NYU

I bet CWM had to use a thesaurus to even figure out the word "deity" existed.

So wait... Why the hell was Mole made an admin anyway? I'm sitting right here.

Wait a second. The choices for Special Guest Referee are Eric Bischoff, Vince McMahon, or Jonathan Coachman? THAT'S supposed to get PPV buys?!

You can not pitch Carpenter, give him three days rest, pitch him again, give him one day rest, and then pitch him again. It wouldn't work. You don't potentially head into the World Series with your best pitcher -- your only good consistent pitcher, in fact -- exhausted with a workload he's never had to face before. But hey, let LaRussa do it. Doesn't bother me.

And then you'll completely blow Carpenter out to the point that it could actually hurt his efficiency in the World Series if the Cards make it there. This isn't the Schilling/Johnson situation here. The Cards and the Mets can't afford to throw everything away, considering they have a surging Tigers to play next round.

LaRussa said in his press conference today that Weaver would still pitch tomorrow night. That way, all his pitchers get four days of rest. Of course, he could change that frame of thinking by tomorrow night, but it would be a bad idea. Throwing in Carpenter for tomorrow seems way too panicky.

Al, you are way too intelligent to resort to this argument. "Yeah, let's see YOU do any better" is hardly a glowing defense to Wagner's ability. Closers blow games once in a while. Fine. But as I've said before, Wagner has shown several times now that he doesn't blow the inconsequential games -- he has a knack for blowing the important ones. What is the point of making him one of the highest paid closers in baseball if he can't get the saves that will keep this team strong? He ruined a potential sweep against the Yankees by blowing a 4-0 lead a few months ago. He ruined a tie game last night by giving up THREE runs before Randolph finally gave him the hook. He's unreliable in these situations and if you can't rely on your closer to close these important games, then how can you say you still possibly need him? For the $10.5 million/year he's being paid, the Mets can get another very good reliever and an average closer that will do the same job and provide the same stability Wagner has. He hasn't delivered on his contract since arriving in New York, despite what his save statistic seems to say. You should be thrilled you chose to be a fan of the same team I like.

Finally! Now can we also agree that the save statistic is bullshit? Because it's validating Wagner now when it shouldn't be.

Well, let's not argue semantics. He didn't waste a lead tonight -- he just ruined a tied game. It's still blowing the game either way, so he's not getting a free pass for that one. And yes, I would like Wagner to at least seem in control in some of his more important games. Many times, such as Game 1 against the Dodgers for example, he looks very shaky. He puts men on base. He allows runs that keep him shy of just blowing the game. If this was an average closer with a low salary, then that would be acceptable. But for the money Wagner is getting -- and for the legacy he supposedly carried with himself from Philadelphia -- it's underwhelming and disappointing. You could see the shots of the crowd in Shea when Wagner comes out. Mets fans don't trust him. They don't trust him in high-pressure situaitons just as they didn't trust Benitez when he came out during those same times. Is it horrible to have a guy who saved 40 regular season games and posted a 2.24 ERA? If that was all we signed the guy up for, then of course not. But he was signed to give the Mets an edge if they got in this postseason situation. He was signed to give the Mets a stable, lights-out closer. That's what a $10.5 million dollar closer is supposed to do. Not just be okay. By doing what he did tonight, he derailed the whole team's momentum with a horrid series of pitchers coming up in Trachsel and Perez next. I'm tired of Wagner being given a verbal blowjob by the media and some of the people here everytime he makes a save. He simply doesn't deserve it. He's no better than your run-of-the-mill closer. Well, at least you got the "blind eye" part right. Unless by "you" you meant "cheech." The only Wagner-related comment I made in that thread was the disbelief that anyone still cares about him using "Enter Sandman." Your copy of the record seems to be defective. Yes, it is about time we start giving more shit to guys with an ERA+ of 195, a K/BB ratio of 94/21 and a 95% save conversion rate. That's downright awful. Then that was my mistake. Sorry. Next time I'll vent my disgust towards Cheech.

Wagner has a knack for blowing the close, important games. He really does seem to suffer from the Benitez syndrome. Wagner saved an important game last night, granted, but with the comfort of a 2-run lead. His games against the Dodgers: he nearly blew a 2-run lead in Game 1 allowing an RBI double to Ramon Martinez before finishing it at 6-5, he closed a 4-1 lead in Game 2, and he closed a 9-5 lead in Game 3. If he would have blown Games 2 or 3, he should have hung up his cleats immediately after walking off the field. Those two weren't exactly high-pressure situations, but rather comfortable leads. The REAL close, high-pressure situations he walks into, he gives up a run or two and comes close to blowing it -- as he did in Game 1 against the Dodgers and a good number of times during the season -- or just outright ruins it as he did tonight. He is not good in stressful situations and he should absolutely not be relied on in tie games like Randolph did tonight. It's a shame he is paid this much money for producing like any average closer could. And for the record, you made similar comments in the Dodgers/Mets thread when I knocked Wagner's ability, and I ignored that the first time around. But there's only so many times one can turn a blind eye to Wagner choking in the clutch.

