COME ON WILLIE!

Was very disappointed to read Met manager Willie Randolph use race as a reason he's been taking heat in the Big Apple papers. When he was a player during the Bronx Zoo era of George, Reggie and Billy, the writers never had a bad word to say about him and he was painted as the ultimate pro, a total class act. He knows better and he let frustration dictate policy. Because of the scribes his reputation was so high level he became the first Yankee captain since Lou Gherig. He cites how they ripped Isiah Thomas during his Knick tenure. Are you freaking kidding? The papers tore into Thomas because he was black. If he'd have been Mother Theresa and produced those embarassing results they'd have torn him a new one. And the mention of ex-Jet coach Herm Edwards was also way off base. Edwards went 4 & 12 his final season running his overall mark as the head Jet to 39 & 41, including 2 & 4 in the playoffs. Not exactly Bill Walsh or Vince Lombardi. Randolph did back off those remarks but I can't believe he even attempted to play that card!
During today's Hall of Fame talk a couple of pitchers generated the most interest, Pedro Martinez and Curt Shilling. Pete is 209 & 93 an insane winning percentage & his career ERA of 2.81 is the best among active pitchers. That winning percentage of .692 is by far the best of the modern era, and third all time. He did get his ring with the 2004 Red Sox, so throw in the 3-thousand whiffs plus 3 Cy-Youngs(2 AL/1NL) and I say he's in.
Shilling is a rock solid 216 & 146, nearly a .600 winning percentage with over 31-hundred kays and while he's never won the Cy, he's a 3 time runner up. He's also been named the NLCS MVP(93 Philly) and shared the award with Randy Johnson after the 2001 World Series. Shill has collected 3 championship rings(1 w/AZ & 2 w/BSN) and also pitched that Philadelphia team to the 93 series. That's quite an accomplishment being at the front end of 4 League Champions.
He gets my edge over Pedro in the horse categories like innings pitched as he's led the majors twice and been in the top 5 on three other occasions. Both have posted multiple 20 win seasons(PM had 2/Shilling 3). They've each won league strikeout titles(Shill 3/Pete 2).
I say Martinez is in as well.