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Willie Randolph talked with WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog today, and
had the following to say…
…whether he should be going out to argue with umpires more than he does…
“Oh, man, those guys have no clue. Well, I guess people look at what they see and they think that’s the way it is. First of all, I do get on umpires. If I see a play that I think is really one sided I’ll go out and argue every time. Some times, you know, just for the sake of arguing, that to me is totally overrated…I respect umpires, I don’t believe in going out and showing any one up just for the sake of show…Listen, I back my team every day. And, look, they don’t show me on the bench when I’m tripping from the dugout, you know, you don’t see that part of me. You don’t see me walking up and down the dugout, rooting for my guys, teaching them, pushing them, prodding them to get going. They only show me when some one gives up a hit or makes an error, and they show my face and I’m not going to show my players up. So, that’s the perception you get from me, is what they show when something goes wrong. Outside of that, I’m as animated and as much in the game as any manager in baseball. You look in every dugout, guys, and you see some managers sitting there like a bump on the log. They’re just sitting there, DOING NOTHING. You look at me, and I’m the total opposite. I’m on the top step, I don’t hide in the dugout, and I’m up and down doing my thing, pulling for my players. So, that perception that is out there is unbelievable.”
…about leadership, and whether the team has or needs a leader…
“There are different types of leaders, you don’t have to be a rah-rah guy. You can’t always be Lenny Dykstra. Sometimes guys just play and lead in their own way. I think we have some leaders on our team. Beltran played hurt last year a lot, that’s a form of leadership. So, yeah, I think it’s overrated at times, but I think that when you have a team that’s good you have a combination of different kinds of leadership…They’re not your typical kinds of rah-rah, gung-ho, in your face kind of guys…I do not think out team (needs a guy like that). We have guys who play with a certain demeanor. Okay? That is sometimes mistaken for being passive or not gritty or not tough not getting after it, that is so unfair, because our guys care. They play hard. They work hard every day. When you’re losing every one looks like they’re not doing as much.”
…if he is aware of some reporters and some fans requesting that he be fired…
“Listen, I’m a human being, I live in this town, I remember when talk radio first started…yes, it does sting a bit, because you think about where your heart and soul is and what you’re trying to do as far as winning, and no one likes to hear that stuff. But, believe me, guys, I understand that goes on with the territory. I am not concerned with what people feel about me because I’m here to do a job. Would you like to be liked, like most people? of course. But, believe me, when I’m on the field, when I’m out there leading my ball club, that does not enter my mind…It’s unfortunate that people who don’t understand the game, or who know what we’re dealing with, are calling for people’s livelihood. That’s really unfortunately, when you can call for some persons livelihood when you have a family and people who depend on them, but that’s a way the game has changed and it’s really kind of sad.”
Randolph also talked about Billy Wagner’s comments, and his players talking to reporters, among other things.
To listen to Randolph’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
I’d be agitated if I was about to lose my job also.
Maybe Willie should show 1/4 that fire in a game situation.
You know, I understand his “stoic warrior” mindset and all but there IS a big PR element to the job at times, especially here in NYC as he should well know.
willie has to go- if he were a ceo he would have been gone last year
atleast the mets have a chance at 500 to move forward with asomeone like hojo
we need a pinella
players need to act like they care and the booing will stop
Man as much as i hated Willie the manager, I always had respect for Willie the man. Not anymore. This loser is trying to guilt us into letting him off the hook. Like he wouldn’t have ANOTHER million dollar bench coach job waiting for him with the yankees or the dodgers the minute he got the boot.
Cry me a [Chipper] river, Randolph. A much higher percentage of my small salary goes into Mets merch + tickets. Its time for you to go.
There’s always welfare, Willie. Ask Latrell Sprewell.
took the words right outta my mouthh…
where is that kind of FIRE during games…
its BS, he gets agitated for MIKE & THE PUPPY but for HIS PLAYERS hes a shell in the top step with his arms crossed…
“get into a rythom, i know my guys, a good little rythom….”
rhythm?
Hookt on fonikz wurkt fer mee!
It’s interesting that he says that he would get annoyed if the manager didn’t come out to defend him on a called third strike. Where were you the other day to protect Alou on that 3rd strike that was low and outside? If Moises had known that you would have his back, then maybe he wouldn’t have gotten thrown out of the game. I recall a game last year when Marlon Anderson got called out on a bs third strike against the Phils and he went nuts and got tossed. Not only is Willie clueless but he is delusional.
must be “a good little rythom”
learn to spell the word dude.
