Chip Hale Would Make a Great Interim Manager

All of the talk surrounding a potential replacement for embattled Mets Manager Jerry Manuel centers squarely on former Mariners and Diamondbacks skipper Bob Melvin.

I think this is unfortunate, as Melvin would be a change of face, but not a change of type.

Melvin is a tinkerer who had, and lost, two managerial jobs in a relatively short span of time.  Moreover, he is sub-.500 as a manager, and despite some success, his teams quickly floundered under his leadership.

In Melvin's first season as a MLB manager, he led the Mariners to a 93-69 record...and followed that with a 63-99 disaster and was dismissed.

He then went to the Diamondbacks, had two sub-.500 seasons, followed by 90 win and 82 win seasons, and was dismissed after starting the 2009 campaign 12-17.

Melvin took his teams to the playoffs a grand total of one time, in 2007, and they were swept by the Rockies in 4 games.

It's not exactly a proud record of consistent success.

Which brings us to another line of thinking....why not give Chip Hale a chance?

Chip Hale is the Mets current third base coach and has 6 years of minor league managerial experience under his belt and led his team to the Pacific Coast League championship in 2006 before receiving the call to become a major league coach.

He is a baseball guy, a thoughtful person, and he has quickly gained the respect of the players on the team.

Though I am usually against the "interim" tag, I believe this year it's warranted.  The Mets are on the cusp of losing their season, and making a change at the top is the first step in righting this ship.

Chip Hale would have three quarters of a season to make his case, and I personally believe he would demonstrate to all that he is worthy of the position long-term.

Chip Hale Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
2000	Missoula Osprey	Pioneer League	44-32	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks
2001	Missoula Osprey	Pioneer League	52-24	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks	Lost in 1st round
2002	El Paso Diablos	Texas League	76-62	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks
2004	Tucson Sidewinders	Pacific Coast League	74-70	7th	Arizona Diamondbacks
2005	Tucson Sidewinders	Pacific Coast League	68-76	11th (t)	Arizona Diamondbacks
2006	Tucson Sidewinders	Pacific Coast League	91-53	1st	Arizona Diamondbacks	League Champs

The Case for Wally Backman

As the losses continue to pile up for the Mets, the question seems to be changing--what was once "will Jerry Manuel get fired" has become "when will he get fired, and who will replace him?"

The answer is Wally Backman.

Backman has seven years of managerial experience and was hired by the Diamondbacks as their manager before being dismissed because of legal (and moral) issues.

His managerial style is fiery (to say the least), and he's known for ejections, on-field tantrums, and suspensions.

In other words--the opposite of Jerry.

In 2004 Backman led his team to the California League championship series and was named The Sporting News' Minor League Manager of the Year.  It was at this point that the Mets and the DBacks came calling, and Backman was actually hired by the Diamondbacks to become their manager for the 2005 season.

Then life bit Backman harder than a brown recluse spider--word came out about a previous DUI conviction, legals issues of harassment, 10 days in jail, probation and bankruptcy.  The DBacks quickly dismissed him and life in baseball purgatory began for the former Met.

After working with some Independent Leagues the Mets hired Backman as manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones for the 2010 campaign.

As part of the deal the Mets conducted a thorough background check and they came away convinced that Backman's issues are behind him.  That said, the team is taking a cautious approach and they have Backman on a very short leash.

My personal opinion is that Wally is exactly what this club needs right now.  He works well with young players, would light a fire under the vets, and his handling of the bullpen in the minors was exemplary.

He is everything Jerry Manuel is not.

There is likely a zero percent chance that Backman takes the reigns this year as Mets skipper, but he could be the lightning in a bottle the club desperately needs.

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1997	Catskill Cougars	Northeast League	3-23	8th	Independent Leagues		replaced Edgar Perez (18-39)
1998	Bend Bandits	Western Baseball League	43-46	5th	Independent Leagues
1999	Tri-City Posse	Western Baseball League	48-42	2nd	Independent Leagues	League Champs
2000	Tri-City Posse	Western Baseball League	40-50	6th	Independent Leagues
2001	Winston-Salem Warthogs	Carolina League	54-86	8th	Chicago White Sox
2002	Birmingham Barons	Southern League	79-61	1st	Chicago White Sox	League Champs
2003	Birmingham Barons	Southern League	73-64	3rd	Chicago White Sox	Lost in 1st round
2004	Lancaster JetHawks	California League	86-54	2nd	Arizona Diamondbacks	Lost League Finals
2007	South Georgia Peanuts	South Coast League	59-28	1st	Independent Leagues	League Champs
2008	Joliet JackHammers	Northern League	43-53	5th	Independent Leagues

Wife of Former Met Scott Schoeneweis Found Dead

From the East Valley Tribune:

The wife of an Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher was found dead today in the couple's Fountain Hills home, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said.

Thirty-nine year old Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis, wife of relief pitcher Scott Schoenweis, was unresponsive when deputies came to the home on Kern Court at about 12:11 this afternoon, said Lindsey Smith, sheriff's office spokeswoman. A call to the sheriff’s office was made by one of the couple’s children.

