It is difficult to defend Dallas too much given his record and longevity with the Mets. However, though the negative comments are mostly justified, I think Dallas's Mets tenure is a little misunderstood.There was no way he or anyone else could have turned around the 1993 Mets. They were too screwed up as a team and organization. But after the Mets were roasted by comedians and wags all throughout 1993, the laughter stopped in 1994. The Mets were young and hungry and they played respectable ball until the strike. Dallas psyched out certain young players, but it's possible that some of them did not have much to recommend them anyway. Remember that most of the above comments pertaining to Burnitz were made BEFORE his second tour of duty with the Mets. We all know how that went.
In 1995, Dallas did not have the benefit of a full Spring training. Again, it was a young team. But they played very well down the stretch and gave us fans reasons to think that the future was bright. With Hootie blasting in the clubhouse, the team had chemistry and enthusiasm. Certain players, particularly Brogna, Franco, and Hundley, clearly enjoyed playing for their manager. Even Brett Butler found several things to praise about Green.
But in 1996, it all fell apart. To what extent Dallas was to blame for the Generation K debacle is difficult to say for sure. Could rampant steroid use thoughout the league also have been a factor? It was over, and Bobby took the team to the next level. Nonetheless, I remember the Dallas Green era as one of hustle and intensity with the laughter having been silenced... and the losing continuing for the most part.
Since no one is likely to publish "The Wit and Wisdom of Dallas Green" anytime soon, here are some of the best "bon mots" from the Mets' greatest quotemeister since Casey Stengel recycled with some accuracy from my memory banks:
On his team's performance: "Well, we had a Mets day."
On his day-job: "There are days when I feel sorry for myself."
On Anthony Young: "Why did he go to his slider? Maybe Jay Leno told him to do it so he can get him back onto his show."
On how he handled losing: "I just go home and beat the hell out of my wife, Sylvia." As if Dallas and the Mets did not have enough to agonize over in 1993, the Women's Rights activists came after him for this. I wonder why...
Asked by Jonathan (not me!) of DynaMets what the hardest thing about managing is, his response: Well, Jonathan... watching my team lose, and we've been doing a lot of that." Jenny Jiles, where are you?
The following four comments taken from the Gannett Suburban and New York Times newspapers, 9/21/93:
On losing 100 games: "Well, we did it in style."
"It's pretty obvious that we earned it. We didn't back into 100. We came right at it."
On rebuilding: "One if these days, you guys (the reporters) are going to ask me about our needs. And it's a long list. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know we need a lot."
On his most lasting image of 1993: "The incessant press conferences resulting from off the field and clubhouse activity."
And if you really want to laugh, read Bill Conlin's collection of writings for transcriptions of Dallas's press conferences and speeches .
