Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets fire Randolph; Manuel to lead team in interim — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Willie Randolph is out as manager of the New York Mets, fired in the middle of the night 2½ months into a disappointing season that has followed the team's colossal collapse last September.
Discussion:
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Opinion: I Feel Dirty — As a Mets fan, I'm embarrassed this morning, and I feel a little dirty. — I understand why Willie Randolph was fired. In fact, due to the time I spend talking to people connected to the team, I am probably aware of why he was fired better than most people.
ESPN:
Randolph victim of Mets' circus — The personnel meetings the Mets hold are said by participants to run on for hours, the discussion often turning circular and pointless. And maybe that's when it starts to happen in their organization when they get to the point where the staff members …
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Mets' handling of Willie cowardly — Cowards. — That's what the Mets upper management has become. Huge cowards who care more about appearance, public relations and their own personal reputations than the performance of their team. — Fire your manager via a mass e-mail to the media at 3:11 a.m.?
Discussion:
Big Apple Sports
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets fire Willie Randolph — ANAHEIM - The Mets have fired manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto, the team announced shortly after 3 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday. — Bench coach Jerry Manuel has been named the team's interim manager …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets name Manuel interim manager — Randolph, two coaches let go after win over Angels — ANAHEIM — What took months to develop and weeks to transpire has now become official. The Mets dismissed Willie Randolph and two coaches early Tuesday morning, bringing an abrupt end to the speculation that had enveloped the team all month.
Mike Vaccaro / New York Post:
MIDNIGHT MASSACRE AN AMAZIN' ACT OF COWARDICE — The e-mail was time-stamped 3:14 a.m., Eastern time. In a simpler time, in a different world, maybe the Mets would have succeeded completely in this cowardly purge of their baseball team. Maybe then they would have been able to hold off …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Fire Manager Willie Randolph — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Mets announced early Tuesday morning that they have fired Willie Randolph and replaced him with the bench coach Jerry Manuel. They also fired two of Randolph's coaches, the pitching coach Rick Peterson and the first-base coach Tom Nieto …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding, Faith and Fear in Flushing, Bats, SPORTSbyBROOKS, Deadspin, Walkoff Walk and iYankees
Ted Berg / SNY.tv:
Manuel focus — New skipper deemed ‘fearless’ in Chicago stint — Willie Randolph has been sacked. — Long live Willie Randolph! — It seems like Omar Minaya arrived late to the party, something that has been happening all too frequently. And Omar doesn't just roll in fashionably late …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
After Months of Wavering, Resolution — Hurry, hurry. Step right up. See the saddest show in town. — The stunning news came a little after midnight Pacific time: Willie Randolph, the Mets' 18th manager, had been fired. After months of guessing, of engineering winning streaks and losing streaks, the deed was finally done.
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Remember Phil Hughes? The Yankees Do — Maybe, once again, this is all about Phil Hughes. Remember him? More than Joba Chamberlain, more than Mark Melancon, Hughes was the original “It” player for the future of the Yankees. And he still is. — I asked Brian Cashman on Monday …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Ricky Nolasco joins Pirate as NL Player of Week — SEATTLE - Ricky Nolasco didn't record that elusive complete game, but his 8 2/3-inning win at Tampa on Sunday was enough to garner co- National League Player of the Week honors. — Nolasco, who is sharing the award with Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
A-Rod & Pete Rose are text pals! — Alex Rodriguez, needy superstar, wanted another baseball mentor. Pete Rose, hit king and pariah, needed a baseball outlet and a path to baseball legitimacy. Through the magic of text-messaging, the game's best active player and its all-time hit leader/controversy magnet have become e-confidantes.
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Joshua Robinson / New York Times:
A Knuckleballer Is Waiting to Rise — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Six years after throwing his first knuckleball as a professional — the first of several to hit a batter in the head — Charlie Zink has come to terms with his rare and maddening skill. He accepts that all he can do is aim at his catcher's face mask …
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Associated Press:
Hank Steinbrenner Blames N.L. Rules — The Yankees' loss of their ace, Chien-Ming Wang, for up to 10 weeks prompted the team co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner to chastise the National League for playing without a designated hitter. — “My only message is simple,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa …
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Geoff Young / Ducksnorts:
Chatting with Sandy Alderson (Part 2) — This is the second of a three-part interview (Part 1 is here) with San Diego Padres CEO Sandy Alderson. Big thanks to Mr. Alderson for taking time out of his busy schedule to make himself available, and also to his assistant, Dayle Tedrow …
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers interested in free agent Freddy Garcia — The Tigers have contacted the representatives for free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia, an indication that they are seeking to add veteran talent in the middle of a still-hopeful season. — Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg …
Larry Stone / The Seattle Times:
Mariners are in no rush to hire a new general manager — There were strong indications Monday that Pelekoudas... Lee Pelekoudas is likely to get a good, long tryout as the Mariners' general manager. — There were strong indications Monday that Pelekoudas will hold the interim job through the remainder of the season.
