The Mets are in the toughest situation of Omar Minaya’s tenure. The Mets currently have 32 million dollars on the DL. The current Mets are dropping like flies as 2 more players may find themselves joining the DL list. Alot of people attributed Paul Lo Duca as a leader of the 2006 team. While the definition of leadership in my opinion is subjective and attributing someone as a leader is even more subjective, the Mets badly need someone to step up and grab the bull by its horns. Now we have had several heros along the way but to find the “go to guy” on this team is a bit difficult to say the least. The two main guys that have kept the boat afloat have been Carlos Beltran and David Wright. Many people have said Beltran “lacks” leadership and David Wright even less but i believe the whole leadership bit is overrated. Along with this the whole Grit/Edge/Heart as well is overrated and cannot be measured. I want to know from you guys..how much stock do you put in leadership? If so..who do you consider the Mets leader?
10 comments
GravediggerHebner
5/25/2009-6:02pm at 6:02 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t put a ton of stock in leadership. I think when a team is doing well, it doesn’t need any. When a team is doing poorly however, I believe leadership can be helpful in getting back on the right track sooner.
Obviously I am not ever in the Met clubhouse so I don’t have any firsthand information about who their team leader or leaders might be. From what I’ve read, heard and seen from afar, I understand that their are different groups with different leaders. No, I don’t mean ‘the latin guys’ and ‘the white guys.’ I mean the different subsets of the team as broken down by position have different leaders. I believe Johan Santana is the leader of the pitchers overall and the starting pitchers especially, and Francisco Rodriguez is the leader of the relief pitchers.
The hitters leadership seems to be in flux. Carlos Delgado is widely believed to be their leader, but he is older, in the last year of his contract, and currently on the disabled list. Further I believe David Wright is poised to be the leader of the hitters, and this time while Delgado is out is his opportunity to step more confidently into the role. Transitions of power in any arena are tenuous. Will Wright successfully take over? Time will tell, but I believe him more than capable of doing so.
Mr North Jersey
5/25/2009-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
Leadership is very important be it quiet or vocal. Who is the Mets leader is one that has yet to be determined as their is no clear person apparently.
The school of thought is Delgado is the leader but many feel Wright is the true leader in waiting.
I don’t tend to agree with this notion. I feel Wright is the leader right now and all in the clubhouse know this but maybe in an attempt not to step on any toes Wright is ok with Delgado taking a active part in leading this squad.
metsfan4decades
5/25/2009-6:13pm at 6:13 pm (UTC -4)
Love the pic of LoDuca. While I considered him one of the more outspoken, fiery guys on that team, I would never have considered him a leader in that clubhouse. I’ll bet there was more than one who never took him seriously…
I don’t think every team needs that player with the ‘C’ on his chest. It’s a team effort and collectively, if they interact well as a team, they’ll play well as a team.
That being said:
David Wright: Right now, while I know he’s considered the face of the franchise, I wouldn’t exactly say he’s the leader right now. Respectfully, he often defers to the older veterans of the club. And rightfully so. I think he’s got what it takes though. Maybe in a couple of years.
Carlos Beltran: one of my favorite Met players but not the clubhouse leader. His personality doesn’t lend itself to that type of leadership. And nothing wrong with that. He knows who he is, what he is and doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Gary Sheffield: Had he been with the club longer, I can definitely playing that type of role. His tenure is a bit short though and he’s at the end of his career.
Jose Reyes: Love Jose, but him in a leadership role is just never happening.
Right now, even though he’s a pitcher, I’d have to say Johan Santana has emerged with just that type of leadership persona. He’s appears much more comfortable in his second year with the club. He’s tried to take some under his wing such as Perez. On the field, he takes nothing from no one (yeah, that means you, Youkilis). In the dugout, he’s got that handshake thing going before the game and he’s often seen cheering the boys on after he comes out of the game.
So even though he only plays once every 5 days since he’s a pitcher, I still say right now, if anyone, that role of leadership goes to Johan.
mrose
5/25/2009-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
i vote johan every 5th day and i’m not sure the other 4
also, check out http://www.nleastchatter.com the rss feeds are set to grab the 5 latest posts/articles on the blog (soon to be blogs) and the forums for each team….
metsfan4decades
5/25/2009-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
Pre-game:
- Church’s MRI showed no damage. Not going on the DL, but not in the lineup today.
Good.
kingman26
5/25/2009-6:59pm at 6:59 pm (UTC -4)
Hate to pile on, but just visited the other site—-The first sentence of Nichols’ game thread has a wrong road record for the Mets (weird to show anyway, considering they are at home), a completely wrong record for the Nats, a completely wrong home record for the Nats (who are on the road), and has the word Nationals SPELLED WRONG!!
This was achieved in one sentence.
mrose
5/25/2009-7:07pm at 7:07 pm (UTC -4)
oy
no pre-game today?
metsfan4decades
5/25/2009-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
That’s just carelessness. Or one too many beers at the backyard barbe.
jonnyballgame
5/25/2009-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
Whats the deal boys? No game thread.. This will suffice. Razor shines doing is very best Sandy sr impression
trs86
5/25/2009-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
Up now.