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Prior to last night’s game, Willie Randolph told reporters that he talked yesterday with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon about the team’s lackluster play, adding:
“We talked about the team and how we can get better…We haven’t swung the bats collectively as a team and, once we start doing that, it will take pressure off our bullpen and starting pitching.”
…to which i am sure jeff must have thought, ‘Hmm, where i have heard that before.’…
In the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch suggests that Randolph is quickly turning in to Captain Queeg, adding:
“The manager spoke to his team for 35 minutes and emerged with an assessment of the Mets’ play that can be described, at best, as incorrect. At worst, Randolph was being delusional…Randolph can’t affect repairs if he doesn’t acknowledge there’s something fundamentally wrong with the Mets. To do that, he has to admit his entire managerial style is flawed, which is to say, the Mets have been ignoring him since 2006. No chance Randolph goes down that path. He’s too stubborn, too arrogant for that. Better to look the other way, deny everything – and then cross the fingers. Tightly.”
…as usual, klap has a finger on the real pulse of this team…
…that said, he connected a few dots for me, because i have been hearing the word Stubborn come from people connected to the team, when speaking about willie, for some time now…i never really understood what that was supposed to mean, but coupled to klap’s column, i understand the characterization a bit more now…
…the funny thing is, fans have been calling willie Stubborn since his first season…
Nevertheless, in the Journal News, Rick Carpiniello throws some reality on the fire, writing:
“The perception is that Randolph has lost control of his team, which, of course, is ludicrous. Even if it were true, those who are claiming it to be so have no way of knowing…Likewise, Randolph is painted with a brush of somebody without fire - which is also ridiculous - because he doesn’t blow his top. His team, they claim, is flat, unemotional, uncaring; even if we all know that teams usually look that way when they’re not hitting, not pitching, not fielding or not running the bases particularly well.”
For more opinion and information, I highly suggest you check out John Harper in the Daily News, Ken Davidoff in Newsday, and Joel Sherman in the New York Post, who writes:
“A manager is best served with allies in four areas: 1) clubhouse. 2) front office. 3) media. 4) fan base. Randolph is pretty much 0-for-4.”
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The main thing wrong with Willie’s approach is that he manages the team he wants, and not the team he has.
This is an EXCELLENT point, and more accurate than you may even realize.
So something has to change. What do you think it will be?
I mean if everyone here can agree on one thing, it’s got to be that something has to change. Even if they just flip a switch and play better, that’s change. I just don’t think it’s that simple.
So where do they go from here?
Is it really? Could you please tell me what it mean in concrete terms? I’m not trying to be a jerk, I really don’t know what that, in practical terms, means.
But it sounds good.
agree 100%. Willie is in total denial, plain and simple. Since his pride and now “world famous” stubborness won’t allow him to acknowledge that it could possible be his fault and lack of managerial talent!
i (and others) have been saying for months: he manages like his team is 25 willie randolphs.
he manages the team he wants, and not the team he has.
So, given the team he has, what things should he be doing that he doesn’t?
I’d really like to know.
I was just thinking the same thing… as a Mets fan I am in a tough spot. I want the Mets players to step up and beat the Yanks and Braves this week, but at the same time, I’ll be angry that Willie will get the credit for it. This is why he should have not been brought back for the 2008 season. The only way he gets fired midseason is if the team is really struggling- meaning below .500 or out of first place by a good amount of games. Catch 22 situation for mets fans who want willie out!
Willie might get some credit for it here, but keep in mind that when the news of a “re-evaluation” of the manager came out, for whatever it was worth, it was also very clearly stated that wins and losses were not going to effect the outcome.
Again, I think while everyone gets at each others’ throats here, the decision has probably already been made. Now it’s a question of timing. And they’re also not going to fire a manager who was just named to the All-Star coaching staff. Might even by why he got that honor in the first place. Who knows?
Bottom line. It’s bad form to hope that your team loses. It’s a free country, but it’s not very productive.
i don’t think the all-star spot is going to matter much.
So basically, you are saying you are not a Mets fan. You are just a Willie hater. Win, lose or draw you hate Willie. You hope the team does bad so you can hate on Willie some more.
Now I’m not crazy about some of Willie’s moves but no one will agree 100% with any manager. It’s not like great managers grow on trees. Some of you guys suggest ex Mets to manage, but they have no track record which is just a recipe for disaster.
This is like Bobby V all over again. He was doing great for a couple of years, then some high priced veteran were brought in. They underperformed and brought his downfall (Vaugn, Alomar, Burnitz). Any time high priced veterans are brought in, more is expected. Now some of you want to bring Bobby V back? Is that going to turn things around? Likely not. The manager does not have that much power people! Ultimately, the players have to perform!!!
The one thing that has going for the Mets is that they are relatively young and can turn things around. Firing Willie is not the answer. Reyes, Beltran, Wright are in a rut. They are young enough to turn it around. Delgado is quickly become a bust. As long as there is only one of those around, you should be OK.
Klapisch is just stirring up some controversy because it is easier to write about than actually doing some real work or analysis.
I dont get it. What specific flaws in Willie’s managerial style are responsible for Wright , Castillo and Reyes hitting in the 260’s and the Carlos’ hitting in the 220s?
I mean be for real, when the players you are counting on to produce big are posting non mlb batting averages with precisely zero power, along with some little league bonehead plays in the field and on the base path, what exactly is the manager supposed to do?
I am sorry, I cannot blame Willie for the bad performances of the players or unforeseen injuries. you mean to tell me that WIllie is such a poor manager that 70% of his lineup forgets how to hit?
I am not raving about Wille, because I could care less about the manager, it is way overrated. the blame for the poor play thus far belongs to the players entirely
the sportswriters know that they can crank out the old “out with the manager, he stinks” manuscript on his desktop and sit on his fat fanny without having done a bit of work
pathetic
I’ve been reading Klapisch’s stuff forever. I agree with some of what you said, but that’s really not his style. Check out “The Worst Team Money Can Buy” if you can find it and haven’t read it before. Pretty good stuff, and a lot of similarities with what goes on today. In fact, your post could have fit very easily into several of the chapters.
Klapisch is just stirring up some controversy because it is easier to write about than actually doing some real work or analysis.
Couldn’t agree with you more. I guess I’d more respect for Klapisch if his record for accuracy weren’t so poor. I still can’t get over how he said the Mets were going to go full throttle after A-Rod this past winter. So, “finger on the real pulse of the team?” I don’t think so.
And I don’t understand Klapisch’s rationale for calling Willie delusional. Does he really expect Willie to tell it like it is? C’mon, Klap, get real. Should he say “This team is in trouble. Out first basemen has declined so much due to age he can no longer field or hit respectably. Heilman and Sosa just haven’t done the job this year. Ollie’s mind is in the clouds sometimes. Jose is just a shadow of the player he was in 2006. We’re in big-big trouble and there’s no way out!’
It’s just another example of Klapisch trying to bash the Mets again. The Yankees are in worse shape than the Mets right now. Where are the stories bashing them and Girardi
Um, Matt was being sarcastic with his “finger on the real pulse of the team.”
I read it again, and I have to say if that was sarcasm it wasn’t very clear.
It’s in context,
he follows it up with “…that said, he connected a few dots for me…”
Reading comp wasn’t your strength in school, was it?
Lets say wilpon/omar comes out and says, “willie will NOT be fired in this season.” that’d make me get behind my team and always want them to win, but with the chance of willie getting fired its almost like its okay if they lose since willie can get canned. it kills me to say it tho
Well Omar did say “No” yesterday when he was asked if Willie’s job was in danger. He said he fully supports Willie. Then again, what can he say? From what I read, and I don’t remember which paper it was, they made a point of saying Omar was cornered. Still doesn’t matter, because Omar couldn’t really say anything else. I don’t think you’ll ever hear the Wilpons say anything. I think Jeff wanted him gone last year. He didn’t say anything favorable, and probably isn’t going to now. The next six games are probably not going to do anything one way or another to effect Willie’s status, so the Mets might as well go out and get some big wins.
you do not love this team if you hate the manager so much that you would rather see the team lose than win. what is wrong with you? seriously, why do you hate willie so much!
WHY
DO
YOU
HATE
WILLIE
SO
MUCH!
exactly…it is so pathetic that met fans wish the team does poorly so that the manager can get fired..what the hell is that going to accomplish? A last place finish?…Get this through your thick skulls..WILLIE IS NOT GOING TO GET FIRED! Stop using Willie as a scape goat and support your god damned team. I blame sites like this site and the media for writing the same thing over and over again and fueling the fire. Don’t you know they are sucking you in. PLAIN AND SIMPLE THE PLAYERS NEED TO STEP UP AND PLAY THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY! ENOUGH ALREADY!
Because this team will never win a world series with Willie at the helm.
I dont hate Willie by the way hes just incompetent at his job. I know…..im going after his livelyhood.
Oh wise one, and how do you foresee that? He was within one game of the WS 2 years ago. Some really unfortunate play last year. What has changed since then? Not his style. THE PLAYERS. Enough said!
Agreed 1000%! If you hope the Mets lose for ANY reason, you are not a fan!
Hey Mets,, stop treating your fans like we’re stupid. I take serious offense to the comments made by Willie. Saying that we don’t know anything about baseball and don’t have the right to voice our opinion on the direction of the team and his managerial ability. Enough Wilpons.. You have arguably the most fervent following in all the game and yet you feed us bull. This is a new low for this organization. Delgado comments about how he had to leave the ballpark early are insulting and unacceptable. Maybe you get a pass this time but don’t make a habit of underestimating your fans. Just to let you know,,, whoever talked to Billy and made him put his tail between his legs made him look like a fool. Get it together!!!
Billy is a fool and he should have kept his big mouth shut…Once a Rat always a Rat…
Yes blame Billy….he should have said its a long season ….its only one game……..we’ll get them tomorrow
Comment by gameball
2008-05-17 10:16:59
The main thing wrong with Willie’s approach is that he manages the team he wants, and not the team he has.
that is very true. but heres the rub. willy doesnt believe with vets and talented players like this, that the managing technique you guys are calling for is going to make a difference. when it comes down to it, hes the manager, NOT THE PLAYERS. its up to them to hustle. willy is bound by many things, the players are bound by nothing. they arent going to get fired. they are still going to get paid. they will still have to play because of the massive amount of money invested in them. all willy can do is tell them. thats it. and telling grown men being paid millions to RUN gets old and may get tuned out.
for the most part, i think mets fans are idiots. they dont think with their minds and think with their hearts. which is fine, but its not an informed o