Daily Archives: May 16, 2008
Tonight’s game between the Yankees and Mets has been postponed.
As of now, there is no word on when the game will be replayed.
…hmm, do i smell a home-and-away, split-admission, bus-across-town double header like in 2000…hmm, any one, any one…
Instead, SNY will air the first ever regular-season Subway Series game, with Dave Milicki facing Andy Pettitte.
Or, in the meantime, check out Ted Berg’s coverage of yesterday’s broadcast by Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez from the Upper Deck at Shea Stadium, by clicking the play button below:
According to Brian Moritz at his blog for the Press & Sun Bulletin, Mets Double-A OF Fernando Martinez will be out three weeks with a strained right hamstring.
Martinez missed multiple weeks last year with a hand injury.
Prior to tonight’s game, Mets GM Omar Minaya was asked if 
Willie Randolph is in ‘danger of losing his job,’ to which he responded, “No,” adding, “I’m very supportive – and continue to be supportive – of Willie Randolph.”
Meanwhile, Randolph told reporters that he called this afternoon’s team meeting, because he is disappointed with how the team has been playing. According to Randolph, the team’s lack of consistent hitting continues to be their biggest problem, however, he has confidence that they’ll get better.
At the same time, David Wright told SNY that there are no issues in the team’s clubhouse, while Billy Wagner told reporters that he in no way meant to single out Carlos Delgado when suggesting that other players should have stepped up and talked with media after yesterday’s game.
Lastly, Delgado stood in front of his locker and told reporters that the meeting was good, as it allowed for the opportunity to address a few items that needed to be discussed.
…jeez, man…team meetings…interviews with WFAN…Kevin Burkhardt and SNY are doing on-air, one-on-ones with more or less every one, it seems…and they’re all basically regurgitating the same talking points, i.e., no worries, every one is cool, players will talk but reporters need to get to them with questions, etc…i love good messaging…nice work, media department…
Willie Randolph talked with WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog today, and
had the following to say…
…whether he should be going out to argue with umpires more than he does…
“Oh, man, those guys have no clue. Well, I guess people look at what they see and they think that’s the way it is. First of all, I do get on umpires. If I see a play that I think is really one sided I’ll go out and argue every time. Some times, you know, just for the sake of arguing, that to me is totally overrated…I respect umpires, I don’t believe in going out and showing any one up just for the sake of show…Listen, I back my team every day. And, look, they don’t show me on the bench when I’m tripping from the dugout, you know, you don’t see that part of me. You don’t see me walking up and down the dugout, rooting for my guys, teaching them, pushing them, prodding them to get going. They only show me when some one gives up a hit or makes an error, and they show my face and I’m not going to show my players up. So, that’s the perception you get from me, is what they show when something goes wrong. Outside of that, I’m as animated and as much in the game as any manager in baseball. You look in every dugout, guys, and you see some managers sitting there like a bump on the log. They’re just sitting there, DOING NOTHING. You look at me, and I’m the total opposite. I’m on the top step, I don’t hide in the dugout, and I’m up and down doing my thing, pulling for my players. So, that perception that is out there is unbelievable.”
…about leadership, and whether the team has or needs a leader…
“There are different types of leaders, you don’t have to be a rah-rah guy. You can’t always be Lenny Dykstra. Sometimes guys just play and lead in their own way. I think we have some leaders on our team. Beltran played hurt last year a lot, that’s a form of leadership. So, yeah, I think it’s overrated at times, but I think that when you have a team that’s good you have a combination of different kinds of leadership…They’re not your typical kinds of rah-rah, gung-ho, in your face kind of guys…I do not think out team (needs a guy like that). We have guys who play with a certain demeanor. Okay? That is sometimes mistaken for being passive or not gritty or not tough not getting after it, that is so unfair, because our guys care. They play hard. They work hard every day. When you’re losing every one looks like they’re not doing as much.”
…if he is aware of some reporters and some fans requesting that he be fired…
“Listen, I’m a human being, I live in this town, I remember when talk radio first started…yes, it does sting a bit, because you think about where your heart and soul is and what you’re trying to do as far as winning, and no one likes to hear that stuff. But, believe me, guys, I understand that goes on with the territory. I am not concerned with what people feel about me because I’m here to do a job. Would you like to be liked, like most people? of course. But, believe me, when I’m on the field, when I’m out there leading my ball club, that does not enter my mind…It’s unfortunate that people who don’t understand the game, or who know what we’re dealing with, are calling for people’s livelihood. That’s really unfortunately, when you can call for some persons livelihood when you have a family and people who depend on them, but that’s a way the game has changed and it’s really kind of sad.”
Randolph also talked about Billy Wagner’s comments, and his players talking to reporters, among other things.
To listen to Randolph’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
Tagged WFAN |
The Game:
Weather permitting, the Mets (20-19) open a three-game series versus the Yankees (20-22) tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, starting at 7:05pm EST.
