This is a response to jazz74 in the Yankees thread about in jest, wanting to give Randolph back to the Yanks.

Is it Willie Randolph's fault that almost his entire pitching staff is old and can't get anyone out? I liked what he did in the game the other night when Pedro was in, the Mets down 3-0, where Martinez gave up a couple of hits in the 7th or 8th inning with 2 outs. The announcers thought they would pull him but Willie didn't. Pedro stayed in, got the last out, causing the fans and the players to get pumped when before they seemed tentative. Now, the bullpen has been horrific, but Willie could have very well been concerned Martinez was tiring. Also, by sticking with him, the team and crowd changed moods which could have had a positive effect had someone been able to get a key hit.

People seem to forget that going into the previous season that not many expected the Mets to be in contention for their division. Willie was thought to have had a huge impact on creating a positive atmosphere, which affected the team's performance. Sure, he deserves responsibility for the team's collapse, but the pitching staff/roster was not composed by him.

islesfan used the cooking reference that if you have bad ingredients no chef can make it into a great tasting meal, or the sum is made up of its parts. The Mets staff is old, with no real ace, and the bullpen blowing leads this month has been just unbelievable. The team was scoring runs, but you gotta suspect that some guys tired and that the team was depending on a few players too much (i.e. Wagner).

Minaya as GM has also been dealing with the remnants of Phillips and Duquette, which is where the trend of signing old pitchers, because that's what was available for short term gains, had begun. Pedro is Minaya's responsibility, sure, but that was also something that made the Mets a popular team within the Latino community. Beltran has had better years the last two seasons, although he may not be as good as his contract warrants the fact is he was highly touted the year he was a free-agent, and has helped the Mets be a contender the past two seasons. Getting Delgado has also helped the team, and he carried them last year, especially in the playoffs, even if this season he's not been as strong.

Point is this is still a good team, and will be next year even if they don't make the playoffs this year. With some savvy GMing by Minaya, if the Mets can improve their pitching they'll be better. I'm a Yankee fan, and I'm rooting for them. Good to see they came out swinging today so far.

Rick Peterson is a punk. How pathetic for a pitching coach to come out looking to start a fight with the other team. Real tough guy.

Maybe if he did his job, they wouldn't be in this position where they need to get motivated by this foolish bravado.

The Mets are embarrassing themselves now in more ways than one.

Great win. Hopefully not too little too late. Maine was on today. 14 K's in 7.2 innings!! Hope Phils lose today and tomorrow and of course the Mets need to win tomorrow.....we'll see.

If they finished tied, they have to play one game at Philadelphia.

Phillies down 4-1 entering the 8th inning.....

We're alive...WE'RE ALIVE!!!! Tied for NL East with Philly! Thank you Manny Acta. Thank you Chad Cordero- too bad we couldn't get you at the deadline. Thank you Fox Sports for putting on the Phils after our sweet victory today. They played scared and their fans were very quiet.

LET'S GO METS!

Tim McCarver is a piece of crap. Everything he said was in favor of the Phils it was so tough watching the game. But happy with the results of the Phils and Washington game. He especially irked me with his biased announcing when he mentioned the brawl, he made it out like the Mets were waking the Marlins up for the next game when it was the other way around the Marlins might be waking the Mets up instead. Tim we know where your heart is it in Philly but your on national television mofo.

4-0 Marlins Top of 1st

Glavine is a piece of crap. He single handedly is responsible for this. Yeah...Willie can make a future HOF with 300+ wins pitch well...when you get down by that many runs, the morale goes down so much because you have dig yourself out of a ridiculous hole. Our season may be done- I hope Glavine is not in a Mets uni next year...the Braves can have him back.

Yeah, unbelievable!