The New York Mets
sit in third place in the NL East with a 17-15 record, 2.5 games behind the Florida
Marlins and 1.5 behind the Philadelphia Phillies. The only offensive positives
for them so far are David Wright (expected) and newcomer Ryan Church. Their
starting rotation, once you get past Johan Santana and John Maine, is
below-average, and the bullpen has been mediocre despite Billy Wagner allowing
only one run (unearned) all season.

The season is 20%
over, and already the masses are calling for Willie Randolph’s head. Carlos
Delgado’s 79 OPS+? Willie’s fault. Carlos Beltran’s SLG looking similar to his
OBP? Yep: Willie’s fault. Oliver Perez’s reversion back to his 2005 ways? I’m
not sure. No, wait… yeah, Willie’s fault. Injuries to Pedro Martinez, Brian
Schneider, Ramon Castro, Matt Wise, Jose Valentin, Orlando Hernandez, Ambiorix
Burgos, Moises Alou, Duaner Sanchez, Luis Castillo, and Carlos Beltran? The Mets’
manager’s fault.

The prototypical criticism directed at Randolph comes from Dan Graziano of NJ.com:

He does what Joe Torre used to do when his
veteran players slumped. He tells them he believes in them and will stick by
them until they come out of it.

But in the case of these particular Mets, it
doesn't work. These Mets get too comfortable. They can keep mailing it in at no
threat to themselves or their lifestyle. You went 0-for-5 again, Carlos? No
problem. You'll be back in there tomorrow, have no fear. We'll never embarrass
you.

By now — after the playoff flop of 2006, the
historic meltdown of '07 and the sleepy start to '08 — Randolph should
understand this, and he should be doing something about it. He is not.

What all criticisms
of Randolph have in common is that they’re all based in intangibles; the
unprovable. There are no laundry lists of poor in-game decisions, or specific
examples of handling his players poorly; only unspecific claims that cannot be
backed up with factual evidence.

Managing a baseball
team is a very unrewarding job, despite the cushy financial compensation. It’s
the players’ doing when the team is winning, but the manager’s fault when the
team is losing.

Where is the blame
for Aaron Heilman, who allowed two runs in three straight appearances on April
6, 8, and 10? Why is no one blaming the Injury Gods because the Mets had a
third-string catcher start 12 games this season due to both Ramon Castro and
Brian Schneider being injured? Isn’t Carlos Delgado’s lack of patriotism
responsible for his gradual loss of power since 2005?

If the journalists
and Mets fans who have been calling for Randolph to be fired are really
interested in having an honest and rational discussion, then they either need
to present some tangible evidence of Randolph’s shortcomings, or they need to
assign most of the blame to the players. Yes, those same players that the Mets’
front office is paying nearly $140 million this season.

And maybe if Carlos
Beltran really can’t motivate himself to perform well because he has job
security, then that’s his fault, not Randolph’s. There are plenty of other
players in Major League Baseball with comparable job security and they aren’t
apathetic. Or if the Mets really aren’t “fiery” enough because they don’t get
verbally lashed, well, that’s the players’ fault. Just look at the Phillies – currently
managed by the laid-back Charlie Manuel and formerly managed by the complete
opposite Larry Bowa – for an example of why tongue-lashings aren’t always necessary.

The Mets haven’t
been performing well because they’ve had a rash of injuries (and that does
happen to other teams, even the Phillies who ripped the rug from under the Mets
last season had more injuries to deal with). Oliver Perez is once again
underperforming (Rick Peterson’s fault!), Jose Reyes has thus far been unable
to find the power stroke he possessed in 2006, Carlos Delgado is on the
downward trend of his career which explains some of his loss of power, and they’re
relying on Nelson Figueroa to round out the back of the rotation.

Can’t it be that the
Mets simply are not living up to expectations? They are not the NL powerhouse
everyone thought they’d be; they do not have an All-Star at every position.
Currently, with their +9 run differential, their real 17-15 record is exactly
in line with their 17-15 Pythagorean record. Firing Randolph would be letting
all of the underachievers on the team off the hook, and isn’t that what this is
really all about – the Mets’ players underachieving? David Wright agrees:

There is another side to Randolph, I’ve seen
him throw chairs. I’ve seen him flip tables. I’ve seen him kick people in the
butt, The motivation is there, now it’s completely up to us as players to go
out there and do our jobs and to get it done.

