tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82331994052381648632024-02-21T01:09:22.847-05:00Gus StuffGus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-84241908501292082612019-10-08T08:52:00.001-04:002019-10-08T09:14:46.097-04:00My Dear Friend Wendy <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">1,000? 5,000? 500,000? I don't know how many laughs Wendy Chioji and I shared, I just know that they were all heartfelt, belly-hurting, "ain't life great?!" laughs. I'll never forget how they felt, how they sounded or the look on her face when we had them. The best part was how willing a participant she was. Bad puns to use in the end of the newscast, subtle to not-so subtle jabs at each other, or the magical moments where are comedic "genius" came together as one and we just couldn't stop rolling. That's what I'll miss most about my dear friend. Those laughs. Those smiles. She fought cancer for so long, so hard, with everything she had and did it all with that smile on her face. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This morning in heaven the angels parted and cleared a path so Wendy and Stu could find each other. I'm sure the bear hug they shared was long and meaningful and then one of them said something to the other to make them laugh.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">There are too many "best things" about Wendy to count, but the fact that she lived life the same way every damn day will always stick with me. If you didn't know she had cancer you'd never know because she was out there climbing mountains, skiing, running, racing... living... all the way... every day. Every damn day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Wendy was the anchor of the first show I ever produced. She showed me how to have a good time and be professional at the same time. She helped me grow tremendously as a producer. That's a nice footnote in a story of deep friendship. I am so lucky she was in my life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">She called me Gussel. Or Gustopher. Or Gustopher Robin. The last time I called her I got her voicemail. I left her a 2:00 message in part just to make her have to sit there and listen to me for that long. I hope she laughed at that. I'm crying as I type these words. I'm sure the laughs will come later today, they just won't be the same without her sharing them with me. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If you'd like to read Wendy's blog posts that she wrote while battling cancer, you can find them here. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://wendy.growingbolder.com/">https://wendy.growingbolder.com</a></span>Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-46009670892780643452018-09-29T09:59:00.000-04:002018-09-29T09:59:52.575-04:00Bye-Bye, Captain. How David Wright Gave the Mets What They Were Looking For Since 1962 <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 12px;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span>It’s a long and inglorious list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It’s a list laden with “Oh… I Remember Him” guys and “<i>Who</i>??” guys. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> It also includes a number of “Used To Be,” “Could Have Been,” and “Never Was” guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> To be fair, there were a handful of “Glad He’s On Our Team” guys on the list too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The "List" is the list of men who have played third base for the New York Metropolitan franchise. 170 names long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Founded in 1962, the Mets came out of the gates blazing with Don Zimmer (Yup, that Don Zimmer) as their guy at third. Zim set the bar at Even The World's Greatest Limbo Artists Can't Go This Low levels by going 4-55 before he was shipped off to Cincinnati.</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It didn't get much better after Zim left town. The Mets didn’t have someone play back-to-back seasons of 100+ games at the position until 1973 and 1974. Wayne Garrett did the honors. A fan favorite for sure, but Wayno wasn’t reminding anyone of Brooks Robinson or Eddie Matthews. However, when Garrett’s time as a Met ended in 1976, he was their all-time leader in games played at the position with 711. The revolving door on the hot corner was in constant motion during the ensuing seasons. Lenny Randle, Elliott Maddux Joel Youngblood, Sergio Ferer, and Joe Torre (Yup, that Joe Torre) to name a few, did the honros.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Through all that torch-passing, the mantle was handed to Hubie Brooks in 1981. Prior to that, 66 different guys had played third for the Mets. 66! A few years later Ray Knight briefly, but gloriously, held it down with his ’86 World Series MVP campaign. Next, it was bestowed upon Howard Johnson who put up 5 strong offensive seasons, but he often played short or even in the outfield. That said, the 80s finally provided a small level of stability at the position. At the time of Brooks' departure (dealt to Montreal just like Garrett), he was 2nd to Garrett in games played at the position. Johnson would pass them both, sitting atop a large pile of nondescript, marginally accomplished players with a grand total of 835 games played at third base. (Robin Ventura and Edgardo Alfonso classed up the joint in the 90's and early 2000s with their gloves and bats, but they only played 436 and 515 games at third, respectively.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> As for HoJo, he made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 14, 1982. 250 days later, David Allen Wright was born in Norfolk, Virginia, setting off a series of events that would lead him to the top of the mountain and the Mets to an unprecedented level of stability at the hot corner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Twenty-one and a half years later, when Wright made his debut, the Mets fans were ready. The glow of back-to-back playoff seasons in ’99 and 2000 had worn off; washed away in 75 and 66 win seasons with Ty Wigginton manning third. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Wright was called up on July 21st, 2004. He went 0-4 in his first game, but he met expectations throughout the season, posting excellent numbers. His highlights included his first major league hit, a double. The first of a franchise record 390</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">and his first big league homer, #1 of 242, second only to Darryl Strawberry’s 252. Apparently, to honor Wayne Garrett and Hubie Brooks, Wright hit that historic tater north of the border in Montreal. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks00eUSnwhg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks00eUSnwhg</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The fuse was lit. Wright was rocket-strapped and Mets fans were ready for the ride. Everyone could see the Mets had finally found their franchise third baseman. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I noted in a column I wrote back in 2012 - </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“After Wright's impressive 69 game debut in '04, when he hit .293 with 14 homers and 40 RBI, I told friends that Wright would go down as the greatest position player in franchise history. My logic was not based on the thought that Wright would be a Hall of Fame player, but more on how easy it is to climb the franchise leader ladder. It was obvious that Wright was going to be the face of the franchise moving forward and a 10-year career as a Met was likely. So let's do the math: based on the Mets franchise leaders as of 2004 if Wright had 10 years of 142 hits, 26 HR, 74 rbi, 70 runs and 22 doubles he would be first in all of those categories. Not exactly Cooperstown numbers, so it wasn't a stretch to make that claim. As of this writing, Wright is second in Mets career batting average, 2nd in runs (soon to be first), 3rd in hits (soon to be first), first in total bases, rbi and doubles, 4th in homers (55 behind Strawberry), 3rd in walks (soon to be first) and 5th in stolen bases.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Little did I know when I wrote that, 10 more years is all we would really get from Wright, but you could also make a case he is the greatest position player in Mets history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">An updated look at Wright’s accomplishments shows his name littered all over the Mets career Top 10 page on Baseball Reference </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span>Right from the start of his career, Wright showed an ease at handling New York both on and off the field that was rare. Across town, Yankees fans had seen it with their captain, Derek Jeter. Wright was the Mets fans’ captain, even though he hadn’t earned that title yet. His relaxed charm and demeanor, dry sense of humor and complete understanding of the Mets franchise, its history and its fan base, made him impossible not to like. He was born in the shadows of the Mets AAA team and grew up a Mets fan. He was one of us. The connection was immediate. Wright and fellow young gun, Jose Reyes, gave Mets fans hope that they had a dynamic duo for a decade plus. Their emergence thrilled me because I had a young son who could grow up watching the Wright-Reyes tandem star for the Mets for the majority of his childhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In 2005, Wright delivered one of his signature plays. A bare-handed, over-the-shoulder catch in San Diego. As jaw-dropping a catch as it was, my favorite part was :05 after the catch when he allowed an “awww, shucks” smile to sneak across his face. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmvM5hqilBY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmvM5hqilBY</a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> On that same trip in Seattle, Wright made a catch he prefers over the one in San Diego. There was no smile after this one, just winces of pain and our first true glimpse that Wright was willing to do whatever it took to get a W.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> While certainly capable (and later worthy) of playing Gold Glove-caliber defense, it was Wright’s offense that was opening eyes. From 2005-2009, Wright began to craft his Hall of Fame resume.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2005 - .306/.388/.523. 27 HR, 99 R, 102 RBi, 42 doubles</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2006 - .311/.381/.523 26 HR, 96 R, 116 RBI, 40 doubles</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2007 - .325/.416/.531. 30 HR, 113 R, 107 RBI, 42 doubles</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">2008 - .302/.390/.534 33 HR, 115 R, 124 RBI, 42 doubles </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Those are eye-popping numbers. In that time frame, only A-Rod, Chipper, Miguel Cabrera and Aramis Ramirez had higher slugging percentages for third baseman. Wright was also second in hits, doubles and runs, third in RBI and 5th in homers in that window among his cornerstone peers. He established himself as a superstar and he was a<i> Mets</i> third baseman. Unchartered territory for sure. HoJo had a very nice 1987-1991 stretch, but it wasn’t this and it certainly wasn’t coming with the Gold Glove defense Wright was playing. Nobody in the league was better at charging the slow-roller/bunt, bare-handing the ball and throwing across their body on the run than David. As a kid, I saw clips of Brooks Robinson doing it. Mike Schmidt was the king of it in the 70s and 80s. Ventura was excellent at it as well. It was Wright’s calling card play from the get-go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In 2006, Wright and Reyes helped spearhead a Mets return to the post-season. A dominant 97-win team that ran roughshod over the NL East. That season provided us with great wins, great memories and a great picture of our future enjoying the present as only a pair of 23-year-olds can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Wright also made his first All-Star game in 2006. I was there in Pittsburgh. When Wright came to the plate I turned to Tim Kurkjian and said: “He’s going to double down the left field line.” I should have known better. Wright homered. </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTqr20khUEA"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTqr20khUEA</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Earlier that season, Wright delivered a huge win for the Mets with a walk-off hit against the Yankees and the great Mariano Rivera. </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MXG3kwlq2k&t=19s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MXG3kwlq2k&t=19s</a></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As Mets fans, we don’t get too many chances to puff out our chest when we play the Yankees, so moments like these, delivered by our home-grown talent, give us great feelings of pride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> 2009 brought the Mets to a new home, Citi Field. The Mets, in their infinite wisdom, built a ballpark perfectly tailored to destroy David Wright’s power. Wright had shown himself to have a natural, opposite field power swing, consistently hitting balls to the gap, and over the wall, 371 feet away in right-center field. When Citi Field opened the gap in right-center was 415 deep. That, combined with the Great Wall of Flushing, a left field wall that was 16 feet high, saw Wright’s homer total plummet to a career-worst 10 and his slugging percentage dropped to a paltry .837. Wright did launch one homer that year that truly mattered, the first by a Met in Citi Field. We wouldn’t have it any other way. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOt2NGJEDgI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOt2NGJEDgI</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> While his regular season performance was atypical, Wright did provide a signature moment during the inaugural World Baseball Classic when he delivered the game-winning hit against Puerto Rico, sending the U.S. to the semifinals. For Mets fans, watching <i>our</i> guy come through for our country was a sweet nectar the likes of which we rarely get to taste… pure joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP0quU39Lis">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP0quU39Lis</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The power returned for Wright in 2010, but not entirely at home. Wright hit 17 of his 29 homers on the road that season, and only 5 of his blasts went to the opposite field. Compare that to 2007 when 24 of his 30 homers went to center field or right field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Mets themselves went through another stagnant stretch for the next few years. From 2010-2014 the Mets averaged 76 wins a season, and Wright was equally inconsistent, thanks in part to injuries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In 2013, Wright added two titles to his resume: Captain and Captain America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For the Mets, naming Wright captain was a no-brainer. He had signed a 7-year contract extension in November 2012 and had been the face of the franchise for quite some time. (He would win an MLB contest and be named baseball’s #1 Face of the Franchise in 2014). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The Captain America designation came during the World Baseball Classic when Wright delivered a signature grand slam against Italy and continued his WBC “clutchness” from 4 years prior. </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWkXAzwCPk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWkXAzwCPk</a></span><br />
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*** Fun fact - Wright is presently the only captain in MLB ***<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Also in 2013, Wright would start in the All-Star game at Citi Field, making his 7th and final All-Star game appearance. Only three other Mets have appeared in that many. (Seaver, Strawberry, Piazza). While Matt Harvey got the big roar as the starting pitcher for the N.L and hometown team, it was Wright who got the heartfelt ovations. </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2h6jIv18Sc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2h6jIv18Sc</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> The remainder of Wright’s hero journey was sidetracked by injury. Hamstring, shoulder, hamstring again and then the big one, the spinal stenosis. It was difficult to watch him on the field as he sidearm lollipopped throws to first and his opposite field power drained. It was equally painful<i> not</i> watching him on the field most of the 2015 season as the Mets marched to the playoffs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Over the last few seasons, Wright has worked incredibly hard to stay on the field, putting in hours of pre-game prep in order to play. </span>So when Wright came through against the Dodgers and then the Cubs in the first two rounds of the 2015 playoffs, it was extra sweet for Mets fans. We were all thrilled for him when the Mets advanced to the World Series against the Royals. It was a trip Wright had earned. It was a trip Wright deserved. And no, it didn’t provide the result Wright and all Mets fans hoped for, but it did provide him with a moment that he will certainly remember forever… a game 3 blast that brought Citi Field to its knees. <span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPUZVWD0iOE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPUZVWD0iOE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> I know it can’t be proven, and I’m sure others will disagree, but for my money, Citi Field has never been louder nor happier than at that moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Feelings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> We all have them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> We don’t all like to talk about them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Some of us hide them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Some of us wear them on our sleeves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In the macho world of sports where adrenaline and competitiveness are the lifeblood, our feelings are the nerves and connective tissue that take us on the rollercoaster of emotions when we watch our teams and players play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright made that diving catch in San Diego, I felt amazed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright and Reyes helped lead the ’06 Mets to the playoffs, I felt elation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright hit the walk-off against Rivera, I felt emboldened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright had his big moments for team USA in the ’09 and ’13 WBCs, I felt pride of team and country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright clobbered this moon shot in Philly in his return from a 4-month DL stint in 2015<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTi4NbJ_NSg"> <span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTi4NbJ_NSg</span></a> I felt, well I felt the interior roof of my car against my fist. I was at my son’s baseball game, watching him but listening to the Mets on the radio in my car. When Howie Rose described the Captain’s blast, “Holy smokes!! The Captain is back!!”, I thrust my hand into the air, or rather directly into the car’s roof. No matter. I was so fired up I’m surprised I didn’t put my hand through the roof. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> When Wright hit that homer in the World Series, I felt... everything. Joy. Thrilled. Amazed. Pumped. Mostly I just felt so good for him. He <i>deserved </i>that moment so much. It was the cherry on top of his career cake and a great payoff for all the rehab work he had endured just to get back on the field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> So today, when David Wright makes his last major league start, my feelings will be splattered around my den like a Jackson Pollock painting. Nostalgic, sad, proud, nervous, but mostly happy. Happy that I got to watch his career. Happy that the Mets had him for as long as they did. Happy that he not only gave my son someone to grow with as a baseball fan but someone to admire both on and off the field. And happy for him to finish his career not exactly on his terms, but on the terms the current situation best afforded him.</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> And when he and Reyes stand side-by-side on the infield and then leave it for the last time, well... let's just say I'll be doing my best Wilmer Flores impression. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> In the end, David Wright climbed to the top of the Mets third base mountain and stuck a #5 flag firmly atop it with the same emphasis he executed his famous fist-pump in D.C. during the 2015 pennant run. </span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span> <span style="font-kerning: none;"> His number will be retired some day and besides #41, it’s arguably the most important in Mets history. Sure, many other great players have had terrific careers for the Mets, some won a championship, but the Mets have only had 3 players play 10+ years in the majors and <i>only </i>play for them. Ed Kranepool, Ron Hodges and David Wright. It's pretty clear who the most important and accomplished player on that list is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> Tom Seaver will always be <i>The Franchise</i>, but for a generation of Mets fans, Wright represented our franchise in the best possible way. It won't be enough to get him to Cooperstown, but it did earn him a place in Mets fans hearts forever. </span><br />
