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13I don’t want to pretend I saw this day coming years ago but I always thought the Mets took the coward’s way out when, faced with the task of choosing a new closer they simply threw the most money at the biggest name out there and considered it done.

It was after all the most defensible position they could have taken. Having a Brand Name out there in the bullpen takes a lot of pressure off the manager by avoiding the kind of Quarterback Controversy the so-called bullpen-by-committee invites; and it certainly fits the bill for a Win Now team, which the Mets are forever convinced they are.

With that said, in a matter of taste I’d have preferred to see them try something a little more creative. They certainly could have handed the closer’s role to Aaron Heilman and saw what happened. Braden Looper should have taught them that anyone with a decent arm can fake it as a closer, as he did in 2004; instead they got spooked by Looper’s rotten 2005 – injury related of course – and went out and gave way too much job security to Billy Wagner, who, it should be noted wore out his welcome with two previous employers and continues to talk like a player confident he’ll outlast his manager.

And he will!

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I’ve tried to be modest about begging you to buy the book based on the website but I shouldn’t turn down the opportunity to let you know you can get a free one.

That said if you haven’t picked up a copy of MBTN for your Dad yet what are you waiting for. Do what Neil Best tells you to do!

No Surprises

It wouldn’t surprise me to see this afternoon’s AAA callup, Chris Aguila, show up at Shea tonight inheriting the same No. 6 jersey that belonged last to pointless infield acquiree Abraham Nunez and before that to overmatched outfielder Nick Evans, and before that to obscure, briefly visiting catcher Gustavo Molina.

7 p.m. UPDATE: Aguila is wearing No. 29, last seen on the back of Jorge Sosa. Guess we’re surprised after all.

And it wouldn’t surprise me if the Mets losing streak reached the same No. 6 tonight, seeing as Mike Pelfrey opposes Brandon Webb. And it would come as no surprise if the Mets might lose as a result of getting entirely too cautious with a lead, as they’re in the dreadful habit of once again.

Catching up with moves from Tuesday, they activated Moises Alou, along with Marlon Anderson, from the disabled list, while designating third catcher Raul Casanova to for assignment. Not surprisingly, Alou couldn’t make it through the rain delay last night. Anderson in the meantime, was welcomed back despite doing nothing while healthy to have helped this club so far. That’s also not a surprise.

Thanks to a note from Joey we know Casey Hodges was snapped up by the Braves in the 23rd round of the amatuer draft. Boo!

Get Their Heads Examined

The aftereffects of Ryan Church‘s concussion have now kept him out of the lineup for nearly three weeks, but the Mets are taking it day by day. Perhaps, when Church sees a neurologist this week, Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph accompany him: I suspect an examination won’t reveal much.

Raul Casanova is back in No. 30 and Robinson Cancel is reporting back to AAA unless he gets claimed by someone else. Sure. Cancel grounded out in his first turn at bat in nine years Friday night.

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Meet those men inside my brain: The Mets Police.
Nice review from Steve Reynolds of Zisk Magazine: It’s like getting thrown out at home by great writing!

You Gotta Bereave

 

The Mets on Wednesday placed Raul Casanova on the bereavement list and in what figures to be a sort-term solution, called beefy AAA catcher Robinson Cancel to the big club to take his place. Cancel last played Major League ball nine years ago with the Brewers and was signed by the Mets system a year ago out of the Northern League.

 

Mets.com lists Cancel as wearing No. 4, which if true (I missed pictures from todays game) means the Met tailors worked pretty hard stitching a few yards of fabric to the No. 4 jersey from its most recent occupant, bantamweight infielder Anderson Hernandez. Cancel is wishfully listed at 190.

 

This Week in Disabled List History

The Mets tonight welcome a healthy Pedro Martinez back to the team, hopefully to stay awhile but you never know. To make room they optioned newly activated reliever Carlos Muniz. Claudio Vargas in the meantime got a sudden introduction to his new role as a long man, mopping up for irritating lefty Oliver Perez after the Giants bashed Perez for six momentum-eviserating runs in one-third of an inning Monday.

