the 2007 NEW YORK METS: Pedro is Gravy

I (theoretically) have money, but I think I need to finish all my busywork and get the good sleep I won't get when rising at 5 a.m. on Thursday. We'll hit another cheap game soon, stenc.

BALKING BOB

CARLOS D

a heartstopper

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070530/capt.0c8d52499085487aab96dffec60bc571.giants_mets_baseball_nyjj115.jpg

was he this bad as a met or worse?

Armando Benitez top 10 meltdowns

By Mark Kelly
ESPN Research

1. World Series, 2000: Game 1 at Yankees
In a memorable Game 1 of the first Subway Series in 44 years, the Mets take a 3-2 lead into the ninth with Armando Benitez on the hill. After getting Jorge Posada to fly out to center, a half-crippled Paul O'Neill has the at-bat of the Series, fouling off multiple two-strike pitches before working out a walk. Benitez then allows back-to-back singles to Luis Polonia and Jose Vizcaino, before a Chuck Knoblauch sacrifice fly ties the game. Derek Jeter strikes out to end the inning, but the Mets lose 4-3 in 12 innings.

2. NLDS, 2000: Game 2 at San Francisco
After watching Al Leiter throw a masterful eight innings, Benitez is brought in to protect a 4-1 lead with Barry Bonds on second and none out in the ninth. After allowing a single to Jeff Kent and getting Ellis Burks to fly to right, J.T. Snow hits the first pinch-hit home run of his career, tying the game and sending Pac Bell park into a frenzy.

3. NLCS, 1999: Game 6 at Atlanta
After pitching a scoreless ninth and watching the Mets go-ahead in the top of the 10th, Benitez allows a game-tying single to Ozzie Guillen. The Braves go on to win the game and advance to the World Series the next inning, when Kenny Rogers walked in the winning run.

4. ALCS, 1996: Game 1 at Yankees
In a moment that made Jeffrey Maier a star, Benitez is summoned in the eighth inning to protect a 4-3 lead. Derek Jeter lofts a fly ball to right that appears to be playable. Just as right-fielder Tony Tarasco reaches up to make the catch, the 12-year-old boy from Old Tappan, N.J. reaches over the right-field wall, pulling the ball into the stands. Right-field umpire Rich Garcia immediately rules the ball a home run, tying the game. The Orioles eventually lose in the 11th inning on a Bernie Williams' homer.

5. ALCS, 1997: Game 2 vs. Cleveland
Coming on in the eighth inning with a 4-2 lead, the right-hander issues two walks, vigorously protesting the second one after it appears pinch-hitter Jim Thome went around on a 3-2 pitch with two outs. Marquis Grissom followed with a three-run shot over the center-field wall, handing Benitez just his second blown save of the season.

6. NLDS, 1999: Game 4 vs. Arizona
After arriving late to Shea Stadium minutes before the National Anthem, Benitez comes on with two out and two on in the eighth, trying to protect a 2-1 Mets' lead. Benitez allows a two-run go-ahead double by Jay Bell, and a single to Matt Williams, but is bailed out when Melvin Mora throws out Bell at the plate to end the inning.

7. Sept. 23, 2001 vs. Atlanta
After being 13½ games back on Aug. 18, the Mets go 22-5 over the next 27 games to move within 3½ games with a chance to inch a closer as Benitez enters in the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead over first-place Atlanta. After allowing a lead-off walk, Benitez settles down to retire the next two batters. Brian Jordan's two-run homer cuts the lead to one, and after allowing a walk to pinch-hitter Dave Martinez and a single to Andruw Jones, B.J. Surhoff ties the game with a single. The Braves go on to win the game in 11th inning on Jordan's second home run of the game.

8. Sept. 29, 2001 at Atlanta
After surviving the meltdown of a week earlier, the Mets rally to win three of the next four games and have a chance to pull within three games. New York takes a 5-1 lead into the ninth. After a lead-off walk and a strikeout, Javy Lopez singled in Andruw Jones to cut the lead to 5-2. Benitez then gets Dave Martinez to ground out and was again one out from victory. Benitez then allowed a walk and a two-run double to Marcus Giles before being replaced by John Franco, who after walking two, allowed a game-winning grand slam to Brian Jordan.

