The Diary of Lefty Leroux - Reliever

[LeftyLeroux]

Hi, Lefty Leroux here.

I guess i'm what you'd call a crafty southpaw reliever in high school, at least that's what Coach Henry says. I've had a "hard" life so far and i'm a bit of a pragmatist, but i'm going to see if I can make it to the bigs. About myself, i'm 18 years old, 6'2" and 215lbs and of course, i'm a lefty. I'll throw fastballs, but I really prefer my changeup and sinker.

My baseball abilities:
Stuff 2/30 Control 26/90 Velocity 18/20 Poise 11/90
Endurance 13 Defense 23 Hitting 1

My RPG abilities:
Str+1 Int+3 Dex+3 Con+1 Chr+1 Luck+1

Draft Day 2003:
The scouts are rating me at 2.5 stars. UGH! With all these relievers in the draft, it could be a long day. Round 1, I need some coffee. My phone rings!! "My carpet cleaned??? I'll clean your.....", oh he hung up. I guess I was kinda rude. Round 2, more coffee...and another call. It's Coach Henry wishing me well. Yeah, thanks coach, maybe you should've talked me up with the scouts more. I need a walk. Round 6, round 7....i'm getting real nervous, all that's left now is relievers and i'm one of the last at 2.5 left, this is not good. The phone rings, it's my stupid sister Amanda. Why our parents bought her a cell phone at 15 is beyond me. As soon as I hang up with her, the phone rings again, it's the Mets! Round 7, pick 11. What pick overall? I don't want to even think about that. No signing bonus, cheapos. They drafted another lefty reliever in the 6th, I wonder if he got a bonus.

Spring Training 2003:
Met's single-A coach Jason Runnels puts me in at middle relief. He seems like a decent sort, 12 years of experience and he's "good" at developing pitchers, so that's a positive. I try to pal around with the other two lefties in the bullpen, Joel Perez (the 6th round pick) and Sergio Matos (18yrs 6'6" 230lbs). They're both from the Dominican and while Perez speaks a little english, I can't understand Matos at all. Where'd they get this Matos character anyaways, not drafted, not from the Independent League, yet he already thinks he's ready for AA ball and Coach Runnels put him in as setup man ahead of Perez and I. I may have to find some new friends. The Mets supply me with a Silver Slugger Inc. A1 bat, SweetSpot Ltd. TX1 batting gloves (will I even need these?), Web Gems Inc. OF1 gloves and Mazano Tech Shoes Basic1 shows and I head to the workout room.

-Lefty Leroux

[LeftyLeroux]

My first game 2003:
Second game of the year against the Montreal-A. Coach calls me in in the bottom of the 8th with one out and no one on base in a 7-7 tie to face Romeo Marzano, he's 2-7 on the year. I walk him, what was I thinking. Coach Runnels is coming out of the dugout. Awww man. One batter and he's bringing in Sergio Matos to replace me. Matos stikes out Randell Brooks. Marzano steals second and the next batter, Frank Johns, doubles to score Marzano. Thanks Sergio, way to hold my baserunner. How to calculate my ERA? You can't divide by zero! Not a good debut. I get the loss in an 8-7 game.

Two days later, I get my first out. A goundball to second by Florida-A Sterling Davis. YAY! I have an ERA! I pitch 1.2 innings and give up one ER, throwing 29 pitches and I was tired when Coach Runnels came to get me. Two days after that I finally get my first K against Howard Lee of Florida-A. Following the K, I plunked two guys and Joel Perez came in to relieve me and gave up two hits allowing both my runners to score. These "friends" of mine sure aren't helping me. We lose 6-3. I end my first week as a pro with a 10.13ERA in 2.2 innings. I need a drink. Fiddlers is quiet, so I get a couple drink to brighten my mood and head home. On 4/11 I pitch 1.2 innings of hitless relief with a one-run lead. We win 6-5, I hope Coach took notice. And on 4/13, another 1.2inn of hitless relief, my ERA is down to a respectable 4.50. My Stuff rating, which started at an embarassing 2/30 is already up 4 points to 6/30. My hitless string continues on 4/17 with another 1.2inns. The team is on a roll too, after a slow start, the Mets-A are 9-7. Another .1inn (with two walks) against the Phils-A and i'm at 5.1innings without a hit, ERA down to 3.38 and the Mets-A are 11-7. I've given up 2 hits and 7 walks in 8 innings. On 4/22 I finally give up a hit, Jesus Andujar of the Phils-A hit a solo dinger off me, but that was all I gave up in 2 innings and......I got my first WIN as a pro! Time for a drink! My Dominican bud Joel Perez is there, but he doesn't want to have a drink with me. What a jerk.

End of April 2003:
Stuff 8/30 Control 27/90 Velocity 19/20 Poise 11/90
1-1 2.45ERA 14.2IP 6H 9BB 6K

The Mets-A are on some kind of roll! We are now 23-10. I remember at one point we were 4-7, that puts us on a run of 19 wins in our last 22 games! The bullpen is jelling quite nicely. The only one struggling is Joel Perez with a 5.60ERA. Can't say I feel badly for him.

5/13: Lots of movement in the organization. The Mets signed a lefty reliever named Geraldo Baston from the Independents and put him in AAA. They moved Sergio Matos (the big Dominican) from A to AA. And dropped a young 16yr old Mexican reliever named Joaquin Dalmau (2-1 4.91ERA in AA) here with us. I'll give the kid a chance, but I guess I can't take him to Fiddlers.

