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Ruben Tejada
Sandy's Team?
When the Mets were winning the 2015 pennant, there was a push in some circles to refer to that team as Omar's team. Depending on your point of view, it was intended to either credit Omar Minaya for his leaving behind a better than advertised talent base, or it was to deride Sandy Alderson, who never gained traction with some Mets fans.
Even if it was said in jest, there was a nugget of truth to it. The core of that team, the pitching, was mostly there because of Omar Minaya. In fact, Minaya was the General Manager who drafted Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Steven Matz. The other key starter, Noah Syndergaard, was obtained in exchange for R.A. Dickey, a pitcher who was brought to the organization by Minaya on a minor league deal.
Minaya was also the General Manager who drafted Lucas Duda and Daniel Murphy. Jeurys Familia, Wilmer Flores, Juan Lagares, Hansel Robles, and Ruben Tejada came to the Mets as international free agents signed during Minaya's tenure. Minaya's impact on the team went further than this with Sandy Alderson utilizing players brought to the organization during Minaya's tenure to acquire Travis d'Arnaud and Addison Reed.
Taking it a step further, Minaya was the Assistant General Manager when David Wright was drafted, and he was the General Manager who gave Wright his first contract extension.
Overall, Minaya's fingerprints were all over that 2015 team much in the same way Alderson's fingerprints are all over this year's Mets team.
Yesterday's starting lineup featured four former Alderson draft picks (Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil) and the player who his regime gave the second highest international signing bonus in team history (Amed Rosario). Robinson Cano came to the Mets when Brodie Van Wagenen traded two former Alderson first round draft picks (Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn) and two players Alderson had signed in free agency (Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak).
Looking further, the lineup also had two Minaya holdovers, one of which in Lagares who Alderson gave a contract extension.
Really, when you truly break it down, the only player on the Mets Opening Day lineup who has zero ties to any previous Mets regime was Wilson Ramos.
When you break it down further, the only Mets players who have no ties to previous regimes were Ramos, Luis Avilan, Justin Wilson, and Jed Lowrie, a player who opened the season on the Injured List and who currently has no timetable to return. Considering Familia was a free agent signing, you could potentially credit him solely to Van Wagenen even if he was seeking to return to the team. The other 20 players on the Opening Day roster were either players brought to the team by Alderson, or they were players who were acquired utilizing players Alderson brought to the organization.
Given the narrative which was in place four years ago, the question should be presented whether the 2019 Mets are Sandy's or Brodie's team.
The answer is this is definitively Brodie's team. As the General Manager, he was the one who set into course a series of transactions made to build the Mets in his image. It was he who decided to extend deGrom and to bring in Cano. When you are the General Manager, you are the one making the decisions, and you should receive the credit or blame if your decisions succeed or falter.
As for Sandy Alderson, Mets fans should be appreciative of the talent he acquired during his tenure. Alderson not only left behind a talented group of players, but he left behind a very likeable group of players. In the end, the Mets were better off for him having been the General Manager, and we can only hope we can say the same when Van Wagnen's tenure as the Mets General Manager ends.
Addison Reed , Amed Rosario , Anthony Swarzak , Brandon Nimmo , Daniel Murphy , David Wright , Hansel Robles , Jacob deGrom , Jarred Kelenic , Jay Bruce , Jed Lowrie , Jeff McNeil , Jeurys Familia , Juan Lagares , Justin Dunn , Justin Wilson , Lucas Duda , Luis Avilan , Matt Harvey , Michael Conforto , Noah Syndergaard , Peter Alonso , R.A. Dickey , Robinson Cano , Ruben Tejada , Steven Matz , Travis d'Arnaud , Wilmer Flores , Wilson Ramos
Brodie Van Wagenen's Bad Saturday
Yesterday was a very good day for Luis Guillorme. After an offseason where he put in a lot of work, he had a very good Spring Training. If yesterday is any indication, he's overcome long odds and took advantage of Jed Lowrie's and Todd Frazier's injuries to claim a spot on the Opening Day roster.
It was a very good day for him indeed. By the same token, it was not a good day for Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen.
First and foremost, the Mets assigned Devin Mesoraco to minor league camp. In response, he told the Mets if he was not released he was going to retire. He also said he expected to make the Opening Day roster.
Devin Mesoraco has told the Mets he won't go to Triple-A. His expectation was he would be on the club. He is now pushing for the Mets to release him. If that doesn't happen he will be placed on the restricted list.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 23, 2019
Expectation is a funny word. It could be Mesoraco thought he was better than Travis d'Arnaud and Tomas Nido, and as such, he expected to make the team. It could also be his expectations were if d'Arnaud were to start the year on the IL, he would make the team. Neither are the case here.
It's also possible overtures were made by Van Wagenen that Mesoraco was going to make the team, and those overtures might have induced Mesoraco to sign with the Mets over seeking another opportunity or waiting it out a little longer to see if a catcher (like Salvador Perez) suffered an injury.
You do wonder if it was the latter as Adeiny Hechavarria did not make the roster. With respect to Hechavarria, he was taken to dinner by Van Wagenen and Mickey Callaway, who sold him on their vision for him with this club. Aside from the fact it's odd to wine-and-dine a 29 year old replacement level player, it would seem strange Hechavarria was enticed to sign with the Mets over another team because he thinks Syracuse is a great city.
Between the Mesoraco and Hechavarria situations, the more likely scenario is they were asked to sign minor league deals with the expectation the Mets would make a 40 man move at the end of Spring Training to add them to the Opening Day roster.
It's the most likely but not the only possible explanation. However, the problem with the others is it would require a more plausible explanation why Mesoraco seems so upset and why Hechavarria would want to play in Syracuse.
And no, we should not cite Spring Training stats. They're meaningless, especially for veteran players. The Mets know the level of production these players would provide over the course of a 162 game season. A poor Spring doesn't change that.
As bad as that is the Mets brought back a lot of old friends from years past. The team signed Ruben Tejada and Travis Taijeron, each of whom was a dubious signing. Really, neither serve as MLB depth, and in reality, their presence only serves to take at-bats away from younger players like Gavin Cecchini, i.e. players who could still have a chance to improve and make an impact on the Major League level.
As bad (or even overblown) as all this is, there's Jacob deGrom.
Jacob deGrom says he's "probably not as" optimistic as he once was that he and the Mets will complete a contract extension before Opening Day.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 23, 2019
Like all of us, he sees the extensions the other players are getting, specifically Chris Sale and Justin Verlander. Now, deGrom isn't as optimistic his former agent can get him the deal he told him he was worth.
This could mean at a time when all of baseball is pushing to extend their stars, the Mets are shut out, or in the best case scenario, only lock up deGrom.
This means time was wasted which could have been allocated towards extending Michael Conforto, Seth Lugo, Brandon Nimmo, and/or Noah Syndergaard.
All told, what was a great day for Guillorme was a very bad day for Van Wagenen and the Mets.
Brandon Nimmo , Devin Mesoraco , Gavin Cecchini , Jed Lowrie , Luis Guillorme , Michael Conforto , Mickey Callaway , Noah Syndergaard , Ruben Tejada , Todd Frazier , Tomas Nido , Travis d'Arnaud , Travis Taijeron
The 2015 Pennant Winning Infield Is Gone
Looking at Twitter yesterday, something occurred to me. With David Wright medically retiring and Wilmer Flores signing with the Diamondbacks, the 2015 Mets pennant winning infield is all gone.
The first to go was Daniel Murphy. That was the result of the Mets deciding they would rather have Ben Zobrist then later Neil Walker as their second baseman in 2016. Juan Uribe would also depart via free agency as he would pursue an opportunity to be the Indians everyday third baseman.
Kelly Johnson would leave via free agency, but the Mets would soon realize their mistake by not re-signing him. As a result, they would trade Akeel Morris to the Braves to reacquire Johnson. That move would be a key factor in the Mets making it back to the postseason in 2016.
While Murphy, Uribe, and Johnson left via free agency, the Mets just plain got rid of Ruben Tejada. Even with Chase Utley destroying his leg, the Mets would tender him a contract. On the eve of Opening Day, the Mets would opt to release Tejada thereby saving them some money.
Lucas Duda lasted a little bit longer. In 2016, he would suffer a back injury, which cost him most of the season. He would rebound in 2017, but the Mets wouldn't. As a result, he was moved at the trade deadline in exchange for Drew Smith.
That left just Flores and Wright. With Wright going down just 37 games into the 2016 season, it was really just Flores remaining. Even with the Mets not winning the past few seasons, Flores was a reminder of that glorious 2015 season with a number of walk-off hits and game winning RBI. Those memories are now history as Flores was non-tendered, and he signed a free agent deal with the Diamondbacks.
Really, when you look at the Mets team, 2015 seems forever ago.Looking at the current roster, the only position players who will be active on Opening Day are Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares. If Travis d'Arnaud is healthy, that makes three, and when he returns, if he returns, Yoenis Cespedes will make four. There isn't much remaining from the pitching staff either. From the starting rotation, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz remains, and in the bullpen, Jeurys Familia is only one remaining, and that is because he was brought back in free agency.
It really is a shame too. That 2015 group was very likeable. It was a team who electrified not just Mets fans, but all of baseball. At the time, it seemed like this was going to be the dawn of a new era of Mets baseball. If things broke right, it could be another run like there was with the 1980s Mets teams. Sadly, it never happened.
Still, we have the memories. Hopefully, the Mets now have a team who could win. And who knows? Perhaps we will one day talk about how the players who got their experience with the 2015 team being the players who leaned on that experience to help put the Mets over the top in 2019.
