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During his appearance yesterday on WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog, Willie Randolph acknowledged that Carlos Delgado is ‘struggling,’ adding that Delgado does not mind hitting sixth, ‘because he wants to win.’
According to Randolph, he has not considered using Moises Alou at first base when he returns from the disabled list.
Randolph also admits that the team has been a bit inconsistent this season – however, he says, the team is playing hard, and, “I really believe and have confidence that this team is gonna play real well this season.”
Randolph says he will continue to hit Luis Castillo behind Jose Reyes, as long as Castillo is healthy, because, “He’s one of the best number-two guys in the league,” adding, “Jose Reyes is our catalyst and Luis knows what to do when Jose is on base.”
Lastly, when asked if he ‘picks on’ younger players more than older players, Randolph got stern and said…
“That’s so ridiculous…First, I like young players more than I like older players, because you can mold them. Most of the older players are stuck in their ways. I talk to my players; I don’t yell at them. I talk to them like men, with respect. You don’t get anything out of yelling at grown men.”
…i just had this argument with some one the other day…i think it’s popular fan opinion that randolph prefers veterans over young players…however, i think that is a manifestation of an organization that feels a) it must win now, and b) must compete with the Yankees in the media market place…and so, there is not a whole lot of time to wait for a young player to develop, unless it is an extraordinary talent like David Wright, Jose Reyes, Aaron Heilman, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, etc, all of whom are young players who the Mets stuck by…i mean, it’s not like they’re sitting on some gem of a position prospect, and starting Jose Offerman instead…that said, while i may have preferred they keep Lastings Milledge, the mindset was, ‘Yes, Lastings will be good, but we just don’t have time to wait,’ and i think those decisions get put solely on willie, when it should fall on him plus Omar Minaya plus every one else in the team’s management…
…however, i sense a shift in this philosophy and a renewed dedication towards developing younger players, which we’ll likely see more of in the years to come…
Randolph also talked about the Phillies, playing small ball, and Duaner Sanchez, among other things.
To listen to his entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
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Lou Piniella seems to get a lot out of his players by acting like a complete ass and ripping the clubhouse apart as well…
Just sayin’
Pinella also knows when to double-switch, when to bunt, when to make substitutions. Hey, I’m all for fiery, but Willie’s demeanor is not why he needs to go. Its because he is no better than an AL bench coach. He is inept in the NL and as a manager in general.
i agree. Willie has been here for 3 years and is still making stratigical mistakes and he does not seem to know how to play in the NL. While i dont see him being replaced in the middle of the year, i think the mets should keep a ear open to managers available
You guys complain too much.. just because you don’t believe in Willie’s philosophy (which just happens to be a winning one). Willie has been a manager for only 3 years and has an awesome record. Give the man some props! Don’t get started on the “he has a good players around him” argument. When Art Howe, a veteran manager, was managing the team with the “best team on paper” at the time, look what happened. So.. yes, Willie will make mistakes, afterall he’s only been managing for 3 years.. Give the guy a break already!!!
Willie is better than Art Howe. I will give you that much. Of course, that’s like saying Rosie O’Donnell isn’t as fat as an African elephant.
Winning Philosophy!!
Good one. I like that.
For all the people who think now that Willie Randolph cannot manage a baseball team and is “inept as an NL manager” lets take a walk back to 2004.
The Mets were 71-91 4th in the division.
C Jason Phillip/Mike Piazza
1B Piazza/ Todd Zeile
2B Kaz Matsui
SS Jose Reyes
3B David Wright
CF Mike Cameron
LF Cliff Floyd
RF Richard Hidalgo
Glavine
Trachsel
Benson
Leiter
Jay Seo
Matt Ginter
They ranked 8th in homers(185), 11th in RBI(658),12th in runs(684) 4th in steals(107), and Ranked 7th in era (4.07) and innings pitched(1449) and gave up 156 homers.
2005 Willie’s first year they were 89-73 with a worse lineup(imagine that) but better pitching and defense.
C Piazza
1B Mientkiewicz
2B Cairo
SS Reyes
3B Wright
CF Beltran
RF Cameron/Diaz (Cameron played 76 games)
LF Floyd
Martinez
Glavine
Benson
Zambrano
Ishii
Jae seo
Beltran hit 16 homers and looked like a bust.
That Lineup scored 722 runs, hit 175 homers, stole 153 bases, had a team era of 3.76 in 1435 innings giving up 135 homers.
Now in 2005 Pedro and Beltran were added to the team.
However, Beltran was really struggling and didn’t live up to expectations Pedro was amazing in going 15-8 with a 2.82 era.
In 04 and 05 the Mets had a terrible bullpen. Yet somehow in 05 they managed to make it work with just about the same cast of players only Dae sung koo and Heilman(later in the year) were added to the pen. Closer Braden Looper in ‘04 was 2-5 2.70 with 29 svs
Looper in ‘05 was 4-7 3.94 with 28 svs, so Art Howe had a more reliable closing pitcher.
Now how did that lineup in ‘05 get into the top 10 in runs, homers, SLG, and stolen bases?
