Opinion: Attacking Jerry Manuel

June 23, 2008 at 8:44 am · 114 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

Yesterday, before the game, Jerry Manuel was asked if the booing at Shea Stadium can be draining on his team, specifically with regards to Aaron Heilman, to which the manager replied:

“That’s a good question. I don’t know if it drains a team as much as it affects that individual. I think it does have an effect on the individual more so than the team…It’s painful, but it’s also growth.

“I’m going to say this, and I hope you all don’t take it wrong, I know you’re going to run out of here with something crazy on this: It’s very, very fertile ground for growth at Shea Stadium. It’s fertile ground for a team’s growth and development. Sometimes, fertile ground has fertilizer. But, fertilizer is a good thing. It’s a good thing. You get the greatest results, you get the most beautiful plants, when you put it in that type of fertile soil. That’s what we have the opportunity to do. Don’t take that wrong, because I know what you’re going to do with it.”

Sure enough, in the New York Post, beat writer Bart Hubbach pens a report with the headline: “Manuel Likens Angry Mets Fans to Fertilizer, New Manager Puts Foot in Mouth Again.”

In the report, Hubbach leads by writing:

“Angry Mets fans are a big pile of … fertilizer? Manager Jerry Manuel apparently thinks so, at least when it comes to their harsh treatment of reliever Aaron Heilman at Shea Stadium this season.”

…for starters, the first time manuel said, ‘fertilizer,’ he laughed, as did more or less every reporter in the room…

…also, for what it’s worth, hubbach does not write the headline…that’s a different person’s job at the newspaper, i think, so, boo to that person…however, hubbach has to know what manuel was really trying to say, like Adam Rubin seemed to understand in a post to his blog for the Daily News

…i mean, this quote could just as easily been framed as Mets Fan = Nurturer, i.e., a person who wants the best for his team and so he pushes the players to be the best they can be…instead, the post framed of the quote as something else, leading to emotional, irrational responses like the following:

According to WFAN’s morning host Craig Carton, ‘Mets fans are under attack by Manuel,’ and so Carton is going to boo Manuel tonight at Shea Stadium.

…as much as i enjoy his radio show, carton is a joker at times, so he may have been just trying to incite a riot for ratings…which, if the case, makes him a bit disingenuous, but such is the job of talk radio i guess…if, however, he is serious, it means he is lazy for not researching this better, or it means he is crazy…

carton also works hard, too hard in fact, to be a populist Mets fan, ‘defending the honor of Mets fans,’ as he likes to say, and in some case i think he is so quick to take up a cause he does not think the sceanrio all the way the through

…whatever the case, it feels like hubbach and carton should be covering the Presidential Election, instead of sports, if they’re going to comb over statements and twist them in to stories for the sake of having something to react to…

[Poll=125]

{ 114 comments }

Don't mess with the Johan June 23, 2008 at 8:49 am

cheering is fertilizer. booing is a weed. I think this is the point he’s trying to make. Am I the only person who got it?

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 10:18 am

No — fertilizer is manure. He was trying to say that in a place that fosters growth, like Shea, it’s going to stink from time to time. But, it’s part of the package, and players can grow, and become better players, from the environment as a whole, including the fertilizer.

Prismo June 23, 2008 at 8:49 am

Well firstly, he’s not talking about me; since I never boo the Mets (in person).

Secondly, if I did, I wouldn’t be offended. He said nothing offensive in that quote.

Gotta love the NY media.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 12:29 pm

While I have been known to boo, when warranted, I do agree that there was nothing offensive about Manuel’s comments.

That being said, Manuel needs to be more careful about what he says to the media. Judging from how he started his comment, he *knew* how the media would twist his comments around, yet he still made them. This could lead to problems in the future if he keeps it up. I’ve loved hearing what he has to say so far, so would hate for it to come to that.

metsfanbook June 23, 2008 at 8:51 am

No, of course not. You’d have to be a talk show host looking for fertilizer for your own ratings in order to interpret Jerry Manuel’s astute comment as an insult to Mets fans. Clearly, what Manuel is saying is that crappy stuff can sometimes produce good results, and although I may disagree with that when it comes to booing (I think it has done more harm than good over the years at Shea), I think it is a smart move by Manuel to suggest that this kind of crap can and should be made into something that can help the team by motivating them.

