State Of The Union: The Week that Was for the New York Mets

This game sent everybody over the edge, including myself.  It even prompted me to write an entire column devoted solely to ripping anyone in my path—mainly Willie Randolph.  I'm off the ledge now, and while I'm not as heated as I was, I still feel strongly that this game embodied every reason why Randolph is not the right manager for this club.

Poor baserunning, an outrageous call having Beltran going on contact in the ninth inning with one out and trailing by a run, and one of the more emotionless efforts turned in this season by the Amazin's was the breaking point for me. 

Yes, Randolph called the team meeting that eventually cleared the air, but it only lead to one Mets victory.  The fact of the matter is this team is still 21-19, and vastly underachieving.

Thoughts on Your Comments

I wanted to thank everybody for commenting on my columns, positively or negatively.  As an aspiring sportswriter, feedback is what I'm searching for, so keep the comments coming!

The main comment that stuck with me was the one about my "passion blinding my logic and judgement" or something like that, in regards to me leaving out my thoughts on replacements for Randolph. 

The article was intended to show why Randolph should be fired, with another column dedicated to his replacement coming later. 

With that said, it's a part of the column that should have been included, and leaves my case incomplete.  So for that I say thank you for the comment and if you want my take on a replacement for Randolph, just keep reading.

Replacing Willie

Unless the Mets go deep in the playoffs, I doubt very strongly Randolph will be the Mets manager in 2009, and he may not even last the season if they keep playing the way they are playing.  I personally think a change needs to be made sooner—as in now—rather than later.

Yesterday's game aside, this team has showed no fire and no sense of urgency aside from a few players.  Jose Reyes has creeped into the dreaded realm of "overrated."  His approach at the plate is horrible for the most part, he has a .317 on base percentage, and he makes stupid decisions on the basepaths. 

Randolph is considered "stoic." He rarely shows emotion and is always even-keeled, and his team follows suit.  He has managed the team to a 75-75 record since June 1, 2007, and was at the wheel for the worst collapse in franchise history at the end of last season.  I simply think his style breeds complacency with this particular group of players, and a new approach is needed.

Do the Mets need a Lou Piniella-type?  I don't think so.  I do think, however, they need someone whose intensity, and more importantly, enthusiasm is VISIBLE to them, every day.  I'm not saying Randolph's not intense or enthusiastic, he just doesn't show it. 

So, who is out there who's an enthusiastic and charismatic type who will show his emotions and help this team bring the intensity to the park every day?

As ESPN baseball writer Buster Olney wrote a couple of days ago, there really is no clear-cut replacement for Willie right now.  But I can think of two names who could be great choices:  Bobby Valentine, and Gary Carter.

Now, I'm sure there is no way Bobby V. is leaving Japan.  He is a god over there, and he's having success.  Still, would it kill the Mets to make the call?  His enthusiasm is contagious, and he could be a shot of life, and rid the clubhouse of the complacency that has become a staple.

Gary Carter is much the same type of guy.  Known for his enthusiasm as a player, Carter was a great game-caller behind the plate, and has had success as a manager in the Mets minor league system. 

Carter's not managing in the Mets system this year, largely due to Omar Minaya refusing to move him up in the ranks.  But if the Mets came calling with a major-league managing job, I'm sure The Kid would jump at the chance.

Lack of experience would be a downside for Carter, but Randolph had never managed a game when the Mets hired him.  Carter has managed in the minors and had success, so why not give him a shot?

Overall Impressions

What started out as the week from hell could end up being the turning point for the Mets.  Beltran is starting to look like the All-Star that he is, and Saturday marked the first time the Mets showed the fire and emotion we've all been waiting for.

Could the team meeting be what the Mets needed?  Will they put forth that much effort and emotion into every game from here on out?  Only time will tell, but the early returns on the meeting have been good. 

I hope this column is well-received cause it's a lot of fun to write.  If there's anything else you'd like to see in here feel free to leave a comment. 

That's it for the first State of The Union Address.  I'll leave you with this quote from Colonel Sanders:

"I'm too drunk to taste this Chicken."

Goodnight everybody, drive home safely.

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