Built from Within: A New York Mets dynasty

[AnAmazin06]

maybe you should give some screenshots. it is the playoffs, after all.

The games are played in manager mode. You can tell because each pitchers pitch count is 0.

Anyway, those are some crazy Regular Season numbers. Reyes with 120 steals? Do you attempt to steal every time he reaches base? Anyway, Good Luck in the rest of the playoffs :D

[tejdog1]

Game 8 (4 LCS) Mets @ Cardinals

Brian Bannister (1-0, 0.00) vs Mark Mulder (1-0, 1.23)

With a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Mets decided to not have Pedro going on 3 days rest, instead opting to go with rookie righty Brian Bannister. Joe Hieptas also got the nod at catcher, giving Paul Lo Duca the game off.

Aaron Miles singled to lead off the St. Louis first, advanced to 2nd on Albert Pujols' 1 out grounder, and scored on Jim Edmonds single, giving St. Louis a 1-0 lead.

Jeff Keppinger doubled to lead off the 3rd for NY, Banny reached on a one out error by Mulder, and after a Jose Reyes grounder advanced them to 2nd and 3rd, Lastings Milledge doubled them in, giving NY a 2-1 lead.

John Rodriguez led off the 5th with a homer, tying the game at 2.

The Mets retook the lead with a run in the 7th. Victor Diaz doubled to lead off, advanced to third on Carlos Delgado's grounder, and scored on Jeff Keppinger's grounder, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead. Banny worked 7 terrific innings, and left for a pinch hitter leading off the 8th.

Billy Wagner came in for the bottom of the 8th, and worked 2 scoreless innings for his 3rd save, and the Mets swept away the Cardinals, 3 to 2 in Game 4.

[tejdog1]

maybe you should give some screenshots. it is the playoffs, after all.

Well, I don't play the games, I just manage them. So screenshots would really be worthless, you know?

[tejdog1]

The games are played in manager mode. You can tell because each pitchers pitch count is 0.

Anyway, those are some crazy Regular Season numbers. Reyes with 120 steals? Do you attempt to steal every time he reaches base? Anyway, Good Luck in the rest of the playoffs

Of course I do What's the point of 99 speed if you don't use it? Alot. I tried it with Kepp, but that wasn't working out, so I throttled down with him. Once I moved Milledge up to the 2 hole, my first 3 hitters all had 90+ speed.

[tejdog1]

Game 9 (1 WS) Mets @ Athletics

Pedro Martinez (1-0, 2.57) vs Danny Haren (1-0, 3.86)

The Mets opened the scoring with a 3 run outburst in the opening inning. Jose Reyes walked to lead off, stole second, and scored on Carlos Beltran's 1 out single. Beltran then stole second, and scored on David Wright's double. Carlos Delgado followed with an RBI single, plating Wright and giving Pedro a 3 run cushion.

Paul Lo Duca led off the 2nd with a triple, and scored on Reyes' double, opening up a 4 run lead.

Jason Kendall tripled with one down in the 3th, and scored on Mark Kotsay's single, cutting the Met lead to 3, 4-1.

Lastings Milledge hit his first career World Series homer with 2 out and no one on in the 4th, extending back to a 4 run lead. Delgado walked with one down in the 5th, Victor Diaz followed with a single, and Jeff Keppinger tripled them home, chasing Haren and giving the Mets a 6 run lead.

Pedro went 6 solid innings, and Jonathan Broxton came in for the 7th. Brox worked 3 1 hit innings, picking up his 2nd save, and the Mets won it comfortably, 7-1.

[AnAmazin06]

Alright, Excellent Start!!!

1 Down, 3 to go!

[tejdog1]

Game 10 (2 WS): Mets @ Athletics

Tom Glavine (1-0, 2.77) vs Rich Harden (0-2, 1.80)

Jose Reyes singled to lead off the game, stole 2 bases, and scored on Carlos Beltran's 1 out sac fly, giving NY an instant 1-0 lead.

Carlos Delgado homered to lead off the 2nd, making it 2-0, NY. Victor Diaz followed with a single, Jeff Keppinger singled with one down, and Paul Lo Duca singled Diaz home, extending to a 3 run lead.

Nick Swisher walked with one down in the bottom of the 2nd, Dan Johnson singled him to second, and Bobby Crosby singled him in, cutting the Met lead to 2, at 3-1.