NY Cuban June 23, 2008 at 8:52 am

Jerry understands that although somethings aren’t pleasant (“booing”) they are meant to bring great results. At least he understands why the fans boo. Its to make the players tougher…to have them “grow”. Jerry understands…and to take it out of context is complete BS.

But whats even better is that Jerry actually says things with substance that CAN be taken out of context. Its so must more refreshing than…”Aaron will be fine. He’ll grind it out. I trust my guys.”

Roach2 June 23, 2008 at 9:11 am

Even……to this day….you are still all about Willie. It’s astonishing actually.

Looks like Carton and/or Hubbach read this site (1 person voting that they were offended).

beltran the warrior June 23, 2008 at 12:07 pm

cuban really is tony bernazard. haven’t you noticed?

Danny1986 June 23, 2008 at 2:24 pm

yes…but he has a point. Bashing Willie blindly is useless and ridiculous right now. And guys who do that are just idiots.

But comparing/contrasting Jerry and his effect on this squad to Willie is a worthwhile thing to point out. I stated this on the earlier fertilizer thread, but I see a more proactive approach with Jerry as opposed to a reactive state that was indicative of the former manager.

and that is good.

Danny1986 June 23, 2008 at 2:29 pm

actually….i state it down below on this thread. oops…thought I was on the M&MD thread.

I’m a crackhead today. no coffee.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Well, Danny, be glad you are not in the public eye, like Manuel. That “crackhead” comment would get you thrown in rehab!

hotcorner5 June 23, 2008 at 8:55 am

give me a break… the NY media is ridiculous. it’s bad when you can predict that the rags will interpret things the wrong way to make controversy and sell their garbage.

metsfanbook June 23, 2008 at 8:56 am

And I do agree with “Don’t Mess” that, for the most part, cheering is fertilizer and booing is a weed, and I expect to see a lot of cheering sustenance for the Mets in this coming homestand. I think Manuel’s main strategy, in trying to improve the home record by resting guys on the road is to build a sense of good feeling in the franchise as a whole by having a lot of feel-good wins at home. That being said, it’s interesting that this year, unlike last year, the Mets are playing pretty well at home.

Gina June 23, 2008 at 8:56 am

I’m offended by the idiot who wrote that headline. He must think we’re idiots if he thinks we can read the actual quote and then actually buy into his headline.

kowalski69 June 23, 2008 at 8:59 am

Jerry Manuel for President. Right now. I love this guy

NY Cuban June 23, 2008 at 9:02 am

Can we write him onto the ballot?

GeorgeThomas June 23, 2008 at 9:01 am

Carton is a clown. Where did this guy come from anyway?

BernazardSucks June 23, 2008 at 9:02 am

this is a non-event. i love how mainstream journalists claim that bloggers are mean and sensationalist mud-slingers, when they do the same thing to sell a paper or two. have they looked in the mirror lately?

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 10:20 am

I would actually like to take the time to applaud your screen name — seriously. If one tenth of the things we hear about that guy are true, he’s a parasite that needs to be flushed. . . . I don’t think the “fertilizer” metaphor carries over to the front office.

rametfan June 23, 2008 at 10:22 am

If half the things in that article in Gotham Baseball (Matt linked here last week) are true Bernazard the real issue

adropofvenom June 23, 2008 at 10:35 am

Too bad they’re not…because nothing that Gotham Baseball writes is ever true.

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Thanks, Tony! (I can tell by the screen name)

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:44 pm

I think you may be off here, “toomanyuniforms.” After all, Bernazard both has, and inspires, a lot more than “a drop” of venom! :)

nyr2k2 June 23, 2008 at 9:05 am

How could anyone possibly take offense at what Manuel said?

And now Bart Hubbach is up there on my list of Guys That I Will Never Take Seriously (along with Larry Brooks and other sensationalists of his ilk).

ravi3 June 23, 2008 at 10:19 am

Can we name the list “The Wallace Matthews List of Journalists Who Can Never Be Taken Seriously”

dontstopbelieving June 23, 2008 at 9:13 am

Sadly, there are people who go to Mets games who get all their Mets-related news from sources like the Post and the talking rear ends on the FAN. And these people will probably have a few beers and boo.

