On the Mets beat

Willie Randolph learned a lot about baseball and about dealing with his players while coaching under Joe Torre. But the Mets’ manager has never quite embraced the give-and-take with reporters the way the Yankees’ manager has. Torre is the best subject this blogger has ever dealt with in that department. Randolph? He’s fine one-on-one; not always so great in the group. So tonight’s display during his pre-game session with the media is noteworthy, to say the least.

Late in a session that already had run longer than usual, Randolph was discussing the new members of his bullpen and how their roles are constantly evolving. He said that the first third of the season is “a feeling-out period” for Ambiorix Burgos, Scott Schoenweis and Joe Smith. “We’ll find out where guys fit and how they’ll handle different situations,” Randolph said. “This is the time to do it. All the games are important, but let’s find out now, to help us win the race later.”

At that point, Jay Horwitz, the Mets’ long-time vice president of media relations, tried to wrap things up saying, “Anything else guys?” But Randolph was still talking and he cracked a big smile and barked, “Shut up, Jay! I’m not finished yet.”

Reporters got a big laugh out of that. First, because the genial Horwitz is often a willing brunt of jokes; second, because they were delighted to see Randolph willing to keep talking. The manager’s concluding thought was about how he won’t be predictable in how he uses his relievers and won’t commit to specific roles for any of them other than closer Billy Wagner, who gets the ninth. That means it could be a rotation system for who gets the eighth inning depending on the hot pitcher or a specific matchup.

“Seventh inning? Eighth inning? I don’t buy into that,” Randolph said. “I tell the guys, don’t trip about spots or times I call you. When the phone rings, get ready. I’m not here to make you comfortable. I’m here to win ballgames. You have to be flexible. I’m not going to be by the book.”