I'm sorry Alf. The Slapnuts reference was genius. I'll have to see if I can top that. And PK still didn't answer my question. Am I the non-real writer?!

You're a fucking idiot. That's a closer's job. To save games. The important AND unimportant ones. Wagner has done an excellent job of saving the regular, inconsequential games throughout the season. But when the important ones come up...when the Mets need to maintain a 6-6 lead heading into the 9th inning in the NLCS....or a 4-0 lead heading into the ninth inning against the crosstown rival Yankees....he blows it. He can't be depended on in important, tense games and tonight only further proved that point. You really sound fucking clueless when you continue to insist that Mets fans shouldn't boo Wagner. Especially after what he did tonight.

It's not looking good for tomorrow. I could have accepted the Mets losing if Carpenter pitched a great game tonight. He didn't. The Mets needed to capitalize on that because the odds aren't great that Carpenter is going to have ANOTHER bad game later in the series. They had no right losing this game. And whether it's Billy Wagner, Braden Looper, or Armando Benitez, the Mets are doomed to have a pitcher that will always fucking choke in the big time.

Yeah, Billy Wagner is one of the best closers in baseball. Fucking know-nothings. Next time listen to me when I say something.

...am I the not-real writer?

The camera cuts backstage to a flashy white limousine pulling into the parking lot of the dim Edmonton arena. The sparkling luminance of the limo brightens the gloomy setting as a swarm of photographers, journalists, and reporters immediately crowd around the automobile. As the car gets closer to the camera, a glistening Italian flag proudly adorned on the hood becomes more visible. Finally, the limousine comes to a complete stop. Popping flashbulbs erupt around the limo before the door has a chance to open. Once it does, the press immediately breaks out into a frenzy as Drek Stone cooly steps out with the Heavyweight Title adorned over his shoulder. Clearly loving the attention, Drek grins as a number of microphones are immediately pushed towards him. DREK Okay, I was ready for this. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a busy night. I can’t sit here and answer questions all night. So I’ll let you ask three – that’s right, only three – questions. The first… While every member of the crowd struggles to raise their hands, Drek points to one lovely lady. DREK You? REPORTER #1 Yes. Drek, we obviously saw what you did at World Without End to Tha Puerto Rican. You went further than anybody thought you ever would. After being suspended last week, do you have any regrets over what you did to PRL? Is there anything you would change about that match? Raising his eyebrows slightly, Drek grins at her before answering. DREK The only thing I regret is that I didn’t actually have a bullet in that gun. A small gasp rises up from the throng of reporters as Drek laughs lightly to himself. DREK No, why would I regret anything? Puerto Rican Lightning was the one who asked for that match. He was the one who tried getting under my skin the entire month to throw me off my mental game. He wanted me to throw everything I had at him – and I did entirely that. I couldn’t care less if people think it was uncalled for. Bill Watts can go screw himself if he thinks I stepped over a line. I did exactly what I had to do to win, and any fighting champion should be respected for that. What SHOULDN’T be respected is someone who cries….during a wrestling match! Crying during a wrestling match?! Last time I checked, Popick, this wasn’t a nursery school. You were ashamed of yourself after that match and you SHOULD be. Not because you threw in the towel but because, instead of being a man, you let your estrogen get the best of you. See, at least I had a real man in my corner. Who did PRL have? A thick-goggled nerd with a heavy flow. If I were you, I would make sure we never cross paths again. You’re not a man, and PRL should seriously think about who he’s allying himself with if he hopes to ever make it further than where he’s been stuck the past few years. And as for PRL… The reporters keep scribbling away as Drek continues. DREK PRL, you did what you could. It wasn’t enough, of course. I told you when you initially challenged me that you weren’t good enough to take the title away from me. But you certainly did try. And I respect that you did that. I respect that you felt the need to pull out all the stops against me – the Corporate Elbow with the thumbtacks, for one – and you didn’t take me or my boy Hoff for granted. You’re a smart kid, Lightning. Why you felt the need to get wrapped up in this feud the past two months, I’ll never know. Maybe you had a question lingering in your mind about your legacy that you wanted answered. Well, now you’ve gotten your answer. So I think it’s in the best interest of us both if you forget about your silly title wishes. Don’t keep reaching for the stars because you’re bound to burn your fingers one of these times. Gain your manhood back from Jaime O’Hara and walk away with your head held high. Because, like I said, you’re an intelligent wrestler. You do have what it takes to be a X-Division or a Puerto Rican or a 24/7 Champion. I don’t want to see you ruin that future by challenging me again. DREK So to answer your question, whoever you are, no. I don’t regret a thing. Watts could suspend me as much as he wants and think I’m the absolute scum of the earth. But as long as I’m showing up for my contractual obligations, as long as I’m still winning my matches, I’m still the champ. He can’t strip me from my belt, vacate it, anything. The title is still around my waist