Bleacher Report - Articles by Brendan Costello

Top Ten Baseball Rivalries of All Time

Brendan Costello — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:33:19 -0400

here are a lot of great baseball rivals in past years. What is a baseball rival you might ask? Well to me a baseball rivalry is when you, as a fan, hate the opposing teams and their fans. Its a rivalry thats is played on ESPN or FOX, its a rivalry where both teams are WS contenders. There is blood shed and words exchanged. Its the single greatest part of any sports. Here is my top ten so please enjoy!

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Mets-Phillies: Bring On The Big Boys!!

Brendan Costello — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:06:50 -0400

After a dismal road trip against bottom feeders of the league, the Mets will head back to Citi to play the first-place Phillies.

This is a great series for the Mets to prove to everyone, including themselves, that they are a good ballclub. The struggling Mets went 2-4 against the Pirates and the Nats, not something to be proud of. They did win the last two of three, however. By doing so, it prevented the road trip from being a complete disaster.

I have been thinking about it, and maybe since the Mets played down to the Nats and the Pirates they will play up to the Yanks and the Phillies.

This series doesn't determine the season though. All us Mets fans should be well aware of that. After the last two seasons, nothing from April to August matters. However, if the Mets do have a great six-game swing, then things will become very fun.

This time of year is always the best. With summer approaching, baseball is heating up, just like the weather. The fans will be filling their respective stadiums to full capacity. The only sport being talked about on ESPN will be baseball. The hand-held radios will be blaring at all the beaches, and different baseball caps will be on everyone's heads. This is the time baseball is the talk of the town, and for the love of God, let's pray the Mets are being talked about positively.

Now I know in recent years the Mets feel the season ends August 31, but they are going to need a great summer to keep the media off them and build their confidence. They are a good team that is getting healthy. They will show us all of that in the this upcoming week.

With Johan Santana on the mound the Mets hope to get off to a good start. It is key for the Mets to get the first one under their belt, unlike last week when they blew a 5-0 lead to the Pirates in the series opener. After that nothing went right. So if they can get up early and stay there, the Mets will be able to breathe easily and come out swinging in the next two games.

The Phillies' 'lights out closer” Brad Lidge has helped the Mets climb to within three games by blowing two games in a row. This just proves to me the Phillies are not the same team they were last year. Some people might disagree, and that's fine if you do. I just see them falling apart. When 46-year-old Jamie Moyer leads your staff with four wins, while having five losses, and maintaining a 6.27 ERA you know you're in trouble. It just a matter of time before they crumble and burn.

This is the Mets chance to make everything interesting and slap the annoying, loud-mouth Phillies around. If Johan can pitch well and Pelfery can get his act together, we will be in good shape. This is a crucial series to tell how the summer will go for the Mets.

Mets Need To Regain Focus!

Brendan Costello — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:27:18 -0400

After getting swept by the doormat of the N.L. Central, the Pirates, our New York Metropolitans will try to regain focus as they head to Washington for a three-game series. Tim Redding will try to regroup after allowing seven runs on eight hits in four-plus innings. On the other side, the Nationals will have Shairon Martis pitching for them. Martis is 5-1 with 5.62 ERA this year.

Let's just hope Tim Redding doesn't pick up what Mike Pelfrey left off. I mean, seriously, the guy only has to get through six innings with the game still in hand. Redding showed great control in his first start with the Dodgers, as for his last two starts Redding hasn't even got out of the fifth inning.

If the Mets take this series lightly, then they will have another thing coming to them. They should use this series to get their swag back; beating up on the Nationals is just what the doctor had ordered. For you see, after the Nats, the road gets much steeper for the Mets. The first place team in the N.L. East, the Phillies, will be coming into town, followed by the sizzling hot New York Yankees.

My biggest player to watch this weekend is Fernando Martinez. F-Mart can supply speed and explosiveness to the lineup. We might be without Reyes, but if Martinez can pick up the slack, the Mets might not miss a beat at the lead off hole. Another player to watch is David Wright. If his bat can hot, the Mets can get hot.

Let's hope the Mets aren't overlooking the Nats, because right now, the Mets shouldn't be overlooking anybody. The Mets are in a must-sweep situation. I know it might be too early to state this, but if the Mets can't take care of business in Washington, then the next week will be a living hell.

The Mets have a great opportunity to move past the Phillies in the next six games. While the Mets are playing the bottom-feeding Nats, the Phillies square off against the N.L. Leading Dodgers. If the Mets can sweep and the Dodgers can take two of three from the Phils, the Mets will only be two games out of first with the Phillies coming in for a three game set.

