One of the best parts of doing the radio show is the interaction with the fans about various topics. The goal of NYBD radio is to bring the thoughts and ideas of all the major stakeholders in baseball together. Of course the fans tend to be the most vocal. Over the last couple of weeks I have had a few long time Yankees fans express their displeasure with Joe Girardi. Every one of them then went on to say they would like to see Willie Randolph take over the reigns. After losing for the fifth straight time to Boston, Jon Heyman wondered on Twitter the “over/under” for the Girardi watch. Maybe General Joe isn’t exciting those that follow the Yankees, but Randolph is not even close to the answer.

Joe Girardi has not distinguished himself during his Yankees tenure. He has done a poor job communicating with his players, demonstrated dubious ability to manage a bullpen, and maintained an arms length relationship with the media. His thin skin showed the other day when he ranted about unauthorized biographies. If you made the aforementioned statement, and didn’t tell me whom you were talking about, I would have thought you were describing Willie Randolph.

Yankees fans remember Willie Randolph the second baseman and coach. Mets fans know Willie the manager. People must not confuse one with the other. This concept that Willie is a winner is one of the most confusing points I have encountered during my short time around baseball. Just because you were a successful player doesn’t mean you are a good manager. Willis Reed is a perfect example. Anyone who watched or covered Willie during his time with the Mets knows he doesn’t have the capacity to manage. On top of that, New York isn’t even close to the right environment to get another chance and prove me wrong.

Since many Yankees fans probably don’t understand why I am so down on Willie let me give you a few examples. First, and the most obvious, Willie is a mediocre in game manager. He was out managed by Tony LaRussa during the 2006 NLCS.  Bullpen management, always his weakness, single-handedly blew Game 2. Willie was also very stubborn even when reality dictated he should make a change. His obsession with a past prime Julio Franco back in 2007 was borderline odd. If not for the Mets releasing Franco, and signing Marlon Anderson, I wondered if Willie would have ever realized that Julio couldn’t catch up to a fastball any longer. These same weird obsessions were demonstrated with his usage of Guillermo Mota and Jorge Sosa in key situations as well. Lefty/Right splits were a foreign concept. When it came to dealing with people Willie actually could make Girardi’s style seem like a breath of fresh air. David Wright has been the only player to consistently support Willie since his departure. The media had no use for his condescending, paranoid, and dour nature. Only the Mets, the biggest PR blunders in sports, could make Willie a martyr with the way they handled his dismissal.

These are just a few of countless reasons to stay away from Willie. Could he change? Perhaps. Do I believe it’s worth finding out? Not a chance. Girardi deserves the opportunity to make the 2009 season work. If the Yanks disappoint than make your decision in the offseason. At that time you can see what managers are available (We already know Bobby Valentine will be) and make your decision then. Picking Willie would be a mistake. Be careful what you wish for Yankees fans, you might just get it.

Tags: Bobby Valentine, David Wright, Guillermo Mota, Joe Girardi, Jorge Sosa, Julio Franco, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Tony LaRussa, Willie Randolph, Willis Reed