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Last night, Jerry Manuel was asked by a reporter about the team’s offense, which Manuel responded to by saying he must find offense some place on the roster.
He was then asked, ‘Where,’ to which he laughed, looked under the table, joked around, and laughed more.
To listen, click play below, though the laughing continued for at least 10 seconds or so after this clips ended, with reporters joining in:
What… are you… laughing at?
Look, I dig Manuel’s personality, the laughing, the charm, the cool glasses, his zen-like philosophies… but, in the moment following a sweep from the Yankees, while sitting on the edge of slipping below .500, during a season that has already tested my patience, the laughing is obnoxious.
I know what he’s trying to do, but, to me, I see a man and a group of reporters laughing at the same thing: the Mets, the team you and I care so much about, and spend so much of our time and money on.
You want a joke? Here’s a joke: What happened to the fanbase that got jerked around and mocked for 10 years?
I don’t know either, but I have a feeling we’re gonna find out.
he’s laughing at this joke of a franchise…i would be too if it were funny to me.
time to clean house, but hey .500 is what they wanted .500 is what they got.
now go spend $90.00 for what amounts to a loge seat in the outfield.
More concerning than the offense to me is the embarrasement that this team has become over the past few years. Between everyone from FMart to Sheff not running out groundballs and Reyes being led off the field like a baby, we have a guy known for his defense (Castillo) drop a routine pop up to let two (2!) runs score to lose the game and now the best closer in the league (KRod) walking in a run (for the second time this year, mind you).
But he was facing Texeira, one the most dangerous first baseman in the league, so that’s ok. No? Oh, well he was facing ARod, one the most dangerous third baseman in the league, so that’s ok. No? Well who was he facing? Mariano Riviera, the most dangerous closer in the league. I guess he was afraid of his cutter. Oh, wait….
What has been the common denominator for all these Mets teams that have disappointed the fans and been mocked and laughed at by all those outside of its fan base. I’ll give you a hint he is a Brooklyn Dodgers fan.
Right, because before the Wilpons came around, the Mets have been a storied winning franchise. You’re dead on point.
It’s hard to say – I’ve tried to look for information about the Mets’ past in CitiField, but all I see is stuff about the Brooklyn Dodgers.
haha, well done Xavier.
im sorry youre right how silly of me to question the wilpons. I mean how dare I criticize someone who didnt want to resign the best position player in the franchises history, and is satisfied with just “meaningful games in september”.
There’s a difference between questioning them and blaming them for the woes of this team. It’s like blaming Donald Trump for a crack in the wall in one of his buildings. Yes, essentially, it’s their responsibility, but these guys don’t generally make baseball decisions, get real…
they hire the General Managers the general managers hire the managers, the managers coach the players. Championship teams and winnings franchises are built from the top down in ALL sports (yankeers, red sox, steelers, giants, devils, red wings) if you want to win consistently in any sport you need owners who care about winning and understand how a franchise needs to be run. there is no accountability in this franchise at ANY level, that is a fundamental flaw that is started from the top.
I was hoping the Madoff scandal would force Fred to sell the team but I guess that’s not going to happen. So we’re stuck with an owner who is using our team to fulfill his boyhood fantasy of owning the Brooklyn Dodgers.
See, I don’t agree with cleaning house. I still see no reason why, with Perez, maybe Wagner, maybe Delgado and Beltran, a trade, etc., that this team can’t reel off a 20-6 record in September – or, at least I see no reason to quit and not see if it can happen. I believe this can happen, I’m just frustrated it isn’t happening now…
I don’t agree with cleaning house either, however, you have to decide who is expendable and who is not.
If Parnell’s value, right now, is such that he can be a center piece to get a decent, impact bat, that’s under control to lift this offense now and compliment the core later, you have to do it….
I would trade parnell for someone under contract through next year the thing is who is that? the padres are NOT trading adrian gonzalez.
I don’t know…I can only speculate like most fans based on what I read.
I do like Dunn and always have. He’s not the perfect player, but I believe his presence in this lineup would do more than just provide power. I believe it stabilizes it some and allows others like wright, beltran and church to be positioned in their proper places in the lineup. I understand he’s a butcher in the field and I’m willing to accept that. Perhaps having an all world Center Fielder can help a bit with that.
Bobby Parnell is a nice player that throws hard. But he is not and never has been an elite prospect or irreplaceable.
I was very much on the Dunn bandwagon this offseason especially for the price he was getting. I just hate having to trade parnell for him when we couldve just paid for him in the offseason.
