Mets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Mets fired Willie Randolph at 3 a.m. on a June night in Anaheim, trying to avoid a second consecutive year of failing to qualify for the postseason.

The script, however, unfolded identically to 2007. The Mets again were eliminated on the regular season's final day by the Florida Marlins.

The failure happened despite the National League's highest payroll, roughly $140 million. The Mets squandered a 3 1/2-game division lead with 17 to play. Last year they squandered a seven-game division lead with 17 games left.

"I think it was part of my responsibility to not let things like this happen," third baseman David Wright said. "I, along with the other guys in here, failed to make sure we finished strong and get to the playoffs."

Injuries certainly took their...

As if the White Sox didn't have enough image problems ... (Yahoo! Sports)
... Ambiorix Burgos reports to jail in the Dominican Republic wearing not a cap of his team, the New York Mets ,...
Mets RHP Burgos jailed while awaiting trial (PA SportsTicker)
SANTO DOMINIGO, Dominican Republic (Ticker) -- New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos was ordered Wednesday to serve three months in jail while awaiting trial for a traffic incident that killed two women, according to a report from the Dominican Today.
Mets' Burgos jailed 3 for months ahead of trial (AP)
New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos will be jailed for three months while awaiting trial for a hit-and-run accident that killed two women. The 24-year-old reliever told The Associated Press that a Dominican judge ordered him to remain behind bars Wednesday night out of concerns for his safety. "I am going to come out of this fine because my conscience is clear, and I'm not worried this will...
Philadelphia has a lot riding on this (Yahoo! Sports)
A city that rarely celebrates a championship is solidly behind its Phillies – for now, anyway.
Mariners to begin search for new general manager (Yahoo! Sports)
The Seattle Mariners , jump-starting the process of hiring a general manager, will interview five candidates...
New York Mets 2008 review and look ahead (PA SportsTicker)
There were many disappointing teams in baseball this season. The Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres all had high hopes and sub-par results.
No surprise: Packers still rule television ratings in Wisconsin (Yahoo! Sports)
The Phillies-Brewers NLDS game is currently airing head-to-head with the Falcons-Packers tilt, a conflict that...
Manuel: Mets must `marinate' on September failures (AP)

In this Sept. 24, 2008 file photo, New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel claps his hands to encourage his team during a  pitching change with catcher Brian Schneider at his side during the fifth inning of their baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium in New York.   Manuel was given a two-year contract on Friday, Oct. 3, 2008,  that includes a club option for 2011.

Jerry Manuel was in a joking mood. "I was trying to get 15 years on my deal," the New York Mets manager said Saturday. "They cut it down." Manuel's "interim" tag was removed Friday night when the Mets gave him a two-year contract that guarantees him more than $2 million and includes a club option for 2011.


Mets, Manuel agree to two-year deal (PA SportsTicker)
Jerry Manuel will get two - maybe three - more years to make amends for the New York Mets' latest collapse.
Ownership says it is turning heat up on Mets' Minaya (Yahoo! Sports)
Extension or no extension, this is an offseason that could go a long way toward defining Omar Minaya's tenure...
Extension for Mets GM Minaya borderline comical (PA SportsTicker)
By Carl Carchia PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
Mets GM Omar Minaya given new deal through 2012 (AP)

In this Sept. 29, 2008 file photo, New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya walks past a wall of player photographs in the locker room at Shea Stadium in New York. The New York Mets have given general manager Omar Minaya a new contract that runs through the 2012 season.

Omar Minaya is staying as general manager of the New York Mets. Jerry Manuel is likely to remain as manager. Players, however, could be on the move. Following the Mets' second straight September collapse, fans are angry with the team, the front office and the players. "They all work hard. They all prepare.


Mets sign GM Minaya to three-year extension (PA SportsTicker)
New York Mets ownership still has plenty of confidence in general manager Omar Minaya.
Report: Mets RHP Burgos sought in deadly hit-and-run crash (PA SportsTicker)
Dominican Republic police were searching for New York Mets righthander Ambiorix Burgos on Wednesday after a crash involving his SUV killed two women, according to a published report.
Mets' Santana undergoes successful knee surgery (AP)

This is a 2008 file photo showing New York Mets baseball player Johan Santana. Mets left-hander Johan Santana has had arthroscopic surgery on torn cartilage in his left knee. The team says in a release Wednesday Oct. 1, 2008 that Santana is expected to be ready for spring training.

