Mets baseball blog

Jerry: Selfishness won't be tolerated

Jerry Manuel is vowing to change the Mets ' selfish, stat-first ways. Manuel made that clear yesterday after the Mets formally lifted his tag as interim manager with a two-year contract that includes a club option for 2011. Speaking to reporters in an afternoon conference call, Manuel repeatedly emphasized he will preach a totally different mindset than the Mets are used to when spring training rolls around.

"What we have to establish for me with this team is that the game takes priority over the individual," Manuel said.Manuel, who was 55-38 after taking over for the fired Willie Randolph on June 17, said too many of the team's core players emphasized their own statistics rather than making simpler, more fundamental plays. Continue

Mets make Jerry Manuel first manager at Citi Field with two-year deal

A self-professed "gangsta" will occupy the home dugout at Citi Field next season. Jerry Manuel agreed Friday to a two-year contract with a team option for 2011 to serve as Mets manager after a week of tougher-than-expected negotiations with team officials. The agreement came one day after the announcement of GM Omar Minaya's three-year extension, through 2012. Manuel, 54, led the Mets to a 55-38 record after taking over for Willie Randolph on June 17. Continue

Manuel's job likely is safe

All indications last night were the Mets intend to keep Jerry Manuel as their manager. According to a baseball executive briefed on the issue, it's just a matter of the Mets working out the details with Manuel and announcing a deal. "Nothing has been finalized, but it's looking real good for [Manuel]," the executive said after the Mets' season concluded with a 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

An SI.com report last night reported that team COO Jeff Wilpon already has made up his mind to retain Manuel, who assumed the reins following Willie Randolph's firing in June. The Mets went 55-38 under Manuel after starting 34-35 under Randolph. Continue

Jerry mum on Aaron

If Jerry Manuel had to put together the Mets' playoff roster today, he said hapless reliever Aaron Heilman would "probably" be on it. That by the Mets' interim manager claim appears dubious considering how poorly Heilman continues to pitch and how reluctant Manuel has been in using him lately. Heilman made his first appearance in a week Wednesday and was dreadful, giving up a double and single to the only two hitters he faced in the eighth inning of an eventual 9-7 win over the Nationals. Continue

Manuel shows little faith in 'pen

Something vital happened in the top of the eighth inning of yesterday's double header opener. This happened when the soundtrack of Shea was still cheers and chants of "M-V-P." Here is what happened: Johan Santana went back to the mound.

Here is why it is important: Santana already had thrown 107 pitches. He had not produced a single 1-2-3 frame through seven innings, so those 107 pitchers were particularly arduous. He had to work diligently and craftily to hold Atlanta to 1-for-17 with runners on base to keep the Braves scoreless. Continue

Manuel gives Beltran 'Second' chance

A slump by Carlos Beltran that has dragged on for most of the season prompted dramatic action by Jerry Manuel yesterday. After taking away Beltran's role as the cleanup hitter last month, Manuel moved the veteran slugger to the No. 2 spot in the lineup for the first time since June of last season.

It's a switch Manuel said could last a while. "I've got to do what I can to get Carlos going," Manuel said of his center fielder, who is hitting .265 after a 1-for-4 showing last night in a 5-4 loss in 10 innings. "I need that bat." Continue

Manuel likes his team just the way it is

The Mets appear unlikely to make a move by this afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline, and that would be just fine with Jerry Manuel.

Though Manuel wouldn't mind an eighth-inning arm in the bullpen or another corner outfielder, the Amazin's interim boss said yesterday he likes the group he has and expects it to get stronger with Ryan Church's anticipated return. "I feel very comfortable with the team," Manuel said. "They've played extremely well to this point. There's no reason why we shouldn't continue to play well."  Continue

Manuel moves make you scratch your head

The honeymoon lasted all of 16 games - eight of them wins, eight of them losses. That was Jerry Manuel's New York internship, his apprenticeship, his postgraduate fellowship. Sixteen games worth of quips and pithy observations and chattering about philosophy.

Now, the new has worn off. The tension that strangled the Mets New York Mets in the dying days of the Randolph Administration has loosened. What we have left, for the duration, is studying the whys and wherefores of Manuel. He is a manager now, not a novelty. And in game No. 17, he left us wondering if Plato or Nietzsche - or even Howe or Torborg - would have understood what he was doing. Continue

Jerry Manuel knows Subway Series is key for Mets to go in right direction

Could the Mets' final trip to this Yankee Stadium - barring an October Subway Series - jump-start their season? David Wright hopes so, as the Mets embark on a stretch with consecutive four-game series against the Yankees, then at NL wild-card leader St. Louis and NL East leader Philadelphia.

"We're fortunate to have played as mediocre as we have and still be this close to the top," Wright said before the Mets crept within 3-1/2 games of the reeling Phillies. "I guess it's a blessing in a way, but we can really solidify ourselves as a playoff contender over these next couple of weeks." Continue

Umpire Runge apologizes to Manuel

Umpire Brian Runge apologized to Jerry Manuel yesterday, one day after he bumped and ejected the manager. Manuel said Runge apologized when he brought out the lineup card at the beginning of the game.

"He had spoken to his father [Paul Runge, a former MLB ump], who actually is a good friend of mine," Manual said after last night's 8-2 victory over the Mariners. "And he felt very bad about the whole incident. I accepted [the apology]. No problem." Continue