Clean house? Half the team is injured. You can certainly understand how the lack of Delgado, Beltran, and Reyes from the lineup will lead to no runs. What needs to be cleaned is Omar. He’s waiting too long to make a move. We’ve been needing a bat ever since Delgado went down and he’s sitting on his hands. McLouth went to Atlanta. Derosa to St. Lois. Who are you waiting for Omar?
Matt 20-6 in September??? What was our record the last two Septembers??? Why as fans should we expect this team to turn it around all the sudden in September??? I’m starting to believe that the core should be broken up… this formula simply isn’t working
lorenzo: exactly, the last two septembers haven’t been exactly great
it’s a tough, no-win, situation for him…
no one wants to see him sit up there and try to legitimize this joke of a lineup. He’d get crushed for doing that…
I don’t envy Jerry’s position right now….
Lighten up. It’s called gallows humor.
It shouldn’t be as funny when you’re the one tightening the noose.
Explain to me again why Jeter saw anything other then an immediate IBB in the 9th? I don’t care that K-Rod walked Mariano; that was a no-brain decision.
Because Jerry is the worst on-field strategist in the game today. It makes no difference who we get back, or who we trade for; we will always be limited with him at the helm. Unfortunately, because of the injuries I feel he will get a pass that he doesn’t deserve.
Based on the next 2 pitches I have the feeling the 1st one was not suppose to be a strike. They were trying the lets see if he swings at the pitches a foot off the plate trick that never works.
That wasn’t the worst move on Sunday if you ask me. Castillo walks to lead off the 7th. Livan, who is a really good bunter is up next, so what does Jerry do he sends up Argenis instead wasting a player who promptly makes a terrible bunt to 3rd costing us the lead runner. My 5 year old could have made a better decision there and knew to bunt to 1st there and you automatically get Luis to 2nd with 1 out.
stop with all this clean house and give up crap theres about 60% of the season left, ur gunna get at least 2 core stars back, its no secret omar is trying to find another bat….u know the mets arent gunna just give up in june when they are 3 back so stop posting all this crap about give up play the youth blah blah because u know it isnt gunna happen so stop waisting ur time
who are you talking to?
anyone who says anything about cleaning house
Yes we are going to get two of the core players back that chocked it up the last two Septembers. Come on lets be realistic here. And when these “core” players come back are they really going to come back 100%? And thats assuming that they will come back. We have wayyyyyyyyyy to many question marks going into the remainder of the schedule to feel confident as fans that this team will be ok.
The difference between “looking for a bat” and “making a trade” is not sitting in the Mets front office. I think Omar made it clear that he has no hopes of salvaging this season with any outside help. I respect hanging on to youngsters, but when you can get a guy like McLouth or DeRosa, especially in this kind of situation that the Mets are in….you gotta do it.
Matt – this is your best piece/rant/blog in a long time. You hit the bull between the eyes.
I don’t know how Manuel was with the media while in Chitown but here he certainly has a love affair with the cameras and microphones.
I think he’s a media hungry clown looking to make a name for himself. He craves the spotlight and tries to come across as pithy and intelligent. Just another in a long line of questionable managerial decisions by this franchise.
Last year he took over a team coming off an historic collapse with a healthy and seemingly rejuvinated clubhouse and collapsed again. Then he played hardball (parden the pun) with the Mets during contract negotiations. Right then the Mets should’ve said…’thanks, but no thanks’ and walked away.
I know Bobby V was the same media hungry glory hound…but he won. Great job Matt!
I think the team needs a fresh approach. Lets build some talent. I hope Omar doesnt make a trade here, there really is no point.
Either all the guys come back healthy after the allstar break and make a run, or the season is a wash.
Maybe get some new trainers/doctors that can either prevent or at least properly diagnose and treat all these injuries.
Why not put yourself in a position to win? The only teams that should be allowed to have “wash” seasons are the ones playing in small markets. There’s no reason why the Mets can’t pick up some help from somewhere. Between the 2 NYC teams, Boston, and the Dodgers, Omar is clearly the least talented GM. I can’t take away from what he’s done during our offseasons, but isn’t it clear that he can’t manage a team that needs a lot of mid-season tweaking.
Omar has done an okay job. But any major moves that could “solve” this would require chips he doesnt have, or ALL our chips for 1 guy who wouldnt put us that much closer.
What the team needs are its big guys to be healthy. Maybe Omar can trade the medical staff?
