It's Over....

The Mets fired Willie Randolph. And pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto.
Here's a link to the SI.com story.

Apparently at about 3 a.m. Eastern time this morning. AFTER the Mets beat the Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim or whatever the fuck that first place team is called.

The right move ? Probably was, but it really should have been made back in October of 2007. I'm not saying t5hat everything that happened was Willie's fault5, but the fact is, something more drastic than trading for Santana needed to be done after that collapse. And firing Randolph probably would have been the thing to do.

But again, the Mets do what is probably the right thing, but end up making themselves look like douchebags in doing it. Why drag the man out to L.A. to fire him ?

I have read some speculation that Minaya wanted to keep Willie, but that info was leaked in order to force his hand.

I have also heard speculation that they decided to fire the coaches and Willie said, "If they go, I go." Obviously, I don't know. Maybe we'll find out more later today.

The one thing I think this does do is put Omar Minaya on the hot seat. If this change doesn't turn the season around, then does that mean that the team as constructed is the problem ? Wouldn't that then be Mr. Minaya's fault ?

I tell you what i wish, I just wish that this bunch of guys could have gone on a real winning streak a month ago and saved Willie's job(though I cannot help wondering if his fate was not really sealed when he implied that racism played a role both in what he perceived as his negative portrayal on SNY, and in the general criticism of him as a manager.).

I like Willie, I do. And I really did want the Mets to win with him as manager. I just don't think that was possible anymore. And that makes me a little sad.

It will be interesting to see what happens now. And maybe we'll get lucky, and Hank Steinbrenner will open his mouth again, and take some heat off of the Mets.