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Saturday, May 17, 2008

N.Y. Post: Sherman: RANDOLPH MUST FIX APATHY OR HIT ROAD (RR)

Sherman...giving a general chattanoogie to Randolph.

They felt Randolph brought presence and a jolt of life after the nap phase better known as the Art Howe era. However, now they think Randolph talks leadership, but exerts little; that he talks having a bond with his players, but no evidence exists to suggest that a strong bond exists. Randolph met with his players yesterday to address the unease in the clubhouse - which became more public with Billy Wagner’s post-game criticisms Thursday - and the need to improve play. But then he said, “My guys want to win as bad as anybody in the city.”

His guys sure haven’t shown it. In many ways, they have abandoned him with their apathy. A manager is best served with allies in four areas: 1) clubhouse. 2) front office. 3) media. 4) fan base. Randolph is pretty much 0-for-4. It might not be open hostility, but there is no area ready to fight for his survival. His distrustful, often condescending nature does not engender super loyalty.

And without that kind of defense, the front office is not going to look at the items it got wrong (notably putting so many low-pulse players together). Instead the executives will see Santana, Schneider and Church as a checklist fulfilled. What they see missing is better attitude.

Either that changes or the manager will.

Repoz Posted: May 17, 2008 at 09:01 AM | 13 comment(s)
Related News: General, NY Mets

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1. The Mets are haplo53's Zen experience Posted: May 17, 2008 at 09:25 AM (#2784003)

Who would be an example of a "high-pulse" player? It sounds like the NY media wants the Mets to sign Lawrence Taylor circa 1985, screaming about being a bunch of crazed dogs. (And it's a little funny that these columnists say no one on this team looks like they want to run into a wall to win, when their fourth outfielder is on the DL because he actually ran into a wall to make a play).

In any case, if there's one persona this clubhouse sorely misses, I honestly think it's Jose Valentin's.

2. schuey Posted: May 17, 2008 at 09:25 AM (#2784004)

Hire Billy Wagner as playing manager. If they don't want to bring back playing manager, then hire Hank Steinbrenner so he can manage Santana. A little conflict of interest never bothered Bud Selig.

3. kevin Posted: May 17, 2008 at 09:58 AM (#2784015)

Pretty strong article by Joel here. And a good one.

the Mets obviously have some clubhouse issues that need to be dealt with pronto or this season might end even more badly than the last. And if that happens, heads will have to roll.

4. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: May 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM (#2784022)

It was, kevin, and I actually found me reminding myself it was from the Post.

See, when I read that the Mets were having a clubhouse meeting, I thought, "Good, they could use one." But when I read that Randolph had called the meeting, it disappointed me. I wonder if a private player's meeting without Willie would've been a lot more productive and beneficial for the club. Perhaps if they can't find a way to unite under Willie, they can find a way to at least unite with each other.

Wagner's comments about who is or isn't around after a loss is the least of the Mets' problems.

5. Neil Kinnock...Lord Palmerston! (Orinoco) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM (#2784029)

The Mets' problems include stars that aren't hitting, a weak bench, sucky relievers and a dumb and useless manager. "Clubhouse issues", which Battery Commander kevin obsesses about, is about the last of them.

You can't fire the stars and can't replace all the bench or bullpen. But you can fire the manager. Now's the time.

6. kevin Posted: May 17, 2008 at 10:40 AM (#2784036)

The Mets' problems include stars that aren't hitting, a weak bench, sucky relievers and a dumb and useless manager.

OK, be my guest. Be an ostrich.

Did it ever occur to you that underperformance due to morale issues, or any other isssues for that matter, will be reflected in the statistics?

Nah.

But you can fire the manager. Now's the time.

And then Orinoco contradicts himself in the very next passage. There are no clubhouse issues but the manager needs to be fired anyway.

Excellent analysis, Orinoco.

7. HowardMegdal Posted: May 17, 2008 at 10:42 AM (#2784038)

8. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: May 17, 2008 at 10:52 AM (#2784045)

You can't fire the stars and can't replace all the bench or bullpen. But you can fire the manager. Now's the time.

I totally agree. But when will that actually happen? It could take all year. In the meantime, the players are stuck playing for a boss they probably don't have a lot of confidence in right now. Even if the players won't publicly admit it, it's not easy working for a manager who was probably over-promoted and doesn't seem to have very good people skills.

I disagree in this case about "clubhouse issues" being the least of their problems, especially when a lot of the collective frustration from the players stem from playing under a, as you say, dumb and useless manager.

9. Neil Kinnock...Lord Palmerston! (Orinoco) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM (#2784048)

And then Orinoco contradicts himself in the very next passage. There are no clubhouse issues but the manager needs to be fired anyway.

Excellent analysis, Orinoco.

Where did I contradict myself? The manager should be fired because he's

dumb and useless

and not because of "clubhouse issues".

10. Neil Kinnock...Lord Palmerston! (Orinoco) Posted: May 17, 2008 at 11:06 AM (#2784052)

Is the bullpen terrible? Ir is Willie's poor matchup skills putting the worst possible face on a good bullpen?

I wish Harveys were a Mets fan. Everything he criticizes Yost for can be even more aptly applied to Randolph. Plus Harveys says things with more eloquence and vigor than any of us.

11. Dock Ellis on Acid Posted: May 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM (#2784057)

Word on that.

12. Russlan is glad the 2008 season is over Posted: May 18, 2008 at 05:47 AM (#2784915)

Do we really think the Met bullpen is so terrible? Heilman has struggled. But Wagner has been great, Feliciano and Smith have been very good, Schoeneweis has continued to get lefties out, Sanchez has been fine, Wise is now back. Is the bullpen terrible? Ir is Willie's poor matchup skills putting the worst possible face on a good bullpen?

I think Willie has done a solid job using Smith and Schoeneweis correctly this season. He could probably use Feliciano more against righties than he has although he has struggled a little bit against them this season. The Mets bullpen could actually be quite formidable if they could get their setup men straightened out. Heilman's a mess right now but he has a good track record. I don't particularly like soft-tossing righties as relievers but Wise could be OK. Sanchez's offspeed stuff and breaking ball have been great so far this season but his fastball has been mediocre and I am not sure the Mets can expect that to improve as the season progresses. Sometimes, he is in the low nineties and at other times he is in the 85-87 MPH range.

13. Joe Bivens, Vigilante; Out for Justice Posted: May 18, 2008 at 06:19 AM (#2784917)

If they sweep the Yankees, he saves his job.

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Saturday, May 17, 2008

N.Y. Post: Sherman: RANDOLPH MUST FIX APATHY OR HIT ROAD (RR)

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