The 14-year-old girl told deputies she found the mother of four on the floor of the master bedroom. Schoeneweis was dead at scene, Smith said.

Good Morning Mike Pelfrey (Mets) Fans!

Mike Pelfrey pitched the best game of his fledgling major league career last night, only to see victory snatched away with 2 outs and 2 strikes in the 9th inning when closer Billy Wagner allowed a home run to the DBacks Mark Reynolds.

Interestingly enough, Reynolds was clearly hit in the foot on the pitch prior to his blast, which would have loaded the bases but kept the game scoreless.

After throwing 8 scoreless innings, manager Willie Randolph allowed Pelfrey to come out for the 9th on a short leash due to pitch count.

He battled hard to the first batter he faced, but after giving up a single up the middle Pelfrey's night was done.

"It's disappointing that I didn't get it," Pelfrey said after blanking the Diamondbacks over eight innings before coming out after surrendering a single to lead off the ninth. "But Billy's been huge for us all year."

Pelfrey threw mostly fastballs on a beautiful night at shea; in fact, Pelfrey said he threw only one changeup all night.

He struck out 8 and worked calmly when the DBacks did manage to get runners on base. It was a significant step for Pelfrey, who has pitched very well in three consecutive starts.

Last Three Starts:
21 IP, 15 Hits, 4 ER, 6 BB, 15 Ks. 1.71 ERA

After the Wagner homerun you could hear a pin drop at Shea as the Mets faithful sat in stunned disbelief. Even during the bottom of the 9th, when the Mets put two runners on base, there was barely a noise even though the Mets were one hit away from a 9th inning walkoff.

The Mets other relievers did a great job, particularly Aaron Heilman, in keeping the game tied until the 13th. Heilman pitched two scoreless frames and struck out 3, while only allowing 1 walk and no hits.

And then came Beltran. Carlos hammered a 1-2 pitch from Edgar Gonzalez (1-3) to right-center for the fifth game-ending homer of his career and first since Aug. 22, 2006, off St. Louis reliever Jason Isringhausen.

Exhausted-looking Mets poured out of the dugout to celebrate at the plate, mobbing Beltran and bouncing in unison.

"Fastball up, in the middle of the plate. I just reacted to it," Beltran said. "I wasn't sure it would be gone because it was on a line."

Final 13th	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	3	10	2
N.Y. Mets «	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	9	0

W: C. Vargas (3-2) L: E. Gonzalez (1-3) HR: ARI - M. Reynolds (15) NYM - C. Beltran (7)

Recap/Box

It was gone, the Mets won, and life in Metville goes on.

Random Thoughts from NY Sports Dog:

• The Mets aren't as bad as their record.
• David Wright needs a day off.
• Ryan Church out is huge for this team...who would've thunk it when the Milledge deal was made?
• Brian Schneider is a phenomenal backstop.
• Aaron Heilman is still our best bridge to Wagner option.
• Why do the Mets not swing at the pitch when we steal bases? On Reyes last two caught stealings, and Castillo's caught stealing from last night, three strikes were called and we didn't swing at any of the pitches.
  

John Harper comments about the Mets bullpen. Two words: knee jerk.

Marlon Anderson tries to inspire his teammates.

Enjoy your coffee!

Drastic Times in Mets Land

OK, let's fix this sinking ship.

1. Fire Willie Randolph. It really is time.

Start the youth movement.
2. Bring up Mike Carp...cut ties with Fernando Tatis.
3. Bring up Pascucci...cut ties with Damion Easley.
4. Hire Wally Backman...we need the energy and the passion.
5. Keep Chris Aguila here until Ryan Church gets back and leave him here if Alou is down (again) with this MRI thing.

Good Morning Mets Fans!

And a very good morning it is.

The Mets did their job against the Diamondbacks, going to Phoenix and winning 2 of 3 from the hottest team in baseball. The ultra-talented, and young, Diamondbacks certainly look like the real deal, with great starting pitching, a hustling attitude, and enough offense to make them a legitimate contender.

But the Mets flexed their muscles and did exactly what they had to do against the snakes.

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Mets «	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	5	6	2
Arizona	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	10	1

W: J. Sosa (4-1) L: C. Qualls (0-2) S: B. Wagner (7) HR: NYM - D. Wright (6) ARI - None

Recap/Box · GameCenter

In what was one of the more intriguing pitching matchups of the young season, neither the Diamondbacks Dan Haren nor the Mets Johan Santana had their 1A stuff, but both were reasonably effective.

When both starters exited after 6, Santana had a skinny 2-1 lead on the strength of a David Wright homerun in the 4th, and it was "game on".

Joe Smith relieved Santana in the 7th and quickly got two outs, but the DBacks pieced together a run to tie the game.

In the 8th Pedro Feliciano came in and the game became exciting. Chris Burke led off the inning and dropped a bunt that Feliciano fielded and threw wildly past first base.

