"I don’t know if it is possible to love something too much, and maybe some people could say that my intensity and passion were responsible for both the highs and lows I experienced in each of my roles in the game. I will say this: I’d rather be hanged for my errors of commission than my errors of omission. Put another way, I’d rather lose because I cared too much than because I didn’t care enough." – Willie Randolph
It Books is thrilled to publish former Yankee 2nd baseman Willie Randolph’s THE YANKEE WAY: Playing, Coaching, and My Life in Baseball (It Books; Hardcover; May 2014; ISBN 9780061450778; $26.99). Filled with sixteen pages of black-and-white photos, Randolph’s long awaited memoir is a thoughtful, fascinating look at the storied career of one of New York City’s own.
For over 30 years, the six-time all-star has been a part of Yankee lore, and few people have come to know the breadth of personalities as he has. A rare figure who not only was a player but also member of their coaching staff, Willie had the best seat in the house to three generations worth of Yankee greats including the most wild, colorful team in history—the 1977-78 Bronx Zoo. THE YANKEE WAY is a story from beyond the headlines told by a man who lived through it all.
After a brief stop in Pittsburgh, Randolph was signed at 21 years old to a franchise right in his backyard.the New York Yankees. He quickly established himself as a fixture on the fabled Bronx Zoo teams of the late 1970s, playing with the likes of Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson, and winning two World Series championships under the cantankerous eye of legendary manager Billy Martin. Randolph continued with the team during the 1980s, sharing the spotlight with Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield, and earning himself the co-Captain spot in 1986. In the 1990s, he returned as a third base coach, beginning an eleven-year stint with the team during their incredible run of success under manager Joe Torre, while mentoring the next generation of Yankee stars including the Core Four.
Though Randolph is a Yankee, he is first and foremost a true New York City talent. Raised in the mean streets of Brooklyn, Randolph tells a story that could only happen in the Big Apple, describing his rise from the projects to the house that Ruth built. Touching upon the importance of a supportive family, he discusses his triumphs and struggles on the field and in the dugout, in addition to traveling across the bridge to become the first African American to manage a New York baseball team.
Detailing his time in pinstripes on and off the field—with players like Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles, Goose Gossage, Don Mattingly, Ron Guidry, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez, Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, of course, The Boss himself—THE YANKEE WAY is a firsthand insight into some of the best players to ever play the game and the greatest teams ever to call the Bronx their home.
There are very few, if any, who can lay claim to “The Quintessential New York Athlete” title as Willie Randolph can. And if being a true New Yorker is part of what defines Willie…being a true Yankee does so equally.
Randolph weaves an exhilarating journey from his early boyhood days to life today. What emerges is a moving portrait of a legendary team, a unique city, and a remarkable man.
THE YANKEE WAY includes:
REFLECTIONS ON A STORIED CAREER. Willie shares his thoughts on his major milestones including:
• Playing in Brooklyn’s Parade Grounds, and following in the footsteps of Sandy Koufax, Joe Torre and other Brooklyn greats
• Signing his first MLB contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
• The trade to the Yankees in 1975
• Winning the World Series with the 1977-78 Bronx Zoo teams
• Appointed Yankee Captain with Ron Guidry in 1986
• His return to the Yankees in 1994 as third base coach
• Becoming the first African American manager in New York baseball history in 2005
THE ADRENALINE OF GAMETIME: Randolph analyzes some of the most action-packed games in his time playing, revealing all the high-risk decision-making, and the intensity of some of baseball’s most historic moments including the 2000 Subway World Series, Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS (the Pedro Martinez & Don Zimmer brawl) and, of course, the moment the pop-fly bunt settled into Mike Torrez’s glove in 1977 to end the years of frustration Yankee players and fans had experienced.
FABLED STORIES FROM THE DUGOUT: Playing with the Bronx Zoo teams, his friendship with Munson and the impact of his tragic death, the much-hyped tension between Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin in 1977, meeting Don Mattingly for the first time during spring training in 1980, being a part of drought-breaking World Series victories as both player and coach, cheering Jeter on as he broke Lou Gehrig’s franchise hit record, and even heckling “Captain Clutch” from the sidelines at Yankee Stadium are just some of the highlights.
PERSONAL LOOKS AT SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS NAMES IN BASEBALL including: Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles, Goose Gossage, Don Mattingly, Ron Guidry, Dave Winfield, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez, Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, and The Boss, the incomparable George Steinbrenner.
MAKING THE TOUGH CALLS: Randolph compares and contrasts players from his days playing and coaching to reveal his top picks from the left to the right, including stats that make for an interesting discussion.
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT, LOYALTY AND LEADERSHIP LESSONS: Each aspect of Randolph’s long career is applicable not just to baseball, but to life as well. Through his belief in cultivating personal relationships with every member of the team combined with his loyalty to the Yankees and the game, Randolph’s humility offers life lessons for leaders of all kinds.
FOR ALL BASEBALL FANS, REGARDLESS OF TEAM AFFILIATION: A living legend in the game, Randolph has written a book for baseball fans of all stripes. He is widely admired and respected by the MLB establishment and fans.
WILLIE RANDOLPH BIO
Willie Randolph grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he was a star athlete. Upon graduating from high school, Randolph was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1972. By December of 1975, he was traded to the Yankees, where he would spend 13 of his 18 seasons as a player. During his time with the Yankees, Randolph was their starting second baseman on the 1977 and 1978 World Series Championship teams. He also served as co-captain of the Yankees with Ron Guidry from 1986-1988. In 1989, Randolph left the Yankees and moved quickly between teams until he retired in 1992.
Randolph went on to base and bench coach the Yankees for 11 seasons. In 2005, Randolph became the Mets manager, despite never having managed a team before. In his first two seasons with the Mets, Randolph became the first manager in major league history to improve his team’s record by at least 12 games in each season. He went on to become the bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers during the 2009-2010 season, and the bench coach, and later the third-base coach, for the Baltimore Orioles in 2011. In 2013, he was the third-base coach for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Randolph currently lives in Franklin Lakes with his wife, Gretchen and enjoys spending time with his four children.