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-3730069358152067442018-09-29T09:19:00.001-04:002018-09-29T09:59:16.036-04:00David Wright's Historical Place Among NL Third Basemen<div style="color: #454545; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So where does Wright rank historically as an offensive third baseman? My friend Rob Tracy at the Elias Sports Bureau shared his analysis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use “bases gained average” – its better than OPS, because it doesn’t double count average</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply – (TB + BB + HBP + net SB)/PA - How many bases you get by yourself per time up – obviously the more for you, the better for the team</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get a league average for that position – then rank them among those with a threshold of PA at that position</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For example – this year’s NL third baseman’s average BGA is .499 – as in, every other time up, you get a base, on average</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of the qualifiers each year are above the line, since the worse you are, the less time you see</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.700 seasons are rare – Mantle/Williams/Bonds/Ruth, etc – very few guys see those seasons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.650 up – also rare – think about Matt Carpenter’s season this year. Great season, but he isn’t that high</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.600 – anyone above this had a great/well above average season</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.550 – above average season</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So let’s look at NL third basemen over a 10 year span, minimum 1000 Games Played at third in that span.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is the highest bases gained average (total Bases + walks + hbp + net steals/pa) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Top 15</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .639 5992 3B * Chipper Jones 1999 - 2008 10 1000</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .628 6409 3B * Mike Schmidt 1974 - 1983 10 1469</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .618 6531 3B * Eddie Mathews 1953 - 1962 10 1459</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .586 5793 3B Scott Rolen 1997 - 2006 10 1352</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .581 5945 3B David Wright 2004 - 2013 10 1364</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .570 5431 3B Aramis Ramirez 2004 - 2013 10 1257</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .558 4735 3B Ken Caminiti 1992 - 2001 10 1126</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .550 6659 3B * Ron Santo 1963 - 1972 10 1552</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .533 6445 3B Ken Boyer 1955 - 1964 10 1396</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .528 5800 3B Bob Elliott 1943 - 1952 10 1118</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .528 4497 3B Matt Williams 1987 - 1996 10 1010</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .526 5183 3B Ryan Zimmerman 2005 - 2014 10 1133</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .521 6031 3B Ron Cey 1975 - 1984 10 1454</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .515 5409 3B Bill Madlock 1974 - 1983 10 1073</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> .512 5341 3B Darrell Evans 1970 - 1979 10 1030</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is very clear who the top 3 are - and it shouldn't be a surprise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wright and Ramirez have the same 10 year span for their best - and Wright was solidly ahead of him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lasting 10 years/1000 GP is a feat at third base in and of itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wright (and Rolen) will never get into the Hall of Fame, but he should. </span></div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-87385074665907713082018-01-28T09:32:00.000-05:002018-01-28T09:33:40.529-05:002018 Royal Rumble contest entrants Here you go, the entrants for the 2018 Royal Rumble contest.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#1 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@JoeBfromAkron </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#2 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@whatwhatindagut</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#3 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@followcolby</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#4 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@zachwrites </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#5 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@itsdocjay</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#6 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@abaldwin3287</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#7 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@cbalestrieri </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#8 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@gustyj13</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#9 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@_CoachAcker </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#10 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@DanPizzuta </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#11 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@MRMark5</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#12 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@boycem22</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#13 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@drewsmith23</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#14 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@jbouchey23 </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#15 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@awesomephinatic</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#16 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@_longnguyen </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#17 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@bellerbrock</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#18 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@itsdrep</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#19 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@realbertolatte</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#20 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@dh514 </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#21 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@Matt_King_1</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#22 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@soxfanandrew</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#23 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@bollmeyer11</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#24 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@enemygold </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#25 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@foote92</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#26 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@kmarsh80</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#27 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@mr_technicolor </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#28 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@Psidestep1919 </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#29 </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">@demilien</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">#30 </span><span style="color: #232323; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13px;">@duckworth441</span>Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-27394253150097053362018-01-21T16:59:00.002-05:002018-01-25T08:57:18.251-05:002018 Royal Rumble Contest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV850iYP3jVJ_znNANZHGG4R_QHyER2evoqxWWQD9VxcxpQqWRwrwK7ONHdPgwBMNDcvVQCCyiF21dkzhuPfRBUsFuZO9g_L7s6IHJd6pNdnNGeIjsUunAH3JLYSruC0Vo89oDNFimpsl/s1600/Coach+Rumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoV850iYP3jVJ_znNANZHGG4R_QHyER2evoqxWWQD9VxcxpQqWRwrwK7ONHdPgwBMNDcvVQCCyiF21dkzhuPfRBUsFuZO9g_L7s6IHJd6pNdnNGeIjsUunAH3JLYSruC0Vo89oDNFimpsl/s320/Coach+Rumble.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's time once again for my Royal Rumble contest, and this year it's bigger and better than ever. I've teamed up with the one and only Coach, Jonathan Coachman! Coach and I are awarding a $100 gift card to WWEShop.com to our winner. And who knows, if you ask nice, Coach may even autograph something for you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKtzdtOKwRvtMuGwnuOZYCwD6XEAw2x3PV4Z_S_YrulyZeS8R08XnZecQ9taHP8qRXDsm0Yy5EkvqgvnLTO9E3cAFrZ412Ulgz6O9SFUYo9EwtkS7qL2yZQVyLbzlecus1MnipprE3qft/s1600/Rumble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="599" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKtzdtOKwRvtMuGwnuOZYCwD6XEAw2x3PV4Z_S_YrulyZeS8R08XnZecQ9taHP8qRXDsm0Yy5EkvqgvnLTO9E3cAFrZ412Ulgz6O9SFUYo9EwtkS7qL2yZQVyLbzlecus1MnipprE3qft/s320/Rumble.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>The Rules: </b></div>
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<b> </b>The first 200 people to leave their names and Twitter handles in the comment section below will be entered into the drawing. 30 of those 200 will be randomly selected and assigned a number between 1 and 30. Whoever has the number associated with the number of the Royal Rumble winner, wins the contest. For example, if you have #17 and Dolph Ziggler comes out at #17 and wins, you win. Simple as that.<br />
This contest is for the men's Rumble. Maybe next year we'll do two, one for the men and one for the women. </div>
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Please make sure to only enter your name once. </div>
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Good luck!<br />
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******we've reached our 200 entry limit. thanks for the interest, one and all.******</div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-7292848357634488172017-11-29T11:48:00.002-05:002017-11-29T11:48:39.134-05:00For my ESPN friends <div style="color: #454545; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For my ESPN friends: These layoffs today, because many friends who I worked with behind the scenes for 2+ decades are the ones being let go, are bringing up old feelings. I wanted to share a little perspective from the position of someone two years removed from the process. While it’s true that ESPN provides a good severance package and give you continued pay and benefits for a little while, along with career counseling, there is no preparation for the hardest part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">When I was let go in 2015 I wrote in a blog post “</span>I'm not bitter, not yet anyway. I hope I never am.” The only time in the last 2 years I have been bitter is when being laid off lead to anxiety, instability, and fear for my family. It’s hard to look in your spouse and children’s eyes and tell them everything will be ok. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s easy to believe it at first, given your experience and resume, but over time that wanes. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The problem is, the longer you go without getting the next gig, the more that fear and anxiety can grow. <i>That’s</i> the hardest part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s the hardest part facing those of you being terminated today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe you had considered yourself a "lifer" but now you may have to uproot the family. That uncertainty wears on everyone, no matter how hard you try to keep things normal. </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's frustrating too because the whole situation seems like it was avoidable. I can't tell you how many times I thought "This didn't have to happen." But it did, so you have to move on, literally and figuratively. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully you can look to the numerous examples across the broadcasting (and other) landscape of people who left ESPN (by choice or not) who have done exceedingly well. You know dozens if not hundreds of them. Hopefully, that offers some solace and inspiration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It took me 2 years to find that next thing, but I found it. The journey is difficult and uncomfortable. No one can prepare you for that, but you are not alone. In every way possible, we got you. </span></div>
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-82877601385712698462017-01-29T09:52:00.001-05:002017-01-29T09:52:54.312-05:00Royal Rumble Contest Entrants <div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">here they are. Good luck everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#1 @WBDarcy</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#2 @frankiegrazie6</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#3 @nwizig</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#4 @xiamhollywoodx</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#5 @Ramore2183</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#6 @josecarreras1</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#7 @desalvotion</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#8 @mikerico23</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#9 @drewsmith23 </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#10 @rjlopez587</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#11 @njbuzz19</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#12 @Josh_Blazek</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#13 @soulbat25</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#14 @lbassnt7</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#15 @ol_rob</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#16 @avatar_jack</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#17 @Pego89</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#18 @jpayant70</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#19 @Bpylons11</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#20 @boemann9</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#21 @hotch523 </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#22 @RajivVarma</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#23 @bwhite773</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#24 @dombrowbryan</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#25 @justusezekiel </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#26 @ronco040</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#27 @damonhawkins</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#28 @A_Classick </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#29 @Joel44</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">#30 Mike_T2</span></div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-7286191385564030592017-01-15T11:36:00.000-05:002017-01-15T11:36:51.997-05:00Ramsey Rumble 2017 FINALLY......... The Ramsey Rumble has come back.... to my Twitterverse<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's how it works. I will randomly select 30 Twitter followers on 1/28 who entered the contest (details below) . <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED AN ENTRY. THIS IS A LOTTERY.</span> I will use a random number generator to match up entrance spots with the 30 contestants to determine who gets each entrance number.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Whoever has the coorsponding number to the winner of the Rumble, wins the contest and will win a $50 gift card to Pro Wrestling Tees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I will post the names of the entrants and the number they've been assigned here on the blog on the morning of the Rumble, 1/29.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> If you want to enter the contest, leave your name and twitter handle in the comments section of this post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Please only submit your name once. Good luck to all.<br /> </span></div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com168tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-23037486140770320832016-07-12T20:48:00.003-04:002016-07-12T20:48:31.887-04:00Rocky babyIf you know me, you know I love Rocky. So I think this is incredible and am looking into adopting the young boy in this video<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z477UBwhVuM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z477UBwhVuM</a>Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-37684628826524678832016-06-15T13:57:00.002-04:002016-06-18T21:37:55.492-04:00GusRam Productions: Talent Coach at Your Service <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Are you a professional sports anchor or analyst looking to get to the next level? Maybe a college student looking to make your reel as good as can be. I can help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As a producer and coordinating producer at ESPN for 20 years, I worked with, learned from and coached some of the best talent to ever do the job. From SportsCenter to Baseball Tonight to NBA Tonight and many other shows, I was in the control room for thousands of hours of live TV. I know what it takes for an anchor to prepare a show and to execute a show at the highest level. I've seen every situation imaginable and seen how dozens and dozens of anchors handled them. I am now offering my services as a talent coach, to help you sharpen your on-air skills and take your career to the next level. There's only so much you can learn in school. I deal with practical applications of the job. Here's where I can help make you the talent you want to be:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">highlight reading - go from generic to dynamic with my tutelage </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">interviewing - learn the key components to being a great interviewer in any setting</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">script writing and presentation - writing for TV is a different animal. I'll make you better</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">handling breaking news and "on the fly" changes to your show</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can help you get inside the mind of a producer to better understand the producer/talent relationship</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I can provide insight on what companies like ESPN look for when they are evaluating talent. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's what some of those with whom I've worked have to say about my abilities:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Steve Levy/ESPN anchor:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<span style="font-family: "tahoma";">always thought Gus wound up on the wrong side of the camera but that has given him a keen eye for talent...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he knows exactly what tv execs are looking for because he's lived it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kevin Negandhi/ESPN anchor:</b> <span style="background-color: white;">“</span><span style="background-color: white;">When I arrived at ESPN 10 years ago, Gus helped me understand what was important about a highlight- how do you make it informative and yet entertaining for the audience. His producing experience and TV background were two big assets in my growth as he gave me the perspective and honesty I needed to get better. Plus, the man loves Rocky and Dr. J as much as I do, that qualifies him for recognizing great talent.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><b>Rich Eisen/NFL Network host: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Without question Gus Ramsey is one of most talented producers I've ever worked with, certainly in terms of helping me communicate with humor and in my own voice. Best of all, he's a delight to be around. Twenty years after first meeting him, I still consider him a great friend and not just because he pays well for me to say that. If you have a chance to work with Gus, consider yourself lucky!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jayme Sire/ESPN anchor: </b>"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "sfnstext" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To put it simply: Gus is the best. He approaches coaching with such thoughtfulness, such insight, such professionalism. As someone who has worked in the business his whole career, he understands the ins and outs, the challenges, and what makes good TV."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>Jay Harris/ESPN anchor:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I've known and worked with Gus for many years. At his core, he's a writer and a storyteller. That's the foundation of what we do as journalists. When I need another set of eyes on my work, I call him because he knows his stuff. And I trust him to tell me the truth."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-size: 15px;">Chris McKendry/ESPN anchor:</span> </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Gus understands what works on TV and can easily identify someone’s strengths and weaknesses.</span><br />
