James McCANN
Post columnist Steve Serby caught up with new Mets catcher James McCann for some spring training Q&A.
Q: Who was your boyhood idol?
A: Kobe Bryant. I grew up in Southern California, and I watched whatever sport was on TV. Baseball’s always been my favorite sport, but it’s just something about watching Kobe Bryant mature into the player and the man that he did, and watching just his drive, and the Mamba mentality — he didn’t just beat you, he wanted to steal your heart and soul in the process . ... That’s kind of how I operate when calling the games, I don’t just want to get you out, I want you feeling really down when I get you out, because I want you to feel like you don’t have a shot next time coming to the plate. That’s kind of that mentality of, “I’m not just gonna beat you, I want to embarrass you” type mentality.
Q: How do you do that as a catcher?
A: We’re not just here to get you out, we’re here to put in your mind that every time you have to face is, you’re in for a long series, you’re in for a long game ... making opponents feel like they’re beat before they step in the box. You have guys like a [Jacob] deGrom or [Marcus] Stroman or [Carlos] Carrasco, guys like that, it makes it a little easier ’cause guys already fear having to step in the box off of guys that. There’s battles to be won before a series, before a game, and if you can have that type of mentality, we’re in for a dogfight, or we’re in for a huge battle today, that’s kind of the mentality that I want to bring, that teams know when they come to play the Mets, it’s gonna be a battle.
Q: The new owner, Steve Cohen, expects a World Series in possibly as soon as three years. Is that realistic?
A: I think it’s more than realistic. I think we have some unbelievable talent in our locker room. I’ve said this several times already: Other than the talent, the thing that makes this group so special is just how quality the individuals are in that clubhouse. Guys truly do care about their own crafts, but they also care about each other. When you put talent and guys that get along in the same room, that’s how you develop good team chemistry, and when you have talent and good team chemistry, you can go a long way . ... The direction that he is taking this team, I think he’s the right man for the job.
Q: What makes Jacob deGrom, Jacob deGrom?
A: His stuff is the first separator. He’s one of a kind when it comes to stuff. But what takes him to the next level, his greatness, is how intentional he is with everything that he does. He’s very, very detail-oriented, and he knows exactly how his mechanics are supposed to work, he knows exactly how things are supposed to feel, and he knows when something is not right, and he’s able to make the adjustment very quickly.
Q: How similar is he to Justin Verlander?
A: They’re very similar, they have a lot of different quirks that are very similar. I’d say that the biggest difference between him is on their start day, you would never know it’s [deGrom’s] day to pitch — he’s joking, he’s having a good time, he’s laughing, he’ll talk to everyone. Whereas Verlander, on his start day, only wants to talk to the catcher and the pitching coach and whatever trainer was working on him that day.
Q: How would you characterize deGrom’s mentality on the mound?
A: He’s gonna prove to you that he’s better than you. He’s keyed up there to compete and prove that he has better stuff than you do as a hitter, and he’s gonna do everything he can to prove that.
Q: How about Marcus Stroman’s mound mentality?
A: Stroman is very different from Jake in a sense that Stroman’s very creative. He’s almost like an artist out there how he’s trying to disrupt your timing, and mix and match this pitch versus that pitch. They’re similar in a sense that Stro’s very knowledgeable of who he is as a pitcher, just like Jake is knowledgeable on who he is as a pitcher.
Q: And Edwin Diaz?
A: He’s coming right at ya’. He’s saying, “Here it is. Hit it. Let me see what you got.” He’s not afraid of anybody.
Q: What is James McCann’s onfield mentality?
A: My mentality’s pretty much been the same since Day 1: I’m gonna prove you wrong. Tell me I can’t do something, I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna do everything I can. I’ll outwork you, I’ll outthink you, I’ll do whatever I have to do to beat you.
Q: What area behind the plate do you think you need to improve?
A: I think just continue to improve my framing. I’m of the mindset that I want to improve every part of my game. And then obviously, throwing runners out and blocking and all the other stuff I constantly work on as well. If I can continue to improve a little bit every year, then we’re in a good spot.
Q: How would you assess the Mets’ lineup?
A: It’s pretty deep. I don’t think there’s any break in our lineup. You look all the way up and down the lineup, any guy can get you at any time. Guys kind of feed off each other. And then you look at the guys that are projected to be role players off the bench ... really like the way our team is lining up.
Q: What was the most frustrating part of your 2018 season?
A: I guess the word to use is, searching. When things aren’t going right, you’re constantly searching for what that fix may be. Sometimes you find it sooner than later, and other times it takes you a while, and in 2018, it pretty much took me until the next offseason to make the adjustment. But I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason. I am who I am because of the struggle that I went through that year.
Q: What would be your message to Mets fans who preferred J.T. Realmuto at catcher?
A: I can’t control what other people think. I guess that’s just another person to add to the list of people I was gonna prove wrong.
Q: How cool is it catching a no-hitter by Lucas Giolito last August?
A: That’s one of my favorite things that’s ever happened. It’s everything coming together perfectly. The raw emotion when that last out is made ... it’s pretty neat.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Gladiator.”
Q: Favorite actors?
A: Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jennifer Aniston.
Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?
A: Luke Bryan.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: A ribeye steak, mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts with sweet tea.
Q: Would managing appeal to you one day?
A: It would. I really enjoy the cat-andmouse nature, the chess nature of baseball when it comes to calling a game and managing a pitching staff and that type of thing. I really do think that one of my strengths is being able to handle different personalities, and get to know and create a good relationship with each other. I think that’s why catchers are such good managers because their whole career they’ve had to have relationships with other hitters, other position players as well as pitchers.
Q: Hobbies?
A: I really enjoy hunting and fishing. I’m a big bow hunter. And then, beyond that, it’s family time. Spending time with my wife and my two boys.
Q: Do you believe this is a World Series championship team?
A: I think we can, I really do. I think this is a very special group of guys.