Sayonara, Jerry Manuel: For the Mets, It's Time To Look Ahead

Richard Marsh by Senior Analyst Written on June 30, 2009
CHICAGO - JUNE 04: Manager Buck Showalter #11 of the Texas Rangers watches as his team gets a win over the Chicago White Sox on June 4, 2006 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Rangers defeated the White Sox 10-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

That's it—I'm done.

In fact, I'm well-done, as in overcooked, the same as over-managing.

This is not something new with me. I have been on this tear since Jerry Manuel threw Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy under the bus in Spring Training.

I will say I was a Willie Randolph fan.

Was he the best manager in Mets history? No, not even close, but he was, at least in concept, what this team needed when he was hired.

He came from a Yankee mold under Joe Torre that let the players play the game but they were held responsible for their actions. He wasn't their buddy and he was in the field on a daily basis teaching players how to play the game fundamentally, the correct way.

He played the game the right way. He hustled out of the box and ran hard all the time. He knew how to advance a runner. He knew when the third baseman is charging down the line, you bunted towards the first base side. He knew not to miss a base while circling the base-paths.

I could go on and on.

Every year his team improved and he was unjustly blamed for the 2007 September collapse. He was criticized for his use of the rotation and the bullpen during that time. He was dismissed most unceremoniously just after his team had just beat the best team in baseball at that time, the Los Angeles Angels, in their park two out of three games.

Fast forward to Jerry "Gangsta" Manuel.

The press loved him from day one. Why? Because he gave good sound bytes and gave the media what they wanted. Besides he was a former "Manager of the Year" for the Chicago White Sox.

Wonder why he didn't get another managerial job after he was terminated?

I'll tell you why. The reason he was terminated in Chicago was his misuse of the White Sox bullpen and his inability to get along and motivate veteran players. Not my words. I heard it spoken and verified on XM's MLB morning show this very day.

Less than two weeks ago, I wrote that Jerry was managing the Mets right out of of contention. The overall comments were in disagreement with my assessment. I would venture to say that there might be some different opinions today.

OK. I will not beat this drum anymore today. I want to give you my five best candidates for the opening which will probably not happen but here goes anyway.

 

No. 1Buck Showalter

All Buck ever did was create the team that Joe Torre took over in 1995 and win four World Series. Next he built the Arizona Diamondbacks only to watch Bob Brenley win a World Series a year later.

The biggest complaint about Buck is he is a no-nonsense guy. Just what the doctor ordered. Maybe under Buck, Beltran would charge a ball hit in front of him or Wright would become more disciplined and not be fooled by every pitch that has some movement on it.

 

No. 2Larry Bowa

Get the feeling I'm seeing a pattern here. Just try not busting down the line and having Bowa waiting for you in the dugout. Trust me they'll run, run and run.

Nobody with the exception of Pete Rose played this game any harder than Larry Bowa and he would have his players back and blast them when they don't perform the way their capable of.

Single Page
Vote Now! - Author Poll

Who Would You Replace Jerry Manuel With?

  • Buck Showalter
  • Larry Bowa
  • Don Mattingly
  • Keith Hernandez
  • Bobby Valentine
  • Other
  • Don't Fire Jerry At All
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Who Would You Replace Jerry Manuel With?

  • Buck Showalter

    11.6%
  • Larry Bowa

    10.1%
  • Don Mattingly

    7.2%
  • Keith Hernandez

    21.7%
  • Bobby Valentine

    36.2%
  • Other

    1.4%
  • Don't Fire Jerry At All

    11.6%
  • Total votes: 69
(3)
...
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written on June 30, 2009 Opinion

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