N.Y. Yankees ~ Ichiro; The Wizard Comes Home

From the desk of:   BLAME CARLOS MAY

New York YANKEES:  Ichiro Suzuki Finally Debuts in The Bronx.


The first thing that comes to mind is, can the Yankees retain Ichiro long enough, and can he play well enough for a few more years, in order for him to get his 3.000th major league hit in a Yankees uniform?  He is 464 away and seems a cinch to achieve the feat.  The only real question is where will he do it?


For now, he gets to partake in Yankees~Red Sox.  I'm sure once tonight's game is through, Ichiro will be describing the differences between this game, and most other games he's played in.  Too bad he's getting short changed though.  For the moment, the Rivalry isn't what it could be.  The Red Sox haven't exactly played up to snuff this season.  As far as the A.L. East is concerned, Boston is a last place club.  Not good by any stretch, they are just a game under the .500 mark.  That's something that probably no one saw coming.  But once Bobby-V donned his Sox for the first time in Spring, even Sweet Caroline was copping an attitude.  Then incredulously; at least to me; Boston traded Kevin Youkilis away to Kenny Williams and the ChiSox.  That was all Bobby Valentine folks.  Trust me on that one.  Take it from a Mets fan.


Change is upon the Red Sox.  And in most cases, popular players do not exit the Sawx on the greatest terms.  The Lansdowne Street Pilgrims maintain a system of casting players out of the colony when you're on the verge on no longer serving the greater good.  Nomar Garciapara, Pedro Martinez, Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Jonathan Papelbon, Derek Lowe, (etc.) and Kevin Youkilis were all effectively, and unceremoniously, given their walking papers in one form or another.  Big Papi is next.  Everyone knows it.  And earlier in the season, he didn't exactly have good things to say over their treatment of him.  To be quite honest, I'm actually surprised he is still on the team; albeit on a one year deal.  If you're a big fan of his, take a good look this weekend, because after this season, David Ortiz be gone too.  But hopefully not before the notorious Yankees' killer unleashes some destruction against Bombers' pitching this weekend.


Make no mistake though, there's been a new sheriff in Boston for almost four full months now.  Changes to the Beer and Chicken Gang, and for the last playing member of The Idiots have only just begun.


The Yankees are tied with the Washington Nationals for the best record in Baseball.  Otherwise, I could could care less about what they are doing right now.  Maybe during this series, I'll actually deal with the Yankees in a fair manner.  No promises though.

THE RIVALRY

TONIGHT

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

BRONX BOMBERS

From,

161st Street and River Avenue

Bronx, New York City

Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Sunday Morning Read; Managers

These are the managers of my lifetime.  There have been 15 men appointed the task of leading the Mets since I was cruelly brought into this world and became a Met Fan.


Gil Hodges
I never saw him manage the Mets.  So why start with Gil Hodges? 

Back in the early and mid-70's I lived on a block (a dead-end block as we call it ~ GREAT For Stick Ball!! - I digress..) that bordered Holy Cross Cemetery.  I don't remember being there (I was), but my neighbors in the years after 72' told me of the incredible sight of his funeral procession bringing Gil to Holy Cross.  It passed our block. I was 5 yrs old when he left us.

Growing up in Brooklyn, I played games at Gil Hodges Little League Field on Shell Road.  I used to hang out as a teenager and "actually Bowl" (just because it was close to the house I suppose) at Gil Hodges Lanes when it was still located on Ralph Avenue.  Upon entering the Bowling Alley immediately on the left was a display case with some memorabilia including one of Gil's Gold Glove Awards.  I still enjoy going to Jacob Riis Park/Beach in the Rockaways.  It's just on the other side of the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. That bridge connects Brooklyn with the Rockaways.  So, as you see, Gil Hodges still remains a tangible part of our lives in Brooklyn.  Drives down Bedford Aveneue, renamed Gil Hodges Way reaffirms that.

Joan Hodges, his wife and still the First Lady of Brooklyn, manages to attend a Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM-A class) game in Coney Island every once in a while. Gil Hodges' number 14 is proudly retired and displayed over the 2nd level boxes at MCU Park along with some other of Dem Bums.

As a 5 year old and a 6,7,8 and 9 year old, quite literally in a sense, I couldn't have been any closer to him or him to me.  And he remained a part of my life as I previously explained as is the case with many Brooklyn boys.  Growing up here, there is no escaping his impact still felt by the Borough.  This will forever be home of
The Quiet Man.


Yogi Berra
Not so much 1973, but by 1974 and 1975, the images are clearer for me.  I remember Little Yogi fairly well.  The Met uniforms were a little bluer, a little bit more orange and were a bit more ivory.  The Mets' coaching staff was a quick lesson in the city's baseball history back then.  With the help from neighbors on the block, I came to learn quickly about them.  Lindsay Nelson, Bob Murphy and Ralph Kiner were my teachers and I hung on their every word.  ...And then I learned about Yogi Berra's Yankee past.  I didn't understand, but I was probably better off.  Then I suffered my first bout of anger as a Met fan when Tug McGraw and Rusty Staub were traded away.

