Did Omar Minaya Keep Willie Randolph Around Because Of His Race?

Fresh off his 3 AM firing of Willie Randolph, Mets’ GM Omar Minaya isn’t endearing himself to many of his team’s fans. He let it be known that Randolph was kept as manager past last season’s collapse and this year’s abysmal start because his skipper was the team’s first black manager, and Minaya felt a bond with him as the first Hispanic MLB GM. Yeah, he’s not going to be GM of anything if he doesn’t keep stuff like that to himself.

“Willie was my hire. It was my decision, and I decided to fire Willie. It was my decision. A tough decision, but it was my decision. And it’s a tough one. I say it’s tough. Why?…

Because I hired him, one. He is the first African American manager in the history of New York baseball. I’m the first Hispanic general manager in baseball. When you have that bond, there’s a connection. And myself, giving Willie that chance to manage, it took me time to make this decision. It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done.”

“I have vested interested in Willie Randolph doing good … because I hired him. Willie Randolph is a reflection of my judgment. Like myself, I went to eight to ten, 12 interviews. Willie Randolph went to 12. He was not given an opportunity. I felt he should be given an opportunity. I feel as a general manager, to give the first African American an opportunity in New York, it’s important to the history of this franchise, and even more important, it’s important to our ownership. And to me, this is a very tough decision.

If the Mets don’t make the playoffs this year, we think Omar’s going to have a lot of time to reflect on that decision.
Omar Minaya Gave Willie Randolph Extra Time Because He’s African American [Larry Brown Sports]
Image [Newsday]