Tony Bernazard still Mets clubhouse cancer

(Bill Madden): "Nevertheless, there's still no getting around the fact the Mets are presently a depleted mess, plagued not only by this unfathomable rash of injuries to their most important players, but

• by the same inner turmoil that eventually led to Willie Randolph's demise.

• I'm told that assistant GM Tony Bernazard, whom Randolph found to be an intrusive influence in the clubhouse, especially with the Latin players,

• has been no less undermining with Jerry Manuel.

For whatever reason, Bernazard seems to have the Wilpons' ears, even more so than Minaya, and in organization meetings

• he's never reticent to suggest areas where the manager might be doing a better job.

I'm also told the Met high command ordered Manuel to tone down the not-so-subtle pleas for help in his pre and postgame mediafests and his periodic candor about his team's deficiencies."...

• From NY Daily News column, "Omar Minaya's Mets have issues with injuries and inside the clubhouse," 7/4/09

Bernazard in the Mets clubhouse, Bill Madden, NY Daily News: 10/3/07:

• "What is unique about Bernazard's situation with the Mets is that no other assistant GM, let alone GM, spends as much time in the clubhouse - which is supposed to be the manager's domain - as he does.
• After Gomez was thrown out stealing third for the final out in the ninth inning against the Marlins in Miami on Sept. 21,
• Bernazard was immediately at the kid's locker after the game - which could not have been very settling to Randolph..."

• Reference, NY Daily News aarticle by Bill Madden, "Willie Randolph Gets Backing but Shouldn't Feel Comfortable," 10/3/07

The Bernazard setup diminishes the likelihood that any Mets player could become the clubhouse leader. sm

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