That Was Unexpected

by Eric Simon on Jun 19, 2008 2:15 AM EDT

Trailing after eight innings:

Willie Randolph's Mets: 1-30
Jerry Manuel's Mets: 1-1

I had a perfectly good unhappy recap half-written before the Mets went and ruined it by astonishingly scoring a run against Francisco Rodriguez in the top of the ninth. I could have salvaged most of it had the Mets just lost in the bottom of the ninth like we all expected, but nooooo. They had to go and win the whole thucking fing and left me writing this like a goon at 2am.

Oliver Perez stunk things up as usual, but somehow managed to keep the Mets in the game despite allowing something like six baserunners per inning. The Mets' bullpen was great, tossing four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit, no walks. After tying it in the ninth, Damion Easley gave the Mets the lead in the tenth with a laser into the left-field stands. David Wright made that terrific barehand play to throw out Kendrick to start the bottom of the tenth and Wagner got the next two hitters to close things out.

Yes, hooray, we're all ecstatic about the win. Coming from behind and getting a win against K-Rod and a very good Angels team -- winning the series even -- is awesome. I'm not going to sugarcoat things here, though: the Mets' lineup is still execrable, and they're going to have a tough time winning ballgames when the only decent starters are Wright, Reyes and Beltran. The Mets are feeling good right now, but they need to do something to improve the offense or the good vibes will dissipate faster than a Tatis-Chavez-Schneider half-inning.

Enough stinkypants for one post. Let's just enjoy this one.

Big winners: Billy Wagner, +20.9% WPA, Damion Easley, +43.6% WPA, David Wright, +34.5%
Big losers: Oliver Perez, -18.1% WPA, Trot Nixon, -15.9%% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: D-Ease extra-inning bomb, +40.8% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Vlad two-run single in fifth, -19.4% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +25.0%
Total batter WPA: +25.0%

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The Other Side

I just realized we were on the other side of that old axiom. While we were up watching, legions of Angels fans (do they have legions?) were saying, “How come we haven’t put this team away yet?” The warning sign was there. Usually, we wouldn’t do it anyway.

But we did.

The post-game commentary was predictable. “This is a game that can get us started,” etc. Read the same things not too long ago. (The big offensive burst in Colorado, the wins against the Spankees, etc.) Not getting too excited, but we’ve won two series in a row against the AL.

At worst, let’s just wait and see now. Who knows.

The 2008 NY Mets: Reyes singles. Castillo infield single. Wright walks. Beltran lines out. ZaBlanc bitches. Delgado strikes out. Reyes picked off third. Fans boo. Padres win 2-1.

by ZaBlanc on Jun 19, 2008 5:34 AM EDT reply actions

Manuel

It’s obvious that he brings the kind of winning intangibles he learned while being a bench player for the 1981 Montreal Expos. He’s going to bring a Montreal attitude to this team, which is just what it needs.

(Yes, what I just wrote is ridiculous, but is it really any more ridiculous than so many of the things said about Randolph?)

Vote change: DePodesta/Acta in 2009!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jun 19, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Yes it is

I realize it is a popular critique and not only on this blog but the idea that Willie failing as a Mets manager had anything to do with the fact that he is a former Yankee always struck me as totally absurd. I get that you are glad he is gone and I suppose I am too if for no other reason that it ends the uncertainty. But give the guy a break. He wasn’t Isiah Thomas.

by Endys Game on Jun 19, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you have it backwards

The point I was trying to make is that so many people expected Randolph to succeed because he was a former Yankee, which is ludicrous. I don’t think too many people blame his failure on the fact that he was a former Yankee.

Vote change: DePodesta/Acta in 2009!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Jun 19, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok fair enough

I think I did misconstrue your point. But believe me there are plenty of Mets fans who never wanted to give Willie a chance because he was a Yankee and/or they thought it was somehow bad karma for the Mets to hire a former Yankee as their manager. Those are the people I was meaning to respond to.

by Endys Game on Jun 19, 2008 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions