Willie Randolph
An understated player, smooth second baseman Willie Randolph was an integral component of the championship Yankee teams of the 1970s and early 1980s. Utilizing speed and patience at the plate, Randolph earned six All-Star appearances and played in four World Series. Eventually he outlasted most of his more famous teammates and was named Yankee captain. He lost nothing offensively as he grew older, and was just as effective in his 30s as he was in his 20s. After his playing career ended, Randolph coached under Joe Torre for several years for the Yankees before being named manager of the Mets in 2004.
Played For
Pittsburgh Pirates (1975)
New York Yankees (1976-1988)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-1990)
Oakland Athletics (1990)
Milwaukee Brewers (1991)
New York Mets (1992)
All-Time Rankings
Willie Randolph ranks #23 among the Top 50 all-time at 2B. Rankings ⇒
Where He Played
Second base
As a Manager
When Randolph's Mets blew a seven-game N.L. East lead in the last ten days of the 2007 season, his fate as their manager was sealed. In May of 2008, with his club looking up at the Phillies in the standings, Randolph was on shaky ground and reports swirled that he would be replaced. He received a lukewarm vote of confidence from GM Omar Minaya, but by June, Randolph was on the hot seat again. With the Mets under .500 and in fourth place, Minaya fired Randolph on June 17 with the team in Anaheim. His .544 winning percentage ranked second on the Mets' all-time list, trailing only Davey Johnson. Reports were that Randolph's laid-back style, both a result of his quite personality and his years learning at the side of Joe Torre, were unacceptable to the Mets front office, who wanted things shaken up when the team played poorly.
Born
Willie Larry Randolph was born on July 6, 1954, in Holly Hill, SC.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: NYA
Major League Debut
July 29, 1975
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1975
Willie Randolph
Jack Clark
Chet Lemon
Craig Reynolds
Dennis Eckersley
Roy Smalley
Ron Guidry
Donnie Moore
Lyman Bostock
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1998 |
BBWAA |
5 |
1.1% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1975 National League Championship Series
1976 American League Championship Series
1976 World Series
1977 American League Championship Series
1977 World Series
1980 American League Championship Series
1981 American League Division Playoffs
1981 American League Championship Series
1981 World Series
1990 American League Championship Series
1990 World Series
All-Star Selections
1976 AL
1977 AL
1980 AL
1981 AL
1987 AL
1989 NL
Best Strength as a Player
Randolph, even at an early age, had a great knowledge of the strike zone. He was also a high-percentage basestealer.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Of course, he had very little power, but in Yankee Stadium on the teams he played for, that didn't matter too much. According to some contemporary reports, Randolph was below average on the pivot from second.
Learn More about Willie Randolph
Search Amazon.com for Books about Willie Randolph ⇒
Search for Willie Randolph at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
