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Archive for the ‘Tony Bernazard’

Jerry Manuel Shuts Down Conspiracy Theory

June 21, 2008 By: Keith Category: Jerry Manuel, MLB, New York Mets, Tony Bernazard, Willie Randolph No Comments →

According to Anthony DiComo of Mets.com, a recent report in the New York Post claimed that Jerry Manuel had worked with vice president of player development Tony Bernazard to help oust Willie Randolph from his office.  This report also pointed out that Manuel and Bernazard has a lengthy conversation last week at Shea Stadium.  Manuel confirmed with the New York Post that he had a lenghty conversation with Bernazard, but the report offered no other evidence.

When asked about these rumors on Friday, Manuel said…

Me? I had a plan? I can’t entertain that because I couldn’t tell . . . what kind . . . I mean, I was a bench coach. That’s all I was. I was a bench coach. I never talked to you guys. You know, I was just a bench coach. I was trying to be the bench coach that I would want if I ever got a chance. Period. Because I know how that can work. Whatever you do to others will be done to you. You know what I’m saying? So I know how things work.

After that, Manuel was asked about his relationship with Willie.  Manuel said, “I was there for him for whatever he needed me to do. A sounding board. How he wanted to handle any situation that I had experienced. But I fully understand what is being said. I understand them completely. I do not charge to him.

Now we got conspiracy theorists?  I guess we have to take them at their word, but the Mets lack credibility after the way they fired Willie in the middle of the night.  It could be true, but the New York Post needs to bring more evidence to the table than a lengthy conversation at Shea.

Thursday’s Mets News

June 19, 2008 By: Keith Category: Bobby Valentine, Dan Warthen, David Wright, Dwight Gooden, Howard Johnson, Jerry Manuel, Jose Reyes, MLB, New York Mets, Rick Peterson, Shea Stadium, Tony Bernazard, Willie Randolph No Comments →

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