Update – 6:48pm:
Jerry Manuel
Wednesday April 14th – Mets Manager Jerry Manuel talked about
a tough start to the season and his hope that it turns
Audio courtesy of WFAN.com
*****************************
Original Post – 5:00pm:
Jerry Manuel will be on Mike Francesa at 5:05pm to give this weeks State Of The Mets.
You can listen to it here
Highlights of interview courtesy of Metsfan4decades
- MF: It seemed like Sunday, it went all fell apart. Can’t handle when Santana get it.
- Jerry: Might be right to some degree. But don’t think you can put those two things together. Frustrated me b/c it was an good opportunity to pick him up for all he’s done for us and we didn’t do it.
- MF: your comments got so much play – unprepared 6 games into the season. You’re one of the guys with a bulls eye on your back. This team needs a fast start.
- Jerry: we need to sort it out very quickly. We thought coming out of ST we had some things in place to make a good start. We still feel we have the right people in the right place to get it done.
- MF: 3 mistakes that were made one mine, one Jerry’s, one Omar’s:
- Mine: You were right to bat Reyes third, I was wrong about that.
- Jerry’s mistake: I would have played Pagan everyday. You went with GMJ and he let you down.
- Jerry: You’re right (wow). I was looking at experience and a little more power and I was wrong.
- Omar: When Murph got hurt, he should have brought up Ike Davis. You guys are missing the boat on this.
- Jerry admitting Castillo is frustrated right now.
- Jerry said he will switch Reyes to 3rd – possibility in St. Louis.
- Concerning Maine: He will get his next start.
- MF: Why is Mejia here – doesn’t he need to go back to the minors?
- Jerry: No. He’s getting work, gaining confidence. We feel confident now we can use him as a bridge guy – if the matchup is good.
- MF: Did you like Niese’s first start? How about Pelf?
- Jerry: both were positive. BP for the most part is O.K. but don’t want to evaluate in a losing situation. Want to see them when the game is on the line.
- MF: It seems like the team is carrying all the ugliness into this year from last year. Fans, media, everyone feels it. How do you get rid of that.
- Jerry: We have to win games and play within the spirit that we played before Sunday. If we get good performances, this perception will go away. If we get another bad performance from a starter, this all will come back.
- MF: Do you feel that everyone is pressing b/c of last year?
- Jerry: To a man, they’re committed to trying to erase last year. Is there pressure to do that? Possible so. I like the way the team is going about it, there is no finger pointing or any of that. Trying to play good baseball for ownership and fans.
- MF: You’re job is on the line. You know that. That has to make it tough on you.
- Jerry: Yes. That bulls eye is there but my back is not that big. (laugh, laugh, laugh).
- MF: Good to see the sense of humor. But it seems like nothing ever goes right for this team.
- Jerry: We haven’t been catching a break but this will even out. As passionate as this team is and it’s fans, it will happen. We have to remain positive about our chances. I see us as a much better team than last year. We will be a team to be reckoned with. I really believe that.
- MF: you’d better show it soon.
- MF: Team has looked flat with this losing but I think there are a couple of guys have gotten a negative feel now for this team. Castillo and Tatis for instance. Team needs a lift, a spark.
- MF: anything special over the next two days you have planned?
- Jerry: no. Trying to make sure we get the pitching right and players remain positive. As is we as the staff. We know in NY it’s difficult but the rewards will be great.
- MF: Do you still have faith in Jacobs’?
- Jerry: ‘I feel good he’s a guy who can pop a ball for us’. Right now, his timing is off.
- MF: Do you feel good about this team or are you worried.
- Jerry: It’s all on the starting pitching. I feel good about our chances if the pitching steps up. These guys are a very good group of guys.
- MF: Referencing Frenchy’s comment of being ‘flat’ on Sunday.
- Jerry agreed Livan ‘flattened us out’, that’s for sure. but we’ll make the adjustments.
58 comments
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:03pm at 5:03 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll try and give the highlights here live for those who can’t listen right now.
And I don’t know if I’ve got a problem with this PC – a virus or some config problem, but I’m having a problem loading this site this past week or so doing refresh takes forever. Don’t want to miss anything so I’ll do the best I can.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:04pm at 5:04 pm (UTC -4)
Mets shoddy play is spreading to all things Mets.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
I’d rather not listen to Jerry. I might break the screen.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:04pm at 5:04 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll write it here again.
Carter went 3-3 4 RBIs today.
FREE CARTER!~!~!
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
Jacobs batting #5….
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
How can every single decision about who stayed up, who went down, be completely wrong?
Is it really bad luck or what????
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
Blame it on the medical staff.
gategem
4/14/2010-5:14pm at 5:14 pm (UTC -4)
Or blame it on the Bossa Nova..
