Hope you all had a great weekend. In the midst of my holiday activities, I attended this game and saw no prospects of interest. But my son got himself a Connecticut Defenders cap, sweatshirt and mini bat, so it was a good night, nonetheless.
So I was among the many who had a better weekend than Willie Randolph, and at this point, I'm not sure what's motivating the Mets to keep him as their manager. The team is absolutely going into the tank, as a return home didn't help last night.
It is far from too late to salvage this season. A good week against the right teams, and the Mets can bring themselves right back into the race. But I don't see that good week occurring on Randolph's watch. Too much has happened now. As Carlos Beltran admitted, the whole thing is a distraction. Even if Omar Minaya deserves some blame, as well, I don't see how this roster could be performing any worse than it has in the last calendar year.
I don't buy the notion that the Mets need a "fiery" manager. They just need someone who will retsore peace and a sense of purpose to the clubhouse. I think they have that person on their staff, in the form of bench coach Jerry Manuel. No, Manuel will never be mistaken for Billy Martin, or even Dusty Baker. He does have significant managerial experience, however, having guided the 2000 White Sox to an AL Central title in his third year on the job. And you can bet he won't be watching coverage of himself on SNY, taking notes and voicing complaints.
Then, this is what he told XM's "Baseball This Morning," yesterday: "Of course the New York media will blow it up that way. It was one simple question, 'Will you be interested?; I said, 'Well yeah, if something happens.' I didn’t say, 'Oh, gosh, yeah I’m campaigning, and I want that job!'"
Okay, now back to the Sirius interview: "There’s way too much talent there for them to be a game under .500 and to lose four in a row to the Braves. I think that they’ve just become complacent in some ways ever since their demise of last year. And if you look at Willie’s record, it is right around .500 since June of last year. And when you have that much talent, there are a lot more expectations than where they’re at right now.”
It's nothing short of disgraceful by Carter, who never had a shot at the job regardless.
I went to say hi to Mel Stottlemyre on Sunday morning, and the classy Stottlemyre, now the Mariners' pitching coach, said, wistfully, "We seem to be getting every team hot." Teams that are 18-34 tend to do that.
How about Sunday's game? The Yankees won because J.J. Putz tried to be a hero on Hideki Matsui's baby single, and because the great Ichiro Suzuki, of all people, didn't get a jump on Jose Molina's catchable fly ball that turned into a double.
Look, good teams capitalize on their schedule, and I think the Yankees are a good team. I just don't think they're a playoff team, and as Matthew Schweber writes here in his blog, the Yankees' second-half schedule is considerably more difficult than last year's. Remember, the Yankees' July-August 2007 surge came largely against teams like Kansas City, a much weaker Tampa Bay, and a weaker Toronto; they did sweep the Indians in a three-game August series in Cleveland, ironically.
Look at the Yankees' second-half schedule (here's the link to July - go onward for August and September). It won't be easy, especially if even some of these early surprise teams remain competitive.
I'm sticking with my preseason pick that the Blue Jays will win the AL wild card. Pitching has been king in this 2008 season so far, and as of this morning, the Jays have the third-best ERA in baseball and are tied for second in strikeouts.
Comments (24)
Ken - would you expect anything different from Carter? Frankly, I bet that Howard Johnson and wally backman feel the same way. At least Carter was right in saying the Mets are a .500 club over the past year.
Any tips/suggestions regarding the HOF weekend and interesting events? I'm going to stay with friends on the lake for two days. (And no, it is not to see Bowie Kuhn's induction!)
I'm sure HoJo and Backman do feel the same way, Bob, but they wouldn't be stupid enough to say it publicly, ya know?
I've never been to the induction ceremonies, although I have been in the area for induction weekend. Autograph-signing galore. I'm surprised you'd be anywhere in the state when Kuhn is inducted ;)
Ken...Beltran is right when he says the whole Willie fiasco is a distraction...Minaya's less than warm endorsement speaks volumes...dare I say that Willie could be gone by the weekend...would love to see Keith Hernandez as the new manager, but Minaya wont hire a big name.
Let's also replace Peterson with Darling.
It is an indictment of Omar that a team with a payroll at around 25 million has a better bench and bullpen than a team with a payroll well over 100 mill. Delgado is a disgrace. From his lack of effort to his attitude to him dogging it at every turn to his putrid defense. To his limp bat. I can't take it anymore. Please release him.