I love how the mainstream media bashes bloggers for things like poor research and kneejerk reactions, yet has no compunction about obviously spinning words to mean something different from what was actually said. They’re trying to be the story, rather than report on it, and it’s ridiculous.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm

What’s funny is that they include the whole quote, which so *obviously* doesn’t say what the headline claims it does. If they were going to do such spinning, you’d think they would have cut out the parts of the quote that completely undermined their attempt at spinning.

NY Cuban June 23, 2008 at 9:14 am

90 to 1. Is this the most one-sided Metsblog poll ever?

Danny June 23, 2008 at 9:16 am

And the 1 was a Yankees/Phillies/Braves fan.

Hojy20 June 23, 2008 at 9:33 am

Maybe it was Craig Carton.

krumbledkookie June 23, 2008 at 9:41 am

It was Willie.

zen June 23, 2008 at 9:14 am

are the “journalists” who cover the mets bright enough to cover the actual game or is it too complex for them? it seems they’re only capable of creating drama about managers.

jerry manuel doesn’t wear an american flag lapel pin.

fatsfox June 23, 2008 at 9:51 am

Hah, I hear he’s also a muslim….

krumbledkookie June 23, 2008 at 10:16 am

Haha. NIce.

SheaVendor June 23, 2008 at 9:19 am

OK…who are the 2 “Met Fans” who voted yes? You should be banned from posting on metsblog.

CitizenSnips June 23, 2008 at 9:19 am

As hilarious as the Post’s covers and headlines are most of the time I have no idea why anyone would take that paper seriously. It’s just a glorified tabloid.

krumbledkookie June 23, 2008 at 9:29 am

Glorified? It’s trash. A waste pf paper and webspace.

Knuckles99 June 23, 2008 at 9:20 am

I am offended by the media and their blatant attempts to find copy. This story on the news, even this making a line item on this blog site offends me. Call me a drone for replying.

domosnacks5 June 23, 2008 at 9:21 am

I actually love the analogy, turning poop into a great plant, that’s some motivational stuff right there.

There's Always '09 June 23, 2008 at 9:23 am

Utterly ridiculous that they put those headlines on that paper. What a joke. I think that is the media’s “payback” for firing Willie while they were asleep. At this point, I wouldn’t be too upset if the team boycotted the NY media and did no interviews. Not sure of their obligation though.

Ceetar June 23, 2008 at 10:23 am

They’ve got no real obligations. Schneider on WFAN on Tuesday’s, and maybe something here and there.

I’ve been saying they should do this for weeks. It’s been part of the distraction for them and I figured it would’ve helped them focus. Or make them lazy, who knows.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:56 pm

That kind of punishes the fans, too, though. I like to hear what the players have to say after a win or loss. Plus, a lot of the problem with the team in the last year or so has seemed to be a lack of accountability, which won’t be helped by them avoiding the media.

I think the most helpful thing would simply be for us fans to not get suckered in by the trash that some of the media spews forth and refers to as “news.” If it doesn’t get the desired results, maybe it will stop–or at least lessen.

patrick June 23, 2008 at 9:24 am

Sheesh, at this point even skeptical that any real change is in the making, just out of utter disgust of how much of a hack Hubbach is, and make no mistake about it, he is a hack, or he would not have cleverly cleaved Manuel’s exact words, I am on the Manuel train out of sickness of the media.

It was abundantly clear what he was saying in that performing terrible is a challenge, being booed is a challenge, and you have to step and rise to your best among the challenge.

I still think any fan who boos his own team for anything other than lack of effort is a nimrod, but any New York Sports reporter than spun this story as Manuel against the fans either miserably failed their SATs (reading comprehension) or is simply a low rate hack.

and as of this post, their are 5 fans with very low IQs

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 10:24 am

Sorry — I cannot resist! “their [sic] are 5 fans with very low IQs”

“THEIR”!!!!

I think we need to stop constantly bashing other fans’ intelligence, “patrick,” or else we’ll have to make that SIX fans.

krumbledkookie June 23, 2008 at 9:28 am

Don’t blame Hubbach for the article, blame him for being a tool of the corporate driven media.

These are the same kinds of jokers that claimed that Obama’s fist pound with his wife may have been a “terrorist fist-jab.”

patrick June 23, 2008 at 9:57 am

Ok, well we are reaching with the Corporate Driven media and Obama references, and I absolutey blame Hubbach.

One, if he was in that room, he full well know exactly what Manuel was saying and why he went out of his way to caveat it.

Two, if he did not, he is as dumb as a rock.

Three, if he was not in the room, he should not have been relaying the information as if it was a first hand account.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 1:06 pm

I just thought of something regarding Hubbach. Remember that hysterical press conference Willie had after the game, when the Mets were about to announce the Trot Nixon trade? During that presser, Willie pointed out certain people in the audience, like Chris Cotter and “Curly” Carlin. He also mentioned “Bart,” who he referred to as his favorite, or something along those very favorable lines. One would think that “Bart” was Bart Hubbach. Perhaps Willie and Bart had a very good manager/writer relationship and Bart is now taking it out on Manuel, for his pal, Willie?

Jmiles June 23, 2008 at 9:34 am

krumble nailed it.Who made the “terrorist fist pound” statement?
Fox news-who owns the NY Post? Rupert Murdoch who also owns Fox news. They have their own opinions that are not relevent to anything but headlines and ratings.This headline was nothing more than something to get people like Carton stirred up so he can get ratings. he is one of the media puppets that gets excited so he can rant.
The 2 Mets Fans who voted yes work for Fox news

MetsFan4Decades June 23, 2008 at 9:34 am

First, I’d like to know who the idiots are that voted yes. I’d have to ‘vote’ for the fact that Jerry’s quotes went way over their heads.

Boos to these media sensationalists who write these types of stories. Come on guys, Jerry even helped you out by telling you that you were going to get it wrong. You would think anyone with half a brain cell would have understood. Is this the same guy who was quoted as writing ‘Jerry threatens to stab Reyes’? Too bad we’re always going to have these type of irresponsible journalists who are more interested selling type than in reporting sports news.

I guess that’s why this is the greatest country in the world. You’re free to say whatever you want, print idiotic stories just short of slander and show the world what morons you are.

I didn’t even remotely take offense to anything Jerry said during that interview.

Bench5urvivor June 23, 2008 at 9:51 am

hey now, jerry said he’d cut jose
stabbing is a whole other story

MetsFan4Decades June 23, 2008 at 9:55 am

I couldn’t agree more. But I saw that headline to some article/post somewhere. I’m thinking you don’t become a journalist unless you’ve got brains so you know that was done on purpose……

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 3:05 pm

I have some toolbar-type thing on the bottom of my desktop which shows the Mets and MLB headlines, as well as scores from the 4 major sports. I saw that headline that turned out to be Hubbach’s and, though I doubted Manuel would trash the fans (certainly this early in his tenure), I wanted to know what the deal was. Of course, I came here, and didn’t read Hubbach’s garbage, but some people would go read the article itself. And that, of course, is what the Post wants–readers. If they have to sink low to get the readers, so be it.

theperfectgame June 23, 2008 at 9:35 am

Well, at least you’ll have some nice results to report on the air. That’s about as unanimous a response as you could hope for on an anonymous poll. Makes the NY Post look kinda stupid, but then again, that’s a little redundant…

KFS June 23, 2008 at 9:43 am

Wow, Rick Peterson has really left his mark on Jerry Manuel with all this metaphorical crapp. If only he had taught Jerry to use good metaphors instead of fertilizer…

Agees Catch June 23, 2008 at 9:45 am

Jerry said he expects Alou to not return this season and ultimately retire. Am I the only person who expected him to be back? And what do we do now?

MetsFan4Decades June 23, 2008 at 9:58 am

I heard Jerry say he hopes Alou would be back but he’s not counting on it and he’s managing the outfield like he doesn’t expect him to be back.

I guess we’ll either hear about buying an outfielder, a trade (although who for what I have no idea) or bringing someone up. Should be interesting….

krumbledkookie June 23, 2008 at 10:13 am

From what I understood, Jerry said he’s approach the rest of the season as if Alou would not be back, which is markedly different than saying he did not expect him back. Jerry knows he’ll be back at some point, but he can’t count on it meaning anything to the team because Alou is just to unreliable.

