Mets 9, Sky Sox 2

BigRapidsJackass · 05-24-2008, 07:58 PM

I attended a fairly enjoyable exhibition game today. Usually I would've had to drive to Colorado Springs to see something like this, but this time Clint Hurdle and the Rockies gladly made Coors Field available.

I saw legitimate prospects like Ian Stewart. I saw marginal prospects like Jonathan Herrera and Seth Smith. And mostly I saw nonprospects like Omar Quintanilla, Alberto Arias, and Josh Newman.

Jeff Francis, apparently on a rehab assignment or something, got in a bit of work and looked rusty. The Mets gave the ball to Claudio Vargas, a ringer they brought in after he was waived by the D'backs and Brewers. That's what usually happens in this major league team - minor league affiliate games. The big league team doesn't want to waste a real major league pitcher against a minor league lineup in a game that doesn't count.

Wait a minute ... someone just told me this one did really count! That despite the fact that Tulo, Barmes, Hawpe and Taveras are out with real injuries, Hurdle also saw fit to rest Atkins and Spilborghs and even Baker on the same day! That having won in extra innings last night, Clint decided to concede Game 2 of the series to the Mets and to actually try to win tomorrow! I thought it was an exhibition game, but now I realize: this was strategy at work, the strategy of a master thinker like Clint Hurdle. Our guys were tired, having come off a 13-inning win. Look how tired Jose Reyes and David Wright and Luis Castillo and Carlos Delgado -- all of whom were on the field for all 13 innings last night -- looked for the Mets today as they tagged the Rox for 9 runs. Well, o.k., maybe they didn't look tired, but they'll sure as heck be tired tomorrow when Clint's rested contingent goes up against the same Mets again!

What a fine show for the fans, too! Matt Holliday and Todd Helton (no doubt due for a rest tomorrow!) made cameo appearances for the Sky Sox. The kids were thrilled to see their heroes in Sky Sox uniforms. I hope they do this every year.

[Serious note: Willie Randolph's job is hanging by a thread. His players probably were tired, too. But nothing like the threat of getting fired to light a flame under your butt. Willie sent out his regular lineup and won. Clint, with 100% job security, was Mr. Nice Guy, playing a team composed of 50 percent AAA players. No sense of urgency, no indication that we've got to go for the kill now, with the Mets starting a replacement-level starter and without the services of Billy Wagner who went 2 innings last night. Just the casual, routine acceptance of mediocrity as we play for 2 of 3. Of such things are losers made.]

GerryInCS · 05-25-2008, 05:23 AM

Truth. I doubt I have seen a worse lineup than that.

05-24-2008, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,123	Mets 9, Sky Sox 2 I attended a fairly enjoyable exhibition game today. Usually I would've had to drive to Colorado Springs to see something like this, but this time Clint Hurdle and the Rockies gladly made Coors Field available. I saw legitimate prospects like Ian Stewart. I saw marginal prospects like Jonathan Herrera and Seth Smith. And mostly I saw nonprospects like Omar Quintanilla, Alberto Arias, and Josh Newman. Jeff Francis, apparently on a rehab assignment or something, got in a bit of work and looked rusty. The Mets gave the ball to Claudio Vargas, a ringer they brought in after he was waived by the D'backs and Brewers. That's what usually happens in this major league team - minor league affiliate games. The big league team doesn't want to waste a real major league pitcher against a minor league lineup in a game that doesn't count. Wait a minute ... someone just told me this one did really count! That despite the fact that Tulo, Barmes, Hawpe and Taveras are out with real injuries, Hurdle also saw fit to rest Atkins and Spilborghs and even Baker on the same day! That having won in extra innings last night, Clint decided to concede Game 2 of the series to the Mets and to actually try to win tomorrow! I thought it was an exhibition game, but now I realize: this was strategy at work, the strategy of a master thinker like Clint Hurdle. Our guys were tired, having come off a 13-inning win. Look how tired Jose Reyes and David Wright and Luis Castillo and Carlos Delgado -- all of whom were on the field for all 13 innings last night -- looked for the Mets today as they tagged the Rox for 9 runs. Well, o.k., maybe they didn't look tired, but they'll sure as heck be tired tomorrow when Clint's rested contingent goes up against the same Mets again! What a fine show for the fans, too! Matt Holliday and Todd Helton (no doubt due for a rest tomorrow!) made cameo appearances for the Sky Sox. The kids were thrilled to see their heroes in Sky Sox uniforms. I hope they do this every year. [Serious note: Willie Randolph's job is hanging by a thread. His players probably were tired, too. But nothing like the threat of getting fired to light a flame under your butt. Willie sent out his regular lineup and won. Clint, with 100% job security, was Mr. Nice Guy, playing a team composed of 50 percent AAA players. No sense of urgency, no indication that we've got to go for the kill now, with the Mets starting a replacement-level starter and without the services of Billy Wagner who went 2 innings last night. Just the casual, routine acceptance of mediocrity as we play for 2 of 3. Of such things are losers made.] Last edited by BigRapidsJackass; 05-24-2008 at 08:05 PM.

05-25-2008, 05:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
GerryInCS Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 627	Truth. I doubt I have seen a worse lineup than that. __________________ Americans aren't afraid of Mexicans, Americans are afraid that Mexicans are turning America into Mexico.