Well done, SNY

I have to hand it to SNY, they're doing a wonderful job covering this event. "Mets In Transition," they're calling it. A hand must go out to SNY for this coverage.

3:11 a.m.!?!? It makes perfect sense to me

You probably think this is one of those posts blasting Omar Minaya for firing Willie Randolph at some ridiculous hour.

Not so.

The word came out at roughly 3:11 a.m. that Randolph had been fired as manager of the Mets. If you take a step back from your emotions and look at the simple breakdown of the time frame, it makes perfect sense.

The game was slated for a 10:05 p.m. start, Eastern standard time. The game took approximately three hours and ten minutes.

That puts us at 1:15 a.m. EST. The post game locker room shuffle, with the usual talk with reporters probably takes somewhere from 20 to 35 minutes. Allow time for the man to change, and get on the bus to head back to the hotel, probably somewhere around 2 or 2:15 a.m. EST.

By the time they get back from the stadium, a meeting where the actual deed is done must commence. Let's say that meeting started somewhere around 2:45 a.m. EST. Don't forget that Minaya also had to meet with Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto to relieve them of their duties.

An estimate on how long the meeting with Willie Randolph would last, I would venture a guess at something near 10-15 minutes. By that time, the word is out. Give the PR staff a few minutes to do their job and bang out a release and send it through the appropriate channels, and by my watch, we land precisely at 3:11 a.m. EST.

Either way, because they're on the west coast, no story ever makes the papers the next day, not even a report of the game. Would you have rather had Minaya wait until morning, and fire Randolph over breakfast? The story still doesn't make the papers.

Either way, because they're on the west coast, any story from that night isn't going to hit the newsstands for another 24 hours.

My guess of the rundown of events (EST):

10:05 p.m.: First pitch from Jered Weaver to Jose Reyes.

1:15 a.m.: Game ends with Reyes turning an unassisted double play.

2:00 a.m.: Leave for hotel.

2:15 a.m.: Arrive at the hotel.

2:30 a.m.: First meeting is called.

2:32 a.m.: Nieto is relieved of his duties.

2:37 a.m.: Second meeting is called.

2:39 a.m.: Peterson is relieved of his duties.

2:50 a.m.: Third meeting is called.

2:54 a.m.: Randolph is fired.

3:10 a.m.: Word hits the wires.

Sounds about right to me.

Jerry Manuel profile

The new interim manager of the New York Mets, Jerry Manuel, was the subject of a New York Times back on February 24, 2007.

Ben Shpigel penned the column, and here's an excerpt:

As the manager of the White Sox, Manuel developed a reputation for being a fine communicator and motivator. “He’s one of the reasons why I signed with the Mets last year,” José Valentín said. “He knew what kind of player I was with Chicago, and he knew how to get the most out of me.”

Manuel has had baseball teachers, too. From [Felipe] Alou, he said, he learned to recognize the natural rhythms of baseball, and the importance of making correct decisions within those confines. From [Jim] Leyland, he said, he developed a feel — “a sixth sense,” he called it — on trusting his instincts and not necessarily the data from a computer.

Even now, during batting practice, Manuel will find a secluded spot on the field — usually behind second base — to watch. He will listen to the chatter and observe players, trying to pick up any nugget of information that might guide his hunches throughout a game. Manuel will also pore over pitching charts and study favorable counts to steal a base, but he will not let that define his philosophy.

For the rest of the profile, click here.

Manuel, though calm, seems to be able to relate to his players more than one would see on the surface. Good luck, Manuel. You're going to need it.

I am not embarrassed or ashamed to be a Mets fan

I expected the potshots from the media, as it is their job. But the bloggers and fans, who have been clamoring for this move for weeks, if not months.

When some fans finally get their wish, all I read and hear is about what a terrible move they made and how they went about doing it.

I am not embarrassed to be a Mets fan, as many people are. This is business as usual. The team obviously wasn't winning enough with Willie Randolph at helm, and though it may have been put into action poorly, it's simply business as usual.

