"Cynics keep whispering he sits out too often with minor hurts, but the second baseman led the Yankees in games played with 144. Willie hit a solid .280 but his RBI production was his lowest in a full season since joining the Yankees in '76.
Born in Holly Hill, South Carolina, Willie grew up in Brooklyn, and played stick ball in the streets of Canarsie and baseball at Tilden High. Originally drafted by Pittsburgh, he was traded to the Yankees along with pitchers Dock Ellis and Ken Brett for Doc Medich in 1975. Willie's brother, Terry, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and also played for the New York Jets."
-Ken Nigro, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1983 Edition
"Tony Lazzeri, Billy Martin, Bobby Richardson and now Willie Randolph. The Yankees have always been known for their tradition of outstanding second basemen and Willie Randolph is no exception. Upon his arrival in 1976, the Yankees found themselves in postseason play for the first time since 1964. As a matter of fact, the Yankees have failed to make the playoffs only twice since Willie's first season here.
Although you can't credit a team's success to only one of its members, Willie has truly been a mark of consistency over the last seven seasons. In the midst of a disappointing 1982 season for the Yankees, the ever popular Randolph was a tower of strength. He finished the season with a .280 batting average, the second highest of his career. He tied the Yankees in games played (144) as well in four offensive categories including hits (155) and walks (75).
A native of the Brownsville section of Brooklyn (although born in South Carolina), Randolph is eagerly awaiting the 1983 season. A four-time All-Star second baseman, Willie Randolph has always known for his speed and base stealing ability. It is very evident that Willie will fit right in Manager Billy Martin's game plan ... hopefully right into the 1983 World Series. After all, that's how Willie Randolph has become accustomed to spending his Octobers."
-The New York Yankees Official 1983 Yearbook
"Randolph jumped off to a fast start, hitting safely in his first nine games and ending April with a .348 average, keeping his average over the .300 mark through June 9. He ended the season strongly, batting .398 in his last 23 games (37-for-93) and his .280 batting average was the second highest of his career. Willie led the Yankees in games played (144), at-bats (553), runs scored (85), hits (155) and walks (75).
Willie has been on four All-Star teams in his seven full seasons. '79 and '82 were the only years a team he played on failed to qualify for postseason play.He was leading the International league in hitting when he was called up in 1975 to the Pirates. Willie was named the James P. Dawson Award winner as the top rookie in the 1976 Yankee camp and was on the All-Star ballot as a rookie. He was named to the Topps All-Rookie team in 1976, though he was hampered by a right shoulder injury and an injury to the outside of the right knee that required minor surgery. In 1977, Willie was named to the AP, UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams.
Willie had a five-RBI game against Boston on September 7, 1978 and despite a bruised left knee and a pulled left hamstring, still made the AP and UPI All-Star teams. The hamstring kept him out of postseason play. In 1979, his 13 triples were third in the AL and the most by a Yankee since Henrich's 14 in 1948. He committed only 13 errors and his .985 percentage was just .003 behind league leader Duane Kuiper.
In 1980 Willie had his best season ever as the Yankee leadoff hitter. He led the AL in walks with 119, the most by a Yankee since Mantle's 122 in 1962. He had a 13-game hitting streak in May, the longest of his career, and was named to the UPI and Sporting News All-Star teams and won the Sporting News Silver Bat award for AL second basemen. Willie's homer in Game 3 of the 1981 ALCS was the game winner to win the AL pennant.
Although born in South Carolina, Willie's family moved to the Brownsville section of Brooklyn when he was an infant. He played stickball in the streets and fields of Canarsie and baseball at Tilden High School. Willie has three brothers and a sister. His brother Terry was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1977 and also played for the Jets."
-1983 New York Yankees Information Guide
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