Akeel Morris , David Wright , Drew Smith , Juan Lagares , Kelly Johnson , Lucase Duda , Michael Conforto , Neil Walker , Ruben Tejada , Travis d'Arnaud , Wilmer Flores , Yoenis Cespedes
Complicated Good-Bye To Jose Reyes
Back in 2011, Jose Reyes would lay down a bunt single to preserve his batting title. The first in Mets history. After reaching safely, Reyes would be lifted from the game much to the consternation of Mets fans. Much of the consternation eminated from the fact it looked like this was going to be the last time fans were going to get to see Reyes in a Mets jersey, and those fans wanted to see Reyes play just one last time and say good-bye.
Sunday, Reyes was in the lineup once again leadoff in what many believed to be his final game as a Met. Reyes would take one at-bat, ground out, and he would walk off the field for a final time. While the circumstances may seem to mirror what transpired seven years prior, the two situations could not have been more different.
During Reyes' first stint with the Mets, he was the most electrifying player in the Majors. He could turn anything into extra bases, and extra base hits were nanoseconds away from becoming triples. When he was on the basepaths, he was a constant stolen base threat, and his dancing at third base helped entice a few balks leading to a run. Reyes was so dynamic we came up with the term "Reyes Run" for him getting on, getting over, and getting in.
Reyes was more than a dynamic offensive force. He was a shortstop with a bullet arm and a fan favorite. His apparent joy on the field was infectious to the fan base, and it did seem to get the team going. (Sometimes, like 2007, it would also motivate the opponents). Mets fans would shower him with the "Jose!" chant (a chant which began Saturday, March 29, 2003). We loved him, and he seemingly loved us too.
In 2011, you could argue it was he and not David Wright whom the Mets should keep. After all, Reyes was the younger player, and Citi Field was built more to Reyes' than Wright's strengths. Whatever the case, the Mets opted not to re-sign him, devastating a fan base, and having the organization a nd fans looking for a new fan favorite. Arguably, no one could fill that void like the way Reyes once did.
That was the Reyes who left New York after the 2011 season. That Reyes was barely recognizable after leaving.
After one year in Miami, he was traded to the Blue Jays as part of that organization's efforts to return to the postseason. In 2015, in Reyes' third year as a Blue Jay, it seemed the organization's plans were coming to fruition. They were competing for a postseason spot with hopes for the division. It was time for a bold move, their GM Alex Anthopoulos made that bold move. In a six player trade, Reyes was traded to the Blue Jays for LaTroy Hawkins and Troy Tulowitzki.
In a year, Reyes and the Mets were supposed to return to the postseason, Reyes instead found himself playing for the Colorado Rockies. He didn't want to be there, and the team didn't want him. This also meant instead of playing in the postseason, Reyes would be making vacation plans to go to Hawaii.
On October 31, 2015, Michael Conforto hit two homers. Instead of going to Jeurys Familia for the six out save, Terry Collins brought in Tyler Clippard, who walked two of the three batters he faced. When Familia finally did come in, Daniel Murphy booted a grounder. The Mets 3-2 lead would quickly become a 5-3 deficit.
While this was happening, Jose Reyes would throw his wife into a glass door in Hawaii. His wife would need to be taken to a nearby hospital to treat her injuries, and Reyes would be arrested. Reyes faced not just prison time but also deportation. Instead, because his wife did not cooperate with prosecutors, the changes would be dropped.
While Reyes was able to avoid legal troubles, he could not escape MLB punishment. With a new Domestic Violence policy, Reyes would be suspended 51 games, which stands as the longest Domestic Violence suspension to date. With the Rockies already wanting to transition to Trevor Story, they were more than happy to release Reyes.
Fortunately for Reyes, the Mets needed a third baseman. Wright was injured again, and he was going to miss the rest of the season. Eric Campbell, Matt Reynolds, Wilmer Flores, and Kelly Johnson just weren't to cut it. Partially due to desperation and partially due to nostalgia, the Mets threw Reyes the rope none of the other 28 teams were likely willing to give him.
A fan base was divided. While the "Jose!" chants returned, they did not have the same enthusiasm. Some of the people most willing to lead the cheer would sit on their hands or boo. Reyes beat his wife, and the Mets signing him was sending the wrong message.
Still, Reyes stayed, and he played reasonably well. He would have some highlights including the September 22nd game where both he and Asdrubal Cabrera homered which helped turn a 6-4 loss into a dramatic 9-8 11 inning victory which helped propel the Mets into the top Wild Card. Much like in his last postseason game with the Mets, Reyes went hitless as his team was eliminated at home.
In the subsequent two years, he was about the worst players in baseball. Despite all of Collins' efforts to get him going, Reyes floundered, and there would be reports he was not happy playing third base. At the end of the 2017 season, he helped reinvent himself as a mentor to Amed Rosario. Between that and his hitting in September, the Mets brought him back.
He was dreadful this year hitting .189/.260/.320. He'd post a -0.8 WAR. Worse yet, he would complain about his playing time. He believed as a utility player he should have received more playing time, and really, without that playing time, the Mets were not giving him a chance to succeed. While there were some who were able to compartmentalize the off the field issues, when he was bad on the field, more and more Mets fans were disenchanted with him.
However, despite the ever growing calls to release him and make way for more talented prospects like Jeff McNeil, the Mets stubbornly held onto him. They treated him like one of the Mets greats, which he was in the first part of his career. Against all odds, Reyes would last the full season with the Mets. It allowed him to play alongside Wright in the Captain's final game.
It also meant Reyes would get to leadoff in what is likely his final career game. Between innings, the Mets showed a video tribute. Reyes would emerge from the dugout to tip his cap to a standing ovation.
The crowd was much smaller than the sold out crowd who was there to see Wright's final game. The standing ovation Reyes received did not remotely compare to the one Wright received. If you went back a decade, that would seem implausible as both were beloved players with Reyes being the one who probably generated more enthusiasm from the fans.
Personally, I loved Reyes. The first player jersey I ever purchased was Mike Piazza, the second Wright, and the third Reyes. Overall, I had more Reyes shirseys than any other player including a last season at Shea and first season at Citi one. That Reyes was the most exciting player who ever played for the Mets. When he went to Colorado, I still believed he had an outside shot at the Hall of Fame.
After he left, I was left livid with the organization. In no way should Wright and Reyes have ever been split up. Like great Mets duos of the past, Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman and Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, it seemed like their destiny was to win a World Series together. Between that, Flores' struggles at short and Ruben Tejada not being a particularly good baseball player, I desperately wanted the Mets to make a trade with the Rockies to bring back Reyes for that 2015 run.
To this day, part of me wonders what would have happened if Reyes did return to the Mets in 2015. Do they win that World Series, or do they still fall short? Would Reyes and his contract stood in the way of Yoenis Cespedes returning? Mostly, I wonder about that night.
While statistics prove differently, to this day, I hope it was an isolated incident, which could have been avoided by Reyes being in New York instead of Hawaii. In the converse, maybe this was a pattern of behavior which grew increasingly violent, and perhaps, things could have been hidden for longer if he was never in Hawaii. There is no way of knowing anything. What we do know is that instead of being in New York, Reyes was in Hawaii where he forever changed his legacy by committing a vile act.
Because of all of this, I was initially irritated Reyes was sharing Wright's spotlight, but I made peace with it because it was what Wright wanted.
At the sake of sounding hypocritical, I must admit seeing Reyes doubling and moving to third on a sacrifice bunt was exciting. Wright coming up to the plate in an RBI situation was exciting. Wright being able to drive Reyes home just one last time made the moment all the more special.
In all honesty, I was surprised nostalgia got the better of me in the moment.
Perhaps it is because I truly miss the Reyes of 2003 – 2011. I just miss how fun it was to watch him play.
That fun completely disappeared when he returned. He was no longer a young up and coming superstar. He was a violent wife beater. Some people may be able to compartmentalize it, but I wasn't. Certainly not for a player I once held in the highest of regards.
Now that is career is over, I honestly do wish Reyes well. I want him and his family to be able to move on from the domestic violence to have a happy and safe home life. If that happens, then no matter how much I was against it, Reyes returning to the Mets was worth it. I will be happy if Reyes returning to a place he was loved and cared for led him to not only seek help but to end what might have been a pattern of abuse. Hopefully, he is a better husband and father for the experience.
In the end, congratulations to Reyes on a great career. You are the greatest shortstop in Mets history. The memories of you and Wright playing together were some of the best I've had as a fan. Rooting for you was never the same, and it will never be the same again. Still, each and every Mets fan, including myself, wish you and your family well.
God bless the Reyes family.
Amed Rosario , Asdrubal Cabrera , Daniel Murphy , Darryl Strawberry , David Wright , Dwight Gooden , Eric Campbell , Jeff McNeil , Jerry Koosman , Jeurys Familia , Jose Reyes , Kelly Johnson , LaTroy Hawkins , Matt Reynolds , Michael Conforto , MIke Piazza , Ruben Tejada , Terry Collins , Tom Seaver , Tyler Clippard , Wilmer Flores , Yoenis Cespedes
Utley To Retire, Reyes Still Playing
Yesterday, Chase Utley had a press conference to announce he was going to retire from baseball at the end of the season. As a Mets fan, this probably should make you elated.
After all, back from his days in Philadelphia, he has been nothing but a dirty player, and he has been a villain. For proof of that look no further than that tackle which not only broke Ruben Tejada's leg, but it really ruined his career. Just remember that as people write and talk about Utley being a hard-nosed player who "played the game the right way."
Utley is also the guy who completely embarrassed Noah Syndergaard and the Mets. Really, Shawn Estes' message to Roger Clemens was more heartful, and really much closer, than the message Syndergaard tried to send that night. As a bonus, we did get that great Terry Collins' ejection video.
If you've been a Mets fan long enough, there are many, many, many more Utley moments which will instantly spring to mind.
So yeah, in a sense it's good for the Mets that Utley is gone much in the same way it was good to see players like Chipper Jones retire.
