Gary Cohen to MTV

[metirish]

Looks like Keith could be working with Gary...

] November 25, 2005 -- Keith Hernandez is moving closer to becoming the Mets' lead analyst on SportsNet New York, according to sources. If Hernandez signs on, he is expected to work 100 to 125 games with new Met TV play-by-player Gary Cohen. On Tuesday, Hernandez' agent met with SNY's executive producer, Curt Gowdy Jr. Barring a tangled negotiation, look for Hernandez to be announced next month as the main analyst.

[Frayed Knot]

Egg-cell-ant !!!

[Frayed Knot]

and on the radio side:

"WFAN and the Mets have offered Roosevelt Island native Jon Sciambi the Mets' radio play-by-play position, NYP TV Sports has learned.
Sciambi, 35, is contemplating whether he wants to call Met games on radio with Howie Rose or continue with ESPN, where he calls major-league baseball and college basketball and hosts a local sports radio talk show in Miami."

says today's NY Post


* If I've ever seen/heard this guy I don't remember anything about him

* There are actually Roosevelt Island "natives"?

* Phillies announcer and former Rutgers play-by-play man Tom McCarthy is apparently the backup plan

* Eddie Coleman likely to remain in his current "swing role" -- iow, pre-games & general reporting plus fill-in announcing

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Backup plan to get go ahead

]Mets pick radio voice WFAN execs are on the verge of naming Tom McCarthy to replace Gary Cohen in the Mets radio booth. McCarthy, a member of the Phillies broadcast team, was one of two finalists for the job. The other was John Sciambi, a former Florida Marlins voice who hosts a sports talk radio show in Miami. Sources said the FANdroids wanted a voice to commit to as close to a 162-game schedule as possible. Sciambi was eliminated when he declined to make the commitment. McCarthy, 37, who will join Howie Rose in the Mets booth, is also the voice of St.Joseph's basketball. McCarthy has done radio play-by-play for Rutgers football and Princeton basketball. A graduate of Trenton State College, McCarthy worked for the Trenton Thunder - now a Yankees farm team but formerly the Double-A affiliate of the Red Sox and Tigers - for six seasons, including a stint as assistant GM. He left the team in 1999 to pursue a full-time broadcasting career. The vacancy in the Mets booth resulted when Cohen left to become the TV voice of the team on SportsNet New York, the regional network that debuts in the spring.

[Willets Point]

Frayed Knot wrote: * There are actually Roosevelt Island "natives"?

Not if he's 35. Someone born and raised on RI would have to be 32 or younger.

[metirish]