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Gus was one of the signature producers during Sportscenter’s Golden Era. His sports intelligence and subtle humor left a formula that many others follow to this day." </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Chris Carlin/SNY anchor:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="background-color: white;">Gus provides terrific insight into my on-camera work, both as an anchor and a debater. He's able to not just critique the writing, delivery, and expression of opinions, but he finds where a slight nuance makes all the difference between good and outstanding. I can't recommend him enough."</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>John Buccigross/ESPN anchor: </b>"You can trust Gus to make you better. A keen eye for detail and an excellent feel for what works on TV."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Lisa Kerney/ESPN anchor: </b>"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "sfnstext" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our business is about storytelling and no one has a better vision and way of teaching that than Gus. His ability to channel talent strengths, deconstruct scripts to reveal more efficient and effective writing, and his passion and advice for highlight reads helped me grow tremendously in our time together at ESPN. "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathon Coachman/ESPN anchor:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gus understands at the absolute highest level what it takes to become an anchor...How to properly tell a story so everyone understands and is entertained. If you want to have a chance to be great, or simply a chance to make it in this business - Gus Ramsey is an asset that you should not move forward without working with..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Kevin Connors/ESPN anchor: </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">A lot of people in TV can coach. </span>Very few know how to teach. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're serious about pursuing a career in television, you won't find a better teacher than Gus Ramsey. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The creative, the funny, the serious, the straight-forward...you'll learn how to use the right tone for the right moments. With an expertise in writing, delivery and overall presentation, Gus will help you resist the "good enough" and help you discover your very </span><u style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">best</u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And, if you are an analyst, I can help you too. I've worked with multiple analysts in all the major sports, helping them take their abilities to another level. If you want to be an analyst that gets people's attention and makes an impact, I'm your guy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>Tim Kurkjian/ESPN MLB analyst:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“When I first got into TV, Gus Ramsey helped me more than anyone with delivery and presentation. I always told him that he should be on TV, he’d be great.’’</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Bruce Bowen/ESPN NBA analyst: </b>"Gus <span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">helped me to be authentic, without losing myself trying to be someone else. He gave me great feedback, with a push to be better. Receive his instruction and watch what transpires!" </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Eduardo Perez/ESPN MLB analyst: </b>"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As easy as it may look to sit in front of a camera, it is not. My first day on the job at ESPN my heart was beating just as fast as my first big league at bat. My nerves had taken over and I realized I needed much more training. I was fortunate to that Gus was there to show me how to communicate with the television audience with confidence in a clear and concise manner. I knew then and still know now that my career is a lot better for having him on my team.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I charge a 1-time fee for a full written evaluation of your reel, as well as a follow up phone call to discuss the feedback and your career. I also offer the option of a 6-month retainer where my feedback and consultation services are available for 6 months at one additional cost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> If you are interested, please leave your email in the comments section and let me know where you currently are in your career. These comments aren't published and can only be seen by me, so your information will be protected. I look forward to helping you become the anchor or analyst you want to be! </span><br />
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-48065217293442984762015-11-30T11:15:00.000-05:002015-11-30T11:18:03.566-05:00Now and When<br />
<br />
<b> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now</span>: </b>at the present time<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When</span></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">: at what time </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The Denver Broncos season has boiled down to two simples words: Now and When.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Peyton Manning was the Broncos starting quarterback the offense struggled through most of their games. Yes, the wins were coming weekly, but the running game, the deep pass, the familiar hum of the Peyton Manning machine was no longer there. There were flashes, like in the Packers dismantling when Manning went 21-29 for 340 yards, but that kind of game, once a given, now seems more like a blue moon. For the first half of the season the defense was carrying the team and, in theory, buying time until the offense found their way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Now that Brock Osweiler is quarterback, opposing defenses have to cover the whole field.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Manning was making the throws, whether it be because of injury or father time sitting on his throwing shoulder, defenses didn't have to concern themselves with passes outside the numbers or deep down the field. When Charles Woodson picked off Peyton on a pass down the sideline in Oakland earlier this year, he bailed on the deep route and jumped on the intermediate route because there was no need to worry about the receiver going deep. He was willing to gamble that Peyton couldn't get it there anyway. People talk about Manning's diminished arm strength, but I have been alarmed by his arm <i>accuracy</i> on deep balls. He can still throw it 50-55 yards in the air, but it's rarely on target. I can think of a dozen times this season when he <i>overthrew</i> Sanders or D.T. but just as many when a deep ball was 3 yards off to the left or right. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Now that Brock is under center the deep ball is a real threat. One need look no further than the missiles he dropped through the snowflakes and into the hands of #10 and #88 on their last drive of regulation against the Patriots Sunday night. Or how about the laser he drilled into Sanders on a crossing route last night, over two defenders and in front of another? And now that defenses have to worry about the entire field, it creates more space for the running game. Denver has piled up 349 rushing yards in Brock's two starts. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Manning lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl, the defense was statistically very good, but it wasn't as dynamic as it is now. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Now they are an explosive unit that can win games. They've added Talib, Ware and Ward. Chris Harris has developed into an elite corner. Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson and Sylvester Williams seem to be flourishing in the 3-4 scheme. And they've added Wade Phillips who is one of the better defensive coordinators in the league and has been for longer than Peyton has been an elite QB. You can't waste a D this good with poor quarterback play. I'm sure the injuries had a lot to do with Manning's 5-20, 4-pick poop-bomb he dropped against the Chiefs, but most defenses would have allowed 59 points that night, not 29. You can't have your defense turning around two minutes after they got off the field and ask them to go right back out there and defend a short field time and again. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Peyton is running the offense the team is trying to combine what he likes and what Kubiak's system is. It's been very hit and miss. The number of times Peyton has thrown it to the other team hasn't helped. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Now that Brock is the man they are running Kubiak's system. It's only been two games but you have to like what you see. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> When Peyton is running the show, it's all about mind games and trying to out-think the guys on the other side of the ball. It's obviously been hugely successful for a long time, but with injuries and fading attributes, there are only so many Jedi moves left in the bag. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Now that Brock is in there, it's about executing the system. It's a challenge given the issues they have with their offensive line, but they've found a way to make it work so far. As an aside, I also like that Brock has targeted 8 and 9 receivers, respectively, in his two starts. He's not locking in on one or two guys. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> This storyline, Old Warrior vs Young Gun, has been around since sports started being played. I'm sure there were some Romans who were in the ring with the lions and there was some dude who outsmarted the lions for a long time, but eventually that guy got eaten because he wasn't quick enough to get away anymore while the younger guys ran around and survived on athletic ability alone. Do you play the Hall of Famer when he's healthy or stick with the "heir apparent" who is performing well? It's got to be one of the hardest lines for a coach to walk in sports. I don't doubt for one second Elway and Kubiak had a conversation during the hiring process that went something like, "Look, we're done with Peyton after this season. Just come in and manage it for a year and then you can do your thing." But the injuries have allowed Denver to accelerate the process and the future may be now, regardless of when Manning is healthy. If you're asking me who I'd go with, I still think a 100% healthy Manning at this point is better than 100% Osweiler, I just don't think 100% is in the equation for Peyton anymore. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The Wizard of Os has come out from behind the curtain and all of Bronco Country is paying attention to him. Denver has a championship-caliber defense and, in Osweiler, it appears they have a QB who can handle the bright lights. For most Broncos fans wondering if this is Brock's team the question is simple, if not now, when? </span>Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-8581271040705431032015-10-21T17:24:00.001-04:002015-10-24T12:20:54.516-04:00ESPN - Thanks for the memories When I was 12-years old and living in Greenwich, Connecticut, ESPN opened their doors. Cable television was a mystery world back then. Somehow it meant there were more channels to watch and a greater variety of content coming into my living room. When I heard there was an all-sports TV station opening just an hour north of where I lived, my mind was blown. I daydreamed about some day being able to work there.<br />
15 years later, ESPN opened their doors to me. I had been producing local news in Orlando and had worked with Stuart Scott. He helped get me an interview and in December of 1994 I was hired. My career began as a producer of the overnight show, which was then a half-hour show that came on at 2:30 in the morning. I worked with Craig Kilborn, Brett Haber, Gary Miller and Karl Ravech. The hours were tough but we had a lot of fun and I was learning on the fly. I provided the guys with some catch phrases that stuck and developed a good relationship with those guys. In the immediate years that followed I worked with Bob Ley, Charley Steiner, Robin Roberts, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, Kenny Mayne, Steve Levy, Linda Cohn, Bill Pidto, Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott. It was virtually impossible to not improve as a producer working with people like that. Being an anchor was what I had really wanted to do with my career but when ESPN offered the producer job, I decided going to the major leagues as a producer was a better career path than trying to be an anchor in some super small market. Because of my desire to be on air, I was always drawn to those people and their craft. Over the years I dedicated a lot of my time trying to help the talent be better at their jobs. In fact, just a few months back I was given the role of talent coach and was really enjoying that exciting new opportunity. My dad was a teacher and a coach, so in some way I was kind of following in his footsteps. The last six weeks of my time at ESPN ended up being some of the most rewarding work I ever did there.<br />
When I look back on my 20+ years at ESPN I am grateful for the opportunities working there provided me. I was at the Daytona 500 when Dale Earnhardt finally won that race. I worked multiple Final 4s and the US Open at Pebble Beach when Tiger obliterated the field. I was at the '96 summer games and produced our live coverage of the bombing in Centennial Park from the moment the bomb went off around 1:20am until well into the following afternoon.<br />
My 7 years on Baseball Tonight allowed me to attend pretty much every All-Star game, Hall of Fame induction and World Series from 2000-2007. The highlight came when I was standing on the field for batting practice before game one of the Mets and Yankees World Series. I called my dad, the man responsible for teaching me to love baseball and a man who grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan (later to convert to the Mets when the Dodgers skipped town) and I said to him "You know where I am right now? I am standing on the field before game one of the Subway Series. Thank you for making me a baseball fan." I still get emotional thinking about what that moment meant to me.<br />
My last year producing the inductions in Cooperstown I had my dad go up there with me and was able to take him behind the scenes and meet all of the Hall of Famers. It was my way of paying him back a little for all he did for me. It was a great weekend for both us. I could never have done that, or experienced all those other great moments, without my job at ESPN.<br />
Over my time in Bristol I have been blessed to work with so many talented people, both on air and behind the scenes. I thank all of them. The anchors, analysts, producers, directors, production staff, the researchers, news editors, assignment desk workers, talent bookers, TDs, ADs and all the others who contribute every day. As a producer you walk in the door every day with a vision for what your show will be, but it takes dozens and dozens of people to help you execute that vision. It's hard work, but it's incredibly rewarding when everyone gets on the same page and it goes well. In my 20+ years the successes far outweighed the non-successes (I refuse to call them failures) and that would not have been possible without the efforts of so many talented people.<br />
It's hard to have thick skin about the shots people take at ESPN when you live inside those walls and understand the determination and dedication we put into making a product that people could enjoy. There was never a day that I walked in the door at work and said "I need to make sure today we ignore west coast sports or don't talk about hockey." The goal of any television station is to get people to watch. If the ratings go up when we talk about the Red Sox and Yankees, then we'll probably talk more about the Red Sox and Yankees. If McDonalds doesn't sell many Filet O' Fish, they probably dial back on how hard they push that product.<br />
Were there people with agendas? Of course. But in the day-to-day grind of doing shows, my objective and the objective of the people I was working with was to produce the best show we possibly could. That's something of which I will always be proud. And for those of you who have grown to "hate" ESPN for various reasons, at the very least you have to recognize what a pioneer the company was. All the other sports channels you watch, all the regional sports networks and ESPN competitors exist because of ESPN. Many former ESPNers work in those places now, applying the skills they learned in Bristol to make high quality programming for other networks.<br />
When I started in 1994, ESPN was still a relatively small operation and over the next 20 years it grew into a world wide corporation. That process is going to come with growing pains, missteps, bad decisions, struggle and setbacks. It also allows for growth, creativity and ingenuity. It was a great time to be with the company and be part of all of that. It was basically the puberty of my professional career minus the acne and awkward conversations with teenage girls.<br />
I forged many great relationships over the years with my co-workers. Some of the best friends I have, I met at ESPN. That can never be taken away from me. And for all it's warts and issues, ESPN rallies around it's employees when they are in need in incredible fashion. When personal tragedy strikes you can count on the ESPN family to come out in full force offering their support. And when we suffer our own tragedy, like we did when Stuart died last January, we bonded together to help each other get through it. It's easy to forget stuff like that when a company decides they don't need you anymore, but I'll always appreciate that about ESPN.<br />
When I first started producing SportsCenter, a weird sensation came over me. I realized I could never watch the show the way I had over the 15 years before I got there. I had peeked behind the curtain. There was no turning back. The wonderment of being a fan was gone. Now, all these years later, I'll be watching it differently again. I'll always be proud of the mark I made. I'll always be glad for the friendships I've made. It will always be an honor to have "ESPN 1994-2015" on my resume.<br />
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I've never been let go before. I'm still processing it. A lot of good people were let go today, many of them had been there longer than me. Many of them I had worked closely with on projects I am quite proud of. It sucks. I know everyone goes through it, some multiple times. But it's new to me. I'm not bitter, not yet anyway. I hope I never am, but I can't blame any of the others for feeling that way. At first blush, I am grateful for my experiences over the last 20+ years. I can't imagine what my life would have become if I opted for the other path.<br />
