Read: Manager of the Year
At MLB.com, columnist Jim Molony lists Willie Randolph and Tom La Russa as darkhorses, behind Bob Melvin, Bud Black and Ned Yost, in the race for the National League’s Manager of the Year.
…it has to be melvin…no way around it…
John Maine, talking to reporters, regarding Randolph’s visit to the mound during a crucial spot in last night’s game, said…
“I love when Willie comes out there. He always seems to know the right thing to say to me.”
…i think we all know where willie struggles, but it’s these situations in which he succeeds…
…actually, last week, while talking to WFAN, Astros manager Cecil Cooper told the show’s host that he tries to model himself after willie, because of the way he carries himself in the dugout and motivates his team to play so hard every night, all year long…
…i know i get criticized for not criticizing willie enough…
…but, to me, the manager is so overrated that i just don’t pay close enough attention to what he is or isn’t doing…for every decision that i assume to be black or white, odds are good that i just am not aware of all the grays…so why point fingers…as i’ll just be guessing at that point any way…
…what i do know is that the Mets win more times than not…they win when they’re hurt…they win when they’re short-handed…they win with a below-average pen…and they’re about to win back-to-back divisions for the first time ever…so, overall, it’s just hard for me to get all worked up over a pitching change, or a lineup move here and there, when his team continues to fight for him, play hard, and it continues to win…i’m not saying willie is perfect…not by a long shot…but he wins, and that’s the point…how he gets there is irrelevant to me…
…stop winning, and, believe me, things will change…just like they did with Art Howe, who i complained about relentlessly…
…until then, though, i’m content with just having fun, while enjoying the show…
…i hope you are, as well, because nothing lasts forever…