] Mets' moves a turn-on for SNY December 9, 2005 Twelve days of Christmas? Eight days of Chanukah? Why wait? If you are Jon Litner, presents already have been arriving for days, first thing in the morning, printed on dead trees rather than placed under decorated ones. It is likely that no one in New York has enjoyed reading the back pages of newspapers more this autumn. "I guess you could say Christmas is coming early, and Chanukah," he said. More to the point, spring has sprung early for Litner, president of SportsNet New York and thus one of the primary beneficiaries of the Mets' ongoing offseason makeover. Come mid-March, he will be at the helm of an ambitious new regional sports network promising first-rate game coverage and other services, such as a thrice-nightly sports news program. Eventually, ratings and profits will be shaped by the on-field fortunes of the Mets, who own the majority of SNY. (Yankees games on YES crushed the Mets on MSG and FSNY last season.) For now, though, all Litner has to sell is buzz, and the one surrounding the Mets has turned into a din. That should offer valuable leverage as Litner seeks to secure distribution on Cablevision, DirecTV and Dish Network, which is essential to SNY's success. For now, only Comcast and Time Warner, the Mets' partners in SNY, are on board. "We are very confident come springtime, when the red light goes on, all of the viewers in our [market] footprint will have the opportunity to tune in," Litner said. "We know we have to be competitive and put a great product on the air, and we intend to do that." Meanwhile, SNY still is putting together its sales team while other outfits already are selling ad time for 2006. Litner said that would not be an issue and his staff will be "full-speed ahead" next month. SNY surely has been a factor in the Mets' aggressive offseason, but Litner said his only direct contact with management on personnel is when he calls to congratulate GM Omar Minaya after the fact. "I am a fan like all the other great Mets fans in New York," Litner said. "Obviously, I'm delighted and thrilled about the commitment ownership has made to put a winning product on the field. Our job is to tell that story." That story will be central to SNY's profile, far more so than news or Jets features or college events. The goal of making SNY a destination for local sports news is noble but full of potential pitfalls, and there are many non-Mets hours to fill, especially come next autumn. So with both the Mets and Yankees scrapping for pieces of an advertising pie that could shrink as dollars drift toward the Internet, what happens on the field will set the tone in the TV wars. SNY is doing its part with an urgent push toward Opening Day. Gary Cohen was hired for Mets play-by-play, with an analyst, perhaps Keith Hernandez, soon to come. The street-level Manhattan studio, which Litner called "a beacon," is under construction. The news outfit, which SNY insists will be tough and objective in covering the Mets, is being assembled. Still, Minaya and team ownership are doing the most important work, making a big, indirect investment in SNY and giving the channel's boss some pleasure reading over his morning coffee. Said Litner: "We're intrigued, excited and looking forward to spring training."

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/ny-spwatch094545236dec09,0,1963847.column?coll=ny-baseball-headlines

[metirish]

I just moved to a cablevision town and I hope I don't go through any BS with SNY..

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Ralph's in, Tom's out?

[Theoldmole]

Keep Ralph. There's no one like him.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Cablevision Crooks lose again.

]Court Victory for Mets By RICHARD SANDOMIR The Appellate Division of State Supreme Court yesterday upheld a lower court ruling that dismissed a lawsuit seeking to delay the startup of the Mets' new cable TV network, which will make its debut in March. In a lawsuit filed in 2004, Cablevision accused the Mets of breaching their contract by agreeing to start SportsNet New York with Time Warner and Comcast. It also insisted the channel could not begin operations until Nov. 1, 2005. The Mets' cable games were shown by Cablevision's MSG Network and Fox Sports New York through last season. Last August, Justice Helen E. Freedman of State Supreme Court ruled that "it defies common sense" for the Mets to have paid $54 million to escape their Cablevision contract five years early yet wait to start the new channel so close to the 2006 season. In its 5-to-0 ruling, the Appellate Division wrote that the Mets' "undisputed evidence" of the negotiations with Cablevision showed the team was "free and clear" from terms of its Cablevision contract after paying the $54 million fee.

[Elster88]

Is the new Met network going to be on Cablevision? Or is all that crap from last year going to happen again?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I dunno. But if I were a Cablevision subscriber, I wouldn't set my TiVo quite yet.

[Guest Edgy DC]

January 12, 2006 METS TO NAME TV ANALYSTS Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, Mets teammates in the 1980's, are expected to be named the team's TV analysts for SportsNet New York, the Mets' new network. Hernandez, an analyst on Mets games on the MSG Network and Fox Sports New York for the past few seasons, will be the analyst for a majority of games. Darling, who spent last season as the Nationals' TV commentator, will handle the remainder. They will work with Gary Cohen, the Mets' former radio announcer, who is scheduled to call all 150 games on SportsNet New York and Channel 11. A role for Ralph Kiner has not been determined. Tom Seaver will not have a position.

[metirish]

Cool , Gary will do games on WPIX 11 too, I hope Cablevision doesn't screw us.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Chat with Ron Darling.

[Guest sharpie]

Someone should ask if he would show up here for a real chat.

