11
2009
Forget Bobby Valentine and Consider Ryne Sandberg
An article by 
There’s a lot of talk regarding change these days in Mets circles. There’s talk of change at both the general manager and the team manager position too.
One name that continues to popup is former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who is suddenly very available.
I know that there are still many Bobby Valentine fans out there, and that many of you would love to see him become manager of the Mets again if Jerry Manuel gets fired. However, I fail to see the wisdom in such a move.
First of all, I hope Jerry keeps his job because it would be so unfair to judge him based on this injury marred season. But secondly, as much as too love Bobby Valentine, I don’t think he would solve what currently ails this team. Sure, Bobby had a nice run when he was the helm, but that train left the station a long time ago.
One name that doesn’t get mentioned as much as it should is Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg. After two years of managing for Class-A Peoria, Sandberg was promoted to manager of the Class-AA Tennessee Smokies. He took over a flailing team that is now in a heated battle for first place.
I read a great piece by Beth Rucker of the Associated Press on Sandberg last week. Here is an excerpt from it:
Ryne Sandberg’s goal is the same now as it was in 1978: Get to the majors. He was 18 then and trying to prove himself as a player. Now the Hall of Fame second baseman is back where he started, trying to prove himself as a manager.
“It all started with just watching the game from a different perspective than what I did since 1978 as a player playing the middle infield,” he said. “It’s completely different. It’s watching the whole field. It’s positioning the outfielders, working with the catcher to shut down the opposing running game. It’s working the lineup. All the things to run the game.”
Sandberg is 49 and reserved by nature. But as he grew more comfortable in the dugout, he became more vocal. He was thrown out of only one game as a player but was tossed from 13 in two seasons with Peoria. He’s been booted from six games with the Smokies and suspended once for “accidentally bumping an umpire.”
He demands his players be on time and give full effort. He’s led the Smokies from the middle of their division during the first half of the season to the top of the standings. Hendry calls that the sign of a good manager.
The players like Sandberg because he knows the game and keeps things relaxed on the field.
“When you have a coach that’s played as long as he has, he doesn’t forget what it’s like to be a player,” said Doug Deeds, a 28-year-old outfielder. “It’s pretty easy to play for a guy like that, and I think sometimes you can get the best out of your players when you’re like that.”
I always loved Ryne Sandberg as a player. He played the game right and wasn’t afraid to get his uniform dirty. He was a true student of the game and always a leader in the clubhouse. We could use some of those qualities on this team right now.
As I stated previously, I think it would be very unfair to fire Jerry Manuel given the way this season has unfolded. I don’t think Manuel is the perfect manager, but who is?
All I’m saying is that if we’re going to make a change and try to finally fix this team, then let’s stop looking backward and start looking forward. Let’s stop drawing on the past every time we make a change to effect the future. Let’s broaden our view and tap into some of those great potential managers that are waiting in the wings out there. Let’s stop limiting ourselves to people who have ties to the organization. We hired Omar because he worked under Steve Phillips, we hired Willie because he played for us, we hired Manuel because he was already our bench coach, you get the picture.
Hiring Sandberg would be very similar to another time that the Mets hired a former second baseman from outside the organization; Davey Johnson, he of the 1986 World Champion Mets fame. Considering how well that worked out for us, why not give that route another go?
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
22 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- Mr North Jersey: on Series Preview: Mets @ Pirates: Agreed Bucs will come out and play...
- Russell Zanca: on Acosta And His 10.53 ERA Survives As Mets Cut Schwinden To Make Room For Rottino: Shoot, we need Murph in there!
- srt: on Acosta And His 10.53 ERA Survives As Mets Cut Schwinden To Make Room For Rottino: When Terry was specifically asked a couple...
- Russell Zanca: on Series Preview: Mets @ Pirates: I feel like we'll have to scratch...
