Cammy To The Rescue

Well in the long run, this four game series solved nothing...just as this season has solved nothing. 2-2 against the Braves, 46-46 on the season. I personally get the feeling that after 92 games, we still don't understand the true identity of the New York Mets.

This series was supposed to show Omar Minaya once and for all whether to buy or sell. Instead, it tells him to hurry up and wait. The Mets were a bad hop and some great Braves defense away from sweeping the series. Instead, they remain in the vast wasteland known as five hundred. This is going to make it an increasingly difficult trade deadline for Omar Minaya, although it shouldn't be.

But let me say this to get it off my chest (yes, more hate). There might be no pitcher in baseball that is more satisfying to defeat for me than Mike Hampton. (Roger Clemens might be the only one to be up there on that level.) You all remember the Hampton story...he was a free agent after the 2000 pennant winning campaign, and he went from a winning organization in the Mets, to a team that plays in a ballpark that's hell for pitchers, and Hampton's Rockie career helps prove that.

The Rockies offered him a boatload of money and he took it, which isn't really the issue. The issue is not only the fact that Hampton refused to return phone calls from Mets players and management types right before he signed with Colorado (be a man, right?) but Hampton's lame excuse of going to Colorado because of the school systems. Isn't it funny how the quality of the schools in Denver went down as Hampton's ERA rose? That had to have been the case right? Because during the 2002 season, Hampton basically whined his way out of Colorado and wound up with Leo Mazzone for a career rebirth in Atlanta. Coincidence? Or do you smell a rat? And if you don't believe me, check out Mike Hampton's fan club, and tell me how many fans he has.

But Hampton was fried today in his first stint back from the DL, and he couldn't even get to the third inning. Mike Cameron was the catalyst today, sending Jose Reyes to third on a perfectly executed hit and run to right field, then putting the game away with a two run HR to right field in the second. Tom Seaver, and say what you want about him as an announcer, was absolutely on the ball today. If Mike Cameron just worries about going to right field, he's a much better hitter. It's obvious that Cammy has done it all season, and his average and OBP has risen as a result. He still strikes out about as much as he has at about a K a game, but he's as good an average hitter as he's been, and he's making productive outs.

So the Mets season is saved again, for now.

***

Looks like Mayor Bloomberg was a key component of Al Leiter's return to the Yankees. Wonderful. Oh Mayor Bloomberg, the Mets need a middle reliever. See what you can do, Mr. Impartial.

Then fix the trains. And while you're at it, fix Philip Humber's arm and make yourself useful if you want my vote for re-election.

***

Doug Mientkiewicz will shave his head like David Wright if he reaches the .250 mark. Insert Rey Sanchez joke here.

***

Finally, Kaz Ishii is being skipped in the rotation due to tomorrow's off day. With Pedro's efficient outing today, might he be moved up to skip Ishii again?

Another Gem From Richmond

The Mets lost again to the Richmond, excuse me, Atlanta Braves tonight at Shea by a score of 3-0. The Braves have been so impressed with rookies such as Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson (who each had an RBI tonight), that they've made a late call-up for tomorrow's game. Confident that anybody on earth can wear a Braves uniform and beat the Mets, John Schuerholz has called up this baby to bat eighth in the lineup on Sunday against Pedro Martinez. Not only is the baby a good glove, but he already has a lifetime .750 average against Danny Graves. The baby will be sent back to Richmond after tomorrow's game.

***

You ever see those staged fights in the movies where the big kid extends his arm with his palm out, and the little kid has his head against the palm throwing haymakers at air? That's been the Braves and the Mets in a nutshell for the past seven seasons. This season, the Braves are the young kids, and the Mets are supposedly the bigger kid, but the Mets still can't lay a glove on Atlanta. Nine wins head to head for the Braves, who have 10 rookies on the roster, three wins for the New Mets, who are quickly becoming the same old Mets. Tim Hudson skips his minor league rehab start to go right to facing the Mets? Turns out Hudson actually got that minor league rehab start tonight, because that's what the Mets played like...minor leaguers.

And Saturday night's game was like watching "On Golden Pond" and hoping for a car chase...never had a chance.

Ramblings With Wolves

As a big fan of hate (as long as it's healthy hate...is there such a thing?) it's pleasing to see Andrew Hintz of Chuck and Duck get in touch with his deepest darkest feelings regarding Rafael Furcal. Andrew, just so you know, you're not over-reacting.

***

So Al Leiter looks like he's on his way to the desperate Yankees...and after I told a touching story about him and my brother sharing special moments at a charity event. Sometimes, life isn't fair.

Heck, Leiter might find that out the hard way when he starts against the Red Sox on Sunday.

***

Looks like Brian Daubach is the odd man out pending Doug Mientkiewicz's return. With Jose Offerman becoming Manny Mota all of a sudden, Daubach was expendable. But seeing that not a lot of teams have first base issues, Daubach may very well return to the Tides after his imminent designation for assignment.

Meanwhile, Royce Ring has been sent down and former Yankee Juan Padilla has been called up in his stead. This may be because Kaz Ishii, who is having his turn skipped in the rotation after the Braves series, is headed to the bullpen.