[LeftyLeroux]

5/15: Important Call! I've been called up to AA! The GM likes the numbers I was putting up in A. (1-1 2.14ERA 21IP 9H 10BB 8K) The Mets-AA team is 16-21 and my old bud Big Sergio Matos is there, but he has yet to pitch. Sergio is setup lefty and i'll be MR for Coach Earl Sletten. He has 4 years experience, but is Inexperienced with developing pitchers, bah! My first AA game, against the Dodgers-AA, I give up a walk, but the guy is caught stealing, and that's it. My second game, I came in with the bases loaded and 1 out. Got a K and a groundout. Sweet! Seems like Coach Sletten likes me. I've pitched in 4 of the 5 games with 1run in 4inns and 5 K's but i'm pooped. That extra $100 a week salary sure is nice. The closer here in AA is just terrible. Benjamin Losada is 0-4 7.20ERA. I could do that job better than him.

5/26: Strained Rotator Cuff injury. Day-to-day for about three weeks. But you know what they say, "We are all just living day to day".

End of May 2003 AA:
Stuff 9/30 Control 27/90 Velocity 19/20 Poise 12/90
0-0 1.17ERA 7.2IP 7H 4BB 8K

6/12: Finally got back into a game. Got 2 outs in the 9th inning of a Mets-AA 14-1 blowout of the Cubs. Coach Sletten hasn’t been using me at all during my injury, although he did keep me in my MR slot. Spent a lot of time “re-habing” at Fiddlers. Not much happened, not even that german programmer guy would drink with me. My first game back being 100% healthy on 6/18 is 3.1innings of 1 hit relief against the Phils-AA. My ERA is a sparkling 0.77. I remain perfect, tho slightly underworked the rest of the month. Big Sergio Matos is struggling at 0-3 with 6.10ERA.

End of June (Mets-AA 35-44)
Stuff 10/30 Control 27/90 Velocity 19/20 Poise 12/90
1-0 0.53ERA 17IP 13H 6BB 15K

[LeftyLeroux]

7/3: After a couple of shaky outings in July, the phone rings. I’m moving up to AAA! Wow! Almost to the big show and I’m still 18 years old. The Mets-AAA are 41-40. The AAA bullpen is doing quite well, I hope I fit in. The worst ERA in the pen is Walter Matta at 3.91. The other lefty, Geraldo Baston is 2.20. Looks like I won’t be the first lefty in line to get the call. That’s OK, because the $500 a week means I can get a new car! 7/10 is my first AAA game. I look a little nervous against the Reds-AAA, giving up 4 hits and a run in 1.1 innings. I need to work to gain Coach Eric Davis’ trust. He’s been around 13 years and is “Good” with pitchers. It seems obvious that he doesn’t want me pitching in close games because I look over-matched out there.

End of July (Mets-AAA 48-55)
Stuff 12/30 Control 29/90 Velocity 19/20 Poise 12/90
0-0 9.00ERA 4IP 10H 1BB 0K

8/7: An embarrassing day vs. Houston-AAA. I came in with the bases loaded and one out. Gave up 3 hits and a walk before getting the last two outs in an 8-run Houston 6th. I am struggling at this level, no doubt. 8/14: I haven’t played in a week. It seems like I’m drinking “Tequila Sunrises” just to keep my mood up. 8/21: Still haven’t played. Not even ugly 36 year old women will go home with me. Is a demotion coming soon? 8/22: Finally got in 0.2 inning of work. 8/30: I’ve been doing somewhat better, gaining a little confidence and Coach Davis is using me regularly now, even in close games. Just in time for the minor league season to be over. Please don’t laugh at my stats, OK?

End of August (Mets-AAA 55-75)
Stuff 12/30 Control 29/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 13/90
6.75ERA 13.1IP 22H 6BB 3K

Two of our AAA relievers got September call-ups: Augusto Sarmiento (3.92 ERA) and David Huffine (2.33 ERA) . Not me, my season is over. 9/18: Met graphics designer Aurelio at the bar, got him wasted and he told me things, mind expanding things….cosmic, man. 9/27 Met Coach Davis at Fiddlers and he helped me out too. My old friends from spring training didn’t have the success I did. Big Sergio Matos finished in AA (4-4 4.58ERA) and Joel Perez never got out of A ball (4-2 4.54ERA).

End of August (Mets-AAA 55-75)
Stuff 14/30 Control 31/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 18/90

10/1: Got in a fight with Alonzo Frades a RF from Colorado. I think I should stick with pitching. 10/13: Met Flora a 23 year old average looking girl. She liked my stamp collection, among other things. I feel great! 10/20: The Mets major league club went 82-80. The Red Sox beat the Giants in the World Series 4-2.

End of Season (Mets-AAA 55-75)
Stuff 15/30 Control 32/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 19/90

[LeftyLeroux]

Beginning of 2004 (Mets-AA 0-0)
Stuff 17/30 Control 35/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 23/90
Endurance 14 Defense 23 Hitting 1

The Mets signed Roberto Fuentes, a 36 years old reliever from the Red Sox (0-2 6.33ERA) to a 4 year deal. This dropped lefty Matthew Cawthon (6-4 3.12ERA), also 36 years old, down to AAA. Forcing a demotion for me down to AA. Now only those two old fogies, Geraldo Baston (28) and Oscar Leyte (2-2 4.85ERA) are remaining as lefties ahead of me in the organization. Hopefully I will dominate AA like I did last year. 4/7: Good news, Matthew Cawthon was released. 4/28: The bullpen has been solid. Big Sergio Matos (0-1 1.00ERA) is still here and my lefty competition. The weak link, as usual, is closer Benjamin Losada (0-2 7.71 5SV). Like last year, I am dominating AA.

End of April 2004 (Mets-AA 12-14)
Stuff 17/30 Control 36/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 24/90
1-0 1.50ERA 12IP 9H 5BB 10K

5/3: Coach Sletten made me “Take one for the team”. I was totally exhausted and he let me pitch to batter after batter. Whatta putz! 11 earned runs in 1.1 innings. My ERA ballooned to 8.13. I hope they fire him. I got plastered with the owner that night in Fiddlers, but I don’t think he got my message about the coach. 5/5: Sergio Matos (0-1 4.05ERA) got promoted to AAA today. I will fill his slot as the lefty setup man.

[LeftyLeroux]

5/7: Got my first save as a pro in a 2-0 win over the Pirates-AA. 5/19: What is wrong with me? Gave up a grand slam and did not record an out. Met Janet at Fiddlers. Took her home, but things didn’t go well. I’m so cranky. 5/21: Blown out again. Gave up another 4 runs. This month has been a disaster.

End of May 2004 (Mets-AA 21-30)
Stuff 18/30 Control 37/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 24/90
1-2 9.97ERA 21.2IP 28H 15BB 14K 1SV

6/5: The first start of my career! I was quite nervous until I hit the mound. Rockies-AA hitters were totally fooled as I retired the first 10 batters I faced with 4K’s. Gave up a single and then coach came to get me. Feeling much better now. Sergio Matos (1-0 7.04ERA) is back down in AA, moving me back to MR and, apparently, spot starting because of an injury to Ryan Masujiro (2-2 6.79ERA), but he should be back soon. 6/16: Matos is back up to AAA and I’m back to setup man. 6/30: The team is starting to win. We are 18-9 this month. At this point, I am very inconsistent.

End of June 2004 (Mets-AA 40-39)
Stuff 19/30 Control 37/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 25/90
3-4 7.82ERA 38IP 46H 20BB 27K 3SV

[LeftyLeroux]

7/7: I’m back to MR. They moved RHP Oliver Albaugh (3-3 4.71ERA) into my slot.

End of July 2004 (Mets-AA 50-53)
Stuff 20/30 Control 39/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 27/90
3-5 6.63ERA 54.1IP 64H 24BB 40K 3SV

8/11: I continue my inconsistent play. With an injury to SP Jeffrey Obrien (4-7 4.23ERA), I am getting spot starts along with lots of other appearances. My fitness is rarely above 50% these days. 8/18: Geraldo Baston, one of the lefties in AAA was released today. Interesting. 8/26: My arm feels like its about to fall off. I’ve worked 4 straight days, giving up no runs and managed to dip my ERA below 6. A minor victory.

End of August 2004 (Mets-AA 60-70)
Stuff 23/30 Control 40/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 27/90
5-8 69G 6GS 5.72ERA 78.2IP 85H 32BB 56K 3SV

9/1: Two AAA relievers got September callups: Carlos Rodriguez (7-3 2.22ERA) and David Huffine (3-4 2.10ERA). My rotten season is over. I’m only 20 years old, but this full season in AA has really got me worried about where I’ll be next year. I did manage to make the AA leaderboard for appearances in third place. Time for some serious drinking! 9/8: Coach Sletten and I ironed out our differences at Fiddlers, I learned a lot. 9/12: Got in a fight with Markus at the bar. He karate kicked me! Not fair! Darn programmers. The Mets (86-76) finished 5 games behind the division champion Marlins and 2 games behind the Astros for the WildCard. The Yankees beat the Pirates 4-3 in the World Series.

End of 2004
Stuff 25/30 Control 41/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 30/90

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2005 $22,327
Stuff 30/30 Control 42/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 31/90
Endurance 17 Defense 23 Hitting 1

Well, looks like another year in AA for ‘ole Lefty, this time as full-time setup man. The Mets have a new closer in Francis Enders (3-7 38SV 3.03ERA) that they got from the Dodgers, moving longtime Met closer Ronald Robichaux (4-5 32SV 3.08ERA) to MR. My old pal, Big Sergio Matos did not show up for camp this year. They also signed a awful SP name Guy Mulford (6-19 6.72ERA) from the D-Rays. Mulford won 17 for the Red Sox (6-0 in the playoffs) in their championship year of 2003, however. Only one reliever, a righty name Joseph Stanford was drafted this year. There are two lefty relievers in AAA: 37 year old Roberto Fuentes, signed as an FA in 2004 (5-2 4.48ERA w/Mets) and newcomer closer Joshua Janus. Oscar Leyte (5-3 3.14ERA) is the only lefty on the ML squad so my chances of moving up this year look good, especially if Fuentes starts to get old. David Huffine (1-0 1.10ERA w/Mets), a Sept callup the last two years, left for the D-Backs.

4/7: I give up a grand slam in my 3rd game of the year. A bunch of players were released, including Roberto Fuentes, Oliver Albaugh and Sergio Matos. Whew! I guess they decided to keep me before I gave up that slam. 4/21: The Mets trade 3 players, one my AA relieving buddy Tim Novak to Houston for an average SS named William Singley (.217AVG 1HR). Signed a new reliever name Xavier Ugarte (0-0 31.50ERA KC-AAA) and put him in the bigs. Young Joaquin Dalmau (2-0 4.35 Mets-A), who I first met 2 years ago when he was 16, is joining us in AA. The Mets have still not signed a coach for any of the minor leagues, nor a pitching coach. What is going on at the front office?

End of April 2005 (Mets-AA 9-17)
Stuff 30/30 Control 43/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 31/90
1-1 7.15ERA 11.1IP 17H 2BB 10K

[LeftyLeroux]

5/9: My first pro AB. Well, not exactly, it was an intentional walk. Just what were they afraid of? 5/23: Been on a hot streak as of late. ERA down to 5.32.

