Tag: Willie Randolph

On Deck: May 29 Dodgers-Mets

Los Angeles Dodgers (26-26) at New York Mets (25-26) 7:10pm

Brad Penny (5-5 5.32) vs. Claudio Vargas (1-2 3.93)

TV: SNY Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets, winners of two in a row, suddenly appear to be alive after two months of slumber. The second place Dodgers and Joe Torre are in town for four games. The Mets usually have Brad Penny’s number, but shouldn’t take him for granted. He’s still a big right handed power arm. Claudio Vargas is auditioning to keep his job when Pedro gets back next week. We’ll see if Willie keeps the same or similar alternate lineup that he’s won with the last two nights.

Audio: Randolph, Backman, and Johnson

WFAN audio with Willie Randolph doing his weekly spot with Mike and the Mad Dog. Wally Backman and Davey Johnson talk to Boomer & Carton.

Randolph talks about his meeting with Omar Minaya and the Wilpons on Monday. Wally Backman talks about his desire to get back to the big leagues after the D-Backs let him go after four days in 2004. Davey Johnson talks about being the Mets manager when things aren’t going so well

Willie Randolph Audio

Wally Backman Audio

Davey Johnson Audio

Audio: Neyer And Marchand On Randolph

ESPN Radio

Image via Wikipedia

ESPN’s Rob Neyer and Andrew Marchand join Michael Kay on ESPN Radio. Neyer makes some great points about why Willie Randolph should have been fired yesterday. Andrew Marchand talks in detail about the scene at Shea Stadium yesterday and the mixed support that Randolph received from the Mets players.

ESPN Audio

Delgado Benched Tonight, Maybe More

New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado before a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Image via Wikipedia

Willie Randolph said prior to tonight’s game that he’s giving Carlos Delgado some time to clear his head. He may sit out tomorrow night as well. Delgado has been killing the Mets for most of this season and last year. He just appears to be “done”. He can’t get around on inside fastballs anymore and frequently can’t get to high pitches.

I have to think that his decision came out of the meeting between Randolph, Omar Minaya, and the Wilpons yesterday. Hopefully, they’re working on a plan for a permanent solution to Delgado’s two year long lack of productivity. Scott Hatteberg, designated for assignment by the Reds today, might be a good start.

Audio: Schneider and Heyman

Brian Schneider does his weekly spot with WFAN’s Joe & Evan. Jon Heyman, Sports Illustrated baseball writer, joins WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog.

Schneider talks about the Mets struggles and the announcement yesterday that Willie Randolph is still the manager. Heyman talks about Randolph and a testy exchange that he had with Carlos Delgado yesterday.

Brian Schneider Audio

Jon Heyman Audio

Fox Columnists On Randolph And Minaya

Logo used until 1999

Image via Wikipedia

The Fox Sports columnists are firing out columns about the Mets, both Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya. Ken Rosenthal and Mark Kriegel talk about the Mets problems from the players to the manager and the GM.

Ken Rosenthal talks about the Tigers, Mariners, and Mets chemistry problems and lack of players with passion. All three have $100+ million payrolls filled with too many overpaid underachieving players.

Mark Kriegel talks about Willie Randolph’s comments about racial discrimination. He says that the Mets problems aren’t racial.

Link: Deadspin On Randolph Situation

Deadspin always has an interesting take on baseball. Typically, they’re pretty funny. I had to link to this post today about the Willie Randolph situation that they posted. It’s been depressing writing about this team for most of May (excluding the Yankees series). But the piece that they posted from their comments section is hilarious. It’s nice to be able to smile about the Mets, even if it is at their expense. This is from their comment section:

The Mets promote ‘Bad Baserunning Night’ at every home game. This great promotion is brought to you by many of the players, including Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and even David Wright. See professional baseball players that are well-compensated forget all of the fundamentals taught back in Little League, such as: make sure the line drive goes through; never make the first or third out of an inning at third base; and don’t attempt to steal a base when you are down by four or more runs. Fans young and old will treasure this promotion and have 81 opportunities to take advantage of it. To add to the festivities, even manager Willie Randolph gets into the fray. His post-game press conferences will be filled with such inspiring remarks such as: “I’ve seen it all before,” “I’m not concerned yet,” and “Last year was last year.” Yes, fans. The underachieving group of players that you know and love will thrill you inning after inning with uninspired play that is a direct representation of their fearless leader. A clubhouse divided will give you an entire summer of excitement, and give you ample time to enjoy the NFL once the fall rolls around. — NYSportScene