Randolph not adjusting well to his own hometown

Much of what's wrong with Willie Randolph, manager, was on full display during the argument following the Delgado "foul" ball homer Sunday night. Ever restrained and with apparently no boiling point whatsoever, Randolph protested the terrible reversal of the home run call with all the vehemence of a Pat Paulsen podium pounding. The man is physically incapable of justified anger. His reactions to on-field disasters would make a man of the cloth proud. But priestly restraint is not the answer for this bewildering ballclub. By his example, Randolph has created a team not only restrained, but also indiffererent. No failure is so disappointing as to register even a whimper from anyone not named Billy Wagner. If Randolph's intention is to emulate his mentor, Joe Torre, it's not working. If, on the other hand, this is actually the real Willie Randolph, like him or not, it's not working either and sooner or later, he'll be taking the fall. This is one of the time-honored unwritten rules of baseball and Willie knows the score. Today's double dip to the (who else?) Braves shows in convincing fashion just how adrift this ballclub is. If no momentum could be sustained after the unlikely defeat of both Pettitte and Wang over the weekend, nothing can ignite this merry band of overrated passing strangers. Tell 'em goodnight, Gracie.

Matthews finally wrote a column that is right on target and a very good post from Lets Play 2. Willie must go and the sooner the better.

It is what it is " , you piece of clown **** garbage ex-Yankee little league bench coach , get the hell outta my kitchen !!!!.
I point to the inter league last year against the Red Sox in Fenway, Delgado was drilled in the wrist hard by Schilling and Mr. Willie did not retaliate against them , Delgado never was the same ever again and had to have surgery and Mets lost a slugger ever since. I think Delgado and the rest of players made the logical conclusion : if you play hard you get hurt and your manager dont care , why bother ? hell it is a job anyway .
Thats why i say that Willie CANNOT MANAGE EVEN IF HE HAD THE 86' METS .GO AWAY WILLIE AND JOIN THOSE CLOWNS RAMBOS

I'm a guy who really likes Willie Randolph and is sorry to see it all coming apart on him this way. Notwithstanding whatever shortcomings the man may have as a manager, he brought a lot of positive things to the job in 2005 and, if he is forced out now, will still leave a team that is considerably better than the one he took over from Art Howe.

The not-so-subtle charges of racism, while not without some element of truth, unfortunately expose a paranoid insecurity that just won't work under the intense NY spotlight. Moreover, going public with these charges was a major lapse that calls Randolph's judgment, in general, into question.

One of Willie's biggest problems now is that he has alienated the people who cover him, the very people who might be able to defend him were they so inclined. At the same time the fans have only been made angrier. Finally, there is Jeff Wilpon, who has had his knives out for Willie (and, ultimately, Omar) for some time.

My guess is that Willie has until the All-Star break to get this team on some kind of run. Otherwise, Omar will hit the panic button and look to save his own behind, before Jeffie Boy goes after his.

Iceberg !

Little Willy, Willy won't go ome. But you can't push Willy round, Willy won't go, try telling everybody but whoa no, Willy Willy Willy won't go home.

Sweet with Brian Connolly 1973.

I totally agree with you, its ridiculous how they can beat up Pettite and Wang and can't do spit against inferior Glavine and Campillo?.. I don't care what Willie did as a Player or bench coach he wasn't the leader of those teams.. The ump tells him to shut up Sunday night when the call was wrong and everyone knew it and Willie shuts up and lets Jerry Manual fight for him.. I've never seen anything like that out of a leader of a team.. he's too sensitive and his latest comment on race and what the announcers are saying proves that..

LetsPlay2 wrote:

Much of what's wrong with Willie Randolph, manager, was on full display during the argument following the Delgado "foul" ball homer Sunday night. Ever restrained and with apparently no boiling point whatsoever, Randolph protested the terrible reversal of the home run call with all the vehemence of a Pat Paulsen podium pounding. The man is physically incapable of justified anger. His reactions to on-field disasters would make a man of the cloth proud. But priestly restraint is not the answer for this bewildering ballclub. By his example, Randolph has created a team not only restrained, but also indiffererent. No failure is so disappointing as to register even a whimper from anyone not named Billy Wagner. If Randolph's intention is to emulate his mentor, Joe Torre, it's not working. If, on the other hand, this is actually the real Willie Randolph, like him or not, it's not working either and sooner or later, he'll be taking the fall. This is one of the time-honored unwritten rules of baseball and Willie knows the score. Today's double dip to the (who else?) Braves shows in convincing fashion just how adrift this ballclub is. If no momentum could be sustained after the unlikely defeat of both Pettitte and Wang over the weekend, nothing can ignite this merry band of overrated passing strangers. Tell 'em goodnight, Gracie.

Free Willie- Let him go. That so called "closed door meeting" that was supposed to fix everything only had a 2 game lasting effect. Back to the same old mets. Tried of hearing D. Wright every interview saying how they have to go out and play more consistant baseball and that they are not doing that right now. Enough already.

Obviously Willie cant take a called 3rd strike for Beltran, or hit one hard but right at someone for Delgado, but all of this is happening under his watch, any good will built up after the Yankee sweep is gone already, this has nothing to do with race, you cant fire the team.............