While I’m not a fan of Willie the Manager, I’ve never had a problem with Willie the Person. And Willie the Player was fantastic. I could never even try to take that away from him.
But today on that segment he came off more whiney than angry. I have a feeling that 24 hours after he’s gone, even if it’s at the end of his contract, he’s going to blame the fans for just about everything. We know it’s your livelihood. Why are you fighting for it on a talk show?
All I could think to myself during the segment was “You keep telling us what you’re gonna do. Just go do it.”
Maybe this series… I haven’t lost hope. Something’s gonna have to give one way or another. We might as well win.
and WOW i didnt notice, i only caught that now..your completely dead-on…wow hes digging his hole.
“It’s unfortunate that people who don’t understand the game, or who know what we’re dealing with, are calling for people’s livelihood. That’s really unfortunately, when you can call for some persons livelihood when you have a family and people who depend on them, but that’s a way the game has changed and it’s really kind of sad.”
Makes me think of A Bronx Tale. Does Willie Randolph care if I can’t pay my rent? There’s no crying in baseball. Sorry, but he took the position. He doesn’t care if one person in the stands loses their job. He doesn’t care about your family. You really are not obligated to care about his. It shouldn’t come down to that, but this is really just a major guilt trip and it stinks of desperation.
when he was saying that…i was thinking “wow, what a moron”
they guy has millions, his family is safe
and honestly there isnt one fan who asked for him killed or banished from public, i dont know what he was gettin at… everyone is only saying he should get fired for doing a poor job, and thats an example of life…happens everyday…no results/ no job…. thats life… in his case he has the benfit of having alot of money…which sadly 90% of other cases ppl arent so lucky. so for him to say that….IDIOT
I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about Ruben Gotay. But one thing we know for sure… Willie had a bottom line when he talked about what Gotay could contribute to the club. And he may have been right. But at no point did he ever express any concern about the dude being able to pay his bills. So why try to play that card when it’s HIS job on the line?
EXACTLY.
honestly, humility and being humble would save him alot more grief…but honestly after what he said on MIKE && THE angry PUPPY i hope he gets fired sooner
hard to feel sorry for a struggling manager who made close to 3 mill a year for 3 yrs, and made alot more as a playerr…
I feel for Wilie. He is our guy. He’s the manager of the Mets, but I can’t help wondering if maybe he just doesn’t have the team to win it, or if he does, it won’t be as one sided as we thought.
So far this season we lost;
1. Pedro. Pedro was expected to get 25 starts, this year, maybe he gets 20 this year.
2. Moses Alou for the first month of the season.
3. Aaron Heilman, is far from the player we thought he was. He is more like Schoweinweis, then Schoweinweis.
4. Delgado isn’t becoming what we hoped he would, he is who we feared he was.
5. Castillo, is a just a shell of himself. We have 3 1/2 more years of that. Where is Gotay?
6. Beltran, isn’t playing like the MVP we thought he would become ala Jimmy Rollens.
7. Nelson Figeroa was a nice story, and even deemed by some as a hidden gem. Well, we did find out he was not the gem we were lead to believe.
8 Sanchez is coming along slowly, but not as quick as we would like.
So, what do we do? Fire Willie because he can’t get water from a stone? If we do fire Willie what do we do? Get;
1. Get Backmen. He is managing in an Independent league. How famiiar is he with our current roster? He will have a learning period that right now will cost us valuable games.
2. Get Valentine. Maybe while he was here he was misunderstood, but he knows the game but he will not come here from Japan where he is a celebrity.
3. Jerry Manuel - He’s the bench coach, so he already provides a lot of input, much of the same as far as I’m concerned.
4. Howard Johnson maybe, but he was hired to be the hitting coach, and if the team isn’t hitting in key spots, doesn’t he need to get part of the blame? So, why reward him for ineffectiveness.
5. Ken Oberkfell don’t know him, nor his managing style, but are we hoping to catch another Davy Johnson, ‘86 time capsule?
Or maybe we need to look at what maybe available, since we are at the bottom of the league in homeruns, and average with runners in scoring position.
On a positive note, thank goodness for;
1. Ryan Church
2. Brian Schneider
3. Billy Wagner
4 Joe Smith
5. John Maine
6. Johan Santana (?)
So, what should we do?
I was recently reading a report that said that if the Rockies continue to fall out of the play-off race, then maybe at the trading deadline Holiday can become available. Especially, after next season he becomes a free agent and he will be paid really well, especially since his agent is Scott Boras. Do we make a trade for the OF, or do we bring someone up from the minors?
