If The Mets Win Sunday, Jonathon Niese Is A Goner

The shirt might be coming off Jonathon Niese's back if he wins on Sunday.

Did the title to this post get your attention?  It should.  Because recent history shows that winning a game at home on Closing Day usually leads to a starting pitcher's exit from New York.  Please allow me to expound on that statement.

The Mets moved from Shea Stadium to Citi Field following the 2008 campaign.  Since then, the Mets have won three of their first four Closing Day games at their new digs.  Citi Field's first Closing Day in 2009 saw Nelson Figueroa take the hill against the Houston Astros.  Figueroa pitched the only complete game shutout of his nine-year career on that final Sunday, holding the Astros to four hits in the Mets' 4-0 victory.  Figueroa never pitched another game for the Mets, as he was selected off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.

After losing their next Closing Day game in 2010, the Mets ended the 2011 season with another complete game shutout.  This time, it was Miguel Batista doing the honors, besting the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0.  By the following July, Batista had been released by the Mets.

Finally, in 2012, R.A. Dickey started for the Mets in their final home game at Citi Field.  Dickey made 13 Pirates walk the plank back to the dugout, striking out a baker's dozen to earn his 20th victory of the season in the Mets' 6-5 win over Pittsburgh.  Dickey made one more start for the Mets in Miami (a no-decision) before being traded during the offseason to the Toronto Blue Jays.

That brings to Sunday's Closing Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers - a game in which Jonathon Niese is scheduled to start.  The Mets have never won a Closing Day at Citi Field and had its starting pitcher in that game make it through the following season as a Met.  And in two of those three wins, that day's starter never threw another pitch for the Mets at Citi Field.

Sure, Jonathon Niese still has three years left on his current contract, but facts are facts.  Mets pitchers who win on Closing Day at Citi Field don't stick around to enjoy their end-of-season victories.  In fact, the last time the Mets won a Closing Day game at home and they kept that day's winning pitcher around was in 2004, when Tom Glavine defeated the Montreal Expos, 8-1 at Shea Stadium.  Of course, Glavine remained with the Mets until 2007 but the Expos didn't stick around in Montreal, moving to their new home in Washington the following season.

If only Glavine's last game had come in 2004 rather than 2007...

Players' Union Files Grievance For Frankie Knuckles

The Associated Press is reporting that the Players Association has filed a grievance against the New York Mets and the office of the commissioner. In their complaint, they are questioning how the situation with the closer/Lucha Libre aficionado has been handled by the Mets.

For those of you who have not heard or are simply choosing to ignore the story because you're too upset that the Mets would lose a game last night in which Johan Santana was matched up against Mets' castoff Nelson Figueroa, Francisco Rodriguez went Met-ieval on his girlfriend's father's @$$ (and by @$$, I mean his face). In doing so, he tore a ligament in his right thumb (that's on his pitching hand, boys and girls), requiring season-ending surgery.

Let's review this together, for all the members of the jury in attendance:

Exhibit A:
Francisco Rodriguez assaults the grandfather of his children.

Exhibit 2:
He does so at Citi Field, his place of employment.

Exhibit Tres:
The "alleged" assault takes place in full view of teammates, their young children, members of the media...or as you and I might call them, EYEWITNESSES.

Exhibit IV:
He causes a season-ending injury to himself during said "alleged" incident.

Responding to the incident, the Mets decided to place Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list. As a result, K-Rod will not be paid for as long as he is out with his injury and his contract will become non-guaranteed, meaning his salary for 2011 might go right back into the Wilpon's pockets if they choose to do so.

Sounds fine and dandy, right? After all, the Volatile Venezuelan was arraigned for a crime he admitted doing. So it's buh-bye for K-Rod, right?

NOT SO FAST!!

The union says that wouldn't be fair to Frankie Knuckles if the Mets converted his contract to a non-guaranteed deal. No, their player should be paid millions of dollars while recovering from an injury he suffered while in the act of committing a crime (Oops! I mean an "alleged" crime) against a family member at his place of employment in front of the media who could then report firsthand on the public relations nightmare he just created.

Assuming the case isn't settled and has to go before an arbitrator, I fully expect the Mets to win this case. But in the event that the MLBPA wins the case for K-Rod, I have a bit of advice for the Mets' soon-to-be former closer.

Buy yourself a wheelbarrow with your pocket change. Why? Because you're going to need it to transport the millions of dollars you'll have to cough up for your "father-in-law" once he sues your save-blowing, high-pitch-throwing @$$ for "allegedly" assaulting him.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, K-Rod. And if it does, don't hit it back. You've caused enough trouble with your "greatest hits" as it is!

