Yardbarker: Marlon Anderson

Time to move on from Fernando Tatis...

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:03:00 -0500

Marlon Anderson was an incredible story in 2007, being claimed off waivers, he seemed to have a clutch hit every night and was one of the only leaders in a clubhouse that was falling apart. But he stayed for much too long, it seemed like the entire 2008 season and into 2009, his spot was held, hoping to see a glimpse of what he once was.The same could be said of Fernando Tatis; what an incredible story he was last year, not playing in the majors regularly since 2003, he was the comeback playe...

Marlon Anderson looking to return...

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:11:00 -0500

After leaving the Mets, Marlon Anderson landed with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League ( Independent league).Apparently Marlon has decided to leave the Bears and hopes to return to the Mets organization.Omar always loves Marlon's intangibles and I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a player coach in Buffalo, who knows he might even get a call-up in Sept...Furthermore, Marlon Anderson is believed to have left the Bears with the hopes of returning to the Mets organization, and wil...

Marlon Anderson Signs with Newark Bears

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:10:08 -0500

Better late than never! via Atlantic League Baseball on June 12th. The Newark Bears have signed noted pinch-hitting enthusiast Marlon Anderson to a contract. He joined the team last night. Anderson has spent all or part of the last 11 seasons in the big leagues. He’s appeared in 1,147 games with the Phillies, Rays, Cardinals, Mets, [...]

A Look Ahead To Future Mets Free Agents

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:18:53 -0500

Even though the 2009 season hasn’t even began yet, I thought it would be fun to look at the players that the Mets may potentially lose to free agency after this season. Catcher Brian Schneider – Schneider, 33, is the Mets starting catcher. While his offensive production is far from ideal, he handles the pitching staff well and provides adequate defense behind the plate. Still, I think the Mets will look elsewhere this offseason to find a new backstop before attempting to bring bac...

Avoiding the Inevitable, roster move....

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:56:38 -0500

The Mets have avoided making a tough decision by making an easy move that just satisfies the roster temporarily. The Mets have sent Nick Evans down to make room for Gary Sheffield, Evans was scheduled to be sent down on April 11th to make room for Livan Hernandez anyway. So really all the Mets have done is stalled, by next week they need to decide who has to go. They could carry one less reliever by returning Darren O'Day to the Angels or sending down Bobby Parnell who has options ( highl...

Sheffield A Low Risk Signing For Mets

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:37:25 -0500

Jon Heyman of si.com is reporting that the Mets have signed Gary Sheffield. Though I’m skeptical about what Sheffield brings to the Mets both on and off the diamond I don’t think this is a bad signing (as I’m sure many Mets fans will think it is). Sheffield will most likely replace Marlon Anderson on [...]

I'll take Catalanotto over Anderson....

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:02:17 -0500

Despite hitting .317 this spring and being able to play almost every position, the Rangers are reported to have released Frank Catalanotto to make room for outfielder Andruw Jones. The Mets have been rumored to be interested in the super sub for quite sometime. While he's another left handed hitter he's a much better option then Marlon Anderson. The 34 y/o has spent most of the last few years playing 1B and the corner outfield but does have major league experience at 3B, 2B and SS. He...

Is Jerry tipping his hat about the bench....

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:51:16 -0500

Tonight is suppose to be the first game in which Jerry Manuel uses his full squad. Early in spring training Manuel indicated that the March 27th game would be when he rolled out the regular line-up, by today everyone would be back from the WBC and well rested.Most of the regulars are in the line-up tonight except the corner outfielders. Against a tough left handed starter the Mets will use Fernando Tatis and Bobby Kielty in the corner outfield positions.As I've said before it doesn't ...

The Offical Rules of Fan Free Agency

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:56:04 -0500

When the A-Rod saga broke, I felt a little bit of relief. Relief you ask? Well relief, because over a year ago I made a decision, one that at the time was tough to make. I was going to opt-out of the New York Yankees. I was no longer going to be a fan, I was no longer going to religiously watch the YES Network, I was no longer going to defend the play by play antics of John Sterling. I was a baseball free agent and it was time to pick a new team. Here are the rules for this.

1. The new team cannot have won a World Series title in over 20 years.
This closed out a lot of teams over the last few years, and it keeps you from looking like a band wagon jumper.

2. You cannot root for your old team's rival.
Although, the 20 year rule can usually keep this from happening, it also means if you leave the Cardinals because you are tired of them putting together teams on the cheap, you cannot go root for the Cubs.

