There definitely would have been some ruckus.

One thing that can be said in Randolph’s defense is that the Mets are truly Omar Minaya’s team. Whether Minaya’s dream of a new Moorish Baseball Empire will become reality is subject to debate. Nonetheless, he’s signed every African Latino money can buy. I am fairly certain that Willie would’ve configured the team differently if he had the option.

The Mets are many things – but they don’t have a Glue Guy that provides critical leadership on a daily basis. (not that I’ve seen). That’s the foundation of a championship team. Most champs have several of these players. The Mets can continue along their path or Minaya will have to change course. They have talent – but no one like a Jimmy Rollins.

From the outside looking in, the Mets appear to be a group of prima donnas with a pandering GM plagued by delusions of grandeur. Perhaps they should go for a Plantation Manager – a Euro-Latino – with the gift of hablando en espanol and who reinforces the “Yassah Boss” mentality by cracking a whip.

I do not believe “race” (especially in the American sense) played a role. Culture was probably huge – especially interpersonal communication. Randolph may find it difficult to get another job. These players played for him last year – to a point…but this team has a unique personality — and probably has a sense of entitlement. The Mets combination of Minaya-Randolph has always been an interesting contrast to the White Sox championship combination of Williams-Guillen (another time).

In the players’ defense, it’s worth noting that the idea of a manager being in the trenches with you is still valued. Willie is so reserved that a player doesn’t always have that feeling. The approach that worked for Joe Torre in 1996 was not best suited for the Mets in 2008. Times change, sometimes managers don’t — until they do.