The Mets Police

Yankee fans need to stop looking up at the Rays and Boston. You are starting Carl Pavano tomorrow. It's over. Jeter got old, Torre left town and you're moving across the street.

You need to look over your shoulder. Yeah, that's Toronto. How did they get there?

The BJ's are one game behind you.

Say the NYYs finish FOURTH. Is Joe Girardi coming back? George might be in bad shape but he ain't dead.

Girardi's going to finish fourth (with George reading the Tampa Whateverpaper celbrating the Rays division title) and Girardi's going to return? Is this really the Yankees?

Girardi gets to finish fourth while the Mets go to the playoffs? No way.

So if not Girardi then who. One name that often comes up is Bobby Valentine. Former Mets manager. Great choice if you enjoy finishing second.

Mattingly has a job with Joe Torre.

What ex-big league manager is out there who has experience managing in NYC and is a former Yankee captain. That's right, Willie.

Good idea? No way. Just look at the 2007 and 2008 Mets.

Possible? Oh yeah. I can picture the back page of the Post now.


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Yeah they won tonight, but at this point one win isn't going to stop the Willie Watch.

In 2004 the Arizona Diamondbacks hired, then 4 days later fired Wally Backman. Backman's transgressions were all of a personal nature and had been well-documented prior to the offer from Arizona. Arizona simply got scared and in the process Backman got screwed. Four years later and Backman is managing an independent team - the Joliet Jackhammers - in the Northern League.

I bring up Backman because the other day I was watching Harold Reynolds on the Mets post game show on SNY and thought it was great that they had given Reynolds a second chance after his alleged inappropriate behavior and subsequent firing from ESPN. The allegations against Reynolds were bad, and he was punished appropriately for it. He paid his dues and now has a second chance thanks to the Mets.

Darryl Strawberry is another example. How many transgressions over the years has Darryl committed? How many second chances has he gotten, not just from the Mets, but from other teams as well? Darryl now seems to have finally kicked those demons and has been an asset to the Mets, both in studio and as a roving instructor for the team. Again, kudos to the Mets for giving him the opportunity.

But what about Wally?

Backman was one of the sparks of the only Mets team to win a World Series in the last 30 years. He has said time and time again that he has always considered himself a Met first, and he owes much to the fans in NY. He has proven himself as a manager in the minors - winning Minor League Manager of the Year. So where is his second chance?

Since Backman's firing from Arizona in 2004, the Mets have hired a dozen managers for their 5 main minor league teams (AAA Norfolk/New Orleans, AA Binghamton, A St. Lucie, A Hagerstown/Savannah, A Brooklyn). Five of those men have managed multiple times (Ken Oberkfell 4, Tim Tuefel 3, Edgar Alfonzo 2, Frank Cacciatore 2, & Mako Oliveras 2).

That leaves seven men who have been hired to manage just one year: Donovan Mitchell, Gary Carter, Gene Richards, George Greer, Jack Lind, Juan Samuel, Mookie Wilson.

Why couldn't the Mets have hired Wally for one of those positions rather than say George Greer or Juan Samuel?

The Mets gave a second chance to a man who had no links to the organization (Reynolds), yet won't show support to a man who still identifies himself with this team?

They hire a Yankee to manage their team, yet ignore someone who won a ring with them.

Why won't they give Wally a second chance?

As I travel around the New York area telling tales of Lee Mazzilli, I am finding that there are actual adults in their twenties who are big Mets fans and they've never heard of him.

Once upon a time there was something called the late seventies. Tom Seaver was gone and the Mets sucked. They were awful. Hopeless. Managed by a guy named Joe Torre that made Jeff Torborg look like a genius in comparison. The only question about every season was whether or not they would finish last or if the Cubs would. Meanwhile in the Bronx, well maybe you've heard of Reggie Jackson.

In this mess was a good looking kid from Brooklyn named Lee Mazzilli. He was #16 and the centerfielder. In his most awesome year he hit .303 with 15 HRs and 79 RBI. In post-steroid numbers that's say 25 homers and 100 RBI in 1998. Amazing? No. But he was all we had. There would be one Met on the All Star team and he was it.

They traded Lee in 1982 but that trade eventually turned into Ron Darling and Howard Johnson, so it's hard to complain.

In 1986 the amazing did happen and Lee came back and got a ring with the Mets!

You youngsters probably remembering him coaching for Torre's Yankees for most of the good years, and Lee does have managerial experience with the Orioles.

