In the wake of the K-Rod domestic violence debacle that occurred at Citi Field on Wednesday night I have to say that I am very disappointed with the "unfortunate" response from the Mets players and management about this incident. For the two Mets fans on the planet not in the know, Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was arrested after Wednesday nights game for allegedly punching the father of Rodriguez's girlfriend. The incident occurred somewhere in the vicinity of the family lounge at Citi Field. Evidently there were plenty of witnesses including some young children. You can read more about the incident at http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/met_foul_brawl_mHFEeWY3Kq4oSU9jtoQTxN.

This incident is a terrible one and possibly the last nail in the Mets coffin for the 2010 season. What's even worse though is the response by players and management. From owner Jeff Wilpon we get a prepared statement, "...we take this matter very seriously." Okay, any employer would but what else? Manager Jerry Manuel offers up that, "...for a man to get to that level at anything is not something that you encourage." Does anyone know what that really means? I don't know that anyone would expect that the Mets would encourage Rodriguez to smack anyone around at Citi Field. David Wright kissed K-Rod's ass saying, "If there's anything that we can do in here for Frankie, I'm sure everybody's willing to do it." Is he nuts? David Wright makes K-Rod sound like a victim in this whole thing. The absolute worst comments came from stammering General Manager Omar Minaya who kept uttering the word "unfortunate" while looking like he was in a general daze as he was questioned by reporters. And even though Rodriguez was actually arrested and arraigned on assault charges the Mets follow those wet blanket comments with a two game suspension. They're kidding right? Rodriguez should be suspended for the rest of the season.

Here's why I think the punishment and the comments should have been harsher. I say this as a person who really wants the Mets to do something productive (like make the playoffs) in 2010. But I'm also a concerned baseball fan who thinks that this issue points to a larger leadership problem within the Mets franchise. First off he committed an act of violence while at work. If you or I had done this at a minimum we would be home without pay pending an investigation. At a maximum we would be out in the street after being fired. The Met's two game suspension of Rodriguez falls way short of the minimum I mentioned. Then there's the issue of domestic violence. Supposedly Rodriguez started throwing punches after the dad stepped in during a foul mouth tirade against the mother of Rodriguez' twin baby boys. Whether it's physical or mental violence against a spouse should be taken seriously. Heck, didn't the Mets once rescind a coaching offer to Wally Backman because of an old domestic violence complaint? If Rodriguez can't control himself in front of his teammates what would he do at home? If anything the Mets should have insisted he take time off to see a counselor. Because if the Mets players and management don't make Rodriguez own up to his problems they are waiting for a time bomb to explode on the organization. Finally this isn't K-Rod's first offense either. Back in May he had a heated argument will bullpen coach Randy Niemann that involved some shoving.

The top leaders of the Mets organization have it all wrong on this issue. Bringing Rodriguez back today is a mistake because it lets a guy who needs to be disciplined off the hook too easy. It shows just how rudderless the Mets are in 2010. Of all the people to hit the right note on this situation, former Mets pitcher Bob Ojeda said, "That's disgusting," when speaking about the incident afterwards. Damn straight. Don't even get me started because this is shortly after the Mets invited Dwight Gooden, who drove high with his kid in the car and then abandoned his family, to Mets hall of fame festivities.

Look, I'm not living in fantasy land here. I don't expect these players to be choir boys. The 1986 Mets were a rough and tumble bunch of guys. But you have to draw the line somewhere. Violence that occurs at work and/or against family members is a great place to start. I think the Mets should suspend K-Rod without pay and insist that he check into a counseling center. It's not worth it to have the guy poisoning the team for the last month and a half of the season.