I love John Delcos’ blog that he does for The Journal News. He’s quick with his updates and tells us what he is thinking. This is great for Mets fans as John is is a beat writer who covers the club. An example of what I like about Delcos came today just a few minutes ago:

 

Lastings Milledge is not in the line-up today because of Carlos Zambrano. I understand that. The Mets will load their line-up with lefty hitters. I understand the theory, I really do.

I just think there are times when it is stupid. Zambrano gives all hitters trouble because he’s good. But, isn’t Milledge supposed to be good, too?

I know David Newhan has to play, but doesn’t Milledge have a better chance of making something happen? And, how is Milledge going to get better against such high caliber competition if he’s not put in them?

Just asking.

Delcos thinks like a fan here and its good blogging. His previous post dealt with Randolph’s line-up change:

There are times I don’t understand Willie Randolph. Today is one of them.

Willie is constantly saying he talks to his players all the time. Well, the original starting line-up had Moises Alou in left and Luis Castillo at second. The revised line-up has David Newhan in left and Ruben Gotay at second.

Just a day off he says, although both have their bumbs and bruises. If you know the temperature of your team then you don’t make a line-up and make changes just for a day off. Isn’t that done before hand? Especially when you said the day before you go by what you feel when you wake up.

That said, let’s move on to Paul Lo Duca. Today GM Omar Minaya said Mike DiFelice wouldn’t have been designated for assignment if Lo Duca couldn’t have played.  A half-hour earlier, Randolph said he wouldn’t rule out the DL on Lo Duca.

Pick a story, any story …. but stick with it.

Here’s where I depart from Delcos as I think it reveals his anti-Randolph bias. Many of the beat guys have it and it’s reflected in their reporting. Its far from unusual for a line-up to change after the club arrives. It was probably written and on the wall before some of those players arrived.

Delcos made a point in his blog two days ago when he pressed Randolph on why he didn’t play Lasstings Milledege in CF the day that Marlon Anderson had four hits plus a homer:

Last night was interesting. I got Willie alone after the game and tried to press him more on his decision to start Marlon Anderson over Lastings Milledge.

He got a little defensive. You can read more by clicking on to my story.

First off, Delcos was questioning Randolph after he had spoken to the press gaggle after the game. Then he may have pressed him in a way that was annoying. Maybe Delcos is just of the opinion that Milledge should be playing, but Randolph does not have to justify to the media every move he makes.

Many members of the media find Randolph hard to deal with and don’t liike him. They take his demeanor personally and it bears out in their reporting. Some-like Marty Noble and Adam Rubin- clearly do not. But the amount of beat guys who don’t care for Randolph have dominated the narrative. If you want eveidence just listen to post-game call-ins on WFAN.

Still, while I disagree with Delcos on this issue, I love what he’s doing with his blog. He wears his passion on his sleave and it provides first blogging.