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End of the road for Mets manager Willie Randolph?

By Pete Catapano, amNewYork managing editor | peter.catapano@am-ny.com

May 22, 2008

New York Mets manager Willie Randolph looks on from the dugout during the second game of the Mets' baseball doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore / May 21, 2008)

Willie Randolph survived the Mets' historic collapse last season. But if the Amazin's continue to pile on losses, he may not make it through another week.

The shouts for firing the Mets four-year manager are getting louder amongst fans on talk radio and the blogosphere as the team continues to disappoint.

"You see them play spirited over the weekend and then get swept by the Braves," said Joe McDonald, managing editor of New York Sports Scene magazine.

"I don't think he'll get fired on this road trip. But if they come back at, lets say 2-5, he could be gone by Monday."

Bolstered by the addition of ace pitcher Johan Santana, the Mets - with a franchise record $138 million payroll - went into the season favored to win the National League pennant. But the team is languishing, with a 22-21 record going into Wednesday night, often looking as complacent with defeat as their Bronx counterparts, who are also an early season embarrassment.

The Yankees are stuck in the cellar of the American League East division, though manager Joe Girardi is likely safe in his job because he's still in the first year of his contract.

Meanwhile, the Mets seem to be dealing with the hangover from last season, when the team failed to clinch first place in their division and a spot in the playoffs despite a commanding lead with two weeks to go.

"Some blame has to go on manager," McDonald said. "He has to be held accountable that the team doesn't seem motivated at times."

In recent days, Randolph piled on more distraction by suggesting some of the criticism he's faced is because he's black and by taking a shot at the SNY network, owned by the Mets, accusing the station of depicting him negatively.

While Randolph backed off on the accusations, the heat on him has remained.

"There's been a couple of sleepless nights for me," Randolph said Wednesday on the "Mike and the Mad Dog" show on WFAN. He went on to apologize to the team and fans, saying he was sorry for the things he said out of frustration.

Top candidates to replace Randolph are the team's bench coach Jerry Manuel; Mets' minor league manager Ken Oberkfell; and former Orioles manager and Yankees bench coach Lee Mazzilli, according to McDonald.

It's hard to place blame for the team's lackluster play, said David Gassko, a former consultant to major league teams.

"It could just be they're having some bad luck," Gassko said. "It could be the manager's fault. But these are adults. If being major league baseball players isn't enough to motivate them, it could be a lost cause."

Some Mets fans, though, are not willing to wave Willie goodbye just yet.

"He's a very good manager," said Gerard Lemonnier, 49, of the Upper West Side. "He should stay. To let him go would be a big mistake."