Davey Johnson didn’t play for the Orioles anymore in 1979 when they won the AL East and eventually lost to the Pittsburg Pirates in the World Series. But he was still close with some of the players. two of his former teammates in Mark Belanger and Elrod Hendricks were on Manager Earl Weaver’s staff. It was probably from one of these two where Johnson got the story of “full back.”

Johnson often told the story of Orioles reliever Don Stanhouse. It seems that while it usually ended well with Stanhouse, his appearances were filled with drama. So much drama in fact that Weaver would cover his eyes and tell one of his coaches to tell him when it was over. And Weaver, a legendary chain smoker during games would have to go to the smokes even more during a Stanhouse outing. The creation of the nickname, “Full Pack,” was an easy thing.

Political correctness and the change in societal morals today don’t allow us to make light of such stories, but the comparison to what Oliver Perez must put his manager through every night.

Last night was a “good Ollie” night. Even in the loss, the Mets looked like a good club against one of the league’s best starters on team that will probably will be playing in October.

You get to play 162 games over half a calendar year, and each season ends up being a different story from the past. While the New York media often seems to want this season to be like last year, it’s just not. And yes, there are so-to-speak moral victories. Perez’ terrific six innings were sqaundered, but the Mets’ valiantly made a run at getting it back in the ninth. Last night in St. Louis can be one of those night’s in which a club gets it’s moxie.

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I could hear fans thinking aloud last night: How did we not get this Robertson guy? And why didn’t we do something about the rotation during the off-season anyhow?

Answer: They couldn’t. And considering the market, they shouldn’t have. The conscience decision was made to see just what they had in John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez.

Fortunately, the Mets wanted Jon Niese to make the rotation and he did. He demonstarted last night that he is a fine alternative as a third or fourh starter. But unfortunately, the rest have shown no reason to feel they are even remotely worthy of a number two slot behind Johan Santana.

Maine’s start illustarted the concerns the club has had about him for some time. He couldn’t thrown many first pitch strikes and often fell behind 2-0. Coupled with less than desirable velocity, this is not a template for winning.

Fans have similar lack of faith in Perez and Pelfrey. More so the former than the later. We’ll see Pelfrey tonight and hopefully he performs much like he did in his last spring start. It’s going to be hard enough to withstand the early season failures of Maine and Perez as it is.

But the Mets may have anticipated this scenario and are prepared to make the year a psuedo rebuilding season. Are their replacements already on the current staff in Fernando Nieve and Hisanori Takahashi?
Tobi Stoner was effective in his rain-shortened start last night in Buffalo. It may be telling that he got the opening night start in AAA.

Still, the names Stoner, Takahashi and Nieve are not part of any reasonable calculus ending with a Mets play-off run this season.

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The Post’s Mike Puma says it best regarding Oliver Perez:

Oliver Perez finally has a healthy knee, but spent most of the spring serving up batting practice to opposing hitters, inspiring little confidence that he is about to get his act together and have a breakout year. Perez wasn’t wild, but didn’t fool many people, either.

Perez’ face can be posted in Websters by the definition for “enigma”. I’ve always hoped that Perez would one day find his inner Sid Fernandez. He never has and only rarely given anyone hope that he would. Fairness dictated that last season was a wash as he was saddled by an injured knee. Reportedly, he is in good shape after a productive off season.

But as Puma indicates, Perez wasn’t very good this spring. So it begs the question of just how long will the club go with him if he struggles.

The Mets won’t tolerate any Perez drama this year. He’ll probably get three starts to show what he can do. Two members of the bullpen are there now in Hisanori Takahashi and Fernando Nieve that they won’t hesitate to put in there.

But what then with Perez? The Mets may attempt to get him to go to Buffalo, but his agent Scot Boras won’t let that happen. The Mets may then attempt to deal Perez with the stipulation that they would pay the bulk of his remaining salary. There aren’t likely to be many takers as there weren’t when Perez was a free agent. Omar Minaya was probably bidding against himself in the first place. As Jeff Wilpon will be looking to be as drama free as possible, the Mets might just cut their losses and let Perez go in the event he struggles.

In many ways, Perez future is similar to that of Minaya and Jerry Manuel. Poor play over an extended period will prompt Wilpon to take action.

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“Meet the old boss. Same as the new boss.”

With apologies to The Who, I fear we are seeing much of the same we left off with last year. Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran will not be in the opening day line-up. Carlos Delgado and his Hall of Fame type numbers are gone from first base and a a journeyman will open there. Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Oliver Perez are healthy but have had lackluster springs. And unlike previous seasons, we’re not sure whom will take the mound in the 8th.

It’s not hopeful.

But let’s hope nonetheless.

Jason Bay will be in the line-up on opening day as will another new leader in Jeff Franceour. David Wright will not be alone in the middle of the line-up. The two players that have vied for the centerfield job in Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr have been pleasant surprises and one could be dealt to bring back pitching. Maybe the catching will be better and make a difference. Ike Davis, Fernando Martinez and Jennry Mejia look like they will be future All-Stars.

The minor league system is not barren afterall and under more effective and positive leadership than was during the Tony Bernazard regime. The Mets are embracing their past. Wally Backman’s back. Tim Teufel is the AA manager. They both look like future managers in Flushing.

But there’s still the start to this season.

If the club gets off to a poor start, the Omar and Jerry watch will begin. If it gets bad, the team will play as if they are waiting for someone or more than one to get fired.

I don’t think that Jeff Wilpon will put everyone through that. He’s made it clear that Minaya no longer has his favor. People are already in place to easily step into both positions. Wilpon won’t get fooled again and will act quickly and decisively.

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Sometimes it almost seems like they are cheering for the Mets to go wrong. Note Bill Madden’s column today bemoaning Oliver Perez’ “poor” outing. It was Ollie’s FIRST OUTING in the spring. No one ever pays any attention to anyone’s first time out in the spring. Madden knows this.

Madden goes further and points to Jose Reyes’ illness (he’ll be back) Frankie Rodriguez’ pink eye (c’mon man) and Kelvim Escobar’s slow progress (already knew about it). Nevermind that a better story is being covered in the blogosphere about how well Mets’ prospects have done thus far.

This traditionally is what the media covers at this point in spring training, but a New York reality is far different. Back pages are sold at toll booths, by street vendors and in train stations. Fair enough, but the New York media again is showing it is both predictable and far too often speaks collectively.

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This post was written by bobsikes on March 8, 2010

Tags: Back Pages, Bill Madden, Blogosphere, Jose Reyes, Kelvim Escobar, METS, Oliver Perez, Ollie, Pink Eye, Prospects, Slow Progress, Spring Training, Street Vendors, Time Out, Toll Booths, Train Stations