Too Much For One Day

I don't even know where to begin. It was a busy day in Flushing as Rick Down was fired, Rickey Henderson was hired, Julio Franco was DFA, Lastings Milledge was called up, and Marlon Anderson was signed to a minor-league contract. Did you catch that all? It took me a little while too.

Should Rick Down take the flack for a crop of veteran hitters that can't fix their issues? Maybe, but probably not. Unfortunately, his position takes the heat for their inconsistency and he is let go. Obviously Omar and Willie did not see eye-to-eye on this issue and time will tell how this affects this ball club.

Rickey will add a bit of spice to this clubhouse. As he will most likely assume the role of first base coach, he will most definitely still be "Rickey being Rickey." Hopefully his personality isn't too big as his role is now a coach and not a player in the limelight. The best scenario will be that the young guys on this squad will respond to Rickey and the veterans will be able to co-exist with him as the season progresses. Again, this will be interesting to watch play out.

With the departure of Julio Franco & Rick Down, Rickey Henderson is a bit of a 2-for-1 deal. He can replace that leadership that Franco possessed, while serving in a definitive leadership position. Or at least, I suspect that is the theory the Mets are buying into. Although Willie throws this team out there every night, one of Willie's glaring characteristics is his loyalty to those around him. At times this can be Willie's greatest flaw as well. We've reached the halfway point, and we need to win. We can't play the loyalty card and wait to win tomorrow. My guess is Omar Minaya was tired of waiting for tomorrow, like most of us were, and felt that some message needed to be sent to this team. Therefore all the moves today. So do not take these moves personally, especially Rick Down, but more as a first-class message that he is "the man" in charge and he will not be complacent. He has the talent and he wants them to produce. I don't think that's such a bad thing; as I personally get very frustrated will Willie's attitude at times.

I will be missing in action this weekend as the Global Facebook Mets Group will have it's first group day at Shea this Saturday. It should be a great day with pre-game festivities, Ralph Kiner Day, and all the other craziness I'm sure will come along with this day. It will be fantastic to meet 50+ other Mets fans; most of us which have been "friends" for a year, without ever meeting each other. Look for us on SNY! We'll do all we can to get our mugs on TV! And while you're at it check out our new group blog! Here's to a great weekend! I'll be back early next week to catch up!