This video shows Roger Clemens at his cleanest, and I mean that literally and figuratively:



To see an insincere "apology" by Clemens, click here. A few less filler words next time Rog.

I have been a Sunday plan ticket holder for the last couple seasons. The price for two Mezzanine seats to 13 Sunday homes games has risen by about $200 over the last two years. This to me is unacceptable, and I am declining to renew my plan.

It's not my fault the team lost playoff money revenue. I buy merch, food, drink and even ask for Mets Money at Christmas.  I even spend money to blog about the team that I love. But this holiday season, I am deciding that in 2008, my monetary contributions to the New York Mets will be reduced by roughly, oh say, $975.

Now that is not completely accurate because I will still go to my fair share of games, but I think I speak for many that this raise in ticket prices is unacceptable, and unwarranted.

If the team had at least made the playoffs this year, I would have probably renewed. But this cold winter of inactivity has left me with a stale taste in my mouth. The team's heartless play down the stretch, and the front office's current sleepiness gives me little desire to reach into my pockets and shell out even more money than I already do.  They're taking advantage of a loyal, die-hard fan base that would do nearly anything for their team, but this is where I draw the line.

$975...come on now.  I'll leave those prices to the CEO's, but us "average Joe's" will be at home listening to Keith, Ron, and Gary drinking six-packs that cost less than one stale Shea Stadium Bud Light.

I am in support of anything anti-Clemens so here is a little diddy a reader sent in

Former Mets IF Edgardo Alfonzo has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.

It would pay him $650,000, plus incentives, if he makes the major league roster.

George Mitchell's report is out and can be read in its entirety here.

Paul Lo Duca, Mo Vaughn, Todd Pratt, David Segui, Paul Byrd, Josias Manzanillo, Todd Hundley, Mark Carreon, Matt Franco, Chris Donnels, Mike Stanton, Fernando Vina, Gary Bennett Jr., Scott Schoeneweis, and Lenny Dykstra are the Mets on the report.

Mitchell writes:

"Radomski produced copies of three checks from Lo Duca, each in the amount of
$3,200. All are included in the Appendix. Radomski said that each check was in payment for two kits of human growth hormone. Lo Duca’s name, with an address and telephone number, is listed in the address book seized from Radomski’s residence by federal agents. During that search, federal agents also seized a note from Lo Duca to Radomski. It read:

Kirk,
Sorry! But for some reason they sent the check back to me.
I haven’t been able to call you back because my phone is TOAST! I have
a new # it is [Lo Duca’s phone number is listed here]. Please leave your #
again because I lost all of my phonebook with the other phone.
Thanks
Paul"

Go to Yahoo! for a complete list.

Ronald Blum is reporting that Roger Clemens is on George Mitchell's report.

Blum writes:

ESPN also notes that Andy Pettite's name will be mentioned as well.

I'm suspect of any pitcher who plays into his 40's, and if Clemens is on today's report, I would not be the least bit surprised.

Mets Refugees has also posted an unofficial list of names.

According to the Washington Post, Paul Lo Duca has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nats.

This is not yet official, and terms were not immediately available, though Lo Duca was thought to be seeking $5 million.

Yet another former Met who will now want to "stick it to" their former team.

Former St. Lucie manager Tim Teufel will return to lead the team next year, St. Lucie Mets general manager Paul Taglieri said Friday.

Teufel spent last season managing the Mets' Low-A affiliate, the Savannah Sand Gnats, who finished 41-94 in the South Atlantic League. Before that, Teufel had taken a year off to spend time with family. He went 130-133 in 2004-05 while managing in Port St. Lucie.

Mets meet with Barry Zito's agent, Scott Boras at Winter Meetings to begin lengthy, fruitless contract talks.

Mets express interest in Jason Jennings who was just denied arbitration by the Astros.

Tom Glavine decides to return to the Mets for one year, or decided not to go back to the Braves for one year, whatever floats your boat.

Week prior, Mets come in second place in bidding for Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka who signs with the Red Sox and goes on to win the World Series with the team.

Ambiorix Burgos said to be acquired by the Royals in exchange for Brian Bannister. Bannister finished 3rd in AL Rookie Of The Year voting, and did you know he practiced Wicca?  Keith Hernandez would go on to say Burgos' name sounds like a disease, and soon after Burgos became injured.

Did I miss anything? I just hope this winter is more productive.

Lenny Dysktra has partnered up with Doubledown Media to create The Players Club, which is a magazine by and for professional athletes.

The magazine will be focused on providing athletes with the resources to make well-informed financial and lifestyle decisions.

The Players Club will debut in April of 2008, to coincide with the opening of Major League Baseball.

If only such a magazine existed during Nails' steroid/tobacco usage.

12/5/07	Cincinnati Reds Traded OF Buck Coats to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Milwaukee Brewers Signed RHP David Riske to a three-year contract; designated OF Laynce Nix for assignment.
	Toronto Blue Jays Acquired OF/INF Buck Coats from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

12/4/07      

12/3/07    

12/2/07    

The OC Register is reporting that the Orange County Flyers hired Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter as their manager for the 2008 season.

Carter is taking over for former MLB player, Garry Templeteon.

The Flyers are members of the Golden Baseball League which I hadn't heard of until now.

It still irks me that Carter never landed a job with the Mets, but Rickey Henderson could. What gives?

My head is spinning with all of the rumors, and buzz flying around these days. It makes me wonder whether the Mets will actually make the big move that most fans want them to or not. Only one day of "meetings" has passed so I'll reserve my judgment until afterwards, but why does it feel like nothing big is going to happen.

It really wouldn't surprise me if Omar just deferred giving up his prize prospects this winter, and saved the Mets' money to buy some big name free agent(s) next year. If he does so, the fan base will crucify him. Perhaps even the Wilpon's will crucify him as well. This is a "win now" kind of town and they won't stand for it. In addition, trading away Lastings Milledge didn't help Omar's PR any (and just for the record, I don't think it was the worst deal ever...not even close to a Kazmir-type debacle, that's for sure).

Regardless, brace yourself for the anti-climactic week (if that even makes sense) that is the Winter Meetings, because the big splash we are all waiting for may never happen...at least not until 2008.

On November 15th, I predicted that Paul Lo Duca would be brutally honest and possibly bark an angry comment or two about how the Mets handled his departure from the team.

Well, I was somewhat right. In an interview at MSG last night, a composed Lo Duca expresses his disappointment with how the front office let him go, and if there is any interest from other teams in signing him.

You can watch the video here.