Willie Randolph Playbook Found in Manuel's Office

What else can explain the boring and predictable way the Mets played baseball tonight? When you lose 7-1 to a last place team threatening the major league record for losses in a season, it's hard to take Carlos Beltran seriously when he says the Mets are better than they look.

Then again, when you're having trouble putting runs on the board, sometimes you have to start getting back to good ole aggressive and fundamental baseball. As all Mets fans are painfully aware, those are two things absent from the Willie Randolph playbook that was found in Jerry "Manual"s office after the game.

In the manual, you'll find observations such as "don't try the hit and run. The batter may miss the pitch and you'll be thrown out at second". Or "don't try to steal a base. The catcher may throw you out". And the ever popular, "there's no need to EVER bunt - why waste an out. It works well in the American League".

Of course executing any one of the above plays tends to keep you out of double plays. Instead, the playing-by-the-Manual Mets hit into 5 double plays in a game where John Maine was pounded for 7 earned runs in four innings of work.

You know it's a bad game when the Mets highlight was newly acquired Emil Brown going 1 for 4. What better way to bounce back from being swept by the Pirates than to face the Nationals, right? It's not going to happen when you manage by the Manual. Can we see some desire and creativity please in the next game tomorrow? JERRY, PLEASE THROW OUT WILLIE'S MANUAL!

I'd hate to lose 2 series' in a row from last place teams! What is this? September?