Going into tonight’s contest the Mets have played 138 games. Willie Randolph skippered the first 69 and Jerry has skippered the last 69 games. There records are below.
Willie”Gump”Randolph 34 wins and 35 losses with a .497 winning percentage.
Jerry Manuel 43 wins and 26 loses. With a .623 winning percentage and 2 game lead in the division. Jerry has 9 more wins then Willie. What has made the difference?
Part of it has to be communication. Jerry is the manager but at the same time he isn’t stiff like Willie was. He seems to be able to reach players. First game he had to show Jose right away who was the manager when Jose was taken out of the game against the Angels on the first play of Jerry’s tenure.
Of course I’m sure some players don’t love the new manager, a certain reliever, but I’m sure Carlos Delgado has enjoyed playing for Jerry has the manager. He has responded with 20 homers and 60 rbis.
When you listen to Jerry in the post game shows he doesn’t seem to hide anything and can be brutally candid when needed. He embraces his rookies and loves playing the hot hand. Something Willie was slow to adapt too.
Willie said managing the Mets was a learning experience.
Well tell him to look at what Jerry Manuel is doing because he can take a couple of pages out of his book.
Omar and Wilpons must be pleased so far because I’m sure without the change the Mets would be like the Yankees this September, looking forward to next year already.
1 comment:
eh... the mets have a 3 game edge on the yanks in a much easier division. you could have made all these points about willie in '05 and '06. the only difference between willie and jerry is that jerry came to shea as a failure. he will leave as one too.
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