JFro's Sports Journalism and Lists
  • 06:59 PM ET  08.12
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This is it. I've reached my limit. I simply CANNOT take it anymore...Jerry Manuel needs to find a new line of work.

Please Jerry, I'm begging you. Just resign, so I can maintain my physical and mental health. I have to ask you personally, because management is too dumb to realize that you are part of the Mets' problem. If I have to continue to listen to your radio spots and press conferences, my head is going to explode, and I will be dead. 

"What's the issue this time?" you're wondering. 

THIS is my issue:

"Well, um, we're gonna rest Pagan because I'd like to see what Sullivan can do in center field."

Someone, somewhere, explain WHY we need to see what CORY SULLIVAN can do in CENTER FIELD? Seriously, I'm dying to hear a logical answer. 

I capitalized center field because our best player, Carlos Beltran, is a centerfielder. Notice how the team was able to remain competitive in the combined absence of Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado, and yet they've fallen apart since Beltran hit the DL. Beltran is an all-around force, a switch-hitting Gold Glover with incredible instincts on the basepaths. Again, he's a centerfielder. 

I'm repeating this point because I'd like to know WHY Manuel feels the need to see what Sullivan can do at that position; is he grooming him to replace Beltran in the future? Is Beltran going somewhere? Am I missing something?

And c'mon, we're talking about Cory Sullivan. This is a borderline major leaguer, a "quadrouple-A" player, if you will. I think Manuel thinks that Sullivan is a rookie or something, and that he's a rising star in the Mets' system. Meanwhile, he's a has-been reject of the Colorado Rockies' organization. They wanted nothing to do with him after a number of different opportunities in their outfield. 

Not that Sullivan's a complete and utter bum, but does he really have to play over Angel Pagan? Pagan has been the best Met (other than Johan Santana) for the past month. But now he has to sit so Jerry can get "a look" at Sullivan?

The only possible scenario that would make sense is Sullivan in center with Pagan in left. That makes a little sense because Pagan could potentially be New York's starting left fielder in 2010. Is that the optimal situation for the organization? No.

Is it a possibility? Surely. 

But instead, Sullivan's in center, Sheffield (still clearly injured) is in left, and our best player of the past month is riding the pine. 

Just typing "Jerry Manuel" makes me dizzy. Dizzy with anger. And this guy LOVES the sacrifice bunt. It's a dead strategy, check the numbers! The better organizations bunt with their pitchers, or [basically] not at all. Manuel, on the other hand, bunts with one out and a man on first. 

Like any Met is going to get a two-out RBI hit with a man on second? I think Pagan, Luis Castillo, and Jeff Francoeur are the only guys to do it all season. Maybe Santos once or twice. 

Anyway, I just can't take it. I HATE Jerry Manuel, as a manager. As a person? He's a nice guy. Thoughtful. 

But I could give two $hits about how nice he is when it comes to my favorite baseball team. I want a manager who can lead a team to the World Series, and Jerry Manuel isn't that type of manager. He's a talking head for an organization that is more worried about the media than the product they put on the field.  

 

(The Red Sox are the new Yankees. How did they make the transition? "JFro," aka John Frascella, is the author of "Theo-logy: How a Boy Wonder Led the Red Sox to the Promised Land." It's the first full-length book centered on Boston Red Sox's popular general manager Theo Epstein. Preview or purchase it online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or Borders. It's currently stocked in Barnes and Noble stores throughout the U.S. Also, check out John on Twitter.)         

August 12, 2009  09:16 PM ET

Nice rant bro, you rant I'll read!! Oh and I agree with it to ..........

August 13, 2009  12:10 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Nice rant bro, you rant I'll read!! Oh and I agree with it to ..........

Lol thanks TB. There may be more to come; it depends on the level of Manuel's ineptitude.

 
August 13, 2009  08:55 AM ET

Once again I agree with you JFro. The Mets organization needs a complete overhaul. Manuel and Minaya both need to be shown the door the second the season ends.

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