Amazin86er's Amazin Mets Franchise

[Amazin86er]

Well Spring Training has just ended and the big story of the spring was the arrival and anticipation of Johan Santana. Santana and Pedro Martinez form one of the best one two punches in the game or history of the game for that matter. With fifteen game winners Oliver Perez and John Maine in the three and four spots the Mets rotation should be one of the best in baseball. Not to go unnoticed in the spring was the play of Angel Pagan whose all around play, hustle, and generally good baseball instincts made him a virtual lock to make the team and go north. Pagan became a favorite of Manager Willie Randolph who said Pagan "was his kind of player."
The Mets look to put 2007 behind them quickly by opening the 2008 season against the young and talented Florida Marlins. First pitch 4:10 PM Miami,FL. PLAY BALL!!!


25 Man Roster----------
Starting Pitchers:
1 Johan Santana
2 Pedro "Petey" Martinez
3 Oliver Perez
4 John "Wayne" Maine
5 Orlando " El Duque" Hernandez

Bullpen:
LR Mike "Big Pelf" Pelfrey (Spot Starter)
MR Matt Wise
MR Scott Shoeneweis
MR Pedro Feliciano
SU Aaron Heilman
SU Duaner "Dirty" Sanchez
CL Billy "The Kid" Wagner

Starting Lineup:
1 Jose "Jose,Jose,Jose" Reyes SS
2 Luis Castillo 2B
3 David "Wonder Boy" Wright 3B
4 Carlos "5 Tool" Beltran CF
5 Carlos Delgado 1B
6 Moises Alou LF
7 Ryan "Play Me" Church RF
8 Brian Schneider C

Bench:
C Ramon "Shrek" Castro
OF Endy "The Catch" Chavez
OF Angel "Pure Athlete" Pagan
IN/OF Damion Easley
IN/OF Marlon Anderson

OPENING DAY 2008
SANTANA WINS DEBUT WITH SOLID EFFORT

Johan Santana made his much anticipated New York Met debut in the Mets 3-2 win against the Florida Marlins. Santana was very solid in his effort going seven innings allowing just five hits, one earned run, no walks, and five strikeouts. Dan Uggla homered off Santana in the first which proved to be the only mistake Santana would make in the outing. When asked about his 2008 Opening Day performance Santana offered this "well overall I felt very good, I left a ball up and over the plate in the first but I had alot of energy going ya know, glad to get the win and looking forward to the next one." Scott Olsen started for the Marlins going five and two thirds innings allowing four hits, three runs, one earned, walking two, while striking out five. In the ninth things got a little tight when Hanly Ramirez led off with a homer off of closer Billy Wagner who then allowed two more hits but retired the next three hitters to get out of the jam and preserve the win. Willie Randolph had this to say about the opening day win "it's always good to win the opener, you know to get out fast, good win today." Asked about Santana's debut Willie commented "what did you expect a no hitter?(LAUGHS) He'll get that next time out."

Notable Players----------
Reyes...1-4 2R 1BB 2SB
Castillo...2-3 1RBI
Alou...2-4 1RBI
Wright...0-4 1R 1SF


!!!!!BREAKING NEWS ALERT!!!!!
In a surprise move the New York Mets have signed Mike Piazza to a one year contract. Details on the contract are unknown at this time. Piazza will report to Triple A New Orleans. Piazza is expected to play through the month of April for the Zephyrs to get in game shape and then join the parent club in early May. Asked about the Piazza signing General Manager Omar Minaya had this to say "with Mike were talking about a first ballot hall of famer you know what I sayin', a true proffessional. Mike will offer a big right handed bat off the bench and also will serve as third catcher if need be. Mike just wants to be one of the guys hopefully on a championship team. I can tell you this he is very happy to be back in the orange and blue."

[Amazin86er]

GAME #2 APRIL 2, 2008 2W-0L
PIAZZA RETURNS BUT PEDRO STEALS SHOW

A day after announcing the imminent return of fan favorite Mike Piazza to the New York Mets organization another future hall of famer , Pedro Martinez, took the mound and looked to prove that he had plenty of quality innings left in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Martinez coming off a year in which he only made five starts because of having to undergo shoulder surgery in October of 2006 dominated the Florida Marlins as if it was the year 1999 instead of 2008 in a 3-1 victory. Martinez went eight dominating innings keeping the Marlin hitters off balance throughout with an assortment of two-seam fastballs, curve balls, change ups, and an occassional slider. Martinez's velocity reached as high as 92 and as low as 67 on some Mickey Mouse looking curveballs making the Marlins hitters look silly. The only run Martinez allowed came on a forth inning Josh Willingham opposite field homerun. Martinez's final line looked like eight innings pitched, six hits allowed, one earned run, zero walks, and six strkeouts. Billy Wagner recorded his second save in as many chances. Wagner allowed a lead off single to Hanley Ramirez but retired the next three hitters to retire the side. Sergio Mitre took the loss for the Marlins going six innings allowing six hits, three runs, one earned run, four walks, and five strikeouts. Jose Reyes was two for five with three stolen bases in the game. Asked about Martinez's effort Willie Randolph had this to say "that is what a healthy Pedro Martinez is like, dominant. Period. The man is a pitching magician just constantly keeping hitters off balance." Martinez added this when asked about his first start of 2008 "this is the best I have felt in many years, I just feel really good, and that makes Pedro Martinez a really good pitcher, watch out National League Pedro's back."

Notable Players----------
Reyes...2-5 3SB
Castillo...0-2 3BB
Delgado...1-4 1RBI
Church 1-2 1R 2BB
M. Anderson(PH)...1-1 1R

[Brew Crew07]

Get some pics, maybe some color and make a box score like:

0-2-0-0-0-0-2-1-0|5|7|1
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1|1|4|1