Edgy MD

d'Kong76 wrote: How many letters are there in this managerial alphabet? Ten. It's like Hawaiian.

They practically have their own country.

So much Yankee down-ness. Who will replace Girardi?

Really? Chip Hale seemed to be teed up there.

I'm not sure why he should be moved to a position that requires more range, but sure. My thought, is that between him, Rivera, whatever Wright provides, Cecchini, and Evans, third base is not the weakness it's portrayed as. If I'm looking to add a full-time offensive player, my first priority is a leadoff-hitting second baseman. But obviously second and third are pretty interchangeable, with a lot of overlapping skills. We'll see.

Heading to the Korean place for lunch, you begin filling your tray, and your eyes catch a see-through version of your reflection in the sneeze guard. This tells you two things. One: You are still Sandy Alderson. Two: You haven't been as transparent in your search process as you could be. Mets insiders! That's all you've called! Well, isn't it the same old Mets insiders that have gotten us in this predicament?! You get back to your office, wondering briefly why we have such faith in the scales at these luncheon-by-the-pound places. Does the Department of Consumer Protection check on that sort of thing periodically? And aren't some of these dishes a little watered down? "I don't want to pay for water weight," you think. "That's like signing K-Rod all over again." But transparency! Transparency was the thought on your mind. Involve interested outsiders! So you call Greg Prince. He picks up on the first ring, God bless him. He's in the middle of writing 8,000 words on Ray Ramirez, so he can appreciate where you are right now — you know, existentially." "Greg," you say, "I need a manager." "I can appreciate where you are," he responds. "The Wilpons say I need a guy with MLB experience." "The Wilpons and the KATZ," he corrects you. "The Wilpons and the Katz," you agree. "HEY! How do you know who ... ?" "I have sources. I can't name names," he retorts. "So we're looking for a manager?" he sums up. "With experience," you remind him. "Everyone whose ever been hired has been fired, Sandy." Greg doesn't play around. "Yeah, I know," you admit. "Do you have the names that we're already bandying around?" "I have sources," he repeats "Good. Can you have them by ... Holy shit, they're right here on my desk." They weren't there before you went to get your lunch. You're so stunned that you get soy sauce all over the list. Total Oscar Madison move. "I've been thinking, Sandy," Greg says, dead serious-like. "I think about the Mets." "I know you do, Greg ...." you mumble, your thoughts starting to drift away from the conversation and back toward the task before you. You stare at his list. The now-brownish list, dangerously high in sodium content. Which four guys get called in for an interview? MgrAgeTeam(s)YrsFromToWLW-L%TiesG > .500GW PostL PostW-L% PostBest FinWrst FinAv RkPlyof AppWS wonPenn WonASGMets Connection[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/2/2500208c_manager.jpg[/fimg]Walt Weiss54COL420132016283365.4370-8264800354.30000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/4/4985b709_manager.jpg[/fimg]Matt Williams52WAS220142015179145.55203432413.250121.51000Originally drafted by the Mets in 1983, but didn't sign.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/7f7f269f_manager.jpg[/fimg]Manny Acta49WAS, CLE620072012372518.4180-14689000254.10000Third base coach, infield coach 2005-2006.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/ecd1956b_davis.jpg[/fimg]Don Cooper62CHW12011201111.50000200333.00000New York native, Queens-reared.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/ee398aa0_davis.jpg[/fimg]Ken Macha67OAK, MIL620032010525447.54007897257.417132.02000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/9/9bcd3c96_manager.jpg[/fimg]Dave Miley55CIN320032005125164.4330-3928900464.70000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/1/183be2f2_davis.jpg[/fimg]Don Wakamatsu55SEA220092010127147.4640-2027400343.40000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/8/8bb5c5b7_manager.jpg[/fimg]Carlos Tosca64TOR320022004191191.5000038200353.60000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/a/a3356252_davis.jpg[/fimg]Luis Pujols62DET12002200255100.3550-4515500555.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/1/1c4baf33_davis.jpg[/fimg]Tony Perez75CIN, FLA2199320017484.4680-1015800454.30000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/c/cee2ca65_davis.jpg[/fimg]Tom Lasorda90LAD211976199615991439.526216030403130.508162.57244Played for Brooklyn once upon a time; mentored future Mets manager Bobby Valentine.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/c/cea9aa47_manager.jpg[/fimg]Tom Trebelhorn70MIL, CHC719861994471461.50501093200364.30000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/7fa1e87d_davis.jpg[/fimg]Joe Morgan87BOS419881991301262.53503956308.000132.22000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/a/aa537ee8_manager.jpg[/fimg]John Hart69CLE119891989811.4210-31900666.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/1/1245e7ca_manager.jpg[/fimg]Jim Frey86KCR, CHC519801986323287.53013661177.500152.52011Mets hitting coach, 1982-1983. Consistently praised by Darryl Strawberry for his mentoring work.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/0/0a3985c3_davis.jpg[/fimg]Bill Virdon86PIT, NYY, HOU, MON1319721984995921.519274191869.400162.93000Mets minor leaguer for five games, 1966; managed Yankees during their one year at Shea in 1975.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/d/da3e74f9_davis.jpg[/fimg]Norm Sherry86CAL2197619777671.5170514700454.60000Born in New York; former minor league Brooklyn Dodger; Mets player, 1963.

