Benjamin Grimm

Mike Puma in the Post says that Sandy Alomar Jr. is also being considered: Mets target another former player for next manager Sandy Alomar Jr. is steady on the Mets’ radar. The former All-Star catcher — who finished his career with the Mets in 2007 — is under strong consideration to be interviewed for the team’s managerial opening, an industry source indicated on Friday. The 51-year-old Alomar has drawn managerial interest in recent years. He was a finalist for the Indians job — after serving as interim manager — when the team hired Terry Francona after the 2012 season. Alomar also interviewed for the Diamondbacks’ opening following the 2014 season, when Hale was hired.

I voted for Chip.

Select a season, then click the Charts and Graphs tab. http://leaptoad.com/mets/metannual.php?ThisYear=2017&tabno=C

Well, if David had been healthy and productive all along, he'd still be a guy with three years remaining on his contract, so I imagine that the Mets wouldn't be looking at getting someone else to play third base in 2018.

Any off-season decisions should be made under the assumption that David Wright will never play again, despite what doctors say or what David's level of desire is. If it turns out that he is able to play, then you either have a happy problem or an awkward or expensive situation, but it makes more sense to count him out than to count him in.

I always pronounced it "Jay-or-reese."

I think you're exactly right. Those comments from Sandy have taken on a life of their own, and people (including but not limited to Bill Madden) are blowing it out of proportion.

That's where I'm at. I want the smart guy. I keep reading how smart Alex Cora is. If true, then I'd be happy to have him.

More endorsements. Bill Madden of the Daily News says the Mets should pick Joe McEwing. He also says that of the open manager jobs (Mets, Phillies, Tigers, and possibly Red Sox) the Mets are the least appealing choice to prospective candidates. He cites the way the Mets treated Terry Collins, the "apparent determination of ownership to cut payroll" and the "relentless scrutiny and expectations that come with managing in New York." Bobby Valentine endorses two candidates: Joe McEwing and Robin Ventura.

Kristie Ackert, The Daily News wrote: After missing the last year and a half, David Wright underwent back surgery in Los Angeles this week, the Mets announced Thursday evening. The third baseman will continue his attempt to return to the field this spring. “Through this entire rehab process, I have been driven to get back on the field as quickly as I can. That’s why I had the shoulder surgery and that’s why today I underwent back surgery to reduce the risk of further issues going forward,” Wright said in a statement released by the team. “With these two surgeries behind me, I hope to be able to put on a Mets uniform again as soon as possible. My desire to play is as strong as ever.” Wright underwent a laminotomy, a less invasive surgery that removes part of the arch of the vertebrae to try to take pressure off the vertebral canal.

I find that I have to root for Boston here if, for no other reason, than I don't think a National League team should win the American League pennant. I'll feel differently, of course, if the next round has Yankees vs. Astros.

Hey, are we going to see Pete Rose in this game? He's not dead, but ineligible for other reasons.

I had forgotten that Ray Knight managed the Reds. (And that Davey Lopes managed the Brewers.)

. Go Indians![/bigpurple] Hey... wait a minute!

John Mizerock reminds me of the episode when Johnny Mize went bowling with Fred and Barney.

I don't know. A guy with WASHINGTON on the back of his uniform might be a spy from the Nationals. At the very least, he'd have mixed loyalties.

I had to vote for Frank Luchessi, 91, for his Mets connection to Lenny Randle.

I think it's because, unlike Ralph Houk, she's alive and therefore can potentially manage the Mets.

More from the Post: Carlos Beltran seconds Mike Vaccaro's endorsement of Alex Cora: Beltran: Mets ‘should look into’ this managerial candidate Carlos Beltran wrote: The Mets should look into him, no doubt about it and look how well we have played here. He will be a great manager. He takes a lot of pride in studying the game. He takes a lot of pride into his relationship with the players. I’ve seen that here. That’s huge in baseball. He gets to know you as a person, and he knows what buttons to push. He goes around the clubhouse to make sure everyone is doing well, families are doing well, so he cares beyond putting out a good lineup and making sure that he puts the situation in a team to win. When a team plays well it’s a reflection on chemistry, it’s a reflection on communication, it’s a reflection on the coach staff, a lot of things. Alex has been a huge part of this team. I hope he gets the opportunity. He will be a good manager. A.J. Hinch wrote: He’s very sharp, sees the game in an extraordinarily deep way, has really connected well with players in our clubhouse and spent a lot of time developing relationships and being the bench-coach liaison to the clubhouse that I asked him to be. I think he’s grown and I think that’s key because it’s not easy to just — no matter how long your career — to jump into a coaching role. Trust me, I know how things can go when you jump right into a job, it’s not easy. So for him to be able to learn, to grow, to evolve, become a better coach. … Those are characteristics as to why he is a hot name in every opening that’s coming up so far this offseason or this postseason and why one day he’s going to manage, whether it’s now or later.

Voting for all games played between September 15 and October 1 will close on Friday, October 13. This will end the 13th year of Schaefer voting. Shortly thereafter there will be an announcement about the resumption of our offseason voting project. If you're on the list below with a 16 next to your name, you're all caught up on the games that are about to close. If not, and if you're so inclined, please try to get your votes in over the next week. OhSheaCanKC 16 Benjamin Grimm 16 TMF 16 G-Fafif 16 Ashie62 13 FK 1 Mets-Willets Point 1

Well, they might have had it right after six years and then slipped more recently as personnel moved around. Even after a problem is solved, there can still be a need for course corrections from time to time.

Of the people in the UMDB who are dead at the present time, Solly Hemus lasted longer than all but one: These are those who made it past their 90th birthdays: Grant, M. Donald November 28, 1998 Hobe Sound, Fla. 94 years, 211 days Hemus, Solomon Joseph (Solly) October 2, 2017 Houston, Tex. 94 years, 168 days Cavarretta, Philip Joseph (Phil) December 17, 2010 Liliburn, Ga. 94 years, 151 days Jarvis, Luella Jane Nossett (Jane) January 25, 2010 Englewood, N.J. 94 years, 86 days Harder, Melvin LeRoy (Mel) October 20, 2002 Chardon, O. 93 years, 5 days Kiner, Ralph McPherran (Ralph) February 6, 2014 Rancho Mirage, Cal. 91 years, 102 days Holmes, Thomas Francis (Tommy) April 14, 2008 Boca Raton, Fla. 91 years, 16 days Devine, Vaughan P. (Bing) January 27, 2007 St. Louis, Mo. 90 years, 332 days Berra, Lawrence Peter (Yogi) September 22, 2015 West Caldwell, N.J. 90 years, 133 days

I think the powers that be would be correct in that regard. Anyway, after this debacle of a season, they should reevaluate everything from top to bottom. They need to do more than just hope for better luck next year.

I get the sense that that's one of the lessons they feel they've learned; that they have to more closely monitor the progress of their minor leaguers. I think Terry Collins would be a good choice for that role. He would certainly approach it with energy.

This might also help explain the reports that Frank Viola isn't being considered as a replacement for Dan Warthen.