Howard Megdal

When did Lucas Duda turn into a singles hitter?:

The Mets are waiting patiently for his long-ball abilities to return.

Bio: Howard Megdal is Writer At Large for Capital New York. He covers baseball, basketball, and soccer for The Journal News, MLBTradeRumors.com, and numerous other publications. His new book, Wilpon's Folly," is available here. Follow Howard on Twitter @HowardMegdal.

Latest Articles:

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When did Lucas Duda turn into a singles hitter?

When the New York Mets installed Lucas Duda as the team's regular right fielder, he had had played just 67 games at the position as a professional. His lack of experience there was compounded by his slow movements and lack of apparent outfield instincts. Whether he could play the demanding defensive position, or be relegated, once and for all, to a career of first base and designated hitter, was very much in doubt. More

Posted on May 23rd, 2012 9:57am

 
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What to expect from soon-to-be non-interim Knicks coach Mike Woodson

In a matter of days, or possibly hours, the New York Knicks are expected to announce that Mike Woodson, the coach who took over for Mike D'Antoni this past season, has been signed to a long-term contract. More

Posted on May 23rd, 2012 9:52am

 
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Phil Hughes has been Mr. May for the Yankees

One strong positive to have come out of a miserable May for the Yankees is that Phil Hughes has re-established himself as a force in the New York rotation. More

Posted on May 23rd, 2012 9:42am

 
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Now attempting to fill in for Mike Pelfrey: Jeremy Hefner

The adventure that has been the attempt by the New York Mets to fill Mike Pelfrey's rotation spot continued this weekend, when Miguel Batista suffered a back injury that landed him on the disabled list. More

Posted on May 22nd, 2012 12:00pm

 
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The Red Bulls have winning formula at last, somehow

The Red Bulls defeated Montreal, 2-1 on Saturday night, for the team's fifth straight win. The Red Bulls have won five straight games three other times in franchise history: in 2000, 2001 and 2003. In all three seasons, they made the playoffs. In 2003, the Red Bulls also reached the U.S. Open Cup final, the closest they have come to a trophy in team history. More

Posted on May 22nd, 2012 11:38am

 
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In May, Yankees get on base but almost never come home

It's been an extraordinary May for the Yankees, and not in a good way.

They dropped a 6-0 decision to the Royals Monday night to fall to 8-12 in May, and 21-21 overall and a tie for last place in the talent-packed American League East. More

Posted on May 22nd, 2012 10:20am

 
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Could Ike Davis get Wally Pipped by Queens boy Mike Baxter?

Despite the divergence in how the Mets acquired Baxter and Davis—the former was a waiver-wire pickup last year, the latter was New York's top pick in the 2008 draft—it isn't impossible that Baxter could be a legitimate contributor. He'd once been a fifth-round pick by San Diego, and his production suffered in the minor leagues because of injuries. More

Posted on May 21st, 2012 2:03pm

 
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Sabathia has a bad moment and the Yankees can't recover

CC Sabathia didn't provide the Yankees with his usual ace-level perfoemance. More

Posted on May 21st, 2012 9:49am

 
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Red Bulls trade Agudelo, on the premise that he's not long for America anyway

New York's trade of Juan Agudelo looks like a risky proposition.

Agudelo is a tremendously talented forward who has has logged 15 appearances with the U.S. National Team by the age of 19. He is the finest player the team has ever developed, and is a New Jersey native beloved by the fans. More

Posted on May 18th, 2012 2:32pm

 
Article

David Wright is at his most heroic when his team is neediest

Thursday afternoon, the Mets trailed Cincinnati 4-0 in the sixth inning. Then they produced a string of surprises.
They scored nine runs against a dominant Reds bullpen, including a pair of pitchers who hadn't allowed a run all season. The go-ahead run reached base on a bunt single from the third-string catcher, Rob Johnson. The game-sealing home run came from the backup middle infielder, Ronny Cedeno, who had two home runs in 454 plate appearances last season. More

Posted on May 18th, 2012 10:30am

 

Replies to @howardmegdal:

  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal You don't mention it, but failure to re-up all-time SS knocked bottom out of #Mets fanbase. My kids don't want to go.
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal @capitalnewyork It's the Reyes fall-out. I personally know of 7 plans not renewed because of @MetsGM #boxofchocolates infamy
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal Yeah I know, just had a weekend of hearing from my teens that they no longer have interest in the team they once loved. Sad!
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal Three generations of hard-core #Mets rooting coming to a possible end - at least for while.
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal @SurfingTheMets Yeah, it was. But these are shades of gray. The Mets marketing bet is (was?) on one 'face of franchise'
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal @SurfingTheMets And Alderson's political conservatism may be small factor. Check out his Federal campaign $$.
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal Thanks!
  • tomwatsontomwatson: @howardmegdal I can't help but think of this team with Reyes and Beltran.