- jerseymet: on Acosta And His 10.53 ERA Survives As Mets Cut Schwinden To Make Room For Rottino: Play Baxter at first
MMO Live Chat
Recommended Links
Write Your Own Mets Post
Advertisement
Advertisement
We Appreciate Your Help
Affordable Graphic Design
I agree that Sandberg would be an unusual choice, but where was Davey Johnson before he got a chance with the Mets? I wouldn’t be opposed to that.
I do think its time very Jerry to get out of NY. While we shouldn’t judge Jerry on the injuries, I do pin some things on him.
1-His famous we’ll just have to play .500 until everyone comes back. It’s really not wise to have a manager saying winning and losing the same amount of games is acceptable.
2-The poor basic execution of this team. They play horrible fundamental baseball. That certainly cannot be blamed on injuries.
3-Very poor in game decision making.
4-is ties to the past. He was the bench coach during the 2007 collapse.Its time to get some fresh air at CF.
CAPSLOCK=DISABIULITY ACCOMODATION
GREGGA, ONE AT A TIME;
1) PLAY .500 UNTIL STUDS(TEAM) RETURN
WHAT WOULD U EXPECT FROM THAT LINEUP? .600 BALL?
2) POOR BASICS EXECUTION
ISN’T THAT TRUE THROUGHOUT MLB? ISN’T IT A BYPRODUCT OF PLAYERS NO LONGER LERANING THEIR CRAFT FOR 4-5 YRS IN MINORS? TEACHING IS MILB ENVIRONEMENT NOT MLB ESP WITHOUT ADEQUATE SPRING TRAINING WE HAD 15 PLAYERS IN WBC WHEN WAS JERRY EVER GOING TO GET ALL TOGETHER WHEN IT DIDN’T COUNT? WHAT DO U EXPECT WHEN YOUR BEST MILB TALENT WERE SECOND ROUNDERS THAT WEREN’T COOKED LONG ENOUGH?
3) POOR IN-GAME DECISIONS? WITH WHAT TO WORK WITH? IF I RECALL WITH ENTIRE SQUAD WE WERE IN FIRST PLACE.
4) TIES TO PAST. U WILLING TO DEAL WITH THE LEARNING CURVE?
PERSONALLY, I’M DISTRAUGHT OVER THE WEAK MINDED 3 SP PETERSON LEFT US WITH & WANT A TOTALLY NEW APPROACH LAID ON THEM TO STOP THROWING TO STRINGS & GO WITH YOU’RE BEST EVERYDAY. IF THAT’S HIGH HEAT THROW HIGH HEAT. I COULD’VE SPIT NAILS WHEN PELFREY’S WICHITA COACH TOLD KEVIN BURKHARDT PELFREY WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PITCHER WHEN HE STARRED IN COLLEGE WITH HIGH HEAT & A LOT OF Ks, WHEN WE TURNED EVERYTHING OVER TO PROFRSSOR PETERSON & HIS MANAGEMENT OF FAILURE THROUGH GROUNDBALLS WE POISENED THE ENTIRE FRANCHISE ESP SINCE HE HAD CONTROL OVER ALL LEVELS’ COACHES RE PITCHING. THEN WE PROMOTE ONE OF THEM AS HHIS REPLACEMENT.LOL!
U WANT TO THINK OUTSIDE BOXES & ORGANIZATION GET ME MIKE MARSHALL & HIS KINEASEOLOGY METHODS THAT MAKES USE OF ESTABLISHED STRENGTHS NOT BREAKS THEM DOWN. MAINE’S SUDDEN EXPLOSIVE HEATER BECAME A DODO BIRD & HE BROKEDOWN. PELF’S GOT NOTHING TO FALLBACK ON WHEN THOSE GROUNDBALLS SNEAK THROUGH. IT’S TIME TO TAKE DOWN THE STRING & TIE UP THAT OLD WOOD FLOORING NOW THAT WE’VE DECIDED ON TILE.