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:13pm at 5:13 pm (UTC -4)
Beginning synopsis:
Jerry sounds really down.
Jerry: last two games have been really frustrating. Before that, we were playing good.
MF: It seemed like Sunday, it went all fell apart. Can’t handle when Santana get it.
Jerry: Might be right to some degree. But don’t think you can put those two things together. Frustrated me b/c it was an good opportunity to pick him up for all he’s done for us and we didn’t do it.
MF: your comments got so much play – unprepared 6 games into the season. You’re one of the guys with a bulls eye on your back. This team needs a fast start.
Jerry: we need to sort it out very quickly. We thought coming out of ST we had some things in place to make a good start. We still feel we have the right people in the right place to get it done.
MF: 3 mistakes that were made one mine, one Jerry’s, one Omar’s:
Mine: You were right to bat Reyes third, I was wrong about that.
Jerry’s mistake: I would have played Pagan everyday. You went with GMJ and he let you down. Jerry: You’re right (wow). I was looking at experience and a little more power and I was wrong.
Omar: When Murph got hurt, he should have brought up Ike Davis. You guys are missing the boat on this.
(will continue)
whataputz
4/14/2010-5:17pm at 5:17 pm (UTC -4)
“Jerry sounds really down”
I don’t think the man has ever changed the tone in his voice.
“uuuu, you know uuuuuu, we won 162 games and the world series, i’m uuuuu pretty content with the season uuuuu, i hate ryan church”
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:20pm at 5:20 pm (UTC -4)
and Ramon Castro
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: At some point Reyes will bat 3rd.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:16pm at 5:16 pm (UTC -4)
As early as St Louis series.
And Maine getting another start on Sunday.
whataputz
4/14/2010-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Sure Jerry makes a lot of stupid decisions, especially when it comes to bunting, and I don’t think he’s really a major league caliber head coach, you cannot possibly blame him for this rough start. He was handed oranges and told to make lemonade.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry just laughed at that (Omar’s ‘mistake’) – meaning he agrees with the Omar mistake.
Jerry: one point Jerry will bat third and Pagan will leadoff.
Jerry admitting Castillo is frustrated right now.
Pagan is playing tonight, batting 8th to set up Reyes.
Jerry said he will switch Reyes to 3rd – possibility in St. Louis.
Concerning Maine: He will get his next start.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
Shoot – obviously that should have read: Reyes will bat third.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:36pm at 5:36 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t worry about that. You did a awesome job 4D thanks.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:18pm at 5:18 pm (UTC -4)
2 starts are not enough to say that’s it with Maine. One more start, then we’ll reevaluate then.
MF: Why is Mejia here – doesn’t he need to go back to the minors?
Jerry: No. He’s getting work, gaining confidence. We feel confident now we can use him as a bridge guy – if the matchup is good.
MF: Did you like Niese’s first start? How about Pelf?
Jerry: both were positive. BP for the most part is O.K. but don’t want to evaluate in a losing situation. Want to see them when the game is on the line.
MF: It seems like the team is carrying all the ugliness into this year from last year. Fans, media, everyone feels it. How do you get rid of that.
Jerry: We have to win games and play within the spirit that we played before Sunday. If we get good performances, this perception will go away.
If we get another bad performance from a starter, this all will come back.
whataputz
4/14/2010-5:20pm at 5:20 pm (UTC -4)
Ike Davis has gotta come up. Jacobs is horrendous, and I don’t think the arrival of Murph is going to make any difference. Ikes 23, he’s not exactly F-Mart territory. Sure it’s only 6 games in the minors, but at this point we need some spark.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:35pm at 5:35 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t agree with this at the start of the season, but I do know.
Count me in on the Get Ike Here brigade.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:20pm at 5:20 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry: Good group of men. Bottom line is we have to pitch well. Everything else wil lfall into place after that.
MF: Do you feel that everyone is pressing b/c of last year?
Jerry: To a man, they’re committed to trying to erase last year. Is there pressure to do that? Possible so. I like the way the team is going about it, there is no finger pointing or any of that. Trying to play good baseball for ownership and fans.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
I hate Jerry… the manager…
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:26pm at 5:26 pm (UTC -4)
MF: You’re job is on the line. You know that. That has to make it tough on you.
Jerry: Yes. That bulls eye is there but my back is not that big. (laugh, laugh, laugh).
MF: Good to see the sense of humor. But it seems like nothing ever goes right for this team.
Jerry: We haven’t been catching a break but this will even out. As passionate as this team is and it’s fans, it will happen. We have to remain positive about our chances. I see us as a much better team than last year. We will be a team to be reckoned with. I really believe that.