The A's took the lead with a 3 run 5th. Dan Johnson singled to lead off, Crosby walked, and Milton Bradley doubled one home. Jason Kendall followed with a 2 run single, capping the scoring. Glavine settled down and finished out the inning, but the As had a 4-3 lead.

The Mets tied it in the top of the 6th. Jeff Keppinger and Paul Lo Duca drew one out walks, and Reyes singled home Kepp, tying the game at 4. Mike Pelfrey came in for the bottom of the 6th.

However, Pelfrey struggled for the first time in the postseason, allowing a single to Swisher and a 2 run homer to Johnson, with one down, giving Oakland a 6-4 lead.

The Mets tied it in the top of the 7th. With two down, Carlos Delgado singled, Victor Diaz walked, and Endy Chavez singled to load the bases. Jeff Keppinger singled to drive in a pair, tying the game at 6.

Pelfrey, though, was under the gun again in the 7th. Mark Kotsay walked to lead off the inning, and Edwin Encarnacion singled him to third, ending the rookie righty's rough outing. Scott Kazmir came in and escaped the major trouble, allowing a run on a 1 out Eric Chavez grounder. So going to the 8th, the Mets trailed, 7 to 6.

The Mets ran themselves to a lead in the 8th. Jose Reyes singled, stole 2 bases, and scored on Lastings Milledge's grounder. Carlos Beltran reached on an error by Nick Swisher, stole 2 bases, and scored on David Wright's single, giving NY an 8-7 lead.

Kazmir allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the 8th, and that's when Tejesh summoned Billy Wagner to come in. Wagner induced a double play, and escaped the inning with the Mets lead in tact.

Wagner escaped 1st and 3rd, 1 out trouble in the 9th, giving the Mets a wild, topsy turvy 8-7 victory, and a 2-0 series lead heading back to Shea.

"This was a key victory for us, we stole home field with the win in Game 1, and we extended the advantage here. That's very important." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Game 11 (3 WS) Athletics @ Mets

Barry Zito (0-0, 3.86) vs Aaron Heilman (0-0, 6.30)

Mark Kotsay doubled with one down in the first, and scored on Eric Chavez' 2 out single, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead, in what for them, is a must win game.

The Mets came right back with a 3 run bottom of the first, taking the lead. Jose Reyes and Lastings Milledge led off with back to back doubles, tying the game at 1. Carlos Beltran walked, and with one down, Victor Diaz walked to load the bases. Carlos Delgado's sac fly scored Milledge, giving NY the lead. Dan Johnson's error on a Jeff Keppinger grounder scored Beltran, making it 3-1, NY.

Jason Kendall singled to lead off the 3rd, Mark Kotsay walked, and Eric Chavez belted a 3 run homer, putting Oakland back out in front, 4 to 3.

The Mets stormed back with a 4 run bottom of the 3rd, retaking the lead. Carlos Beltran walked to lead off, and scored on Diaz' one out double, tying the game at 4. Delgado walked, and Kepp singled to load the bases. Paul Lo Duca walked to force in a run, Heilman squeezed home another, and Reyes singled in one, giving NY a 7 to 4 lead after 3.

Oakland came right back with 2 in the 4th, climbing back to within one. Milton Bradley walked with one down, stole second, and scored on Esteban Loiaza's single. Kendall singled, Kotsay was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, and ending Heilman's shaky outing. Brian Bannister came in and allowed a 2 out single to Chavez, plating another and making the score 7 to 6.

Carlos Delgado's 2 out solo shot in the bottom of the 4th gave NY a 2 run cushion, but the As tied it in the 5th. Johnson singled to lead off, Bradley walked with one down, and after a bunt advanced them, Kendall delievered a 2 run game tying double, tying the game at 8 apiece.

Jonathan Broxton came into the insanity for the 6th, and actually managed to throw up a 0. The Mets scored a pair in the bottom of the inning, taking the lead yet again. Milledge singled, stole 2 bases, and scored on Beltran's double. Wright singled Beltran home, giving NY a 10-8 lead.

Brox worked into 7th inning trouble, and Mike Pelfrey came in and bailed him out.

"This is utter nonsense. I'm going to end up using 7 pitchers in a (hopefully) 9 inning game!" Tejesh exclaimed in between innings.

Octavo Dotel came in and pitched a scoreless 8th, and the Mets added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Carlos Beltran singled to lead off, stole second, and scored on Carlos Delgado's 2 out single, giving Billy Wagner an 11-8 lead to work with.

Wagner pitched a scoreless 9th, and the Mets had themselves a slugfest 11-8 victory, and a commanding 3-0 series lead.

