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In words of Sean “P Diddy Puffy Le Grand Orange” Combs, I am one “Queens Crypt keeper, Mets hat rocker.” So I’m guaranteed to come back to Metsland. I’m the guy who thought the double-play combo of Brian Giles and Ronny Gardenhire might be one for the ages. The Queens Crypt is my baseball home, Shea or the putridly-named Citi. And things is getting ugly in the big brick facility across the street from the Iron Triangle.
Oh, not as bad on the field. The Metties took two of three from the scuffling Yankees over the weekend and the place was packed for the Subway Series – some estimates of 40-percent of attendees wearing Bronx garb may be right. And the team showed signs of life, undoubtedly.
No, I’m referring to a growing storm cloud among the personnel. Consider:
Jeff Francoeur and Jason Bay – to paraphrase Bill Martin, one’s a born streaky hitter, the other’s convicted- took issue with Darryl Strawberry’s pep talk recently in Washington and actually asked PR dude Jay Horwitz to keep the Straw from them in the clubhouse.
Bullpen coach Randy Nieman got into a heated argument with closer Francisco Rodriguez underneath the Shea Bridge, apparently over the team’s use of the pitcher’s services. All that warming up, etc.
John Maine and Jerry Manuel came close to Billy-Reggie physicality in the Mets dugout after the starter was pulled after five pitches the other night. Luckily, pitching coach Dan Warthen calmed the situation by calling Maine “a habitual liar.”
As David Waldstein said in the Times, it’s like Citi Field is turning into a version of the late 70s Bronx Zoo. And keep in mind, this is all after Jeff Wilpon went to Atlanta to right the ship.
But you you know what? Most of it doesn’t matter. The Mets are playing better ball. Bay is finally hitting, and Reyes shows signs of life. Even with all the strikeouts, Wright is productive. And Ike David and Angel Pagan are producing.
The Mets remain at least two starting pitchers short of contention, however. That’s what really matters. Yeah, they probably won’t get Roy “Lee Harvey” Oswalt from the Astros, but they do have to make a move or two. Ollie Perez is not coming back. John Maine does indeed have weakness in that arm. For all the gutsy performances from R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi, they’re not realistic long-term (read: rest of the season) solutions.
And finally, the team needs new management, starting with the bench. I just don’t think Manuel is the guy for this team. And his pitching moves – bringing in Ryota Igarashi to start his injury-delayed season on Sunday night vs. the Yankees and his insane reliance on Fernando Nieve leap to mind – defy explanation. You know my feelings on the Bob Melvin ascendancy, but the team does need a change.
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