I May Be Wrong, But… Gary Carter, R.A. Dickey, Chris Schwinden, Lucas Duda

The Mets announced they plan to honor Hall of Famer Gary Carter on April 5 prior to the season opener vs. the Braves at Citi Field. Members of his family will throw out the first ball. Carter should have died pulling a Mets paycheck. If you can employ Wally Backman… well, you know where I’m going. Carter had his hiccup with the Mets when I was “out of the loop” recovery from a brain injury. David Rubin filled me in a few weeks ago and I then went on line and read all about the Art Howe-Keith Hernandez thing. With respect for the dead, it did seem that Carter went too far but guess you have to be there to determine if it was enough to be removed from the organization he loved. And, wasn’t it Hernandez that cried on camera when Carter died? Hmm. I hope he calls in sick on opening day. 

 R.A. Dickey wrote in his book that came out this week that he was abused as a child. Some of us that follow this team still thing he is. It takes a lot of strength to write something like this and then, publish it. Most just write it to get it off their chest and then throw the manuscript in the bottom draw of their desk. R.A. has had a hell of a twelve months… Mets, mountains, and memoirs (Dickey pitched in an intrasquad game Tuesday: 8.0IP, 7-H, 1-ER, 1-BB, 5-K, 105-P, 70-strikes). 

 Well, Chris Schwinden had one of those outings yesterday that every prospect dreads. You’re just about to be told to pack your bags and you’re coming north and you go out and toss a bad outing. I have had Chris as a long guy/SP6 that would come along in case either Johan Santana needs relief, or Mike Pelfrey doesn’t come around. Will this outing hurt him? It won’t help. 

It’s starting to come quite apparent that Lucas Duda is going to be the home run leader of this team in 2012. That makes you a #4 hitter in my book. There seems to be a good chance that Duda, David Wright, Daniel Murphy, and Ike Davis can combine for 100-HRs and 400-RBIs this season. Now, all we have to do is get 20/80 out of Jason Bay and this team may just win a few games they lost last year.