Joe Frazier ~ 1976
Joe presided over my first "Most Favorite Years".  By 1976, as a baseball fan, I had everything clicking by this time.  I was nine years old now.  I was collecting and flipping baseball cards in the school yard and reading the newspaper and Baseball Digest.  I watched every game on TV and learned how to tune-in out of town games on the radio at night.  A third place finish for the Mets that year wasn't necessarily such a bad place to be for me back then.  The season was a thrill for me and I was going to a lot of games.  The team was still gloriously Amazin' to me.  Seaver, Koosman, Buddy, Grote, Garret and Kranepool were still around.  Felix Millan, Jon Matlack. John Milner, Dave Kingman and Skip Lockwood were big time favorites of mine.  As a Met fan, life was great for me.  I loved this team and Big Beautiful Shea with all the colored panels decorating the outside of the Stadium.

Joe Torre ~ 1977-1981
The darnedest thing happened; Joe Torre was named Player/Manager.  I didn't know you could do that; not yet anyway..  I remember when he called upon himself to pinch-hit for his last MLB at-bat.  I also didn't know why they had to dismantle the team I fell so in love with over the last three years.  But who's trying to hear anything when you're 11 years old?  If you made it through these years and were one of the 7,000 people there any given game like I was, First ~ I'm sorry; and Second; We should receive medals for our Courage and Loyalty.  You have my unyielding respect.  From this era, my favorites were of course Lee Mazzilli.., John Stearns and Joel Youngblood.  But there was no mistaking these years for anything other than the Dark Years they were.  Joe Torre was managing a team mandated to not spend any money on free-agents or make costly trades.  The team was stripped bare and being prepared to be sold.  Joe Torre did get the team to .500 one mid-summer day.  It really was a big deal.  Then they fell to the bottom of the division like a rock.  That's as far as they got during the Torre years.  There was nothing he could do to make those teams better.



George Bamberger ~ 1982-1983..
He was Frank Cashen's bud from their Oriole days together.  He was asked to mind the store while the farm worked on growing some players.  Bamberger did it more as a favor to Cashen than anything else.  He only lasted (less than) two years because he grew too tired of the losing and at his age, who needed it?  But from these days, came a great little bunch of back-ups who earned a nickname for themselves; Bamby's Bandits - their Leader was none other than Ron Hodges.  However impatient he seemed on the outside, I actually thought Bamberger could be a very good manager for us at the time.  But he just wanted to go home and retire so he quit.  Health problems didn't help.

Frank Howard ~ ..1983
Hondo was such a big guy, and such an old-time, fun loving but hard-nosed Baseball guy.  He actually did a rather good job and garnered much respect for his efforts finishing up the 1983 season for the Mets.  Of course by that time, he was penciling Kieth Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry into the line-up and Jesse Oroscoe was emerging.  Many of the prospects former GM Joe McDonald left behind were starting to show their worth and some would be used in key transactions.  We all knew,  for a bad season, 1983 finished off on a good note and things were turning around for us.


Davey Johnson ~ 1984-1990...
He was another one of Frank Cashen's guys from their Baltimore days together.  He was down on the farm with the prospects Cashen drafted and acquired, and were all promoted to the big club together in 1984.  He was a man of few rules and probably the cockiest of that group; telling his team they would dominate the League before games ever got started in 1986.  Other than Gil Hodges, he is the only Mets Manager to guide us to a Title.  That being said, his teams also underachieved.  The Mets should have plunked down at least one more title during that span.  And thank him...!  He's one of the people most responsible for the 5-man rotation Baseball employs today.

Bud Harrelson ~ ...1990-1991
BUDDY!  He seemed like a natural and I really liked him.  1990 was a fun season, all be it a season that started to change the face of the Mets.  They never could over take Pittsburgh that year.  But that was in no way Buddy's fault in my opinion.  1991 was another story.  Things were starting to go sour in Flushing and Buddy was taking a pounding in the Media.  It never did get better for us when the club decided to fire him.  I was just happy Buddy didn't have to go through a meat-grinder anymore.

Jeff Torborg ~ 1992-1993...
Jeff Torborg, GM Al Harazin, the team, and these two years were unmitigated disasters!  Jeff Torborg was a human study in the Art of The Meltdown.  That Cat literally came apart at the seams.  Like a cheap sweater, he got snagged once and just unravelled in a continuous Media undressing.  He just could not help himself from sticking his foot in his mouth it seemed on a daily basis.