[metirish]

] Mex marks spot in Met booth The conversation took place three years ago. Jim Kaat, one of the finest baseball TV analysts, was talking about Keith Hernandez. "Keep watching that guy," Kaat said. "He just keeps getting better." Kaat, secure enough in his own talent to plug a competitor, was right. Still, during his tenure as a Mets TV analyst, Hernandez was never given the only recognition that counts. More games. And more money. For whatever reason, the suits running Cablevision-owned Fox Sports New York/MSG Network, which once owned Mets TV rights, had Hernandez averaging close to only 50 games per season up until 2005, when James Dolan made Fran Healy the Mets' primary analyst, cutting Hernandez back to 32 games. Better days were coming. When Fred Wilpon decided to buy his way out of the Mets' TV contract with Cablevision, all the seats in the Mets broadcast booth turned into those ejector jobs "Q" used to install in James Bond's cars. Healy. Gone. Ted Robinson. Gone. Ralph Kiner. Gone. Tom Seaver. Gone. Dave O'Brien. Gone. Matt Loughlin. Gone. Hernandez is the only man left standing. Yesterday, SportsNet New York boss Jon Litner, and his lieutenant, Curt Gowdy Jr., said Ron Darling will stand next to Mex. Gary Cohen already was brought over from radio in the upright position. Make no mistake, Hernandez, who will work about 110 games, is the star of this show. In TV baseball the main analyst always is. Hernandez has earned top billing. It's not just about his knowledge of the game. Anyone who played big-league baseball for 17 seasons knows the ins and outs. It's his ability to communicate what he knows with clarity, passion and honesty. Hernandez has developed a style. It ain't white bread and butter. He often takes a fearless approach. It always played well with fans. At MSG, he was paid by Cablevision. Now, he is working for a network whose majority owner is Wilpon. "I don't think it's going to be a problem," Hernandez said yesterday. "All I've heard from Curt and Jon is (they want) honest analysis." The problem will be if "Curt" or "Jon" start hearing from Fred or Jeff (Wilpon). "Time will tell," Hernandez said. "We'll cross that bridge when the time comes." If Hernandez ever sees the abutment, he will figure out the best way to react. In September 2002, Hernandez - in a column on MSG's Web site, wrote that the Mets had "no heart" and "quit" on Bobby Valentine. Mike Piazza was so incensed by the commentary that he referred to Hernandez as a "voice from the grave." Hernandez wound up making a clubhouse apology to the Mets during a series in Atlanta. And yet, it seemed strange that Hernandez would apologize for telling the truth. "It was the truth. Certain players did quit. I apologized for saying the team collectively quit," Hernandez said. "It was a blanket statement. It was unfair. You can't tell me the 25th player on that roster, or the 10th pitcher on the club, quit." The chances of Hernandez finding himself in a similar position definitely exist. Stuff happens during a season. Just ask the gang at Al Yankzeera. For Hernandez, aka Mex, the only difference now is knowing how to drop the hammer. Especially when you might have to tell millions of viewers the Mets choked. "Those are tough choices to make. I think everyone knows I'm honest in the booth," he said. "I've learned over the years you can be honest and not beat someone over the head. . . . But you have to be honest. If we throw some bull--- out there it's not going to fly." His concern shows a commitment to his craft that was not always there. Hernandez's baseball career did not end the way he wanted it to. A bad back forced him out in 1991. For four years he had no use for baseball. Didn't care about the game. Never watched it. A persistent agent, Dave Katz, spent two years encouraging Hernandez to give broadcasting a try. "I said, 'No, no, no,' but Dave just hung in there," Hernandez said. "Finally, I said I was ready." Now, there is a realization of where he's come. In the Mets' broadcast booth, he doesn't have to take a back seat. Hernandez knows he is No. 1. Someone asked him how he felt about all this. "I am," Hernandez said, "nervous." An honest answer.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/382395p-324658c.html

[soupcan]

Its amazing to me that Healy could be so universally disliked by everyone who either follows or is a fan of this team, yet somehow the guy was a fixture for years. How the hell did that happen?