However, the Mets and their fans are nowhere near a position to celebrate the retirement like Utley, even if he was a coward ducking the Mets and and their fans during the NLDS.
Ulitmately, it's really hard to care when the Mets not only chose to employ the 35 year old Jose Reyes, but they also play him over Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil, and really any player who could hit better than .164/.246/.227.
So, people can go ahead and celebrate Utley's retirement and pretend like the bad guy is gone. It's not true.
The real bad guy, the one who is a Met right now because he threw his wife through a glass door, is still with the Mets, and he's become a major impediment to the Mets organization moving forward and improving for the future.
So congrats on a great career to Utley. He may have been dirty and ruined careers, but at least he didn't beat his wife and complain to the press to help take playing time away from players he was supposed to mentor.
Amed Rosario , Dominic Smith , Jeff McNeil , Jose Reyes , Noah Syndergaard , Ruben Tejada , Shawn Estes , Terry Collins
Matt Harvey, Thank You And Good Luck
In September 2015, Scott Boras tried to intervene and limit Matt Harvey's innings in what could be perceived as an attempt to save the pitcher not just from the Mets, but also from himself. There would be a modified schedule and some skipped starts, but Harvey eventually took the shackles off because he wanted the ball.
Harvey always wanted the ball.
He wanted the ball in the NL East clincher against the Reds. Instead of the five innings he was supposed to pitch, he pitched into the seventh because, well, he wanted to get ready for the postseason, and the Mets were lucky he did.
Harvey won a pivotal Game 3 of the NLDS. With that series going five games, it was Harvey who got the ball in Game 1 of the NLCS. In front of a raucous Citi Field crowd, Harvey set the tone for that series. As he stepped off the mound with two outs in the eighth, he wasn't tipping his cap. No, he was pumped up like all of Citi Field was because he knew what we all knew . . . this team was going to the World Series.
When telling the story of Matt Harvey, we will forever go back to Game 5. With the Mets team trying to rally back from a 3-1 series deficit, Harvey wanted the ball for the ninth. Terry Collins initially wanted Jeurys Familia, but he relented, and he gave Harvey the ball.
You'd be hard pressed to find a time in Citi Field history louder than when Harvey took the mound in that ninth. A blown lead and Game 5 loss later, you'd never find Citi Field more despondent.
Now, looking back, that Game 5 was the microcosm of Harvey's Mets career.
He came in, and he gave us all hope the impossible could happen. He brought us all along for the ride. There was no one we wanted out there more than Harvey. And yet at the very end, despite all the hope and brilliance he brought, we were all left in disbelief, and yes, some in tears, over the how and why Harvey was still out there.
Mainly, Harvey was there because despite no matter what anyone said, Harvey wanted to be there, and he was not going to let anyone stop him.
And you know what? Back in 2013, no one could stop him.
In 26 starts, Harvey was 9-5 with a 2.27 ERA, 0.931 WHIP, and a 9.6 K/9. His 2.01 FIP that year would not only lead the Majors, but it would be one of the 10 best over the past 100 years. His WHIP still remains a single season Mets record. It may have seemed premature to put him in the conversation with Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden, but really, it made sense. Harvey was just that good.
He was the reason to watch a terrible Mets team, and on May 7th, he may have pitched the game of his life. If not for an Alex Rios infield single Ruben Tejada could not turn into an out, Harvey likely pitches a perfect game. Instead, he had to settle for a no decision despite allowing just one hit and 12 strikeouts in nine innings. Just file that away next time someone points out his win-loss record.
That game was the signature Harvey moment. He took the mound with a bloody nose. He was reaching near triple digits with this fastball. He was becoming a superstar. He was making Citi Field his playground.
When we look through the history of Citi Field one day, it will be Harvey who emerged as it's first superstar. He was the one who brought the crowds. He started the first All Star Game at Citi Field. Arguably, he pitched the two best games ever pitched by a Met at that ballpark.
It would be that 2013 season Harvey broke. He tore his UCL, and he needed Tommy John surgery. Mets fans everywhere who were once so hopeful were crushed. There were many low moments in Mets history since the team moved to Citi Field, but that one is among the lowest.
But when he came back in 2015, hope returned. He may not have been 2013 great, but he was great. For all the criticism over his innings limits, he would throw more innings than any pitcher in baseball history in their first season back from Tommy John.
Looking back at that 2015 season, Harvey gave the Mets and their fans everything he had. He pitched great in the regular season, and he was even better in the postseason. Just like in 2013, he was trying to will the Mets back to prominence. He was taking an organization on his back and trying to win a World Series.
It broke him in 2013, and apparently, it broke him again in 2015.
Really, when he stepped off that mound in Game 5 of the World Series, Harvey was done as we knew him. In 2016, he'd be diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome requiring season ending surgery. Last year, Harvey was rushed back to the rotation before he was physically ready, and he suffered a stress reaction. This year, he was healthy, but lost.
Looking back, no one will ever know if Harvey listened to Boras if he'd still be The Dark Knight instead of a guy now looking for a job.
The real shame is how Harvey went out. The same guy who heard the loudest ovations from the fans, the same one who heard Mets fans serenade Stephen Strasburg with "Harvey's Better!" chants, was booed off the mound the last time he ever pitched on what had once been his mound.
There are some who will find behavioral excuses why Harvey faulted, and maybe they do exist. However, you'd be hard pressed to find a pitcher who was at the top of his game in November only to completely lose it by the next April. Most pitchers get a transition period to figure things out. Harvey's cruel fate was he had more injuries followed by his getting about a month and a half before being given an ultimatum.
In what once seemed impossible, Harvey was designated for assignment. Sure, Mets fans always expected him to leave one day, but we all thought it would be Harvey who spurned the cheap Wilpon family, not the Wilpons kicking him out the door despite the team still owing him around $4 million.
Much has been made of the Mets crop of starting pitchers, the group who brought them to the 2015 World Series. Make no mistake, Harvey was the best out of the group. Better than Jacob deGrom. Better than Noah Syndergaard.
Really, he was better than anyone not named Seaver or Gooden, and if things had broken right, Harvey could have been a Hall of Famer. He was that good when he was healthy, but he wasn't healthy making him this generation's version of Paul Wilson, Jason Isringhausen, or Jon Matlack.
Harvey being designated for assignment wasn't a shock. With every struggle on the mound, and yes, some personal issues that emerged, he was getting closer and closer to this point. It doesn't mean this doesn't hurt the Mets fan, the ones who got to experience in the joy of seeing the real Harvey pitch, any less.
There will come a day down the line where all will be forgiven, and we can all just look back and appreciate all Harvey did for the Mets. We can take a step back and marvel how he potentially sacrificed his entire career to win that one World Series. Really, he has never been thanked or appreciated enough for that.
Now, he is looking for a new team and a new fan base. Hopefully, Harvey rediscovers some of that magic he once had, and hopefully, he gets those cheers again. He's certainly earned them.
And when he does return to Citi Field, whether it be this year or the next, let's hope he gets that true standing ovation he deserved, the one he might've received on Thursday had we all known it was going to be his last game in a Mets uniform.
No matter what happens, Mets fans everywhere should wish him the best of luck. There was a time we showered him with all the love we had, and he returned the favor by giving us everything he had. Everything. Here's hoping he gets everything he is looking for in his next stop.
I know no matter what he does, I'm rooting of him. More than that I appreciate Harvey for all he did as a Met. Really, best of luck to you, Matt Harvey.
Dwight Gooden , Jacob deGrom , Jason Isringhausen , Jeurys Familia , Jon Matlack , Matt Harvey , Noah Syndergaard , Paul Wilson , Ruben Tejada , Terry Collins , Tom Seaver
Who's Better: 2015 or 2018 Mets?
Entering the season, Yoenis Cespedes made the bold declaration the 2018 Mets were better than the 2015 Mets. Now, if you recall that 2015 team, it did feature players like Eric Campbell and John Mayberry. However, those players were not on the team at the same time as Cespedes. When Cespedes joined the Mets, he was on a much better roster, a roster which went all the way to the World Series.
With that consideration, it is certainly bold for Cespedes to make that declaration, but is he right? Let's take a look:
2015: Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Plawecki
Just looking at those names, you may be quick to think not much has changed in the catching situation. In reality, everything is different, and the main difference is these catchers stand on much different footing.
The 2015 season was d'Arnaud's best as a player with him posting a 126 OPS+ and emerging as an elite pitch framer. Plawecki was overmatched at the plate, but he did handle the pitching staff exceptionally well. Since that time, both had gone on to disappoint in 2016 and much of 2017.
Things changed at the tail end of 2017. Plawecki finally looked like the player the Mets once thought he would become. d'Arnaud would finish the season with a strong September. As a result, they will look to begin the 2018 season in a unique time sharing agreement designed to keep both healthy and effective all year long.
VERDICT: 2018 – if both replicate their Septembers, this won't even be close
2015: Lucas Duda
2018: Adrian Gonzalez
In 2015, Duda hit .244/.352/.486 with 27 homers and 73 RBI. He was as streaky as he ever was unable to carry the team when they needed his bat most, and he almost single-handedly beat the Nationals in a key late July series.
Gonzalez is coming off the worst year of his career, and he is still dealing with back issues which requires him to warm up two hours before the game starts.
VERDICT: 2015 – Gonzalez may not be around long enough to make a bad throw
2015: Daniel Murphy
2018: Asdrubal Cabrera
We got a glimpse of what Murphy would became with him slugging .533 over the final two months of the season. Even with the increased power, no one could predict the home run barrage he'd unleash in the postseason.
For his part, Cabrera finds himself at second a year after protesting moving there or anywhere. He's been a good hitter with the Mets, and he's been terrific in the clutch. We'll see if the injuries will permit him to be that again.
