Opinion: Why is Oberkfell just a Coach?
Moving beyond the question of why Willie Randolph was fired and how it was handled, 
the next head-scratcher is why Jerry Manuel – and not Ken Oberkfell – was named the interim manager.
Yes, Manuel has previous managing experience, and in fact was named the 2000 AL Manager of the Year. But, he’s not the type of guy who will light a fire under anyone’s backside, and was not known as an on-field tactician – in the AL no less, where the strategy compares to a game of checkers. In other words, Manuel is basically the same manager as Willie Randolph.
Randolph’s removal should not have been a ‘change for the sake of change.’ It should have been a calculated move to turn the Mets’ season into a winning direction. If you have the foresight to announce the firing right after the tabloids go to press, you should also have the sagacity to put the right guy in place: Ken Oberkfell.
Oberkfell is many of the things Randolph was not. He’s fiery, aggressive, and has many years of minor league managerial experience. He’s managed at nearly every level of the Mets’ organization and therefore is more than familiar with their top prospects.
In fact, rumor has it that Oberkfell is also a trusted advisor to Tony Bernazard – a stark contrast to the questionable relationship he had with Randolph.
So why has Oberkfell been promoted to, essentially, look over the shoulder of Jerry Manuel? Is he around as a consultant, or a manager-in-waiting? If Oberkfell is the guy who the Mets believe can change the tone of the team, why wait to give him the reins? He spent 16 years in MLB clubhouses as a player, and has been managing for another 16 years, so he’s far from ‘green.’ Clearly his time is now.
What is more disconcerting is that Oberkfell’s new role is the caretaker of batting gloves (a.ka., first base coach), while Luis Aguayo was installed in the more prominent position of third-base coach. Why in the world was Aguayo — previously the Mets’ “Field Coordinator” — given such an important job?
Maybe the team’s decision makers are unsure of how Oberkfell will handle the media circus of New York. But, after watching the way they bungled this managerial change, he can’t do any worse.
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
I’m with you, Joe. Like I said yesterday, I have talked with people who have played for Obie, I have talked with people who have covered Obie, and I have even talked to Obie, and the sense I get is that he’ll make a terrific major league manager, assuming he wants the job.
There is some indication he is more than happy about the idea of simply being a coach right now.
The thing is, if a new manager is brought it during the off-season, who will bring in his own coaches, I fear that the organization will lose Oberkfell altogether.
