Mets Make Joe Smith Feel Special, Lose Phone Number

This here is our boy Joe Smith. For those of you who don't know him, Smitty is a reliever for the New York Metropolitans. He's a loveable sidearmer who looks like he's about 12 years-old.

Last year, he was filthy for the first half before falling off a cliff in the middle of the year and heading down to the minors before re-joining the big club late.

In 2008, Joe is pitching well again, sporting a 2.81 ERA through 16 innings while allowing only 2 of 18 inherited runners to score.

Unfortunately for Joe, the Mets have had a number of injuries leading to all sorts of discussion over what would happen when the team re-activated reliever Matt Wise from the DL. Someone had to go. Despite his performance, baseball is a business. Joe had options and word on the street as late as yesterday was that Mr. Smith would be the odd man out on his way back to Triple-A New Orleans.

But, alas, the baseball gods divinely intervened and the result should be much more pleasing to all Mets fans. However, it seemed Joe himself was among the last to know.

Smith left Shea Stadium Monday night, thinking the original plan still was in place, despite word from Wagner.

"[Wagner] told me I had nothing to worry about," Smith said. "But I didn't know what he meant." Aware of his angst, the Mets tried to contact Smith on Monday, but they had the wrong number.

He heard from Pelfrey on Tuesday morning that he was safe. "I don't know or care how he knew," Smith said. "I was just happy to know I was staying."

C'mon, Omar and crew. How hard is it to have accurate phone numbers for 25 guys? Poor Joe is likely pulling a Pedro Cerrano snake voodoo trick in front of his locker, yet Wagner and Pelfrey already know the deal? Were they listed as his emergency contacts?

Best and Worst Case Scenarios From The Cavs Blockbuster Deal

Please, can we see this Ben Wallace in C-Town?

I got overly excited yesterday when I heard about the Cavs' blockbuster trade, and hastily posted this bit of rambling. I won't try to explain the psyche of the Cleveland sports fan, but know this, trades excite us. C-Town has even rolled out a Welcome To Cleveland letter.



I've calmed down (a little bit) and decided to look at the best and worst case scenarios for the Cavs. Some people think this trade sucks it, and some people think it rocks. I think it's a good thing, if for no other reason than to make LeBron happy. Please be happy LeBron, please!



Best Case Scenario: Ben Wallace -- Big Ben approaches his productivity and intensity levels from his Pistons days. It's foolish to think that Wallace will be able to be the force he was as a youngster, but it's not too much of a stretch to think he'll kick it up a notch (or 10 hopefully) from his Chicago days. Playing with LeBron invigorates the big man, and the Cavs interior D blossoms, while the Cavs continue to be a great rebounding team. My suggestion is that he plays with the huge fro' more often. I love it when Ben lets his hair out.



Worst Case Scenario: Ben Wallace -- Mike Brown leaves Wallace in to shoot free throws at crunch time. Please don't let this happen, Coach Brown. Figure something else out. Also, there is the possibilty that Wallace's motor is burnt out, incapable of revving past what he's given the Bulls the past two years. I'm cautiously optimistic that this isn't the case.



BCS: Wally Szczerbiak -- I get over the fact that his name is hard as hell to spell, and he flourishes in his role as 3 point shooter extraordinaire. Why shouldn't he? He's spent some time as an Ohio legend when he led mid-major Miami, OH to the Sweet 16. Open looks created from none other than, Mr. LeBron James!! LeBron creates a ton of open shots for his teammates, that is a fact. He's never had a teammate consistently knock down those shots. All you have to do is shoot Wally!



WCS: Wally Szczerbiak -- The name spelling is just too much to overlook and like so many before him, he can't knock down those open looks. And, the Cavs defense sucks when he's on the court. This would be bad.



BCS: Delonte West -- Delonte plays some good, gritty basketball, and helps the situation at point guard. I loved Delonte when he was at St. Joe's. Who didn't love the West and Jameer Nelson led, underdog Hawks who made Billy Packard eat his words all the way to the Elite 8 in 2004? I thought he was showing some potential with the Celtics before he went to the soulless bastards who are moving Seattle's franchise to Oklahoma. Go forth and prosper Delonte. Plus, he could bring more of this. What's not to love?



WCS: Delonte West -- The Cavs hole at point guard grows deeper, and West just can't hang in the NBA. I do not anticipate this happening. Also, it would be bad if Delonte failed to provide any more YouTube clips like this one, found by Rotoevil.



BCS: Joe Smith -- Smith adds some scoring, some boards, and solid D. A solid veteran addition.



WCS: Joe Smith -- Smith adds some scoring, some boards, and solid D. A solid veteran addition.



Chicago and Seattle: Chicago, good luck with Gooden and Hughes. Gooden is okay, but has huge mental lapses. Hughes was a MAJOR disappointment in Cleveland. It sucks, because he's quality people, and I hope his career bounces back. Shannon Brown might have some talent, but it was never going to come out under Mike Brown. Seattle, I'm sorry that some asshole has decided to rip your franchise away from you. It sucks. It pisses me off to no end when this happens. I hope the responsible party is having cocktails in hell with Art Modell for eternity.
**Editor's Note -- I just saw this in ESPN's Cavs/Wiz recap in the Game notes, "Wallace had his hair in tight cornrows, but promised to let his 'do go. "You're always going to see the 'fro," he said." Good sign for the Cavs!! -E.S.