CHARM CITY SYMPATHIZES WITH WILLIE RANDOLPH

by Jarrett Carter, Stet Sports Blog

Willie Randolph was fired early this morning. And by early this morning, I'm not referring to a 8:00 a.m. meeting with management.

I'm talking about shortly after midnight Pacific time, which was just getting home from the club time here on the east coast. Except on a Tuesday, no one is coming back from a club.

More surprising than the firing itself is the fact that so many people went with him. In a fell midnight swoop, the pitching and first base coach were up out of there. Gone. Just like that.

And here in Baltimore, we're very familiar with midnight marauders.

The Baltimore Colts got Charm City the same way. Night time was the right time for the entire organization to take the coward's way out. Mets officials did Randolph dirty by waiting until he was clear across the country to do what needed to be done, but at least he knew before everyone else.

So Willie Randolph shouldn't feel too bad. He'll land on his feet with another club, with a lot of victories and a recent NLCS appearance under his belt. It will be in another city, but it's a pretty good bet they'll at least do their firing over a decent breakfast.