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Four Points Flushing. The Official Hotel of the Queens Baseball Convention and The MediaGoon.com

Sunday, September 30, 2018

More @QBConvention (QUEENS BASEBALL CONVENTION) News!


Mets Game Notes 9/30/18

David Wright Presser.



@Mets David Wright Tribute Video



David Wright taking the field.



David Wright has a message for Mets fans...



David Wright’s Last Game


Yep. Yesterday was the day. The day David Wright was hanging up his cleats. The fans turned out and the ballpark was crowded. Everyone wanted to see the captain one last time. There was a weird vibe in the crowd. One of celebration, sadness, and it seemed like "peace". When I say peace, I mean that the fans have come to peace with never seeing Wright wearing a Mets uniform and playing on the field ever again.
The Mets couldn’t just win this in a regular nine innings. No score  forever and finally after 3000 innings the Mets were able to put a runner through and then fhe Mefs won. They put a very cool video tribute up for him and Wright came out and had a quick speech for the fans.

Looks like David Wright signed for some folks that waited to see him after the game.


The Mets had no merchandise for Wright’s last game but the bootleggers did.

Don’t buy that crap folks. The only people who see any profit from these things are bad bad people

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Mets Post Game Notes 9/29/18

Mets Game Notes 9/29/18

David Wright Day.



I don’t know how many posts that that I’ll be writing today, so I figured I’d know this out early. David Wright is just one of the great players the Mets have had, he is one of the greatest persons that they have ever had. I have heard stories about his generosity to every day fans. Took his time out for pictures, signing things, and to talk with fans for a bit. No matter what he did you know he “got it”. You never heard a bad word about him and he was very much like the other captain from the Bronx. They both were/are class acts on and off the field.

That Harvey guy said he wanted to be like Jeter. All he had to do was look in the clubhouse to see the player that he should have emulated. From time to time I think about how Syndergaard needs a little “lunch police” action from someone, because when Wright did it, It seemed to straighten Thor out for a bit.

David Wright off the field has always held himself to a high standard off the field. He had various charity events, would donate stuff to folks who needed it, and genuinely cared about others. You never seen him in the papers for anything negative. He was always trying to keep a positive Public Image because he knew kids looked up to him.
The Mets, Mets Fans, The MLB, and NYC were lucky to have you play here.
Thanks David Wright. Have a healthy and awesome non baseball life.

Friday, September 28, 2018

Mets Game Notes 9/28/18

The Yankees took out an ad in the Daily News for David Wright


Classy.

Thanks OD for the heads up

OABT: S2 E38: SEASON 2 FINALE! Mets talk and more live from Patchogue





We close out the year with a special live show in Patchogue at The Cliffton Bar. Gregg Giannotti from WFAN pops on, Lizy and Darren recap some highlights from the year, we gave fans the opportunity to send thank you messages for David Wright, give away some free stuff, a look towards 2019, and a champagne toast for The Captain.
Hosted by Darren Meenan (with guest co-host Lizy Saroyan this week) our episodes stream live each Thursday on FB and Twitter. We're a pretty visual show, so if you can, try to catch the live stream (or replay) on Facebook.com/The7Line or Twitter.com/The7Line. For now give a listen and if you're in to it, share with your friends, subscribe and leave a review.
Shout out to our beer sponsor OYSTER BAY BREWING COMPANY! Nothing better than supporting a local business, and cracking open a cold one over some baseball. Check them out at oysterbaybrewing.com and hit up the brewery during any Mets game for $5 pints when you mention OABT. Also, get $1 off pints anytime by mentioning the show as well. CHEERS!






Mets Post Game Notes 9/27/18


                                                 Thursday, September 27, 2018
                              Atlanta Braves (89-70) vs. New York Mets (75-84)'


Win: Jason Vargas (7-9) Loss: Julio Teheran (9-9) Save: Robert Gsellman (13) Time: 2:41 Attendance: 24,824

