One year ago today Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired following a west coast win over the Angels. The passing of the pink-slip took place very early in the morning, or a little after midnight on the west coast. The storm that ensued was tremendous, as every media outlet known to man (or at least it seemed that way at the time) assualted the Mets’ upper management for the circumstances surrounding the overnight firing. This was the most embarrassing moment for the Mets since the previous September collapse, and would hold that title until the following September’s collapse.
Two words: Oy vey.
I dug up thoughts from some of our very own TRDMB members and authors to see what was on the minds of Mets fans this time last year…
“I just want them to play well (and hard), and make some smart moves in the off season so the 2009 team will be good. The changes made between now and opening day (manager, FO and on the field) are crucial for the LT (long-term) success of this team.” -stickguy
Turns out Omar made some smart moves (Frankie) as well as some bonehead moves (Ollie).
“I was all for firing Willie, but the way this was handled is embarrassing to me as a lifetime Mets fan. Bumbling, unprofessional, and inane.” -gipper82475
I agree to an extent, but generally firings aren’t pleasant for all parties involved.
“I’m not trying to excuse the Mets…but do people remember that the Yankees did similar things to Torre over the past few years? It’s not just us…we already get a bad enough rap as a “mickey mouse” organization by news outlets, other fans and even some of our own fans…don’t make it worse by not looking at other teams who have done the same.” -mrose
Wise words as always by the infamous mrose!
“Amazing – Omar could talk for hours and say absolutely nothing.” -MetsFan4Decades
And we still mock Omar’s press conferences to this day…
“The warrior Church… Glad to see he’s on his way back.” -Dirtysanchez
Or so you thought! I’m not sure he ever fully recovered.
“I wonder what it would take to get Carlos Lee’s contract off of Drayton McClain’s hands.” -There’s Always ’09
Haven’t I seen this same question posed by TRDMB members within the past week or so?
We may have a slew of new questions and doubts about this year’s team, but the results so far have only bit slightly better…
2008 - June 17th NL East Standings - 2009
On this date the 2008 Mets were 3.5 games further out of first place in the division than the 2009 team, while sitting one game below .500 compared to the four games above .500 2009 Amazin’s. The 2008 team was about to catch fire though – winning 17 or their next 26 games (.654) heading into the All-Star break. The current Mets will have to go 16-8 until the break this season to follow this brutish pace.
Are the '09 Mets having deja-vu all over again?
The 2008 Mets had scored only .13 more runs per game than they allowed per game (through June 17th), and the 2009 Mets have scored only .10 more runs per game than allowed. Yes, this year’s team actually has a lower run differential than last year’s team on this date. However, it should be noted that the 15-0 loss over the weekend likely skewed the numbers in favor of 2008.
So what does this all mean? With all the team changes between then and now (manager, coaching staff, players), but despite all this year’s injuries, the 2009 Mets aren’t all that different from the the 2008 Mets. Yes, our bullpen is better, but our starting pitching has been worse – and last time I checked, runs given up in the 9th inning count just as much as runs given up in the first. The offenses have been similar, but with the pending re-arrivals of some lost Mets (Reyes, Delgado, Putz, Wagner, Maine, and Ollie to name a few) this year’s team has a chance to take to overcome last year’s misery.
75 comments
dirtysanchez
6/17/2009-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
The fact that we have a better bullpen will play the difference this year compaired to last year….lol i was a churchy fan a year ago huh lol(thanks pris ;p). I will reserve judgement on Manuel until the end of the year. His stats show that his teams play better in the 2nd half. I will say however i am very disappointed in this mangerial decisions thusfar and hope it will improve as the year goes on
mrbill
6/17/2009-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
the 2009 Mets aren’t all that different from the the 2008 Mets.