Dallas Green ~ 1994-1996...
I liked Dallas Green.  I thought he'd be the right guy for GM Joe McIlvaine's plan to thoroughly rebuild the club through our farm system.  This was all hinged on the three pitchers dubbed, Generation-K.  I was totally on board with the rebuilding process.  I was thrilled Joe McIlvaine instituted a real plan.  The plan turned out to be an unabashed failure for numerous reasons, including injury to all members of Generation-K.  It turned out to be the last REAL plan any GM (minus Alderson) has had for this team since.  Then Joe McIlvaine developed a habit of disappearing during tough times and not returning the Owner's calls.  He in essence became a Front Office Rogue.  Once, when he actually showed up to the office one day, he was booted out the door, and the crusty and cranky Dallas Green was asked to follow close behind.

Bobby Valentine ~ ...1997-2002
There are few smarter Baseball minds in the Milky Way.  He certainly got the very most out of his players for several years before things went rotten for him too.  He is every bit Good, Bad, and Ugly.  He was even in disguise once.  He was as responsible for the Mets winning a N.L. Title as he was responsible his own unemployment.  His act wears thin.  Just ask Fred Wilpon.  The two do not "like" each other; - No secret there.  That's why I laughed anytime someone clamoured for his return.  Bobby and Steve Phillips forced the Wilpons to decide who gets to keep their job.  Initially Phillips won that battle and Valentine was let go.  Then the Wilpons re-thunk the situation and told Steve Phillips to beat it too.


Art Howe ~ 2003-2004
WTF?! C'mon!?  What was that all about?


Willie Randolph ~ 2005-2008..
Poor Willie.  He was too paranoid.  Then, he delved too deeply into a racially-tinted opinion he held regarding Fred Wilpon on the Boss' own TV Network.  That was his biggest and last mistake.  Shortly after his comments, he got axed in the middle of the night, in a hotel room on the West Coast.  Michael Kay flat out accuses Carlos Delgado of laying down on Willie over a mutual dislike for each other.  Forget what I think.  I think those bold words should stand on their own and let Kay deal with that.  Many said Willie was wound-up too tightly and it caused friction in the dugout.  That is fair.  But the tension was never more thicker and snippy than with the Media.  Willie always referred to His Guys when speaking of the players.  But His Guys apparently didn't always have his back.  There came a point when they heard him.  They just weren't listening.  And no Met Fan will ever forget Willie's decision NOT TO BUNT!  You know what I mean!

Jerry Manuel ~ ..2008-2010
The Rodney Dangerfield of Managers; he didn't get no respect and he kept the Media laughing.  He more-so than Willie was deprived of a completely healthy team for most of his tenure as manager.  His record aside, his future was tethered to Omar Minaya's fate anyway.  If Omar was gone, surly Manuel would follow.  If Manuel was gone, surly Omar would follow.  They were both doomed.  The fan uproar and apathy were two forces that caused the Wilpons to enact changes at the conclusion of last season.  Jerry had his moments; just not enough of them.  He and Willie both are proud owners of Major Chokes, but only Willie brought the Mets to the Playoffs.  Jerry Manuel watched the Mets fall and hurt themselves.., but left the Media in stitches.


Terry Collins ~ 2011 -
This guy wasn't exactly my first choice...Or my second choice.  It's still hard to gauge how much stock Sandy Alderson puts into managers when you take the MoneyBall aspect into account.  Truth is, we just don't know yet.  Collins has proven adept at 2nd place finishes and even has a Player Mutiny against him to his credit.  That's impressive.  His favorite word to describe himself is ENERGY.  I wonder if he spells energy with one trouble or two?  I can't wait for the first player to not run-out a pop-up or the player who jogs down to first-base.  I'm curious to see Terry Collins' Energy at work.  And I'm dying to see his Energy wow the Media during Q&A's!  For better or worse, it's going to make for some great nights of Head-Butting Mr. Met.



** Roy McMillan, Mike Cubbage.  There!


Let's Go Mets!




Mike.BTB

NYM ~ Pondering a Manager for the Mets, Dude.

Only now that we've hired Sandy Alderson would I even consider bringing Bobby Valentine back.  Without Sandy Alderson I wouldn't even have entertained the thought.  It's the old "Been there; Done that" syndrome. 

I have to laugh somewhat about the clamouring for Valentine's return.  In 2003 Mets' fans were calling for his head on a pike.  Fans were lining up their cars on Roosevelt Avenue willing to take Bobby to the airport.  Mets fans (me included) complained Bobby got too....Too everything!  Basically Met fans tired of his act and ego.  The downward spiral we found ourselves in 2003 only threw lighter fluid on the flames. 

Today we finally find ourselves on the other side of that long dark tunnel; coincidentally it's the era I've been calling Met Year 8 A.D. (After Doubleday).  What started when the Mets fired Steve Phillips and  Doubleday leaving ended when the Wilpons hired Alderson.  Why would we want to revisit those years?  Bobby hasn't changed.  C'mon....He must have said or done something to tick-off the Marlins most recently.  And why haven't the Brewers locked him up yet (although they seem real close, but they seem to be moving very carefully)?  What makes Mets fans think this time around would be any different?  It's Ponderous.  Do we want our own version of "Billy" hirings minus the Angry Water?

But I will take the time out to answer that myself. 

