Tuesday, June 30, 2020

No 2020 MiLB Season

          2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved


St. Petersburg, Fla., June 30, 2020 — Major League BaseballTM (MLBTM) has informed Minor League BaseballTM (MiLBTM) that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020.

“These are unprecedented times for our country and our organization as this is the first time in our history that we’ve had a summer without Minor League Baseball played,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “While this is a sad day for many, this announcement removes the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season and allows our teams to begin planning for an exciting 2021 season of affordable family entertainment.”

Minor League Baseball, which began as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, was founded on Sept. 5, 1901.

Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner will be available to Minor League Baseball team beat writers and national baseball writers from news outlets to discuss today’s announcement at 6 p.m. EDT. For a link to the digital press conference, email Jeff Lantz at JLantz@MiLB.com.

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SEVEN MLB-APPROVED METS BIDDERS FOR METS SALE

MLB

It seems like the train is gaining steam for the Wilpons selling the team. MLB has given the okay for seven bidders to try to buy the Mets. Does this make a bidding war happen? Will the Mets end up going at a discount or will it bump the price up? Will the Wilpons make more money than they originally thought? So far the names that we have been hearing kicking the tires on the team are the ones that have been made public. When will we hear the rest if ever? 

From Sportico.com

Former big-league star Alex Rodriguez and his fiancée, actor and entertainer Jennifer Lopez, have retained JPMorgan Chase & Co. to raise capital for a bid. Among those possibly teaming with the superstar duo are Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola and billionaire Vitaminwater co-founder Mike Repole.

Billionaire Josh Harris and Blackstone executive David Blitzer, owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, are also exploring a bid for the money-losing franchise. A report of a $1.4 billion bid by the Harris-led group is inaccurate, the person said, adding that first-round bids will be due sometime in July.

Brothers David and Simon Reuben, who amassed a fortune investing in real estate, technology companies and leisure, are also said to be exploring a bid, Sportico has reported. Their interest, people said, lies more in the real estate opportunities around Citi Field.

Read more here

METS SIGN SECOND-ROUND PICK RHP J.T. GINN and more.



METS SIGN SECOND-ROUND PICK RHP J.T. GINN

INK REMAINING THREE DRAFT PICKS & SIX NON-DRAFTED FREE AGENTS

 

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 30, 2020 – The New York Mets today announced that the club has signed RHP J.T. Ginn, the team’s second round selection (52nd overall pick) from the 2020 First-Year Player Draft.

 

Ginn, 21, from Mississippi State, was ranked among this year’s top draft prospects by Baseball America (No. 23) and MLB  Pipeline (No. 44). His pitch arsenal is highlighted by a fastball that reaches the mid-to-upper 90s and a hard slider with mid-80s velocity. He was previously drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers (30th overall, 2018) after being named the Gatorade Mississippi Player of the Year as a high school senior.

 

The Brandon, Mississippi native made one start for the Bulldogs in 2020 before undergoing “Tommy John” surgery in March to repair an elbow injury that sidelined the right-hander in his season debut. In 2019, he was named the Perfect Game National Freshman of the Year after putting up a 3.13 ERA in 17 starts with 105 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 86.1 innings.

 

The Mets also signed shortstop Anthony Walters from San Diego State, the team’s third round section, catcher Matthew Dyer from the University of Arizona, New York’s fourth round pick and RHP Eric Orze from the University of New Orleans, their fifth round pick. The Mets had previously announced signing their first-round pick Pete Crow-Armstrong (19th overall) and their second-round compensatory selection Isaiah Greene (69th overall).

 

Walters, 22, hails from Corona, California, the same hometown as compensatory pick Isaiah Greene. He was hitting .271 (16-59) with eight runs scored and eight RBI in 16 games for San Diego State this year before his season ended due to the pandemic. The 6-1, 185-pounder earned first-team all-state honors from the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association after batting .374 with 10 homers and 62 RBI in 45 games with Mount San Antonio College in 2018.

 

In addition to catching, Dyer, 21, played defensively all over the diamond while at Arizona, appearing at first base, second base, third base and in the outfield. The 6-4, 187-pounder hit three homers and drove in 18 runs in in 15 games with Arizona this year. He began the year as a 2020 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First-Team Preseason All-American. Dyer batted .393 (66-168) with 46 runs scored, 10 doubles, four triples, four homers and 28 RBI in 42 games to earn Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore in 2019.