Is it possible Wille Randolph had something to do with that?
Beltran was the BIG addition but provided nothing offensively, yet the team still was 17 games better than they were the year before. How does that happen?
By chance maybe because Willie Randolph clearly is terrible.
I think that in ‘05 Randolph had complete control over his clubhouse with no GM and ASST GM walking around and buddying up with the players like ‘06 and ‘07.
In ‘05, you never heard of Bernazard just waltzing in and out of the clubhouse and questioning Willie in front of the players.
The Asst GM should be out SCOUTING!!!!
Willie does have his faults and he does make mistakes but have you ever read Atlanta Journal Constitution after a loss? Bobby Cox is literally called an old, out of touch has-been.
Managers have their faults but someone tell me who the heck is going to replace Randolph? Charlie Manuel? Bobby Valentine? Wally Backman? Hojo? Jerry Manuel?
Just who is this great mind in waiting?
Most of our roster issues are Omar Minaya’s problem. The Brian Bannister trade is an eye sore but who is going to step in HIS shoes? Bernazard? or (God-help-us) Jeff Wilpon?
Willie and Omar are going to be here for at least the next two years and given the history of the Mets, they are at the top of manager/gm combo’s in the history of the Mets.
Thats not saying much but it says enough.
Ken Oberkfell, now in New Orleans..
Ken Oberkfell. Hmmmm…….Lets fire Randolph right now!
*rolling eyes*
as much as i question willie on some moves i think the same thing too. Ok if the mets were to ax willie…who would take his place and could that person really “turn” this team around. I dont really see that happening
I think that you dont understand what most fans think. I for one, say that Willie makes bonehead decisions. Like when to pull a starter, who to pitch from the pen, who to play and who to sit, batting order and calls from the dugout. I could count the games that I feel Willie lost for us by making poor decisions last year. Only one of those games would have been the differance. Willie shows no emotion and always spouts the same crap after evey loss and win. He is like a robot. When Heilman gave up that 3-run bomb in Phillt and SNY showed Willie throw is gatorade cup on the ground, that was awsome. He does have a heart. All I ask is that he be honest with us, dont lie and blow smoke and sunshine. If a “Vet” is cold and not getting it done sit him and give a young guy a chance. We dont care who does it as long as we win. Dont wait until its to late to make a change. YES, Willie improved the team from 04, but, he could not take the big step. It is NOT all his fault, but, he should see these problems coming and defuse them before they impact the team. Just hanging in there and saying we are still in first place after evry loss until the Phillies won the division was not the way to do it. What is Willie doing now to get the team back on track? Is there anything he can do? When the team make mental errors and cant perform fundamental basball plays, is that his fault? When we have basese loaded with no outs and only score one run, is that his fault? When the pen gives up a big HR is that his fault? When we win 5 in a row and loose the next three is that his fault?
Tony LaRussa seems to get a lot out of his players by talking to them calmly and treating them with respect.
It’s not a question of attitude, it’s a question of competence. I’m not quite on the “fire Willie” bandwagon, but I can see how some people can get upset with his questionable bullpen decisions and his apparent inability to master the strategy of the NL.
hic
sorry officer, just taking a nap. Here. In this intersection.
How to get the most out of players varies from clubhouse to clubhouse. Some teams have more veterans and some have more rookies. What works for one won’t work for another. If a manager can get his players to work and play hard for him, then he’s accomplished that goal. Until there is a revolt in the clubhouse, Willie is doing a pretty good job in that regard. Ultimately, the players themselves have to perform.
Keep in mind Willie is a rookie himself! You can’t master managing overnight.
Any truth to the rumors that Jimmie Rollins might actually have a broken foot?
I doubt it. They would have shut him down immediately instead of having him try to make the lineup or be available for pinch hitting for over a week.
well he could have broken it by playing through the pain. He did say that he hadnt had swelling, and then after his PH appearance the next day it was swollen.
Yeah- it was posted on metsblog late yesterday afternoon but the the post was gone within 20 minutes?
Matt- whats the word?
News to me…nothing coming out of Philly on that.
Has Alou ever played first base? Will this be the solution platooning left and cetner field with first base? C’mon. Also, I agree with the above statement…Willie needs to act tough. Geez, call out your players when they need to be called out!
He’s never played an infield position in his 1,851 games over his 16 seasons.
he never played IF and never will as im sure he will retire after this year
Matt, with all due respect, I don’t think the words “Aaron Heilman” and “extraordinary talent” belong in the same sentence.
LOL…my thoughts exactly!!! I was about to write the exact same thing before I saw your comment!
A “set-up” guy with an ERA of 4.97 this year and a career ERA of over 4?
This guy is a garbage-time long reliever, nothing more.
In all fairness, I think Matt’s point is that, at one point, Heilman was a fairly highly-regarded prospect. That may be, but it looks very weird seeing “extraordinary talent” next to his name.
and…
He’s really a set-up man’s, set-up man. His best success came when he was the 7th inning guy setting up Duaner for the 8th.