I was optimistic the Mets would pull out of this nosedive, even after dropping their fifth straight, but now I'm not so sure. For really the first time of this plunge, manager Willie Randolph appeared shaken after Thursday's loss, and I think it had to do with Billy Wagner's back spasms.
Randolph's frequent use of the term "battling" in the postgame media chat brought back sickening memories of the Art Howe Error. It was Howe's favorite phrase. More of a mantra, really. And with the bullpen now in complete disarray -- Jorge Sosa has to be spent after pitching five times in six days -- Randolph has precious few reliable options. Maybe just one. Aaron Heilman.
Make no mistake. Thursday's loss was the toughest of the season for the Mets and maybe the most brutal defeat in recent memory. Sure, Game 7 of last year's NLCS was difficult. But that was the playoffs. Stuff like that always happens in the playoffs.
Another strange development Thursday. Randolph was practically speechless when asked about Lastings Milledge's blowup with plate umpire Jim Joyce. "You'll have to ask the parties involved," Randolph said. Weird. No defense or scolding of his young player. He's got to come down one way or the other on the issue. Seemed very indecisive to me and an indication of the doubt seeping into the Mets.
BTW, in keeping my eyes on the Phillies, I lost track of what's going on out West, where the D-Backs and Padres are now battling over the NL's best record. Sheesh. Even if the Mets do make the playoffs, there's a good chance they won't even have home-field advantage throughout. Wow.
Comments (9)
It's a combination of things of course and there is no simple answer as always.
But the use of the bull pen has been a disaster...he doesn't know when to double switch and when not to.
Other teams carrying 40 players at this point in time bring in their young pitchers for an inning or two but not Willie...he had a 3 run lead going into the last of the 9th...several choices..Feliciano yes he gave off a lead off single...so what...the tying run was still not at the plate..even if the next guy hits a home run, they still have the lead...that's not the time to play the left-righty thing which I assume is what he was doing...
How about one of the kids with a 3 run lead hoping to get a couple of outs and then if they run into trouble you go with whomever.....but to use Sosa for the 5th time in 6 games when he was ineffective in 4 of them..give me a break...and to bring him back in the 10th inning was ridiculous.
Add to that, as I said in another response, and I want to be very careful with this. It seems in the last couple of weeks they have gotten a royal screwing from the umps...and no I am not blaming the umps or anything like that and all teams at time think they are getting the shaft...but at least you have to say something sometime...he never never argues...and we all know you don't argue for that call you argue for the next one...maybe just maybe there is this feeling in the back of the minds of the umps, and we see it in all sports, that if I blow one against Willie, nothing will happen. Perhaps if a guy like Piniella was blowing up, obvious balls would not be called strikes and everybody has to admit the calls against Reyes, LoDuca last Friday night, Anderson on Saturday (after two close pitches against the Phillie pinch hitter in the 8th inning were called balls either one of which was close enough to be called a strike, last night "tag" at first base and then the pitch to Milledge...yes I know these calls happen to everybody but it just seems that they have been happening to the Mets with increasing frequency with nobody out to defend the players...well look what has been happening.
Add to that, and this is unfortunate because I like him a lot, but Wright not only with errors that are unimaginable but his total lack of clutch hitting...last weekend Saturday two on one out ninth inning Mets down by a run he strikes out....last night man on third one out leading by two in the ninth, he grounds weakly to short (Beltran did sort of bail him out)....Tuesday night in Washington trailing by two runs in the eighth a double play grounder. Now of course nobody hits all the time in the clutch but contrast that with what Jim Rollins is doing for the Phillies here at crunch time. And we don't even have to mention Beltran (although at least he hit a 3 run home run in a big spot to tie Sunday's game only to see Mota and Sosa come in and destroy the game).....but then again there was Beltran's performance in center field on Saturday when he handed 3 runs to the Phillies...
But it all comes around to injuries caused by signing 40 year old players..what's next Pudge Rodriguez as the new catcher...how old is he?
And the inability of Omar to do something about the bull pen. He could take a good less from the Yankees where they took one of the starting pitchers, knowing the impoortance of the bull pen, and turned him into the 8th inning man. What about doing that with one of the young pitchers Omar....or do you want us to believe they are going to continue to trot out Mota, Shoenweiss, Sosa, Smith.....Randolph is a terrible manager is a given but he certainly hasn't been given any help by Omar.
Jeff I agree with everything you said.
I think Willies no response about Milledge was weak. Attach the Ump or blast the kid.
DO SOMETHING WILLIE!
LEAD!
SHOW THIS TEAM YOU ARE NOT HAPPY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER!
Before they know your unhappy and helping you to the car with boxes from your office!
As Colonel Trautman told Rambo - It's over Johnny, IT'S OVER!!!!
What's wrong with not having homefield advantage when you're that much better on the road?
I wonder if Howie said "YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE BOOK" last night.
Rick Peterson should go and motherhen the pens again.
ANALyze why the pitchers are not pitching well, and fix them up.
Met fans, come over to the dark side. We even have JOBA the HUT on our side. This little rebellion of yours is going to be crushed.
Willy has to go! He should go back to the Yankees to continue to hold hands with Torre on the bench.
Louvtemp
http://moreaboutmen.com/genre/rock-fusion/g103/