Johan Santana And The Four Rainouts Need Backup Singers

Attention, Mets fans! Now you can be a backup singer for Johan Santana and The Four Rainouts! It's easy to qualify. Just come down to the Tradition Field Studios, trot out to the mound, throw your best stuff down the middle of the plate and let out your best scream as you watch your pitches belted all over the field. (No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Some assembly required. Must be 48" or taller to ride. Yada, yada, yada.)

Why am I making all this fuss about pitching performances in early March? Because it's alarming how the starting rotation has performed in their Grapefruit League debuts.

Early Spring Training starts are about developing arm strength, but since when did they have to resemble batting practice? To show you what I mean, here are the numbers for the starts by the four members of the starting rotation already guaranteed spots.

• Mike Pelfrey (Mar. 6): 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 0 K
• Oliver Perez (Mar. 7): 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K
• John Maine (Mar. 8): 1.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4K
• Johan Santana (Mar. 9): 1.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K

That's a total of 9.1 IP for the four starters. In those innings, they've combined to give up 13 earned runs and 22 hits. They have been throwing strikes, as shown by the total of three walks between the four pitchers, but they're strikes of the Rick Aguilera variety (Mr. Wild-In-The-Strike-Zone himself).

While singing the praises of Jenrry Mejia, Ike Davis and Fernando Martinez, has Jerry Manuel noticed that his starters have been getting hit hard? He can sugarcoat it by saying that they're throwing strikes, but wouldn't it be better if they were able to locate those strikes anywhere but the sweet spot of the opposing hitter's bat?

And what about the fifth starter? Whoever becomes the final member of Johan Santana and The Four Rainouts has to be ready to move up the food chain should one of the Drab Four get laryngitis (which Mets trainers would say is tendinosis and require a missed start or two). Can Jonathon Niese, Fernando Nieve and Nelson Figueroa be counted on to be the fifth starter and/or step up into a higher slot if needed?

The Mets cannot afford to have their pitching staff do poorly and hope to improve upon their fourth place finish of 2009. Only William Hung can take a shoddy performance and carry that all the way to the bank. (Okay, maybe Oliver Perez can do that too.) But whereas Mr. Hung did well with his fifteen minutes of fame, the Mets will have to do well with 162 minutes of game.

As a Mets fan, I expect Johan Santana and The Four Rainouts to be able to locate their pitches more effectively as Late Winter Training continues. They can throw all the strikes they want, but without location, the shower attendants will end up becoming good friends with them.

With their debut performances, Johan Santana and The Four Rainouts are soaring up the Hit Parade. Let's just hope they ease up on the hits as April approaches.

Photo of Johan Santana by Bruce Kluckhohn.

Photo of William Hung by some photographer who wishes to be in Bruce Kluckhohn's shoes.

A December To Remember! Citi Field Tour Pics!

With oodles of thanks going out to Coop, these are some pictures from our Citi Field tour today. This tour was given to season ticket holders and I must say that they did a great job with it. From bringing out the 1969 and 1986 World Series trophies and allowing fans to take as many pics as they wanted with Mr. Met, to walking on the field and unsuccessfully calling the bullpen for a lefty, this was certainly a December to remember for this Mets blogger. Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

My Studious Metsimus colleague, Joey, was excited to get his first all-access tour of Citi Field. Too bad he missed the first few minutes because he was stuck in this tree.

This is in the production booth. This screen controls what goes up on the scoreboard. From kiss cam to birthday greetings to the tenth call to the bullpen, this is the place where it's all put on the scoreboard and CitiVision.

This is where Gary, Keith and Ron give us great joy during Mets telecasts, since the events taking place on the field surely don't give us any kind of joy.

This is the view from the media room. Non-bloggers get to sit here behind clear glass (bet you couldn't tell there was glass in front of the camera where this picture was taken) and watch the game in a beautiful air-conditioned environment. Where do bloggers get to sit?

We get to sit right here in the bloggers' room. Not the best view of Citi Field, but at least the floor tiles are lovely.


This is a room I had no idea existed. Although my colleague mistook it for a coffee break room, it's really an auditorium located just above the Jackie Robinson Rotunda.

We finally did what the majority of the people came to do. We got onto the field without being tackled by security! The warning track area is a very hard surface. I can't imagine making a diving catch on it without receiving many cuts and bruises. Then again, that's what the 15-day DL is for, even if it was overused this past season.


These are seats we'll never be able to afford on our Studious Metsimus salary. Then again, we can't even afford Shake Shack burgers on our Studious Metsimus salary. Someone has to talk to the boss about that one. What? I am the boss? Sometimes it sucks to work for the man.

It's Coop from My Summer Family sharing a tender moment with my colleague in the Mets dugout. I guess this is My Winter Family.

