Tag: Willie Randolph

Audio: Randolph Apologizes

New York Mets manager Willie Randolph appeared on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog show this afternoon and apologized to everyone (except the fans) for claiming that SNY portrays him negatively and that criticism that he’s received has racial motivation.

He said that he thought the conversation with Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record was off the record (throwing O’Connor under the bus). He said that he takes full responsibility for his comments. But just yesterday he was backtracking from his comments. How is that taking full responsibility?

Listen for yourself by clicking the play button next to the link below. He sounds like a soon to be former Mets manager to me.

WFAN Audio

Weighing In On Randolph’s Distraction

You already know my opinion on Willie Randolph’s comments to the media about his portrayal by SNY and racial bias. Here are some links that you should check out.

William C. Rhoden of the New York Times wrote a good column explaining that winning is the problem for Willie.

WFAN’s Joe & Evan interviewed Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record about his conversation with Willie. Click the link below to listen.

WFAN Audio

On Deck: May 21-Mets vs. Braves

New York Mets (22-21) at Atlanta Braves (24-21)  7:10pm

Mike Pelfrey (2-4) vs. Jair Jurrjens (4-3)

TV: SNY         Radio: WFAN

What to watch: After getting swept in a double header yesterday the Mets need to cut their losses in this Atlanta series by winning both tonight and tomorrow. The pressure is on Mike Pelfrey to pitch as well as he did in his last start (a loss) when he was fantastic. Willie Randolph is becoming a real distraction for this team. He’s finally starting to realize that he won’t be scrutinized so closely when the Mets win. Go figure! Willie is always the last to figure these things out.

Randolph In Damage Control Mode

Source: Flickr by alpineinc

New York Mets manager Willie Randolph spent the morning doing damage control. He back-tracked from his comments that his problems should be blamed on Mets television network Sports Net New York (SNY) and racism by Mets fans.

Randolph’s story changed completely this morning blaming an under performing Mets team for his problems. He says that it’s all about wins and loses not racism now. Oh, and he’s not blaming SNY anymore either.

Randolph says that his comments about racism were made in a “tongue in cheek” manner. He says that he was speaking in generalities that racism exists in this country.

My take on this is that Randolph is being dishonest and stupid. He wouldn’t have said the things that he did if he didn’t believe them. That’s dishonest. Suddenly he became media saavy today so he’s trying to save face. Continue reading “Randolph In Damage Control Mode”

Randolph Claims Racial Prejudice By Mets Fans

I have to admit that I’m surprised and disappointed reading Willie Randolph’s comments to Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record today. The premise of the column is Randolph trying to figure out why Mets fans don’t like him. He claims that SNY puts him on camera in a way that is provocative to fans, and racism in general.

On SNY Randolph says:

They’re the artists, I’m the canvas,” Randolph said. “They paint the picture the way they want to. They want to show me when somebody gives up a home run or somebody makes an error, so they want to see me [using profanity].

“Well, my players are watching the monitors in the bullpen going, ‘Look at Skip, he’s cursing us out.’ That’s not how I lead. But when the game is over, I’m [on them]. ‘And why don’t you turn over a couple of [food] spreads?’ I’ve done that. You might not know it.

“Why [isn’t] SNY shooting me when I’m ready to go down the dugout clapping my hands and patting guys on the butt, schooling them during the game? I’m on the top step every game. … Why don’t you show that side of me so people can say, ‘Wow, jeez, Willie’s fiery’? … You watch any manager in baseball, you see him look like a bump on the log sitting there. They don’t move, they don’t talk. I’m as animated and as demonstrative and as involved and as intense as any manager in baseball. Continue reading “Randolph Claims Racial Prejudice By Mets Fans”

Video: Ken Rosenthal on Willie Randolph

Fox Sports senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal talks about pressure on Willie Randolph. He says that management wants Randolph to show more leadership and correct clubhouse problems before they become combustible situations. Rosenthal also addresses the Ken Griffey, Jr. and Matt Holliday possible trade scenarios.

Rosenthal's Inside Pitch
Rosenthal’s Inside Pitch

Santana, Mets Top Yankees 7-4

Johan Santana went 7.2 innings for a much needed Mets win today. Willie Randolph might have needed this win more than anyone else to retain his job. As usual, Santana gave up some long balls to Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, and Bobby Abreu. But he powered through to keep the Mets in the game. That’s been his MO this season.

On offense, David Wright and Carlos Beltran had three hits each. Jose Reyes and Wright homered off Kyle Farnsworth in the three run seventh inning that blew the game open for the Mets.

Billy Wagner came in for Santana in the bottom of the eighth to get an unusual four out save. Wagner has said that he doesn’t like to pitch more than one inning but after the last week, the Mets needed to lock down this win.

Box score

Video Highlights