Mets Win 4-3 Over Cardinals

Here is a list of what the Mets did Offensively and Defensively agents the Cars today :

Mets at the plate: The Mets, a first-inning team in 2006, scored twice in the opening frame against Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter on a bloop double by No. 2 hitter David Wright, a triple by Carlos Beltran and a sacrifice fly by Carlos Delgado. Jose Reyes pulled a home run to right against Mike Parisi in the sixth. The Mets scored their fourth run with two outs in the seventh on a single to left by Anderson Hernandez.

Mets on the mound: Glavine, using a slow curve more often, pitched two scoreless innings. Sosa, who allowed 30 home runs in merely 118 innings with the Cardinals and Braves last season, allowed two in two innings.

To get a closer look at the Grapefruit League game use the links below:

Mets.com

Box Score

Today's Game

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about todays IS game agents the Cardinals:

Starting today for the Cardinals and Mets:

St. Louis
2B Aaron Miles

LF Chris Duncan

1B Albert Pujols

3B Scott Rolen

DH Scott Spiezio

RF Rick Ankiel

SS Jolbert Cabrera

C Gary Bennett

CF Skip Schumaker

P Chris Carpenter

METS
SS Jose Reyes

3B David Wright

CF Carlos Beltran

1B Carlos Delgado

LF Moises Alou

RF Shawn Green

DH Ruben Sierra

C Ramon Castro

2B Anderson Hernandez

P Tom Glavine

Mets Lose To Tigers 5-4

Today the Mets kicked off their Spring Training games in the Grapefruit League agenst the Detroit Tigers.

Despite an 8th inning rally, the Mets still couldn't overcome the 4 runs that Perez let go in the first two innings and one that Wagner let up in the fourth.

To view the complete coverage, use the link below or in the header:

Box Score

The Lineup

John Delcos at Lo Hud, gives us the lineup to today's ST game:

Here's the Mets order for their exhibition opener today against Detroit:

SS Jose Reyes

CF Carlos Beltran

LF Moises Alou

1B Carlos Delgado

C Paul Lo Duca

3B David Wright

RF Shawn Green

DH Julio Franco

2B Damion Easley

LHP Oliver Perez

Finally!!! Let's get 'em boys.

Game 2 Inter-Squad game

John Delcos of the Lo Hud Journal gives us the line ups for todays IS game:

It rained most of the night and it is in the forecast for this afternoon. Today’s IS game will start at 11:45 a.m., and is only scheduled to go three innings. Give them the rest of the afternoon off before the real fake games start tomorrow.
John Maine will start for the Jerry Manuel Team and Phil Humber for the Sandy Alomar Team. Here’s the lineups

Manuel Team
SS Anderson Hernandez
2B Damion Easley
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
RF Shawn Green
DH Ruben Sierra
C Ramon Castro
3B David Newhan
1B Michel Abreu
P John Maine

Alomar Team
SS Jose Reyes
CF Endy Chavez
C Paul Lo Duca
1B Carlos Delgado
3B David Wright
2B Jose Valentin
DH Julio Franco
LF Ben Johnson
RF Lastings Milledge
P Phil Humber

Orlando Hernandez is supposed to play catch this morning. I’ll keep you posted on that.

Milledge Steals The Show

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about the Mets first Intersquad game today, it was Lastings Milledge that stole the show:

The most eye-catching play, though, had nothing to do with offense. Lasting Milledge, playing right field, made a brilliant throw in the third inning to catch pinch-runner Fernando Martinez trying to advance from first to third on a single by Shawn Green. Milledge charged the ball and from medium right field made a low, pinpoint, one-bounce throw to David Wright at third, the kind of throw seldom seen in recent Mets seasons.

Manager Willie Randolph said Milledge's arm isn't his best tool, and Milledge agreed.

"I hit. I'm here to hit," he said, aware that any team will make room for a hitter; not so for a guy with an arm.

But his throw is what stood at most Monday.

Koufax Visits Mets

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Sandy Koufax visiting Mets Spring Training and giving tips to Chan Ho Park:

One of the great things about spring training is that you'll never know who'll show up from day to day. This afternoon, Sandy Koufax was giving pitching tips to Chan Ho Park in a corner of the empty Mets clubhouse during the intra-squad game.

I was there after talking to Jorge Sosa. Hitting coach Rick Down walked by and asked what was going on and I said, "I'm just watching greatness." He looked into the corner, saw Koufax, and said, "yes you are."

