Glad My Team Is Intact at Baseball Trading Deadline

8/1/2014

Pistol Pete arrived Sept. 5, 1964; now that was late

I stick with things a long time – ratty t-shirts, tattered sneakers, faded easy chairs.

For the same reason, I am glad the Mets did not break up this juggernaut at the trading deadline.

Is this a personality defect, this disinterest in change? Probably. Go tell it to my clamshell cell phone. But some things work just well enough; you get used to them.

I just got an e-mail from a senior-citizen hardball player in the city who says he has stopped being a Yankee fan because of the way they dumped Brian Roberts, essentially an Oriole, to make room for new infielders.

Reminder: guys got dropped to make room for Johnny Mize and Johnny Sain and Enos Slaughter and Pedro Ramos over the years. Pistol Pete helped salvage the 1964 pennant, although he arrived too late to be eligible for the World Series.

As somebody who follows most Mets games, I’m glad they did not scuttle Bartolo Colon. I got used to his constant half smile (is he happy? is it gas?) and his Iron Mike steadiness. I know he’s a one-year wonder at 42, but move him in the off season.

I’m glad they didn’t trade Daniel Murphy because he hustles, old-school, even though he makes fans nervous every time he bends for a simple grounder.

Generally, I hate the trading deadline in the era of free agency. I hated it when the Mets sold David Cone in one of those weasel waiver deals in late August of 1992. I hated it last season when the Mets unloaded Marlon Byrd. By mid-summer, you get used to a player who is doing his job.

These mid-summer dumps happen when players’ contracts are running out, or getting too expensive. It’s the drawback to free agency, which the players earned, although the so-called reserve clause, servitude, contributed to that wonderful decade of my childhood – six pennants in 10 years for the Boys of Summer. That will never happen now. Duke Snider would have opted out. Or Big Newk. Or somebody.

If players have the right to move around, clubs have the right to move them first, for some quick-fix advantage. I get it. Fans have a lust for trades; if they didn’t, there would be no sports-talk radio.

But this Mets’ season is just comfortable enough, given our limited expectations in the hundred-year contamination period from Bernie Madoff. Sandy Alderson is building something – I don’t know what. They made a good move in keeping Duda. Who knew? They sent d’Arnaud to the attitude farm in Las Vegas, and brought him back fast. Who doesn’t love watching Famiglia and Mejia in the eighth and ninth? It’s been fun watching deGrom pitch – and swing – from his first game.

So play it out in Queens, while the Lesters and Lackeys and Prices go flying around, office temps.

Maybe Mets fans would feel differently if the Mets were a legitimate contender. Who has that kind of time?

Ed martin

8/2/2014 10:48:14 am

Exenactly, GV. While the Muts are not the epitome of consistency, they are interesting, and it is wonderful when they rise up and smite someone. 2 of 4 against the league leading Brewers on the road seems like a different club than the past few years. The young pitchers raise expectations each game for a win. I am nervous about Bartolo lasting the season effectively, Go Mets!

Thor A. Larsen

8/2/2014 12:45:23 pm

George, I find it increasingly difficult to be an ‘avid’ Yankee fan, an aspect of my conscious up until the mid 2000’s. Granted, the Yankees had some good years after that, including the 2009 Championship. However, with the increasing use of signing on current, perhaps ‘fading’ star players on other teams for huge contracts, not the least, Alex Rodriguez, and constantly trading away their quality minor league players, there is no real ‘Yankee Team’. The practice of Gene Michael and staff was very effective in the 1990’s in bringing up quality players from their minor league teams and signing them for their career such as Derek Jeter, Joge Posada and Mo Rivera, but that practice is essentially gone. Who are the Yankees?? I would be much more interested in the Yankees if they brought up all players from their minor leagues to fill vacancies due to injuries etc as they have done this year with their pitching staff, instead of trading for Tom, Dick and Harry this month and others last few months. Finally, I think the Yankees made an incredible blunder in not signing Robinson Cano, who came up from the minors, and had been extremely consistent, to a career contract.

