The Futility Infielder

Willie's Time?

Willie Randolph is having another tough winter. The former Yankee star and current third base coach has interviewed for five managerial openings since the season ended, and thus far he's 0-for-5. The Brewers, Devil Rays, Mariners, Mets, and Tigers have all passed over Randolph, sometimes for more experienced candidates (Lou Piniella, Art Howe), sometimes for names more familiar to the local fan base (Alan Trammell, Ned Yost).

Sadly, it's a familiar story for Randolph, who's been interviewing for jobs for the past three offseasons in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Colorado, Philadelphia, L.A., and Cincinnati. The Reds actually offered him their job two years ago, but Randolph turned them down, not only because the salary offered was less than his annual World Series share, but also because the Reds wouldn't let him choose his own coaching staff. Bob Boone eventually got that job and still has it, but some of the other jobs which Randolph didn't get have since turned over. Buddy Bell came and went in Colorado. So did Davey Lopes in Milwaukee. Larry Bowa is a ticking time bomb in Philly.

Unlike many other managerial candidates, Randolph has never piloted in the minors or the majors. He's never even managed in the Arizona Fall League, on account of the Yanks' annual postseason runs. But as shown by the 0-fer track record of Chris Chambliss, who has coached for several teams including the Yanks AND managed successfully in the minors, a prospective employer can almost always find a reason to stay within the old-boy network of managerial retreads. Among the initial list of candidates for the Mariners job is a Who's Who of mediocre (and white) managers: Buddy Bell, Lee Elia, Terry Francona, Tony Muser, and Jim Riggleman. That sorry-assed quintet's combined record: 1670-2154, a .437 winning percentage (equivalent to 23.6 71-91 seasons), zero playoff appearances, three seasons above .500, one season with over 90 wins, nine with over 90 losses (including Bell's 109 with Detroit in 1996), and one of the most famous tirades in modern managerial history. At last report, Bell and Riggleman, but not Randolph, were still in the running for that seat, while Elia, Francona, and Muser had accepted coaching jobs with other organizations.

One way or another, whatever formula Willie's using doesn't appear to be selling. His rejection of the Reds job may have backfired, causing other organizations to shy away from him. Or it may have convinced him, falsely, that teams ARE willing to hire him, and it's just a matter of a favorable situation laying itself at his feet. But several writers, including NY Daily News' Bill Madden have suggested that Randolph's lack of experience is a real stumbling block: Writes Madden:

This is what one GM said about Randolph: "It would be very hard for me to hire a manager who has never managed anywhere. For one thing, my owner would ask me: 'Can he run a clubhouse?' 'Does he know how to manage a pitching staff?' In Randolph's case, I can't answer those questions because there's no track record. Even Randolph can't answer those questions."

Randolph isn't completely out of options yet. With Dusty Baker leaving, the Giants' managerial seat is vacant, with no obvious successor in sight. Additionally, Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has speculated that if Frank Robinson steps down as manager of the Monteal Expos, the commissioner's office could consider Randolph for that post.

But there's an even closer and more surefire option at Randolph's feet. Luis Sojo told the Yankees this week that he will not return as manager of their AA farm team, the Norwich Navigators, with whom he stepped in midway through the season and won the league championship. The status of Stump Merrill, who started the season in Norwich and moved up to AAA Columbus when Brian Butterfield was fired, is also in question, according to Brian Cashman. If Randolph is serious about managing in the majors, and if he continues to get shut out this winter, he should bite the bullet and toss his hat in the ring for one of those positions. After nine years of coaching for the Yanks, going down to the minors would put Willie in a lifestyle to which he's unaccustomed. But it's a golden opportunity knocking at his door. And as Randolph has probably figured out by now, opportunity doesn't knock every day.