In the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, Jon Heyman writes quite extensively about Willie Randolph, the Mets and whether the two can continue to co-exist.
Today, Heyman was a guest on WFAN and said:
“I still think he’ll keep his job…Management is annoyed…They told him and Omar it’s time to turn it around and turn it around quick. But, I still think he has this year to turn it around.”
…my sense, from a lot of people, from fans to people in media to people in baseball, is that, if the Mets lose tonight and end up being swept by the Braves, willie will be in serious, serious trouble…honestly, i have not talked to any one in the know since Monday, when most discussions centered on his comments, not his job security – so i have no idea where he stands…my hunch, though, is that he’ll get at least through Memorial Day…
…the Wilpons are very fair people, and i find it hard to believe they would lay down the law – as heyman reports – and not give willie and omar ample time to turn it around…to can someone just a week after saying, ‘turn it around,’ would be a bit impulsive…
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The Wilpons have a shiny new stadium to fill next year. I don’t see how they could feel they can give a manager all year to not succeed. Regardless of whether or not one thinks this is Willie’s fault or not, if the losing continues, the Wilpons will have to at least make it look like they’re trying to change to win.
In my opinion (and this is ONLY my opinion) Willie is not in any danger of losing his job. I have some media experience, and again, in my opinion, if Willie’s days were numbered, they wouldn’t have done the interview with Burkhardt last night. I know I will get jumped on for this, but that is the kind of thing that gets done when the goal is damage control and the softening of someone’s image. If Willie’s days were really numbered, they probably wouldn’t have bothered. The easiest thing to do if Willie’s job was in danger would have been nothing, and leave him out there to twist in the wind. And one more time, just my opinion, they’re going to give him one more extended chance to turn it around… probably see where they are at the All-Star break.
WIllie did that interview on his own.
I’m talking about the one on SNY, with Burkhardt in the dugout.
Willie needs permission to do those?
Yes
I’m talking about the SNY feature. Not Willie addressing the media. Big difference.
BTW, Alou to the DL per WFAN
unbelievable.
What’s the diagnosis?
He’s eighty years old, brittle and his hemorrhoids are flaring up………….
LOL!!!
Gotta have a sense of humor to be a Mets fan. That and beer……….lots and lots of beer.
As Homer Simpson says……beer is the only thing that solves all the problems it creates!
One thing is clear- don’t give any validity to what Heyman says about this. He’s the same guy who said Vladdy to the Mets was a done deal.
If we fire Willie I hope it’s just an interim manager for the rest of the season. Someone more “firey” Maybe someone that can spark them for the year like Jack McKeon did in Florida. Then at season’s end they can figure out who the long term replacement is.
Omar would be smart to get on board with Wilpon’s son and let Willie go. I’m of the opinion Jeff Wilpon has wanted Willie gone but Omar stood up for WIllie. But if Omar wants a job next year, he needs to let go of the notion that Willie can actually be a good major league manager.
keep in mind that Willie was chosen to coach the NL All-Star team. It would be bad form to can him right before or after that. And mid-season is a bad time to locate top talent. I think Willie has the season to turn it around, unless he proves so incapacle of change that there’s no other choice, and then not til August.
Don’t even get me going on that one. I think Hurdle did that deliberately. He picked two guys that will be lucky to have jobs next season- Willie and Bud Black. And the way Colorado is playing Hurdle will also be lucky to have a job. I hope the Mets give absolutely no consideration to Willie being an All Star in assessing whether or not to keep him. Who coaches an All Star game should have no bearing on how the Mets make decisions with their franchise.
didn’t he just pick him because the game is being held in NY and its the last season at Yankee stadium
Why bother changing in August if he hasnt turned it around by then its too late……He needs to go now while we still have a chance.
Exactly, it’s so straight up obvious you seriously question the intelligence of some people.
hey i don’t disagree with the concept of firing willie now but I think the Wilpons are too cautious to make a bold move. Inertia is the most powerful force in their universe.
The year? The freaking YEAR? Great, let’s just give up the season. This isn’t the Make a Wish foundation, the guy has had his chances, he should’ve been banned from Shea after last September, and now he’ll get a whole year? I’m hoping, like 95% of the media, that this guy is clueless.
Some of us who post on this site are members of the media, bub.
Hey, I gave you 5%
Fair enough.
If Heyman thinks he has the year, then he definitely doesn’t.
well, at this point, even if Willie gets the season, can you imagine him possibly getting a new contract (the current deal is up this year, right?)
Me neither. So, he is in the same boat as Delgado. You know that you are done and not coming back, so that is certainly a big motivation sucker.
“well, at this point, even if Willie gets the season, can you imagine him possibly getting a new contract (the current deal is up this year, right?)”
I think he’s signed through 09 with an option for 2010.
“…to can someone just a week after saying, ‘turn it around,’ would be a bit impulsive.”
Impulsive is opening your mouth to a reporter that the fans are fairweathered racists, and the owners television station is out to get you!
Matt,
How can it be impulsive and unfair if they told him he was on a short leash after The Collapse and a month or more ago about a major review at the end of May?
My dad told me that Willie called the Wilpons to apologize for his statements to the media, but they have not returned his call.
If this is true, then Willie’s goose is boiling, and It could be cooked in a couple of weeks.
Its time to shake things up. Fire willie now.
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