[EmpireWF]

So the Mets finished their historic collapse earlier today. They blew a big division lead and missed the playoffs. Their bullpen was awful, they played listless this week and could not get timely hits.

Should Willie Randolph be fired? He has two more years on his deal left.


My thoughts, no he shouldn't. David Wright said it best after the devastating loss, Willie didn't miss the pitches, Willie didn't fail to drive in the runs. Willie has been a stoic figure for the Mets amidst all this downfall. He should definitely be able to return next year and have another chance to take the Mets into October and beyond.

Anyone think he should be fired?

[LSC9901]

Managers can only manage what they have. If the players cannot live up to their potential how does it become the managers fault ?? Unless Willie has been blatant about using the wrong players or leaving them in when they should be out, it's not his fault, BUT .... firing the manager has always been the answer.

[vincesanity82]

Nah, he shouldnt be fired hes done well with the mets, honestly though I was glad the mets didnt make it since the Braves didnt either..

[ThePundit]

It really wasn't his fault.

Is it Willie's fault taht a supposed HOF pitcher, can't get out of the 1st inning? If anybody deserves blame, it's Minaya because he just didn't put a good enough pitchiing staff together.

Now I really don't think Minaya should be fired either. He learned from these mistakes and probably realizes he has to bring in some younger pitchers.

It's time to part with ways with Glavine, El Duque (in 2 years, he couldn't start games down the stretch and in the playoffs)....and improve the pen. I'd also not re-sign LoDuca...(bad karma)...

[Lefty Noob]

I can't imagine that he should be fired. LoDuca said it best a few days ago, this one's on the players.

[legend]

The Mets have NO pitching except for Maine, on occasion, and Pedro, when he is healthy, which is another rarity. Wagner had a meltdown, the rest of the pen sucks eggs, and nobody had a consistent year at the plate except for Wright. Reyes was designated by many as the best shortstop in all of baseball, but in reality, he's about the third best in his own division. Shawn Green was putrid, Delgado wasn't much better, and they got nothing from their highly touted pitching prospects, who, as usual with the Mets, are vastly overrated.
This being said, they had a stranglehold on the division. The Phillies pitching was almost non-existant, yet they were allowed back into the race, mostly on the strength of winning 12 of 18 from the Mets, including a four game sweep in August that gave them life. Everyone agrees that Willie is a likable fellow, but let's face it, if this was almost any other team, he would have to be fired. And if he gets off to a bad start next year, how loud will be the calls to get rid of him?

[ThePundit]

Great back cover in today's Newsday:

Today's Newsday -- Newsday.com

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by legend

The Mets have NO pitching except for Maine, on occasion, and Pedro, when he is healthy, which is another rarity. Wagner had a meltdown, the rest of the pen sucks eggs, and nobody had a consistent year at the plate except for Wright. Reyes was designated by many as the best shortstop in all of baseball, but in reality, he's about the third best in his own division. Shawn Green was putrid, Delgado wasn't much better, and they got nothing from their highly touted pitching prospects, who, as usual with the Mets, are vastly overrated.

John Maine wasn't even his normal self in the second half until his game a few days ago. Pedro has been great. Oliver Perez has had his moments (think he's second on team in wins). El Duque was hurt. Phil Humber pitched one game but tired after the 4th, otherwise he was good. Pelfrey came on late but didn't get many chances.

Reyes had a terrible September, hitting something like .208 and only stealing 4 or 5 bases. He needs to work whatever out and come back next year with a chip on his shoulder.

Delgado all season wasn't his normal self. He was slow on the fastball (and coming off elbow surgery). We'll see how he is next year in terms of whether he's done or not.

I wouldn't say Green was putrid. He was pretty good with the bat and a nice glove in RF and 1B. But he's not coming back.

Overall, the bullpen was horrible and let the team down. The starters let the team down by not being able to go into the 6th inning usually. The offense let the team down. It was a team effort collapse...Willie should not be the one to get the blame.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I think most Phillies fan are okay with Randolph's effort...

Having said that, it was a total team effort...no need to chop off Willie.

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Willie didn't miss the pitches, Willie didn't fail to drive in the runs.

with that thinking, hardly any coach or manager ever deserves to be fired

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by simple simon

with that thinking, hardly any coach or manager ever deserves to be fired

And there is some truth to that !!! It is generally accepted that the guy on th etop is the one who gets the boot but seldom, not never just seldom, does that ever change anything by itself.

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Great back cover in today's Newsday:

Today's Newsday -- Newsday.com

Wow

[legend]

Green had 46 runs batted in in 446 at bats, with 10 home runs, and most of those were in the first half- I call that putrid. Pelfrey was 3-8 with a 5.57 ERA.

[EmpireWF]

In September, Green was batting .407. That's with splitting time with Milledge. Green started the year and ended the year hot.

Pelfrey started to do better late in the year. He still walked too many guys and gave up too many hits. He ended the year 3-1 in September.

[EmpireWF]

MetsBlog says tomorrow, Omar Minaya will meet with ownership to discuss the future of the team. So a decision whether to keep or get rid of Willie Randolph should be reached tomorrow.

Metsblog describes an interesting twist in that Minaya has publicly stated he likes Randolph and will recommend to ownership that he stay put. However, whether ownership listens and keeps Randolph or fires him, that's up to the Wilpons.