Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Jerry Manuel is getting another chance to right the New York Mets.
After replacing Willie Randolph in June and falling just short of a playoff berth, Manuel was given a two-year contract Friday that includes a club option for 2011.
"Jerry did a very good job taking over the club midseason, and we believe that he is the right person to manage our team and lead us to the postseason," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said in a statement.
Manuel gets two-year deal to continue to manage Mets....
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball announced a one-game suspension for umpire Brian Runge on Thursday for his actions in a June 24 contest between the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.
Carlos Beltran began arguing balls and strikes with Runge in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Mets manager Jerry Manuel came out of the dugout to protest the umpire's strike zone as well.
MLB suspends umpire for bumping Mets manager....
By BEN SHPIGEL
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Just 17 months ago, Willie Randolph received a new multi-million dollar contract, a reward for invigorating a franchise and guiding the Mets to their first division title in 18 years and close to a victory in the World Series.
He has since presided over one of the greatest collapses in baseball history, from which this year’s team has yet to recover.
Nearly three months into another disappointing season, the Mets announced early Tuesday morning that they had fired Randolph, the first African-American to manage in New York, after three and a half years as manager, and replaced him with the bench coach Jerry Manuel.
STORY....
By BEN SHPIGEL
Willie Randolph hardly knew him when he added Jerry Manuel to his coaching staff in 2004, before his first season as manager. If Randolph were to be fired, though, Manuel would be asked to take over. Manuel would love to manage in the major leagues again, but this is not how he wants to get that chance.
“It’s difficult because of my relationship with Willie,” said Manuel, the team’s bench coach, who managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003. “Everyone goes through it at some point in their career. We all handle it differently and draw on different things to keep us going. I think he’s doing O.K.”
The Mets’ game Saturday night against the Texas Rangers was rained out and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Sunday, giving the team’s owners and General Manager Omar Minaya two opportunities to evaluate Randolph’s status. The first game Sunday is to begin at 1:10 p.m., with John Maine facing Kevin Millwood; Pedro MartÃnez is to oppose Kason Gabbard in the second game, starting about 30 minutes after the end of the opener.
STORY....
