I thought it might be interesting to have a place to keep track of the different adventures of former NY ballplayers, so people could keep up on their former favorites (or nonfavorites). Presumably, this would not include play against the NY teams themselves, since that would be discussed in the appropriate NY team threads. I expect that generally players who were significant contributors for a NY team would be the ones to talk about. Here are a few tidbits from today: -- Armando Benitez is 4 for 4 in saves for the Giants after saving Barry Zito's 1-0 win over the D'Backs today (Barry Bonds drove in the only run). -- Lou Piniella announced today that when Alfonso Soriano comes back from a strained hamstring he's going to be moved to LF from CF. I have to think that this is very bad news for Cliff Floyd, who is hitting .275, but has an OPS under .700 for the Cubs. -- The White Sox beat the Tigers, but Jose Contreras continues to struggle, with an ERA over 6. -- Chad Bradford pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a win for Baltimore, their 7th in 8 games. His ERA this year is 1.35. -- Jae Seo got his 2nd win in 20 starts for Tampa Bay dating back to last July, despite giving up 5 runs in 6 innings.
Joe Pepitone does drugs and can be found hanging out at local pizzerias around the south shore of Long Island. (sorry stat-man couldn't resist)
I think he's been demoted by this point but Jorge Julio's line for the Marlins this year is so bad it bears repeating. 5 2/3 IP 15 hits, 13 runs, 11 walks and 2 strikeouts. That works out to an ERA just over 19 and a WHIP just over 4.5 One time darling Free Heath Bell(and more recently, the Hit Fairy) is off to a great start for the Padres. 11 1/3 IP 6 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 12 strikeouts
Congratulations! I knew that this would eventually descend into tabloid hysteria, but didn't expect it to happen on the second post! :up: :wink:
Jorge Julio obviously not a big surprise, but if Free Heath Bell turns into a viable major league pitcher I will be stunned.
I think Heath has it in him to be a major leaguer with some staying power. Good fastball, good slider. If he keeps his command and has better luck (his opposition's BABIP was through the roof, see chart), he'll be all right. I'm glad he's finally Free.
After the last 2 years with the Mets he seemed like more of a AAAA'er to me, he was dominant in AAA but never seemed able to put it together in the big leagues. He's obviously overachieving right now but I agree if his BABIP remains at a somewhat reasonable level(ie not over .350) then he should have a place in the pen.
I will admit that I have not followed Bell's career enough to have been aware of the subtleties LTS has brought out. Perhaps he will become a viable major leaguer, but if he is anything more than a journeyman, I'll go back to being stunned.
Mike Piazza- .242/.296/.364, 1 HR, 4 RBI Marco Scutaro- .120/.185/.240, 1 HR, 3 RBI Gary Matthews, Jr.- .234/.315/.250, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5 SB Ty Wigginton- .313/356/.582, 4 HR, 13 RBI Kaz Matsui- .361/.395/.472, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5 SB Jason Tyner- .343/.378/.457, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 SB
Piazza was off to a hot start, but I guess that ended. (Edit: yep - he's 5 for 38 in his last 9 games, slugging .184 with an OBP of .195 over that time.) Didn't even remember that Scutaro and Matthews played for the Mets until you brought the names up! The biggest surprise so far actually is probably Braden Looper - after 572 career appearances all in relief, he's 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA as a starter for St. Louis, averaging 6.5 IP per start.
Yeah, Looper has been a surprise. Matthews had one pinch hit at-bat for the Mets. It came on Opening Day in 2002.
Mo Vaughn is helping fix up apartment buildings in NYC. I saw an article in the Daily News (I think it was that paper)
Marcos Scutaro came out of nowhere and hit a game winning triple for his first career hit. I also remember he was invovled in one of Bobby Valentine's most inexplicable moves, when he was put into the OF (he was a career infielder) in a close game and made a key error. I think the mets were still in contention then.
Sheffield is stinkin' it up in Detroit. I hope he turns it around, I never had a problem with him here.
His power numbers and OBP have been in steady decline since 2003 - I doubt that he'll stay this bad, but to me them paying him almost $40M through 2009 was just crazy.
I don't think a lot of people realize how old Sheffield is. He might just not have a lot left. At some point he won't be able to return effectively from injuries.
Scott Kazmir is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA. There is something about him that the Met hierarchy never liked. That is why he was traded, but given the backlash of the trade from fans they said nothing. I happen to think it is his physique. He is not built like a power pitcher to last. This is going to get me killed here, but if Tampa Bay came to me and said they would trade Kazmir back to the Mets for Oliver Perez - I would have to sleep on it.
I wouldn't, but that's not even really the point. Would you have to sleep on it if they asked for Aaron Sele or Chan Ho Park? Because that would be the equivalent of what the Mets got in return for him.