In total, the Mets' keys to victory is to get up early and not look back. This is a good opportunity for the Metties to gain some momentum heading into next week. Let's hope for one time, the Mets do one thing right, and that's to win.

Ten Things the Mets Should Do to Get Better

Brendan Costello — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:11:50 -0400

I have been watching the mets all year and have been coming up with ton's of thing they could do to get better. It just seems like this team is so under achieving. They are not a bad team by any means, just misguided. Everyone has to remember ,including myself, that it is only June. Its a young season, plenty of time to fix some stuff up. I have come up with my “Ten thing the Mets should do to get better”. Pretty much I'm just going to tell you what I think the Metropolitans should do.

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Pedro Martinez Back in a Met Uniform?

Brendan Costello — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:23:16 -0400

Pedro Martinez back in a Mets uniform? Could it be true? I have read some articles and heard some things and this could possibly happen pretty soon. This would be a great pick-up for the banged up Mets. Lacking a quality fifth starter, picking up Pedro for the right price would be an amazing move.

After last year a lot of Met fans, including myself, thought that Pedro had ran out of gas. His numbers weren't consistent with his past brilliance. Thus, I can see why the Mets didn't jump to resign him. Then came the World Baseball Classic. Pedro was magical in each of his starts. Yes, he only pitched six innings in the WBC, but they were six scoreless innings, with six strikeouts. He also looked very good in pre-season with the Dominican Republic.

The Mets would truly benefit from adding a man with the experience that Pedro has. Let me rephrase that. Bringing in a healthy Martinez would be very beneficial. Can he stay healthy is the question. One thing I have noticed is that Pedro's arm speed has been in the low 90's. Well, at least that's what he was throwing in the WBC. I can live with low 90's from Pedro and if it's mixed with that filthy change-up, Pedro can do some damage.

Now I understand that in order for the Mets to sign Pedro they would have get the right price and the timing would have to be right. It's certainly the right time, but whether it's the right price remains to be seen. If Pedro can stay healthy, the Mets have a proven winner on the team. Not to mention he is good for the clubhouse. This move would also fire up City Field since, we all know, Pedro is a fan favorite.

If the Mets believe that Pedro is healthy and they can get him for the right price, it can be wonderful for the team and their fans. I really believe Pedro deserves one more chance.

Top 10 MLB Teams as of June 3

Brendan Costello — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:02:44 -0400

For the first third of the season we have seen a lot of good baseball. Who are the best you might ask? I have decided to put together who I feel are the best baseball teams in the MLB. I will be writing the top ten in witch I feel are the best teams. I assure I'm not Just going by records or favorites, I will choosing on who I feel is the best baseball teams. If you think some of my picks are wrong please comment me and tell me what I should change. I am very open to criticism and would love to hear your thoughts.

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What It Takes To Be a True Met Fan

Brendan Costello — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:32:53 -0400

Empty promises, winter long stomach aches, and punch-filled walls – you might know what I'm talking about. This is what a true Mets fan deals with every year. Whether it's Beltran promising the N.L. East Division to being up seven games with 17 to play or some of you die hards will remember the Mets blowing a three game lead to the Cubs to lose the wild card in 1998. Even going to back to 1988 N.L.C.S where the Mets were upset by the Dodgers. After going through all of this we find out who are the real orange and blue.

Honestly, in my opinion, this helps me root for the Mets harder. I feel like more of a die hard seeing these things going through my head. After going through all this pain and hardship watching them succeed will be exhilarating. To be a true orange and blue it's pretty hard; their aren't many of them but those who are know the game.

I believe the New York Mets franchise should be clumped in with the Cubs franchise and pre-2004 Boston Red Sox. No, I'm not trying to feel sorry or self loath, all I'm saying is that if your a Mets fan your a “real fan”. It's not that our ball club doesn't want to win, we have the payroll and new ballpark. The fans are there, and yet we still find a new way to lose traumatically year-in and year-out. All of this is building up to one of the greatest World Series celebrations of all time.

I feel this can be our year; if healthy we have all the talent to win a championship. Do we have the heart and will, I don't know. We will get a glimpse of what the Mets are made of when they square off with the Phillies and Yankees back to back. We shall have a healthy Reyes, Beltran, and Church, the B team will be no longer. In addition, we have a proven Gary Sheffield and a up and coming F-Mart. If Putz can get his act together we can have a solid bullpen. Also Billy Wagner will be back by mid-July, which will be a key addition to our already solid bullpen.

