Billy Goat's Gruff

Some random notes.

If this doesn't restore some of your faith in Omar Minaya's decision making abilities...

Espn is reporting Minaya turned down Willie Randolph and former hitting coach Rick Down's recommendation that the Mets hire Clemens Needler Brian McNamee "after gauging McNamee's reputation within baseball and deciding that McNamee did not fit the role."

This might be bigger than Omar's decision to pass on Barry Zito.

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No yer place, Wolvie!

In their return to action, the Mets heroically eeked out a tie with collegian opponents. Billy Goat Wagner got another opportunity to display his classiness and dedication to sportsmanship when a student-athlete tried to bunt, a play somehow still allowed under the rules of baseball:

Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn't believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.

"If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy," Wagner said. "Play to win against Villanova."

Luckily, Michigan is not in the National League East. Perhaps Fred Wilpon can look into making a Spring game with his alma mater an annual thing. I think I have a name for it:

the Bud Selig Classic.

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Artist's rendition: Nick Johnson models the Nationals' new uniform.

Teams are going to be scared of the Nationals this season. Scared for their lives and property. As a Sports Illustrated profile of Lastings Milledge shows, the Nats have become the Portland JailBlazers of the MLB. What a roster! Untouchables, alcoholics and well-known behavioral problems. Surrounded by Odalis Perez, Dmitri Young, Bret Boone, Johnny Estrada, Paul Lo Duca, and Elijah Dukes, Lasty is starting to look like Cal Ripkin.

At least Milledge will always have New York: "I can't go through anything worse than I went through in New York. It only gets better from here."

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On a more serious note, I received this email from Kathy Foronjy & Joseph Coburn from www.mathematicallyalive.com:


I'm writing to let the Mets community know that a friend really needs our prayers and support. You all probably know Matt Hoey because he's been first in line for tickets at Shea for the last seven years. If you don't know him personally you've probably seen or heard about the fan who wears the orange & blue Dr. Seuss hat. Matt was in a accident this weekend and was hurt pretty badly. Joe & I are in shock and still trying to figure out what we can do to help.

Matt is one of the nicest, most genuine human beings we've ever met and he's most passionate about the Mets. We think the best thing to do right now is to send Matt support and love from his largest group of friends. We've created an email for those who want to offer sentiments to Matt & his family. GetWellMatt@mathematicallyalive.com. His wife Tracey will pass the messages along to Matt.

Please take a minute out of your day to send a supportive message to our friend Matt Hoey.