By LENN ROBBINS
Posted: 3:01 pm
July 23, 2008
Mets fans weren't the only ones tossing and turning last night after the bullpen imploded in an 8-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Co-owner Fred Wilpon said he didn't sleep after his team's latest collapse at the hands of the Cheesesteaks.
"Nothing can take the sting out of last night,'' Wilpon said today at the SNY studios where he attended the network's announcement of a groundbreaking deal with the Big East Conference.
"I'm still licking my wounds,'' added Wilpon.
But Wilpon wasn't down on the Mets, who have played much better since Jerry Manuel replaced Willie Randolph. The Amazin's are going into tonight's game against Philadelphia one game behind their rivals in the NL East.
Wilpon, a media-savvy Brooklynite, acknowledged that the two biggest reasons ownership decided to make a managerial change was because of the team's lethargic play and Randolph's inability to work with the media. Wilpon said he was pleased with the team's energy.
Wilpon said he's had, "two very long meetings,'' with Manuel and is pleased, "with the way he deals with you guys.''
"Communication with the media is important,'' said Wilpon. "They report [on the team] every day. You don't want them to feel they're being shut out.''
