Very little usually takes place at three o’clock in the morning. The late night bars close and folks head home. People that have been sleeping in their beds are making that middle of the night trip to the bathroom.
Other times, teams are firing their managers and have to alert their outside world of the news. It is enough to remove the crust from the
eyes in quick fashion.
The announcement of Willie Randolph dismissal as manager of the New York Mets was a culmination of a botched scheme planned to take place days prior, but put on hold when the Mets happened to win a few more games than they lost that week. The firing came after Randolph had flown with the team to Anaheim for a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels. The Mets won that night. It was not until after the game, as he had returned to his hotel room, did Minaya break the news.
Why now? There were several opportunities where this firing could have taken place. What ended up happening was a three-week charade that leaves the organization looking more foolish than they started.
On Memorial Day, the team held a press conference in to announce that they were not firing Randolph. This came after a stretch in which they went 1-6 on a road trip that featured a four game sweep to their rival Atlanta Braves and losing two of three games to the Colorado Rockies.
The second opportunity they had to let him go was last Thursday after the Mets blew a 4-0 lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks and lost in 10 innings. It was their worst loss of the season to date in a year of heartbreaking defeats. This capped another bad stretch of losing six of seven games. First, being swept four games by the San Diego Padres. Followed by losing two of three to Arizona.
The Mets brass, had they wanted to could have fired Randolph after that game and reaction would not have been brutal. However, nothing took place and he was allowed to remain in his position through the weekend.
Leaks were already coming out from sources inside the Mets stating how the situation was going to go down and who was getting The Soprano's version of the "whack". , Minaya continued to deny, going as far as to give him a vote of confidence before last weekend home series against the Texas Rangers.
Two chances were given and none of them used. What could they possibly be waiting for? Either you get rid of him then, or you do not get rid of him at all. Each day for two weeks produced nothing but "Will-ie stay or Will-ie Go" discussion. Each loss pondering the question of "Was this it?"
It certainly did not help that mixed in with all that losing was that on three occasions, closer Billy Wagner was called on to close out games and handed multiple run leads at that.
In the first game against Colorado, Wagner was nursing a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and gave it back with one pitch when Matt Holliday drilled his 99 MPH fastball to dead-center field to tie the game. The Mets would end up losing in 13 innings.
The second came in the final game of the San Diego series. Having already dropped the first three games at Petco Park, Wagner was called to get the final four outs nursing a two-run lead. Facing long time journeyman Tony Clark (who has more gray hair than hits); Wagner would yield a grand slam that was the difference in an 8-6 Mets defeat.
The final one came at home on a Thursday afternoon. Wagner had already blown a three-run lead on Tuesday, giving up another homerun. His awful inning would be covered up by the team winning in 11 innings. This time, after Johan Santana had pitched seven shutout innings, Wagner was brought in for the ninth with lead that was once four, but now two. True to form, Wagner would give up the lead once again. Arizona scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to win the game 5-4 and put the wheels in motion for the events that would unfold over the next 96 hours.
What makes it ironic is that Wagner has had the biggest mouth on the team since he arrived three years ago. Yet, he has come up very small in the biggest of situations. From the 2006 League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. A key blown save late last season against Philadelphia that boosted the Phillies confidence and allowed them to entertain thoughts over their eventual September comeback.
Early in the season, Wagner called out teammate Oliver Perez for his poor performance. Several weeks ago, he was alleged to call out teammates Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran for their lack of media availability after losses. Now, three blown saves in the course of three weeks put his manager's employment in peril.
The rumors were rising like a forest fire and the Mets were having a hard time putting it out. Word had gotten out that not only Randolph would be terminated, but also his pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Neito. The organization would give the baseball equivalent of the unintentional-intentional walk by never addressing the topic when asked directly.
The question to Minaya is this: Why not say one way or the other that Willie Randolph was going to be your manager for the remainder of the season if you support him?
It was obvious that he did not support him enough to give him that type of support. Leaving just enough room to cut the cord if needed.