Taitis is here, have him play 1st base for production.
Mike Carp is doing real well with the B’Mets.
Rubin Tajada seems to be playing a pretty good 2nd base for the B’Mets as well.
We go onto this weekend series with the Yankees stung, and we have had our scabs reopened, but if we have a very good series against the Yankees like take 2 of 3 in Yankee land, us Met fans could be a little bit more optimistic, but on the other hand we lose 2 of 3 we may want more than Randolph, we may want Miniya too. For giving extra years on contract of a superstar who’s star is fading. Like Degado, Martinez, and maybe just a bad contract to Castillo, when we had Gotay, and he could hit and run.
So, Met fans its not the end of the world yet, but the signs are point south. Have hope, and faith, but for me not being in the playoffs at seasons end isn’t one of them.
Hey Willie for you it seems like everything is “overrated”
How about wining is it overrated too???
Willie’s act has gotten old. He knows how to talk the talk, but he hasn’t shown he can walk the walk.
The state of the Mets isn’t totally his fault. Omar deserves his share of the blame, as do the players. But at some point you have to say “The Buck Stops Here!”
It’s time for this team to start winning or Willie needs to go.
Please Willie, he’s making it sound like he won’t be able to put food on the table if he is fired. The fact of the matter in this whole thing is Willie should never have been hired to manage this team in the first place.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
shakespeare…wow…gold star for you
is this a joke? i’m sure the randolph family will have food on the table when he still gets paid every dime he is owed. after all he isn’t feeling the pinch of exploding ticket prices.
now i personally want him gone. that sort of arrogance can’t be conducive to leading a group of even richer, impressionable young men.
i feel bad for willie..he seems like a good guy, he really seems to care (or maybe he’s just SAYING the right things?)…u DO see him at times with his hand on a young guy’s shoulder, saying something..u do see him get angry at times….
i dont know..i read things like this and i think “come on guys, GET BEHIND YOUR SKIPPER!!! Rally and win one for him and for your pride!
then i see willie make a ridiculous move and that all goes out the window…im very puzzled on this..i WANT willie to succeed in this town, on this team…but im nto sure if it’s in the cards anymore
I agree; I want Willie to succeed; I want the continuity as well–I don’t like a merry-go-round at the managers position, and I don’t like change for change’s sake. I don’t think it’s good for the players to play scared. But I’m also very frustrated with Willie’s demeanor and attitude. He sounded different yesterday–more angry (if you could it that), more spirited, more defensive and hard-hitting. Maybe he’s finally woken up, maybe he’s ready to take a different tack. But that last game against Washington the team looked flat and lifeless, except oddly enough, for Pelfry. Damn, you’ve lost two of three against Washington, the celler-dwellars, you’re looking at a day off, and then an away game across town, and you come out completely unready to play a day game. Unexcusable. I think I’m harder on my little leaguers when they’re out of it than Willie is on his roster of prima donnas. I know, they’re professionals who should be in charge of themselves. As a professional at my job, I know when I’m slacking off, and when it shows I’m embarrassed and I work all that much harder afterwards. I don’t see that with this team. I see lazy habits settling in, and at this point into the season we shouldn’t see that. Ultimately it comes down to the manager for performances like this.
I love how only people who know the game - presumably the players and manager - should be allowed to criticize.
Hey Willie, its freaking baseball. Its not a hard game to understand and its not hard to see the “effort” certain of your players put in for you.
Moises Alou is the leader. I love it. The guy spends 3 months out of the year in Florida and he is the one they turn too. Does he make inspirational conference calls while rehabbing in Port St. Lucie? And sucky guys can’t be leaders, so Delgado has to be right out of the mix, especially since his suckiness has apparently been rubbing off on Heilman. Maybe I am not a pro baseball player, but I know I wouldn’t respect and listen to someone who sucked at what they do and was grossly overpaid. I think I’d resent him.
But what do I know, I never played the game.
You must be the king at what you do… either that or everybody you work with realizes you’re an overpaid blowhard?
Right the first time. King.
I find nothing wrong with what willie said.
Then you can take up a collection for him. And someday when you lose your job, he’ll probably be there for you too.
i don’t want willie managing this team as of Oct 1, 2007.
But that does not mean I have to disagree with everything he says, does, or thinks.
but you just keep riding that wave, buddy.
