Why Is Tony Bernazard Still a Mets Employee?

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Published on July 23, 2009

Whether the accusations, which I document below, are true, there's certainly enough to warrant his dismissal. I'm not sure what's worse, ownership dragging its feet (GM Omar Minaya said he's "investigating" this, 13 times in his press conference), or the hit the team as a whole has taken in the media for this entire circus. It's bad enough they've been an embarrassment on the field, but now it's extended off-the-field. I am surprised the Wilpons haven't acted, given how their main concern seems to have always been the bottom line and this can't be helping current attendance and future renewals, but I guess if you are in good with the owner's son, who is a key member of management, all your failings get to be overlooked.

Adam Rubin reported in Wednesday's NY Daily News that Bernazard, already notorious for his alleged influence in the firing of Willie Randolph and Rick Peterson a year ago, apparently was so incensed on a trip to observe the Mets' Double-A Binghamton team that he ripped off his shirt in the clubhouse after a game and challenged the players to a fight. In addition, the News reported Tuesday that Bernazard recently erupted at the organization's manager of baseball operations. During a game at Citi Field, scouts took their customary seats in a row behind home plate. Bernazard showed up during play and wanted a seat occupied by a D-Backs scout. Bernazard's deputy, already seated in the row, suggested to the Mets VP that he wait until the half-inning ended, to minimize the disruption. Bernazard ripped into his deputy with a profanity-laced tirade as scouts and patrons watched in disbelief.

These two recent incidents, the earlier of which having been confirmed by several sources, and the B-Mets one should be enough to tip the balance for someone who is not well liked within the overall Mets organization, save for the Wilpons and Minaya, which is all that may matter. On the minor league incident, the team's manager and several players have indicated that it was not as bad as had been reported, so Bernazard gets a mild pass there, but there were others. Some other less than favorable occurrences were Carlos Delgado's refusal to sign with the Mets when he was a free agent due to Bernazard's actions and his undermining of Randolph. In addition, Bernazard's constant appearance in the Mets' clubhouse, which should be off-limits, and management of Latin players under the nose of the manager should weigh the ledger to warrant his dismissal. If these aren't enough, his failure to live up to his title of VP of Player Development, since can anyone show me what talent the team has recently developed as seen by the view of scouts on the Mets' players, the record for the Double- and Triple-A affiliates and need to sign older free agents to fill holes that can't be filled organizationally should serve as enough evidence to fire him.

As a Mets fan and ticket plan holder, I'm embarrassed by what's gone on between the white lines but it's the direction of the organization as a whole that's most troubling. Personally, I would love to see sweeping changes, with Bernazard, Minaya, the scouting director gone and the Wilpons to sell, but if not, start with Bernazard to try and restore some of the luster back to what is now, a sorry-sack franchise. Oh and by the way Omar, watch your back, since Bernanzard is so close with Jeff Wilpon, for all we know, you could be let go and Bernazard stays. If that happens, cancel my tickets now.