The Lineup:
- SS Jose Reyes
- DH Marlon Anderson
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- RF Ryan Church
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Brian Schneider
- 2B Luis Castillo
The Pitchers:
LHP Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10 ERA) starts for the Mets. In his last start on May 10 versus the Reds Santana earned a victory allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.0 IP. Santana’s 2.27 ERA in Interleague play is the lowest among pitchers with at least 100 innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in eight career games, five starts versus the Yankees.
RHP Darrell Rasner (2-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the hill for the Yankees. Rasner earned a win in his last start on May 10 versus the Tigers surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk with a strikeout over 6.0 IP. In his only career start versus the Mets on May 19, 2007, Rasner allowed two runs on two hits without recording a out, as he left the game due to injury.
The Notes:
The Mets are 25-35 all-time versus the Yankees in the regular season.
Carlos Delgado‘s 138 RBIs during Interleague play ranks him second all-time. He is batting .257 (65-for-253) with 12 HR and 43 RBI in his career at Yankee Stadium.
Joe Smith has stranded 15 of 16 inherited runners this season. He has 10 strikeouts in his last 4.0 IP.
David Wright is batting .323 (21-for-65) with 5 HR and 15 RBI in his career versus the Yankees. he is batting .202 against right-handed pitching this season.
The Yankees have the highest all-time winning percentage (.589) during Interleague play. They are 4-7 versus left-handed starters this season.
Derek Jeter is batting.381 (94-for-247) in his career versus the Mets. He is 5-for-17 (.294) with 3 2B in his career versus Santana.
How To Catch It:
Tonight’s game can be seen locally on
and heard locally on WFAN.
The Bleachers:
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…like cerrone, i am over this whole subway series carnival and interleague in general…it’s lost its appeal…i know most fans use these games as some sort of bragging rights, but honestly i’d rather the Mets play game within their own division…until fans stop buying tickets to these game, i’m sure we’ll continue to see the Yankees on the Mets schedule six times a season…
…however, this is an important series for the Mets, as all of the new york media focuses on this series…if the Mets, who i believe have much more pressure on them and have more to prove than the Yanks do this weekend, continue their uninspiring play, all hell could break lose and this team could implode…
…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…
Tagged Mike Nichols |
According to Adam Rubin, at his blog for the Daily News, Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers and is expected to report to Triple-A New Orleans.
Rubin also discussed Jorge Sosa, who the Mets still have time to try and trade.
Tagged Nelson Figueroa |David Wright told reporters today that the Mets intend to hold a player’s only, closed-door meeting prior to tonight’s game to discuss Billy Wagner’s post-game remarks, among 
other things.
…from what i can gather, the meeting will occur after batting practice, just before the game, and wagner will lead the discussion and apologize and explain his comments to his teammates…
Prior to the game, Carlos Delgado told reporters that a) he did not speak to reporters yesterday because he was forced to leave the park quickly due to a family emergency, and b) Billy wagner aplogized to him for suggesting he was avoiding reporters.
In a post to Brooklyn Met Fan, Adam gives a quick review of Playing for Peanuts, a documentary, television series, which is airing on SNY.
The show is about Wally Backman’s return to managing in the independent league for the South Georgia Peanuts.
In Adam’s opinion, SNY must be showing this in an effort to soften Backman’s image – while trying to 
make him a more viable candidate to replace Willie Randolph.
I doubt this very much, actually. SNY is probably just trying to fill content. I mean, it was on today in the middle of the day, which is hardly prime-time viewing, and I was totally unaware it would be on.
Also, for what it’s worth, I have seen no evidence that Backman will ever be considered as manager of this team, seriously. From what i understand, a) Backman torched his bridge from Shea, and it will not be rebuilt – no matter how badly some Mets fans want to see him return, and, b) from what I understand, most all of MLB sees him as a total loose cannon, who, while entertaining, can be very, very unprofessional in a day and age when team’s have way too much money on the line.
I understand why some fans want to make him an icon, or want to believe his passion is a good thing. However, fact is, there are hundreds and hundreds of professional baseball teams and he has been unable to latch on to any of them. I mean, he quit the only job he could get, which was managing an Independent League team. Add these things together, plus consider this record, and I can’t see him back at Shea.
In his latest Rumblings & Grumblings column for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark writes: “We continue to hear talk that Arizona will look to move Chad Tracy once he comes off the disabled list and gets back in the big league flow. But one NL executive says he can’t see why the Diamondbacks would trade a guy who helps fill one of their few needs.”
The 27–year-old Tracy has spent time playing first base, third base and left field during his four-year career, while hitting .288 with 62 HR and 240 RBI in 518 games played.
In a very insightful post to his blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman points out that while Willie Randolph is not disliked in his own clubhouse, his players may be indifferent towards him.
According to Sherman, “There is not a wholehearted disrespect, but critically there is not respect either. Not hate, but not love. And this is bad for Randolph…The fans don’t like this team and the media has picked up on that plus the uncomfortable environment that exists in the Met clubhouse. And the Wilpons are very susceptible to fan and media choruses. That is why Willie is in big trouble.”
Sherman continues on to write about the Nationals and Devil Rays, as well as Johan Santana, who will have more than a baseball in his hands tonight.
Tagged Willie Randolph | ← Older posts