That, to me, is one great tragedy of this team and last year’s team. Had Alou been able to play 150 games this year and last, we make the playoffs by 4 or 5 games in 07 and we’re up by a few now in 08 ( considering how anemic the offense has been at times, that seems reasonable). That’s how good a hitter he is and how much his bat would mean to the offense and his presence to the clubhouse.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm

The problem, though, is that there was never any reason to expect Alou to play in 150 games per season. At most 120, and that even proved to be way too much.

Manuel is right to proceed as if Alou will never be back. To rely on Alou at all could be extremely detrimental, as none of us can possibly know how much he will play. The rest of management needs to take this same approach. Unfortunately, they may not have the chips to get a replacement for Alou, since their top prospects are mostly in the low levels of the system. But they at least need to make an effort.

developwilletspoint June 23, 2008 at 9:46 am

Matt, I really hope they have you on SNY tonight to trash the Post. If not, I hope they mention something about how ridiculous that front page was. What morons.

Joe D June 23, 2008 at 9:46 am

SNY is going to run with this. It will be on Wheelhouse, DNL, Loudmouths, GSN, you name it. There will text polls, approval polls, people will call-in, the whole nine yards. SNY has become the soapbox for the negative driven tabloids.

patrick June 23, 2008 at 9:51 am

except that there tie in is predominantly with the Daily News, and thus far Adam Rubin who is the Mets beat writer is the only one who appears to have gotten it correct, but it is buried in his blog.

LongJohnMaine June 23, 2008 at 9:53 am

As if I needed another reason to hate that no-talent imbecile Craig Carton. What a moron.

7train June 23, 2008 at 9:57 am

Jerry is a Farmer Gansta with blades and hoes for his fertilizer.

I like Jerry, he’s doing and saying what this team needs.

I’ll be there tommorow night with my overalls and shovel.

mr.gee21 June 23, 2008 at 9:57 am

Anyone who is going to game: just cheer loud and strong, and welcome back a team that did well on the road. A single boo, and you can imagine the Post’s headline: “Fans jeer return of miserable Mets.”

napes22 June 23, 2008 at 10:05 am

The 2% who were offended are too sensitive.

ness589 June 23, 2008 at 10:12 am

NY Post isn’t even good enough to line a birdcage.

the Straw June 23, 2008 at 10:26 am

I would suggest anyone who disagrees with Hubbards take to submit their displeasure bhubbuch@nypost.com.

marvelousmarv June 23, 2008 at 10:27 am

BOYCOTT THE NY POST

rametfan June 23, 2008 at 10:31 am

The NY Post actually has decent sports coverage, just ignore the headlines, the news area, the editorials etc (you know most of the paper). I never buy it but will pick it up if its lying around on the train.

Carton is a pompous idiot, when Imus left I tried to listen to the Boomer and Carton show on my ride into work, after 2 weeks of listening to “Doctor baseball” I had had enough. He drowns Boomer out now, which is sad as Boomer actually is worth listening to.

Manuel so far appears to be putting his own mark on the team. Liked what I saw with him challenging Pelfrey, Maine the last couple days.

This headline by the Post is a pile of fertlizer, I saw this morning walking by the paper box and thought “oh boy here we go again”. Logged in here just to see its more of the Post chumming the waters (Lo Duca’s issues last year were also carried in the front page blare)

Gasface77 June 23, 2008 at 10:33 am

Don’t worry, this was just Jerry doing his Rick Peterson impression.

garykeithron June 23, 2008 at 11:46 am

THAT’S who he reminded me of….that’s really funny

Mookie1986 June 23, 2008 at 10:35 am

This whole thing just hurts my head.

First the politically correct police get all over Jerry for his gangsta comments, sayin how it’s irresponsible for a man in the public eye to say such things as jokes.

Note to these d-bags: get a life.

Now we have all sorts of people in the media running wild with a harmless comment that essentially breaks down as, boos should be the fuel for making players work harder, thus getting better results on the field.

Best part is, he knew it would happen! He’s quoted as saying such, and still media and fans alike are getting bent out of shape about it!

Why are people so ignorant?

Heck, the guy has barely stepped into the manager’s seat and already everyone is trying to kick him out! And this is why I don’t read papers like the Post or listen to azzwipes like Carton. My wife listened when he was on that weak Jersey station. He was a jerkoff then, and he’s a jerkoff now. I could care less that he’s a fellow Mets fan. He’s a jerkoff.

