Bernazard dismissed, Adam Rubin dissed

Today the New York Mets dismissed Tony Bernazard from his duties as Asst. GM and VP.

Here is blow-by-blow coverage of the press conference:

• Omar Minaya said the investigation was done by the Human Resources dept.
• Minaya said he met with Bernazard on Sunday to discuss the report.
• Minaya said he recommended to the Wilpons that Bernazard be fired.
• "This was a difficult decision to make" -Minaya.
• Minaya states that all the public records about Bernazard are "not exactly how it went down."
• Minaya said that he was shocked at some of the things in the Mets HR Report.
• Minaya says: "I have a lot of respect for [Tony Bernazard] him."
• Minaya said he was not aware of the Bernazard issues until the Daily News report.
• "Is Tony the most friendly guy in the world? No." -Minaya
• Minaya says Bernazard's role will be filled within the organization...for now.
• Minaya said that he is satisfied with the job Bernazard did.

This is where it gets ugly.

• Omar Minaya said that Daily News reporter Adam Rubin (who brought the Bernazard allegations to attention) lobbied for a player development position within the organization.
• Minaya seems very fired up and tense; almost argumental.
  
• Adam Rubin appears shocked and shaken.
• Rubin questions Omar and calls what he said "despicable."

Mets Blog: Something buzzing around the Mets

Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com is reporting "something buzzing around the Mets."

His post:

"…there are rumblings around the Mets that some sort of news will go down today… but, i have no idea what…

…i would think if it was a trade, by now, someone, from one of the major news outlets would be reporting something, but who knows…

…i’m intrigued"

Interesting... My bet is something about Tony Bernazard.

Jays reject another Phils bid for Halladay

In a new article on ESPN.com, Jayson Stark is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies most recent offer of J.A. Happ, Michael Taylor, Carlos Carrasco and Jason Donald for ace Roy Halladay has been rejected by the Toronto Blue Jays.

That's a good group of prospects right there. Practically the Mets entire farm system!

Stark goes on to say that Taylor, Carrasco, and Donald are so highly regarded that the Phils once put them one their "untouchable list." Nontheless, the Jays still rejected the offer.

What does Toronto want? Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard? (A Mets fan would only wish!)

Prospects of Halladay going to Philly are becoming more and more unlikely. Other teams interested in the Toronto ace are the Texas Rangers, and the Anaheim Angels.

This is good news to Mets fans. Can you imagine a healthy Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay at the front of the rotation. Scary...

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Game 96: NYM @ HOU

Here are the starting lineups for Game 2 of a 3 game series in Houston. The game starts at 7:05 and can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN.

New York Mets (44-51) Tentative lineup
Angel Pagan CF
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Daniel Murphy 1B
Jeff Francoeur RF
Cory Sullivan LF
Omir Santos C
Alex Cora SS
Jon Niese LHP (0-0, 2.92)

Houston Astros (50-46)
Unavailable at time of post

Russ Ortiz RHP (3-4, 4.33)

Notes

• Jon Niese makes his first start since May 13th against the Braves. He was sent to the minors to work on mechanics.
  
• Gary Sheffield has been placed on the 15 day DL.
  

Weather
95° F and party cloudy at gametime.

Game 95: NYM @ HOU

Here are the starting lineups for Game 1 of a 3 game series in Houston. The game starts at 8:05 and can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN.

New York Mets (44-50)
Angel Pagan CF
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Jeff Francoeur RF
Fernando Tatis LF
Daniel Murphy 1B
Omir Santos C
Angel Berroa SS
Johan Santana LHP (11-7, 2.92)

Houston Astros (49-46)
Michael Bourn CF
Kaz Matsui 2B
Miguel Tejada SS
Carlos Lee CF
Hunter Pence RF
Pudge Rodriguez C
Chris Coste 1B
Jeff Keppinger 3B
Mike Hampton LHP (5-7, 4.63)

Notes

• Gary Sheffield is still amazingly not on the DL.
• Santana is 2-0 with a 0.98 ERA in 3 career starts against Houston.
• The Mets will face former Met Mike Hampton.

Weather
85° F and party cloudy at gametime.

Mark Buehrle pitches perfect game

History.

"Never say never in this game cause crazy things can happen."

-Mark Buehrle

White Sox ace Mark Buehrle pitched the 18th perfect game in Major League History today, the first since 2004. He retired all 27 Tampa Bay Rays batters to lead the White Sox to a 5-0 victory.

Sox centerfielder Dewayne Wise made an amazing catch and stole a homerun from Gabe Kapler to aid Buehrle in this historic feat.

By the way, former Met catcher Ramon Castro caught the perfect game. Castro was traded earlier in the season to the Chicago White Sox.

Mets injury news

This is getting old, seriously.

According to a tweet by Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Alex Cora aggravated his already injuried thumb. He will take the night off. Angel Berroa will start at shortstop tonight.

Also, Hubbuch reports that a DL stint is "looking very likely." Kevin Burkhardt tweeted earlier:

"Sheffield is working out full steam today to test his hammy. How he feels tomorrow will tell the story"

Cory Sullivan will start in left tonight.