I want to start this post by saying to my friend 4u that I am NOT starting this thread to quote "rub it in" about the Mets. Am I happy that the Braves did well this week? Of course. That, however, is not the purpose of this thread.
As most baseball fans who live in the NY area are probably aware, there was much said in the media after last night's Mets loss, about the job status of manager Willie Randolph. My personal opinion, is that the Mets should retain Willie, and try to work their way out of the team's current slump.
At the present time, the Mets have Pedro Martinez on the DL. They have also lost Orlando Hernandez for likely the rest of the season. Their other starting pitchers, particularly Mike Pelfrey, have been very inconsistent. Their 1st baseman, Carlos Delgado, is hitting around 230.
While Willie Randolph is not the type of guy or manager to quote "Tear up the clubhouse" after losses, as his former Yankee manager Billy Martin often did when Willie was a player, it does not mean Willie doesnt deeply care about his team. The fact is, while the Yankees had much success during Willie's days as a player, and a coach under manager Joe Torre, Torre is not the type of guy who would rip his players either if the Yankees weren't playing well. Willie coached under this style of managing for nine years with Joe Torre, and it likely was an influence on him.
My team, the Braves, have had a very inconsistent three years, including this year. I never once heard anyone say "Bobby Cox should be fired because the Braves are at 500", which is just about where they've been since the 2006 season. Are people supposed to say that Bobby is responsible for Mike Hampton being the worst investment in baseball history, and being injured all the time, or for John Smoltz's shoulder problems, and the fact that he will likely never start a game again, or that Mike Gonzalez had Tommy John surgery, or that Rafeal Soriano has had a bad arm? The manager can only do so much.
Fact is: While all baseball teams have injuries, Willie hasnt had Pedro healthy really since 2005. El Duque, in spite of his age, was supposed to be a major piece of their pitching puzzle. I dont see what Willie, or any other manager, could do differently, to change the situation.
Were I the Wilpons, I would retain Willie. It is only May, with four months of baseball left. The Mets are a very talented team, with a very dangerous lineup. I say, wait til Pedro returns, see if Delgado snaps out of his slump, wait until at least, the All star break, to make any decision. Fact is, no one in the NL East is playing wonderfully. You might have a division with four 80 odd win teams in the Mets, Phillies, Braves, and Florida, where the division champ wins no more than 90 games.
So, those are my thoughts. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Mitch
As most baseball fans who live in the NY area are probably aware, there was much said in the media after last night's Mets loss, about the job status of manager Willie Randolph. My personal opinion, is that the Mets should retain Willie, and try to work their way out of the team's current slump.
At the present time, the Mets have Pedro Martinez on the DL. They have also lost Orlando Hernandez for likely the rest of the season. Their other starting pitchers, particularly Mike Pelfrey, have been very inconsistent. Their 1st baseman, Carlos Delgado, is hitting around 230.
While Willie Randolph is not the type of guy or manager to quote "Tear up the clubhouse" after losses, as his former Yankee manager Billy Martin often did when Willie was a player, it does not mean Willie doesnt deeply care about his team. The fact is, while the Yankees had much success during Willie's days as a player, and a coach under manager Joe Torre, Torre is not the type of guy who would rip his players either if the Yankees weren't playing well. Willie coached under this style of managing for nine years with Joe Torre, and it likely was an influence on him.
My team, the Braves, have had a very inconsistent three years, including this year. I never once heard anyone say "Bobby Cox should be fired because the Braves are at 500", which is just about where they've been since the 2006 season. Are people supposed to say that Bobby is responsible for Mike Hampton being the worst investment in baseball history, and being injured all the time, or for John Smoltz's shoulder problems, and the fact that he will likely never start a game again, or that Mike Gonzalez had Tommy John surgery, or that Rafeal Soriano has had a bad arm? The manager can only do so much.
Fact is: While all baseball teams have injuries, Willie hasnt had Pedro healthy really since 2005. El Duque, in spite of his age, was supposed to be a major piece of their pitching puzzle. I dont see what Willie, or any other manager, could do differently, to change the situation.
Were I the Wilpons, I would retain Willie. It is only May, with four months of baseball left. The Mets are a very talented team, with a very dangerous lineup. I say, wait til Pedro returns, see if Delgado snaps out of his slump, wait until at least, the All star break, to make any decision. Fact is, no one in the NL East is playing wonderfully. You might have a division with four 80 odd win teams in the Mets, Phillies, Braves, and Florida, where the division champ wins no more than 90 games.
So, those are my thoughts. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Mitch
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