It's hard to mentally put myself in a place like I was in 1979, dreaming of what might lay ahead some day, but I'll get there. Who knows what's next? Not me. All I know is getting off exit 31 on I-84 in Bristol isn't part of the journey anymore.Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-56234389339052500432015-08-30T20:05:00.000-04:002015-08-30T20:16:00.062-04:00Sandy and Elmo <div class="yiv8337693595MsoNormal" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440813570776_2353" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1440813570776_2352" style="font-size: 14pt;"> When my oldest son was a toddler, CinderElmo was his video of choice. We must have watched it 100 times. Early in the movie Elmo is bummed because his stepsisters are going to the ball and he's not. Elmo wishes on a star and instead of getting a fairy godmother, a temp fairy godperson named Frank shows up. Frank tells Elmo that he doesn't care for the idea of a fairy godperson flying in one's window and helping out when things get sticky. He goes on to tell Elmo, if you want to make something happen you have to do something, which leads to him singing a cute little ditty about just that, doing something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> As the baseball trade deadline approached this summer and I considered the Mets place in the standings, I couldn't get that song out of my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Frank's words rang in my ears</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">"If you've got a dream... do something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Aint enough to dream... do something."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> I was saying it and people with much larger platforms than me were saying the same thing, do something! Even though the Mets were hovering around .500, they weren't a spec in the Nats rear view mirror like everyone expected them to be. The race was close and a fan base that was tired of being the CinderElmo to the Phillies and Nats wicked step-brothers in recent years, had a glimmer of hope. Sure, the offense was abysmal and stars like David Wright and Travis d'Arnaud were forging strong relationships with doctors and trainers, but the pitching was excellent. Just get us some bats, Sandy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> But Alderson was playing it cool, like Shane checking out all the bad guys when he walked into Grafton's saloon for the first time. Alderson said things like "the market is still developing," and when asked if the trade deadline would be considered a failure if they didn't make a deal he replied, <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">"Not as long as we've worked as hard as I think we need to and have worked the process as hard as we possibly can." Mets fans were were screaming for Sandy to fire his gun but all he wanted to do was buy some jeans and drink some pop. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> With the less-than-thrifty Wilpon's holding the purse strings, there was no reason to believe the Mets would do anything. Besides, 2016 is supposed to be the year. What's the rush? But here's the thing; From 2000 to 2007 when I was working on Baseball Tonight, every time the deadline approached, our analysts would talk about how doing something, anything, for a team in the hunt sends a message to the locker room that the front office believes in them and is as invested in winning as they are. Those former players and managers on our show were adamant that it makes a difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Does it always work? Of course not. Would it work for the Mets? It was worth finding out because most guys in the locker room hadn't been in pennant races nor had they been in a locker room that added pieces for the stretch run. Give them a boost and see what happens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> And then it happened. Uribe and Johnson picked up from Atlanta. Conforto gets called up. Wilmer cries and stays. Cespedes arrives. Since then, it's been the Mets world. Suddenly Terry Collins wasn't hitting John Mayberry Jr. cleanup but equally as important, they didn't have a bench of Darrell Ceciliani, Johnny Monell, Danny Muno and Eric Campbell. No more AAAA players but professional hitters who have been around the league. They also have a plethora of interchangeable parts. Terry Collins can mix and match and has a strategic advantage the likes of which he has never had before. It reminds me of the late 90s Yankees when they had veterans like Raines, Strawberry, Fielder and Leyritz on their bench. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> And now, September is here. Ah, September. It's been a while since the Mets played, as Fred Wilpon once called them, "meaningful games" in September. In fact, the last time they did, it didn't go well. The El Foldos of 2007 and 2008 still linger. Mets fans whimper when someone says Tom Glavine. We are still wiping the tears from our eyes from the last game at Shea. Not just because the stadium closed for good that day, but so did another season of unfulfilled promise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> As this September approaches it's hard not to look back at the calendar and count up all the Amazin' moments that have made for an in-progress collection of highlights for a great season-in-review DVD. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The 11-game winning streak in April. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matt Harvey's triumphant return from Tommy John surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jacob deGrom's "lookie what I can do!" All-Star game performance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The arrival of Thor, Noah Syndergaard, the hard-throwing rookie who gave the Mets and their fans a glimpse at what could be an absurdly good rotation in the years to come (or maybe even this year!). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The first ever 3-homer game at home by a Met, turned in by once released then reclaimed, sub-.200 hitting Kirk Neiuwenheis. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A comeback win in Tampa when they trailed entering the 7th, 8th and 9th inning. Something they had never done before. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lucas Duda hitting 9 homers in 8 games. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A sweep of the Nats at Citi Field to pull into a tie for first place. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A sweep that came on the heels of a brutal, kick-to-the-groin loss to the Padres. A sweep that started with a walk-off homer from newly crowned cult hero "Wil-mer Flor-es" (clap clap, clap-clap-clap) and was capped by a 3-homers-in-5-pitches assault of Jordan Zimmerman on national TV. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There was the road trip to Baltimore, Colorado and Philly where they went 8-1, bashing 24 homers. They scored a franchise-record 73 runs in the last 7 games of that trip, all wins. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Also during that trip they got their captain back and all David Wright did was blast a ball to the moon with his first swing of the bat. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">That was the first of a franchise-record 8 homers in a game. The trip concluded with the second of two wins in Philly when they trailed by 5 runs in a game. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">To cap it all off, Carlos Torres and Daniel Murphy teamed up for the Kick-Snag-Flip heard 'round the world. That DVD is going to have a few bonus discs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> In the first half of the season we were trotting out stats about the Mets being 41-5 when they scored at least 4 runs. How they had lost 9 games in the first half when their pitchers allowed 2 or fewer runs. Then Sandy Alderson did something and everything changed. During their 7-game destruction of the Rockies and Phillies the fewest runs they scored in a game was 5. 5 runs in a game in May would have been Eutopia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Certain words and phrases will dominate September for the Mets: Magic number. Inning limits. Choke. Mets fans certainly hope see the first phrase run out beofre the second phrase does. As for the third, like I said, 2007-2008 are wounds not yet healed, so Mets fans will likely be watching games with their hands over their eyes while peaking at the Nationals score as well. And yet, there is something about this team. The collection of moments and miracles have piled up like a stack of chips when you are on a roll at the poker table. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> No one saw this coming. And it may have never come if Sandy Alderson didn't do something. Thankfully</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> he did. Perhaps he is the Mets fairy godfather and they're going to get to go to the ball afterall. </span></div>
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-45530276328002688212015-07-20T13:25:00.000-04:002015-07-20T13:25:30.592-04:00Brace Yourself<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> Brace yourself, Mets fans. We've been here before. Many, many times.<br />
Where, exactly is "here"? It's that place entering a big series against the team we are battling for the division. It's that place where winning the first game would mean so much, breath some life into the team and provide hope for the fans that good times await on the other end of that series.<br />
The Mets begin a 3-game series in Washington tonight just 2 games back of the Nats for the lead in the NL East. They have lined up their rotation so that their big guns, Harvey, deGrom and Syndergaard will take the mound AND their anemic offense won't have to see Max Scherzer.<br />
If the Mets fans were to dare and dream about a sweep, they would be dreaming of a 1-game lead in the division when the series ends. Good times!<br />
But recent history suggests it won't go well tonight. The Mets have an uncanny way of sucking the life out of a big series from the jump, losing game 1 with frequency.<br />
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July 2, 1999: The Mets are 3 back of the Braves as Atlanta comes to Shea. Yes, it's early July but the Mets have built a good team and they have a chance to send a message to their fans and the Braves that they mean business this year. Instead Atlanta gave the Mets the business, winning game one 16-0. They lost the next one too before taking the finale and saving a little face. The Mets hung in there and even overtook the Braves for part of the summer before going to Atlanta in late September for a big series.<br />
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September 21, 1999: The Mets entered that series 1 game back and promptly lost the opener when Chipper Jones homered in the bottom of the 8th Dennis Cook. 2-1 Atlanta. The Braves swept the series and the Mets were left to battle for the Wild Card.<br />
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July 20, 2000. The Mets are 5 back of the Braves when they go there for a 3-game set. Do some damage and it's a race! Or lose the opener 6-3, drop two of three and leave town 6 back.<br />
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September 18, 2000: Not dead yet! 3 back with a 3-game series in Atlanta. Here we go!<br />
He we don't. Braves win 6-3, take two of three and keep the Mets at bay, once again forcing them to battle for the wild card.<br />
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September 28, 2001: Post 9/11 the Mets played well and created some buzz. They won 8 of 9, including the "Piazza Game" and two of three vs the Braves at Shea. They went from 7 back to 3 back as they began a 3-gamer in Atlanta. Hopes were high. Everyone was talking about what a great story it would be given the circumstances. But then Steve Trachsel gave up 3 homers and the Braves took the opener 5-3. For good measure Atlanta walked-off the next day when they scored 7 in the bottom of the 9th off Benitez and Franco, capped by a Brian Jordan grand slam. Thanks for coming, drive home safely.<br />
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September 15, 2007: It's the flip-side view of things. Mets lead the Phillies by 6.5 games. Take care of business and put the Fightins in your rearview mirror. Or.... lose the opener 3-2 in 10 when Mike Difelice and Aaron Heilman both misplay bunts, leading to a sac fly. Tack on Beltran whiffing with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th just for yucks. Philly swept the series and the Mets executed one of the worst collapses in history.<br />
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So here we are. It's not September, but somehow, some way, the Mets have hung around this long and they begin a 3-game series in Washington just two games back. The aces are lined up to pitch. If, by chance, they were to sweep maybe the front office would reward them with a deal for a bat or two to help them in the race. The table is set. The fans are excited for tonight and the two nights after that.<br />
What could possibly go wrong?Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-83904499347530121772015-04-04T20:40:00.000-04:002015-04-06T10:39:41.911-04:002015 Mets Predictions with help from Billy Joel <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> This is my 4th year predicting the Mets season win totals. In the last 3 seasons I have gone: 74</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(exactly right) 72 (off by two) and 78 (off by one.) That's not exactly the work of Nostradamus, or even Cousin Sal, since those years weren't exactly laced with hope. However, my predictions did show that I am a realist when it comes to my teams and I don't let passion blind my objectivity. With that in mind, this year is a real challenge. Expectations are high at Citi Field with the team spending the winter talking about the playoffs, the return of Matt Harvey and an encouraging spring with the Mets sporting the best record in the Grapefruit League. Vegas has set the Mets over/under at 82 1/2. I think it's realistic to think the Mets can fall anywhere in a ten game range (77-87) of that line. So this year requires some extra work, some extra inspiration. It just so happens that last night I went back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1983 and found my muse... Billy Joel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> So without further ado, and with the help of the play list from a true New York legend, ladies and gentleman, your 2015 New York Mets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Miami 2017</i> - The Marlins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"They said that Queens could stay, and blew the Bronx away" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A bit of an omen, this song has become. I imagine the Marlins will be pretty darn good in 2017, assuming they don't trade half the team by then. The Marlins have always been a hemorrhoid to the Mets, a real pain in the ass. Even in the Mets good seasons. These two franchises are both emerging right now, both expected to battle for 2nd place in the division. It should be fun to watch them battle this year and on into 2017. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My Life</i> - Curtis Grandson </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I don’t need you to worry for me cause I’m alright." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Mets to be good this year, Curtis Granderson needs to do more than last year's .227/.326/.388, 20 HR, 66 rbi output. In order to help get that done (and to get the boo birds off his back) the Mets moved in the fences in right and hired Grandy's favorite hitting coach, Kevin Long. Even Viola Davis didn't give Emma Stone <i>that </i>much help. So far so good for Curtis as he's hitting .440 with 8 extra base hits this spring. We'll see if it carries over to the regular season. If it doesn't, Curtis may have to close up shop, sell the house and buy a ticket to the west coast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Stranger</i> - Jerry Blevins </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don’t be afraid to try again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone goes south every now and then. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You’ve done it. Why can’t someone else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You should know by now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You’ve been there yourself. " </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Blevins is an actual stranger to Mets fans as he was acquired just last week. They needed lefty relief help like Daryl Dixon needs his bow and arrows. So Blevins will be asked to get out the tough lefties in the division like Harper, Utley, Howard and Freeman. He'll probably go south every now and then, but he will play a big role in the Mets success this season. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Summer, Highland Falls </i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(not played) - </span>Jenry<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Mejia </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(***at his concerts Billy Joel does a fan vote for some of the songs to play. the songs I've designated as "not played" were the losers when he did a fans choice." ***)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"For we are always what our situations hand us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Its either sadness or euphoria" </span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> It's hard to sum up the life of a closer better than that. Although Mejia's sadness may come once Bobby Parnell comes off the DL and (presumably) takes back the closer role. There wasn't a lot of domination from Mejia last year. A whip of 1.48, a batting a</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">verage against of .265 and a 2.39 SO/W. </span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Coney Island's roller coaster got off to a shaky start in 2015, let's hope 21 miles away Mejia isn't too much of a thrill-ride for the Mets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Vienna</i> - Noah Syndergaard </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Slow down you’re doing fine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You can’t be everything you want to be before your time" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Godot, Guffman, Syndergaard. It's an illustrious list of those we have been waiting for. But there's no need for the Mets to rush Noah. In a town where people like to say "Hit me!", Syndergaard did just that a little too much last year in AAA Las Vegas. The big, blonde righty phenom allowed an opponent's batting average of .293. Yes, it's a hitter league, but there was still not enough dominance or maturity seen to warrant a September call-up. So he starts this season back in AAA and his time will come. Noah, you got your passion and you got your pride... Citi Field waits for you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Zanzibar</i> - Duda </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Me, I'm trying just to get to second base</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I'd steal it if she only gave the sign</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She's gonna give the go head</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The inning isn't over yet for me, for me" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Big Lucas only has 5 steals in 5 seasons, so don't expect "she" or Tim Teuful to be sending Duda the steal sign very often. What he will get is a lot of green lights and a lot of chances to do damage. Duda's slash line with RISP last season was an impressive .301/.441/.659 with an OPS of 1.100. The Mets will sign up for a whole lot more of that this year. A scout told ESPN NY's Adam Rubin that Duda should benefit from Long's instruction as well (not to mention the shorter fences). He'll get a chance to prove he can hit lefties (just .180 last season) when the season starts, but it's realistic to think he can hit another 25-30 HRs for the Mets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Big Man on Mulberry Street</i> (not played) Sandy Alderson</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"What else have I got </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That I'd be trying to hide. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe a blind spot </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven't seem from the sensitive side." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> As we learned in the book about Alderson, <i>Baseball Maverick, </i>the Mets G.M. has no issue speaking his mind. We've actually known this about the former marine, but sometimes his radio interviews and press conferences are so stale, we forget that he is capable of being extremely blunt and occasionally funny. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He has little to hide and doesn't seem like the sensitive kind.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But make no bones about it, </span>Alderson<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is the big man in the </span>Mets<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> organization and their success this season may be largely predicated on how he handles the roster. The trades for the lefty relievers were smart, tinkering type moves that can make a difference. How long will he keep Gee around? How long until he decides it's time for </span>Matz<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or </span>Syndergaard<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to come up? Will he deal </span>d'Arnaud<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or </span>Plawecki<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or a pitching prospect at the deadline if the </span>Mets<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> are in the hunt? </span>Alderson<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> strikes me as a guy who gets a little brasher as his teams get better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>An Innocent Man </i>- Daniel Murphy </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"But I've been there and if I can survive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can keep you alive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not above going through it again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not above being cool for a while</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you're cruel to me I'll understand" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The Mets seem to like, but not love, Daniel Murphy. Kind of like how every girl in high school felt about me. The Mets will go through it again, having him man second base. Murph will be cool about it for a while, hit .290-.310 without a lot of pop. He'll play adequate second base. And in the end, Alderson will probably be cruel to him at some point, dealing him away and asking Muno, Reynolds or Herrera to take over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everybody Loves You Now</i> - Juan Lagares </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Baby all the lights are turned on you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now you're in the center of the stage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Everything revolves on what you do</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Juan burst on to the Citi scene last year playing arguably the best defensive center field Mets fans have ever seen. His non-dropped balls to dropped-jaws ratio was off the charts. He covered more distance in New York than the marathon winner. He robbed more guys than Butch and Sundance. He gunned down more dudes than Capone. He was great. This spring he looks thicker and extremely patient at the plate. The Mets have seen enough to give him a new deal. Look for the Lagares jersey/shirt to be among the Mets top sellers this season. It's spring... love is in the air and as we know, if it's in the air, Juan is going to catch it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling </i>- the fans </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Bring back that loving’ feeling </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">whoa, that loving’ feein’" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Billy broke into this in the middle of the show. The crowd loved it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not a shot at the Mets fans, more of a plea. This season has a chance to have a "Mets in '84" kind of vibe. Citi should be rocking on the nights Harvey and deGrom pitch and if the Mets are winning, most nights as the season progresses. This team is ready to start winning games. Mets fans have been waiting. I'm taking my 12-year old to opening day this year. It'll be the first time he's been at Citi when it's sold out. Hopefully there are a lot of nights this year when Citi rocks the way Shea Stadium used to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Entertainer </i>- Matt Harvey </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I am the entertainer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The idol of my age</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I make all kinds of money</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I go on the stage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ah, you've seen me in the papers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been in the magazines..