And so is anyone else who has been taking this man’s comments out of context over the past few days.

Seriously, you people wanted someone with more personality and ya didn’t think Jerry was the man for that job, eh? Well it seems like he’s got a heck of a lot more personality than anyone previously thought, and now he’s getting burned for it.

Nice. Very nice…

rametfan June 23, 2008 at 10:46 am

Agree with you, heard a guy on the FAN over the weekend (Steve Summers show) rant for 2-3 minutes about the “gangsta” comment. Just goes to show there is that small pct of people in the world that will take offense to almost anything, I voted by switching the station to ESPN

I like the fact Jerry is actually talking to the media, doesnt mean I think he’s the best manager for the Mets, its too soon to tell that. But I found the gangsta thing to be pretty funny and its nice to not to have android-like post games

ndk5 June 23, 2008 at 10:46 am

Well he needs to be more careful. While i think this whole parade is ridiculous and what he said was not offensive at all, we all know what market we are in and how these reporters feast on stories like this. I think he got a free pass with the whole Gangsta-reyes-cutting comments. He needs to be smarter than this. He needs to just keep his mouth shut with the fans, the gangsta mantra, etc. I don’t mind if he does this in teh clubhouse, but he needs to be more professional and more careful when speaking publicly. The media coverage may be unfair, but it is what it is. He needs to act accordingly

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 1:52 pm

I agree. I don’t know if he has to back off the whole “gangsta” thing, because that didn’t seem to be a big deal with anybody but the overly-PC crowd. The “fertilizer” comment, though, could be twisted to offend the fan base, which could be a problem. Granted, *this* time he said enough that nobody should take offense, despite the Post’s “best efforts” (sad that this is what counts as the Post’s best efforts, isn’t it?), but that might not be the case next time. The team just got the “black cloud” out from over their collective head, they don’t need a new one.

dykstraw II June 23, 2008 at 11:25 am

mets fans care about two things:
1. wins
2. losses

SlowRoller86 June 23, 2008 at 11:59 am

So this is what kind of leadership the Mets need? a manager who is already popping of with indecipherable nonsense?

he should write for one of the local papers with this stupidity and his gangsta crap.

how about a normal human being answering the questions without hyperbole?

oh sorry that was willie

Carton defending the honor of Mets fans? there is an exercise in futility

dykstraw II June 23, 2008 at 12:28 pm

please go root for those honorable yanks kthxbye

gangsta4lyfe

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 1:54 pm

What is normal about a man in denial, repeatedly saying that his team will turn it around, and refusing to address any of their many problems?

OPP is Metsmerizing June 23, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Go Metsblog…please please hold these rabble rousers in the NY media more accountable for these absurd stories. Call them out more often for the leaches they are!

CharlieH June 23, 2008 at 12:07 pm

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: No respectable fish would ever find itself wrapped in the Post…

saltzy007 June 23, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Dumbest. “News” story. Ever.

and yet….I still Love the Post….ya always gotta know what the other side(Murdoch) is tryin to push….the anti-Obama rhetoric is wonderful to read….

BTW, Jerry can call me ANY-THING, as long as the team keeps winning…

repeal the DH June 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm

the critics of willie told us how “boring” his press conferences were and how evasive he was in answering questions, etc. in other words, he didn’t handle the media well and that was one of his big weaknesses. now he’s replaced by someone who adds some spice and frankness when dealing with the press and the same people are now twisting his words in order to turn the fans against him like they turned them against willie.

you’re a “reporter” at a press conference and the only thing you have to ask a major league baseball manager is what he thinks of the home fans booing. what a stupid question! it’s so obvious that the purpose of the question was to incite trouble. the “willie bubble” has burst now that he’s gone so the fine denizens of the media have to create another faux controversy to sell papers and get ratings.

this what you get when you give punks like hubbach and carton a keyboard/microphone and extol them as “experts” and “pundits.” these clowns don’t know anymore about baseball than you or i do. whatever happened to real journalists like dan castellano? now there was someone who you actually learned something from.

dykstraw II June 23, 2008 at 1:38 pm

honestly, who is craig carton and why do i give a flying crap what he thinks about anything?

i seriously never heard of the guy before last week.