January 13, 2006

Mets' New Network Makes Great Calls
By RICHARD SANDOMIR

Before a single Mets game has been seen on the fledgling SportsNet New York, the team's new network can be praised for ending the announcer chaos that once reigned at the MSG Network and Fox Sports New York.

Two months ago, Gary Cohen was hired as the sole play-by-play announcer for all 150 S.N.Y and Channel 11 games. And yesterday, S.N.Y. named the former Mets Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling as the analysts.

Thus ends the population boom in the Mets' cable and broadcast booths, where Hernandez, Ted Robinson, Ralph Kiner, Fran Healy, Tom Seaver and Dave O'Brien worked last season. Kiner and Seaver will play some type of unspecified roles at S.N.Y., but not during the games, apparently.

And perhaps no sweeter words could be expressed about the dim prospect of Healy following the Mets to their new network than those uttered on a news media conference call yesterday by Jon Litner, the president of S.N.Y, who said, "He's under contract to MSG for another year."

Sanity breaks out. (soupcan - 'Ouch')

Having three announcers completely identified as the Mets' voices is reminiscent of the days when Kiner, Bob Murphy and Lindsey Nelson called all the games on television and radio. It's no longer quite so cozy; the Mets' radio games will be called by Howie Rose and Tom McCarthy.

"I grew up in San Francisco," Hernandez said, where the Giants games were called by Lon Simmons and Russ Hodges. "They were the two guys, on radio and TV. You turned the game on, and it was Lon and Russ."

The hiring of Hernandez and Darling had been expected, especially with David Cone unwilling to call as many games as S.N.Y. needed and Al Leiter continuing his playing career. The fact that all four were Mets was not a prerequisite to being considered, but their connections to the team did not hurt, said Curt Gowdy Jr., the executive producer of the network.

"I wanted the best people available," Gowdy said.

The inaugural year of S.N.Y. coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Mets' second World Series championship, so having two members of that team in the booth is a promotional and a historical advantage. "One thing about that team is they owned this town," Darling, 45, said on the conference call.

Hernandez, 52, played down the hard-partying image of that team, at least in terms of other teams he played with during his career. "I can't say that those Mets were No. 1 on the list of carousing on the road," he said on the call. He suggested that young, athletic men on his teams were not going to play tiddlywinks on the road after a game.

Hernandez has been calling games for about a decade, but last year his MSG-F.S.N.Y. schedule was cut to 32 games from 50 or 55 in previous years, a decision he preferred not to discuss. "I always wanted to do more games," he said, then added, "This is the biggest job in my post-playing career."

Darling spent his first year in the booth last season, working with Mel Proctor on 150 Washington Nationals games. He and Proctor met for the first time in a taxicab on the way to their first game, in Philadelphia.

"Somehow we pulled off the first game and went on from there," Proctor said by telephone. The arrangements, first to put the Nationals on the air, and second, to hire Proctor and Darling, were made so hastily that Darling slept on Proctor's couch for three weeks before finding his own place.

Proctor said that Darling's biggest adjustment was to maintain his energy over 150 games, a greater load than most TV announcers have. "He's usually low-key," Proctor said, "but one game, he came running in late, runs into the booth, out of breath, in a hurry, all pumped up, and it was the best game he ever did. I said, 'Ronnie, that's the energy you need to bring every time.' "

Darling and Hernandez will generally work one-on-one with Cohen, although Gowdy said that he may tinker with using all three, a trial process that will begin in spring training. S.N.Y. has not scheduled its first game.

Darling is a lesser-known commodity than Hernandez, who has improved, after a rocky start, with more work. There was a time, after he finished playing, when continuing in baseball was a remote idea.

"In 1991, I got away from the game for four years and I barely watched," he said. "I cleared my head and realized it was a beautiful game." He has also preserved the hair hue of his youth with Just For Men coloring ("The Rejuvenator!"), which he has promoted with Walt Frazier.

