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Monday, June 12, 2006

SNY: Ask the Booth: Keith Hernandez

Who is that guy in the video store with the fur coat? What’s going on here? You have got to be kidding me. Only knowledgeable movie buffs in the video store!

Keith, can you give me a valid reason why Keppinger has not been given a chance to “audition” for the secondbase job? Matsui is gone, a Keppinger/Valentin combo sounds pretty good to me.

Remember that movie about Rocky Graziano starring Paul Newman called “Someone Up There Must Love Me”? Well, someone up there must not love Keppinger. The wrap on him is his defense. He needs to be traded to a club that likes his abilities and will give him a chance. I am not saying he is the next Jeff Kent, but he will die on the vine if he stays in this organization.

Repoz Posted: June 12, 2006 at 04:13 PM | 12 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: announcers, media, mets

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   1. Russlan is not Russian Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:04 PM (#2061152)
Assuming that his defense is actually bad, can Keppinger be a good player? Sure, he's hit for average in the minors but the guy has hit 18 homers in his minor league career in 1687 ABs, and only 8 in 1209 above A-Ball. I don't think he's someone you'd want to count on to be productive entering the season. It's really unfortunate that he got hurt last season as that was the ideal chance for him to step in.

I'd much rather have Valentin for this year.
   2. Free Rob Base Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:18 PM (#2061167)
Keppinger is in the Scutaro and Heath Bell camp for me. Don't understand why so many Mets fans go gaga over these guys.
   3. Rob Base Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:19 PM (#2061169)
Keppinger is hitting .287/.339/.326 at AAA. Pass.
   4. MM1f Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:21 PM (#2061172)
The WRAP on him?
   5. Fred Garvin is dead to Mug Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:22 PM (#2061174)
"Keith, can you remind us how you feel about the broads in the dugout? When you played, did you have women in the clubhouse or dugout? Any stories to share?"
   6. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: June 12, 2006 at 05:44 PM (#2061191)
The WRAP on him?

Saran
   7. Dizzypaco Posted: June 12, 2006 at 06:25 PM (#2061236)
In the early 80's, the Mets had a minor league second baseman who according to reputation, couldn't field, and they buried him for that reason, even though he could hit. He also had no power. When Davey Johnson took over the team, he took the second baseman with him, and he was a key part of the mid 80's Mets. I'm guessing that that there are Met fans with Wally Backman flashbacks. Not to mention Hernandez.

Of course there are a couple of major differences between Backman and Keppinger. Backman walked a lot and stole a fair share of bases, making him an effective hitter at the top of the order. Keppinger hits for a high average, but doesn't do anything else, so I'm not particularly impressed.
   8. SouthSideRyan Posted: June 12, 2006 at 06:43 PM (#2061257)
Keith how do you keep your hair so free of grayness?
   9. Sam M. Posted: June 12, 2006 at 06:51 PM (#2061271)
It's one thing not to give Scutaro a try when the team was flailing and they kept sending a guy out there who was awful (and who wasn't even really trying). It's quite another when the team is riding high, when you are already trying different options to deal with the second base issue, and when Keppinger isn't all that good, anyway. Context is everything; not every AAA player is always going to be the solution just because he happens to be the AAA player when you have a weak position at the major league level. I'm glad we have Keppinger down there, but I wouldn't play him ahead of Valentin or Woodward on the big club, either.
   10. Russlan is not Russian Posted: June 12, 2006 at 07:18 PM (#2061297)
Speaking of minor leaguers who probably won't get a shot with the Mets, Victor Diaz seems to be heating up lately. He's hit .429/.448/.750 over his last 30 ABs to raise his OPS over .700 on the season.
   11. phredbird Posted: June 12, 2006 at 09:45 PM (#2061458)
he got the movie wrong too.
   12. Fred Garvin is dead to Mug Posted: June 12, 2006 at 09:59 PM (#2061480)
"So, Keith, how much coke did you do in the 80s? Were you ever tempted to snort the first base line?"

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