On Keith Hernandez, Jose Reyes, A-Rod, and the Citi Field Fences

I'm exhausted from doing the Snoopy Dance over the Yankees beating the Mets. But I do have a few comments on the game last night.

* I thought that ball Alex Rodriguez hit last night was one of the hardest-hit he had had all season long. Yet, in Citi Field, what should have been a homer became a double, thanks to that 16-feet fence in left field. No wonder David Wright and Jason Bay don't hit the home runs they once did. Cifi Field really needs to change the dimensions.

* As Squawker Jon noted when he was on the radio this morning, Jose Reyes' game is perfectly suited for Citi Field. A-Rod said that Reyes was the "world's greatest player," something that caused a little bit of controversy. But I noted to Squawker Jon that it's too bad Fred Wilpon doesn't share Alex's sentiments!

* I hope Ivan Nova gets to stay in the Yankees' rotation, even with Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes coming back. He's earned the spot, and has really grown as a pitcher this year.

* I know Keith Hernandez is the Mets' Derek Jeter, the untouchable hero, but I was really ticked off over his offensive "where's the purse?" comment last night? It's 2011. Can Hernandez find a way to make a point without ultimately denigrating women? Of, course, he'll get away with it, because he's Keith Hernandez, but it's still annoying.

Squawker Appearance on South Florida Radio With The Amigo

Last weekend, Squawker Lisa appeared on South Florida radio's "New York Sports Report." On Saturday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m., it's my turn.

"New York Sports Report" is hosted by Larry Milian - aka The Amigo - and Phil Dizz Domanic. It airs Saturday mornings. During the week, Larry co-hosts the very popular morning drive time radio show "Armando and The Amigo" on WFTL Sports 640 AM.

Both Squawkers first appeared on one of Larry's shows back in 2007. Lisa has appeared with Larry numerous times since, and I have also put in a few appearances around Subway Series time.

You can listen live online here at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and follow the guys on Twitter here.

As for the game, it's frustrating that the Mets were outhitting top American League teams on the road during the week, but stumble at home and lose at what is supposed to be their own style of play. I can't complain about Jose Reyes trying to take the extra base in the seventh inning and getting thrown out - Jose's aggressive baserunning helps the Mets a lot more often than it hurts them. But it would be nice if Jon Niese could lay down a bunt, especially when the Yankee pitchers from the DH league are able to do so.

Subway Series: Yankees Win First Go-Round Against Mets; Fred Wilpon Flaps His Gums

Sweet! Not only did the Yankees beat the Mets two games to one this weekend, but I woke up to the news that Mets owner Fred Wilpon has made Hank Steinbrenner look like Silent Cal Coolidge. The New York Times reports that this week's New Yorker has an interview with Frugal Freddy. In the piece, Wilpon criticizes his own players, including Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran. Wilpon even does the "Beltran standing like a statue" bit I have been mocking Squawker Jon with for years.

Before I get to yakking about Sunday, I just want to point out some of the gems Wilpon unleashed on Jeffrey Toobin when they watched a game together last month. Wilpon's so-over-the-top insulting, he makes Brian Cashman's offseason quotes look subdued. A few examples:

* David Wright: "A really good kid. A very good player. Not a superstar."

* Carlos Beltran: "'We had some dummy in New York, Wilpon says, referring to himself, “who paid him based on that one series. He’s 65 to 70 percent of what he was." He later mocks the Beltran called third strike in the 2006 NLCS with a pantomine of it.

* Jose Reyes:  "He thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money. He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it."

The Times' Tyler Kepner, who wrote the story about the New Yorker profile, thinks this piece is a good thing for Wilpon, saying:

"Such insights may bother the players, who will surely be asked about them before their next game on Tuesday in Chicago. But they humanize Wilpon, and for him, that is something. For fans, winning owners are easily the best kind. But owners who empathize with their feelings probably come in second."

Oh, please. At the risk of speaking out of turn as a Yankee fan, I think the only thing Fred Wilpon could do at this point to please Mets fans is to sell the whole team. As our blogging friend Metsradamus sez, "This is the family atmosphere that Tom Glavine once bragged about?  The Gosselins had less dysfunction." True.

