SHOOT ME...

How much do I love Jose Reyes?!?!?!?!?

WELL, at least 7 ways...

GUT CHECK THURSDAY!

Okay, Mets...keep it going...I thought yesterday was do or die...but now I know that we need a STREAK...a HOT STREAK....HOTTER THAN DAVID WRIGHT STREAK...(okay, who am I kidding...but still)...I was so happy last night I almost said "I F*CKING LOVE YOU AARON HE...." ...so I throw out the gauntlet...MAKE ME FINISH THAT SENTENCE AARON!  TAKE BACK THAT GRAND SLAM AT NATIONALS PARK....Check out this picture....Wally and Mr. Met hanging out....first Buckner...now they love watching baseball at my house!

:-)

 

P.S. Tonight is Bill Maher night....with my Bulldog and my Milin!  Let the stalking ensue!

Really Cool Stat that I don't understand

but I'm stealing this from the ASTROS DUGOUT! Regardless, YES..LANCE BERKMAN- my shirt can NOT arrive fast enough-  I'm giddy with excitement about my Astros....Though, the record can reflect that I picked Hunter Pence as my Craig Biggio of the next twenty years last year...soo I will NOT claim that i have always loved Lance Berkman...for better or worse- I'm a HP fan!  (and of course, I'm always a fellow WEIR fan...I'm confident Roy will rock out the rest of the season!)

Here are the NL leaders in RCAA (in case yall curious)

1    Lance Berkman                45  
2    Chipper Jones                35  
3    Albert Pujols                30  
4    Ryan Ludwick                 27  
5    Dan Uggla                    26  
6    Nate McLouth                 23  
T7   Rafael Furcal                21  
T7   Chase Utley                  21  
T9   Pat Burrell                  19  
T9   Jason Bay                    19 

Now, here are the figures for the Astros (RCAA, then WS - and WS are divided between every single player who has played even 1 game on the ML team - total team WS = 81, including pitchers: 57 including only those players listed. Conclusion? Lance Berkman is freaking awesome.)

WWMMD- Defamation Suite

What Would Mr. Met Do? vs What would Milin M*h*a do?

The Situation: Roger Clemens upped the ante of his defamation lawsuit against a former trainer by accusing him in court papers Tuesday of intentionally inflicting emotional stress on Clemens. The former Astros pitcher added to his civil lawsuit against Brian McNamee while responding to a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Mr. Met:  Obviously, Roger Clemens is insane.  Emotional stress is having an 8 game losing streak, it's losing the NL East on the last day of the season, it's having a right fielder so passionate about the game that he is suffering from his second concussion in 3 months...THAT is emotional stress Mr. Clemens. 

Milin:  I'm sorry, what?  Emotional stress if having to leave Staci and Jennifer and the smoking hot waitress at Ozio to go on a date...Roger should spend a Friday night in my shoes...then he'll be tooooo happy and relaxed to worry about Emotional Stress.

 

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MR. MET AND M*L*N ARE IN NO WAY ACTUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THEM, BUT ARE PROJECTED RESPONSES COURTESY OF SWIRLYWAND AND HER EXPERIENCES WITH EACH

Baseball Reprieve- Sex and the City RETURNS

So, four long years ago, the end of Sex and the City left untold numbers of women (and men) hopeful that their Mr. Big would rescue them from their own personal Paris...now, with the conclusion just days away with the much anticipated movie premiere, it's hard not to start thinking about our own SATC update montage.  Four years later, Staci, left DC for the crazy campaign life of South Carolina where she left her democratic heart...returned to DC to try Nonprofit life...went home to MS in time for Katrina- came back determined to use her nonprofit prowess for good- and then worked for the worst organization imaginable to actually facilitate that good...Completely demoralized from working for "said organization" and realizing that they are really good at TALKING, but not actually doing anything...She busted out of nonprofit world for Corporate America- Day 28- so far so good.  Oh, and I've combined Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha in to a Bulldog and a Yiannis....and my Mr. Big has not rescued me from my own personal Paris...in fact...like clockwork...just when I'm happy..just when I stop tearing up on anniversaries, hearing our songs, etc...I get "THE TEXT"...oddly enough, Yiannis and I both experienced the same mysterious occurrence on the same night this past Saturday....as Y would say "do we have halos shining as far away as Turkey (good reference there Y!) that they can see??????!?!? So, it got me thinking...What if Mr. Big is more of a mysterious torture chamber and less of a knight in shining armour? 