VERDICT: 2015 – Murphy's postseason was an all-time great one
2015: David Wright
2018: Todd Frazier
This was really the last hurrah for Wright in a Mets uniform. He was very good in the 30 games he played after coming off the DL hitting .277/.381/.437. He'd hit two emotional homers: (1) his first at-bat since coming off the DL; and (2) his first World Series at-bat at Citi Field.
Frazier has been a solid to somewhat underrated player. Over the last three years, he's averaged 34 homers, 88 RBI, and a 110 OPS+. He's been a good fielder averaging a 5 DRS over that stretch.
VERDICT: 2018 – Frazier is no Wright, but he's healthy
2015: Ruben Tejada
2018: Amed Rosario
Tejada was not supposed to be the starting shortstop in 2015. After wasting a few chances which led to Omar Quintanilla getting the bulk of the playing time over him, the Mets moved on to Flores. Eventually, Collins and the Mets went back to Tejada because: (1) he had steadier hands; and (2) he had a .362 OBP in the second half. Who knows how everything would have turned out had Chase Utley not broken his leg with a dirty slide/tackle.
Rosario is the future of the Mets. Yes, there are flaws in his game like his very low walk rate. However, this is a uniquely gifted player who is dedicated to being better. He's electric, and he's got the skill set to be a superstar for a very long time. For now, we will settle for him being a good defensive shortstop who brings real speed and upside to the table.
VERDICT: 2018 – Rosario's ceiling is just way too high
2015: Michael Conforto, Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson
2018: Yoenis Cespedes, Michael Conforto, Jay Bruce
Cespedes was just an otherworldly player when he joined the Mets. Despite his only being a Met for a few months, he finished in the Top 15 in MVP voting. Really, the MVP for the Mets that year was Granderson who was a leader in the clubhouse on the lineup. He had the most homers from a lead-off hitter, and he was a Gold Glove finalist. Conforto jumped from Double-A to post a 133 wRC+ and a much better than expected 9 DRS in left.
With respect to the 2018 outfield, we see Conforto is a much better play (when healthy), and Cespedes is nowhere near as good as he was when he joined the Mets. To be fair, there's no way he could, but he's still an All Star caliber player. This means the main difference between the squads is Bruce and Granderson.
VERDICT: 2015 – That Cespedes was just that much better.
2015: Michael Cuddyer, Wilmer Flores, Kelly Johnson, Juan Lagares
2018: Wilmer Flores, Juan Lagares, Brandon Nimmo, Jose Reyes
From the moment Uribe and Johnson joined the Mets, they were game changers. They both brought a winning attitude and game winning hits. In addition to the two of them, Lagares was the defensive specialist, a role to which he is best suited, and Cuddyer was a platoon partner with either Conforto or Duda depending on whether Lagares started the game as well. Overall, it was a veteran bench who provided needed leadership.
The Mets current bench is similar to the 2015 bench with Reyes trying to emulate the Uribe role even if he's not as productive a player. Flores is Flores, but a better hitter, and believe it or not, a worse fielder. Lagares rediscovered his range he lost in 2015. Nimmo should be in the everyday lineup and leading off, but early indications are he won't.
VERDICT: 2015 – Uribe and Johnson were just that important
2015: Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Bartolo Colon
2018: Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, Matt Harvey, Jason Vargas
When you consider Vargas was basically brought in to replicate what Colon did in 2015, the question is whether you believe the Mets top four starters are better as a group now or then. Looking at it objectively, Syndergaard is the only one who has improved with no one knowing what Harvey and Matz can still provide.
VERDICT: 2015 – they were just healthier then
2015: Jeurys Familia, Tyler Clippard, Addison Reed, Hansel Robles, Jon Niese, Sean Gilmartin, Erik Goeddel
2018: Jeurys Familia, Anthony Swarzak, AJ Ramos, Jerry Blevins, Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo, Paul Sewald
Familia was that good in 2015 that he was able to cover many of the warts in the 2015 bullpen. This resulted in Collins using him for multiple innings more than any other closer that year. Reed would begin his emergence as a great reliever, but a back injury would cost Clippard of his effectiveness. One surprise was Niese performing well as a lefty in the bullpen.
When you include Sewald's Triple-A experience, this is a bullpen with three closers, six pitchers with closer's stuff, and a very good LOOGY in Blevins. Even if Familia is not as good as he was in 2015, it won't matter because there is enough depth here for the Mets to not need to rely upon him as much.
VERDICT: 2018 – they're just deeper and with more upside
2015: Terry Collins
2018: Mickey Callaway
For all the warts and problems Mets fans discovered with Collins, he had his finest year as a manager in 2015. When the ship could have sunk multiple times, he pulled the team together and kept things afloat until the team got healthy and reinforcements arrived. Of course, he followed this up by helping cost the Mets the World Series with a series of baffling decisions which all blew up in the Mets faces.
Right now, Callaway looks like a genius. He's innovative batting Cespedes second and Rosario ninth. He came down hard on Dominic Smith for being late. His players seem to love him, and the baseball world roundly believes the Mets made an excellent hire. However, the season isn't even a week old. Even if everyone is a fan at the moment, let's check back in a couple of months to see if he's an innovative genius or if he's a know-it-all who can't leave good enough alone.
Verdict: 2018 – Collins did cost the Mets a World Series
If you break it down, the 2015 Mets were better at first, second, outfield, bench, and rotation. The 2018 version is better at catcher, third, short, bullpen, and manager. Looking at the breakdown, you can say it's a 5-5 draw. However, in reality, it's not. That 2015 team pitching rotation was just so dominant, and hypothetically, if these teams were going to step on the same field, the 2015 rotation would dominate the 2018 version.
That said, there is a lot of talent on this 2018 team, and from what we have seen so far, this is a roster tailor made to what we presume is Callaway's talents as a manager. If Callaway is indeed as good as we hope it will be, we can see him and Dave Eiland taking this pitching staff as a whole to the next level. If that can happen, and with a little help, this Mets team could accomplish what the 2015 version didnt – win the World Series.
Addison Reed , Adrian Gonzalez , AJ Ramos , Amed Rosario , Anthony Swarzak , Asdrubal Cabrera , Bartolo Colon , Brandon Nimmo , Curtis Granderson , Daniel Murphy , Dave Eiland , David Wright , Dominic Smith , Eric Campbell , Erik Goeddel , Hansel Robles , Jacob deGrom , Jason Vargas , Jay Bruce , Jerry Blevins , Jeurys Familia , John Mayberry , Jon Niese , Jose Reyes , Juan Lagares , Kelly Johnson , Kevin Plawecki , Lucas Duda , Matt Harvey , Michael Conforto , Michael Cuddyer , Noah Syndergaard , Omar Quintanilla , Paul Sewald , Robert Gsellman , Ruben Tejada , Sean Gilmartin , Seth Lugo , Steven Matz , Todd Frazier , Travis d'Arnaud , Tyler Clippard , Wilmer Flores , Yoenis Cespedes
Thank You Matt Reynolds
With the Mets needing room on the 40 man roster, they first designated Matt Reynolds for assignment, and then they traded him to the Washington Nationals for cash. With that, we have seen the end of a short and extremely interesting tenure for the former Mets 2012 second round pick.
After a breakout 2014 season in the minors, Reynolds had put himself in position to capitalize on an unsure shortstop situation. With the team having moved on from Ruben Tejada as the everyday shortstop, and with them giving the defensively challenged Wilmer Flores a shot, it seemed like Reynolds would be a part of a team who had a shot at the postseason.
As luck would have it, Reynolds would be a part of the Mets 2015 pennant winning team, just not in the way he imagined. Reynolds "chance" came because Chase Utley tackled (not slid) Tejada breaking his leg. With Reynolds being the only real shortstop left on the 40 man roster, and arguably the best defensive one, he would get the call up. In effect, Reynolds got the best seat in the house. His postseason experience was taking infield, batting practice, appearing for player introductions, and sitting in the dugout.
Like all of us, he sat on the edge of his seat helpless as the Mets squandered away their chances of winning a World Series. Unlike the rest of us, he would get a chance to prove himself against the Royals.
In arguably his career highlight as a Met, Reynolds was a surprise starter in left field in a day game against the Royals. In the bottom of the sixth, Reynolds would hit his first career homer breaking a 3-3 tie. The run would hold, and the Mets would get the win.
From there, Reynolds would have moments of glory and stretches where he struggled. In reality, this is the life of a player who his shuttled (or in the Mets case flow) between Triple-A and the majors. In September, he was promised more playing time to permit the Mets a chance to get a better read as to how he fit into the Mets future plans. The chance never truly materialized. In that sense, the writing was on the wall.
Now, Reynolds is a member of the Washington Nationals, and it appears he is going to get a better chance to be a Major League contributor than he ever did with the Mets. As fans, we can only hope he doesn't replicate his performance against the Royals. Aside from that Reynolds was a Met, and he was one during one of the more fun rides in Mets history, and for that we should all wish him well.
Matt Reynolds , Ruben Tejada , Wilmer Flores
Carig's Wilpon Article Left Me Even More Frustrated
In case you missed it over the weekend, Marc Carig of Newsday wrote a column wherein many Mets fans have applauded because someone not only asked the question about payroll, but also for rightfully taking the team to task for how it's been operated.
That's great and all, but that's not really what this article was about. The article was really about the lack of accountability from this franchise. Here are some key excerpts:
But rather than reach for transparency, the Wilpons seem content to hide. They never talk about money. Whether it's arrogance or simply negligence, they have no problem asking fans to pony up the cash and never show the willingness to reciprocate.
To the Wilpons, it's as if nobody is worthy of a straight answer. That's the biggest failure of all.
But it costs zero dollars to be transparent, to be willing to explain the payroll, to be proactive about presenting a plan to succeed.
