Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Willie Randolph

Jersey Joe
August 17, 2001
Why, why, why was this guy ever a Met ????

This is the closest that I ever came to giving up on the Mets and rooting for the Expos or Blue Jays or anyone else.

I went to an early April game that season and much to my dismay, as I was freezing my butt off on a misty, drizzly, dismal April afternoon, I was watching Eddie Murray and f____ing Willie Randolph on the right side of the infield. I despise the AL East, why am I watching these guys in Mets uniforms ???

Yankee fans may be able to root for Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry, David Cone and Roger Clemens ... but I loathe the Yankees and hated every second that this Yankee low-life was here.

PS: The day that a loser like Don Mattingly becomes involved with the Mets is the day they lose me forever.

Chris D.
August 9, 2002
I loved it when Wilie finished his career with the Mets. A great New Yorker and a classy player. Nice way for him to go out. Too bad the Mets were such a pathetic bunch that year.

Big E
February 4, 2004
A real class act; too bad he was done when he went to the Mets. He should come to Flushing and coach -- maybe manage one day. Steinbrenner doesn't seem to have much respect for him.

Rich Weksberg
August 20, 2004
Willie was two years ahead of me at Tilden High School. His brother Terry who sat next to me in Spanish class went on to play for the Green Bay Packers for a season.

When I met Willie at the auto show many moons ago, I asked him about his brother and we started talking about old times like the Brooklyn homeboys we were. A real nice and classy man.

Feat Fan
September 24, 2004
Adding to what Rich W just shared, I too went to school with the Randolph kids and there is no one classier and calmer than "Mickey".

He was our starting HS short stop and his ability and demeanor was standout, even at the age of 16. Watched a recent "Yankeeography" ( hate that putz Sterling, h a t e ) but got a kick seeing the "hood" and Terry's interview.

This is the kind of leader and perfectionist that the starving METS need. Maybe David Wright can offer that type of leadership as he matures, this group is clueless.

Small world, Rich and I were schoolmates and ventured the same Brooklyn streets all those days ago!

Jonathan Stern
September 24, 2004
Mets fans rewarded Willie Randolph with a standing ovation on what everyone knew would be his last at-bat in the majors. Randolph, of course, thanked the fans after the game.

Despite the inevitable and justifiable hostilities between both NY fan bases, there are, and always will be, certain special ballplayers who (for the most part) will be embraced by both. Willie was one of them.

Jonathan
November 15, 2004
Finally, Willie Randolph gets a managing job. He has long deserved one for his easygoing nature and knowledge of the game. He also has great exposure to both New York and the Mets. Congratulations to Willie!

Anthony
November 16, 2004
A member of The Worst Team Money Could Buy from 1992 and now is the new manager. I actually think he was the best choice of the three (Terry Collins and Rudy Jamarillo were the other two). He has a lot of New York experience and coaching experience with the Yankees. He played most of his career with the Yankees. Let's hope the front office follows through with some good player moves now.

Jonathan Stern
February 14, 2005
I was never angrier with the Mets than at the end of last season. I thought the team was both incompetent and in a dream world. But my spirits have brightened a little, if for no other reason than that Fred Wilpon has clearly heard the collective voice of the fans. In response, he has drastically changed the culture of the clubhouse. A new GM. New faces replacing the clubhouse lawyers, including an ace and a free agent stud. And a new manager in... Willie Randolph?

And that's where the good feelings end for me at this point. Willie has no managerial experience. None, nada. Not even the sandlots. Moreover, Randolph was reportedly not a highly respected Yankee coach. Players called him "Wave-em-home Willie" when he coached 3B. Joe Torre and he never sat next to each other during last season, when Randolph was his bench coach. It all seems ominous to me, to say the least.

Yet, here he is getting paid MLB peanuts to manage a $200 million team. With a budget like that, nothing less than a postseason appearence is acceptable. However, the team, rebuilt though it is, is full of question marks, talent-wise, health-wise, chemistry-wise, etc. Even experienced managers would find the 2005 Mets, as they are now and probably will be on Opening Day, a challenge.

So I appreciate the attempts at change made by Wilpon and company, knowing full well it must have hurt badly to make them. I certainly hope for the best. But it looks to me like a bad situation has been replaced by a bad situation. 90 losses may not be as likely as it was the last two years but it is still an enormous possibility. Good luck, Willie. Your place in New York sports history will remain solid regardless. Time heals all wounds. Just ask Bud Harrelson.

