Halfway Home

Author: Clare Lafferty

    Well, the season is now officially halfway over. In the beginning, we had such promise and high hopes. We had gone out and made some acquisitions that were needed to significantly improve our bullpen with JJ and K Rod. Although we didn't go out and get a major star, we did sign Gary Sheffield for the league minimum and took a chance on him. So far, he has been fine. Luis Castillo has been playing fine this year, except for one notable exception. And although he has not had the power numbers this year, David Wright is one of the league leaders in batting average.
    Now for the negatives and there are plenty.
    The injuries are just killing this team. Currently, we have a AAA team out there with the exception of Wright and Castillo. The pitching has not been consistent this year - -even Johan is struggling. And do I need to talk about the defense or lack of it? The defense has been horrible this year and it is costing us games. I don't mind if errors are made - after all, the players are human. But it's when the fundamentals of the game are not followed that gets me mad. AAA or not, you have to make the routine plays.
    Has Jerry Manuel lost control of this team? I still think he is a good manager and actually has done a good job considering that the Mets are only 2 games out of first.  That is also due to the mediocraty of the entire division. Thank goodness the Phillies have been playing so terribly.
    I hope that when Beltran and Reyes return, we can get back to a winning pattern. I have my fingers crossed as well that when Oliver Perez comes back, he can pitch the way we know he can. There are a lot of "ifs" with this team right now and it is a very uncertain future.
    Nevertheless, I still have hope. Since we are right in the running now, what's to say we can't have a hot streak after the All Star Break and get it together. I will never give up on this team. When all the core players perform as we know they can, we are as good as any team in this weak division. So, hang in there everyone and keep the faith. Let's see what the next 81 games will bring.

Comments

[Ceetar]

Manuel has probably lost the team. I don't see how guys like Church and Murphy, given how they've been mistreated, can like him much.

Especially after that 'family chat' the other day, when he supposedly reneged on everything he'd been saying (which was to totally criticize his team, his players, and their ability to win) You see small hints of it occasionally, I just hope it blows up more so Omar is forced to fire him, a move that's long over due, and we'd probably be in first if we had a average manager.

[Anthony]

Jerry Manuel is a terrible manager. Nothing he is going to do will help this squad. We need a surplus of talent to override his incessant bunting, ridiculous line-ups and bullpen mismanagement.

We don't have that by any stretch. That said, at some point, the blame has to fall to the players. Catch the damn ball for Christ's Sake.

[Clare Lafferty]

I agree with both comments. I like Jerry but he is not doing his job. I know the players need to make the routine plays as well but Jerry has lost control of this unit. The fact that he stated that we don't need to trade for anyone and could do the job with the players we have indicate to me that he is not being realistic. Omar, please go out and get some players who can at least catch the ball!