Author: Dave Doyle

Frequently disappointed Mets fan

Randolph In Damage Control Mode

Source: Flickr by alpineinc

New York Mets manager Willie Randolph spent the morning doing damage control. He back-tracked from his comments that his problems should be blamed on Mets television network Sports Net New York (SNY) and racism by Mets fans.

Randolph’s story changed completely this morning blaming an under performing Mets team for his problems. He says that it’s all about wins and loses not racism now. Oh, and he’s not blaming SNY anymore either.

Randolph says that his comments about racism were made in a “tongue in cheek” manner. He says that he was speaking in generalities that racism exists in this country.

My take on this is that Randolph is being dishonest and stupid. He wouldn’t have said the things that he did if he didn’t believe them. That’s dishonest. Suddenly he became media saavy today so he’s trying to save face. Continue reading “Randolph In Damage Control Mode”

Pedro Martinez Pondering Retirement

Multiple media sources today are reporting that Pedro Martinez is considering retirement. No, not because he’s spent so much time on the disabled list over the last three seasons. It’s because his 78 year old father is suffering from a form of brain cancer.

Pedro has played for 17 years in the big leagues and he’s made more than $134 million dollars through the 2007 season. He’s won three Cy Young Awards. What else is left for him to do?

He’ll be a free agent after this season and I’m hoping that the Mets don’t re-sign him. It was great when he got here in 2005 to add some life to a lifeless franchise. But he just hasn’t produced over the past three years. Did you know that his record is 12-9 since 2006?

If the Mets do re-sign him it should be for one year maximum. Of course, that would be bucking the Omar Minaya trend of signing aging players to long term contracts. I do realize that.

The Mets would be better off pursuing C.C. Sabbathia or one of the other free agents available after this season.

On Deck: Mets In Atlanta Play Two

New York Mets (22-19) at Atlanta Braves (22-21)   1:00pm and 7:00pm

First game: John Maine (5-2) vs. Tom Glavine (1-1)

Second game: Claudio Vargas (0-1) vs. Jorge Campillo (0-0)

TV: SNY    Radio: WFAN  (both games)

What to watch: The Mets play four games in Atlanta over three days before moving on to Colorado. The best part of the road trip will be getting a chance at revenge on Tom Glavine in the first game. John Maine hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in a game since his first start on April 5th. Claudio Vargas was terrific in his first start against Washington on May 14th. He didn’t deserve a loss. Now that Pedro is joining the team in Atlanta for a bullpen session, Vargas is just keeping Pedro’s seat warm until he gets back.

Pedro To Join Mets In Atlanta

Pedro Martinez threw 4.1 innings of a simulated game today in Florida. He threw 77 pitches and plans to have a bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday in Atlanta.

Great news for the Mets. If he’s still got something left in the tank it’ll be a huge boost for the team. He’s got to be motivated to get some innings pitched this season considering it’s his walk year.

Another Incorrect Home Run Call In Houston

Flickr: bradleypjohnson

Geovany Soto was the victim tonight of bad umpiring in Houston. He scored on an inside the park home run but replays showed that it was over the line on the wall. Coming off the bad call in the Bronx that robbed Carlos Delgado maybe instant replay isn’t such a bad idea.

I consider myself to be more of a baseball purist than a progressive. I dislike the designated hitter, dual admission double headers, and three plus hour games. But I do like the wild card and inter league games. I guess I need to open my mind to the possibility that instant replay could improve the game. It has in the National Football League.

It may be a case of umpiring going downhill. Certainly Balkin’ Bob Davidson has never been considered one of the league’s best umpires. He’s the one that messed up the call on Delgado’s home run by overruling Mike Reilly who had the call correct the first time.

Instant replay would eliminate the ambiguity on the field for such calls and make sure that it doesn’t cost a team a game, a playoff spot, or a World Series. It’s time to move forward for Major League Baseball once again.

Randolph Claims Racial Prejudice By Mets Fans

I have to admit that I’m surprised and disappointed reading Willie Randolph’s comments to Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record today. The premise of the column is Randolph trying to figure out why Mets fans don’t like him. He claims that SNY puts him on camera in a way that is provocative to fans, and racism in general.

On SNY Randolph says:

They’re the artists, I’m the canvas,” Randolph said. “They paint the picture the way they want to. They want to show me when somebody gives up a home run or somebody makes an error, so they want to see me [using profanity].

“Well, my players are watching the monitors in the bullpen going, ‘Look at Skip, he’s cursing us out.’ That’s not how I lead. But when the game is over, I’m [on them]. ‘And why don’t you turn over a couple of [food] spreads?’ I’ve done that. You might not know it.

“Why [isn’t] SNY shooting me when I’m ready to go down the dugout clapping my hands and patting guys on the butt, schooling them during the game? I’m on the top step every game. … Why don’t you show that side of me so people can say, ‘Wow, jeez, Willie’s fiery’? … You watch any manager in baseball, you see him look like a bump on the log sitting there. They don’t move, they don’t talk. I’m as animated and as demonstrative and as involved and as intense as any manager in baseball. Continue reading “Randolph Claims Racial Prejudice By Mets Fans”