Willie Randolph has six rings as a success in New York City; he is revered, yet under fire in the same city where he helped anchor a lengthy string of good will with the New York Yankees. With a lot of hype surrounding the Mets entering the season, Randolph sits at the helm in Queens struggling to keep his squad winning more than its losing.
Randolph is under some scrutiny after last year's late-season collapse and thus a last-day forfeiture of the crown to the Phillies in the NL East. The Mets' present campaign has been disappointing with injuries and a sub-par performance that causes a flirtation with the .500 mark. Even the lowly San Diego Padres have taken advantage of this squad over the last few games.
Pedro Martinez is back. Fellow Cy Young winner Johan Santana is pitching well, but not getting much support. Fortunately, the division title is still viable, as the Mets linger near the top of the division. Still, Billy Wagner has called out his teammates to own up to this early-season malaise.
Is Randolph under fire and chastised due to his ethnicity, as he and some others have suggested? No way.
The Mets have been disappointing and the manager, regardless of background, will certainly take the brunt of the heat irrespective of his pedigree. New York will always beat on its skippers, whatever the sport.
I love Willie Randolph and am upset with the efforts of the 'Everyday Eight.'
Randolph has done a decent job, but perhaps needs to light a fire under the collective arse's of his "irregular" regulars. General Manager Omar Manaya might have to sit this unit down and read it the riot act.
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