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> He's back and damn if he doesn't look fantastic. One of the great mantles in sports is the New York City Studly Athlete Who Owns the Town mantle. Among the notables; Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Frank Gifford, Clyde Frazier, Joe Namath, Ron Dougay, Pat Cummings, Derek Jeter, Henrik Lundqvist... and now Matt Harvey. If there is an awesome oyster somewhere, all the other oysters say "The world is his Matt Harvey." He has looked amazing this spring, almost too good. You know it can't be that easy for him to pick up where he left off after missing all of 2014. But man if it isn't great to have him back, to have a "The Man" on the team. From Seaver to Gooden to Pedro (in 2005) the Mets have had their share of "Alter your plans because this guy is pitching tonight" starters. Harvey has that mantle now too. He is our entertainer and his return has all Mets fans entertaining thoughts of the playoffs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>New York State of Mind</i> - Michael Cuddyer </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Been high in the Rockys under the evergreens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know what I'm needin', and I don't want to waste more time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm in a New York state of mind." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> This one was a layup. He left the Rockies to come to the Mets. He traded in the evergreens for the blue and orange. Many people thought the contract was a bad one. I liked it because it gave the Mets balance in the lineup, another veteran in the locker room and what the folks like to call a "professional hitter." So far Cuddyer has looked great, hitting .293 with 6 homers in the spring. He can handle the outfield and play first for Duda against tough lefties. Cuddyer has more value for the Mets in the next two seasons than the draft pick they gave up for him. And there's this... Cuddyer is a magician. He does tricks all the time. The Mets slogan in 1980 was "The Magic is Back!" In 1988 there was a sign atop Shea Stadium that read "The Magic is Real - Catch it!" And...AND... in center field they have a big top hat, like the one magicians use. So if that doesn't mean Cuddyer will be a good fit, then I don't know what does. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Downeaster Alexa </i>- Dan Warthen </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I've got bills to pay and children who need clothes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know there's fish out there but where God only knows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They say these waters aren't what they used to be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But I've got people back on land who count on me" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> We are all counting on you, Dan. Our big fishes from little ponds need to be big fishes in a huge pond. You've done well so far, more success than failures. But with Harvey, deGrom, Wheeler, Syndergaard, Matz, Montero and others, you can be the leader of an amazing pitching staff for years to come. Besides, you look like you could be the Gorton's fisherman, so you get this song. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Where’s the Orchestra </i>- Danny Muno/Matt Reynolds/Steve Matz </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I like the scenery </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Even though, I have absolutely no, idea at all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What is being said, despite the dialogue..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> At some point this season of those guys could become significant players for the Mets. They'll get called up and find themselves in the middle of the Big Apple, with it's lights and sounds and distinct dialogues. Their heads will probably spin for a while, but hopefully they'll settle in and make an impact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Allentown </i>- Jon Niese </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"For the promises our teachers gave</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If we worked hard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If we behaved" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Niese is kind of the forgotten pitcher in the Mets rotation. Harvey and deGrom get the headlines, Colon gets the ridicule and Gee gets the "how do you handle the trade talk?" questions. Niese is a hard worker who may or may not have lashed out at Terry Collins last year. He got testy with the media last year during the Warthen/Dice-K controversy. He has a a little piss and vinegar in him, which I like. The Mets need him to be tough like a coal miner and not forgotten like coal mining towns like Allentown. I like Niese. I think he'll have a good season. As we know, it's hard to keep a good man down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Running On Ice </i>- Terry Collins </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"There's a lot of tension in this town</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it's building up inside of me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've got all the symptoms and the side effects</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of city life anxiety</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I feel as though I'm running on ice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Paying the price too long</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kind of get the feeling that I'm running on ice"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Billy claimed last night was the first time they ever performed this song live. Who knows if it's true but it's on my list of favorite unsung Billy Joel songs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> By all accounts, this season is put up or shut up time for Collins. Alderson admitted in the book that he was closer to firing Collins than he publicly let on. Collins has admitted if the team doesn't improve significantly this year, he should be replaced. Fan favorite Wally Backman has been waiting in the wings like Kanye at an awards show. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Collins has had a run of "he did well considering all the injuries" seasons. You only get to play that card so many times. Collins is running on ice and it' may be pretty thin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Movin’ Out </i>- Dillon Gee </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"He's tradin' in his Chevy for a Cadillac"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Dillon Gee is a Chevy. 40-34, 3.91 era, 103 starts in 5 seasons (is that all you get for your money?) Syndergaard, Matz, Montero. Those guys have potential to be Cadillac-ack-ack-ack-ack-acks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At some point this season Gee is will be movin' out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She’s Always a Woman </i>- Jacob deGrom </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel, </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">She can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool, </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree, </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And the most she will do is throw shadows at you." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Part of the reason he gets this song is the long hair, but the rest is about the words. deGrom is an easy natured person, but his sinker is suddenly cruel. There were many times last season the Rookie of the Year did as he pleased and certainly was nobody's fool. He did in fact earn his degree and the most he will do is throw fastballs by you. My biggest concern with deGrom is that as the league sees him more his strikeout rate will drop and he'll induce more grounders, which could be dicey with a Flores/Murphy middle infield. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Highway to Hell </i>- Wilmer Flores </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Living easy, lovin' free</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Season ticket on a one-way ride</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Asking nothing, leave me be</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taking everything in my stride</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't need reason, don't need rhyme</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ain't nothing I would rather do</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Going down, party time" </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Joel introduced this one as a nice "holiday song for the Easter and Passover weekend" and then brought out a roadie named Chainsaw who absolutely crushed <i>Highway to Hell</i>, much to the delight of everyone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Flores is living easy and lovin' free. He's been anointed the new shortstop with no reason to look over his shoulder. Anyone who has seen him play this spring can see he has improved defensively. He's not Rey Ordonez or Jose Reyes, but he's not Todd Hundley in left field either. The Mets have had defensively adequate guys play short over the years. Kevin Mitchell and Howard Johnson come to mind. Flores needs to be adequate in the field and better than that offensively to have true value for the Mets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We Didn’t Start the Fire</i> - Familia, Carlyle, A Torres, Gilmartin, Black, C Torres, Parnell, Montero</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"We didn't start the fire </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">No we didn't light it </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But we tried to fight it..."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> As the 2014 season progressed, the bullpen became a strength. They moved on from Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valverde and started giving the ball to Familia, Mejia and Black. The Mets are opening the season with an 8-man pen that will likely get plenty of work. Harvey is on a 90-pitch limit in April, Gee spent part of his spring as a reliever and is still working back up to starting, Bartolo will be a mystery and after their first day off on April 8 (the day after the opener) they only have 1 day off until May 4th. That's 25 games in 26 days. It's likely the bullpen will get a lot of work. Terry Collins will be rattling off names like "Sean Gilmartin, Shake Shack, both Torres, Vic Black, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bobby Parnell, J Familia and Montero. We didn't start the fire.... " </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(***by the way, Familia is a red flag to me heading into the season. I try not to get worked up about spring training, but he couldn't get anyone out. Something to watch here in April.***)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The River of Dreams </i>- Ruben Tejada </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"And I've been searching for something</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taken out of my soul</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Something I would never lose</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Something somebody stole"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Ruben Tejada is standing on the banks of the River of Dreams and watching his career float on by. We know Alderson doesn't love him. Heck even back in 2012 I said he wasn't much more than a </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">journeyman caliber player and what's worse, he's given no indication that he has a problem with that. As Alderson said in Steve Kettman's <i>Baseball Maverick </i>about Tejada in 2013, "There's been criticism of him that's he's not in good shape, he comes to camp late, he's not working out diligently in the off-season. Does his weight contribute to the injury (a strained quad)? Does the lack of conditioning? Does it contribute to a lack of range at short?... Gradually you come to the conclusion that Tejada is just a placeholder. He's not a long-term guy for us." </span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> In the middle of the night... I go walking in my sleep. Through the desert of truth to the river so deep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Scenes From an Italian Restaurant </i>- Bartolo Colon </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"A bottle of red, a bottle of white</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It all depends upon your appetite</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll meet you any time you want</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In our Italian Restaurant." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Too easy, I know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In Tom Glavine's age 41 season with the Mets he went 13-8, 4.45 era, 219 hits allowed, 64 walks and 89 Ks in 200 IP. In Colon's age 41 season he went 15-13, 4.09 era, 218 hits, 30 walks and 151 Ks in 202 IP. Advantage, Bart. Colon is getting the ball on opening day, but he is their 4th most important starter behind Harvey, deGrom and Niese. If Colon can give them 180-200 innings and keep the implosion starts to a minimum (he had 5 last year) he'll be a big hit at the Parkway Diner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Piano Man</i> - David Wright </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Son, can you play me a memory </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not really sure how it goes </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But it's sad and it's sweet and I knew it complete </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I wore a younger man's clothes." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Joel's iconic song for the Mets iconic player. All Mets fans want Wright to play them a memory, turn back the clock to 2012 when he produced a line of .306, 21 HR. 93 rbi. Wright has looked healthy this spring, driving the ball with authority to right field, a long-time indicator that his swing is grooved and he is feeling good. With Duda, Cuddyer and Granderson in the lineup there is the potential for protection around Wright like he hasn't had in quite some time. Wright is the only guy on the team who has experienced the playoffs for the Mets. He knows how exciting the city and Citi can and could be if the team is good. He also knows his clock is ticking. I think that urgency will benefit him and his teammates. If Wright can give the Mets a .280, 20 HR, 90 rbi season then John at the bar, Paul the real estate novelist, Davy in the navy and every other Mets fan will be singing his praises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Uptown Girl </i>- whoever Matt Harvey is dating this month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> This song was written by Joel about his relationships with Elle McPherson AND Christie Brinkley. If you don't know who those people are, Google them. Interesting how you can't spell Google without the word Ogle, which is what you'll be doing at the pictures of McPherson and Brinkley and whatever girlfriend(s) of Harvey end up on Page 6 this season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me</i> - Travis d'Arnaud </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> That's what Travis is hoping to tell the Mets brass about their choice of him over Plawecki as their catcher. He may not be able to afford a slow start like last year (.217 avg in the first half). If the Mets feel like they can win or that Plawecki can handle the staff better than </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">d'Arnaud, they may be willing to give Plawecki a chance. d'Arnaud was a good get in the R.A. Dickey trade but he has to show that he is capable of being the guy we saw in the second half of last season for a full season. Travis should know if the Mets are doing well but he is struggling, Alderson will likely say "Nowadays you can't be too sentimental." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You May Be Right</i> - Kirk Niuewenhuis </span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"You may be right</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I may be crazy</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's too late to fight</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's too late to change me</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You may be wrong for all I know</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But you may be right."</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Kirk has always seemed to have a little crazy in him. It's probably the football player in him. His fantastic beard this spring helps too. What about the Mets? Were they a little crazy for keeping Kirk over den Dekker? Maybe. It may have been the Nats didn't want Kirk. Regardless, Nieuwenhuis put up a solid .482 slugging percentage in 130 plate appearances last season. He's their 4th outfielder but will likely get a lot of the important pinch-hit appearances throughout the season and in those spots, it just may be a lunatic the Mets are looking for. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Only the Good Die Young</i> - Zack Wheeler</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"You know that only the good die young</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only the good die young</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only the good</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only the good die young</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only the good</span></div>
<div style="color: #404040;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Only the good die young" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Figuratively, of course. Wheeler's season died a few weeks ago when it was learned he needed Tommy John surgery. The Mets and their fans will have to wait another year-plus until they can have their dynamic duo of Harvey and Wheeler in the same rotation. So far they have been pitching for the Mets at the same time for a total of 17 starts. So Wheeler will have to wait and watch, just like Harvey did last year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> But what will he be watching? Will he be watching his mates play playoff baseball? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> No more song and dance from me, it's time for the official prediction. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I've wrestled with this for weeks and admittedly, my passion may be creeping in here, but I'm going with 85 wins. That probably won't be enough to make the playoffs, but it will make September interesting. And it'll do this. It will help the Mets take a step toward taking back the city from the Yankees. A tall task to be sure, but even Billy Joel says it in a song, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"They said that Queens could stay, and blew the Bronx away" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-61649866431494581412015-03-27T19:25:00.000-04:002015-03-27T19:36:18.564-04:00The Wrestlemania 31 Card Much has been made about the card for Wrestlemania this year, its poor booking, its misuse of some of their best performers (most notably Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose) and the return of The Undertaker who is now 50 years old and sporting a losing streak at the Showcase of the Immortals.<br />
