Chris Woodward played for the Mets for two seasons, and like the rest of the Yankees’ managerial candidates with ties to New York, he credited that experience with helping him have a better idea of what it would be like to take over for Joe Girardi in the Yankees dugout.
Willie Randolph chuckled at the mention of that notion, which also was expressed by Hensley Meulens, Aaron Boone and Rob Thomson when they spoke to reporters following their interviews with Yankees’ brass last week.
“It’s totally different,” Randolph said. “Even if you’ve coached in New York or somewhere else, nothing really prepares you for managing here. It’s a totally different seat. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for the spotlight and everything that goes with it.”
Randolph played in The Bronx for 13 years and coached there for another 11 before going across town to manage the Mets in 2005. He lasted 3½ years in Queens and has connections with most of the current Yankees candidates.
In addition to being Woodward’s manager, he was the third-base coach when Boone played for the Yankees and worked with Thomson when both were involved in the Yankees organization.
As for Woodward, he was a versatile player with the Mets in 2005-06 and hit a pinch-hit double in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers in 2006.“I felt more comfortable playing in New York than I did anywhere else,” Woodward said after his interview. “I felt [the fans] appreciated the way I went about my business, the way I played.”
Randolph said: “He was always prepared and into the game, even if he didn’t play all the time. We had some success when he was there, so I always have a soft spot for him.”
Woodward played six more years after leaving the Mets then went on to coach in the Mariners organization for three seasons before spending the past two as the Dodgers third-base coach.
Now that the Yankees are looking for a new voice, Woodward hopes he can provide the right one.
“I didn’t know what his aspirations were when he played for me, but he was a cerebral player,” Randolph said. “So it doesn’t surprise me that this is something he wants to do.”