Comments on: News: Nationals choose Riggleman over Bobby V

By: Tidewater

Tidewater — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:26:19 +0000

Rick Reed’s union status has nothing to do with his ability. He was a fine pitcher for us. That “rag tag” team also had a one-two punch of Mike Hampton and Al Leiter. Don’t forget the no-hit shortstop broke his arm and wasn’t playing. It had Edgardo Alfonzo at the top of his game, a damn good if unspectacular Robin Ventura. Oh, yeah, and the greatest hitting catcher of all time.

I agree that the 2000 team played better than the sum of its parts, but it wasn’t like the Bad News Bears out there.

Bobby V. did a fine job as manager, and I’m not against bringing him back. But please let’s not deify the guy. Remember ’98? That was a good little September collapse. He’s not a miracle worker, and the criticisms of him should be heeded.

By: metskat

metskat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:39:21 +0000

my drums are on auto…its funny (not) that the only time the mets brass makes defintive decisions like ‘omar and jerry are coming back’ they usually suck…

By: Zanderssports

Zanderssports — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Sweet! Omar? please?

By: MisterMet74

MisterMet74 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:43:39 +0000

There have been some great observations about Bobby posted here since the initial announcement that he wouldn’t be returning to Japan. Some positive, some negative. Some speculative, and some factual. However, the fact of the matter is, we must remember he is as complex AND complete as a manager comes. There was after all, a documentary about a full season of him managing in Japan called, “The Zen of Bobby V”. But most importantly, he was the last Met manager to get to the World Series, with arguably a rag tag team of players. Most notably, Timo Perez, Benny Agbayani, and Jay Payton as primarily outfielders. Offensively abyssmal but defensively brilliant Rey Ordonez and a pitching staff that included a non union scab (who was great for us) named Rick Reed. Quite an accomishment if you ask me. I’m all for him!!

By: scottmetsfan

scottmetsfan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:49:42 +0000

i’ve always liked bobby v and lots of other fans used to like him too. but as i remember, nobody else liked him. i remember players saying that they wouldn’t sign with the mets because they didn’t want to play with him as their manager. rehiring bobby might be the equivalent of remarrying a former spouse: a triumph of nostalgia over good judgement.

By: PoorOldShea

PoorOldShea — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:40:23 +0000

As Matt (and others) have said a number of times, this organization is lacking clear focus of what they want to be. It is not enough to say ‘we want to win a championship’. That statement is a wish, not a focus and direction. So, until the owners wake up, this will be a team that is difficult to really watch – it reminds me of the teams of the late 70s and early 80s. So, I think the nostalgia of bringing back Bobby V is a positive thing from a fan’s point of view whether he wins or not. Personally, I think he’ll do pretty well but more importantly he will make it fun to watch games again. No Mets manager since him has really known how to manage in the NL so it will be refreshing. My vote is for the Mets to hire Bobby V.

By: Xavier22

Xavier22 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:34:36 +0000

I would say it was Steve Phillips’ johnson that unseated him at ESPN rather than Bobby V.

By: MetFanForLife

MetFanForLife — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:14:30 +0000

While Bobby V has been a candidate for these openings, let’s remember that he’s always been the kind of guy that people either love or hate. In cities outside of NYC, that doesn’t play well, as teams are not as used to the constant criticism as our own teams are. Bobby V has unseated Steve Phillips at ESPN (which must give him tremendous satisfaction) and he can bide his time until New York comes calling.

By: eDaPS

eDaPS — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:10:43 +0000

On an unrelated note, anyone check out that “Bronx Banter” blog?

I recently checked it out to recommend to a good friend, a Yankees fan, a place to keep up with baseball in general. Especially the hot stove season.

I assumed that that blog would be the same as MetsBlog, in that the admins would be as thorough in keeping tabs on the rest of the league and specifically the off season news. To my surprise (not), I visited and found that they say NOTHING about ANYTHING not involving the Yankees and all their glory. Disgusting.

I know MetsBlog has its problems, but the guys here do a great job. Especially Matt. The guy keeps us as up to date as he can on all the news. I mean, I certainly don’t have the time to scour the internet for all the tidbits I get here.

Anyway, rehire Bobby V!

By: eDaPS

eDaPS — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:51:11 +0000

I would like the Mets to rehire Bobby V.

Is it nostalgia? Maybe.

Is it the fact that Bobby V is actually a very good manager and works well at getting the most out of his players? Probably.

Is it because I think Jerry Manuel is a HORRIBLE manager with no knack for ANY aspect of managing a Major League Baseball team? Absolutely!

Jerry blows.