It's time to restart the Willie watch

After this game, arguably the worst of the Mets ' season, you can throw your siren back on your car and restart the Willie Watch.

[Sir Barton]

Panic. Panic. Run for the hills. A baseball team has a losing record. What should we do?

[FloridaMet]

I am no longer watching the games. Wake me when Willie is fired.

[Bill B from Westchester]

I think it's more than just Willie who needs to go. I realize its hard to shock and awe today's (well compensated) players as a means of motivating them, but perhaps along with Willie and the entire coaching staff (Rick Peterson included), Minaya and the Wilpon's should consider cutting loose Delgado, Castillo, O. Perez, and other underperformers and just promoting AA and AAA players in the system. Perhaps the highly paid geezer's need to feel the pressure of the young hungry talent either replacing them or taking their playing time away. And if they don't care - all the more reason to cut them. The Yankees model just doesn't seem to work in Queens (or the Bronx either these days).

[Jerry K]

Dead team walking.

[Chris]

How is it Willie's fault? If you are going to use that as your headline you should at least talk about it in your article. Makes no sense.

[MET in AZ]

Dear Mr. Wilpon

I have been a Mets fan for as long as I can remember, having been born on LI two years before the Mets were "born". I subscribe to MLB's Extra Innings package as I live out of state. I visit NY about every two years and get to a couple of Mets games per visit. And as all good Mets fans, I hate the Yankees.

This team (and I use that word loosely) being fielded today is an embarrassment. We have a manager with no fire, 25 individuals, not teammates, and a GM without a clue. When his job becomes available, I'd like to send in my resume. I have zero experience with running an MLB team, but I gotta believe I could do better than whats happening now.

If there was any way to get a refund on my $159 fee for MLB Extra Innings, I'd do it in a heartbeat because its painful to watch this team. On the days they have pitching, they cannot hit. On the days they have offense, they cannot pitch. HoJo, useless. Peterson, useless. Willie, useless. 20 of the 25 individuals, useless. Omar, useless. And all overpaid.

And don't blame it on injuries - who signed these old codgers? Four years for Castillo? Two years for Moises? Delgado - don't even go there!

I gotta give Omar a little credit - Church and Santana were good trades. Until the cancerous aura from the rest of the team corrodes their spirit too. Its just a matter of time, if it hasn't already happened.

Too bad the minor league systems's pretty depleted - I'd sit/release all the millionaires and take my chances with the kids - at least they have some fire in their guts. And how about a manager that can light that fire?

[Jack The Cabbie]

They can fire Willie, they can fire Minaya, but these overpaid underachievers won't do any better no matter who is GM or manager.

[Espo]

If the 91 team or whatever year it was the worst team money can by, then this one is a close 2nd or something. This team is not good, it stinks. Omar and the rest of the clowns can say whatever they want. They are not good.

[Ed Kowalski-Pompano Beach]

Manaya and Randolph are a joke. Their standard answers are always "we are better than this" or "they found the holes", etc. Give me a break! When are the Wilpons going to wake up and get rid of these two stooges! While they are at it they might as well axe Peterson as well, he can't fix anything. It is time for wholesale changes and Minaya and Randolph are the wrong guys to right the ship. By the all star break the fans will no longer care. What a disappointment!

[Espo]

Ken-you should write an article about the pitching this year and the runs allowed with 2 outs and/or when they have 2 strikes against them.

I know the Mets lead the league in most runs given up in 8th inning, but it always seems like other teams get their runs when there is 2 outs and/or with 2 strikes. That and the ablity not to score runs with 2 outs is one of the reason we continue to lose.

[jeff hewlett ny]

good news moises alou is back!! we need more 40 year old who can play for a few games and then go on the dl it keeps them from getting tired seriously this team hasno fire no drive or spirit they just go through the motions and follow the lead of their manager the gm has put together a team with no emotion or cohesiveness they just play even reyes has no emotion it is time for a change before it is to late if it isnt already

[scott k]

MET in AZ wrote:

Dear Mr. Wilpon
I have been a Mets fan for as long as I can remember, having been born on LI two years before the Mets were "born". I subscribe to MLB's Extra Innings package as I live out of state. I visit NY about every two years and get to a couple of Mets games per visit. And as all good Mets fans, I hate the Yankees.
This team (and I use that word loosely) being fielded today is an embarrassment. We have a manager with no fire, 25 individuals, not teammates, and a GM without a clue. When his job becomes available, I'd like to send in my resume. I have zero experience with running an MLB team, but I gotta believe I could do better than whats happening now.
If there was any way to get a refund on my $159 fee for MLB Extra Innings, I'd do it in a heartbeat because its painful to watch this team. On the days they have pitching, they cannot hit. On the days they have offense, they cannot pitch. HoJo, useless. Peterson, useless. Willie, useless. 20 of the 25 individuals, useless. Omar, useless. And all overpaid.
And don't blame it on injuries - who signed these old codgers? Four years for Castillo? Two years for Moises? Delgado - don't even go there!
I gotta give Omar a little credit - Church and Santana were good trades. Until the cancerous aura from the rest of the team corrodes their spirit too. Its just a matter of time, if it hasn't already happened.
Too bad the minor league systems's pretty depleted - I'd sit/release all the millionaires and take my chances with the kids - at least they have some fire in their guts. And how about a manager that can light that fire?