The Wilpons can start by publicly owning up to how this franchise is run. They can begin speaking for themselves rather than leaving the dirty work to middle men. But until they show the courage to take that first step, the Mets and their fans are doomed to repeat the cycle, pulling for a franchise that will never actually do enough to win.
Having read and re-read this article, time and again, I really begin to wonder if the term fan is being substituted for reporter.
This is not a slight on Carig or any beat reporter. There job is much more difficult than fans could possibly imagine. There are things we demand they discover, but at the end of the day, there may be no answer to those questions because, well, the team won't answer them.
Whatever your line of work, it must be nauseatingly frustrating when someone just stonewalls you time and time again, and that prevents you from doing an aspect of your job. In the case of a beat reporter, that would include covering issues that are seemingly simple like the budget and a framework for the offseason.
As an aside, that must be even worse for Sandy Alderson.
Meanwhile, one of the most important currencies for a reporter is access. Write a scathing comment like Carig did, and you may very well find that access limited. That would make an already difficult job all the more difficult.
Still, there is a major question that needs to be asked – why is the payroll question being asked now?
Why wasn't this asked heading into the 2015 season? The team certainly pushed forth the belief they were going to contend with the rise of Jacob deGrom and the return of Matt Harvey from Tommy John surgery.
That team's Major League acquisitions prior to Spring Training were Michael Cuddyer and John Mayberry. They did nothing to address the bullpen or the bench, and Wilmer Flores was the shortstop.
After the 2015 season, if not for Yoenis Cespedes lingering longer than anyone believed he would, the Mets were going to enter the 2016 season with lower payroll and a center field platoon of Alejandro De Aza and Juan Lagares to replace Cespedes. On top of that, Eric Campbell made the Opening Day roster because the Mets didn't want to pay Ruben Tejada $3 million.
With an injured Mets team making an incredible push to claim the top Wild Card, the Mets did not sign one free agent from outside the organization. They re-signed Fernando Salas and Jerry Blevins because both surprisingly lingered on the free agent market, and the team gave Cespedes a big contract.
However, it should be noted the Mets did nothing to improve the roster from a team that was simply not good enough in 2016. Instead, of stories about the payroll being below market and window of competition, it was mostly lauding the Cespedes re-signing as the team going for it coupled with the intrigue about how the Mets were returning the same roster.
And look, we all know the Mets are likely cutting payroll because that's what the Mets do. Still, the team did add a good late inning reliever in Anthony Swarzak, and they were rebuffed by Ian Kinsler. Other than Carlos Santana, the big name free agents are still on the board.
While we don't expect them to come to the Mets, in prior offseasons, we have seen the market correct with Sandy sitting there ready to swoop in and get them for less money than anticipated. That's why Cespedes and Blevins will be Mets next season. Such behavior (luck?) has been routinely lauded.
Now? Well, now, it is being criticized because the Mets lack of accountability and refusal to answer the simplest questions has become too much to bear. Except this time, it's not the fans, it's for reporters. They're now writing articles about it – articles we all wish were written in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 (apologies to a few like Megdal who has done excellent reporting on the topic and Vacarro who kept the heat on the team throughout 2015 and beyond).
So yes, I appreciate the article, but really, none of this is news to Mets fans. It's just confirmation of the status quo. And sadly, in the end, we have learned nothing new from the team. Really, this all just leaves me further frustrated with the franchise, and it leaves me further frustrated that this is really the first we have seen of these articles after all of these years. Hopefully, there will be more. More than that, I just hope something will finally come of this.
But we all know it won't.
Alejandro De Aza , Anthony Swarzak , Eric Campbell , Fernando Salas , Jacob deGrom , Jerry Blevins , John Mayberry , Juan Lagares , Matt Harvey , Michael Cuddyer , Ruben Tejada , Wilmer Flores
REMINDER: Mets Didn't Want Justin Turner
After the 2013 season, the Mets made the decision to non-tender Justin Turner. That is something important to remember with all the issues with David Wright, the failure that was the 2017 season, and with Turner joining Kirk Gibson as the only Dodger to hit a walk0ff postseason homer:
WALK-OFF! Justin Turner's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th gives the Dodgers a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Cubs. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/pYXbNqEYa8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2017
It's incredible to think it's 29 years to the day of Gibson's dramatic Game 1 home run off Dennis Eckersley. It's also incredible to think the Mets had no use for Turner.
This is the point where everyone enters into some needless arguing. The defenders of Sandy Alderson will say Turner hit .280/.319/.385 with a 0.8 WAR in 2013 right before the Mets decided to non-tender him. The people upset with the move will point out how Turner worked with Marlon Byrd to help increase his launch angle. It should be noted that in September 2013, Turner hit .357/.357/.571.
It also should be noted Turner was first time arbitration eligible and due approximately $1 million. The Mets passed, and the Dodgers eventually gave it to him. Turner emerged as the everyday third baseman, and the Dodgers have won four straight division titles.
Overall, the argument boils down to this:
Defenders point to past performance as justification
Critics point to Turner's production
Put that all aside and really ask what is the job of the General Manager. Is it for a General Manager to analyze past production to determine the future outlook of a player? Or is it to analyze a player and pay him based upon what is a reasonable expectation of future production?
Before answering the question, here's just one more to ponder – Was it worth $1 million to find out if Turner's September production was indicative of future success?
Keep in mind the Mets decided to pay Omar Quintanilla $800k, Jose Valverde $1 million, and Ruben Tejada $1.1 million in 2014.
David Wright , Jose Valverde , Justin Turner , Marlon Byrd , Omar Quintanilla , Ruben Tejada


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Mexican culture is expressive and deeply connected to its past. One of the richest ways to interpret this feeling –– an entrenched emotion driven through art –– is dance, and Tòmas Tello, member of the Fiesta Mexicana Planning Committee will be the first to tell you that the experience can be transformative.
Young dancers and performers practice for months to prepare for the Fiesta Mexicana and appreciative family members, friends, neighborhoods and fellow parishioners enthusiastically applaud their skill and obvious mastery of cultural traditions that date back centuries. Photo by Danen Williams
Considered the largest celebration of Latin culture outside of Detroit and Grand Rapids, the 62nd Annual Fiesta Mexicana will take place on Saturday, June 29 and Sunday, June 30 starting at 10 a.m. Festivities will run until 10 p.m. on Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Performers from the El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil, a youth-arts program, showcase cultural favorites that have survived generations. Photo by Danen Williams
Returning this year, the El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil, a youth-arts program focused on preserving Mexican culture, provides a platform for "enriching children's lives through dance, music, and education," which promises to be a crowd favorite worthy of its cultural –– and historical ––tradition.
These young dancers and seasoned performers alike practice for months to prepare for the Fiesta and appreciative family members, friends, neighbors and fellow parishioners, who enthusiastically applaud their skill and the obvious mastery of cultural traditions that date back centuries.
The Fiesta Mexicana is a homecoming of sorts for many participants who return year-after-year to experience the event known for its lively music, authentic Mexican dishes and cultural performances. Photo by Danen Williams
The El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil's instrumental and vocal performers showcase a wide-range of classical and Mariachi style presentations at the event, and often bring the crowd to their feet, according to Danen Williams, a professional photographer and frequent Fiesta participant.
"It's an emotional and uplifting experience to many, particularly grandparents, who have great pride in and hope for their grandchildren," he says.
For Tello, this gets to the heart of why these performances have such weight and significance, especially in light of the current political –– and social –– context.
A young would-be performer steals attention away from the stage. Photo by Danen Williams
"This kind of stuff is a peaceful way of going against all of that," Tello says. "It's giving an understanding."
Tello, who also works as a DJ, is committed to getting across the cultural significance inherent in drawing from the past to shake off the dust of the present.
"We're a rhythmic people and a celebratory people," he says, noting that the folkloric elements run very deep, so deep that it's personal for him. "You can't continue and face the future if you don't know the past and embrace the past, the teachings of our ancestors."
Dancers wearing traditional attire delight the audience with their classical performance. Photo by Danen Williams
Tello believes that dance is not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but it's also a way to give thanks and celebrate.
"That's why it's all in the middle of the festival," he says. "The fiesta hangs its hat on giving you the experience of Mexican food, Mexican music, Mexican culture, crafts and arts, and giving someone an enlightened experience."
This "enlightened experience," has the potential, according to Tello, to have a larger impact on how Mexican culture connects with the global landscape.
Live music from groups like Los Hermanos Escamilla are a part of festivities. Photo courtesy of LHE
Attendees can also expect authentic food, musical acts, cultural exhibitions and vendors. Musical acts will be coming from Grand Rapids, Adrian and Chesaning, including La Furia Del Ritmo from Grand Rapids; Los Hermanos Escamilla from Chesaning; Los Estrellas De Oro from Grand Rapids; and Gabriel Burciaga & The Bad Boyz from Adrian.
Fiesta Mexicana organizing committee member Tòmas Tello, who also works as a DJ, is committed to "getting across the cultural significance inherent in drawing from the past to shake off the dust of the present." Photo courtesy of T. Tello
"When you accept and embrace other cultures … when you come in with an open mind … everybody can get along –– you get a different perspective and you see through other people's eyes," Tello adds. "The Fiesta is the embodiment of family, caring, love and artistry. Who wouldn't like that?"
Fiesta Mexicana will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church located at 2136 W. Coldwater Road, Flint, 48505. For more information, visit the festival page on Our Lady of Guadalupe's website.
Dance, Dance, Dance: The 62nd Annual Fiesta Mexicana will make you move added by Cornelius Fortune on 06/26/2019
View all posts by Cornelius Fortune →

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Who the Heck is Bruce Brubaker?
One of the joys of the Topps Heritage Baseball card brand is finding out which old-time Dodger player (if any) did they sign up to include in the set. In years past they've reached out to such luminaries as Sandy Koufax, Davey Lopes, Maury Wills and 8-year Dodger pitcher Ed Roebuck to sign limited edition cards. This years set, focusing on 1967, had the potential of including a whole host of fantastic former players like Wes Parker, Willie Davis and Don Sutton. So imagine my surprise when the name Bruce Brubaker popped up on the checklist.