Bobby Valentine is an excellent manager and strategist.  There are few better; Period.  He has the perfect personality and attitude, not to mention intelligence to engage in the harangue that is the give and take with NY media.  Don't you think I know all this?  Of course he'd be a good manager here.  Having Sandy Alderson would serve as the perfect buffer between him and the Wilpons.  Wasn't that always the problem bringing him back; the Wilpons?  The two parties do not like each other.  We know this.

Additionally, I never thought Bobby Valentine could co-exist with Omar Minaya, John Ricco or ANYone the Mets could have brought in as General Manager.  Remember among the items of contention between Valentine and Phillips was Valentine's insistence he have a say in personnel matters.  Phillips denied him outright, at every request.  But Phillips regardless of his libido, was a very smart cookie who was very well equipped to handle Bobby Valentine.  Not Omar, or anyone the Mets could have conjured up, would have worked well here with Bobby Valentine's ego.  Valentine is too smart and would have run circles around Omar, and as is Bobby's way, Omar would have grown to feel uncomfortably dominated by Jeff on one side and Bobby on the other.  Valentine would have chewed-up and spit-out John Ricco.  Bobby Valentine would have been hired only to get fired for many reasons three short years later.  Think to yourselves fellow Met fans.  You know this to be true...Under the old system that is.

Alderson changes all that now.  Alderson is/was the only man available today who has the intellect, mental strength and fortitude of character to contend with Bobby Valentine.  Alderson is an excellent check to Valentine's strong will.  And now I would gladly welcome back Bobby Valentine into the conversation.  However, I am still not inclined to lean his way.  And it doesn't look like the money is a match either.

Ken Oberkfell and Bob Melvin are complete yawners.  Of the two, I'd eliminate Melvin from the list altogether.  He's tainted with old regime 'cooties'.  He loomed over Jerry Manuel's head like a dark cloud.  That's bad karma; don't need it.  Kenny Oberfell would be the next to go.  Met fans, I ask you sincerely, do you really envision Oberkfell as the new manager?  I didn't think so.

Why Lee Mazzilli doesn't intrigue me more, I can't answer. He was THE METS once upon a time.  Man!  I thought he was going to play with Seaver, Koos, Millan, Milner and...(why do I do that to myself).  He has coaching experience and many years sitting next to Joe Torre.  He did a remarkable job under horrific circumstances in Baltimore.  However I may feel about Lee Mazzilli, who comes my neighborhood, I think there are better candidates available.  I don't think Mazzilli's resume fits in with what we need right now.

Clint Hurdle and Terry Collins are very average, un-impactful candidates.  There's too much at stake here to hand the controls over to the milkman.  The Angels' players darted Terry Collins with a vote of no confidence when he managed there.  We don't need to touch that.  Clint Hurdle ~ Remember how the Rockies won 1150 games out of their last 25 +/- games of the season to make the 2007 playoffs?  After you remember that, forget Clint Hurdle.

Chip Hale has my attention because the players seem real responsive to him.  When people have that nature and way about them; a personality that attracts, people usually listen attentively to them.  I'd give him an interview.

I'm not saying this is my choice but Tim Teufel would be a logical choice.  Teufel had a lot of our new young players in Brooklyn and Binghampton.  No one knows these players better than he does, in much the same way Davey Johnson managed many of the prospects of the early 80's and was promoted by Frank Cashen to manage them on the Major League level.  Tim Teufel is a logical choice, and you can't disregard what I just said.  He's been putting in his dues with this organization for several years now.  Like I said though, he's not necessarily my choice.  I'd be agreeable to him though.

I'm open to Wally Backman.  I like him for all the reasons you do.  I wouldn't mind seeing him get the job at all.  He'd be a tremendous hit!  He'd get a standing ovation on Opening Day; without a doubt!  The Wilpons like him and the fans like him.  The question is does Sandy Alderson like him?  He might.

Backman recently took the Brooklyn Cyclones to the NYPL Championship Round.  That, and his experience with the Peanuts is all there is though.  Is that enough?  I think there's a (again...) Billy Martin motif about him; maybe even John McGraw'ish attribute Met fans are dying to identify with and apply to Wally Backman.  I do think he has great instinctual baseball intellect.  He knows the game.  He knows what works.  Little stout guys always make great managers!

And now try this name out and see how it sits with you; John Stearns ~ The Dude! - Yes! - The former fiery Met player, catcher, all*star, former Met coach?  He managed last at Harrisburg in the National's system 2 years ago and I think he's currently employed as a scout for the Mariners.  John Stearns...Anyone feeling The Dude?  He's tough minded and he has that 'catcher gene' going for him.  I know John Stearns isn't even on any-body's radar much less Sandy Alderson's.  I'm on an island of one with this pick.  I get that.  But if you're thinking about hiring Lee Mazzilli, John Stearns should be considered also.  I'd hire him ahead of many other names.