Im not saying he shouldnt make some tweaks, etc. But I dont think he has ANY way to get 3 allstart caliber players to “save” the team at this points.
And giving up what little top talent we have for lesser stop gap players is a waste.
every year we assume we cant afford anyone then teams go out and get guys for a song while omar is holding press conferences telling us all how hard it is to find help as if i need to feel sorry for a guy who gets paid millions of dollars to do something we’d all do for free. Also the “core” is not out for the year (hopefully) so if you add someone to help tread water for now he will still be here when they come back and the team will be better off. I dont want to trade fmart for nick johnson but there are always players available and why not use the big market mentality for once and pick up a salary dump.
Exactly. You don’t need to plug 3 holes. You need someone who’s gonna help keep the team within striking distance. There’s no reason why Atlanta can pick up McLouth and we don’t even whimper
Omar has never to me been a good small, baseball sense deal type of guy.
He wants the flashy, big moves.
I agree, add some small filler, dont give up any of our “top” prospects for stopgaps.
Im just afraid he will do Fmart for Nick Johnson or something silly just to make a deal, etc.
Once the DL guys are back this team will be completely different. The question is how big a hole will they be in.
Omar has shown over the years that he is not a talented GM. He can sign free agents, which may be the easiest thing to do for a GM with a massive budget, and he can execute trades in the offseason (some good, most bad). He has no outside the box capabilities and he holds on to guys for too long instead of recognizing he caught lightening in a bottle. He also seems to only focus on the absolute biggest problem of the team and never just looks to add to a strength. All in all he is a sub par GM and his next big mid season trade will be his first.
Jerry Manuel is a joke, Jerry Manuel is not funny
Yeah, the Mets are .500 and 2.5 games out of first with half of the team injured, but you know what, if he managed his team properly both on the field and off wed be talking about how great it is that without our stars we still have a 3 game lead in the division.
He may be fun to be around and a relaxing guy to play for, but you know what, that only goes so far.
People need to realize that its time to stop making excuses for injuries and maybe look at how much better off wed be if we had a manager that knew what he was doing.
No, this is not funny
Totally agree. The zen, calm, philosopher who is great for moral is also know as the bench coach. Not the manager.
I’d have no issue with him if his guys ran out ground balls and popups, caught balls in the air with 2 hands, and threw strikes with the bases loaded. They teach that stuff in little league.
Have to agree with you, One Day, Jerry was laughing like he was because –for all his woderful personaitiy qualities– he is basically a clown. He is the antithesis of a managerial genius.
Meanwhile, no point surrendering prospects for guys like McLouth and DeRosa. They are each good players but they would not elevate us to where we were with Beltran, Reyes and Delgado.
I’d only favor a trade for a top level player who has value beyond just this year.
And as embarassing as K-Rod’s walk to Rivera was (and it did hurt), K-Rod has more than carried his weight this year and gets a pass from me on that one.
Oh im in 100% agreement with you chiefman. Is a guy like Russell Branyan or Mark Derosa really that much better than what we have now? We would need like 3 of those guys at this point.
My point is exactly what you are saying, we cant make a trade unless it is going to legitimately change the face of this team, which is why despite our lack of farm depth, i give Omar a pass.
But the fact of the matter is that we would still be in first place with all of this nonsense if our manager had any idea what he was doing on the field with in game decisions and off the field with constant lineup changes and allowing this team to have no sense of accountability when it comes to being fundamentally sound.
Ive always at least had some part of me that didnt know if getting rid of a manager was right, but this guy must be fired, he brings absolutely nothing to the table
What in the world is he supposed to do? The team’s offense is a joke so he’s laughing. If he flips out and gets mad, is the team going to start playing better? He needs to get the guys back sooner rather than later. Even 1 guy would help. I can’t stand people pointing the finger at Manuel or saying that Omar should go cuz he hasn’t made a trade. To me, only DeRosa and McLouth have been traded and while I’d like to have either one, neither would be making a huge difference for the Mets. McLouth maybe, but he’s not jacking HRs outta Citi Field!
In some respects, I think that he is really “overmanaging” the team. He is way too much into the lefty righty match ups. Guys start to look comfortable, like Murphy, like Evans, and the next thing they sit for 3 games. Castillo’s leading off, no he’s batting eigth.
Tatis has been a waste this year, but Jerry keeps running him out there like he’s gonna get hot.
