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Willie Randolph was on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog program today.
Did the meeting on Monday bring any closure?
“In my mind it did we have to continue to go out and win ball games, nothing is etched in stone, I understand that. We talked (he and the Wilpon’s) and put closure to it in our minds but we really talked a lot about the team. We talked about how we can get better.”
Was he disappointed that they didn’t commit long term?
“I felt all along that I’m the guy, but obviously I’m going to be here if we continue to play well and if we don’t then they have a decision to make. I didn’t need to hear that cause my focus and my main concern is to get this team pointed in the right direction.”
Do your Coaches and Players feel like this is your team and that you are not going anywhere?
“I think they do today. Initially I’m sure there was a little uncomfortableness around the ballpark that particular day. My coaches were concerned and I could sense my players were a little on their heels that day. We had a nice meeting, I told my players that my situation was not their concern. Just to focus on playing baseball. We just need to play the way we are capable of playing that’s the bottom line. I just challenged them all because we need to be accountable if we get the job done then all this stuff will go away.”
Which loss last week was the worst?
“Well, I thought the sweep in Atlanta, you can’t get swept like that. We came off the great series against the Yankees… we should have gone in there and played better than that. Three in a row would have been bad but you can’t lose four in a row.”
Asked about Jose Reyes?
“It’s funny, it could be focus because you lack confidence. I think with Jose sometimes he tries so hard and he tries to do so much that it backfires on. When you try to do too much even in the field you start to make mistakes. You try too hard, too quick, you try to do too much, He’s gonna be fine, his game is just so high speed, he just gets a little out of kilter.”
On Carlos Delgado:
“I spoke to him yesterday, I told him you’re struggling you need to exhale. Go out in the cage, don’t overwork, just clear your mind, I’m gonna give you a couple of days and he’ll probably be back in there tomorrow. It’s very rare that you can win without your four and five guys not hitting.”
Asked if he was nervous before Monday’s meeting?
“No, I was a little concerned about how I may react. I know I have a temper and I’m passionate about what I do and I’m very proud of who I am and what I do for this ball club and this organization. I just wanted to express myself and let them express themselves. I wasn’t nervous I was just making sure that I didn’t lose my cool.”
You think you’ve been given a fair deal?
“Yeah, every time we get together, Fred and Jeff just want to make this team better. They always listen to suggestions and they always ask how can we help you guys get better and that’s all you can ask from your ownership.”
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