It's time for a change in Flushing. Lee works for the organization (the tv network) and is a fan favorite. There is no obvious heir apparent. It's time to pacify the fans and the cranky bloggers and make the change...to a Brooklyn boy and a fan fave. It's time for Lee Mazzilli

A few years ago I was an extra at Yankee Stadium in the Adam Sandler movie Anger Management. During that long night (I was there from about 10:30 pm to 5:00 am) I learned quite a bit about being an extra - but one thing that really stuck was the phrase "Back To One."
Back To One was used by the production crew when they had to reshoot a scene - everyone had to go back to the spot they were at for the start of the scene - back to your first position - back to one.

It seems to me that that Mets over the last year keep going Back To One - they move forward a little, gain some ground, then something happens and they fall back to where they started, back to the position they were in when they started - they go Back To One.

That is Willie Randolph's legacy with the Mets: Back To One.

Two weeks ago the Mets returned home from out west under .500 having been swept by the Rockies, ready to take on a first place team at home.

Tonight the Mets are returning home from out west under .500, having been swept by the Padres, ready to take on a first place team at home.

Back To One

The Mets go over .500 then go under .500

Back To One

Willie is on the hot seat - Willie is safe

Back To One

It's time to start the next scene. Time to wrap up this one and stop going

Back To One

Three straight one-run losses

2-4 on current road trip

Fourth place

6 1/2 games back

Why was Sandy Alomar holding Wright up at 3rd?

How can you score only one run with the bases loaded and none out?

The Red Sox guy pitches tomorrow, but the way the bats have been silent, and with Church still out...

tick...tick...tick...

These are two sentences that I read in Newsday. They worry me.

Nuñez was batting .133 (6-for-45) at New Orleans. Randolph indicated he could use him to spell either David Wright or Luis Castillo.

You're going to "rest" Wright for Abraham Nunez? Really?

Willie had a nice week. It's over. I'm restarting the Willie Must Go brigade. Who's in?

You are 25 years old working a full-time job. Sometimes you even have to work 20 days in a row. However, you are young energetic and make five million dollars a year.

Your gig? You have to come to the ballpark, usually late afternoon, sometimes late morning. You field some grounders, throw a few balls, and hang out in the batting cage You have some stress in your life from the press and idiotic arrogant bloggers.

When the baseball game starts you spend about 90 minutes standing newar one of the bases, and you get to bat usually 4 to 5 times a game. Shower, deal with more idiots, and go home. Extensive travel.

Sure maybe it becomes a daily grind - everyone has that whether you're an astronaut, a farmer, a trucker or The Captain of the Mets.

What doesn't make sense is your manager giving you a day off. You still have to show up early, work out before the game and deal with idiots. Sure you don't have to stand in the sun (or lights) for 90 minutes and you don't have to swing that heavy bat four or five times. A day off would be - stay home, hit the beach, we'll see you tomorrow.

If my boss made me commute and sit at my desk but not use the compuer or phone - well that's not a day off there boss-man. I'm here anyway, I might as well answer the phone.

So Willie, let Wright play. Let him play in 2500 straight games if he's feeling fine. There's no such thing as a "day off." It's a benching. Don't bench the Captain.

Congratulations, you've been hired as a major league baseball manager.

What? It's only May! How can I make such a bold and rash statement. The Mets obviously don't believe it, they keep saying it's still early and thay aren't panicing yet.

Well wake-up guys, baseball is a game of numbers and the numbers don't lie. The chances of you making the playoffs at this point are slim.

Since 1996, the first full season under the expanded playoff format, 63 of the 96 playoff teams were already in a playoff position (division leader or wild card) on Memorial Day. Only 34% of teams that made the playoffs in the last 12 years overtook other teams after Memorial Day.

It doesn't get better. Teams that were able to come back and make the post-season were an average of 4 games back in the Wild Card standings on Memorial Day. As of Monday, the Mets found themselves 5.5 out. Only 10 of the 96 playoff teams were 5.5 or more games out at this time - or 10.4%

What about if we look at just the National League, because we know the leagues are very different. At first it does look a bit better - there has been slightly more more volatility as almost 40% of playoff teams were not in position on Memorial Day, including all 4 last year.

But just like before, if we look deeper at the numbers the story only gets worse for the Mets. The average position for these 19 teams was 3.5 games out of the WC. Furthermore, only 5 NL teams - the 96 Cards (6.5), 03 Marlins (8.5), 05 Astros (10.0), 07 Cubs (6.5), and 07 Rockies (5.5) - overcame deficits equal to or greater than the Mets current position.

