Jerry Manuel Is Insane!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
~ Benjamin Franklin ~

Jerry is insane. Period. How many times does he have to make incomprehensible pitching changes that not only victimize a starting pitcher, but the team of a win before he has a catharsis, and changes his way of handling the pitching staff? We've been a witness to this for two plus years now, and it hasn't changed, nor have the results.

His latest victim, a repeat victim, was Johan Santana this past Wednesday. Santana pitched well, surrendering no runs, yet the Mets proceeded to lose in extra innings.

K-Rod was a huge culprit once again. He has not pitched well this year, and once again, blew a save. For someone who was so upset with the coaching staff, it's time he mans up, and closes out a game. Rodriguez has been awful, and instead of allowing Santana to pitch through the 8th, Jerry removed Santana after 123 pitches.

Jerry goes to Pedro Feliciano for one lousy batter. Feliciano can do more for this team than to face one left handed batter. Jerry hasn't learned this: Insanity!

Then Jerry goes to K-Rod. K-Rod who has been abysmal in his last three appearances, continued that trend. It is Jerry's job to know his players, and if he has watched any games lately, he would know K-Rod is bad right now. But, Jerry still isn't watching nor paying attention. He hasn't learned to use other pitchers: Insanity!

After K-Rod finished off the ninth and tenth innings Jerry brings in ol reliable, Raul Valdes, he of the 5.34 ERA. True to form, Valdes surrenders a Grand Slam to Adrian Gonzales. Again, he goes to Valdes who has been terrible. The result was the same: Insanity!

Why Jerry doesn't try something a little different? Maybe let Feliciano pitch to more than one left handed batter? Maybe use Jenrry Mejia? The kid has pitched pretty well, and if you're not going to use him in crunch time, then send him to Buffalo to work on becoming a starter. He might surprise you, and maybe he could have closed out San Diego, you know the complete opposite of K-Rod. Until things change, maybe I'll just refer to him as B-Rod (the B for Blown save or Butchered save).

I wouldn't have minded the Mets losing if Jerry broke the norm, and used different pitchers and let Santana go another inning. He was showing no signs of tiring.

More proof of Manuel's insanity is his obsession with pitch counts. Not every pitcher dies at 120 pitches. Someone like RA Dickey could probably throw 150 pitches. Someone like Maine or Perez start to crap out at about 80 - 100 pitches (which is usually about the third or fourth inning). Not every pitcher has the same stamina, and should be managed that way. They should not be managed by a formula. Deal with your pitching staff as individuals, not as a group. He keeps using this same mentality, and it isn't working. Insanity.

By the power vested in me by me, I hereby declare Mets Manager Jerry Manuel guilty of Insanity.