If you ask me, why bother? Ishii hasn't been an effective starter, so he's going to go to a new role? Ishii should be cut loose for his own good and Ring, who deserves to be a major leaguer, should be up. Hey, if the Yankees are that desperate for pitching, maybe the Mets can filp Ishii for...uh, for...

...I don't know, maybe the Yankees have an extra carton of hot dog buns they don't need.

Rebuttals For The Mailbag

Catching up on my correspondence after a particularly tough 2-1 loss to Atlanta:

Dear Mr. Piazza,

Friday night...down by a run...double play...bottom of the ninth.

So much for your renaissance. I guess my crusade to knock you down in the order continues.

Thanks for reading,

M. Damus

Dear Mets groundscrew,

You missed a spot.

M. Damus

P.S. Put $100 on Tiger to win the Open for me.

Dear Mr. Randolph,

Do you need an anvil to fall on your head to make you realize that David Wright deserves to hit higher in the order?

If so, it can be arranged.

M. Damus

Dear Mr. Glavine,

You deserved better tonight. The Red Sox will enjoy having you.

M. Damus

Dear Mr. Mazzone,

Your rocking is making me dizzy. Stop it, please.

M. Damus

Dear Julio Franco,

What sport did you play before baseball was invented?

Just wondering.

M. Damus

Dear Mike Stanton,

Those big circles that they were holding up in Milwaukee were the letter "O" for Lyle Overbay, Brewers first baseman. They did not signify doughnuts for your arrival into the game, fatso. Nice balk. You're a great pick-up.

M. Damus

P.S. While in Washington D.C., please try to save some McRib sandwiches for the rest of the city.

Dear Mr. Palmeiro,

You played in the game where the Mets clinched the division in 1986. You played left field and drove in two runs. I was at that game. Do you know what that means?

That means we're old.

Congratulations on hit #3,000.

M. Damus

Dear N.L. East Standings,

.500 sucks.

M. Damus

Dear Bobby Bonilla,

Hit me.

M. Damus

Dear Jeannie Zelasko,

You interrupting Ernie Harwell during the All Star pre-game show was a little like pre-empting "Frasier" in favor of a very special "Manimal".

M. Damus

P.S. Don't think I don't know that your baby is an alien...an alien with hair extensions. The Central Intelligence Agency is on their way.

Here's Hoping I'm NOT Right

Matthew at Metsblog.com (and thanks for the plug yesterday Matt!) points us to speculation that Jim Thome could be wheeled by the Phillies to make room for Ryan Howard at first base.

When I made my predictions, I mentioned a trade for a first baseman. I was purposely vague because the player I had in mind seemed so far out there to be traded to the Mets, if at all, that I figured it best to keep my dopey scenario to myself.

The player I had in mind? Jim Thome.

Now don't get me wrong, I hope this deal doesn't have a chance in hell. Jim Thome is owed about $40 million through 2008, with a $13 million option for 2009. A lot of money for a player who isn't hitting his weight this season. At his best, he was a monster. Now he that monster may be pure albatross. And if what Omar Minaya is telling the truth in today's New York Post about making trades with the present and the future in mind, this is one prophecy that thankfully isn't coming true.

What Would The Dying Mule Say?

Dear Metstra-dumb ass,

I was turned on to your so-called website recently, and I just couldn't wait to respond.

You know, I'm apalled at the way you would treat someone who is a slam dunk future hall of famer. You really should have a little respect. I just have one question for you...

Did you see that freakin' home run I hit tonight to win the game?

I mean geez, you have been busting my hump non-stop over the last few weeks. You called me the most glorified singles hitter in the league, you said that I looked like a 5 year old at Guitar Center after I was lucky enough to jam with Alter Bridge (and no, my close personal friend Myles Kennedy didn't steal second on me, dope! And I could care less how silly I looked...when was the last time YOU jammed with a rock band that had a hit record?)

You've gone on and on about David Wright this, and David Wright that, and bat him higher in the order and predicting that I was going to fall on my sword and ask Willie Randolph to bat me down in the order so that David Wright could bat higher. Well guess what Metstradopey, I ain't asking nobody for nothing. I'm a 12 time all star and a former MVP. What exactly has David Wright done to deserve batting higher than me? Tell me! What?

I know after I grounded out to end the first inning with two runners on, and Wright jacked one out to lead off the second that you were ramping up to skewer me and my place in the Mets lineup again. I know you were going to ride that David Wright love train as it crashes into my locker for the 10 zillionth time. And as he hit his second home run and then made that diving catch on the suicide squeeze for the double play, I knew your keyboard was working overtime throwing dirt on my grave, you cut rate soothsayer. Well sooth say this! How about that home run! I took that pitch by my eyes in the eighth and jacked it out to right field, just as I've done for years as I broke a tied game and led my team to a 6-3 victory. Over freaking Atlanta no less! The Braves!!!

And did you see me in the dugout? Did you see the big smile on my face??? That sir, is a smile that says "kiss my ass Metstradamus...kiss my ass!"

I may be a dying mule, but you sir, are a healthy dose of jackass.

Yours Truly,

Mike Piazza, 1996 MVP