Mets Fire Jerry!

Now that I have your attention...

Is this really what we want? Is this what is fair?

Granted, I enjoyed Manuel and his gangsta rap when he was first hired, but over the last 10 months or so, the shtick was worn thin.

Is Jerry a good tactician? Not really. He has no clue how to get the most out of his players nor does he have an inkling on how to manage a pitching staff or bullpen.

All that being said, is now the time to fire Jerry Manuel? The answer is simple:

NO!

Jerry will ultimately lose his job, and it might very well be deserved, but to judge a man only six games into the season is not only premature, but grossly unjust.

Jerry needs to get off to fast start, and he did. The Mets were 1-0 after one game. That’s a pretty fast start. Unfortunately, the Mets went on to lose four of the next five games. Jerry’s fault? Maybe. He will have the bullpen worn out by June at this rate, and he must show more confidence in his starting pitchers, and don’t allow pitch counts to be gospel. He is guilty of all this. But is he guilty because Mike Jacobs is only half dimensional? Is he guilty because Wright still can’t figure out how to throw to first base? Is he guilty because Jose Reyes was on the DL? Is he guilty because Carlos Beltran is on the DL? No, he is not.

Premature judgment could be a huge mistake. Who do the Mets have to take his place? Personally, I would love to see Wally Backman manage this team, but I really don’t think it will happen at this juncture.

Tim Teufel is unlikely. Although the Mets seem to like him a lot, he has less managing experience with worse results than Backman.

Bob Melvin? Oh please.

HoJo? He has always said he doesn’t want to manage. Plus he hasn’t proven himself as a hitting coach.

Joe Torre is a free agent at season’s end, but he isn’t the right man for this job.

I know when we watch this team it is eerily familiar to the end of 2008 and 2009 in its entirety. Now is not the time to panic. The Mets have a rough patch ahead of them against such contenders as Colorado and St. Louis, but what if the Mets come back with a split? That would show progress, wouldn’t it? Now if the Mets are at least six to ten games under .500 by mid May, Jerry might very well be gone, but now is not the time.

Give the guy a chance. I have been reading a bit lately that Jerry needs to go now. I won’t argue that the Mets need a change – I believe they do, but I also believe each individual deserves respect and a fair chance.

I have been a Wally Backman Card Carrrying Member since he was with the White Sox, who by the way were being managed by our Gangsta In Charge, but April 13^th isn’t the time.

I know it’s difficult for fans like us to watch what appears to be a sinking ship, but the ’86 Mets started off 2-3. Thank God Davey wasn’t fired.

We as Mets fans need to take a massive Chill Pill. Give Jerry a little time. Besides, whomever fills the position of Manger or General Manager will still have to report to Jeff Wilpon and that is where the problem lies.