Billy Ball
We're as much a fan of the First Amendment as is former Phillies closer Billy Wagner. We don't think what happens in the clubhouse needs to stay in the clubhouse. Players should be free to speak their minds without being assigned to the rat squad. In that spirit, as the reliever readies himself for a feisty welcome here tonight, as the first-place Mets face the surging Phillies, it looks like some of the New York and national blogs are ragging at Wags. We admire a flame-thrower who can take the heat.
From a Mets fan's site called Yankees 2000: Promote The Curse:
Billy Wagner is starting to scare me a little. Everything that my Philly fan friends were telling me, about how Wagner has lost a step... let's just say this is cause for concern. He's blown 3 saves now and could have lost us Friday's game. Hopefully these days off will get him going.
From Mets Talk:
Billy Wagner has stirred the hornet's nest with some barbs at the Phils. Not sure how wise that was.
For background, see Jim Salisbury's piece in the Sunday Inquirer, in which Wagner said he was treated like a pariah by the Phillies -- the least-favorite teammate -- after he called their play spiritless in an interview last July 1, and questioned their will to win.
(Will stadium wiseguys really play "Mister Sandman" when he enters the game? No, not the ominous "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. The chirpy song from Cry Baby.)
Back to spouting off. Here's Alan Granoff at Major League Blog:
I see where Billy Wagner and his former Phils' teammates are having a battle of words, as Billy is about to make his first road visit to Philly this week. If you think those fans booed Bonds, you haven't hear a thing yet until Wagner takes the mound!
From Comprak.net:
Billy Wagner is kind of a moron. Or I don't know if he was prepared to play in a big city. Actually, I'm beginning to think that's the issue. He has 3 blown saves already in NYC.
Daedalus, writing in The Church of Baseball:
Big baby Billy Wagner pissed off his ex-Phillies teammates by whining about how they were against him. Like they wanted him to screw up and lose games for them? What is he smoking in the Mets clubhouse? Wah!!!
And most ominously, Baseball Musings writes:
Wagner should be careful what he says. Afterall, he doesn't have a very good track record against former teams.
Click that link and you'll see what he was saying -- the Houston Astros have hit .357 against him since the 2003 season.
At least Wags doesn't talk to plants. Rumor has it they are also going to change Wagner's entrance song from "Enter Sandman" to "Mr. Sandman."
we must have passed in cyberspace on that sandman thing - i just found it in the ny daily news. but talking to plants! pedro's lost it since he fired his little friend.
Sunglass hut coupons Samll business loans College rodeo teams College entry exam
Heated swimming pool Entertainment in las vegas Mac os x hosting Date of the constitutional conven...
Definition of degree Attorneys in atlanta Convert text to date Houston gift basket