Comments on: Hamels Says Mets Are ‘Choke Artists’

By: Robert Avery

Robert Avery — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:35:08 +0000

Maybe I don’t know the definition of “Choke artist,” but I don’t think a 13-10 September record qualifies as the definition of choke artist. The Mets went 13-10 in September, while the Milwaukee Brewers went 10-15. I think the 10-15 record definitely comes much closer to the definition of choke artist. Who swept the Brew Crew at the start of September? The Mets. Somehow, the Brewers snuck in. And what was the Mets’ greatest lead on Philly in the closing weeks? 31/2 games wasn’t it. Not much of a lead. Let’s call the 2008 playoff race what it really was: A hotly-contested race that went down to the final inning. Geez, the Mets win 89 games and they’re being called choke artists???

By: rivlez

rivlez — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:31:49 +0000

Lets be honest here for a moment. The Phillies had a 10 game lead in June-July that they couldn’t hold. The Mets had the worst bullpen in baseball that contributed to 29 loses just from them. If the bullpen was even somewhat decent they would’ve won half of those games and we wouldn’t be talking about this. The Phillies with the best bullpen in baseball only won 92 games. Lets not forget Billy Wagner being gone the last 7 weeks of the year. Moving on, you can’t say you did not have an easy road to the World Series. First Milwaukee is just plain terrible and the Phillies and Mets dominated them this year. And for Christs sake you played the Dodgers in the NLCS, they aren’t even one of the top 10 teams in baseball. Fortunately they play in this pathetic division called the NL West. Then you guys played the Rays that nearly blew the ALCS to the Red Sox and came in barely to the WS. I’ll tell you one thing, you guys are EXTREMELY lucky to not play the Red Sox cause they would’ve ripped you guys. The whole reason for the Mets collapse last year was obviously the bullpen and this has been addressed so far this year. We will see in 2009 what will happen but the last time the Phillies won a WS they had 26 years of losing.

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:42:46 +0000

phillyhater your one to talk about being arrogant and showing class. Saying cole should take one in the ear wow I believe we refer to that as being a hypocrite, and I wont even begin talking about your other comments but I pray you come to a philly mets game cause if I see you there Ima roll on your ass

By: SJ Will

SJ Will — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:26:55 +0000

http://www.theonion.com/content/from_print/mr_met_takes_frustrations

By: Phillies Phan SC

Phillies Phan SC — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:28:48 +0000

Let me add that I will not comment on the Mets ONLY because if they blow us out of the water this year I don’t want to look like an a$$. Last year, I had to endure Mets fans saying we were so horrible, and they were the team to beat. I know what I thought of those who said that, so I just won’t say it. I will be thrilled if the Phillies win again though.

By: Phillies Phan SC

Phillies Phan SC — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:13:58 +0000

Mike T.,

I am glad you can even understand mikem; I could not make sense of anyof it.

Grrrumpy Miner,

I still don’t like the Mets, but you know, you have said something that many Mets fans could not say, and now I respect you for it. At least you point to solid games and not just some of the hate that many Mets fans come in here and spew.

I do hope K-Rod works out for you all. I am skeptical of him – not because he is a Met – but because he is 26 and has all these problems brewing.

Of course, I am a Phillies fan and don’t wish him too much luck now… Thank you for being mature about the posts.

PPSC

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:28:13 +0000

Cole spoke the truth. We all know it. Even the Mets fans know it deep down. They choked it two years in a row. And they’ll be considered choke artists until they prove otherwise and win some big games in September and October.

That team has a lot of talent, but no mental toughness. They’re soft.

The Phils are the most mentally tough team in the league. That’s why they beat the Mets two years in a row (when the talent was probably even). And why the Phillies are World Freakin’ Champions!

Mets fans, look at the bright side: the Cubs choked big time this year too, so y’all at least have some company.

And misery loves company.

By: Cole 0.00 ERA

Cole 0.00 ERA — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:57:24 +0000

The bitterness some of you Mets fans show is downright laughable. The funny thing is most of the Phillies fans on here are just happy to win a championship and don’t really think much of Cole’s comments (since he was of course goaded into making them). No matter how much you whine, the Phillies are still the 2008 World Champions of Baseball (never gets old typing that).

And “shut up,” I am confused, were the Mets dominating the division during the down years of the Phillies?? As I recall they broke the Braves 13 game winning streak in 06 but that was it. They were one of the sad sack teams in the 90′s. And oh yea, its been 22 years since they won a title, which by my book is pretty long time.

