So when's the team meeting in Atlanta?
That's the first thing I jokingly asked David Wright after last night's 11-2 crushing of the Yankees. He laughed. Even Wright, who said on Friday that he's not big fan of team meetings, can't deny that the group therapy the Mets practiced at the start of the Subway Series must have helped in some respect.
Who knows? Maybe the bond between the Mets did get a little tighter after they aired their grievances during Friday's closed-door session in the visitors clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. If you watched closely after home runs by Wright and Jose Reyes this weekend, the two did "hug-it-out" as part of the celebration. Check the video. Ari Gold would be proud.
Am I ready to say the Mets are healed after the two-game mini-sweep of the Yankees? Not quite. They certainly provided a stay of execution for manager Willie Randolph, who was on shaky ground at the start of the Subway Series, but we'll see how long this lasts with the Mets having to play four games against the Braves in three days this week at Turner Field. I do like their chances in Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader with old friend Tom Glavine on the mound. That could be ugly.
There's plenty to sift through this morning, and for a change, it's all pretty much good news from the Mets' perspective. And how often can we say this: it was a good weekend for Carlos Delgado. Well, after Billy Wagner's apology anyway. Delgado gets the huge RBI single off Joba Chamberlain on Saturday, then shakes off the umpire's blown call on Sunday to deliver again. It's been impossible to read Delgado this season, but at least he's up to .230 now. That's progress from where he's been.
Not sure how I feel about bench coach Jerry Manuel getting tossed instead of Randolph in the aftermath of Delgado's non-homer. Maybe it would have satisfied his critics if Randolph got tossed, but in the end, what does it really accomplish? If you can't get the call changed, what's the point?
Despite complaints of general soreness, Moises Alou chipped in last night with three RBI. As long as that guy can stand up, he can hit. Probably not good that Alou says he feels sore when it rains. That could be a problem in October.
Check out Ken Davidoff's column this morning on Jose Reyes, who watched video yesterday instead of LeBron dropping 45 on the Celtics. If you watched last night's game on ESPN, then you saw Roderick Boone doing the reporter thing out by the leftfield foul pole. Way to hustle, Rod. After his TV cameo, Boone filed all the details from that brutal call by umpire Bob Davidson.
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Comments (8)
Personally, I don't think it's a big deal that Willie didn't get tossed after the botched home run call. I wouldn't expect him to anyway. He's not Bobby Cox and he never will be.
What is concerning to me is that Willie continues to bat Delgado seventh and Brian Schneider eighth. There's no way that Delgado deserves to be batting higher than Schneider. Willie's unwavering adherence to "veteran hierarchy" has been hurting the team since he got here. Remember how long it took him to move David Wright from the bottom of the order when he started playing regularly?
WE HAVE TO TAKE 3 OUT OF 4 FROM ATL
WE HAVE TO TAKE 3 OUT OF 4 FROM ATL
I disagree about Willie. Sometimes, you have to get tossed so you can earn some respect from the umpires. This is no different than going before a judge in a courtroom. From time to time, judges bait you by making unfair rulings to see if you have the nerve to argue your case. If you show them you have the guts to take them on, then you will earn their respect and get a few calls your way later in the case. Same thing with umpires. Willie's distaste for getting ejected hurt the Mets last night (fortunately Ollie and the offense made up for the blown call), and has hurt the call before (the ridiculous call last year when Marlon slid into Iguchi and the ump ruled a double play instead of a game tying RBI ground out, and Willie barely argued the call). I don't know if Cox and Piniella have intimidated the umps by their arguments and tirades, but at the very least they have earned the respect of the umps. The same can't be said of Willie who shut up when Davidson told him to, instead of getting ejected like his bench coach. The next time Davidson is out there, Willie should make it a point that Davidson owes him one.
YOU WILL NOT TAKE 3 OF 4 IN THE ATL!
is does matter that willie didnt get tossed and manuel did. my God argue once in a while. it gets respect from umps and for your players. thats why you argue. and in this case, if persuasive, i think you could have actually gotten a reversal of the call. he sat there like his usual zombie self. he has togo and fast. he stinks as a manager.
You won't even split in Atlanta. Your team, manager and fans, are all garbage.
I for one have been a die hard Met fan since 1962, I have lived & died with this team. BUT, they're still my team. Having said that, why would you fire Willie Randolph??. He's not hitting, fielding, running the bases. He can't play 25 positions. I blame the players, especially the bull pen. Yes, I would like to see them take 3 from Atlanta. Live in hope, die in despair!.Tell the big pay check players they need to step up. I would pay these guys at the end of a season, paid by production not what they did in the past. That doesn't cut it. Big contracts make them lazy, they'll get paid whether their hitting 350 or 195.
GET THE LEAD OUT METS BE THE TEAM YOU CAN BE.