It's not just about how many games behind you are though, but also how many teams are in front of you. The 19 NL teams that came back after Memorial Day held an average of 5th place in the WC standings - the Mets are currently in 8th.

What does all this mean? Unless management does something dramatic to turn this team around (such as getting rid of Willie for starters), the last game at Shea Stadium really will be September 29th.

Machete? Really?

For those of you who read this blog before the papers - well read the papers first - Willie joked that Omar is in Denver sharpening his machete. Machete?

Random Thoughts before I waste a sunny day blogging:

The black hats with the blue bill look horrible on TV. You can't even see the NY logo. Please ban these forever.

Gary Carter is backtracking on his comments. Sorry Gary, you talked yourself out of the running.

Good line by Mushnick today that none of the Art Howe camera shots were racially motivated. Of course that was Sportschannel/FSNY, maybe they were more open minded.

Starting to see "mainstream media" write the "It's Omar's fault too" columns. They like to rip the bloggers but they tend to be 4 days behind the bloggers on everything.

The Times has Reggie Jackson saying, “It can play on our mind. We are going to think about it (race) in times of difficulty, whether you feel sorry for yourself, or whether you just acknowledge it.”

Adding that “it’s fair to think about it,” Jackson also said a man in Randolph’s position must be “sensitive how you express it” toward people you are “trying to meld with and create a better environment for all.”

Tomorrow: How the Mets can eliminate the curse on them.

Tuesday's discussion (plus or minus the manager's job): "What is a 'real Met / True Yankee"

Watching the game - doing this from memory, but apparently Omar said he, Willie and the Wilpons will meet when they get back to New York. Omar also said he supports the manager but would not refute that Willie is imminent danger. Stay tuned. As I type Marlon Anderson got hurt and well, looks like I get to play left field since there's nobody left.

Seems every ex-Met wants a shot at managing them. Today Gary Carter - who is currently managing the Orange County Flyers in the Independent Golden League out in California - said he would love to manage the Mets and is available if they want him.

Interviewed on SIRIUS' The Mike & Murray Show, Carter was not shy about it (what a shock):

"Boy, I’ll tell you what, I would love that, guys. When I saw that on ESPN today, Mike & Mike, they were talking about it and immediately I got on the phone and I called Jay Horowitz and I asked, ‘Should I try to call Mr. Wilpon?’ If there is this going on I just want them to know of my availability. I’m only a phone call away because my contract allows me to leave the ball club. I could be in New York tomorrow, if necessary, because if there’s anything at the major league level I can leave this job."

I love Gary, but let's be realistic about this. Carter managed the Port St' Lucie Mets a few years back, and after a good year the organization asked him to move up to a higher level - he refused. For him it was either the major leagues or he was going home to California. He has never managed or coached at level higher than A. Backman has a better shot than he does.

This is a completely unconfirmed report from another blog, but according to The 'Ropolitans Mets GM Omar Minaya is on his way to Denver, where the Mets have a weekend series against the Rockies.

Could it be that if the team doesn't bail Willie out with some W's this weekend that our wish will finally be granted?

Get ready for that press conference on Monday.

Tick.....tick......tick

Francesca says that Keith told him that he'd manage the Mets if asked. Wow. I never thought he'd ever say yes. We all know from the 80s that Keith is a leader, and knew pitchers - he's a fan fave, was the captain, and has baseball smarts. They should consider asking.

Speaking of Keith - he and the boys have a new website
http://www.garykeithandron.com/

And I made some tweaks to make this thing load faster. Sorry for the slow loads. So the fun countdown to the hypothetical press conference is gone, and I close the poll. Final results of "If not Willie...who?" poll with original Keith won't do it phrasing.

Lee Mazzilli 28 (38%)

Wally Backman 18 (24%)

Jerry Manuel 4 (5%)

Keith Hernandez (who won't do it) 7 (9%)

Somebody Else 16 (21%)

Willie is done in New York, at this point it's not if but when. The problems with this team go beyond the manager though.

Peter Gammons was just on ESPN's Mike & Mike In The Morning Show and when asked about Randolph had this to say:

"To be honest, I think that if there were another manager out there that they thought was an immediate fix, Willie would be gone."

Gammons continued that maybe there needs to be a fire lit under the team and that Jerry Manuel, while a good man, is too much like Willie.

Peter, as we have been saying here at the Mets Police for a few weeks now, there is someone that can step in immediately.

Let the Lee countdown clock start.