Miami-Dade Mets Spring 2006 Season

Miami-Dade Mets Give Away Playoff Game
August 13, 2006 -- The Miami-Dade Mets allowed 3 unearned runs to the Miami Nationals who completely underestimated the MD Mets to essentially give away the victory to the Nats. After Aron Marcinkoski, who tripled to tie the game, was picked off at third by a hidden ball trick, the Mets lit up Nats starting pitcher Boti Lima for 4 runs on 2 walks, 1 double and 2 triples. They got another run after Boti was replaced by Jose Machado when the Mets hit him for a double and 2 singles. But it wouldn't last as the Mets defense crumbled and allowed the Nats to take the lead and the game over the next 3 innings. The MD Mets tried valiantly to tie the game in the last two innings, but their seventh inning rally was snubbed out.

Final Result Miami Nationals 7 - Miami-Dade Mets 6
Players of the Game:
Aron Marcinkoski - (2-4, 1 3B, 2 RBI)
Todd Alea - (1-2, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI)

Two MD Mets Records Fall This Season
August 2, 2006 -- Elis Rodriguez and Aron Marcinkoski each broke a record this past Spring 2006 Season. Elis Rodriguez, who returned in the Fall 2005 season, set the single season Miami-Dade Mets mark for Run Scored with 19 breaking the previous record of 17 which he also held.

Aron Marcinkoski drove in 21 runs to break the Miami-Dade Mets single season RBI record just recently set by Danny Diaz in the Spring 2005 season. The previous record held by Humberto Marroquin stood 2 years before being broken by Diaz in the Spring 2005 season. Aron broke the record which stood for 1 year with 3 games to go and finished the regular season by adding 3 RBI to his grand total.

Congratulations go out to both Elis Rodriguez and Aron Marcinkoski.

Miami-Dade Mets End Season On A High Note
July 30, 2006 -- The Miami-Dade Mets took advantage of a weak Kendall Metz team to score 11 runs in the first inning and 9 runs in the fifth to cruise to a 20-5 victory.

Miami-Dade Mets Scalp Miami Braves
July 16, 2006 -- It was one of those games where you said to yourself "It's about time!" And I'm sure that's how third baseman Russ Brick felt after going 3-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI on Sunday. Russ had been in a season long slump thus far and seemed to have turned it around a few games ago but it wasn't until this game against the Braves where you knew he was finally over the slump. That with the return of shortstop Rudy Naraine and the pitching of Mets Manager Dean Cosme, catapulted the Mets to victory over the Braves 16-0.

The offense for the second game in a row was a dominating team effort scoring 16 runs in 7 innings. Another player who seems to have come out of the doldrums of a long slump is left fielder Todd Alea, who the last few weeks has been on a tear with 5 hits in his last 6 at-bats including a walk, a HBP and a home run.

Besides the story of the offense, the other story of the game was the pitching of Dean Cosme. Cosme pitched 7 innings allowing only 3 hits while striking out a season high 10 batters and allowing no walks. Not to be outdone, the MD Mets defense has been stellar of late with no errors in their last 4 victories.

Congratulations go out to Aron Marcinkoski who had another 2 RBI this week, breaking the single season Miami-Dade Mets RBI record previously held by current MD Mets catcher Danny Diaz. With one game left, Aron can put the finishing touches on an outstanding debut season.

Final Result: Miami-Dade Mets 16 - Miami Braves 0
Players of the Game:
Dean Cosme (7 inn, 3 H, 10 K)
Russ Brick - (3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI)

Miami-Dade Mets Change Tune On Miami's Band
July 9, 2006 -- It took 10 games (4 of which he actually played in) but Eddie Santiesteban finally got a hit. ANd it was a big one. A single to left also plated his first two RBI. An few innings later, his next hit and his next RBI. Over all, it was a splendid game for Eddie and the Mets as the Miami-Dade Mets cruised past Miami's Band 15-7. Well maybe it wasn't a cruise, but once they took the lead, the fat lady all but sang her last sour note for the Band.

