Wilpon, Mets: Mea Culpa
After an absolute fiasco of a press conference at Citi Field on Monday, Jeff Wilpon had an impromptu meeting with the media before Tuesday's game with the Colorado Rockies. In that meeting, Wilpon did some damage control, apologizing on behalf of the organization to Adam Rubin for Omar Minaya's comments yesterday. Wilpon re-iterated what Minaya said on Monday, saying it was the wrong place to make those comments to Rubin. Wilpon's comments were good but could have been better. Wilpon got the idea of contrition over convincingly. But my problem was that Wilpon had to be asked if Rubin did anything wrong before he commented on it. Wilpon's comments focussed on how badly Omar felt, which is fine, but did not dismiss the comments' merit. He should have said: "Of course we didn't think Rubin was angling for Bernazard's job." When Kevin Burkhardt of SNY asked Wilpon if Rubin did anything wrong, Wilpon finally said he did not. Rubin merely asked for career advice, which is not angling for someone's job. On a personal note, although I haven't used my access to teams to talk about jobs, but I've thought about it. I don't think there would be anything wrong with that. There would be something wrong if I deliberately wrote bad things about someone to try and get them fired. There's no proof that Rubin did that. Oh and there's one other problem... What Rubin wrote was true. Sometimes the truth hurts. It obviously hurt Minaya yesterday when he had to let go a friend of his. If Minaya really thought Rubin wrote that stuff to take down Bernazard, he should have pulled him aside to talk to him. I find it hard to believe that Rubin really would have done that because as far as I know, Rubin has no experience in a baseball front office... Especially on that level. So how would he expect to get such a position? On a side note, Wilpon said Omar Minaya is their GM. I don't know if Omar should feel so safe. Didn't Willie Randolph get a vote of confidence too??
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Comments: 9
So, Jerry Manuel thinks this is all "entertaining." He expressed this in his post game remarks last night. I trust that Jerry will not find such happenings entertaining when he is packing his bags if the Mets do not make the playoffs.
What Jeff said was fine. He employs a manager and general manager who probably need to go if the team does not make the playoffs.
Get someone else to do sports, Lolita stinks
James..
This is not about Jerry Manuel. Omar screwed up here... and Wilpon didn't make it any better by his comments.. I understand you have an axe to grind with Manuel but I defy you to find someone who would have done a better job with all the cards he was dealt. And to you Mr. or Ms. Anonymous why not put your name to your Lolita critcisms. Can you do a better job??
Lolita does stink, why does she have to say this means that in spanish, the hilights themselves are entertaining enough, not someone trying to make a name for themselves
Yes, the highlights are entertaining, and so is the commentary by Lolita Lopez in whatever language she cares to present them in. As for the "hilights," only individuals who represent themselves in anonymity enjoy them without such commentary.
Vamos Lolita!!!!
Chris, I accept your challenge. A familiar name....Bobby Valentine.
Bobby Valentine took the 2000 Mets to the World Series with an outfield of Benny Agbayani, Timo Perez and Jay Payton. This may hve been the worst outfield on a team ever participating in the Fall Classic.
It is my contention that Bobby would have had this team playing over .500 and closer to both Philadelphia and the wild card leader. Even though I talk in hypotheticals, I trust I have provided evidence in providing the 2000 World Series outfield.
In addition, look back at the 1997 team. Bobby V. lead the Mets to a 88-74 record in his first year at the helm with a less than talented team. Again, proof positive that Bobby V. would have this team more competitive in 2009. Bobby's players overachieve.
Also, how is Jerry's managing any different than that of Willie Randolph? If Tony Bernazard and Jerry?...were not undermining Willie, maybe things would have turned out better for Willie. I contend that Willie Randolph could have done the same with this year's team.
In addition, Willie would have created a more positive environment. Willie would always talk about the players who are playing. Jerry talks about then players who are hurt. Also, if Jerry could manage a bullpen, maybe last year's collapse would not have happened.
Why was Willie held accountable for the 2007 collpase, yet the "Great Communicator" is not held equally accountable for the collapse on his watch in 2008.
Thanks for having my back boys! I am not quite sure you can fairly compare the collapses of '07 and what is going on this year. Willie's team was a bit more in tact than what Jerry has dealt with MOST of the season. Also, I like what I see from this team recently. With Willie, there was no real fusion among players, just people playing in spots. These guys are working together and showing some strength and poise. Maybe it's because the pressure is off. I am convinced the Mets historically like climbing up from the bottom...it's that blue collar mentality. It may not be playoff time for the Mets this year but I say give Jerry one more season. Willie got three and a half ...if Jerry was managing unreasonably now, I might have agreed with you James. You and my father-in-law should talk (same opinion on this matter).
Lolita, I respect your opinion, as you have dealt with both Willie and Jerry.
One of my points was that the Mets collapsed (3.5 game lead with 17 to play) in 2008, similiar to the epic collapse of (7 game lead with 17 to play) under Willie's watch.
In 2008, the Mets core, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, were healthy and played for more than 159 games each, which is unprecedented. The starting lineup had extreme good fortune under Jerry Manuel in 2008. Yes, the bullpen was atrocious down the stretch, but I place some of the blame on Jerry. His reputation in Chicago was that he was ill prepared to handle a bullpen. In his 1+ seasons in New York, he has done nothing to dispel that.
Also, during the month of June, his continuous references to the injured players and comments such as "treading water," "needing breaks and errors to win games." His continuous condescending references to "this group", provided evidence that this man was not a leader due to his inability to instill confidence with the active players. Even team leaders like David Wright and Alex Cora took their manager to task by saying they could win with the group they had.
Jerry did not stop this nonsensical talk until someone in the front office told him he wasn't getting help and to win with the player's on the field (June 30th team meeting after the Johan Santana-Fernando Martinez Game).
My contention is that Jerry Manuel is not a good leader of men. His Jerry-speak before and after games tired. I am sure Brian Bruney would agree...lol
This is a mediocre National League. Even with the injuries he should have this team at .500 or above and if he did, they would be closer to Philadelphia than 9.5 games or the wild card at 7.5 games.
I am comparing the collapse in 2007 to that of 2008. The 2009 season is a separate and unique set of circumstances.
It is my feeling that Jerry Manuel lacks the "Skill Sets" (can't say I didn't learn something from Fred Wilpon) to lead the New York Mets. Time to get a new on field leader for 2010, unless Jerry leads this team to the playoffs.
James,
Anonymity, is alright, at times. I misspelled Highlight, typed to fast.
Saying this means that in spanish is very annoying to some viewers. So now when she does sports I change the channel