Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Willie Randolph

Behind the Bullpen Management

Monday, October 31st, 2011

We argue about the utilization of bullpens here all the time. It’s probably the most important and difficult part of managing a team. We often look at it scientifically; evaluating platoon splits when we make our second guesses. We never have the complete information, however, as the manager, catcher, and pitching coach know how the individual pitchers […]

Collins Learning About Mets Culture the Hard Way

Friday, September 16th, 2011

“Perception is reality in our game and the perception I have right now is we’ve folded it up,” Terry Collins said after yesterday’s 10-1 loss to Washington. This is an old story that we have heard around here for three years. With the insertion of a new front office, manager, and coaching staff the hope […]

Six Degrees of Separation From the Last Mets Balk-Off

Friday, June 17th, 2011

When D.J. Carrasco balked in the winning run last night, it was the first time for the team since Roger McDowell did it on May 28th, 1989 in Los Angeles. There are many individuals in that game (see boxscore) that are/have been involved with the organization. Willie Randolph played second for the Dodgers. Current Bisons […]

What About Willie Returning to the Bronx?

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Willie Randolph knows there will be a number of managerial vacancies open this offseason, so it shouldn’t be a surprise he was engaging reporters about his future before last night’s game at Citi Field. If only Randolph was that affable during his tenure perhaps he would still be employed behind the bench. With all the […]

Vote: NYBD Strat-O-Matic Yanks All Star 2B

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Robinson Cano Year Age G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ 2009 26 161 674 637 103 204 48 2 25 85 5 7 30 63 .320 .352 .520 .871 129 162 Game Avg. 162 673 631 92 196 44 4 20 89 4 […]

37% Chance of Sports Illustrated Jinx

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Derek Jeter didn’t even know there was such a thing as the Sports Illustrated jinx, saying the “last time he was on the cover was before Game 6 of the World Series, so there is your jinx.” Well, what Jeter should know is that appearing on the famous sports magazine’s cover isn’t guaranteed to cause […]

Mets Lose, But Mission Accomplished

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

The Mets may have lost yesterday, but fans should take solace in knowing the team fulfilled the objective of their general manager: “St. Louis is always tough. If we can win two out of three, that will be outstanding. If we win one, I’ll take it. We’ve got Jose [Reyes] back, and once we get […]

MSG’s “The Lineup”: Second Base

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

On Sunday you heard from Fran Healy of MSG as we talked about the new show “The Lineup.” Tonight the roundtable decides on the best second baseman in New York history. The list includes: Tony Lazzeri Joe Gordon Jackie Robinson Bobby Richardson Frankie Frisch Willie Randolph Billy Martin Jeff Kent Felix Millan Billy Herman Personally, […]

Schoeneweis Used Properly and Gets It Done

Monday, April 5th, 2010

I was ridiculed for suggesting the Mets look into signing Scott Schoeneweis after he was released by Milwaukee. Everyone remembers the troubles Schoeneweis had in New York, but fails to point out that he was never used in the manner for which he was signed: to get left handed hitters out. Even in 2007, a […]

Mets Should Have Never Fired Rick Peterson

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

ESPN’s Rob Neyer discussed Milwaukee Pitching coach Rick Peterson in his daily column. He talks about his philosophy, penchant for keeping his staffs healthy, and how Milwaukee needs to improve their current pitching depth. I was always surprised that Peterson was fired, along with Willie Randolph, back in 2008. I never was under the impression […]

Floyd’s Final Lesson

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

In a week dominated by Super Bowl coverage, Cliff Floyd gave us some interesting baseball tidbits. If you haven’t listened yet, you should download his live interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa. First, this really is a game of inches. Talking about the infamous Game 7 against St. Louis, Cliff pointed out how he “just missed” […]

Charges of Racism Getting Old

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Just when I think I have heard it all in baseball something happens that just amazes me. Yesterday I came across this article on Baseball Think Factory. The premise of the piece was the harsh treatment of Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley by the Wrigley Field faithful. Bradley, who has a checkered past that was outlined […]

Mets Should Hire Backman to Head Player Development

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

It’s time to move past the stories about former Mets executive Tony Bernazard. The Mets have yet to announce who will take Bernazard’s place and rebuild their farm system. I believe the answer is their former second baseman Wally Backman. Backman was fired after a year and a half of managing the Joliet Jackhammers in […]

Bernazard Has Destroyed Once Harmonious Clubhouse

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

The Tony Bernazard Coverage is probably already reaching the saturation point, but the quote that bothers me is the one from an “unnamed veteran starter”.  He (Bernazard) is having a cancerous effect on the Mets’ clubhouse” was reported to Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post. What more proof does Omar Minaya need to understand this […]

Theatre of the Absurd, Blueprint, Popup Payback

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

- Winning teams establish a blueprint for success. The Mets, in their compromised state, must do what you saw over the first eight innings. Timely hits, decent starting pitching, a well managed and effective bullpen. The blueprint for success was working and they were well on their way to a rocking chair ninth. That all […]