June 11, 2006 - Mets vs Diamondbacks

[@metsfan9298]

What’s funny is, I actually remember this game just for that funny unexpected Jose Reyes kissing the camera moment lol

[@hmhm856]

In 2005 and 2006, Mets played a four game series in Arizona. And both times, the Mets swept those series

[@muggsyaxton8085]

I remember that weekend series well. Cut a date short on Friday so I could get back home with a six-pack to watch what felt like could be a playoff preview.

[@mattray9904]

I wonder if Pedro would have regained his velocity from his first season as a Met when he was reaching 95 mph during the first month of 2005 if he hadn't gotten injured at the end of June considering he barely pitched in Spring Training. His 92 mph fastball to Ortiz seemed effortless at 59:52 and he threw a better 92 mph on the outside corner to DaVanon at 1:02:30. He was touching 90-91 mph max in his first few starts, but got up to 93 mph on his 102nd and final pitch in the start against the Yankees on May 20th and 92 mph on his 106th and final pitch against Arizona @ Shea on May 31st. He threw harder consistently in this game than against the DBacks at Shea and didn't have to push himself in this game with a comfortable lead. The stat at 25:45 was really the difference between 2005 and 2006 Pedro. Other than the unusual amount of home runs allowed, Pedro was pretty much as effective as 2005 with a lot of strikeouts and very few hits allowed while pitching several mph slower. Pedro didn't have his usual control, or his offspeed pitches, even his changeup, which is usually his best pitch. He gave up his first hit on a changeup he left up at 24:25. He was mostly changing speeds on his fastball and cutting the fastball at times. He probably threw his best changeup when he struck out Gonzalez on the 3-2 pitch at 1:06:56. Pedro had shown him a 91 mph fastball earlier in the at bat and he was probably looking for that and got a 79 mph changeup instead. Although he also had DaVanon out in front on the 77 mph changeup on a 3-2 count at 1:04:09 because Pedro had thrown several 90-92 mph fastballs in the at bat.

[@metsclassics]

Great write-up, Matt. Pedro threw (ironically exactly) 217 innings at his age 32 and 33 seasons. By 34 he had a lot of collateral damage. I’m not big on pitch counts and what not, but I think pitchers (especially smaller guys who rely on velocity) have a breaking point.

[@mattray9904]

Agreed. Pitch counts matter to an extent, but they've gone way too far in recent years treating elite starters almost like relief pitchers. I always thought smaller power pitchers like Pedro and Lincencum were at a disadvantage in terms of longevity compared to much bigger starting pitchers like Clemens, Schilling, Johnson, and Ryan, who could generate power with much less stress. 1999 and 2000 Pedro ended when he broke down in early 2001. Pedro could no longer throw 95+ from the beginning of the game at 175 pounds while pitching 210-220 innings. Pedro came back at 190 pounds in 2002 and worked his way up to a mid 90s fastball when he needed it during games. This worked for him pitching 185-200 innings in 2002 and 2003. This is pretty much the version of Pedro the Mets got in 2005, except he pitched more innings. I think the Mets intended to rest him more, but couldn't afford to.

[@eddiegilmartin6891]

Do you have any more Met Games that include Jon Miller and Joe Morgan in the booth? Sunday Night baseball used to be really good when they we're both together. I really miss them. How about you?

[@metsclassics]

Something about Morgan’s style I didn’t like. Just personal preference. I’m not sure if I have any more of their games or not, since I don’t know who is on the telecast recording until I put the disc in to convert for KZbin. Hopefully there’s a few for you, Eddie!

[@eddiegilmartin6891]

@@metsclassics Ok. How did Joe Morgan die by the way?

[@metsfan9298]

Do you have more 2005 games as well? I know you uploaded a lot, but I loved the Mets cubs games from I think it was July at Shea. I sat field level for two of those games

[@metsclassics]

I do, but don’t think I have that series.

[@edtruzz5922]

God back in the days when 50$ got you a significant amount of gas

[@metsfan9298]

What’s crazy is, $50 in New York now with gas going down gets me a full tank from E lol