Buck Heart Keith

[G-Fafif]

Bob Klapisch reports in a paywall NJ.com piece that Buck Showalter isn't so insecure that he can't have Keith Hernandez around. (The Mets enlisted Keith to work with Murph at first base, which maybe Keith has since forgotten or it was at a distance before social distancing was cool.)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Ever since he arrived at the Mets' spring training facility, Buck Showalter had been baffled by the rule that kept Keith Hernandez away from the batting cages. Technically it was because Hernandez works for SNY, and as a member of the media he was denied access to certain areas of the complex. The decade-old ban was actually pettier than that. Prior regimes were intimidated by Hernandez and his towering 80s legacy. He was popular and knowledgeable and somehow a threat to smaller minds. It was indeed insanity: who thinks of Mex as anything except the most influential player of the ‘86 team – so revered his number is being retired this summer at Citi Field? Showalter was appalled at the way Hernandez was being treated and took swift action. The manager pulled up in a mechanized cart outside the clubhouse the other day and motioned to Hernandez. “Keith, get in,” is what Buck said as the two proceeded to drive slowly around the complex, making sure everyone could see. “I wanted people to notice Keith was sitting next to me and that it wasn't by coincidence,” Showalter said on Tuesday. “To me, Keith Hernandez is Mets royalty. Can you imagine keeping him out? He can go wherever he wants around here. This is his team.” Showalter's deference to Hernandez wasn't just borne out of courtesy, it was a smart move for a manager who's still largely a stranger to the Mets' community. That's changing, but it's nevertheless startling to see the orange-and-blue “NY” on Showalter's cap. He's been with four other franchises since the early mid-90s, but in these parts Showalter is still a Yankees ex-pat. That's okay; if anyone understands the ticket buyers' obsession in this market, it's Buck. And if Job One was to turn Hernandez into an ally, that's already a “W.” “I'm very pleased about this, it's a complete change,” Hernandez said. “Keeping me out was something the old Mets regime did. The last time I was allowed near the field was 2000, when Bobby Valentine had me working with Todd Zeile at first base. “But since then I felt there was an insecurity from the coaches; they didn't want me around, almost like they felt threatened. Like I wanted to get back in uniform, which I couldn't do. It was just a bad vibe.” And now? “Buck said, ‘I want you here, I want you to be part of this,'” Hernandez continued. “He's what the Mets need, 100%. They need a strong leader, they need direction.”

https://trib.al/xXfPsbphttps://trib.al/xXfPsbp

[G-Fafif]

From 2010 (a long time ago in its own right).

Mex was very much out there, down in Port St. Lucie, schooling Murphy on the finer points of playing first.

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/daniel-murphy-flaws-base-test-mets-announcer-keith-hernandez-article-1.199132https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/daniel-murphy-flaws-base-test-mets-announcer-keith-hernandez-article-1.199132

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

I was on Team Keep Rojas, but I'm here to say I was wrong and Buck has been impressive at every turn so far. Really growing on me. Good move to get him.

[kcmets]

=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=87624 time=1648156290 user_id=119]Buck has been impressive at every turn so far.

[Edgy MD]

That would be cool. I'll rent the pickup truck.

[batmagadanleadoff]

=kcmets post_id=87649 time=1648214352 user_id=53]
=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=87624 time=1648156290 user_id=119]
I was on Team Keep Rojas, but I'm here to say I was wrong and Buck has been impressive at every turn so far. Really growing on me. Good move to get him.

[86dreamer]

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=87653 time=1648216467 user_id=68]
=kcmets post_id=87649 time=1648214352 user_id=53]
=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=87624 time=1648156290 user_id=119]
I was on Team Keep Rojas, but I'm here to say I was wrong and Buck has been impressive at every turn so far. Really growing on me. Good move to get him.

[Fman99]

Only management or front office staff or ownership (or some combination thereof) comprised of short sighted jackasses would keep a font of information like Mex off the field. That's some fucked up ignorant shit right there.

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

=kcmets post_id=87649 time=1648214352 user_id=53]
=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=87624 time=1648156290 user_id=119]Buck has been impressive at every turn so far.

[kcmets]

Excite away! Five games into a fifteen game exhibition season is no time in

my mind to publish a press release that 'Buck has been impressive at every

turn so far.' He's done bupkis and doesn't deserve the premature accolades.



#lgm #ygb #ymdyf