Joey Cora?  Forget Milwaukee.  Picture it Met Fans ~ The Little Yankee Killer (think '95); Flushing's Little General leading his troops?  Think of the possibilities ~ Close your eyes and imagine it for a moment.  I guarantee you he's feisty and has a tremendous Baseball acumen.  In the earliest days of his coaching career, Ozzie Guillen, who is a very close friend of his, got his hands on him and made him go to Venezuela to start managing there.  He came back with some experience and managed the Mets' Kingsport Team.  Joey has been with Ozzie Guillen ever since serving first as his third base coach and currently as his bench coach.  As a player he was an all*star selection and has playoff experience with the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.  As a coach he earned a World Series ring with the ChiSox in 2005.  If you're looking for the "Little Guy with a Big Bite" angle, this is your guy.  He is smaller than Wally Backman but not as stout.  They are both feisty.

My two honorable mentions are Larry Bowa and Tony Pena.  Simply, I think they are two good, Baseball lifers.  There's something to be said for those kinda guys.  Heck, Jack McKeon won a championship didn't he?

Who knows what's going on with Lou Piniella and Joe Torre said he's out of the picture (don't believe it).  But I don't want them either.

Don Wakamatsu?  I'm lukewarm at best.

Does anyone think Dave Righetti is ready to take a manager's job? ~ Roger Craig anyone?

The fact that John Gibbons acted preemptively with regards to the Mets' available managerial position speaks loud and clear to me.  He told us to beat it....And now I want him more.  He's such a bitch!

You'd have to examine all the third base coaches and bench coaches around MLB to keep yourself from dealing in retreads.  None need apply.  The Mets have embarked on a whole new dynamic in their history.  Let's continue forward.  The old thinking is done.

Right?


Mike.BTB

METrospection; Brought to you by The "V"

Loria, David Samson, Beinfest, and now Bobby Valentine and what coaches he brings in, make for one of the elite front offices in Baseball. If you throw in their very fertile farm system...when the Marlins get their new park they are going to be down right insane with the cash infusion. The Wilpons will still be their relenting, meek/mawkish selves and there-in stemmed my fear of Valentine at the helm for the Fish. The Nats soon will have money back in their pockets when Peter Angelos finishes getting his fill of territorial rights fees and GM Rizzo is fresh. The Braves front office doesn't need detailing by me/us. The Marlin's is better. That leaves us and the Phils. Is the Mets' front office better than the Phil's?  Amaro vs Omar?  Pfff ~ I'd have fun debating that but clearly the Phils' run indicates theirs is better. If only Jeff Wilpon had a darker side.  It's really up to Jeff how cunning or savvy he's willing to be with his Pop's company.  But with the way the Mets have shaped thing up with the younglings and a return of Reyes (have to credit Dickey too!) ~ It's gotta make a Met fan think about the possibilities this team has presented for itself.  I'm thinking, are they aware enough to recognize what they have here, whether they got here by sheer luck or design?  This team is almost totally transitioned now.  Will they enhance an amazingly, quickly and remarkably rebuilt team?  And How?

Obviously I am totally in the NOW and rooting for my team every day.  But if we stay on this present course with regard to the changes towards young players we've incorporated and the select free agent signing, or a select trade, 2011 is something I'll be extremely excited about.  If 2011 can give me 8 home grown players in Mets uniforms (a very real possibility if Fernando Martinez is in RF next year) starting in one game like they will tonight?  I'm crazy with delight. 

Understand my angst.  On July 1st, 2007 I called into "the show" and announced I wanted this team gutted.  I have stood by that comment!  It was very unpopular to say especially coming off the 2006 season.  It seemed even more ridiculous to suggest considering the Mets had just taken 2 of 3 from Philly that weekend.  I felt then I recognized what the team really was and I was committed to selling everything...and selling HIGH!  That's as much as I will get into my feelings then...for now.  Just know I stood by that and meant it wholeheartedly!  Today finally, everyone has seen the results of turning that edition over.  Your proof is in the pudding.  Trust me; I know the argument against reasoning it wasn't a good idea then and today's players were not in the mix on July 1st of 2007.  To that I say DUH!  What I am saying is at the trading deadline of '07 prospects were being given away like candy on Halloween for the pennant stretch.  I could have named a team for all cast offs I had in mind.  Well, I got laughed off and I had to wait an excruciating 3 years to get what I always wanted; my team turned over.

The Mets starting Nine tonight will consist of SEVEN home grown players; seven home-grown players with some who have legitimate chances at being Big Leaguers.  If F-Mart was in RF that would be eight with Jason Bay being the lone exception.  Josh Thole was called up from AAA and will start tonight in place of our injured regular.