Who is Bruce Brubaker?
You're forgiven if you were as clueless as me. After all, he's hardly a name that evokes strong memories.
Bruce Brubaker originally came to Los Angeles during the winter before the 1967 Baseball season as a Rule 5 draftee from the Philadelphia Phillies. Hence the red colored windbreaker in his photo on the card above (BTW, this is what his actual card looked like from the original set. At right is a pic of the reverse of his 1967 Topps card.).
At that time he was an 25-year old, 8-year minor league veteran who was known by most scouts to have a lively arm with a high-90's fastball. Although mostly a starter in his professional career at that point, he might have blossomed as a reliever if only given the chance. As a result of being picked up by the Dodgers he would finally get that opportunity. Unfortunately, it didn't go exactly as planned.
Having made the Opening Day roster, he got into his first Major League game in relief. It was the third game of the season, and he was tasked with getting the last four outs in a match that had already gotten way out of hand. The St. Louis Cardinal had an 10-3 lead by the time Bruce came in.
The first batter he faced in the eight inning was third baseman Phil Gagliano, and he handily struck him out looking. The next inning would not be as good -- to say the least. The first two of the next three hitters got on base for Lou Brock, and he made Bruce pay. The future Hall of Famer whacked a three-run homer -- his second of the day and third home run of the young season -- to solidify an already insurmountable lead.
This would be the last game he ever pitched for the Dodgers; which is a bit unfair considering every other pitcher the Dodgers threw out there that day was hit just as hard. Nevertheless, Bruce Brubaker would eventually be sent to the teams Triple-A club in Spokane. He would go 11-8 with a 3.25 ERA in 199 innings pitched.
A couple of years later he would be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jerry Stephenson, and he would get another chance to pitch in the Majors. That too, unfortunately, was just a single 2-inning stint. Via Chris Zantow:
(Milwaukee Brewers) Manager Dave Bristol remarked that he liked his "live arm" and Pitching Coach Wes Stock said "We liked what we saw of him" in regards to the 1970 major league appearance. Stock added, "You never know about a guy until you give him a chance." In an interview from February, 1970, Brubaker commented "You look at my record and tell me what was wrong. I've been at the Triple A level every year since 1964 and never had a season where I didn't pitch over 200 innings. Sometimes over 300 innings if you include winter ball. But in 10 years I've only pitched three innings in the majors…"
"I had a good record for all these clubs, Syracuse, San Diego, Spokane and Portland, and I've faced probably all the top hitters at one time or another, with the exception of guys who skipped over Triple A. Yet, I haven't made it."
Sometimes, it just takes a little bit of luck. For Bruce Brubaker, his time to really show his stuff never really came on the Major League diamond. Instead, he would prove to be a fantastic businessman.
"I started selling new Fords and worked my way up until I could buy my own Ford-Lincoln-Mercury-Mazda dealership in 1990 in Owensboro, KY. We built a new facility in 2000 and we now have four different dealerships." His dealership is called 'Champion' and today his sons Bruce III and Tyler are running the business. Meanwhile, Brubaker says, "My wife Leda and I are enjoying our 72 foot motor yacht 'Championship' that we keep in Miami Beach."
I suppose that's an more than acceptable secondary career.
BTW, his Baseball bloodline includes a World Series champion and potential Hall of Famer. Former Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is his nephew.
Below are his career statistics via Baseball-Reference:
Report Created on Baseball-Reference.com
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By ernest at Monday, March 07, 2016 0 comments
Links Labels: 2016 Heritage, Brubaker
2016 Topps Heritage - The Dodgers Insert Cards
Following up on the Heritage base cards I shared last week, here are the Dodgers inserts that are available. I'll have pic of the box loader cards later this week.
Real One Autographs
#ROA-BBR Bruce Brubaker #ROA-CSE Corey Seager
Links Labels: 2016 Heritage, Adrian Gonzalez, Brubaker, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Seager, Don Drysdale, Jim Brewer, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Zach Greinke
Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 5/Home Game 3
Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along. See what they've written below.
Monday, March 7, 2016 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch - Glendale
Cleveland Indians vs. LA Dodgers
RHP Danny Salazar (0-1, 13.50) vs. LHP Alex Wood (NR)
TV: None Radio: None
(Lining up for the anthem, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)
ON A ROLL: The undefeated Dodgers (3-0-1) return home to Camelback Ranch today to take on the Indians (0-4-2) in the first matchup of the spring between the two clubs. Yesterday, the Dodgers downed the Giants 5-2 in Scottsdale after taking the lead in the top of the fifth inning when outfielder Carl Crawford drove in a run with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yasiel Puig. Crawford finished the day going 2-for-3 with two RBI and shortstop Charlie Culberson continued to swing a hot bat, plating two more runs on a single in the top of the eighth in his only at-bat. Zach Lee pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in his first Spring Training start and Ross Stripling recorded the win, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames.
The Dodgers last faced the Indians during the regular season in 2014, when the Tribe took two of three at Dodger Stadium.
Charlie Culberson has gone 5-for-6 (.833) with a double, a triple and three RBI in four Spring Training games for Los Angeles.
YOUNG GUNS: The Dodgers enter the 2016 season with Baseball America's top-ranked farm system and seven players ranked among the publication's top 100 prospects: IF Corey Seager (#1), LHP Julio Urias (#4), RHP Jose De Leon (#23), RHP Kenta Maeda (#50), IF/OF Cody Bellinger (#54), RHP Grant Holmes (#72) and OF Alex Verdugo (#100).
(Dave Roberts, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)
NEW FRONT MAN: Dave Roberts is in his first season at the helm of the Dodgers after being named the 10th manager in Los Angeles history (28th in franchise history) on Nov. 23, 2015. Roberts, 43, served as the Padres' bench coach from 2014-15 and was San Diego's first base coach from 2011-13, after originally joining the organization as a special assistant in 2010. A veteran of 10 MLB seasons, Roberts was the starting center fielder for the Dodgers from 2002-04 and will become the fourth manager in Los Angeles history (15th overall in franchise history) to both play and manage the club.
Rick Honeycutt returns for an 11th season as Dodger pitching coach and is the lone returning member of the Los Angeles coaching staff beyond catching instructor Steve Yeager. The new-look staff is comprised of bench coach Bob Geren (2015: Mets' bench coach), hitting coach Turner Ward (2015: D-backs' hitting coach), first base coach George Lombard (2015: Red Sox' minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator), third base coach Chris Woodward (2015: Mariners' first base coach), bullpen coach Josh Bard (2015: Dodgers' pro scout), assistant hitting coach Tim Hyers (2015: Red Sox' minor league hitting coordinator) and quality assurance coach Juan Castro (2015: Dodgers' minor league infield coordinator).
HOT TICKETS!: The Dodgers notched their first sellout of the spring, with 13,122 fans taking in their victory over Arizona on Saturday. Last year, the Dodgers established team records in total (147,066) and average (9,804) Spring Training attendance, while Camelback Ranch saw a record number of fans with a combined attendance of 232,305 between the Dodgers and the White Sox. So far this season, advance ticket sales have been brisk with Camelback Ranch enjoying its best advance ticket sale in its eight-year history. Three additional Dodger games already have sold out - Friday, March 11 (Los Angeles Angels-Dodgers), Saturday night, March 12 (Chicago Cubs-Dodgers) and Friday night, March 25 (San Francisco Giants-Dodgers).
(Alex Wood, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)
ON THE MOUND: LHP Alex Wood will make his first start of the spring today. He enters his fourth Major League season and his second with the Dodgers after being acquired by the club in an eight-player deal with the Braves on July 30, 2015. Wood, 25, posted career numbers last season, winning a career-high 12 games (12-12) in 32 combined starts, while posting a 3.84 ERA.
LHP Ian Thomas will make his first appearance of the spring this afternoon. A 2015 mid-season acquisition from the Atlanta Braves, he made nine relief appearances (one start) for the Dodgers going 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA.
LHP J.P. Howell, enters his 11th MLB campaign and his fourth season with the Dodgers after leading MLB relievers (min. 40.0 IP) with a 1.43 ERA in a team-high 65 appearances in 2015. He finished the season posting a 6-1 record with one save and tossed scoreless relief in 59 of 65 appearances.
RHP Kenley Jansen will make his first appearance of the spring. He enters his seventh big league season after successfully converting 36 of 38 save opportunities last year, the third-highest single-season save percentage in team history (Gagne: 2003-100.0%, 2004-95.7%).
RHP Louis Coleman will be making his second appearance of the spring after tossing a scoreless inning of relief on Friday against the Rangers. Coleman enters his first season with the Dodgers after signing with the club on Feb. 19, 2016.
RHP Brandon Beachy will make his first appearance of the spring, after making his Dodger debut last season on July 11, 2015 with a start against the Brewers, his first since Aug. 20, 2013. He made two starts with the club after being reinstated from the 60-day disabled list, before being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).
RHP Yimi Garcia will be making his second appearance of the spring after striking out one batter in a scoreless inning of relief on Thursday against the White Sox. He ranked among the NL's best relievers in WHIP (0.95, 5th), opponents' batting average (.199, 16th), opponents' on-base percentage (.242, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.60, 3rd) last season.
A LOOK BACK: The Dodgers went 92-70 in 2015, with the club claiming its third consecutive and 14th overall National League West title. It marked the first time in franchise history that the team reached the postseason in three consecutive seasons.
The Dodgers topped the National League in homers for the first time since 1983, blasting 187, their most since 2004 (203 HR).
Los Angeles led the Majors with a .988 fielding percentage, while committing the fewest errors (75) of any big league team.