[tejdog1]

Game 12 (4 WS) Athletics @ Mets

Danny Haren (1-1, 6.27) vs Pedro Martinez (2-0, 2.25)

The Mets look for the 2nd straight World Series sweep, and a playoff 10 game winning streaking, in a rematch of Game 1 starters.

The As, with their back against the walls, broke up a scoreless tie in the 6th, pushing a pair across the plate. Mark Kotsay singled to lead off, and Edwin Encarnacion walked to put the first two on. Nick Swisher doubled one home, and Dan Johnson's grounder scored the other, putting Oakland on top, 2-0.

Pedro went 7 strong innings, and was replaced by Henry Owens for the 8th. Owens pitched 2 scoreless innings, but Danny Haren was the star of the game, silencing the high powered Mets offense, to the tune of a complete game 5 hit shutout.

"We got a gem thrown at us. Haren pitched extremely well." Tejesh

acknowledged. The Mets had their 9 game winning streak snapped.

[tejdog1]

Game 13 (5 WS) Athletics @ Mets

Rich Harden (0-2, 3.10) vs Tom Glavine (1-0, 4.00)

The Mets get crack 2 of 4 to secure their 4th World Series title, and 2nd in a row, in Game 5 at Shea. In a rematch of Game 2, Rich Harden goes up against Tom Glavine.

The As took the lead in the first, scoring a pair off Glavine. Jason Kendall singled to lead off, Mark Kotsay walked, and with one down, Eric Chavez singled one home. With two down, Dan Johnson singled Kotsay in, giving Oakland a 2-0 lead.

The Mets got a run back in their half of the first. Lastings Milledge tripled with one down, and scored on David Wright's 2 out double, halving the As lead to 2-1.

Jose Reyes led off the 3rd with a homer, tying the game, 2-2. Carlos Beltran led off the 6th with a homer, to give NY the lead, 3-2. Glavine was done after 6 innings, and Octavio Dotel came in for the 7th.

Dotel pitched a scoreless 7th, and Henry Owens came in for the 8th. Owens threw up a zero, and Billy Wagner came out of the pen for the 9th, looking to nail it down for Glavine, and get the Mets their 2nd consecutive World Series. Wagner ran into trouble, putting runners on the corners with one down, but struck out Eric Chavez, and then induced Nick Swisher to ground out to 3rd, getting the save, and the WS title.

"This one definetly feels, in a way, more fulfilling then last years. Last year, people called us one hit wonders, but this one, this year, people will start to realize we have a real wealth of young talent coming up through the system, we're a dynasty, or in the process of creating one." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Hey, guys, I don't think I'll be posting Year 3 of this dynasty. It's gotten really tedious. I will post updates from time to time, if you'd like. Please post and tell me if you would like "monthly" standings updates and trade updates.

[tejdog1]

Well, here is update 1:

April 1st, 2007: The New York Mets made a bold and blockbuster trade on Sunday, sending veteran first baseman Carlos Delgado, Top 10 outfield prospect Carlos Gomez, and lynchpin outfielder Victor Diaz to the Twins in a three team trade with San Diego, which netted the Mets OF Torii Hunter and a pair of AA prospects, C George Kottaras and RP Jeff Witt. Luis Castillo was also a part of the trade, he went to San Diego from Minnesota.

"This trade allows us to insert Mike Carp into the lineup as the first baseman, with no pressure on him to produce. Torii Hunter is a veteran outfielder, who will bridge the gap between Diaz and Fernando Martinez, who is in Norfolk right now. We also got a pair of good prospects in the deal, which was a key, as well. We have over 17 mil now coming off the books at the end of the season, so if Carp doesn't live up to expectations this season, there is always the option of free agency." GM Tejesh Patel explained.

So as not to put any additional pressure on Mike Carp, he opened the season batting in the 7th slot, in front of Paul Lo Duca, and behind Torii Hunter.

After going 0 for his first 5 in the big leagues, with 4 Ks, Mike Carp's first major league hit was a 2 out solo bomb in the 2nd inning of Game 2, against John Smoltz.

John Niese also made his MLB debut in Game 2, working 2 scoreless innings in relief of Scott Kazmir, striking out 3 and allowing a hit.

[tejdog1]

The Mets lost their All Star shortstop, Jose Reyes, for up to 4 weeks with tendonitis of the Achilles, during April 20th's game agains the Cubs. Reyes was placed on the 15 day DL, and the Mets recalled top middle infield prospect Esmeily Gonzalez from AAA Norfolk.