So let us recapitulate what S.N.Y. has wrought: Cohen. Darling. Hernandez. No Healy. A good start.

E-mail: sportsbiz@nytimes.com

[Guest Edgy DC]

The thing about Healy is that he's almost universally disliked (sorry Cooby), but not universally hated (sorry, Centerfield).

He's a genial sonorous ex-jock in good shape that fills up air, wears a nice tan, and never says anything very controversial. You watch for years and you realize he's saying the same thing over and over, but in the moment rarely digs himself a hole.

He probably does the community work and willingly talks Mets with the suits' nephews. Those guys tend to keep jobs, at least until a team switches broadcaster outlets, and I guess it's his good fortune that he survived a few broadcast switches so far. But I'm not surprised. Every city has a Fran. He's Biff Thunderpants.

[Elster88]

]He has also preserved the hair hue of his youth with Just For Men coloring ("The Rejuvenator!"), which he has promoted with Walt Frazier.

I think this line was talking about Darling. Didn't they mean Hernandez for this? Or does Ronnie do Just For Men too?

[Elster88]

It's really hard to hate Fran when sampling what else is out there.

[Frayed Knot]

]Its amazing to me that Healy could be so universally disliked by everyone who either follows or is a fan of this team, yet somehow the guy was a fixture for years. How the hell did that happen?

The answer all along has been that Healy was a favorite of the Dolan clan of Cablevision, the ones who have been responsible for the Met games for 20+ years at this point via SportsChannel/FSNY/MSG, all stations that they owned and operated. My guess is that they saw him as the perfect vanilla-type host who could fill the 20-hour/day with all that off-hour programming while there was no game going on.

Of course given the personell decisions that the same crew has made since they've been running MSG and it's two main sports team tenants ... it kinda speaks a lot about their decision making don't it?

[Farmer Ted]

Seaver's gone six ways to Sunday.

When that somabitch wouldn't even acknowledge me saying hello in the Pittsburgh airport last year, that's when I knew all the critics were right. Asshole. Ron Darling, on the other hand, had the time to shake my hand and talk some baseball with me on a crowded 7 platform outside of Shea after a game.

Seaver only had a good delivery on the mound. In the booth and in person, he sucked.

[metirish]

Not to mention that Seaver knew nothing it seemed about the opposing team, he never sounded prepared, I hated listening to him, Fran I liked, Edgy pretty much wrote what I thought about Fran.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Darling chat, his answers in bold. I came in late and he didn't respond to my demand to explain his 3 uni numbers.

