This post comes from a post asking about Willie’s dealings with the press:
Willie doesn’t get it when it comes to dealing with the media. He didn’t learn anything from Joe Torre. He doesn’t like or trust us, and this is more on him being paranoid than anything anybody ever did to him. He’s supersensitive to criticism, and I maintain this is because he felt he was unfairly treated in previous job interviews.
Randolph has been around long enough to know what is expected from the manager and still doesn’t do the basic things.
Something simple, for example, like a set time to talk with the press. Most every manager in the major leagues talks at a set time, but not Randolph. He talks whenever he damn well pleases, and it is annoying. It’s a sign of disrespect to us, whose papers spend thousands of dollars to cover the Mets.
There will come a time when Randolph will want the benefit of doubt, but won’t get it because of how he deals with people. Randolph basically makes things harder on himself than he needs to.
17 Comments
Why should he like or trust the media?
It’s not likable or trustworthy.
I think you missed the point it is not about like or trust.
He simply has no respect for the working media.
They have a job to do and he simply thinks it’s beneath him
to be professional about.
btw
watch Joe Torre
he is very professional in the way he deals with the media
joel sherman didn’t do anything to willie? how about an article slamming willie saying that player agents and executives said willie was losing the confidence of the players and executives? the article didn’t even have any QUOTES. it did, but they were actually supportive of willie.
there are some very good people in the media. there are also some who want a story. maybe willie remembers the reggie stuff from the 70’s…the straw that stirs the drink.
that being said, he should treat the writers with respect esp. with the interview time. that’s wrong. you guys have a job to do and have lives. you shouldn’t have to be waiting around for him
by the way, i include you in the good people john.
What about all of the things that the media puts players through??
Does Paul Lo Duca’s personal life ring a bell?
No offense John, but most members of the media don’t deserve any respect. They only care about their next story, and selling more papers or ratings, regardless of who their stories hurt.
It’s gotta be a 2 way street, or no crying.
“There’s no crying in baseball”
John –
OK, now I understand. First, does everyone in the media/press recognize there is a problem? Are there standard times before and after games that are used in all other clubhouses?
You are an understanding person, and you have written a very clear picture that the problem is Willie’s. I have heard Willie’s interviews elsewhere and he is very cautious.
How is Omar with the media? Is he comfortable – does he prevaricate? Would he address this issue with Willie on the behalf of the press corps?
The previous response notwithstanding, it is in every one’s best interests to have good media relations – moreso now in the Internet Age than ever before. It is in no one’s best interest to have misleading information given to the media – ever.
We’re at the end of the season and life will be chaotic before long. Why not talk it over with your friends in the press box and see if you can come up with a plan moving forward?
Well JD if you think it is a problem, then shouldn’t Omar be the one to correct it?
My wish for tonight is to see Willy Randolph get thrown out by the umpire by the third inning. It would hopefully ignite some passion and life from these players.
it’s got to be frustrating being a journalist and following this team. willie’s answers during pre and post games never lead to any information. he never informs the press when he’s had a team meeting let alone what’s been discussed. secondly it has to tough to always goto wright or loduca as the only position players for soundbites.
JD: I am empathetic towards the reporters covering the Mets and I think Willie shouldn’t be so difficult dealing with you guys. But I remember before he was hired, Francessa was saying on the FAN how defensive Willie was with the media. Apparently at the time Willie held some long-time grudge against M&MD and wouldn’t even do interviews with them. My point is that this was Willie’s reputation. Did Omar consider this? Is Omar a bad judge of people? It’s too bad, and I hope it doesn’t color some of your opinions of him that are strictly baseball related. A person like that doesn’t change his personality. But maybe someone can say some things to Horowitz if you already haven’t. Perhaps it’ll make Willie a little more accommodating in the future.
As for El Duque, I don’t think there was any intent on the part of the Mets to hide anything. It sounds reasonable that El Duque might say things to the media that he hasn’t told management yet. I remember when he was with the Yankees, he’d frustrate Joe Torre and Cashman all the time with his various aches and pains. You probably weren’t covering them when he was there. But ask one of your colleagues who was covering the Yankees at the time and I’m sure they’ll confirm it.
Willie Randolph’s responsibility, first and foremost, is to the media. Thanks for reminding us.
It seems to me that Willie loves to talk when things are good, and when they are bad, he can’t be bothered. He knows NY and he knew how it was gonna be when he took the job. It does not surprise me at all that rumors abound that Willie is loosing the team. It seems as though his fire is lost, just like the players. He needs to find a way to spark his team. If they loose this lead and do not make the playoffs Willie will never hear the end of it. IF he doesn’t like dealing with the media now, just think whatit will be like then.
JD: Is it true that Willie is just ornery when the team is losing? I bet he’s always like that. I mean, he doesn’t all of a sudden turn into a charming garrulous fellow when they win, does he? In other words, Willie is consistent.
God knows, Willie is more courteous with the press than I would be. The press, in general, is more interested in creating a story (or the news) than they are in reporting what actually happens. We are given selected snippets of what might be said, and are told “what he/she was really saying”. I’m not a friggin idiot; I don’t need an interpreter to tell me what someone said.
I realize that the manager is in many ways the face of the ball club. Yes, it’s important that the manager has a good rapour with the press, but that is a two way street. Don’t stab the man repeatedly and then expect him to be 100% forthcoming. What happens behind closed clubhouse doors is for the teams consumption alone. Sorry, I don’t believe in “The publics right to know”. I’ve never seen that in the Constitution.
IMO as long as Willie spends some time each day with the press, and is civil with them, there is no issue. Yes, it’s true, if Willie does’nt kiss the medias collective butts they will make his life difficult, but his primary job is to manage his club and win ballgames. As long as he treats each journalist fairly, and consistantly he is doing his job.
Having said this, Mr. Delcos, from reading your blog all season I think while you’ve been critical of Willie, you’ve reported enthusiastically(sp) and pretty much on the line. He has been given no reason to trust the media, and as in life, the innocent tend to suffer with the guilty.
“There will come a time when Randolph will want the benefit of doubt, but won’t get it because of how he deals with people.”
And this is why many smart sports fans have shied away from traditional sports reporting and toward other ways to get info on their teams, such as blogs, message boards etc… Who the hell are you?!? You’re basically saying that you will skew your reporting to the teams fans because YOU feel YOU were treated unfairly by the media. Boo f’ing hoo. There’s no crying in baseball. Baby.
JoeC,
I believe JD was stating a fact as he sees it. Not that he will go after Willie.