After a shaky start in which Mets starter Shand Booher allowed 5 runs in 4 innings, MD Mets Manager Dean Cosme came in and changed the dial on the Band and allowed only 2 more runs to score, all the while, the Mets offense was running up another double digit scoring event. Led by Santiesteban, The Mets offense across the board pitched in to score 15 runs in 7 innings. Angel Coipel and Aron Marcinkoski added two RBI each while 4 others each had 1 RBI apiece. Aron's RBI tied him with Danny Diaz for the single season RBI Record for the Miami-Dade Mets with two still left to play.

Final Result: Miami-Dade Mets 15 - Miami's Band 7
Players of the Game:
Eddie Santiesteban - (3-4, 3 RBI)
Aron Marcinkoski - (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)

Wolverines Down Miami-Dade Mets
June 18, 2006 -- Missed opportunities and defensive miscues doomed the Miami-Dade Mets this past Sunday against the Miami Wolverines. The Miami-Dade Mets had a golden opportunity to possibly score in the bottom of the eighth with 1 out and the bases loaded and the middle of the lineup coming to bat. Shand Booher blooped a shot to short right field which was caught for the second out of the inning. But with the bases loaded, the runner on third tagged up and was thrown out by a waiting catcher for the third out of the inning and the team's leading hitter on the on deck circle.

Final Result - Miami Wolverines 7 - Miami-Dade Mets 5
Players of the Game:
Russ Brick - (2-3, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 SB)
Rudy Naraine - (0-2, 1 R, 1 HBP, 1 SAC, 2 RBI)

Alain Ferra Beats Miami Rays
June 4, 2006 -- Or so it would seem. Miami-Dade Mets starting pitcher Alain Ferra battling a season long slump seems to come out of it last game against the Braves, but officially ended it today. Ferra went the distance striking out 8 while allowing only 4 runs on 10 hits. But it was Alain's offense that proved the difference as Alain went 2-3 with a walk, a double and drove in 5 runs giving himself all he would need to win.

Alain's first 3 RBI came with two out and the bases loaded in the 4th, when he crushed a double over the centerfielder's head clearing the bases and giving the MD Mets the lead they would not relinquish. Alain's next two RBI came in the 6th with 2 on and no one out as he stroked a single to left.

The Mets would add two more in the 8th with both Shand Booher and Danny Diaz scoring the third runs of the day each.

Final Result - Miami-Dade Mets 8 - Miami Rays 4
Player of the Game:
Alain Ferra - (2-3, 1 BB, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 9 INN, 4 ER, 8 K, 3 BB, 10 H)

Miami-Dade Mets Crush Miami Braves
May 22, 2006 -- The Miami Braves allowed 14 hits, 13 walks and committed 5 errors and the Miami-Dade Mets made them pay. The MD Mets scored 21 runs and scored them early and often. The biggest blow came in the 2nd inning as the Mets scored 6 times after the first two batters quickly made outs. Then in the 4th, the MD Mets batted around and sent 15 batters to the plate scoring 10 runs in the process.

Mets starting pitcher Shand Booher pitched all 5 innings shutting down the Braves allowing only 2 runs on 4 hits. Shand also helped his own cause beginning in the first inning as he drove a double into the left centerfield gap plating the first 2 of his 3 RBI. Alain Ferra also broke out of his season long funk and stroked 3 hits and drove in 3 as well.

Final Result - Miami-Dade Mets 21 - Miami Braves 2
Players of the Game:
Shand Booher - 2-2, 2 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Alain Ferra - 3-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI

Stellar Performance Goes Down Drain, Game Ends In Tie
May 7, 2006 -- 2 outs away from securing a victory, the Miami-Dade Mets could close out the game without first giving away the lead. Leading 6-3 heading into the 9th inning against Pro 5 Sports, the MD Mets found it hard to find 1 out, let alone 3. Starting pitcher Alain Ferra got a No-Decision on Sunday after his defense let one get away. Alain pitched a complete game, allowing 4 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks, but held onto a 3 run lead that vanished on timely hitting, bad defense and wrong decision making.