Burke began running in earnest for his destination--third base, while the game Ryan Church hustled like a madman after the errant Feliciano throw. Church grabbed the ball and fired a bullet to David Wright, who snared it and, in one sweeping motion, dove at Burke to nail him with about one inch to spare.

It was a game changer that seemed to sap the life out of the Diamondbacks. A professional, major league play that we haven't seen in rightfield for some time.

"He's got a great arm, but for him to get to the ball as quickly as he did with a lot of room out there, he didn't have a chance to set his feet and get a nice crow-hop like he normally would," Wright said. "To get to the ball quickly, release it quickly and have that much on it, it's pretty impressive. We all know he has a strong arm, but he didn't have a lot of time."

"The biggest thing is just getting a grip of it and letting it go," Church said. "Just basically chuck it."

As the Bergen Record said, Church has been the most valuable player on the team through the first month, with his bat and his arm.

Church has been a star for the Mets in all facets of his play. He is hitting .318 and the Mets are now 7-1 with him in the 2 hole in the lineup.

We reported earlier that Church is one of the more underrated outfielders in the game. He gets a great jump on the ball, has a rifle arm (he was a pitcher in college), and has a career .993 fielding percentage. He is now tied for the major league lead with four outfield assists and hasn't made an error all season.

Before the throw he also hustled in to grab a shallow bloop by Chris Young with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning and Santana struggling to get through the inning. That one, Church joked, "I had that all the way."

Still, he seemed surprised that anyone wanted to talk to him after the game.

"I guess it was huge because of the situation," he said. "Anytime you can help the team win a ballgame. That guy could have been on third with nobody out. Whatever helps, just chip in. I didn't get it done with the bat. Just do it with defense."

In the top of the 9th, with the DBacks on their heels, the Mets pounced. Carlos Beltran and Moises Alou singled to start the frame, then Carlos Delgado grounded to Jackson, who overthrew shortstop Augie Ojeda to allow Beltran to score.

"Any time a team makes mistakes on you, you make sure you make them pay for it," New York manager Willie Randolph said. "It was kind of a weird game. A few crazy things happened out there, but we scored early and late and got the job done."

New York went on to load the bases and get an RBI single by pinch hitter Marlon Anderson and an RBI sacrifice fly by Jose Reyes.

Billy Wagner came in to close with another perfect inning to give the Mets the win.

All in all a great game. The top of the lineup: Jose Reyes, Ryan Church and David Wright, continue to get it done. Willie Randolph, who likes a set lineup, seems to have fully come around on Church in the 2 hole and the results speak for themselves.

In other news, the NY Post comments on Rick Peterson's silence this year.

The Daily News has a nice piece on the return of Brian Schneider.

Here's an injury update on Ramon Castro, Matt Wise and Pedro Martinez.

Enjoy your coffee!

Good Morning Mets Fans!

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Mets «	3	1	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	7	12	1
Arizona	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	0

W: J. Maine (3-2) L: M. Owings (4-1) HR: NYM - R. Church (4), D. Wright (5) ARI - None

Recap/Box · GameCenter

And a great morning it is, with my coffee tasting especially delicious after the Mets dominating 7-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Moises Alou made a triumphant return and singlehandedly set the lineup straight while going 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.

"I know my presence can help this team a lot," said Alou, "I'm a big part of this lineup. ... I always have a lot of confidence in my talent."

With Alou back, Manager Willie Randolph again put Ryan Church in the 2 hole with spectacular results.

Church went 2 for 4 with a sacrifice, and hit a long home run on a fastball up and away. The Mets are now 6-0 with Church in the 2 hole. Ryan had something to say about the Mets blowout loss against the Bucs and how the Mets rebounded.

"We used the off day to put all of that stuff behind us and get some rest," Church said. "What happened Wednesday was embarrassing, so this was a gut check. We responded."

The other member of the Mets "1-2-3 punch" at the top of the lineup also came to play.

Jose Reyes had one of his best games of the season, going 4 for 5 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Coming up for his last at bat a HR away from the cycle, Reyes jumped on a fastball and sent it careening off the top of the center field wall. In the blink of an eye he was rounding third trying for an inside the park HR. But the DBacks hit the cutoff man, and Reyes was thrown out easily at home.

"When I hit the ball I didn't think about home plate but when I saw the ball I put my head down and ran," Reyes said. "They made a perfect throw to home plate."

With no outs in the inning, sending Reyes was probably not the wisest move, but the fan in me loved it. Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose! As Reyes goes, so do the Mets.

"We all feed off each other, especially Jose," Randolph said. "This is a good time for him to heat up, and hopefully this is the start of that. When Jose is doing what he's doing, that's why we win."

David Wright was locked in last night. The Mets superstar went 3 for 5 and knocked in 2 runs on his 5th homerun of the year. He also made a rally killing over the shoulder grab in foul territory that had players and fans staring in disbelief. These daily heroics are becoming routine to fans of Wright....he is an amazing talent.

John Maine pitched 6 strong innings to get the win.

Enjoy your coffee!