] lametfan1956: 1:57 pm How do you see the bullpen shaping up for 2006? nymguest_2: 1:59 pm Ron D - With the addition of Sanchez and Steve Schmoll from the Dodgers....Sanchez is a bulldog who pitches in a lot of games and Matt Perisho is a left hander who did a fine job out of the bullpen for Florida last year. Si, I see the bullpen being much stronger. I see Billy Wagner being the stud of that group as the closer, which might allow Aaron Heilman to go to the rotation. Base_Ball_2: 1:59 pm How does the current Met team compare to say the 1986 team? nymguest_2: 2:00 pm Ron D - hard to compare the '86 starting pitching staff with this team. But the offense for the 2006 Mets with Reyes, Beltran Delgado, Floyd, Wright etc etc seems as strong or maybe stronger than that '86 team. lametfan1956: 2:01 pm By the way it is great to have you back with the Mets again. How soon do you think that Michael Pelfrey will be with the club? Sure seems like a lot of money for someone that hasn't pitched in the Majors yet. nymguest_2: 2:03 pm Ron D - Well, I'm glad to be back too! And I'm jealous of that money too! But Pelfrey seems like a sure shot for the Major Leagues...33-7 at Wichita State which has always been known as a hitter's park. And he can throw at 100 mph. Those are the guys that you can't pass up. He has a chance to be in the big leagues within 2 years. rgnsgg: 2:03 pm Should the age of the starting pitching and the lack of a quality set up man in the bullpen worry Mets fans in regards to how far this team can actually go? nymguest_2: 2:06 pm Ron D - Well I'm not bothered by the age of the starting pitching. Arguably Tom Glavine was the Mets' best pitcher in the second half, winning 7 games with an ERA just over 2.00. Pedro is always going to be Pedro. He can beat you with an 82 mph fastball or a 92 mph fastball. But I believe Benson is the key to this year's rotation. He had 10 wins last year, but is capable of much more. wang923: 2:06 pm Ron, nice work in Shallow Hal, I wasn't expected to see you in a movie... How do you think the Mets squad compares to the 86 Mets? Do we have enough pitching to bring home the series this season? nymguest_2: 2:07 pm Ron D - Well, thanks for the compliment on Shallow Hal. My part was small, but it was a great movie. The Farrelly brothers are the best. nymguest_2: 2:10 pm Ron D - I think it's hard to compare the 86 team with any other Mets team. That team was a special team. But as a fan here in the winter, I can't wait for the 2006 team to debut. With the acquisition of Delgado, which should protect some of the Mets hitters, and Billy Wagner, who just solidifies that bullpen - a problem in the past. jerseyfan015: 2:10 pm I was born after the 86 championship but I've always enjoyed watching the highlights of the season. What game do you remember the most from the 1986 team? nymguest_2: 2:11 pm Ron D - Game 6 versus Houston in the NLCS...a sixteen inning affair that the Mets team had to win because Mike Scott was going to pitch game 7 for the Astros. To me, that was the finest game I've ever watched. (I didn't play in it). Jake_Long: 2:11 pm Who did you hate to pitch to the most in your career? nymguest_2: 2:12 pm Ron D - Tony Gwynn...EASILY! I did my best to get him to 3,000 hits quicker, and I think his lifetime batting average against me was .450. Base_Ball: 2:12 pm Its great to have you back Ron! I was wondering if you have any aspirations to coach or manage? nymguest_2: 2:15 pm Ron D - I believe the coaches and managers do a fine job. I don't think it's for everyone. They lead a difficult life, and I don't know that it would be right for me. But I do know that this opportunity at SportsNet New York (SNY) is a perfect fit for me, and I get to coach and manage from the booth! Kevin_Lynch: 2:15 pm What will the Mets do with Zambrano? Seems to me they are reluctant to cut ties with him b/c it would admit it was sucha terrible deal. nymguest_2: 2:17 pm Ron D - Victor Zambrano has a fine arm, great fastball, great breaking ball. Everyone knows that he struggled with his control, and it's an interesting question. Because of the trade, you might think the Mets are holding onto him to justify the trade, but I believe they are keeping Zambrano because sometimes power pitchers take a little longer to develop and I believe he'll develop into a strong ML pitcher some day. Jake_Long: 2:17 pm Are you looking forward to announcing Mets games? nymguest_2: 2:20 pm Ron D - Great new team on the field, which makes it very exciting for me, because I believe we have a great new team in the booth. Who wouldn't want to work with Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, Siafa Lewis and Curt Gowdy, Jr. And the entire staff that will be working "Baseball Night in New York" for SportsNet NY. shorty28kk: 2:20 pm Who do you think the best players in baseball are? nymguest_2: 2:22 pm Ron D - Carlos Beltran, Albert Pujols, Andruw Jones, Miguel Cabrera, Manny Ramirez, A-Rod, Jeter, David Wright... mike_k: 2:22 pm Where do you think Beltran should bat? nymguest_2: 2:23 pm Ron D - The most success that Carlos Beltran has ever had in the big leagues was in the 2004 playoffs. In those playoffs, he batted second, so he got a lot of fastballs, a lot of strikes, and he could be aggressive. I think that's the kind of hitter he is. Jake_Long: 2:24 pm What do you think was the greatest move the Mets made this postseason? nymguest_2: 2:26 pm Ron D - Other than the new baseball analyst team of Hernandez and Darling? (Kidding) I think the best move they made was the acquisition of Billy Wagner. I watched him pitch 15 times