Step 1. Create a dictionary that shows video clips instead of definitions
Step 2. Recognize “undermanagement” as a verb in the English language
Step 3. Recognize “Franconianblindness” as a noun in the English Language
Step 4. Put last night’s Mets Nats sixth and eighth inning footage under the definition of undermanagement and Franconianblindness

Until then:

Undermanagement (verb) from Latin Willious Randolpheous- 1.Not pinch hitting for your pitcher in the sixth inning with two men on and one out down 3-2 in the sixth inning 2. Not bunting a slow runner over from second down 4-3 with no outs in the eighth 3. Not pinch running for a slow, older, somewhat defensively challenged left fielder when you have a perfectly good defensive replacement, with blazing speed, sitting on his duff in the dugout. 4. Not messing up your lineup card and just assume the one, two and three hitters will be able to pick up at least one against the closer so they all try and tie the game with one swing.

Franconiablindness (noun) from Latin whatareyouthinkingious 1. Insisting on using your 48 year old journeyman with an obsessive compulsive tendency to fly out to the left side of the outfield or ground out right to the second baseman during key pinch hit opportunities of close games.

Honestly, that game was winnable. Is Willie saving the bullpen for something? I think the bullpen has been pretty reliable this year… Yeah, I’m sure I read that somewhere. Maybe the mindset was to get Perez some confidence at coming back after getting roughed up early, fine. But to be lifted in the sixth for a pinch hitter in a crucial situation after righting the ship won’t shake anyone’s confidence. And with Alou, a slow runner on, I don’t know, maybe this is the National League where we manufacture runs, not the 1996 Yankees.

Look, it’s a frustrating loss and I can’t quantify the value Willie has added to the mindset and attitude of this club. I don’t mean to bag on Willie but sometimes I swear it seems sometimes he leaves his brain in the clubhouse. Sometimes it seems that Willie is keeping a starter in a game where they won’t see another at bat. Last time I checked, Endy Chavez was a pretty good pinch hitter or base runner and defensive outfielder.

Anyway, tomorrow is my birthday and the Mets, even in the bad years, usually do something to make me smile.

Lonestar Met’s favorite Mets birthday memory: April, 28th 1999. Mike Piazza beats Trevor Hoffman on a homerun after Hoffman had converted over fifty straight save opportunities.

Here’s to hoping Tommy throws a gem and Let’s Go Mets!