Beltran Barks Back at Torre

Carlos Beltran, one of the classiest players ever to grace the diamonds of New York, bit back at Joe Torre yesterday.

The wonderful Ben Shipgel from the NY Times reported:

Joe Torre touched on Beltrán’s reported desire to take that discount and play for the Yankees in the book he co-wrote with Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, “The Yankee Years.”

Torre said: “Beltran wanted to come to us, so he could hide among the trees. Nobody wants to be that guy to lead.” Before being honored at the Thurman Munson Dinner on Tuesday evening,

Beltrán responded to Torre’s comments. “First of all, I don’t know Joe Torre personally, so I don’t know what kind of person he is,” Beltrán said. “The second thing I have to say is that when I met with the Yankees when I was a free agent, he wasn’t there, so you know, he didn’t know that we talked, so I didn’t meet him. So if he did say what he said, then that’s his opinion. I don’t have to comment on that. I feel very happy where I am.”

When all this is said and done, Joe Torre is going to regret his tell-all mistake.

The Bronx Zoo: Part 2

Count me among those that thank my lucky stars the day I was given my first blue and orange Mets hat vice a black and white Yankee cap.

As reported in the NY Post, Joe Torre's new book is a stunner, and frankly, it all comes as no surprise.

He rips Alex Rodriguez, George Steinbrenner, and describes, in detail, his departure from the franchise he managed to four World Series titles.

While the Mets certainly don't have the storied history of the Yankees, we also don't have the drama, the revolving door of players, the spend, spend, spend mentality, and a legion of bandwagon fans who cries for even more spending in the hopes of buying yet another championship.

There is something dignified about being a Mets fan--we're loyal to the core--and I couldn't imagine trying to like a team, much less root for a team, that behaves like the Yankees.

Mets National League Stats of Note: Young Gun Edition

Jose Reyes:
1st in Triples
2nd in Hits
3rd in Runs
3rd in Stolen Bases
12th in Batting Average
17th in Doubles
33rd in OBP

David Wright:
2nd in RBIs
13th in Runs
14th in OBP
15th in Hits
17th in Doubles
17th in Home Runs
22nd in Slg %

Mets Misery

Another superb start wasted, but this time there would be no 13th inning heroics, only a crushing defeat and a team that, for all intents and purposes, is starting to look defeated.

David Wright, the poster boy for accountability and optimism, looks absolutely crushed right now in the dugout. The losses are taking a toll on the Mets young star.

The Mets faithful, who have supported this team to the tune of 3 million visitors per year, are angry--and they should be.

Change is a coming my friends, and it will be Willie--it has to be Willie.

Has he done anything egregiously wrong of late in his game management? Absolutely not, in fact I would say the opposite is true.

But as we've reported here for months, accountability starts with the leader, and Willie Randolph, as the Manager, is the leader of this bunch.

It's time for a change....maybe too late, but maybe soon enough to salvage 2008.