ExWNYer

Fish are food not friends Squish them, cook them, eat them, too Fish are food not friends

@Gugny I don't understand the bolded comment. He is universally recognized as one of the really good, young baseball minds in MLB today. He has done a phenomenal job over the years assembling pitching staffs for a budget conscious team in Milwaukee and he pieced together a staff this year for the Mets that got them all the way to the NLCS. They have a ton of money coming off the books and I fully expect him to go big game hunting with Uncle Steve's checkbook and I expect some good value/budget signings, as well. He is also savvy with the minor leagues and is working to build a robust farm system. They are off to a good start there, IMO. He also grew up a Met fan in NYC and knows what kind of player it takes to make it in Queens. I said I was excited when they got him and I stand by that. I was also onboard with the Mendoza signing and I am more than happy with him now. I don't think there are any young, 'up and coming' managers at the moment better than Mendy. They've tried new, they've tried experienced, and nothing has worked. I think this one ultimately will. He's a knowledgeable baseball guy through and through with good situational awareness and feel for the game. I have more genuine hope with Cohen, Stearns, & Mendoza than I have had in decades. But, as always, time will tell. It was a great year, no doubt. It was easier to let go after losing in the NLCS because of the many magical moments we got to experience but there is still a small piece of me that was disappointed and wonders "what if". So many runners left on base in that series. A few timely knocks here and there and it may have turned out differently. We will never know now, obviously, but I honestly believe we would have handled the Skanks and been World Series Champions. How sweet would that have been to win it AND take down the 'Evil Empire' in a a year that seemed doomed from the start? They would have been the modern day 'Miracle Mets' (although it's hard to say that based on payroll). I was pulling for the Dodgers 100% in the WS although I threw up in my mouth a little doing so. In any event, I really enjoyed this season when all was said and done and I am really looking forward to the 'Hot Stove' season. The Soto sweepstakes should be interesting. BTW, the Dodgers said they're interested in Soto if he is interested in them. WTF? How much more do they need?? If they land him, baseball is truly broken. Soto said he would listen to everyone and is not taking any deferred money like Ohtani did. He's not giving the Skanks a 'hometown' discount so it will be interesting to see if Steinbrenner is all in on bringing him back or if Soto grabs his bag elsewhere. Also, I will always love Pete Alonso for that HR in Milwaukee but I am ambivalent about bringing him back. I didn't think I would feel that way coming into his last season but I do. If he comes back, cool. If he leaves, I'm good. Just don't break the bank for him if it costs you a chance at Juan Soto and an ace like Corbin Burnes. If I had my way, I'd get Willy Adames (Brewers UFA), stick him at 3B, move Vientos to 1B, and let Pete walk. As always gents...LGM!

The worst part of life is having to say goodbye to friends, loved ones,and those we have encountered along the way who brought some measure of happiness to our lives, even if fleeting. Losing a fellow Bills fan and longtime member of the community is never easy. It's a sobering reminder of our own mortality. Thoughts and prayers to John's family. A final farewell...RIP, John. And...'Go Bills!'

FWIW, he also said the roughing call on Josh was not right either. He doubled down on his criticism of the refs.

Looks like the Dodgers were the ones to administer last rites...

Bad news for the Bills. The Jest will likely get the "one game bump" teams seem to get after a firing.

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan Kodai Senga is starting game one against the Phil-thies this afternoon. Let's hope this is a pleasant surprise and not a nightmare (only one start this year makes me nervous). LGM!

Sounded like he said Logue would be active. I may have missed that nuanced difference. Thanks for pointing it out.

Per McDermott, newly signed DT Zion Logue will be active for the game.

I just went from 'six to midnight'...and I don't even like dentists.

Did you try it with blue cheese or ranch?

It's the Kroger on University City Boulevard, next to the University Mall Shopping Center. There is a VT bookstore in that shopping center which has a lot of Hokie gear & merchandise, if you need/want anything. The Kroger Fuel Center and Zeppoli's are across the road from the shopping center, Macado's and a Starbucks are across the road from Kroger. I think this is what you're struggling to say... Un...real. "YA GOTTA BELIEVE!"

Glad to hear that everything is trending in the right direction with your son. So what kinds of tips/tricks/advice were you looking to get? If you don't know already, most of the restaurants and stores are in nearby Christiansburg. Blacksburg is mostly the campus although there are a few things around there the locals/kids like, like Cabo Fish Taco & Benny Marzano's Pizza. There is an Italian place we really like which doesn't look like much from the street. It's in a tiny kind of strip mall across from the Kroger (next to the Kroger gas pumps) called Zeppoli's Italian Restaurant and Wine Shop. Worth the visit, IMO. Macado's, past the other side of the Kroger gas station, is a local Blacksburg hang that's been around forever. It's one of those places with a bunch pf pop culture memorabilia on the walls and ceiling. The hotel situation isn't great. Mostly overpriced 'Motel 6' and 'Comfort Inn' types a few miles from town. There are a couple of higher priced places like the Hyatt and Marriott. Radford is not too far away (20 minutes or so) and has some options, as well.

Oh, wow! So sorry to hear about your son. I hope he is on the mend and doing better now. I watched that VT game and couldn't believe that wild ending. Heartbreaker for sure. My older son graduated from VA Tech in 2022, so we have that in common along with our Bills & Mets fandom. 😎 Speaking of heartbreakers, I can't help but feel that the Mets let a golden opportunity slip away last night with Manaea on the mound. I was confident going into last night, not so much today (decades & decades of Mets scar tissue). Last night was one of the few times I've disagreed with Mendoza's decisions. I was watching with my younger son and told him that I would've left Manaea in the game for at least the sixth inning. He came out after five innings having thrown "only" 86 pitches. Push it Mendy, Manaea wasn't pitching again until the weekend anyway. It's the postseason, you have to pull out all the stops. Pitch counts and rest go out the window. Murphy cost the Brewers Game 1 by pulling Peralta too soon, IMO. The other thing I said was that I would've used Diaz in the eighth inning since it was a high leverage situation with the best hitters for the Brewers due up. After that, I would've taken my chances in the ninth with Maton. We'll never know now if that would've been the better course of action. Lindor is hitless in this series but I don't worry about him. He's been MVP level up to now. The one who I worry about and who is irritating me is Alonso. They have gotten nothing from him offensively and he needs to get it going tonight. If the Mets get bounced here, I honestly think it will be the last we see of Alonso in a Mets uniform. Boras is going to have a helluva time getting Pete a "break the bank" contract. I have always liked Pete but, honestly, I would let him walk at this point. I'd rather take a run at Soto or Adames from the Brewers. LGM!

This just in: Chris Sale has been scratched for Game 2 due to back spasms. Wow. Atlanta has to be kicking themselves for letting that one get away.

And Diaz promptly comes in and gives up 4 runs to put them in a 7-6 deficit heading to the 9th. I was pissed that they brought him yesterday with a 5-0 lead and he needed 26 pitches to get 3 outs. And today he comes in with traffic on the bases (1st & 3rd) which I absolutely HATE. It's well documented how I feel about him coming in when it's not a "clean" inning. They had it and gave it away and the Braves had exhausted all of their big guns for Game 2. And then Lindor hits a 2-run HR in the top of the 9th, Diaz comes back for the bottom or the 9th and hangs on with a runner on 2nd! METS WIN, 8-7!!!!! POSTSEASON 2024! WOW!

@SinceThe70s Reverse jinx! Mets have score 6 in the 8th and now lead, 6-3! And they did it off of the Braves closer, Iglesias. They need to get this!

@SinceThe70s It won't matter, this season is finishing like most other Mets seasons. Apparently, this team thinks Scwellenbach is the next coming of Cy Young because they've score exactly one run off of him in 2 and 2/3 games and find themselves trailing 3-0 going to the bottom of the 7th. Megill came up small...again...and threw meat pitches for a 2-run HR and a solo HR. And the "offense" has a whopping 3 hits. This game is lost. Six more outs. All that remains now is for some nobody pitcher for Atlanta to shut them down in the nightcap to end their season.

- If the Mets & Braves split, both teams are in the playoffs and the D-bags are out. - If the Mets sweep, the Mets & D-bags are in and the Braves are out. - If the Braves sweep, the Braves & D-bags are in and the Mets are out. Win the first and the pressure is off. Lose, and the curse in the house of horrors continues. If the Mets lose Game 1, no way does Sale pitch Game 2. He will be Atlanta's first starter in the playoffs.