I doubt any fan is going to say "Fred's one of us" after reading that story. He or she, in my view, is more likely thinking that Fred is trashing his own stars' abilities in order to have reasons to get rid of them. And it's not like these players are at the end of their careers, but demanding huge paydays from the Mets (like a certain Yankee shortstop) that he's objecting to. No, Wilpon just wants to not have to pay anybody.

* * *



As for the Yankees, that was a nice little home-run free rally Sunday, eh? Eight runs in one inning, and none of them homers! Squawker Jon did totally call it -- he was telling me that the wheels were about to come off with Mike Pelfrey, and thought that Terry Collins should have removed him earlier than he did.

One thing Joe Girardi did that made me second-guess him was batting Jorge Posada sixth. Yes, that's the perfect place for .183 hitters who haven't even hit a home run in a month. Good grief.

What do you think? Tell us about it!

Subway Series: Mets Win; Yankee Fans Grumble

Squawker Jon was doing the Snoopy Dance over last night's Mets' 2-1 victory over the Yankees. The YES Network's Jack Curry compared the win to a 15 seed knocking off a 2 seed. And to top it off, as a Red Sox fan friend pointed out, Boston now has a better record than the Yankees, so if the world ends at 6 p.m. tonight, the Sox will have one-upped New York for all eternity this year. Oh, great.

But hey, as Squawker Jon always tells me when I grumble over something, look on the bright side. Soon, Jose Reyes will be making those sparkling, game-saving plays in pinstripes, right?  Dare to dream!

Like I noted yesterday, if the Mets somehow sweep this series, they will have a better record than the Yankees this season. Squawker Jon will be putting on his dancing shoes again if that happens!

* * * 

Joe Girardi was asked this by the New York Post's Kevin Kernan after last night's loss:

When Girardi was asked if he had any thoughts about shaking up his lineup, he offered this with a smile: "The last time I did something, everyone was in an uproar."

 Well, one guy was. That was the move that sent Posada to the nine-spot.

That's wonderful. Joe finally does what needed to be done, in moving the .165 hitter to the nine spot, and now he's so gun-shy by Posada's hissy fit, he's keeping back at seventh, due to worries that Posada will have another sit-down strike. Meanwhile, Brett Gardner, who is hitting .345 in May, is also hitting ninth. How does that work?

Not to mention that reports of Derek Jeter getting out of his year-long funk were greatly exaggerated. He has the worst OPS on the team, and the second-worst on-base percentage, which is kind of not what you want your leadoff hitter to do.

Yes, yes, I know the Yankees hit the Orioles pretty good last night. But they are 6-0 against that team this year, and pretty much destroy them year after year. On the other hand, the Yanks are 1-5 against Boston, 3-4 against Detroit, 2-2 against the White Sox, and 1-2 against Kansas City. The Bombers need to start stepping it up, and soon.

* * *

I watched some of the SNY broadcast to see how the other half lives. They noted that Freddy Garcia, who pitched very well last night, has the nickname "The Chief," due to his resemblance to the character in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." I see him as more of The Rock, but that's me.

Then, I polled Facebook friends as to who which celebrity Russell Martin looks like. People came up with Rick Shroeder, Jon Favreau, and David Denman (Roy from "The Office")!

What do you think? Tell us about it!

Subway Series and the End of the World

Apparently, the world will end just before the second game of the Subway Series. This would mark the second straight Saturday night Yankee game preceded by an apocalyptic event, following last week's Posada Adventure.

As Squawker Lisa never fails to remind me, the Mets experienced their own form of doomsday during the Subway Series two years ago courtesy of Luis Castillo. That dismal year also included Francisco Rodriguez walking Mariano Rivera with the bases loaded. Unfortunately for me, Lisa and I were at both of those games.

Last year, we were lucky enough to get to sit in Legends seats for a Subway Series game at Yankee Stadium. Here's how long ago that game seems - Mike Pelfrey and Phil Hughes were both 9-1. Pelfrey's loss that day sent him into a weeks-long tailspin. Hughes went into a tailspin in the second half and still hasn't come out of it. And now he's on the DL.

