On MLB.com yesterday, Marty Noble discusses Jerry Manuel receiving votes for NL Manager of the Year for 2008, the turnaround of the team when he took over for Willie Randolph on June 17, and the eventual September fadeout under him.
When Jerry Manuel took over, the Mets were 34-35. Under Manuel however, they went 55-38, and finished the year but one game behind the Brewers to miss the Wild Card, and the playoffs altogether, for the second year in a row.
Carlos Delgado, another main storyline when analyzing Manuel’s short tenure as Mets manager, had a .238 BA in 252 at-bats, with 9 home runs and 32 RBI under Willie. Under Manuel, he hit .298 in 346 at-bats with 29 home runs and 83 RBI.
I think it’s great that Jerry got votes for Manager of the Year at all, given he was only at the helm for a little more than 3 months.
Now, it’s pretty widely agreed upon, whether it’s true or not, that Delgado might’ve dogged it for Willie and turned on the jets for Manuel while the team at large took to his more laid back attitude. At the same time, it’s my opinion that we would’ve seen less of guys like Dan Murphy and more of guys like, ugh…Luis Castillo, had Willie lasted through the season. Given all this, I think that 2009 will be Manuel’s true test.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Jerry. I believe that without him, the Mets wouldn’t even have sniffed the playoffs come September. The problem is that, for the second year in a row, they faded down the stretch, and managed to squander a golden opportunity to control their own destiny when it mattered most. Now yes, the bullpen became a complete liability for them, and injuries to Fernando Tatis and Billy Wagner didn’t help matters, but it is what it is. I’m confident that Omar Minaya will do his best to revamp the bullpen so at least one of those problems is solved, and 2009 will really be the big test for Jerry. How will the team react to him over a full season, and not as just a break from Willie? I look forward to finding out.