All this being said, I respect the Mets, but I just don’t get the fans. If you think you’ll take the division from us in 2009 thats cool, but why try and down play our championship? And what reason is there to think the Phillies won’t be competitive next year also? You guys make it sound like they are a one and done team. This team was built for a long repeated run at the prize in strong core players like Utley, Rollins, Howard, and Hamels. I know it sucks for Mets fans to see the Phils at the top, but you might as well get used to it cause they are not going anywhere for a while.

By: U Gotta Believe

U Gotta Believe — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 21:05:48 +0000

Wagner’s career is over….he has relied his whole career on a hard STRAIGHT fastball that has drop over the last two years…which step up his average slider. Without that 98-100 mph fastball he’s a 2 pitch pitcher that won’t be able to compete at the minor league level, so why would you want him in your bullpen. He’s not even close to the wagner of old. Sorry that’s my opinion.

By: Chase Mutley

Chase Mutley — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:47:51 +0000

1986. It was 22 years ago.

By: Don M

Don M — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:29:43 +0000

a RealMetsFans… sport a FakeTan during baseball season… its weird

By: Woodman

Woodman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:11:48 +0000

Hamels has way too much class to ever consider putting on a stinking MUTS uniform…. at any price. Dream on you “Choke Artist” fans!

By: RealMetsFan

RealMetsFan — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:53:18 +0000

Oh I almost forgot, the ironic part is that in 4 years Cole Hamells is going to be a Met.

By: shut up

shut up — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:53:09 +0000

Hamels makes me laugh. What have the Phillies done but choke ever year since the 80′s before the last two. He is lucky the Mets bullpen was so terrible the last two years. And now look who they got for the pen. Watch out.

The Mets, Braves and Marlins have battled it out for the NL East for years while the phillies just looked silly. So, congrats you won your championship. Enjoy it because it will be a long time until you see that again.

It is not surprising Hamels is shooting his mouth off. He probably got lessons from his other big mouth teammates Rollins, Burrell and Victorino.

By: RealMetsFan

RealMetsFan — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:50:20 +0000

I almost agree with Cole Hamells stated fact that the Mets are choke artist. Not all the Mets, just the Crappy few in the bullpen (HEILMAN,SMITH,SCHOENWEISS). Two of the three are gone and the third is about to be shipped out. They were replaced with K-rod, Putz, and Green. These three have the balls needed to compete, unlike the other three. Don’t forget we still have Billy Boy. I hear he is rehabbing way ahead of schedule and should be ready to pitch by August. WOW, now that is some bullpen to have down the stretch in September. I am happy the Phillies won the world series. Why? Because now the hunger has been fed. The phillies will once again be the complaisant lovable losers for the next 20 years. Sorry thats my opinion. Please don’t be insulted.

By: fredyb20

fredyb20 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:02:47 +0000

if you’re not first.. you’re last

By: Don M

Don M — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:42:43 +0000

Yea, it definitely won’t be the Mets.. they are choke artists

By: Phils2008

Phils2008 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:30:21 +0000

Mets are a joke!!

By: Jay

Jay — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:20:29 +0000

Look if everyone would stop whining it would be a good thing. The Phillies won it all last year and good for them. If your a Mets fan move on..if your a Philles fan enjoy it and hope you have the same success this year. Everyone complains about the trash talk between players..sounds like the fan are even worse. The Philles won 2008 (and no I am not a Phillies fan) but there is nothing anyone can do about that now its the past..and again congrats to them. 2009 is coming up the mets just improved their obvious glaring weakness and the phillies just signed a good outfield bat. Lets see how things shake out this year and may the best team win..be it the phillies, mets, or whoever…well except for the yankees haha.

By: Don M

Don M — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:57:15 +0000

And there is NO DOUBT that the Mutts got a lot better by adding two legit back end pieces to their bullpen. But doesn’t it bother you that the Angels were 100% willing to let K-Rod walk away, especially when he only got a 3 year deal instead of the $75/5 he was seeking.

As a Phillies fan I realize that the Mutts bullpen improved, but I think it would be foolish to think K-Rod is better than Brad Lidge (by a difference of 8 blown saves)

And at the end of 2009, when they are both Free Agents.. Ryan Madson will be sought by more teams as their closer than JJ Putz (who battled injuries recently).

So I still like the Phillies 8th-9th pitchers better than the Mets, but its not as overwhelming as last year by any means