Yanks Finally Honor Willie

So, the Yanks are finally getting around to honoring one of their greats - Willie Randolph.   I used to say that Baseball is one of Life's little IQ tests, it was true then and it's true now.   Willie Randolph was a great player.  He was terrific defender, who was an excellent baserunner and an on base machine at the plate.  In 1980, he waled 119 times and had a OPS+ of 133 for example.  His early career was a little chopped up by injuries, but these came from his fearlesness -  rember when he stood his ground as Hal McCrae ran him over?  Perhaps if he had played in the 1978 World Series, people would have a better understanding of the player he was.

Acquiring Willie Randolph as a 21 year old in the Doc Medich trade was a masterstroke that help lead the Yanks to 5 ALCS's, 4 pennants and 2 rings in his first 6 years.    But he's one of those Yanks, like Murcer and White who will always be underrated because not everyone knows the value of a walk.

Btw, almost all of Willie's power was oppo, and had his career started 10 or 15 years later, he would have had a lot more homers.