The Real Reason Omir Santos Pinch-Hit For Ramon Castro Today

by James Kannengieser on Apr 29, 2009 10:17 PM EDT

Jerry Manuel wanted to give Santos a birthday present. Happy 28th Omir. That sprint underneath the stadium from the bullpen while wearing cleats sounds treacherous.

Castro: you messed up by being born on March 1. And also for having a .723 career major league OPS (nevermind Santos's career .652 minor league OPS).

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God, that decision really was indefensible.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Apr 29, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

I'm pretty neutral on Jerry

But I think this is a good microcosm of what his problem as a manager is. He does too much. He makes moves that just don’t need making, and it occasionally will hurt both players’ and the team’s chance of success. I don’t mind him pulling a “gut” move every now and then, but I do have a problem with him making a move for the sake of making a move. It breeds the wrong mentality.

To contrast that though, the running game does finally appear to be coming around. Jerry doesn’t seem to be in charge of it lately so much as the individuals, and on this team that’s absolutely how it should be.

by Mark Himmelstein on Apr 29, 2009 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

Pretty much

The Mets have good players. Jerry Manual might take a page out of ‘The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training’ and just Let. Them. Play.

by Eric Simon on Apr 29, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

truly one of the most bizzare endings to a game I have ever seen

one question, is there no rule as to how long a team can take before sending a hitter up to bat? I was thinking the umps might force Jerry to hit Castro or somebody in the dugout or even call the Mets out for delaying the at-bat. I take it there is no such rule? What if Santos had been in the clubhouse?

by Endys Game on Apr 29, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think there's a rule...

but the umpire can allow a pitcher to start pitching if the team takes too long. On the broadcast the announcer said that the umpire had made just such a threat to Manuel (but it turned out that the ump simply allowed the pitcher to throw warmup tosses).

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Apr 30, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions