I think in the past, Loduca and Franco were public in their dissent. Loduca, as we have said here was a galvanizing force in helping the Mets in 2006 (also Cliffy) but his vocal comments against Willie (and his other distactions) may have led to his departure.

The present conversation now leads me to ask if there can ever be an on-field leader in willie world? Cliffy, Glavine, LoDuca, Franco and possibly more have also said something about Willie…

Who is the leader on the field? In 30 yrs as a fan there have been many (of course). BUT trarely are they ever the team stars. Darryl was not a leader, Doc was’nt, I dont think Hojo was, Bobby Bo definately was not, Piazza was’nt.

I think Schneider and Church possibly were projected to be the 2008 player leaders in the ABSENCE of Glavine and LoDuca . Add to that Billy Wagner. as such there has been a transition in the player leadership. Now the pendulum is swinging over to Willie who is now under the microscope.

Unfortunately, the Mets have a bunch of followers wandering aimlessly around the ballfield, waiting for someone to come in and show them how to win.

You used Paul O’Neill as part of your analogy and brilliantly so. He was imported with David Cone to lead that franchise on the field. As a Conehead I was enthralled with how an essentially injured David Cone came off the DL to lead the Yanks to that 1st WS crown of their recent dynasty.

As such Omar released Leiter and Franco to change the field leadership and brought in Pedro. Beltran and Castillo. Beltran and santana are mis-cast as ‘leaders’. They are producers. The clubhouse leaders at present SHOULD be Delgado and Wagner…as the elder statesmen. I think Wags has stepped to the fore.

The 2007 leaders Glavine and Loduca are gone. I suspect Delgado will be gone ala julio Franco. If not in season definately in the off season. del really has no past credibility as a leader, so he might be overstated in that role anyway. I think both CB and DW are growing into their roles…DW is a media darling…naturally the camera goes to him. BUT the glare seems to have caused him to shrink….on the field. Beltran is a player…and i think he is heating up. I think HIS problem (my opinion) is HE is mis-cast as a clean up hitter. THAT causes him to swing for the fences..where as the CB i see was inclined to become Ichiro ( a catalyst) at times. In essence he is a ’swingman’. …

To 2008: Omar imported santana, church and Schneider. Schneider IS the team leader …or is slowly getting his hands around that role. His work as the catcher is clearly reflected. Part of his game has been keeping the pitchers head in the game. Church again has been well quoited AND is producing at the plate and in the field.

Where is our separation? The manager.

Last night Giradi threw a hissy and his team won. I cant remember why. I really am NOT watching games with any spark right now. BUT here is my (rhetorical) question (or observation if you will): AFTER the Jeff Wilpon pep talk and closed door Willie meeting…and the Wags ‘calling out of players, we beat the tar out of the Yanks…in the bronx. Much was made of an incident in that game…Willie not arguing a Delgado (non)-HR call. We all chimed in…but (and here is the question) did that reversed call undo all the good and show that Willie does not know how to lead his players and stick up for them…..

In my job, i have to pick my battles too in fighting for my ‘players’ but Del has been criticized MORE than any other player on this team, he has been magnified and berated in the press, yet he hits a BIG HR in a tough spot (and still singled to extend the lead) YET his supoosed leader does not come out and argue for him……….did he once again lose the respect of his players.

While Art Howe (suck as he might) didn’t know what the heck he was doing, i think he would have let the young guys run the clubhouse and let things kind of fall into place there. Bad example. but even though Bobby V was definitely “the boss” he would have let things fall into place too and rewarded his players for good play. Wills prob wasn’t the best guy for a maturing and destined-for-greatness D-Dubs and a young fiery Jose Reyes (who as you point out is more gamma than alpha, but a nice contrast to D-Dubs).