Willie’s Firing Harkens Harrelson Back to 1990

By Joe McDonald on June 23, 2008

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Late at night as the Mets were on the road, the team fired its manager as the highly regarded club – just a season and change off a game 7 loss in the NLCS – floundered a few games under .500.

New York was supposed to dominate, because a Cy Young winner from Minnesota came to the club and the lefthanded closer was considered one of the best in the league.

Does this sound familiar?

The year was 1990 and the manager that time was Davey Johnson, who led the club to its second World Series in 1986 and then back to the playoffs two years later. Yet, the Mets faded at the end of 1989 and even though they added Frank Viola and John Franco, the Amazins were no so fantastic in the new decade, getting out of the box the tune of a 20-22 start.

It was then on May 29th, general manager Frank Cashen decided to make a move.

“They called me the next morning when we were in Cincinnati,” recalled Johnson’s replacement Bud Harrelson. “It came as a surprise to me, because Davey just signed a new contract. I didn’t see it coming. He was a good manager; won a lot and handled the press good.

“I don’t think he saw it coming either. Of course I took over and I didn’t have the experience Davey had. I got the job because I was a third base coach and bench coach.”

Harrelson came in and ignited the sleeping team. Playing what many called “Buddy Ball,” the former shortstop abandoned the Earl Weaver philosophy Johnson employed [get good pitching and wait for the three-run home run] and forced the Mets into manufacturing runs, and not relying upon home runs from their power hitters.

“I played a little but different and won a lot,” said Harrelson, who had a 71-49 record that season and if there was a wild card in 1990, would have gone to the playoffs. “I think the players felt embarrassed by getting [Johnson fired]. I played small ball and I did set up some new rules because [the front office] felt Davey was too lenient.”

The current regime in Flushing is hoping lighting will hit again with Jerry Manuel. Already we have seen new discipline in the clubhouse when the new manager took out Jose Reyes the first game. Much like Harrelson, Manuel is putting his stamp on the team, with roles changing in the bullpen and in the lineup.

There the comparison ends. Harrelson – now the owner and coach Long Island Ducks – sees Manuel’s major league experience as an asset, whereas he felt he wasn’t ready for the media grind that comes with managing in New York.

“I had all the coaches there and I spoke to Mel [Stottlemyre] and told him ‘You have 10 and I have 15’ because we had 10 pitchers,” said Harrelson, who managed in short season A in 1984 and then in A-ball for six weeks in 1985 when he was called up to the Mets after Bobby Valentine left for Texas. “I did alright down there too where I could teach.

“It all stops in New York and it all becomes media. You have to answer the questions and go on Mike and the Mad Dog and Mets Extra. It’s a job to manage the ball club.”

As someone who went through the grind, Harrelson felt for Willie Randolph. Although he doesn’t follow the Mets on a day-to-day basis, he does keep an eye on the team and it was impossible to stay away from ‘Willie Watch.’

“It was talked about all winter after the demise last season with the team falling out of first place,” Harrelson said. “They were saying ‘Willie, Willie, Willie” as if it was his fault. In the last month, they couldn’t win a game. It was coming, as mine was coming in the second year. I was surprised he didn’t get fired earlier. I felt for Willie because there was so much press for that. Pitchers would come in and give it was. Was that the manager’s fault?

“I thought the best thing for him and his heath would be to fire him. I thought about Willie; he was in an awkward position.”

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