I would have absolutely no problem with Ryno. I didn’t even know he was managing in the minors and I hope everyone reads that full article. He really intrigues me. As for Jerry, sorry Joe but gregga19 is right on the money. Manuel has to go.
You forgot to mention an important fact.
A Ryne Sandberg rookie card is worth more than a Jerry Manuel, Willie Randolph, Art Howe, Bobby Valentine, Dallas Green, Jeff Torborg, Mike Cubbage, Bud Harrelson, Davey Johnson, Frank Howard and George Bamberger rookie cards combined!
If Sandberg was half as good a manager as he was a player, he’d be the best manager in Mets history.
Good job on digging this potential managerial candidate out and into the open. One of the reasons why I continue to visit this site is it’s not the same old Mets news regurgitated a thousand different ways.
How about a Casey Stengel, or Wes Westrum rookie card? Or even a Gil Hodges rookie card. I get your point though, Ryno brings a great pedigree with him.
kenny says: …an important fact. A Ryne Sandberg rookie card is worth more than a Jerry Manuel, Willie Randolph, Art Howe, Bobby Valentine, Dallas Green, Jeff Torborg, Mike Cubbage, Bud Harrelson, Davey Johnson, Frank Howard and George Bamberger rookie cards combined!
Just an FYI – Ryno’s most expensive rookie card (1983 Topps #83) is $20. Frank Howard’s rookie card alone (1960 Topps #132) goes for $25.
Regardless – that means nothing except Kenny doesn’t know baseball cards… the Mets need to cut ties and start fresh (field Manager and GM). Is John McNamara available?
Sign him up today. Now you’ve done it! I won’t be happy until this happens. Ryne Sandberg will be a great choice. It’s time for Jerry to leave. He has lost the team and any ability to manage it is gone. Now then, who’s the choice for GM?
As much as I understand not looking back, has anyone ever gotten more done with less than Valentine did. He took the Mets to a world series with an outfield of Benny Agbayani, Derreck Bell, and Jay Payton. His 4th. outfielder was the immortal Darryl Hamilton. His shortstop was Mike Bordick, who other than hit a homer in his first Mets game, did nothing. Valentine was railroaded by Steve Philips and he deserves a second chance. GET VALENTINE BACK!
Remind me, what was Valentine’s record his LAST two years here. You have to loo at his entire body of work, not only what you choose to remember.
When you consider that in his final two years he had the likes of Tsuyshi Shinjo, Desi Relaford, Timo Perez, etc., he simply did not deserve to be fired. He again got the best out of a lousy group of players given to him by a horrible General manager. Let’s see some more immortals he was saddled with…Matt Lawton, Glendon Rusch, Bruce Chen, Dickey Gonzalez (all starters). To finish 2001 (82 and 80) and 2002 (75-86) he deserved an extension.
Getting Bobby V back is more nostalgic than logical. Sandberg would be a roll of the dice but also a breath of fresh air. The guy is a class act.
Great points by metsr1 and gregga 19…
And if I really wanted this team to win the WS, I would take your wise words under advisement.
However, I am still smarting after losing 500 million dollars to Bernie Madoff, and winning and losing baseball games is the last thing on my mind right now…
Think about it… I didn’t fire Omar or Willie after the worst collapse in baseball history in 2007. I didn’t fire Omar or Jerry after the similar collapse of 2008 (don’t forget that in both seasons, these guys lost 7 games in the standings to the Phillies in the final 17, and missed the playoffs by losing on the last day).
And I was $500,000.000 richer then folks! I cared a little about baseball, and wanted my team to win (although it was bittersweet in 2006 when they beat my beloved Dodgers in the playoffs)
In short… leave me alone. I built you guys a goddamn stadium … Go see the Jackie Robinson rotunda. And spend some money while you’re there! It’s not gonna be easy getting the $500,000,000 back… but every hot dog counts.
