Random Thoughts on the Phillies and NL shortstops

Well here we go. This week is setting up as the week the Mets can bury the compitition, or give them hope. They need to step on the Phillies and Braves necks, and then break them. The Mets need to start playing with an attitude and to strip any hope from the Braves and Phillies.

Tonight makes the return of "Captain Red A-s" as Lo Duca is know in the clubhouse. I see Witless Willie did the right thing by sending down Sandy Alomar Jr. As good as Alomar is behind the plate, Mike DiFelice is just as good and is swinging a better bat. I hope Lo Duca gets a couple of hits and sparks the Mets to a good win tonight. Brain Lawrence could be pitching his last game as a Met. He hasn't done badly, but Pedro is due back soon, and Chavez is ready to join the club. They'll send Lawrence down and clear a spot for Endy.

As far as shortstops go, Reyes and Rollins are the class of MLB. Sorry Yankee fans, Jeter is over the hill defensively and commits too many errors. My biggest beef with Reyes are his throws. For someone with such a strong arm, why is Delgadud always digging Reyes' throws out of the dirt? I believe most of Reyes' errors are due to low throws. Rollins, hits like a 3rd basemen and also throws hard. If not for his mouth, and his habit of getting critical hits against the Mets, I'd like him too.

But, if you want to talk about the best fielding shortstop, he doesn't even play anymore. I'm talking about Rey Ordonez'. He was hands down the best shortstop I ever saw. [Sorry, I didn't see the wizard of Oz.] He made plays that I've never seen made before. He was a human highlight reel at shortstop. Fox and ESPN used to have as a daily feature " The Rey play of the Day". He once owned the MLB record for errorless games. I don't think he ever made more than 2-3 errors all SEASON!! Too bad he broke his arm. He was never the same after that. He became timid around the base and was soon out of NY. Too bad, he truely was fun to watch.

Hopefully the hitting can continue tonight, and Mota gets lost in traffic. If he doesn't straighten up soon, he'll be sent for a cab ride around the city. Delgadud needs to start earning his pay, and Lawrence needs to keep the ball on the ground. A pop fly usually ends up as a homerun. That is't a good thing. I see the Mets taking 3 of the 4, and they'll all be shootouts. No 2-1 games here.