How can it be that
this same manager was practically beloved in 2006? I’m not kidding, just read
what Joel Sherman of the New York Post had to say about him circa September ’06:

Willie Randolph should not be penalized for
having a runaway success. He should be honored for it. There were a lot of
years around here where the Mets thought they had the formula to unseat the Braves
and win the NL East. Randolph's team did it, not just by raising the payroll,
but also because Randolph raised the expectation level. If adding famous names
and hefty contracts were all that mattered, the Mets would have had a division
title with Roberto Alomar and Mo Vaughn on the roster. They didn't then. They
do now.

“What Willie is is a winner and he
facilitates a winning attitude,” pitching coach Rick Peterson said.

This is the most important task for a
manager, controlling temperament. In-game strategy is what keeps the talk radio
dial spinning.

Randolph didn’t
somehow unlearn good managerial tactics. The only difference between the 2006
and 2008 Mets is the players. Sherman even noted, back in Sept. ’06, that
Willie was great at the stuff they are criticizing him right now for:

Randolph's team has played hard and focused,
even with a big lead. It did not wallow in pity when Duaner Sanchez, Pedro
Martinez and Tom Glavine were all lost in about the same period. Youngsters
have grown, stars have flourished and castoffs have rejuvenated to fill in
blanks under Randolph's rule.

[…]

Randolph delegates well to his coaches,
communicates expertly with his players and has done what Torre did right away
with the Yankees - stress to his players not to accept good, but to embrace the
idea of winning a championship as the only acceptable goal. In that way, his
most important act - his Manager of the Year platform - is that he has changed the
culture from too much Club Met to one in which second best in New York and the
NL East is no longer tolerable. Willie Randolph has always been a winner and he
expects his team to be like him.

Unfortunately for Willie
Randolph, the public isn’t interested in having honest, rational discussions
about his team’s shortcomings. They simply need a scapegoat, and as it is in
most cases, it’s the manager’s fault. Carlos Beltran is being paid too much
money to take the fall for his own failures; he’s not expendable the way
Randolph is.

Perhaps the most
important question that needs to be answered in all of this is who will
the Mets hire to replace Randolph? Phil Garner? Bobby Valentine: Round Two? Art
Howe: Round Two? Frank Robinson? Are any of them really an improvement over Randolph?

As a Phillies fan, I
know exactly the type of displeasure Mets fans are going through and I
understand the disappointment in the manager, but it’s short-sighted and
irrational, especially only 20% into the season. Give him some time.

“Paul Nyman has an article on Phil Hughes' mechanics. Personally, I am very skeptical of all the analysis on mechanics out there….”  
   
   “More Hughes Mechanics Babble Because you know you want to read the 1000th inexplicable anatomical jargon-laden report on Phil Hughes' pitching mechanics…..”  
  
   These comments appeared on various websites in response to my article “Phil Hughes and Mystery Meat Mechanics”.  I can't find fault with this type of thinking/attitude. That's why I call it ….  Mystery Meat Mechanics?  
  
   Mechanics; The Root of All Evil?  
  
   Type in the words “pitching mechanics” into Google is all one has to do to see why mechanics could be referred to as “mechanical babble”. Pages and pages of anything and everything from the art of pitching for the science of pitching to you shouldn't pitcher baseball until you 16 years old or have x-rays on both elbows to determine your physiological age.  
  
   15 years ago when I first began SETPRO I vowed I would never attempt to convince someone that I knew something about how the body throws a ball or swings the bat. Why? Because those seeking information on how the body swings a throws by the very fact that they're looking for that information almost assures they know little or nothing about which they seek and begs the question  “how does one who knows nothing about the thing they are seeking know when they find it?”  
  
   The universal (logical?) answer to this question (making a decision about any product or service which one knows nothing about) is “brand name”. For baseball instruction “brand name” is Major-League Baseball. “Brand name” is a player or coach whose name implies baseball success. Instructionals/mechanics information may be the “alleged” product of the “brand name” OR someone else's product endorsed by “brand name”.
  
