Sometime in the early '80s, we were in St. Louis visiting family and the Cardinals were playing a home stand against the hated New York Mets. A KSHE DJ referred to the visiting team as "pond scum," and the name stuck. Stores sold "Mets are Pond Scum" t-shirts all week, and I've been unable to unentangle the two in my mind ever since.
And I still have the shirt.
The Scum are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, so last weekend's sweep by St. Louis lacked some of the "oomph" of earlier meetings. All the same, watching them bomb Al Leiter back to the Stone Age was satisfying, and it helped put a little more distance between the Cards and the Cubs, who fell another game off pace.
Since I live in Houston, I should probably mention the Astros. They suck. Moving on...
Oh, okay. I remember the preseason hype as well as anyone: Clemens and Pettite were going to anchor an aging but talented team, making them favorites (along with Chicago...*snicker*) for the NL Central title. Now, after 111 games and dropping two of the last three to the lowly Expos, you could say their "turn" is over. They were done before the All-Star break, but I think it's only now starting to sink in for some of the locals.
Including GM Gerry Hunsicker, who started talking yesterday about the "major changes" coming to Houston in the offseason. Maybe they could move the Minute Maid Park fences in a few yards. And add a few more outfield hills. However, I think I speak for all fans of other NL Central teams when I say the Astros should definitely keep Jeff Bagwell for another three or four seasons.
You have a "Mets are Pond Scum" T-shirt? I'm consumed with jealousy....
That period in the 80's is the time when I reconnected with baseball after a period that I didn't pay as much attention to it as I should have (we all fall away from the religion we were raised in during our youth), so you bring back some happy memories.
I wonder if the KSHE DJ was John Ulett--Busch Stadium announcer, longtime fixture at KSHE, and former buddy of mine in homeroom freshman year of high school....
You can't look at the Cards creating distance between themselves and the Cubs. It does not matter. As it stands, the Cubs don't care - - - they are leading the wild card standings. Unforutnately for the Cards, winning the division may just prolong the agony. Should the Cubs win the wild card and have a healthy Prior/Wood duo ready for the post-season, watch out. Root for anybody but the Cubs to get that wildcard slot, Pete.
Cubs lost last night with Prior on the mound. Cards won with 2 hits. I'm liking things right now.
Though I wouldn't mind seeing the Padres get the wild card. Just be to be safe.
The Cards are looking strong and unlike the cubs or the yankees the Cards are a TEAM. No superstars, just a bunch of hard working ball players. I think it is refreshing to see a team in baseball again. Does anyone know where I could get an old "Mets are pond scum" t-shirt? I'd pay $100 for one.
Yeah, what's up with that mound out in central field in Houston? That's one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen in a ballpark, and not that I've been to/played in many but it sure seems like a bad idea.
The Cards sure are looking scary, and they're just so well-balanced it looks hard to beat them. I wonder how their pitchers will hold up in the post-season, not sure how much experience all 5 starters have. Also, they are like the Yankees in that they're very right-handed both in pitching and hitting. Still, they're fun to watch.
If the Mets are pond scum, I wonder what the Yankees would be called if they met in the World Series?