Merlin
11-04-2004, 11:59 AM
You really snagged yourselves one of the best. Being a Yankee fan since the late 70's I've gotten to see Randolph for a number of years and can say he is one of the best out there.
http://espn.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1104/photo/g_randolph_ft.jpg
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Willie Randolph is moving across town.
The Mets introduced the longtime New York Yankees coach as their new manager Thursday at Shea Stadium.
Randolph takes over from Art Howe, fired at the end of the season.
He was with his family when he found out that he had the job.
"We just did cartwheels," Randolph said. "We've been waiting a while for this opportunity and it's finally here."
Randolph said last month he had interviewed unsuccessfully in the past for 11 or 12 managerial openings.
"He's a New Yorker and a winner," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday.
Minaya's new manager will have a year-round job, talking frequently with the minor league staff and farm director and visiting instructional and winter leagues during the offseason. The 50-year-old Randolph moved to bench coach under Joe Torre last season after 10 years coaching third base for the Yankees.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement Thursday wishing Randolph good luck.
"Willie Randolph was a great Yankee and valued member of our coaching staff. He's made valued contributions to many of our championship teams as both a player and coach," Steinbrenner said. "He will be missed but he's truly earned this position."
Randolph was a standout second baseman who spent 13 seasons with the Yankees, serving as co-captain and winning World Series titles as a player in 1977 and 1978, plus four more as a coach. He also played for Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Oakland and Milwaukee before finishing his career with the Mets in 1992.
He nearly was hired by Cincinnati after the 2000 season but withdrew from consideration after the Reds offered a relatively short contract at a below-market salary.
He becomes the fourth black manager in the major leagues, criticized by some for a lack of blacks in management positions, and the first in New York. The others currently managing are the Chicago Cubs' Dusty Baker, Frank Robinson of the Expos, and Pittsburgh's Lloyd McClendon.
Coming off consecutive last-place finishes, the Mets had a promising first half in 2004 before collapsing after the All-Star break. They finished fourth in the NL East at 71-91, and Howe was fired halfway through a four-year contract.
http://espn.starwave.com/media/mlb/2004/1104/photo/g_randolph_ft.jpg
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Willie Randolph is moving across town.
The Mets introduced the longtime New York Yankees coach as their new manager Thursday at Shea Stadium.
Randolph takes over from Art Howe, fired at the end of the season.
He was with his family when he found out that he had the job.
"We just did cartwheels," Randolph said. "We've been waiting a while for this opportunity and it's finally here."
Randolph said last month he had interviewed unsuccessfully in the past for 11 or 12 managerial openings.
"He's a New Yorker and a winner," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday.
Minaya's new manager will have a year-round job, talking frequently with the minor league staff and farm director and visiting instructional and winter leagues during the offseason. The 50-year-old Randolph moved to bench coach under Joe Torre last season after 10 years coaching third base for the Yankees.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement Thursday wishing Randolph good luck.
"Willie Randolph was a great Yankee and valued member of our coaching staff. He's made valued contributions to many of our championship teams as both a player and coach," Steinbrenner said. "He will be missed but he's truly earned this position."
Randolph was a standout second baseman who spent 13 seasons with the Yankees, serving as co-captain and winning World Series titles as a player in 1977 and 1978, plus four more as a coach. He also played for Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Oakland and Milwaukee before finishing his career with the Mets in 1992.
He nearly was hired by Cincinnati after the 2000 season but withdrew from consideration after the Reds offered a relatively short contract at a below-market salary.
He becomes the fourth black manager in the major leagues, criticized by some for a lack of blacks in management positions, and the first in New York. The others currently managing are the Chicago Cubs' Dusty Baker, Frank Robinson of the Expos, and Pittsburgh's Lloyd McClendon.
Coming off consecutive last-place finishes, the Mets had a promising first half in 2004 before collapsing after the All-Star break. They finished fourth in the NL East at 71-91, and Howe was fired halfway through a four-year contract.