Honestly, I don't have a problems with this team, were banged up and still a game and a half out of first place. When healthy we can be dangerous. No were not as good as the 1999 and 2006 team, but we do resemble a lot of the 2000 team. They battled injuries with Rey Ordenez getting injured in May and Darryl Hamilton getting injured in early June. Also key slugger Mike Piazza was injured in July after getting clocked in the head by steroid using Roger Clemens. That team also started off slow but managed to catch fire and explode to the World Series even after only winning 94 games.

I believe this team doesn't have to win 94 games. Eighty-eight to 92 wins should crown them N.L. East Champs. Lets be honest when Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer are holding up your third and fourth spots in the rotation, your gonna have problems down the road. If we had a ballpark like Citizens we could be in the top five in all offensive categories too. Now if we get into the playoffs do we have the team to get to the World Series? After the 2006 Cardinals won the World Series, anything is possible. It just shows you have to be hot at the right time. Personally, I believe the Mets can match up with the Dodgers and Cubs. With Johan, Pelfrey, Maine, and a healthy Livan we have a solid four-man rotation as anyone else in the league.

Also I've been reading a lot that the Mets might be pursuing Pedro Martinez. After watching him pitch in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic it shows the man can still throw. He can be a solid fifth starter in the rotation, also the fans would love to have Pedro back at the ballpark for he was a fan favorite.

Us met Fans are like no other. Losing makes us want it more and winning will help us stay humble. I feel great pride tuning into SNY every night and Listening to greats like Ron and Keith. At times we can be fun and explosive. When Reyes returns, I hope the Mets gain that fire needed to win a championship.

One thing I can promise is when we finally do drink from the cup it will taste sweeter then any of the Yankees' 26.

Johan Is Here: We Are Saved!!!

Brendan Costello — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:08:46 -0400

Johan Santana will come in and save the day: that is one statement the Mets can confidently say. After watching the Mets blow another game, it will be pleasant to watch Johan pitch. He is what keeps us Met fans safe. The man is a gamer, and is the best thing the Mets have had since Seaver in '69.

Johan will be entering tonight's game with a 7-2 record, which could easily be 11-0, with a 1.77 ERA. Those are some nice numbers, and facing an underachiever in Duke, the Mets should give a licking to the Pirates. Even if we score two runs, this should be a “W” in the record books.

I feel Johan will get eight innings tonight, and personally hand it over to K-Rod; I think all Mets fans would prefer it that way. I feel if Johan can hit his spots against a weak Pittsburgh lineup, we should be in great shape.

Pittsburgh, which is a top ten in strike-out in the MLB, should have a head-ache with Johan. Let's all hope that Jerry gets smart and lets Johan go to work, and keeps him in the game. Someone should tell the Mets not to worry about scoring 6-7, since all they need to do is score 2-3. In reality, let's hope the Mets can be calm, do what they have to do, and let Johan do everything else.

I think I speak for all Mets fans, when I say that watching Johan go eight and K-Rod finishing it up, would feel good after watching last night's game. Any type of win would feel good after last night. Losing tonight would really mentally give a huge blow to the Mets. I don't see that happening, though not with the savor Johan on the mound. I'm calling it a Mets win, 3-1 tonight. I know it's not really a hard pick, but it never is with Santana on the mound.

The New York Mets' Bullpen Fails Again (Well, Actually, J.J. Putz Fails Again)

Brendan Costello — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:45:51 -0400

The bullpen fails again; well, actually, J.J. fails again. The Mets started off the game with timely hitting and great base running. To add to the five-nothing lead, Livan Hernandez was pitching very well, striking out six and giving up three in 5.2 innings of work. After Parnell showed ice water in his vein's by getting out of a jam in the sixth, I felt good.

The Mets bats went silent after the fourth, but I mean what do you expect. Give these guys some credit five runs should be enough to hold off the Pirates right? I guess not. The thing that bothers me is how it happened. J.J Putz, the man who is suppose to be the center piece off our bullpen blows it again, come on!

The Mets are spending money you would spend on a closer on this man and he “can't get up for it"? That's a disgrace to himself, to the Mets and to the faithful.

The more I watch this selfish choke artist, the more I agree on sending him out of here. The guy isn't sure if his arm is sore? Like really? Billy comes back in about six weeks and Parnell should be able hold down the fort until then. So please Omar, get what you can get for J.J while you still can.

