My wife and I are trying to pick out what kind of floor we want to put down in our kitchen. I have no trouble with the decision but my wife does. Different floor type, colors and patterns can turn into a very long process that at times I will admit can be a bit tiresome. But a decision will be made and I am sure it will be questioned from time to time. When August 1’st rolls around decisions are going to be made by many baseball teams in terms of whether or not they are going to be buyers or sellers. In other words are we in it or out of it. As far as the Mets go: My thoughts, they're sellers. Many of you might say it’s too early to tell, well no it’s not. On paper this team looks great on the field they just don’t have it. Eric Chavez has to take over as the hitting coach, and we have to get rid of the idea that analytics are the way to hit a baseball. I know Willie Mays and Tony Gwynn never used a computer. And when I hear Steve Cohen whispering to Bob Nightengale that he is going to hire David Stern as VP of President of Baseball operations can a rebuild be far off. We know the infield is set for the foreseeable future, but the other pieces like DH, the outfield, and one more big bat need some attention. Two things happened during the off season, Edwin Diaz ruptured his Patella Tendon, and we lost out on the Carlos Correa sweepstakes. Once that happened our confidence and our credibility diminished. So who goes? Vogelbach, Canha, Marte, Escobar, and Ottavino. Sorry kids this just isn't our year. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Well if you are a professional athlete consistency is truly the hallmark of greatness. If you are a baseball fan you know that a player can fail almost 70% of the time and still make it to the hall of fame. Over the course of the last 3 weeks we Met fans have watched as it appeared our team was doomed for the entire season. Couldn’t hit or pitch and lost to the some of the worst teams in the league. I’m not questioning the fact that teams go on streaks and win 10 in a row and then lose 12 out of 16. What I want to know is why. Are they tired, is it a loss of concentration, or is it just the odds. With our Mets it seems like the entire club goes into a slump all at once. Tommy Lasorda once said that out of 162 games you win 50 and you lose 50, what you do with the other fifty determines your fate for the season. My thought is a loss is a loss and you can’t win the pennant in April but you can certainly loss it. My hope is that being swept by Detroit doesn’t come back to haunt us in September. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

If you are a Met’s fan you read things all over facebook and twitter about how this team is falling apart, and about those that are looking for heads to roll. You also here about how Steve Cohen has set the team apart with this enormous payroll. Then again you hear about something that I found to be alarming, and not sure if it’s true but, if it is only one head should roll and that’s Rob Manfred. Listen in and we'll tell you why. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Billy Eppler GM of The Mets commented this week that he has confidence in the roster that The Mets are fielding right now. And you know what if everyone was doing their job I would feel confident as well. I mean the roster is just about the same as it was last year other than a few tweaks here and there. I still can’t understand why they got rid of Chris Bassett, and Seth Lugo but then again we didn’t see the injuries coming to our pitching so fast and furious. Scherzer and Verlander will finish their careers with The Mets because if they opt out no one is going to want them, Scherzer can opt out after this year. So we are stuck listening to Gary, Keith and Ron sing their praises for things they did with other teams. The truth be known Billy Eppler and Steve Cohen don’t give a rats fanny about this roster, the team or the fan base at least not right now. There is a ton of money coming off the payroll next year. Steve Cohen has always liked short high annual value contracts, simply because if the player stinks it up he can get rid of them in a year or two; unless of course you are Francisco Lindor who is going to be around for the next decade. So, what is Steve Cohen actually doing? Listen In And Find Out --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Well, I actually know what's going on; no pitching. After the first game of the doubleheader against The Braves (we lost 9-8) I think that was obvious. But, on the brighter side reinforcements are on the way, Scherzer and Verlander so hopefully that will make a difference. By the way Baty is on fire and Alvarez is coming around. Nido and Escobar could become trade chips at the trade deadline. I would be reluctant to trade Escobar I believe he is a great clubhouse guy. With all the pitching wows we were still 9-7 over the last 16 games. In this episode Ryan and I introduced Burns' Bench and Ryan's Rant. Other than doing a podcast after a loss, we had some fun and we hope you do to. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Don't know about you but I thought David Cone gave an excellent objective opinion on ESPN Sunday night about Scherzer and his ejection for sticky fingers. As Cone said you really can't regulate a legal substance and if rosin was all that Scherzer had on his hand along with sweat, or alcohol why the ejection. Also a good west coast trip, but when you are one game away from making it great at times we can get greedy. Ryan and I covered so much more in this episode of The New York Mets 101 so listen in have fun and enjoy. LGM. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