Thanks,
Freddy C
Thanks for clarifying all of that for us Mistuh Wilpon, lol
True Mistuh Wilpon, you didn’t fire Omar & Willie when you should have, but you did issue that nice full page apolgy in all the local papers, getting suckers like me to believe you guys were going to try to better in 2008. As a Dodger fan, I know you’re well aware that the Brooklyn Dodgers only won one world championship while they played here. Isn’t it funny, the Mets have only won one World Championship since you have owned the team. Funny, huh?
I remember people being quite happy when Bobby B left and the teams records were not so good his last two years. Sure, he did get the team to the WS in 2000 and thats great, but………that was about it, overall, he was a NUT case and did many quesitonable moves…….
I’m not on the Bobby V bandwagon.
Ryno is an interesting choice but I still would give the Mets back to Bobby Valentine. He did more with his players then any other manager in recent history. He had no outfield to speak of.
Under Bobby, his teams did not often make on field mistakes. The 1999 infield of Olerud, Alfonzo, Ordonez and Ventura was called ‘the best infield ever’. Until Phillips went completely mad and dumped Alomar (BV said ‘he must be available for a reason”) and Fat Mo Vaughn on Bobby’s team, the Mets over performed.
Bobby has more passion in his pinky then most managers could shake a stick at.
He also clearly out maneuvered Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa in the playoffs. He is perhaps the smartest tactical manager between the white lines.
And its not like he hasn’t done anything lately – going back to Japan and taking a 2nd division team to the championship.
I’d go with Davey Johnson as GM and Bobby Valentine as manager.
But, alas, Freddie and Jeffie will not go there. They want people they can control – which is why Phillips was over Valentine in the first place. Fred should have bought the Dodgers when they were available and sold the team to a baseball man.
How about Bobby V as General Manager
Bobby V. or Wally Backman get my vote.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
UNFORTUNATLY, ONLY FREDDY’S VOYE COUNTS & HE’S GOT TO HAVE A SHIELD GUY FOR HIS BRAINLESS PRODIGY.
Look…Just because Ryan Sandberg was a great player, DOESN’T MEAN THAT HE WILL BE A GREAT MLB COACH! I don’t care if he’s never lost a game Coaching in the Minors. I want someone who has a PROVEN HISTORY with this Mets organization.
And bobby has proven that he is the BEST of all the choices for New Manager there is.
I echo other’s sentiments.
GET BOBBY V BACK NOW!!!!!!!!!
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
BY CHANCE IS YOUR FIRAST NAME UH? AS IN UH OHPLEASE
BOBBY V FOR ALL HIS SELF PROMOTION AS “THE GREATEST BASEBALL MIND, EVER” BASICLY IS AN ALSO RAN FINISHING SECOND AS HIS BEST MARK INCL GETTING LUCKY IN ’00 WITH A TEAM THAT WAS AN EMBARASSMENT TO BE IN WS. BOBBY V. NEEDS TO BE THE ONLY OPINION IN ANY BASEBALL ARGUEMENT.
IF NOT FOR THE WILDCARD HE’SD NEVER SNIFF THE POST SEASON WITHOUT BUYING A TICKET.
HE WOULDN’T BE ALLOWED BY OWNERSHIP TO DO WHAT YOU ARE WET DREAMING OVER. FACE IT! WHY NOT BRING BACK DAVEY JOHNSON I U INSIST UPON RELIVING THE PAST AT LEAST PICK A PAST THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL BEYOND DOUBT, BEYOND LUCK. BOBBY HAS ALWAYS FLOURISHED IN JAPAN WHERE THERE’S NO ONE WITH CREDENTIALS TO DISPOVE HIS COCKAMAMIE IDEAS. EVER WONDER WHY HE’S WORN OUT MORE WELCOME MATS THAN A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS?
yeah, we need somebody proven like Jerry Manuel, Dallas Green and Jeff Torborg, lol. Look what happened the last time we had two green horns managing the Mets in 1969 and 1986, we wouldn’t want to do anything as crazy as that again…