Willie Randolph simply drove across town Thursday to begin his new job as rookie manager of the New York Mets.

Randolph, 50, was introduced Thursday at Shea Stadium as the 18th manager in Mets history after spending the past 11 years as a coach with the crosstown rival New York Yankees.

"I may have a little Yankee blood in my system," the Brooklyn native said, " but I'm always loyal to the team that I'm with.

Willie Randolph, right, is welcomed as manager by Mets GM Omar Minaya.(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

"It's a lot of emotion running through your body – the fact that you finally get your opportunity (and) you're doing it in your hometown, for the team you rooted for as a kid."

"He's a New Yorker and a winner," noted Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "What impressed me was his passion and desire to be manager of the New York Mets."

Randolph reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $1.8 million US.

Calling it a "dream come true," he is the fourth black manager in the major leagues.

"To me, it's the ultimate thrill," Randolph said. "This is tremendous.

"I feel a lot of pride today. I feel I can make a contribution to this team."

Randolph, a former second baseman, replaces Art Howe, who was fired at season's end following a disappointing 71-91 campaign.

It is Randolph's first stint as a major-league manager.

"We're going to play hard every day," Randolph said. "Hustle.

"And we're going to represent this organization, this city, the way true champions do. I'm just happy for this opportunity."

"I'm excited," Mets catcher Vance Wilson said. "The fact that he's come from a winner and learned under a guy who has handled situations and players and always come out on top is important.

"Winning breeds winning and he can bring that over here and help get us out of the funk we're in. I'm not concerned about him never having managed."

Randolph, a six-time all-star and six-time World Series champion with the Yankees (1977-78), averaged .276 with 54 home runs, 687 runs batted in, 1,239 runs scored and 271 stolen bases in 2,202 games over 18 MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and Mets.

"He's succeeded in everything," Minaya said. "So why shouldn't he now?"

with files from CP Online