.....I think this team is on the precipice of something very good.  And it has everything to do with not having the same cast of characters of 2006-2009.  Compare any of those clubhouses to the one which exists today.  You know the differences.  Just put the "success" of '06 aside.  Jerry was here for those days of idiocy in the clubhouse with too many "Latinos" (I'm half P.R. myself), and not talking to reporters, and accusations about Delgado throwing Randolph under a bus, and Wagner shooting off his mouth, and LoDuca shooting off his mouth, etc etc etc.  There was a lot of drama on that team. What ever players linger from those days...your Maine's and Perez' are safely in Jerry Manuel's doghouse (DL'd but in the dog house none-the-less).  Beltran will be there too if he doesn't play good soldier when he gets back.  I hope this organization gives Manuel their blessings in treating Beltran as he sees fit.  But because Manuel remembers an anxiety ridden locker room under Randolph, I think he'll do what he needs to keep a condition like that at bay.  Yes, I believe Manuel has the gumption to take such a stance.  He seems to have no fear talking derisively of chosen players to the press.  If Beltran comes back a Diva, Jerry will have a good round of jokes and levity for the beat writers.  Count on it.

The Mets hold all the leverage with Beltran.  The money on his contract is spent already.  If he comes back and is useful, fit him in.  Platoon him.  Rotate the outfield of 4 players with time for each.  If he feels anything in his knee, he himself will shut it down.  You think he's going to risk further injury for the Mets?  Pfff ~ Yea right.  If he's an uncooperative Diva insisting on things, put him in the dog house!  Carlos Beltran has no choice but to play hard next year regardless of how much of a Diva he wants to be.  It's his contract year.  What's he gonna do?  Dog It?  Blame a twinge in his knee?  The Mets should not allow Beltran to come back on this team and disrupt something positive happening at Citi Field so far.  If he comes back with a team first mind set and understands the team's and his own situation, everything should work out fine.  But I am counting on Carlos Beltran for nothing.  My ship has sailed.

I've always said these kids were going to save Jerry and Omar's job.  Who cares about being right.  I'm just happy it's happening.  Manuel and 2011 is a different conversation.

If Josh Thole starts tonight we'll be fielding an all home-grown diamond,- Pagan in CF and with Pelfrey on the mound?...Snap a picture because this doesn't happen often. As a Met fan ~ OUTSTANDING! Give me more! This team is a far cry from the Opening Day edition. They should continue this direction. Keep all those malcontents in the doghouse. I'd like F-Mart in RF by 2011. Dillon Gee and Dylan Owen were promoted to AAA. Infielders Reese Havens and Jonathan Malo are doing quite well in AA.  Stinson and Kunz are still growing up and the more current Mejia and Nieve round out a little list of chips. I smell something brewing in METropolis. I hope! Mets are in a good spot for a Cliff Lee trade we all want. I don't want to rent him but we can do this.   It's really all about what kind of club Jeff wants his Pop's Mets to be. This team has a 1984 feel to it now.  That notion may have been mentioned along the way but it's undeniable.  Not earlier this season or in any of the last 3 seasons but today?- I'm feeling 84'ish.

Mike BTB

http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.blogspot.com/
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/

Maelstrom of Discontent

"Well,  I still have my uniform on?"

That's what Jerry Manuel does.  He makes the "beat guys" feel like they're all his buddies.  Every QandA with Jerry is a Bud-Lite moment.  Jerry embraces them and makes em all feel good about their jobs because he makes jokes and feeds them just the right blend of corn-meal and grass-mix by-product to satiate their sensationalized article writing their editors demand.  Effective?  It's especially effective for Jerry Manuel.  If it weren't for Jerry holding the Media close to his bosom with humor, jocularity and random acts of gangsta sarcasm, the maelstrom to have Jerry Manuel would have gotten him fired long ago.  That maelstrom is usually whipped up by the Media first; not the fans.  The only reason Jerry Manuel is still manager of the New York Mets is because Jerry outsmarted the media this long.

Keep your friends close; but keep your enemies closer.

The media never created a maelstrom to have Jerry Manuel fired.  Sure they've had the burner on simmer and it even got HOT for Jerry once in a while; - as is the current situation after a 90 minute meeting with Met Brass in Atlanta of all places.  When Jerry Manuel emerged from that meeting his Maenad's were there to greet him.  When the Chorus asked of their Bacchus what happened in the meeting, their deity squeezed a grape into this goblet of wine:  "I still have my uniform on?!"  ...And because they're all buddies, the on-site Media nod their heads in a collective, "yea...we got your back dog!"...and then go write their spin.  Take care to understand I'm talking about the beat writers here.  Through wittiness and with an acknowledgment by the writers Omar assembled these players, Manuel gets a nice slice of slack in the daily(s).  When a guy like Mike Lupica decides to chime in about sports these days it's only when the fishing is good.  Today he served up this big plate of obvious  ...- I say be gone with you and go continue chasing your political aspirations.  I used to read his articles all the time but he's slowly turning himself into a writer's Howard Cosell of his later angrier years.

