Here's the official release involving Willie Randolph's new contract. What do you think? DId Randolph deserve an extension or should the Mets have waited to see how this season unfolds?
METS SIGN WILLIE RANDOLPH TO A NEW 3-YEAR CONTRACT
The New York Mets today announced that Manager Willie Randolph signed a new three-year contract with a club option for 2010. Randolph was to have been paid $700,000 in 2007, but under the terms of the new deal, he will receive $1.4 million this year, $2 million in 2008 and $2.25 million in 2009. The club option for 2010 is $2.5 million.
“I’m happy that we have reached an agreement with Willie to extend his contract,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. “The team has made great strides over the last two years and we are looking for bigger and better things in 2007.”
Randolph guided New York to the National League East title in 2006 with a 97-65 record. He is 180-144 in two seasons with the Mets. Willie has made 18 trips to the post-season as a player, coach and manager and has been part of six World Series titles (1977 and 1978 as a player and 1996, 1998-2000 as a coach).
“We’ve accomplished a lot in my first two years,” said Randolph. “I’m excited about continuing what we have started. We are working very hard to attain our ultimate goal, a World Championship for our City and our fans.”
Randolph became the 18th manager in franchise history on November 4, 2004. He won his 150th career game on August 8th last year in his 273rd game, becoming the second-fastest Mets manager to 150 victories. Only Davey Johnson got to 150 wins faster (264 games).
Randolph batted .276 (2,210-8,018) with 316 doubles, 65 triples, 687 RBI with 271 stolen bases in 2,202 major league games with the Pirates, Yankees, Dodgers, Athletics, Brewers and Mets. Willie has played more games at second base (1,688) than any other player in Yankees’ history and turned the third most double plays in baseball history among second basemen. Randolph was named to six All-Star teams (1976-1977, 1980-1981, 1987 and 1989) during his 18-year major league career.
He became the ninth manager in club history who also played with the Mets, joining: Gil Hodges, Yogi Berra, Roy McMillian, Joe Torre, Bud Harrelson, Mike Cubbage, Dallas Green and Bobby Valentine.
Randolph hit .252 (72-286) with 11 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 15 RBI in 90 contests with the Mets in 1992, his last season in the majors. The following year, he was named the Yankees’ Assistant General Manager. From 1994-2004, Willie was a coach with the Yankees, serving as the third base coach for the first 10 seasons before serving under Joe Torre as the bench coach in 2004.
Comments (4)
Willie Randolph deserves the contract extension. Not too long ago the Mets were a laughingstock, and are now an elite team. Fred and Jeff Wilpon realized what they had and were smart enough to keep him locked up.
Rick Assad
Willies critics complain about in game manangement mistakes. Lets face it all managers make mistakes. But lets not forget that Willie brought an air of prfessionalism the Mets were lacking in the way they approached the game. And his team never quits as was evidenced in 2005; first with the way they responded to the losing streak to open the season anas well as when they fell out of the race later in the year. The players respond to him and play hard from beginning to end with in the game and for an entire season. Job well done Willie, congrats on you new contract. Keep up the good work. Lets go Mets!
There can be no dought that the best thing that happened to the Mets is Willie Randolph. In two years he has taken a bad team and made it a competetive club. I believe his winning association with The Yankees has allowed him to turn these losers into players who don't quit.
Way to go Willie, Good Luck in 2007.
I have a baseball signed by many players whom I don't know Roy McMillian is one of the names I can make out. can you help me. Joyce Cruse, 225-926-8907. Thank You