19
2009
The Last Word On Last Night
An article by Doug Branch
The Mets committed a comedy of errors last night but not many bleary-eyed fans were laughing.
If you were dedicated (crazy) enough to last past 2:30 in the morning, you were treated to arguably the worse 11th inning in team history. First, Ryan Church misses third base on a Angel Pagan double and the go-ahead run is transformed into an excruciating out. Moreover, Jerry Manuel does not protect his player by contesting the call and then gives Church a “Michael Corleone,” and turns his back on the beleaguered outfielder when he returns to the dugout.
Then he refers to him as “the guy missed third base.” There was almost measureable snow amounts in the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium after last night long game. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner had a more amiable relationship in “War of the Roses,” than Manuel and Church seem to enjoy.
After the game, Church called his contractor and hired him to build an extension in Manuel’s doghouse because he expects to be there awhile. That is if Church remains a Met much longer. You can be sure if they acquire a first baseman to replace Carlos Delgado (he will be out two months minimum) Church will be included (the Nats notwithstanding).
Manuel has no use for him. With Angel Pagan’s lumber, not leather coming alive, the former concussed outfielder could lose more at-bats. There is no denying that Church is not the player he once was before suffering two hard shots to the head.
The Mets wasted a nice debut by Tim Redding by committing five errors. Ramon Martinez arrived near game time and booted a pair. What does it say about the Mets farm system when the best they can promote is a 36-year old journeyman to fill in? And, what has happened to Jose Reyes? How did one or two games turn into five missed?
Ever year the medical staff and front office botches injuries leaving the manager in charge to steer the ship shorthanded. Last year it was Church, most recently flying Delgado cross-country and then DL’ing him (as if a five hour flight would be the panacea for his balky hip), now Reyes.
If sleepy Mets fans nearly went to bed after the top half of the 11th, they had no choice after the Dodgers accepted a gold-plated gift from New York (if the Mets lose the Eastern Division by one game circle May 18th on your calendar). Carlos Beltran calls for a routine fly ball in the gap, but Pagan does not yield until the last instance and the Dodgers have the winning run at third (and Beltran was charged with the error) with not outs. Finally, Jeremy Reed cannot execute a 45-foot throw to the plate for a potential inning ending twin-killing.
The final exclamation point was almost laughable.
About the Author: Doug Branch
Doug has been sports writing since 1983. He first wrote about the Mets at spring training that year, and his first interviewee was surly catcher Ron Hodges. He currently writes for Mets Inside Pitch, among other magazines published by Scout Publishing-which is owned by Fox Sports. He began following the team during the Wes Westrum era, and redeemed many Borden milk coupons for free Saturday baseball. The night of Tom Seaver's imperfect game against the Cubs, he was in line to buy a ticket when the windows slammed shut and abject disappointment ensued.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 19 | .578 | 0.5 |
| Mets | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Marlins | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Phillies | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 |
Last updated: 05/24/2012
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It’s not fun staying up till 2 in the morning to see the Mets fail.
What an embarassment in that 11th inning. Church’s days are certainly numbered, but I must give some blame to Manuel for messing with his head in the first place.
No excuse for Church missing 3rd but the mgr, Manuel, needs to back his guys bad or good plays cause you can’t play mind games like that when a player is trying to get at bats and now feels the mgr does not care for him or his play. What does Manuel have against Church that anyone else on the team has not done, other than, say collapsing the last 2 years! I like Church and his glove and his arm in RF plus you need to get Murphy some at bats or just send him down. Glad Jose is back tonight. LGM
Dave I feel the same man. We were both here, I left early but still watched the horrific inning. Let’s Get Em Tonight! The Maine Man will be the Maine Event tonight!
Let’s Go Mets!
Guys: You are correct. The manager has to back his player regardless of personal feelings. Manuel is playing head games with Church and that is not a viable motivational tool.
I’m really down on Manuel right now. I have no idea what he is doing and I don’t think he does either.
I seriously hate ryan chruch.He does NOTHING to help the mets win a game beside do something to make them lose.I hope the mets trade him away!
Alez, Ryan does nothing because Jerry does nothing with him. Its not Ryan’s fault, its Jerry’s. Ryan makes one gaffe last night, and everyone wants him gone. Its disgusting.
Whooops…I meant Alex
Davey,I have a problem with chruch because when he starts a game he doesnt do nothing to prove himself.At the begining of last year i loved ryan but doesnt do anything for me to want him here.
I’m not sure what Jerry’s problem is with Church but that should stay inside the clubhouse. Jerry needs to grow up because his behavior with these little petty problems he has won’t help the team succeed.
Yeah, Manuel acted poorly, but can you imagine what some other managers might have “done” to CHurch? JMAN is hardly the worst offender here. Try Leyland, or Martin (LMAO!).
Church’s utter lack of contrition said all that needed to be said–irony intended. I can’t stomach that guy any more, and I once thought he was a terrific addition to our team.
I’d like to see him and Castro traded; the latter’s defensive skills really seem lacking. Y’all think Schneider is so dispensable. Think again!
I wouldn’t go that far. The guy made a mistake. We shouldn’t crucify him. What about the error in center field? What about Pelf’s 3 balks? Everyone screws up.
I agree with KRod09. If this were David Wright would we be even having this discussion?
SOMEBODY PLEASE GET RID OF DANIEL MURPHY!!!!!!!!! HE BLOWS CAN’T CATCH AND SHOULD NEVER BE IN THE OUTFIELD.
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