MF: you’d better show it soon.
MF: Team has looked flat with this losing but I think there are a couple of guys have gotten a negative feel now for this team. Castillo and Tatis for instance.
Team needs a lift, a spark.
MF: anything special over the next two days you have planned?
Jerry: no. Trying to make sure we get the pitching right and players remain positive. As is we as the staff. We know in NY it’s difficult but the rewards will be great.
MF: Do you still have in Jacobs?
Jerry: ‘I feel good he’s a guy who can pop a ball for us’. Right now, his timing is off.
MF: Do you feel good about this team or are you worried.
Jerry: It’s all on the starting pitching. I feel good about our chances if the pitching steps up. These guys are a very good group of guys.
Both agreed Barajas was a good addition.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:37pm at 5:37 pm (UTC -4)
Should have read: ‘Do you still have faith in Jacobs’?
And to expand on Jerry’s answer, I really got the impression he didn’t want to say he’s not that good so the most positive thing he could say was he could give us that pop that will give us a lead or win us a game.
trs86
4/14/2010-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the thing I think a lot of people miss. They get all up in arms about something a manager, player, GM, owner, etc say to the media without realizing that they can’t exactly say the truth.
Jerry can’t come out and say “Jacobs pretty much sucks, I got no one to play there and Davis is not ready.”
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:43pm at 5:43 pm (UTC -4)
It’s not about saying the truth. It’s about doing the right thing.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe but in this case, it’s not up to Jerry who is on the 25 man to play first base. He can only play who they give him.
From his comments – on the point that MF said Omar was wrong about – where Ike should have been called up when Murph got hurt…….
He pretty much indicated he wants Ike up here as well.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:48pm at 5:48 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed Jerry can only play what Minaya gave him. When I said the right thing I am talking about the organization as a whole.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
O.K. agree there.
trs86
4/14/2010-5:47pm at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
Not the point. Just saying we people have issues with what these guys say in the media and those comments are usually designed just for the media.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
What are you talking about specifically? I fail to see what that has to do with anything said today.
trs86
4/14/2010-5:51pm at 5:51 pm (UTC -4)
“And to expand on Jerry’s answer, I really got the impression he didn’t want to say he’s not that good so the most positive thing he could say was he could give us that pop that will give us a lead or win us a game.”
Just commenting on the fact that even if Jerry thought Jacobs sucks he could not say it. That’s all, no conspiracy.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-5:54pm at 5:54 pm (UTC -4)
Oh.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
MF: Referencing Frenchy’s comment of being ‘flat’ on Sunday.
Jerry agreed Livan ‘flattened us out’, that’s for sure. but we’ll make the adjustments.
Jerry: We’re keeping the faith.
MF: Joking/kidding with him – I swear just to get him to laugh and make him look stupid.
That was it.
whataputz
4/14/2010-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
MF: “I hope you’re not still looking for number 3 next time i talk to you”
and there’s your winner for biggest lie of the day.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:29pm at 5:29 pm (UTC -4)
MF coming back saying again he was wrong about Reyes batting third. Said Jerry was right, I know what he’s doing now – he was right.
The other thing was he was dead wrong on Pagan. Should have been starting all the time.
And Omar is dead wrong on Ike Davis.
He went to commercial so I’m sure he’ll come back now and take phone calls.
Que the bashing….
trs86
4/14/2010-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
Damn even ESPN’s Sportsnation is getting on the Mets. Talking about the game on ESPN this weekend. “St. Louis plays the Mets, Ruroooh (uhoh) don’t want to say what will happen there…. just saying”
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:43pm at 5:43 pm (UTC -4)
MF talking about Beltran right now. Wants to know what the word is on him.
Yeah, I’d like to know myself. I speculated it a couple of weeks ago and now the seed is taking root in my mind. I’m starting to think that Beltran’s knee surgery was more than a simple ‘scoping/cleaning up’.
A few other players have had this supposed same surgery a month or so after Beltran (Lidge comes to mind). And they’re on their way back in a week or so. Beltran hasn’t even started his full rehab yet. What is up with that?
I wish MF would have asked Jerry about that. Wonder why he didn’t.
trs86
4/14/2010-5:44pm at 5:44 pm (UTC -4)
Great job 4d.
NJ, Everts cleard waivers and will report to AA.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-5:47pm at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
Well, we certainly have quite the AAA team and some good talent lower at AA and A ball.
Mets need to make some money, they should start television a whole lot of those games at Buffalo – lol.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-6:01pm at 6:01 pm (UTC -4)
MF really going on about Castillo to some caller. Said he’s seen enough.
‘I don’t like his body language. I don’t like his attitude at the games, in the dugout. He has to go. I understand last year it would have been hard but this year – enough’.
