Billy Wagner Throws Teammate Oliver Perez Under the Bus

Ya gotta love to hate Billy Wagner.

After Mets starter Oliver Perez got banged up by the Pirates on Wednesday, yielding seven runs (five unearned) in 1.2 innings, Willie Randolph had to go to his bullpen early just a day after using six pitchers in extra innings the night before. Perez clearly didn't have his best stuff, but neither did anyone else on the team.

So how does Wagner react? By singling out Perez to the press:

"Perez honestly has got to step up and know that we've just used every guy in the bullpen the night before," Wagner said. "He can't come in and come out there and decide that he doesn't have it today, and so be it."

Helluva teammate, that Billy "Capt. Obvious" Wagner. It's not like he made a bold statement that everyone else somehow failed to comprehend for themselves; he just took a shot at his struggling teammate (their third or fourth starter, mind you) in the most public manner as possible. For his part, Perez said he had no problem with what Wagner said. We'll see how long that lasts if Wagner has already started chirping and we're only a month in.

Comments

[BigTom]

Wagner is a first class douchebag. I am honestly glad he doesn't play for the Phils. Brad Lidge made everybody in Houston forget about Wagner and I think he is having the same effect here.

[yellowbird]

thats a great picture.

[Chamomiles Davis]

Someone needs to explain to Wagner that there's a difference between lighting a fire under your teammate's ass and tossing him straight into the bonfire.

Great chemistry they've got up there in New York. I can see now why they collapsed in '07.

[ill]

they will replace Wagner with a Hispanic closer next season.

[Chamomiles Davis]

ill,

Please let it be Corpas please let it be Corpas please let it be Corpas please let it be Corpas please let it be Corpas...

[Ted Z]

Let's just hope Wagner continues to help try and "motivate" the mets. Its always a joy to watch him say something stupid when you know he is no longer a part of your team.

Awesome picture btw.

[Clare]

Wagner is such a 'tard, and anybody who continues to wear a Wagner jersey to a Phillies game is one too. There were four guys in Wagner jerseys down on the first base line at last night's game trying to start the wave.

I rest my case.

[Bryan]

This is like slowing down to watch a car wreck on the highway, couldn't happen to a better team.

[How do you spell retard?]

Finally, a Sal Fasano mention. We miss you Sal(even though Coste is a greaaat backup), but Ruiz's numbers will always remind us of the Fu Manchu's numbers.

[Chris]

Classy. I am so glad he's not a Phillie anymore.

[Walklett]

I can't wait til he blows a save, he's due for one soon.

[Chad Gramling]

I'm pretty disappointed in Perez's efforts in this season. It was clearly one that hid DID need to step up - not just for the Mets' sake, but for his personal development. I had thought he would. Hope he can still do so and salvage his season.

[Paul]

I can't stand Billy Wagner. Always runs off at the mouth, and obviously before thinking. I'm sure he was apologizing his ass off in the locker room the next day.

[Gina-Brooklyn]

Wagner should be sympathetic to Perez. He knows it is not easy pitching in NYC. If Wagner thinks he is such a great pitcher, then maybe the Mets should think of putting him as a starter pitcher, to see if he could make it 7-8 innings. He thinks that it's so easy. Then maybe he could talk all the smack he wants. If Wagner wants to open his big mouth and talk all the crap he wants then he should be looking in Arron Heilman's direction. I can't count the number of times I saw Heilman blow a game. Oh but I guess that both Wagner and Heilman are best buds. He would not take a crack at him!