After winning on Friday, their Saturday game would be postponed by rain. This left the Mets hierarchy with a problem. They either would face public degradation firing him on Father's Day in their own city, or be forced to fire him at some point during the road trip to avoid maximum ridicule. It was going to have been done as soon as possible now because public opinion was not going to be in their favor if the team went on a mini-streak. It was with that in mind that Minaya had come to his decision.
Before getting on the cross-country flight, both Minaya and Randolph had a conversation. In that dialogue, Willie would ask Omar that if he was going to make the change to do so now to avoid what would be personal humiliation of being fired 3000 miles away when it just be done in New York. Minaya would tell him that he had not made a decision, again leaving Randolph to twist and walk on eggshells.
Suddenly, Omar reconsidered the next day. He would fly out to the left coast to give him the news. What happened between Sunday night and Monday? Who knows?
The news was given to the three rumored parties at 11 PM Pacific time. When word of the dismissal was finally generated and dispersed to members of the media, it was 3:15 AM local time in New York. Past deadline for all newspapers, and past time for television stations to break in with news and non-stop coverage.
Coincidence?
Why not just fire him in the morning? Was it so urgent that it
had to be done at that time? Surely, everyone in the Mets organization had to realize that the timing of such a move would be criticized severely.
Or did they?
Apparently not. It took nearly 14 hours for the Team Turmoil to get their story straight in enough time to hold a press conference to explain themselves if they could.
For the Mets, it would be another incident bringing about more mockery. Added shame for a franchise that seems to pride itself on it. Already playing the role of "second dog" in their city battle with the Yankees, they continue to find ways to look foolish. It is very odd when you consider that owner Fred Wilpon is a very intelligent man who is always trying to do the best thing for his fans and team.
However, the decisions that have been made over the last 22 years have caused more agita and embarrassment than anything else has. Perhaps he is just snake bit. How else can one explain the 1992 Mets? The Anthony Young Era? Todd Hundley in left field? The Mo Vaughn days? Art Howe? Trading Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano? Now this.
With nearly half a season remaining before moving in their new home Citi Field just yards away, the Mets appear to be in a difficult situation. They are trying to win now with a team that is most are finding to be structurally flawed, aging, and with no clear direction whatsoever.
Perhaps it was best that Willie escaped this mess. As we may soon find out, their problems go much deeper than just the manager.
Other times, teams are firing their managers and have to alert their outside world of the news. It is enough to remove the crust from the
eyes in quick fashion.The announcement of Willie Randolph dismissal as manager of the New York Mets was a culmination of a botched scheme planned to take place days prior, but put on hold when the Mets happened to win a few more games than they lost that week. The firing came after Randolph had flown with the team to Anaheim for a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels. The Mets won that night. It was not until after the game, as he had returned to his hotel room, did Minaya break the news.
Why now? There were several opportunities where this firing could have taken place. What ended up happening was a three-week charade that leaves the organization looking more foolish than they started.
On Memorial Day, the team held a press conference in to announce that they were not firing Randolph. This came after a stretch in which they went 1-6 on a road trip that featured a four game sweep to their rival Atlanta Braves and losing two of three games to the Colorado Rockies.
The second opportunity they had to let him go was last Thursday after the Mets blew a 4-0 lead to the Arizona Diamondbacks and lost in 10 innings. It was their worst loss of the season to date in a year of heartbreaking defeats. This capped another bad stretch of losing six of seven games. First, being swept four games by the San Diego Padres. Followed by losing two of three to Arizona.
The Mets brass, had they wanted to could have fired Randolph after that game and reaction would not have been brutal. However, nothing took place and he was allowed to remain in his position through the weekend.
Leaks were already coming out from sources inside the Mets stating how the situation was going to go down and who was getting The Soprano's version of the "whack". , Minaya continued to deny, going as far as to give him a vote of confidence before last weekend home series against the Texas Rangers.
Two chances were given and none of them used. What could they possibly be waiting for? Either you get rid of him then, or you do not get rid of him at all. Each day for two weeks produced nothing but "Will-ie stay or Will-ie Go" discussion. Each loss pondering the question of "Was this it?"
It certainly did not help that mixed in with all that losing was that on three occasions, closer Billy Wagner was called on to close out games and handed multiple run leads at that.