as long as I do what I have to to make sure I still remain the Heavyweight Champion. I’m still standing here, standing strong. Hoff has been partying like a madman the past two weeks. PRL is stuck fighting in a solid midcard feud with Jaime O’Hara. And Popick is crying his eyes out to a psychiatrist. Why the hell would I change a thing about what I did? Next question. An older man with salt-and-pepper raises his hand to ask the next one. REPORTER #2 Speaking of Bill Watts, we’ve gotten word earlier today that he’s trying to put together the Main Event of November Reign. Do you know anything about that? DREK Do I…? No. What kind of stupid question is that? You’re the one who’s bringing it up to me. What do you know about this match Watts is planning? REPORTER #2 All he’s made public is that it might have something to do with a cage. DREK Heh. Yeah, because we haven’t had enough steel cage matches in the past few months. Well, I’m not exactly a novice with them. I won an Elimination Chamber match for my first Heavyweight Title. I fought The Mad Cappa in a Hell-in-the-Cell and came a second away from walking out with the win. Hoff and I beat Black T in a steel cage match and changed the face of the OAOAST only a few months ago. So whatever Watts is planning, I’m absolutely sure I have it handled. I’ve done it all and, believe me, there’s nothing he can throw at me that I would consider a shock at this stage of my career. And finally…you. Michael Cole barges through the crowd of reporters with a microphone in his hand. MICHAEL COLE Boxers or briefs, Mr. Stone?! BOXERS OR BRIEFS?! Drek can only stare disbelievingly as Cole excitedly waits for the answer. DREK I…can someone take care of this? Two burly security guards immediately barge in and pull Cole kicking-and-screaming away from the impromptu press conference. COLE ANSWER THE QUESTION, DREK! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO IGNORE THE TRUTH?! The Heavyweight Champion shakes his head as he points to the final reporter. REPORTER #3 Drek, after the conclusion of the match at World Without End, Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman – as well as many fans around the world – were left speculating if there were any hidden motives to pulling a gun on Puerto Rican Lightning. We all know Zack Malibu did the same thing to Bruce Blank in a fit of rage a few months ago. Did you explicitly borrow your idea from him…? Were you mocking him…? Did Zack Malibu have any influence over your decision to involve a gun against PRL…? Drek’s confident smirk is suddenly gone as he stares in outrage at the reporter before him. DREK I am so sick of being asked questions about this. No, of course not. I came up with the idea by myself. Zack Malibu had nothing to do with it. REPORTER #3 But you have to admit the timing is a little coincidental. Both of you just happen to do the same thing only a month away from one another? Maybe you subconsciously chose to… DREK No! There was nothing to it! Listen to me now. You can try and read into my motives all you want, but there’s no point to it. I don’t give a damn about Zack Malibu. I haven’t since I came back to the OAOAST. He isn’t worth a SECOND of my time. I can’t be bothered to stare at the television when he’s on it. I can’t be bothered to look at him when he walks into the locker room. I couldn’t possibly care any less about him. He’s worthless to me. So did I steal the idea from him? Did I do it to shoot a subtle jab at him? No and no. The man doesn’t bother me in the slightest anymore. Is that good enough for you?! The reporter cautiously shakes his head as Drek furiously stares out at the press. Instead of being delighted to see them, as he was minutes earlier, he’s filled with anger now. However, instead of walking into the arena to start off his night, Drek just continues to stand near the limo. Almost as if he’s pondering what to do in his head, he takes a few moments to weigh the pros and cons. DREK Ugh. To hell with this. With that, Drek sits back in his car and slams the door. The bright automobile peels away as the reporters stare in shock. COACH I…I don’t know what the hell happened there. What set him off?! Come back, Drek! I like what you did to PRL! I don’t think you care about Zack! Drek, the ratings are plummeting! They’re going….well, I think we’re lower than the Tigers/A’s ALCS series now. Wonderful. We’ll be right back.

Leena, that's disgusting. This thread isn't about jokes or putting yourself over. We're trying to run a respectable message board here.

Netslob would run out of breath if he had to switch between three accounts. Logging in and out of the two he has now even leaves him a little winded from time to time.

Steinbrenner killed Lidle to spoil the Mets NLCS series. In all seriousness though, this is an awful tragedy.

They didn't? I certainly knew the Cards were getting past the Padres.

And the constantly underachieving Cardinals are any better? Cards/Tigers or Cards/A's...pick your poison. Both of those series have absolutely zero spark. The Cards have had their chance the past few years and failed each time they got close. I'm much more excited to see a World Series with new blood.

This can't be netslob. The person in this picture is smiling.

"Lou, why do they hate me, huh? Is it because I'm biracial? Because I make so much money? It's because I'm good looking, isn't it?" "No kid, it's because you won't stop whining and just hit the fucking ball" Like I said, this has potential.

Yeah, Steinbrenner and Pinella aren't just two combustible elements that are going to explode against each other at some point in the season. And Pinella isn't going to take any of A-Rod's shit. 2007 could be a very entertaining year in New York.