HOME RUN INFORMATION

Mets: Improved to 16-9 (.640) in September and 11-3-2 in their last 16 series...The Mets are 22-18 in their last 40 home games and 35-43 overall at Citi Field...Have gone 43-36 since July 1 and are 31-21 in their last 52 games.
• Finished the season series against the Braves with a 6-13 record...Are 38-35 vs. the NL East.
Starters: Mets starters are 49-49 this season (were 49-64 last season)....Have gone 29-17 with a 3.09 ERA (132 earned runs/384.1 innings) since the All-Star break...The rotation's 29 second-half victories are the most in the majors...Entering play today, the best second-half starters ERA in the majors belonged to the Dodgers (3.08).
Jason Vargas (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 6 K): Needed just 77 pitches to complete a season-high 7.0-shutout innings to complete his 2018 campaign... Over his final eight starts of the season, went 5-1 with a 2.62 ERA (13 earned runs/44.2 innings)...Was his first scoreless outing of at least 7.0 innings since his shutout on June 2 of last season vs. Cleveland...The Mets went 6-1 in his last seven starts (were 2-11 in his first 13 outings).
Devin Mesoraco (1-1, HR, 3 RBI, R): Belted a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the seventh inning...Was his first home run since August 18 at Phila- delphia and his third-career pinch hit homer (last, May 27 at Milwaukee).
Kevin Plawecki (1-3, HR, RBI, R): Blasted his seventh homer of the season, extending a career-high.
Brandon NImmo (1-3, 2B, BB): Boosted his season OBP to .402, which would be the highest by a Mets batter since David Wright had a .416 OBP in 2007...Snapped an 0-11 skid with a leadoff double...Despite posting a .179 average (10-56) in his last 20 games, owns a .459 OBP in that span (has drawn 25 walks and been plunked four times).
• Has reached base safely in 32 of his last 33 games...Has walked nine times in his last four games...Has drawn at least one walk in 13 of his last 14 games...Ranks second in the majors with 28 walks in September.
Braves: Have lost back-to-back contests following their season-high-tying six-game winning streak...Went 13-6 against the Mets in 2018.
Julio Teheran (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K): Finished the regular season with a .196 opponent average (122-623)...That currently stands as the lowest single-season mark in Braves history for a qualifying pitcher, besting Greg Maddux's .197 average against in 1995.
• Only three teams in the last 110 years (1968 Indians, 1986 Astros and 2015 Dodgers) have had multiple qualifying pitchers with an oppo- nent average below .200...Tomorrow’s starter, Mike Foltynewicz, has a .198 opponent average heading into his final outing of the season. • In five starts against the Mets this season, went 1-2 with a 1.65 ERA (six earned runs/32.2 innings)...His career ERA vs. New York is 2.39 (41 earned runs/154.2 innings) in 24 starts, including a 2.28 ERA (20 earned runs/79.0 innings) in 13 starts at Citi Field.
Fri., Sept. 28 Sat., Sept. 29 Sun., Sept. 30
Upcoming Pitching vs. Miami
RHP JosƩ UreƱa (8-12, 4.07) vs. RHP Corey Oswalt (3-3, 6.08)
RHP Trevor Richards (4-9, 4.66) vs. LHP Steven Matz (5-11, 4.14)
RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 4.00) vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard (12-4, 3.22)
7:10 p.m. ET (SNY, WOR 710 AM, 104.3 FM HD, ESPN 1050 AM) 7:10 p.m. ET (SNY, PIX11, WOR 710 AM, 104.3 FM HD, ESPN 1050 AM) 3:10 p.m. ET (SNY, WOR 710 AM, 104.3 FM HD, ESPN 1050 AM)

Thursday, September 27, 2018

OABT Season 2 Finale LIVE in Patchogue tonight! 



Come hang out at The Cliffton Bar in Patchogue tonight as we close out the second season of Orange and Blue Thing!

The Cliffton
151 East Main Street
Patchogue, New York 11772


Doors open at 4:30pm, and OABT will go live at 6pm on FB Live and Twitter. We'll end around 7, and stay afterwards to watch the Mets game.

Our friends from Oyster Bay Brewing Company will also be on hand, and their tasty Pumpkin Ale, and Barn Rocker will be on special for $4.

We'll close out the year, look towards 2019, and end with a champagne toast to The Captain. If you'll be watching from home, get some bubbly on ice.