[tejdog1]

The Mets ended up the first month of the 2007 season with an 18-7 record, good for a 5 1/2 game lead over the 12-12 Atlanta Braves. It hasn't been smooth sailing, however, for the Amazin's. A 5-5 start, combined with Mike Carp's (well anticipated) struggles, had many wondering whether Carp, Phillip Humber and Jonathan Niese had all been rushed to the majors. Indeed, of the three, only Carp had not seen time in Norfolk, having made the jump from Binghamton. However, Carp responded, raising his batting average from .231 on April 15th, to .279 on May 1st. Along the way, he has also shown his power, collecting 6 homers and 21 RBI, batting out of the 6 spot.

Jose Reyes, the 5 tool mega hit shortstop, was lost to an injury on April 20th, so the club had to call up 17 year old phenom middle infield prospect Esmeily Gonzalez. Gonzalez, unlike Carp, has gotten off to a blistering start. In his first 8 games, the teen has 11 hits in 28 at-bats, good for a .393 batting average. Showing off his own 5 tool abilities, he has a homer, triple and 6 steals, to go along with 3 RBI, batting out of the 7 hole.

The third of the Mets Big 3, Phillip Humber has taken to the big leagues with the best success. He is 2-1 with a 2.17 era in 4 April starts, spanning 29 innings, including 2 complete games. Jon Niese, taking over for Tanyon Sturtze as the long man, has struggled, compiling an 8.02 era over 12.1 innings.

"Overall, I feel very happy with where this club is heading, this year. We're really making a transition from an older, veteran led club, to a younger, more athletic, more speedy type of ballclub." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

After a month on the DL, the Mets welcomed back All Star shortstop Jose Reyes on May 20th. To make room for Reyes, Esmeily Gonzalez, as expected, was optioned to AAA Norfolk. Gonzalez, just 17, had a very solid major league debut, hitting .264 with a homer, 4 RBI, 16 runs and 15 steals in just 25 games.

"There's no doubt he's got all the tools necessary to succeed up here. And at 17 years old, there was simply no need to rush him into a full time everyday job." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

The Mets ended the month of May with a 37-15 record, good for a 4.5 game lead over the surprising 2nd place Atlanta Braves, who are 33-20.

Mike Carp, who ended April hitting .279, had a rough 2nd month in the big leagues, ending the month with a .253 batting average, 8 homers and 32 RBI, primarily batting out of the 6 hole now.

"We feel he's making all the necessary adjustments to life in the majors. It's obvious the talent is there, it will just take time to shine through consistently. Not everyone can do what Lastings [Milledge] did, and just hit the ground running. Most rookies struggle in their first few months in the bigs. Look at Carlos Gomez (in Minnesota), he's hitting under .250. Mike Pelfrey struggled for much of last season, and has gotten off to a rough start this year, too. Carp will be fine." Tejesh said.

The Mets, by and far, lead the majors in complete games, with 15 in their 52 games. Pedro Martinez and Phillip Humber lead the team with 4 each. Despite the complete game prowess of the Mets, Billy Wagner is 8th in the majors, and 5th in the NL with 12 saves.

The biggest question through the first two months has been the availability of some of the teams top prospects in trades, as well as the likelihood of second baseman Jeff Keppinger being dealt. This almost furvor has been compounded by middle infield prospect Esmeily Gonzalez' successful 25 game major league debut, in which he batted .262 with a homer, triple, 4 RBI, 16 runs and 15 steals.

"We're not moving Keppinger this season. We might not ever move Kepp, but we certainly will not this year." Tejesh assured.

So the Mets hit the middle portion of their season, and for the first time in Tejesh's 3 seasons at the helm, find themselves in a tight divisional race, even if it is a 2 team race.

"It's something different. I like it, from the standpoint of complacency, but I don't like it in terms of having to push our guys that much harder down the stretch. The past couple seasons, we've had a full month of throttled down baseball. I can only hope we open up that kind of lead again." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

The Mets ended the month of June with a 58-21 record, going a blistering 21-6 during the month, and opening up a 12.5 game lead over the second place Atlanta Braves, who ended the month at 46-34.

The Mets also made one trade at the tail end of the month, trading away a pair of prospects, and a reliever. AAA OF Ambiorix Concepcion, AA SP Thomas Diamond and RP Jonathan Broxton were traded to the Red Sox for RP Jonathan Papelbon, and SS Alex Gonzalez.

