True Lies?

Yesterday, while filling in for Mike Francesa, Joe and Evan on WFAN interviewed Jerry Manuel in his weekly time slot.

A few things came out in the interview that I had a problem with:

On why Daniel Murphy doesn't play everyday and should he play everyday:

Jerry said Murphy is for all intents and purposes his everyday starting 1B. When followed up with why does he sit against lefties and sometimes after having a big game, Jerry responded by saying that Murphy is young, and has to adjust to a full season. He doesn't want him getting tired and wearing down. This is nonsense. Murphy is 23 years old. David Wright played everyday as a second year player...

About sitting against lefties, Manuel offered some interesting tid-bits. He said that Murphy goes well the opposite way, and he has hit well against lefties because they pitched him away, and he was able to hit the ball to LF. Now, lefty pitchers are starting to pitch him inside, and Murph has to learn to pull those pitches. Jerry admitted that Murphy is getting better at it. My follow-up would have been: how will he hit them better while sitting against lefties?

Jerry also said that he wants to keep his bench players active, so they aren't rusty when called upon. Again, Benigno and Roberts should have thrown in the question as to why Tatis is in the line-up most days, and is having a bad year.

When asked about the Mets injuries, and why they are so poor at discovering "big" injuries:

Manuel said he has never been in a situation like this, so he can't explain it. He also doesn't blame the medical staff. Joe and Evan should have asked (although it would never be answered) if it was an upper management ineptness...

Another interesting point was regarding whether there was a rift between Manuel and Church:

Jerry said he loves Ryan like a son (more like a bastard child in my opinion). Sometimes parents and kids have problems. He said he loves Ryan, his wife, and son. He also said the couple is expecting another child. He said that Atlanta will be good for Ryan because it is closer to his home. Jerry also mentioned that he has a bridge in his backyard that is for sale...real cheap.

To listen to the entire interview: Jerry Manuel On WFAN - July 16, 2009