Riding what wave? You don’t have a problem with the guy trying to throw his livelihood in peoples’ faces? He took the job. He has to be able to take the criticism. This is not a winning team as of June last year and he wants you to feel bad that people want him gone. What’s even more sad is that it works, at least on you.
how about this….what would you have prefered him to say? What was the AlreadyMissShea standard answer to the questions Willie was asked given the under fire situation he is currently in?
Would you have preferred he handle it in the same ho-hum get em next time monotone half asleep means which he does with every cliche laced BS post game press conference night in and night out?
This incensed attitude is at least, albeit a small one that is months too late, a step in the right direction. Can you at least give the man that?
How about, “Guys, this team needs to turn things around and prove we are who people believe we are. It starts with this series, and while I’m going to continue to keep you guys in the loop with what we’re doing, we’re going to show it to you on the field.”
Then actually go out and do it.
Isn’t that better than whining about people trying to take away his livelihood?
Do you not see how silly it is for this guy who has had big money roles for 99% of his adult life to throw that in peoples’ faces?
I can do without the Spreewell impersonation.
But he said many other things in that interview that is more worthy to the analysis of BASEBALL.
I’m not arguing that. I’ll just say what I keep saying. The time has come to go and do it. Start today. Lose a well played game if you have to, because nobody is asking them to be perfect… Just right the ship. It’s time.
I’m well aware what you have been saying for the past few months. I read your posts. If you read mine, you’d realize that we are 100% in agreement.
But there is good in Willie’s comments and his attitude this afternoon. We have not seen this once in 3 years.
Actually at some point I think I confused you with another Danny. :(
So yeah, you’re right that we are usually on the same page.
lol, danny, are you kidding? his fire and venom at the fans are gonna help him lead this team?
this train has sailed.
Willie is acting like this is some new type of phenomenon. ,,,, this type of thing has been around since the early days of baseball. Its not like Willie is a fireman or a business man who has kids and a family to support.. ..
YOUR ARE A MILLIONAIRE.. YOU MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT SOMETHING YOUR NOT THAT GOOD AT.
We aren’t taking bread out of the mouths of your children.. What is wrong with this guy? He is an absolute joke.
in a dennis green voice
HE IS EXACTLY WHAT WE THOUGHT HE IS,,,
well if you wanna crown him, then crown his ars!
Willie’s comments about fans booing are not just annoying. They are illogical as well.
As everyone’s already pointed out, the guy has millions of dollars and future career options as well if this doesn’t work out. He’s not a minimum wage-earning single mom.
But even more important, the fans should play a very important role in calling for his ouster. His job is high-profile, probably one of the reasons he TOOK the job in the first place. Fans are a crucial element to his job. If the team fails or even seems like it’s failing, fans will be less interested, ticket sales will drop, and Willie’s bosses will be financially hurt. Willie’s attempts to tell fans that they don’t understand his job is simply illogical. We are the ONLY reason that a job called “New York Mets Manager” exists at all.
Second, to say that fans don’t understand the team is just silly. His success in his job, unlike many other jobs in this world, is very easy to measure. How is the team doing in the standings? What were the expectations for the season set by the team and by him? The team, in this very simple rubric, is not meeting expections. End of story. He sounds like a lower-level mail clerk complaining about his boss that doesn’t allow him an extra half hour for lunch.
Finally, this comment speaks volumes about Willie as a human being. Willie accepted this job fully knowing the negatives. He knew going in about the high media and fan scrutiny. Torre never complained about Steinbrenner or about New York because he accepted the responsibilities that came with the job when he accepted the job. Willie took this job because of the tremendous perks, which all still exist. To complain about these negatives is a slap in the face to all of us and evidence of a man with a “poor me” complex.
We need a general who rallies his soldiers for a cause greater than himself, not a careerist.
Dead Man Talking…
Evidently there is “Crying in Baseball” because that is all you people on this site do. This has become the unofficial home of the Shea Stadium BooBirds and it’s a shame because it used to be a good site.
I’m at Shea almost everyday and I don’t boo anyone. You live in a world where not everyone is going to agree with you. If you can’t handle it, just leave.
I’ve finally gotten it through my head that the percentage of blog posts and comments that are critical, angry, sarcastic, disgusted, etc. is always going to be much higher than the percentage of Mets fans as a whole who feel that way.