Bob P
February 15, 2005
Jonathan, I enjoy reading your posts but I feel like I can't let this one go by without a comment. Please don't take this personally!

As a Mets fan since 1962, I have never been happier about the choice of a new manager for the team. I think Willie Randolph was an excellent pick. Does he have managerial experience? No. All right, would I rather have someone with experience like Jeff Torborg, or Dallas Green, or Art Howe? Let me think about that one for a while. OK, no to that one also.

The fact is that Willie grew up in New York, grew up a Mets fan, and most importantly, has been around one winning team or another for the better part of the last thirty years. That's culture change.

And the idea of having an African-American manager in New York is an idea that was long overdue.

Let's face it, for the last few years the Mets have been the THIRD baseball team in New York, behind the Yankees and the Red Sox. With the additions the Mets have made this winter, including that of Randolph, the Mets will no longer be irrelevant. Maybe they won't be 100-win good, but they will be talked about.

Randolph may turn out to be another Howe, or Green, or Torborg. But I won't be second-guessing the choice even if the Mets lose 95 games this year. It was a move that needed to be made, and the only thing that disappoints me is that this move wasn't made when Bobby V was asked to leave.

Mr. Sparkle
March 1, 2005
I liked Willie the one year he played with the Mets. He was solid on a lousy team and had a good attitude. I also liked the fact that he was a Met fan growing up. I think he'll probably do a pretty good job,although he was not my choice as manager, I'd still take the wife beating Wally Backman, since Willie has a better team to manage.

I don't like the fact that he recently said he is a Yankee at heart and will always be a Yankee. I also don't like the no facial hair rule, nothing like being treated like a child, and the no music in the locker room rule seems ridiculous although if I were on the team I probably wouldn't mind since I probably wouldn't like what those guys were playing anyway. No drinking on team flights seems too restrictive as well. It's one thing for Tom Coughlin to ask football players to come to a meeting 5 minutes early, it's another to ask a baseball player to shave. Being early for a meeting shows your commitment to the rules and that you are ready to prepare. Shaving is a personal choice which has nothing to do with commitment to the team.

I hope they win or Willie will turn out to be another Bud Harrelson.

Ben Segal
March 21, 2005
Willie Randolph will turn out to be the best thing in Mets history. It doesn't matter that he hasn't had any real managerial experience. He's been a coach for 11 years with the Yankees and has been involved in baseball since he was 6. There's nobody I know in my life that knows more about the game than this man. He's a winner and his rules about shaving and no music and no drinks on the plane are just rules to show the players that he can be a forceful manager who will take charge and it will force them to be more professional. The more professional your team is, the more wins you're going to see.

I don't see why anybody would second guess the Mets' choice for Willie as manager. The Mets are going to have an amazing year and in the end we're going to see that it had a lot to do with Willie being in charge. We're going to see a new team this year. This team will go about their business as winners and Ican't wait to see how far this team can go. Good luck to Willie and the whole team!

Jonathan Stern
March 21, 2005
I'm going to modify my above prediction a bit. I still think that the Mets have a decent chance of losing 90 games this year, but it won't be because Willie Randolph is not ready to manage in the bigs. Judging by his highly professional spring training camp, his handling of personnel and the media, and the seemingly upbeat attitude all around the premises, he is. In fact, he appears remarkably assured, as if he has done it all before. I always liked Willie, and hope that he is here to stay for a few more years after this season is over... with better lineups and pitching staffs to work with, of course.

Ben Segal
April 27, 2005
So, the season started and the day after opening day, the headlines of all the local papers read "Willie Ball". Because of Willie, we're going to see a whole new way for the Mets to play baseball. A lot of small ball with the occasional home runs scattered here and there. No team is going to be able to beat the combination of small ball, a lot of speed, and the power with Beltran, Piazza, and Floyd. When the all star break comes around and the Mets are in first and are on fire, we'll look back at those headlines, "Willie Ball" and we'll all be greatful that Willie was the man at the helm of the new Mets. Willie was the absolute best choice for the new Mets manager and pretty soon, everyone will agree with me.

Jonathan Stern
May 3, 2005
Hey, Ben, I'm almost ready to climb on the bandwagon. Willie already impressed me with his refusal to panic after the 0-5 start. And hearing him address the media and speak on WFAN is a burst of fresh air after two seasons of lifeless Art Howe. His decision several days ago to have Beltran bunt in the first inning in order to load the bases for Piazza was gutty and inspired. Piazza was in a slump, and he proceeded to break out of that slump with a three-run double. The Mets are going to have a hard time losing 90 games if Willie keeps managing this well.

