Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rough Times for Willie Randolph
By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2008
Modified May 22, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2008
Modified May 22, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It was another Mets loss last night which means more questions about the fate of manager Willie Randolph. Lately, Randolph has been weathering fallout from comments he made earlier this week, suggesting SNY's camerawork of him was a little too negative.
Randolph wondered, to the Bergen Record's Ian O'Connor, why the media was okay with former Yankees manager Joe Torre's very laidback dugout demeanor, "Is it racial? Huh? It smells a little bit." Then he talked about being a black mananger/coach in professional sports.
Asked directly if he believes black managers are held to different standards than their white counterparts, Randolph said: "I don't know how to put my finger on it, but I think there's something there. Herman Edwards did pretty well here and he won a couple of playoff [games], and they were pretty hard on Herm. Isiah [Thomas] didn't do a great job, but they beat up Isiah pretty good. ... I don't know if people are used to a certain figurehead. There's something weird about it."
"I think it's very important ... that I handle myself in a way that the [African-American managers] coming behind me will get the opportunities, too ... ."
Yesterday, Randolph claimed he thought the comments were off-the-record and apologized, "I shouldn't have said what I said. It was a mistake...I take full responsibility for what I said out of frustration, and hope that we can put closure to this matter and focus on winning some baseball games."
The NY Times' Richard Sandomir took the "Willie Randolph Television Challenge" to see if Randolph was portrayed negatively on SNY. And Torre said he felt bad for Randolph, "It's a tough market. Willie is a good man, he's had success as a player and a manager. Unfortunately, with what happened last year, he's having to endure some things tough to endure."
Tonight, the Mets play the Braves in Atlanta--you can see it on SNY.
Tagged
baseball
controversy
mets
sny
sports
willie randolph
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Hochul, Blakeman offer opposing visions for jobs to stem New York exodus
A million New Yorkers have moved across state lines since 2020 due to the cost of living.
By
Jimmy Vielkind
Published Oct 15, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Hannah-Jones, NYC schools chancellor set to speak at high-stakes integration town hall
The prominent journalist crossed paths with Kamar Samuels years ago due to problems at her daughter's elementary school.
By
Jessica Gould
News
Hannah-Jones, NYC schools chancellor set to speak at high-stakes integration town hall
The prominent journalist crossed paths with Kamar Samuels years ago due to problems at her daughter's elementary school.
By
Jessica Gould
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
By
Charles Lane
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .