Monday, July 14, 2008

Manuel's Changes

The Mets are on a roll and as much as I love the All-Star game, I am sorry to see teams breaking right now. The Mets have now won nine in a row. You can argue that part of that streak has been against teams that are not very good but the Mets haven’t had such a streak in years, regardless of the opponent.

Not only have the Mets won nine in a row, four of the past six games have been shutouts. More importantly, the Mets seem relaxed. I did not think changing managers would make much of a difference, except maybe to give the Mets a jolt because change can do that. I was wrong.

The jolt did not come immediately, as it usually does, as they were playing 500 ball under Jerry Manuel for a while. Now, it looks like Manuel relaxing the standards, allowing for facial hair, allowing for players to play music, letting the players have fun, has really made a difference.

The truth is I have long felt that some players feel a certain look gives them an edge and a moustache or beard, or long hair can help. I was not a fan of making Oscar Gamble cut his hair when he came to the Yankees, I was not a fan of Al Hrobosky having to shave his moustache when he was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals. Would Rollie Fingers have been the same pitcher without his handlebar moustache? Would Goose Goosage have been so intimidating without his facial hair? The players are adults and deserve to be treated as such. It appears that Jerry Manual is doing just that and it is paying huge dividends.

Everything is clicking and I hope it continues after the All-Star break.

Let’s Go Mets!

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