George Vecsey

8/2/2014 02:11:49 pm

I agree, and I'm not a Yankees fan. That short period when Steinbrenner was suspended and Michael could use his instincts produced a great era. I don't recognize their pitchers -- I know, injuries, etc -- and there's a bunch of strangers at many positions. Hard to have any feelings about the Yankees. I feel so badly for Yankee fans.
GV

Big Al

8/3/2014 04:01:55 am

I remember well Pete's contribution in late 64, along with Mel. Ramos reminds me of a story I heard Mickey tell. In 1956, Pete hit Mickey on instruction from the Senator's manager and apologized the next day. Mick accepted the apology but told him if he pulled that again, he would drag a bunt and run up his back. Instead, Mantle hit one off the "facarde." at the Stadium. Mantle in his Oklahoma drawl said Ramos told him "Meeky, I would rather you run up my back than heet one over the roof", hilarious.

Boston is in last place, but I don't hear their fans saying they cannot watch baseball anymore. If you don't love the Yankees, please don't watch them. Lifers likie me are still watching and rooting..

George Vecsey

8/3/2014 06:40:09 am

Plus, the Red Sox have had three WS titles in nine years. Who could have believed.

Charlie Accetta

8/5/2014 11:03:15 am

I put mittens on because I didn't want to lose it in response to this entry, GV. After attending three games this week (including the Friday debacle and yesterday's self-immolation), that's it. There has to be a middle ground between the crazies who want to tar and feather the Wilpons and Uncle Saul and the namby-pambies who are so averse to much-needed change that they don't recognize the ineptitude as opportunity. You were against the Dickey deal, GV and while the jury is still out on D'Arnaud and Syndergaard, the knuckleballer's numbers playing for a team that scores runs by the bushel are pedestrian. CY Young was a fluke. My position at the time was to deal David Wright as well, because the numbers were sliding against a rising salary. But, I guess that some fans would have had to get to know new players, the kind that don't carry the familiar stench.

I'm not a big fan of turning over management and I'm probably in the minority of those resigned to the continuing Wilpon Epoch. But, George, you have to see that standing pat gets this team NOWHERE. If you have trouble remembering the new guys names, get yourself a pack of index cards, buddy. Don't encourage Alderson by agreeing that waiting to die in a foxhole is preferable to a heroic bayonet charge. Major moves are long overdue.

George Vecsey

8/6/2014 01:14:34 am

Charlie, I agree with you in some ways, but major moves take money, and I don't see signs that the Mets are prepared to commit. My problem is with salary dumps.
Dickey was a special case....a man of high character who was a leader in the dugout-- rare for a starting pitcher. He also kept his pitches in the ball park in New Shea.
I was covering the Mets for Newsday when Seaver and Koosman and Ryan arrived. It is fun to watch deGrom arrive.....That's the way to build, as Frank Cashen knew.
The Mets won in 69 with Swoboda and Kranepool and Harrelson and McGraw, guys from Casey's time....Ancient history, but that rings when I see Mejia and Familia supplement Wright and Murphy.

GV
,

Craig Oren

8/6/2014 03:24:29 am

I seem to remember that Pedro Ramos, when with the Senators, repeatedly challenged Mantle to a foot race. The Yankees, knowing of Mantle's bad knees and that Mantle was a slow healer, just as repeatedly declined.

Big Al

8/6/2014 04:44:05 am

You are absolutely correct Craig. Mantle was so much faster than the other players and they knew it. There was no point in risking the best player in the game. As a kid, I will never forget the sight of him dragging from the left side and taking off like a big cat at a water-hole after a meal. Before his bunt hit the ground, he was more than halfway to first. He could absolutely fly. As Clete Boyer said of Mantle "He's the only player whose teammates are more in awe of him than the fans."