He actually was defending them giving Perez another chance. ‘He’s young, he’s LF, he’s shown some good stuff and he’s done it before’.
But with Maine, he’s saying they probably need to cut their losses there. And sigh….they might very well have to.
I was surprised that Maine will get his next start – seeing as it’s projected to be the one nationally televised on ESPN Sunday but whatever. Wonder if this makes a difference. It think his confidence is so far shot, this next start he’s gonna have so much pressure on him it isn’t going to help.
asod75
4/14/2010-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
Carter 4-4 today with 2 doubles, a triple and 4 RBIs against the Red Sox AAA affiliate. Think he was fired up to face them? Ike went 1-3 with two runs and another walk. Now hitting .348 with 7 BB/3K. F-Mart two more hits to raise average to .276 after rough start. Surprised how much Thole is struggling given his approach, took an 0-4 and now hitting .050. The great R.A. Dickey tossed a complete game as Buffalo won 8-1 or 9-1 (forget now). It’s sad when I get more excited checking the minor-league stats than I do at any point in a Mets game lately.
stickguy
4/14/2010-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
nothing to hideous from Jerry. But I still want him gone.
So if he gets his way (if I interpret correctly), we could see pagan, ike every dyay, and Reyes hitting 3rd?
That should actually help the team. what a concept!
asod75
4/14/2010-6:16pm at 6:16 pm (UTC -4)
He may be gone just for admitting that. Not really sure if he should be publicly disagreeing with organizational decisions given his tenuous situation. Although I definitely want him gone as well. Don’t think this team is going anywhere anyway, given the pitching, but I’d love to see someone like Wally Backman (not saying he’d get the shot) get a shot. Someone with some fire could be what the team needs.
GravediggerHebner
4/14/2010-6:26pm at 6:26 pm (UTC -4)
I think your “someone with fire” makes a lot of sense, given this run of milquetoast managers the team has been on. But I doubt the Wilpons/Omar would put the team in the hands of someone with no MLB managing experience.
Who can we think of that’s fiery, available, and has experience?
The answer from almost any Met fan would probably be Bobby Valentine, but as I’ve said before it’s just my personal preference not to recycle managers so if you’ll humor me for a moment, who fits those qualifications other than Bobby V? I’m not asking with anyone in mind, I’m looking for answers.
GravediggerHebner
4/14/2010-6:16pm at 6:16 pm (UTC -4)
Fantastic work MF4D, thank you for doing this.
From Brian Costa’s twitter minutes ago:
After a 30-minute chat, Maine just walked out of Manuel’s office.
asod75
4/14/2010-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
Jerry is probably asking him if everything is physically alright and for Maine to be up front about it. Because with his nothing stuff over the first two games, it certainly looks like his arm is shot or still hurting.
GravediggerHebner
4/14/2010-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
Superb supposition on your part sir.
Adam Rubin tweeted about 40 minutes ago:
“John Maine, apparently upset about rotation talk, goes into manager’s office for a chat.”
Which to me indicates that Maine initiated the conversation for whatever that’s worth.
DNDJohan aka kistics
4/14/2010-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
Again, I see this as the communication issue. These things trickle top down in an organization. It just seems that jerry/omar do not communicate with the players. That is a big disconnect to have.
stickguy
4/14/2010-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
I suppose that is a good sign. at least they are having a discussion finally.
but, no way the manager should be saying on the radio they are discussing skipping his turn without talking to the pitcher first. Just low class.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
You’re all very welcome.
Tidbits from pre game show Jerry said first and foremost, he wants to make sure Maine is healthy, make sure he’s all right. Then they’ll go from there.
Mr North Jersey
4/14/2010-6:39pm at 6:39 pm (UTC -4)
The Shmoozer just said last night was “The Rocky Horror Picture Show on SNY”.
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
I was out and about in the car. I heard that. Somers was on a roll – LOL.
stickguy
4/14/2010-7:53pm at 7:53 pm (UTC -4)
If Jerry really had the stones to push the issue, he would have stick jakobs back in the clean up spot. But, I guess 5th is pretty close.
Neither one of these 1B should be out there except in an emergency.
I know the debate about Ike (hitting lefties and/or breaking balls, starting the clock),but man, wouldn’t it be nice to actually have a real 1B to pencil in every day?
metsfan4decades
4/14/2010-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
To answer your question: ‘Yes’.
gipperpdx
4/14/2010-8:46pm at 8:46 pm (UTC -4)
Can this chimp NOW!
gipperpdx
4/14/2010-8:47pm at 8:47 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh….CHUMP with a U…..big oopsie. I is next to U on keypad. Wow…that was bad.