Ashley Fox: Collapse cost Willie Randolph dearly

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, June, 2008 by Ashley Fox Inquirer Columnist

Did you see the Phillies last night playing the Boston Red Sox and wonder what were those dull red splotches that sullied their white home uniforms? The one along Jimmy Rollins' leg? Or the one covering Ryan Howard's left shoulder? Or the one across Chase Utley's heart? Yep, that was Willie Randolph's blood.

It was splattered all over the Phillies, even Charlie Manuel. Someone call 911. There's been a "Mets' Midnight Massacre," as the New York Post breathlessly reported on its Web site yesterday, and the Phils are as guilty as Mets general manager Omar Minaya and team owner Fred Wilpon and whoever else is pulling the strings in New York. After weeks of leaks and hints, those classless, dysfunctional, crumbling Mets finally fired Randolph yesterday, announcing the move at...