 

Orze, 22, sported a 17-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12.2 innings this season before COVID ended the campaign. He is a two-time cancer survivor and sat out part of 2018 and missed the entire 2019 season to recover after beating both testicular cancer and skin cancer. Baseball America listed Orze as a one of 10 draft sleepers to know.

 

The Mets signed six non-drafted free agents, including outfielders Brandon McIlwain and Joe Suozzi and RHPs Kody Davidson, Drake Nightengale, Dylan Hall and Austin Faith.

 

McIlwain, 22, a two-sport star at Cal-Berkeley The 6-1, 205-pound outfielder made 15 starts for the Golden Bears this year and scored seven runs, drove in four runs and had four stolen bases before Covid-19 ended the season. McIlwain was selected by Miami in the 26th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, but elected to return to Cal. He slashed .258/.309/.435 in 20 games in 2019. McIlwain appeared in 10 games and made two starts for the Golden Bears football team as a sophomore in 2018, throwing for 763 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for an additional 403 yards and four touchdowns. The Newtown, PA native started his collegiate career at South Carolina as a member of the baseball and football teams. He made three starts as a freshman for the football team in 2016. McIlwain was rated the 16th-best high school prospect in 2016 by Baseball America.

 

Suozzi slashed .414/.471/.638 with 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 15 games for Boston College this year. He slashed .302/.375/.455 in 88 games with the Eagles during his three year career. Suozzi was ranked the No. 65 best college outfield prospect by D1Baseball.com. The 6-3, 230-pounder grew up in Glen Cove, NY and helped Chaminade high school to the 2013 CHSAA championship. Suozzi grew up a Mets fan and his favorite player was David Wright. 

 

Davidson, 23, didn’t allow a run or a walk over 5.1 relief innings with eight strikeouts at Tennessee this year. In 2019, he helped lead Walters State to the NJCAA College World Series going 6-2 with two saves in 15 outings with 64 strikeouts in 46.0 innings.

 

Nightengale was named a 2020 Collegiate Baseball Second Team Preseason All-America and 2020 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The 6-0, 195-pounder recorded 39 strikeouts in just 23.1 innings as a senior at South Alabama. Nightengale posted a 3.09 ERA (eight earned runs/23.1 innings) in those four starts. He led the Sun Belt Conference in opponents’ batting (.196), was fourth in ERA (3.52) and strikeouts (91) after pitching 71.2 innings in 2019.

 

Hall, 22, went 4-1 with a 3.00 ERA (10 earned runs/30.0 innings) over five starts this year with Central Oklahoma. He racked up 45 strikeouts and issued eight walks. The 6-5, 225-pounder set a single-season school record with 123 strikeouts in 106.1 innings as a junior in 2019. Hall appeared in 34 games with Virginia Tech as a freshman and sophomore before transferring.

 

Faith made four starts for Lamar University as a junior, working 14.1 innings this year. The 6-6, 200-pounder went 15-4 with 143 strikeouts over 138.1 innings and a 3.84 ERA in two years at Navarro Junior College before transferring to Lamar.

For Sale: Brooklyn Cyclones Mike Piazza HOF DAY



This was a team issued jersey. Looking for $175 for it. Shipping included. Hit up mediagoon@gmail.com or @mediagoon on twitter.


On Sunday, July 24th, Mike Piazza will take his rightful place in Cooperstown, becoming just the second player to don a Mets cap in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. That afternoon, the Cyclones will take on the Staten Island Yankees at MCU Park with a 4:00 PM first pitch, but the fun will start long before, as we celebrate the game of baseball as part of Hall of Fame Day at MCU Park. The game, and the celebration, will be presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and MLB Network, the exclusive television home of the 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

Baseball fans, be sure to arrive early to view MLB Network’s telecast of the 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony live on our video board. Gates will open at 1:30 PM and fans will be invited to watch Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mike Piazza become the 311th and 312th members inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In addition, fans are encouraged to bring their gloves to the game and have a catch on the field prior to first pitch. Then stick around after the game when all children in attendance will be able to run the bases. It will be a non-stop celebration of America’s Pastime from start to finish.


In addition, the Cyclones will pay homage to the former Mets catcher by wearing black and blue jerseys inspired by the alternate uniforms worn by the Amazins during Piazza’s tenure in Queens. The jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit local charities.