      The truth is, I love having a Big...It's the self-imposed agony that puts me in the throngs of actual heartbreak.  My Mike has always been Big...Bigger than life, sweetest person on earth, loved me like family, loved me unconditionally...and then gave me the BIG freeze, the BIG silence, the BIG heartbreak...now, there is a BIG rift in our friendship...one put there by him...and he knows that.  I personally believe that he has to take me in small doses, otherwise he remembers what it was like when we were so happy, ,when we were best friends...and whatever else we were..it was for us to classify- not everyone else who liked to explain what we were or weren't.  We were happy- and we have had fleeting moments of happiness since "then"...but they never last too long, but they always last long enough to make me miserable when i'm the only one calling/texting. 

     When Candi Staton's "You got the Love" rounded out the series finale...I remember calling Yiannis in tears..I mean, HOW many times had he played that song after I was unusually tired or grumpy and giving him grief- I always would hear that and forget why I was being grumpy- run over to the DJ Booth and hug him...it was OUR song first...but okay, FINE..it's okay to be the song that left everyone in tears at the end of SATC.  Though bulldog is a self-declared, loather of SATC as most men are...(okay, FINE- I don't get it...I readily admit that I love ESPN), he is definately, my Miranda...Yiannis is definately my Samantha, and I'm not sure who my Charlotte is...but at the end of the day, my friends make all the BIg moments (BIG related or NOT) okay...I would say that I have stronger, more loving friends now than at any other time in my life....and that includes all my years doing club stuff.  And, when I run in to Sean and sweet Josh on a friday night on 17th street while sitting at a table with my new friends (G, My J, PST, and McMilin)...I'm reminded about how lucky I am to have so many years of life with these people. 

       Getting older doesn't stress me out like it should...I may be an old lady with a baseball package, but I'll never be an old lady with cats...In Carrie speak- Baseball is my Manolo Blahnik strappy sandals.  And I'll always have great friends to remind me that even if I'm not rescued by BIG, I'll be okay. 

ESPN- The Curse

UH-OH Spaghetti-Os....ESPN must think the Mets or Dodgers are gonna be worth watching on Sunday night baseball...which scares the heck out of me..

From Metsblog: In case you missed it, Sunday night's game at Shea Stadium between the Mets and Dodgers has been switched to an 8:05 pm start and will air on ESPN.

And this is why....I CAN NOT NOT HEART BASEBALL

Okay, so back by popular demand...my morning baseball email returns! (Okay, I was just didn't want Milin to miss it toooo much)...THESE ARE GREAT STATS FOR MY NO LONGER LASTROS!  While sitting in the cell phone lot at the airport where WFAN comes in CLEAR AS A BELL...I was cringing thru every METS pitch and at-bat...but my new bff, my blackberry kept showing me NOTHING BUT LOVE as my Astros jumped out in the 1st inning and never looked back against the HATED CARDINALS!  I think it's safe to say that Mets fans hate the cardinals as much as cubs and astros fans...they are universally loathed...though I'm told they are also universally loved as they are one of the original baseball wonderlands for baseball purists...ANYWHOOOOOO....

Tip of the hat to Ed Wade.

No sweat. The Astros jump Braden Looper for four first-inning runs, get seven solid innings from Shawn Chacon and tie the Cardinals for second place in the National League Central. The Astros have won 24 of 35 since that 6-12 start and are 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs.

"They played well. We didn't. It wasn't much of a game," Tony La Russa said. "We just came off a road trip where we played really well in six games. The road trip didn't help us. It wasn't very competitive.''

They got a huge night from the middle of the order. Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman and Miguel Tejada were on base 10 times in all. Pence had a 5 for 5 night, and Tjeada, Lee and Pence drove in two runs apiece.

The Astros scored four in the top of the first inning, then Chacon need a nice job holding the Cardinals off until the Astros broke it open in the fifth. A solid night all-around.

"I think we've done awfully well, considering ..." said Astros manager Cecil Cooper.

