Now that Willie Randolph has apologized for his controversial comments, is somebody going to step up and say they're sorry on behalf of the entire Mets team? I'm not sure which is more insulting -- Randolph blaming the media or the $140-million Mets pretending to be a contending baseball team. I mean, who are they kidding?
In the first three games of this series, all Braves' wins, the Mets have been outplayed in every facet of the game. Their offense has been shut down by 42-year-old Tom Glavine, journeyman Jorge Campillo and Jair Jurrjens, who beat the Mets for the second time this season. They have been outscored 23-7 and three of those runs came during what was essentially garbage time of last night's 11-4 loss.
What gives? Luis Castillo can't make a routine play on Mark Teixeira's routine grounder to help out Mike Pelfrey and that leads to three runs that never should have happened. Endy Chavez makes his first error in three years in the middle of another three-run inning. Jose Reyes reaches base four times, has two hits, a walk, steals a pair of bases and scores once.
Lest I forget, Moises Alou walked off the field in the middle of the third inning after suffering what he thought was a cramp in left calf. Instead, it's a strain, something that he's been playing with for the past three or four games, and now he's in New York this morning for an MRI and further tests. Alou said he was hoping for a "miracle" but it's likely to cost him some time.
Maybe Ryan Church will be ready to return tonight after suffering a mild concussion, but that sounds a little early to me, despite yesterday's optimism.
Comments (8)
Things need to change, quickly. No reasong to worry about embarassing Willie by removing him before he gets to coach in the All Star Game, the Mets and Willie have embarrassed themselves enough. In addition, the team is playing "flat," Reyes is not the same without Jose Valentin around (make him a coach?) and Peterson has not done enough with Heilman, Pelfrey, etc to warrant his keeping his job. Under HoJo, the players seem to be overly aggressive and go up hacking. I think Conti is safe, due to his ties to Pedro. HoJo might stay on, due to his ties with Wright but I think Willie, Rick, Alomar and maybe HoJo are gone. Poor Tom Nieto, he's done nothing to anyone, and might lose his job in the housecleaning. We need coaches and a manager who can motivate, and I don't feel Willie is able to do that. His coaches are a reflection of him, with the exception of Manuel, who may be given the interim job. Bobby V always seemed to do well with "lesser" talents, like those that surround Reyes and Wright. Wally Backman has won everywhere he has gone.
I think it is not a question of when and not if for Willie. He's done. They might let him finish out the road trip, but I think he will not be in the dugout when the Mets return to Shea to play the Marlins.
As for a replacement, the type of manager the Mets need they won't get. Bobby V left on such poor terms that I don't see the Wilpons offering him the job or Bobby V accepting it. Wally Backman had all those personal issues that the D-Backs ended up withdrawing their managerial offer to him. If his problems were too difficult for a team playing in the middle of the desert, I don't see the Wilpons risking them in the largest media market. And another candidate, Davey Johnson, wore out his welcome with the Wilpons who seemed to blame him for the rampant drug and alcohol problems on the roster during his tenure. No, Manuel will get the interim job and if the team wins, he'll keep it into next year. If not, they'll conduct a massive search and end up with another Art Howe, Jeff Torborg or Willie Randolph. I think the Wilpons and Omar are afraid of giving the team to another Type A personality manager which is unfortunate, because they are wasting the prime of Wright, Reyes, Maine and Santana.
Willy did not give Catillo a four year deal.....Willy did not leave the team after last years collapse....Willy did not bring back the same pathetic bullpen. Willy did not just target LAtino's and cause the fraction in the clubhouse....Willy did not spend 140million and have a bunch of old men that get hurt when the wind blows....
FIRE OMAR....Bring in a new GM and let him pick his mgr....
NO WAY SHOULD OMAR GET A PASS HERE !!!! He spent like a drunken sailor and RUINED our fram system.....FIRE HIM TODAY !!!
anyone think that the mets lineup is just not that good .... wright and reyes have been hitting good this month ...... but delgado, castillo ..... terrible ... and beltran needs to get clutch hitting and starting hitting some homeruns .... i could see the mets wiht another lost 2night ... but hopefully not .
I've been saying the same thing about Jose' Valentin for months now. Ever since he broke his leg, Reyes hasn't been the same. The SNY broadcast crew even made mention of that last night. I thought I was going to fall off the couch when I heard that line of reasoning come up. the Mets need to find a way to get him on the coaching staff. I believe his absence is the major reason for Jose' decline over the last year.
LOL!!!! I'm loving this!
But wait.....The Mets are the best in the NL!!!! LMAO
We wouldn't be taken seriously if we were one of those writers who point all the blame at one-person. The basics reminds us that it's a team sport, therefore, we want to see each-and-every team member to be held accountable, day-in and day-out.
Neither Omar nor Willie has acted alone with what has been nothing short of a nightmare since last-season. They're both accountable for their own reasons. The players are accountable as well, so they're ridin' the accountability train along with all personnel.
Nevertheless, my writing would seem boring if I left it at that -- not making at least one-person out to be a big enough reason for having the pride of a NY Mets team continue putting-up "L's" on their score sheet. I truly believe we need to look at the leader accountable for the team -- Willie Randolph.
The closest contact with these players is the manager. The one-person who spends the most time with his or her team is the manager. I have Omar accountable for his actions, and I hold Omar accountable for making sure that Willie has support, guidance, and resources. The rest truly rests with the manager.
Let's analyze something that we can relate with other than professional sports. Our jobs. As an employee for a business, you're accountable for your job duties. As an employee, you're going to have someone in a leadership-oriented position that you will report to. The leader/manager who you report to will have their own contact(s) for guidance, leadership, and support. The Leadership Chain. It's quite simple to follow, and it's quite similar to professional sports.
The Metropolitan players are held accountable to produce. The players will have their, "supervisor," or to sound clearer -- a manager. Willie has his person on the leadership chain -- Omar Minaya. The breakdown is very clear, and as with any business, the person who is either near the top or on the top of their leadership chain will provide resources that trickle down the same leadership chain. Omar provided players. Willie provides the direct leadership to those players.
Willie is responsible for team and player motivation, team-building, support, and leadership. Willie is responsible to always be there for his players -- no matter what. The players, who buy into the motivational tactics and leadership, will want to play and win for their manager!
The efforts and accountability do not match-up with the requirements to be a successful team. We all know what waits around the corner when requirements are not being met, and the accountability level is lost.
It's about that time.