Mike Pelfrey is running out of rope, and maybe, out of time.
On Thursday, the Boston Red Sox slapped Pelfrey around in his second spring start in an 8-2 loss in Port St. Lucie. In three innings Pelfrey allowed three runs and four hits. He worked on his forkball, which failed to, well, fork. He worked on his sinker too. The only thing that sunk were the collective hearts of Mets fans.
David Wright doesn’t want the “rock star” image, he wants to be a baseball player who collects jewelry every October.
Wright arrived in New York in July 2004 at the tender age of 21. Almost immediately he was the face – and the future – of the organization. Single women began showing up at the ballpark carrying marriage proposals written with a Sharpie, stenciled on cardboard signage. Young, passionate male Mets fans wear his jersey – home white, home pinstripe, black or road gray, you name it – and shout praises and encouragement from the box seats. Video games, endorsements, magazine covers, David Letterman … welcome to the Big Apple.
Nelson Figueroa started 17 games, compiling a 2.25 ERA, for the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A) in 2009, before being promoted by the Mets in late August. Over the final six weeks of the 2009 season, he was the Mets most consistent and effective arm, despite losing five games.
Figueroa went on to pitch winter ball, including a complete game three-hit shutout for the Dominican Republic in early February. This spring, in three appearances, he has pitched eight innings, allowing no runs.
The Jenrry Mejia story is accelerating faster than a defective Toyota without brakes.
Making his second appearance of the spring Monday, Mejia pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one single, against the Marlins. Last Friday, Mejia made his first appearance, allowing one hit in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Mejia’s current line: 5 1/3 IP, 0 runs, two hits, 5 K’s, 0 walks.
I am a 25-year media/marketing/public relations professional. I have worked in radio, television, print and digital media. I contnue to pursue journalism as a freelance sports reporter for print and digital publications. You can follow me on Twitter @johnstrubel, friend me on Facebook or +John Strubel on Google. Story ideas? Comments? Questions? Email me at: john@johnstrubel.com.© 2012 John Strubel | Powered by JGS MEDIA INC.