Mets ace Johan Santana had arthroscopic surgery on torn cartilage in his left knee Wednesday and is expected to be ready for spring training. News of the injury came as a surprise. Santana pitched a three-hit shutout on short rest Saturday against Florida to pull the Mets into a tie for the NL wild card.


DR police seek Mets pitcher after fatal crash (AP)
New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos was driving an SUV when it slammed into two women who later died of their injuries, police said. Local police still were searching for Burgos on Wednesday. Police Col. Eulogio Taveras said Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, were struck Tuesday evening by a new Hummer registered to the 24-year-old reliever in his Caribbean homeland.
Rest of story: pitchers prosper on 3-day breaks (AP)
Maybe this whole rest business is overrated. CC Sabathia pitched the Milwaukee Brewers into the playoffs while taking only three-day breaks. Mark Buehrle, John Danks and the Chicago White Sox made it there the same way. So did Old Hoss Moyer and the Philadelphia Phillies. Heck, Johan Santana came back early and threw his best game of the season for the New York Mets.
Mets P Santana has knee surgery (PA SportsTicker)
The New York Mets questioned whether Johan Santana's arm would hold up to pitching on three days' rest. Perhaps they should have been more concerned with the ace's knee.
Mets expect RHP Maine to be ready for spring training (PA SportsTicker)
The New York Mets are hopeful that pitcher John Maine will be ready for the start of spring training after his right shoulder surgery.
Mets need to at least be open to trading Wright, Reyes (Yahoo! Sports)
New York Daily News baseball columnist John Harper thinks New York Mets GM Omar Minaya has to at least keep an...
Will 2008 be the year of an Angels-Dodger World Series? (Yahoo! Sports)
How long have we wondered? How long have we hoped? For the 48 seasons that the Dodgers and Angels shared Southern...
Wait of the world (Yahoo! Sports)
The last century has been filled with sorrow for Cubs fans, but they believe this October could bring them joy.
Mets RHP John Maine has shoulder surgery (AP)
Mets pitcher John Maine had surgery Tuesday to remove a lesion from the back of his right shoulder socket. He will start rehabilitation immediately and is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training. "I'll be long-tossing at the end of December," Maine said Monday while packing up his Shea Stadium locker.
Minaya refuses to acknowledge Mets are an aging team (Yahoo! Sports)
Omar Minaya said the process of preparing for the 2009 season began as he drove home from Shea Stadium on Sunday...
Mets try to move on after second straight collapse (AP)

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya walks past a wall of player photographs in the locker room at Shea Stadium in New York, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, one day after the Mets completed their 2008 season.

For 145 games, the New York Mets mean business. The first six or seven innings each night, no trouble at all. Finding a way to finish -- that's the problem. After their second consecutive late-season collapse, the Mets began clearing out of Shea Stadium on Monday and looking ahead to an uncertain winter with one persistent question in mind.


K-Rod's relief appearances more suspenseful (AP)
With two outs, runners on first and third and the Los Angeles Angels clinging to a ninth-inning lead, Francisco Rodriguez launches into his violent delivery. He falls off the side of the mound as his changeup approaches home plate. Strike three. Ballgame over. Rodriguez pumps his fists downward and then points both arms skyward in a V for victory.
Playoff Pulse: Let's play nine (Yahoo! Sports)
A postseason observation per inning, from favorites to longshots, from charmers to chokers, along with revised awards projections.
Mets LHP Santana named NL Pitcher of the Month (PA SportsTicker)
At least Johan Santana did his part to try to get the New York Mets into the playoffs.
In celebration, Brewers remember Ned Yost (Yahoo! Sports)
One of the first things Doug Melvin did was send a message to Ned Yost. After the New York Mets fell, 4-2, to...
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