WWMMD

What would Mr. Met do?

  See...Mr. Met looks retarded all FROWNY and TEARY EYED...yet, what is Mr. Met supposed to do?  The Mets can't take him on the road to cheer them up..and at home, even his head isnt' big enough to shield the hometeam from themselves...BUT, I have to believe thatt somewhere, Mr. Met, Steve Somers, Ralph Kiner, the Sign GUY, and Cowbell Man...are still doing their same METS LOVIN'...without fail.  I really need some happy METS times this summer...heck, even this weekend...I'm tired of spending time with Bulldog avoiding baseball news, or debating what the problems are...WE EVEN RESORTED TO REWATCHING ENDY CHAVEZ's great catch in the 06 NLCS just to have something to bring back warm fuzzies.  Even though it's only been a couple of years, I feel like I can't remember NOT loving the METS...I'm not even sure I remember much of what Bulldog and I used to look forward to EVERY day during the summer..I certainly don't remember how we filled up thousands of hours in car time if we weren't talking about the METS....and for the life of me, I can't remember a time when during the JETS games drive home, we didn't listen to baseball...though, obviously, I know there was a time before XM radio- it's just that this is engraved in my psyche now.  I'm a Mets fan and I caught that hook, line, and sinker- I feel like I'm suffering..even watching my astros go crazy BEZERK this month only half tames my anxiety about this season...

Last September, there was an end in sight...an end that we (well, I was not as optimistic as many- I was screaming doomsday on 9/15) didn't know would be so bad was looming...a deadline, a finale.  So, the 2 weeks of ridiculousity that ensued was met with a palpable end...at the very MOST, we knew it would be a rough October with the series...but that was nothing like this.  THIS is May 23...this is potentially a trainwreck/devolution with an end no where on the horizon...the looooongest summer ever maybe?  I believe if I were a baseball player, that the mere thought of having those last two weeks in September extend through the rest of a season with 4 more months to go, would nag at me until I was yapping at the media, losing patience at the plate, and succumbing to exhaustion.  I do not believe the METS, WILPON, WILLIE, etc are trying to torture METS fans...I do not believe that they are OVER RATED- can they play overrated? ABSOLUTELY, but they are not un-skilled, un-talented players.  I can't imagine the pressure...what do they talk about when they are losing on those long flights?  I can't imagine it's a great place to work right now- I know what it's like to work in a #)*$# environment...when everything was so miserable, that misery begat misery.  Every little mistake or error felt like a fireable offense...and having just a little reprieve with laughing or goofing off was seen as being totally unprofessional.  Misery was better than sanity. 

So, summer officially kicks off this weekend... I hope it is the beginning of great rebirths by the METS...and of course, continued success for the Astros (need I be redundent by saying- taking 3 of 4 from the Phillies would be perfect!)

 

WWMMD

What would Mr. Met do?

  See...Mr. Met looks retarded all FROWNY and TEARY EYED...yet, what is Mr. Met supposed to do?  The Mets can't take him on the road to cheer them up..and at home, even his head isnt' big enough to shield the hometeam from themselves...BUT, I have to believe thatt somewhere, Mr. Met, Steve Somers, Ralph Kiner, the Sign GUY, and Cowbell Man...are still doing their same METS LOVIN'...without fail.  I really need some happy METS times this summer...heck, even this weekend...I'm tired of spending time with Bulldog avoiding baseball news, or debating what the problems are...WE EVEN RESORTED TO REWATCHING ENDY CHAVEZ's great catch in the 06 NLCS just to have something to bring back warm fuzzies.  Even though it's only been a couple of years, I feel like I can't remember NOT loving the METS...I'm not even sure I remember much of what Bulldog and I used to look forward to EVERY day during the summer..I certainly don't remember how we filled up thousands of hours in car time if we weren't talking about the METS....and for the life of me, I can't remember a time when during the JETS games drive home, we didn't listen to baseball...though, obviously, I know there was a time before XM radio- it's just that this is engraved in my psyche now.  I'm a Mets fan and I caught that hook, line, and sinker- I feel like I'm suffering..even watching my astros go crazy BEZERK this month only half tames my anxiety about this season...

