The Mets, say many, need a leader. A gritty type ballplayer with a winning resume and a World Series ring seems to be the consensus of media and fans alike. One player that fits that description has, according to a baseball official, has made it known to the front office of the New York Mets that he's available. Based on his resume, he'd be a perfect fit.
The Mets' inability to perform up to expectations is no sin in and of
itself. It is their arrogance in continuing to perpetrate the belief
that they are among the league's elite teams, all evidence accumulated
over the last two years to the contrary, that is truly unforgivable. -
Wallace Matthews, Newsday, Sept. 23, 2008
About a month ago, the New York Mets were playing very good baseball.
So good, in fact, that Mets' VP Tony Bernazard decided to end his
embargo of the nasty New York Media to talk with NY Daily News
columnist John Harper. So for whatever reason, whether they needed to change leadership to
shake off the effects of last September's collapse, or the new manager
has made some personal impact on players such as Delgado and Jose
Reyes, the Manuel Mets barely resemble the Randolph Mets.
It comes down to this; three games against the Florida Marlins. The
high-priced, big city Gotham Goliath against the small market, sub-.500
Fish. Because of the large shadow cast by the New York Yankees, the fan base
of the New York Mets always seems to cast itself in the underdog role,
the “working man's” team as it were. Well, the Florida Marlins, who
have won as many World Series in their 15-year existence as the Mets
have in 46, are really the underdog this weekend. It's a role they
love and relish. (Left, Johan Santana - Photo by B. Menzel)
So, blowing a 3 ˝ game lead
isn't a collapse? Managers that can't keep the clubhouse
from “pressing” or the bullpen from leaking, have the media
begging the team to gibe him a two-year extension, and general
managers that preside over budgets that represent the highest
payrolls in the sport, yet could miss the postseason for the third
time in a four-year tenure get four-year extensions?
The Mets, say many, need a leader. A gritty type ballplayer with a winning resume and a World Series ring seems to be the consensus of media and fans alike. One player that fits that description has, according to a baseball official, has made it known to the front office of the New York Mets that he's available. Based on his resume, he'd be a perfect fit.
The Mets' inability to perform up to expectations is no sin in and of
itself. It is their arrogance in continuing to perpetrate the belief
that they are among the league's elite teams, all evidence accumulated
over the last two years to the contrary, that is truly unforgivable
It comes down to this; three games against the Florida Marlins. The
high-priced, big city Gotham Goliath against the small market, sub-.500
Fish. Because of the large shadow cast by the New York Yankees, the fan base
of the New York Mets always seems to cast itself in the underdog role,
the “working man's” team as it were. Well, the Florida Marlins, who
have won as many World Series in their 15-year existence as the Mets
have in 46, are really the underdog this weekend. It's a role they
love and relish. (Left, Johan Santana - Photo by B. Menzel)
So, blowing a 3 ˝ game lead
isn't a collapse? Managers that can't keep the clubhouse
from “pressing” or the bullpen from leaking, have the media
begging the team to gibe him a two-year extension, and general
managers that preside over budgets that represent the highest
payrolls in the sport, yet could miss the postseason for the third
time in a four-year tenure get four-year extensions?
