Video of Carlos Delgado arriving in PSL

Thanx to Bart Hubbuch of NY Post for capturing Delgado's arrival on video.


Delgado0219 from Bart Hubbuch on Vimeo.

Shea Stadium final demolition - Shea Goodbye!

Thanx to nymdan for shooting this youtube video of Shea Stadium's final phase of demolition.

After the dust and debris settled, Citi Field came into view, much in the way the mythical Phoenix would rise from the ashes.

In addition to the video, check out Paul J. Bereswill photos taken for the NY Times here. There are seven individual frames at various stages of the Shea Stadium Breezeway plunging to the ground.

Feel free to check out the More Shea Stadium Demolition Footage as well as Shea Stadium labels on this site for photos of Shea in different stages of demolition.

NY Mets ranked 3rd in MLB Power Rankings by AOL's Fanhouse

This is actually the first rankings I've come across that has the Mets ahead of the Phillies. Based on their rankings, the Mets are the team to beat in the NL.

Here's what Will Brinson of Fanhouse had to say about the Mets 3rd place ranking:

3. Mets
The moves made by the Big Apple's metaphorical younger sibling were under-reported this offseason. That's understandable considering what the Yankees did, but when you look closely at what the Mets bring to the table in 2009, it's hard to argue with the job Omar Minaya did. David Wright, Jose Reyes and Johan Santana anchor this team again, but Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz are the key bullpen additions. The back-end of the rotation and the lineup are big questions, though.

For complete rankings, click here.

Jose Reyes arrives in camp and sets the record straight regarding the Phillies

Thanx to Bart Hubbuch for shooting this video of Jose Reyes arrival into camp. Reyes is already sporting his Under Armor, on the day his endorsement deal was reported here.

Topics discussed:

• Moving down in the batting order
• How he learned about potential move
• Teamwork
• Relationship with Luis Castillo
• Taking on a leadership role

In addition, check out Jose Reyes unload on the Phillies in Bart's post here.

Here's just a sample of what Reyes had to say - They teased Victorino by putting the words "J. Reyes?" on a picture of Victorino's celebration in his locker.

"I heard that," Reyes said of the Victorino incident. "I don't know why they say that, because I'm not the only one pimpin' when I hit a home run. A lot of people do that. People from Philadelphia, too. They stand for a couple of seconds at home plate [after a homer] and nobody say nothing. So like I said, I don't know why they're so focused on us. We just worry about us."

Reyes0218 from Bart Hubbuch on Vimeo.

Fernando Martinez arrives in camp - "I can hit"

Fernando Martinez arrived in Port St Lucie this morning looking to hit the diamond after being shut down by the Mets, just shy of two weeks ago. F-Mart will meet with team medical staff prior to returning to active duty.

Jessie Sanchez of MLB.com, filed this post about F-Mart's injury as well as his heroic game winning homer.

The Caribbean Series is over for Mets prospect Fernando Martinez.The right-handed-throwing outfielder is nursing a sore right elbow and will fly to New York on Thursday night for a checkup. He said he is taking anti-inflammatory medication.

"I felt my elbow tighten up the day before yesterday [after throwing]," Martinez said. "It was a little swollen. It's better. I feel I can play again. I don't think I need to fly to New York to get a check up but the Mets want me to."

On Tuesday, Martinez hit a two-run pinch-hit homer in the top of the seventh inning to push the Tigres de Licey past Puerto Rico's Leones de Ponce, 2-1. It was his only at-bat of the series. Last season the 20-year old combined to hit .292 in 90 games for the Mets' Gulf Coast League team and Double-A Binghamton. He was also slowed by a hamstring injury.

Flash back to video of F-Mart's Caribbean Series blast here.

Update from Mike Rose - Fernando Martinez just walked by with a big smile on his face saying "I can hit." The doctors must have just cleared him for that and he was headed out to the field with a bat.

Read Mike's post here.

Jose Reyes gets some love from Under Armor

As reported by Andrea K. Walker of the Baltimore Sun.com - Baltimore-based sports apparel company Under Armour has signed New York Mets All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes to a multiyear partnership. Reyes will be featured in a new advertising campaign that begins today and introduces a new lightweight baseball cleat. Other baseball players Under Armour has signed include Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Zimmerman, Jeff Francoeur, Nick Markakis and Francisco Liriano.

