CHICAGO — When I sidled over to manager Carlos Mendoza in the Mets clubhouse after another stunning loss, number nine in a row, Friday and suggested to him that what’s happening isn’t his fault, he gave the exact response he should have.
“I’m responsible,” Mendoza said.
That’s a short retort but it’s precisely the sort of accountability the Mets need now, at the very worst part of their season (we hope). He also endeavors daily to inject a nice dose of positivity into a situation that’s turned unimaginably negative with their 10th straight defeat Saturday, a 4-2 loss to the Cubs here. (That’s getting harder by the day.)
And while Mendoza’s answer is technically correct, it’s only partially true. This isn’t his fault, and thankfully, at least for today, there’s no evidence his bosses believe it is. More importantly, they don’t seem ready to blame him — at least not immediately.
