NIAGARA Falls, NY – Happy Monday. It’s hard to believe July is already ending, leaving just four more months in the year. Today, we’re diving into three key topics: NY Mets Update, Bullpen Games and 2025 Baseball HoF Class.
Mets Update
We’ve talked about the Mets’ struggles earlier this season, but they’ve caught fire lately. Angry Ward is talking about break up the Brewers, we need to consider the Mets. After winning the finale of their series against the Reds, they swept the Angels and then the Giants. This seven-game win streak has propelled them back to the top of the NL East, now sitting 1.5 games ahead of Philadelphia. They’re also just half a game behind Chicago for the best record in the NL and a full game ahead of the Dodgers—who remain a serious threat in the race for home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.
Bullpen Games
Baseball purists have plenty of grievances with recent changes—universal DH, pitch clocks, the ghost runner in extra innings—but my biggest frustration is bullpen games. I don’t understand why teams don’t just call up an extra pitcher instead of piecing together games with one-inning relievers. MLB needs to reevaluate roster rules and expand pitching slots. I’d rather see a Triple-A starter get a shot than watch a disjointed parade of relievers who clearly signal the team has already conceded the game. Statistically, teams relying on bullpen games rarely win, making it a flawed strategy. Just give us a real starter!
The 2025 Baseball HoF Class
The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees were honored this past weekend:
– CC Sabathia – I didn’t know CC stood for Carsten Charles. I know you didn’t either. He maybe remembered for his Yankees dominance, but his 2008 Brewers stint—where he pitched on short rest to carry them to the playoffs—cemented his legend.
– Ichiro Suzuki – a transcendent talent and underrated comedian at least at his induction ceremony, especially in his post-Mariners interviews.
– Billy Wagner – one of the best closers ever; Mets fans remember him, but his peak came with the Astros.
– Dave Parker – posthumously inducted; his son delivered a moving tribute to “The Cobra’s” overlooked impact as a clubhouse leader. Shame he passed away a month before induction.
– Dick Allen – finally honored posthumously after years of debate over his controversial but brilliant career.
Sabathia’s intensity, Ichiro’s wit, Wagner’s dominance, and Parker’s legacy made this a special class. It’s a shame Parker and Allen couldn’t celebrate in person, but their families ensured their stories were told powerfully
Final Thoughts
*The Mets are hot and if they can stay hot, they can have home field through the playoffs.
* Expand the roster and do away with Bullpen games, they are a blight on the game.
*The 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame class featured a few individuals that were characters in and outside the clubhouse, some not as well know for it as others.
For more takes you could have died happy never hearing, come back tomorrow for Ben Whitney. #OhSnap