Los Angeles pitchers combined to post a 3.44 ERA, the fifth-best mark in the Majors, and tied for the big league lead with the Cubs with 21 shutouts.
(Banana mania continues unabated, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)
Links Labels: Alex Wood, Brandon Beachy, Charlie Culberson, Dave Roberts, Ian Thomas, Indians, JP Howell, Kenley Jansen, Rick Honeycutt, Spring Training 2016, Yimi Garcia
Blog Kiosk: 3/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ryu, Lee and a New Jackie Robinson Statue
Joc Pederson continues to delight the fans as he signs autographs for eager fans along the 3rd base line in yesterdays game. Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016. Go here to check out more pics taken by Jon from the day.
Below are more links to check out:
Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Crawford told he'll back up Ethier in left field."
"They told me there will be a lot of at-bats for me, but 'Dre starts, and he's earned it," said Crawford, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Giants.
Not really unexpected. Via ESPN, "MLB saves Chase Utley from slide suspension." He will not have to serve that two-game suspension levied last year.
Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Hyun-Jin Ryu's downtime still not considered a setback."
"The staff had a built-in, kind of a back-off period where they could just kind of back off and pick it up again," (Dave) Roberts said. "But there is no date when he will start throwing again. But I have asked them, and it's definitely not a setback; it's kind of built in with his rehab."
Time to jump on the Lee Train? Via Doug Padilla at ESPN, "Dodgers' Zach Lee makes solid opening argument."
"I don't think he has one wipe-out pitch that might wow you," Roberts said. "But when his command is good, when he's down in the zone and working the cutter, the change and the sinker, changing eye levels with the fastball up, there's some things he can do. When Zach's right, he gets major league hitters out."
ICYMI: Frankie Montas has resumed throwing, via a tweet from Ken Gurnick:
RHP Frankie Montas, who had rib surgery before camp opened, has resumed throwing.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 5, 2016
UCLA unveiled a new Jackie Robinson statue on their campus this past Saturday. Check it out below via a tweet from the LAist:
UCLA Honors Jackie Robinson With Bronze '42' Statuehttps://t.co/bYR4CMPJfi pic.twitter.com/a9Ny6lD80F
— LAist (@LAist) March 6, 2016
Links Labels: Andre Ethier, Blog Kiosk, Carl Crawford, Chase Utley, Dave Roberts, Frankie Montas, Hyun-jin Ryu, Jackie Robinson, Joc Pederson, Zach Lee
Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 5/...
Blog Kiosk: 3/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Ryu, Lee an...


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Burt Reynolds, star of film, TV and tabloids, dead at 82
FILE - In this Nov. 5, 1971 file photo, actress Dinah Shore and Burt Reynolds appear together in Los Angeles. Reynolds, who starred in films including 'Deliverance,' 'Boogie Nights,' and the 'Smokey and the Bandit' films, died at age 82, according to his agent. (AP Photo/Harold Filan, File)
FILE - In this March 12, 2016 file photo, actor Burt Reynolds appears at the world premiere of 'The Bandit' during the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. Reynolds, who starred in films including 'Deliverance,' 'Boogie Nights,' and the 'Smokey and the Bandit' films, died at age 82, according to his agent. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In this March 15, 1978 file photo, actor Burt Reynolds polishes star that was unveiled in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Reynolds, who starred in films including 'Deliverance,' 'Boogie Nights,' and the 'Smokey and the Bandit' films, died at age 82, according to his agent. (AP Photo/file)
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 1977 file photo, actor Burt Reynolds, right, pinches the cheeks of comedian Dom Deluise during a roast of Reynolds in Atlanta. Reynolds, who starred in films including 'Deliverance,' 'Boogie Nights,' and the 'Smokey and the Bandit' films, died at age 82, according to his agent. DeLuise died on May 4, 2009 at age 75. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Published September 06. 2018 4:07PM | Updated September 07. 2018 3:57PM
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NEW YORK (AP) — Burt Reynolds, the handsome film and television star known for his acclaimed performances in "Deliverance" and "Boogie Nights" and for an active off-screen life which included relationships with Loni Anderson, Sally Field and Dinah Shore, has died at age 82.
His death was confirmed Thursday by his agent Todd Eisner, who did not immediately have further details.
Reynolds inspired a wide range of responses over his long, erratic career: critical acclaim and critical scorn, commercial success and box office bombs. Reynolds made scores of movies, ranging from lightweight fare such as the hits "The Cannonball Run" and "Smokey and the Bandit" to more serious films like "The Longest Yard" and "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing."
He was nominated for an Oscar for "Boogie Nights," the Paul Thomas Anderson film about the pornography industry; won an Emmy for the TV series "Evening Shade," and received high praise for his starring role in "Deliverance."
But he also was a frequent nominee for the Razzie, the tongue-in-cheek award for Hollywood's worst performance, and his personal life provided ongoing drama, particularly after an acrimonious divorce from Anderson in 1995. He had a troubled marriage to Judy Carne, a romance with Shore and a relationship with Field damaged by his acknowledged jealousy of her success.
Through it all he presented a genial persona, often the first to make fun of his own conflicted image.
"My career is not like a regular chart, mine looks like a heart attack," he told The Associated Press in 2001. "I've done over 100 films, and I'm the only actor who has been canned by all three networks. I epitomize longevity."
Reynolds was candid about his flops, his regrets and about his many famous friends. He would call posing nude for Cosmopolitan one of his biggest mistakes because it undermined the respect he had gained for "Deliverance." He revered Spencer Tracy as an early mentor and came to know Johnny Carson, Clint Eastwood, Frank Sinatra and many others.
These reality TV newcomers were ready for fame. Then social media turned vicious.
"They were like, 'Don't go on the message boards. ... People can be really mean and cruel. So obviously, the first thing you do is go online and read the message boards."


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Handbook of Biomedical Imaging
Handbook of Biomedical Imaging pp 63-81 | Cite as
Kernel Methods in Medical Imaging
G. Charpiat
M. Hofmann
B. Schölkopf
We introduce machine learning techniques, more specifically kernel methods, and show how they can be used for medical imaging. After a tutorial presentation of machine learning concepts and tools, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), kernel ridge regression and kernel PCA, we present an application of these tools to the prediction of Computed Tomography (CT) images based on Magnetic Resonance (MR) images.
Support Vector Machine Feature Space Kernel Method Reproduce Kernel Hilbert Space Training Point
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© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015
1.Max Planck Institute for Biological CyberneticsTuebingenGermany
Charpiat G., Hofmann M., Schölkopf B. (2015) Kernel Methods in Medical Imaging. In: Paragios N., Duncan J., Ayache N. (eds) Handbook of Biomedical Imaging. Springer, Boston, MA
Publisher Name Springer, Boston, MA


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Great Christmas Gifts for the Food-Obsessed Woman
Laine Doss
Laine Doss | December 14, 2011 | 8:53am
Santa Claus is due for his yearly breaking and entering campaign, and you're worried that you're not going to be able to find the perfect present for the female foodie in your life.
Let Short Order do the shopping for you. We've come up with a list of items that are perfect for your favorite food-obsessed person. Whether she's a devoted culinary whiz or just likes to drink, we've got the bases covered. Go forth and shop.
The Traditionalist
If she thinks dinner isn't dinner without a pound of butter, damn the cholesterol. If her favorite foods include chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, and ham, you'll want to pick up a copy of Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible -- signed by the lady herself! This autographed book features 400 pages of recipes filled with butter, butter, and more butter. $29.95 at The Paula Deen store (butter sold separately).
If she's the type who goes nowhere without her little mini-me, then the Biltmore Hotel's Culinary Academy Cooking Buddies class is a perfect gift. This class features a mother-and-child cooking experience. Best part? They'll enjoy a three course meal apres-class. $85 includes both mom and child.
The Snarky Girl
She's read every word Bourdain ever wrote and eats life like it were a big plate of bacon. This girl laughs at the world, not with it. Give her a reminder that life is fun, damn it, with this daily affirmation by Anthony Bourdain in the form of a fridge magnet. $4 from Etsy.
The Hostess
She likes to give parties with style. Her apartment is constantly filled with friends, and the bar is always open. Get her a set of these Oliver martini glasses. The stemless glasses feature stick figure oliver with an olive, cherry, and lemon. Two of each to make a set of six. $23.70 at CB2.
The Scorned
Bad breakup in 2011? Don't get mad, get revenge with the Ex knife set. Five chef-grade knives are magnetically embedded into the head, legs, torso and crotch (ouch) of the pool little guy who f**ked with this kitchen diva for the last time. It also serves as a subtle little warning for the next man that this gal means business. $79.95 at Amazon.com.
The Animal Lover
If she cooks for her dogs more than for you, then these silicon oven mitts in the shape of a monkey make a great gift. They're both practical and whimsical, and proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue Site. In fact, one monkey mitt provides 14 bowls of food for a shelter dog. $5 at theanimalrescuesite.com
If she's addicted to those freaky shows where women rip each others weaves out for no reason, she'll love a bottle of RHONY's Ramona Singer's Pinot Grigio. The wine has "expressive citrus aromas with hints of mineralilty
on the nose. On the palate you get fresh, clean white fruits and crisp
acidity, with a kiss of lemon on the well-balanced finish." Perfect to guzzle while she's camped out in front of the television watching the Bravo bitchfests. $13.99 at The Wine Buyer.
Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times. She has been featured on Cooking Channel's Eat Street and Food Network's Great Food Truck Race. She won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature about what it's like to wait tables.
Facebook: Laine Doss
Twitter: @lainedoss


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Canada is slowly rolling towards low-carbon transport
By Ryan Katz-Rosene November 16, 2020
If Canada wants to get serious about climate change, it needs to amp up on ambition, investment, and regulatory action within the transport sector specifically.
