Comments on: News: Willie and Players before the Game

By: beltran the warrior

beltran the warrior — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:32:03 +0000

so when willie goes, what guarantee is there that everything changes with an INTERIM manager at the helm. it’s not like earl weaver is going to descend from the skies to save this team. whoever comes in is going to be an INTERIM manager with no guarantee of the players’ respect. if they want to sabotage him, they very well will and then what?

for example, your beloved ken oberkfell. just because you guys think he’ll be wonderful, it does mean the players will. if they want to make him look bad, they can and will.

By: RPsJacket

RPsJacket — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:00:43 +0000

Willie will be gone just before the break if they continue to flounder. And the odds of him being here in 09, even if they make the playoffs is very remote, so everyone should just chill a bit.

I still think they can turn it around and win consistently. In fact, I am confident they will. I would like to see a better bench, and maybe another bullpen arm arm at the deadline too so get to work Omar or we’ll be calling for your head sonn too!

By: ericinsane

ericinsane — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:00:46 +0000

Willie should of called a meeting or something right after the game,while it is still fresh in the players heads. Just because Wagner spewed some truth, dosent mean he gets defensive and calls a meeting. He needs to show some fire during the game, in his lineup benching slumping players, not 2 days later.

By: osakajon

osakajon — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:26:05 +0000

I’m not saying that Willie has to be Bobby Cox and get thrown out of everygame, but their has to be some level of urgency and passion. On the rare occasion that Willie drags his behind of the bench and lumbers onto the field following a close or questionable call, when he finally gets to the umpire he looks like he’s asking the guy directions to the nearest subway station not arguing with him over the issue at hand. That calm cool and collected demeanor may work when you have a resume (AS A MANAGER) to back it up, but when you are a first time manager who has done nothing in your tenure other than sit in the dugout and observe the worst collapse in professional sports history without lifting a finger, you can’t just say “hey I’m Willie Randolph” and expect to command respect.

I agree with metsgo that this situation is not all Willie’s fault. In fact I think it is 99% Omar’s fault for not addressing the fact that this team hasn’t had a clutch hitter since John Olerud. This is not Monday morning quarterbacking, because when they got Santana, the first thing I said was great we can watch him throw a two hitter and lose 1-0 when Delgado hits into a double play with RISP to end the game. Omar has made no attemt to improve the offense during his time here. That being said, Willie was dealt this lousy hand and it is his job to get the most of these guys. Instead he sends mixed messages by calling out some guys like Reyes, Pagan and Perez and lets his fellow AARP cardholders like Castillo, Delgado and Alou drift along unresponsible for their inability to perform. Unfortunately I don’t think Willie is the guy for a team of young players, so when they get wise and blow this team up and restart with a core of Reyes, Wright and possibly Church (looking good but need to see a full season) somebody else who can actually develop talent and motivate players will have to be at the helm.

By: metsgo

metsgo — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:10:27 +0000

look willie cant go out and hold these guys hands everytime they get up to bat they have to do it themselves he cant be responsable for there crappy hitting .However willie is responsable for the ball pen moves and deffenatly has to know when a member of that pen does not have his good stuff.
When you look at the games lost due to the ballpen moves vs the bad hittig in key at bats the hitting cost way more games then the pen.Leave willie alone cause there isnt anybody out there thats going to do a better job .When the year is over the wilpons will see that omar is to blame for not seeing that the yohan deal was not the only big thing that the team needed .Then and only then will this team move in the right direction old vets accent a team the can not be the driving force of a team .Willie would be better suited with young players .

By: dykstraw

dykstraw — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:39:16 +0000

gil hodges? the same gil hodges who walked out to the outfield to pull cleon jones when he wasn’t hustling? glider, i can’t blame you but you done lost your mind.

By: dr jones

dr jones — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:34:36 +0000

give me a break!!! a Gil hodges type.. please man,, I really would like to know the similarities between the two of them. Gil Hodges was a championship manager.. What championship did Willie bring the mets? I find that comparison insulting as a Mets fan. Please explain that..

By: The Glider

The Glider — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:17:07 +0000

Getting yourself thrown out of a game is overrated. Willie is more of a “Gil Hodges” type. I happen to like him.

You guys are all panicking. It’s way too early to panic. I’m not saying that things don’t need to change or that Omar isn’t going to have to look at getting us a first baseman (I think Delgado is done) and some bullpen help at the deadline.

I think Reyes and Beltran will hit. Church and Schneider have been outstanding – much better than we could have imagined. Santana is the real deal. Maine is going to win 16-18 games. Wagner is back to being overpowering (but I have to see it in September and the playoffs). We’re not getting any production out of the bench so far this year. Endy has not been Endy. Easley is clearly a liability on the field and he’s been very mediocre at the plate.

By: kjmcc0729

kjmcc0729 — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:54:31 +0000

good point, maybe Knight shouldn’t have run so hard either!!

I have been demanding that wright and castillo sit out a game for not running on that ball. Jose was yanked from the game and benched the next day for the same thing! where is the consistency? what message is being sent to this team??

By: Two-By-Four

Two-By-Four — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:44:01 +0000

I am not a Willie basher and have not repeatedly called for his dismissal. Based on what I have read about him he appears to be a fine and likeable individual and I had hoped he would have been successful with this team. But this club is 74-75 over the past 149 games. That is the sample size we are using. Media types, including beat reporters, that in the past supported Willie and still like him are changing their stance and giving valid reasons for doing so. Willie will be paid handsomely for the remainder of his contract whether he is retained or let go so if that’s keeping you awake at night worry not for Willie be fine. He might even get a coaching job with his only true love, The New York Yankees.