Because of the interleague schedule, it is difficult to reschedule games. Teams try to avoid the old fashioned doubleheader, but it is getaway day and the Mets are headed to Texas immediately after the game. Oakland with the short hike to Philadelphia, and we heard the contingency plan, had the game been scrapped, Oakland returns to New York next month and again in August for scheduled games with the Yankees in the Bronx. So the A’s could have made a one game trip to Citi Field. Of course, that was all subject to approval…

With another good crowd assembling, advanced tickets and a walk-up the Mets awarded fans for their patience. Tickets from the Thursday game can be redeemed for complimentary tickets to the Mets August 11, Thursday afternoon Matinee game against the San Diego Padres. It includes paid, complimentary and tickets marked “No rain Check.”

One of the great parts of a rain delay is to catch up with some of your friends in the business. Mets radio broadcaster Wayne Hagin has been in the game for 26 years. Prior to the Mets he was with Oakland, San Francisco, Colorado and the St. Louis Cardinals. So he knows a little more or something about the game and a rain delay.

As the grounds grew took the tarp off the infield, Hagin observed the continued delay as the rain seemed to stop. The drying agent was put on the infield. No announcement has been made as to when the game would begin. So Hagin gave the answer looking towards the outfield bullpen areas.

“Look out there,” he said. “Do you see a pitcher warming up?” Meaning that the go-ahead for starting pitchers Graham Godfrey of the A’s, and Chris Capuano of the Mets to throw in the pen indicates that a first pitch would be thrown in a matter of a half hour or less. Hagin was right on the money. But he was more concerned about Mets travel plans to Arlington Texas. Rain delays on getaway day play with the travel schedule.

Said Hagin, “Takes a long time to move a team to the next city. Fans would be surprised.” That would mean rearranging the departure time, security checks at the airport, and making sure that the hotel rooms are booked for the team and personnel.  The team Traveling director and equipment managers have a more difficult job to make sure everything is in place.

Hagin and those traveling get an extensive itinerary that informs departure times to and from the airports, hotels, and ballparks. But once Hagin is up in the air, after a long day he sits back with some of his on air colleagues. “I have a glass of wine and fall asleep,” he says…

The Justin Turner walk-off winning run of Wednesday, attributed to be hitting by a pitch from losing pitcher Brad Ziegler apparently was something that had the Athletics talking until they reached the ballpark Thursday morning Turner was hit in the same spot, in the left thigh, by Godfrey in the first inning. There were no warnings issued by the umpires, Turner and Mets manager Terry Collins downplayed any talk about it being a retaliation pitch…

Angel Pagan is struggling again batting .242, looking like he was before he went on the disabled list on April 22^nd.  He struck out, was retired on a fielder’s choice and flied out to right field…As for Jason Bay, after an 0-for-5 evening before and batting in the cleanup spot, he was dropped to the sixth hole, going 1-for-4…

David Wright on the disabled list since 18 with a stress fracture in his lower back has, been cleared to resume baseball activities. In other words the Mets could see their third baseman back in the lineup within three or four weeks. General Manager Sandy Alderson said the rehabilitation will be a “several week process.”

The CT scan Thursday gave Wright clearance and he will report to the Mets team complex in Port St. Lucie Florida to begin the process of returning to the lineup. That was good news because Wednesday it was reported Ike Davis, out with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise will need three more weeks to recover, and if Davis can’t do it,  there is every consideration the first baseman will opt for season ending surgery,,

Until the second installment of the Subway Series with the Yankees, next Friday evening, Citi Field will be ready. By the way, there are tickets still available.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

This season marks the 30^th anniversary of the Mets Hall of Fame. During the thirty years, the Mets have only inducted 25, including this week’s foursome, into the Hall. The most recent ceremony took place in 2002, when outfielder Tommy Agee was added. The group of four inducted on Sunday was the largest contingent added in an individual season.

A plaque of each of the newest members was added to the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum, located in the Rotunda area of Citi Field. The plaques were unveiled during the ceremony, and fans were able to view them during the regularly scheduled game that afternoon. The Mets museum was opened this April in another action designed to recognize the history of the organization and salute its past heroes.

The ceremony was ably emceed by the radio voice of the Mets, Howie Rose. He began his introductions by stating, “We honor four truly iconic figures in the history of the New York Mets, men who played pivotal roles in the Mets second world championship in 1986.”

Rose introduced each who came onto the field from the outfield to receive his plaque from a previous member of the Mets HOF. A short film of the highlight of each recipient’s experiences with the Mets was shown, and then each responded with a short acceptance speech.

Although his name may be the least familiar to current Mets fans, Frank Cashen is the most responsible of the four honored guests for the success of the Mets in the 1980′s. Cashen was hired as general manager in 1980 by the team’s new owner, Nelson Doubleday.

Cashen brought success to the Mets as he previously did as an executive of the Baltimore Orioles from 1965-1975. The other three inductees were brought to the Mets through Cashen’s efforts. Godden and Strawberry were drafted by the club and Johnson was hired as manager in 1984. Cashen also obtained catcher Gary Carter, first baseman Keith Hernandez, third baseman Ray Knight and pitcher Ron Darling, all instrumental in the Mets achieving a World Series championship.

The Mets next won a division title in 1988, were competitive for several seasons, but did not become a dynasty. Cashen summarized the success of the team during his decade as general manager in a press conference at Citi Field on Saturday, “We drew three million people before anybody on the East Coast did it, did it twice. We had a great run. I appreciate it, and I appreciate going into the Mets Hall of Fame with all these distinguished gentlemen.”

After receiving his plaque from Rusty Staub, Cashen thanked all who helped him with emphasis on his wife, “The real Hall of Famer is my wife, Jean. She was the Most Valuable Player in my house.”  The 88 year-old and his wife are the parents of seven children and nine grandchildren.

Distinguished was not a word often, if ever, used to describe the 1986 Mets. The team was ranked 13^th in a poll published by SI.com on Saturday of the most hated individual teams. The unpopularity reflected on many factors including the club’s success and arrogance on the field.

Davey Johnson, who Cashen knew as an outstanding second baseman in Baltimore was hired as manager in 1984. Johnson, who remained as Mets skipper throughout the decade, compiled the most wins, 595, as a manager of the team. Of 1986, he said, “I thought we really had a perfect team. We had big egos, big personalities on this ballclub, but they all loved to play baseball.” One of the 1986 Mets, Gary Carter, presented his plaque to him.

The two players enshrined, Gooden and Strawberry, have always been linked. Both began their careers in the majors with the Mets in the early 1980′s after being drafted by the organization; each earned the Rookie of the Year award in his first season in the bigs with the Mets; both showed outstanding talent on the field, and appeared to be sure bets to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame when their playing careers ended; both played with the Yankees successfully later in their careers; both were embroiled in controversies involving substance abuse and marital difficulties. Finally, both entered the Mets Hall of Fame together on Sunday.

Each of the two Mets stars spoke glowingly of entering the Mets HOF on Sunday. Strawberry dismissed the disappointment of many fans of his for  never having lived up to his initial expectations as a player and not being elected into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, “We’re going into the Mets Hall of Fame, and that’s what’s important. That’s all I really care about.”

Gooden, who later played on four other teams, admitted, “When I played on other clubs, I always called the Mets first and tried to come back here.” Gooden expressed his gratitude to the fans, “It wouldn’t have been possible without all of you [fans].”

The first Hall of Fame Achievement Award was presented to Bob Mandt. The recipient has worked for the Mets since 1962 in a variety of positions.

On a day the four men were honored for their contributions to the Mats 1985 championship, the 2010 Mets players showed how much improvement would be needed to reach that pinnacle. In describing the 14-1 drubbing by the Arizona Diamondbacks, manager Jerry Manuel remarked, “We didn’t pitch; we didn’t hit; we didn’t catch the ball.” That has been the story during too many games during the 2010 season.

What was certain, after the Mets lost the last game of a three-game series to the Giants 6-5, is that Perez can’t walk seven batters and last 3.1 innings if the Mets want to win ballgames. After a perfect first inning he walked the leadoff hitter three straight innings. After a leadoff walk in the second, the Giants then got two hits and a wild pitch that led to a 2-0 lead.

There was more disappointment to come for Perez He walked the bases loaded in the fourth and is now winless in his last seven starts since last August 18^th. Not exactly what the Mets are looking for from a pitcher in the second year of a three-year $36 million dollar contract.

“I am disappointed in myself,” commented Perez who for the ninth time in his career walked seven or more batters. “I’ve got to be better than that. I know what I have to do. I have to be better than this, I know what I have to do.”

True it was not a perfect day for baseball. And the 3:45 minute game became an adventure for the outfielders trying to take control of fly balls, as once again the Citi Field winds were playing havoc. More than once members of the Mets grounds crew in between innings had to pick up hot dog wrappers that blew around the infield and outfield.

As to conditions possibly being a reason as to why he had another bad outing at Citi Field, Perez said, “We have to prepare for a game like today. I am not the only pitcher,” he said referring to Giants starter Tim Lincecum the two-time Cy Young award winner who remained winless against the Mets.

Lincecum left after six innings when the Giants had a 4-2 lead. But a wind blown two-run single by Jason Bay tied it for the Mets. David Wright, later ejected from the game in the bottom of the ninth arguing, an out strike call, would put the Mets in the lead.  The Mets with their loss snapped a nine-game home winning streak.

But the discussion afterwards wasn’t about the Mets striking out 14 times, a season high for a nine inning game. It continued to be the questions about Perez and whether or not Manuel would remove his starter from the rotation.

As to the performance by Perez and whether he’s headed to the bullpen, Manuel said “The weather did play a factor for him, the cool weather.  I don’t see right now making any changes” The next start scheduled for Perez is Friday evening down in Florida when the Mets take on the Marlins in game two of a four- game series.

“When he came out in the second he was a different guy, he started walking people,” said Mets catcher Rod Barajas about Perez. “He went from the changeup to the fastball. He just couldn’t find it today. For some reason whether it’s the weather or not, he just could not make the adjustments.”

Manuel may have some thinking to do if Perez once again has a bad outing. As Barajas noted when you pitch behind the count with a team like the Giants there will be trouble.

For now as the Mets prepare for a three game series with the improved Washington Nationals, Manuel knows how important it is for Perez to be that effective starter in their rotation.

“We’re here to win games,” he said when asked to elaborate further about a change in the pitching rotation.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

Lefthander pitcher Michael Dunn, the promising prospect who was in the Yankees bullpen plans was also shipped to Atlanta along with right hand pitching prospect Arodys Vizcain, along with that always other part in a deal, $500,000 of Yankees money that never seems to be an issue

So Yankee fans may be critical of the deal. They lose Cabrera who seemed to come along during their championship season of 2009.  And they regain Vasquez who finished fourth in the NL CY Young Award balloting with a 15-10 record and 2.87 ERA in 2009. The 33-year old came to the Yankees the first time in 2003 and finished with a 10-5 record in 2004 pitching with an ailing sore shoulder.

Not a very good first stint in New York for Vasquez, and General Manager Brian Cashman believes Vasquez is a different pitcher that will help the backend of a Yankees rotation. “The second half of 2004,” commented Cashman in a conference call, “which was poor cannot erase the long success that he’s had in both the American and National League.”

Most of the problems for Vasquez when he previously wore pinstripes came in the second half of that 2004 season.  He does rank second to Livan Hernandez in starts with 327 and innings with 2,163 among active big league pitchers since 2000.  And his 2,001 strikeouts are second to Randy Johnson since the 2000 season.

Cabrera will get the start for the Braves. The Yankees lose a good arm in the outfield and for the moment will find a way to deal without his career highs in doubles, 28 and the 13 home runs he hit in 2009.  The Braves wanted Cabrera and more so, the youngster Vizcaino in the deal.

“We had to have him in the deal,” said Braves GM Frank Wren about Vizcaino, the 19-year old who was 2-4 with a 2.13 ERA in Single-A. “He is a special young pitcher,” added Wren who acquired veteran relief pitchers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito earlier this month.

Cashman continues to pull the strings, though the Yankees appear to have less punch int heir lineup with the departures of Hideki Matsui to the Angels. The future of Johnny Damon is uncertain and it appears the Yankees have no interest in bringing the outfielder back

Be certain that Vasquez is not the last move.  Dunn is gone, so is pitcher Phil Coke who went to Arizona in the three team trade that brought outfielder Curtis Granderson to the Bronx.  Where will Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain be before the winter is over?

That is something that Cashman may still need to address. And something Yankees fans await before the start of the 2010 campaign,

Think about what has happened the past few years at Shea Stadium, and this dismal first two weeks of the season as the Mets return home Friday evening opening a series with the lowly Washington Nationals and first place Florida Marlins. The Mets are a disoriented team and, though it is still the month of April, there is every reason for a Mets fan to panic because of Minaya.

Thanks to Minaya, they were supposed to better with a revamped bullpen. But that was all Minaya did this off season as a starting pitching rotation was questionable, as were the questions at certain key positions. Second base, the outfield and catcher, and here are some examples as to the incompetence of Omar Minaya.

To a certain extent ownership, Jeff and Fred Wilpon are to also blame.  Reportedly Minaya, even as he spent and concentrated on the pen, was looking to acquire Manny Ramirez to shore up the offense. Minaya kept saying there was interest. Manny was available and signed with the Dodgers prior to spring training.

O his defense, not spending by ownership may have been a reason Manny is a Dodger and Minaya may have not had control of the situation. But, Minaya, never took a chance on two key possible acquisitions, second baseman Orlando Hudson, also a Dodger and pitcher Derek Lowe who signed with Atlanta.

Again, maybe a Wilpon decision to not spend, but doesn’t Minaya, as we are to know have full authority of making decisions that are beneficial to making the Mets a championship team?  Perhaps we don’t know, but we are aware, that the Mets right now, standing at 6-9 are, a mess after a three game sweep at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals

They have the second highest payroll in baseball and still may have memories of the last two horrible September collapses. And the three starters that manager Jerry Manuel put on the mound in St. Louis had a combined 9.82 earned run average.  That doesn’t include Johan Santana who is the only salvation for a pitching staff that is less than mediocre.

The New York media says that the moves Minaya made for the bullpen are beginning to implode, so appropriate and true. Because the needs of a pitching staff and offense are not exploding, and though there is still plenty of time, patience for a Mets fan has exploded.

Exploded anger at Minaya who is responsible for this mess of the Mets in Flushing New York, and the Wilpon’s may give it some more time. Because they don’t want the embarrassment of a losing season at their new ballpark, more so empty seats for the inaugural season at Citi Field.

This Mets team has no energy, right now are boring to watch, don’t steal, hit and run, most of all Minaya inking Oliver Perez again to that three-year $36 million contract needs to once again be questioned. “Ollie” as he is called continues to be Mr. inconsistent while Santana, who earns the big money, continues to be the most reliable.

So for the best interest of Mets fans, including yours truly, if this fiasco continues the one who should take the fall is Omar Minaya. The Wilpon clan of father and son need to fire Minaya now and get the proper decision maker to their new home in Flushing!`