In the first game against Colorado, Wagner was nursing a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and gave it back with one pitch when Matt Holliday drilled his 99 MPH fastball to dead-center field to tie the game. The Mets would end up losing in 13 innings.
The second came in the final game of the San Diego series. Having already dropped the first three games at Petco Park, Wagner was called to get the final four outs nursing a two-run lead. Facing long time journeyman Tony Clark (who has more gray hair than hits); Wagner would yield a grand slam that was the difference in an 8-6 Mets defeat.
The final one came at home on a Thursday afternoon. Wagner had already blown a three-run lead on Tuesday, giving up another homerun. His awful inning would be covered up by the team winning in 11 innings. This time, after Johan Santana had pitched seven shutout innings, Wagner was brought in for the ninth with lead that was once four, but now two. True to form, Wagner would give up the lead once again. Arizona scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to win the game 5-4 and put the wheels in motion for the events that would unfold over the next 96 hours.
What makes it ironic is that Wagner has had the biggest mouth on the team since he arrived three years ago. Yet, he has come up very small in the biggest of situations. From the 2006 League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. A key blown save late last season against Philadelphia that boosted the Phillies confidence and allowed them to entertain thoughts over their eventual September comeback.
Early in the season, Wagner called out teammate Oliver Perez for his poor performance. Several weeks ago, he was alleged to call out teammates Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran for their lack of media availability after losses. Now, three blown saves in the course of three weeks put his manager's employment in peril.
The rumors were rising like a forest fire and the Mets were having a hard time putting it out. Word had gotten out that not only Randolph would be terminated, but also his pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Neito. The organization would give the baseball equivalent of the unintentional-intentional walk by never addressing the topic when asked directly.
The question to Minaya is this: Why not say one way or the other that Willie Randolph was going to be your manager for the remainder of the season if you support him?
It was obvious that he did not support him enough to give him that type of support. Leaving just enough room to cut the cord if needed.
After winning on Friday, their Saturday game would be postponed by rain. This left the Mets hierarchy with a problem. They either would face public degradation firing him on Father's Day in their own city, or be forced to fire him at some point during the road trip to avoid maximum ridicule. It was going to have been done as soon as possible now because public opinion was not going to be in their favor if the team went on a mini-streak. It was with that in mind that Minaya had come to his decision.
Before getting on the cross-country flight, both Minaya and Randolph had a conversation. In that dialogue, Willie would ask Omar that if he was going to make the change to do so now to avoid what would be personal humiliation of being fired 3000 miles away when it just be done in New York. Minaya would tell him that he had not made a decision, again leaving Randolph to twist and walk on eggshells.
Suddenly, Omar reconsidered the next day. He would fly out to the left coast to give him the news. What happened between Sunday night and Monday? Who knows?
The news was given to the three rumored parties at 11 PM Pacific time. When word of the dismissal was finally generated and dispersed to members of the media, it was 3:15 AM local time in New York. Past deadline for all newspapers, and past time for television stations to break in with news and non-stop coverage.
Coincidence?
Why not just fire him in the morning? Was it so urgent that it
had to be done at that time? Surely, everyone in the Mets organization had to realize that the timing of such a move would be criticized severely.Or did they?
Apparently not. It took nearly 14 hours for the Team Turmoil to get their story straight in enough time to hold a press conference to explain themselves if they could.
For the Mets, it would be another incident bringing about more mockery. Added shame for a franchise that seems to pride itself on it. Already playing the role of "second dog" in their city battle with the Yankees, they continue to find ways to look foolish. It is very odd when you consider that owner Fred Wilpon is a very intelligent man who is always trying to do the best thing for his fans and team.
However, the decisions that have been made over the last 22 years have caused more agita and embarrassment than anything else has. Perhaps he is just snake bit. How else can one explain the 1992 Mets? The Anthony Young Era? Todd Hundley in left field? The Mo Vaughn days? Art Howe? Trading Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano? Now this.
With nearly half a season remaining before moving in their new home Citi Field just yards away, the Mets appear to be in a difficult situation. They are trying to win now with a team that is most are finding to be structurally flawed, aging, and with no clear direction whatsoever.
Perhaps it was best that Willie escaped this mess. As we may soon find out, their problems go much deeper than just the manager.
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