Got his back

Man, with players like these, Willie Randolph has to feel not only disappointed by the shitty baseball the Mets are playing, but undercut by their comments as well.

The Mets botched a seven-game cushion with 17 games left to end the 2007 season, so they cannot let too much of 2008 slip away. If the Mets, who often perform like a lifeless bunch, do not improve, Randolph could pay. Some boisterous fans started chants of “Fire Willie” in the eighth and ninth innings, but they gained little momentum.

“He’s not playing,” first baseman Carlos Delgado said. “We got to go out and play. I think we need to be responsible and turn it up a notch.”

When Delgado and center fielder Carlos Beltrán were asked if they thought Randolph deserved to stay as manager, neither simply said yes. Delgado repeated that the Mets needed to play better. Beltrán said that a decision about the manager was made by ownership, and third baseman David Wright agreed.

“That’s not in our hands,” Beltrán said.

Um, well, Carlos, yes, it is.

Of course, Randolph’s Mets did not do it, did not win a game. Again. Minaya said he did not think Randolph’s situation was a distraction for players, but Beltrán said it was. Beltrán said the speculation about Randolph’s future could cause players to “come to the ballpark wondering if it might happen today,” referring to Randolph’s possible dismissal.

Wow, that's really coming to the defense of your manager. When Billy Wagner's the only guy with anything good to say, you're in trouble, Willie.