End of May 2005 (Mets-AA 16-35)
Stuff 30/30 Control 45/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 33/90
1-1 5.32ERA 22IP 31H 12BB 15K 2SV

6/6: Great! ERA under 5 for the first time in two years! Anything under 5 is, at the very least, not embarrassing. Been trying to throw groundballs and its been working nicely. 6/16: Still on a roll, ERA 4.45. But they moved just drafted Joseph Stanford (2-3 4.31) into my setup slot. 6/29 The Mets-AA have won 15 of their last 18 games. 6/30: My ERA is now the lowest in the bullpen.

End of June 2005 (Mets-AA 35-44)
Stuff 30/30 Control 46/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 35/90
4-1 3.76ERA 40.2IP 48H 23BB 27K 3SV

7/29: Came in during extra innings and loaded up the bases with one out. Carl Brumley (2-2 4.34) came in and K’d the next two guys to get me out of the jam. You da man, Carl.

End of July 2005 (Mets-AA 48-55)
Stuff 30/30 Control 47/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 36/90
4-1 3.45ERA 57.1IP 62H 32BB 41K 4SV

8/22: Two wins for me in the last three days, running my record to 6-1. The Mets-AA are creeping up on .500 as well. 8/27: My ERA just hit 3.00, will it be enough to warrant a Sept. callup to the bigs? Seems unlikely since they’ve still got me in AA.

End of August 2005 (Mets-AA 65-65)
Stuff 30/30 Control 48/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 36/90
6-1 3.00ERA 75IP 72H 36BB 54K 4SV

9/1: No surprises in the Sept. callups. My season, a great comeback year, is in the books. At 68-62, the Mets are leading the East, 4 games ahead of the Marlins. 9/7: Jim Trunzel beat me up and fractured my nose. I won’t mess with him again. 10/6: The Mets (86-75) have clinched the pennant by five games over the Marlins and Expos. 10/20: The Mets were eliminated by the Wild Card Cardinals (91-71) 3-1. 11/1: I had a good “meeting” with the manager and Markus gave me a swollen eye. The Pirates (93-69) beat the Twins (91-71) in four games to win the world series. The Pirates were led by LF Cristobal Ortiz (.301 32HR 102RBI) and SP Einar Alonso (20-11 3.96ERA).

End of 2005
Stuff 29/30 Control 48/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 39/90

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2006 $32,105
Stuff 30/30 Control 51/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 40/90
Endurance 20 Defense 23 Hitting 1

Dang it! Still in AA. The Mets drafted two right-handed relievers, James Sill and Ryan Lerch in the 6th and 7th rounds. They made one free agent signing of a pitcher, journeyman RRP Thomas “El guapo” Hiroji (0-2 16.88 w/Phi&Det), but a lot of arbitrations, most notable LRP Oscar Leyte (6-2 1.79) and young 22 year old starting phenom Ryan Masujiro (13-12 4.32). The ML bullpen looks the same as last year, with a logjam of righties in AAA and the one lefty closer Joshua Janus (6-5 27SV 3.63). The biggest free agent was signed by St. Louis. They snagged SP Bruce Evans (24-0 2.27ERA) from the Red Sox for 13.3mil for 4 years. That’s right, 24-0 last year. 4:7: We have no coaches or scouts in the entire organization. A lot of players were released today including Joachin Dalmau and “El guapo” Hiroji. James Stanford was moved up to AAA ahead of me, but leaving me the setup role.

End of April 2006 (Mets-AA 14-12)
Stuff 30/30 Control 52/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 42/90
2-0 2.19ERA 12.1IP 10H 8BB 9K

5/17: I got the call to AAA! I guess they could no longer overlook my 1.86ERA in AA. Unfortunately, I am slotted for mop-up relief. 5/18: My first outing, I gave up two hits, a walk and an unearned run. 5/19: Maybe I’m here to stay, because the Mets signed a FA name Herbert King to fill my spot in AA.

End of May 2006 (Mets-AAA 21-30)
Stuff 30/30 Control 53/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 42/90
0-0 0.00ERA 3IP 3H 1BB 1K

[twins15]

Great stuff Lefty and keep this up, because it is very interesting. You definitely nhave some great writing skills.

[LeftyLeroux]

I have writing skills? Gee, I thought I was barely coherent.
Anyways.....

6/9: With injuries to Steven Hopp (1-0 2.57), Augusto Sarmiento (0-1 6.48) and Joshua Janus (1-1 5.11) we only have four healthy arms in the pen. 6/12: Got my first AAA win.

End of June 2006 (Mets-AAA 34-45)
Stuff 30/30 Control 53/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 42/90
1-0 4.11ERA 15.1IP 17H 8BB 5K

7/14: The Met traded for RRP Blas Vilaseca (1-1 4.09). Which sent 37 year old Edward Escriba (1-1 5.66) back to AAA and moved me back to mop-up. 7/21: I have never seen a team commit as many errors as this Mets-AAA team does. Edward Escriba was released, moving me into MR. 7/28: Joel Perez (0-1 1.74) who was drafted one round ahead of me is tearing up AA this year.

End of July 2006 (Mets-AAA 43-60)
Stuff 30/30 Control 54/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 42/90
5.30ERA 1-1 18.2IP 23H 11BB 8K

8/4: Met signed extensions for 3 key position players: LF Tyrell Mettler (.266 17HR), CF James Nunez (.306 5HR) and 1B Joe Byram (.228 16HR). 3B Lyman Fitzgerald (.299 29HR 105RBI) remains un-signed. 8/25: I am pitching rarely and poorly. Pitching in Sept. seems unlikely. 8/27: Got my first AAA save in the bottom of the 15th against the Brewers-AAA.

