New York Mets

In the baseball world, we like to get out of hand with debates about the games and the players, and sometimes we definitely go a bit too far. Then there are tragic events that happen that seem to make us realize that it is just a game, and unfortunately, one of those events happened today.

The wife of former Mets’ reliever Scott Schoeneweis, Gabrielle, was found dead in their home today. She was only 39-years old.

Even though the fans of New York liked to get on Schoeneweis when times weren’t so good for him, everyone is behind the family today.

No, they haven't, but that's because they're looking for one.

Leadership means different things to different people, and in the realm of professional sports, that meaning gets blurrier by the win or loss.

Some athletes lead by quiet example, while others choose to broadcast their emotions to the wide world. There is a thin line between separating being "laid back" and becoming just another face on the bench, sideline or in the dugout.

This morning I was talking to a friend of mine about the Mets first base situation.

With Delgado on the disabled list, he was saying the Mets should try to get Mark DeRosa to take his place.

Not a bad idea, but what's wrong with Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy?

If you look at the numbers, both Murphy and Tatis are having better seasons than DeRosa.

But this goes beyond the numbers.

Mark DeRosa is a nice player, and I would like to have him on my team.

Unfortunately for the Metropolitans, the most feared bat in their lineup in Carlos Delgado, will be out until late July at the earliest.

Daniel Murphy is no longer the starting left fielder, Church is no longer the starting right fielder, and no one knows when Brian Schneider will be back (and to be honest, it doesn't seem like many people care when he will be back).

The only fortunate thing for the Mets, is their pitching staff has not been hurting at this time, it's just been the offensive players. 

They're facing the reality of losing their middle-of-the-lineup slugger for two months.  The $12 million flame-throwing starting pitcher is on the DL.  The leadoff hitting shortstop has been injured and inconsistent to start the year. 

They have to rely on a small-ball offense with consistent production from the entire lineup and a bullpen lead by a flame-throwing closer.

And despite all of that, the Dodgers have the best record in baseball.

What?  I bet you thought I was talking about the Mets, weren't you?

Rod Serling is dead. That is a fact. But his Twilight Zone series still airs today. 

Many think I'm referring to reruns. No, no my friends. I'm referring to the new episodes running on SNY, home of the New York Mets.

You see, every time I turn on a Mets game, I am watching a new episode of The Twilight Zone. 

Some nights, the show is about the same thing happening over and over again. Other nights, you'll see something you've never seen before. Some nights, it leaves you scared. Other nights, it leaves you sad.

Jose Reyes has sat out the last five games and is not showing any true signs of either coming back to the lineup or going on the disabled list to let his leg heal properly.

The Mets have been enduring an incredible amount of injury news of late, mostly the news of Carlos Delgado requiring hip surgery which will sideline him for approximately  ten weeks.

Injuries do occur during the season, and no player wants to sit on the sidelines, but how these injuries are handled by the team can make or break a player and his season and in some cases, his career.

The Mets are going for a four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants tonight with Mike Pelfrey being opposed by Matt Cain.

It certainly has been an eventful week for the Mets who have seen Carlos Delgado put on the DL yesterday, which puts a strain on the remainder of the middle lineup as well as a need for a first baseman.

Jose Reyes has not played since Wednesday afternoon with a stiff calf muscle that started in New York but was made worse by the cross-country trip on Wednesday evening.

The Mets have won three in a row and 11 of their last 13, and as a fan, it feels good. Because when you're winning, nobody talks about how many runners were left in scoring position. Or whether the starting pitcher was pulled too soon. Or whether the players have enough heart, passion, or desire.

The Mets have scored in the first inning in each of the last four games for a total of seven runs. They scored in the ninth to break a tie and beat the Giants Thursday, then after erasing a four-run deficit did the same thing last night.

These last few weeks have been great ones for the New York Mets and their fans.  The Metropolitan's have won 10 of their last 12. 

Many say the team is on fire.  That is true, but individual Mets are on fire, too.  With that, as of now, the New York Mets are the "Blazin' Amazins."