****Official 2007 NY Mets NL East Champs Thread****

[JordanIB]

Just caught some highlights. Looks like Reyes' hammy was ok jumping up and down in the huddle at the end.

[James282]

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Just caught some highlights. Looks like Reyes' hammy was ok jumping up and down in the huddle at the end.

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yeah this is a huge relief. i gotta say, the mets have gotten like every break so far this season. el duque's injury shows us what sosa has got...easely filling in better than valentin probably would have done..no major injuries to the key pieces(maine, glavine, reyes, wright, beltran etc). first quarter of the season has been a joy without a doubt. plus the loser braves dropped 3 of 4 to the fierce nats

[niss]

James,

With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about.

Since you said that's the last time you're going to discuss it, I won't elaborate any further.

[VarlosZ]

Nice posting, James.


niss:

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1. They played until 1 AM yesterday.

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And? I understand they'll be somewhat more fatigued today than they normally would, but (1) so will the bench players, who had to stay up just as late, and (2) so will the Cubs.

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2. A game in May against a team not in your division is less important than any game against a team in your division -- and the Mets have the Braves after the Yankees.

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That might be important if having the day off would make the Mets a better team versus the Braves, but there's no reason at all to believe that it will. Maybe it could if the starters got to sleep in and avoid all the work involved in getting to the stadium, taping up for the game, sitting on an uncomfortable bench, etc. -- that is, if they could really stay inactive today and recharge their batteries. But they had to come to work today just like everyone else. I promise you Carlos Beltran burned almost as many calories today as Endy Chavez.

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3. A game in May against a team not in your division is less important than 10 games in September against anyone, at least for this team which figures to be in it down to the wire. The idea of resting all of these guys now -- particularly given the circumstances -- is so you can avoid having to rest them in September (and October).

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A game in May counts in the standings exactly as much as a game in September. Every other year some team almost blows a big division lead in September and limps into the playoffs -- that's because all those wins in May and June don't count any less if the team sucks in September.

[niss]

Varlos, reading your first point, I can see there is little point in having a discussion with you, if you honestly think (a) that there is no difference between everyday players who played until 1 AM last night and part-time players who sat on the bench until 1 AM, and (b) that if the Cubs are equally fatigued then that weighs against, and not in favor, of playing your rested bench players, who (i) may have a better chance to win against fatigued regulars or (ii) otherwise will be up against a similarly rag tag lineup.

However, I will humor you by also stating if you do not think there is a significant difference between a player getting an off day and one playing in the game, well, just about every major league player and manager I've heard discuss the subject disagrees with you, and no disrespect intended but I'll side with them.

And your last point is typical of the mentality of the fan. The one game today is the most important thing. Forget the other 161 games. Forget the fact that baseball players are human beings and not machines. Why should we ever give players a rest? We need to win today! In fact, why do pitchers get rests? They should be able to get out there every day too! What is with this four days off crap?

[VarlosZ]

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Varlos, reading your first point, I can see there is little point in having a discussion with you, if you honestly think (a) that there is no difference between everyday players who played until 1 AM last night and part-time players who sat on the bench until 1 AM

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This isn't basketball -- playing your position and batting involves swinging a 5 (?) pound stick 10-20 times, sprinting for a few seconds 5-10 times, throwing a baseball a handful of times, and a lot of standing around.

Now, I can understand why catchers, who are in a stress position for most of the game, need days off. I can even imagine that a 35 year old who maybe doesn't have the best knees in the world could use an occasional break from standing in the sun for three hours. But Wright, Reyes, and Beltran? These are athletic, presumably healthy guys in their prime. They should be able to do what amounts to light calisthenics every single day.

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However, I will humor you by also stating if you do not think there is a significant difference between a player getting an off day and one playing in the game, well, just about every major league player and manager I've heard discuss the subject disagrees with you, and no disrespect intended but I'll side with them.

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Athletes and managers believe all sorts of things about their sport that can be proven wrong beyond a shadow of a doubt. I don't see why this would be any different.

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And your last point is typical of the mentality of the fan. The one game today is the most important thing.

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Yeah, that's not even close to being my point. Consider what James was talking about. Even if we assume that it's important to get your 25 year old players rest, why not just pull them out of the last few innings of blowouts (of which the Mets should have plenty this year), instead of keeping your starters on the bench in a game that's tied in the 6th inning?

[Wynton]

Oy vey at this discussion.

Allow me to make another point about playing subs once in a blue moon.

It is evident to me that Willie likes to test his players during the season, so he is more prepared for the post-season. Thus, he let Gotay hit for himself at a critical point, and will sometimes put his 3rd or 4th reliever in at a critical stage. And he has the liberty to do this because he knows he can risk an occasional game and still make it into the playoffs.

In other words, I think that it is more important to Willie that he test his players in various ways, even if it means getting in only as a wild card team. That kind of experience is more valuable than home field advantage for a couple of series.

[niss]

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Oy vey at this discussion.

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I agree with this.

[Needle77]

Let's go Ollie Perez!!!

[Needle77]

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Enter Sandman.

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