End of August 2006 (Mets-AAA 57-73)
Stuff 30/30 Control 55/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 43/90
5.47ERA 2-1 26.1IP 30H 14BB 12K 1SV

9/1: The only bullpen call-ups were Walter Matta (4-4 2.16ERA) and Joseph Stanford (2-0 3.89). Time for another heavy drinking fall! 9/8:The Mets (80-57) lead the East by 3 games over the Expos and 5 over the Marlins. The Mets (95-67) beat out the Expos by one game to win the East. 10/20: The Mets defeated the Expos 3-1 in the Divisional Series. The Mets defeated the Cubbies (89-74) 4-2 to head to the World Series! 11/6: The Blue Jays (88-74) beat the Mets in seven games. The Jays were lead by 1B Rudolfo Fons (.271 38HR 115RBI) and SP Bruce Beehler (13-8 2.80).

End of 2006
Stuff 30/30 Control 57/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 46/90

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2007 $46,163
Stuff 30/30 Control 62/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 46/90
Endurance 24 Defense 23 Hitting 1

Back in AAA, but man, am I sick of being poor. Aren’t they supposed to offer me a contract after 4 years of experience? Looking back at the class I was drafted with, only 1st rounder Berry Bernard (15-8 3.34) has a contract (300k) and has even played for the Mets. Only one other guy has made it to AAA, so I guess I’m doing OK. Lots of arbitration deals, most notably, LRP Oscar Leyte (2-2 4.74) and RRP’s Blas Vilaseca (1-2 4.35) and Robert Berube (4-5 7.40). We drafted one reliever, a lefty name Clemente Velasco in the 7th round. The only notable FA signing for us was RRP John Seman (6-1 4.89) from the Royals. The biggest FA deal was the Phillies signing LF Bryan Brooks (.315 39HR) away from the Cardinals for 11.5mil.

4/7: After the usual first week moves, I’ve settled into MR role. Steven Hopp was released. Our AAA bullpen consists of lefty Joshua Janus closing, Robert Berube, Walter Matta, Augusto Sarmiento, and John Seman rotating into the 11th pitching spot on the Mets, Joseph Stanford is still here and Corey Simkins is mopping up. 4/21: Augusto Sarmiento and Corey Simkins were released. Kinda tough for Sarmiento, since he was injured all last year. Maybe someone will pick him up. Now we have just 4 starters and 5 relievers in AAA. 4/28: Robert Berube was released. 25 year old Bruno Pineda was added to our AAA bullpen.

End of April 2007 (Mets-AA 18-8)
Stuff 30/30 Control 62/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 49/90
7.04ERA 0-0 7.2IP 6H 6BB 2K

5/12: Was used as a pinch runner.

End of May 2007 (Mets-AA 25-26)
Stuff 30/30 Control 63/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 49/90
5.76ERA 0-0 25IP 22H 11BB 16K

6/13: Went to Fiddlers to clear my mind from some recent bad performances. My manager was there and it only took one Tequila Sunrise to pry some pitching info out of him. 6/30: Ariel Enos, (1-1 2.42) after 5 years in AA finally got the call and joins us as mop-up in AAA.

End of June 2007 (Mets-AA 36-43)
Stuff 30/30 Control 64/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 50/90
5.03 ERA 1-0 48.1IP 47H 18BB 34K

[LeftyLeroux]

7/4: 23 year old Mets starter Ryan Masujiro (11-5 2.30) made his first all-star game. He also pitched a no-hitter and was pitcher of the month. 7/14: Mets sign RRP Jamie Bayless (4-1 2.06 AAA) who was released a week ago by the Giants and put him on the ML roster. The guy was drafted six spots before me in 2003 by the Rangers. In a meeting at Fiddlers, the manager convinced me that this move was not made because they are disappointed in me, which helped my poise. 7/21: Mets trade for another yound SP, 22 year old Perdo Campos (5-8 4.91) from the Blue Jays. I’ll say this, the Mets sure have a talented, young starting rotation. 7/28: Was rolling along quite well before giving up a grand slam, and I don’t mean the breakfast at Denny’s.

End of July 2007 (Mets-AA 47-56)
Stuff 30/30 Control 65/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 51/90
5.47 ERA 2-0 54.1IP 53H 22BB 37K

8/1: No trades, but LRP Oscar Leyte (3-2 3.86) was signed to a 3 year extension. That stinks for me. 8/4: Xavier Ugarte and Ariel Enos were released. 8/31: Disappointing year, my numbers are only slightly better than last year. Perhaps I don’t have the “Stuff” to go any higher than this.

End of August 2007 (Mets-AA 58-72)
Stuff 30/30 Control 69/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 53/90
5.25 ERA 2-1 70.1IP 77H 24BB 45K

8/1: All the guys who split time between AAA and the majors will finish the year with the Mets: Matta, Seman, Bayless and Stanford. I hear Fiddlers has my chair all ready for me. A couple guys were signed to fill in the AAA roster, including Leo Saez, who played with the Mariners last year, but was released after one game this year. 9/8: The Mets are in a wild pennant race. Two behind the Marlins and 1 behind the Expos. They signed a LRP, 30 year old George Blaisdell and put him in AAA. That makes me very nervous about next season. 9/15: The Mets (81-62) are tied with the Marlins and 1 ahead of the Expos. 9/22: The Mets have two key players not signed for next year: SS Gino Bourg (.290 10HR 60SB) who led the league last year in SB’s and is only 24 and Ricardo Beltran (6-11 4.70) who had his first bad year this year. 9/29: The Mets (87-69) have dropped 4 games back of the Expos and one back of Florida for the wild card. I’ve had some very productive “meetings” at the bar this month. 10/7: The Mets finished 3 games behind both the Expos and Marlins. SP Ryan Masujiro (19-6 2.58) struggled towards the end of the year. The offense was led by 1B Joe Byram (.250 32HR 97RBI), LF Tyrell Mettler (.260 29HR 110RBI) and Gino Bourg (65SB 17Triples). 11/6: The Expos beat the Rangers in seven games to win the World Series. The Expos were led by RF Lawrence Sears (.351 32HR 132RBI) and SP Francisco Costas (18-9 2.44). I tied for second in appearances.

