Yesterday while a guest of Kevin Kennedy’s Inside Pitch on Sirius XM, former Mets closer and captain John Franco, threw a spit ball at his former team when he was asked to comment on the current state of the Mets.
“Watching them almost every day, there’s no leadership there,” Franco said during an interview with SIRIUS XM. Nobody wants to step forward and be a leader. Something is missing and it’s hard to put your finger on it. They got some great, talented players – Jose Reyes and David Wright and Carlos Beltran, now Johan Santana’s there – but I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Franco then got more specific and gave details on a conversation he had in spring training with David Wright about stepping forward and being the leader or captain of this team.
“I tried talking to him and tell him to come forward and be that guy, but I think David feels that being that he’s such a young player and you have the [Carlos] Delgados and [Gary] Sheffields and veteran guys like that, he’s afraid that they’ll look at him like, ‘Be quiet and sit down.’”
Wright, who was actually a teammate of Franco when he first came up in 2004, was annoyed over the remarks when told.
“With all due respect to Johnny, he doesn’t know what’s going on in this clubhouse,” Wright said. “I don’t feel the need to defend myself as a leader if the guys in here respect me and think of me as a leader. I don’t worry myself with outside people, saying what they’re going to say. It doesn’t matter to me.”
Franco also accused the Mets of showing “too much individuality,” and having the “wrong kind of attitude”. He singled out the overall malaise in the clubhouse, in his sharpest criticism of the interview and blamed it on a lack of fundamentals, team spirit, and a care-free atmosphere.
“I was down in spring training and Jerry had them guys working on fundamentals every day and doing the things that you need to do to win ballgames – taking the extra base, heads up, knowing situations. But once the game starts, I think they have maybe too much individuality, where guys are worried about their own stats instead of worrying about getting the guy over…. These are the kind of things that they’re dealing with.”
Jerry Manuel didn’t say much when asked to comment,
“At this point, you’re going to get a lot of opinions on things. John Franco is a member of the Mets and highly thought of by the Mets. He’s entitled to his opinion. I think when a guy [Alex Cora] plays with a torn ligament in his thumb, that’s leadership. When a guy [Wright] needs a day off and still wants to play, that’s leadership.”
John Franco has always been a vocal guy even as a player. Sometimes his comments can rub people the wrong way, but he usually tells it like it is according to him, and he pulls no punches.
I actually agree with much of what he said. I do believe there is a leadership void on this team, and Wright, Manuel and any other Met can deny it all they want, but it’s very evident to a wide range of observers besides just me and John Franco.
I also can’t argue with Franco for singling out the lack of fundamentals and selfish play and in fact I referred to it myself only yesterday in a previous post.
Did anyone expect Franco to go on the air and lie and say the Mets have solid leadership with guys that are willing to carry the team on their backs and take them to the play-offs.?
Should he have said that the Mets are fundamentally sound and play crisp, heads-up baseball?
Would everybody be happy if he said that the Mets are all grinders who put the team first and ahead of padding their own stats like stealing third with the cleanup hitter at bat?
Maybe former players like Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez, Bobby Ojeda and John Franco should stop criticizing the team and instead lead us all in a rousing rendition of “Meet the Mets” while we hold hands and encircle all those Mets that were offended…
Gimme a break…
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
Can we decide once and for all if we are to praise Wright for stepping up and trying to be a leader or blast him for doing it? Franco was a leader in the clubhouse. How did that work out for him and the Mets? Maybe we should ask Scott Kazmir. Yes there is a void in leadership, but fans and media need to decide which is the best position to take on it.
I would prefer Wright as leader and captain, but until it’s done officially it won’t really matter. Many will keep saying the Mets have a leadership void unless one of two things happen:
1. Actually name a captain
2. Have an outspoken and fiery manager rather than a guys like Willie and Jerry and their zen philosophy and Gahndi like tendencies.
Can you imagine a team, an organization or even a country whose leadership was described as “showing up for work is real leadership” or “playing when you’re tired is real leadership”.
