Another "Vote of Confidence" Turned (Double) Termination

In organized crime, there is usually a "kiss of death." It is a symbol where the discussion revolves around sparing a life and honoring the person why thought they were in trouble. Then, someone kisses said person only to find that they are no longer there.

In baseball, the "kiss of death" is replaced with the phrase "vote of confidence." Remember Willie Randolph? Omar Minaya gave him a "vote of confidence twice...then fired him. His explanation: This wasn't personal, this was about business. It's about winning, which the New York Mets found themselves on the short end of doing.

Now, we have the matter of the firing of John McLaren as Manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Unlike the situation in Flushing, Queens, the latest manager sacking was to be expected. The M's are losing...badly. From Bill Bavasi's "vote of confidence" a week or so ago, it was a matter of days before McLaren and his temper had to be escorted out of Safeco Field onto Royal Brougham Boulevard.

Ah, there's more to this story! A few days ago, Bavasi was let go as General Manager. One speculation came by management's disappointment in his vote of confidence in McLaren after yet another tirade by the manager in the clubhouse for the media. Another speculation was the signing to underachieving pitcher Carlos Silva to a long-term contract by Bavasi.

Frankly, the mess in SoDo had a greater impact on club operations than the issues that transpired at Shea Stadium. It is unfair to compare the Mets with the Mariners, but having two managerial terminations in one week does provide a lot of perspective at this point of this season.

In short, Howard Lincoln wants a reversal of fortune, not a replay of the 1969 Seattle Pilots. The M's have the worst record in baseball with a winning percentage of .347. They are also 17.5 games behind the division leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

I had to laugh at the naming of Jim Riggelman as Mariner's skipper. Wasn't he chased out of Wrigleyville by the ghost of Harry Caray because he couldn't do anything with his 1998 Wild Card club? He managed Sammy Sosa during the home run record chase, for Pete's sake! Then, what?

Perhaps, in Seattle, it's "now what?"