Regardless, the card intrigues me. More accurately, the order of the card intrigues me. As a producer of television for 25 years I look at the slate of matches and wonder "what's the best way to put this show together." It's not exactly a Rubix cube, but it is a puzzle that has some interesting parts.<br />
I'm not the type of fan who devours all the articles and rumors on the internet. I don't second-guess the bookers or the wisdom of Vince McMahon. I just sit back, watch and decide if I'm entertained or not. So my thoughts are based on nothing more than what I think will work, how entertaining it will be and how the flow will maximize the value of the card. I've also enlisted the help of some of my wrestling fan friends, whose names should be familiar to you, and asked for their cards as well.<br />
Besides all of that, there's this, you can turn this into a pool! Assign X number of points for each match predicited correctly. Give additional points for correctly picking the winners. Deduct points per slot missed, i.e. if your pick for match #2 ends up being match #7, you lose 5 points. You can also award more or less points to certain spots (we all know what the last match will be). You could even do a pool within the pool and do a draw for the Battle Royal.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, the card predcitions.<br />
<br />
Gus Ramsey:<br />
The lead-off match at 'Mania has to be great. It sets the tone for the whole night. It has to be Rickey Henderson, not Luis Polonia. This year's card has 5 matches that can fill that role.<br />
<br />
Undertaker vs Bray Wyatt<br />
Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match<br />
Sting vs Triple H<br />
Randy Orton v Seth Rollins<br />
John Cena v Rusev<br />
<br />
The ladder match and Orton v Rollins offer the same element, excitement. These matches should have the crowds on their feet throughout, featuring high-flying manuevers, violence and great athleticism.<br />
Cena v Rusev will get the crowd lathered up. Cena does that by himself but throw in the Rusev/Russian factor and a possible Russian Solider Entrance with dozens of "Russian Soldiers" leading the Bulgarian Bear to the ring and Levi Stadium will be bursting at the seams.<br />
Similar to the ladder match and Rollins/Orton, Sting v HHH and Bray v 'Taker also offer the same element, sentiment. Imagine if the first thing we hear at 'Mania is the Undertaker's music! Even though The Streak is dead, The Dead Man still gets folks fired up. Same can be said for Sting. The issue with both matches is the same as well; how good will they be? Not sure there's enough there in terms of match quality to put them in the leadoff spot.<br />
<br />
So with that, I'm going with Rollins v Orton. With Orton's recent absence this feud hasn't had too much build up, which is a good thing. It doesn't feel like we've been "doing this" match for months. It's still fresh. These guys are among the best performers the WWE has. There's no reason to think it won't be an A+ match. I'm giving the nod to Rollins.<br />
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2) Intercontinental Ladder Match. Speaking of The Undertaker, Bryan, Ziggler and Ambrose are all buried in this match, but that won't stop them from performing at the highest level. Everyone hopes this match will steal the show and it probably will. Given the talent involved, it's a tough one to call. It seems like Vince and Co, are more inclined to deny Daniel Bryan's fans of the moments they hope for than they are to give in to what the WWE universe wants. Same can be said of Ziggler. With that in mind, I think the frustration continues for those fan bases and Ambrose wins the title.<br />
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3) AJ and Paige vs the Bellas. The most intriguing part of this to me is how long the match goes. Will Vince actually #GiveDivasAChance ? The match has potential to be excellent. Let's see if it's given the chance to be. A.J. and Paige get the win with A.J. using a GTS as her finisher.<br />
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4) Undertaker vs Wyatt. Bray's promo on the last Raw was outstanding. One of the best of the year. He may have to be that good with his wrestling to make this match memorable. Undertaker turned 50 this week. He hasn't been seen in a year. He might have more rust on him than the '68 Oldsmobile I drove to high school every day in 1985... and 'Taker has more miles on him. That said, he's not coming back to lose. Undertaker gets a W and begins a new streak that he'll take into Wrestlemania 32 at Jerry's House.<br />
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5) Cena v Rusev. Someone said to me on Twitter recently that WWE was hiring a hundred people to come in as Russian soldiers for Rusev's entrance. The scene could be epic. Get Nikolai Volkov to lead the way and you've really got something. I would imagine the expectation is for Cena to get the W here and finally hand Rusev his first loss in front of the largest audience of the year. I think it's "best for business" if Rusev wins and keeps his aura of invincibilty going for a while longer. Rusev gets the duke and then receives a congratulatory phone call from Vladamir Putin in the locker room after the match.<br />
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6) Sting v Triple H. The trick to the Match before the Match is that it can't be so great that it steals the thunder and drains the crowd before the main event. No one really knows what Sting has in him. The crowd will be excited to see he him but the match itself likely won't be so over-the-top great that everyone in attendance will be gassed from cheering. It's kind of a sleeper hold match that will allow the crowd to regroup. Part of me thinks HHH will want to do this earlier so he can be backstage for most of the night, but the other part thinks they want to give Sting this slot to warrant his coming to WWE and making him feel special. They'll also accomplish that by giving Sting the W.<br />
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7) Reigns v Lesnar. The news that Lesnar has re-signed really makes this an interesting event. Before I would have thought it was 90/10 Reigns wins. Now I think it's 75/25 Brock wins. I know Brock said the money was too good to turn down, but I have to think keeping the belt was part of the deal. There's always the chance they still give it to Reigns and Rollins cashes in sometime in the near future setting up a triple-threat match down the road, but I still think Brock wins. More importantly, the biggest thing I need from this match is violence. This match needs to be a physical, mano y mano showdown where they just beat the living hell out of each other. Win or lose the best thing for Reigns right now is to go toe-to-toe, blow-for-blow with the Beast. He may not be a great talker but if he can prove to be a great fighter, that will do wonders for him going forward. Brock wins the match. Roman wins over (some) of the haters.<br />
<br />
Here are my friends predictions:<br />
<br />
Todd Grisham (ESPN anchor) @GrishamESPN:<br />
<br />
1) Orton v Rollins - Orton wins<br />
2) Cena v Rusev - Rusev wins<br />
3) Ladder Match - Bryan wins<br />
4) Sting v HHH - Sting wins<br />
5) Undertake v Wyatt - Undertaker wins<br />
6) Divas match - Bella Twins<br />
7) Lesnar v Reigns - Lesnar<br />
<br />
Robert Flores (ESPN anchor) @RoFloESPN:<br />
<br />
1) Orton v Rollins (Rollins)<br />
2) Cena v Rusev (Cena)<br />
3) Ladder match (Bryan)<br />
4) Divas match<br />
5) Sting v HHH (Sting)<br />
6) Undertaker v Wyatt (Taker)<br />
7) Lesnar v Reigns (Reigns)<br />
<br />
Sean Grande (radio voice of the Celtics) @SeanGrandePBP:<br />
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
1. Ladder Match</div>
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2. Cena-Rusev</div>
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3. Taker-Bray</div>
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4. Orton-Rollins </div>
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5. Divas</div>
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6. Sting-HHH</div>
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7. Lesnar-Reigns</div>
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Sean offered these thoughts (which I love) on the main event:<br />
"<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I don't know what they're</span><i style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> going</i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to do, but I've held fast on my finish for almost six months now. Reigns wins, going heel when Heyman turns on Lesnar. Now you've got a hot Reigns, with the belt and Heyman every week. Faces lined up (Cena, Bryan, Orton, Ambrose, maybe Sting and eventually after keeping him at bay, Brock at SummerSlam) to feed to him.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
It's similar to what they did with Rock in late '98...knowing he'd eventually be the face of the company, they gave hima run on top as a heel because there were other faces fans would cheer." </div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
Ashoka Moore (ESPN producer) @AshokaESPN: </div>
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1) Rollins v Orton (Orton)<br />
2) Ladder match (Bryan)<br />
3) Divas match (Bellas)<br />
4) Cena v Rusev (Cena)<br />
5) Sting v HHH (Sting)<br />
6) Undertaker v Wyatt (Taker)<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">7) Brock v Reigns (Brock) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Sal Iocona (Jimmy Kimmel Live) @TheCousinSal:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1) Divas match (Bellas)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">2) Orton v Rollins (Rollins) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) Undertaker v Wyatt (Taker)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">4) Sting v HHH (HHH by DQ)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">5) Cena v Rusev (Cena) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">6) Lesnar v Reigns (Lesnar) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">7) Ladder match (Bryan) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Michelle Beadle (SportsNation) @MichelleDBeadle: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">(***editors note: Michelle just sent in some thoughts, not the order***)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> "I think no way Lesnar loses. Reigns isn't ready yet. Heyman did allude to wanting Reigns in the podcast. And Reigns isn't great on the mic. Yet. Hmmmmmm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Sting beats Triple H. Only to stick around for a bit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Undertaker can't possible lose or that streak has just been cheapened beyond words. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Paige and AJ lose. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> And I expect that damn Money in the Bank to be cashed in. I also predict I eat many calories and many more sweating during my cheering!!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> One last note, though I didn't include the Battle Royal since it was publicly moved to the pre-show, almost everyone is picking MizDow to win that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> Enjoy Wrestlemania, everyone! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></span></div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-16391493166343054422015-01-25T00:10:00.000-05:002015-01-25T00:11:48.937-05:002015 Royal Rumble pool entrants and here they are... Good luck!<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">1 - </span>@clepacolypse</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">2 - </span>@drewsmith23</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">3 - </span>@jay_g_25</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">4 - </span>@sbush80012</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">5 - </span>@frazier_kyle</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">6 - </span>@jsross1981</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">7 - </span>Joseph Bainbridge</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">8 - </span>jdjigga4885</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">9 - </span>@al_bogdan</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">10 - </span>@kreslovric</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">11 - </span>@medallaguy</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">12 - </span>@midevenings</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">13 - </span>@VintheHam</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">14 - </span>@KiwiDegenerate</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">15 - </span>@unejakey</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">16 - </span>@Day_MGD</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">17 - </span>@alsnack</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">18 - </span>@chicorican</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">19 - </span>@Jaykay3354</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">20 - </span>@JMess3035</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">21 - </span>@jcassady</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">22 - </span>@ernestopeimbert</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">23 - </span>@wbdarcy</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">24 - </span>@dj1241</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">25 - </span>@tgiles17</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">26 - </span>@mader5507</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">27 - </span>@jralpert10<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">28 - </span>@woods4_three</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">29 - </span> @starofsavage</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 21px;">30 - </span>@JawnFruman</div>
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-17641714531587164262015-01-22T17:45:00.002-05:002015-01-22T18:19:38.288-05:00A Few Good BallboysWith help from folks on twitter, here's a quick look at today's Tom Brady press conference<br />
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<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Reporter: Col. Brady, if you ordered the footballs not be touched, why would they be in danger? Why would it be necessary to re-check the PSI?</div>
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Brady: Sometimes men take footballs into their own hands.</div>
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Reporter: No, sir. You made it clear just a moment ago that ballboys never take matters into their own hands. Your ballboys follow orders or PSI changes. So the footballs shouldn't have been in any danger at all, should they have, Col. Brady?</div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
Brady: You snotty, little bastard.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Reporter: Colonel Brady, did you order the PSI?!<br />
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PR person: Tom.you don't have to answer that question!<br />
<br />
Brady: I'll answer the question. You want answers?<br />
<br />
Reporter: I think I'm entitled!<br />
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Brady: You want answers?!<br />
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Reporter: I want the truth!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Brady: Son, we live in a world that has balls, and those balls have to be guarded by men with guns. Not the Aaron Hernandez kind of guns, guns like Gronk has. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Adam Schefter? You Chris Mortensen?<br />
I have a greater responsibility and hotter wife than than you could possibly fathom. You weep for the Colts and you curse the Patriots. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That the Colts loss, while sloppy, probably saved Super Bowl ratings. And my existence, while beautiful and incomprehensibly charming to everyone, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at fantasy drafts, you want me on those balls, you need me on those balls. We use words like "Blue 90", "55 is the mike", "Omaha". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent quarterbacking. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to an audience who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the victories I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide them. I would rather you just said Go Patriots!, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a football and take a snap from center. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.<br />
Reporter: Did you order the PSI??<br />
Brady: I did the job I...<br />
Reporter: Did you order the PSI?*<br />
Brady: You're Goddamn right I did!</div>
</div>
Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-18980084235357532592015-01-15T21:16:00.000-05:002015-01-15T21:36:43.210-05:002015 Royal Rumble contestIt's that time again!<br />
It's the 4th annual Royal Rumble Pool!<br />
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Here's how it works. Leave your name and twitter handle in the comments section of this post. SENDING ME A TWEET DOES NOT ENTER YOU.</div>
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(Your name will not appear in the comments box until I approve the comment, so if you don't see it right away, don't panic. It may take a while.)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED AN ENTRY. THIS IS A LOTTERY.</span> </div>
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I will randomly select 30 people on 1/24 from the comments section.</div>
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If your number matches the entrance number of the superstar who wins the Rumble, you win.</div>
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Three years ago I used the hypothetical example "if Sheamus comes in at #22, wins and you have that number, you win." And that's what happened! Two years ago I used "Cena at #18" for my hypothetical and he came in at 19 and won. Last year I went with Batista at #14. He won from the 28 slot. This year we'll go with Dean Ambrose at #21. Regardless, you get the wrestler that comes in at the number I assign you, and if he wins, you win. Simple as $9.99 </div>
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I will post the names of the entrants and the number they've been assigned here on the blog on 1/25.<br />
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Prizes will include a Jim Ross barbecue sauce prize pack and a signed item from him as well as your choice of products from WWE.Com totaling $100 </div>
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Please only submit your name once. Good luck to all.</div>
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Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-91716625155872834332015-01-12T21:11:00.001-05:002015-01-13T22:09:41.712-05:00Out Fox When the Denver Broncos hired John Fox I was pretty happy with the hire. I wrote a post explaining my theory on NFL coaches and the three categories they fell under.<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">1) Good coaches who win with talented teams.</span><br style="line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">2) Good coaches who can't win with under-talented teams.</span><br style="line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">3) Bad coaches who can't win with a team that is good or bad.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I then went on to explain why I thought Fox fell into category #1. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://gusramsey.blogspot.com/2011/01/john-fox-reaction.html">http://gusramsey.blogspot.com/2011/01/john-fox-reaction.html</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
In the words of the great Arthur Fonzarelli, I was wr-ehrr-ehrr. I was wr-unn-gghh.<br />
OK, Let's have the Fonz say it for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqgDoo_eZE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqgDoo_eZE</a><br />
<br />
Never mind, just suffice it to say my trust may have been misplaced and my logic somewhat inaccurate.<br />
John Fox did a fine job, just not a great job when it mattered most.<br />
The Tebow season was what is was. Denver was forced to give him a shot and then miracle after miracle happened. Let's focus on the three Manning years when expectations were high and Fox certainly had a deep talent pool with which to work.<br />
First off, he won in the regular season. Denver went 28-10 the last three years.<br />
They dominated their division, going 17-1 vs the AFC West.<br />
They did very well against their conference, going 29-7, although the 0-3 mark in New England was a red flag (Fox did not coach the game in Foxboro 2 seasons ago when Denver collapsed on Sunday, but it's still his loss.)<br />
Mostly though, those regular season numbers are impressive. The playoff numbers are not.<br />
3-4. (1-1 with Tebow)<br />
2 home losses coming off bye weeks.<br />
1 huge debacle in the Super Bowl.<br />
<br />
