Washington, D.C. (WFAN) -- Ah, the dreaded "vote of confidence". Mets CEO Jeff Wilpon extended that safety net to both G.M. Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel a couple of weeks ago during the Subway Series with the Yankees. Does anyone remember the old Dustin Hoffman movie "Marathon Man"? Hopefully neither Minaya nor Manuel will have to play the role of Hoffman while Sir Laurence Olivier sadistically drills away asking "Is it safe". They are safe - for now. Minaya told reporters on Monday Wilpon informed him that "I want you to be our General Manager - and I want Jerry to be our manager". Minaya said he responded to Wilpon thusly - "Thank you for that vote. I don't think about those things and neither does Jerry."
Omar on his job status:
When asked to comment after the Mets' win over Washington Monday night, Manuel said - "It's kinda like we're men. and I know what goes with this particular thing, and I know the situation that they're in, and you just try to do the best you can to represent your organization. We don't converse often but there was a conversation that took place that was very, very encouraging. It was hey, we're in this to the end - period. We'll fight through this thing together to the end, we'll get it done, we'll just keep fighting. Boom. That was it."
Now remember this conversation took place during the Yankees series at CitiField - a three-game sweep for the Bombers - in late June. Coming into that series the Mets had just taken 3 of 4 from St. Louis and were a slim 1/2 game behind the Phillies in the N.L. East. Since being swept by the Yanks, the Mets have lost 11 of 18 and have fallen a distant 9 games behind Philadelphia. But a factor in both Manuel's and Minaya's favor is their contract situation. Manuel has another year to go on his deal, and Minaya's extension - 3 years plus an option that begins in 2010 - hasn't even kicked in yet. Obviously if things spin totally out of control as the season winds down, all bets are off and nobody is safe. But the Mets still believe - realistically or not - that they have a run left in them or due them. The Phillies have run and hid at the moment - winning 9 straight and 13 of 14. The Mets still hold wild-card aspirations while they sit 6 1/2 games back currently. And a combination of circumstances - injuries to the core veterans on the team, contract situations, and some kind of resurgence - still exists that probably means both Minaya and Manuel will still be in place come next February in Port St. Lucie.
Yes, Philadelphia is red hot, but that wasn't always the case. At one point the Phils dropped 14 of 18 - and hardly anyone took advantage. The Marlins did, going 12-6 to pick up 8 games in the standings. But the Phillies just swept the Marlins in Florida to knock them back on their kiester. While the Phillies swooned, the Braves and Mets squandered - Atlanta went just 9-10, and the Mets were only 8-12 to pick up a measly 3 games. Are the Phils catchable? Here are their records in August and September for the last three years - 36-22 in 2006 - 33-23 in 2007 - and 33-21 in 2008. OK, let's take a look at those wild-card standings again.
Since Carlos Beltran was placed on the D.L. on June 22, the Mets have gone 10-15. They beat the Nationals 6-2 on Monday, but have scored 6 runs or more just 6 times in those 25 games. They have been shut out 6 times and have scored only one run 4 other times. The 80 runs that they have scored in the 25 games are the fewest in the majors during that period. A little help, please.
Now that Fernando Nieve is KO'd, look for Jon Niese to take his start this weekend in Houston. Niese has not allowed more than 2 earned runs over his last 8 starts, and is coming off a 2-hit shutout last Saturday against Toledo. Nelson Figueroa is hot as well, named the Triple AAA International League Pitcher of the Week last week. And one of their top prospects, righty pitcher Brad Holt, coming back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks, was tabbed the Double AA Eastern League Pitcher of the Week. Holt won twice, posting a 1.32 ERA while striking out 14 in 14 innings.
The 1969 Miracle Mets will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their championship season with an exclusive reception on August 22 at CitiField. Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Nolan Ryan will headline the fundraiser which benefits the Mets Foundation. A tax-deductible donation of $300 will include a ticket to the game vs. the Phillies, a picture with the 1969 World Series trophy, and an oversized replica of a ticket to that year's Series. Call (718) 803-4074 or go to Mets.com for further information.
It looked like it was going to be another night with little offense for the Mets, but then the long ball (what?) – two 2-run homers – and they rallied for a 5-2 win over the Marlins in Jupiter.
Quick capsule on St. Paddy’s Day game at the Red Sox…..
Mike Pelfrey very sharp. 4 innings – 4 hits – 1 run – 0 walks – 2 strikeouts. 66 pitches – 44 strikes. The only run Pelfrey allowed came on a tailing liner by Dustin Pedroia that should have been caught for the 3rd out by Alex Cora, but it ticked off his glove.
Angel Pagan put a smile on everyone’s face with a 2-run walkoff HR in the bottom of the 9th inning to lift the Mets past the Cardinals 6-5 on Monday afternoon. Fernando Nieve made the start and promptly gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning. He went three, yielding 5 hits with a walk.
Anderson Hernandez hit the 6,000th home run in Mets' history in the first game of the day-night doubleheader in Philadelphia this past Sunday. Here are some of the other all-time milestone homers for the Mets:
Permit me this indulgence as I begin the post All Star break period. The tiny bit of vacation that I had adjacent to the break allowed for a brief vacation, and at my wife's behest we spent a few days in London.
Sitting here in a dank, bleak hotel room in Baltimore, watching the rain come down, makes me wonder just exactly why it is that we're here. That's WE, as in the entire Mets traveling party, not just me.
In an interview, I once asked Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck what sport was his favorite to broadcast? Without any hesitiation he replied, " winning baseball". I asked the inevitable follow up question, which sport is your least favorite? Jack answered, " losing baseball".
Baseball isn't just about the games being played, scrutinized, argued, and judged.. It's about the people who play it. I learned a long time ago that criticism is as common an element to the game as a bat and a ball.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
