Thursday’s Mets News
There are two grimy articles about Tony Bernazard today. Bernazard was mentioned a few times in other articles as well. I only knew who he was by title. I knew he had a lot of power with the Mets, and I knew that he didn’t like Willie. These articles by Newsday and the New York Times really let us know more about Tony. None of the articles had anything good to say about it. I know we never wrote about him before.
Mets.com:
Manuel resting his stars for long haul
Manuel’s first win a sweet one - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s Mets-Angels game.
Mets in good shape if ‘pen is as well - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tomorrow night’s game between the Mets and the Rockies.
Manuel’s main rule: Play hard - Yesterday, Jerry Manuel stated, “I’m giving them some freedom. I don’t care what you look like, how your hair looks, your growth — it doesn’t matter to me. Just play hard.”
Randolph offers own version of events - Yesterday, Willie Randolph expressed his side of the story…
I thought he was talking about whacking a couple of my coaches. That’s why I was stunned. I didn’t think it was going to happen. At the time, I felt the way he was talking to me, that I was pretty secure for the time being, whatever that means.
This, really, in my mind, all happened way, way too early. We all know that baseball is a long season — it’s a marathon. For me, it’s a little abrupt, and I know that you can talk all you want to about expectations and stuff like that, but … I just wish I had the opportunity to see it through. That’s all.
I’m not ready to retire. When you get a taste of managing, it’s kind of cool. And I want to get back to doing that. We’ll see.
Newsday:
Perception on Mets’ Bernazard: He’s a bad, bad guy - A lot of people believe that Tony Bernazard played a role in the midnight massacre. When asked about it, Bernazard said “I’m not going to comment on it. I don’t talk about what we talk about internally. I’ve got a great reputation. I don’t have to defend myself against unfounded rumors.” Ken Davidoff did some digging on Bernazard’s reputation and found out that “The truth, however, is that Bernazard’s reputation has taken a pummeling. Take this for what it’s worth, but yesterday, I received two phone calls from industry contacts - the first, a longtime friend of many Hispanic players, and the second, a scout from an American League team. Both, unsolicited, brought up Bernazard, both professed to not know him and both offered the same sentiment: “I hear he’s a really bad guy.”"
Will ex-Mets manager Randolph get a second chance? - Ken Davidoff asked around the league to see if they believe that Randolph will get another shot at managing a ball club, and most of them think he will.
THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what took place at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on June 19 of a year in the past. “June 19, 1989, at Shea Stadium: Dwight Gooden wins his 100th career game, 5-3, over the Expos. His 100-37 career record is second only to Whitey Ford’s 100-36 start. Howard Johnson knocks in four runs with two homers.”
New York Daily News:
Jerry Manuel restart just what struggling Mets needed
Rick Peterson not bitter over Met firing
Jerry Manuel pitches in to help David Wright’s hitting
Goose Gossage brings heat on Jose Reyes’ dancing
New York Post:
INSIDE JOBBED - Bart Hubbuch and Joel Sherman pointed out that friends of Willie’s told The Post that Willie felt betrayed by Manuel.
VALENTINE FEELS FOR WILLIE - Bobby Valentine said, “I hope Willie is OK. I was fired during the season with Texas. It was not a fun time.”
The New York Times:
Bernazard Finds Himself in Middle of Mets’ Turmoil
The Star-Ledger:
Oblivious? Reyes’ mind-set not always obvious
The Mets picked up another ’w’ to give them their 10th in Spring Training. The Amazins’ are playing .625 ball right now. The regular season is right around the corner so let’s hope the Mets can continue to play hot baseball. We learned from last season that a 7 game wasn’t enough so I hope the Mets stomp the NL and get to a 14 game lead in 2008.