End of 2007
Stuff 30/30 Control 74/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 59/90

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2008 $61,045
Stuff 30/30 Control 76/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 61/90
Endurance 27 Defense 23 Hitting 1

Same old, same old, I’m back in AAA again. With their 1st round pick, the Mets drafted a closer named Rey Ross and two relievers in the late rounds: Manuel Aponte and Paul Hall. Fan loyalty increased to Very Good at Shea. Leo Saez retired and Blas Villaseca left for FA. They signed FA 1B John Marquette (.311 41HR 148RBI) from the Marlins for 8mil, which is strange because current 1B John Bynam has hit 30+ dingers each of the last three years. New reliever Philip Benbow (2-8 4.11) was signed from the Angels and Carlos Alaniz (4-3 3.69) from the Blue Jays and AAA reliever Robert Burgan (1-0 6.13) from the Marlins. A spot was open because they traded RP Ronald Robichaux (3-2 2.28 9 years with the team) to the Yankees for SS Sean Swiderski (.276 14HR 17SB) who will lead off, replacing Gino Bourg who signed cheaply with the Yankees for 4.8mil. The biggest FA signing was the Twins snagging Francisco Costas (18-9 2.44) from the Expos for 12.1mil.

4/7: RP’s George Blaisdell and Robert Burgan were released. This put me back in MR role with pretty much the same cast as last year: Janus, Stanford, Seman, Bayless and Pineda with the addition of John Horton in mop-up. 4/21: Whoa! Three relievers I’ve played a lot with are gone: John Seman, John Horton and Joshua Janus. Robert Kimbell is now our closer.

End of April 2008 (Mets-AA 14-21)
Stuff 30/30 Control 77/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 62/90
9.00ERA 0-0 4IP 7H 2BB 2K

[LeftyLeroux]

5/19: On a roll, given up one ER and one walk in 12 innings this month. 5/20: Carlos Alaniz (1-1 5.60) was injured so Joe Stanford was called up to fill his spot. I was moved into setup and Mark Liedtke was hired from the Independents to fill my spot. 5/23: I like how when you are turned down for a date, your mood suffers, but it’s nothing a couple beers can’t fix, pretty realistic. 5/23: Another injury to the Mets bullpen: Philip Benbow (3-1 3.20). This time, Jamie Bayless got the call over me. Joel Blanche was hired to fill his roster spot.

End of May 2008 (Mets-AAA 26-25)
Stuff 30/30 Control 77/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 63/90
4.00ERA 0-0 1SV 18IP 21H 3BB 18K

6/1: I had 16K’s and only one BB in May. 6/2: Sixth round pick in 2004 Orlando Pastrana (1-1 2.83) was promoted to AAA. 6/6: Got a start today and it was my longest appearance ever (3.2IP 1H 1ER 1BB 5K). 6/23: Stanford and Bayless return from filling in for the injured Mets relievers, but neither of them could bump me from my setup slot. Mark Liedtke was released. 6/29: SP Guy Mulford (4-7 5.90) was injured, but again, Joseph Stanford got the call, not me.

End of June 2008 (Mets-AAA 42-37)
Stuff 30/30 Control 79/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 65/90
2.93ERA 1-0 1SV 27.2IP 27H 6BB 28K

7/1: With more than 4K’s per BB, my control is starting get good. 7/5: Three Mets (38-43) made the all-star game: 1B John Marquette (.295 15HR 52RBI), RF Tyrell Mettler (.303 16HR 58RBI) and SP Berry Barnard (3.02 10-3). SP Ryan Masujiro (4.30 4-10) had a terrible start but has recently been picking it up. 7/16: All-star RF Tyrell Mettler was traded to the A’s for SS Billy Marriott (.284 3HR) and 21 year old RF Darrell Cooper who will play in AAA. 7/18: Joseph Stanford was sent down, probably because of his 10.71ERA, and guess what, I GOT THE CALL. My 2.48ERA in AAA was too low to ignore. I’m flying in to meet the Mets at Shea and will be in MR with Carlos Alaniz (1-2 6.83) and lefty starter Pedro Campos (2-4 5.72). They deposited about 160K in my bank account. Woo-freakin-hoo, I can buy something! Looks like it will be 5 years before I’m a FA. 7/19: More interesting news, they dealt reliever Walter Matta, who had an ERA under 2, to the Padres for a promising young SP Vicente Aston (7-2 2.74). 7/19: Already in the game vs. the Dodgers, starting the 6th inning, we are down 6-3, facing D Lynch (.290 7HR). LF Scott Stutz makes a great sliding catch to preserve my first out as a major leaguer. Thanks Scotty! Three singles a K and a ground out later and I’ve given up one run. Not awful. Next inning, Stutz makes another nice catch. A walk and a double play later and I’m back in the dugout again. Philip Benbow (3-3 3.53) comes out for the next inning and I’ve survived my debut. The Mets players get a kick out of the look of relief on my face as they congratulate me on my debut. 7/24: Got smoked by the D’Backs for 2HR’s and 5ER. 7/25: The Mets finally deal 1B Joe Byram, who was stuck behind John Marquette (.284 17HR 61RBI), to L.A. for LF Joseph Veiga (.309 4HR) who will play in AA. Spent $225k to buy the “Pitching Mind” book to work on my poise. 7/30: SS Billy Marriott (.290) had his hitting steak snapped at 16 games. Gave up a 3-run walk off homerun in the bottom of the 12th against the Expos for my first loss.