If you want to compare the Mets and the Athletics the A's are the worst. Sadly it's because Moneyball just went too far. This was a playoff team a few years ago and not they have stripped the team down to bare bones. Oh don't get me wrong I am thrilled that we swept them over the weekend and we are playing very well against quality teams. We beat the Padres 2/3 and just beat the Dodgers last night. To add a bit of insult to injury the A's celebrated their 1973 World Series victory over the Mets on Sunday. Who cares? The A's are the laughing stock and the fans come out to entertain each other in a circus atmosphere. The Mets are on a roll now and have to keep it going. Baty is up and he is here to stay and Alvarez needs to get it going so the team has an infield that is almost entirely homegrown. But even at that we got Lindor for homegrown talent in Jimenez and Rosario. Lets Go Mets. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Ryan and I discussed the pitching and hitting on this episode of NY Mets 101. My thoughts Bassett would have been a welcome addition to this pitching staff. I know he choked in Atlanta but he was a workhorse for us and I don't think was ever on the IL. Also if there is one person who has to succeed on this team and who I want to see succeed is Francisco Alvarez. All the hype creates pressure and I am hoping the kid can hold up. Many other things were discussed and I can't help reliving my youth with a short tribute to the original 3 Bob Murphy, Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Kiner. They did games for the Mets for 17 years a number that has now been exceeded by Gary, Keith, and Ron who are starting their 18th season. Enjoy the podcast everybody. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Well today was an interesting episode of The NY Mets 101. Ryan went to The Marlins series (lucky duck) of which he did an excellent job of critiquing the pitch clock and the stadium. I am still upset at Tyler McGill, even though he won the game, and took 3 of 4. And, we took a look at how we lined up with The Phillies. We had a few technical issues but forged ahead like true Met fans. Enjoy the show. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

In this episode of New York Mets 101 Ryan and I discussed rosters for the Braves and the Mets (using 2022) rosters and stats. We only critiques the potential starting 9. We also discussed the decision to send down Baty and Vientos. They both had stellar so the decision was a bit of a disappointment. We shared what we thought might be the reason and why it may not have been the best decision. Plus lots of baseball discussion. So listen in and enjoy. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Ryan and I spoke about a lot of things during this episode of NJ Mets 101. Much of which will keep fans involved and allowed us to voice our thoughts and opinions. In terms of the WBC and the injury effect, I am not so concerned about the injuries, because they do happen. I am more concerned about injuries that are career altering. Some injuries can change the trajectory of a players career or have such long lasting effects that they prevent the player from reaching their full potential. Seth Lugo who had his sights set on becoming a starter partially tore his ulnar collateral ligament during the WBC in 2017. Opting not for surgery but for rehab he never was fully successful as a starter and spent his time as a middle and set up man in the Met's bullpen for the last five years. He recently sighed a one year contract with The Padres for six million dollars. Not a starters salary for sure. We don't know how Edwin Diaz's injury will effect him down the road. But I think we need to ask the question when we are dealing with a 100 million dollar baseball player; is it worth the risk? It's not about the money it's about the the players future. The Injury Effect Of The WBC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

I was raised over a bar and I don't think one day passed during the summer when all the guys just seemed to be talking about the game either that day or that night. It didn't matter what team they rooted for they just loved talking baseball. The split was about even 50-50 Mets and Yankee fans and at times after a few too many things got a bit heated but the conversation never stopped. Believe it or not we had some Pirate, Phillies, and Boston fans in there as well but baseball was the common bond in the summer that drew people to Burns' Tavern. Oh, the best TV in town didn't hurt either, but rest assured a game was always on that set and the conversations seemed to get louder as my father filled another glass from the keg beneath the bar. As I was doing this episode with Ryan and the time wore on I could feel my self just loving the conversation more and more. It was almost like I felt the security of the topic and truly wished that it had gone on a bit longer. But, alas I was called to dinner by my dear wife in a similar way that my mother called me in when I was playing catch with a neighbor. I was loving baseball then and I am still loving it now. Thank God I have a partner to talk to. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Well welcome back or should I say will you welcome us back. My name is Jim Burns and this is The New York Mets 101. Today’s podcast episode is designed to get our feet wet and to take stock of this 2023 Amazin team. Today I am introducing Ryan Mucha who will be my partner in crime and we will be offering our thoughts about the team as the season wears on and rest assured we will have plenty to say about in game moves, injuries, and the pitching staff that is one of the oldest in the league. So sit back and enjoy. If you want to share an opinion on Facebook please do so and remember that we are fans just like you and agree or disagree always remember we will always have this team as our common bond. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

Often when a team wins a championship some players just seem to do the unexpected or maybe just play over their head. Sometimes we pick up pieces at the trade deadline or claim a player off waivers. The 1969 and the 1986 Mets were very much like that. Those players that seemed to add a spark, get the big hit, or played like a champion for just that one year. In this episode I talk about those players from yesteryear and discuss who will be the players this year that could to go above and beyond and do the unexpected. With our lineup and with some surprise performances I believe that this team can win a championship. https://anchor.fm/james-burns52/message --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…

At 65 I can't help but think back to what I call the good old days; the days of single admission doubleheaders and general admission seating at times for as low as $1.25. The food was cheap, the players were friendly, and at times when you were at Shea you felt like you could almost touch your heroes. The players were part of your family. The sign man and banner day are no more. But, we all still love this team and rejoice when they win and can get sick when they lose. Here are a few things for you older Mets fans to think about and remember.Everybody has a story, and as a Mets we got a lot of them. If you would like to share your thoughts and memories click on the link below. https://anchor.fm/james-burns52/message --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-burns52/support…