FRANK DEFORD
Thor could use time working on image during his lengthy rehab
While he’s on the shelf recovering from a partially torn right lat, Noah Syndergaard should consider a severe image makeover.
In a few days, he’s gone from Thor to Boor.
And it’s all of his own making. His refusal to take that initial MRI revealed someone arrogant enough to make his own rules. Syndergaard is so delusional he actually believes the media construction of him as a super hero who is indestructible.
If Syndergaard adds muscle and strolls around Manhattan dressed like Thor, he must believe he is actually Thor, right? Unfortunately for him, this is MLB, not the WWE.
Sadly, we found out there is also a nasty side to this cartoon character. Miffed that boss scribes dared invade his clubhouse space to ask for an injury update, Syndergaard turned his verbal powers on veteran Mets PR man Jay Horwitz, scolding him for allowing mere mortals to get within a couple of feet of him.
Recognizing a bully when he hears one, Ron Darling, whose manner is usually mild, went off on Syndergaard during a recent Mets SNY telecast. “In my opinion that is about as weak as it can get and hopefully that never happens again,” Darling said. “Luckily I wasn’t there. I wouldn’t take that.”
In the studio, Nelson Figueroa indicated Syndergaard is swallowing the hype. He said Syndergaard doesn’t “get to decide what tests are going to be run on you,” adding “that’s what management is for.”
“He (Syndergaard) is 24 years old. He thinks he’s invincible. He thinks he’s Thor,” Figueroa said. “But he is not a doctor. He is not a trainer.”
Syndergaard’s answer to all this appeared on social media, where he reaffirmed his love for Mets fans and his team. He also jokingly referred to his feud with Mr. Met. Nowhere in Syndergaard’s love letter was there even a line questioning his own judgement or an apology to Horwitz.
Instead, he let the organization take the heat. In the Valley of the Stupid, the usual Gasbags (and the first-timecaller, long-time-moron crowd) launched into irrational soliloquies about “Mets doctors” or “Mets training staff.” Super Hero Thor made himself invisible letting Sandy Alderson take the heat.
That’s history now. It’s time for Syndergaard to do some serious thinking. He should burn his Thor costume. The media, just as it did for Matt (Dark Knight) Harvey, created the unbreakable image for men involved in a breakable profession where even icons deal with severe pain. The image is of no benefit to him. Yet it does benefit columnists, commentators, and a Mets promotional machine that uses it as a device to sell tickets.
Maybe as he rehabs and reflects, Syndergaard will realize this (he finally apologized to Horwitz publicly on Saturday).
And figure it’s in his best interest to come back a standup guy — not a muscle bound jerk running around in a costume.
EYE ON CHANGE
Are more winds of change blowing through CBS’ “The NFL Today” studio? Industry spies say Bart Scott will likely not be returning to the show. There are a few candidates to replace the outspoken and entertaining Scott, but it appears the NFL Network’s Nate Burleson is high on CBS’ list. If Scott leaves it will mark the second change on “The NFL Today” since the end of last season. Tony Gonzalez left for personal reasons. He was replaced by Phil Simms, who lost his No. 1 NFL analyst gig when the Eye hired Tony Romo.
PUT KAP IN BOOTH
Now that Fox has hired Jay Cutler, one of the most unlikable players in the league, to be on its No. 2 NFL team working with Charles Davis and Kevin Burkhardt, the door is open for a network to hire a QB who actually has something to say — Colin Kaepernick. If Kaepernick, he of the anthem protest, decides not to play this seanetwork son, one of the NFL’s partners (at least one with onions looking to make things interesting for viewers and attract casual eyeballs) should hire him for a studio gig. That’s where Kaepernick, with his outspoken opinions, would excel.
Or he could work as a game analyst, where the new requirement is NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
CBS was at the forefront of that movement hiring the inexperienced Romo to work with Jim Nantz on its No. 1 NFL team. At least Fox is putting the inexperienced Cutler into a three-man booth where he has the cover of two other Gasbags.
Considering his injury history, the three-man works perfectly for Cutler. If he burns his tongue on a hot cup of coffee and has to leave the booth for the rest of the game everything will still be cool.
Kaepernick is able to play, and talk, hurt.
POST-POPE SWEEPSTAKES
More info on the Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa’s Retirement Sweepstakes (Should he actually retire. We believe he won’t) continues to surface.
Radio moles say over the past few months, CBS (it owns WFAN) made a serious inquiry as to whether Adam Schein wanted to replace Francesa. The suits may have gone as far as offering Schein the gig. No matter now, because he turned it down believing his multiple gigs (SiriusXM, CBSSN’s “Time to Schein,” “Monday QB,” “TOPS” and a contributor to “Inside the NFL) are a better fit, personally and financially, than the radio job.
Now, some frontrunners are emerging. The most interesting voice comes straight out of Detroit, Mike Valenti, who yakks on 97.1 “The Ticket.” Valenti, known in the industry as a consummate radio pro, recently lost his longtime partner (13 years) Terry Foster, who announced his retirement last month.
Other names high on the list are more familiar — Evan Roberts and Chris Simms.
SIDE GIG
All those layoffs at ESPN raised a lot of questions, some important, some, like the following, less important.
Anyway, why was Adam Schefter recently used as an NBA courtside reporter? It seems to me he already has a full plate. And considering his report prior to the first pick in the NFL Draft, which proved to be wrong, there’s never enough time in a day to cover the NFL.
What really struck us is this: If Schefter, an NFL guy, is doing sideline reporting on an NBA game he is taking away an opportunity from another ESPNer who is part of the network’s NBA coverage. Taking away a chance from someone to show what they can do.
And maybe on that one night show why they should not lose a job. In the 11th inning last Sunday (O’s-Yankees) YES’ David Cone said: “My head hurts. After this game I need a drink.” Really? Then what did Cone think the audience needed after 11 innings of the telecast?... Anyone debating whether Aaron Judge has crossed over to the national scene only had to watch ESPN’s commercial for Sunday night’s Yankees-Cubs telecast. The spot barely mentioned the World Champions because it was all about His Honor. “Aaron Judge... He can hit it out of any park in any direction,” the voiceover man gushed... If NBA Super Snoop Adrian Wojnarowski is really splitting Yahoo with his Vertical crew and headed to ESPN, we wonder if the Bristol Faculty is going to call on him to save the network’s pathetic NBA studio shows? Good luck with that.
Earlier this week Deford, one of sportswriting’s finest practitioners, ended his 37-year association with NPR where his commentaries served to inform, educate, provoke thought and often inspire. Deford has long had a unique take on the sports landscape. We will miss — really miss — his soft-spoken manner, sense of humor and appreciation for excellence.