Ceetar wrote: .307! that's bad! So is cherrypicking.

Point of clarification: Those ages are the ages they will be on opening day 2018.

.271 / .307 / .488 // .795 Wilmer Flores.

Centerfield wrote: I have no idea how a candidate views the Mets job, but where are we getting this idea that ownership is determined to cut payroll? Bill Madden never struck me as a guy who makes a lot of calls to muster the facts to back up his notions.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Bobby Valentine endorses two candidates: Joe McEwing and Robin Ventura. Hasn't Bobby previously said that Ventura would have been the last player from his Mets teams that he considered future-manager material?

You grab the phone by the side of your bed and the voice at the other end says, "Good morning, Sandy." You shake loose the cobwebs and realize that, amazingly, you're still Sandy Alderson. And being the general manager of a team on the rocks has led to some late nights recently. Stuck with a mandate to choose an experienced MLB manager, and not fully satisfied with the options presented thus far, you call the guy you really didn't want to call. You haven't spoken to Ira Levin, your director of player development, since that moment when Dominic Smith tossed the ball to a stationary pitcher on a play that already had the secondbaseman covering first. Why, hadn't Ira assured you Smith was a fundamentally complete player? Ready for prime time. DePodesta he is NOT. So you did what any tyrant would do. You didn't fire him. You kept him around to be a lightning rod for criticism, to make him miserable. To torment and humiliate to keep everybody else on their toes. Not really. You're not a dick. But you did freeze him out a little bit until late last night, when you gave him the call everybody in the organization is starting to worry they're gonna get. "Ira? Sandy. Sorry to call so late ... " "You need 17 big league managers." "You've been talking to J.P." "Terry, actually. Whoo, boy, you gave that guy a red ass." "It doesn't take a lot to get him there, if you know what I mean. How soon can you ..." "I'll have it first thing in the morning. I'm just cross-checking my names with Terry's. And Terry's kinda blasted, and his handwriting sucks, and his lists are kind of soaked in beer. And they smell like eggs." "How about that Ira?" you think. "Maybe he's got the answer." Maybe, indeed. But now it's first thing in the morning, and this is the list you've got. Which of these four guys gets called in for an interview? MgrAgeTeam(s)YrsFromToWLW-L%TiesG > .500GW PostL PostW-L% PostBest FinWrst FinAv RkPlyof AppWS wonPenn WonASGMets Connection[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/b/b469ea62_manager.jpg[/fimg]Robin Ventura50CHW520122016375435.4630-6081000253.80000Player, 1999-2001.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/9/94b11259_davis.jpg[/fimg]Tim Bogar51TEX120142014148.636062200555.00000Mets minor leaguer, 1987-1996, Mets player, 1993-1996.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/ea5285a9_davis.jpg[/fimg]Eric Wedge50CLE, SEA1020032013774846.4780-72162065.545143.31000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/d/dab27ce9_davis.jpg[/fimg]Bob Geren56OAK520072011334376.4700-4271000243.10000Bench coach, 2012, 2015; I think he also had an older brother who played for the Mets in the minors[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/5/53884672_manager.jpg[/fimg]Trey Hillman55KCR320082010152207.4230-5535900454.10000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/d/dbc2cbf3_davis.jpg[/fimg]Dave Clark55HOU12009200949.3080-51300555.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/e0629b8b_davis.jpg[/fimg]Lee Mazzilli63BAL220042005129140.4800-1126900343.40000Mets minor leaguer, 1974-1976; Mets player, 1976-1981, 1986-1989; Mets broadcaster, 2007-2008; son plays in Mets' minor league system, 2013-present.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/f/faa1186a_davis.jpg[/fimg]Gary Varsho56PIT12004200411.50000200222.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/e5b7dcd5_davis.jpg[/fimg]Tony Muser70KCR619972002317431.4240-11474800354.10000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/2/2e2bdf27_davis.jpg[/fimg]Larry Rothschild64TBR419982001205294.4110-8949900555.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/7c402f6d_davis.jpg[/fimg]Marcel Lachemann76CAL319941996161170.4860-933100243.10000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/f/feb39a5f_davis.jpg[/fimg]Roger Craig88SDP, SFG1019781992738737.50001147579.438163.42011Brooklyn Dodger, 1955-57; original Met, 1962-63; threw first pitch in Mets history; coached ex-Met Mike Scott and made a monster of him.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/0/0cc86f60_manager.jpg[/fimg]Stump Merrill74NYY219901991120155.4360-3527500575.80000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/8/8b4688c4_davis.jpg[/fimg]Tommy Helms76CIN2198819892836.4380-86400253.70000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/1/18c57e34_davis.jpg[/fimg]Mike Ferraro73CLE, KCR2198319867698.4370-2217400375.30000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/789d55a7_davis.jpg[/fimg]Frank Howard81SDP, NYM21981198393133.4120-4022600666.00000Mets third base coach, 1982; Mets third base coach, 1983-84, 1994-96; Mets interim manager, 1983.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/2/2a67dfbc_davis.jpg[/fimg]Alex Grammas92PIT, MIL319691977137191.4180-5432800366.00000