The team needed a bump of some sort and this is the Mets best shot. They can't fire players for poor performance, so the scapegoat gets the ax.

Fans must look ahead to a new era, practically a new season. The team is 6.5 games out of first place, a task they could pull off. This team needs to rally together, away from the insanity of the media and negativity and start winning.

Last night was a good win against the best team in the AL. The bullpen did it's best to try and hand it away on a silver platter, but the team stuck through it for a nice W. Tonight, with all eyes on Jerry Manuel, the Mets must try and earn another win with their ace on the mound.

I am not ashamed of my Mets, only disappointed. It picked the wrong time and place to fire their manger, and they're catching a lot of flack for it. This should not make fans dislike the team and should not dissuade them from cheering on the players in tonight's game and through the rest of the season.

Remember: They're only a game under .500 with just over 90 games to play. There's still a long way to go.

Does it really matter?

I almost added this to the end of the "Happy?" post, but thought it warranted it's own title.

So the Mets have a new manager, one who has been with the team since 2005. Do you really think it will truly help the team?

The aura surrounding Willie Randolph in his (many) final days must have been tough on the team. Answering the same question and not really knowing the future of their skipper can't be helpful for a team.

It still falls on the players to preform. They must do their job to play fundamental baseball and win games.

The team is not out of it, but if they lose now, they at least have a poor excuse to blame it on.

Happy?

Am I happy after Willie Randolph was fired? Yes and no.

I'm pleased to see the team finally make a decision and pull the trigger, though it took way too long to do so. I'm just fearful that things will continue as is, and the team will shut down entirely.

Jerry Manuel is a good manager, but he's exactly like Randolph. He's calm, cool, collected. He's not one to rant like Ozzie Guillen. Manuel was ejected once this year, which I guess is nice to see, but being ejected doesn't make you a good manager.

Either way, I'm glad that something has been done. Randolph isn't the sole problem behind this team's mediocre play, but he was part of it.

Unless Manuel can pull off a masterpiece with the rest of this season, do you think the Mets are admitting defeat? I don't. They wanted this to be a sign for the players to get in gear, or else. I don't think it will work to the effect they wish, since it was strung out so long, but it should work to some degree.

Win. That's all they need to do. It's easier said than done, I know. Just win and keep winning.

Mets fire Willie Randolph

A day that has long been coming, is finally upon us. Willie Randolph has been fired as the head coach of the New York Mets.

Among the other firings, Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto were also fired.

Jerry Manuel has been named the interim head coach. Also, Ken Oberkfell, Luis Aguayo and Dan Warthen have been added to the coaching staff.

Obkerfell was the New Orleans manager, Aguayo was the Mets field coordinator, and Warthen was the AAA pitching coach.

I'm half-relieved the tip-toeing and dance is over. The rest of me is now worried for the future and uncertainty that lies ahead.

[The Daily News has a photo gallery of Willie's tenure as manager]

So long Jacket, hello Glasses

Former clothing-nickname-man, Rick Peterson a.k.a. The Jacket was fired this morning.

To keep with tradition, I propose to begin calling new head coach Jerry Manuel by a new name. "Glasses"Those are some serious spectacles.

Early Morning Madness: Happy trails, Willie

I had an entirely different post thought up, but here it goes...

Anyone in their right mind knows the Mets completely botched the handling of Willie Randolph. Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto, as well.

There's no refuting it and it's almost practically a fact. There's nothing more to say on this matter more than "it's over."

*****

Howard Johnson must be thanking his lucky stars right now that he's still employed.

*****

I wonder if Gary Carter has made any phone calls this morning.

I think he shot himself in the foot with what happened. I don't think it's a bad thing, what he did, but it was blown completely out of proportion.

*****

Good luck, Jerry Manuel. Maybe you can just stick around for a while.

TSTDIA: Mets 9 -- Angels 6

The sentences that define it all: A big lead shrinks in the same inning it grew, but the Mets hold on for a win.