Mr. Sparkle
May 3, 2005
No Bud Harrelson here. I really like Willie. He's decisive and straight forward. He's got a professionalism to him that I think gets the players to respond. He's up beat without being rah-rah and he's very confident. Not having previous managerial experience is over rated. He's a New Yorker and seems to be able to handle anything. His Subway commercial is lame but overall I think Willie's doing a great job. I really think players like Cliff Floyd respond to him and the fact that we rally late shows that these guys are focused and will not quit. Keep going Willie!

Shari
May 3, 2005
I have to agree with Mr. Sparkle- I didn't like the idea of Willie, a former Yankee, coming in here at first to manage but I think he is doing a great job so far too. I just try not to look at his 1977 baseball card, the year he was awarded "Topps All-Star Rookie" when I go through my collection.

George Felonbrenner
May 11, 2005
Oh great, a Yankee managing our team.

Mark my words: He will not last longer than two seasons.

His inexperience combined with the ownership’s complete disrespect for staff will lead to a speedy departure.

Gus from Flushing
May 22, 2005
Very aggressive and shows faith in his players no matter how bad they do. Reminds me very much of Davey Johnson. Even gives the same stare into a player when they make an error as did Davey.

Feat Fan
July 16, 2005
If memory serves me well, Willie was shagging fly balls and pegging one hoppers to the plate before the game that convinced the Pirates to sign him to play in Thetford Mines where he hit .354 in '72. Coach Glaubach had a f$@*ing fit when he noticed #3 in the outfield!

Remember going to class with both his brother, Terry and future bride Gretchen. This is a family of role models, even back in the day.

Willie, hope that the 2nd half of the year is even more productive. The club is heading in the right direction and you are making us old Tildenites very proud.

Joe Figliola
August 27, 2005
I was very surprised and a little disappointed that Randolph demonstrated zero reaction to the controversial Mike Cameron catch during the Mets' loss to the Astros on 28 July.

Clearly, Cameron caught the ball and dropped it in the act of throwing. When the call was reversed to "no catch," Randolph did his best impersonation of the Who's John Entwistle and just STOOD THERE. Even Keith Hernandez in the booth was dumbfounded by the lack of emotion and fire Randolph demonstrated.

I'll say this: I can't stomach Joe Torre, but you can bet your boots he would have been out there with his little rule book screaming at Andy Fletcher to get help from another blueshirt in order to reverse the call.

If Randolph continues to act complacent towards plays like that, then he won't be around for his own bobblehead doll day on 18 September. Only the great managers do whatever it takes to stick up for their players and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Randolph's demonstration of indifference on a questionable play is something this team does not need.

Mark
August 27, 2005
I'll say this about Willie Randolph - at least he seems to be thinking - trying to change things around when injuries, etc. happen. This is a welcome change after two years of Art Howe who seemed asleep on the bench!

Bubba Agbayani
September 11, 2005
Willie Randolph is rapidly proving himself to be one of the worst strategic managers in Met history.

The Mets are now 70-70. Based on Bill James' Pythagorean formula, they should be 78-62 based on runs scored/allowed, which does not account for the runs Willie leaves on the table by inexplicably having his two lowest OBP men batting 1-2.

These are the worst actual won-loss managerial performances in Met history vs Pythagorean expectations, courtesy of baseball-reference.com:

1993 -14 (Torborg 38 games/Green 124 games) 1962 -10 (Stengel) 2005 -8 (RANDOLPH THROUGH 140 GAMES) 1977 -8 (Frazier 45 games/Torre 117 games)

Met managers who never had a Pythagorean differential of -8 in any season include:

Wes Westrum, Gil Hodges, Yogi Berra, Roy McMillan, George Bamberger, Frank Howard, Davey Johnson, Bud Harrelson, Bobby Valentine and the illustrious Art Howe (-3 in '03, -5 in '04).

Adam
September 23, 2005
I didn't think of saying this at the beginning of this season, but they should have stuck with Art Howe or Bobby V. His lack of fire will ensure that this will be a cold winter for the Mets.

