Luis Rojas Deserves Credit for Keeping Mets Afloat
Without a steady hand at the wheel, there's no telling where this team might be
The New York Mets have accepted the challenges that the young 2021 season has provided them with open arms. That doesn’t happen by accident.
In order for a group to weather the storm and succeed in spite of the adversity — and this goes for a team, a company, a family, whatever — strong leadership at the forefront of that movement is a necessity.
In the Mets’ case, manager Luis Rojas has provided the club with a steady hand at the wheel. And it’s been invaluable.
Throughout everything, the second-year skipper has remained level-headed and even-keeled. That’s the main ingredient right there.
Those locker room doors are sacred. That means opinions from beyond those boundaries mean nothing. All that matters are the 26 players and the staff in that room.
That’s the only unwritten rule I’m concerned with if we’re being honest, and it seems Rojas is of the same school of thought.
The commute to and from Panic City should only be made by the fan base or the media. In the past, it’s appeared to take place inside the clubhouse and the effects have been glaringly noticeable, even from afar.
Under Rojas, that hasn’t been the case.
Last season’s skeleton roster falling short of expectations only added to the constantly growing whispers of Rojas not being the right guy for the job after being thrust into the role in the wake of Carlos Beltran’s removal in early 2020.
Steve Cohen and Sandy Alderson’s vote of confidence in Rojas last winter, ensuring the young manager wouldn’t be left by the wayside as the organization changed regimes, was presumably at the behest of the roster, who, by all accounts, adore Rojas.
Even higher expectations — as well as the ready-made hot seat that all incumbent managers have waiting for them when a new boss takes the gig — heading into 2021 put Rojas under the gun once again, and the avalanche of outside pressure was only beginning.
The early RISP doldrums they found themselves in this season. The Rumble in the Tunnel and the Raccoon Story fallout. The abrupt firing of hitting coaches Chili Davis and Tom Slater.
Watching Kevin Pillar nearly get killed in the box on Monday, adding to all the injuries that have befallen this team (seven IL designations in May alone). Any and all of it could have derailed this train before it left the station.
Instead, they’re currently rolling out of the other side of that tunnel intact and with a head full of steam after taking the first two of a pivotal early-season series in Atlanta.
Appearing to have rallied around the shit hand that this team has been dealt so far, a never-say-die identity is taking hold. That’s just as (if not more) important as any free-agent addition that Steve Cohen could throw his wallet at this winter.
Rojas should be lauded for that. As should the veteran clubhouse leaders who, no doubt, have kept this ship afloat amid the storm — even if some haven’t been doing it on the field.
Francisco Lindor, amid a dreadful start to his Queens tenure, has remained upbeat through it all, fueling this team’s fire to pick their teammates up. And there’s been no shortage of opportunities to do so.
Marcus Stroman, whose positivity seems to be perpetual, Taijuan Walker, and David Peterson have held down the fort and then some, before and through the absence of Jacob deGrom, who is a clubhouse figurehead in his own right.
And then you have Pillar, who despite looking like Donnie Stevenson took exception to his lacking level of celebration after elevation still came into work on Tuesday. Unreal.
He spoke to the Mets’ media corps for a solid half-hour, answering every question thrown his way after taking a 94.5 MPH fastball directly to the nose on Monday night. That’s what we’re talking about, right there.
Again, leadership starts at the top. Those boxes all appear to be checked and the ripple effects have been visible already.
From Rojas and his staff leaning on the veterans to keep everyone focused, to the young guys taking cues from their experienced counterparts, it’s all like a little blue and orange ecosystem that is hellbent on producing a memorable campaign in Queens.
We’re here for it. LFGM.
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That is really well said. Im dumbfounded by the criticism of this man and how little people understand about managing in general. Rojas has handled the bullpen so well and how many late game wins do you need ro see before realizing what a good strategist he is? Great piece, thanks!