That’s what blogs, especially team blogs, are for! There isn’t a big place on blogs for fans who take a stoic or philosophical approach to losing (even though they might be just as ardent fans). Some folks (like me) don’t really like a lot of negativity even if they agree that the Mets are sucking. I just take a lot more comfort from the long-suffering, thick-or-thin Mets fan, or at least from folks who are willing to see both sides, than from unremitting hostility. But I think the more stoic types are less in evidence on blogs.
Just the way of the world.
I kinda agree. If this team turns the corner finally and run away with the division, people will be calling him a genius. Again, I said if. Like he said, “winning changes everything”
Not everyone will call him a genius. In 2006 I accepted his flaws because he guys seemed to play hard for him. In 2007, that seemed to change. Now I don’t know what he brings to the table.
Willie’s thought process:
Its cold and rainy out, but we can use a DH. I have an injury-prone LF who rakes but isn’t anything special in the outfield. I know, lets make him play LF and have Marlon Anderson DH. Genius!
That’s true. Mighty big “IF” though, don’t you think?
if baseball is so easy to understand and play, why are you guys spewing venom instead of playing, scouting, working the phones for trades or managing?
the vocal minority on this board is hilarious sometimes.
I make more doing what I do than most baseball people do. I don’t make more than Willie, but I do OK. Why should I take a pay cut?
Then START WINNING Willie…START WINNING…Start SHOWING everyone you are the right guy for the job…I’m tired of this team/their ineffective manager and their .500 winning percentage for ALMOST a year now !!!!!!!
I don’t have any problem with what Willie said. Not one thing he said would bother someone who wasn’t already calling for his head for other reasons.
Unfortunately, straight talk with M&MD isn’t going to make him an effective manager.
And he’s right. Watching on tv, we do only see the negative reactions. Which is media fodder.
Well, considering the team has their own TV network, if he’s doing well he should be seen in a good light there. I don’t know about you, but when I watch games on TV as opposed to at Shea, I’m watching them on SNY. So are they the ones trying to make him look bad or is it WPIX? Fox? Who are these TV people that are trying to destroy him?
The “media fodder” is ridiculous. The station you watch more games on than any other is owned by his employers. Do you think Bill Webb is out to get Willie?
As an aside, it’s amazing some of the syntax/grammar errors displayed by some of these posts. Granted, these are blog responses which are sometimes drafted in an expedited fashion, but words like “rythom”??? That is only one example of many across the board…
Wow.
If one is not sure, one can simply run a quick google search for the proper spelling of the word.
It was particularly painful since it was misspelled numerous times, not just once.
Sort of takes away from the strength of any given post when relatively basic words are botched… I’d like to think the average Mets fan is somewhat educated and provides thoughtful commentary, but some of these comments sure go a long way towards dispelling that notion.
At any rate, back to your regularly scheduled rambling…
That was quite possibly the dumbest post yet.
EXACTALLY!! That’s how you spell it correct?? :) :)
I agree. People think it is obnoxious when I correct grammar or spelling (and I do at times), but I think it’s obnoxious to butcher our language. Typos are one thing, illiteracy is quite something else.
this only proves that we Mets fans do bitch about ANYTHING.
Metsblog.com where Met Fans Come to Whine…….F***ing annoying.
Don’t like the comments? Don’t read them.
did you even read what that puss bag said? this guy is a complete joke and your a joke for standing up for him
Standing up for who?
not talking to you erik
Alright. Cool Doc.
“you’re” a joke, not “your” a joke!
Willie’s comments about fans booing are not just annoying. They are illogical as well.
As everyone’s already pointed out, the guy has millions of dollars and future career options as well if this doesn’t work out. He’s not a minimum wage-earning single mom.
But even more important, the fans should play a very important role in calling for his ouster. His job is high-profile, probably one of the reasons he TOOK the job in the first place. Fans are a crucial element to his job. If the team fails or even seems like it’s failing, fans will be less interested, ticket sales will drop, and Willie’s bosses will be financially hurt. Willie’s attempts to tell fans that they don’t understand his job is simply illogical. We are the ONLY reason that a job called “New York Mets Manager” exists at all.
Second, to say that fans don’t understand the team is just silly. His success in his job, unlike many other jobs in this world, is very easy to measure. How is the team doing in the standings? What were the expectations for the season set by the team and by him? The team, in this very simple rubric, is not meeting expections. End of story. He sounds like a lower-level mail clerk complaining about his boss that doesn’t allow him an extra half hour for lunch.