Keith’s book on 2008 season shows exactly this. It’s like reading about 2009.
dirtysanchez
6/17/2009-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
they are similar but i think 09 is better..how many close games have the bullpen pulled us out of that the 08 bullpen would have blown
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
How many close games have we lost or almost lost due to shoddy fielding and bad baserunning?
dirtysanchez
6/17/2009-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
good point..we traded one poison for another. Defense and better base running can be improved through coaching and practice…a crappy bp however is more detrimental as we have witnessed for the past two years…
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
This year’s baseball fundamentals are last year’s bullpen.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
Well said…..the situation has not cost us as many games yet, but this is a good analogy….and it surely is a much easier situation to fix.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
Is it? How do you go about making a team play with solid fundamentals when they’re content being lazy? This falls on the manager and coaching staff, but they don’t seem inclined to make it a priority. (In their defense, I don’t KNOW that they’re not refocusing on it, but I haven’t seen any real indicator that they are)
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I guess I would say it is easier, because last year there was nothing we could do to fix the pen except wait for the season to end and for KRod to become a free agent and JJ to become available.
To me, Jerry MIGHT be able to fix this, but I personally think a new no-nonsense guy like Showalter or Valentine would fix the fundamentals. And firing Jerry and signing one of them would be easier than getting a whole new bullpen.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a great point.
And replacing Jerry is one of the few things the team could do to give me more than zero confidence for the season. Too bad it ain’t happening…
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I blame the new stadium! Wait, this year’s team has a better record and is closer to the top. I commend the new stadium!
If I recall correctly, at this time last year the team was for the most part healthy (fair to say more so than this year?) but just underachieving. This year despite more severe losses due to injury they’re actually better off standings wise. Somehow I have a lot more hope for this season going forward than I did last year the night before Willie was fired.
Joe R
6/17/2009-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
The 2 years are very different. Lets wait and see where we are after this June/early July schedule. Thats the most important thing. Can these guys continue to battle? If within the next few weeks to a month we arent more than 5 out I will be amped for the second half and very proud of this team and that includes Manuel. I still think it will be tough to do without another bat but I have been impressed thus far…so who knows.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
‘Battling’ is what the Art Howe teams did… I want to see these guys play the game smart, not battling. :p
I agree with your caution: June and early July are brutal parts of our schedule. If we actually make it through in decent shape, we might have a chance this year.
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
Great post, Adam.
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Qns, what’s the new pic? In small form here it looks like an oil painting of a horse wearing big glasses with it’s head tilted to the left.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Tried to blow it up and it was all blurry….but I am very curious too.
Probably a scene from Boogie Nights….
CaseStreet
6/17/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Off topic (don’t ban me plz)
I’m thinking about buying an iphone and switching from T-Mobile to AT&T.
What’s ur thoughts? Should I do it?
dirtysanchez
6/17/2009-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
i dont believe you are talking about the subject at hand…your post will be moderated lol
iphones are pretty good. If you can afford it, go for it
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
I was going to get an iphone, and instead got a BlackBerry, and was told that the only real difference is the touch screen, which I did not care about. It was surprisingly affordable, and so far I LOVE it.
For phone calls, internet, and email (I do not care about the other bells and whistles very much; just need to be in touch wherever I am), they say the BlackBerry rules. Cannot argue so far.
Hope that helps, although it may not….
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, I love my Blackberry. I got my Curve just as the Storm was coming out, but decided to let the Storm go through a few generations. The regular Blackberry has been around so long that it’s a very mature technology. It works fantastic for what I want.
That being said, the iPhone is pretty badass.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, my thoughts too…the iphone is definitely very cool, but the Blackberry is awesome and perfect for what I want….
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
I heard that Blackberry does not sinc with the Inbox, which can be very annoying.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
You mean the Outlook Inbox? I have no idea. The only instance of Outlook that I use is at work, and I can’t check that outside my building without getting in big trouble.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
That being said, my Yahoo inbox syncs properly.
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
yup. my mail syncs with my inbox. that’s 1 of the 700 reasons i love it.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
Do you mean Outlook works with iphone or Blackberrys or both??