"Boston wouldn't do the deal unless we absorbed some salary, so we had to take on Gonzo. We're still well under budget, so the additional salary is not a burden to us." Tejesh explained. Papelbon struggled mightily in Boston, compiling a 12.43 era in 13 innings. He made his Mets debut the day after the trade, working 2 scoreless innings for his first Met save.

Mike Carp struggled through most of June, bottoming out at .246 on June 23rd. From there to the end of the month, however, he went on a 12 for 26 tear over the final 6 games of the month, raising his average 20 points to .266. During his 6 game streak, he hit .461 with 5 doubles, a homer, 10 RBI, and most important, 2 strikeouts.

"We fully expected the fits and starts that Mike is experiencing this season. You don't jump someone from AA ball to the majors and expect .330 with 30 homers out of the gate. Mike is a solid professional hitter, and he will adjust. And with the cast surrounding him, we have the luxury of allowing him to struggle." Tejesh noted.

Met starters went on a rampage during the month, holding the opposition to 2 or less runs in 13 of the 27 games. Jonathan Niese got a spot start and spun 8 incredible innings of 1 run ball against the Reds. Phillip Humber and Pedro Martinez led the charge, with Scott Kazmir and Aaron Heilman also charging up the ranks. The Mets ended June with half their rotation sporting sub 3 ERAs, and Pedro with a sub 2.

As the Mets head towards the half way point, they find themselves in familiar territory, holding a comfortable lead on the NL East.

[tejdog1]

Halfway Statistics:

[tejdog1]

Lastings Milledge was injured during the Mets 4-1 victory over the Marlins on July 8th. The Mets placed Milledge on the 15 day DL with elbow tendonitis, and called up 18 year old phenom Fernando Martinez.

"FMart will bat 6th, and our 5th hitter will either be Carp (against righties), or Hunter (against lefties), with the other serving as the 7th hitter. And I suppose it is justice, in a way, we get to see both of our phenom prospects this season. And for an extended period of time, too." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

During the Mets win over the Phillies on July 15th, Mike Pelfrey suffered a serious torn rotator cuff, which landed him on the 60 day DL. To compensate for the loss, the Mets moved Phillip Humber into the proper 5 man rotation, and promoted long reliever Jon Niese into the 6th slot.

Jay Rainville was promoted to the Mets from AAA Norfolk, taking Pelfrey's spot on the 25 man.

[tejdog1]

Game 97: Braves @ Mets - July 21st

John Smoltz vs Brian Bannister

The Mets and Braves hooked up for a classic 20 inning affair on Saturday, with Atlanta coming out on top, 5 to 4. Brian Bannister started the affair for the Mets, and delievered a terrific performance, 8 innings of 1 run ball, but was long gone by the game it ended. John Smoltz went 8 2/3 of 1 run ball, and likewise, was long departed by the time it was over. Homer Bailey relieved Smoltz and tossed 5 innings of 1 run relief, followed by 1/3 of an inning by Chuck James, and 5 innings of 1 run relief by Jorge Sosa, and the save went to Marty McBride, who allowed a run in the bottom of the 20th.

On the Mets side, Banny went 8, Octavio Dotel 2, recently acquired Jonathan Papelbon went 6 innings of 5 hit, 1 run relief, and Matthew Lindstrom was tagged for the loss, working 4 innings of 6 hit, 3 run relief. Braves pitchers combined to face 82 batters, while Met pitchers combined to face 86. The only error that mattered in the game was a dooming one, committed by Lindstrom in the top of the 20th, leading to 3 Atlanta runs. The Mets pulled to within 1, and had runners on first and second with no out, but could not execute successful sacrifices, leading to their downfall.

[tejdog1]

The Mets, as expected, demoted Fernando Martinez back to AAA Norfolk upon Lastings Milledge's return off the DL. The 18 year old phenom did nothing to diminish his star, holding his own with a .270 average in 23 games, with a homer, 13 RBI, 3 steals and 9 runs scored.

"Nando provided us with a glimpse of the future, and it looked very exciting, but also very raw. He is only 18 years old, and to do what he did at the major league level...that is very impressive. He definetly proved that he belongs up here." Tejesh said.

[tejdog1]

Is anyone still following this? If not, then I'll just stop here. Please respond.

[brooklynkidx22]

im following !!! lets go mets !

[abc006]

not constantly, but i'm still following - it's still pretty interesting, keep it up. :)