Die Hard Mets Fan

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.

REYES REWARDS MANUEL’S FAITH

MANUEL HIGH ON WARTHEN

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

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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.

Mets.com:

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.

Newsday:

Omar deserves plenty of blame for Mets’ fiasco

New York Daily News:

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

New York Post:

KINGS OF QUEENS ACT LIKE CLOWNS

EAST RIVALS NOT PHIL-ING ANY SYMPATHY FOR METS

BIZARRE DAY HAS FITTING END - A FIASCO

PETERSON DESERVED BETTER FATE

New York Times:

New Mets Manager Mixes Intellect With Fire

The Star-Ledger:

In this corner…

Willie’s side of the story

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.

More of the same in Manuel’s debut (a loss)

Willie not ready to talk

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Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reported that…

The Mets have fired manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto, the team announced shortly after 3 a.m. on Tuesday.

Bench coach Jerry Manuel has been named the team’s interim manager, while Ken Oberkfell, Dan Warthen and Luis Aguayo will join the staff.

That’s the extent of the article, but it’s 3:30 in the morning.  I’m sure there will be tons of articles in a few hours.  I’m upset that the Mets fired Willie, I don’t care one way or the other about Peterson or Nieto.  I’m actually glad that Nieto didn’t get fired by himself which was a rumor.  That rumor confused me because that wasn’t going to make an impact.

The Mets are very classless for firing Willie one night after he flew out to sunny southern California.  The Mets won their game, and three coaches got whacked.  The Mets should’ve fired him at home over the weekend so he can go home and not be bothered.  I’m not looking forward to Jerry Manuel managing my boys in blue and orange.  It is one thing to upset me by firing a manager that I like, but it is another thing to lack class when firing him which is what just happened.  It’s twice as disappointing to me as a Mets fan.  Obviously, Willie has more class than the Wilpons will ever have.  The Wilpons handle things very poorly, and it diminishes my love for the franchise.  One example is how they handled the collapse…they ran and hid.

Like I said the other day, if the Mets fire Willie than I want Bobby V. not Jerry Manuel.  If only Omar had the cajones to admit that he gave Willie garbage to manage then this wouldn’t happen.  Let me know what you think about how the Mets handled this.

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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.

• 06/16/2008 - Mike Pelfrey (2-6) - Jered Weaver (6-6)
• 06/17/2008 - Johan Santana (7-4) - John Lackey (3-1)
• 06/18/2008 - Oliver Perez (5-4) - Jon Garland (6-4)

Mets.com:

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.”

Newsday:

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.

New York Daily News:

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’

The Star-Ledger:

Hola from the OC

Monday Morning Mets Thoughts

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As usual, the Mets were able to win the series against the D-Backs.  Even when the D-Backs (20-8) had the best record in the NL heading into the series.  That’s over and done with now.  Tonight, the Mets begin a three-game series with the Dodgers.  Here’s a look at the probable pitching matchups:

• 05/05/2008 - Oliver Perez (2-2) - Chad Billingsley (1-4)
• 05/06/2008 - Nelson Figueroa Jr. (2-1) - Hiroki Kuroda (1-2)
• 05/07/2008 - John Maine (3-2) - Brad Penny (5-2)

 Mets feeling more than ‘all right’ - Anthony DiComo summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Diamondbacks.

Mets hoping Perez steps up - Anthony DiComo put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.

Next step for Pedro is facing hitters - Anthony DiComo found out that Pedro Martinez may begin facing hitters within a week.  Once Martinez faces hitters, the Mets will create a rehab schedule.

Newsday:

Church’s throw helps Mets top Diamondbacks - David Lennon also summarized yesterday’s Mets-Diamondbacks game.

Mets finally play projected opening day lineup - David Lennon noted that it took 29 games for the Mets to put their opening day lineup out on the field.

New York Daily News:

Mets rally in ninth, beat D-backs 5-2 on costly error and win series - Adam Rubin summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Diamondbacks as well.

Brian Schneider back as backstop for Mets, but shows rust

Matt Wise, Ramon Castro back soon - Adam Rubin reported that Matt Wise and Ramon Castro may be activated for this weekend’s series against the Reds.

New York Post:

PETERSON’S SILENT ON PITCHING WOES

RIGHT BACK ‘ATCHA - Bart Hubbuch provided a game recap for yesterday’s game.

New York Times:

In Matchup of Top Arms, Throw From Right Is Pivotal

The Star-Ledger:

Schneider back behind plate

Mets throw D’backs for loss

Final: Mets 5, D-Backs 2

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The biggest Mets story of the day is this bag of jewelry that was stolen from the hotel in Port St. Lucie.  Even though it happened to Burgos, I don’t consider it a sports story.  I think there is a big lesson to be learned about it.  Don’t bring $270K worth of jewelry to a hotel.  Leave about $260K of that at home.  I may be inclined to call a few buddies to take a vacation to Port St. Lucie.  When we get down there, we can probably get $250K worth of jewelry from each player on the Mets which is like winning the lottery.  

 Notes: Maine challenges on, off field - Marty Noble pointed out that John Maine is as cerebral in clubhouse as on diamond.

Newsday:

Mets’ Moises Alou gets out of bed hitting - David Lennon lets us know that the Mets are on a mission to won the division and more this season.

Notes: Freddy Garcia in no rush to sign - According to David Lennon, Freddy Garcia cannot pitch until late June or early July so Garcia is going to try to get a contract with a team in contention that needs to add a pitcher for a playoff run.  Further down in the article, Lennon wrote this about Ambiorix Burgos:

In a bizarre turn of events, Mets reliever Ambiorix Burgos had a bag containing $270,000 worth of jewelry stolen from his room at the team hotel on Tuesday only to have it returned later that day by someone who dropped it off at the front desk. According to the Palm Beach Post, the bag contained rings, bracelets, chains and watches. The newspaper also reported that several hours after hotel employees were interviewed about the theft, a man showed up and tossed the bag on the counter, jumped into an SUV and left without talking to police.

Am I the only person that thinks it’s a little bizarre to carry a bag around with $270K worth of jewelry?  Am I the only one that has no compassion for Burgos having his jewelry stolen because he actually brought $270K worth of jewelry in a bag to a hotel?  I think the thief was the only one because he gave it back.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon spotted Rick Peterson without his jacket.  That’s pretty funny.

New York Daily News:

Jimmy Rollins: Phils can win 100 games - Jimmy Rollins strikes back.

Moises Alou may play until he’s 45 - Moises said he would like to play as long as he has the fast hands needed to hit.

Mets meet with Freddy Garcia - Adam Rubin covered the meeting that took place yesterday between the Mets and Freddy Garcia.

Ambiorix Burgos gets bling relief

New York Post:

SOME SPRING IN THEIR STEP - Bart Hubbuch wrote about how Alou is feeling young again.

FAITHFUL FANS FLOCK TO EMBRACE POST-COLLAPSE METS

METS NOT READY FOR FREDDY

New York Times:

The Oracle of the Phillies Has the Last Words

Valentín Wants Chance to Make a Difference - Ben Shpigel tells you how Valentin plans on doing that.

Jewelry of Mets Reliever Is Stolen From His Hotel

The Star-Ledger:

Jewelry heist update

What Describes a True Shea Stadium Experience? - That’s an excellent question…

Alou clutching to career

Burgos’ jewelry swiped

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