Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
September 28, 2008
Jerry's Kids

The Mets will retain the services of Jerry Manuel as manager:

Manuel is expected to be approached to hammer out a new contract in the next day or two. The Mets again failed to make the playoffs after losing 4-2 to the Marlins on the final day of the season. But Manuel's bosses believe he did an excellent job under trying circumstances, including late-season injuries to closer Billy Wagner and starter John Maine and an overall bullpen breakdown. The Mets were 55-38 under Manuel after starting 34-35 under Willie Randolph.

"I told Jerry we're going to have a decision sooner rather than later,'' general manager Omar Minaya said. 'He's done a very good job, and we're going to sit down and talk about it.''

The Mets lost 12 of their final 17 games last year to blow a seven-game lead with Randolph as manager. This year they were 7-10 over their final 17 games.

Mets owner Jeff Wilpon said, "I feel totally different than last year. I think last year we underachieved. This year we overachieved.''

Somehow, I don't think blowing a late season lead, no matter how small, is overachieving. Still, the team played better under Manuel than under Randolph, and that has to count for something. I still wonder if Church didn't suffer a head injury and Delgado got hot two week earlier if Randolph would still be in charge.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:07 PM | Management | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I am still asking why the Omar extension? That insult will resonate throughout the offseason. Why extend a man who was won nothing, who threw money and years at Castillo, who brought Willie back and allowed him and the 07 stench to linger far too long, who signed and penciled El Duque, Pedro into the rotation; Alou into the starting outfield? Santana? Yes, nice job seizing the moment. Though as he was bidding against no one, that was more Cashman failure than Omar victory.
Why the extension?
The bullpen was weak all year, no middle relief. And it was the group he chose.
I hate owners who crave meaningful games in September; it is not enough.
I hate owners who build monuments to other franchises.
I hate owners that downsize the middle class and the blue collar fan out of the stadium.
I miss Shea and I love the Mets; I hate the Wilpons.

Posted by: craig miles at September 28, 2008 10:04 PM

Thye overachieved .. much like their crosstown rivals - They trade for Santana and start the season with the second best lineup in the NL and miss the playoffs .. he needs to borrow the NYY excuse machine.

Posted by: Bandit at September 29, 2008 09:05 AM
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