How many games have they won since he was fired? That's right, zero. And they won't start winning until Juwan Howard and Drew Gooden figure out how to co-exist together.
Doc was going to be grilled all season after every game about his 'job security', so he's in a much better situation now as lead analyst for ABC's much maligned NBA broadcasts. Knick fans should pay attention to what Rivers has to say because he's going to be their coach next season.
Speaking of ABC, how long before they name Paris Hilton as their next sideline reporter for Monday Night Football?
I feel as bad about Alonzo Mourning's situation as anyone. No one should be prevented from doing what they love. However, I'd think much more highly of him if he gave the Nets more than an apology. How about not collecting on that 4 year, 22 million dollar contract you signed just a couple months ago?
Zo retiring is just one more blow to Byron Scott's job security. He can't survive many more before Rod Thorn sends him packing. If Scott wants to stay in Jersey, he better hope J-Kidd's knee heals real quick.
I've heard some rumors that Doug Collins could be the next Bulls coach if Scott Skiles doesn't take the job first. With Collins come the constant Michael Jordan come-come-comeback rumors. As heart warming as it would be to see Jordan back on the United Center floor in a Bulls uniform, he'll be their next head coach before he's their next starting shooting guard. Plus, Jordan's old enough to be Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry's father. We all remember how well MJ and Kwame 'Draft Bust' Brown got along.
Kudos to Cubs GM Jim Hendry for swooping in and stealing first baseman Derrek Lee from the Florida Marlins for 24 year old Hee Seop Choi. Most believe Choi will turn into a good little ball player, but Lee gives the Cubs a solid glove (5 errors) AND stick (31/92) at first. Something they were lacking all of last season. Oh and by the way, Lee's 21 steals would have led the Cubs.
Weren't the Eagles supposed to be done?
Chad Pennington's injury wasn't the only reason the Jets started out so poorly -- unless they planned on using him at defensive tackle -- but this kid is a special player. Vinny Testaverde was a very good QB and Chad will never come close to having the arm strength Vinny has, but I never saw Testaverde fire up an entire football team the way Pennington does.
This week's Focusing on the Harmless Nothing Award goes to the NFL for telling Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil that he may not give his kicker Morten Anderson a bottle of wine (both are wine connoisseurs) for his 500th regular season field goal because coaches cannot give performance bonuses that aren't included in the original player contract. Retail price of the wine? $500. Unfortunately, all NFL officials are busy nit picking right now, but I will accept this award on their behalf.
I would first like to congratulate you on your new job as the General Manager of the New York Mets. I honestly feel you were the best fit for the job and will do a fine job of bringing my beloved Metropolitans back into contention. With that being said, I am writing to you to assure you that this team only needs to make a few significant moves to be on equal footing with the rest of the National League East. As my contribution to the team, please accept my "Four Step Plan to Fixing the New York Mets".
1. Sign Miguel Tejada to play SS, 2B or 3B
- The position is up to you and your new 'super scout' advisors. If you feel more comfortable keeping Jose Reyes at short, then I'm sure Miggy would play third or second in order to be reunited with Art Howe. You've talked about needing another power bat in the lineup and better defense. This signing fills both of those needs. Plus, at 27, he is entering the prime of his career.
2. Sign Mike Cameron to play Center
- I understand the names Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Sheffield and even Ken Griffey Jr. have been mentioned, but this is the much more reliable choice. Cameron will come at a fraction of the price and will play better overall defense than any of them. He would also come without the expectations of being a savior, a tag one of the others will have stapled to their forehead from day one. We all know you won't be able to unload Roger Cedeno's contract and having Cameron in center allows Art to play Roger in right field without worrying about balls falling in the gaps.
3. Trade Aaron Heilman, Victor Diaz and Timo Perez for Javier Vasquez - The starting rotation needs a young power pitcher at the front. Vasquez is a young power pitcher. Perfect! Your good friend Omar Minaya will field plenty of offers for his arbitration eligible ace, so the offer of Heilman, Diaz and Perez will most likely just be a starting point, but a good one at that. Heilman is a major league ready starter and though he had a rocky rookie season, he's only 24 and could flourish out of the spotlight of New York. Minaya has always been a fan of Perez and at roughly 300k, he's super cheap. Diaz -- who was part of the Burnitz trade -- has put up impressive numbers throughout his young pro career. Some wonder if he has the body type of a second baseman, but it's clear he'll be able to hit and that alone makes him a viable prospect.
4. Sign Keith Foulke to close
- Mets fans will be asking to see Royce Ring as the closer, but you know as much as I do that a rookie can't handle that responsibility. Fans in Flushing are used to a lefty closer, but Ring -- if he's even ready for the majors yet -- will be better suited to set up. I would have my doubts about Foulke being able to play in New York, but the presence of Rick Peterson -- the man that saved his career -- will keep his head on straight and keep him productive. Sure, he'll make things interesting, but 43 saves is 43 saves. Plus, out of the whole Mets staff only Leiter and Trachsel had more wins than Foulke.
I hope that these four simple suggestions will be taken into account when putting your plans together for the season so that we can both watch the Mets play meaningful games late in 2004.
Thank you for your time,
Ryan Jones
Author of Ryno Sports and concerned Met fan
:: Ryan 8:33 PM [+] ::