Danny1986 June 23, 2008 at 1:53 pm

You know what?

- I seriously hope Jerry called us fans sh*t. Most of us deserve it.
- I’m glad he referred to Reyes as a ’she’ and threatened to cut him.
- It’s great that he just defined the bullpen roles and didn’t even bother to mention Heilman.
- It’s way past due that someone has challenged our starters and nixed the BS 100-pitch count rule.
- “Oh Luis, you’re hobbled a bit? Not 100%? There’s the bench, buddy.” No more favoring the veterans on this team just because they are veterans.

Jerry’s tough guy image may be veiled in jest, but there’s obviously a few ounces of legitamcy mixed in. He’s certifiably nuts with quotes like this (like a cross between Tyson and Peterson), but I like it. And he isn’t gonna stop. And if Wright and Beltran don’t start to hitting more and actually surpass Reyes for the team lead in slugging, I can see Jerry’s cross-hairs bearing down on them as well.

I believe EVERYONE associated with this team needs a kick in the @ss. The lineup, the coaches, the media, and the fans. And Jerry is leading with both fists. Considering the fact that we have been living with a defensive/reactive “wait and see” and “I hope this and I hope that” mentality under Willie for the past year+, this is a much needed breath of fresh air.

Hate Jerry or love him. But he’s created a PROACTIVE mindset after a year+ of confused and undefined REACTIVE mindset under Willie. And if you aren’t buying that, at least one thing is clear. Jerry is enjoying himself, and it’s rubbing off on the team rather well. When was the last time we can collectively say that Willie was enjoying his job?

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:36 pm

I mostly agree–I don’t think the fans deserve any criticism, like you apparently do. Of course, since Manuel *wasn’t* criticizing the fans, I have no issue with him.

But I like the attitude that Manuel is bringing to the team–especially that it is proactive, and not reactive, as you put it. The players are being forced into accountability (which also occurred just from the firing of Willie) and into realizing that they can’t take their roles on the team for granted–they need to perform, and perform in the right way, or changes will be made. That is a welcome change from the past year plus during which this team acted like they would succeed just by taking the field and were so secure in their jobs that they felt nothing they did would change anything for them.

letsgomets942 June 23, 2008 at 2:26 pm

I have really had enough of the media! Give the guy a little room, at least while the team is playing well. I can see a lot of things the Jerry says being taken out of context because he gives long answers and jokes around a lot. Hopefully real hardcore Mets Fans hear the whole answer and are smart enough to know what he is saying. Then their is the rest that call them self Mets Fans that only go by what they read or here on talk radio. It actually seems like these fans want the manager and team to fail so they have something to talk about.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:41 pm

I certainly think the media wants the team to fail so they have something to report on. The failure of the Mets, even after the firing of Willie Randolph, is a lot “juicier” than a managerial change resulting in success. So, why not try to stoke the flames a bit, and get the ball rolling (to throw out a couple of cliches).

patrick June 23, 2008 at 9:45 am

“if they moron” reads “they moron” will realize it is wrong

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 10:22 am

Let’s give it a rest. I’ve never been happy with “patrick,” either, but let’s not “fertilize” his commentary.

patrick June 23, 2008 at 11:15 am

I don’t know.

I am in need of a “dire education”.

Perhaps you can tell me if they offer it “are your high school” first.

Boscov June 23, 2008 at 11:58 am

PacMan seriously give it a rest…no one cares about your stupid fued with Patrick. Is he not allowed to root for the Mets if he’s in high school? Why on earth do you keep bringing that up? Am I supposed to be impressed by your degree from West Virginia? That doesn’t impress me in the least bit. If you were truly intelligent you would realize that your best bet is to keep your mouth shut and not brag about attaining a god knows what BS degree from a not so great school.

pac_manjones June 23, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Now there are two people on this board that really believe I am Pacman Jones, Pat and yourself. Pacman jones attended WVU, however didn’t even receive a degree, he left after three years. I am not Pacman jones, have a bachelor’s degree in CS and a Masters in IT, just because you asked about my “bs degree.”