For Sale: Brooklyn Cyclones FDNY Night Jersey 6/18/14





This is a really cool jersey I picked up in 2014. If you are a collector and want a really well designed piece, this is for you. Game worn but I don't know by who. Looking for $250 for it, shipping included. You can email me at mediagoon@gmail.com or message me at @mediagoon on twitter. I want to give folks that follow the blog/FB Page/QBC Page first shot at it before it goes to eBay.








For Sale: Gil Hodges Framed Spring Training Notes Collage



Have I got a really cool piece of the Media Goon personal collection that I am making available for sale. Handwritten notes from Spring Training by Gil Hodges. Limited to 29 pieces this is a great addition to anyones collection. This particular piece is number 4/29. Also Mentions Yogi Berra, Rube Walker, and Ed Yoest. Even includes a COA from Gil's Daughter. Asking $325 shipped or if you are local to around NYC we can meet up and knock a couple bucks off for shipping. Want it? Then E-mail me at Mediagoon@gmail.com or message me over on twitter @mediagoon






Monday, June 29, 2020

Mets 2020 Player Pool


From the Mets Facebook Page

Sunday, June 28, 2020

NBA might have Social Justice Statement on players jerseys.




From the NY Post 

NBA players could have social justice statements on their jerseys when the season resumes on July 30 in Orlando, Fla.

The league and the NBA Basketball Players Association are in discussions to let players wear a social statement on the back of their jerseys in place of their last name, according to an ESPN report on Saturday night.

Players received a group text message that illustrated the early plans that are being discussed between the NBA, the players union and Nike, saying “look out for details in the coming days.” 

The NBA wouldn’t be the first professional sports league to allow social justice statements to be displayed on jerseys. 

After the Premier League in England resumed after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown earlier this month, it replaced player names on the back of jerseys with the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” Jerseys also will feature a sleeve patch for the rest of the season.


Read more here

This is interesting. I wonder if the players of Major League Baseball would want something like this done with their jerseys. I also wonder would the MLBPA and MLB would allow that. It is a very interesting idea that would be happening in some very interesting times. If you can put sponsorships on jerseys, I don't know why you can't put stuff that means something to folks on same jersey.

Saturday, June 27, 2020

NBA season could end quickly with Covid-19 spread. What about MLB season?



From the NY POST


“We’re coming back because sports matter in a society. They bring people together when we need it the most.” 

However, Silver later acknowledged the season that was suspended on March 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may never be completed.

“We haven’t worked through every scenario … [but] if we were to have significant spread of coronavirus throughout the community, that ultimately might lead us to stop it,” Silver said. “We’re not saying full steam ahead no matter what happens … but we feel very comfortable right now with where we are.”

Silver said the fast-rising number of positive COVID-19 cases across the country has increased his “level of concern” and acknowledged it was a “fair question,” whether the NBA would have chosen to restart its season in Florida, knowing the state would set multiple single-day records of positive cases this week.

Read more here

How do we think the MLB will handle a spike in Covid-19 in their league? How fast would we be looking at a shutdown? What about the teams traveling to an from each other in different states? NBA is playing in an isolated campus while MLB is bouncing around between stadiums. This id going to be interesting.

Friday, June 26, 2020

NY METS want you to wear your masks





I don't know why but this made me chuckle.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

MLB Players don’t need to quarantine coming back to NY



From the NY Post

When I announced it, I talked to the Yankees and the Mets about this and I said that New York’s health commissioner would develop a protocol with them to bring up their players. This was last

 
week,” Cuomo said on WAMC. “And we have been doing that. … They have a protocol that when the players come up, they’re gonna get tested and the saliva tested, swab tested, etc. They have a whole protocol, which predates the quarantine.
Read more here

What I am getting from out of all this is if you wear a baseball uniform and you are coming from a high impact COVID 19 area you don’t have to quarantine. Dicks Sports could be really busy with folks buying jerseys. Seriously though I wonder how this is going to really end up. It’s even coming out that a lot of the WWE staff were being diagnosed with Covid 19. It just shows no matter what sports do to try to keep Covid out that it’s still going to pop up.

Wilpons want to sell the Mets by the end of the year.



