Jerry in a Nutshell

by Reg Dunlop on Jun 23, 2009 12:01 PM EDT

Luckily for my remote control I was at last nights game, and therefore unable to throw it in anger as I watched Jerry Manuels' cavalcade of stupidity. Stupid decisions were the order of the night. Most lazy observers will only see the positive outcomes and credit "grission" for the Mets win. More astute observers will see the positive results as a combination of dumb luck and poor execution by the Cardinals. Which makes last night's win more infuriating. Stupidity was rewarded. And as long as stupidity gets rewarded, it will only encourage more stupidity. It's a vicious cycle that will eventually end in disaster.

Take if you will the case of Razor Shines. Razor Shines is awful! Last night he could have been responsible for three outs at the plate. The Cardinals had a chance to get David Wright at the plate in the first. Instead, Pujols opted to cut off the throw and get a sure out a third with Tatis. Holding up Wright would have produced a bases loaded, two out situation for Luis Castillo. It's not an ideal situation, but the Mets were hitting Wellemeyer hard and Wright was nowhere near a sure run at the plate. In the fourth, Omir Santos would have been dead at the plate if not Brendan Ryan's throw. With one out, this is not a chance you take, even with a light hitting pitcher on deck. I couldn't tell if Castillo was actually tagged out in the 8th, but once again, it was too close and a better throw definitely gets him.

While this isn't specifically Jerry's fault, It reflects a managerial philosophy that believes, aggressive base running = good base running, and it's o.k. to make mistakes if you are aggressive. This philosophy has led to a plethora of Mets being thrown out on the bases this year. Each of those is a potential run lost and an out that didn't have to happen. Over time, those runs add up and they will likely lead to bad losses more often than good wins.

Take if you will the case of Jon Switzer. Parnell, Green, and Feliciano were clearly in need of a rest. Bringing in Switzer to face the left-handed Skip Schumaker was a fine decision. Switzer struck him out. Right-handed Tyler Greene pinch hit. Right-handed Albert Pujols was on deck. There was no doubt Brian Stokes would be facing Pujols. So, who should pitch to Greene? Why Switzer of course. Because we all know Jerry doesn't listen to stats like this:

Switzer vs. RHB (MLB career) 205 PA .353/.448/.549

Had Stokes (.299/.336/.438 vs. LHB) come in, LaRussa could have gone to lefty Chris Duncan (.278/.370/.503 vs. RHB). But this would have meant burning two bench players and it raises the question, of why Duncan wasn't in the lineup against Redding to begin with.

Ultimately, the decision to leave Switzer in resulted in a single, but the stupidity was bailed out when Stokes induced a double play ball from Pujols.

Take if you will the 8th inning bunt-a-thon. Leadoff single by Castillo. (yeahhh!) Brian Stokes due up. Clearly a pinch hit situation. F! sent up to pinch hit. (yeahhh!) F! squares to bunt. (WTF!!!!) As much as I hate it, I've grown accustomed to the fact the Jerry loves to play for one run. But the stupidity of wasting a player off the bench to give away an out is mind-numbing. If you want to sacrifice, send Stokes up there. I doubt he has much experience bunting, but how much does F! have? And aren't these the "fundies" that Jerry is so good at implementing? Again, stupidity is rewarded because of D. Reyes' fat fingers. As if this wasn't bad enough, Jerry tried to give the Cards another out by having Cora bunt. Luckilly he failed and drove in a run with a single. But then, Jerry tried again to give the Cards an out by having Murphy bunt. Murphy?!? Really?!?. Jerry finally succeeded in giving the Cardinals an out in the 8th but not the way he had hoped. Muph flied out all on his own.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but the insanity and ineptitude Jerry displayed last night is maddening and so perfectly highlights how bad he is at managing.

I know I'm going to get crap for saying this, but I often get more upset when these stupid decisions succeed, because it overshadows how bad the process is. My heart wants this team to stay in the hunt, but my brain says they don't deserve it and they are only in it because the division is terrible. What is even more frightening is that as long as David and the Bisons stay competitive, the narrative from the traditional sportswriters will be how Jerry has managed to keep the team competitive in the face of all the injuries. And Jerry will keep his job. And stupidity will be rewarded once again.

