SinceThe70s

He lied, you exposed it without resorting to an unfounded accusation, I'm impressed. He deserved it. He let down his teammates and the other team by causing the forfeit. The fact that he's not a senior and you risked losing a good player in a troubled program tells me that you'd had it with turning a blind eye to his antics. Body count aside you're probably better off without him.

I don't pay attention to basketball but I was at a party earlier today and threw $20 into a small-stakes hoops pool. Had to leave the party early and turned on the game when I got home since there was money to be won. Watched the game for a few minutes and quickly realized that I hope those Brady-worshipping, chowda-lovers watch their team collapse tonight.

As a Mets fan I have/had a soft spot for the Red Sox. We beat them in the WS a lifetime ago and I will always root for them against the Yankees. Always. But once they won a WS around the time Brady started dominating it changed. I still root for them against the Yankees, but definitely the Hatriot virus has spread to the Red Sox.

Yeah, everyone has their own happy place when it comes to vacation. I have friends that do: Lake George every year...I'd be unhappy doing the same thing every year but I know friends that have great memories and look forward to it. The amusement park thing (Disney, Universal, et. al.)...I hate crowds and lines, but those parks have some awesome stuff. The islands. Wifey has had skin issues so sitting in the sun all day isn't an option and I think I'd get bored. But man does that sound relaxing, especially the all-inclusives. We tend to take road trip vacations usually involving national parks, a fair amount of driving and a ton of planning. During a recent trip (and after a long day) I remember telling wifey that we didn't take relaxing vacations. And yet that's what we keep doing and love. Some of my friends don't get it. To each their own.

Or too much?

A talk radio topic earlier this week was whether the Mets would/could/should consider moving DeGrom and/or Thor if things don't improve. I don't get that line of thinking at all. I'm not ready to blow the team up and start over. We're still over .500, there's a long way to go, we have two top flight pitchers and a closer who's had success (not getting where you stand on him Blue, but I think he'd have trade deadline value). Some thoughts on the team, sorry for the long post, I'm frustrated too. STARTING PITCHING: Murica suggested (with good reason) to put Gsellman in the rotation over Lugo, but I'd go the opposite way. Lugo looks more like a starter to me. But at this point maybe move Vargas AND Wheeler to the bullpen. Matz doesn't look like bullpen material to me, so sink or swim with him. RELIEF PITCHING: Say a prayer. CATCHING: It's early but I'm hopeful about Mesoraco. OUTFIELD: raise your hand if you're happy Ces isn't on a long term deal. Outstanding player when he's on the field, but leg muscle issues? WTF? If Bruce goes on a tear things will get better. I still like Conforto and as I said recently Nimmo has shown more than I expected, just don't know how he gets more playing time. Might need to have Bruce slip on a banana peel. INFIELD: Rosario's been average but shown enough to keep me hopeful. Cabrera has been a great Met when healthy. A-Gon and Frazier are caretakers - we need the outfield to produce more to get by with them. I don't think this team is good enough to bring Alonso up from AA.

Yeah, he didn't have a bounce-back outing today. What do we do with Vargas? He's not just losing games for us, he's burning out the bullpen. Hard to believe but Harvey was probably better.

Be careful what you ask for. Long season. Brutal losing the game on walks but we don't tie it without two free passes in the 9th.

One of my favorite lines came from my sister-in-law talking about family vacations to Disney or wherever: "It's not really vacation, it's just going away". For me vacation is getting away from work to the point that I'm not thinking about work. Usually takes a few days to get to that point.

I work for a company that's been going through lay-offs, down-sizing, right-sizing, re-orgs for way too long (dying industry). I can't tell you how many times the "unfortunates" who were let go show up 6 months later looking physically better with a positive mental attitude...and some that I knew well said they drank a lot less. I've been one of the "fortunates". Been with the company a long time and I'm in a good place wrt vacation/sick/personal time. Started taking longer vacations a number of years ago and I strongly advocate it. Getting out of the office for a week is nice, adding a few days or another week makes a big difference. Do it if you can...and if you think you can't, question whether that's true.

IMO this is spot on. As is a previous comment you made that ultimately if the league loses money than the players will too.