   Examples of “Brand Naming”
    
   An unknown especially unknown with minimal baseball “credentials” (playing or coaching experience) has virtually no hope convincing the baseball establishment that you know something about how to swing or throw. 15 years ago I made the decision to rely on “hardware” (training equipment) as opposed to “software” (training/instructional information) because hardware can stand on its own (what it did).
    
   But its impossible to develop the best training equipment and player development systems for maximizing swing and throw capabilities if you don't understand (in great detail) exactly what it is you are developing equipment for i.e. how the body optimally swings and how the body optimally throws.
    
   Fortunately for me (and my sanity) the world 15 years ago was on the cusp of a huge informational change called the Internet. The availability of a low cost mass communication channel makes it possible to dispense information that parents, coaches instructors, the ones who wanted to do everything possible to improve their knowledge and capabilities do find valuable.
    
   I am happy to say today I was/am able to light a few small candles in what still is very long and very dark night called pitching and hitting mechanics analysis and instruction. These pinpoints of light are the identification and application of concepts from disciplines such as physics, I mechanics, physiology, kinesiology and motor learning and control to create a better understanding of how the body efficiently and maximally swings and throws. Specifics such as  Intent, scapula loading, throwing tempo, the importance of arm action, swing quickness versus bat speed. I have the good fortune of not only witnessing the successful implementation and use of these concepts by players, coaches and instructors but also making their way into mainstream baseball discussions.
    
   But as with almost things in life for a plus there is a potential minus.
    
   For example I recently saw an analysis where a number of concepts I developed as applied to throwing are inferred or discussed.  
    
     A Mechanics Analysis “Minus”
    
   The following is an excerpt from the above analysis:

          
            There are a quite a few minuses there but the most egregious ones (for me) are those that not only misrepresent someone else's work but also do nothing to help develop a better understanding how players optimally throw the baseball. It is this type of misrepresentation or misinformation that continues to plague baseball player development as a whole. It is this type of misinformation and misinterpretation that creates barriers between those who are responsible for developing players and those who are really attempting to contribute to a better understanding of what it takes to maximize a players abilities.
          
       This person exhibits at least two major flaws/fallacies with his analysis specific to his comments on the inverted W. First of all he really doesn't understand what the inverted W is which is typical of just about everyone who criticizes the inverted W, i.e. they don't know what it nor have they taken the time or made the effort (other than to criticize and find fault with)  to investigate it.

And secondly this personreally doesn't know much of anything about the actual biomechanics of throwing.
          
         First: about the inverted W
          
         The inverted W describes anatomically actions primarily of the scapula that initiate throwing action earlier than any other type of arm action.
          
         When I first began looking at pitchers such as Nolan Ryan, John Smoltz, Pedro Martinez pitchers who threw hard and were successful and based upon principles of development, conservation and transformation of momentum as part of the throwing process, I defined the initiation of the throw as beginning with separation of hands from the glove.         

I also observed that it is possible for a pitcher to be more efficient mechanically if he allows the momentum generated from the dropping of the hands to be recycled into the throwing arm. I noted this particularly in Pedro Martinez.  My premise being that the dropping of the hands arms was analogous to a roller coaster going down an incline developing momentum that could be then used to climb the next incline.
 
The motion/movement pattern I believe most efficient in achieving this is when the scapula becomes engaged to help separate the ball from the glove which creates a lifting of the elbows BY the scapula. The goal is to channel the momentum from the hand drop and separation into the scapula/upper torso.
 
Critics of scapula loading often referred to scapula loading as something that should be allowed to “naturally happen”. Which to me is the same as the throwing of a 100 mph fastball should be allowed to “naturally happen”. Neither a 100 mph fastball or scapula loading  will naturally happen unless the player makes it happen.
 
Another point of great confusion is the general lack anatomical and kinesthetic knowledge of how the body's muscles actually create movement. The scapula is one of the most mobile bones in the body. It is also the critical link between the torso and the arm. The scapula can be elevated, depressed, pinched, extended.
 
Critics of the inverted W do not understand that you can elevate the scapula which elevates the elbow without changing the geometry of the glenohumeral joint. Any time they see the elbow above the shoulder they immediately equate this to hyperextension or hyperflexion of the glenohumeral joint not realizing that the scapula can elevate the elbow without violating the range of motion of the glenohumeral joint.  
 