Diamond Dave
September 23, 2005
I Second the motion! Willie stinks. What would Pedro's record be if not for Willie pulling him out of games where he is cruising? 19-7? Beltran hits third every day no matter how un-clutch he is. Wright is hitting .311 and should be hitting #3. Yeah the bullpen is not good but that weakness is exposed even more by Willie's mismanagemant of the pen. All things being equal I'd rather have Yogi back, ok maybe not Yogi, but jeez... I never thought I'd miss Bobby Vanentine.

JFK
September 23, 2005
Willie is a complete disappointment as a manager. His decisions cost the chance of the Mets having any shot at the wildcard.

Lets start Iishi and Zambrano over Heilman and Seo. Martinez is pitching great, I better pull him and rely on my trusty bullpen.

Lets see Looper has loaded the bases and no outs, what should I do, I know nothing. I wonder why he blew the save.

Lets make out my line-up today---Ok the biggest contracts play, even though those players are not doing well.

Umpire made a bad call--I better not say anything.

Even Gary Cohen is getting critical of Willie.

FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!

Jersey Jerry
October 4, 2005
As far as I'm concerned Willie did a very good job as the manager this year. Considering it IS HIS FIRST YEAR. I'm sick to death when I hear all of the "so called die hard Mets fans" rip into him on WFAN, or even those who proliferate this web site and are "disappointed" in his job this year. You have to believe in what you're doing. And whether you fail, or not should never be questioned. You should have to only answer to yourself, and your team. Not the 35,000 plus "experts" who show up at Shea on any given night. He in my estimation, tried a number of different things this year. Some worked, and some didn't, but he was unafraid to fail if it came down to it. To me that's setting himself, and the Mets up for success in the very near future. Willie has given the Mets organization, and its extremely loyal fan base hope for the future. He got guys like Glavine, Floyd, and even to a lesser extent Piazza to perform very admirably. He took guys like Chris Woodward, Roberto Hernandez, and Marlon Anderson off of the scrap heap and made them valuable contributors. The young guys such as Reyes, Wright, Diaz, Seo, and Jacobs all adapted, adjusted, and performed well above their ages, and played like classy veterans. Can this team soon overtake the Braves, and Phillies? Only time will tell, but I will state this this team is definitely headed in the right direction. And it will be led by a gentleman who got his start as a Yankee. Who knew?

Jonathan Stern
October 4, 2005
To paraphrase Howie Rose, "Put 2005 in the books!" At this time, I state my conviction that Willie Randolph did pretty well in his first stint as a manager on any level, from sandlot on up. The Mets could have laid down and died at varying points during the season (in particular, after the first six games and in early September). And the front office's decision in 2004 (before Willie and Omar Minaya showed up) to trade Kazmir for Zambrano burned big-time, especially when you consider how close the Mets came to the wildcard. Also, think of the aging vets on their way out, plus the youngsters, not to mention Kris Benson forgetting how to pitch midway through the season, among other things.

But, however he did it, Randolph kept the team's focus going and the Mets finished in third place with a 83-79 record and did a great job of playing spoilers against Florida and Philadelphia - a far cry from the lifelessness of the previous three Septembers. I'm no fan of moral victories, but all in all, 2005 was much better than I and a number of others thought it would be. For that, Willie deserves a lot of credit - although he himself may see little consolation in it.

And with that in mind...

Now, let's see: do you retain Willie for 2006, or bring in Lou Pinella? I personally do not feel that Randolph did enough wrong to deserve to be fired. But, regardless, Sweet Lou would be an upgrade, assuming he's interested. Here's my opinion, for the little that it is worth: keep Willie and nothing less than a postseason appearance would be acceptable. Replace Willie with Lou and nothing less than a strong showing in the 2006 NLCS would be acceptable. Think about it - and, when doing so, remember the Wilpons.

Dave in CT
May 10, 2006
I liked the move to promote Randolph to manager and I'll tell you why.

He has been with a winning team with the Yankees during the late 70's as a player and as a coach under Torre in the 90's. From my point of view, a bench coach is involved in a lot of different aspects of the game. He is like the right hand man to the manager. With his experience as a player and as a coach, he knows what it takes to win. I think the 2005 season was an improvement from the prior seasons and with the acquisitions of Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado, they can only get better. so far the record speaks for itself. I don't care what anybody says, Randolph has an immense amount of pressure on him this year to win, no two ways about it.

I am also rooting for Randolph from a personal standpoint. I remember meeting him as a teen when he came to a baseball camp. It was like his second year in the bigs and we were not much younger than him. I can't begin to tell you what a pleasant experience it was to meet him. He was approachable, funny, and just an overall nice guy.

Shickhaus Franks
June 2, 2006
Sports Illustrated has a thing called POP CULTURE and they ask players and coaches about their knowledge of stuff outside the sports world. They asked Willie about his favorite song and it's that 1979 disco classic "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". How appropriate that song is & with the Mets in 1st place in the NL East with a 32-20 record! Btw, I'm calling them The "Cardiac" Mets with their penchant for walk-off victories.

Malcontent Met
July 21, 2006
I share the sentiments of Jersey Joe. In fact, I suffered the disillusionment that he prophesied if some Yankee loser became involved with the Mets. Well, that Yankee loser was none other than Willie Randolph. When the Mets hired him and got rid of Mets stalwarts like Franco and Piazza, I temporarily lost my love for the team I suffered indignity after indignity for. I don’t care what our record is, it doesn’t erase the fact that this team just isn’t the Mets with a Yankee-reject as its manager. A record of 57-38 (as of 7/21/06) and an eventual playoff birth doesn’t really attest to his greatness as a manager with the National League being as wretched as it is. Hopefully his tenure will be brief.

David Klein
October 4, 2006
At times I disagree with some of his moves and he can be stubborn also, but the players play their hearts out for him, and he uses his bench better than any manager in baseball.

Joe Mac
October 4, 2006
Will never be the best in game manager, Randolph does have the trust of his players, which is a plus. Good communicator and getting better with the media. The last game of the Yankee series where he left Alay Soler in to get his tail kicked makes you wonder about him in the playoffs.

=Chuck=
October 5, 2006
The Yankees gave him a shot and he proved to be one of the best 2nd basemen they ever had. He was a solid hitter too (with a great eye - got lots of walks). More than that, Randolph's a class act. On all those "Bronx Zoo" teams, with their egos and maniac Steinbrenner controlling everyone like puppets, Randolph went about his business and never started trouble. I'm so happy the Mets brought him on as manager because I knew the players would respect him and that he'd bring a winning attitude to Queens... something that was desperately needed after a few sketchy years. Now look. Everyone played hard for him and even with iffy starting pitching all season we're in the playoffs. Sure, he was a Yankee, but look past that and realize that he's a solid guy and a solid manager. As much as I despise the Yankees, there are some players who transcend their smugness and buy-up-the-neighborhood attitude. Bernie Williams is another one of those types.

JFK
October 14, 2006
Game 2 proved what I knew all along--Randolph is not a good manager. LaRussa took Randolph to school in Game 2. In Game 3--Randolph just simply quit. Traschel is getting killed and no one is up in the bullpen. Lets Oliver bat in the 6th.

To think Minaya picked Randolph over Leyland. What could have been.

JFK
August 28, 2007
Can we start the WILLIE MUST GO website or chant at Shea? I am absolutely sick to my stomach watching this guy manage a game. This is not rocket science, but Willie makes one think that it must be the toughest job in the world.

If a starting pitcher has not given up a run you do not take the starting pitcher out of the game. Willie is only concerned about pitch count. Would love to see him try to take Gibson or Seaver out of a game just because of 100 pitches.

I can't believe the Mets hired a manager that makes Art Howe look good.

cholorad
September 18, 2007
This guy just refuses to sign autographs at or outside the stadium; I don't know if anyone has had a similar experience. Anyway, it seems that lately he has lost control of the team and nobody cares about playing hard anymore. Good luck making it to October baseball.

Disgusted
September 27, 2007
Goodbye, Willie.

All those people who turned you down were right.

Yes, Omar dealt you a bad hand by, for instance, letting Chad Bradford go in favor of G. Mota, but the TOTAL COLLAPSE of this team signals the complete lack of respect you command in the clubhouse.

No Met fears a bad performance. They are free to choke and no one gets in their face.

Summon whatever Billy Martin blood you have in you and shove Billy Wagner or Joe Smith against a wall and say 'this is not acceptable.'

You are not up for the job.

Feat Fan
September 28, 2007
It pains me to write this since I attended Tilden HS along with Willie and was friendly with his wife Gretchen and brother Terry at that time. Unfortunately, this total collapse has been unforgivable and I wonder if a tougher persona would have been able to shake things up.

Now, it appears to be too late, TONIGHT's loss may be the hangman and the manager must shoulder the blame. I just never picked up the sense of urgency and intolerance in "Mickey's" demeanor. Always a class guy, humble and centered but could it be that this group needed a Pinella/Showalter kick in the balls?

Yes, injuries were fast and furious but the team is intact now. The Phillies lost Garcia, Utley, Howard , Hammels and Victorino and still have found a way. Further proof that Jimmy Rollins is the NL MVP, hands down!

Mets fan in Maine
September 29, 2007
I have to agree with the recent critical postings about Randolph's managing skills. Yes, he's a classy and decent man, but that doesn't make him a good manager. I didn't like it when the Mets signed him to manage. The Mets need a manager with some fire in him, someone who will get in players' faces when they're not performing. He's too stoic and unemotional, like his mentor, Joe Torre. I want to see a manager who shows some passion and fire, not a guy who rarely seems to change his facial expression. There's still a tiny bit of hope left for the season (one game left in the regular season as I write this), but it looks like Randolph will have presided over one of the most spectacular baseball collapses ever.

Ken D.
October 1, 2007
I believe that if you don't have anything nice to say, you know, but let me just say...

"If the ship hits an iceberg they don't blame the guys in the engine room."

Thanks for crushing my dreams, '07 Mets.

Menachem G. Jerenberg
October 1, 2007
Oh good f***ing grief. Randolph didn't need to be anything but calm last year, but in '07 this team NEEDED a match lit under them. Leyland blew up at the Tigers, and they reached the World Series; Manuel started raving in May, and there came the Phillies; Piniella explodes every other game, and look at the Cubs. Randolph! Get off your high horse, quit your Prozac dependency, and MOTIVATE these people!

MetWop
October 4, 2007
Willie Randolph has achieved the monumental accomplishment of having spent over 40 years in organized baseball without ever have learned a thing about the game. He has no clue when a pitcher is out of gas, leaving him in until the game is out of reach. And yet he consistently pulls pitchers who are throwing shutouts after the 7th inning. He constantly wastes outs bunting Jose Reyes to 2nd, despite the fact that Reyes is the premier base-stealer in the game today. His hitters almost NEVER take advantage of a favorable count, invariably getting the take sign on 2-0 counts, no matter the situation. He might succeed, to some degree, despite his lack of baseball knowledge, if he had the ability to inspire and motivate his players. Yeah, right. He's a bland, uninspiring, emotionless lump of nothing. A complete waste of DNA.

cholorad
October 4, 2007
How does the champagne taste now Willie? It'll be a short leash around your neck next year. Bobby V, where are you?!!

Diamond Dave
October 8, 2007
I remember when Willie Randolph was the made the Mets manager and I was asked do you like this choice? My answer: "NO, not really he has never managed and is a YANKEE!" One season as a player does not make him Mr. Met. After 3 years of giving him a break and not freaking out on him I now have to say 3 words: Stink, Stank, Stunk. He would not discipline players that continually FAIL to run our ground balls, pop ups and forget how many outs there are. Does not use the bullpen correctly and has no FIRE, at all. If players know they can run the ship without repercussions then they will... right into the ground and out of the playoffs. What an embarrassment! Make Mazzilli the manager send Willie packing back to the Bronx. Thanks for ruining the season.

Jonathan Stern
October 19, 2007
Blame is like fertilizer. You spread it where it belongs. Randolph may have gone too often to Mota, but were any of the other choices better? Reyes and some of the others hot-dogging and not hustling were his bad up to a point - they are major leaguers and should comport themselves as such. Randolph is not blameless, nor is Minaya. But in the end, it was the players who were most responsible for the 2007 Choke.

annette randolph
January 4, 2008
Willie Randolph is a great manager and I pray that he wins a World Series in his career as the first African American manager for the Mets team. I would like to shake his hand in person some day. I'm a family member from Mt. Vernon, NY and I am proud of him. The Randolph family is praying for his success.

cholorad
February 3, 2008
To Anette: Good luck shaking his hand, maybe as a relative you may have some luck. Willie comes across as a snub. I had the opportunity to be on the field at Shea last year when I introduced myself before a game; the guy blew me off and walked away. A friend of mine had a similar experience in New Jersey where they both live. Despite all that, I still felt bad for him as the team floundered and fell apart during the collapse of 2007.

JFK
April 18, 2008
Willie has not learned anything from last year. He is already over using the bullpen and still is pulling starting pitchers as soon as they hit 100 pitches regardless of how they are doing.

Now he rips Angel Pagan and criticized Church for trying to bunt in the first inning. Willie said he would never tell a batter to bunt. Good to know Willie and thanks for telling the other teams.

Willie--this is the NL, where you have to play small ball. This in not the Yanks where everyone has the ability to hit a HR.

Feat Fan
April 23, 2008
Willie, Coach Glaubach would like to have a word with you, since we both played on the same ballfield at Tilden, I'll take the lead:

give these starters a chance to pitch

stop killing the kids and hold everyone to task

give Sosa a night off

Heilmann is ready to start

forget that you ever heard of Tony LaRussa and keep it simple

hit something, throw something, get mad!

face it, Delgado is no longer a 5 hitter or a force

get Omar away from these 40+ old signings

Say hi to Terri, we played woodwind together in JHS 285!

Kyle B
June 9, 2008
It's probably not fair but Willie needs to be fired. Somebody has to be made an example of for this MESS of a team.

JFK
June 12, 2008
FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!

Pelfrey is throwing a shut out, a beautiful game and this mental midget pulls him. I turned to my girlfriend Wagner was walking to the mound and said "I guarantee you that Wagner gives a 3 run homer". Guess what--HE DID.

FIRE WLLIE!!!!!!!!!!!

Pelfrey was pitching the game of his life and finally it might have signaled a turning point in his career and now he has the memory of being crushed. How can you trust a manager like that.

FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This team needs a great performance from pitcher to get this team going and Willie decides he would rather take a pitcher dominating the game and put in a a relief pitcher. Definition of relief pitcher--- not good enough to start.

FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even a 12 year knows not to pull Pelfrey. I would feel more comforatble with a child managing this team.

FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I implore all Met fans to avoid all Met games until Willie (as well as Peterson) is fired. If you must go to the games please voice your opinion, carry signs or make up shirts that read----

FIRE WILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feat Fan
June 13, 2008
It's easy to nail Willie on this, and rightfully so. His handling of the starters in particular has been questionable but it's not his fault that Wagner and Heilman have had such terrible outings of late or that half his club is 35+ and on the DL.

I'm not sure that he's the right guy for what this team needs but a 13-7 streak will sure quiet the masses down and elevate this underachieving group.

COULD IT SIMPLY BE THAT THIS TEAM JUST IS NOT AS GOOD AS THEIR PRESS CLIPPINGS?

Doctor Worm
June 13, 2008
My thoughts on the Randolph situation:

1) Willie has done nothing to warrant his dismissal, and he absolutely does not deserve to be fired.

2) The above statement is irrelevant. He MUST be fired, even though he does not deserve to be.

Why? Because Omar Minaya, in the interest of self-preservation, must show the Wilpons (and, for that matter, the paying customers) that he is "doing something" to "fix the problem". And the easiest way to show you are doing something is to fire the manager.

Shed no tears for Willie. He got his opportunity because his predecessor did not win. Now it appears certain that someone else will get an opportunity.

As the old saying goes, there are two types of baseball managers -- winning managers and ex-managers.

glenn-troy ny
June 17, 2008
A team this talented should not be middle of the pack. His exodus was inevitable.

Anthony R
June 17, 2008
The Mets showed us all how NOT to run a profesional baseball team today. This was a class- less move to let Willie fly to LA, manage a game, WIN that game, then "decide" to fire him after that game. Fred & son Jeff look like Abbott & Costello doing a Who's on First skit. Omar is now hanging over the volcano by a singed rope. He has put together a team that Willie could hardly communicate with, and gave him Art Howe's pitching coach. Who by the way is a nut. Just when you thought the Yankees handled Torre bad...WATCH OUT!, Here comes the Wilpons.

cholorad
June 17, 2008
I'm probably in the minority but I agree 100% in the way Omar got rid of this guy. I know he flew first class to Anaheim. I hope he returns to Brooklyn in a Greyhound bus. Come on! The Mets gave him an unique opportunity that was denied by every other team; the organization spent the cash in obtaining competitive players (Santana, Martinez, Wagner, etc) and then he berates his bosses, please! I'm sure his absence will be a breeze of fresh air in the clubhouse. We don't need a Yankee to lead this team. Relax Mets fans, we'll be in the fight in October!

Gets by Buckner
June 17, 2008
I think Willie is and always will be a classy guy. I however do not feel it was his fault he had to manage some highly paid players with egos. He was one hit away from the World Series in 2006. Unfortunately in baseball when all goes wrong, the manager takes the blame. Willie, I wish you well. You were a tremendous player and did your best as the Mets Manager. Let's Go Mets!!

Kevin C. Delahanty, MD
June 18, 2008
Willie was dismissed because he could not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Now, it Omar's time to go because he is the one responsible for selecting & arranging to pay a stratospheric price for said ear.

Willie, I hope you find a more promising situation elsewhere.

Let's Go Mets!

Andy C
June 18, 2008
Willie Randolph is a class act. I believe that in time he would have improved the team, but probably not make the playoffs. It was very difficult to do without a left/right fielder and your #5 hitter batting about .240. I wish the ownership would have treated him with the respect he deserved and earned. For the first time in over 35 years I was wishing for a Met loss last night, and got it.

Rod Timmons
June 21, 2008
This was an inside job Willie. Little yuppie Jeffrey Wilpon wanted someone new, so after you just posted 4 wins of your last 6 games and 11-8 over the last 19 games, he went to Daddy and said we need to fire him before he turns this thing around and starts winning big. How about that for a pitiful bunch of yella-bellied cowards?

Willie you NEVER had a chance here with these wussie Wilpons. When Nelson Doubleday sold his shares to them the CLASS left as soon as he did! Too bad Willie but this can only be a BLESSING in disguise for you. You are a winner but 'these' Mets didn't want to learn about any of that! You showed a lot of special class the way you dealt with a very bitter and hostile way of their cowardly dealings with this whole matter especially after your big WIN in Anaheim this past Monday!

Take this and grow bigger and even better then you already are Sir. I know this will come back and haunt this incompetent organization for years to come. I know it has done me in after 46 years of true and faithful loyalty to my good ol' Metropolitans! Good Luck Willie. Us TRUE Mets fans know just how hard you worked for this team and how much you loved your job as manager of our Mets! Thank you Sir and Godspeed to you & your family!

Mook
June 25, 2008
What is missing from much of the media coverage is an understanding of how the Wilpons and Silent Partner Saul Katz conduct business at Shea, Sterling Equities and their associated institutions such as LI's own NS-LIJ Heathsystems.For instance, look at how NSLIJ treats its employess and how they let their various CEOs go. Knowing how the Wilpons and Katz do business, I can guess what happened with a reasonable degree of certainty. Minaya was summoned that Monday and instructed to "fix the Willie problem" (it was understood what that meant). The timing of the Monday AM summoning was chosen not out of any Father's day regard or such nonsense- but because it was the most convenient time for the Wilpons to deal with the issue.. So off Omar went to Anaheim to dispatch Willie and hold a press conference that would have made Bill Clinton, George Bush and Dick Nixon proud ("Depending on the meaning of "is", I am not a hatchet man, I am the decider")...Wille's cross- country journey was nary a concern to the nobly entitled Wilpons..

In a "fanship" that dates from Jerry Buchek and Tommie Davis,... through the Amazins and 73, the horrible Torre Bamberger years .. Buckner..Dallas Green , Torborg Piazza etc.. I found myself secretly rooting against them for the first time. Maybe Manuel will work out (I suspect he may be a better manager than Willie), maybe the Mets will even win the World Series and certainly the Wilpons tee-time will not be affected, but the organizational disgrace and stain that surrounded the Randolph firing will follow the NY Mets for a very long time....

Mr. Sparkle
July 1, 2008
I couldn't care less the manner in which Willie was fired. That is way overblown. If it weren't for the media frenzy, would the fans really be upset about it? My first thoughts hearing about it were "good, it's about time" not how dare they do it late at night in California.

I liked Willie, I didn't care that he used to play in the Bronx, that's OK with me since he was a winner. He grew up a Mets fan and did play one year here so I didn't mind his Bronx pedigree. I think he got too much of the rap for an over rated team not living up to its potential. Everyone says this team is loaded with talent--where? We have a lot of over the hill players that would have been great to have had in their prime but in their mid to late 30s who just can't cut it any more. Our bench is lousy and the bullpen very inconsistent. None of those things were Willie's fault.

During the 2007 collapse, it didn't matter who he went to in the bullpen, they all sucked. Not his fault. But when I saw the Mets play the Braves earlier this year and I saw how hard the Braves were playing and hustling compared to how lackluster the Mets seemed to be playing, I decided then it was time to let Willie go because that was his fault. If he couldn't get them to give 100%, that is his fault and he had to go.

So do it at 3:00 in the morning in California after a win or 5:00 in the afternoon in NY after a loss or over Pina Coladas in Hawaii at noon, it didn't matter because Willie had to go. I wish him well, as long as it is not at the Mets expense.