Thanks To Chase Utley, Major League Baseball Gets Rid Of 'Neighborhood Play'

NYTimes.com:

When Chase Utley’s slide broke Ruben Tejada’s right leg in Game 2 of a National League division series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Mets, the relatively common tactic of trying to break up a double play was put under a microscope, with many assuming that a change in baseball’s rules would result.

On Thursday, that change happened when Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed to a reworking of the rules regarding slides, while potentially complicating matters by making “neighborhood plays” at second base reviewable.

“Our goal in amending the slide rule was to enhance player safety, reduce incidents of injury and to do it in a way that respects and preserves the bona fide hustle plays that are integral to our game,” Tony Clark, the executive director of the players’ union, said in a statement. “I am optimistic that this new rule will accomplish those goals.”

Under the new policy, designated Rule 6.01(j), a slide to break up a double play will have to include a bona fide attempt to reach and remain on the base. Contact with the fielder is permissible, but the runner cannot change his path to initiate contact or engage in a “roll block.”

The plays will be subject to video review, and if it is determined that the runner did not engage in a bona fide slide attempt, interference will be called, and both the runner and the batter can be called out.

I understand MLB taking away what Utley did, which was essentially going out of his way to break up a double play, but taking away the 'neighborhood play is just taking things a step too far. After all, it's hard enough turning double plays as it is and then there's player's safety to be concerned about when you consider the effort it takes to make actual tags while throwing, etc.

RELATED: MLB Kills The Neighborhood Play, And That’s Bad News For Player Safety

Jenrry Mejia Is First Major Leaguer to Get Lifetime Ban for Doping

NYTimes.com:

In what can be debated as an extraordinary feat of either stick-to-it-iveness or poor judgment — or perhaps both — a professional baseball player has failed a doping test for a third time, resulting in a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball. It is the first time baseball has handed down the most severe punishment under its antidoping program.

That player, Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia, now carries unrivaled ignominy. Baseball has had far more famous players involved in drug scandals — Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGwire among them — but none received a lifetime ban for three failed tests for performance-enhancing substances.

Mejia’s agent, Peter Greenberg, said Mejia had no comment on Friday after Major League Baseball announced the violation.

Mejia, 26, apparently had an old-fashioned approach to drug cheating. In each case, he was caught using anabolic steroids, substances that have long been easy to detect in a urine sample. Two of his positive tests involved boldenone, a steroid that has been used in horse racing.

Mejia’s case highlights how, despite baseball’s longstanding efforts to strengthen its drug program, players continue to see incentives in trying to gain an edge.

There's stupid and than there's Jenrry Mejia.

Picking Up Tyler Clippard Would Make Mets Bullpen Great

With the addition of Antonio Bastardo, the Mets bullpen is really good heading into the 2016 season. But 'great' would have to be the description if they signed and added Tyler Clippard, who pitched phenomenally during the regular season for the Mets last year before running out of gas in the post-season. Somehow Clippard is still out there and signing him would see the Mets roster with 3 proven closers on their staff. Who could argue with that premonition of success?

After Signing Cespedes, Injuries Are The Only Real Concern for 2016 Mets

Of course, I'm elated about the Cespedes deal, even if it ends up being for only one year with that opt-out in his contract. Seeing both Cespedes and Daniel Murphy in a Nationals uniform would've been devastating, much less what they would've contributed to the Washington's lineup against the Mets for 19 games during the regular season. And I'm still concerned about how David Wright's back holds up as well as a 2-time illegal druggie like Jenry Mejia getting yet another shot with us. But I love the new additions to the bullpen (tho Tyler Clippard is still there unsigned and could be a huge contributor just like he was last year, before the playoffs), the starting pitching staff is one of, if not the best in the majors and tho I'll miss Murphy, I'd still like to think that our starting infield is an upgrade from last year defensively. Have some concerns about our bench and an adequate backup for Lucas Duda at 1st base, but barring a major injury, I'm pretty set with our roster for 2016.

Mets Would Be Stupid Not To Sign Yoenis Cepedes

Does Sandy Alderson and the rest of the Mets brass not remember what the Mets offense looked like before he got Cespedes? Who cares that he slumped in the playoffs, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have been in the playoffs in the first place....literally. I got nothing against Juan Lageres, but so far Lagares hasn't proven that he's anything more than a 4th outfielder who also happens to play great defense. As for Alejandro De Aza? Who even knew he even existed before the Mets somehow found and signed him to a one-year deal? 

Bottom line, unless Fred and Jeff Wilpon and aren't being fully honest with Met fans and are still being affected by the Bernie Madoff scandal, there's no reason to at least see if Cespedes is willing to come down off his public price and see they can reach a deal that's fair to both sides. The Mets lineup desperately needs a big bat in the middle and now that Chris Davis has finally re-signed with the Orioles, getting Cespedes can and should be a priority.

Terry Collins Made the Right Call on Matt Harvey

I know personally that I was begging for Harvey to come out and start the 9th. With Harvey being your ace and the way he was pitching, to me it was a no-brainer. That being said, I wish that Harvey had taken his chances and just thrown three straight fastballs down the middle to Cain than walk him. Leadoff walks are killers, especially with a resilient team like the Royals. But hey, the 2015 Mets gave us a great run that most did not expect and there's plenty of blame to go around for why they loss the World Series, tho ultimately the Royals may've just been the better team. Still, as long as Harvey, DeGrom, Syndergaard. Matz and co. stay healthy....we'll be back.

Terry Collins Using Jeurys Familia In Game 3 Cost the Mets Game 4

I wish that I had blogged about it then so I don't like I'm second-guessing, but the proof is there as I did tweet about this incredulous move when it happened: it made absolutely ZERO sense for Terry Collins to use his closer Jeurys Familia in Game 3, up 6 freaking runs in the 9th inning. Using Familia, just so he could get back out there after blowing Game 1 was just bad managing. Going with Hansel Robles to finish Game 3 would've made far more sense. Yes, Daniel Murphy's error was a huge blow to us losing Game 4 as was Tyler Clippard's two walks in the 8th. But IMO Collins deserves the most blame because if he had Familia on proper rest, the Mets closer/best relief pitcher starts the 8th and goes two innings instead of the 'formula' of Reed/Clippard/Familia.