 
Second the biomechanics of throwing….
 
In this clip this person makes a statement that the inverted W. places undue stress on the elbow (UCL) and shoulder capsule to which I respond with the following article:
 
“Kinetics of Baseball Pitching with Implications About Injury Mechanisms
 
Glenn S. Fleisig, PhD, James R. Andrews, MD, Charles J. Dillman, PhD, Rafael F. Escamilla, MS, CSCS; American Sports Medicine Institute, Birmingham, Alabama
 
Elbow and shoulder kinetics for 26 highly skilled, healthy adult pitchers were  calculated using high-speed motion analysis. Two critical instants were 1)  shortly before the arm reached maximum external rotation, when 67 N-m of  shoulder internal rotation torque and 64 N-m of elbow varus torque were  generated, and 2) shortly after ball release, when 1090 N of shoulder com  pressive force was produced. Inability to generate suf ficient elbow varus  torque may result in medial tension, lateral compression, or posteromedial  impingement in jury. At the glenohumeral joint, compressive force, joint laxity,  and 380 N of anterior force during arm cocking can lead to anterior glenoid  labral tear. Rapid internal rotation in combination with these forces can  produce a grinding injury factor on the labrum. After ball release, 400 N of  posterior force, 1090 N of compressive force, and 97 N-m of horizontal abduction  torque are generated at the shoulder; contribution of rotator cuff muscles in  generating these loads may result in cuff tensile fail ure. Horizontal  adduction, internal rotation, and superior translation of the abducted humerus  may cause sub acromial impingement. Tension in the biceps tendon, due to muscle  contraction for both elbow flexion torque and shoulder compressive force, may  tear the antero superior labrum.”
 
There are two critical  biomechanical issues...
 
 First maximal stresses on the shoulder and elbow do not occur until well into the delivery i.e. almost at the point of maximum external rotation of the throwing shoulder which is long after any “alleged” effects created by the inverted W.
  
 Second it must be also noted that all pitchers regardless of their arm action create external rotation of the throwing arm. A number of studies suggest that the amount of external rotation correlates to how hard the baseball is thrown. So it's not surprising that the harder a pitcher throws the gray the potential stress on both shoulder and elbow.
  
 Most who are involved in player development including just about all of professional baseball are skeptical of those who proclaim their pitching mechanics or hitting mechanics expertise. Even more so when they start performing analysis on players. As I said previously for everyplus there is a potential minus.

The plus of the Internet is the ability to disseminate information to wide audience.

The minus of the Internet is the ability to disseminate information to wide audience.

The key word here is “information”……
    

Sergio Santos has never had success above AA, but he showcases a power swing….and arm….  (Dean Lima/Hardball Warriors)

Arizona    

Conor Jackson - Missed 1 game (eye injury).
    
Atlanta    

Buddy Carlyle - Neck injury, day-to-day.
    
Chicago Cubs    

Sean Marshall - Optioned to Iowa (AAA).
Scott Eyre - Missed 34 games (left elbow injury).
    
Cincinnati    

Bill Bray - Recalled from Louisville (AAA).
Kent Mercker - Back injury, 15-day DL (retroactive May 6th).
    
Cleveland    

Victor Martinez - Missed 1 game (neck injury).
    
Kansas City    

Jose Guillen - Missed 1 game (shoulder injury).
    
Los Angeles Anaheim    

Casey Kotchman - Missed 1 game (groin).
    
Milwaukee    

Derrick Turnbow - Outrighted to Nashville (AAA).
    
Minnesota    

Pat Neshek - Right elbow injury, 15-day DL.
Glen Perkins - Recalled from Rochester (AAA).
    
NY Mets    

Raul Casanova - Designated for assignment by the New York Mets.
Ramon A. Castro - Missed 32 games (strained right hamstring).
    
NY Yankees    

Jonathan Albaladejo - Elbow injury, 15-day DL.
Kei Igawa - Recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
Chris Britton - Optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
Sean Henn - Claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres.
Kyle Farnsworth - MLB reduced suspension from 3 games to 1.
    
Oakland    

Keith Foulke - Missed 26 games (neck injury).
    
Philadelphia    

Brad Harman - Optioned to Reading (AA).
Jimmy Rollins - Missed 18 games (sprained left ankle).
    