For whatever reason, Denver looked overwhelmed and somewhat unprepared in the Super Bowl. They looked lethargic and incapable of in-game adjustments yesterday. They lacked courage (running on 3rd down) and common sense (Rahim Moore not deep enough) in a stunning loss to 4-seed Baltimore.<br />
John Fox has proven that I left out a category for my coaches theory: Coaches Who Rise to the Occasion in the Playoffs.<br />
Granted this is a short list. Current coaches in the NFL who make this category would be Belichick, John Harbaugh, Coughlin, Carroll and probably Tomlin and Payton. They've all won Super Bowls. Even their playoff losses are usually competitive games where they look prepared and ready to play.<br />
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Sports Illustrated recently wrote an article on how much John Elway hates to lose. Lord knows he lost on the grandest stage in the most embarrassing fashions, so he knows as well as anyone how those kind of losses can tarnish a person, a team, an organization. John Elway watched his team generate no pass rush vs Andrew Luck and his coaching staff do next to nothing to adjust to it during the game. John Elway watched his quarterback struggle to connect with his receivers as they were being banged around the line of scrimmage by Colts defenders. A tactic they saw last year in the Super Bowl. A tactic they should have had an answer for. They didn't.<br />
So John Elway woke up this morning looking for his own answers and decided John Fox wasn't part of the equation any more. Fox had his chance and did more good than bad, he just wasn't very good when it mattered most. What would Belichick have done with this roster? What about Carroll? Heck, even Mike Tomlin?<br />
Some would argue four straight division titles and playoff appearances deserve more loyalty, more chances to continue working on what they've built. Multiple Broncos players took to Twitter to share their shock and sadness over Fox's release. By all accounts he was a coach the players loved. Maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe there was too much love and not enough toughness. Too much comfort and not enough accountability. If Elway's willing to move on from this coaching regime, maybe everyone in the locker room will play with a little more urgency in the big games. Let's not pretend John Fox didn't get a chance. He did. He got 4 years and 4 shots at the playoffs and the results were mixed. John Elway wants to win, and if Peyton Manning has one more season in him, perhaps Elway feels obligated to find a coach he thinks is better suited to help him win in his final year. <br />
Either way, Elway must find a coach who can get this talented team (one that will certainly look different regardless of Manning's decision about next year) to become a team other teams fear in the playoffs. A team that is prepared and shows some passion and cajones in the biggest games of the year.<br />
Who is that coach? I'm not smart enough to tell you that, but I am smart enough to admit when I am wr-ehrr-ehrrGus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-70442806251681867112015-01-12T13:28:00.001-05:002015-01-12T13:28:17.925-05:00It's My FaultPeople are pointing fingers all over the Rocky Mountain region today.<br />
Mostly it goes like this<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVMwfHTmDQEnbmph6ZSVF-YFS_aegS79ou7QZYMSCY7SaGNkSkd6DDtYfyzXWqAjaDuFCjLB6EMkWvNt0w7OEiB15kMYk9_EmDYwCW0Hsozf0Jx7bLtWbdYNN7j4dQXNwvl_ZAGjhoIjR/s1600/John+Fox+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVMwfHTmDQEnbmph6ZSVF-YFS_aegS79ou7QZYMSCY7SaGNkSkd6DDtYfyzXWqAjaDuFCjLB6EMkWvNt0w7OEiB15kMYk9_EmDYwCW0Hsozf0Jx7bLtWbdYNN7j4dQXNwvl_ZAGjhoIjR/s1600/John+Fox+.jpg" height="150" title="" width="200" /></a><br />
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but here's the truth.<br />
here's where those fingers should be directed.<br />
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Yup. It's my fault. Here's why.<br />
About 6 months ago my family rescued a dog. A cute little puppy who was part Dachshund part Chihuahua, aka a Chiweenie. We rescue dogs frequently, and on occasion I can't let go and we keep one. We kept this one (giving us 4 dogs) and I named him Bronco.<br />
Bronco is a fireball with an attitude. He barks a lot, growls a lot, liks to play rough with our other 3 dogs (2 big dogs and another dog his size.) We tried to train him and get him to be less aggressive, but it wasn't really working. We contacted the woman from the rescue operation and she said she still had all his litter mates and they were doing fine. It's possible, she suggested, Bronco just had a screw loose or not being with his family was messing with him. Regardless, Bronco has been overly aggressive toward our youngest son as well as people coming to the house. We decided the best thing to do was to "surrender" Bronco and give him back to the woman with all his litter mates. It was the right decision and Bronco is probably much happier.<br />
When did we surrender Bronco, you ask?<br />
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Saturday.<br />
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That's right. 24 hours before the Broncos were playing a playoff game, I surrendered our dog, Bronco.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">D'OH!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-67175550088771262912015-01-04T11:13:00.003-05:002015-01-06T09:12:07.066-05:00<span style="font-size: large;">GOODBYE STU</span><br />
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When I was working at the NBC affiliate in Orlando in 1992 I was on the verge of becoming the next great TV sportscaster. Or so I thought. When my station announced they were going to add a third sports anchor, I was primed (in my mind, any way) to be that guy, but the station hired a guy named Stuart Scott out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Man was I pissed. Despite my not really having any chance at the job, I was mad at Stuart before he even walked in the door. All that went away 30 seconds after Stu walked through the door at WESH.<br />
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Stuart Scott was as bombastically kind as any person I've ever known. He really could never help himself. He was warm with everyone, truly caring how you were and how your family was. It didn't matter if he'd known you for 10 years or 10 seconds. One night during his first week in Orlando I asked him if he wanted to go to dinner and suggested Pizza Hut. He said that sounded great and off we went. When we got there Stu ordered a no-cheese pizza. I asked him about his odd order and he said he didn't like cheese, to which I told him "We didn't have to come here if you don't like cheese." He just smiled and said "It's ok. It seemed like you wanted to come here." That was Stu in a nut shell, putting other people first.<br />
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Stuart was also BORN to be an entertainer, whether he was on TV or just hanging out with friends. One night Stu and I and two others went to the movies. We entered the theater just as the previews started. Stu yelled out "Ohhhhhh!!!" and took an intentional barrel roll half way down the aisle. As he got up and dusted himself off people looked on in horror as the rest of us just giggled. Fittingly, that movie was Danny DeVito's Renaissance Man, which is exactly what Stuart was.<br />
Another time I called Stu and asked if he wanted to go to the park to shoot hoops. He said sure and I told him I would be right over to pick him up. He and I lived in the same apartment complex so it only took me 5 minutes to get to his place. When I knocked on the door instead of opening it he just yelled "Come in!!" When I walked into his condo he was rolling around the floor in pain. I asked him what happened and he said he thought he broke his foot. So I helped him up and we went off to the ER. Once we got there I asked him what happened and he said he was getting ready for hoops and jumped over a pile of laundry on his floor and landed wrong. "But that's not what I'm going to tell people. I'll have to say there was a fire in a building and I ran in to rescue people." He was only half-kidding. It was a better story. It was a more entertaining story.<br />
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Stu and I worked together on the weekends. I was the producer of the 6 and 11pm newscasts and would often give Stu 5 or 6 minutes for his sportscasts on a regular basis. More often than not, Stu would never get through all the things he had put into his rundown and would often wonder why. Stu would usually write lead-ins (the on camera set up to highlights) in the 40 second range. Most anchors wold target :15-:20. In the end it didn't matter that he didn't get to the last few things he had planned because the extra time he was spending on camera was what was important at that time. He was honing his craft, creating the Stuart Scott persona that would become legendary. It was like watching the molecules of a comet forming for the first time.<br />
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In Orlando in the early 90's the type of audience that watched local news wasn't exactly prepared for "BOO-YOW!!" and all the things Stu brought to the television screen. Our news director would often tell him to tone it down because "Mr. and Mrs. Jones really don't understand what you are doing." Stu didn't ever listen to that because he was committed to being Stu Scott, not what someone else thought he should be. When Stu left for ESPN everyone at WESH knew he was going to be a star. It didn't take long.<br />
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About a year and a half after Stu left he called to tell me ESPN had some producer openings and he set up an interview for me. I got the job and my life took an amazing turn going from producing the noon news on local TV to producing SportsCenter, in large part thanks to Stu.<br />
When I got to ESPN Stu would tell me how he was butting heads with management but wasn't wavering in doing things how he wanted to do them. "Just like in Orlando," I told him.<br />
I wasn't sure if Stu would be able to win that battle, if America was really going to embrace his style that was unlike anything else on TV at that time.<br />
About a year after I got there (and 3 years after Stu arrived) I took him down to my hometown of Greenwich, Ct. for my high school's homecoming football game. We got there and found a spot on the sidelines and watched the game, minding our own business. But someone noticed him, and then another person, and then another. One by one all these high school kids in one of America's whitest towns came over to him, shook his hand saying "BOO-YOW!" and Stu happily spent a little time with all of them. It was pretty clear to me in that moment that Stu was going to be just fine.<br />
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In the fall of this year Stu tweeted about his youngest daughter scoring a hat trick in her varsity soccer debut. I immediately texted him congratulations. We got into an exchange about the joys of watching our children excel in sports. I told him that my 2nd son, Jack, made the baseball All-Stars and that his team was legit, that they had a legit shot to get to the little league World Series next summer. He responded "If I'm still around and they make it to Williamsport, you and I will go together." Stu didn't make it, but if my son's team does I know Stu will be there and he'll have the best seat in the house.<br />
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I held Stuart's first daughter on the day she was born. Everyone is a "Proud Papa" but I've never seen anyone as proud and happy as Stu was that day. And that never waned. Selfishly my heart is broken today because I have lost a great friend, but the true pain comes from knowing that Stu will not get the chance to see his daughters grow to be the amazing women I am sure they will become, because Stu was their father. <br />
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Goodbye Stu. <br />
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(After writing this blog I went on Bill Simmons podcast and shared some more Stu stories. You can hear that here <a href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/b-s-report-discussing-the-nfl-playoffs-with-cousin-sal-and-remembering-stuart-scott-with-gus-ramsey/">http://grantland.com/the-triangle/b-s-report-discussing-the-nfl-playoffs-with-cousin-sal-and-remembering-stuart-scott-with-gus-ramsey/</a> )Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-45147392524170594512014-06-16T15:08:00.000-04:002014-06-16T15:08:10.047-04:00Remembering Tony Gwynn I had the great honor of working with Tony Gwynn on a few occasions and on the day of his passing, I wanted to share a few stories from those occurrences.<br />
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In 2002, Tony came to ESPN to do some part-time work as a game analyst and an analyst on Baseball Tonight. I was the Coordinating Producer of BBTN at the time. On Tony's first day we began our show meeting with the usual banter about the days games, things we should be talking about on the show that night, etc. The Baseball Tonight meetings were always lively. Whether it was the former player or manager telling stories or the staff debating the hot topics, the meeting was never dull.<br />
On this day the topic switched to a hitter who was struggling and Tony said something like, "well, his hands are all messed up. He needs to fix that."<br />
"What do you mean?" someone asked.<br />
Tony then began describing how the player's wrists weren't cocked properly. He held up his hands to show proper alignment, what poor alignment looked like and how that impacts the contact a hitter makes. The room was silent. It was like everyone's mouths had been taped shut. Not a peep. After a few moments Tony realized how much the decibel level in the room had dropped. He paused, put his head down and then said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to bore everyone." A few of us chuckled and I spoke up, "Tony," I said, "We are not bored. No one ever silences this room but you did because you have us eating out of the palms of your hands. If you say those kinds of things on TV, you'll be fine."<br />
When the meeting was over everyone in the room looked at each other with a "I can't believe I get to come to work and learn about hitting from Tony Gwynn!" grin on their face.<br />
As we got closer to show time, Tony was terrified. We weren't sure if he was going to go on. We were stunned. This sure-fire Hall of Famer who had been the greatest pure hitter of recent vintage had stage fright. My boss, Jay Levy, convinced Tony that it would be fine and it was. Tony went on and the show was smooth. I'm sure years later he had long forgotten that day, but no one else in the show meeting that afternoon ever will.<br />
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Flash-forward to July, 2007 and I am in Cooperstown to help produce the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. That year featured Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Kind of a big deal. I re-introduced myself to Tony at our production meeting the day before the ceremonies. I had done six inductions before that one and had made a habit of asking the inductees this question, "So, when you get on the bus tomorrow morning to ride over from the hotel to the ceremonies with the all those Hall of Famers, what will that ride be like?"<br />
Tony looked at me a little wide-eyed at the thought that had not occurred to him. He kind of giggled his famous giggle and simply said, "Awesome."<br />
The next morning Tim Kurkjian told me that he had run into Tony Gwynn Jr and asked him how his dad was feeling. Tony Jr said to Tim, "At 10 o'clock in the morning he asked me to go get him a beer... and he doesn't drink."<br />
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Tony's speech was heartfelt. Contrary to Ripken who had scripted his speech and even included a stunt to present his wife with a rose, Gwynn spoke off the cuff. He remembered family and friends and everyone who helped him along the way. He told stories about teammates and expressed his admiration for Jackie Robinson and those who helped pave the way. He was humble and humbled by the moment.<br />
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Tony Gwynn's career started when I was 15, right in my sports-loving wheelhouse.<br />
Even back in the pre-internet dark days, everyone knew about Gwynn and his potential when he came up. Back then the Braves played in the NL West with San Diego and their games were on TBS, so whenever Atlanta played San Diego, it was a chance to watch Tony play. What a treat.<br />
In his first full season in the majors he hit .351. He stole 33 bases and struck out 23 times. That's right. 23. In 675 plate appearances. 23. His teammate that year, Bruce Bochy, struck out 21 times... in 97 plate appearances. The man never struck out more than 40 times in a season. In 20 seasons! Watching him hit was a joy. He was a master at his craft. On top of all that, he was also a really nice man with an infectious laugh and a love for the game as great as anyones.<br />
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For more on just how amazing Gwynn was, check out Jayson Stark's column<br />
<a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11092617/mlb-late-tony-gwynn-incredible-hitting-numbers">http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11092617/mlb-late-tony-gwynn-incredible-hitting-numbers</a>Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-54282710044406287382014-04-08T13:36:00.002-04:002014-04-08T22:45:56.146-04:00Digger Phelps In 1982 I hopped on a plane as a 15-year old, hoops-loving basketball player bound for Digger Phelp's basketball camp at Notre Dame. The thought of setting foot on the legendary campus to be coached by one of the highest profile coaches in the country was thrilling. Digger and his team had ended UCLA's historic 88-game win streak in 1974 and his reputation had preceded him since that day.<br />
The week was full of great moments. I had my first in-game dunk in a pickup game on the outdoors courts. We got a tour of the football stadium. The days were filled with hours of basketball and I was on a team coached by John Shumate. Oh, and I even got to see Digger. Twice.<br />
One night during the week Digger came to dinner at the camp and did a Q+A session. He also came to camp one day to give us some instruction. At one point Digger wanted to use a couple of the kids from the camp to demonstrate what he was talking about, so he called up some campers. One young man in particular caught his attention (sadly, it wasn't me). Digger called the boy over, gave him a look over and asked, "Son, what's that on your lip?"<br />
"It's a mustache, coach!" said the boy whose 'stache made Tim Lincecum's current effort look like Tom Selleck's.<br />
"What's that on your teeth, son?" Digger wanted to know next.<br />
"Those are braces, coach!"<br />
Digger gave the boy another long look over and then pronounced, "One of them has got to go!"<br />
<br />
Flash forward to 2000. I am the coordinating producer on College Hoops Tonight and am working with non-other than Digger Phelps. Duke and Maryland are scheduled to play a big game so we decide to take Digger down to the studio and he's going to tape a chalkboard segment where he explains why Maryland's defense could cause problems for Duke. We spend about 30 minutes taping the segment, getting it just right. Digger's working hard, drawing all over the board and making a great case for Maryland's defense. When it's over I sidle up to Digger and say, "You know Digger, I just learned more from you in those 30 minutes than I did in a week at your camp." Digger busted out with his patented and infectious laugh.<br />
When we got back to the newsroom I called my dad on the phone and asked him, "How much did it cost to send me to Notre Dame basketball camp?"<br />
"Probably around two hundred dollars," he said.<br />
"Hang on a second," I say as I hand the phone to coach Phelps.<br />
"Mr. Ramsey? This is Digger Phelps. I owe you a refund."<br />
<br />
Digger announced yesterday that he is retiring from ESPN after 20 years. I'm really going to miss him and I'm not sure I'll ever see him again, which makes me very sad, because he still owes my dad that 200 bucks.<br />
<br />
All kidding aside, Digger was great to have around. He always referred to me and John Buccigross as his campers (we were actually there at the same time. How weird is that?!).<br />
Working with Digger was always fun because he understood the value of informing <i>and </i>entertaining and that there was a way to do both at the same time.Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233199405238164863.post-46407190779835147182014-03-30T13:07:00.001-04:002014-03-30T23:32:51.757-04:002014 Mets: An Oral History<br />
In February of 2014 New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told his staff that the ball club could, and maybe should, win 90 games that season. That proclamation was made knowing the team would not have Matt Harvey (he of the 2016 and 2018 Cy Young awards) in their rotation, knowing the team had huge holes at first base and shortstop and knowing he had added two bats to the lineup in Chris Young and Curtis Granderson who had holes in their swings as big as the holes at first and short. He also had an unproven commodity at catcher. It was a brazen suggestion that was chum in the water for the tabloid sharks on the Mets beat. This is the story of how the 2014 Mets chased 90 wins from the men who did the chasing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">APRIL</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><i>David Wright (.306, 26 HR, 102 rbi in '14): </i>Opening day is always exciting. Our club has great history on opening day. The best record in baseball... so Family Guy can bite me. We knew facing Strasburg and the Nats would be a challenge, but we were pumped.<br />
