Two Concerns

I have two concerns with this Mets team as we go in to the post season. 1). Obviously the bullpen. 2). Willie's in-game decision making is downright amateur at times. I cannot figure out for the life of me why he never, I mean never calls for a bunt with a runner on third base. Tonight, with one out and Gomez at third and Reyes on first and Castillo at the plate, Willie once again chose not to drop a bunt. Forget the squeeze play, the Mets will pitch a no hitter before Willie calls for a squeeze. But for the love of God, in this spot, please lay down a bunt. With Gomez's speed, it doesn't even have to be a squeeze for crying out loud. And Castillo is one of the best bunters in the sport. You have a better percentage of that working with Castillo than a sacrifice fly. It's as safe a play as any yet Randolph failed to recognize it or was simply to stubborn (which he is folks) to do it. If you make a desicison in the game to sacrifice a runnner into scoring postion late in the game, then why in the world would you not sacrifice a runner in to score in a tie game in the 8th? There's no logic behind his thought process. It just drives me crazy sometimes and it is no doubt a concern for me come October, where he was out manged by Larussa last season.

I give Willie credit for keeping this team focused down the stretch and for keeping them together. He’s very good at that. And I was as big of a supporter for him as anyone. But man has he blown some games - and real easy decisions too. I just hope he learns from these mistakes; learn from Mota's ineffectiveness and leave him off the roster; learn from tonight's game and call for a bunt with a guy on third (especially Gomez at third and Castillo at the plate. If he doesn't, it will come back to bite him.

What was Larussa Really Doing?

While a manager plays many roles throughout the season, his primary responsibility is to put his team in the best position to win the game. Last night, Tony Larussa (“The Genius”) not only failed to uphold this inherent responsibility, he completely compromised the integrity of the game.

If Larussa firmly stands by his elementary decision – and he stares you in the eye and tells you he did everything possible to put his team in the best position to win - then he is in fact telling you that Aaron Rowand is a better hitter than Albert Pujols. Right? What else are we to assume? Do we really believe that Larussa thinks that? Absolutely not. Which then begs the question: What was Larussa really doing? Let’s take a look and you decide.

1). He only selects five starters to the team, while taking six relievers. Six! And Brian Fuentes is one of them? And one of your starters – Oswalt – won’t pitch because he just pitched on Sunday. Yet, he picked him over Chris Young (rightfully voted in) and John Maine – both of whom had far better seasons that Oswalt.

2). He bats Utley eighth, after Russel Martin! Huh?

3). He burns through one pitcher an inning (notice Leyland, with a real chance at a World Series title, preserved his staff, throwing a pitcher every two innings)

4). And of course, Rowand hitting with the game on the line, home field advantage on the line, and not for nothing, a 9 game losing streak on the line - THAT’S YOUR LEAGUE! – while Mr. Pujols, one of the greatest hitters of our generation watches.

Mr. Larussa, you not only let your league down and let Major League Baseball down by not adhering to your managerial responsibility; you let baseball fans around the universe down. You were the only person on the planet at that moment (other than maybe Rowand – even Rowand’s family probably wanted to see Pujols hit) who didn’t want to see a Pujols/F-Rod match up. Even Leyland and the AL All Stars wanted to see it.

Given all of the “evidence” above, I am left to think one of two things, or both maybe: That he was drinking (I’m just saying) or that he was giving a nice gift to his good friend, Jim Leyland. Nice work “Genius”, nice work. Way to represent.

LaRussa Forgot That This One Counts

Hey Tony LaRussa! Wake up from behind your sunglasses (only Jack Nicholson is allowed to wear shades at night). How about a little managing?

I mean I know it's just the All Star Game, but talk about mismanaging your personnel, LaRussa marched out a pitcher every inning without thinking that it might go extra innings. If the NL tied it in the 9th (like they should have) we would have been stuck with Valverde pitching the rest of the night?

But my big issues is with LaRussa not pinch hitting Albert Pujols in the 9th. First of all who doesn't want to see Pujols up with the bases loaded. Hmmmmmm. How about every AL pitcher? I know Aaron Rowand is having a great season, but come on he's no Albert Pujols. Besides, it would have been a great spectacle for the fans. K-Rod vs. Pujols. That's a fantastic showdown.

But no. LaRussa wanted to do a favor for his old friend Jim Leyland. Hey we beat you in the World Series last year, so how about I give you the All Star game?