My colleague is waiting patiently for his turn at-bat. I hope David Wright's oversized helmet isn't the one they give him.

These are the indoor batting cages near the Mets clubhouse. This may teach them how to hit 95-MPH fastballs and biting curveballs, but can it teach them how to hit with less than two outs and a runner on third?

Here we have the Mets clubhouse. It needed expanding because of all the minor league players called up to replace the disabled regulars. After sitting in those couches, I can see myself being placed on the 15-day DL just so I can sit here during games. They're oh so comfy!

This is the game room directly across the hall from the clubhouse and training room. (Insert joke about Mets trainers here.) The tour guide told us that Nelson Figueroa introduced the team to Rock Band (see the drums near the big plasma TV). He also said that Figgy is the team's resident IT guy. If you need a computer fixed, Nelly Figs is the man. Studious Metsimus could not get a straight answer from the tour guide when asked about Figueroa's pool expertise. Perhaps this is something worth following up.

If you're wondering why the Joey half of the Studious Metsimus duo was the only one photographed, the answer is simple. Three words: Mickey Mouse Ears. You will never know what I mean by that, but if you did, you'd know why none of my photos from the Citi Field tour will ever see the light of day.

WHILENOONE'SWATCHING,JOEYHASTAKENOVERTHISBLOG.

Greetings, SMFs! While my colleague is away, I decided to add a little something to his blog. It came to my attention that he was not going to share any of his pictures from the Citi Field tour with you. Shame on him for hiding them from you, our beloved readers.

Well, it so happens that I have found the main picture that caused him to become Ebenezer Scrooge. So Bah humbug to him! I'm going to share the infamous Mickey Mouse Ears picture that he wants no one to see.

Thanks to everyone for reading this blog and we hope to see you next year at Citi Field. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and send cake. (NOT fruit cake! BIG difference!) Enjoy the Mickey Mouse Ears picture of my colleague!

To Survive 2010, Mets Must Follow Zombieland Rules

Way back when, Studious Metsimus was known as Zombies and Comics and Bears...Oh My! It wasn't a very catchy title and nothing about it suggested that it was a blog about the Mets. Therefore, the change was made to Studious Metsimus and this silly little blog grew in size and popularity.

Now we have a film in theaters that would be perfect to talk about if this blog still had its original name. You know what? That's exactly what I'm going to do.

For anyone who hasn't seen Zombieland, I won't give you any spoilers. One of the recurring themes in the movie is the "rules to surviving a zombie attack". These rules don't necessarily have to apply to zombies. They could apply to the Mets as well. Read on and you shall see what I mean.

Rule #1: Cardio

If the Mets had practiced better baserunning, they wouldn't have lost games to the Dodgers (see Ryan Church) and Angel Pagan would have been a lock for an everyday position next year. Also, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado wouldn't have added a zero to the end of the 15 in 15-day disabled list.

Rule #2: Double Tap

Much had been made of Citi Field's dimensions as a reason why the Mets hit so few home runs there. They only hit 49 home runs in 81 home games. If that was the case, their opponents should have been equally affected. Not so, Cotton Eye Joe. Mets' pitchers gave up 81 HR at Citi Field. For the season, the Mets were out-homered 158-95.

A legitimate power hitter is a must for the Mets next season. However, more importantly, their pitching staff must give up much fewer home runs. If the Mets can turn those home runs allowed into doubles, they can tap into more success in 2010.

Rule #4: Seatbelts

Some injuries can be avoided quite easily. Just ask vehicularly challenged players from recent seasons, Duaner Sanchez and Tom Glavine. Also, using two hands when going down dugout steps can do the same for Luis Castillo and the Mets as seatbelts could have done for Sanchez and Glavine.

Rule #17: Don't Be A Hero

The 2010 Mets should learn from the mistake Jose Reyes made this season. There was no reason for him to come back in 2009. He tried anyway. Now his hamstring is worse than it was before and will require surgery. Reyes says he'll be 100% by Opening Day, but how sure can he be? Smiles will only get you so far. Not being a hero will get you further.

Rule #18: Limber Up

One should always be prepared when coming up to bat. Perhaps if David Wright had been more limber, he could've avoided Matt Cain's head-seeking missile. Perhaps if Carlos Delgado had worked out his hips a little more, he wouldn't have missed the last five months of the season. This may be the most important rule for 2010.

Rule #32: Enjoy The Little Things

Sure it was a lousy season. Even so-called experts could not have predicted a 70-92 season for the Mets. The team suffered through injuries and poor performances from certain players. But look on the bright side. No one died.