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Comments

Jerry went with the ol' bad proccess, good result

right from the Minaya playbook. Yay, dumb luck!

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Jun 23, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Good job cataloging the insanity

I almost think we should create a wiki of all of Jerry’s idiotic moves. He makes at least a few moves a game that cause me to cringe. The bunting is out of control and needs to stop. Giving away outs is going to give me high blood pressure. No question, no question.

by twon8 on Jun 23, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

The rapid-fire bunting in the 8th inning was infuriating

but, hey, it worked because they scored an insurance run! Yeah!

I also hope that Razor Shines was able to look back at his night and realize how maybe his over-aggressiveness nearly bit the team in the ass each time. I doubt it, but I can hope.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jun 23, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I though I was taking crazy pills

Im glad someone else noticed that Razor seems to be a terrible 3B coach. I think we have been VERY lucky at the plate. There have been a number of times that Mets should have been thrown out at the plate and because of a poor throw, dropped ball, or blown call they are safe. I think some people would argue its just being aggressive and that the Mets are forcing the other team to make plays (which they aren’t), however I have to believe that the luck is going to run out at some point. Its not just sending guys either, I have even heard Keith Hernandez question why guys have not been sent at times.

by JDizzzy on Jun 23, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

G/K/R last night

Those guys were loving Razor’s aggressiveness, you gotta make the fielder make the play, etc. I couldn’t have disagreed more, at least with regard to the Santos and Castillo plays (I didn’t see the play with Dub in the first inning).

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jun 23, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

there is a time and place

for aggressive base running, but with a slow footed base runner like Santos, it just doesn’t make sense. I watch a lot of baseball and I’m not trying to be overly critical, but the Mets just seem to pick all the wrong people for the job. I hate that I have a problem with the 3B coach of all things, but this organization seems to find ways to self destruct from all angles. Its maddening.

by JDizzzy on Jun 23, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

On the other hand

It seems like the third base coach is almost always hated. Someone said it here not too long ago, but it seems like the only third base coach in recent memory that Mets fans liked was Cookie Rojas, mostly because he was Cookie Rojas.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jun 23, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

For me this is a first

I haven’t noticed a problem with the 3B coach before. However now that you point out Cookie Rojas, I see a disconcerting trend…cool name = The Mets have a 3B coaching job for you

by JDizzzy on Jun 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Cookie was great

He seemed to have a better understanding of the outfielders arms and positioning rather than just assessing the situation.

Given the state of the lineup, I understand the temptation to want t take advantage of a run scoring opportunity. But Razor was bad before everyone started getting hurt and there is no excuse for that.

by Reg Dunlop on Jun 23, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

My theory was that no one

can possibly hate the Cookie/Mookie corner coaching combo.
But not just one, Manny Acta was generally liked but I remember hearing grumblings about his decisions too.

by Sokojoe on Jun 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, we called him Windmill Acta 'round these parts.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jun 23, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

acta, AA poster boy

was a terrible third base coach who made dreadful decisions. i advocated for the placement of a traffic cone instead.

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Jun 23, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

And he was replaced by

by the man dubbed, Send ‘em Sandy, which is what my theory is, I dont think anyone likes their third base coach because their errors are so easy to see unlike the coach that is positioning a defense who’s miscues go unnoticed. Counter to my theory is that the Mets always hire bad third base coachs.

by Sokojoe on Jun 23, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget about

Luis “Green Light” Aguayo. There are a few references to him scattered throughout the old AA comments.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Jun 23, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I was about to bring up Aguayo

But I couldn’t remember his name so skipped it.

by TheBigStapler on Jun 23, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah good call

I love that every third base coach has a nickname in an attempt to reinforce that they are bad. Razor Shines’ name is already in nickname form so I wonder if he’ll break the trend. My guess would be Running Razor or the not so catchy “Run out of an inning” Razor

by Sokojoe on Jun 23, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Ugh, Aguayo. HE was awful.