Allow me to digress.  For two years Manuel has floated the idea of batting Reyes third in the order.  Jerry thought it was part of Jose Reyes' natural progression as a hitter.  This year, due to circumstances that dictated alternative measures, Jerry got his way and Reyes was inserted into the third slot (he has recently been returned to batting lead-off again).  Before I go on a tangent, here's my question.  If Jerry felt so strongly about batting Reyes third, why does he ask Reyes, his three hitter, to bunt in two consecutive games?  These are just moves to ponder.

The 90 minute meeting between Jerry Manuel, Omar Minaya, Asst. GM John Ricco and Jeff Wilpon was as Jeff puts it, "...just Baseball talk."  He stated he didn't come to Atlanta to fire anyone.  He admitted if he was happy with the current situation he wouldn't be having this meeting.  When pressed, Jeff offered he would have made a change last year regarding a manger and or a General Manager, but he did not act.  So today he explains they are assembled together in an effort to "work this out".  Jeff Wilpon reminded the assembled media about his expectations of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel and about his lack of satisfaction so far.  But it appears the Wilpons are more committed to keeping Omar under contract than entertaining issues of being penny foolish-dollar wise.  Jerry Manuel is a lame duck manager which ever way you look at this.

I have been through all this before.  I've been doing it since December.  My displeasure with the way this organization is run is pretty well known by now.  But here we go again anyway.

If the Mets fire Manuel and replace him with Bob Melvin, I will be highly upset.  I'd rather let Manuel finish the season.  I am not in favor of Omar Minaya specifically, hiring Bobby Valentine.  I do not believe that relationship will work.  Omar Minaya was a Steve Phillips front office import.  Bobby Valentine and Steve Phillips could not get along.  Valentine wanted more say in personnel matters.  Phillips was strongly opposed.  Valentine will want as much input now as he wanted then.  Valentine has a very strong character and his baseball intellect is of superior quality.  But Valentine will exercise every bit a savvy and cunning intellect against Omar Minaya who has himself been looking over his shoulder at John Ricco.  To also put a very dead-spin on that relationship, Valentine will out think and counter Omar at every turn.  Valentine will spin circles around Omar.  A Valentine/Minaya duo will not work in my opinion.  And I'm not even so sure Omar deserves to hire a third manager.

There is only one situation I am agreeable with regarding the hiring of Bobby Valentine.  If Omar is allowed to hire him, the Wilpons must turn and fire Omar outright and do one of two things; promote Bobby Valentine to General Manager and let him hire his own manager; OR seek permission from the Tampa Rays for the services of Jerry Hunsicker to be GM with Valentine managing under him.  The two are very familiar with each other dating back to more stable and successful days in the Mets' organization.

That is my Bobby Valentine scenario; a path which I am not inclined to follow but I would be agreeable to.  The Wilpons have been there and done that with Bobby Valentine.  Valentine was critical of the Wilpons and they have memories like elephants.  They do not take criticism too well.

Of course my ultimate pipe-dream is for the Wilpons to do what it takes to get Larry Beinfest in the Mets' fold.  He is the guy I want.  I said it before.  I say it here again now.

I believe Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya should be joined at the hip.  Another terribly kept secret of mine is my total vote of no confidence in Asst. GM John Ricco.  If he is indeed named the next GM of the Mets, like the Bob Melvin situation, I will be highly upset!  No John Ricco!  No Bob Melvin!  If those are my choices for change I will stick with Omar and Jerry!  Thank you but no thanks Mr. Wilpon.

I have stated my support for Omar Minaya in the past.  I cling to him because he is the last resource Frank Cashen directly or indirectly left behind (Cashen brought in many executives the Wilpons have exhausted and through Steve Phillips, a Frank Cashen import, we arrived at our last two GM's in Duquette and Omar.)  Omar is the last executive familiar to the Wilpons and vice-versa over the course of 30 years.

The next General Manager of the New York Mets must be an off-campus hire.  Period!  The cycle of inbred thought and a watered down if not diluted executive staff must be infused with new blood if not now, when Omar is relieved of his duties.  Anything other than what I posted here will not make me happy.

Met fans need to give me more names other than Bob Melvin and Bobby Valentine (for reasons I stated above) before I say fire Jerry Manuel.  Who are the replacements Met fans are contemplating?  All I hear is fire Manuel.  I'm cool with that, but who's the replacement folks?

Here's another old line of mine.  The S.S. Wilpon just turned into the iceberg!  I dropped the life boats a long time ago.  I'm not about to raise them back up.

Mike  BTB
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Most Met Fans Clamouring for Bobby Valentine

The following is actually a comment I made to a post by a great author in the BloggerHood on
The Prince of New York's Baseball Blog (on Blogspot).

He makes a cogent case for the immediate hiring of Bobby Valentine as manager for the New York Mets.  Visit and show him love .  You'll be rewarded with a great read.

I am not averse to bringing Bobby Valentine back to METropolis and the reasons Paul touched upon pretty much explain why it looks to be the right move.  Being that my comment below covers everything I wanted to get out in a post concerning the on-going Mess in Flushing, Omar, Bobby V and the Front Office anyway, I figured I'd just present things to you in it's original answer form.

as of: April 17
theBrooklynTrolleyBlogger said...


