New Skipper Candidate Scorecard

[HahnSolo]

The one name that I really find odd as a finalist is Wakamatsu. His tenure in Seattle (one successful year followed by a terrible year) was not overwhelming.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The most amazing thing about that tirade is that Wally's South Georgia Peanuts were playing Andersonville. How does one walk around with "Andersonville" on his jersey and feel anything but disgust and depresson?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy DC wrote: The most amazing thing about that tirade is that Wally's South Georgia Peanuts were playing Andersonville. How does one walk around with "Andersonville" on his jersey and feel anything but disgust and depresson?

Because it beats working as a historical reenactor down there?

I have to admit... a few of those field redecorations would help pass the time during a lost season.

[metirish]

Not all that desirable at all , the arguing with the ump was fine but when he first went back to the dugout and started throwing the balls and bats he started calling the ump a piece of shit and things like that , not good. He came across as a complete tool and an embarrassment .

BTW , who was the coach with him, # 10?

[dgwphotography]

Every time I watch that video, I come away with the same observation. It wasn't a tirade - it was calculated. Why else would he tell the catcher to get out of the way?

[Valadius]

I'm loving that video. I'm going to have to go home and watch the rest of that series.

[Guest Edgy DC]

dgwphotography wrote: Every time I watch that video, I come away with the same observation. It wasn't a tirade - it was calculated. Why else would he tell the catcher to get out of the way?

No doubt he was aware of what he was doing there and trying to make some sort of statement. (Maybe to make the documentary more interesting?) Does that make it worse or better, in your opinion?

Because the bullying, belittling, big-leaguing, and scatalogically abusing the ump --- and retreating to "What did I say? I didn't say anything!" --- is pretty embarassing. And he gets physical too.

Standing up for your players has merit, but he's way out there and he's only encouraging them in the notion that his is acceptable behavior in baseball.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Adam Rubin and David Lennon are both reporting that Jose Oquendo will be interviewed on Monday.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Adam Rubin and David Lennon are both reporting that Jose Oquendo will be interviewed on Monday.

Yep , the last of the first round group , second round could start in Orlando(GM meetings?)

Rubin also reports that it looks more and more like Collins

[bmfc1]

Hurdle signs with Pittsburgh. But we can still get the boring guy or guy that's lost the clubhouse twice.

[metirish]

You know, I'm not going to hold something against Collins that happened over ten years ago , it looks like Collins or Melvin.....I can be happy with either.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Thing is that his players rebelled in Anaheim also. You don't have to blame him for that, but it's there.

[MFS62]

bmfc1 wrote: Hurdle signs with Pittsburgh. But we can still get the boring guy or guy that's lost the clubhouse twice.

I guess that was one hurdle that Alderson couldn't overcome.
OH, STOP it!
If I didn't say that, one of you would have.

Later

[ashie62]

I'm praying for Melvin over Collins.

[dgwphotography]

Ashie62 wrote: I'm praying for Melvin over Collins.

Of the ones that are left - I'm hoping for Oquendo over both...

[Guest Edgy DC]

We're in the homestretch. Wouldn't be surprised to hear an announcement tomorrow.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

The best thing I can about the Mets managerial candidates, Melvin and Collins, is that they're not Jerry Manuel. I'm rather underwhelmed by both of them, but I probably would prefer Melvin. But choosing between the two is like choosing Arsenic or strychnine.

[bmfc1]

I'm w/Rockin' Doc. I've said "as long as it's not Jerry" but the more I read about Collins, the less I like him and I haven't read anything about Melvin to make me want him to get the job.

[Guest Edgy DC]

A few tweets from Bob Klapish are stating outright that DePodesta has steered the search away from inexperience (Backman) toward experience (Collins).

[HahnSolo]

metirish wrote: You know, I'm not going to hold something against Collins that happened over ten years ago , it looks like Collins or Melvin.....I can be happy with either.

This shouldn't be construed as an endorsement of Backman, however, aren't Wally's actions from a long time ago being held against him?*

(*I do realize losing a clubhouse and beating up a wife are two entirely different situations)

Edgy DC wrote: A few tweets from Bob Klapish are stating outright that DePodesta has steered the search away from inexperience (Backman) toward experience (Collins).

Interesting, coming from a guy who was given the reins of a franchise at age 31 without prior GM experience.

[metirish]

HahnSolo wrote: metirish wrote: You know, I'm not going to hold something against Collins that happened over ten years ago , it looks like Collins or Melvin.....I can be happy with either. This shouldn't be construed as an endorsement of Backman, however, aren't Wally's actions from a long time ago being held against him?* (*I do realize losing a clubhouse and beating up a wife are two entirely different situations) Edgy DC wrote: A few tweets from Bob Klapish are stating outright that DePodesta has steered the search away from inexperience (Backman) toward experience (Collins). Interesting, coming from a guy who was given the reins of a franchise at age 31 without prior GM experience.

I think the fact that Backman is getting interviewed shows that his past actions are not being held against him, his lack of experienced seems to be though.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I certainly not privy to all in Wally's background, but I believe there's scant evidence that he ever beat up his wife.

[HahnSolo]

Edgy DC wrote: I certainly not privy to all in Wally's background, but I believe there's scant evidence that he ever beat up his wife.

You're right. I was thinking of the domestic incident

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

A few tweets from Bob Klapish are stating outright that DePodesta has steered the search away from inexperience (Backman) toward experience (Collins). Interesting, coming from a guy who was given the reins of a franchise at age 31 without prior GM experience.

Yes, but working as an advance scout/mini-GM under Hart for three years and lieutenant to Mr. Beane for five qualify as related experience... at least a bit more than, say, one single-A job in the last 7-8 years. It ain't THAT neat an irony.

This has to be it, and not the "wife-beating" incident from years ago (PiF: NOT actually a wife-beating incident).

[Vic Sage]

While i'd be happy to have Bobby V back, cuz he's done it here before, clearly that's not going to happen. So, i'd be just as happy with a low cost / low profile "middle manager" type who has a track record of staying the hell out of the way (i.e., doesn't give away outs) and evinces a willingness to bring the hammer down on underperforming players (ie., make them accountable with playing time), both as a surrogate for my frustration and as motivation to the rest of the roster.

With that in mind, these are the things that mean absolutely nothing to me in searching for the next Mets manager:
1) genius-osity;
2) ability to "handle NY";
3) philosophy (beyond doing what Sandy tells him - ie., not giving away outs);
4) playing pedigree;
5) Met-liness;
6) military service;
7) "grit";
8) willingness to yell (at umps, media, players, owners, fans); or
9) "star" quality

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Vic Sage wrote: 3) philosophy (beyond doing what Sandy tells him - ie., not giving away outs)

"Open-mindedness about philosophy," though, I'll put a little higher on the priority list than "of no importance."

[Guest Edgy DC]

One thing about philosophy is that it doesn't have to be brilliant to be useful. As long as it's more or less valid and not demonstrably strategically counterproductive (i.e. batting low-OBP guys leadoff) it can helpful in serving to organize the work.

And yeah, openmindedness might allow you to make adjusments when a philosophy is demonstrated to be strategically counterproductive.

[ashie62]

bmfc1 wrote: I'm w/Rockin' Doc. I've said "as long as it's not Jerry" but the more I read about Collins, the less I like him and I haven't read anything about Melvin to make me want him to get the job.

Ashie feels the same way.