Or at least that's how the outspoken Mets' closer viewed yesterday's awful 13-1 blasting by the Pirates. Billy Wagner seems to be channeling Cliff Floyd, circa 2004, when Floyd kept irritating the front office with comments like, "There ain't no light at the end of the tunnel." While that tweaked then-GM Jim Duquette, some of Wagner's comments come off like a 95-mph fastball fired at the manager's office.
"Yes, you're going to have games like this," Wagner said. "But it's the fashion in which you play these games. I mean, we weren't good at defense. We weren't good at pitching. There was no get-up-and-go. And that can't happen."
If a team's preparation, and mindset, get called into question, that falls on the manager, unfairly or not. I wouldn't be surprised if Wagner gets a talking-to from Randolph about his verbal jabs and I'm not sure what more Randolph can do. I'm beginning to think it's more about a lack of clubhouse accountability -- players calling out each other on these issues -- rather than heaving it all on the manager's shoulders.
Of course, it's the manager that always takes the fall in these circumstances, and if this type of behavior continues -- along with players pointing out a lack of focus -- then Randolph will have to start watching his back. It's a little early to consider Randolph's job in serious jeopardy. But this week's road trip through Arizona and LA is rough one, and the Mets can't afford to sleepwalk through it like they did for those two days in Chicago.
Here's more of Wagner's indictment of the Mets, as well as his rip job on Ollie, who was the worst offender in yesterday's debacle. On the roster front, it appears the Mets are leaning toward placing Brian Schneider on the DL, a move that would allow them to activate Moises Alou this weekend in Arizona. And Shaun Powell columnizes on David Wright, the teflon third baseman, who remains above the harsh treatment everyone else seems to get at Shea.
Comments (10)
Amen, Billy Wagner! over the first 20 some odd games i don't know which Mets team will show up. Remember last year! I assume every fan does. Every game is important as we found out. its not too early to light a fire! you aren't going to win them all, but you should play like you expect to!
I agree, if someone on the team didn't say anything soon then we would know what type of players we really have. Most of these guys are just collecting paychecks and don't care.
I was wondering what was bothering me about this and the thought came to to me that could not Wagner have taken Perez to the side and given him this talk? That is what REAL team leaders do, not diss and 'hate on their teamates to the press or leave notes on their lockers like a punk a$$ and not man up to doing it.
I agree with you, MJ. Wagner should reserve his "leadership" for the locker room. If he did his venting to reporters, that is actually a sign of dissension, not leadership. A leader brings a team together.
And I'd be rattled too if I got a double play ball and it was choked upon by Castillo.
bottom line-2 (TWO) hits,lousy pitching,less than adequate defense,this is last year all over again.can't anybody on this team hit?
Church is hitting well.
beltran is 6 for 48 and david wright is 4-32 .... can you say slump ... they are just some of the reasons the mets stink !!!!!
Team is old and boring. Same non clutch palyers. Castillo 4 yr deal is a joke. Delgado blows.
Actually, Wags and some of the other veterans went to Ollie before the game and told him the team needed innings. This is the second game in a row in which they had the talk with him. Ollie reminds me a lot of Sid Fernandez. A pitcher whose great stuff was better than his makeup, who was wild, inconsistent and tough to play behind. Right before the Castillo error, the radio commentators were saying that Ollie's wildness was taking a toll on the fielders, who were losing focus. As for falling apart after Castillo's error, the great pitchers work through adversity. Ollie is not a great pitcher. After watching him for the last 2+ seasons, I can see why he wore out his welcome in San Diego and Pittsburgh. In my opinion, he's not worth the 5 years, $15 million per he will be seeking as a free agent during the off season.
Manipulating a photo of Mr. Met to make him look sad is JUST PLAIN WRONG!