Tag: Bobby Valentine

Mets Managerial Search Foreshadows Decision Making

New York Mets new general manager Sandy Alderson responds to a reporter's question as the MLB National League Mets introduce him at a news conference in New York, October 29, 2010. Long-time baseball executive Alderson, 62, succeeds Omar Minaya, who was fired earlier this month along with manager Jerry Manuel after the team's second consecutive losing season. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsDecisions made by upper management are their decisions to make with good reason. The opinions of sports talk gurus are only slightly more knowledgeable than the “Average Joe” getting bagels at the deli. The media covering the Mets poke blindly at who is the “obvious” or “necessary” pick for manager. The finalists for the Mets managerial job should tell the media and fans one thing “back off”. The new front office has an idea of what they want to do and they’re not going to be bullied by the masses who have little to no expertise on the subject matter.

Bobby Valentine has been left off the list and Wally Backman is looking destined for Single A. In the past I have lobbied for Backman, but I have to admit I just like my managers to be more Earl Weaver than Joe Torre. I like the Lou Pinella types who throw a tirade. I even like when players pull a Paul LoDuca and get in A-Rod’s face after a second too long pose down following a homer. In these situations, it’s best to see Alderson conducting his interviews without input from fans and the media know-it-alls.

Truth be told, the outcry from New Yorkers over unpopular decisions needs to be ignored continuously. Don’t pretend you weren’t looking for a tall building to scale after R.A. Dickey was signed. Continue reading “Mets Managerial Search Foreshadows Decision Making”

Mets’ Managerial Possibilities for 2011

28 Feb 2002 : Manager Bobby Valentine of the New York mets during the Spring Training game against the St.Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Cardinals won 5-2. DIGTAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/Getty Images

http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsWith the inevitable end of Jerry Manuel’s tenure in blue and orange looming down the homestretch of another dreadful Mets season, the question on every fan’s mind is who will be his successor come 2011. There are the obvious and popular “sexy” choices to take reigns, as well as the low profile names who have had success within the organization. Here’s my take on the possible candidates:

Bobby Valentine
The Mets manager from the end of the 1996 season through 2002, Valentine has proved he is capable of bringing rejuvenation to the franchise, but the question is at how high a price it would cost this time around? Bobby V. is a New York guy with a New York attitude and exercises the underdog persona that the Mets fan base can cling to. On paper, the teams he brought to the playoffs in ’99 and 2000 were very ordinary. However, he got the most out of his rosters and put a scrappy, competitive, and excuse-free product on the field. There has been a lot of speculation about how interested the organization is in bringing Valentine back to Queens. We have reason to believe that Mets people were in his ear when he bowed out of the Marlins managerial candidacy earlier in the season. Continue reading “Mets’ Managerial Possibilities for 2011”

Mets Links: Bobby Valentine, Jeff Francoeur, Mike Pelfrey

Mets v Cardinals X

http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/PicAppPIS/JavaScript/PisV4.jsHere are your Sunday morning Mets links covering the last week. The Mets have gone 2-4 over the last week which includes a home loss to Washington, a road series loss to the Rockies, and splitting the first two games in St. Louis. Along the way, we’ve speculated about Jerry Manuel’s job security, the players’ disdain for Manuel, Mike Pelfrey’s early success, and the possible return of Bobby Valentine.

Here are the links:

  • MetsBlog– Jon Heyman says the Mets aren’t considering firing Jerry Manuel at this time. If they do, Bob Melvin will get the call to take over the team.
  • Daily News– Mike Lupica writes that if Manuel gets fired, it has to be Bobby Valentine that gets the call to come back
  • ESPN– Bobby Valentine told Chris Russo on XM Radio that he doesn’t believe that managing the Mets is in his immediate future
  • On The Black-Kerel Cooper sums up my feelings about this team perfectly. They’re a very difficult team to watch over the last week. Exasperating, really.
  • Studious Metsimus– This is a good comparison to the Mets 1992 team. The worst team that money could buy.
  • ESPN– This is a good article about Jeff Francoeur and his unusually good start this season. Francoeur credits Howard Johnson for the hot start that he’s off to.
  • MetsBlog – Mike Pelfrey gives credit to Henry Blanco for his excellent game in Colorado this week. He went 7 shutout innings and struck out 6.
  • MLBTradeRumors– This is the whole story about how Joel Pineiro didn’t end up with the Mets despite everyone (including Pineiro) thinking that he would
  • ESPN– Rich Couthino writes a good piece about Jackie Robinson Day this week and it’s relation to the Mets

Those are the big stories for the week. Let’s hope for something better than the 2-4 record they put up this past week. Let’s go Mets!

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Report: Brewers Interested In Randolph, Valentine, And Johnson

Milwaukee Brewers
Image via Wikipedia

The NY Post is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in talking to Willie Randolph about their vacant managerial position. Apparently, Davey Johnson is being considered as well. Bobby Valentine has expressed interest in the Brewers job as part of his quest to return to MLB.

The Brewers have a pretty good team but I’m sure they’ll end up losing CC Sabathia. That’ll take them down a notch. And any potential manager has to be wary that they fired Ned Yost with only two weeks left in the season. That was really odd.

Mike Hargrove and Ken Macha are being interviewed as well as Dale Svuem who took over when Yost was fired.

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Audio: Bobby V., Manuel, And Heyman

I’ve got some more audio links to help you get through what’s turned into a longer off-season than expected.

Jerry Manuel joins WFAN’s Mike Francesa and Eddie Coleman to talk about his contract to continue managing the Mets

Jon Heyman joins Francesa to talk Mets, Yankees and the post-season action

Bobby Valentine joins Steve Somers to talk US and Japanese baseball, and the Mets hiring of Jerry Manuel

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Video: The Zen of Bobby V Preview

Bobby Valentine is the star of a new documentary film appearing on ESPN2 at 9:00pm on Tuesday May 13th. It looks like Bobby’s living a rock star life in Japan from the clips of the film. I’ll be watching the Mets-Nationals game instead of the film but I have to admit that I’m interested in seeing it at some point.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/player.swf?mediaId=3391984