One of my favorite columnists, ESPN's Bill Simmons, recently wrote in an article that you should never write anything down while you're extremely upset. That includes, he states, letters or emails to bosses, ex-girlfriends, or in his case, columns about your favorite sports team that has recently sent you straight to a bottle of whiskey.
This didn't stop him from writing a great column about his Celtics (it's right on ESPN's front page, I suggest you check it out), in which he destroyed his beloved team by stating what everyone in Beantown's been thinking about their playoff performance.
The Mets performance today has infuriated me to the point where even I cannot hold back anymore.
Having played baseball at the college level, I have at least a somewhat better understanding than the average fan of how hard the game can be, and how hard it can be to play the game well. It's because of my experience with the game that I'm able to understand the ups and downs of a major league season, and the struggles and slumps that go on over the course of 162 games. And most importantly, it allows me to not read too much into them, because I've been there, and I understand.
But all of that has gone out the window. It's time to say what everyone who loves this team has been thinking since the end of last season, Willie Randolph needs to be fired, and he needs to be fired now.
Today's game against the Nationals, at least for me, was the final straw.
Mike Pelfrey gives the club arguably the best outing of his young career, even carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning. He ends up giving up one run over seven and 2/3 innings, and surrendering only three hits. He pounded the strike zone all game long, and challenged the Nats' hitters from the start.
When you get this type of outing from your number five starter, you need to win the game.
Oh, and did I mention the Mets were facing the LAST PLACE Washington Nationals, and facing a pitcher who had an ERA over 11 before today's start?
Granted, Bergmann threw the ball very well today; he was getting on top of his curveball and it was breaking sharply out of the zone, which helped him to strike out eight Mets. But he was going to the same pitch over and over with two strikes. How about an adjustment fellas? Maybe pick up a tendency one time? The guy's ERA is over 11, his stuff can't be THAT good.
Good teams win games like this. Championship-caliber teams, which everyone in the Mets clubhouse seems to think they are, win games like this. The fact the Mets lost a game 1-0 to a last place team isn't even the main issue, though. Those sort of things happen over such a long season.
But take a closer look at how they lost: With Castillo on first base and two outs, David Wright hits a fly ball to right field. Austin Kearns comes over towards the line to make the play, but drops the ball. Castillo, thinking the play is routine, coasts around second base, just waiting to be told the ball's been caught. Once he realizes the ball's been dropped, he speeds up and gets to third. Could he have scored on the play? We can never really be sure, but the play would have been awfully close if he had been busting it around the bases.
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Eric Brenner about 1 year ago
Great Article Andrew. I was planning on writing a similar article. So I will write a follow up to this shortly, but now I will mainly focus on the lack of intensity and the reluctance for any of the players besides aaron heilman, david wright, and billy wagner to own up to their mistakes.
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Dan Siegel about 1 year ago
Why don't you tell us how you really feel? LOL
Let's say the Mets go through with firing Willie, who do see as the logical replacement (not interim)?
Do you think Omar is going anywhere?
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bjorn skurj about 1 year ago
Wow. It's like you read my mind.
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John Biancardi about 1 year ago
All I know is that I'm tired of hearing Willie's same monotone response to questions, whether the Mets win or lose. Last year when the Mets were in the middle of their collapse he showed absolutely no urgency, when the fans were in absolute panic mode. I can't stand his lack of fire, and I wish he would stick up for his players a little more. A perfect example of this came the other day when Alou got tossed from the game. In that situation I would've loved to see Willie come out of the dugout and get thrown out himself. You never see that with him, and as a fan that bothers me.
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John Hunt about 1 year ago
Could not agree more.....and have felt this way for quite awhile.
No matter HOW much money any player makes....we can't forget that they are ALL relatively young men who need direction, encouragement, correction, praise, and if earned.....support from their managers and coaches.
This guy is worthless when it comes to generating enthusiasm of any type. What a Dud of personality.
If Omar picked him, then shame on Omar. We need a guy who makes excitement ! This is New York City, everybody......this team is asleep, and don't hear or care about the crowds watching their games.
Get a loud, controversial, daring, and G0-Go manager, Mets. This manager's personality will simply never change, and your team will die once again in 2008. There's STILL enough time to do so and win the pennant....another 30+ games, and it will be over, forget about it. Willie's got to go.
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Ralph Carusillo about 1 year ago
I am with Dan on this.
This is all fine and good. The question is, though, for you and for anyone else who wants Randolph to be fired:
Who should manage the team?
I am not an avid supporter or detractor of Randolph. What I would like to see in these types of discussions is a name or set of names to go along with it. If someone wants Randolph fired, then I think they should have someone in mind to take over. If you don't, then, perhaps, you can see why the Mets aren't making a move. Maybe the Mets want to fire Randolph but aren't sure who will replace him at this time. Maybe they do know who will replace him but think it is not the right time to do so.
Sometimes the passion of fans blinds them to logic and sound judgment.
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John Hunt about 1 year ago
Sure, Ralph and Dan.......you have to know WHO ??????
It simply doesn't MATTER who, at this point.....how can you not see the permanent damage Willie has placed on the Mets inside the dugout ?
There is ZERO enthusiasm going on, and with the same exact DUD manager......it will remain that way.
After last year's final collapse, and 25 % of season finished this year already, WHO only needs to be a baseball man with some kind of personality enthusiasm which filters down to your payroll !
If he's not gone by next week, my Mets shirts/jacket and hats go back in storage. We are sick of watching this club's illness, if nothing is done about it.
The final straw for me was the Dud claiming that he himself is getting abused on a racial basis. OK, buddy.....sure. You must be living on your own planet. This team is caught in quicksand, and you were the one who led them there ! We need to be rescued , and the faster we sink, the less it matters WHO will try to save us in the 2008 season.
John
Mets fan since day one at Shea
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