Leaders have to be out front leading the charge. Leaders have to be visible, not invisible.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
NAME A CAPTAIN? IS THIS THE YANKEES? IN 47 YEARS, TO MY RECOLLECTION, THE METS HAVE OMLY NAMED 3 PLAYERS AS ‘C’APTAIN & 2 OF THOSE WERE SIMULTANEOUS AS CO-CAPTAINS(MEX & KID) SORRY, I’M CERTAIN THE FOLLOWING WILL DISTURB MANY, JOHNNY FRANCO JUST WASN’T THAT GOOD A CLOSER FOR THE METS, NEVER COMING CLOSE TO HIS PROCLAIMED 40+ SAVES ONCE HE WAS ACQUIRED FOR MYERS(38 WAS BEST IN ‘98). FROM ‘99 THRU ‘03 AS NYM CLOSER HE HAD 27 SAVES IN 36 OPPORTUNITIES (75%) THAT STINKS FOR A TOP CLOSER(80%+ FOR TOP CONSIDERATION). HIS SETUP MAN, OFTEN MALIGNED BENITEZ(EXCEEDED 40 SAVES TWICE FOR NYM IN ‘00 & ‘01) FROM ‘99 TO ‘02 HAD 139 SAVES IN 157 OPPOERTUNITIES (89%) TO PUT IT IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE K-ROD WAS ALSO @ 89% LAST YR WITH 62 OUT OF 69 OPPORTUNITIES.BENITEZ’ BIGGEST KNOCK WAS WILTING IN “THE BIG GAMES”.
SINCE JOHNNY’S NOT IN THE LOCKERROOM, WAS @ ST WHILE D.WRIGHT & 14 OTHERS WERE @ WBC. I MUST NOT ONLY QUESTION HIS KNOWLEDGE BASE; BUT ALSO HIS MOTIVES. IS HE POLITICING FOR CONSIDERATION AS JERRY’S EVENTUAL SUCCESSOR? WHO KNOWS? WAS HE WEARING HIS PSYCHIC DEPT OF SANITATION T-SHIRT WHEN HE MADE HIS PROCLAIMATION? BROWN NOSING THE BOSS,JEFF, MAY GET U A ‘C’; BUT JOHNNY’S BECOME IRRELEVENT. D.WRIGHT, RAISED IN THE SOUTH, WHERE RESPECT FOR ONE’S ELDERS IS PARAMOUNT & CONSIDERD A REFLECTION ON YOUR UPBRINGING. LEASDERS DON’T GRAB LEADERSHIP, IT’S BESTOWED UPON THEM BY THE LED. AS SOON AS THE CARLOS’ & SHEFF ACKNOWLEDGE HIS LEADERSHIP, DAVID WILL FEEL SECURE IN “DOING THE WRIGHT THING”.
Joe D, you hit this one out of the park dude! Great post!
I think this topic has been beaten to death. I mean is this going to be a season long thing. John Franco has been known for throwing Mets players under the bus for years. Does anyone remember the kind of stuff he said about Piazza around the time of the Clemens bat throwing incident in the 2000 WS. I think he was one of the best pitchers to play for the Mets but not really a class act.
I agree that it’s been beaten to death, but John Franco made it a front page news story again. I only saw Franco pitch toward the last few years of his career and I never thought he was a great closer or pitcher. He used to give me panic attacks. But I do agree with him this time.
Incidentally, I dont know where you would look this up, but was Piazza ever a captain?
I think Wright WAS afraid to step on Delgado’s toes but has certainly stepped up during his absence. So zip it, John!
http://thesportsfanvent.blogspot.com/2009/05/john-franco-epitomizes-mets-or-simply.html
Good read on John Franco and his EGO.
John Franco was great as a Red and better tnan average as a Met, but he has never been known as especially cerebral. As ex-Mets, he and Al Leiter are generally seen as fostering their own agenda. In other words, both John and Al, can never really be trusted. Al, in particular, is a Yank and his Met identity is fairly thin. I think John’s criticism of the Mets was warranted, but not his criticism of David. I also think David handled it well stating that John doesn’t know what is going on in the clubhouse. And, guess what, he doesn’t. So John’s criticism should be held to the team only and individuals not singled out based on lack of informed hands-on knowledge. I do think John is campaigning for something for himself, if not Mgr, then probably pitching coach. Is John smart enough to be pitching coach? I would guess probably not.
Franco isn’t right, and has no idea what is going on… thats why people are complaining.
People who are actually around the team have said that Wright stepped up in the leadership role this yr. Including Sheffield… who according to the genius of Franco, Wright is afraid of.
As for the “stat padding” stuff, if anything the Mets to do much of the sacrificing, move guys over type thing. They bunt way too much. They’ve been near the top of the league in “productive outs” the past couple yrs. Which is nice, but I’d greatly prefer they “stat pad” and get more hits, and more HRs.
And if we are going to judge everything strictly by results… then Franco was one of the worst “team leaders” in the history of the game. The guy didn’t make the playoffs until he was 38 years old and was a part of numerous failed Mets teams. Not to mention that the only time his teams did make the playoffs was after he was replaced as closer. And over the years he complained about it being unfair about him losing his closer role, and how he’d have m.ore saves if he didn’t lose his role to injury. Real unselfish there.
I agree with DW – its very easy for all outsiders ASSume whats going on in the clubhouse – but we are not there so, I think we’re thinking this leadership/captain stuff way too much
Maybe I’m just dense, but can you pleasse explain when Wright became a leader this year? Says who? Please post evidence of leadership here so we can all see this amazing leadership of David Wright this year.
