Willie Randolph facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willie Randolph
Randolph with the New York Yankees in 1984
Second baseman / Manager
Born: (1954-07-06) July 6, 1954 (age 70) Holly Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
July 29, 1975, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Last appearance
October 4, 1992, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average	.276
Hits	2,210
Home runs	54
Runs batted in	687
Managerial record	302–253
Winning %	.544
Teams
As player Pittsburgh Pirates (1975) New York Yankees (1976–1988) Los Angeles Dodgers (1989–1990) Oakland Athletics (1990) Milwaukee Brewers (1991) New York Mets (1992) As manager New York Mets (2005–2008) As coach New York Yankees (1994–2004) Milwaukee Brewers (2009–2010) Baltimore Orioles (2011)
Career highlights and awards
6× All-Star (1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1989) 5× World Series champion (1977, 1996, 1998–2000) Silver Slugger Award (1980) Monument Park honoree
Medals Men's baseball Representing USA World Baseball Classic Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

William "Willie" Larry Randolph (born July 6, 1954) is a famous American baseball player, coach, and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 years, from 1975 to 1992. Willie played for six different teams, but he is best known for his time with the New York Yankees. With the Yankees, he helped them win two World Series championships in a row.

After his playing career, Willie became a coach and then a manager. He coached the Yankees for 11 years. Later, he managed the New York Mets from 2005 to 2008. In 2006, he led the Mets to a great season, almost reaching the World Series. Willie Randolph is remembered as a skilled player and a respected leader in baseball.

Willie Randolph's Playing Career

Willie Randolph grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He went to Samuel J. Tilden High School. There, he was a star athlete. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him in the 1972 draft. He started playing in the major leagues in 1975. At 21, he was one of the youngest players in the National League.

In December 1975, the Pirates traded Willie to the Yankees. He spent 13 of his 18 playing seasons with the Yankees. From 1986 to 1988, he was a co-captain of the team. After the Yankees, he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1989–90) and the Oakland Athletics (1990). He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers (1991). Willie finished his career with the New York Mets in 1992.

Willie was chosen for six All-Star teams. He usually batted second in the lineup. He was good at bunting and was a patient hitter. He often earned walks, getting more than 80 walks in seven different seasons.

Willie was also a great defensive player. He was especially good at turning the double play. Even though he was excellent, he never won the Gold Glove Award. Other great second basemen like Frank White and Lou Whitaker often won it. Willie was the starting second baseman for the Yankees when they won the World Series in 1977 and 1978.

In 1980, Willie led the league in walks with 119. He was also second in the AL in on-base percentage (.427). He stole 30 stolen bases and scored 99 runs. That year, he won the Silver Slugger Award for second base. He was also very good at hitting when players were in scoring position.

Randolph with the Yankees in 1983

During Game 2 of the 1980 American League Championship Series, Willie was involved in a key play. He was on second base with two outs. The Yankees were behind by one run. His teammate Bob Watson hit a ball to left field. Willie ran towards home plate. The ball was thrown to the catcher, and Willie was tagged out. The Yankees lost that game and the series.

In 1987, Willie batted .305. He also had a career-high 67 RBIs. He was very good at avoiding strikeouts. He also had a high on-base percentage. He hit especially well in close games.

In 1988, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1989, he led the Dodgers in batting average and hits. He also made his sixth All-Star team. In 1990, the Dodgers traded him to the Oakland Athletics. Willie and the A's won the American League pennant. However, they lost the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds.

In 1991, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. That year, he had a high on-base percentage (.424). He also had a great batting average (.327). He was especially good at hitting with runners in scoring position.

In 1991, he signed with the New York Mets. In 1992, at 37, he was one of the older players in the National League. In his last game, the Mets' future second baseman, Jeff Kent, played shortstop. This allowed Willie to play his final game at second base.

His former teammate, Tommy John, said Willie was a "stabilizing influence." He called him "the club's quiet leader." John said, "You couldn't believe how good Willie was until you were on the same team."

Willie Randolph: From Player to Coach and Manager

After his playing career, Willie Randolph became a coach. He was a base and bench coach for the Yankees for 11 seasons. During this time, he also interviewed for managing jobs with other teams.

In 2004, Willie was named the manager of the New York Mets for the 2005 season. He was the eighth person to play for and then manage the Mets. He got his first win as a manager on April 10, 2005. The Mets won 2–1 against the Atlanta Braves. This win stopped a five-game losing streak. He then led the Mets to five more wins in a row.

In his first season as manager, the 2005 Mets finished with an 83–79 record. This was their first winning season since 2001. It was 12 games better than the year before. They tied for third place in the National League East.

Randolph with the Mets in 2007

In 2006, Willie led the Mets to a fantastic season. They had the best record in the league at 97–65. They won the NL East Division title. This was their first division championship since 1988. The Mets almost made it to the World Series. They lost the seventh game of the NL Championship Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. Willie was recognized for his great work. He came in second for the 2006 NL Manager of the Year award. In 2007, he signed a new contract with the Mets.

In 2007, the Mets had a tough end to their season. They were leading their division by seven games with only 17 games left. But they lost many games and ended up losing the division title to the Philadelphia Phillies.

In 2008, Willie's job as manager became less secure. The team had a disappointing start. On June 17, 2008, Willie was fired after a Mets victory. The team's record was 34–35 at that time. He was replaced by Jerry Manuel. After Willie left, the Mets did not have another winning season until 2015.

After the 2008 season, Willie interviewed for the Milwaukee Brewers' manager job. He became their bench coach instead. He stayed with the Brewers until 2010. In 2010, he joined the Baltimore Orioles as their bench coach. In 2011, he became their third-base coach. Willie left the Orioles after the 2011 season.

In 2012, Willie was named the third base coach for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. In 2015, the Yankees honored Willie with a plaque in Monument Park. This is a special place at Yankee Stadium. In 2015, Willie also managed Team USA in the first 2015 WBSC Premier12 tournament. In 2019, he coached Team USA again in the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament.

Managerial Record

Willie Randolph's Life Off the Field

As of 2008, Willie Randolph lived in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. He lives with his wife, Gretchen. They have four children: Taniesha, Chantre, Andre, and Ciara. His former teammate, Tommy John, said Willie is "a devoted family man." He is also "a man interested in the community."

In 2007, Willie gave the graduation speech at Fordham University. His daughter Ciara was graduating that day. On the same day, he managed a baseball game against the Yankees.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders