2nd Verse, Same As The First

The Mets began the 2nd half of the season much the same way it began....leaving runners on base. Going for some insurance runs late in the game, the Mets had runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out, and failed to score a run. Somewhere Rick Down is chuckling. Ah yes, Mr. Down. Yesterday, hitting coach. Today; scape goat. Minaya had to shake something up and releasing 68 yr old Julio Franco wasn't going to be enough. Of all the coaches, Down was the most fireable. Keith Hernandez had a 6 inning diatribe on hitting coaches, but for time's sake, I'll give you the short version. The hitting coach has little to no influence on hitters. There, that was easy wasn't it Keith?

Any win is a good win, and it's always good to start the 2nd half off positively. El Duque looked decent, Reyes played with hustle, and the Mets still suck at hitting. "Fitty Cent" Milledge made his return last night in what I think is a showcase of his talents for a trade by the end of this month. Milledge hit the ball hard and scored from first on a single (!). Franco would just NOW be rounding 2nd.