As a relocated New Yorker, I sometime have to do things I don’t like to, to get my New York Sports news. One of those things is listening to the Anti-Mets, Mike Francesa show. If you want more of my opionion on Mike, please check my previous blog “Francesa: Agenda vs. Murph.” However, it is enjoyable to see Mike brownnose players he constantly bashes when he pays his yearly visit to Port St. Lucie for Mets camp.
For those of you that have much more to do then listen to six hours of Mike, I thought I would give you a summary of today’s show. I’ll also add some commentary of what is going on in my head while I listen to the show.
Niese interview: Mike starts off with a diss to the Mets saying he can’t remember games from last year, as all the losses blended together. Some hockey talk I don’t care about, he finally starts talking pitching with Niese. Nothing new here as we learn Niese has been working hard and wants to be the fifth starter. Niese did pitch 2 innings of no hit ball in the intrasquad game Monday.
Pagan interview: Mike asks Pagan if he has to battle Matthews, Jr. for the starting spot. Didn’t Jerry say the other day that Pagan is the starter as long as he doesn’t get hurt? While I’m waiting for something good, I do like to point out, its pretty cool guys like Bay and Pagan who grew up in our farm system are back here and getting playing time. Mike points out how well Pagan hit at Citi last year and that he was a triple machine at Citi. Mike and Angel are actually getting along pretty well, guess it’s cuz Mike is too busy bashing Murph to say a bad word about Angel. Angel seems extremely confident that the team is going to be good this year, he’s brought it up 3 times so far. Pagan also feels he is an everyday player, boy I hope so, it would be nice to Jerry to be able to spell CB, Bay and Frenchie so we are not beaten down by the end of the season. Pagan’s fave players include Bernie and Beltran. Nice plug there for Brendon and any other Yank fans reading this. Mike called him An-hel as they leave, dunno bout that as I trust Gary Cohen for everything Mets and he says An-gel.
Is it me or does it seem like WFAN has alot more commerical time when you watch it on TV as compared to when I listen on the radio? I do miss Giuseppe Franco and Billy Mays.
Barajas interview: Barajas tell us he is a defensive catcher first. We could definitely use someone to help these guys on the mound. I never trusted Brian Schneider, I think this is a very undervalued move and will pay off for us. I get chills thinking Barajas could add 20 homers to our lineup. You think Rod can give the Mets a good scouting report of Doc Halladay? Barajas thinks very highly of him and hopefully Barajas can push Santana to work as hard as he says Halladay does. Mike talks Yanks with Rod, is this Mets coverage or not? A good question is how long will it take for Rod to get to know his staff and Rod answers that he should have a good knowledge of his guys by the end of spring training. Rod is extremely excited to play in NY which he has brought up several occasions. I don’t know why someone wouldn’t wanna play where people care about baseball.
em>Alex Cora interview: Let’s face it, we are paying him 2 mill to be a 2nd manager for this club. Before his thumb injuries though he provided decent backup but he is not an everyday player. More Yankee talk,ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, great Burnett threw awesome vs. us….can we talk about the Mets please? Still talking about injuries… Cora says the vibe is much better then last year, didn’t we hear the vibe was good last year? I go crazy about how we always hear the same stuff during spring training. We worked hard, im ready, great vibe, nonsense just win some games in April for me.
Keith Hernandez interview: MEX, finally I am pumped for an interview. God this guy is so cool, he makes a bright orange flower shirt look good. Keith was nominated for an EMMY….congrats Keith!!! Keith talks about tutoring Murph. Keith says he was surprized Ike was not there. Keith says 1b is a lefty position and hard to teach a right hander. Mike has a good idea about first baseman being much more important then people think. Mex talks about his 1b philosophy, great job, he makes me want to find my old glove and work on balls in the dirt. Keith should be a coach, it is too bad he likes things like vacations, the beach and drinking and eating. Keith likes Murph’s agressiveness and his hands and thinks he did a great job for someone who never played the position before. Keith feels that guys with down years will comeback motivated, but was surprized they did not go after pitching. Bullpen is a question for him as well. Love that Mex refers to the Mets as “us.” Mike takes some more shots at Murph and Keith using the class that he knows says that Keith had the same questions about himself when he was a young player. Mike talks about how good the Yanks are how bad it is for the Mets to be the “little brother.” Did I mention I cannot stand this show without Doggie? Mike can really give some good opinions when he doesn’t show that Yankee bias mentioning how Rivera gets bored like KROD did last year. Keith mentioned you must adjust to the ballpark, pitching, speed and defense. Keith senses a better attitude and think Franceour, Barajas and Bay are the reason. Keith likes the comeback and points out we have 5 guys that could win comeback player of the year.
Jay Bay: Talks about how he feels right at home as part of the clubhouse. Mike brings up the Mets are going back to pulling the ball and doing what the do best, as opposed to last year’s oppo philosophy. Boston prepped Bay for what he will face in NY. I like this guy, I take back ever thinking they shouldn’t have. Bay compliments Manuel and says his preseason speech was sincere. Pretty cool to hear about the guys going to the bar and watching the Olympics. Man how cool would it be to put down some frosties with the Metsies.
Gary Matthews Jr. interview: Wants to play everyday, glad to get change of scenery. Points out he had 50 RBIs in 300 AB’s last season. GMJ has not been talked to about his role and wants to be the opening day starter. GMJ wants to win a series title.
Minaya interview: Excited abou Barajas. Escobar is not looking good, club is still looking at free agent relievers. Omar believes in the 3 amigos (Ollie, Maine and Pelf) Niese is Omar’s favorite for the 5 spot. Ike Davis is a long shot he says, says he is ready defensively. Jacobs is here as the job is not being handed to Murph. Omar thinks Reyes batting 3 is a good move and he is likely to be a 3 hitter later in his career. Omar believes in this team, he better or he won’t be around long. Omar says Beltran is most likely back in May or June, if things go well. Sounds like this is going to be more then 40 games.
Murph: Interesting, very interesting to see how this goes. Murph is the first player that is actually sitting next to Mike. Mike points out that he did not live up to the hype that was given to him last season and that he bombed in left field. Murph batted .282 in the 2nd half last season again with no protection. Murph continually says he doesn’t care about stats he just wants to help the team win. Murph says it took 2 months to adjust to the pitchers adjusting to him and that the pitchers would not allow him to go opposite field as he has liked in his minor league career. Mike is trying to be nice but Murph just seems like he does not like him and is uncomfortable being next to him. Murph leaves by telling him to not talk so bad…lol….good job by Murph there.
All in all, not bad to watch, each day I listen to Mike I continue to dislike him more and more but nice to see alot of the guys and definitely has me pumped to watch the game today!!!
