The Final Four - Managers

[HahnSolo]

Not sure. Maybe Melvin and Hale are closer to Orlando?

Just realized that all four were in the employ of the Mets organization last season. I guess I'm a little surprised that all finalists came from in-house.

[Willets Point]

I'm still holding out for my personal friend Bobby Valentine.

[metirish]

Is that eye black under your nose?

great pic btw

[Willets Point]

metirish wrote: Is that eye black under your nose? great pic btw

My mother always says that when I don't shave for a day it looks like I have newsprint on my face.

My favorite thing about this picture is that it looks like Bobby is really excited to meet me but I'm not so sure.

[metirish]

HahnSolo wrote: Not sure. Maybe Melvin and Hale are closer to Orlando? Just realized that all four were in the employ of the Mets organization last season. I guess I'm a little surprised that all finalists came from in-house.

I was thinking the two calm guys followed by the raving lunatics....I guess each interview will start with the interviewee saying" jeez , sorry about your dad Sandy"....it's like a bummer note to start on , one I fear Wally will not recover from....probably feel compelled to tell some bullshit story about his dad.......

[Fman99]

Of these four finalists I like Valentine the best.

You know Alderson would hire the Managebot5000 if only it were ready for the big time.

[Vic Sage]

oh, the m`Bot is ready!
Hire [crossout:1ln1metw]him[/crossout:1ln1metw] it, Sandy!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

HahnSolo wrote: Not sure. Maybe Melvin and Hale are closer to Orlando? Just realized that all four were in the employ of the Mets organization last season. I guess I'm a little surprised that all finalists came from in-house.

Same. Although I suppose it makes sense. The virtually all-new front office (save Ricco and a few holdouts) may just want a few people around with some knowledge-- if not too much familiarity-- with the current crop of baseball-playing resources.

[Guest Edgy DC]

And the big dance has just four guys left boogeying, BAYBEE!

[Theoldmole]

Much to my own surprise, I voted Wally.

[metirish]

We should know Sunday night or Monday with a conference possible for Tuesday......

[metirish]

Per Rubin

Backman emerges from meeting with a "I'm in it to win it" attitude....

[Benjamin Grimm]

metirish wrote: Backman emerges from meeting with a "I'm in it to win it" attitude....

Good for him!

Me, I'm rooting for Chip.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: metirish wrote: Backman emerges from meeting with a "I'm in it to win it" attitude.... Good for him! Me, I'm rooting for Chip.

I'd be shocked if he gets it....interesting to read from several writers that Hale's second round interview was more of a get to know DePodesta and Ricciardi meeting and that Melvin's for instance was follow up questions, specifics on game strategy and "discussions beyond the realm of the playing field."(Davidoff)

[metirish]

Wally

Wally Backman emerged from his final-round managerial interview about 1:15 p.m. Thursday at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando. Here's what the fan favorite had to say: How did it go? "It went good. It went very good." Can you share anything of what you guys talked about? "We just talked about baseball stuff. All baseball stuff. It went very well, I thought." You really are the fan favorite. Do you appreciate that? And why do you think that is? "Well, I played there. I think it's great. The meeting went good. We talked a lot of baseball and it was a good meeting, a very good meeting." What are you impressions of the team they have in place right now? Is this a team that's ready to contend? Or is it rebuilding? "I think the team is ready to win still." Was it more getting to know Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi? "It was getting to know everybody. It was not real long, but it was basically about baseball, staff, things like that." You had waited a long time for something like this. Was it emotional at all? "No, it wasn't emotional at all." The Mets obviously value you. If it doesn't work out with the major league club, has the prospect of working in the minors again with a promotion been raised? "I'm not even looking at that right now. I was in there for one reason -- that was to manage the Mets." And that was the one position you talked about? "That's it."

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

metirish wrote: metirish wrote: Backman emerges from meeting with a "I'm in it to win it" attitude.... Good for him! Me, I'm rooting for Chip. I'd be shocked if he gets it....interesting to read from several writers that Hale's second round interview was more of a get to know DePodesta and Ricciardi meeting and that Melvin's for instance was follow up questions, specifics on game strategy and "discussions beyond the realm of the playing field."(Davidoff)

Mets by the Numbers with a last-minute endorsement for Hale, based on the fact that his superior third-base coaching demonstrated a sharp mind and that he was paying attention. http://mbtn.net/hale-chief

[HahnSolo]

"It was not real long"

(no, I'm not setting up FMan)

I would probably be concerned if my second interview was a brief say hi to everybody thing.

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: metirish wrote: metirish wrote: Backman emerges from meeting with a "I'm in it to win it" attitude.... Good for him! Me, I'm rooting for Chip. I'd be shocked if he gets it....interesting to read from several writers that Hale's second round interview was more of a get to know DePodesta and Ricciardi meeting and that Melvin's for instance was follow up questions, specifics on game strategy and "discussions beyond the realm of the playing field."(Davidoff) Mets by the Numbers with a last-minute endorsement for Hale, based on the fact that his superior third-base coaching demonstrated a sharp mind and that he was paying attention. http://mbtn.net/hale-chief

Good stuff......as you noted it's no small thing coaching third....can you interview for the managers job, not get it and still come back to coach third?

