Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 20, 1993 TAG: 9305200281
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Torborg, signed to a four-year contract after the 1991 season, was the first manager fired this year. He led the Mets to a fifth-place finish and 72-90 record last season, and this year was even worse.
New York's 13-25 start was only one game better than that of the 1962 expansion Mets - the worst team in modern major league history. Entering Wednesday night's game, the Mets had lost five straight, eight of nine and 18 of22, but in Torborg's final game - his 200th with the Mets - New York rallied fora 6-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Bobby Bonilla's two-run homer in the 10th inning.
"We all share the blame for the start of the ballclub this year," Mets general manager Al Harazin said. "We have all let Jeff down."
In addition, the Mets also fired first-base coach Barry Foote and bullpen coach Dave LaRoche. Darrell Johnson, a former major league manager, will fill one of the two vacancies.
Green, 58, was working for the Mets as a scout. He has a 225-195 career record as a manager, leading the Philadelphia Phillies from 1979-1981 and the New York Yankees for the first three-quarters of the 1989 season. In 1980, he led the Phillies to their only World Series title.
While Torborg has been criticized for being too passive and almost too nice, Green is loud and confrontational. Some say his take-charge attitude is what the Mets need.
Green, who also was general manager of the Chicago Cubs from 1982-87, will manage the Mets for the first time Friday night against the Atlanta Braves.
The players had sensed a change in the clubhouse atmosphere.
"The mood in here lately has been like a death watch," pitcher Bret Saberhagen said. "The manager in these scenes is usually the first to go."
by CNB