Willie Randolph: Mets Fans Hate Losing, It's Not Racial

Here's part of what Willie Randolph had to say to the Bergen Record about the way he's being treated badly this year:
"Is it racial?" Randolph asked. "Huh? It smells a little bit."

Willie was commenting about how Mets fans and SNY criticize him because of his laid back approach and that he's not out there yelling and screaming. You know what? I can live with a laid back manager.

What I can live with is an obstinate manager who's team continues to show a lack of life and desire to win and then throws the race card into the mix.

Willie Randolph, I'm so disappointed. Throwing the race card around is something we expect from political candidates and Al Sharpton. This has nothing to do with race and you know it.

The most baffling thing to me is that Willie Randolph is a guy who grew up in New York, played in New York, coached in New York, and now is managing a team in New York. And he didn't think that people would be questioning his every breath when his team is not doing well? Come on.

Willie Randolph goes on with the Bergen Record to say that Met fans should be pleased with him for what he's done with this team. Oh really? You mean like orchestrate the greatest collapse in baseball history? Yes, thanks for that Willie. Do I see any World Series banners hanging at Shea because of your managerial prowess? Have you been able to get the most out of your players when your stars are struggling?

I have been a Willie Randolph fan. He played second base for the Yankees in the first baseball game I ever went to. I loved the fact that he was on the Mets and is now managing them. But he's forcing himself out the door.

Met fans have driven other managers out of town like Dallas Green, Art Howe, and Bobby Valentine (who's managed more teams in the World Series than Willie), and Yankee fans have driven out guys like Billy Martin, Buck Schowalter, and others. Even Joe Torre's job was being called for over the last two years and he's won the most World Series in this decade.

And guess what? They're all middle-aged white guys. Maybe New York fans are racist?

Let me give you a piece of advice Willie Randolph. Start winning and all will be forgiven. We'll call for you to be coach of the year if you bring us a pennant. We won't care if you never raise your voice again if you get us to the World Series. You can bring back Guillermo Mota and pitch him every day of the season if you bring us a championship.

Don't insult us with whining and complaining. Mets fans don't want excuses. We want results. And right now you're not getting any. So shut up and do your job. This is New York. Criticism comes with the job, but we'll enshrine you in baseball history if win for us.

This Is A Defining Series

This upcoming series with the Braves could very well be this Mets team's defining moment in this early season. Playing in Atlanta is never easy, not for the Mets. But this could be a series they could win.

The Mets face their very own Lex Luthor in Tom Glavine on Tuesday afternoon. Figures that the Braves would work out a way for Glavine to face his old team in the easiest possible setting: a day game in Atlanta that hardly anyone will be able to watch. Regardless those Mets who remember Glavine's choke job last fall should be fully motivated.

The next two games in the series are against very beatable pitchers. Of course the same can be said for the Mets who'll throw Vargas & Pelfrey. Then it's the showdown between Hudson & Santana. A pitcher's duel in which the first team to score 3 runs will win.

The Mets are coming off a high with the back to back wins against the Yankees and the offense seems to be waking up. 3 wins against the Braves would be a huge boost for this team's confidence and Randolph's job security.

I'd love 3 wins but I expect only two. Go ahead and prove me wrong. For once I'd love to be.

Jerry Manuel Fires Up Mets Bats

Jerry Manuel might be the first bench coach I've seen tossed from a game in a couple of years, but it was just what the Mets needed.

Manuel got tossed after Carlos Delgado had his home run called foul which would have given the Mets a 6-0 lead at the time. I'm not sure what Manuel said to the home plate ump, but he wasn't complimenting his eyesight. I've got to even hand it to Willie Randolph who looked seriously ticked off like someone stole his toasted Subway sandwich.

After that the Mets erupted with some seriously timely hitting. Ryan Church hit a bomb of a home run (can you believe we got this guy AND Schneider for Milledge?), and Reyes knocked in another 3 runs with a bomb of his own.

Oliver Perez showed his Dr. Jekyll side tonight pitching a controlled game. His only real mistake was leaving a pitch high & inside to Matsui who took him deep. Perez seemed to only walk batters with 2 outs which is a huge improvement for him. Best of all he kept his pitches down in the zone walking two and striking out four through 7 2/3 innings.

A much needed two game win streak for the Mets, and a well deserved day off that they'll need before what is possibly the toughest road series of the season starting on Tuesday in Atlanta.

If Reyes, Wright & even Delgado continue to hit like they did against the Yanks it could be an interesting series in Atlanta.

The What Was Willie Thinking Moment of the Week

And the moment is. . .

Playing Damion Easley as the DH.

I mean who wouldn't want Damion Easley as a DH. He's got great. . .and well he hits the ball so. . .ok, what about. . .

It makes no sense, especially when you have an aging Moises Alou who is the perfect DH and allows Endy Chavez to get some at bats and sure up your outfield defense.

It's not like Easley has been on fire or that he really needs at bats. I mean even playing Castro at DH makes more sense than Easley.

But this is Willie Randolph we're talking about. We shouldn't question him too much. He might get upset.

Wright & Reyes Love Yankee Stadium

David Wright & Jose Reyes will be disappointed to see Yankee Stadium come down later this year. Especially that short porch in right field.

Wright's & Reyes' bat finally woke up yesterday as both homered and were on base several times. The Mets in general hit well yesterday, but still had trouble getting hits with 2 outs and runners in scoring position.

The fact that we squeeked out two runs with the bases loaded without getting a hit is a testament to this team's season. But the focus of yesterday's game should be on Wright & Reyes. As they go so go the Mets.

A lot of times we say that Reyes is the catalyst and that's true. But the real test of this team's success is the combination of Wright & Reyes. Reyes gets on. Wright knocks the runs in.

It's a perfect formula for success and if it's working you can almost cover the holes in the lineup that are the slumping Delgado and limping Castillo.

A sweep in the Bronx would be glorious tonight, even if it is just a two game series.

The Mets Owe Mike Pelfrey An Apology

I'm apologizing on behalf of the pitiful Mets lineup. Mike Pelfrey, I'm sorry you had to pitch a gem of a performance and have nothing to show for it.

Pelfrey pitched possibly the game of his life and didn't give up a hit until the 7th inning. He gave up one run on three hits and his team couldn't even scratch out a run against the Nationals!

The Mets cannot expect performance like this from Pelfrey, so they MUST, I repeat, MUST capitalize on these opportunities. The same goes for Claudio Vargas last night.

Usually the Subway Series is a fun weekend of baseball, but this game just puts me in a foul mood for the weekend. You drop 3 games to the Nationals? I don't want to hear another radio host, Mets manager, coach or player complain about the Mets fans booing them.

You deserve it. Start showing us that you don't. We'll come around, but I guarantee it's going to take some convincing.

It's Time to Save the Mets Season

Here's how we're going to do it:

1. Trade Aaron Heilman for a player to be named later.
2. Let Willie Randolph remain as manager under the condition that Jerry Manuel really makes all the decisions
3. Endy Chavez or Jose Reyes are required to bunt at least once every other game
4. Carlos Delgado gets fine $10,000 every time he pulls a ball that is not a home run
5. Howard Johnson gets spot starts at second base
6. Pedro Feliciano is only allowed to pitch to lefties
7. Someone pays for Oliver Perez to see a psychiatrist
8. David Wright starts hitting
9. Jose Reyes makes his OBP go above .375
10. Johan Santana pitches every 4th day

Otherwise, we're in trouble. Oh, we're already there?