 |
 |
 |
|
NEW YORK -- Mets manager Willie Randolph called a closed-door meeting in response to the latest remarks by closer Billy Wagner, who said Friday he was being critical of the media, not his teammates.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
With the Mets off to a 20-19 start following last September's collapse, questions about Randolph's future have come up on talk radio and in newspaper columns, although it apparently has not been a topic of debate in the executive suite. Randolph said there's no reason to shield players from the media tumult.
"I don't try to insulate them. I don't care that they know that my head's on the block or something like that. I mean, that shouldn't be their concern," he said before Friday's Subway Series opener at Yankee Stadium was postponed by rain.
Asked as a follow-up whether he thought his job was in danger, Randolph said he wasn't speaking seriously.
"I'm not concerned about that," he responded. "I was just making just a joke, a tongue-in-cheek kind of thing."
Third baseman David Wright called the session a "heart to heart" in which teammates were encouraged to approach each other with criticism and not go through the media.
General manager Omar Minaya said Randolph's job wasn't in danger.
"I'm very supportive and continue to be supportive of Willie Randolph," he said.
Randolph talked Friday with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, but not about his job status.
"No need to do that. We just talked about the team and how we can get better," Randolph said.
Wagner sparked the meeting when he snapped to reporters following Thursday's 1-0 loss to Washington: "You should be talking to the guys over there. ... Oh, they're not there. Big shock."
Carlos Delgado left after Thursday's game without talking to reporters. Wagner was unhappy with the way his remarks were portrayed.
"Whoever wrote that I pointed out Delgado and was calling guys out is wrong. I don't call out anybody," he said. "We get along good around here. We lost a tough game and were a little frustrated."