End of July 2008 (Mets 48-55)
Stuff 30/30 Control 80/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 68/90
15.19ERA 0-1 5.1IP 13H 2BB 2K

8/1: No trades at the deadline, but extensions were given to SP Guy Mulford (6-7 5.23), CL Francis Enders (4-2 3.92 14SV) and SS Sean Swiderski (.249 14HR 11SB) who looks to have been beaten out of his starting job by Billy Marriott 8/9: Well, the fun is over. I’ve been sent back to AAA and my mood is zero. Can’t blame them really, my 2 losses and 12.47ERA didn’t impress anyone. 8/11: Joel Blanche was released from AAA where I am back in my setup role. 8/25: Orlando Pastrana was promoted today, he was drafted in 2004 and it’s his first shot at the bigs. Maybe I’ll see him in September. 8/31: I’m back up on the Mets roster again. My ERA was down to 2.27 in AAA.

End of August 2008 (Mets 64-66)
Stuff 30/30 Control 81/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 69/90
12.27ERA 0-2 7.1IP 14H 2BB 2K

9/1: For the first time, I am pitching in September, instead of getting drunk. I join Pastrana in the mop up spots, Joseph Stanford is here as well. 9/11: Finally finished that darn book. 9/12: SP Benicio Fernandez (6-12 3.61) is on a six game hitting streak and is batting .327 in 52AB. For a pitcher he has a career .220AVG with 6HR’s (4HR’s in 2006). 9/15: The Mets are nearly out of the playoff hunt, 7 games behind the Expos and with the Marlins and Phils one game back. 9/22: My first major league AB comes in the 12th inning of a 4-4 game against Houston. The pitcher is Daniel Siders, who has pitched all of 1.2 innings all year. I flew out to LF, well, at least I got my bat on it. Oh My God, they are putting me into the game at catcher. Catcher? I don’t know how to play that position! My second AB, the pitcher seems pretty wild, so I put the bat on my shoulder and draw a walk. What the? Am I reading that sign wrong? They want me to steal? OK, the pitch….head down and GO! I made it! The catcher threw high and I snuck in there! Wheee, that was fun! I caught 4 innings, no errors and no one tried to steal. Oh geesh, they’re calling me “Pudge” in the dugout now. Shut up, guys.

End of September 2008 (Mets 80-78)
Stuff 30/30 Control 81/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 73/90
11.74ERA 0-2 7.2IP 15H 2BB 3K

10/3: I finally won a fight. Brewers RF John Glover (.288 37HR 119RBI) started with me in the bar and I broke his nose. 10/7: The Mets (81-81) finished out of the playoffs and 11 games behind division winning Montreal. RF Derek Duran (.324 10HR 26SB) ended the season on a 21 game hitting streak. 1B John Marquette (.263 20HR 92RBI) had a sub-par year for him. The year was a disaster for Ryan Masujiro (7-18 4.41), while Berry Barnard (15-7 3.49) and Vicente Aston (16-6 2.97), acquired in the Matta trade, were consistently good. 11/3: Montreal repeated as Champs defeating the Yankees 4-2. Starring for Montreal was 3B Ronald Holleman (.226 43HR 129RBI) and SP David Chon (16-8 3.26).

End of 2008 (Mets 81-81)
Stuff 30/30 Control 83/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 73/90
8.44ERA 0-2 10.2IP 15H 2BB 3K

[twins15]

Congrats on finally making it to the show, as a reliever and a catcher.

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2009 $61,045 Rookie Card $0.13
Stuff 30/30 Control 86/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 79/90
Endurance 29 Defense 23 Hitting 1

Darn it. They’ve got me back in AAA and back on a AAA contract too. Anaheim signed SP Cipri Gonzalez (23-6 2.91) away from the Yankees for 12.3mil. The Mets signed FA CF Michael Cruys (.203 50HR 136RBI) away from the Angels and 39 year old Robert Lawyer (2-0 1.33) from the Giants. We lost SP Ryan Masujiro to the White Sox in FA. 4/7: A week after signing, Robert Lawyer is released along with a bunch of other pitchers. I’m lefty setup man in AAA. In the bullpen are old friends Jamie Bayless, Bruno Pineda and closer Robert Kimbell along with newcomers Daniel Kahler, a lefty, and journeyman Allen Protcor. 4/8: Fla-AAA pitcher Cruz Alfaro throws a 16K no hitter against us. 4/14: Allen Proctor was released, leaving us with 4 starters and 5 relievers. Bought me some pretty blue Mazano Tech shoes.

End of April 2009 (Mets-AAA 14-12)
Stuff 30/30 Control 86/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 81/90
3.00ERA 0-0 2SV 12IP 11H 4BB 8K

5/19: I have started 3 games so far this season. Often injured SP Jeffrey Obrien (4-1 1.89) is getting his first shot at the majors this year and is making the most of it.

End of May 2009 (Mets-AAA 23-28)
Stuff 30/30 Control 86/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 83/90
5.09ERA 1-2 2SV 23IP 28H 6BB 17K

6/2: Bruno Pineda was released. 6/11: Back to the big show! My ERA in AAA was 3.53. I am taking the place of Carlos Alaniz (1-3 8.58), who just wasn’t getting it done. With my bonus, I bought a Ironhands Co. MI-3 glove and a book on Splitters to see if I can learn a new pitch. 6/13: Gave up a 3-run HR in my first game back. 6/18: I learned how to throw the Splitter. 6/30: Feeling pretty good, getting lots of work, pitching pretty well and got my first major league WIN! Orlando Pastrana (3-2 4.20) was sent down and Carlos Alaniz brought back up.