At least Jose Reyes hit two homers that day. But it'll really be doomsday if Reyes is hitting homers next year at Yankee Stadium in a Yankee uniform.

This will be the first Subway Series in years without Castillo and Oliver Perez on the roster. Castillo's time with the Mets wasn't all bad, but in 365 games, his overall OPS was just .691. It's hard to win with that kind of OPS in your lineup.

But Lisa, the Yankees sure seem willing to try, with Derek Jeter (2011 OPS .636) and Jorge Posada (2011 OPS .672) holding down two lineup spots.

And Jeter and Posada are making a total of $28 million this season, which is a lot more than the $18 million the Mets are paying Castillo and Perez for 2011.

Prediction: Mets take one of three. Bleacher Creatures do roll call for potential future Yankees Carlos Beltran and Reyes. Mets GM Sandy Alderson tries to lead them in a chant for K-Rod. Beltran homers and John Sterling has a home run call ready to go: "A belt for Beltran!"

Check Out the Subway Series Festivities at Madison Square Park This Weekend

Squawker Jon and I were in Madison Square Park last weekend for their food festival, which was pretty good. But there's even more going on the park this weekend, thanks to the Subway Series, including that food festival. Here is some information on the second annual Delta Dugout event at the park this Friday through Sunday. Squawker Jon and I will be attending one of these days -- we're still arguing (um, I mean debating!) which one that will be! Anyhow, here's the info I received on the event:

Delta Airlines is inviting Mets fans to come out to the second annual Delta Dugout at Madison Square Park, May 20-22, to celebrate the iconic interleague series. The three-day fan experience includes player appearances by current and former Mets players, live game viewing and silent auctions featuring signed Mets memorabilia benefiting the David Wright Foundation.

It will also offer an array of games for baseball enthusiasts, including batting cages and fast pitch competitions, as well as a photo booth, special Delta games and Mets ticket package giveaways throughout the weekend.  Fans will also enjoy ballpark-style concessions and specialty food and beverages, including a special “Delta Dugout hotdog” featured at the Shake Shack throughout the weekend.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 20, 11am-10pm, Opening Day

11am-7pm: Gaming Village and Delta Sky360 Lounge: Batting Cages, Fast Pitch, Custom Photo Booth, Delta Destination Challenge, Plane-Ko, Silent Auction, Kids Corner, Dugout Trivia, Specialty Concessions, Giveaways

7pm: Live Viewing of Yankees-Mets series opener with great giveaways, including travel packages from Delta, baseball gear and tickets to future Mets and Yankees games

Saturday, May 21, 11am-10pm

Noon: Home Run Derby Challenge with Josh Thole & Fast Pitch Challenge with Joba Chamberlain

11am-6pm: Gaming Village and Delta Sky360 Lounge: Batting Cages, Fast Pitch, Custom Photo Booth, Delta Destination Challenge, Plane-Ko, Silent Auction, Kids Corner, Dugout Trivia, Specialty Concessions, Giveaways

3pm: Mr. Met Meet & Greet

5:15pm: Bernie Williams Special Pre-game Concert.

7pm: Live Viewing of Yankees-Mets series, game two, with great giveaways, including travel packages from Delta, baseball gear and tickets to future Mets and Yankees games**

Sunday, May 22, 10am-4pm

11am: The 3rd Annual Fan Flair Challenge at the Delta Dugout with phenomenal giveaways to the “most spirited” outfitted Mets and Yankees fan including game tickets, baseball gear and more!

10am-4pm: Gaming Village and Delta Sky360 Lounge: Batting Cages, Fast Pitch, Custom Photo Booth, Delta Destination Challenge, Plane-Ko, Silent Auction, Kids Corner, Dugout Trivia, Specialty Concessions, Giveaways

 1pm: Live Viewing of Yankees-Mets series finale, with great giveaways, including travel packages from Delta, baseball gear and tickets to future Mets and Yankees games