WE'RE GIVING AWAY A FREE TICKET TO SATURDAYS GAME TO ONE LUCKY FAN IN ATTENDANCE!
Can’t make it out?
Watch here on FB
Watch here on Twitter

Mets Game Notes 9/27/18

METS AND PARTNER KONICA MINOLTA TO HONOR LOCAL VETERANS ON SEPTEMBER 27 WITH PREGAME CEREMONY

Matt Harvey might have taken a shot at the Mets


Matt “Harvey” Dent is back at it again.
From the NY Post
Let it go, Matt.

Former Mets ace Matt Harvey will finally get his shot at free agency this offseason after wrapping up his tumultuous 2018 season Tuesday night, and he is not sure where he’ll be pitching next season. He does know where he won’t be, though.

“There’s only one team out there I would not sign with, that’s about it,” Harvey said via The Athletic.

That team, presumably, is the Mets, who broke off their dramatic relationship with Harvey in May after shipping him to the Reds for catcher Devin Mesoraco.
Read more here.
So we can assume that good old Two Face is talking about the Mets. Thank God that he isn’t willing to sign with the Mets. You know why? Because that would be a mistake by the Mets to bring back this malcontent. The rumors I heard about him behind the scenes were amazing. I won’t get into them here but wow. The stunts he pulled with Mets when he “woke” up late and didn’t want to go to Triple A to fix his mechanics were ridiculous. You don’t want to sign with the Mets? There are a great deal of Mets fans that don’t want you to sign with the team.

deGrom and the Cy Young Award


Fans tend to value ERA as the most important statistic for a pitcher. But ERA is like a batting average; it's a personal number. Pitchers can have low ERAs and not win many games. Cincinnati's Elmer Dessens has the 10th-best ERA in the majors at 3.00. Does that make him baseball's 10th-best pitcher? He only has a 7-8 record in 28 starts.

If a pitcher has a low ERA and consistently loses low-scoring games, like 2-1 or 3-2, it means the opposing pitchers are outpitching him. That is not a criticism; the pitcher may be pitching great. But he is pitching well enough to lose, not to win.

Everything in baseball is about production, not percentages. I view pitching statistics in the context of a hitter. ERA and batting average are percentages that don't help a team win. However, wins and innings pitched are productive numbers for a pitcher just as RBIs and runs scored are for a hitter.

A pitcher's winning percentage matters, but it depends on how many innings he has pitched. I would rather have a pitcher who is 17-5 than one who is 7-0. Not only did the first pitcher win more games, but he has also logged more innings to win 17 games. The more innings a pitcher throws, the more he helps his team because he is taking pressure off the rest of the staff.
This is from Joe Morgan and you can read more here.
Now that article is from a few years ago but that’s how the writers look at it. Wins more the ERA. Now do I want deGrom to win? Hell yeah. At least it gives a bright spot on a very blah season. deGrom deserves the award for the way he pitched this season. The poor guy had to drive in runs on his own to get this team to win for him. I do disagree with Morgan about the pitcher losing 3-2 consistently that he was out pitched. That takes the factors of errors and bad plays out of the equation.
Do I want Jake to win? I’m hoping he does. Do I think he does? No. Does he deserve it? Yes.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Mets Game Notes 9/26/18

Mets Fan Appreciation Weekend Stuff and Things


Friday, September 28 @ 7:10 p.m.

Free Shirt Friday presented by P.C. Richard & Son (All Fans) 

Gate/Parking Information:
  • Parking Lots: 4:10 p.m.
  • Jackie Robinson Rotunda Entrance: 5:10 p.m.
  • All Other Gates: 5:40 p.m.

Additional Friday Fan Appreciation Activities:
  • Tim Teufel and Mookie Wilson pregame autograph signings in the Mets Hall of Fame & Museum from 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
  • Fans will be randomly selected to receive seat upgrades.
  • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app and you will automatically be entered to win:
    • Random check-in prizes
      • Premium access to MLB At Bat for randomly selected fan(s)
      • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app to automatically receive:
  • Fans will be randomly chosen in-park during the game, and on Twitter, to win prizes, game-used memorabilia, tickets/experiences and merchandise.
  • Mets Team Store Discount
    • All Fans - Save 20%
    • Season Ticket Holders - Save 25%
*Only applies to regularly priced items - Cannot be combined with other offers - Some exclusions apply - Valid STH card required for STH discount*

Saturday, September 29 @ 7:10 p.m.