End of June 2009 (Mets 42-37)
Stuff 30/30 Control 87/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 86/90
3.60ERA 1-1 15IP 13H 3BB 4K

7/6: Big trade. Veteran SP Pedro Solis (7-7 4.61) comes to us from San Diego for SP Berry Barnard (5-5 4.82) and A reliever Paul Hall. I don’t know if I like this. Berry was in my Mets draft class and he was an all-star last season. Why do we need Solis? He’s six years older and is putting up the same numbers. Speaking of All-Stars, we had two: 3B Francis Reno (.267 27HR 65RBI) and 1B John Marquette (.296 16HR). 7/14: After two shaky outing, I am sent down, even though, my ERA was still a decent 4.24 Orlando Pastrana is brought up to replace me.

End of July 2009 (Mets-AAA 56-47)
Stuff 30/30 Control 89/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 88/90
3.38ERA 1-2 2SV 40IP 41H 8BB 29K

[LeftyLeroux]

8/8: Back up to the active roster again. 8/9: One Game, one inning and I’m back down again. 8/27: My stats are officially max-ed out just before my 25th birthday. 8/30: Looks like I’m part of September call-ups again.

End of August 2009 (Mets 68-62)
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
3.66ERA 1-1 19.2IP 17H 4BB 5K

9/1: The Mets are 9 games back of the Phillies and 6 games back of the Giants for the wild card. I am stuck in the mop up role. My other part-time major league buds: Orlando Pastrana (4-3 4.92), Joseph Stanford (3-0 3.86), and Carlos Alaniz (1-4 7.97) are here as well. 9/5: Got my first major league save in a wild 10-8 victory over the Brewers. 9/28: The Mets (80-76) and the two time defending champions Expos (68-88) are not going to make the post-season. 10/7: The Phillies (96-66) won the east. The Mets had 4 big homerun hitters this year: C Kohei Keisuke (.246 35HR), 1B John Marquette (.270 29HR), 3B Francis Reno (.257 49HR 128RBI), and CF Michael Cruys (.217 41HR 106RBI). Reno lead the league in HR and was second in RBI. LF James Nunez (.305 101BB) lead the league with a .412OBP. SP Vicente Aston (12-7 3.14) had another good year. 11/2: The Astros beat the Twins 4-2 to win the World Series. Stars for the Astros include 1B Ruben Mcdonald (.279 30HR 105RBI) and SP Leonard Garrison (19-6 3.66). The Braves (53-109) have not won more the 74 games in a season.

End of 2009 (Mets 83-79)
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
3.92ERA 1-1 1SV 20.2IP 19H 4BB 5K

[LeftyLeroux]

Spring Training 2010 $249,457 Rookie Card $1.62
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
Endurance 30 Defense 23 Hitting 1

For the first time I am starting the season with the big club. The Mets signed 38 year old SP Bruce Evans (10-9 3.13) who went 24-0 back in 2005, RP Oren Logan (2-2 2.28) from the Dodgers thru free agency. Our new SS this year will be Reinaldo Juarez (.287 19HR) who was acquired this off–season from the Cardinals for SP Guy Mulford (9-16 5.00) who only had one good year in the five he played for us. Our starters look a little shaky with journeyman Nicholas Lish (6-4 3.18) in the number one spot. Our outfield also looks bad with the loss to FA of RF Derek Duran (.292 15HR 24SB) and LF James Nunez (.305 101BB) who led the league in OBP last year. The biggest FA signing was RF Joel Mejias (.312 24HR) leaving the A’s for AZ. I am eligible for arbitration next year. 4/3: Oh great, without throwing a pitch, they sent me down to AAA and brought up lefty Daniel Kahler. 4/6: Nicolas Lish tears a tricep and is out for the year. 4/7: Relievers Carlos Alaniz and Clemente Velasco were given their walking papers. 4/12: 26 year old SP Ryan Masujiro, who pitched 4 full season for the Mets, including an all-star appearance, now pitching for Detroit, was hit with career ending bone chips in his shoulder. 4/14: Jamie Bayless was released. 4/21: LRP Oscar Leyte (and his 1.8mil contract) were released after 8 season with the Mets for failing to report to the minors. 4/23: I’m back on the ML roster!

End of April 2010 (Mets 16-10) Rookie Card $2.17
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
8.31ERA 2-1 4.1IP 6H 2BB 3K

5/6: Back down to AAA again. On the bright side, I’m getting lots of frequent flyer miles. 5/31: Back up to NYC again.

End of May 2010 (Mets 30-21) Rookie Card $2.24
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
8.10ERA 2-1 6.2IP1H 2BB 5K

6/4: You guessed it, another trip to the minors. 6/23: Right now in AAA, I have 37K’s and only 4BB in 28.2 innings. 6/25: Taking another plane flight. And right back down the next day.

End of June 2010 (Mets-AAA 29-50) Rookie Card $2.33
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
4.40ERA 1-1 3SV 30.2IP 29H 4BB 39K

7/7: No Mets made the all-star team, but the starting pitching that I had doubts about before the year is looking pretty decent: Benicio Fernandez (8-4 4.16), Vicente Aston (8-2 2.58), Bruce Evans (4-3 3.53). Pedro Campos (5-6 3.73) and Jeffery Obrien (2-7 3.23). 7/13: The Mets tried to help their outfield depth today, acquiring speedy LF Derrick Gillis (.279 6HR 35SB) from the Orioles for 2006 1st round pick Jackie Richard (.209 2HR) and a minor leaguer. No player on the Mets had more than 3 steals, so Gillis should be a good acquisition. 7/30: When the phone rings at the end of July, you get really nervous. But, much to my relief, I was being called up to the Mets again. Another outfielder, RF Santiago Torres (.262 5HR) was acquired from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers.

End of July 2010 (Mets 54-49) Rookie Card $2.33
Stuff 30/30 Control 90/90 Velocity 20/20 Poise 90/90
5.79ERA 2-1 9.1IP 12H 2BB 7K