Last September, there was an end in sight...an end that we (well, I was not as optimistic as many- I was screaming doomsday on 9/15) didn't know would be so bad was looming...a deadline, a finale.  So, the 2 weeks of ridiculousity that ensued was met with a palpable end...at the very MOST, we knew it would be a rough October with the series...but that was nothing like this.  THIS is May 23...this is potentially a trainwreck/devolution with an end no where on the horizon...the looooongest summer ever maybe?  I believe if I were a baseball player, that the mere thought of having those last two weeks in September extend through the rest of a season with 4 more months to go, would nag at me until I was yapping at the media, losing patience at the plate, and succumbing to exhaustion.  I do not believe the METS, WILPON, WILLIE, etc are trying to torture METS fans...I do not believe that they are OVER RATED- can they play overrated? ABSOLUTELY, but they are not un-skilled, un-talented players.  I can't imagine the pressure...what do they talk about when they are losing on those long flights?  I can't imagine it's a great place to work right now- I know what it's like to work in a #)*$# environment...when everything was so miserable, that misery begat misery.  Every little mistake or error felt like a fireable offense...and having just a little reprieve with laughing or goofing off was seen as being totally unprofessional.  Misery was better than sanity. 

So, summer officially kicks off this weekend... I hope it is the beginning of great rebirths by the METS...and of course, continued success for the Astros (need I be redundent by saying- taking 3 of 4 from the Phillies would be perfect!)

 

Keith Olbermann, You are MY HERO

Well, if I were able to say it as well as Keith, I would sleep soundly at night...I think... :-)

WOW- I think this is the perfect "required viewing" for

Hearts for David Wright!

David Wright, as quoted by Marty Noble on MLB.com, speaking after last night's game…

"I can accept losing.  Not easily, but every team loses here and there.  But to go out and give the effort we're giving, to go out and lose without a fight…I just don't think we have the fire I would hope we'd have. 

The problem isn't (with the coaches or manager), the problem is with us, in here…I want (my teammates) to take it personally when we lose.  I want them to be ticked off…If it was a matter of talent, it'd be different.  If we just weren't any good, I could put my head on the pillow at night and sleep.  But to got through the motions every night…Talking about it doesn't get it done."

According to Noble, Wright was the only player left in the locker room when these comments were made.

An Open Letter to All the Angry Mets Fans!

We don't love them because it's easy...any day of the week, the METS are still OUR TEAM...hating on them, and freaking out,and writing nasty things about our TEAM is not helping...OTHER TEAMS boo our METS, we shouldn't be doing the same...OTHER TEAM'S WRITERS crack at our METS...do we really have to do the same thing?  I'm not advocating living in la la land or not being honest in assessments, feelings, or rantings...but think about how all our negative energy is just sinking the ship...Our fabulous orange and blue team is suffocating from one bad slump after another, and they have NO where to look for support...So, please, LOVE A NY MET TODAY! Make the world a better place!

The BIGgio'est Heart of all!

Well, my favorite player of all time continues to make me very proud...and p.s. WHY CAN'T I BE ALYSON FOOTER!??!?!?!

 

Biggio brings his team to ballpark

05/20/2008 8:45 PM ET

By Alyson Footer / MLB.com

HOUSTON -- Craig Biggio gave himself four days off from the day he retired from baseball to when he began coaching football at St. Thomas High School. Ask him if he misses playing, and he'll shake his head and say, "no time."

Since playing his final game for the Astros last September, Biggio has thrown himself into the high school ranks. First, he helped coach the football team, which he followed with a stint as a volunteer assistant coach for the baseball team. On Tuesday, he was named head baseball coach, replacing Ken Schulte, who recently resigned.

"When [Schulte] decided to resign, I never thought about [coaching]," Biggio said. "But then I thought, 'I'm there every day. I like the coaching staff. The kids like them. It's not going to impose on anything.'"

Biggio has responsibilities as a special assistant to Astros general manager Ed Wade, including helping out at the Elite Hitting Camp in January as well as putting in time as a Spring Training instructor. Biggio plans to spend time in Kissimmee, Fla., next year when St. Thomas is on spring break, and he'll probably bring the baseball team with him.

