Mets 5, Phillies 1 (top of the 5th)

I’m sure there are more surprises to come as the 2005 season unfolds, but no matter else happens this afternoon, it will be hard to top the eye-rubbing provoked by Cliff Floyd bunting for a base hit, then stealing 2nd. The same Cliff Floyd whom contemplated early retirement last autumn, was a defensive liability for much of last year and whose sour disposition seemed contagious.

I’m already petitioning Bobby Valentine to name him to the All-Star Team.

For a guy who has spent a lot of time in Manhattan, Keith Hernandez seemed particularly troubled by a beer vendor’s tattoos. “Why would you want to do that to yourself?” wondered Mex. I dunno, why would you want to smoke cigarettes, snort cocaine or dye your hair? Less of the lifestyle advice from the finest fielding 1B of his generation, please.

Fran Healy reports that ex-Met Todd Pratt was tossed by home plate ump Alfonso Marquez for uttering “uncomfortable words”. My guess is, it was either “recalcitrant” or “motherfucker” that did the trick.

Jae Seo struck out 9 Mud Hens yesterday, winning his 6th game for the Mets’ Norfolk affiliate. Seo, shown above in one of the ugliest caps in the history of organized baseball, had his photo taken while watching highlights of Kaz Ishii’s outing last night.