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
My buddy was using Blackberry and switched to iPhone recently. He says the iPhone is 100 times better. I’m thinking of switching too.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Huh…interesting…I am still in the 30-day return period…any real big things that are much better on iphone, as far as just basically making calls and email is concerned?
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I have an iPhone original version. Never upgraded to the 3G and was very unhappy I didn’t (Edge’s connection speeds are really slow). That being said, I waited this long to get the next model upgrade and am now anxiously awaiting the arrival of it on Friday.
To answer your question, let’s just say I was unhappy with the performance of the Edge network, but that’s it. Everything else is amazing. I know there are other phones out there that can do similar things, but this thing is awesome. In the 80s, if you wanted safety, you bought a Volvo because they damn well knew how to make seatbelts. In the 00s, if you want a high-tech and very useful device, you get the Apple product.
Go for it!
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I think Huff passed Mets test last night with the dropped popup.
dirtysanchez
6/17/2009-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
lmaooo
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
I’d rather have Charlie Hough.
metsfan4decades
6/17/2009-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
Interesting….
It appears all the NL east teams except the Mets are worse this year than this time last year. – Well the Mets are only one game less in the W column. A little skewed though as the season started earlier last year so the less wins will also reflect that.
I still feel better about this year than I did at this time last year. No doubt in part b/c I don’t think Philly has the pitching needed to win the division this year. At least not how it stands now.
Can’t wait to see what this team does in Aug when hopefully the DL is cleared…..
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
I’m more concerned with how we do between now and August. We need to stay afloat and keep Philly from running away from us. The next 4 weeks are absolutely critical for us. It’s gonna be a gauntlet that could very well take great advantage of our sloppy play in the field.
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s very important to be in line to sweep tomorrow. Who knows what will happen against Tampa. Not sure what the pitching matchups are like, but that is a very good team. Underachieving until about a week ago.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
In addition, and not trying to be too negative here, but as far as the WC goes, the whole league is in the race…so staying close to the Phils is really, really huge.
Everyone but Wash, SD, and AZ is within 4.5 games of the WC lead….
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
For those that think I can only focus on the negative, how’s this?
The conversation I had with Grave yesterday that led to his post on pitchers facing us for the first time, coupled with the graphic last night during the game showing us leading the league in AVG w/RISP, led me to wonder about some of my other main perceptions of the team. I’ve had a slow workday, outside a 4 hour briefing I had to sit through, so I’ve been sifting through stats. Let me share a few things I’ve been wrong about with this team, and profess my love for Alex Cora as well.
First, Alex Cora. I love Alex Cora. This guy’s been an awesome, team-oriented backup that’s played superbly as an emergency fill-in for Gimpy McShortstop. We all talk about how great it is to at least see a guy make a productive out. When you’ve got a relatively light-hitting bench guy at the plate with runner(s) on, you’d at least like to see him move the runner(s) over.
-In situations where Cora has a chance to make a productive out (11) he has succeeded 9 times or 82%. League average is 33%.
-When he’s up with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs (7 times), that runner has scored 5 times or 71%. League average is 51%.
-Of the 12 opportunities Cora has had to hit into a DP, he’s done it 0 times.
This guy is all about the team and can execute when it matters.
Second, the Mets, contrary to popular belief, do not suck anymore than anyone else at driving in the runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs this year. 89 of the 175 runners on 3rd with less than two outs have scored for us. That’s 51% which is exactly leageue average. League average, while not being overly ‘clutch’, is far from being ‘un-clutch’. (4 of the 4 possible runners in these sitauations for Brian Schneider have scored… who’d have guessed?)
Third, 17% of the runners on base for David Wright score as a result of his plate appearance. League average is 14%. (17% is Beltran’s number in those situations, too)
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Alex Cora has been nothing short of a god send for this team. He is playing with a torn ligament in his thumb as well. I hope he sticks around beyond this year. He’s not a superstar, or even a star, but he’s certainly the kind of guy we haven’t had for the past 2 years.
CaseStreet
6/17/2009-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
Great analysis supported by facts. I think you’ve found your calling.
