From Olney: "Everybody is scared to death about this."

Gregory Gewirtz · 06-17-2008, 04:33 PM

Sorry to recopy a particular question from the central "Willie's Gone" thread into a brand new thread, but anway, I'm really curious about this aspect of the situation...

ESPN - Buster Olney Blog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Olney

When the Mets finished a road trip with a loss in Colorado on May 25 and had a record of 23-25, the front office already had talked and talked for hours about managerial alternatives, and unenthusiastically decided that Jerry Manuel was likely to be Randolph's replacement. "Everybody is scared to death about this," said one front-office member at the time.

Scared to death of Manuel managing the Mets or scared to death of any backlash from firing Willie?

Anyway, how was Manuel the only candidate?? Idiots. Not only does that show a lack of imagination in-season, but also a lack of preparation from last season, as Omar or someone should have made sure that a reasonable manager-in-wait would be part of the coaching staff, and if they didn't feel that Manuel was the guy, they should have found another one. There's enough basically-harmless former managers floating around that they could have put one at first base in place of Tom Nieto if they could foresee that Willie could be canned in-season.

Matt · 06-17-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregory Gewirtz

Sorry to recopy a particular question from the central "Willie's Gone" thread into a brand new thread, but anway, I'm really curious about this aspect of the situation...

ESPN - Buster Olney Blog

Scared to death of Manuel managing the Mets or scared to death of any backlash from firing Willie?

Anyway, how was Manuel the only candidate?? Idiots. Not only does that show a lack of imagination in-season, but also a lack of preparation from last season, as Omar or someone should have made sure that a reasonable manager-in-wait would be part of the coaching staff, and if they didn't feel that Manuel was the guy, they should have found another one. There's enough basically-harmless former managers floating around that they could have put one at first base in place of Tom Nieto if they could foresee that Willie could be canned in-season.

The Wilpons should've been on the phone with Bobby V WHILE Omar was on his way to CA to fire Willie...

RkFast · 06-17-2008, 04:39 PM

Id really like to know how often a team brings in a complete OUTsider to replace a manager fired midseason.

Id bet its virtually NEVER.

Matt · 06-17-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RkFast

Id really like to know how often a team brings in a complete OUTsider to replace a manager fired midseason.

Id bet its virtually NEVER.

See Marlins, Florida (2003)

mets84 · 06-17-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RkFast

Id really like to know how often a team brings in a complete OUTsider to replace a manager fired midseason.

Id bet its virtually NEVER.

Phil Garner?

MetfanBren · 06-17-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

See Marlins, Florida (2003)

McKeon wasn't a part of the organization? I wouldn't have thought so either, but then again I wouldn't have thought he was part of it now until I saw him at the draft representing the Marlins either. Lots of people do "consulting," and other BS. Fregosi was mentioned as an interim Willie replacement, but he's currently employed by the Braves in some unknown fashion...

Gregory Gewirtz · 06-17-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RkFast

Id really like to know how often a team brings in a complete OUTsider to replace a manager fired midseason.

Id bet its virtually NEVER.

I agree it's rare, but that's because I think most teams plan managerial succession more than the Mets did. Most teams have an obvious coach in line to take over if needed, especially if their manager is on thin ice. Omar or someone should have brought someone into the coaching staff over the winter who would be more highly regarded among Mets brass than Jerry Manuel. It was far from unthinkable that Willie would be sent packing mid-season. There was no planning here. Again.

Anyway, among outsiders who have been brought in to manage in-season:

Bobby Valentine in 1996. I think a AAA manager should count as an outsider since he doesn't deal with the players on the major league roster.

Jack McKeon with the Marlins a few years ago.

NeilAllen · 06-17-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregory Gewirtz

"When the Mets finished a road trip with a loss in Colorado on May 25 and had a record of 23-25, the front office already had talked and talked for hours about managerial alternatives, and unenthusiastically decided that Jerry Manuel was likely to be Randolph's replacement. 'Everybody is scared to death about this,' said one front-office member at the time."

These clowns are a piece of work. Nothing like stabbing one guy in the back through leaks and anonymous quotes in the press and then doing the same to neuter his replacement before he's even introduced. God, what a pack of weasels.

Again I ask, does any of these guys actually give a crap about the team?

MetfanBren · 06-17-2008, 04:54 PM

It should have been Oberkfell, but if Omar wants to keep going with another guy he's tied to it's his funeral. I don't imagine Manuel turning it around too much, as he represents nothing new. Oberkfell would have represented real change, and probably could have saved Omar's job if he came in and won. Looks like an opportunity to put this on Willie could be waisted...

Masters of Superiority · 06-17-2008, 04:57 PM

Are we sure "everyone is scared to death about this" isn't referring to the front office being scared about the actual firing of Willie and the coaches? Like, they were nervous about letting these guys go, and how it would be perceived?

Gregory Gewirtz · 06-17-2008, 04:58 PM

I suppose that it's at least possible that Manuel is really an interim manager until someone else they all have in mind can be had. I'm not trying to imply Valentine, but maybe there's someone else out there whose name will surface. I hope they have something else in mind if it becomes clear that Manuel is not the guy on his own merits and/or because he's too tied to Willie.

It's not too late for a July 10th wholesale firing of everyone from Omar on down, excluding Oberkfell, Warthen, and Agauyo.

Busyman · 06-17-2008, 05:01 PM

Olney's become quite popular here today.

Sports Doctor · 06-17-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

The Wilpons should've been on the phone with Bobby V WHILE Omar was on his way to CA to fire Willie...

Why not just rehire Willie while your at it

Matt · 06-17-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sports Doctor

Why not just rehire Willie while your at it

Yeah, because it's 100% logical to make that connection...

Gregory Gewirtz · 06-17-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sports Doctor

Why not just rehire Willie while your at it

The Mets just might be incompetent enough to bring back Willie.

I wonder what Art Howe's up to.

06-17-2008, 04:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
RkFast Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,137	Id really like to know how often a team brings in a complete OUTsider to replace a manager fired midseason. Id bet its virtually NEVER. __________________ "The only long term solution to avoiding war is being stronger than your enemies AND showing the resolve to use that strength." --Mule

06-17-2008, 04:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Masters of Superiority Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,493	Are we sure "everyone is scared to death about this" isn't referring to the front office being scared about the actual firing of Willie and the coaches? Like, they were nervous about letting these guys go, and how it would be perceived? __________________ __________________________________ "Here's the pitch, slow and straight... All I have to do is swing and I'm a hero... But I'm a zero..." -- Weezer, "Perfect Situation"... and the 2008 Mets

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06-17-2008, 04:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
MetfanBren Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pearl River, NY Posts: 3,630	It should have been Oberkfell, but if Omar wants to keep going with another guy he's tied to it's his funeral. I don't imagine Manuel turning it around too much, as he represents nothing new. Oberkfell would have represented real change, and probably could have saved Omar's job if he came in and won. Looks like an opportunity to put this on Willie could be waisted...

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