The arrangement saves a starting assignment for Mike Pelfrey, who, for all of his struggles has turned in more quality starts with a lot less hype than, say, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy combined. Oliver Perez too for that matter.

Pelfrey may not ever be the guy the Mets hoped he’d be when they called his name in Omar Minaya’s first draft as head honcho three years ago this week, but finding that out is the right thing to do.

Speaking of anniversaries, it was 10 years ago this Sunday that while playing ultimate frisbee in Yonkers, I collapsed to the turf with what would later be diagnosed as a ruptured Achilles tendon. Aside from effectively ending a maniacal pursuit to become the world’s most famous frisbee player, the coming months off my feet for surgery and subsequent rehab would lead to the even stupider quest to chronicle every uniform number in Mets history.

Gonna Fly Now

What’s a weirder sight — Jay Horwitz wearing Jeromy Burntiz‘ hideous orange sportscoat… or Carlos Delgado wearing a uniform dirtier than Jason Giambi’s lucky thong? We got all that, plus Scott Schoeneweis wearing a satisfied smile, as the Mets’ sudden winning streak reached 3 games Thursday night. They scored all eight runs with two men out, an unfathomable accomplishment at some times this year and perhaps… maybe … a sign that they have turned the corner. Before they go for four straight Friday, please stop by the Holiday Inn LaGuardia and the Pine Lounge — that’s the former Bobby Vee’s — at 37-10 114th Street, right across the Grand Central from Big Shea. I’ll be there with Matthew Silverman. We’ll have books to sell and sign, or just hang out and schmooze pre-game: We’re headed to the game afterward. Thanks to Joey Reynolds and WOR for having us on the other night, and by night, I mean, late night: I didn’t wind up being much of a conversationalist at 2am, though Matt picked up the slack. The highlight of the experience was definitely getting an impromptu a capella “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by Nu Millenium A Capella Soul, who went on before us.

Unwise

Stop us if you heard this before: The Mets on Tuesday sent ineffective reliever Matt Wise to the disabled list for the second time this year and for the second time this year, recalled New Orleans closer Carlos Muniz to replace him.

As you might also know, Wise’s arrival over the offseason inadvertently triggered Muniz to switch from his first-issuedNo. 38 and alight in 32, which he was also dressed in earlier this year.

As you also already know, the Mets held an especially unsatisfying press conference Monday during which Omar Minaya acted as if he didn’t want Willie Randolph fired and Randolph continued pretending his team was OK and plays hard for him. They gave vaguely encouraging lip-service to a need to try and improve the team and suggested they had a lot of the same ideas (such as?) while perpetuating the myth that Randolph’s remarks to Ian O’Connor deserved the attention and scrutiny they received, and that Randolph necessarily had anything to apologize for but the revolting play of his team.

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A few more book-related events this week not to be missed: Tonight (actually Wednesday morning at 1 a.m., along with Matthew Silverman, guesting live in-studio on the Joey Reynolds Show on WOR-radio (and simulcast nationwide). You can listen to an archive of the event at the same address.

On Friday May 30, Matthew and I will host a book signing and pregame schmoozing at LaGuardia Holiday Inn‘s Pine Bar & Restaurant, at 5:30 p.m. Come on over, have a drink, buy a book for your Dad, or get yours signed. Afterwards we’ll hoof it to Shea and catch the return of Joe Torre.

Rocky 9

8Despite Gary Carter’s assurances that he’s only a phone call away, the Mets dialed Binghamton instead Friday to call up their newest guy, Nick Evans, who’s expected to be in uniform today when the Mets continue their series in Colorado.

Evans will replace Marlon Anderson, who while fast approaching the day where the team would have to make a hard decision on him one way or another, pulled a hamstring and hit the disabled list instead.

Evans, we hear, is a right-handed power hitter who can play first, third and fake it in the outfield. He may be in the lineup this afternoon against Jeff Francis.

He’s listed as No. 24 on the Bingo roster… we’ll update you on his digits when we know ’em. … but I like Gene’s ida from thne comments in the below entry: Show Carter what you think of his grandstanding and dress him in 8.