Memories of Rick Down

[Guest Edgy DC]

He was Randolph's guy, and dropping him --- even if instigated by Randolph --- represents something of a weakening of Randolph's position.

I seem to remember Minaya leaning another way when Randolph hired Down. Whether it's Don Baylor I'm thinking of or one of the runners up for the manger job, I'm not sure.

It also de-Yankifies the Met staff a bit.

As Wright largely is what he was when he first established himself in 2004, the biggest triumph on Down's watch has to be Reyes' progress, and that's attributable to Rickey anyhow.

Anyhow, I don't have a lot of Down memories. One of the entries in Bands Formed by Mets Fans was System of Rick Down.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, Endy Chavez played better with the Mets than he ever had previously.

It's always hard to know when to credit or blame a particular coach, so I really can't even form an opinion about whether Down deserves to keep or lose his job. Having Rickey around should be fun and interesting. I wonder how long the job will hold his interest?

[metirish]

I liked how Rick never wore his Mets jacket when he went to the plate to help a hitter during a game.

Seriously I wish him well,has to be one of the worst jobs when a team is not hitting,I remember a few in game interviews he gave,seemed like a decent sort.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, I thought about Henderson's restlessness. I wondered how long announcing would hold Keith Hernandez's interest.

But this is a Down thread. Good point about Chavez. Maybe Nady also.

[Vic Sage]

Edgy DC wrote: ...It also de-Yankifies the Met staff a bit...

how exactly does adding Ricky Henderson de-Yankify the Mets staff?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Because Down was somebody that Randolph recruited directly from the Yankees.



He served two seperate tenures as Yankees batting coach and was their coordinator of instruciton in 2004.

[metirish]

I think Down was fired from the yankees a few seasons before...

[Guest Edgy DC]

No, I edited it in when you were typing. He was still in their system, working, I think working out of the minor-league complex as their swing doctor.

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: No, I edited it in when you were typing. He was still in their system, working, I think working out of the minor-league complex as their swing doctor.

I remember something like that..good call.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I just wanted to point out the Snooze this morning described Down as a part of a "staff assembled for Willie Randolph" and not, necessarily as a choice of Randolph.

Maybe this indicates a lack of confeidence in the trade market improving the hitting.

My other thought is, the Met offense has been poor since late last August, so it's not exactly sudden or impatient to let Down go.

[metirish]

Confusing.......from Mets.com

] NEW YORK -- The impatience -- and relative lack of productivity -- of Mets hitters seemingly led to impatience with hitting coach Rick Down. New York has dismissed Down and hired a man known for his patience at the plate. Rickey Henderson is in place to help invigorate the offense, though Howard Johnson and not Henderson will assume most or all of Down's responsibilities.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Hitting Coach: Howard Johnson
Offensive Invigorator: Rickey Henderson

[Guest Edgy DC]

That is confusing.

Will Johnson coach the sluggers and Henderson the rabbits?

Will Johnson coach swings and Henderson working the count?

Will Henderson be activated on September first?

[Guest sharpie]

Maybe it's a new way to think of the coaching staff, that certain guys have certain skills to teach and that the first base coach could work with some of the hitters as well as the hitting coach.

I used to be down with Down but now I say "Down with Down!"

[metirish]

Really I think coaching roles should be defined ,the way this is reading will lead to more questions and confusion,will Henderson be with the team every day,what happens when he and Hojo have different opinions on how to help whatever player needs help.....

Perhaps I am over reacting but I don't like this.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Prior to this, what were HoJo's duties, other than coaching first base?

I don't see anything wrong with having two hitting coaches, as long as they're not sending conflicting messages to individual players.

I remember the Mets had two pitching coaches back in 1981: Rube Walker and Bob Gibson. I don't have a sense of how well or poorly that worked, but I think they repeated the routine for Atlanta when Joe Torre went over there in 1982.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Torre described Gibson as the attitude coach. I assumed any work he did with the ptichers was under Walker's authority.

I never could figure out who has run the infield since Acta left. I guess it's been Alomar, but it could be Johnson or even Raldolph.

[Centerfield]

Edgy DC wrote: I never could figure out who has run the infield since Acta left. I guess it's been Alomar, but it could be Johnson or even Raldolph.

Howard Johnson...infield coach...that's a good one.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I try.

"Coach, I've had some trouble with grounders recently and Skip said you might have some tips on playing the infield."

"Try and hit the ball really hard."

[Vic Sage]

you guys are overthinking it. Hojo is Wright's coach and Ricky is Reyes' coach. Now just 23 more coaches to go...

[MFS62]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Hitting Coach: Howard Johnson Offensive Invigorator: Rickey Henderson

How about Rickey as first base coach? Imagine how the fast guys on the club will do with Rickey picking up tips on pitchers' moves to first and giving immediate input to the runners? He'll have almost the same view of their moves that the runners do.

Later