Wallace, you are right that racism exists, but it is not appropriate in this case for Willie to claim that this has anything to do with his unpopularity. It is very disappointing for him to cop out and blame racism when he is criticized. I've seen it too many times in industry when someone is criticized. I thought Willie was above that sort of thing. I guess I was wrong about him. I've lost all respect for him as a human being, not just a manager. And for him to say now that it was tongue in cheek? He shows himself to be a complete idiot - joking about racism isn't acceptable, or someone who accepts no responsibility whatsoever, not even for his stupid comments.

Willy, stop crying about SNY
you were a coach and that's all your capable of doing.
Omar you got Jerry Manuel in the dugout use him at least he know how to win

I dont dislike Willie as Mets manager because he's black, I dislike Willie as Mets manager because I just dont think he's a good manager, thats it.

Enough is enough. Randolph's problems have NOTHING to do with racism against him. Solid, excellent, capable black talent isn't getting the chance they deserve because of this whining, complaining and excuse making by the likes of Randolph who just aren't cutting it because of lack of capability and nothing else. That's the shame of it all. For too many of Randolph's ilk, somehow a decision against them must be tied into race - and these cries of wolf seem to make it difficult for white people to handle. Unfortunately we have now successfully entered the era of reverse racism and where OJ Simpson should walk free because it's part of "making it up" for past discrimination...

We cant say that Willie has lost the clubhouse, we're not in there, but just reading these posts I'd say he's lost the fans.

LetsPlay2 wrote:

Much of what's wrong with Willie Randolph, manager, was on full display during the argument following the Delgado "foul" ball homer Sunday night. Ever restrained and with apparently no boiling point whatsoever, Randolph protested the terrible reversal of the home run call with all the vehemence of a Pat Paulsen podium pounding. The man is physically incapable of justified anger. His reactions to on-field disasters would make a man of the cloth proud. But priestly restraint is not the answer for this bewildering ballclub. By his example, Randolph has created a team not only restrained, but also indiffererent. No failure is so disappointing as to register even a whimper from anyone not named Billy Wagner. If Randolph's intention is to emulate his mentor, Joe Torre, it's not working. If, on the other hand, this is actually the real Willie Randolph, like him or not, it's not working either and sooner or later, he'll be taking the fall. This is one of the time-honored unwritten rules of baseball and Willie knows the score. Today's double dip to the (who else?) Braves shows in convincing fashion just how adrift this ballclub is. If no momentum could be sustained after the unlikely defeat of both Pettitte and Wang over the weekend, nothing can ignite this merry band of overrated passing strangers. Tell 'em goodnight, Gracie.

I agree with most of what you are saying, the one thing I don't understand is the comparisons to Torre. Everyone equates Randolph demeanor to Torre, but Joe Torre has probably been ejected from as many games as Lou Piniella. Torre does not hesitate to get on umpires when bad calls are made. That being said watching the Mets has now become, hoping for them to get a lead, because if they fall behind they don't come back, then going through inning after inning of their relievers getting into jams and hoping they can hold the lead.
This makes this team brutal to watch. There is no doubt that despite this team having the talent to win, they will not win anything under Randolph. Randolph needs to go, and the sooner the better.

"And only an ostrich would deny that race plays a major role in just about everything that happens in this country, from a baseball game to a presidential election."

I don't think anyone would deny that race plays a part in the presidential election. But I couldn't disagree more with your application to baseball. "Joe-sixpack" Met fan might have a problem voting for a black president (regretably), but I highly doubt if he'd have any problem with a black (or green, yellow, purple) manager who consistantly leads his $137 million roster to 90+ win seasons, division titles and post-season play.

In my comment above, Newsday substituted " **** " for a word that is the opposite of white.

If an ump had told Piniella or Frank Robinson or Earl Weaver or Bobby Cox to "shut up", the ump would be in the hospital with a broken nose, and Piniella/Robinson/Weaver/Cox would have a 10 game suspension. Of course, no ump would have the guts to tell any of those guys to "shut up."

Willie is done. He ripped the fans and made the ridiculous charge that we are "fair weather" fans (I guess he was too busy in the Bronx in the late 70s and early 80s to notice that fans were actually going to Shea despite a last place team). Stick a fork in him.

Cincy wrote:

In my comment above, Newsday substituted " **** " for a word that is the opposite of white.

I know this has nothing to do with the topic at hand but:
I think it is absurd that Newsday is worried that the word "opposite white" will offend someone.
What has this nation come to?

Wallace: This is the most intelligent article I have read about the Willie situation, congratulations.A few points, hinting at racial problems Willie forgets there was no problem when he got the creme de la creme manager job for a novice black or white.There was n o problem there either for couple years, when the team is failing we get racism.He get a lot of money to win-- he ain't winning.He's got the horses but they are not in control,not playing up to potential not motivated to do better. That's the mgr.'s job black or white.Willie played tough but he doesn't manage tough.If he managed an East NY team he would manage tough as hell.He got to suck it up and make it work or he will fail.I root for him but its not a racist issue.It is as it is win or so long, Willie...stop whimpering do it we are rooting for you.