How's this for timing? The Mets, in the midst of what already seems like their 10th crisis this season, must now deal with the Subway Series, a media-fueled spectacle that is the last thing they need at the moment. Before they even take the field against the Yankees, the Mets have plenty of their own internal issues to take care of -- Billy Wagner vs. Carlos Delgado, for instance.
It was only two weeks ago that Wagner called out Oliver Perez for essentially giving up against the Pirates, a matter that manager Willie Randolph addressed in a private meeting with the Mets closer. Randolph told Wagner that he didn't want teammates ripped publicly -- and yet here is Wagner doing it again. Not a good reflection on the manager, to be sure.
As my colleague Jim Baumbach points out in this morning's Newsday, the clock has officially started on Randolph. The manager's job was an interesting topic of conversation heading into this season, but yesterday definitely moved him into the crosshairs.
I was among the dwindling crowd early on that felt Randolph was safe as long as the team stayed above .500 and within a few games of first place. But now the same cracks that caused last September's collapse are beginning to show again and that tells me nothing has changed. Brutal losses to the Nationals? Players not standing up to the questions? Others pointing fingers? It looks like simply trading for Johan Santana was not the quick fix Mets ownership hoped it would be.
Remember the Mets' bloodbath during the 1999 Subway Series? That's when GM Steve Phillips fired all of Bobby Valentine's coaching confidants -- pitching coach Bob Apodaca, hitting coach Tom Robson and bullpen coach Randy Niemann immediately after the Saturday afternoon game. The difference this time is that GM Omar Minaya already axed Randolph's closest ally on the coaching staff last season when he fired Rick Down and replaced him with Howard Johnson -- and also made the terrible move of adding Rickey Henderson.
For those who want Randolph canned, and I'm not ruling that out as a possibility anymore, you can forget about any Mets icon taking over. If Randolph is removed, that job has to go to bench coach Jerry Manuel, who is universally liked and respected inside the clubhouse.Manuel also has a 500-471 career record from his days managing the White Sox. With a $140-million roster already in place, the Mets can't get too radical in selecting a replacement.
If you're looking for a distraction from this morning's fallout, read Neil Best's report from the cheap seats at Shea, where the SNY crew got all nostalgic watching yesterday's 1-0 loss to the Nationals from the same spot Gary Cohen spent his Mets-watching days as a youngster.
Comments (12)
The Willie poll for Mets fans. Where do you stand today?
http://www.polldaddy.com/p/615851/
All due respect, Mr. Lennon, Jerry Manuel is not the best candidate, IMHO. An equally easy and not at all radical choice is someone the Wilpons and Omar already have interviewed and have completed due diligence on : Texas Rangers batting coach Rudy Jaramillo.
He is smart, popular in the clubhouse and has tutored successful hitters, including one, BTW, that is entering free agency and who Jeff Wilpon is said to covet (according to the esteemed Jon Heyman:) Mark Teixeira.
Just a thought. Maybe two.
Willie has got to go. He has no fire. He is a class act and a respectable person, but not a good motivator. We need someone with some passion - i'm not saying Ozzie Guillen (although he would be entertaining at least), but someone who is not afraid to raise his voice a bit
Wagner is right, the bums (the Carlos's in particular) are NOT being held accountable. Wags & D-Wright are earning their money, as is Church...but the rest of those fools need to step it up - and Willie (and Omar) need to be the ones pressuring them.
Manny Acta., has been talked about here before...no thanks. Too player friendly (like Willie). Rudy J was considered before...what happend then?
(BTW no relation to David Lennon...but long lost cus', can you find me some good seats this summer?)
Beltran is getting a bum rap here...He had already spoken to the media after the game, explaining the base running issue in the 9th inning (He was running on contact, a call that came from the dugout, and the righ move to make. Unfortunately, the worst possible outcome occurred).
As for managers, I agree with David Lennon...You can't bring in a manager who is completely new to the organization mid season, should Willie get the ax. I'm fairly certain that in this case, Jerry Manuel will get the tag as interim manager (though you've got Ken Oberkfell on the sidelines, but I think it would be a stretch). Acta would be an interesting choice, as the front office loves him, but I highly doubt he'd be a midseason replacement.
Here's an interesting proposition: How about Manuel takes over as manager and Jose Valentin becomes his bench coach? Valentin has a great relationship with many of the players and he's just about retired anyway. Just kicking it around ...
Valentin would make an excellent coach but Jerry Manuel is simply another Art Howe. The Mets don't need another bland manager. The risk is a Citi Field debut on the heels on consecutive disappointing seasons...the Wilpons surely don't want that. This is why you can (and should) bring in a manager who is new to the organization. It's radical for the Mets but some outside-the-box thinking is needed now.
Roberto ... Please don't compare Jerry Manuel to Art Howe. Trust me on this one. Howe was a complete, utter disaster. Manuel is an intelligent baseball guy who is well-liked and respected in the Mets clubhouse. At this stage of the season, it would be very difficult to bring someone in from the outside. I'm not saying Manuel has to be the manager next season as well, but he would be a solid transitional choice.
David, Manuel would make a fine *transitional* manager, granted. He had better have a tough hide, though.
Six seasons managing the White Sox. That's no picnic, either. Manuel has a much thicker skin than Randolph, let me assure you of that.
OK. Will wait and see, of course, what transpires. Perhaps Manuel could motivate Jose Reyes, which would be a welcome event. Naturally, he could do that *now.* Back to having Jose Valentin as a coach: that is really intriguing. Have always admired his grit.
Gee, how many of the same people who thought Bobby V. was too fiery are complaining now about Randolph being too calm?
Loved the V, hate Yankee Willie, how about we maker Wags a player-manager. He can sit on the bench for the first 8 innings, and most folks like the way he airs out the bitches. Scary, he sounds exactly like Lo Duca did last season, and we know how that turned out.