Fireworks Night presented by Verizon

Gate/Parking Information:
  • Parking Lots: 4:10 p.m.
  • All Gates: 4:30 p.m. (Early opening to allow fans to watch Batting Practice)
  • Postgame Fireworks: begin 10 minutes after the final out

Additional Saturday Fan Appreciation Activities:
  • Fans will be randomly selected to receive seat upgrades (depending on availability).
  • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app and you will automatically be entered to win:
    • Random check-in prizes
      • Premium access to MLB At Bat for randomly selected fan(s)
      • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app to automatically receive:
  • Fans will be randomly chosen in-park during the game, and on Twitter, to win prizes, game-used memorabilia, tickets/experiences and merchandise.
  • Mets Team Store Discount
    • All Fans - Save 20%
    • Season Ticket Holders - Save 25%
*Only applies to regularly priced items - Cannot be combined with other offers - Some exclusions apply - Valid STH card required for STH discount*

Sunday, September 30 @ 3:10 p.m.

2019 Magnetic Schedule presented by Hyundai (All Fans)*

Gate/Parking Information:
  • Parking Lots: 12:10 p.m.
  • McDonald's Family Sunday Interactive Games and Attractions on Mets Plaza outside of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
  • All Gates: 1:10 p.m.
  • Mr. Met Postgame Dash presented by Northwell Health (kids 12 & under run the bases): begins 20 minutes after the final out (line-up outside the Bullpen Gate on 126th St.)

Additional Sunday Fan Appreciation Activities:
  • Mookie Wilson will be signing autographs on Mets Plaza from 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
  • Tim Teufel and John Franco will be signing autographs at the Mets Museum from 1:15 p.m. - 2:15p.m.
  • Fans will be randomly selected to receive seat upgrades (depending on availability).
  • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app and you will automatically be entered to win:
    • Random check-in prizes
      • Premium access to MLB At Bat for randomly selected fan(s)
      • R.B.I. Baseball 17 Codes - Free Game Redemption
        • Five (5) fans will receive a code for a free R.B.I. Baseball 18 game
    • Check in to the MLB Ballpark app to automatically receive:
  • Fans will be randomly chosen in-park during the game, and on Twitter, to win prizes, gift cards, game-used memorabilia, tickets/experiences and merchandise.
  • Season Ticket Holders will be randomly selected to step onto the field after the game and receive a jersey off the back of a Mets player. 
  • Mets Team Store Discount
    • All Fans - Save 20%
    • Season Ticket Holders - Save 25%
*Only applies to regularly priced items - Cannot be combined with other offers - Some exclusions apply - Valid STH card required for STH discount*

Matt Cerrone’s Interview with David Wright from 2016



My buddy Matt Cerrone has a pretty good interview with David Wright up online.
Before Matt gets into the interview from 2016 he gives these thoughts.
In my 15 years writing MetsBlog, I have done one-on-one interviews with David by phone or in person more than 20 times. The following Q&A, which we did in January of 2016 in advance of him writing the foreword to my book, The Mets Fans Bucket List, Wright speaks about his family and memories of Shea Stadium.

More than anything, though, it's his comments about having a similar respect and appreciation for Mets fans that stick out most...




Here’s a quick excerpt:
Matthew Cerrone...

In case you forgot, which I doubt you have, you popped out to the catcher against John Patterson and the Expos in your first big league at bat. Jae Weong Seo started for you guys. Jose Reyes was at second base because Kaz Matsui was at shortstop. Of course, your boy, Cliff Floyd, was in left field. Ultimately, you went 0-for-4, but you did hit .294 the next two weeks. Aside from those top line moments, what do you remember about your first big-league at bat?



David Wright...

Not much, seriously. It's still a bit of a blur. I remember stepping out of the on-deck circle and just wanting to look at the scoreboard to see my face on it. I'll never forget it. I then started walking to the plate trying to be cool and soak it all in and realize that this is my first major league at-bat. But, again, all I kept doing was looking up at the scoreboard and looking at myself in a Mets uniform on the Jumbotron. I think seeing myself up there helped me get out of the moment and see that this was real.



Matthew Cerrone...

As you know, Mets fans are a lot of things. Obviously, we're passionate and pumped up when the team is playing well. But, we can also be irrational and emotional and angry at times because we expect all-out hustle and max effort and, unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. We're a wild ride. So, after more than a decade of listening to us, what have you learned most about Mets fans that you'll always remember?



David Wright...

Loyalty. The loyalty that this fan base has shown to me has been off the charts and something I will never forget when things are all said and done. I respect that and I think Mets fans know that I truly appreciate it.

Also, for them, it's not just about coming to the ballpark and watching a baseball game. Mets fans really know the game. They know when a guy does something well that may not show up in the box score, and they also know when you didn't get the job done. I mean, it's pretty special when fans cheer for you after hitting a ground ball to the second baseman with a guy on second and nobody out just so you can get a runner to third. I think there's more of an appreciation for that type of baseball -- when you do the small things correctly -- than anywhere else.



I truly appreciate that they don't just come to the ballpark, watch a game, have a beer, have a hot dog, go home and never think about it again. Our fan base is a lot more rabid that that. Their knowledge level is high that their expectations are always high, too. And when that happens, it's a lot more fun to come to the ballpark; not just for the fans, but also for us as players.
Read more here.
Also if you want to grab Matt’s book Mets Fans Bucket List (a book that I am in btw) go here.

Game Used Rosario Rookie Helmet


$450 you say? $300 is more like it.... pass.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Mets Game Notes 9/25/18

@Katchastoria to showcase some of @mediagoon's collection


Hey Guys. The fine folks over at Katch Astoria asked me if I minded putting up some of my memorabilia in their bar/restaurant. I said sure why not. Right now we are starting of small. There are a couple of jerseys over there right now. I decided that instead of doing the run of the mill every day jerseys that you usually will see up at a sports bar. What is up there right now is the Jurassic World Binghamton Rumble Ponies Game Used Jersey worn by #31 Corey Taylor....



There is another cool jersey that is hanging up there. It's a hard to find one too. From 2009



The New York Mets will honor their National League heritage by wearing throwback uniforms inspired by the turn of the century New York Giants uniforms when they play the San Francisco Giants this weekend at Citi Field.
The cream-colored jerseys feature an oversized blue "NY" on the front, blue and orange piping on the sleeves and a Mr. Met patch on the right sleeve.
This was the game that David Wright got plunked int he head from a pitch. Randy Niemann was the the bull pen coach back then and this jersey was his.

I have decided to do the "coffee house thing" and while my jerseys are on the walls of Katch you can admire them or you can also buy them. There is a little blurb in each case that tells you about the jersey and who to contact if you are interested in buying them. Hope you guys enjoy peeking into my collection and who knows, one of them might Katch your eye!



Mets make a commitment to Syracuse until 2043



Thanks to Metspolice for putting this on my radar.

Grabbed this from Syracuse.com.

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The New York Mets have verbally agreed to extend their current lease at NBT Bank Stadium through 2043, according to Onondaga County deputy executive Bill Fisher.
The current pact runs through 2025. Fisher said the new agreement is contingent upon the county closing a deal to make about $25 million in improvements in the ballpark.
MG- Wow. $25 million for a Triple A ball park. Where is this money coming from? The Mets? The Wilpons?

Fisher said $8.5 million of the funding would come through bonding. At least another $3.6 million would be kicked in from the county and the Mets from stadium naming rights revenue (the current deal expires after 2025)
Fisher believes once the county locks in its approval, the state will toss in a dollar-for-dollar match of that $12.1 million foundation. That would bring the total pot to at least $24.2 million.
NBT's current naming rights deal pays a total of $2.8 million over 20 years. Fisher said NBT Bank has rights of first refusal when it comes time to renew naming rights.
The county and Mets split that pot 50-50, Fisher said. If a new pact exceeds $3.6 million, Fisher said the Mets have agree to toss the additional funding on their end into the stadium improvement pool.
Fisher said the current lease calls for a rent of $200,000 per season. He said under the proposed new pact, it would increase in increments after that and top out at $300,000. 
MG-Bonding you say? Then another 12.1 million from the State? Then money from naming rights? I'm all for the city to use money to help out to build there as long as it is helping create new jobs and new tax revenue back to the state.

Are we all going on a road trip next summer?

Game Used Baseballs from 2015 Mets World Series


I might be crazy but that seems a tad high for two GU balls.