Mets Fire Bernazard, and Lash Out At Daily News

Why do the Mets have to take something so easy and make it into the most bizarre story of the day?

Today, the Mets did two things: one, they got right: the other was totally uncalled for.

What the Mets got right: They fired disgraced VP of Baseball Operations Tony Bernazard after more than a week of turmoil when it was revealed that Bernazard ripped off his shirt in front of the Mets double-A affiliate and challenged the team to a fist fight.

Okay, that is the good news. Then, the news conference took a very twisted turn: Minaya went on a rant about how Daily News reporter Adam Rubin apparently tired to lobby for executive position within the Mets organization.
"You got to understand this. Adam, for the past couple of years, has lobbied for a player development position. He has lobbied myself; he has lobbied Tony," Minaya said.

Rubin was seated near the back of the room and buried his face in his hands after hearing his name come up. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then he asked Minaya if he was alleging that he had conspired to get Bernazard fired.

"No, I'm not saying that," Minaya replied. "I am saying, in the past, you have lobbied for a job.

"Over the years he said a number of times that he would like ... he asked me personally ... to work in the front office," Minaya said. "In my front office. Not only me, but he's asked others." (SNY.TV)

Rubin denied the Minaya's claims, stating that he never asked Minaya about available positions with the organization; he only asked how one gets a job in baseball.

The New York Daily News later put out a statement in support of Rubin and his story on Tony Bernazard from last week.

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