I think the real problem here is with Omar Minaya & the bullpen, and
the way Willie mismanaged the bullpen.
What the hell was Omar thinking in resigning Mota? Once it was
chemically clear that Mota's performance last year was because of the
steroids, and that he wouldn't be able to participate in spring
training with the rest of the team, he shouldn't have touched him with
a 10 foot pole. And Omar should have known about Schowenweiss' injury.

Once Willie realized that Mota was not going to be able to pitch well,
he kept running him out their anyway. He even said after one
atrocious outing that he would keep using him. Isn't that the
definition of insanity, doing something over and over and expecting
different results?

I also blame Ricky Henderson, I don't think it's any coincidence that
Jose's hitting and attitude went down the tubes right after the Mets
hired hime.


----- Original Message -----
From: Francisco Navarro <fxnavarro@...>
Date: Sunday, September 30, 2007 10:53 pm
Subject: RE: [Mets Fanz United] Now What? Who's to Blame?
To: metsfanzunited@yahoogroups.com

>
>
> In a collapse like this I think there's no one thing or person to
> blame, but rather a few, in my opinion.
>
> First, the lack of passion on the team. For me, there are too
> many stoics on this team, guys who rarely show any emotion or
> passion - Green, Beltran, Glavine, Heilman, Delgado (very mellow
> fist pumps on double plays and that's all) - and probably worst
> off all Randolph. I don't think I've ever seen a manager go all
> year and never raise his arms above the belt in any gesture of
> emotion. That kind of expression can motivate teams.
>
> Second, the attitude that winning is automatic - just put on the
> uniform and show up. This attitude leads to lackadaisical play -
> not running out balls, not covering bases, poor judgment on
> attempted steals.
>
> Third, the lack of a killer instinct (which is somewhat connected
> to number one). As I mentioned in another post, the Mets lacked
> the ability to bury someone when they could or to get the extra
> one or two insurance runs to put the game out of reach.
> Fourth, the batting and pitching coaches. If you watch the tv
> broadcasts, Hernandez and Darling were full of observations on
> what was going wrong, especially Hernande with the hitters. If
> they knew, why didn't the Mets coaches know or share this
> informatio with the players?
>
> For me, the downfall began when Maine started struggling in the
> second half. His first half peformance calmed a lot of nerves
> about the starting rotation. Everyone else performed as expected.
> He was the anchor, once he started faltering, the ship began to
> sink. Not that the collapse was his fault. instead, it points
> the finger at management (Minaya) for not putting together a solid
> rotation. That was the biggest concern at the beginning of the
> year, and it was a concern at the end.
>
>
>
>
> To: MetsFanzUnited@...:
> brent.horowitz@...: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:05:35 -
> 0400Subject: Re: [Mets Fanz United] Now What? Who's to Blame?
>
>
>
>
> Mets problem down the stretch was Castillo and Gotay has
> liabilities although I think he will become a very good 2nd
> Baseman. Bannister fatherplayed for KC so it was a good
> move...Young Bannister felt at home in asmaller enviroment. That
> helped him as a ballplayer. Do I wish the Metswould have had
> Bannister yes, as opposed to Pelfry or Humber pitching year.
> Delgado doesn't fit the Mets very well and that may lead to some
> possibletrades during the off season. Maybee Toronto my be
> interested. Mets shouldhigh a coach to have Milledge learn to play
> Right field. Milledge in a firstseason can hit .280 and 25
> homeruns will make people happy. The Mets can pull off trades this
> year , they have tradable players inDelgado...Heilman and
> others.Mets can take some risks..I think that If theMets can't get
> a top line starter..They can get Randy Wolf always good atshea or
> Jason Jennings who can pitch in ballparks that are hitters
> ballparksI think the Mets biggest mistake was last year Xavier
> Nady was
>
>
>
>
>
>
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