Ashie62 wrote: I am beginning to wonder if David is in his right mind. There's no indication that he isn't.

Lefty Specialist wrote: So basically we're putting every living manager from the last 10 to 30 years into a pile and picking one out? Every living manager from forever. And picking four out from each group.

He may be a cyborg but he's our cyborg.

Hal McRae is the first guy I wanted. Nobody takes Hal McRae for a fool. Not anymore, anyhow. [youtube:3qf5skjk]kamDqL-AGzI[/youtube:3qf5skjk]

Tom Lawless is the bomb. First of all, his name is Tom Lawless. Second of all, if I'm remembering correctly, the Cardinals carried him virtually the whole season in 1987, but he didn't record a single hit until September. SEPTEMBER! His final batting average on the season was .080. Two-for-25. But then, following a post-season injury to Terry Pendleton, the guy hits a homer in the World Series for Whitey Herzog. Tom Lawless. That's a guy who'll reward your faith.

Garcia sort of turned the Indians around at a time when the American League East was loaded. Yes, Ozzie blew it on Chuck Cottier. He was part of Joe Torre's staff, 1979-1981.

It's mid-day, you take a bathroom break, wash your hands afterwards (because you're not a barbarian), and in the mirror, you're just a little bit surprised to find out that you're still Sandy Alderson. Your minor surprise turns a few moments later to stress when you realize you still have a mandate to find a manager. And not just any manager, but one with big league experience. "Who," you ask yourself, "has been around the baseball world, and knows a lot of folks? National League folks. American League folks. The Caribbean, Japan, and the mysteries of the independent minors." You snap your fingers. "OZZIE!" Mets special catching instructor Ozzie Virgil, Sr. has been a part of a lot of organizations. He's Dominican-born, Bronx-educated, a fellow marine, and older than the rain. He knows everybody." It takes a while to find his number in your rolodex, but he picks right up. "SANDY!" he yells. This is a little offputting, to find out Ozzie is using a phone that identifies the caller. "Sometimes, old guys can adapt to new devices," you note. "Ozzie, I've got a job for you." "Listen," he answers, "d'Arnaud is trying, but he'll never be Johnny Bench. If our pitchers didn't ignore every baserunner on earth he might have a fighting chance." "It's not about that, Oz," you say. "I need some managers." "Davy Lopes, Mike Scoscia, Bo Porter ..." he starts sputtering. "I got those guys, and let's face it, Scoscia is never going to be available. I need a list of 17 guys that have big league experience, but are currently available." "Guys that you don't already have?" he reminds you. "Yeah, I'll fax over the list of guys we've already considered. You give me 17 others." "FAX!" he snorts. "Sandy, we're living in the future. You need to get yourself a Nokia." "Just get me some guys, Oz. And try not to fill the lists with stiffs." "Sure thing, Boss. And we''ll have Nido framing pitchers like Picasso by springtime." So you hang up, and an hour later, Jay Horwitz comes into your office to show you a text he got from Ozzie. Seventeen guys on his phone. You bite your lip and go to work. Which four guys get a call? MgrAgeTeam(s)YrsFromToWLW-L%TiesG > .500GW PostL PostW-L% PostBest FinWrst FinAv RkPlyof AppWS wonPenn WonASGMets Connection[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/3/37b017b6_davis.jpg[/fimg]Chip Hale53ARI220152016148176.4570-2832400343.50000Mets third base coach, 2009-2010; interviewed to be manager in 2010-2011 offseason.