Does anybody have a question for ME?

SPORTING GOODS

I absolutely do, Mr. Randolph. Thanks for asking.

Mr. Randolph could you explain to me just what the hell you were thinking when you pulled a double switch in the top of the 6th inning on Sunday, taking David Wright out of the game when you were already down by 5 runs and runners still on the bases?

This is absolutely the biggest coaching blunder of the young season. In order to win the game the Mets needed runs. And Willie takes out of the game a strong bat in the middle of the order, knowing that that spot necessarily had to hit again, and knowing that if they had any chance of winning the game that spot would have to come up with an important at bat.

So Willie takes a hitter out of the game, one without any comparable replacement on the bench, in order to get a hitter in the 9 hole for the bottom of the inning. Sorry Willie, but what exactly did you accomplish? You could have brought in Aybar, as you did, and pulled him after his 2/3 of an inning for a pinch hitter, saved Wright in the 6 hole, and put in a new pitcher.

Were you trying to save the bullpen? That makes even less sense. The Mets needed runs. Taking a competent bat out of the lineup so you could pinch hit later with a weaker hitter in what would have to be an important at-bat if you had any chance of winning is ludicrous. All the more so, given the fact that Willie had to use two pitchers before he even got back to the 6 spot in the order.

Here's a little hint for a lifetime A.L. guy. The double switch is saved for late in the game when the player being removed is unlikely to hit again, or is a poor hitter in the first place. The Top of the Sixth inning most certainly does not qualify as late in the game.

I now regret that Willie learned how to execute a double-switch. Little did I realize when he botched the procedure in the second game how lucky Mets fans were. Those were the days.