2008 New York Mets

On June 17, manager Willie Randolph was fired along with pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto, with the Mets mired in 4th place, 6 ½ games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets had been expected to compete for the division title, after falling only a game short after their historic late-season collapse in 2007 and trading for ace pitcher Johan Santana in the off-season. Bench coach Jerry Manuel was promoted to interim manager, AAA New Orleans Zephyrs manager Ken Oberkfell replaced him as bench coach, Zephyrs pitching coach Dan Warthen replaced Peterson, and minor league instructor Luis Aguayo became the new first base coach. The announcement, made in the middle of the night after an interleague win in Los Angeles, came after weeks of speculation that Randolph's firing was imminent.

[edit] Awards and Honors

All-Stars: Billy Wagner and David Wright

[edit] Team

New York Mets
Infield
Catchers: Brian Schneider, Ramon Castro	First basemen: Carlos Delgado, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley
Second basemen: Luis Castillo, Damion Easley	Third basemen: David Wright, Damion Easley, Fernando Tatis
Shortstops: Jose Reyes, Damion Easley
Outfield
Left fielders: Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis, Marlon Anderson, Moises Alou, Angel Pagan	Right fielders: Ryan Church, Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, Trot Nixon
Center fielders: Carlos Beltran, Endy Chavez
Pitchers
Starting: Johan Santana, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez
Relief: Billy Wagner, Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, Scott Schoeneweis, Joe Smith, Carlos Muniz, Matt Wise
Other
Coaches: Luis Aguayo, Sandy Alomar, Sr., Guy Conti, Howard Johnson, Tom Nieto, Ken Oberkfell, Rick Peterson, Dan Warthen	Manager(s): Willie Randolph, Jerry Manuel