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

by squid92 on Jun 23, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought sending Wright was okay

With two outs, and a pretty decent chance of scoring, it seemed fine. There weren’t any great replay angles to judge how close a play it would have been if Albert hadn’t cut it off, but the booth impression was that Dub was safe easily, and they were criticizing Tatis for drawing the cutoff and running into the out at third to ensure David crossed the plate. Plus, it was a weird situation, in that you almost felt more comfortable sending the runner on a ball hit to RF than LF, since Ankiel, the guy who can only throw strikes from the outfield, was in LF.

"All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet

What a fool I was to defy him"

-HST

by Mark Himmelstein on Jun 23, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

sending F! up to bunt

or even if you’re not confident in Socks getting a bunt down, why not use Johan or Livan or someone who has more experience sacrificing, but is unlikely to be called on to do anything else during the game?

by JoshNY on Jun 23, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

yep.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jun 23, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Well he wouldn't send up Santana.

Santana would just ignore the bunt sign and rip a double down the RF line. Who would want that?

by meigs1414 on Jun 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Razor Shines - His vengence is cutting edge

anyone else think of this unintentionally hilarious movie wever time someone says our 3B coach’s name? tougfh to come by but my friend had it on VHS in college and it is as rediculous as you can imagine.

Lets hope that when gut check time comes again the Mets will pass it with flying colors.

by kendynamo on Jun 23, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

I see your Razor Sharpe

and raise you the best movie ever.

by Sokojoe on Jun 23, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

ooh

that does look pretty dope.

Lets hope that when gut check time comes again the Mets will pass it with flying colors.

by kendynamo on Jun 23, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

The Murphy 8th inning bunt

The best part about the Murphy 8th inning bunt was that if he succeeded, LaRussa would have gotten to walk David Wright intentionally and go after Fernando “Human DP” Tatis with 1 out and the bases loaded.

He’s so dumb sometimes.

by DannyMetsGeek on Jun 23, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

But...

He’s Mr. Grand Slam according to Gary. Don’t you know he once hit two grand slams in an inning off the same pitcher!

by Reg Dunlop on Jun 23, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Which begs the question:

Why was Chan Ho Park still in this game?

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

by squid92 on Jun 23, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

He should have gotten out of the inning

I checked the boxscore. Chan Ho fell apart at the start of the inning, but it seems like he should have been out of it giving up only 5 runs. Some bad fielding and fielding decisions seemed to extend the inning. I guess Davey Johnson had a gut feeling about leaving him in.

Oops!

by Reg Dunlop on Jun 23, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Go get your shine box, Razor!

I think the bigger and underlying problem is, rarely do our hits with a runner on 2nd get a guy home, because the outfield is already playing shallow due to our complete lack of power. Shines knows this, and knows they often strand guys at third, so it frustrates him, and he sends a lot of guys anyway.

I was okay with him sending guys last night since it was mostly bottom of the order, and Castillo has to be able to get home on that bloop by Cora. Also, although it seems like it against us, throwing a guy out at home (even when the ball beats him to the plate) is not a given. It’s difficult for the catcher to shorthop it sometimes, as seen last night, or on a high throw or high bounce, a guy should (ahem, Beltran) slide and get underneath.

by David G on Jun 23, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

A comment from the Davidoff article about how Manuel doesn't understand leverage and can't manage a bullpen:

Why doesn’t anyone mention the lack of production from both Beltran & Wright? They’re both hitting well into the 300’s but their RBI & HR totals are dismal. Is the park too large, is there a lack of base runners in front of them, are they just not clutch ball players this year? I live in Florida & I’ve heard very little in the written media or TV about the quantity of injuries on this team, why?

WHOOSH
(sound of article going over commenter’s head)

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

by squid92 on Jun 23, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

Sandy Alomar Jr. was no picnic at third base either

I attended a horrifying Mets-Pads game at Petco last year where Sandy had a complete meltdown. He was holding guys who could have crawled home, while sending guys who were dead to rights. Who does not love the expression “dead to rights”? It’s a favorite of mine, and I am going to start using it in the office, somehow.

by David G on Jun 23, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions