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Memories of Rick Down

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 08:35 AM

He was Randolph's guy, and dropping him --- even if instigated by Randolph --- represents something of a weakening of Randolph's position. I seem to remember Minaya leaning another way when Randolph hired Down. Whether it's Don Baylor I'm thinking of or one of the runners up for the manger job, I'm not sure. It also de-Yankifies the Met staff a bit. As Wright largely is what he was when he first established himself in 2004, the biggest triumph on Down's watch has to be Reyes' progress, and that's attributable to Rickey anyhow. Anyhow, I don't have a lot of Down memories. One of the entries in Bands Formed by Mets Fans was System of Rick Down.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 12 2007 08:41 AM

Well, Endy Chavez played better with the Mets than he ever had previously. It's always hard to know when to credit or blame a particular coach, so I really can't even form an opinion about whether Down deserves to keep or lose his job. Having Rickey around should be fun and interesting. I wonder how long the job will hold his interest?

metirish Jul 12 2007 08:41 AM

I liked how Rick never wore his Mets jacket when he went to the plate to help a hitter during a game. Seriously I wish him well,has to be one of the worst jobs when a team is not hitting,I remember a few in game interviews he gave,seemed like a decent sort.

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 08:43 AM

Yeah, I thought about Henderson's restlessness. I wondered how long announcing would hold Keith Hernandez's interest. But this is a Down thread. Good point about Chavez. Maybe Nady also.

Vic Sage Jul 12 2007 08:49 AM Re: Memories of Rick Down

Edgy DC wrote: ...It also de-Yankifies the Met staff a bit... how exactly does adding Ricky Henderson de-Yankify the Mets staff?

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 08:54 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 12 2007 08:55 AM

Because Down was somebody that Randolph recruited directly from the Yankees. He served two seperate tenures as Yankees batting coach and was their coordinator of instruciton in 2004.

metirish Jul 12 2007 08:55 AM

I think Down was fired from the yankees a few seasons before...

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 08:57 AM

No, I edited it in when you were typing. He was still in their system, working, I think working out of the minor-league complex as their swing doctor.

metirish Jul 12 2007 08:58 AM

Edgy DC wrote: No, I edited it in when you were typing. He was still in their system, working, I think working out of the minor-league complex as their swing doctor. I remember something like that..good call.

Johnny Dickshot Jul 12 2007 09:21 AM

I just wanted to point out the Snooze this morning described Down as a part of a "staff assembled for Willie Randolph" and not, necessarily as a choice of Randolph. Maybe this indicates a lack of confeidence in the trade market improving the hitting. My other thought is, the Met offense has been poor since late last August, so it's not exactly sudden or impatient to let Down go.

metirish Jul 12 2007 09:32 AM

Confusing.......from [url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070712&content_id=2082613&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym]Mets.com[/url] ] NEW YORK -- The impatience -- and relative lack of productivity -- of Mets hitters seemingly led to impatience with hitting coach Rick Down. New York has dismissed Down and hired a man known for his patience at the plate. Rickey Henderson is in place to help invigorate the offense, though Howard Johnson and not Henderson will assume most or all of Down's responsibilities.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 12 2007 09:40 AM

Hitting Coach: Howard Johnson Offensive Invigorator: Rickey Henderson

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 09:45 AM

That is confusing. Will Johnson coach the sluggers and Henderson the rabbits? Will Johnson coach swings and Henderson working the count? Will Henderson be activated on September first?

sharpie Jul 12 2007 09:49 AM

Maybe it's a new way to think of the coaching staff, that certain guys have certain skills to teach and that the first base coach could work with some of the hitters as well as the hitting coach. I used to be down with Down but now I say "Down with Down!"

metirish Jul 12 2007 09:57 AM

Really I think coaching roles should be defined ,the way this is reading will lead to more questions and confusion,will Henderson be with the team every day,what happens when he and Hojo have different opinions on how to help whatever player needs help..... Perhaps I am over reacting but I don't like this.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 12 2007 09:57 AM

Prior to this, what were HoJo's duties, other than coaching first base? I don't see anything wrong with having two hitting coaches, as long as they're not sending conflicting messages to individual players. I remember the Mets had two pitching coaches back in 1981: Rube Walker and Bob Gibson. I don't have a sense of how well or poorly that worked, but I think they repeated the routine for Atlanta when Joe Torre went over there in 1982.

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 10:01 AM

Torre described Gibson as the attitude coach. I assumed any work he did with the ptichers was under Walker's authority. I never could figure out who has run the infield since Acta left. I guess it's been Alomar, but it could be Johnson or even Raldolph.

Centerfield Jul 12 2007 11:36 AM

Edgy DC wrote: I never could figure out who has run the infield since Acta left. I guess it's been Alomar, but it could be Johnson or even Raldolph. Howard Johnson...infield coach...that's a good one.

Edgy DC Jul 12 2007 11:42 AM

I try. "Coach, I've had some trouble with grounders recently and Skip said you might have some tips on playing the infield." "Try and hit the ball really hard."

Vic Sage Jul 12 2007 12:10 PM

you guys are overthinking it. Hojo is Wright's coach and Ricky is Reyes' coach. Now just 23 more coaches to go...

MFS62 Jul 12 2007 05:11 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Hitting Coach: Howard Johnson Offensive Invigorator: Rickey Henderson How about Rickey as first base coach? Imagine how the fast guys on the club will do with Rickey picking up tips on pitchers' moves to first and giving immediate input to the runners? He'll have almost the same view of their moves that the runners do. Later