metirish

Where is Val?, he is after all the authority on nicknames.

Ike looks hungover, he got that right.

Just use the upside down lower p like you did last year...we are the Mets dammit .

Bob Melvin jumps out for me....

Why would you I wonder , anyway someone has Ranking the best MLB managers By Nick Cafardo | GLOBE STAFF FEBRUARY 16, 2014 Here�s our annual preseason ranking of managers. We discussed the attributes of all 30 major league managers with a number of baseball people, including managers, coaches, scouts, players, and front office executives, to formulate our rankings (first-time managers automatically appear at the bottom). 1. John Farrell, Red Sox � The World Series-winning manager doesn�t always get top billing, but there was universal sentiment that Farrell did a near-perfect job in his third year of major league managing and his first season with the Red Sox. Obviously, so much of managerial performance is related to talent. He had it, but Farrell pushed the right buttons. Communication skills and delegating to his coaches are big among his attributes. 2. Bob Melvin, Athletics � The former Red Sox catcher is gaining a tremendous reputation around the game. Already a two-time Manager of the Year, Melvin has taken what many thought was a pedestrian squad and turned it into a perennial contender. Great knowledge of pitching has enabled his young staff to flourish under him. Uses platoons and analytical data as well as any manager in the game. 3. Terry Francona, Indians � A Red Sox collapse in September 2011 and a year off from baseball haven�t made Francona dumber. In fact, he won American League Manager of the Year honors over Farrell for his outstanding work in leading a lower-payroll team into contention. His ability to relate to players is among the best in the game. He also relies on and trusts his lieutenants. Related Graphic: Notable MVPs from the Caribbean Series 4. Bruce Bochy, Giants � Always high on this list, Bochy, a two-time World Series champion, has vast experience. He�s considered one of the best in-game managers, gets the most out of his players, and really knows pitching. He manages firmly, but he�s a master motivator. His physical presence is undeniable. 5. Joe Maddon, Rays � He does the most with less. That�s the consensus about Maddon, who has proven over and over again that in any season he should be considered for Manager of the Year. Our panel feels his upbeat, irreverent, loosey-goosey style fits perfectly with the modern-day player. 6. Joe Girardi, Yankees � Amid all of the devastating injuries, Girardi kept the Yankees in contention last year until the final two weeks of the regular season. He was a magician at times, mixing and matching lineups and trying to keep his backup personnel sharp. He manages the New York limelight and the Bronx Zoo nicely. 7. Bud Black, Padres � He�s grown from the pitching coach who became a manager to one of the best managers in baseball. Farrell learned a lot from his old Indians teammate. The fact that Black was once a pitching coach is now moot. He�s considered a strong NL tactician. 8. Buck Showalter, Orioles � Showalter has one of the great managerial minds, always a step ahead in his thought process. He is respected throughout the game for the firm nature in which he takes control and the discipline he preaches to his team about playing the game hard every night. 9. Clint Hurdle, Pirates � With a style that resonates with players, he�s taken a situation that was once helpless and turned it into one of hope. Hurdle�s energetic demeanor has aided that process greatly, according those we talked to. 10. Mike Matheny, Cardinals � Matheny inherited a very good team from Tony La Russa two years ago, and he�s maintained that level of excellence. He acknowledges he�s had to learn on the job, but his decision-making has been very good and enhanced the Cardinals� position rather than diminished it. 11. Ron Washington, Rangers � Washington has been managing winning teams for a while now. There�s always been a rap on his in-game managing, but his motivational skills and ability to manage players on a daily basis serve him well. He�s also an excellent infield instructor. In the final year of his deal. 12. Mike Scioscia, Angels � Scioscia�s record has taken a hit in the last couple of years with an ever-changing team whose personnel no longer suits the aggressive, running style Scioscia was so good at, but he�s tried and true, with a championship on his r�sum�. Scioscia will not lose you any games. He�s well-respected by baseball people, who understand the Angels� recent struggles are not of his doing. 13. Terry Collins, Mets � Extremely underrated, according to our panel. Collins hasn�t had much to work with in New York, but has maintained a very upbeat approach to the Mets� rebuilding process that has resonated with his players. He was once a feisty type but has mellowed to adapt to the modern player. 14. Ned Yost, Royals � Management stuck with him through the tough times and Yost, with a ton of experience, is a stabilizing influence in the clubhouse. The Royals should be good for a while, and Yost is a solid choice to lead them. 15. Ron Gardenhire, Twins � A survivor, it was touch and go as to whether the Twins would go in a different direction to spearhead a transition to their tremendous positional prospects, but it appears Gardenhire, an old-school baseball lifer, will be the one to see that through. 16. Ron Roenicke, Brewers � It�s been up and down for Roenicke as the talent has fluctuated, and he�s had to deal with the Ryan Braun mess. Through it all, Roenicke has been able to maintain an even keel, a strong suit for any manager. 17. Fredi Gonzalez, Braves � After some bullpen management issues, Gonzalez has done a much better job managing his pen and communicating. Where there used to be doubts about Gonzalez�s methods there is now acceptance, and he�s been solid as the Braves have had some good years under him, minus the 2011 collapse. 18. Don Mattingly, Dodgers � He�s had a lot of growing pains, but now the game has slowed down for him in the dugout and Mattingly has developed his own style. He�s managing some big salaries and big egos but he was a Yankee, so he�s used to it. For that reason, he makes sense for the Dodgers. 19. Kirk Gibson, Diamondbacks � There were some rough edges that had to be smoothed out and that is still a work in progress, but Gibson now has the experience, as well as the toughness he had as a player, to get to the next level. 20. John Gibbons, Blue Jays � He had a .500 record in his first go-round with the Jays, and last season was a major disappointment. There�s a feeling Gibbons was too laid-back and he has vowed to be more assertive this season and hold his players accountable. 21. Walt Weiss, Rockies � Not many negatives, just needs better talent. 22. Mike Redmond, Marlins � First-year sentiments about him were very positive. Seems to relate to his young players. 23. Robin Ventura, White Sox � Tough job having to manage an ever-changing landscape. 24. Ryne Sandberg, Phillies � Always difficult to manage a transitioning team with older, broken players and a few newbies. 25. Lloyd McClendon, Mariners � A good man who deserved a second chance. 26. Bo Porter, Astros � Who can tell? 27. Bryan Price, Reds � The latest pitching coach-turned-manager. 28. Brad Ausmus, Tigers � All signs point to success. 29. Matt Williams, Nationals � After Davey Johnson, the younger Williams could motivate the players. 30. Rick Renteria, Cubs � Theo Epstein wanted a bilingual manager to get through to his growing Latin roster and tabbed Renteria.