last year - every single time a success. And now he ensures that the games the Mets are winning after 8 innings will go in the "W" column. VIVA_SANTOS: 2:26 pm Hey Ron, I am glad you are going to be the mets TV announcer. Have you wanted the job in the past with the Mets? nymguest_2: 2:28 pm Ron D - I've always wanted to play a part with the NY Mets, and I've been very fortunate that Jon Litner, Curt Gowdy, Jr. and SportsNet NY have given me the opportunity of not only being part of the network team, but also a part of my old team, the Mets baseball team. tonimarievac: 2:28 pm Ron it made my day to see that you were back with the Mets. Welcome Back. nymguest_2: 2:29 pm Ron D - Thank you. It is great to be back. mike_k: 2:29 pm Are you excited to be working with Kieth again? Have you guys kept in touch since leaving the Mets? nymguest_2: 2:31 pm Ron D - Second part first...we have kept in touch and have seen each other off and on over these 20 years. And I'm excited to have the opportunity to occasionally share the booth with Keith, to be the Mets color analyst with Keith, and to learn from Keith since he has a lot of experience doing Mets games. That's going to help me develop in the long run. jerseyfan015: 2:31 pm Who on the current pitching staff do you consider close to your style of delivery? nymguest_2: 2:33 pm Ron D - Kris Benson probably has some of the same stuff I had. Sinking fastball...slurvey breaking ball...and I think the only difference between Kris and myself is that I was always fortunate enough to stay healthy. If Kris can stay healthy and put 3-4-5 years together, he can have quite a run. mcgowan128: 2:34 pm What was your favorite park to pitch in away from shea? nymguest_2: 2:35 pm Ron D - Wrigley Field.Because of the history of the ballpark. The beauty of the ballpark. And it is one of the last ballparks that's right inside the neighborhood, that gives it that old Ebbetts Field charm. Kevin_Lynch: 2:35 pm David Wright comes in with a TON of pressure on him. Can he handle it and have even a better year? nymguest_2: 2:37 pm Ron D - Well, so far so good! I don't think anyone has handled pressure better as a young player than David Wright. As he gets bigger, stronger, and more confident, he is one of those few players that you could say might one day be a captain of the team. That's how special his personality and his talent are. Jake_Long: 2:38 pm What do you think of Julio Franco? Will he be a force off the bench or are his golden days over? nymguest_2: 2:40 pm Ron D - Second part first...I believe his golden days are NOT over. I watched him play many games last season in Washington, and I think he is in better shape now than he was as a rookie for the Phillies. He'll have a great right-handed bat off the bench. He'll be able to spell Delgado at 1B occasionally. And everyone I know has said that he is a great presence in the clubhouse. cgroovin: 2:40 pm Who is the most exciting player for you to watch today? nymguest_2: 2:41 pm Ron D - Well there are many. If I have to put it down to one, I'll have to say Albert Pujols for the Cardinals. I played for La Russa in St. Louis, and he said that no one on his teams have ever worked harder than Albert Pujols. When your superstar is outworking everyone else, you've got something very special. dave_parrott_2: 2:42 pm What is your greatest single on-field accomplishment? nymguest_2: 2:43 pm Ron D - The fourth game of the World Series against the Red Sox in 1986. It was a game we had to win, and it was in Boston, which was my home town. I had left 50 tickets for friends and family that night...and although no one will admit it...I think only my mother wanted me to win the game. -) nymguest_2: 2:44 pm MODERATOR - We have time for a few more questions. shorty28kk: 2:44 pm What two teams do you think will go to the World Series, if the Mets don't make the playoffs? nymguest_2: 2:45 pm Ron D - I reject the premise of the question! nymguest_2: 2:46 pm Ron D - I do think the Mets will make the playoffs, so I'll give my AL prediction. Because of the great manager and the blend of young and old players - plus the X-factor - Vladimir Guerrero, it's hard for me not to go with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. mcgowan128: 2:48 pm Who were you the closest to as a friend on the 86 Mets? nymguest_2: 2:50 pm Ron D - My closest friend on the Mets was Eddie Lynch, which became difficult when he was traded mid-season to the Cubs. But Lynchie was the kind of guy who invited me to stay at his house in Florida, took me out to dinner, and taught me how to be a pro. Just a great guy. Chuck_Buono: 2:50 pm I'm looking forward to your work in the Mets' booth with Gary (the best play-by-play man in the business) and Keith. Will the Mets finally throw a no-hitter this year? If so, who will do it?? nymguest_2: 2:51 pm Ron D - Thanks - I can't wait to get to Spring Training to cover the team. To answer your question on the no-hitter, it's hard to predict when - but when it comes, the crew at SNY will be there to cover it. So stay tuned all season long! nymguest_2: 2:53 pm Ron D - Thanks everybody for joining me today. I hope to do this again in the future, and I'm glad to be back in New Yor, working for SNY and covering the Mets this season. Have a great weekend everybody. And to Cactus86 - sorry - I stopped being a wingman at age 40! -)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, Tony Gwynn kicked his ass, but he wasn't the worst of the 1984 Padres. On the other hand, Mike Sharperson went 4-5 career against him. He seemed to have the most trouble with Cubbies.