Enough. Give the line-up some stability with players and batting order and let it run. Stop tinkering every day.
koosman, we are on the same page. I 100% agree with your criticism of Jerry’s tinkering, his lefty/right fixations, lineup shuffling and preposterous worship of Tatis’s non-existent bat. A DFA of Tatis long, long overdue. I have seen more than enough of those big, wide, unproductive swings of his. But Jerry hasn’t. I gurantee you we’ll see Tatis back in there often and hitting in 4 or 5 spot.
I’m with you guys. He seems to be overmanaging like yesterday you are in a bunting situation just send Livan to bat and let him bunt him over. No Jerry has to bring in a pinch hitter to bunt. Really? Livan is probably the best sac bunter on the team you couldn’t write it better for the Mets than to have his spot in the order come up there.
I understand platooning some guys especially if they struggle against lefties or something but when the guy is in the lineup put him in the same spot in the order. Only Shef and Wright hit in the same spot everyday.
you will probably win the Tatis bet. He isn’t hitting give him some bench time. Heck Martinez and Reed may go 0 for 4 but at least they can contribute on defense, see late Friday night for an example of how Tatis lack of defense cost us. He didn’t hit a lick against Sabathia. Reed and Martinez could have done the same thing but at least they most likely keep Cano from stretching a single to a double
Jerry must be channeling Casey.
If I’m Sheffield, I’m hoping to be traded or released. There must be an AL contender who needs a RH DH.
If I’m Livan, I’m hoping to be traded or released. There must be an contender who needs a RH starting pitcher.
Tim Redding thought he left the Nationals
David Wright misses Shea
The classic Cerrone flip flopping of emotions right here. He feels bad for Omar’s spot, but finds Jerry’s laughing obnoxious.
Listen we can’t take this year and what is going on too seriously. This is a biazzare year that no team has ever had to face. This isn’t the team that anybody signed up for. It’s weird year and Met fans should not be angry or annoyed at this point. Just take this season for what it is.
David Wright, Carlos, Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Castillo, and Reyes are the one’s who who owe us good baseball and the playoffs and mental toughness and not folding when everything is on the line.
This team of backup’s and minor leaguers don’t owe us anything except to play hard and do the best they can and whatever happens happens.
I would almost rather have a year like this rather than watching them suck me in again only to break my heart in September.
This is going to be the key week, If they can survive it then maybe we can survive this season. If not then we don’t and i have no problem just blaming it on the injuries
Reyes, Beltran and Delgado should be doing everything possible to make sure that they can contribute to this team and its success this year.
Wright is pressing, exhausted, sick, banged up, and needs a day off, desperately, and Castillo is trying, but needs too many days off.
Ah the David Wright excuse train. Leaves the station at 11am every morning.
All that these guys should be doing is playing sound, fundamental baseball, not miss signs from the dugout and throw strikes to opposing pitchers. That’s not too much to ask for from professional athletes. It’s the manager’s job to ask for those things – not to laugh it off.
Normally I am the first person to have these kind of feelings. Honestly though, this season does not frustrate me nearly as much as the last 3. To me, it is one thing to have all the players healthy and not producing, and another to have so many people on the DL that Ryan Church plays center field to keep his bat in the lineup.
If the Mets were smart (I know that’s a big if), they would make a pubic declaration that Omar is safe for next year even if they don’t keep it. From strictly an incentives point of view, this reduces the possibility of a farm team dismantling trade for the sake of one man’s job. If they were then to fire him in the off- season who cares? The Mets are already a joke when it comes to saying one thing and doing another, they might as well take advantage of it…
I think he’s laughing because what else can he do? If he comes out and says “get me a bat,” the media will flame him for any or all of the following:
1. not having faith in his players
2. throwing Omar under the bus
3. inability to work with the team he has
I think he’s laughing because he wants to keep his job.
If Reyes and Delgado don’t come back, this team isn’t going anywhere anyway. Just chalk it up to a bad year due to injuries and go about preparing for 2010. You don’t even need to clean house in 2010. Just get healthy and make one or two changes. Things can change in one season with just a tweek or two. Take a look at the Tigers for example. A miserable 2008, 74-88, they were everyone’s darlings going into the season, due to injuries throughout their pitching staff. Got Zumaya and Rodney back healthy this season and brought in Jackson from Tampa and rookie Ricky Porcello to take the place of Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson on the starting staff plus Verlander is much better this season and as of today, they’re 42-33 and 4 games in front in the AL Central and this is with Ordonez not giving them the year he had last year but Cabrera and Inge have upped their games.
not a terrible comparison but porcello was paid over slot (something the mets NEVER do) and they have an elite manager. Also after this year the mets will have to make more than just a few tweaks bc they will be losing delgado, putz, schneider, sheffield, probably livan (though omar will bring him back im sure bc he never knows when to cut bait see jose valentin/fernando tatis). They should also dump castillo and look to FA to get who they need as there will be plenty of useful pieces available.
