OK, I was going to try to construct something more cohesive on today’s game for all y’all who aren’t permitted (or, in my case, obligated) to watch Mets’ Spring Training games at work, but I just found out I’ve got an opportunity to meet Shaq in an hour so I’m kind of in a rush. Because SHAQ!
Anyway, here are some notes on a very small sample and a very meaningless game:
Ike Davis looked bad in his first two at-bats, chasing a bunch of pitches in the dirt. He struck out against Tommy Hanson in the first — hardly a crime — then grounded out weakly against Kris Medlen in the second (at-bat, not inning).
He roped a double into the gap off Jesse Chavez in his third at-bat, though. And even better, I think, he stroked a nice opposite-field single off lefty Mike Dunn his last time up off an outside fastball.
Ruben Tejada looked rangy in the field, to the eye at least. He made one near-hilarious misfire, wildly overthrowing Davis after making a nice play going to his right. He also worked counts pretty well at the plate, and lined an RBI single in the Mets’ three-run fifth.
Gary Matthews Jr. killed his first rally of the season with a double play.
Bobby Livingston has a sweet chin-strap beard.
Nick Evans still exists.
Chris Coste’s defense left a little to be desired. I’m no Joe Janish, but a few balls got passed Coste that looked like they could have been blocked by a better catcher. They were all ruled wild pitches, so I guess I shouldn’t kill him for them, but, you know, he’s making Bobby Livingston look bad. And look at that chinstrap beard. Bobby Livingston’s clearly putting a lot of effort into looking good.
Tedquarters 
“And even better, I think, he stroked a nice opposite-field single off lefty Mike Dunn his last time up off an outside fastball.”
Thanks Tony Bernazard!!!
How did Igarashi look?
He looked OK; his inning went pretty quick. A couple balls were hit hard. It seemed as though he was throwing mostly straight fastballs, though, so it was hard to get much of an impression.
How was his velocity?
SNY didn’t have a gun going, so I have no idea.
Shaq?! Are we getting a complete and awesome report on this? Is there a possibility of hilarious Ted-standing-next-to-Shaq pictures?
Is there any other kind of Ted-standing-next-to-Shaq pictures?
Austere?
I’m certainly going to try, but it’s a media event for his art exhibition and based on the growing contingent of media here, I’m guessing it’s going to be tough.
No dice on a photo. A couple of people had less shame than I did and got ’em, but I hate imposing on people, especially when they’re already doing events for the media. Plus Shaq was on his way to eat, and I didn’t want to get between Shaq and his dinner.
And a player got hurt! Feels like business as usual for you guys (talking about Elmer Dessens) ;)
This is kind of random but is there any word on why Brad Holt didn’t get an invite?
No idea, but that’s a good question. Maybe just the way he got lit up at Double-A last year?