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.

Present and accounted for...sir!

Though rumors are still flying that one, some or all coaches might be gone by weeks end, all of the current staff is at the ballpark in California.

Tom Nieto was the man closest to the ax as of late. Yes, because people believe the first base coach is the real problem here.

Perry picks two Mets that should be starting the All-Star Game

Dayn Perry, creepy picture and all, is making his picks for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. These are the players that he feels should be starting the mid-summer classic, and two Mets make the list:

SS Jose Reyes, Mets
Tough one. The debate comes down to Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins vs. Reyes (had Rafael Furcal not been injured for so long, he'd have a case). Both are notable young stars, and both have their strengths. Ramirez is better with the bat, but Reyes is better with the glove. Actually, he's much better with the glove, which, ultimately, is why we're going with him. Of course, Reyes is also hitting .291 AVG/.351 BP/.480 SLG, which constitutes excellent production for a shortstop playing half his games in Shea. So give a third All-Star appearance to one of the most exciting players in the game.

He's hot at the plate, but struggling in the field. Still, I think he's one of, if not the most exciting player in baseball. Any single could quickly turn into a double. Doubles could be converted into triples. A ball that gets away could be an inside-the-park home run. I don't think he should be starting the game, as his errors make a great case against him.

CF Carlos Beltran, Mets
Beltran or Aaron Rowand — it's a difficult decision. We're going with Beltran because of his superior defense (yes, he's a better glove man than Rowand), better base running, and his status as the bigger star of the two. This would mean five straight trips to the All-Star Game for Beltran.

Agreed. I love Rowand because he's willing to give himself up for a ball, as is Beltran. Carlos glides across the field, making plays you would never expect, and usually makes it look easy. He's not a guy to hit for average, as we all know, but he's more than sufficent at the plate. I would never trade him in a million years. All-Star Game, sounds good to me.

Why can't we think like that?

Dan Graziano puts his thoughts into text and gives us this little quote from a team official:

One high-ranking official of another team, after a discussion about the mess in which the Mets find themselves, said, "Whatever. They'll still win the division."

This was startling, of course, because...well, it sure doesn't look that way. But the idea that such an outside perception could exist prompted further inquiry. So, being a good, seasoned reporter, I responded by saying, "Ya think?"

(That's right -- that's the kind of investigative journalist you're dealing with here.)

The response was, "Sure. I still look at a team that has Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Santana, Wagner and Pedro Martinez, and that's just too good. They'll be fine."

If it was only that easy to believe as a fan.

For some odd reason, I woke up this morning with a newfound hope. For some reason, I just have a feeling something is going to happen and it's going to be for the better. Don't ask me if Willie Randolph is going to be fired or the Mets will suddenly get, and stay, hot, but something is coming down the turnpike.