3. A team that is historically tortured is off-limits.
You cannot become a fan of the Cubs. The true fan base deserves to revel in the joy of a World Series title by themselves, not with you tagging on at the end. This would also go for the Arizona Cardinals, the LA Clippers, and other teams of the like.

4. You must be able to watch the new team regularly.
If you become a fan of a team, you must be able to watch them regularly. Period. That means you by the sports package on satellite or cable or whatever. There is no excuse for this.

5. You must be able to name 10 players on that team without the aid of Google.
Saying you like the Mets because of David Wright is cute and all, but saying you like the versatility Marlon Anderson brings off the bench is much more knowledgeable.

6. You must make your intentions known publicly.
This can be accomplished on your local sports talk radio station, blogs, chat rooms, forums, whatever. You must let people know you are in a process of finding a new team.

7. You cannot leave a team based solely on a lack of winning.
Management, decisions you disagree with, a bad experience at the teams arena, whatever, their has to be a history of building discontent. Boston Bruins fans can help you analyze this.

8. You need to narrow it down and vote on finalists.
There has to be a process of elimination. You can't just pick a new team. You must analyze things like tv deals, proximity to new team, ability to see the team play on tv and live, knowledge of the franchise, things like that. You can't just wake up on Tuesday and say "I love the Kansas City Royals"

9. There is a 30 day cooling off period
From when you make the decision to opt-out, you have to wait 30 days before formally announcing the new team. When I opted out of the Yankees last season, I took a month to decide who it was going to be. Even did a trial fandom of a couple of other teams to see how they fit with my lifestyle. Free agents get dinner from teams, you have the right to sample the menu as a fan. See if you like the pre-game people. See if the daily beat writers are someone you can read daily. Make sure you know the entire aspect of the team before you dive in.

10. Make sure this is a long term relationship
You can't do this every 5 years. This is like finding a new significant other, this has to be something you go into with 100% effort. If your heart is not in it, do not even bother.

This is how I did it.

When I left the Yankees, I narrowed it down to 5 teams, the Mets, the Phillies, the Nationals, the Dodgers and the Giants. First I chose only National League teams because I hate the DH (personal preference). I was able to watch all 5 teams. The process of elimination went as follows.

1. Giants
Did not like them when bonds was there, could not find myself rooting for a team where he was a big time alumni. No thanks.

2. Nationals
The lack of HD games last season and poor PQ on the SD games turned me off. Also I was a fan of the Expos, it was a little like cheating on Montreal.

3. Dodgers
Every time they signed a former Red Sox player, I felt like I was violating rule number 2.

4. Mets
Everything you could ask for, but it did not feel right. Plus they have a cross-town feud with the yanks, so it is violation of rule number 2.

That made the Phillies the Winner, and I made the announcement in April 2008. I watched all of their games, watched their minor league team when it came to town, and really got into the team. Luck for me, they won the World Series in the first season. Unfortunately, that means there is no where for this to go but down. On the bright side, I now no longer have to defend the Yankees. Not a bad deal.

Remember you only live once, there is no reason you need to suffer. Sports is supposed to be fun. make it that way again.

PREGAME: Mets @ Marlins

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:45:50 -0500

The New York Mets travel (6-8) travel to Jupiter today to face the Florida Marlins (6-7) in Grapefruit League play. John Maine (0-0, 10.80) will be the starting pitcher for the Mets, and will take the mound at 1:05 p.m. eastern.Here's how the lineup looks for New York:Cory Sullivan, cfLuis Castillo, 2bRyan Church, rfFernando Tatis, 3bBobby Kielty, lfMarlon Anderson, 1bBrian Schneider, cRuben Tejada, ssJohn Maine, spSome notable spring stats so far:Cory Sullivan- .313 avg, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8 r...

Looks like Marlon's back

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:33:50 -0500

I admit that if Marlon Anderson looked like the player who hit .210 in 2008 I was the first in line to cut him. I think players leave themselves vulnerable to criticism when they down play their injuries, everybody loves a gritty player who fights through injuries but a player who says he's fine ...

Transactions: Anderson off DL, Mets recall 7

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:36:09 -0500

The New York Mets will officially activate pinch-hitter/utility man Marlon Anderson Monday. He will be available for the series against the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the Mets have announced they will expand their September roster by seven, adding: