Latest news with #WillieRandolph
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Willie Randolph still miffed by his Mets firing and the second chance that never came
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Former Mets manager Willie Randolph was shocked after he was let go in 2008. Seventeen years later, those feelings remain. Advertisement 'I used to stay up at night thinking about that and it gave me agita many times,' Randolph, 71, said on WFAN's 'BT and Sal' on Thursday. 'To this day, I can't figure out why because when you're successful in this town… I thought you had a little more house money to play with. But I have no clue how or why that went down. 'It's a tough game for everyone… I understand that. For me, it was the fact that I wasn't able to continue to grow and get better. As a young manager you make your mistakes, you go through your ups and downs, but you get better, how to use your bullpen, how to deal with your players, all that stuff. I felt I was climbing. When I got fired, I was shocked — I can't believe it to this day. And not getting another shot is even crazier.' Mets manager Willie Randolph during a 2005 games against the Nationals at Shea Stadium. JEFF ZELEVANSKY Randolph, a five-time All-Star for the Yankees from 1976-1988, was named manager of the crosstown Mets in 2005, something he remains proud of. Advertisement 'I grew up a Met fan, I grew up in the city,' he said. 'For me to get the opportunity after all those years of laboring through the interviews and all the stuff that you went through with that, which wasn't always real, I finally got a shot. For me, I was very proud to be the first Black American to be named a manger in New York History. That was special to me.' He led the Mets to an 83-79 mark in his first season, their first finish above .500 since 2001. The next year, they won the NL East with a 97-65 record, falling to the Cardinals in the NLCS in seven games. The good times didn't last — in 2007, the Mets were primed to win the NL East, leading by seven games with 17 to go before a collapse left them on the outside of the postseason, looking in. Advertisement Randolph during his time as the Mets manager. Anthony J Causi A 34-35 start to the 2008 season spelled the end for Randolph's tenure in Queens — and seemingly everywhere else. He interviewed for a managerial job with the Brewers in 2009 that went to Ken Macha and eventually caught on with that staff for two seasons before joining Buck Showalter's Orioles staff in 2011. Advertisement 'It still sticks in my craw a little bit to be honest, I felt like I could have been inspiration to a lot of Black Americans who don't get that opportunity, who don't that second chance,' Randolph said of his inability to land another managerial gig. 'I felt like I built up enough clout to at least get enough house money to play with to move a little bit further.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fox Sports Turns Heads With Yankees Announcement
Fox Sports Turns Heads With Yankees Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Any list featuring the greatest New York Yankees includes the names you'd expect: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter. Advertisement What about Willie Randolph? Fox Sports asked that same question this week, listing Randolph as the starting second baseman in their all-time Yankees lineup. For the unfamiliar, Randolph hit .275 with 549 RBIs and a .731 OPS from 1976-88. His 251 stolen bases rank fourth in franchise history, trailing only Jeter (358), Rickey Henderson (326), and Brett Gardner (274). Randolph earned four All-Star nods with the Yankees and won two championships. He and ace pitcher Ron Guidry served as co-captains from 1986-88. "A scrappy force to be reckoned with," Fox Sports wrote, "Randolph was a contact hitter who swiped bags with consistency and was a steady force at second base." Advertisement New York Yankees second baseman Willie Randolph in 1979Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK Randolph's inclusion is noteworthy for two reasons, one being that he's relatively unknown compared to the list's other names. Eight of the 11 players are in the Hall of Fame, and designated hitter Aaron Judge is certainly on his way there. Manager Casey Stengel is also in the Hall of Fame. Randolph and third baseman Alex Rodriguez are the only eligible players not enshrined in Cooperstown, though Rodriguez's lack of a bronze plaque has far more to do with his PED use than his overall numbers. It's also surprising how few Yankees have a legitimate argument to beat out Randolph for the starting second base job. Randolph's 54.0 bWAR with the Yankees easily tops Tony Lazzeri (46.3) and Joe Gordon (36.6), though both are in the Hall of Fame. Advertisement Some X/Twitter users suggested Alfonso Soriano, but he only had two elite seasons in New York. If anything, Robinson Canó had the best case to earn the starting second base job despite two PED-related suspensions. Canó hit .309 with 204 homers, a .860 OPS, and a 44.4 bWAR in his nine Yankees seasons. Willie Randolph vs. Robinson Canó is the Yankees argument you didn't know that you needed. Choose your fighter! Related: Former Yankees Slugger Turns Heads With Mammoth Homer in Japan Related: Yankees Must Pursue Reunion With $7.4 Million Reliever Ahead of Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
