Willie Randolph: The Upside

Over the past month I have heard quite a few things about why Willie Randolph should not be our next manager. I have to admit, I agree with more than a few of those reasons. On the other hand, it's very possible that Willie has more to offer than meets the eye. Although I do not think he is a lock for the managerial position, let's talk about some of Willie's positives as if he had just landed the job.

Edit: This just in. The latest rumor is that the Mets may interview both Wally Backman and Jim Leyland, two very interesting candidates. In the opinion of this blogger, Jim Leyland would immediately become the candidate of choice, being one of the best managers in all of baseball. Having said that, the following points are still true in regards to Randolph.

1. Hunger

Willie has spent years working for this moment. Much like Mike Scioscia or Tony Pena he's aspiring to be the next exciting young ex-baseball player gone manager and one would have to think he's ready to give 110% to the position. Unlike Art Howe, who comes across as lackadaisical, I have no doubt that Willie will portray himself as someone who actually gives a damn. Expect him to openly dislike losing (any game). Expect him to challenge umpires and question players. Expect him to get up on that top stair late in games and manage as if this were his first managing job ... (oh wait, it is)

2. Accountability

He's mentioned it several times in recent interviews. He's pointed it out as one of the key strengths of George Steinbrenner and his organization. Everyone is accountable. Everyone is expected to produce, to hustle, to take extra BP when it's needed and to make the right plays. These are highly-paid professionals and it would be nice to have someone managing the team that way. Willie was a very hard worker throughout his entire career even though he may not have been as flashy as someone like Dykstra or Backman. I expect him to bring high expectations along with him when it comes to what he expects from his players.

3. The Winds of Change

Willie needs to make a statement with his first managerial job and frankly if he feels a player's performance is hurting his team I have no doubt he'll either bench the player or have him removed from the roster. If Willie feels that Cliff Floyd isn't working hard enough then chances are he'll make some noise about it with Minaya and be heard. In addition, any change of manager usually tends to bring a change in personnel and we all know from the past three years that almost any change is good at this point.

4. Yankee Ego

Coming from an organization that thinks it's the better team (even after a loss), you know Willie is going to walk into the job with very little respect for Mets decisions over the past few years. Sure, he'll love the Wilpon "family" pitch (George uses that one too) and he'll love the NY fans. He'll work with the media and crow about the resources, but it doesn't mean he has to agree with ANYTHING that has been done up to this point (outside of his hiring, of course). Any argument with Willie about player moves and roster changes would be a tough one simply because he can always say "Well that is the kind of thinking that has gotten this team in the cellar for the last three years. The Yankees, on the other hand, would have ...".

He'll also walk into that clubhouse confident that he's the solution and not the problem ... and if all goes well perhaps just a tad of that attitude rubs off on the younger players.

5. Offensive Strategy

In 1980, Willie Randolph hit a paltry 7 homeruns and had 46 RBI. He had only 151 hits and a .294 batting average, not even close to good enough for the top 10 that year. Despite all of this, he was able to draw 119 walks and strike out only 45 times. His on-base percentage was a whopping .427. What makes this so impressive is that he did not hit for power or average. Pitchers were not afraid of Randolph yet he still drew 119 walks. The Yankee strategy for years has been efficient and simple: work pitchers, take as many pitches as you can, and get on base. If each batter takes one extra pitch per plate appearance then the opposing starter goes one or two less innings than usual. Get into the pen, it's that simple. I would love to have a manager that not only believed in that approach, but lived it as well.

There are a lot of reasons why Willie shouldn't be the next manager of the New York Mets and they are all justified concerns, but most of them are based off of what we do not know: He's never managed, he has no real track record and he's been with the Yankees for a few decades.

Well, there are a few things we do know. He grew up a Mets fan, loves New York and badly wants this job. He's not only come from a winning organization but he was also a winner himself when he played. He was a smart and heady ballplayer and I can't see any reason why that wouldn't translate as a manager. Finally, we also know that the track record and experience of Art Howe didn't seem to count for much anyhow.

I'll end this post with a recent quote on Willie from Tony LaRussa, one of the best minds in baseball:

"He's got all the credentials," La Russa said. "He was not just an oustanding player, but he was an outstanding thinking and winning player. He knew exactly what was going on at his position and the other positions offensively and defensively, and he's had all the preparation. He's had as good a university as possible - all the pressurized situations - and a really good opportunity to watch Joe and others work. All he needs is a shot." -- NY Daily News