A very wise man who has been around baseball since the 70s once told me the Mets would never win anything because of the Wilpons. I'm starting to think he's right.
Now they are trying to hold up Jerry Manuel? Save a few nickels for the man who is going to lead their $140 million payroll or whatever team? Pathetic. Small. Typical.
If you've been around Manuel at all, you know he's no pushover. If they try to get him on the cheap, he'll tell them to stick it and go back to California. That's the beauty of the man -- he's as comfortable as anyone in his own skin. He wants this job, but he doesn't need it. He wants to win, but he's not trying to prove anything, like Willie Randolph was.
The Mets are apparently stupid enough to want to give him a contract that would immediately paint him as weak in the clubhouse. You think players don't immediately sense how much ownership is behind the manager? Ask Willie about that.
Maybe the real problem is in the owner's box.
And, by the way, Hal Steinbrenner -- who of all of the Sons of Ownership currently running NY sports teams could turn out to be the best -- never ventures into the clubhouse. Never tries to be "one of the guys". Doesn't need to be a pretend jock to feel important. Doesn't get a thrill from one-on-ones with the players. Doesn't sniff jocks at all, from what I've seen. There's a lesson there.
Comments (1)
It always amazed me that a guy like Schenwiess would make more than the manager. It just sends the wrong message. No reason to get Manuel on the cheap.