George Vecsey

8/6/2014 07:09:08 am

I was around that 1964 team. Nobody was happier to see Ramos than Mantle. They were kindred souls. More than any Yankee, Ramos could tease and challenge Mantle. I can't remember the details -- (he claimed) -- but I do remember the general badinage.
That is the other side of players changing teams late in the year -- the fresh air in the clubhouse. The Phillies were happy to see the earlier Frank Thomas -- aka Big Donkey -- because they knew he would bring some pop. It didn't work out, but it was a jolt. GV

Alan Rubin link

8/6/2014 08:43:58 am

I’ve been a Yankee fan since growing up in Washington Heights, 190th and Fort Washington Avenue. I rarely watch Major League games today, but I still love the game of baseball. It is a game of strategy and inches.

I score every game that I attend and both my kids were taught how from day one. With all the money that has been invested in glitzy scoreboards over the years, I would like to see them include a scorecard. Also, a significant lowering of the noise level would be welcome. It is not much fun when you cannot discuss the game with your neighbors.

I enjoy progress and new gadgets, but I miss the old Polo Grounds and all its quirkiness. I had forgotten that the Mets started there. It would still be a better fit for them than the subsequent new stadiums.

My daughter became a Yankee fan, but my son always followed the Mets. I do not care for the Yankees as an organization, particularly during the “Boss” years. He should have been suspended for a much longer period of time and maybe Yogi would have had a longer managing career. With all the Yankee greats, he was my favorite.

Whenever my coaches warned me to lay off bad pitches, I would say to myself-if Yogi can do it, so can I. Actually, most of my hits were on bad pitches. Softball was a much better game for me as my skills were honed on a cement school yard too small and dangerous to play hardball.

I remember a player remark after seeing Mantle dressing for an all-star game; I can only imagine what he would have been like if he had two good legs. My friend and I looked up Mantle’s statistics over a ten year period and he was either first, second or third in every non-pitching category, mostly first.

My wife and were in Howard Johnsons on Route 4 in Fort Lee for a late snack in the early 1960's. She has no interest in sports, but she does know some of the big names from crosswords puzzles and osmosis. I indicated a man with his back to us sitting at the far end of the room with his wife—that is Mickey Mantle. When she asked how I could tell from the back at such a distance—“just look at his neck”.

George has gotten some heat on praising the Mets for staying pat. I tend to agree with him since when you do not know what to do; doing nothing is often the best option. That worked for me in my forty year retail career, but I never had that luxury as a soccer goalkeeper.

I would like to relate a great NY story that is not baseball related. NYC is not a perfect place, but it is a great city that too often gets an unfair bad rap.

My son and daughter are on their annual summer Berkshire visit with their families. Jen lives in Madison, WI and Josh lives in Park Slope. Jen’s close friend and her family are taking advantage of this, as she did last year, by staying at Josh’s and enjoying the city.

Sandy lost her wallet and after a day of mentally retracing her movements, decided that probably happened in the computer room at Ellis Island. After several calls could not reach anyone over the weekend, she went back to the ferry terminal at Battery Park.

The people, and Rangers, were extremely helpful. They put her at the front of the line for the next ferry and a Ranger there knew all about it. A Ranger on a different island took the next ferry to Ellis Island with her wallet. Then Sandy was again put at the front for the next ferry back to Manhattan.

After living and working in Manhattan for over sixty years, I see no reason to be surprised.

As a NYC baseball team, even if located in Queens, it is understandable why the Mets are loved regardless of their record.

As for the Boston Red Sox fans, they do not deserve the Henry’s as owners. They elected to refurbish Fenway Park and also keep it downtown. They do things for the fans and the community and do not deserve “fair weather fans”. I secretly root for the Red Sox to do well, not necessarily win the pennant or the series, because of the owers.

I wish that Henry would purchase the NE Revolution and invest in the team. He would probably build a soccer specific stadium closer to Boston, if not actually in town, and spring for a few high price players as allowed by the MSL. Currently, they have none. Bengtson, Honduras, was the closest and he is out on loan.