San Diego    

Colt Morton - Optioned to San Antonio (AA).
Luke Carlin - Contract purchased from Portland (AAA).
Sean Henn - Claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees.
Jody Gerut - Recalled from Portland (AAA).
Jim Edmonds - Released by the San Diego Padres.
    
Seattle    

Brad Wilkerson - Released by the Seattle Mariners.
Richie Sexson - Suspended by MLB for 6 games.
    
Tampa Bay    

Nathan Haynes - Designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Cliff Floyd - Missed 29 games (knee injury).
    
Toronto    

Brad Wilkerson - Signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sergio Santos - Designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Gustavo Chacin - Designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Joe Inglett  - Optioned to Syracuse (AAA).
Kevin Mench - Acquired from the Texas Rangers for cash.
    
Washington    

Dave Wallace - Acquired from the Cleveland Indians.
Jesus Flores - Recalled from Columbus (AAA).
Elijah Dukes - Missed 34 games (right hamstring injury).

• Ted Lilly struck out 10 while allowing just one run on 3 hits over 7 innings, and Mark DeRosa singled, doubled, and walked to lead the offense as the Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks, 3-1. Dan Haren took the loss despite giving up just 2 runs in 7 innings for Arizona.
• Ivan Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored, and Ryan Raburn added 2 hits and 2 RBI as the Tigers held on to edge the Yankees, 6-5. Jason Giambi doubled and homered for New York.
• James Shields pitched a complete game one-hit shutout, and Evan Longoria launched a 2-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th as the Rays completely shut down the Angels,  2-0. Jon Garland pitched 8 scoreless innings of 4-hit ball for Los Angeles.
• Jorge Cantu had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Luis Gonzalez drove in 3 runs to give Ricky Nolasco all the support he'd need to pitch the Marlins past the Nationals, 7-3. Nolasco gave up just one run in 6 innings for Florida.
• Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder each had 2 hits, and Ricky Weeks singled in the winning runs in the bottom of the 9th inning as the Brewers walked-off with a 4-3 win over the Cardinals.
• Adam Everett doubled twice and walked, Brendan Harris had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Mike Lamb knocked in 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning off Jonathan Papelbon to lead the Twins to a 7-6 win over the Red Sox. Mike Lowell had 2 hits and 2 RBI for Boston.
• Paul Konerko singled, doubled, and drove in 2 runs, Jim Thome homered, and Jose Contreras allowed just one run over 7 innings as the White Sox sent the slumping Mariners to yet another defeat, 4-2.
• Lance Berkman went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs, and Kaz Matsui reached base 3 times and scored twice as the Astros cruised to a 7-1 win over the Dodgers. Brian Moehler, of all pitchers, threw 5 scoreless innings for Houston.
• Ian Snell pitched 7 strong innings, and Freddy Sanchez picked up 2 hits and drove in all 3 Pittsburgh runs as the Pirates walked-off with a 3-2 win over the Braves. Brian McCann had 3 hits, and Tom Glavine yielded just 2 runs in 7 innings for Atlanta.
• C.C. Sabathia struck out 9 in 7 innings, and Casey Blake and Ben Francisco each doubled in 2 runs as the Indians exploded for 6 runs in the 7th inning on their way to a 6-1 win over the Blue Jays. 
• Scott Feldman tossed 2-hit ball over 6 innings, and Brandon Boggs went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and 3 RBI as the Rangers blanked the A's, 4-0. 
• Nick Markakis and Freddie Bynum each had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Aubrey Huff doubled, homered, and drove in 3 to help the Orioles defeat the Royals, 7-4. Alex Gordon singled, walked, homered, and drove in 3 for Kansas City. 
• Garrett Atkins had 3 hits, Brad Hawpe drove in 2 runs, and Aaron Cook allowed just one run on 3 hits in 7 innings as the Rockies beat the free-falling Padres, 4-2. 
• Jimmy Rollins returned to the Philadelphia lineup and went 3-for-5 with a double, home run and 3 RBI, and Carlos Ruiz knocked in 2 additional runs as the Phillies went on to outscore the Giants, 7-4. Emmanuel Burriss went 3-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBI for San Francisco.

Friday's Scoreboard