Daily Archives: May 8, 2008
It’s been interesting watching this team over the first month and seeing the fans reaction to this team’s mediocre play. No matter the outcome of the game you’ll see or hear comments looking for Willie Randolph to be fired. But, at what point do we stop blaming the manager for this team’s poor execution and start blaming the players?
I find it funny when I hear or read things such as, “The players are tuning Willie out” or they have “stopped playing for Willie.” So what if they have? Don’t these players have enough pride in themselves to go out and play to the best of their abilities no matter who is managing? If not, then they are the ones to blame, not the manager.
There is been too much criticism about Willie’s demeanor, the way he constructs his lineups and his use of players like Carlos Delgado. Much of that has nothing to do with team’s performance on the field.
Is Willie to blame when the team is batting .167 with runners in scoring position? Is he to blame when Aaron Heilman throws a poorly located change-up or if Delgado goes 0-for-4 with three strikeouts? Of course not, but I get the sense fans of this team are making Randolph the scapegoat for everything this team has done wrong in the past 10 months.
I’m not saying Willie should never take heat for this team’s poor play or continue to be this team’s manager after a certain point if they continue to play in a sub-par manner. And, I’m certainly not being an apologist. I just think we start blaming the manager for everything little thing and neglect to blame player performance.
Tagged Mike Nichols, Willie Randolph |
Twins OF Carlos Gomez, who was traded from the Mets for Johan Santana, hit for the cycle last night.
He is the first member of the Twins to hit for the cycle in 22 years.
To watch a clip of Gomez’s cycle, go to ESPN.com.
…i love that he sprints around the bases on the home run…it cracks me up when players do this…good for him…
In 117 at-bats this season, Gomez is hitting .282 with two HR, seven doubles, three triples, 11 RBI and 13 stolen bases while striking out roughly once every four plate appearances.
John Maine pitched 8.1 innings and allowed one run while striking out four in yesterday’s win over the Dodgers.
He has thrown a Quality Start, i.e., at least six innings and three or less runs allowed, in five of his seven starts this season.
Maine is 4–2 on the year, with a 3.00 ERA through 42 innings pitched, during which opponents are hitting .231 against him.
…he had a great spring, stumbled out of the gate, and now is back to being the pitcher we all know he can be…the key, so far, has been his change-up, which has been his go-to pitch…i don’t recall this being the case last season…
During yesterday’s game, Maine also had a two-out single to drive in two runs.
Maine, regarding his offense, talking after the game:
“I’ve got a batting average, and Pelfrey doesn’t. That’s the only thing that matters (laughing).”
…maine and pelfrey must be becoming good friends…i get e-mails all of the time from people who spot them hanging out on occasion around New York City…
Willie Randolph, regarding the team’s offense, speaking to reporters after yesterday’s game:
“Offense, offense, offense, it makes a world of difference. It’s no secret…When you can do that, it makes everything else better for you: pitching is better, your bullpen is not as taxed. It’s no secret.”
Following Tuesday’s 5–4 loss to the Dodgers, 39 percent of people polled on MetsBlog said Randolph was to blame for the loss.
Inversely, following yesterday’s 12–1 win, 77 percent said he is not responsible for the win.
Tagged Willie Randolph |
To watch yesterday’s exclusive Post Game Extra from SNY.tv, hosted by Gary Cohen and Ron Darling, including hilights and post-game quotes from Willie Randolph, Raul Casanova and John Maine, click the play button below:
Angel Pagan will have an MRI today on his left shoulder, which he jammed in a seat after flipping head over feet into the stands while trying to catch a pop up in foul ground in the first inning of yesterday’s game.
…pagan stayed in the game for two more innings, but told reporters that he was in a bit of pain…the best part of the play was afterwards, when he watched the replay on the center field scoreboard and laughed out loud after seeing it…the LA fans even cheered for him after the 
replay…imagine that…
Pagan, regarding the injury, after the game:
“Everything happened really quickly. My shoulder got stuck in one of the seats. All my weight went down and my shoulder got pulled back…I really have faith that it’s nothing bad, nothing cracked…It felt like it dislocated and came back again…I couldn’t feel my arm, so I was kind of scared…You do anything to stay in the game, but you can’t be Rambo.”
…you know, if the Mets really want to promote both Ramon Castro and Matt Wise for this weekend, they could put pagan on the disabled list, buying themselves a bit more time…
To watch Pagan’s diving catch, click here.
RHP Matt Wise gave up an unearned run in one inning in an extended spring training game yesterday.
…from what i can gather, the Mets are ready to bring him back and like the idea of getting a fresh arm in the mix…
…the problem, however, is that a player will need to be demoted to make room for wise…
The Mets currently house seven relief pitchers and five men on the bench. However, Willie Randolph told reporters yesterday that he would prefer to carry eight relief pitchers, and play short on the bench, than have to demote Joe Smith or Nelson Figueroa or cut Jorge Sosa.
…so, it seems the options are: demote smith or figueroa, cut sosa or put Angel Pagan on the disabled list, or demote him to Triple-A New Orleans, to make room for wise…
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