New York Mets Gambling On Randolph Firing To Inspire Players

The New York Mets went out and did what they felt was necessary in the off season to win a National League title. They added the best pitcher in the game in Johan Santana, and made a trade for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.

Now, less than a month away from the all star game, the Mets are a team in danger of falling out of the race for their own division, much less a National League Championship.

On Monday night, the other shoe dropped on manager Willie Randolph. He was unceremoniously fired in the middle of the night, and left the Mets gambling on his replacement to bring them back to prominence.

Jerry Manuel gets the job of trying to motivate a group of underachievers. The players have not performed up to their ability, and when that happens, usually the manager takes the fall.

The job in front of Manuel will be a daunting one. The team he inherits from Randolph is getting old by the day, and the young players outside of David Wright, have not performed even close to expectation.

Injuries have also played a part in Randolph's dismissal. The Mets lost Pedro Martinez on the season's second day, and have been without Moises Alou for most of the year. Still, even with the injuries, the Mets should be a better squad then one that is one game under .500.

If the Mets and Manuel do get things turned around, the gamble by management to change managers mid-season will be justified. If the season continues to spiral, it could be GM Omar Minaya who is next on the chopping block.



2008-06-18