Mets fire Randolph, Manuel is new manager

ANAHEIM, Calif., June 17 (UPI) -- New York Mets Manager Willie Randolph was fired early Tuesday and replaced with team bench coach Jerry Manuel.

The Mets, in a news release which made little mention of Randolph, also said pitching coach Rick Peterson and first-base coach Tom Nieto were relieved of their duties. Ken Oberkfell, Luis Aguayo and Dan Warthen were added to the new coaching staff.

Oberkfell, the manager at Triple-A New Orleans, is expected to be the next bench coach while Warthen, who was New Orleans' pitching coach, would take that slot with the parent team. Aguayo's role was unannounced.

About two hours after the Mets finished a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., the Mets announced the changes.

Randolph joined the Mets prior to the 2005 season and was within one game of the 2006 World Series. Last year, however, the team saw a historic collapse. New York was 302-253, including 34-35 this season, under Randolph.

Manuel, 54, has been with the Mets coaching staff since 2005. He was manager of the Chicago White Sox from 1998-2003 and was the American League Manager of the Year in 2000 when the White Sox were 95-67.