Extra MustardSI On CampusFantasyPhoto GalleriesSwimsuitVideoFanNationSI KidsTNT

Too close to call (cont.)

Posted: Thursday September 27, 2007 11:56AM; Updated: Thursday September 27, 2007 4:45PM
Free E-mail AlertsE-mail ThisPrint ThisSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators

Accidental case of the willies

MAILBAG
Got a question or comment for Jon?
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Your home town:
Enter your question:

A little bit of storm was created in New York after Mets owner Jeff Wilpon was quoted in this space saying he is "disappointed'' with his team from "top to bottom.'' And part of the confusion came because some took it to mean he was particularly disappointed with manager Willie Randolph. That isn't what Wilpon said, and I assume that isn't what he meant.

What he said was a fair summary of how everyone around the Mets should have been feeling last week and is surely feeling now. The fact is, they are all disappointed. But only the owner -- and an owner who started an ultrasuccessful new network, who is getting his new stadium built (and fast, too) and who helped turn the team around -- is probably secure enough to say it.

"I think we're all disappointed,'' Tom Glavine said in response to Wilpon's remark on WFAN's Mike and the Mad Dog New York show on Wednesday. "When you look at where the club was, there's a lot to be disappointed about. ... If I was the owner of this team, I'd be disappointed, too. And I can tell you as a player, I'm disappointed.''

And Randolph said on that same show, "I was fine with it, because we're all disappointed, too.''

Then the Mets went out and lost again to the Gnats. "Disappointment'' seems like a mild word for how they're feeling.

Around the Majors

• The Dodgers may now consider trading multitalented young outfielder Matt Kemp, according to a column by Bill Plaschke in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times. If so, that's quite a switch. And if so, it also may be an indication of the type of influence that Jeff Kent -- a clear Kemp detractor -- has with Dodgers vice chairman and president Jamie McCourt, the owner's wife and a confidant of the second baseman's.

I still like the Joba Rules. Yankees GM Brian Cashman gets credit for asking pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras to devise them. But Yankees scouting guru Damon Oppenheimer gets credit for selecting Mr. Joba Rules himself in the second round out of Nebraska. No one has made a better pick in years.

Brian Giles' game-winning homer on Tuesday night in San Francisco off Brian Wilson to give the Padres a 6-4 win might be the single most important hit of the year. But he wasn't the first to win a game with two outs in the ninth. Helton and Scott Hairston have done the same recently in the wild, wild NL West.

• A three-way dead heat would be fun, no?

Moises Alou (30-game hitting streak) is going to have rethink his retirement instinct.

• The Nationals stomped on the Mets at Shea even without Dmitri Young. Pretty good for them.

Chipper Jones ... amazing.

• Those who keep writing me about what a meaningless stat RBIs are, please note that an SI player poll found that 41 percent of players said RBIs are the most important stat. And, no, I didn't put anyone up to it.

• I realize that Troy Glaus is on the disabled list, but his silence doesn't speak well for him. He hasn't said a thing since SI.com reported he received shipments of HGH and steroids. I'm starting to wonder if he's hiding somewhere with Mark McGwire.

• The Barry Bonds post-career ceremony in San Fran was well done and touching on Wednesday night, except for one thing. No mention of why they were firing a fellow who's still one of the best offensive players in the game.

• I especially loved the interview with manager Bruce Bochy where he said Bonds was a "fun guy'' and great to be around. Of course, that's the point. That he isn't a "fun guy'' is why he's going.

• OK, I admit it. I was wrong in May about the Yankees. They got in.

3 of 3

Search