(This was written on a Samsung Galaxy S5 Smart Phone via the Memo Pad from 11:30 PM to 12:57 AM after the Mets loss against Atlanta on the 4th game of the season)
PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony J. Causi
Defense, defense, defense. I know I'm supposed to be ranting about who is or isn't hitting or why pitching sucks or why Terry Collins can't make a lineup on his own, but I feel like the left side of the infield cost the Mets the game tonight.
Due to recording the Hardcore BF Podcast tonight, I was keeping up with the game through the MLB At-Bat app on my phone. When I saw the Mets down 3-0 to start the 4th inning and two errors, I started to worry. When I read under all plays that Wilmer Flores made both errors on throwing to first base, I nearly flipped out.
All offseason, every Mets fan and critic have been asking why General Manager Sandy Alderson hadn't picked up a shortstop. My answer was always to believe in what they had with both Tejada and Flores. Due to Flores' bat, he earned the starting position at SS.
As I mentioned last night, Flores has been struggling with his throws to the bag. As I finished recording the podcast, I immediate went and put on SNY. Almost on cue, a ground ball went to Flores. His throw pulled Michael Cuddyer off the bag and almost caused a third error. However, Cuddyer was able to tag the runner as he went by and got the out.
Watching the game, I get emotionally invested in the moment as things unfold. Once the game is over, I start to ponder. Perhaps in the early season, Flores is having arm issues not known to the media. There was a time in the early part of 1989 when Howard Johnson struggled throwing via arm issues. 15 errors were made from Spring Training to the entire month of April. Once he recovered, HoJo became a pillar of the franchise and was a first time All Star.
Will Flores be an All Star? Who knows. But I will say that there might be an underlying issue with #4's arm. And if there isn't, then the Mets are in serious trouble.
Due to recording the Hardcore BF Podcast tonight, I was keeping up with the game through the MLB At-Bat app on my phone. When I saw the Mets down 3-0 to start the 4th inning and two errors, I started to worry. When I read under all plays that Wilmer Flores made both errors on throwing to first base, I nearly flipped out.
All offseason, every Mets fan and critic have been asking why General Manager Sandy Alderson hadn't picked up a shortstop. My answer was always to believe in what they had with both Tejada and Flores. Due to Flores' bat, he earned the starting position at SS.
As I mentioned last night, Flores has been struggling with his throws to the bag. As I finished recording the podcast, I immediate went and put on SNY. Almost on cue, a ground ball went to Flores. His throw pulled Michael Cuddyer off the bag and almost caused a third error. However, Cuddyer was able to tag the runner as he went by and got the out.
Watching the game, I get emotionally invested in the moment as things unfold. Once the game is over, I start to ponder. Perhaps in the early season, Flores is having arm issues not known to the media. There was a time in the early part of 1989 when Howard Johnson struggled throwing via arm issues. 15 errors were made from Spring Training to the entire month of April. Once he recovered, HoJo became a pillar of the franchise and was a first time All Star.
Will Flores be an All Star? Who knows. But I will say that there might be an underlying issue with #4's arm. And if there isn't, then the Mets are in serious trouble.
PHOTO CREDIT: Brett Davis (USA Today)
However, David Wright had me both at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Seeing the videos on the At-Bat app of the Cap'n and John Mayberry, Jr. go back-to-back with home runs excited me to no end. But when he missed the tag on Jace Peterson running to 3rd and couldn't get Andrelton Simmons at 2nd via the fielder's choice in the bottom of the 8th, problems were at hand. Two batters later, Phil Gosselin drove in those guys with a hard hit to center off Rafael Montero. The Cap'n was pissed and rightfully so. He made the mistake that cost the Mets a W.
Give it up for Montero though. After Collins made his mandatory over-managing with the bullpen, he actually had Montero try and work through the muck in the 8th inning. #50 got some grit and gives me this weird flash of Mariano Rivera from 1996 for some reason. It feels like that deep in my gut, but don't completely judge that thought just yet.
Tough night of defense from the left side of the infield, but tomorrow's another day. Niese gutted through 5: let's see if Mr. OMG himself Dillon Gee can get the ball rolling again. Optimism is key, Met fans. Let's Go Mets!
Jon Harder
jon@thejonharder.com
Give it up for Montero though. After Collins made his mandatory over-managing with the bullpen, he actually had Montero try and work through the muck in the 8th inning. #50 got some grit and gives me this weird flash of Mariano Rivera from 1996 for some reason. It feels like that deep in my gut, but don't completely judge that thought just yet.
Tough night of defense from the left side of the infield, but tomorrow's another day. Niese gutted through 5: let's see if Mr. OMG himself Dillon Gee can get the ball rolling again. Optimism is key, Met fans. Let's Go Mets!
Jon Harder
jon@thejonharder.com
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