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June 17, 2008
By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA -- Terry Francona wasn't in Willie Randolph's shoes over the last month or so when the New York Mets manager was publicly twisting in the wind, his job in jeopardy.
But Francona, who was fired in 2000 after four years in Philadelphia, had a perspective on the process that ultimately claimed Randolph at 3 a.m. EDT Tuesday after the Mets had won a game in Anaheim. New York general manager Omar Minaya has been scorched in the media and on blogs for the way he handled the situation.
"Way more often than not, regardless of how it's perceived, people are trying to do the right thing. Who knows? There's no easy way (to fire a manager)," said Francona.
Francona then recounted how he was told that he would not be coming back. Phillies GM Ed Wade called Francona into his office before the final game of the 2000 season and gave him the bad news. Francona then went back downstairs and managed the final game of the year, his pink slip in his pocket.
"Ed took some heat (for the timing of the firing)," said Francona. "But he knew I had a four-day golf outing planned right after the season, and he didn't want me (thinking about the job status) the whole time. He knew he was going to do it. He was trying to do the best thing, the best way he could. I appreciated that."
That didn't make managing that last game easy, though.
"That wasn't the best day, but that's the way it goes," said Francona.
He wished Randolph well.
"What I know of Willie he's a great guy," said Francona. "The harder thing (than getting fired) is going through all of it. It's so public in New York. I hope he's able to take a deep breath."
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 5:14 PM | Permalink
