Coming into the season the were several managers who were presumed to be on the hot seat, but now there are two who are doing everything they can to separate themselves from the rest of the pack…and ultimately from their positions as managers of their teams.
Leading the way is the New York Mets Jerry Manuel. His perennially under achieving club started the season with a poor 2-5 record, including dropping 2 out of 3 to the lowly Washington Nationals. They are in the midst of a 3 game losing streak, and it could be extended as they play the Colorado Rockies for 2 more. But what has really given Manuel a nose up on everyone else was his acknowledgement after his team’s 5-2 loss to the Nationals on Thursday, that his team was “Unprepared” to face Nats starting pitcher Livan Hernandez. Excuse me? Your team was “Unprepared”? Your team should NEVER be unprepared, especially when facing a pitcher has been in the league for 15 years, and was even on your own team just last season! Bye, bye, Jerry.
Trying to keep up with Manuel’s break neck pace to go home early is Baltimore’s Dave Trembley. Trembley’s O’s are 1-8, and have dropped their last 5 straight. The record is no surprise, as we all saw the schedule they have to start the season having 22 of their first 30 games against the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Twins. The pressure was going to be on, but the fiasco that is evolving with their new closer, Mike Gonzalez may be expediting Trembley’s departure. Gonzalez has underperformed blowing 2 saves, and posting an 18.00 ERA, but that’s not Trembley’s fault. What does fall on his shoulders is the confusion that took place Tuesday night when he announced before the game that Gonzalez, who had just rejoined the team after being gone for the birth of his child, was available to pitch. He then asked Gonzalez to get loose during the game twice, but was told that Gonzalez was feeling tightness and could not get ready. Then after the game it is disclosed that Gonzalez was NOT available to pitch, and would be used in non save situations to get his mechanics worked out. Now, today he is put on the 15 day D.L. Where is the communication breakdown happening between player, training staff and manager? In all honesty this is probably NOT Trembley;s fault, as he most likely has a player who has been hiding an injury and not being forthright with the trainers or the manager. That being said, this is the LAST thing Trembley needs, and even though not directly his doing, does not paint a good picture of his being able to communicate with his players and staff. I like Trembley and the old school approach he believes in, but with a losing record, things like this don’t help his cause.
It’s an unseemly topic this early in the season, but these two situations have pushed themselves into the spotlight in only week 2.
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