John Stewart on the Willie Firing

The Mets' Manuel Shift

Willie's gone, and hallelujah for that. Good man, terrible manager. Jerry Manuel is an exceedingly intelligent guy who doesn't seem nearly as stubborn as Randolph, and much more clear-eyed. I would've greatly preferred that Backman take Randolph's place, but maybe Manuel will get it done. I'm willing to give him some time.

In a 162-game season, there are 50 games you're gonna win just by showing up, and 50 games you're gonna lose no matter what you do. You can file last night's 6-1 loss to the Angels under the latter.

The errors and Reyes tantrum were discouraging, but they're not the reason the Mets lost. The Mets' ace went up against the other team's ace. Lackey was dealing, Santana wasn't. That's why we lost.

This wasn't the Mets getting swept by the Padres. It was the Mets getting beaten in one game by the best pitcher on the best team in baseball right now.

I'm encouraged, if for no other reason than that Manuel implied he's going to go longer with the starters. That will cure a lot of ills.

Hire Wally Backman (The Petition)!

John Fitzgerald, director of "Playing for Peanuts" hipped me to this "Hire Wally" petition that I'd like to pass along. It's aimed at the Mets, and is something I of course signed and heartily endorse!

Another Boring Win

Ha! Just kiddin'...I mean, it was a boring win, but the implication that such things are regular occurances in Mets Land is certainly a joke...can a weekend of wins save Willie?...at this point, who knows...he's officially twisting in the wind...Jerry Manuel is his rumored replacement...Manuel had success with a mostly young Chisox team...how he's do with a team of vets is a question...especially since they all know him...familiarity breeds contempt...I say hire Backman...it's a can't-miss with the fans, who'd love the move...of course, you can count on the Wilpons to do the safe thing...Manuel would be that...the trouble is, the safe thing never seems to work for the Mets...

Groundhog Day

Another day, another wrenching loss. They won last night, but it felt like a loss.

Then today...After seven superb innings from Santana--seven shutout innings--Randolph takes him out. And the bullpen implodes. And the Mets lose.

A good sign: Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN are floating Wally as a possibility to replace Willie. For those who do not remember, these two had a lot to do with pressuring the Mets to get Mike Piazza when he was available back in '97 or '98, whenever it was.

They are idiots, granted, but them suggesting Backman as a possibility is good news.

This Must End

As I write this, the Mets and D-Backs are going into the 1oth inning of a game the Mets had in the bag on the strength of 8 innings of great pitching by Mike Pelfrey. Of course, Willie Randolph being Willie Randolph, he couldn't let Pelfrey finish, even though he'd dominated throughout and had thrown only 108 pitches. The instant Pelfrey gives up a weak single to the lead-off hitter in the 9th, Randolph pulls him in favor of Wagner, who eventually gives up the game-tying three run homer.

Now, Feliciano walks the lead-off batter. Will he come around to score? How can he not?

The Mets will lose this game.

Wow, Pedro F. gets a K.

Runner on 1st, one out.

Chris Young, a home run hitter up. Grounds into a fielder's choice. Two out. Young on 1st.

Stephen Drew: might as well be him...now...the end is near.

Even if the Mets come back to win this, it's still a devastating, demoralizing game.

Pedro F. gets the third out. Wonders never cease.

The Geico caveman is on between innings. Give him some ABs. Better yet, hire him as Mets manager.

More later. Please Wilpons: end the madness. Fire Randolph. Please.

And the Beat Goes On

The Mets lose their fifth in a row, after blowing a four-run lead...they score all their runs in the early going, and show nothing at crunch time...Willie Randolph tells us the team's about to go a on "a nice little roll"...Maine gets pitch-counted out after five, meaning Willie gets to exercise his bullpen mastery...the sun rises in the east, sets in the west.

I cannot stand this team.

Meanwhile, Wally Backman's Joliet Jackhammers are on a "nice little roll," going 6-4 on their recent ten-game road trip, scoring 9, 21, and 13 runs in their last three games, all wins.

Disable Church, Already

Ryan Church is out of the line-up tonight, making it three days in a row since he came back from his concussion. The Mets have handled this horribly. He should have been disabled immediately, and made to rest completely for the duration of his leave. This is more than a stubbed toe or a tweaked hammy; this could affect his quality of life.

Put him on the DL and let him recover, Omar. Geez...

At Least a Playoff Spot Wasn't on the Line

Maybe the Mets can resign Ollie Perez after all. Who else would want him after last night? Ollie Perez's Tom Glavine-impersonation was his latest attempt at destroying his chance to make huge bucks next winter.

Perez's ERA has ballooned to over 5.00; he hasn't given the team a quality start in ages. It often seems like he's just decided he wants to get off that mound ASAP and do anything else besides play major league baseball.

Claudio Vargas, on the other hand, was superb in long relief, throwing several innings of scoreless ball. He's the odd man out now that Pedro's back, but it's easy to see a time when he might pressure the Mets into finding a rotation spot for him.

Whaddaya Know?

It's not often these that the Mets and their manager play a game that's nearly beyond criticism, but that's what happened yesterday. Clutch hitting late, good decisions by Willie--really a great win all the way around.

Kevin Kernan in the Post did a lil' thang about this blog's namesake today. Worth a look...