With runners on second and third, the game 6-5 and 1 out, a sharp ground ball was hit to second with the runner on third breaking on contact. Instead of going home, the ball was thrown to first to secure the second out, allowing the tying run to score and thus allowing the game to slip past the MD Mets grasp as a win. Candido Vidal would fly out to end the game.

The MD Mets offense shined at times with Aron Marcinkoski continuing his hot streak with another 3 RBI and a double and Bengie Seda getting on track lacing 3 hits and scoring 2 runs. At other times it flat out didn't get the job done when the opportunities were there.

Final Result: Miami-Dade Mets 6 - Pro 5 Sports 6
Players of the Game:
Aron Marcinkoski - (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 SB)
Bengie Seda - (3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB)

MD Mets Gets Back On Track, Pound Miami Mets
April 30, 2006 -- Led by newcomers Rudy Naraine, Aron Marcinkoski and Angel Coipel, the MD Mets got back on the winning track Sunday, defeating the Miami Mets 17-4. Shortstop Rudy Naraine continued his hot hitting lacing 3 hits including a double and scoring 3 runs while adding 4 stolen bases. Aron Marcinkoski again added to his RBI total while stroking 3 more hits as well. Angel Coipel broke out of his funk by smashing a bombastic 2-run home run to left center field in the 8th inning to make the score 10-4 at the time. After a strong outing by starting pitcher Shand Booher, another newcomer, Derek Johnson, came on in relief and shutdown the Miami Mets to complete a 3 inning save.

Final Result - Miami-Dade Mets 17 - Miami Mets 4
Players of the Game:
Rudy Naraine - (3-3, 2 BB, 1 2B, 3 R, 4 SB)
Aron Marcinkoski - (3-5, 1 2B, 3 R, 1 SB)

Defense Falters Again, Sox Down MD Mets
April 23, 2006 -- The Miami Red Sox have figured out a way to tame the Miami-Dade Mets and have used it to their advantage the past two meetings. But at the same time, the Miami-Dade Mets made this one a little easier as they caused 5 errors allowing 5 runs to score. In what should have been a 1 run inning, the MD Mets handed over 5 runs in the third to go down 5-1 and the Miami Red Sox never looked back. They added 2 more runs on a monstrous home run by their rookie catcher and another on a timely double.

For the Mets, rookie Rudy Naraine, had the Red Sox pitcher's number lacing a double and a triple in 4 trips to the plate. Todd Alea and Tom Scolaro also had multiple hit games. Overall the game was a let down for the Mets as they tried to get back to their winning ways, only to meet up against a good pitcher who halted their progress.

Final Result - Miami Red Sox 8 - Miami-Dade Mets 4
Player of the Game:
Rudy Naraine - (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 RBI)

Miami Nationals Take Revenge On MD Mets
April 10, 2006 -- Avenging last season's 8-7 loss to the MD Mets, the only blemish on their outstanding inaugural season in the SFBL, the Nationals came ready to hit. The Miami Nationals scored early and often and didn't let up until the game was over 7 innings later. The Nationals hit 5 home runs on the day, 3 off of starter Alain Ferra and 2 off of reliever Dean Cosme. Each pitcher served up almost the same amount or runs as Ferra allowed 9 and Cosme allowed 8, each posting their worst outings since the Spring 2005 season. Games like this happen and the Miami-Dade Mets will learn from this experience.

Final Result - Miami Nationals 17 - Miami-Dade Mets 3

Miami-Dade Mets Pound Miami Mets
April 3, 2006 -- The MD Mets took a 5 run lead into the 5th inning and promptly allowed the Miami Mets to creep back into the game by allowing 3 runs to score in the bottom half of the 5th. But everything you needed to know about this game happened in the top of the 7th inning.