The Lineups & The Weather

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about the Intersquad game that is going to go on today:

Forecast for rain today forced the Mets to move up their IS game an hour to 11 pm.
The lineups:

Jerry Manuel Team

SS Anderson Hernandez
2B Damion Easley
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
RF Shawn Green
DH Ruben Sierra
C Ramon Castro
3B David Newhan
1B Michel Abreu
RHP Jorge Sosa

Sandy Alomar Team

SS Jose Reyes
CF Endy Chavez
C Paul Lo Duca
1B Carlos Delgado
3B David Wright
2B Jose Valentin
DH Julio Franco
LF Ben Johnson
RF Lastings Milledge
LHP Jason Vargas

Also scheduled to pitch today: LHP Willie Collazo, LHP Pedro Feliciano, RHP Ambiorix Burgos, RHP Steve Schmoll, RHP Jorge Vazquez, RHP Lino Urdaneta, RHP Joe Smith, LHP Eddie Camacho.

Mets Sign 2 Pitchers

At Mets.com, they write about the Mets and them picking up 2 new pitchers:

The New York Mets have signed left-handed pitcher Mike Bynum and right-handed pitcher Jose Santiago to Minor League contracts. Both pitchers will report to Minor League Spring Training on March 2.

Bynum, 28, missed the entire 2006 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The 6-4, 200-pounder last played in the Detroit Tigers organization in 2005, splitting the season between Erie (AA) of the Eastern League and Toledo (AAA) of the International League.

He was 5-1 with a 4.26 ERA over 13 games with the two teams combined. In 50.2 innings, he has allowed 4Santiago, 32, spent the 2006 season with Tabasco (AAA) of the Mexican League.

Jose was 7-7 with a 4.55 ERA in 34 games, 19 starts. In 146.1 innings, he surrendered 195 hits, 79 runs, 74 earned, with 23 walks and 84 strikeouts.

The 6-3, 220-pounder was a member of the Mets organization in 2005, appearing in 29 games (17 starts) at Norfolk, and in four games out of the bullpen for New York. 7 hits, 29 runs, 24 earned with 22 walks and 46 strikeouts.

Batting Practice

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about the Mets in Spring Training:

One annual rite of spring (training) is that anxious moment when batters finally step in the box to face pitchers, and that happened yesterday when the Mets had their first full-squad workout. Usually, the batters are the ones lagging behind, but David Wright shook up Oliver Perez by smacking a vicious line drive that caromed off the protective screen.

Perez smiled back at Wright, then walked to the front of the mound and moved the netting to the left, giving him a little more shelter. Later, when Paul Lo Duca slapped a soft single off Chan Ho Park, someone yelled over, "Look at that! He can roll out of bed and hit!" Lo Duca has been weakened lately by food poisoning but is slowly improving.

Intersquad Games

Mike Nicholes at Mets Blog, writes about the Mets in Spring Training:

The Mets announced they will play intrasquad games Monday and Tuesday before the Grapefruit League season opens on Wednesday, February 28, when the Tigers visit Tradition Field.

New Mets Hat

Jason Mollica at Hotfoot, writes about the new Spring Training hat:

MLB and New Era, baseball's official cap maker, unveiled the new on-field hat yesterday. The hats, which were made of wool, are now designed with a polyester blend.

...a new design also means (you guessed it) a higher price...

If you want the same hat David Wright will wear on the field, get ready to shell out at least $32!

...yikes..

First Full Squad Workout Today

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about the fist full team workout that will be held today:

Today, for the first time since Game 7, the Mets’ full squad will be together. The position players are here, physicals done, and it’s time to get to work.

Healthwise, Carlos Delgado said his elbow and wrist aren’t full strength, but will be by the end of spring training. He said there’s nothing he can’t do.

Will head to the clubhouse in a couple of minutes. When I get there I’ll have to pass the Wilson glove man. Every day it seems there’s somebody here selling equipment: gloves, shoes, bats … whatever you can think of.

Time to run.

Alou's Retirement, Delgado's Arm And Green May Get His Groove Back

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about the players reporting for Spring Training:

Julio Franco, then Moises Alou, then Carlos Delgado. Sandy Alomar Jr. will be in later.

Alou said he would have retired had he not had a hot September when he hit .330 with eight homers and 22 RBI. From the brink of retirement to what could a two-year deal. Good deal for him.

Delgado said he wants to strengthen his wrist and elbow, both of which he had surgery on, but said he’s not limited in anything he can do. Delgado’s wife is expecting April 1, and he will be there.

Green spent a lot of time watching video over the winter and believes he discovered a hitch in his swing that contributed to his loss of power. He’s not projecting 40, but if he can give the Mets 25, that would be sufficient at the bottom of the order.

