FanHouse

Willie Randolph trusts his pitching coach, Rick Peterson. Why wouldn't he? Pretty much everyone who comes to the Mets goes from "much maligned" or "borderline talent" to a successful and serviceable major league pitcher. John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Jorge Sosa are just three examples of pitchers who have improved vastly under the tutelage of Peterson.

But just because Randolph trusts him, doesn't mean he fully understands his methods. And Randolph certainly doesn't want those methods tried out on him.

"Rick's style is totally different," Randolph said. "You'd have to talk to him about that to get all that. He just is very much prepared. He knows mechanics and he knows how to prepare his team to go out there and pitch.

"He's into those biomechanaics," he added, then making a sound like a ghost on Halloween -- "Oooo. He's one of those real deep cats. He's into all that spiritual stuff. You've got to talk to him about that because he's too deep for me. And when he talks I can't hear him anyway. He whispers.

"Asked if Peterson puts his hand on Randolph's shoulder when they talk like he does when calming one of his pitchers, Randolph said, "No, I don't let him touch me. I might turn into a leprechaun or something."

Now why would Rick Peterson do that? We all know that Peterson uses his mystical powers for good, and not evil. But if you're walking by Peterson, and he starts muttering something about blue diamonds, green clovers, purple horseshoes or yellow moons ... run!!!!!!!

Arm bash: Metsblog