The Mets are trying to give him confidence by sending Parnell out there in the sixth. Then by putting J.J in the eighth they were telling him, “Hey your still our man.” I'm so fed up with losses like this it's going to come back to haunt us.

I'm not saying the season is over or we should all be alarmed about what happened. The Mets did let one out of the bag tonight. Speaking for all Met fans watching the Pirate faithful awaiting the last out in the top of the ninth sent a cold chill down my spine.

A cruel reminder of last year rummaged through my head. Is this game a huge loss? No probably not, but lets hope we don't look back at the box score in early October and remember this one.

Mets Need Sweep in Pittsburgh

Brendan Costello — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:45:50 -0400

Yes, it’s Pittsburgh, and they have been a bottom feeder in the central for years. This does not mean the Mets should take them lightly. The Mets are sending out their B-team for their sixth straight game. They went five and one in the stretch, and winning for these guys is the only way to build experience.

This is a great opportunity for them to build up their confidence against a team like Pittsburgh, for the Yankees are peering down the road.

The Mets throw out their three best pitchers: Livan Hernandez, Johan Santana, and Mike Pelfrey. This is an even greater reason why a clean sweep is necessary. The Mets have to take care of teams that are not as skilled. Even if the B team is out there, they are still more talented.

Honestly, I don’t mind this lineup. They all play with heart and it's inspiring. There's finally some emotion among the Mets.

With the Sheff playing so well, the Mets are walking with a swagger. Signing him was the best move they made all year.

Do I think this is the best team that we've had in the past three years? Not even close, but this team definitely tries the hardest. Truly, that’s all that matters.

The New York Mets Have No Fire in Their Stomach

Brendan Costello — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:20:52 -0400

New year, same disappointing team. The New York Mets opened the 2009 season with great expectation like usual. I mean who wouldn't expect them to win? The second highest payroll, the new stadium, and a hand full of sluggers topped of with arguably the best pitcher in the league.

Some might say world series but anyone who is a met fan can feel the painful let down in September coming. Truthfully, it doesn't take a genius to see they are the same lackluster team of the past three years. The same old faces mixed in with ones that won't help the team.

They lack the swagger,the passion they are a team that is scared to fail. They have no fire in there stomachs, emotionally and mentally incapable of achieving anything but making there fans sick.

Yes the last week or so they look pretty respectable, but they are the Mets so well who knows? Right now, the Mets are being carried by some unlikely faces. Guys like 40 year old Gary Sheffield and 34 year old Livan Hernandez.

I mean, lets be real Gary can't carry us forever and Livan is going to have games where we are going to wonder how is he in the league? The Mets

DL is more star filled then the starting lineup itself. Hopefully this doesn't continue the whole year.

Despite all of that the New York Metropolitans are sitting on the top of the N.L East. They do have Mr. Santana and the man with the highest average Carlos Beltran. Things could be worse i mean don't forget they are 6 games over five hundred and currently on a five game win streak.

I know it's early and everything is up in the air but as a die hard Met fan I can see another dreadful September filled with tears and sick stomachs awaiting.

New York Mets: Top of the East as of May 31. September 30—Who Knows?

Brendan Costello — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:50:55 -0400

The New York Mets sit at the top of the east as of May 31. September 30—who knows? I mean, who is to say they won't build our hope, our faith and then smash it down faster than they built it. I'm as optimistic as they come; however putting all my faith in the same team three years in a row is moronic. What is so much different and better than the last two years? Alright, maybe a better bullpen, but the injuries are building up and we could be with out our All-Star first baseman. It just seems this team is missing something.

When is it time to question the core of the team (Beltran, Wright, Reyes, Delgado)? Are they the cause of the losing? It seems like we don't have a leader on this team. Someone who has been there, and can take the young players under their wing. Either that, or maybe dish one of them off.

There has been talk of sending Jose Reyes to Toronto. That would be the DUMBEST thing the Mets could do. I know he has his flaws, but come on, he is one of the most explosive players in the MLB. In reality, getting rid of him would make them wholly different. He brings fun to the team, like a breath of fresh air. He will be back and will catch fire; but a little leadership could help.

I mean think about it, Jose Valentin really was a leader and guided Reyes. Valentin helped Reyes to his best season (2006), but after getting hurt in mid-2007 nothing has gone right. I feel that the Mets need a leader; someone who has won championships and is a tough 'no games' player. Who? I truly don't know. I think that will be the distinct factor between winning the wild card, and winning a championship.