9. June 22, 2003 vs. Yankees
Suffering through a miserable season, the Mets hope to provide a bright spot by defeating their crosstown rivals. Jason Phillips' two-out RBI single gives the Mets a 3-2 lead heading into the ninth inning. After allowing a lead-off walk to Jason Giambi, Benitez gets Raul Mondesi and Todd Zeile to fly out sandwiched around a Hideki Matsui walk. Benitez then walks pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra on four pitches to load the bases. The Mets closer then goes to a full count on pinch-hitter Jorge Posada before walking him to tie the game. The Mets would lose the game in 11 innings.

10. June 14, 2002 vs. Yankees
The Mets take a 2-1 lead into the ninth in a series-opening game against the Yankees. After striking out Shane Spencer, Benitez allows a ground-rule double to Marcus Thames. Benitez then gets Alfonso Soriano on a deep fly to left and needed one more out to preserve the win. Derek Jeter steps to the plate 0-for-7 with six strikeouts lifetime against Benitez, but singles to center to tie the game. Adding insult to injury, former Met Robin Ventura's two-run homer in the 10th gives the Yankees the win.

i was at #2.

were you in a frenzy?

I cheered and then booed (the Giants ended up losing).

Just watched the balks. That's some pretty shitty umping. Not to say that Benitez doesn't suck to no end, but nothing like a little hometown double balk call (one was an very arguable balk, the other was total BS) to tie the game.

no arguing with this balk, amirite?
http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/artist_biographies/Fairuza_Balk_Biography_2.jpg

I was at #7 above.

Benitez (OUR SAVIOR!) had balked twice in 717 career games before the 12th inning last night.

(In fairness, ppl only recall the meltdowns. He was above avg as a Met.)

from Metsgeek:

Old friend Armando
Glad you balked at how we booed
Visit anytime

Did you see Reyes on that first balk? He is so very punchable. Good game tho.

haha, he is a DEEELIGHT

only a cardinals fan could find reyes "punchable"

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/writers/aditi_kinkhabwala/10/18/better.half/p1_spiezio.jpg

right in the "scrotee"

http://images.mccoveychronicles.com/images/admin/thar_he_blows.gif

never forget

anyone interested in going to thursday's game (john maine vs. the phillies)?

yeah, definitely! how much are tickets?

haven't gotten them yet, but i was thinking $9 + fees because i'm po

i'd prolly go.

upper deck reserved works for me. lemme know.

should i order three? or can we do walk-up?

If you can do walk up, I might be able to join you. It's hard to predict the work schedule this week, though.

i did walk up for the giants game last week and it was fine.

yes, and we cd probably sneak down to Loge back rows.

i just remembered my pal lukas bought me a ticket to see the sea and cake at webster that night, so i can't go. anybody want to/able to go to tomorrow's game?

achhh, I hafta unpack and otherwise re-order my NY life.

ie, I am still up for Thursday. I think walkup is fine, fuck fees.

packing, unpacking - jesus christ, are you a woman?

i mean that in the nicest way, of course.

no, I just have class. Mainly, I have to go to the world's worst post office (Kensington) and see if they held all my mail.

So I totally missed Beltran's bruised knee?

(also, the JOYS of getting into JFK late and home at 12:30am, then gettin up and going to work -- I must be a strong woman)

Also, my original answer should have been: the sea and cake - jesus christ, are you a woman?

too late for zing.

I DONT ZING

fyi, Shawn Green will be helping broadcast the game on TV tomorrow.

well that was depressing

aw poor heeb.

so which non-Sea & Cake fans wanna go tonight? Hamels v Maine.

i'll be there--what time and where?

how early can you make it, mook? 6-6:15? (The 7 Express is fast.)

Not sure yet if a couple friends can join me. How about right at Gate E (the column with the "E" on it) next to the gameday tkt windows? I recommend getting the $9 uppers when we're all there then heading for the loge back rows.

sounds good!

I might still make it, but I probably can't get there before 7. How long a ride is the 7 express from Court Sq?

I would like to regale Morbs with stories about Aaron Rowand's contributions to my fantasy team.

a little over 10 mins, mattbot. Maybe you should look in the last 2 rows of loge sec 15. (I have a blue shirt w/ orange METS on it.)

REAL BASEBALL ONLY

is this 4 realz y/n?