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/ee76d10c_manager.jpg[/fimg]Ron Gardenhire60MIN132002201410681039.5070292107621.222152.56000Mets minor leaguer, 1979-1986, Mets player, 1981-1985.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/5/598ac800_davis.jpg[/fimg]Dale Sveum54MIL, CHC320082013134202.3990-6833613.250254.91000Cousin of John Olerud[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/f/f029df06_manager.jpg[/fimg]Brandon Hyde44FLA12011201101.0000-1100555.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/9/946b8db1_davis.jpg[/fimg]Cito Gaston74TOR1219892010894837.51605717311816.529152.94222[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/705fecb9_davis.jpg[/fimg]Cecil Cooper68HOU320072009171170.5010134100343.50000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/c/c3ac5482_davis.jpg[/fimg]Frank Robinson82CLE, SFG, BAL, MON, WAS161975200610651176.4750-111224100274.40000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/3/34aac5ec_davis.jpg[/fimg]Jimy Williams74TOR, BOS, HOU1219862004910790.5351120170159.357152.62000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/0/0f65fbd5_davis.jpg[/fimg]John Mizerock57KCR12002200258.3850-31300444.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/a/aa2d572f_davis.jpg[/fimg]Gene Lamont71CHW, PIT819922000553562.4961-9111624.333163.11000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/7/788e81d0_manager.jpg[/fimg]Kevin Kennedy63TEX, BOS419931996309273.53103658203.000131.81000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/2/27c289d1_davis.jpg[/fimg]Toby Harrah69TEX1199219923244.4210-127600444.00000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/e1436f5e_manager.jpg[/fimg]Nick Leyva64PHA319891991148189.4391-4133800364.90000Managed three games for Kingsport, 2008.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/4/4389cb58_davis.jpg[/fimg]Lee Elia80CHC, PHA419821988238300.4421-6253900465.10000[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/d/d5b67f3b_davis.jpg[/fimg]Chuck Cottier82SEA31984198698119.4520-2121700576.00000Mets third-base coach, 1979-1981.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/3/347bd77e_manager.jpg[/fimg]Dave Garcia97CAL, CLE619771982307311.4970-461800275.70000Played minor league ball for the New York Giants.[fimg=90]https://d3k2oh6evki4b7.cloudfront.net/req/201709071/images/headshots/e/e2afb910_manager.jpg[/fimg]Bobby Winkles88CAL, OAK419731978170213.4441-4338400475.40000

Sorry, couldn't find it. What I remember about Cain mostly is that his debut against the Mets was so impressive that Keith Hernandez got up between innings to go over to the Giants booth and ask them, "What's the deal on this guy?" Keith is willing to do the homework, but he needs to be motivated by the subject matter.

Say farewell to Joba Chamberlain, retiring to spend more time with his kids (hopefully not on trampolines) or become an intergalactic gangster based on Tatooine, whichever comes first. [fimg=550]https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/jc.jpg[/fimg]

Edgy MD wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: How do you talk about loyalty, Edge, and pass over Davey F. Johnson? I won't. I had him first. Maybe you thought I meant Tim Johnson, whose main claim to fame was getting caught using fake stories of Vietnam combat to rally his Blue Jays players. I hate to see the downfall of bullshitters, but man.

Weird tenure in Florida where he brought in his son, who had been wrestling professionally in a secondary circuit, to join the training staff.

Tip of the hat also to whoever gave Terry his lone vote.

Fun factor is meaningful. Four guys, gents.