Franco only said what most of us already knew. You can say he was a dirtbag for not keeping his mouth shut, but please don’t tell me doesnt know anything because he wasn’t in the clubhouse.
Steve Phillips wasn’t in the clubhouse last August when he predicted the Mets would choke again because September is the month where leaders lead and the Mets fall short in that department. He was right.
This team is wishy washy it’s not even funny. They get stomped on by everyone even though the Mets are more talented on paper.
Omar likes to build teams that are great on paper. Too bad that paper is only good for wiping your ass with it.
The Mets are a team that was drafted by a fantasy baseball GM. There is no cohesion, no guts, no glory. I’d trade the entire Mets roster for the Brewers roster anyday.
Most of you are so caught up with players that you forget its the name on the chest that matters most not the one on the back. Wright is a role player not a leader. Look at him if he plays today. Watch his face and body language. He’s a pure follower, not a leader.
What exactly about his “face and body language” declare him as a follower? Are you an expert like the guy on “Lie to Me?”
You dont have to be an expert to see how he squirms in the face of pressure. He may set the all time strikeouts record at the rate he’s going, most of them coming with runners on base. He has 39 RBI with a .340 average batting in the middle of the linup, wake up!
you mean the “middle of the order” that has some combination of Cora, Murphy, and Castillo hitting in front of him? He acually has 42 RBIs..Beltran has just 40; these guys cant drive runners in if they’re not getting on base and, more importantly, in scoring position. Please, no more drunken blogging
I agree with Joe here. A lot of the things Franco said we’re right. People are getting too heated up here about his comments. He might not know exactly what’s going on in the clubhouse, but do we? We as fans criticize the Mets constantly for doing something wrong, what’s so different about what John Franco had to say?
You have got to be kidding….For whatever reason there is a totally overwhelming lack of fundamentally sound baseball on any given night.
I am almost glad that Luis Castillo made that fatal error against the Yankees a few weeks ago. To those who have played this game at any level…you use two hands when catching a simple fly ball…you throw to the cutoff man from the outfield and you learn that playing smart will win lots of games.
I know that the manager has stressed these things but it is obvious that the players need to be admonished for stupid play be it by fines or by sitting on the bench….
The game is different in many ways than it was in 1969 but Gil Hodges would not have put up with this crap…
Get tougher Jerry…if not you will eventually be the fall guy!
Sorry to say but Gil Hodges could never be a manager today. Money dictates what happens today. Want to sit your superstar with the huge contract for a bonehead play, chew him out in the dugout infront of the TV cameras, or pull him off the field in the middle of an inning (something Gil actually did) upper management would have your butt on the carpet before you even knew it. At the same time management would be apologizing to the superstar (and his agent) for the mean managers actions.
Wow great way to get yourself back on the sports pages. Throw your ex mate, Wright, under the bus and drag along a few others for the hell of it. What did Franco’s so called leadership do for Mets? Huh? I think that especially this yr David is stepping up and taking a more vocal lead with Mets, Pelf for ex and not sitting down when he could of used the rest. You don’t need some one yelling at you all the time to be considered a leader. You have to have the stats to back up your thoughts and comments which Franco did not have. He was a heart attack for all at the end of his career and did not save what he was paid to do.I agree with Metfan62 cause Franco is not in the clubhouse to make comments about selfishness and guys only playing for stats. Yes the Mets need to get their heads on straight to avoid the mental mistakes they have made but the physical errors are just that. You can look back over every season and find bone head plays but the fact that the team is losing, without its star players, should not be held against them. When you play in experienced players and players past their prime that is what you get, so let take a breather here. The Mets could be playing better fundamentally but please don’t throw the whole team under the bus, Franco, without being in the clubhouse and because of a conversation you had with David in spring training. That just shows where your thought process is at. What have you done behind the scenes to try and help your former team to make it through this tough stretch Johnny? Get off of David’s back and allow him to rise to the leadership of this team cause no one is going to hand it to him. I personally think that being named captains is over rated. What has it done for Jeter and Yanks for the last 6 years?
All in favor of John Franco has new Mets manager say “I”. I.
Nay. That’s a formula for disaster. He just doesn’t have enough grey matter.
And while we’re at it lets bring in Al Lieter as GM. Between the two of them they can bring back and “fix” Victor Zambrano……
Ten minutes should do the trick with Rick Peterson re-signed as pitching coach.
IS THIS JEFF WILPON? IF SO, I DON’T NEED TO ASK, “ARE U NUTS?”
