COSTA MESA, Calif. — Willie Randolph met with the media for less than a minute at the team hotel prior to returning to New York as a former Mets manager.
“I’m just very disappointed that I’m not going to be able to fulfill my what my dream is, to come here and help this team win a world championship,” Randolph said.
“I miss my players, the good fans, and I’m really sorry I wasn’t able to fulfill what I really said I wanted to do here and get this team to a world championship. That’s what I’ve always been about. It’s very, very difficult right now, but I’m ready to move on.”
Randolph, fired hours after a 9-6 win over the Angels in California, the team’s third in its past four games, said he did not expect to be let go.
“I was stunned by it,” Randolph said. “I was surprised by it.”
VACCARO: Midnight Massacre An Amazin’ Act Of Cowardice
SHERMAN’S HARDBALL BLOG: The Willie Is Fired Edition
VOTE: Did the Mets handle Willie’s firing properly?
Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first-base coach Tom Nieto were notified by GM Omar Minaya at the team hotel in Costa Mesa, Calif.
“I just want to say that I came here five years ago, and Fred and Jeff [Wilpon] gave me a wonderful opportunity,” said Peterson, who left Oakland to come East to be with his children. “I appreciated the opportunity, and they welcomed me into their home. Homes go through renovations, and sometimes you have to make changes when things don’t go that well, and I’m part of that change.
“I totally understand that … I grew up in the baseball business. I’m the hardwood floor that’s getting ripped out, and they’re going to bring in the Tuscany tile.”
Peterson will be replaced by Dan Werthan, who takes over an inconsistent Mets staff.
“There’s a lot of guys on the right track, and I hope they stay on the right track,” Peterson said. “And there’s a lot of guys that are off track that I hope Danny Warthen can get them back on track.”