Finally, this comment speaks volumes about Willie as a human being. Willie accepted this job fully knowing the negatives. He knew going in about the high media and fan scrutiny. Torre never complained about Steinbrenner or about New York because he accepted the responsibilities that came with the job when he accepted the job. Willie took this job because of the tremendous perks, which all still exist. To complain about these negatives is a slap in the face to all of us and evidence of a man with a “poor me” complex.
We need a general who rallies his soldiers for a cause greater than himself, not a careerist.
We don’t care what Billy says,,, we know he comes to play.. We like him,, We don’t like you Delgado/Willie
Is that the royal “we” you’re using?
be quiet please!!! you guys are bandwagon fans.
you guys obviously werent fans of the 90’s mets when bad was bad. Willie just finished proving himself both on this interview and the one just presented by SNY that he really cares. He really deserves a chance. this is really getting ridiculous with this football game by game analyzing going on. Let the season play out. If willie was to go crazy and go on the the only streak and win the world series now willie is the man.
Please Give Him A Chance And Stop being unappreciative you rookie fans!!!!!!
LEAVE WILLIE ALONE!!!
Read my post further down.
Dude he’s had 4 years of chances. Stop apologizing for him. This is not about one game. This is about repeated mistakes followed by the same lame excuses. Stop saying you will ” get it done” when quite frankly you haven’t gotten it done since you’ve been here. Fans have a reason to be upset. This about being one game under .500 for your last 150 games. I want to hear what all you willie apologists would say if you could see it that way in the standings.
Team G W L
NYM 150 74 76
With the talent we had and have that is simply inexcusable and any manager should be excused. We are not talking about a small sampling.
Rookie fan? Dude i’ve been suffering for 25 years! Well 24 =)
i love the “i’m a more fan than you” fallacy
It just shows they have no real argument. How would anyone know how long a bunch of strangers have been fans? People who have something to say find a way to attack the issue, not the other posters.
DannyGuira-
I been a fan since 1982. Am I allowed to be negative since I’m obviously not a bandwagon jumper?
Here’s the problem we have here…..people like you want to say that the angry fans are annoying, well people like YOU are annoying.
Why don’t you and the rest of the homer brigade stop trying to tell other fans how they should express their justified frustrations here?
Because the only thing more annoying about the whining over the team is the whining about the whining over the team.
I’d rather a ballpark full of fans who express their honest emotions than a bunch of holier-than-thou snots trying to act like they’re better than everyone else for whatever reason
Willie needs to go. I don’t care who is against me, or with me on this, but he has dug himself in a hole that has reached China. Willie is not a National league manager, he is an American league pinstripe loving, media whining, toasted subway eating, son of a gun.
Unless our team gets in a rhythm, and the the guys magically get better as the season progresses, Willie’s job is given to someone else. I don’t hate the guy, but I do not respect him (and neither do his players).
It’s not about not “liking” the comments, Erik. It’s about being able to express yourself without butchering the English language…
Or is that too much to ‘axe’?
I don’t think I bring a lot of hostility to this blog. I try not to anyway. I never post Fire This Guy or Bench That Guy… not in those words anyway. I really try to explain my feelings on the issue. I don’t think I’ve ever called anyone a name or said anything to anyone that had to be caught by the filter.
All I know is I work hard, I make a nice salary, and I choose to spend quite a bit of money going to games that nobody is forcing me to go to, so it’s my own choice.
All I ask is that these guys give their best effort. If I see that and they don’t win, hey, I’ve watched the Mets lose for most of my life. It’s all good.
But just go out and give the fans your best effort. Don’t tell us you’re gonna do it, because we know the difference. Show us.
And please don’t tell me about your livelihood. I don’t know how many more times I have to say that the best course of action for this team is to win WITH Willie right where he is, and with the least amount of interruptions possible. I’ll still say it. But damn it already, I have my job and they have theirs. This is Willie’s job to keep or lose. Just go do what you’re supposed to do and the results will speak for themselves.
Well said.
It was well said, but what do you want Willie to do? If it’s time for a move, then it’s time for a move. We just ain’t there yet. I made the following post on one of the other threads but it’s equally applicable here:
In light of all the “Kill Willie” talk, especially here, I think it’s time for people to step back and take a deep breath and chill just a bit. Allow me to take a look at the glass half-full:
We are just 6 weeks into the season and despite a recent downswing, we’re still above .500 (1) without Pedro; (2) with Beltran and Delgado hitting below (well below?) expectations; (3) with Castillo still recuperating; (4) with Heilman just pitching the worst ball he’s ever pitched over a period of time; and, last but not least, (5) with Jose Reyes being as inconsistent as a human spark plug could be. I’m sure, you guys could come up with more.