Poppy, neither Hernandez nor Darling is leaving the comfortable environs of the broadcast booth.
Beltran has been pretty distracted for much of the time he has been playing in Queens. Delgado as well. Maybe if they played up to the levels of their contracts there would be less distraction with Randolph and a more receptive audience watching them.
Ken, the Yanks will find a way to get into the playoffs. I don't know how, but they find a way to get there. The AL East is better this year granted. You figure the Red Sox will win the divison. The Rays have a very good young team, but they never been in this situation before. The Blue Jays have very good pitching, but their offense is shaky, especially without Vernon Wells, and they seem to falter in the 2nd half of the season. Push come to shove the Yanks will beat the Jays. And the Orioles will falter in the 2nd half as usually. The AL Central will beat each other up. And in the AL West, I don't see the A's or Rangers being there at the end.
Bring in my old teammate and roomie Bob Brenly!
Someone needs to truly take the temperature of the team. If these players want Willie to stay, and want to win for him, then let him stay. But if they feel like he's not getting the job done, or they've lost confidence in him, then let him go. I'm not sure how much you can really blame or praise a manager for what happens on the field. Last night Reyes hits two home runs, but Beltran makes an awful play in the outfield. Willie isn't responsible for either thing.
I was at the Mets' game last night and the crowd was hilariously down, then up, and then waaaay down. Marlins score early... crowd grows restless... Reyes belt his first home run... crowd goes nuts... cheers him wildly when he takes his second at-bat... Go insane after the second bomb... And then the Mets lose the lead, they boo Delgado harshly (he eyeballed a little kid walking back to the dugout like he was going to rip his throat out and eat him), they turn vicious, and about the sixth inning, with the beer firmly soaked into their bodies, they start up their "Fire Willie!" chant.
Best sign of the night goes to the guy who had one that said "Don't Free Willie."
Hernandez and Darling aren't up to the jobs of MLB manager and pitching coach. Manuel would be an excellent choice for the remainder of the season, and perhaps beyond.
I saw Carl Everett play late last week in a LI Ducks game in Central Islip, NY. He is about 50 pounds overweight. It was sort of sad to watch.
I agree the Yankees will most likely miss the playoffs, but I am feeling better about the team and Cashman's overall plan. After having studied the minor league system pretty closely and really looked over the stats and backgrounds of players, I think the club is well positioned right now. Some of these guys are going to make the big leagues. Some have value as part of package deals. The Yankees have $84 million coming off the payroll next year and another $25 million (Damon and Matsui) after 2009. They are going to get younger and can use the payroll flexibility to address historical problems.
It's hysterical reading Mets players comments on Willie. They all should be in hiding considering their terrible play. I don't like the Wilpons, but I almost feel bad for them with this crew.
I listened to the Yankees on radio on Sunday while working in my yard. If there is a worse announcer than Jon Sterling I am not aware of it. The guy had to reverse several calls after calling people either out or safe, had to call off several catches, got the count wrong more than once, he even said it was Cano that got the key hit, instead of Molina. He went through his whole Don't you know, it's Robby Cano, lines twice and then had to sheepishly correct himself. The guy is a disgrace and considering his towering ego I don't know how they fit 100 fans in the Stadium, let alone 50K plus.
It is a joke that Omar is not in jeapordy. He brought Delgado and Castillo over. Signed Castillo to a ridiculous contract. Bid agaisnt himself for Pedro and Beltran. Did great getting Maine, but lost Bannister. And his Big Brother style has really clamped on what Willie can do.
Though Willie needs to go...they ABSOLUTELY need a fiery manager. This team refuses to try and I cant see a calm manager changing that. Don't get me wrong, if Joe Torre comes in maybe he would have their respect but he's not available.
Wally Backman would be perfect for this job...but he's not politically correct enough.
Hey Ken, Go look up the Blue Jays record the last 3 years after the All Star break.The Jays seem to faded after the All Star break the last 3 years.
Message to Jim, you already have given up on the season for the Yanks. You tell me what team in the AL will beat out the Yanks to get into the playoffs?
I said they "will most likely miss playoffs." Isn't that a hedge? Ken pointed out why they face problems, namely the second half schedule is more difficult than the first half one. Will Mussina win 15 plus games? Will Hughes return and start winning? Will Kennedy start winning? Those are big question marks.