Selected Darling killers (min. 40 PA)

Batter	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	IBB	SO	HBP	SH	SF	AVG	OBP	SLG
Ron Cey	35	12	1	0	3	5	0	6	0	0	0	.343	.425	.629
Will Clark	39	12	1	0	4	3	1	6	0	0	0	.308	.357	.641
Jody Davis	55	15	3	0	4	7	0	13	0	0	0	.273	.355	.545
Andre Dawson	57	19	3	1	4	9	0	8	1	0	1	.333	.426	.632
Shawon Dunston	49	12	0	2	4	1	1	8	1	0	0	.245	.275	.571
Tom Foley (?!)	46	16	1	0	2	3	0	4	0	0	0	.348	.388	.500
Pedro Guerrero	41	17	3	0	2	9	0	7	1	0	1	.415	.519	.634
Tony Gwynn	59	26	5	2	0	2	2	6	0	0	1	.441	.452	.593
Von Hayes	71	23	7	0	4	10	0	9	0	1	1	.324	.402	.592
John Kruk	36	13	1	2	2	7	0	7	0	0	1	.361	.455	.667
Keith Moreland	58	17	3	0	4	5	0	10	0	1	2	.293	.338	.552
Ken Oberkfell	50	17	2	1	2	4	1	3	0	0	1	.340	.382	.540
Dave Parker	37	10	3	0	2	7	1	2	0	0	2	.270	.370	.514
Juan Samuel	55	20	2	0	3	9	0	11	2	0	0	.364	.470	.564
Mitch Webster	40	14	1	2	2	6	0	11	0	0	1	.350	.426	.625
Glenn Wilson	37	9	1	1	3	5	0	8	1	0	0	.243	.349	.568

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

He played for Tony LaRussa in St. Louis? (He must have meant Oakland.)

Interesting that Wrigley was his favorite road ballpark. He didn't do that well there:

Darling at Wrigley

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, I think he liked it like Keef liked it. A nice downtown ballpark and the opportunity to eat and go out and go to sleep at the same time everybody else is doing it.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Certainly Gwynn hurt his ass. Just on my perception, I'd guess Tony Gwynn, for his career, was an all-time Met assassin, though I don't know that for sure.

He of course hit most people pretty well.

Who are the top 10 all-time Met assassins, and can we make this into a quiz?

[Guest cooby]

Schmidt had to be one of them