Since Witless Willie's firing, I've been watching the Mets and playing attention to how Jerry Manuel conducts himself on the field and with the media. One thing is readily apparent to me. Jerry is no Willie Randolph. Jerry's at ease with the media and answers all their questions and explains his baseball philosophy to all who ask. He doesn't act insulted, and seems to understand what's needed from him. He's always smiling and is never at a loss for a joke or laugh. I think when the manager is at ease, the team seems to be at ease. That alone should win more games for the Mets this year.
All too often Willie seemed offended by reporter's questions about anything. He had the attitude of "how dare you question my decisions and choices". Jerry has shown none of that attitude and the team has responded so far. One of the players, I think it was Wright, mentioned all the things Jerry has become involved in since his elevation to manager. He's in the hitting meetings, the pitching meetings, he throws batting practice, and he's involved in the clubhouse. Evidently the Witless Wonder thought it was beneath him to be involved in these meetings and duties. I thought all these things were duties of the manager and coaches? If Willie had been doing these things, I doubt Jerry's involvement would have been mentioned. Jerry has also let the players know that results are what counts, not contracts. By sitting Castillo last night, he rewarded Easley for a good game, and set the future tone of this team. Play hard, play focused, have good results, and you'll play for him. If not, take a seat.
Jerry's involvement in these areas seems to be paying off. Players seem more focused and are having fun again. They don't seem to be just going through the motions. When they get behind in a game, they don't resign themselves to losing. Jose' seems to have found that "father figure" he so desperately needs. For all his years in the league, Jose' doesn't seem to be a very mature person between the ears. He needs someone to explain things to him in a certain way that isn't heavy handed, but is fair. I believe Jerry is doing that with the Jose' and other team members. When Jerry sat Jose' with the tight hammy, he let Jose' and the other players know that he's in charge, not the players. Jerry explained to Jose' that the team needs him healthy and thriving to be successful, and Jose' understood. Willie was great for saying things, but never followed through with them. David, Jose', and Beltran will be resting this year whether they want to or not. Jose' doesn't have the body to be effective for 160+ games a year. He needs rest and needs to understand that it's for the teams benefit as well as his.
Those ideas were on display in Denver last night. After John gave up the 2 runs in the 1st inning, he settled down and the bats went to work on Cook. The whole line-up contributed hits and the defense was superb once again. Jerry had the team take early batting practice, but it wasn't as long as normal. It seems to have been effective last night. Easley had 2 hits, Delgado hit a homer to the opposite field, Nixon crushed a homer against the 2nd tier facade, and even Maine had a hit. Every starter had at least 1 hit and they buried Cook under 5 runs in the 2nd inning. Chavez and Nixon made great catches, and the defense was stellar again.
If the Mets keep playing this focused fun style of baseball, they may win the division after all. While under the Cloud of Witless Willie's managing, I wrote them off due to their heartless, lifeless play. In a few short days Jerry Manuel has lifted that cloud and has started leading this team to a better outcome for the season. I'll say it now, that if the Mets win the division or even get to the playoffs, Jerry deserves a contract. I wouldn't go crazy with 4-5 years, but a 2 year contract with options would be well deserved. After the destruction of this teams confidence and soul by Witless Willie, Jerry has begun to repair the damage and show the way to the bright future we all expected this spring.
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