Is It Too Little Too Late?

After last night's Poor Performance , Jerry Manuel took some of the offending members of his team aside and had a 'chat.' Although Manuel said the discussions were "private", he did offer, “We were a bad team tonight. We didn’t pitch well. They had a couple hustle plays on us that are uunacceptable that we addressed. They were throwing to bases and there was nobody there. “Very poor game, poor effort on our part, very poor effort. Despite maybe not having what we’d like to have, still this is the major leagues and we have to perform better than this. We have to do a better job.”

This team has done a poor job from top-to-bottom this year. I freely admit that I thought the Mets were primed after bolstering their relief corp this past off-season, but with all the injuries, their limited bench has killed them. The Mets, mainly Omar, has taken the stance that "we're still in it...", and if that's lip service to the fans, then he has grossly underestimated our intelligence as baseball fans. If he truly believes that "we're still in it..." then he in no way is capable of being a General Manager.

As for Jerry, I like the way he handles the press, but I have questioned too many times some of his in game moves. I feel like I'm watching Willie Randolph all over again the way he abuses and misuses the bull pen.

Not to be all negative, I do have a solution. This off-season, short of the Wilpon's selling the team, the Mets should look to a former employee to replace Minaya...Gerry Hunsicker. Hunsicker did a good job as Houston's GM, and did turn down an interview before Minaya was hired, but if Hunsicker was given the "complete autonomy" that Minaya was given, then maybe he would be interested.

Hunsicker was under the Mets employ back in the days of Joe McIlvaine. When the opportunity opened up in Houston, he took it. Maybe he would consider "returning home" to try and save this sinking ship. Hunsicker is presently an executive with the Tampa Bay Rays, and may not want to leave Florida, where he went to college, but it would be worth a try.

Secondly, I would relieve Manuel of his duties at season's end. There is only one person available who can turn this team around, have them play fundamental baseball, and would be responsible for their play on the field. He has a history with the Mets, is a link to their "Glory Days" of the mid and late 1980's. WALLY BACKMAN . I have been screaming this since before Art Howe was hired.

Backman has passion, is a proven winner wherever he has gone, and is itching for the chance to get a "FAIR" shot. Backman, having played with the Mets from 1980 - 1988, knows NY, and loved his time here. He would whip this team into shape, and I am fully confident would have them playing better. He would be able to relate to the pressure, and how to handle it coming down the stretch. Two things this regime has failed at.

Sometimes when the answer is right in front of you, it is so hard to see. It's time for the Wilpon's to open their eyes.

Wally Backman's Managerial Record Courtesy of Baseball Reference.com

Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record

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 League

Source: David Lennon Newsday