Does anybody remember last year? (Of course, you do, because y’all haven’t stopped talking about it!) The Phillies started off much worse than us last year, and looked what happened. THE SEASON IS 162 FREAKING GAMES!
Relax. Let’s see where we are by the All-Star break. If we’re having the same problems at that time, then Omar will be looking to swing some major deal for a thumper and some bullpen help.
glider, we’re there. posting about the phillies last year isn’t moving me to the willie side of the ledger. it’s time.
You’re panicking. Just stay in the fox hole and keep you head down for a little while longer.
i’ve been panicking since june. i’m not the barometer. it’s all these other guys here.
sometimes, you sit in your foxhole long enough, and a big unpleasant mortar finds its way in. it’s time for a new foxhole.
“Let’s see where we are by the All-Star break. If we’re having the same problems at that time, then Omar will be looking to swing some major deal for a thumper and some bullpen help.”
This is not a video game. There just aren’t many deals that this team can make. I respect you for your optimism, but we are more or less looking at the team we are going to have this year. Maybe some guys get healthy, but this is pretty much it.
And Willie should have been fired the morning after the last game of 2007. Now people think it’s too early when it’s actually becoming too late.
“Too late”???? Are you kidding me? Ugh. This is hopeless. But I still love you guys because you’re so crazy in love with the Mets.
As for possible trades, I think you’re wrong. There may be deals out there for big name players if we’re willing to pick up a bad contract. But I don’t think that’s necessarily what we need to do. Maybe only some “tweaking” will be necessary. Maybe a Jeremy Alfeldt will be available. The Tigers may be willing to make some deals if things continue to go badly for them. (And while we’re speaking about the Tigers . . . is Jim Leyland now a bad manager? LOL.)
glider, i am TERRIFIED of the trades a desperate and henpecked omar may make in july. the only thing mitigating that fear is that save for one guy we have little of value to lose.
““Too late”???? Are you kidding me? Ugh. This is hopeless. But I still love you guys because you’re so crazy in love with the Mets.”
Not too late for the Mets. Too late for Willie. His time ran out the last day of the 2007 season. The idea that it’s too early to fire him is wrong. That’s what I meant by it being late. Not the season.
willie, you were doing ok until you went here:
“It’s unfortunate that people who don’t understand the game, or who know what we’re dealing with, are calling for people’s livelihood.”
I’ve been watching baseball for 40 years…i understand the game…i know what you’re dealing with…and i don’t give a crap about your livelihood…deliver or get fired…period…you’ve had one of the best teams in the league since 2006 and accomplished exactly NOTHING.
The last positive on-field memory I have of the Mets is Endy Chavez pulling that ball back over the wall…everything since then has been a letdown.
. . . that doesn’t mean it’s Willie’s fault.
it doesn’t need to be willie’s fault. willie’s record is what willie’s record says it is.
SO TRUE! Preach on!
willie randolph just walked into joe morgan territory here.
and there’s already a site about getting that guy fired.
Captain Collapse blames the fans.
I’m going to taste me some of Willie’s sweet champagne when he gets canned.
I’ll be under the bridge tailgating. You are all more than welcome!
yup and that why this cannot go on any longer. He is blaming the fans!!!!!! and enough is enough. Let him say goodbye to Yankee stadium this weekend and then we’ll say goodbye to you Monday morning.
Honestly we should have some sort of get together the day this guy is gone. Maybe parade or something!! I can’t wait. The weight that is going to be lifted off our shoulders.
I will bring a bottle of champagne to Shea and we can make a toast. OK, they won’t let me do that. I’ll pay for the beers that night instead. At least until it starts to get too expensive and it effects my livelihood! :)
I’m serious…I’m having a tailgate under the bridge. Feel free to swing by.
Getting mad at the fans for calling for his job was quite pathetic. A new low for Willie Champagne….
If you really listen to him today and in post game interviews you start to hear someone that really is disconnected from the situation. He was talking about how he was around when talk radio just got started and then proceeds to play the I’m the poor MILLIONAIRE VICTIM role. I’m starting to believe this guy really just doesn’t get it. That he is even more clueless than he comes off on the field. I think the players know this and has something to do with how they play for him.. Its like in the beginning they all believed he was the stoic champion that understood life/baseball and sometime in the middle of last season they realized he only played one on tv. Its almost like he knows how to act like a good manager but doesn’t know how to be one. In some circles thats called a POSER. If World Series titles made great managers then why is that most great managers hardly won a championships as players.. I know that its just a coincidence but the two are not a perfect fit like Willie and some of you think it is. winning championship as a player does not make you a leader or even a good manager.
