Let's go, Willie
By ThrowsLikeAGirl
He is a native son from the streets of Brooklyn, former captain of the Yankees, an All-Star second baseman (multiple years), a wicked base thief, an apprentice to Joe Torre, a veteran of no less than 16 World Series teams, a well-liked and widely-respected man of The Game and a true-grit New Yorker. His bios often say he grew up a Mets fan, which is what the true-git New Yorkers do. Willie Randolph is all this, and now, he is in the hot seat. Omar Minaya and the Wilpons have given Randolph some good tools, among them a seasoned Martinez and a high-powered Beltran. They're going to expect him to build a winning machine.
In an article in the New York Times this week, Randolph was philosophical about the position he's in. He told writer Harvey Araton he didn't expect a grace period just because he's new to this job, "You think I'd feel good if we went out and were mediocre . . . I don't want a mulligan. I'm not saying to go out and start printing the playoff tickets, but ...when I hear people say 'Willie's got pressure on him to win,' that's great. I'm loving that, man. I think I paid my dues. I finally got a shot."
Even after all his success, and the championship ring he wears with his new blue and orange cap, Randolph's been hungry for that "shot." Reportedly, he had interviewed for some 14 manager jobs before Minaya finally hired him. So, he and the Mets have got something to prove. A short month from now, they'll play their first training game in Port St. Lucie, Florida and we'll start to get a sense of just how hungry this team is going to be.
Willie - we're going to love rooting for you, man (and by "we," I expect that includes quite a few Yankee fans, too. ) You're one of the good guys and a true pro in an oldtime baseball kind of way. Let's just hope that still means you can be a winner, too.
Sources: www.historicbaseball.com
The New York Times
Newsday 1992 file photo - Newsday.com