[metirish]

Collins

And now the deliberations ... Terry Collins completed the interview process for manager with his final-round interview Thursday afternoon. Here's a transcript of what Collins had to say with reporters afterward: How did it go? "Well, you guys know them. They're so easy to talk to. It's fun. I enjoyed it a lot." You haven't managed in the major leagues in a while. Obviously that desire is still there. Where does it come from? "Well, that's what we get into the game for. I grew up trying and wanting to be a coach and a manager and I got my chance. Here it is again. I appreciate the opportunity just to talk to them." You feel like this past year was good preparation, getting a firsthand look at the organization's minor leaguers? "I think it helps. I think I know the kids a lot. We've got a good bunch of guys. I've got a great staff in the minor leagues. This organization has done itself very, very proud. They've drafted some good kids. They've signed some good, young players. And I enjoyed it a lot. The whole thing about getting to know our minor league system -- whether it's me or whoever it is -- I can certainly help whoever is going to manage this team, for sure." How different was this interview compared with the first one? "Well, I know most of them. I know Paul [DePodesta] and obviously John [Ricco] and Jeff [Wilpon]. I've been around, I've known J.P. [Ricciardi] for many years. I haven't worked with Sandy [Alderson], but I've known him for a long time. That's what made it comfortable. They're the ones who have to make the decision, but the process is fun." Paul DePodesta said he had a gag order on what happened in L.A., but I suppose you don't. How close were you to becoming manager of the Dodgers after the 2005 season when Paul got pushed out? "I'd say it was pretty close." And thanks to Paul would you say it was pretty close? "Well, again, it was the same thing. I was the minor league director and the field coordinator over there. I knew the young players, and they were starting to go young. So I thought I had a real good chance there. Certainly when Paul got let go, I was probably as disappointed as anybody. I had several conversations with [Dodgers owner] Frank [McCourt]. Things are fine." Any time someone is up for a high-profile job, the past is raised. Did they ask you about the (2002) DUI? Did you explain that? "Yes. I did. I did in my thing." Can you explain it publicly? "Not really. It's over. It's in the past. It's something we all wish didn't happen, but it did. I'm moving on." How long was the interview? "An hour and 20 minutes, maybe." You managed Team China in the WBC, and right before that in Japan. What was the Japanese experience like? Was it at all comparable to the Astros and Angels experience? And it ended abruptly, no? "We'd have to have a longer conversation than I have right now. It was just different. It was just different. I took it because I wanted to get back on the field, and it's a different situation over there. Bobby [Valentine] handed it a lot better than I wanted to." Obviously past managerial experience came up. What happened with the in-fighting with the 1999 Angels? "Guys, I know that's a big issue. All you end up doing is digging a bigger hole than needs to be dug. There's more to it, obviously, than anybody is ever going to know. I'll tell you what: We played good. Until '99 and the injuries hit -- I know this organization had that a couple of years ago -- but my teams out there played very good. It was a great experience." Demeanor-wise, people may not have a feel when they see you in the dugout? Is it fiery? Have you mellowed? "You grow and patience changes. But I believe in competition, too." What are you trying to sell them on in that room? "That you think you can be the manager of the team. Pretty much that you think you should be the guy. And there are some good guys. Chip Hale played for me. I think the world of Chip. Bob Melvin has been very, very successful. And I think Wally Backman proved this year that he's if not this year, going to be a very, very, very good major league manager. So you're in a great group. All you can do is say, 'Look, hey, I think I can help.' That's about all you can bring up."

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets

[Ceetar]

Someone tweeted that collins was the most thorough with the reporters afterwards. Is it any surprise that he's been touted as the favorite for a while?

At least we'd get to make Tom Collins jokes? Maybe?

[ashie62]

Terry Collins, "I'll have a Martini."

Bartender, "Olive or Twist?"

[metirish]

Per various tweets

Mets have told SNY to be at CF Tuesday....

[A Boy Named Seo]

I'm not into either of the 'fiery' candidates. They both scare the shit out of me.

I'm with JCL and I'm on #Team_Chip now, and if not him, then the 4th guy, the boring one.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Olerud and Mike Cameron are on Team Reverse-Wedgie.

"With all the stuff unfolding there, he'd be perfect for that situation," Mike Cameron said by phone yesterday. "Some people change depending on what's going on, but he stays the same and he's got good communication skills." John Olerud, another former Mariner and Met, agreed. "You never know how someone is going to handle New York until they get there, said Olerud, who was released by Melvin's Mariners in 2004. "It was a tough year and he handled it well. I don't see why he wouldn't succeed with the Mets." Cameron played for Melvin in Seattle in 2003. A year later, the outfielder signed with the Mets and thinks the easy-going tag that Melvin has attached to him is not entirely accurate. "To a certain extent, he's laid-back," Cameron said of Melvin, who has emerged with Terry Collins as frontrunners to become the next manager. "But he's got a little electricity around him."

Hmm. Olerud, eh?

We'll need a hitting coach here soon, won't we?

[bmfc1]

Press conference Tuesday.

[Frayed Knot]

bmfc1 wrote: Press conference Tuesday.

We're getting Pujols?!?!?!!?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I've decided that my order of preference is Chip-Wally-Bob-Terry.

[Vic Sage]

I'm still pushing for the MBot 5000

[metirish]

Vic Sage wrote: I'm still pushing for the MBot 5000

Thankfully Art Howe has been here done that


I'm surprised that Hale is getting so many votes

[Ceetar]

Here's a fun game while you're goofing off at work on Friday:

Try to find four different sources predicting the Mets manager will be each of the four candidates.