No longer is Willie Randolph managing the Mets. Randolph said he still roots for the Mets, but wants to get past his Shea days.
PHOTO GALLERY: Old-Timer’s Day
Yanks Hand Halos Old-Time Beating
Yesterday, Randolph was actually pure pinstripes, returning to Yankee Stadium as an honored guest for Old-Timers’ Day. Randolph, a former Yankee player, coach and executive, was showered with cheers by the Bronx fans, and admitted afterward that being a Yankee never truly left him.
“I’ve been away for a while,” he said, “but I think my heart and soul’s always been here.”
At last month’s All-Star Game, Randolph was a guest of the Steinbrenners, but he blew off the media completely. Yesterday, he was both accommodating and open.
Wearing his old No. 30 Yankee jersey, Randolph indicated he only follows the Mets when it’s convenient.
“I’m a New Yorker, I’m here. I don’t rush home to turn the TV on or anything like that,” he said.
“If the girls or my wife are watching something on TV, they’ll watch it and I’ll flip back and forth maybe even once in a while. But no, I’m looking forward to moving past all of that to where it’s not a central point in my life. So I’m just a regular dude.”
Since being fired late on June 16, the view of Randolph’s managerial work has probably worsened because of how the Mets have succeeded in his absence.
It may be hard for Randolph to watch the Mets thrive now. But he denied that was true.
“No, I have a lot of people there that I really have a big affection for,” he said. “David Wright and [Damion] Easley and Marlon [Anderson] and those guys, Aaron [Heilman].”
“Those are my guys. And a big part of me feels that’s my team. “Listen, I [led] that team back to where it is today. You don’t just let that go. Obviously I want them to do well because that’s the team that I’ve lived and died with for the last three years. That doesn’t change anything.”
What also doesn’t change is Randolph’s career as a Yankee, and yesterday he received huge cheers when introduced. He tipped his cap multiple times and tapped his chest, as if showing how much he appreciated ovation.
Randolph said he’d “love to manage again,” though he said it has to be the right situation.
As far as working for the Yankees again, GM Brian Cashman said the issue isn’t currently on the front burner, saying, “It’s just great to see him. But that’s really all I can say.”
David Wells admitted at Old-Timers’ Day that he’s basically done playing.
“I’m not going to officially do it,” he said of retiring. “I’m just going to just ride off into the sunset.”
The 45-year-old Wells pitched last year for the Padres and Dodgers but said yesterday he didn’t get any takers this season. He claimed when you’re finished playing “you want them to kick you out and I guess they did.”
As for the new Yankee Stadium being built, Wells said, “It looks good, but it’s not Yankee Stadium. … Maybe it’ll put the baseball gods to rest. I don’t think they can have as much success in that one as they did in this one.”