Now look: One clutch double from Chris Carter means very little in the grand scheme of things. It was totally awesome, though, and perhaps enough to quiet the skeptics that say a Triple-A lifer like Carter might not be able to hit (or that he can hit but not pinch-hit) in the Major Leagues.
First impressions massively impact perception, so Carter’s double could be enough to win over dubious Mets fans and media for the time being — at least until he amasses an adequate number of at-bats for anyone to make a reasonable evaluation of his talents.
If Carter struck out in that spot, it wouldn’t mean he never should have been called up or that Frank Catalanotto could do better. It wouldn’t make him more or less likely to hit a go-ahead double his next time up. Dae Sung Koo once doubled off Randy Johnson. One at-bat means almost nothing.
But Carter succeeded and the Mets won. The latter part is most important, but it’s certainly nice that Carter took a big step toward earning labels like “clutch” and “gamer” and “deserving Major Leaguer” that will make the work of all of us long advocating his promotion much easier.
Tedquarters 
I’ve always had trouble with fanboys. What’s the difference between “,and so” and “,so?” Shed some light if you will, Ted.
Sloppy editing. I don’t know that the “and” there is necessarily wrong, but it’s clearly unnecessary.
It was a pretty cool moment. I know (believe) that he’s not gonna see much in the way of playing time, but he should still bring more value than either CMJ or CatalanotgonnareporttoBuffalo. That, in itself, is kind of exciting.
The result is less important than the swing. The kid has a quick, compact swing which portends success. Damn shame he can’t field.
It is nice to see a late inning pinch hitter that looks like he might actually be able to hit the ball out of the infield. On an unrelated note, does anyone have any idea on why the Mets wouldn’t take a flier on Juan Cruz? The guy has had crazy success in the past in the NL and given the way that the Mets are burning bullpen arms I would have to think that re-enforcements will be necessary.
That’s a good question.
If they signed Cruz and got Igarashi back, they’d be free to move Takahashi into the rotation and Mejia back to AA to start.
Cruz is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Now we know why he was available.
I loved how he had his helmet on, and his bat in his hand, and was standing on the step getting in line to hit, 2 batters before he was even due on the on deck circle.
I was thinking, man this dude is ready.
Oh yeah. Really, really intense guy, it seems.
Chris M, I take back anything negative I ever said about that trade. (Only partially kidding)
That was as fun an at-bat as I’ve watched in a while. That has a lot to do with sticking it to dolts like the 3 M’s of mediocrity — Minaya, Manuel, Martino — but it was also just a great rally.
Carter should be playing in right today, but I’ll settle for him getting big at-bats late in games.