I'm not opposed to Bobby V. Here's the rub.  Does Omar get to hire him and stay on as GM?  I'd disagree with that.*  Bobby V and Omar will not get along.  They may have Texas in common but Omar is still a Phillips guy imported into the Met fold.*  Their Met experiences are quite different.  Bobby's personality will cause friction with Omar because he will want personnel input again, and because Valentine can verbalize much better than Omar can, I see nothing good coming from that relationship.  I believe it can only get ugly.  John Ricco?  Bobby will eat him up too.  At least Steve Phillips played in the minors.  Ricco is a corporate guy and Bobby will have little respect for that.  If we continue down this road Omar will hire Valentine and Omar still has to be fired.  Bringing in Valentine only works if you bring in Hunsicker from T.B. to be GM in the same whacking of Manuel and Omar together.  Hunsicker is the other half of the Valentine equation.  They have a better working understanding of each other from their earlier Met experiences than Omar and Valentine will ever have.   Then both of them can put Wilpon and his paranoia to bed and get this organization back to health.   If Valentine is hired and we fire Omar and Hunsicker doesn't come here to be GM?...promote Valentine to GM and find another manager.

ALL this is if the Mets do not ask permission to talk to Larry Beinfest.  You have to think if the next GM doesn't like Valentine...the Wilpons will not eat another contract for a manager they aren't employing.  And I'm thinking what if Larry Beinfest doesn't like Bobby Valentine?  We won't know until the Wilpons get it together and ask Jeff Loria for permission to speak with Beinfest and Mr. Wilpon compensates Mr. Loria handsomely.  WAIT; Obviously not too long, but wait.  See if Beinfest and Hunsicker are available.  Then if you want to, whack Manuel.  Acting hastily with Manuel just for the sake of hiring Valentine now, without certainty of the GM may be counter-productive.  I know Valentine won't be out there forever, but that's why the Mets need to ACT quickly and see if these options are available.  Again, I have mad respect for your word, but we can't act on Manuel without lining up Omar's replacement at the same time unless you can see V as our GM or, the Wilpons plan on forcing Bobby V on the new GM.*

Mike
BTB

post script ~ Bobby Valentine has a great managerial mind.  But a fish rots from the head and the upper management of the NYM has my attention a little more that the field manager right now in spite of  my not wanting Manuel to continue here much longer.  We don't have much time because the players are starting to behave in open defiance of their manager.  It's not a full-blown situation but it's getting chippy.  We could use Bobby Valentine and we could use him now.  But we also need to get this right and factor in a/the GM into this mess we call the Mets.

* sentence slightly modified from original comment for diction.

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On Bobby Valentine

(on Bobby V)

We Know Bobby Valentine is:


*a good/brilliant manager who can lead this team. He gets the most out of players. He knows the game. He'll take loads of pressure off the players getting the media centered on him. We know his ego, tact and attitude (smugness) are tailor made for the NY media. We know his presence and changes in mood management will keep fans streaming into Citi seats until the Club gets it's act together.

*We also know when he was here last, he and Steve Phillips couldn't stand each other. Phillips was trying to save his power and Bobby wanted more of it with say in personnel matters. The Wilpons had to pick sides and they showed Bobby the door right around the same time his players were tuning him out anyway. It doesn't help today that Bobby Valentine was openly critical of the Wilpons then. Bobby wanted to know, - what about Steve? Well, he got shown the door shortly afterward also.

Question Number 1 = Does Fred Wilpon still hold a grudge? We learned from Dwight Gooden, Fred Wilpon can hold them a long time.

Question Number 2 = are we bringing Bobby Valentine in to be just a manager? Just a manager under Minaya? Under Ricco?

Question Number 3 = I ordinarily don't like to take these "steps" backward. Bobby V may be as cunning as Billy Martin was, but we aren't the Yanks and I believe in a forward marching system.

Are Met fans OK taking a page from the past to fix the present? Does this help the future of the organization beyond this season if Omar is allowed to stay on?



Here are my answers.



The Wilpons better be open minded to outside influences for any kind of success in Flushing.

No John Ricco, especially with Booby V under him. Bobby V will sense fear in him and eat him up.

If you bring in Bobby Valentine to manage I want Jerry Hunsicker as GM. Bobby Valentine is not to manage under Omar at any expense because Omar is a Steve Phillips guy. Omar and Valentine will clash and Valentine will verbalize it better than Omar can and things will get uglier from there. Omar may make the switch but then the Wilpons must make their move and accept Bobby V's stewardship and advice and either promote him to GM or bring in Hunsicker.

THIS IS ONLY A BACK UP PLAN for the Mets going out and seeking permission from the Marlins about offering Larry Beinfest the keys to METropolis.

New York Metropolitan BB Club - Go get Larry Beinfest at all costs! Loria could use the money. Bribe him. He'll do it! Get Larry Beinfest Now!

BTB

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