"They'll play some games. They can see how the professionals do it, see how they get ready [and] see how the Minor League kids do it," Biggio said. "It's kind of a win-win situation for everybody."

Biggio won't be making a salary as St. Thomas's head coach. He'll receive a stipend, which he plans to give back to the program, possibly in the form of extra salaries for the coaching staff as well as much-needed baseball equipment for the players.

"I won't collect a dime, trust me," Biggio said. "It's all good. I remember what it was like when I was growing up as a kid, and I remember how hard my coaches worked. Now I'm a little older, and you realize what they get paid, which is nothing. Any little bit extra I can give back to them, that's what it's all about. [If] you get good coaches in high school, they're hard to find, so you want to hold onto them."

A few hours after he officially was introduced as the school's new head coach, Biggio escorted the players and coaches to Minute Maid Park, where they were honored for winning back-to-back TAPPS 6A State Championships.

Life as a high school coach couldn't be more different from his 20-year run in the big leagues. First-class accommodations are unheard of, and field maintenance is the responsibility of the team.

"I had blisters all over my hands because I had to hand-rake the field. Because if I didn't, they weren't going to get a practice in before they went to state," Biggio said proudly. "The field doesn't drain really well. We don't have a tarp. But, we're getting a tarp. It's all good."

As a player, Biggio knew only one speed -- full-speed. So it should come as no surprise that he gave himself less than a week of retired life before he returned to the work force.

"I've been too busy to actually slow down," he said. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't have anything to do. Coaching these kids has been fun.

"I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. It's been great. You talk about the game, you teach the game -- teach life."

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Reason #4972 why the Yankees not only SUCK, but are a waste of space

Well kids...Let me just say that if the Astros or Mets ever need to pass around pretty panties to break out of a slump, I hope it never gets published... I wonder who is going to sponsor the faux gold thongs when the Yankees play the METS next...I would LOVE to see tons of fans waving them...oh wait...maybe not...hmmm...or maybe...LOL...

Jason Giambi and his magic gold thong

BY MARK FEINSAND, CHRISTINA BOYLE and CORKY SIEMASZKO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Saturday, May 17th 2008, 8:56 PM

Daily News

Johnny Damon looked very pleased after the Daily News presented the Yanks with new thongs on Friday. 'I will definitely wear it if I can,' he said.

Cataffo/News

Jason Giambi wears a gold thong when he's trying to break out of a slump.

The key to turning the Yankees season around could be under Jason Giambi's pinstriped pants.

The Yankee slugger revealed Friday he slips on a gold lamé thong with a flame-line waistband when he's trying to get out of a hitting slump - and he's shared it with his teammates.

"It works every time," Giambi told the Daily News after his secret was outed on Portfolio.com.

Derek Jeter agreed that Giambi's thong works, although "it's so uncomfortable running around the bases."

"I had it over my shorts and stuff," he said. "I was 0-for-32 and I hit a homer on the first pitch. That's the only time I've ever worn it."

Johnny Damon also admitted donning the golden panties "probably three times."

"I may need to wear it again soon," said Damon, who is batting a mediocre .255.

What is the secret of Giambi's golden thong?

"You're not worrying about your hands or your balance at the plate," Damon said. "You're worried about the uncomfortable feeling you're receiving."

In the earlier interview with Portfolio.com, Giambi claimed he also hung his thong in the lockers of teammates Bernie Williams, Robin Ventura and Robinson Cano when they had trouble generating runs.

"I only put it on when I'm desperate to get out of a big slump," Giambi said.

The News showed its support for the sagging Yankees by delivering 26 golden thongs to the clubhouse - one for every player on the team and manager Joe Girardi.

Damon accepted his with a smile, saying, "I will definitely wear it if I can."

The Yanks need something - they scored just six runs so far this week and are mired in the cellar despite having the biggest payroll in baseball.

Giambi - whose 2008 salary, $23.4 million, is the second highest in the majors - is struggling. He's hitting .181 with 7 homers and just 20 RBI.

While Giambi's silky secret may come as a shock to his fans, it wasn't news to his teammates.

"Whoever is on slumps, puts it on," catcher Jorge Posada admitted yesterday. "I don't know if it works. I haven't worn it yet."

