional bat speed, knows he can hit and does. 6.71 runner, athletic defensive actions, quick hands at the ball but shows occasional stiffness, plenty of arm strength, could likely play any infield position well, may project best at second base. Compares very closely to fellow Houston native Anthony Rendon at the same age.
Hinojosa is a hitter without a doubt. Watching video, the ball explodes off his bat. Taking an aggressive attack with each swing. However, Hinojosa has a very strong commitment to the University of Texas, which draws concern, especially with the new CBA draft slotting system in place.
“When it comes to Major League Baseball, there is no big rush,” said Hinojosa to iHigh.com. Reading that quote makes me believe, Hinojosa is pretty set on competing at Texas than signing professionally, unless the money is right of course.
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MinorLeagueBall.com projects the Mets will select Puerto Rico Baseball Academy SS Carlos Correa in their mock draft.
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It’s so early right now to predict who is going where in the draft. Stocks can go up and down, even weeks, sometimes hours leading up to June’s draft. I wouldn’t put too much stock into any of these mock drafts, because with the new CBA in place, this years draft looks even more unpredictable than ever before with what teams might do.
Here is video of Hinojosa courtesy of BaseballBanter.com:
Posted in Matt Pignataro, MLB Draft, New York Mets | Tagged C.J. Hinojosa, Carlos Correa, MLB Draft, New York Mets | Leave a commentMets Sign Omar Quintanilla to Minor League Deal
January 3, 2012
