It was interesting before the game. Jerry Manuel was basically asked if he had one game to win and had to start someone other than Johan Santana, would he pick Pedro Martinez?
Manuel didn’t want to answer, which appeared to mean the answer was no.
Then he answered and indicated Mike Pelfrey or Oliver Perez would be better choices because of their dominance at times this season.
Anyway, Pedro has sure looked hittable a lot of times down this stretch without the good velocity anymore—i.e. tonight’s three-run, four-hit Atlanta first. But he is 36 (he turns 37 in about a month) and in the final year of his contract. He would be no better than No. 4 in a playoff rotation, it would seem. Agreed?
2 Comments
In any normal business a manager would answer along the lines that they trust all of their available resources. Only in sports or politics is it expected that we answer in a way that would show a managers mistrust in a subordinate.
A Shea Swan Song
September comes around again,
And the Mets begin to fade.
They seldom reach the promised land-
where Series games are played.
The pitching staff shows signs of stress
They’ve made boneheaded plays
Santana says the Bullpen
Has got to change their evil ways.
Old Pedro’s arm is falling off
And EL Duque failed to heal
The fat lady sang for Wagner
Second half Maine disappears.
The apple rises frequently
When Delgado’s at the plate-
Where the hell was he in springtime,
When poor Willie got the gate?
They’d go to Church for solace
As if solace could be found
But their warrior was concussed
And took all year to come around
David Wright has his bad nights
When the calendar hits September
His swing gets long when men get on
He’s quite the inning ender.
Reyes has a quick first step
He really covers ground
But as professional base stealers-
$teiner $ports $till own$ thi$ town.
So now the Mets come back to Shea
And hope to win the crown.
Pinella’s Cubs think otherwise-
A black cat must be found!
But cheer up fans there’s still a chance
That Shea might see October
For it’s the Brewers in pursuit
And for them the season’s over.