Wally Who?
Monday came, bringing Willie Randolph's long awaited interview with it today. Randolph apparently feels good about how it went, which may mean this managerial race is all but over.
Omar Minaya however feels differently: Minaya said that he may have one more candidate to interview after Riggleman but that he's "pretty much gotten to the end of the line" in the process. And if someone has emerged as a favorite, Minaya said, he'd probably keep that fact to himself even though there seems to be a groundswell of support for Randolph in the media and among the Mets' fan base.
"A decision has not been made," said Minaya. "It's important that you know that. The process is still ongoing."
One more mystery candidate apparently will be added to a less than inspiring list of names being listed for Mets manager. Who could it be? Possibly a Joe Maddon or a Bob Melvin. Who should it be? Wally Backman.
I have no problem with a first-time manager, and would be perfectly happy with a Willie Randolph or a Rudy Jaramillo as the Mets skipper. I would mind a Tosca or Riggleman, but that's besides the point as they won't be getting the job anyways. What I do have a bit of a problem with is that Wally Backman is a Met. He was drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1977. He spent nine years on the big league team. He was a key component of the '86 World Series team, the last Mets series win that mattered. He was a hardnosed player and well known for always hustling and doing the little things to help his team win, which made him a fan favorite and a clubhouse favorite as well.
Oh yeah, and he's got something Randolph doesn't as well: He's been named the Sporting News minor league Manager of the Year. Twice. As if that weren't enough, he's also got the Best Managerial Prospect from Baseball America under his belt.
A former Met, who's paid his dues in the minor leagues. New York experience, as well as success. This would also be his first major league managerial job, something Omar Minaya is rumored to want from the manager he chooses.
And this will be the second time he's been passed over for the managerial opening for the ballclub that brought him into baseball, never even being granted an interview.
Am I missing something here?
Hopefully Omar isn't.
Omar Minaya however feels differently: Minaya said that he may have one more candidate to interview after Riggleman but that he's "pretty much gotten to the end of the line" in the process. And if someone has emerged as a favorite, Minaya said, he'd probably keep that fact to himself even though there seems to be a groundswell of support for Randolph in the media and among the Mets' fan base.
"A decision has not been made," said Minaya. "It's important that you know that. The process is still ongoing."
One more mystery candidate apparently will be added to a less than inspiring list of names being listed for Mets manager. Who could it be? Possibly a Joe Maddon or a Bob Melvin. Who should it be? Wally Backman.
I have no problem with a first-time manager, and would be perfectly happy with a Willie Randolph or a Rudy Jaramillo as the Mets skipper. I would mind a Tosca or Riggleman, but that's besides the point as they won't be getting the job anyways. What I do have a bit of a problem with is that Wally Backman is a Met. He was drafted by the Mets in the first round in 1977. He spent nine years on the big league team. He was a key component of the '86 World Series team, the last Mets series win that mattered. He was a hardnosed player and well known for always hustling and doing the little things to help his team win, which made him a fan favorite and a clubhouse favorite as well.
Oh yeah, and he's got something Randolph doesn't as well: He's been named the Sporting News minor league Manager of the Year. Twice. As if that weren't enough, he's also got the Best Managerial Prospect from Baseball America under his belt.
A former Met, who's paid his dues in the minor leagues. New York experience, as well as success. This would also be his first major league managerial job, something Omar Minaya is rumored to want from the manager he chooses.
And this will be the second time he's been passed over for the managerial opening for the ballclub that brought him into baseball, never even being granted an interview.
Am I missing something here?
Hopefully Omar isn't.
posted by a2d @ 8:29 PM
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