Transport Minister Marc Garneau, pictured May 1, 2019, using the charging station for electric vehicles in the West Block parking lot to mark the coming-into-effect of the Incentive for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program. If the climate emergency is to be addressed within the transport sector, the government will have to redouble its financial commitments to urban transit—there is simply no way around this, writes Ryan Katz-Rosene. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Last year, the federal government recognized climate change as an "emergency," yet one doesn't get much of a sense of urgency when reviewing the government's efforts to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport sector. While every other sector of Canada's economy has seen emissions reductions since 2005, emissions from transport have grown substantially over this time (by +14 per cent). It is the transport sector that is most responsible for keeping Canada from meeting its international commitments under the Paris Agreement. If Canada wants to get serious about climate change, it needs to amp up on ambition, investment, and regulatory action within the transport sector specifically.
Electric vehicles alone are not a panacea
Why spending on public transit is the fix for Canada's big election issues
World transitioning to a low-carbon economy, but Conservatives make us laggards
Canada's living off past capital, not investing boldly in the future
We are in a climate emergency


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Plan to cut majors a huge blow to UWSP campus
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point plans to eliminate 13 majors as part of the proposed cuts.
Plan to cut majors a huge blow to UWSP campus The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point plans to eliminate 13 majors as part of the proposed cuts. Check out this story on stevenspointjournal.com: http://spjour.nl/2GjKGci
letter to the editor Published 12:34 p.m. CT March 12, 2018
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, Thursday, June 16, 2016.(Photo: Megan McCormick/USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin)
EDITOR: As a 2006 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with an English education major and German minor, I am outraged at the proposed cuts facing the university. The cuts will eliminate many majors, including art, English, French, geography, German, history, philosophy, political science, sociology, Spanish and more. The loss of these majors will be a huge blow to the campus.
During my time there, I knew many people who came to UWSP specifically for those programs. We also live in a society where it is beneficial to be bilingual and decreasing foreign language offerings is a step in the wrong direction.
RELATED: UW-Stevens Point plans to cut 13 majors, add or expand 16 programs
RELATED: English chairman 'taken aback' by UW-Stevens Point plan to cut majors
For the last 12 years, I have taught middle and high school English in Milwaukee. During this time, I often go back to things I learned while attending Stevens Point. The education I received from the English department there has greatly benefited my classroom and all of my students over the years.
Even though the English teaching certificate will still be available, I can't help but wonder how the quality of classes offered will decline. The students of UWSP deserve the best and this is not it.
Jennifer Koss,
Read or Share this story: http://spjour.nl/2GjKGci


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Topic: News, Press Release
Mindfields named as one of Asia-Pacific's Leading Service Providers in Automation and Artificial Intelligence
By Mindfields Global
Sydney, March 4th, 2020 − Mindfields, the global Intelligent Automation and Artificial Intelligence advisory firm today announced that IDC Financial Insights has named it as one of the leading service providers in the recently released IDC Perspective: Six Capabilities from Leading RPA Service Providers That Advance Financial Services Institutions toward Intelligent Automation. The IDC Perspective recognises Mindfields as a leading service provider which has the desired capabilities to offer ready propositions in intelligent automation solutions to the financial services industry in Asia/Pacific.
IDC Financial Insights indicates that institutions which choose an intelligent automation service provider based on six identified capabilities, typically achieve more favorable and long-term results from their automation deployments. The report maps and analyses these six capabilities for eight leading service providers including Mindfields. These capabilities are:
Ability to deliver desired business outcomes
Process identification and optimization
Ability to deliver enterprise wide scale
Security, governance, and post-deployment support as core tenets
Intelligence powered by AI technologies and innovative tools; and
Availability of talent and strong ecosystem support.
Mohit Sharma, Founder and Chairman, Mindfields said, "All of us at Mindfields are enthused to be part of the report and we thank IDC for shortlisting us for this report. The report is truly an acknowledgement of our steadfast commitment in enabling our clients to Grow for Tomorrow by offering disruptive Intelligent Automation (IA) services. Mindfields has been focused on scaling up the automation journeys of its clients and bringing down the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for automation."
The IDC report is an important enabler for Financial Services institutions to understand the various nuances in the implementation or scaling of automation solutions. It recognizes importance of our CoE.exe, MindUni and MindEzy offerings.
Mindfields has been a partner to several leading Financial Services Institutions in the Asia Pacific region on their automation journeys. Mindfields uses a comprehensive approach including the use of RPA, Intelligent Automation, AI and other innovative technologies to deliver business outcomes. Its product portfolio includes a Centre of Excellence platform (CoE.exe), a cloud-based automation management platform (MindEzy), an onshore, offshore or hybrid support offering (MindSupport), Mindfields IP based IA consulting and bot development training programs, which are customized for both graduate and corporate professionals (MindUni) and a finance function automation package (CFO.exe). Mindfields has implemented over 1000 processes and deployed more than 400 robots in production on a global basis.
Mindfields is a pioneer of Automation Advisory Services in the Asia-Pacific region and works with several leading enterprise clients including organisations such as ANZ Bank, ING, Rabo Bank, Equifax, iCare, AMP, CIBC, Pepper Finance, Suncorp, Aus Post, Water Corporation, St John of God Healthcare, Edith Cowan University, Australia Post, Australian Super, Sensis and Seek to assist in their Intelligent Automation and Digital Transformation journey.
About Mindfields
Founded in 2006, Mindfields is a vendor-agnostic Intelligent Automation and Artificial Intelligence advisory firm, providing strategy services to CXO level executives across verticals on emerging and disruptive technologies. Mindfields started its Automation Advisory offering in 2013 and was among the first few on a Global basis and the first in Australia to offer such advisory services. Mindfields is globally recognised by Gartner, IDC, ISG and HFS Research as a leading, niche Intelligent Automation (IA) advisory firm. We enable our clients to 'Grow for Tomorrow'. We have been ranked among the top 20 fastest growing Australian firms in the Deloitte Fast 500 in 2017. Mindfields has been expanding its footprint and presently has operations in Australia, Asia and the United States. To learn more about Mindfields, visit www.mindfieldsglobal.com
To stay up-to-date on Mindfields Global news, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Contact for further information:
Shantanu Singh
marketing@mindfieldsglobal.com
Mindfields Global
Amelia and Mindfields Create Partnership to Launch Unique Hyperautomation Offering
Mindfields Launches MindVirtual – A Unique Remote Intelligent Automation Solution
Mindfields appoints Dean Riach as Vice-President, Delivery


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Tagalog to Thai
Courtesy of Serenity Nguyen
By Kaden Freeman on February 23, 2012
For some Stanford students, special languages hold stronger appeal than popular choices
Uzbek, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Hungarian, Tagalog and American Sign Language are just some of nearly 20 special languages offered at Stanford that fulfill the one-year language requirement. While the most popular languages are Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, German and Arabic, according to the Stanford Language Center's 2010 annual report, other languages hold greater appeal for certain students. The Special Language Program gives students the opportunity to study these lesser-taught languages.
(SERENITY NGUYEN/The Stanford Daily)
According to the Stanford Language Center , the language requirement, initiated in 1995, exists to "prepare students to have a foreign language capability that enhances their academic program and enables them to live, work, study and research in a different country."
Students who pursue special languages often do so because of an academic or personal interest in a geographic area and its people or because they are interested in acquiring valuable skills for fieldwork and study abroad in these areas.
"The dissertation topic I have chosen to pursue deals with the dynamic between the nationalities of Transylvania (now part of Romania) during the inter-war period," states a testimonial on the Special Languages website from a student who studied Romanian to access archival material for her dissertation. "As such, a solid knowledge of spoken and written Romanian is necessary for research of the kind I have planned."
Provided there is sufficient interest and funding available, the University also offers new language classes upon request.
A case in point is this year's introduction of Yoruba, a West African language, after a group of Nigerian-American students petitioned for its implementation.
Tayo Amos '14, who is studying Yoruba, was impressed that the University listened to the students' request.
"It was just astounding to me," she said. "It's hard to find another school that does that."
Besides Yoruba, Amos has taken both Spanish and Catalan, a language spoken in some regions of Spain, at Stanford.
"I knew I wanted to study abroad in Barcelona, and I knew they spoke Catalan there, so I wanted to get a head start," she said.
Amos said that her experience learning Catalan, which is not under the Special Languages Program, was a positive one.
Nina Papachristou '14, who studied Swahili at Stanford, shared this sentiment about her experience studying language at Stanford.
"With a special language like Swahili, the syllabus is much more flexible," she said. "Now that I am at an advanced level, the other students and I can suggest different things for the syllabus than what the teacher might have chosen at the beginning of the quarter."
Papachristou, who has also taken French at Stanford, noted a difference in subject matter between language classes outside the Special Language Program compared to those within it.
"With special languages, there is a lot more of an emphasis on learning the culture of the place where the language is spoken," she said. "For example, we learn about East African methods of nonverbal communication or how Swahili weddings are conducted."
Jason Kaufman '14, who studied Hindi, had a similar experience. He has also taken French at Stanford, but said he preferred the teaching style of his Hindi class.
"The [Hindi] class did not just focus on vocabulary and grammar, but also the culture in India," he said.
Additionally, Kaufman pointed out that one of the benefits of taking a special language is the small size of the classes, which allows for more individualized attention for each student.
However, according to Papachristou, learning a less common language does have some unique challenges.
"The most challenging thing about learning Swahili is having nobody to practice with," she said. "The only real way to improve my speaking abilities is to spend time in Kenya and Tanzania."
Kaufman agreed that picking up a special language can be especially hard.
"A weakness of the [Hindi] program last year was that we only had class two days a week," he said. "However, this year Beginning Hindi is five days a week, which suggests the program is improving."
Kaden Freeman