Willie Randolph Fired

Major League Baseball manager Willie Randolph was fired by the New York Mets on June 17, 2008.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya's 2:00 p.m. announcement of the move made Randolph the first MLB coach to be fired in the 2008 season.¹

Fast Facts

1. Interim replacement: Jerry Manuel
2. Two other Mets coaches fired at same time, Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto²
3. Actually notified of the firing at 3:11 a.m. the morning before³
4. Fired 2 1/2 months into 2008 season
5. First MLB coach fired in 2008 season¹
6. Fired after victory over Los Angeles Angels
7. Had replaced Art Howe in 2005
8. Mets' first African American manager¹

Willie Randolph's Career

Willie Randolph played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics before becoming the manager of the New York Mets in 2005.

In 1980, Randolph won the Silver Slugger Award. He was a six-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion.

Willie Randolph Fast Facts

1. Born: July 6, 1954
2. Birthplace: Holly Hill, South Carolina
3. Played second base
4. Batted and threw right-handed
5. Finished career with .276 batting average

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