One criticism of Willie Randolph that many express is that Randolph doesn’t seem to show enough emotion, enough fight during games. We’re often told that Willie has a “quiet intensity” which is hard to see. Whatever the case, rarely will you see Randolph visibly angry during a game. He ain’t no Bobby Cox. During an interview on WFAN Wednesday Randolph may have actually given us a hint as to why he doesn’t show much fight.
Randolph was discussing the play in Chicago where the Cubs’ Derek Bell reached out and grabbed a ground ball in foul territory while Bell was leading off of third base. Under MLB rules Bell should have been called out for touching the ball. Angel Hernandez didn’t call Bell out, and there was nary a wimpy from Randolph in the dugout. Here’s Randolph’s explanation why:
“Well, when I first saw it I jumped on it right away I jumped up on the top step to see if Angel (Hernandez) was going to call something there. I know that with Angel it’s like fighting a losing battle . . . the night before he was at home plate and I was all over his case and so he didn’t want to see my face, I probably would have gotten thrown out right away . . .when it happened I looked at Angel and pointed to him and he just kind of threw his hands up and you know there was no point in fighting him cause he didn’t call it.
There was no point in fighting because he might have gotten thrown out. GOD FORBID!!!
Willie’s hesistancy to be combative when his team is being raped by Angel Hernandez is not exactly General-like. More importantly, it may give some insight into the generally uncombative nature and lack of fight the Mets often exhibit on the field. The troops truly do reflect the temperment of their leader.
UPDATE(10:35 PM): We told you we’re good. As if he had read this post, Bobby Cox gets thrown out of the game tonight in the third inning and his team settles down, fights back to take the lead, and wins the game. Willie Randolph sits in the dugout and, well, I don’t know what else he can do. One thing Willie is sure of is that THIS IS NOT A SLUMP. At least that’s what he said during the post-game press conference. If only getting two hits in a game isn’t slumping, what is? At this point ostriches are jealous of Willie’s ability to stick his head in the ground.
