5/11/08

The hubbub over Willie Randolph and his possible replacement

Every time the Mets lose a game, I hear the same things:

"It's Willies fault." "Fire Willie!" "Randolph stinks!" "Where's Frank Robinson?"

Yes, that last one is true. I still like Willie Randolph. It's not entirely his fault the players are inconsistent. It's not his fault his pitchers get into the 120's with their pitch count in the 5th inning.

When people call for Randolph's head, I always seem to ask the question "Well if not Randolph, then who?" Mostly people don't care who comes in, as long as Willie is gone. The loudest name I've heard come out of these discussions is Frank Robinson.

I always hear the complaints that Willie doesn't have emotion, that he doesn't have "fire," that he's as boring as tofu. To solve this, you want to put a 73 year old man at the helm?

Robinson was a great manager, but not anymore. He's too old, too frail. He falls asleep during games in the dugout. He's done with managing! When he managed his last game with the Nationals, he said he was done. He wanted a front office job, not to take over another team.

If you think this team doesn't have heart and Willie should be fired (which I don't), Frank Robinson is not your answer.