Wrap-up Presser Roundup
October 5th, 2009 | by Eno Sarris |The Mets held their post-season press conference today and the internettings are afire with analysis. Here’s a roundup of the coverage from around the Mets beat.
David Lennon at Newsday points at that though major changes were promised, not much happened today.
But in the meantime, the only two people to take the fall for the 2009 debacle were Sandy Alomar Sr., the team’s 66-year-old bench coach, and the relatively invisible first-base coach Luis Alicea.
Most writers talked about how the payroll might go up, but really the Mets’ administration was short on details. TheRopolitans joked that the focus on the money was strange. Why not talk about getting better, why talk about spending more money?
Lennon pointed out that there was some strange levity in the presser:
When asked why he was allowed to return, however, Manuel picked a bad time to inject some comic relief into the news conference.
“Depending on how you feel about the mix that we had, some might say 70-92, I should be the Manager of the Year,” Manuel said, laughing. “I’m just joking. But no, it was a failure. We didn’t live up to expectations, period, and that’s my responsibility.”
Jon Heyman twittered that the team will be bringing back Wally Backman to coach in the minor leagues. Looks like Jerry Manuel has some competition within the organization if he continues to underwhelm.
The same may be true of Omar Minaya. Much was made of the revelation that the Mets may hire Kevin Towers or JP Ricciardi in some capacity. Joel Sherman at the Post called it a ‘nervy’ move but if Jeff Wilpon is behind the possible hire, it may be just as likely that this is more of the fire that has been lit under the manager and general manager’s behind.
Conspicuously missing from the presser was any mention of either getting an extension. Looks like 2010 is put up or shut up time for Minaya and Manuel. One twitterer joked that the team fired the bat boys, the third base coaches, blamed injuries, and left the entire braintrust in tact.
Michael Baron at metsblog.com had a similar take:
Despite allowing 616 walks which was the second highest in the Major Leagues, pitching coach Dan Warthen was retained because we worked well with Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Mike Pelfrey.
…i’m not sure what that is based on, considering the three combined to go 20-22 with a 5.24 ERA and 162 walks…
Later, Minaya and Wilpon went on WFAN to talk with Mike Francesca. A funny part of the interview was when Wilpon asked Francesca what he would do. According to NLEastChatter.com:
Jeff: “how would you do it (build the team) Mike? We’re open to suggestions.” Mike: “you need a big power hitter and a solid #2 pitcher.”
Thankfully, Minaya and Wilpon don’t seem to agree with Francesca’s hare-brained idea to trade David Wright. They believe he will be back, as do we here at godblessbuckner.com.
Ken Davidoff, at Newsday, had a live twitter feed today. Perhaps we should let them speak for themselves:
- The #Mets have to stop this “The problem is the injuries occurred on the road” line. That’s not even remotely believable.
- Call me crazy, but the word “overreacting” should never be used when discussing customer feedback. #Mets
- In defense of Omar saying Murph can play every day, Cashman once touted Bubba Crosby. Doesn’t behoove #Mets to denigrate their own assets.
Tags: Dan Warthen, david Wright, Jeff Wilpon, Omar Minaya, Sandy Alomar Jr
