Mets Punked By SNY Employee

SportsNet New York
Image via Wikipedia

Richard Sandomir has a great story in the NY Times yesterday about the Mets opening day broadcast getting punked by an SNY employee. I assume that person is a former SNY employee now. If you’re reading this, contact me so we can get your side of the story out. ]

After the Mets lost the game Friday night to the Marlins, SNY ran a brief audio clip of the Fox “Family Guy” episode making fun of the Mets. I was watching the game and didn’t even notice it, it’s so brief. Of course, it’s available on YouTube. Check it out below.

You can see the video clip from the original “Family Guy” on YouTube also. That will give you a frame of reference for the audio that appeared during the SNY broadcast Friday night.

This certainly perpetuates the image that the Mets are a joke of a franchise. Sometimes it’s hard to defend against that perception to friends and family, especially if they’re Yankees, Phillies, or even Red Sox fans. But I’m sure there’s no way that SNY would tolerate an employee pulling a prank like that during a live broadcast.

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Mets 6 – Marlins 4 April 2, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Jon Niese #...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

This was a good game with several turns of fortune for both teams. It’s good for the Mets to get the first win under their belts so they don’t have to worry about getting swept in their first series tomorrow afternoon. Jon Niese had a very shaky start, giving up 2 runs in the first inning. But he recovered nicely to pitch the next 6 scoreless innings.

The Mets had some offense going tonight too for a change. David Wright had 3 hits including a solo homer to right field in the fourth inning. Ike Davis had 2 hits, both doubles and an RBI in the sixth inning.

It looked like Josh Thole might be the goat of the game when he singled in the seventh inning to right field and took a big turn at first base. Emilio Bonifacio threw behind him and Thole stumbled going back to first, getting thrown out. It was an ugly, embarrassing play but Thole redeemed himself in the ninth with the go-ahead RBI single.

K-Rod was terrible in the ninth, giving up 3 hits and a run to blow the save. He wasn’t fooling anyone. It was a terrible start to 2011 for him.

The Mets bombed the Marlins bullpen in the tenth inning though. They had 4 hits and scored 3 runs led by a big RBI double down the right field line by Willie Harris.

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Preview: Mets at Marlins April 2, 2011

marlins logoNew York Mets (0-1) at Florida Marlins (1-0) 7:10pm

Jon Niese (0-0, NA) vs. Ricky Nolasco (0-0, NA)

TV: SNY, FSFL             Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets try to recover from getting shut down by Josh Johnson last night. They’re playing behind Niese, who was 1-4 with a 6.49 ERA against the Marlins last year in 5 games. Nolasco went 2-0 against the Mets last season with a 3.96 ERA in 4 games.

We’ll get out first look at Lucas Duda this season in left field. Although Willie Harris played well last night, Duda should get the bulk of the playing time while Jason Bay is on the disabled list.

Video: CNNMoney on Mets Financial Problems

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: New York Mets chief o...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Even CNNMoney is getting in on the Mets-Madoff story now. They correctly point out that the Mets’ financial situation could get more desperate quickly as their first player payroll is due on April 15 and debt payments come due not long after that.

There isn’t much in the video that we didn’t already know. But it’s interesting to see the Wilpon’s faces and tone of voice as they made a statement last month about the situation.

We also got a glimpse into what the Mets-owned SNY response would be last night during the opening game telecast. Clearly, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez were reading prepared statements about the Madoff lawsuit. Their prepared statements gave no indication of their true feelings, thoughts, or concerns about the situation. As employees of the Mets-owned TV station, I would expect nothing less if they want to keep their jobs.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/money/.element/apps/cvp/4.0/swf/cnn_money_384x216_embed.swf?context=embed&videoId=/video/news/2011/04/01/n_madoff_mets.cnnmoney

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Video: Chris Rock on the 2011 Mets

NEW YORK - UNDATED: In this handout image pro...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Thursday night Chris Rock was on The Late Show with David Letterman talking about the state of the Mets. I love Chris Rock and he’s a big Mets fan. You probably even saw his “Let’s Go Mets” video that they used to show on the board at Shea.

His appearance on Letterman was hilarious talking about the Mets’ finances and having to use a manhole cover for second base. Check out the video below. It’s great.

Chris Rock appears on The Late Show with David Letterman
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Marlins 6 – Mets 2 April 1, 2011

The Mets couldn’t do anything against Josh Johnson for most of the night. They got no-hit into the seventh inning when Willie Harris finally broke up the no-hitter with a double to left center field. The Mets had no offense, as was the case for much of last season. They only managed 4 hits and 2 runs, although Johnson is a big-time pitcher. Harris had 2 hits and was the only one that could do anything against Johnson.

Mike Pelfrey didn’t look good at all. He’s not going to have much success as a #1 starter if he keeps pitching like tonight’s game. He only lasted 4.1 IP giving up 5 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. The big blow was a grand slam by John Buck in the fourth inning.

It’s a disappointing start to the season because the Mets never really seemed to be in the game. Getting no-hit through seven can do that to a team.

Box score

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Mets Start 2011 with More Questions than Answers

Carlos Beltran
Image by Keith Allison via Flickr

As the Mets and Marlins get ready to begin the 2011 season tonight, I can’t help but think that the Mets team is going to look very different when this season ends. The financially struggling Wilpons didn’t bring in Sandy Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi, and Paul DePodesta to stand pat like they did all winter. There are going to be moves this season and probably some big ones.

The Infield

Ike Davis looks like he’s on his way to becoming a solid, if not spectacular everyday player. David Wright is the face of the franchise and locked up in a contract until 2012 with an option for 2013. After that, things are much more in question. Is Josh Thole an everyday catcher? Will Jose Reyes sign an extension, get traded, or just play out his contract with the Mets? Are Brad Emaus or Daniel Murphy going to solidify second base?

The Outfield

Angel Pagan looks like a solid center fielder on the rise in his career. Scott Hairston and Willie Harris look like capable fourth and fifth outfielders. The other two-thirds of the outfield are question marks. Does Carlos Beltran have anything left that could justify all (or even a small portion) of his $18.5 million salary for this season? Will Beltran waive his no-trade clause at some point during the season? Will Jason Bay do anything productive for the Mets or is he another big free agent bust? Continue reading “Mets Start 2011 with More Questions than Answers”