Knuckle Curve » willie randolph

Billy Wagner Injury Update – Shoulder MRI

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:49:07 +0000

Billy Wagner, the never quiet closer on the New York Mets, is having an MRI on his shoulder after experiencing tightness. Wagner is optimistic that he won’t have to miss much game action.

Wagner has seen his name in lights a lot this season. First he got into a little bit of trouble for calling Oliver Perez a “wall”. He then got upset with teammates for not talking to the media enough.

On the field, Wagner has been very good. He represented the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game and currently has a 2.20 ERA to go along with 23 saves. The 37-year-old reliever is still going strong.

If Wagner misses any games, expect Duaner Sanchez to close games for the Mets.

What will Billy Wagner say next?

Photo: Newscom

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Oliver Perez Trade Rumors and Destinations

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:57:42 +0000

Oliver Perez, a starting pitcher for the New York Mets, is reportedly close to being dangled by Mets management. Perez has allowed nine earned runs in his last two starts and could soon lose his spot in the rotation.

The good news for the Mets is that Perez should be quite easy to trade. Despite his struggles this season, he’s only 26-years-old and he has a reasonable contract. Last year he was 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.

A team that is willing to trade for Perez will have to overlook his current stats. With a 5-5 record and a 5.29 ERA, Perez isn’t exactly helping the volatile situation in New York.

The Mets have had to deal with Willie Randolph getting fired and numerous other incidents, such as Billy Wagner calling out Oliver Perez earlier in the season. During that drama, Wagner called Oliver Perez a “wall”.

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Do The Mets Have A Shot Under Jerry Manuel?

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:57:23 +0000

The New York Mets now have Jerry Manuel as their new manager. Manuel is an experience coach, but will he do a better job than the departed Willie Randolph?

I think either the Mets are going to get a lot better quickly or they are going to start circling the drain. Firing Randolph was a jolt but it wasn’t the answer. The Mets are regarded as one of the best teams in baseball but their talent is somewhat overrated. Manuel is a solid coach but he’s not a miracle worker.

If I had to guess, I’d say there’d be a good short term success. But as the season goes on, the Mets will begin to fade and they’ll fall deep out of the postseason picture. Omar Minaya, who held a press conference today, would be the next to go if the Mets fail.

Here are a few more opinions on the fate of new Mets coach Jerry Manuel:

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Why Did The Mets Fire Willie Randolph? Video

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:50:05 +0000

The New York Mets fired Willie Randolph in the middle of the night. The team was on a two-game winning streak. The playoffs were still in sight. So why did the Mets fire their manager?

Watch this Omar Minaya video to see the general manager’s reasoning for firing Randolph. It sounds like it basically came down to Randolph was no longer wanted and the team decided to make a move now rather than later.

It makes sense, especially if management had given up on Randolph. A two-game winning streak isn’t as impressive as a seven or eight game winning streak. At that point, it would have been much more difficult to fire Randolph — even if the team thought it was the right move.

Here is the Minaya video:

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New York Mets Fire Willie Randolph

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:47:43 +0000

A few hours ago, in the middle of the night, the New York Mets fired manager Willie Randolph. Jerry Manuel will take over as coach on an interim basis. Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were also let go by the Mets.

On Monday night, the Mets beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-6. Approximately two hours later, the Mets organization issued a press release to announce the managerial change.

It’s odd time for the Mets, especially considering the team had won two consecutive game. At 34-35, Randolph and the Mets were still in the playoff picture. New York obviously hopes the coaching shakeup will help the playoffs become more of a reality.

Willie Randolph Fired

Photo: Newscom

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Texas Rangers Slip N Slide Fun – Rain Delay Video

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:07:53 +0000

Check out this funny video Texas Rangers players having a little fun on the ol’ slip ‘n slide. The Rangers, who were waiting out a rain delay in New York against the Mets, put on a show for the Mets crowd.

The most hilarious part of the video is the “Let’s Go Rangers!” chant started by the New York not-so-faithful. With the Mets struggling and manager Willie Randolph on the hot seat, this may have been the most exciting thing Mets fans have seen all year.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Billy Wagner Criticizes Teammates – Again

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:09:24 +0000

Billy Wagner of the New York Mets, who never seems opposed to flapping his gums to the media, once again was criticized teammates after a game. Earlier this season, Wagner criticized Oliver Perez. On Thursday, Wagner criticized teammates who didn’t make themselves available to the media.

While Wagner didn’t name any names, he reportedly pointed in the direction where the lockers of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are located. Although those players all are Hispanic, Wagner denied his criticism being directed toward any one race.

Apparently, Wagner wants everyone to talk to the media like he does. After Wagner’s comments about Perez, Mets manager Willie Randolph told Wagner to stop criticizing teammates through the media. Obviously, Wagner didn’t listen.

Perhaps now Wagner will criticize himself through the media. It’d only be fair.

Billy Wagner Talking to the Media, Per Usual.

Photo: Newscom

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Billy Wagner versus Oliver Perez AKA “The Wall”

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:09:27 +0000

On Wednesday, the New York Mets lost 13-1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The drama for the Mets didn’t end there. Closer Billy Wagner sounded off on starting pitcher Oliver Perez, who lasted less than two innings.

“Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before,” Wagner said to the Associated Press. “He can’t come out there and decide that, ‘Gee, he hasn’t got it today and so be it.’ ”

A reported then asked Wagner if talking to Perez was like talking to a wall. Wagner’s response? “Pretty much.”

On the season, Perez is 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA. Wagner hasn’t yet allowed an earned run on the season. He has 12 strikeouts in 12 innings, to go along with six saves.

Mets’ manager Willie Randolph reportedly told Wagner he should have handled the situation in-house.

“I wouldn’t go that route, but that’s Billy,” Randolph said. “Billy gets a little emotional at times. If he feels that way, it’s fine. Billy doesn’t speak for the team. That’s just him. That’s just his opinion.”

Photo: Newscom

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