You should really send the letter to Wilpon. Minaya has left this team with no future. I would see about building for the future by getting some young prospects for Beltran, Wagner, Heilman, Perez and Alou.

[Dan]

What's playing in your iPod that you can recommend these days?

[Dr Spock]

Willie learned how to manage pitchers from Joe Torre. The same Joe who back in the day with the Mets use to let starting pitchers give up 8 or 9 runs before he would make an appearance at the mound. Since there were only 40 or 50 fans in the ballpark at that time I was able to make my way down to the dugout and, in a partially inebriated state, pound on top of the dugout asking him if he was ever coming out.

Willie is showing himself to be in the same mold as Joe. When all the guns are running everything is ok. But once you have to manage outside the box the wheels come off.

I cut him some slack last year because Rick Peterson was shoved down his throat. This was the year for him to show that he was the boss and would be calling the shots. Instead he pulls out the race card.

Time for Willie to go bibi and Omar to go as well.
Hojo hasn't show me much so he goes too. We need to rebuild around Johann, before he gets too old, and restock the Farm system.

And as strange as it sounds I would keep Delgado if he agrees to bat 7th or 8th. The reason for this is that he saves at least 2 or 3 runs a game with his defense. And until David learns to throw to first base on a fly I would keep Carlos for that reason alone. If we are going to replace him we better make sure it's a first rate defensive 1st baseman.

I would also install Endy as an every day player and bat him in the 2nd slot. As much as I like Alou his age has made him a liability. I think the Beltran experiment is over. It is time to move him while he has some value. We need a guy who can protect Wright. Most of all we need a no nonsense GM and Manager. Wilpon are you listening?

[Cameron Frye]

Bill B from Westchester wrote:

I think it's more than just Willie who needs to go. I realize its hard to shock and awe today's (well compensated) players as a means of motivating them, but perhaps along with Willie and the entire coaching staff (Rick Peterson included), Minaya and the Wilpon's should consider cutting loose Delgado, Castillo, O. Perez, and other underperformers and just promoting AA and AAA players in the system. Perhaps the highly paid geezer's need to feel the pressure of the young hungry talent either replacing them or taking their playing time away. And if they don't care - all the more reason to cut them. The Yankees model just doesn't seem to work in Queens (or the Bronx either these days).

Who are they going to promote? Omar has depleted the farm system.

[Salty Parker]

The Mets can fire Randolph and fire Minaya but the problem will still be there - the Wilpons. Father Fred should have conducted an exhaustive search for Steve Phillips' replacement, instead he hired Minaya practically begged him to take the job. Prior to this blunder, father Fred hired Art Howe, whom he said "lit up the room." Art Howe couldn't light up a room with a match and kersoene. The Mets need a total overhaul of their organization. The Wilpons need an independent consultant to evaulate all aspects of the baseball operation. Terry Ryan, ex Twins G.M. would be a good choice. They need to draft and develop their own players by using instead of abusing their farm system. Until they change how they conduct their business, Freddie and the Dreamers will not be serious contenders for anything.

[7 Minute Abs]

Dr Spock wrote:

Willie learned how to manage pitchers from Joe Torre. The same Joe who back in the day with the Mets use to let starting pitchers give up 8 or 9 runs before he would make an appearance at the mound. Since there were only 40 or 50 fans in the ballpark at that time I was able to make my way down to the dugout and, in a partially inebriated state, pound on top of the dugout asking him if he was ever coming out.
Willie is showing himself to be in the same mold as Joe. When all the guns are running everything is ok. But once you have to manage outside the box the wheels come off.
I cut him some slack last year because Rick Peterson was shoved down his throat. This was the year for him to show that he was the boss and would be calling the shots. Instead he pulls out the race card.
Time for Willie to go bibi and Omar to go as well.
Hojo hasn't show me much so he goes too. We need to rebuild around Johann, before he gets too old, and restock the Farm system.
And as strange as it sounds I would keep Delgado if he agrees to bat 7th or 8th. The reason for this is that he saves at least 2 or 3 runs a game with his defense. And until David learns to throw to first base on a fly I would keep Carlos for that reason alone. If we are going to replace him we better make sure it's a first rate defensive 1st baseman.
I would also install Endy as an every day player and bat him in the 2nd slot. As much as I like Alou his age has made him a liability. I think the Beltran experiment is over. It is time to move him while he has some value. We need a guy who can protect Wright. Most of all we need a no nonsense GM and Manager. Wilpon are you listening?

DELGADO saves runs and errors??? the man is a human blocking dummy. No footwork, no range, no ability to dive or lift off the ground, and I've never even seen him attempt to apply a tag when he is holding the runner on at first and the pitcher throws over (he seems content to catch the ball successfully and throw it back).

[Paul from North Salem]

This is begining to appear to be one bad dream...........

[smitty edgewater fl]

looks just like the 1937 brooklyn dodgers but at least they tried

[O T Bushmaster]

7 Minute Abs wrote:

<quoted text>
DELGADO saves runs and errors??? the man is a human blocking dummy. No footwork, no range, no ability to dive or lift off the ground, and I've never even seen him attempt to apply a tag when he is holding the runner on at first and the pitcher throws over (he seems content to catch the ball successfully and throw it back).

If the Mets wanted a first baseman who cover the ground he stands on a little else and hits .220, they could have kept Jason Phillips and saved Delgado's big salary. By the way, where is Phillips? Is he out of baseball?