THEY BUCKED UP!
SNY botched Showalter’s introduction to Mets
The introduction of Buck Showalter as its new manager was a momentous moment for the Mets organization and the team’s fans. An occasion worthy of fanfare and maximum exposure. This was something to shout about; to spread the word by any means necessary to friend and foe alike.
Instead, SportsNet New York honchos treated Showalter’s coronation like they were taking a $2,000 designer suit to a $2 Dry Cleaner.
For reasons known only to them, SNY carried Showalter’s Zoom press conference on its digital platforms only. The press conference did not air on SNY TV, the television home of the Mets.
Strange move, indeed. Showalter was the biggest manager-in-waiting out there and the Mets actually hired him. Logic (perhaps that is out of style) made us think SNY would seize the moment. That network suits would want to start spreading the news in a big way, covering their turf by bringing Showalter’s Q&A to the largest viewer universe possible. SNY TV serves about 8 million homes in the New York Metropolitan Area and 12 million homes across the country.
Max Scherzer’s introductory Zoom press conference aired on SNY TV.
Scherzer got the kind of respect he deserved. Was Showalter not big-time enough for SNY’s big screen? The network had a star manager on its hands and purposely decided to limit his TV exposure. That was an unorthodox way (and we are being kind) to launch Showalter’s Mets career.
Also, there likely is a segment of Mets fans who hear the words “digital platforms,” panic and reach for two Dixie Cups and a string.
Did they deserve to be shut out? Or did SNY brass think the Luddite Wing of the audience and anyone else who depends on SNY TV for their Mets coverage, would figure out they could count on MLB Network to air the Showalter festivities?
It’s not a reach to suggest that driving your viewers to a competing baseball network is not good idea, especially when a lockout has caused a virtual blackout on baseball news. The Showalter press conference was snow in the middle of a desert. For SNY TV it would also have been a live hour of history-in-the-making. One that could have been replayed over and over again. SNY did not respond to an email asking about the network’s “all digital” decision.
Mets boss Steve Cohen has talked about wanting to do-right by fans.
Depriving some of them from seeing the Showalter press conference on the team’s TV outlet doesn’t exactly help accomplish that mission.
But the Mets (aka Cohen), don’t own SNY. So, it’s unlikely he had input to go “all digital” with Showalter’s Zoom conference. SNY was not part of the deal when Cohen purchased the Mets. Fred Wilpon’s Sterling Entertainment Enterprises is SNY’s majority owner.
Questions: What new wrinkle will SNY install in Showalter’s next press conference? No audio, perhaps?
NOT SCOTT FREE
Once we got past the hypocrisy of Bart Scott, who staged a one-man boycott of the media when he played for the Jets, ripping Zach Wilson for the way he answered a question during last Sunday’s post-game press conference (Jets-Dolphins), we recognized the critique as the harshest the QB has received from a former player (turned TV analyst) this season.
During the press conference, on SNY’s Jets postgame show, Wilson was asked if the responsibility for the Jets inept offense falls on his shoulders. “Yeah,” Wilson said in a dismissive tone, “I don’t worry about any of that stuff.”
Of Wilson, Scott said: “You come off as a baby….You’re not a leader…..Guess what, this is professional football. You want to have fun, leave….My dreams (for you) have turned into a nightmare because you stink…….The fact (is) you don’t walk like a leader, you don’t talk like a leader. How about you go out and get a book and read how to go from good to great.”
Wonder how the Jets organization felt about “one of its own” putting a verbal beatdown on its young quarterback? The only reason to still watch the Jets is to track Wilson’s progress or lack thereof. And to hear how Scott reacts. Will he keep his verbal pedal to the floor? Or, for “Green-andWhite” reasons back off?
BUCK WILD
That wasn’t Sal Licata working mid-days last week on WFAN, was it?
Whoever was on the air, wasn’t the Licata we listen to. “Sal” was so ecstatic over the Mets hiring Buck Showalter, he couldn’t stop screaming “Merry BuckMas.” It was nauseating. The guy on the microphone, formerly known as the Mayor of Panic City, wasn’t just waving pom-poms, he was kissing so much Mets tuchis his lips turned orange and blue.
Seriously, this version of Licata mirrored the joy of Mets fans. But as happy as Licata is now, he will be the first one to complain when he thinks Showalter brought a reliever in at the wrong time. Or botched an element of in-game strategy.
Life will return to normal. And “Merry BuckMas” will be a distant memory.
SHAUN O’HAHA
Going into today’s tilt with Philly, things are bad for the Giants. How bad?
Well, even Shaun O’Hara ,a Super Bowl winner who played seven seasons with the now fractured franchise, took a cheap/ funny shot at them last week on MSG’s Giants Post Game show.
At the top of the show, following the Giants 20-6 loss to Dallas, O’Hara told host Madelyn Burke even the “free Pepsis” couldn’t help the Giants. That always-a-Giant O’Hara, also an NFL Network analyst who plays it down the middle, would go out of his way to highlight the Pepsi fiasco, gave further proof the Big Blue train is headed down the wrong track.
AROUND THE DIAL
While a variety of commentators, and Gasbags, want broadcasters to travel to away games, this latest outbreak of COVID variants should once again underline the need for safety. Executives who will not allow their voices to travel should not be ripped for being cheap. They should be applauded for putting safety first . ... Riveting Monday spot on SXM with Phil Simms and Adam Schein. During the one-on-one, Simms said: “I am done with analytics.” Wonder how Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo felt about Simms, a regular contributor on his afternoon-drive soiree, providing primo juice to Schein on Sports . ... Brandon Tierney, who debuts on WFAN Jan. 3 in middays with Tiki Barber, is already throwing bait into the Valley of the Stupid to attract listeners. BT, in an appearance with Gregg Giannotti, said Eli Manning would appear on one of the early shows to put his “feud” with Barber to rest. Gee, Barber’s camp claimed the controversy was settled years ago. So why bring it up now?