RE. JOHNNY EXPANDING HIS ROLE WITH THE CLUB, DOESN’T ANYONE RECALL HIS BEING OFFERRED & REFUSING THE BULLPEN COACHES JOB UNDER WILLIE? AFTER HE REFUSED SAYING HE WANTED MORE TIME AT HOME (GUESS MRS. FRANCO GOT SICK OF WHAT SHE WASN’T MISSING). JEFF REPORTEDLY TOLD JOHN A SPOT WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE FOR HIM. (HONOR AMONGST THEIVES?)LMAO!
Franco was dead on about the lack of fundamentals. Having said that to criticize Wright is wrong if you’re not on the inside, which he isn’t. Franco talks about players being selfish, he needs to look in the mirror. He never forgave Piazza for taking 31 when he came to the Mets and over the years he has bad mouth Piazza. Also him and Leiter are the reasons why Scott Kazmir is a Tampa Bay Ray right now. He along with Leiter were horrible to the younger guys because they were threatening their spots.
Franco just tried to put himself back into the press, word is he’s up for a radio show on Sirius.
Correct. Franco and Leiter are 2 guys that have their own interests at heart. Your comment on the potential radio show hits mark. John is all about what’s good for John. Same for Al. All Mets fans should be aware of their influence in moving Kazmir off the team. John’s attempts at manipulating public opinion are just too amateurish. Al though he would be the US Senator from NJ to replace Leutenberg. That’s really funny!
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
GREG, I HATE TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE OF ASS UMPTIONS; BUT MY UNDERSTANDING RE. #31 IS THAT FRANCO HAD IT RENAMED & TAILORED HANGING IN PIAZZA’S LOCKER WHEN MIKE ARRIVED FOR FIRST GAME. THERE WAS NO “TAKING”. FRANCO WAS NOT AS GOOD AS HE RECALLS; OLY GETTING THE ‘C’ BY COWTOWING TO JEFF, WHO DISLIKED PHILLIPS & WANTED HIS OWN SPIES IN THE CLUBHOUSE.
FOR MY MONEY, IT’S JEFF THAT’S ALWAYS BEEN THE DISRUPTOR BEHIND THE THRONE. AS THE ONLY CROSSOVER EXEC BET NYM & SNY, I BELIEVE HE’S USING SNY TO DISCOURAGE ‘DAD’ SO MUCH AS FRED THROWS UP HIS HANDS & TURNS REINS OVER TO ‘LIL’ JEFFREY, ESP WITH BIG BRO MANAGING STERLING INTERESTS IN JAPAN DOING OCCASIONALLY PISS POOR SCOUTING FOR TEAM(SEE ‘CAN’T MISS’ SIGNEE MATSUI IT WAS BIG BRO WHO STAUNCHLY RECOMENDED REYES’ MOVE TO 2B IN FACVOR OF MATSUI SO-CALLED UPGRADE)THE WILPONS HAVE CERTAINLY MADE A MESS OF THIS CLUB, UNFORTUNATLY DOUBLEDAY GOT OLD & GREW WEARY OF CONSTANT BATTLES WITH FRED. EVERYONE CRITICIZES OMAR FOR WHAT HE HASN’T DONE; BUT RARELY ASK THE QUESTION WHY AN ASTUTE BASEBALLMAN & RENOWNED SCOUT WOULDN’T DO IT ie MANNY,SORIANO,HUDSON ADDITIONS WHEN AVAILABLE THE ANSWER CAN USUALLY BE FOUND TO BE EITHER WILPON. LET’S NOT FORGET JEFF’S LATEST STOOGE/SPY. BERNAZARD WHO’S MOSTLY OVER HIS HEAD IN PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNING OUR PROSPECTS OVER THEIR HEADS DELIBERATLY, THUS FALSELY DOWNPLAYING THEIR SKILLS WHILE THEY STRUGGLE TO SWIM WITH BOTH FEET ANCHORED. THERE’S SO MUCH INFO YOU CAN PICK UP 1 NUGGET AT A TIME IF U READ EVERYTHING AVAILABLE WHILE ALSO LISTENING TO OPPONENT’S BROADCAST FEEDS OF GAMES.
It’s open season on the Mets and with all the injuries, we are just one game behind first place and basically playing with a Triple A team…so Franco takes this opportunity to bad mouth the team, my opinion he blew whatever chances he had to be a Mets manager and if he keeps demeaning the Mets players he won’t be very welcome in the clubhouse by the players. Think about it if we can sweep the Phils we could be in first place before the All Star break, this should be our concern right now and pray that everybody gets healthy so we could stay in the race on the second part of the season…Let’s go Mets.
That would be great to sweep Phils but remember that the Fish are on another of their runs and we need to pass them or hope they lose. This might be a tough yr for mets and wildcard cause of all the teams ahead of us but we shall see. Get a job Franco!