For the first time since getting fired as Mets manager Willie Randolph spoke to the media. Randolph was a unannounced guest at Old-Timers Day this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Willie spoke in generalities but he did let a few emotions slip when he spoke about some of the players he managed while the skipper of the Mets:

“There’s a lot of people that I really have a great affection for — David Wright and Damion Easley and Marlon Anderson and those guys,” Randolph said. “Aaron Heilman, those are my guys. There’s a big part of me, and that’s my team. I led that team back to where it is today, so you don’t just let that go. Obviously, I want them to do well because that’s the team I lived and died with for the last three years…”I was fortunate enough to have a job with the Mets, and I came there for a reason — that was to help them win the world championship. All that other stuff doesn’t really matter. It’s about reaching goals and winning championships.”

Yesterday in an interview on WFAN Ron Darling said that Willy basically lost the clubhouse. Darling more than implied that Willie and ex-pitching coach Rick Peterson’s words were falling on deaf ears and that Jerry Manuel’s fresh and challenging approach was what the Mets needed:

“They won’t publicly say it, the Mets don’t do that, they don’t publicly do anything, So they won’t publicly say anything. I will say this, there was no communication between Willie and Delgado and at times, I think that by Willie’s, let’s say, silence over the inability for Delgado to get hot, kind of rang true, spoke very loudly, right?

When Manuel took over he said he would replace Delgado late in games for defensive purposes and that he would play guys who were hitting even if they were not so called full-time players. After a recent game, Delagado made a very nice defensive play. Delagdo told the media after that game, “yeah, I got my uniform dirty for that one”, it was an obvious shot at Randolph because of an earlier comment Willie had made to the media about Carlos not hustling on defense and Willie used the same “uniform dirty quote”.

Darling thinks Manuel’s approach motivated Delgado as apposed to Willie maybe alienating his first base slugger, Darling said,

“You know what happened: It hurt Delgado’s feelings and he came out firing,…Whatever happened, somehow he lost the clubhouse and that message from Rick and from Willie became old…Competition amongst this team has made them better, and I think that a lot of that has to be on Manuel”

What helped the Mets turn things around I’m not smart enough to know. What I do know is it is a pleasure to listen to Jerry Manuel after games. The changes he has made, whether they are loosening up some of the rules ie: kids in the clubhouse, more music, facial hair and defined bullpen roles, so far so good. I have no animosity towards Willie. I always hoped he would be the one to guide the Mets to some playoff success or at least get them there this season. I didn’t want his Met managerial career to end with the taste of last year’s collapse everlasting but sadly it will. I’m glad he looks at D. Wright and some others as “his guys”. I hope, like he said, “I was fortunate to have a job with the Mets” because when it really comes down to it there was plenty of blame to go around for the horror of last season’s finish.

Willie Randolph quotes via MLB.com

Ron Darling quotes via WFAN and NYPost

I will have Lynn Cohen, wife of Gary Cohen, on tonight to talk about the inspiration behind the garykeithandron.com website.  She will also talk about the guys charities as well as her most memorable Gary call of his career.

Tim Grubbs, New Orleans Zephyrs broadcaster, will give insight into the Mets new coaches as well as talk about players such as Val Pascucci, Jose Valentin, and Tony Armas among others. Its great insight as to what Mets fans can expect in terms of reinforcements from the AAA squad.

To listen live at 6pm click HERE or go to the NY BASEBALL DIGEST ARCHIVE to download the replay.

This recent stretch of bad road for the Mets has been hard to take. Enduring the losses can really wear on ones patience. Part of being able to cope with all the losing comes with having someone to put it in perspective and also try and add a little levity to the situation, along with keeping it interesting. The SNY booth has done just that, with their solid analysis by Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling and Gary Cohen.

I especially enjoyed Keith moving down to sit directly behind home plate, giving him a unique perspective on the game than the one he usually sees up in the booth. Keith was able to give us a better feel for how each pitcher was throwing, and in his own special way that we have come to know and love.

I also appreciate the fact that SNY is so open to trying new things, such as the calls to the booth, and allowing Gary to fulfill his dream of broadcasting a game from the upper deck behind home plate. Their willingness to do something different makes watching Mets games, whether or not you are a Mets fan, a unique and enjoyable experience.

While the losses mounted, I felt like I had an old friend there in Keith, Gary and Ron to rationalize and endure the losing with. I feel pretty lucky as a fan to have these guys calling the games and lending their entertaining personalities to what has been a rough two weeks.

Ted Berg on SNY.tv writes a great column of how he came to forgive Ron Darling for a formative moment in a Mets fan’s life. Darling discusses how even the best teams and players can falter at the most inopportune times, and how for all our endless analysis, “Baseball games and seasons are often decided by good timing or dumb luck”.

Darling not only reminded me that anything can happen in baseball; he demonstrated that baseball is as redeeming as it is damning. That he could move on from his bad start in 1988 and the Mets could move on from their tragic finish in 2007.

The Mets, and Darling, broke my heart too in 1988. It was the first time I felt real, soul-aching pain as a fan of my beloved Mets. It was like the first time a girl broke your heart and you never forget that feeling.

I too have since forgiven the Mets, and Darling, and its what allowed me to get some perspective about last year. Baseball is a funny game, and nothing is promised to you, no matter how perfect things appear to be. 

There are moments of great joy and tremendous pain, but winter ends, spring begins and we start all over again. 

Ron Darling has signed a contract extension with SNY to continue on with his work with the station, including up in the booth during games, and the various pre/post game, in studio, etc etc type of stuff. No word yet on the lenght of the extension, just that its mulityear.

Maybe I'm biased, but I think they have the best booth in baseball.  Between their knowledge of the game itself and of the team to the fact that the three of them play so well off of each other. They know and enjoy what they do and it shows, and this move to keep that booth going is a good one.  Ron brings a good pitchers perspective up there and seems to have a bit more patience than Keith.

Pat Reichart at the NY Post is reporting that former Met ace Ron Darling is expected to sign a 3 year contract extension that would keep him in the booth for SNY, though it has not yet been finalized.

I think this is great news. Ron, Keith and Gary seem to play off each other very well and seem to geuinenly like each other.  While Ron doesn't seem to be as willing to say everything on his mind that Keith does, as a former pitcher he's able to bring the analysis of the pitching performance and mindset that Keith cannot. The three of them together, especially during the harder to watch games, makes it easier to keep with it.

The Yankees are showing interest in 1B-3B Shea Hillenbrand.

Yankees P Scott Proctor might be moved to the rotation for 2007.

The A’s have promoted bench coach Bob Geren to be the clubs next manager.

The Red Sox are showing interest in former Expos and Brewers P Tomo Ohka, who was a former prospect in the Red Sox organization.

SS Alex Gonzalez has been offered a 3-year, $15 million contract from either the White Sox or Reds.

A’s owner Lewis Wolff said the club will consider bringing in OF Barry Bonds to replace the all-but departed DH Frank Thomas.

The Orioles could persue either Mariners 1B Richie Sexson or Reds OF Adam Dunn this winter.

The Cubs are open to trading C Michael Barrett for some pitching help.

The Astros and Rockies have discussed a trade that would bring P Jason Jennings to Houston while sending either OF/2B Chris Burke or P Brad Lidge to Colorado.

The Mets are showing interest in P Adam Eaton, but his agent says he believes the Mets have Eaton as a “backup choice”.

SNY had former Met Lee Mazelli in their headquarters for an interview yesterday. It is believed he would work during Mets broadcasts.

The Red Sox could try to convince P Roger Clemens to return to Boston to be the teams closer.

Bob Raissman gives kudos to Ron Darling for his open critique of Rick Peterson's tendancy to be long winded when working with his pitchers.

Raissman goes on to say that SNY is a breath of fresh air for allowing opinions that don't toe the party line, much like the other network in town.