I still want to find out more about Willie’s claim that the TV coverage has made him look bad. If he can prove that this is true, then the Mets need to try and get their own television network started to make sure this never happens again. Might even be a good opportunity to put together a three man broadcast booth featuring a couple of the the ‘86 Mets. I would suggest Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.
Nah, it would never work.
I’ve gone to games and sat on field level. I haven’t seen Willie do anything in the dugout that looks like the claims he made. He stands there like a statue and mumbles to Peterson every once in a while. I just sit there and wait for a pigeon to land on his shoulder…
Man, what are you doing, you’re gonna cost this man his livelihood. He’s gonna have to work at one of the Mets Clubhouse Stores to make ends meet. Do you have any idea how hard it is to try and convince people that they would look really good in one of the clearance sections Tom Glavine jerseys?
Willie said he argues from the dugout and I believe him. Just last week I saw him give one of the umps his meanest, toughest look from the top step. They know not to mess with Mad Dog Willie.
as he said .. look around the dugouts in the league, most managers aren’t doing anything 98% of the time. It’s a game of sitting around and waiting, what do you want from the man?
I want him to get fired.
And I will get what I want.
Case closed.
Yeah , okay Willie, I won’t believe what my eyes see only the BS the comes out of yours and Omars mouth.
Oh and Willie, don’t forget to get on david if he fails to run a ball out but let a waste like Castillo do it because he’s a vet.
They want you in the Bronx Willie and take Delcrappo with you.
Can anyone remember any other manager defending a player for not running? Excusing Castillo by saying he “probably wouldn’t have scored” even if had run is hilarious.
But hey, what do I know, I’m just a fan. I’m not an “insider” like Willie. Of course, I’ve known the rule for making a double switch since I was 12 years old, unlike Willie, but that’s another matter.
Seriously guys, I think everything Willie said today showed us exactly what he is. A wimpy/winy washed up sissy. And the mets have his identity. The 80’s team would kick our a$$ for just walking on the same field as them. I can’t believe we have fallen to this level. The Mets should be a team built on grit, guts, and heart. And somehow we have a group of metrosexual Prima donna’s. Its hard to love a team this mentally weak. but I do and it sucks
FIRE WILLIE
LOSE DELGADO
TRADE HEILMAN FOR A BAG OF ORANGES
BRING BOBBY V BACK
wow you guys are harsh .. I thought Willie came across well in that interview, and he made me rethink some of my misgivings about him…I’ve always been a Willie fan, and he’s in a tough spot right now..
seriously, how is he gonna feed his kids. he is just a single mom working a minimum wage job trying to make ends meet.b
Personally, I think Willie should just take a page from Delgado’s agent by responding to everyone, “your mother”.
Short, sweet, and covers all of his bases.
I’ll Say it again, Willie has to go. He feels the pressure so his comments are not surprising. His clubhouse is in shambles and Omar has something to do with that. Bernazard and crew undermining Willie.
The Mets need to show passion, grit and desire. This is what the Met fan wants. We want to know that the product on the field is at least trying. Right now it doesn’t look that way and that’s why Willie is taking a hit. His team is lackluster and gutless. It starts with Reyes, once he got benched in Houston, he lost the passion he had while a kid in DR. Willie has lost the team and the one player who drives the team. Did anyone see the highlight of Hunter Pence last night? The great catch and the way he ran into the dugout? That is baseball at its finest.
Just a side note, Church and Beltran have grit. Beltran might not be hitting but he plays a centerfield like no one. He is the best at his position.
So here’s what I don’t understand…what’s Willie supposed to do when one of his players gets up w/ men in scoring position and pops out? What’s he supposed to do when he brings in a reliever and they give up the lead? Is some “fire in his belly” going to will those players on to doing the jobs they are well-payed to do?
I admit I am puzzled sometimes by his moves, and don’t feel he is a great in-game manager, but you can’t blame the man for his veteran players shortcomings. Bringing a Pinella-type in won’t make Beltran or Delgado get a hit when it counts. Bringing Dave Duncan here won’t make Heilman get though an inning unscathed. I lay te blame for the last year on the players and the players only. Omar and Willie are doing what they can, it’s time for the players to do their part.