I Love My Mets….But Not Quite This Much.

Came across this on Uncrate.com. I always use the term, “live and die with the Mets”. But perhaps this will make me think more carefully about using those words.

Eternalimage.net is selling MLB Team-featured….(ready for this?)….urns and caskets. Actually, the caskets do look quite charming. And the urns do also (that is, if you’re into the whole “ashes thing”.) But I kinda don’t get it. I mean, thinking of some of the most treasured MLB figures over time — say, for instance, the recently deceased Phil Rizutto — I don’t even see him being buried in one of these things. It kinda cheapens the experience.

I hope it’s a long time before somebody needs to make a decision about this for me, but let there be no doubt — this isn’t quite the end to my life that I’d appreciate.

(I must say…really nice design, though.)

Pet Peeve #1 – Leave the Manager Alone During the Game

I’m gettin old. Period. And those gray hairs entitle me to complain as much as Grandpa Simpson and whenever I want. So I’m gonna post a few of my pet peeves as stuff comes to me. This isn’t a big one, but it inspired me enough to get off the couch and complain.

I know with advances in broadcast technology that we’re always looking for ways to increase the television viewer’s experience. I enjoy the increased camera angles and the close-up high def looks that reveal whether the ref called the play correctly or not. But there becomes a point when you’re just crossing the line.

It’s hard enough trying to manage a game for nine innings. Why do we have to shove a mic in front of the manager’s face during the game? What can he possibly say that would increase our enjoyment of the game? Have you ever listened to those interviews? They’re about as interesting as talking to the guy behind you in the hot dog line. Only in baseball would you see something like this. They’re not gonna stick a mic in front of Mike Holmgren during the 3rd quarter of a close game. Or Phil Jackson. (Maybe I shouldn’t speak so confidently — this could very well be on the brainstorming list of some bright TV executive.

It’s bad enough to be a manager on the losing end of a 15-3 game and to have to sit at a press table and answer dumb questions about why you didn’t give the hit sign during that 3-1 pitch in the 5th inning. Do we really need to bug these guys during the game?

(Larry Bowa’s smiling above. But trust me. The managers hate this practice a lot more than I do.)

Pujols – Seriously….you’re joking, right??

I happened to stop by ESPN.com today to see if there were any off-season moves (namely the Mets signing Zito…<fingers crossing>), but then I happened to come across this news story. Apparently Albert is sore about not winning the MVP award this year. He believes that the MVP should come from a playoff team. After reading the article, I had to chuckle a bit. I wish I could talk to Albert. As talented a player as he is, I’d like to stop him on the street and ask him, “Uh Albert….are you serious?!!!”

Since as far back as I’ve been a sports fan, the MVP of the year has always been debated. Does it refer to the player who had the most incredible performance outright for the season? Or are we awarding the player who meant the most to his team’s success. In short, are we awarding the MVP of the team or of the league? The funny thing about Pujols’ comments is that he was neither this year.

I’m still a bit sore about actually having to watch my Mets go down (in person) in seven games to an inspired Cardinals team. However, I must take my hat off to the Cards. They took the Mets to a seventh game without the home field advantage and found a way to pull it out. But one thing that isn’t debatable is the fact that had the Cards left it up to Pujols’ bat, they probably wouldn’t have even made it to the Series. His bat was exceptionally silent during both the NLCS and World Series.

Pujols’ comments today show that he’s the typical “me, me, me” player. The guy who cares about the post-season accolades more than he does winning the championship. Many of the greats have said that they’d give back all of the MVP awards, all of the Golden Gloves, all of the individual accolades….if they could just have one taste of winning it all. The list of players who’ve been great, but never managed to be a part of a championship team is pretty long. And while I can understand the desire attached to wanting to “win it all”, the percentages are against most players. You play for ten seasons (if you’re lucky) and you’re one guy on one team in a league of 30 teams — only one of which can win it all. Basketball is probably the only sport where a guy can single-handedly change the impact of a game. But in baseball and football, one guy can’t do it all.

Pujols is one of the few players who has been blessed enough to win the big one. And like so many guys who have rings, his should probably have a few less diamonds in it to symbolize the at bats where his poor performance didn’t increase his team’s chances. His comments are tacky and disrespectful to his fellow players — namely Ryan Howard. Howard had an inspiring performance this year. While the Phillies didn’t make it to the post season in 2006, they were contenders right up until the last two weeks of the season.

Albert — take my advice: Go home and reflect on the historic season that you had. Be content with the fact that you participated in winning a championship. And make sure that you enjoy it while it lasts. If the Phillies can pick up a few guys to fill in a few holes, perhaps you will switch honors with Ryan Howard next season.