Randolph’s biggest test
 
For more than a decade Willie Randolph wanted to manage in the majors.
He finally got his chance. The first year was about learning. Last year they coasted into the NLCS and missed the Series because their hitting disappeared and injuries to Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez.
Now, the Mets are heading south and on the verge of blowing a seven-game September lead. This is the toughest it has ever been for Randolph in that chair. This is the time for him to prove his mettle.
This is when managerial legacies are made.
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Willie’s problem is he lives and dies with “his guys”, the veterans. Many of his decisions are MIND BOGGLING!
Mota, Schoenweiss, Lawrence…what do they bring right now that Pelfrey and Humber can’t.
The answer is nothing. They can probably do it better.
The unfortunate thing is if things continue, it seems in 2007, Willie and “his guys” may not even make it to the postseason.
On the Joe and Evan show on WFAN they asked Paul LoDuca why he had to argue balls and strikes and get thrown out of the game the other day.
THE RESPONSE: Paul said that if he didn’t argue strikes (this weekend) who would?
Joe and Evan: Both respond with “The Manager”
Complete silence by LoDuca…..
Funny how silence can SPEAK VOLUMES!
We shall see.
“Motamucil”....Great nickname….LMAO
On to Willie. I’ve been a supporter of Willie all season. I figured, “they’ve been in first for so long, he must be doing something right”. I couldn’t have been more wrong. His in game management is horrible. The double switch last night alone is proof. Also, when Marlon got thrown out on Saturday, I was saying to my buddy, “Willie needs to turn around and continue this argument.” Nothing. He did nothing. I knew right then and there that Willie has lost this team.
To Jim H.
I agree, that double switch still has me scatching my head….Willie has not only lost the team, he is losing the fan support also…...He got the benefit of the doubt last October in game 7, but now it just seems to be more pronounced that he blew that game also…..Cliff Floyd was right after all…...
To Jim H.
I agree, that double switch still has me scratching my head….Willie has not only lost the team, he is losing the fan support also…...He got the benefit of the doubt last October in game 7, but now it just seems to be more pronounced that he blew that game also…..Cliff Floyd was right after all…...
John – I respect Willie Randolph’s quiet dignity.
In a professional sport where action often replaces competence, Willie waited patiently for a chance to move up into a management role. When Omar Minaya, his friend of 30years became the General Manager of the Mets, he called Willie and in the few years Willie has been the Mets Manager he has not changed. It is his dignity and his innate sense of playing by the rules that separates him from some ‘old school’ managers who will bend those rules.
(Not limited to baseball these days).
As a long time Mets fan, I am delighted to have Willie in the dugout. For me, he passed the leadership test a long time ago.
It is not Willie’s fault that Mota stinks. It’s not Willie’s fault that the Mets have made 10 errors in 2 games. It’s not Willie’s fault that they only have 1 run in the last 4 games against the opposing team’s bullpens. The manager does not make that much difference!! Relax. The Mets will put it together. They will win their next 5 games and everything will be ok.
The answer my friend
Is Marlon Anderson
The answer is
Marlon Anderson
Taylor:
It becomes the Manager’s fault when he signals to the bullpen to bring in Mota. How many chances does this guy get to fail?
It becomes the Manager’s fault when player’s look lifeless on the field. Yes, the Manager does not make the fielding error’s but if the Manager does not address it properly the errors will continue.
The questionable moves in the game also falls on the Manager.
In conclusion with the talent this team has, it should not be this difficult. I would agree with your argument if we were talking about the Devil Rays or the Pirates. Those teams cant blame the Manager for the losing, they just dont have the talent to win consistently.
Just like a dept. A baseball team is run by the manager. If the team doesnt do well, ultimately its the managements fault. Usually for nothing more than not motivated the players properly.