I could go with the Broncos because me and the fam were there or the Colts for obvious reasons but I'll go with the Jags. Sitting on the edge of my seat all game for a playoff game was great even though we lost. My kids still make fun of my reaction every time I was sure Tyrod was gonna get picked. The other games were more euphoric (including Dalton-Boyd) but it was great to have that win or go home feeling again.

As much as I profess not to be a stats guy, I do like a good stat and SNY posted this before the game tonight. Mets pitchers ERA with Mesoraco behind the plate < 2.00 without > 4.00. Of course he never had to catch Harvey ? and I assume not Vargas. And on a personal note, looks like I'll be attending a Mets game up at Fenway in September with some friends from college. Maybe we'll bring in Hanley Ramirez for an Omir Santos moment.

Matz got killed for his last outing but it really came down to the HR he gave up with the pitcher on deck (which was bad). Tonight he got out of that bases loaded jam (which was fortunate, ball made it to the warning track). I'm more concerned that he stays healthy and so far so good this year. But what do we do with Nimmo? A year ago I had written him off as a career minor leaguer but I'm becoming a convert. Problem is we already have too many left handed bats in the outfield. No way I'm giving up on Conforto but Nimmo's been the better player this year IMO. And this team needs Bruce to be Bruce. I get that A-Gon is an obvious target but the thought of Bruce at first frightens me. Regardless, nice bounce back road win after a tough home loss the night before. It's been a good seven days after a rough stretch. Let's Go Mets!

I wasn't suggesting we cut and run with Familia, just my impression that since the WS he hasn't seemed as good as he was and it's something I'm keeping an eye on. I'm not a stats guy, but I took a look after you pointed out his 2016 saves. Here's his save percentage the past few years (saves vs. save opportunities): 2015: 43/48 (90%) 2016: 51/56 (91%) 2017: 6/7 (86%) 2018: 13/17 (77%) Looking just at blown saves you're right about 2016 but he's below par this year. In fairness I'd throw out this year as being a good indicator since it's a small sample, but it is cause for concern Looking at some other stats (ERA/Avg/WHIP) indicates that he hasn't been as good: 2015: 1.85/.207/1.00 2016: 2.55/.220/1.21 2017: 4.38/.231/1.46 2018: 2.35/.212/1.13 It wouldn't surprise me if there are stats that show something different, that's always a pitfall of relying solely on stats IMO, but maybe what's happening is he's getting the saves but their more stressful.

Seems like he hasn't been the same since the World Series.

I seriously doubt he'd do that. I read recently that they plan on playing Dominic Smith in the outfield a few times a week. Speculation was to make room for Alonso at first.

First off, thanks. So I got back from the 6th grade concert tonight around 8 and saw a text from my friend complaining about Reyes and his .132 batting average. I shot him down asking how many at bats and making the point he's the 25th man and no more than an insurance policy for Rosario. Then I saw the game highlights and one of his two errors. He has never shown a feel for third base and they obviously have no trust in him in the outfield. And you're right about no risk clearing waivers. Plus they've started Guillorme over Reyes against righties. I owe my friend an apology.

I was thinking William Devane. Maybe, maybe not but one thing is clear to me. Whoever it looks like pees standing up.

Some thoughts on Bautista: - he's a player I've disliked from afar for awhile. I only know what I've seen and heard from highlights and headlines but he seems like a jerk - he did nothing with the Braves - Flores has shown consistently that he is not an every day player. He crushes lefties but is a liability in the field. - Bautista's redeeming qualities are that he bats right and plays LF and 3B and he used to be a power hitter Conclusion: I'm worried about the Cespedes injury and to a lesser extent Frazier's. This looks like a low risk attempt to catch lightning in a bottle...with a low probability of success.

I agree about instant reply...but only up to a point. I just want them to be able to correct the obvious mistake. The rest just takes away from the game for me. 100% agree on balls and strikes and the human aspect of umping.

For the most part I won't see a band in the summer unless its outside. Going to Magpie Salute and Gov't Mule at Jones Beach. Mule is doing a Pink Floyd set. Wish You Were Here doing a normal set. Maybe see Umphreys at the Great South Bay music fest a few days later.

Do you REALLY believe that an NHL expansion teams success has any relevance to what happened at that school today?

Maybe Sarah Purcell and Skip Stephenson can help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_People

Lagares out for the year with a toe injury. Looks like the free fall continues.