Opinion: Willie’s Message must Change
…i’m at a loss…it’s game six of 162, and i’m at a total loss…
…on one hand, i know that Willie Randolph cannot switch his 
message to one of ultimate fight, anger and win-now, because if he does that and the team loses just one game then what…he will not only seal his own fate, but he will seal his team’s fate as well…at the same time, his current message of turn the page, stability and long-season level-headedness may actually be having a worse effect, not just on the players, but on the fans as well…
Randolph, talking to reporters after yesterday’s game:
“There is really no correlation, it’s a new season, last season is over. We get to play these guys 18 more times. You’d like to get the first win, obviously, but, you know, if we go out and win the next 10 then it’s a moot point…Any time you play the division you want to play well, and beat the guys you want to beat. You know, we’ll get ‘em tomorrow…but, no, I don’t think there is any connection like that.”
…well, first off, there is a connection…sure, it’s not an in-print connection in the schedule…but there is an emotional connection, and he knows that…i need to remember that what he says in these press conferences is not necessarily what he believes…these press conferences are a show, whether we choose to accept that or not…it’s not reality, unfortunately…at least i hope, because of course there is a connection…and a person would have to be numb not to feel it…
…at any rate, i think my problem with his message isn’t the even-keel approach, because – unlike football, which most fans want to compare baseball to, and shouldn’t – in baseball that style is necessary for success…my problem, instead, is with the What If-approach…
…sure, what if the Mets win the next 10…or, what if they don’t…what if the Mets are in first for five months, then blow a seven game lead in the standings…
…i prefer the Carpe Diem approach, i.e. seize the day, not just in baseball but in life in general…which is not to say that every game is monumental…not every day deserves a speech from General Patton complete with buffet tables getting flipped over…however, from what i can tell, continually kicking the can down What If Avenue seems only to result in tired excuses, which eventually turns in to laziness…again, not just in baseball, but in life as well…
…what’s more, i had hoped to see this team play out of the gate as though they had no choice but to redeem themselves for what happened last year…because, you know what, they have no choice…they need redemption, otherwise a whole lot of people will be looking for new jobs next season…i hoped that the Mets would remember the Collapse, not brush it off, using it is motivation to start hot, emotionally and in the standings, to send a message to us, the Braves, Phillies, etc, that this year will be different…
…so far, that has not happened…
…that said, it is a long season, and that journey can certainly begin right now…
…Carpe Diem, willie…like you enjoy saying, “Get after it.”…
