Willie's Staying
New York Mets manager Willie Randolph did a lot of losing the last month of the season, but one thing he wont lose is his job. Mets general manager Omar Minaya announced yesterday that New York [will retain Randolph], despite the teams [historic September collapse](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/sports/baseball/01mets.html?_r=2&ref=baseball&oref=slogin&oref=slogin). I do believe that Willie is going to continue to work hard, Minaya said. I do believe that Willie's passion for winning is there.
A clean-shaven Randolph held a press conference in the bowels of Shea Stadium yesterday and explained his new look. Its not a good time to be recognized in this town, he joked. Hoping to slip by and dodge a few daggers. He did get more serious, however, expressing his frustrations over the teams monumental meltdown. It's been tough sleeping the last couple of nights, trying to come to grips with what's happened, he said. Ive always been associated with winning and it hurts deep down inside, it really hurts to be associated with this type of collapse.
Many Mets fans blamed Randolph for the collapse, attributing the Mets lackluster performance down the stretch to his refusal to panic and to admit that anything was wrong. Both baseball analysts and New Yorkers felt he had more than enough chances to raise his voice and reenergize them. Instead, however, he remained quiet and kept telling the media were going to be fine.
Randolph, who grew up in Brooklyn, replaced Art Howe as New York's manager in 2004. The Mets went 83-79 that year and 97-65 last season, matching the Yankees for the best record in the major leagues. They came within one out of the World Series before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in the National League Championship Series.