Posada added that "a lot of players have worn it," but he didn't name names. Asked if the thong got washed between wearings, he gave a cringe-worthy answer. "Ask Jason," said Posada. "Jason is a little strange."

Yankee outfielder Bobby Abreu recoiled and threw his arms up in the air when a reporter waved a variation of Giambi's shiny underwear in his face.

"I don't know anything about that," Abreu insisted, though his bulging eyes said otherwise.

The question that appeared to get Abreu's boxers in a bunch made Mets catcher Brian Schneider chuckle before last night's Subway Series opener was rained out.

--
"Amazing how life reveals its secret meanings to you over time, after they have steeped inside of you for a while. And like any good sweet tea, an appropriate amount of steeping is required, and that cannot be hurried." ~ Chris Wren

Don't take my word for it...

 

Astros showing they have staying power in NL Central

By Mike Castiglione, Contributing MLB Editor

Houston Astros Team Report

(Sports Network) - The 40-game mark is usually a decent barometer in terms of gauging which teams are for real, and which teams genuinely have some problems.

And after six weeks of play -- or the first quarter of the season -- the Houston Astros are proving that they are, indeed, for real. Who would've thought a team that started out 6-12 could climb to such status so quickly?

Houston has really hit its stride in May, posting an 11-2 record in the month. In doing so, the Astros (24-18) have pulled themselves from the bottom of the standings to second place in the National League Central, just 1 1/2 games back of the Chicago Cubs.

The Astros just wrapped up their seven-game road trip with a convincing 6-1 record. But how, exactly, has this team that was given so little of a chance at the outset of the season pulling it off?

"It's pretty special," infielder Mark Loretta said. "I've always been asked about team chemistry and what it is. A lot of people say team chemistry is as good as the next starting pitcher. But that's usually from people that don't have team chemistry.

"I really feel this team chemistry is as good as I've ever seen. You just feel everybody pulling for each other, mixing young guys, older guys. It's just a real cohesive unit."

Houston kicked off its road swing in Los Angeles last weekend in high fashion, with Lance Berkman and company supplying the offense for a 7-1 win. Brian Moehler was the beneficiary of the run support, though he pitched five shutout innings to notch his first win.

Chris Sampson followed that with another strong pitching performance in Saturday's 5-0 win, tossing seven innings of shutout ball, while scattering just three hits. The next day, the Astros used a six-run eighth inning to rally back for an 8-5 win and complete the sweep of the Dodgers.

And there was plenty more offense to go around during the four-game set against the Giants that just wrapped up Thursday. Berkman singled, doubled and homered to ignite his teammates in a 7-3 win to open the series on Monday.

The only setback came during Tuesday's 4-2 loss, as the Astros could only manage seven hits in the game after falling behind, 3-0, in the first inning. But they responded in triumphant fashion for the final two games of the set.

Houston pulled out a 6-3 win on Wednesday, thanks to a tie-breaking single by Miguel Tejada in the seventh, and another two-run homer by Berkman. On Thursday, Houston overcame a six-run deficit to notch an 8-7 win. Darin Erstad tied it with a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth, while Berkman (who else?) ended it by putting one into McCovey Cove in the ninth.

"This is amazing," manager Cecil Cooper said. "I'm just hanging along for the ride. It's amazing. They just keep doing it, keep playing at the end, they don't quit. They get down and keep going. I don't know how to explain it."

Thursday's comeback victory was the team's 13th this season, and it was the largest comeback in eight years. There is definitely something special going on in Houston right now, and more and more people are starting to notice with each victory.

BERKMAN, TEJADA CARRYING THE OFFENSE

Without Tejada and Berkman, it would be tough to say where they Astros would be right now. Tejada is hitting .343 on the season, while Berkman totes a .391 batting average.

During the seven-game road trip, Tejada hit .385 (10-for-26) with six RBI. Berkman was just as ridiculous, hitting .500 (13-for-26) with three doubles, four homers, 10 RBI and nine runs scored. He had a slugging average of 1.077 and an on-base percentage of .581. Again, just ridiculous.

In addition to belting the go-ahead homer on Thursday, Berkman extended his hit streak to 14 games. He ranks among the league leaders in virtually all of the significant offensive categories, as he is second in batting average, first in home runs (15) and second in RBI (43). With each passing day, the MVP whispers are increasing in volume.

