Randolph gone, Manuel gets shot at turning around Mets

ESPN.com

Updated: June 17, 2008

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

The Mets fired Willie Randolph Tuesday morning, then lost to the Angels Tuesday night.

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER … OR WORSE?

By MARK SIMON, ESPN Research

For those with hope that the Mets' managerial change will significantly turn the team around, consider this: In the nine previous instances in which the Mets made an in-season managerial change, only once did the new manager post a winning record through the end of the year.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
• Cubs at Rays, 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN

Granted, there were many instances when the replacement skipper had little to work with, so expectations weren't as high as they are in 2008. In this case, many believe that Jerry Manuel has the talent to put together a winning season. Another stat to consider: The Mets entered Manuel's first game Tuesday against the Angels (which they lost) having lost 14 of their past 21 one-run games. A couple of lucky breaks, fortunate bounces or converted save chances have made the difference between a team with legitimate championship aspirations and one desperate enough to fire its manager.

Mets in-season managerial changes
Year New manager Manager's record Team's final record
2008 Jerry Manuel 0-1 ?
1996 Bobby Valentine 12-19 71-91
1993 Dallas Green 46-78 59-103
1991 Mike Cubbage 3-4 77-84
1990 Bud Harrelson 71-49 91-71
1983 Frank Howard 52-64 68-94
1977 Joe Torre 49-68 64-98
1975 Roy McMillan 26-27 82-80
1967 Salty Parker 4-7 61-101
1965 Wes Westrum 19-48 50-112

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: June 16 | June 15 | June 12 | June 11 | June 10 | June 9

FORWARD THINKING: WEDNESDAY

Carlos Zambrano • Cubs at Rays, 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN: Carlos Zambrano (8-2, 2.98 ERA) has seen his strikeout numbers drop this year. He is currently on pace to finish with 153, which would be the lowest total for a full season in his career. Andy Sonnanstine (7-3, 4.89 ERA) has a strong win-loss record, but opponents are hitting .302 against him this season.

Dan Haren • A's at Diamondbacks, 9:40 ET: Dan Haren (6-4, 3.41 ERA) makes his first career start against one of his former teams. Haren pitched for the A's for the past three years before being traded to the D-backs. Joe Blanton (3-9, 4.23 ERA) has lost his past three starts, giving up 23 runs in 19 2/3 innings in the three losses.

Jon Garland • Mets at Angels, 10:05 p.m. ET: Jon Garland (6-4, 4.13 ERA) used to pitch for Jerry Manuel when Manuel was with the White Sox and Garland was part of the rotation. Now, Garland will be pitching against Manuel in Manuel's second game as Mets manager. Which Oliver Perez (5-4, 4.98 ERA) will show for the Mets -- the one who allowed two total runs in his past two starts or the one who gave up 12 in the two before that?

• Complete list of pitching probables for Wednesday's games


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BBTN ON THE AIR: WEDNESDAY

TIME WHO'S ON?
10 p.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Dari Nowkhah
Analysts: Peter Gammons, John Kruk, Eduardo Perez
12 a.m. ET
ESPN		 Host: Dari Nowkhah
Analysts: John Kruk, Eduardo Perez

BASEBALL TONIGHT MINUTE: METS UNDER MANUEL

TUESDAY'S NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES

GOOD
Ryan Braun• Ryan Braun belted a pair of homers and went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as the Brewers beat the Blue Jays. It was Braun's fourth multi-homer game of the year.
BAD
Jay Bruce• Jay Bruce has had a strong start in the majors, but he had a rough night at the plate against the Dodgers, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
UGLY
Brandon Webb• Brandon Webb had all kinds of problems against the A's. He gave up nine hits, seven runs, five walks and two homers in just 3 1/3 innings.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

Fantasy To comm-
emorate the 100-year anniversary of baseball's most famous tune, "Base-
ball Tonight" has asked nine popular musical artists to record a rendition of the song and engage in a battle of the bands. Take a listen. "Baseball Tonight": Battle of the Bands

FANTASY: PREVIEW OF WEDNESDAY'S GAMES

Sean Allen examines the pitching matchups in store for the 15 games on Wednesday's schedule in the American League and National League.

Fantasy Allen also looks at injuries and details player reports that could help shape the way you put together your roster for Wednesday's games. Daily Notes

NEWS AND NOTES

Hiroki Kuroda• Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda was sent back to Los Angeles to have his ailing shoulder looked at. He was scheduled to start Wednesday but will be replaced by Derek Lowe, who will move up a day to take Kuroda's spot.

Josh Hamilton• Texas' Josh Hamilton hit his 19th homer of the season in a 7-5 victory against Atlanta, matching the total he posted a year ago in 90 games.