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Larry Bowa

AG/DC Apr 01 2008 10:55 PM

I'm thinking of Larry Bowa as he has apparently found a new uniform to get tossed in. I hate "Worst Met" arguments, because they invariably revolve around standard issue whipping boys like closers and overpaid guys. On the thinking that almost everybody is productive enough over the long haul, the truly counterproductive guys are the short-timers. I always held up Mark Little in this department, because he came, went 0-3 and helped to lose a game getting picked off in a pinch-running role. He also made no plays in two innings in the outfield for what it's worth. But now I'm thinking of Bowa. He was awful in his 21 plate appearances (somehow earning a -1 OPS+), and committed at least one game-killing baserunning blunder. Most importantly, his high-leverage ineptitude came in high-leverage games, helping to cost the Mets the 1985 division. So many stupid things that could have made a difference there --- Sisk's elbow, Darryl's thumb --- might have been overcome if we could have simply gotten AA production out of our righthanded-hitting secondbaseman. (I'm looking at you Kelvin Chapman.) So, for the time being, I'm thinking of Larry Bowa (who the Mets inexplicably tried to re-sign following 1985) as the worst Met ever. But this isn't another wMe thread, but a Larry Bowa thread. What I didn't know: Larry Bowa is Nick Johnson's uncle.

Fman99 Apr 02 2008 04:49 AM

He made a big flap this spring about having to wear a helmet on the field as per the new MLB rules. Which immediately made me think that he's just a stubborn dope.

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 05:32 AM

You think? He may be the stubbornest dopiest.

metirish Apr 02 2008 06:36 AM

Bowa is an asshole, I watched a few innings of that game but wasn't around when that happened, it was a pleasure to listen to Scully call a few innings.

MFS62 Apr 02 2008 06:40 AM

Bowa may fit your description of worst Met. But the worst Met "regular" I ever saw was infielder Al Moran. He's the only Met player who literally had me screaming at the TV set. Later

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 06:43 AM

I have only myself to blame.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 02 2008 07:41 AM

AG/DC wrote: I have only myself to blame. Indeed. Can Corey Ragsdale be far behind?

DocTee Apr 02 2008 07:55 AM

Rich Becker.

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 07:59 AM

You're killing me.

DocTee Apr 02 2008 08:01 AM

Ok Ok...every time Bowa gets tossed, it seems to me like he's auditioning for another managerial position. The antics are so over-the-top that they cannot be considered as valid responses to any real or imagined slight. He's a dick.

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 08:07 AM

I just can't help but be fascinated with guys in the public sphere who can't help self-destructing --- or come to believe that their self-destructive personalitites are what keep them in the public sphere. After all, I'm fascinated. On the other hand, I want the Martins/Pinellas/Backmans/Bobby Knights/Bowae as far away from my team as possible. Fascinating from a distance. The guy is 63 and played for the 1985 Mets, but he looks maybe 80. He looks like he could be Torre's father.

Valadius Apr 02 2008 08:26 AM

Victor Diaz. In the field at least. Worst outfielder I've ever seen on the Mets.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 02 2008 08:31 AM

You can't say that Victor didn't also make some positive contributions.

Valadius Apr 02 2008 08:33 AM

Sure. But he's the only Met I can recall screaming at when he was in the field.

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 08:36 AM

I swear I'm going to start shooting.

Fman99 Apr 02 2008 10:08 AM

Valadius wrote: Sure. But he's the only Met I can recall screaming at when he was in the field. See, I would put Roger Cedeno in that spot. I can recall cringing every time a ball was hit in his viscinity.

AG/DC Apr 02 2008 10:13 AM

Larry Bowa.

Valadius Apr 02 2008 10:15 AM

Who would win in a screaming match, Larry Bowa or Lou Piniella?

soupcan Apr 02 2008 10:16 AM

Right now? Edgy would win.