They started the seasson well, but have lost nine of the last ten. They are still in the playoff race, but at risk.

Sagar link

8/8/2014 08:16:02 pm

They look different from other Clubs :)

Big Al

8/9/2014 02:52:47 am

It's really gratifying to see them playing so well with kids and no-names. I can understand Met fans turning their team off. That organization runs its club like a White Castle franchise. Vive la difference!

Comments are closed.

QUOTES

Measuring Covid Deaths, by David Leonhardt. July 17, 2023. NYT online.
The United States has reached a milestone in the long struggle against Covid: The total number of Americans dying each day — from any cause — is no longer historically abnormal….

After three horrific years, in which Covid has killed more than one million Americans and transformed parts of daily life, the virus has turned into an ordinary illness.

The progress stems mostly from three factors:
First, about three-quarters of U.S. adults have received at least one vaccine shot.
Second, more than three-quarters of Americans have been infected with Covid, providing natural immunity from future symptoms. (About 97 percent of adults fall into at least one of those first two categories.)
Third, post-infection treatments like Paxlovid, which can reduce the severity of symptoms, became widely available last year.
“Nearly every death is preventable,” Dr. Ashish Jha, who was until recently President Biden’s top Covid adviser, told me. “We are at a point where almost everybody who’s up to date on their vaccines and gets treated if they have Covid, they rarely end up in the hospital, they almost never die.”

That is also true for most high-risk people, Jha pointed out, including older adults — like his parents, who are in their 80s — and people whose immune systems are compromised. “Even for most — not all but most —immuno-compromised people, vaccines are actually still quite effective at preventing against serious illness,” he said. “There has been a lot of bad information out there that somehow if you’re immuno-compromised that vaccines don’t work.”

That excess deaths have fallen close to zero helps make this point: If Covid were still a dire threat to large numbers of people, that would show up in the data.

One point of confusion, I think, has been the way that many Americans — including we in the media — have talked about the immuno-compromised. They are a more diverse group than casual discussion often imagines.

Most immuno-compromised people are at little additional risk from Covid — even people with serious conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or a history of many cancers. A much smaller group, such as people who have received kidney transplants or are undergoing active chemotherapy, face higher risks.

Covid’s toll, to be clear, has not fallen to zero. The C.D.C.’s main Covid webpage estimates that about 80 people per day have been dying from the virus in recent weeks, which is equal to about 1 percent of overall daily deaths.

The official number is probably an exaggeration because it includes some people who had virus when they died even though it was not the underlying cause of death. Other C.D.C. data suggests that almost one-third of official recent Covid deaths have fallen into this category. A study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases came to similar conclusions.

Dr. Shira Doron, the chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine in Massachusetts, told me that “age is clearly the most substantial risk factor.” Covid’s victims are both older and disproportionately unvaccinated. Given the politics of vaccination, the recent victims are also disproportionately
Republican and white.

Each of these deaths is a tragedy. The deaths that were preventable — because somebody had not received available vaccines and treatments — seem particularly tragic. (Here’s a Times guide to help you think about when to get your next booster shot.)
***

From the great Maureen Dowd:

As I write this, I’m in a deserted newsroom in The Times’s D.C. office. After working at home for two years during Covid, I was elated to get back, so I could wander around and pick up the latest scoop.
But in the last year, there has been only a smattering of people whenever I’m here, with row upon row of empty desks. Sometimes a larger group gets lured in for a meeting with a platter of bagels."

--- Dowd writes about the lost world of journalists clustered in newsrooms at all hours, smoking, drinking, gossipping, making phone calls, typing, editing.
***
"Putting out the paper," we called it.
Much more than nostalgia.
---https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/29/opinion/journalism-newsroom.html

Glad My Team Is Intact at Baseball Trading Deadline

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