From the NY POST
According to multiple sources familiar with Mets sale saga, the Wilpons will begin to field first-round bids on the team in July with an eye toward locking in a buyer by Oct. 1. But insiders say those bidders are now also aware the Wilpons must find a buyer in the coming weeks in order to close a deal by the end of 2020.
“They need to sell the team before the end of the year,” one source told The Post.
The October timeline gives the Wilpons just enough time to sign off on a pact and submit it to Major League Baseball for approval before 2020 turns into 2021.
But with the Wilpons now even more motivated as sellers, people close to the situation are skeptical they can get the number they want for the team.
Click here to read more.

It's amazing how the Wilpons don't know how to get out of their own way. It seems to me that they could have had a pretty good windfall earlier this year but wanting to stay involved in the decisions  of the team you sold to someone else is one of the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Now they might not even get half of what they were originally going to get. Buyers want SNY as part of the deal and I really don't get why the Wilpons just take as much money upfront they can and not worry about what SNY makes for them. These folks seem like they would get tossed a life saver and ask for a rescue boat instead.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Howie Rose narration brings another level to Mens videos.


Pretty cool video the Mets released on FB with Howie Rose narrating. For some reason the embed is not working for me...So you can just click here.

in case it does work...Here ya go.


Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Canó cornhole bags



Make sure you're ready to play like a pro at your next tailgate when you grab this Robinson Cano New York Mets 8-Piece Regulation Corn Filled Cornhole Bag Set! The bags are regulation size and weight so no one can question your talents. This set of Cornhole bags features crisp Robinson Cano and New York Mets graphics so everyone will know who you're rooting for at the big game.


Does this make corn hole become Canóhole?


Manfred implementing season



From the NY Post

Major League Baseball announced Monday night that it would move forward with a 2020 restart, the conditions unilaterally implemented by commissioner Rob Manfred, after the MLB Players Association voted down Manfred’s last offer.

The length of the regular season, if the coronavirus allows it to happen, will be 60 games, the same length as the schedule proposed last week by Manfred. There will not be expanded playoffs.

Describing the owners as “disappointed” by the PA executive board’s 33-5 vote to reject its package, MLB added, “In order to produce a schedule with a specific number of games, we are asking that the Players Association provide to us by 5:00 p.m. (ET) tomorrow with two pieces of information. The first is whether players will be able to report to camp within seven days [by July 1]. The second is whether the Players Association will agree on the Operating Manual which contains the health and safety protocols necessary to give us the best opportunity to conduct and complete our regular season and Postseason.”

Read more here.

I really can't wait until the CBA is up and all this is brought back up and we do't have yet another season in a couple of years. I wonder if this becomes a totally different game in the future.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

@Mediagoon He-Man figures collectibles sale.


Was going through my storage unit and broke out the Masters of the Universe Classics figures from late 2008/9/10 is. Two He-Mans. Two Battlecats. Skeleton, Hordak, Grizzlor, Adora, She-Ra, Trap Jaw, King Randor, Two King Grayskulls, Moss Man, Beast Man, Triklops, Evil Lynn, Webstor, Buzz-Off, Wun-Dar with Map of Eternia, Count Marzo, Whiplash, Chief Carnivus, Optikk, Scareglow and Roboto. Going to sell them in a lot. $1600 or Best offer.. Wanted to let my friends get a shot at this in case they were looking. Missing Webstor pic.
























Hit me up at mediagoon@gmail.com


Friday, June 19, 2020

@Mediagoon is selling Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City Action Figures.



I am having a Mega Mediagoon Meltdown. I am trying to streamline all my collecting into something more normal and not be all over the place. This post is about BATMAN action figures. Specifically Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City figures. $300 takes the whole set shipped. If you live close to me, I will hand deliver while maintaining social distancing.








Hey Batmarks- Arkham City and Arkham Asylum figures.
Batman/Catwoman Legacy Edition 2 pack.
Harley Quinn legacy edition
Hush Series 2 Arkham City
Batman Detective Mode Arkham City
Sickened Variant Joker 4000 pieces NYCC 2011 exclusive Arkham City
Joker with Scarface Arkham Asylum series 1
Batman Arkham Asylum series 1
Scarecrow Arkham Asylum Series 1
Catwoman Arkham City Series 2
Harley Quinn Nurse Arkham Asylum series 1
Mad Hatter Arkham City series 2
The Riddler Arkham City Series 2
Hot me up on twitter @mediagoon or email me at mediagoon@gmail.com