You’ve turned from a dark cloud to a beautiful rainbow
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-2:31pm at 2:31 pm (UTC -4)
Yes indeed. Phillies colors (rainbow).
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-2:43pm at 2:43 pm (UTC -4)
There is hope for you young Padwan
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
Guys, what does my avatar show? I changed it to what I thought was the 86 Mets celebrating but I dont think it is.
darknova306
6/17/2009-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Your avatar currently shows a smiling face that I would assume is yours.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
It shows Dirk meeting Rollergirl for the very first time in the kitchen….
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
Are you going to take your skates off?
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
I never take my skates off….and don’t *** ** **.
Aim it at her **** Eddie…..
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
It’s got your naked pic!! OMG!!!
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
site traffic is going to slip now boys.
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
And for some strange reason I see my old avatar (my face) still being used. Could it be the fact that Im using IE? Very weird.
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
you need to make sure the new avatar is associated with the same e-mail you signed up for this site under. i remember i had a similar problem when i tried to change my avatar to j-troll taking one off the noggin.
darknova306
6/17/2009-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
I love your avatar, ’09. Priceless!
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
I was at the game against Philly last Tuesday night and some guy in my section hung it up on the railing. Security guards were laughing. I briefly thought about serving him papers for copyright infringement.
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
Yup, I actually did use the same address. Btw, your gravatar doesnt show Rollins just the basic Gravatar logo, but at home I use Firefox and I see it.
There's Always '09
6/17/2009-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, I thought only Darknova rains on parades.
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
Lmao..Just thought youd like to know.
QnsNative718
6/17/2009-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
But when I write a post in the TRDMB Dashboard I DO see the Rollins avatar. WTH? Probly just my computer. Im at work and they probably sanitize the computers to death.
darknova306
6/17/2009-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
LOL Hey now!
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
try logging out and logging back in.
mrose
6/17/2009-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
love this article..am I really infamous? lol
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
You are most certainly infamous, and quite possible nefarious.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s what Matt’s Blog had. This is a fictitious trade that some Boston Radio guy’s blog came up with for this off season. To me, it’s a no brainer for the Mets as the Matt’s Blog polls have shown.
The Red Sox offer RHP Clay Buchholz, top prospect RHP Michael Bowden, OF Jacoby Ellsbury and SS Jed Lowrie to the Mets for SS Jose Reyes.
mrose
6/17/2009-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
Sox would never do it
but I love Jose, but i’d even be on board for that
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah Theo is not that dumb or he has been very lucky.
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Important to recall to that the famous Hanley Ramirez/Josh Beckett-Mike Lowell deal took place while Epstein had “resigned.”
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
That strikes me as way overpaying on the Sox part, especially for damaged goods. Makes little sense to me from their perspective. I’ll sign up for it though. Love me some Buchholz, not really sure what we’d do with Ellsbury. I guess LF and leadoff?
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2009-3:17pm at 3:17 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I would assume he would do that. But he lacks power for a corner OF.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
The next post had a trade proposal from a 6-year old who had been riding his bike by Matt’s place…..
mrbill
6/17/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
ha ha ha, Yankees willing to trade A-rod, Cano, Texeira and CC Sabathia for Castillo.
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! And I am sure there would be many responses, saying the Yanks should throw in Jeter, so he can back up Cora while Jose is out….
gipperpdx
6/17/2009-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, finding my old words….creepy!
Kingman 26
6/17/2009-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was pretty damn scared when I saw old quotes dredged up…afraid of what I might see that I said a year ago…VERY afraid…
mrbill
6/17/2009-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, my old words are “wright is not clutch!” Haaa
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2009-3:45pm at 3:45 pm (UTC -4)
Oh noooooooooooo!
mrbill
6/17/2009-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Have until 9pm…
prismo
6/17/2009-6:21pm at 6:21 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the kind words guys. Unfortunately my internet and cable were out for the afternoon, so I couldn’t join in on the discussion! It was a lot of fun digging up old comments from people I know much better now though!