"I'd love to win the MVP," he said on the team's website. "There's so many guys; as long as Albert Pujols is in the league, you're behind the eight-ball. To me, he's the best in the game.

"You'd have to do something really, really special and catch him kind of like a year he had last year. He's not likely to do it again and even last year he could have won the MVP. I'd love to win it but I don't know if it's possible."

WHO'S HOT

Berkman and Tejada will remain on this list until further notice.

WHO'S NOT

Michael Bourn is just not getting it done at the top of the order. Sure, he has speed and each time he gets on base it's essentially as good as a double. But he rarely gets on base, and has just three hits in his last 27 at-bats. His on-base percentage during that span is just .138.

A LOOK AHEAD

Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.53) takes the hill tonight against Sidney Ponson (2-0, 3.16) and the Rangers. On Saturday it will be Roy Oswalt (4-3, 5.05) squaring off with Vicente Padilla (5-2, 3.23). Sunday's contest will feature Houston's Brandon Backe (2-5, 4.62) against Rangers starter Kason Gabbard (1-0, 2.12).

The Astros then return to Houston for a homestand against Chicago starting Monday.

05/16 11:42:11 ET

---

Fire & Ice

Well, yesterday....the ASTROS came back from 6-0 to win on a Lance Berkman GW homerun (hold on, let me look surprisedI)....HAPPY HAPPY TIMES...I was astounded to realize the Astros have the 4th best record in baseball right now...it's truly great for us lifers!

 

On the LITERAL other side of the USA...my Mets continue their struggle to play mediocre ball...congrats to Pelfrey who threw a no-no in to the 7th inning...In a way, it's nice to see the METS hold any team to 1 run...but COME ON...not one run from the METS?!?!?  And, P.S. I love Billy Wagner for speaking his mind...I feel sometimes like without a firecracker on the team, there is NO ONE making the guys accountable...I was disturbed to find that no one stayed around...it's like some players are really just taking this a JOB...Apparently, Beltran, Castillo, and David all stayed afterwards, but who can blame Billy Wagner for being PISSED...I'm happy to see some fire...I wish Willie would show some emotion...anything...I want HELMETS thrown...I want PLAYERS SCREAMING IN DISGUST...and honestly, I want FANS CHEERING, NOT BOOING...So, I'm starting.."STACI'S POSITIVE THOUGHT OF THE DAY" to will the Metsies to the same good fortune my Astros are enjoying.

 

Today's wisdom-  It's the YANKEES...it's the SUBWAY series...THIS is where you will get boo'd so loudly, you will want to vomit Yankee terds...THIS is where you become heroes of the BIG APPLE and HEROES OF MY HEART...Even RedSox fans will cheer for you tonight.  GET IT DONE SANTANA!  Not because the METS paid you 20 MILLION...but because you are the gentleman pitcher who lets his arm do the talking...and because WE HEART YOU. 

 

 

Being a METS fan on the hard days

So, while I am perfectly suited to love a team that REALLY PUTS ME THROUGH IT hardcore...I wore MSU stuff growing up all the time- and this was during the Rockey Felker years.  I am a firm believer in loving your teams even when it's hard...when they make you almost throw up, when they break your heart, or when they are ooooh so close.  While I am enjoying the Astros resurgence in the NL Central...I'm worried that they may not get to meet my NY Mets in the playoffs if the Mets can't get it together on the mound and beyond.  Of course, if either team makes it, I'll be thrilled.  This is, btw, the quarter mark of the season...and it's nice to not be completely stuck in an irreversible slump with either team. 

