Mets rained out tonight. Makeup will be July 2, 12:35 PM. When we finish this series Thursday afternoon, it will be without Nate McLouth anywhere in sight. Adam Rubin reports [1] he's been traded to Atlanta.
Emil Brown replaces Ramon Martinez in a roster move that is sure to set my partner's heart aflutter. Reyes set back at least a few days in extended spring training, which can't possibly be good news in Met medical lingo, but at least it's not the same as Mike Francesa's forecast of Jose missing the next hundred or so series (apologies for listening to Mike Francesa, even incidentally). And could anything be more depressing in baseball terms than “extended spring training”? We all agree actual Spring Training goes on far too long. Imagine it never ending.
Good luck to Randy Johnson in his quest for No. 300 tonight in Washington. Randy Johnson went 5-0 in the 1995 ALDS and 2001 World Series combined, delaying a dynasty on one end and dismissing it on the other. Plus we kicked his very tall ass whenever it really mattered, so we're square.
Not every winner of 299 or more games who is technically active has an appointment to pitch. Our old buddy [2] whose name I don't feel like spewing has been released by the Braves. Nothing worth gloating over. I admire how pitchers never seem to give up. That's why the whole Clemens farewell tour was so bogus. Not a single pitcher of any stature has ever hung 'em up in advance the way he claimed he was going to in 2003. Even Mike Mussina, who walked away without fanfare, didn't announce it beforehand. He won his 20th for the first time, figured he was good, and he gracefully exited the stage. Every other pitcher who pitched a long time hung in and hung on as long as he could until a matter of health or ability did him in. Kudos for their kind, no matter how badly they may flail toward the end (remember Steve Carlton suddenly talking to reporters?). It's their life and livelihood. It must be difficult to put it away for good. Not that I'm particularly rooting for the former and eternal Brave lefty to make a big comeback. He's six wins shy of Tom Seaver and I'd like him to stay there.
Non-baseball recommendation as long as SNY is likely to ply us with Beer Money: Part II of NBC's behind-the-scenes look at the White House at 9:00. I slipped into Part I it as the Mets were going down to quiet defeat last night and it was way better than the game.