Howie a bright spot on a dark night

Line of the year from Howie last night. I'm still laughing.

During the 7th inning of another disastrous game (more on that later - maybe) Howie & Wayne were talking about Mike Piazza and the Hall of Fame. Howie said that Clemens and Piazza will both be eligible for the Hall in the same year, although Howie added that he didn't think Clemens would be getting in so fast. He followed that with: "Next time he throws the bat at something it might be to break some rocks". I burst out laughing. Wayne didn't know what to say and admitted it.

As for the game - what? Pelfrey was only the first of many who couldn't get anyone out. Too many walks. Oh, and HBP. How many Braves are the Mets going to hit? You gotta admire the way the Braves aren't retaliating. It's as if they don't want to disturb the Mets, who are only occasionally breathing it seems.

I can't blame Reyes for last night's game. He did his part. Endy in the 2-hole didn't help matters. I can't understand why Willie didn't put Castillo back there with Church out. I like Endy - don't we all? - but he's really not hitting. I think it's a good idea to give him playing time to see if he can get his bat untracked, but why second? Also, what happened to Endy's drag bunt? Has he tried that yet this year?

*****

'Cramped left calf muscle'. Moises sure is high maintenance.

Howie pointed out that Jurrjens ran hard on a groundout to short that it was "good to see" because when Beltran grounded into the double-play in the 3rd he jogged. And people sometimes wonder why Met fans aren't enthralled with this team.

The Braves "weren't happy with Ryan Church" on that play that ended the Tuesday night game, according to what Bobby Cox told Eddie Coleman during Mets Extra. During the 3rd, Wayne talked about how after Randolph's pre-game press meeting Ryan Church ran - ran - into Willie's office. Wayne and Howie both knew it was because Church wanted to play today. Not even a day after suffering a concussion. Ya gotta love Church.

Wayne & Howie had a good discussion on whether Chipper Jones (a) will make the Hall of Fame and (b) will it be on the first ballot. Howie thought he'd probably make the Hall, but not first ballot. Even still he wasn't 100% certain. Wayne thought he'd definitely be in the Hall and probably first ballot. Both Howie & Wayne brought up the changes in drugs use that will cut the home-run numbers and limit the big years for those over 35. {All of this was during the 6th when the Braves put the game out of reach – as if it wasn't when it was 2-1 – on McCann's single and Francoeur's homer.}

And this is petty, I know, but can't Eddie Coleman avoid using the Braves' nicknames when interviewing them? During the post-game he was talking to Brian McCann and referred to "Frenchy" (Francoeur). Uggh.