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.
I sat down with Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur to talk hitting. We discussed his history of streaky hitting (including a few prolonged slumps) and what he and New York Mets hitting instructor Howard Johnson are doing this spring to develop a more consistent approach at the plate …
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.
