XM MLB Chat: Keith Hernandez with Mike and Chris on WFAN re Willie Randolph

Hernandez says he's a Willie Randolph fan, he's done a good job, and if you want to compare him to Joe Torre, Torre had one big thing Willie doesn't:

Veteran players who set an example in the clubhouse.

Hernandez doesn't name individual offenders , but Delgado and Beltran come to mind. (I understand they've both had injuries, but the discussion is about the clubhouse). He cites Yankee clubhouse influences for Torre as Jeter, Posada, and Bernie Williams-I understand Williams was quiet, and his lack of attentiveness and rush to get out of the clubhouse were discussed in later years, but he was something of an influence for many regular and post seasons and was at least not disdainful of his place. Hernandez doesn't cite what Bill Madden has reported as the reasons Randolph can't influence the clubhouse:

Fred Wilpon

Jeff Wilpon (Born on third base and thinks he hit a home run.* Jim Dolan without a guitar).

Omar Minaya

Tony Bernazard

(*This definition courtesy of commenter James).

Bill Madden, NY Daily News: 10/3/07:

"What is unique about Bernazard's situation with the Mets is that no other assistant GM, let alone GM, spends as much time in the clubhouse - which is supposed to be the manager's domain - as he does.
After Gomez was thrown out stealing third for the final out in the ninth inning against the Marlins in Miami on Sept. 21,
Bernazard was immediately at the kid's locker after the game - which could not have been very settling to Randolph..."

Reference, NY Daily News aarticle by Bill Madden, "Willie Randolph Gets Backing but Shouldn't Feel Comfortable," 10/3/07

Reference, NY Daily News article by Bill Madden, "Willie Randolph Catching too much Heat for Mets' Slump," 9/23/07From Madden's 9/23/07 article:

"Rumor has it there is growing disenchantment from above with Randolph, and while no one reporting this has specified the source of this disenchantment, a pretty good guess is COO Jeff Wilpon, who engaged in a contentious, sometimes rancorous contract negotiation with the Mets manager last winter. Those familiar with the mind-set of the team's hierarchy contend the Met bosses believe any manager could have achieved what Randolph did last year, given the talent he had. For that reason, Wilpon strongly resisted giving Randolph the three-year, $5.65 commitment he sought. That Randolph, despite his Brooklyn roots, community involvement and popularity in New York, has never been held in the same esteem as other successful managers is evidenced by the fact that Wilpon and GM Omar Minaya

would allow him to name only one coach - and they unceremoniously fired that one, Rick Down, at midseason this year and replaced him with, of all people, Rickey Henderson.

Henderson was one of the game's greatest players and he combined that with an engaging personality. But as a coach, his contributions have been minimal.

Around the clubhouse, he is jokingly referred to as the card-playing coach, and those close to the situation say

Randolph has had to bite his tongue every day when he arrives at the clubhouse only to see Henderson playing cards with the players.

It should also not be forgotten that Minaya said the hiring of Henderson, former leadoff man/base-stealer extraordinaire, would especially be beneficial to Jose Reyes. Has there been

anyone more disappointing (to use Wilpon's word) than Reyes these past six weeks?

We also hear that Mets brass is regretting not giving Manny Acta the manager's job three years ago. That chatter grew louder last week when Acta's Washington Nationals were pounding the Mets 12-4 and 9-8 in the first two games of their series in D.C. One can only imagine what Randolph must have thought

seeing Mets assistant GM Tony Bernazard openly fraternizing with Acta for nearly an hour before the Mets' games in D.C. in August and then again last Wednesday.

As it is, Bernazard spends way too much time in the Met clubhouse, which is supposed to be the manager's domain.

But as former Mets manager Bobby Valentine - who complained bitterly to ownership about then-GM Steve Phillips constantly holding court in his clubhouse - can attest, around the Mets that's just not the case."...