Jerry just is not a good manager. Yeah, I know the team is beat up, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be making smart decisions with the roster he has, and smart in game moves.
He needs to go in the off season, and I think he knows it’s going to happen. He’s probably laughing because he can’t believe anyone gave him another managerial job!
hey matt…
why….so….serious
The only thing Omar needs to do is get Theo Epstein on the phone and ask for advice
I agree about jerking the fans around for 10 years. This is why I believe the Mets need to clean house at the end of the season. Some big ticket items like Wagner, Delgado and Putz will be gone opening up nearly 30 million in payroll. Although I don’t like the idea of breaking up the core, it will be 3 years without winning. If you are not winning, then what are you the core off? Beltran would fetch the most but he has a tough contract to move unless the Mets eat some cash. That won’t happen. Wright is the face of the franchise. That leaves Reyes. I think there would be a market for a .280-.300 hitter with great speed and defense making about 6 million a year. We can find another SS especially if he brings in a pitcher or big bat.
New blood making new decisons is needed now. There are men who were groomed in the Atlanta and Boston markets that know how to build franchises while at the same time spending money on free agents. I don’t care that Omar is under contract. 1 playoff appearance is not enough and if the Wilpons think people were staying away from the $600+ seats, wait till we miss the playoffs again. How many season ticket plans and mini-plans will be dropped? I can say I am glad I didn’t buy a package because you are seeing the most expensive AAA team in MLB history.
I look across sports at teams that succeed and they are the ones that when a player goes down can reasonably fill the position. I know the Mets have been devestated but by the same token, we have little talent to step in. The Giants, Patriots, Celtics, Lakers have all suffered difficult injuries and they have played well because of organizational depth. We have none. Why is that? Because Omar has made some terrible trades giving away young prospects for marginal players that haven’t helped. Florida and Washington seem to have half of our roster. Look at the Buffalo AAA team. They are one of the worst in the minors.
It is time for the Wilpons to CULTURALLY change this team. I think we all know what I mean. No one cares when a team wins but when they don’t, it is time for structural moves. This team and organization to a degree have a losers mentality. No wonder Wilpon doesn’t want to be associated with it. He will always be a Dodger fan. We need men that want to win at all costs and not field an entertaining team that may contend but if they lose that is ok to.
I’ve got to say that the comments today have been very good. Nobody is cursing each other out and actually responding to their comments.
I know I disagree with some of the comments but I see the rationale behind them and understand where everybody is coming from.
We all want this team to win and really don’t know how to go about it. Unfortunately, I don’t think that the people in charge know either.
I think he’s laughing to keep from crying. We’re dying over here, but none of us are going to lose are gonna our jobs because half our team is on the DL. And Jerry didn’t jerk the fans around for 10 years…. just a year.
This team is a joke and he should laugh. He doesn’t sign the bats. Omar does. Maybe that was his way of telling Omar to get on it. I’d like to see Omar go before Jerry (though I’m sure it’ll be a package deal.)
Matt, I don’t dig his whole personality because he’s a freaking fool. The guy has no concept of managing. I don’t know how White Sox fans dealt with him all those years. I’d say there’s a 75-80 percent chance he’s not managing next Opening Day.
Matt, it starts from ownership down. Most fans are not on the same page as this organization. We’re run by businessman with little class. We’re run by a GM who’s timid during the season and irresponsible during the off-season. We were run by a stubborn deadhead manager with no experience and now by a fool who overmanages and can’t do simple things right. With all that said, it’s amazing how we’re only 2 1/2 out and .500, but if we don’t get Beltran, Reyes and Maine in about 2 weeks, after the All-Star break, we’re screwed.
Maybe this ownership and organization doesn’t value it’s fans. You’d know they had to lose some fans over the last couple seasons. Or at least pushed young people away from wanting to like them. I’ll stay a Mets fan, but it’s hard to care if it doesn’t seem like they do.
Back in moderation? I was only gone for a week. I’ve been hiking the Appalachian Trail Matt and didn’t have email access.
its probably automatic
Appalachian Trail? We thought you were in Argentina.