The Miami-Dade Mets sent 17 batters to the plate and plated 11 runs to knock the Miami Mets out in their bottom half of the inning. The hit brigade began with newcomer Angel Coipel getting his first hit as an MD Met and the other newcomer, Rudy Naraine getting his second knock as well. Shortstop Tom Scolaro tagged a 2 run triple to plate the newcomers and the rout was on. The next 8 runners would score before the first out of the inning was recorded.

Every MD Mets had at least one hit except one who actually got on base with a walk. IT was everything and more that a pitcher could want as starter Shand Booher made a strong start against the Miami Mets. Booher gave up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 4 and striking out 8. All in all it was a rather complete victory for the Miami-Dade Mets.

Final Result: Miami-Dade Mets 17 - Miami Mets 4
Players of the Game:
Aron Marcinkoski - (3-4, 1 R, 5 RBI)
Tom Scolaro - (3-5, 1 R, 1 3B, 3 RBI)

It's Opening Day, Miami-Dade Mets Win
March 26, 2006 -- For the first time in two years (5 seasons), the Miami-Dade Mets walked away with an opening day victory. This time it was against arch rivals, the Kendall Reds. Not only was this an opening day win, but it was also the first win against the Kendall Reds since the Miami-Dade Mets moved up to the MSBL division. Each game against the Reds has gotten progressively better for the MD Mets and finally a win arrived.

In all previous efforts combined, the MD Mets have lost to the Kendall Reds by a combined 47-13 over a 5 game span. It wasn't until the last two games against the Reds that the MD Mets finally started to see some actual close games.

But today belonged to the Miami-Dade Mets. Led by Manager/Starting Pitcher Dean Cosme, who pitched a complete game victory allowing only 1 earned run, the MD Mets played solid defense and had timely hitting to take the victory 5-1. Newcomer Aron Marcinkoski led the way going 2-3, plating the first two runs for the Mets new season. Aron also had the first hit for the Mets this season.

But the key to this victory was the Mets defense. Although the Mets made 1 error, it was the defense that shined today. Leading the defensive way was third baseman Russ Brick who played outstanding, taking away several possible hits for the Reds and started a double play that erased a previous error. All in all, it was a complete victory for the Miami-Dade Mets.

Final Result: Miami-Dade Mets 5 - Kendall Reds 1
Players of the Game:
Aron Marcinkowski - (2-3, 2 RBI)
Elis Rodriguez - (2-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI)

New Season Approaches
March 12, 2006 -- As the Spring 2006 Season draws nearer I think about this past season and the highs and lows of the Fall 2005 Season. Although I think about them and reflect humbly on our accomplishments and feel sad about the let downs, I can't allow what happened this past season alter my focus and energy for the upcoming season. I cannot change the past. I can only do my best now and hope that it brings success and reward in the future.

Even though I am someone who can remember the finest details of my past experiences, I will not dwell on them here. That's not to say that in future journals I will not labor over my reflective thoughts. The journals are meant to be that way. But at the same time, I don't want to rehash the past. I want to focus on what we as a team can do to make ourselves better and win a Championship in this league. My journals are a reflection of my inner most thoughts and a tool to make people think and maybe inspire teammates, players and anyone who reads them to look at things from a different perspective if that's what you take away from them.

I'm not here to win a Nobel Prize. I'm not here to become a journalist. I do what I do because I like to express myself and this is my greatest form of expression. At the same time, it's a way for me to share my feelings to people who in some cases may have similar views, thoughts or experiences and may receive a better sense of self worth or confidence knowing that someone else is going thru, or went thru something similar.

Therefore as the new season approaches, we as a team have one goal in mind. To win. I am no longer just satisfied to make it to the playoffs. I am no longer satisfied to win 7 or 8 games a season. That's no longer satisfactory to me and it shouldn't be to my players either. 7 or 8 wins is good enough to get to the playoffs. I don't want good enough. I want us to be great. I want us to be considered one of the better teams in the MSBL Division. I'm not satisfied with "Oh yeah, they're a good team," I want to be considered one of the best teams in the league. MD Mets players, it's now time to step up your game. Are you with me?