Last week’s observation by Keith Hernandez that some of the Latin players were ducking their responsibilities with the media came to a head yesterday with Paul LoDuca’s clear denunciation of them yesterday:

“I’ll do this (interview), but you need to start talking to other players,” Lo Duca announced loudly after he was approached by a radio reporter after the Mets-Cardinals series finale was washed out by rain. “It’s the same three or four people every day. Nobody else wants to talk. Some of these guys have to start talking. They speak English, believe me.”

Apparently this has been out there for awhile and at least one Mets blogger was concerened about it to write me a Email. There ever perceptive Metsgrrl wrote to me about a month ago about possible friction that exists between Latin players American born players. LoDuca’s comments indicate that friction.

At any rate, its clear Hernandez was on the something and his comments were likely made beyond his capacity as a broadcaster. Savvy in the ways of the  game outside the surface, Hernandez realized this was an emerging problem. He may well have spoken to LoDuca about it already. It was a fairly safe way to apply pressure to Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.  I’m not certain whether or not its fair to apply the same standard to Jose Reyes as he is younger and is from the Dominican Republic where spanish is the primary language. Beltran and Delgado are from Puerto Rico where english is spoken throughout the island.

But now criticism has publically come from a teammate and its changed everyone’s comfort level with the issue.  I agree with Hernandez and LoDuca as it appears that Beltran and Delgado are ducking the media after the games and it puts more pressure on others. When you are one of the team’s stars, its a responsibilty to speak with the media.

Willie Randolph watched Joe Torre manage and one of Torre’s strengths was not letting thing lie. This one already has. Perhaps its not within him to take care of this or his philosophy is different. This is believable as Randolph does not have the best of relationships with the media himself and may not see a problem with players routinely blowing off the media. But it is and its now player vs player.

Omar Minaya has set himself up to be influencial in the clubhouse in a manner that excedes that of a normal GM. He’s been less visable this season for some reason. Perhaps its by design and the owners wanted him to tone it down. Maybe Randolph did. Still he cannot back away from the influence and role he’s portrayed and particularly so with Latin players. This is something thats getting awkward and won’t be going away. Its going to be up to Minaya to step in and use his own political capital to put this one to rest. And soon.