<br />
<i>Dillon Gee (13-9, 3.62 era in '14): </i>It was a thrill to get the ball on opening day. So many great Mets have had that honor. Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Dwight Gooden, Pete Harnisch. It's quite a list.<br />
<br />
<i>Daniel Murphy (.288, 39 doubles in '14): </i>Beating Strasburg and the Nats was a great way to start the season. We were down early but rallied for a 4-2 win and hoped that would be a tone setter.<br />
<br />
<i>Terry Collins (lead Mets to playoffs in 2015-2018): </i>I remember thinking that if we got out of the gate well that year we could really build some momentum and be in the hunt. Losing the 3 out of 5 in that first home stand hurt. Then we went on that road trip to Atlanta, Anaheim and Arizona. After we lost 2 of 3 in Atlanta I was nervous about flying to Anaheim. That hasn't gone well for Mets managers in the past.<br />
<br />
<i>Sandy Anlderson (Mets G.M. 2010-2020) </i>I sat next to Terry on that flight. As we were getting off the plane I told him, "Leave the lineup card, take the cannoli..." just to mess with him. <br />
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<i>Wright:</i> Trout's walk-off homer was a crusher. Bartolo pitched so well that game but Parnell wasn't himself yet.<br />
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<i>Bobby Parnell (2nd on Mets All-Time saves list): </i>Hanging breaking ball. He hit it over the rocks. I was so embarrassed I shaved my beard after that game so people wouldn't recognize me.<br />
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<i>Ike Davis (.203, 8 HR, 22 rbi in '14, traded to Oakland that summer. Hit 261 HRs in his A's career): </i><i> </i>You know, the year before our first road trip was to Philly, Minnesota and Colorado. We frolicked in more snow those 11 days than Frosty ever did. The first trip in '14 was a nice, warm change of pace. I was sweating every day like I had Valley Fever.<br />
<i><br /></i><i>Curtis Granderson (</i><i>.248, 27 HR, 85 rbi, 172 Ks in '14): </i>We came back to NYC and it was colder than the reception Rocky got in Russia. It was a tough home stand against Atlanta, St. Louis and Miami, but 3 of those games got postponed. It really affected Bartolo.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>Yeah... all those postponements and delays gave Bart a lot of time to wonder around the stadium and get to know the place. <br />
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<i>Dan Warthen (Mets pitching coach until 2019): </i>He wandered over to Shake Shack a lot.<br />
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<i>Bartolo Colon (8-2, 3.10 era in '14. traded that summer to Kansas City): </i>They had a Shake Shack at Citi Field!! I love Shake Shack!!<br />
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The Mets finished the month 10-14. The highlight came the last day in April when Lucas Duda hit 3 homers in a game at Citizen's Bank Park in Philly.<br />
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<b>10 wins down. 80 to go. </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">MAY</span> <i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i><i>Eric Young (.267, 33 SBs in '14): </i>We went on that trip to Colorado and I was so excited. I love playing against my old team, but the Mets had an investment in Chris Young.<br />
<br />
<i>Chris Young (.218, 11 HR, 183 Ks in '14): </i>When I look back at my career, I try not to think of those first three games in Colorado. It's hard to go 0-11 with 11 strikeouts, but I did it. To this day I can't even join LinkedIn because I can't make contacts.<br />
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<i>E. Young: </i>At least I got in that last game and hit for the cycle. That was cool.<br />
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<i>Wright: </i>That was a good stretch for us that year. We won 7 of 10 heading into the Yankees series. We were ready. Niese was really pitching well.<br />
<br />
<i>Jon Niese: (15-9, 4.07 era in '14): </i>I was pitching really well.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>The year before we had swept them for the first time ever, so we were confident. When we got them in '14 Jeter was on the DL, Teixeira was really struggling and Sabathia's fastball was like Madonna, peaking in the 80s.<br />
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<i>Travis d'Arnaud: (.239, 23 doubles in '14): </i>Wheels was amazing that first game. His fastball was popping, his breaking stuff was fantastic. I really thought he was going to get that no-no but Gardner dropped down that BS drag bunt in the 7th.<br />
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<i>Lucas Duda: (.261, 21 HR, 69 rbi in '14): </i>I had settled into first base by then, but cell phones in 1990 still had better range than I did. He beat it out easily.<br />
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<i>Wright: </i>It was nice to take 3 out of 4 from them, even though Jeets didn't play. His last game at Citi Field we gave him a construction hat with the New York skyline on it because no one had done more screwing, nailing and banging around the city than that guy. Although Harvey was a close second.<br />
<br />
<i>Matt Harvey: (203-102, 3.14 era as a Met): </i>I loved Jeter growing up, so I wanted to do everything he did. That included Jessica Alba, Minka Kelly and the rest. Except Mariah Carey. She was too old.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>We were rolling but probably got a little too big for our britches after that Yankees series. The Dodgers came in and shut us out three straight. I hadn't seen that many zeros since I watched Fred Wilpon sign a few checks made out to Bobby Bonilla.<br />
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<i>Granderson: </i>I hit 8 balls that home stand that would have been out at Yankee Stadium. Granted, none of them went 300 feet, but it was still pretty frustrating.<br />
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<i>Muprhy: </i>We lost a game to the Diamondbacks when Tejada and I called each other off on a pop-up and the ball fell between us allowing the go-ahead run to score. Ironically, it was Luis Castillo Bobblehead Day. The timing couldn't have been worse.<br />
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<i>Ruben Tejada </i><i>(.230, 18 errors in '14): </i>That was a cool bobble head. Instead of his head bobbling, the glove did.<br />
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<i>C. Young: </i>Winning 2 of 3 in Philly to close the month helped, but we really had something going there and let it get away. We were 10-4 at one point that month and finished it 16-14. That was more disappointing than my season. (Really?) Okay, not really, but it sucked.<br />
<br />
<b>26 wins down. 64 to go.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>JUNE</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><i>Zack Wheeler: (16-7, 3.78 era in '14. 168 wins ranks 4th all-time for Mets behind Seaver, Harvey and Syndergaard) </i>I was rolling at that point. I had won 5 in a row, averaging around 10 Ks per nine innings. We went into San Fran and I beat Bumgarner 1-0. People were building that game up like it was a showdown between the two guys who would start the All-Star game for the N.L. I pitched 8 really good innings and turned it over to B.P.<br />
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<i>Parnell: </i>My beard was back at that point, and so was my fastball. I was blowing guys away like Rambo invading a Vietnam prison camp.<br />
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<i>Granderson: </i>I hit 5 balls that series that would have been out at Yankee Stadium...<br />
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<i>d'Arnaud: </i>The year before we were the only team in our division that had a winning record on the road. In '14 we were doing a pretty good job continuing that. There was just something about playing at home.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>The pitching and defense mantra that had always been the Mets way, and the reason Citi Field was built the way it was, still wasn't translating just yet. It probably didn't help that Duda, Murphy and Tejada were still regular players in our infield. Once we upgraded there and Harvey and Syndergaard were with us, that's when Citi Field become a great home field for us.<br />
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<i>Harvey: </i> I spent a lot more time in Port St. Lucie that year than I thought I would. There were three Hooters within five miles of the complex and no paparazzi.<br />
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<i>Colon: </i>Those 2 games against the A's that month were huge. Playing against my old team. The team that didn't want to keep me after I won 18 games for them the year before. It was awesome because I didn't have to pitch either day and got to spend a lot of time at the Shake Shack. Did I mention I LOVE SHAKE SHACK??!!<br />
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<i>Ruben Tejada: </i>That first game against Oakland was great. Ike hit 3 homers, including a walk-off in the 11th.<br />
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<i>Davis: </i>Billy Beane had come to NY with the A's so the Mets could commemorate his call up 30 years ago.<br />
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<i>Jay Horwitz: (Mets VP of PR 1969-2039): </i>Billy was a former first round pick of ours and was called up in September of '84. He went 1 for 10 that year, 3 for 18 in his Mets career. When a first round pick gives you that kind of production, you have to honor him, so we did.<br />
<br />
<i>Davis: </i>After the game Billy tracked me down and said he loved my upside. That I reminded him of him and that he was going to try and deal for me.<br />
<br />
<i>Alderson: </i>Billy approached me on the field the next day and asked what I wanted for Ike. I was Billy's mentor in Oakland so I didn't want to try and fleece the guy. I knew he had stars in his eyes for Ike after that three homer game. I wanted to be fair. I told him 4 seats from Oakland Alameda Coliseum when they tore it down would do it. We made the deal official before the game that day.<br />
<br />
<i>Davis: </i>I was excited about the trade. It was a fresh start. A chance to get out of New York and turn the page.<br />
<br />
<i>Collins: </i>Not exactly. He still had to play a game against us before he could leave New York.<br />
<br />
<i>Davis: </i>Hit three more homers in that game. It was quite a 48 hours.<br />
<br />
<i>Mark Simon (Mets historian): </i>He became the first player ever to hit 3 homers in consecutive games in the same stadium for different teams. Couldn't happen to anyone but the Mets.... (shaking his head repeatedly)<br />
<br />
<i>Wright: </i>Going 13-16 that month was difficult. It was nice that the temperature in New York finally hit 70 and it felt like baseball season, but our bullpen kept finding ways to lose games.<br />
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<b>38 wins down. 52 to go. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">JULY</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><i>Wheeler: </i>What I remember most about that July was how great David was. You couldn't get him out.<br />
<br />
<i>Gee: </i> He was hotter than the women Harvey kept bringing into the clubhouse.<br />
<br />
<i>Harvey: </i>Let's not get carried away. He wasn't <i>that </i>hot.<br />
<br />
<i>Wright: </i>We had a ten-game stretch at Citi and I was seeing the ball great. I had a 5-hit game against the Rangers on the 4th of July. They set off the fireworks after the game and one round made a formation of my face. It was awesome.<br />
<br />
<i>Collins: </i>He single-handedly beat the Braves that week. We had 4 hits one game. He got all of 'em and Niese beat Santana 2-1. Instead of Cereal Bowl giveaway day that week, they should have had David Wright BackPack Day because he was carrying us.<br />
<br />
<i>Murphy: </i>I remember toward the end of that home stand they had a post game concert with Huey Lewis and the News. When they sang "I Want a New Drug," Bartolo dropped his Black and White shake, his fries and his double SmokeShack burger, ran to the stage and yelled at Huey "I want one! I want one!"<br />
<br />
<i>Noah Syndergaard (5 wins in '14): </i>I had been up around a month and just remember what a great leader Bartolo was. Every time we were on the road he lead us to the best donut places, the best fast food restaurants, the best ice cream parlors. What a leader. It was a blow when they traded him... especially to the Shake Shack bottom line.<br />
<br />
<i>Wright: </i>When we got to Seattle it was fun to see Robbie Cano. He was struggling and I said, "It's ok, at least you have all those All-Stars in the lineup to cover for your failures." The sarcasm was not lost on him. He was so mad that he hit one grounder to short and ran hard almost the whole way to first.<br />
<br />
<i>Collins: </i>15-10 was a really good month. Getting Syndergaard on the big club was great. It did seem odd that every batter he faced got to a 2-2 count. When I asked him about it he said it was a "Noah thing." Still though, he looked legit, pitched legit and proved to be legit in the years to come. Every time we played the Blue Jays I made sure to thank them.<br />
<br />
<b>53 wins down. 37 to go. </b><br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2145"><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">AUGUST</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2141"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>C Young:</i> One of the great things about the Mets is the way they embrace their history. So when I was closing in on the single season strikeout record, they brought in Dave Kingman, Mo Vaughn and Todd Hundley for the first home stand that month. In the first two games I whiffed my way past all of them. When I finally passed David for the record, they gave me glass case full of air to commemorate the only thing I had hit all season.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2138"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wright:</i> It was a special moment.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2135"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Juan Legares (.262, 9 assists in '14):</i> I was glad when he finally got the record so the team could sit him and I could get some playing time.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_1924"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Collins:</i> It was on that road trip to Washington and Philly that Juan put on a show. He made several diving catches.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2038"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Duda:</i> Dude had more grass on him than Nate Newton on a weekend trip to Louisiana.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Collins: </i>The Gold Gloves he won in '15 and '16, he started building that reputation in '13 and '14. </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_1982"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Scott Rice (103 appearances, 87 ip in '14):</i> He made a great catch against Harper in D.C. Bryce was so mad he picked up his bat and broke it over his ego.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2168"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Murphy:</i> I remember the trip we made to Oakland. It was good to see Ike. He was raking, leading the A.L. In RBI since the time he switched leagues.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2171"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Alderson:</i> I got my chairs on that trip. They were nice.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2175"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Parnell:</i> I can't forget the trip to L.A. Puig hit a ball so hard off Gee the LAPD responded to a "shots fired" call.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2178"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Gee:</i> To be fair, there actually <i>were</i> shots fired outside the stadium.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2182"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Parnell:</i> Still, he smoked that ball.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2196"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Niese: </i>We ended that month going to Philly and taking 3 of 4. I think we beat them 14 times that year.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2199"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wright:</i> Every time I got to first against the Phillies Ryan Howard would smile at me and say, "can you believe I'm making 25 million this year? Crazy, right?"</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2202"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Collins:</i> Exchanging lineup cards with Ryne Sandberg was real tough by that time of the year. They were scuffling in last place. Rollins and Utley had been on the DL 3 or 4 times apiece. The Philadelphia papers were calling for ownership to trade Ryne for Ivan DeJesus who was managing in the minors in Lexington.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>65 wins down. 25 to go. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>SEPTEMBER:</b></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2208"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wright:</i> When we got to September it was pretty clear 90 wins was out of the question. But there were attainable records to be had.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2211"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Granderson:</i> We were going to blow by the 1,384 strikeouts as an offense that was the team record set the season before. I mean we were striking out like Screech in his sophomore year at Bayside High.</span></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1396191858187_2214"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>C Young:</i> Don't look at me. I was on the pine by then. The only contact I was making was butt to pine. </span></span></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Warthen: </i>Scott Rice was making a run at the games pitched record. That was something we really wanted for him. Even if it meant he'd need elephant ligaments put in his elbow some day. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Rice: </i>Oh man, by that point in the season I had made more appearances than Marv Albert on Letterman in the 80's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Parnell: </i>He came out of the bullpen so often we started using a doorman out there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Niese: </i>We had managed to let the dog days drag into September. It seemed like everyone we were playing was battling for a playoff spot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wheeler: </i>Those 7 games against the Nats were intense. Syndergaard dropped Harper with some chin music and it was on. Benches emptied, fists were flying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Duda: </i>That one was nasty. Adam LaRoche and I ran right at each other... but we're both so slow by the time we got to each other the fight was over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>C Young: </i>I threw 7 punches in that fight. Didn't hit a thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Granderson: </i>0fer 5 for me in that one... (shaking his head)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Wright: </i>Couldn't count on them for protection at all that year. </span><br />
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<i>Parnell: </i>My beard got caught up in Jayson Werth's beard. They had to get the Jaws of Life to separate us.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>We finished up with three against the Astros. They played all their September call ups.<br />
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<i>Wright: </i>There were a lot of 17 and 18 year olds on the field. It was like a One Direction concert.<br />
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<i>Collins: </i>We took two out of three.<br />
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<i>Alderson: </i>Didn't quite get to 90. But 78 was still progress from the prior two seasons.<br />
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The 2014 Mets went 78-84, 12 games short of the whimsical 90 win proclamation. Years later Sandy Alderson sat in his back yard on one of his seats from the Oakland Coliseum and sipped a beer while listening to Guns N' Roses on his iPhone 21. "Only off by one year. That's not too shabby," he said. He looked down at his 2017 World Series ring, smiled and sang along with the music in his earphones "...all it takes is patience....ooooh-yeaheahea....just a little patience..."Gus Ramseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07948889115688502195noreply@blogger.com0