So the month of April comes to a close. We aren't running away with anything but we're playing well. Closed the month with a nice little 8 game winning streak. Still haven't caught up to the Nats though. That's okay. Chasing them will be fun.
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| Last years model |
I was in no big hurry to design the 2016 mfc Record Breakers but the Mets will wait for no fan. Last season I didn't roll out any record breakers until September and there were a total of twelve. There has been all kinds of record breaking stuff going on this April so, even though it's ridiculously early, it's time to make the Record Breakers. And in April alone we get ten cards! This is shaping up to be an amazin' season.
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These new RB cards are pretty sharp. So sharp I have to declare the corners as dangerous weapons.
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| This years model |
Mets pitching has been excellent although not entirely dominating. deGrom (3-0, 1.02) and Thor (2-1,1.69) go to the head of the class. The Dark Knight (2-3, 4.76) falters but looks to be recovering. Overall Matz (3-1, 3.86) has done just what we all have hoped for. Bartolo Colon is Bartolo Colon (1-1, 3.42). Spot starter and reliever Logan Verrett (3-0, 0.52!) has been excellent in a back-up roll.
The bullpen, for the most part, has come through nicely. Addison Reed (6h), Jim Henderson(5h), and Hansel Robles(4h) have a healthy handful of holds. A minimum of meltdowns. Familia had a fine month, going 8 for 8 in saves. Our team ERA is a very respectable 2.78, but both the Nats and the Cubs, two teams that we will have to get past, lead us in that coveted category.
Verrett should be on the card above, but he didn't show up for the photo shoot. It also should have a little Gary Cohen head in the corner with a talk bubble because "...the Mets obliterated the old record of 169 in 1990!" is a direct quote from the Master of Metromonies.
Hey, it was Gary's birthday the other day, let's give him a special insert card. Happy belated birthday to the Mr. Cohen.
Keith will have to step it up a bit if he wants a fake baseball card. Attendance counts and he cut out of school early after that 12 run fantasy inning the other night. Ronnie, if you want one you'll have to stop doing Braves games on TBS.
Keith will have to step it up a bit if he wants a fake baseball card. Attendance counts and he cut out of school early after that 12 run fantasy inning the other night. Ronnie, if you want one you'll have to stop doing Braves games on TBS.
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How about Neil Walker in April! I was a big Daniel Murphy fan and I feel a tad guilty for not missing him one single bit. I found out last week that if there's a ground ball to second in the 9th inning of a close game I no longer experience that 3-5 seconds of agita! It simply doesn't happen anymore! Lord be praised! I am healed!
*slaps own forehead
*slaps own forehead
Ironically Walker made his first error of the season the other day and Murphy hasn't muffed a one. Oh, but those homers. And I thought he had his tenth in the San Fran blowout but the OF wall got in the way. If he keeps this up great, but no matter what, getting 9 HRs from a new second baseman to start the season is just amazing. This is welcomed power that I had not been counting on.
Move over Eddie.
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| The new guys on 3 record breakers!
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"Since badly bruising his right leg April 13, Cespedes has appeared in nine games. The outfielder has recorded at least one extra-base hit in all of them, his grand slam off Broadway setting a franchise-record streak. Ty Wigginton held the Mets' previous mark with an extra-base hit in eight consecutive games in 2004.
A dominant dozen: The most prolific inning in Mets history began, as so many memorable rallies do, with a simple leadoff walk. By the time the Mets were done, they had sent 15 batters to the plate, drawn four free passes, rapped out eight hits and iced the whole thing with Cespedes' slam.
The Mets sent 15 batters to the plate against Giants pitchers Jake Peavy and Mike Broadway, who retired three of them and allowed the other dozen to score. It was the largest single-inning offensive output in Mets franchise history, surpassing an 11-run inning in 2006."
~Anthony DiComo
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| Mrs. Met came out for this one. |
The first was the pinch hit 3 run homer against Cincinnati. Down by 3 in the 8th inning and showing little life (at this point of the game New York had scattered 4 hits) Lagares draws a walk, Plawecki singles him to third, Cespedes pinch hits and before you can blink, he ropes a rocket to the left field corner to tie the game. First pitch swinging, no less. It blew my mind, maaaan.
The other was the grand salami in the beatdown on San Francisco. We had already scored 8 runs in the third frame of Friday Nights game, so I wasn't in need of such a boost. Yoenis had already driven in 2 runs earlier in the inning. But boy, what a rush when he whipped that Broadway curve producing a screaming mee-mee that was ultimately drowned out by the eruption from the Citi Field crowd.
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I usually don't make cards for players on other teams, especially current players, but I made an exception for Buster Posey because this is such a great photo of him watching Cespedes go kaBOOM!
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And what do we have here? A natural born hitter in the early phase of what's going to be a magnificent career? Could be.
And what do we have here? A natural born hitter in the early phase of what's going to be a magnificent career? Could be.
Michael Conforto was switched into the 3rd slot and he hasn't looked back. Since batting third in the lineup on April 15th the Mets outfielder is hitting .407 (22-for-54) with nine doubles, four homers and 15 RBIs. New York was 12-2 over that span.
Conforto's recent tear included a string of 6 straight games with a double, tying Michael with good old Joe Christopher from the 1964 squad. For the month of April the young Mets outfielder batted a robust .365.
Allow me to repeat myself in larger font (think of it as yelling like a crazyman).
.365!
Back in the late 1980s I remember thinking Dave Magadan had sweet swing (and was going to be the next Wade Boggs) but his swing looks mechanical alongside that of Michael Conforto's. Hes got complete balance to the ball, whether pulling or going the other way. Quick bat speed makes for high exit velocity. Thank the Gods of Baseball that the Mets brought Michael up so quickly. He's just naturally ready.
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| The Natural |
Some serious team records were matched or broken. 33 long balls in April ties the team mark that was last achieved in 2006.
208 strikeouts in the opening month. Pretty awesome.
Did I miss anyone? Montero does not make the cut. You have to have an ERA of under 10 to be portrayed on an mfc card.
Wilmer Flores finally got off the schnide clubbing his first homer of the season in Saturday's game. He's got a tough gig waiting on the bench to play. Check out the touching moment on the bench afterwards with Conforto.
These guys are so genuine. It is nice to see.
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>Overall, the Mets have outscored opponents 50-21 during the 8 game winning streak
> The Mets smacked 31 HRs over the final 14 games of April.
What a week. What a month!
The Mets closed out April with a 15-7 record, 1.5 games out of first place.
Bring it on, May.
Bring it on, May.
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Photography by
Julie Jacobson, Frank Franklin II, Mike Strobe, Anthony Gruppuso, Rich Schultz, Kathy Willens, Kevin C. Cox, John Amis, Erik S. Lesser, Jason Getz, Butch Dill, Scott Cunningham, Sharon Chapman, SNY.
Gifs courtesy of Metsgifs, GIFbaseball, and HarveydeGrom , all via tumblr.
