Willie Needs To Win
Willie Randolph needs to win, plain and simple. If the Mets fail to make the playoffs this year, I have no doubt in my mind Willie will get the boot. At this point, just a playoff berth may not be enough to secure his job with the team beyond this year.
Yes, two years ago we went to Game 7 of the NLCS, but last year we had the collapse and failed to make the playoffs. This year we added Johan Santana, the best pitcher in the game right now, and picked up a defensive minded catcher in Brian Schneider and a solid starting left fielder with Ryan Church. We solidified the bullpen, and hopefully with Duaner Sanchez returning from injury, the bullpen won't let runs in like a sieve.
On paper, the Mets are a much better team this year. Having Luis Castillo around for the whole year, and most likely being a lot happier with his good friend Santana on the team as well, will be a huge help for the Mets on both sides of the ball. If Randolph cannot parlay all this talent of to a playoffs and beyond season, he is obviously not the man I thought he was. Don't get me wrong here, I'm one of Randolph's biggest fans (besides the absolute butchering of when and how to use the bullpen) and believe the calm demeanor and "everything is alright" outer shell are what a team needs at times. I hope that behind the scenes, he can let loose and scream when need be, because otherwise I doubt many players will listen.
The team needs to go far this season, and I, and many others, have high hopes. If the Mets falter once again, and disappoint the Shea faithful, someone should find the phone number for Bobby Valentine.
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Bob Klapsich, on NorthJersey.com, provides us with a great article on the exact subject.
From Klapsich:
"But if the Mets wilt again in late September, Randolph can forget about the final year of his contract; he'll be history. Actually, he'll be in trouble if the Mets start slowly in April or May. Remember, there was a 24-hour window last October during which Omar Minaya was poised to fire Randolph. The general manager finally softened and recommended to ownership that Randolph be retained, but in doing so, Minaya put his own neck on the line, too."
For more Mets news, opinion and other minutae, check out: TheRopolitans.com
Comments
I was just thinking about the fact that Willie should get fired if the Mets fail to impress this year.
Posted by: NYsportsGUY | February 17, 2008 12:37 PM
I was just thinking about the fact that Willie should get fired if the Mets fail to impress this year
Posted by: NYsportsGUY | February 17, 2008 12:38 PM
It's very very possible.
In fact, I might think it's almost going to happen if the Mets don't explode.
Posted by: Andrew V. | February 17, 2008 3:16 PM
plain and simple, willie should have got the boot last year. and in my opinion ryan church is anything but a solid left fielder. he's basiaclly xavier nady -.
Posted by: tim c. | February 17, 2008 4:36 PM
I hope by the end of the year we are talking about a contract extension for Willie instead of what went wrong...
Do we really want Bobby Valentine back? Good manager but no need to make him the "Billy Martin" of Flushing...
Posted by: Adam Baker | February 17, 2008 6:31 PM
Are you people SERIOUSLY talking about the What Ifs if the team fails and what to do with Willie BEFORE an actual pitch is made.
STOP THE NONESENSE!!!!! Its like waiting/hoping for someone to fail.
Good God
LETS GO METS
Posted by: Kate | February 17, 2008 6:40 PM
andrew u do realize that church is are starting RIGHT fielder right?
Posted by: john | February 17, 2008 7:51 PM
i hate when these conversations come up before the season, jsutliek the giants and tom coughlin, why not wait at least a month into the season before thrwing willie to the dogs.
Posted by: mike | February 17, 2008 10:49 PM
Dah...Left! Right! I never learned as a child. :(
Posted by: Andrew V. | February 17, 2008 11:38 PM
I never called for Willie's head. I just questioned his insistence on handing the ball to CERTAIN MEMBERS of the bullpen, the most grievous offender no longer being with us. He's gotta show some more fire. He's gotta get tossed occasionally. During that 5 game losing streak to the Phillies, we were getting KILLED by umps (and I'm not making excuses, losses are losses, but we were), and Willie did NOTHING.
Posted by: Mikey | February 18, 2008 10:58 PM
thats true, its not like the author of this blog referred to church as a "solid left fielder"
Posted by: tim c. | February 19, 2008 12:22 PM
Mikey - just because we did not see Willie react in the dugout does NOT mean he didn't react in the clubhouse, we as fans, are quick to judge his demeanor from what we see on TV when that is just a smidgen of what goes on.
Sure, argue a bit, but what does that do really, piss them off so if there is an "iffy" call it definately won't go our way?
Lets have a game or two or twenty before we get out our judgement cards.
Posted by: Kate | February 19, 2008 4:13 PM