@Another Fan The Mets and D-bags won on Sunday, the Braves lost. Peterson was clutch and light out. It now comes down to the Mets needing to win one of the two games in Atlanta on Monday to get into the playoffs. Let's get that first one so we don't have to sweat the nightcap. Oddly, it might have been better for the Mets had Atlanta won. They probably wouldn't have gone all out against the Mets because they would have been in already. Let's get pay back on these scumbags for 2022. LGM!

@SinceThe70s @Gugny @Another Fan Well, Manaea sh!t the bed tonight in a game that meant absolutely nothing to the Brewers. The pitching names change but the results remain the same. When will this organization finally field a staff that can win when it matters? And, of course, Atlanta won and the Mets' two game lead has completely evaporated. We just can't have nice things. <sigh>

@Gugny @Another Fan Yeah, there is a lot of scar tissue still. It took one loss at Atlanta for me to start questioning the Mets' chances. I still think they'll get it done but just once I'd like to see them go into Atlanta with something on the line and punch those annoying a$$holes in the mouth. It's gotten really old to constantly be their whipping boy.

They took 3 out of 4 from Philly and you chose the only clunker of the bunch to attend. Oof. 😂 I have to admit that I had my doubts about Diaz going two full innings after going the night before but Mendy was right to throw him against the Phils' best hitters. He attacked them and that fastball was exploding out of his hand. I haven't heard talk about manager of the year but Mendoza should be solidly in the running, IMO, for how he has transformed this group into a cohesive, winning unit. It's nice to see a Mets team that can actually play great defense for a change. Kudos to David Stearns, as well, for getting the right pieces for the bullpen. And WRT to Ottavino, it sucks to see him be so ineffective. I have always liked him but I fear he may be nearing the end. I certainly wouldn't use him at this point unless it was in garbage time in a huge deficit or with a huge lead.

@Gugny Well boys, the Amazins are on a roll! How sweet was that to beat Wheeler? Diaz was the Diaz of old for that six out save. Great stuff. This team has been without their catalyst, Francisco Lindor, for the last seven games, yet they keep finding ways to win. Luisangel Acuna looks and plays eerily like his older brother. We got a steal in that trade and he looks like our cornerstone 2B for years to come. He has stepped in for Lindor at SS and plays like a seasoned vet. And what did I tell you about Iglesias, @SinceThe70s? He has been better than McNeil, IMO. Sparkplug with a GREAT glove and a good stick. The type of 'glue guy' needed for a deep run. Tyrone Taylor is another bench player giving them phenomenal D and good at bats. I know the Mets were in the WS in 2015 but I have not felt this special vibe with a team since the '86 Mets. I hope they can finish off these last six games with a flourish. I don't think anyone wants to face them in the postseason right now. If they take two out of three from the Braves, they are in the playoffs. It doesn't look like they'll catch the Padres for the first WC but they own the tiebreaker over the D-bags and have a very good shot at the #2 WC. Severino (Tuesday), Peterson (Wednesday), & Manaea (Thursday) are tasked with getting it done in Atlanta. Hard to believe but I have way more faith in those three than I did with any of deGrom, Scherzer, & Bassitt in 2022. It's payback time. LFGM!!! Also, I never commented at the time back when everyone was talking about whether or not Mendoza would be the right guy to lead this organization into the future, but I liked the hire at the time and have liked it ever since. I have been higher on him than most (all?) of you. I think he does a great job of using analytics and managing 'old school' with his gut. The vast majority of his decisions have been right, IMO. He just seems to have a great feel for the game. This year has been more than I ever expected and a very pleasant surprise. Getting to the playoffs would be the icing on the cake but the way that this team has played since early June, just wanting to get to the postseason seems like selling ourselves short. Let's go, fellas. Why not us? And...LET'S GO BILLS!!! KILL THOSE JAGS!!!

That's how long time WFAN host and Jest fan Joe Benigno got his start. He used to call into the station as 'Joe from Saddle River'. He retired to Florida to golf but still makes cameos with douchey Evan Roberts & Tiki Barber.