OK, So Maybe He Can Kick Ass

This whole Willie Randolph firing from the Mets has me feeling pretty crappy about the crappy Mets. I've been giving Willie the benefit of the doubt here. After all, how do you motivate a bunch of overpaid, under-performing wannabe superstars? Is it Willie's fault that a player making more than ten million dollars this season alone is totally average in every way?

At the same time, I'm not going to be a big Willie defender. After all, the Mets have lost more games than they've won this year (and yes, there was the well-documented collapse of last season), and Willie's been the man in charge. At least where game decisions are concerned.

But seriously, the manner in which he was fired? Classless.

So do these overpaid, under-performing lame-o's need an ass-kicker? When the rumors of Willie's firing first surfaced, I was thinking management would put in place someone like Larry Bowa or Lou Piniella. You know, someone who instills fear in their players because they've got tempers like Yosemite Sam.

Instead Willie was replaced by his bench coach, Jerry Manuel. Truth be told, I don't know much about Jerry. He's had some success in the past as a Major League manager. He was Willie's bench coach. He sat there and calmly muttered advice to Willie. He probably knows a thing or two about baseball. But an ass-kicker? I don't know.

Because the whole Willie firing left a bad taste in my mouth, I opted to take a short break from the Mets. I'd heard something about how during Jerry's first game as manager Jose Reyes had some sort of hissy-fit on the field because Jerry wanted to pull him. I was like, "Terrific. Jose's acting like a five-year-old testing boundaries with his parents." And I didn't think much else about it.

Enter Titivil, not my usual source for baseball news. His post pointed me in the direction of this story.

Well, holy shit. Jerry Manuel threatened to "go gangster" and use a blade to spill the blood of his All-Star shortstop. Maybe he is what the Mets need in a manager.

Still, Willie, you got totally screwed.

And Omar, look out, baby. This is the team you built. If they don't succeed now, it's your fucking problem. And Jerry Manuel's not afraid to get out his trusty blade and cut you.

For the non-baseball fans, I offer a gangster hottie: