Mets Are Garbage
- Thread starter Chree
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Mets fire manager Randolph after collapse in '07, mediocre play in '08
June 17, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports
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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Willie Randolph is out as manager of the New York Mets, fired 2½ months into a disappointing season that has followed the team's colossal collapse last September.
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Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over on an interim basis for Randolph, who led the Mets to within one victory of the 2006 World Series. They got off to a strong start again last year but plummeted down the stretch and have been unable to rebound.
A preseason favorite to win the NL pennant, the $138 million Mets (34-35) had won two straight when Randolph was let go early Tuesday morning -- making him the first major league manager to get fired this season.
Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto also were fired in an enormous overhaul that came at a stunning time -- about two hours after New York's 9-6 victory at the Los Angeles Angels.
Ken Oberkfell, the club's manager at Triple-A New Orleans, and Dan Warthen, pitching coach for the Zephyrs, will join the major league staff along with Luis Aguayo, a Mets field coordinator.
It was a frustrating end for the 53-year-old Randolph, who was set to be an NL coach at the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium next month.
Signed through the 2009 season, Randolph won't be able to move with the Mets into new Citi Field next year, either.
Randolph was known for his exceptionally steady play as a six-time All-Star second baseman and even-keel demeanor as a coach with the Yankees.
Yet Randolph's time in charge of the Mets was marked by highs and lows from the get-go.
Hired by new general manager Omar Minaya to replace Art Howe for the 2005 season, Randolph lost his first five games as a major league manager, then won the next six.
He nearly guided the Mets into the 2006 World Series, losing Game 7 of the NLCS to St. Louis on Yadier Molina's tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning.
The Mets and their fans were convinced 2007 would be their year. Poised for a big run, what followed was one of the biggest collapses in baseball history: Leading the NL East by seven games on Sept. 12, they lost 12 of their last 17 and missed the playoffs as Philadelphia rallied to win the division title.
Several times, Randolph tried to separate last season's failure and this season's struggle.
CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · Next »
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10868317
June 17, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports
Share this page.
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Willie Randolph is out as manager of the New York Mets, fired 2½ months into a disappointing season that has followed the team's colossal collapse last September.
Advertisement
Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over on an interim basis for Randolph, who led the Mets to within one victory of the 2006 World Series. They got off to a strong start again last year but plummeted down the stretch and have been unable to rebound.
A preseason favorite to win the NL pennant, the $138 million Mets (34-35) had won two straight when Randolph was let go early Tuesday morning -- making him the first major league manager to get fired this season.
Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto also were fired in an enormous overhaul that came at a stunning time -- about two hours after New York's 9-6 victory at the Los Angeles Angels.
Ken Oberkfell, the club's manager at Triple-A New Orleans, and Dan Warthen, pitching coach for the Zephyrs, will join the major league staff along with Luis Aguayo, a Mets field coordinator.
It was a frustrating end for the 53-year-old Randolph, who was set to be an NL coach at the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium next month.
Signed through the 2009 season, Randolph won't be able to move with the Mets into new Citi Field next year, either.
Randolph was known for his exceptionally steady play as a six-time All-Star second baseman and even-keel demeanor as a coach with the Yankees.
Yet Randolph's time in charge of the Mets was marked by highs and lows from the get-go.
Hired by new general manager Omar Minaya to replace Art Howe for the 2005 season, Randolph lost his first five games as a major league manager, then won the next six.
He nearly guided the Mets into the 2006 World Series, losing Game 7 of the NLCS to St. Louis on Yadier Molina's tiebreaking home run in the ninth inning.
The Mets and their fans were convinced 2007 would be their year. Poised for a big run, what followed was one of the biggest collapses in baseball history: Leading the NL East by seven games on Sept. 12, they lost 12 of their last 17 and missed the playoffs as Philadelphia rallied to win the division title.
Several times, Randolph tried to separate last season's failure and this season's struggle.
CONTINUED: 1 · 2 · Next »
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10868317
