Extra Salt

On a slate of Game 160’s around the major leagues, I saw Davey Johnson and the Nationals clinch the N.L. East. I saw the Tigers clinch the A.L. Central. And I saw the Oakland Athletics, with Bob Melvin as their manager and the second lowest payroll in baseball, clinch a playoff berth in the A.L. The Mets? They announced that their entire coaching staff, including pitching coach Dan Warthen who has presided over one half of a decent season and four horrible ones, will return in 2013. His pitching staff celebrated his return by walking 85 Marlins on Monday and losing to the sad sack Miami franchise 3-2. (Worse yet, Heath Bell was the winning pitcher.)

Jeurys Familia walked six in his four innings of work yet he didn’t give up any runs, and only allowed one hit. It was the bullpen who blew a 2-0 Mets lead as Manny Acosta gave up a screaming line drive home run to Giancarlo Stanton, Jon Rauch gave up a run in the seventh, and Ramon Ramirez was his usual self as he gave up the winning run and threw one pitch damn near Chinese Taipei in the process.

“I thought we were miserable in 2010. I just thought everything was as bad as you could imagine. I thought we were walking people. I didn’t think we were executing pitches. And I was disappointed in the pitchers and I was disappointed in myself that I couldn’t get more out of the pitchers. Just the opposite, I think I’ve done one of my best jobs ever this year. I think I’ve gotten better because I’ve learned more. I think I know the league better. I know the guys more, and I know what I think they can do.” –Dan Warthen

First off, I’d like to point out that for the better part of the season, the 2012 Mets bullpen rivaled the 1962 Mets for worst bullpen in franchise history. That’s a fact.

Second, funny how when there was an altercation between he and Tim Byrdak, Warthen was unavailable for comment, yet now that he’s been brought back he’s quotable.

Third, check out the quote. And keep in mind how Bob Ojeda likes to talk lately about players who talk in the “we” instead of the “I”. Read the part about 2010: we were walking people. Didn’t think we were executing pitches. Then he throws in that he’s disappointed in himself for not getting more out of the pitchers. Now read the 2012 part: I did one of my best jobs. I’ve gotten better … I’ve learned more. I know the league better. It’s interesting … Even if I’m reading too much into it, it’s interesting. If Warthen was a player and he didn’t talk to the media after a bad day yet is available after a good day, and if he talked about I, I, I, face it … he’d be roasted.

Well now that we know he’ll be back, he’s got some serious work to do. But hey, he’s a genius. 2012 was one of his best jobs ever, apparently. He’ll get it done. Right?