Opinion

In my years as a Mets fan, I have been constantly scrutinized by members of the Evil Empire a.k.a. Yankees' fans. The "27-to-2" comparison of World Series titles is always flaunted around in claims that the Yankees are much better than the Mets.

While as a baseball fan I cannot argue that the Yankees are not a storied franchise, I can defend the "27-2" comparison as a Mets' fan, and here is why:

Former New York Mets’ pitcher and all-around phenom Dwight Gooden was recently inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame. Earlier this year he was also arrested by Franklin Lakes Township police in New Jersey for driving under the influence with his 5-year-old son in the car, among other charges and is awaiting his day in court.

With the Detroit Tigers far removed from playoff contention this September, speculation has already begun about the futures of some of the team's free agents-to-be. Among these players, the most desirable by far is third baseman Brandon Inge.

What appeared a few weeks ago as a two-man race for a potential Triple Crown has now become a three-man competition.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been hitting the ball like he was mad at it lately. He is now comfortably ahead of Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds in batting average with a .340 mark. Votto is batting .321.

As the Reds head into the home stretch of the season, they are still a ways away from "officially" clinching anything, but there's a bit of rumbling as it pertains to the potential postseason rotation.

Bronson Arroyo is clearly the guy you want on the mound in the first game of a series.  No, he's not Roy Halladay, Ubaldo Jiminez, or Tim Lincecum, but I have strong confidence he would keep us in the game.

I had a chance to talk to a Toronto Star journalist (he's an acquaintance of mine) two weeks ago about the Toronto Blue Jays, and everything he said is consistent with what I've been hearing about the fans in that city.

Or more specifically, what other Torontonians are feeling about the Blue Jays, based on what I've been hearing on the Fan 590.

I can hear it now all over Braves Nation, "Omar Infante had better be starting every day next season." And while he has had a truly outstanding season, do not expect it to continue next year.

Now that I have 75 percent of Braves Nation ready to kill me, maybe I should explain myself.

Let me start off by saying that I have the utmost respect for Omar and his abilities as a player. I also believe he is the best super utility player in Major League Baseball.

The Tampa Bay Rays called up left-handed pitcher David Price to relieve Edwin Jackson in New York on Sept. 14, 2008.

In that game, Price would pitch 5.1 innings and strike out four batters while only allowing two earned runs. We all pondered if this kid was real. After four more appearances, Price's ERA was 1.93 in 14 innings. 

Sunday's game did not go as planned, as the Angels were able to outscore the A's seven runs to four.

While it was upsetting and Mazzaro struggled in his second start in a row, it was not horrifying. While he gave up five runs in the game, he was able to last 4.1 innings, which is certainly better than his last outing.

The game made the 23 year old's era jump up to 4.29, which is a respectful number. However, the A's organization did not like this and decided to option the young pitcher down to AAA.

When the Blue Jays started the season, it came as a bit of a surprise that the manager Cito Gaston projected that the Jays lineup would live and die by the home run. 

Gaston suggested that his lineup was packed full of potential 20 home run hitters.

"Bautista has a chance to hit maybe 20-25 home runs because he's done it before," Gaston said. "Then, of course, you've got Hill, you've got Lind and Vernon who hit 20 home runs the year before.