 

Granted, I may have been out late last night celebrating PaulScott's birthday with friends, but I still wanted to stomp my feet and yell at somebody for the Nationals taking 2 of 3 from the METS (with a final 4th game this afternoon)...it's embarrassing...and AT SHEA...I am dumbfounded by the talent on the team and their inability to be hot at the same time.  Thank goodness they got Brian Schneider and Ryan Church (ironically enough- FROM THE NATS! lol).  So, this morning, I was gathering up my things for work, and there it was...my fabulous new david wright jersey tote bag that I treated myself to when I got my new job...just staring at me.  Yesterday, 2 people commented on it in the elevator at SB..."oh, that's a great bag on a day like today- great game last night..."...So, I wondered if I didn't use it today, was I somehow LESS of a METS fan...and so, I gave myself the "we don't love 'em because it's easy" pep talk...and proudly walked outside, to the metro with David Wright over my shoulder.  So, the moral of the story is that YES, it's easy to wear your team's pride when they are winning...when they are living up to some crazy expectations...but it is when they are driving you nuts, that your inner fan shines the brightest.  SO, METS FANS...NO MORE BOOING...NO MORE BASHING...LET'S GO METS! (And Astros...I may need to marry lance berkman btw)...NO REALLY!  :-)

 

Happy Thursday all!

GOP, Incumbent's endorsed Favorite, LOTT, CHENEY- LOSE....

Mississippi has FINALLY become the state that it should have been all along...people are no longer buying in to the GOP rhetoric...their superstars can go down to MS all they want..and YET, we have a BRAND SPANKIN NEW CONGRESSMAN from Roger Wicker's district....Welcome to Washington Congressman Childers!  Now, what does this say that on a night when Hilary is fighting for her right to represent the DEMOCRATIC PARTY in the fall....that it was hard for me to find results coming in from the district that HAS NEVER BEEN A SWING DISTRICT IN MISSISSIPPI- Sooooooooo I'm throwing this out...Childers' - a democrat who did not run from association with Obama or Hillary (as many democrats in the past have done- TRUST ME- anyone remember when Jesse Jackson came to Jackson in 99...Amy Tuck still went...it was a bright shining moment of that campaign...ahhh memories)- WON BY 8 points?!?!? 

 

I recieved the text from Jason at 11:05 pm....I was already elated that the METS finally got it together against the NATS....and then...a SUDDEN BURST OF happiness....though I wasn't really even thinking of the implications like NOW the DNC may keep funding our state party....the PEOPLE IN THE FIRST DISTRICT which I lived in for a good chunck of my life until the 2000 census and redistricting....will finally get some attention they need...I'm sooo soooo happy for my state...and for AMERICA!

 

Okay, class...that completes today's public service announcement. 

 

Oh, wait- one more- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULSCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!  PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST. 

Congratulations ROY O!

First of all- WAY TO GO ASTROS! Rocking out for my favorite Astro- Roy O....I have to say that I was worried with the Nationals having a hitting streak the past 10 games, that they might have given the Astros a hard time...and then, how could I forget- LANCE BERKMAN-  if I didn't have 12 baseball husbands, I would totally add him...but alas, I was just so relieved to see Roy have a killer night...9ks, 3 ER...It seems like he has his strikezone and his groove back.  Plus, the cubs have hit a rough spell, so maybe this evening out of the NL Central will allow the Astros to be on schedule for another great post-April comeback. 

 

THIS JUST IN:  my faux love affair with Paul LoDuca is NOW officially over.  It's one thing to be spirited and vocal and passionate (even a little hot tempered)...but it is another to go after the home team's fans when it's YOUR FAULT that you couldn't rock a Roy Oswalt fastball...fouled it on to your own leg...Don't point at my fellow Astros fans as you angrily stomp in to the dugout! I'm over you.  Sniff.  I should have listened to Bulldog all along...there was no reason to keep hearting you after the METS let you go. 

 

LET'S GO METS!  I only saw the highlights last night...but Angel Pagan- YOU ARE ROCKING MY WORLD!  I was relieved there was no injury on that great catch in to the 1st baseline seats...but WARNING TO THE GUY WITH THE BABY IN ONE HAND, and A MIT IN THE OTHER!??!  If California treats folks equally under the law and they went after Britney for child endangerment, I suspect that hanging your baby OVER the front row in the outfield seats with ONE HAND....while a fast moving hard ball is coming DIRECTLY TOWARDS YOU...is also endangering your child.  No harm. no Foul...well, maybe.  Now, if the mets could spread those 12 runs over a few different games...the FREAKING PHILLIES!

 

 

Convention OVER!

I survived baptism by fire, building the airplane while flying it, etc...Heading back to DC tomorrow! Where I plan to drown myself in baseball!