The Republic of Sport

Gets By Buckner 86

Gets By Buckner 86's Comments

Posted Tuesday March 03, 2009, About: Pedro won't settle for Glavine money

Good comparison earlier between Pedro and Koufax.

One other point to remember when comparing the two... no disrespect to Koufax, but he did it in a pitcher's era before the DH and before they lowered the mound in 1968. Pedro's dominance occurred in the AL smack dab in the middle of the steroid era. A point the HOF voters will surely consider.

First ballot, for sure. Sorry, Philly fans.

Posted Monday March 02, 2009, About: Mets hope to land big bat

True, the Mets do sign high-profile free agents... like any other team in a large market who wants to win. The difference is that Steinbrenner did win, but always acted like a little kid who wanted every toy in the store; it just wasn't good enough (i.e., Clemens, Brown, Irabu, Johnson, Giambi, Lofton, Sheffield, etc.).

And, no, there are true Mets fans. We're the ones who respect the Yankees organization and their history, but will take blue-collar teams over corporate mega-teams any day of the week. That's the true heart, soul, and grit of NYC.

Posted Monday March 02, 2009, About: Mets hope to land big bat

Sorry, Manny fans, but a menacing lineup doesn't automatically translate into a championship. Ask the 2000 Mariners or the Yankees of the last 6 seasons. Good pitching ALWAYS beats good hitting (e.g., 2001 D-Backs, 2002 Angels, 2003 Marlins).

The Mets already score plenty. Adding $25+ million/yr for a sub-par outfielder who'll turn 37 in May and insists on a multi-year deal isn't a wise investment for this NL team. If we were an AL team where he could DH, it would be different.

Come on true Mets fans, let's not be the Yankees and try to buy a championship.

Posted Tuesday February 24, 2009, About: Cabrera asking for too much A's money?

Cabrera made the same mistake lots of free agents made... holding out for "the best" deal. Well, what they and their agents didn't factor in was how the economy would change the winter dealings. Now, Cabrera hates Edgar Renteria (2 yrs @ $18 million) even more.

Can't you just see the tumbleweeds blowing across the dead streets of Free Agent Town?

Posted Wednesday February 18, 2009, About: Phillies-Mets feud builds

~ yawn ~ This is all nonsense. The media hypes it up and we end up with 100+ posts on here.

Both sides need to just take a chill pill (preferably not one prescribed by A-Rod) and duke it out on the field.

...but I'm rooting for my Mets to take it this year. Should be a good rivalry again!

Posted Wednesday February 18, 2009, About: Marlins, Astros, Mets on Pudge's list

Now that's funny!

Posted Tuesday February 17, 2009, About: D-Backs to sign-and-trade Cruz?

Exactly. This may very well set a trend for future Class A free agents that teams don't want to lose a draft pick over.

Posted Tuesday February 17, 2009, About: D-Backs to sign-and-trade Cruz?

That was you????!!!!

Curses...

Posted Tuesday February 17, 2009, About: Marlins, Astros, Mets on Pudge's list

First off, my posting was directed to a specific fan who seems to slam NYC, the Mets and the fans at every opportunity.

But more importantly, how can you say I need a sense of humor?? I do have a sense of humor... I laughed and laughed when I saw your postings. It was like watching an episode of "Kids Say The Darndest Things".

Thanks, "WorldFuckinChampion". You rock.

Posted Monday February 16, 2009, About: Marlins, Astros, Mets on Pudge's list

You know, you're making Phillies fans look almost as annoying as Yankees fans... in a second-class city, with more ice to throw at Santa and without all the championships, of course.

Congratulations, Einstein. I can't wait for the next nugget of backwoods wisdom from you.

Posted Monday February 16, 2009, About: Royals interested in Hudson, but...

I love how the swagger (which was non-existent for years) is manufactured by some Phillies fans that suddenly have cojones after a winning season. It's like watching a 5-year-old trying to shave... it's useless, but amusing.

Posted Thursday February 12, 2009, About: Glavine wants more money from Braves

My initial number was wrong... he could make up to $3 million if healthy. But he does have incentives in addition to the guaranteed $1 million.

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/02/11/glavine_ braves_2009.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=21

Posted Thursday February 12, 2009, About: Glavine wants more money from Braves

Unbelievable. The deal guarantees him $1 million to sit on the bench and eat sunflower seeds. IF he pitches well, he can make up to $5 million, so what's the problem? Go EARN your money, Tommy.

~ sigh ~ I'm so glad he doesn't pitch for the Mets anymore.

Posted Wednesday February 11, 2009, About: Police: No record of trouble with A-Rod writer

Peter Gammons is a great writer, but a lousy interviewer. Not only did he neglect to follow up to these allegations A-Rod made about Selena Roberts, but he never asked how A-Rod got these "banned substances" or how he took them (pills, injections?).

Posted Wednesday February 11, 2009, About: Jays close to signing Millar

Millar is an "intangibles" kinda player... the numbers, alone, don't show what this guy adds to a team both on and off the field. Adding a likable, gritty player is a positive for any team and, in this case, I'm certain the price is right. Good for Toronto and good for Millar... get the deal done!

Posted Tuesday February 10, 2009, About: Royals join chase for Cordero

Indeed, signs of the Royals' improvement have been increasing in the last 2 seasons. A lineup that was already full of young talent (DeJesus, Aviles, Gordon, Butler) with some key additions (Jacobs and Crisp) is going to be the sleeper in the AL Central.

Posted Monday February 09, 2009, About: Canseco: More steroid surprises to come

A-Rod just admitted to Peter Gammons on an ESPN interview that he took steroids from 2001-2003. I understand the interview should be streaming online later today.

Posted Monday February 09, 2009, About: Astros planning to sign Dunn

Dunn gets no respect because he wants too much money when his work ethic has been questioned for years. You top that with an average glove, at best, a low batting average, high K ratio, AND a ridiculously low avg with RISP (which is why you would bring in a guy like him to begin with), you get what you see... little to no market for Dunn.

Indeed, Dunn has DH written all over him.

Posted Monday February 09, 2009, About: Growing market for Abreu?

As mentioned in an earlier post, Abreu, while a decent guy overall and a solid bat, has suspect defense at best. Yankees and Phillies fans can attest to his fear of the wall.

As far as the Mets picking him up, if we needed another left-handed bat, I would take a flyer on Abreu, but WE DON'T. We're already lefty-heavy. So, unless you're proposing to get rid of Ryan Church, who is younger, cheaper, and a far better defender, Abreu's not an option.

And as far as platoons go, as a Mets fan, you should remember that the best Mets teams platooned. Gil Hodges platooned most of the OF and some other position players on the '69 Mets, part of the reason why they overcame the Cubs that year, whose position players tired down the stretch, contributing to their collapse. Davey Johnson platooned Dykstra and Wilson in '86 and you saw how that turned out.

Posted Monday February 09, 2009, About: Why Rangers signed Andruw Jones

Andruw signed with the Rangers because Arlington is closer to "The Biggest Loser" set, which is his next destination when they begin the celebrity version.

Posted Friday February 06, 2009, About: Marlins interested in Pudge

With all due respect to Posada, who's been nothing but a gritty player and a stand-up guy, part of "decline" is greater susceptibility to injuries and longer healing time, especially for catchers.

Again, all due respect, but the man will turn 38 in August. So, sorry, but "decline" is the correct term. Just ask Jason Varitek...