Comments on: Links: Disgraceful, Cowardly, Massacre, etc.

By: toughasnails

toughasnails — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:04:48 +0000

The only disturbing fact here is that Willie was fired after a win. It makes the firing seem tacky. I believe this decision was made on Saturday, but the rain out messed up those plans. The Mets were not going to fire him on Father’s Day. Firing him on Father’s Day would be more of a PR disaster. It is not like Willie changed his plans to fly out to Anaheim, so firing him there is not like he changed plans to go out there. More importantly, Willie is being made out to be a sympathetic figure, which is to his benefit. Many of us can point out the failures and flaws in his managerial style both on and off the field. However, by becoming this tragic figure, some team will give him a shot under the guise that “he never got a fair shake.” Willie has won nothing. The media is upset because he was fired after their deadlines and they cannot create the splashy tabloid covers in a timely fashion. Additionally, only the beat reporters are with the team so the media is not getting the coverage they would have if this was done in New York.

Bottom line is that Willie won nothing in New York. He was given the tools and the opportunities. We have seen other managers win with less (2000 Mets, 2006 Cardinals, 2007 Rockies). The real issue today is not the way that Willie was fired; rather the issue is that Sandy Alomar is still the 3rd base coach today. Forget just the Schneider play from the doubleheader, but too many times this year has a runner been held at third. He should have been fired also, but if the wanted to keep him to appease Alou, Delgado, etc, then he should be reassigned to bench coach where his only responsibility is to bring the lineup card to the umpire.

By: Really Carl Pavano

Really Carl Pavano — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:34:29 +0000

he said black In May

HE RACED TO THE FINISH LINE.

By: egnirc

egnirc — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:09:39 +0000

He has two years left on his Nationals contract. So they would have to get around that.

By: recoton1

recoton1 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:34:24 +0000

OH THE HUMANITY…. WHAT INJUSTICE… let’s get Al Sharpton on the phone and get some protests going. This will not stand! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Poor Williy had to fly out to Anaheim first class and then gets to take the rest of the year off enjoying roughly 3.5 million dollars. All the while, steering this team into the dumpster and the annals of history as the biggest choke in MLB history. I may need another handkercheif to get through the press conference. I just hope that he is still able to put food on his table for his starving children. F Willie. He should never have been given this season PERIOD. I have no hard feelings toward the team In fact, I’d rather they fired him between games on Sunday, Father’s Day, while his kids were being featured on the jumbotron. Good riddence. All of this “disgrace, classless” BS is ridiculous. Get off of the soapbox already and grow the F up!

By: repeal the DH

repeal the DH — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:31:22 +0000

i’m totally confused here so maybe someone can help me out… or maybe i can help myself. let me try! the media and other members of the “get willie” lynch mob have been demanding willie’s head on a stick since last fall. now that they all got what they wanted we get this phony indignation over “the way he was fired.” sounds like a clever way of wiping the blood off your hands. i think mr. vaccaro is more upset that it occurred in the dark of night because he couldn’t be the first to break the story more than he cares about how willie was treated. once again with the media, it’s all about them. what a joke! another reason why i don’t read papers or watch sportcenter or all day coverage on SNY.

By: TugTheMan

TugTheMan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:25:17 +0000

UGH!!!! What a bunch of two faced hypocrites!!!!! Every sports writer, TV commentor, radio personality and others should just shut up already. I’m sorry, but these people continued the whole “Willie is gonna get fired” even after Omar came out said that Willie was not gonna be fired (Memorial Day Weekend).
But they continued to push the issue. I even have doubts about these alleged “leaks” from these insiders. I think its all BS, made up to create a story. Did the Mets and Omar handle this poorly? Yeah sure, but firing a guy who is liked by many, if not by all, is never gonna be easy… there is no “right” way about. Being fired in L.A. gives Willie a chance to escape the media hoard and disappear for a bit. I would love to see either Omar or better yet Fred go up to the media and tell them off for once and for all.

By: ravi3

ravi3 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:12:27 +0000

Hahah I don’t think anybody can compare to Hank….

Meanwhile, does anyone doubt that Manny Acta will be the Mets manager in 2009?

By: jaxson

jaxson — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:12:06 +0000

I absolutely agree with you. I am sick of the Willy pity party already. How many of you have been fired before Christmas or on a Friday…and without anything to show for it! I see much worse everyday. Maybe this could have been handled different, but the over reaction to the Mets organization is mind blowing. we’re a joke, we’re a disgrace, we are classless – geez. I refuse to rip apart my team like this – I’m turning the page and hoping for a turn around.

And the worst part about this are the people who are complaining that Willy was fired after 2 wins. We have won 2 in a row before and tanked. Should we wait for another collapse? We did this enough this season. I did like Willie and I probably blame Omar more, but this is my team and I’m not embarrased today. I’m just a fan who has no input in these things. Get over it!

Anyway…..Let go Mets!!

By: gjhaze

gjhaze — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:10:53 +0000

The same sports writers who built and fueled the “Fire Willie” mantra are now outraged that he was fired? Come on. These guys need to get over themselves.

The Mets handled it poorly, but spare me the outrage from journalists who hastened Willie’s exit.

By: ravi3

ravi3 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:08:24 +0000

I really do agree with the sentiment that it was the will of ownership. Frankly, they have the right to do so, after giving Omar the keys to the Mets, and an open checkbook. I’m fairly certain that WIllie knew of this before leaving for LA, and stayed quiet to avoid the media rush. My reasoning for this is that the EXACT scenario was detailed in the press over the last few days, and the outcome discussed in terms of replacements is exactly what happened. I think they did him a favor by making the move in LA.