LI_Bills

Not sure why I can't get the video to embed. Magpie Salute, Coming Home: https://youtu.be/wdCAGlj_jR0?t=92

Just saw this with regard to bringing up the minor league first baseman: “At some point, we’ll just do it. There are player transactions that take place in the month of August. Often, though, that doesn’t happen until the end of August,” said Alderson. “But I think at some point, if necessary, we’ll just make the playing time available.” This is an example of why I like the guy so much as GM. He doesn't even say that Smith is coming up 9/1 regardless. Let's us know the mind set without painting himself into a corner.

I had no problem whatsoever with that move. In 8 years with the Mets he was basically a .280 gap to gap hitter with very little power. At best he was an average fielder. Plus he was already into his 30's. That playoff stretch he went on was remarkable but in no way did I think that would translate into what it's become. So I don't blame Alderson on that one. In hindsight I hate the move and it's a punch to my gut every time we play him

Beats the alternative.

I gotta say that I'm not sure what more you could want in a GM. He had a plan to build a pitching first team, was patient in an impatient market and executed it. A great line from a local sportswriter a few years ago when a lot of folks wanted to trade the young arms. To paraphrase: "For the first time in years the Mets had an adult in the room at the trade deadline". Struck when the time was right with Carlos Gomez/Cespedes. Got lucky on that one, but that balances out the spate of pitching injuries that for me defines where we are currently. Has been completely up front with the fans and media. When he speaks, I listen. I don't think he's blowing smoke. I'll be disappointed when he moves on. I think he does a great job in spite of the ownership.

Gentleman we have a winner.

After posting a few minutes ago I read a newsday.com article suggesting the Mets might retain Cabrera and Bruce and are OK with Conforto in CF. Could be subterfuge but what do you think about Conforto in CF? I don't see it.

Another/Murica - appreciate your thoughts, agree with most. My abbreviated thoughts after the deadline: - I have a great deal of trust in Alderson's decision making - Edgin was dfa'd no? Did anyone claim him? Hope so. - just a guess but maybe Matz is tipping his pitches (I was at CitiField when he gave up 7 in an inning plus) - no more Madoff excuses, that time has past. WRT Collins do you just want to dump him or is there someone you prefer? I'm neither a lover or hater but I don'y see him as a problem.

Wifey makes a killer all day red sauce. But that ain't happening in the warm weather months. There's a lot to be said about the first football Sunday of the season when thats on the stove. Fortunately she makes a ton in the cold months and freezes the extra. Was pleasantly surprised there was still some left a week or so ago. In between we'll have jar sauce, probably Trader Joe, not sure. She also makes a great vodka sauce semi-regularly, but that's small batch, relatively quick to cook and little in the way of leftovers.

Cool is the wrong word but in 1993 I was flying into NYC in the early evening and looking at the skyline something didn't look quite right but I couldn't put my finger on it. Flight path was up the East River so we got pretty close to lower Manhattan and I finally realized there were no lights on in the World Trade Center but all the surrounding buildings were lit up. When I deplaned I saw the reports on the airport terminal TVs that it was from what turned out to be the first attempt at bringing down the twin towers. My father worked for American and got an amazing picture from the cockpit.

Maybe I missed the point of your post. I thought you were questioning why a player would smoke weed when it could negatively affect his performance. I merely suggested that it was a post-game thing that wouldn't affect his performance and made a comparison to drinking.

I don't think I said that. My assumption (and this is pure speculation) is that they smoke after games. Why do I think that? Because I don't see how it can help if it's a pre-game ritual. By the same token, my assumption is that players who drink a lot and are getting DWI's are probably not drinking pre-game.

So people only smoke weed when they're stressed out? Got it.

My assumption is that it's more of a post-game thing.

I expect the NFL to still be thriving in 10 years but with continued rule changes to mitigate injury concerns and the specter of a major lawsuit. However, I could see high school football suffering in 10-15 years over injury concerns and I think that's a big long term concern for the NFL.