Associated Press
DENVER ó David Wright defended Mets manager Willie Randolph on Friday night, laying blame for New York’s 22-23 record on the players.
“We don’t want to see Willie get fired,” the All-Star third baseman said before the Mets played the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. “I don’t want to see anyone get blamed for something I’m responsible for. That’s what we feel as players. Willie’s not out there having bad at-bats or making bad pitches, that’s us.”
Randolph is on the hot seat for the Mets’ poor play. New York was swept in a four-game series in Atlanta, fueling speculation that his job is in jeopardy.
“I’m the manager, fair or not, that’s the way it is,” Randolph said. “I don’t feel anyone needs to defend me or really just state the obvious ó the players are ones that have to go out there and play and produce. I’m one of the guys that doesn’t take credit for winning, but I understand because I am the manager, I’ll take the bulk of the blame for losing. I don’t think that’s fair, but that’s the way it is”