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Reader comment on:
It's Time To Fire Willie Randolph

Submitted by Bob Kelly, May 2, 2008 16:35

Let me preface this by saying I like Willie Randolph. I think he has carried himself with dignity during the 32 years he has been in the New York baseball spotlight. Having said that, I think Willie is in over his head. Hindsight is 20/20. The decision to bring Willie back after September's debacle, in hindsight, does not look like the right decision where we stand almost eight months later.

We can debate Willie's in-game decisions until the cows come home. As a matter of fact, in this town whether you're playing .600 baseball or .400 baseball, all manager's in-game decisions come under scrutiny, ask Joe Torre or Davey Johnson.

The problem is this for Willie: this team, for whatever reason, has tuned Willie out. Once your team has tuned you out they ain't tuning you back in.

I'm sure the Wilpons are thrilled with the fact that since May 31, 2007 their nine-figure payroll's won-and-loss record is 68-68 (in that same period of time the Mets are respectively six and seven-and-a-half games better than the Nationals and Marlins; nine-and-half games behind the Phillies). That is 84% of a regular season for those keeping score at home.

The underpinning of this record has been uninspired play. Billy Wagner, after Wednesday's debacle, stated that the Mets were not ready to play. That is a damning indictment of the manager...from his own clubhouse no less. Carlos Delgado remarked in August of last year, "we're so good, we're bored." When the team was falling off the cliff in September the manager never showed a sense of urgency. Instead, he reassured us that everything would be "fine." Even now, in post-game press conferences, we get the same happy-talk after we've witnessed another uninspiring effort.

Sadly, and I hope I'm proven wrong, I've come to the conclusion Willie has lost this team. If things don't turn around very soon, Minaya is going to have to make a huge decision. A decision that will probably have a bearing on Minaya's future as well.

Who do you bring in? The Astros were floundering a few years ago in June, brought in a fiery manager in Phil Garner and started playing to their potential winding up in two straight NLCS and a World Series. Garner wasn't the greatest strategist in the world, but he got the most out of a talented roster...a team that, on paper, this Met team is better than. Are there any fiery-Garner types out there (actually, Garner himself is available).

I think the month of May will be moment of truth for the Randolph administration. Another lackluster month of .500 ball will not be survivable for Willie, especially if the Phillies are five or six games up on Memorial Day. But, sadly, I think his days are numbered.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I agree with your assessment and commentary 100%. It seems like you articulated exactly the things I've been groaning about... [MORE]	Alex Sabatino	May 15, 2008 03:38
You hit the nail square on the head. Only problem is ... here we are May 14th and the Willie the... [MORE]	JJJJJ	May 14, 2008 22:24
What does this article achieve? Sure it is a commentary but it is simply a rant without substance. In the... [MORE]	rob mendel	May 6, 2008 15:37
This is ludicrous. The team has one of the top ten records in baseball, notwithstanding a barrage of injuries. To... [MORE]	LogeatShea	May 5, 2008 11:14
While you're at it, fire Omar Minaya, as well. He has been a pathetic disappointment and he is truly, most... [MORE]	J Dagostino	May 5, 2008 02:50
hmmmm.....I guess 2006 (one of the most successful seasons in Mets history) didn't exist. It's funny how you didn't mention... [MORE]	John	May 3, 2008 12:51
This is merely perfect. As I've been harping on Gotham Baseball online, Willie isn't a bad manager. He's no manager,... [MORE]	Al Cohn, former sportswriter, newsday	May 2, 2008 23:20
I'm not going to beat around the bush. Willie Randolph is an awful manager. I challenge anyone to point out... [MORE]	Eric Schnipper	May 2, 2008 22:05
Thank you for saying so well ....what so many Mets fans feels so strongly. Bring back Bobby V......we certainly could use... [MORE]	john signorelli	May 2, 2008 19:11
Let me preface this by saying I like Willie Randolph. I think he has carried himself with dignity during the...	Bob Kelly	May 2, 2008 16:35
I fully agree with your comments regarding the managerial skills or lack thereof regarding Willie Randolph. He has not connected... [MORE]	Bob Oblas	May 2, 2008 16:16
Willie shoulda been fired long time ago. [MORE]	Adriano	May 2, 2008 15:56
The only reason Minaya hired him is because he wanted to show how clever he was, "look at me! I'll... [MORE]	Sharku	May 2, 2008 15:21
"David Wright is playing like what he is, the best player in the league" Um, you certainly aren't shy... [MORE]	Joe Boland	May 2, 2008 15:10
Willie Randolph was a great player and a great coach in this city; you can't tell me that he doesn't... [MORE]	Tiki	May 2, 2008 14:49
Tim: What what would you have Willie doing now, to inspire his veteran players, that he hasn't already tried?More importantly,... [MORE]	Georgia Mets Fan	May 2, 2008 14:32
I think the time to do it was the end of last season. Even if it wasn't entirely fair, someone... [MORE]	Chris	May 2, 2008 14:06
Willie should have been fired immediately after the collapse last year, and a good argument can be made for Omar... [MORE]	John Patrick Griffin	May 2, 2008 14:00
I couldn't agree more, Willie needs to go and probably some of his coaches with him. On a side note... [MORE]	jones	May 2, 2008 13:59
I never liked Randolph from day one. In addition to the fact that he's a Yankee (and as most Met... [MORE]	Rob	May 2, 2008 13:44
I was completely shocked he survived "the collapse" with his job and watching the way the Mets play this year,... [MORE]	Frank from Jersey	May 2, 2008 13:38
Tim, As a long time magazine editor and writer and Mets fan, I have been desperately waiting for any new york... [MORE]	Stephen Hanks	May 2, 2008 13:33
You have hit the nail squarely on the head. Your article on Randolph is free from error. Your detailing his... [MORE]	Russell Gazzetti	May 2, 2008 13:23
This article is dead on. I think you speak for most Mets fans. It's time for change....OUT WITH RANDOLPH! [MORE]	Shawn	May 2, 2008 12:57
Boy, this is 100% concise and accurate. The fact that Willie has a job after last year (or even got... [MORE]	Kevin	May 2, 2008 12:12
Great article Tim. I thought he should have been fired immediately after last years collapse. I don't understand why Minaya... [MORE]	Ken F.	May 2, 2008 11:49
I'm tired of seeing sac bunts in the 5th. I'm tired of seeing Scott Schoenweiss pitch to righties. I'm tired... [MORE]	Matt	May 2, 2008 11:37

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It's Time To Fire Willie Randolph