Hitting Back

-As the Mets are burying the Braves thanks to a seven-run sixth to position themselves 14 in front making a further mockery out of how bad their division is, you have to start talking about Carlos Beltran for NL MVP. With two more home runs to reach 30 and five RBI's to increase his total to 89, the second year Met centerfielder is having the kind of season Omar Minaya expected last year- turning all the boos to cheers. Of course, most will ponder how his key stats look compared to wonderboy David Wright or the superhuman Albert Pujols. They're not as high as either but still very good and definitely worth discussing:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6132/situational;_ylt=AsJXE0uimM98qkrow4IVBhyFCLcF

-The Mets also have to be very pleased with Orlando Hernandez' latest performance. At last check, the 36 year-old Cuban had gone the first seven giving up three unearned runs and allowed just two hits while whiffing six. The best part was he did it on only 90 pitches. He has gone at least seven in four of his last five outings. With the clutch October performer rounding into shape, it puts less pressure on Minaya to go out and acquire another starter.

-The only negative on what's been on a great day for the Amazin's is that first base slugger Carlos Delgado left the game early due to being hit on the right knee by Tim Hudson. It was probably just precautionary when Willie Randolph removed him. That's a luxury you have when you have such a big cushion.

-Just asking. But what's happened to that "former ace" Hudson without Leo Mazzone. In his latest poor performance, he gave up nine earned runs and 10 hits in just 5.2 innings. The former Athletic now has an ERA over 5.00. Guess new pitching coach Roger McDowell isn't working out so far. You don't think the former Met is doing it deliberately. Afterall, he was part of that '86 Mets team. Roger always was a practical joker. Unfortunately for the Braves, the joke's on them thus far.

-A few unpleasant thoughts on Mets' WFAN play-by-play man Howie Rose. Over the course of a successful season, he's quickly become one of the most annoying broadcasters. I'm tired of hearing every Mets fan say that all their casters are flawless. Oh really? Have they listened to this buffoon this season? His propaganda has grown tiresome. Between the pompous "Put it in the books" he uses to call Mets wins and silly statements such as Friday night when Jose Reyes ledoff with a homer in which he went into another moronic statement by terming that "the Mets had marched into Atlanta and were quickly ahead 1-0," it's enough to change the channel. I didn't realize the Braves were on the Mets' tails. The funniest aspect of that silly proclamation was that not only were the Amazin's 12 clear of Atlanta coming in, but it was the first batter of the game. Not many ballgames are decided that quickly. And how do you think Rose looked when the Braves got four in the first to lead 4-2? Next time, try waiting nine innings before making such cocky statements.

-Rose's signature call sounds very similar to Yankees' radio voice John Sterling. For years, Sterling has had his own irritating call proclaiming in a loud scream, "The Yankees win. THE YANKEES WIN!!!!!" When you hear Rose deliver it in a similar monotone, it comes off almost as smug as Sterling. Before this season, I didn't think that was possible. But the more Rose makes himself out to be bigger than the game, the more unprofessional he sounds. The sad aspect is that this is a very good broadcaster who can describe the action well. He is much better than Sterling at that and doesn't need to become like him in any way. If he just stuck to basics all the time, it would sound much better. The biggest problem with broadcasters today is that far too many make it more about themselves and rub fans the wrong way. Why can't everyone be like Vin Scully?