This morning, Omar Minaya joined Boomer and Carton of WFAN to talk about the outfield situation, Jose Reyes slamming down his glove, and whether or not the Mets are in the trade market. To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.
So most Mets fans wanted Willie whacked and those of you who wanted that got their wish. The only improvement since then is the play of Jose Reyes. Reyes has decided to finally play baseball once Jerry Manuel took over which is another reason why this guy is so hard to root for. Otherwise, the team is playing exactly the same under Manuel as they did under Willie.
Last night, Manuel took Johan Santana out of the game against the Phillies after pitching eight innings. The score was 2-2 at the time, and Manuel brought in Duaner Sanchez to save the game but ended up giving a two-out RBI single to Shane Victornino. It was a very questionable move Mets fans because Santana only had 95 pitches when he was taken out. We know that Willie would’ve taken Johan out too. So what’s different? Absolutely nothing. The Bullpen still couldn’t save the game. It’s the same problem as last season. The Bullpen was smokin’ until July of 2007, and then they couldn’t hold a lead the rest of the season. Since I’m such a realistic Mets fan, I saw the collapse coming a mile away. It began in July, and I knew that the Mets wouldn’t have been able to do anything in the Playoffs if they ended up making it. Of course I thought that they would’ve made the Playoffs, but I saw the flaws and knew that they would’ve been outed in the first round. We were hoping that Sanchez would’ve come back and pitch like he did in ‘06. Omar brought in Matt Wise in the offseason. Duaner’s return didn’t live up to the hype, and Wise hasn’t done much of anything before being placed on the DL.
My point has always been that this is on the players. It doesn’t matter if Willie or Jerry is the Coach. I also heard on WFAN that Willie wasn’t able to punish Reyes whenever Reyes acted up because Minaya said that Reyes was too valuable to the team. So Jose has gotten away with whatever he wanted. You can see on the field that Reyes’ immaturity has regressed. He never showed it until he was benched by Willie for not running out a few ground balls last year. These on-the-field temper tantrums are current because Reyes never did that in his first few seasons. Now, the Mets fired the Manager who did the right thing by benching him so Jose can continue to feel like he’s bigger than the team. I’ve got a huge problem with all of this. The Phillies had no problem benching Jimmy Rollins for not running out a ground ball, and Rollins was the MVP last year. Jimmy said he deserved to be benched. So why can’t the Mets do this? Why can’t Reyes handle being benched? I have no idea, but the Mets have to do something with Reyes. I know that Jose puts up great numbers when it doesn’t matter a la A-Rod, but where was Reyes in the ‘06 Playoff, in September ‘07, and in the first half of ‘08? He’s nowhere to be found when there’s pressure or criticism which means he lacks Rocky Balboa heart. It’s a shame with all of that talent. Just like Lorenzo said to Calogero in A Bronx Tale, “There’s nothing worst than wasted talent.”
Mets.com released the comments made by Fred Wilpon about Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya after a news conference at the commissioner’s office.
I think Willie did a good job. I think that the results the last, say, 14 months were not up to what we thought it had to be. What Omar finally decided was that he had to make that change.
Obviously, we’ve been playing well in the last few games.
He [Omar Minaya] called me at the end of the doubleheader and asked me whether we can meet. He told us what his recommendation was going to be, and that what he wanted to do was replace Willie and replace the two coaches, and that he wanted to do it expeditiously. He wanted to do it in person. And he said, just like he always does, trades and everything else, he said, `I want to just think about it overnight.’
Management and the owners approved of what his plan was, so we were OK with the switch and we were OK with his recommendation, and he implemented that recommendation.
The intent here clearly was to respect Willie, to respect his feelings and to do it in person. It’s never easy to fire anybody. Believe me, it is not easy to do, and Omar took a lot of time. We took a lot of time listening to him and thinking about it.
It’s all a matter of performance, and Willie knew this when he started. Recognize we gave Willie the chance — Omar gave Willie the chance to be in this position. He had never been a manager in the Major Leagues or Minor Leagues.
I think Omar has done a great job. Everybody who makes decisions is not going to make all right decisions. He has made some great decisions. … Our Minor Leagues are in much better shape than is being reported.
It sounds like bunch of Malarkey to me. I don’t understand how Willie did a ‘good job’ while Minaya did a ‘great job’ when they share the same record. Both of them were responsible for the ups and the downs. I believe that Omar has to take more blame than Willie for giving him too many old players that cannot contribute on a daily basis. I’m also not sold on Wilpon’s comment on the farm system. If it was stronger than the Mets would be able to start getting rid of the bums in the clubhouse. We saw how nobody wanted the Mets prospects last offseason. Are Wilpon’s comments about that to the fans or to the other GMs? Did Randolph oversee the farm system? No. It’s all on Omar now.
Willie Randolph told Wayne Coffey of the New York Daily News his side of the story. I highly recommend that you read the entire article because it’s really interesting. It is three pages long on their site so I’m just going to pick out some interesting comments…
Anyway, when I walked into the room Omar asked me to sit down. He sat right across from me. He started talking about how the team was underperforming, how it needed to turn around.
He said it was time to make some changes, and I waited for him to talk about whacking Rick and Tommy, but he just kept talking, for a minute or two, maybe longer, about how the team was better than it was playing, about all the stories that were out there and the cloud hovering over the team.
As Omar went on and on, looking very uncomfortable, this weird chill started to course through by body. I could feel myself going cold. He kept talking, almost stammering, and the chill got worse.
Suddenly, it occurred to me that maybe he was talking about me. Maybe I was the one about to get whacked.
Finally, I stopped him. I looked right at him.
“Omar, are you firing me?” I asked. He looked away for a minute and then met my eyes. “Yeah, I’m going to make a move,” he said. “It’s a hard decision, but I have to make it.”
We started going back and forth a little about everything, but this wasn’t a time for any heated postmortems.
“You don’t have to say anything more, Omar,” I said. “I came here to win, and if you don’t feel I’m the guy to get that done, then it’s your right to make a change. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity you gave me. I want you to know that.”
I stood up and shook his hand, told him I wished him and the team well. Then he handed me an envelope, a little parting gift, and told me to make sure I reviewed it with my agent, Ron Shapiro.
It was a copy of my Met contract that basically says I better not say anything detrimental about the team, or I might jeopardize the rest of the money I have coming to me.
Obviously, that was Willie’s version of actually getting fired. In this article, Randolph walks us through his entire tenure as a Mets manager. It was more like a closing statement to the fans. The Mets completely screwed up by firing him this way. I feel very bad for Willie and wish he was still the manager. Like I said before, I would rather have heard Omar admit how much he messed up by bringing in old guys that cannot contribute. I wish that Omar would bring in championship talent rather than saying that the team he assembled has it. I don’t want to hear the lies Mr. Minaya. I have already seen the core players (Beltran, Delgado, Reyes, and Wright) not be able to go deeper into the Playoffs in ‘07 than they did in ‘06. There didn’t even make the Playoffs in ‘07. I already saw this team play soft in ‘08 after the collapse in ‘07. Champions would play like they have somthing to prove regardless of who the manager is. What about this core is championship calibur Omar? I want Omar to be fired.
Unfortunately, Jerry Manuel lost his Mets debut even with Santana on the mound. Santana didn’t look good at all last night. I was pretty annoyed with how Jose Reyes handled him self when he was taken out of the game. Very classless, and that was in the first inning of Manuel’s debut. Reyes looked like a baby out there, and then he threw his helmet. I wish Jerry made an example of him. I know he said that Reyes’ behavior was unacceptable in the post game which is a start. Hopefully the Mets can get a victory tonight so they win the series.
Manuel’s managerial debut spoiled - Rhett Bollinger summarized last night’s Mets-Angels game.
Mets shift their focus to winning games - Rhett Bollinger wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Angels.
Omar deserves plenty of blame for Mets’ fiasco
Next nightmare will be Omar Minaya’s
Willie Randolph knew he was a ‘dead man walking’
New zookeeper for flawed Mets as Jerry Manuel inherits mess
KINGS OF QUEENS ACT LIKE CLOWNS
EAST RIVALS NOT PHIL-ING ANY SYMPATHY FOR METS
BIZARRE DAY HAS FITTING END - A FIASCO
New Mets Manager Mixes Intellect With Fire
Willie: ‘This happened way, way too early’ - Willie spoke extensively for the first time since being let go by the Mets, and Colin Stephenson captured his thoughts.
That has to have been one of the busiest days in Mets land in a long time. Unfortunately, three guys lost their jobs. It’s a new regime now. Jerry Manuel is the the interim manager of the Mets. That sounds bad, but what do you expect as a Mets fan?
Mets name Manuel interim manager - Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets promoted Jerry Manuel to interim manager.
Minaya explains Randolph’s dismissal
Manuel, Randolph share similarities
Mets fans react to Willie’s dismissal
Hurdle talks Randolph dismissal - Rockies manager Clint Hurdle had this to say about Randolph, “He’s a good baseball man. When a door closes for a man of his abilities, another one will open somewhere down the line.”
Mets face uphill climb in All-Star races - Anthony DiComo noted, “In the latest tally of online voting, released Tuesday by Major League Baseball, no Mets player is close to earning an All-Star start at his position.”
Williams proving he could be Draft steal - Kevin T. Czerwinski pointed out that the Mets’ 40th-round pick, Seth Williams, has been tearing it up in College World Series.
Mets sign, seal, deliver win for Pelfrey - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s Mets-Angels game.
DH offers Mets plenty of options - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Angels.
More than 21,000 miles on Mets since May 1 - David Lennon believes that the players are tired because they have traveled 21,611 miles since the start of May.
Pals go to bat for Willie Randolph
Derek Jeter calls Willie Randolph firing ‘unfortunate’
Fans quick to condemn Mets’ handling of Willie Randolph firing
Mets Put Him In. Is He Ready to Play? - Joshua Robinson asks, “Recently the question has arisen: How much does a weary, and slumping, David Wright really help the Mets?”
Jose Reyes pulled from the game, reacts angrily
Firings and Hirings: A complete look at the Mets eventful day - The Star-Ledger compiled dozens of articles about a very busy day in Mets history. If you check out the article then you will be able to read all of their articles about today.
Omar Minaya speaks at the press conference about the Mets’ firing of Willie Randolph.
So Willie managed to make it through the weekend after the Mets won the series against the Rangers two games to one. Now the Mets are in Cali to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or something like that. Not really sure what that means…lol. That would be like the New York Jets of East Ruthersford. No matter how you slice it or dice it, it just sounds dumb. The Angels went from representing the state to representing Anaheim to representing L.A. and Anaheim in my lifetime. Who knows what they did prior to that. Anyway, here’s the pitching probables for the series.
Mets heave sigh of relief with split - Marty Noble summarized the second Rangers-Mets game yesterday.
Team cycle becoming a factor for Mets - Jon Blau wrote up a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Angels and the Mets.
Late-inning heroics not enough - Jon Blau summarized the first Rangers-Mets game yesterday.
Church itching to be back with Mets - Ryan Church stated, “It’s progressing every day, it’s getting better. I haven’t had any spells or anything like that. It’s just one of those things now, waiting out time on the DL.”
Willie deserves better from Jeff Wilpon - Wallace Matthews wrote that,
No one with the Mets has told Randolph he’s in trouble, not to his face, anyway. He must read it in the papers, leaked through Wilpon’s media lapdogs, hear it on the radio, discern it in the lukewarm votes of confidence from his general manager and the ominous inaccessibility of his bosses.
Randolph gets on plane, going day to day - Mark Herrmann pointed out that,
Minaya was asked by reporters if Randolph and the coaching staff will be working when the team plays the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., tonight, and gave only this vague response: “Willie is our manager. That situation is always under evaluation.”
When he was pressed again about the manager and the coaches, Minaya kept repeating the same basic theme. “You know my feelings on it,” he said. “I think we’re not playing to our potential and I would like to leave myself room to evaluate these things.”
Nine years since last hit, Cancel gets a big one - Katie Strang covered Robinson Cancel’s big pinch hit two-run single off Texas starter Kason Gabbard to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning. Strang also pointed out, “Before his at-bat, fans were chanting Martinez’s name in hopes he’d get another at-bat during his first home start of the season, but fortunately for embattled Mets manager Willie Randolph, he did not oblige.” That was a gutsy move by Willie, and he’s lucky it worked out.
Rick Peterson, Tom Nieto facing ax but Willie Randolph safe - for now - Adam Rubin wrote,
Sources have told the Daily News that principal owner Fred Wilpon and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have authorized Minaya to make the call on whether to fire Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto. Bench coach Jerry Manuel would ascend to manager if Randolph is ousted, while Triple-A New Orleans manager Ken Oberkfell and pitching coach Dan Warthen would join the major league staff.
A team insider speculated that Randolph could survive a first round of firings, saying: “I think the coaches are in trouble. That may be the compromise for now.”
I have no idea how firing the first base coach is going to get this team rolling. Minaya has to realize that his players are the problem.
Mets bullpen finds a way to save face in second game vs. Rangers
Slow-footed Brian Schneider easily out at the plate - Now that was some poor base running by Brian Schneider.
Brooklyn Cyclones & Staten Island Yankees get farms up & runnin’
Die Hard Mets Fan would like to wish all of you a Happy Father’s Day. So the Mets get to play twice on Father’s Day as a result of last night’s rainout. I guess most of them won’t get to see their families unless they brought them to Shea. The Mets are getting rocked 8-2 right now in the Top of the 8th. Maine only gave up 3 runs until he got beat up in the 7th. Hopefully the second game will be much better than this one.
Pedro’s return parade rained on - Jon Blau reported that, “Saturday night’s game between the Rangers and Mets was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1:10 p.m. ET. Tickets for Saturday night’s game will not be honored at either of Sunday’s games, but can be used for any other game during the 2008 season — depending on availability.”
Nixon’s debut to come during twin bill - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for both of today’s games between the Rangers and the Mets.
An off-day not on Wright’s mind
Nixon arrives, but role on Mets up in the air
Drug secret helped Mets get Keith Hernandez - Steven Marcus pointed out that on,
The 25th anniversary of the most significant trade in Mets history includes a historic footnote. It might never have occurred if the Mets’ front office knew why the Cardinals were unloading Keith Hernandez.
Years before he became a central piece of the 1986 world champion Mets and gained iconic status in team history, Hernandez abused cocaine, an issue not publicly confirmed until Hernandez and several other players testified in the 1985 Pittsburgh drug trials.
I highly recommend that you read the entire article.
Ex-Met Backman has had one wild ride of late - Ken Davidoff ponders, “As Willie Randolph writhes on the Mets’ skillet, his job in serious jeopardy, it’s interesting to wonder whether Backman would be a candidate to replace him had he made different choices - and whether the Mets should give him a job somewhere in their organization now.”
Minaya’s full autonomy more like fool autonomy - Shaun Powell believes that Omar Minaya doesn’t want to fire Willie Randolph because that’s the manager he hired. Powell thinks that the Wilpons do want to fire Willie. Since Omar received full autonomy upon taking over, he would be acting as a puppet if he had to pull the trigger.
Schedule has been brutal to Mets
Randolph hanging on as Mets manager for now - David Lennon and Ken Davidoff wrote, “A person familiar with the situation said late Saturday that Randolph was not likely to be fired on Father’s Day and would be on board the team’s charter to Anaheim, Calif., later Sunday night. But the Mets are still seriously considering a plan to fire Randolph and pitching coach Rick Peterson in a last-ditch effort to revive this underachieving team.”
Rangers soak it all in at Shea - Roger Rubin explained that, “Five members of the Rangers starting lineup and a relief pitcher put on a show for Mets fans Saturday night at Shea and also showed New York what a team having fun looks like. After finding out the game had been postponed due to rain - it will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader beginning today at 1 p.m. - they made the drenched tarp on the field their personal Slip ‘N Slide before exiting to chants of “Let’s go Rangers!” The article contains pictures of the 5 Rangers sliding on the tarp, and it pretty funny.
Mets show interest in Rockies’ Brian Fuentes, but deal not close
NEVER MORE POPULAR, HERNANDEZ IS THE REAL MR. MET
25 BEST MOMENTS AT SHEA: NO. 15 - “The Mets seemed destined for the World Series in 2006 until they were cut down by the underdog Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. The series went to a decisive Game 7 at Shea Stadium, the first Game 7 there since the 1986 World Series.” That was depressing. It was like the MC pressed a mute button as soon as Beltran watched the called strike three go over the plate.
SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… Tom Seaver.
The beginning of a long (and potentially longer) day - Colin Stephenson provided the lineup for the first Rangers-Mets game of today’s double header.
Tonights game between the Rangers and the Mets was postponed due to the rain and thunderstorms. That sucks, I was all pumped up and ready to watch it. It began raining lightly a few hours ago, and then it kept getting heavier. The thunder has been really loud at times. Instead, SNY is airing a game between the Dodgers and the Mets that took place on 5/07/1991.
Perez poised in much-needed victory - Anthony DiComo summarized last night’s Rangers-Mets game.
Team player Anderson gives reminder - Jon Blau wrote up a pregame summary for tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Mets.
Mets ink first rounder Havens to deal - Jon Blau reported that Reese Havens and Brad Holt each signed contracts with the Mets yesterday. Havens was the 22nd overall pick in this year’s First-Year Player Draft. Holt was the 33rd pick in the Draft.
Willie focusing on job at hand - Willie said, “I can’t control what’s said or written. I just come to work ready to go. The nights are a little tougher to sleep, and you get up every morning ready to come out and try to find a way to do something to help the team win. It’s been really bizarre.” Omar said, Willie has my support. I believe that he’s going to get us to play better. I have full confidence that he’s doing everything he can.”
Alou reluctantly returns to disabled list - As expected, Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets officially placed Moises Alou back on the disabled list Friday with a strained left calf. DiComo also mentioned that the Metsies recalled Robinson Cancel from Triple-A New Orleans to take Alou’s roster spot.
It might be best for all to fire Randolph - Ken Davidoff says that, “there’s only one potentially high-impact move to make, and that’s firing Randolph and replacing him with Mets bench coach Jerry Manuel. And the Mets could do that as soon as Saturday.” I strongly disagree with Ken here because I don’t think that Manuel is the answer like I said yesterday.
THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what took place at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on June 14 of a year in the past. “June 14, 1997, at Shea Stadium: Mark Clark pitched seven strong innings and hit a home run off Tim Wakefield as the Mets defeated the Red Sox, 5-2.”
Mets are focusing on wins, not manager Willie Randolph
New York Mets News