Milledge Reports

Matthew Cerron at Metsblog, writes about Lastings Milledge:

Mets OF Lastings Milledge has reported to Tradition Field.

Position players are required to be in camp tomorrow. The team’s first full workout will be Wednesday, February 21.

Position Players in Spring Training

John Delcos at the Journal News, writes about the Mets position players who have already reported to Spring Training:

IN: David Wright, Jose Reyes, Ben Johnson, Damion Easley, and Carlos Beltran. The latter is in town today, but expected to show at camp tomorrow.

OUT: Carlos Delgado (flying in tomorrow), Shawn Green, David Newhan (expected in tomorrow), Julio Franco, Endy Chavez and Milledge.

Position players are due in Tuesday for physicals with the first full squad workout the next day.

Spring Training Photos

Adam Rubin at Surfing the Mets, writes about the Mets Spring Training and gives some pictures of those Mets that arrived early:

Philip Humber and Jason Vargas tossed bullpen sessions as Al Jackson looked on.

David Wright took grounders at third base from Edgar Alfonzo. The 2007 Cyclones manager said brother Edgardo Alfonzo is leaning toward beginning the year in the independent league in the Northeast until he latches on with an affiliated team.


Inside the big-league clubhouse, the new spring training jerseys were hanging. We're a few years removed from those loud orange numbers. This year, there's orange in the arm-pit area, and black bars down the sides.

Mets Gearing Up

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about the Mets entering Spring Training and getting ready for the 2007 Grapefruit League:

Gone is Steve Trachsel, the wine aficionado, after six Mets seasons. But Tom Glavine, a bottle of the finest, did re-sign after all that hand-wringing. Chad Bradford and his distinctive delivery departed, but Orlando Hernandez will be there again with his unique delivery, for the first time in Port St. Lucie. Brian Bannister, a compelling story last March, is gone as well, his role as foremost rookie wannabe to be taken by Mike Pelfrey, the plebe most likely to be in the starting rotation seven weeks from now when the Mets resume their pursuit of World Series rings.

The sameness of the generic Spring Training can be a comfort. The differences can be refreshing.

"It's going to be a fun, interesting spring," general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday. Later, he extended his vision: "And a fun, interesting season."

Before the Mets begin their 162-game trek to October, they play a 34-game -- three split-squad dates included -- exhibition-game schedule that leads them to the night of April 1 and Major League Baseball's 2007 premiere, in St. Louis. They will begin their '07 against the team that put a premature end to their '06. Before that game, the Mets and the defending World Series champions play four March games in Florida. And before the first of those, the Mets play the defending American League champion Tigers in their first February game -- Feb. 28 in Port St. Lucie.

Glavine, who might have been up near Disney World with the Braves after a four-year absence, instead will be back for his fifth Mets camp. His private Fantasyland includes the 300th victory of his career and return to the World Series in what probably will be his last go-round. Hernandez, unfamiliar with all "Port St. Lonesome" can provide, will be bring his unique leg kick and workout regimen to the east coast of Florida.

Pelfrey, fellow rookie Philip Humber and six others will begin competing for the vacancies in the rotation created by the absence of Trachsel and -- for all intents and purposes -- Pedro Martinez, who is not expected back from surgery on his right rotator cuff until August. And Duaner Sanchez, as much a patient for the moment as he is a pitcher, will begin to reclaim his place is the bullpen work force.

Spring Training quick hits

Marty Noble at Mets.com, gives us some quick updates on the Mets as they enter Spring Training:

Projected rotation

1. LHP Tom Glavine, 15-7, 3.82 ERA in 2006

2. RHP Orlando Hernandez, 11-11, 4.66 ERA in 2006

3. RHP John Maine, 6-5, 3.60 ERA in 2006

4. RHP Mike Pelfrey, 2-1, 5.48 ERA in 200

5. LHP Oliver Perez, 3-13, 6.55 ERA in 2006

I thought it was interesting that they put Pelfrey above Perez. Anyway, you can access the whole article through the title.

Equiptment truck moving south

Peter Zellen at Mets.com, writes about the Mets moving south for spring training:

Moving is never fun -- packing everything you own, lugging box after box onto a truck, and then doing it all over in reverse when you get to your final destination.

Now imagine doing it on the coldest day of the season, with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees and the wind chill factor making it feel well below zero.

Yet as a New York Mets crew of about eight spent much of Monday doing just that at Shea Stadium, there were at least warm thoughts in the back of their minds. After all, this was the truck sending equipment, clothes and just about anything else you could think of down to Port St. Lucie, Fla., as the Mets prepare for Spring Training.