Despite collapse, Mets stick with Randolph

Mets manager Willie Randolph sported a new, clean-shaven look as he walked past rows of empty lockers in New York's clubhouse.

"It's not a good time to be recognized in this town," he joked. "Hoping to slip by and dodge a few daggers."

Randolph dodged one Tuesday, two days after his team completed an enormous collapse. General manager Omar Minaya announced Randolph will be back with the club next year, ending speculation that he might be fired despite getting a contract extension before this season.

"I do believe that Willie is going to continue to work hard," Minaya said. "I do believe that Willie's passion for winning is there."

New York went 5-12 down the stretch, becoming the first major league team that failed to finish in first place after owning a lead of seven games or more with 17 remaining. New York also matched the largest lead blown in September.

LEYLAND GETS EXTENSION: The Detroit Tigers extended manager Jim Leyland's contract one year, keeping him in the dugout through the 2009 season.

"We are very happy with the outstanding job he has done and with the leadership he provides our organization," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said in a statement. "We look forward to Jim managing the Tigers for a long time."

AL COMEBACK PLAYER: One season after being released by three teams, Carlos Pena put together the best performance in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history and was chosen Tuesday as the AL comeback player of the year.

Pena, 28, batted a career-best .282 with a club-record 46 home runs and 121 RBIs after joining the Devil Rays in spring training as a non-roster invitee.

NL COMEBACK PLAYER: Washington Nationals first baseman Dmitri Young, who overcame a year of professional, legal, medical and substance abuse problems, was chosen as the NL comeback player of the year.

Young finished tied for eighth in the NL in batting with a career-high .320 average. He had 13 home runs and 74 RBIs.

EVERS NOT RETURNING: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will replace bench coach Bill Evers after two years. The Devil Rays said Tuesday they will not renew Evers' contract for next season. He was the manager at Triple-A Durham for eight years before joining Tampa Bay.