Richie, does "politically correct" now mean "one who hasn't been arrested for a domestic dispute"?
Jim, Neil Best has some funny stuff on Sterling's weekend on his Watchdog blog.
Dennis, here are the Blue Jays' post-All-Star-break records from the prior three years:
2005: 36-38
2006: 38-36
2007: 40-35
Ken, other than injures, explain to me how the Blue Jays seem to underachive after the All-Star break, while the Yanks get hot after the break the last 3 years.
Because the Yankees had better, deeper rosters than the Blue Jays the past three years, Dennis. It's my contention that, this year, the Jays have the better, deeper roster.
Ken you wrote, "Richie, does "politically correct" now mean "one who hasn't been arrested for a domestic dispute"?"
No. If the Wilpons say they wont hire someone because of that, awesome. I love it. Though I'd ask why they would hire Darryl Strawberry on SNY if they were really against domestic dispute.
What I meant by the politically correct remark is, Backman isn't polished. He's gung-ho, cares more about winning than perception. He's not GQ. He's gruff. And my perception of the Wilpons is, they care more about their perception than they should. New York dont care how ugly you are, just try.
Outside of Fernando Tatis, I haven't noticed a Met who hasn't loafed this year. Wally Backman would help the cause.
Fair enough, Richie. Thanks for the clarification.
Bob - re: Cooperstown - I am sure you know your way around there pretty well. Every memorabilia related store (and there are plenty) will be hosting Hall of Famers and other baseball greats (i.e. Pete Rose). So, there are tons of informal opportunities to mingle, talk, etc. But, probably the best place will, as usual, be the Otesaga Hotel. The place will be loaded wth Hall of Fame players, managers, writers, etc. Go there for lunch, dinner or a drink. Hang in the lobby. It is awesome to watch who walks through. These people love being recognized and are more than willing to talk. Many feel bad when they aren't recognized. The oldtimers are great people to have a conversation with. I have spoken with many. Bobby Thompson is one of the best.
Ken, some of your collages have talk about the National League starting to catch up with the American League. I' ll take the NL seriously if they win the ALL-Star Game this year at Yankee Stadium. Also the Blue Jays offense stinks compare to the Yanks. You figure the Yanks will score more runs than the Jays. And one more thing, if the Mets keep being SOFT, inconsistant, and up and down play all the way to the All-Star break, how long before Fred and Wilpon start to shake things up and make some changes like firing Willie or trading or cuting players?
Jim - thanks for.the note. I love the Otesaga and hope that it won't be too crowded. A drink in the rocking chairs on the back porch would be the best!!
Well, Dennis, after tonight's win, I'd say Willie will get the rest of the homestand - and probably onto next week in San Francisco, so he can get a Pedro Martinez start. But the situation is volatile. Willie appeared in good shape after the two-game sweep of the Yankees, only to shoot himself in the foot with his infamous comments.
I have never been to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame ceremony but I am tempted just for the spectacle of seeing Bowie Kuhn inducted. Just who are the members of the Veteran's Committee who made this night necessary? Have any of them given any interviews explaining why they did?
I don't want to paint Kuhn's reign as one of solely errors. He did have some good ideas: let the fans vote for the starting lineups of all star games (a flawed plan that invites ballot stuffing that Richard Daley would have loved. But what else is the fan ever expected to do but pay?). Playing some World Series games at night for the working man can see is a good idea (I am always amazed at the number of writers who think average people can take two weeks off to watch sports. Kids listening to day games at schools? What schools? None of the public schools I had except for one study hall teacher who let me listen to Al Weis tie up game 5 in 1969). Unlike Pete Rozelle who did nothing to get NFL teams to hire Black head coaches, Kuhn made an effort with some limited success in Robinson, Doby and the worst manager ever Maury Wills. Kuhn had a strike wipe out two months in 1981 (and put in an idiotic split season that was poorly conceived so best records St Louis and Cincinnati didn't make the playoffs).
But it would be interesting to find out what standards the Veteran's Committee has for electing people. It's a shame Marvin Miller and Charlie Finley weren't put in too. Now that's a trifecta that defined 1970s baseball.
Maybe with Kuhn's election, that will pave the way for M Donald Grant's enshrinement.