Reminiscent of the Knicks: The New York Mess

The New York Knicks were a borderline dynasty who always in the playoff race, but could never come out on top. The New York Mets have had that same problem the last few years. In Philly's shadows stuck in the same place. Always fearing a meltdown.

The Mets of the late nineties were almost there. The days of Mike Piazza. Managed by one of the smartest and most passionate managers in baseball, Bobby Valentine. Steve Phillips' way wasn't working, so it was time for a change. Down the road, in comes Omar Minaya.

Isiah came in and made major changes as soon as he got there. In the beginning they worked. People were ready and willing to accept drastic change. But when the losses started coming, problems were exposed from top to bottom. It got to the point it was just flat out embarrassing.

Omar began to build the team his way. He brought in free agents, mainly Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran. He gave Willie Randolph a well deserved chance. The formula worked in the beginning, so no one really questioned his moves. After a season or two, it all started to go sour. The team wasn't mentally tough enough. They never could get past the collapse at the end of the 2007 season.

The clubhouse began to become somewhat divided between the Latino players and others. Certain players quit on Willie since they resented his old-school style of managing. The fans mistook Willie's laid back demeanor for indifference or lack of passion, which is not the case. He was fired in the middle of the night, and replaced with Jerry Manuel.

The players got their wish in getting Manuel, who was characterized as a "players' coach." While I think he is a good manager, I don't think he's good for the Mets. Besides, people characterized as "players' coaches" don't win championships. In any sport.

Manuel got great results in the beginning. I think it was more the players yearning for a change. Then when the changes stop being effective, players start acting up. I am sympathetic to the fact they have been marred by injury. But they're better than this. They're losing with no pride whatsoever. I went to a Mets game recently and thought to myself, "Im in a 800 million dollar stadium watching Gary Sheffield and Fernando Tatis batting third and fourth." Please.

Here are a few factors I think are contributing to Omar Minaya's demise.

Free Agent Signings and Trades

Minaya made some great moves. He hit the jackpot with Johan Santana. Pedro wasn't too bad. Beltran and K-Rod, while overrated, are good for the team. Castillo was a huge gamble, which is just starting to pay dividends. However, he never has fixed his pitching staff. Putz, so far is a disaster, and that was before his injury. Fernando Tatis?

The worst was letting Pedro walk to Philly. I don't blame him for that, since Pedro was old and injury prone. Then they give Ollie Perez $36 million, which is one of biggest free agent busts in the last few years, Carl Pavano style. Pedro meanwhile throws eight shutout innings against the Mets throwing 130 pitches. When was the last time a Mets pitcher threw 130 pitches? When was the last time the Mets had two good, consistent healthy pitchers at the same time? Omar still hasn't fixed it.

Managing

I watched a game where Jerry Manuel took Jose Reyes out of the game. Reyes threw a tantrum, and storms off the field. Reminiscent of a kid being told to go to his room. When all was said was done, Manuel let it slide, and shrugged it off. Would Tony LaRussa or Lou Piniella tolerate that? Hell no.

The Mets need a disciplinarian or enforcer-type manager, and not a "player's coach." One that lives by the rule "You play my way, or you don't play at all." They call the manager a "manager" because hes supposed to manage. Not be popular.

Latino Division

Several Latino players distanced themselves from the team. Speaking Spanish to each other while others don't have a clue what they're saying. Rude. I'm sure Willie had a problem with it, which is why he is where he is now.

It's also why the Mets are where they are now. A majority of Minaya''s signings were Latino. I never thought of it since the best players in baseball are Latino, Dominicans in particular. Then between Fernando Tatis, Ollie, and Castillo, I wonder where his mind is. Tony Bernazard was a part of it all. He showed what a scumbag he really is this year.

Carlos Delgado once said the Mets seemed like they were recruiting him not as a player, but as a Latino. I totally buy that notion.

Bottom line is that the team hasn't improved. Even without the injuries, I don't think they could get past the Phillies. Minaya built this team, and it seems to get worse and worse. The type of players he gets aren't good enough. They might put up good stats, but can't deal with adversity. They're clueless on how to deal with the ups and downs of a rollercoaster season. And having jerks like Bernazard around will just spread the disorder and chaos. From the field to the clubhouse, to the front office. If it isn't taken care of, they're going to look like the boys across the river.