10/15/10

My picks, for what it’s worth

ALCS

Ranger over Yankees in 6.

NLCS

Phillies over Giants in 6.

You?

10/7/10

My front runner

[Sandy] Alderson, 62, is best known as the general manager that built the A's into a perennial October powerhouse, with three World Series appearances from 1988-90 and a title in 1989. Alderson first hired Billy Beane as a scout and was among the pioneers to value the statistic-driven style of evaluation before it became the "Moneyball" phenomenon.

-David Lennon

Make it so, Jeff and Fred. Make it so.

10/6/10

My playoff picks

NLDS

Phillies over Reds
Giants over Braves

ALDS

Rangers over Rays
Yankees over Twins

NLCS

Phillies over Giants

ALCS

Rangers over Yankees

World Series

Rangers over Phillies

How about you?

10/4/10

Omar, Jerry out; Ricco interim

omarandjerry

There you have it: Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya out of their respective roles.

John Ricco named interim general manager.

Here’s the press release:

FLUSHING, N.Y., October 4, 2010 - The New York Mets today announced that Omar Minaya has been relieved of his duties as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations & General Manager and they have declined to exercise the club's option on Jerry Manuel's contract as Manager for 2011.

A search is under way for a new General Manager who will run the team's Baseball Operations department. Ownership will lead the process with assistance from Vice President, Assistant General Manager John Ricco who will in the interim direct the department. The new General Manager will work with Ownership to identify and hire a new Manager.

"We are extremely disappointed in this year's results and the failures of the past four seasons," said Jeff Wilpon, Mets Chief Operating Officer. "We need to hire a new General Manager with a fresh perspective who will transform this club into a winner that we want and our fans deserve.

"We appreciate all that Omar and Jerry have done for the Organization and thank them for their time and effort," Wilpon said. "Changes like these are never easy, especially when you are dealing with people you like and respect."

Mets Ownership will meet with the media today at 1:30 p.m. ET in the Press Conference Room at Citi Field to address these changes.

I won the bet

I’ve won.

$10 is heading my way, from my father.thebet

We shook hands back on March 12. Nearly seven months later, his money is as good as mine.

He thought the Mets would finish in last, I was a bit more confident.

He now owes me $10.

Yay.

Early Morning Tweets

Matt Cerrone, dedicated blogger

This tweet back-and-forth happened around 5:40 a.m.

Mr. Cerrone is ready for stuff to happen now. As are all Mets fans.

But I’d rather play the waiting game with Omar Minaya and wait until the Mets know they have their heir apparent lined up before cutting Minaya loose.

Jerry Manuel should be handed his pink slip in a few hours, though.

10/3/10

Happy trails to you…

fbb7234fb3236016c689361cfcd20acf-getty-97625012gf002_new_york_metsOmarMinaya

Adios, Jerry and Omar. I’m assuming we’ll be seeing some breaking news stories about you tomorrow.

It was quite a year. With some ups and lots of downs. And now, the season has ended. Heading into the year, we were so worried about starting pitching. After it all, we should have been worried more about offense.

Whomever comes in next year has some work to do. It should be a fun offseason.

10/1/10

Today in things we already knew but like to hear again

The Mets will announce shortly after the season that general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel won't be returning in their roles, sources say. The announcements are likely to be made before the playoffs begin Wednesday. The changes will not come as a surprise, as they have been widely assumed for a few weeks now.

-Jon Heyman

So, I’ll see Manuel’s third-to-last game tonight. Yay?