Jerry Manuel took over the helm in the middle of the 2008 season when Willie Randolph was fired. His record as Mets manager is 128 wins and 136 losses. His failures as manager started in September 2008, when he couldn't keep a 3.5 game divisional lead over the Philadelphia Phillies with 17 games left to play. The Mets collapsed, losing 10 of their final 17 games - and missed the playoffs.
In Jerry's first full year as Mets manager in 2009, things didn't get any better. In fact, that baseball voodoo and bad luck followed Manuel and the Mets all season. Plagued with major injuries to all of their star players (except David Wright), they finished 4th in the NL East with a 70 - 92 record. Besides injuries, Manuel was questioned repeated about his peculiar baseball moves, his motivation methods, his platooning strategy (Daniel Murphy and Ryan Church), and his handling of injuries to his players.
Jerry Manuel and the Mets were looking forward to a fresh start in 2010. But immediately the Mets had issues with the starting rotation, scoring runs and injuries to key players. The same issues they had in 2009. Now it seems that Jerry's reign as manager is in the balance with every loss. The pressure on Jerry and the Mets to win is greater than ever - and they haven't even played 10 games!
The Mets brass can relieve that pressure by pulling-the-trigger on a managerial change. The Mets need Bobby Valentine - and they need him soon!
Is Bobby Valentine available and willing to manage again? Well, he's back in the states and working as a baseball analyst on ESPN.
During an appearance Friday with Chris Russo on SIRIUS XM's Mad Dog Radio Channel, Valentine discussed the possibilities of him being a candidate to succeed Manuel as Mets manager.
"You know, the Mets are 3-6. It's nine games," Valentine said. "I mean, let's not get crazy here. I think Jerry, I talked to him a few times during spring training. Jerry Manuel is up for the task. I think that he has a tough road to hoe, there's no doubt about it, and he's got to keep his head above water until his center fielder comes back, and obviously has to get that pitching staff in shape. But I don't see that as being part of my future as we're speaking here. ... I'm a member of ESPN Baseball Tonight. I'm happy to be there and I'm gonna enjoy talking about that situation, not being talked about within that situation."
But Valentine also made comments that indicated he'd love to manage again - especially in NY. Valentine stated: "Well, I think I have it in my blood," he said. " I've done it for over 3,000 games and 20-something years so, you know, it's there. But I'm trying to get into this new life of mine and, you know, it's a tough situation being pulled out of it every time someone has an 0-3 stint."
If the Mets continue to lose, Wilpon and the Mets must bring in Valentine immediately. Making a managerial change will help the Mets management show the fans they want to win. It will also sell more tickets, put some fire into the players and cause a buzz in New York. Maybe the Mets and Valentine can implement an effective baseball training and conditioning program too.
Bobby has a history with the Mets as a player (1977 - 1978) and manager (1996 - 2002). He is one of only a few Mets managers who are worth talking about and the best manager available for the Mets.
Some might say that getting rid of Jerry Manuel isn't fair - that the injuries are to blame. That might be true, but the manager is ultimately responsible for his team - and so, must take one of the team.
The Mets need Bobby Valentine and Bobby Valentine loves everything about the Mets - the perfect baseball marriage. It's almost as though the baseball gods have set the stage for the inevitable - Bobby Valentine managing the Mets again.
source: nydailynews.com, espn.com,
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