Based on the names of Under Armor's signed baseball players, Reyes will be their biggest signing to date. Reyes not only gets Under Armor a foot in the door, he kicks the door wide open in the mega-market of NY. I wouldn't be surprised to see print ads prominently displayed in Citi Field.

Carlos Beltran comes out swinging on Cole Hamels

Thanx to Bart Hubbuch of NY Post for capturing Beltran's arrival on video.

Here's an excerpt from Bart's article:

Beltran said of Hamels upon arriving in camp this morning. "The only thing that I know is that he will be watched every time he faces us and hopefully we kill him. And then he'll have to deal with the situation."

I may be going out on a limb here, I just don't think Carlos gives a flip about the Phillies. Somehow, the Phillies seem to get on the usually mile mannered, Beltran's nerves.


beltran0217 from Bart Hubbuch on Vimeo.


Courtesy of Bart Hubbuch on Vimeo.

Shea Stadium demolition view from Chopper 880

These photographs were taken by Tom Kaminski in Chopper 880 on Tuesday, 17Feb09. As you can see, there is not much left of Ole Shea. I would think a day or maybe two at best, before all that remains are several piles of debris.

Check out Tom's latest photos of Shea from Chopper 880 here.

Don't forget to check out the More Shea Stadium Demolition Footage as well as Shea Stadium labels on this site for photos of Shea in different stages of demolition.

Shea Stadium Demolition - Last Neon Section Comes Tumbling Down 16Feb09

A special thanx to the guyz at BaseBall-Fever.com for providing this excellent video of the latest Shea Stadium demolition work. By the looks of it, tomorrow may be the last day any part of the structure is left standing.

You will be treated to multiple views and angles of the last neon (pitcher) being demolished.

Citi Field most comprehensive construction slideshow - Updated 16Feb09

A tip of the cap to islandxtreme26, for the most up-to-date, comprehensive Citi Field slideshow available...Bar none!

After clicking the arrow, click on next located along the bottom and you're now ready to enjoy this amazin slideshow, courtesy of islandxtreme26.

I'm ready for the season to start! Let's Go Mets!!!




Citi Field 2-16-09

K-Rod, what's up with your eyes, Dude?

Dude, the red eyes are just a bit freaky!

K-Rod explained the red contacts act as a sun shield, therefore making his shades obsolete. K-rod states, "It's like you have sunglasses on," he said. "I don't like wearing glasses."

You can read Bart Hubbuch's article here.

To be honest with you, I don't care what you look like, just keep making the bat miss the ball and the Mets fandom will be happy.

Just one other thing, I nominate Thriller for K-Rod's entry music from the bull pen.

ESPN grading NY Mets a B+ for off season moves

Joe Sheehan gives the Mets a B+ for their off season moves. I can agree with that assessment, however I take exception to his projected win total.

Joe, 88 wins...Really! I may be splitting hairs with you here, but I see the Mets as picking up 90+ wins. By your own admission, the Mets have really upgraded their bull pen by adding K-Rod and JJ Putz...That's gotta a be at least 4-5 additional wins, over last year's total of 89.

Heck, the fact Willie Randolph is gone makes me want to adjust that total upwards.

NY Mets launch Online Citi Field Ticket Registration for Opening Day

Do you feel lucky...well do ya? If so, be sure to Register online, at Mets.com for your chance to pickup Citi Field opening day tickets.

Here are the details:

• Registration begins Tuesday, February 17 at 10 a.m. at Mets.com. The registration for the online random drawing will run through Tuesday, February 24, 11:59 PM.
• Opening day Monday, April 13 against the San Diego Padres at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.
• There is a limit of one entry per person.
• A limited number of fans will be selected in the online random drawing and will be notified via e-mail by Friday, February 27 with instructions regarding the online purchase of up to four (4) tickets.
  
• Tickets start at $27 each and must be purchased with a major credit card. Per ticket and per order fees will apply.

To view complete press release, click here.

Don't forget, you gotta be in it to win it!