Fred Harteis Sports News -  After weeks of speculation that his job was in jeopardy, Willie Randolph finally got fired by the New York Mets while most fans were sleeping. Randolph became the first manager in the majors to get fired this season, a move the Mets announced in a matter-of-fact news release around 12:15 a.m. PDT Tuesday, nearly two hours after they beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-6.

 

At 34-35, the Mets seemed wobbly after their colossal collapse last September.

 

"I'm really stunned by it," Randolph said as he left the team hotel shortly before noon. "I was surprised by it."

 

Bench coach Jerry Manuel takes over on an interim basis. Pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto also were fired in an enormous overhaul.

 

Randolph led the Mets to within one win of the 2006 World Series. They got off to a strong start again last year but plummeted down the stretch and were unable to rebound.

 

A preseason favorite to win the NL pennant, the $138 million Mets had won two in a row when Randolph was dismissed. He was set to earn $2 million this season and is owed $2.25 million in 2009, when the Mets move into new Citi Field.

 

Randolph said he was sorry he wasn't to "fulfill my what my dream is, to come here and help this team win a world championship."

 

Peterson said Mets management "welcomed me into their home and homes go through renovations.

 

"I'm the hardwood floor that's getting ripped out and they're going to replace it with Tuscany tile," he said.

 

"This is a team that's underachieved and it will get back on track," he said. "I walk out in peace."

 

Ken Oberkfell, the club's manager at Triple-A New Orleans, and Dan Warthen, pitching coach for the Zephyrs, will join the major league staff along with Luis Aguayo, a Mets field coordinator.

 

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Source: Yahoo.com

 

About Fred Harteis:  Fred Harteis leads Harteis International.  Fred Harteis has a background in agriculture and has created many successful business ventures.