No, thanks to you, this made for some great comments here and on your blog, and of course those two great posts linked above.

Christ he looks like Al Roker....massive coconut on newly trim body...he might fall over on his follow through.

Sports journalists are an especially embarrassing group when it comes to fawning over players , it is as if they try to outdo the other in tripe like this. Great breakdown Edgy

Ceetar wrote: Centerfield wrote: I'm wiling to meet them halfway. If Jeter dies this year, I'm ok to reduce the waiting period to 3 years. oh god no. Besides not wishing ill on people, can you imagine the ridiculous coverage? the Yankees would try to impose a 2 minute long moment of silence for every game and demand that #2 be cut into the outfield grass for every national game, including the playoffs. Yes , there is that, they would fly his body around the country like they did with Reagan, it would be insufferable....NBC would draft in Brokaw give us context....

Sad news, watched the Cone 19 SO game yesterday, Cashen was doing color with Ralph, great stuff. Fergosi was the Phillies manager.

Centerfield wrote: I'm wiling to meet them halfway. If Jeter dies this year, I'm ok to reduce the waiting period to 3 years. LOL....yipee ....

Mother of God, can we just name the HOF after Jeter , and change JKF airport to DJ2 international.....these fucking twats make me sick.....

Does he speak english?, I don't think so, not to do a presser anyway.....he's only lived here for twenty years so....

I do remember Franco being mentioned as a Jeff Wilpon fave along with Floyd for the radio gig. I think it was a Megdal article so....... Can't find that online though

On SNY right now managing the Phillies in the Cone 19 SO game......

Thank fucking whoever that I don't watch AL baseball and I don't buy the NY rags anymore....hoping to avoid the tour......

God Bless America.

I like it, he was good not too long ago right? Astros/Tigers.

Agree with above from MM and Wolf , loved this movie....but Christ I loved Lego Batman , I actually thought it was Michael Keaton hamming it up and was a bit disappointed when I checked that it wasn't...Will Arnett was just great. I loved the ending, no spoilers here, but loved the symbolism.....I also loved how it spoke to the whole NSA type of times we live in ...this is not just a movie for kids but has plenty of stuff in here for adults to ponder. A great movie.....

To add to above post Great news Neil Best Not official yet but barring shocking developments WOR should announce by end of week Howie Rose and Josh Lewin will be back in Mets booth.

batmagadanleadoff wrote: I remember that. In fact, the outfield wall was never quite the same. Even after the fence was repaired, you could notice slight irregularities at the top of the fence that didn't exist before the bombing. the bombing....lol... great find Willets

A nice piece on Kiner from the Baseball prospectus: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22766 I enjoyed that, thanks.

Nice Mike Vaccaro ?@MikeVacc I've spent 1,500 nights on the road in my career. The single greatest: 4 hours w/ Ralph Kiner @ Lefty O'Doul's in San Francisco. Godspeed.

Gutted.... RIP Ralph. Loved his book ...

Active on twatter and instagram with Kourtney_with_a_K ......always struck as a guy that is very grateful for his lot in life....