Boscov June 23, 2008 at 12:11 pm

REALLY? WOW!! An impressive resume there Pacman. I’m not sure as to why anyone coming to a Mets fan website cares about your education. Maybe your boss would care that you’re spending more time bashing poor Patrick and his ineptitude on Metsblog.com than working. How about you and Patrick have a discussion about the Mets? You think you look cool and funny as you bash his grammar, to his stupid ‘fairy godmother’ bs you guys are morons.

Berbalerbs June 23, 2008 at 10:22 am

The image is really hilarious of someone with the monicker “Pac Man Jones” doling out grammar criticisms.

And did I miss something on this blog? Did Patrick threaten David Wright’s life or something? A lot of animosity going on here…

patrick June 23, 2008 at 10:28 am

Berbalerbs, I made the mistake of saying the way the Mets went about firing Randolph and the assumption that Manuel will heroically save us all is a bit premature

Berbalerbs June 23, 2008 at 10:32 am

Oh. Shame on you, then.

Berbalerbs June 23, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Pacman, I really miss you at the nudey joints, man. Other people try to “make it rain” but it’s not…it’s just not as…magical, I guess as when you do it.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Patrick–I don’t know if you have ever been one to visit message boards of any kind, but a commonly used expression used there seems appropriate here:
“don’t feed the trolls.” Trolls, of course, are people who stop by just to start trouble of some sort, not contribute anything to the discussion. By engaging them, you are “feeding” them, giving them the attention they are so desperate for, and encouraging them to continue. Of course, thinking that they will go away just because you ignore them is naive and inaccurate (at least at first), but you shouldn’t waste your time responding to their silliness.

Berbalerbs June 23, 2008 at 2:31 pm

MetsFan1976 smells bad. Like, REALLY bad.

What’ve you got to say about THAT?!?

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 2:49 pm

OK…THAT DOES IT…BERBALERBS, I’M GONNA RIP YOU A NEW…

Oh, crap! I just did the very thing I commented against doing…foiled again! DAMN YOU BERBALERBS!

(Taking days off from work because you’ll lose them otherwise can lead to silly comments on Metsblog, it appears.) :)

Ceetar June 23, 2008 at 10:26 am

Geeze. You’re up there with one of the most uninformed and idiotic commenters here. Do you have a crush on patrick or something?

patrick June 23, 2008 at 10:35 am

fairy god mother, answer Ceetar

MetsLv31 June 23, 2008 at 10:43 am

Pacman, I’m not sure what the deal is between you and patrick, but if you can’t make any sense out of his post here perhaps you shouldn’t be bashing him as needing a college/high school diploma.

patrick June 23, 2008 at 11:25 am

Again, change of topic.

dykstraw II June 23, 2008 at 11:30 am

i really wish you two lovebirds would get a room already

pac_manjones June 23, 2008 at 1:26 pm

Boscov, make that three people on this board that think I’m actually Pacman Jones. I didn’t not attend WVU, although I feel sorry for you that you did.

Boscov June 23, 2008 at 12:06 pm

HEY CERRONE:

How about you ban Pacman Jones and Patrick, so we don’t need to be held subject to

Pacman: You need an education. I went to WVU. I am very smart.

Patrick: You are a fairy god mother.

Nobody cares. Just go meet up and fight or something. Enough with the online beef

toomanyuniforms June 23, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Seconded. It’s old. Why is it so hard to just let some other idiot have the last word?

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Seriously–I made my post to Patrick about “feeding the trolls” before I saw these next couple of posts/responses. You guys *both* need to give it a rest, or Matt needs to get rid of all of your comments. Aren’t our comments coming up slower now because they are being moderated? So, where is this moderation? Nobody wants to see this private feuding.

gipper82475 June 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Amen…what is the point of comment moderation if Patrick and Pacman can go on and on and on with their inanity?

pac_manjones June 23, 2008 at 1:27 pm

BOSCOV: I didn’t go to WVU, although I feel sorry that you did, what a way to waste your parents money by absorbing that state fed education.

fightoffyourdemons June 23, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Could you two exchange e-mail addresses and take your argument there? Because none of us care — to be perfectly honest, you both kind of look like idiots.

MetsFan1976 June 23, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Agreed. And it makes me wonder how these comments are being left on the site, when much more appropriate comments have been taken off in the past.

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