Even though the All Star Break doesn’t reach us for another week, the official halfway point of the season (81 games) came yesterday after the Mets 2-0 loss to the Phillies.
The New York Mets find themselves four games behind the division leading (and Mets-fan hated) Philadelphia Phillies. The “official” first half ended with a record of 39-42, tied with the Atlanta Braves for third place in the NL East. All this despite one injury after another, a sweep by the Yankees at home two weeks ago, and a sweep by the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park this weekend.
The Mets are 2-8 in their last 10 games. But it’s more than the actual record that concerns me. It’s not so much they they couldn’t win if their lives depended on it. It’s how they play. And how they act.
I see absolutely no difference in this team than the one that existed under Willie Randolph. It seems managers don’t demand fundamentals from this club, no matter who is on the field. I’m tired of Jerry Manuel’s post-game addressing of the media. I said it last year and the year before about Willie, and I’m saying it now about Jerry. It’s one nonsense excuse after another as to why the team is not winning or why a certain play, offensively or defensively, was not pulled off successfully.
Jerry’s post-game addressing of the media needs an overhaul. I don’t know why they even waste their time. I’ll give the interview: “So-and-so didn’t get the job done tonight…we’ll get ‘em tomorrow…yadda, yadda, yadda…” His lips are moving but I’m not hearing anything. After a while, I just drown him out. Eventually I flip the channel or use the picture-in-picture feature to minimize the hurt – both literally and figuratively.
This team has taken on the personality of their manager – nothing is serious. If I hear Jerry laugh, and I mean heartily, during another post-game interview following a loss, I’m going to hurl the television out the window.
I understand the plethora of injuries this team has suffered. It’s hard to win when half your starting lineup is on the shelf. And it’s hard to stay motivated when you keep losing. But these guys are making millions to play the game they love, and shouldn’t need someone to hold their hand and push them in the right direction. This team has played their share of embarrassing baseball this year and should want to do the things to make it better on their own. Could it be that this team really isn’t as good as we thought they were? On paper, they look great. One big-name star after another. But these “stars” haven’t lived up to their expectations, nor to their past accomplishments.
You know what irritates me? The confidence that every team has in facing the Mets. It’s one thing to look forward to trying to beat the New York Mets. That would actually be flattering. But the confidence that they actually can and will beat us (and then do) is sickening.
I’m tired of one 1-2-3 inning after another. I’m tired of getting men on and not getting them in…or even over! I’m tired of quality pitching getting absolutely zero run support. And what’s with all the hitting into double plays this year?
It pains me to say it, but I don’t think we’re going to have a collapse this year. No. We’re simply not even going to be in the running …
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Everytime I watch the postgame show, once Jerry addresses the media, I tune him out…..he just wants to make excuses for this team. Yeah, they’ve had many injuries but still, there is no reason a team like this should be making the types of mistakes they make day in and day out.
The offense, defense, & the pitching has been awful.
I support this team no matter what, but for the last few weeks I’ve been saying that their won’t be a “collapse” this year, because like you said, they won’t be in the running.
I’m still holding out hope that they turn things around…
This team lacks hunger. Players don’t know their roles. Tatis is a DP machine, short-circuits innings and runs around first base like Super Mario. Sheff is a good DH…Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy would be valuable assets on a winning club. Wright continues to be an enigma and Ryan Church would be a nice cog in a healthy line-up. Castillo and Cora are trying their best, which isn’t good enough. Ditto for Santos and Schneider.
I would like Omar to hold a press conference and announce that this year is done, that no one on the roster is safe and that the best players – talent combined with competitiveness – will be the only ones to survive.
And, finally, please bring back Bobby V…there, I said it.
I wholeheartedly agree with this post. The team is struggling and I’m frustrated that management keeps making excuses. I hope that they can turn it around.
Jerry’s press conferences are starting to make me miss Willie’s press conferneces, and that can’t be good.
I’m not like so many many other fans that are so willing to give them a free pass because of the injuries. Whetehr you are a seasoned veteran, a backup, or a minor leaguer, there is only one right way to play the game and the Mets seem uncapable of it.
Nice job Denise!
Denise you could not be more right. I don’t even bother listening to the press conferences. But it isn’t like it is Jerry speaking. It is Bernazard and the Wilpons. They keep putting gag orders on everybody so nobody can say what they really want to say.
This team has no heart. They just keep pounding the nails into their own coffin. It’s disgusting.
I wish ownership would just sell this team. Maybe the Mets will actually get somewhere. I’m tired of it all. I can’t wait for All-Star break. I need a break from this team.