Seriously, Jeff Francoeur was a breath of fresh air, both on and off the field. The late season performances of Nelson Figueroa, Pat Misch and Tim Redding gave the Mets solid options in case of more injuries next year. Things will get better and we'll be able to enjoy them together. Let's Go Mets in 2010 (and go watch Zombieland, in theaters now)!

Studious Metsimus Has Statsimus Maximus

Dudes, do not try to say the title of this post five times fast. I will not be responsible for whatever injury your tongue suffers and I will certainly NOT be driving you to the Hospital For Special Surgery (unless if you can get me an autograph from one of the many Mets players who hang around their gift shop).

Here are a few final stats from the 2009 season:

With the season-ending sweep of the Astros, the Mets finished their first season at Citi Field with a winning home record. The three-game drubbing of Houston gave the Mets a 41-40 record at home. (They were 9-11 in the 20 games attended by members of the Studious Metsimus team.) Of course, that 29-52 road record kind of put a damper on things.

Daniel Murphy led the team in home runs this season with 12. This tied the franchise record for fewest home runs by a team leader. In 1977, Steve Henderson, John Milner and John Stearns led the Mets with 12 home runs apiece. In June 1998, Sammy Sosa hit 20 HR by himself. On the bright side, Daniel Murphy has never had the shadow of steroids following him, just the shadows of his stint in left field and this awkward photo.

As reported by Studious Metsimus three weeks ago (click here for proof...we wouldn't lie to you), David Wright's power outage did indeed become historic. He finished with 10 HR this season after hitting 33 HR in 2008. That marked the first time in major league history that a player with at least 500 at-bats in consecutive seasons hit as many as 33 HR the first season and as few as 10 HR the following season. Wright had 626 at-bats in 2008 and 535 at-bats in 2009. On a positive note, Wright didn't break the all-time strikeout record this year. Mark Reynolds of the Diamondbacks did with 223 Ks. We won't get into the fact that Reynolds also found the time between strikeouts to hit 44 HR with 102 RBI.

If Carlos Delgado played his last game in a Mets uniform, his last appearance as a Met came in May. The last player with as many home runs as Carlos Delgado's 473 HR to cut a season short in May was Mike Schmidt when he announced his retirement from the Phillies in 1989. Fortunately for Delgado, he took the inveitable news of the end of his season with a little more dignity than Mike Schmidt did.

Angel Pagan had a nice half-season for the Mets as an everyday player. In 343 at-bats, Pagan hit 22 doubles, 11 triples (one of only four major leaguers with as many as 11 triples) and six home runs. Getting thrown out on the bases for taking stupid chances has not yet been recognized by Major League Baseball as an official stat so Angel will not be embarrassed in this blog.

I personally like the dude. Not only is he a good hitter, but during Saturday's rain delay, he personally signed autographs for EVERY SINGLE FAN that stuck around for the game to resume.

Studious Metsimus was there and took an exclusive photo of Pagan signing those autographs (see photo above). He even signed one for the guy in the picture who was more interested in the yellow raincoat than the major leaguer standing three feet away from him. Stay classy, Angel Pagan!

Finally, we can't finish this without mentioning Nelson Figueroa. If I told you the Mets wouldn't have a single complete game shutout at Citi Field until the last game of the season, Nelson Figueroa would probably not be the first name rolling off your tongues. (Plus, if you didn't listen to me at the beginning of the blog and decided to say the title five times fast, nothing would be rolling off your tongue right now!)

Therefore, the final stat of the day is the number one. Nelson Figueroa tossed the one and only complete game shutout at Citi Field this season, one week after Pat Misch pitched the only other complete game shutout by a Met in 2009 against the Marlins in Florida.

For his efforts in the season finale, Figueroa was awarded with a shaving cream pie to the face. Although Figueroa laughed it off, Studious Metsimus was told by an unnamed source (who turned around when we called him Oliver Perez) that it was the team's subtle way of telling him to shave his eyebrows a little.

Congratulations to Nelson Figueroa for his excellent performance to end the season and also to Oliver Perez for not trying to do like Jose Reyes by making a failed comeback attempt only to exacerbate his previous injury. Then again, given Studious Metsimus and its hate/hate relationship with Señor Perez, perhaps he should have attempted a comeback.

Well, SMFs. That's all for the 2009 season. Don't fret. We'll still be here blogging about all things Mets. If there's a story out there to be made fun of, we'll fart all over it. If there's breaking news to report, we'll break it some more and then send it over to the Hospital For Special Surgery. And if Oliver Perez is out there, just shoot him and put him out of his misery.

Thank you for your readership and your support. Never forget...Angel Pagan: classy. Mike Schmidt: wimpy. If you remember to fly like an Angel, you won't be treated like a piece of Schmidt. Byeeeeeeeeeee!